Halo Vapour 35 29er Wheelset

IN A WORLD where it’s increasingly apparent that size does matter, these wheels sit firmly in the ‘bigger is better’ camp. Halo say the 35mm wide alloy rims (30mm internal) are “optimised for 2.25 to 2.8in tyres”, pushing them towards 29+ territory.

The extra width increases tyre volume, improving grip and reducing the risk of burping when run tubeless (they come pre-taped). Coming in at a penny-pinching 450$ a set and weighing 1,960g, the Vapour 35s are available with a choice of rear hubs (6D or SupaDrive) and a range of axle kits, with Boost hubs apparently coming soon. They’re available in a 650b version too, as well as wider 650b+ and 29+ form (Vapour 50).

Price 450$ (180$ front, 270$ rear)

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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