Your award winners at the 2019 Singletrack Reader Awards, revealed. This year’s award finalists, bike industry dignitaries, Singletrack Lifetime Subscribers and bike industry undignifieds were welcomed to Hebden Bridge’s Trades Club for an evening of Indonesian food, refreshing beers, and – of course – trophies.…
Hannah Dobson
More than bikes, I like what bikes do. I think that they link people and places; that cycling creates a connection between us and our environment; bikes create communities; deliver freedom; bring joy; and improve fitness. They're environmentally friendly and create friendly environments.
Moab | 50 Years of the Slickrock Trail
It’s 50 years since the Moab Slickrock Bike Trail was established and this documentary has been produced to mark the occasion. Tracing its history back to the late 1960s, when motorbikes and early jeeps first started venturing out into the petrified sand dunes around Moab…
Fresh Goods Friday 465 | 3 Bikes, Maximum Waffle
Did you vote in the Reader Awards? Well, it’s too late if you didn’t – you’ve lost your democratic right to pick your favourite. Next week there will be some pro-rogueing, with Chipps donning his nattiest of outfits to present the awards to all the…
Updated: Big Pile Of Sick! Names revealed!
In another twist in the tale of Sick Bicycles, a batch of frames built for Sick is about to go on sale – as On One branded frames. When we heard the rumour last week that a builder in Taiwan had built a batch of…
Fresh Goods Friday 464 | The Back To School Edition
All the kids are back at school. The kids in Scotland – who have been back for weeks – are already looking forward to half term. The teachers in England are already looking forward to half term. Daytime gin consumption is suddenly reducing. Soft play…
Last Chance To Subscribe! Singletrack Issue 127
We’re still wearing shorts, despite the unsightly nettle rash (they do get more concentrated as the summer goes on, we’re sure of it). Each day the socks are getting a little longer and a little woolier, and eventually we’ll be force to admin that it’s…
Rudy Project Keyblade Photochromic Glasses – Multipurpose frames for many light levels.
Launched today are the latest 2020 products from Rudy Project, including these new Rudy Project Keyblade frames with photochromic lenses, which we picked up at a preview at Impact Sun Valley, Idaho earlier this summer. Rudy Project has a background in road and triathlon, though…
Who Is Bicycle Pubes? We Chat To The Instagram Star
If you’ve not yet discovered the frankly bizzare and often hilarious Instagram account BicyclePubes yet then you are missing out on a whole heap of bike industry parody and satire wrapped up and delivered by the power of memes, hairy balls, and poop. We ‘despatched’…
Fresh Goods Sunday 462 – Four Bikes
The doorbell has barely rung this week, which is just as well because the skeleton staff we have here are quite tired enough without running up and down the stairs too. Tower life has its disadvantages, and with even our very own Rapunzel off her…
Crankbrothers Reveals New Highline Dropper Post Ranges
More length and different girths – new Crankbrothers Highline dropper range options revealed. When he reviewed the Crankbrothers 160mm Highline dropper post last year, reviewer James Vincent said ‘this is hands down the best dropper post I’ve ever used, and the 160mm drop is a…
Fresh Goods Friday 461 | Tangerine Dream & The Wasp Factory
We are all feeling like we have had a very lucky escape. We’ve just opened to the door to our studio and discovered hundreds and hundreds of wasps. Luckily, they were almost all dead. But it is all a bit weird. We should have expected…
Video | What can a MTBer do to help our planet?
What can a mountain biker do to help our planet? It’s a difficult question with uncomfortable answers, but an easy one is #DitchDisposables Rémy Métailler has produced a video asking ‘What can a mountain biker do to help our planet?’. It’s a bit of a…
Tales of The Unexpected | A Bicycle Commute Short Story
Hannah rides to work, and has another of those moments that remind you why taking the bike will always trump hopping in the car. I’ve not ridden the proper off road route to work for a while. A combination of logistics and a poorly knee…
Video | Dudes of Hazzard – STEALIN’ axles and HOOKIN’ turns!
Take a break and enjoy this video from the Dudes of Hazzard. From the land of dry cake and wicked trails, the Dudes of Hazzard bring us another fun video of roost and giggles. Shot in Madeira, it’s the usual mix of messing around on…
9 Highlights From the Cube 2020 Bike Range
After viewing hundreds of bikes and accessories at the Cube 2020 Dealer Show, Hannah brings you her pick of the Cube 2020 Bike Range. After a couple of weeks of revealing its 2020 range to its network of dealers and distributors, Cube is now ready…
First Look | Cube Stereo 170 – big travel, small price tag
For 2020 Cube has introduced a new big bike, the Stereo 170. With 29 inch wheels and 170mm of rear travel, it’s a bike for fast and steep descents, with enduro aspirations. The Stereo 170 will come in two variations: a coil shock equipped 170…
US Custom Builder Sklar Introduces Sweet Spot – for those with deep pockets.
US custom frame builder Adam Sklar introduces an off-the-peg steel do-it-all hardtail. Perhaps better known for custom made titanium and steel mountain bikes and all-road bikes, US builder Sklar Bikes is going a little more mainstream with a stock build, trail-focused mountain bike: the Sklar…
Interview | Zack Rundell: ‘Mountain Biking Saved My Life’
Hannah chats to Zack Rundell, the U.S. high school mountain biking success aiming to inspire others to let bikes change their lives. While out in Idaho I attended a ‘Draft Meet Up’ – a community event combining beer and bikes, where locals and visitors get…
Exclusive! Sneak Peek | Prototype FS Enduro Bike From Privateer Bikes
Your first chance to check out the new prototype Privateer 161 FS Enduro Bike From Privateer Bikes. You might have heard of The Rider Firm.CC, the parent company behind Hunt Wheels, Cairn Bikes and Dissent 133 clothing. There’s another spawn…er…spawning in the form of Privateer…
FGF 458 | Not Very Fresh, Quite Humid and Slightly Flaccid Goods Friday
We have been wondering what might be the worst job to have in a heatwave. We’re torn between the reprographics room in an office, or grill chef in a kitchen. It’s certainly not us. While we have definitely been melting in the office as we…
Bike Check | Andy’s Stooge MK4
We pause on a ride to fondle the new Stooge MK4, a rigid framed steel bike. In case you’re not already aware, Singletrack Towers is based in what is probably the greatest valley in England: the Calder Valley. Steep climbs and descents, rolling moorland and…
Stay Cool! 5 Top Heatwave Tips For Mountain Bikers
We bring you our top tips for beating the heat and keeping cool while pedalling. Yes, there’s a heatwave. And yes, this article was born from a heat induced stream of consciousness while we sat around in the office eating emergency ice cream and Gin…
Vote In Our Poll | What Do You Look For In A Trail Helmet?
What do you look for in a trail helmet? Much has been made of new helmet technology of late, with companies trying to out compete each other on their safety claims, a plethora of detachable chin bars, and all kinds of attachment points. But do…
British MTB National Championships | New Champions And Old Faces
The British National Mountain Bike Championships took place this weekend, with the Downhill event at Revolution Bike Park in Wales, and the XC National Championships taking place at Cannock Chase. After a spell of dry weather, rains came in on Friday and Saturday, changing the…
Bike Check | Sixth Element Bespoke Ti Kingdom With Olympic Wheels
This bike came to us because of the wheels – they’re Sixth Element’s latest XC race wheel, the Pro XC, launched today. But we got a bit distracted by the bike. So here’s a full run down of the bike, and if it’s the fancy…
3 New Carbon Wheels From Sixth Element
Sixth Element has added three new wheels to its range. We bring you an exclusive run down of your carbon latest wheel options. UK wheel builder Sixth Element has quickly gained a reputation for good value carbon wheels with a strong customer service focus –…
FGF 457 | Yo Ho Ho and A Bottle Of Rum!
It’s raining outside, after a week of lovely weather. Which must mean: the English school summer holidays start today! Yes, today children across the bottom half of the UK quit pretending that they’ve done any work since they sat their SATs, teachers start growing beards,…
No Women’s BMX at X Games | Athletes demand competition, not demos
Female BMX riders have criticised X Games for failing to provide a women’s competition for BMX, despite previous successful demo events. Story updated 22 July with quote from multi-time X Games medallist, Ryan Nyquist. X Games, which offers competition in a range of ‘Street’ sports,…
2 New Freeride Movies For The Summer
There are two big mountain bike movies coming our way this summer. Handy for tired days, dark nights, or ice-elevate-rest days. Return To Earth Out today is ‘Return To Earth’, available on pay to view here. It’s a round the world trip of riding and…
Video | Pan Celtic Race – An event we probably don’t want to do
We’ve spotted an event we don’t want to do, but we like their videos. Our very own Jason Miles has already set off on the Pan Celtic race, a ‘self-supported cycling adventure, journeying through the Celtic Nations of Scotland, Ireland and Wales’. He did very well…
Is this the year of the sub £2k bike? New Giant models coming soon!
When the Norco Fluid FS1 came through our doors we were all impressed – lots of full suspension bike for under £2,000. It was swiftly followed by a Calibre Sentry, and a Jamis Dakar. Joining the fray from Giant is yet another – the Stance –…
Fresh Goods Friday 456 | The Lonely Edition
We battle through the lonely desert that is Singletrack Towers to bring you this week’s Fresh Goods Friday. Stepping carefully over the body of Jess the dog – still alive, but lying deathly still to conserve precious energy. Past the desiccated remains of Chipps’ coffee…
Video | Midpoint – Brandon Semenuk
Watching a Brandon Semenuk video is like sinking into a deep bath after a long ride, or sipping a G&T at sundown. Invariably smooth with a choice soundtrack, they’re a quiet sidestep from the usual mountain bike videos. This latest release is no different. There’s…
Bike Lust | 2 New Moots YBB Softails
You’d have to be a pretty hard hearted soul not to look at a Moots and go ‘oooh’. All that titanium cleanness, all that muted bling, all that rainbow detailing… no? Doesn’t do it for you? Well. Really. Please, go find some bike shaped objects…
Raw! Raw! It’s Raw! Stanton launches new frame finish
Yesterday this cryptic (and slightly troubling to vegetarians) image appeared on the Stanton Instagram feed. Could it be a new beefier frame we wondered? Was Stanton expanding into farming? We already know owner Dan Stanton dreams of buying a farm to turn into a fully…
Golfie Trails Given Official-ish Status Under New Agreement
Three trails in Caberston Forest – known to many of us as ‘The Golfie’ – are to be adopted by the Tweed Valley Trails Association (TVTA). For one year, on a pilot basis, TVTA will maintain the trails known as New York New York and…
New 2020 Mondraker Super Foxy Carbon 29 – It’s Not For Chicken Lines
Mondraker has just announced the new ‘Super Foxy’, a bigger travel version of the Foxy Carbon 29. With 29in wheels, 170mm forks and either a coil or large volume air shock giving 160mm of rear travel, you get 10mm more travel front and rear over…
FGF 455 | The ‘It’s Bike Show Season’ Edition of Fresh Goods!
Prepare yourself. Get some popcorn and a brew, because you’re in for a long one. Hannah has been to visit her boyfriend Impact Sun Valley in Idaho, Amanda has been to Bike Connection in Andalo, Dolomites, and Mark is on the train to Verbier. Products…
Zoic – A brand for all the family
At Impact Sun Valley, Idaho, Hannah checked out a US brand that’s been around for 25 years but hasn’t really crossed the pond. American riders may well be familiar with the brand Zoic, though it’s likely you’ve come across them through friends or your local…
Viathon – The new brand poised to take on the USA
From Impact Sun Valley in Idaho, Hannah brings us a look at Viathon, a new brand with some big hitting financial backers. You could launch a new bike brand in a blaze of publicity and radical geometry, or you could fairly quietly develop just three…
Showers Pass | Durable, sustainable ride gear for all weathers
Hannah has been out in Idaho at the Impact Sun Valley media event to check out a bunch of brands and products. Here, she finds out a bit more about the Showers Pass brand and products. I’ve had the pleasure of testing and reviewing a…
4 Unexpected Perks Of Rotor 13 Speed
When Hannah saw the Rotor 13 speed drive train in Idaho, a few little details beyond the basic benefits of Moar Gears caught her eye. 1. Rotor 1×13 Pick And Mix First up is its modular design. There’s only one derailleur for both MTB and…
First Look | Wild Rye Clothing – for women in the mountains
From Impact Sun Valley in Idaho, Hannah brings us a look at Wild Rye, a brand making mountain bike and ski clothing for women. When Cassie Abel started Wild Rye, she did so because she wanted functional and attractive clothing for riding mountain bikes and…
Highland Trail 550 | 2019 ‘Epic Wet Edition’ – What Did It Take To Get Round?
This year’s Highland Trail 550 was, by any stretch of the definition, epic. Heavy rain in the first couple of days turned rivers and streams into raging torrents and chest height flows. Kit was soaked. Not just the stuff riders were wearing, but all their…
Review | Aventyr: A Mountain Bike Board Game
Make even your rest time play time with Aventyr, a mountain bike themed board game. And now for something completely different… a board game? Based around the idea of ‘Trailquest’ or orienteering by bike, Aventyr is a game where players aim to collect points at…
Review | Etnies Jameson Mid Crank flat shoe
Hannah checks out the Etnies Jameson Mid Crank MTB shoes, developed with Brandon Semenuk. Suede? Pale grey suede? What kind of mountain biker are these built for? The answer is one who does tricks, probably on dirt jumps (which are a dry weather activity…) and who…
Tahnee Seagrave Crashes In Practice at Fort William.
Our Andi is on the hill at Fort William MTB World Cup and has just heard Tahnee Seagrave has crashed! Rumour is she’s injured her shoulder and had to be helped off the hill. As soon as Andi gets any more news to us, we’ll…
Review | 2019 Norco Fluid FS 1 – A Sub-£2k Full Suspension Bike
Hannah checks out the 2019 Norco Fluid FS 1, a sub £2k full suspension bike. Norco is sold exclusively in the UK by Evans cycles, and at this price point with that high street access, this is likely a bike that will catch the eye…
New SRAM DH Drivetrains And Troy Lee Camo Colab
Downhill riders get new SRAM drivetrains and a Troy Lee collaboration. While most of what we hear from SRAM involves singing the praises of wide range cassettes and 12 gears, there’s a group of riders for whom getting up hills is of no interest whatsoever.…
Marino Bikes Announces Sell Off Of Sick Bicycles Frames
The long and complicated saga of Sick Bicycles continues, with Marino Bikes, Sick’s Peruvian manufacturer posting this announcement on its Facebook page: Marino previously posted that it had made the frames for Sick Bicycles and the delay was due to non-payment rather than manufacturing or…
Review | 7Mesh Women’s Revo Shorts – Waterproof Your Bum
Hannah has been grinding these 7Mesh Revo waterproof shorts through a winter of slop. Is her bum still dry? 7Mesh is a clothing company based in Squamish, British Columbia. If you are British, this is of interest, because they have weather that is not too…
