MRP SXg chain guide

MRP’s latest offering has a ‘Whippersnapper’ lower guide integrated into its skid plate to keep the chain on track through really rough sections without the added drag and wear of a jockey wheel. Fitting was straightforward, and although clearance was tight on the Kona Process 111 we bolted it to initially, it worked well regardless and fitted other test bikes fine.

The SXg silences chain slap remarkably better than an upper-only guide, offering peace of mind when pedalling through the chop, and despite our best efforts we failed to derail the chain. The skid plate shrugged off several skelps, and both upper and lower guides accommodated the full gearing range without rub.

It’s not cheap and may be overkill for some, but our 30-34t version weighed just 159g including bolts and offers drag-free, DH-ready retention.

Price 210$

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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