Reviews

WTB Vigilante 2.3×27.5in Team Issue tyre

Well worth considering for aggressive riding with a downhill focus.

Merida Big 7 Alloy XT Edition

The Big 7 feels sharp, nimble, more sprightly; very much like a 26in but still with a slightly smoother roll over bumps.

Osprey’s fast & light Rev 6 hydration pack

A new direction for well-regarded pack brand

Canyon Grand Canyon AL SLX 7.9

Totally predictable handling, dead stable and as confident on twisting singletrack as any other bikes we’ve tried around this price

Lake MX331 Cross cyclocross shoe

Very good at what they do. Only you know if what they do is what you want

Truvativ Blackbox Danny Hart bars

Blackbox for the people! A good looking signature bar that\'s good value too

Endura Humvee Long Sleeve Jersey

A no-nonsense jersey that works well for three season riding.

Niner Flat Top RDO Bar

Great, low and wide bars, though for a fearsome price.

Fizik Gobi XM K:ium – Highlighter edition

If you have a Gobi-shaped bum and like retina-burning colours, then this is probably the saddle for you

Garmin 510 GPS

A great GPS unit for riders less bothered about navigation and mapping than they are about stats.

Specialized Crave Comp

Californian bicycle powerhouse Specialized has been focusing attention on its big wheelers for a little longer than many...

Speed Date – OneUp Components 42t Sprocket

The OneUp Components 42 tooth sprocket promises to be the \'$100 XX1 replacement\', so how does it measure up?

Lazer’s handsome, breathable Rox (O2 XC) helmet

Fewer sizes, more features?

Ecozoom Versa

The Ecozoom Versa is a very solidly built stove that\'ll be ideal for camping trips or race weekends.

A year without bead hooks: Roval Control 29 Carbon

Specialized wheel brand hits £1,000 carbon mark.

Pivot Vault cyclocross bike

Just because it’s not Belgian, don’t discount the Pivot. It’s a cyclocross bike for the new breed.

Continental Mountain King 2.4 and X-King 2.4 x 29in tyres

Versatile and hard-wearing 29in all-rounders.

Moon Crescent R and W lights

Everybody needs a set of blinky lights for their bike.

Sweet Protection Bushwhacker MIPS helmet

A great fitting helmet with some proper science built in.

MSR Reactor 1.0l Stove

Coffee and noodles handled with ease. Don’t forget a lighter though. Or a spark.

M:Part Single Ring XC chain device

A good value proposition, and essentially does what it is designed to.

Longtermer Update: Dave’s Orange Five RS – Six Months In

Six months in how\'s the Five RS coping?

RockShox Pike RCT3 150 Solo Air 29in/27.5 fork

Go-to trail fork of the year?

Mavic Alpine XL shoes.

Excellent all-mountain bike shoes offering grip off the bike and a decent pedalling platform on it.

Lezyne Classic Dirt Floor Drive track pump

Big, satisfying volume from a great looking pump – that’s made just for us mountain bikers.

Showers Pass Elite 2.1 jacket and Gore Bike Wear Alp-X 2.0 Gore-Tex Active Lady jacket

A good technical jacket will make more difference to your winter riding comfort than almost any other bit of kit

Syntace Vector Carbon High10 handlebars

Solid, sweepy bars with just enough damping

Intense Carbine 29

A harsh terrain endure bike offering massive appeal to downhillers kicking back from full-on downhill rigs

Trek Remedy 9 29

In terms of combining big hit, big wheel ability with value for money, the Remedy 9 is one of the best bikes on the market.

Niner R.I.P 9

Trail Ripper? See what we reckon to the R.I.P 9