Indholdsfortegnelse for January 2016 i Mountain Biking UK

Gearbox bikes have been around for over a century – think of the Sturmey-Archer hub gear on your gran’s shopping bike – but they’ve never quite taken off in mountain biking. Now there’s a new design on the scene, the Effigear from France’s INGEARTEC. Will enclosed gears finally have their day? Gearboxes have obvious advantages. They protect gears from dirt ingress in a low maintenance, reliable package, remove the need for a vulnerable low-hanging rear mech, reduce unsprung weight and provide instant gear changes, without the need to pedal. On the downside, they’ve tended to be heavy and bulky, and enclosing them within the frame can compromise rear suspension layout. The nine-speed Effigear box hides the system low and central on the bike for a more stable ride with increased…

Steve Peat is one of the most admired and successful – not to mention, approachable – mountain bikers of all time, so it’s hard to believe that 2016 will be his last year racing the DH World Cup series. The former plumber from Sheffield hit the MTB scene relatively late compared to the young talent of today, but by the mid ’90s he’d joined the MBUK team and was starting to win races. Then he hit the big time, signing with GT and going on to win an incredible 17 World Cups, making him one of the ‘winningest’ racers of all time. Despite his overwhelming success, one title eluded Peaty for several years – the World Championships. In 2009, one of his most successful seasons, he finally secured the rainbow…

Nico is known for his meticulous approach to racing. In the 1990s he brought Formula One style telemetry and engineering to DH racing as part of the Sunn team. To this day, his bike set-up is incredibly precise and varies for each race. He’s always looking for performance gains. Taking the lessons he’d learned at Sunn, Nico worked with suspension genius Olivier Bossard, of BOS Engineering, to create his own bike, the V-Process NV01, a machine that was well ahead of its time. The second-generation NV02 that he rode to World Champs victory in 2002 in Kaprun was even more refined and built specifically for that track, with custom Easton tubing and BOS dampers. Nico’s talents stretch beyond mountain biking. He raced in the World Rally Championships in 2001 and…

The XC hardtail is the entry into proper mountain biking for many. With lightweight components and geometry designed for climbing efficiency, these bikes are all about speed. They usually have a broad spread of gears to conquer the steepest climbs without spinning out on high-speed fireroad sections. 1 29in wheels Maximum rollover ability and efficiency mean 29in hoops are the norm on XC hardtails. They don’t get hammered as hard through rough terrain as other types of mountain bike, so lighter, flexier rims can safely be used. 2 Steep geometry Steep seat and head angles keep the rider in front of the bottom bracket while climbing – an efficient position. This geometry can make XC bikes feel a bit twitchy on the downhills though! 3 Low front end Long stems…

1980 & 90S ELASTOMER SUSPENSION MANY EARLY MTB forks and shocks relied on elastomers to take care of both spring and damping duties. These little blocks of rubber were dropped into fork legs and squashed into full-suspension frames and offered no adjustment, other than changing to a slightly harder or softer compound. On a cold day they’d get so hard that your bike basically became rigid! 2015 MODERN SUSPENSION MODERN SUSPENSION FORKS and shocks are high-precision works of engineering art. With positive and negative air chambers, low friction surfaces and high-tech damping cartridges, they can cater for any rider on any terrain. You can tailor your suspension to always enjoy a smooth ride and plenty of traction. Cutting-edge electronic sensors will even change the settings on the fly as you…

TREK PROCALIBER 9.7 SL THE PROCALIBER SL is an all-new XC hardtail that incorporates the comfort-boosting IsoSpeed technology first seen on Trek’s road bikes. A bushing and bearing assembly located at the point where the top tube meets the seat tube allows the latter to flex backwards without affecting the rigidity of the rest of the frame. This ‘decoupler’ should, in theory, allow the bike to ride like a hardtail when out of the saddle but dull impacts when seated. The 9.7 may be the entry-level model but it’s suitably light for a carbon race machine, at just 10.8kg/ 23.9lb without pedals (18.5in size). It comes adorned with a SRAM GX 1x11 transmission, 100mm (3.9in) RockShox Reba RL fork and Boost compatible Bontrager wheels. £2,250 Trek www.trekbikes.com SCOTT SOLDIER KNEE…

How many times have you driven past a hill or a cool looking spot and thought, “Man, it would be so good to ride that!”? That was the concept behind our recent trip to Scotland. In these times where we rely so much on GPS and technology to guide our routes we wanted to keep planning to a minimum – picking a date to drive up on and getting off the beaten track in Scotland’s most unreal landscapes. With no research into desirable locations, we adopted a ‘park and ride’ strategy, whereby if something looked rad and potentially ridable, we hiked, crossed rivers or rode there to make it happen. The terrain was often much harder to ride than it looked like it would be from the road. The Highlands…

BONTRAGER RL BOTTLE CAGE £10.99 Bontrager www.bontrager.com This cage weighs just 35g and at just over a tenner it’s good value too. In use, we had no issues with our bottle rattling about or falling out. The fit is snug but we had no problem getting the bottle in and out. ROB GTALL-TERRA REAR LIGHT £24.99 GT Bicycles www.gtbicycles.com The All-Terra is charged via USB and fixes securely to your seatpost with the built-in rubber strap. The long ‘flare’ type LED offers good visibility and despite our best efforts we couldn’t drown the light on rainy rides. JAKE KINETICA MILKPROTEIN DRINK £35.99 (12 330ml bottles) Kinetica Sports www.kineticasports.com This recovery shake delivers a whopping 27g of milk protein along with 14.7g of carbs while being fat free and only 170…

THIS MAY COME as a surprise to some, but baselayers aren’t just for winter. Even on summer days that extra sweat-wicking layer can make for a significantly more comfortable ride. But winter is when your closest layer matters more. If you find yourself stuck at the trailside for a while after a mechanical or (let’s hope not) crash, a sweat-soaked jersey will cool rapidly, giving you the ch-ch-chills. A good baselayer, on the other hand, will move any moisture away from your skin and hold it in the outer layer of the top until it dries, so that your skin feels dry and therefore warmer. It’ll help that expensive waterproof jacket to function better too, allowing any water vapour to disperse gradually. Thefirstthingtonoteisthat,for a baselayer to work efficiently, the fit…

Tester says… “Most baselayers will wick sweat away. What set our favourites apart from the rest was how quickly they dried and how comfortable they felt next to the skin. All our award winners scored well in that respect, as well as having a markedly better fit.” Mavic Cold Ride Long Sleeves £45 Mavic www.mavic.co.uk WE CAN’T DENY it. The fact that this baselayer makes us feel a little bit like James Bond (Daniel Craig era) may have influenced our decision to make the Mavic Cold Ride the test winner by just the smallest amount. But vanity aside, it’s very good indeed. The yarn used, despite being wholly synthetic, has a soft, natural feel that makes it feel great to wear. Body mapping gives thicker, almost plush sections where you…

ENGLAND If you’re looking to get your wheels turning and confidence soaring, check out the trail centre loops at Ashton Court and Leigh Woods near Bristol. Their hardpack surface means they’re ridable all year round and the blue grading means you won’t be overwhelmed by fast-approaching obstacles. Also try: Haldon Forest near Exeter, Whinlatter Forest Park near Keswick in the Lakes. WALES If you’re more into downhill thrills than epic rides, BikePark Wales, near Merthyr Tydfil, has plenty of tracks for all abilities. If you’re just starting out, then why not get some tuition from one of their knowledgeable coaches? Also try: Afan Forest in South Wales, Coed-y-Brenin in Snowdonia. SCOTLAND Scotland’s beautiful mountains and glens are the perfect mountain biking backdrop. Glentress has green and blue loops and a…

FRONT MUDGUARD These stop mud flying up in your face. An essential addition for anyone wanting to stay focused on the trail ahead. TYRES A decent set of rubber will increase control, inspire confidence and make riding a whole lot more fun. DROPPER SEATPOST Not cheap, but they’ve changed the way we ride – they make ups and downs one long ribbon of riding joy! SUSPENSION Often the weak link on beginner bikes. If you can’t afford to upgrade your fork or shock, a proper service (or, on more expensive models, a tuning session) may help.…

The Shed cafe at the start of the trailhead is just a small wooden hut, but the products that come out of it are superb. It does the usual, such as tea and delicious carrot cake, but its most famous and sought-after offerings are the amazing burgers (meat, chicken and veggie options). Using delicious local produce wherever they can, it’s a superb way to finish a ride. It’s only open at the weekend though, and closed through winter. In which case, both the Black Lion pub up the road and the Forest Arms down the road in Brechfa are very good (and under the same ownership).…

The Edit is the first creation from Sheffield-based independent bike brand Airdrop Bikes. Made for aggressive riding on technical trails, it’s a deliberately straightforward, no frills machine – one designed to be easy to build, easy to maintain and easy to ride. Airdrop have gone with a proven four-bar suspension set-up, which delivers 150mm (5.9in) of progressive rear wheel travel. The Edit rolls on 650b wheels and runs with the current long, low and slack geometry trend, with a 66-degree head angle, 620mm top tube and 1,196mm wheelbase on the medium frame. The individuality is in the build. The Edit will be available as a frame and shock package or a complete bike, with a large range of parts to choose from, including RockShox and Cane Creek shocks, SRAM drivetrains…

“After what feels like most of the year on the road I’m back in Fort William, enjoying all the small things home has to offer. It’s great to see family and friends, sleep in my own bed, ride familiar trails and enjoy the beautiful changing seasons. It’s even nice to be back working, doing a few shifts in A&E! I love autumn. It signals the end of a busy and demanding race season. It’s a nice time to chill and reflect on the year, and to reset for the next chapter. This year has been my first on a fully supported team, and being with Specialized has turned out to be a way bigger change than I’d ever imagined. To be honest, I was apprehensive about joining what I assumed…

1 Fit the right rubber If it’s really muddy, a semi-spike tyre like the Maxxis Beaver or Shorty will make a big difference to grip. For cross-country miles, a narrower tyre will cut through the slop. 2 Brake progressively It’s easy to lose grip in the wet, so be light on your brakes and try not to lock your wheels, especially the front. Drag the brakes lightly on steep terrain to control your speed. 3 Practise In the wet Because you’ll be going slower, balance is really important. Practise coming to a stop and staying on your bike on flat and steep sections. 4 Lean your bike When cornering, try to keep your body and head upright, and lean your bike to use the edges of your tyres for grip.…

What to wear Shaved legs and Lycra tend to be the order of the day for the XC race crowd, though slimmer fitting baggies are also a common sight. Where to ride For the full Olympic XC experience try the London 2012 track at Hadleigh Park in Essex. Margam Park in South Wales is a classic race-only venue. Any UK trail centre provides ample challenges. Who to watch Nino Schurter dominated the 2015 XC World Cup season, showing XC riders have the technical skills to match their fitness. Annie Last is the British XC national champ – she’s one to watch in Rio next year.…

1 BLACK MAMBA GLOVES When things get greasy and oily there’s nothing better to protect your hands than a high-quality set of nitrile workshop gloves, especially if they’ve got an awesome name. £16.20 for 100 www.2pure.co.uk 2 PARK TOOL PCS-10 WORKSTAND The days of turning your bike upside-down to fix it are numbered. Bike stands aren’t as hideously expensive as they used to be and will often fold down to fit in your boot. This Park Tool stand will hold your bike true while you frantically hit it with a hammer. Mechanics made easy? Kind of. £149.99 www.madison.co.uk 3 PEDRO’S PORTABLE WORKBENCH A workstand’s all well and good, but what are you doing to do with your cup of tea, tools and bike clutter? They all…

Loading up ready for the next adventure! #laruta2015 – Our columnist Hannah Barnes is just back from Costa Rica, where she bagged second place in the three-day, 161-mile La Ruta de los Conquistadores. Nice one Hannah! Night riding wet roots will keep you on your toes... or your butt, unless you LET IT ROLL! Yahooooo! – It’s good to see Brett Tippie has the same issues as the rest of us. Good advice though – let it roll! Me and the family checking out my new star on the Sheffield Walk of Fame! Awesome day, and so honoured to be recognised by the whole of Sheffield. Cheers everyone! – There’s now a permanent tribute to the legend that is Steve Peat in his home city. Nice work civic leaders! (Now,…

WHY IS THIS A SUPERBIKE? Super-compact geometry and the shortest chainstays in the business mark out a bike built especially for Morpheus’s slopestyle squad Custom gyro makes bar spins a cinch It’s taken its young rider to some impressive wins WHO IS ANTHONY MESSERE? In 2011, at the tender age of 15, Anthony Messere marked himself out as the next slopestyle superstar by taking third place in the Red Bull Joyride comp at Crankworx Whistler. By 2012 he’d joined the hallowed ranks of Red Bull’s sponsored athletes and continued to rack up the podiums, finally losing his reputation as the ‘nearly man’ in 2014 with a win at Crankworx Les Deux Alpes. 20-INCH TRICK Anthony uses a half-link BMX chain because it’s stronger and allows more precise chain length adjustment.…

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

Why upgrade…? “A good front mudguard will keep the trail slop out of your face as you rack up the winter miles. Riding’s much more fun when you can see where you’re going and your mouth’s not full of grit!” SplashBored SplashBored Splash Bored www.splashbored.com SO GOOD… This was the lightest mudguard on test and the joint cheapest, and it never became clogged with mud. NO GOOD… The SplashBored provides the least protection of any of the mudguards here. Its narrow width means mud can still fly straight off the front tyre and up into your face, especially if you’re using wide, large-volume rubber. Even if you do the zipties up tightly, it flaps about noisily as soon as you hit some bumps. Because it doesn’t provide any coverage…

We were hoping our pick of 2016 shakers and movers would give us the wide range of special powers that make superhero films exciting, and we weren’t disappointed. But which of these mountain bike Marvels will put your pants on the outside and give you a cape of crazy capability when you hit the trails? If you get the build right, DMR’s revived Trailstar has the strength, versatility and unerring stability to redefine what you thought was possible when you drop a hardtail into the hands of gravity. At the other end of the scale, if you want the ultimate floated ride and rough terrain grip combined with surprisingly easy speed at the flick of a lever, Scott’s Genius Plus is a great advert for the latest plus-size tyres. Specialized’s…

WHEN WE TEST we’re considering four criteria – fit, fabric, construction and value. The latter isn’t just about price – expensive products can offer good value for money if they deliver a great return for the outlay – but it’s a happy day when we discover something that delivers excellent performance without requiring big bucks spending. Fit should be an easy one with baselayers because they’re stretchy, but relying on stretch alone for a good fit isn’t enough if the cut isn’t right – you’ll end up with a garment that twists and rides up. We’re looking for panels that curve to hug the body and shaping through the sleeves. Next-to-skin feel is an important factor, natural or synthetic, and we wore all the baselayers on test under the same…

CLOTHES Not only will you look the part in the right riding clobber but it’ll keep you warmer when it’s cold, drier when it’s wet and cooler when it’s hot. A good wicking jersey and shorts with a padded liner are essential. Add a baselayer for colder weather (see page 124) and a decent waterproof to stick in your pack just in case. Endura MT500 Burner II jersey £35.99, www.endura.co.uk Mavic Red Rock shorts £75, www.mavic.com Berghaus VapourLight Hyper Smock 2.0 jacket £100, www.berghaus.com SHOES The right shoes can be ride-changing. If you’re running flat pedals, nothing beats Five Ten’s grippy rubber soles. If you prefer to clip in (expect the occasional stall and fall when starting out!), look for footwear with a secure fit, stiff shank and grippy outsole.…

DIFFICULTY HOW TO TRUE A WHEEL TIME One hour per wheel COST£5-£10 for a decent spoke key Get a wobbly wheel running straight again by following this step-by-step guide 01 With your bike in a workstand or upside down, remove the wheel from the bike and take off the tyre and tube. Give the wheel a good clean. If you have a wheel truing jig, (lucky you!) install the wheel in the jig and use the adjustable gauges to identify any buckles or high spots. The truing procedure is otherwise the same. 02 If you don’t have a truing jig, you’ll have to improvise and use your bike as a makeshift jig. Reinstall the cleaned wheel in the fork or frame (if it’s the rear wheel, let the chain hang…

The Forest of Dean is a staple in the MBUKriding diet.Not only is it just down the road from our Bristol HQ but it’s got a multitude of great trails, from natural, steep and tech to manmade, smooth and flowing, and they’re being added to all the time. The latest update is an extension to one of our old favourites, the red-graded Freeminer XC loop. In recent years this long-established trail has been overshadowed by the longer and more popular Verderers’ blue route, despite a refresh a couple of years back that increased its length from 4.5km to 6.5km. The new section adds a further 4km, bringing it to almost the same length as the Verderers. It’s been designed to keep the feel of a natural trail, and after razzing…

Heard of Phil Pearce? If you’re a regular on the cross-country race scene you will have. You’ll probably have seen the trademark wheelie he pulls across the finish line and witnessed the infectious enthusiasm he has for the sport at first hand. But if your knowledge of who’s who in the XC world isn’t quite up to scratch, his story is likely to amaze. PhilstartedoutinBMX,before turning to motorcycle trials. As work and money commitments took their toll he decided to buy a mountain bike rather than a new motorbike and a love affair began. Entering his first XC race in October 2013, he won the Sport category and was hooked. Quickly progressing to Expert level and supported by his local bike shop, Newbury’s Banjo Cycles, he didn’t leave a venue…

Before the arrival of Five Ten and their super-sticky Stealth soles, flat pedal riders had to compromise. We either rode in fairly grippy but flexy and easily waterlogged skate shoes, or in rugged hiking shoes that rarely gripped the pedals well. Bringing expertise in rubber compounds from the world of rock climbing, Five Ten caused a revolution when they launched the Impact, the first widely available flat-specific shoe. With a sole that was soft and supple for grip but firm enough to stand up to loads of abuse it soon became the shoe to have for flat-pedal pinners across the world. Five Tens are used by all types of riders, from trials stars such as Danny MacAskill to downhillers, most famously Sam Hill. The Five Ten Freerider is probably the…

Nukeproof’s well-established trail bike, the Mega, has been overhauled for 2016. Alongside some significant changes to the frame, the brand have also introduced a 29in wheeled version of the bike and canned the shorter-travel TR model. The shock now mounts to the down tube rather than the top tube. This has made the suspension more linear and has also allowed Nukeproof’s engineers to build more compliance into the frame. Those with a really keen eye will spot that the Mega now has the same top tube as the Pulse downhill bike piloted by Aussie legend Sam Hill. The most significant change is the switch to a new suspension design though. “Anyone familiar with the original Mega will know it was a single-pivot with a linkage-driven shock,” says Ali Beckett, one…

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! COMMENCAL META AM V4 RACE FRAME Triple-butted 6066 aluminium, 150mm (5.9in) travel FORK RockShox Pike RCT3 Solo Air, 160mm (6.3in) travel SHOCK RockShox Monarch Plus RC3 DebonAir DRIVETRAIN SRAM X1 w/ Race Face Turbine Cinch cranks (1x11) WHEELSET Alpha wheels, Maxxis High Roller II TR 27.5x2.3in tyres BRAKES SRAM Guide RS BAR/STEM Alpha, 750mm/Alpha, 50mm SEATPOST/SADDLE RockShox Reverb Stealth/Commencal Meta AM WEIGHT 13.58kg (29.94lb), large size without pedals PRICE ›3,999 (complete bike) CONTACT Commencal www.commencal-store.co.uk Meta is a long-standing name in the world…

“This Lezyne multi-tool offers just about all the tools you could need for emergency trailside fettling. The quality construction, solid tool bits and compact size make it ideal for stashing in a pack or pocket, just in case.” Rob Weaver, Technical Editor in Chief, Mountain Biking UK Key features: • Exclusive custom colour scheme and laser etched MBUK graphics • Durable, corrosion-resistant stainless steel tool bits and fastening hardware • CNC-machined aluminium side plates • Phillips head screwdriver • T25 and T30 Torx drivers • 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8mm Allen keys • Forged aluminium chain tool with CNC’ed handle (for 9/10/11-speed chains) • Weighs just 101g…

Jason McRoy was the first British rider to make an impact in downhill racing outside of the UK. His BMX background, sheer determination and dedication mixed with outstanding all-round riding ability saw him become a force to be reckoned with and land a well-earned deal with Specialized. When Jason died in a road accident on 24 August 1995 it left a massive hole in the UK scene. But his success was the spark that lit a raging fire in the hearts of many UK downhill racers, showing them that racing abroad was the way forward and putting our small country on the path to its current position at the top of world downhill racing.…

You’ve read all about the GT Zaskar – now’s your chance to win one! We’ve got a limited edition 25th anniversary carbon frame to give away. There are only 100 of these in the world, just 10 in the UK, and one could be yours! For a chance to win this incredible prize, simply answer the question, type the URL into your internet browser and follow the on-screen instructions. Good luck! Question What was the name of Hans Rey’s monkey friend, who famously rode a mini Zaskar? A. Bubbles B. Mr Jiggs C. Caesar Enter here http://competition.immediate.co.uk/evolutionzaskar TERMS & CONDITIONS: The Promoter is Immediate Media Company Bristol Limited, Tower House, Fairfax Street, Bristol, BS1 3BN. Entrants must be UK residents aged 18 years or older, excluding the Promoter’s employees. By…

Look at the price! YT have unveiled the specs for their 2016 aluminium Capras and they’re nothing short of mind-boggling! The entry-level Capra AL comes with a 160mm (6.3in) travel RockShox Yari fork and Monarch Plus shock, plus 1x11 SRAM GX gearing, all for just over £1,600 (without the box and shipping), which is crazy value. There’s also a new XL size for 2016. To view the other builds available, head to www.yt-industries.com. Polywhat?! Like the look of the Polygon bikes piloted by Tracey Hannah and Sam Reynolds? Moore Large now have sole UK distribution rights for these elusive machines so you should soon see select dealers stocking the Collosus DH9 downhill rig, Collosus N9 enduro machine and Sikiu XC bike, all with loads of spec options. More at www.polygonbikes.com.…

2015 SPECIAL EDITION After a year of hard riding, here’s the final verdict on our long-term test bikes CANYON STRIVE CF 9.0 RACE £3,746.98 (including boxing and shipping) Canyon www.canyon.com When I took ownership of the Strive I was sceptical about Canyon’s ShapeShifter system, which uses a small piston to alter the shock position, adjusting the geometry and changing the suspension leverage ratio and sag level for climbing and descending. Sometimes you just can’t beat simplicity, right? Although the technology was easy enough to use, the big throw of body weight required to actuate it did make me wonder just how practical it would be when racing. When you’re really gasping for breath and riding a trail you barely know it’s tricky enough to operate your dropper post, let…

FLATLOCK SEAMS Seams create ridges. For chafe-free comfort look for this type of construction, which results in a flat finish that’s less likely to rub you up the wrong way. FABRIC Merino wool or manmade fibres? Both have their advantages so pick the material that feels most comfortable to you. BIKE›TO›BAR STYLE Not all baselayers are skinsuit tight. If you need something that’ll work for multiple sports or go with jeans too, look for long-sleeve T-shirt style tops made from tech fabrics. SEAMLESS KNIT For the ultimate in comfort, look for a baselayer with no seams at all. A circular knit construction makes for a close, non-twisting fit through the body. ZIP GARAGE A front zip on a close-fitting top can irritate where it touches your skin under the chin,…

Antibacterial: A treatment used to prevent synthetic fibres getting too smelly too quickly. Also known as antimicrobial. Compression layer: Baselayer with a tight knitted construction that (according to theory) supports muscles and encourages recovery by stimulating circulation and thus the release of lactic acid. Flatlock seams: Seams that are joined edge to edge, giving a flat finish. Easily visible on the outside, they make for a more comfortable construction on a close-fitting layer. Heat transfer neck labels: Manufacturers have cottoned onto the fact that labels are quite literally a pain in the neck and are now applying size and wash care details via heat transfer. This makes for a smooth finish that won’t rub you up the wrong way. Seamless knit: The technique of knitting in the round (like a…

Essential skills Learn the fundamentals Are you more of a wet-behind-the-ears baby Jesus than a wise man when it comes to mountain biking? Do you find it hard enough to follow a trail without falling off, let alone a star? If so, you’re in the right place. With Christmas indulgence to work off and new year’s resolutions to fulfill, there’s no better time to get out on the trails – and we’re here to tell you everything you need to know to shred the hell out of them. So get your riding kit on (remove those tags first!), drag your bike out of the shed and oil your chain – 2016 is the year you become a proper mountain biker! Body position To ride safely, smoothly and efficiently you need…

1 SADDLE Get your saddle height spot on. For XC trails, a higher perch allows more efficient pedalling. Sit on the seat, rotating the cranks so one foot is at 12 o’clock and one at 6 o’clock. You should be able to rest your heel on the lower pedal with your leg almost straight. For descending you’ll want the saddle lower so it doesn’t get in the way. 2 TYRES Correct tyre pressure is crucial. Too much air and you’ll skate around the trail like Bambi on ice. Too little and you risk puncturing or dinging your rim. Remember, if it’s wet you’ll want to run lower pressures than if it’s dry, for extra grip. You’ll need to adjust the pressure depending on your weight and riding style. As a…

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.…

Q I’d like a new bike. At 53 years young a full-sus is a must and at 6ft 6in a 29er would seem to make sense. I currently ride an XL Specialized FSR XC Pro from 2008 but have to use a whopping 100mm stem, which kills its responsiveness. My budget is £2,000. Can you help? Mark Parry, via email A Getting a bike that fits properly is essential. The good news is that there are some brilliant options for taller riders among the current crop. For £1,999, Orbea’s Occam TR H30 has the big 29in wheels you’re after, along with a decent spec and more up-to-date geometry than your FSR. The skinny-legged Fox 32 fork is a touch flexy but you’ll only notice this if you push…

01 With the rim properly taped, find the valve hole and use a pen to mark its position on the tape. Use a sharp knife to create a tiny hole in the tape at the valve hole – this should be just big enough to get the tip of the valve through. 02 Push the valve stem down through the hole in the tape (towards the hub) while turning it in a clockwise direction, effectively screwing it through the tape. 03 When the valve stem’s rubber bung is sat firmly against the rim bed, slide the rubber O-ring (if one is provided) over the valve stem from the hub side, then screw on the metal lockring to fix the valve stem firmly in place. CONTACT US: Write Email: to…