Element Xenon

Riding High UK recently sent us a couple of bike to check out, one of them was this, the Element Xenon, a very hardcore little hard tail.

Having worked hard to produce a jump/4x frame that stands out from the crowd ...concentrating on the aspects of a super light and strong frame, Element have come up with the goods.

Featuring a 1.5 inch head tube fitted with Element's own headset and 1.5 converters, note also the one piece seat and chain stays. ISCG mounts as well as front mech compatible this frame is very lightweight but stiff as hell.

The front triangle has tapered tubing with a box'ish profile with gusset's at all the right places with some of the neatest welding ever..this bike is also fitted with an Element wheel set, disc hubs with a 20mm bolt through, black and stiff...just the way yo' mama like it!

Only one size is available, colours are either Matt Black or the Camo Green (above).

Price: £ 295

Available from RHUK (Riding High UK) 07919 007830 [Dealer Enquiries Welcomed]
web: www.ridinghighuk.com

Sombrio [Every Irishman's Favourite Riding Wear]

Sombrio Free Ride Clothing is just starting to become available here in the UK, through those very nice people at Paligap, here is the Triton Jersey and Pinner short.

The Triton is a very airy jersey, definitely one for the summer as it's vented everywhere, upper back, sides and mid sleeve. I've worn this now for about 3 months on every type of ride [DH, XC and on the way to work!], it certainly keeps you cool. It's also stretchy enough to fit over that safety jacket as well, for when you're hitting the spooky wood at Glentress ;>

Pinner shorts are aimed at the gravity rider amongst us all, camo lining, zippered stash pockets and some airy leg vents. Again a warmer weather short. The material used is quite thin so thin in fact they have ripped already after only 3 months of regular riding ...I wasn't really expecting that to be honest. Even with that little defect I'm still using them and expect to maybe get another couple of months out of them before I have to toss them..

So if you that fashion conscious rider these will be the hot favourites over the next few months as they begin to hit the shops ...prices expect them to be a little high at first.

For all Sombrio Dealers click here

Vice Bikes

I love rider owned companies, especially one's that are based in Scotland. Vice Bike's are exactly just that, based in "Auld Reekie" [Edinburgh to those south of the borders], the product portfolio is building up.

Available right now is the PROstem, a 6061 T6 Alu, 6 bolt, 1 1/8th stem CNC'd beauty with 40mm reach with a 0 degree rise. This baby is able to hold all 25.4mm bars like a vice...

Steerer clamping duties are carried out by 3 of the 9 stainless bolts. Vicebikes logos are etched top and bottom of the clamp as well as the large V cutout on the sides...one very nice stem. At £50 we can't see them staying in stock long!!

Checkout the Vice Bikes Tee's as well, quality cotton and a very "oh five" pink logo...at £10 not bad value.

Vice also a few other products up there sleeves, the Jump stem and replacement "Big Un" axles.

Contact Vice Bikes on 07865 002584 or see www.vicebikes.net

Helly Hansen Bike Short

With ripper Andrew Shandro getting involved with the big HH, we were recently introduced to the Bike Short. Blame the "E Train" Eric Fenyedi our guide back in June when we rode at Whistler.

With the heat building during the day to 37 degrees we were really suffering with the dreaded Dianese Viking Bib heat build up in the crown jewels department. Eric suggested we checked these out...and boy did they work.

Construction is of course a little lycra looking but since no one is looking under your baggy's I guess we could get away with it. Built with the HH legendary Lifa material, these babies wick away that "Betty Swollocks" feeling we all get after a long day in the saddle. Complete with an anti-bacterial chamois to help keep the stink down, they felt a little nappyish at first but I soon got comfortable.

Riding in them was great as the sweat just lifted from the skin and I was comfortable all day long. Washing is a breeze too, as these short dry in no time so a quick rinse with the hand wash was enough to have them fresh for the next day.

These are now my undergarment of choice for riding.

Available at decent HH dealers everywhere.

web: www.hellyhansen.com

Hayes El Camino Disc Brakes

With a small delay in production the Hayes El Camino's eventually hit our shores mid season after a hotly anticipated arrival.

A complete departure from the old Mag's, Hayes have gone all arty on us with the new lever and caliper combo. Modulation is the key here with adjustment in reach and lever feel just a twist of a knob away...No hex keys needed in awkward places make these some of the easiest to set up up out there.

Out of the box they feel great, but play with the dials and reach adjustment a little and you'll soon be having the brakes you always wanted. With the newly cut V8 rotor and the mono block caliper, this package is an awesome combination.

Available now everwhere

web: www.hayesdiscbrake.com