With the new Enduro World Series just around the corner, the momentum behind this accessible, exciting form of mountain bike racing is growing by the day. So much so in fact, that bike and clothing manufacturers are starting to tailor equipment and apparel to meet the needs of enduro riders. Mavic are one such company and they’ve fully committed to the enduro market with the latest additions to their Notch clothing line
Mavic’s gear has always been well renowned for its technical features and high performance, but up until now, it’s tended to lean more towards cross-country and road riding in both fit and style. That’s all changing thanks to feedback from their trio of elite enduro racers – Fabien Barel, Jerome Clementz and Anne-Caroline Chausson. Here’s a look at four of the key pieces for 2013 – the Notch Graphic LS jersey, Notch shorts, Notch helmet and Alpine XL SPD shoes.
The new Notch Graphic LS jersey steps away from a traditional fitted cut, offering a more stylish baggy fit while still retaining masses of attention to detail
When you wear a pack it can pull your jersey down at the back, causing the collar to pinch in on your neck. That’s why Mavic have gone with a V-neck on their enduro top
There’s plenty of breathability to ensure you don’t overheat, and lengthy cuffs help to keep things really comfy around the wrists
There are three different colour/design options to choose from. Alongside the bright canary yellow sits the more subtle white or the stealthy black. The Notch jersey will set you back €75/£55
To go with the jersey there’s a matching pair of Notch shorts. Mavic worked closely with enduro stars Jerome Clementz, Fabien Barel and Anne-Caroline Chausson to strike the right balance between style and performance
The shorts use technologies from Mavic’s other mountain bike lines, their road clothing and from Salomon, their parent company. The goal was to create a looser fitting short that was stylish yet still comfortable to wear and pedal in all day
Features include two hip pockets, belt loops, two thigh pockets (one with a popper fastening, the other zipped) and a rear zipped pocket. There’s no additional waist adjustment though, and a single popper and zipped fly closure
The front panelling is stretchy to prevent any restriction of movement, while the rear has a slightly tougher construction, adding to the shorts’ durability
There’s a mud-friendly black option or a lighter grey version to chose from. The Trail Tech XL fabric features a DWR treatment which increases mud and stain resistance – great for day-long stints in the saddle at enduro events
Finishing off the Notch is the included Ergo 2D short liner. This is both massively comfortable and, thanks to mesh side panelling, extremely breathable. The shorts will set you back €100/£95
The new Notch helmet has been three years in the making. Mavic used data collated from 25,000 different head shapes and sizes to help refine its fit
Safety-wise, the Notch looks set to be one of the best in business, passing both EU and US standards. The dropped rear adds protection around the back of the head and means it’ll work well with goggles – a trend in enduro-style riding
The dual-density Ergo Fit pad system uses softer padding for contact comfort with a firmer, higher density pad underneath to help improve the fit and how the helmet is held in place
Overheating shouldn’t be a problem thanks to the 16 generously-sized vents cut into the in-moulded construction. There’s plenty of internal channelling too to ensure airflow is maximised
The retention cradle uses an indexed clicker wheel to adjust fit, and spreads pressure evenly around the head
Aesthetics were inspired by the automotive world, with a nod to BMW’s fin at the rear of the lid. The peak started off life a little lower down but following feedback from Mavic’s sponsored riders, it’s been shunted up slightly for production
With three colours and three sizes to choose from, pretty much everyone should be catered for. Our medium sample weighed in at 318g, which isn’t bad considering the protection on offer. The Notch helmet will set you back €100/£80
The Alpine XL has long been one of the comfiest shoes on the market but there were niggles that Mavic were keen to address. With the help of Clementz, Barel and Chausson, it seems these are now a thing of the past
First up, the outer sole is now made from two different rubber compounds. The front is harder (80a) for improved resistance to wear and tear, while the rear is softer (70a) to maximise on- and off-the-bike traction
The upper Velcro strap has been moved further down the foot so it doesn’t restrict ankle movement, and the metal loop that it pulls through has been moved further up the shoe so it doesn’t rub on the crank when pedalling
The outward-facing side of the shoe has had a revamp, both in construction and in aesthetics. These changes add lateral support, especially when combined with the reworked insole, which is lighter and more comfortable
Finishing things off, the toe box has been reduced in volume (but not in width) and the laces are now yellow. The Alpine XL’s will set you back €125/£110
There’s loads more kit in the 2013 Mavic Notch range, from alternative jersey options to rain jackets and even socks. Head to www.mavic.com for more info.
