All Arround MTB

The Nano’s lightweight construction and airy cut make it a comfortable garment. The large rear vent and perforated arm pit areas cement it as the least sweaty option here – great for muggy rides. The three quarter zip offers a little control to the ventilation, but we’d prefer a full length one for rapid removal. It easily packs into its back pocket, there’s also a front pocket, but it was less than useful for storage as items can jiggle about annoyingly.

With ten hexagonal pins dotted around the edge of the slightly concave pedal body the Aefect has a quality feel underfoot. The platform is broad on paper at 100mm wide and 91mm long, but there is very little gap between the crank and the inner edge of the platform. This makes them 10mm narrower in total than the Nukeproof Electron Evo. If you have large feet, this is noticeable: the foot feels less secure on the pedal, with a little extra overhang at the edge.

In the last few years there’s been a big resurgence of flat pedal use amongst trail riders, and I’ll freely admit to being a flat pedal evangelist. Flat pedals help make you a better rider by highlighting the shortcomings in your technique, as well as offering a faster bailout when things go pear-shaped. To coincide with their increasing popularity, we’ve also seen improvements in flat pedal design, and Race Face’s Atlas pedal typifies the upper end of current flat pedal technology.

RACE FACE'S SIXC is an old favourite and the new version has become an instant go-to test upgrade. The literal big difference is an increase in width to 785mm (from 750mm), which puts serious swagger into your steering.

RACE FACE'S TRIGGER jersey does a great job of wicking sweat away from the body on really hot rides and takes next to no time to dry.

SO GOOD The well-shaped neoprene pull tab incorporated into the cuff makes getting the Stages on easy. Race Face have done a great job with the shaping and fit, ensuring that the thin palm follows the contours of your hand nicely, with no bunching. There’s decent reinforcement in all the key high-wear areas and ours are yet to show any signs of significant wear. The conductive patch on the middle (rather than index) finger is a nice touch too.

THIS DECEPTIVELY SIMPLE T-shirt style jersey from Race Face surprised us with both its details and its performance.

SO GOOD: The Respond is Race Face’s ‘beer budget’ heavy-duty stem. Made from forged 6061 aluminium alloy, it certainly feels built for action.

DESIGNED AROUND THE 35mm handlebar diameter introduced by Race Face's sister company Easton, the Atlas 35 comes in 35,50 and 65mm lengths.

HAILED AS THE lightest production carbon cranks available, the new-for-2014 Next SLs utilise Race Face’s proprietary hollow arms and new Cinch interface – an interchangeable spider design that lets you run a single, double or triple chainring set-up.