We welcome you to the gang with some helpful advice for new cyclists. Hopefully actual good advice that makes you want to ride more, further, and off to new places! New to cycling? Welcome to the greatest club on earth! We’re delighted you’ve discovered the…
Members’ Feature
Articles and features published exclusively for our full members.
Top 10 Singletrack Forum Threads of 2020
Our Forum is a place where many minds meet. They don’t always see eye to eye, but if you want to know the answer to something obscure, there’s every chance that someone will know the answer. Has anyone got one of those left hand widgets…
Singletrack’s 2021 Predictions
New year, new us, that kind of thing. It’s at this time of year that we ask our team for some predictions for the year ahead. No cheating or open textbooks (or 2021 OEM brochures) allowed – just based on what they’ve seen and how…
The Singletrackworld.com Mountain Bike Quiz of 2020
20 mountain bike news based questions to see whether or not you’ve been paying attention to anything this year! Not sure if you know enough? Why not do a little homework. All the answers can be found within the pages of Singletrackworld.com Or if you’re…
Top 10 Singletrack Podcast episodes of 2020
In 2020 we relaunched our podcast. Relaunched, because according to the Singletrack Magazine Wikipedia entry we were the first mountain bike media to have a podcast way back when podcasts were first a thing in the early noughties. Back then our podcasts were simply recordings…
Top 10 Singletrackworld.com Stories of 2020
With millions of readers every month, there are lots of different paths to reading an article on Singletrack. Maybe you come straight to the homepage every morning over your coffee, or maybe you click through from Facebook or Twitter. Perhaps a friend shared a post…
Top 10 Bike Reviews of 2020
It’s been a pants year for a lot of reasons, but we’ve still managed to test some great bikes. Here are our top 10 bike reviews of 2020. Below are the 10 most read mountain bike reviews of 2020. If you’re after eMTB reviews, we’ll…
Your Top 10 Singletrack Videos of 2020
What did you watch on our YouTube channel this year? There are plenty of ‘old favourites’ that you keep viewing, plus new videos that caught your attention too. Here’s the Top 10 of most watched Singletrack videos this year. 1. Mountain Biking – The Untold…
Deviate Highlander Long Term Test Bike Build
Ladies and gentlemen, please allow myself to introduce… my new Deviate Highlander long term test bike. Or at least it will be once I’ve cut it down from the ceiling and put it all together. For now, let’s just take a moment to appreciate the…
What’s In A (Bike Company) Name?
The Stories Behind Some of the Bike Industry’s Most Well-Known Monikers Our super-sleuth, investigative reporter, Tim Newcomb has been digging around to find exactly what's in that company name. Some are obvious, but some are more than obscure! For the most part, you can forget…
2020 World Cup Winner, Marine Cabirou’s 5 tips to a successful Winter
Winter’s dark nights, cold weather and dirty trails take their toll on your motivation but Marine Cabirou has a few tips to keep on riding. Sometimes it is super hard to train when the weather is not nice, I especially find it difficult when I…
British Cycling – Not Stepping Up For Downhill
Racer and team manager Jack Reading explains why he thinks British Cycling is failing its downhill athletes. This article will be accessible by Free Members on the 23rd November. It will be accessible to non-members on the 25th November. My name is Jack Reading, and…
Charlie And The Search For The Singletrack Members Gin Offer
Part of my job as “Overlord of The Leftovers” at Singletrack is to bravely search the Kingdom for the finest quality product offers to present to you our glorious Singletrack members. This is by no means an easy task. Yeah sure, for some member offers…
Whether you like it or not, bikes are political
Columnist Mildred Locke addresses those who would say ‘stick to bikes, keep politics out of it’ – she thinks bikes are political. Following my last column, there’s another phenomenon I want to delve into. Beneath almost every racism-related post from a cycling brand or publication…
Recumbent eBikes: A niche too far?
Sanny takes a journey over to the Dark Side and attempts to leave his preconceptions at the door as he dives headfirst into the world of recumbent eBikes. Was it a match made in Heaven or a descent into niche Hell? “What in the name…
Ling’s Bike Trip – The Pre-Ride Interview With Ling Valentine
There's no denying that Ling Valentine is quite a character. Her vividly-coloured, car-leasing website, LingsCars.com has been described as 'contract hire's RyanAir' and with a small staff and efficient practices, it has propelled her to become the UK's "biggest individual seller of new cars" -…
What people mean when they say cycling has a race problem
…Spoiler alert: it’s not about you. Mildred Locke examines why cycling brands’ support of the Black Lives Matter movement gets some riders in a flap. With the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement, two major conversations have been sweeping through the comments sections of…
Neil Sutton’s 2021 Sonder Evol Dream Build
Neil Sutton, the designer of the Sonder bike range, shows off his newly built 2021 Sonder Evol boasting electronic shifting and kitchen tune suspension. For 2021 Sonder has updated the Evol to run on larger 29in wheels while also stretching the frameset out to give…
A Short Story: Don’t Forget To Pedal
In the grand scheme of things, my problems are minor. My financial worries are of the ‘balancing what I want to do vs what I need to do’ variety, rather than the ‘food or shelter?’ sort. My personal life is complicated, but I have a…
Would You Give In To An E-Bike – Or Resist?
To E-Bike or not to E-bike, that is the question? That's the question that Gary from Dorset is having to consider as one by one his local riding group has bought them to ride.
Cass Gilbert – What Does The Bikepacking Guru Pack Himself?
The new issue of Singletrack features an interview that Chipps did with world adventurer, Cass Gilbert when the two met up at the southern tip of Baja California Sur a week or two before the world shut down. You can read the interview in the…
12 Things That Mountain Bike Magazines Need To Stop Doing
The response to our ‘Ten things the bike industry needs to stop doing’ feature a couple of years ago has been very good, with readers outraged and in agreement in equal measures. So, just because we like giving the hornets’ nest a prod every now…
A Day Out With Allen Millyard and his Hyper Ride II Suspension
We took a road trip down to the Forest of Dean to meet up with Allen Millyard and his sons Stephen and Sam and check out their latest creation, the Hyper Ride Suspension system. It was a baking hot day in the midst of a…
Identiti AKA Bike Check: Versatile Hardtail For Trails or Tracks
Here we have another hardtail build by Amanda, only this time she’s gone alloy with the Identiti AKA. For her first stray away from steel, she’s gone for ultimate comfort by choosing all her preferred components, and some very noisy wheels. Identiti AKA 27.5 /…
North American Scrap Lumber Bicycle Symposium | Bike Check
Pushing the boundaries of bicycle technology, taking innovation to the next level, and setting new standards, it's Hannah and Fahzure's lockdown creation. No, it's not a baby, a sourdough loaf, or a pizza oven: it's a bike made from wood. With so many cancellations of…
10 Mistakes We Made When We Started Mountain Biking
Antony brings us some tips for new mountain bikers (and perhaps old hands too) that he thinks will help add fun to your off road rides. We’ve all been there. Some of us still are there. Riding bicycles off road isn’t the easiest sport to…
Masks of Singletrack | Here’s how the staff are helping curb the spread of COVID19
This is a public service broadcast! Masks are now required to be worn in shops, on buses and trains and in the commission of bank robberies. Here at Singletrack we are taking that responsibility seriously – in fact we’ve been following a masks in the…
Diversion Diary | In The Zone
Hannah’s partner, BK, lives in the USA, and lockdown has kept them apart. Each week in the Diversion Diary she has brought us some lonesome ramblings, plus a selection of internet finds. But this week, they’re reunited. Sorry this is a bit late, but I’ve…
Dear Diary, Lock Down 2020 | Trails Are Better With Friends
One of our readers shares his tale of discovering that in lock down the trails are quiet – just a bit too quiet. Lock down, the meaning of: The confining of prisoners to their cells A state of isolation or restricted access instituted as a…
Rate My Gate | 10 of the Best and Worst in Calderdale
Amanda and Hannah think they know what makes a bad gate - and a good one. Here is their appraisal of local gateways. If you have ever ridden the Mary Towneley Loop solo, you will perhaps understand the importance of gates to riders. This trail…
Making Up The Numbers | Making Up The Races
Are you missing the race season a bit too much? Our George might not be much of a podium contender, but in lockdown he’s discovered that racing is about much more than just not winning. I’m missing it. The racing. Not the racing per se;…
Cycling Geeks Unite! Shimano Celebrates 25 Years Of The SPD Sandal
There’s no easier way to suddenly age 25 years than by putting on a pair of these beauties! And in a timely coincidence, the venerable SPD Sandals are now celebrating their own 25 years of heritage. Yes, a quarter century of riding with grit under…
Diversion Diary – The Final Countdown?
Hannah’s partner, BK, lives in the USA, and lockdown has kept them apart. Each week in the Diversion Diary she brings us some lonesome ramblings, plus a selection of internet finds. This week, BK has been vintage bike shopping. In theory this should be the…
Ticks and Lyme Disease: Advice for Mountain Bikers
The charity Caudwell LymeCo brings us important information about ticks and Lyme Disease for mountain bikers. Exercising outdoors is great for physical and mental health, but as we move into summer and further into peak tick season, this also increases our chances of coming across…
Diversion Diary – Know Your Place
Hannah’s partner, BK, lives in the USA, and lockdown has kept them apart. Each week, she brings us some lonesome ramblings, plus a selection of internet finds. This week she’s looking at the land beyond the trails. As much as I enjoy the adrenaline rush…
10 Vegan Trail Snacks | Bake or buy, we’ve lots to try!
Veganism is on the rise, and the availability of vegan snacks and ready meals is ever growing. It’s getting to the point where we’re actually spoiled for choice… but some trail snacks can be quite expensive and end up being disappointing. Too dry, too nutty,…
Bike Nerd Bingo | Linkage Driven High Single Pivot Steel Full Suspension Prototype!
We get a bit hot under the collar over this linkage driven high single pivot steel full suspension prototype – because that sentence is like bike nerd bingo. Oh my, what do we have here? It’s like all our nerd buttons are being pushed at…
Diversion Diary | Up Fish Creek Without A Saddle
Hannah’s partner, BK, lives in the USA, and lockdown has kept them apart. Each week, she brings us some lonesome ramblings, plus a selection of internet finds. This week she covers the next big cycling trend: bike fishing. I am walking a tightrope of anxiety.…
1989 Raleigh Caprice | Pub Bike Check
As we’re accelerating into a world of carbon, titanium, carbotanium and electric components, I’d like to wind the clock back and introduce you to my new-old pub bike. This 1979 Raleigh Caprice is what you might call a shed find. Although, it wasn’t lost, and…
Diversion Diary – Lockdown Birthday Mixtape
In this week’s internet round up, Hannah has a lockdown birthday party for one. Warning: this is almost entirely a bike free zone. One of the many things I enjoy in my relationship with BK is the sharing of musical discoveries. He’s much better at…
Diversion Diary – A Different Focus
The news itself has diverted attention away from the virus. There can only be one theme for this week’s round up, and I don’t think you need a bunch of words from me to go with it. Before anyone says anything about keeping politics out…
#Blackouttuesday
It shouldn’t need saying, which is why it absolutely does: As the editor of a mountain bike magazine - a hobby dominated by white, middle class people - I wanted to state that there’s no room in our sport, magazine, or world, for racism. Everyone…
Diversion Diary – Little Details And Small Acts of Kindness
Hannah is alone during lockdown since her partner lives in the USA. Each week, she brings us some ramblings, plus a selection of the internet she’s been using to keep herself company. This week she goes all macro on kindness. The past week has contrived…
Matt Walker | 5 Minutes With The Pivot Factory Racer
Matt Walker stops doing silly things with cars and motorbikes just long enough to answer a few questions about the pedal powered bikes that are his actual job. Tell us who you are, what you do and why we should go for a bike ride…
Diversion Diary | Indulging In Nostalgia
Hannah is alone during lockdown since her partner, BK, lives in the USA. Each week, she brings us some ramblings, plus a selection of the internet she’s been using to keep herself company. This week is nostalgia week. Last week I hoped for a better…
Diversion Diary | Green Shoots and Hopeful Hippies
Just like all of us, Hannah is looking to survive the social distancing and lockdown. The Diversion Diary is a tale of love under lockdown, and bikes. Only, there’s an added twist: Hannah’s partner, BK, lives in the USA, and they’re locked down on different…
5 Minutes With Ed Masters – Don’t Be Serious!
Pivot Factory Racing rider Ed Masters stops for 5 minutes to tell us how he keeps things fun – and why he thinks you should too. Tell us who you are, what you do and why we should go for a bike ride with you……
8 Ways To Turn Your Daily Exercise Ride Into A Life Long Habit
For years active travel campaigners have been trying to persuade us to leave the car at home. They’ve shown us how expensive it is to run a car, they’ve told us about the environmental impact of cars, they’ve asked for segregated cycle lanes, wished for…
Deciding Not To Die Isn’t The Same As Choosing To Live
Just over a year ago, we published a powerful piece on mental health called ‘What If I Want to Die Every Day of My Life’. Since then, the author has spent some time off the bike, having been admitted to a mental health unit. Now,…
Diversion Diary | Solace In Solitude
Just like all of us, Hannah is looking to survive the social distancing and lockdown. The Diversion Diary is a tale of love under lockdown, and bikes. Only, there’s an added twist: Hannah’s partner, BK, lives in the USA, and they’re locked down on different…
Singletrack Lockdown Mountain Bike Quiz #2
If you missed Quiz #1 then you can go and have a go at that here. Be warned though, we have some pretty tricky questions for you in this week’s lockdown quiz. You are going to have to call on a knowledge of not just…
