I’ve had something of a love hate with Shimano brakes over the years, where I’m mostly hating on the top tier ones and loving the cheaper stuff. XTR and XT…
£499.00
Products
I tested Shimano’s new wireless groupset: it shifts faster than SRAM, uses a hidden battery, and boasts a party trick XC racers, enduro riders and weekend warriors alike are going to love
Shimano invented electronic shifting for mountain bikes, but it’s hard to remember because it’s been more than 10 years since we first clapped eyes on it. In the decade since…
£1,639.92
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Every packless rider should know about Topeak’s Nano shock pump: it’s cheap, pocket sized, and perfect for suspension tweaks
If you’re anything like me, you’ll have long ago ditched carrying a pack, and now I’m even at the point of ditching the hip belt, if I can help it.…
£30.00
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These 7Mesh Glidepath pants cost a pretty penny, but they scream quality, and work come rain or shine
Waterproof riding pants are a necessity here in the UK, unfortunately, and while there are some excellent options on the market, it’s hard to get away from the sensation of…
£160.00
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The most supple Öhlins RXF fork I’ve ever tested: the latest M3 update is a true rival for RockShox and Fox
The Öhlins RXF 36 is the Swedish brand’s mountain bike suspension fork with, you guessed it, 36mm stanchions. It gets 140mm, 150mm or 160mm travel (170mm with a 27.5in wheel)…
£1,299.00
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Thule’s new Epos is the best bike rack I’ve used in 10 years testing – with a 60kg capacity, folding design and space for three bikes it’s almost as good as a van
I’ll come right out and say it, Thule’s new Epos is the best bike rack for mountain bikes I’ve ever tested. And at mbr we’ve tested pretty much everything going,…
£1,099.00
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I rode the new Bosch CX power upgrade and the flagship Race motor, and now I’m considering a new e-bike purchase!
Bosch has just launched a suite of new products, including an exotic CX Race motor, integrated top tube display, and even a free power upgrade for existing owners. You can…
I loved Wolf Tooth’s 8-Bit Pack Pliers when removing pedals, and they’re exquisitely made, but I still needed a chain tool
Wolf Tooth’s pliers don’t fit the conventional mountain bike multi tool mould, so can sink their teeth into a wide range of repairs as a result. There’s some howlers when…
£62.00
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Fox’s Enduro D30 pads haven’t slipped down once in months of riding, and they’re my new favourite knee guards
I always ride in knee pads, and feel really exposed without them. For me, the best knee pads are light and flexible, so they don’t intrude on my ride. Until…
£64.99
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The Race Face Era carbon bar is my pick for riders over 80kg, it’s well damped without being flexy, and has the perfect natural shape
The fashion for low or high bars swings to and fro as frequently as the trend for skinny or flared jeans, and right now we’re squarely in high bar country,…
£139.95
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Rab’s Cinder Downpour fits great, but it’s not waterproof or breathable enough to really cut it as a bad weather jacket
Rab’s Cinder cycling line currently offers two hooded waterproof cycling jackets (with an all-new ultralight Phantom version joining the line up soon). This Downpour jacket is the more affordable of…
£160.00
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RockShox’ new Reverb might look like a Viagra abuser in Speedos but its huge service interval, big drop option and relatively modest price make it my wireless pick
The new RockShox Reverb AXS wireless dropper post features a longer drop than the old model it replaces. It also boasts a longer service life and a new ‘ActiveRide’ feature…
£535.00
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I’ve hammered Hunt’s superlight Proven Race XC wheels for a year without so much as a baggy spoke, and you don’t need to be an lycra-clad whippet to enjoy them: they’re comfy enough for trail bikes too
At 1260g with carbon spokes, Hunt’s Proven Race XC UD Carbon wheels sound like a time bomb for regular trail use. The only thing these super light, super responsive wheels…
£1,599.00
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SRAM’s new Motive brakes have great lever feel and looks, but I’ll miss the raw power of Codes
Motive is the second new brake from SRAM in 12 months, following on from the seriously impressive SRAM Maven Ultimate we reviewed back in 2024. The idea is to slim…
£270.00
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The toughest, most accurate and foolproof mountain bike shift system I’ve ever used: SRAM’s new Eagle 90 Transmission
SRAM’s new Eagle 90 Transmission is the long hoped for cable controlled version of wireless AXS T-Type – that means it’s for battery haters or those on a tighter budget.…
£655.00
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I could buy a new enduro bike for the price of these premium DT Swiss EXC1200 carbon wheels, but that doesn’t stop me loving the extra compliance and rapid engagement
DT Swiss has long been a powerhouse in the world of wheels, renowned for its almost boring levels of reliability and unflashy yet solid-performing products. Its latest range of carbon…
£2,349.98
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Hope’s new trail bike stem is a masterpiece of engineering: stiff, strong, light and beautifully machined… it’s not cheap though
Hope’s been making CNC’d stems from its Lancashire base for years. Its previous generation AM stem felt less solid to me than some competitors when back-to-back testing, but the brand…
£105.00
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The Bel-Air is old school in looks, but it’s comfy, durable and still one of the best saddles I’ve tested… the leopard print helps too
I fitted SDG’s latest Bel Air V3 saddle for the colours, but stayed for the consistent comfort – SDG has levelled up its V3 saddle with enhanced comfort, a slimmer profile…
£80.95
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Reynolds Blacklabel wheels are so tough they’ll probably outlive me, which makes them my pick for heavier riders or proper pinners
Reynolds is a carbon wheel specialist offering high-end road and MTB wheels. Part of the cycling group making Manitou suspension, Answer bars and Hayes brakes, I was just about to…
£2,199.00
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I’ve done two winters and over 1,000 miles on Enduro Bearings’ toughest BB, and it’s feeling smoother now than when new
Enduro has been making top quality bike bearings for suspension, headsets and more for years now, but the Maxhit series takes things to the next level. I’ve been testing both…
£179.99
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