POC Flow jersey

THERE’S SOMETHING VERY appealing about the simplicity of the Flow, with its bold logos and distinctive fabric. Despite it having quite a coarse-feeling exterior, inside the finish is smooth and very wearable. The material seems durable too – running into a fence didn’t leave a mark on it.

It’s more of a spring/autumn jersey than a high-summer top but wicks well and comes with the benefit of an anti-bacterial treatment. The cut is close rather than slouchy though, and the sleeves are very slim with tight cuffs. If the material had more stretch the fit might be more forgiving, but all that ruggedness makes for a dense construction that could do with roomier sleeves. Or you could just go up a size.

PRICE 107$

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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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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