DT Swiss has long been a powerhouse in the world of wheels, renowned for its almost boring levels of reliability and unflashy yet solid-performing products. Its latest range of carbon…
£2,349.98
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Products
Hope’s new trail bike stem is a masterpiece of engineering: stiff, strong, light and beautifully machined… it’s not cheap though
Hope’s been making CNC’d stems from its Lancashire base for years. Its previous generation AM stem felt less solid to me than some competitors when back-to-back testing, but the brand…
£105.00
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The Bel-Air is old school in looks, but it’s comfy, durable and still one of the best saddles I’ve tested… the leopard print helps too
I fitted SDG’s latest Bel Air V3 saddle for the colours, but stayed for the consistent comfort – SDG has levelled up its V3 saddle with enhanced comfort, a slimmer profile…
£80.95
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Reynolds Blacklabel wheels are so tough they’ll probably outlive me, which makes them my pick for heavier riders or proper pinners
Reynolds is a carbon wheel specialist offering high-end road and MTB wheels. Part of the cycling group making Manitou suspension, Answer bars and Hayes brakes, I was just about to…
£2,199.00
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I’ve done two winters and over 1,000 miles on Enduro Bearings’ toughest BB, and it’s feeling smoother now than when new
Enduro has been making top quality bike bearings for suspension, headsets and more for years now, but the Maxhit series takes things to the next level. I’ve been testing both…
£179.99
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RockShox Flight Attendant figured out my riding with machine learning, it boosted my pedalling performance but the price is sky high
RockShox Flight Attendant is smarter now than ever before. Not content with monitoring the bike’s behaviour, the new update learns how you ride and adjusts the suspension damping automatically. It’s…
£2,100.00
I’ve long been a fan of over-the-ears helmets, and the Fox Dropframe Pro is best I’ve tested, even if it makes me look like I’m delivering fast food
3/4 coverage enduro helmets are not a new thing – Giro and Troy Lee Designs marketed them for dual slalom and four-cross racing in the 00s, but they definitely seem…
£259.99
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“It’s next level good” – I tested RockShox’ new Super Deluxe Ultimate shock and it transformed the ride quality of my bike
RockShox’s Super Deluxe rear shock has looked pretty much the same since its current form launched in 2023. It’s black, it has a piggyback reservoir, and because it comes as…
£579.00
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I’ve spent over ten years testing flat pedals, and the new Race Face Turbine is the grippiest I’ve ever used. But it’s too much for my tastes
Race Face’s new Turbine flat pedal has one major goal; delivering maximum grip. With an all-new shape and bigger platform, this is a platform pedal for those craving a locked-on…
£170.00
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Rapha’s Explore Down Jacket is exceptionally snug and warm for riding, and still packs small enough for downtube storage
Part of Rapha’s Adventure line-up, this Explore Down piece targets bikepacking and gravel riding more than the enduro or e-biking I get up to. But don’t let that put you…
£280.00
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The new Maxxis High Roller 3 tyre is consistent, predictable and insanely grippy, but it’s painfully slow rolling if you don’t have the gradient
To say the Maxxis High Roller is a classic mountain bike tyre is a bit like saying Coca Cola is a popular soft drink. The High Roller is pretty much…
£74.99
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Stylish, breezy and well-protected, Smith’s Payroll is now my go-to open face helmet
The Payroll is available with or without a crash sensor called Aleck, which uses bluetooth to connect to an app on your phone and costs £45 more. I’m testing the…
£174.99
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My favourite helmet light of 2025 is the ‘infinite’ run time Fenix BC26R
A powerful beam of light, switchable battery, multiple mount options, and great warranty make the BC26R one of the best mountain bike lights you can buy right now. Nothing’s perfect…
£99.95
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Burgtec’s B-Rage Penthouse Flats are utterly bombproof, and even grippier than the originals, and great for big feet, but I think they’re overkill for most riders
Penthouse Flat pedals were the first product Burgtec ever made. Originally a massive chunk of alloy, designed to be pretty much unbreakable, over the years they became a lot thinner…
£145.00
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I need a good reason not to buy Maxxis: GoodYear has a great one in the new Wrangler, it grips well for less cash
I’m about as into cars as your average Green Party member, but even I’ve heard all about Goodyear tyres. The brand is huge in things four-wheeled and engined, but yet…
£67.95
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The Trail Bloom Ladies MTB Trousers aren’t designed for freezing winter rides, but come spring these will be my go-to riding pants
Considering Trail Bloom only launched at the start of the year, this women-led brand has certainly taken no time in getting itself established in the UK riding scene. If you’re…
£95.00
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Finally, a jersey that fits women properly: the Trail Bloom Ladies MTB Jersey wicks well and works all year round
The Trail Bloom Ladies MTB Jersey is a fully polyester based long-sleeve layer with a feminine design and dropped rear hem. The British brand is relatively new, only launching their…
£39.00
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Exposure’s helmet-tap turn on is genius and makes the Zenith one of the best lights I’ve tested for easy night riding
The Zenith is the most powerful of Exposure’s range of five helmet-mounted options, and we’ve rated it one of the best mountain bike lights for years now. The latest Mk3…
£295.00
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Like taking a floodlight to the trails: Ravemen’s XR6000 bike light turns night into day, but at over half a kilo it’s a beast
Ravemen does a range of self contained PR lights but tops out with this separate head and battery XR set up. It delivers genuine floodlight illumination and plenty of practical…
£390.99
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With rock-solid lever feel and power, TRP’s Trail Evo brakes are ideal for riders with big enough hands to grab them
A decade ago, Tektro was something of a budget brand. Mostly appearing on cheap bikes, it didn’t quite have the brand image to sell high-end products at more expensive price…
£160.00
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