brand X X-90 pressure washer. We call it ‘The pressure washer of the fallen leaves’. Or something like that.

If ‘pressure washer’ conjures up images of filling station car washers that blast the grease out of your bearings, fear not. The pump hidden inside the Brand X X-90 pressure washer’s 13-litre container is nowhere near that powerful.

It is powerful enough to dislodge bulk mud off your bike after a ride, though, and it’s a big help for the soap-and-scrubbing stage after.

Solid trigger and enough, but not too much, power.

Best of all, you can take it anywhere with you. Lob the Brand X X-90 pressure washer in the back of the car and head off to the trails. Ride, then plug it into your car’s 12V power point (previously known as a cigarette lighter) and rinse the crud off your bike before it dries into place.

There’s enough water in here that it will clean two bikes, and you could probably stretch that to three if they weren’t too filthy.

Plugs into your car’s 12v power point (that’ll be the cigarette lighter..).

And that’s it, really. You’ll want to be a bit careful with the combination of 12V DC and water, but at least the power cable goes in above the water outlet.

The power cable is a good length, so while it’s slightly annoying that you can’t use it away from the car, it’s not a big issue in practice. The lack of the big lead-acid battery you find in walkabout pressure washers does mean it’s fairly easy to carry when empty, though obviously 13 litres of water isn’t light. Bend from the knees!

Verdict

An effective portable bike washer. It’s slightly inconvenient that it has to be tethered to the car, but that does mean you get more capacity.

13 litre capacity inside the Brand X X-90.

Pros

Effective
Simple
Easy to use

Cons

Tethered to car

Price: £94.99
More information: Brand X X-90 pressure washer

What Brand X says about the X-90 pressure washer

• Material – Tough durable moulded plastic
• Weight – Approximately 6.05kg (13.3lbs) empty
• Water pressure – 90 PSI
• Water flow – 2 litres a minute
• Water capacity – 13 litres
• Cable length – 3.96m
• Hose length – 3.96m
• Power source – 12volt vehicle power outlet
• Colour – Orange

Rod introduced his new-found affliction to mud, ruts and bike carrying last week in the first of his Jake Diaries, check it out here.

Fish out of water? Nope, he’s loving it. But someone needs to get Rod Fountain some better cyclocross attire!

Jake Diaries part two: The Big Race.

Words by Rod Fountain
All photos by Angus Muir

Lining up at round 3 of the Rapha Supercross event at London’s Ally Pally I searched for a reference point to make it somehow familiar and vaguely interesting.In terms of scale it was like a World Cup with an estimated 6000 people turning up to watch God knows what but that’s as far as I got with comparisons to MTB.

There were no other flat pedals, no other piss-pot/goggles combo and definitely no other knee pads, which I found odd…

There were no other flat pedals, no other piss-pot/goggles combo and definitely no other knee pads, which I found odd because I’d spent most of the previous day failing to keep the bike upright on the grass slopes of South London parks, in the process making mine look pretty second hand. Looking around, I was the one who turned up to a dinner party in fancy dress but I wasn’t trying to make a statement; I just didn’t own any ‘cross’ gear or knew if any existed.

Rod having an other-worldly experience; that is, riding uphill for the first time ever.

I was also at the back of a grid of over 100 riders with no solitary start hut in which to collect my thoughts and no attention focussing beeps. It all started without warning and I was swept along at the arse-end of a rolling triangle that funnelled straight into a climb. This was unfamiliar but not as unfamiliar as the fact I was enjoying being surrounded on the steep, greasy climb and wondering if I could get between the bloke in front and the taped post before the hairpin marking the start of the first descent. I couldn’t but within seconds it dawned on me that I was racing; not against a clock, an iPhone App or a mate but against over 100 others in more suitable clothing, proper pedals and way more experience.

It’s the taking part that counts. Not for Rod though, he thoroughly enjoyed the elbow-to-elbow racing action and can’t wait for the next race.

By the end of the first descent I’d made up all the places I’d lost on the climb and was steeled with a determination to hold off as many crossers as possible over the flats and climbs ahead until the next glorious singletrack(ish), place gaining, descent through a wood. And so over 7 transformative laps I became completely absorbed in this insanely skilful game of attack and defend and clawed back places to bag 29^th out of 75 in my category.

And so over 7 transformative laps I became completely absorbed in this insanely skilful game of attack and defend and clawed back places to bag 29^th out of 75 in my category.

I’d ‘got it’ and also worked out cyclocross races are won by people who can do two things really well: pedal for an hour at the edge of puking and wring the neck of a rigid bike on skinny tyres down fast, greasy, often off-camber descents. Just being good at one of these things had given me a result I was happy with and so what happened next would be pivotal: would I box up the Jake and send it back to Ben at Kona as intended or get fitter and race again in league events which I’d just found out happen all over the country every single weekend in winter? Walking through the pits I saw Angus Muir, the snapper covering the London round for Dirt Magazine, who’d been reviewing his shots.  “I thought you said this was going to be shit” he said. “So what’s with the village idiot grin you’ve got in all my shots?”

One happy competitor. Will he be clipped-in next time though?

 “I thought you said this was going to be shit” he said. “So what’s with the village idiot grin you’ve got in all my shots?”

48 hours earlier a box with ‘Kona’ stamped on the side had arrived at my house as I ate breakfast. Shovelling in eggs I stared at the box for a bit before half heartedly hacking at it with my buttery table knife because I knew what was in it. From a pretty low starting point my enthusiasm took a nose dive when I pulled out the Kona Jake, a road bike to my mountain bike’s eyes. But that was Friday, and here I was now ‘on any Sunday’… That bike is never going back in the box.

Thank you kindly to Kona World for supplying the Jake cyclocross bike and giving Rod a new passion!

There’s no need to stop riding just because it’s winter. Image by Yann Ropars via Flickr.

Mountain biking through the British winter isn’t easy, but you can either put the bike away in the shed and go into hibernation, or just tough it out. If you’re going with the latter option, good on you. There’s a few steps you can take to ensure riding through the winter is a little less pleasant.

Minimise working parts that wear out

A singlespeed has a lot less to go wrong. Image by Anthony DeLorenzo via Flickr

Get a winter bike with fewer valuable working parts to wear out. A rigid singlespeed bike is the perfect low-maintenance companion for piling on the winter miles, with no gears to wear out and high-tech suspension to go wrong.

Regular serving and maintenance

Get the mud off as soon as possible after a ride, and use a low-pressure hose if possible. Image by Tom Jenkins via Flickr.

Whichever bike you ride in the winter, all that gloop, mud and sand is going to accelerate the wear on vital parts of the bike. Make sure to thoroughly wash your bike after every ride (avoid the jet wash if you can, your bearings will thank you) and lube moving parts well. Pay close attention to the condition of the brake pads, gear cables, chain and sprockets to identify worn components before they cause you trouble out on the trail.

Go night riding

Good lights massively extend your riding options. Image by Darren Smith via Flickr

It’s the most fun thing in the world and is really good for enhancing your riding skills because you have a lot less time to react to stuff on the trail. And let’s face it, if you only ride when it’s daylight you’re not going to get much riding in. Good lights aren’t cheap (though lights that simply pump out lots of lumens but lack bells and whistles are now amazing value) but they’re cheaper than new wheels or some other upgrades you could buy for your bike.

Switch to winter tyres.

Tailor your tyres to your local trail conditions. If it’s like this, you need narrow mud tyres. Image by Jason Rogers via Flickr.

We don’t necessarily mean mud tyres here, but depending on the type of trails near you and how much rainfall we have this winter, specific mud tyres could be the best investment you ever make. The best way to find a good tyre for your local trails is to ask local riders and shops. Whatever tyres you run, it’s worth experimenting with the tyre pressure. Try running them a little lower to get some extra traction.

Keep yourself warm and dry

The right clothing makes the difference between having fun and being miserable. Image by Jordan via Flickr

There’s no quicker route to misery than losing the feeling in your extremities so get yourself some bike-specific warm winter clothing. You don’t need to spend a fortune either as there’s some very good value for money clothing that will cut it just fine. The basics of a good winter outfit are a long sleeve base layer, a decent jacket, three-quarter-length pants shorts or tights (to cover your knees up), gloves and a helmet liner or head band to protect your head and ears.
Insulated, waterproof winter boots are a luxury you won’t regret; overshoes run them a close second. Wear the thickest merino socks that will fit easily inside your shoes, but don’t pile the layers in there. Too thick or too many socks will cut off the circulation to your toes and make things worse.

Waterproof overshorts are the bomb.

We discovered this a few years ago and they transformed our riding. You should discover them too.

Get your mates out

Get your mates out so you’ve got company, banter and back-up. Image by Yann Ropars via Flickr.

Riding on your own when it’s cold and wet can be a soul destroying experience, so rope your mates into a regular ride and stick to it. Whether it’s every Sunday morning at the café or a Thursday night evening ride, having a regular ride in the diary is great for your motivation and gives you something to look forward to. If something goes qwrong, there’s safety in numbers benefit, and it’s just a lot more fun to race your mates through the puddles.

Set goals and aims

It can help to have some purpose to your riding sometimes, whether it’s just being fitter for the following spring, or targeting an event like Mountain Mayhem or Megavalanche. Having a goal in mind will help you make the transition from the warm and comfortable sofa to the trail.

Carry all the tools and spares you’ll need to fix your bike

The last thing you want is a long walk home if you have a mechanical on a very wet or very cold ride. So ensure you can fix your bike in any of the likely eventualities We’re talking a chain tool and quick link, zip ties, spare tube, a good pump, patches and glue just in case, some money for a cab home and a charged mobile phone. Just in case.

Mudguards

Even a simple set of mudguards like good old Crud Catchers will help keep the flith under control. Image by Wooly Matt via Flickr.

Yes, yes we know a lot of you don’t like mudguards. But the truth is that front and rear mudguards can keep so much of the mud and spray off you that you’ll avoid getting quite as wet through as you would without them.

We reviewed and liked Shimano’s Deore XT M785 trail pedals a while back and got to wondering whether the world really needed an XTR version, given how good is the Deore XT edition. Turns out you do get some useful extra features for your money, but you pay a lot for them, unless you shop around a bit.

The idea of Shimano’s SPD trail pedals, as opposed to the compact race SPDs, is to provide more surface area to support the sole of your shoe. It all began with the big red M636 pedals back in the 90s. These were the first pedals with a pop-up mechanism surrounded by a platform and were extremely popular with downhill racers. The current M647 DX pedals similarly provide extreme riders with a more stable platform than a compact SPD.

There’s a wide range of release tension adjustment.

But those pedals are overkill for most riders, who want some extra support but not the 568g heft of the DXes. With trail centres featuring more ‘interesting’ obstacles on their loops, the reassurance of some extra support underfoot is useful, and that’s where the Deore XT and XTR trail pedals come in; they provide some extra support but without the weight and mechanical complication of the pop-up mechanism.

As usual, Shimano launched the XTR pedals first, and the Deore XT incarnation came not long after. These XTR pedals are £40 more expensive than the Deore XT version, at least if you pay full price, so is it worth investing your hard earned cash in the higher spec model?

The axle is hollow, which saves a tiny bit of weight.

You certainly wouldn’t spend the extra just to save weight. The claimed weights of the Deore XT and XTR pedals are 408g and 398g respectively. The XTR pedals have a teflon coating to reduce the amount of muck that clings on, and after using them in very grotty conditions we can say does exactly that. The XTR pedals get their weight saving from hollow axles and we suspect the exra machining accounts for most of the extra cost.

We tested the Shimano XTR trail pedals over a few weekend trail sessions and an enduro race. It quickly became obvious that these are a very usable pair of pedals. Your foot finds the engagement point far quicker than on compact SPD pedals and the platform gives improved support for extra stability. The Teflon coating did a great job of inhibiting dirt attachment and the sleek looks complete the aesthetics of any bike.

The all-important label.

There are some other differences ‘under the bonnet’ between the Deore XT and XTR trail pedals in areas like bearing surface coatings and materials. The finish and looks of the XTR pedals are just spot-on and who doesn’t like to get envious comments from riding mates?

The cost remains an issue, but as we mentioned, do a bit of searching and you can find deals around 25 to 30 percent off from the usual online suspects – or you can pay £165 from one eBay seller we found, if you’re a complete mug!

Verdict

If you think your bike deserves the best, the Shimano XTR trail pedals are worth every penny.

Price: £119.99
More information: Shimano PD-M985 XTR trail pedals

Pros

Easy engagement
Clears mud fast
Look incredible
Only 88g heavier than non-cage version 

Cons

Quite a bit more expensive than Deore XT option
88g heavier than non-cage version

Altura Attack waterproof shorts – excellent soggy bottom preventer.

The devil – or perhaps the benevolent deity – is in the detail here. Altura have spent their time well in the research and development with these shorts. The React fabric is very waterproof and breathable. As well as being extremely light and comfortable, the Attack Baggy Shorts have some neat little touches that make all the difference.

There are unobtrusive elasticated Velcro adjusters at the rear which pull the waist in easily if required, and ensure a snug fit.

Effective waterproof zips keep the contents of your pockets dry.

The two water resistant zippers provide excellent protection for the contents of your pockets. They kept out torrential rain on recent coastal ride and they are deep enough to hold your cash and keep your hands warm off the bike. And the cash was still dry.

We have worn the Attack Baggies over Lycra cycling shorts and found that their lightness belies the protection they provide. Both the seat and inside leg areas are well reinforced and are wearing extraordinarily well considering the crud that’s determined to block the pores in the membrane. Copious amounts of post ride hosing and washing (following the manufacturer’s instructions of course) seems unable to stop the Attack Baggies from doing an excellent job.

The rear waistband adjuster makes pulling the Altura Attack shorts in a cinch.

I wore a size medium on my 32inch waist but sizes range from XS through to XXL.

Verdict

The Attack Waterproof shorts’ price is reasonable for the excellent build quality and highly durability. Light and airy enough for wet summer rides, the Attack Shorts offer up plenty of soggy bottom protection from the winter crud. An extremely comfortable and effective investment for year round protection.

Pro

Light
Durable
Comfortable
Very waterproof

Con

Price: £59.99
More information: Altura Attack Waterproof Baggy Shorts

attack front DSC_0241 DSC_0221 DSC_0219 DSC_0218 attack-front attack

Altura Attack waterproof shorts official portrait.

What Altura says about the Attack Waterproof Baggy Shorts

Waterproof, durable and highly breathable, React™ 3 layer fabric
Breathable in excess of 20,000g/m2/24hr
Highly durable, reinforced crotch panel
Zipped hand pockets
Dark reflective trim
Compatible with Attack braces