Schwalbe Magic Mary ADDIX Ultra-Soft tyre

Schwalbe have poached a leading tyre technologist and invested in a new production process to create their latest ‘ADDIX’ compounds, which use more silica and other elements in a more finely-controlled mix. They claim this holds the tyre together much better, so it lasts and rolls better without affecting grip levels. They’ve also increased the number of options from three (PaceStar, TrailStar, VertStar) to four (Speed, Speedgrip, Soft, Ultra Soft), each differentiated by a coloured stripe down the tread. We’ve been impressed by the ‘Soft’ Magic Mary (see review on p98) and have a feeling that the ‘Ultra Soft’ version seen here is going to prove seriously sticky. It’s quite heavy though, with our Super Gravity carcass, SnakeSkin sidewall version weighing 1,124g in the 27.5x2.35in size.

Price $97

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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