There was plenty of cool stuff to get our teeth into at The Bike Place Show this week, from a new bike to gold Hope Tech parts to bike packing bags designed for smaller frames. Here are our top nine most exciting things....

• News - Limited Edition Orange T7 / T9 all the details here
• First Look - the Bombtrack EXT C carbon adventure bike

1. Limited Edition Orange T7 and T9 

There are more details about this limited edition run of bikes here, in short it is a stunning, aggro titanium hardtail of which there will be 30 bikes made in total, priced at £2,200 each - be quick!

 

2. New kids mountain bikes from Frog

Frog's thing is making solely kids bikes so they know a thing or two about what kids need. Their large range of bikes are always lightweight and these new MTB's are no different. There are three sizes available with corresponding wheel sizes, the 62cm, 69cm and 72cm, this measurement related to the riders inside leg which is a pretty neat idea in order to help parents figure out what size might be best for their offspring. The new mountain bikes come with Frog's own specific air suspension fork for lighter riders designed by those with experience in designing forks at Rockshox previously - we reckon this will be pretty good! 

 

3. New gravel tyres and a price drop from Maxxis

Maxxis tyres have been hard to get hold of recently but fear not that is all about to change. To kick things off Maxxis have just announced a huge price drop on all their plus and fat bike tyres, so that's anything measuring 2.6" and above will see up to a 35% price drop! Good news indeed. In addition, Maxxis also showed us two new gravel tyres the Ravager and the All Terrane. The Ravager at 700x40c tyres, aimed at the gravel rider with low centre tread for good rolling speed and larger side knobs for cornering traction.

The All Terrane is a tyre already in production, now updated, its a 700x33C mud shedding tyre for the messiest cyclocross races. 

 

4. Blingy gold Hope Tech parts

Over on the distributor Jungle's stand stood a Santa Cruz Hightower kitted out top to toe with gold adonised Hope Tech parts. Gold is nothing new but this gold was muted and really rather nice against the grey backdrop of the Hightower. Rachael from Hope says these were just one off's for the show so disappointingly you won't be able to adorn your bike with similar anytime soon. 

 

5. Acros Endruo Race Carbon wheelset

Acros bring to the market another set of wider but not too wide carbon wheels. These have asymmetrical drilled spoke holes, a 29mm internal width, will be available in 29 and 27.5, both boost and non-boost and will weigh 1,447g per pair based on a 27.5" boost set up. The hubs are the brands own 'Nineteen' and as the parent company also manufactures bearings, have bearings designed specifically for the hub which, they say, makes sure of excellent tolerances. 

 

6. New cheaper lids from Smith Optics

Smith are introducing two new lids to their range, the Session, a mid-range helmet featuring Koroyd and MIPS for £140. The Koroyd is missing from the top of the lid to provide access for all sort of light and accessory attachments and it also, like most Smoith lids allows for easy stowage of glasses. 

Also new is a cheaper £80 offering in the form of the Venture which does away with both Koroyd and MIPS. The Venture is essentially a regular lid with an EPS foam lining and Smith Optics style. 

We had a pleasant experience recently testing the Smith Optics Forefront so were pretty excited to hear of an update to what is an already top notch lid. The new Forefront 2 will now allow any light to be mounted regardless of its type of mount. As per the Session Smith has removed the Koroyd from two sections of the top of the lid allowing a wider range of mounts to be compatible. There is also wider adjustability of what was previously a rather flimsy visor, goggles now fit underneath. A Forefront 2 with MIPS will retail at £175. 

 

7. USE Exposure Boom handlebars

Designed in conjunction with Scott Beaumont the new Boom handlebars are carbon, 800mm wide and claimed to weigh 200g. They have a 30mm rise, a 5 degree up sweep and a 7.5 degree back sweep. You can match them up with the new 35mm stem the Vyce 35 which will come in 40mm and 50mm lengths which will weigh 125g and 145g respectively. 

 

8. Ortlieb packs for smaller frames

Bag masters Ortlieb have just added a range of smaller sized bike packing bags meaning more options for those out there with less frame, bar or seatpost space to play with. 

 

9. Visor Leaf biodegradable tear offs

New brand Visor Leaf are a breath of fresh air to the market, their 100% biodegradable goggle tear-offs break down as fast as a regular leaf. Very cool stuff especially as, at £4.25 for a pack of ten, they won't cost you any more than tear-offs from other brands - why wouldn't you buy them? We are currently testing out the biodegradability time with a sciencey back garden test.....

 

.... and finally - Peaty's Pie

Steve Peat was also on hand on the Jungle Stand to cut the first slice of his birthday pork pie. Whilst large, Peaty's meaty morsel fell a tad short of the worlds largest pork pie which weighed 10,540 kg (23,237 lb)  and was made by 17 catering students from Stratford-upon-Avon College in 1998. 

 

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