The Vitus Nucleus has won our Hardtail of the Year award four times. That makes it one of the most winningest hardtails I’ve ever tested as Bike Test Editor here…
Alan Muldoon
Bike Test Editor

Watch the mbr show episode 1: Specialized Kenevo SL, Orange Phase Evo, YT Jeffsy and Neko Mullaly’s dream downhill bike
Welcome to the new mbr show! In this first episode we open with the recent launch of the Specialized Kenevo SL 2, which gets the latest SL 1.2 motor that…
The Whyte E-Lyte 150 Works is a big-battery, full-power e-bike… so how on earth does it weigh under 20kg?!
Just as you thought the lightweight mid-power e-bike category couldn’t get more complicated, along comes the Bosch Performance Line SX motor boasting 600 watts peak power and 55Nm torque. All…
Mullet riders rejoice: Specialized’s MTN Mullet inner tube fits both 27.5in and 29in wheels
Fitting the right size inner tube used to be so easy. Mountain bikes pretty much all had 26in wheels, so your only real concern was if you had a tube…
Specialized Stumpjumper Evo Vs Trek Fuel EX test – which is the best trail bike with adjustable geometry?
We all like freedom of choice, right? Whether it’s the little things in life, like a latte instead of cappuccino, or the big things like who gets to run the…
Specialized updates the Kenevo SL 2 with more power and torque, but the frame hasn’t changed
When the Kenevo SL launched back in 2021, it pretty much had the long-travel, lightweight e-bike category all to itself. It was certainly a pioneering bike, but with its relatively…
Specialized Stumpjumper Evo Elite Alloy (2023) review
Specialized’s Stumpjumper Evo has been a hit here at MBR since it was first introduced over ten years ago. And the last time we tested it, it walked away with…
Trek Fuel EX 9.7 XT Gen 6 review
Hot on the heels of the Trek Fuel EXe, the new Fuel EX shares a similar silhouette, albeit without the compact TQ motor and 360Wh battery. And just like the…
The new Giant Stance gets more travel and better geometry, but the prices stay the same
With a less complex suspension design, but all of Giant’s engineering knowhow, the Stance has always been a great option if you’re shopping for one of the best budget full-suspension…
Is this Specialized’s new suspension layout for the next generation Turbo Kenevo SL e-bike?
There’s been a lot of excitement about Specialized’s Under Bottom Bracket patent application online. And, while the focus of most articles and pundits has been on the possibility of a…
Ducati Powerstage RR first ride review
I have an admission to make. I don’t follow motorsports; never have done. But when someone says Ducati, I instantly think ‘red’ or ‘yellow’, quickly followed by ‘916’ or ‘Monster’.…
Best cross-country XC mountain bikes: hardtail and full-suspension
The best cross-country mountain bikes are about raw speed, making them lightweight, efficient and ideal for fast, flowing singletrack as well as racing.
Best enduro mountain bikes: 150 to 180mm monsters
Enduro is still the hottest ticket in mountain biking, we cut through they hype and find the very best enduro mountain bikes on the market.
Nukeproof Megawatt Carbon RS 297 e-bike first ride review
When I tested the alloy Megawatt Factory 297 in our 2023 best E-bikes of the Year test, I loved the handling, fit, suspension performance and top-end specification. The stumbling block…
Best cheap full-suspension bike: $1200/£1000 to $1900/£1600 bargain bouncers
We have seven of the best cheap full suspension bike rigs that are evenly matched and that won’t break the bank. But which delivers the best bang for buck?
Best full-suspension mountain bike: maximum speed, comfort, and control
It's the test you've all been waiting for, where the best full suspension mountain bike models fight it out for the coveted title of Trail Bike of the Year.
Best mountain bikes under £3,000/$4,000: serious trail bikes for riding hard
We bring you the rundown of the very best mountain bikes under £3000. Trail bikes In both 27.5in and 29in wheel sizes. In association with Alpinestars.
Best mountain bikes under £1000 or $1400: brilliant bargain bikes
Expert reviews of the very best mountain bikes under £1000/$1400 right here from our expert testers. From rapid hardtails through to burly hardcore bikes.
Giant Stance E+ 1 first ride review
The Stance E+ 1 is a shorter-travel 29er e-bike that strips back some of Giant’s proprietary suspension tech to deliver a ride that is both smooth and affordable. However, with…
Specialized Epic Hardtail Comp review
Who is the Epic hardtail for? That’s the question I posed to the product manager responsible for Specialized’s XC race bikes. His response was both honest and telling. “It’s for…