Answer Big Jon Trail Builder gloves

If these gloves seem to bear a resemblance to a popular work-glove pattern, it’s because they’re built not just for shredding, but for the dedicated few who pick up a shovel after roosting berms flat.

The palms have no padding to interfere with trail (or Pulaski) feel, and the double stitching throughout means that they’ll hold up to plenty of abuse. They’re also compatible with touchscreens. The size mediums were a bit snug out of the box, and I found that they needed a bit of break-in for the Amara palms and the strip along the back of the knuckles to stretch out and feel just right (I sped up this process by wearing them wet). Like the Giros, there’s no Velcro closure, but the low-cut cuff sits nice and close to the wrist. Without a closure there may be some risk of dirt finding its way into the glove when trailbuilding, but no more than with an ordinary work glove. A generous fleece-topped thumb on each hand provides a handy place to store extra boogers. The Big Jon gloves are built to last, and most importantly, built to build.

PRICE 30$

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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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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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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