by Satchel Cronk
Fresh Produce: Keep it natural
Enduro Bites—$3 Per Bar
by Satchel Cronk
Riding an enduro race is no easy endeavor—it requires grit, determination and food. Definitely food. But if there is one thing enduro riders hate, it is packs. So that food needs to be small enough for a pocket or to strap on a bike, but pack enough punch to avert the dreaded bonk. And it should taste good. If you are really picky, you can add being healthy onto that list of already-demanding requirements. Enduro Bites tries to check all those boxes. The bars are 'handcrafted' (whatever that means) in small batches to make sure that when you get around to eating them, they are as fresh as possible. Each package consists of two square bars that are a dense mixture of natural ingredients. They come in four flavors and are ready to support your packless lifestyle.
absoluteBlack Silicone MTB Grips—$36
by Satchel Cronk
Lock-on grips have their advantages, but they also have their vices. Mostly, they cost you some comfort. That hard plastic insert would be more comfortable if it were soft rubbery filling. Slide on the absoluteBlack Silicone MTB grips and say goodbye to hard cores. The Silicone MTB grip is thick, durable, black and a little gray—a surprising color choice from a company named absoluteBlack. If you are looking to murder-out your bike, these might not be the ticket. But if you are just hoping to match your saddle color and keep your hands comfortable, the Silicone MTB Grips are ready.
Chamois Butt'r Skin Wash—$16
by Satchel Cronk
It rubs the Skin Wash on its skin, or else it gets the hose again. The greatest thing about Skin Wash? No need for water. So say goodbye to the hose, or the shower, or the sponge bath, or however your normally get clean. Just imagine the freedom. You can clean up at work. You can clean up at home. You can clean up at the bar. You can even clean up mid-ride. Just pour some Skin Wash on your skin, and then wipe it off. Buffalo Bill would approve.
Giro Empire VR70 Knit—$250
by Satchel Cronk
Don't be confused. These aren't your Grandma's slippers. They are a mountain bike shoe. The upper is a knit fabric, held in place by an exoskeleton of TPU plastic. The combination of materials is said to keep things comfy while also cutting down on waste. The knit material is stitched to the exact size and shape needed rather than being cut out of whole cloth, leaving the remnants to the rubbish bin. It also cuts down on weight. The VR70 Knit tips the scales at 380 grams for a size 42. And the sock-like fit hugs your ankle to ward off rocks from finding their way into the shoe. Lower down is a carbon sole mated with rubber lugs big enough for hiking. So the only question left is, do you need to wear socks? I don't know. But we will have someone testing these in the near future, so check back for the answer.
