The single ring 1x set-up gives a high bottom gear
NORTHERN IRELAND'S MANGO has cut a distinctive swathe with its bikes over the last few years, never knowingly understated when it comes to a flash of colour or two. Our test bike's green with black rims is actually one of its more understated colourways - just check out Mango's website for more. Like the other flat-bar road bike on test, the Marin Fairfax 2, it comes with hydraulic disc brakes. But Mango's new DO.GG features a chromoly steel frame and comes with an even more mix-and-match approach to kitting it out than Marin.
In fact, there are drivetrain and shifting components from so many different manufacturers that it would be hard to call the Frankenstein set-up a 'groupset'. But is this apparent kit mishmash a monster or the result of successful surgery? Clarks may be at the less expensive end of the market, but its hydraulic stoppers proved excellent, with a light action and more than enough power in hand. Descending our local hills, I was happy to ride at over 30mph knowing that the brakes would stop me safely and quickly without the need to grab a fistful of brake lever.
There's a bit of a mish-mash of components
Bountiful braking
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Air Apparent - Pollution hasn't gone away. It's still there in every lungful, even if we can't see it in the air or on the news. But there are reasons to breathe easier, thanks to pioneering projects using cycling 'citizen scientists'. Rob Ainsley took part in one...
The toxic effects of pollution have been known about for years. 'Just two things of which you must beware: Don't drink the water and don't breathe the air!' sang 1960s satirist Tom Lehrer.Over recent decades, though, pollution has dropped down our list of things to worry about, thanks to ominously capitalised concerns such as Climate Change, AI, Global Conflict, Species Collapse, etc. That doesn't, unfortunately, mean the problem has expired. Air quality often exceeds safe limits, with far-reaching and crippling effects on our health.
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