Alan Muldoon

Bike Test Editor

Named after a venomous North American spider, the Intense Recluse is a 140mm travel trail bike rolling on, what we now consider, ‘traditional’ 27.5in wheels.

A fun, playful bike that rewards a dynamic riding style, can be ridden off the brakes in the roughest terrain thanks to the excellent rear suspension.

B’Twin is Decathlon’s bike brand and the Rockrider 740S is its latest 27.5in full-suspension trail bike. It sports NEUF anti-bob suspension design delivering 120mm travel.

Eight of the best big-hitting 160mm suspension forks tested, including the RockShox Lyrik, Fox 36, Bos Deville, Suntour Durolux and Manitou Mattoc Pro.

As it stands, the Full E+ 1 is more of a towpath power-house than a genuine singletrack slayer. It wouldn’t take much to bolster the Giant’s rating though.

The Zobop had us shredding descents every bit as fast as we would on bikes costing considerably more money

The last time we tested the Team FS we complained that our knees knocked on the upper shock linkage and that the 130mm travel suspension felt too comfort focused, lacking…