In general, we’re not big fans of aftermarket quick-release skewers. They do, after all, hold your wheels in, a task that we deem “mission critical” and therefore not to be entrusted to anything that doesn’t work properly. Which, when it comes to skewers, is anything not made by Shimano. There are a couple of honourable exceptions to this, certainly, but most aftermarket skewers aren’t much cop.

Which is why we were going to pass over mentioning A2Z’s latest product. Its skewers are fairly run of the mill items with all the features that we don’t like – external cams, alloy nuts, they’re even available with titanium shafts for heaven’s sake.

But they do have a saving grace. As well as black, silver, red, blue, gold, grey and orange, the A2Z skewers are now available in anodised purple. Which instantly transports us back to 1992, a period that always seems like some kind of mountain biking golden age. Although we may be looking through rose-tinted Frogskins a little. Or this Bula hat has fallen down over our eyes.

Anyway. Purple skewers, ace. With proper chromoly shafts the A2Z ones weigh 106g and cost a mere £12.95. If you really must find out about the titanium ones, head to www.windwave.co.uk…