Mick Kirkman

Contributor/tester

Silt XC Alloy

Direct-sales brand, Silt, is a direct-to-consumer outfit based in Northern Ireland, and we’ve had good experience with its products in the past. Being part of the Scribe family, it also…

Race Face Aeffect R wheels

Race Face’s latest Aeffect R wheelset incorporates some of the brand’s higher price tech into a more affordable complete package. Most obvious in terms of looks are the asymmetric rims,…

Nukeproof Neutron V2

The cheaper of two complete Nukeproof wheelsets, these Neutron V2s share the brand’s workhorse, durable outlook at a more affordable price point. The wheels aren’t significantly different weight-wise than the…

Hope Fortus 30SC Pro 5 

Hope has been making hubs in Lancashire long enough that it will only mess about with a winning formula if significant improvements are on the table. Well the venerable Pro…

Best protection vests/body armour

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. With the increased speed and technicality,…

Hope 155mm EVO cranks

Hope initially made short EVO cranks for extra clearance on e-bikes, and ended up experimenting with even shorter lengths after seeing some additional benefits. The brand settled on 155mm as…

One Up EDC Pump

Part of One Up’s well considered range, this EDC pump is a different beast to most. First off, it has a higher volume compared to rival portable pumps, which means…

DMR Vault Mag mountain bike pedals 2023

One of the stone-cold classic MTB flat pedals, DMR’s Vault has earned multiple glowing reviews from us over the years. Its success lies in a deeply-dished platform with a big…

7Mesh Chilco Thermal Anorak men's mountain bike jersey

When you spot a fellow product tester, who can pick and choose whatever clothing they want, always riding in the same top, you pay attention. And when that same writer…

Lazer Cage Kineticore helmet

Lazer’s all-new full-face helmet uses a fibreglass shell with carbon fibre reinforcements and clocks in at under 900g in a size large, which is bang on the money compared to…

Specialized 2FO DH flat pedal

Specialized’s latest generation flat pedal shoes have the grippiest, stickiest rubber soles on the market. Yep, you heard that bold statement right – these 2FO Flat shoes have a more…

B'Twin/Decathlon 500 tool kit

Huge French superstore chain Decathlon is the largest sports retailer in the world, with five individual cycling brands in its portfolio. No surprise then, that it has multiple bike tool…

Giro Insurgent right front view

Targeting enduro riding and racing, backed up with design input from EWS Champion Richie Rude, Giro’s Insurgent is 200g lighter and a claimed 50% more breathable than the brand’s Disciple…

Specialized Tactic 4 MIPS helmet

The Specialized Tactic 4 MIPS trail helmet is a solid, well-made and good-looking helmet for the price, certified for electric mountain bike use, and while it’s not perfect for the…

100% Trajecta Fidlock 2022 front right view

100%’s Trajecta is one of a growing breed of modern full-faces designed for e-biking and aggressive all mountain riding, rather than full-on downhill racing. As such, it’s lighter, airier and…

POC Kortal helmet

When you think of Scandinavian firm POC, you likely think of a premium, safety-first brand with the high-end price tags to match. That’s fair comment considering this stylish Kortal lid…

Fox Proframe RS right front view

Fox’s DH-certified lightweight full-face lid has already been a top-scoring helmet at MBR in its previous generation, so has Fox made it even better with this RS version, or has…

100% Altec Fidloc helmet

The Altec is 100%’s only half-shell helmet and it has been around for a couple of seasons already. It boasts Fidlock’s rapid-to-fasten magnetic chinstrap buckle to boost what’s already a…