This week we chat e-MTB racing – yes really! Plus New kit from MucOff, holidays, stuff that Ross keeps breaking and we hear from our Mega Sack winner who popped by in a really small car to collect his van load of winnings. Andi gets…
When and where are the 2020 UCI MTB World Cup and World Champ Races?
Here are all the dates, and places of the 2020 UCI MTB World Cup and World Champs races. While writing up this story, I realised that we’re only a few weeks from the start of the UCI MTB World Cup season but where and when…
Fresh Goods Friday 488
“Splish, splash, sploosh… whirr… whirr” – which is either the sound of the endless rain here, combined with the TurboTrainer Of Desperation… OR it’s the sound of espresso being delivered into our new mugs to the sound of the Wega coffee machine’s resilient motor… This…
Dorval AM Team announces 2020 sponsors
Just when you thought DH Team news was coming to an end, Dorval shows up with a host of new sponsors. The Dorval AM Racing DH Team has announced it’s full roster of team sponsors for the 2020 season, reminding us that the world of…
iceBike* 2020 – News from Thule, Park, Pro, Lazer and more
We’ve just been spending the day down in windy Milton Keynes for iceBike* 2020, Madison’s house show where it had many of its brands on display and lots of new bits and pieces on show for the coming year. DT Swiss dropper This was our…
Review | EXT Storia V3 – The Last Shock You’ll Ever Need To Buy?
The EXT Storia LOK V3 is a high end, Italian coil shock. I first spoke with EXT at Eurobike in 2017, but at the time they didn’t have a UK distributor. Enter Chris Porter, with Mojo Rising. Before talking about the hardware or the setup,…
Review | Manitou Mara Pro – Do You Like To Party?
Manitou, and parent Hayes Group have spent a while focussed on enduro-type products, from forks, to brakes, wheels and now this new Mara Pro shock. In Sanskrit, the word mara means “death”, which is pretty much the exact opposite of what I’d hope to get…
Nina Hoffmann | The Newest Stif MTB Team Rider
Stif Mountain Bikes is ready to kick start the 2020 race season, announcing that rising DH World Cup star, Nina Hoffmann, will be flying the Stif Mountain Bikes flag across the globe throughout 2020. The press release reads: ‘In 2019 the 23-year old German racer…
HUNT Mountain Announce 2020 Athletes
Despite having only launched the wheel range in May 2018, the HUNT family continues to grow with the addition of three new team members for 2020. Official press release: From National Downhill Champions to Top 20 EWS racers, full time athletes and those splitting time…
Tahnee Seagrave Breaks Her Ankle Putting Her Season In Doubt
Pro DH star Tahnee Seagrave has announced she’s broken her ankle while riding this weekend. Her Instagram account detailed her time in hospital and includes some unpleasant images and video of her ankle being ‘corrected’. Despite the break and the obvious implications for her upcoming…
Singletrack Fresh Goods Friday Podcast 487 | ebikes, Cedric Gracia and more ebikes
We are not new to Podcasts. In fact in much the same way that Mark was a first generation skateboarder back in the early 80’s, Singletrack got on the Podcast bandwagon way back in the early days of the ‘noughtes’ when they first became a…
Forget Love, This is Where The Hot Stuff Is | FGF 487
Chipps is back from holiday, Andi is on holiday, and Hannah is about to go on holiday. We are like ships in the night. Or underpaid shift workers sharing a small bedsit in London. Or celestial bodies that occasionally come in to line creating some…
Commencal Meta TR SX | A Bike For Those That Party?
Commencal reveals the new Meta TR SX, a bike for those ‘who want to ride harder and stronger and who think that enjoying oneself is most important’. It’s for those that want to play, not race. Take a moment to appreciate it – we have…
New Salsa Rustler in Aluminium, Plus New Range Colours
Salsa has revealed the new line up of colours and builds for the Salsa Horsethief, Spearfish and Rustler, plus a new Rustler frame in Aluminium. UK riders a can stand down however: due to import costs, you’ll only be getting the carbon frameset options here…
YT Jeffsy Primus | A Full Suspension Bike For The Young And Talented
It makes sense that YT should launch a kids’ bike, given they’ve been scouting the world for new Young Talent. So here it is: the Jeffsy Primus. There are two bikes in the range, one with 24 inch wheels, and one with 26 inch wheels…
Atherton Bikes Release First Fifty Bikes For Sale
News just in from Atherton Bikes. The first fifty (so exclusive that they have their own #firstfifty hashtag) bikes have been released for sale today. It’s expected that once these bikes are sold through that a more regular production schedule will start to roll out.…
Nukeproof Cub Scout | Bikes For The Mini-Shredders
Nukeproof reveals a range of bikes for the future Sam Hills in your family: the Nukeproof Cub Scout. Launching the bikes, which will be available on sale from 14th February (just in time for half term, perhaps), Nukeproof says: “In-line with most new products to…
The Hate Guide to Bikepacking
We spotted this research paper, published on Facebook. We thought that like any reputable and reliable research, it should be peer reviewed, so we’re placing it before you for appraisal and statistical analysis. Thanks to Ansgar Baums for allowing this seminal work to be reproduced…
Troy Lee launches the brand new D4 Full Face Helmet
Incredibly, it’s 11 years since the Troy Lee D3 helmet launched, bringing all of Troy Lee’s famous design flair together with a very distinctive full face helmet design. The D3 is probably one of the most iconic and instantly recognisable helmets out there. Until now!…
Crankbrothers launches affordable Alloy Synthesis Wheelsets for XCT, Enduro and E-Bikes
Crankbrothers has added an alloy version of the Synthesis wheelset to its range offering tuned wheel action for riders not wanting carbon. It was around this time last year that I headed to Innerleithen to join the launch and ride on the new carbon Synthesis…
Matt Simmonds Launches ProLine Coaching
Following on from rumours earlier this year, UK downhiller Matt Simmonds has announced he’s taking a step away from world cup racing this year to focus on the British National scene and his new venture ProLine MTB. Full press release below. Over a decade of…
Been Off The Bike? You Need To Watch This | Innes Graham, Racing Killed The Love
If you’ve been off the bike and struggling to get out, then you need to watch this. Actually you should watch it whatever you’ve been doing, and listen to what Innes Graham has to say. This video shows Innes Graham getting back on a bike…
The Merida EX Enduro Returns for 2020
The Merida EX Enduro returns in 2020 with perfect trails, stunning scenery and possibly the best food and drink ever served at a mountain bike event. The Merida EX Enduro is an all-inclusive, three-day enduro mountain bike event like no other in the UK. It’s…
Danny Hart | Between The Races
Ever wondered what Danny Hart does when he’s not racing? Does he nip down to his local pub for a pint? Does he like a nice G&T in a fancy glass, or a pint of mild in the local Working Men’s Club? Maybe he keeps…
Votes For Women (‘s Cycling Awards)
Well, this is all rather embarrassing and uncomfortable, but I’ve been told I’ve got to tell you that I’ve been nominated for an award, at the inaugural Women’s Cycling Awards, created by the London Bike Show and Cycling UK. Here goes…. I’d find this a…
Singletrack Magazine Issue 129 | Chris Akrigg: Quick. Change.
Chipps quizzes Chris Akrigg just before he announces his new bike sponsor, GT, after 12 years on Mongoose. Words & Photography Chipps I’m watching Chris Akrigg ride a bike through his local Yorkshire woods, and there’s something different about him. It’s nothing to do with…
MTB Video Vault | Put Your Feet Up and Get Inspired
If you’re going to spend time in front of a screen it may as well inspire you to get out and ride, or put you in a state of awe. Much better than mindless staring at the pseudo-drama lives of some fictitious residents of a…
Exclusive: Kilian Bron’s travel diary to the Eolian Island Volcanoes
Kilian Bron recently shot an epic video on active volcanoes with Commencal. Read his adventure diary from that trip here. We often tend to travel to the other side of the world to deliver media projects, but this time, we opted to go somewhere closer…
Have a fiver on us.
Yes, we want to give you £5.00. It really is almost that straight forward. This Sunday evening everyone on our newsletter list will be sent a £5.00 discount voucher code for our curious and ever changing Singletrack Merch Shop. Then simply pop over to the…
Sun Ringle Düroc SD37 Pro Wheels | For Rim Dingers
We sent David ‘Dinger’ Hayward out to beat up these Sun Ringle Düroc SD37 Pro wheels, available as both a rim only or complete wheelset option. Will his reputation as a wheel bruiser be dented, or will it be the wheels that take the damage?…
Commencal / Muc-Off Team Plans to clean up in 2020!
Commencal and Muc-Off have teamed up for the 2020 WC Downhill season. Will they clean up? Commencal has parted ways with Vallnord to form a new partnership with Muc-Off, makers of the pink soapy stuff many of us use to keep our bikes clean, lubed…
The 'We're Clinging On' Edition | FGF 486
Mark has been ill, Hannah has been broken, Chipps is on a road bike, Amanda had a nap in the office, Ross hasn’t broken anything, Andi has been going for walks, Tom has been making something exciting, Andy has been listening to Roy Orbison, Charlie…
Singletrack Magazine Issue 129 : One Last Run
Tim Oates looks at why you should never give in to that one extra run after you’ve stopped for the day. Words Tim Oates If I get out early in the morning, ride straight out of the car park and have a huge crash-and-burn, it’s…
Singletrack Magazine Issue 129 | Guiding light
Tom Hill looks at why hiring a local guide, despite GPS and the internet – even in our over-explored island – is still money well spent. Words Tom Hill Photography Duncan Philpott Our group paused at the high point of the ride. Huge wind turbines…
Singletrack Magazine Issue 129 | You should never go back…
Sanny reflects upon whether trail nirvana lightning can strike twice. Words & Photography Sanny They say that you should never go back. If you have experienced what you consider to be trail perfection, do you risk tarnishing the memory? If the tumblers and stars aligned…
Singletrack Magazine Issue 129 | Ode to climbs
Self-confessed climb-lover Rich Rothwell reckons that you’re missing out on half the fun if you don’t learn to love the ups as much as the downs. Words Rich Rothwell
9 New Bikes In 7 Days! Catch Up With The Bikes Of The Week
It’s been a mad mad week here at Singletrack Towers. It’s not even a trade show, or a big festival, so why are all these new 2020 bikes appearing just as Andi ‘Content Machine’ Sykes and Chipps ‘Contact List’ Chippendale are on their holidays? Anyway,…
Singletrack Magazine Issue 129 : Interview : Cedric Gracia
Andi gets Cedric Gracia to slow down for long enough to spend five minutes answering the questions we ask everyone. Words Andi Photography Forestal Tell us who you are, what do you do and why we should go for a ride with you. Well, I’m…
Singletrack Magazine Issue 129 : International Adventure : What’s Zermatt’er With You?
Emma and Carly head off to a different part of the mountains in their home-made camper. This time, it’s Zermatt and the Matterhorn that are getting all the attention. Only now, Carly does the storytelling… Words Carly Frame Photography Emma Whitaker It’s been one whole…
Take Control Of Your Singletrack Membership!
Thank you for joining our Singletrack community – we appreciate you supporting our work. We’re an independent UK publisher, and everything you see in Singletrack Magazine or on Singletrackworld.com is pulled together by our small team of dedicated staff. By joining our community you help…
Cody Kelley Joins Specialized
We speculated previously that Cody Kelley might be heading to Yeti along with Jared Graves. However, with Graves leaving Specialized, that’s created a space – which Kelley will be filling. The American rider, who rode for Alchemy last year and ranked 14th overall at the…
Tweedlove Seeks To Break Down The Barriers For Females In Enduro
Tweedlove organisers are keen to encourage women to take part in the sport, and they’ve issued this press release covering what they think the issues are, and what they’re doing about it: There is no denying that cycling is a male dominated sport. It is…
Unior Devinci Factory Racing Signs Greg Callaghan and Patrick Laffey
More Team Rumours turn to Team Facts, as Unior Devinci Factory Racing signs Greg Callaghan and Patrick Laffey. Press release follows: Greg has been racing the Enduro World Series from the very beginning and has been able to grow with the sport. Ireland’s best mountain…
Jack Moir Joins Canyon | Team Rumours 2020
He announced he was leaving Intense way back in December, but it’s taken until now to reveal who he’ll be racing for this year. The big news: Jack Moir is racing for Canyon in 2020. Here’s the press release in full: There aren’t many people…
Classic Ride 129 – Cornish Classic
Barney journeys back to his Cornish roots to bring you this West Country classic ride. Words & Photography Barney Marsh Long has my family boasted of ties to Cornwall, despite our predominantly Northern roots. My mother and grandmother were born there. My aunt lives there.…
Singletrack Issue 129 | Game Plan
Do you have the wrong plans? Or is planning itself the thing that’s wrong? Words | Hannah My life is currently full of the wrong sort of plans. In any given day in any week in the year ahead, I could give you a pretty…
New Canyon Strive CFR | Two Bikes In One, Less Weight
In 2019, the new Strive was launched with an overhauled Shapeshifter system. For 2020 the carbon racer sees the launch of two new Canyon Strive CFR models – designed for pro level racing. Here’s the press release: CFR stands for Canyon Factory Racing: these bikes…
Singletrack Magazine Issue 129 | The Frigid Secrets Of Ukraine
This story was originally published in Issue 129 of Singletrack World Magazine. We’ve pulled it out from behind our paywall – if you enjoy it, we’d like to invite you to make a donation to one of the Red Cross appeals. Three Polish friends prove…
New Pivot Switchblade | Flip Your Chip And Choose From 29 Configurations!
Pivot Cycles reveals the new Pivot Switchblade – “a bike with extraordinary versatility and category bending capability that redefines performance across every type of trail.“ As you might expect, it comes with longer reach, a slacker head angle and steeper seat angle. The new Switchblade’s…
Brendan Fairclough | A Dog’s Life Episode One, Out Now
The first of Brendan Fairclough’s new video series is out. At 25 minutes long, it’s a full length sit down affair. Grab a cuppa and settle in, or read on for the press release to whet your appetite. Brendan Fairclough has been busy with a…
Nukeproof Horizon Bars | Carbon and Alloy Options Redesigned
Nukeproof has gone into some detail explaining the changes made to the Horizon bars, so we thought we’d share the whole thing with you. Get your nerd on and learn… Building on the success of the original Horizon carbon and alloy handlebars, for 2020 we…