MBR April 2012

What’s in the latest issue of MBR? It’s in the shops Wednesday 7 March.

• Trailhead: Enduro 1 race series targets the trail-riding market.
• First ride: The Whyte 146X only comes with a single ring. Is this a sign of things to come?
• First look: Ragley Blue Pig. Contemporary hardcore hardtail.
• Tested: Ultrafire SSC P7 lights – a proper budget alternative? Sole Thin sport footbeds, Blackspire Sub 4 pedals, Thomson Dress-Up kit, Pro Tharsis bar/stem/seatpost/grips, Endura Venturi II trousers, Azonic Exile helmet and Edlo Evolution Warm baselayer.
• 2012 Longtermers: starting to pile on the miles. Scott Scale Elite 29er, Orange Alpine 160, Specialized Safire Comp, Trek Lush, Devinci Dixon XP, Lapierre X-Flow 412, YT Industries Wicked 150 and Giant Trance X4.
• Eye candy: trail to pub.
• Soapbox: 24 hours on a 29er was Danny’s idea of hell. So how did he cope when forced to do just that?
• Adventure: Mick Kirkman drifts his way through the snow in the Lake District.
• Test update: in search of imrpves performance, we take the Manitou Minute Pro for some extended tuning.
• Fund your habit: Jamie Darlow looks into the various ways you can get mobile, from renting to scouring the classifieds.
• Best British trail centre: Moray Monsters on the edge of the Scottish Highlands.
• Bike test: the only bike you’ll ever need? 150mm carbon trail bikes offer big hit performance without the weight penalty. BMC Trailfox TF01 XO (£4,499.99), Cannondale Jekyll Carbon 2 (£3,899.99), Ghost AMR Plus Lector 7700 (£3,349.99), Specialized Stumpjumper Expert Evo (£3,800), Trek Remedy 9.8 Carbon (£4,300).
• Grouptest: clipless pedal shoes. 12 cleat-ready shoes including Shimano XC50, Northwave Sparta, Specialized BG Comp MTB, Mavic Rush, Gaerne G.Inka, Louis Garneau Montana XT2, 661 Filter, Five Ten Maltese Falcon, Mavic Alpine XL, Pearl Izumi X-Alp Seek IV, Shimano AM45, Specialized Rime.
• Technique: jumping is simpler than it looks. Chris Ball unravels the mystery.
• Shop smart: stuff we thoroughly recommend from 29ers to 120mm full-suspension bikes along with hydration packs, socks and lights. Plus our bike finder passes on his latest buying tips.
• Q&A: body issues going gluten-free and races for kids
• Q&A: tech tips including how many spacers go on either side of your BB. Plus two chaintools tested and how to align your disc caliper.
• Workshop: Service your Fox Float air can
• PLUS – Four free route maps: rides in Exmoor, North Downs, Mid Wales and Lake District.

Whyte 146X is one of the only 1x10 bikes on the market

Ragley Blue Pig also comes in yellow

MBR hits the frozen Lakes

Is renting or leasing better than buying new? We explore the possibilites

Lightweight carbon bikes with the capability to ride anything

Overcome your fear of air