Royal Signature shorts

THE SIGNATURE SHORTS feel properly tough and no-nonsense from the get-go, with a shell that feels light but wards off brambles, showers and mud.

We like the way they fit – the high back sits securely in place, the cut hugs the hips but has plenty of room in the legs, and taller riders will appreciate the long inseam. The large, angled side pockets work perfectly on the fly, and all in all the construction quality is excellent, with waterresistant zips used throughout, a taped waist seam and a secure fastening. The liner has a betterthan- average pad with multiple flex channels that ensure the deep padding actually conforms to your shape instead of bunching like a nappy. We like the hard-working quality of these shorts a lot.

PRICE 133$

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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