GRANT ROBINSON – RIDING KIT

Fiveten Low Impact 2’s

It’s stealth baby…Stealth Rubber, and if you ride flats then these are worth looking at. I’m not sure if there is any other piece of riding apparel that has had such an effect on the industry as these shoes. If you go to any DH race at least 75% of riders are wearing these things. I’ve been riding them for a couple months now and the grip they provide is nothing short of phenomenal. In fact I’ve gone from nine long pins in my pedals to four short ones and they are still a bit too sticky. They have four different styles to choose from, all of which provide no style whatsoever, but if they make you faster and you can run on the ceiling, who’s checking your kicks?

Pros: Unbelievable grip, stiff sole, and they’re made to last.
Cons: Sometimes too grippy, they take a while to break in, and they provide a style rating of ‘ZERO’.
Price: £75.00
Big Stone 01142 586 688
www.fiveten.com

Oakley M Frames With Sweep Lens

In my mind Oakley is simply the best eyewear company in the business. They have been around for what seems like an eternity and they have the best product, the best warranty program, and the biggest choice when it comes to protecting your eyes. This frame in particular comes in no less than 414 colour/lens combos; so if they don’t have it, then you don’t need it. I’ve had this particular frame about three years now and the lens for…check this…14 years! I almost can’t believe it myself. The old frame cracked after 11 years and Oakley still replaced it under their warranty program for £14. Long live Oakley.
Pros: They are the best you can get.
Cons: They are pretty pricy.
Price: £99.00
Oakley 01462 475
www.oakley.com

Bell Faction

This is a true story. Sixteen years ago I bought my first helmet. I don’t remember the exact model, but it was a Bell of polystyrene construction. That afternoon I was riding and I went over the bars with the bike landing chainring first on my head. It cut through the helmet and into my head, and my skull bled so much I thought I was going to die. From that day I’ve always worn these ‘pisspot’ style lids ‘cause I think they offer a bit more protection. I don’t know where the name ‘pisspot’ came from and why you would put one on your head, but that’s another thing altogether. I don’t have opinions on helmet wearing, if you ride a bike you should be aware of the dangers and

you can make up your own mind. If you choose to lid your bonce any make will do and it’s all down to personal preference for fit and looks. But, if you want to combine value for money and you have an enormous head like mine, then a Bell Faction might be a good starting point.
Pros: Good value, simple design, Bell has a crash replacement scheme.
Cons: It can give you a hot head, it doesn’t have tab at the back to hold your goggles.
Price: £19.99
Madison 0800 130 0598
www.bellbikehelmets.com

Specialized Bg Ridge Gloves

As far as I know having numb hands is good for one thing only, and riding your bike isn’t it. The main reason I got these gloves was for the gel padding in the palms as both of my hands used to go numb on long rides, but not with these. Specialized has a whole bunch of ‘Body Geometry’ science behind their designs and they’ve been making this stuff from MTB year ‘0’, so you can’t go wrong. These poor gloves haven’t just been hammered they’ve sort of been wrecked. It took a while though and they are still one of my favourites. The best bit is the generous snot–wiper on the back of the thumb, which not many gloves seem to have lately. My biggest gripe is they are hot in the summer, but whenever I hit the deck I’m glad for sweaty palms over shredded palms.
Pros: Stops numb hands and keeps your goobers under control.
Cons: Hot and some people might find the palms too bulky.
Price: £19.99
Specialized UK 02083 913 500
www.specialized.com

Altura Chamois Shorts

Do your balls hang low? Do they wobble to and fro? Mine do, so I bought these shorts and now they are safe and out of harms way. They have a thin chamois inside as well, which is perfect for those rides on which you do more sitting than standing, and it’s better than most chamois that make you feel like you’re sitting on small rabbit…not that I’ve ever sat on a rabbit. I have a couple pairs, so when one is in the wash the other ready to wear.
Pros: Ball protection, no saddle sores.
Cons: Can’t think of any.
Price: £19.99
Zyro 01845 521 700
www.zyro.co.uk

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