The Specialized Rockhopper is a stalwart of the hardtail world, and the 29in version is well designed with an impressive spec list that almost places it amongst the best hardtail…
Alan Muldoon
Bike Test Editor
Whyte 429 review
You won’t find mounts for a rack or a kickstand on the Whyte 429 hardtail. That’s because it’s been designed by mountain bikers, for one thing and one thing only……
Kona Mahuna review
The latest Kona Mahuna 29er quickly proved to be the class act in the shop bought category of our best Hardtail of the Year test, 2022.From the very first pedal…
Cube Attention SL first ride review
For a hardtail mountain bike that’s had a very recent overhaul, the 2022 Cube Attention SL manages to keep one foot firmly planted in the past. Yes, it has a…
BMC Fourstroke 01 LT One first ride review
Tom Pidcock’s race machine with a bit more oomph, BMC’s Fourstroke LT gives mere mortals a bit of a safety net that takes it into best down-country territory. Need to…
Specialized Stumpjumper Expert review
The Specialized Stumpjumper Expert is a 29er full-suspension bike with a long history – after all, the first Stumpy came out an impressive 40 years ago! Of course, its had…
Trek launches new Fuel EXe mid-powered lightweight e-bike platform
The mid-powered e-bike category is hotting up, and the first of what we think will be many bikes in this segment is the new Trek Fuel EXe; powered by a…
Starling Roost hardtail first ride review
Is handmade really a feature? I suppose it is for an artisan baker and most definitely if you’re having a suit tailored to fit just so. But given that best…
Canyon Spectral 125 CF 9 review
Take a cursory glance at the new Spectral 125 and you could easily mistake it for the full-blown 150mm Spectral. Make no mistake though, the Spectral 125 is a unique…
Mondraker Raze Carbon RR review
The Foxy is probably Mondraker’s most popular mountain bike to date. But as it morphed into a bigger hitting 160/150mm trail bike it left a vacuum in the range. A…
Bold Linkin 135 Ultimate review
The Bold Linkin 135 is a 29er-wheeled, 150mm-travel full-suspension trail bike packed with plenty of interesting features – hello on-board storage and interesting shock arrangement. That it looks damn good…
Specialized Stumpjumper Evo Expert review
As winner of our 2022 Trail Bike of the Year test, the Stumpy Evo Comp has more than proved its worth. So what, if anything, does the more expensive Expert…
Orbea Rallon M-Team first ride review
rbea The new Orbea Rallon will be ripping it up on the EWS circuit this year piloted by Martin Maes. We swung a leg over it to see how it…
Trek Slash 9.8 XT review
The Trek Slash 9.8 XT is an enduro bike with progressive geometry and 29er wheels and 170/160mm of travel, and offers a performance that seriously impressive. Good enough to make…
Canyon Spectral:ON CFR e-bike first ride review
The new Canyon Spectral:ON CFR is a 155mm-travel eMTB with MX wheels, powered by a Shimano EP8 motor. It’s longer and lighter with more battery capacity than previous models, not…
The GT Force Carbon Pro LE review
The thoroughly redesigned new GT Force Carbon Pro LE is the brand's new 29er enduro race bike with a carbon front end and alloy rear.
Forbidden Dreadnought XT review
Forbidden now has a big gun but who needs the Forbidden Dreadnought XT when the Druid is already billed as capable? In short... everyone. Let me explain.
Kona Honzo (2022) review
Long, low and slack was a phrase rarely used in 2012 when the original steel Honzo was launched with the aim of becoming the best hardtail on sale. But with…
Merida Big Trail 600 (2022) review
The last time we lined up Merida’s Big Trail in a bike test against the best hardtails on the market it was quite a different machine. All models rolled on…
Nukeproof Scout 290 Comp review
One look at the Nukeproof website and you’ll notice there’s a strong focus on trail, enduro and DH riding, with a range of bikes that look very fit for purpose.…