Bird AM 35 Wheels

Carbon wheels are here, there and bleedin’ everywhere at the moment, but before your eyes begin to dull, this setup from new kid on the block Bird is really well thought out.

At 1610g a pair, they aren’t the lightest, but Bird are confident they’re strong and reckon they’ve cracked the issue of harsh carbon wheels by using 28 triple butted, straight pull spoke. We’ll be hitting ruts and rocks as clumsily as possible to find out if that’s true.

If you’ve not gone into a carbon coma yet, then you’ll be pleased to know the wheels come with your pick of tyres set up tubeless and ready to roll, and a whole host of spares to keep you on the trail.

PRICE 1275$

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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