The E*13 Vario dropper post offers smooth action and simple travel change in a durable package. The dropper post has been around for decades. Even before it became a must-have item for a modern mountain bike, the concept of the dropper post isn’t new. While…
Review
Gusset Slim Jim Nylon Pedals Review
The Gusset Slim Jim Nylon pedal is another composite flat pedal that proves you don’t need the latest CNC flats to get rowdy off-road. I remember buying my first ‘proper’ mountain bike. It was a Giant Boulder and I was pretty chuffed with it. I…
Kit Essentials: Fancy Pants
Where once the knee sock reigned supreme, now the riding trouser has emerged as a seriously practical option. Here’s what the Singletrack Staff have been using. We’ve had a little sun, we’ve enjoyed a few days of dusty summer trails, but now the temperature is…
Únic Signature Pants Review
This review was part of the Singletrack World Issue 139 Kit Essentials Feature Tested by: Andi Price: €88.62 From: Unicwear.com Únic is a clothing manufacturer based out of Andorra with a factory in Poland. The company only produces clothing to order, and they’ll happily customise…
Showers Pass Refuge Waterproof Trousers
This review was part of the Singletrack World Issue 139 Kit Essentials Feature Tested by: Hannah Price: £185.00 From: Showerspass.co.uk These are not trousers for packing just in case. These are trousers for when the weather forecast says no, but circumstances insist that you ride.…
Giro Havoc Trousers Review
This review was part of the Singletrack World Issue 139 Kit Essentials Feature Tested by: Chipps Price: £119.99 From: Giro.co.uk Giro’s Havoc trousers are part of its surprisingly large clothing range (there’s a Havoc short and also a Havoc waterproof short). The trousers are made…
Fox Women’s Defend Kevlar Review
This review was part of the Singletrack World Issue 139 Kit Essentials Feature Tested by: Amanda Price: £145.00 From: Foxracing.co.uk These trousers are designed for extreme mountain biking, enduro and downhill riding. They feature Kevlar® reinforced knees for extra tear and scuff resistance where you’re…
Endura Women’s MT500 Spray Baggy Review
This review was part of the Singletrack World Issue 139 Kit Essentials Feature Tested by: Amanda (Modelled by Hannah)Price: £114.99 From: Endurasport.com The Endura MT500 trouser is designed to be a do-it-all solution for winter riding. They feature a waterproof and seam-taped seat panel, DWR…
Kids Ride Shotgun Pro Seat review: smile maker
Effectively a mini extra seat that fixes to your bike's top tube, the Kids Ride Shotgun Pro means your kid can come mountain biking with you.
Fizik Gravita Tensor flat shoe review: do your feet a favour
After trying and being very impressed with the Fizik Gravita flat shoe, Extra UK sent over the more gravity friendly Fizik Gravita Tensor for me to review. Editors’ Choice 2021 This product features in our Singletrackworld Editors’ Choice 2021 round-up. Andi: “I mentioned there were…
2022 YT Capra Core 4 29 Review – The GOAT returns but does it live up to the hype?
Forget the big-budget movie launches featuring Hollywood stars! What we want to know is does the 2022 YT Capra Core 4 29 live up to the hype? Think of YT, and most people will automatically think of the Capra – YT’s flagship long-travel enduro bike.…
Nukeproof Blackline Trousers
This review was part of the Singletrack World Issue 139 Kit Essentials Feature Tested by: Ross Price: £80.00 From: Nukeproof.com Riding pants just make sense. They offer added protection and warmth, keep nettle stings at bay and best of all, I can whip them off…
Patrol 691 Evo Review | This Indonesian enduro puts the SUPER in Superboost!
Patrol Mountain has taken input from riders and testers from around the world and brought the geometry of their 691 right up to date. I do bring this up as often as I possibly can, but a few years ago, when pandemics were something only…
DT Swiss XMC 1501 Spline One wheelset review | “Pretty much perfect”
DT Swiss makes some great wheelsets, but is the DT Swiss XMC 1501 the gold standard of lightweight wheels? Find out in our review. You might be surprised to learn that quite often product reviewers (well, this reviewer anyway) hope that the thing they’re expected…
Cotic BFe Max Review – Another Cotic Classic!
Cotic BFe Max review! Cotic takes the BFe name made famous 16 years ago and gives it a 2021 29er spin. There are a few bike models that have really shaped the modern mountain bike industry and I feel that the Cotic BFe is one…
Halo Gravitas Review | Downhill ready performance that won’t break the bank!
Halo’s new Gravitas wheelset is aimed at downhill riders, and in fact, has already been tested on the Downhill World Cup, so surely they can survive a few months of STW abuse. Halo has a long tradition of developing wheels that can handle plenty of…
2022 Fox 34 Grip 2 Review | The king of trail forks?
Andi rides and reviews the 2022 Fox 34 Grip 2, a trail fork he thinks you should have at the very top of your wish list. A couple of weeks ago I posted a review of the RockShox Pike Ultimate fork, in that review I…
Magura MT7 Pro Review | Enduro anchors with plenty of power and customisation
Ross gives us the low-down on the Magura MT7 Pro brake system after 9 months of all-weather rallying. The MT7 Pro is Magura’s top end, big-hitting, gravity brake and is used by such people as the fast Frenchman, Loic Bruni. Designed to offer ultimate braking…
Granite Design Cricket Bell Review | ding ding for trail harmony!
Granite Design produces some great little items that you’ll use once and wonder how you lived without them, is this what we think of the Cricket Bell though? What is it? The Granite Design Cricket Bell is a small bell designed to mount to your…
Review | SILT Carbon AM 29, strong, light and cheap?
“Strong, light, cheap: pick two” is the phrase that is often punted around, but has SILT managed to tick off all 3 with the new SILT AM Carbon wheels? We all wish it wasn’t true, but it’s a fact that you cannot have a cheap,…
Sendhit Nock Handguards | Should you go full enduro?
Made in France and designed to protect your hands and your brake levers in the event of a crash, but are Nock Handguards worth it? What is it? Before I fitted the Sendhit Nock Handguards to my bike I believed that only Sam Hill or…
Review: Syncros Hixon IC Rise integrated bar and stem
For almost a year now, Andi has been riding the super slick Syncros Hixon IC Rise bar and stem combo and he is absolutely smitten! What is it? This is the Syncros Hixon IC Rise, a complete carbon bar and stem solution. Anyone who rode…
RockShox Pike Ultimate Review | Lots of small changes for big performance
The 35mm stanchion RockShox Pike looks positively skinny compared to new school forks, but the latest Pike Ultimate is perfect for trail duties. Way way back, not Judy DH or even Judy DHO way back, but way-ish back, the RockShox Pike was aimed at enduro…
Exclusive | Orange Alpine Evo Review a big travel bike with trail bike manners
The Orange Alpine Evo is the latest development in the Alpine range, offering big travel capabilities in a lively and efficient trail-friendly package. The Orange Alpine Evo isn’t designed to be an all-out enduro race bike, though it is surely capable enough. Instead, this new…
Review | Michelin Wild AM and Force AM tyres, as good as their Enduro cousins?
Off the back of testing and falling in love with the Michelin Wild Enduro, Andi tests the new Michelin Wild AM and Force AM. Will he be impressed? Earlier this year I tested the Nukeproof Giga, a super enduro bike that blew me away not…
Review: Patrol C091 a carbon hardtail with all the gear for just $2199
Low-cost, huge value mountain bike options are drying up fast, so perhaps the Patrol C091 is just what the mountain bike market needs. It seems like just a couple of years ago when the we filled headlines with news of budget bikes, and shops had…
Hope XCR Pro X2 Review | How good can 199g brakes really be?
Fresh new Hope XCR Pro X2 stoppers for XC racers or trail bike riders wanting to save on weight, but do they offer as much power as the competition? While some brands like to launch new products year on year, Hope tends to build kit…
RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate Coil Long Term Review
Ross gives us his impression of the RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate Coil rear shock after almost 12 months of abuse. It’s a good few years now since coil shocks were purely the preserve of DH bikes. With the advent of World level enduro racing and…
Review – Fox 38 Factory Grip 2 does the burly chassis and new features make a better enduro fork?
The Fox 38 launched last year right at the start of lockdown, but over the year we have ridden various models of this burly enduro fork and this is what we think. There are trends that we can following depending on the market that we…
Review | G-Spec TRP TR12 Derailleur and Shifter Kit Tested
James Vincent takes to the mountains of the Lake District with the G-Spec TRP TR12 derailleur and shifter kit for a full review. It used to be that if you wanted a decent shifter and mech from someone other than either of the Big Esses,…
Camelbak Chase Protector Vest review: back protection in a small package
The Camelbak Chase Protector vest is a small capacity backpack of the vest style you might be more accustomed to seeing on the back of some sinewy long-distance fell runner making their way through tussocks powered only by rice pudding. However, this is one that…
7MESH Copilot Jacket Reviewed | Packable Waterproofing for the Trail
I think it was 16 years ago that I was bought a GoreTex Paclite jacket for cycling to work in. From memory, it didn’t cost much less than this 7MESH Copilot jacket. I’ve still got it – it’s somewhat less waterproof than it was, but…
Evoc Trail Pro 16 Review – a light weight backpack with protection
Evoc’s new Trail Pro backpack offers Level 2 certified back protection in a light weight pack. There are three size options: 10 litre, 16 litre and 26 litre. None include the hydration bladder, but they are compatible with those if you buy them separately. I…
Review: Fi’zi:k Gravita Versor Flat Shoes
Have the Fi’zi:k Gravita Versor flat shoes knocked Andi’s current favourite flat pedal show off their podium? There is a lot to be unhappy about in the world, but I like to try and find a little happiness no matter how small and insignificant it…
Microshift Advent X 1 x 10 drivetrain review: not just for budget builds
I’ve been testing the Microshift Advent X on a number of bikes over the past few months and I’ve come away a believer! Editors’ Choice 2021 This product features in our Singletrackworld Editors’ Choice 2021 round-up. Andi: “I’m a sucker for an underdog, so when…
Review: The Pole Taival Frameset is long but not unwieldy
Earlier in the year, Andi took delivery of a Pole Taival frameset, a bike that has helped rekindle his love of steel hardtails once again. I’ve had a lot of history when it comes to hardtails, and it’s only been the past 5 or so…
Oakley Sutro S Glasses with Prizm Trail Torch
The Oakley Sutro S are a scaled-down version of the somewhat over the top Sutro model. With a smaller overall size, these will suit either the smaller of face or those who don’t want to make quite such a statement with their eyewear. They’re available…
Monday Mini Review: Nukeproof Horizon V2 Wheelset
Nukeproof are quickly becoming the kings of sensible, long-lasting kit, so what does Andi make of the Nukeproof Horizon V2 wheelset? What are they? They’re wheels and they give your bike something to roll on. It’s quite amazing in fact, that bikes are such simple…
Troy Lee Designs A3 Helmet | Monday Mini Review
Released earlier in the year, the Troy Lee Design A3 helmet promises maximum comfort, ultimate style and all-over safety. What is it? The Troy Lee Designs A3 helmet is the latest open face helmet from TLD. Funnily enough, it follows the A2 which in turn…
Sweet Protection Ronin Max RIG Glasses Review
The Ronin Max RIG from Sweet Protection are designed for maximum coverage and performance during high intensity sport activities. Available in the Standard Ronin, and the Ronin Max, the Max version on test features an oversized lens that offers additional vertical coverage for added protection.…
Marzocchi Bomber Z1 Coil and Bomber CR Coil Shock Review
Intro When it was originally launched way back in 1997, the Marzocchi Bomber caused something of a stir. I don’t think there would be many riders to argue against it being the first really good suspension fork on the market. In a world of flexy…
Continental Kaiser Protection Apex 29 x 2.4 Review
James Vincent tests the Continental Kaiser on the knob ripping rocks of the Lake District. Find out how they performed in this review. Brand: Continental Product: Kaiser Protection Apex From: www.conti-tyres.co.uk Price: £64.99 Weight: 1050g Tested: by James Vincent for 4 months Intro The Kaiser…
First Ride Review of the new Pirelli Scorpion Enduro S, Trail S and Enduro R tyres
Pirelli says that “Power is Nothing Without Control” so how does the new range of Pirelli Scorpion Enduro and Trail tyres perform? Just over 2 years ago, Pirelli launched the Scorpion MTB tyre range consisting of a collection of unique tyre designs suited for XC,…
Review: Fovno N Power Automated Pneumatic Bike Carrier
The Fovno N Power Automated Pneumatic bike carrier could be the solution to small and impractical car/bike interface. I have a problem, a problem that I believe affects quite a few petrolheads who also love to mountain bike. My problem is I like cars, quite…
Review: Merida Ninety Six 8000 don’t call it “down country”
When is a cross-country bike not a cross-country bike? When it has bigger tyres on it? Whilst that’s clearly a silly question given the years of work and squillions spent on research, but after the best part of a month riding the Merida Ninety Six…
Propain Hugene Performance Review | One bike to rule them all?
In recent months, you might be more familiar with Propain’s Spindrift being hucked off all manner of ridiculous gaps by crazy Frenchman Remy Metailler. If such gnarly sends aren’t on your agenda, then fear not, for the German brand has the trail focussed Propain Hugene…
Michelin Wild Enduro tyre review: hero dirt friendly grip grabber
Looking for extra grip and safety on the trail to enjoy that hero dirt? Andi thinks he’s found the perfect partner with the Michelin Wild Enduro Tyre. Editors’ Choice 2021 This product features in our Singletrackworld Editors’ Choice 2021 round-up. Andi : “The Wild Enduro…
ION Scrub Flat Pedal Shoe Review
German apparel and protection brand ION have a pretty comprehensive range of riding shoes with plenty of options in both flat and clipless varieties. I’ve spent the last six months trying the Scrub flat pedal shoes to put them through their paces and see how…
Stanton Switchback Gen 3 Review
I had mixed feelings coming to this Stanton Switchback Gen 3. Firstly, I’ve often slavered a little at Stanton frames friends have had, as they always look immaculate. When they do come into Singletrack, they also tend to swoosh straight through the office and right…
Salsa Cassidy and Blackthorn Review – One frame, two dream builds
There are times when this whole bike testing thing can be such a drag, man. Being faced with the prospect of riding a less than ideal BSO* with poorly specced components can really suck the joy out of life, and excuses not to ride pour…
Crankbrothers Stamp Lace flat shoe review
Is 4 years of development time enough for the Crankbrothers Stamp Lace flat shoe to make a mark on the MTB shoe market? Editors’ Choice 2021 This product features in our Singletrackworld Editors’ Choice 2021 round-up. Andi: “For years Five Ten were considered the champions…