Barney skips the lifts for a self-propelled – and self-inflicted – Alps adventure. Words and photos by Barney Marsh It seemed like such a fine idea. In the thick of a holiday to the French Alps with the family – so (in order of importance),…
2024
Top 10 most read news stories on Singletrackworld in 2024
What happened in 2024? Which news got you clicking and reading? Welcome to the year that was 2024, in the top 10 most read news stories of the year. In a nutshell: brands going bust and Red Bull spectacle. 1. Wiggle Chain Reaction Deal Falls…
Best Image of 2024: Singletrack Issue 155 Cover by Pete Scullion
Your votes have been counted, and the verdict is in: you’ve voted this shot by Pete Scullion from Issue 155’s cover as the Best Image of 2024. “A photo idea that has been floating around my head for years finally came to fruition in the…
Issue 158: Special Notice Of Appreciation
Issue 158 was brought to you by a whole bunch of behin dthe scenes people but a huge part was played by all the people listed below.
Issue 158 – Last Word: Going Nowhere, Getting Somewhere
Hannah suggests we don’t need miles of new trails to become better riders. When it comes to bike infrastructure and mountain biking facilities we usually think of new trails. Perhaps a whole trail centre with routes of different gradings, a café, a car park, a…
Top 10 most popular reviews on Singletrackworld in 2024
The end of the year is nigh, hence a collective desire to look back and assess the outgoing calendar. These are the ten most read reviews that we published in 2024. Note the absence of any megabucks full-suspension trail or enduro bikes. That very much…
Best Article of 2024: Chariots Of Rust by Adam Boggon
The votes have been counted, and the winner is: Adam Boggon, for Chariots Of Rust. Congratulations to Adam. Adam has written a few articles for us over the years, in between his medical school training. His stories are always a great read, though I do…
Best UK Riding Destination of 2024: The Golfie
Your votes have been counted and the results are in. You have chosen The Golfie as the Best UK Riding Destination! Is this relatively compact zone of interest the most ridden patch in the whole of the UK? It certainly feels that way from how…
Community Builders Award 2024: UK MTB Trail Alliance
Congratulations to the UK MTB Trail Alliance, who are this year’s winners of the Community Builders Award in the Singletrack Readers’ Awards. This is a new kid on the advocacy block in the UK and 2024 was about getting the UK MTB Trail Alliance off…
Fresh Goods Friday 737: The Choose Your Own Adventure Edition
In a break from the norm, there are no goods. That’s because Benji and I are both due to be on annual leave for the next week, which is actually the week preceding the day you’re reading this. With me so far? In fact, technically…
Most Desirable Brand of 2024: Atherton Bikes
Your choice for the Most Desirable Brand in biking in 2024 goes to Atherton Bikes. It’s a family affair, with the Atherton siblings and team mates sharing the stoke for their bikes on the World Cup circuit, in Gee’s crazy video projects, and just hanging out doing laps…
Most Desirable Bike of 2024: Atherton S.170
The Atherton S170 is no alloy look-a-like; Atherton has applied excellent engineering and delivered a mighty fine aluminium mountain bike.
Singletrack Forum Wrapped: The Stats of 2024
Like discovering that your most played song of the year was something by Meatloaf, what you’re about to read might be the kind of thing you wish you didn’t know… It’s our Singletrack Forum* stats of 2024! Most Liberal Token Givers This year we introduced…
Singletrack Forum Photo Competition 2024: ‘Open’
Welcome to the Singletrack Forum Photo Competition 2024. This is an idea kicked off in the Forum last year, partly in response to the Red Bull Illume winners. It’s just for fun – a chance to share and admire a selection of photos and perhaps…
Singletrack Quiz Of The Year 2024
Quizzy times ahead. To make it harder still, we’ve added a time limit – you’ve got one minute to answer each question. Which means you’re going to have to be very quick at typing if you’re going to cheat… Maybe do a spot of revision…
Singletrack Forum Photo Competition 2024: ‘Bike Life’
Welcome to the Singletrack Forum Photo Competition 2024. This is an idea kicked off in the Forum last year, partly in response to the Red Bull Illume winners. It’s just for fun – a chance to share and admire a selection of photos and perhaps…
MegaSack Day 16 – Kenda Hellkat & Pinner Pro Tyres
Kenda Hellkat Pro and Pinner Pro You could be winning these 29 x 2.40 tyres from Kenda. Two different flavours of front tyre. “The Pinner was done for World Cup tracks like Leogang and Lenzerheide and designed to hold its own against the toughest competitors.…
Singletrack Forum Photo Competition 2024: ‘Out There’
Welcome to the Singletrack Forum Photo Competition 2024. This is an idea kicked off in the Forum last year, partly in response to the Red Bull Illume winners. It’s just for fun – a chance to share and admire a selection of photos and perhaps…
What’s In The MegaSack This Week and Week 2 Winners
It’s the final week of the MegaSack, when we’ll be squeezng just one… more… prize… into the sack before the big draw on Christmas Eve. Kenda Hellkat Pro and Pinner Pro You could be winning these 29 x 2.40 tyres from Kenda. Two different flavours…
Singletrack Forum Photo Competition 2024: ‘Gnarpooning’
Welcome to the Singletrack Forum Photo Competition 2024. This is an idea kicked off in the Forum last year, partly in response to the Red Bull Illume winners. It’s just for fun – a chance to share and admire a selection of photos and perhaps…
Singletrack Spineline Quiz
You know those slightly odd words printed down the spine of the magazine? They’re ‘spinelines’. Each one has been said by someone in the office, to odd looks and cries of ‘Spineline!’. The context of most has been forgotten – we’re quite good at writing…
Singletrack Forum Photo Competition 2024: ‘Just Riding Along’
Welcome to the Singletrack Forum Photo Competition 2024. This is an idea kicked off in the Forum last year, partly in response to the Red Bull Illume winners. It’s just for fun – a chance to share and admire a selection of photos and perhaps…
Fantasy MTB World Series DH Team Pick With Oisin O Callaghan & Ronan Dunne
In this episode George and Jack run a Mock Draft of how they see the teams lining up in 2025 and then they’re joined by the Fighting Irish; two of the fastest DH riders on planet earth, Oisin O Callaghan and Ronan Dunne… Oisin O…
Editors’ Choice 2024: OneUp Aluminum Handlebar
The excellent OneUp Aluminum Handlebar has been our go-to bar whenever we’ve needed to run a 35mm rise bar on… anything. “Bars are a key component on a bike and can change how a bike rides and feels. I’ve always been a fan of alloy…
Fresh Goods Friday 736: The Clocking Watches Edition
It may the most clock watching ‘working’ day of the whole year but we’ve still found time and inclination to bring you Fresh Goods Friday. Swinging the lead “was a nautical practice where a sailor would swing a lead to generate momentum for a cast,…
Good Vibes Only: First Trail Pot Supporter Is Announced
In the continuing search for good news from the bike world, here are some happy vibes thanks to local bike shop Big on Bikes. They’ve become the first bike shop to sign up to support The Trail Pot, a charity set up to support trail…
Day 15: TailFin Bar Bag System
TailFin Bar Bag System A bar bag system designed to be both stable and quickly removeable. The mount system means you retains bar space for things like lights. The CNC alloy handlebar mount system has a range of adjustment for a perfect fit, and the…
Rocky Mountain Bicycles To Restructure In Effort To Avoid Bankruptcy
Rocky Mountain Bicycles is the second big bike name to hit the headlines for the wrong reasons this week, in an indication that the bike industry is still struggling to recover from the pandemic bubble. It has filed to restructure its operations under the Companies’…
ODI Vanquish D30 Grip review
Knee pads for hands? The ODI Vanquish grip uses D30 (that soft, flexible, and impact-absorbing material) Also available in black and grey. Pros Cons How advanced can a set of grips really get? ODI seem to have attempted to answer this question with their Vanquish…
2024 MTB World Series Racing Was A Big Success
The stats don’t lie, there was more of everything, from viewers to drones, and this year’s MTB World Series was a huge success. Big changes afoot for next year promise to ‘mark a bold step towards the future of mountain bike, fostering greater competitiveness and…
Last Minute Gift For The MTBer
You’ve left it too late again. You got a voucher from that friend for Christmas and you’ve not got anything in return. It’s Christmas Eve and the shops are shut. Your choices are a box of Milk Tray from the service station with a bashed…
Day 14: SQ Lab Contact Points Mega Bundle
Saddle 6OX ERGOWAVE® active 2.1 ltd. Team, £159.95 Join the team and make a statement with this version of the popular 6OX saddle! This is designed to shift the bodyweight towards the sit bones and to follow the pedalling movement to mobilise the lower back…
MegaSack Day 13: Visio Dry Lens Treatment
VisioDry This is a spray treatment for your glasses or goggles that will keep the rain from collecting on your lenses. Unlike similar treatments for car windscreens, Visio Dry works without the assistance of speed, meaning it will work even as you’re pootling along. An…
Mass Rider Layoffs As Pon ‘Pauses’ GT Bicycles
Pon is reported to have ‘paused’ GT Bicycles. Alarm bells started ringing last week, as many GT sponsored BMX riders were told they couldn’t ride for GT next year. GT without BMX? It’s like gin without tonic. It appears the cull continues on the MTB…
Editors’ Choice 2024 – All our fave stuff of the year
The Singletrack Team pick their favourite products and bicycles from their year of riding. Benji’s Picks “Time to tally up. And it’s been another good year for keeping on keeping on. Bicycles continue to be rad. Riding them is even radder. According to my files,…
Day 12: SKS Mudrocker Mudguard Set
SKS Mudrocker Mudguard Set Mega mudguards to keep the spray away, front and rear. Mounts solidly to your fork up front to keep you mud free without all the rattling. Suitable for full suspension bikes too, the rear attachment is made using rubberised Velcro straps…
Editors’ Choice 2024: WTB Judge & Verdict tyres
WTB have rejigged their casings and their compounds. We had the new WTB Judge and Verdict for a few months now. And they’re excellent. Benji: “I’ve been a longtime fan of the previous WTB Verdict Wet as a winter slop front tyre but the brand’s…
Day 11: Julbo Forest Evo MIPS Helmet
Julbo Forest Evo MIPS Helmet As you’d expect from a company best known for its eyewear, this helmet has a dual stowage option for your glasses. It’s also got MIPS rotational impact protection, a Fidlock buckle, adjustable visor, and tons of ventilation. If this (rather…
The MegaSack – What’s Coming This Week? PLUS Last Week’s Winners!
Tune in on the day to see which prize is on which day! But here are the things going into the MegaSack this week… TailFin Bar Bag System A bar bag system designed to be both stable and quickly removeable. The mount system means you…
Editors’ Choice 2024: Madison Roam Windproof Jacket
The Madison Roam Windproof is a stretchy fit, wind resistant jacket that is easily compressible and packable and can be stuffed into its own pocket. A lightweight ‘Lake Blue’ layer from Madison. A stretchy fit, wind resistant jacket that is easily compressible and packable and…
Recreation Must Pay – But It’s Everyone Who Will Suffer
Hannah thinks that public funding of outdoor recreation is at a crisis point. In the race to balance budgets, we’re at risk of a long legacy of cost. Last week I went to an online public meeting about the future of the visitor centres at…
Editors’ Choice 2024: Hammerhead Karoo 3 GPS Unit
Could the new Hammerhead Karoo 3 rival the latest from Garmin and Wahoo? Chipps certainly thinks so. Chipps: “I had the previous Karoo 2 unit for 18 months and this new version answers nearly every niggle I had with what was already my favourite computer…
Revealed: UK National Downhill Championships Calendar 2025
While the headline on the press release screams Fort William, many will be glad to see Revolution Bike Park on the calendar – after their closure for tree felling, this is surely going to be a boost to getting them back up and fully open.…
Fresh Goods Friday 735: The His Master’s Choice Edition
This week has seen us begin the annual onslaught of end-of-year looking backnesses. Kicking things off is our Editors’ Choice 2024 selections. Following on from this we’ll soon end the voting for the Reader Voted Singletrack Awards, so if you want to get your vote…
MegaSack Day 10: DT Swiss F1900 Wheelset
DT Swiss F1900 Wheelset Sold as the wheel for those with a tendency to smash, these are alloy wheels that will suit many riders. A good balance of strength and weight, offered at a great price, these have a 35mm external and 30mm internal width.…
Editors’ Choice 2024: Saracen Ariel 30 Elite
Saracen Ariel 30 Elite is yet another Ariel model from Saracen that looks the absolute bee’s knees. Literally. How does this yellow zinger handle the trails? Sometimes you get on a bike and find a million things to fiddle with and swap out before you…
Day 9: WIN this Lazer Chase Helmet worth £180
Lazer Chase Helmet This is a downhill certified full face helmet with Kineticore rotational impact protection built in. This is designed to reduce the effect of an impact on your brain while also reducing the impact of the helmet on the planet, by minimising the…
Editors’ Choice 2024: Worx HydroShot 56 Cordless Pressure Washer
The Worx HydroShot 56 has been a game changer for me, and is genuinely useful. Put it to the top of your new toys shopping list. In the Editors’ Choice Awards we highlight our standout bikes and products from the past year. These are the…
Stubble & Co Adventure Bag review
The Stubble & Co Adventure bag is designed to fit in most carry-on luggage situations, this 42 litre pack has a clamshell style opening, combining the best of suitcase and rucksack functionality. Is this the ultimate travel pack? Pros Cons If you’re a regular traveller…
Coming Soon: The Singletrack Forum Photography Competition 2024
It’s coming back! Last year’s inaugural Forum Photography Competition was so popular we’re going to do it again. No prizes, just internet points, good vibes, and the chance to smile at something nice on the internet. Here’s how it will all work – pay attention,…
Year Round Camping Now Available In Scottish Forests
If you’ve a fully equipped campervan with toilet, you can now camp year round in many if the car parks operated by Forestry and Land Scotland. Previously this has been a summer only affair, but that’s now been extended. Note the requirement for a toilet…