Ross reviews the 38mm RockShox Zeb Ultimate, a big and burly enduro fork made to bridge the gap between the Lyrik and Boxxer. 2021 Editors’ Choice This fork features in our Singletrackworld Editors’ Choice 2021 round-up. Ross: “I’ve said it plenty of times before, and…
Les Gets World Cup Now Cancelled!
Both the XC and DH World Cup rounds for Les Gets have been cancelled shrinking the already smaller than usual World Cup season to just 5 races in total. Sad news race fans, Les Gets is off the schedule for 2020 as the UCI confirms…
Whistler Bike Park Opens | But is it worth the the full ticket price?
Of particular frustration to those of us on the right hand side of the Atlantic as we are pretty much locked out of travelling unimpeded to BC but for those that are not this is better news. If you averaged out the world’s MTB bucket…
Dear Diary, Lock Down 2020 | Trails Are Better With Friends
One of our readers shares his tale of discovering that in lock down the trails are quiet – just a bit too quiet. Lock down, the meaning of: The confining of prisoners to their cells A state of isolation or restricted access instituted as a…
Podcast 507 | The rescued cow & Huhn Bikes mountain chicken episode
Andi chats with Ralph Holleis of Huhn Bikes about his inspiration and skills that have lead him down the path of combining art with bike building. Huhn is Chicken in German. Why chicken you might ask; “Getting dirty is fun, chickens live in the dirt,…
Rate My Gate | 10 of the Best and Worst in Calderdale
Amanda and Hannah think they know what makes a bad gate - and a good one. Here is their appraisal of local gateways. If you have ever ridden the Mary Towneley Loop solo, you will perhaps understand the importance of gates to riders. This trail…
Where To Ride In Scotland – Where’s Open? Where Opens Soon?
With venues around Scotland (and Wales) starting to slowly open as lockdown eases (or not, in some cases…) we’ve been in touch with the fine people at Developing Mountain Biking In Scotland (DMBinS) to bring you their handy guide as to where you can and…
British Cycling Cancels Most National Championships for 2020
In a move that’s not entirely surprising, British Cycling has cancelled all but its winter National Championship 2020 cycling events. British Cycling has been issuing regular updates on what activities its affiliated clubs and events can put on. Group rides are back on, with social…
Corona Coaster | Elliot Heap – Powered By Pies
It’s time for another instalment of Corona Coaster from Nico Turner, who this week has been hanging out with EWS racer Elliott Heap. In this week’s episode of Live To Ride we head to the North West of England to an area known for their…
It’s a jungle out there! | Fresh Goods Friday 506
Good morning readers! @slimshady I trust you have your scrambled eggs and coffee at the ready? This Fresh Goods Friday comes to you from deep inside a valley that has exploded with bracken. It seemed to happen overnight, somewhere between the blistering heat and the…
We’re feeling hungry for Pipedream’s Titani-Yum Moxie
With just 24 being produced the 2020 Titanium Moxie hardtail is set to be one of this year’s most exclusive frames. It was teased just a few weeks ago and now it has been made official! Pipedream is bringing back the Titanium Moxie hardtail as…
Making Up The Numbers | Making Up The Races
Are you missing the race season a bit too much? Our George might not be much of a podium contender, but in lockdown he’s discovered that racing is about much more than just not winning. I’m missing it. The racing. Not the racing per se;…
Cycling Geeks Unite! Shimano Celebrates 25 Years Of The SPD Sandal
There’s no easier way to suddenly age 25 years than by putting on a pair of these beauties! And in a timely coincidence, the venerable SPD Sandals are now celebrating their own 25 years of heritage. Yes, a quarter century of riding with grit under…
Tweedlove Cancelled For 2020. Roll On 2021!
In a ‘can’t really say it’s a surprise’ move, the organisers of Tweedlove have reluctantly announced that they’re pulling the plug on all events for the rest of the year. Originally, the early June fortnight (which had amazing weather, by the way) was postponed until…
Diversion Diary – The Final Countdown?
Hannah’s partner, BK, lives in the USA, and lockdown has kept them apart. Each week in the Diversion Diary she brings us some lonesome ramblings, plus a selection of internet finds. This week, BK has been vintage bike shopping. In theory this should be the…
Exclusive First Ride Review: The Brand New Transition Spur
We’ve been lucky enough to have the all new Transition Spur in for an exclusive first ride test ahead of its launch. The brand new Transition Spur sees Transition entering a new sector of the market and the Spur is designed as a 29” wheeled,…
Watch: Gowaan Gals “The Final Edit”
An edit full of slow motions, stunts, and smiles! Watch the Gowaan Gals ride their lockdown compound in “The Final Edit”. Those hazy sunny days might feel like a distant memory today, but at least you can relive that early summer blip with Chloe Taylor,…
The new Yeti SB115 – Downcountry? Fast Trail? Whatever?
Call it ‘downcountry’ or ‘fast trail’, we’ve been seeing increasing numbers of bikes coming out in the last couple of years aimed at riders who aren’t necessarily cross country racers, yet they aren’t enduro and who like nothing better than trying to pull their friends’…
2021 Commencal Clash | Same look but all-new sporty angles
Another new update from Andorra as Commencal unleashes the 2021 version of the popular Clash platform. Same look, but all-new sporty angles. The Commencal Clash has always been a bike that I’ve looked at as a freeride or mini downhill bike, but in it’s latest…
What Would It Look Like Now? The GT Lobo
We wonder what a modern incarnation of the GT Lobo might look like, and take a trip down memory lane with GT. Bike designer and fabricator Steve Salter of SmallTownBoyCustoms has been busy re-imaging the GT Lobo as it would be if it were around…
Ticks and Lyme Disease: Advice for Mountain Bikers
The charity Caudwell LymeCo brings us important information about ticks and Lyme Disease for mountain bikers. Exercising outdoors is great for physical and mental health, but as we move into summer and further into peak tick season, this also increases our chances of coming across…
Diversion Diary – Know Your Place
Hannah’s partner, BK, lives in the USA, and lockdown has kept them apart. Each week, she brings us some lonesome ramblings, plus a selection of internet finds. This week she’s looking at the land beyond the trails. As much as I enjoy the adrenaline rush…
Welsh Trail Centres Move To Reopen In July With New Trails On Offer
In a joint statement last weekend, the major uplift bike parks in Wales announced that, in line with Welsh Government advice, and after consultation with Welsh Cycling and the Outdoor Alliance and other bodies, a measured reopening of some Welsh trail centres would start happening…
Fresh Goods Friday 506 – The Shall We/Shan’t We? Mid-Lockdown Easing Edition
You can go to the pub. No you can’t. Not yet, but you will. You can queue at Primark. You can probably go camping. You can go to places, but the loos will probably be locked when you get there. You can’t go to Durham,…
YT Shred Range: Coil Shocks For Decoy and New Alloy Capra
The YT Shred range sees the mullet Decoy e-bike get a coil shock, and the Capra get a full metal body and a coil shock too. If there’s not a hair metal video to go with this launch we’re going to be very disappointed. YT…
Review: 2021 Orange Five Evo LE short travel big hitter
Andi tackles the trails on Orange’s latest creation, the short travel, progressively angled 2021 Orange Five Evo LE. A few years ago I reviewed the Orange Four and I concluded that the short travel, single-pivot Orange was probably the bike most riders should be on.…
2021 Orange Five Evo and Stage Evo go big on geometry not travel!
The latest Evo bikes from Orange are short on travel, big on geometry and full of fun. Full details of the Orange Five Evo and Stage Evo. MY21 bikes seem to be following a similar formula no matter which brands are announcing them. It seems…
Video | Corona Coaster With Matt Walker
This week’s Corona Coaster video by Nico Turner features Madison Saracen‘s Matt Walker. Matt has taken the lockdown as an opportunity to double down on his training, investing in some Rocky Balboa style gym equipment and riding some of Shropshire’s finest trails. Nico says: ‘Due…
10 Vegan Trail Snacks | Bake or buy, we’ve lots to try!
Veganism is on the rise, and the availability of vegan snacks and ready meals is ever growing. It’s getting to the point where we’re actually spoiled for choice… but some trail snacks can be quite expensive and end up being disappointing. Too dry, too nutty,…
Video | Skem’ed by Nukeproof
Singletrack Towers may be in the North of England, but that doesn’t mean we couldn’t use a few subtitles to go with this video from Nukeproof. Nukeproof says: Skelmersdale; for a region with few official hills let alone mountains, there is a quality crop of…
First Ride Review: 2021 Specialized Epic Pro – No Mercy XC Racing Beast
Wheel this new Specialized Epic Pro out of the box and you’re immediately struck by how neat and purposeful it looks. Thanks to the SRAM AXS Eagle wireless shifting and a puritanical approach to dropper posts, there are only brake hoses coming from the bars.…
2021 Specialized Epic. Lighter. Faster. More Epic Than Ever!
2021 Specialized Epic For the 2018 model year, Specialized did a major revamp of its flagship race bike, the Epic. The full carbon frame was made a lot lighter, while the geometry was tweaked to reflect the changing needs of Olympic-level cross country racing. Well,…
Double Your Donation To World Bicycle Relief This Week!
We’re big fans of the work of World Bicycle Relief, and this week your donations are being match funded – making them worth double! How much did you spend on your last bike? How many bikes do you own? We know that many of our…
Matt Simmonds | Privateer 161 Öhlins Build
Earlier this year Privateer rider Matt Simmonds announced he was taking a step back from World Cup racing to focus on Nationals and his new venture, ProLine MTB. To help him along the team at Privateer helped him get his Privateer 161 ready, along with…
2021 Commencal Meta AM 29 gets revamped with new frame and features
Following on from the release of the radical new Meta TR, Commencal has announced the 2021 Meta AM with all-new frame, geometry and features. Commencal’s boffins have done it again and totally redesigned the 2021 Commencal Meta AM 29 to bring the design and features…
Go Outdoors’ Possible Administration Brings Calibre Future Into Question
JD Sports has filed a notice of intention to enter administration for subsidiary company Go Outdoors, the company who owns Calibre bikes. This will have fans of the budget bikes wondering when or if they’ll be able to buy another Calibre. The statement posted on…
FGF Podcast 505 | Barbed wire hands and Chloe Taylor interview
This week Hannah grills Amanda about her recent incident with a barbed wire fence before Andi chats to Chloe Taylor about her life as a pro racer under lockdown conditions. Did you know she’s only been riding mountain bikes for 3 years?
Islabikes Prepares Two New Ranges To Improve Access to Cycling
Islabikes is working on two new products to improve access to cycling: an e-assist version of their Icons range, and bikes designed for people with restricted growth. Islabikes started because founder Isla Rowntree wanted there to be bikes that were better designed for the needs…
Bike Nerd Bingo | Linkage Driven High Single Pivot Steel Full Suspension Prototype!
We get a bit hot under the collar over this linkage driven high single pivot steel full suspension prototype – because that sentence is like bike nerd bingo. Oh my, what do we have here? It’s like all our nerd buttons are being pushed at…
FGF 505 – The Enjoy This Weekend. Nights Start Drawing In Soon Edition
Did everyone’s grandad always greet midsummer like this? Or just mine? Was it a celebration of a summer barely half-through? Or a lament at months wasted and a looming winter to look forward to? Who knows? All we know is that the weather has mostly…
Cotic Solaris MAX 2020 | More Sparkles, More Bottle Bosses!
Cotic has revealed the latest update to the Solaris MAX, their 29er hardtail which they say can do everything from enduro to bike packing. This latest edition of the Cotic Solaris MAX features a slightly steeper seat tube, but that’s not what going to catch…
Commencal tweaks the Meta HT hardtail for 2021
Commencal’s tweaked Meta HT hardtail released with 2021 build and a couple of frame updates. Think Commencal and you will probably picture downhill race runs, enduro wins, and aggressive full-suspension bikes, but full-bounce isn’t all they do. The Commencal Meta HT has been a regular…
Fort William’s Nevis Range Hopes To Reopen July 15th
We’ve just had word that Nevis Range, the venue that hosts the annual Fort William downhill World Cup will hopefully reopen (with restrictions, obviously) for business and bike riding on July 15th, now that there have been some word on easing of restrictions in Scotland.…
Julbo Quickshift MTB Goggles | 2 Modes, 1 Pair of Goggles
James tries out the Julbo Quickshift MTB Goggles – will he be glad of the protection they give his eyes? Ever since I was about 7 or 8, I’ve worn glasses (-5.75 in both eyes on my last test, thanks genetics) and when I’m riding…
Diversion Diary | Up Fish Creek Without A Saddle
Hannah’s partner, BK, lives in the USA, and lockdown has kept them apart. Each week, she brings us some lonesome ramblings, plus a selection of internet finds. This week she covers the next big cycling trend: bike fishing. I am walking a tightrope of anxiety.…
DZR Turin Boots | Now With European Distributor For Easy Purchasing
Hannah checks out the DZR Turin boots, just as they get a whole lot easier to get hold of int he UK and Europe. When offered a pair of these DZR Turin boots to try out before the launch, I thought they looked like the…
Wiggle Data Breach – Accounts ‘Fraudulently Accessed’ – Updated Story
Wiggle customers are reporting purchases made using their card details, amid what appears to be a data breach. Updated 20:30 16th June We’ve received the following statement from Wiggle: Ross Clemmow, CEO at Wiggle: “Data security is of the utmost importance to us. We’ve investigated the…
First Look: Ride Concepts VICE Kyle Strait Signature Flat Shoe
Ride Concepts’ new VICE shoe is aimed at dirt jump, slalom, BMX and downhill riders who value pedal feel. Ride Concepts produces a whole host of cycling-specific shoes and sponsors some of the biggest talents in the industry. Riders such as the Athertons, Sam Pilgrim…
Hayes XC Collection | Because Not Everyone Is Enduro?
Hayes has launched the Hayes XC Collection – a new range of XC gear aimed at ‘normal’ riders and not just pro racers. If you’re not sure what category of rider you are, here’s the introduction from their PR piece: You wake up at 5:00 am in…
2021 Santa Cruz 5010 & Juliana Furtado: More travel!
The Santa Cruz 5010 and Juliana Furtado are the 27.5in ‘all-rounders’ of each brand. Designed to go up as well as they come down, the nimble trail bikes have had some major changes for 2020. What’s new at a glance Fork travel has increased from…