Superstar Lithium Carbon handlebar

CHEAP AND CARBON are two words you rarely want to hear used together, but we've had no issues with this carbon bar from direct-sale specialists Superstar.

At 780mm wide, it's both downhill and trail bike friendly, while cut marks mean it can easily be reduced all the way down to 700mm. Our test bar tipped the scales at just 253g uncut, making it only slightly heavier than bars costing more than twice as much. The eight degrees of backsweep place your weight a little further back than some more aggressively designed bars, but the familiar five-degree upsweep figure means it doesn't feel too different. On the trail it's stiff without being brutally so.

PRICE 105$

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 >>

COMMENCAL EL CAMINO 3

Commencal are going from strength to strength at the moment and they’ve taken their tough trail hardtail bang up to date with 650b wheels. With its skinny rims, crankset and fork, the El Camino certainly isn’t perfect and it’s the least hardcore bike here. The handling, smoothness, speed and all-round agility of the basic bike still make it a real blast for technical trail riding though, and it’s a great base for upgrading over time.

READ MORE >>

CANYON NERVE AL 8.0

S ince their entry into the UK market a few years ago, Canyon have made a name for themselves as purveyors of well-made bikes that exhibit often extraordinary value. The secret (or catch, depending on your point of view) is that the brand don’t have dealers – they ship bikes directly to your door.

READ MORE >>

GT Zaskar Evolution

While some bike models last just a couple of years, others change with the times to stay at the top of riders’ wishlists. In the second part of this series looking at the evolution of bikes that enjoy enduring popularity with UK riders, we turn to the GT Zaskar – a bike that was at the forefront of our sport for a long time and still has plenty of appeal today.

READ MORE >>

Axiom Annihilateair G200A track pump

THE AXIOM ANNIHILATEAIR may seem crazily expensive, but this pump is certainly built to last. The sturdy metal base has metal pins to grip your shoes and a large, accurate pressure gauge.

READ MORE >>

All Arround MTB

Search This Blog