Maxxis Shorty Downhill tyres

'CUT SPIKE' TYRES are appearing from most manufacturers now, bridging the gap between all-conditions intermediate tyres and full mud spikes.

The Shorty is Maxxis's entry to the fold, available in a single 26x2.4in size and only in the company's top-end 3C compound. The large centre blocks should give enough grip on roots and rocks to give a huge benefit over a full spike, while the longer edge knobs should give the bite we're all after in loose, loamy turns. The 2.4in width and edge tread design make for a less square profile than a spike too, so getting up to speed straight away should be a breeze.

PRICE 85$

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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