MTB

Top 5 MTB Picks from Eurobike 2016

We've singled out our favourite pieces from this years giant exhibition

The mammoth cycling show that is Eurobike has been and gone for another year. My feet are still recovering from the endless miles of shiny wonderful things to soon grace our bike stores.

Filling 11 aircraft hangers, each year Eurobike welcomes hundreds of brands from the cycling industry to showcase their latest and greatest designs for out two wheeled passion. With roughly 70,000 trades people and general public attending the event over the 5 day period, Eurobike is a massive must-do as a keen cyclist.

This being my first year attending, I was well equipped with water, comfortable shoes and a camera. Like an excited school kid on their first day, I ventured off into the masses to take it all in.

As the dust settled in my sensory overloaded brain, I’ve managed to pick my top 5 MTB pieces from the show…

Giro’s Pink Disco Slippers

These are by far my most guilty of pleasures from Eurobike, and I’m oddly attracted to these bright shiny pink MTB shoes from Giro.

After huge success with their sister road shoe, the Empire, Giro has adopted and tweaked the model for us trail loving women. The slim shoe profile shoe has a fully lace-up fastening system with vibram sole and additional heel/toe protection for the foot.

Although you probably won’t find these shoes on the downhill tracks or at the bikeparks, they would be most at home in XC and CX for sure.

Yeti SB5 Beti

US cycling brand, Yeti, were out in full force at Eurobike with both the men’s and women’s bikes and apparel.

For 2017, they’ve redesigned many of their models with a new Turq or Carbon category system. Turq versions will have alloy frames and Carbon version will have carbon frames and boosted specs.

The Yeti Beti has been well received by female riders, albeit very borderline girly, it packs a punch with top notch spec. Their new SB5 Beti is no exception either. With 150mm travel, carbon or alloy frame and a choice of XT or XX1 Eagle group-set, the new SB5 Beti is the new Beauty and the Beast of the mountains.

DMR VTwin Clip Pedals

Very exciting news for SPD riders as legendary pedal manufacturers, DMR bikes, have finally bought out an clip pedal.

Biding their time and technology, DMR have been developing this for sometime and with a reputation for making the best platform pedals, they needed the new VTwin to be spot on.

Having adapted similar tech to that of Shimano SPD’s, DMR have added their own personal tweaks: ability to screw in pins for additional grip and platform height adjustment to improve contact with the shoe.

ION Bikes Women’s Wear

I’ve always been a fan of ION Bikes range for women. It’s super comfortable for long days of riding, stylish and simple in design and it just does everything you need for a great ride.

Their new collection for women covers kit and accessories which looked and felt amazing in the flesh. With a variety of shorts and tops on offer, ION Bikes makes mix n’ matching an absolute doddle. Perfect if you’re on a budget and want to get a couple of outfits for your money.

Tech fabrics, bold and attractive colour-ways are just the start of the collection. ION Bikes has introduced innovative clips and pass holder features, and their new waterproof jacket is looking so good, it’s almost too nice to get dirtied on the bike.

Fi’zi:k Women’s Saddles

I can’t help but get a little excited over my bum and foof comfort on the bike. I’ve yet to find the perfect combo for comfort and performance, and my bruised achy sit bones will tell you that for free.

Italien cycling brand Fi’zi:k have completely rebuilt their women’s saddles after extensive research and testing. Rather than taking and existing men’s saddle, tweaking it, cutting out a relief and relaunching it for women, Fi’zi:k have done something very new.

By studying pressure maps and market data, they’ve designed two widths of saddle: regular and large. Now, a large doesn’t mean you have a wide arse, which is immediately what springs to mind. I need a 155mm+ saddle which is considered wide, but I need size small in chamois shorts.

With a choice between alloy and carbon rails, the new saddles are shorter in length and have flex wings in the rear to move with the body as you cycle.

With a Christmas list as long as both arms, I’m extremely excited for the future of women’s mountain biking. Brands are making considerable effort in bikes, kit and accessories to make riding more comfortable and stylish whilst keeping performance at the forefront of cycling.