The Konig’s rear suspension uses a pair of short links, but unusually the rear axle path is the same as if it had a single pivot somewhere around the upper link. According to Corsair, using two links like this boosts stiffness. It’s certainly very tidily packaged.

Moving up a level, the Maelstrom freeride bike has 7in of travel and follows the low-ratio trend with a 3.5in-stroke shock.

You’ll have to pay attention here, for the Maelstrom has a lot going on in the suspension department. What you’re looking at here is the swingarm pivot. It’s high location gives a rearward component to the axle path, while a concentric idler pulley aligns the chain forces with the pivot for neutral pedalling. The front mech is canted forward to compensate for the different chain angle.

The swingarm pulls on a linkage behind the BB that activates a rocker pivoting around the BB shell and compresses the shock. Corsair’s forthcoming 5in-travel all-mountain bike will use the same system in a lighter package.

The chainstay/BB junction uses slotted mounts, so you can alter the length of the chainstays to run the bike as a singlespeed.

The whole rear triangle pivots around the upper bolt as you adjust the chainstay length. And if you want to take the bike somewhere, you can just undo the bolts completely and split the frame into two halves.

Also new is the Mojo SL, a lighter version of the existing Mojo (which is still available). Ibis has replaced various steel and aluminium frame fixtures like headset cups, main pivot shaft, seat tube insert and dropouts with carbon fibre, used titanium fasteners at all the pivots. Higher-modulus carbon allows less of it to be used, and the SL uses a DT Swiss air shock with a carbon fibre air can. All of this adds up to an impressive 1lb weight saving, bringing the SL in at just under 5lb for a Medium frame. Not bad for a 5.5in travel FS frame…

A little-known benefit of the Ibis design (and probably one found on other bikes if anyone bothered to look) is that, by dismounting one end of the shock and taking one of the pivot bolts out, the rear triangle will fold over the front and allow the bike to be packed into a relatively small case. The SL (and the Tranny) also have Ibis’s new rubberised polyurethane paint finish – the bike in the case is Ibis co-owner Scot Nicol’s personal Mojo, run without chainstay protectors (or indeed cleaning) and still in good shape.

With most hydration packs sprouting ever more features, straps, buckles and bungess, Lezyne’s offerings look almost staid. But appearances can be deceptive – the packs are replete with organiser pockets and the reservoir is particularly innovative. It’s got a double-ziplock opening that gets more secure under pressure, plus a Velcro hose guide to keep the hose running straight from the pack. Various sizes will be available.

Lezyne’s pumps revive the traditional thread-in hose with a twist – the hose is reversible to accommodate Shraeder valves one way and Presta the other. All the pumps are of aluminium construction and very solid feeling.

The multitool range encompasses 4, 9, 13 and 21-tool products in three different construction styles. The entry-level tools have aluminium side plats and chromoly tools, while these very shiny ones are all stainless steel. Neat features include a ball-ended 4mm Allen key and a hooked 2mm key to make it easier to adjust brake lever reach with it.

All the tool bits are forged and machined with pivot holes in them, rather than being bent around as per most multitools. The chain tools incorporate not only 14 and 15g spoke keys but also the special keys for Mavic and Shimano wheelsets. Top of the range is the Carbon-9, with carbon fibre side plates and titanium fasteners.