The Hope HB.916 is one of the nicest looking bikes we've seen. But does the 160/170mm enduro bike live up to its aesthetic promise?
Review
Arkel Seatpacker 15 Lonnng Term Review
With modern era bikepacking in mind, Canadian bike touring luggage legends Arkel have entered the market with their Arkel Seatpacker 15 bag.
Giro Merit Spherical Dirt Helmet Review
The Giro Merit Spherical Dirt is a do-it-all trail helmet with something called 'MIPS Spherical' for added crash protection.
Crank Brothers Stamp 7 flat pedal review
Is bigger really better? At 114mm wide the Crank Brothers Stamp 7 pedals are considerably wider than most pedals on the market.
New Santa Cruz 5010: first ride review of mid-travel mullet
The latest Santa Cruz 5010 sees a move to mullet but the travel resolutely remains the same: 130mm at the rear, 140mm fork up front.
Giro Insurgent Spherical Helmet review
Built around 'Spherical Technology', the Giro Insurgent claims to have 50% better cooling and 200g less weight than the Giro Disciple.
Lifeline Pro Bike Workstand review
LifeLine Pro Bike Workstand offers height adjustment, 40kg max weight, magnetic tool tray and adjustable dual cantilever clamp.
Arrow Wheels AGRS Road Gravel Hope Wheelset review
The Arrow Wheels AGRS Road Gravel wheelset is on my Planet X Tempest, a bike I intended solely for gravel use, but over time I have found to lean more toward road riding. I have tested these wheels as road and gravel, but in both…
TSG Scope: do BMX smarts make a decent MTB lid?
The TSG Scope is the top end mountain bike helmet in its lineup, and it's a high coverage lid, aimed at riders who want to go fast, down.
Ion Seek shoes: Suave, but are they sticky?
The Ion Seek is casual-looking shoe that can still perform off-road. Simple lace closure, plain styling, and distinct absence of features.
Ion K-Pact Zip review: knee pads when you need ’em
Ion K-Pact Zip knee pads are a take on a time-honoured solution: pads you can take off on the climbs and don for the descents.
Camelbak HAWG Commute 30
The Camelbak HAWG Commute 30 and MULE Commute 22 are commuter specific packs designed to carry all the stuff you need to and from the office.
Trek Roscoe 24 review: great little trail bike
The Trek Roscoe 24 sports fat tyres, 1x drivetrain, wide-range cassette, sloping top tube and rear brake calliper is tucked into the frame.
Deuter Flyt 20 review – Backpack with spine protection
The Deuter Flyt 20 backpack is a lightweight backpack with integrated back protector.
Ripton & Co Women’s Diesel Jorts review
Jorts. A portmanteau of 'jean shorts'. Probably worn by imagineers as they sit down to their morning cronut, right?
DexShell Waterproof Ultrathin Socks review
Dexshell Waterproof Ultrathin socks that are thin enough to fit inside your normal shoes - great for summer and winter in the UK.
Issue 144 Bike Test: WTF is a Trail Bike?
Benji and the team set out to stick to the trail, without veering off into the enduro or cross-country.
Pace RC295 AXS Ultimate review
The Pace RC295 then. Full carbon. 135mm rear travel dual linkage. 140-150mm fork. Full 29in or mullet thang with an offset shock bushing.
Specialized Stumpjumper Evo Alloy Comp review
The Specialized Stumpjumper Evo Alloy gets all the cool things that the carbon Stumpjumper has had for a few seasons now.
Truflo Mini Shock Pump review: twofer bargain or double trouble?
Hannah tries out the Truflo Mini Shock Pump that can take on tyres, shocks, Presta and Schrader. Will versatility add up to a useful tool?
Canyon Spectral:ON CFR LTD review
The Canyon Spectral:ON CFR LTD is the top of the model range: RockShox Ultimate Flight Attendant system controls a 150mm travel Lyrik and a SuperDeluxe rear shock delivering 155mm of travel. Brand: Canyon Product: Spectral:ON CFR LTD From: canyon.com Price: £10,299 inc. VAT, customs duties and import costs…
Whyte E-160 RSX 29er First Ride Review
The Whyte E-160 now comes in all of the wheel size flavours. It’s a height-dependent wheel size smorgasbord though. Any size bigger than a S is available in either full 29in wheels or mulled mixed wheel set up. XS and S size bikes are still…
Whyte T-140 RS: First Ride Review
The Whyte T-140 is very much the classic trail bike of the Whyte range. Enough travel to cope with most things but responsive and efficient.
Canyon Spectral 125 CF 8 review
The new-for-2022 Canyon Spectral 125 has pretty much the exact same geometry as the regular 150mm rear-travel Spectral. Why?
TRP Trail Evo disc brake review
TRP Trail Evo has a super-light lever action and impressively short throw before biting. Great for racers. If you can handle it (literally!)
SRAM Code RSC disc brake review
For all-out power freaks, we going to give the nod to the SRAM Code RSC. It has the most anchor-dropping chops of all brakes we've tried.
Shimano SLX M7120 disc brake review
The brake that felt like the best combination of top-end power and all-over feel was the Shimano SLX M7120.
Magura MT7 Pro disc brake review
Folk who like to run their bite points really close to the grip should give the Magura MT7 Pro brake a try.
Hope Tech 4 E4 disc brake review
The lever on these Hope Tech 4 E4 brakes is a big step up from the Tech 3 with a claimed 30% more power from a longer, more ergonomic lever.
Hayes Dominion A4 disc brake review
The 4-pot Hayes Dominion A4 continues the venerable brand's return. Great to see them back in the mix when it comes to viable stoppers.
Formula Cura 4 disc brake review
If we have to decide on The Best Brake we’d go for the Formula Cura 4. The key thing is that the Formulas have the feel. And that’s what counts. Although never quite at the forefront of people’s minds when it comes to brake brands,…
Oakley DRT3 MIPS Helmet Review: Super Stable
The Oakley DRT3 MIPS is the newest of their mountain bike helmets, retailing at around £110 it is around £50 cheaper than the existing DRT5.
Kona Process 153 DL 29 Review: Mellow Yellow
The latest Kona Process 153 rolls on 29in wheels and sits in the middle of the Process range; Process X on one side, Process 134 on the other.
Carbon Wasp Truffle Review: All the Speed
The Truffle is Carbon Wasp’s first foray in to a full production MTB frame. Designed, made and tested entirely in and around Leeds.
POC Otocon Race MIPS helmet review
The POC Otocon Race MIPS helmet is a full face lightweight helmet, certified for downhill competition, but designed enduro racing/riding.
Smith Bobcat Glasses Review
The Smith Bobcat is a new addition this year to the brand's eyewear range. Designed to offer same features as the brand's popular Wildcat.
Canyon Torque 29 CF 9 review: big travel agility, big grins
The Canyon Torque 29 CF 9 is a big travel bike that won't sterilise the trails. Heaps of fun from the trail to the race tape, in one package.
Singletrack Issue 143 Bike Test: Party At The Back
Have we swallowed the marketing hook, line and sinker, or is there something to the mullet trend?
Review: Geometron G1
GeoMetron is essentially Chris Porter. If you don’t know who Chris Porter is, do a Google. Just make sure you have a brew ready before you dive in.
Review: Santa Cruz Bronson
Maybe the Santa Cruz Bronson does need an introduction. The latest Bronson is a massively different beast to the Bronson Mk1.
Review: Starling Twist Trail
Starling Cycles is Joe McEwan. Joe used to work as an aerospace engineer and build bike frames in his shed as a sideline.
Marzocchi Bomber Air shock: first ride review
Benji has had a Marzocchi Bomber Air plumbed into his RocketMAX for the past week or so. Here's how he feels about it. Yes, the piggyback reservoir is supposed to look like that.
Mountain Bike Hip Pack Buyers Guide – Kit Essentials
Benji tests out some modern hip packs that can cater for all but the furthest adventuring of riders. Words Benji Photography Amanda The return of the humble water bottle and the widespread ditching of hydration backpacks has been one of the more unexpected developments in…
Review: Bontrager Rapid Pack Hydro Hip Pack
This Bontrager Rapid Pack Hydro hip pack is reviewed as part of our Kit Essentials grouptest from Issue 143 of Singletrack World Price: £94.99 Capacity: 1.64L Bladder: 1.5L Included From: Trek, trekbikes.com Colours: Black The non-hydro version of this bag has been much loved amongst…
Review: Deuter Pulse 3 Hip Pack
The Deuter Pulse 3 hip pack is reviewed as part of our Kit Essentials grouptest from Issue 143 of Singletrack World Price: £50.00 Capacity: 5L Bladder: 1.5L (not included) From: Deuter GB, deutergb.co.uk Colours: Bay (blue), Cranberry, Black The square shape of the Pulse 3…
Review: Patagonia Ultralight Black Hole Mini Hip Pack
The Patagonia Ultralight Black Hole Mini hip pack is reviewed as part of our Kit Essentials grouptest from Issue 143 of Singletrack World Price: £25.00 Capacity: 1L Bladder: No From: Patagonia, eu.patagonia.com Colours: Borealis Green, Black, Coriander Brown, Forge Grey At first glance this dinky…
Review: PNW Rover Hip Pack
The PNW Rover hip pack is reviewed as part of our Kit Essentials grouptest from Issue 143 of Singletrack World The PNW Rover is a tough, sturdy pack that is clearly designed with a hard life in mind, as opposed to being minimalist, delicate, lightweight…
Review: Polaris Aquanought Waterproof Hip Pack
The Polaris Aquanought Waterproof hip pack is reviewed as part of our Kit Essentials grouptest from Issue 143 of Singletrack World Price: £47.99 Capacity: 3L Bladder: No From: Polaris, polaris-bikewear.co.uk Colours: Black & Green If you’re like me, you’re a middle-aged mountain biker living in…
Review: Rapha Trail Hip Pack
The Rapha Trail hip pack is reviewed as part of our Kit Essentials grouptest from Issue 143 of Singletrack World Price: £60.00 Capacity: 3L Bladder: No From: Rapha, rapha.cc Colours: Old Gold, Black, Green, Navy Unlike a lot of mountain bike journos, I really have…
Review: Thule Rail 4 Hip Pack
This product was selected for our Editors’ Choice Awards 2022, as published in Singletrack Magazine Issue 146 Benji: “This Rail 4L from Thule was the first bumbag that I didn’t begrudge wearing. It remains the one and only bumbag that I reach for when I’m…
How to pick the best mountain bike for you
While there may not be such a thing as The Best Mountain Bike, there are certainly bikes that will suit you more than others.
