Irish XC MTB Gear Review

Tyres: Panaracer Trailraker

2007-10-20T14:33:00.000-07:00

Review submitted by: Tom Heavey

Reviewers e-mail:
Tom Heavey

Gear type: Tyres

Brand(s): panaracer

Model: Trailraker

Price paid: € 42

Where purchased: Cycleogical

How long in use: 2 years

Pros: These tyres are perfect for the Irish winter, I was running one on the front of my NRS and it really gave me more much more confidence on roots and hitting muddy sections at speed. They shed mud as well as can be expected and never punctured on me, they also work pretty well on rocky sections, although not if the pressure is too high. They don’t appear to wear down too quickly either.

Cons: They were a bit on the pricey side, and can be draggy enough on the road, but it’s a fair compromise I feel

Other reviews: MTBR review

Backpack: Camelbak Mule

2007-10-20T14:24:00.000-07:00

Review submitted by:
Tom Heavey

Gear type: Backpack

Brand(s): Camelbak

Model: Mule

Price paid: € 70

Where purchased: The Great Outdoors

How long in use: 1 year

Pros: Perfect bladder size at 1.5ltrs, I hardly wash it out and it always tastes perfect, never drips and very user friendly.
The pack has a number of secure pockets with a great key holding loop inside one of the pockets so you don’t lose keys even if a pocket opened or you left it slightly open.
I can carry water, tools, tubes, phone, food and a jacket without really noticing it!
Plus a rinse with Milton for the bladder and a regular wash in the machine for the pack and they are like new, if you are an mtb’r in the market for a backpack buy this one.

Cons: On long hot spins 50k+ I always run out of drink, but a spare bottle in the cage takes care of this, also sometimes the bladder can be rather difficult to open if you have drained it totally.

Other reviews:
Chain Reaction Cycles customer reviews

Lights: Lumicycle NiMH 2000 System

2007-09-30T13:51:00.000-07:00

Review submitted by: Morgan O'Connell, Paddy O'Brien

Gear type: Lights

Brand(s): Lumicycle

Model: NiMH 2000 System (12w spot and 20w flood), smart charger

Price paid: €290

Where purchased:
Lumicycle

How long in use: 5 years

Pros:
Simple construction and all parts available as spares
Long burn times (about three hours burn time on 12w),
They can be user-modified (e.g. LED upgrade)
Last for years

The smart charger is deadly .. takes about 4 hours for a full charge but you can't bust the battery by overcharging

Cons:
Battery bag removes paint from frame like sandpaper (I'd get the bottle battery if buying again)

Had to buy mounting brackets separately (these now come as standard)

Socks; Sealskinz Waterproof Mid-Light Sock

2007-08-16T16:33:00.000-07:00

Review submitted by:
Fergal Kilkenny

Gear type: Socks

Brand(s): Sealskinz

Model: Waterproof Mid-Light Sock

Price paid: € 30

Where purchased: Chain Reaction Cycles

How long in use: 1 year

Pros: Nice colour, initially seemed to work well

Cons: Developed holes after only a few months, ankle elastic has slackened off, doesn't stop water getting in over the top.

The customers on CRC seemed to like them, I wouldn't recommend them - they operate on the principle of keeping your feet dry after water has entered your shoes - why not prevent the water getting in in the first place?
Seems like a more logical idea so I went for a pair of these and they work great,
only €7 more than the socks -a better investment I reckon, ignore any 'roadie bender' slagging, they're worth it

Other reviews:
Chain Reaction Cycles customer reviews

Shoes: Specialized BG Sport

2007-08-16T16:15:00.000-07:00

Review submitted by: Paul Murphy

Gear type: Shoes

Brand(s): Specialized

Model: BG Sport

Price paid: €81

Where purchased: Cycleways

How long in use: 1 week

Pros: I wore them on a 7 hour spin first day I had them and only experienced some rubbing on my heal and a slight discomfort on the ball of my foot (however I was boghopping at the time).

They are comfortable, and you don't really notice them, which is great for a shoe. They look good too...

Cons: Cons: They leak like a sieve - absolutly zero water protection - I am going to have to get some sealskin socks at the weekend as these shoes will not be of any use in the winter otherwise.

Am a bit weary of the velcro straps - but they will be tested over time. One of the cleats shifted backwards over their first use - I will monitor this to see if it reoccurs..

Lights: Light and Motion Solo

2007-08-16T15:56:00.000-07:00

Review submitted by:
Fergal Kilkenny

Gear type: Lights

Brand(s): Light and Motion

Model: Solo

Price paid: about €130 in 2006

Where purchased: Cycle Superstore Tallaght

How long in use: 1 year

Pros: Affordable, durable (rubber coated lens and tough plastic body), versatile (helmet and bar mount), good light output and duration (a little over 2 hours), small battery size.

Cons: Small things really - 14 hour recharge time (no problem though if you hook it up to a timer plug to prevent overcharging), battery is a little bit heavy.

Clothing: Specialized BG Pro Shoes

2007-08-01T13:22:00.000-07:00

Review submitted by:
Robert Drohan

Gear type: Shoes

Brand(s): Specialized

Model: BG Pro

Price paid: € 190

Where purchased: Wiggle

How long in use: 2 months

Pros: Very comfortable and light (726g size 42), carbon sole, 2 velcro + ratchet closure, optional studs.

Cons: Not that robust looking, best kept for XC racing

Pedals: Shimano M545 dh

2007-07-31T15:49:00.000-07:00

Review submitted by:
Don

Gear type: Pedals

Brand(s): Shimano

Model: Shimano M545 dh

Price paid: €60

Where purchased: Chain Reaction Cycles

How long in use: 3 months

Pros: Large platform cage gives confidence when your battling to clip in.

Cons: Size means you will clip them on rocks and damage them quite quickly.
Not cheap, this is my second pair.

The first lasted 2 years before falling apart, the replacement pair have lasted only a few months having taken a few knocks.

I won't be buying them again

Other reviews:
Chain Reaction Cycles customer reviews

Bikes: Giant NRS 2005

2007-07-31T15:47:00.000-07:00

Review submitted by:
Don

Gear type: Bike

Brand(s): Giant

Model: NRS 1 2005

Price paid: €1100

Where purchased: Pedalon UK

How long in use: 3 years

Pros: Well proven FS XC bike with great ability in most conditions.

3.5 inches of travel may not be much these days but still supremely competent when the going gets tough.

Put a 120mm fork on the front and you won't look back.

Climbs well with no bob (when set up right) and can put the frighteners on much more hardcore machinery when pointed downhill.

Cons: They don't make them anymore.
You'll get slagged by red haired people with big, bouncy bikes.

Clothing: Kona jersey

2007-07-30T16:26:00.001-07:00

Review submitted by: Richie

Reviewers e-mail:
Richie Byrne

Gear type: Jersey

Brand(s): Kona

Model: ShortSleeved 1990's

Price paid: € free

Where purchased: from Dave Cassidy in Cycleogical

How long in use: 10 - 12 years..who knows these things ?

Pros: Indestructible, seriously..no rips no tears, no stains..still looks good

Cons: 1990's mtb look !!

Tyres: Maxxis High Roller

2007-07-30T16:19:00.000-07:00

Review submitted by: Richie

Reviewers e-mail:
Richie Byrne

Gear type: Tyres

Brand(s): Maxxis

Model: High Rolllers

Price paid: € 30

Where purchased: The one and only Bike Rack Cabinteely

How long in use: 2 years

Pros: Square profile on the front with excellent side knobblies boost confidence on descents..and the centre knobs
work deadly when you have to stop in a hurry.
On the back they work the same way for stopping and i've never had any issues with grip on climbs.

Cons: They're tyres with big knobbles. Whats wrong with that ?

Tyres: Maxxis Ignitor

2007-07-29T16:18:00.000-07:00

Review submitted by: Fergal

Reviewers e-mail:

Fergal Kilkenny

Gear type: Tyres

Brand(s): Maxxis

Model: Ignitor

Price paid: around 30 euro as far as I remember

Where purchased: Cycle Superstore Tallaght

How long in use: around 6 months

Pros: Very grippy, even on wet roots, and roll reasonably well too

Cons: They appeared to wear quite quickly, but I guess that's the trade-off for the grip/softer compound

Other reviews: Chain Reaction Cycles customer reviews

Bags/packs: Northface Gulper

2007-06-27T01:40:00.000-07:00

Review submitted by: Fergal

Reviewers e-mail:
Fergal Kilkenny

Gear type: Hydration backpack

Brand(s): Northface

Model: Gulper

Price paid: 75 euro

Where purchased: Great Outdoors shop Dublin city

How long in use: 6 months

Pros:
This pack is really comfortable, the bite valve is attached via a magnetic catch to the chest cross-strap so is very handy/quick to secure.

The internal/external stowage pockets are well placed with plenty of places to store tools/tubes etc.

The hydration pack is easy-enough to remove and fill

Cons:

No complaints, it's working well so far.

Clothing: Sidi cycling shoes

2007-06-27T01:36:00.000-07:00

Review submitted by: Steve Scrivener

Reviewers e-mail:
Steve

Gear type: Shoes

Brand(s): Sidi

Model: Bullet II

Price paid: 88 euro

Where purchased: Chain Reaction Cycles

How long in use: 2 months

Pros: They look really cool, are light and very well ventilated. 3 velcro strap closure and they have the option of studs.

Cons:
The sizing is a little weird so trying before buying may be the best option. I had to return a pair to CRC before I found the right size.

Clothing: Altura Shield gloves

2007-06-27T01:01:00.000-07:00

Review submitted by: Fergal

Reviewers e-mail:
Fergal Kilkenny

Gear type: Gloves

Brand(s): Altura

Model: Shield

Price paid: 40 euro

Where purchased: Stagg Cycles Lucan

How long in use: 3 years

Pros:
These gloves are hardwearing and well-shaped, they are water and windproof and are warm on very cold days

Cons:
Yours hands do tend to get a bit sweaty, and thus a bit wet in them, but not too bad.

The gel-padding in the palm is a bit overdone, as I found my grab on the grips a bit uncomfortable.

I cut-out one of the gel inserts and now they feel a lot better