Amflow's DJI-driven PL, Halo's Skelta wheels, WTB's new saddles, Cane Creek's Tigon and Endura's Loop collection
This week's Five Cool Things and the best stories.
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This week's five cool things and the top stories of the week!
This week's Five Cool Things and the best stories.
The best post-CoreBike tech and this week's top stories.
The five coolest things to come into the office alongside this week's top news.
The world's largest bike show, Sea Otter, is well underway, so we've been hot on the keys, keeping on top of all the releases being unveiled in California. But back on home turf, the cool things keep on rolling in as this week we're going to take a look at WTB's new saddles, Halo's latest wheels, Cane Creeks 'best of both worlds' coil shock as well as Endura's newest clothing collection and Amflow's DJI Avinox equipped PL.
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But as an aperitif before those cool things, let's look at some of those new releases. Perhaps the biggest news come in the form of Specialized's Levo 4, an e-MTB that's got its sights firmly set on Amflow with up to 111Nm of torque at its disposal (granted, behind something of a pay-wall), it furthers Spesh's pursuit of integration while bringing perhaps the best named thing in modern cycling - the Wattage Cottage. e-Bike news has been a hot topic this week as YT Industries has joined the party with its Decoy SN 29, an 'aggressive' trail bike built to bring the Super Natural formula to a wider audience. We've got some early impressions of that bike, too, so head over to the YT Industries Decoy SN 29 Core 4 first ride review. Additionally, a new brand to the scene, Paprika 53, has brought a DJI-equipped gravel bike to the market.
As for reviews, we've still brought plenty with Orbea's latest Oiz being praised for its effective suspension and its lockout, and we've got an early verdict on Carbon Wasp's Carbon Gearbox Hardtail. If you're looking for a portable bike stand, Rimpact's simply named 'Stand' may also be well worth a read
Elsewhere, we've been continuing our Cape Epic coverage with two bike checks. One focuses on Alexis Skarda's Santa Cruz Blur, and the other takes us for a walk around Marco Joubert's Specialized Epic.
Halo Skelta wheelset
£530
2025 halo skelta 5ct.jpg, by Liam Mercer
Built for enduro, slopeduro, dirt jump, and everything in between, Halo's latest Skelta wheelset comes in almost every size you can think of... Not including 32in. We're talking 24in, 26/24in 'Micro Mullet', 26, 27.5/26 'Mini Mullet', and, of course, 27.5-inch, 29-inch, and a regular mullet option. When it comes to wheel sizes and sheer choice, few come close to what Halo's offering here.
The Skelta wheelset has been developed to provide durability and performance, and to be as comfortable at trail centres as it is being sent down Red Bull Hardline. To reach those goals, it features 6069 T6 heat-treated aluminium rims with a welded joint and new for Halo is a shot-peened finish, which is said to better fend off corrosion and resist fatigue. Those rims get a 30mm internal width and can accommodate tyres from 2.25in up to 2.8 inches in width.
At the rear, this wheelset boasts the MT Supadrive hub laced to the rim using triple butted J-bend spokes chosen for ease of repalcement.
Amflow PL Pro
£9,000
2025 amflow pl 5ct.jpg, by Liam Mercer
The bike that seems to have kicked off an e-MTB revolution. Amflow's PL Pro, of course, runs on DJI's Avinox motor that knocks out up to 120Nm of torque and up to 1,000W of assistance. Those are mighty large numbers for a 19.2kg (claimed) build. While Newton metres and power are attractive figures, this bike also carries an impressive 800Wh battery.
Brute force isn't all that much without control, and to do so, the PL Pro boasts five power modes, including an auto-mode, which adapts the level of assistance according to how the rider is pedalling. Of course, there are the usual eco, trail modes with a boost mode that accesses the maximum that the motor can offer. Otherwise, the motor delivers 105Nm of continuous torque and 850Wh at peak power. Integration is also a strong component of the bike, with a two-inch display providing all of the metrics and stats you'll ever need, which is controlled via an independent bar-mounted remote control.
As for the geometry, it's certainly not bad with a 64.5-degree head angle, a 445mm chainstay and an effective 77-degree seat tube. The bike utilises 160mm of suspension up front and 150mm at the rear. While to runs 29-inch wheels as standard, it can be run with a 650b rear wheel, too.
For more details, keep your eyes peeled for a review coming soon.
WTB Rocket, Solano SL and Solano saddles
From £50
2025 wtb saddle 5ct.jpg, by Liam Mercer
Unveiled at Sea Otter last weekend are WTB's three saddles, each of which is designed to suit different areas of off-road riding. To start off with the Rocket, the brand says it's built for comfort and support on long rides. It gets thick padding and a curved profile throughout its length to cradle the rider when climbing steep terrain.
The Solano SL brings a weight savings approach for performance-focused riders during shorter, intense rides. It uses a fire version of WTB's Fusion Form base and gets minimal padding. This saddle's then shaped to provide sit bone support without adding pressure onto the perineal or frontal areas. WTB says it's best for flexible riders who tend to rotate their pelvis when pedalling hard.
The regular Solano takes the very same shape as the Solano SL but adds more padding for comfort over medium to long rides. There's 4mm extra padding around the sit bone area and 2mm more elsewhere. Its size allows for free movement around the bike, according to WTB.
Cane Creek Tigon
£750
2025 cane creek tigon 5ct.jpg, by Liam Mercer
Usually, mountain bike shocks are a choice of air vs coil, and each poses its advantages and disadvantages, but Cane Creek's Tigon is poised to blend the best of both worlds. That's because at its very foundation, it's a coil shock with a main coil spring, which brings the small-bump sensitivity you'll expect from such a component. However, it employs RAMP Tube Technology – a small air spring said to add 20 to 30% more progression than your standard coil shock.
Coil shocks are known for being linear, and air shocks are typically known for being more progressive, or at least having the ability to make them so as they're simply more adjustable. However, the Tigon adds progression adjustment to a coil shock via air. So riders who are after the sensitivity and greater tracking of a coil shock but prefer a more progressive platform can achieve that by inflating a small air cartridge up to 30psi.
But the Tigon offers a little more than adjustability – strength. If you ride a bike like a Specialized Turbo Levo or any other that uses a clevis mount, the usually skinny stanchion on a regular coil shock is prone to breaking. As the Tigon's stanchion is much larger and much stronger, it makes it a very valid option for those who ride such bikes.
Endura Loop Cargo Shorts and Tech Tee
£44 - 70
2025 endura loop 5ct.jpg, by Liam Mercer
New for Endura is its Loop collection. It's designed to bring big performance and maximum simplicity in an affordable but durable range. The Tech Tee is built for all kinds of riding and uses a Dri-Release fabric for its moisture-wicking capability. It employs a flat knit and a subtle dropped hem.
The Loop Cargo Shorts are inspired by workwear and designed to blend on-bike comfort with a casual everyday style. Whether it's road or off-road, these are built with a mid-weight cotton-look fabric coated with a durable water-repellent coating. There are two hand pockets, two cargo pockets and an internally adjustable waistband. A Clickfast liner is included.
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