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…
Products
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,…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
The Shimano GF8 winter boots kept me glued to the pedals, but here’s why I won’t be recommending them…
Shimano’s GF8 is a flat pedal shoe with a difference, it’s a pumped-up shoe/ankle boot hybrid with extra insulation and a waterproof/breathable liner to make it winter-ready. With not that…
The Feedback Sports Pro Mechanic HD Workstand is sturdy enough for the heaviest e-bike
Built to survive the apocalypse, Feedback’s latest and greatest maintenance workstand is geared towards porky e-bikes, with a focus on stability and durability. Given the price tag, which is more…
I’ve tested eight waterproof trousers this winter, and Rab’s Cinder Kinetic is the only pair that can keep me dry
Rab’s new Cinder Kinetic Waterproof trousers are made from, hands down, the best waterproof material I’ve ever tried. That is one hell of a bold statement given I’ve been striving…
The Exposure Six Pack SYNC Mk 13 light is sunshine in a can
Every year Exposure updates its lights with more power or more features, and the latest Six Pack SYNC Mk 13 now comes with a slightly wider beam and more Lumens…
RaveMen’s XR6000 light is great value but needs a longer run-time
We’ve tested Ravemen’s PR1600 several times here at mbr and, while this all-in-one design was great value and functional, it always felt a little under-juiced in terms of power and…
Seeing is believing with the minimal Exposure Diablo Mk14 light
With the new Diablo, there’s 100 extra Lumens (as well as a £20 increase in cost), but the weight, styling and customisation all remain the same. This is a powerful,…
7Mesh Flightpath Pants are the Armani trousers of mountain biking
With a price tag straight out of an Armani store, the 7Mesh Flightpath Pant is not for the thrifty. But, from experience its garments are built to last and there’s…