All Arround MTB

Helly Hansen make good cold-weather gear so we tested the Crew with a certain level of expectation. Highly water-repellent on the outside, it’s all cosy fleece warmth on the inside – a combination that was a delight on early starts but does get very warm on all but the chilliest of rides. The fit is slim, but that’s OK because you don’t need to pile the layers on underneath. It does mean there isn’t quite the freedom of movement in the shoulders that we’d like, though. This isn’t a deal-breaker, but points it out as a non-bikespecific jacket. Good features include two zipped hand pockets and a chest pocket, plus a tall collar with zip garage. It’s a really nice jacket, but not ideal for riding in because it’s too warm. We’d keep it as one to pull on post-ride. Weight 610g Price $180

The ‘tennis heart-throb circa 1970’ vibe of this jacket has a certain appeal, but it delivers more than just style. Essentially a fleece with strategically-placed windproof panels, it’s an amped-up jersey, and one that works well.We didn’t overheat, even when riding hard, and the protective front keeps the cold off on long descents. The cut is relaxed, and silicone gripper keeps the long back hem firmly in place. It fits well on the bike and looks good off it too, making it a versatile item.We liked the Alpinestars jacket much more than we thought we would – it’s much warmer than we anticipated and, although we’d layer a waterproof over the top on days that are both cold and wet, on dry rides it works just fine on its own. It also has a useful zipped side pocket for essentials. Weight 365g Price $165

Bontrager’s Starvos is a hybrid jacket/jersey that combines windproof panels on the front and arms with a lighter, more breathable knit at the back. This is a tried and tested approach that keeps wind and light rain off where it matters, so you’re protected in bad weather and from the chill of descents, but allows heat to dissipate faster than a jacket made wholly from softshell material. While the cut is relaxed enough that you can add insulating midlayers, we found it was warm enough to work fine on frosty mornings with just a baselayer underneath. The longer back is very jersey-like, with an elasticated hem and gripper and three open pockets, and the cuffs are elasticated too. More of a beefedup jersey than a jacket, the S1 is well priced and good for crisp, dry days, but not as capable as others here. Weight 473g Price $135

The original Transmitter subverted expectations of how nuts you could go on a sub-$1500 bike. Now it’s been stretched out for more balanced handling, without losing the bargain price tag. The frame If you think you’re going to be getting a basic frame ($450 separately) from this bargain-priced brand, think again. The Transmitter was designed by one of the best in the business, and oversize multi-section, tapered, split and ridged main tubes and plate chainstay sections make for a pedigree ride that’s efficiently purposeful without being punishing. Bolted clips hold the gear, brake and semi-internal dropper post lines, and there’s an ISCG mount on the threaded BB shell. Boost dropouts complete the shortest back end on test (425mm), which means clearance is tight with a 2.8in tyre. The kit This mid-range model costs $3300 if you buy it through one of Alpkit’s three shops, but choosing to have it shipped to you (for free) from their UK workshop saves you $450. It’s still the m

TheWhyte 905’s position as the benchmark progressive hardtail was put in doubt last year, but even more radical geometry and the best plus tyres in the business put it right back at the cutting edge. The frame A tall head tube and deep triangular top tube give impressive front end accuracy. The big down tube is extensively shaped, with cables routed internally through sealed rubber plugs. Wide-splayed tubular chainstays and ‘keyhole’ seatstays give generous clearance for 27.5x2.8in tyres (but should you want to fit 29in wheels, space is extremely limited). The kit The Revelation RC fork is the only dedicated 650b+ (not 29in) fork in the test, and gets a custom 42mm (rather than 46mm) offset too. Gears are 11-speed SRAM GX, but the cranks are from the Eagle family so they get the latest X-SYNC 2 chainring, along with broad 170mm arms. The SRAM Level brakes feel OK but are less powerful than Guides, particularly with the 180/160mm rotor set-up you get on every 905 apart from

As the lightest bike on test and a 29er too, the comparative climb and distance efficiency of the Scout isn’t a surprise. It’s how it handles the hits and techy descents that really impresses. The frame While the frame looks simple at first, the down tube has a load of tapers, shapes and swerves going on. It shares a long weld seam with the steeply-sloped top tube, which is almost parallel with the round seatstays. Chunky dropouts carry a Boost axle and post brake mount, and there’s a chainring-dodging plate section on the driveside chainstay. The dropper post cable is routed internally, apart from a loop under the BB. A full-length gear cable outer runs under the top tube, with a neat extra guide block on the down tube to swing it clear of the short tapered head tube. The Scout has front mech routing too, but the 290 Comp uses an MRP micro chain guide instead, mounted to the ISCG tabs on the threaded BB shell. Production bikes will have a set of bottle bosses. The kit A