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…
Reviews
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…
£10,999.00
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…
£599.00
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…
£4,799.00
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…
£875.00
Score
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…
£160.00
Score
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…
£4,830.00
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…
£34.99
Score
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…
£1,499.99
Score
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…
£210.52
Score
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…
£9,000.00
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…
£9,799.00
The Crankbrothers Klic HV Mini Floor Pump has a clever magnetic hose attachment, but it delivers a breeze rather than a blast
Crankbrothers latest inflator is longer than most of the best mini-pumps, but comes with a fold out stirrup and magnetic hose attachment that makes it a breeze to use. However,…
£69.99
Score
Scott’s Trail Storm Insuloft AL is the warmest jacket I’ve tried this winter, just be careful you don’t cook in it
Scott’s Trail Storm Insuloft AL jacket is absolutely roasting inside. I don’t mean this is a bad way, cuffs aside there’s no hint of clamminess about this insulated top and…
£134.99
Score
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…
£7,299.00
Score
Best hardtail mountain bike: classic trail shredding machines
These handful of rad machines are the absolute best hardtail mountain bike options out there right now. We've been thrashing hardtails for nearly three decades to build this definitive shortlist.
Scott’s packable ExplorAir Light Dryo 3 Layer Jacket lets you batten down the hatches when the weather turns
The Explorair Light Dryo 3 is a proper three-layer waterproof jacket. It has an outer Polyester skin, which is made from recycled material, and has a rip-stop style construction so…
£199.00
Score
After 12 month’s testing the Sonder Signal, and 35 years riding MTBs, it’s earned a spot as one of my all-time favourite hardtails
Sonder Signal need to know Handmade 4130 steel frame with size-specific chainstays and up-to-date trail geometry Cane Creek Helm air fork upgrade comes with a 35mm chassis and 130mm travel…
£2,899.00
Score
3 helmets in 1 makes the Leatt MTB Helmet 3.0 the ultimate convertible lid
Convertible helmets are nothing new, with the original Giro Switchblade being introduced over 30 years ago. Since then, the likes of Met and Bell, have joined the fray, introducing open-face…
£249.00
Score
No need to pedal: Canyon’s Spectral:ON CFR will change gear while coasting… but is it a gimmick or a genuine performance boost?
What attracted you to the Canyon Spectral:ON CFR? Given that the Spectral:ON CF 9 was mbr’s e-bike of the Year in 2023, I figured the CFR would be the perfect…
£9,349.00
Score