Stable 29er wheels and great contact points
Alan Muldoon
Bike Test Editor
Cube AIM SL (2016) review
Hamstrung by its geometry, proportions and small volume tyres
Ghost Kato 2 (2016) review
The top-quality Ghost Kato 2 frame never has a chance to shine through
YT Capra vs Canyon Strive – which is best?
What’s the fastest, best value enduro bike?
Canyon Strive AL 6.0 Race (2016) review
The best long-legged trail bike we’ve tested by a mile
Boardman MTB Pro 29 (2016) review
If you want to gallop flat out over big miles the thoroughbred Boardman is first past the post
Canyon Grand Canyon AL 5.9 (2016) review
This is still the bike for fast trail rides and covering distance
Pinnacle Iroko 2 (2016) review
Pinnacle definitely delivered on its promise; we couldn’t stop smiling on the Iroko 2
ODI Elite Pro Lock-on Grips review
I used to hate fat grips. Maybe it’s because I grew up riding BMX in the 80s and the ODI Mushroom grips of the time felt at their prime just…
Öhlins RXF 34 160mm fork first ride
The RXF 34 is Öhlins’s first mountain bike fork. Yes, the Swedish suspension specialist has had retrofit damper cartridges for Fox 40s before, and keen eyes may have spotted its…
Norco Range C7.2 (2016) review
The Range is simply too short to be a confident, comfortable race bike - £4299
Specialized Enduro Expert Carbon 650B Review
Amazing suspension but let down by limited sizing - £4,600
Giant Reign 27.5 1 (2016) review
Blisteringly quick but also a barrel of laughs - £3,999
The best trail hardtails
Trail hardtails are evolving and £1,300 will get you one of the latest breed. We test four of the best from GT, Nukeproof, Orange and Whyte.
Ragley Bigwig (2016) review
Great fun, but a little short - £1,549.99
Orbea Loki 27+ H10
Let down by tyre choice in UK conditions - £1,519
Liv Intrigue 2 (2016) review
Need to know Nimble 27.5in women-specific trail bike 140mm travel front and rear Three frame sizes, all with bags of standover clearance I was a big fan of last year’s Liv Intrigue,…
Scott Genius 700 Tuned Plus (2016) review
Need to know Do-it-all carbon trail bike with 2.8in Plus tyres Fox Nude rear shock delivers 130mm travel while the new Downside TwinLoc remote lets you toggle between the three…
The best mountain bikes for under £2,500
Our 2014 Bike of the Year — the Stumpy Evo — goes up against two well-dressed pretenders, all at £2.5k
Ghost SL AMR 7 (2016) review
A great looking frame with full XT let down by a flimsy fork - £2,399