Whereas we mountain bikers are a troublesome bunch, consolation is all the time of key significance once you’re out on the paths. This spring I obtained Endura’s MT500 MIPS helmet, Singletrack Lite shorts, and Singletrack Core Tee II to check, and after just a few months with these items, I’m nonetheless fairly pleased to toss any of them on for a experience.
I did have some small points with the helmet’s match (however nothing stopping me from sporting it), and located minor gripes with the shorts and jersey, however I might nonetheless say all three items are strong decisions for MTB riders.
Endura MT500 MIPS Helmet:
For full particulars on the MT500 MIPS take a look at my launch article from this spring, however listed here are some key specs: Its in-molded shell is constructed round light-weight and extremely ventilated Koroyd safety. A MIPS liner pairs up with Endura’s dial-operated retention system, and the adjustable visor presents three positions.
Total I discover the MT500 MIPS fairly snug. The form of the shell matches the highest of my cranium properly, and the inside padding retains something inflexible from touching my head. For this up to date mannequin Endura elevated head protection from the earlier MT500 helmet, and on my shallow head it simply clears my ears, sits low on my brow, and covers the again of my cranium completely.
The Koroyd core offers glorious air flow – and never simply from the entrance, however from any angle. Even at low speeds air flows by the shell and the Koroyd simply, so the MT500 is nice to go for decent summer season rides.
The MT500’s retention system presents 4 peak positions, and for the reason that shell matches fairly deep on me I’ve stored mine within the second-highest setting. On this place, the rear dial sits low sufficient to offer a safe match. The straps’ Y-shaped adjusters are straightforward to arrange, and I’m completely pleased with the standard chin buckle.
The MT500 MIPS shouldn’t be the lightest open-faced helmet on the market at 416g, however it’s not heavy sufficient to impress any soreness in my neck. I’m all for lighter helmets however frankly, the MT500 MIPS matches me nicely sufficient to hold its weight comfortably.
In my launch article, I discussed how the helmet match a bit massive on me, resulting from my 56cm head lining up with the smaller finish of the scale medium’s 55-59cm vary. After driving it, I’m happy to say the retention system does maintain the shell feeling safer than I anticipated. Entrance-to-back the MT500 matches me OK, however there’s extra width within the shell than my slender head wants. Nevertheless, as soon as I hit the paths with it I forgot all concerning the width; with the retention system clinched in, I didn’t discover the shell flopping side-to-side in any respect.
As a result of the MT500 MIPS’ shell matches so deep on me, compatibility with eyewear is an issue. I’ve a number of pairs of sun shades readily available and none of them work with this helmet, as there’s not sufficient house on my brow. I attempted my smallest pair of goggles with the MT500 they usually pushed the helmet upwards by greater than an inch, so there’s no approach I may experience this lid with goggles.
As talked about in my launch article, the MT500’s visor solely offers shade in its lowest of three positions. In that setting it’s already barely seen, so I by no means moved it upwards. The higher positions are possible there to hold goggles, however I by no means examined this as a result of the deep shell couldn’t accommodate a pair on my shallow head anyhow. The MT500 MIPS retails for $239.99, and sizes S/M, M/L, and L/XL can be found. Colour choices are White, Olive Inexperienced, Black, Concrete Gray, and Blueberry.
Singletrack Lite Shorts:
The Singletrack Lite shorts are made out of a blended Nylon/Elastane material that’s gentle, breathable, and sturdy. The material presents four-way stretch and is coated with a PFC-free water-repelling end. Vent holes down the insides and outsides of the legs present some airflow.
These shorts function a zipper fly with a two-button closure and pretty slim and small Velcro waist adjusters. The big Endura brand and stripes contained in the waistline act as a gripper to make sure a strong match. The Singletrack Lite shorts are Clickfast suitable with Endura’s chamois, so you may snap the 2 layers collectively to maintain them lined up comfortably.
With a waist that’s a tad beneath a 32, I’m sporting dimension small shorts they usually match nice. The waist and hip space are slim however not comfortable, and I’ve solely needed to cinch within the Velcro waist adjusters by a bit. That leaves hardly any bunching behind the waist, which matches completely unnoticed whereas driving. It appears the waist gripper is doing its job because the shorts keep in place very nicely. The reduce of the shorts permits for full mobility, to the purpose that the material’s stretch not often wants to return into play.
For this quick Endura presents choices for shorter or longer leg lengths, and I selected the longer choice. The longer leg is beneficiant however not overkill. At 5’10” the longer shorts simply cowl my knees, and the legs will not be saggy however free sufficient to hold freely over kneepads.
The Singletrack Lite shorts supply two zippered leg pockets and one zippered rear pocket, which I like – why fear about shedding issues whilst you experience? The entrance pockets don’t really feel very deep, however they’re sufficiently big to suit my smartphone. My solely situation with the pockets is that they’re fairly sq. in form, so after some driving my cellphone winds up shifting round and sits diagonally or horizontally throughout my thigh as an alternative of staying vertical. This doesn’t restrict mobility or get uncomfortable, however maybe a deeper, narrower pocket would maintain a cellphone lined up along with your leg higher. I maintain a decent-sized keychain within the different pocket and it’s by no means felt uncomfortable throughout rides, and for one experience I tossed my pockets within the rear pocket and completely forgot it was there! The pocket stored my pockets fully off my saddle.
By way of coolness, the Singletrack Lite shorts are fairly common. Except for the laser-cut vent holes and breathable material, there’s no mesh paneling, zip vents, or the rest to make these an ultra-cool choice. I wouldn’t hesitate to experience these shorts on any summer season experience, however I’ve cooler pairs in my closet.
I haven’t had any spills within the Singletrack Lite shorts, however I’ve put a good quantity of mileage on them. There’s positively no harm or extra put on to report on my shorts.
The Singletrack Lite shorts promote for $119.99, in males’s sizes S-XXXL and ladies’s sizes XXS-XL. Endura presents 5 shade choices for ladies and 9 colours for males.
Singletrack Core Tee II:
Retaining issues gentle, the Singletrack Core Tee II is only a easy and skinny T-shirt type prime – No pockets, no goggle wipe, no zippers, simply sufficient to maintain you lined up. The skinny grid-style physique material permits for loads of airflow and manages moisture nicely, so this jersey is an efficient selection for decent climate rides. The 80% recycled polyester material presents a slippy really feel, and there are not any nasty seams or the rest inflicting consolation points. I’m a fan of rounded collars and pleased to have one on this jersey.
At a slim 5’10”, I’m sporting a dimension small tee. The jersey matches me nicely within the chest and shoulders. The physique is simply lengthy sufficient to maintain me totally lined in driving place; I’d take one other inch or two in size however it’s OK as is. I just like the arm size, which practically reaches my elbows offering good protection and solar safety.
The Singletrack Core Tee II passes the bottom layer check, because it’s not too saggy within the physique or sleeves to comfortably put on beneath different layers. It labored completely nicely beneath my snug-fitting Dainese AWA wind jacket.
Each jersey I evaluate will get the pack check too, and sadly, the Singletrack Core Tee II isn’t proving to be significantly sturdy. After simply three rides with my digicam pack, I seen put on and tear on the material at my hips the place the waist strap sits, plus some slight put on on the decrease again. Endura did go away seams working throughout the jersey’s shoulders, however they’re small and don’t get uncomfortable beneath shoulder straps.
MSRP for the Singletrack Core Tee II is $54.99. Males’s sizes vary from S-XXL, they usually are available in Aubergine (as examined), Black, Blueberry or Tangerine colours.
