Does the BMC Speedfox SF03 Trailcrew live up to its big-trail taming promise or is the long-travel Trailcrew version overkill and overweight?
Bikes
Scott Contessa Scale 710 (2016) review
Bold, curvy and built for fun, the Scott’s Contessa Scale 710 is a perfect playmate for newbies and veterans alike.
Specialized Jynx Comp (2016) review
Good quality components but the ride quality is let down by the details
Trek Cali S (2016) review
The Cali’s handling capability and reassuring stability make it a fun bike to ride, with the result being that your skills can develop while you’re having a blast.
Scott Spark 700 Plus Tuned (2017) first ride
The Scott Spark 700 Plus Tuned is a blazingly good short-travel ripper that owns the rowdiest of trails. Choose from 27.5in, 27.5 Plus and 29in versions.
Giant Full E+ 1 (2016) review
As it stands, the Full E+ 1 is more of a towpath power-house than a genuine singletrack slayer. It wouldn’t take much to bolster the Giant’s rating though.
Bold Cycles Linkin Trail Classic 29 (2017) review
The Swiss are obsessed with purity and order, and these values are exemplified by the Linkin Trail from Bold Cycles. Hidden shock This exquisite full carbon 29er stashes its shock…
GT Verb Elite (2016) review
Point the GT downhill and it starts to make sense
VooDoo Zobop (2016) review
The Zobop had us shredding descents every bit as fast as we would on bikes costing considerably more money
Boardman Team FS (2016) review
The last time we tested the Team FS we complained that our knees knocked on the upper shock linkage and that the 130mm travel suspension felt too comfort focused, lacking…
Pole Evolink 140 29 EN (2016) review
While we’re constantly hearing about bikes getting longer, lower and slacker the reality is rarely radical. With two notable exceptions. These are Mojo’s Nicolai-built Geometron and the Pole that you…
Calibre Bossnut (2016) review
Guaranteed to put a massive smile on your face every time you take it for a blast
Kona Cinder Cone (2016) review
With its radically sloping top tube, it has good standover clearance, and a lighter, stiffer frame
GT Zaskar 27.5 Comp (2016) review
GT has gone a long way to recapturing the magic of the old Zaskar
Trek X-Caliber 8 (2016) review
The Trek looks amazing and has a decent spec, it’s just a shame the frame isn’t more trail-focused
B’twin Rafal 700 (2016) review
Lightweight, excellent wheels, amazing spec
Scott Scale 970 (2016) review
A 29er with a 100mm-travel fork, Maxxis Ikon tyres and an equally cross country/race focus
Norco Storm 7.1 (2016) review
Quality frame with good length and standover clearance
Marin Bobcat Trail 9.3 (2016) review
Stable 29er wheels and great contact points
Cube AIM SL (2016) review
Hamstrung by its geometry, proportions and small volume tyres