Not so long ago bikemagic.com, in association with Riding High UK (distributors or Spank, Astrix, Canfield Brothers, AXO, Superfly, Gravity Dropper and Bergamont Bicycles) gave one lucky BM reader the chance of winning a box load of tasty Element Bikes finishing kit. Sure to make any bike ‘pimp’.

Here’s a reminder of exactly what Geoff received in his goody box from those kind chaps at Riding High UK – Element Technium XC SL hubset, Element Graph Q carbon seatpost, Element Radium carbon riser bar, Element Neon Q stem and Element Carbon Spacers, in total a package of bits worth over £350.

Once he’s had some quality time on the parts Geoff is going to update us with some member reviews – we’ll keep you posted. But for now, here’s his first impressions.

“When the email arrived telling me that I had just won a load of finishing kit for my bike I guess I did not expect a great deal,” Geoff says. “But it soon dawned on me that I had won a top prize! Riding High UK offered brilliant service and had the parts out to me within a couple of days.

“Element is not a brand I had heard of before, but what was immediately clear was that they produce quality parts. The stem is a work of art, light as a feather at 100g, and well finished with Titanium bolts and nice graphics. Bars are also very light but seem perfectly strong enough for XC riding.

“I was a little anxious about a carbon seat post, but having read a little about the company I trusted it would do the job fine – particularly nice is the thumb wheel adjustment for fine tuning saddle angle.

Hubs appear to have same build quality and weight as Hope Pro II, so I’m waiting until I can afford to build them up with some suitable rims.

It was a little while until I found a suitable home for the bits, but a second hand Ventana frame came my way and they added a real touch of class to the build as well as bringing the overall weight down to 28.5lb. It all works well, what a lucky guy I am!”

More Element Bikes information at www.ridinghighuk.com