CrankBrothers m17 multi-tool

SO GOOD
CrankBrothers have laid out the Allen keys (2mm to 8mm) in ascending order and they’re easy to access and use. The tool’s robust 90mm-long body lets you get plenty of torque down, making the 8mmAllen key the most useful on test.

The m17 feels solid, and past experience with CrankBros’ tools suggests it should last a long time too. The tool bits are well made and fit snugly into bolts without any play. Textured sections on each side of the body aid grip.

NO GOOD
It’s a bit on the bulky side at 181g – one for your pack, not your pocket.

Price 37$

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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