Cyclocross Magazine's contributor Hannah Caproon attended the 2017 Winter Press Camp to check out new gear from two dozen brands that might be of interest to our cyclocross and gravel-riding audience. Feedback Sports had its Omnium portable trainer on hand for demo as well as a close-up look at its recently-launched new tool kits.
Feedback Sports, located in Golden, Colorado, is a big supporter of cyclocross, from race days to every day maintenance. Founder and President Doug Hudson dipped out of Press Camp a bit early to attend the 2017 Cyclocross World Championships, so you could say the company is pretty passionate about the sport.
There were loads of Omnium Portable trainers at CX Worlds last weekend. Winter Press Camp 2017 © Cyclocross Magazine
Portable Warmth and Watts
The company's hard work and dedication is paying off, with at least five of the top ten pro men and women at U.S. Cyclocross Nationals warming up on their Omnium portable trainer ($429.99).
It uses internal progressive resistance, so it’s quiet and a solid option for those who don’t have to live on their trainer in the winter. It accepts a wide variety of fork mounting options, and best of all, fits into a convenient duffel bag.
Feedback Sports' Omnium Trainer (bottom) with the original Sportcrafters Omnium trainer above. © Cyclocross Magazine
At the 2017 Worlds in Bieles, the royal cyclocross family was even seen warming up on the Omnium trainer, as we witnessed doing David Van der Poel:
David van der Poel warming up with the Feedback Sports Omnium at the 2017 UCI Cyclocross World Championships, Bieles, Luxembourg. © Cyclocross Magazine
We've already reviewed the trainer in-depth, and there was plenty to like about the pint-sized, updated design. See our full review below.
https://www.cxmagazine.com/feedback-sports-portable-omnium-trainer-review
Stand-up Work Stands
The Team Edition tool kit features loads of little upgrades worth checking out. Winter Press Camp 2017 © Cyclocross Magazine
The company is also well-known for its workstands, smart and high-quality tool kits, and the T-handle tool kit features tool grips that are shaped perfectly for your hand (at least mine) and will make you want to work on your bike more often. Available now, these three kits will come in very handy for the rider/racer on the go. The kits come in zippered pouches that have individual spots for each tool and are designed to stand open so the tools are easy to grab and replace, keeping them organized.
The largest tool kit is the Team Edition tool kit for $250 USD and has every tool a mechanic needs to work on a bike except for bearing presses. There are 19 tools with 25 functions, each tool has a slot in the zippered case that can either stand alone or hang from a Feedback Sports workstand. There are extra slots for additional tools and those slots perfectly fit Feedback Sport’s own new T-handle tool kit. The Feedback Sports workstands are designed for portability with stability, and with the wheel truing stand accessory along with the Team Edition tool kit, a pro mechanic will feel at home with this work setup.
The T-handle Tool Kit draws influence from the motor sports world. Winter Press Camp 2017 © Cyclocross Magazine
The T-handle tools come in a kit of 6 T-handled hex wrenches, and one Torx 25 T-handled wrench for $130 USD. There are hex (or Torx) ends on each of the three ends of the ‘T’, all the same size for each tool. Each T-handle tool is made with heavy chrome plating on the handle and are made of S2 tool steel. The hex heads are tapered from the shaft, so if you need to reach a recessed bolt through a hole barely larger than the hex head, these tools may not work for that application.
The kit to keep in your car for every ride or race is the intermediate Ride Prep kit, which for $130 USD has everything for a trailhead tune-up or repair. It has 12 tools with 16 functions and lacks the BB spanner, cassette/cog tool, and a few of the larger handled hex drivers.
More info: feedbacksports.com
Feedback Sports Omnium Trainer and Tool Kits Photo Gallery:
Omnium accepts standard QR, 12×100, 15×100, and 15×110 (boost) thru axles, with adapters for additional configurations. Winter Press Camp 2017 © Cyclocross Magazine
