First ride review As a trail all-rounder that targets simplicity and affordability, Merida’s latest One-Twenty model isn’t directly competing with the best downcountry bikes that we’ve tested, like the Scott…
Mick Kirkman
Contributor/tester
Best mountain bike mud tyres: keep in control whatever the weather
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Merida One-Sixty FR 600 first ride review
The Merida One-Sixty FR was launched at September’s EX Enduro in Devon, so our first ride testing and evaluation was carried out on terrain in and around the event with…
Atherton AM.170 M1 first ride review
We’ve seen it the Atherton AM.170 perform at the highest level in Gee’s latest Ridgeline IV video where he ventures high into the Dolomite mountains on an epic trip, but…
Fasthouse Crossline 2.0 short review
The Fasthouse Crossline 2.0 is a lightweight baggy mountain bike short, with a price tag that places it at the premium end of the category. With stiff competition from benchmark…
Giro Merit Spherical helmet review
Sharing loads of safety technology with Giro’s flagship Manifest helmet, this Merit Spherical lid saves you £50 by omitting a few features. Like me, you can probably live without a…
Fasthouse Trace SS Tech Tee review
This latest version of the Trace SS (short sleeve) from Fasthouse has improved fit and fabric, with a slightly more body-hugging athletic shape than previously, and also a softer fabric…
Madison Target glasses review
Madison sells some excellent value own-brand eyewear with sharp, clear lenses that we’ve rated highly in the past. They’ve impressed when tested in range of weather conditions and have gone…
Dainese Linea 03 MIPS+ helmet review
This 03 is the open-face model and it shares some design attributes with Dainese’s Linea 01 – currently the world’s lightest DH-certified full-face helmet. Available with or without MIPS, it…
Ride Concepts Accomplice BOA flat pedal shoe review
This new Ride Concepts Accomplice shoe is lightweight, and as comfy as your favourite pair of slippers. The mesh upper is soft and flexible and fastens securely with a wraparound…
Schwalbe Tacky Chan tyre review
Only coming in a 2.4in width for both 27.5in and 29in wheel sizes, the new Tacky Chan from Schwalbe focuses on all-out speed for racing. The majority of its rivals…
Hope Dropper Lever review
One look at this new dropper lever and you’ll see there’s everything you’d expect from a Hope component. It’s a shiny, feature-packed, CNC aluminium product that’s made in the UK…
Rapha MTB Trail Hip Pack review
When Rapha branched out into mountain biking a couple of years ago, it was tempting to think a brand whose image revolved around stylised monochrome images of noble suffering on…
7Mesh Slab short review
There are five different shorts in the 7Mesh range, with this 7Mesh Slab model being aimed at the enduro end of the spectrum.
Altura Kielder Lightweight Trail short review
A big clue to being so light (under 100g in size large) is having by far the thinnest material of all the shorts here, with an almost silky, shiny fabric…
7mesh Glidepath short review
This Glidepath is a lightweight, super breathable trail short made with a four-way stretch fabric and six different size options. It’s exceptionally cool and comfortable, and offers more stretch than…
Alpinestars Drop Algorithm short review
These Alpinestars shorts are made from a mid-weight fabric mixed with 15% spandex to allow extra conformity while pedalling. While the material isn’t as thin and aerated as some we’ve…
Endura Singletrack Lite short review
This Singletrack Lite short is, guess what, Endura’s thinner, summery take on its long-refined Singletrack model. The fit is close without being restrictive, and Endura has mixed in enough elastane…
Rab Cinder Crank short review
Rab says one reason it has launched the Cinder range is because many of its cyclist employees were using garments from the rest of its line up anyway. Perfect sense…
Altura Kielder Lightweight Short Sleeve jersey review
Both this flyweight short sleeve Kielder jersey and matching shorts are the lightest pieces of summer kit in this test by a margin. The jersey is just over 50g, or…