Santa Cruz has just unveiled the Vala – a brand new all-mountain e-bike that replaces the similarly intentioned Heckler. Instead of a Shimano EP801 motor like its predecessor though, the…
£9,999.00
Reviews
Bosch’s Performance CX gen 5 motor doesn’t get any extra power, but I don’t care because it’s so much smarter and quieter than the old one
It’s been three years since the last big update to Bosch’s benchmark Perfomance CX motor. And with significant improvements to legacy rivals like Shimano’s EP801, innovative new options such as…
Hope’s handmade HB.916 is dull and dead to ride… but in a really (really) good way
High pivot bikes with idlers have been trending recently, but are they all hype like the Emperor’s New Clothes or do they offer genuine ride advantages? Multiple brands including Forbidden,…
£8,445.00
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“Just about perfect” PNW’s Range Stem is stiff, well made and looks great
PNW says its Range stem is CNCd from a block of 6061 aluminium, but judging by the shape it’s been cold-forged first, a process all the best mountain bike stems…
£75.00
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Fox carves out free speed on the descents with its new Live Valve Neo active suspension system
Fox has a new suspension system out called Live Valve Neo that will open and close your shock faster than the blink of an eye and make your bike quicker…
£1,550.00
The new Santa Cruz Hightower is an enduro weapon… and plenty of riders will hate it for that
The Hightower was designed as the Santa Cruz for everyone. Everyone with deep enough pockets, anyway. It’s got 145mm travel, 29er wheels and relaxed but not silly-slack geometry, and the…
£8,799.00
The Canyon Spectral:ONFly’s dynamic ride quality left me smitten, but the small battery ran out of energy before I did
This is Canyon’s new Spectral:ONFly Ltd, a lightweight, low-powered e-bike, but one that shares the same geometry and suspension travel as one of MBR’s most highly-rated e-bikes – the Canyon…
£8,349.00
The Abus HiDrop is a tropical microclimate for your head, and one of the hottest full face helmets I’ve ever tested
Abus is probably best known for making bike locks, but the German brand is well versed when it comes to protecting heads too. Its latest piece of safety equipment is…
£180.00
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I’m a huge fan of Trek’s high-octane Top Fuel 9, and the latest version is the best yet – but it could be even better
I was a big fan of the previous alloy Top Fuel from Trek, as were Danny and Alan when they tested the last Top Fuel 8, and this latest version…
£4,500.00
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Lizard Skins’ Gradient grips boast a subtle wing for palm support, and improved comfort on my longest rides
Before you even start counting colours, Lizard Skins have 23 different grip designs to try, and I’ve been working my way through a bunch of them recently. The ones that…
£35.00
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Viris might be a new name in eyewear, but the Raptor glasses kit impressed me with its scratch-resistant lens and prescription-compatible frame
Speculating in the biking spectacle space means going up against big, established global brands with massive marketing and ambassador budgets, such as Oakley, Smith, and 100% – the kind of…
£64.99
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Sonder’s Evol is a good back-to-basics enduro bike, but adding wireless gears puts it in the ring with some heavy hitting competition
Sonder Bikes has grown out of the Alpkit stable, where affordability meets good design and rugged build-quality in outdoor equipment. The comprehensive range now runs to 14 different bikes, from…
£4,243.97
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At 6ft 1in I’ve struggled to find MTB bike trousers long enough, but Gore’s Passion Pants are it
I’m a big fan of the Gore Passion Pants because they’re technically great, lightweight, good value, and don’t feel the need to dress you up in logos like a Formula…
£118.99
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Lightweight, lively and nimble: Cannondale’s Habit LT is a proper trail bike, not an overbuilt enduro rig
As one of a handful of trail bikes with a very similar shape and suspension design, Cannondale’s Habit LT had a hard job convincing me it was a truly unique…
£4,750.00
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I’m a diehard mountain biker, but the roadies nailed it with Sportful’s Pro Baselayer Tee
The Sportful Pro Baselayer Tee is really designed for roadies, but don’t let that put you off. Because base layers are much more of a staple for road than MTB,…
£60.00
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Why the brilliant new Santa Cruz Bronson makes me feel sad… and safe, at the same time
Santa Cruz says it’s learnt a lot about mixed wheel bikes since launching the Bronson 4 as its first MX bike, and it’s loaded those lessons into the new Bronson…
£8,799.00
I love the short-sleeve 7Mesh Roam jersey, but this long-sleeve version is even better for UK mountain biking
The 7Mesh Roam SS shirt has already been tested and highly rated, making it onto our rundown of best mountain bike jerseys. The LS version extends sun and scratch protection…
£70.00
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I’ve tested stacks of long-travel enduro forks, and I think RockShox’s latest Zeb Ultimate Charger 3.1 is as close to suspension perfection as you can get
What RockShox used to call the Totem many moons ago became the Zeb when this 38mm stanchioned fork launched a few years back and inherited the brand’s leading longest-travel single…
£1,199.00
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I’ve used Stan’s Original Tubeless Sealant for nearly 20 years, here’s why it’s still my go-to choice for puncture prevention
Stan’s No Tubes Race Sealant is expensive, but contains twice as many sealing crystals and uses bigger particles that can make larger holes air tight.
£34.00
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The Fizik Terra Ergolace GTX MTB shoe is perfect in every way, except where it really counts
The Fizik Terra Ergolace GTX is not your usual flat pedal shoe. There’s no hint of the skate-inspired look most flat shoes lean into, instead the exquisite build quality and…
£199.00
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