Hope’s minimalist XCR carbon lever started out mated to an X2 twin pot brake caliper, making it ideal for proper XC applications. Roll on a few years and that XCR…
Products
Coil or air? Cane Creek’s unique Tigon shock gets both, but it’s not enough to lure me away from Fox
Cane Creek has made twin tube coil and air shocks for decades now, including the Kitsuma Coil shock I’ve previously raved about. This new Tigon design represents something entirely new…
Peaty’s Monarch Grips offer pinpoint control and build quality, but there are squishier options out there
Peaty’s all-new Monarch grips come in two different designs and five different colours with both tread patterns selling for under £25. There’s both a knurled option with diamond shaped file-like…
Trek’s Blaze WaveCel with removable side protection is a triumph of design and technology, I only wish my ears were smaller
The Blaze is Trek’s newest mountain bike helmet, it is packed out with features and technology that go some way to explaining, or perhaps excusing, its high price. Most obviously,…
Burgtec’s Josh Bryceland Bartender Pro Super Soft grips provide most of the comfort of a push-on design, with none of the hassle
As one of just two bike contact points when you’re stood up taming the most technical trails, grips better be pretty darn, err, grippy in your hands. To deliver this…
I’ve tested hundreds of mountain bike tyres, and the Schwalbe Albert Radial Gravity Pro has the most planted and supremely-damped ride quality I’ve encountered
Schwalbe’s latest gravity tyre range has to be one of the most hyped in recent memory, with its new Radial casing the talk of the World Cup downhill paddock. All…
Castelli’s Prosecco is the most effective base layer I’ve ever tested, it wicks sweat faster than you can make it
Italian brand Castelli has been providing kit for pro road teams for decades and offers various product tiers from amateur or training gear, right up to top-level World Tour outfits.…
POC’s VPD Air Flow knee guards are supremely comfy and cool… and on sale right now at 63% off!
The POC VPD Air Flow knee pad takes its design cues from roadie bib shorts, it’s the lightest and most minimal knee protection offering from the Swedish brand and targeted…
Shimano’s EP801 firmware update is a must for e-bikers: it’s not always free, doesn’t match DJI’s power, but the overrun is perfect
In the race to build the best e-bike motor, Shimano has been falling behind. Bosch has its new Performance CX motor and it’s smarter than ever. Yamaha, Specialized, and now…
Michelin’s DH22 Racing Line tyres offer unmatched traction in the wet… but there’s a price to be paid
Michelin has completely rebooted its gravity tyre line up this year and the latest on test is its DH22. It’s more gravity focussed, heavier and grippier than the also-new Wild…
Winter’s coming: Rapha’s sleeveless base layer adds warmth and comfort, but its roadie fit was too snug for my bulk
This sleeveless base layer from Rapha is designed for the much more serious business of road cycling… but don’t let that put you off. Because base layers are much more…
The RockShox Pike is a flawed genius of a fork thanks to its Charger 3.1 damper
The latest RockShox Pike Ultimate literally reams out the QC problems of the old fork, which was beset by problems and often choked by damping and bushing issues when pushed…
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…
“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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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,…