At the request of Ride readers to test products for "small" budgets more often, one product from the "Five Friends" test is now a bargain tip. This is always the last one in the test in the report.

Bontrager Kovee XXX Boost TLR 29 wheelset

First impression
The XC-Race wheelset from Bontrager has a classy look. The centerlock hub corresponds to a DT Swiss 240 and is connected to Aerolite spokes from the same company with Bontrager's own carbon rim with an inner width of 29 and outer dimensions of 34 millimetres. The look is discreet and appealing. The weight of 1266 grams is impressive. If you put on the supplied rim straps made of strong plastic, another 150 grams are added on top.

In use
The tubeless setup works effortlessly, the combination with the Pirelli tires listed below has proven itself and even after weeks hardly any air has escaped. As no cross-country bike was available, the wheelset had to hold its own on a 130-millimeter trail bike. This does not correspond to the intended area of use. What such a wheelset has to withstand for Jolanda Neff in a World Cup race
however, is roughly the same as if you were to put it through the wringer on a trail bike.

The bike's low weight is noticeable when accelerating. With the right tires, you can shoot off like a rocket. The stiffness of the wheelset is pleasing: not too high to offer comfort, not too low to enable good propulsion.
After six months, the rear wheel was slightly out of balance and had to be re-centered. The reason for this is certainly that the wheelset was often ridden with very low tire pressure for testing reasons. The wheels have been subjected to more stress than their intended use and have held up very well.

Conclusion
The "Kovee XXX Boost TLR" wheelset from Bontrager is not a bargain, but you get a product that can take a beating and is also good off the track. Should you nevertheless suffer damage, you benefit from Bontrager's "Carbon Care Wheel Loyalty" program, which includes a free replacement of damaged wheels in the first two years after purchase.

Price: CHF 2400.00

Manufacturer/distributor
www.trekbikes.com

Pirelli Scorpion MTB M Lite 29 x 2.4" tires

The namesake for the newly launched MTB tire is the successful Scorpion motocross tire. More than 70 world championship titles have been won with it. It remains to be seen whether this will also be the case in biking. The mountain bike tire series comprises four models, the tested "M Lite" is optimized for mixed ground conditions from sand to stone and also for roots. The in-house Smart Grip rubber compound should work equally well in dry and wet conditions.

First impression
The Scorpion M Lite is not a specific cross-country race tire, but its distinctive tread pattern makes it suitable for use in changeable weather conditions or on very rough terrain. The 120 tpi sidewalls are provided with an additional layer to ensure improved puncture and cut protection. At around 860 grams, it is no lightweight, but considering the robust design, this is acceptable for a 2.4 inch wide tire.

In use
Despite the rather soft rubber compound, the Scorpion rolls well, even at low air pressure. The tread height is in the medium range, but still offers very good traction. The cornering and rolling behavior is even and can always be fully controlled. Dry and slightly damp surfaces are its main territory, on gravel it behaves quite passably, mud is not its thing. It clogs up quickly and self-cleaning is at an average level. If you have to go full out on loose ground or very steep gradients, the tread reaches its limits. There is a lack of bite, the tire starts to slip, but can be controlled well.

Conclusion
In dust-dry conditions or in mud, there are more suitable candidates, but if the surfaces are mixed or the weather is changeable, the Pirelli Scorpion M Lite is an ideal tire with high puncture protection, plenty of grip and good traction. Despite a few punctures, there were no flats on rough surfaces and the Pirelli Scorpion M Lite also withstood sharp-edged stones.

Price: CHF 62.90

Manufacturer/Distributor
velo.pirelli.com / www.chrissports.ch

Uvex Sportstyle 804 V glasses

Reduced vision, tearing due to wind or dirt in the eye are distracting and take away your concentration on the competition. People often underestimate how important good cycling goggles are. To ride a good race, the equipment must not get in the way and must provide maximum support.

First impression
The 804 V model from Uvex has a frameless design and a corresponding field of vision thanks to the large lens. The goggles are equipped with a varifocal lens that adapts to the ambient light. The nose pads are flexible and can be individually adjusted to your own "Zinggen". The workmanship looks solid, the temples and the lens are screwed together and not just plugged in as is so often the case.

In use
According to the manufacturer, it takes 25 seconds for the glass to darken from untinted to maximum. That's about right. Not a top value, but good average. The tint itself is always pleasant, the coloration appears neutral and it has pleasant contrasts.
Once you put the glasses on, you immediately forget about them. They are barely noticeable. The lens is slightly raised in the middle area, which offers additional protection from the wind when in an extended position. In return, the narrower sides allow water vapor to escape. The goggles only fog up very rarely, at high levels of body activity and low speeds, when damp conditions prevail. As soon as the speed increases and thus the draught, the view is quickly clear again.

Conclusion
The goggles score points with a good and barely noticeable fit thanks to their low weight. They also offer excellent protection from the wind. In combination with the high-quality workmanship and the varifocal lens, the high retail price is more than justified.

Price: CHF 229.00

Manufacturer/distributor
www.uvex-sports.com

SQlab 612 Ergowave R saddle

The products of German ergonomics specialist SQlab are very popular with amateur riders and racing cyclists alike. However, it has been shown that the latter require saddle optimizations for unconditional racing use or competition-oriented training sessions.

The shape of the tried-and-tested 612 Ergowave saddle has been revised to meet these needs. The newly created 612 R offers better pressure distribution for this area of use thanks to its stronger waist and a narrower and shorter saddle nose. It is designed for road or MTB racers who adopt a sporty, stretched riding position.

First impression
The saddle is available in three widths. It comes in the Ergowave shape familiar from SQlab with a raised rear end and thus relieves the pressure on the perineum. The stays are made of carbon and have a classic design. The padding is firm and the cover is slightly roughened, which ensures a secure fit. The saddle from the pre-series weighs 147 grams, the final product should be a little lighter.

In use
As with almost all SQlab products, the 612 R takes some getting used to. Even if you ride almost exclusively with saddles from this brand, it takes a good 20 minutes before the sit bones no longer feel any pressure. The narrow saddle nose offers more legroom and is an advantage at high cadences. In technical terrain or on very steep climbs, the shorter nose means you have slightly less guidance and contact surface.

Conclusion
Although the SQlab 612 Ergowave R only has a thin and firm padding, you sit relatively comfortably after a short period of familiarization. The flex of the saddle is pleasing. The raised rear in combination with the roughened upper material provides good support, especially when wearing smooth bib shorts. The relaxed riding position means you lose less energy and have more bounce in your legs.

Price: CHF 269.00

Manufacturer/distributor
www.sq-lab.com / www.tds-rad.ch

SQlab 711 R grips - bargain tip

Every gram usually counts for cross-country use, but ergonomics must not be ignored. That's why SQlab has created a race version based on its 70X model, which weighs just 59 grams in size S. The grips are flattened on the outside. This increases the contact surface, which according to SQlab leads to an increase in comfort. On the underside, the profile is slightly angular, which should also have a positive effect on ergonomics. The four available sizes differ in diameter, length and shape.

First impression
The unassembled handles are comfortable to hold. The right angle is achieved automatically due to the asymmetry. The rubber itself is firm, the textured contact surfaces offer more cushioning and feel softer. The inside is limited to a minimum of material.

In use
As the grips do not require a clamp to reduce weight, they are fitted using compressed air or pure petrol. This means that they have to be adjusted correctly from the start. Once they are in place, changing them is complicated. Despite the tight rubber, the damping is better than expected. Not a comfort miracle, but respectable for a race-optimized product. The grips provide a direct steering feel.

Conclusion
It is difficult to make a final judgment about handlebar grips. Every hand is different and preferences for grips are very individual. It is therefore not possible to make any binding statements about shape and ergonomics. But one thing is clear: they provide a good steering feel, absorb vibrations and shocks well and show little wear and tear.

Price: CHF 23.90

Manufacturer/distributor
www.sq-lab.com / www.tds-rad.ch