Gamut TTr direct-mount chainring

GAMUT’S DIRECT-MOUNT TTr ring is available in 28 to 34t sizes and fits SRAM GXP cranks with a removable spider. It’s also available in bolted versions for other cranks, including Shimano XT and XTR.

Fitted sans chain guide and used with a clutch rear mech, ours has survived its fair share of rough-and-ready riding without shedding its chain once (a problem we’ve occasionally suffered with other aftermarket rings). It’s holding up nicely after a few months of harsh weather and slop, and the 71g weight is competitive.

The price is level with Race Face’s GXP-compatible rings, but there are cheaper options available from other brands.

Price 82$

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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