An overview of the products tested:
ION Rascal Select Boa shoes
Funn MTB Mamba S pedals
Shimano XTR M9220 4-piston brakes
Sqlab saddle 60X Ergowave Active 2.2
Uvex Sportstyle 237 glasses

ION Rascal Select Boa shoes

First impression
The SPD-compatible Rascal has a robust design - ideal for all-mountain use. The higher-cut inner side protects the ankle from injuries and the reinforced zones on the heel and toe should arm you for tough use. The familiar Boa system allows the shoe to be put on with a precise fit. The sole looks more graphic than grippy, but the first impression is deceptive, as the practical test showed. Subtle brown elements adorn the otherwise black shoe and give it that certain something. As the shoe can be opened very wide, the tab on the heel is not needed to put it on.

In use
Compared to previously tested ION shoes, the cut is rather large, ideal for wider or stronger feet. Those with slimmer feet will need to tighten the Boa system as far as it will go. The "Rascal Select" feels a little stiff at first. After a few rides and some walking, the material softens and the shoe develops the ideal mix of comfort and power transmission. Although the profile of the shoes is not very pronounced, it grips well on earth and rock. Long pushing distances on the bike can be mastered with surefootedness.

On the bike, the "Rascal Select" ensures good power transmission. The EVA midsole provides noticeably good cushioning: on rough trails, it takes the harshness out of the ground and eliminates vibrations. The raised inner side provides optimum protection against unintentional contact with the cranks or bike frame. The roughened inner lining on the heel provides additional support.

Conclusion
The several months of use in the Alps have hardly left any marks on the ION shoes. Only the dust on the tongue of the shoe bears witness to the many rides. The "Rascal Select" impresses with its robust design, which offers a good mix of stiffness and comfort. It looks like it will be able to handle a few more adventures.

Price: CHF 219.90/ EUR 219.99

Manufacturer
www.ion-products.com

Funn MTB Mamba S Two Side Clip Pedals

First impression
The "Mamba S" from Funn is the smaller sister of the Mamba, whose cage is slightly larger. The SPD-compatible clipless pedals with all-round platform look solidly made. The bearings look high quality and well sealed. There are grub screws on the top and bottom that cover the lubrication ports. The Mambas can be permanently lubricated using the grease gun. Four pins screwed in from above can be mounted on each pedal side to increase the grip of the shoes. At 480 grams, they are not lightweight, but they are acceptably heavy. The feedback could be a little more precise if the release setting is changed via a grid. The release angle is 18 degrees and the freedom of movement is 5 degrees.

In use
In the beginning, it takes a little concentration to click in the cleats. With each ride, the procedure becomes more familiar and clicking in becomes more intuitive. Clicking out is controlled and without much resistance. Despite the additional pins, the bike shoes - several shoe models were tested - barely touch the cage, they just rest on the SPD mechanism. This makes it feel a bit like you're floating on the pedal. There is a lot of freedom of movement. Uphill or downhill, it is less noticeable than on transfer routes when pedaling.

The Mambas had to endure the odd hard impact on stone and rock. Sometimes so hard that the ride was stopped to check whether the pedals were still whole. In each case in vain, apart from a few lost aluminum shavings, the Mambas simply shrugged it off. The test bike was parked in a very damp cellar for around six weeks. This led to slight flash rust on the click mechanism. This never had any effect on the function.

Conclusion
The Mambas from Funn show taker qualities and the grease nipples are a great thing. They are more suitable for riders who like to have some freedom of movement on the pedals. Those who prefer a rather firm seat will not be happy with them.

Price: CHF 145.50 / EUR n/a
    
Manufacturer
www.funnmtb.com

Shimano XTR M9220 4-piston brake

First impression
Shimano has redesigned the new brake from the ground up. As usual with the XTR groupset, the workmanship is of the highest quality. Two innovations are noticeable at first glance: On the brake lever, the cable now runs parallel to the handlebars and the brake caliper has different sized brake cylinders at the front and rear. Other changes are barely noticeable, if at all: the optimized ergonomics of the brake lever, the brake cylinders, which now work on tension and no longer on pressure, and the new mineral oil that is used. Fitting is the same as on the previous models and can be carried out without any problems. No bleeding was necessary when shortening the lines.

In use
For the test, only 180 millimeter brake discs were deliberately fitted at the rear and front. The smaller the rotors, the better the performance of the brakes. The new XTR was ridden in direct comparison with the "old" XTR brake - which is equipped with pads from "Absolute Black". It also had to cope with several 10,000 Elevation loss downhill in Davos. Often without long breaks to test the heat resistance.

As usual, it takes a few descents for the brake pads and rotors to grind in. Only then does it become clear what the new features really bring. The modulation has improved and you hardly need any force in your fingers to operate the brakes. In normal use, the braking force is significantly increased without being harsh. However, if full or emergency braking is necessary and you pull harder on the lever, even the 180 mm disk bites with surprising force. The most impressive thing about the XTR is its consistency throughout: The braking feel is still the same even after hundreds of Elevation losses. Fading? Yes, if you have to pull the lever for a long time on really steep terrain - where running downhill is hardly possible - you will feel a slight drop in the pressure point. This was never noticeable on normal descents. Overheating of the brake system was not noticeable. Whether this is due to the optimized technology or the new mineral oil remains to be seen.

Conclusion
The new design of the brake lever is a matter of taste, but has no influence on performance. In a nutshell: the new XTR brake is absolutely top. If you still have to give a piano concert after 6000 Elevation loss, you will reap thunderous applause, because your hands will be just as fresh in the evening as they were before the bike tour.

Price: CHF 646.00 / EUR 620.00, without brake rotors

Manufacturer
www.bike.shimano.com

Sqlab saddle 60X Ergowave Active 2.2

First impression
The new Sqlab saddle is based on the popular 60X model, which was introduced a few years ago. It incorporates the familiar Ergowave and Active designs that have already been mentioned several times in Ride tests. The saddle width concept, which requires a saddle width of 130 to 160 millimetres depending on the sit bone distance, has also remained the same. The model has been slightly optimized over the years and the current 2.2 version essentially offers a 20 millimetre shorter saddle nose. As usual, the build quality is very high. The new 60X is 130 millimetres wide and weighs 245 grams, while the 160 model weighs 262 grams.

In use
The unisex saddle was tested by both a woman and a man for around six months. Even if you are familiar with Sqlab saddles, as always, it takes some time to get used to the new model. After around 20 minutes on the bike, the saddle feels familiar, and after a few rides, the saddle "sits in" and fits right from the start of the ride. Due to the shorter nose, you sit a little less "in" the saddle than you are used to from Sqlab. The Sqlab-experienced tester was pleased with the greater freedom of movement, which is exactly what she had missed with the existing models. The nose was always too long for her. According to the woman, the comfort and support provided by the raised rear are the same as before and even slightly improved by the new rubber coating. The man has a slightly different opinion. Same comfort? Yes. Same support? Yes and no. In most situations, yes, but on very steep climbs, when the front of the bike starts to rise and weight needs to be shifted forwards, no. You don't have the right length. You lack the appropriate length of the saddle nose.

The Ergowave and Active systems of the saddle are not explained further here, Ride has already described them in detail in numerous tests.

Conclusion
The 60X has become the new favorite of the test rider. Her conclusion: it fits in all situations and the increased legroom is much appreciated. The colleague sees its use primarily on long-stroke bikes with a focus on downhill riding. On XC or trail bikes, he prefers a longer saddle nose to climb even the steepest ramp where others are already pushing.

Price: CHF 169.90 / EUR 159.95.00

Manufacturer
www.sq-lab.com

Uvex Sportstyle 237 glasses

First impression
The large lenses are in line with the current trend, but are not as gigantic as other models. You don't look like a fish in an aquarium. The filter category 3 lens tint offers a light transmission of 9 to 18 percent. The glasses sit comfortably on the head and can be individually adjusted thanks to the adjustable nose pieces.

In use
Although the lenses appear rather dark, visibility is sufficient even in low sunlight. The colors remain neutral, the contrast is clearly but pleasantly enhanced. The protection against wind is optimal and even on long days with strong sunlight, the eyes do not tire prematurely. A sign of a high-quality lens. As is usual with glasses with large lenses, body heat escapes less easily on hot days than with models with a low design. The result: you sweat a little more. Compared to other sports glasses with lenses of the same height, the Uvex performs quite well.

Conclusion
On long all-mountain tours, good eye protection is essential. The "Uvex Sportstyle 237" was able to hold its own here. Thanks to the high-quality lens and good protection against the wind, your eyes stay fit until the last descent!

Price: CHF 109.00 / EUR 89.95

Manufacturer
www.uvex-sports.com