Innehållsförteckning för June 2022 från Mountain Biking UK

All of us who bring MBUK to life are committed to creating content that reflects and celebrates the diverse backgrounds and interests of our readers, and the MTB community as a whole. While we always strive to be inclusive, we need to do better and have begun work on a plan to drive meaningful change, but we know it’s a work in progress. We’d love to hear from you and are open to suggestions on how we can create positive change together. If you’ve got a story to share or would like to get involved, email us at mbuk@ourmedia.co.uk.…

JAMES COSTLEY-WHITE EDITOR Finally getting to use the tinted lenses that came with my riding glasses – for a week or two, at least! JAMES BLACKWELL ART EDITOR Getting out for proper dawn rides – no lights, no people, just empty trails and wildlife CHRIS BARNARD PRODUCTION EDITOR When it gets light at 4am and goes dark at 10pm. I’ll sleep when I’m dead! JULIA BROUSSIER DESIGNER A break from the endless dilemma of how many layers to wear on a ride. Shorts, jersey, sorted! WILL SOFFE STAFF WRITER Dusty berms and fast-rolling jumps! (Not having to wash bikes is a bonus)…

1 Crankbrothers Stamp 7 Small pedals Pedals don’t exactly scream ‘women’s-specific’, but female riders tend to have smaller feet than guys. These flats, available in a choice of colours, provide maximum grip and stability to send it big, in a smaller package. £149.99 www.extrauk.co.uk 2 7mesh Women’s Skypilot jacket It’s hard to beat the light weight, breathability and weatherproof protection of GORE-TEX. An absolute essential in the UK, if only the price tag wasn’t as steep as the worst of climbs. £300 https://lyon.co.uk 3 Fox Speedframe Pro Lunar helmet Fly to the moon and back on your next send, safe in the knowledge that this lid’s got your back, with its MIPS technology and dual-density foam. It’s a beauty that’s won over most of the MBUK team. £149.99 https://foxracing.co.uk 4…

Lukas is a German slopestyle rider who competes at the top Diamond-level FMBA (Freestyle Mountain Bike Association) World Tour events, where he’s ranked 11th. He’s also a keen entrepreneur, owner of Motion Clothing and has a rapidly growing YouTube following. Lukas edits his own videos documenting the life of a pro slopestyler (in German, with subtitles for international viewers). Later this year, he’ll be hitting the contest scene with a bang, hoping to repeat results like his fifth place at Crankworx Innsbruck in 2020.…

STRIVING FOR VICTORY Canyon revamp their Strive CFR enduro bike with a focus on flat-out speed NEED TO KNOW With Canyon’s Torque park bike and Spectral trail rig moving from 650b to 29in wheels, the Strive is no longer their only long-travel 29er, so the German direct-sale brand have been able to design this new version with a sole focus on the top step of the podium. The geometry’s had a major overhaul and is seriously long, low and slack, and you still get the brand’s ‘Shapeshifter’ mechanism, which lets you adjust the geometry, firm up the suspension and reduce the rear-wheel travel on the fly. The front triangle is said to be 25 per cent stiffer, for more direct handling. Offset headset cups let you tailor the reach by…

Age: 11 Handle: @flyuphenry Hometown: Gloucester Sponsors: Marin, DD Airbags, Ride Concepts, Silverfish, Saddleback, TLD, Hello Blue T ypes of riding: Freeride and dirt jumping Goals for 2022: To complete full runs of the Oakley Icon Way at Dyfi, Vision Line at Revs and Full Moto at BMCC Dreams for the future? Ride Audi Nine Knights by age 14! Age: 12 Handle: @harry_2010_beast Hometown: Near Gatwick Sponsors: Specialized Gravity Type of riding: BMX racing, DH racing, BMX park and dirt jumping Goals for 2022: Ride as much as possible! Dreams for the future?: To be able to ride all my bikes for a living Age: 6 Handle: @hazzpullin Hometown: Bridgend, South Wales Sponsors: None yet! Type of riding: BMX and MTB Goals for 2022: Learn a new trick – a…

01 FRAME SIZE The most important thing is to buy the right size bike in the first place. If your frame is too big or small for you, you’ll never be truly comfortable. Yes, you can tweak the fit slightly, but if you make big changes to things such as stem length or saddle position, it’ll compromise the handling, potentially reducing gripandcontrol.Thegoodnews is that modern bikes tend to have shorter seat tubes (to allow use of longer-travel dropper posts) than in days gone by, along with plenty of standover room, both of which are a boon for smaller riders. Take a few bikes for demo rides before buying, so you know what size you need and what sort of geometry you like. Key things to consider are: • Can you…

Our technical-editor-in-chief, Rob Weaver, gets new products in as soon as they’re available and coordinates all the testing through our team of tech experts, who have unrivalled knowledge and experience. Every test 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 riders, and don’t stop until we have the complete picture, no matter how long it takes. Our testing is staunchly independent and not influenced by PR or advertisers (sometimes to their great discomfort). We’re never afraid to tell you the truth.…

Let’s be honest, most of us love shiny new kit, and adorning your pride and joy with a fancy component can be a great motivator to get out riding more. However, some bike parts have more of a performance benefit than others – whether you’re looking for speed, control, comfort or just more fun on the trails. So, we’ve compiled a list of the upgrades that we think will make the biggest difference to your experience in the saddle. Mountain biking isn’t a cheap hobby, so we’ve suggested more wallet-friendly options alongside one of the best products available in each key component category. These are all pieces of gear or other options that we’ve used ourselves and which have received a great score from our test team. 1 DROPPER…

TECH Q&A LOSING THEIR BITE Is there any way of preventing my brakes’ bite point from changing as the pads wear? The more they wear, the further I have to pull the levers to get them to bite, and I’m pretty fussy with my set-up! Will Davies, Milford Haven Brakes are, in theory, meant to remain consistent in feel as the pads gradually wear down, but that’s rarely the case, as you’ve experienced. Sticky pistons can have an impact, so it’s good to keep your brakes clean – include them in your bike-washing routine and give them a good spray of brake cleaner just before you put your steed away. Some brakes come with bite-point adjustment at the lever. If yours do, try adjusting them. If not, you’ll need to…

TRAIL STATS Grading One blue descent, two reds, three blacks and one double-black/pro line WHY RIDE HERE? A variety of terrain and some inventive trail building mean there’s an addictively moreish trail for all riders, from beginner to pro level. Friendly staff sweeten the deal. RAD... Great value at £10 for the whole day A wide selection of tracks on a compact site means it’s impossible to get bored A by-riders, for-riders vibe permeates the park and the staff are just as passionate about MTBing as you are BAD... No uplift, so get your pedalling legs (or an e-bike) ready The two separate grading systems of ‘lozenge’ traffic lights and ski-style colours can be confusing for newbies…

LUKE BARBER, MANAGER & TRAIL BUILDER “At Wind Hill, our main aim is to cater for progression. This is shown by our range of trails from blue all the way up to pro-line. We build a lot of the trail features with big and small options, to try and push people and make it easier to progress. There’s a team of four of us working full-time at the park, and we’re great together when building new trails and coming up with different features. With the park only being on a small hill, having no uplift, and a lot of the trails being dug and maintained by hand, I feel like we have the kind of vibe you get at a local trails spot, rather than that big bike park feeling.…

The Escarpe has been updated for 2022 with a new frame and improved suspension kinematics, designed to make it better uphill and more fun on the descents. Vitus have given the Escarpe 29 CRX a full-carbon chassis. The UK brand say the front triangle has been tuned to improve stiffness and tracking. Frame features include internal cable routing and carbon protection patches, as well as a threaded BB shell. The front and rear triangles are connected via a four-bar linkage that provides 140mm of rear-wheel travel. This model comes with a top-drawer parts package. Factory-level suspension from Fox, including a 150mm-travel 36 fork, is paired with a full Shimano XT drivetrain and brakeset. The wheels on our bike come from Nukeproof’s Horizon line, although DT Swiss’s M 1900s are also…

£3,535.90 DELIVERED Frame Carbon fibre mainframe, aluminium alloy rear triangle, 130mm travel Sizes S, M, L*, XL, XXL Fork Fox 34 Performance, 130mm travel Shock Fox Float DPS Performance Wheelset DT Swiss M 1900 wheels, Maxxis Forekaster EXO 29x2.35in tyres Drivetrain SRAM NX Eagle (1x12) Brakes SRAM G2 R, 200/180mm rotors Bar/stem Race Face Æffect R35, 780mm/Race Face Æffect R35, 60mm Seatpost/saddle YT Postman dropper/SDG Bel-Air V3 Weight 13.9kg (large, without pedals) www.yt-industries. com…

Frame Carbon fibre, 125mm travel Sizes S, M, L*, XL (*size tested) Fork RockShox Pike Select+, 140mm travel Shock RockShox Deluxe Select+ Wheelset DT Swiss M 1900 wheels, Maxxis Minion DHR II 3C MaxxTerra EXO 2.4x29in (f) and Maxxis Dissector EXO 2.4x29in (r) tyres Drivetrain SRAM GX Eagle with X1 cranks (1x12) Brakes SRAM Code RS, 180mm rotors Bar/stem Canyon G5, 780mm/ Canyon G5, 40mm Seatpost/saddle Canyon G5 dropper/Ergon SM10 Enduro Comp Weight 13.8kg, large size without pedals www.canyon.com…

The diversity of bikes aimed at trail riders is as broad as the trails on which they’re ridden, and in a category where 140 to 150mm of travel is commonplace, picking a 120mm bike as the winner took a bit of soul-searching. THE TOP FUEL PROVES THAT IF YOU WANT A BIKE TO DO IT ALL, IT’S QUALITY, NOT QUANTITY, OF SUSPENSION THAT DOES THE BULK OF THE WORK Perhaps the truest all-rounder in this test is the Specialized Stumpjumper, but it failed to really light a spark in us. Previous winners, such as the Bird Aether and Propain Hugene, are still hugely accomplished, too. The Canyon Spectral 125 was the machine that got us in trouble most often, while the Nukeproof Reactor was the most likely to get us…

Frame ‘C’ carbon fibre, 150mm travel Sizes XS, S, M*, L, XL Fork RockShox Lyrik Select, 160mm travel Shock Fox Float X Performance, 150mm travel Drivetrain SRAM NX Eagle with Truvativ Descendant cranks (1x12) Wheelset Race Face AR 30 rims on SRAM 716 (f) and 746 (r) hubs, Maxxis Minion DHF 3C MaxxGrip EXO 29x2.5in (f) and Minion DHR II 3C MaxxTerra EXO 650bx2.4in (r) tyres Brakes SRAM G2, 200mm rotors Bar/stem Burgtec, 800mm/ Burgtec Enduro MK3, 42.5mm Seatpost/saddle SDG Tellis dropper, 150mm/ WTB Silverado Race Weight 15.1kg (medium, without pedals) www.santacruz bicycles.com…

Frame Carbon fibre, 175mm travel Sizes M*, L, XL Fork Fox 38 Performance Elite GRIP2, 170mm travel Shock Fox DHX2 Factory Drivetrain Shimano Deore XT (1x12) Wheelset DT Swiss FR 560 wheels, Maxxis Assegai 3C MaxxTerra EXO+ 29x2.5in (f) and Maxxis Minion DHR II 3C MaxxGrip DD 29x2.4in (r) tyres Brakes Shimano Deore XT, 203mm rotors Bar/stem Canyon G5, 780mm/ Canyon G5, 40mm Seatpost/saddle Canyon G5 dropper, 170mm/ fi’zi:k Gravita Alpaca Weight 15.8kg (medium, without pedals) www.canyon.com…

THE SWAGGER THIS MACHINE EXUDES WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH ELEVATES CONFIDENCE WHEN YOU NEED IT MOST Both Whyte and Canyon have won this category in the past so we suspected it’d be these two battling it out for the top spot. We knew the Nukeproof was good, too, but it wasn’t until we got stuck into our back-to-back testing that we realised just how good. That’s not taking anything away from the Torque or G-180, as they’re great bikes. The Canyon is a stealthy operator and seriously fun to throw around, but not quite as comfortable at speed as the Whyte or Nukeproof. As for the G-180, with its great spec and solid frame it’s a bike that’s easy to ride fast. In fact, it was a close call…

Frame ‘Series 3’ hydroformed, custom-butted 6013 aluminium alloy, 150mm travel Motor/battery/ controller Shimano STEPS EP8/Shimano E8035, 504Wh/ Shimano EM800 Sizes S, M, L*, XL Fork Fox 38 Factory GRIP2 EVOL, 160mm travel Shock Fox DHX2 Factory Wheelset DT Swiss HX 531 rims on Shimano Deore XT M8100 hubs, Maxxis Minion DHR II EXO 29x2.4in WT (f) and Maxxis Minion DHR II EXO 29x2.4in WT (r) tyres Drivetrain Shimano Deore XT M8100 with KMC e12 chain (1x12) Brakes Shimano Deore XT M8120, 203mm rotors Bar/stem Race Face Next R 35 carbon, 780mm/ Race Face Turbine R 35, 40mm Seatpost/saddle KS Lev Integra dropper/Saracen Weight 24.03kg (large, without pedals) www.freewheel. co.uk…

Frame ‘Stealth Alloy Evo’ aluminium alloy, 170mm travel Motor/battery/ controller Bosch Performance Line CX/Bosch PowerTube, 750Wh/Bosch Kiox 300 Sizes S, M, L*, XL Fork Fox 38 Float GRIP EVOL, 180mm travel Shock Fox DHX2 Performance Elite Wheelset Mavic E-Deemax 29 wheels, Maxxis Assegai 3C MaxxGrip DH 29x2.5in WT tyres Drivetrain SRAM GX/NX/SX Eagle with Race Face Æffect cranks (1x12) Brakes SRAM Code R, 220/200mm rotors Bar/stem ONOFF Sulfur, 800mm/ ONOFF Sulfur, 30mm Seatpost/saddle ONOFF Pija dropper/fi’zi:k Terra Aidon X5 Weight 27.27kg (large, without pedals) www.mondraker. com…

THE NUKEPROOF TOTALLY DEFIES ITS WEIGHT AND TRAVEL, UNTIL YOU NEED THE EXTRA STABILITY THEY PROVIDE The Mondraker Level R is a great bike, but its more speed-focused handling, high weight and slightly unforgiving suspension, along with its shorter battery range, meant the chase for the E-BOTY title ended up being a two-horse race. While the Whyte E-180 RS is more playful-feeling and intuitive to ride than the Mondraker, it lags behind the Nukeproof Megawatt 297 Factory in these areas, with the Nukeproof delivering both without sacrificing any stability or outright speed. This makes the Megawatt a bike that’s easy to jump on and ride fast, and engaging to move across the trail. Thanks to its fluttery suspension, it can stick technical, high-speed lines all day long, and its relatively…

Our Bike of the Year test is always a massive undertaking, not least when the industry is having major supply-chain issues. And this year we decided to make things even harder for ourselves by adding a third category, e-MTBs. We pondered adding hardtails, too, but the way the market is, the bikes that did well would likely have sold out by the time we went to press. I’d like to say a big thanks to Rob, Tom and Alex for the countless miles they put in, in all weathers, and to Jess, Will P and Rach for their help with our final testing at BikePark Wales. We hope you enjoy reading this year’s guide, whether you’re in the market for a new ride or just a sucker for the latest…

Love or hate it, having a social media presence is now essential for any mountain biker looking for sponsors. Even if you’re podiuming at races, your follower stats can be all-important in scoring that new ride or fancy kit. Earlier this year, veteran Canadian XC star Geoff Kabush posted some thoughts on his Instagram feed, saying: “I hope there’s still room for young athletes who have performance goals without follower or subscriber goals. Not everyone is cut out for the online drive and pressure. As an introverted, quiet young athlete, I’m not sure I’d have survived if I was just starting in sport these days.” The response was overwhelmingly positive, with the likes of EWS stars Richie Rude and Jared Graves adding their support, but the post caused Kabush’s account…

How do you make your incessant hunger for riding fit around the demands of a full-time job and perhaps family life? You set your alarm for 4am, pedal up your nearest hill in a race against the rising sun and start your descent as the first light begins to crest the horizon. By nine you’re showered, fed and buzzing at your desk from already having earned your turns, and left with an entire day to play with. Bonus time like this is easily obtained with just a little determination and, despite the initial stinging eyes, allows you to start your day on a high. Rider Ed Braithwaite [pictured] is particularly fortunate to count England’s third-highest peak, Helvellyn, as one of his local hills!…

Hope’s latest Tech 4 lever is said to deliver more braking power and improved consistency, thanks to a new shape and a smaller master piston, which add up to a claimed 30 per cent increase in pressure. Revised internal sealing and roller-bearing pivots reduce friction, enabling a lighter lever action. The lever is also said to integrate better with a wider range of shifters, while retaining the handy tool-free bite-point and reach adjustments of the Tech 3. On top of all that, a larger reservoir area allows a lower stack height. The new lever is compatible with Hope’s X2 (XC), E4 (trail), V4 (enduro) and Trial Zone (trials) callipers. While the two-pot brakes are unchanged, the four-piston E4 and V4 get updated hybrid stainless-steel pistons with a phenolic insert, to…

The Scott-SRAM MTB Racing Team are unusual, perhaps even unique, on the world XC circuit, in that their oldest member is in his 50s and is still an active racer. This is the legendary Thomas Frischknecht. Already a world cyclocross champion when MTB went mainstream, the Swiss rider went to make his mark on the fledgling sport, and over the next decade and beyond would become one of the major forces in XC racing, with countless World Cup victories to his name. For Frischi, the highlight of his career was winning the first Marathon World Championships in 2003. “As a racer, this was the most emotional moment,” he tells us. “I won it by only two bike lengths, in a sprint finish against my long-time rival Bart Brentjens. It was…

Will journeyed to sunny Barcelona for the launch of Galfer’s new Disc Shark brake rotor, taking in the La Poma and La Sorrera bike parks with slopestyle pro Lukas Knopf (see DNA on p30). The Cycle Show 2022, at the new venue of London’s Alexandra Palace, was a roaring success, with great attendance and some fab kit on display. Keep your eyes peeled for a retro Superbike feature soon. With Bike of the Year done and dusted, Tom spent his bank holiday popping from berm to berm on his longterm Revel Ranger, before swapping 2.5in rubber for something much narrower, as he packed his bikepacking bags and headed out to ride a portion of the European Divide trail on his gravel bike. Starting from Barcelona, he’s aiming to end up…

1 It’s really important to be child-led and not force your kids into doing things. The desire to race or tackle a feature, for example, needs to come from them. 2 Make sure their bike is the right size and not too heavy – riding a bike that doesn’t fit is miserable or even dangerous, and some kids’ bikes are way overbuilt, needing an inordinate amount of energy to lug around. Keep it simple and light. 3 Don’t try to do too much – let them dictate time and/or distance on rides. It’s better to leave them wanting more than feeling exhausted or grumpy. 4 Encourage other interests. Functional fitness through a variety of sports is important, as are non-sport hobbies, and you don’t want them to get bored! 5…

01 Set the right spring rate for your weight, by running an appropriate amount of sag. Your optimum spring rate is decided purely by your bodyweight (and that of any riding gear you’re wearing/ carrying), so isn’t gender- or shape-specific. First, use the manufacturer’s chart to find a ballpark spring pressure for your fork/shock. Then, adjust based on how much the suspension sags once you’re on the bike. For general riding, we’d suggest running around 20 per cent fork sag and 30 per cent shock sag. 02 Find a suitable spring curve for your riding style (how much the suspension ‘ramps up’towards the end of its stroke), by adjusting the air-spring volume. Your optimum spring curve isn’t just affected by your bodyweight, but also your strength and how aggressively you…

ISLE OF WIGHT CAFE PICKS You can’t go wrong with Grace’s Bakery in Ryde to start the ride off well. The Garlic Farm cafe and Pedallers Cafe, both just off the route near Newchurch, are brilliant. Chessell Pottery Cafe in Shalcombe is another great eatery and well worth the slight detour. The Piano Cafe in Freshwater Bay is on the route and fabulous, and then on the return leg to Yarmouth, The Freshwater Coffee House and End of the Line Cafe in Freshwater are both good. There’s also Off the Rails, just before entering Yarmouth, and another Grace’s Bakery by the ferry port.…

Locals do… Wear a full-face if tackling big jumps or gnarly terrain Ride with friends – Wind Hill is a great place to session, with the push back up making it easy to watch your mates’ runs Sign up for membership (and therefore insurance) and pay for a day pass, in order to ride the park. Membership is free but needs to be done online, ideally before arrival, as signal is poor at the site Locals don’t… Push up on the tracks themselves Drop litter – common courtesy aside, there are rare animals in the safari park next door and if your crisp packet blows into their enclosure you’re putting this great riding spot at risk…

GET THERE By car: Wind Hill is at Longleat, just off the A36 between Bath and Salisbury, on the A362. From the South East: exit the M3 (J8) on the A303, then take the A36 towards Bath. From the South West: Follow the A303 east, take the A350 heading for Warminster and the A36 towards Bath. From the North: Turn off the M4 (J18) on the A46, then take the A36. The postcode BA12 7JS gets you close. By train: Frome is the closest station. Warminster is five miles away and is on the Cardiff to Portsmouth line. Westbury station is about 12 miles from the park and is on the London Paddington to Penzance line. All the stations are served by taxis. FACILITIES Skills coaching, tuck shop with hot…

£3,999.99 Frame ‘T700’ carbon fibre, 140mm travel Sizes S, M, L*, XL Fork Fox 36 Factory, 150mm travel Shock Fox Float DPS Factory Wheelset Nukeproof Horizon V2 wheels, Maxxis Assegai 3C MaxxTerra EXO 29x2.5in (f) and Maxxis Dissector 3C MaxxTerra EXO+ 29x2.4in (r) tyres Drivetrain Shimano Deore XT M8100 (1x12) Brakes Shimano Deore XT M8120, 200/180mm rotors Bar/stem Nukeproof Horizon, 780mm/ Nukeproof Horizon, 45mm Seatpost/saddle Brand-X Ascend dropper/ Nukeproof Neutron Weight 14.7kg (large, without pedals) www.chainreaction cycles.com…

£3,299 Frame ‘HPC’ carbon fibre mainframe, 6061-T6 aluminium alloy rear end, 120mm travel Sizes S, M, L*, XL Fork Fox 34 Rhythm, 130mm travel Shock Fox Float DPS Performance Wheelset Fulcrum Red 55 EM wheels, Maxxis Ardent EXO 29x2.4 tyres Drivetrain bottom bracket SRAM GX Eagle with X1 cranks, NX Eagle shifter and SX Eagle chain (1x12) Brakes Shimano Deore XT, 203/180mm rotors Bar/stem Newmen Evolution SL, 780mm/ Newmen Evolution SL, 50mm Seatpost/saddle Cube 150mm dropper/SDG Bel-Air V3 Weight 13.8kg (large, without pedals) www.cube.eu…

Frame Aluminium alloy, 125mm travel Sizes M, L*, XL Fork RockShox Lyrik Select+, 150mm travel Shock RockShox Super Deluxe Select+ Wheelset Nukeproof Neutron V2 wheels, Maxxis Assegai 3C MaxxTerra EXO+ TR 29x2.5in WT (f) and Maxxis Dissector 3C MaxxTerra EXO+ TR 29x2.4in WT (r) tyres Drivetrain SRAM GX Eagle (1x12) Brakes SRAM Guide RE, 200/180mm rotors Bar/stem Nukeproof Horizon V2, 800mm/ Nukeproof Neutron AM, 45mm Seatpost/saddle Brand-X Ascend dropper, 170mm/ Nukeproof Horizon Weight 15.0kg, large size without pedals www.nukeproof. com…

Frame Carbon fibre mainframe, aluminium alloy rear triangle, 160mm travel Sizes S, M*, L, XL Fork RockShox ZEB Select+, 170mm travel Shock RockShox Super Deluxe Select+ Drivetrain SRAM NX Eagle with Truvativ Descendant 6K cranks (1x12) Wheelset WTB ST i29 TCS rims on Formula hubs, Maxxis Assegai 3C MaxxTerra EXO+ 29x2.5in (f) and Maxxis Minion DHR II 3C MaxxTerra EXO+ 29x2.4in (r) tyres Brakes SRAM Code R, 200mm rotors Bar/stem GT, 780mm/GT, 50mm Seatpost/saddle GT DropKick dropper, 150mm/ Fabric Scoop Shallow Sport Weight 16.43kg (medium, without pedals) www.gtbicycles. com…

Frame ‘Blend Alloy’ aluminium alloy, 160mm travel Fork RockShox Lyrik Ultimate, 170mm travel Shock RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate Coil Drivetrain SRAM GX Eagle with Truvativ Descendant cranks (1x12) Wheelset Newmen Evolution SL A30 wheels, Schwalbe Magic Mary ADDIX Soft SuperTrail 29x2.4in (f) and Schwalbe Big Betty ADDIX Soft SuperTrail EVO 29x2.4in (r) tyres Brakes Formula Cura 4, 203mm rotors Bar/stem Sixpack Millenium [sic], 805mm/ Sixpack Millenium, 40mm Seatpost/saddle KS LEV Integra dropper, 150mm/ Sixpack Kamikaze Weight 15.33kg (medium, without pedals) www. propainbikes.com…

Frame 6061 aluminium alloy, 167mm travel Sizes M*, L, XL Fork RockShox ZEB Select+, 190mm travel Shock RockShox Super Deluxe Select+ RT Drivetrain SRAM GX Eagle with Truvativ Descendant 7K cranks (1x12) Wheelset Race Face AR 30 rims on alloy hubs, Maxxis Assegai 3C MaxxTerra EXO+ 29x2.5in (f) and Maxxis Minion DHR II 3C MaxxGrip DD 29x2.4in (r) tyres Brakes SRAM Code R, 220mm/ 200mm rotors Bar/stem Whyte 35, 800mm/ Whyte Enduro 35, 35mm Seatpost/saddle BikeYoke DIVINE dropper, 160mm/ Whyte Weight 15.9kg (medium, without pedals) https://whyte. bike…

Frame ‘ALUXX SL’ aluminium alloy, 160mm travel Motor/battery/ controller Giant SyncDrive Pro/ EnergyPak Smart, 625Wh/ RideControl Ergo 3 and GO Sizes S, M, L*, XL Fork Fox 38 Performance Elite, 170mm travel Shock Fox Float X2 Performance Elite Wheelset Giant e-TR1 wheels, Maxxis Minion DHF 3C MaxxGrip EXO+ 29x2.6in WT (f) and Maxxis High Roller II 3C MaxxTerra DD 27.5x2.5in WT (r) tyres Drivetrain Shimano Deore XT M8100 with Praxis e-Cadet+ cranks, Shimano SLX M7100 cassette and KMC e12 chain (1x12) Brakes Shimano Deore XT M8120, 203mm rotors Bar/stem Giant Contact Trail, 800mm/Giant Contact SL 35, 50mm Seatpost/saddle Giant Contact Switch dropper/ Giant Romero Trail Weight 25.23kg (large, without pedals) www. giant-bicycles.com…

Frame Aluminium alloy, 180mm travel Motor/battery/ controller Bosch Performance Line CX/Bosch PowerTube, 625Wh/Bosch Purion Sizes S, M, L*, XL Fork Fox 38 Performance Elite GRIP2 EVOL, 180mm travel Shock Fox Float X2 Performance Wheelset Syncros MD30 rims on Formula hubs, Maxxis Assegai 3C MaxxTerra EXO+ 29x2.6in WT (f) and Maxxis Dissector 3C MaxxTerra DD 29x2.6in WT (r) tyres Drivetrain SRAM NX Eagle with X1 cranks, X01 Eagle mech and GX Eagle chain (1x12) Brakes Shimano Deore XT M8120, 203mm rotors Bar/stem/grips Syncros Hixon 1.5, 800mm/Syncros XM1.5, 40mm Seatpost/saddle Fox Transfer dropper/Syncros Tofino 1.5 Regular Weight 24.87kg (large, without pedals) www.scott-sports. com…

Frame 6061 aluminium alloy, 170mm travel Motor/battery/ controller Bosch Performance Line CX/Bosch PowerTube, 625Wh/Bosch Purion Sizes M, L*, XL Fork Fox 38 Factory GRIP2 EVOL, 180mm travel Shock Fox Float X2 Factory Wheelset DT Swiss HX 1700 wheels, Maxxis Assegai 3C MaxxGrip EXO+ 27.5x2.5in WT (f) and Assegai 3C MaxxGrip DD 27.5x2.5in WT (r) tyres Drivetrain SRAM X01/GX Eagle with Race Face Æffect E-bike cranks (1x12) Brakes SRAM Code RSC, 220/200mm rotors Bar/stem Race Face Turbine R, 800mm/Race Face Atlas, 35mm Seatpost/saddle Crankbrothers Highline 3 dropper/fi’zi:k Terra Aidon Weight 25.58kg (large, without pedals) https://whyte bikes.com…

VERONIQUE SANDLER FREERIDE TRAIL BLAZER From DH racer to freestyler, Vero’s not afraid to get gnarly – so it’s a surprise that her other passion is altogether more ‘proper’ (p19) WILL POOLE OUR MAN ON THE SPANNERS When he’s not prepping bikes in MBUK’s workshop,Will is rarely off two wheels, this month putting Halfords’ Carrera Fury to the test (p45) KATHERINE MOORE WRITER, TESTER & MORE Self-confessed bikepacking geek Katherine knows a thing or two about long-ride comfort and has some great bike-fit advice (p63) MATT GRAYSON INTREPID SNAPPER Sheffield-born, London-based Matt has travelled the world shooting cycling – most recently, visiting Rwanda for this issue’s feature (p68)…

It's a season of contrasts here in the UK. While the peaks up North can still be still snow-covered, the rolling fields of Cornwall are toasty little sun-traps. When snapper Ross Taylor saw Zak Belasco on Instagram hitting this fun-looking hip, he knew he had to get down there on a sunny day. “Tucked away in deepest Cornwall is an old quarry, from which James Roberts and his crew have carved a really fun set-up. Zak is one of the best in a local scene full of burgeoning talent,” explains Ross. “I sent him an excited message and we met the next day. He sessioned the jump, going progressively higher, while also testing the limits of his suspension as he used up every inch on the landing. We got this…

“As we head into the 2022 race season, this is the first year since 2019 when it actually feels like it’s going to be a proper one, especially now we’re allowed to travel to more countries, like the USA and Canada. My first event of the year was the Sea Otter Classic, in California. This is a huge industry event, which is great to attend as an athlete and – with my sponsors, Marin – a brand. I flew into San Francisco and, after a few days of sightseeing, headed to Monterey for the event. “There’s multiple races throughout the week and plenty of time for meeting sponsors, connecting with new people and seeing old friends. I raced the dual slalom and downhill events. The slalom was on a new…

Steve Behr has been part of the MTB scene (and MBUK) since dinosaurs roamed the trails, and has worked with many young riders who’ve gone on to become legends. “Over the many years I’ve been involved in mountain biking, I’ve seen a fair few riders grow up and become exceptional talents. A few standouts: an extremely young Josh Bryceland turning up to an MBUK event pretending to be older than he was so we’d let him take part, wearing a jersey so big you could have fitted three of him in it. Brendan Fairclough being dropped off at my place by his dad so we could drive up to Steve Peat’s for a weekend of training and a photoshoot with the master. And Gee Atherton coming with us on an…

KAT’S CANYON SPECTRAL 125 CF 7 £3,405.98 (shipped) Tester Katherine Moore’s relationship with the Spectral gets off to a good start With a 140mm fork and 125mm of rear-wheel travel, this contender for our Trail Bike of the Year title bucks the trend for long-travel suspension and gnarlier tracks (there’s always its 150mm-travel Spectral siblings for that), and is designed to be rowdy on the rougher stuff but still a joy to pedal up hills. I loved my first foray into ‘downcountry’ territory last year on the 115mm-travel Juliana Wilder, so I want to see how the concept works with a bit more squish. The fit is great, the small size proving perfect for my 5ft 5in (165cm) frame. A generous 150mm of seatpost drop means the saddle won’t…

JOB Vitus Bikes ambassador & The Strength Factory coach CREDENTIALS As a former Army captain who did tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, Bristol-based Ben knows a thing or two about physical and mental strength. Since setting up The Strength Factory in 2014, he’s coached the likes of Joe Smith, Wyn Masters and Vero Sandler. He also tested bikes for MBUK and other MTB media, before being snapped up by Vitus. Follow him on Instagram at@strengthfactory_coach. www.thestrengthfactory.uk…

WILL SOFFE Our staff writer loves flow trails and big airtime so Wind Hill is right up his alley BILLY SPURWAY Forbidden-sponsored rider/trail builder Billy runs Vigilante Creations with Oscar and loves unreliable French cars NICK JAMES Affectionately known as ‘Dad’, Nick creates viral marketing campaigns for Rave Coffee and shreds hard! OSCAR POWELL Oz runs the Vigilante Creations trail building company with Billy, so knows a top track when he sees one LUKE BARBER A seasoned European van-life veteran, Luke digs the trails and is a manager at Wind Hill. Handy on a bike, too! OLLIE CLEMENTS A resident coach and trail crew member at Wind Hill, Ollie is super-chatty and rides his Habit faster than is reasonable…

£3,899 Frame Butted 6061 aluminium alloy, 134mm travel Sizes S, M, L*, XL (asterisk indicates size tested) Fork RockShox Pike Select, 140mm travel Shock RockShox Deluxe Ultimate Wheelset WTB KOM Team i30 TCS rims on Formula hubs, Maxxis Minion DHF EXO 29x2.5 WT (f) and Maxxis Dissector EXO 29x2.4 WT Drivetrain SRAM NX Eagle with GX Eagle mech and SX Eagle chain (1x12) Brakes SRAM G2 RS, 200/180mm rotors Bar/stem Kona XC/BC 35, 780mm/KonaXC/BC 35, 60mm Seatpost/saddle TranzX +RAD dropper/WTB Volt Weight 15kg (large, without pedals) www.konaworld. com…

This is YT’s take on a lighter-weight trail bike, targeted at fast post-work rides and all-day epics. The Izzo’s carbon fibre front triangle is connected to its alloy back end via a four-bar linkage that provides 130mm of rear-wheel travel. Geometry sits in the middle of the trail bike range, with ample reach figures (472mm, large), a moderately slack 66-degree head angle and a steep 77-degree seat tube. Finishing touches are top-notch: neatly guided and clamped cables run silently through the frame; bearing access is second-to-none; and the included large, magnetic Fidlock bottle sits neatly under the shock. For the money, the kit doesn’t stand out, as it used to on YT bikes. The 130mm-travel 34 fork is from Fox’s lower-tier Performance range but is smooth, and is paired with…

£3,950 Frame ‘FACT 11m’ carbon fibre, 130mm travel Sizes S1, S2, S3, S4*, S5, S6 Fork Fox 34 Rhythm, 140mm travel Shock Fox Float DPS Performance Wheelset Specialized rims on Shimano hubs, Specialized Butcher GRID T7 29x2.3 (f) and Specialized Purgatory GRID T7 29x2.3 (r) tyres Drivetrain Shimano SLX (1x12) Brakes Shimano SLX, 200/180mm rotors Bar/stem Specialized, 780mm/ Specialized Trail, 60mm Seatpost/saddle X-Fusion Manic dropper/ Specialized Bridge Comp Weight 14.1kg (large, without pedals) www.specialized. com…

THE CANYON IS A HOOLIGAN, ENCOURAGING YOU TO HIT GAPS, SQUARE-OFF CORNERS AND STOVE THE FRONT END INTO CATCH-BERMS Different brands have wildly differing takes on what a modern trail bike should look like. If you want a physical representation of that, you just need to look at the front suspension on our top three bikes. RockShox’s SID, Pike and Lyrik all feature – forks with their roots spreading from XC to enduro. We’ll start our top-three with the Pike-equipped bike. With its 35mm stanchions (upper legs), mid-weight chassis and 140mm of travel, this fork is a classic ‘trail’ product. However, the Canyon Spectral 125 it’s bolted to is anything but a standard trail bike. While its 125mm of rear-wheel travel is just below the average, what it lacks in…

Frame Aluminium alloy, 120mm travel Sizes S, M, ML, L*, XL, XXL Fork RockShox SID, 120mm travel Shock RockShox Deluxe Ultimate Wheelset Bontrager Line Comp 30 wheels, Bontrager XR4 Team Issue 29x2.4in tyres Drivetrain Shimano Deore XT mech and shifter, SLX cassette and chain, and Deore cranks Brakes Shimano MT520, 180mm rotors Bar/stem Bontrager Line, 780mm/ Bontrager Elite, 45mm Seatpost/saddle TranzX dropper, 170mm/ Bontrager Arvada Weight 14.8kg, large size without pedals www.trekbikes. com…

Frame ‘Series 4’ 6061 aluminium alloy, 150mm travel Sizes S, M*, L, XL Fork RockShox Lyrik Ultimate, 160mm travel Shock RockShox Super Deluxe Coil RCT Drivetrain Shimano SLX with FSA Gradient cranks and Shimano Deore XT rear mech (1x12) Wheelset Marin rims on Shimano MT410B (f) and MT510B (r) hubs, Maxxis Assegai 3C MaxxTerra EXO+ 29x2.5in (f) and Maxxis Minion DHR II 3C MaxxGrip DD 29x2.4in (r) tyres Brakes Shimano M4100 (lever)/ MT4120 (calliper), 203/180mm rotors Bar/stem Marin 35, 780mm/Marin CNC, 35mm Seatpost/saddle X-Fusion Manic dropper, 150mm/ Marin Speed Concept Weight 16.25kg (medium, without pedals) www.marinbikes. com…

Frame Carbon fibre, 165mm travel Sizes S, M*, L, XL Fork RockShox ZEB Select, 170mm travel Shock Fox DPX2 Performance Drivetrain Shimano Deore M6100 Wheelset WTB STX i30 TCS rims on Shimano MT400 (f) and MT410 (r) hubs, Maxxis Assegai 3C MaxxTerra EXO+ 29x2.5in (f) and Maxxis Minion DHR II 3C MaxxTerra EXO+ 29x2.4in (r) tyres Brakes Shimano M6120, 203mm rotors Bar/stem Cannondale 3, 780mm/ Cannondale 3, 40mm Seatpost/saddle TranzX dropper, 150mm/ Cannondale Stage 3 Weight 16.1kg (medium, without pedals) www.cannondale. com…

IT WAS A HARD-FOUGHT BATTLE, WITH ALL THREE BIKES PUTTING UP AN INCREDIBLE FIGHT AS WE RODE LAP AFTER LAP After weeks of riding, we had to narrow down the field. Thankfully, three bikes stood out from the get-go, their ride characteristics, attention to detail and parts packages all helping them to sneak ahead of the others. Picking a winner was another matter entirely, though. It wasn’t until the penultimate week of testing, on some challenging trails, that one bike edged ahead. It was a hard-fought battle, with all three putting up an incredible fight as we rode lap after lap to eke out every little strength and weakness, and find a true winner that could handle just about anything with confidence and composure. BIG-HITTERS Are we now at a…

Frame Carbon fibre, 180mm travel Sizes S, M*, L Fork Fox 38 Performance Elite GRIP2, 180mm travel Shock Fox Float X2 Performance Elite Drivetrain Shimano SLX (1x12) Wheelset Nukeproof Horizon V2 29 wheels, Maxxis Assegai 3C MaxxTerra DD 29x2.5in (f) and Maxxis Minion DHR II 3C MaxxGrip DD 29x2.4in (r) tyres Brakes Shimano SLX, 203mm rotors Bar/s tem Nukeproof Horizon V2, 780mm/ Nukeproof Horizon, 45mm Seatpost/saddle Brand-X Ascend dropper, 150mm/ Nukeproof Weight 16kg (medium, without pedals) www.hotlines-uk. com…

Frame ‘M5’ aluminium alloy, 150mm travel Motor/battery/ controller Specialized Turbo Full Power System 2.2/Specialized M3-700, 700Wh/ Specialized TCU Sizes S1, S2, S3, S4*, S5, S6 Fork Fox 36 Rhythm e-MTB, 160mm travel Shock Fox Float X Performance Wheelset Specialized wheels, Specialized Butcher GRID TRAIL GRIPTON T9 29x2.6in (f) and Specialized Eliminator GRID TRAIL GRIPTON T7 27.5x2.6in (r) tyres Crankset SRAM GX Eagle with Praxis M30 cranks and NX Eagle chain (1x12) Brakes SRAM Code R, 220/ 200mm rotors Bar/stem Specialized, 780mm/ Specialized Trail, 50mm Seatpost/saddle X-Fusion Manic dropper/ Specialized Bridge Comp Weight 24.04kg (S4, without pedals) www.specialized. com…

Frame ‘Ultra Modulus’ carbon fibre, 165mm travel Motor/battery/ controller Shimano STEPS EP8/Shimano 80350, 504Wh/ Shimano EM800 Sizes S, M, L*, XL Fork Fox 38 Factory GRIP2 EVOL, 170mm travel Shock Fox Float X2 Factory Wheelset Crankbrothers Synthesis E-MTB Alloy I9 1/1 wheels, Maxxis Assegai 3C MaxxTerra EXO 29x2.5in WT (f) and Maxxis Minion DHR II 3C MaxxTerra EXO+ 27.5x2.6in WT (r) tyres Drivetrain Shimano Deore XT M8100 (1x12) Brakes SRAM Code RSC, 200mm rotors Bar/stem Renthal Fatbar 35, 800mm/Renthal Apex 35, 50mm Seatpost/saddle YT Postman dropper/SDG Bel-Air V3 Weight 23.09kg (large, without pedals) www.yt-industries. com…

WE RAMPED UP THE INTENSITY, HEADING OUT IN ALL CONDITIONS – FROM SNOW TO BOG-WET AND EVEN OCCASIONAL WINTER SUNSHINE With the pressure on to find a worthy winner of our inaugural E-bike of the Year test, we ramped up the intensity of our testing, heading out in all conditions – from snow and freezing cold through to bog-wet and even occasional winter sunshine – and riding the widest variety of terrain allowed by each bike’s battery capacity, to shine a light on the true performers. Most of the riding was done in Scotland’s Tweed Valley, home to the UK’s Enduro World Series (EWS) round and the famous Glentress trail centre, between them providing the kind of mix of trails any good e-MTB should be able to handle. Deciding on…

Frame Hydroformed, triple-butted aluminium alloy, 170mm travel Motor/battery/ controller Shimano STEPS EP8/Shimano E8036, 630Wh/ Shimano EM800 Sizes S, M, L*, XL, XXL Fork Fox 38 Factory GRIP2 EVOL, 170mm travel Shock Fox Float X2 Factory Wheelset DT Swiss H 1700 wheels, Maxxis Assegai 3C MaxxTerra DD 29x2.5in WT (f) and Maxxis High Roller II 3C MaxxTerra DD 27.5x2.5in WT (r) tyres Drivetrain Shimano Deore XT M8100 (1x12) Brakes Shimano Deore XT M8120, 203mm rotors Bar/stem Nukeproof Horizon V2, 800mm/ Nukeproof Horizon, 50mm Seatpost/saddle BikeYoke DIVINE dropper/ Nukeproof Horizon Enduro Weight 24.52kg (large, without pedals) https:// nukeproof.com…