It may look like a diet e-bike from certain angles but rest assured the new Focus Jam Carbon 8.9 is very much a pilot powered pedal-bike.
Review
Singletrack Issue 141 kit essentials: Insulated jackets
Chipps and the team venture out into the chill winds to bring word of the best insulated jackets out there.
Singletrack Issue 141 bike test: Going to unextremes
The Singletrack team tests out three hardtails that sit somewhere in the midst of the ride style continuum.
Pipedream Sirius S5 review
The Pipedream Sirius is no match for carbon in terms of power transfer or weight, but the angles on it make it a pleasure to pedal.
Sonder Dial GX Eagle review
The Sonder Dial is marketed at riders wanting more confidence than a gravel bike and a more direct feel than a trail bike.
Trek Roscoe 9 review
As a gnarly trail shredding bike, it won’t surprise anyone that the Trek Roscoe is biased in favour of the rowdier type of riding.
New Santa Cruz Heckler: first ride review
Where the previous Santa Cruz Heckler was considered the electric Bronson, the new Heckler is much more like an electric Hightower.
Madison Flux trousers review
Apart from the small pockets I can't fault the Madison Flux trousers. They’re properly comfortable to wear and perform well on the bike.
Osprey Raptor Pro backpack – for racing enduro, not your mates
This backpack is Osprey’s first mountain bike specific pack with an integrated spine protector. At present, it only comes in this 18 litre option, and it only comes in black – Osprey might expand the range if this one shows the demand is there. The…
Orbea Rise M10 review: just happens to have a motor
With the amazing Orbea Rise M10 diet electric mountainbike, Orbea has taken the low fat e-MTB principle and run with it.
Specialized 2FO Roost Clip Mountain Bike Shoes review
pecialized 2FO Roost Clip Mountain Bike Shoes, reviewed for two cold, wet, snowy months. Does Amanda have cold toes?
Fox Mainframe helmet review – MIPS on a budget
Want a helmet with MIPS but want to keep costs down? The Fox Mainframe does all that it needs to, and does it well.
POC Consort MTB Dungaree review
Dungarees for mountain biking? Yes, that's a thing. Chief overall wearer Hannah tests out the POC Consort MTB dungaree.
Cotopaxi Allpa 35 review – A carry on clamshell back pack
The Cotopaxi Allpa 35 is an ethically made back pack with versatile storage designed for use as carry on luggage on a plane.
Review: Salsa Timberjack SLX 29 – how will you ride yours?
This review is part of the Bike Test feature ‘Hard Tails for Trails’ from Issue 137 of Singletrack Magazine. Price: £1,870.00 From: Lyon Equipment lyon.co.uk Salsa has been around since the early 1980s, and in recent years the brand has become synonymous with the carrying…
Reviewed: Ragley Big Wig – a steel hardtail classic
This review is part of the Bike Test feature ‘Hard Tails for Trails’ from Issue 137 of Singletrack Magazine. Price: £1,999.99 From: Ragley We suspect that Ragley strongly believes in the idea that if something isn’t broken then it doesn’t need to be fixed. The…
Nukeproof Scout 290 Pro review: for a fun filled ride
This review is part of the Bike Test feature ‘Hard Tails for Trails’ from Issue 137 of Singletrack Magazine. Price: £2,449.99 From: Nukeproof Editors’ Choice 2021 This product features in our Singletrackworld Editors’ Choice 2021 round-up. Hannah: “Why has an alloy hardtail turned my head…
2022 Focus Jam² 7.0: first ride review
Just in time for the most miserable bit of the year, Focus has launched the new Focus Jam² ebike with the tagline “Happy Place”. Antony takes a first look at the top-of-the-range Jam² 7.0 and tries to identify where that place might be. Focus is…
Reserve 30SL Wheelset Reviewed – properly light and durable wheels
Reserve was founded in 2014, with a simple goal – to make the most reliable and durable carbon wheels on the market, with the best strength to weight ratio possible – all backed up with a lifetime guarantee. The first Reserve mountain bike wheels were…
FINDRA Barra Waffle Merino Gilet – A dash of luxury on the trail
This Barra Waffle Merino Gilet from FINDRA is a unisex gilet made in the UK from ethically sourced Merino wool. Made with two layers, the inside is a fine knitted plain knit layer, while the outside is a waffle texture knit that’s designed to act…
Hunt Enduro Wide V2 – Hard Hitting Hoops That Won’t Break The Bank
The Enduro Wide have been in the Hunt range for a few years now and as the name suggests, they were designed for hard riding on rough and technically demanding terrain. This year Hunt launched the updated version, the V2, which was developed using input…
Review: Canyon Lux Trail CF 8 – the best value bike of its type?
Daz reviews the Canyon Lux Trail – another XC/trail bike in a long line of this ilk that he’s tested. Images by Rob Lockhart. I’m sure it was just an unfortunate coincidence, but I can’t be the only mountain biker wondering why the bike industry…
Review: Shimano MW7 Winter Boots – No excuses boots for winter riding
These Shimano MW7 winter boots are designed to remove any excuses you have about winter riding. Forget ‘it’s too cold’ or ‘it’s too wet’ as the idea of these black beasts is to protect you from the worst that winter will throw at you. Shimano…
Commencal Meta AM 29 Team Review
Commencal went ultra-long and slack for the newest Meta AM 29, so does that make it too enduro for everyday riding? The Commencal Meta AM 29 has evolved from being an ‘All Mountain’ trail bike to a full-on enduro slayer. Compared to the previous generation…
Giant Trance X Advanced E + – the new kid on the e bike block and First Ride Review
With the launch of the Trance X Advanced E bike range, have Giant finally hit it out the park?
Review – Magicshine Monteer 8000 Galaxy you’re never going to need more light!
Magicshine’s latest 8000 lumen Monteer is less of a light and more like your very own personal solar flare for the trail! Winter might bring cold weather, mud, rain, and constant cleaning of gritty drivetrains, but it also brings with it the fun of a…
Review: Give your gravel bike some drop with the Brand X Dropper!
Gravel bikes are built far tougher than their on-road cousins and as we tackle steeper stuff the Brand X dropper posts make a lot of sense. Brand-X dropper seatposts have gained a decent reputation over the past few years for durability and reliability at an…
Schwalbe G-One R Gravel Tyre Review
Schwalbe’s G-One R Gravel tyre is a race-ready gravel tyre that’s fast-rolling and offers a velvety-smooth ride. I wouldn’t say that I am a connoisseur of gravel bike tyres, I’ve only been riding gravel bikes for a very short time and have limited experience on…
Boardman MTR 9.0 review
// intro // Pros Cons blah Overall blah Boardman MTR 9.0 specification Geometry of our L size Boardman’s MTR 9.0 is the company’s flagship mountain bike. No high-falutin’ DH or Enduro monster, this – the aim of the company is to produce perfect machines for…
Review: The Saracen Ariel 50E Elite – does a top-end build equal a top-end bike?
As regular readers of these pages will know, there’s a bit of a split appearing in the ebike world. On the one side, there are bikes which promise a diet eMTB experience, with small batteries and inconspicuous motors that deliver a gentle push of power…
Smith Engage Helmet Review: High-End Protection At A Low Cost?
Smith bolsters its helmet range with the Smith Engage, a price-conscious helmet with high-end features and protection. The Smith Engage, by eyewear and helmet brand Smith, was launched as a cheaper alternative to their top-end open face helmet – the Forefront 2 – which I’ve…
Singular Peregrine Mk3 – A Classic Gravel All Rounder
Singular Peregrine Mk3 From: singularcycles.com Price: £1000 (frame and fork) Tested By: Celia Way Test Duration: One Month Singular is a small British brand, known for steel framesets with classic aesthetics and contemporary performance. It’s been the advance guard of trends that are now the…
E*13 Vario Dropper Post review – an adjustable dropper on the go!
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…
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…
Riese & Müller Packster 80 Cargo Bike – What Fuel Crisis?
Reviewed back in Issue 131 of Singletrack Magazine, the Riese & Müller Packster 80 has done more than just deliver groceries. It’s started a revolution… Riese & Müller is a German brand that first entered the market in 1995 with an innovative fold-up full suspension…
Benno Boost E CX Cargo Bike – Tested for 700 miles
This product was selected for our Editors’ Choice Awards 2022, as published in Singletrack Magazine Issue 146 In the Editors’ Choice Awards we highlight our standout bikes and products from the past year. These are the bikes that we’d like to have in our sheds.…
What I’m Wearing – Giro Gravel Gear
What makes cycling clothing gravel-specific? Slightly less baggy than mountain bike gear, not as skin tight as road gear? Helmets that combine aero and breathability? Of course, making sure that you’re fantastically coordinated. Here’s the kit bag we chose as the perfect selection for Grinduro,…
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…
Microshift Advent 1 x 9 drop bar groupset review | Top-Notch performance on a budget!
We’ve rated their mountain bike groupset, so how does the Microshift Advent 1 x 9 drop bar groupset stand up? Find out in our review. I think it’s fair to say that the price of your average bicycle drivetrain these days is a bit silly.…
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…
