Alan Muldoon

Bike Test Editor

saracen ariel

New Saracen Ariel Elite has suspension and character influenced by the Myst downhill bike and it’s gained a new sense of purpose.

Ancilotti Scarab Evo 29

The Ancilotti Scarab Evo 29 is the mountain bike equivalent of Savile Row and takes customisation a step further than most.

giant trance 2

There’s a directness to the ride of the Giant Trance 2 that makes it feel very efficient and fluid. And it doesn’t trade big hit capacity to achieve it.

merida one forty

Modern geometry and 2.6in tyres make the new Merida One Forty 700 trail bike a delight to ride. Joins a line-up featuring One Twenty and One Sixty.

Canyon Spectral CF 8.0

Make no mistake, the new Canyon Spectral CF 8.0 isn’t just a facelift with a nip here and a tuck there to extend the shelf life of an existing platform.

merida big trail 500

The Merida Big Trail 500 frame certainly looks modern, with its compact rear triangle, Boost 148mm dropouts, hourglass head tube and low-slung top tube.

norco fluid 1 ht

The Norco Fluid 1 HT strikes a great balance between performance and value. Low BB height makes you feel more in the bike and boosts stability.

specialized enduro pro 29

With its recently revised geometry the 2018 Specialized Enduro Pro 29 now has the attitude and riding position to capitalize on its 165mm travel.

orbea rallon

Orbea Rallon combines efficient pedalling dynamics with light weight and it feels like a very capable 29er trail bike with enduro race bike geometry.

Whyte G-170 S

The new Whyte G-170 S is smooth, composed and balanced. It is easy to set-up and even easier to ride flat-out. A full-blown gravity focused race weapon.

nukeproof mega 275

Nukeproof has done an amazing job with the new Nukeproof Mega 275 Comp. The geometry and sizing are on point, the specification is on the money.

trek remedy

We’ve been impressed by the sensitivity of Trek’s RE:aktiv dampers from RockShox and Fox, but the Trek Remedy brings sensitivity to another level.

nukeproof mega 275 factory

There’s a tightness to the Nukeproof Mega 275 Factory that makes it easy to pick a line and stick to it. Confident hitting tracks flat out from the get go.

orange crush

Revised specification and pricing within the Crush range makes the Crush Pro £2K, but the entry-level Crush S has also been upgraded to fill the void.

antidote carbonjack

Expensive carbon enduro bikes are two a penny, and cost a pretty penny too, the Antidote Carbonjack has an identity and a ride quality that’s truly unique.