The two computers replace the top-of-the-range Edge 800 and mid-range Edge 500 respectively, and, while not a complete overhaul of the existing units, offer a range of new software features, while Garmin have claimed to make the user interface more intuitive.

The Edge 810 is Garmin’s all-singing computer with full turn-by-turn navigation, while the Edge 510 strips out the mapping and navigation features, but offers the same level of ride analysis.

Garmin’s new Egde 510 and Edge 810 GPS computers

Garmin have added bluetooth connectivity to both units, alongside the existing ANT+ protocol, which means they can be linked to your smartphone. The Garmin Connect app (for Apple and Android) allows you to analyse your ride on the move, download  new routes and courses from Garmin Connect, and immediately share your ride to social media.

The new LiveTrack feature allows friends and family to follow your progress in real-time on a Garmin Connect tracking page, while the computers can also pull in live weather updates when paired with the app.

Both computers use a GPS signal to track a range of metrics, including distance, speed, ascent/descent, gradient, heart rate, cadence and power. The Edge 810 has a claimed 17 hours of battery life, boosted to 20 hours for the Edge 510.

The Edge 510 will be available as a standalone computer for £249.99, or as part of a performance bundle (with an out front bike mount, heart rate monitor and speed/cadence sensor) for £299.

The Edge 810 will cost £379.99 as a standalone model, £429.99 as part of a performance bundle (with an out front bike mount, heart rate monitor and speed/cadence sensor) or £479 as part of a performance and navigation bundle, which also includes full mapping for Europe.

Both computers will be available from February.

www.garmin.com

This article was originally published on RoadCyclingUK

The series, a seven-stop tour taking place over the course of the entire 2013 mountain bike season, will not run under the umbrella of cycling’s world governing body, and has instead been been setup by Chris Ball (formerly of the UCI) and the organisers of the Enduro Series (Coupe de France), SuperEnduro and Crankworx.

The Enduro World Series aims to build a lasting event series for riders, teams and the mountain bike industry.

“I’ve heard the demand for this type of series for quite some time,” said Ball, managing director of the Enduro World Series.

“Along with SuperEnduro, the Enduro Series and Crankworx, we want to develop the sport of enduro mountain bike racing so it can grow as a sustainable worldwide discipline.”

The racing calendar for 2013 will be released on Tuesday December 4. In the meantime check out www.facebook.com/EnduroWorldSeries

An aluminium 29er has also been added to the range, which previously included only the 26-inch carbon Flux ridden by British elite racer Maxine Filby on World Cup and National XC Series courses all year.

Our XCP build will retail at £2,195

Our test model is the very first example to come out of the factory and so, while the stickered decals may look a little rough and ready, the final production models, which will hit the shops in December, will have fully anodised black and red graphics.

The Flux Alloy 26 is based around a triple-butted 7005 alloy frame and Velocite bill it as a fast cross-country trail bike, with a steep seattube (73.5° on our medium sample) and shortish wheelbase (1088mm), but the relaxed headtube angle (70.5°) looks to sure things up a little.

Otherwise, there’s a tapered headtube, which should stiffen things up at the front end, while the bow-shaped toptube flows into the curved seatstays, and the chunky chainstays promise plenty of power transfer.

The Flux Alloy 26 is available frame only for £550 or in two builds: the XC build will retail at £1,595, while our test machine, the XCP build, will cost £2,195.

Our test machine is equipped with Shimano XT shifters, crankset and front derailleur, and a XTR rear derailleur

On the XC build you get a SRAM S1000 chainset, SRAM X9 rear and X7 front derailleurs, X7 shifters, Magura MT2 brakes, Magura TS-8 R DLO fork, Fulcrum RP SL wheels, Truvativ Stylo T20 seatpost, stem and ‘bars, and a Prologo Kappa Pas saddle.

The XCP build gets upgraded Shimano XT shifters, chainset and front derailleur, XTR rear derailleur, Magura MT2 brakes (our test machine has XT as the MT2′s did not reach Velocite in time), Magura TS-8 R DLO fork, Fulcrum RP XL wheels, Velocite carbon TLC-S seatpost, Truvativ Stylo T30 stem and ‘bars, and a Prologo Scratch Pro saddle.

Maxxis Crossmarks tyres are specced front and rear on both builds but Velocite UK can change this to any Maxxis combination at no extra cost.

So that’s the tech spec – now we’re going to head out on the trails to see how it performs.

www.velocite-bikes.co.uk

The West Sussex-based company previously only offered full bikes based around their road and cyclo-cross frames, but have expanded the fleet to include mountain bikes.

Full bikes are now available for the Maxlight XC3, XCPro3, XC130 and female-specific KM22oL, with the Maxlight FF29 and a Crosslight Pro6 cyclo-cross bike to follow in 2013.

“We have worked hard on the build spec in order to get the best balance of function and value, and I really believe that we have managed to put together a package that reflects the spirit of the Maxlight frames, delivering high performance and custom looks,” said Kinesis chief Dom Mason.

All four frames are available in either SRAM X9 or X5 builds, with WTB wheels, X-Fusion forks and FSA finishing kit.

The SRAM X9-equipped Kinesis Maxlight XCPRO3 is the top-of-the-range machine at £1,649.99, based around a race-ready aluminium frame which we described as a “lightweight cross-country slayer that is about as quick as a mountain bike gets” when it formed the basis for Bikemagic’s Project Kinesis in 2011.

View the full range at www.kinesisbikes.co.uk/bikes/maxlight

SRAM X5 SPECIFICATION

FORK: Options: X-Fusion Enix RL 1 1/8th Black or X-Fusion Velvet RL2 15mm 1 1/8th White
CHAINSET: SRAM X-5 GXP 10S 175mm BTBLK 39/26
SHIFTERS: SRAM X5 2x10s
FRONT MECH: SRAM X-5 low clamp 2x10s
REAR MECH: SRAM X-5 Long Cage
CASSETTE: SRAM PG-1030 11-36
CHAIN: KMC X-10 114L
BRAKES: Tektro Draco 2 160mm Black Hydraulic Disc
WHEELS: WTB Speed TCS (Tubeless compatible System)
TYRES: WTB Bronson 2.1 TCS
SADDLE: WTB Volt Sport
SEAT POST: FSA SL280 27.2mm
BAR: FSA Comet 685mm low rise
STEM: FSA OS 190,31.8,90mm
GRIPS: WTB Weir Wolf
HEADSET: K-UK Sealed cartridge Bearing
SEAT CLAMP: Black Alloy Bolted 31.8

SRAM X9 SPECIFICATION

FORK – X-Fusion Velvet RL2 15mm 1 1/8th White
CHAINSET: SRAM X-9 GXP 10S 175mm BTBLK 39/26
SHIFTERS: SRAM X9 2x10s
FRONT MECH: SRAM X-9 low clamp 2x10s
REAR MECH: SRAM X-9 Long Cage
CASSETTE: SRAM PG-1050 11-36
CHAIN: KMC X-10 114L
BRAKES: Tektro Orion 160mm White Hydraulic Disc
WHEELS: WTB Speed TCS (Tubeless compatible System)
TYRES: WTB Bronson 2.1 TCS
SADDLE: WTB Volt Sport
SEAT POST: FSA SL280 27.2mm
BAR: FSA V-Drive 685mm low rise
STEM: FSA OS 190,31.8,90mm
GRIPS: WTB Weir Wolf
HEADSET: K-UK Sealed cartridge Bearing
SEAT CLAMP: Black Alloy Bolted 31.8

The steel Skookum 29er is available in blue, metallic or green colour schemes

The Skookum shares a number of the features found on its sibling, including a tapered headtube and sliding dropouts, which can accommodate a singlespeed or derailleur setup, and which allow riders to tune the wheelbase length. The drive-side dropout also has a coupling for a belt-drive system.

Pipedream expect most riders to run a 80-100mm fork, but the frame can support a fork up to 120mm. A 30.9mm seatpost diameter means the frame can be used with a dropper post, while cables are routed underneath the bottom bracket.

The gusset-free steel frame, which is made from Reynolds 853 DZB tubing, will cost £395, while the titanium version will set you back £989. Both are available in 16in, 18in and 20in sizes.

www.pipedreamcycles.com

Five rounds from December to March

Earlier this year Hall smashed the record for the fastest circumnavigation of the world by bicycle, riding an average of 200 miles a day for 91 days.

The new Welsh MTB XC Winter Series will have five rounds from December to March. Rounds one, three and five will take place at the Coed Trallwm trail centre, while Nant Cerdin in Llanwrtyd Wells will host rounds two and four.

The format is simple. Riders race over multiple laps for one hour plus one lap over variable terrain made up of fire roads, woodland and a mixture of technical and flowing singletrack set among the stunning scenery that mid-Wales is famous for.

“2012 really was the year of mud tyres, dirty bikes, crud catchers and slippery fun,” the organisers told us. “However, as any true mountain biker will tell you, muddy trails improve skills and the wet toughens you up.

“It also happens to be the perfect preparation for a spot of winter MTB racing! After a summer like ours, there really are no excuses to not get out there and race this winter as mud is now, officially, your new best friend and rain is an everyday occurrence.”

Entry is £10 per round or £40 for the whole series with entries closing seven days prior to each round – there are no on-the-day entries. Full details can be found at www.redkite-events.co.uk

Welsh MTB XC Series

Round one – December 9 – Coed Trallwm MTB Centre
Round two – January 13 – Nant Cerdin, Irfon Forest, Llanwrtyd Wells
Round three – February 3 – Coed Trallwm MTB Centre
Round four – February 24 – Nant Cerdin, Irfon Forest, Llanwrtyd Wells
Round five – March 17 – Coed Trallwm MTB Centre

Congratulations to Laura Bennett!

Laura correctly answered that Bikelab’s Richmond shop is on Twickenham Road in south west London. Click here to visit Bikelab’s online store.

Laura gets her hands on a set of super-bright Exposure Flash and Flare front and rear lights worth £85. The tiny, rechargeable lights are ideal for making sure you’re seen when commuting or riding on the road to the trails.

Happy riding!

www.bikelab.co.uk

The Super HPC carbon frame has gone on a diet, with excess resin material removed, and that makes for  a lightweight machine with an overall claimed weight of 9.1kg.

Cube say the Elite XX1 29 delivers the “optimum stiffness to weight ratio” thanks to a tapered headtube, oversized tube profiles and PressFit bottom bracket.

The Elite XX1 29 is, as the name suggests, equipped with SRAM’s new XX1 groupset, which has a 34-tooth single chainring working in partnership with a huge 10-42t cassette.

Otherwise the Elite XX1 29 is equipped with DT Swiss MA 2.0 29 wheels wrapped in Schwalbe Racing Ralph Kevlar 2.25 tyres, Formula R1R disc brakes, a RockShox SID RL 29 fork with 100mm of travel, a Syntace F109 stem and Selle Italia X1 saddle.

The Elite XX1 will retail for £3,499 when it becomes available in spring 2013.

www.cube.eu

We gave you a sneak preview of the collection back in July. Let’s take a closer look now it’s available in the shops.

Beckingsale, who admits he has “clothing equipment OCD”, has had a hand in developing and testing the range, and the cross country racer’s influence is obvious, with features pared down to the key essentials so there’s no extra bulk to slow you down when riding full throttle.

Beckingsale says the range is for “guys who are seriously into mountain biking, and who are riding – not neccessarily racing – for a long period of time, and who want solid kit that will back-up the experience”. You can find out more about the MTR collection’s development in the video below, or scroll down further for a closer look at each piece.

The MTR Baggy Shorts £59.99) and Bib Shorts (£79.99) are at the heart of the range. An anti-slip attachment system holds both items together and in place without snaps or Velcro.

The bib shorts, which come in an aggressive racing position cut, are made from a durable lycra and are also available with a waterproof softshell seat panel (£89.99) for extra protection from tyre spray. “Getting a soggy chamois doesn’t make anyone a happy bunny,” says Beckingsale.

The baggy shorts have a slimline fit, with a high crotch rise to help prevent saddle catch. A broad rear horizontal rib panel provides back stretch rise, while waist adjusters within the waistband channel allow for an individual fit. The baggy shorts also have hip zipped security pockets and a rear zipped and padded media pocket on the back of the waist.

Meanwhile, the MTR Emergency Shell Jacket (£89.99) does what it says on the tin and is designed to bring you home dry when surprised by a shower on a training ride. The jacket is made from a breathable and waterproof fabric which Endura say packs down to the length of a mini pump, so it should easily fit into a jersey pocket.

The jacket, which has an athletic cut, comes in orange or black, and details include stretch waterproof cuffs and sides, a high collar and reflective trim on hem and sleeve.

The MTR Windproof Long Sleeve Jersey (£69.99) has a windproof front, sides and arms to keep wind chill at bay, while the shoulders are reinforced to protect against wear from shoulder straps, and the back panel is made from a breathable fabric to help prevent a sweaty back when wearing a hydration pack.

There’s also three rear pockets and an additional waterproof zipped pocket, while reflective trim helps keep you visible when riding on the road. For spring/summer 2013 there will also be a short sleeved version.

Finally, the MTR Glove (£32.99) is described by Endura as a “simple, pared-down, great fitting glove with no superfluous extras”. It is made from four-way breathable stretch mesh, with a lightly padded pre-curved palm with Kevlar inset panels for protection.

An elasticated cuff makes the glove easy to pull on, while silicon grip prints on the palm and finger tips (index finger and fore finger) help ensure safe grip and precise handling of brake and shift levers.

The tiny, rechargeable lights are ideal for making sure you’re seen when commuting or riding on the road to the trails.

The Flash front light puts out 110 Lumens, while the Flare rear light pumps out 75 Lumens.

Both lights are quick and easy to attach to the handlebars or seatpost using a silicone band. Bikelab will also throw in Exposure’s rechargeable battery pack.

To enter, just answer the question below (click here for a hint)

Pick one of the answers below. Don’t put your answer in the comments!

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TERMS & CONDITIONS: By entering you are agreeing to receive details of future offers and promotions from Factory Media and related third parties. This competition will close on Thursday November 1.

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