FSA Comet 386 crankset

FSA’S COMET 386 is distinctive and affordable as long as you’re OK with limited chainring options. The broad, square ended, scooped-back arms flow into FSA’s three-armed 386 spider, with a BB30 version for 223$.

The basic ramp-and-steel-pin detailing on the pressed and machined outer ring means the big lurch between the 42 and 27t rings is obvious on the upshift. There’s a 39/27t option too, but if 27t is still too tall, the 86mm BCD and unique spider limit you to FSA aftermarket rings, and there are no narrow-wide options should you decide to go single ring (though FSA do offer a Comet triple with conventional four-armed spider). Powerhouse riders will also feel some flex from the long sections of unsupported chainring when giving it full gas.

Chainrings 42/27t

Weight 842g

Options 24mm/BB30, 68-73mm only, 2x/3x

PRICE 164$

Cannondale Trail SL 29 SS

The fat aluminium tubes are a constrast to the skinny items seen elsewhere in the test, but this rigid Cannondale uses them to create one of the most old-school - and lightest - rides here.

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Merida Big Nine 100

Wit the bikes swapped over, we head out on the same loop again, this time on the 29in Big Nine 100. Whereas the Big Seven was snappy off the line, the 29er takes a couple more pedal strokes to get up to speed. That said, once it's up there, it's easy to keep the big wheels rolling, allowing us to cover ground with ease. The fire road is at times a little rough, and the bigger wheels roll over the imperfections so we barely notice them.

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KONA SHRED

With a reputation for no-nonsense ruggedness and a background in the always progressive and punishing riding of Canada, Kona have been building hardcore hardtails for longer than almost anyone else. The Shred is the most expensive bike on test but it’s a proper trail tank.

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SKS Airbuster CO2 inflator

The alloy Airbuster has a large knob so you can regulate the flow of gas, a mechanical stop to prevent the cartridge being pierced in transit and a dust cap to keep the valve free of debris. While it works with Presta and Schrader valves, switching between them requires a fiddly change of the valve head. The thin rubber sleeve doesn’t provide much protection from cold spent canisters. You can’t insert much of the valve into the inflator head, so you have to be careful to avoid leaks. Price $33 w/16g cartridge

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Anthony Messere’s Morpheus Vimana Slope

A flying chariot built with one thing in mind – slopestyle domination

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All Arround MTB

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