The Hightower was designed as the Santa Cruz for everyone. Everyone with deep enough pockets, anyway. It’s got 145mm travel, 29er wheels and relaxed but not silly-slack geometry, and the…
Full-Suspension
I’m a huge fan of Trek’s high-octane Top Fuel 9, and the latest version is the best yet – but it could be even better
I was a big fan of the previous alloy Top Fuel from Trek, as were Danny and Alan when they tested the last Top Fuel 8, and this latest version…
Sonder’s Evol is a good back-to-basics enduro bike, but adding wireless gears puts it in the ring with some heavy hitting competition
Sonder Bikes has grown out of the Alpkit stable, where affordability meets good design and rugged build-quality in outdoor equipment. The comprehensive range now runs to 14 different bikes, from…
The Yeti SB165 is my new American dream bike after it helped me to victory in an epic alpine enduro race
Arguably the most boutique of boutique brands, there can’t be many of us who haven’t fanaticised about owning a Yeti at some point or other. The brand’s been doing things…
I’ve tested every generation of Specialized’s full suspension Stumpjumper, and the latest version with the Genie shock tech is the best yet
Specialized’s Stumpjumper Evo is without doubt, one of the best mountain bikes on the market. And I’m not just throwing that statement out there lightly… the Stumpy Evo has the…
The Specialized Chisel FS is a cut-price Epic with the pace to go racing on a budget
Specialized has taken its latest carbon Epic XC/DC range and translated it into aluminium to create the new Chisel FS. The result is an affordable, but still seriously rapid, impressively…
I tested World Champion Tom Pidcock’s Pinarello Dogma XC and now I’ve got even more respect for his skills
Designed with the help of Olympic Champion Tom Pidcock, and ridden to victory in last summer’s World Championship XCO event in Glentress, you can’t deny the new Pinarello Dogma XC…
Looking for the fastest direct-sales downhill bike? The Canyon Sender CFR 29 would be my first choice if I was going racing again
With the CLLCTV Factory race team, CLLCTV FMD and CLLCTV Pirelli teams all racing the Sender, Canyon’s commitment to DH racing at the very highest level is second to none.…
Propain’s Rage 3 CF DH race bike has 215mm of travel and can be built around 29in or MX wheels – just don’t pick the wrong wheel size
As raced by Phil Atwill and his Propain Positive World Cup team mates, and ridden by YouTube star, Remi Metailler, the Propain Rage is built for the roughest tracks, gnarliest…
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 Pivot Switchblade doesn’t get trendy internal storage or a steep seat angle, but there are good reasons for not following the crowd
Squint, and you’d be hard pushed to tell the difference between the brand new Pivot Switchblade V6 and the one that was released in 2020. It doesn’t help that both…
The Scott Ransom 900 RC hides its shock inside the frame, but boasts a ride that makes mincemeat of climbs and descents
Scott’s brand new Ransom conceals the shock within the frame to create one of the most streamlined enduro bikes on the market. But that’s not the only thing that makes…
Forbidden’s high-pivot Druid V2 cast a spell on me, and after six months testing I’m still bewitched by it
“Pedals like an XC bike, descends like a DH bike” is a cliche as badly worn as the back tyre on a bike park rental in September. It’s a promise…
I tested the Pivot Firebird Pro for 12-months and loved it so much I bought one
Most riders like to begin a relationship with a new bike on local trails, taking the time to ease into things while feeling out the lay of the land. Not…
Transition’s new Smuggler will steal your heart, but the Santa Cruz 5010 is better value
Transition has a new version of the Smuggler out, a bike that really should have been called the Spur LT. Or perhaps the Spur Lunch Ride. Transition reckons it’s made…
I tested Cannondale’s Habit 4, a do-it-all trail bike that costs less that £2k… and it blew me away
When looking for one of the best full-suspension trail bikes around two grand, the ride quality, geometry and suspension ought to be at a level where an advanced rider can…
Specialized S-Works Epic World Cup – Review
Specialized teased the new Epic World Cup on the race circuit for several months, and SRAM even revealed it before the official launch, but Specialized still had a surprise up…
Specialized Stumpjumper Evo Elite Alloy (2023) review
Specialized’s Stumpjumper Evo has been a hit here at MBR since it was first introduced over ten years ago. And the last time we tested it, it walked away with…
Trek Fuel EX 9.7 XT Gen 6 review
Hot on the heels of the Trek Fuel EXe, the new Fuel EX shares a similar silhouette, albeit without the compact TQ motor and 360Wh battery. And just like the…
YT Jeffsy Core 5 (2024) first ride review
Need to know Latest Jeffsy Core 5 has 145mm travel and a 150mm fork, with Fox Factory suspension Core 5 model is top of the range, comes with SRAM XO…