Mick Kirkman

Contributor/tester

Race Face Next R wheels

The enduro-rated, 31mm internal-width rim, Race Face Next R wheels use a smoothly finished UD (uni-directional) carbon composite lay-up.

Hope Fortus 26 wheels

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 wheels

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

The DT Swiss M1900 is the brand’s budget trail riding package using tough aluminium rims available in 25, 30 or 35mm internal widths.

Ion Scrub Select

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

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

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

This new Mavic Deemax MIPS helmet has a very compact form, tons of ventilation and is lightweight at just over 300g in 
size medium.

e13 plus pedal

The new E13 Plus Pedal platform borrows heavily from the old E13 LG1 pedal originally developed for its gravity range.

ribble ht ti

The Ribble HT Ti is Ribble Cycles' first mountain bike in 20 years and it blends the old and the new with classic titanium tubes and modern geometry.

Cotic Bfe Gold

For 2020, Cotic Bfe has been revamped. The head angle is now a degree slacker for more control, while a steeper seat tube improves the climbing position.

pace rc 627

The Pace RC 627 has the ride quality and specification to back up the geometry, and with that sleek, slender look, it will become a modern classic.

sweet protection arbitrator

Norwegian brand Sweet Protection’s new Arbitrator full face is really streamlined at the sides, angular and futuristic-looking. It’s a two-piece convertible lid that has a unique fixing system pairing the…

met parachute

The MET Parachute has been around for years. Over that time, it’s seen multiple revisions, to the point we reckon this MCR version is by far the best looking, most…

Kali Alpine Rage

Kali’s reputation is built on putting safety first. The UK distributor told us that for this exact reason Kali don’t offer a removable chinbar helmet.

ixs trigger ff

The brand new Trigger helmet from iXS is one of a new generation of super lightweight, fully DH-certified full face lids.