This is a warm and fuzzy Fresh Goods Friday – good vibes all round, as you lot kindly donated over £1000 to World Bicycle Relief last weekend, which will get match funded and turn into something like 20 more kids on bikes in countries where…
Playing In The Woods – Who does it better?
Two videos, two riders, two brands, and lots of trees. For this video head to head, we want to know: who does playing in the woods the best? Do you like the slippery leafy slither of the Pacific Northeast, or the drier jumpy turns of…
Giant Anthem Advanced Pro 29 Gets New Suspension Technology
Giant’s new Anthem Advanced Pro 29 gets a lighter frameset, new rear suspension system and modified geometry to make it a bike for those wanting a competitive advantage on XC terrain. The Anthem first appeared on the World Cup circuit in 2005, and the sharp…
Back From The Dead – Building Bargain Dirt Jump Bikes
Dieter is the kind of bike nerd mechanic that every good bike shop should want. He is endlessly enthusiastic about getting people of all kinds onto bikes of all sorts. He can fix your bike even when the outlook looks bleak. Go for a ride…
Join Us Today To Get December’s Singletrack Magazine (And FREE Calendar) Delivered!
It’s that time again: time to check you’ve updated your address if you’ve moved house, or renew your payment details if you’ve changed banks, or to join us to become part of the Singletrack World community of independently minded mountain bikers! This issue will be…
Give Singletrack And Save £22.50, Plus Get FREE Merch.
Christmas is almost upon us, and as part of our Singletrack member services… we have come up with a mind blowing gift deal for full Singletrack members (that is print and/or digital subscribers, and Lifetime members). Member Offer: Give a Singletrack “Sub In A Box”…
Santa Cruz Stone King Rally: 2 countries, 6 days, 100 riders
Anyone that misses the Trans-Provence will be likely to be interested in the new Santa Cruz Stone King Rally, the successor event to the Trans-Provence. As it’s only for 100 riders, you’ll be lucky to get in when entries open on 30th November. And with…
Danny Hart’s Descend Bike Park – Thieves Take ‘Everything’
Danny Hart posted on the Descend Bike Park Facebook page that overnight on Sunday their cabins were broken into and everything taken. He’s provided a long list of items stolen, and the bike park will be closed this week, reopening on Saturday, while they clear…
Review – Magicshine Monteer 8000 Galaxy you’re never going to need more light!
Magicshine’s latest 8000 lumen Monteer is less of a light and more like your very own personal solar flare for the trail! Winter might bring cold weather, mud, rain, and constant cleaning of gritty drivetrains, but it also brings with it the fun of a…
Classic Ride 139 – Salisbury Plain
Salisbury Plain An evening leg stretcher on Salisbury Plain gives Dean and friends a classic southern ride of rolling hills and lengthening shadows. Words Dean Hersey Photography Trail Creatives I love the buzz you get from the anticipation of a ride almost as much as…
Peru vs Sheffield, Auzangate or Bikerdelic? Video Head To Head
Two very different videos for you – maybe you’ll love both for different reasons? Or maybe one will bore you silly and the other have you reaching for your bike? Both make for long viewing, so grab a cuppa and take them in. Shared Territory…
Lal Bikes Supre Drive – A Better Derailleur Solution?
Is this the week when all the stupid annoying bits of mountain bike tech are finally going to be fixed? We’ve already seen two takes on improving the infinitely annoying Presta valve, and now we have a new take on the rear derailleur. Will the…
Fresh Goods Friday 574 – Welsh Caves and French Punk
We’re going to assume you’re here for a little escapism and don’t want us to remind you of all the things in the news that might make you a teensy bit angry…and breathe…so let’s start with a whoop for WelshFarmer who helped create some good…
Win a Fox Rampage Pro Carbon MIPS Full Face Helmet!
Take a detailed first look at the Fox Rampage Pro Carbon MIPS full-face helmet and enter for your chance to win one for yourself! Fox Rampage Pro Carbon MIPS first look This is the Fox Rampage Pro Carbon MIPS helmet, also known as the RPC…
OpenMTB Closes Doors – what now for MTB advocacy?
OpenMTB, a group set up to advocate for UK mountain bikers, has decided to cease functioning, publishing the following statement on its Facebook page: “We’re sad to make the following statement. After six years OpenMTB has closed its doors. The lack of a representative body…
Double Your Donation! World Bicycle Relief Has Match Funding
If you’re thinking of sharing a little bicycle love, are keen to spread the message that #This MachineFightsClimateChange, or just want to spend some money on something worthwhile, now is the time to donate to World Bicycle Relief, as they’ve got match funding until Sunday…
Wild West vs Wales – Video Head To Head
Two new video releases from this week – which gets your adrenaline pumping, your feet carrying you to the shed, your braking fingers twitching? Wild West 2 First up, Tom Van Steenbergen’s follow-up to his September 2020 Wild West video, by Calvin Huth. Wild West…
Cotic Bikes Release Mullet Option
Cotic is adding mullet build options to its droplink full suspension bikes. As well as getting a smaller rear wheel, you’ll also get an angleset fitted to correct the geometry. Here’s the official word from Cy Turner: “Today we launch our ‘mullet’ mixed wheelsize option…
Is This The Original Hi Flow No Clog Valve?
When Reserve Wheels launched their new Fillmore valves last week, you lot got quite worked up. Were they solving a problem that doesn’t exist? What’s a reasonable price for progress? How much?! And other comments… One of those comments was that UK company 76 Projects…
Hello Cannondale Scalpel HT, Goodbye F-Si
The new Cannondale Scalpel HT is revealed: a race hardtail, for riding as fast as you can between the tape. This replaces the Scalpel F-Si, but is a completely new platform. Whereas the head angle on the last F-Si model had been ‘slackened’ over its…
Moving Mountains – A New Zealand Bike Packing Adventure Film by Kona
This video features two Kiwi riders Khulan Tumen and Viet Tieu, coming together to ride Aotearoa/New Zealand’s latest purpose built alpine bike packing route, The Paparoa Track, on the west coast of the South Island. The two riders took on the route on a pair of fully rigid 2022…
Spotlight Interview: Digging Deep With Blake Hansen
El Jaskowska is a rider and passionate advocate for broadening participation in mountain biking. In this Spotlight Series, she is interviewing riders from all walks of life and styles of riding to discover the common joys and passions that bring us all together through mountain…
New Hope Fortus 30 SC – Lighter wheels for trail and enduro
Hope has released a new wheel, the Fortus 30 SC. SC stands for Single Cavity, so unlike the Fortus 30 – which is aimed at ebikes and Downhill – the SC forgoes the internal rim structure, saving you 100g and giving you a trail/enduro wheel.…
Internet Rummagings | The Pick Your Own Geometry Edition
Welcome to this month’s edition of Internet Rummagings, where I rummage around in the more embarrassing parts of the internet, so you don’t have to! (for clarification, that’s weird and wonderful bike websites…) Dawley Bikes Prize for the best bike manufacturer web address goes to…
Video Vault | Downhill, XC, Freeride and Trail – it’s all here
We’ve got videos from many different mountain bike disciplines for you here. Watch them all, or pick the ones that match your interests. Then get out and ride! Who Stops You – Loic Bruni Loic Bruni may have had a dream result, but it wasn’t…
Fresh Goods Friday 573 – Snacks, Slacks and Old Words
Get your boosters, wear a mask, play outside. Try not to be a dick. Be nice to people, say hi, take your litter home. Make someone else happy, hug your loved ones. Here endeth Friday’s lesson. Here beginneth Fresh Goods Friday 573. Ghost E-Riot Trail Pro Price:…
Fillmore Valve – did the worst bit of bike tech just get better?
It seems pretty universally agreed in the mountain bike world that Presta valves are horrible. Fiddly little bits of tech that leak, clog, spontaneously take themselves apart, or break at the merest whiff of a clumsy and cold set of fingers. It’s perhaps one of…
New Canyon Neuron Carbon Models Revealed
The popular Canyon Neuron frame remains the same, but gets new build kit – and, importantly, there’s stock available to buy right now. For this year there will be four models, one of which is a women’s model with women-specific contact points. The suspension travel…
Bold LINKIN – Integrated tech for the ambitious trail rider
Are you ready for the hype? Hold onto your trucker caps! “The BOLD LINKIN is the pinnacle of innovation, focused on technical and aesthetic details to emphasise its industry leading innovation and design. Created by passionate bikers and engineered for those wanting a high-end experience…
Singletrack Recipe Column: Cuban Cluckio Sandwichio
Our very own Charlie Hobbs has been persuaded to give up some of his al fresco culinary skills in the Singletrack recipe column. Because, what is mountain bike riding without eating well? We have been adding a fantastic food recipe to Singletrack magazine for a…
Get a taste for adventure at Kendal Mountain Festival 2021
Fancy an adventure themed night at the cinema? A weekend of talks with people who love the outdoors? Maybe it’s a chance to try something new? The Kendal Mountain Festival is back for 2021, Thursday 18th to Sunday 21st November. Given recent headlines, this part…
Back From The Dead – Our bike shop doesn’t run like yours
Dieter is the kind of bike nerd mechanic that every good bike shop should want. He is endlessly enthusiastic about getting people of all kinds onto bikes of all sorts. He can fix your bike even when the outlook looks bleak. Go for a ride…
Coming together for the future of our trails | The Scottish Mountain Bike Trail Summit 2021
Way back at the 2018 Scottish Mountain Bike Conference, a day was given over to a first ever “Trail Summit”. It had a day of presentations and discussion, and finished with some actual trail building on a chilly hillside near the Laggan Wolftrax trail centre.…
Last Chance To Vote! Singletrack Reader Awards 2021 In Association With Kona
Voting closes on 1st November! Make sure you vote for those you want to win before then! The time has come for you to cast your votes in this year’s Reader Awards. What happens next and who wins is down to you. REMEMBER! You must…
Fresh Goods Friday 572 – Firing On Most Cylinders
A combination of staffers taking half term off, and three staff households having the Covid has led to a half-staffed Singletrack this week. Many of us have been pinged by the NHS app and have gone off for testing, and Hannah, despite being double jabbed,…
Boardman MTR 9.0 review
// intro // Pros Cons blah Overall blah Boardman MTR 9.0 specification Geometry of our L size Boardman’s MTR 9.0 is the company’s flagship mountain bike. No high-falutin’ DH or Enduro monster, this – the aim of the company is to produce perfect machines for…
2022 Giant Trance X is a 27.5 trail bike built for fun
27.5in isn’t dead and thanks to the new Giant Trance X it looks like it has an exciting life ahead! Giant has had a mixed relationship with 29in wheels, and although they now make plenty of big-wheeled bikes they haven’t turned their back on 27.5in…
Smith Engage Helmet Review: High-End Protection At A Low Cost?
Smith bolsters its helmet range with the Smith Engage, a price-conscious helmet with high-end features and protection. The Smith Engage, by eyewear and helmet brand Smith, was launched as a cheaper alternative to their top-end open face helmet – the Forefront 2 – which I’ve…
Specialized releases updated Gambit full face and Roost flat pedal shoes
If you like to ride the bike park or downhill parks in flats, then Specialized has 2 new updates tailored just for you. Specialized Roost – £110 The Roost are a new flat-pedal shoe designed for riders wanting that casual skate shoe look, but requiring…
Now there’s a Canyon Spectral for all the family!
27.5, 29, alloy, mullet and even kids bikes are all covered in the new and improved 2022 Canyon Spectral range. One Family, Any Trail In December last year, Canyon filled a sizable hole in their trail bike line up with the Spectral 29. The new…
Mondraker goes down country with the all-new Mondraker Raze
The Mondraker Raze is a 130mm travel trail bike designed for pedalling efficiency and rowdy downhill fun. Full disclosure, I only used the term ‘down country’ so that you would hit the link. If you’re reading this then thanks for not jumping to the comments…
5 Pro Bike Checks from Red Bull Rampage 2021
What tyres for… back flipping off a cliff, hitting the lilypad, then heading straight into a sui? Our man on the ground at the Red Bull Rampage practice days, Fahzure Freeride, talks suspension settings, contact points, and brake set up with five Rampage hopefuls. The…
First ride review 2022 Canyon Spectral CF 8 CLLCTV
The 2022 Canyon Spectral range received a massive update today, and James Vincent has been testing the mullet Spectral CF 8! Update! Canyon has just informed us that they’ve been working on their pricing and have managed to lower it on several models in the…
Do plants have feelings? Forum Thread Of The Week
The Best Forum Threads Now Get Prizes. The Singletrack Forum, both the “Chat” and “Bike” variations, are really remarkable bits of the interweb. Here you will find over 523,000 topics, with 8,670,000 replies covering everything from removing Sudocrem from a cat to “what tyres for not riding…
Photo Story: Red Bull Rampage
This story looks even better if you’re a Singletrack Member. To view it with larger images and without ads, check out the Members’ Edition. This year marked 20 years since the first Red Bull Rampage. Since the Singletrack staff were trapped on this side of…
Last Chance For Better Access To Dartmoor!
Dartmoor National Park is celebrating its 70th birthday this weekend, and with it comes the closure of its consultation on amendments to its byelaws. You should probably take the chance now to respond and help add your voice to calls for better access of bikes.…
Photo Story: Red Bull Rampage – Members’ Edition
This year marked 20 years since the first Red Bull Rampage. Since the Singletrack staff were trapped on this side of the ocean, we asked USA based photographer JP Gendron to capture the scenes for us. Grab yourself a big screen to make the most…
TotalMTB Charity Raffle: Win Stuff, Do Good
With almost £10,000 worth of prizes to be won, TotalMTB’s charity raffle might be the best £5 you spend today. Last year’s raffle raised £3,376 for mental health charity No Panic, but this year #TotalMTB is hoping to raise £5,000 to be shared equally between No…
Fresh Goods Friday 571 – The ‘Quick! It’s briefly sunny outside’ issue
It’s all got a bit ping-tastic up here, so some of us are diving outside and enjoying a bike ride while we can, others have their fingers crossed for half term holiday plans, and others are gazing longingly out the window at the forbidden world.…
Three Things Thursday? 3 Backpacks with spine protection
This might not be Three Things Thursday – it might be Tech Tuesday, or Whoop There’s New Kit Wednesday. Ideas welcome. But what this is, is a run through the features of some products with something in common. This week, it’s back packs with built…
Generations – An Excuse For A New Bike?
You needed an excuse to buy a dirt jump bike, didn’t you? Well, Kona is doing its best to give you one with this sentimental video: As we get older, our priorities change, time becomes fleeting, and we learn to take less for granted. Ambassador Tim…
