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…
Mountain Bike Rider
AL-aboard: four new alloy e-bikes at down-to-earth prices
All four of these new e-bikes reject the complexity and labour-intensive manufacturing of carbon in favour of a frame material that has been serving mountain bikers humbly for the last…
Jamis Highpoint A2 review
Jamis bills the Highpoint A2 as a true all rounder and it’s easy to see why. With big 29in wheels to roll over bumps better and a 120mm travel coil-sprung…
Sweat and Slate: Riding the multi-day Traws Eryri route
Words: Claire Frecknall Photos: Sam Dugon North Wales is the birthplace of UK trail centres. It’s where Coed Y Brenin first introduced us all to a purpose built and waymarked…
Leatt Shoe 2.0 Flat shoe review
This is the updated version of a shoe we tested previously, rating it a 7/10 and complaining that the sole was – guess what – not grippy enough. This new…
Reserve 30 HD Wheelset review
There are loads of fancy carbon wheelsets on the market, some are lightweight, some are comfortable and some are just bombproof. Reserve says the 30 HD is designed for trail and…
Vitus Nucleus 29 VR review
Head over to the Vitus website and you could be forgiven for thinking that you’re seeing double. You’re not, it’s simply that Vitus offers the Nucleus VR with either 27.5in…
The Cannondale Moterra Neo Carbon 2 first ride review
Cannondale claims that the Moterra Neo Carbon 2 is “agile, quick, stable and composed.” And there might be a kernel of truth in this boast, because the bike is Proportional…
2024 RockShox Vivid rear shock: big, bold and built for downhill performance
NEW VIVID – GRAVITY EVOLVED Big, bold, and built to maximize downhill capability and performance, the legendary RockShox Vivid shock has evolved to match everything from downhill to E-MTB to…
YT Mill: The bike shop uncaged
The people at YT Industries live by a simple mantra: “Live Uncaged”. What does that mean? YT say they’re looking to remove boundaries, challenge conventions and simply do things better.…
MBR September 2023 – 293
The latest issue of MBR is out now, and as ever it’s packed full of inspiring ideas and routes to help you find new places to get out and ride.…
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.
Interview – Owen Pemberton, Forbidden Bike Co. The high priest of high pivots
Almost 10 years ago to the day, we shone the spotlight on Owen Pemberton in a feature titled, “These People are Changing Everything”. The idea behind the feature was simple:…
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…
New Race Face Turbine alloy wheelset – updated spec, lower price
A tuned wheelset isn’t new to any of us; we’ve seen Enve, Crankbrothers and Race Face building a more compliant front wheel for comfort, offset by more durable rear for…
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…
Fizik Gravita Tensor Flat Team Edition shoe review
Visible on the feet of Amaury Pierron and Thibaut Daprela of the Commencal Muc-Off team, these distinctive shoes should be familiar to any World Cup DH fan. The only difference…
27.5in wheel trail bikes ain’t dead! Yeti keeps them alive with the SB135
Instead of the now-almost-default full 29er, or on-trend mixed wheel ‘mullet’ set up this new Yeti SB135 uses dinky 27.5in wheels front and rear. The thinking is it’ll suit riders…
5 things we learned from the XCO World Champs at Glentress
**Spoiler alert** If you haven’t watched the racing and don’t want to know the result, click away now. If you want to know how to watch the World Champs this year,…