The new Ariel 30 Elite is a “trail-ready downcountry” bike, according to Saracen, it’s got 130mm travel, an alloy frame and some of the smartest component choices we’ve seen since…
Mountain Bike Rider
It was love at first sight with the Santa Cruz Heckler SL, and having tried it, I’m now convinced it rides as good as it looks
When Santa Cruz launched the Heckler SL back in September 2023, my first thought was “wow, that’s one good looking bike”. Yes, even the bike test editor at MBR is…
Flyup 417 bike park in danger of closing due to Highways England roadworks
As reported in a recent video by Flyup 417 Bike Park‘s on the site’s YouTube channel (shown below), this popular venue may be forced to close due to National Highways…
How to watch the first round of the 2024 XC UCI World Cup from anywhere in the world
The cross-country season is back. It’s time for fast machines, bunch racing, and some epic courses. The year kicks off in Mairiporã, Brazil this weekend, U23 short track underway on…
Ready, set, action! Wahoo’s latest ELEMNT update will allow you to control your GoPro from your computer
US tech brand Wahoo has launched a set of updates across its ELEMNT bike computers, including music control, training plan integration, and the ability to control your GoPro. Bike computers…
Marzocchi’s new Super Z is a cut-price Fox 38 with a Grip X damper and up to 190mm travel
Marzocchi bills its new Super Z as the ‘long travel disruptor’, a single-crown fork that thinks its a dual crown, intended to take on the steepest shale slopes and biggest…
New Race Face ERA and Turbine handlebars claim to ‘have an answer to arm pump and hand fatigue’
Following on from the ERA wheel launch, Race Face has two new handlebars focussed on improving control and reducing fatigue. The carbon ERA and alloy Turbine are available in a…
Rocky Mountain’s latest Altitude enduro bike gets a virtual pivot makeover and ends up looking a lot like an Intense Tracer
The Rocky Mountain Altitude is back, with the goal of enduro glory in the EDR series, and a spot among the best enduro bikes on the market. To aid in…
Which is the best lightweight eMTB motor for range, acceleration, and climbing ability?
Lightweight electric mountain bikes are the next big thing, with new motors hitting the market to help brands achieve minimal weight without too much loss of power compared to full-fat…
Forbidden’s Dreadnought V2 has even longer chainstays than the original high-pivot enduro sled. And after two days riding it I think it’s the right move
Given the updates to the Druid V2 trail bike and the recently launched Supernought DH bike, it should come as no surprise that version two of Forbidden’s enduro platform –…
Fox launches new generation of Grip dampers boasting more support without the harshness
Fox has completely overhauled its dampers for model year 2025 with three new Grip options tuned specifically to suit the differing priorities of gravity, trail, and XC riding. These new…
Gold forks are nothing new, but that doesn’t mean Fox’s special ‘Podium Gold’ finish isn’t sexy AF
Gold forks are not a new thing – in 1992 RockShox wowed the public with the Mag 20 and Mag 21, then again in 2000 with the Psylo – and…
Rearward arch saves weight, adds stiffness, and gives the latest Fox 32 Step-Cast XC fork a retro look
The new 32 Step-Cast is the lightest fork Fox has ever made. And with the Paris Olympics fast approaching, racers like Fox-sponsored Mathieu van der Poel are looking for every…
Norco’s new Range VLT and Sight VLT e-bikes use a high-pivot idler design powered by the Bosch CX motor
Canadian brand Norco has expanded its 2024 lineup with two full-fat hardhitters – the Sight VLT and Range VLT. The Range VLT is a 180/170mm beast, while the Sight VLT…
The new Mondraker Dune is a mid-power e-bike with its sights set firmly on the Specialized Kenevo SL
Mondraker’s new long travel e-bike gets the lightweight Bosch SX motor and battery system, weighs under 20kg, and is claimed to be ‘the natural evolution of enduro’. It’s not Mondraker’s…
The Mondraker Dune XR forced me to work harder on the climbs, but paid back with interest on the descents with more agility and wider grins!
Mondraker has already thrown its hat in the best lightweight e-bike ring with the talented Neat. Now the Spanish brand is bringing in the big guns, with the 165mm travel…
Best mountain bike sunglasses: protect your eyes from glare and debris
The best mountain bike glasses and goggles will stop your vision being compromised by debris, letting you focus on the trail ahead... and out of A+E.
The Race Face Chester is one of the softest mountain bike grips I’ve ever tested
Enter Race Face’s new Chester grip, which the brand reckons is its most advanced grip ever. In part that’s down to an all-new tread design, but perhaps more importantly an…
Best mountain bike clipless (clip-in) pedals: Maximum efficiency and ultimate security
Find the best mountain bike clipless pedals. Including what to look for when buying the new breed of bigger platform trail clipless pedals.
The new Bluegrass Jetro is a £225 3/4 helmet with e-bike certification and a cool summer look
Ever felt like you needed more protection than an open-face helmet, but without the chin bar of a full-face? Bluegrass has just launched their latest mountain bike helmet – the…