With the new Norco Optic the Canadian company sets out to garner big grins from short travel. Will the Optic Carbon fit the bill?
Mick Kirkman
Contributor/tester
E*Thirteen TRS Race MoPo tyre review
E*Thirteen has repeatedly revised its tyres over the last few seasons; to the point it’s been hard to keep up with the changes when the open, paddle-style tread pattern always…
E*Thirteen Base flat pedal review
E*Thirteen Base is a composite flat pedal fresh on the market. It’s 50g lighter and £90 less than the high-end alloy ‘Plus’ pedal it’s based on.
DMR Vault flat pedal review
The DMR Vault is one of the best selling flats around. Machined from an extruded piece of aluminium, the platform spins on a heat-treated steel axle.
E*Thirteen Race Carbon handlebar review
E*Thirteen has expanded its product range to offer a variety of handlebars, including this top-tier Race Carbon version.
Mondraker On-Off Desert grips review
OnOff is Mondraker’s in-house component division.
Cannondale Cujo 24 kids bike review
For £400, the Cannondale Cujo 24 delivers a well though-out package that packs a safer and more secure feel than a flexy, more flyweight machine.
Mavic Deemax Pro Sam Hill wheels review
A legendary name in wheels and a legendary name in gravity mountain biking. Are the Mavic Deemax Pro Sam Hill wheels a match made in heaven?
Race Face Next R wheels review
The enduro-rated, 31mm internal-width rim, Race Face Next R wheels use a smoothly finished UD (uni-directional) carbon composite lay-up.
E*Thirteen TRS Race Carbon Trail wheelset review
E*Thirteen gets plenty of OEM spec on complete bikes, with YT being one of its biggest customers, but are the TRS Race Carbon Trails a good upgrade for your existing…
Crank Brothers Synthesis E wheelset review
The Crank Brothers Synthesis E here is the brand’s more affordable carbon package that opts for own brand hubs and traditional round spokes.
Hope Fortus 26 wheels review
The Hope Fortus 26 (26mm internal width) versions use proven Pro 4 hubs and an own-brand rim that errs on the tougher/heavier end of the spectrum.
Halo Vapour 35 wheelset review
Halo has been making dependable wheelsets for years and Halo Vapour 35 are rated for rubber up to 2.8in wide, making them suitable for modern tyres.
DT Swiss M1900 Spline wheelset review
The DT Swiss M1900 is the brand’s budget trail riding package using tough aluminium rims available in 25, 30 or 35mm internal widths.
Burgtec Penthouse Flats MK5 pedal review
The UK-designed Burgtec Penthouse Flats MK5 pedals have evolved into their fifth generation. Do the improvements stack up in the real world?
Alpinestars Aspen WR Pro gloves review
The Alpinestars Aspen WR Pro glove from Alpinestars is a water-resistant, soft-shell winter glove with a synthetic suede palm.
Ion Scrub Select riding trousers review
Ion Scrub Select is their slightly heavier-duty, DH-style trouser using stiffer DWR-coated fabrics together with thinner, more flexible ones.
Mavic XA Hip Belt review
The new Mavic XA Hip Belt has three litres of storage and a host of mtb-specific design details to ensure it’s no bog-standard bum bag.
O’Neal Legacy Pant review
O'Neal Legacy Pant is warmer than a short and can strip the whole thing off when getting changed, minimising clean-up. Can also wear kneepads underneath.
Mavic Deemax MIPS Helmet review
This new Mavic Deemax MIPS helmet has a very compact form, tons of ventilation and is lightweight at just over 300g in size medium.