We sent David ‘Dinger’ Hayward out to beat up these Sun Ringle Düroc SD37 Pro wheels, available as both a rim only or complete wheelset option. Will his reputation as a wheel bruiser be dented, or will it be the wheels that take the damage?…
Review
Manitou Mezzer Pro | Just The Right Amount Of Tuning?
We put the Manitou Mezzer Pro fork through a winter of hard use – did the testers come back smiling? There’s a particular place online where some bike mechanics share photos, and one of the perennial posts is bikes that have been built with the…
3 Full Face Trail Helmets, Head To Head
We get George and his downhill buddies to put three full face helmets light enough for trail use to the test. I’d like to think that I was assigned this product test because of my literary ability to translate complex product information into real world…
Review: Burgtec Penthouse Mk5 Pedal “Is it possible to make a better pedal?”
Burgtec Penthouse MK5 pedal reviewed. Burgtec takes flat pedal design to the limit. It was around this time last year that Burgtec thoroughly impressed me with the composite version of the Penthouse flat pedal. That nylon/fibreglass pedal proved to be such a good product that…
DT Swiss 232 ONE – The All New XC Suspension Platform
DT Swiss launches the new 232 ONE XC Suspension Platform: fork, shock and dropper post, for tough XC performance. When DT Swiss decided to launch an all new suspension platform aimed squarely at small travel bikes and XC racing they had a couple of conundrums…
Vitus Mythique 29 VR | Raising The Bar For Budget Trail Bikes?
Antony checks out the Vitus Mythique, another great budget trail bike for your shopping list. When I started riding mountain bikes, the more affordable end of the market seemed to be aimed at riders who were doing a completely different sport. Budget bikes had unwieldy…
RockShox SID Ultimate Carbon 29er fork | Beautiful And Fast
We let Jason loose on a RockShox SID Ultimate Carbon 29er fork. Will anyone be able to catch up with him to get it back? I wonder how many riders have won races on bikes equipped with SID forks? Must be loads and loads. More…
Showers Pass Rainslinger Waterproof Hip Pack | Does What It Says On The Tin
Would the Showers Pass Rainslinger Waterproof Hip Pack live up to its billing? Or would Calderdale’s finest winter filth get the better of it? The Rainslinger hip pack has a 3.5lt capacity and attaches to your person via reflective ballistic strength Nylon webbing straps with…
Wolf Tooth Bar Kit One | Never Be Tool Free
Wolf Tooth Bar Kit One Encase System comprises of two bar end tool cases, housing everything you would hope for in a multitool. At one end there is a a selection of hex, torx and screwdriver bits. At the other there is a tubeless repair…
Shand Shug | A Classic Hardtail or Radical Animal?
First published in Issue 127 of Singletrack Magazine, this Shand Shug was reviewed as part of our British Steel test of steel hardtails built in the UK. Shand Shug Price: £995.00 (frame only) From: Shand, shandcycles.com Shand has been building custom steel frames in Scotland…
18 Bikes No 9 | Sheffield Steel Hardtail
First published in Issue 127 of Singletrack Magazine, this 18 Bikes No 9 was reviewed as part of our British Steel test of steel hardtails built in the UK. 18 Bikes No 9 Price: £900.00 (frame only) From: 18 Bikes, 18bikes.co.uk 18 Bikes is a…
Vaude AM Moab Mid STX Waterproof MTB Shoes | Reviewed
Amanda has been hammering these Vaude AM Moab Mid STX boots through mud, rain, snow and ice without once complaining about performance. Find out what’s made our resident fusspot claim to have found her ‘forever shoes.’ High top flat pedal mountain bike shoes. There’s not…
Canyon Neuron SLX 9.0 LTD Review – A Bike With All The Upgrades?
Take any full suspension trail bike, regardless of wheel size and if you leave it in the shed for any length of time, maybe swapping tyres or upgrading a few bits, it’ll inevitably come to about 31lbs. It’s just one of those things – like…
Giro 100 Proof Winter Gloves Review | Mittens For MTB?
Giro 100 Proof Winter Gloves Review. Are these winter riding mittens a contender for best extreme weather riding wear? Mittens are not something I’d typically use for mountain biking, mainly because of braking. Perhaps mittens are how we can all get faster and stop comfort…
New Cotic FlareMAX | First Ride Review
The new Cotic FlareMAX is launched today, once again at a Cotic CC event rather than a far flung media launch with canapes and jacuzzi. Luckily for us, Cy at Cotic was happy to join us for coffee and mud baths to give us a…
Time Speciale 8 ATAC pedal review | Pretty much perfect?
An early convert to clipless pedals, I’ve been riding variations of Shimano SPD clipless pedals for the best part of 25 years, and in that time I’ve never had an issue with Shimano’s durability, their clip in and release action, or their relative lack of…
Muc-Off Pressure Washer Review
We test the Muc-Off Pressure Washer and quickly learn that cleaning your muddy bike can be both fast and fun! Using pressure washers to wash your bike is nothing new, but pressure washers designed specifically for washing bikes are, and this is Muc-Off’s example. Muc-Off…
RockShox Lyrik Ultimate RC2 | The Ultimate Fork? Reviewed
Earlier this year RockShox announced a new, updated version of their top end enduro fork, the Lyrik. The Lyrik was only updated less than a year before, which gave rise to the Lyrik RC2. For 2020, RockShox has revamped that chassis and introduced the RockShox…
Cube X-Shell Natural Fit Winter Gloves | Reviewed
It’s one of the mysteries of the cycling world why bike clothing has never really made the crossover into mainstream fashion. Branded clothing from cycling brands therefore tends to be worn by brand-fans and sponsored riders, showing their loyalty. While Cube is a huge manufacturer…
Radon Slide Trail 8.0 Review | There’s A Lot To Like
David checks out the value packed Radon Slide Trail – a full suspension 29er – and finds there’s plenty to like. This Radon Slide Trail 8.0 arrived early in the summer, and after getting on well with Radon’s Cragger hardtail earlier in the year, I’d…
Alpinestars Vector Tech Pilot MIPS Helmet Review
Over the past few months, Andi has been rocking the bright red Alpinestars Vector Tech Pilot helmet with MIPS and he’s come away impressed! Alpinestars might be best known for their motorbike clothing, but over the years the brand has been responsible for mountain bikes…
Review | Bosch Fontus Portable Bike Washer
Want to clean your bike away from power or water sources? Then maybe this portable Bosch Fontus Washer will be of interest. The Bosch Fontus Washer has a maximum pressure of 15bar, so Bosch says it’s not a high pressure washer, but has enough oomph…
First Ride Review | 2020 Norco Sight A2
Hannah gets a quick spin out on the new 2020 Norco Sight A2, before its official launch. Norco, the Candian brand available in the UK through high street store and online retailer, Evans Cycles has been gradually working through its range bringing the models up…
Leatt Impact 3DF 3.0 – Impact Protection Shorts For Women (And Men)
When Hannah went looking for some impact protection shorts for women, she couldn’t find any – so she tried these unisex ones from Leatt instead. Impact shorts are perhaps more usually worn by gravity riders racing their way down seriously gnarly courses at high speeds.…
Review | Vaude Trail Spacer 18 – More Capacity Than Capability?
Hannah tests out the Vaude Trail Spacer 18 – will its knitted construction hold up to miles on the bike as well as her previous pack? My previous experience of a Vaude back pack was of one tested by Jenn before I arrived at Singletrack.…
Oakley Crossrange – Prescription Riding Glasses
Prism lens prescriptions really narrow down your options for riding glasses, as you can’t have a single wrap around lens. Amanda has found a solution that works for her. Everyone has an embarrassing ‘I used to believe in…’ or ‘I used to think that…’ story.…
Nukeproof Nirvana Jacket | Light, Breathable & Waterpoof
Amanda has spent more time in her Nukeproof Nirvana packable jacket than she has on a bike recently, so what’s making her wear it in all weathers? It’s hard to define seasons these days. We’ve had weeks of torrential rain mid summer and glorious sunshine…
Review | Tannus Armour – Inner Tubes Ain’t Dead
If you’re still running tubes, this Tannus Armour will give you a little more protection on the trail. Tubes. The thing I always carry on rides, but haven’t had to use in years. I never bothered with tubeless when I lived somewhere flat, with trails…
JetWet portable pressure washer review
The JetWet portable pressure washer could mean the end of dirty car interiors but is it any good? We’re very much in the grip of Autumn now, and we all have to come to the reality that we will be riding in wet or muddy…
NS Synonym TR1 First Ride Impressions
We take a ride on the NS Synonym, a cross-country bike with a wild side or is it a short travel enduro bike? Remember during our Eurobike coverage when we took a look at that stunning aggressive 29er XC bike from NS? Well, we could…
Shotgun Child Seat for Mountain Biking | Take Your Kids On The Trail
If you’ve been looking for a child seat for mountain biking, could the Shotgun be the answer? I’d always been envious of people with a bike trailer – I had dreams of a lovely maternity leave with lots of bike trailer rides, but it never…
Bike Test | Long Haulers – For Bikepacking In Comfort
Antony de Heveningham looks at three unconventional mountain bikes that come with fitted racks and a sense of adventure. Perfect for bikepacking. Words by Antony de Heveningham. Photos by James Vincent. Not so long ago, many mountain bikes were designed so their riders could carry…
Trek 1120 Review| Custom Racks For Unbeaten Tracks
First published in Issue 124 of Singletrack Magazine, this Trek 1120 was reviewed as part of our Long Haulers test of bikes with racks. For when you really want to carry everything and the kitchen sink. Words by Antony de Heveningham. Photos by James Vincent.…
Salsa Blackborow | Haul More Junk In The Trunk
First published in Issue 124 of Singletrack Magazine, this Salsa Blackborow was reviewed as part of our Long Haulers test of bikes with racks. For when you really want to carry everything and the kitchen sink. Words by Antony de Heveningham. Photos by James Vincent.…
Mason InSearchOf | A Bike For Going Further
First published in Issue 124 of Singletrack Magazine, this Mason InSearchOf was reviewed as part of our Long Haulers test of bikes with racks. For when you really want to carry everything and the kitchen sink. Words by Antony de Heveningham. Photos by James Vincent.…
Review | Formula Selva R – The most adjustable fork there is?
David rides the highly adjustable Formula Selva R fork. Will he get tweak fatigue, or find his perfect setting for every trail? A little under three years ago, I first rode Formula’s 35 fork. At the time, it was the best fork I’d ever ridden,…
Smith Forefront 2 Helmet | Tested, Crashed and Reviewed
Ross tests (perhaps a little too literally) the latest Forefront 2 helmet from Smith Optics The Smith Forefront 2, as the name suggests, is the updated version to Smith’s popular Forefront helmet. Rather than just making a few small tweaks to the existing model though,…
Book Review: Rough-Stuff Fellowship Archive
Chipps has got himself a copy of the Rough-Stuff Fellowship Archive, and thinks you need one too. I’m going to annoy loads of people first off by mentioning the ‘C’ word. Yes, I know it’s months until Christmas, but you know that Aunty Nora is…
Pepi’s Rokkline Tire Noodles
Pepi’s Tire Noodle is another foam sausage designed to fit betwixt rim and tyre, protecting both from those nasty pinch flats and dings. Due to their colour, which is much more fluorescent than my camera or screen can reproduce, these are probably the most Enduro…
Evoc World Traveller Suitcase | A portable wardrobe?
Evoc is known for making many kinds of bag – ones to carry your bike in, ones to carry while you’re riding your bike, and, like this ‘Evoc World Traveller’ maybe, ones to carry when you’re off somewhere fun to ride your bike. Or, just…
Motion Ride E18 Linkage Fork | Anti-dive That Works
It might look unusual, but how will it ride? David checks out the Motion Ride E18 Linkage Fork. Around 2011, there was a conversation I kept on having over and over again. It concerned an object I carried and used a lot, about which everyone…
RockStop Tubeless Insert | Review
Can’t Stop The Rock. We’ve been warned repeatedly. It’s been received wisdom for decades, but now, thanks to Rockstop, could Apollo 440 be wrong? There’s a chance. The rock might be stoppable. Rockstop is made by a UK company, based in Cumbria and named Urofoam.…
Goodyear Newton EN Premium Tyres | Review
David checks out this pair of Goodyear Newton tyres, the latest MTB rubber from Goodyear. Despite starting out making bicycle tyres at the end of the 19th Century, from the mid-seventies, Goodyear took a 40 year break from bike tyres. That was, until they signed a…
Deaneasy ABS Fork Tune | Foam Inserts Reviewed
Foam! Truly this is mountain biking’s era of foam. No longer confined to the bit we sit on, there are now foam tyre inserts, vibration dampening foam-filled bars, rims filled with foam, and more recently foam fork volume spacers. Like this, the Deaneasy ABS Fork…
Review | The Bontrager Blaze is the first MTB helmet with WaveCel technology
Antony checks out the new WaveCel technology from Bontrager, as fitted into its Bontrager Blaze helmet. Recently, mountain biking has seen a big increase in the awareness of the long-term risks of concussion. The vast majority of mountain bike helmets use expanded polystyrene (EPS) to…
2019 Cotic BFe First Ride Review
James Vincent grabs a first ride on the new Cotic BFe hardtail. When launching a new bike, some bike companies whisk a select group of lucky journos off to some exotic location on the other side of the world, wine them and dine them, and…
2020 Nukeproof Reactor First Ride Review
Ross throws a leg over the 2020 Nukeproor Reactor then throws it down the nearest rut infested trail to see how it rides. Today sees the launch of the brand spanking new Nukeproof Reactor, a mid-travel, do-it-all, trail bike that fills the gap in the…
Manitou Mattoc Pro Long Term Review
James Vincent checks out the Manitou Mattoc Pro Boost fork – how does it stand up to the competition? Another month, another set of suspension forks for review. No fancy linkages on these ones though, just standard telescoping tubes, stanchions, bushings and a not so…
Rudy Project Keyblade Photochromic Glasses – Multipurpose frames for many light levels.
Launched today are the latest 2020 products from Rudy Project, including these new Rudy Project Keyblade frames with photochromic lenses, which we picked up at a preview at Impact Sun Valley, Idaho earlier this summer. Rudy Project has a background in road and triathlon, though…
Sector 9i carbon wheels come with a built-in Suit of Armour first ride review
Wheel maker Sector wants to prove to the world that tough and durable, needn’t mean stiff and uncomfortable with the new Sector 9i carbon wheelset. I was chatting with a very well known composite guru one evening, and over a bottle or two of red…
Endura MT500 Lite Knee Pads | Review
Wil gives us his review of the new Endura MT500 Lite Knee Pads Just two months ago, Endura released several brand new protective products under the venerable MT500 label. These included a very lightweight, (as in, 640g lightweight!) full-face helmet equipped with Koroyd protection, and…