Maloja Wadi shorts

WE APPRECIATE KIT that’s different, and while you’ll either love or hate the graphic style of the Wadis, we were pleased to find that they’re not a case of style over substance.

They have a neat look off the bike – something that’s helped by the restrained 12in inseam and more fitted cut through the hips – but the stretch back yoke does its job and there’s no feeling of restriction when pedalling. The smooth-feeling, lightweight fabric keeps the elements out too – we threw a horrible amount of muck at the backside on one especially wet ride and, though we returned with a good caked-on layer of mud on the outside, there wasn’t a speck inside. We can recommend checking out Maloja’s range – if your own style is more restrained, they do plain colours too.

PRICE 118$

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.

READ MORE >>

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.

READ MORE >>

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

READ MORE >>