MBR May 2018

Want the latest MBR delivered to your door every month? Check out our latest subscription offer, or try MBR’s digital editions on iPad, Android, Kindle and more…

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…

MBR April 2018

On the cover: James Bracey rides the Canyon Spectral in our Trail Bike of the Year test. Photographer: Roo Fowler.

Trail Bike of the Year

Trail Bike of the Year is the most important review we do, testing 12 of the hottest trail bikes in the world. There are three wheel sizes (29er, 27.5in and 27.5in Plus), prices ranging from £2,699 up to £4,000, and three champion bikes.

The making of a bike

RockShox and SRAM’s latest suspension designs are drawn up on computer screens, but they’re born, nursed and flourish on the testing trails of Afan in South Wales. We get behind-the-curtain access to the development of Nukeproof’s Mega.

Affordable e-bikes

E-bike costs are dropping through the floor, meaning you can pick up a good ’un for around £3,500. We showcase Canyon’s Spectral:ON with mismatched wheels to get the best out of 29in and 27.5in: And the Vitus E-Sommet with long, low and slack geometry and a pricetag starting at £3,199.99.

First rides

We visit Turin to try the Ancillotti Scarab Evo 29, a bespoke enduro bike designed to order, and also ride the steel framed Starling Murmur Factory 29, and Canyon’s Spectral WMN CF 9.0 SL

 

Longtermers

A new longtermer enters the stable, in the shape of a Lapierre Zesty 527 Ultimate with OST+ suspension and revised geometry. Plus updates on the Whyte 905, Scott Genius, Trek Remedy, Calibre Bossnut and Saracen Kili Flyer.

Product

Is SRAM’s GX Eagle the best value drivetrain on the market? It’s on test to find out. Plus reviews of the Dirtlej suit, Ergon GE1 grip, the Specialized 2FO Cliplite shoe and more.

Tested: Clipless pedals

Summer’s just round the corner, so as the trails dry out (hopefully!) it’s time to try out clipless pedals. We’ve got eight on test, from the Crank Brothers Mallet DH to Nukeproof’s Horizon.

Bikes in this issue

  • Ancillotti Scarab Evo 29
  • Calibre Bossnut V2
  • Canyon Spectral:ON
  • Canyon Spectral CF 8.0
  • Canyon Spectral WMN CF 9.0 SL
  • Commencal Meta TR V4.2 Essential
  • Giant Trance 2
  • Intense ACV
  • Lapierre Zesty 527 Ultimate
  • Merida One Forty 700
  • Rocky Mountain Pipeline
  • Scott Genius 700
  • Scott Genius 900 Tuned
  • Saracen Kili Flyer
  • Specialized Stumpjumper FSR Comp Carbon 650b
  • Starling Murmur Factory 29
  • Trek Fuel EX 9.7 29
  • Trek Remedy 8 27.5 Women’s
  • Vitus E-Sommet
  • Vitus Escarpe 29 VRX
  • Whyte 905
  • Whyte S150 S
  • YT Jeffsy 29 CF

Body fit test

Are you fit to ride? Pro coach Alan Milway shows us how to assess our strengths and weaknesses and how to develop as a better and stronger rider

How to work in MTB…

The modern way. From drone pilot to YouTube vlogger, bike designer to demo fleet mechanic, there are plenty of ways to earn a living doing what we love.

Skills: Pump tracks

Perfect your pumping skills for free speed — Andy Barlow from Dirt School shows where we’re going wrong and how to maximise our power.

Regulars

  • Big pictures
  • Buzz: New bikes from Canyon and Vitus usher in the era of direct sales e-bikes with lower pricetags, plus help, advice and inspiration on where to ride, what to buy and how to ride faster
  • Mailbox: Your rants, raves and witty ripostes
  • Afterimage: Photographer Andy Lloyd shows us his favourite shot, from the Himalayas in Northern India

Want the latest MBR delivered to your door every month? Check out our latest subscription offer, or try MBR’s digital editions on iPad, Android, Kindle and more…

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.