There is a trend developing which is somewhat at odds with the gravity fed world of enduro and downhill. Recent history has seen the proliferation of exceptionally capable bikes which can be winched back to the top of a hill time and time again, but what happens if rather than making downhill bikes climb better, you make an XC bike...
There is a lot of hype surrounding the new wave of XC bikes that have arrived in the last twelve months. These short travel, lightweight and capable bikes may yet spawn their own genre but for the time being, we are seeing a response to more taxing World Cup courses and the application of kit that can be both light...
Merida isn't a brand that tells you what to think about their bikes. Having undergone a transformation over the past few years, they have quietly released some exceptional bikes into the mountain bike world. Not shy of trying something new, the traditionally Lycra focussed brand now have class-leading ebikes, enduro bikes and even a hardcore hardtail. This meant I wasn't...
The Tripster AT is the long-awaited sibling to its titanium counterpart the Tripster ATR. Respected and lusted after in the adventure biking world, it's price tag put it firmly out of reach for most, but not anymore. This version is mostly the same, but with some tweaks from the late, great Mike Hall who was integral to its development. Now...
Merida has hit the ground running in 2017, they have launched a barrage of bikes into the arena to do battle with the trail, enduro and e-bike establishment. With bikes like the Big Trail, the ONE SIXTY and their electric equivalents, this has been a special year for the brand. But what of the heritage, the kind of bikes Merida...
Trek's previous incarnation of the Top Fuel was retired in 2012 with the appearance of the Superfly, pretty much as Trek ditched the 26” wheel size on its cross-country line-up in favour of the 29” rolling stock we have become used to in the last few years. 2015 saw Trek launch a new XC range, the Procaliber hardtail and the...
The Stereo range from Cube is large, and the name doesn't best describe the bikes which are grouped within it. Featuring the 120, through 140 and 160, with many options including wheel sizes and frame materials, it is a large line-up incorporating a lot of different bikes, styles and intended purposes. This is the shortest travel of the Stereo range...
Subtlety has never been a strong point of mine, but at least you always know where you stand, something that is shared by the lime green LES 27.5. From the moment I opened the box I could tell this bike wanted to be ridden, and ridden fast. Pairing the bright paint job with a solid build and still coming out...
The South African brand, Momsen, might not be one that you’ve heard much about, if indeed anything, but that is set to change over the next year, thanks mainly to this bike, the Vipa and it’s new rider, regular World Cup XCO top ten finisher, Emil Lindgren. The Vipa is the first full-carbon, full suspension bike to be designed and...
When I opened the box from California, I instantly got delusions of grandeur; I’ve raced to a high level in several disciplines, so with a shiny white carbon steed, surely I could add another to that list! Lightweight, stiff, bolt thru front and rear and a tapered head tube, the CXR 29er certainly looked like it would fit my delusions...
Whilst unwrapping the green and black carbon race bike, the first thought that entered my head was that this was going to be a fun, but potentially painful test! After all you can’t test an XC bike without some suffering on the climbs! The XC race hardtail is growing in popularity at the moment, with many riders looking to add...
Lapierre have become a major player in the European market over the past few years, this came on the back of the highly regarded Zesty and Spicy ranges. So it was always going to be interesting to see how they approached the 29er sector. They have clearly put a great deal of R & D into the XR which sports...
Trek announced this year that they will no longer be releasing bikes on a yearly deadline, instead they will be working on frame design and bike design and releasing the bikes when they are ready. As such for 2014 some of their bikes remain unchanged, in terms of the frame, with new graphics and component upgrades. The Superfly FS therefore...
As the winter has drawn in I’ve been spending a lot more time on hard tails, working on my fitness and skills for the year ahead. There’s nothing quite like putting the miles in and being able to feel every rut and root to make you a better rider for next season. The Cube has definitely helped with the mile...
Quite literally ‘’ the Velocite Flux looks like a force of nature. Strong, purposeful and fast is how it looks and the top draw kit that adorns the Flux only serves to enhance that impression. Velocite are a reasonably new company, being formed in Taiwan in 2008. Rather than see their lack of history as a disadvantage they see it...
Having tested a couple of Merida bikes in previous issues it came as no surprise to see that the Big.Nine Carbon is a striking looking bike that gives off an air of speed. The black, white and blue livery in complimented by the handsome DT Swiss forks. It is not all about good looks however, the bike has to perform...
Having ridden and loved the Scott Genius last year I was looking forward to putting some miles in on the Spark 29er and had the bike ready to roll the afternoon it arrived so that I could get an evening ride in straight away. Tech heads The Spark 29 has a carbon front triangle mated to an aluminium rear end....
Few companies have the pedigree that Merida boast when it comes to making fast XC mountain bikes. This fact is borne out by the fact that Jose Antonio Hermida won the XC world cup on one. So what can a company that has a history of making fast XC bikes bring to the 29’er table? We got our hands on...
Pronghorn are a Danish bike company that actually manufacture their carbon frames in Denmark using their own patented Smooth Wall Construction, they are obviously confident that they have things right as they offer an impressive 99 year warranty on their frames. The PR6 is their 100mm full suspension race bike and it looks a little odd as the rear shock...
Trek have made huge strides over the past few years and now they are amongst the top bike producers in the world with innovative design and plenty of R and D setting their products apart. The Trek Top Fuel 9.8 is the second in command of their 100mm XC race range and it certainly looks the part. Tech heads The...
The Pro Race is the XC hardtail offering from Lapierre and higher up the range comes in a full carbon fibre frameset but we were only let loose on the aluminium version. The 300 is the second from bottom in the line up but still comes well stacked! Having been testing some pretty exotic bikes this issue the Lapierre is...
When the Flash was delivered to the office the courier hung about to see what was in the box as he was convinced it was empty! With a flourish the Cannondale Flash was pulled from the box and even the courier could see that this bike is a bit special. It is beautifully made and Cannondale have clearly used all...
A bright blue and white euro style paint job grabs your attention but Cube has managed to resist the urge to round out the look with flat bars and bar ends. Having heard good things about the way the AMS rides I was looking forward to getting out and putting the Cube through its paces Tech heads The frame of...
The Pro Race is the XC hardtail offering from Lapierre and higher up the range comes in a full carbon fibre frameset but we were only let loose on the aluminium version. The 300 is the second from bottom in the line up but still comes well stacked! Having been testing some pretty exotic bikes this issue the Lapierre is...
Well the Superbow is certainly eye catching, the question is does that unique frame design do more than just look good? Corratec’s Superbow has been around a while and has some staunch fans in Europe and beyond which backs up its German designers claims that ‘it is different but not just for being different sake, it is for efficiency’. This...
Giant have spent years refining their XTC range and this bike looks sorted and fast! The angular white frameset finished off with bold black decals gives a simple, smooth, but purposeful look to what is a race breed beauty. Little touches such as the blue anodised lock on grip clamps, blue anodised mech hanger and blue trim on the saddle...
