Downhill is often viewed as a sport for the young and crazy, yet Steve Peat is about to crack 40 and has been at the top of elite DH racing for more than two decades.

A longstanding member of the Rudy Project line, the Rydon is probably their most versatile cycling oriented model. In the base configuration they sell for $189 but you can also choose from a host of upgrades and options. The easy to swap lenses are offered in a range of colours but you can also select their special ‘ImpactX’ photochromic lens that automatically adjusts to suit varying light conditions.

In an unexpected move, Shimano has released a compact sports video camera. The CM-1000 Sport Camera uses a 16MP CMOS image sensor that allows 1080p high-definition video recording and combines it with an F2.0 lens for low light performance. It offers two lens settings; a standard 135-degree angle or a super wide 180-degree mode and it can automatically flip the image orientation to keep the recording horizontal.

“The data can inspire but it can just as easily swing the other way. These mind games start when your electronic alter-ego refuses to tell you that your last ride was better than the previous one.”

No, they don’t come in a rainbow of anodised colours but the new Syntace hubs are very light and well engineered. Syntace has built a reputation on making products that work, and they do this without fluff and baseless marketing. Their hubs are made from 7075 alloy using oversized axles and sealed cartridge bearings. The spoke flanges are canted inward to optimise the spoke angle. Rather than using pawls, the freehub relies on a pair of sprung loaded ‘spur gears’.

We all love to ride fantastic trails but did you know that trail building can be a full-time profession?

Dropper posts grew from the trail and all-mountain side of the sport but now many XC-oriented riders are dabbling with droppers. Recognising the market for a lighter weight, shorter travel dropper post, KS Suspension has developed a carbon fibre version of their popular Lev model. It provides a reduced 65mm with a total post length of 410mm. The action is hydraulically controlled with an air spring that’s actuated via a ‘PowerCordz’ gear cable.

The term ‘Enduro’ has grown to become a real catchphrase in the MTB world. Luckily, the features born out of the ‘gravity-enduro’ trend tend be appealing for everyday trail riding. The Enduro Pro shorts are made from a material that Specialized calls VaporRize. It permits moisture transfer to make them less sweaty and there’s an element of stretch in the fabric too with two zippered vents to control the airflow.

This handy piece of Finishline kit sells for $89 and includes the essentials that you’ll need to keep your bike looking spick and span. There’s a 590ml can of Multi-Degreaser and a ‘Grunge Brush’ to clean the drivechain, a 950ml spray bottle of Finishline Bike Wash for the rest of the bike and two types of lube (wet and dry) to finish the job with.

If you’ve lashed out on a set of Syntace carbon handlebars, it’s worth spending an extra $10 to protect your investment. Syntace Bar Plugz only add 14g in weight but protect the handlebar in a number of ways. Obviously they can save the end of the bar from crash damage but they also reinforce the bar, ensuring it won’t be damaged by over tightened or poorly designed lock-on grips (or bar-ends).

Standing as the second from the top of the line MTB model from Louis Garneau, the LS-100 shoes are loaded with funky features. Most obvious is the BOA dial-style closure system—something a bit different to the common click-lock mechanism that most shoes use. Underneath there’s a removable carbon ‘Power Blade’ that’s designed to add stiffness, but it can also be removed to reveal a series of ventilation ports.

With a new Australian distributor, German designed Ergon grips, saddles and gloves are set to become more readily available. While they are best known for their radically shaped ergonomic grips, they also make a more traditionally shaped model—the GA1. These grips allow greater freedom movement than their heavily shaped ergonomic models.

Helmets can get pretty stinky but removing the pads frequently for washing will see them deteriorate and wear out prematurely. You also need to be careful when cleaning the helmet itself, as some cleaners can damage the EPS foam that protects your head. This product from Pro Gold aims to eliminate the stink from your helmet.

Giro Code shoes aim to combine the weight and stiffness of an XC race shoe with the toughness of a trail shoe. Weighing in at 710g a pair (claimed weight in size 42), they are certainly XC light and the sole is made by Easton using unidirectional carbon. Chunky and aggressive tread helps with off the bike traction, although it’s still more of an XC race design in this regard (the Code is built more for pedalling than hiking).

After being quite scarce on the Australian market, Clif products now have a local distributor. Clif Bars are a favourite amongst riders who don’t like the heavily processed taste and texture that you find with many energy bars. Clif Bars use whole ingredients such as oats, dried fruits and nuts. In addition to tasting like ‘real food’ they also claim to be nutrient dense, providing a steady release of blood sugar without the ensuing energy crash.

It seems inconceivable that riding a bike could be a boring thing to do but trail boredom is a terrible affliction that strikes the suburban mountain biking population.