Innehållsförteckning för February 2023 från Mountain Biking UK

A legendary spot among the hardcore freeride skiing crowd, Engelberg, Switzerland also happens to be a hidden gem for mountain biking in the summer. That’s where photographer Luke Jarmey got this cracking shot. “There’s nowhere quite like the Alps for stretches of trail nestled in ridiculously airy and quite often hairy places,” he explains. “With the ever-sprightly Swedish alpine weapon Hugo Magnusson in tow, we went for a proper mooch up high. After a couple of hike-a-bikes and a litre or two of sweat, we found ourselves perched rather precariously, drinking in the views and getting ready to ride. Timing it to the last few seconds of light, it was suddenly, “go, go, go!” and “dammit, I forgot my head torch!”…

To coincide with Fabio Wibmer’s latest Street Life video, Crankbrothers have brought out these new Stamp Street Fabio flat-pedal shoes, designed to be just as stylish – and impressive on the bike – as the man himself! Created with input from the Austrian trials superstar, they’re intended to be functional both on and off the bike, and to ease the transition between riding and relaxing. Features include a high-friction rubber sole and a cushioned and grooved EVA midsole, which should absorb impacts yet still be flexible where required. Like other shoes in the Crankbrothers range, the Stamp Streets are designed to integrate seamlessly with the brand’s own pedals, but should also work well with competitors’ products, giving plenty of confidence to hit both street and trail features. If these white…

A team that plays together stays together! We went out in Bristol for some festive tipples with the crew from BikeRadar and enjoyed some cocktails at rider-owned bar The Cock & Tail (@thecockntail) – well worth checking out if you’re in the area! All was going well until editor JCW fell asleep on the bus home and ended up in glorious Weston-super-Mare! After a wee break from the MTB racing scene, it was great to see Jamie Tomkins (son of ‘Mr Crud’ Pete and one-time MBUK regular) back between the tape and grabbing a 4X podium in September. Hopefully we’ll see more of him this year. It seems Specialized have abruptly cancelled their Global Ambassador Program, with several adventure riders getting the chop. So far, there’s no word of any…

MEET THE TESTERS ROBIN WEAVER TECH EDITOR IN CHIEF With three decades of MTB experience, Rob can identify the kit that works TOM MARVIN SENIOR TECH EDITOR XC/trail/enduro rider and tech wizard Tom gives his gear a proper hammering LUKE MARSHALL TECH WRITER Downhiller Luke is always looking for what saves time between the tape ALEX EVANS BIKE RADAR TECH EDITOR Years of breaking bikes means Al can give reliable buying advice KATHERINE MOORE TESTER A route maker and guide, Kat is after kit that performs on all-day rides WHY OUR TESTS ARE THE BEST! 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…

STEVE GEALL GODFATHER OF UK FREERIDE He led the development of MTB dirt jumping here in the UK, so what’s Gilly doing on a Brooklyn Machine Works-inspired steel DH bike? Find out on p26 ANEELA MCKENNA DIVERSITY DYNAMO A pro coach, guide and activist who’s determined to make MTBing more inclusive, Aneela checks out the hotbed of female riding talent that is the Tweed Valley – p55 SARAH BEDFORD HARD-RIDING REVIEWER Speaking of the Tweed Valley, it proved the perfect testing ground for this issue’s winter jacket grouptest – check out Sarah’s top recommendations on p90 BRENDAN FAIRCLOUGH STYLE ICON This DH World Cup and Red Bull Rampage star is one of the steeziest riders out there. ‘Brendog’ and his crew show us around their home trails in the Surrey…

WHO IS... BROOK MACDONALD Nicknamed ‘The Bulldog’ for his aggressive riding style and tenacious attitude, 31-year-old Brook has been racing since 2006 and had his big break in 2009 when he became Junior world champ. With 11 World Cup podiums behind him, his never-say-die mentality helped him recover from breaking his back in a crash at the 2019 DH World Championships. WHERE DO YOU CALL HOME, AND WHAT’S THE RIDING LIKE? Hawke’s Bay, Napier, on New Zealand’s North Island. The riding isn’t amazing. It used to be good, but we have forestry blocks, which get milled every 20 years, and, unfortunately, where we used to ride has been milled over the last seven years, so it’s shut. WHAT DOES A TYPICAL DAY LOOK LIKE FOR YOU? I’m an early riser,…

OUT FRONTWant that! 1 Stanley Go Quick Flip 24oz water bottle Digging is thirsty work. This insulated stainless-steel bottle is perfect for keeping your drink cool for up to 12 hours. Leakproof and with a push-button lid, it’s easy to get a quick sip in between shifting dirt. £33.99 https://uk.stanley1913.com 2 DMR Rampage bucket hat Keep your head UV-protected when creating your masterpiece! A drawcord at the back keeps the hat in-situ on blustery days and a sneaky pocket inside the crown offers a good stash place for your post-dig beer money. £25 www.upgradebikes.co.uk 3 Giro Trail Builder gloves With their protective design and durable construction, these gloves can handle spades and rakes just as well as handlebars. Impeccably versatile mitts for dig days on and off the bike. £34.99…

Welcome to the MBUK Subs Zone! As one of our much-appreciated subscribers, 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 also have 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 for being a loyal reader of MBUK. This month, we’ve teamed up with BUFF – one of those iconic brands, like Hoover or Jeep, whose name has become synonymous with the product they pioneered – to mark their 30th anniversary. And we’re not giving away just one prize, or two, but…

In 2023, the Enduro World Series (EWS) will become the UCI Mountain Bike Enduro World Cup (EDR). All races will be in a one-day format and a new points system will be introduced. E-bike enduro has also been given World Cup status (E-EDR) and will follow the same format, but with additional technical climbs. As with the EWS, amateur races will run alongside some of the EDR events throughout the year, giving anyone the opportunity to take on these world-class tracks and cheer on the pros all in the same weekend. It remains to be seen just exactly how the new format will work, but it’s sure to provide us with some entertaining racing from the best in the world. The first two rounds will be kicking off in March…

“THE TRAILS ARE REALLY GOOD FOR PRACTISING AND PROGRESSING; I CAN TRAIN AND HAVE FUN AT THE SAME TIME. THERE’S SUCH A GOOD VIBE, TOO, WITH LOTS OF PEOPLE TO RIDE WITH” The Tweed Valley, nestled in the Scottish Borders, is a world-class riding destination, with 450,000 mountain biking visitors a year, more bike shops than you can count on your hand within a five-mile radius, rider-friendly cafes on every corner and a network of more than 350 trails, with loads of options for DH, XC, trail centre and enduro riding. The ‘Golfie’ alone has 40km of hand-built tracks. With all this on their doorstep, you’d expect to find some pretty handy local talent, and indeed, the area is home to an incredible number of world-beating women. Katy Winton, Jess…

TOPEAK DEFENDER FX 279ER £18.99 www.extrauk.co.uk SO GOOD… This mudguard attaches via a bung in the fork steerer and has front and rear portions, connected with quick-release clips, which are easy to fit and remove. Wheel coverage is great, so little spray reached our top halves. It’s the cheapest option here. NO GOOD… The fender sits high above the tyre, so doesn’t offer any fork-seal protection – a major reason for using a mudguard. Not only are the seals exposed to spray from below, but also to mud and water dripping from the fender itself. The front and rear sections flex with the slightest movement, or when riding over rough ground. It’s heavy, too. CRUD XL FENDER £29.99 www.crudproducts.com SO GOOD… Fitting is easy, using rubber O-rings, which pop on…

There’s no doubt that extra motivation is required to keep riding through the British winter, when it’s more than likely cold, damp and muddy, and the technical challenge of muddy ruts and sniper roots increases, as does the length of the post-ride clean-up. It’s worth making the effort, though, to keep up fitness, improve your skills and have a great time outside on your bike with pals. All you need is some decent riding gear to protect you from the elements, and that’s where a warm winter jacket or midlayer comes in. Pick the right one, and the thought of braving the elements becomes a much more appealing prospect. The jacket that meets your needs will depend on your type/pace of riding and how much heat you generate, the weather…

TECH Q&A BOX THE GOGGLES Now that winter is here, I’m thinking of ditching the goggles, because they keep getting steamed up, and replacing them with some glasses. Am I mad to do so? Steve, via email A quick straw-poll around the office suggests you aren’t mad! Several of us do this, especially at this time of year, because glasses are just that bit easier to live with. Goggles have their advantages, of course. They offer more coverage and do a better job of stopping both mud-splatter and wind from getting in your eyes. Plus, replacement lenses tend to be much cheaper, which is especially handy in winter, when cleaning off grit seems to inevitably cause scratches. If you want to stick with goggles, there are various anti-fog products…

Back in the day, if you wanted to go on an overseas biking break with mates, options were limited. If you were on a budget, it was a case of chucking your bikes in a van and driving across France to Morzine or Les Gets. With a more healthy bank account, you could jet over the Atlantic to Moab, Utah, or Whistler, BC. Now, however, there’s a network of great riding spots spanning the globe – a world ride web, if you like! (Sorry...) And they’re not just aimed at the full-face helmet and post-ride beers crowd, but at all ages, abilities and riding styles. All of which makes it increasingly difficult to decide where to go. Do you fancy riding epic alpine ridgelines or exploring jaw-dropping Icelandic tundra? Are…

Write to: MBUK Send it! Eagle House, Bristol, BS1 4ST Email:mbuk@ourmedia.co.uk Visit:www.mbuk.com STAR LETTER WINS... Lezyne Pocket Torque Drive torque wrench & Alloy Drive (M) mini pump worth £105 THAT’S GOTTA HURT WINS... 661 Recon Advance knee pads (M) & Rail Classic gloves (L) worth £125 SHOT OF THE MONTH WINS... DMR OiOi saddle, Deathgrip (Thin) grips & V11 pedals worth £123 INSTA-BANGERS WINS... Lezyne Super Drive 1600XXL & KTV Pro Smart lights worth £160 STAR LETTER DOG DAYS It’s been just over three years since I started mountain biking, the main reason for which was a problematic wrist that stopped me climbing. MTB started out as an alternative to climbing, but I soon became hooked. It was also at that time that my wife and I got our first…

Without Charlie Kelly’s 1970s Repack Downhill races – where guys would push to the top of California’s Mount Tamalpais and bomb down on their modified Schwinn beach cruisers, known as Klunkers – there might not be mountain biking as we know it. Now aged 77, Charlie is still riding, albeit in slightly more sedate fashion. Here’s what fuels him on the trails of Marin County... “I’m big on fruit and salads, so what I really like is cottage cheese and cantaloupe melon – a lightweight summer lunch that doesn’t make you feel like you’re abusing your body. “There are only two things I drink on a regular basis – I have coffee in the morning and I drink water from a SodaStream. We have a BRITA water filter, and before…

When Scottish shredder Joe Barnes and the changing of the seasons collided, in front of a characteristically scenic Highlands backdrop, photographer Tim Green got an absolute beauty of a shot. “It was taken at a hidden spot behind the town of Fort William,” explains Joe. “The terrain here is perfect for scrubs, because the undulating ground offers natural rises to boost and get sideways off. Add to that some vibrant autumnal colours and Tim was in his element. This section of trail goes higher up the hill, and after we got this photo, we set about filming the whole thing, which forms the opening scene of my Mega Charm film. All in all, a top place to ride a bike!”…

CLIMBING THE XC SCALE Scott’s new Scale RC hardtail is updated for aggro XC racing NEED TO KNOW Scott have updated their 100mm-travel XC hardtail, the Scale RC, taking geometry cues from its full-suspension sibling, the Spark RC, and giving it a slacker 67.9-degree head angle. All models feature frame refinements including an access port to the bottom bracket, for ease of maintenance, and hollow dropouts, to save weight. Three levels of carbon fibre frame are available, with the top-spec version being 32g lighter than the previous iteration, at 847g. WHO’S IT FOR? Those after a thoroughbred XC hardtail with intentions of taking it between the tape. KEY STATS Travel: 100mm fork Wheel size: 29in Frame: ‘HMX-SL’ (847g), ‘HMX’ (912g) or ‘HMF’ (1,013g) carbon fibre, sizes S-XL Geometry: 67.9-degree head…

ABUS AIRDROP MIPS & CLIFFHANGER MIPS HELMETS £179.99 and £259.99 Fresh lids from the German protection specialists The latest helmet range from ABUS includes a new flagship trail lid, the Cliffhanger MIPS, and their first full-face, the Airdrop MIPS. Both are claimed to be lightweight with excellent ventilation, and designed for demanding trails and big days out. Adjustability is a key attribute of both, to help you get a perfect fit. On the Cliffhanger, you can tweak the circumference and height of the inner cradle, while the strap provides some lateral adjustment. The Airdrop, meanwhile, has both swappable padding and a dial fit system. The helmets are packed with safety features, too, including in-mould construction (where the outer shell is fused with the foam liner) and a MIPS (Multi-directional Impact…

LUKE’S CANYON STRIVE CFR UNDERDOG £4,949 (+ shipping) Can this flat-out race bike bring the grins on slower, more moderate trails, too? On paper, Canyon’s latest Strive CFR is my ideal bike, with its geometry, travel and intended use all being exactly what I’m looking for. This race-specific enduro bike dishes out 160mm of rear-wheel travel. It’s got a slack 63-degree head angle, 435mm chainstays and a slammed bottom bracket, which sits 36mm below the wheel axles. I’ve gone for the small size and currently have the reach set to 460mm, which is the longest option. (By changing headset cups, you can drop this to 455mm or 450mm.) These numbers are close to what I think is ideal for my 173cm height, and the low BB is something I’m really…