Barney Marsh takes the word ‘career’ literally, veering wildly across the road of his life, as thoroughly in control as a goldfish on the dashboard of a motorhome.
He’s been, with varying degrees of success, a scientist, teacher, shop assistant, binman and, for one memorable day, a hospital laundry worker. These days, he’s a dad, husband, guitarist, and writer, also with varying degrees of success. He sometimes takes photographs. Some of them are acceptable.
Occasionally he rides bikes to cast the rest of his life into sharp relief. Or just to ride through puddles. Sometimes he writes about them. Bikes, not puddles.
He is a writer of rongs, a stealer of souls and a polisher of turds.
He isn’t nearly as clever or as funny as he thinks he is.
Longterm Review: Is the 2018 RockShox Lyrik RCT3 the butteriest of them all?
For 2018, both Fox and RockShox have come out swinging with updates to their long-travel suspension forks: Fox with its new 36, and RockShox with the new Lyrik. Over the...
Singletrack Magazine Issue 118 : Last Word
barney marsh Train, Train Go Away Barney faces up to the inevitable: he’s not magically going to get fitter by doing nothing. It sits against one wall of the cellar,…
We Test & Review 3 Alloy Full Suspension Bikes That Prove Carbon Isn’t The Be-All, And End-All
Barney sets out to test three bikes made of metal, not plastic
Review: The £2199 YT Jeffsy AL One 29 Is One Of The Best Value Trail Bikes We’ve Ever Tested
The build kit on this bike is insanely good for the money
Who Needs Carbon? We Test & Review The 2018 Santa Cruz Tallboy Alloy R
Santa Cruz is best known for its carbon bling-wagons, but it makes bloody brilliant alloy frames too
Review: The 2018 Norco Sight A2 29er Shows Just How Good Alloy Mountain Bikes Can Be
Barney gives us his review of the alloy version of the 2018 Norco Sight 29er
Video: Barney Puts The Pedal To The Mettle In His Review Of This Brute Of A Bike
The Identiti Mettle is one of the new breed of UK-designed long travel enduro bikes, and it ain\'t no featherweight. Barney explains.
Review: Identiti Mettle GX Eagle
Identiti has gone all-in with the 160mm travel Mettle. Barney\'s been razzing about on one, and is ready to deliver his verdict.
Review: Specialized Butcher & Slaughter GRID 27.5×2.8 Tyres
When a Butcher and a Slaughter go plus sized, is there more fun, or more blood? Barney\'s been testing these 2.8in rubbers to find out.
A Right Old Pyrenees Up
Barney takes a trip way, way down South with his family - can mountain bike riding on a family holiday actually work?
Review: Cube Freeride Plus 20 Pack
Barney takes Cubes Freeride Plus 20 pack into the wilds of Calderdale for six months
Group Test: 29+ Mountain Bikes
We review three 29+ mountain bikes from Jones, Salsa and Trek. Are wagon wheelers here to stay? After this test, Barney certainly thinks so. There\'s more to this story But…
Review: Trek Stache 9.8
Trek has committed hard to the 29+ wheelsize with the Stache 9.8 - a carbon fibre trail hardtail built around 29x3.0in tyres and a 120mm travel fork
Review: Jones Plus 29+ Steel
With its slender steel frame, truss fork and unique geometry, the Jones Plus bike takes a very different approach to things.
Review: Troy Lee A1 MIPS Helmet
Barney comes over all beat poet. We don\'t think anything hit him on the head during the test…
Review: Bluegrass Tuatara Idro Body Armour
Barney stormtoopers up, but don\'t worry - his reviews are much more accurate than the average \'troopers marksmanship.
Singletrack Magazine issue 114: Shropshire
Barney heads off to Shropshire to try to answer a question which has been bugging him – why are there so many good riders from such a quiet county? Words…
Review: RockShox Reverb Stealth Dropper Post
Is the latest RockShox Reverb the best dropper post on the market? Barney notches up 15 months aboard his to deliver us his longterm review
Review: Maxxis Minion DHF 29 x 2.5in 3C DH Tyre
Is the 2.5in Minion DHF the burliest 29er tyre out there? At 1300 grams, Barney thinks so. But it\'s also one of the grippiest too
UK Exclusive: Cannondale Trigger Review
Barney gets his paws on the all-new Cannondale Trigger for an exclusive UK first ride review
Review: Trail Helmet Group Test
Looking for a trail helmet guide? Then check out Barney\'s feature on some of the top trail helmets from Giro, Bell, Met, POC, Smith, Lazer and more.
Intense launches new Primer 29er
Intense unveil their Prime cut of 29er juiciness
Review: Intense Primer 29 Factory
Intense\'s brand new Primer 29in trail slayer, given the full review treatment
Intense launches the ACV – carbon 27.5+ trailmonster
Intense get a full on chubby with the new ACV
Fresh Goods Friday 297
Fizzing Fresh Goods on a Friday, tinged with sadness as Barney hands the Megaphone of Truth back, before paddling off into the sunset
Fresh Goods Friday 296
It\'s that Friday feeling, lovingly served up with a steaming pile of hot Fresh Goods, just for you
Video: Glentress Seven 2016
The Tweedlove\'s flagship Endurance Race was a hoot this year - and here\'s the video to prove it. Warning: Chipps may be hot!
The Hope PMBA Enduro Series Northern Champs – report and video
Race report from a glorious Hope PMBA do in the lakes
New Fox Transfer Seatpost Announced
After a long wait, there\'s a new uppy-down post from Fox Racing Shox, with lots of lever options - and a Kashima-coated shaft!
Flare Clothing Co. Announces New Collection
UK MTB clothing brand\'s new duds for biking boys and girls everywhere