Shimano Deore XT M8000 crankset

SHIMANO’S NEWXT crankset is even more mechanically durable than its legendary forebears but it looks scruffy faster than ever.

The hollow-forged arms and fixed spider are impressively stiff for powerful torque transmission and precise trail feedback. Separately bought chainrings allow ratio choice and the steel teeth set in a carbon composite sandwich are super-durable even in UK conditions. The low-scooped DCE tooth profile is amazingly secure too. Installation onto the steel axle is simple and secure, with Boost axle versions now available but still no 30mm options. Double or single-ring mount holes add weight over the direct-fit competition too. The black finish needs protective taping to stop it looking six months old after only a couple of hours.

WEIGHT: 669g
ARMS: 165, 170, 175, 180mm

Price 225$

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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Sam Reynolds' Polygon Collosus N9

WHO IS SAM REYNOLDS? Hailing from South East England, Sam Reynolds is one of the UK's top freeriders, specialising in dirt jumping and slopestyle. But with mates like World Cup downhiller Brendan Fairclough, he also likes to get up to speed in the hills, where he's been introducing the Collosus to some colossal jumps, gaps and drops.

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CANYON NERVE AL 8.0

S ince their entry into the UK market a few years ago, Canyon have made a name for themselves as purveyors of well-made bikes that exhibit often extraordinary value. The secret (or catch, depending on your point of view) is that the brand don’t have dealers – they ship bikes directly to your door.

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Dave Hemming’s Fat Chance Yo Eddys

WHO IS DAVE HEMMING Dave first appeared in the mag in 1989 and, after becoming the first Brit to win a World Championships medal, was picked to ride for Team MBUK in 1991. He went on to race DH for several years, in-between numerous hare-brained feature missions. These days, he dabbles in everything from enduros to Ironmans, while working for Swiss/Italian brand X-Bionic. WHY THIS IS A SUPERBIKE? -A ’90s classic has been reborn -The original Yo Eddy is pure anodised retro radness -Its new counterpart is the perfect blend of old and new school, combining classic styling with an up-to-date ride It’s crazy to see how far things have come since the early ’90s. At that time, racing downhill on a hardtail with a 90mm stem and the seat up your arse was just what people did. While the technology seems primitive now, bike companies more than made up for it when it came to anodising! With its ‘aquafade’ paintjob, metallic blue parts and punk graphics, old-school UK racer Dave Hem...

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SPECIALIZED P.STREET 2

S pecialized’s P.Series bikes have been much loved hardcore/ jump hybrid contenders for years and this 2014 nugget is no exception. If you’re after a really well priced and well sorted complete bike package for jump, street and even better-groomed trail centre action then the P.Street is outstanding. Its rock solid responsiveness and short-stroke fork make it seriously unforgiving on rougher trails though.

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All Arround MTB

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