Fox Back Packs

Fresh Goods Friday

Hello. You’re through to Singletrack. The editorial office have all gone off on press trips and aren’t available right now. We’ve managed to round up a selection of fresh goods for this Friday but it’s probably not the enourmo-load you’re used to, sorry about that, it is high on quality though. If you’d like to leave a message after the beep we’ll get back to you. Thanks!

*BEEP*

Shimano’s high-end-and-then-a-bit-higher XC race shoe. We’ve been getting in race shoes for a future issue’s group test and we think these might be the most expensive we’ve seen so far. So what do you get for your money? An extremely stiff carbon sole. These really don’t flex at all! There’s also a little packet of pads in the box for customising the footbed under the arch of the foot and in that bit between your toes and the ball of your foot. The sole appears to be have a bit more tread to it than previous Shimano race shoes and so hopefully won’t be as sketchy on rocks or when clipping into pedals. Anti-slip heel lining prevents heel lift by using a knitted in metal fibre. The upper material (‘Rovenica’ anyone?) is noticeably thinnish and ‘just right’ supple.

Vaude Tracer 16 backpack Not a lightweight pack by any means, the Tracer 16 is clearly aimed at more rutty tufty adventures where you’re carrying quite a lot of stuff and what it all held in place properly. We reckon it might make for a decent ‘bike and camera gear’ backpack. The pack includes a rain cover, a front outer pocket which has a compartment for tools and spare inner tube compartment and front helmet holder. There are side mesh pockets; a height adjustable hip belt to tweak where the bag sits on your back. There’s a hydration compartment too. This one is the mid-sized 16 litre version, there are Tracer backpacks available in 12 to 28 litre sizes. This one’s also available in a rather fetching lemon/pine colour if you prefer something a bit brighter on your back. “We’ll be bringing in early limited numbers of the XO spec bike (expected end July – £4499.99srp) with another model available at a later date with build sitting somewhere between XTR and SLX (to be launched @ Eurobike – circa £4k TBC). BMC are currently stating there are no plans to offer it as a frame-only option. Booo! Sadly the crazy spec on the flagship pimped XTR model you’ve got (including £2k Easton Haven Carbon wheelset) would’ve resulted in a bike solely for the bankers (circa £7k pricetag) so we went with our heads instead of our hearts and shied away from ranging it.