Test: The last five "friends"
The tested products in the overview:
Rock Shox Reverb AXS
Kärcher OC4
Specialized Traction D30 knee protectors
Maxxis High Roller III
Knog Blinder X 2300 headlight
Rock Shox Reverb AXS seatpost
First impression
Rock Shox has completely redesigned the Reverb. The battery is no longer located at the back of the seat clamp, where it is exposed to dirt, but at the front of the post shaft. This may not look particularly attractive, but the battery is well protected from moisture and tire contact. There is an LED at the top of the battery holder, which indicates the charge status by pressing the AXS button.
The workmanship is absolutely top-notch, changing the battery is super easy and the design of the remote lever is a matter of taste. The post is available in all common diameters and in versions with a stroke of 100 to 250 millimetres. We tested the 175 mm version with a diameter of 31.6 millimetres, which weighs 797 grams plus another 58 for the remote.
In use
The Reverb releases quickly and also rides up quickly. Lowering is controlled and smooth - except when it skips. This happened about every fourth ride, when the post would stop locking until the remote lever was pressed again. A statement from Sram was pending at the time of going to press.
Conclusion
Except for the irregular dropouts, the Reverb AXS worked perfectly in all weather conditions. After ten months of use, it has not developed any play, nor has it had to be bled.
Price: CHF 570.00 / EUR 600.00
Manufacturer
Kärcher OC4
First impression
The OC4 is a pressure washer for outdoor use. Its compact size makes it ideal for cleaning bikes on the go. The device, including hose and gun, can be completely stowed away in the empty water tank. This can be detached from the main unit in two easy steps and filled easily. The scope of delivery includes a flat jet nozzle and a charger for the permanently installed battery.
Kärcher offers an optional "Bike accessory bag", which contains a suction hose, a multi-jet nozzle, a foam nozzle, a brush, a drying cloth and a bottle of bike cleaner. The entire accessory bag is available for 75 francs.
In use
The operation and handling of the device are self-explanatory and simple. Thanks to the good closures, the pressure washer can also be transported with a full water tank so that not a drop leaks out.
The OC4 holds around eight liters of water, which is enough to clean two dusty bikes or one lightly soiled bike. The pressure of seven bar is just enough, but heavily dried dirt cannot be loosened by the water jet alone. This is where the optional accessories come in handy. With the brush or the multi-jet nozzle, which offers four different water jets, this works better.
Conclusion
The Kärcher OC4 is ideally suited as a mobile cleaner that requires little space in the van or motorhome. It can also be used to gently hose down other dirty equipment or remove insects from the windshield of the vehicle.
Price: CHF 189.00 / EUR 159.99
Manufacturer
Specialized Traction D30 knee protectors
First impression
The protective pad of the Tractions made from D3O material could not be more minimal. Nevertheless, they meet the impact protection standards for high-speed motorcycles (EN1621-1). The pair weighs just 256 grams and can be rolled up to the size of a fist. The upper elastic band has many silicone strips to ensure a good grip. The protectors are made from 78 percent recycled nylon fabric and are available in six sizes.
In use
On the first ride, the protectors are a little tight and feel uncomfortable. So I put them in the washing machine and they fit better around my knees. After a few uses, everything has widened minimally and the protectors fit the body almost unnoticed - for hours on end. The silicone strips of the upper elastic band can cause skin irritation at high temperatures and when worn for several hours. However, the redness was gone the next day.
The protectors had to prove their worth following the total failure of a brake. The impact on the hard forest floor was not without consequential pain. For the first few seconds, my knee felt as if it had been rammed into the ground without being sharpened. No surprise with such a thin protective pad. The next day, there wasn't even a bruise on the knee and it only felt slightly bruised.
Conclusion
The knee protectors from Specialized only offer minimal protection due to their thin construction. This is sufficient if your knees touch the frame while riding and perfect if you need to make repairs or adjustments to the bike while kneeling on the trail. The joints remain protected from dirt and stones. If you often hit your bib, you should go for thicker pads. However, they do a good job as minimal protection that can also be worn uphill without any restrictions when pedaling.
Price: CHF 129.00 / EUR 129.00
Manufacturer
Maxxis High Roller III
First impression
After more than 13 years in use, the "High Roller" has been given a new tread pattern. Version III has been given a lug design that sits between the Maxxis Assegai and Shorty models. The Maxxgrip rubber compound feels pleasantly soft and grippy. The 2.4 inch wide tire weighs around 1100 grams. The open tread promises good traction and self-cleaning on deep and muddy ground.
In use
Despite the coarse lugs, the "high rollers" roll well even on asphalt and do not emit any vibrations. The tires have very good damping properties, which is particularly noticeable on root and stone fields. Even at minimum air pressure (v: 1.15 bar, h: 1.3 bar), the tires are properly inflated and offer good protection. They unintentionally "swallowed" the odd sharp stone on rough trails without any consequences until we were back on the ideal line into the valley. The rolling behavior in curves is predictable, the tires do not break out and do not tip over. Only on sandy surfaces does the front wheel tend to slip. The same applies when leaning heavily over damp roots. Otherwise, the rubber and tread cope with damp conditions quite well, but don't really show off. Unfortunately, there was no deep mud to contend with during the five-month test period. In wet conditions, the tread cleaned itself very well.
But how does the "High Roller III" ride uphill on single trails? Good question! If the test editor didn't take any notes, that means there was no reason to: Traction as desired! However, there were notes on the braking behavior. This is exceptionally good, whether on soft ground, hard ground or even gravel. Even on wet surfaces, the rubber grips just as well as the brakes.
Conclusion
The new "High Roller" weighs a little more, but provides efficient protection against punctures. It does not have the best rolling characteristics, but in return it offers excellent traction and braking performance. The general riding characteristics are good, but not outstanding.
Price: CHF 69.00 / EUR 79.90
Manufacturer
Knog Blinder X 2300 headlight
First impression
The Knog headlight set looks well thought out. The lamp head is solidly constructed and seems to be able to withstand a lot. It can be screwed to the handlebars with a clamp or placed on the helmet with a Velcro strap holder. It is operated with a separate button that is permanently wired to the light. The control unit has a self-adhesive holder for use as a helmet light or one that is attached to the handlebars with the rubber ring. The battery can also be used as a power bank for devices with a USB-C connection.
An Allen key is required for mounting on the handlebars, which is somewhat cumbersome when used on different bikes. On the other hand, the heavy lamp head holds well on the cockpit.
In use
Three different brightness levels are available by simply pressing the remote control. If you then double-click, the system switches to three flashing modes. The weakest continuous light is more than bright enough for riding to the trail and can dazzle road users. At the brightest level, night almost becomes day. The beam of light is homogeneous and not as point-focused as with many other lamps. I like the fact that the light color is not extremely bright white, but somewhat warmer, resulting in less harsh contrasts.
The battery, which is mounted with a Velcro holder, also holds on to thin steel frames without slipping. It should be emphasized that the plug connections from the battery to the lamp are easier to assemble than with any other manufacturer.
Conclusion
Although Knog is better known for small retrofit lights for use in urban environments, they obviously know what mountain bikers need. The Blinder 2300 provides more than enough light for fast singletrack rides and has shown absolutely no weaknesses. The battery life varies greatly depending on the brightness level used and the outside temperature. In extreme cold, the battery discharges significantly faster due to the unprotected metal housing.
Price: CHF 269.00 / EUR 299.99
Manufacturer
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Note: This content has been automatically translated from German. Please report any incorrect translations.