Bontrager SE2 Team Issue 2.35in tyre

For their SE series, Bontrager take the treads of their trail tyres and mount them on a tougher Core Strength carcass for flat out, full gas survival at the expense of smooth subtlety.

The SE2 is an average weight to get spinning but the double rank of low, sloped slabs alternating along the centre makes it noticeably faster rolling than most rear tyres. Close spaced, siped side knobs give a predictable carving edge in softer/looser conditions once it’s leaned over too. Traction communication is undermined by the wooden feel of the reinforced carcass though. It really bangs through rocks and edges even at low pressures too, making us think we’d blown our rear shock at first. It’s super-durable though, so if you like a hard feel or run high pressures anyway it’s decent long-term value.

Best for: Rear
Weight: 990g
Width: 56mm

Price 67$

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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