Shimano MW7 Gore-Tex shoes

Shimano’s clipless trail shoes are some of the best. For the MW7, they’ve used the same basic template – long cleat slots, lace flap, asymmetric ankle – but added winter weatherproofing.

The combination of a waterproof Gore-Tex liner and a high-cut wraparound ankle collar keeps rain and spray at bay very effectively (although if your socks get drenched, the water can trickle down). They’re nice and toasty too, thanks to an insulated lining and insole. This does mean they get a little hot on warmer days, but if you reserve them for sub-zero starts (or have poor circulation) they’re just the ticket – although you’ll need to do a lot of freezing rides to justify the investment. You can get your cleats nice and far back, and they feel much like regular Shimano SPD shoes. They’re not even that heavy, at 1,135g a pair. Watch the sizing though – we take a half size bigger in Shimano than most brands.

Price 270$

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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Merida Big Nine 100

Wit the bikes swapped over, we head out on the same loop again, this time on the 29in Big Nine 100. Whereas the Big Seven was snappy off the line, the 29er takes a couple more pedal strokes to get up to speed. That said, once it's up there, it's easy to keep the big wheels rolling, allowing us to cover ground with ease. The fire road is at times a little rough, and the bigger wheels roll over the imperfections so we barely notice them.

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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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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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All Arround MTB

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