Havok Bike Park, Todmorden, closed in November 2021 following storm damage and proceeded to be permanently closed by the landowner. This was a huge loss to the local riding scene, not only for the steep natural downhill trails, but also the freeride section that could…
Issue 148 Kit Essentials: Sleeping Out
Words Amanda, Hannah and as credited Photography as credited Let us try to persuade you that a night outdoors can be a life-affirming experience, rather than one that has you questioning your life choices. While it’s not technically legal to sleep outside in most places…
Bike Check: Chipps’ 1994 Fuquay Logic Prestige
This 1994 Fuquay Logic Prestige was custom-built for Chipps in 1994, after a full measuring-up session with Mr Fuquay.
Issue 148 Is Out Today – How Will You Read Yours?
If you receive a printed copy of the magazine each issue, it’s now in the post – we can’t be sure exactly when it will land with you, but if you’re in the UK and you’ve still not got it by 24th April please email us.…
160mm Bike Test: Brit Boxed Burly Bikes
What do you do with three bikes that are hard to pigeonhole? You ride them, a lot, and enjoy it.
Issue 148 Purposeful Adventure – Beyond The Blues
Trash Free Trails A-Teamers Pete Scullion and Ali Hair give a cold ride a warm glow by adding purpose to their adventure. What if our adventures not only sustained us and our connection to nature, but they actually contributed towards making a positive impact on…
Issue 148 Last Word: Pizza Tokens
Amanda discovers that engineers don’t necessarily make great meal planners. Words & doodles Amanda When you think of bikepacking, you may imagine adventurous riders following their noses, taking the turn that suits them in the moment, and following a vague plan to ultimately arrive at…
Fresh Goods Friday 647: Bank Holiday Bonanza!
Spring arrived earlier this week, and what a treat it has been. How have you chosen to use all that extra daylight? I have spent it taking a longer way into work, baking trail treats, going lamb spotting, counting goose eggs and avoiding llamas. So…
XO Bikes: Rebuilding Bikes and Lives
XO Bikes is a bike recycling project based in London that’s doing just a bit more than bringing bikes back to life. Since it opened in early 2022, XO Bikes has trained 14 prison leavers to become professional bike mechanics – or ‘Fixers’ as XO…
Charlie’s Birthday Bargain – Old Dog New Tricks
51, I think it’s 51 this year. Recently I have been mostly preventing the onset of old age by ignoring it, losing count of the years, and successfully maintaining a steady state of injury. Myself, Mark, and other Singletrack members head to skateboard coaching sessions…
Know Your Trail Users
Charlie takes a light hearted look at the wonderful variety of people we share the trails with. It’s that time of year again when the clocks go forward, the sun comes out and at 10am precisely on the first sunny Sunday your peaceful and uncrowded…
Bird Aeris 9 review
The Bird Aeris 9 is a 160mm travel full suspension 29er made out of aluminium. Designed, specced and assembled in Britain.
Privateer 161 GX review
4-bar is one of the oldest designs in biking (hey, it clearly works), so it was always the geometry that was the USP of the Privateer 161 GX.
Saracen Ariel 60 Pro review
Despite the rolling of years, changes in wheel size options, suspension technology improvements, the Ariel 160 Pro remains true to its origins.
Desert Island Disc Brakes – With Nick Craig
There’s a bit of everything thrown in to this week’s episode. We have Mark, Chipps and Amanda trying to make themselves heard over a cacophony of mating geese; an excerpt from Chipps’ interview with Rob Warner that nearly made our bleep machine overheat; and finally…
Press Release: EXT ARIA Air Shock
Take a look at the new EXT ARIA air shock. Press Release as follows: As this is the first air shock from EXT, it is called the EXT ARIA, “air” in Italian… which is saturated in novel technology and design approach. Though the EXT brand…
Ultimate Vybe GR Suspension Seatpost – Active When You Need It
The Ultimate Vybe GR suspension seatpost has 50mm of tuneable, vertical active travel to absorb bumps and rough terrain. Things I liked: Things I would change: When you order the Vybe GR seatpost there is a dropdown menu for the spring rate based on rider…
UCI Bans Lewis Buchanan For OnlyFans Sponsorship
In a video on his youtube channel over the weekend, Pro racer Lewis Buchanan revealed he’d received communication from the UCI informing him that due to his sponsorship deal with the online pay to view content platform he would not be allowed to race in…
Mental Mondays #6
Hannah is the designer of this week’s tricky prize crossword. It’s a pretty cryptic one this week. Mark hates cryptic clues and failed miserably at this one. Amanda however, stormed this in no time at all. My tip is that you need to have a…
Bike Check: Ted James’ Ti Bride Custom DH Bike
Have you placed your credit card at a safe distance away from your current position? Then you may be safe to read on. Custom, titanium, BMX, EXT, DH, Ted James, single speed… no, this is not bike fetish bingo, this is the ‘Ti Bride’, as…
Fizik Terra Artica GTX Off-Road Winter SPD Cycling Shoe
The Fizik Terra Artica GTX shoes, arguably a boot, feature waterproof GORE-TEX outer layer and an insulating, breathable fleece lining throughout. The closure is a fast combination of a Velcro strap and BOA dial. Warmth and ease for the colder weather? Things I liked: Things…
Sleeping Out: Bonus Content | Charlotte Inman
Charlotte Inman: In it for the breakfast views Charlotte co-founded Sisters in the Wild, which organises community-focused bikepacking and gravel riding experiences for women, non-binary and trans people. What’s the chief thing you look for when choosing kit? Lightweight stuff that leaves plenty of space…
Sleeping Out: Bonus Content | Chris Hinds
Chris Hinds: Fast doesn’t mean uncomfortable Chris won the Great British Divide, so knows a thing or two about sleeping out. What’s the chief thing you look for when choosing kit? If it comes down to a decision between comfort and weight I’ll usually choose…
Sleeping Out: Bonus Content | Emma Osenton
Emma Osenton: Dialled in traveller Looking for Emma? You’ll find her in the bushes cuddled up to a titanium bike. What’s the chief thing you look for when choosing kit? Not sure there is one thing. It’s entirely dependent on what it is. Mostly light…
Sleeping Out: Bonus Content | Kitty Dennis
Kitty Dennis: Overpacker to ride for longer Co-founder of the Steezy Collective, we’re not sure when she’s ever indoors. What’s the chief thing you look for when choosing kit? Whether it’ll keep me out longer, both in terms of times of the year and length…
Sleeping Out: Bonus Content | Sam Jones
Sam Jones: Dirtbag camper who doesn’t mind a touch of luxury Sam has been championing Cycling UK’s ongoing bikepacking/camping challenge of #12nightsoutin1year. What’s the chief thing you look for when choosing kit? Durability – the last thing you want is for your shelter or sleep…
Sleeping Out: Bonus Content | Sanny
Sanny: Like a veritable Scottish Mr T, I ain’t camping in no rain, fool! There can be few as enthusiastic about a night outdoors than our Sanny. What’s the chief thing you look for when choosing kit? At the risk of sounding like a bit…
Sleeping Out: Bonus Content | Stu Taylor
Stu Taylor: Racing Dirtbagger Stu is another long-distance racer, who also enjoys a night out on his local hills. What’s the chief thing you look for when choosing kit? How packable the kit is and if it isn’t, do I really need it? A kettle…
Sleeping Out: Bonus Content | Vedangi Kulkarni
Vedangi Kulkarni: All-weather bivvy freak As the youngest woman to cycle around the globe, Vedangi has plenty of experience of sleeping outdoors. What’s the chief thing you look for when choosing kit? Waterproofness and sturdiness of the material. Regardless of where you’re camping or what…
Sleeping Out: Bonus Content | Amanda
What’s the chief thing you look for when choosing kit?I mostly care about how small it packs, with comfort and durability as a joint second priority. I generally go by the rule that you ‘buy once, buy well’, so the fact my kit ends up…
Sleeping Out: Bonus Content | Hannah
What’s the chief thing you look for when choosing kit? I look for budget options that will also be useful for family camping trips, sleeping in my car, trips to the beach, etc. I’ve never had the opportunity or need for multi-night bikepacking trips, so…
Government To Launch ‘ReGenR8’ Energy Scheme For Unemployed
Following a string of measures aimed at addressing rising energy costs, the Government is understood to be poised to enter into a multi-million pound deal to encourage benefits claimants to partake in micro-generation schemes for local services. Observers say the inter-departmental collaboration will see the…
It’s Anthony’s Birthday and He Is A “Volped”
At Singletrack this week it’s Anthony’s birthday. Ant looks after the tech side of Singletrack World. Think of him as the hamster overlord of technical things I don’t understand (Ed – that’s quite a broad remit). Ant is a Volped He doesn’t ride a bike!…
Fresh Goods Friday 646 – The Weird Galactic Soup Edition
Let’s start out with something approaching normal service… For the CNC and skate nerds, it’s kinda cool, but also seems like a vest waste of metal. Beware the wormhole that awaits you if you explore the rest of that channel, you may get lost: …and…
Free Uplifts For Little Legs At Glentress This Easter
Planning a visit to Glentress? This might just help you out – especially if you’ve got kids that you want to get to the top of the hill. From Monday 3rd April to Sunday 16th April, thanks to Developing Mountain Biking in Scotland (DMBinS) and…
Kids Ride Shotgun Dirt Hero off-road balance bike
Say hello to the Kids Ride Shotgun Dirt Hero. The Kiwi company has launched Magura-equipped, off-road balance bike that can be fitted with 12in or 14in wheels. Looks rad!
Red Bull banned from Welsh mansion after Hardline damage
It’s been reported that Red Bull has been blocked from renting its usual accommodation of Plas Tan-y-Bwlch in Wales, due to excessive damage caused over the past two years. Plas Tan-y-Bwlch is part of the Snowdonia National Park, and offers accommodation, an education centre, as…
Bike Check: Hannah’s Schwinn Traveler
This is my 1964 Schwinn Traveler, given to me as a rather special 40th birthday present from my partner. I did protest that he shouldn’t give it to me, as it’s too nice, and I’m not worthy and I’ll probably break it, but he didn’t…
Podcast – The Giant Interview
Hannah, Amanda and Mark run through the news of the week, and Mark talks to one of the product engineers behind the new Giant Trance X Advanced E+. In the podcast, we talk about how applications to record historic rights of way need to be…
Mental Mondays #5 Crossword & Puzzles by Mark
Mark is the designer of this week’s tricky prize crossword. This week’s test is a mixture of random bike related general knowledge with a few cryptic style questions thrown in for good measure. To complete this you are going to need to be up to…
Sweet Protection Arbitrator MIPS Helmet Review
The Sweet Protection Arbitrator MIPS helmets is the Norwegian brand's foray into the increasingly popular convertible helmet market.
New Rider (battery provided)
A new reader and rider sent us this piece, before he’s even hit the trails. Welcome to mountain biking, Gareth, we hope you like what you find. So I’ve just bought a mountain bike, my first one, that I have no idea how I will…
Amanda’s Birthday Bargain: Reclaim Your Youth With Tie-Dye
It’s Amanda’s birthday, so it’s time for another birthday promo in our web shop. Amanda has picked our Tie Dye T-shirts: Why Tie Dye? Because each T-shirt is unique and was carefully crafted by either Hannah, Zoe or me on the studio roof. I could…
Gravity School Racing: Team Video Portugal Cup Rd 2 Seia
As the pre-season races really start to heat up, the team headed to Seia for the second round of the Portugal Cup, and everyone was excited to visit a new venue. Especially after three days at our training venue, Ventoso Gravity Park, where everyone was…
Fresh Good Friday 645 – Things that make you go Mmm…
Mmm… Pentax 645. Benji wrote that, and then went on holiday. So who knows? What sort of ‘Mmm’ is it? Perhaps it’s a ‘Mmm’ of the variety you give to your three year old as they tell you a long winded tale of what their…
NBD: Cane Creek Electric Wings, Marin Alpine Trail Es, Bosch x Tektro ABS…
... Liv Intrigue X, SRAM Stealth brakes, BikeYoke Revive 272 dropper and Canyon Exceed. They're are here in this week's collection of Most Interesting Stuff Launched Since Last Week.
Government Changes Policy on Rights of Way: The Deadline is Back
Having previously announced that the 2026 deadline for registering historic rights of way would be removed, the Department for Environment and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has taken an about turn and decided that there will be a deadline – in 2031. By way of explanation, DEFRA…
How Much?! Why we should care about the closure of Kitsbow
If you’re in the UK, there’s every chance you’ve never heard of Kitsbow, so why should you care that they’re closing? And who even are they? Kitsbow were (or, until 7th April, are) USA based makers of cycling clothing. With an RRP of $289 –…
Transition Smuggler: First Ride Review
Tim Wild gets a sneak ride on the new Transition Smuggler before its UK release. Snozberry Spectacular! The bike is due for release in the UK through Windwave in early April.
The Classic Ride Is Coming – with Cycling UK
The next issue of Singletrack World is about to whirl its way around printing presses, and you’ve got until 25th March to get your name on the list if you want to receive the printed copy! Within, you’ll find another Classic Ride, this time written…
New SRAM X0 Eagle AXS: First Ride Thoughts
The new SRAM X0 Eagle AXS drivetrain requires a UDH equipped frame. Why? To enable a direct bolt-on mounting method that's designed for robustness and ridiculous shift under-load capability.
