Dirt » The Dirt 100 Archive | Dirt Magazine http://dirt.mpora.com Mountain Biking Magazine Tue, 18 Jun 2013 17:35:14 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.1 2012 Dirt 100: POC Spine VPD 2.0 Jacket http://dirt.mpora.com/fresh-produce/dirt-100/dirt-100-archive/2012-dirt-100-poc-spine-vpd-2-0-jacket.html http://dirt.mpora.com/fresh-produce/dirt-100/dirt-100-archive/2012-dirt-100-poc-spine-vpd-2-0-jacket.html#comments Sat, 18 Aug 2012 06:00:36 +0000 billy http://dirt.mpora.com/?p=64828 With their revolutionary flexible VPD back protector POC changed the way we think about body armour, but they haven’t rested on their laurels because this latest incarnation is better than ever. The new ‘2.0’ designation marks both improved materials and production techniques which have resulted in even better comfort and protection.

The overall design of this new jacket is equally impressive though as its relatively simple construction makes it far less bulky than other designs, which just improves comfort even further. Apart from the elbow pads all the pads can be removed so you can tailor it to your specific needs, and every single one of them is made from the magical VPD material.

There’s not a hard shell protector in sight. If you’ve been put off wearing body armour in the past because of its restrictive nature then you really need to try this stuff out, and yes it might be expensive but it should last you for years. Oh, and it works well with a neck brace.

Price: £300.00
2pure 08448 112 001
www.pocsports.com

]]> http://dirt.mpora.com/fresh-produce/dirt-100/dirt-100-archive/2012-dirt-100-poc-spine-vpd-2-0-jacket.html/feed 4 2012 Dirt 100: DRC X-Monitor http://dirt.mpora.com/fresh-produce/dirt-100/dirt-100-archive/2012-dirt-100-drc-x-monitor.html http://dirt.mpora.com/fresh-produce/dirt-100/dirt-100-archive/2012-dirt-100-drc-x-monitor.html#comments Fri, 17 Aug 2012 06:00:17 +0000 billy http://dirt.mpora.com/?p=64821 We’ve been crying out for a decent and affordable timing system for ages, but now we’ve finally found one and here it is.

Most importantly it’s incredibly simple to use, pretty much foolproof, and the large screen means that it’s easy to read times and double check that you’ve started it (if you haven’t heard the beep). The separate start/stop button can be placed wherever works best for you and it’s generously sized so it’s hard to miss.

Even the bike mount, which replaces your headset top cap, is really neat, and although this system is never going to be as accurate as a full blown race timing system we still think it’s a great tool for both helping to increase your own speed, and for knowing what bike setup really is faster.

Price: £29.99 (Bracket £9.99)
www.madison.co.uk
www.drcproducts.com

]]> http://dirt.mpora.com/fresh-produce/dirt-100/dirt-100-archive/2012-dirt-100-drc-x-monitor.html/feed 5 2012 Dirt 100: Five Ten Impact http://dirt.mpora.com/fresh-produce/dirt-100/dirt-100-archive/2012-dirt-100-five-ten-impact.html http://dirt.mpora.com/fresh-produce/dirt-100/dirt-100-archive/2012-dirt-100-five-ten-impact.html#comments Wed, 15 Aug 2012 06:00:50 +0000 billy http://dirt.mpora.com/?p=64809 We can’t even remember how many years have gone by since the launch of these sticky rubber soled shoes, but what we do know is that despite them hardly changing they’re still the shoe that everybody else is trying to beat when it comes to grip.

Have they succeeded? Have they f–k. Some other companies have recently just about crept into the same league, but it’s hard to imagine that there will ever be a day when somebody beats them. So, if you’re looking for maximum grip there really is no other place to look.

Five Ten now even have all style bases covered too with their new range of skate styles, but we reckon if you’re after a true DH shoe then the Impact’s are still the ones to go for thanks to the extra protection that they offer. A classic shoe if ever there was one.

Price: £90.00
Bigstone 01142 586 688
www.fiveten.com

]]> http://dirt.mpora.com/fresh-produce/dirt-100/dirt-100-archive/2012-dirt-100-five-ten-impact.html/feed 2 2012 Dirt 100: Go Pro HD Hero http://dirt.mpora.com/fresh-produce/dirt-100/dirt-100-archive/2012-dirt-100-go-pro-hd-hero.html http://dirt.mpora.com/fresh-produce/dirt-100/dirt-100-archive/2012-dirt-100-go-pro-hd-hero.html#comments Wed, 15 Aug 2012 06:00:13 +0000 billy http://dirt.mpora.com/?p=64816 The ever growing popularity in filming your ride has brought an ever growing number of helmet cams to the market, but GoPro have constantly managed to stay ahead of the game.

Others may be offering the same kind of HD quality as this latest version, but the GoPro has always won us over with its great field of view, and even more so its brilliant selection of mounts, and this year is no different. No matter where you want to fit one you can be guaranteed that they’ll make a solid mount for it.

They’re also now offering a whole load of other extras like an add–on LCD screen, or even a 3D conversion kit if you can lay your hands on two cameras. Despite the range of filming options on offer it’s also pretty simple to use, and that waterproof case has proved to be more than capable of withstanding some abuse.

Price: £299.99
www.madison.co.uk
www.gopro.com

]]> http://dirt.mpora.com/fresh-produce/dirt-100/dirt-100-archive/2012-dirt-100-go-pro-hd-hero.html/feed 0 2012 Dirt 100: Shimano AM45 http://dirt.mpora.com/fresh-produce/dirt-100/dirt-100-archive/2012-dirt-100-shimano-am45.html http://dirt.mpora.com/fresh-produce/dirt-100/dirt-100-archive/2012-dirt-100-shimano-am45.html#comments Mon, 13 Aug 2012 22:00:05 +0000 billy http://dirt.mpora.com/?p=64801 Unless you really feel the need for a super light weight (and almost always hideous) pair of disco slippers then we reckon these AM45’s are really the only choice when it comes to SPD shoes.

They’ve got just the right balance of stiffness for both pedalling and spending time on foot, plus unlike so many other shoes of this ilk they’ve got a sole that will actually grip when you’re trying to push up some muddy track.

Talking of mud, the other thing we love about them is the fact that the upper part can also admirably deal with the shitty brown stuff, making them perfect for use in the UK. They’ve also proved to last for ages, which in our eyes just makes them even more of a bargain.

Price: £69.99
www.madison.co.uk
www.shimano.com

]]> http://dirt.mpora.com/fresh-produce/dirt-100/dirt-100-archive/2012-dirt-100-shimano-am45.html/feed 0 2012 Dirt 100: Shimano AM41 http://dirt.mpora.com/fresh-produce/dirt-100/dirt-100-archive/2012-dirt-100-shimano-am41.html http://dirt.mpora.com/fresh-produce/dirt-100/dirt-100-archive/2012-dirt-100-shimano-am41.html#comments Sun, 12 Aug 2012 06:00:39 +0000 billy http://dirt.mpora.com/?p=64792 Yes these shoes might be beaten in the grip stakes by the Five Ten’s, but they more than make up for it in other areas. Firstly, the combination of feel and stiffness that they offer is hard to beat, plus that Vibram sole still gives levels of grip that few will find fault with, and it lasts for ages too.

The thing that has always really impressed us about these shoes though is that they’ve clearly been designed for life on a muddy hillside rather than a street, and as such are all the better for it.

Basically if you’re riding flats in the gloop then we don’t think there’s a more practical set of shoes than these.

Price: £79.99
www.madison.co.uk
www.shimano.com

]]> http://dirt.mpora.com/fresh-produce/dirt-100/dirt-100-archive/2012-dirt-100-shimano-am41.html/feed 7 2012 Dirt 100: Scott Grenade Pro Knee Guards http://dirt.mpora.com/fresh-produce/dirt-100/dirt-100-archive/2012-dirt-100-scott-grenade-pro-knee-guards.html http://dirt.mpora.com/fresh-produce/dirt-100/dirt-100-archive/2012-dirt-100-scott-grenade-pro-knee-guards.html#comments Sat, 11 Aug 2012 06:00:53 +0000 billy http://dirt.mpora.com/?p=64785 In many ways they’re very similar to our long term favourite Troy Lee T–Bones, but rather than having a hard shell main protector these have a flexible d3o one.

The result is that they are incredibly comfy whilst still offering excellent levels of protection. The d3o knee cup is also nice and deep, which along with the two straps and overall great shape means that these are some of the most secure fitting pads we’ve ever used.

Aside from the main pad these also feature a whole load of pads at the side for DH levels of protection, but their overall comfort means they’re not just restricted to DH use.

Price: £86.00
Scott Sports Ltd 01670 712 129
www.scott-sports.com

]]> http://dirt.mpora.com/fresh-produce/dirt-100/dirt-100-archive/2012-dirt-100-scott-grenade-pro-knee-guards.html/feed 1 2012 Dirt 100: POC Trabec Race MIPS http://dirt.mpora.com/fresh-produce/dirt-100/dirt-100-archive/2012-dirt-100-poc-trabec-race-mips.html http://dirt.mpora.com/fresh-produce/dirt-100/dirt-100-archive/2012-dirt-100-poc-trabec-race-mips.html#comments Fri, 10 Aug 2012 06:00:32 +0000 billy http://dirt.mpora.com/?p=64778 Two hundred quid might seem like a hell of a lot for an XC lid, but we actually think this one is worth it, and we don’t say that lightly. The reason being is that an incredible amount of technology and thought has gone into this helmet in order to offer unrivalled levels of protection.

At the heart of this new range– topping model (cheaper versions are available) lies the ‘MIPS’ system that we’ve seen before in their DH lid. Basically this is the first system that has been designed to reduce rotational forces on the brain in an impact, and studies have shown that those forces can be some of the most damaging.

Apart from that the helmet also features a multi–impact EPS core which is further reinforced with aramid fibres. Essentially this lid is as tough as anything, yet it’s still lightweight and offers great venting. With trail bike speeds ever increasing and the rise in Enduro style events we think this is a great product. We also happen to love its unique styling.

Price: £200.00
2pure 08448 112 001
www.pocsports.com

]]> http://dirt.mpora.com/fresh-produce/dirt-100/dirt-100-archive/2012-dirt-100-poc-trabec-race-mips.html/feed 0 2012 Dirt 100: Giro Section http://dirt.mpora.com/fresh-produce/dirt-100/dirt-100-archive/2012-dirt-100-giro-section.html http://dirt.mpora.com/fresh-produce/dirt-100/dirt-100-archive/2012-dirt-100-giro-section.html#comments Thu, 09 Aug 2012 06:00:47 +0000 billy http://dirt.mpora.com/?p=64768 Classic piss pot styling meets high–end ‘in–mould’ manufacturing is what this lid is all about, and we love it.

When you can get a lid like this that weighs just 293g it begs the question as to why you’d ever want a conventional piss pot, especially when you don’t exactly have to break the bank for the privilege.

There are others about that offer the same kind of deal, but we love the styling of this Giro and it’s available in a whole heap of great designs that should please any taste. It’s also the best we’ve used when it comes to goggle compatibility.

Price: £44.99
www.madison.co.uk
www.giro.com

]]> http://dirt.mpora.com/fresh-produce/dirt-100/dirt-100-archive/2012-dirt-100-giro-section.html/feed 0 2012 Dirt 100: Leatt DBX Comp III http://dirt.mpora.com/fresh-produce/dirt-100/dirt-100-archive/2012-dirt-100-leatt-dbx-comp-iii.html http://dirt.mpora.com/fresh-produce/dirt-100/dirt-100-archive/2012-dirt-100-leatt-dbx-comp-iii.html#comments Wed, 08 Aug 2012 06:00:04 +0000 billy http://dirt.mpora.com/?p=64758 The jury still seems to be out on whether or not neck braces are just the latest fashion accessory or a life saving piece of kit, and we’ve got a feeling that a unanimous decision either way may never be made, but whatever the case if you’re after one then there really is only one choice as far as we’re concerned…Leatt.

Actually there is more than one choice because Leatt make three different bike models, but our pick of the bunch is this latest version of the Comp which sits in the middle of the range. It might not be as light as the Pro but it’s a damn site cheaper and offers the greatest range of adjustment.

The new ‘High Impact Polymer’ construction is lighter and stronger than before, plus the padding is now all velcro–less just like the Pro, and the new hinges make fitting and removal even easier than before. Basically the best just got even better.

Price: £359.99
Hotlines 01313 191 444
www.leatt-brace.com

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