Cotic Rocket Silver

Cotic’s steel-framed (save for the chainstays) Rocket has a grin-inducingly lively ride, with more zip and pop than you might initially expect considering its 14.7kg overall weight. The ‘Fast Rolling’ compound WTB tyres help it feel rapid in certain scenarios, although they do feel a little skittish when tackling rooty cambers or on rocky hardpack sections. While the damping of the X-Fusion Sweep fork works well enough once you’re sat into the stroke, it’s not the easiest to get moving initially. Through multiple big hits where the fork fully extends as you skip across the top of bumps, you can also start to feel your hands and arms getting worked over. At 358mm, the Rocket’s BB is the highest on test and you can really feel this in poorly-supported loose turns.

Price $4200

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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DRC X-Monitor SP1 lap timer

While smartphone apps such as Strava can be a useful way to keep tabs on your mountain bike rides, sometimes you just can’t beat the simplicity and instant feedback that a good old-fashioned stopwatch style lap timer provides.

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Scott Scale 950

The Scale 950 uses the now traditional-for-cross-country 29er wheels to excellent effect, with a fast but fun character that's happy racing or railing.

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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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Formula CR3 brakes

The CR3 features a cartridge-type master, which improves power and modulation, plus it is super simple to service: The self-enclosed unit threads directly into the lever body. I took apart our test set and had it back together and bled in 10 minutes with no special tools. Like Formula’s RO brakes, the caliper pistons are actually oval, making more surface area–and thus, more power–than round pistons, but simpler than a four-piston system. The CR3 is best suited for aggressive trail riding.

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All Arround MTB

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