After the carbon launch models, then the aluminium Uncaged versions, here is the more affordable alloy YT Capra Core 2.
Enduro
Trans-Savoie: 10 years of not-racing enduro
This summer will see the 10th Trans-Savoie Enduro. Perfect excuse to look at some nice piccies and watch a great little look-back promo edit.
Commencal Meta AM 29 Team Review
Commencal went ultra-long and slack for the newest Meta AM 29, so does that make it too enduro for everyday riding? The Commencal Meta AM 29 has evolved from being an ‘All Mountain’ trail bike to a full-on enduro slayer. Compared to the previous generation…
Patrol 691 Evo Review | This Indonesian enduro puts the SUPER in Superboost!
Patrol Mountain has taken input from riders and testers from around the world and brought the geometry of their 691 right up to date. I do bring this up as often as I possibly can, but a few years ago, when pandemics were something only…
Halo Gravitas Review | Downhill ready performance that won’t break the bank!
Halo’s new Gravitas wheelset is aimed at downhill riders, and in fact, has already been tested on the Downhill World Cup, so surely they can survive a few months of STW abuse. Halo has a long tradition of developing wheels that can handle plenty of…
Exclusive | Orange Alpine Evo Review a big travel bike with trail bike manners
The Orange Alpine Evo is the latest development in the Alpine range, offering big travel capabilities in a lively and efficient trail-friendly package. The Orange Alpine Evo isn’t designed to be an all-out enduro race bike, though it is surely capable enough. Instead, this new…
Review – Fox 38 Factory Grip 2 does the burly chassis and new features make a better enduro fork?
The Fox 38 launched last year right at the start of lockdown, but over the year we have ridden various models of this burly enduro fork and this is what we think. There are trends that we can following depending on the market that we…
Bike Check: Joe Connell’s Orange Stage 6 with prototype dual crown Formula fork
Check out what Orange Factory Racing rider, Joe Connell with be racing at EWS La Thuile this week in our latest bike check. Joe Connell will be hitting the EWS at La Thuile this week on his Orange Stage 6 complete with prototype Formula dual…
Return of the Goat 2: New YT Capra launches with a big-budget movie
YT launches an updated Capra, but what’s more exciting the new bike or the big-budget movie attached to it? So what do the new YT Capra and a new unnamed Indiana Jones movie have in common? Give up? Well, each one is now associated with…
First Ride Review of the new Pirelli Scorpion Enduro S, Trail S and Enduro R tyres
Pirelli says that “Power is Nothing Without Control” so how does the new range of Pirelli Scorpion Enduro and Trail tyres perform? Just over 2 years ago, Pirelli launched the Scorpion MTB tyre range consisting of a collection of unique tyre designs suited for XC,…
Podcast: Andi joins the Sunn French Connexion Enduro World Series Team
As he quickly approaches 40, Andi decides to take a few more risks, little did he know that it would lead to joining the Sunn French Connexion EWS Team! I’m sure you will all have your stories of those missed opportunities. Those big dreams, new…
YT Capra Pro and Base alloy models refreshed for 2021
YT has replenished its stock with fresh new alloy versions of the popular Capra available in Base and Pro builds. If you’re after a new Capra then today might finally be your chance as two new alloy builds of the burly enduro bike have been…
Staff Bike Test: Andi’s Commencal Meta AM 29 SRAM Edition
This article was first published in Issue 129 of Singletrack Magazine. The Commencal Meta has been around for quite a while now, but every so often the bike receives an update to keep it in line with what the rest of the industry has on…
2021 Commencal Meta AM 29 Review | Thought you were fast? Wait till you ride this!
The 2021 Commencal Meta AM 29 is a proven speed demon, with sorted geo and kinematics for reduced fatigue and impressive climbing. This is a full-on EWS weapon! Let's cut to the chase, the MY21 Commencal Meta AM is nothing like the outgoing model, sure…
2021 Nukeproof Mega 275 Factory – First Ride Review
The Nukeproof Mega has been the brand's top flight, big hitting enduro bike since 2011. The original prototype was raced to 3rd place in Masters at the 2009 Megavalanche (the race it was named after) by Michael Cowan, with the first production bike being launched…
New 2021 Specialized Stumpjumper EVO Goes Big
The Stumpjumper EVO has changed… The new, 29in wheel, 160/150mm 2021 Specialized Stumpjumper EVO is quite a bike. When it originally appeared a couple or three years ago, it appeared as an alloy-only, two size-only ‘hooligan’ version of the, then brand new, Stumpjumper model. Its…
Patrol promises the Evolution of Enduro with the 691 Evo S
What’s this? Another new model from Patrol? Ok, not new, but revised. Built on the Patrol 691 which I rode last year, the 691 Evo is a 2021 update of the alloy Enduro bike with some major geometry updates. The original Patrol 691 features are…
Review: Suntour Durolux R2C2 PCS EQ top-performance on a budget!
The Suntour Durolux R2C2 PCS EQ is awarded a Singletrack Recommended Award for providing quality suspension and performance at a budget price. Suntour’s continued development of its rowdy 36mm enduro fork has paid off with Andi thoroughly recommencing this budget bouncer. When I started to…
New EXT ERA Fork Is Big, Stiff, Clever, 29in-only… And £1590
After much teasing back in the spring, EXT has finally announced its enduro suspension fork. There was great speculation about what it might be, how it would be sprung, travel, crowns and so on. And, today we can reveal most of the details for you…
Fresh Goods Friday 509 – The Well, That’s Another Free Weekend Edition.
With the sad news that the Malverns Classic is definitely cancelled this year and postponed until next year, it looks like we all have another spare weekend to fill with bike riding, shed building, gardening, baking, clearing out, going to the tip, painting the kitchen…
The 2021 Evil Wreckoning – Bigger, Badder, Meaner And Neater
The Evil Wreckoning is seen by many as the ultimate big-wheel steamroller bike, but with things getting even bigger and badder out there in enduro-land, it was time for a refresh. So, heading in to 2021 the Evil Wreckoning has had a geometry tweak –…
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…
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…
Review: Giro Ventana Fastlace Shoes
The two models of Giro Ventana shoes are looked on as being the spiritual successor to the Terraduro – a shoe whose rise to prominence seemed to parallel the enduro racing movement that inspired it. And despite some early quality issues, the Terraduro has gone…
The Last Tarvo is a super lightweight German enduro machine!
Last Bikes from Germany always pique our interest with unique bikes, and the super-lightweight Last Tarvo is no exception! Last Bikes is a German brand that consistently impresses me with the types of bikes that it releases. The first time the company grabbed my attention…
First Look: Fox 38 everything you need to know and first look video
The Fox 38, a fork we have all long suspected, and one that is now finally official! Here is our first look at the beefiest single crown Fox fork on the market. Fans of the EWS won’t be shocked to see the new Fox 38…
The Alutech Armaggedon is the grimmest donut we’ve ever seen
What has a 57-degree head angle, 81-degree seat angle and 500mm reach that isn’t the Grim Donut? So yeah, apparently there’s an ultra-radical bike out there that a website built for clicks (dammit I wish we could do that), but we’re not interested in that…
Vee Tire Snap Trail Review: Downhill inspired sticky trail tyres
Trail ready Thai tyres built on trickle-down downhill race tech. We test that fast-rolling Vee Tire Snap Trail Top 40. Vee Tire Co. has been growing in popularity at a very steady and consistent pace over the past few years, and that’s a pretty outstanding…
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…
2020 Propain Tyee | First Ride Review
The Tyee has been in the Propain lineup for around 6 years and has been Propain’s go to enduro bike. Based around 27.5 wheels, the Tyee was designed as a 160mm travel big-hitting enduro bike, capable of hitting the roughest of race tracks, yet efficient…
Pivot 429 Trail Enduro – Pivot gives the 429 an Enduro makeover
A burlier build, bigger fork and new colours turn the trail-ready Pivot 429 into the big-hitting Pivot Trail 429 Enduro Build. Pivot has taken the popular 429 trail bike and given it an enduro makeover so that it can take on bigger trails, larger drops…
10 Black Friday Bike Deals You Can Buy Today
Black Friday is about to rear its ugly head once again, and just like last year and the year before, retailers have already kicked off their sales early. It’s irritating on one hand, but on the other, it’s actually a pretty awesome way of getting…
Alpinestars Vector Tech Pilot MIPS Helmet Review
Over the past few months, Andi has been rocking the bright red Alpinestars Vector Tech Pilot helmet with MIPS and he’s come away impressed! Alpinestars might be best known for their motorbike clothing, but over the years the brand has been responsible for mountain bikes…
Norco Sight 2020 | More Choice Than You Can Handle?
Norco today reveals the new Norco Sight 2020 range. We’ve been lucky enough to have the mid range alloy model, the Norco Sight A2, in for a test. Read our first ride review here. For this year, you get more travel – 150mm rear, 160mm…
Trans-Cascadia 2019 | 4 Days Of Party Trains And Sweet Trails
The four days of racing and riding and partying at the Trans-Cascadia 2019 look so good we’re tempted to add this to our must do list of events. 2019 Trans-Cascadia: Day 1 “We’ve been out here scaring ourselves since 2013, and I’ve never seen tracks…
There and back again – putting the mountains back into mountain biking
In association with… There are some places you ride that stick in the mind long after you’ve brushed yourself down, cleaned the dust off your bike and moved onto places and adventures new. The towering peak of Binnean Mor, an imposing edifice of possibility and…
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…
Indonesia’s Patrol releases 4 New Bikes for 2020
Earlier today I posted a first look at the new Patrol E-Six, but that 150mm travel enduro e-Bike wasn’t all Patrol has launched this year. A few weeks ago I was lucky, really lucky, to visit Bali to soak up the sights and take a…
First Look | The New Identiti Mettle
Back in 2017, after three years of development by Pat Campbell Jenner and Michael Bonney, Identiti launched its first ever enduro bike – the Mettle. Previously more well known for dirt jump bikes, the Mettle was the brands first full suspension bike and today Identiti…
Exclusive! Sneak Peek | Prototype FS Enduro Bike From Privateer Bikes
Your first chance to check out the new prototype Privateer 161 FS Enduro Bike From Privateer Bikes. You might have heard of The Rider Firm.CC, the parent company behind Hunt Wheels, Cairn Bikes and Dissent 133 clothing. There’s another spawn…er…spawning in the form of Privateer…
Bike Launch | The New Yeti SB165 Is A 27.5 Trail Monster
Today, Yeti is announcing the new Yeti SB165 bike and frame. Slightly confusingly (though we’re sure it’ll make sense eventually) on the back of last year’s SB130 and SB150 bikes (which were 29ers and had 130mm and 150mm rear travel respectively) this new bike has…
New Altec and Trajecta Trail And Full Face Helmets From 100%
In recent years, the 100% brand has grown from its 1980s motocross roots to embrace cycling, with its goggles becoming one of the must-have accessories of the downhill scene and its road glasses finding favour with the likes of Peter Sagan. However, until now, it’s…
Ten Things About Tweedlove’s Transcend Bike Festival That You Need To Know
We’re looking forward to see what Tweedlove has in store for us this year at the newly minted Transcend Bike Festival. It’s basically like a bike race, bike show geek-out, chill-out camping music fest and food & drink festival all squished into one giant weekend.…
Review | Hellkat Pro AEC Tyre – For When The Going Gets Steep
David tests out the Hellkat Pro AEC, an enduro tyre from Kenda. Way back in the day, Kenda had a solid reputation in mountain biking and seemed to dominate. By a decade or so ago, that seemed to have fallen to competitors, who’d quickly made…
Podium battle set to be fierce at TweedLove’s Transcenduro
With an impressive list of the top international pro enduro riders signed up for TweedLove’s Transcenduro, hosted at the Transcend Bike Festival in Innerleithen, Tweed Valley from June 7 – 9, the battle for the podium top spots is set to be fierce. Canyon…
The New 2020 Ibis Ripley – Even Better Than The Ripmo?
Chipps gives us the lowdown on the brand new 2020 Ibis Ripley The new 29er from Ibis, the Ripley, Mk4, is a degree slacker, half a pound lighter and a whopping 47mm longer than the previous model. It’s even longer and lower than the company’s…
Review | Bell Super 3R MIPS Helmet – the ideal ‘just in case’ full face?
The Bell Super 3R MIPS helmet is a (surprise, surprise) MIPS equipped lid with removable chin bar, but as a touch lighter than Andi’s Editor’s Choice Super DH MIPS helmet, this one is designed for trail riding rather than more extreme downhill stuff. With 23…
WTB Launches Aggressive WTB Verdict and Verdict Wet Tyres
Could these be your next winter tyres? They’re certainly among the toothiest tyres we’ve seen so far and WTB reckons that the new WTB Verdict and Verdict Wet tyres are going to be the hot tyre to have for everything from wet Welsh roots to…
Review | The Calibre Sentry is a wallet-friendly enduro bike
For a brand that didn’t even exist five years ago, Calibre Bikes has shot to stardom pretty darn quickly. In its short history, the company has been breaking new ground in the mountain bike market with its mix of low-cost high-performance bikes, with the popular…
The New Orange Alpine 6 Is Exactly The Same. Until You Look Closer And Realise That Everything’s Changed.
Orange Alpine 6 2020 Look once and you could be forgiven for thinking that it’s just another Alpine 6, Orange’s flagship 27.5in wheeled enduro and hard-hitting trail bike, but you’d be mistaken. Every tube on the 2020 bike has been changed from the 2019 with…
Santa Cruz Megatower first ride review – The big wheel Nomad we’ve been waiting for.
We ride the first Megatower in the country!