Shimano XTR Trail M9020 crankset

SHIMANO’S FLAGSHIP TRAIL cranks are mechanically ultradurable and biomechanically versatile but heavier than the carbon competition.

The hollow arms and spider are forged in one piece for serious stiffness and increased strength over the slightly lighter bonded arms on the XTR M9000 XC cranks. The spider works with single, double or even triple chainrings but the asymmetric pattern is unique to Shimano. You’re not likely to replace them frequently though, because the titanium teeth in a carbon composite sandwich are showing no signs of wear after a full year of use. The multi-ring spider and big-ring clamping blocks on the outside edge make it 100g heavier than the lightest carbon competition though, and there’s no 30mm axle option.

WEIGHT: 565g
ARMS: 165, 170, 175, 180mm

Price 525$

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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Merida Big Nine 100

Wit the bikes swapped over, we head out on the same loop again, this time on the 29in Big Nine 100. Whereas the Big Seven was snappy off the line, the 29er takes a couple more pedal strokes to get up to speed. That said, once it's up there, it's easy to keep the big wheels rolling, allowing us to cover ground with ease. The fire road is at times a little rough, and the bigger wheels roll over the imperfections so we barely notice them.

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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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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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All Arround MTB

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