We gave a set of Mavic XA Elite wheels to our resident wheel destroyer to see just how durable they are
David Hayward
David started mountain biking in the 90’s, by which he means “Ineptly jumping a Saracen Kili Racer off anything available in a nearby industrial estate”. After growing up and living in some extremely flat places, David moved to Yorkshire specifically for the mountain biking. This felt like a horrible mistake at first, because the hills are so steep, but you get used to them pretty quickly.
Previously, David trifled with road and BMX, but mountain bikes always won. He’s most at peace battering down a rough trail, quietly fixing everything that does to a bike, or trying to figure out if that one click of compression damping has made things marginally better or worse. The inept jumping continues to this day.
Review: The Pace RC127+ Is A Steel Hardtail Designed Around New-School 2.6in Tyres
Yorkshire born and tested, we put the Pace RC127+ through its paces. Sorry.
This Cane Creek Helm Fork Is Dead Brilliant, But Is It Only For Experts?
The Helm possesses David's new favourite thru-axle system and an ingenious air-spring design that is unlike anything else on the market.
Can’t Ride? 7 Bike Videogames To Get Your Two Wheeled Fix
How can you ride bikes when not riding bikes? Videogames, of course
R-ZERO Day: Robot Bike Co. Unveil New Customisable Hardtail
After teasing it last week, the Robot Bike Company have sent us details of their first hardtail frame, coming early 2018
War In Washington: US Mountain Bike Groups In Bitter Feud Over Wilderness Access
There's a bill in the US Senate aimed at opening up wilderness access to mountain bikers, but the International Mountain Bike Association and the Sustainable Trails Coalition are in disagreement
Video: Watch Jeff Kendall-Weed Faceplant In Mexico
Some spectacular riding, plus plenty of entertaining fails, from Jeff's short work trip to Mexico
Follow Ash Smith, Trail Scouting For The Trans Provence In This Short Film
Part one of a beautiful short film, shot by Sam Needham, on the highs and lows of trail hunting in the French mountains
Has Belgian Company REIN4CED Hit On The Future Of Carbon Fibre?
This Belgian company are aiming to make much stronger frames by using hybrid materials
Canyon Relaunch Gravity Range – And It’s Not Just Downhill Bikes
Canyon are making big bikes with some clever features. Plus, they're launching their own component brand.
Enduro Racing Returns to “Scotland’s fjord land”
2018 Scottish Enduro Championships Announced for Kinlochleven
Faster Engagement Than Love Island! We Test And Review The Sub-£1000 RSP Calavera Carbon Wheelset
Using chunky carbon rims and a very buzzy freehub mechanism that's quicker than a Chris King hub, the RSP Calavera hoops make themselves noticed.
Want To Ride A Star Wars Speeder Bike For Real? Well You Can’t, But Here’s The Next Best Thing
This was technically possible with 1970's technology, but you'd have needed the Force just to steer
Is This Roval’s Strongest Carbon Wheel Yet? We Test & Review The Roval Traverse SL Fattie Carbon Wheelset.
Roval popularised hookless carbon rims, but how has the design evolved since then? We review the latest Traverse SL Fattie wheels to find out.
PUSH Launch Rockshox Coil Conversions, Plus Gorgeous Metric Shocks
PUSH coil conversions are here for Rockshox forks, plus brand new shock options
Review: Boyd Gives You A Carbon Upgrade With The Ridgeline Wheelset
Boyd Cycling created the Ridgeline as a tough, trail-ready carbon wheelset with J-bend spokes and brass nipples. They are very quick though.
Scottish Landowners Organisation Speaks Out Against Unsanctioned Trails
Landowners strike back at illegal trailbuilding - but who's liable for what?
Protected Land, Including Mountain Bike Trails, Under Threat In USA
Native American tribes launch legal action to protect ancient sites and wilderness
Two Sentenced For Selling £100K Of Stolen CRC Bike Parts
Two brothers have been sentenced for selling goods stolen from Chain Reaction Cycles. We hear the judge is into gavel bikes.
Uplifts To Restart With New Company At Innerleithen
Meet Vanny MacAskill, the new uplift van at Innerleithen
Video: Vincent Tupin In The Snow at Chatel Bikepark
Death-defying, or perhaps just separated-shoulder-defying riding in the snow
Intense Bikes Go Direct To Consumers In UK
Intense bikes change everything up in the UK, though are still working with distributor Saddleback
Video: Casey Brown and Cam McCaul CRASHING On Corbet’s Couloir
You've seen the highly polished edit, now watch the spectacular making of.
Chimp For Charlie: Fundraiser On December 14th
Evening event with former British Cycling coach Tim Buckle set to raise money for #RideForCharlie
Banff Mountain Film Festival Returns To UK For 2018
Mountain Film Festival returns for a second tour of the UK - with new locations
Meekboyz: Downhill Bikes For Kids, But With Grown Up Shocks
Kid-specific downhill bikes, built with components dads can nick
Niner Bikes: Bankrupt Then Bought In A Day?
Niner file for bankruptcy and a mysterious cabal of investors swoop. Plus, the reason Jungle stopped distributing them
Video: Ali Clarkson and Duncan Shaw vs. Freerunners
A thrilling compilation of, er, non-typical ways to take in the sights of Edinburgh
Video: Mountain Biking Down Corbet’s Couloir
Cam McCaul, Casey Brown, and pro skier Tim Durtschi go REALLY far off piste
Ride Sheffield To Get Royalties From MTB Guidebook Sales
This volunteer trail group are trying out a novel funding model
Kickstarter: Five Bike, a 28lb ebike?
This XC e-mountain bike built with Fazua's removable motor system is seeking funds
Video: LederBROsen – Danny MacAskill and Martin Söderström In Germany
Spoiler: they don't actually wear lederhosen, but you do get to see Danny razz his campervan on a test track
Commencal Launch Junior Cartel
Know any mountain bike racing obsessed kids? They might want to have a chat with Commencal
Scott Moves Into UK Online Sales – In Cooperation With Dealers
After trialling in Germany Scott have opened up UK online sales - keeping close ties with bricks-and-mortar retail
Interview: SussMyBike Inventor Alan Mason
Two years on from the Kickstarter launch, we caught up with SussMyBike to ask what's after Crowdfunding
Pole Bicycles Introduce CNC Milled Frames: The MACHINE
Pole ditched carbon fibre - and will be making new frames entirely from CNC milled parts
Shimano’s Deore XT Di2 2×11 Electronic Drivetrain Is From A Sci-Fi Movie
After six months of thrashing Shimano's latest electronic drivetrain in Calderdale's wet and muddy conditions, David gives us his verdict.
Interview: Chris Porter – On Losing And Then Finding His Mojo?
"Funny that the words Cooperation and Corporation are so similar and so different."
Northern Grip Festival Returns for 2018
Mountain bike festival coming back to Lee Quarry with all the pomp and glory you've come to expect
Last Bikes Refresh Coal for 2018
Last Bikes 160mm enduro machine gets some updates and improvements for next year
Video: Pelvic Sorcery From Joe Barnes And Co.
Joe Barnes leads the Fellowship Of The Party Rings in search of good times and good turns
Transcape Event To Allow Ebikes
Ebikes allowed on the Transcape event, "as long as they don't interfere with the racing"
NETCO Unveils Plan For New Aberdeenshire Trail Centre
Wheels are in motion for a new UK trail centre… with a chairlift?
Video: Stunning, Five Day Ride Along The Haute Route
Amazing views abound on this 112 mile epic across the Alps