Vaude Moab AM shoes

The Moab AM is the new flat-pedal shoe in Vaude’s eco-friendly range of MTB kit (even the laces are made from recycled plastic). It’s aimed at DH and trail riders who want good traction both on the pedals and on foot.

To this end the Vibram sole has a large flat section spanning the ball and arch, while the toe and heel have a more aggressive tread. The suedeand- leather upper is water repellent but a mesh panel at the front means your feet will still get wet when things turn sloppy. The sole is fairly thin and flexible, which should translate to a good pedal feel.A shoe named after Moab, Utah, the home of the famously tacky Slickrock Trail, ought to offer plenty of grip – we’ll let you know down the line.

Price 142$

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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