Right Tough ‘Uns

Words: James McKnight / Online Editor

Endura MT500 Jacket

This one is just never going to fail me. Endura’s MT500 jacket is definitely on the warm side for riding in, but it’ll keep out the heaviest of rain and retain warmth in the depths of winter. With zippers and pockets galore this jacket is also the most tailor–able and versatile out there. I love it.

£159.99
www.endura.co.uk

DMR Pedals

DMR pedals have been a staple of the ‘core’ rider for as many years as I can remember, with their classic V8 and V12s setting a benchmark for affordability and becoming something of legend in the pedal world. The originals eventually became out–dated though and now we have the Vaults in their place, with a larger platform and better shape to hold your foot in place on any terrain. These are the Brendan ‘Brendog’ Fairclough signature models, which are fully stealth in black.

£99.99 (Brendog signature £109.99)
www.dmrbikes.com

The 26” Wheel

Controversial in such an age of wheel size experimentation, especially when I myself love riding the new–age bikes in either 27.5 or 29”, but I’m just not going to forget about the humble 26” wheel. Each wheel does its job and has its place, and for that matter I’m not going to hate on any wheel size, especially the one that has worked so well for so long.

£Priceless

My Nailed Bike Bag

Both last year’s and this year’s Dirt 100 have included Evoc’s supreme bike bag, something I aspire to one day own. However, I’ve never quite been able to stretch to buying one and so have had to make do with this haggard number, a Creek2Peak original from many moons ago. I bought it for £50 from a friend probably about five years ago and it has served me well on countless flights and travels. The strap’s fallen off and the side’s torn, but I’ve patched it up and it continues to do the job.

£50 (If you’re lucky like I was)

Giro Feature Helmet

This helmet has served me well for the last two years. Big Mike Rose, editor of Dirt, passed this on to me during a visit to the office in between travels and it has since joined me on adventures all over Europe, to high peaks in the Alps and Superenduro races in Italy. It’s pretty haggard now but it just fits my (big) head so perfectly and I think it looks pretty cool too, if a little ‘Fireman Sam’.

£69.99
www.giro.com