Last week’s Weekly Word newsletter was about ‘faff’. Here in the UK, we are very familiar with faff – but what is it called elsewhere in the world? Take a read, see if you recognise its symptoms, and offer up your versions of it. Faff…
Members’ Feature
Articles and features published exclusively for our full members.
A-Z of The Singletrack World Forum
If you're new to the world of mountain bikes, you might find it an unfathomable world of tech jargon, incompatible standards, and marketing babble. To cut through it all, you might go in search of advice, from other humans that ride bikes. Maybe you find…
Spot That Bike: the Short Travel edition
Think you know bikes? Do you even XCO? Have yourself a short travel quiz and see which bikes you can identify.
Retro Bike Cryptic Crossword
Twist your melon and cast your mind back for the answers to this mostly cryptic crossword. The answers are there, don’t let all the anodising dazzle you! And beware of googling the answers – it may lead to accidental nostalgia purchases. Mark is unimpressed. How…
Members Survey: Help us make your membership better
As a Singletrack subscriber, you have access to Singletrack Rewards – a wide range of bike related discounts that can save you money! This survey is to gather feedback on these rewards and how we may be able to improve. As a thank you, one…
High School Mountain Biking: How the bike industry could save itself?
But perhaps there's a possible option that might see bikes put to good use, and actually generate demand in years to come? Take a look at the USA and I think you'll see a potential answer: High School mountain biking.
Off The Beaten Track
This piece was originally published as the editorial in our Weekly Word newsletter. It’s free and available to anyone who signs up. There’s also the Members’ newsletter – only available to paid up subscribers. Sign up to both or either here. When we put on…
The Bike Brand Old Logo Quiz
Before marketing bods sat around in ball pools having thought bombs, these are some of the logos and head badges that were being used. How many do you remember?
Fake Bikes? How To Spot A Scam Website
Off the back of a couple of stories we’ve published, and a suggestion from someone in the Forum, we thought we’d give you a bit of a guide to spotting a scam bicycle sales website. Even if they pass all these tests, if something smells…
Spanish Bikepacking Diary: Lessons Learned
The holiday blues you get in the days following a bikepacking trip are like none I’ve ever experienced. You become so reliant on and in tune with the minimal kit you’re carrying that acts like cooking and bathing become simplified and require very little thought.…
The Singletrack Quiz of 2023
Have you paid any attention to anything this year, or have you been eyeballs out, race face on, trail focussed? Here’s our MTB quiz of the year, so you can see if you’re an all-round fan, a niche nerd, or just happily riding along without…
Spanish Bikepacking Diary – The End?
The final day of a 1,400km ride with just shy of 21,000m ascent. Will it be an emotional end to an epic trip? Will Amanda throw her bike into the ocean? Catch-up: Granada – Torrox Costa Today is the roadie equivalent of an uplift day,…
Spanish Bikepacking Diary Day 12
Amanda and Rhys are nearing the end of their journey from Barcelona to Malaga, and continue to avoid the passing snow storm. Today’s destination: Granada. Catch-up: Quesada – Granada Our day off in Quesada yesterday was as lazy as we could manage, although the tall…
The Singletrack Giant Crossword Puzzle
We're back with a mega crossword. Get your brains a bit sideways and see if you can make sense of Hannah's version of cryptic clues. Except they're not all cryptic. Once you know the answer, it's obvious. Obviously.
Bike Names Quiz
Picking a name for your new bike model must be tricky. Perhaps it needs to convey what your bike is for, or how you want the rider to feel. Maybe you want it to be funny, or memorable? But will it work across the world,…
Spot The Suspension – probably our hardest quiz yet!
Maybe this time we've actually beaten you. Surely this is too hard? Can anyone get more than 20 right?! Phil from Kinematic Bike did a whole pile of sketch studies while he was working on the design for his Coyote FSt (be sure to check…
Kinematic Coyote FSt Bike Check and Quiz!
Phil Thomas is working on prototypes for his Coyote FSt – Full Suspension trail – bike. As part of the process, he’s developed a bunch of suspension path sketches that we thought would make a great quiz. But before you get to that, take a…
The Bicycle Industry Vowels Logo Quiz
So you think you know bike brands? Let’s see. Using only vowels – something n shrt spply n th bk wrld rght nw – let’s see which brands you can identify. Good luck!
Make winter riding actually fun with these
I genuinely love winter mountain biking. Here are the items that help me maintain my loving relationship with The Filth.
Learning To Lead
I’ve quite often found myself ‘leading’ a ride – but only in the informal sense of being the person that knows the way. There’s a big (legal and insurance) difference between following your friend that knows where to turn left or right, and following someone…
Spanish Bikepacking Diary – Day 11
Amanda and Rhys continue making their way from Barcelona to Malaga, finding every obstacle possible and eating everything in sight. Catch-up: Hornos – Quesada I’ve woken up feeling defeated by the day before it has really begun. There’s nothing quite like the vulnerable, inescapable pain…
Bespoked Bike Check: Bididu Ragnarök
For the first time ever, the Bespoked Bike Show has left the UK and is taking place in Dresden, Germany. From 13th-15th October, people are able to go and peruse gorgeous hand built bikes and accessories, and chat to their makers. Sadly we couldn’t make the trip…
Bespoked Bike Check: SUBA FLOW
For the first time ever, the Bespoked Bike Show has left the UK and is taking place in Dresden, Germany. From 13th-15th October, people are able to go and peruse gorgeous hand built bikes and accessories, and chat to their makers. Sadly we couldn’t make the trip…
Endurance Cross-Country Kit Essentials
Trial and error (and a bit of grumpy lying on the ground) has seen Amanda find her way to the ideal kit to keep on going, and going, and going…
Bespoked Bike Check: Two Bikes To Make Tarmac Tempting
For the first time ever, the Bespoked Bike Show is leaving the UK and taking place in Dresden, Germany. From 13th-15th October, people will be able to go and peruse gorgeous hand built bikes and accessories, and chat to their makers. Sadly we couldn’t make the trip…
Singletrack Issue 151: I ❤️ My Night Riding Gear
Hannah brings you the clothing and hardware that keeps her spinning through the long winter evenings. Words Hannah Photography Amanda Night riding… it’s something of a necessary evil in the UK. Or a bonding activity to set you up for the contrasting joy of ‘summer’.…
Bespoked Bike Check: Kutaloni Presto
For the first time ever, the Bespoked Bike Show is leaving the UK and taking place in Dresden, Germany. From 13th-15th October, people will be able to go and peruse gorgeous hand built bikes and accessories, and chat to their makers. Sadly we couldn’t make the trip…
Bespoked Bike Check: WOODALPS YGGY
For the first time ever, the Bespoked Bike Show is leaving the UK and taking place in Dresden, Germany. From 13th-15th October, people will be able to go and peruse gorgeous hand built bikes and accessories, and chat to their makers. Sadly we couldn’t make the trip…
Spanish Bikepacking Diary – Day 10
Amanda and Rhys continue making their way from Barcelona to Malaga, finding every obstacle possible and eating everything in sight. Catch-up: Elche De La Sierra – La Platera I’ve woken up feeling rough. After time-trialling for over 100km yesterday to outrun a storm, I can…
Back From The Dead: What A Lucky Boy!
Where in the world - and life - can bikes take you? The ever enthusiastic Dieter is feeling very stoked on the possibilities.
Spanish Bikepacking Diary – Day 9
Before tucking into this diary entry, I’d like to thank all of you for the kind words on this series. Sometimes I wonder if anyone is really interested in how I spend my time off, but my honesty about bikepacking and riding long distance seems…
Malverns Retro Components Memory Lane Gallery
Remember when you used to search for bike parts by flicking through a catalogue, or the back of a magazine? Perhaps you phoned a landline to check stock, or maybe you just put a cheque in the post and hoped for the best. No apps…
Not In My Name: Trans Athlete Bans
Hannah has been pondering this article all summer, trying to find the words to express how she feels about the emerging bans on trans women’s participation in women’s cycling – and other women’s sports. She thinks she’s finally found them. As the CTT, British Cycling…
Back From The Dead: Malverns Classic Special!
We took our columnist Dieter away from the bike shop and off to the GT Malverns Classic for some retro bike love.
Spanish Bikepacking Diary – Days Six – Eight
This 17 day series of Amanda’s first ever multiday bikepacking trip is exclusively available to Singletrack World Members. It gets more scenic as the journey unfolds, so stay tuned for more updates! Catch-up: Utiel – Almansa Yesterday was tough, so a relatively flat ride is…
Am I Being Unreasonable? MTB Court now in session! #Case002
One couple is struggling to ride together as family dynamics have changed their lives. Can it be like it was in the beginning, and who needs to change their expectations? Rebecca: I just want it to be like it used to be, where we had…
Spanish Bikepacking Diary – Day Five
This 17 day series of Amanda’s first ever multiday bikepacking trip is exclusively available to Singletrack World Members. It gets more scenic as the journey unfolds, so stay tuned for more updates! Catch-up: La Puebla de Valverde – Utiel It’s getting harder and harder to…
An Ode To (Not) Being Rachel Atherton
Hannah recently dislocated her shoulder. Like Rachel Atherton, she didn’t actually crash… but she wasn’t actually riding. Rachel’s shoulder popped out under the force of landing a massive jump at Fort William. Hannah twisted hers out while pushing her bike down a feature she thought…
Am I Being Unreasonable? MTB Court now in session!
You be the judge! James and Dave have different perspectives on what their group ride is about. Who is right?
Spanish Bikepacking Diary – Day Four
This 17 day series of Amanda’s first ever multiday bikepacking trip is exclusively available to Singletrack World Members. It gets more scenic as the journey unfolds, so stay tuned for more updates! Catch-up: Vilafranca – La Puebla de Valverde Today should be a relatively easy…
New Rider – Battery Included (Three Months In…) Â
Gareth wrote about his tentative steps from road rider to mountain biker. Three months later, how is he getting on? A Cycle Scheme I am a fortunate soul; fortunate to live in a beautiful part of the country with access to some amazing countryside and…
Spanish Bikepacking Diary – Day Three Continued
This 17 day series of Amanda’s first ever multiday bikepacking trip is exclusively available to Singletrack World Members. It gets more scenic as the journey unfolds, so stay tuned for more updates! Catch-up: Day Three: Corbera d’Ebre to Vilafranca Where did we leave it last…
Singletrack Members Get 20% Off Malverns Classic Tickets!
The Malverns Classic is back again! There will be bikes, and dodgems, and retro bikes, and races, and bikes, and an airbag, and retro bikes, and DJs, and bikes, and... well, you get the idea. It's a whole festival of fun, with bikes at its…
Mental Mondays #16 – The trail hazards edition
Just making it in Monday this week’s puzzle takes inspiration from the caterpillar story. Your theme for this week is trail hazards. Good luck Singletrack Puzzlers. Quick links Singletrack Crossword #16 Win a Singletrack Jigsaw If you successfully complete the Singletrack crossword then that get’s…
Back From The Dead: 2 Brakes, 1 Lever
Dieter is a mechanic who will always fix things if he can. With his spare parts bin and Dremel, he'll breathe life back into almost any bike. Join us for another of his regular columns, full of bike fettling, and occasional philosophical (or political) sidetracks...
Mental Mondays #15 – The Fully Dressed Edition
Naked bike riding may be quite aerodynamic if you’re not too hairy, but it’s a recipe for chafing and nettles where you really don’t want them. Clothes are good when it comes to riding bikes. Look to your wardrobe (or that festering Ikea bag) for…
Chipps with Everything: 2023 Eurobike Highlights
Chipps brings you a curated tour of the eye-catching highlights of this pivotal European trade show.
Spanish Bikepacking Diary: Day Three
This 17 day series of Amanda’s first ever multiday bikepacking trip is exclusively available to Singletrack World Members. It gets more scenic as the journey unfolds, so stay tuned for more updates! Catch-up: Day Three: Corbera d’Ebre to Vilafranca If you’ve read the past two…
Mental Mondays #14 – Let there be love
Without heading into Cove bikes innuendo territory, we have a love and marriage themed edition for you. Set your hearts a fluttering and your brains tickling. Quick links Singletrack Crossword #14 Our crosswords and puzzles are for full members only. Join us today to get…
Bike Check: Charlie’s Surly Singlespeed Karate Monkey
At Singletrack we get to see all the latest technology and ride countless bikes, but what bikes do Singletrack staffers ride home on? After we have downloaded new firmware for an electronic mech, set shock pressures using the ebikes app and bluetooth pressure sensors, charged…
How to deal with overgrown trails
'Tis the season of overgrowth. Here's how to protect yourself and how to keep your trails running sweetly with a few trail maintenance tools.
