TSG Trailfox helmet

TSG’S TRAILFOX ENDURO lid delivers plenty of coverage with a healthy dose of slowspeed ventilation.

Simple V-style straps anchored in the edges of the outer shell mean it goes on fast and the snug deep-pan fit makes it naturally stable. There’s only one height position for the dial-adjusted cradle though, so some of our testers had to shuffle the undersized pad around to get it feeling comfortable. The vented peak can be popped on and off into three positions ranging from eyeline to skyline.

A focus on thick protection rather than deep air channels means cooling through-flow is limited but it radiates heat well on slow climbs and the thick pads soak up sweat before it gets in your eyes. Eight colours (including several matt options) mean matching your kit/bike is easy and the new enhanced-protection MIPS version is excellent value at 150$.

Price 120$

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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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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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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