Mountain Biking - April 2017 UK

IN BIKING M AGAZINE
M O U N TA
ST-S E LLING
BRITAINS BE
ISSUE 341
APRIL 2017
HOW TTOS:
4 C O M M O N FAUL S
FIX YOUR MATE
ITH
KEEP UPLOWW ON TIGHT TURNS
F
E O F T H R O NESE
GAMFIT TO RULE EVERY RID
S
15 S A D D L E I O N
T O A C T
SPRRIIDNEGS ININSUSSEX, WTALALENSD,
20 S E A K D IS T R ICT, SCO L AKES
THE P & THE
TOP BTIEKDE
TES E IS CROWNED
N
W H IC HUOLT IM AT E R ID E ?
OUR
IN G THE ALL-NEW
INTRODUC
E RC H A RG E D
I K I N G S U P to a perfect
TA I N B fo r e MTB thanks 27.5
MOUN w bench m a rk the 160mm

a se ts a n e h o o se fro m
ew Moterr phies. C
u p e rc h a rg ed! The all-n d ic a l e n g in eering philoso
S s ra wer.
is re a l m o u ntain biking m o to r a n d Cannondale fo r g ri p to match its po t you
This
g ra vi ty , p owerful Bosc
h
ip p e d w it h 27Plus tyres a le M o te rras not only le
centre o f Moterra eq u the Cannon d
o te rra LT o r the 130mm e a l w e ig h t distribution,
M ess and id one too.
il e h a n d li n g , killer stiffn p, ra il a n d descend like
mely ag ey let you ri
With aweso ro n -fu e lled god th
e le ct
climb like an
OM
NONDALE.C
WWW.CAN
at EVOL, 130mm .8)
551, 27+ (27.5x2
x Factory 34 FLOAT / Factory Flo imano XT WHEELSET DT XM
SION F/R Fo GROUP Sh LK)
MOTERRA 10mm, SmartForm C1 Alloy SUSPEN/ PowerPack 500Wh / Intuvia Displayrserker Green and Cashmere - Gloss (B
Mo terra, 13 CX 250W ack w/ Be
FR AME rformance LOR Jet Bl
TTERY BOSCH Pe / Fabric Scoop Elite saddle CO
DRIVE UNIT / BA ra dropper post
V Integ
COOL BITS KS LE
A tough as nails hardtail that can stick it to the
full sussers - Bike Radar
Everywhere you look on the Stif Morf, you see

nice detailing that has been thought about -
from the butted tubing and external transfer
plate gussets to the simple cable guides and
internal dropper post routing. - Factory Jackson
The grip too seems far beyond what could be

expected from a hardtail, as the Morf begs to
be ridden harder and faster, taking big jumps in
its stride and exiting corners so fast - enduro-mtb
Photos: Sam Needham
Frame: 499
Full Bike: 1,999
XT PACKAGE
1,999
0% FINANCE FROM
70.80*
PER MONTH
0% APR
Representative
* min 15% deposit (300), 24 Monthly Payments

Finance subject to terms and conditions | Flexible deposits available
0% APR Representative | full details stif.co.uk/finance

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PHOTO STERLING LORENCE
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EVERYTHING WE DO IS BY LEZYNE
w i t h s e t- u p s,
dled h
Weve sidand merits of eaascto
b a t e d t h e law s discussions st
de d countles r formed be
R
a n d h a w h i c h b i ke p e
S LETTE
EDITOR elcome to this special edition of MBUK. Special because this
W is the first time weve run a Bike of the Year award well, as
THIS MONTH
far as any of us can remember anyway! Our Tech Ed in Chief, I, CLAUDIO!
Rob Weaver, started the mammoth task back in September, Meet the man whos so much
sourcing a carefully-selected batch of 150 to 170mm-travel enduro style more than just the voice behind
bikes, all costing less than 3,000, that he thought could be worthy of our those wild World Cup course
previews page 103
prestigious title. You can find out more about why we chose that particular
category and the struggles that went with it (there were many) in the test, SADDLES SHOOTOUT
which starts on page 73. Rob and the rest of the MBUK testing team have Keeping your backside comfy
spent the past six months riding each and every one in the harsh and can make a big difference to the
unwelcoming conditions of a typical British winter. Theyve fiddled with enjoyment of your ride. Here are
15 to make it happy page 136
set-ups, debated the relative merits and flaws of each, and had countless
discussions as to which they think has performed best, and finally, in the ONE HEL OF A RIDE
past few weeks, theyve settled on a winner. Its been a fair old slog to get Things get a bit hairy as the
here yes, even the weeks trip to Punta Ala in Italy for the final test and weather changes dramatically
photoshoot, or so they tell me but the outcome is a fascinating read during a Big Ride over Helvellyn
in the Lakes page 154
thatll see you better informed when you come to make a buying decision
and spend your hard-earned cash. So enough of the preamble I know
youre dying to go and find out which bike has won
SPECIAL THANKS this issue
to PuntAla Camping Resort for
GET IN TOUCH! hosting our Bike of the Year
final test and photoshoot,
mbuk@immediate.co.uk BikePark Wales for the
IN C H IE F constant winter use of
N Y W A LT E R E D ITO R http://twitter.com/mbukmagazine their trails and Twin Trails

D AN www.facebook.com/mbukmag B&B in Merthyr Tydfil.
Mountain Biking UK 13
#ForTheNextGeneration
www.islabikes.co.uk
contents #341 APRIL 2017
Which bike has taken
FE AT U R E S our Bike of the Year title?

Find out on page 73
BIKE OF THE YEAR P73 through their paces everywhere

from muddy, rooty UK trails to CLAUDIO CALUORI p103 LEFT BREATHLESS p108
Whats the best long-travel trail/ the sun-baked hillsides of Punta We catch up with the Swiss fella Dan Milner experiences the pain
enduro bike you can buy right Ala, Italy. Countless miles, and behind those hilarious course and rewards of high-altitude
now? Weve rounded up 20 top many punctures, later we have previews, who also manages the riding in the Italian Alps as he
contenders, all with original RRPs a winner and we think itll come Scott DH team and builds some swaps cafes and cappucinos for
under 3,000, and put them as a surprise to many... of the worlds best pump tracks a night in a mountaintop shelter.
1 n
SEND
n nn it! &
win!
p18 p29 p40 p48 p58 p65

Going crazy-big at The Coastal Crew hit Your name up in lights. This months new bikes Hot new gear Troy Lee We check out Dave
DarkFEST 50:01 track Alaska Hannah Barnes This month featuring are the World Cup-ready Designs A2 helmet, Hemmings classic Fat
at Revolution Bike Park Supersized tricks a bargain downhill Canyon Sender CF 8.0 Maxxis Minion DHR II Chance Yo Eddy hardtail
How long is too long? Nutrition products Biking bike build, your top downhill rig, the Wide Trail tyre, Quark and its modern
Zerode Taniwha gearbox beneath the waves BTR Instabangers and riding Nukeproof Scout 275 ShockWiz suspension counterpart
trail bike MBUK Fabrications Si Paton on snaps from some Comp hardcore hardtail tuner, Giro Terraduro Mid
ambassador Al Bond the BDS Olly Wilkins in budding Steve Behrs and the plus-tyred shoes and Pivot Firebird
Madeira Felt Surplus 10 trail/enduro bike
contents #341 APRIL 2017
nn q
nnn
WRECKED & RATED P119

Our test team report back on a host
of new products, from Mavics irst
carbon MTB wheels to Formulas
Cura brake and PROs Koryak dropper
SIX OF THE BEST p128
We rate six CO2 inflators and find out which
will get your tyres back up in a jiffy and
which will leave you feeling deflated
LONG TERM RIDES p130

The latest on our team bikes where weve
ridden, what weve changed on them and
what weve broken this month!
GROUPTEST p136
D , D O W N O NE
EEP EN
We test 15 saddles, from 30 to 175, to find
the perfect perches hidden among all those
T T H E D
similar-looking seats
E W M Y S E LF I N A
R O O T I N F ESTED
I THR A N D MOS T
F T H E R O C K I E S T
D E N P A G E 13 2
O
T S I V E E V ER R ID
DESCEN
nn
n
n
q Grime
TIME
Your questions
answered
p143 p150 p168 p68

* Pull-out maps not available to overseas readers
p154 p160
How to negotiate tight The answers to all your Max and Russell find This small seaside town, Officially the longest Subscribe to MBUK
turns, play a game of technical questions. themselves in trouble on of Dunoon is pushing to standing member of the
BIKE, keep up with your Best upgrades for a Helvellyn, Englands become Scotlands next MBUK team more and get a set of DMR
mates, fix four common downhiller, how to tidy third-highest mountain, MTB hotspot. But has it adventures from V12 pedals worth
mistakes and rule at the up your cables and our everyones favourite
pump track bluffers guide to
after the weather closes in got the trails to deliver
mountain biking sheep,
49.99, plus save 17 per
the goods?
body armour Mint Sauce cent on the cover price!
16 Mountain Biking UK
i n t e n s e c y c l e s . c o m
t w o y e a r s i n t h e m a k i n g
c o m p l e t e l y r e d e s i g n e d
b u i l d
f a c t o r y
/ /
t r a c e r
n nn
18 Mountain Biking
ST
DARKFE
WAKE UP
CALL
Nothing wakes you up quite like
necking a coffee to the sound of
a Matt MacDuff metal morning,
then heading up a 67ft tower to scratching their heads over how
launch the biggest jumps of your to clear the massive step-up.
life. That was the rude awakening Young Spaniard Adolf Silva
faced by riders at DarkFEST, who stepped up to the plate first
had to be up at 6am to beat the and would finish the week with
unforgiving South African heat. the best trick and best ride
Our columnist Sam Reynolds awards, while his mentor Andreu
took shaping masters Nico Vink Lacondeguys effortless steeze
and Clemens Kaudela with him saw him win best line. Kurt Sorge
to create a line that would push buttered everyone up with the
the FEST Series crew further slowest, smoothest whips ever
than ever before. Graham Agassiz seen, and Clemens launched
had to lie on his stomach before the long and low line in the rain,
Photo: Ale Di Lullo
he could peer over the edge of earning the title of Dark King.
the roll-in, and even with 80kmh Darkfest was about using DH
speeds possible, the boys were bikes a little more towards their
potential, says Sam. Weve only
scratched the surface with the
bikes so good now, we can make
the jumps to match and take
MTB to the next level! Head
to the Pure Darkness YouTube
channel for more.
TION
REVOLAURK
BIKE P
ALL THE
LADS, LET
LOOSE Yeah, we have amazing trails,
but for big, well-built jumps,
Revolution Bike Park in North you had to go as far as Canada.
Wales is already one of the UKs This is why we wanted to build
best downhill spots, and with the our own line. Once wed figured
completion of its new jump line, it out the rough shape, Revs trail
just got even better. The track is builder James Foster started
the brainchild of 50:01, the crew moving dirt. Lots of dirt! He had
of reet Northern lads who are as the tools and the skills, and we
famous for their hilarious videos brought the 50:01 manpower and
and jibbing antics as their riding. a truckload of motivation!
Big jump lines are something A big jam was held to celebrate
Photo: Dan Griffiths
weve never really had the fortune the completion of the line,
of having in the UK, says 50:01 which saw a full train through
main man Josh Loosedog Lewis. the jumps. Hitting lips side by
side with your mates is the best
feeling ever a true connection,
says Josh. Come down to Revs
and try it for yourself!
n nn
OMETRY
BIKE GE XXXXX
XXXX
HOW LONG
IS TOO
LONG? stretched GeoMetron. Several
others have since joined the race,
Unless youve been living under including Pole, with their Evolink
a rock, youll have noticed the bikes. The longest production
trend of bikes getting longer, bike is currently the XX long
slacker and lower. While most GeoMetron G16, with a wheelbase
brands have done this little by of 1,386mm 160mm longer
little, others have stretched out than an XL Specialized Enduro!
their bikes in a big way. If youre an out and out racer,
Mondraker were the first focused solely on the clock, then
to start pushing wheelbase these extra centimetres may add
and reach, with their Forward enough stability at speed to save
Geometry concept. Suspension a few precious seconds. But if this
gurus Mojo then took things to extra length begins to affect your
extremes, collaborating with ability to chuck the bike around, it
Nicolai to create the super- starts to limit the fun factor. How
long is too long? It all depends on
how you like to ride.
n nn
AL BOND
OUR MAN
AT THE
RACES
The names Bond, Alex Bond.
OK, so hes not known for his
Martini drinking or baddie killing, Theyre a great bunch to be
but Als not afraid of a bit of involved with and I think itll make
action in the field and some say for a great year. Ill be racing the
his riding is as slick as 007s BDS, alongside a few enduros,
moves around the ladies... hitting up Hardline again and
Hes a former British Downhill trying to sneak myself into a
Series winner, has conquered FEST Series event! On top of that,
the infamous Red Bull Hardline Ill be writing for the mag, so keep
and is an animal on the bike. So, your eyes peeled...
its with great pleasure that we Als going to be riding GT bikes
can announce that, in 2017, Al is weve hooked him up with a
Photo: Moonhead Media
going to be representing MBUK at Sanction for enduro/trail riding,

events across the UK and beyond. and a Fury for DH. Hell be using
Im really stoked to be a part Bell lids, Giro shoes and goggles,
of the MBUK team! he says. and Continental tyres. Were just
as stoked as he is to have him on
board, and cant wait to show you
what hes getting up to. Keep an
eye on our Facebook, Instagram
and Twitter accounts.
Introducing the
A fast rolling package that embraces

compatability, this bike encourages you
to get outside and find adventure. With
the Tarn collection starting at 1199 visit
genesisbikes.co.uk for more information
and find your perfect riding companion.
n nn
RODE TANIWHA
ZE
GEARBOX
EQUIPPED
ALL BLACK
When gearbox bikes appeared cassette so no more excuses
on the scene we thought they for pushing up those hills! The
spelled the end for the rear mech, box is heavy (2,350g, claimed)
but cost, weight and efficiency and contributes to an all-in weight
issues meant development then of 15.32kg (33.77lb) for our large
stagnated. Kiwi brand Zerode test bike. But with no cassette or
have always been believers mech on the swingarm, unsprung
though, incorporating gearboxes mass is reduced and suspension
into their DH bikes since day one. performance improved.
Now theyve crossed the tech Additional benefits include a
over to their new 160mm trail/ (stronger) symmetrical rear
enduro bike, the Taniwha. wheel and the fact youll never
Its based around a 12-speed have to index your gears.
Pinion gearbox, which gives a Taniwha, in Maori mythology,
gear range equivalent to a 10-60t are dragon-like creatures. Will
this beast live up to its name and
terrorise its non-gearbox rivals?
6,199 www.stif.co.uk
In the heat of the moment, dont limit your potential.
Your kit needs to perform as well as you do.
The Roam Collections relaxed styling means its designed to

work and look good on and off the bike. You can live in your
kit, ready to ride at every opportunity.
WWW.MADISON.CC
DISTRIBUTED BY HOTLINES-UK.COM
F I
THE IER N A L
F RON T
Canadian freeriders and bike
park builders the Coastal
Crew head deep into Alaska
ALASKA IS ONE of the last
truly wild places left in the world.
Intimidating, magnificent and awe-
inspiring in equal measure, its also
the ultimate winter playground for
pro skiers and snowboarders. But
when it comes to bikes, it remains
pretty much untouched. This is
what attracted Dylan Dunkerton
and Curtis Robinson of the Coastal
Crew, when French filmmakers
FASTFOKUS approached them
about filming an episode of their
MTB HEROES web series there.
We were so blown away by the
photos from the trip that we had
to find out more...
THIS MONTH Hannah Barnes, supersize tricks, nutrition products, underwater riding, Madeira, Si Paton, BTR Fabrications
L F R O N T IE R WIDE
A
A S K A IS L IKE THE FIN TOUGH PEOPLE,
AL , ROUGH A ND W EN T THER E
S P A C E S
OPEN D S CAPES. WE OUND IT
N E L A N F
AND INSA B P A R ADISE, AND
R M T
HOPING FO
Being from BC, wed always hoped

to travel north to Alaska at some
point, so when this opportunity
came up, the answer was, hell
yes!, Dylan tells us. Alaska
is like the final frontier wide
open spaces, rough and tough
people, and insane landscapes.
We went there hoping for MTB
paradise and I think we found it.
Sometimes trips are that much
better if you go into them without
expectation, so theres no room for
disappointment. But even if wed Opening page Curtis us away. From freeride zones
had the highest expectations, this Robinson boosts a hip
with signature lazy
to ripping ridgelines, we were WHO ARE THE
trip would have exceeded them!
The key to success on any
and effortless style like kids in a candy store on that
mountainside! Other highlights COASTAL CREW?
adventure is local knowledge. We Top Slashing through included crushing laps down Originating from the Sunshine Coast of British
were super-lucky to link up with a steep chutes that have Hatcher Pass, slashing turns Columbia, the Coastal Crew are a bunch of
never seen wheels
rad guy called Carlos, says Dylan. through coal bands and flying high freeriders who became famous for digging
before must be a
This meant we could just sit back, up to sky-blue alpine lakes via float incredible hand-cut trails and filming videos that
pretty special feeling
make you want to get out and ride. Theyve
enjoy the ride and soak everything plane. We couldnt have guessed released two full-length films From The Inside
in. Carlos has been scouting and Above Pretty how rad the trip would be, and Out and Arrival and opened their own bike
unbeatable morning
building all over Alaska for the past riding terrain with such variety park, the Coast Gravity Park, which is home to
views! Alaska isnt the
decade. Hes built so many lines he made collecting shots easy work. some of the best jump lines in the world. Original
worst place in the
Photos: Jean-Baptiste Bazzarini
member Kyle Norbs Norbraten left in 2015 to

cant even keep up with nature, and world to wake up in... Youll be able to watch all the pursue other projects. His friends Dylan
we spent a few days cutting grass action from the trip in MTB HEROES Dunkerton and Curtis Robinson now split their
and raking to expose all the fresh, Season 3, dropping soon at www. time between running the bike park and filming
loamy goodness underneath. mtbheroes.com. Keep up with the projects for long-term sponsors Specialized.
The spots he took us to all latest Coastal Crew goings-on at
around the town of Healy blew www.thecoastalcrew.com.
Pros
L ife
A N
H ESN A H
BARN With this adorable
Hannahs been busy at little ball of fluff
snapping at her heels,
home, but shes ready for Hannahs going to be
faster than ever
a summer of adventure
Moving into spring, it feels so nice
to have longer days and the sound
of birdsong back in the air. Im more
excited than ever to spend some
solid time outside getting muddy
and sweaty, after two months of
upheaval while my cabin underwent
a full renovation (thanks Dad!), with
bikes and kit in various garages and
attics, and not as much riding as
Id have liked and should have been
doing! Thats life though, and it had
to be done over winter because my
summers are just too busy.
A big goal this year is CELTMAN!, If Hannah can deal
with everything the
an Iron Man-distance extreme Scottish winter
triathlon in beautiful Torridon. The throws at her,
CELTMAN! should be
race consists of a 3.4km sea loch a piece of cake...
swim, a 202km road ride and a
42km run up two Munros, so I have
a serious few months of preparation
ahead! The last triathlon I did was
in 2011 and half this distance, so its
a somewhat daunting, but exciting,
personal challenge.
Along with a handful of enduros,
long-distance XC races and various
events hosted by Specialized, Im
excited for the year ahead! The icing
on the cake is the new addition to
our household an amazing Aussie
Shepherd puppy called Lumi. 2017
has already been one to remember
bring on the rest of the year!
BIGGEST & ZINK ON A RAMPAGE

Cam Zinks 360 drop at Red Bull
Rampage 2010 blew everyones
VAN STEEZY FLIPS
While filming in Wyoming for
the 2015 bike movie unReal,
CONOR GETS LOOSE
Conor Macfarlane may not be
a name on everyones radar,
BADDEST minds. Rumours had been flying

that he wanted to do the trick off the
huge 40ft Oakley Icon Sender, so we
watched with bated breath as he
Dutch-Canadian freerider Tom
van Steenbergen rewrote the
gnarliness rule book when he
attempted the biggest MTB frontflip
but it soon will be, as the
Scottish/Kiwi freerider has become
a regular at the biggest events. The
jumps at last years LooseFEST jam
came into the drop and he nailed ever. On his first test run of the 70ft were so huge that most riders were
it, twice, in both runs! Others have gap, Tom had to bail out in mid-air. straight-airing them, but they didnt
Supersize tricks done the trick on
equally big
The second time, he
threw caution to
faze Conor, who
stomped a
As if lips and spins arent scary enough, drops since, but the wind and backflip over
imagine doing them on this scale Cam was the nailed the trick. an enormous
first to push that Watch it its double
boundary. absolutely nuts! wildman!
1 2
7
6
8 9
12
10
11
Want
T hat!
Offer them a free
S
holiday in the sun
G A ME and its amazing
HUNGER
what you can make
MTBers do!
appy Meal or chickeinnyer!

riding, a H nutrition
To fuel yosutrwont do. Get some ARCHIVES
bucket ju THE MBUK
1 Lucozade Sport energy drink
Rammed with carbohydrate and electrolytes,
this isotonic drink will help keep you hydrated
and energised. 11.99 for 12
www.lucozadesport.com
2 Bodybuilding.com BlenderBottle 28oz lask
Ideal for mixing your protein or recovery drink in
after a long ride or gym session no more
lumpy shakes! 7.70 www.uk.bodybuilding.com
3 Lucozade Sport Elite energy gel
With a 2:1 glucose/fructose ratio, one of these
gels could give the boost you need if youre
starting to flag. 26.99 for 24
www.lucozadesport.com
4 Lucho Dillitos energy snacks
These blocks of guava paste wrapped in leaves
are a tasty and satisfyingly chewy natural
alternative to gels or bars. 15.99 for 12
www.luchodillitos.co.uk
5 Eddingtons Banana Armour
No one likes a squished nana, so keep that
precious yellow energy source fresh with this
GLUB, GLUB, GLUB!
Fed up with the wet British weather, we headed to the
protective case. 5.99 www.eddingtons.co.uk
sun of Sharm el-Sheikh to ride, erm, underwater...
6 Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% whey
If youve been maximising your gains in the gym,
your body will be craving protein to rebuild your Its a British tradition, right? Flying for sub-aquatic supremacy. Sliding
muscles. 39.99 www.onacademy.co.uk off to the sun to escape the grotty out on some seaweed, Robin lost
7 Fixie pizza cutter weather thats been bestowed his hard-earned lead, and when he
Alright, so its not shaped like an MTB and pizza upon the UK. Well, Team MBUK messed up a small gap jump (he
isnt known for its nutritional value, but were rider Helen Mortimer wanted to do later claimed he saw a shark and
sure youll be able to find something healthier to just that, and boarded a plane to got flustered!) Helen pipped him to
slice with it! 15.99 www.utilitydesign.co.uk Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt for her the sponge, or starfish, or whatever
dose of winter sun. But instead of the finishing line was.
8 Up&Go Brekkie Without The Bowl drink donning her bikini and soaking up She thought it was all over but
Containing similar energy and nutrition to a bowl
the rays, she decided to explore the her celebrations didnt last long,
of cereal, this is a quick way to meet your
resorts coral reefs by bike. because we told her we wanted a
morning fuel needs. 1.75 www.upandgo.co.uk
Helen was dead set on shot without scuba gear for the
9 Trekn Eat Peronin powdered food challenging one of her fellow cover. Its fair to say that Helen
If hunger strikes midway through an epic mountain bikers to an underwater wont be pursuing a career in
adventure, Peronin is an easy to prepare, filling race, but who would rise (or sink) free diving, although the
food substitute thats full of energy. 4.95 to the challenge? Shed originally photographer, John Liddiard,
www.trekneat.com singled out Rob Warner, whod did praise her self control must
10 Racing Weight Cookbook made it well known that he thought have been all those years holding
If youre looking to lose a few pounds, this women riders were wimps. But her tongue around Warner!
recipe-packed book will leave you with no more Rob failed to pick up the gauntlet
excuses for eating fast food. 21.99 perhaps he got scared off when he
www.cordee.co.uk misheard paddling as pedalling?
In the end it was Robin Kitchin, who
11 Feed Zone Portables cookbook rode for the Animal Orange team
Fed up with buying bars and gels? Find out how
and now works on the other side
to make your own satisfying real food treats to
of the lens (hes a photographer
enjoy on your rides. 21.99 www.cordee.co.uk
and the filmmaker behind Martyn
12 Riverford fruit and veg box Ashtons Road Bike Party series),
Nothing beats real food that isnt packed full of who joined her in the Red Sea for
salt, artificial sweetener and preservatives. a one-off dual challenge.
These boxes of organic fruit and veg provide the After a crash course in diving for
basis for some great meals, along with all of your Robin, they were all set. Toppling
five a day. From 13.45 www.riverford.co.uk into the water off the back of a boat
and hitting the seabed a good 6m
below, they encountered dazzling
fish, razor-sharp coral and other
marine obstacles as they battled
FANCY
GIVING IT A GO?
To enter the British Downhill
Series all you need is a British
Cycling race licence and
membership. Head to www.
britishdownhillseries.co.uk
for more info.
USTRY INSIDER
IND
DOWNHAITLILON
DOMIN
Si Paton spills the beans
on Britains premier downhill
race series, the BDS
Call to action
At one NPS race [the forerunner
of the British Downhill Series ~
Ed] the uplifts were a disaster. We
were queuing in the rain for over an
hour to be carried in the back of a
van with our bikes, choking on the
fumes. One van actually slid off the
road. Rob Warner was mouthing off
as usual and suggested I run the
series. Hands went up in approval
and that was that.
Regrets? Ive had a few

The worst part about running the
series is not racing it! The last time
I raced, I placed third overall in
Masters. That was over 10 years
ago. In 2015, at Antur Stiniog, there
was a big drop and riders were
saying, I bet Si Paton wouldnt
ride off this. Manon Carpenter told
them I definitely would! The BDS
team are outstanding and its great
seeing the riders attack the course
Ive laid out in front of them. The
only big negative is the litter and
that were missing the investment
required to move the series forward.
Favourite venues
Fort William runs like clockwork,
with the gondola, but you always
have your eye on the wind. Rhyd-y-
Felin has everything big jumps, big
berms, a tree stump section, dark
woods, a flat-out open section, big
grass corners, etc. I like Llangollen
too this year were using the full
woods, which will be very special.
ENT SPOTTING
Ultimate UK track
TAL
Id like to see a track like Rhyd-
y-Felin but with a gondola uplift
SIS TIPS FOR THE TOP
that isnt affected by the wind, at HENRY & GEORGE KERR KADE EDWARDS
a venue thats off a main road and The riders podiuming at the BDS Im not sure how long hell be alive
has big, flat fields to camp in, with in the Juvenile, Youth and Junior for, but Kade Edwards rides like no
Pic Xxxx xxxx xxx
a 4G signal, showers, bike wash, categories are the stars of other! The kid has insane skills,
toilets, hot water, cafe, office and tomorrow. The Kerr twins were strength, stamina and an explosive
on fire last year and are two riders passion for life. When he stops
a hardstanding car park if possible. to watch in 2017. crashing hell win at every level.
Now that would be a dream!
DOWN
THE LOW
MADEIRA
Where
This autonomous region
of Portugal lies 1,000km
off the countrys
southern coast, near the
Canary Islands.
A
MADEIR
Landscape
Everything from tropical
HAVE YOUR CAKE AND EAT IT!

rainforest to dusty
gum trees.
Trails
The north-east of the
Why a holiday island in the Atlantic may just be the next MTB hotspot island has a more
natural and tropical feel,
with steeper, longer
Madeira is a name thats been popping vibrant local culture and traditions and trails. In the south-west
theyre faster and
up in mountain biking circles a lot cheap yet delicious cuisine are all part
smoother, with more
recently, and its hosting its first Enduro of its draw too, but its the world-class jumps.
World Series race this year. But why is trails of all kinds that keep people
Food
an island in the middle of the Atlantic screaming from the rooftops about
Cheap, with lots of
Ocean that was previously best known how amazing Madeira is for riding fresh seafood.
for its fortified wine (and the cake us pushbikes. Believe the hype but dont
Guiding
Brits used to like to eat it with) suddenly tell too many people! Freeride Madeira are the
the in place to go riding? Sounds like an awesome venue for best-known company
Its impossible not to fall in love with a race look out for coverage of the and the organisers of
the place, says photographer Jacob islands first EWS round, taking place the islands EWS race.
Milky Gibbins, whos just returned from from May 10 to 14. Travel
a trip there with Focus Bikes Olly Wilkins. Direct flights leave most
I challenge you to find anyone whos UK airports daily and
cost 100 to 300.
been to Madeira to ride mountain bikes
and wasnt immediately looking for the Accommodation
next excuse to get back out again. Stay in the capital
Funchal for ease, or
The island is one huge mountain find an amazing place
ridge, which rises up out of the sea to in the hills.
its highest point at over 1,800m. As
When?
you begin to descend, youll encounter All year round even in
any one of the multitude of biomes, trail the UK winter its
types and microclimates this place has 15-20C most days.
to offer, says Milky,from mossy, wet, What bike?
slick, steep tropical rainforest in the Take a 120-170mm trail
north-east to dry, fast, flowy trails in bike set up for going
down more than up.
the south-west.
There are ancient head-high ferns,
huge drops, world-class freeride jump
lines, seemingly bottomless ravines,
500ft waterfalls, mind-blowing tunnels
and levadas [irrigation channels] and
thats just scratching the surface of
what this landscape has to offer. The
Words & photos: Jacob Gibbins
Olly Wilkins makes

every trail look fun, but
it was an easier job
than usual in Madeira
S T R A I L S OF A LL
T H E W O R LD CL AS ING FROM
ITS E S C R E A M
T H AT K E E P P EO P L W A M A ZING
I N D S T H O
K
E R O O F T O PS A BOU S H B I K ES
TH G P U
D E I R A I S F OR R IDIN
MA
Burf (left) and Tam are just as passionate about
bikes now as when they used to sit in the pub
dreaming about building their own frames
e
Meetktehr
ma
ICAT IONS
BTR FABR
Based out of a small industrial unit in the We were two guys in a shed with no credibility
Somerset town of Frome, BTR are a brand
A pair of hardtail fanatics with and were saying that everyone whod made
whove always been refreshingly indifferent a passion for beautifully a hardtail so far had been doing it wrong.
to bike industry trends. Theyre a two-man
band Tam Hamilton designs the frames
engineered steel frames Wed come at the design from a purely
engineering point of view, adds Burf. People
and Paul Burford builds them. Both come didnt like the way it looked either. But that
from a motorsport technology background didnt deter BTR, and theyve continued with
and met through a shared love of bikes and their function-first style of frame building.
engineering, which saw them hanging out, We can understand why the appearance
drinking and chatting bikes. Well, mainly of the bikes divides opinion, but theres
drinking! admits Burf. Their conversations an engineered elegance to them and the
werent just idle pub chat, though, and soon workmanship is second to none. Every mitre,
ideas began to form about starting their own weld and gusset is a labour of love. I think
bike company. At the time Tam was working people are waking up to this way of making
as a design engineer for K9 Industries and things, says Burf. Its nice to have a bike
Burf was a welder and fabricator. Id always with a direct association to the people who
wanted to make my own frame, he says. Its made it. The downside of this approach is
why I went to uni and why I got a job as a that the frames end up costing much more
welder, so I could learn to do it. After six Profile than a Taiwanese equivalent. Tam and Burf
months in the job, he left to form BTR. Founded 2011
are busier than theyve ever been but theyre
Their first bike was The Belter, a super- Key personnel Tam Hamilton and Paul Burf Burford yet to pay themselves a living wage. BTR only
slack hardtail designed to take a triple-clamp Location Frome, Somerset produce 30 frames a year and they reckon
fork. It came about because Burf was racing First product The Belter, a super-slack hardtail 20 hours go into each one, plus several hours
downhill but felt a DH bike was overkill for Current range BTR make hardtails for all occasions just on the finish. They know this way of
theyve got The Belter for DH/freeride, The Ranger for do-
his local trails. First time out on it, I was, it-all trail/enduro riding, plus frames for XC, dirt jumping doing things is never going to make them rich
and a ripper bike. Theres one full-sus in the BTR range too,
like, holy shit!, he says. It looked mental on The Pinner, and theyre working on an updated version. but its great to see two guys making bikes
paper, but it rode incredibly. The industry as they think best and doing that to the
thought we were crackpots. interjects Tam. highest possible standard.
BELTINGLY
GOOD BIKES
The Ranger
BTRs most popular
bike is The Ranger an
all-mountain hardtail
thats still long and slack,
but not to the extent of
The Belter. Prices for the
second generation frame
start at 1,000.
Devil is in the detail

To extend the lifespan
of their frames, BTR
use tubing thats been
dip-coated inside and
out. There are no external
breather holes, where
water can penetrate
and corrode the steel.
The raw lacquered finish
looks awesome, adds to
the industrial character
and leaves nowhere
for dodgy welds or bad
workmanship to hide.
Custom kits
Buying a BTR frame
comes with all sorts of
choices, starting with
wheel size, right through
to whats written on
the head badge. With a
workshop full of custom
All the frames are designed jigs, BTR can be flexible
and fabricated in BTRs to each customers need.
Somerset workshop They also offer frame kits
and full-build options.
The original Ranger was built so Burf could

race the Dudes of Hazzard Enduro in 2012.
He was so impressed, they immediately
A N S H IP IS S EC O N D TO
set about designing a production version
THE WORKM MITRE, WELD AND
Y
NON E. E V ER A B OU R OF LOV E
AL
GUSSET IS
I N A S S O C I AT I O N W I T H DH bike for a grand? Nick Fitt built
his son this rig for less than 400
and it was a blast to ride in Les Orres
send and
it!
YOUR MAIL, PHOTOS, IDEAS AND RANTS
win!
!
WINNER TTER
STAR LE
POUND STRETCHER
I was stoked to read your Downhill
bike for a grand feature in MBUK 339.
Articles like this can really help get
kids on sensible rigs and enjoying our
lifestyle on a budget.
My three sons would all rather go
down than up, but modern DH bikes
are just too expensive. Buying online,
I managed to set up the middle one
with a Kona Stinky frame for 25
and a set of Marzocchi 66 RC forks
in great condition for 65. Add some
Clarks brakes for 39 brand new
(amazing value!), a second-hand set
of Superstar wheels and, boom a
DH rig for well under 400 all in. So
far its been to Aston Hill, BikePark
Wales, Chicksands and Les Orres in
France with a stoked 13-year-old on it.
As kids grow so fast, the life
expectancy of their bikes is pretty
short. Rampaging through the
second-hand sites is a fun way to help
them ride well on a budget. Thanks
for bringing this to folks attention.
Nick Fitt, via email
What a rad dad! It sounds like your

boys are animals on the bike, so well Branden Taylors bike might look
done for being so shrewd and finding girly, but he can still send it!
them some suitable kit to thrash!
WIN STARR
LETTWEINS...
THATHS URT
G TTA WINS...
O
SHOTON OF
TH
THE M WINS...
ALL DMR V Twin
clipless
Lezyne
Enhanced
Lezyne Digital
Pressure
THIS!
I N A S S O C I AT I O N W I T H
pedals
worth
Super GPS
worth
Overdrive
pump worth
129.99 129.99 139.99
ANM/GMEBR S INE
S TA-B
INTAGRAM.CO UKMAGAZ
INS
WHAT YOU COULD WIN
Tag your Instagram pics with
#mbukletters. Well pick four
each issue and the best one
will win a set of CrankBrothers
Mallet E LS pedals worth 130,
courtesy of www.crankbrothers.com.
Usual T&Cs apply.
!
It may not be the Alps, but BikePark Wales is pretty
WINNER
scenic too. Neil Davies rides above the clouds
Jade Limpus sent us Stu Walker took his hardtail to Gawton

this gem from Antur Gravity Hub a brave decision! Well have
Stiniog, taken on her more on Gawton in the mag soon
GoPro by her other half
@mostlymtb sent us this

banger from Dartmoor
@alxobrien after a heavy

session on the bike
!
WINNERF
Even though spring is upon us, Scotland
can still be chilly! Mark Davidson hits
SHOT OONTH up Pitfichie in Aberdeenshire
THE M
@benripleyphoto27 has fallen
in love with a Santa Cruz Tallboy.
Time to sell a kidney!
!
WINNER
S T
THATA
@orihe was trying out new
UR angles last summer with his GoPro
GOTT H
Callum Moffat sent us
this pic of his buddy, Mitch
Polson. First ride in a while,
first trail of the day, we took
a couple of comedy falls in
the winter slop, he explains.
At the bottom, we noticed
Mitch had a shin gash. A trip
to A&E, some shocked nurses
and then a two-day wait for
plastics to be able to pull his
leg together followed. He now
has a new tattoo courtesy
of his pedal.
M O N T H
NE XT ON SA LE 2 7
A PR IL
Immediate Media Company
Tower House, Fairfax Street,
Bristol, BS1 3BN Tel: 0117 927 9009
Email: mbuk@immediate.co.uk Web: www.bikeradar.com
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EDITORIAL Art Editor James Blackwell
Editor in Chief Danny Walter james.blackwell@immediate.co.uk
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alex.evans@immediate.co.uk Workshop Manager Jonny Ashelford
Staff Writer Ed Thomsett Bike tester Guy Kesteven
ed.thomsett@immediate.co.uk Cartoonist Jo Burt
CONTRIBUTORS
Monet Adams, Hannah Barnes, Steve Behr, Russell Burton, Ben Cannell, Max Darkins,
Alessandro Di Lullo, Malcolm Fearon, Jacob Gibbins, Dan Griffiths, Siobhan Kelly,
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Andy Lloyd, Sven Martin, Ric McLaughlin, Dan Milner, Ben Plenge, Seb Stott, Doc Ward,
Alvin Weetman
ADVERTISING
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andy.nelson@immediate.co.uk
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Marketing Executive Mgane Heurtin megane.heurtin@immediate.co.uk
CIRCULATION
Subscriptions Marketing Tom Bull
Trade Marketing Manager John Lawton
PRINT & PRODUCTION

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LICENSING
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IMMEDIATE MEDIA COMPANY

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1
Canyon have put together an impressive

package for the money. Wed prefer an air
fork, but thats about all wed change HIGHS
A thoroughbred
race bike with
SRAM Guide brakes and X01 DH World Champs performed well, but we reckon that a
winning pedigree
drivetrain was as slick as always. The slightly bigger bottom bracket drop
Renthal bar/stem combo gives a Build kit cant than 6mm would make it even
good feel to the cockpit. be faulted at better, giving it an unbeatably
this price
planted feel. On our test bike, we
The ride A damn recorded the head angle as 63.5
Gone are the days of feeling fine-looking degrees, which is perfect for UK
specimen!
unsettled when riding downhill on an riding, but on the steeper, higher-
air shock. Even on some of BikePark speed tracks of the Alps youll be
Waless most savage offerings, the
LOWS glad of the extra slackness offered
A RockShox Vivid Air R2C
Senders back end tracked well and Geometry could by the adjustable headset cups.
shock controls the 200mm of
be a smidge lower
Horst Link rear suspension our feet always felt planted on the These minor niggles arent
and slacker
(flat) pedals. At the same time, enough to detract from whats a
though, it didnt feel like a plough seriously impressive bike though. It
theres a RockShox BoXXer Team bike. There was a welcome amount looks good, rides well and offers
fork fitted with a medium coil spring. of feedback from the suspension some great kit for the money. What
The Charger Damper performed that let us understand how the bike more do you want? ED THOMSETT
well, but wed have welcomed the was working and helped with line www.canyon.com/en-gb
extra tuning capability of the choice. This lively feel, combined
air-sprung World Cup model. with the Senders light weight,
The e*thirteen wheels are light meant that getting airborne took
and have a good amount of stiffness. minimal effort.
Theyre shod with Maxxis Minion Manoeuvring it around in the tech
DHR II tyres, front and rear, which is was easy too, even on flatter tracks
a great choice for all-round where thoroughbred race bikes can
Light and nimble but with con idence-inspiring
conditions. Performance of the feel sluggish. In the corners the bike capability, this is how a downhill bike should feel
1
The Scout 275s stiff rear end and

short reach mean its not suited
to big miles in the mountains
E P R O O F
NUK T 2 75 COM P RockShoxs mid-range
Yari fork does a solid job
SCOU
up front in 140mm trim
grinding or missing a shift. Thanks UK. The thicker sidewalls of the

to the clutch rear mech and deep
SPEC replacement rubber also took some
Frame Hydroformed
1,600 Versatile, smile- chainring teeth, it never dropped a
chain either. Gear shifts had a lovely
aluminium
Fork RockShox Yari RC
of the harshness out of the back of
the bike and aided traction over
inducing hardcore hardtail light feel that made us wonder why Solo Air, 140mm roots and off-camber sections.
(5.5in) travel
youd spend more on XT or XTR. To get the most out of the Scout
Drivetrain Shimano
Be prepared is the Scouts The Nukeproof Vector saddle was SLX M7000 (1x11) you need to work it hard, creating
motto and an adage that the latest way more comfy than its racy looks Wheelset WTB your own traction, linking features
incarnation of the Nukeproof Scout suggested, and the Brand-X dropper Frequency i23 rims on and leaning it in to take advantage of
Novatec D77SB/462
certainly lives up to. Its ready for post did a solid job given the wet the low bottom bracket and short
hubs, WTB Vigilante
pretty much anything you might conditions. That said, its a shame Light/High Grip stays. Its lack of reach makes it a
want to ride, from trail centres to not to get a 150mm post on such a 27.5x2.3 (f) and WTB handful at higher speeds, but also
pump tracks, and dirt jumps to low and capable frame. Our only real Riddler Light/Fast means that when the trail gets twisty
Rolling 27.5x2.4in (r)
nasty, rooty, natural trails. gripe, though, is with the grip it can be flicked around the tightest
tyres
end-caps, which come off too easily Brakes Shimano SLX corners with ease. For more stability,
The frame when you crash or lay the bike down M7000 you could always go up a size, or
The low-slung top tube, tight rear wed lost both by the end of testing. Bar/stem Nukeproof even two, as the standover is so low.
Warhead, 760mm/
triangle and slack 66-degree head If youre a rider who likes to let the
Nukeproof Warhead,
angle instantly tell you that the The ride 50mm bike do the work, then this isnt the
Scout means business. Its At first, the RockShox Yari fork didnt Seatpost/saddle machine for you. Its stiff rear end
unashamedly built with fun in mind, offer enough support for our 85kg Brand-X Ascend and short reach mean youll get
125mm dropper/
coming up relatively short on reach tester, limiting how hard the Scout bounced off-line and struggle to ride
Nukeproof Vector AM
(415mm on our medium test bike) could be pushed. But adding an Weight 12.85kg anything rougher than surfaced trail
and with short 425mm chainstays. extra Bottomless Token volume (28.3lb), medium size centres. With the right input, though,
The rear brake hose and gear cable spacer (three are fitted as standard) without pedals a good rider can really push the
are routed externally but theres meant the bikes true capability Scout hard, keep up with mates on
internal routing for the provided could be unleashed. The Yari then short-travel full-suspension bikes
stealth dropper post. No chain did a great job of keeping the front of and have a lot of fun! BEN PLENGE
guide is fitted but the frame has the bike composed when things got www.hotlines-uk.com
ISCG-05 tabs in case you want rough, which meant we could really
some added security. push the front tyre into turns.
Only one other change was
The kit required fitting a tough, grippy
Every single test ride on the Scout Michelin Wild RockR2 Advanced
was wet and muddy but the 1x11
Shimano SLX groupset worked
Reinforced rear tyre in place of the
stock semi-slick WTB Riddler, which
The Scout lives up to all of the hardcore hardtail
consistently, not once skipping, lacked bite for winter riding in the clichs, wherever you choose to ride it
1
With a short front triangle and long
rear end, the Surplus feels a little
unbalanced
U R P L U S 1 0 Its good to see a

decent KS dropper
S
included at this price
F ELT While it doesnt affect the ride, the

crooked head badge sticker is a
SPEC
Frame Double-butted,
29er tyres would chatter and choke,
and we had great fun blasting the
1,899 Enjoyably swift, but quality control letdown. hydroformed 6061
aluminium
Felt from corner to corner round the
local woods. If youre more into
short on techy trail con idence The kit Fork RockShox Yari RC clambering up than charging down,
Solo Air Boost, 120mm
Felt have put together a strong the long chainstays mean
(4.7in) travel
The Surplus 10 is the top bike equipment package for the price. Drivetrain Shimano impressive traction on climbs and
in Felts three-strong 650b+ trail Race Face Turbine cranks turn a full Deore XT with Race the front end doesnt wander around
hardtail range. While the features, Shimano XT gearset (no hidden Face Turbine cranks distractingly either.
(1x11)
spec and fatter-tyre flow are on cassette or chain downgrades here), Unfortunately, the gravity-taming
Wheelset WTB
point, the geometry leaves it and despite the super-wide WTB Scraper i45 rims on promise of the 760mm carbon bar
short on stability. rims and plus-size tyres, the wheel alloy Boost hubs, and stiff Boost-width Yari fork are
pack isnt far off the weight of most Schwalbe Rocket Ron seriously undermined by the
27.5x2.8in tyres
The frame conventional 650b+ or 29er sets on
Brakes Shimano
geometry and frame feel. The
Felt have worked on the Surplus bikes of this price. That means mass Deore M615 68-degree head angle is a
chassis for a while its certainly is well distributed dynamically, and Bar/stem Felt Flat reasonable balance for all-round
not just a rebadged catalogue even with a dropper post and a Top carbon, 760mm/ trail handling and the flat bar offsets
Felt 3D forged, 80mm
special. A deep, flush-fit FSA sturdy 35mm-legged RockShox Yari the tall head tube, but the very short
Seatpost/saddle KS
headset extends whats already a fork (which is probably overkill for LEV Integra dropper/ 408mm reach (large size) and long
relatively tall head tube for a plus most 120mm hardtail riders), its WTB Volt Race 440mm chainstays leave you
bike or 29er, but it gets a flat bar as easy on the scales for a plus bike, Weight 12.96kg bunched up right over the front of
(28.9lb), large size
standard to keep hands low. The at 12.96kg (28.9lb). the bike. Add the 80mm stem, which
without pedals
curved, double-butted down tube makes small steering corrections
and top tube create a smooth ride The ride really hard, and flex in the front end
but let in some flex between the The relatively low weight is of the frame, and the Felt constantly
front and rear of the bike. immediately obvious in the fast and tripped up with wheel placement
Fortunately, the 92mm-wide responsive ride of the Surplus, in when things got steep, fast or
press-fit bottom bracket shell, comparison to a lot of plus bikes technical. GUY KESTEVEN
unique hollow-formed asymmetric weve ridden. In fact, the super-wide www.feltbikes.com
chainstay T bridge and 148mm WTB rims, fast rolling, lightweight
Boost rear dropout spacing ensure Schwalbe tyres and stiff but not
power is handled efficiently. punishing Boost-width frame give it
A broad forward-facing slot at a real tailwind on the trail.
the top of the extended seat tube This is even more obvious on
keeps wheel spray out, while rooty, rocky tracks, where the
anti-rub sleeves on the cables and low-pressure tyres float over
Short on reach and radical con idence, but lively
hoses keep the paint protected. sections where normal 650b or even ride and reasonable value make it worth a look
ALL
OF
THE
POWER
NONE OF THE PRESSURE
ME-7 / PD-M9020
MULTI-CONDITION TRAIL/ENDURO SHOE.
FASTER WITH MORE CONTROL.
FOR GREATER PEDAL HIGH-PERFORMANCE, STIFFNESS AND FLEX
EFFICIENCY, STABILITY DUAL-DENSITY COMBINED FOR ENHANCED
AND COMFORT RUBBER OUTSOLE BIKE HANDLING
S H I M A N O P E D A L I N G D Y N A M I C S
SO ENDURO
RIGHT NOW
DUNE
27.5 / 160mm / Forward Geometry
Carbon or Alloy
SRP From 3199
R O MID S HOES
O T ER R A D U
GIR
159.99 Rugged rough-riding kicks for
clipless pedal fans
If youre after clipless shoes that offer protection
from the trail and the elements yet dont sacrifice
too much pedalling efficiency, then Giro may have
the answer. Theyve taken the reinforced upper
and hike-a-bike-friendly Vibram sole of their
popular Terraduro shoe and created this taller
mid-top version. A neoprene cuff supports your
ankle and keeps out the slop, and raised
asymmetric padding gives you protection from the
cranks. Giro have also swapped the ratchet closure
for laces and a Velcro cover, which should stop
your feet getting too soggy. Despite the taller cut
and chunky build of these kicks, they weigh a fairly
reasonable 938g (pair, UK 8).
www.zyrofisher.co.uk
Share your Revolution adventures with us and others with the hashtag #LAZERREVOLUTION
Revolution FF with
Chinguard
From lightweight trail helmet to a
fully-fledged ASTM DH certified
full-face helmet. All by switching out
some of the accessories or installing
a chinguard.
O Y L E E D E SIGNS
TR
A 2 HELM E T
140 The coolest open-face lid
just got cooler
Troy Lees first trail helmet, the A1,
wasnt only super-protective and comfy
but rad looking too. Our only complaint
was how sweaty it got on hotter days.
The A2 boasts 25 per cent larger vents
and improved internal channeling. But
things dont stop there as well as
having a brain-protecting MIPS layer, it
uses a dual EPS (expanded polystyrene)
and EPP (expanded polypropylene) liner
thats claimed to protect your head
better from fast and slow-speed
impacts. Some of the A1s weight has
been shed too, with our M/L lid weighing
375g. As youd expect from TLD, it comes
in a range of race-inspired finishes.
www.saddleback.co.uk
A R Q S H O CK W IZ R
QU HOCK T U N E
F O R K /S
359 A suspension engineer you can it
in your pocket
Measuring just 4cm across, the ShockWiz is an
ingenious little device thats designed to tell you
exactly how effectively your suspension is working
and what you can do to improve it. The idea
started as a Kickstarter campaign, before SRAM
took over development under their Quarq brand
last year. Now were excited to have our hands on
the finished product. To use it, you simply ziptie
the sensor to your fork or shock, connect the air
valve and go riding. The ShockWiz measures and
records everything and links, via Bluetooth, to an
app on your phone to give you a performance
readout. Adjustments are then suggested, based
on your chosen tuning preset efficient,
balanced, playful or aggressive. We cant wait to
get out there and give it a try.
www.zyrofisher.co.uk
n
E M M I N G S
D A V E H
#7 9 A N C E YO E D DY S
H
FATTheCresurrection US frame builder Chris Chance. In
A 90s classic
has been reborn
Words Ed Thomsett Photos Steve Behr
package, using parts from RockShox,

of an iconic rig, those days, everyone was making fast The original Yo Chris King, Cook Bros Racing, Ringl,
owned and ridden by a legend bikes for clean-cut racer types. Chris Eddy is pure
anodised retro
Onza and Shimano. The Yo Eddy was
wanted to do something a bit different, his first bike with front suspension,
of the 90s mountain bike scene something that summed up what
radness
and he says it was noticeably quicker
riding was all about to him having Its new than the rigid bike it replaced, even
Its crazy to see how far things have fun and not taking it too seriously. counterpart is though the Mag 21 Ti fork only had
the perfect
come since the early 90s. At that Everything about the Yo Eddy blend of old and 60mm of travel. The frame feel also
time, racing downhill on a hardtail with emanated an off-the-wall vibe, from new school, made a big difference. At that time
a 90mm stem and the seat up your the colours and graphics to the hand- combining aluminium was the next big thing,
arse was just what people did. While drawn magazine adverts. Not only classic styling but Fat Chance stuck to their guns
with an
the technology seems primitive now, was the craftsmanship and detailing up-to-date ride with steel, and Dave says it was light,
bike companies more than made up second to none but the handling was responsive and more agile than
for it when it came to anodising! With bang on the money too. anything hed ridden before.
its aquafade paintjob, metallic blue The bike wasnt without its faults
parts and punk graphics, old-school Team machine though. We ran such long stems back
UK racer Dave Hemmings original Fat Being a pushy type, by his own then, we understeered everywhere,
Chance Yo Eddy oozes retro cool. admission, Dave approached the he laughs. And the steep head angles
The Yo Eddy came into being in brand about a ride for the 1993 season made things even worse on steep
1989, as the brainchild of esteemed and put together his own sponsorship tracks. I tested that to the max when
E X A C T LY HOW I
Y O E D D Y R IDES 2 9ER IT'S
" T H E N E W B E I N G A
R I T S H O U L D, B U T O V ER THE
R E M E M B E E D A N D
TA B L E AT SPE DAVE HEMMING
MUCH MOR
E S
H O W F A S T I T I S!"
I C A N ' T B E LIE V E Dave first appeared in the
mag in 1989 and, after
ROUGH. becoming the first Brit to

win a World Championships
medal, was picked to ride for
Team MBUK in 1991. He
went on to race DH for
several years, in-between
numerous hare-brained
feature missions. These
days, he dabbles in
everything from enduros to
Ironmans, while working for
Swiss/Italian brand X-Bionic.
this was something

1. WHITE-KNUCKLE
RIDE Chris was keen to 1
maintain on the new
The idea of pinning it model. A curved seat
down rocky downhills tube on the 29er
on a bike with a accommodates the
cut-down Renthal flat bigger wheel and
bar, X-Lite bar ends keeps the rear end
and 90mm Ringl
super-short.
stem seems terrifying
to us, but that was the
4. TEAM GREEN
norm back then. Disc
brakes werent a thing The original Fat
either Daves 1993 Chance team bikes
Yo Eddy used a set of were green on one
Proshift V-brakes. side and blue the
other, with blue
2. FORKED UP anodised parts. Daves
new Yo Eddy doesnt
Early Yo Eddys had
quite match that level
straight-blade rigid
of bling, but hes
forks, which must talking to Chris about
have made for a pretty
building up a
harsh ride. On his bike,
modern-day replica.
Dave had the luxury of
suspension, in the
form of an early 5. MAKERS MARK
RockShox Mag 21 fork. That famous Fat
Chance head badge is
3. SHORT & SNAPPY back and so are the
original Yo Eddy
Fat Chance frames colours Dave's bike
were known for their sports a lavender
short geometry and paintjob and matching
snappy handling, and Thomson stem.
n
I raced it at the Kamikaze, at

Mammoth Mountain in California! It
was probably our set-ups holding us
back as much as the bikes, though.
If I could give my former self a bit of
advice, Id say, drop your seat a little
and dont cut your bar down!.
2 3 Daves set-up cant have held him
back too much, as 93 was a breakout
season for him and he became the
first UK rider to win a UCI medal. It
4 wasnt all serious racing though he
also recalls an article he did for MBUK
called 7 things you shouldnt do on
your mountain bike, with everything
from golf course antics to flips into
swimming pools. Its still my favourite
piece I ever did with the magazine!
Fat are back

The mid 90s may have been the
golden era for Dave but Fat Chances
sales were declining and in 2000
they shut up shop. Chris vanished
from the scene. Nothing was heard
from him until 2015, when he
decided to relaunch the company.
The overwhelming feedback from
Fat Chance's loyal following was that
theyd like a new Yo Eddy that kept the
steel construction but rolled on 650b
or 29in, rather than 26in, wheels.
When he heard about the new
bike, Dave got straight on the phone
to Chris. His new Yo Eddy seen here
is the MK2.1 29er version. The parts
spec may be wildly different the 1x11
drivetrain and dropper post would
certainly never have been envisioned
5 18 years ago but in terms of frame
design, Fat Chance have stayed
true to their roots, just updating the
geometry a bit. It rides exactly how I
remember it should, but at the same
time its pretty different, says Dave.
Being a 29er its much more stable
at speed and faster over the rough. I
cant believe how fast it is Ive beaten
Strava times on it that I set on my 6in-
travel full-susser!
Dave rides a big variety of bikes
these days, but when hes not working,
racing or coaching, hes been putting
in as many miles as possible aboard
his new Yo Eddy. My riding is all
about going out there, getting lost
and making an adventure out of it, he
says. It sounds like fun to us, and we
reckon its exactly how Chris Chance
would like his creations to be ridden.
Price From US$1,799 (Yo Eddy 2.1 frame)

Contact www.fatchance.bike
Also try Swarf Spline 29, from 920 (frame),
www.swarfcycles.co.uk
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20 S
TOP BTIEKDE
TERSE CAN BE ONLY
T H E E W IN N E R !
ON
we've taken 20 long-travel enduro' bikes and pitched

them head-to-head over the last six months to find out
which is our ultimate all-rounder for 2017
Words Rob Weaver Photos Andy Lloyd
Fuelled by Italian coffee,
pre-ride faffing was kept
to a minimum
ts incredible what bikes are capable of these days.

Want to pedal up the side of that mountain? No problem!
Fancy hitting some jumps in the bike park? Go for it! And
what about those alpine downhill runs? No worries! A decent
long-travel trail bike or enduro bike, if you prefer should
ER
be able to turn its hand to almost any type of riding with very R O B W E AV
little compromise. Thats why weve focused on this particular
category, with between 150 and 170mm of suspension travel, for Our Tech Editor in Chief
our inaugural Bike of the Year test. (For bikes with a little started racing mountain
less grrr, check out the shorter-travel Bike of the Year test bikes when he was 11 and
has two decades of riding
in our sister mag, What Mountain Bike). experience plus over a
While picking which type of bike to test was straightforward, decade as a tester.
actually filling the test with the best bikes out there was no easy feat. He headed up the
For starters, we had to work out a price bracket thatd be as inclusive Bike of the Year project,
assisted by our entire
as possible. If we went too low, wed rule out half the bikes available, MBUK testing team.
but too high, and the cost would become unrealistic for most.
Setting our upper limit at 3,000 meant we could include just about
Rob follows Ed down the
every major brand and the majority of key bikes in this category.
rocky Punta Ala trails which
Our next hurdle was availability. We began ordering the bikes in were quick to expose any
September and of the 30-odd we requested, 20 actually made it. OUR weaknesses of the bikes
RATINGS
our entire team could We base our scores on
value for money and
performance
throw a leg over them,
giving us the most rounded EXCEPTIONAL
A genuine class leader
feedback possible" VERY GOOD

One of the best you can buy
Youll notice that were missing bikes from Devinci, Saracen,
Specialized and Transition, among others. Thankfully, those we do
have are some of the best available. We asked for size-large samples
GOOD
and thats mostly what was supplied so that our entire test team, Itll do the job and do it well
from seasoned DH racers to amateur enduroists, could throw a leg
over them, giving us the most rounded feedback possible.
It was in early January that our testing began in earnest. To get the BELOW AVERAGE
measure of each bike, we spent a couple of days riding them back to Flawed in some way
back at BikePark Wales (staying at www.twintrails.co.uk). Over the
weeks that followed it was a case of getting to know each bike more
intimately, visiting different locations in South Wales and the Forest POOR
of Dean, before heading back to BPW to expose them to even more Simply put, dont bother!
punishment. Finally, we took a select few out to Punta Ala in Italy
(http://visitpuntaala.bike), where the trails were drier, faster and
even more brutal. Here, the unforgiving terrain exposed weaknesses
in some bikes while allowing others to flourish.
One thing that was obvious from our early rides was just how
hard it was going to be to pick a winner. After some truly exhaustive
and exhausting testing, we finally managed it and discovered some
interesting characteristics of the other bikes along the way.
The best place to finish
a hard days testing
budget busters
Thanks a lot, Brexit!
We were very specific when it came a keen eye on all of the RRPs. During
to selecting the bikes for this test, our initial testing, if a price went up
especially when it came to pricing, we addressed it by adjusting the
because, for many of us, cost is the spec or model of bike. But we had to
ultimate factor when deciding what set ourselves a pricing deadline,
to buy. Since we began testing, the after which wed no longer alter the
value of the pound has fluctuated line-up. Unfortunately, while we
massively thanks to Brexit and good were in Italy, two more bikes were
old Mr Trump. This has caused a lot pushed over our threshold, and
of brands to bump prices up. another will have exceeded it by the
Throughout the process weve kept time this mag hits the shops.
The boys were still riding

flat out as the sun went
down each day
SPEC
Frame ALLUX SL
aluminium,
160mm travel
Fork RockShox
Yari RC Solo Air,
160mm travel
Shock RockShox
Monarch RT
DebonAir
Drivetrain SRAM
NX with MRP AMg
(V2) chain guide
(1x11)
Wheelset Giant
P-AM2 rims on
Giant Tracker
Boost hubs,
Schwalbe Hans
Dampf
Performance
27.5x2.35in tyres
Brakes SRAM
Guide R,
200/180mm
rotors
Bar/stem Giant
Contact SL DH,
800mm/Truvativ
Holzfeller, 50mm
Seatpost/saddle
Giant Contact SL
Switch 125mm
dropper/Giant
Contact
Weight 14.4kg (L),
without pedals
cube stereo 160 hpa tm 27.5 2,899
giant reign 2 hile the Stereo 160 looks means things can get sketchy in the
2,499 w quite tall, with a relatively

high top tube, it doesnt feel
mud. High-fives to the guys at Cube
for slapping a well-damped, super-
that way on the trail. Thats partly tacky Magic Mary VertStar on up front
thanks to the low bottom though it takes the sting
he Reign is one of the bracket (BB), which sits out of trail vibration and
t longest, lowest and slackest

bikes here, and as a result,
335mm off the ground and
has a 14mm drop that sinks
SPEC
Frame HPA
offers supreme traction.
The Stereo is also one of the
its a total monster downhill. Although you down nicely between few bikes here to have the
Ultralight
the Performance compound Schwalbe the wheel axles. Standover aluminium, more refined RS version of
Hans Dampf tyres lack the grip and height isnt quite as good 160mm travel SRAMs Guide brake.
edge to really do the Giant justice, the as on the lower-slung Fork RockShox Although the Cube is one
bikes low-slung, well-proportioned bikes here, though. Its an Pike RC Solo Air, of the lightest bikes on test,
geometry and supple suspension incredibly easy bike to ride 160mm travel the plush rear suspension
Shock Fox Float X
mean you feel well centred and close and feels very natural from soaks up a lot of rider input,
Performance
enough to the trail that you can make the get-go, but does come Drivetrain SRAM so you have to work harder
corrections if they do make contact up pretty short in terms of X1 with Race Face to conserve your speed on
with anything other than soft mud. reach, which is an issue for ffect cranks flatter trails. Get it pointed
Suspension travel is evenly taller riders, considering (1x11) down something with a little
matched from front to back. The theres just one more size Wheelset DT more gradient though, and
Swiss CSW AM27.5
RockShox Yari RC fork is solid, up from the 20in bike here. the Stereo quickly finds
wheels, Schwalbe
easy to tune and laps up the big In terms of kit, the Cube Magic Mary/Rock its feet. The back end feels
hits when you get motoring, but is seriously impressive. If Razor tyres progressive enough for
does require a little more air in the we were to be really picky, Weight 13.9kg (L) most, though hard riders
spring to deliver the same support wed prefer to see a more will want to add some
as the Charger Damper-equipped forgiving Lyrik fork in place of the volume spacers to the shock to gain
Lyrik and, as a result, delivers more Pike, and while the Rock Razor rear more support for tackling bigger hits.
feedback through the bar and hands. tyre gets Schwalbes reasonably www.cube.eu
This feeling is accentuated by the tacky TrailStar compound and tough
lightweight tyres, which need to be SuperGravity casing, its minimal tread
run at relatively high pressures to
prevent them squirming or flatting.
Downhill maestro
At the rear sits a Monarch RT shock,
which works well with Giants proven
twin-link Maestro suspension system.
Youll need to fit three or four volume
bands to add a bit of progression to
the end of the stroke if you want to
get the most out of the bike when
you really start trucking, though. The
supple suspension makes the Reign
feel quite steady on mellower trails
and the slack seat angle means youll
be reaching for the shocks low-speed
compression lever on the climbs, but
get gravity behind it and its downhill
performance more than makes up
for this. If theres enough soft dirt for
the tyres to bite into, the Giant feels
incredibly confident and more agile
than many of the more downhill-
orientated bikes here.
Considering the price and
performance, theres very little else
to quibble about when it comes to
the spec, though some testers would
have liked a 150mm dropper rather
than the 125mm own-brand model
that comes as standard.
www.giant-bicycles.com
Seriously capable downhill, but needs

careful shock set-up and stickier rubber
orange alpine 6 s 2,900*
e
ven though it sits close to the shock to a Fox Float X EVOL
kona process 153 3,299

the top end of our budget, the Performance unit (+60) did help
Orange is the only bike here smooth things out a little. And as
without a dropper post. Still, on the any Orange owner will tell you, the
hill theres no getting away monocoque chassis isnt
t
he Process manages to balance from the Alpine 6s raw exactly stealth-like when
bump absorption and feedback speed and unique feel. SPEC the going does get rough, so
really well, which means it has If youre a point and youll need to spend some
Frame 6061-T6
a lively ride feel but isnt afraid of taking plough kind of rider, the aluminium, time silencing it before
a battering when things get ugly. The Orange probably isnt for 160mm travel hitting the trails. Regardless,
geometry is bang up to date, with one of you. Speed comes courtesy Fork RockShox its a fast bike if it suits
the longest reach measurements here of calculated line choice Yari RC Solo Air your riding style.
and some of the shortest chainstays and a livelier hop and pop Boost, 170mm Although the Yari fork
travel
(475mm and 425mm, respectively, on riding style. The single- is outclassed by the Lyrik
Shock Fox Float X
our large test bike). All the angles are pivot design sends a lot of EVOL Performance found on other bikes here,
just about bang on too. Unfortunately, feedback through your feet Drivetrain it remains a solid choice.
while the performance is great, the spec and this put some of our Shimano SLX with Orange have done their
just isnt quite as good as it should be testers off. But the majority Race Face Ride homework when it comes
of us really enjoyed our time cranks (1x11) to the tyre spec too, fitting
especially with a 300 price hike being
Wheelset Kore
implemented at the tail end of our testing aboard the Alpine. Its ability Realm 2.7 rims,
EXO casing Maxxis High
(the Kona was originally 2,999). Thats to carry and generate speed Maxxis High Roller Roller IIs. Aside from the
not to say theres anything majorly wrong as you work it through every II EXO tyres lack of dropper post, our
with any of the kit, but at this price wed trail undulation is really Weight 14.4kg (M) only other niggle is the
expect to see a higher-spec fork, shock quite astounding and its no sticky, vague-at-times
and brakes, at the very least. slouch on the climbs either. Shimano SLX shifting.
www.konaworld.com In the rough stuff itll rattle you www.orangebikes.co.uk
about more than the plusher multi-
link bikes here, though upgrading
* 3,000 with upgraded shock and wheels
focus sam pro 2,199
f
ocuss SAM has been around
for a few years now and its keen
pricing and solid spec mean its
hard to overlook if youre in the market
for a 160mm-travel bike. Its geometry
isnt too bad, although a slightly lower
BB (it currently sits at 350mm) would
be an improvement. As it is, it can feel
a little nervous in loose turns or when
hammering through high-speed chop
and this is only accentuated by the rear
end, which uses its travel up too easily
and lacks support when youre trying to
load the pedals and drive your weight
down through them. The RockShox Yari
RC fork is a spec highlight and great
considering the price, but wed swap the
Continental Mountain King II tyres out
for something a little more supportive
and surefooted.
www.focus-bikes.com
nukeproof mega 275 race 2,299.99
retty much everyone more natural, muddy tracks. Up front,
p complimented the Mega

on its paintjob and was
the Vigilante offers a much more
aggressive tread, a higher volume
surprised to hear that it was one of which helps flatten trail ripples and
the cheapest bikes on test. WTBs stickier High Grip
While the spec isnt quite as compound, which holds its
dazzling as on some of the SPEC own over damp rock and
direct-sales bikes here, its roots. It needs a touch more things feeling harsh. Its deadly silent
Frame 6061-T6 pressure in than most to too, which is a massive plus.
seriously well considered
aluminium,
and comes together to 160mm travel
ensure it holds its shape The slack 64.5-degree head angle
produce an impressive ride Fork RockShox when being stoved into adds confidence when things get
for the most part, at least. Yari RC Solo Air, high-load corners, though. steep and nearly all of our testers felt
The Megas eagerness 160mm travel comfortable with the 460mm reach
to be ridden at speed, Shock RockShox Mega fun on the large size. A reasonably steep
Monarch Plus R HV
combined with the Light Thankfully, the playful, seat angle makes climbing that bit
Drivetrain SRAM
casing of the WTB Trail NX with MRP 1x V3 engaging ride of the Mega easier, though the 611mm effective top
Boss back tyre, meant we upper guide (1x11) makes up for these niggles. tube doesnt make things feel exactly
constantly found ourselves Wheelset WTB Although it sits quite deep spacious for anyone over 5ft 9in.
with rear flats. Tougher STp i25 rims on into its 160mm of travel, we Theres no climb switch on the
rubber would be a massively Novatec hubs, never felt that we lacked RockShox Monarch Plus R shock, and
WTB Vigilante/
welcome addition. Its support when pumping at 14.7kg the Nukeproof certainly isnt
Trail Boss tyres
also worth noting that the Brakes Shimano up and over obstacles or the lightest bike here. Still, providing
Nukeproof was the only Deore M615 loading hard through high- you can keep air in the rear tyre, its a
bike on test to suffer spoke Seatpost Brand-X speed linked turns, and all lot of fun to ride.
tension issues, with the Ascend 125mm of our testers were www.hotlines-uk.com
dropper
rear wheel needing some impressed with the
Weight 14.7kg (L)
attention after our final bikes overall balance.
few rides together. While When tackling bigger If the sizing works for you, the Mega is
the Trail Boss works perfectly well compressions or ugly square-edged smooth and slack with a hard-hitting attitude
on manmade bike park trails, it soon braking bumps, theres enough ramp-
breaks traction if you venture onto up at the end of the stroke to prevent
SPEC
Frame 6061-T6
aluminium,
150mm travel
Fork RockShox
Pike RC Solo Air,
160mm travel
Shock Cane
Creek DBcoil [IL]
Drivetrain SRAM
GX (1x11)
Wheelset Hope
Tech Enduro-Pro 4
wheels, Maxxis
High Roller II EXO
27.5x2.3in tyres
Brakes SRAM
Guide R, 180mm
Bar/stem
Joystick 8-Bit,
800mm/Joystick
Builder, 35mm
Seatpost/saddle
RockShox Reverb
Stealth dropper/
Ergon SMA3
Weight 14.5kg (L)
airdrop edit v1 coil
2,999 ghost fr amr 6 al 2,599.99
irdrop say the Edit is all about s a package, the FR AMR 6
a keeping things simple and

creating a bike that just works. Its a AL looks great for the money.
Theres a seriously stubby stem
lines are certainly less swoopy and more attached to the 780mm bar, a KS dropper,
matter-of-fact than most of the machines SRAMs GX gearing and Guide anchors,
here, skewed towards function over form, and RockShox dampers. Travel is split
which may not win the fashionistas over. 170/160mm front and rear, and although
But if you can look beyond the industrial were fans of the easy-to-tune Yari RC
outline, there are good things going on. fork and Monarch Plus RC3 shock, things
For starters, the angles feel great. The never felt as balanced as wed have liked.
steep 76-degree seat angle improves the While the rear end is plenty plush enough
bikes climbing prowess, especially when and boosts traction from the nervous-
coupled with the stretched-out 640mm feeling Michelin tyres, youll have to hike
effective top tube of our large test bike. A up the pressure and add some volume
reach of just under 470mm, wheelbase of bands to stop the shock blowing through
1,220mm and head angle of 65.3 degrees its stroke. The Ghosts dimensions are
make it a confident descender, while the relatively conservative, and when loading
343mm BB height (10mm drop) improves the bike hard through turns or hammering
cornering confidence. Aim it down a rock- at the pedals, things didnt feel as taut,
strewn mess of a downhill track and the efficient or accurate as wed have hoped.
Edit simply flies. Even at higher speeds, www.hotlines-uk.com
the fairly central rider positioning means
direction changes and line corrections are
a case of subtle weight shifts rather than
drastically throwing yourself about each
and every time the trail changes.
Spring in its step

The coil shock (the only one in this test)
delivers a super-sensitive initial stroke that
just keeps on gripping too. Youll need to
be patient with set-up it took us a good
few runs on different tracks to find a good
all-round setting that we were happy with
and may need to buy a different weight
spring, but once dialled in, the results are cotic rocket silver 2,799
impressive. Its a shame there isnt a Lyrik
up front, instead of a Pike, because the
traction and balance would be even better. otics steel-framed (save for
It was on trickier, more technical trails or
when speeds dropped off that our testers c the chainstays) Rocket has a
grin-inducingly lively ride, with
started to become less enthusiastic more zip and pop than you might initially
about the Edit. That traction-grabbing expect considering its 14.7kg overall
suspension, while feeling totally planted, weight. The Fast Rolling compound
does lack some of the pop and dynamism WTB tyres help it feel rapid in certain
of its air-sprung peers, which can quickly scenarios, although they do feel a little
take the edge off your excitement. skittish when tackling rooty cambers or
Airdrop have just unveiled a revised on rocky hardpack sections. While the
frame, the Edit V2, with internal dropper damping of the X-Fusion Sweep fork
post routing, a lower seat tube and more works well enough once youre sat into
standover height. Youll need to be careful the stroke, its not the easiest to get
with the rear brake hose routing though, moving initially. Through multiple big hits
as we had issues with it buzzing the tyre. where the fork fully extends as you skip
www.airdropbikes.com across the top of bumps, you can also
start to feel your hands and arms getting
worked over. At 358mm, the Rockets BB
Not as agile or playful as some, but we like its is the highest on test and you can really
planted feel and long/low/slack dimensions feel this in poorly-supported loose turns.
www.cotic.co.uk
"the unforgiving terrain of
punta ala exposed weaknesses
in some bikes while allowing
others to flourish"
vitus sommet cr 2,799.99
c
ast an eye over the Vitus
and youd be fooled into
most of the bikes here, though its
worth locking the rear shock out bergamont
thinking youre looking at a
far more expensive bike. The Sommet
CR is the only carbon fibre machine
to save energy.
Point the Sommet down terrain
thats a little wilder and steeper, and
encore 8.0 2,799
on test (the front triangle, its all-rounder credentials
at least) and still a couple mean it doesnt feel quite ergamont isnt a familiar
of hundred quid below our
upper price limit. It comes
SPEC
Frame T700/
as at home as some of
the more gravity-focused b name to most UK riders,
but with decent geometry
with a RockShox Reverb T800 Toray carbon machines here. While the and great specs, this German brand
dropper post too, and a fibre front triangle, Vituss angles are decent are worth paying attention to. The
lighter Pike fork rather 6061-T6 on the whole, its reach EnCore uses a concentric dropout
than the burlier but slightly aluminium rear, and front centre pivot to help deliver 165mm of supple
more refined Lyrik. 155mm travel measurements arent the rear wheel travel. This is controlled by
Fork RockShox
Getting the suspension most progressive here. a RockShox Monarch RT shock, with
Pike RC Solo Air,
balanced took a little 160mm travel The High Grip front tyre a low-speed compression damping
fiddling and we found Shock RockShox compound offers decent lever thats worth using to save energy
ourselves creeping up the Monarch Plus RC3 traction over wet rocks and and maintain the relatively steep
spring pressure chart on DebonAir roots, but stuff it into high- 75-degree seat angle on the climbs.
Drivetrain SRAM
the rear shock and adding load turns at speed and When it comes to the angles,
X1 with Race Face
volume bands to stop it ffect SL cranks the Light casing lacks the Bergamont havent been shy. The
bottoming out too easily. (1x11) support to hold its shape. head tube sits at a slack 64.6 degrees
Once set up, the Sommet Wheelset WTB Stopping it squirming and our medium bike had a decent
feels very natural and easy Frequency i25 rims means upping the pressure, reach, at 450mm, and a wheelbase
to get along with, although it on Novatec hubs which means more measuring just over the 1,200mm
Weight 13.9kg (L)
doesnt flatten out the trail feedback through the bar, mark. Short 430mm chainstays make
like some of the bikes on which isnt ideal on long it nimble enough when slithering
test. Theres a tautness to the frame chattery descents. through tight sections of trail or lofting
that lets you zip the Vitus up, around It also didnt take much effort the front end up and over trail features.
or over obstacles with relative ease to burp the rear tyre off the 25mm
and a sense of playfulness that (internal) WTB rim, which in another Ground hugger
some of these big-hitters can lack incident we also dinged. On steeper technical trails, the plush
at times. It covers ground quickly www.vitusbikes.com rear end feels properly planted and
on mellower trails and, at 13.9kg, keeps the quality Maxxis rubber
climbing is more athletic than with tracking every bump and undulation
as you pick your way down the hill. Itll
deal with chunder and braking bumps
without fuss too. But on higher speed
tracks underneath some of our fastest
testers, when the hits were coming
thick and fast and corners were being
smashed, we felt the EnCores back
end lacked the support of some of the
top contenders here.
At the business end of the bike
theres little to moan about though,
with the 170mm-travel Lyrik RC fork
doing a sterling job of balancing
sensitivity and support in equal
measures for a traction-rich, ground-
hugging ride. While the majority of the
spec is pretty much dialled, the low-
rise bar and short steerer tube leave
the front end of the bike feeling a
little low. Also, while the Magura MT4
anchors offer masses of power, they
can pump up on long descents and we
had to send our front brake back after
just one day of riding.
www.bergamont.com
Solid spec and decent angles but not quite

enough support when pushing hard
SPEC
Frame 6013-T4/
T6 aluminium,
165mm travel
Fork RockShox
Lyrik RC Solo Air,
170mm travel
Shock RockShox
Monarch RT
DebonAir
Drivetrain SRAM
GX with Mozartt
HXR chain guide
(1x11)
Wheelset
SUNringl Inferno
29 rims on BGM
Pro hubs, Maxxis
High Roller II EXO
27.5x2.4in tyres
Brakes Magura
MT4, 203/180mm
Bar/stem BMG
Pro DH, 780mm/
Answer AME,
45mm
Seatpost/saddle
Manitou Jack
150mm dropper/
SDG Falcon RL
Weight 14.5kg (M)
gt sanction expert 2,999.99
he GT is one of a few bikes Damper in the Lyrik and Pike, it still
marin attack trail 8 2,750 t here that straddles the line

between hard-hitting trail
works impressively for the most
part, though it needs a little extra air
bike and mini downhill rig, thanks pressure to gain the same support
to its slack angles and lengthy when being pushed hard.
arins Attack Trail only takes 1,225mm wheelbase. At the rear, while things
m minutes to get used to and is

a solid performer, with plenty
Another similarity to its
DH counterparts is its SPEC
dont feel super in the car
park, up on the hill the
of pop when it matters. Theyve added weight its the heaviest Sanction really comes
Frame 6069-T6
a bit of much-needed length for 2017, bike on test by some way. to life. Theres enough
aluminium,
which means things are more stable as Thankfully, the combination 160mm travel support and progression
speeds pick up and less cramped when of a 32t chainring and 11-42t Fork RockShox to allow you to really let
climbing. The low BB height (338mm) is cassette means itll still crawl Yari RC Solo Air, loose through the big
appreciated too. While the Pike may have up the nastiest of climbs, 170mm travel hits and in burlier terrain.
been surpassed by the Lyrik in RockShoxs though it does growl a little Shock RockShox Flat-out fast tracks can
Monarch Plus R
line-up, it still uses the smooth Charger in the biggest sprocket. be ridden at serious pace
DebonAir
Damper, which makes a difference in the GTs own-brand dropper Drivetrain SRAM if you have the bottle.
rough stuff. Other spec highlights include post works OK, although its GX with Race Face The solid feel through the
dependable Shimano SLX brakes and a little slow at times. The Chester cranks Sanctions chassis means
gearing, as well as broad Stans rims, seat tube design means and SunRace its no slouch when being
which give a good profile to the Schwalbe you cant totally slam the cassette (1x11) muscled from turn to turn
Wheelset WTB
Hans Dampf tyres. The Performance post (theres a stop at the too, as long as you can
STP i29 rims on All
compound feels sketchy in anything other base to prevent the post Terra hubs, keep the hard Performance
than soft dirt, though, and itd be good to hitting the shock) and Schwalbe Magic compound Schwalbe tyres
get an internally routed dropper post. youll need to be mindful of Mary tyres on track. Hit a root or rock
www.paligap.cc overall length if upgrading Weight 15.2kg (L) mid corner and youll need
the dropper in future. Up to be prepared to get a foot
front, a 170mm-travel RockShox Yari out quick. The Sanction is quite noisy
does a sterling job of swallowing up too, so a bit of time soundproofing it
the hits, remaining stiff and accurate would be time well spent.
as you pummel through the chunder. www.gtbicycles.com
While the Motion Control cartridge
isnt as refined as the Charger
orbea rallon x30 2,989

hen the going gets rough, the
w Rallons supple suspension

truly shines. None of our testers
had a bad word to say about the only
Fox-equipped bike here when it came to
its bump-eating capabilities. Point it at
the ugliest set of braking bumps and itll
chew through them in stealth-like silence,
all the while keeping its quality Maxxis
rubber glued to the dirt. Even with an
upgraded fork and shock plus a dropper
post the price of our bike was kept under
3,000. Whats not to like then? Although
the Rallons dimensions are alright on the
whole, all of our testers commented on
the lofty 145mm head tube and 70mm
stem. Even after swapping to a shorter,
zero-rise stem and totally slamming it,
the almost flat bar felt too high for many,
which was offputting through the turns.
www.orbea.com
ITS BEEN TOUGH FOUGHT SO FAR, TURN
TO PAGE 89 TO SEE WHICH OF OUR FINAL
SIX WILL WIN BIKE OF THE YEAR
EW
NCRUX RESERVOIR
TM
20% MORE WATER PER SIP
SAM REYNOLDS | BEST TRICK WINNER, 2015 RED BULL RAMPAGE

CRUX 3L LUMBAR
NEW MOUNTAIN BIKE PACKS

FEATURING THE CRUX RESERVOIR
TM
M.U.L.E. LR 15
SAMS GO-TO PACK FOR A VARIETY OF ENDEAVORS AND

RESERVOIR
TERRAIN IS THE MULE LR 15. TO SEE THE FULL LINE OF

MOUNTAIN BIKE PACKS VISIT:
CAMELBAK.COM/MTB
we've eliminated the rest,
but which of the top six
comes out best?
and
Stiff, supple
supportive,
rik
RockShoxs Ly
on
fork is found
al six
five of our fin
f this test has taught us anything, its how competitive and closely matched
the latest generation of trail/enduro/all-mountain/whatever-you-want-to-call-
them bikes are. While thats great for buyers, it makes our job as testers
harder, because each of these bikes is so bloody good. So, what were we
looking for from our winner? The simplest answer is that it had to be the best at
what it was designed to do. In the case of our long-travel trail/enduro category,
that meant we were looking for great geometry that let us descend with
confidence but didnt hamper the climb back up the hill. Next, it needed to
have superb suspension that kept our tyres on track and damping that
balanced support and bump absorption, all the while delivering its travel in
a measured, composed manner. It also had to have a cohesive spec that made
total sense on the trail and involved the least amount of compromise possible.
You can imagine, then, that this test hasnt been an easy process. Its taken
months to complete, with weeks spent in the hills testing, followed by hours at the
computer or in the workshop poring over details. Its kept us awake at night and
been the main topic of conversation around the office. But is has been well worth
delving deeper than ever into the performance of these final six bikes. The Monarch Plus
piggyback shock is a
capable performer too
yt capra al comp 2,399*

SPEC
t
he Capra has impressed
us since we first threw a leg
Frame Aluminium,
over it back in 2014, thanks 165mm travel
to its aggressive angles and the poise Fork RockShox
and composure delivered by YTs Lyrik RC Solo Air,
progressive V4L linkage. Considering 170mm travel
that the AL Comp is the cheapest Shock RockShox
Monarch Plus RC3
bike in the final six, the spec is hard We had to do little other than set
Drivetrain SRAM
to fault too Maxxis rubber, DT Swiss the sag and rebound to achieve a X1 with Race Face
wheels, SRAM 1x11 gearing and Guide good suspension balance, and could Turbine cranks
brakes, plus a formidable RockShox then just crack on. Youll likely find (1x11)
Lyrik RC fork up front and Monarch yourself reaching for the low-speed Wheelset DT
Plus RC3 shock at the rear. compression lever on the shock when Swiss E 1900
SPLINE wheels,
This great value for money is tackling really tricky climbs, but for
Maxxis High Roller
possible because YT along with the most part we ran it fully open. II EXO 27.5x2.4in
fellow top-six contenders Radon, Where the Capra really becomes tyres
Canyon and Commencal sell grin-inducing is when the trail Brakes SRAM
direct to you, the consumer, from gets rowdy. The stable, composed Guide RS, 200mm
their website. That means you cant suspension lets you drive hard Bar/stem Race
Face Atlas 35,
just wander into your local shop for through tyre-ripping corners and 780mm/Race
buying advice or to check the bike out clatter through braking bumps with Face Atlas 35,
for yourself, but if youre confident in masses of control, and the bike feels 50mm
what youre doing, its a way of buying playful and agile when carving from Seatpost/saddle
bikes thats well worth considering. line to line or launching off lips and RockShox Reverb
Stealth dropper/
Without LBS backup, its fortunate skipping up and over trail features.
SDG Fly MTN
that the Capra requires very little Some of that liveliness Weight 14.6kg (L)
set-up time to get it feeling just right. undoubtedly comes from the fact
that the YT isnt particularly big,
with our large sample boasting the
shortest reach of the six top bikes
here. While there is an XL in the range
thatll suit those around the 6ft mark,
anyone much taller will struggle to
find a Capra that fits.
www.yt-industries.com
* Price excludes packing/shipping.
yt capra al comp
The Capra offers impressively tuned,
well-balanced suspension and a
fantastic spec for the money, but be
careful with the sizing because its
not as long as it could be
radon swoop 170 8.0
With superb geometry, well-
balanced suspension and a killer
spec list, the Swoops ride behaviour
is seriously impressive, giving you
con idence on just about any trail
SPEC
Frame Aluminium,
170mm travel
Fork RockShox
Lyrik RCT3 Solo
Air Boost, 170mm
travel
Shock RockShox
Vivid Air R2C
Drivetrain SRAM radon swoop contributes to on loose terrain makes
170 8.0 2,433*

a massive difference.
GX (1x11)
Wheelset DT Another contributing factor here is
Swiss E 1900 the synchronisation of the front and
SPLINE Boost rear suspension. The Swoop 170 feels
t
wheels, Schwalbe here are no such sizing supple when it counts but with more
Fat Albert TrailStar worries with the Swoop 170. than enough support when needed,
(f) and PaceStar
In terms of geometry, Radon and all the while delivers its travel in a The Radon has
(r) 27.5x2.35in
tyres have hit the nail on the head here. The measured, well-damped manner. three geometry
Brakes Magura reach feels just right, while the Although the RockShox Vivid R2C modes all of
them pretty sla
MT5, 203/180mm aggressive angles mean you can shock lacks a climb lever for really ck!
Bar/stem Race charge confidently into whatever may steep pitches, the Swoop pedals well
Face Turbine,
lie ahead. Triangular chips at the enough that its not a huge issue. It
760mm/Race
Face Turbine, bottom of the shock let you switch offers more precise low-speed
50mm between three settings, altering the compression adjustment than any
Seatpost/saddle head and seat angles by 0.5 degrees other damper here and handles big
RockShox Reverb at a time, and the BB height by up to chunder with ease.
Stealth 125mm 13mm. In its lowest setting, the BB At this price, its hard to pick fault their own for the most part, thanks to
dropper/Selle
sits just over 430mm off the ground, with the Swoop 170s spec. Its quite the reasonable compound (on the
Italia Nepal
Weight 14.3kg with a huge 21mm drop. If youre a bit lighter than some bikes here, front at least) and them coming set up
(18in) confident you wont clang your cranks even with a chain guide bolted in place. tubeless. We did slice the rear tyre
on lumpy trails, the corner-railing Some may want a wider bar, and the beyond repair after overshooting a
potential of this set-up is astounding, tyre choice caused some concern jump, though. It would be good to see
and the security and confidence it initially. The Schwalbe Fat Alberts held tougher casings specced in future, as
Canyons ShapeShifter
unit adjusts the angles
and suspension for
descending or climbing
this is a bike that can be ridden

seriously hard. Speed, stability and fun
just seem to come easily to the Swoop
170. As an overall package, its really
quite superb, with just a few little Italian trail we rode, the Strive head angle. On our test bike it
niggles that are easy to overlook, pattered down without a peep. It measured in at just under 67 degrees,
considering the relatively low price. needs some volume bands in the making it the steepest in the final six.
www.radon-bikes.de shock to get the back end ramping up A good solution would be to have a
* Price is approximate currency conversion and excludes for the really big hits, but once sorted slacker downhill setting with a lower
packing/shipping.
its a wonderfully efficient machine BB. As it is, Canyons innovative
that carries speed incredibly well. ShapeShifter system (which switches
The sizing feels spot on too, and its the geometry and suspension
canyon strive always nice to see manufacturers between ascending and descending
al 5.0 race 2,649* speccing longer dropper posts where

possible. Our large Strive had one of
modes) does make a difference when
climbing and was seen as a nice
the shortest seat tubes here, at touch by some. Not all of our testers
460mm, and used a 150mm drop appreciated it though, with some
c
anyon share the same Reverb. This meant none of our saying it was just an added
direct sales model as Radon, testers had any issues with arse-to- complication, and the bike pedals well
YT and Commencal, which saddle clearance on the steeper trails enough in the downhill mode that not
means the Strive also comes with a we rode (unlike on the Commencal, everyone used it regularly.
stunningly good spec for the money. with its 490mm seat tube). Whatever you think of the
On top of that, its one of the quietest What we did notice when the trail ShapeShifter, the Strive remains a
bikes here. Even on the choppiest began to drop away rapidly was the seriously fast bike with decent
canyon
strive al 5.o race
The Strives ability to smooth out the
trail and carry speed continue to
impress us, but more aggressive
angles in the downhill mode would
be no bad thing
SPEC
Frame Aluminium,
130-160mm travel
Fork RockShox
Lyrik RC Solo Air,
160mm travel
Shock RockShox
Monarch Plus RC3
DebonAir
Drivetrain SRAM
GX with Race Face
ffect cranks
(1x11)
Wheelset DT
Swiss E 1650
SPLINE wheels,
Maxxis Minion
DHR II EXO 3C (f)
and Minion SS
EXO (r) 27.5x2.3in
tyres
Brakes SRAM
Guide R,
200/180mm
Bar/stem Race
Face ffect 35,
760mm/Race
Face ffect 35,
50mm
Seatpost/saddle
RockShox Reverb
Stealth 150mm
dropper/SDG
Circuit MTN
Weight 14.3kg (L)
trek remedy
9 race shop limited
Trek have done a sterling job with
just about every element of this bike
and its engaging ride makes even
the dullest trails fun, though wed
prefer a Solo Air fork
SPEC
The travel-adjus
t Lyrik
doesnt feel quite Frame Alpha
as
supportive as the Platinum
regular fork aluminium,
incredibly active and supple feel. It 150mm travel
makes good use of its 150mm of Fork RockShox
travel, maintaining impressive levels Lyrik RC Dual
of traction and keeping the rear tyre Position Air,
which doesnt have a particularly 130-160mm travel
Shock RockShox
deep tread planted on the trail.
Deluxe RT3
Theres enough support from the RE:aktiv
suspension when you start to really Drivetrain SRAM
push things too. Coupled with the X1 (1x11)
solid chassis, this means the bike feels Wheelset
proportions for the most part and accurate and fast when youre Bontrager Line
Comp 30 Boost
a cracking spec for the cash. throwing it between linked turns at
wheels, Bontrager
www.canyon.com pace. In nadgery, tight situations, the SE4 Team Issue
* Price excludes packing/shipping. Remedys agile handling and relaxed 27.5x2.4in tyres
angles (even in the high geometry Brakes SRAM
setting) make it a serious contender. If Guide RS, 180mm
Bar/stem
trek remedy 9 race you do prefer things lower and slacker,
theres the option to rake out the head
Finishing kit is mostly
from Treks in-house
Bontrager Line 35,
780mm/
shop limited 3,200 angle and drop the BB via the Mino
Link chips at the top of the seatstays.
brand, Bontrager Bontrager Line
Knock Block 35,
While Trek have done well with the 50mm
he Trek may not be able to overall spec, the Remedy 9 felt a little pressure to get the support needed Seatpost/saddle
t match the other bikes here

for value for money, but you
outclassed by the other bikes here, at
times, on the high-speed trails of
to keep the front end of the bike
propped up on really rough trails,
Bontrager Drop
Line 125mm
dropper/
can buy it from a bricks-and-mortar Punta Ala. The Race Shop Limited and this will have an effect on the Bontrager Evoke 2
shop and it rides well both uphill and bikes all get travel-adjust forks with suspension balance. At least the Weight 14.1kg
down. Although it squats a little under 10mm more travel (160mm) than the high-volume tyres and broad rims (17.5in)
power, the low-speed compression standard Remedy in this case, a help with traction and smoothing
lever on the proprietary RE:aktiv rear RockShox Lyrik Dual Position Air. We out smaller trail chatter.
firms things up nicely when you do cant help thinking that the standard While we were in Italy, the Remedy
need to slog to the top. Start heading (Solo Air) Lyrik, as found on the 9 became another bike to suffer from
back down, and Treks ABP concentric Canyon, Radon and YT, would have post-Brexit price rises, with 200
dropout pivot and Full Floater shock been a better fit. Youll need to add added to its original 3,000 RRP.
linkage give the suspension an volume spacers and a little extra air www.trekbikes.com
commencal
meta am v4.2 race
With a hard-to-fault spec, sorted
suspension and great ride feel, the
Meta AM is tough to pick fault with, but
the tall seat tube and heel-clipping
SPEC back end mean it wont suit all
The 1x11 SRAM
Frame Aluminium, GX transmission
160mm travel gets an X01 rea
r
Fork RockShox mech upgrade
Lyrik RCT3 Solo
Air Boost, 170mm
travel
Shock RockShox
Super Deluxe RC3
commencal meta
Drivetrain SRAM
GX with X01 rear with mastic tape as soon as the bike
am v4.2 race 3,037*

mech (1x11) lands on your doorstep.
Wheelset Mavic The tall 490mm seat tube was the
427 rims on only real issue for some testers, who
Formula hubs,
found they couldnt slam the saddle
Maxxis High Roller
c
II EXO 27.5x2.4in ommencal have a knack of low enough on steeper descents. (Its
(f) and Maxxis getting frame stiffness just worth noting that theres a 50mm
Minion DHR II EXO right, and the Meta AM V4.2 difference between the seat tube
27.5x2.3in (r) tyres is no exception. Theres enough give lengths on the medium and large
Brakes SRAM
to prevent it feeling harsh when frames.) If you do have long enough
Guide RS,
200/180mm youre slapping turns or pummelling legs to make it work for you though,
Bar/Stem Ride through boulder fields but it remains youll not be disappointed with how when pedalling and descending. Not
Alpha, 780mm/ taut under power and surprisingly the Meta feels on the trail. everyone experienced this to the
Ride Alpha, 50mm efficient on the climbs, especially The spec is great as youd expect same extent though. After a hard
Seatpost/ considering its 14.7kg weight. At of one of the most expensive bikes on weeks riding in Italy, all of the Metas
Saddle RockShox
higher speeds, the suspension test, which ended up coming in just pivot bolts had worked themselves
Reverb Stealth
150mm dropper/ balance between the top-end Lyrik over our 3,000 threshold. Highlights loose, so pre and post-ride checks are
Ride Alpha fork and Super Deluxe RC3 shock is include some of our favourite rubber well worthwhile. Wed also
Weight 14.7kg (L) fantastic, with superb mid and from Maxxis, quality Mavic rims and recommend getting rid of the tubes
end-stroke support that creates an the crisp, accurate shifting and wide as quickly as possible, as the Meta
incredibly stable ride through the gear range of SRAM GX. was the bike that suffered the most
wildest sections of trail. Its quiet too, Minor issues to note include the punctures of the final six.
with no nasty chain slap or cable broad back end, which caused some www.commencal-store.co.uk
rattle, so youll not need to faff about testers issues with heel rub, both * Price excludes packing/shipping.
whyte g-160 s 2,599
hile UK-based Whyte Yari, with its less sophisticated
w cant compete directly,
spec for spec, with the
damper. Its still a great fork, but
the Lyrik is just that bit smoother
direct-sales brands, the equipment and more composed. Still, the
choices on the G-160 S are really guys at Whyte know what theyre SPEC
well considered and the geometry doing, and slapping a huge 2.5in
Frame 6061-T6
is superb and in some areas, WTB Convict tyre on a wide WTB
aluminium,
really quite radical. At 479mm, the STs i29 rim works a treat for taking 160mm travel
reach of the medium G-160 trumps the edge off that annoying trail Fork RockShox
that of all the nominally larger chatter and buzz, flattering the Yari RC Solo Air
bikes here. The angles that count fork nicely in the process. It feels Boost, 160mm
arent as crazy or out-there as you well-supported too, and the High travel
Shock RockShox
might think, though, with the head Grip compound holds its own on Monarch R
angle measuring in at 65.5 degrees damp rocks and roots. DebonAir
and a seat angle of 74.5 degrees. The only real hang-up for Drivetrain SRAM
At 332mm, the BB is one of the us with this bike is the rear GX with SRAM
lowest on test and really does suspension, which requires Descendant
cranks
bolster the bikes corner-carving some patience to get feeling
Wheelset WTB
potential. Everywhere we tried the right. Adding four volume bands STs i29 rims on
Whyte, it was its shape that really made an immediately noticeable alloy hubs, WTB
stood out and made us want to improvement, but the rear end still Convict Light/
ride that bit harder. Its proportions didnt feel as capable or supportive High Grip
and cohesive build kit make it a lot as wed have liked when trucking 27.5x2.5in (f) and
WTB Riddler
of fun to ride at speed. on through rough terrain. Its by
Light/Fast Rolling
Whytes competitive pricing and no means a bad set-up, but when 27.5x2.4in (r) tyres
traditional sales model explain why compared to the competition here, Brakes SRAM
the G-160 is the only bike in the it does fall ever so slightly short. Guide R, 180mm
top six to come with a RockShox www.whyte.bike Bar/stem Whyte
35, 780mm/
Whyte Gravity 35,
40mm
Seatpost/saddle
RockShox Reverb
Stealth dropper/
Whyte
Weight 14.6kg (M)
Some fettling is needed

to get the Whyte working
at its best, such as adding
spacers to the shock
whyte g-160 s
The aggressive geometry and solid
spec sheet make you want to ride
the G 160 as hard as you can. Careful
shock tuning is needed if you want
to push hard in rough terrain though
" with superb geometry, well-balanced
suspension and a killer spec list, the
swoop is seriously impressive, giving you
confidence on just about any trail"
radon swoop 170 8.0
ts been a hard-fought battle could be angled more aggressively,

i for the top spot, and now that
the dust has settled and the
especially when its clever ShapeShifter
unit gives the option of switching into a
mud has finally dried, its great to see more uphill-friendly mode.
two bikes in the top six that are still One bike that really stood out thanks
available through local bike shops. to its geometry was the G-160. Its spec
While its hard for brands such as may not be quite as enticing as that of
Whyte and Trek to compete on spec, the direct-buy bikes here, but you can
being able to go into a shop and see a tell Whytes British team have sweated
bike for yourself still counts for a lot. over the details. Its held back slightly
After-sales care is generally less by suspension niggles though.
complicated too. And dont forget that With suspension balance being so
if you buy online, youll need to add important, its great that it takes so
packing and shipping costs to the price. little time to get the YT, Commencal
Back to the bikes, and while Treks and Radon feeling just right. All three
rejuvenated Remedy is a great are capable in the rough stuff and offer
machine, its Dual Position Air fork just some great angles. The Capras sizing
doesnt feel as good as the standard feels like it needs updating though,
Lyrik and, at times, throws the balance while the Mega AM could do with losing
of the bike out a little. In such a hotly- a few millimetres from its seat tube.
contested slugging match, these little When it boiled down to it, it was the
details really count. The recent 200 Radons geometry that won us over.
price hike doesnt help either. Nothing else here felt quite as easy or
Canyons Strive has always scored fluid to ride as the Swoop 170. Its well-
well with us thanks to its smooth, considered spec, low-slung feel, great
silent, speed-carrying prowess, along suspension balance and astounding
with a cracking spec. But while its price make it an incredible bike, which
well-proportioned in terms of fit, it just needs some burlier rubber.
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Photo: Sven Martin
Best known for uhrs is super-

th u si a st ic co e previews,
en
Claudio Caluori also manages
Scott DH team and is the man the
behind
some of the worlds
best pump tracks

ith his hands wedged deep into the pockets of his
fashionable, lightweight pea coat, Claudio Caluori
proclaims, in a voice familiar to race fans all over the
world: Its a cool track, but I think I should get a bigger
jacket! The cuttingly cold Highland wind is knocking
him about, but the Swiss national has a good excuse for
underdoing things in the outer layers department hes
just spent several weeks building a pump track in Pretoria,
South Africa, where temperatures were hovering around
35C. This, though, is Inverness. In December. Admitting
defeat, he heads to his hire car to puffa up and returns
with an even wider, warmer smile.
LIFE AS A LIFER
The race scene is full of people whove been kicking
around the sport, in one form or another, for most of
their lives, but few can boast the smorgasbord of hats
worn by Claudio. More recently, hes become famed Claudio may struggle to keep up with
for his GoPro-shot course previews, which form part of todays top racers but he was pretty
Red Bull TVs coverage of the Downhill World Cup and rapid in his day this shot was taken
other major events. He whoops, laughs, screams and at the 2000 Arai World Cup in Japan
occasionally even sings his way down the fastest tracks
in the world, before taking his place beside Rob Warner
in the commentary booth. In between rounds, he pilots
the leviathan that is The Black Pearl the bus and HQ smiles. You can actually see the Empire State Building
of the Scott factory team, which he runs. On top of this, and the Statue of Liberty from our pump track, which
he operates Velosolutions, a company specialising in is absolutely crazy!
designing and building pump tracks all over the world. Its Velosolutions burst onto the track building scene
this latter hat that brings him to Inverness. with the now infamous Champry World Cup track
The new track in Bught Park was built by the UK arm back in 2004. To be honest, I didnt even choose that
of Velosolutions, which includes long-time pro rider mountain, Claudio says. I told the organiser that we
Duncan Ferris and has more flow than the very narrowest should find another one as it seemed a bit over the top!
parts of the mighty Zambezi. There are multiple lines, My dog wouldnt even walk down that track when we were
some knuckle-sharpening transfers and the back building it, it was that steep.
section features a succession of over-head-height,
tighter-than-they-look berms. Claudio confesses that the RACING ROOTS
Highland cold pales in severity to the extreme heat hes Before he picked up a shovel and stamped in his first
experienced on some builds. The toughest ones were roller, Claudio was a racer, and a pretty good one at that.
probably New York and Oklahoma City, he says. It was I started mountain biking right when mountain biking
41C, so when youre spreading the tar, you have 180 started! It was somewhere around 1992 or 91, he says.
radiating up towards you and 41 coming down on to you. The young Caluoris focus up until then had been on
Its like doing the toughest workout you know, but in a playing ice hockey, at a pretty serious level. Fed up with
sauna. I got close to passing out a couple of times and a driving him to training every day, his parents suggested
lot of the guys had to go and puke somewhere. We had he should get a mountain bike. I started liking the ride
funny reactions in Oklahoma. We were laying the asphalt to hockey training more than the training itself, he laughs.
into the turns so the heat surrounded us. It genuinely felt Naturally competitive, racing soon followed, in the form
like we were burning. of cross-country.
Photo: Jacob Gibbins
In 2016 alone, Claudio had a hand in the construction When I was 19 I rode past a BMX track and thought,
of 25 pump tracks, but its the one he built on Long Woah! What the f**k is this?!, and so I did a couple of
Island, back in 2015, which really stands out. When laps and ended up buying a BMX, he says. Although
we built the Brooklyn track, sometimes I had to turn hed never race his 20in-wheeled bike, Claudio ended
off the machines and check that I wasnt dreaming, he up spending his winters training on it at the track.

claudio
CLAUDIOS WISDOM
The new punks
The British DH racers are
definitely the new punks of the
sport! But then you have some of
the most professional riders too.
Actually, the biggest punks are
the Kiwis!
Pump track maths

Depending on the size of the
track, we use between 100 and
300 tons of asphalt. Inverness has
260 tons. We get trucks of roughly
10 tons, sometimes two trucks at a
time, so when they start arriving
we need to get it in fast before it
starts cooling.
Guitar hero
The ideal day is when I have time
to ride and time to play the guitar.
The guitar is my really big love
but it takes me away from the
ladies! When we built the track in
Brooklyn, we had a day off,
walked through Manhattan and
a random dude offered me a guitar
lesson. He showed me some things
in 10 minutes and I went and
bought a guitar.
Surprise! Youre ahead!

Photo: Malcom Fearon
My best race was getting fourth
at Mont-Sainte-Anne in 2002. I
went there with a blood infection
from a crash and wasnt even
supposed to race. I didnt expect
anything from that race but when
I crossed the line I went into first!
THE 90S WERE FULL-ON PUNK
FOUR RIDERS IN MY FIA T UNO,
Fond farewell
My favourite racer? Steve [Peat].
SLEEPING IN TENTS... IT WA Hes always friendly, he shows
JUST REALLY, REALLY COOLS

passion and the fun of the sport.
Obviously theres a serious part
to the sport, you need to train,
but its the same for everybody.
He does it for the passion and he
loves it, you can see it. The sport is
definitely going to miss him.
Come XC race season, what he lost in fitness compared

to his road-riding rivals, he quickly recouped on the
downhill sections.
The late 1990s were the wonder years of DH racing
when, amid the extreme sports boom, it began to forge
its own personality, helped in no small measure by riders
such as Shaun Palmer. It was full-on punk, Claudio
recalls. I only ever wore clothes that my father and
maybe even my grandfather had worn before me! We
always had at least four riders in my Fiat Uno, we were
always sleeping in tents... It was just really, really cool.
The doors started opening for Claudio at a World Cup
round in Snoqualmie Pass, near Seattle, in 1998. Its a race
widely remembered for being Steve Peats first top-flight
You can stick your chest out and wear win, and for Claudio it was also a career-defining moment,
as much tartan as you like, Claudio with a 23rd place finish. Coming home from there, I was
youre not a true Scot, and we know immediately taken onto the national team for the World
youre desperate for a nice big coat! Champs, and from there on my career really started.
A national title (the first of seven) followed in 99, and

Photo: Sven Martin
Were not sure whats more

striking the New York
skyline or those perfectly
sculpted berms and rollers
WHEN WE BUILT THE bike (and including UK pinner Joe Smith, now with
BROOKLYN TRACK I Norco). The angles were so different from todays
bikes, Claudio says. When you look at them [00s
HAD TO CHECK I downhill bikes] now, they look all weird.
WASNT DREAMING ROCK THE MIC

A very different door opened for Claudio when he
was offered the chance to co-commentate on a
Claudio started making the now achingly cool pilgrimage World Cup round in 2013. They did a test with me
made by many European pros of the time to sunny in Windham, he recalls. Id done some Red Bull
California for winter training. Crashed Ice commentary before that but I thought
That was awesome. All those guys who were out I sucked at that, and to be honest, I still think that I
there (Eric Carter, Brian Lopes, Steve Peat) were fully suck at it. But people for some reason seem to like
sponsored and quite corporate, and I was just a punk! he me! The biggest challenge with it is to be focused
laughs. The guys didnt even like to sit in the same car as for those two or three hours. The first season I didnt
me, as I stank pretty bad! enjoy it but Im starting to enjoy it now.
The 2016 World Championships was really good,
THE END OF A DREAM he continues. It was a funny day! Its still crazy that
By 2007, and now into his third year aboard the Intense Danny Hart won all four of those final races though.
factory outfit, Claudio had reached a point where he You see that on so many occasions when guys win
was, by his own admission, maxed out. I had the same their first race, they just go on and do a whole series.
trainer as Greg Minnaar and was following the programme Stevie Smith, Aaron Gwin, Sam Hill... It happens a lot.
364 days a year, he frowns. I had the same nutritionist As we say our goodbyes, Claudio is frantically
as Roger Federer. I had a mental coach who... didnt tapping away at his iPhone to find out when
really help at all! I was being a perfectionist and doing tomorrows flight is scheduled for and just how big
everything so seriously, yet still my results went down. I a party can be had with the crew as a result. His is
had a kid by then too, and couldnt justify the effort and a lesson about how a life can be built on and made
focus I was putting into racing when I wasnt bringing to grow around bikes. As he wolfs down the last
home any money or wins. remnants of his first ever macaroni pie, a sly smile
Opportunity arrived, in the form of a chance to start up spreads across his face and his dark brown eyes light
a new Swiss-based, Tomac-branded team equipped with up therell be time for that party after all. Time for
the American brands iconic-looking 204 Magnum DH a jacket change

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Italian Alps

HIGH
ALTITUDE
OVER
NIGHTER
Dan Milner experiences the pain and rewards of
riding in the breathtaking (literally) Italian Alps

ISLE
Italian
OF ARRAN
Alps
M
ASSIMO, OUR ITALIAN guide, has learnt larch needles. But sometime between now and then, it
a new swear word from his two British co- feels like someone punched me in the chest. And I only
adventurers. It has four letters. Its not a word have myself to blame. When I was invited to sample
Id say in front of my mum, but luckily the Aostas perfect singletrack, I snubbed the idea of the
only other living thing close enough to hear easy rewards of shuttle runs. Instead I wanted to earn my
our profanities is an ibex. It stares at us with a descents, forgetting the lung-bruising efforts involved
bemused look from behind fearsome horns. in riding at altitude. And so the target for our three-day
We might share the ibexs backyard but we ride is to overnight in the Luciano Gratton bivouac, a tiny
dont have his agility, and the air around us metal shelter perched on the side of the wild, tumbling
darkens each time our feet slip backwards Traio glacier, buried deep within Italys Gran Paradiso
on the loose gravel. Ahead, our steep trail National Park. Frequented by few other than hardened
zigzags never-endingly upwards towards mountaineers, our accommodation confidently ticks
a tiny col, which isnt much more than a chink in the the bike-adventure box. But reaching it means crossing
mountains otherwise impenetrable armour. Somewhere two 3,200m cols and climbing more than two vertical
on the other side sits a refuge and all the comforts that kilometres with the bikes.
come with it food, beds and beer. These rewards are
proving to be hard-earned.
The Col du Lasson, which were sweating our way
towards, sits at 3,299m the kind of altitude that starts Another shout from Massimo finally breaks the silence
to play havoc with your breathing. Im no stranger to and the hypnotic magnetism of the dusty trail passing
riding bikes at these heights, beneath my feet. His tone
but this kind of breathless has changed for the
experience usually follows I PLOD SLOWLY ON, GASPING IN positive, which means hes
a long-haul flight to Nepal
or Colorado, not a short
THE THIN AIR, BIKE STRUNG reached the pass. Hey
guys, were here! he
drive out of an Italian ACROSS MY BACK, DISPATCHING shouts, his voice echoing
town bristling with pasta
restaurants and tourists.
THE GLANCES OF IBEX WITH around the rock face
before spiralling downwards
Without the in-flight movie CURSES AND SETTING MYSELF into the valley below, as
and tepid, foil-wrapped
airline meal, Im not mentally
LITTLE TARGETS AHEAD if disappearing down a
plughole. I climb into the
prepared for the slog that tiny gap in the rocks
greets me. So I plod slowly on, gasping in the thin air, bike alongside him, look back at the 1,600m climb now behind
strung across my back, dispatching the glances of ibex us and slide my bike from my back. Its beautifully-
with curses and setting myself little targets ahead. When sculpted carbon frame is camouflaged in a mishmash of
I reach that big rock up there, Ill rest for a few seconds, I strapped-on luggage. A drybag decorates the handlebar,
bargain, in a display of stoic resolve. Effort and reward another crams the space between shock and top tube,
the mantra that keeps me sane, when true sanity would and a sleeping bag liner hangs impotently from the
question what the heck were doing here. And so I lurch saddle rails. Its an impromptu attempt to transfer weight
onwards, stopping and starting like an old L-plate adorned from my backpack to the bike, but considering Ive
Austin Metro with a sticky clutch.
Rewind five hours, and Massimo, James Brickell and I

were riding out of Maisonesse, a small village just up the
valley from his Aosta Valley Freeride company HQ. Spirits
were high, as they are when the going is easy, and we
pedalled along smooth forest trails carpeted orange with
Right Unrolling Opposite page

the cloud The fruits of the
blankets to uphill labour
drop into a are picked all
1,600m the way down
descent at to Cogne, in the
dawn Aosta Valley

Italian Alps
GRAVITY DRAGS US INTO A FINAL

CHARGE TOWARDS THE REFUGE. WE
ARRIVE JUST AS THE SETTING SUN
THROWS IT INTO SHADOW AND STEALS
THE LAST REMNANTS OF WARMTH
actually carried the bike for at least half of todays climb,

Above Our trio
timed it perfectly, its a ploy thats effectively failed.
descending from Venturing into the unknown always comes with risks
the 3,299m Col du risk of failure, risk of being beaten back by the weather,
Lasson at dusk and risk of breaking a limb on trails that are a test of skill and
riding right to the
refuge's front door mental fortitude alike. And as our three-day adventure is
as dinner was served suggesting, you dont have to take a long-haul flight to find
both adventure and the risks that go with it.
Right Dans DIY
bikepacking set-up
who says your bike
needs tractor tyres
and a rigid rear end We squat in the tiny keyhole that is the Col du Lasson,
to go adventuring? sitting between two vast, deep valleys, and survey the
scene, elated to just reach this point. The air is clear, the
light crisp and the glacier-guarded peak of the 4,061m
Gran Paradiso looms in the middle distance. Its great bulk
foils any sense of scale. Below us a green mid-mountain
plateau fans out and leads our eyes to the Vittoria Sella
GIMME SHELTER: MOUNTAIN REFUGE TIPS refuge a couple of squat buildings that mark the end of
1. Double up 2. Balance the load 3. Share the adventure our first days riding. I use the word riding ambiguously.
Layers are key to Spreading some of your You only need one stove, Rolling off our tiny perch, the 600m descent ahead begins
overnight adventures. overnight kit onto your cooking pot and tube of with a trail so loose and steep it redefines the term. I slide
Pack extra layers you can bike takes it off your back toothpaste between you, in behind Massimo and James, with both wheels locked in
ride in and one basic for better agility on the not one each. Keep the
change of underwear for descents. A coupe of dry weight minimal and a barely-controlled slide, my right foot hanging in the air for
the night ahead. Dont bags, some straps and youll appreciate it on stability. After three switchbacks I regain the confidence
forget a thermal baselayer some experimentation the descents as well needed to weave around this steep, barren mountainside
and a hat. can deliver a decent ad as the ascents. on a trail that wouldnt look out of place if Nepalese yaks
hoc bikepacking system.
were treading it, before gravity drags us into a final charge
towards the refuge. We arrive just as the setting sun throws
it into shadow and steals the last remnants of warmth from
its terrace. Despite the encroaching chill, we sit, absorbed
by the scenery and unable to venture inside.
With bellies still full from the inexhaustible ladles of soup
delivered last night at dinner, we ride from the refuge at
sunrise to get a jump on the heat. At 2,600m altitude were
breathing only three-quarters of the oxygen wed enjoy at
sea level, and each steep section of trail leaves us gasping.
By the time we reach the next tiny pass, the 3,193m Colle

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Italian Alps
shed crams nine bunk beds into its musty interior. As

we unpack our stove and collect snow to melt for tea, I
contemplate how this hut might smell with nine climbers
or sweaty mountain bikers squeezed inside for a night.
I scan the horizon a rugged ridge of four peaks that
tops out at the 3,969m Grivola (a mountain thats been
on climbers radars since it was first summited in 1859)
before sighing with relief. The mountains and majestic
glacier are empty, and it looks like we might have the
place to ourselves. Eat your heart out Airbnb.
As the sun slips behind the horizon, we tear open foil

sachets to devour the freeze-dried meals weve carried
from day one. Layering the bivouacs heavy blankets on
the bunks in readiness for the sub-zero night ahead, we
stare out at a landscape that glows pink before its final
dying embers are lost to the night. This little tin shed,
Della Rossa, the bikes are back on our backs as our cleats named after a local alpinist, has harboured climbers
clatter across the scree. The solitude is fuelling my sense since its construction in 1984. We have no idea if
of adventure but the thin air is still humbling any physical mountain bikers have ever slept here. Certainly, its a
exertion. Its a schizophrenic experience. first for Massimo, and he confesses that he didnt know
Im stopped in my tracks when I reach the last ridge. the trail to the bivouac. That would explain why we
Before us, perched on the edge of a steep cliff above climbed 300m more than we had to and came in above
a crevasse-torn glacier, sits the focus of our ride the it, then, laughs James.
Luciano Gratton bivouac. Im not exactly sure what I was Choosing this hard-to-reach shelter as the focus of our
expecting, but its not much more than a little metal shed. adventure was a gamble and made for a rollercoaster of
Its corrugated metal exterior glints welcomingly in the sun, emotions on the way. But now the pain is starting to pay
but seen in context amid this wild, perilous landscape, its back. In the morning, as the sun peers above a tumbling
little more than a desperate stab at taming the untamable. sea of valley cloud, well launch into 1,664 vertical metres
Its a fragment of manmade flotsam washed up on a of dusty descent, down a trail that flows across myriad
remote mountain beach and clinging onto hope. landscapes. But for now, the starry night sky steals our
Top Not your Below Knowing
average Airbnb, there's another Several cables anchor the metal bivouac in place attention. The air is cold, our clothing crusty, our blankets
but the Luciano 1,500m of steel promises of resilience in the face of whatever the prickly and our drinking water full of gritty sediment, but
Gratton bivouac climbing ahead harsh alpine environment might throw at it. Whatever we wouldnt have it any other way. Its easy to think that
boasts an is enough to the rewards of lung-crushing climbs lie in the squeal of
their noble ambitions, we instantly conscript these
ambitious test resolve,
sleeping bike-carrying cables into clothes-drying duties, slinging our sweat- brakes on a descent, but as the clich says, life is about
capacity all skills and lung soaked jerseys over them while we unbolt the sheet-steel the journey, not just the destination. Rides are like that
the same capacity alike entrance door. Despite its 9m2 footprint, this meagre too, even if they leave you breathless.
THE SOLITUDE IS FUELLING MY SENSE

OF ADVENTURE BUT THE THIN AIR IS
HUMBLING ANY PHYSICAL EXERTION.
IT'S A SCHIZOPHRENIC EXPERIENCE
Porn.
www.ubyk.co.uk
Oxford | Brighton | +44 (0)1865 596 112 | #ubykporn

on two
wheels
When the skiers leave, this stunning Austrian region
becomes a mecca for anyone addicted to pedal power
FIND OUT MORE

ABOUT ZILLERTAL
AND THE OTHER
BEAUTIFUL REGIONS
IN TIROL AT
VISITTIROL.CO.UK
Tommy Bause
A D V E R T I S E M E N T F E AT U R E
A
s winter gives way to
spring, the skiers and
snowboarders leave the
slopes of this beautiful
Alpine region, all ready
for the families, road
cyclists and mountain
bikers to move in and its no
surprise. This area is packed full
of mountain peaks, some rising
more than 3,000m, thrilling single-
trail rides and over 920km of
picturesque cycle paths.
Mario Webhofer
And thats the beauty of Tirol
there really is something for
everyone. As well as taking in the
breathtaking scenery on two wheels,
theres so much to experience:
tempt yourself with some of the TOP Explore the
regional culinary delights and
typical Tirolean hospitality, stay at
heart of the Alps,
Innsbruck Tirols bike safaris
LEFT Ride One of the best ways to explore Tirol is to tackle one of the many
a comfortable trailside inn or jump
above the clouds, exhilarating mountain bike safaris. There are over 670km of trails
on a high-end electric-assist bike for Nordkette, criss-crossing the heart of the Alps, some reaching a staggering
the ultimate easy ride. Innsbruck 32,000m. Thankfully you wont have to push the whole way. There
For more information visit BOTTOM Ride
are 22 gondolas and chair lifts to help you out so you can put all
through Alpine
www.visittirol.co.uk your efforts into coming back down. Which safari will you try first?
pastures,
Mutereralm
Innsbruck
ZILLERTAL
TULFES MAYRHOFEN MAYRHOFEN PERTISAU
The longest ascent of all the This 70km stretch takes you
safaris, this lung-burning uphill across the magnificent Zillertal
climb takes you from Inntal Valley Valley, right through to the shores
into Zillertal Valley across of Achensee Lake. This is a
Geiseljoch Col. Along the way lift-serviced, adrenalin-fuelled trail
youll take in remote mountain that takes in stupendous views,
valleys and a spectacular chocolate box villages and a
saddleback crossing. beautiful lakeside road.
TIROLER ZUGSPITZ ARENA

IMST LERMOOS LERMOOS SEEFELD
Bringing you close to the German This easy to intermediate ride
border and the majestic Zugspitze crosses the stunning terrain of
Christian Vorhofer Mountain, this route takes you on the Gaistal Valley, taking in the
a short, steep climb before natural beauty of the rugged
winding its way down the valley mountain walls that surround it.
Innsbruck along gravel and paved roads, Its a 600m uphill pedal, but
Tirols capital is well worth a visit before finishing at Ehrwald Basin. youll be handsomely rewarded
especially as you only have to Its a technical ride with plenty to with amazing panoramas of the
test you. Leutasch Valley.
travel a few minutes from the heart
of the city to reach splendid Alpine
pastures or the jagged spires of the ST. JOHANN IN TIROL
beautiful Nordkette mountain range. KIRCHBERG ST.JOHANN ST.JOHANN WALCHSEE
Rising over 2,000m above sea
Epic climbs, great views of This ride will take you through
level, the Nordkette single trail is Kitzbheler Horn Peak and Wilder 700m of testing climbs before
the perfect place for thrill-seeking Kaiser Range, then thrilling downhills offering up 1,500m of thrilling
mountain bikers. After tackling from Gaisberg and Hahnenkamm descents. If thats not enough,
mountains. And when you reach the youll pass through luxuriant
steep curves, rock jumps and
highest elevation at Pengelstein, the forests, gentle meadows and
root passages integrated with views of the peaks before you are pretty villages, before arriving
northshores and drops, youll really quite dramatic. at beautiful Walchsee Lake.
be handsomely rewarded with
panoramic views of the city.
For the less adventurous, or even
total beginners, its worth heading to
the nearby Muttereralmpark, which
WILDSCHONAU
has a great range of trails suitable
NIEDERAU/WILDSCHONAU KIRCHBERG
for all the family. The easy single
trail starts at the mountain station With incredible views of the Brixental Valley, Wilder Kaiser Mountains
and the main ridge of the Alps, this is a gem of a ride. It has a real safari
of the cable car and then twists
feel to it with 3,000m of vertical descent. There are four lifts to give you
and turns down to the valley station. a head start, but youll still have to climb 1,000m before you can really
Find out more at let yourself go.
www.innsbruck.info
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HIGHS
Heavy construction
means it can take
plenty of abuse
MEET THE MBUK Does a sterling job
TEST TEAM OUR
of keeping you dry
LOWS
RATINGS Heats up quickly
We base our
scores on Not very packable
value for
money and
ER performance
R O B W E AV
With two decades of riding EXCEPTIONAL
experience, Rob knows what A genuine class
works and what doesnt leader
VERY GOOD
One of the best
you can buy
EVEN
G U Y K E ST GOOD
Our Kess relentless test
Itll do the job
and do it well
Madison Winter Storm
schedule quickly exposes kit waterproof jacket 149.99 FWE Coldharbour socks
that doesnt measure up
On really cold and wet days, the Winter 12.99 (pack of two pairs)
BELOW
AVERAGE Storm jacket does a great job of shielding
Flawed in you from the worst of the elements. Merino wool is a go-to material for
some way Thats partly down to just how well you keeping you as comfortable as possible
can batten it down when the weather in crappy conditions. Made from 50 per
turns. The high collar has a perforated cent merino, these socks offer excellent
S POOR
A LE X E VA N Simply put,
inner storm flap, which can be poppered warmth even when youre putting your
dont bother! into place, allowing you to unzip slightly feet through hell in cold, wet shoes on
Als back in the UK after should you start to heat up. And heat up long rides. The wool also helps to prevent
seven years in the Alps and you will, if youre doing much more than your feet smelling like a cesspit, even on
has a rep for wrecking bikes
uplifting, unless its properly Baltic sweaty days. Although the Coldharbours
outside. Thankfully the jacket has two are noticeably thicker than standard
huge vents on the chest, which do help to riding socks, you dont lose much feel
cool things slightly though the effect through the soles of your shoes. Theyre
can be stifled by pack straps. a little on the short side, falling below calf
The best
product on test, Other handy features include two height, which may be a deal breaker for
in terms of hand pockets and two chest pockets (all some, but otherwise, the relatively cheap
C K W E LL performance,
JA M E S B LA quality and of which are zipped), a removable hood price makes them a good bet. Al
price and silicone gripper print on both www.evanscycles.com
Riding nearly as fast as he shoulders that helps keep your pack
talks, Jimmers been testing
straps in place (though it does look a
kit for MBUK for 13 years
little glam rock!). When it did properly
pour, we were glad to have the Winter
Storm to fall back on and were grateful
for the adjustable openings, which
An exceptional ensured we could keep even the nastiest
product for the
money youre weather out. The sturdy fabric not only
getting a keeps rain at bay but stands up well to a
fantastic deal
ETT
ED THOMS bit of wear and tear you dont need to
be too precious with how this jacket gets
Always on the hunt for new treated, as it can handle it. The sturdy
technical challenges, Ed gives build does mean it isnt exactly compact
his kit some serious abuse
when packed down, though. Rob
www.madison.co.uk
A truly
outstanding
product,
regardless
of price Sturdy, heavily-featured jacket
that keeps the elements out but
IT E
ST LE Y W H gets warm if youre working hard
JA M ES C O
JCW casts the same critical
eye over the latest kit as he
does the articles in the mag

B R ABRAND
ND NEW
L LY C A L C UL ATED
U
T HE CA R EF A N D S POK E
Y U P
CARBON L A S A NOTICEABLY
A C I N G D E L I V ER
L FEEL
, S M O O T H
QUIE T
HIGHS
Light, lively,
traction and
comfort-enhancing,
and impressively
durable wheelset at
a reasonable price
for carbon
LOWS
Sticky, slow and
heavy tyres hide
the inherent
responsiveness
of the wheels
Too twangy for
really aggressive
riders
Mavic XA Pro Carbon wheelset 1,400 (inc. tyres)

Weighing 1,570g (29in, Boost), Mavics delivers a noticeably quiet, smooth feel in loose, loamy or kitty-litter bike park
long-awaited carbon MTB wheels sit too. At less demanding ride intensities, conditions. But the kilo weight and
between super-light XC (around 1,400g) that means excellent micro traction, path noticeable rolling drag (enough to keep us
and sturdier enduro (1,800g+) sets. The of least resistance compliance, enhanced pedalling constantly on singletrack
26mm wide (internal) hookless rims are comfort and reduced fatigue, and they feel descents where other riders were
similarly middle ground and support 2.3 great on potentially harsh trail hardtails. coasting) kills the potentially lively feel of
to 2.4in tyres really well, with easy Start pushing them hard, though, and the wheels. The small knobs also mean
inflation as long as youre careful not to the 3D distortion particularly as they wet and sloppy trails need care, and wear
damage the taped seal. While the hubs unload out of corners and G-outs is rapid too. After repeatedly getting
are new, the ITS-4 freehub is the same can be momentarily, but significantly, dropped by riders we normally ruin, we
bombproof, quick-reacting 10-degree disconcerting. Theres noticeable softness switched to a faster-rolling rear and
unit weve been using for several years. through the cranks too, and off-camber grippier front tyre combo. This
The wheels come in 650b and 29in sizes, wander if you really stamp on the pedals. immediately made the wheels feel a whole
and all axle flavours besides 20mm front. Considering the R&D time thats gone lot livelier, restoring our faith in them. Guy
Laterally stiff but vertically compliant into these wheels, the price is www.mavic.com
is an established frame clich and some impressively affordable (for carbon)
pro downhillers have been running especially given that it includes a set of
deliberately soft wheels for years, but Mavics Quest Pro tyres. In theory, these
Mavic are among the first to implement complement the wheels perfectly, but we Responsive, traction-boosting,
the idea on production hoops. The dumped them pretty quickly. The large
carefully-calculated carbon fibre lay-up 2.35in Guard2 carcass is beautifully
fatigue-reducing trail wheels, but too
and offset two-cross lacing of the 24 damped and shock sucking, and the twangy for the smash-and-grab gang
double-butted, bladed spokes (no X-Mix dual-compound rubber is
signature Mavic fat alloy spokes here) enduro-soft for outstanding adhesion

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FWE tyre levers 3.99

Sold as a set of three, the plastic FWE
levers are surprisingly stiff for their size,
with well-shaped hooks that are simple
to clip onto any spokes. Theyre best
used in a pair, since the slightly rough
material combined with the shape of the
tip makes it difficult to slide them
around the tyre bead. Also, the tip isnt
as hooked as on some levers, which
makes it easy to drop the bead of
stubborn tyres. While the FWE levers do
the job, wed recommend spending a
little more. Ben
www.evanscycles.com
SixSixOne Evo II gloves

43.99 Bontrager Lithos shorts
Knuckle protection used to mean 69.99
having a big chunk of plastic or carbon
sewn onto the back of your glove, but The latest Lithos shorts use an
luckily weve moved on since the days of integrated belt system to allow you to get
those unergonomic monstrosities. The the fit just right, alongside a double
new Evo IIs from SixSixOne have rubber popper and fly closure to ensure they
strips on each knuckle and a pre-curved, stay put. Theres enough give in the
flexible D3O underlayer that hardens on lightweight, stretchy fabric to keep
impact but otherwise leaves hand pedalling unrestricted and the deep
movement on the bar unobstructed. waistband doesnt dig in or feel
Made from Clarino synthetic leather, the uncomfortable even on long days in the
palm gives an excellent bar feel but will hills. The two zipped hand pockets are
still protect your hands when you take a useful for essentials, and if thats not
digger. Theres also a thicker pad on the enough, theres a zipped thigh pocket
heel of the palm for a bit of impact too. While the baggy fit means the shorts
protection. So far, the gloves have will easily accommodate knee pads, it
shrugged off everything weve thrown at does make the legs quite flappy over
them, apart from being a bit less white bare knees. Rob
than they started out! Theyre not the www.trekbikes.com
prettiest mitts around, but hey, theyre a
hell of a lot better looking than armoured
gloves used to be. Ed
www.hotlines-uk.com

Ergon SMD2 Comp saddle
76.99
The SMD2 is Ergons downhill-specific
perch. With chromoly steel rails and a
carbon composite shell, the Comp model
weighs 200g. When riding downhill, the
saddles main role is to help with
balance, along with a bit of seated
pedalling and the odd sat-down foot-out
drift. Ergons solution is a robust seat
with a flat-ish backwards-sloping profile
and no perineal cutout. The narrow,
stubby shape (256mm long x 125mm HIGHS
wide) meant we never felt as though our Light and really well
movement on the bike was obstructed, ventilated
and the padded edges definitely make it Feature loaded
comfier on the insides of the thighs than
some. The dimpled non-slip pad on top LOWS
didnt seem to make much difference.
Obvious pressure
Apart from this, the SMD2 does
points and unstable
everything that it sets out to well, but for fit for most of our
the price, we think it would be fair to testers
expect titanium rails. Ed
www.extrauk.co.uk
Giant Rail MIPS helmet 99.99

At under 100 and with an impressively
ventilated, vaulted design, Giants new
Rail looks promising on paper, but the
awkward fit let it down for our test team.
Its external shaping is bang on trend,
with extra depth over the temples and
the rear of the skull. The dial-tightened,
height-adjustable cradle looks the same
as on many helmets that fit fine too.
Unfortunately, the Rail felt perched and
continued to rock sideways even when
we tightened it up enough to cause
obvious pressure from the rear harness
and the two hard lumps that protrude
beneath the MIPS liner on the brow. The
exposed polystyrene lowers are
vulnerable to cosmetic damage as well.
Its still worth a look in case it fits
you, though. The big vents open into
deep, wide ventilation channels over the
cutaway MIPS liner and narrow pads for
impressive cooling airflow. It radiates
heat well too, even when youre crawling
along, and the cutaway design means
its also light (340g) for the depth of
coverage. The flexible peak flips up for
goggle storage and theres even an
elasticated bungee V to hold the strap
in place at the back. That gully at the
front is designed to hold a camera mount
securely too. Guy
www.giant-bicycles.com
Lightweight, well ventilated and

affordable extended-coverage
trail/enduro lid, but with it issues

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HIGHS
Smoothly
WTB Convict 27.5x2.5in tyre
squeezed, heat
resistant,
49.99 (Tough/High Grip version)
lightweight control
with eco-friendly oil WTBs new Convict is a suitably
thuggish-looking tyre designed for max
LOWS grip in all conditions. Theres a lot of
growl from the big, split, one/two/one
Adequate rather
block treads on smoother surfaces but
than amazing
power matching mechanical traction where
they can dig in. The rank of supported
Early bite point
wont suit everyone split-top side knobs does the same when
you get it leant over too, and its
potentially a promising tyre. Where
WTBs offerings still fall down compared
to the best of the current aggro tyres is
the carcass. The Heavy Duty version is
nearly 1,300g and as solidly wooden and
uncommunicative as old DH tyres, even
at low pressure. While the Light carcass
saves a couple of hundred grams, its still
over a kilo and is prone to squirm and
Formula Cura brake collapse if you drop pressure too low.
158.95 (per end) Lezyne Digital Pressure This means the Convict isnt as
controlled as similar weight, well-
The Cura is the first Formula brake to Drive mini pump 69.99 damped tyres like the Mavic Charge,
use mineral oil rather than synthetic DOT e*thirteen TRSr and Schwalbe Magic
fluid and it also has a conventional This little alloy pump has a detachable Mary when the riding gets radical. Guy
compression (rather than extension) hose, which screws neatly into the handle www.hotlines-uk.com
actuated master cylinder. Feel is still when not in use. A bleed valve on the
signature Formula though, with careful hose makes it easy to unscrew the pump
set-up required for scuff-free running and from the valve without removing the
early pad contact that wont suit lever on valve core or twisting the valve stem in
the grips fans. Power is adequate rather the rim a great feature, which saves faff
than amazing too (their RO brake is on the trail. Its real selling point, though,
significantly more stoppy) so aggro riders is the in-built digital pressure gauge.
will want a 200/180mm rotor pairing. Although we did get the odd high or low
A set weve been testing on an e-bike reading, for the most part we found it to
in the testing terrain of the Maritime be very accurate, which meant we didnt
Alps has only been fading slightly on the need to carry a separate digital gauge.
most mental and extended descents. Its This is the all-rounder version of the
also managed 850km on the first set of pump, capable of inflating tyres to a
sintered pads, with no oil contamination whopping 120psi useful if you have a
either. Our second set, being used back commuter or road bike too, but the
home, has worn faster and weve had higher-volume Digital Alloy Drive
squealing issues and some slow-return (69.99) will get mountain bike tyres up
pad drag in really clarty conditions, but quicker. With the Digital Pressure Drive, it
the softly squeezed control in slippery took us 120 strokes to inflate a (tubed)
situations is impressive. 29x2.4in tyre to 29psi. Our only real gripe
At 404g (brake, 180mm rotor and is the 174g weight we wish it were a
all mounting hardware) the Cura is touch lighter. Alex
significantly lighter than other stoppers www.upgradebikes.co.uk
at this affordable price (brake only,
119). That potentially makes it a bargain
if youre looking to save weight rather
than add control. Guy
www.silverfish-uk.com
Average power but signature softly

modulated, early start Formula feel
at an affordable price

HIGHS
Tough, wide, instant
pick-up wheels
Properly secured
axle caps
LOWS
Sturdy weight
No 29er option
(there is on the
28mm Fantom AM)
FUNN Fantom DH wheelset

$599 (approx 493) Madison Alpine short-sleeve
FUNNs downhill wheels are light and jersey 34.99
responsive enough for heavy-duty trail
use, with neat user-friendly detailing to Were big fans of Madisons Alpine
match. With a 29.5mm internal width jersey here at MBUK. While the colours
(34.5mm external), the rims are ideal for are bright, the bold stripes keep things
the latest 2.4 to 2.6in tyres and theyll looking clean and simple. Thanks to the
even handle a 2.8in OK if you dont go short sleeves, breathable fabric and ION Scrub_AMP shorts 99.99
too low on pressure. They come taped mesh underarm panels, its a go-to top
and valved as standard, and while initial for hot days. The fit is great and the Theres no getting around the fact that
tyre fit can require determined sleeves are a good length too. At this IONs Scrub_AMP shorts cost a lot of
persuasion, they seal and inflate easily price, our only complaint is that the money, especially considering that they
without needing a compressor. back could be cut slightly longer to dont come with a liner. There are two zip
The wheels are fully axle versatile keep muddy spray out of your pants on pockets at the front, which will let you
and the adapters are held in place with wetter days. Ed stash the bare essentials while youre out
threaded lockrings (front) or screwed www.madison.com for a pedal. The right-hand pocket
onto the axle (rear) rather than being includes an inner neoprene sleeve to
fudged into place with O-rings. At stash your phone in, which does offer a
1,930g (900g front, 1,030g rear) for little more protection than just leaving it
our 650b Boost-width samples, theyre floating about in there with no protection
competitive on the scales, and the 102t whatsoever. Its a bloody tight fit for your
driver gives effectively instant power average smartphone though, so a bit of
pick-up. While super-fast freehubs dont a faff to get it in and out.
always last well, these have been fine so Thanks to the four-way stretch fabric
far. The rims are unscathed after regular the shorts are made from, theyre
rimming-out through rock gardens too, extremely comfy to pedal in. Two Velcro
and spoke tension and tracking adjuster tabs at the waist make tweaking
accuracy have stayed solid. Three the fit easy enough, and the cut, which
colours are available, along with 26in sits just over the knee, feels spot on, with
wheels for diehards. Guy more than enough room at the openings
www.decade-europe.com to accommodate knee pads. We cant
say were the biggest fans of the huge S
on the left leg though. Rob
www.ion-products.com
Tough, wide, tubeless-ready
hardcore wheels with instant
power pick-up

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Syncros XR1.0 SL saddle

Bontrager XR4 Team Issue 199.99
TLR 29x2.4in tyre 39.99
The almost flat, super-sleek Syncros
With average trail tyre weights creeping XR1.0 SL has proven deceptively comfy
north of 900g, Bontragers refreshed on longer rides. Thanks to the shallow
XR4 Team Issue really stands out. At relief channel that runs along its centre,
760g for the 29x2.4in version, its light you dont feel like youre squishing your
enough to put a noticeable lift in your bits while pummelling the pedals during
climbing, acceleration and general agility. particularly long days in the saddle.
Siped and sloped blocks in a 61a centre Theres also enough give in the carbon
compound with 50a shoulders mean it base and the padding on top to prevent it
rolls fast but you can still get maximum feeling harsh when the trail gets bumpy.
use out of a 200mm rotor even in filthy The microfabric cover doesnt get overly
winter conditions without it losing the slippery when wet but isnt so tacky
plot. The Inner Strength protective layer youll feel like youre constantly catching
adds puncture protection but also seems your shorts either. Padding on the nose
to increase low-pressure stability, and is sufficient rather than plentiful when
while its a tight fit to get on, tubeless youre perched right forward on steep
sealing is excellent. That all makes for a climbs but we were never there long
tyre that you can ride with the enough for it to be an issue. Thanks to
consistently connected control of a kilo the lack of aggressive angles, weve had
enduro tyre and not far off the same no short-snagging issues. At 167g its
expectations in terms of survivability, but properly light but youll need to be a real
will still put a significant injection of weight weenie to stomach the price. Rob
easy-rolling speed into your ride. Its a www.syncros.com
sound price too. Guy
www.trekbikes.com
Mons Royale Redwood jersey
75
It may be made from 83 per cent merino,
but this is no baselayer. The slouchy (but
well cut) fit puts it firmly in jersey territory,
and its stylish enough to wear in the pub
too, with the 3/4 sleeves and dropped tail
being the only giveaways that its a riding
top. Thanks to the high wool content, it
stays warm when damp with sweat or
drizzle, making it ideal for changeable
spring rides. The raglan cut helps it move
with you, the mesh back reduces
under-pack stickiness and the addition of
nylon and elastane to the fabric mix helps
it keep its shape and wick better. Our only
complaints are that the neck is a little
wide and the price is high. JCW
www.monsroyale.com

HIGHS
Relatively light
and affordable
Weatherproof
reliability and
comprehensive
spares support
LOWS
120mm stroke only
Single-bolt clamp Specialized Mountain bib
needs serious
torque to stay put
liner shorts with SWAT 65
Thanks to two shallow leg pockets and
three deeper rear pockets, Specializeds
SWAT (Storage Water Air Tools)
undershorts allow you to ditch your pack
PRO Koryak ASP dropper seatpost 199.99 on shorter rides. The leg pockets are
handy for lighter items like energy gels
Rather than developing a fresh design fine for several months so far and similar and bars, while the bigger rear pockets
for their first dropper, Shimanos posts weve used in the past have also can happily accommodate a spare tube,
finishing kit brand PRO have used a mix held up well over time. basic tools, phone or even a water
of post and remote components that are Whether you choose the vertical bottle. Wed like to see one zipped
familiar from other brands. The result is universal lever with cable noodle or pocket for keys or cash, though. Even
a relatively light (613g) and affordable the shifter-style under-bar lever for when fully loaded, the body-hugging fit
internally-routed unit thats available in single-ring set-ups (pictured, inset), the means the SWAT bibs dont sag down
both 30.9 and 31.6mm diameters. complete post price is the same and and kit stays well positioned while riding.
The single-bolt clamp needs firm spares such as a seal and bushing kit To top things off, the Specialized
tightening to stop the saddle tipping if (14.99) and spring cartridge (49.99) chamois is one of the comfiest out there,
you G-out on it, but sideways wobble are readily available. Guy which just adds to the overall value. Rob
of both head and remote lever isnt www.madison.co.uk www.specialized.com
excessive even after a few months use.
While the return speed is steady, theres
a distinct top-out clunk to tell you when
its fully extended and it doesnt slow Reliable, relatively affordable
down obviously at low temperatures.
Itll stop anywhere in its stroke too,
dropper if you dont need much
although the 120mm extension wont length and tighten the saddle well
be enough for a lot of riders/frames.
Our test sample has been functioning

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6 OF THE
CO2 INFLATORS
BEST Dont let punctures leave you feeling de lated
SKS Airbuster 21.99 w/ 16g Genuine Innovations Pro late Specialized CPRO2 Trigger
cartridge Elite 29.99 w/ 2x16g cartridges 21 w/ 16g cartridge
SO GOOD The alloy Airbuster has a SO GOOD This plastic inflator has a SO GOOD Despite being the smallest
large knob so you can regulate the flow trigger and a sprung weather cover, inflator on test, the metal CPRO2 has a
of gas, a mechanical stop to prevent the which must be activated simultaneously reassuringly solid feel. Its also the
cartridge being pierced in transit and a to inflate a tyre. A canister can be stored simplest design here, with a mechanism
dust cap to keep the valve free of debris. in the handle, which also prevents frozen that releases gas as the head is
NO GOOD While it works with Presta hands. It accepts both valve types and compressed against the valve. A short
and Schrader valves, switching between threaded and unthreaded cartridges. plastic tube allows the canister to be
them requires a fiddly change of the NO GOOD... Its the bulkiest unit here partially screwed into the head without
valve head. The thin rubber sleeve and the plastic casing doesnt feel as piercing the seal a simple but effective
doesnt provide much protection from high quality as others on test, despite the solution for transporting a cartridge.
cold spent canisters. You cant insert relatively high price. The handle wouldnt NO GOOD Theres no insulating
much of the valve into the inflator head, accept our 25g cartridges, although sleeve, so wear gloves while using it.
so you have to be careful to avoid leaks. these can be used with the head. It also only accepts Presta valves.
www.zyrofisher.co.uk www.zyrofisher.co.uk www.specialized.com/gb
Fabric CO2 Lever Kit 19.99 w/ Topeak CO2 Bra 22.99 w/ 16g Lezyne Control Drive 24.99
2x16g cartridges, 2x tyre levers cartridge w/ 16g cartridge
SO GOOD Theres a big flow-control SO GOOD The snake-shaped plastic SO GOOD... With a minimalist CNCed
knob on the Fabric inflators plastic head head of the CO2-Bra is easy to use with aluminium head, the Control Drive feels
and it accepts all sizes of threaded one hand and keeps your skin away from high quality. Despite its small size,
cartridge. It engages well with both Presta the cold surface of the cartridge. A gauge attention to detail is high too. A rubber
and Schrader valves, and resists being on the back turns red if the inflator is seal engages with the cartridge threads
twisted off the valve. The foam sleeve is armed and a thumb lever allows precise as soon as you begin loading the inflator,
the thickest on test and saved our skin control of gas flow. It accepts Presta and which means little gas is lost before the
from freezing. It may not look as elegant Schrader valves, and the forked-tongue valve is opened. The head slips easily
as others here, but works well and you get dust cap is a nice touch! over both Schrader and Presta valves,
a lot for your cash. NO GOOD We inflated our 27.5x2.35in and the control knob is knurled for grip
NO GOOD With no rubber seal (as test tyre to 20psi using a 16g cartridge and simple to operate.
found on the Lezyne inflator), you have but youll need a different inflator if you NO GOOD The price is a little high
to be quick screwing the head onto new run a firmer set-up, since the CO2-Bra considering that the inflator only comes
cartridges to avoid leaking gas. wont accept larger canisters. with a single cartridge.
www.fabric.cc www.extrauk.co.uk www.upgradebikes.co.uk

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D E
E 200N D U R O
P E C I A L I Z
EDS SCARBON 29 4, MY MONTH
ELITE First ride out and the Enduro is already lying

HIGHS
Big-wheel
benefits but chainstays, its certainly no barge
with the snappy through the turns.
handling of a
650b machine The only disadvantage Ive found
Its always exciting to swing a leg ridden, in the Welsh Valleys. The fast so far is that the taller riding position
With the SWAT
over a new bike for the first time. rolling speed of the big wheels was storage in the and the amount you need to lean
Theres that kid at Christmas instantly noticeable, as was how down tube, Ill makes cornering around tight trees
feeling, mixed with a bit of easy it seemed to be to maintain never forget a bit more awkward. There doesnt
my tools or
trepidation as you hope youve made that speed through the boggy holes seem to be much else holding the
snacks again!
the right choice. Being a downhiller I was hitting. And the corners man, Enduro back, although, with a bottom
at heart, Ive always favoured bikes this thing can corner! LOWS bracket drop of just 19mm, its a
with a fun, chuckable feel. So Ill In the first few turns I felt a bit little taller than some of its rivals.
BB is a little on
admit that I was a little nervous stiff and awkward, but I soon found the tall side Ive been running my suspension
committing to ride a 29er for the that I could lean in hard, then It comes with a fairly soft (30 per cent sag) to
whole year, since theyre renowned lean a bit more and the tyres semi-slick tyre on compensate, but I have a feeling
for being fast but not necessarily as would still be gripping. Its the back, which I that, come summer, when the trails
playful as smaller-wheeled bikes. definitely something that find useless for are running faster, Ill have to add a
UK winter riding
Within five minutes on the Enduro, takes a bit of getting used bit more air. Im going to experiment
these fears were put to rest. to, coming off a 650b with running an offset shock bush to
On my first run, I threw myself bike, but I can see the lower the BB and slacken the head
in at the deep end, down one of potential for this bike angle, and am curious to see what
the slipperiest, rockiest and most to go very fast. Thanks difference thatll make.
root-infested descents Ive ever in part to its 432mm www.specialized.com

E N T I T I
GUYSLEI 1,699.99 (frame)
D
METT
Guys absolutely loving putting the pedal to the Mettle
MY MONTH
HIGHS
Awesome
stiffness,
With brake and fork grouptests weight isnt going to make much large-sized
scheduled in, winter is the busiest difference, and its a neutral pedaller medium
time of year for any big bike on my that doesnt need any extra platform geometry and
set-and-forget
long-term roster and its a sign effect to prop it up. rear suspension
of how sorted the Mettle is that it What the Mettle does need,
pitched straight into the thick of though, is a serious front end to stop LOWS
things with no hesitation or hiccups. it being outclassed by the back end, Its not light
Weve not had to touch the so Ive swapped the Truvativ/WTB although with
RockShox Monarch shock, beyond set-up inherited from my previous so much inherent
a simple initial sag and rebound set- Devinci long-termer for a 35x32mm grip, Im thinking
of running a
up. Im tempted to try a piggyback Apex stem and 35x800mm Fatbar faster rear tyre to
or even a coil shock at some point, Carbon combo from Renthal. Ive offset the heft
though, just because the long-and- also added a couple more volume and get some
low geometry and rock-solid trail spacers to the Fox 36 Float FIT4 fork drift into the
dynamic
presence of the super-stiff frame to cope with the intense braking load mix!
mean its begging to be thrown from the SRAM Guide RE brakes, so
down the gnarliest trails without now its properly ready to fulfil its
any compromise. The super-heavy purple PR eater potential.
4kg frame means a bit more shock www.ison-distribution.com
EDS KOTNOAR DL 3,799.99

OPER A
Time to shed some puppy fat
My first impressions of the Kona
were that it handled superbly once
up to speed but on flatter gradients
the heavy weight made it feel a bit
sluggish. So Ive put the old girl
on a bit of a diet, starting with the
odd-shaped Kona bar. This has been
swapped out for a personal-favourite
combo a Race Face Atlas stem and
a SixC carbon bar, cut to 790mm.
Ive also ditched the Shimano Zee
cranks for a pair of lighter Truvativ
Descendants and lost a few cogs on
the cassette, in the form of SRAMs
new seven-speed GX DH groupset.
www.konaworld.com

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MY MONTH
H IMONTH
MY GHS
SRAM GX is mint
N T T R A N CE Im loving the
Trances fast and
GI A
JIMMENRCSED 2 3,399
agile feel
LOWS
ADVA of the Nobby Nic tyres, especially
Were not yet in
sender territory
No more inessing the bike through tricky bits its time for change! the slippery PaceStar version at the Needs grippier
tyres
rear. Acres of standover means its
A break in the shit weather saw favourite trail centres, the Forest easy to move around the bike.
me scrabbling for my gear and of Dean and BikePark Wales. Ive After our Bike of the Year shoot
hitting the trails. Post ride, with my definitely found that the bike feels in Italy I have a real hankering for
mud-caked kit soaking in a bucket, it most alive (and fun!) when hitting some wild, rocky descents. But when
seemed a good time to reflect on the notchy and good-sized drops the it comes to straight-line speed, Im
past few months riding the Trance. geometry gives me confidence and still holding back a bit. Hopefully
Starting out on a new bike during the suspension works really well. with burlier tyres Ill get into hooligan
winter has it challenges, not least The Trance is an efficient peddler territory! And Ive yet to spend much
getting down my local trails rubber- and great on the climbs for a 140mm time in the air, so Im swapping to
side down! So Ive spent a fair bike. Wet, root-strewn trails have flats to kill off some bad habits.
portion of my time at two of MBUKs proven a challenge, but only because www.giant-bicycles.com
SEGMEN T
TIC G E S JA M
MATTSTCMOA X 1,499 (frame) O R A
ALS ,400 N RICS F,9OC99U
ROCK E Serious time in the saddle has been
PRO 3 I had plenty of brutal rides planned
LITE 2Last month I bemoaned the Focuss
hard to find over the past month. for the Orange but theyve been put cup-and-cone hubs as being a bit
Instead, Ive been squeezing in short on hold by a pretty incapacitating miserly given its price tag, but the
local rides in-between some serious bout of sciatica, brought on by a longer I spend on the Red Baron, the
home renovations, so the Cotics combination of things, but mostly all more I come to realise that there
faff-free simplicity has been a major the injuries Ive suffered in years of really isnt much to go wrong on
boon. While the dream of a spare day riding. Ive fitted some shock bands, it. The 12-speed SRAM X01 Eagle
to hit the trails seems like a distant cleaned the bike until its reflective transmission, in particular, has been
fantasy, the Rocketmax has been and fantasized about getting it faultless. That big 50t final drive is
helping me to squeeze the most sideways and muddy more than I notable by its absence when you
from my local loop as and when I care to think about, but have been ride anything with fewer sprockets,
can sneak out for a cheeky ride. The unable to actually ride the damn even if the gears do feel a bit more
bonus of building up a frame means thing! Thanks to my chiropractor, widely spaced than on the Shimano
that, as of yet, I havent had to switch things are looking up and I should be 11-speed system Ive spent a bit of
out any components. back to my jump-casing self soon. time on lately.
www.cotic.co.uk www.orangebikes.co.uk www.focus-bikes.com

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PTEST
GROU
OUR
RATINGS
We base our
scores on
value for
money and
TRAIL SADDLES
Are you sitting comfortably? Weve tested 15 seats of all
performance
shapes and sizes to help you ind your perfect perch
EXCEPTIONAL
A genuine
class leader A bad saddle can be a right pain in the arse. under your baggies, but some perches with
Finding the right one for your needs not only minimal padding are surprisingly comfy, especially
makes riding bikes a more comfortable experience when teamed with a good chamois. Its also
but can save you from all sorts of issues. So how important to find a width that suits your hips.
VERY GOOD
One of the best do you go about that? Saddle choice will always Some saddles are easier to move around on
you can buy have an element of personal preference and so when riding dynamically. Theres also weight to
may require some trial and error, but there are a consider, with pricier seats using fancier materials
few things to look for to help you find the right fit. and often less padding to save grams. Wed
GOOD First, have a think about whats bothered you recommend finding a shape that you like before
Itll do the job about saddles in the past. One common problem is splashing out on a top-spec model.
and do it well
too much pressure on the sensitive nerves and Weve tested an eclectic mix of known favourites
blood vessels that pass through your and radical designs, for a wide range of intended
undercarriage. This can cause pain when riding, disciplines, from cross-country to enduro, and with
BELOW numbness in the private parts and even a broad price range, to maximise the chances of
AVERAGE
Flawed in impotence, so its not something you should just finding a saddle that suits your needs. Remember
some way put up with. To avoid this, look for a seat with a that many of the seats tested here have cheaper or
deep pressure-relief groove down the middle. If its more expensive siblings, so dont be put off if the
your sit bones and bum that get sore, you may model weve written about is too pricey.
POOR want a saddle with a more rounded shape that All the saddles were ridden back to back on
Simply put, offers some padding and flex along the sides. familiar test tracks, which include steep climbs,
dont bother!
Riders who do a lot of steep, technical climbing bumpy fireroads and technical descents, so we
will generally find that a saddle with a broad, flat could compare them directly to each other, with
and without padded shorts. We also bolted them to
THE TESTER nose makes those chin-on-stem ascents a bit
comfier. More heavily padded seats are usually best long-term bikes and tested them on big days out
if youre not a fan of wearing bib shorts or liners to see how they performed.
JARGON
CHAMOIS CHROMOLY CONCAVE NOSE SIT BONES SUPPORTIVE
S E B STOT T
The padded area An alloy of steel Saddle shape that Narrow front Basically, the bony A saddle that holds
Our Scottish tech boffin is of liner/bib shorts, that includes dips in the middle if portion of the bits in your bum. you in place well,
a big fan of back-to-back which many riders chromium and viewed side on. saddle. Sit bones is the usually by being
testing, but since saddle wear under their molybdenum. common name slightly concave
comfort is a personal thing, baggy shorts for Chromoly saddle given to the lowest and not too spongy.
Sebs findings have been added comfort. rails are usually part of the pelvis,
blended with feedback lighter than steel known as the
from our other testers to but heavier than ischial tuberosity.
get the best idea of whats titanium (Ti) or These should take
likely to work for you. carbon fibre. all of your weight
when in the saddle.

DETAILS
PRESSURE-
RELIEF CHANNEL
The groove down the
centre of some
saddles, sometimes
referred to as a love
groove. Its designed
to reduce pressure on
the nerves and blood
vessels in that
sensitive area.
RAILS
The pair of rods which
hold up the hull of the
saddle from either end,
and onto which the
seatpost is clamped.
They allow the fore-aft
position of the saddle
to be adjusted.
HULL
The shell of the
saddle, under the
padding, which gives it
its shape and
structure. Usually
made of plastic, but
sometimes carbon.
SHAPE
Some saddles are
concave in profile to
hold you in place.
Others are flatter,
allowing you to move
forwards easily on
the climbs.
WIDTH
Saddles come in a
range of widths,
typically from 130mm
to 150mm. Some are
available in a range
of sizes to suit
different hips.
PADDING
The amount of
padding and the
material used has
a big impact on
comfort. If you wear
bib/liner shorts, less
can be more when it
comes to padding on
the saddle itself, in
terms of comfort
and support.

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ISM PM 2.0 129.99

T
GROUPTES
This striking perch clearly takes almost no delicate tissue discomfort.
some inspiration from ISMs time Unfortunately, the specialist shape
trial saddles and is claimed to offer makes it hard to move around the
long-distance MTBers greatly saddle as the terrain changes, and
reduced pressure on the delicate the large, flat rear section gets in the
tissues and nerves that can get way when riding downhill. If you
pressed into the nose of suffer post-ride pain/numbness and
conventional perches. The position it intend to churn out loads of flattish
encourages you to adopt on steep miles, its well worth a look. For most,
ascents isnt far off the hunched- its too much of a specialist.
forward posture of a time triallist. In www.upgradebikes.co.uk
2g
We ig h t 3 0 this situation, the shape is really
comfy, offering a supportive ride with
Race Face ffect 64.95

If youre a fan of the love-or-hate seat here that caused him
shape of the fizi:k Gobi, you may get numbness and discomfort within
on with this similarly rounded just a short ride. It feels relatively
offering from Race Face. We didnt, good when climbing steep pitches,
though. Its barrel-shaped, with no though, thanks to the broad, flat
pressure-relief channel or even nose and generous padding. The
softer foam in the central part. This ribbed upper grips well in the wet,
puts a lot of pressure onto your and its pretty easy to clean. If you
personal plumbing. To our main can get on with that barrel shape,
tester, it felt a bit like sitting astride it could be worth considering.
a railing, but then again, so does the www.silverfish-uk.com
5g
We ig h t 2 3 Gobi, and there are those who swear
by that. The ffect was the only
DMR Stage 1 49.99

DMRs Stage 1 is well priced and we plastic-feeling, its quite slippery
found it pretty comfy. The padding is when wet and muddy. It definitely
fairly generous and although there benefits from having the nose
isnt much of a pressure-relief pointed downwards to hold you in
channel, we had no issues with pain place when climbing. The included
or numbness in that area. We did RideSaver Velcro strap is handy for
suffer from a little chafing around stashing a spare tube underneath,
the sides under the sit bones on provided you dont mind it getting
long rides, though. The profile is only muddy. It is possible to improvise
very slightly concave, so it can feel a similar set-up with other saddles.
u t stra p ) a little unsupportive on steep or www.upgradebikes.co.uk
7 g (w it h o
We ig h t 2 7 undulating terrain. Because the
cover material is smooth and
Joystick Binary 49.99

The Binary is impressively light for riding sans chamois. We found that
the price but we found the comfort the shape puts a lot of pressure on
to be so-so. Thanks to the broad a fairly narrow section of the glutes
central channel, we suffered no pain and sit bones, which became
or numbness in the personal uncomfortable after a while. The
plumbing department. The shape is fairly narrow and hard nose is more
nice and neutral, so you can move uncomfortable than most on steep
around easily on technical climbs scrambles too. We found this perch
and it stays out of the way when works best with a good quality,
riding wild descents. With padding well-padded chamois.
thats on the harder side, the saddle http://hookitproducts.co.uk
6g
We ig h t 2 0 feels a little stiff when putting out a
lot of miles on rougher terrain or

Madison Flux Cr-Mo 29.99
The Flux is a cheap-and-cheerful leant forward climbing, though.
classic thats been a favourite of Theres not much of a channel
many riders for years. Its a saddle either, which doesnt do your
we felt at home on straight away. personal plumbing many favours on
The multi-density foam padding is long or bumpy rides, though the
comfy without being excessively good padding means this isnt the
spongy, and the shape is concave in end of the world. We tried tilting the
profile but slightly arched across the nose down to improve comfort on
top. As a result, we had no problems steep climbs, but then the rear
with pressure points or sore spots, sticks up too much.
and good comfort on mellower trails www.madison.co.uk
1g
or in a fairly upright position. We did We ig h t 2 7
find the nose rather lumpy when
WTB Volt Race 40

This well-padded number could be pressure right where you dont want
a good choice for those who dont it. We pointed the saddle down to
like to wear bibs or liners. The thick, compensate, but the upturned rear
soft foam padding means little sit then poked us in the glutes on flatter
bone trouble, even on bumpy rides ground and got in the way a little
with no chamois, and thanks to the when descending. Some of our
deep pressure-relief groove, we testers get on well with this shape,
didnt have any perineum pain on but if you do a lot of steep scrambles,
flatter ground, though things got wed look elsewhere. The thick
complicated on steeper terrain. padding makes it hard to clean too.
When leant forward for climbing, the www.hotlines-uk.com
4g
pronounced lump in the nose can We ig h t 26
become very uncomfortable, putting
Fabric Line Titanium 142mm 69.99

Fabrics Line looks striking with its on steep chin-on-stem climbs, the
pronounced central channel. It feels hard nose does stick up a little too
good on the trail too, exerting almost much, causing some discomfort in
no pressure in the central region. the undercarriage area. The hard
The padding is nice and cushy, plastic tail isnt the most forgiving if
though we did get a little bit of a you crash, either. While the groove
pressure point on either edge of the can get a bit clogged up with mud on
channel. In profile, the shape is filthy rides, the plastic hull is easy to
slightly concave. This means it feels clean. Its available in two widths to
secure and supportive when riding, suit different hips.
especially in muddy conditions, http://fabric.cc
7g
where it holds you firmly in place. We ig h t 2 3
But when youre hunched forwards
PRO Turnix (regular it) 139.99

PROs Turnix is a saddle thatll wider-hipped riders, and there isnt
appeal to gram counters. At 145g, its much in the way of a pressure-relief
the lightest on test by a big margin. channel, though this didnt cause us
You might expect it to be savagely any problems on the trail. It wouldnt
uncomfortable, but thats not what be our first choice for long rides, but
we found. Its pretty narrow (132mm) its impressively comfy for such a
and the padding is minimal, but the featherweight, making it ideal for XC
slightly curved, neutral shape racing or fast-and-light trail bikes.
spreads your weight very evenly and Youd have to be a serious weight
the hull feels surprisingly compliant weenie to justify that price, though.
over rougher ground. We suffered no www.madison.co.uk
5g
sore spots, chafing or pressure We ig h t 14
points. The narrow shape wont suit

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Nukeproof Vector AM Comp Cro-Mo 44.99

T
GROUPTES
The Vector AM is pretty race when moving about on the descents.
focused, with minimal padding. Its quite stiff though, and can feel
Theres a deep (if narrow) pressure- harsh on long rides or bumpy
relief channel to keep the blood ground. We definitely wouldnt want
flowing where its meant to. Used to spend much time on it without a
with bib shorts, we found it pretty chamois. Its heavier than wed
comfortable for shorter rides and expect for such a lightly padded
suffered no pain or discomfort in the perch too. Theres a lighter Pro
central region. On steep climbs the version with titanium rails for 70,
slightly downturned nose provides a but at 241g its only 10g lighter.
reasonable forward perch, while the www.hotlines-uk.com
1g
We ig h t 25 svelte profile and smooth edges
make it particularly unobtrusive
Ergon SME3 Comp 84.99

Designed with enduro racing in will want something with a more
mind, Ergon have produced a superb pronounced pressure-relief channel.
saddle for steep terrain. The rails Its a pretty comfy perch, but needs
extend a long way back, which allows the nose pointed down to provide
the saddle to be set up far forward. plenty of support when climbing.
This effectively steepens the seat Though moderately wide at 142mm,
angle, to put you in a better position our medium version (theres also a
for steep climbs. The shape is very small size) felt very easy to move
neutral, with quite even pressure around on and didnt get in the way
across the whole sitting area. We on steep descents.
had no sore spots or chafing, but www.extrauk.co.uk
5g
We ig h t 2 2 those who want to eliminate
pressure from their undercarriage
izi:k Monte K:ium 89.99

The Monte was made for enduro where its not the comfiest. The soft
racing, but its a good choice for rear parts and sides make it
all-round trail riding too. We found especially forgiving if you slam into it
that the slightly flexible sides and when things go a bit wrong on the
comfy padding make it particularly way back down. Despite having
kind on the sit bones, even after long fizi:ks top-spec hollow K:ium (steel
days in the saddle. Combine this with alloy) rails, its not particularly light.
a generous channel to keep your The manganese (another steel alloy)
sensitive parts happy, and multiple railed version is 15g heavier and 30
testers found it an agreeable place to less, so thats the model wed go for.
sit. Its quite a supportive shape, but www.extrauk.co.uk
5g
We ig h t 24 the nose pokes up a little more than
wed like when climbing steep stuff,
Bontrager Montrose Elite 138mm 89.99

Bontrager market the Montrose main tester did get a spot of
as a mountain bike and road saddle. soreness on the sit bones during
Dont let that put you off though, as very long rides, but interestingly, not
it works great off-road. Although the nearly as much as with Bontragers
hard rear is slightly unnerving when MTB-specific Kovee (reviewed in
hanging off the back of the saddle MBUK 334). Its definitely a perch
on gnarly descents, it doesnt get in that works best with a good
the way too much. The obvious chamois, and it offers great support
cutout down the middle takes all the and comfort for steep climbs.
weight off your sensitive areas and Theres a choice of widths.
puts it onto your sit bones, where it www.trekbikes.com
g
We ig h t 2 10 should be. Due to the fairly hard hull
and modest levels of padding, our

WINNERS R E F E R E N C
SADDLE P E REALLY GET ON WIT H A SHOT!
BUT W 3 0 ,
A
IT
Y S B
E WILL ALW H THE HENGE
T E ST E R SA
S WORT
P E R
YS.. .
SON A L ,
AND AT
Specialized Henge Sport 143mm 30
The Henge is a popular perch main tester. While not all our staff
among the MBUK team, so it would are quite as effusive in their praise,
be remiss of us not to include it here. weve yet to come across anyone
Specialized claim that the Body who really doesnt get on with it.
Geometry shape has been lab With steel rails, the Sport model is
tested to ensure that blood flow to the heaviest saddle on test, but
your privates is unaffected. When more expensive versions of the
riding, it seems like the large, wide Henge are considerably lighter and
pressure-relief channel takes the offer similar comfort. For example,
load off those sensitive areas more the 80 Henge Comp weighs a
effectively than most, especially in respectable 234g. But at 30, its
those technical situations where hard to quibble about the base
youre not sitting perfectly straight model! Its heavily padded, which
and central on the saddle. The means it feels particularly comfy
broad, slightly downturned nose with a thin liner or even none at all,
makes it particularly good when but can feel a bit mushy under a
sitting forward to winch up steep, thick chamois. The more expensive
technical climbs. Whether used for versions use slightly firmer padding
long days in the saddle in bibs or for and so work better with bibs.
casual rides in regular undies and www.specialized.com
g
We ig h t 3 19 shorts, the Henge is one of the
comfiest saddles out there for our
Specialized Power Pro 143mm 175

The Power Pro isnt marketed as issues with numbness or pressure
an MTB saddle, but we spotted points. For our main tester, its
some of Specializeds pro enduro simply the comfiest saddle here.
racers using it. Intrigued, we decided With the narrowest version (tested)
to give it a try ourselves. We werent measuring 143mm, it wont suit
disappointed. The radical cutout is snake hips, but we didnt find it
designed to take the pressure off the getting in the way when descending.
personal plumbing of both men and A carbon hull and Ti rails keep it
women, particularly when in an super-light, but very pricey. Happily,
aggressive forward position. On theres an Expert model for 80 less.
steep climbs, we suffered almost no www.specialized.com
7g
We ig h t 2 0 pain or discomfort in that region.
Even on longer rides, we had no
SDG Circuit Mtn Ti-Alloy 79.95

With a fairly conservative design, nose, which aids comfort and
the Circuit Mtn has no unnecessary support when pedalling uphill.
padding or weight, but many Because the pressure-relief channel
testers found it very comfortable. extends into the fairly broad nose,
The shape is fairly flat, with a pretty its particularly forgiving on steep
deep channel down the middle to scrambles. The low-profile upper
take all the pressure off your delivers a direct feel when pedalling
sensitive parts. Your weight is held hard and makes it easy to move fore
by the firm padding on either side, and aft on gnarly descents. Its
which we found worked well with a pretty light too.
chamois, but felt a little too firm www.silverfish-uk.com
g
We ig h t 2 14 without. The saddle really benefits
from being tilted downwards at the

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Negotiate
tight turns
Consecutive corners can be
tricky, especially if theyre steep.
Heres how to ind your low...
05
Exit speed
The final turn is what matters in
a sequence of corners. You want
to be in the right place and gear to
PRO FILE power out of it. If safe to do so, go
Jill Kintner back and practise the section
until you get what you want
JOB Downhill racer
CREDENTIALS Three-time
out of it. Try new lines and
4X world champion and experiment.
Olympic BMX medallist Jill
switched to DH in 2010
and has ive World Cup
podiums to her name,
plus enduro, slalom and
pump track titles. Shes
sponsored by Norco
and Red Bull.
04
Lean
Drop your inside knee slightly and
direct your hips, torso and head in
the direction you want to go. Assist
the lean by putting pressure on the
handlebar, particularly the inside
grip. Dont hang off the back of
03
the bike find a balanced
position between both
Line choice
The main line may not be the best,
wheels.
so look around and be creative. In
tight turns, look for a way to open
up the angle. Identify the widest
(smooth) line into the corner this
may mean hopping onto the
outside bank. Then aim for
the apex.

01
Recce
Check out tricky sections on foot
first. This will help you identify lines
and hazards, and let you see what
comes after the turns, which will
help with gear choice and exit lines.
Working your way up from the
bottom can teach you a lot
about where you want
to end up.
02
entry Speed
Good control in the first turn will
set you up for the next one. Get
your braking done in the straight
line before the turn and try to be off
the brakes when you hit the apex
or change direction. Dragging
your brakes hinders traction
and makes it hard to
lean the bike.

Play the
game of
B.I.K.E.
Challenge your buddies, have a
laugh and learn some new skills
If, like us, you misspent a large proportion of

your youth glued to the PlayStation playing Mat
Hoffmans Pro BMX, then youll know the score
here. A game of BIKE is where one person sets
01
Trail
02
Sessioning
03
For the
a challenge or trick and another has to copy it. If
the second rider lands it, then its their turn to Basics the jumps hell of it
nominate something. If they dont, then they get
a letter B and the first rider sets another trick.
The aim of the game is to be the last person to Try these trail skills for Once you start In Steve Peats North
collect all four letters. starters gap over getting airborne, the vs South challenge
You dont just have to play with two people some roots or rocks; possibilities are (https://youtu.be/
either get all your mates involved and substitute bunnyhop a stump or endless. Who dares gCxfuZqD1Ps) the
the word BIKE for any funny or rude word of log; double, triple or hit the biggest jump, teams competed at
your choosing! Longer words obviously mean a even quad jump some go the furthest or manualling, dirt jump
longer game. Dont think that BIKE is exclusively rollers; hit a scary soar the highest? And relay racing with
for dirt jumpers with big trick bags either. Riders drop; set a start point thats before you start mandatory beer
of any ability can play and its a great way to before a turn and rail introducing tricks. downing, and more.
push yourself outside your comfort zone and try it from there without Put your skid lid and Get as creative or
something new. You do it anywhere too in the braking. This final one pads on and huck stupid as you like
street, at your local jump spot or out on the trail. is a great challenge in your meat! and as an incentive
Here are some ideas to get you going itself and youll be to go big, introduce
amazed how fast you forfeits for the losers!
can go if you increase
your speed a little bit
each time.

-BOOT CAMP-
KEEP UP
WITH YOUR
MATES
The reason you head out with
friends is to ride and chat
together, but thats not going to
work if youre 500m behind or
cant get a word out between
heavy breaths. MTB coach Chris
Kilmurray has some top tips for
building itness so you can keep
pace with the pack
Boost itness
To meet the demands of a group ride
(such as chatting while climbing at a good
pace), a high anaerobic threshold the
point during exercise at which lactic acid
starts to accumulate in the muscles is
crucial. The closer you get to this limit, the
harder everything becomes. To raise your
threshold, try riding at an RPE of eight
(Rating of Perceived Exertion; one = barely
moving, 10 = feels like youre about to die!)
for eight minutes, uphill, for three to ive
repetitions, with equal rest in between.
Alternatively, let your mates get a sizable Fix 4 common mistakes
lead on you on a climb, push hard enough We all get it wrong sometimes heres how to stay on track and rubber-side down
to close the gap, rest and repeat this is
interval training without knowing it!
1 Target vision 2 Weight too 3 Failure to 4 Poor bike
The whole system Getting transfixed far back commit set-up
by an obstacle If youre in the Believing in yourself If your tyres are too
Stability, mobility and strength are all or line that you wrong position on is a key element to hard, they wont
required to ride well. Whether youre want to avoid is the bike, itll have a getting it right on grip. Too soft, and
struggling with climbs, longer rides or a surefire way to dramatic effect on the trail. As soon the bike will wallow
cramp, lower back pain or sore arms, you make sure you hit how well you can as theres a seed of around. Look to run
need to work on your body as a whole it. The simplest way ride. Riders who lack doubt in your mind, between 20 and
itness system. The ability to apply to avoid so-called confidence tend to it can all turn to pot 30psi in a regular
strength when riding is built on stability target vision is to push themselves pretty quickly. That (non-plus/fatbike)
look where you want backwards to get doesnt mean you tyre. Similarly, your
and mobility of joints and movements, so
to go at all times. If further away from should ignore your suspension needs to
two strength training sessions each week youre looking ahead the action. But this survival instinct! But be sensitive enough
will have you leading the pack in no time. down the trail rather unweights the front thinking that youre that roots wont
than at specific wheel and makes it able to ride a section, knock you off line but
Relax, follow and learn hazards, youll find easier to understeer hit a jump or go fast not so soft that the
you naturally avoid and crash. Your is a big step towards bike wallows. Set the
When it comes to the fun stuff going them in most weight should be in actually being sag correctly for your
downhill use your faster friends to learn cases, at least! a balanced position able to do it with weight generally,
from. Try to stay loose and relaxed, leave and your confidence between the wheels, commitment. between 20 and 30
enough of a gap behind them so you can will improve. and your elbows per cent and check
still read the trail, and learn from but dont and knees should that the rebound
copy their lines, and youll gain speed for be bent, ready to and compression
free. Try it on your next ride. absorb any bumps. damping dials arent
With more weight set to one extreme
towards the front of or the other. Avoid
Chris the bike, things will extreme handlebar,
feel less vague and brake lever and
Kilmurray youll have more fun. saddle angles too.

Rule at the 01
pump track Pumping
Generating speed over rollers is the
Not only are pump tracks tons key to not needing to pedal around a
of fun to ride but theyre great pump track. Use your arms and legs
to push the bike into the transition. As
for developing skills and itness you come over the crest, unweight
and let the bike feel light. Then, on
the downslope, extend your
arms and legs, and push
down into the bike to
gain speed.
03
Corners
Use corners to generate even
more speed. Compress the bike into
the middle/apex of the turn. Then
unweight, pull up with your arms
and straighten your legs as you exit
to accelerate you into the next
straight. Looking where you
want to go is essential
dont stare at your
front wheel.

02
Doubles
It can be quicker to jump tightly
spaced rollers. Coming up the take-off,
compress your legs. Allow the front
wheel to unweight as you leave the lip.
As the back wheel gets airborne, shift
your weight forwards to level the
bike out. Spot your landing and
let the front wheel drop to
meet the curve of the
transition.
04
Manualling
The theory of manualling and
pumping through rollers is similar,
only this time when you reach the crest,
push your hips forward and straighten
your legs to get the bike onto its back
wheel. The tricky bit is maintaining
the balance point as the bike hits
the downslope. Nail this and
youll be the envy of
your mates!
Advanced Line spotting Go backwards Training

Once youve got the track Everyone favours riding Pump tracks are a great
Tips nailed, its fun to start
looking for new ways to
either left or right-hand
berms, so its good
workout. Even though
youre not pedalling, it
ride it. Challenge yourself practice to switch things takes a lot of muscle to
Got the basics sorted?
and your mates to see if up and try riding a track push and pull the bike
Its time to mix things
you can manual a whole backwards. Remember through the transitions.
up! Youll be amazed
section, gap double or to let people know what Try seeing how many laps
how much fun you
triple rollers, or even youre doing before you can do before you
can have on even the
jump between straights if you drop in, to avoid keel over from exhaustion
shortest pump track
youre feeling brave. collisions! or dizziness.

www.muc-off.com
Grime
TIME Your questions The Specialized Demo 8 Alloy is a
answered great bike that won the grouptest

in MBUK 333, but its definitely
worth upgrading the fork internals
IN ASSOCIATION WITH Downhillers dilemma lot of situations, it can feel out of its too. Otherwise, wed be tempted to stick
Ive just bought a Specialized depth when things get rowdy at speed. a Maxxis High Roller II or Minion DHR II
Demo 8 I Alloy. A bit of a Thankfully, RockShox offer an easy-to-fit on the rear.
discount from my very kind upgrade kit so you can plug in the more If youre still looking to spend, an easy
local dealer, combined with some leftover sophisticated Charger damper that way to save weight is to swap the steel
savings, means Ive got an extra 600 to comes in their pricier forks. While it coil spring on the Fox Van RC rear shock
drop on it to get it race ready. What sort retails for just over 350, weve found it for a Super Alloy Racing equivalent. This
of upgrades should I be looking at? online for 100 less. Get this fitted and weighs about the same as a pricier
Andy McKnight, via email itll not take long to feel the increase in titanium spring but only cost 100. Get
control and poise at the front of the bike. in touch with Dave Garland at Stendec
When we tested the Demo 8 Next, wed probably splash some Works for more info.
Alloy last year we were really cash on tyres. The stock Specialized
impressed with the bike as a Butcher and Slaughter are good, but If the shoe fits
whole, but there are certainly areas that many UK tracks require something with Im new to clipless pedals.
could be improved upon. The first thing a bit more bite, especially on the rear. A Having just purchased a set of
wed do is fork out (get it?!) for a new Schwalbe Magic Mary or Maxxis Shorty CrankBrothers Mallet DHs, I
fork damper. While the Motion Control makes an ideal front tyre, and if its now need a pair of shoes thatll work
IS cartridge in the BoXXer RC is OK in a really boggy, they work well on the back well with them. I have a problem though
Quick fix tips Tidy up your cables
If your gear cables and brake hoses Its worth cutting any Make sure that any externally If the cables/hoses are able to
1 are fouling one another, rattling or
looking a mess, the first thing to do
2 unnecessarily long cables/hoses
down to size. If you choose to do
3 routed cables/hoses are secured
to the frames cable bosses tightly.
4 move around in the frames cable
guides or internal routing, you can
is to work out the ideal cable routing for your this, check its still long enough to allow your Cable fasteners or zipties will do the job. If stop the noise with a couple of small zipties.
bike. Make sure the cables/hoses take the bar to turn through 180 degrees without it youre using the latter, be sure not to do Tie one around the cable outer/hose at each
most sensible route to the handlebar and pulling taut. Youll need to rebleed your them up too tight around gear cables, or the end of the routing. This will stop it moving so
dont cross over one another unnecessarily. brake or retune your gears afterwards. shifting will suffer. much, keeping everything quieter.

www.muc-off.com
my budget is just 70. Is there

anything for this sort of cash
that isnt terrible?
Ben Spears, via email 1 Protection
The effectiveness of a pad at absorbing impacts can be
measured in lab tests. Essentially, these involve dropping
precise weights onto the pad and measuring the force
transmitted. Those that transmit a low enough force are given
2 Coverage
As well as looking for armour that has thick,
impact-absorbing padding that meets or exceeds the
stipulations of those lab tests, its also important to consider
the area that the padding covers. Pads that extend from above
Unfortunately, theres
the EN 1621 accreditation, which is a benchmark for impact to well below the kneecap, as well as round the sides, offer
not a great amount of absorption. Its far from the whole picture, though. greater protection in real-world crashes.
choice at this price. If
you can increase your budget a
little or find an online bargain
a shoe thats impressed us
recently is the Shimano AM5
(84.99). Its not as light or
weatherproof as the AM9 but
is properly comfy and offers
enough feel through the sole
to ensure you know whats
going on beneath your feet. The
low-profile tread will work well
with your new Mallets, though
wed recommend playing around
with the height of the pins on
the outside of the pedal cage if
rs
theyre too high, clipping in and
f e
out can be seriously tricky!
Gripping stuff
Since treating myself B l u f -GUIDE
-
to a new set of grips
Ive been getting a bit
UR
of arm pump on long, bumpy
runs where Id previously had no
BODY ARMO
issues. My mate said this could
be because the grips have a
bigger diameter. Is he right?
Chris Timms, via email
If theyre the only thing

youve changed, then it
could well be the grips
that are causing the problem.
While fatter grips can be more
forgiving on rough tracks,
offering a bit more cushioning
than their skinnier counterparts,
the bigger diameter may put
more strain on your hands when
applying the same grip force to
the bar. If you still have them,
switch back to your old grips and
ride the same trails again. If the
problem goes, youll know its the
3 Fit
Great coverage is no use if the pads fall down at the first
sign of trouble. Elasticated cuffs with silicone gripping
material can hold the pads up nicely if they fit you well, though
adjustable Velcro straps usually offer a more secure, tailored
4 Materials
Most mountain bike body armour uses some form of
composite foam to absorb impact energy and cushion the
blows. Some downhill knee pads use hard plastic outer shells to
add protection, though this is becoming less common. The
grips. Some grips come in two fit. Highly concave, pre-curved knee cups can help the pads hot-ticket material is D3O, which hardens on impact to boost
different diameters bear this in stay in place too. protection without feeling stiff while riding.
mind next time you buy.
Jargonr
buste
INTERNAL CABLE ROUTING

Cables that run inside the frame
tubes are popular, as they make for
a neater-looking bike. Theyre more
Cables/hoses often bash against If you have two cables/hoses that Finally, apply electrical tape or
of a faff to replace, though, as they
5 each other and rattle around in
front of the bar. To stop this, use a
6 run parallel to each other in front of
the bar, the neatest solution is to
7 cable-rub patches to any areas
where cables/hoses may rub your have to be threaded through.
ziptie to hold them together. Leave a little use electrical tape to lash them together. frame. Turn the bar from side to side and Some frames offer both internal
slack so the cables/hoses can move when Wrap the tape around the cables/hoses cycle the suspension up and down to see
you turn the bar. If that doesnt allow enough neatly and tightly, but make sure this doesnt where the cables/hoses are likely to rub the
and external routing for this reason.
movement, use two interlocking zipties. affect the range of movement at the bar. frame and fork as you ride.

COULD YOU BE PAYING TOO MUCH
FOR HOME & BIKE INSURANCE?
Pedalcover have single-handedly changed my view of insurers.
Personal and personable service from guys who are passionate
HOME & BIKE
about cycling and have designed a policy that gives us a
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bikes for significantly less than we paid last year. Better cover,
INSURANCE
cheaper premium, friendly and helpful service. Cant fault it.
Thoroughly recommended. Ed Simpson
ALL IN ONE
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time, effort and more importantly -
money! Kara Smith
What a pleasure to
talk insurance with
a company that
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Brilliant service, fantastic bike on a single bike
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paying for bike/home I was delighted when
AND better terms). I got my combined
Would not hesitate to House and contents
recommend. and bike insurance
Di Beaven quote from Pedalcover
very competitive
good service and a far
better level of cover for
everything,
wont be going elsewhere
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Great cover for my bikes and home for

over 50% less than i was paying leaving
more cash for new riding gear!
Michael Moore
For more information and a quote visit...
www.pedalcover.co.uk
or call 0800 121 4424
Pedalcover Ltd is an appointed representative of Kingswood Insurance Ltd which is
authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
nn
HELVELLYN, LAKE DISTRICT

Max and Russell ind themselves in trouble on Englands third-highest mountain
after the weather closes in
Words Max Darkins Photos Russell Burton

WHERE ARE WE?

THE LAKE DISTRICT
The Lake District is a region and
National Park in Cumbria, in north-west
England. It covers an area of 2,362km2
and is packed with technical riding.
www.lakedistrict.gov.uk
Carlisle
Helvellyn
Lake District
National Park
Yorkshire Dales
National Park
Blackpool
Leeds
Trail, what trail? Snow may make

for great pictures, but it can also
make it pretty tricky to navigate
Say what you like about the enduro

craze with kit this bright, youre not
going to lose sight of your mates!
H
aving risen at 4am to start the long drive
north to Cumbria, it feels like our day
should be nearly over, but its only just
beginning. Its a nice, bright day too Download THE
nice for Russell, who says he likes it to be dark VIEWRANGER APP
and moody in the Lakes so he can take tough and to ride and share
gritty-looking photos. If only he knew those words this route
were about to come back and bite him. Hard
Blown away
Todays ride is best started on the west side of
Helvellyn (as on our map), to get the toughest
climb done first and make use of the facilities
in Glenridding. But were staying the night near
Ullswater, at the Patterdale Hotel, so we park the
van and set off from there instead. Were joined
by Sam Armitage, workshop manager at Bike
PRO FILE Treks in Ambleside, whos aboard a Santa Cruz
max darkins 5010 CC. Im on a Whyte T-129 (although wishing
JOB MTB route planner I had a T-130 for this ride) and Russell is on his
CREDENTIALS Max loves electric Lapierre Overvolt.
travelling up and down the
country, searching for the
As we set off, Sam warns that even when its still
best routes for you to ride, down at the bottom, it can be very windy at the
and hes the man behind top. Does that mean itll be calm at the top today
www.roughrideguide.co.uk then? I pipe up. As its blowing pretty bloody hard
down here now! I can see his eyebrows raise as he
questions the sanity of his new riding colleagues,
until I crack a smile. From here, Id usually opt

nn
A N D B O DIES
E L E A N BIK ES N WE
A S W S W H E
I S G U S T Y, SO E D Y M O M EN T
F L AT
E W I N D E C O M L L I N G
TH
E R E A R E SOM W I L D LY OR FA
H
IN TO I T T V ES V EER ING OF F DISA PPE A RS
EL LY
IF ND OURS WHEN IT SUDDEN
O U R S I DES
ON


nn
mountain kit
If youre riding proper
mountains, go prepared,
with spare clothes, lights
and a survival bag, on top
of the usual tools, spares
and snacks
BEST EATING
TRAVELLERS REST
The Travellers Rest
(01768 482298) is well
located, halfway round
the route if you start to climb Helvellyn up the zig-zags of Keppel Cove, wind. Its gusty, so as we lean bikes and bodies
on the west side in as its pretty much all ridable, especially with into it there are some comedy moments when
Glenridding. Indoors its strong legs or an e-bike, like the one Russell is we find ourselves veering off wildly or falling flat
a classic pub with good
pub grub, and there are on. But he wants a more challenging ride and more on our sides when it suddenly disappears. The
lots of picnic bench interesting pictures. So, up Sticks Pass we go. views are stunning though, and after a fast grassy
tables out the front too, Its soon a hike-a-bike for Sam and me, while section followed by some switchbacks, we take
so you can keep an eye Russell manages to (electrically) power his way shelter briefly in the ruins of a building to enjoy the
on your bike as you eat.
With a choice of real up to the rocky zig-zag switchbacks. Past here, landscape and some respite from the wind.
ales, it also makes a the climbing is a good challenge, but manageable. The next section is a steep, technical descent
good evening We concede that the landscape is much more with some hairy bits. In these winds, even Sam
destination if youre interesting this way. The trail seems a lot more decides to avoid these, and joins Russell and me on
finishing in Glenridding.
technical than any of us remember too. Just the easier slope beside the main trail. It becomes
before the last shallow rise leads to the ridgetop, more ridable further down, though I struggle for
we meet some walkers, who advise us that the traction on the zig-zags with my low-profile Maxxis
conditions are getting worse up on the top. True CrossMark II rear tyre and end up slithering down
enough, its not just us who are blowing hard when the hillside out of control, one foot on the pedal
we eventually reach it. The wind is really strong, and the other ready to stop me tumbling over. If
so with all our other plans having gone out of the you like a challenge you could give it a go, but Id
window today, we decide to stick with this theme recommend dropping down Birk Side instead.
and ride down the west side of Sticks Pass. Largely From Legburthwaite we could take the cycle
to get out of the wind, but also because none of us route around the far side of Thirlmere reservoir,
has ridden down it before. but right now one bit of tarmac seems much
like any other, so we join the more direct main
Out of control road. As cars fly past at great speed, we decide
The start is shallow, and slightly boggy further to get ourselves off it and onto a forest track that
down where the snow has melted, but the rocks runs parallel. The undulations soon start sapping
and ruts keep things interesting, as does the our energy though, so we rejoin the road and

D D E C I S I O N TO GO
GOO
IT WASNT A AIN. THE WEATHER
E R T H E T O P AG LY AND
OV G E Q U I C K
CA N CH A N O U N TA INS
UP IN T H E M
A T I C A L LY
DR A M
WHAT IS
VIEWRANGER?
ViewRanger
is an app
that lets
outdoor
enthusiasts plan,
chain-gang it, sat in Russells slipstream, Sam and holding onto the handlebar as the rest of the navigate, record and
me pedalling faster than wed like. bike is lifted into the air and flaps about. I turn share their adventures.
With offline mapping
to Russell to share this amazing phenomenon, (including OS maps),
Bad decision only to see his e-bike doing the same. A good few turn-by-turn navigation,
At the foot of Great Tongue the sky starts to expletives are shared and adrenaline takes over. and live trip stats like
darken and rain begins to fall. Sam decides hes Despite being utterly knackered and cold, weve ride time, distance, and
current, average and
enjoyed changing plans so much today that got a long way to go, and to top it off my Garmin maximum speed itll
hes now going to follow the tarmac back to the has died. Now in complete darkness, I turn my turn your phone into a
bike shop in Ambleside. For Russell and me, the light on but it just creates a white-out as the fully-fledged GPS unit.
road ride back to Patterdale is much further and snow swirls all around, so I turn it off and we slowly You can also download
detailed route guides,
includes The Struggle a notorious climb, which fumble our way over the rocks. I keep getting my broadcast your location
wed be tackling in the dark. So we decide to take phone out to check were at least near the trail. and share your
a more direct route and go up and over Helvellyn Soon my hands are so numb I cant feel to undo the adventures with friends.
once again. I know we probably wont make zip pocket, or even feel the phone in my hand. My In 2016 ViewRanger
it down before dark, but I have an emergency feet are no better I cant see where Im putting released Skyline, a free
augmented reality feature
Exposure Joystick light and a bivvy bag, etc. them, or even feel them. Were well aware that any
that uses your phones
Russell is keen too, so we set off. accident now would be really, deadly, serious. camera to label landscape
The climb starts out OK and we push hard, Eventually we make it to a climbing shelter, but features such as peaks,
knowing time is against us. But before long were so desperate to get down and keep moving towns, lakes and cliffs
within 20 miles of your
were back in hike-a-bike territory, which is to stay warm that we plough on without a hint of
location. ViewRanger is
hard work, especially with a heavy e-bike. I drop stopping. The trail is now visible and ridable so also the first app to use
back at times to help Russell heft his Lapierre we remount our bikes and crack on at a decent the built-in GPS on Apple
up the mountainside. Its slowing our progress pace, finally. As we finally roll into Patterdale its Watch Series 2, allowing
you to follow directions
considerably but we struggle on, only for our a bittersweet feeling. We made it, but know weve
with a quick glance at
efforts to be rewarded with a blizzard suddenly been lucky, regardless of how experienced and your wrist.
descending on us. When I reach the top, the wind prepared we were. It wasnt a good decision to
is so strong and the snow so painful that I cant go over the top again. The weather can change The ViewRanger app is available to
see, and it takes me ages to work my way back to quickly and dramatically up in the mountains, and download for Apple, Android, and
Russell to give him a hand, virtually crawling. on this occasion we were fortunate to get away Kindle Fire devices.
As we start to head downhill we realise all signs with our mistake. The Lake District is an epic and
of a trail are gone, hidden under a fresh layer of utterly amazing place to ride just remember to
snow. The wind is so strong that I find myself treat it with the care and respect it deserves.

DUNOON,
ARGYLL & BUTE
This small seaside town, west of Glasgow, is pushing to
become Scotlands next mountain biking hotspot. But
has it got the trails to deliver the goods?
Words Ric McLaughlin Pics Ian Linton

-
WHERE ARE WE?

DUNOON, SOUTH-WEST SCOTLAND
Oban
Loch Lomond
& The Trossachs
National Park
Stirling
Dunoon
Glasgow
Irvine
TRAIL STATS
Distance 13km
Climbing Fireroads for the main, with
a couple of rocky sections at the end
Time 1hr 30mins to 2hrs
Grading Red, black, orange
WHY RIDE HERE?
These are about as natural-feeling
as manmade trails get, a great
technical challenge.
RAD
Technicality. Dunoon is a
great place to test your
technical prowess
Variety. With the exception of
trail centre stuff, theres
something for all tastes
Easy adventure. A ferry across
to mini-Highland hillsides
equals a real draw
BAD
In the wet youll be scrambling
for grip and that clear fell means
getting soggy
If you ride with a group containing
a wider range of abilities then it
mightnt be ideal
No bike shop in the area, so
come prepared

n
Dunoons natural-feeling
trails are pure Scottish gold
I
LOCAL can almost feel the air displaced by the
dust cloud as it glances past my neck, before
KNOWLEDGE the dirt itself envelopes me like a wave. The
Locals do vents of my helmet, my ears, the palms of my
Bring food. You hands pressed tightly over my eyes everything
can park quite is coated in fine grey powder. Half a lungful
close to the
bottom of the shoots up my nose as I try to draw a breath some
trails but theres 20 seconds later. My tormentor, a huge logging
no cafe truck travelling at around 30mph, is already
disappearing into the distance. Its giant wheels
Already know
bobble around beneath its cab as it blazes a trail
the way. This is
hand-built of dust en route to its pine quarry high above us.
riding so dont
be expecting Local knowledge bike that well. This isnt due to the sudden and
signposts
As starts to a days trail riding go, Dunoon has pronounced turn of pace brought on by two of
Pack spares. begun well. Theres none of ye olde trail centre Scotlands finest young downhill racers, though.
Glasgow is the practice of pitching riders directly up technical Its the frequency with which thick, upright and
closest place for steeps, to cool spirits and reduce trips to A&E, slightly angled roots are now arriving underneath
bike shops
here. Instead, Kenta Gallagher, Joe Connell, local my front wheel thats causing the problem. And
rider Stewart McNee and I have been spinning our while the gradient through the felled pine stumps
Locals dont way gently up the gravel forest track for half an is by no means ultra-steep, it is in stark contrast
Skid down the hour or so. The Firth of Clyde stretches out under to the chilled-out roll to the trailhead.
trails. Time and
a virtually cloud-free sky below us. These trails are
effort have been
put into these locally dug and maintained this is no trail centre Speed traps
tracks by a and to experience them to the best effect, youll Our speeds creep upwards and, one by one, gaps
dedicated group need to enlist the help of someone who knows between the roots open up, demanding precise
of volunteer
their way around. Thats where Stewart comes in. clearing but prompting ham-fisted tugs at the
builders. If
youre not sure Dusted off and throats watered, our guide bar by me. Even in the dry, these roots have a
if theyre for points us to the opening of the days trail menu. rattle and hum that makes you feel like your
you, then dont Kenta and Joe predictably shoot off while I get tyres contact patches have shrunk to the size
go ploughing
the strange sensation of not being able to ride my of a postage stamp. Disaster is only a millimetre
furrows
squeeze of the brake levers away.
The dynamic duo arrive at a bombhole needing
gapping. Kenta and Joe pull in towards the take-
off stump at twice the speed Id been bobbling

MEET
THE CREW
JOE CONNELL
World Cup racer whos
just joined Focus Bikes.
Expert in shorts and
sock length.
KENTA GALLAGHER
Won Britains only XC
Eliminator World Cup
and can now qualify
within the top 20 in
the DH. Handy.
RIC MCLAUGHLIN
Once (accidentally) hit
4X world champion
Joost The Boost
Wichman on the head
with a bottle of water.
Less handy.
STEWART MCNEE
The man with the local
knowledge. Took a big
spill early on but got
straight back up again
for an excellent days
guiding. Cheers, mate!
T H E W H OOPS
X I C AT I N G STUFF F ME
ITS INT O N F R O N T O
O A R S E R U PTING I Y ARE
AND R Y OU TH O F T O D A
H A T T H E SELVES
INDICATE T Y I N G T H E M
A LSO ENJO

n
Ladder bridges provide a bit of

variety, as well as a route over
awkward or boggy terrain
around at. They duly break free of gravity and

Joe Connell, loving a bit
hang in the air for a few seconds before touching of stump-busting action
down neatly, back wheel first, on what has only
recently been identified as a downslope.
The trail pitches steeper as we go, then a roar
from Kenta pauses our progress. When I arrive on
the scene hes laughing at his pedal body, which
has detached from the spindle and is now stuck to
the sole of his shoe. Over the years, Ive witnessed
Kenta accomplish mechanical tasks of varying
complexity with a variety of rocks and sticks, but
this one escapes his caveman-like advances. Its
fine, he smiles. Ill just slide it back on and well
see how we go... Its a move that we 100 per cent
dont recommend you try at home, but it does THE PRO GIVES
afford me the opportunity to actually keep him
behind me for a change.
US HIS VIEW
JOE CONNELL
ENDURO RACER
Double dropping
The trails final stanzas are perhaps its best as we
re-enter the dry, loamy woods from the clear- Dunoon is great. Not only are there lots
of trails to choose from, theres variety
felled section, into some natural, perfectly railable sees us enter the woods again. Theres more
too its tight and tech in the trees, and
berms. With Kentas pedal replaced, we restart than a whiff of Innerleithen singletrack (never a fast and loose in the open. If youre
the climb and head back up top. If youre of a bad thing) as we get going. Again Im struck by looking for something a little bit more
masochistic bent and enjoy a good climb, then how much the bike is moving below me and the wild than your local trail centre, then
this one isnt for you. But if you like a long leg importance of both literally and figuratively this is a great choice. Much of it is out
stretch and a chance to munch Jelly Babies and staying on top of it. Every release of the brakes in the open this makes for interesting
chat about numerous eclectic topics, its ideal. feels like dumping the clutch and entering hyper- riding, as youve still got roots and
The second drop of the day comes after a space as my elbows skim lichen-shrouded trees. stumps to think about but you dont
slightly extended, rockier section of ascent and Its intoxicating stuff, and the whoops and roars have to watch your pinkies! As youre
riding up to the top youve always got
erupting in front of me indicate that the youth of
a great view of the hills and sea below,
today are also enjoying themselves. There are plus it has a Highlands feel to it.
log skinnies, boner logs, drops, kickers... Every
time you clear an obstacle and look down the trail,

LY D E S T R E TCHES
FC
THE FIRTH O ER A VIRTUALLY
OU T UND L O W US
E S K Y B E
CLOUD F R E
something else has loomed into view, goading you

to push just that little bit harder. Like the previous
effort, this run isnt for the faint-hearted. Yes, you
could in theory skid your way down, but thats not
THE DIRECTORY
the point with trails that are this well built. Everything you need to know about Dunoon
A steep chute deposits us, true to Scottish
tradition, on a fireroad via a stagnant water-filled
ditch. The word epic is overused in mountain
GET THERE CONTACT
VERDICT
From Glasgow, head Search Cowal Mountain We lucked out with the
biking speak, but its a category that the next
west on the M8 towards Bike Club on Facebook weather and would be
section rightly belongs in. Cutting through a lying if we tried to
Greenock. Continue to
grass bank amid thinned-out trees, this trail is Gourock, then follow suggest that it didnt
WHAT ELSE IS NEARBY?
reminiscent of helmet cam footage from any signs for the car ferry have a big impact on
Canadian dreamscape you care to envisage. Its (theres also a foot ferry, Cathkin Braes how much we enjoyed
littered with turns and off-camber rooty sections which leaves from a Marketing itself as a mini our day in Dunoon. That
that are just begging to be high-lined. separate port). We got our trail centre, Cathkin offers said, it offers a superb
tickets in a local McColls 5.5km of twisty turny challenge with great
Argyle and Beauty newsagents, which saved singletrack in south-east trails of varying lengths
Billy Connolly once joked that the tourist board a fair whack compared Glasgow perfect for and terrain. Its not for
of Dunoon had put up a raffle prize of a week in to buying them on board. honing your skills. the uninitiated and
Dunoon, with the second prize being two weeks If you want to avoid the youll need help finding
in Dunoon, but if that really were the case, then ferry, you can drive into The Trossachs your way around, but
we think we could stomach it without too much Dunoon via Balloch, Loch Lomond and The we thought it was great
of a problem. Arrochar and Strachur, but Trossachs National Park for a weekends enduro
What this particular Argyll and Bute hillside that adds 40 miles more has myriad riding spots, adventuring.
offers is a fantastic and expanding variety of
driving to the journey. with everything from
local-built trail challenges
trails. We rode all day and barely scratched the
FACILITIES to long singletrack spins.
surface of whats on tap here. It invites parallels to
the much-fabled Tweed Valley you could come
Car park Fort William
here, shred till the light fades and still leave feeling OK, so its not that nearby,
like youve not experienced everything. Less gung- but its the only place in the
NEARBY BIKE SHOPS
ho riders may prefer the manicured, crash-friendly UK where you can ride a
plains of a trail centre, but if enduro racing is more Glasgow gondola to the trailhead.
your thing, then Dunoon is a great destination for
a brilliant weekend away.

Were fighting to open up
the trails for all cyclists.
More members means
more momentum.
Join us today
Membership at just 3.59* a month gives you:

The best third party liability insurance for cyclists 10m cover, with no excess
- peace of mind on and off road, including sportives
Six issues a year of Cycle, the UKs most widely read cycle magazine!
Over 13,000 local rides and events every year, including hundreds of sportives
Cycling related legal claims advice members get 100% of any compensation
Discounts on bikes, cycling and outdoor leisure products; plus more!
Free multi lens

sunglasses worth 24.99*
when you join Cycling UK
Quote code: AD17MB1
Join and support us: cyclinguk.org/join
*3.59 a month based on Adult Membership of 43 on a monthly direct debit payment option. The offer of XLC Fidschi multi lens sunglasses is subject to availability and
whilst stocks last. One set of sunglasses per membership. Applies to new members or memberships only. Sunglasses offer valid until 30.04.17. Other T&Cs may apply.
Cycling UK is a trading name of Cyclists Touring Club (CTC) a company limited by guarantee, registered in England no: 25185. Registered as a charity in England and Wales
charity no: 1147607 and in Scotland charity no: SC042541. Registered office: Parklands, Railton Road, Guildford, Surrey GU2 9JX
To advertise in Mountain Biking UK please contact Oli Pascoe on
0117 300 8278 or oli.pascoe@immediate.co.uk DIRECTORY
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