Smith Rhythm & Loam Goggles
Smith has added two new mountain bike goggles to its lineup, the Rhythm and the Loam.
The Rhythm is a slightly more race-focused option due to its roll-off compatibility and stabilizers designed to help it sit securely in a full-face helmet. Roll-offs are available separately and come pre-mounted on a clear lens. Pulling the drawstring on the left side advances the clear film and eliminates any unsightly litter. Two film cartridges are included for use on those really sloppy days.
A screen is also available for the Rhythm goggles to prevent sand and gravel from entering through the upper ventilation holes.
There are six colors to choose from: Black, White, Amethyst, Slate/Fool’s Gold, Bone Gradient, and AC/Iago Garay. All options come with a tinted ChromaPop lens and an additional clear lens. MSRP: $95 for ChromaPop glasses, $80 for clear glasses only. Dust shield – $25. Roll Offs – $60.
Loam goggles don’t have the stabilizers, roll-off compatibility, or three-layer foam of Rhythm goggles, but they still offer generous ventilation and a wide field of vision.
There are four color options: Black, Amethyst, Slate, and Poppy, with multiple lens options. All goggles come with a spare clear lens or in some cases are only available with a clear lens. MSRP: $55 mirror lens, $50 clear lens only. More information:
Chromag RIZA stem
Chromag’s latest machined aluminum creation is the RIZA stem. It replaces the BZA and Ranger stems to take its place as the premium stem made in Canada. The bar clamp area has been machined to avoid sharp edges, reducing the likelihood of stress occurring.
Designed to handle the range of riding styles, from trail to enduro, the stem is available in 32, 38 and 45mm lengths. Color options are black, blue, red, gold and silver. MSRP: $146 (31.8mm) or US$150 (35mm). On my scale, the 38mm version weighed 196 grams.
PNW Components Roller Tool
The new Pebble multi-tool from PNW Components keeps finding its way into my bag or pocket, not because of the bits it has (it’s not perfect in that regard), but because of the feel nice in my hand. There’s something about the round shape that’s soothing – it’s like a worry stone for cyclists.
As far as functionality goes, this isn’t the tool to bring along if you’re going for a big backcountry hike. It just doesn’t have all the bits you might need, and the ones it does have are shorter, which limits its functionality. I wish the 5mm bit was longer for easier access to the lower caliper bolt of a SRAM front brake, and the lack of a 2, 2.5 or 8mm bit further reduces his abilities. Against OneUp’s EDC tool, the Pebble is 7 grams lighter and $0.50 cheaper, but that’s not enough to give it the win in usability.
Still, the Pebble should do the trick for removing a wheel, adjusting the position of a stem, shifter or brake lever, and it also has a built-in Dynaplug to help fix a puncture. Colors include black, orange, purple, and bronze. MSRP: $37.
Tubes Tubolito
Tubolito has added mixed wheel compatibility to its lightweight thermoplastic mountain bike tubes for 2023, meaning riders no longer have to choose between a 27.5″ or 29″ tube – one size fits all, from less in this case. Tubolito already had an intermediate size that worked for 650b and 700c road wheels, so they applied those lessons to their line of mountain bikes, tested the result and made sure it passed ISO fitment and durability tests. .
There are two options, the Tubo and the S-Tubo. The Tubo weighs 84 grams and Tubolito claims it is 2x more puncture resistant than standard butyl rubber tubing. The S-Tubo is an extra light version designed to be carried as a spare. It weighs just 43 grams thanks to a thinner wall thickness and now has the same fixed valve stem as the Tubo, rather than the removable stem that was used before.
Pricing has yet to be announced, but for reference, the current S-Tubo is priced at $37.95 USD.
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