It’s not so long ago that we had a Forum thread where someone asked advice on starting a bike shop, and the almost universal response was ‘don’t’. Now, you can save yourself the stress, tears and financial losses in the real world, by experiencing them…
Everything
Hoffman and Hart win at Fort William National DH Series
With less than two weeks to go until the MTB World Cup hits Fort William (May 21-22), here's how this weekend's racing went down.
How is Gee Atherton Recovering From That Crash?
We all winced when we heard about Gee Atherton’s crash, and the photos alone were enough to make sure that some of us didn’t watch the video. The rehab update is almost as stomach churning. Where Wayne’s working at the moment, there’s a hole in…
YT Decoy 29 Core 3 review: still the best ebike?
YT has seemingly always been about giving the people what they want. The original Decoy was a pioneering playbike, so what does the big wheel version offer and to whom? This product was selected for our Editors’ Choice Awards 2022, as published in Singletrack Magazine…
Big comebacks and strong wins at Albstadt XCC race 2022
The cross country racers are out in Albstadt this weekend for the latest round of the World Cup. With the XCC done, how are things looking for the XCO race tomorrow? With a 1.2km track with long, steady climb of about 52 metres, a cracking…
Internet Rummagings – The 3 Bike Esses (Shiny, Spinny, and …err… Stemmy)
Welcome to the results of this month’s rummaging around the World Wide Web’s bike shop, we’ve got shiny things, spinny things and, err stemmy things! Yoshimura Cycling First up we have Yoshimura, who fulfil all the above three esses. They are a US company who…
Total MTB, Total Surprise, Total Warm Fuzzies
You might be in need of a dose of ‘ahh, that’s just nice’, and thanks to Singletrack Reader Awards finalist, Total MTB, we have a large spoonful for you here. Total MTB has grown from a hashtag movement on social media to a Community Interest…
Öhlins RXF38 m.2 review: for proper hard charging
Öhlins joined the 38mm stanchion gang with the OEM-only Öhlins RXF38 m.1. Last year they launched this RXF38 m.2.
Fresh Goods Friday 599: Democracy Inaction Edition
We hope everyone (in the UK at least) is recovering from the white heat of excitement that comes with taking part in western democracy.
Still riding North Shore in her 70s
Back in 1993 Betty Birrell had a go at mountain biking. She was 45 years old. Now she's 73 and can still more than hold her own.
Fernando Alonso and his 3D printed ebike
Two-time F1 champ Fernando Alonso recently sold his ‘sustainable athletics’ brand (Kimoa) to SimplyEV and together they’re producing a fully customisable carbon fibre e-bike powered by 3D printing firm Arevo. The e-bike will retail from $3,999. US only at the moment we’re afraid. Kimoa E-Bike…
Microshift Super Short cage mechs: for small wheels… or big rocks
MIcroshift Super Short has launched: two new short cage groupsets, built with kids in mind, but with potential application for adults too.
“40-50mm of travel simply isn’t enough stroke to take any meaningful impacts”
Cotic has nailed its colours to its marketing mast by coming out against the new breed of gravel suspension products. A newsletter from Cotic just arrived in our inbox with the strapline “Possible ranty handwaving content”. Apart from this strapline sounding like an excellent website…
Do you agree with this tyre pressure calculator?
Goodyear have some new tyres out - the Newton MTF and the Newton MTR. They've also got a new online tyre pressure assistant. From our preliminary messings about, it seems pretty useful.
50 years of Merida pushbikes
Who doesn't love a good ol' trip down a mountain biking memory lane, hey? Let's look back over the last 50 years of Merida...
Starting at the Deep End – Part 1
What happens when you take a lapsed mountain biker who hasn’t ridden for a very long time and take him out on an old school classic ride? Words and pictures by Sanny. Video by Mark Huskisson. Produced in association with Specialized UK The advent of…
Giro Havoc H2O Shorts review
The Giro Havoc H2O shorts are one of my current go-tos. Though best known for helmets, Giro has been putting out clothing for over a decade.
Back From The Dead: Hand Cycle Restoration
It’s nearly a year since Dieter moved to Calderdale. This issue of Back From The Dead charts the path of finding new friends, new work, and new mechanical challenges. Yay, bikes! Since moving to Calderdale almost a year ago now I’ve seen, ridden and repaired…
Rapha Trail Knee Pads review: genuinely great
The Rapha Trail Knee Pads are the first piece of protection from the prestigious cycling brand (their helmet is made by Smith).
Kendal Mountain Festival Tour heads to Glasgow
Fancy a night of adventure? The Kendal Mountain Festival Tour combines adventure films with great speakers to inspire you to get out there – or just appreciate the comforts of home and the bravery of others. Climber and jungle explorer to speak in Glasgow An inspirational climber…
Campagnolo goes gravellissimo with new Levante wheelset
Campagnolo has announced its first wheelset for gravel bikes. Called the Campagnolo Levante, the wheelset is named after an easterly wind of the Mediterranean. Because Campagnolo. Campagnolo Levante Wheelset nutshelled: Campag’s first gravel dedicated wheelset 30mm depth 25mm internal channel (30.6mm external) Asymmetric carbon fibre…
Fresh Goods Friday 598: Bluebell Search Edition
Hannah is back from the USA in body but not mind. She keeps waking up in the night convinced she’s still camping out in some California woodland, or jerking awake as dry ground skids underneath her tyres. Perhaps she needs a new mattress. Charlie is…
YT Capra Core 2 review: doing it for the lolz
After the carbon launch models, then the aluminium Uncaged versions, here is the more affordable alloy YT Capra Core 2.
Tailfin’s new dry bag storage system and cargo straps
The new Tailfin Cage Pack System aims to do exactly what it says: to be a better way of attaching dry bags to your bikepacking rig. The most straightforward method for getting more kit on your bike is to strap a dry bag to the…
Ghost E-Riot Trail Pro review
The Ghost E-Riot Trail Pro has 140mm rear and 150mm front travel on a frame consisting of a carbon front triangle and aluminium one-piece rear, with forged one piece rocker. Assist comes in the form of a Bosch Performance Cx Gen 4 motor and 625Wh…
Updated: If you’ve ridden the Borrowdale Bash, your trail needs you!
A rider in the Lake District is seeking to have a footpath often used as part of the Borrowdale Bash route re-designated as a bridleway. If you’ve ever ridden there, you can help. Updated Wednesday 27th April: Thanks to everyone who sent local rider Rich…
£290 saddle: Specialized Power Pro with Mirror
The new Specialized Power Pro with Mirror is not for inspecting your undercarriage at leisure, it's a honeycomb 3D printed saddle.
Winter Mountain Biking In Bellingham
Where is the weather as bad as in the UK? Ah, look. Bellingham. Riders here have to endure winter weather conditions like us here in the UK. In fact, our weather and the Tea and Biscuits film inspired this film, which is a joyous mashup…
Kendal Mountain Festival Tour: Caernarfon and Aberystwyth dates
Fancy a night of adventure? The Kendal Mountain Festival Tour combines adventure films with great speakers to inspire you to get out there – or just appreciate the comforts of home and the bravery of others. There are two upcoming Welsh dates in their tour diary: Caernarfon,…
Focus Thron2: versatile versus compromised
The 130mm travel Focus Thron2 ebike is being heralded with the phrase “more than just trails”. With 750Wh battery capability, it certainly has the juice to get around. Focus Thron2 nutshelled The pedal assist version of Focus’ do-it-all Thron design 130mm travel at both ends…
Maxxis Shorty Gen 2 review: the best just got better
After waiting the best part of a year for a Maxxis Shorty Gen 2, I managed to get one and quickly put it through its paces.
Mycle Cargo is a new sub £2k e-cargo bike
With fuel prices going ballistic, there are no doubt going to be lots more people eyeing up e-cargo bikes for shorter distance duties. A few months ago we published a story on the Decathlon Cargo Bike and it had high audience engagement (as they say),…
O say, can you see Fresh Goods Friday 597?
Apologies in advance for any USA pricing. Hannah is on holiday and can't figure out how to get UK websites to display on her laptop.
Salsa Journeyer ditches The Man and embraces everyone
Previously known as the Journeyman, the renamed Journeyer is Salsa’s do-as-much-as-possible bike. Dropbar or flatbar. Covered in bosses. Nice paintjobs. Salsa Journeyer nutshelled 6061-T6 aluminum alloy 12 x 142 mm thru-axle or 10 x 135 mm quick-release 440 mm chainstays Internal cable routing inc. dropper…
Switchcraft Cycles: simple but not ordinary
Switchcraft Cycles is Jakub Junek. Hailing from the Czech Republic and specialising in steel machines with really short back ends.
Canyon Strive CFR: Shark Attack’s hacks maxed
EWS beast and all-round ace human Jack Moir has been a big influence on the new Canyon Strive CFR. His race mods have all been 'made flesh'.
British Cycling National XC Series Round 2: Rock UK, Newcastleton
Hannah Collingridge and Joolze Dymond are this year’s commentators for the British Cycling National XC Series. They’re also bringing us a race report from each round, with a bit more colour than the official British Cycling version. Expect to hear about a little more than…
Santa Cruz Megatower 2 joins the downtube storage gang
The new Santa Cruz Megatower 2 remains a big travel 29in wheel enduro bike with the most progressive geometry to date. And a Glovebox.
Issue 142 Editorial: Gambling With Choices
Chipps ponders those moments where the path you choose makes all the difference. We all like to think that we’re, to a greater extent, in charge of our own destinies. Those decisions we make every day propel ourselves towards some ultimate goal. Occasionally, though, life…
Issue 142 UK Adventure: The Shugborough Inscription
Pete mixes fact, fantasy and pure speculation on a tour of Cannock Chase. If any legend has allowed humans to waste more of their time in fruitless pursuit of the truth, then surely the legends behind the Holy Grail have to be chief amongst them.…
Issue 142 FNY Hunt: A Seismic Event
Hannah Collingridge looks at the events scene and asks what bike races, bike gatherings and their organisers need to make them fun (again). Words Hannah Collingridge Photography Joolze Dymond Having recently been roped into helping with some bike events, I’ve been musing about what makes…
Review: Adidas FIVE TEN Freerider Pro
This review featured as part of the Kit Essentials grouptest in issue 142 of Singletrack World. Predictable winner that still has few real rivals Price: £130.00 From: adidas.co.uk Tested By: Benji The Pro version of the iconic Five Ten Freerider is a very different beast…
Review: Adidas FIVE TEN Gore-Tex Trailcross
This review featured as part of the Kit Essentials grouptest in issue 142 of Singletrack World. All-mountain meets all-weather excellence Price: £160.00 From: adidas.co.uk Tested By: Charlie The Adidas Five Ten Gore-Tex Trailcross shoes are available in three variations: the lightweight LT, the XT with…
Review: Bontrager Flatline Shoes
This review featured as part of the Kit Essentials grouptest in issue 142 of Singletrack World. Never mind the grip, feel the feel Price: £124.99 From: trekbikes.com Tested By: Benji The Flatline has been out a few years now, but we don’t see very many…
Review: Endura MT500 Burner Flat
This review featured as part of the Kit Essentials grouptest in issue 142 of Singletrack World. Sturdy, sticky and race-focussed Price: £119.99 From: endurasport.com Tested By: Benji There is plenty of ‘white coat scientist’ tech in the upper and the insole of the MT500 Burner…
Review: Giro Latch Shoe
This review featured as part of the Kit Essentials grouptest in issue 142 of Singletrack World. Excellent trail shoe that’s well worth considering Price: £129.99 From: giro.co.uk Tested By: Ross The Giro Latch flat shoe has a nice snug fit, without being tight. The toe…
Review: Ride Concepts TNT Shoe
This review featured as part of the Kit Essentials grouptest in issue 142 of Singletrack World. The flattie fan’s winter boot Price: £145.00 From: silverfish-uk.com Tested By: Benji Though I’m loath to say the words ‘Five Ten’ any more than I already have, I have…
Review: Ride Concepts Women’s Vice Shoe
This product was selected for our Editors’ Choice Awards 2022, as published in Singletrack Magazine Issue 146 In the Editors’ Choice Awards we highlight our standout bikes and products from the past year. These are the bikes that we’d like to have in our sheds.…
Review: Specialized 2FO Roost Canvas
This review featured as part of the Kit Essentials grouptest in issue 142 of Singletrack World. A contender to the throne at last Price: £110.00 From: specialized.com Tested By: Vicky Chapman Despite having ridden mountain bikes for years, many riders don’t change shoe brands. When…
Fresh Goods Friday 596 Good Friday Edition! Goodness.
Here we are, sliding into the weekend early! It’s Good Friday and Hannah is still in America bike-bothering, Amanda is off to the Cairngorms to play ‘It’ll Go’ on her new test bike, Charlie is heading to Devon to upset everyone there… and the rest…
Issue 142 UK Adventure: The Art of Not Suffering
Sanny sets off to prove that bikepacking need not involve long periods of misery and discomfort. When it comes to tales of adventure and derring-do, there is a strong correlation between achievement and suffering. Whether it is Andy Kirkpatrick and his wife sitting out a…
