The new Canyon Spectral CF trail bike has dropped a bit of travel but added the K.I.S. steering stabiliser. Here's our first impressions...
Bikes
Kona Process X CR Review
All in, the Kona Process X CR is an excellent all-mountain bike. And it’s the nicest-looking mountain bike I’ve seen for a number of years.
Best eMTB Of The Year: Haibike Nduro 7
This Haibike Nduro 7 was simply the bike that was the most capable of any and every bike I rode in the past 12 months. Capable everywhere.
Best MTB Of The Year: Scott Genius ST
The bottom line is, the Scott Genius ST hidden shock isn’t just for aesthetics. It enables an amazing rear suspension design.
Mongoose Fireball Moto review: N+1 / A+E
The Mongoose Fireball Moto is ready for any dirt jumps, pump tracks or big-wheeled street riding you can throw at it.
Jamis Dakar A2 review
As a My First Full Susser or simply a full suspension for short riders there is a whole lot going for the Jamis Dakar A2.
Canyon Neuron AL 6 review
If you just want a no-nonsense mountain bike at an attractive price point, the Canyon Neuron AL 6 is a very good answer.
The ‘Mericans – Classic USA Brand Bike Test
The team get rolling on some old school American brands to see how they’re moving with the times. Cannondale vs Intense vs Yeti.
Yeti SB160 review
I don’t think most people that buy the Yeti SB160 are buying it because it represents a great value package and premium performance.
Intense Tracer 29 Pro review
The combination of lightness and pedalling efficiency will far outshine slight compromises in rider position on the Intense Tracer 29.
Cannondale Habit Carbon LT 1 review
Long story short: the Cannondale Habit Carbon LT is a great little bike. Key question: would I have one? Yes. Most definitely.
Cannondale Habit 3 review
The Cannondale Habit 3 has all the potential in the world to be a steadfast pedal pal for years to come. It's not just good value. It's a great investment.
Cotic RocketMAX Gen 4 long term review
The Cotic RocketMAX Gen 4 is the brand's flagship big travel bruiser. Made-in-UK steel front triangle with 160mm of Droplink rear travel.
Norco Fluid FS A1 Review: The Metal Messiah
When this Norco Fluid FS A1 arrived at STW HQ, I said "Hurray for metal trail bikes. Especially metal trail bikes with decent geometry."
Orange Stage 7 LE Review: A Jaffa Smasha
The Orange Stage 7 LE is the latest bike from the Halifax metal masters to feature the brand's new Strange Power Link system.
Motorhead-To-Head: E-Bike Test
Benji takes his iron fist of judgement to three full-power e-bikes with three very different motors.
Canyon Strive:ON CFR review
The Canyon Strive:ON is a very modern e-bike. You can tell this by its downtube alone. It is flipping massive. Eye-catching bulging belly.
Marin Alpine Trail E1 review
The Marin Alpine Trail E1 has a 160mm travel X-Fusion Trace 36 RC air-sprung fork up front and a RockShox Super Deluxe R coil sprung rear.
Double Yer Money Hardtails: Bike Test
Hardtails are not just for winter, and mountain bikes don’t have to be expensive. Benji looks at what your money can get you.
Voodoo Braag Review
The Voodoo Braag is an exercise in seeing how low you can go with price while still ticking sufficient ‘proper mountain bike’ boxes.
Merida Big Trail 400 Review
The Merida Big Trail 400 may not have some of the more boutique brands’ bits bolted to it, but it has absolutely nailed the essentials.
Trek Procaliber 9.6 Review
Sure, you can ride the Trek Procaliber 9.6 whenever and wherever you like but the raison d’être of this bike is to perform between race tape.
Merlin Malt 725 Steel SLX Hardtail Review
Merlin Malt 725 Steel hardtail, a great choice for the long distance cyclist after a reliable bike to travel long distances on.
Revel Rail29 X01 Eagle Review
The Revel Rail29 is the flagship of the brand's stable. More popular in 29in than 27.5in; designed for the technical mountains of Colorado.
Production Privée Shan No5 review
The Production Privée Shan No5 will also accept 27.5in wheels too but you’ll need to swap the shock yoke to make the conversion.
Pipedream Cycles The Full Moxie review
Pipedream Cycles The Full Moxie is a 4130 CroMo, single pivot, full suspension bike that can be run as a 29er, 650b or mullet.
GT Sensor ST Carbon Pro: First Ride Review
The GT Sensor ST Carbon Pro is a reminder of how capable modern trail bikes are, especially if you get the geometry at such perfect balance.
Pivot Firebird 29 Ride SLX/XT Air review
The Pivot Firebird 29 utilises DW-link suspension offering 165mm of travel, and is paired with a 170mm travel Fox 38 Performance fork.
New Propain Tyee: first ride review
The new Propain Tyee is an evolution of the previous Tyee. Which may not make for most exciting news but does make for a similarly fun ride.
160mm Bike Test: Brit Boxed Burly Bikes
What do you do with three bikes that are hard to pigeonhole? You ride them, a lot, and enjoy it.
Bird Aeris 9 review
The Bird Aeris 9 is a 160mm travel full suspension 29er made out of aluminium. Designed, specced and assembled in Britain.
Privateer 161 GX review
4-bar is one of the oldest designs in biking (hey, it clearly works), so it was always the geometry that was the USP of the Privateer 161 GX.
Saracen Ariel 60 Pro review
Despite the rolling of years, changes in wheel size options, suspension technology improvements, the Ariel 160 Pro remains true to its origins.
Transition Smuggler: First Ride Review
Tim Wild gets a sneak ride on the new Transition Smuggler before its UK release. Snozberry Spectacular! The bike is due for release in the UK through Windwave in early April.
Ibis Mojo 4 review
The Ibis Mojo makes a great case for the validity of the 27.5 trail bike, with a nimble, poppy bike that’s happy to take on anything.
WHY 2K? Full-suspension bikes under £2000 test
Benji and Rhys look at the world of £2k full suspension bikes. Can a good ride be had at this price?
Revel Rascal XT Build review
The Revel Rascal XT Build is a good-looking, playful machine that will back you up when the going gets tough, whether that’s uphill or down.
Boardman MTR 8.9 review
The Boardman MTR 8.9 has an awful lot going for it.The cover of this book may look 2013, but it reads just in 2023.
Jamis Faultline A2 review
With a steeper seat angle, this Jamis Faultline A2 would be amazing. That one change would make all the difference.
Vitus Mythique VRX 27 Review
With the Vitus Mythique VRX 27 the brand has created an entry level trail shredder without the limiting entry level geometry of old.
Last Tarvo review
The Last Tarvo with its progressive geometry, stable pedal platform and predictable handling is certainly capable of a podium or two.
Vitus Sommet 297 CRS review
The Vitus Sommet 297 CRS is an enduro bike, aimed at riders who tackle steeper, rougher tracks and also fancy cable tying a race number on.
Orbea Occam M10 LT review
Orbea Occam M10 LT - an Occam, but more so. It’s a long-legged trail bike with a focus that will chime with what many people are looking for.
Atherton AM.130: First Ride Review
The 130mm travel Atherton AM.130 review. Diet Trail bike? Double Down Country? Just a Mountain BIke? Regardless, it’s a unique proposition.
Bike Test: Mountain Bikes For Winter
AKA whatever gets you through the shite. Benji leads the team through the winter murk in order to find the ‘perfect’ winter mountain bike.
Orange Switch 6 Factory review
If you want a ‘play bike’ for mucking about on steep wooded slopes it makes sense to go to West Yorkshire.
Sonder Frontier Deore Rigid review
These aren’t bikes cluelessly designed by people whose main job is designing sleeping bags. Sonder bikes are designed by real riders.
Yeti SB120: First Ride Review
Yeti might not say the D word in its description of the new Yeti SB120 but this is clearly a Down Country bike.
Canyon Lux World Cup CFR Team review
Mathieu van der Poel rides a Canyon Lux World Cup Team, not races, as he hasn’t done a top-level mountain bike race this year.
Deviate Claymore review
The Deviate Claymore is the first long travel enduro bike from the Scottish brand. Designed to go fast on the biggest, steepest trails.
Issue 145 Bike Test – Mountain Bikes For Kids
Benji and the Singletrack Youth Squad check out mountain bikes for the mini-me riders among us.