Fizik Thar saddle

I don’t know how it’s possible to make a 29er-specific seat, but that’s apparently what the Thar is. Really though, it just has super-long rails that allow for a ton of foreaft adjustment. The flat section of the rails measure 95 millimeters–at least 15 millimeters longer than any of the other seats tested.

Depending on how long your seatpost clamps are, you can expect 40 or more millimeters of adjustment. I’d say that’s pretty sweet, no matter what wheel size you’re running. The Thar is the only saddle we tested that doesn’t have a pressure-relief recess, but that might not be an issue if the fit is right. Measuring 125 millimeters at the widest point, it’s on the narrower end, but I found that my sit bones (which measure 110 millimeters) fit nicely on the flat-shaped seat. I loved the wide, stubby nose, which made this saddle one of the most comfortable ones for steep climbs.

PRICE 150$

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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