Chloe Taylor switches to the Privateer 161 for 2020 and has just completed this race-spec build ready to take on the EWS (whenever that might happen). Check out the full build below plus excellent photos by Martha Gill. I received my Privateer 161 just after…
Andi Sykes
Andi is a gadget guru and mountain biker who has lived and ridden bikes in China and Spain before settling down in the Peak District to become Singletrack's social media expert. He is definitely more big travel fun than XC sufferer but his bike collection does include some rare hardtails - He's a collector and curator as well as a rider. Theory and practice in perfect balance with his inner chi, or something. As well as living life based on what he last read in a fortune cookie Andi likes nothing better than riding big travel bikes.
Updated 2020 UCI World Cup Dates Announced
The UCI plans to hold 7 rounds of the World Cup this year kicking off in September with XCO and DHI races in Lenzerheide. The UCI is planning a 7 round World Cup of XCO and DHI races starting on 5th September and ending in…
Fresh Goods Friday 500! Happy Birthday To FGF!
It’s the five-hundredth Fresh Goods Friday! Wow! That means that it’s getting on for ten years of a weekly check of the things that have appeared in the office. Started way back when by the Mark and the great Jon Woodhouse, Fresh Goods Friday has…
Review: Únic Signature Series, custom riding kit for everyone!
Únic Wear offers riders quality riding kit, with custom design options for the same price as off the shelf brands. If you’re in the market for new clothing to take to the trails in then you’re in a pretty good position. These days, riding kit…
Únic Essential line cuts the cost of custom mountain bike kit but not the quality
Flamboyant Frenchman, Cedric Gracia, and the Únic team launch a new affordable way to get custom kit with the Únic Essential line. Andorran clothing brand, Únic, launched a range of custom mountain bike clothing earlier in the year, and with the help of Cedric Gracia,…
Stanton Bikes working on carbon swingarm prototypes for full-sus range!
Derbyshire based Stanton Bikes is working on a carbon swingarm for its range of steel full-suspension bikes. Stanton Bikes might be best known for producing steel and Titanium frames, but the Derbyshire based company is now dabbling in fantastic plastic. In Instagram posts from last…
It’s Friday? Again? | Fresh Goods Friday 499
It seems my rum recipe went down quite well last week, so I delved deeper into my drinks cabinet and made this fine concoction below. The theme this week is not Green Health Sauce, but Rouge Bitter Throat Lube. I had a craving for an…
The Last Tarvo is a super lightweight German enduro machine!
Last Bikes from Germany always pique our interest with unique bikes, and the super-lightweight Last Tarvo is no exception! Last Bikes is a German brand that consistently impresses me with the types of bikes that it releases. The first time the company grabbed my attention…
New TRP DH-R Evo disc brakes are powerful enough for a homemade Rampage
TRP has released 2 pairs of high-performance disc brake systems for both eMTB and DH applications, but are they powerful enough for a homemade Rampage? If you’re wondering what kept Fairclough in control while doing this the answer is massive amounts of skill, but we…
5-minute Bike Check: Isak Leivsson’s homemade steel downhill sled!
We had a chat to Isak Leivsson last week to give us details of his custom steel downhill bike that he made himself. We met Isak back at Fort William a few years ago where he was racing a prototype Pole downhill bike with the…
Kenda and Aaron Gwin launch the predictable and fast rolling Kenda Pinner Pro
The Kenda Pinner Pro is an all-new dry weather gravity tyre developed with the help of downhill legend Aaron Gwin for fast rolling and cornering performance. Aaron Gwin is well known for working with sponsors to develop products to his liking, so it’s hardly surprising…
Hope and Commencal are 3D printing PPE masks for hospitals
Commencal and Hope Technology have put aside printing prototypes to help 3D print PPE face masks for local hospitals. Although it’s a sad and crazy time, it has also been a time that has shown the cycling industry give back to the local community. During…
Must Watch! Allen Millyard talks us through the Millyard Racing 001 Downhill Bike!
Allen Millyard, the man behind the Millyard Racing 001 downhill bike, has just released a video talking about this revolutionary machine and we’re geeking out! The Millyard Racing 001 Downhill Bike was one of the most revolutionary downhill bikes of its time, actually, it’s still…
Tahnée Seagrave starts a YouTube channel with Kaos vs Kade game of B.I.K.E
Tahnée Seagrave has used recovery and lockdown time to start her own YouTube, kicking the channel off with a Kaos vs Kade game of B.I.K.E video. With racing out of the window for the present time many pro riders are looking at other ways to…
Looking for the ultimate tyre lever? CushCore releases the Bead Dropper
Thought you had the best tyre lever on the market? Well, think again as CushCore releases the Bead Dropper, the ‘Ultimate Tyre Lever’! CushCore tyre inserts are a great addition to any bike, but unless your a wizard with your fingers and thumbs they can…
The sexy, steel The Full Moxie costs £200 less in pre-order offer
Pipedream Cycles has launched a pre-order special offer where customers can save £200 of the cost of their new steel full-suspension frame. It might be Friday, the sun might be shining, but we know there are a few people out there who just need a…
Fresh Goods Friday 497 | Funn in the sun, gravel and rainbows
Fresh Goods Friday 497 drops with rainbow, gravel bikes, Funn and Granite components, plus a new big travel enduro frame that’s affordable! Yes, there’s a whole pile of exciting stuff below, but nothing is as exciting as the cover of the next issue of Singletrack.…
Video: Andi’s Custom Commencal Meta AM 29 SRAM Edition Bike Check!
We might not be able to test a lot of gear during lockdown, but the fresh kit keeps pouring in meaning Andi has customised his Commencal Meta AM 29 with 2021 forks and more fresh test kit. Who knows when the lockdown might be finally…
Joe Smith Joins Vitus Bikes for 2020
Great news for Joe Smith who has successfully signed for Vitus Bikes for 2020, riding DH, Enduro and eMTB bikes from the brand. Press Release Follows We are excited to announce that Joe Smith will be joining the Vitus family. One of the UK’s most…
COMMENCAL Media Crew: Chapter one – Jb Liautard
Commencal’s Media Crew has been on the seen shooting pros and products over the past few years, in this article we get to meet one of their media artists, JB Liautard. I’ve been working closely with COMMENCAL for the last 3 years, traveling around the…
Someone smashed Steel City Downhill and Peaty is Pissed!
If you go down to the woods today then you might be in for a surprise, or at least Steve Peat was this weekend when he found his local DH spot trashed! Steve Peat’s local downhill, the venue for the Steel City Downhill, has been…
First look: YT IZZO a trail bike from the masters of gravity
YT Industries is known for aggressive gravity bikes, but the new YT IZZO signs a departure from the norm and we’re loving it. I don’t know about you, but when I think of YT Industries, I visualise downhill racing, freeride legends, enduro and trail bikes,…
Fresh Goods Friday 496 | Beech Nuts and Beach Nuts
Ah, without so many cars, step outside and there is the sound of the breeze, the birds and…JET WASHING? What are you all cleaning? Surely there can be nothing left, no trace of algae, moss, or mud? Are you trying to erode your patio? Distress…
Videos: Rattle cans and nose bonks watch Joe Barnes Lockdown Bites
We’re all handling the lockdown in different ways and for Hazzard Racing rider, Joe Barnes that means creating a whole new series of vlogs. Not being able to get out and ride like we normally do has been pretty hard on a lot of us,…
2021 Fox 34 GRIP 2 and new Transfer dropper post announced
Fox Spring back into action after the Easter break with a new Fox 34 GRIP 2 and important updates to the Fox Transfer dropper post. Fox 34 GRIP 2 With the ever-growing popularity in ‘down country’ bikes, or in other words, lightweight and capable trail…
Fresh Forks Friday 495 | 4 new bouncy forks in time for Spring!
Hey, listen up! We know we had to remind you last week when it got to Friday, but now it’s Friday again and you should know that it’s Friday, because you’re sat at home, enjoying some time off – so, completely different to last week……
First Look | Pipedream Cycles The Full Moxie Is Sexy Steel Stunner
British based bike brand, Pipedream Cycles, introduced the world to the The Full Moxie this week and we’ve snapped up an early look at one of the first bikes off the production line. COVID-19 Announcement – This is a first look only, I did not…
2021 RockShox Lyrik Ultimate | First Ride Review
Can a few internal tweaks make this updated 2021 RockShox Lyrik Ultimate even better than it already was? First ride review right here. COVID-19 Notice – We were lucky that the Lyrik arrived just ahead of lockdown, and were able to get a few rides on them.…
2021 RockShox Lyrik rides higher and performs better thanks to 2 simple upgrades.
With a new Debonair air spring, the 2021 RockShox Lyrik is easier to live with and better on the trail, but best of all the upgrade is backwards compatible. We all like innovation and change, but not when it means we have to dump something…
Video: Jordi Cortes take us for a tour of the Fox 38 GRIP2 Damper
Fox team manager, Jordi Cortes opens up the new Fox 38 GRIP2 damper to explain VCC. If you saw our coverage of the new 2021 Fox 38 earlier in the week then you might remember that the fork features VVC (Variable Valve Control) for both…
Microshift Advent X is a 10 speed 11-48 drivetrain with no new standards and low weight
The all-new Microshift Advent X is a simple large range groupset for riders not wanting new standards and delicate setup. Microshift has announced a new drivetrain that they’re calling the Advent X. Like all modern drivetrains, it uses a 1x system, but that’s about as…
First Look: Fox 38 everything you need to know and first look video
The Fox 38, a fork we have all long suspected, and one that is now finally official! Here is our first look at the beefiest single crown Fox fork on the market. Fans of the EWS won’t be shocked to see the new Fox 38…
Keep Fit | The Gowaan Gals 20min HIIT Lockdown Workout
EWS racer Chloe Taylor teams up with the Gowaan Gals to help you keep fit at home with this 20min lockdown workout. It takes a lot of motivation in this time of uncertainty for us to stay healthy and active, that’s why I’ve partnered up…
Sea Otter Europe Gets a new date 25-27th September
Sea Otter Europe gets new dates in September after originally being scheduled for May 2020. If might feel like that this epidemic is only just starting, but events are still aiming to go ahead as normal albeit at a later date. The European leg of…
Video: Quarantine Suspension Q&A with Fox’s Jordi Cortes
Fox Racing’s suspension supremo, Jordi Cortes, sits down for a quarantine suspension Q&A in the latest episode of Dialed. We’re gutted that we won’t be rummaging through Jordi’s drawers at Fort William this year to uncover secret springs, but even though we won’t see him…
The Alutech Armaggedon is the grimmest donut we’ve ever seen
What has a 57-degree head angle, 81-degree seat angle and 500mm reach that isn’t the Grim Donut? So yeah, apparently there’s an ultra-radical bike out there that a website built for clicks (dammit I wish we could do that), but we’re not interested in that…
10 Mountain Bike Movies To Stream During Lockdown
We’ve put together links of 10 mountain bike movies to steam during lockdown. New skool, old school, jibs, docs and even some BMX. Ok so we can’t get out for a proper ride, and an hour of Zwift doesn’t quite get the adrenaline going, but…
Hope Technology temporarily suspends production due to Covid-19
Hope Technology has just announced that it will be temporarily suspending production due to Covid-19. Hope Technology has made the decision to suspend production at its facilities in the UK due to the ongoing Covid-19 epidemic. Hope will initially close for 3 weeks and then…
Granite Design STASH Multi-Tool Review – A Mini tool that slides in a tube
Granite Design’s STASH multi-tool is an in head tube solution to trail tool convenience, and it’s easy to fit and cheap to buy. It’s easy to go out for ride have a mechanical and then realise you haven’t got a multi-tool with you. Well, at…
Backyard bikeparks and Chameleons this is what the pros do in lockdown part 2
We catch up with what the pros are up to while keeping at home during the lockdown, but we can’t decide if we’d rather play with a chameleon or be more like Akrigg. Greg Minnaar Chris Akrigg Nigel Page Richard Gasperotti Loose Dog Lewis Jack…
Did YT just leak a new bike in their message about the Covid-19 lockdown?
YT Industries posted a video yesterday to stress the importance of following lockdown rules, but in the making of it, they’ve leaked a new YT model not yet on sale! The Live Caged video from YT features YT’s founder, Markus Flossmann and CTO Chris Hilton,…
Monkeys Sauce starts production of Hydroalcoholic Gel for hospitals
French company Monkeys Sauce has shifted production from sealant and bike cleaning products to manufacture Hydroalcoholic Gel for hospitals. It’s at times like these that we’re proud to be part of the mountain bike community, and as the world goes into lockdown, athletes, brands and…
Steve Peat releases “Won’t Back Down” the full movie for free
Prefer downhill to Disney + ? Then sit back and watch the excellent “Won’t Back Down” full film for free thanks to Peaty! To help with your isolation and hopefully keep you in your houses, we have decided to put “Won’t Back Down “ online…
2020 Fort William World Cup Cancelled
We all knew it was going to happen, but it has finally been made official. The 2020 Fort William World Cup has been cancelled. It’s hardly a surprise, but it is now official. The 3rd round of the 2020 Downhill World Cup at Fort William…
BTR is working on the Mk2 Gasser Steel full-suspension frame
Fans of steel full-suspension frames have got plenty to choose from, but fans steel DH bikes might want to take a look at the BTR Gasser Mk2. BTR might be best known for UK hardtails and the Pinner full-suspension bike, but a few years ago…
This is what the pros do when they self-isolate
What do the pros do when they can’t race, or go out to train during the Coronavirus shutdown? Well, some train and others go bonkers! Josh Bryceland – Gravel jibbing Alex Marin – Indoor DH race runs Loic Bruni – Instagram Live Spin Classes Yoann…
Break the self-isolation boredom with Loic Bruni’s Instagram Live Spinning Class
Join Loic Bruni in an Instagram Live spinning class tomorrow and take a break from all the Covid-19 bad news. There is a lot to like about Loic Bruni. He has the same birthday as me, which makes him awesome, he is insanely good on…
Coronavirus | Here’s a list of the bike parks that are open and closed
UPDATE: Please do not travel to any bike parks during the outbreak. Please follow guidelines to self isolate if you have symptoms or social distancing if you do go out. Do not ride in groups and do not take risks on your bike.
Lake Garda Festival Postponed to July 24-26
The Riva Bike Festival at Lake Garda has announced that the event has been postponed until the end of July. Due to the fast-changing situation with COVID-19, we, unfortunately, have to reschedule the FSA BIKE Festival in RIVA. Our top priority is the health and…
Review | Shimano SLX M7120 4 pot power for pennies
Andi bolted a pair of the Shimano SLX M7120 4 Pot brakes to a heavy eMTB and pointed it downhill to see if these mid-range stoppers are up to the job. Shimano SLX has long been my go-to groupset over the years, and now that…
Video: Tommy Zula can ride anything and everywhere effortlessly
If the Coronavirus isn’t making you sick then watching this epic short video of Tommy Zula surely will… Or maybe it will just inspire you to get out and ride! Wait… you don’t know how Tommy Zula is?… Ok, this guy became the first-ever World…