Cross-country riders, your podium-dominating dreams could be about to come true. For June only, the Skin 2, Commençal's high-performance full carbon XC bike, is on special!

This is a serious rider's bike, whether you're thrashing the competition or just spending all day in the saddle. Slack geometry lets you barrel down the slopes, while Commençal's trademark engineering provides superb handling and comfort. Normally $4600, we've made our accountant cry by offering it this month for $3990! View a full spec list at the Commençal website (click Bicycles, New 09 Range, and XC to find it) or view a high-res shot here. If you don't mind waiting for your riding buddies at the top of the hills as well as at the bottom, this is the perfect rig for you.

We have spruiked our love for the super-bright Superflash rear light before -- the August e.news, for those among you who keep our missives (and why wouldn't you? Because you're a normal person, that's why) -- and now we can spruik some more as it's available as a front light, too, and in a combo pack! Don't be fooled by the stealth black outside; whether day or night, Superflash lights can be seen from over 1.5 kilometres away, enough for even the most SMS-engrossed driver to notice. Waterproof, durable, and easy to mount (there's a joke there but I'll leave it alone), these babies come with batteries -- and the promise of high visibility -- included.

If your race efforts or hill climbs are needing a bit of a boost, why not combine your love of riding with your love of eating to fuel up in the saddle? Our Hi5 Energy range has now expanded so there's a flavour and method of delivery to suit everybody, whether you like chewy bars, slurpy gels, or powdery... er... powders. Hi5's Super Carbs are proven to out-perform normal sports drinks, so throw out your lolly water and stock up! We've even got the caffeine-boosted Energy Gel Plus, for those who haven't yet figured out how to squeeze an espresso into their hydrapack*. Hi5 Energy: for when pasta just isn't going to cut it. (Side note: Google carefully or you'll end up with a browser full of this.)

Apparently we can't write an e.newsletter at the moment without mentioning Vaude, so here's a bit more! In addition to packs, bags, jackets, and pants (schön!), we've now got Vaude Costa gloves. Short-fingered, well-padded, and equipped with a cloth patch for wiping fevered brows (I'm suddenly reminded of my mother, for some reason), they're budget-friendly (hmm...) and have reflective piping on the back (ok, scratch that thought). BMCR: zu dienen!

If you're one of our lucky customers who's taking advantage of the cold snap (or the current economic "situation", whichever) to go touring, then you'll be pleased to note that we're now stocking Ortlieb, starting with the Back-Roller Classic! Extremely tough, these panniers are waterproof, dustproof, easy to load, and come with internal pockets and a carrying strap. You can roll them through a river, or sling them jauntily over your shoulder for a night on the town, should you wish to impersonate a backpacker. ("¿Me puede ayudar? Estoy perdido!")

 

* Stuart will probably be the first person to work out how to do this, patent it, and then retire a millionaire on his small island. Take us with you! We're good at fixing things!