Paul Burwell

Contributor

Giro Montaro II helmet

Obviously with this being called the Montaro II, the Montaro has had a reboot. The big question is is it still good enough to rate a high score and place…

SKS Airflex mini-pump

The all-aluminium SKS AirFlex Explorer mini-pump is a reverse design with the handle coming into the base, which means there’s quite a bit to grip onto and it’s comfortable to…

Silca Tattico mini-pump

Silca pumps are fantastic quality, and the Tattico Mini Pump is no different – it uses a 6061-series aluminium barrel with high grip surfaces machined into the alloy handles. So…

Oxford Airflow MT mini-pump

Like the LifeLine, the Oxford Airflow MT is also a sort of mini stirrup pump, aiming to blend the features of the best mini-pump with the best track/floor pump. The…

Lifeline Performance MTB mini-pump

Lifeline is the in-house brand for Chain Reaction Cycles/Wiggle, and as you’d expect, this means value for money is a priority with all its products. The Performance MTB is its…

Magura MT5 eStop disc brake

We tested Magura’s mid-range MT5 disc brake back in the summer, but this is the new eStop version designed for e-bike use. The flip-flop composite lever and alloy caliper weigh…

Hayes Dominion A2 disc brake

Adding to the Hayes range for 2022 is the new Dominion A2, which has an identical lever to the A4 tested here, but mated to a two-piston caliper. According to…

Blackburn Airstiks mini-pmp

At 85g, the Blackburn Airstik 2Stage is one of the lightest and smallest mini pumps on the market, so will easily fit in a jersey pocket but you can also…

Oxford Venture Jacket

It’s not specified what sort of riding Oxford Products new lightweight Venture jacket is aimed at, but looking at the cut – short at the front, long at the back…

Zefal E Max FC mini-pump

There are quite a few mini-pumps like the Zefal E Max FC – it’s a mini pump, but you can actually thread in a C02 canister to inflate the tyre…

Spank Spoon 350 Stem

Spank has been making the Spoon stem for a while in a 31.8mm diameter, but it’s recently upped the size to 35mm and included a whole raft of different colours,…

Fox Enduro Pro knee pads

The best knee pads come in all shapes and sizes, with heavy-duty, articulated DH pads at one end of the scale and lightweight sleeves at the other. Naturally, they’re designed…

Shimano M6100 Deore brake

Shimano’s Deore is one of the best mountain bike brakes on the market and arguably the pick of the Japanese giant’s range. When you buy the Shimano Deore BL-M6100, you’ll…

Rapha Trail kneepads

After spending years with the peleton Rapha has finally ventured off road and taken aim at the best kneepads on the market with a single model called simply the Trail.…

Madison Flux trousers

Whether you call them trail pants or mountain bike trousers, or some mix of the two, the advances in fit and fabric mean that they are no longer the bulky…

Granite Stash tool

The best multi-tools are compact little miracle-workers that can make trailside repairs a doddle – of course, that’s reliant on you remembering to bring it with you. Which is why…

Fox 36/38 XL Mud Guard

These purpose-made mudguards from Fox are designed to work seamlessly with Fox 36 and 38 forks. Like the best mountain bike mudguards, the XL slots into place underneath the brace.…

Hope Tech 3 V4 disc brake

Even though this disc brake is called the Hope Tech 3 V4 (adjustable Tech 3 lever mated to the V4 caliper) it’s actually Hope’s downhill brake. But don’t let the…