MBR Summer 2012

What’s in the latest issue of MBR? It’s in the shops Wednesday 27 June.

• Trailhead: The month in pictures.
• MBR Addicts: people with a passion for dirt. This month Olly Wilkins.
• City Limits: Brighton. Wedged betwixt South Downs chalk and the cold waters of the English Channel, Brighton has a surprising selection of singletrack to explore. Includes a free pull-out route map.
• Megaskills and mutton chops. Danny MacAskill meets a hero and gets the ride of his life when he turns up to one of Guy Martin’s TT test sessions.
• First ride: M55 Terminus Classic. We ride the most expensive MTB in the world, and try not to get it nicked.
• New for 2013: Lots of fresh stuff from Sea Otter, including Norco’s 650b prototype, Mavic’s 29er wheels, Fox electronic iCD system, Easton oversize bar/stem standard, SRAM 650b wheels, Giant Anthem X 29er carbon and more.
• First Ride: Santa Cruz Tallboy LTc. We climb aboard one of the most eagerly anticipated 29ers of 2012.
• Tested: Kind Shock LEV dropper post, Ritchey WCS Marathon V2 saddle, Muc-Off Dry Shower, Deity Cinch seat clamp, Intrepid Apparel Mission shorts, Maxxis Beaver 29 eXC tyre, Bionicon C.Guide V.02 chain guide, Oxford Track Pump, Evoc Bike Bag, Skins RY 400 recovery tights.
• 2012 Longtermers: All the latest from the fleet. Devinci Dixon XP, Giant Trance X4, Lapierre X-Flow 412, Orange Alpine 160, Scott Scale Elite 29, Specialized Safire Comp, Trek Lush SL, YT Industries Wicked 150.
• Top Drawer. We metaphorically rummage through the drawers of our staffers to find out the stuff that they wear off-duty.
• Soapbox: Jamie Darlow finds that even the things dangling right in front of your face are often the most out of reach.
• Olympic Guide: Your comprehensive guide to the Olympic mountain biking events.
• The contenders: we talk to the top men and women in the run up to London 2012. Who has the best chance? What will they be riding?
• The course: we explore the contentious course at Hadleigh Farm. Will it produce a worthy winner?
• The pundits: we pick the brains of Nick Craig, Oli Beckinsale, Simon Burney and Jenny Copnall for their Olympic predictions.
• Annie Last: the 21-year-old Peak District lass is Britain’s best hope of a mountain biking medal.
• Bike test: All-mountain rippers. We test a Cannondale Jekyll 4, Commencal Meta AM3, Orbea Rallon 50 and Specialized Stumpjumper Comp EVO.
• Grouptest: Fat up front. Three chunky front tyres ridden and rated. Onza Ibex, Specialized Butcher Control and Maxxis High Roller II.
• How to: Megavalanche winner Jerome Clemantz shows you how to prepare for your first gravity enduro race and Chris Ball shows you how to descend with confidence on loose terrain.
• Free speed: lots of ways to get faster without spending big bucks.
• Shop smart: stuff we thoroughly recommend including the 120mm  and 140mm full-suspension bikes, glasses, hydration packs, shorts and GPS watches. Plus our personal shopper, Bike Finder, helps out another confused consumer.
• Q&A: tech. wet lube vs dry lube, rim strips recommended and perfect running chains revealed.
• Workshop: Replacing your rear gear cable explained. Plus the best cable options and sharpest cutters on the market.
• PLUS – Four free route maps: rides on the South Downs, in North Devon, the Peak District and North Harris, Hebrides.

City Limits, Brighton

Month in pictures, Summer issue

Olympic contenders, Summer issue

New for 2013, Summer issue

Santa Cruz Tallboy LTc first ride

Summer issue bike test