Michelin Wild Race’R AR 2.25in tyre

Michelin’s beefed up back tyre can take a beating but it’s definitely best for riders who are looking for easy speed at the expense of occasional sketchy moments.

The heavy-duty ‘Advanced Reinforced’ carcass seats and seals easily, and is secure down to silly-low pressures. The low diamond-shaped tread gives little rolling resistance and there are no big shoulder lugs to slow things down when you lean it either. That means an extra gear or two of go once you’ve got its kilo weight moving but very little dig-in grip for hacking round corners or heaving on the brakes in softer conditions. The carcass isn’t particularly communicative either, so expect a tail-happy trail experience where your front tyre is providing all the control. Long life boosts value for speed freaks though.

Best for: Rear
Weight: 1,030g
Width: 56mm

Price 69$

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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