Innehållsförteckning för July 2020 från Mountain Biking UK

With playfulness and agility at its core, Santa Cruz have designed their new 5010 trail bike (which shares its frame with the women’s-specific Juliana Furtado) around smaller 650b wheels, reckoning them to simply be more fun than 29in hoops. They’ve also shifted the shock lower in the frame and it’s now driven by the lower link, bringing the bike in line (in terms of silhouette, at least) with the longer-travel Nomad, Tallboy, Bronson, Megatower and Hightower. Santa Cruz say this has allowed them to make the 130mm of rear wheel travel more progressive and easier to tune and set up. It also ensures the 5010 can work with either an air or a coil shock. But the changes don’t end there, because the geometry of this latest, fourth-generation 5010 has…

1 AMAURY PIERRON’S COMMENCAL SUPREME DH Amuary Pierron showed the world a glimpse of his insane speed in 2016, when he scored his first Downhill World Cup podium finish at the opening round in Lourdes, France. He broke his wrist at the following round in Cairns, Australia, but bounced back with a second-place finish in Val di Sole, Italy, at the end of 2017. He then returned with a vengeance in 2018, taking three back-to-back victories along with the overall World Cup title. For 2020, Amaury and the Commencal/Muc-Off Team are running a prototype Supreme DH with a mullet wheel set-up (29in front, 650b rear). The bike has adjustable shock mounts, to allow the team mechanics to alter the geometry and progressivity, along with custom linkages that change the leverage…

1 UK Breaks with Bikes, Max Darkins (Rough Ride Guide) If foreign travel is off the table this year, this is the book for you, featuring over 100 great rides on home turf. £24.95 (hardback) 2 Into Thin Air, Jon Krakauer This personal account of three expeditionists stranded on Everest recalls a terrifying fight against hurricane winds, biting cold and altitude sickness. £9.99 (paperback) 3 The Rough-Stuff Fellowship Archive, Mark Hudson A little bit of history from the world’s oldest off-road cycling club, founded in 1955. Filled with hand-drawn maps, stunning photos and original documents, this is a perfect coffee-break read. £30 (hardback) 4 Where There’s a Will, Emily Chappell While taking part in an ultra-distance bike race might not be top of our list of fun things to do,…

Fort William local Joe Barnes’ mastery of stinking wet conditions has earned him a reputation worldwide. Watch one of his Hazzard Racing videos and you’ll wonder how it’s possible to rip a bike around a deep rut with such ease, while keeping it upright and all the time remaining confidently clipped-in. ‘Pro enduro racer’ might be Joe’s job description, but it’s these quirky and comedic videos that have made him such a rider favourite. Past storylines have included kidnapping his teammates, sending it off waterfalls in rubber dinghies and his mate Pete appearing as Jesus to offer sage pieces of wisdom or announce he’s blocked the toilet. But between all this silliness, and a soundtrack that dives straight from Biggie Smalls into country-and-western, Joe’s raw talent on a bike always…

Nigel Kunning was at BikePark Wales for the day and after a few runs hit the A470 Line. “All was going well until the third tabletop. My YT Capra bucked like an unbroken stallion, plunging the front wheel into the top of the jump, which ejected me like Superman. Landing like a total bag of spuds on my head/left shoulder, my body concertinaed in on itself. The pain was like nothing I’ve ever felt and my collarbone was in pieces. I walked/rode back to the centre, put my arm in a sling and went for lunch! My wife came to take me to Prince Charles Hospital A&E and I went straight to X-ray, which revealed I also had a punctured lung. To make my day, the consultant told me I…

WINDHAM, USA, 2012 In an attempt to end the dominance of Rachel Atherton, Emmeline Ragot – who was up at the last split – decided to send the finish jump, even though it had been causing problems for a lot of riders. She cased it, bike and body flying in different directions, but still got up to cross the line in third place. At the same race, Frenchman Damien Spagnolo was looking like the only racer capable of challenging Aaron Gwin. He was on a charge and in the lead, only to have his tyre split and dash his chances. CAIRNS, AUSTRALIA, 2014 The Australian jungle was a mudbath in 2014, but it didn’t faze American Neko Mullaly, who took to the soaking wet track at a blistering pace. Heartbreakingly,…

Rachel Atherton needs no introduction. She’s downhill mountain biking’s most successful racer by far and one of the all-time greats, with 39 World Cup wins to her name, including an unbeaten run of 14 victories, plus two World Championship titles in that streak. Having been the inspiration for many of today’s other top female riders, they’re all now trying to dethrone her. Rachel’s had her fair share of injuries and setbacks over her career but has always bounced back to retain her dominant position. We look forward to when she’s fighting fit again, to see if she can maintain her position as leading lady in a very competitive women’s field.…

Had you always dreamed of having a riding spot in your back garden? Yes, 100 per cent! I was super-lucky to have some jumps in my garden when I was very young. Then, as I spent more time travelling the world racing and I was at home less and less, they kind of got forgotten. I’d been wanting to give them a revamp for ages, and at the start of lockdown I figured I was going to be about more, so I got to work. Can you explain your set-up for us? It’s definitely geared more towards dirt-jump bikes. We’re lucky to have lots of sets of jumps around here, but I figured why not add one more to the list, just as I want them. In comparison to someone…

I’m writing this now as we’re in the midst of quite the warm and sunny spell in the UK. Despite coronavirus trying to dampen spirits, the trails haven’t been this dry in the UK for what seems like an age. That said, nothing compares to Chilean dust. Southern hemisphere dust is thick and fine, grippy and deathly slick. Riding in a train is a challenge, in fact, it’s nearly impossible. You literally may as well be riding blindfolded, because you can’t see anything ahead of you if you’re riding in someone’s dust trail. The sensation under your tyres is odd too. It sounds like you’re riding on a flat tyre and it kind of feels like it too, but occasionally you’ll cut through the dust and taste a little bit…

FULL ENDURO The Genius LT was on the cusp of becoming a truly capable enduro bike – one you could destroy descents on but still ride uphill. The geometry felt great and it was in its element on anything steep and rocky. UN, DEUX, TROIS… When the Equalizer 3 shock and remote lever behaved, switching between the three travel modes made a big difference on the hill. Scott’s current TwinLoc system is way ahead in terms of operation, design and reliability, though. MEMORY MAKER It’s cool to be able to boast about having done the Mega, and this bike made it possible. It took a beating and so did I, and at the time I wasn’t sure how I felt. But when the dust settled and I’d crossed the line,…

DELTA LIMA SIERRA Evil’s DELTA suspension design uses dog-bone shock links to plot a sophisticated leverage curve for the single-pivot rear end. I’ve never known the system to come loose or cause issues. CORNER CARVER It also allows one of the lowest trail bike BB heights around (tweakable via a flip-chip at the upper shock mount), which isn’t much of an issue in terms of pedalling clearance because of the suspension’s good mid-stroke support. EASY ON THE EYE As a tester, it’s hard to admit you’re a sucker for aesthetics. At the end of the day though, I’m a bike nut and gear tart as much as anybody else, and a sucker for the Following’s curvy carbon silhouette. I love riding a bike that simply looks like no other out…

D.W.R. Durable Water Repellent is a breathable coating given to fabric in the production process that makes water bead and roll off rather than soaking in. In practice, it has a limited lifespan and will need refreshing pretty regularly. FOUR-WAY STRETCH Fabric that’ll stretch in all directions almost guarantees a comfy, unrestrictive fit. Increasing numbers of shorts use this but the cut has to be right, as they can catch on the saddle if they’re baggy in the wrong places. LINER FIXINGS Tabs or loops inside the waistband that allow the tethering of a pair of padded liner shorts. Usually only compatible with the manufacturer’s own liner. SILICONE GRIPPER Patterns of grippy silicone rubber printed onto contact points, usually the rear waistband, that help prevent the shorts slipping down. WAIST…

Route summary After an easy spin along the coastline, a long, steep climb on tarmac awaits, but once up, you’re rewarded with good views and a fast decent to finish Start/finish Station Road car park, Penmaenmawr (grid ref SH 718/765, postcode LL34 6AU) 1 Facing the sea/station, turn right on the road, then left soon after, opposite the bowling green, on a cycle path/tunnel to the seafront, then go left along the promenade. After passing under the A55, turn right on the road by the houses and then follow the ‘Llanfairfechan’ cycle path signs to the left. 2 Pass over the tarmac via the bridge and follow this foot/ cycle path to a fork in the road by some houses. Keep right and follow this road ahead, then around a…

OLLY MORRIS JOB Coach for Pro Ride MTB CREDENTIALSOn top of working as a skills coach and as ride coach for the MS Mondraker team, Bristol-based Olly races downhill at national and World Cup level. Since the photos in this guide were taken he’s switched sponsors, and now rides for Mondraker bikes and Fox suspension. ALAN MILWAY JOB Coach for Milway Performance Coaching and +3 MTB CREDENTIALS Alan has trained some of the world’s best racers, working with six pro teams. He’s also part of the holistic coaching brand +3 MTB, so while he has the knowledge to train those operating at the highest level, he understands the needs of everyday riders too. TRACY MOSELEY JOBTrek Bikes ambassador, T-MO Racing team manager and coach for T-MO Coaching CREDENTIALSAs a former…

• This home workout can be done two to three times a week for maximum benefit, but simply trying it once a week will be a great start. • You don’t need any equipment, but a resistance band (or old inner tube) is useful, as would be some dumbbells and/or kettlebells. A pair of 8kg and 12kg kettlebells is sufficient for most exercises. • Reps and sets: Do four sets of 12 repetitions for each exercise. Rest for 60 seconds between sets. If this feels easy, then increase the reps or up the progression with more load. • Complete all the sets of one exercise before moving on to the next, or turn it into a circuit by doing each one back-to-back and resting at the end of a lap…

Anyone who’s ridden a pump track will know how tiring it is. A few laps ridden at full gas are guaranteed to get your thighs burning and heart thumping. This makes it a great form of training, as you’re not only developing your anaerobic energy systems, but strengthening the muscles you use to stay poised over the bike. Both of these will have noticeable benefits in your trail riding, and will help you maintain a strong position on the pedals – particularly useful for prolonged downhills. If, like most of us, you’d rather avoid the gym, then fitting a regular pump track session into your weekly biking routine is a great idea. Challenge yourself to see how many laps you can ride in one go, or give yourself a set…

Rock gardens add both fun and fear to the trail. If you get them wrong, you’re in for a wild ride, but when you get them right, you can carry your flow and keep on smiling as you go. Here are our top tips for choosing the best way to negotiate them in safety and style. 01 THE SMOOTH LINE This is the path of least resistance, which avoids the biggest holes and rocks. Body position is key here, so that you can adjust your direction as you go. Lean too far back and you won’t be able to steer accurately. Balance too far forward and you’ll get caught by a bump. So find a centred position and use your eyes to guide you through, always looking ahead. Stay relaxed…

Sunshine and Stonehenge can only mean one thing – the summer solstice. Every year, tens of thousands of revellers, history buffs, spiritualists and tourists descend on the iconic megalithic monument in Wiltshire to celebrate the year’s longest day. Every year, that is, except for this one. Like everywhere else in the country (and much of the rest of the world), the West Country hit pause to tackle COVID-19 and, for the first time in generations, this June the ancient stones weren’t echoing with the beating of hundreds of drums and massed choruses of pagan chanting. With lockdown restrictions beginning to ease, and local lad and regular MBUK snapper Russell Burton knowing that Salisbury Plain was still a haven of peace and quiet, he and our resident man of maps, Max…

Life is returning to (sort of) normal, and I’ve got some things out of this, so I thought, ‘what better place to share them than here?’. 1. MTB is super-social. I’ve missed my friends no end. Rides on your own are good, but they’re even better with mates. I’ll value all the group sessions more than ever. 2. Exploring. I’ve enjoyed riding spots I’d never have tried before lockdown, and found unexplored woods, new tracks and previously uncharted terrain. I like local life! 3. Building. I’ve been digging more than usual, so I have loads to look forward to, and I can’t wait to get out with my friends to hit the stuff I never had time to build before. 4.XC! It was cool to get back to basics, practise…

Now that we can get out for testing and shoots again (with restrictions), we’ve been catching up with the backlog of gear and bikes cluttering up our houses. Expect to see more kit filling our pages soon! Staff writer Luke set up a slackline in his garden as a fun distraction from sitting at the kitchen table, pretending he’s working. He’s confident it’ll improve his balance on the bike; we’re just hoping it helps his notoriously clumsy walking! Art editor Jimmer got a bit bored riding the same lockdown loop on the same bike, so he dragged his old 26in hardtail out of the shed for a blast. He had a brilliant time, proving you don’t need the latest, greatest gear to have a rad ride. We’re gutted that features…

SEEING THE LIGHT My boyfriend badly wanted to get me on a mountain bike. I don’t know why but in the beginning I didn’t like it that much. I was a bit scared and really had to struggle with myself to keep doing it. We live in Germany and last year we put our bikes in the van and drove to Scotland. I really loved the country, not to mention the lifestyle and the people. My boyfriend took me to some mountain biking spots and I really tried to enjoy it, but just didn’t have much motivation. Then we arrived in Fort William one afternoon and wanted to investigate the area and the trails. We stopped for a break and I was eating an apple when a mountain biker came…

Tag your Instagram pics with #mbukletters. We’ll pick four each issue and our favourite will win a DMR Wingbar and Defy35+ stem courtesy of www. upgradebikes.co.uk. Usual T&Cs apply. There’s something very inviting about the moody landscape @daveyu1969 captured at Hamsterley Forest Dusty trails and sunny evenings – what’s not to love for @Jaseh007, riding at Marsden Moor Estate @Bevsta_boss taking in the golden hour at Holcombe Hill aboard her Santa Cruz Bronson This silhouette of @ben_s_mtb06 was captured at the perfect time…

NORCO SIGHT C2 £4,695 A Sight for sore eyes Norco’s Sight is a 150mm-travel trail thrasher. Just like their shorter-travel Optic, it’s got some pretty hardcore geometry numbers, designed to place the rider in the ideal position between the wheels whether seated or standing. These include a 64-degree head angle and a seat tube angle that varies by frame size but is resolutely slack (77.7 degrees on our large test bike). Chainstay length also grows between sizes, which is a nice touch, and the reach values won’t leave you feeling cramped (485mm on the large). The C2 model comes with trail-proof parts, including a Fox 36 Performance Elite fork and Float X2 shock, a Shimano XT/SLX drivetrain and brakes, and Stan’s wheels. We’re hoping its on-trail personality is as loud…

Canada’s Stevie Smith was one of the most admired riders in the downhill scene. After taking the overall win in the 2013 World Cup series, he looked set for a glittering career. But then, in 2016, aged just 26, he died after an enduro motorbike accident near his home on Vancouver Island. Stevie’s death sparked an outpouring of tributes to one of the sport’s brightest stars, with teammates, rivals, friends and strangers all reflecting on how his infectious laughter, smile and playful character had brightened up the whole race circuit. Stevie’s work ethic and cool demeanour were only surpassed by his incredible talent. We think ourselves lucky to have witnessed him in action and can only wonder what would have become of this brilliant mountain biker. Long Live Chainsaw!…

Brendan 1 Don’t wait. There’s no time better than right now, so if you have the space, get stuck in! 2 Avoid rushing it. Plan how to space the jumps and build them to last. 3 Take your time in using the best dirt you can, whether that means bringing it in, or digging deeper down for it. 4 If the jumps don’t work right away, don’t feel down. A lot of the time, jumps need time to settle in and a little tweaking. 5 Keep it fun. Don’t get too caught up in it all and make it more serious than it needs to be. Matt 1 Space everything out way more than you think you need to. Jumps always end up riding tighter and closer together than you…

HOW WE TEST THE KIT Starts with a detailed product check in the workshop. We strip and rebuild, checking for any problems. Next we hit the trails… hard! We test in real riding conditions for the complete picture. And finally we re-test with another tester. 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. PLEASE NOTE All testing and photography for this issue was either completed before the lockdown or carried out in compliance with social distancing advice and government travel restrictions. ABOUT…

JCW’S MERIDA EONE-SIXTY 8000 £5,850 The e-bike’s been a lockdown lifesaver for JCW For the past few months, I’ve been alternating between riding my trusty Orange Clockwork 100 hardtail, to keep my fitness up, try to tire my kids out (emphasis on the word ‘try’) and avoid the temptation to tackle anything too gnarly under lockdown, and the Merida, to cover more ground on my own and make the world feel a little less closed-in. This has really put the pros and cons of each of them into perspective. The eOne-Sixty feels like a lot of bike in comparison to the hardtail, but as soon as it’s pointed downhill the plush, well-balanced suspension and stabilising effect of the extra weight mean it eats up everything in its path. Climbs…

ANGLE OF THE DANGLE The Mondraker’s angles were certainly towards the wilder end of the spectrum compared to other bikes at that time. While some scoffed, saying it was too slack, many brands have now settled on the 63-degree head angle found on the 2011 Summum for their 2020 downhill bikes, which speaks volumes. PERFECTLY FLAWED I loved the Summum, but always felt like I had work to do on it. It took a long time to sort the gear indexing, and I finally had to fiddle with the cable routing to get things running smoothly. The back end of the bike also developed a recurring creak (as was common on Mondrakers of the time), which was a faff to fix. BALANCING ACT The brand’s Zero suspension system – still…

PERFECT MATCH Singlespeed drivetrains are just a sprocket, a chainring and a chain. I’m running a 30:17 ratio, which is spinny on the flat but manageable up most climbs. On descents, you’ve just got to brake less, carry speed and trust the front wheel. BUSINESS UP FRONT, PARTY AT THE BACK The mullet set-up works well for me. The smaller-diameter but wider rear rim gives the 27.5x2.8in tyre loads of volume for comfort, while the 29x2.6in front tyre feels accurate yet smooth. QUESTIONABLE CLEARANCE For a frame designed to go singlespeed, and a bike with a 30t chainring, I was surprised by the lack of clearance between chain and chainstay when running it without gears.…

CROTCH Look for a seamless or flatlock-stitched gusset. This is especially important if you often ride without padded liner shorts, for obvious reasons – no one wants chafing down there. LEG LENGTH AND DIAMETER This is largely down to personal preference, but can also be dictated by whether you regularly ride with knee pads. If so, make sure you have plenty of room to accommodate them, and enough length that the legs of the shorts don’t get rucked up above them. LINER SHORTS Most baggy shorts now come without a liner, giving you the freedom to choose your preferred brand or style of inner shorts. We often ride with quality roadie bib-shorts underneath, for comfort and an all-day fit that doesn’t sag. POCKETS Great for temporarily holding your keys and…

There wasn’t anything open when we visited. Hopefully though, things should be back to normal soon. So here are a couple of our personal picks in the area. The Bridge Inn, just off the route towards the end of the ride in Upper Woodford, is well worth the detour to enjoy its beer garden right beside the river, and some great food, from Sunday lunches to light bites, and cask ales. They cater for everyone, including hungry cyclists. www.bridgeinnupper woodfordpub.co.uk Alternatively, in Salisbury itself is the lovely Old Mill Hotel with a great bar, lounge and garden by the river, offering barbecues on summer weekends, making it an idyllic spot to end a ride. www.oldmillhotel salisbury.co.uk…

Route summary A fairly easy, fast ride without much technical stuff, to allow you to experience and enjoy the wild, rugged moors and their great views without having to be a very experienced rider Start/finish Longshaw Estate car park (grid ref SK 267/800, postcode S11 7TZ) 1 Approach the Visitor Centre, bear left behind the building and head through the woods on the permissive bridleway track. Keep left at a fork, uphill, to the main road. Go left on this then right at the fork, onto the A625. Ignore the bridleway immediately on the right, continuing on the road instead, for 0.9km, then turn right on another bridleway across the moor. 2 At a T-junction keep ahead/left, downhill. When you reach a track that crosses the road, go right on…

FLYUP 417 BIKE PARK In the heart of Gloucestershire, Flyup does have an uplift but the hill is small enough that you can push/ride up. It has fun blue, red and black DH runs; dirt jumps (indoor and out); 4X, dual and pump tracks; plus a cafe, bike shop and coaching. www.417bikepark.co.uk ASTON HILL BIKE PARK Another classic southern venue, set in the Chiltern Hills. This place squeezes a lot into its short but steep hillside – four downhill tracks, plus a freeride line, XC loop, 4X track and pump track. It can be slippery in the wet, but that adds to the fun. www.forestryengland.uk GLENTRESS FOREST FREERIDE PARK Known for its trail-centre loops and off-piste enduro riding, this popular venue in the Scottish Borders also has a small bike…

In these challenging times, making use of what we have at home is key. With a bit of know-how and planning, most aspects of fitness training can still be carried out effectively, even with the gyms closed (at the time of writing) and some trails off-limits. And a hidden benefit is that this change of pace gives us time to focus on some often-overlooked areas too. Mountain biking naturally improves certain areas of your fitness (such as your threshold aerobic level, through long, sustained climbs) and you may only realise the need for more strength and strength-endurance when things go wrong – when ‘saving’ a crash, landing to flat or getting bucked through a rough section. You don’t want to recreate those sort of scenarios on every ride, so that’s…

01 RIDE HEIGHT Practise hitting the same turn repeatedly while adjusting how low you get your chest relative to the handlebar. Try really low (by bending your arms a lot), try really high and experiment until you find the optimum position. Generally, a lower riding position should give you more front-end control, but it’s important to find the right balance for you – and the corner you’re riding. 02 PEDAL POSITION People often argue over whether you should have your outside pedal down or not when cornering. The answer is that it depends on the turn. Practise riding a variety of corners where you keep your cranks flat and outside foot down. You can also try adjusting how far down you have your outside foot. Figure out what gives you…

Putting it all together Approaching the chute, make sure you have a solid posture on the bike with elbows bent, weight through your heels, legs straight but supple and hips bent. As you roll into it, keep your legs as they are and allow the bike to pivot forward by bending more at your hips. Modulate your braking so you use less front brake than rear. With all these actions combined, you should have great grip and stability. Reacting to trail features You need to be able to squash (allow the bike to come up to you) and pump (push the bike into the terrain) over undulations while riding the chute. Try to keep your legs extended, because this will give you the space to squash and pump when you…

SADDLE ANGLE Having your saddle level will stop you sliding off the rear when riding uphill. It’ll also allow you to shift your weight forward more easily when you need to and help keep you balanced in the centre of the bike. SADDLE HEIGHT When you’re learning to ride switchbacks, dropping your saddle a centimetre or two (if you have a dropper post) just as you reach the turn will allow you to move around the bike a fraction more, helping you to keep your balance. When you’ve mastered the skill, try to ride at your normal seat height to maximise your power and efficiency. SHOCK SET-UP If yourrear shock has a ‘climb switch’ or ‘pedal lever’, you can use it to firm up your suspension. As well as reducing…

Here’s one to make some of us feel old – Steve Peat has been riding for four decades! The DH racing legend and mainstay of British MTBing has had this milestone commemorated with a new custom lid from his helmet sponsors Troy Lee Designs. Reminiscing on the early days, the big man from Sheffield told us: “I was about two-and-a-half when I first pedalled a bike. I had two older brothers who I used to chase around – hence the family portrait on the back of the new helmet. I distinctly remember my first decent wheelie. I got a few cranks in up a hill near my mum’s house and it was the best feeling ever! “With racing, I was a bit of a late starter. I was 17 when…

Component brands SRAM and Shimano have been playing drivetrain tug-of-war since what feels like forever. Shimano pretty much ruled the late ’80s and ’90s, but in 1997 SRAM acquired German brand Sachs, who had the expertise to get them in the ring, and in 2002 they released their X series of rear mechs, with X.0 being the top-of-the-line model. It was paired with their famous (or infamous) GripShift shifters. With the purchase of Truvativ in 2004, SRAM were finally able to sell a complete drivetrain to challenge Shimano. Since then it’s been a tortoise-and-hare race. SRAM have pushed the tech forward, being the first to introduce 1x drivetrains, narrow/wide chainrings, 12-speed and wireless shifting. But Shimano have remained synonymous with smooth-shifting reliability, as well as pioneering electronic drivetrains. The latest…

THE SUSPENSION HITS A GREAT BALANCE BETWEEN SUPPORT AND SMOOTHNESS, MAKING IT EASY TO CARRY AND EVEN GENERATE SPEED OVER ROUGH SECTIONS WITHOUT THE BACK WHEEL GETTING HUNG UP OVER BIGGER BUMPS £4,899One of the new wave of do-it-all XC race bikes BMC claim their new Agonist is part endurance race bike, part go-anywhere trail rig. They’ve struck this balance by relaxing the geometry – toning down the aggressive body position needed on cross-country race rigs – and speccing trail-friendly parts such as a dropper post and bigger fork. The ‘gnarly XC bike’ category isn’t new, with Scott’s Spark leading the charge and now followed by a host of offerings from other brands. So how does the Agonist stack up? The frame Built around a carbon front end and alloy…

In 2010, the carbon-versus-alloy debate was still a hot topic. GT had just released their carbon fibre Fury and the forums were alight with debate about whether this material was suitable for DH frames or should be kept for weight-weenie XCers. The Santa Cruz Syndicate soon silenced any doubters when Greg Minnaar won the opening World Cup round aboard an all-new carbon V10 (1). The next point of contention arose soon after, and this is a discussion that still rages today – wheel size. At the 2012 World Champs, Swiss Junior Noel Niederberger took to the track on some slightly-larger-than-usual wheels. He finished fourth, just behind Connor Fearon, Richie Rude and Loïc Bruni, all on 26in wheels. It took another two seasons for the 650b (aka 27.5in) size to really…

Did you always want a riding spot at home? Yeah, definitely. It was one of my top three dreams – alongside winning Crankworx or a DH World Cup! This was the ultimate, though. I always loved watching the New World Disorder films, and it was always more interesting to me if the jumps were in the rider’s yard than way out in the woods. I’ve dreamed of having something like this since day dot when I discovered MTB as a kid. Describe your set-up It’s really aimed at dirt-jump bikes. I don’t have the gradient for big bikes, but neither would I want to. Dirt jumping and trails is where my roots are. The jumps themselves are super trails-focused, small and very technical compared to what I’m used to. You…

ROB WEAVER With two decades of riding experience, Rob knows what works and what doesn’t TOM MARVIN The only thing Tom loves more than his clapped-out VW Caddy is hammering test kit RUSSELL BURTON Long days outdoors mean photographer Russ needs kit that won’t let him down LUKE MARSHALL Keen racer Luke is quick to identify what helps or is a hindrance between the tape ALEX EVANS Many years of breaking bikes means Alex can give reliable buying advice JAMES COSTLEY-WHITE MBUK’s editor has 27 years of riding experience and an eye for the details that matter…

THE NUMBERS DON’T LIE The Alpine 160 had some great numbers for the time, with a 65-degree head angle, 1,257mm wheelbase and 483mm reach on the XL. BOTTOMLESS LOVE I initially had a few set-up issues with the RockShox Monarch Plus RC3 shock, which I had to run with too much air or it’d blast through its travel. Volume spacers helped, though, and the stated 160mm of travel always felt like a lot more. SIMPLY SIMPLE If you have the right tools (bearing puller/press/drift) it only takes about 20 minutes to switch out the two pivot bearings. Don’t leave it too long between changing them, like I have on occasion, or you may have issues!…

Like Victorian children , a good pair of biking shorts should be seen and not heard. Well, replace ‘heard’ with ‘restrict your riding’ and you’ve pretty much got it. Mountain bikers wear baggy trail shorts for a number of reasons: durability in the inevitable crashes, style/modesty (pay attention, roadies!) and off-bike versatility – we spend more time on our feet than road riders, so benefit from shorts that reflect this. As such, you want hard-wearing fabrics, a few pockets and a more casual look, but none of this should be at the expense of comfort or restrict your pedalling movement. Desired attributes will vary according to your riding demands. Gravity-orientated riders need heavier-duty shorts that resist abrasion from crashes and close brushes with trees, plus have extra room for bulkier…

Route summary A long ride covering a large area, passing through some beautiful rolling countryside, with fast and twisty singletrack trails, plus some historic sites along the way Start/finish Beehive Park & Ride (grid ref SU 144/334, postcode SP4 6BT) 1 Join the A345. Go right past the bus stop, then left on a bridleway and right on the road. When it bears right, keep ahead through a gate, then right before the road. Go right, then left on a narrow bridleway, down between the trees. 2 Turn right on tarmac, then left on a cycle path when it bears right. Cross a footbridge and go left by the river. After the car parks, cross the water and head right at the T-junction. This bears left, and you go right…

DISTANCE 28KM (17.4 MILES) CLIMBING 950M (3,116FT) TIME 3HRS 30MINS TO 6HRS Route summary A big day out in the mountains along lesser-trodden trails, with some hike-a-bike and too many water bars, but one of the best descents around at the end Start/finish Morvich National Trust car park (grid ref NG 961/210, postcode IV40 8HQ) 1 Continue along the tarmac track for 400m, then turn right through a gate by a barn, on a good, wide path along the valley bottom. Follow this obvious track for around 6km to the house/shelter at the end. 2 Bear left on the singletrack, past the house and keep left, watching out for water bars, which appear regularly. Cross a bridge and then another one, over a deep ravine, and follow the rocky singletrack…

This is a How To guide with a difference, because with many people still furloughed, travel still restricted and further lockdowns not ruled out, we wanted to include plenty of skills that you can work on while stuck at home or with limited access to proper trails. That way there’ll be no holding you back when things finally get back to normal! You’ll find everything from home workout suggestions to pump track tips (maybe with social distancing we can finally ride these without being besieged by dodgy-looking kids asking how much our bikes cost!), and from ‘car park’ skills – just as easily mastered in your road or back garden – to basic techniques that can be practised every time you head out for a ride. Of course, we’ve covered…

The movements outlined here generally focus on a single leg or arm, allowing any weaknesses to be highlighted and addressed. They aim to challenge areas we often overlook, and are designed to improve posture, reduce pain and help you maintain a strong position on the bike when the going gets rough. For example, many people have weak calves, and this affects their ability to control the bike on long downhills. By increasing reps, you’ll improve strength-endurance. Trunk stability is tested throughout each exercise by requiring you to stay stable and in a solid, strong position during the full movement, and this will improve your robustness on the bike. With ways to increase or lessen the intensity of each exercise, this workout will give a solid and well-rounded session that can…

Picking the front wheel up to launch off an edge and land flat on two wheels is an essential skill for any mountain biker. It’s also one that we see a lot of riders struggling with, whether through dropping the front wheel too early or not picking it up at all, at the risk of catching a chainring or going over the bars. We reckon most people’s problems come from either wrong body position, timing or speed, or simply a lack of confidence. If any of these ring a bell, read on and, with a bit of practice, soon you’ll feel much more confident diving headlong into technical trails. 01 TIMING The two key elements to riding a drop-off are driving your feet forward through the pedals and shifting your…