Shimano XTR Trail M985 pedals

Shimano’s range of Trail pedals have already become absolute classics. They incorporate Shimano’s time tested SPD mechanism and offer a great compromise between simplicity, reliability and a decent platform. Clipping in is slightly more fiddly over rough ground than with the Crank Brothers Mallet, but Shimano’s crisp, predictable mechanism is a joy to use.

Shimano shoes interface seamlessly with their Trail pedals but they engage faultlessly with a whole range of other shoes too. The platform is minimal, but provides useful support at each side of the mechanism. This is particularly noticeable when wearing flexy shoes. The float is fixed, but offers just enough movement without becoming a problem when unclipping: a great compromise. Release tension, on the other hand, is fully adjustable. Servicable cup and cone style bearings kept our set smooth and play-free and the hollow cro-mo axle helps shave grams. A Teflon coated binding help it shed mud too and we had no problems with mud clogging up the mechanism. We can’t ignore Shimano’s new XT Trail pedals though. Weighing just 30g more than and costing 30$ less, they’d be our first choice for those who would draw the line at jettisoning ten-pound notes to save grams.

Pricey, but quality bearings and low weight mean superb all-round capability

Weight 374g

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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Merida Big Nine 100

Wit the bikes swapped over, we head out on the same loop again, this time on the 29in Big Nine 100. Whereas the Big Seven was snappy off the line, the 29er takes a couple more pedal strokes to get up to speed. That said, once it's up there, it's easy to keep the big wheels rolling, allowing us to cover ground with ease. The fire road is at times a little rough, and the bigger wheels roll over the imperfections so we barely notice them.

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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.

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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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All Arround MTB

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