Shredly DSR Women's MTB Long shorts

Colorado designer Ashley Rankin debuted Shredly in January 2012, and hershorts have been a savior for female riders ever since. The funky patterns are a refreshing splash of color in a world of drab options and the fit and style are spot-on. I’ve tested the short and long versions, and prefer the cut with an added 3 inches to the inseam. If you wear kneepads, you’ll want the longer length too, which falls just below the knees.

This year, Rankin changed the waisttightening system from Velcro adjusters to an elastic band sewn into the waist with eight button slots on either side that adjust the fit. I prefer this version because I find that Velcro tends to come undone as I’m moving around on the bike (or maybe I should stop eating so many burritos). Other touches include the Velcro closure with two snaps, two thigh vents and a nice, deep pocket on the right leg. One downside is they’re a bit spendy for a shell only–Rankin sells a comfortable chamois separately for $45–but part of that price is due to Shredly’s commitment to U.S. labor; all shorts are sewn in San Diego.

Price 100$

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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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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Anthony Messere’s Morpheus Vimana Slope

A flying chariot built with one thing in mind – slopestyle domination

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All Arround MTB

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