Mick Kirkman

Contributor/tester

Fox Float 38 Performance Elite

It’s a fast-changing market, but for now at least, the Fox Float 38 Performance Elite is our new performance benchmark. It comes at a cost though,

DVO Onyx SC D1

Boutique US brand DVO offers a couple of longer-travel forks, with this 170mm travel DVO Onyx SC D1 being its beefiest single crown.

Dainese Trail Skins Pro

Dainese Trail Skins Pro feel reassuring when in the correct position, and really well made from quality materials, but doesn’t stay in place enough.

Ion K-Sleeve AMP

The new Ion K-Sleeve AMP knee pad ups protection levels over its predecessor and is now a slip-on Lycra-style tube with a removable, pre-shaped, kneepad.

Schwalbe Wicked Will tyre

Only available in 29x2.4in and with extra beef compared to XC models, Schwalbe Wicked Will sits between Racing Ralph and Nobby Nic.

Truvativ Descendant Grip

Comfy and cushy, the Truvativ Descendant grips have a great feel, work well gloveless and are a massive improvement on previous SRAM grips.

Leatt Velocity 4.0 goggles

Leatt’s velocity goggles use a headline-grabbing bulletproof lens. I don’t fancy being shot in the eyes to test it, but it definitely seems better than plenty of rivals at resisting…

Teravail Kessel tyre

We’d never heard of Teravail before, so its Kessel tyre was something of a wild card in this test. The US firm makes several gravel and MTB models, with this…

Specialized Butcher T9

This new Specialized Butcher retains the familiar old tread pattern with its tightly-packed complex knobs and siping, but the T9 label on the side describes the new rubber compound and…

Pirelli Scorpion Enduro S

Trail and enduro versions are available of the new Pirelli Scorpion; the latter here with a meatier tread and casing suitable for all-mountain riding. Read more: Buyer’s guide to the…

Michelin Wild AM 2

This Wild AM2 is another brand-new Michelin for 2021. It’s meatier and knobblier than the Force AM, with a more uniform, square, blocky tread pattern. Central paddles are similar to…

Michelin Force AM 2

Available in 2.4in and 2.6in sizes in both 27.5in and 29in diameter, the Michelin Force AM 2 is designed to be lighter and faster-rolling than the popular Wild Enduro with…

Maxxis Rekon

Maxxis’s Rekon is essentially a beefed-up Ikon XC tyre with broader shoulders. It’s a pure trail tyre and a popular choice on shorter-travel full-suspension and hardtail complete bikes to inject…

Cane Creek Kitsuma Coil shock

With four easily-accessible tuning dials, Kitsuma is Cane Creek’s latest generation Double Barrel shock, hand built in North Carolina and available in either air or coil sprung guises – and…

RockShox Pike Ultimate

  Relaunched around a decade ago with a sealed Charger damper, stiff 35mm stanchions and an air-spring tuneable with volume spacers, RockShox’s Pike quickly became the go-to enduro fork. Enduro…

Madison Enigma glasses

Madison’s latest Enigma cycling glasses boast a large, modern style with a huge field of vision. Value is fantastic, with the cheapest glasses £24.99, the three lens model here that…