Product Reviews • Alpine Bikes

Right, first things first, why wear waterproof shorts? I guess the main reason is that not everyone likes the look of mudguards on their bikes, especially as frame designs get more elegant and sleek looking. So, basically, vanity!

On the flipside, though, who actually enjoys getting soaked right through? I love bad weather riding for loads of reasons – the trails are harder, you’re normally out on your own, and there is a slight hint of bravado as you think you’re the only one stupid enough to be out there. But, I hate being wet and cold. Apart from the obvious discomfort, the effects of adverse weather can affect your riding to the point it can start to get dangerous.

So, how to keep dry and comfortable? Waterproof shorts have become rapidly more popular over the past few years and I think I own pretty much every model that Alpine Bikes have ever stocked! Out of those, the Endura Superlight Shorts have impressed me the most. Straight off, they look smarter than the competition. They actually look like proper baggy shorts – they even have pre-bent knees on them. For the more road-safety conscious amongst you, there are two big reflective strikes on each leg to ensure you stand out on your way home from the ride too.

Now, being overshorts, there’s no padding in them, so I always wear mine over ¾ bibshorts. Weight is a big part of comfort when doing longer rides and I can safely say that these are possibly the lightest overshorts I own (just as well, given the name!). The waistband sits slightly higher than normal shorts to ensure that there’s an overlap between your jacket and shorts. This prevents water from getting into the places it really shouldn’t be.

I put them through their paces at the recent Wild Boar 24 Hour Race at Grizedale Forest through my night-time laps. It was a little warmer than I thought it would be, but I didn’t feel any discomfort at all as well as not having problems with shorts snagging on saddles. The course threw a couple of nice water splashes at the riders – again, I was nicely dry and comfortable for the remaining laps.

If you’re the kind of rider who likes to ride all year round, regardless of the weather and likes to look good doing so (don’t we all!?) these shorts should be high on your list of things-to-buy.

When I first started racing mountain bikes competitively I was excited at the prospect of my first team kit, then I tried it on…they were all men’s garments – too large and baggy in all the wrong places! The surprising thing is that this was only 3 years ago, but recently there has been a large influx of different ranges of equipment and clothing designed specifically for women. And the best thing about the boom is that the products do as the say on the tin; they fit a lady’s anatomy properly, are made from the best material and look pretty (don’t listen to the guys – it is important!).

One of my favourite pieces of kit is Fox Ladies Incline Gloves; they fit perfectly, give plenty of grip regardless of the weather conditions and although thin, protect your hands well. I also use a wide variety of shorts and tops and all have different features and benefits, whether it be pockets or the way zips are positioned (think about it ladies!). It is great that there is now such a wide choice for us biker dudettes and even though we’re all a bit different you should always be able to find something that suits from specialist retailers such as Alpine Bikes. The best thing to do is head down to Alpine Bikes, talk to the guys in the shops and try a whole lot of kit on to find what works best for you as an individual.

Ladies specific designs don’t apply only to clothing ranges; manufacturers have long been designing bikes and components for us too and it’s come a long way since the days of dropped top tubes. The aim behind most of these bikes is to distribute your weight more evenly between the hips and hands, hence making riding more comfortable. Saddles have been designed to aid comfort and brake levers and such have been developed for maximum performance and comfort. You’ll find an extensive range of bikes and components at any of the Alpine Bikes stores so again I would suggest you pop down, speak to the experts and try a demo bike if one is available to ensure you buy the product that is right for you. Their experienced and trained staff will be able to help you decide on best frame size, tyre choices, stem sizes and other areas that you may not even have thought of.

The Alpine Bikes team have provided me with some of the best advice and kit that I have come across and so I have no hesitation in recommending them to you ladies.

Cheers to the guys and gals of Alpine Bikes!

Lesley Ingram

Scouring over the forums and countless magazines that represent modern mountain biking in the UK, one thing becomes evident – we agonise over tyres like no other country. I won’t say that I’m not guilty of it, but I think I may have settled on a tyre that takes me and my Heckler anywhere I want it to – the Bontrager Big Earl Wet.

In its folding guise (the most sensible option in my opinion) you get dual compound, relative lightness – 725g on a 2.5” tyre - and big, open tread which allows mud to clear whilst giving maximum traction. Puncture protection is also high – I can count on one hand the amount of times I’ve had to replace tubes and I’ve been using these tyres for nearly two years now.

So far, this tyre has been dragged round many a trail centre, Mugdock Park and my regular jaunts over to Arran. On natural terrain or anything with big rocks and roots, this tyre seems to be at its happiest. The softer compound grips onto anything and its actually difficult to make the thing spin up! When it starts to get sloppy, the open tread digs in then sheds any mud as quickly as it can.

When it comes to the newer, man-made trails, however, the tyre can start to feel a little draggy – especially on the “kitty-litter” style trails. But, if your riding is swayed more towards natural trails, or you want one tyre to rule them all, definitely look at Big Earl.