Gear Review

Gear Review - this page is awaiting your input!

This page is intended to provide specific Irish MTBer experience with all different types of gear, from tyres to helmets,
in Irish weather and on Irish trails.
Please submit your experience with whatever piece of equipment (wheels, lights, tools etc...etc...) you have found good or bad to the editor.

Category: Bikes

Click here to go to the blog and add your comments about this bike

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.

Category: Bags/Packs

Click here to go to the blog and add your comments about this bit of gear

Review submitted by: Fergal
Reviewers e-mail: Fergal Kilkenny
Gear type: Hydration backpack
Brand(s): Northface
Model: Gulper
Price paid: €75
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
I added a small bit of velcro under one of the elastic retainer straps and my MP3 player now sits under the strap very securely
Cons: No complaints, it's working well so far.

Click here to go to the blog and add your comments about this bit of gear

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

Category: Clothing

Click here to go to the blog and add your comments about this bit of gear

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.

Click here to go to the blog and add your comments about this bit of gear

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 !!

Click here to go to the blog and add your comments about this bit of gear

Review submitted by: Fergal
Reviewers e-mail: Fergal Kilkenny
Gear type: Gloves
Brand(s): Altura
Model: Shield
Price paid: €40
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: Your 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

Click here to go to the blog and add your comments about this bit of gear

Review submitted by: Steve Scrivener
Reviewers e-mail: Steve
Gear type: Shoes
Brand(s): Sidi
Model: Bullet II
Price paid: €88
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.

Click here to go to the blog and add your comments about this bit of gear

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..

Click here to go to the blog and add your comments about this bit of gear

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. Get a size bigger than you expect, ie; if your shoes are a 10, don't get size 9-10 (L), get the 11-12 (XL)
Other reviews: Chain Reaction Cycles customer reviews

Category: Lights

Click here to go to the blog and add your comments about this bit of gear

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. Used extensively on the various trails up 3 Rock: boneshaker, MAD club course etc.. with no problem at all
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.

Click here to go to the blog and add your comments about this bit of gear

Review submitted by: Morgan O'Connell, Paddy O'Brien
Gear type: Lights
Brand(s): Lumicycle
Model: NiMH 2000 System (12w spot and 20w flood) with 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)

Review submitted by: Cormac Ahern, Martin Lynch
Gear type: Lights
Brand(s): Light and Motion
Model: Logic Mv Ni-Mh Light
Price paid: €150
Where purchased: Cycle Superstore Tallaght
How long in use: 1 year
Pros: Light and durable
Battery charges fast about 1.5 hours
Quite bright.
Useful dimmer function.
Compact battery.
Stable handlebar mount.
2:20 burn time
Cons: Not mad about the finicky bike mount, but I use the helmet mount more often
Overly long cable.
Difficult to mount on frames with exposed gear/brake cables.

Review submitted by: Oisin Boydell
Gear type: Lights
Brand(s): Blackburn X3
Model: X3
Price paid: €175
Where purchased: Chain Reaction Cycles
How long in use: 1 year
Pros: It has different power output levels, but even on the brightest it has never run out for me on normal length night rides (up to 3 hours)
Bomb proof construction and LED bulb so nothing to go wrong.
The LED means that it gives a bright white light using low power which means a longer burn time.
Intelligent charger - just leave it plugged it and it handles the charging (including top up charging) automatically which prevents over charging and means its always ready to go.
Comes with helmet and handlebar mounting brackets. 3 different light intensity modes and flashing mode.

Cons: The battery pack is bulkier than some other brands and it doesn't fit in a bottle cage. I use the helmet mount and just throw it in the camelback so its not really a problem.
There are brighter systems out there for more money but the output is equivalent to other single bulb systems and is fine for normal night riding.

Review submitted by: Stephen Haines
Gear type: Lights
Brand(s): Nightlightning
Model: Digital Blaast! DCM (12W SSC P4 LED)
Price paid: €180
Where purchased:
How long in use: 4 months
Pros: Super bright, slays the 35W halogen light I was using, brighter than the LED-Lupine Wilma 6 that sells for Euro 900 - check out the comparison on their website
Light and compact
Fully featured: function dimming, flasher modes, fuel gauge & battery protect, and you can set the low, medium, & high levels Can be upgraded easily
Small company very responsive and sells all spares or even DIY kits
Postage from NZ about $20-30 and delivery in a week

Cons: Handlebar mount is a bit budget looking but works ok
Nightlightning battery does not come with bag but fits easily into pack or jacket pocket

Category: Tyres

Click here to go to the blog and add your comments about this bit of gear

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

Click here to go to the blog and add your comments about this bit of gear

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 ?

Click here to go to the blog and add your comments about this bit of gear

Review submitted by: Fergal
Reviewers e-mail:

Fergal Kilkenny
Gear type: Tyres
Brand(s): Maxxis
Model: Ignitor
Price paid: around €30 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 compund
Other reviews: Chain Reaction Cycles customer reviews

Category: Pedals

Click here to go to the blog and add your comments about this bit of gear

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