Endura Singletrack E8007 pants

I've never liked lycra trousers.  I look silly in them.  Then one day after getting in from a ride my wife made a comment like "you can't go out looking like that again" after seeing my 'package' on show, so I decided some better trousers were needed.  After reading the reviews, I called into an Evans store to check out the Endura Singletrack pants.

At £64.99 these are expensive trousers.  But I'm so glad I got these!
I'm also glad I tried them on in a store, rather than buying online.  There's a lot of comments online that the Endura sizing is a bit hit and miss and they are certainly right.  The Endura sizing chart indicates that I should need a size M, being a 34-35" waist.  I tried these in the store and they were too tight.  Then tried a size L and these fit perfectly (even quite snug), even though the Eudura size L is 36-38".  I don't know who Endura uses for modelling, but the Scottish aren't known for being a slim lot!

These trousers seem to have flexibility in the right places with stretchy material on the knees, waist, crotch and down the sides.  There are pockets front and back, each with a central velcro pad to keep them closed.  But I find these pockets a little too tight and difficult to use while riding and and the velcro makes them difficult to remove something (like a handkerchief) with your gloves on.  One of the side pockets has an internal "zipped security pocket" for change.  This pocket is large (same size as outer pocket), but the zipped entry isn't wide.  I've got small hands and it's still tight.
There is a fixed belt on the front and side straps to adjust the waistband.  The front fastening is a single popper rather than a button.  At the bottom of each leg is a velco strap for keeping them tight at the ankles and away from your chain.  They also have a 13" long zip (with velcro tabs) up each leg, allowing them to open up enough to get on or off over shoes.
The best feature of these trousers is the 8" zipped vent panels on each leg, with stretchy mesh behind, allowing you to wear these in hot weather.  The vents really work well.
There's no padding inside, so you may need to wear padded underpants or lycra shorts underneath.  The trousers have poppers around the waist band (four panels with three poppers on each) to attach Endura "Clickfast" undershorts.


These trousers aren't fully waterproof.  I've been stuck out in bad rain and I still got soaked to the skin, but they are splash proof and fine for lighter showers.  They also aren't that warm, so during the recent cold weather, I'm still wearing my lycra trousers underneath.  But what they are, are a trouser you can wear all year round in the wet and dry, winter and summer.  They are also robust and offer great protection from brambles etc.  When the summer comes, I'm sure I'll still be wearing these, rather than my shorts.  If they get too hot, then I'll probably invest in a pair of the shorts or 3/4 length versions.


Overall, the best item of cycle clothing I've purchased so far.  


My rating: 9/10

Topeak Defender RX rear mudguard review

I purchased this mudguard from Halfords in Sept 2010 for £15.  I wanted a quick release as I intended to only use mudguards when absolutely necessary.
The guard looked well made and was very light - only 200g which is remarkable for it's size and construction.  Either end of the mudguard are clear plastic sections which have adjustable angles, so the mudguard can follow the wheel contour a little more.  The far end section is optional.  I didn't bother with it as the mudguard was large enough without it.


The mudguard did a very good job of keeping the spray and mud of my back.  However, the quick release system wasn't ideal.  It uses a fabric strap, which is clamped tight around the seat post and held tight by a levered handle holding a metal pin.  It can be done up very tight, but even, then the mudguard will still move if knocked - I often hit it with my foot when getting on and off bike.  And sometimes after coming down a rough track, I'd find the mudguard and swung out.


When the mudguard was only 5 weeks old, the stitching on the fabric strap broke, loosing the metal retaining pin on the end of the strap.  Yet another product in the bin after only a few weeks old!  It could be that I was doing the strap up too tight, but I had too to try to keep it in place.

Quick release broke after 5 weeks

I concluded that quick release systems are a waste of time.  How quick do you need to remove your mudguards?  You're not going to take them off mid-ride - you decide to fit them before you leave.  My new mudguard is a Cycraguard and it takes no longer to fit or remove than the quick release Topeak and only needs an allen key - and I always have one of these at base and in my saddlebag on rides - so no need for these quick release clamps which I'm sure never work as well as a traditional bolted clamp.


My rating: 4/10


You can view more product detail at the Topeak website.

Bikehut Travelling Track Bike Pump review

BikeHut Travelling Track pump - Halfords part no. 128283-0.  £19.99

I purchased this pump from Halfords in Sept 2010.  I wanted a small lightweight pump (with a hose) to mount to the frame of my bike and this was the smallest they had on the shelf.  It wasn't ideal, but the store had limited stocks.  It's intended for road bikes as it goes up to 120psi, so it should have no problem with normal MTB pressures.

It's a mini track pump and for it's tiny size, it has some good features, like the large folding foot support.  At the end of the hose is a universal adaptor which after unscrewing and reversing the internal rubber parts can go onto either presta or  schrader valves.  This arrangement is quite common on pumps, but a little fiddly and not ideal.  
I get a punctures fairly frequently, so soon after purchasing it, I was using the pump when out on the tracks.  It worked fine, but being a high pressure/low volume pump, it did take a while to pump up my MTB tyre. 
Then a week later on my next ride, I got another puncture.  Then went to use the pump and it didn't work.  It seemed the seals had gone.  It was only 5 weeks old and had only been used the once!  I could have been really caught out and had a long walk home, but luckily I was with someone who had a pump - a Lezyne pump.  So guess what I brought next?


Being only 5 weeks old, I could take it back to Halfords for a refund or replacement, but it wasn't worth the trip.  Instead it went in the bin and I wont buy BikeHut branded stuff again.


Overall then, nice design but quality isn't there.


My rating:  2/10