Dean Hersey gets fully crystal ball and looks at what the mountain bikes we ride might look like in the near-enough future. Will we finally get the hover-bikes we were promised? Words dean Hersey Photography Various Editor’s Note: This article was published in issue 136…
Everything
Review: Merida Ninety Six 8000 don’t call it “down country”
When is a cross-country bike not a cross-country bike? When it has bigger tyres on it? Whilst that’s clearly a silly question given the years of work and squillions spent on research, but after the best part of a month riding the Merida Ninety Six…
Classic Ride 136 – Rivington Pike
Mark takes a trip back to the trails of his youth and remembers why he still loves riding the trails of Rivington Pike. Words Mark Photography Amanda This being the 20th anniversary issue of the mag, it would seem almost planned that this ride would…
10 of the lightest eMTB’s on sale today!
The development of ebikes has been fast and very impressive. Gone are the old clunkers leaving a new breed of eMTB that look just as svelte as their non-powered cousins. But this new breed of eMTB doesn’t just look great, they’re also pretty lightweight too!…
Vee Tire Rocketman – for that gravel niche?
Apparently Vee Tire make a gravel option, who knew? The Thai manufacturer has a fairly long history making tyres for motorbikes and cars, and in recent years they’ve been making inroads into the bicycle market, even if they’re not as commonly seen as other, more…
Zen And The Art of Buying Bike Parts
We now live in very challenging times for buying bike parts and accessories, and indeed bikes. Covid has kicked production in the plums, lockdown has turbocharged demand, Brexit has made bike part shopping in euroland more complicated, and some idiot crashed a boat on a…
The Singletrack Forum – probably better than Yahoo Answers
What is Yahoo Answers? Well, it was a ‘knowledge market’ where you could ask questions and the great world wide public would answer them for you – not always helpfully or accurately. However, it’s closing down and so all those important questions you never knew…
British Cycling: Will new structures benefit MTB riders?
British Cycling has announced a number of changes to its Talent Development Programme, which will hopefully be welcome among the MTB and off road community. Highlights includes a first lead coach for female riders, dedicated support for MTB gravity and cyclo-cross, and a clearer pathway…
How To Set Up Your Bike for XC Racing
Synchros has published the first in a series of new ‘Race Ready’ videos with Andri Frischknecht of the Scott-SRAM racing team. It’s actually a really useful introduction to setting up your bike and making choices about preparing for a race, so we’ve made you a…
Fresh Goods Friday 544 – Blinking into the bright future
Have you got your Big Coats at the ready? A nice warm hat? A fetching mask and a handy bottle of hand gel? The pubs are soon to open, and this is surely all essential kit for anyone venturing out there. Remember the days when…
Video Vault: Serious, Silly, Style, and Some More
It’s probably time to chill out, close your work tabs and take a moment for yourself. Bring your eyes and ears this way and enjoy some of the latest videos from the bike world. Amygdala – Brandon Semenuk Who doesn’t like a bit of Semenuk…
2021 Trek Session: The High Pivot, Idler Pulley, Fast And Fun Machine
Right, get comfy, we have much to talk about. The new 2021 Trek Session is very different, and yet very familiar. Firstly, do we call it a downhill bike? A freeride bike? The Session has great history and has succeeded in many places – notably…
ZIPP 3ZERO MOTO Wheels Updated for 2021
A first, it would look like there’s nothing new about the ZIPP 3ZERO MOTO wheels. They use the same ‘moto inspired’ single wall, low profile rim profile as the previous versions launched in 2019 but there’s something different now about the hubs they use. Previously…
Andi’s purposely alternative, accidentally purple Pole Taival build
In a world where the usual bike parts are as rare as hen’s teeth, Andi set out to see if he could build a bike using parts from the less obvious suspects. You probably know as well as we do that getting hold of parts…
Red Bull Formation Returns – Women’s freeride is flying high!
2019 saw the inaugural Red Bull Formation, a freeride progression camp for women attended by a handful of some of the best known names in women’s freeride. After an inevitable year off in 2020, it’s returning, and is all set to take place in Virgin,…
Cairn BRAVe: flat bar, drop bar, where will you go?
If you were listening to our podcast with Cairn a few weeks back, you’ll know that there was a new bike on the way. Now, here is its officially: the new BRAVe from Cairn. Available in a drop or flat bar option, this employs a…
Propain Hugene Performance Review | One bike to rule them all?
In recent months, you might be more familiar with Propain’s Spindrift being hucked off all manner of ridiculous gaps by crazy Frenchman Remy Metailler. If such gnarly sends aren’t on your agenda, then fear not, for the German brand has the trail focussed Propain Hugene…
Hutchinson Touareg – Gravel tyres for rough rocks?
The Touareg is the more aggressive of Hutchinson’s two gravel tread patterns, sitting next to the more ‘all-road’ oriented Overide. It’s available in just the one casing style, which uses a dual compound tread and Hutchinson’s Hardskin reinforcement. It can be had in 700c x…
Michelin Wild Enduro tyre review: hero dirt friendly grip grabber
Looking for extra grip and safety on the trail to enjoy that hero dirt? Andi thinks he’s found the perfect partner with the Michelin Wild Enduro Tyre. Editors’ Choice 2021 This product features in our Singletrackworld Editors’ Choice 2021 round-up. Andi : “The Wild Enduro…
Morzine Summer Lift Dates 2021: Who, what and when?
This season’s lift dates have been announced for summer 2021 in Morzine, but with the recent announcement that France currently has one of the highest infection rates in Europe and is entering a four-week lockdown, will riders be able to make their yearly pilgrimage to…
Countryside Code Updated for 2021
Natural England has announced a refresh to the Countryside Code to coincide with the Easter holiday and many of us getting out to enjoy the outdoors. The press release reads: Working on the refresh throughout the winter, Natural England and Natural Resources Wales have considered…
ION Scrub Flat Pedal Shoe Review
German apparel and protection brand ION have a pretty comprehensive range of riding shoes with plenty of options in both flat and clipless varieties. I’ve spent the last six months trying the Scrub flat pedal shoes to put them through their paces and see how…
Video: Gee Atherton in Slate Line Rampage
Slate is a great material for things like roofs, souvenir coasters, and gastro-pub plate alternatives. As a trail material, it’s not so appealing. So where better to build a trail with huge exposure, drops and gaps than a slate mine? Join Gee Atherton for his…
NS Define AL 170 launches with fashionable mullet and .. 180mm of travel
NS adds a new Define to the range sporting a mixed wheel combo and 180mm of front wheel travel! Meet the NS Define AL 170! Perhaps you follow Joe Breeden or the UR Team and have been wondering what this orange NS models is (see…
Fresh Goods Friday 543: A jam-packed Easter FGF
We’ve crammed so much stuff into this week’s Fresh Good Friday we worry we won’t have room for our Easter Eggs this weekend! If you have been following FGF recently then you’ll know that Andi spent some time on a not so secret mission. After…
Fort William UCI Mountain Bike World Cup Cancelled
The organisers of the Mercedes-Benz UCI Mountain Bike World Cup in Fort William have today announced that the event scheduled for 22-23 May is cancelled. The press release reads: Every effort has been made by the organisers, with significant support and backing from Scottish Government…
Podcast: Singletrackworld Turns 20 Years Old! The anecdotes episode
On April 1st, 2001 (no, really…) Singletrack Magazine and its website singletrackworld.com were launched. The website evolved off the back of the original GoFar-MTB mountain bike website, but it was relaunched as Singletrackworld.com on the first of April to coincide with the launch of the…
Breakthrough for British Bike Industry Brexit Regulations
Perusing the duller corners of the internet, we were excited to discover some new government guidance which it is hoped will kick start British bike manufacturing. As you’ll be aware if you’ve listened to our podcast on Brexit or read some of our news coverage,…
Member Discounts… Don’t be fooled.
Yeah it’s hot and sunny and about 20c in Yorkshire, but please don’t be fooled by this “fools spring”. This will be swiftly followed by the second winter, and the maybe the “spring of deception”, before the third winter stiffly punishes you for foolishly wearing…
Forestal introduces 3 new builds for Siryon each with a dedicated internet connection
Andorran start-up, Forestal reveals 3 additional builds of the Siryon eMTB with pricing from €8299. How much will a high-end eBike cost you in 2021? Well, if you can actually get your hands on a new eMTB this year, you could be looking at anywhere…
The TrailRippers: Asking You To Stand Up To Hate
A recent social media post by ‘TrailRippers’ highlighted the importance of standing up to hate speech. While the response from the mountain bike community has been overwhelmingly supportive on social media, it’s one thing to give words of support online, and quite another to stand…
Shimano: All Bodies on Bikes
Earlier this week we brought you a lovely warm fuzzy video from Focus that featured riders from across the world showing what bikes mean to them, and now Shimano has brought out this ‘All bodies on bikes’ video. Are we seeing a shift in bike…
2021 HSBC UK National Cross-country Championships Announced
With any luck we’re going to see some racing this year. If you’ve managed to stay fit during lockdown, here’s a chance for you to get out your finest Lycra and push that heart rate up. Or maybe you’re going to the TwentyFour12 festival and…
All The Warm Fuzzies from Focus
It’s spring, the days are longer, and there are reasons to feel more optimistic. This video from Focus Bikes should give you an extra nice warm fuzzy glow. Focus says: We asked you – the cycling community – to share your stories with us. The…
2021 Ragley Trig: Steel Gravel Bike
There’s a Ragley fangirl roaming the Pennine Bridleway. Our Art Director, Amanda, is now on her third steel bike from UK-based Ragley Bikes. This time in the shape of an adventure bike, the 2021 Ragley Trig. 2021 Ragley Trig First introduced to the line-up in…
CX World Champs Race Director Issues Statement on ‘discriminatory and hateful’ decision
Brook Watts, the Race Director of the CX World Championships in 2022 which are due to take place in Fayetteville, Arkansas, has issued a statement following the passing of recent legislation that bans trans athletes from taking part in some sports in Arkansas. Arkansas is…
Stanton Switchback Gen 3 Review
I had mixed feelings coming to this Stanton Switchback Gen 3. Firstly, I’ve often slavered a little at Stanton frames friends have had, as they always look immaculate. When they do come into Singletrack, they also tend to swoosh straight through the office and right…
Fresh Goods Friday 542 – Here Comes the Sun
Happy Friday everyone! This Fresh Goods Friday comes to you like a beam of sunlight piercing through the clouds. Optimistic, warm and filled with positivity. It’s a while since I (Amanda) have had much input to FGF. I’ve been busy doing handstands on my desk…
Fizik Goes Gravity with Versor and Tensor Shoes – first ride review
Fizik has gradually built up its shoe range, starting with road, then heading through XC, trail and gravel – not forgetting winter boots – and now onto Gravity riding. The new Gravita Versor and Tensor are Fizik’s response to the quest for the perfect Downhill…
Garmin Launches Rally XC Power Meter Pedals
Today, Garmin is launching a range of clip-in pedals with built-in power meter sensors. There are Look and SPD SL versions for the road but we’ll (mostly) concentrate on the Rally XC, which is the off road version above. The idea of power meter pedals…
Pivot Point – Any excuse for some dirt jump fun in the sun
Pivot reveals its latest updates to its steel dirt jump bike, the Pivot Point. Are you rad enough? Who cares, come get your fix of fun, sun, blue skies and red dirt. It seems like everyone is getting in on the dirt jump act these…
Specialized Turbo Levo 3rd Generation Platform Launches: VIDEO
First thing.. We’ve only had this bike for a few days so the full review of how it actually performs will have to wait. At this point we are still learning about the bike, but here’ a first look and a run down of the…
GT Launches Grade Power Series Of Gravel E-Bikes
The GT Grade was a pretty radical bike when it launched back in 2014 (the same year as grit.cx as it happens) as it looked like a road bike, but had room for big tyres – even narrow knobbly cyclocross style tyres. The gravel thing…
Sessioning trails on e-MTB is quickest way to improve skills
Lockdown has had some surprising and unexpected benefits. If you’d told me a year ago that despite being restricted to trails you can reach from your front door, one year on I’d be a much better rider for it, I’d have been sceptical at best.…
BMC URS ONE Review: 10mm Travel for Hardcore Gravel
The BMC URS is the gravel bike offering from the Swiss Bicycle Manufacturing Company. The range consists of (in ascending price order) URS ONE, URS 01 Frameset, URS 01 THREE, URS 01 TWO, and URS 01 ONE. So, some slightly confusing naming for four very different…
The story behind Troy Lee Designs A3 Helmet – The Stikman Interview
Last week Troy Lee Designs launched its new open face trail helmet complete with impressive list of features. Andi has had one on his head for a few weeks now and you can get his first impression thoughts right here.. This week Chipps caught up…
Salsa Cassidy and Blackthorn Review – One frame, two dream builds
There are times when this whole bike testing thing can be such a drag, man. Being faced with the prospect of riding a less than ideal BSO* with poorly specced components can really suck the joy out of life, and excuses not to ride pour…
Fresh Goods Friday 541 – The Sunn is shining edition!
While we won’t argue with anyone at all that it’s high time for spring – after all, the flowers are popping and the winter was soooo long and soooo cold, but we’re not quite ready for spring time yet just because we’re still finishing off…
Bike Check: Kingdom G 600 Belt Driven Custom Titanium Hardtail
Graham Stock of Sixth Element hasn’t matched his bike to his Porsche – instead he’s had himself a rather nice custom titanium hardtail built, and of course added his own company wheels. I suspect a few ears pricked up at the mention of ‘titanium’. Now…
How Many Biscuits, How Many Miles? The Grand Canyon:ON
Some people are self motivated exercisers. They set themselves a training plan or goal and off they go. I am not one of those people. I more or less hate exercise. Activity I’m ok with – riding about on my bike, enjoying the view, getting…
First Look: Feature-Packed Troy Lee A3 Helmet
The 2021 Troy Lee A3 helmet is packed full of style, safety and features that make this the most comfortable TLD open face lid to date. The Troy Lee A2 helmet has proven to be really popular over the past few years. It’s a good…
