MBR March 2018

Want the latest MBR delivered to your door every month? Check out our latest subscription offer, or try MBR’s digital editions on iPad, Android, Kindle and more…

The latest issue of MBR is out now, packed full of inspiring ideas and route maps to help you find new places to get out and ride.

What about the magazine itself? Here’s a taste of what you’ll find inside…

MBR February 2018

On the cover: Steffi Marth goes border hopping in the Alps, with Richie Schley. Photographer: Ale di Lullo.

Trails by train

Exploring Exmoor on the Quantocks by modern mountain bike and vintage steam train proves the perfect mix of sublime singletrack and old world escapism

Graubunden, Switzerland

Freeride pioneer Richie Schley and DH and 4X pro Steffi Marth tackle three of the toughest rides in Switzerland, complete with Alpine passes, unforgettable descents and a public transport system you can set your (preferably Swiss) watch by

Jamis Dakar A2

The greatest £1k full suspension bike since the Calibre Bossnut? The new Jamis Dakar certainly looks the part, with RockShox suspension, a singlering drivetrain and confidence inspiring geometry

First Rides

New for 2018 Rocky Mountain’s Pipeline Carbon 50 with an incredible nine different geometry and suspension setups, Merida’s One Forty 800 trail bike with 2.6in tyres, and the Specialized Chisel Expert XC hardtail

Longtermers

We’re introducing a tester called Laura and a bike called Tracey to the longtermer fleet this month — she’s a super-keen try anything new rider; Tracey is her new Trek Remedy trail bike. See how they get on, plus updates from the Saracen Killi Flyer, Scott Genius, Calibre Bossnut and Whyte 905

Product reviews

The Funn Kingpin bar and Strippa Evo stem, Altura One 80 G2 gloves, Topeak’s Ratchet Rocket Lite tool, and loads more reviewed. Plus head-to-head testing: Shimano’s GR9 versus the Specialized 2FO; and the Altura Mayhem 2 versus Vaude’s Tremalzo Rain Jacket II

Tested: Trail helmets

Modern open face helmets offer more protection than ever before thanks to advances in padding, slip plane technology and in-mould construction techniques. We test 10 of the best and reveal which has the best mix of padding, retention and ventilation

Bike test: XC racers

The latest batch of XC race bikes are light enough to help you up the climbs, yet composed enough with good geometry and active flex-stay suspension to rail the descents too. On test are five flyers, from Cannondale, KTM, Giant, Scott and Specialized

Bikes in this issue

  • Calibre Bossnut V2
  • Cannondale Scalpel-Si Carbon 3
  • Giant Anthem Advanced 29
  • Jamis Dakar A2
  • KTM Scarp Master 12
  • Merida One Forty 800
  • Rocky Mountain Pipeline Carbon 50
  • Scott Genius 900 Tuned
  • Scott Spark RC 900 Team
  • Saracen Kili Flyer
  • Specialized Chisel Expert
  • Specialized Epic Comp Carbon
  • Trek Remedy 8 27.5 Women’s
  • Whyte 905

Fitter by stealth

Want to get fitter and faster, without killing the fun on your ride? The pros’ coach Alan Milway shows us how to train without spoiling your buzz

Better braking

When to brake and when to let it fly will work wonders for you grip and speed — expert coach Andy Barlow from Dirt School shows us how to manage our stoppers

Regulars

  • Big pictures
  • Buzz: The new Leeds Urban Bike Park, skills while you wait, mountain routes with GPS mapping, understanding trail centre guiding and loads more
  • Mailbox: Your rants, raves and witty ripostes
  • Afterimage: Chris Porter relives the nineties, running off to France with the new Cannondale Fulcrum DH bike

Want the latest MBR delivered to your door every month? Check out our latest subscription offer, or try MBR’s digital editions on iPad, Android, Kindle and more…

The latest issue of MBR is out now, packed full of inspiring ideas and route maps to help you find new places to get out and ride.