Dimitri Lehner
· 20.12.2025
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The initial appeal of consumption often lies in the promising moment beforehand: we reach for a product and feel a small promise of happiness unfold - the idea that something new will make our lives brighter for a moment. But this happiness is fleeting. From a philosophical point of view, consumption primarily feeds the hope of completeness, of a version of ourselves that appears a little more rounded, more beautiful, more competent. From a critical point of view, however, it is clear that what we buy rarely fulfils what we are actually missing. Rather, it feeds a longing that reinvents itself with every fulfilled desire - a bittersweet cycle between desire and disappointment. Nevertheless, we show you 30 awesome pieces from the MTB cosmos. Let's go!
Not cheap is cool, but light is cool. Contrary to the trend, the luxury forge Last from the Ruhr region pays close attention to weight. Their Cinto trail bike weighs less than twelve kilos when ready for use. The full 29-carbon speedster is manufactured entirely in Germany and is fast, playful, agile and even approved for enduro races and bike park missions. With up to 160 millimetres at the front and 145 at the rear, the Cinto is fully geared towards riding fun. If the Pink Panther paint finish is too extroverted for you, the Cinto is also available in a discreet raw finish. Price: from 6244 euros.
It doesn't always have to be Fox or Rockshox. The DVO Topaz Prime with its quickly switchable 3-phase compression stage cut a fine figure in the Cube Stereo in our latest enduro test. Its large negative air chamber gives it a low breakaway torque - very good! The air shock works from CC to Enduro. Price: 420 euros.
No, the CEP Core Midcut is not just any sock, but a high-tech knit. They are comfortable to wear, never feel sweaty, are extremely robust and create a lot of pressure on the foot thanks to the compression effect. This is supposed to improve blood circulation. Available in many colours. Price: 22.50 euros >> available here.
Is the camo look still acceptable in times of armaments and wars? Perhaps. But don't panic, the Patagonia Dry Craft Pants are also available in four other colours. We were completely convinced by their function: good fit despite a slim cut (stretch fabric makes it possible!), well ventilated and as usual with Patagonia: Fairtrade certified and made from recycled polyester. Price: 150 euros >> available here.
Epic rides in your pants under your shorts? Ouch! Even ascetics cringe at that. Better the discreet SQlab Shorts One10 underneath. They fit really well, are comfortable to wear thanks to the elasticated mesh and protect the bum with their eight-millimetre seat cushion. They could just be more robust - mine is getting holes in the meantime. Price: 120 euros.
Bike fundamentalists will cry tears of emotion when they see the Chris King NoThreadSet on a bike. Possibly in gold anodised. The manufacturer from Portland enjoys cult status. The precision headsets from Chris King are made to last and come with a lifetime guarantee. Price: from 135 euros >> available here.
In 1921, Karl Scheffer-Klute, a man with a moustache, a collar tie and a serious look on his face, founded a factory for curtain rods. SKS later produced bicycle pumps. The classic is called the Rennkompressor, first on sale in 1966. The latest version is now available with a digital display. That's what we call it: Tradition! Price: 120 euros >> available here.
"No, you can't introduce the Syntace NumberNine2 Titan Colour," warned our colleagues, "it's far too expensive! You can get ten other pedals for that price!" Maybe so, but I've been riding them for ages. Nothing creaks, nothing wobbles, they're light (260 g) and provide plenty of grip. Top: ten-year guarantee! Clever: the butterfly design with 11 pins. Available in three sizes and three colours. Price: 269 euros.
If you really want to get down to business when biking, you need a full face - even for enduro riders and trail riders. The Fox Rampage RS may be wickedly expensive, but it is extremely safe. It has been tested according to the strict motorbike standard and equipped with everything that absorbs the impact. The full carbon protection weighs just 1000 grams (L). Price: 599 euros.
The Gerber Dual Force has been showered with praise by outdoor magazines for its versatile combination pliers, excellent handling and well thought-out functions. It is no substitute for a mini-tool, but it will save you in a pinch when MacGyver qualities are required in the outback. Weight: 336 grams. Price: 109 euros >> available here.
The signature grip from superstar Fabio Wibmer is also one of our top favourites. Thanks to its pistol-grip structure and multiple rubber compound, it has a pleasantly ergonomic and secure grip even when wet. The screw grip is available in three sizes and 4 colours. We like the very thin version. Price: from 30 euros, Pro version: 35 euros.
In 1969, Andrew Renshaw and Henry Rosenthal began manufacturing motocross handlebars in Manchester. The company name is made up of the two parts of the name "Ren" and "thal". The company now enjoys cult status. Their classic Fatbar is available in many variants with a rise of up to 70 millimetres - just as it is hip at the moment - as well as in carbon or aluminium. Price: from 60 euros.
The colour alone signals this: These things bite hard. The power pads from Trickstuff transform your brakes into the teeth of a cobra - with pleasant modulation and low wear. Available for all standard brakes and as a Power+ version with nickel-plated backing plates - très chic! Price: from 29 euros >> available here.
White bike shoes? Of course, thought bike acrobat Fabio Wibmer and fitted his signatureShoe Crankbrothers Stamp Lace Flat the white-gum colour combination - and of course a sole with plenty of grip. Recommended range of use: from street to enduro. Price: 130 euros
Overnighters, epic rides, Alpine crossings - the Trans Alpine Pro 28 has it all. There is hardly a bike pack that is as tried and tested as the classic from Deuter. The Pro 28 model is the cherry on top of the rucksack cake: 1a carrying system, practical details, super pocket management, robust construction. In short: everything is just right! Price: 220 Euro >> available here at a reduced price.
These schooners have already taken a beating! We have the models Launch Elite and Launch Pro from the US label Fox and can only report good things about these beaters: a snug fit, high wearing comfort and the foam protectors from D3O impress with good damping values - we tested them according to standard standards. Price: 150 euros.
You can never have enough L-shaped hexagon socket spanners, because they mysteriously disappear - exactly the ones you need. The Voxom set in its bright rainbow colours helps you to choose the right size and to find them. Made of high-quality tool steel, in all important sizes. Price: 25 euros.
A short stem gives your bike the fine-tuning it needs. The steering becomes more direct, more agile and more playful. We can recommend the Race Face Turbine R in 32 millimetres and the chic colour Kashmoney (a play on words for the colour-matching Kashima coating from Fox). Race Face is so convinced of the quality that it offers a ten-year guarantee, even in the event of a crash. Price: from 60 euros >> available here.
Garmin's Enduro 3 sports watch is probably more high-tech than the first lunar probe Luna 1 - which ultimately missed its target. Thanks to solar technology, the smartwatch offers a battery life of three months and provides a veritable flood of data in addition to all conceivable watch functions. Clever: the powerful LED torch. Price: 899 euros >> available here at a reduced price.
"1 to 2 psi difference - that's worlds!" we like to quote suspension guru Marcus Klausmann with a wink. But how can you get it so precise? Quite simply: with the digital high-pressure pump from Rockshox. Our test showed that it measures extremely accurately. The perfect suspension setup! Price: 93 Euro >> available here at a reduced price.
A plain cotton T-shirt costs up to 950 euros for the luxury label from Milan - WTF! That's why the price of these Prada sports glasses astounds us: 330 euros. Their name sounds like a bank IBAN: PS04WSDG00U2. Our tip for all those who indulge in bling-bling and don't want to cruise around in Oakley, 100%, Alpina & Co. like we do.
First the drone manufacturer DJI made a fool of the manufacturers of electric motors, now the Chinese are causing a stir in the action cam market. The Osmo action models want to do everything just as well as and even better than the top dog GoPro - and at a more affordable price. Our tip for all POV fans with no reservations about the power from Asia. Prices: from 279 euros >> available here.
Because we can't all bathe in dragon's blood like the legendary hero Siegfried, we have to find other ways to help ourselves. For example, with the Protector Vest Pro from Evoc. High wearing comfort, a snug fit and a long back protector with the best shock absorption values are the top features. Price: 220 Euro >> available here at a reduced price.
30 bike parks in seven countries, from Brandnertal to Willingen - the Gravity Card is aimed at all park councillors and "I Only Ride Park" hardliners. This card is both a blessing and a curse - you shouldn't have any other hobbies if you want to make the most of your shred licence. We say: Let's go! Price: 659 euros.
Matterhorn, Kilimanjaro, Mount Fuji, Mont Blanc - well, you'll recognise them yourself, but Hartmannsweilerkopf, Hornisgrinde or Schweineberg can be tricky. With the Peakfinder app on your smartphone, searching for peaks is child's play. 1 million mountains worldwide are stored here. Fun: the photo function for showing off. Price: 5.99 euros.
With this name and this look, there can be no question of understatement. The Fox Podium in an extravagant upside-down design plays in a league of its own in terms of absorption capacity, damping and traction. It was the clear winner in our comparative test and prevailed against the high-calibre competition. However, the price is just as steep as the fork off-road - 2400 euros.
There are many bike shorts, but only a few really good ones. This is one of them: the Ion MTB Shorts Tech Logo - we have tested them extensively. Lightweight, airy, stretchy, dirt-repellent, made from recycled polyester, with two zip pockets and a practical ratchet fastening. Price: from 65 euros.
Californian Troy Lee is a design genius. His helmets enjoy cult status, both visually and technically. The A3, here in Ghostwing Red, has everything you could wish for in a helmet: MIPS technology, triple-adjustable visor, goggle port, magnetic fastening, 16 air vents and much more. If the red is too bright for you, the A3 is also available in 15 other colour combinations. Price: 220 euros >> available here.
Okay, okay... don't get excited! Right, this may not be a piece that every biker wants. But we want it, because we're micro-adventurers and few things are more fun than cutting firewood into small pieces with a Nordic pocket saw. 33 carbon steel teeth on two nylon loops - something Tom Hanks could only dream of in Cast Away. Price: 49,90 Euro >> available here.
Let's see Shimano XTR brakes on a test bike, we breathe a sigh of relief. With its four pistons, the part bites hard, sits incredibly well in the hand, can be quickly adjusted in grip width, is reliable and doesn't make a mess. We say: everything done right! Price: 305 euros.

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