Orange has used Eurobike as the platform to introduce the new Orange Switch 6 here’s a quick first look. Orange Bikes has a bit of a monster launch going on at Eurobike, with 5 new bikes launched, and 2 updates to current bikes. We’re not…
2020 Orange Stage 6 – Exclusive First Ride Review
In 2017 Orange launched the Stage 6, a long travel, big mountain, do everything, enduro bike. The Stage 6 was Orange’s answer to the increasingly growing aggro 29 full suspension bike market and sported big numbers and slack angles. Today, Orange launches the updated 2020 model…
2020 Shimano Shoes | Trail Shoes, Race Shoes and – E-Bike shoes?
Shimano is using the evening of this year’s Eurobike Show to launch the new 2020 Shimano shoe range. There are cycling shoes for every discipline here, including disciplines you didn’t know needed their own shoes. The 2020 Shimano shoe collection (and it it quite a…
A great gift for cyclists | Bikes, Beers, and Subliminal Biscuits…
Charlie (former Bikemonger) creates a great gift for cyclists and/or biscuit fans. Sometimes the hill is not worth the trouble. Wind and rain tear at your Gore-Tex, deep mud foils your efforts, so you decide to get the hell out and find a new hill…
Manon Carpenter’s “An Ode To The Land” Video with Ben Cathro
Manon Carpenter’s latest eco video is better viewing and more important than any downhill shredit. Manon Carpenter decided to stop racing a few years ago, but she hasn’t done with mountain biking and her title sponsor Radon Bikes, still supports her on adventures, explorations, and…
Sector 9i carbon wheels come with a built-in Suit of Armour first ride review
Wheel maker Sector wants to prove to the world that tough and durable, needn’t mean stiff and uncomfortable with the new Sector 9i carbon wheelset. I was chatting with a very well known composite guru one evening, and over a bottle or two of red…
Sector 9i Carbon Wheels With TeXtreme First Look
Sector has launched the new Sector 9i carbon wheelset today with low-weight, competitive pricing, and added Textreme. Sector is a new wheel maker, but the people behind the name have been in the bike industry for years, and are better known for the Kinesis bike…
Endura MT500 Lite Knee Pads | Review
Wil gives us his review of the new Endura MT500 Lite Knee Pads Just two months ago, Endura released several brand new protective products under the venerable MT500 label. These included a very lightweight, (as in, 640g lightweight!) full-face helmet equipped with Koroyd protection, and…
Granite Stash Tool System Is My Back To School Essential
Granite Design has released its own Stash Tool system with all the benefits of the OneUp but without the need to thread your steerer. And it’s more affordable too! Granite Design has a couple of tool systems that hide into the otherwise empty orifices on…
Adam Brayton’s broken collarbone means he’s out for the rest of the season!
Hope downhill rider, and Nukeproof pilot, Adam Brayton has announced that he’ll miss the last round of the World Cup and Hardline! Adam Brayton has had a pretty tough season so far, and it just got a lot worse. Earlier today, Mr Gas To Flat…
Singletrack Issue 126 | Editorial – There is no right or wrong…
Words Chipps How is it that I can love listening to a particular band, yet my friend hates them? Or that I can dislike food that is someone’s favourite dish? Or that I can laugh at a comedian who barely raises a titter from others…
Would you hit this railway gap on a £2600 enduro bike?
Watch this rider hit the infamous Pemberton Railway gap in Whistler on the £2600 Patrol 691 enduro bike! Earlier in the year we visited Bali and tested wallet-friendly enduro bikes from Indonesian brand Patrol. Since we left the sunny island, Patrol has been sending bikes…
Fresh Goods Friday 463 – A Little Yellow Tool Every Biker Needs
We deliver Fresh Goods on time this week, despite being thin on the ground and those of us that are here being distracted by the results for the Singletrack Reader Awards 2019. Have you voted for your favourite products, services, people and places from the…
Watch Luca Shaw’s DH World Champs Course Preview
Practice has already kicked off over at the UCI World Championship track in Mont St Anne, here’s Luca Shaw showing us how to ride this rough, fast track. It’s a funny Downhill season this year with the World Championships taking place before the end of…
Who Is Bicycle Pubes? We Chat To The Instagram Star
If you’ve not yet discovered the frankly bizzare and often hilarious Instagram account BicyclePubes yet then you are missing out on a whole heap of bike industry parody and satire wrapped up and delivered by the power of memes, hairy balls, and poop. We ‘despatched’…
New Specialized 2FO 2.0 Clip-in Shoe Launched
The new version of Specialized’s flagship clip-in trail shoe, now called the 2FO 2.0 is said to be even better than the original, with new materials, greater protection and a bold claim that they’ll dry ‘in under four hours’ – now that’s a claim. The…
Commencal celebrates 20th birthday with LTD Edition Meta AM 29 XX
Commencal is celebrating its 20th birthday with the release of the limited edition Commencal Meta AM 29 XX with AXS components and holographic decals. Commencal is celebrating 20 years this year and has launched a limited edition Meta AM 29 XX. Each Meta AM XX…
Pivot Lightens The LES
2020 Pivot LES SL launched. Those Pivot folks in Arizona have just let us know that the new LES hardtail is getting a lighter and even racier version – the SL. The Pivot LES already has a pretty good pedigree (an earlier model of the…
Fresh Goods Sunday 462 – Four Bikes
The doorbell has barely rung this week, which is just as well because the skeleton staff we have here are quite tired enough without running up and down the stairs too. Tower life has its disadvantages, and with even our very own Rapunzel off her…
MakingUpTheNumbers | National Downhill Series Round 4 – Hopton
Can 14lbs and 8mm make our George any faster? He heads to his next Downhill race to find out. ‘It’s worse than ever’. MrsMakingUpTheNumbers has finally snapped. My snoring is now unbearable apparently; so, after a visit to the GP I’ve been advised to lose…
Best Online Service – Singletrack Reader Awards 2019 Finalists
No matter how committed you are to using your local bike shop, the chances are you’ve used an online service of some sort this year. Interestingly, this year’s nominations look beyond the ‘buying stuff’ to other sorts of ‘online services’. This year is a re-run…
Best Published Image – Singletrack Reader Awards 2019 Finalists
Singletrack Magazine has always prided itself in the quality of its photographs and the skills of its contributors. In this day and age when everyone is now a photographer and your phone is always to hand to snap whatever catches your eye, it’s easier than…
Best e-MTB – Singletrack Reader Awards 2019 Finalists
This has been a tricky category to choose the finalists, as we’ve already seen what’s coming in 2020 – and as you’d expect with new technology, there are some giant leaps that make the older models look almost quaint. But what we’re interested in for…
Best Trail Centre – Singletrack Reader Awards 2019 Finalists
There have to be trails, obviously. But a really good trail centre needs more – maybe it’s somewhere to wash your bike, maybe it’s a family option as well as a white knuckle death gnar trail. Maybe it’s a really good pie at the end…
Best Bike Shop – Singletrack Reader Awards 2019 Finalists
The Finalists – Best Bike Shop 18 Bikes, Hope Valley A regular shop ride, a regular bike shop, and some regular and irregular custom frames – 18 Bikes is not your average bike shop. Their location in the Hope Valley means they’re always busy, but…
Best UK Event, Show or Series – Singletrack Reader Awards 2019 Finalists
Always one of the closely fought and highly campaigned for prizes, we’re looking for you to choose your ‘Best event or series’. Whether it’s the atmosphere, the trails, the charity support, the beer tent or a magical mixture of all these and more that make…
Mountain Bike Personality Of The Year – Singletrack Reader Awards 2019 Finalists
This is a hard one. What is a personality? Is it someone you’d like to have dinner with, because you know it would be entertaining? Is it someone you admire? Is it someone who has loads of Instagram followers? Or someone who’s put something into…
Best Hardware – Singletrack Reader Awards 2019 Finalists
These are the bits you attach to your bike. Maybe they come on a complete bike, maybe you replace something old, or maybe you just upgrade to something even more better. Whatever it is, from bells to brakes, hardware goes on you bike. Here’s the…
Best Software: Singletrack Reader Awards 2019 Finalists
Software is all the stuff that doesn’t go on your bike – it goes on you. It probably keeps you warm, or dry, or safe, or sweat-free. Maybe it carries your stuff, or keeps your stuff dry. Whatever it is, you’re likely to cover it…
Best Bike Over £4500 – Singletrack Reader Awards 2019 Finalists
Imagine for a second that you have unlimited funds, no mortgage, and no bills. It’s dream bike time, but you only have three bikes to choose from. Which will it be? The Finalists – Best Bike Over £4500 Pivot Mach 4 SL Team XTR Wil’s…
Best Bike Under £4500 – Singletrack Reader Awards 2019 Finalists
If you’re shopping for a bike at this price point then you have our condolences – it’s not an easy job trying to choose just one bike from the 100’s of stellar options on sale today. You are both spoiled for choice and cursed with…
Best Bike Under £2000 – Singletrack Reader Awards 2019 Finalists
This was a big year for bikes at this price point, with hardtails as well as some quality full suspension options becoming available, prompting a different sort of ‘How Much?!’ squawk from many. Here are the bikes that lightened your hearts but not your wallets:…
Best Author – Singletrack Reader Awards 2019 Finalists
Whether it’s an epic tale of derring-do, a bit of thoughtful reflection, a humorous take on life on wheels, or even a technical review, we love a well written article. We were looking here for nominations for best author – recognising that sometimes it’s not…
Crankbrothers Reveals New Highline Dropper Post Ranges
More length and different girths – new Crankbrothers Highline dropper range options revealed. When he reviewed the Crankbrothers 160mm Highline dropper post last year, reviewer James Vincent said ‘this is hands down the best dropper post I’ve ever used, and the 160mm drop is a…
2020 Intense Primer comes in 29er, 27.5 and mullet wheel options
The Intense Primer is no-longer available just as a 29er and for 2020 the new Intense Primer range comes in 29in, 27.5in and a mullet option. Intense’s Primer 29er has been in the Intense range since 2016 and over the years it has gained a…
2020 Santa Cruz Tallboy 4 First Look
First look at the 2020 Santa Cruz Tallboy 4 with updated VPP suspension platform, slacker geo, adjustable dropouts, and delicious colours. Santa Cruz’s Tallboy has received a major facelift for 2020. This Tallboy 4 isn’t the same 120mm travel 29er we’ve ridden in the past,…
Juliana Joplin – The Adventure Bike With 10mm More Fun for 2020
First look at the 2020 Juliana Joplin with an added 10mm of travel, updated VPP suspension platform, slacker geo, adjustable dropouts and plenty of build options. The Joplin is the women’s version of the Santa Cruz Tallboy. Built for long days in the saddle with…
Santa Cruz Tallboy 4 Review – What Is Extreme Country?
The Tallboy 4 is Santa Cruz’s full suspension XC bike. It’s a 29r and we’ve had our hands on this CC model for the past week to give it a first ride review. It being an XC bike I naturally took it to an urban…
Knolly Launches The All Mountain Warden & Delirium For 2020
Knolly is that small Canadian bike brand you’ve probably heard of but not seen many bikes on our UK trails. They are based in Vancouver and Whistler, which makes us very jealous, and their bikes are pretty unique and easily recognisable if you know what…
Singletrack Issue 126 | Panning For Trail Gold In Arizona
Huw Oliver goes searching for singletrack gold in the arid mountains of Arizona. Words & Photography Huw Oliver My fingers yanked on the levers automatically, bypassing the usual thought processes and channels of communication, as if they knew what was needed before my brain did.…
What3Words for Singletrack? The navigation app that is saving lives
It’s not a new app but it’s been in the news recently as quite a lot of emergency services are recommending we all download it. The What3Words app segments the entire planet into squares of 3mx3m and each square is designated a simple and unique…
Singletrack Issue 126 | Colour Wheels
Sim Mainey goes behind the scenes to find out who decides what colours you’ll be wearing and riding next year, and what will be old hat the next. Words Sim Mainey Photography credited While most of us would like to believe that we base our…
Singletrack Magazine Issue 126 Is Out Now – Join Us
It’s been 126 issues since we published the very first Singletrack magazine way back in 2001… in the middle of the now historic, Foot and Mouth outbreak where none of us were allowed to ride bikes outside. Despite this, and the fact we launched on…
Making Up The Numbers Episode 4 | Joe Smith
In this episode George Thompson chats race highlights, bike set up, flat pedals and body armour with Propain Factory Racing’s Joe Smith. George catches up with Propain Factory Racing’s Joe Smith to discuss the 2019 season so far & in particular the Val di Sole…
Fresh Goods Friday 461 | Tangerine Dream & The Wasp Factory
We are all feeling like we have had a very lucky escape. We’ve just opened to the door to our studio and discovered hundreds and hundreds of wasps. Luckily, they were almost all dead. But it is all a bit weird. We should have expected…
Trek Fuel EX 9.8 | First Ride Review
Chipps nips over to take in some Italian singletrack and bring you this Trek Fuel EX 9.8 First Ride Review For the first ride launch of the Trek Fuel EX, Trek had chosen a quirky hotel about an hour from Venice. Yes, Venice is flat,…
Trek Fuel EX 2020 – The Fuel EX Like Never Before
The 2020 Trek Fuel EX bears little resemblance to the previous model – we take a look at what’s new. The 130mm travel 29er bike is set to be the battle ground of the top brands next year. With enough travel to take on chunky…
Video | What can a MTBer do to help our planet?
What can a mountain biker do to help our planet? It’s a difficult question with uncomfortable answers, but an easy one is #DitchDisposables Rémy Métailler has produced a video asking ‘What can a mountain biker do to help our planet?’. It’s a bit of a…
Tales of The Unexpected | A Bicycle Commute Short Story
Hannah rides to work, and has another of those moments that remind you why taking the bike will always trump hopping in the car. I’ve not ridden the proper off road route to work for a while. A combination of logistics and a poorly knee…
Video | Dudes of Hazzard – STEALIN’ axles and HOOKIN’ turns!
Take a break and enjoy this video from the Dudes of Hazzard. From the land of dry cake and wicked trails, the Dudes of Hazzard bring us another fun video of roost and giggles. Shot in Madeira, it’s the usual mix of messing around on…
First Look | Cube Stereo 170 – big travel, small price tag
For 2020 Cube has introduced a new big bike, the Stereo 170. With 29 inch wheels and 170mm of rear travel, it’s a bike for fast and steep descents, with enduro aspirations. The Stereo 170 will come in two variations: a coil shock equipped 170…