In true Planet Bike tradition, the Grunge Board looks great, works a treat, and has a name that makes you say, "...the hell?" when you're looking at the invoice. (For a moment, I thought we'd taken on Grudge Boards, which I assumed were some kind of mid-race sabotage unit for roadies.) Turns out it's a mud... sorry, grunge guard which mounts to your down tube. Easy to install and stealthy in black, it'll help stop you wearing the trail floor on your jersey. Unless you like that kind of thing.

We'd tell you how grippy and lightweight the new Schwalbe Racing Ralph is, but we think recent purchaser Tim Randall can say it better: "Just thought I'd let you know that (after many a swear word and some tired shoulders from using the track pump to seat the tyres on the rim) those Racing Ralphs are freakin' awesome. Also, once I finally got them seated there was only the tiniest leak from the bead of the tyre overnight, then nothing. In two days of riding I haven't had one leak through the sidewall. AMAZING. At least it is for me being the total bike geek I am. Never had that happen before with non-UST tyres. I'm putting it down to the snakeskin sidewalls." Quite! (We also then introduced Tim to the concept of an air compressor.)

Has the first hint of spring turned your thoughts to touring? You'll need a great set of panniers, and we've got just the ones: Vaude's Aqua Back IIs! Completely waterproof and extremely tough, they come with a rolltop closure, reflective accents ("Ve are here! You vill see uz!") and internal and external pockets. With a capacity of 48 litres, you'll be able to stuff everything you need into them and then take them swimming, safe in the knowledge that your spare underwear and copy of Things To Do In Hay (it's a small volume) will remain dry as a bone. Plus they're silver. Siiiilver!