Innehållsförteckning för September 2021 från Mountain Biking UK

Italian DH racer and engineer Fabrizio Dragoni watched Neko Mulally finish third at the 2014 World Champs after breaking his chain and Aaron Gwin win the 2015 Leogang World Cup after doing the same, and began thinking of ways to give a full-suspension bike the feel of riding chainless, while retaining the ability to pedal. Benefits of riding with no chain include more sensitive suspension (due to the removal of rider-induced resistance) and therefore better grip, improved braking (because hauling on the anchors doesn’t cause suspension jack) and no pedal kickback (which can occur when the chain is put under tension as the suspension compresses). Dragoni’s solution is the ochain – an ‘active’ chainring spider that allows the ring to ‘float’ as you pedal, letting the chain move freely back…

Over the past 18 months, the UK’s forests have seen a huge rise in use. In England alone, there were 77 million visits in 2020 – up 35 per cent on the previous year. It’s brilliant to see so many people enjoying the outdoors, but this has been accompanied by a noticeable increase in litter. To tackle the problem, Forestry England have joined forces with the non-profit group Trash Free Trails, with the aim of raising awareness, encouraging action and protecting the 1,800 miles of trails they manage across the country.Hereat MBUK, wehate finding discarded bottles and snack wrappers strewn across the woods. So, as we approach World Cleanup Day on 18 September, we’ve handed the next couple of pages over to Forestry England and TFT so they can explain…

1 Haglöfs Essens insluated gilet A cold-weather essential – folds down small, but worth its (negligible) weight in gold if you have to stop to fix a mechanical. The 2021 equivalent uses eco-friendly synthetic insulation instead of goose down. Haglöfs Essens Mimic £140 www.haglofs.com 2 Troy Lee Designs A3 helmet I haven’t put in much time in the new A3 yet, but the super-comfy A1 was my favourite lid for years, the A2 became my top choice for hot, sweaty rides and this combines the best of both. £200 www.saddleback.co.uk 3 Scott Shield glasses The latest, almost goggle-sized specs fit even my deceptively big face. These are the best I’ve tried, with great lenses, a large field of vision and stubby helmet-friendly arms. £109 (photochromic) www.scott-sports.com 4 Fox Flexair jersey…

STAR LETTER WINS ... Lezyne CNC Tubeless Drive pump, Tool Insert Kit & Torque Drive worth £180 THAT ’ S GOTTA HURT WINS ... Thomson Elite 35 Handlebar and Elite 35mm Stem worth £150 SHOT OF THE MONTH WINS... DMR Brendog Vault Pedals, 25th Saddle, Brendog Deathgrips with Oilslick Collars worth £182 INSTABANGERS WINS ... Lezyne Port-a-shop, Ratchet Drive & Chain Gauge worth £128 Please note: Prizes may not be dispatched until restrictions imposed to limit the spread of coronavirus COVID-19 lift. WINNER! THAT’S GOTTA HURT Jon Belcher ended up with this impressive injury after a ride with his sons. He tells us: “I was riding at the Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire, on a day trip with my teenage boys. While trying to keep up with my eldest, I…

Frame Triple-butted, hydroformed aluminium alloy, 170mm (6.7in) travel Fork Fox 38 Factory GRIP2, 170mm (6.7in) travel Shock Fox Float X2 Factory Drive system Shimano STEPS EP8 250W motor with 630Wh battery, Shimano Deore XT M8100 gears (1x12) Wheelset DT Swiss H 1700 Spline 30 wheels, Maxxis Assegai 3C MaxxGrip DD 29x2.5in WT (f) and Maxxis High Roller II 3C MaxxTerra DD 27.5x2.5in (r) tyres Brakes Shimano Deore XT M8120, 203mm rotors Bar/stem Nukeproof Horizon V2, 780mm/ Nukeproof Horizon, 50mm Seatpost/saddle BikeYoke DIVINE, 160mm/Nukeproof Horizon Enduro Weight 24.3kg (53.6lb), medium size without pedals…

The Enduro World Series returns to Innerleithen in the Scottish Borders from 1 to 3 October for a huge weekend of international racing and festival fun. Visitors will get to watch pro riders from all the top teams compete in the final event of the 2021 series, in both EWS and EWS-E. Plus, there’ll be amateur and kids’ races, a Tempest Brewery beer tent, DYEDBRO airbag sessions with Matt Jones, a pump track, ride-outs on the area’s amazing trails, live music and more. Fancy experiencing all this for free? One lucky MBUK subscriber will win VIP hospitality for two at the EWS Tweed Valley, along with two nights’ B&B at the Macdonald Cardrona Hotel (just a 10-minute cycle from the festival village) and a goodie bag each. Entries close on…

Joel Anderson started riding downhill aged eight and soon found out he loved big jumps. He’s journeyed to many corners of the globe including South Africa, Belgium and Scandinavia to compete in the FEST Series – gnarly freeride events with jumps up to 100ft! Joel is comfortable riding anything from BMX to motocross. Will Soffe (MBUK’s newest team member) began riding BMX when he was 12 and raced four-cross from age 15 before some successful seasons as a downhiller. Now he’s older (and hairier) he loves nothing better than a good jump line, spending his summers in bike parks and winters at RampWorld skate park in Cardiff. At the dirt jumps, both lads were running singlespeeds with 26in wheels and a front brake only. Will rode his Specialized SX full-susser…

The Islamic Republic of Iran is the second-largest country in the Middle East, with a population of 83 million and an area of 1.6 million square kilometres. Formerly known as Persia, it’s home to one of the world’s oldest civilisations and has been a centre of Islamic culture and learning since the seventh century AD. The current republic, with its authoritarian government and autocratic Supreme Leader, was established in 1979 and has attracted widespread criticism for abuses against human rights and civil liberties. Its economy has been hit hard by international sanctions targeting its controversial nuclear programme. However, Iran is a diverse country, home to multiple ethnic groups and with terrain varying from rugged mountains to desert basins, large plains and even lush forests. Not only is there a small…

TOM MARVIN Tom rode hardtails throughout his formative years of mountain biking, learning the skills necessary to ride smooth on a bike with no give at the back. During his eight years as a bike journalist, he’s kept his eye in – including with this year’s Marin El Roy long-termer, one of the raddest hardtails around. Tom loves going flat-out on super-stretched bikes, but his varied test loops – from the Cairngorms to South Wales – mean he’s always looking for machines that are nimble on the steeps, too.…

WIDTH This is the most important measurement to get right. Too narrow and your sit bones will be left hanging over the edges of the saddlew too wide and it won’t give your legs space to move. Our advice in the intro will help you to work out what width you need, or you could look up one of the step-by-step tutorials on YouTube. PRESSURE CHANNEL Nearly all saddles have some sort of central depression to reduce perineal pressure. This might be a hollow or a channel – sometimes with a slice out of the shell underneath the padding, or a cut-out through both. SHAPE Viewed side-on, most saddles are concave to some degree, and rise slightly at the back for support. Widthways, they vary from almost completely flat to…

Riding bikes over rocks and roots at speed isn’t only exhilarating, it comes with risk. Crashes happen and can lead to injuries. For pro riders, this is part of the job. However, they’re often able to return to riding quite quickly – not necessarily because they’ve been seen by a top surgeon, but because recovery and rehabilitation are a key part of their training, and they take a diligent, focused approach to the process. Amateur riders are at potentially higher risk of injury. When Gee Atherton jumps a seemingly crazy step-down, he’s spent weeks building it, walking it and practising for it, plus he’s been strength-training to resist the forces he’ll have to endure when riding it. If you’re sat in a car/office/factory most of the week, when the weekend…

Route summary A pleasant, mostly traffic-free, out-and-back ride across Cornwall, along the old Mineral Tramways between the coastlines, with some more challenging trails to play on in the abandoned quarries you pass along the way. Start/finish Bike Chain Bissoe car park (postcode TR4 8QZ, grid ref SW 770/415) 1 Head north-west, out of the back of the Bike Chain car park, and follow the Mineral Tramway cycle signs along the Poldice Valley, where granite markers show the way. The old quarries along this first stretch provide some more technical riding for those who wish to explore and test their skills. 2 Beyond Unity Wood, cross the A30 to Wheal Rose. At Laity Moor, before Cambrose, Elm Farm offers some refreshments (and an alternative starting point if preferred), before the route…

Route summary This ride is set in the quiet valley of Dunnerdale, which offers spectacular views, seldom-busy trails and some fantastic rocky descents Start/finish Layby parking on Smithy Lane (postcode LA20 6DR, grid ref SD 199/883) 1 Go north on the road, which starts to ascend. Past the last house, go right, climbing steeply on a rough track. Through a gate, descend on grass to a farm and join the tarmac. Keep right as you pass through another farm at Croglinhurst, climb, then keep ahead/left at the junction by yet another farm. 2 Descend past the pub and fork left, over a bridge. Continue ahead/left on a dead-end road by a house. At the farm, keep right, climb steeply on a bridleway, bear left and follow the walls for a…

ED THOMSETT Having not been to the 417 for a couple of years, our former Features Ed came away impressed TOM GETHIN Head trail builder here at the park, Tom’s as skilled behind a handlebar as he is at the controls of a digger LAURENCE CRIPPS The 417’s general manager made out like he didn’t know what he was doing, but then smoked us down the hill all afternoon MATT ROE A pro BMXer turned MTBer and now riding for Specialized, Matt brings his liquid 20in style to the big wheels LUKE BARBER This staff member at Wind Hill B1kepark down the road proved he’s not just a local hero with his riding today…

GETTING THERE Although the 417 is located directly adjacent to the A417, it can’t be accessed this way. Instead, follow the postcode GL3 4SS to the Twelve Bells pub and then continue towards Bentham to reach the bike park. There’s a sign, but this can get obscured by the hedge. FACILITIES Parking, toilets, cafe, uplift, coaching, bike wash, bike shop and bike hire. NEARBY BIKE SHOPS FlyUp Bikes are on-site, with workshop facilities and a good stock of parts and gear. There’s a range of Marin hire bikes for both kids and grown-ups. CONTACT https://417bikepark.co.uk OTHER RIDING Cannop Cycle Centre, Forest of Dean – Forty-five minutes west is one of the UK’s most popular MTB destinations. Here you’ll find two graded trail loops, numerous DH runs, a skills area and…

Located in the sumptuous surroundings of the family-friendly River Dart Country Park, the small but perfectly-formed Dartmoor Bike Park was built by Kye Forte’s Trailscapes crew and includes their signature flowing jumps and supportive berms. Set on a slight gradient, there are four very short (under a minute) runs, from blue to black and orange. They’re all immense fun and encourage multiple laps, with the orange option including a ‘boner log’ and mulch jump for freestyle tricksters. With a tuck shop-style cafe at the top of the track and a shady, sheltered aspect under oak trees, it’s a great place to spend time by the river on long summer days. Because the tracks are surfaced, they run just as well during the wetter months, too.…

IT’S EASY TO KEEP THE FRONT WHEEL PLANTED AND YOUR YOUR WEIGHT NICELY BALANCED BETWEEN THE WHEELS TO AID GRIP AND CONTROL ON THE STEEPEST CLIMBS SANTACRUZ BLUR XC X01 AXS RSV £8,099 The US brand’s lightest full-suspension XC bike yet Santa Cruz are back at the sharp end of World Cup cross-country racing, with their htSQD team jumping on this brand new bike. The Blur XC retains a traditional 100mm of travel at each end, but has all the hallmarks of a truly up-to-date race rig. There’s also a Blur TR, with 115mm/120mm of travel. The frame Made from Santa Cruz’s ‘CC’ grade carbon fibre, the new Blur XC is claimed to weigh nearly 300g less than the previous iteration. There’s no rear pivot – instead, the brand have…

ION RASCAL SELECT BOA SHOES 199.95 Clipless kicks for getting rowdy, with a dizzying price tag These are ION’s flagship gravity shoes, with a more rearward cleat position than the German brand’s trail offerings and a BOA L6 system to dial in the fit. The sole is designed to be stiff from front to back, to maximise pedalling power, but with lateral (side-to-side) flex to prevent your foot tilting on the pedal. ION claim their Rubber Soul CL outsole offers optimum traction both on and off the bike, thanks to dedicated ‘climbing’ and ‘pedal’ zones. A cushioned EVA midsole helps soak up hard landings, while a rubberised heel and reinforced toe cap provide protection from trail debris. The PU fabric used for the uppers looks durable, and has vents to…

The Lozère region around the Tarn river boasts hundreds of miles of trails, including a 70km undulating path that runs though the gorge, much of it alongside the river. There are a dozen singletrack descents into the Tarn gorge of varying technical difficulty. All are shown on IGN map 2640 OT. Parts of long-distance trails such as the GR60 can be built into rides, while a 1,400km dedicated MTB route, the Grand Traverse of the Massif Central (GTMC), finishes at the gorge. You can ride here all year, although the summers are hot. There are 22 campsites along the river, most with on-site cafes/pizzerias and some with cabins to rent, too. See www. lozeretourisme.com for more info.…

HOW WE TEST THE KIT It starts with a detailed product check in the workshop. Next we hit the trails… hard! We test in real riding conditions, incorporating feedback from multiple testers, and don’t stop until we have the complete picture. WHY OUR TESTS ARE THE BEST! Our test team is made up of some of the most respected bike and kit testers in the world. We have unrivalled knowledge and experience, and spend a vast amount of time making sure we get it right. We tell you the truth and aren’t influenced by PR or advertisers. ABOUT OUR TEST TEAM Our technical-editor-in-chief, Rob Weaver, gets new products in as soon as they’re available and coordinates all the testing through our vastly experienced band of reviewers. FSA Gradient BB392EVO Modular…

ED’S YT JEFFSY CORE 3 29 £3,749 + shipping Ed’s been paying the price for his lacklustre maintenance efforts I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not always the most proactive when it comes to bike maintenance – and it repeatedly comes back to bite me. Like recently, when I got midway round a big loop of the Welsh Valleys before realising that my brake pads were ground down to the metal and the tyre plug I’d repaired my rear Maxxis Minion DHR II with was pulling out and leaking air. Cue a string of mild expletives and a lot of tyre sealant all over my hands, followed by some horrible rasping noises on the remaining downhills. My mechanical oversights aside, the Jeffsy has stood up well to…

Finding the perfect perch can be tricky because it’s dependant on a lot of factors, from your anatomy (sit-bone width, physical proportions) to myriad design elements of the saddle itself (shape, length, padding, cut-outs, relief channels, rail materials). Generic seats that come on complete bikes will usually suit a range of posteriors, but it’s impossible for them to be ‘one size fits all’, and if you rack up a lot miles, or plan to, then a saddle upgrade is a worthy investment, saving you discomfort and preserving the health of your nether regions. An essential step in making your selection is to calculate your sit-bone width, which can be done easily by sitting on a square of cardboard and measuring the distance between the centre of the indentations. Then as…

CARBON CARE Q I took a big stack on my carbon fibre Scott Spark – totally my fault – and I think I’ve broken it. There are some cracks in the paint on the chainstay, and I’m not sure I trust it any more. Is there anything I can do? I’ve only had the Spark for 18 months and it cost a packet. Jay, Warwick A You’re right to be cautious, Jay. While the damage may just be cosmetic, it could be structural, so it’s not worth taking any risks. Fortunately, carbon fibre is repairable, so all may not be lost. Several UK companies offer a full carbon frame repair service, from assessment to repainting. To find out the cost you’d have to get in touch with them (just do…

Route summary Not too technical, but includes some short, steep hills and quiet trails, enabling you to explore and find wonderful views to the south of the island. It’s exposed to the elements, though! Start/finish Blackgang viewpoint car park on the A3055 (postcode PO38 2JB, grid ref SZ 491/767) 1 Go right on the A3055, then left soon after on a wide bridleway, uphill. Head right, between the fields. Descend and rejoin the road into Niton, following the one-way system left and over the crossroads. After 250m go right on Town End (dead-end road) and follow it to the left. 2 Keep ahead when the track bears right, on a bridleway. Join the track to the left at the end. Descend and cross a road (left then right). Go down…

Qur breathing is harsher and more laboured. Hearts beat fast and legs burn with lactic acid. Only a few more pedal strokes now, though. The top is tantalisingly close. One final effort and we’ll be there. There being the saddle of The Gap – the cleft in the hills that splits the summits of Pen y Fan and Fan y Big, and gives its name to the most famous descent in the Brecon Beacons National Park. We’re up here, grinding out the final few metres of the climb, on a treasure hunt set forusby MBUK’sproduction editor Chris. He’s provided us with a set of written clues, and now, armed with our phones – equipped with the OS Maps app and its ingenious snap-to-path function – our job is to solve…

TRAIL STATS Distance: 10 tracks, 0.8-1.5km each Climbing: Uplift, or surfaced push/ pedal-up track Time: 2-5mins per run Grading: Blue, red, black, double black WHY RIDE HERE? An impressive array of manmade flow trails, ranging from beginner-friendly to 40ft gaps RAD… If you like sending jumps and blasting berms then you’ve come to the right place As you go through the grades, each trail is progressively harder than the last, so they make for great stepping stones in progression The undercover tarmac pump track is ace for bad weather or dark winter days BAD… The lack of tree cover can make the bigger jumps a bit sketchy in the wind Similarly, there’s no shelter from the rain and the natural dirt can get slippery The trail surface has worn quite…

“What’s great about the 417 is the way it caters for such a large range of abilities. We’ve tried to create a progression from flowy and exciting blues, to technical and jumpy reds, right up to harder and more natural- feeling black trails. Not forgetting the indoor pump track, dirt jumps, dual slalom, 4X track and big jump lines. My personal favourites are Dubby Skipper (red) and Infinity and Beyond (double black) because they offer up the most airtime!”…

The first weekend in August saw the euphoric return of Yorkshire’s Ard Rock Enduro after a tough two-year break. Proving that even biblical floods (2019) and a plague (2020) couldn’t keep the UK’s most in-demand and much-loved bike fest down, it bounced to the beat of bikes, bass and beers just as hard as ever. As the first large-scale cycling event to be held on these shores for a good while, folk were always going to let their hair down, and Ard Rock 2021 didn’t disappoint. Tagged the ‘reunion’, there was an amazing atmosphere all weekend, with wild, slippery natural trails to race on and thousands of competitors stoked to be back doing what they loved. Highlights were the sheer buzz of seeing so many fellow riders and familiar faces…

Write to: MBUK Send It!, Eagle House, Bristol, BS1 4ST Email: mbuk@immediate.co.uk Visit: www.mbuk.com STAR LETTER SPREAD THE LOVE I, like many others, decided to get back into biking in 2020. I dug out my trusty (rusty) 26er from the shed, gave it some TLC and set off around the local area to pass some time during furlough, maintain some level of fitness and keep on top of my mental health. It wasn’t long before I dropped some cash on a Nukeproof Scout. Next, I started boring my mates about biking, and before long they caved in. My best friend bought a bike, then his brother, then some other friends. I started teaching my three-year-old son to ride, too. It gave us quality time together, was hugely rewarding and, most importantly,…

Frame ‘CC’ carbon fibre, 100mm (3.9in) travel Fork RockShox SID SL Ultimate, 100mm (3.9in) travel Shock RockShox SidLuxe Ultimate Drivetrain SRAM X01/GX Eagle AXS (1x12) Wheelset Santa Cruz Reserve 28|XC rims on Industry Nine 1/1 hubs, Maxxis Aspen 3C EXO 29x2.4in WT tyres Brakes SRAM Level TLM, 180/160mm rotors Bar/stem Santa Cruz Carbon Flat, 780mm/ Syntace LiteForce, 60mm Seatpost/saddle Fox Transfer SL Performance, 100mm/ WTB Silverado Medium Ti Fusion Weight 10.45kg (23.0lb), large size without pedals…

Welcome to the MBUK Subs Zone! As a subscriber, not only do you get a big discount on the shop price and every issue delivered direct to your door (along with any cover gifts or supplements), but you’re also granted access to this special membership area of the mag, where you can obtain exclusive benefits every month. Ranging from subscriber-only competitions to special offers, discounts and bonus content, there’s something different each issue to reward you forbeingaloyalreaderof MBUK. This month, we’ve teamed up with the Enduro World Series to reward one lucky reader with a VIP experience at the final race of the season in Scotland’s Tweed Valley. We’re talking four-star hotel accommodation, top-notch hospitality at the event itself, and a goodie bag to take home with you. Not only…

VAN ROAD TRAILS Van Road Trails in Caerphilly is a community-run labour of love for local riders and the Van Road Committee, who put in the many hours of fundraising, spadework and paperwork needed to keep the spot alive. The land is leased from Natural Resources Wales and NRW MTB ranger Bob Campbell has been involved in the project from the start. Jason Carpenter (father of world champ Manon) from RampWorld Cardiff was also heavily involved. The trails comprise six pump tracks, dirt jumps and a dual slalom track. Fundraising happens annually, and the team run enduro and dual slalom events along with dirt jams. You can help keep this fantastic venue going by donating through their website. www.vanrdtrails.co.uk MOUNTAIN VIEW BIKE PARK Mountain View Bike Park is one of…

ROB WEAVER With With three t decades o of MTB e experience e, , R Rob knows ws what w works and what doesn sn’’t t TOM MARVIN Riding anything up to five days a week means Tom has plenty of time to hammer test kit LUKE MARSHALL Keen racer Luke is quick to identify what helps or is a hindrance between the tape SARAH GAMSJÄGER Keen enduro racer Sarah is always on the lookout for kit that gets results 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…

PERINEUM This is the region between your anus and genitals. The pudendal nerve runs just under the surface of the skin and repeated saddle pressure on this can cause pain and numbness, eventually leading to long-term damage. SIT BONES Known formally as the ‘ischial tuberosity’, these are the two rounded parts at the bottom of your pelvis that take most of your weight when sitting on a bike. The distance between them varies, so it’s important to support them properly. SHELL Also called the ‘hull’, this is the base material that the padding and saddle rails are attached to. Its shape is the biggest defining factor in how a saddle will feel. What it’s made from and how thick the material is will affect flex. FLEX A good saddle will…

Although there is a pub in Broughton Mills, it comes too early on in this ride, unless you begin at an alternative start location, such as Seathwaite. The only real option along the route is the Newfield Inn in Seathwaite. Thankfully, it’s really good. Nestled in a beautiful and remote location in Dunnerdale, it’s a cracking little oasis for weary travellers, with outside seating or a rustic indoors with a roaring fire in colder weather. The staff are always welcoming and friendly to muddy MTBers, and serve up delicious food and drink. www.newfieldinn.co.uk…

Route summary A big, tough, classic day out in the Scottish mountains, with stunning views, bothies, singletrack and remote riding to reward the brave and fit Start/finish Dalwhinnie station parking (postcode PH19 1AB, grid ref NN 634/849) 1 Ride through the parking area and over the level crossing, then follow the Ben Alder estate road along the loch edge, south-west. After 8km, shortly before Ben Alder Lodge, bear right at the fork towards Loch Pattack. 2 Proceed ahead/left on this track, turning left on a rougher trail shortly before Loch Pattack and keeping right to join alongside Allt a’ Chaoil-reidhe. Go over a precarious bridge and bear left, towards Culra Bothy, bearing left off the main track on singletrack, staying beside the water. 3 Climb Bealach Dubh (the final few…

Locals do… Bring their mates who’ve not tried biking before. There are Marin bikes to hire and qualified coaches on hand Warm up on the smaller lines before sending the big stuff Meet up on sunny summer evenings to session the dirt jump field Locals don’t… Speed up the driveway that leads to the car park – it’s used by both cyclists and walkers Ignore the ‘trail closed’ signs. If they’re in place, it’s for a reason! Push back up the trail itself when lapping the jumpy sections…