Fox hit a home run with its latest Union flat pedal shoes, going straight into the shortlist of best mountain bike shoes. Can it do the same with the clip-in…
Reviews
7Mesh is going backwards with its Airmap technology, the Cache Anorak jacket is an expensive disappointment
If you haven’t come across 7Mesh, the brand was formed by ex-Arcteryx employees looking to take cycling clothing to the next level. Based out of the mountain bike mecca that…
I tested SRAM’s XX Eagle AXS T-Type transmission for 16 months and loved the sweet shifting and impressive durability, but discovered it’s far from indestructible
SRAM revolutionised MTB drivetrains over ten years ago with the launch of the single-ring XX1. Now, its new XX and X0 Eagle AXS transmissions promise equally significant gains in strength,…
I tested the latest Specialized Epic 8 Evo, and couldn’t believe the transformation from XC racer to down-country ripper
The new Epic 8 Evo isn’t the pumped up race machine it once was, weight and stiffness are no longer the driving forces any more and really it’s impossible to…
I hate to admit it, but the AI suspension control on the new Specialized S-Works Epic 8 works better than a brain ever could
Specialized’s new S-Works Epic 8 is possibly the fastest XC MTB ever made and definitely the most high tech. It’s not just the latest RockShox Flight Attendant Ai suspension that…
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…
I tested the latest Commencal Meta V5 Race, and it was unlike any other enduro bike I’ve ridden recently
Mention the name Meta to any veteran mountain biker and it will evoke fond memories. Personally speaking, I had a Commencal Meta SX back in around 2007, and a Meta…
The new Fox Defend 3L Water is the best e-bike jacket going: extra coverage, more waterproofing and a DWR that’s built to last
Fox’s latest Defend 3L Water jacket is designed to go into battle with the rain, it uses a 3-layer fabric that blends polyester and elastane, and that gives it a…
The Kali Protectives Cascade helmet is a smart eco-choice, and it doesn’t scrimp on protection either
Kali has traditionally focused on the safety side of mountain bike helmet design but it claims the new Cascade also features a ton of recycled content, so it will protect…
Merida’s new eOne-Sixty 875 Lite can pack in a whopping 1,110Wh of battery power, making it the longest-range e-bike I’ve ever ridden
With a split range, the latest Merida eOne-Sixty takes a two-pronged approach with the aim of satisfying two distinct e-bike customers. The eOne-Sixty CF goes after the rider seeking less…
Norco’s new Optic is the bike I’ve been waiting for: gravity suspension and aggressive geometry meets some very short travel
It’s been more than four years since we’ve seen a Norco for sale in the UK, after distribution through Evans Cycles fell apart, but now in 2024 Norco is back…
Scott’s 2024 Voltage eRide 900 Tuned mid-power e-bike prioritises grins over grams and is all the better for it
With the same motor and a similar profile to the ultralight Lumen, but with more travel and a broader remit, the new 17.9kg Voltage promises to amp up the experience…
Impressive power and control makes the new Maven Ultimate the best SRAM disc brake we’ve ridden
SRAM’s brand new Maven brake brings new levels of power and control to the range, and a switch to mineral oil brake fluid should mean less maintenance and more consistent…
Canyon pulls out all the stops on the new 2024 Spectral CF 9 trail bike with less travel, more sizes, internal storage and steering stabilisation as standard
Canyon clearly isn’t afraid to innovate. Because after just one year and a trial on just one model, it is back with a brand new range of Spectral CFs, all…
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…
Softshells like Rab’s new Vapour-Rise Cinder Jacket are making Gore-Tex redundant, here’s why 100% waterproof is no longer needed
Rab’s new Vapour-Rise Cinder Jacket won’t keep much water out, it doesn’t pack down small, and the price isn’t particularly reasonable. And yet despite all that it earns its place…
I love the look, the feel, and the concept behind the Production Privee Shan 5, but the short chainstays compromised the handling
The Production Privee Shan 5 is a bike that’s impossible to pigeonhole. With 140mm of claimed travel and a skinny-tubed steel front triangle, it’s the kind of oddball machine you’d…
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…
Swap out the tyres for something chunkier and the Saracen Mantra Trail would be my ultimate trail hardtail
With progressive geometry and MX wheels, the latest Saracen Mantra Trail LSL takes us one step closer to the perfect hardtail mountain bike. But has Saracen gone far enough? In…
The Alpinestars Sierra Waterproof Jacket is a proper storm shield, but you’ll need plenty of reproofer to keep it that way
The Sierra is a 2.5 layer jacket, which sounds odd but means it has a Nylon face fabric bonded to a waterproof/breathable membrane with a printed inner surface. The latter…