Specialized’s Hillbilly was the original cut down mud spike inspired by DH champ Sam Hill’s mechanic, and brought to market over a decade ago. It used to be made by…
Mick Kirkman
Contributor/tester
DMR Vault Mag pedals review
One of the stone-cold classic MTB flat pedals, DMR’s Vault has earned multiple glowing reviews from us over the years. Its success lies in a deeply-dished platform with a big…
Alpina Rootage Evo mountain bike helmet review
One of a handful of half-way house helmets on the market, this Alpina Rootage EVO blends the cheek, chin and teeth protection of a full face with the more minimal…
7Mesh Chilco Thermal Anorak review
When you spot a fellow product tester, who can pick and choose whatever clothing they want, always riding in the same top, you pay attention. And when that same writer…
Lazer Cage Kineticore Full Face MTB helmet review
Lazer’s all-new full-face helmet uses a fibreglass shell with carbon fibre reinforcements and clocks in at under 900g in a size large, which is bang on the money compared to…
Specialized 2FO DH Flat shoes review
Specialized’s latest generation flat pedal shoes have the grippiest, stickiest rubber soles on the market. Yep, you heard that bold statement right – these 2FO Flat shoes have a more…
B’Twin/Decathlon 500 Bike Tool Box review
Huge French superstore chain Decathlon is the largest sports retailer in the world, with five individual cycling brands in its portfolio. No surprise then, that it has multiple bike tool…
Giro Insurgent Spherical helmet review
Targeting enduro riding and racing, backed up with design input from EWS Champion Richie Rude, Giro’s Insurgent is 200g lighter and a claimed 50% more breathable than the brand’s Disciple…
Specialized Tactic 4 MIPS helmet review
The Specialized Tactic 4 MIPS trail helmet is a solid, well-made and good-looking helmet for the price, certified for electric mountain bike use, and while it’s not perfect for the…
100% Trajecta Fidlock 2022 helmet review
100%’s Trajecta is one of a growing breed of modern full-faces designed for e-biking and aggressive all mountain riding, rather than full-on downhill racing. As such, it’s lighter, airier and…
POC Kortal helmet review
When you think of Scandinavian firm POC, you likely think of a premium, safety-first brand with the high-end price tags to match. That’s fair comment considering this stylish Kortal lid…
Fox Proframe RS helmet review
Fox’s DH-certified lightweight full-face lid has already been a top-scoring helmet at MBR in its previous generation, so has Fox made it even better with this RS version, or has…
100% Altec Fidlock helmet review
The Altec is 100%’s only half-shell helmet and it has been around for a couple of seasons already. It boasts Fidlock’s rapid-to-fasten magnetic chinstrap buckle to boost what’s already a…
Leatt MTB Enduro 4.0 helmet V23 review
Leatt’s snap-together convertible MTB 4.0 Enduro helmet is one of only a couple of helmets with full DH certification that can still multitask as a lightweight open face trail lid…
Abus Moventor 2.0 MIPS helmet review
German brand Abus has really stepped up its MTB helmet game recently, with this Moventor 2.0 one of a trio in a reinvented range. Targeting the trendy down-country sector, it’s…
Deity Speedway Carbon handlebar review
Designed for DH and enduro, Deity’s Speedway is the brand’s burliest 35mm carbon bar. It comes in a massive 810mm width, laid up with unidirectional carbon using in-house only moulds.…
Maxxis Shorty Gen 2 tyre review
Originally launched in 2014, the Maxxis Shorty is a cut down mud spike in the same vein as Specialized’s Hillbilly. Released four years earlier, Spesh’s tyre brought to market downhill…
Koo Edge goggles review
Italian brand Koo only offers one MTB goggle; this high-end Edge using lenses made by German optical giants Zeiss. Koo’s lenses are installed or removed by a clip-in system where…
Look Trail Fusion pedals review
French brand Look already has a solid reputation for high-quality clipless pedals and entered the flat pedal market a couple of years ago with a two-model range. Recently it has…
Merida One-Forty 10K first ride review
If first impressions are anything to go by, Merida’s latest logically-named One-Forty trail bike, looks like the kind of do-it-all rig you’d expect from a mainstream brand – with a…