Atomlab SL handlebar

A trusted name in dirt jumping and street riding for many years, Atomlab are now back in the UK and this bar is just one good reason to check them out again.

The aluminium SL comes in six colours and is 760mm wide, though we cut ours down to 740mm. The low 25mm rise and subtle sweep (five degrees up and nine degrees back) make it easy to position to ensure a natural, comfortable feel right away. We noticed very little flex from the 35mm clamp diameter bar, which felt stiff but not jarring on heavy landings.

Price 90$

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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