Jürgen from Sour Bikes talked us through the features of this ‘Pasta Party’ bike from Sour Bikes, a German brand that’s managed to make production in Germany work for them. Unique content like this takes time to create, and would normally be paywalled. But we’d…
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.
Bespoked Interview: Auckland Cycle Works
I first saw these bikes when they were a very early prototype, at Bespoked in October 2022 at the Velodrome in London, where Gary explained to me how he’d used Lego to help him design his own ‘COLARP’ suspension. Since then he’s continued to work…
Interview: Ted James Designs
I always enjoy chatting with Ted about his bikes. For one, it’s a bit like listening to Tom Waits or Iggy Pop – there’s more gravel in his voice than Kansas. But the other thing I love is that Ted makes everything. He’s not joining…
Cycling UK’s New Strategy – Still working for mountain bikers?
Cycling UK recently launched its new strategy, setting out what the charity will be working towards in the years ahead. Plus, in advance of the general election, it issued a manifesto, which called on the future government to implement a range of policies. After a…
Cduro Epona: Innovative Carbon Fibre Mountain Bike | Bespoked Interview
Humphrey and Martin brought this wound carbon fibre Cduro Bike to Bespoked, Manchester, all the way from the Czech Republic. As the more confident English speaker of the two, Humphrey talked us through what gives this bike its unique look. How do you say this…
Niner Bikes go consumer direct in Europe and UK
We don’t often see Niner Bikes on the trails in the UK but that may be about to change as they move to selling direct to the public. Niner Bikes press release: NINER BIKES ADDS DIRECT-TO-RIDER SALES MODEL ADDING CONVENIENCE AND PERSONAL TOUCH TO PURCHASING…
‘Wales. Made For Bikes’ – but maybe not all mountain bikes?
Welsh Cycling has revealed its rebrand to ‘Beicio Cymru‘ and a new ‘Wales. Made for bikes’ strategy. The strategy document reads like a bit of a mix of tourism/participation promotion (woo-hoo, bikes are great, come and see our scenery), and athlete pathway programme (inspiring others…
It’s Time To Subscribe To Get Your August Edition of Singletrack!
Whether you’re planning lazy days by the pool, sheltering under damp canvas in a field, or endless party laps in the mountains, we hope you’ll find at least some down time this summer. Don’t spend that precious time doom scrolling – grab yourself a print…
Bike Check: Dawley Bikes T16
Thom Dawley brought this understated short travel full suspension bike to Bespoked, Manchester. We stopped for a chat to find out what goes into making something as apparently simple and beautiful as this. What is this bike, Thom? This is the T16 full suspension bike…
Bikemon Go! Your July Ride Inspiring Download
Back in issue 153 in February, Hannah proposed an alternative approach to measuring rides. As part of that, we gave you a set of ride ‘achievements’ to collect in the month ahead. Here’s your next seasonally appropriate set of ride goals. Enjoy! https://singletrackworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/issue-153-last-word-weights-and-measures
Madison Saracen Factory Race Team to cease racing at the end of 2024
In surprise news that would have been pretty unthinkable a few years back, but is now almost no surprise at all, Madison Saracen Factory Race Team has announced it will be disbanded at the end of the 2024 season. They’re certainly looking like they’re going…
Interview: Medusa Cycles – Made In Manchester for Northern Grit
Two beautiful gravel bikes caught my eye – or were they looking at me? – at Bespoked, Manchester. Their builder, Pete, talked me through them – and his many talents that lead them to be as they are. His bikes took both the Best Gravel…
Bike Check: 18 Bikes Full Suspension Prototypes
Peak District based 18 Bikes had two prototypes on display at Bespoked Manchester. Matt talked us through them. These two bikes are the first prototypes on what is already quite a long course to us finally launching a full-susser that will be available at some…
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…
Readers’ Rides: Rick’s Custom Marino
He hasn't given it a name, but since there's a bonus dog in one of the pictures, shall we call it the Red Rover?
Bespoked ‘Best MTB Award’ Interview: Craft Bikes
Jim from Craft Bikes talks us through the exquisite titanium bikes, made in Kent, UK, that were on display at Bespoked, Manchester. Their hardtail actually received our ‘Best Mountain Bike’ award – though when we had this chat we’d yet to make our choice. Unique…
Bespoked Interview: Paul ‘Burf’ and the BTR Gasser
Paul 'Burf' Burford, from BTR brought his latest creation, the Gasser DH bike, to Bespoked, Manchester. It's been a long road to this point, and at one point it looked like he might have stopped making bikes, so we caught up with him for a…
Desert Island Disc Brakes: Josh Bryceland
In this episode of Desert Island Disc Brakes, we chat through the very interesting life of Josh ‘Rat Boy’ Bryceland. Recorded earlier this year, Josh talks about where the ‘Rat Boy’ nickname came from and owning it. We also cover his life on and off…
Spotted: Ted’s Retro Kona Themed Collection
At the York Cycle Rally I spotted this collection of bikes, which were perhaps curated around a theme. I asked their owner, Ted, to tell us a bit more about it. Is it a Kona collection? Is it a Joe Murray collection? What inspires it?…
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.
Readers’ Rides: George Thompson’s ‘Making Up The Numbers’ XXL Geometron G1Â
George Thompson’s ‘Making Up The Numbers’ XXL Geometron G1in ‘snow leopard’ paint finish is certainly eye catching. It might even have him catching up with the rider in front. We did do a slight double take though – because surely at this size, it should…
Strong British MTB Team Heads To Paris Olympics
With two places in both the men’s and women’s XCO MTB, it’s a big year for British mountain biking at the Olympics. Tom Pidcock will be hoping to finish (and win?) the Tour de France on 21st July before joining the Olympic team for the…
Spotted: Fuquay Retrobike Collection
This year’s York Cycle Rally and Festival included a retrobike show, alongside all the stalls, grass track racing, and more. A day out was on the cards, and I clocked a little cluster of Fuquays on display. Given it’s only a couple of weeks since…
Fresh Goods Friday 710 – The Outdoor Trading Edition
No time for a lengthy waffle intro this week. The sun is OUT and the trails are a-calling! Busy yourself with this week's Fresh Goods and then get back to plotting your ride...
Crans Montana: Adding the DH into XC
Flippin’ heck. The new XCO course at Crans Montana is… not something we especially fancy trying out without a dropper post, enduro bike and a set of knee pads. Here’s a look at the track without any riders on it. And no rain either. Soo……
The 20+ Best Bits from the Outdoor Trade Show
Beyond Bikes: Products That Have Us Dreaming Of Adventures. Check out the products and brands on show at the Outdoor Trade Show.
Behind The Scenes: Getting The Shot
In Association With Calibre Bikes Words: Hannah Photography: Sam Taylor We’re waiting. Harry is up at the top of the hill, just out of sight. I am crouched in the void between the take-off and landing of what is to my eye, a giant step…
Trail Tales: Midges
The midge can bring horror to the most perfect of days, and reduce rational beings to desperate evasive action. If you know, you know. If you think they’re just a bit like mosquitoes but smaller, you really don’t know. Thanks to our Forumites for this…
Bikemon Go! Your June Ride Inspiring Download
Back in issue 153 in February, Hannah proposed an alternative approach to measuring rides. As part of that, we gave you a set of ride ‘achievements’ to collect in the month ahead. Here’s your next seasonally appropriate set of ride goals. Enjoy!
Nominate Your Top Women in Cycling!
The public are invited to name inspirational women who promote cycling and encourage others to cycle for Cycling UK’s 100 Women in Cycling 2024 awards. Nominations close on Sunday 30 June. For the eighth consecutive year, Cycling UK is inviting people to nominate their bike…
New RockShox Charger 3.1 damper (yes, it’s retrofittable)
RockShox has revealed its new Charger 3.1 damper platform, which will be added to a selection of 2025 forks.
Goodbye Amanda, Hello James
After nearly seven years as Singletrack’s Art Director, Amanda leaves us next week as she starts a new role in the ultra-distance cycling scene. Goodbye Amanda! Amanda joined us fairly early in her mountain biking career, and jumped straight into both magazine design and product…
What To See (and eat, and drink, and watch) At Bespoked Manchester
Bespoked Manchester is on 28-30th June at the Victoria Baths. Buy your tickets in advance to save on the on-the-door price, and be sure to book on for the rides or film night too! We’ll be there, so be sure to come over and say…
The Trails Behind The Nationwide In Swindon
Hannah goes in search of a myth and finds a reality that should be on everyone’s doorstep.
Debate: Is It Even Mountain Biking?
As part of a new head-to-head debate series, Hannah and Chipps agree to disagree on what constitutes ‘mountain biking’ and, by extension, on what should appear in this magazine. We’ve given them a couple of pages to set out their stall.
Orbea Occam SL M-LTD review
The Orbea Occam SL is the svelte sibling of the Occam SL and LT duo. This Occam SL looks to the fast, light, distance side of trail riding.
Last Word: Choose Your Own Adventures
Hannah thinks there is much to be said for planning adventures. A friend of mine has just bought a tent. It is a lightweight single-person tent of the type you could definitely carry with you on an overnight – or multi-day – adventure. What is significant about this is…
Daredevil Wears Prada: Kriss Kyle’s new cagoule
Kriss Kyle’s latest edit sees him riding the vineyards of Lavaux dressed in Prada. There’s almost nothing left to say really, after Benji’s headline genius. The video has some nice moves in it, though with an outfit like this the soundtrack feels misplaced. Something a…
New UK MTB Trail Alliance Gives Trail Stewards A Voice
I’ve been following the work of this group – and even attending its online meetings – since it first started getting set up, so I’m very pleased to see it reach the ‘go public’ stage. Having previously seen trail advocates all over the country struggling…
Midweek Movies: Huck that hump day!
It is hump day, in a week after a short week, so the hump feels bigger than usual. To try and help you over the hump, here is a selection of eye food. Hopefully the nutrients will make their way through your eye tubes, into…
Women To Compete At Red Bull Rampage
It has finally been confirmed: this year will see women compete at Red Bull Rampage. Details are thin on the ground right now, but it’s been confirmed there will be a new two-day format for the event, and that women will be there. Here’s the…
What Sort Of Van Lifer Are You?
Ah, the open road. Sea views. Mountain air. Waking up to the sunrise, going to bed by moonlight. Wee scented lay-bys. Supermarket toilets. Van life can be a necessity for the low-budget racer, or a lifestyle choice for the digital nomad. Take our quiz and…
New Second Generation Geometron G1: Even More Adjustable
The Geometron G1 (which Benji previously called ‘the best mountain bike I’ve ever ridden‘) is getting a makeover. The G1 is already a bike that through its ‘mutators’ can be set up in a range of guises for most purposes, and the new frame brings…
Fresh Goods Friday 707: The Spot of Bother Edition
Despite there only being 4 days left of this holiday week for things to go wrong in, it’s been a slightly tricky week here at Singletrack Towers. Zoe had a couple of days off doing wedding anniversary and half term type things, and without her…
Are Welsh Trails Up For Sale By NRW?
Local mountain bikers and councillors around Coed y Brenin are concerned that Natural Resource Wales (NRW) is planning on selling off the Coed y Brenin visitor centre and its miles of trails to the highest bidder in a veiled closed-door process that has ignored local…
Cannondale’s Hardline Prototype DH Bike – Is The Dual Shock Back, With One Shock?
Cannondale is being a bit coy about the prototype bikes being ridden by Josh ‘Rat Boy’ Bryceland and Sam Hockenhull at Red Bull Hardline, only releasing this official line about the bikes: LAB71 is all about the next level of performance; this includes prototypes, limited…
In The Pits: British National Downhill Series Rd 2, Fort William
Hannah chats to the racers and their support crew in the pits at the Fort William round of the British National Downhill Series. With a special appearance from the forum’s own @Weeksy! Thanks to the Scottish Downhill Association for making it happen, and to everyone…
Red Bull Hardline Canyon Gap: The Bike World Reacts
When photos first emerged of the canyon gap at Red Bull Hardline over the weekend we all gulped. Since then, quite a lot has happened. Here’s a round up of what’s what so far: What Is That Canyon Gap? For those who have been under…
British National DH Series Rd 2 Fort William Photo Gallery
This is a giant raw photo dump, no editing and tickling because a) it’s still a bank holiday, b) I haven’t had a shower since Friday morning and c) my nerves are shredded and I’m emotionally exhausted from a weekend of being the support team…
A Mountain Biking Manifesto
With a snap election called in the UK, the key policies are already likely to be decided by the parties – the professional lobbyists who have been influencing their way through the halls of Westminster in the past years and months will have said their…
