The ongoing shortage of bikes and parts continues to affect us all. Whether you are looking for a new bike or just trying to keep your existing bike(s) running the global shipping crisis and the insanely long lead times forced on the world’s manufacturers by…
Mark Alker
Mark has been riding mountain bikes for over 30 years and co-owns Singletrack, where he's been publisher for 25 years. While his official title might be Managing Director, his actual job description is "whatever needs doing" – from wrangling finances and keeping the lights on to occasionally remembering to ride bikes for fun rather than just work. He's seen the sport evolve from rigid forks to whatever madness the industry dreams up next, and he's still not entirely sure what "gravel" is. When he's not buried in spreadsheets or chasing late invoices, he's probably thinking about his next ride.
What Ever Happened To Animal? The Animal to Elliot Brown Podcast
If you’ve ever wondered what happened to Animal, that brand from that 90’s that made trendy watch straps and steel watches for the outdoorsy types, then this podcast will provide the answer. Chipps talks to Animal founder Ian Elliot about those Animal beginnings and how…
Updated: Red Bull Hardline Qualifiers Cancelled Due To High Winds
It’s just been announced that the qualifying stage of the Red Bull Hardline event currently underway in Wales has been postponed due to high winds. The very brief release reads… Due to the current levels of wind on site, the decision has been made to…
EarShots – first look and giveaway of these magnetic earphones for riders
Listening to tunes while you ride is a contentious topic. Even if we put aside the arguments about safety if you ride with traffic there’s still the purist POV about distracting yourself from the nature around you. But the thing about arguments is that by…
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…
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…
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…
The story behind Troy Lee Designs A3 Helmet – The Stikman Interview
Last week Troy Lee Designs launched its new open face trail helmet complete with impressive list of features. Andi has had one on his head for a few weeks now and you can get his first impression thoughts right here.. This week Chipps caught up…
BREAKING: Mum to be, Rachel Atherton in car crash (She’s fine)
Multi World Cup DH winner, Rachel Atherton, who recently announced her pregnancy, posted on Instagram pictures of her written off VW Camper van after a collision with an oncoming driver that sent her and partner Olly down an embankment. The pair were shaken up but…
Fresh Goods Friday 540 – The We’re Coming Up On 20 Edition!
Normally here it is customary to include some waffle and some wibble about whatever is happening in the world. But a) we’ve no idea what’s happening in the world because we haven’t been out in it and b) we’re way too distracted by the prospect…
Maxxis Shorty Gen 2 – An updated spikey tyre for mud and extreme dust
Ever popular for UK wet weather trail, downhill, or enduro riding, the mid-spike Maxxis Shorty is getting an update. It’s also apparently suitable for ‘extreme dust’, but unless there’s room to ride under your bed, we’re not sure where in the UK such conditions could…
Untold British history of mountain biking hits 1 million views
The feature length documentary, Mountain Biking, The Untold British Story, charts the history of the mountain bike viewed from a British perspective. Through interviews and rides with many of the key personalities and companies who were part of the scene back in the late 80’s…
Bike Shop Thieves Strike Twice – Again!
It’s the second time this week that we find ourselves reporting on a bike shop being broken into for the second time in a month. This time it’s Cycle Gear in Halifax – a local bike shop with online retail outlet. During the last break…
Staff Bike Test: Hannah’s Stooge MK4
This article was first published in Issue 129 of Singletrack Magazine. Sometime during high school I had an epiphany: the cool kids were always going to think I was a freak – so I may as well give up trying to fit in and just…
Propain Statement – Covid/Brexit Update Prices Rising
With each day that passes it seems we are hearing about more businesses that are affected by the perfect storm of COVID and Brexit. We’ve had announcements and updates from Cotic, we’ve also talked about many of the new rules and problems in our Podcast.…
Editor’s Choice Awards 2020 – Mark’s Picks
First published in Singletrack Magazine Issue 134. It’s been a ‘special’ year, for sure, but the sun has continued to come up and bikes have still been ridden. We’ve perhaps not been to as many far-flung places (even in the UK) as usual, but that’s…
Cotic iron out EU export details – Prices go up
Last week Cotic informed their customers that they were temporarily suspending EU deliveries of bikes and frames until they could sort out exactly how much it was going to cost to send bikes across the new trade border between the EU & UK. It definitely…
Cotic suspend EU deliveries over question around what constitutes a British product
Are bikes ‘made’ by Cotic that consist of frames built in Taiwan actually British products? That’s the question that Cy at Cotic is grappling with right now (as well as many other British based manufacturers) and until that question is answered Cotic have suspended orders…
The Mega Sack winner is…
The draw happened. Live. On Youtube at 7pm New Years Day. Were you there? Watch the video again to see if you won. Also, there was some extra draws we had to get out of the way. There were winners from days 31, 32 &…
Top 10 Singletrack Podcast episodes of 2020
In 2020 we relaunched our podcast. Relaunched, because according to the Singletrack Magazine Wikipedia entry we were the first mountain bike media to have a podcast way back when podcasts were first a thing in the early noughties. Back then our podcasts were simply recordings…
Singletrack Podcast – The legendary Charlie Kelly episode
Whether you believe that mountain biking started on the slopes of Mount Tam, or the forests of the Pacific Northwest, or some muddy fields in the UK, the term ‘Mountain Bike’ was first recorded when Gary Fisher and Charlie Kelly registered the name of their…
Christmas Countdown Day 27 – The Squire Inigma BL1 Smart Lock
Welcome to Day 27 of our big Goodbye to 2020, Hello to 2021, Advent/Christmas/New Year Daily Countdown Giveaway. Today, as with every day in our GHACNYDCG, you have two chances to win. Let’s see what it is today. Squire Inigma BL1 Smart Bike Lock A…
Christmas Countdown Day 26 – TRP Slate Brakes
Welcome to Day 26 of our big Goodbye to 2020, Hello to 2021, Advent/Christmas/New Year Daily Countdown Giveaway. Today, as with every day in our GHACNYDCG, you have two chances to win. Let’s see what it is today. TRP Slate T4 Brakes Price: £300 From:…
Christmas Countdown Day 25 – Effetto CafeLatex complete tubeless kit
Welcome to Day 25 of our big Goodbye to 2020, Hello to 2021, Advent/Christmas/New Year Daily Countdown Giveaway. Today, as with every day in our GHACNYDCG, you have two chances to win. Let’s see what it is today. Name of Product Price: £191 From: upgradebikes.co.uk…
Christmas Countdown Day 24 – Thomson Bar & Stem
Welcome to Day 24 of our big Goodbye to 2020, Hello to 2021, Advent/Christmas/New Year Daily Countdown Giveaway. Today, as with every day in our GHACNYDCG, you have two chances to win. Let’s see what it is today. Thomson Elite 800mm bar & stem combo…
Canyon suspends UK order shipments blaming Brexit uncertainty
The Canyon website today had a message for all UK based customers via a banner at the top of the home page. “We’ve temporarily paused shipments to the UK…” canyon.com Clicking the message takes visitors to a page of explanation that includes… ..”The UK’s Brexit…
Knolly asks for Jury to decide on alleged Intense patent breach
Not a lot of details at this stage as both parties are perhaps understandably keeping quiet and digesting the ramifications of the court filing made on Monday. But, as reported by Bicycle Retailer and Industry news Knolly, based out of Vancouver, Canada, has filed a…
Christmas Countdown Day 8
Welcome to Day Eight of our big Goodbye to 2020, Hello to 2021, Advent/Christmas/New Year Daily Countdown Giveaway. Today, as with every day in our GHACNYDCG, you have two chances to win. Let’s see what it is today. Niterider Lumina 1800 and Sabre 110 Light…
FGF 527 – Don’t Expect Sense, We Have SNOW
SNOW! Snow snow snow snow snow. That is all we care about. SNOW! Come coat the hills in your fluffy white glory, hide the daily trappings of human occupation, and briefly let us all pretend that the world is beautiful and calm and quiet and…
Knolly Chilcotin joins the Vancouver based bike co. line up
Last year, when we could go places and ride, I spent a week riding the trails in and around Whistler’s bike park on a Knolly Warden. That was a 27.5 long travel big trail bike. Today, Knolly have launched the Chilcotin, which is like a…
Singletrack Podcast | The one where a bloke jumps out of a helicopter
Where do I start with the rambling introduction to this week’s episode? It has to be one of the most random introductions we’ve ever recorded. Chipps joins the professionals and Charlie reckons we have something to learn as mountain bikers from the flying fish bloke…
What’s the deal with the Atherton Bikes Ltd share issue CrowdCube campaign?
If you have been following the journey of the Athertons and how they are spreading their pro wings beyond just mere racing and into a number of businesses over the last year or two then you will be aware that you currently have an opportunity…
DMR V11 pedals scrutinised, ridden and then opened up
There’s a general assumption that if a pedal isn’t made of metal then it must be made of plastic. Sometimes even carbon gets insulted by being referred to as plastic. These new DMR V11 pedals are not aluminium and they are not plastic. They are…
Best bike over £4.5k | Singletrack reader Awards 2020
This category is our traditional collection of money no object bikes, colloquially known as the Bike Porn category. Imagine if price was no longer a barrier for you, what would you choose to ride? Here our the finalists for that award for 2020. Salsa Spearfish…
Classic Ride 133 – Nan Bield
Nan Bield Pass Lake District local James Vincent shows us just why this is epic day out is considered a true classic ride. Words & Photography James Vincent “Switchback” Noun: A path, road, or railway that forms very sharp bends from one direction to almost…
Vancouver to Whistler in 30 minutes via high speed train? There’s a plan for that
Ok, at the moment it’s a ‘proposal’ for a post covid-19 recovery plan for the south BC area and the plan is designed to allow for the affordable expansion in to the suburbs around Vancouver for the expected 1 million extra inhabitants by 2050. But…
5 ways to fix riding problems using zip ties, glue and video at double speed… wtf?
Having problems riding and turning your head to see what’s behind you? Just use a coat-hanger and a big badge to fashion a rear view mirror and attach it to your head so you can only see ahead with one eye. Think we are being…
Afan Forest Park Added to Welsh Lockdown Areas
Updated 28 September following addition of further areas including Afan to the lockdown zones. The Welsh Government has introduced a number of local lockdown areas in an effort to combat COVID-19 and reduce local infection rates. The measures are more stringent than those in place…
FGF 517 Podcast | The episode where Amanda and Chipps try and cheer up grumpy Hannah
This week Hannah is really grumpy, but so is Amanda. Chipps is never grumpy though. Will his eternal chirpiness help or hinder the situation? Worth listening right past the final outro for the Radio 2 shout out that Chipps got for being nice.
Sonder Signal ST NX First Look & Ride
Launched in August the Sonder Signal ST is essentially a steel version of their existing Signal Ti model - that's Ti = titanium of course. You can check out Andi's Signal Ti review here. In that review Andi's large test bike had a reach of…
Bike Park Wales closes again due to latest Welsh lockdown
The latest lockdown restrictions have once again hit Bike Park Wales hard. The latest Welsh government rules on the pandemic have resulted in the team having to close the gates and issue the following statement on their Facebook page.. We are devastated to announce that…
FGF 516 Podcast | The rapid weight loss episode
Chipps, Andi and Hannah meet up for a virtual discussion on the best ways to lose weight off your bike, including whether you should even care at all how much your bike weighs.
Giant Trance X Advanced Pro 29 | Adjustable Geo, Fox Live Valve, More travel, more words
The Giant Trance has a long history, being launched way back in 2005 – In fact this year’s models represent the 9th generation of this bike. The Trance has always been a bike suited to the general purpose rider and even though this year it…
Latest North East UK Lockdown | How this affects mountain bikers
From Midnight tonight (Thursday 17th September) if you live or travel to the North East of the UK you are likely to experience enhanced lockdown restrictions that mean your plans might have to change. The new lockdown rules make it illegal to socialise with anyone…
FGF Podcast 515 | Riding in the UK vs US & Rude YouTube comments
It’s another three way chat this week. Mark and Hannah are joined by regular contributor Fahzure (AKA Kevin) to talk about his 2 month long experience of riding in the UK before he heads back to the US this week. So, what are the differences…
Singletrack Podcast 514 | The why won’t the rear mech just die episode
We’ve been away for a couple of weeks while many of the Singletrack podcast team were on holiday. But we are back now and we’ve recorded a bit of a three way ramble about bikes, events, Red Bull Rampage and how grownups don’t play enough…
2021 Mondraker Podium Carbon frame weighs less than a cup of coffee
Today we have yet another hardtail launch – The Mondraker Podium Carbon. I mean, what is it with hardtails right now? They are everywhere and yet if you try buying one you find they are nowhere. Demand for all bikes as at fever pitch levels…
Join The Singletrack Zwift Race Series This Autumn
Off the top, we claim no credit for this – we’d never be this organised – but forum regular robbo1234biking has started a thread on our forum inviting you to join in an Autumn Singletrack Zwift race series complete with clever algorithm to level things…
Singletrack Podcast 510 | The Chris Porter EXT Fork & Politics Rant Episode
We’ve missed a week of Podcasts due to summer holidays and the fact that only Hannah really understands how to organise this side of editorial production. However, Mark has managed to roundup Chipps and Andi to talk about the latest developments in the MTB UK…
Specialized Status First Look | All new, all mountain, affordable trail bike
Today we can, finally, tell you about the new Specialized Status – a bike we’ve had under us for the past two months. Since the ‘launch’ campaign for this bike has been going on since May you may in fact already be familiar with this…
Crank Brothers Stamp 2 & 3 Pedal Competition Winners
A few weeks ago we introduced you to the new Crank Brothers Stamp pedal range and asked you a simple question to check you were paying attention. If you missed the chance to win the pedals you can still find out all about them here.…