Indholdsfortegnelse for October 2015 i Mountain Biking UK

One of the most daunting elements of being a mountain biker can be what to do when something goes wrong with your bike. Do you, like us, always have that internal battle of whether to go ahead and try to bodge it yourself rather than admit defeat and hand it over to your local bike shop or friendly mechanic to sort out? Most of us would like to be a little more accomplished when it comes to spannering, which is why we’ve put together our Home Mechanic’s Essential Workshop Guide, free with this issue. We’ve broken down many of the common problems mountain bikers are likely to experience and worked through the fixes in an easy to follow format. Don’t worry if you’re a complete novice – there are plenty…

We’ve already got powered shifting and electronically controlled suspension (or at least, those of us with extra-deep pockets and a love of gadget geekery do), so what’s next? Wireless technology, if the huge halls of this year’s Eurobike trade show are anything to go by. The day when we’re going to have to turn our bikes on before going for a ride is coming closer and closer... Magura are leading the way with their new wireless dropper seatpost. Named the Vyron, it boasts 150mm of adjustment, hydraulic internals, no more cables and a respectable price tag of ›400 (approx £294). The German company have used ANT+ technology as used to link speed and cadence sensors, heart rate monitors and power meters to wireless bike computers – to connect the post…

The Red Bull Joyride at Crankworx Whistler is the biggest slopestyle event of the year and it never fails to deliver huge thrills – and equally big spills. Brandon Semenuk won this year’s event in front of a home crowd with a massive score of 93.8 – you can check out his amazing super-technical run at www.redbull.com/bike . Fellow Canadian Brett Rheeder finished 16th but it was still enough to make him the King of Slopestyle, following his wins at Crankworx Rotorua and Crankworx Les Deux Alpes. Here are our three highlights from another classic event...…

The Kamikaze DH races began in 1985, when mountain bikes were simply fat-tyred road bikes or modified cruisers. After bolting on a chainring with more than 50 teeth it was normal to spend most of the race in an aero tuck, except when speedway drifting round loose turns! The course was simply the access road up the mountain, so there was gravel galore! Dropping 655m over 4.8km it wasn’t hugely steep, but riders regularly clocked up over 65mph. Not gnarly enough for you? Mammoth also hosted the Reebok Eliminator, which sent two riders at a time head to head down the same track. The smallest mistake could end up being pretty painful at those speeds. Early full-face helmets with bolt-on chinguards were conceived specially for these maniacs, who wore padding…

One of the most successful managers in the business, Martin Whiteley looks after the hugely successful Trek World Racing squad. His CV also includes running the Global Racing and G Cross Honda teams, as well as managing racers of the calibre of Greg Minnaar, Brendan Fairclough and Sam Blenkinsop. Blazer squad I started running MTB races in the early 80s, organising the Australian National Championships from 1984 to 86. I was hired as the CEO of Cycling Australia in 1985 and brought MTB in under the Cycling Australia umbrella. In 1995 I was hired by the UCI to run MTB and the World Cup. I did that until the Sydney Olympics in 2000 and then started 23 Degrees Sports Management. La buena vida The 23 Degrees HQ is located in…

1990S THE MISSILE STRIKES MISSY THE MISSILE’S wild racing style and outrageous character were a big part of the World Cup downhill scene from the 90s all the way through to the early Noughties. When she retired in 2003 she’d won the World Champ’s rainbow stripes and topped the podium at 11 World Cups. Things went uncharacteristically quiet until 2009, when it emerged that she’d been charged with possession and distribution of cannabis. 2015 BACK IN BLACK (JEANS) OUT OF THE blue, Missy turned up at this year’s Windham World Cup and announced her intention to race. It turned out that after six months in home detention and five years under supervised release she was finally able to leave her home state to compete. Riding a borrowed bike in jeans…

Pink to the MAXX Not sure which MTB trend to jump on? This hub-geared fatbike with a chainsaw strapped to the back has several of the latest fads covered. Tube delays Can’t be bothered to remove your rear wheel to fix a puncture? China’s Vancom have you sorted with their double-ended inner tube. Lightweight lefty Van Nicholas had a plus-size bike on display fitted with this single-sided titanium rigid fork. It’s eye-catching, but will it be more flexible foe than friend? Legionnaire’s lid Channel your inner Roman with this transparent pisspot helmet from CGG. And when you’re done with it you can use it as a bog brush. Electric Avenue Electric bikes were everywhere at Eurobike, and now any bike can be an e-bike with this Rubbee Drive kit. Just…

CANYON STITCHED 180 Canyon’s Stitched 180 is an entry-level aluminium DJ bike that’ll help you earn your wings, with some great kit as standard including a coil-sprung Manitou fork. At this price, it looks like a steal. £696.98 www.canyon.com YT INDUSTRIES DIRT LOVE The YT Industries Dirt Love is a bit more expensive, coming in at ›1,038.80, but you get a RockShox Argyle fork and a tough Kore bar, stem and wheels to help with all of those cases you’ll be doing as you progress! Approx £764 www.yt-industries.com NS BIKES METROPOLIS 1 NS Bikes’ Metropolis 1 is a competition-ready DJ bike with a sturdy chromoly frame, Marzocchi Dirt Jumper 1 fork and geometry chosen by their pro riders – it’s ready to fly! £1,049.99 www.hotlines-uk.com…

MBUK FORUM www.bikeradar.com/ forums How far in a day? There and back again – cooldad Depends on the terrain, etc, but up to 100 miles if it’s relatively easy going. Quantocks or Exmoor, I’d say 40 miles max – RockmonkeySC I lose interest after five hours – Kajjal My longest ride was 135 miles, although I could have gone further. I’ve felt worse after a fast-ish trip around Cannock. How far you can go depends on the terrain and how fast you’re trying to go – The Rookie FACEBOOK www.facebook.com/ MBUKMag Best MTB race/event? ’Ard Rock Enduro for sure. Nice and relaxed, and no bullshit. Proper mountain biking – Rhys Williams EWS in Tweeddale. Just an awesome vibe with an incredible mix of trails – David Lloyd Hudson Pass’Portes du…

First Rides Ratings WE BASE OUR SCORES ON VALUE FOR MONEY AND PERFORMANCE EXCEPTIONAL: A genuine class leader VERY GOOD: One of the best you can buy GOOD: It’ll do the job and do it well BELOW AVERAGE: Flawed in some way POOR: Simply put, don’t bother! SANTA CRUZ NOMAD C X1 AM FRAME C-level carbon fibre, 165mm (6.5in) travel FORK RockShox Pike RC, 160mm (6.3in) travel SHOCK RockShox Monarch Plus RC3 DebonAir DRIVETRAIN SRAM X1 w/ e*thirteen XCX+ chain guide (1x11) WHEELSET WTB Frequency i25 Team rims on Hope Pro 2 EVO hubs, Maxxis High Roller II EXO TR 27.5x2.4in tyres BRAKES Shimano SLX BAR/STEM Race Face Respond, 785mm/Race Face Turbine, 60mm SEATPOST/SADDLE RockShox Reverb Stealth/WTB Volt WEIGHT 13.4kg (29.6lb), size medium without pedals PRICE £4,799 (complete bike) CONTACT…

Reader Rob Symes sums up what’s so good about having a trail dogv “I’ve been riding for many years now (I’m definitely getting older, I remember when Magura hydraulic rim brakes were the bees’ knees!) and I can honestly say one of the best additions to my mountain biking essential equipment list is my dog, Brooke. “When all other riders wuss out because it’s wet and muddy the dog will come with you. When you’re not quite up for getting out on a ride, the dog always needs exercise. When you’re not feeling like pushing it as hard as you can, the dog is bouncing off the walls with excitement to go as fast as she can.” Case made.…

Less square German bike giants Cube have been busy for 2016. Not only do they have a load of new shoes and tweaked bikes, they’ve also fully reworked their downhill rig, the Two15. This 215mm (8.5in) travel beast gets a whole new suspension layout, similar to that used on the Fritzz and Stereo. It sticks with an aluminium frame but upgrades to 650b wheels. The top-end HPA SL 27.5 model comes with Fox’s top-of-the-line 40 Float air fork and new DHX2 coil shock. Head to www.cube.eu for the full lowdown. Bargain basement Want to try a narrow/wide chainring but can’t stomach the cost? SRAM have announced they’ll be offering chain-retaining X-SYNC rings for just £15.99. How’s this possible? Well, these particular rings are made from steel and only available in…

JIMMER’S MARIN MOUNT VISION C-XM8 £3,500 Paligap www.paligap.cc I’d been looking forward to racing the ’Ard Rock Enduro all year, so it was in true Jimmer fashion that we left with my Marin nowhere race ready and emitting some annoying creaks that I just couldn’t pin down. The culprit, I think, was an overzealous jet wash. I removed the BB for a clean – that wasn’t the problem. Then I removed and regreased the shock mount bearings – bloody tricky, but still the incessant creaking persisted. Oh well, nowt I could do now. The ’Ard Rock was my first enduro and I felt a little undergunned. In a sea of long-travel bling bikes I must have had the most ghetto-looking bike out there, and only 140mm of travel too.…

THE TESTER Guy Kesteven Our northern test engine is constantly comparing and evaluating the latest lights against the current benchmarks, taking them to their durability, reliability and weather tolerance limits. FOR SOME REASON bike lights have always attracted bodgers and bargain hunters more than any other type of component. That means if you choose the right Far Eastern website you can get a simple, powerful-enough light for around US$20. If you’re lucky it may last a season or more before the wiring, the head unit or the battery gets loose or gives up. Some overseas companies give decent back-up if you can be bothered to post the light back, but because reliability is less consistent we haven’t tested buy-direct lights here. Some of the units we’ve reviewed are essentially the…

01 Thread the chain through the rear mech, over the cassette and around the chainring, then rest the chain off to the side of the chainring to remove any tension. Insert a quick link plate into each end of the chain, opposite ways around. 02 Locate the quick link pins in the slots in the opposing quick link plates. Hold the chain on either side of the quick link and pull it away from the quick link. This should slide each of the quick link pins down to the narrower end of the quick link slots. 03 Put the chain back on the chainring. Spin the cranks until the quick link sits above the chainstay. Put downward pressure on the cranks to tension the chain and ensure that the pins…

ViewRanger is an app that lets outdoor enthusiasts discover, plan, navigate and share their adventures on smartphones, on tablets and online. With offline mapping (including Ordnance Survey maps), turn-by-turn navigation and bike computer functions like ride time, ride distance and current, average and maximum speed, it’ll turn your phone into a fully fledged GPS unit. You can also use it to plan or download routes, access guidebook-style information, broadcast your location and track your friends. It has a social platform too, where you can store and share their adventures. ViewRanger is used by more than 400 official bodies, including search-and-rescue teams in the UK and overseas. The ViewRanger app is available to download for Apple, Android, Blackberry 10, Kindle Fire and Symbian devices.…

JOE FLANAGAN Super-stylish DHer turned Hope enduro racer.Also skills coach for Pro Ride JAMES RISKER Scarborough’s silent assassin. Only races DH if it’s not raining, then usually wins JOE RAFFERTY Pro Ride head man, ’Ard Rock Enduro organiser and MBUKskills guru ALEX EVANS Features Ed Alex is fresh from the Alps, ready to sample the UK’s finest trails RAFI RICHARDSON Rakish country gent who’s given up DH to slash some mean shapes on trail bikes JAMES BLACKWELL Five feet of trouble and energy,Jimmer rides quick and talks even quicker…

DIFFICULTY: BEGINNER TIME TAKEN: 5 MINUTES COST £5+ FOR NEW PAD SET TOOLS FOR THE JOB 1. Thin flat-head screwdriver 2.Allen key set orTorx key set (depends on brake) 01 Remove the wheel. Insert a flat-headed screwdriver between the brake pads and push them outwards – this will cause the pistons to retract. If there’s a small C-clip at the end of the threaded pin holding the pads in place, use a thin flat-head screwdriver to pop it off. Put it somewhere safe. 02 Use the appropriate size Allen or Torx key (this depends on the brake brand and model) to remove the threaded pin, turning it anticlockwise. Pull out the old pads and spring from the top of the calliper. 03 Slot the new pads and spring into place…

DIFFICULTY: BEGINNER TIME TAKEN: 25 MINUTES COST FREE TOOLS FOR THE JOB 1. Ziptie 2. Tape measure 3.Shock pump 01 Put on your riding gear and pack (if you normally use one) – the extra weight will affect how your suspension behaves. Ensure the fork stanchions and shock shaft are clean. Turn any compression or lockout dials to the ‘off’/‘open’/’descend’ position. If your fork doesn’t have a sag indicator O-ring, wrap a ziptie loosely around one stanchion. 02a Without sag, the suspension can’t extend into holes as you ride. Cycle the fork through its travel, then move the O-ring/ziptie to the bottom of the stanchion. On level ground, using a wall or friend for balance, assume the ‘attack’ position (pedals level, knees bent slightly, elbows forward). Carefully dismount without compressing…

DIFFICULTY: BEGINNER TO INTERMEDIATE TIME TAKEN: 30 MINUTES COST APPROX £25 FOR NEW CABLES, END CAPS AND FERRULES TOOLS FOR THE JOB 1. Workstand 2.Allen key set 3.Cable cutters 4.Phillips screwdriver 5.T25Torx key 6.Pick (or old spoke) 7.Cable or wet lubricant 8.Cloth/workshop paper 01 Make sure your bike is clean, then clamp it in a workstand. Check that the rear mech and its hanger are straight, and that the bolt holding the mech onto the hanger is tight. While turning the cranks, shift into the smallest cassette sprocket and smallest chainring. Use a 5mm Allen key to loosen the cable clamp bolts on both mechs a few turns, turning it anticlockwise. 02 Wind the barrel adjusters on the shifters fully clockwise, then back them off two turns to allow adjustment…

DIFFICULTY: INTERMEDIATE TIME TAKEN: 10 MINUTES PER STEP COST FREE TOOLS FOR THE JOB 1. Allen key set 2.Rags 3.Welding rod (or spare inner cable) 4.Insulation tape 5.Sharp blade 6.Light lubricant 7.Grease gun and grease 8.Cable cutters 9.Hose cutter 10. Pliers 11. Reverb Oil 3. Torx key set Replacing internally routed cables 01a If cables are already fitted, it’s important to leave the inner cable fixed in the shifter to begin with and only remove the outer. (If cables aren’t already fitted, skip to 01b). Undo the cable clamp bolt on the rear mech, grasp the outer cable where it exits the frame at the rear and pull it all the way out. You may need to do this in stages if the cable continues through the stays. 01b With…

A new crankset can shave a chunk of weight from your bike and improve pedalling efficiency too. You can also upgrade to a 1x set-up, removing the front mech and shifter for further weight saving. Here’s how to remove your old cranks and fit a new set DIFFICULTY: EXPERT TIME TAKEN: 1 HOUR COST £15-£50 FOR TOOLS TOOLS FOR THE JOB 1. Degreaser 2.Stiff brush 3.Rag 4.Workstand 5.Pedal spanner 6.Allen key set 7. Quick link pliers or chain tool 8. Hollowtech II external BB cup spanner and end cap tool 9.Screwdriver 10.Rubber or plastic mallet 11.Chainring bolt tool 12.Torque wrench 01 Give your bike a really good clean, paying particular attention to the drivetrain. Clean the chain, cassette, cranks and chainrings with degreaser and a stiff brush, making sure to…

DIFFICULTY: EXPERT TIME TAKEN: 1 HOUR COST £22.95 FOR FORMULA BLEED KIT – PRICE OF OTHER BRANDS’ KITS VARIES TOOLS FOR THE JOB 1. Workstand 2. Formula pad spacer 3.2.5mmAllen key 4.3mmAllen key 5.4mmAllen key 6.Ziptie 7.Latex gloves 8.Formula bleed kit 9.DOT4 brake fluid 10.T10Torx key 11.Waste brake fluid tray/plastic tub 12. Torque wrench 13. Brake cleaner & rag 01 Clamp your bike in a workstand. Remove the front wheel if you want to bleed the front brake, and vice versa. Check that the brake pads have a good amount of material left, but leave/refit them in the calliper. Then carefully wedge the Formula pad spacer that should have been supplied with your brakes or bike in between the pads, pushing them back into their bores. 02 You now need…

01 With the wheel loosely laced, lube the spoke threads and nipples, then wind the nipples onto the spokes an even amount. The easiest way to do this (if you haven’t added rim tape yet) is to use a flat-bladed screwdriver to turn the nipple heads, visible through the spoke holes in the rim bed. Tighten until the end of the nipple just covers the spoke thread. 02 Start adding tension with a spoke key. Work slowly and methodically so the tension remains even. Add a single full turn to each nipple, beginning each revolution of the wheel at the valve hole so you can keep track of where you are. Continue until you have three-quarters of the final tension required (pluck the spokes of a pre-built wheel as a…

Kenta Gallagher is the rarest of commodities in the talent-rich sphere of world-class downhill racing – a privateer capable of mixing it with the factory riders. What makes him more unusual again is that he’s already won a World Cup, only in XC Eliminator. This former pro cross-country racer shocked the DH world when he qualified within the top 20 at this year’s fourth World Cup round in Switzerland. But is there even more to come? “I was a bit shocked by my quali run in Lenzerheide,” says Kenta, shrugging off his incredible 17th place. “I’d like to do it again so I can prove to myself that it wasn’t a fluke!” His 41st place finish on finals day suggests it was no fluke, and something tells us we’ll soon…

“The past two months on the road in Europe, Colorado and now Whistler have been a blur of long drives, airports, good friends, racing, different cultures, van life, and of course riding! Combloux in the French Alps was my first stop. The first task was to get there – my van has been smoking intermittently and no one has any idea why. Following the advice of my local garage to “get some good breakdown cover and enjoy your holiday”, I set off on my month-long European trip hoping for the best! My first adventure was the MB Ultra Marathon, one of the hardest single-day races in the world. This type of race is as much about survival as racing. Everyone shares something from being part of such a tough experience,…

YogaMany of the best ‘older’ sportspeople say it’s yoga that’s kept them performing at the highest level for decades.› Static stretching After riding stretch key areas, holding the stretch for 30 seconds and repeating three times. Always use good form.› Key areas Focus on the quadricep muscles at the front of your thighs, hamstrings at the back of your thighs, calf muscles and lower back.› Dynamic stretching Before riding, gently take your arms, legs, head and hips through a full range of motion to warm your joints and muscles up.…

SEATPOSTS Sizes Posts come in a range of lengths and sizes. The most common diameters are 27.2mm – often found on XC hardtails, where the flexier shaft adds comfort – 30.9mm and 31.6mm. Some posts have an offset ‘layback’ (as opposed to ‘inline’) saddle clamp. This moves the rider’s weight further back on the bike – not always a good thing, though it does increase the effective reach. Adjustment The clamp at the top of the post lets you adjust the saddle angle and the reach to the handlebar (by sliding the saddle back and forth on its rails).They vary from single-bolt cradles to dual-bolt ‘micro adjust’designs that allow more precise adjustment.You can alter the height of the saddle by sliding the post up or down in the bolted or…

TOMTOM MULTI-SPORT CARDIO This quirky GPS watch with built-in heart rate monitor comes in bright and bold colours with changeable straps. Strap one on and get tracking all of your favourite routes and efforts to become King of the Mountain. £209.99 www.tomtom.com GARMIN FENIX 3 SAPPHIRE Sports watches have never looked so swish! Don’t be misled by the metal strap and analogue-look digital face – if you’re looking to smash Strava PRs left right and centre, this timepiece delivers, with GPS tracking and data capture, ANT+ and wi-fi connectivity, and up to six weeks’ battery life. £449.99 www.garmin.com POLAR V800 Loaded with gadgets and training aids, this high-tech GPS watch is ready to rumble in the jungle… erm, we mean in the woods. On your bike. You can sync it…

Cannondale believe that an aggressive short-travel bike is something we all need in our lives. To that end they’re produced the Habit, a 120mm (4.7in) trail bike with a super-stiff frame and fork, slack angles and some pretty unusual features. The Habit is built from a ‘BallisTec’ carbon blend designed to give the bike a lively ride as well as light weight and strength. Its linkage-driven single-pivot rear end does away with conventional seatstay pivots, relying on flex in the stays instead. This saves weight and improves lateral stiffness. Another unusual feature is the rear brake mount – a ‘flat mount’ borrowed from road bikes, which allows for a narrower rear end but requires a unique pivoting dropout. And then there’s the single-legged Lefty fork up front, a long-standing feature…

What to wear: DJ is a casual discipline, so don’t turn up to the trails in your XC disco slippers or full-on DH pyjama race kit. Jeans, knee pads, a pisspot helmet and some good flat pedal shoes should do the trick. Where to go: Jumping seems to be biggest in the South, probably because there aren’t any mountains to ride. If you can’t find any local trails, have a go at Chicksands in Bedfordshire, The Track in Cornwall or S4P Bike Park in Surrey. Be prepared to help dig if you want to ride! Who to watch: UK riders Sam Pilgrim and Sam Reynolds are up there with the best in the world when it comes to throwing down tricks on 26in wheels.…

There must be something in the water down in Devon – we’ve had loads of entries from Tavi Woods lately. Here are OLI FORCE (front) and JAMES USHERWOOD hitting the road gap, while BRECON watches from below WHAT YOU COULD WIN… The Lezyne CNC Dirt Floor Drive track pump is made from durable CNC machined aluminium and has an oversized barrel, piston, hose and connectors to deliver twice as much air per stroke and quickly fill tyres or seat tubeless tyre systems. For more info, visit www.upgradebikes.co.uk.…

We’ve all been there, lying half-conscious in bed on a dark winter’s morning with the sound of the wind driving the rain against the window. Without even looking at it, you know the buzz emanating from your phone means your riding buddy is bailing on you with some lame excuse – the baby was up all night being sick, their rear hub’s mysteriously imploded – hoping that by sending the text early they’ll avoid a reply. It’s all too common scenarios like this that may explain a growing trend in the mountain bike scene – the rise of the trail dog. When you look at it for what it is, it’s nothing new. Man and dog have bonded and formed a mutually beneficial partnership all the way back to the…

GUNDOGS Gundog breeds such as Labradors and golden retrievers are bred to have high energy in short bursts, making them suited to riders who like shorter, more intense rides. Springer and cocker spaniels often have boundless energy and will run for miles. POINTERS Pointing dogs are a type of gundog with an instinct to stop and look in the direction of the game, hence the name. Pointers are a breed built to run so they’re ideal for riders who like long, all-day epics. They’re also extremely fast and agile. HUNTING DOGS Hunting dogs were bred to run alongside riders on horses so have excellent speed and stamina. Wolfhounds, boxers and ridgebacks will happily run all day. Terriers and Jack Russells will run fast for five to 10 miles, so are…

SENSUS/35BIKESFRONT MUDGUARD £8.99 Hookit Products www.hookitproducts.co.uk With some wild patterns (and more sedate options) to choose from, this fender looks good and does a decent job of keeping crud off your face. The zipties need to be cranked up tight to prevent movement due to the use of slots rather than holes. OLLY NUKEPROOFBRAKE PADS £10 Hotlineswww.hotlines-uk.com Nukeproof’s brake pads are available in three compounds for most common stoppers. We tested the SRAM Guide organic pads, which give plenty of power and bite without any nasty noise. We didn’t get the chance to abuse them on long alpine runs, but they seem as good as SRAM’s own. JAKE BRAND-XPLASTIC BOTTLE CAGE £7 Hotlineswww.hotlines-uk.com This simple wrap-around cage kept our bottle in place even when hammering rough, jump infested trails, with…

> 35mm bar The latest handlebar diameter standard (most bars are still 31.8mm in diameter where they clamp in the stem). > Flood Wide but not very far reaching beam pattern that’s great on handlebars for slower speed, twisty, technical riding. > Halo The pronounced outer ring in the beam pattern of some lights. > LED Light emitting diode. Very efficient solid-state light source. > Lumen Standard measurement of amount of visible light. Some brands use verified figures from a measuring sphere, others use a more optimistic theoretical figure. > Lux Amount of light projected onto a given area. Useful for testing spot beam power. > Periphery The edge of your range of vision. > mAh Milliamp hour. Unit of measurement for battery storage capacity. > O-ring Stretchy rubber ring…

BASIC PRE-RIDE SAFETY CHECKS TIME10 minutes COST Free Follow these four simple procedures to make sure your bike is ready to hit the trails 1a If your bike is box fresh or borrowed it’s worth quickly checking that the brakes are your preferred way round. In the UK, we usually run our front brakes on the right. Check that the right-hand lever is connected to the front calliper and the left-hand lever to the rear calliper. 1b Give the levers a firm squeeze. They should move a little way before stopping with a firm resistance. If not, they may need bleeding (assuming they’re hydraulic discs) – talk to your local bike shop if you’re not happy doing this yourself. 1c Lift each wheel off the ground in turn and spin…

GET THERE Hamsterley is a 30-minute drive north-west of Darlington and is within easy reach of Newcastle and Middlesbrough, but it does feel like you’re driving into the middle of nowhere. Park at Descend Bike Park in Windy Bank Road for the pay-to-ride DH trails or uplift, and down at the main Forestry Commission car park at the visitor centre for the trail centre. The postcode for sat-navs is DL13 3NL. CONTACTS www.descendbikepark.co.uk  www.hamsterley-trailblazers.co.uk www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/ infd-8z4ktl FACILITIES Tea room at visitor centre, bike wash and tea hut at Descend Bike Park BIKE SHOPS Wood N Wheels, at visitor centre www.woodnwheels.org.uk Inspiral Cycles, Bishop Auckland www.inspiralcycles.co.uk WHAT ELSE IS NEARBY? Guisborough Forest Blue and red XC trails near Redcar Chopwell Woodland Park Short but fun red loop on Tyneside VERDICT The best place…

DIFFICULTY: BEGINNER TIME TAKEN: 5 MINUTES COST FREE TOOLS FOR THE JOB 1.5mmAllenkey 2.Torque wrench 01 Clamp your bike in a workstand or flip it upside-down so the wheels can spin freely. Starting at the back, use a 5mm Allen key to loosen both calliper mounting bolts until the calliper can move from side to side. 02 Apply pressure to the rear brake lever, firmly clamping the pads onto the rotor. This should centre the calliper. Gently pinch up each of the calliper bolts until you reach the manufacturer’s recommended torque setting. 03 Spin the wheel and listen carefully for signs of the pads rubbing the rotor. If there is rubbing, check the rotor is straight and recheck the calliper alignment. Repeat steps 1 and 2 if necessary, before moving…

DIFFICULTY: BEGINNER TIME TAKEN: 30 MINUTES COST £2 FOR A REPAIR KIT, £5 FOR A NEW TUBE TOOLS FOR THE JOB 1. Workstand 2.Allen key set 3.Tyre levers 4.Needle-nose pliers 5.Pump (a track pump is best) 6. Washing-up bowl 7. Marker pen 8. Puncture repair kit (containing patches, glue, sandpaper and chalk) 01 Give your bike a good clean before attempting to fix the puncture. Pay particular attention to the wheel with the flat tyre, making sure you get rid of all the muck. Give the bike a quick wipe down to dry it, then clamp it in a workstand or flip it upside-down so that it rests on the handlebar and saddle. 02 Rotate the wheel in the frame or fork and inspect the tyre for damage. If you…

DIFFICULTY: INTERMEDIATE TIME TAKEN: 1 HOUR COST £0-£20 TOOLS FOR THE JOB 1. Workstand 2.Allen key set 3.Rubber mallet 4.Penetrating lubricant 5.Flat-head screwdriver 6.Degreaser and rags 7.Paper towel 8.Sharp blade 9.Spray degreaser 10. Grease 01 Clamp your bike in a workstand and remove the front wheel. Use a 5mm Allen key to remove the brake calliper from the fork, turning the mounting bolts anticlockwise. Store the bolts somewhere safe. Remove any zipties holding the brake hose to the fork. Use an Allen key to loosen the stem’s steerer clamp bolts, then remove the top cap bolt and top cap. 02 Support the fork with one hand and use the other to pull the stem upwards and off the fork’s steerer tube. Remove any spacers at the same time, remembering the…

DIFFICULTY: INTERMEDIATE TIME TAKEN: 2 HOURS COST £5-£15 FOR MATERIALS TOOLS FOR THE JOB 1. Brake cleaner/degreaser 2. Chainstay protector (can also use rubber mastic tape or sticky-backed Velcro) 3.Allen key set 4. Grease or carbon assembly compound 5.Torque wrench 6.Torx T25 key (only needed if chainring bolts are Torx head, not Allen) 7. Crank and BB removal tools (see pages 12-15) 8. Brake pad spreader (or flat-headed screwdriver) 9.Zipties 01 Chain slap A dead cert for noise is the chain slapping against the frame over rough ground. Use some brake cleaner or degreaser to clean the rear triangle/swingarm and you should be able to see where the chain is hitting the frame. Use a chainstay protector, the soft (looped) side of some sticky-backed Velcro or some thick rubber mastic…

DIFFICULTY: BEGINNER TIME TAKEN: VARIES COST FREE TOOLS FOR THE JOB 1. Allen key set 2.Chain tool 3. Zipties 4.Gaffer tape 5. Ingenuity! A smashed rear mech will stop the pedals turning, but you can carry on riding if you go singlespeed. To do this, remove the rear mech and remove or wind up the gear cable. Split the chain and take it off. Look down the drive side of the frame to see which of the rear sprockets lines up best with the middle chainring. Loop the chain over this combination of sprocket and chainring, and shorten it with a chain tool to create a bespoke singlespeed transmission. The chain can jump or fall off in bumpy situations but we’ve finished races and all manner of rides like this.…

Cheltenham may be synonymous with toffs and horses but there’ll be a whole different kind of racing going on nearby soon, when the 417 Project opens its doors to hordes of mountain bikers wanting to beat their mates down the downhill runs and claim bragging rights on the 4X track. When we first checked out the project last summer it was just an empty Gloucestershire hillside, but FlyUp Downhill – the guys behind the uplift services at the Forest of Dean and Gawton – had big plans. With the red tape successfully navigated, Architrail are hard at work creating the tracks, which will include blue, red and black DH runs, a 4X track and a dual slalom course. And don’t worry about pushing to the top – the site is…

Want the protection of a full-face helmet when blasting down a trail or enduro stage but don’t want to overheat when it’s time to hammer at the pedals? Swiss clothing and protection specialists iXS set out to solve this problem, and the result is a distinctive-looking lid that promises to keep your bonce cool (well, coolish) during longer stage races but still offer all the protection needed to take on wilder downhill runs should you wish to jump on the uplift instead. Underneath the new Xult’s fibre-reinforced polymer shell lies the key to preventing too much heat build-up – iXS’s ‘Vortex in-moulded aeration system’. This draws cool air in through multiple mesh-covered vents dotted all over the front of the lid and then expels it through 11 rear exhaust vents.…

The Afan Valley in South Wales has been at the forefront of the trail centre movement since the earliest days of waymarked mountain bike routes, so we were surprised to hear that one of its two visitor centres is threatened with closure. Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council say that in the “current financial climate” they’re no longer prepared to subsidise the Afan Forest Park visitor centre and cafe located at the original trailhead, which have run at a loss for several years (the newer trail hub further up the valley in Glyncorrwg is unaffected). The council are looking for someone to run the centre for them. If no suitable partner is found by 30 September, the cafe and visitor centre could close. In a statement, the council said that…

The huge 10-42t cassette introduced with SRAM’s XX1 transmission in 2013 sent ripples through the sport and heralded the beginning of the end of the front mech. At one extreme, the massive 42t big sprocket rendered the granny ring obsolete for many riders. At the other, the 10g smallest cog made the big chainring redundant too, removing the need for a front mech or shifter. Brands such as Wolf Tooth, OneUp and absoluteBLACK were quick to see the way the wind was blowing and brought out ‘expander sprockets’ so riders could extend the range of their 11-36t cassettes. Now Shimano have joined the party too with their own take on the wide-ratio block. While their 11-40t XTR and 11-42t XT cassettes can’t quite match SRAM’s range, they’re compatible with standard…

Jump bikes are good for jumping, pumping and street riding, and they’re pretty cheap, as mountain bikes go. Slick tyres, small frames and limited gearing mean they’re not the most versatile machines though. Low seat Efficient pedalling isn’t important on a jump bike. Some riders like to pinch the saddle with their knees but most slam it out of the way. 26in wheels The reign of the 26in wheel may be over in many MTB disciplines but not dirt jumping. The smallest wheel size is easier to throw around and more durable – handy when learning to jump! Fast-rolling tyres Slicks or semi-slicks are perfect for most jump spots, run at high pressures. The faster you roll, the higher you can go – DMR’s Olly Wilkins recommends going no lower…

Me and @gregminnaar tryna suss out how @aarongwin1 went so quick yesterday – Josh Bryceland and his teammate weren’t the only ones flummoxed by Gwin’s winning margins in this year’s DH World Cup series Getting in touch with my inner Karate Kid before tomorrow’s race #kungfutime #battleready #mammoth #natchamps – so that’s Gwin’s secret! Wax on, wax off… Wow! Can’t believe I have WON the World Cup overall already!! Pretty mental! Thanks my lush team, sponsors & DH fans! – That’s right, Rachel Atherton has been so dominant this season that she took the women’s title with two races still to go. Did that mean she relaxed in Windham and Val di Sole? Nope, she still crushed the competition! There’s another good story behind this one. I’ll show you the…

WHY IS THIS A SUPER BIKE? Super-high main pivot gives a fully rearward axle path designed to eat up big hits, while idler roller minimises the effect of pedalling on the suspension BOS provide the full works, in the form of custom-tuned air-sprung dampers at both ends With a full World Cup level bling build that includes kit from Renthal and SRAM, this machine is nothing short of drool-inducing MODULAR THRONE The Morgaw saddle is a modular affair, with just about everything being replaceable in the event of a crash. Built-in elastomers reduce vibration, making it comfier on the bum. Not that Remi will be sat on it too often! WHOA THERE Brake feel is a personal thing. Rémi runs SRAM Guide RSC levers attached to Code callipers and clamping…

Growing up, I’ve spent the majority of my time at the dirt jumps, and it couldn’t be a more male environment. You dig with the lads and argue over where to build stuff. You cut down trees together and lug them through the forest. You cook stuff on the fire – badly – and then you ride. Even the riding is a very male experience. Everyone gets charged up on testosterone and the session begins. You holler and whoop as people stomp their tricks. It turns into a bit of a feeding frenzy, like monkeys at the zoo – one starts smashing the cage and running around and the rest follow, all desperately trying to outdo each other. Whichever way you look at it, the whole shebang reeks of unwashed…

With two decades of riding and racing experience, Rob knows what works and what doesn’t Our ultra-experienced northern test engine is the ultimate exposer of kit that doesn’t measure up Our new Features Editor is back in the UK after seven years in the Alps and has a reputation for wrecking bikes Seb’s passion for engineering helps him pick products apart, and he’s no slouch on the race track either Short and fast, pinned or binned, Art Editor Jimmer has been testing kit longer than he’ll happily admit to Jake spends every day riding, and his injury list proves he’s pushing the limits to provide the very best testing…

Why upgrade…? “Comfort is key, so we’ve tested six of the best grips for keeping your hands comfortable all day long. We’ve tried rubber, foam and even silicone designs to find out what works best.” ESI Racer’s Edge Evolution Imports www.evolutionimports.co.uk SO GOOD… ESI grips are often seen fitted to weight weenie XC bikes but they’re good for other types of riding too. They’re well priced and the special foam compound removes almost all trail buzz. Fitting isn’t too difficult, but you’ll need some hairspray to help coax them on. If the 30mm diameter is too thin for you, ESI offer thicker grips too, for slightly more cash. NO GOOD… Despite its vibration-removing qualities, the foam feels pretty hard when you squeeze it and gives your hands a beating…

BATTERY All the lights here use lithium-ion batteries for maximum efficiency and tolerant recharging. Most still use a separate battery pack and head unit, but self-contained sets are a lot neater and easier to fit to your bike. SWITCHES Most lights are turned on/off or moved between modes with a button on the head unit or battery. Remote switches are becoming more common though. LEDS All the lights here use LEDs, not filament bulbs, because they’re power efficient and also tough. How they’re arranged and driven through their circuitry can make a big difference to actual light output. LENS By fitting a lens in front of the LED(s) you can control how the light is spread down the trail in terms of focused reach (great for helmet lights) and side-to-side…

OUR NORTHERN TEST crew rack up thousands of hours of hardcore night riding every year and they’ve been doing it for decades. That puts them in the perfect position to test lights to their limits in terms of temperature, weather and crash-proofing. It’s also ideal for practical assessment of switchgear, programming options, mounts and build quality, because a ‘clever’ mount isn’t any use if it flops as soon as you ride down some steps. We continue testing the lights until they eventually peg out so that we’ve got a proper depth of data when it comes to reliability. That’s how we know which connectors fail first and which mounts stretch over time. As well as riding lights side by side to compare them, we take carefully calibrated beam shots for…

Q I recently had a pretty big crash where I managed to bang my favourite Specialized Vice helmet up pretty badly. Although the outer shell has some scrapes and a small dent in it I can’t see any damage to the polystyrene inner shell. Am I OK to keep wearing this or should I look to replace it? I’m reluctant to fork out for another lid because they’re not cheap. Any advice would be much appreciated. Dale Saunders, via email A We’d recommend that you stop wearing the helmet. You may not be able to see any damage to the EPS liner – from the inside, at least – but if it’s been compromised in any way it’ll make the helmet less effective if you take another tumble, so it’s…

There’s nothing on the route, but just along the road in Woodbury village is the family-run Maltsters Arms. This serves up good cask ales and nice home-cooked food (www.themaltstersarms.com). Further along the B3179, in Topsham, is the Route 2 Cafe, rated as one of the top 10 cycling caffs in the UK by The Guardian. This eco cafe is situated right on the beautiful Exe estuary, offering lovely home-cooked food, from breakfast through to afternoon tea, and can even offer you a cheeky ale or glass of wine. There’s a small bike shop attached and some lovely self-catering apartments (www.route2topsham.co.uk, 01392 875085).…

DISTANCE:30KM+ OF WAYMARKED XC TRAILS, MULTIPLE DH RUNS, 550M 4X TRACK CLIMBING:VARIES TIME:VARIES GRADING:BLUE, RED AND BLACK XC TRAILS, DH RUNS FOR NOVICES THROUGH TO ELITE RACERS WHY RIDE HERE? The best downhill tracks in the North of England next to a Forestry Commission trail centre with multiple marked XC routes RAD… Descend Bike Park has the best jumps, berms and steep rocky trails for miles around DH tracks tough enough for Danny Hart Some superb flowy trail centre sections BAD… It’s in the middle of nowhere, meaning a big drive for most Location is pretty exposed Facilities and tea room are a little quaint…

Whether you’re a budding semi-pro mechanic or you wobble at the knees at the very mention of a torque wrench or Torx key, this maintenance guide has something for you. If your bike sounds like a bag of spanners and you don’t even know how to use a pedal spanner, then look no further. Even if you can already service your headset and know how many psi to put in your rear shock, we’re sure you’ll still learn something. So next time something goes wrong with your bike, don’t just leave it to gather dust in your shed – grab this guide and find out how to replace your BB, true your wheels or simply fix a puncture. We’ve also covered some useful set-up tips for your contact points and…

DIFFICULTY: BEGINNER TIME TAKEN: 10 MINUTES COST £10+ FOR NEW ROTOR TOOLS FOR THE JOB 1. Torx T25 key (six-bolt disc) 2. Hollowtech II BB tool (Center Lock disc) 01 Disc brake rotors are directional – there’s normally a small arrow etched onto one side of the rotor showing which way it should rotate. Make sure this side of the rotor faces away from the hub. Before buying check whether your hub has a six-bolt or splined Center Lock rotor mount. 02 With a six-bolt rotor, line the bolt holes in the rotor up with the bolt holes in the hub flange. Use a Torx T25 key to screw in opposite bolts until they’re all at the manufacturer’s recommended torque setting. 03 With a Center Lock rotor, push the rotor…

DIFFICULTY: BEGINNER TIME TAKEN: 30 MINUTES COST FREE TOOLS FOR THE JOB 1. Spirit level 2. Allen key set 3. Torx key set 4. Torque wrench 1. Saddle angle 01 If the nose of your saddle is angled too far up or down you’ll waste energy constantly trying to correct your body position. It should be sat roughly horizontal (parallel to the floor – use a spirit level for extra accuracy), though if you spend a lot of time climbing, tipping the nose down slightly can improve comfort and your position on the bike. 02 If your seatpost has a single-bolt saddle clamp, use the appropriately sized Allen or Torx key to turn the bolt anticlockwise until it’s loose enough that you can adjust the saddle angle. Tilt the saddle…

DIFFICULTY: INTERMEDIATE TIME TAKEN: 1 HOUR PER WHEEL (FOR BEGINNER) COST £5+ FOR SPOKE KEY TOOLS FOR THE JOB 1. Workstand 2.Spoke key (make sure you get the right size/type for your wheels) 3. Permanent marker pen (can also use small stickers) 4. Ballpoint pen or lolly stick 5. Rubber band 6. Tape measure 01 To check if a wheel is true, start by clamping your bike in a workstand or turning it upside-down. Remove the wheel you’re going to work on – in this case, the rear – from the bike. Remove the tyre and tube, then refit the wheel in the frame. Check the spokes are all tensioned by giving each pair a light squeeze between your thumb and forefinger. 02 If there are any loose spokes or…

DIFFICULTY: INTERMEDIATE TIME TAKEN: 1 HOUR COST FROM £55 FOR BB REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION TOOLS TOOLS FOR THE JOB 1. Workstand 2. Bike cleaner 3. Degreaser and rag 4. Chain tool or quick link pliers 5. 5mm Allen key 6.8mmAllen key 7.Shimano Hollowtech II end cap tool – eg.Shimano FC16 (for Shimano cranks) 8.Flat-headed screwdriver 9. Rubber/plastic mallet 10. Vernier calliper (for non Shimano/SRAM cranks) 11.Press-fit BB tool (eg.ParkTool BBT-90.3) 12.Anti-seize grease 13. Headset press 14. Torque wrench 01 Give your bike a good clean, then clamp it in a workstand. Use degreaser and a rag to make sure there’s no dirt or grime left on the cranks or in the BB area. Use a pair of quick link pliers (SRAM) or a chain tool (Shimano) to remove the chain,…

DIFFICULTY: EXPERT TIME TAKEN: 90 MINUTES COST £15+ FOR BEARING KITS TOOLS FOR THE JOB 1. Workstand 2. Allen key set 3.Crank removal tools (see page 24) 4.Quick link pliers/chain tool 5.Allen bolt with nut and two washers 6. Socket wrench with various size sockets 7. Spanner (to fit Allen bolt nut, above) 8. Rubber mallet 9. Drift 10. Degreaser and rags 11.Grease 12. Full set of replacement frame bearings 13. Soft-jawed vice (optional) 14.Torque wrench 01 Give your bike a thorough clean, focusing on dirt around the pivots. Clamp the bike in a workstand and remove the rear wheel. Now it’s time to remove the shock mounting bolts. Take up the weight of the bike’s rear end with one hand and use the other to turn the bolts anticlockwise…

DIFFICULTY: EXPERT TIME TAKEN: 1 HOUR PER WHEEL (FOR BEGINNER) COST £5+ FOR SPOKE KEY TOOLS FOR THE JOB 1. Tape measure 2. Fine lubricant 3.Flat-bladed screwdriver 4.Spoke key 5.Soft hammer/mallet 6.Wheel truing jig or zipties or rubber band and ballpoint pen/lolly stick PARTS 1. Spokes 2. Nipples 3. Rim 4. Rear hub 5.Rim tape BEFORE YOU START Make sure that your hub and rim match – a 36-hole hub won’t work with a 32-hole rim – and that you have the correct number of spokes and nipples. We’re going to be showing you how to lace a 32-hole rear wheel using a three-cross lace. 01 Do your wheels need to be durable or light? Will the rims be suitable for the tyres you’ll run? With decisions made, calculate the…