Arguably the most boutique of boutique brands, there can’t be many of us who haven’t fanaticised about owning a Yeti at some point or other. The brand’s been doing things…
Mick Kirkman
Contributor/tester
Follow Mick Kirkman
The PNW Loam handlebar took the sting out of Alpine descents, and its light flex feel is ideal for heavier riders
The PNW Loam Carbon Handlebar is designed explicitly to offer more comfort and vertical compliance than an alloy bar, to take the sting out of bumpy trails and introduce an…
Spare lenses cost just £12 on the affordable 100% Accuri 2 goggles, but they steam up like a kettle
100% is a big player in the cycling eyewear and protection game and a frequent fixture over the eyeballs of top professional riders. In terms of MTB goggles, loads of…
I loved the ride quality of Trek’s latest high-pivot Slash, but a bent idler means I’d have to think long and hard about buying one
With high-pivot suspension, mullet wheels and multi-adjustable frame, the latest Trek Slash is about as modern a bike as you’ll find in 2024. It’s more than just trendy though, this…
The Smith Rhythm goggles are lightweight, breezy and brilliant… but beware of flying insects
Mountain bike goggles goggles are prone to steaming up when you heat up, especially on cold and damp days, and Smith’s Rhythm uses the same open lattice frame idea as…
Michelin’s Wild Enduro is the privateer’s choice, but will the new V2 roll any quicker?
The new Michelin Wild Enduro tyre is completely new for 2024, it’s lighter than the generation is replaces and there are also claims it rolls faster too. And with two…
I love the subtle styling and conscientious manufacturing of Rab’s Cinder Crimp T Shirt, but there are better jerseys for a really hot ride
In case you didn’t notice, leading UK outdoor brand Rab started a new cycling range last year offering pieces for MTB, gravel and bike-packing. The firm is already well established…
I’ve tested dozens of full-face helmets, and POC’s Otocon Race is the best lightweight model I’ve ever used
Around five or six years ago, a slew of lightweight full-face helmets hit the market. They aimed to address the (at the time) new demands of enduro racing, and how…
The Castelli Core Mesh looks like a string vest, but it’s the best base layer I’ve tested for keeping cool in hot weather
The best base layers are designed for the solemn business of road cycling, but don’t let that put you off because the roadies know their stuff when it comes to…
A mud tyre that works in the dry? That’ll be the e*thirteen Grappler Mid Spike, my new fave for mixed conditions
The latest tyre from e*thirteen is called the Grappler Mid-Spike, with sticky rubber and big aggressive lugs it’s already one of the best mountain bike tyres out there for muddy…
Best MTB body armour: tried and tested protection
Fuelled by ever-improving, safer and more stable bikes, we’ve all got faster downhill on trails that now pack in more extreme and challenging features. Thankfully, MTB body armour has also moved…
Best mountain bike wheels: aluminium, carbon, and budget options
Getting the best mountain bike wheels can totally transform your ride. Upgrading your bike's existing wheelset will add speed and improve the feel.
The Race Face Chester is one of the softest mountain bike grips I’ve ever tested
Enter Race Face’s new Chester grip, which the brand reckons is its most advanced grip ever. In part that’s down to an all-new tread design, but perhaps more importantly an…
Atherton Bikes swaps its additive manufacturing for a subtractive one, but has it left anything out? Mick Kirkman gets laps in on the new alloy S170 to find out.
Atherton Bikes still seems relatively new, but the brand is already five years old. And, up until now, it’s been making frames using an additive manufacturing processes, hence the AM…
I tested the super-dynamic Lapierre E-Zesty AM 9.4 and thought I’d found my perfect e-bike – then the motor stopped working
The Lapierre E-Zesty was the original mid-power trail/enduro bike – a pioneering model that saw the potential of a lightweight chassis and minimal assistance. Back then, it was in a…
Handmade in Wales, the CES Sport Copa is a budget carbon wheelset that’s prime for UK riding conditions
Based in Wales, CES Sport has a history making road and triathlon wheels for decent prices with this Copa its first set of 29er wheels built purely for MTB. The…
Ergon’s GDH Team grips are built to reduce hand pain, arm pump and fatigue on downhill tracks, but they’re not for everyone
The Ergon GDH Team is only available in one (mid-fat) diameter, and it isn’t left-right specific like so many of the best mountain bike grips around today… and including the…
Best mountain bike tyres: all-rounders and terrain-specific rubbers
Ultimate grip? Fastest rolling speed? Ride in sand? Rocks? Or loam? Here are the eight best mountain bike tyres for you and your trails.
Best mountain bike stems: improve your fit and steering
The best mountain bike stems are an important factor when it comes to the control of your mountain bike, but which one should you choose?
Best mountain bike forks: XC, trail and enduro forks reviewed and rated
With fork technology evolving, the singletrack is getting faster and faster - our pick of the best mountain bike forks will help you run smoother.