Review: Five Ten FreeRider 2010

Had to post a small review of the Five Ten FreeRider shoe. Been riding this shoe for 3 months and I think I have a pretty good fieldtest to back it up.Ive been using the Five Ten Impact 2 Low for a year now, but always felt they where a bit "big", warm and heavy, fine for downhill but a bit too much for AM, so when the FreeRiders where announced I had to try them out.

These shoes are awesome, they stick to flat pedals like friggin magnets! The secret behind this is the special Steath-rubber - you just have to try it to believe it. The sole is really holding up well, and there is almost no wear, so I expect a long life from these shoes (unlike the Shimano AM40). The shoes are still a bit "big", but way smaller than the Five Ten Impact 2 Low, they have a stiff sole, and a comfortable fit - so its pretty much the quality you would expect from Five Ten. The only downside is the design, I like it, but I dont dig it - well design is subjective anyway, so what do I know.( The AM40's are downright sexy tho')

If you are looking for a great solid shoe for you platform pedals, then look no further, these suckers are great, and will stick to the pedals like nothing else. They will improve your riding by giving you more control, and make things a bit more easy for you. Great stuff.

Score: 5/6

(click to enlarge)

The sole is really holding up nicely after 3 months:

Spike tires vs Regulars - visual representation

Took this pic from the trail, showcasing the difference between a spike tire, and a normal tire - regarding the grip on ice.

So here is the deal; im riding on compact ice, on my front wheel is my spike tire (Schwable Ice Spiker), on my rear is the normal tire (Maxxis Swampthing). The spiketire sticks to the ice (green arrows), whereas the normal tire strives to keep on track, you can actually see it slide away from me by looking at the tire-pattern on the ice (red arrows).

Click to enlarge:

Fun in the snow - Part 3

So the snow-situation has turned into a love/hate thing for me. I love the scenery, and the added challenge, but I really hate how it hinders me from enjoying my favorite trails, and it holds me back from the big hits. So snow, be gone soon please! Shot a few pics on my last couple of rides, click on them too see them in a larger version.

Preview: Manitou Evolver ISX-6

Finally got my new rear shock, the Manitou Evolver ISX-6. After reading alot of good reviews of this shock, and the fact that it has low AND high speed compression - I just had to try it out. It offers rebound and a no-tools volume adjust, which controls the end stroke. All of it is combined into the Intrinsic damping. Funny thing about Intrinsic damping is that Manitou is abit tight lipped of how it works, and even on how it works for this shock. 

Anyway, im REALLY looking forward to kick this shock around in the woods, and to fine tuned it for my trails. Ive been on a small 15min ride, and so far its amazing; stable on the pedaling, and sucking in on the drops - but I need to do so much more testing.