Can Topeak's new £100 electric pump justify the price tag? Plus Vittoria's latest XC mud tyre + more from Ride Concepts, WTB and ION

We've got yet another fresh batch of cool things this week, as we get an early glimpse at some of the top kit we've got in for testing. With products from WTB, Vittoria, Topeak, Ride Concepts, and ION, there's plenty to get our get stuck into. Without further ado...
- 7 trailside fixes every cyclist should know
- 11 tools every home bike mechanic should own
- Five sneaky bike marketing terms you shouldn't trust
Before we get into the kit, let's take a glance back at this week's stories.
Earlier in the year, Tom Pidock announced that he'll race the Gravel World Championships in something of a curveball after dedicating his year to road cycling. In this feature, Steve dives a bit deeper and answers the question, 'Are the lines between gravel and road racing blurring?'
We also got up close and personal with Doddy's YT Industries/Manitou build that mashes up retro vibes and modern refinement, and boy, is it a looker. Of course, it's been Amazon's Prime Day even too (or week, as it happens). Either way, we've rounded up the best deals we've found that we think you might like.
It's been a fairly interesting week in the world of off-road cycling news and releases, especially. It started with Whyte blasting back onto the gravel market with its Verro and Touro gravel and all-road bikes. Race Face then brought its Era mantra to an XC and trail wheelset - the Era SL. Topping off this week in cycling news, Yeti further celebrated its 40 years in the biz with yet another mega-spendy build, this time turning its attention to the SB160 with a 40th Anniversary Team Edition bike that'll set you back £12,500.
As for reviews, our Matt rates SRAM's latest mountain bike brake, the Motive, praising it for its power delivery and aesthetic, despite it being a little weightier than other XC-focussed brakes. He then reviewed the Genesis Vagabond 20, and was surprised by its comfortable ride and capability.
Topeak E-Booster Digital
£100
Electric pumps are all the rage at the moment and rightfully so, I'd say. They're reasonably small, but importantly, they do all of the hard work for you, thanks to good ol' electricity. This here is Topeak's bash at an electric pump, that the brand claims is worth the extra levy over rival products because riders can preset the pressure before inflating the tyre. All you'll need to do is set the pressure, attach the pump to the valve, and let fly. It's worth mentioning that other electric pumps can do this too - including Trek's Air Rush (£80) which is currently being reviewed over on road.cc - so we're extra intrigued in what extra Topeak brings to the party for the higher spend.
Able to fit Presta and Schrader valves, it's said that the E-Booster can inflate a 29x2.6in tyre to 20PSI in 70 seconds. The pack's then complete with a silicone case to protect your hands from excess heat, and the extended hose performs the same function, but to protect the delicate valves on TPU tubes. Oh, and it's rechargeable via USB-C, too.
Ride Concepts Hellion Clip Boa
£190
Only a few weeks ago, we looked at the flat pedal-going Hellion, the laced base model. This here is the upgraded, Boa-equipped clipless version, and with it, Ride Concepts hasn't just taken the Hellion and whacked on a Boa Li2 dial and a cleat track; rather, it's a build that's designed especially for use with clipless pedals.
In fact, it sits higher up on the brand's stiffness scale, so it uses a more rigid PowerDrive nylon shank to aid power transfer. It then uses a lengthy 40mm cleat track for plenty of cleat adjustment. It also gets a ClipGrip rubber outsole.
The rest of the shoe matches the flat pedal Boa-equipped Hellion, such as the Hexagon outsole, D3O Impact Zone tech, and extra D3O padding at the top of the foot.
Vittoria Torrente Race
£70
While it's a total dust bowl out on the trails at the moment, Vittoria is already looking ahead to the winter with its aptly named Torrente Race XC tyre. It's built for traction and self-cleaning in the muddiest of conditions, and it utilises a super soft silica and graphene formulated rubber for grip where it's needed the most.
As expected of a mud-specific tyre, its tread pattern is spaced out to achieve its mud-shedding qualities, while the alternating centre tread is said to be fast rolling, while being sharp enough to dig into the deep stuff. Each lug is then siped in a bid to maintain grip on harder surfaces, like rocks and roots.
Using a 60TPI nylon casing, this tyre is available for 29in wheels only but it can be picked up in 2.2.5 and 2.4in widths.
ION Arcon LT knee pads
£100
Although G-Form's Mesa range also gets this tech, ION claims that the Arcon knee pads are the first to benefit from a biodegradable RE ZRO protector that boasts 15% larger coverage than regular CE pads, according to the brand. As with many knee guards, these get silicone grippers at the top and bottom, and they're built from a four-way stretch Cordura fabric. Additionally, the pad is stitched together in the EY.
With that biodegradable pad, the Arcon knee pads are certified to Level 2 protection.
WTB Peacekeeper tyre
£80
WTB's latest tyre, the Peacekeeper, is designed to please those who are looking for all-out versatility, while bridging the gap between the cross-country and trail/enduro riding styles. Its tread pattern is said to carry speed over flat terrain while hooking up when the corners get fast and loose.
To do so, the pattern is tightly packed in the centre, for faster rolling, and it opens up towards the shoulders for cornering grip. It then uses the brand's SG2 sidewall protection combined with a 60TPI casing, which is said to balance protection with weight savings.
As usual from WTB, the Peacekeeper comes in Light/Fast Rolling and Light/High Grip models and is only available in 29x2.4in.