All Arround MTB

At just 266g , The Cloud is competitive on the scales, especially considering the price. It only comes in a single width, which won’t suit everyone, and the firm rather than luxurious padding is better suited to more seasoned riders. Marks on the chromoly rails and the near-flat profile make it quick and easy to get the saddle feeling comfy. A shallow cutaway in the middle of the foam helps to relieve pressure on your nether regions. While the thin, firm padding on the nose isn’t the comfiest when clawing up steeper pitches, it’s forgiving enough providing you’re not perched there for too long. The sleek looks and neat finish add to its appeal. Price $52 (chromoly rails)

With a single lock-on collar, a low-profile design and a simple knurled pattern, the Bartender grips look great on paper. A built-in bar-end cover means you don’t need to faff around putting a plug in there. They’re $13 less than our benchmark Renthal Ultra Tacky lock-ons but don’t feel cheaper in the hand, although they’re made from a slightly harder compound, which is more like Renthal’s Kevlar option. From new, they offer plenty of grip even with sweaty hands and no gloves. They felt at their best after bedding in, which took two to three rides. But once they got dirty, bare-handed grip was reduced, so we’d recommend using them with gloves. Unlike softer grips, they don’t cause the glove fabric to pinch when you reposition your hands. The lack of an outside lock-on collar increases comfort for riders who hold the grips at the very end and also helps them absorb trail buzz. Price $24

AVAILABLE IN THREE colours and 35mm or 50mm lengths, this CNC machined stem is impressively light at 122g or 137g, respectively. It uses 4mm bolts throughout and detailed internal drilling to shed any excess grams.

SO GOOD The 6mm tall pins are slim enough to dig into just about any shoe with a ferocious bite. Couple that with the slightly concave platform, and the Penthouse flats are easily some of the grippiest pedals on test. Each of the eight pins per side threads in from the rear, which makes adding/removing them easier. Build quality is great and they’re solid enough to shrug off the odd rock or root strike with relative ease.