Indholdsfortegnelse for August 2021 i Mountain Biking UK

Red Bull Hardline’s huge Renegade Sender and 55ft road gap are enough to strike fear into any spectator, but Kaos Seagrave reckons those are the easy parts of the course! “They’re the bits where you can have a breather and chill,” he says. “The natural features are the really hard ones, like the triple rock-drop after the roadgap – it’s ridiculous in the wet!” While his older sister is right up there in the World Cup rankings, Kaos is making his name on the freeride scene. As we went to press, he was about to head to Wales’s Dyfi Valley once again for this year’s Hardline – one of the toughest MTB races in the world, held on an intimidating course sculpted by Dan Atherton. When Kaos first rode the…

After a six-year hiatus, the Enduro World Series returns to the UK this autumn. Not only that, but the Vittoria EWS Tweed Valley is the season finale of the seven-round series, so you can expect some big names and nail-biting action. After Harriet Harnden’s win in Italy and solid performances from fellow Brits Katy Winton, Ella Conolly, Bex Baraona and Elliott Heap (above), we’ve got to be in with a shout, in the women’s at least. The racing takes place on the legendary trails around Innerleithen. This small Scottish town is home to some of the best hand-built and natural singletrack in the world, from high-speed sections through the heather to tight and twisty technical stages in the woods. It’s the only chance this year to see the world’s best…

We had a fab day out at BikePark Wales, where Julia dominated some drops and Jimmer made mincemeat of Root Manoeuvres on a downcountry bike. The new Merthyr Rocks blue trail is an absolute blinder of a track! It’s great to have friends with e-bikes, especially when those friends are happy to push or tow you up the climbs! You know who you are folks... Some awesome results for UK women so far this summer – Hattie Harnden bagged her first Enduro World Series victory, right after Tahnée Seagrave won the Leogang World Cup, and our columnist Martha Gill came an impressive second at the Megavalanche. Nice one! We’ve seen some organisational fails in our time, but this one is wheelie special! Our production editor Chris was gutted to arrive…

Welcome to the MBUK Subs Zone! As a subscriber, not only do you get a big discount on the shop price and every issue delivered direct to your door (along with any cover gifts or supplements), but you’re also granted access to this special membership area of the mag, where you can obtain exclusive benefits every month. Ranging from subscriber-only competitions to special offers, discounts and bonus content, there’s something different each issue to reward you forbeingaloyalreaderof MBUK. This month, we’re marking the welcome return of the GT Bicycles Malverns Classic from 26-29 August by giving you the chance to win weekend passes, race entry and some merch for you and a mate or partner (if you’ve got kids, they go free). With tons going on, from racing to lake…

THIS ALL ADDS UP TO A BIKE THAT CAN RAIL A TURN BETTER THAN MOST, WITH E-BIKE LEVELS OF TRACTION WHEN YOU MOST NEED IT NUKEPROOF GIGA 290 CARBON FACTORY £5,499.99 Serious big-hitter that’s more agile than you might think The Giga is Nukeproof’s new ‘super enduro’ bike, which boasts more travel than their successful Mega but is still designed to be pedalled uphill easily enough. Will it tread on its stablemate’s toes or are the two different enough to prevent confusion? The frame Unlike the four-bar Mega and Reactor, the Giga uses a single-pivot swingarm and linkage-actuated shock to deliver its 170mm of rear wheel travel (180mm on the 650b-wheeled Giga 275). As on Nukeproof’s Dissent downhill bike, you can use a small lever on the non-driveside main pivot…

A good set of brakes is crucial for your confidence and ability to go fast. They’re not only vital for regulating speed, but can also be used to add grip at critical moments. Disc brakes became commonplace on mountain bikes in the 2000s, offering greater stopping power, better modulation (control over that power) and more consistent performance than the rim brakes they superseded. Mechanical (cable-operated) disc brakes are available, but most MTBs use more efficient hydraulic disc brakes, like those on test. The way they work is simple. Squeezing the lever pushes hydraulic fluid from a reservoir on the bar clamp through a master cylinder, down a hydraulic hose and into a calliper. Here, it pushes either two or four pistons, which in turn push a pair of brake pads…

The cafe within The Village Shop in North Nibley may be on the small side, but they rustle up some great coffee and a solid selection of excellent cakes, as well as sandwiches, sausage rolls, healthy energising smoothies and hot toasted paninis. Alternatively, the Black Horse Inn in North Nibley is very good. Both come a little early if you start the ride in Dursley, which is a good reason to begin in North Nibley instead, and also makes sense for those coming from the south. www. blackhorsenorthnibley.co.uk Otherwise, Leaf and Ground farm shop/ cafe off the B4066, just north of the start at Stinchcombe Hill, is another good option. https://leafand ground.com…

Route summary Challenging climbs and descents along with good sections of singletrack make this a fun but tough route, with views of the sea along the way, too Start/finish Sid Road, at the southern end of the park (postcode: EX10 9AA, grid ref: SY 129/879) 1 Go up Sid Road, beside the park, then turn right on Miltown Lane. Continue uphill and go right at the steps, then left on a bridleway to the road. Turn left, then left again at the fork (by a memorial). Keep ahead to the A3052 and go right, then left on a bridleway, downhill into the woods. After 1km bear left at the fork, decending to some houses with gates. 2 Proceed right through a gate, ride across the field to a hedge and…

After a tumultuous weekend of World Cup racing in Les Gets, France, with the track builders and weather providing serious challenges for even the world’s best riders, it was Britain’s Tahnée Seagrave who stood on top of the box, winning her eighth Downhill World Cup and achieving her 33rd podium finish. Tahnée had made some tweaks to her bike set-up before the finals, which had her feeling confident, and it really showed when she put together a storming run on the incredibly technical track to take the win. Local legend Myriam Nicole was snapping at her heels in second, with series leader Camille Balanche close behind in third. Tahnée produced the goods, though, chomping into Balanche’s points lead and extending the gap back to Vali Höll, who now sits third,…

Mountain biking is experiencing a boom in popularity, and long may it continue. However, it has led to more riders venturing off-piste to escape the crowds and seek out more testing trails – and this is beginning to cause problems. We sat down with Hannah Christie, cycling and events manager for Forestry England, and Dan Weston, a Forest of Dean cycle ranger, both keen riders, to find out more. Under the Countryside Rights of Way Act, visitors can roam freely around the forests of England and Wales on foot. However, the same rights don’t extend to cyclists. Forestry England and Natural Resources Wales do promote mountain biking on waymarked trails, bridleways and forest roads. But that doesn’t mean you can just go off and dig your own lines. In the…

Bikes don’t get much more ‘super’ than those ridden at the Olympics, and we only just had time to grab these shots of Evie Richards’ XC race rocket before she flew out to Tokyo for the 2020 Games. That’s not the only thing special about this steed, though, which sports a unique suspension design, a race-honed carbon fibre frame and a cost-no-object build. The Supercaliber first showed its face early in the 2019 season, although it was unannounced and shrouded in secrecy back then. Trek held their cards close to their chest, with the suspension layout kept under wraps for months. When the covers finally came off, it raised more than a few eyebrows. Blurring the line between hardtail and full-sus, Trek’s ‘IsoStrut’ design uses a proprietary shock that’s structurally…

Back with a bang after a two-year hiatus, the GT Bicycles Malverns Classic is England’s biggest mountain bike festival, with plenty to keep all the family entertained. Race fans can choose from XC, enduro, dual slalom, downhill and more, along with the first ever Balance Bike World Championships for little rippers. Less competitive riders will find plenty of interest in the expo area, featuring kit from over 150 brands, along with demo bikes, a retro show, a pump track, airbag, kids’ funfair, climbing wall and more. And then there’s the infamous TRP Lake Ride! Head to https://malvernsclassic.com for more details – and enter our competition for a chance to win entry and more. HOW TO ENTER For your chance to win a weekend at the Malverns Classic, visit this link…

Frame: Carbon fibre, 140mm (5.1in) travel Fork: Fox 36 Float Performance Elite GRIP2, 160mm (6.3in) travel Shock: Fox Float X2 Performance Elite Drivetrain: Shimano Deore XT M8100 (1x12) Wheelset: Race Face ARC 35 rims on Race Face Vault hubs, Maxxis Minion DHF 3C MaxxGrip Double Down TR 29x2.5in WT (f) and Minion DHR II 3C MaxxGrip Double Down TR 29x2.4in WT (f) tyres Brakes: Shimano Deore XT, 203mm rotors Bar/stem: Race Face Next R35, 800mm/ Race Face Turbine R35, 35mm Seatpost/saddle: SDG Tellis 170mm dropper/SDG Bel Air 3.0 Weight: 14.46kg (31.87lb), large size without pedals…

Wakeboarding has its roots in wakesurfing, where surfers looking to maintain the buzz on calm days would get a tow-in from a motorboat, then drop the rope and ride the boat’s wake. Over time it developed into a separate sport, where the rope became integral to the aerial moves being pulled and riders started using short boards attached to their feet by bindings. Wakeboarding can now be done in a variety of ways; most commonly, the rider is towed behind a boat or by a cable. In the latter case, there’s no wake to surf, so riders use ramps and sliders instead, and can also ‘load the line’ (tension the cable) to spring themselves into the air. The Peacocks are cable-park wakeboarders, and they compete at the highest level. In…

HOW WE TEST THE KIT It starts with a detailed product check in the workshop. Next we hit the trails… hard! We test in real riding conditions, incorporating feedback from multiple testers, and don’t stop until we have the complete picture. WHY OUR TESTS ARE THE BEST! Our test team is made up of some of the most respected bike and kit testers in the world. We have unrivalled knowledge and experience, and spend a vast amount of time making sure we get it right. We tell you the truth and aren’t influenced by PR or advertisers. ABOUT OUR TEST TEAM Our technical-editor-in-chief, Rob Weaver, gets new products in as soon as they’re available and coordinates all the testing through our vastly experienced band of reviewers. ION Scrub Amp flat-pedal…

SARAH’S VITUS SOMMET 27 CRX £3,599.99 Our overseas tester’s Vitus is on the sideline for the time being I had some fun days earlier this summer in Schladming, Austria, and the Portes du Soleil, on the Swiss-French border, riding a mix of bike-park berms, fast sections and techy off-piste trails. The good news is that adding another volume spacer (up from two to three) to the RockShox Lyrik Ultimate I fitted earlier this year seems to have done the trick and reduced fork dive somewhat. However, the first signs of wear and tear elsewhere are starting to appear, with the worn rear brake pads being the easiest thing to fix. Besides that, a couple of other issues are on my to-do list. The Shimano XT front brake seems to…

BITE POINT The point of the brake lever stroke where the pads contact the rotor. Some high-end levers have a bite-point adjuster, or you can tweak the bleed process to alter the bite point (to an extent). LEVER PUMP Change in feel at the lever when the brake gets too hot and the bite point moves away from the bar. Heat shields, finned pads and heat-sink materials are used to keep temperatures down. BRAKE FLUID Some brakes use DOT fluid and others mineral oil, and they can’t be mixed. DOT 5.1 boils at high temperatures and is widely available. Mineral fluid is non-corrosive and has a long shelf life. BLEEDING This is the process of purging the hydraulics of air, usually using syringes and plastic tubing to replace old fluid…

Coil shock pros Increased small-bump sensitivity and, often, better mid-stroke support are the biggest benefits of coil-sprung shocks. They generally require less maintenance, too, thanks to the reduced number of seals. Also, they’re more resistant to heat build-up, so remain more consistent on long downhills. They tend to give a bike a more planted feel and provide better rear-wheel traction. Coil shock cons It’s harder to find the right spring rate for your weight and riding style, as you have to physically swap coil springs, requiring you to remove the shock from the bike and the coil from the shock. They’re generally less tunable and offer less bottom-out resistance than air shocks (but some brands do offer progressive springs and incremental rate adjustment). Also, they heavier and won’t work with…

Route summary A classic Peaks outing, with some stiff hills and fabulous trails, and Bakewell tarts post-ride! Start/finish Monsal Trail car park (postcode: SK17 9TE, grid ref: SK 222/690) 1 Exit the car park at the far corner by the old station building, ride to the Monsal Trail and go right (south-east), passing under a bridge. At the end of the trail, drop down to the field towards the river and follow the bridleway along the bottom of the valley to a road. 2 Bear left on the tarmac, over the tunnel entrance. Take a right soon after, through a gate into a field, on a bridleway. When you get to a good track, head right. Go ahead at the crossroads, on some dirt singletrack into the wood (it’s a…

Route summary For such a peaceful setting, this Cotswolds route dishes out a wonderfully challenging ride, with some great singletrack, tough climbs and technical, fun descents Start/finish Stinchcombe car park, Dursley (postcode GL11 6AQ, grid ref ST 744/984) 1 Head out the back of the car park, fork left and follow the Cotswold Way right past the golf club. Go right on a road, then left into the woods and left again. Descend a rough byway to a road. Go left here, then right opposite a house, on a narrow lane, to the B4060. Continue uphill on a byway. 2 Bear left in North Nibley, right at the T-junction by the pub, then shortly left on a bridleway, steeply uphill. Fork right then join the Cotswold Way. Ride to a…

TRAIL STATS Distance: Blue 9.7km, red 23km Climbing: Fireroad and singletrack Time: 1-3hrs Grading: Blue and red WHY RIDE HERE? If you’re looking for a quiet, out-of- the-way trail that mixes pedalling sections with grin-inducing descents, this place is a winner. It’s suitable for all abilities, too RAD… The ‘Hidden Valley’ downhill is one of the most fun and well-built trail centre descents in the UK, and it can be lapped by riding back up a fireroad It’s great challenging your mates on the dual track Newcastleton can be enjoyed by riders of all abilities BAD… The riding is 50/50 fireroad and singletrack Lots of the red trail is very exposed so come prepared if it’s a wet day It’s in the middle of nowhere…

Locals do… Bring some change – the public toilets in town cost 30p Head to a cafe after riding for some well-earned grub Make the most of the descents by repeating them – they’re certainly the highlight of the trails Hit up the dual track. It’s a great way to boost your skills and riding fun Locals don’t… Forget midge spray. This isn’t the Highlands, but the little pests can still be annoying Ride without carrying spares. It’s remote here and there are few facilities in the village if you get a mechanical…

LUKE MARSHALL Our tech writer is always excited to ride new places and didn’t come away from Newcastleton disappointed SARAH GAMSJÄGER Tester Sarah enjoys pushing the pedals as much as she does shredding the descents, so was in her element COREY WATSON Corey has style for miles, and we think he’s a rider you’ll be hearing more about soon in the enduro result sheets JACK CLARK Jack can throw some shapes on a bike, but he’s equally as keen to get behind the lens and snap others…

COREY WATSON ENDURO RACER & BORDERS LOCAL “If you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the Tweed Valley then Newcastleton is a great place to visit. The number of trails is limited and you need to pedal some less-fun kilometres to get to the good stuff, but I was surprised by how enjoyable the new ‘Hidden Valley’ section is – it’s worth the effort just for that. It’s also a great facility for those looking to try mountain biking, with nothing too technical and without hordes of other riders chasing you around.”…

Like most events , the Naughty Northumbrian enduro went on a hiatus in 2020, but it’s back this year, with the promise of some great riding in store. The event takes place over the August bank holiday weekend, in the remote Coquet Valley, at the upper limits of Northumberland National Park. So, you can expect spectacular scenery and some deceptively large hills to navigate. As the valley includes areas of international ecological importance, the well-loved, handmade and technical trails here are only open to the public for a brief window each year, during the race. In this photo, Luke Mumford makes the most of another lazy sunset session checking that the trails are ready for the race, with only the sounds of skylarks and buzzards, the Usway Burn below and…

1 SAFETY FIRST If the trail isn’t signed, you’re riding it at your own risk. Expect the unexpected. There won’t be any warnings about upcoming features and it may be more challenging than official routes. Go prepared – phone signal may be limited and access for emergency services tricky, so carry a map, first-aid kit, multi-tool and pump, extra layers, water and food, and have an emergency plan. 2 BE NICE! Respect other trail users. A cheery “hello!” costs nothing. Acknowledge that walkers and horse riders have the right of way. Be especially careful around children, horses and dogs, and at crossing points or when emerging onto a bigger path. 3 KEEP IT STEALTHY Dropping litter and making lots of noise are surefire ways to draw attention…

1 Slowtide Hayden blanket Made from recycled materials, this fleece blanket is super-soft, looks killer and will keep you warm as the sun goes down. It’ll also get you brownie points with any partner who feels the cold! £29.99 www.slowtide.co.uk 2 Fox Ranger jersey One thing’s for sure – your mates will see you coming from a mile off in this ‘atomic punch’ colourway! The cut is casual enough to wear this riding top for other activities if you want. £40 https://foxracing.co.uk 3 Chilly’s Series 2 insulated coffee cup and bottle With 10 colour options plus name engraving for an extra tenner, you can customise Chilly’s Series 2 cups and bottles to your heart’s content. They keep your drinks cold for ages and look cool as hell. Cup £30, bottle…

Steve Legend’s face got a thorough grating on a recent skills progression day. He explainsv “I had a pretty nasty crash while on a course learning how to hit gaps and big drops more effectively, as well as corner better at speed. The day was going brilliantly, and I was hitting bigger stuff than I ever have before. I was enjoying myself a little too much, it seems, because before I knew it, I’d run into a berm too quickly and forgotten everything I’d just been taught. The front wheel popped over the top, sending me face-first into the gravel. It took two trips to the hospital, some stitches and a course of antibiotics, but I’m happily on the mend now. Let’s just say that a lot was learned that…

ROB WEAVER With three decades of MTB experience, Rob knows what works and what doesn’t TOM MARVIN Riding anything up to five days a week means Tom has plenty of time to hammer test kit LUKE MARSHALL Keen racer Luke is quick to identify what helps or is a hindrance between the tape RUSSELL BURTON Long days outdoors mean photographer Russ needs kit that won’t let him down JAMES BLACKWELL Jimmer rides as fast as he talks, and he needs kit that’ll survive that! MICK KIRKMAN Mick’s ridden, raced and shot MTBing for years, and has hundreds of reviews in print…

ROTOR SIZE We’ve kept all the rotors the same size for this test – 200mm front, 180mm rear. If you’re struggling for power, upping the rotor size (using an adapter to space the calliper further from the frame or fork) is the easiest thing to do. REACH ADJUSTMENT Lever reach adjustment is a handy feature, so you can alter how close the lever sits to the bar at the start of its stroke, to suit your finger length. Some brakes have a tool-free dial, making this really easy. Others require you to use an Allen key, in which case it helps if the screw is easy to access. SPLIT CLAMP A hinged, or split, handlebar clamp means you can fit the brake lever (or remove it) without having to take…

GOING ROUND THE TWIST Q I always forget which way my pedals unscrew – have you got any tips on how to remember? Also, how tight do I need to do them up? James, Llangollen A Everyone has their own trick, but ours is to rotate the crank arm so it points straight down at the floor, or slightly further forwards than that. Then insert the Allen key or pedal spanner with its handle facing the rear wheel axle, and just push down. As the left-hand pedal has an opposite thread, this approach works on both sides. If the pedal won’t budge, you can use your foot to push the Allen key or spanner down. As for tightness, it’s best to check the manufacturer’s recommended torque setting, but generally, tight…

Route summary A wonderful, technical route all around the lovely town of Dunkeld, providing superb enduro-style riding, with as much (or as little) as you can manage Start/finish Dunkeld north car park (postcode: PH8 0AQ, grid ref: NO 028/425) 1 Turn left out of the car park, head into town and go left over the bridge. Take the next left, signed ‘Birnam Services’. After 500m, opposite the grand gates to a hotel on the left, turn right on Birnam Glen (dead-end road). Pass under a bridge then go left up to the station car park. 2 Continue on the cycle path beside the A9, bearing right along the B867, to a layby. Go right through the gate. Pass under the railway bridge and turn left on a track, climbing towards…

GETTING THERE Park at Douglas Square in Newcastleton, just off the B6375 (the main road through the village). Use the postcode TD9 0QD. Ride south on Whitchester Street, turn left at the river and you’ll see the signs FACILITIES Parking, toilets (30p), village amenities (cafes, petrol station) NEARBY BIKE SHOPS Bikeseven is 15 miles down the road in Longtown www.bikeseven.co.uk The Bike Place at Kielder Cycle Centre is 15 miles away in Kielder Forest www.thebikeplace.co.uk CONTACT www.forestryandland. gov.scot OTHER RIDING Kielder Forest Just 15 miles up the road, on the English side of the border, is one of the UK’s largest trail centres, with over 100 miles of waymarked routes. If you’re in the area, why not visit both? www.forestryengland.uk/ kielder Tweed Valley Sixty miles north of Newcastleton, you’ll find…