Nice vid documenting the fork options of the Privateer 161 with Ferg Ryan. Some inspiring scenery and trails found in British Columbia on both a single- and dual-crown forks. Privateer Bikes: “Making the trip from the South of England, Fergus Ryan found himself in videographer…
Ben Haworth
185cm tall. 73kg weight. Orange Switch 6er. Saracen Ariel Eeber. Schwalbe Magic Mary. Maxxis DHR II. Coil fan.
The Grinder 157: Granite Quiver, Madison DTE jacket, Feedback Sports Pro HD Repair Stand and more
Tried and tested by the Singletrack Crew, gear to help you survive a day in the hills – or the workshop. Granite Design Quiver Tool Roll This is marketed as a next generation saddlebag, but I’ve not used as such because… well, as a mountain…
Scott Ransom: The Super Trail Bike
There’s a lot going on with the new Scott Ransom. But in a nutshell it is a mountain bike with 170mm of travel, progressive geometry, and a 6-bar rear suspension layout. The Scott Ransom comes with 29in wheels as standard, but if you fancy a…
Fresh Goods Friday 726: The Chain Damping Edition
No, it’s not called dampening. You can dampen something. You can damp something. But dampening is not a thing. Well, apart from a gerund or present participle verb. But it’s nowt to do with the restraining of vibratory motion. That’s quite enough from Dictionary Corner…
Readers’ Rides: Brian E’s Kona Process 153 DL
For this edition of Readers’ Rides, we dug one out from behind the sofa. Here’s Brian Evans’ “glorious purple” Kona Process 153 DL. Your Name Brian Evans Bike brand and model Kona Process 153 DL Fork Dt Swiss 535One Shock Fox DHX2 Suspension Set Up…
Fresh Goods Friday 725: The Enduro Wolsey Edition
Hello there little buddies! Welcome to the end of the week. We hope the week hasn’t treated you too badly. And if it has, go for a bike ride. It can only help. The good ship HMS Singletrack World has been struck down by a…
NBD: Starling Beady Little Eye, Carbon Wasp Truffle-120, Norco Sight VLT
A quick mop-up of a trio of the most interesting new bikes to land in our collective inbox this past few days. Something for everyone in this dirty triad. Starling Cycles press release: The Starling Cycles Beady Little Eye is BACK! The Beady Little Eye…
2025 Mountain Bike World Cup Series calendar revealed
7 months, 10 Downhill events, 10 Cross-country events and 7 Enduro World Cup rounds. Europe, North America and South America. WHOOP UCI MOUNTAIN BIKE WORLD SERIES 2025 CALENDARS Downhill Cross-Country Enduro Warner Brothers Discovery press release: WHOOP UCI MOUNTAIN BIKE WORLD SERIES 2025 CALENDAR UNVEILED…
Readers’ Rides: Roland L’s Curtis AM9
For this edition of Readers’ Rides, Roland Lovell shares his Curtis AM: “it was bound to happen eventually”. There’s not a whole lot of deep detail in this submission but we’re overlooking that this time because… well, look at it. It is Peak Hardtail Perfection.…
Fresh Goods Friday 724: The Elastomeric Edition
Welcome one and all to this week’s Fresh Goods Friday, so much better than Old News Monday. This edition brings you full circle. All will be revealed. On with the show! Bontrager G-Spike Team Issue Tyre ‘Tis the season. The Season Of Spike. Mud spike…
OneUp’s 1% Giveback reaches $1million donated
OneUp Components’ 1% Giveback Program has just ticked over $1 million dollars donated since 2013. As well as making arguably the best dropper post on the market, OneUp’s Giveback Program donates 1% of its revenue to environmental groups, bike charities and mountain bike trail associations…
And the best biking spot in the UK is… Cambridge?
New research from GoOutdoors claims to reveal the best mountain biking destinations in the UK. The Tweed Valley doesn’t make the cut. Swindon does. The study looked at factors such as the number of trails in each UK region, as well as the number of…
Lauf Elja is a 120mm single-pivot (without a Lauf fork)
Say hello to the new Lauf Elja. A full-suspension mountain bike from the brand you may know from the Lauf Seigla gravel bike and leaf-spring Lauf Grit forks. Lauf Elja in a nutshell Lauf press release in full: Lauf Elja is not a Minus-Bike* *Minus-Bikes…
Fox Live Valve Neo: more fast, less faff
The new version of Fox’s auto-adjusting suspension is here. And it claims to be 20 times quicker than its “closest competitor”. By “closest competitor” we’re going to take that as meaning RockShox Flight Attendant. Regardless of response speed, the aspect we’re most interested in is…
Readers’ Rides: Luke B’s Scott Spark
For this edition, Luke Bradley shares his Scott Spark: “they’re very popular and with good reason – it’s lightning fast.” Bike brand and model Scott Spark Why this bike? While some Singletrack Forum members will know me for riding up big Scottish mountains, I race…
Fresh Goods Friday 723: The Big Strapping Edition
We are a relatively broad church here at Singletrack World and this week’s Fresh Goods Friday is testament to such. Droppers ‘N’ strappers. Video ‘N’ rubber. Flatties ‘N’ sunnies. Let’s get it on! KS Lev Circuit Wireless Dropper Post We’ve been waiting a long time…
Our go-to winter riding apparel
We were asked to list one item of clothing that we always pick out of the pile for a wintery mountain bike ride. Here’s what we picked. Following on from our Make winter riding actually fun article from last year, we thought we’d slightly revisit…
Specialized Stumpjumper 15 Alloy announced
The very metal Specialized Stumpjumper 15 Alloy starts from £2,750 and yes, it has cable routing for mechanical drivetrains. We brought you the carbon fibre Specialized Stumpjumper 15 review a couple of months ago, so it will probably come as not a great surprise that…
Details of the new Santa Cruz Hightower 4
A quick look over the new Santa Cruz Hightower 4; a bit slacker up front, a bit longer out back but the main rejig is in the VPP rear suspension kinematic. Santa Cruz Hightower 4 bullet pointed Santa Cruz Bicycles press release: THE HIGHTOWER. MORE…
Fresh Goods Friday 722: The Autumn’s Done Come Edition
In case you missed the memo, it is now officially autumn. And yes, autumn does not get a capital letter. Even though it is every right-minded person’s favourite season. That’s just how it is. We don’t make the rules. We just enforce them. On with…
This is why you should have gone to The Merida EX Enduro
Those who know things know that The Merida Ex is probably the best enduro experience currently available in the UK. Next year then..? The Merida Ex Enduro press release: THE MERIDA EX ENDURO presented by Shimano: Race Report THE MERIDA EX presented by Shimano is…
New Gee vid alert! ‘Ridgeline V: Resistance’
Gee Atherton and his with the latest Ridgeline episode. Filmed in the frankly stunning surrounds of Engelberg-Titlis, Switzerland. Atherton Bikes press release: Gee: “From the start, the Ridgeline Series has been about taking mountain-biking to the limit… exploring what’s possible on a bike and creating…
Loudenvielle World Cup DH results, report and highlights vids
The DH World Series returned this weekend for the penultimate round of competition and the stakes couldn’t have been higher. RACE HIGHLIGHTS | Elite Women Loudenvielle UCI Downhill World Cup RACE HIGHLIGHTS | Elite Men Loudenvielle UCI Downhill World Cup DH World Cup Loudenvielle results: Elite…
Hattie Harnden and Richie Rude win Enduro World Cup Overall Titles
Harnden and Rude crowned Overall Title Winners in challenging conditions at final round of UCI Enduro World Cup in Loudenvielle-Peyraguides. Press release from ©️WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series: The finale of the UCI Enduro World Cup was billed as a battle royale with both…
Funn Upturn 55mm High Riser Handlebar review
How high is too high? We check out of these lofty 55mm rise Funn Upturn handlebars perform on the trails. The may be high but are they mighty? Pros Cons What is one indication that the bike industry has not yet reached ‘peak geometry’? What…
Fresh Goods Friday 721: The Stitching Up Edition
Good day to you all and welcome to this week’s edition of Fresh Goods Friday. The end is nigh. By ‘end’ we mean end of the year. Well, it’s not that nigh really. Unless you work in publishing or retail where, like us, you’re already…
DH World Cup Rd 6 – Loudenvielle – Preview & How to Watch
Are Vali Holl and Loic Bruni safe? Or do they still need to watch out for resurgent Tahnee Seagrave and Amaury Pierron? Here’s what to watch for this Sunday. Elite Women – Current standings Elite Men – Current standings What points are available? Position Qualification…
Fresh Goods Friday 720: The Chambréing Edition
Hello to each and every one you out there in Singletrackworldland! Well done for making it though yet another week on this planet we call Earth. To ease you into the weekend like a particularly graceful shoe horn, may we present unto you this week’s…
Deviate Highlander II review
Deviate Highlander II is pleasantly surprising. It’s a fantastic trail bike that’s easy to get to grips with and have a great day aboard. Pros Cons We were fans of the longer travel enduro flavoured Deviate Claymore, so much so that we awarded it an Editor’s…
Team GB squad for MTB World Champs (plus how to watch it for free)
The UCI MTB World Championships are next week, and Britain will be fielding a decent squad across the age groups in XC and DH. This year’s World Champs are taking place in Pal Arinsal, Andorra. There will be titles up for grabs in Cross-Country XCO…
Fresh Goods Friday 719: The Jewelled Skeleton Edition
The end is nigh! The end of summer holiday season that is. The Good Ship HMS Singletrackworld is back with a full crew and sailing the seven seas of… er, cycling? HIdden* in this edition of Fresh Goods Friday is the name of the lucky…
Santa Cruz Bronson Mk5 gets longer stays and lower anti-squat
The fifth generation Santa Cruz Bronson remains a 150mm travel mixed-wheel trail bike but gets longer rear centre and a reduction in anti-squat. Santa Cruz Bronson Mk5 in a nutshell Santa Cruz Bronson Mk5 geometry Santa Cruz Bronson Mk5 models UK pricing We have a…
The Grinder 156: Formula Cura X brake, OneUp Alu bar, MSR tent, Specialized Method shoe and more
Bits for your body, bike, and the happiness of those who share your shed. Formula Cura X Brakes First things first, these brakes aren’t as powerful as the SRAM Maven or the Hope Tech4 V4 (the latter still takes the Best Brake crown in my…
MB Wales recruiting Steering Group positions to develop MTB
Following the recent rebrand of Beicio Cymru, MB Wales has announced that recruitment is open to support the development of MTB in Wales. MB Wales press release: MB Wales is excited to announce the recruitment of new members for its Steering Group. The Steering Group…
Shimano commits $10 million to trail building projects
Shimano Trail Born Fund is a new initiative aimed at increasing and sustaining mountain bike trails and trail access around the world. TRAIL BORN SHIMANO is proud to announce its new Trail Born Fund, aimed at helping increase and sustain mountain bike trails and trail…
Readers’ Rides: Ally’s Resurrected Nicolai Saturn 14
For this edition, Ally Mitchell shares his “resurrected” Nicolai Saturn 14. What made him choose it? “Geometry and sizing mostly”. Bike brand and model Nicolai Saturn 14. Why this bike? What made me choose it? Geometry and sizing mostly, but I’d be lying if I…
Fresh Goods Friday 715 – The Bouncy Bouncy Edition
Hello and welcome to this week’s Eff Jee Eff. The seven hundred and fifteenth edition no less. Come aboard the Good Ship HMS SingletrackWorld as we set sail for shiny stuff. We don’t have any music videos for you today because this week has seen…
How to watch Olympic mountain biking this Sunday & Monday
Want to watch Olympic mountain biking but not sure when it’s on and who’s racing? Here’s a brief guide to everything you basically need to know. Women’s Cross-Country Sunday, July 28 12:10pm (UK) 36 racers Expected race duration: 1hr 30min – 1hr 45min (the number…
Say hello to the new Maxxis High Roller III
You may have seen the new Maxxis High Roller III on various World Cup DH racers, often obliquey referred to as the “intermediate” tyre. (Or just all-out named as the new High Roller by less careful vlogging racers!) UK SRP is £74.99 for the DH…
The new Specialized Status 2 starts from £3000
The new Specialized Status 2 is available in 170mm or 170mm DH option. M5 alloy frame, alloy wheels, stout suspension, powerful brakes.
Fresh Goods Friday 714 – The TMI Edition
Too Much Information. Can you ever have too much information? Almost certainly. In fact, TMI is pretty much The Modern World in a nutshell. We’re afraid we’re just going to go right on ahead and add to your information overload with this week’s Fresh Goods…
Fresh Goods Friday 713 – The Lasting Gasping Winning Edition
Welcome, welcome one and all (not you though) to the internet show your telly was made for: Fresh Goods Friday! Since last Thursday various teams who aren’t really used to winning, have been winning. Not that that includes us. Or you. We’ve always been winners.…
NBD: Flow eBMX, Trek Top Fuel, YT Decoy SN, Kona Process 153 & 134…
… Lapierre Spicy CF, Thok GRAM dk e-MTB frameset, Canyon TEMPR CFR shoes. It’s this week’s New Bike Day round-up! Trek Bikes press release: New Trek Top Fuel Gen 4 Top Fuel is a fast trail bike that’s more capable and forgiving than an XC…
Starling Cycles Mega Murmur review
The Starling Mega Murmur, as you may be able to guess by the name, is the bigger travel Murmur. 165mm of rear travel paired with 170mm travel forks up front. Pros Cons In a market that is utterly swamped with dual-link carbon fibre flavoured mountain…
Les Gets World Cup DH results, report and highlights vids
The fifth World Cup DH of the year took place in France. Here are the results, race report and highlights vids from a Les Gets miudbath. RACE HIGHLIGHTS | Elite Women Les Gets UCI Downhill World Cup RACE HIGHLIGHTS | Elite Men Les Gets UCI…
Fresh Goods Friday 712 – The Overlording It Up Edition
A new dawn, a new day, a new batch of bike bits for you to spoil your ballots over. Yes, there’s been a general election but we all know that Chief Lizard Charles is still the real power pulling the strings, don’t we? Don’t we?…
NBD: Merida Big Trail, Hutchinson Eco Tyre, DJI ebike motor…
… Amflow PL, SRAM T-Type expansion, SRAM DB8 brakes, Giant Revolt, TRP x Bosch E-Shift system, Manitou R8 fork and Mara shock, Orbea Rise Alloy, Schwalbe Clik Valve and Fizik One-To-One saddle tech. A big bunch of New Stuff that launched this week. Merida press…
Specialized Stumpjumper 15 Pro: first ride review
The 50th anniversary of Specialized brings us the fifteenth Stumpy: here's our early verdict on the Specialized Stumpjumper 15 Pro.
Fresh Goods Friday 711 – The Open All Hours Edition
This week we have mostly been casting our collective mind back to stuff we no longer have to do.
New Sonder Cortex trail bike launches today
The new Sonder Cortex trail is a short/mid travel trail - with 130mm at the back and 140mm fork up front - with bikes starting from £2,049.
NBD: Fox Purevue, Starling Mini Murmur, Garbaruk cranks…
... EXT Storia & Arma V4 shocks, Crankbrothers cleat tool, DT Swiss 1200 wheels, Magura Gustav Pro brakes. Here's the pick of the week's PRs