Lockdown, week whatever. Or are we still locked down? Kind of not – we can ride bikes with five friends and sit outside a pub in all of our coats. That sounds like freedom, right there. Still, not everyone has been making the most of…
April 2021
The Duke, the bike ban and the taxman
In this instance we’re publishing Cycling UK’s entire press release verbatim. Read on, and then feel free to head to the comments! Cycling UK is calling into question the tax exemptions the Duke of Devonshire benefits from, supposedly in return for allowing public access to…
Dropping In: Short Stuff You Should Know
Here’s a round up from the world of bike news. Short stuff, serious stuff, and a bit of silly too. Who Is Taking This Seriously? Antoine Taillefer and Corentin Desbois have teamed up to attempt to break two snow speed records. In this video to…
Video: A Dog’s Tale by Shimano
Dogs or cats? Clips or flats? Pineapple and ham or pepperoni? There are a few topics of conversation bound to cause such division, and trail dogs is one of them. Some of you will view this with a tear in your eye and a happy…
Video: Back On The Bike – A Welsh Adventure
If you love riding a bike, there’s probably someone in your life that you wish you could take out there and share the joy with. Maybe even prove to them it’s never too late to try riding a bike again? That’s just what rider and…
Why Cycles Titanium – Now in the UK, for the connoisseur of niche
We know how some of you feel about titanium bikes. Add in belt drive compatibility and a choice of freak, sorry, niche options and there’s a whole Singletrack Forum thread here waiting to happen. For those of you that are so inclined, Why Cycles now…
Shimano launch huge 220mm discs for 10% extra stopping power
If you’re in the market for more powerful anchors then check out these oversized discs from Shimano. Disc brakes are, in general, a very effective and powerful way of bringing your speed under control. Even a modest set of disc brakes provide plenty of power,…
Roval Control Carbon Wheels – XC Race Wheels At A Lower Price
Today, Roval is launching its 2021 Control Carbon 6B XD wheels. It features the same, impressive rim from the Control SL wheels we reviewed last year, only now with more affordable hubs. Rather than Specialized’s own ultra-light hubs, the new Control Carbon wheels feature far…
Video Vault: Hydraulics, Trikes, Ebikes and MTB
Whether you’re all about the shred, the tech, or the feeling good, we’ve got a selection of bike videos here to pass the time. Pull up a chair, sit on the loo, or just stay in bed a little longer. Eyes ready? Go! Lapierre –…
Bikes, Bike Bits & Bum Balm: FGF 546
Happy Friday, Singletrackers! And what a treat we have. The sun is shining, the weekend is here and our favourite eateries and drinkeries continue to work on their outdoor seating areas for us all. This week I have discovered new food and revisited a pre-lockdown…
Specialized’s new tyres build trails
We think about tyres riding on trails, even riding in trails, but never actually building them. Specialized is changing that. What we have here is a pair of the latest Specialized Butcher T9 tyres. They use the same tread design, construction and compound as regular…
The RockShox Domain Fork Is Back! First Look & Podcast
If you’ve been riding mountain bikes for a decade or more then you will probably at least have some part of the back of your brain ringing that bell of familiarity at the mention of the Rockshox Domain. It was a burly fork for its…
Magura Raceline Editions – Pro Brakes for the Public
Whether you’re keen to imitate your riding heroes, have a hankering for the early 90s, or just want to draw attention to your very good brakes, Magura has an opportunity for you: Raceline editions of its MT7 and MT8 brakes. Usually reserved for the pros…
Fox 2022: Two New Fox 34 forks And Two New Rear Shocks
Fox Racing Shox has completely revamped its line of Fox 34 forks for the coming 2022 model year, with designs that reflect the development of frames and of the all-round trail riders that traditionally run Fox’s 34mm stanchion forks. However, despite two new forks (the…
6 Freeride Videos – X Games Real MTB Edits
It’s a competition, but who cares – there are now six new short video edits for you to watch, from some of the best freeriders in the world. With its Utah setting, massive step shots and metal soundtrack, Cam Zink’s video has the raw feel…
Interview: Rocksled Suspension – doing things differently
There are few things that please me more than spotting a curious bike being built by someone and getting to ask them about it. Unlike some that I’ve seen, this creation from Rocksled Suspension doesn’t strike me as beautiful, or as a piece of technically…
Katy Winton announces Moxie XI EWS program with Nukeproof
Katy Winton will ride a Nukeproof Giga 297 for the 2021 EWS season through her own racing program Moxie XI. After learning that her 5 years with Trek was coming to an end, Katy Winton has been on the hunt for a new ride for…
Wheels, Components, Lycra and Turkish Rock: Fresh Goods Friday 545
There’s plenty of news to talk about this week. I believe the pubs are open? And Scotland is easing restrictions on how many pals you can see at once? Well there’s some huge news that not everyone will be aware of yet. THE GEESE HAVE…
Podcast: Andi joins the Sunn French Connexion Enduro World Series Team
As he quickly approaches 40, Andi decides to take a few more risks, little did he know that it would lead to joining the Sunn French Connexion EWS Team! I’m sure you will all have your stories of those missed opportunities. Those big dreams, new…
Video and Interview: Kriss Kyle – ‘Out of Season’
Kriss Kyle is a busy guy. By the time I speak to him at 10am, he’s already been to the BMX park for an hour or so in preparation for spending the morning talking to journos like me about his new Red Bull-sponsored film, Out…
Ribble launches 2 new hardcore hardtails that are ready to rip!
Ribble Cycles has just hit us up with news of a couple of alloy hardcore hardtails with top geometry and premium finishes. When it comes to a hardcore hardtail, UK brands seem to have it nailed with plenty of choices when it comes to steel,…
Singletrack Issue 136 The Future Of MTB Technology
Dean Hersey gets fully crystal ball and looks at what the mountain bikes we ride might look like in the near-enough future. Will we finally get the hover-bikes we were promised? Words dean Hersey Photography Various Editor’s Note: This article was published in issue 136…
Review: Merida Ninety Six 8000 don’t call it “down country”
When is a cross-country bike not a cross-country bike? When it has bigger tyres on it? Whilst that’s clearly a silly question given the years of work and squillions spent on research, but after the best part of a month riding the Merida Ninety Six…
Classic Ride 136 – Rivington Pike
Mark takes a trip back to the trails of his youth and remembers why he still loves riding the trails of Rivington Pike. Words Mark Photography Amanda This being the 20th anniversary issue of the mag, it would seem almost planned that this ride would…
Zen And The Art of Buying Bike Parts
We now live in very challenging times for buying bike parts and accessories, and indeed bikes. Covid has kicked production in the plums, lockdown has turbocharged demand, Brexit has made bike part shopping in euroland more complicated, and some idiot crashed a boat on a…
The Singletrack Forum – probably better than Yahoo Answers
What is Yahoo Answers? Well, it was a ‘knowledge market’ where you could ask questions and the great world wide public would answer them for you – not always helpfully or accurately. However, it’s closing down and so all those important questions you never knew…
British Cycling: Will new structures benefit MTB riders?
British Cycling has announced a number of changes to its Talent Development Programme, which will hopefully be welcome among the MTB and off road community. Highlights includes a first lead coach for female riders, dedicated support for MTB gravity and cyclo-cross, and a clearer pathway…
How To Set Up Your Bike for XC Racing
Synchros has published the first in a series of new ‘Race Ready’ videos with Andri Frischknecht of the Scott-SRAM racing team. It’s actually a really useful introduction to setting up your bike and making choices about preparing for a race, so we’ve made you a…
Fresh Goods Friday 544 – Blinking into the bright future
Have you got your Big Coats at the ready? A nice warm hat? A fetching mask and a handy bottle of hand gel? The pubs are soon to open, and this is surely all essential kit for anyone venturing out there. Remember the days when…
Video Vault: Serious, Silly, Style, and Some More
It’s probably time to chill out, close your work tabs and take a moment for yourself. Bring your eyes and ears this way and enjoy some of the latest videos from the bike world. Amygdala – Brandon Semenuk Who doesn’t like a bit of Semenuk…
2021 Trek Session: The High Pivot, Idler Pulley, Fast And Fun Machine
Right, get comfy, we have much to talk about. The new 2021 Trek Session is very different, and yet very familiar. Firstly, do we call it a downhill bike? A freeride bike? The Session has great history and has succeeded in many places – notably…
ZIPP 3ZERO MOTO Wheels Updated for 2021
A first, it would look like there’s nothing new about the ZIPP 3ZERO MOTO wheels. They use the same ‘moto inspired’ single wall, low profile rim profile as the previous versions launched in 2019 but there’s something different now about the hubs they use. Previously…
Andi’s purposely alternative, accidentally purple Pole Taival build
In a world where the usual bike parts are as rare as hen’s teeth, Andi set out to see if he could build a bike using parts from the less obvious suspects. You probably know as well as we do that getting hold of parts…
Red Bull Formation Returns – Women’s freeride is flying high!
2019 saw the inaugural Red Bull Formation, a freeride progression camp for women attended by a handful of some of the best known names in women’s freeride. After an inevitable year off in 2020, it’s returning, and is all set to take place in Virgin,…
Propain Hugene Performance Review | One bike to rule them all?
In recent months, you might be more familiar with Propain’s Spindrift being hucked off all manner of ridiculous gaps by crazy Frenchman Remy Metailler. If such gnarly sends aren’t on your agenda, then fear not, for the German brand has the trail focussed Propain Hugene…
Michelin Wild Enduro tyre review: hero dirt friendly grip grabber
Looking for extra grip and safety on the trail to enjoy that hero dirt? Andi thinks he’s found the perfect partner with the Michelin Wild Enduro Tyre. Editors’ Choice 2021 This product features in our Singletrackworld Editors’ Choice 2021 round-up. Andi : “The Wild Enduro…
Morzine Summer Lift Dates 2021: Who, what and when?
This season’s lift dates have been announced for summer 2021 in Morzine, but with the recent announcement that France currently has one of the highest infection rates in Europe and is entering a four-week lockdown, will riders be able to make their yearly pilgrimage to…
Countryside Code Updated for 2021
Natural England has announced a refresh to the Countryside Code to coincide with the Easter holiday and many of us getting out to enjoy the outdoors. The press release reads: Working on the refresh throughout the winter, Natural England and Natural Resources Wales have considered…
ION Scrub Flat Pedal Shoe Review
German apparel and protection brand ION have a pretty comprehensive range of riding shoes with plenty of options in both flat and clipless varieties. I’ve spent the last six months trying the Scrub flat pedal shoes to put them through their paces and see how…
Video: Gee Atherton in Slate Line Rampage
Slate is a great material for things like roofs, souvenir coasters, and gastro-pub plate alternatives. As a trail material, it’s not so appealing. So where better to build a trail with huge exposure, drops and gaps than a slate mine? Join Gee Atherton for his…
NS Define AL 170 launches with fashionable mullet and .. 180mm of travel
NS adds a new Define to the range sporting a mixed wheel combo and 180mm of front wheel travel! Meet the NS Define AL 170! Perhaps you follow Joe Breeden or the UR Team and have been wondering what this orange NS models is (see…
Fresh Goods Friday 543: A jam-packed Easter FGF
We’ve crammed so much stuff into this week’s Fresh Good Friday we worry we won’t have room for our Easter Eggs this weekend! If you have been following FGF recently then you’ll know that Andi spent some time on a not so secret mission. After…
Fort William UCI Mountain Bike World Cup Cancelled
The organisers of the Mercedes-Benz UCI Mountain Bike World Cup in Fort William have today announced that the event scheduled for 22-23 May is cancelled. The press release reads: Every effort has been made by the organisers, with significant support and backing from Scottish Government…
Podcast: Singletrackworld Turns 20 Years Old! The anecdotes episode
On April 1st, 2001 (no, really…) Singletrack Magazine and its website singletrackworld.com were launched. The website evolved off the back of the original GoFar-MTB mountain bike website, but it was relaunched as Singletrackworld.com on the first of April to coincide with the launch of the…
Breakthrough for British Bike Industry Brexit Regulations
Perusing the duller corners of the internet, we were excited to discover some new government guidance which it is hoped will kick start British bike manufacturing. As you’ll be aware if you’ve listened to our podcast on Brexit or read some of our news coverage,…