Spank Tweet Tweet Single Speed Chain

As yet another successful component in Spank's renowned Tweet Tweet range, this chain provides some low cost bike bling. A £27.99, you're paying a little bit extra for a chain that really finishes your drive train off nicely. Having ridden one for a few weeks, my initial findings are impressive. It's brightened up what's usually a dirty, gritty part of my bike, and has performed faultlessly. There's none of the stretching that's all too common in cheaper chains, and no corrosion either. Regular oiling is an obvious necessity, but it hasn't affected the colour significantly on my (red) chain. The available colours are: red, black, orange, blue, purple or chrome.  It doesn't cost much more than a standard single speed chain, and that bit of extra cash really brightens up the bike. It also coordinates the colour scheme on my bike really well, and gives the impression that a lot of attention to detail has gone into the build. A coloured chain may not be the first item on a custom build list, but once you've got one, the difference it illustrates is very eye-catching.

Wellgo CNC Platform B47 Flat Pedals

593g weight competes with much more expensive pedals. Such a low weight at £29.99 is exceptional value, particularly when each pedal contains eight replaceable pins for added durability. I've reviewed a lot of pedals on here, covering a huge price range. I still maintain that if you don't like the feel or looks of DMR v8's, these are THE budget pedal to have. I bought them as a cheap replacement for my DH bike pedals, and found them so good I didn't change them. A year later, the black anodised finish has worn from the edges, but they're still spinning on freely on their 'high quality' bearing axels. For a dh pedal, the pins were pretty short. Due to all of them being replaceable, however, buying some longer ones and fitting them is cheap and easy. The platform, which I find to be the most important part of any pedal, is fantastic. The slight curve on such a wide surface area gives a comfortable and stable area for the foot. Slipping off the pedal, even with standard pins, is extremely rare. For those of you not used to big platforms, settling your feet on the pedal may feel weird initially. After a couple of rides though, it was easy to find that comfortable position and I was able to take advantage of the stable platform that Wellgo provides for a mere £30. The styling is very safe, but at least it's not going to fade or chip and look rubbish. Black suits me fine, and I can't think of many bikes I've seen where there hasn't been a black part. It's a universally appealing pedal at a universally appealing price.

DMR Comp Front Wheel

The DMR Comp front wheel weighs in at 1310g, which is heavy for a front wheel. It is 36h, and intended for dirt jump applications. The double wall and 'D' section give it good strength, something I cannot disagree with. The £99.99 rrp is very cheap, and DMR do offer the pro range for the rider with a little more cash who wants to save some weight. The wheel's been run for ten months, but was second hand before I bought it. The bearings in the hub are beginning to go now, but it has been ridden in rough conditions and even Hope hubs need attention from time to time. The wheel has taken a complete battering, including a high speed crash straight into a tree. Despite a series of huge impacts, it has only developed a slight wobble. I know from experience that wheels twice the price of the DMR's couldn't survive that impact. The wheels themselves look good with the red hub and black rim with white graphics. My main niggle is the weight - because the strength is exceptional. If you don't care about it, then buy them for sure - £100 for a brand new wheel is fantastic value. If weight is an issue, spending a little more on a different wheel may be the answer.

DMR Moto SuperMoto Tyre

The DMR SuperMoto tyres rrp's at £24.99 - a very reasonable price when you compare it to downhill and cross country tyres from popular brands. Low block height (allegedly) leads to more stiffness and better grip. There are two choices, black or tan (whitewall). I've used a SuperMoto rear tyre for just over a year, and found it fantastic. Designed for dirt jumping and street, it does the job perfectly. The pattern allows for grip through turns (even on a gravel bmx track) whilst being a fast rolling tyre on the flat. A year later, it's still got tread left, possibly due to it being used irregularly and mainly on road or dirt. In dry, dusty conditions it's fantastic, although can be dicey in the wet, especially on tarmac. It only comes in a 26 X 2.2 fitment, but it is designed specifically for dirt jumping. On the trails it left a bit to be desired, but it's not designed for that - it would be like criticising a Swamp Thing for not being fast rolling enough. The low weight is a real bonus, but the real benefit comes from how fast rolling it is on smooth terrain. You won't be replacing it anytime soon - although I have heard reports of them being shredded by rocks.

Truvativ Boobar

Used mainly for downhill, but I have a set on my dirt jumper - crazy right? The stability that the width provides is inspiring, although I won't be doing any barspins! Weighing in at a very respectable 290g with 20 or 30mm rise options, I'm impressed. They keep a low front end  without using a completely flat bar - something that seems to have gone out of fashion. I like the decals, and the finish is average. There are scuffs on the bars, as there have been scuff-worthy incidents. They haven't exceeded my expectations, yet haven't disappointed me either. The £68 rrp does heighten expectations which would be impossible for the bars to fulfil. The Boobars are great, but the pricing is a little steep compared to some other bars out there that do the same job. It's a solid handlebar from a reliable company.

 It won't let you down, but it won't blow you away either.

Truvativ Holzfeller Pedal

Wow, what a piece of kit! I was unable to fathom how someone could spend £80 on a set of pedals before I tried this, now I wonder why you wouldn't. Currently, they're reduced almost everywhere, making them a complete bargain! I had these on a second hand bike I bought, and have kept them ever since. They were initially used for hard downhill and freeride, but also used on a regular basis. This is enough to wear any pedal down, but not these. They still spin freely, despite running on standard (non-Ti) axels. The downside is you can't buy parts to fix the bearings, when they're broken that's it, although I think you'd run the bike they're on into the ground before these pedals show any weakness. There are a few snapped pins here and there, but they snapped off near the pedal body, so are easy to replace. I hadn't noticed until I inspected them before writing this - they really do grip that well. When I was rebuilding the downhill bike, I stuck them on my dirt jumper. They were an instant hit, that huge platform giving me massive amounts of support and confidence. They're an average weight, at 590g the pair. I had the raw pedals, not white, and found the finish was incredible. Rock gardens that have wrecked my saint cranks don't seem to have affected them, and throwing a jump bike across the tarmac hasn't left a mark.  They seem pretty faultless - although stiff competition from Superstar and DMR (with their vaults) means that a pedal of this price has to be exceptional to compete. The Truvativ's were good, but did lack the bling finish and range of colours on the vaults, or the replaceable titanium axels from Superstar.   Yes, it's only my experience, but they definitely prove that you get what you pay for.

DMR V8 Pedal

With an rrp of £27.99 the v8's represent amazing value for money. The range of colours is phenomenal: if you can't find a set to suit you - you have the wrong bike! It's an entry level pedal that's cheaper than rivals Nukeproof and NS, but doesn't feel that way. In my experience, it's more durable than the plastic Nukeproof offering - and I can't judge the more expensive NS because I haven't tried them. After months of crashing through rock gardens on a downhill bike and being scuffed across tarmac on a dirt jump bike, they weathered really well. The paint finish scuffed round the edges, but held up far better than offerings from any other manufacturers. One also has to acknowledge that these are DMR's cheapest, entry level, pedals. You have numerous models in between the v8's and the (mind blowing) vaults. Even on a budget, DMR offers a pedal to suit you. The v8's are very grippy. I liked the smaller surface area with the long pins. The pedals almost felt like being clipped in, and my never foot slipped or was uncomfortable on the pedal. Rumours of the v8's hurting the riders feet on impact proved, in my experience, to be completely nonsensical. Apart from the range of colours, value and grip, these felt like any other pedal in the variety of situations that I used them in. I'd happily buy another set, as at £28 you can buy a set every couple of months and keep your bike looking fresh - instead of gradually wearing one expensive set down. The bearings held up well (despite them being used in very sandy areas), and being able to apply extra grease is a real bonus for this price. If you don't like the standard pedals, DMR do a 'pimp my pedal' kit with pins and end caps in a variety of anodised colours (aimed at the more expensive v12's, but it's only the axle on the v8's that differentiates the two models). The v8's weigh I at 528g, but the v12's have magnesium and ti axle options that improve durability and reduce weight. Bottom line: give them a go! They're always on offer somewhere, and you won't find a better finish for the price.

Saint m810 Shifter and Derailleur / Mech

Everyone knows saint is Shimano's top of the range gravity mech and shifter, and this doesn't disappoint. Faultless, easy shifting and low maintenance - exactly what I look for in a shifter / mech combo. My Saint kit hasn't had an easy life. Rock gardens, sand, mud, loose sticks on the trail and puddles have given this mech their best shot at killing it, and it just hasn't worked. Three years on, and the shifter has worked perfectly. The mech has needed a new inner half of the cage, but this was from a stick that would have shredded anything. Despite the stick (which incidentally, ripped the spokes out of the rear wheel as well), the derailleur has needed nothing else. Even more impressive is that I rode it home fine - this mech will take a complete beating and you'll still finish the race. After the recent incident I stripped it down for a check, and it was immaculate. The jockey wheels ran smoothly, the spring was fine, all the bolts were rust free and had retained the threads. I cannot fault this at all. I know that Sram offers the X0, a mech I have not tried personally but have been assured is equally good. Now the m820 range is out, the m810 kit is going cheap. I'd urge anyone to buy it, you'll never have to do crummy maintenance jobs or time consuming gear adjustments again. Set it up, and don't touch it until its time for new jockey wheels (which is over three years in my case!). Oh, and the saint logo and black / gold / silver colour scheme doesn't detract from the bikes looks.

DMR 898

I love the DMR 898. I've had one for a while now, and can't believe how good it is. Mine is custom, but standard spec is fantastic. Mine has Argyle solo airs, and the weight is ridiculously low. The frame itself is 5.06lb's, which is great for a dirt jump frame. More importantly, it feels light. Jumping feels so easy and natural, and its really good fun round the bmx track. I also used mine around town and on the trails (although it's still got a single speed set up and single brake). It's just an easy riding bike, and the Microdrive gearing works really well. Somehow you can ride to and from the jumps easily on the flat, yet you never struggle on the downhills. Standard kit on one of these should last you years, and the £1200 price tag is well justified. DMR components all round on the grips, bars, stem, chainring, chain, wheels, cranks, seat and post. The only non-DMR kit is the Marzocchi Dirt Jumper forks and Tektro rear brake. People spend a fortune upgrading their frame to this kit, yet you get it all standard! None of the kit needs much maintenance, and is very durable. My bikes had no work on it at all, bar a tyre. It's an incredibly agile machine, and if you can afford it as a beginner, by all means go for it. It really inspired me to keep dirt jumping, everything just becomes that bit easier. The paint on the frame is average for a jump bike, but the frame's integrity is fantastic. I haven't ridden this bike as smoothly as I should have, yet it's remained crack and dent free (in situations when any other frame would have broken). It's outlived other jump bikes from people around me, and the scratches on the paint match any other dj bike. Trail riding on it is great fun, because you can get air on the smallest obstacle yet it manoeuvres like a dream. I'd advise a stronger back brake if you're riding trail all day long - or why not go for the DMR Omen? Not that the Tektro brake is poor, but you're asking a lot of that single rear brake with it's 160mm rotor to stop you repeatedly without any rest. Other brakes I've had have been far worse, but I'd recommend a high end Shimano or Avid rear brake, or add a front brake to reduce the load this brake has to cope with. Overall, a fantastic frame. It'll do pretty much anything with components that'll never wear out.