Life In The Saddle

Bar end plugs are likely something you haven't considered at length before; a set of two plastic plugs usually comes in a pack of new bar tape, and generally they do the job... until they fall out and bounce into the verge. The Muc-Off Disco Alloy Bar End Plugs add plastic-free bling to your bike — in a bar end plug that should last a lifetime. £20 (RRP) is a lot of cash for a pair of bar end plugs, considering most bar tape is around that price; view the Muc-Off Disco plugs as an investment though — matching the colour scheme of your bike and ensuring you don't leave plastic plugs strewn all over the trails. Unlike a simple push-in bar end plug, these alloy bar end plugs use a rubber washer that is squeezed by an integrated bolt (tighten using a 4mm hex key) to expand into the internal diameter of your handlebar — holding the plug securely in place. With different sized rubber washers for different diameter handlebars tubes, these will fit any road, MTB or gravel bike. T...

Big wheels on modern 29er mountain bikes demand flat top bars; they allow you to achieve that low powerful position for speed and efficiency. Extra bar width is also a real virtue—letting you to pump the bike over challenging terrain, and to keep control of your steering as you tear through the countryside. The Ultimate USE RIP handlebars were a much warranted and long-awaited upgrade to my trusty Pivot Les 29 mountain bike. This bright orange bike is approaching its ten-year anniversary, with countless race miles on all kinds of terrain across Europe, from the Dolomites to the forests of Denmark. The core of the bike remains the fantastic carbon fibre frame that I first enjoyed in 2013, but over the years I have been progressively upgrading the bike rather than splashing out on a new ride. The Ultimate USE RIP Flat Carbon Handlebars were designed for aggressive XC riding and racing. Their flat profile, with an eight degree sweep and 720 mm width, provide a powerful low position ...