Mick Kirkman

Contributor/tester

hope f20

This beautifully finished, knurled Hope F20 platform is Hope’s first flat pedal and has proven tough and durable in wet UK riding conditions.

gamut podium

This trick Gamut Podium is, by a margin, both light and slim. This 3rd generation model is derived from the original ultra-thin Point One pedal.

race face atlas flat

The Race Face Atlas flat pedal is the Canadian brand's no-holds-barred premium flat pedal. Lightweight and thin. And grippy.

spank oozy

Lightweight and tough, the Spank Oozy Trail is arguably the lowest profile pedal we've trsted with the least potential for harmful rock strikes.

specialized boomslang

With its unique axle design, the ultra thin Specialized Boomslang is one of the more unusual flat pedals out there. And it's one of the best too.

ht pa03a

Most cheap plastic (sorry - glass-reinforced nylon) pedals feel like something you’re saving up to replace, but the snappily-titled HT PA03A is solid.

chromag contact

Designed with hardcore Canadian brand the Chromag Contact is Brandon Semenuk's very own pedal, universally acclaimed as the world’s most stylish mountain biker.

onza aquila review

Being designed by a World Cup DH champion on a coffee shop napkin is a cool marketing story for Onza’s latest downhill tyre the Onza Aquila RC2.

best mountain bike tyres

The Schwalbe Rock Razor we’ve previously rated as a best back tyre now rocks Schwalbe’s new Addix compounds. Superb, fast rolling rear tyre experience.

transition scout

The Transition Scout Carbon 3 has a great shape and ground-tracking suspension. But for that cash, some equipment isn’t at the level we’d expect.

pivot mach 5.5 review

With the Pivot Mach 5.5 the brand waited seven years before deeming itself ready to bring out the successor its most popular bike ever, the Mach 5.7.

evil the calling

The Evil The Calling is the perfect downhiller’s trail bike. With maximum grip, cornering shred-factor and attitude. Easy to ride for intermediates too.

best mountain bike tyres

What do you get if you tweak the Maxxis Minion DHF to suit wide rims? This ‘Wide Trail’ version is designed to square off less with the beads stretched out.

source hipster

The Source Hipster belt stands out from the bumbag fannypack crowd by having additional shoulder straps and an unusual reservoir design.

forme lathkill

Flattering and instilling rider confidence isn’t a trait all trail bikes manage, so the Forme Lathkill LTD deserves props for delivering the fundamentals.

renthal fatbar 35

We ended up liking the precise control and shape of the Renthal FatBar 35 handlebar so much that it’s stayed put on our own bikes.