Met Parachute MCR helmet

First impression
Compared to its predecessors, the third edition of the Parachute looks a lot more solid. It is not as heavy as it looks: 840 grams including the removable chin guard are quite light. It is available in six colors, from subtle plain to bright red to shades of grey with colored accents. Numerous ventilation openings at the front promise a cool head on hot descents. The chin guard can be attached using an ingenious magnetic system called MCR. This was developed in cooperation with Fidlock. The harness buckle also comes from this manufacturer and closes magnetically. The visor is height-adjustable and made of soft plastic. It should therefore survive crashes undamaged. Thanks to the BOA-FS1 system, the Met helmet can be adjusted extremely finely in both directions of rotation. A MIPS shell offers additional protection in the event of a fall.

The workmanship is extremely high quality, all edges are rounded and well protected. The Parachute looks very stable and durable. This also justifies the high retail price.

In use
Fastening the strap when wearing the helmet takes some practice. Once you've got the trick of pushing the metal hooks in first and then aligning the strap so that the magnets snap shut, it's quick and easy. Practicing in front of the mirror helps. Removing it is even quicker: turn the levers of the MCR system backwards by 90 degrees - the fastener releases - and pull the strap forwards.

The helmet basically has a well-functioning ventilation system, but as there are few holes on the top, not much heat escapes. This is particularly noticeable at temperatures above 20 degrees when pedaling uphill. The temple fits snugly against the cheeks and gives you a feeling of security. It does not interfere with your vision in any way. Whether combined with glasses or goggles, both fit perfectly without pinching or sticking to the helmet.

Conclusion
The Met Parachute MCR is impressive in terms of quality and function. The only point of criticism is that the visor should be able to be adjusted to a slightly lower position, which would provide better sun protection and it wouldn't stick out so much in half-shell mode. Well, that's ultimately a matter of taste. Some call it "style", others think it's "silly" when the visor is at an angle. But one thing is clear: anyone looking for two helmets in one should try this product on for size. If it fits, then it fits.

Price: CHF 379.00

Manufacturer/distributor
www.met-helmets.com / www.komenda.ch

Ride Concepts Powerline shoes

Ride Concepts is a young brand that launched its first MTB shoe in 2018. The creators originally come from Five Ten. After its takeover by Adidas, they decided to go their own way.

First impression
The robust design of the flat pedal shoe not only promises good power transmission, but also good protection in the event of a fall. D3O was introduced to protectors a long time ago. It is not yet so widespread in bike shoes. In the Powerline model, it is used for ankle protection and as a cushioning material in the insole.
The cut of the shoe is rather narrow, it fits snugly around the heel but has sufficient room in the toe area. There is a thick rubber layer at the front to protect the shoe from injuries and wear and tear. The outsole was produced in collaboration with Rubber Kinetics, a rubber specialist that also develops with Goodyear tires, among other things. Sounds like "grip galore"

In use
The sole ensures good power transmission and is comfortable to run on. In dry conditions, the grip of the rubber compound is sufficiently good. If it is wet and slippery, there is a slight slippage depending on the pedals. Despite laser perforation and mesh inserts for good ventilation, it is surprisingly windproof and water-repellent. Splashing water doesn't bother it, but it can't withstand rainy days. The orange strap keeps the shoe laces in check, which are not excessively long compared to many competitor products.

There were no high summer temperatures during the test period, but the Ride Concepts quickly got warm when it was over 20 degrees. However, they are comfortable in cooler conditions.

Conclusion
Thanks to its robust design, the Ride Concepts Powerline provides a lot of security. It's easy to stand on the pedals, except when it's wet and muddy. If you have a tendency to sweaty feet, your fins will certainly be hot in summer, but you will hardly freeze in mild conditions in winter.

Price: CHF 179.90

Manufacturer/distributor
www.rideconcepts.com / www.intercycle.com

Giro Tyrant MIPS helmet

First impression
None other than "Ratboy" Josh Briceland is the ambassador for the Giro Tyrant. If you do things as wild as he does, you'll be glad of the extra protection around your ears. The look is strongly reminiscent of the helmets used in motorcycle trial sports, known as Open Face. The Tyrant is equipped with the Spherical MIPS system. Instead of a floating plastic foil, two foam shells are used and the MIPS system (elastomers) is positioned between these two shells. In the event of a fall, the shells move in relation to each other and thus eliminate the rotational forces. The height of the rear head support can be adjusted and adapted using a rotary wheel. Chin pads of different thicknesses are included. All pads - except for the one at the back of the head - can be easily removed and washed. The visor can be adjusted so that the goggle can be parked comfortably. The workmanship looks very high quality.

In use
Compared to full-face helmets or other open-face variants, hearing is hardly restricted. This is thanks to the large cut-outs around the ears. The fit is always an individual matter and depends on the shape of your head. It fitted me well and didn't leave any pressure points. The ventilation is great downhill, but not uphill. Even in winter at 3 degrees you sweat quickly. If the temperature rises above 15 degrees, it becomes unbearable on steep climbs and the helmet is attached straight to the rucksack. The compact design offers a lot of protection, but has the disadvantage that the heat quickly builds up if there is no wind.

Conclusion
The Giro Tyrant MIPS is a welcome companion on shuttle tours, in dirt parks or on winter rides, where it retains a lot more heat than conventional bike helmets. You get "a lot" of helmet for a fair price.

Price: CHF 199.00

Manufacturer/distributor
www.giro.com / www.chrissports.ch

Vittoria Mota and Martello tires

Vittoria has greatly expanded its MTB tire portfolio in recent years. They rely on the "miracle material" graphene for production. Imagine it as a sheet of carbon atoms arranged in a honeycomb pattern. A two-dimensional structure that is only one atom thick. Like fine nets, the graphene layers are supposed to give the tire rubber strength and improve its mechanical properties. The Italian manufacturer also uses four rubber compounds of different hardnesses. Two each for the outer and center lugs. However, they have the same structure, with a soft rubber on top for good grip and a hard one underneath for the stability of the knobs.

For the rear wheel, the Martello comes with flatter and smaller center lugs. This makes sense in order to keep rolling resistance low. The tread on the side is narrower than on the Mota and can almost be described as dense. The lugs are offset to the side for better cornering grip.

In use
It goes without saying that the Mota tire digs well into soft ground when you look at the tread pattern. Thanks to its height, it bites well through gravel, even though this is not its preferred terrain. In general, it provides a lot of grip in corners without being unstable. There are more suitable candidates for very hard or dusty surfaces. It successfully defies alpine trails with sometimes sharp rocky edges. Due to its convincing overall performance, the Mota was also mounted on the rear wheel at the end of the test phase. There, the handling with the aggressive profile is certainly not everyone's cup of tea. It masters rooty and damp surfaces on steep terrain like no other at the rear. The braking performance is second to none.

Vittoria's Martello is a good all-rounder that is designed for the rear wheel and offers low rolling resistance. It clogs up quickly in muddy conditions, but copes well with all other surfaces. The rubber compound provides good traction, even on wet roots. The rolling behavior in curves is pleasing and even. In alpine terrain, it couldn't quite keep up with the durability of the Mota. One flat tire as a result of a puncture and a 3-centimeter-long puncture in the sidewall are the result at the end of the test period. The crack in the carcass was probably caused by a sharp stone edge and would certainly have brought other tires to their knees. That was the premature end of the first test tire. Despite the repaired puncture, the second Martello held up perfectly until the end of the test.

Conclusion
The two Vittoria tires are convincing in terms of performance. You quickly become familiar with them and no longer have to worry about grip and traction. Running! The narrow width offers slightly less contact area and comfort than other products with identical dimensions. If they were available in 2.5 inch width, they would have what it takes to become your favorite tire.

Manufacturer/distributor
www.vittoria.com / www.fuchs-movesa.ch

Muc-Off B.A.M. - Bargain tip

The acronym B.A.M. stands for Bottled Air Magic. The magic consists of a spray can containing compressed air and a latex foam for fixing punctures

First impression
The small can even fits in hip bags or can be easily and securely attached to the bike frame with the optional utility belt. It is important to ensure that there is enough space between the can and the shock absorber or other objects, otherwise it will rattle a lot on rough descents.

In use
The use is downright foolproof: If you ride in a flat tire, take out the can and shake it well, set the valve to the 12 o'clock position, put on the can and let the "magic" shoot into the tire. The pressure is enough to inflate a 2.5-inch wide 29er tire. When testing the B.A.M., everything had to happen very quickly, because the aim was to check whether it would work under racing conditions.

As soon as the tire was flat, the patch was applied without first checking the tire in detail. It was only checked to see whether large cracks were preventing further travel. No damage was visible from the outside. The whole repair would have taken less than 30 seconds without taking photos. In the end, the ride was resumed after about 90 seconds. The tire was then well inflated for several hours, only the next day did the pressure drop and it had to be pumped up again.

Price: CHF 23.90

Manufacturer/distributor
www.muc-off.com / www.intercycle.com