7IDP Covert knee pads

THEY HAVEN'T BEEN around long, but 7 Intelligent Design Protection are already supplying the likes of Steve Peat, Joe Barnes and Trek World Racing.

Aimed at enduro racers, the Covert knee pads offer three layers of protection. A 1mm-thick hard-plastic cup that's curved to stop it lifting off the knee during pedalling sits over a high-density EVA foam mid-layer and a lower-density bottom layer that's perforated for ventilation, with a compression-fit sleeve holding it all in place. The Coverts pass the CE EN 1621-1 standard and all three layers can be removed for washing or to tailor the level of protection (though removing the hard caps for comfort on mellower rides means the pads no longer meet the CE standard).

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 >>

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 >>

Marzocchi 350 NCR fork

Italy's most famous fork manufacturer aims directly at the high profile, high performance enduro race scene but it needs patience to reveal its potential.

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 >>

All Arround MTB

Search This Blog