Race Face SIXC 35 bar

The sixc riser is an old favourite, winning the ‘best carbon bar’ accolade in our last group test. Upping the clamp diameter to 35mm has enabled Race Face to make this new version 15mm wider but even lighter (220g for our 10mm rise sample).

On the bike, the extra chunkiness disguises the fact it has a full 800mm span. It’s a comfortable shape, with eight degrees of backsweep and five of upsweep, and higher 20mm and 30mm rises are available if required. The 10mm version suited our 29er test bike just fine though, keeping the front end low and providing plenty of steering leverage to offset the extra inertia of the big wheels. It feels slightly stiffer than the 31.8mm version, though still with that trademark carbon buzz absorption. In fact, we ended up fitting thicker grips after a particularly rocky ride to provide a bit of extra comfort.

Price 163$

ENVE M50 29" Wheels

Utah based company ENVE have been making drool-worthy carbon components for some years now. Despite the fact that carbon rims are becoming more and more common on mountain bikes these days, you can guarantee that ENVE wheels will be a talking point when someone is eyeing off a steed. Instantly, the big bold logos on each rim scream "fast", "light" and to some extent, "expensive" The kids call this 'bling'.

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Pinnacle Ramin

Bikes in the 750$ to 1500$ range have never been so good. However, on many of these bikes a suspension fork from one of the major manufacturers is too expensive, and the cheaper alternatives don't quite pull their weight. They tend to be poorly sealed and before long become almost rigid, hefty lumps of metal attached to your frame.

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Merida Big Seven 100

We've rolled up to our local woods, with a meandering blue trail, some natural wooded tracks and a bit of fire road chucked into the mix to see how the Big Seven 100 tackles trails that entry-level riders are likely to cut their teeth on.

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Kona Precept

Climbing aboard Kona’s entry level 120mm trail bike looks a promising proposition. With 760mm wide bars and fairly short (60mm) stem, there’s a promise of confident handling, and comfortable feel. The Shimano Deore chainset and derailleurs afforded solid shifting performance, and the fast-rolling Maxxis Ardent tyres allow for swift traversing.

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Scott Stego MIPS helmet

Scott’s top-end aggressive trail helmet is only available with MIPS, as the Swiss brand were early adopters of the system. The EPS extends low at the rear without clashing with the retention system and the strap attachment points are external to the liner, maximising the amount of material around the temples. This is the closest-fitting helmet on test, with very little clearance inside the liner. Despite this, and although the Stego has fewer vents than some other lids here, we never felt too hot-headed. Scott spent time developing the ventilation system using a wind tunnel and it seems to have paid off. The thin pads don’t offer quite as much comfort as some competitors’, and while the short peak is removable, it doesn’t offer any height adjustment. Weight 340g Sizing S, M, L Price $180

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All Arround MTB

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