Mavic XA Pro shorts

The XA Pro shorts exude the quality and attention to detail we’ve come to expect from Mavic. They’re made from a lightweight ‘Trail Tech’ fabric, which feels comfortable yet durable, thanks to its dense weave and 11 per cent elastane content. A small internal key pocket is hidden near the waistband and there’s a zipped pocket just above the knee. While these don’t provide enough storage to let you ride packless, there’s space for the key/card essentials. On the bike, perforations on the inner thighs aid breathability but undermine the effectiveness of the otherwise sprayresistant DWR-coated material. Small diamond-shaped grip sections help keep you perched on the saddle, until it gets really muddy. Getting the sizing right is crucial, since there’s no waist adjustability, but we found Mavic’s size chart to be accurate and the stretch rear panel allows some flexibility.

Price $120

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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