Welcome back to the look behind the curtain, beyond the velvet rope at everything the internet bike shop is hiding in its darkest places.
Flo Motorsports
Wait, what? ‘Motorsport’? Don’t panic, I’m not going into the dreaded e-realm or anything like that. Flo are a legit US motocross brand, making (seemingly) all the things for proper motocross bike with proper engines that are loud and proud.
What do full on MX bikes have in common with MTBs? Well, a few things, but in this instance we are talking about levers. Brake levers specifically and Flo have introduced the levers pictured above, the PRO 120
They’re available in red, black, blue, and the rather fetching orange above, plus the almost ubiquitous ‘Jet Fuel’ (missed opportunity to call it two stroke? Maybe.) There available for Shimano master cylinders, from XTR right down to Deore M6000 level and offer much more float angle away from the bars thanks to the extra pivot point, meaning fewer breakages in the event of a crash/dropping the bike. Flexible innit. They include a reach adjustment dial too, adding functionality for folk who went for the SLX and Deore OEM models, which don’t feature this as standard.
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Pricewise, they aren’t super cheap, at $100 USD (plus all other costs), but if you are a serial brake lever snapper the ‘unbreakable’ (Flo’s words) design may save you a few quid in the longer term, and also come with a lifetime warranty.
‘Jet Fuel’, you ask? Looks like this…
For more info, head to www.flomotorsports.com or @flomotorsports on Instagram.
Agazzini
Agazzini are an Italian brand that seem to cover the whole range of what can be called a mountain bike these days, from a human powered enduro bike, the Native, a motor assisted enduro bike, the errm, Enduro (wonder what they call it next? After, y’know…) and the ‘I only use it on private land, honest’ e-monster, Enduro2. Yeah, that’ll fool ‘em.
Looking at the Native, it seems a nice bike, Carbon frame, gig Magura brakes, Ohlins suspension, options for electric shifting and carbon wheels, modern geometry. Looks pretty good too…
Look a little closer though, specifically where the shock bolts to the rocker, and you will see that it’s mounted on some large elastomer bushings dubbed ‘Soft Ride’ which, Agazzini say, will tune out trail chatter and give more traction like running a much lower tyre pressure does, but with none of the downsides, like rolling tyres off a rim, or increased rolling resistance.
That’s the rear wheel chatter sorted, what about the front wheel? Well, Agazzini have that covered too, with their Soft Ride Stem.
First, the details, it’s made from CNC 7075 aluminium, is 42.5mm long, takes 31.8mm bars, weight 280g (!) and works using elastomers in front of the bar, that pivots just in front of the steerer tube, giving a few mm of flex.
A sort of stem within a stem really. The price of 2 (and some) stems too, the above additional flex will set you back €320.
For more info, head to www.agazzinibike.it or @agazzinibike on Instagram
Mountain Ostrich Bags
Mountain Ostrich Bags are a small, part time outfit in the Pacific North West of the USA hand making bags than can be in some way attached to your bike (because Travis didn’t like carrying things on his back), be that the frame, top tube, or handlebar. They are Travis (left) and Jeff (right), pictured here.
Travis is currently working on a prototype frame bag in many colours, in both full and half frame sizes, made with 1000d cordura, and water resistant #8 YKK zips, seen here.
He also offer the Tater Tot (4l) and Tiny Tot (1.5l) handlebar bags, in all manner of standard or custom colours…
Prices vary for $50 to $75 which would be great, but he is not currently shipping direct outside on the USA, so if you really want one, you’ll have to come up with a plan of some description to land one here.
Head to www.mtnostbags.com or @mountainostrichbag on Instagram to show a bit of interest, and he might start sending his wares here!
That’s all for this month folks! Peace. Out.
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