This article was first published in Issue 129 of Singletrack Magazine. As I pushed back up a certain (pretty large, for me at least) feature on a huge loop in…
Review
Slicy Products Smooth Tyre Inserts, Sealant and Valves – Reviewed
David extends his tyre insert experience even further, with yet another test. This time, it's banana yellow Smooth Tyre Inserts from Slicy Products. Another foamy contender enters the ring. Hoop?…
9 Bike Locks, Chains and Anchors to keep your bike safe
If you've got a bike, you need a lock. Whether you are just wanting to deter someone from walking off with your ancient pub bike, or trying to keep all…
Troy Lee D4 Carbon Helmet – The King of Helmets?
George has a long and happy history with Troy Lee helmets - will the D4 Carbon keep a smile on his face? Being 6’ 6” limits your ability to test…
The Stif Squatch – More than just a big wheeled Morf?
Since launching the Morf in 2016, Stif have taken four years to develop and launch this Squatch, their first 29er hardtail. I respect that, because upfront it tells me they…
Maxxis Wetscream review: great when it’s awful
The Maxxis Wetscream was originally designed for one of the muddiest downhill race tracks in the world – Les Gets in France. Back when it was first designed, DH bikes…
Giant Reign Advanced Pro 2 – Long Term Review
Giant reckons their Reign 29er could be the ultimate Enduro machine but what does our resident aficionado of all things big mountain make of it after subjecting it to eight…
ENVE AM30 Foundation Wheelset – survives our toughest test!
Wheels quiver when they hear the name ‘Ross’. Will these ENVE AM30 Foundation wheels survive the double onslaught of a Northern winter and our Ross? There’s no doubt that ENVE…
Julbo Rush Photochromic Glasses Reviewed and Recommended
The Julbo Rush is designed to offer top end performance for cycling sports that combine endurance with speed. The Rush feature a full frame design and are available in a…
Women’s Endura MT500 Spray Baggy Trouser II
Designed for tough conditions with a performance fit and seat panel waterproofing, the Endura MT500 Trouser seem like the ideal solution for UK winter riding. This is my second year…
Review: Brand New Santa Cruz Nomad V5
The Nomad has been Santa Cruz’s flagship all mountain, long travel enduro bike for a good few years now, around 15 to be precise, and today sees the launch of…
The New Crankbrothers Shoe Range Reviewed
Eagle eyed followers of certain pro riders may have spotted some curious footwear. What brand could they be? Instagram queries to the likes of Fabio Wibmer about what shoes were…
Restrap Handlebar Bags: Two Convenient Carriers
Earlier this year I began looking for handlebar bag solutions for carrying a compact camera on rides that I could gain quick, easy access to. In the hunt for the…
Canyon Stoic 4 (2021) – 140mm of hardtail fun, reviewed
Canyon’s new alloy hardtail, the Stoic, comes in three models: the 2, 3 and 4. With the Canyon Stoic 2 starting at £849, and the bikes starting at a teeny…
Oakley DRT5 Helmet – Eyewear compatible brain protection
Designed with input from Greg Minnaar, will the Oakley DRT5 helmet deliver more than just a designer branded head protector? What do you want from a helmet? Protection – definitely.…
First Ride: 2021 Canyon Spectral CF 29 9.0
If there was one bike missing from the Canyon range then it was a 29er trail bike, that gap has now been plugged with the all-new 2021 Canyon Spectral 29.…
DMR V11 pedals scrutinised, ridden and then opened up
There’s a general assumption that if a pedal isn’t made of metal then it must be made of plastic. Sometimes even carbon gets insulted by being referred to as plastic.…
Review: Öhlins RXF36 M.2 And TTX2Air From The Swedish Suspension Masters
Before we look at this review of the RXF36 and TTXAir shock, a little history lesson: Öhlins’ performance pedigree dates all the way back to 1976 when the company was…
Ravemen PR1600 Review: One Light For All Occasions?
Singletrack's 'other' Lakeland product tester, Piers, gets out after hours in order to bring us this Raveman PR1600 review I confess that I had not heard of Raveman before…
2021 Commencal Meta AM 29 Review | Thought you were fast? Wait till you ride this!
The 2021 Commencal Meta AM 29 is a proven speed demon, with sorted geo and kinematics for reduced fatigue and impressive climbing. This is a full-on EWS weapon! Let's cut…
2021 Nukeproof Mega 275 Factory – First Ride Review
The Nukeproof Mega has been the brand's top flight, big hitting enduro bike since 2011. The original prototype was raced to 3rd place in Masters at the 2009 Megavalanche (the…
First Ride: 2021 Specialized Stumpjumper Review
Chipps reports from a day of ups and downs in the remarkably sunny Tweed Valley aboard the new Stumpjumper. Although it was only a day, there was more than enough…
Review | Orange Crush MX Pro LTD hardcore hardtail
Do the mixed wheels of the Orange Crush MX make this THE hardcore hardtail to own in 2021? Andi climbs on board to tell all. The continued evolution of the…
Fizik Terra Artica X2 – Cosy Boots For Warm Dry Feet
Beate braves the elements to put these Fizik Terra Artica winter boots to the test. The perfect winter boot does not exist. Which means that I am engaged in an…
Ortlieb Bikepacking Range 2021 – Pack Everything and Ride Everywhere
Will the 2021 Ortlieb Bikepacking range make sleeping in a bush or bivvy just that little bit more luxurious? With this much carry space, there's room to pack for comfort.…
Canyon Strive CF 7.0 – One bike eager to rule them all
Our US correspondent takes the Canyon Strive CF 7.0 for a tour of the UK. Would this shapeshifter bike serve all his bike needs in one? The Canyon Strive CF…
Sonder Signal ST NX First Look & Ride
Launched in August the Sonder Signal ST is essentially a steel version of their existing Signal Ti model - that's Ti = titanium of course. You can check out Andi's…
Shimano GR5 Flat Pedal Shoe Review
The Shimano GR5 flat pedal shoe is an affordable mountain bike shoe perfect for dry Summer conditions. Shimano has a shoe for almost every foot with cycling-specific footwear for all…
Privateer 141 | First Ride Review Of Privateer’s Brand New All-Rounder
Ross receives the new Privateer 141 for an early test. See what he makes of this aggressive UK trail bike in this review. Privateer Bikes first came onto our radar…
Smith Mainline | Lightweight Full Face Helmet – Reviewed
Smith enters the full face helmet market with the Smith Mainline - how does it compare to the competition? The Smith Mainline is the company’s entry into a DH certified…
Cube Blackline Waterproof Shorts – Packable Waterproofing For Your Bum
Vicky puts the Cube Blackline Waterproof Shorts through their paces in the gritty and wet Calder Valley. These Cube Blackline Waterproof Shorts are a lightweight, packable waterproof short, made out…
Canyon Exceed CFR LTD – First Ride Review
When an email dropped into my inbox asking if I’d like to test the new Canyon Exceed CFR, I’ll admit I hesitated before accepting the challenge. The last time I…
New ‘99% Accurate’ Wahoo KICKR Trainer Launches
Yes, it must be time to start thinking about those dark nights spent spinning away in front of the screen in the hope of spring fitness. And the new 5th…
Tested: Fasst Flexx Suspension Handlebars
David breaks out the digital calipers to test the effectiveness of the Fasst Flexx suspension handlebar. There's something undeniably nineties-sounding about suspension handlebars, especially given that these work with elastomers.…
SR Suntour TriAir 3CR Rear Shock Review
The Suntour TriAir 3CR is an affordable rear shock that promises performance and easy maintenance. So, does it live up to the promise? Perhaps one of the most overlooked parts…
Review: Suntour Durolux R2C2 PCS EQ top-performance on a budget!
The Suntour Durolux R2C2 PCS EQ is awarded a Singletrack Recommended Award for providing quality suspension and performance at a budget price. Suntour’s continued development of its rowdy 36mm enduro…
Long-Term Review: VeeTire Snap WCE Top 40, all the grip none of the slip
Downhill tyres made from motorbike rubber? Andi puts the VeeTire Snap WCE Top 40 to the test in his long term review. I’ve been running a VeeTire Snap WCE on…
Merida Matts J24+ | For the Mini-Shredder with Big Dreams
Eliza Marsh swings a leg over the Merida Matts J24+ little-hitter from Merida It’d be easy to sweep an abstracted eye over photos of the Merida Matts J24+ and assume…
RockShox Zeb Ultimate review: new big hitter on the block
Ross reviews the 38mm RockShox Zeb Ultimate, a big and burly enduro fork made to bridge the gap between the Lyrik and Boxxer. 2021 Editors’ Choice This fork features in…
Exclusive First Ride Review: The Brand New Transition Spur
We’ve been lucky enough to have the all new Transition Spur in for an exclusive first ride test ahead of its launch. The brand new Transition Spur sees Transition entering…
Review: 2021 Orange Five Evo LE short travel big hitter
Andi tackles the trails on Orange’s latest creation, the short travel, progressively angled 2021 Orange Five Evo LE. A few years ago I reviewed the Orange Four and I concluded…
First Ride Review: 2021 Specialized Epic Pro – No Mercy XC Racing Beast
Wheel this new Specialized Epic Pro out of the box and you’re immediately struck by how neat and purposeful it looks. Thanks to the SRAM AXS Eagle wireless shifting and…
Julbo Quickshift MTB Goggles | 2 Modes, 1 Pair of Goggles
James tries out the Julbo Quickshift MTB Goggles – will he be glad of the protection they give his eyes? Ever since I was about 7 or 8, I’ve worn…
DZR Turin Boots | Now With European Distributor For Easy Purchasing
Hannah checks out the DZR Turin boots, just as they get a whole lot easier to get hold of int he UK and Europe. When offered a pair of these…
2021 Juliana Furtado | First Ride Review
The 2021 Juliana Furtado has seen some significant changes. Pitched as being a very capable trail steed, we’ve sent one of our favourite Van Girls out to play on the…
Bontrager Rally SPD Shoe Review
My old shoes have died. They were lightweight, XC and absolutely knackered. I am neither particularly lightweight nor XC, so was delighted to be given the opportunity try something a…
First Ride Review: 2021 SRAM GX Eagle, 2 more teeth and 520% range.
Andi has been on the latest version of the SRAM GX Eagle drivetrain with new 520% range cassette for 2 weeks, and here are his first impressions. Before we delve…
Fox Transition Duffel Bag | The Bag You Didn’t Know You Needed
Bike Connection Agency is a twice yearly, intimate event with a small selection of big brands. It’s surprising how quickly you accumulate enough items to make travelling home difficult, so…
Showers Pass Ranger Hip Pack | Waterproof Biscuit Transport
Wet weather specialists Showers Pass have just released the big sister to their Rainslinger hip pack. The Showers Pass Ranger hip pack boasts more room, a tool roll, back protection…
Review: Crankbrothers Synthesis E Alloy Wheelset
The Crankbrothers Synthesis range is made up of both carbon and alloy wheelsets, and there are wheels to suit everyone from XC racers to eBikers and downhill racers. For the…