MBR February 2017

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The latest issue of MBR is out now, packed full of inspiring ideas and route maps to help you find new places to get out and ride.

What about the magazine itself? Here’s a taste of what you’ll find inside…

Features

Trail centre focus: Dunoon

Dunoon has gone from zero to hero in just six months and it’s all down to the motivation of one man. We hopped on a ferry to meet the human JCB and sample his handiwork.

7 Best Winter Escapes

Why let Blighty’s filthy weather bring you down when you can hop on a plane and be hammering sun-drenched trails in a matter of hours?

Bikes and gear

Trek Slash 9.9 29 RSL

Trek’s new Slash sounds rock and roll and looks stunning, but does it go like a bat out of hell?

First rides

Sonder Broken Road and the Ragley Marley 1.0.

Longtermers

Danny’s Nukeproof Mega 290 Pro, Roo’s Mojo/Nicolai G13, Jason’s Specialized Enduro Comp 650B, Jamie’s Transition Smuggler 4, Dave’s Trek Fuel EX 8 Plus and the final verdict on Benji’s Vitus Escarp3 29 VR.

Product testing

SRAM Guide RE disc brakes, USE Vyce stem and Flow Wide handlebar, E13 TRSR wheels, Madison Addict Softshell shorts, Pedalling Innovations Catalyst pedals, RockShox HP Digital shock pump, Moon X-Power 2500 light, Thule Velocompact 927 rack.

Short stem group test

Stubby stems enhance control but which to choose? We put a dozen of the best to the test.

Bike test: The Unusual Suspects

We put four enduro race rigs to the test – with each bike boasting its own unique interpretation of the way to tackle the trails. Cube Stereo 160 C:62 SL 27.5, Merida One-Sixty 5000, Vitus Sommet CR and Whyte G-160 RS.

Routes

Short Days, Sharp Rides

Restricted daylight hours limit big ride opportunities, so put quality over quantity this winter.

  • Quantocks Mix and Match
  • Edale, Peak District
  • Cilcain, Clwydian Hills
  • Ben Damph, Torridon
  • Lonscale Fell, Lake District

Pull-out routes

  • Boreraig, Skye
  • Lonscale Fell, Lake District
  • Lynmouth, Exmoor
  • Calderdale Classic, South Pennines

Skills and technique

Loosen up!

As the trails become slicker, the roots shinier and the puddles deeper, now’s the time to take a leap forward in confidence come spring.

The Science of Saddle Height

Set it right and you’ll ride more descents in a day; get it wrong and your power will slide.

Workshop: Service your Crank Bros pedals

If your Mallets have taken a hammering, here’s how to knock them back into shape.

Regulars

  • Big Pictures
  • Buzz
  • Real-world riding
  • Born-again rider
  • Mailbox
  • Reader photos
  • Ride guide
  • Afterimage

Check out our latest subscription offer, or try MBR’s digital editions on iPad, Android, Kindle and more.