We’ve just heard that the organisers of the 2019 Ard Rock Enduro have had to take the difficult decision to cancel this weekend’s event due to biblical rainstorms that have led to flash flooding in Swaledale. In scenes that mirror the unfortunate Malverns Classic in…
July 2019
Endura MT500JR – Danny MacAskill’s Best Selling Helmet, For Kids!
There’s now a junior version of Danny MacAskill’s best-selling helmet, the MT500JR. Endura present some amazing riding snippets of their Little Nippers nailing jumps and showing off their skills, kitted out in the latest helmet release for younger MTB riders, the Endura MT500 JR Youth…
New MET Terranova – The More Affordable Enduro Helmet
MET has made a new addition to their range for trail and all-mountain riders on a lower budget. Following the success of the Roam, the Terranova offers the same coverage at a lower price for riders just starting out on enduro riding that maybe don’t…
Cedric Gracia will make your own custom Únic riding kit
The flying Frenchman, Cedric Gracia, has today announced another company that he is involved with. Únic is aimed at bringing riders custom mountain clothing at affordable prices. If you’ve been looking through you mountain bike clothing wardrobe recently and thought about adding an injection of…
First Look | The New Identiti Mettle
Back in 2017, after three years of development by Pat Campbell Jenner and Michael Bonney, Identiti launched its first ever enduro bike – the Mettle. Previously more well known for dirt jump bikes, the Mettle was the brands first full suspension bike and today Identiti…
The New Yeti SB140 Is Yeti’s 27.5in Trail Slayer
It was the big unfilled hole in the line, so it was no great surprise to see the Yeti SB140 launching today a couple of weeks after the SB165 but it’s arguably a much more important bike for UK riders (or any trail riders without…
#MakingUpTheNumbers | National DH Champs – Revolution Bike Park
It was the National Downhill Championships at the weekend – how did our team of podium hopefuls (hope springs eternal…) get on? “Have you seen any older bikes?” Binnsy asks Kris Lord, of his 2014 Saracen Myst. Kris looks down at his pride and joy…
Exclusive! Sneak Peek | Prototype FS Enduro Bike From Privateer Bikes
Your first chance to check out the new prototype Privateer 161 FS Enduro Bike From Privateer Bikes. You might have heard of The Rider Firm.CC, the parent company behind Hunt Wheels, Cairn Bikes and Dissent 133 clothing. There’s another spawn…er…spawning in the form of Privateer…
FGF 458 | Not Very Fresh, Quite Humid and Slightly Flaccid Goods Friday
We have been wondering what might be the worst job to have in a heatwave. We’re torn between the reprographics room in an office, or grill chef in a kitchen. It’s certainly not us. While we have definitely been melting in the office as we…
First Ride Review: Is The Sonder Cortex The 120mm Travel Trail Bike You Should Be Riding?
Andi gets an exclusive first ride review of the latest 120mm travel full-suspension bike from Sonder. Meet the 2020 Sonder Cortex. Sonder, the bike brand of Alpkit, has been making waves in the British mountain bike world for a couple of seasons now, and with…
Bike Check | Andy’s Stooge MK4
We pause on a ride to fondle the new Stooge MK4, a rigid framed steel bike. In case you’re not already aware, Singletrack Towers is based in what is probably the greatest valley in England: the Calder Valley. Steep climbs and descents, rolling moorland and…
Stay Cool! 5 Top Heatwave Tips For Mountain Bikers
We bring you our top tips for beating the heat and keeping cool while pedalling. Yes, there’s a heatwave. And yes, this article was born from a heat induced stream of consciousness while we sat around in the office eating emergency ice cream and Gin…
Making Up The Numbers Podcast Episode 3 | Will Longden
Our very own racer of mediocrity, George Thompson, sits down with Will Longden to continue his Making Up The Numbers Podcast for the 2019 season in association with Hope Technology, Revolution Bike Park and us, Singletrack. Hello and welcome to a very special Making Up The Numbers…
Making Up The Numbers Podcast Episode 2 | Jack Reading
Our very own racer of mediocrity, George Thompson, has started a brand new Downhill World Cup, Making Up The Numbers Podcast for the 2019 season in association with Hope Technology, Revolution Bike Park and us, Singletrack. Welcome to the second episode of the Making Up The…
Vote In Our Poll | What Do You Look For In A Trail Helmet?
What do you look for in a trail helmet? Much has been made of new helmet technology of late, with companies trying to out compete each other on their safety claims, a plethora of detachable chin bars, and all kinds of attachment points. But do…
No UK Rounds For Enduro World Series 2020
We’ve just heard from the EWS that it has settled on its 2020 dates. And once again we’re disappointed to see that the UK doesn’t feature at all again in the Enduro World Series 2020 dates. And even hugely popular Ireland misses out next year.…
British MTB National Championships | New Champions And Old Faces
The British National Mountain Bike Championships took place this weekend, with the Downhill event at Revolution Bike Park in Wales, and the XC National Championships taking place at Cannock Chase. After a spell of dry weather, rains came in on Friday and Saturday, changing the…
Singletrack Reader Awards 2019 – Nominations Open!
Nominations will close at 9am on Monday 5th August! Don’t miss out on your chance to show your appreciation for your favourite bikes, kit, trails and people… The Singletrack Reader Awards are awards given to a bunch of deserving individuals and companies by you the…
Rider Inspiration | Clothing and Protection Designed by Dakine
Dakine takes what it has learned from designing technical mountain bike clothing over the years and combines it with some rider input, including a special edition “Aggy” print. The 2019 range of Dakine clothing manages to balance technically impressive features with freeride ready style and…
Bike Check | Sixth Element Bespoke Ti Kingdom With Olympic Wheels
This bike came to us because of the wheels – they’re Sixth Element’s latest XC race wheel, the Pro XC, launched today. But we got a bit distracted by the bike. So here’s a full run down of the bike, and if it’s the fancy…
3 New Carbon Wheels From Sixth Element
Sixth Element has added three new wheels to its range. We bring you an exclusive run down of your carbon latest wheel options. UK wheel builder Sixth Element has quickly gained a reputation for good value carbon wheels with a strong customer service focus –…
FGF 457 | Yo Ho Ho and A Bottle Of Rum!
It’s raining outside, after a week of lovely weather. Which must mean: the English school summer holidays start today! Yes, today children across the bottom half of the UK quit pretending that they’ve done any work since they sat their SATs, teachers start growing beards,…
No Women’s BMX at X Games | Athletes demand competition, not demos
Female BMX riders have criticised X Games for failing to provide a women’s competition for BMX, despite previous successful demo events. Story updated 22 July with quote from multi-time X Games medallist, Ryan Nyquist. X Games, which offers competition in a range of ‘Street’ sports,…
Review | Ti Hard – Sonder Signal Ti
Our very own Bruce Willis lookalike, Andi Sykes, tested out three titanium hardtails from Kingdom, Nordest and Sonder for Issue 122 of Singletrack Magazine. Here is his review of the Sonder Signal Ti. As I’m sure you all know, but Sonder is the bike branch…
Review | Ti Hard – Nordest Bardino Ti
Our very own Bruce Willis lookalike, Andi Sykes, tested out three titanium hardtails from Kingdom, Nordest and Sonder for Issue 122 of Singletrack Magazine. Here is his review of the Nordest Bardino Ti. Easily the rarest of our titanium trio is the Nordest Bardino Ti.…
Review | Ti Hard – Kingdom Vendetta X2
Our very own Bruce Willis lookalike, Andi Sykes, tested out three titanium hardtails from Kingdom, Nordest and Sonder for Issue 122 of Singletrack Magazine. Here is his review of the Kingdom Vendetta X2. Kingdom Bike is based in Copenhagen and like many other brands from…
HUNT All-Mountain Carbon H_Impact wheel set released for just £789
Wheel wizards, HUNT, have released a new set of carbon rimmed all-mountain wheels with a lifetime crash replacement warranty and low £789 price tag. The £789 HUNT All-Mountain Carbon H_Impact wheelset might not have a name that easily rolls off the tongue, but they have…
Windermere’s Bike Boat Returns For The Summer
Fancy a Lake District mountain bike adventure with a bit of a difference? Doing a bit of east-west adventuring by bike and need a short cut across Lake Windermere? Left the family, shopping in Windermere for a few hours and fancy a lap of Grizedale?…
2 New Freeride Movies For The Summer
There are two big mountain bike movies coming our way this summer. Handy for tired days, dark nights, or ice-elevate-rest days. Return To Earth Out today is ‘Return To Earth’, available on pay to view here. It’s a round the world trip of riding and…
Bike Launch | The New Yeti SB165 Is A 27.5 Trail Monster
Today, Yeti is announcing the new Yeti SB165 bike and frame. Slightly confusingly (though we’re sure it’ll make sense eventually) on the back of last year’s SB130 and SB150 bikes (which were 29ers and had 130mm and 150mm rear travel respectively) this new bike has…
Longterm Review | 12 months on the Santa Cruz Reserve 27 carbon 29er wheelset
It’s been two years since Santa Cruz announced it would be developing its own carbon fibre mountain bike wheels. Coming under the ‘Reserve’ label, the carbon wheel range hosts a range of width options in 27.5in and 29in sizes, ranging from lightweight 25mm wide XC…
Video | Pan Celtic Race – An event we probably don’t want to do
We’ve spotted an event we don’t want to do, but we like their videos. Our very own Jason Miles has already set off on the Pan Celtic race, a ‘self-supported cycling adventure, journeying through the Celtic Nations of Scotland, Ireland and Wales’. He did very well…
Dyfi Bike Park Now Accepting Bookings
News just in, here’s the press release! Dan Atherton and the Dyfi Bike Park crew are delighted to announce that they are now accepting bookings through their new website www.dyfibikepark.co.uk For the last four years Dan and his dig crew have worked tirelessly to create…
Is this the year of the sub £2k bike? New Giant models coming soon!
When the Norco Fluid FS1 came through our doors we were all impressed – lots of full suspension bike for under £2,000. It was swiftly followed by a Calibre Sentry, and a Jamis Dakar. Joining the fray from Giant is yet another – the Stance –…
Fresh Goods Friday 456 | The Lonely Edition
We battle through the lonely desert that is Singletrack Towers to bring you this week’s Fresh Goods Friday. Stepping carefully over the body of Jess the dog – still alive, but lying deathly still to conserve precious energy. Past the desiccated remains of Chipps’ coffee…
Video | Midpoint – Brandon Semenuk
Watching a Brandon Semenuk video is like sinking into a deep bath after a long ride, or sipping a G&T at sundown. Invariably smooth with a choice soundtrack, they’re a quiet sidestep from the usual mountain bike videos. This latest release is no different. There’s…
Bike Lust | 2 New Moots YBB Softails
You’d have to be a pretty hard hearted soul not to look at a Moots and go ‘oooh’. All that titanium cleanness, all that muted bling, all that rainbow detailing… no? Doesn’t do it for you? Well. Really. Please, go find some bike shaped objects…
Raw! Raw! It’s Raw! Stanton launches new frame finish
Yesterday this cryptic (and slightly troubling to vegetarians) image appeared on the Stanton Instagram feed. Could it be a new beefier frame we wondered? Was Stanton expanding into farming? We already know owner Dan Stanton dreams of buying a farm to turn into a fully…
Golfie Trails Given Official-ish Status Under New Agreement
Three trails in Caberston Forest – known to many of us as ‘The Golfie’ – are to be adopted by the Tweed Valley Trails Association (TVTA). For one year, on a pilot basis, TVTA will maintain the trails known as New York New York and…
New 2020 Mondraker Super Foxy Carbon 29 – It’s Not For Chicken Lines
Mondraker has just announced the new ‘Super Foxy’, a bigger travel version of the Foxy Carbon 29. With 29in wheels, 170mm forks and either a coil or large volume air shock giving 160mm of rear travel, you get 10mm more travel front and rear over…
New Altec and Trajecta Trail And Full Face Helmets From 100%
In recent years, the 100% brand has grown from its 1980s motocross roots to embrace cycling, with its goggles becoming one of the must-have accessories of the downhill scene and its road glasses finding favour with the likes of Peter Sagan. However, until now, it’s…
The Longest Day – An Elan Epic Ride
Matthew Finch takes advantage of the longest day of the year, by leaving the trail centre behind and going for his longest ride. I awoke to the manic buzzing and beeping of my phone alarm. It was 3.00am. There’s something enticing and beautiful about the…
Tuesday Treat: The NEW Mudhugger quick-release Short and FRX
MudHugger has re-introduced the quick-release version of its popular mudguard system, boasting new and improved straps for even faster installation. Imagine this just for a second, you’ve woken up to find that the weather is absolutely glorious. You pop on your summer riding kit, you…
Ritchey Ultra frameset review: a classic reborn in understated steel
Antony reviews the Ritchey Ultra, a relaunched and reworked classic. When it comes to legends of mountain biking, they don’t get more legendary than Mr Thomas Ritchey, Esq. A pro road racer who built the frames he won on, Ritchey created some of the first…
FGF 455 | The ‘It’s Bike Show Season’ Edition of Fresh Goods!
Prepare yourself. Get some popcorn and a brew, because you’re in for a long one. Hannah has been to visit her boyfriend Impact Sun Valley in Idaho, Amanda has been to Bike Connection in Andalo, Dolomites, and Mark is on the train to Verbier. Products…
Zoic – A brand for all the family
At Impact Sun Valley, Idaho, Hannah checked out a US brand that’s been around for 25 years but hasn’t really crossed the pond. American riders may well be familiar with the brand Zoic, though it’s likely you’ve come across them through friends or your local…
Hunt Bike Wheels releases lightest ever mountain bike wheelset
Hunt Bike Wheels introduces new sub-1600g Race XC Wide wheelset It’s been barely a year since Hunt Bike Wheels first entered the mountain bike game, but the British-based company hasn’t taken long to establish itself as one of the go-to names in the world of…
Spy Shot: Sonder Signal Steel hardtail spied!
Late last year I was pretty lucky to be one of the first people to ride the Sonder Signal Ti, today I’ve discovered I’m not the first to ride the Signal steel hardtail but I’m still stoked! Steel is real! It’s a fact we can’t…
Northern Grip 2019 Mountain Bike Festival Details Released
Northern Grip Mountain Bike Festival returns to Stubbylee Park and Lee Quarry in Bacup, Rossendale, in Lancashire on Saturday the 13th July for its fourth year, promising another great year of entertainment, riding and food & drink. Northern Grip is an annual celebration of Mountain…
Viathon – The new brand poised to take on the USA
From Impact Sun Valley in Idaho, Hannah brings us a look at Viathon, a new brand with some big hitting financial backers. You could launch a new bike brand in a blaze of publicity and radical geometry, or you could fairly quietly develop just three…
Showers Pass | Durable, sustainable ride gear for all weathers
Hannah has been out in Idaho at the Impact Sun Valley media event to check out a bunch of brands and products. Here, she finds out a bit more about the Showers Pass brand and products. I’ve had the pleasure of testing and reviewing a…