In Issue #119 of Singletrack Magazine, we tested three big wheelers made on home soil and designed for modern riding. Words: Wil Barrett Photos: James Vincent Going against the tide of offshore manufacturing in the Far East, there’s been a recent flurry of activity in…
Issue 119
UK-Made Full Suspension Group Test – Robot R130 Review
Robot Bike Co. first shot to fame at the 2016 Fort William World Cup when it debuted a stunning full suspension mountain bike called the R160. Made from carbon fibre tubes and titanium lugs, the unique R160 had a curious mixture of retro aesthetics and…
UK-Made Full Suspension Group Test – Swarf Contour Review
In comparison to the other two on test, our third bike comes from a much smaller outfit. Founded in Dorchester in 2011, Swarf Cycles is currently a one-man show that is owned and operated by a chap called Adrian Bedford – a man who, prior…
UK-Made Full Suspension Group Test – Orange Stage 4 RS Review
When it comes to UK-made full suspension bikes, there was one brand that was always going to be in this grouptest. Put simply, few manufacturers can rival Orange Bikes’ rich 30-year history within the UK mountain biking scene. And unlike the recent flurry of newcomers,…
Singletrack Issue 119: Ride Less, Be Happier
Adam concocts a recipe for happiness. Like a public bathroom mirror I am covered in the handprints of strangers, but I have also been doing a lot of reflecting. Reflecting on a snowy and wet winter with limited opportunities for adventure, and how these limited…
Singletrack Issue 119: Dan Stanton – Hardtails with Shocks
Ian Bailey takes a trip to Stanton Bikes’ Peak District HQ to talk about steel bikes, the future of British framebuilding and following your dreams. Words ian bailey Photography Andy Heading The British bike manufacturing industry has a tumultuous history; once the world leader in…
Singletrack Issue 119: Was It All A Dream
Chipps looks back at the colossal impact of the original Malvern Classic event and asks if the ‘new’ one can ever live up to the hype. Words chipps Photography Geoff Waugh and steve behr/stockfile Remember those long, hot summers of your youth? The sun shone…
Singletrack Magazine Issue 119: Returning To The Dark Side
The former Red Bull trail opened in 1996 to wide acclaim as the first purpose-built trail in the UK. Chipps argues that it’s still one of the best trails anywhere. Words & Photography chipps Stepping off my bike, I look a little closer at the…
Singletrack Magazine Issue 119: Rubber Rendezvous
Singletrack’s self-confessed rubber sniffer takes a tour of the Hutchinson tyre factory in France to see what puts the knobs into our knobblies. Words & Photography james vincent I’m floating in the centre of the fuselage of a large passenger jet having the time of…
Singletrack Magazine Issue 119: Last Word
Mike Braybrook Lazy Lines Choices. How to quit them. Mike Braybrook discovers that the shortest line between two points is often the quickest way to the first aid tent. Last month I had a pretty decent head-meets-earth incident at a race in Scotland. It happens…
Go behind-the-scenes on the bike test photoshoot for Issue 119
Back in May, Wil and Amanda headed off to Hamsterley Forest with three UK made 29ers we had on test for issue 119. They were to spend a couple of days shooting the video reviews for the digital magazine, followed by a day with James…
Singletrack Magazine issue 119: Never Trust The Weather
This adventure in Utah’s White Rim was supposed to be simple. And dry… Words Łukasz Piątek Photography Adam Klimek Sharp sunlight burns our motivation to pedal. We’re resting on the edge of the canyon. It’s a September afternoon and the Garmin on my handlebars shows…
Singletrack Issue 119: Tour de France The Fun Way
Jérôme Clementz takes on a crossing of the classic mountains of the Tour de France his way – off road. Words Pauline Dieffenthaler Photography Jérémie Reuiller The Tour de France has many iconic mountain peaks that have a special place in its legends. Mountains where…
Singletrack Magazine Issue 119: Scott Beaumont – Staying Professional
A lifetime as a pro rider, with Scott Beaumont. Words & Photography Geoff Waugh You’ve seen them in the magazines; we’ve seen them on our TV screens. Professional riders that is. We are bombarded by new ‘edits’ on a daily basis; they come at us…
Singletrack Issue 119 Classic Ride – Ultimate Helvellyn
Words & Photography James Vincent This is a Classic Ride you’ve got to work for, but it’ll be worth it. Really, there’s just a bit more up… How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. I love thee to the depth and breadth…
Will This Be The UK’s Ultimate Mountain Bike Festival? Malverns Classic Returns
Mention the Malvern Classic and Chipps goes a bit misty eyed. It was obviously an influential event. A recent ‘were you there, what do you remember?’ thread on his Facebook page elicited a similarly excitable response. And quite a lot of debate – what year…
Last Chance To Subscribe! Singletrack Magazine Issue 119
It’s off to the printers, which means that our designer, Amanda, is breathing a sigh of relief, and you have just a few days to subscribe in time to get Singletrack Issue 119 delivered to your door. The cut off date is Sunday 27th May…