Mountain Biking UK 01.2022

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FOR THE WORLD’S FASTEST RACERS



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THE
ALL NEW

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"Downcountry" rig? Occasional race bike? Whatever, call it
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FAST IS FUN

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© SCOTT SPORTS SA 2021.22 | Photo: Jochen Haar

IN THE MAG
THIS MONTH

STEVE THOMAS
VETERAN SNAPPER

There in the early days
of UK MTB, Steve was the
perfect man to put our big
XC feature together. Stuck
in Thailand since COVID

hit, he insists that isn’t
as fun as it sounds!

EMILY HORRIDGE
MASTERS DH CHAMP/GUIDE

As a UK downhiller turned
alpine MTB guide, Emily

knows a thing or two
about riding in adverse
conditions – check out her

winter tips on p102

Another year draws to a close, and it’s been an odd one for LUKE MARSHALL
TECH WRITER
mountain biking. The highs have been stratospheric. British
In his new(ish) technical
riders triumphed at the Olympics (Tom Pidcock) and World role with MBUK and

Champs (Evie Richards), won EWS races (Bex Baraona) and BikeRadar.com, our former
sta writer has been busy
World Cup rounds (Tahnée Seagrave, Reece Wilson, plus giving the latest trail forks
a proper thrashing (p92)
Tom and Evie again). There were top performances from
CASEY NEWTON
ON THE COVER JAMES rising stars, too, including Phoebe Gale and Jordan Williams CORNISH MTBER
(two Junior DH World Cups apiece), Jamie Edmondson
Rider Dan Atherton COSTLEY-WHITE (EWS U21 champ) and Polly Henderson (EWS U21 silver). A life-changing spinal-cord
Bike Atherton A150 injury could have ended
Location Dyfi Bike Park EDITOR Away from competition, we witnessed the return of great Casey’s riding forever, so
Photographer Dan Griffiths it’s amazing to see her
back racing. We hear her
events such as the Malverns Classic and Red Bull Rampage, full story on p19

the rapid development of women’s freeride and the launch of some brilliant new

bikes and kit… although it was bloody difficult to get our hands on any of them!

Here at MBUK we celebrated the landmark that was our 400th issue.

Of course, the C-word continues to overshadow things (no, not that one, potty

mouth!), and there were also some nasty injuries. Here’s hoping things go more

smoothly in 2022. It’s already shaping up to be a cracking year, with some great

events lined up, more brilliant places to ride than ever before, even better bikes

to ride them on, and a strong field of UK racers and

freeriders to represent us on the international scene. Here’s

to a great year of mountain biking – see you on the trails!

[email protected] mbukmag mbukmagazine

92

Six of 2022’s
top trail forks
ragged & rated

61 108

Can Scotland compete Exploring Wales’s
with the Alps? Only Dyfi Forest
one way to find out...

FEATURES THE MANUAL 32 First Looks

46 A second golden age of XC 102 How To Fresh new kit from Specialized,
Wolf Tooth and PNW Components
With Olympic and World Champs Stay on top in the slop – top tips plus the latest kids’ balance bike
wins, it’s the dawning of a new era for dealing with wet rocks and roots,
for the UK’s cross-country racers off-cambers and steep chutes 36 First Rides

54Atherton Bikes 106 Grimetime We sling a leg over a bumper stable of
bikes – Specialized’s Stumpjumper
As the siblings go into full production, Tech Q&A, how to service your fork, EVO, Giant’s Trance X, Orbea’s Rallon,
we find out how their unusual bikes plus a guide to Fox front suspension Starling’s Roost and Intense’s Sniper T
are made and what they’re like to ride
108 Big Ride & maps 128 Next Issue
61 Portes du Scotland?
A route around Mid Wales’s legendary What you’ve got to look forward to
We see if a long weekend of enduro Dyfi Forest, plus four OS route maps next month
riding in the Tweed Valley really can
compete with a biking trip abroad 122 Trail Crew

TESTED Family-friendly trails and old-school
fun at Margam Park, South Wales
71 Wrecked & Rated
REGULARS
The latest kit reviewed by our team,
including Fox’s Float X2 Factory shock 10 Out Front
plus fi’zi:k and Five Ten clipless shoes
The hottest stories in mountain
78 Six of the Best biking this month

Winter gloves – keep your digital 19 Uplift
dexterity whatever the conditions
Stay on top of the scene – Gemma
80 Longterm Rides Newton rides again, plus Rachel
Atherton’s latest, 60 seconds with
We look back on a year with our team Rab Wardell, Greg Minnaar’s scariest
bikes and deliver our final verdicts moment and new launches from
Cannondale, Canyon, Giant
92 Grouptest and Orbea

Our buyer’s guide to mid-travel trail 28 Send It!
suspension forks
Your letters and pics

SUBSCRIBE MEET
& GET 3 ISSUES THE TEAM
FOR JUST £5
The best part of
P30 2021 was…

46 JAMES COSTLEY-WHITE
EDITOR
How Britain’s XC
racers finally made Our 400th issue hitting the
shelves – an amazing
it back to the top
landmark and team e ort!

JAMES BLACKWELL
ART EDITOR

Finding new trails. The long

Google Earth sessions

paid dividends

HOPE’S NEW CHRIS BARNARD
CLIPLESS PEDALS PRODUCTION EDITOR

ON TEST Riding along the cli s in
P71
North Devon and watching

dolphins playing below

MINT JULIA BROUSSIER
SAUCE DESIGNER
P130
The first nine months
JANUARY 2022 of the year… before

I turned 30!

WILL SOFFE
STAFF WRITER

Marrying my amazing
fianceé Jenny and going to
Fort William on honeymoon

n nn

Mountain Biking UK

OUT FRONT Photo: Sven Martin

STEVIE SMITH
RIDES AGAIN

Canadian racer Stevie Smith
was one of the most talented and
likable riders on the DH World Cup
circuit, so it’s great to see his life
and legacy immortalised in a new
feature-length documentary. Not
only for his fans – us included –
but also for his mum, Tianna,
who was instrumental in Stevie’s
early success, and tells us: “It’s
wonderful to have this amazing
keepsake of my boy.”

Now available to watch online,
Long Live Chainsaw has been
produced by Anthill Films (Follow
Me, Not Bad, Arrival) in partner-
ship with the Stevie Smith Legacy
Foundation and Red Bull Media
House. It follows Stevie’s path to
the top, and the many trials and
tribulations this inspiring rider
faced before his untimely death
in 2016, aged just 26. All proceeds
will go to the Foundation, to help
nurture the next generation of
Canadian riders and racers.

“Anthill Films did a fantastic job,
just like I knew they would!” says
Tianna [who first worked with
some of the crew during filming of
2008’s Seasons – the movie that
put Stevie on the MTB map]. “It
was a bit of an emotional roller-
coaster, but very exciting to watch
it come together. They were able
to take all the bits and pieces that
friends, family and sponsors gave
them, and turn it into a beautiful
depiction of Steve’s life and
journey. Darcy and the team were
friends with Stevie, so the making
of the movie was very personal
and emotional for them. I wasn’t
the only one crying during filming.
I can’t thank Anthill and all those
involved enough.”

Mountain Biking UK

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Mountain Biking UK

OUT FRONT

SEASONS’
GREETINGS

The small Canadian mountain up by some classic loamy BC
town of Revelstoke is gaining trails and wooden features. July
recognition for some of the best to September is peak season
mountain biking in British in Revelstoke, with the higher-
Columbia – a province not exactly elevation trails on the Selkirk and
known for its dearth of riding spots. Monashee mountain ranges that
What makes this place unique is flank the town opening up. Time
the variety of both trails and to hit as many alpine epics as you
conditions, with MTBers able to can and soak in the wildflowers
enjoy four seasons of shredding and alpine freshness! Big days in
despite it being one of the snowiest the saddle is the name of the game,
places in BC. and if you still have energy, there’s
always Revelstoke Mountain Resort
Riding season can often start for a couple of extra end-of-day, lift-
in April and last into November, accessed laps in the summer heat.
on the valley-bottom trails skirting
the banks of the Columbia River. “With so much variety, it’s hard
In May and June, the inland to run out of options here, and the
temperate rainforest comes alive riding continues to expand every
with greens of all shades, broken season,” says local photographer
Ryan Creary. “Just when you think
it couldn’t get better, it does!” Photo: Ryan Creary

Mountain Biking UK

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Mountain Biking UK

OUT FRONT

PUMP UP Words and pic : Ian Linton PRESSURE ON PRESTA
THE JAMS!

The race season is over, the
clocks have changed and the
urge to dig out the lights and go
riding up in the cold, muddy
woods is low. What else is there
to do? Well, if your town has
a pump track, it’s the perfect
place to get in some winter laps
or even host an impromptu jam
session with your mates.

Corey Watson, William Brodie
and FMD Racing-sponsored
Junior ripper Phoebe Gale are
among the lucky riders living
within a stone’s throw of this
amazing Velosolutions-built
track in Hawick, in the Scottish
Borders. They’ve been making
the most of the floodlighting
to hone their skills, learn some
new ones and, most of all,
get out, and have some fun
with their mates.

With at least 11 pump tracks in
Scotland that we know of (plus
more planned) and a growing
number in other parts of the UK,
they’re the perfect place to put
in some fast laps and get the
heart pumping this winter.

Tubeless tyres are great for do have one advantage – the
saving weight and self-sealing valve-core can be removed
when they get punctured. (assuming it isn’t gummed up)
However, as tubeless sealant to improve airflow or aid in filling
becomes ever more e ective at the tyre with sealant. That said,
filling holes, it can clog up valve Presta valve cores are small and
stems. At best, this impedes prone to loss or damage, and
airflow, which makes seating tyres Reserve claim that injecting
more di cult, and at worst, it can sealant through their valve is easy
prevent the flow of air entirely. with everything still in place.

Enter Reserve, Santa Cruz’s Fillmore valves come with
component brand, who’ve Reserve’s Flow Control valve cap,
released a new design of tubeless which can be loosened and then
valve that they claim will “change depressed to let air out without
your life”. Unlike a Presta valve, the removing the cap. The valves
punningly-named Fillmore valve (including the chunky-looking
doesn’t have a seal inside the valve plunger) come with a lifetime
stem. Instead, the valve opening is warranty, and work with standard
a plunger-style poppet at the base, Presta pumps and gauges. They’re
which protrudes into the inside of currently only available in black.
the tyre when opened. We look forward to trying them out
and seeing whether Reserve’s lofty
Larger than the valve opening promises justify their premium
on a Presta, Reserve promise £39.99 price tag.
that this “eliminates blockages www.santacruzbikes.co.uk
and triples airflow.” Presta valves

Mountain Biking UK

GO BIG OR GO HOME!

n nn

“Life’s too short to not go big!” Karpiel Apocalypse, despite Words and pic : Malcolm Mclaws
With that motto, Josh Bender took a crash on his first attempt leaving
freeride to new heights (literally) him with seven weeks of memory
in the early 2000s as he hucked loss. As the wipeouts began to
off a succession of ever bigger eclipse his riding, and the
cliffs in Kamloops, British concussions and broken bones
Columbia. He steered the sport in added up, Bender disappeared
a new direction – look through the from the scene when he was on
VHS tapes and you’ll see madness the brink of trying a 100ft drop
on two wheels long before Red and began drinking heavily.
Bull Rampage was conceived.
Today the 47-year-old is a
The culmination of Bender’s five-years-sober family man with
relatively short but hugely a young daughter. Back on the
influential career was the scene as a Rampage judge, he
infamous 55ft Jah Drop, which could be seen walking the slopes
he tried – and failed – to nail at of Virgin, Utah, at this year’s event
least four times on his monster with hiking poles for mobility,
twin-shocked, 330mm-travel yelling encouragement to
veterans and newbies alike. They
all have total respect for this rider,
whose weathered face tells of a
man who’s seen and done it all.

Mountain Biking UK

ENJOY YOUR RIDE
RIDE FAST

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Photos: Chris Davison, Ian Lean & Jay WilliamsonBACK BEHIND
BARS!

Downhiller Casey Newton
rides again just months
after life-changing accident

Back in April, Cornish rider Casey
Newton (aka Casey Gemma)
had an over-the-bars crash at
her local downhill venue, Gawton
Gravity Hub in Devon, and
suffered a spinal cord injury that
left her with no feeling from the
waist down. Casey didn’t know if
she’d ever ride a bike again, but
support from family and friends,
along with some serious mental
resilience, has helped her adapt
and rehabilitate with remarkable
speed. The recent #rideforcasey
race at Gawton not only saw
Casey back at one of her favourite
riding spots, but also behind bars
once more, tackling the downhill
track on a Bowhead adaptive trike.

“The whole race day was an
emotional rollercoaster,” she tells
us. “It was my first time back at

THIS MONTH Rachel Atherton, XC bike evolution, Greg Minnaar, Rab Wardell, new bikes from Giant, Canyon, Orbea & Cannondale

Mountain Biking UK

IAD“TGLRANOEURYTNEKKTGFIDIENNOADGDRYFBWMSOAEAIRNC.SDIKHTAUOOWRDSNIARPNASEIGTABSATIMOKLH”MEOCESOOTEMFHEING

Opening page Six Gawton since my accident six very long time, and the fire in my very difficult, being only my second
months after her life- months before, and I was so happy to belly was reignited.” day on the bike, but I loved every
changing crash, Casey face my fears of getting back to minute of it. I couldn’t have got down
was back on a bike one of my favourite places and The event in November raised without the encouragement from
replace those horrible memories.” money for spinal cord injury charity everybody – and Jay [Williamson,
Top The MTB Wings for Life, along with Casey’s Casey’s boyfriend] leaping off his
community rallied She recalls: “For a while after my recovery fund, set up to support bike every two minutes to lift me
around and the event accident, I didn’t want to see a bike her while she can’t work and pay for back up when I tipped over! I’ve
at Gawton Gravity Hub again or hear about bikes because any necessary adjustments to her ridden mountain bikes my whole
raised funds for spinal it was such a trauma, but this day home. This is currently just short of life, so being back on the trails again
cord injury charity made me remember why I love the its £100,000 target – you can donate alongside my friends and Jay was
Wings for Life MTB community so much! There was at www.gofundme.com/f/support- such a powerful and happy moment
such an amazing atmosphere and for-casey-following-spinal-trauma. that I’ll never forget.”
Above Despite losing energy the whole day. I felt a sense
the use of her legs, of belonging that I haven’t felt in a For Casey, getting back on a bike The Gawton event was the first UK
Casey’s spirit is strong of any kind was a dream come true. DH race to include adapted bikes, but
and she’s living life to “It was something I longed for during Casey hopes others will follow its lead.
the full, getting out on those dark days in hospital, and “Thank you from the bottom of my
her paddleboard as something my physios used heart to everybody who made this day
well as riding to say to me to cheer me up,” she possible,” she says, “and for helping to
tells us. “I never knew it’d be so raise funds for a Bowhead of my own
Right Her Bowhead soon, though, and didn’t imagine it and Wings for Life to hopefully one
adaptive trike has could make me feel so happy. day find a cure for spinal cord injury.”
enabled her to get Casey, we salute you.
back on the trails, with “Riding alongside my buddy
help from partner Jay Spencer Watts was awesome! It was

Mountain Biking UK

UPLIFT

Baby Arna has
a great head start if
she chooses to follow

in her mum and
uncles’ tyre tracks

ARTHAECRHTEOLN A picture of
happiness... Rach
Rach re lects on getting
back on her downhill bike is stoked to be
hitting the hills on
after having a baby her big rig again

Last week, I had the best day for Rach back
such a long time on my downhill smashing the
bike. Riding again after having turns like the
a baby has been awesome! I missed champ she is
doing big jumps so much while
I was pregnant. I started off doing
small tabletops and getting that
confidence back, then one day
I focused solely on jumps and by
the end I was hitting some of the big
ones at Dyfi Bike Park.

There’s nothing quite like a
DH bike, and ours (check out our
Atherton Bikes feature on p54) is so
grounded and smooth it just begs
you to ride faster. There’s a tabletop
at the bottom of ‘50 Hits’, out of a
berm, where you have to clear the
jumps before it, absolutely rail the
corner and commit to the jump,
then squash up to it and really pop
the lip. It’s quite a steep lip too, as
[brother] Dan always builds them!
I reckon it’s the most fun of all the
jumps in the park, and when
I cleared it, I felt so good.

Our baby, Arna, chills at the bike
park cafe with whoever is around –
often my mum or [fiancé] Olly – and
we do laps. It’s so cool! I feel really
unfit and don’t have much strength,
but it’s a good challenge to try and
get back up to World Cup speed.
I’ve also just been inducted into
the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame in
California, which is so rad, and I feel
very humbled and stoked.

THE MBUK ARCHIVES Go back 30, 20, maybe even 10 years, and 80mm to as much as 130mm, and bikes have than weight – just compare XC ace Nino
building an XC bike was a weight game where lockouts for climbs and pedally sections. Schurter’s 650b-wheeled 2012 Scott Scale
hardtail (left) to his teched-out 2021 Scott
every gram counted, and racers even rode Riders have embraced longer frames, Spark 29er full-sus.
larger wheels and tyres, power meters
XC-VOLUTION! small frames just to save weight.Fast-forward and electronic gears for their improved
to the present day, with tougher courses and performance. Dropper posts carry a weight
penalty, but racers know the time-saving
shorter World Cup races, and gram-shaving benefits of extra manoeuvrability. Reliability
is key so many now use tyre inserts to
Modern cross-country race has taken a back seat to functionality. improve cornering stability and prevent pinch
flats. There’s clearly a lot more to winning
rigs are a far cry from the XC Their lighter weight and e cient power
machines of yesteryear – we transfer meant hardtails traditionally ruled
see how they’ve changed the race circuit, but now lighter, cleverly-
designed linkages and more technically-

advanced shocks mean many riders opt for

the reduced fatigue and extra traction of a

full-susser. Fork travel has increased from

ug

Reigning downhill world champ and all-round legend of gravity-defying
longevity Greg Minnaar takes us back to the moment over 10 years ago when

he almost lost his leg while racing motocross on home turf in South Africa

Words Steve Thomas Pic Kevin February

With hindsight, the scariest moment ever was when big – forms in the muscle, from a haematoma [severe

I had compartment syndrome in my left quad, in 2009. bruise], and the doctors have to do a fasciotomy to release it

But at the time, I didn’t realise the severity of the condition [before it causes irreversible damage to the muscles, blood

and was a little blasé about it. vessels and nerves]. This involves cutting the surrounding

I’d crashed in a remote motocross u a asa g us tissues to relieve the pressure and
race back home in South Africa and then trying to remove the clot.

knew my collarbone was broken. s a a as Now, I know that I was probably
I was about 20km from the finish sa
line and struggled to ride on until g only half an hour away from losing my
I found a marshal, then got rushed leg. As it was, it was still a long and
to hospital. I was in a lot of pain.
as s us hard recovery, because there was so
That was when the doctors noticed much nerve damage. I couldn’t get
that my left thigh was very swollen. su g a my left leg to work for close on three
ass s
g months. It just wouldn’t straighten.

They rushed me into surgery and If my knee was bent when sitting in

removed three massive blood clots from the leg. As a chair, I couldn’t kick my leg forward. That was scary.

I was going through it, I didn’t really understand what the I was nervous that I wouldn’t walk again, and had to have

problem was. It was only afterwards that I started to a lot of faith in the rehab facility I was using. They kept saying

learn how dangerous compartment syndrome is. It’s when it would heal and the nerve damage would repair, but it was

a blood clot – or three in this case, one being particularly just professional guessing at that point.

Mountain Biking UK

UPLIFT

n s ... ss
n
RAB
WARDELL We had an amazing
time at the Bristol
premiere of Long Live
Chainsaw. It was great
to see so many riders partying
together and celebrating the life of
an MTB icon. See p10 for more.

It’s brilliant to hear that Rachel
Atherton is being inducted into
the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame
– a well-deserved recognition
of her achievements and talent.
She’s joined by freeride legend
Darren Berrecloth, Pinkbike
founder Radek Burkat, 1992
DH world champ Dave ‘Cully’
Cullinan, and the guys who put
Whistler on the MTB map, Dave
Kelly and Rob McSkimming.

Rab Wardell discovered mountain biking in the early Noughties and, following in his older brother this Christmas? World Bicycle
David’s footsteps, began to race XC. He rode for Great Britain as a Junior, progressed to World Cups, and Relief is a brilliant nonprofit
represented Scotland at the 2006 Commonwealth Games. From 2007 to 2012, Rab worked as a coach for that provides bikes to poor
Scottish Cycling, then tried to qualify for his home Commonwealth Games in 2014, but struggled with communities so kids can get to
school, health workers can visit
ill health through overtraining, spending a week in intensive care in South Africa after suffering from patients and people can grown
rhabdomyolysis [breakdown of muscle tissue] at the Cape Epic. Since 2015, he’s combined fitness and their businesses – and this
skills coaching with event delivery, commentary and digital marketing. In 2020, Rab set the fastest time December, Trek will match any
for mountain biking the West Highland Way. This year he carried this momentum into a return to racing, donations made via their website.
competing at the Marathon World and National Championships, in the Marathon World Series and at the Head to www.trekbikes.com/gb/
British XC Champs. Rab has also been working on a film series with Tommy Wilkinson, Old Enough To Know en_GB/wbr-donate for more info.
Better, looking at the concept of time and whether you should really still be trying to turn pro at the age
of 36. The first episode aired on 7 December, with three more to follow – check them out on YouTube. YT are stumping up one helluva
prize for the 2022 Southern
Who is Rab Wardell? What gets you excited Biggest ride of your life? Enduro Champs – a Capra bike
A 36-year-old mountain bike man to ride? Trying (and failing) to ride the and a year’s support for the man
from Scotland. A goal to work towards and 154-mile Deeside Trail in under and woman with the fastest
something new to learn. 20 hours in October 2020 with times. Entries open now.
What do you do? [Santa Cruz rider] Mark Scott.
I’m a rider, racer and coach. Favourite rider to watch? The dark evenings
Josh Bryceland. Clips or flats? have well and truly
Where do you call home? Clips for racing, flats for fun. arrived! Time to
I’ve lived in Glasgow for 13 years, Favourite bike film? break out the lights,
but I’m originally from The Sprung video magazine series. How far can you wheelie? head to a well-lit skate park or
Dunfermline in Fife. Further than you! pump track, or even get a session
Scariest thing you’ve in on Zwift. There are plenty of
What was your first bike? done on a bike? What would be your ways to keep the pedals turning
A Townsend Tiger rigid kids’ MTB Going upside-down. desert island luxury? and fight the winter blues!
with white tyres. A Wahoo KICKR smart trainer.
Worst crash you’ve had? Mountain Biking UK
What’s your current ride? Blowing my hand off the bar while What advice would you give
My Santa Cruz Blur. It does it all coming off the boardwalk into your 13-year-old self?
and is flippin’ fast as! the first rough section on the Fort Start mountain biking sooner.
William World Cup DH track.
Best trail you’ve ridden What would you be doing
this year? Bike-park flow or natural if you weren’t writing and
A freshly groomed, pre-EWS gnar? publishing?
‘New York, New York’ at the Is ‘gnarly flow’ a thing? If not, I’d be riding my mountain bike,
Golfie [Innerleithen] on my Blur. I guess it’d be natural gnar. just not professionally!

NEW FOR
2022

A GIANT STEP FORWARD FOR XC?

All-new suspension design for Giant’sAnthem cross-country bike

TORQUED TO THE MAX The new Giant Anthem this, according to the and seat tubes are both
is the latest in a long line Taiwanese brand, are shorter and steeper.
The reinvented Canyon Torque is bigger, of top-flight XC race bikes excellent kinematics,
badder and ready to rip to switch to a so-called fewer bearings to service Four builds will be
‘flexstay’ system, following and a 250g weight saving available internationally,
Canyon’s new Torque is a bruiser of a bike that’s the lead of the Santa over the previous virtual but we’ll only see two
ready to tackle literally anything, according to the Cruz Blur, Specialized pivot point design. While in the UK – a £7k bike
German brand. Not only should it keep park-rats Epic, Scott Spark and Maestro will still be used with Fox’s electronically-
and corner-slapping enduro hooligans happy, a host of others. on Giant’s longer-travel controlled Live Valve
but it’s even proved capable of taking on Red Bull bikes, it seems that when suspension and a
Rampage, under Thomas ‘Tommy G’ Genon. The Giant’s new ‘FlexPoint it comes to XC racing, Shimano XT-based spec,
175mm-travel frame is designed to be paired with Pro’ set-up replaces this lighter, simpler and a £5k one with regular
a 180mm or 190mm fork – dual-crown, should the twin links of their system is preferred. suspension and Shimano
you wish – and can accommodate 650b, mullet Maestro platform with SLX. Both get a 110mm-
or 29in wheel set-ups. a single main pivot and The Anthem’s travel Fox 34 StepCast
rocker-actuated shock, geometry has been fork, rather than the XC-
Carbon fibre and alloy versions will be available, with flex built into the rear updated, too – its head specific Fox 32, reflecting
both with more up-to-date geometry than the triangle helping to keep angle is now a slacker 67.5 the increasingly gnarly
previous-generation bike, plus room for a bottle. everything in line as the degrees, reach figures nature of XC race courses,
Canyon have also improved the suspension to suspension compresses. have increased by up along with lightweight
pedal better, give more support and reduce pedal The advantages of to 24mm on each size carbon fibre wheels.
kickback when you land a huck to flat. The Torque
is built to the same testing standards as the
direct-sale brand’s full-bore DH rig, the Sender,
and so is more than capable of being thrown off
the odd drop. In Canyon’s range since 2006, it’s
always been designed for gravity-fuelled fun –
and it seems like the 2022 incarnation takes that
to the next level.

Mountain Biking UK



NEW FOR CUTTING EDGE
2022 XC WEAPON

LONG LASTING LIGHTWEIGHT The Cannondale Scalpel HT is
ready to slice through the pack,
All-new Orbea Rise H e-MTB gets more battery power, costs less just like its full-suspension sibling

The latest addition to potential battery power weight ratio and a system Five things you need to know about
Spanish brand Orbea’s to 792Wh and making weight limit (rider plus kit, Cannondale’s new cross-country hardtail:
ultra-lightweight Rise the Rise H good for eight excluding bike) of 130kg.
e-MTB range is claimed to hours of riding. 1 IT’S SLACK FOR AN XC BIKE
be the lightest aluminium The Rise H comes in To improve speed and control, the
e-bike currently on This new model shares three different builds, Scalpel HT mimics its full-suspension
sale. At 3.4kg, the Rise its geometry, wheel size starting with the £4,599 namesake with geometry that wouldn’t have
H frame is only 100g (29in), suspension travel Rise H30 and topping out looked out of place on a trail bike a few years
heavier (without the (140mm) and progressive at £6,099 with the Rise ago. All but the top build have a 67-degree
drive system) than an kinematics with the H10. You can use Orbea’s head angle. This is paired with 410mm to
equivalently-sized alloy existing, carbon Rise M. MyO customisation 470mm reach figures, and proportional
Orbea Occam, and the The frame’s hydroformed programme to swap parts chainstay lengths that grow by 5mm with
top Rise H10 bike weighs alloy tubes (with sleek or select custom colours, each step up the size range (430-445mm).
a claimed 19kg. polished welds) give it an but each change has an
impressive strength-to- associated cost. 2 THE TOP MODEL’S EVEN SLACKER
Not only that, but The top-spec Hi-MOD 1 comes fitted
you get a bigger battery with Cannondale’s 110mm-travel,
than on the carbon fibre single-legged Lefty Ocho Carbon fork,
version – 540Wh, rather while the other bikes have a 100mm-travel
than 360Wh – to power RockShox SID. The longer-travel fork
the same Orbea and slackens the head angle out to 66.5 degrees
Shimano co-developed and reduces the reach slightly.
EP8 RS motor, which has
a decent 60Nm of torque 3 THERE ARE TWO FRAMES
(albeit less than the On the top bike you get a high-grade
standard EP8’s 85Nm). Hi-MOD carbon fibre chassis, claimed
Orbea reckon you can to weigh a paltry 895g (medium size, without
do 5.5 hours of riding hardware). The frame used for the standard
with 3,500m of climbing carbon bikes is slightly heavier. There are
on a single charge, if three models available in the UK, all 29ers,
you leave the bike in priced from £2,400 to £6,200.
‘eco’ mode. A 252Wh
range extender is also 4 INBUILT FLEX ADDS COMFORT
available, upping the ‘Sculpted flex zones’ on the chainstays
– similar to Cannondale’s SAVE micro-
suspension – are matched with dropped
seatstays to provide rear-end compliance
over chattery terrain.

5 IT’LL TELL YOU WHEN IT NEEDS TLC!
Fitted to the front wheel is a sensor
that connects to Cannondale’s app to
provide information such as current speed,
route and ride distance, plus it reminds you
when your bike needs servicing.

Mountain Biking UK

Ah! Cool, crisp air and sparkling, frosty trails winding their way around
snow-capped mountains make for epic winter wonderland riding. Well, that’s not

quite what Aneela, Joe and Kriss were faced with when they were asked
to test out our new Freezing Point gear… in the extreme indoors.

We’ve listened to feedback from riders to make MT500 Freezing Point even better, to
create the ultimate cold weather riding kit. Primaloft Gold Insulation Active boasts class
leading warmth to weight ratio, tiny pack size, water-repellency, four-way stretch and

superb breathability, making it the ultimate insulation for on-bike-wear.

Reset the thermostat with the updated and expanded range and
make even the coldest winter day a riding day.

endurasport.com

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

& WIN
ALL OF
THIS!

YOUR MAIL, PHOTOS, IDEAS AND RANTS

Write to: MBUK Send It!, Eagle House, Bristol, BS1 4ST Email: [email protected] Visit: www.mbuk.com

I’ve been an avid reader of MBUK I find my inner mountain biker 1
since I was 10 (I’m 44 now) and again? Will buying an e-bike win 3
still have my first copy, which me back? Help me, MBUK, you’re
was given to me 30 years ago. my only hope!
While I still love mountain biking, Rich Atkins, via email
I own several other kinds of bike
and often go on cycle tours, as Fret not, Rich, you’re allowed to
well as overnight bikepacking ‘see other people’! Many of our
adventures. I need help – I think team members and collaborators
I’m turning into a roadie! like to don the Lycra from time to
time. If you enjoy conquering big
I often go for 70-mile rides hills on your road bike, then an
around the Mendip Hills, in e-MTB might not be enough to
Somerset, looking for the make you a born-again mountain
steepest hills to climb, and always biker. But think of it like this –
worry about my Strava times. there are so many places that
I rarely get out on the mountain an MTB can take you that a road
bike anymore, and only did six bike can’t reach. A lot of the
laps of BikePark Wales the other best riding in the world is miles
day (I normally do at least 10!). away from tarmac. Climbing
My recent holidays have been to (and descending) on singletrack
Mallorca, to ride the mountain exercises your brain as much
roads, rather than Les Gets in as your body and provides the
France or Squamish, Canada, to kind of technical challenge that
hit the trails. This worrying trend can’t be found in any other sport.
has caused me to seek advice This selection of Lezyne MTB kit
from you guys. How do should help you to come back
into the light!

Donna Goodwin, from Warwickshire, won our Muc-Off subscriber
competition in issue 400, and sent us this photo once she’d finished
unboxing her haul. “Huge thanks to MBUK and Muc-Off for the prize!

I can’t wait to start using it all. That pressure washer was sitting
in my shopping basket for a couple of months, so I’m glad I got
distracted and didn’t complete the checkout. I was just laughing in

utter disbelief the whole time while unpacking this lot!”

Mountain Biking UK

SEND IT!

... ’ DMR Vault Brendog -
pedals, 25th
Lezyne CNC ... ...
Tubeless Drive Anniversary saddle,
pump, Tool Insert and Elite 35mm stem Deathgrip grips & Lezyne Port-A-
Kit & Torque Drive worth £150 oil-slick collars Shop S toolkit,
worth £180 Ratchet Drive
worth £182
& Chain
Gauge
worth £128

Please note: Prizes may not be dispatched until restrictions imposed to limit the spread of coronavirus COVID-19 lift.

2 1 Paul McLay -
snapped a
45 cracker as he Tag your Instagram pics with
and his friend #mbukletters. We’ll pick four each issue
’ Joe prepared and our favourite will win a DMR Wingbar
for a dawn raid and Defy35+ stem courtesy of www.
We’re pretty sure legs aren’t supposed to look like on the North upgradebikes.co.uk. Usual T&Cs apply.
that! James Watson su ered this severe injury on York Moors
a recent ride in the Surrey Hills. He tells us:“The day An incredible sunset captured by
after my birthday, I went out with my riding group. 2 Twelve-year- @paul_newsubstance on a snowy
We got to the lip of a steep technical descent that old Barney ride in the Peaks
I’d done in the past. I eyed it up a couple of times Oakes seems to @blobonabike out exploring in the
and then decided to go for it, only this time I made be recovering winter sun at Cookworthy Forest
a bit of a booboo – I went in, hesitated, pulled a bit well from COVID
toohardonthebrakes, ippedthebikeand ewover as he sends @ohgi8_mtb sliding into
thebars,breakingmytibiaand bula.Whilebouncing it o his 2022 with style
down the hill, I caught sight of my leg apping and homemade
at that moment knew it was a ride-ending injury, jump near
totalling six broken sections in the leg. Massive Jedburgh in
thanks to the riders in my group for staying with me. the Scottish
The aftercare from paramedics and the hospital sta Borders
was second to none, too.”
3 Shot of the
Month: We love
this pic Sam
England took
of his mate
Brooklyn
Mackenzie
pulling a huge
table over a hip
they built

4 Harrison
Pickard’s riding
buddy captured
him nailing
Six Pack at
Chicksands
Bike Park

5 On a beautiful,
atmospheric
ride in Swinley
Forest, James
Sinderberry
bagged this
beauty of
Dave Berry

Strong cyberpunk vibes on this
awesome creative shot from
@daveyu1969

Mountain Biking UK

YOUR EXCLUSIVE MEMBERSHIP AREA

Welcome to the MBUK

Subs Zone! As a subscriber,

not only do you get a big

discount on the shop price

and every issue delivered

direct to your door (along

JAMES with any cover gifts or

COSTLEY-WHITE supplements), but you also A YEAR’S SUPPLY*
have access to this special OF SINTER
EDITOR BRAKE PADS
membership area of the
Sinter are a relatively new name in mountain biking, but they’ve
mag, where you can obtain exclusive already cornered the go-kart brake pad market and now hope to
make big waves in cycling, too. Producing more than two million
benefits every month. Ranging from pads per year at their state-of-the-art, 2,500m2 plant in Slovenia,
they’ve been working with Team Unior-Sinter to hone their new
subscriber-only competitions to special
MTB compounds on the World Cup DH and XC circuits. These
o ers, discounts and bonus content, there’s come in three varieties: Performance (black), for all-round riding;

something di erent each issue to reward Race (green), for more power, modulation and fade resistance
when hammering flat-out; and Electric (blue), with high
you for being a loyal reader of MBUK.
performance but slower wear for e-bike use (although Sinter’s
This issue, we’ve got six sets of Sinter riders like to run these out back on their regular bikes, too). The

brake pads to give away to six lucky pads are available to fit brakes from SRAM, Formula, Hope,
Magura, Shimano, TRP and more. To help spread the word, Sinter
subscribers – including the same top-rated are giving away six sets to six lucky MBUK subscribers. Get your

blue pads featured in this month’s Wrecked entry in sharpish, then find out more at www.sinter.si/en.

& Rated. The Slovenian brand have also

given us their top tips for getting them

bedded-in properly, and these apply to

other brands’ pads, too, so if you’ve been

having problems with squealing, premature

wear or lack of power, give them a try!

[email protected] mbukmag mbukmagazine

Subscription queries Call 0333 0162 152
Contact form www.buysubscriptions.com/contactus
Website www.buysubscriptions.com/help

Mountain Biking UK

THE PRIZE We hate finding litter on the trails.
It’s not just unsightly, but a danger to
SIX WINNERS WILL EACH GET wildlife too. So this year we teamed
up with Trash Free Trails for MBUK
2setsofSinterPerformance pads(black) Cleans Up!, a campaign where we
2sets ofSinter Racepads(green) encouraged our readers to take home
2setsofSinterElectric pads(blue) any rubbish they came across and
recycle it. As a bonus for subscribers,
* For the purposes of this competition, a ‘year’s supply’ is defined as six pairs of pads. How many pads you we offered a free Trash Free Trails x
actually get through in year will depend massively on where and how often you ride. Endura jersey to whoever sent us the
best litter pick photo each month.
HOW TO ENTER
Our final winner is 16-year-old
For your chance to win some Sinter brake pads, visit this link Dominic Bramley, who collected five
bags of rubbish from his local jumps
http://bit.ly/mbukmag403 on the way home from school. “I have
a passion for looking after our local
and answer the very simple question. ecosystems, and hated seeing all of
Full terms & conditions can be found on page 128. the rubbish just piling up by the side
of the jumps,” he tells us. “Not only
Closing date 19 January 2022 was it damaging the environment, but
also making the jumps unsafe, with
so much sharp metal around from the
drinks cans.” Great work Dominic – if
only more would follow your lead!

Our jersey competition may be over,
but we’re still supporting the great
work of Trash Free Trails – look out for
more details in the mag soon.

Mountain Biking UK

THE HOTTEST NEW KIT SPECIALIZED GAMBIT
FULL-FACE HELMET

£295 Two lids in one?

Designed for enduro, e-bike and vents, internal air channelling and
bike park riding, Specialized say a mesh-free chin bar, it should be
the Gambit is a “DH-certified comfy enough to wear all day. The
full-face with the ventilation and adjustable cheek pads come in
fit of a half-shell”. It’s certainly two thicknesses, and the strap
light, at 640g (medium), and has a quick-release buckle. A
tough enough to receive full ASTM MIPS SL liner, fixed peak, eyewear
F1952-15 downhill certification, stowage port and a mount for
thanks to its polycarbonate- Spesh’s ANGi sensor (which
reinforced carbon fibre shell and alerts contacts in the event of a
multi-density foam liner. Spesh’s crash) also feature, but there’s no
adjustable Integrated Fit System integrated camera mount. It
suspends the shell over your comes in three subtle colourways.
head. With low-profile padding, 18 www.specialized.com

Mountain Biking UK

FIRST LOOK

KIDVELO ROOKIE
12 BALANCE BIKE

£130 Top tech for tiny tots

Balance bikes are undoubtedly and comfort over cheaper
the best way to start kids off on two composite wheels and solid tyres.
wheels, and the Rookie 12 looks to The 6061-T6 aluminium frame and
be one of the best around. It’s been fork aren’t only light but also tough,
designed by two couples who have with a whopping 30kg weight limit
40 years of combined experience – plenty for the 18 months to
working with balance bikes, and four-and-a-half age range the
recently joined forces to set up Rookie 12 is designed for, thanks to
Kidvelo. They seem to have paid an adjustable seat height of
attention to every detail, from the 30-44cm. With no brakes or pedals,
narrow saddle specifically designed little rippers can just concentrate
for striding and the soft grips that on steering and having fun. There’s
fit little hands, to smooth lines and a non-slip footrest for when they’ve
rounded axle bolts on the 12in mastered freewheeling, and even
wheels to prevent scraped legs. a threadless headset rather than a
At 2.93kg, Kidvelo say this is the cheap quill stem. Plus, the bike’s
lightest balance bike on the market available in bright green or red as
with alloy rims and pneumatic well as blue and pink.
tyres, which offer increased grip www.kidvelobikes.co.uk

Mountain Biking UK

PNW LANDER
JACKET

£113.55 Classy cagoule without
a crazy cost

PNW Components are run by
a husband-and-wife team in
America’s Pacific Northwest. Their
Lander jacket is a lightweight trail
cagoule designed for forested
descents and foggy climbs. It
features an anti-flop back pocket
for secure stowage of snacks and
supplies, and a lid-friendly hood
to keep your head dry. There’s
a water-resistant DWR coating on
the abrasion-resistant, four-way
stretch fabric, so it should keep
you dry and comfortable. PNW
say the jacket has an athletic fit,
so if you’re between sizes they
recommend sizing up. All their
products – including the new
Shuttle shorts (£75.45) and Ozone
jersey (£44.96), which we’ve also
got on test – have a lifetime
warranty, which covers any failure
due to a manufacturing defect.
PNW will repair or replace it, at
their discretion, without charge to
the original owner, which is great
to hear. The Lander is available in
sizes XS to XXL, in Super Nova
(orange) or Neutron (green).
www.pnwcomponents.com

Mountain Biking UK

FIRST LOOK

WOLF TOOTH This kit combines Wolf Tooth’s to tighten valve-stem locknuts, dent-remover at the other, while
8-BIT KIT ONE 8-Bit Pack Pliers multi-tool (£76 plus you get an array of magnetic the chain tool (top) comes with
on its own) with their 8-Bit attachments hidden inside the an L-shaped 3mm Allen key that
£150 Trail tool with bite Chainbreaker + Utility Knife (also handles. These fit into a swivel doubles up as both the handle of
£76) and their 8-Bit Tire Lever + head, which doubles as an 8mm the chain breaker and a forked
Rim Dent Remover (£21), all Allen key, and include a spoke tyre-plug inserter. There’s also
made from lightweight 7075-T6 wrench, valve-core tool, valve- storage for tyre plugs and a valve
aluminium, so represents pretty stem de-clogger plus storage for core, plus a spare mini utility
good value despite the high price. a spare master-link, on top of the blade. All three tools nest
You get 21 functions in all. The usual Allen keys (2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5 and together using magnets for
pack pliers (bottom), as reviewed 6mm), T10 and T25 Torx bits, and compact storage. Together, they
in MBUK 399, can be used to fit flat-head and Phillips drivers. The should let you tackle pretty much
and remove nine- to 12-speed tyre tool (middle) has a plastic any mid-ride mechanical.
MTB chain master-links, and also lever at one end and a metal www.saddleback.co.uk

Mountain Biking UK

SPECIALIZED
STUMPJUMPER
EVO EXPERT

£5,500 The granddaddy of all trail bikes returns for another spin, in beefed-up EVO form

STRAIGHT OUT OF THE BOX & ONTO THE TRAILS

SPEC S pecialized’s legendary 140/130mm on the regular Stumpy)
Stumpjumper has been around and a burlier build kit.
Frame ‘FACT 11m’ nearly as long as mountain
carbon fibre, 150mm biking itself. Over the years it’s Standover heights are low across
(5.9in) travel changed beyond all recognition, the reach-based size range (S1 to S6),
Fork Fox 36 but whether built for shredding so riders can choose their preferred
Performance Elite Californian gravel way back when, cockpit length for more or less room
GRIP2, 160mm or tearing it up on today’s manmade and stability. This latest frame also
(6.2in) travel berms and jumps, its core do-it-all provides six-way geometry adjustment
Shock Fox Float X attitude has stuck. via angled headset cups and a
Performance Elite chainstay flip-chip, letting you tune BB
EVOL Modern Stumpys pack head angles height and rear-end length. The bike
Drivetrain SRAM X01 in the low 60s and wheelbases rolls on 29in wheels.
Eagle with SRAM stretching over 1,300mm, with both
Descendant 7K geometry and suspension designed THE KIT
cranks (1x12) to rip on the aggressive terrain that While this latest model might look
Wheelset Roval today’s trail riders expect to ride faster badass, it wasn’t love at first sight for
Traverse alloy rims and safer than ever. The latest models our tester, because of some of the
on Roval/DT Swiss are so evolved, in fact, that it’d be fun in-house kit Spesh have decked it
370 hubs, Specialized to know exactly what a time-travelling out with. The brand’s latest T7/9-
Butcher GRID Trail T9 Eighties rider would make of an internal compound tyres are leagues ahead
(f) and Eliminator down tube lunch compartment, of their older GRIPTON rubber, but
GRID Trail T7 (r) single-ring drivetrain, long-and-slack still quirky in certain terrain types and
29x2.3in tyres geometry and big wheels with fat tyres. temperatures, especially until the
Brakes SRAM Code slippery coating gets scrubbed o .
RS, 200mm rotors THE FRAME This initial sketchiness is compounded
Bar/stem This Expert EVO uses the exact same by the inner tubes reducing tyre
Specialized Trail, low-slung carbon fibre frame with deformation and thus grip and rolling
800mm/Specialized single-sided ‘Sidearm’ sti ening strut speed. The bar is a weird shape and
Trail, 60mm as Specialized’s top S-Works model, – with the Deity grips overlapping the
Seatpost/saddle only with an alloy rocker link instead ends – too wide at almost 820mm,
OneUp V2, 150mm/ of a carbon one. The EVO tag signifies and the old-school (too long) 60mm
Specialized Bridge extra downhill capability – a concept stem on our bike simply didn’t steer
Comp born about 10 years ago by fast Spesh well with the short-o set fork. Stock
Weight 14.3kg sta ers setting up their own bikes with bikes should come with a 50mm stem,
(31.5lb), S4 size bigger forks and a more aggro attitude. but you’ll still likely want to go stubbier.
without pedals In 2022, that means 160mm of front Then there’s the DT Swiss 370 freehub,
and 150mm of rear travel (up from which is so laggy you almost lurch over

Mountain Biking UK

HIGHS

Absolutely rules
at aggressive
trail riding

–
Good suspension
choice at both ends

LOWS

It took some serious
fiddling and kit

swapping to find the
perfect set-up

the bar when stomping on the cranks traces every contour with fantastic Fox’s Float X EVOL shock
at the wrong angle, and makes it harder comfort, grip and braking control, feels plush but also firms
to precisely nibble, wheelie and winch and still feels taut and reactive when the bike up nicely for climbs
up steeper steps and rocks. ripping through turns. In the low and
slack position there’s tons of stability, There’s a chainstay flip-chip
THE RIDE no sense of lethargy in the steering and to alter bottom bracket
If that lot wasn’t enough, we also really rapid directional shifts. The tyres
had a sense of the Stumpy EVO feeling can be placed so precisely, in fact, that height and rear-end length
a bit soft and uneven under pedalling, only a couple of bikes in recent years
despite Spesh’s claims that extra anti- have egged us on to try and ride lumpy, Once set up right, the Stumpjumper
squat makes the latest model a super- loamy turns with no brakes more than Expert EVO regularly delivers a smug
e cient climber. Our crank revolutions the Stumpy EVO. satisfaction like no other bike
didn’t feel perfectly circular and
maximum downstroke drive seemed In part it’s because the sti chassis
to come with the crank arms between rides true, and also because the fork
midnight and 2 o’clock, rather than and rear end float over and erase hard
2 o’clock to 4 o’clock as we’d expect. hits without being a bottomless pit
This was only a vague sensation, of plushness that robs you of energy,
but enough for us to swap the 30t drive and pop. With less sag and longer
chainring for a 34t ring to investigate chainstays, the Stumpy feels way
whether excess anti-squat was better uphill, too, especially if you flick
fuelling our perception of oval-shaped the climb lever on the shock to take
revolutions – it wasn’t. advantage of how light the bike feels.
Plus, the 28-spoke wheels that Spesh
So far so infuriating, then. But with love to spec spin really easily.
a tubeless conversion, way more air
in the shock, some flip-chip fiddling It was a bit of a mission to get there,
(we ended up bunging it in ‘slack, long but going full U-turn on the Stumpy
and low’) and a bar and stem swap, EVO delivered a sweet ride in the end,
something strange happened – like and the resulting performance proves
with an old-fashioned love a air, we the best things are sometimes worth
started to feel smitten. As soon as a few frustrations. Tons of adjustability
the EVO got going on the kind of fun, means the bike’s character can be
hand-cut trails we all love in the UK, tuned to anyone’s taste if you’re
any niggles got forgotten as fast as an prepared to fiddle, but we still reckon
annoying ex. Even with just 25 per cent the pedalling action isn’t as urgent as
sag, the Stumpy’s rear end tracks and on some rival trail bikes. Mick Kirkman
www.specialized.com

Mountain Biking UK

FIRST RIDES

GIANT
TRANCE X 1

£3,999 The new 650b-wheeled Trance X promises fun and

thrills, but can it deliver when the tyres hit the dirt?

W hile the Trance X 29 models SPEC alters the bottom bracket height by coating. Our 68kg tester had to run all
that launched just over a a substantial 10mm. the adjusters wide open to get the fork
year ago were designed Frame ‘ALUXX SL’ to perform as they wanted. The Float
as ultimate do-it-all trail aluminium alloy, Despite being billed as a ‘trail’ bike, X shock is also a Performance Elite
machines, Giant’s new 145mm (5.7in) travel in its lowest setting we measured the number and has external low-speed
Trance X is about fun, pure and simple. Fork Fox 36 Trance X to have a super-slack head compression and rebound damping
Performance Elite angle of 63.8 degrees, a reasonably adjustment, along with a lever to firm
THE FRAME GRIP2, 160mm steep 76.5-degree seat tube angle and things up when you need to pedal.
The Trance X rolls on 650b wheels and (6.3in) travel a hefty 30mm of BB drop. Chainstay
delivers 145mm of rear wheel travel via Shock Fox Float X length remains the same across all SRAM supply their wide-range GX
Giant’s twin-link Maestro suspension Performance Elite four frame sizes, at 433mm (430mm Eagle gearing along with their punchy
design. It’s made from the Taiwanese Drivetrain SRAM GX in the ‘high’ setting). Our medium test Code brakes, while Giant provide their
brand’s ALUXX SL aluminium, with Eagle (1x12) bike had a reach of 447mm (455mm in own bar, stem, saddle and wheels,
no carbon fibre frame option, yet. Wheelset Giant TR-1 ‘high’), which is reasonable rather than which in this case are wrapped in 2.6in
However, it does sport a composite wheels, Maxxis radical. Giant have included mounts Maxxis rubber. The TranzX seatpost
upper rocker link, said to be stiffer, Assegai 3C MaxxTerra under the top tube to fix your spares, offers an adjustable amount of drop,
lighter and stronger than the alloy EXO (f) and Maxxis along with plenty of frame protection which varies depending on frame size.
equivalent. Just like the 29er version, Minion DHR II 3C to prevent damage from rock strikes The post on our medium bike could
the Trance X has a flip-chip at the MaxxTerra EXO (r) and chain slap. be easily switched between 140 and
seatstay/rocker-link pivot. Rotating 27.5x2.6in tyres 170mm at the trailside.
this oval insert adjusts the head and Brakes SRAM Code, THE KIT
seat tube angles by 0.7 degrees 200mm/180mm At £3,999, the Trance X 1 you see THE RIDE
(0.8 degrees on the small size), plus rotors here is the priciest in the line-up and Giant promise “a party on wheels”
Bar/stem Giant comes with some great kit for the and the Trance X certainly delivers
Contact TR35, cash. The 160mm-travel Fox 36 fork is the fun factor. But before we get
800mm/Giant a Performance Elite unit, so you get the stuck into just why that is, it’s worth
Contact SL 35, 40mm same highly-adjustable GRIP2 damper noting that it’ll happily go up and
Seatpost/saddle found in the top Factory version, but along the trail too. While it isn’t the
TranzX, 140-170mm/ forgo the slippery Kashima stanchion sprightliest trail bike when pointed
Giant Romero
Weight 15.04kg
(33.2lb), medium size
without pedals

Mountain Biking UK

HIGHS

Good geometry
–

Predictable,
easy-to-set-up
suspension

–
Solid spec for

the cash

LOWS

Fox 36 damping
adjustment won’t
necessarily work for

lighter riders
–

Might benefit from
mixed wheel sizes

Giant’s twin-link Maestro uphill, the seated position is really turns. The Trance X definitely feels
design dishes out supple yet comfortable and the wide 10-52t gear more like an enduro bike than a
range enabled us to claw our way cover-the-ground-quickly trail bike,
supportive suspension up every incline we tackled. There’s but that’s no bad thing and is part
some bob from the rear suspension of its charm.
SRAM’s four-piston under power, so on smooth, long
Code brakes are drags flicking the shock’s low-speed It’s a solid descender and on
the business compression lever made the going a rougher terrain it feels like there’s
little easier. On really steep pitches more than 145mm of travel on tap,
Mountain Biking UK we found ourselves on the nose of yet it offers a more playful ride than
the saddle, leaning forward to keep many enduro machines and is great
the front wheel from lifting, but these to chuck around on the trail or get
occasions were few and far between. sideways over jumps. The raked-out
front end, punchy brakes and grippy
At the rear, the suspension is tyres make it a formidable weapon
supple and sensitive, which helps in steep technical terrain, too. Would
keep the wheel tracking the contours it be even more capable with a 29in
of the ground accurately. There’s front wheel? It’s hard to say, but we’d
ample support, too, when you love to see Giant give customers the
push the Trance X and gravity kicks option. Still, there’s no denying that
in – plough into the turns fast and this bike is a blast to ride, especially
you’re rewarded with surefooted if you favour fun over racking up the
confidence. That’s partly down to the trail miles. Rob Weaver
easy-to-set-up, predictable nature www.giant-bicycles.com
of the back end, but also thanks to
the Giant’s 329mm BB height (in the A fun, seriously capable bike that
‘low’ setting) and Maxxis tyre combo. straddles the line between trail and
That said, tyre pressure with the enduro machine
2.6in rubber is important, and if we
went too low we could feel the front
end squirming through hardpack

FIRST RIDES

ORBEA
RALLON M-LTD

£8,999 Overhauled enduro speedster

W ith an ethos of ‘focus on SPEC a frame size depending on their reach pedalling and on easy climbs we never
fast’ for the new Rallon, preference. Our medium test bike needed to flick the shock lever to firm
Orbea have redesigned it Frame Carbon fibre, had a reach of 460mm. The seat tube things up, although on steeper
from the ground up, aiming 160mm (6.3in) travel sits at a steep 77-degree angle and ascents we did use it to prevent the
this bike at enduro racers Fork Fox 38 Factory, has enough insertion depth to fit bike sitting into its sag and maintain
and fast shredders. 170mm (6.7in) travel a long-travel 200mm dropper post more efficient climbing geometry.
Shock Fox DHX2 on all sizes. In the ‘lower’ setting, the
THE FRAME Factory head angle is now an aggressive 64 Descending, the Rallon really hits the
The carbon fibre chassis delivers Drivetrain Shimano degrees. Changing the flip-clip in the spot, and we found it an incredibly easy
160mm of rear wheel travel and is XTR (1x12) yoke to the ‘low’ position steepens this bike to ride. Running 30 to 35 per cent
sold with two yokes so you can run it Wheelset Race Face and the effective seat tube angle by 0.5 sag, the suspension sits into the mid-
either as a 29er or a ‘mullet’ set-up Next-R31 TLR wheels, degrees. The new Rallon is lower-slung, stroke nicely to help isolate you from
with a 650b rear wheel. The 29er yoke Maxxis Assegai 3C too, with a BB drop of 35mm in ‘lower’ trail chatter while still having enough
gives you ‘low’ and ‘lower’ geometry MaxxTerra EXO+ 29x and 28mm in ‘low’. Chainstays are a progression to prevent harsh bottom-
positions, while the mullet yoke offers 2.5in WT (f) and moderate 440mm long across all sizes. outs. The Fox shock felt overdamped,
just one setting, with similar numbers Minion DHR II 3C so we ran the compression damping
to the lower 29er position. MaxxTerra EXO+ The frame features internal down fully open, and on the fork too. That
29x2.4in WT (r) tyres tube storage, plus comes with a small said, there were no odd quirks with the
Orbea have revised the geometry, Brakes Shimano XTR, multi-tool inside the rocker pivot and suspension feel, and it felt competent.
which is now longer, lower, slacker 203/180mm rotors a 6mm Allen key/valve-core tightener
and steeper. There are also four Bar/stem Race Face that doubles as the rear-axle lever. The 460mm reach and 440mm
sizes rather than three. The Basque Next R 35, 800mm/ chainstays on the medium give a
brand have kept standover heights Race Face Turbine THE KIT balanced weight distribution between
to a minimum so riders can choose R 35, 35mm Being the top-spec model, the M-LTD the wheels, so you don’t need to
Seatpost/saddle boasts quality kit. It has a 170mm Fox shift your weight around much to
Fox Transfer Factory/ 38 Factory fork and Float DHX2 coil remain centred on the bike – we felt
fi’zi:k Taiga shock (although our bike was specced comfortable on it immediately. This,
Weight N/A with an air-sprung Fox Float X2 ), plus a combined with the low BB height, gives
Fox Transfer Factory dropper. Shimano confidence in the turns. We could pilot
provide their XTR four-pot brakes and the Rallon easily through tight, loose
1x12 drivetrain, and Race Face carbon corners and steep tech without feeling
wheels are wrapped in Maxxis tyres. hesitant or like we were fighting against
the bike. Luke Marshall
THE RIDE www.orbea.com
The Rallon’s seated pedalling position
is excellent, thanks to its steep Smart geometry, neat features & easy
effective seat tube angle, which makes ride character make this an appealing
for a comfortable pedal up fireroads, choice for shredders
steep grinds and singletrack sections.
The suspension platform is stable for

Mountain Biking UK

HIGHS

Beautiful and
unique finish

–
Progressive
geometry makes
descents a blast

–
Impeccable
cornering manners

–
Generous tyre

clearance

LOWS

Heavy wheelset
means climbs can

be laborious
–

Pricey for a steel
hardtail frame

STARLING
ROOST

£1,220 Stainless steel shredder from
boutique Bristol brand

B ristol-based Starling are their full-suspension o erings. The SPEC head tube, which hint at the Roost’s
famous for hand-welding bike has geometry optimised for hardcore potential. Our frame was pre-
bespoke steel frames in-house, a mullet set-up, with a 140mm-travel Frame Stainless steel production and had some blemishes,
but for this super-special 29er Pike fork up front and a 650b Fork RockShox Pike but Joe assures us the finish will be
stainless steel hardtail, owner wheel at the rear, connected to the Ultimate, 140mm flawless on customers’ bikes.
Joe McEwan has farmed the work bike via chainstays that increase in (5.5in) travel
out to ORA in Taiwan. length as you go up in frame size. Drivetrain Shimano THE KIT
Deore XT (1x12) Starling can supply anything from
THE FRAME Five years ago, the Roost’s low BB, Wheelset Funn frames to full builds. They recommend
The stainless steel they’ve chosen long reach and slack head angle Fantom AM35 wheels, running a 140mm fork, but the chassis
possesses the same strength and would have appeared crazy, but such Michelin Wild AM2 is rated for use with one with between
sti ness as the Reynolds 853 is the speed of change in the MTB 29x2.4in (f) and 120 and 160mm of travel. Our test bike
chromoly used on Starling’s other world – particularly among agile small- 27.5x2.4in (r) tyres came with a RockShox Pike Ultimate.
frames, but it doesn’t rust, so can be batch frame producers – that this with CushCore inserts Funn supplied the short stem, wide
left raw with laser-etched graphics frame’s geometry looks progressive, Brakes Magura MT bar, grips and large flat pedals. The
for a stunning finish like no other. but sensibly so. The head tube sits Trail Sport, 180mm long BikeYoke dropper oozes quality,
Starling’s novel chainstay yoke design at 64 degrees and you get a 440mm rotors and Shimano’s 1x12 XT drivetrain is
means the Roost’s aesthetics will be reach on the medium frame. Bar/stem Funn a stalwart. The Hope headset and
recognisable to riders familiar with Full-On, 780mm/Funn gorgeous Middleburn RS8 cranks
External cable routing means fuss- Strippa Evo, 35mm and chainring are UK-made and
free maintenance, while Boost Seatpost/saddle complement the lines of the frame.
dropouts and ISCG-05 tabs let you run BikeYoke REVIVE/
modern hubs and chain guides. The Funn Skinny THE RIDE
bottle bosses above the down tube Weight 14.15kg The Roost’s geometry is bang-on,
stand proud of the cables, which is a (31.2lb), size medium providing straight-line composure and
nice touch. There are gussets at the without pedals
top and down tube junctions with the

Mountain Biking UK

FIRST RIDES

mid-corner control, while the mullet inherent to hardtails, keeping the bike Starling’s distinctive
wheel set-up helps the bike maintain more planted than expected in the chainstay yoke adds
stability on the straights yet keeps it rough stu . On the other, it made the sti ness and tyre room
easy to flick over sideways and eager Roost more sluggish to sprint than its
to turn once it’s started. In this case, it light-ish frame had led us to expect. Stainless steel
really could give you the best of both Combined with the short chainstays, tubes allow a raw,
worlds. The bike is predictable enough small rear wheel and moderate laser-etched finish
that we felt confident to hit the Full 76-degree seat tube angle, it also
Moto pro line at Black Mountains Cycle made the bike feel a bit of a handful A modern, progressive, hardcore
Centre on our first run down, yet it on the climbs, although this was hardtail with scintillating good looks
didn’t feel unwieldy in the tight berms improved by moving the saddle fully and exclusivity to boot
of the Rabbit Run blue trail. Its low BB forward on the zero-layback post,
gives a surefooted feel, especially once centralising rider weight.
it’s on the back wheel or in the air – a
process made easier by the short rear A 29er hardtail with more traditional
end and smaller rear wheel. geometry would o er extra traction
and feel more planted on the way
Up front, the Pike Ultimate fork is up, but less fun on the way down.
a class act. Its low-stiction breakaway The Roost is a bike aimed at keen
means it finds traction everywhere, descenders, and e ortless climbing is
yet there’s still good support from a sacrifice many winch-and-plummet
the Debonair spring and low-speed riders will be willing to make. Where
damping. The steering feel is great, it really comes alive is when it’s going
too, thanks to the sti , low-o set fork fast. Here, the long cockpit and short
chassis working in tandem with the chainstays make for a stable yet
Roost’s short stem, wide bar and slack playful-feeling bike. Add the burly
head angle. While the Shimano shifting wheel set-up, and the Roost was an
was reassuringly precise, the Magura absolute hoot at speed, whether we
brakes on our bike felt spongy and were riding one of BikePark Wales’s
uncommunicative, but did have good speedy blue trails or a choppy black
power. The rest of the build felt solid, (something we’d usually avoid on
to say the least. a hardtail). The Starling just
encourages the hooligan in you to
Dense Michelin tyres combined keep pushing harder and faster
with substantial CushCore inserts than ever, and you’re rewarded with
meant our test bike had a lot of massive grins. Will So e
rotating weight. On one hand, this www.starlingcycles.com
seemed to calm the skittish feel

Mountain Biking UK

FIRST RIDES

INTENSE
SNIPER T
ELITE

£6,099 A trail-inspired, modern-day XC bike

W ith the Sniper T, Intense SPEC little travel, the 73-degree effective set-up provides a stable pedalling
have amped up their Sniper seat tube angle is slack by today’s platform that makes the bike eager to
XC platform to deliver more Frame Carbon fibre, standards and the 435mm reach on get up to speed, while remaining active
travel and more capability, 120mm (4.7in) travel the medium size we tested is short, enough to cushion trail chatter. We
and bridge the gap between Fork Fox 34 StepCast although together they still give a still flicked the shock’s climb switch on
cross-country whippet and trail ripper. Factory, 120mm moderate effective top tube length longer, smoother climbs – why not get
(4.7in) travel of 613mm. The 437mm seat tube is as much efficiency as possible?
THE FRAME Shock Fox Float pretty short, so leaves plenty of space
The Sniper T uses the same carbon DPS Factory for a dropper post, while the 439mm The biggest compromise with
fibre chassis as the rest of the Sniper Drivetrain SRAM X01 chainstays are on the stable side, this bike is its geometry. That slack
‘family’. It rolls on 29in wheels and is Eagle with Truvativ without being overly stretched out. 73-degree seat tube angle feels
available in four sizes. What makes Stylo carbon cranks outdated and doesn’t put you in the
this bike more burly than the Sniper (1x12) Frame features include titanium best position on steeper climbs, where
XC is its longer-shock stroke, which Wheelset e*thirteen hardware and a carbon upper link we had to shuffle forward on the saddle
boosts travel from 100mm to 120mm, XCX wheels, Maxxis for Intense’s ‘JS Tuned’ virtual pivot to keep the front wheel tracking. Plus,
plus its 120mm-travel fork, which also Forekaster Dual EXO+ point suspension design. You also get our feet felt far too ahead of our hips
subtly affects the bike’s geometry. Its 29x2.35in tyres internal cable routing, plus space for for strong pedalling. However, once the
geo figures do seem dated, though, Brakes Shimano one bottle inside the front triangle trail points down, the Sniper T starts to
especially compared to other bikes in Deore XT M8100, and bosses for another underneath shine, thanks to its sorted suspension.
the same ‘downcountry’ genre, such 180/160mm rotors the down tube. While there are limitations to the
as the 120mm-travel Transition Spur. Bar/stem Intense 120mm of travel, it’s more noticeable
Recon Elite carbon, THE KIT with the fork than the rear end – the
While the 66.5-degree head angle 760mm/Intense As you’d expect for this money, there’s Fox 34 is surprisingly capable and
is reasonable for a bike with this Recon, 50mm some serious kit here, including a Fox can handle some abuse, but the rear
Seatpost/saddle 34 StepCast Factory fork and Float smooths out the trail better.
KS LEV CL/Fabric DPS Factory shock, SRAM X01 Eagle
Line Elite drivetrain, two-pot Shimano XT brakes We’d love to see Intense overhaul
Weight 11.59kg and 28mm-wide (internal) e*thirteen the Sniper T’s geometry so it can keep
(25.6lb), medium size XCX carbon wheels. This is the 2021 up with its suspension, as this is a bike
without pedals bike; for 2022 the frame and kit stay that enjoys eating up the miles whether
the same but get model-year updates. up, down or along. And its high-end
components are more than up to the
THE RIDE task, too. Luke Marshall
There’s no denying the fun the Sniper https://uk.intensecycles.com
T delivers on flowing trails and natural
tech that isn’t too steep or wild, but A capable and fun bike that covers
it will negotiate that stuff too. We ground fast, but a few geometry
were impressed by the suspension tweaks would improve its pedalling
kinematics, which balance efficiency
and capability very well. The twin-link

Mountain Biking UK



Mountain Biking UK

WITH BRITS WINNING AT BOTH THE OLYMPICS AND

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS, THIS COULD BE THE DAWNING

OF A NEW ERA OF CROSS-COUNTRY DOMINANCE

WORDS

steve thomas

PHOTOS STEVE BEHR
& GEOFF WAUGH

Mountain Biking UK

hen Yorkshire’s Tom Pidcock dodged and Gary Foord, Caroline Alexander and Barrie Clarke, who
burned his way through the rock gardens thrived on their friendly rivalry.
beneath Mount Fuji this summer to claim
Olympic XC gold it was a monumental, and Inevitably, things became a whole lot more serious
very long-awaited, day for British mountain when the UCI got involved, and even more so once XC
biking. Evie Richards’ subsequent World became an Olympic sport. Downhill and cross-country
Championships win and first Elite World became two very separate entities, and there was no
Cup victory proved it was no one-off, and the longer that lamented fun and laidback element to XC
depth of talent in the UK ranks – with riders racing, as the once US-dominated result boards started
of the calibre of Annie Last, Harriet ‘Hattie’ to take on a very European flavour. By the late ’90s,
Harnden and Isla Short not far behind – hints
at further success to come. The early Nineties have
often been hailed as the golden age of British XC, but it
looks like we could be entering a whole new era of UK
cross-country dominance – so, why’s it taken so long?

History lessons
Back in the late 1980s and early ’90s, things had looked
extremely promising for British XC. From the ‘pre-legit’
days before the UCI (international cycling’s governing
body) formally recognised mountain biking as a sport
in 1990, through to its inclusion in the Olympics in
1996, UK riders were a force to be reckoned with. Tim
Gould – a superstar of mountain biking at that time –
took bronze at the first official World Championships
and regularly won World Cup races, and he was
accompanied on the international circuit by a ruck of
regular podium-climbing Brits, including David Baker,

Mountain Biking UK

GOING DEEP XC

The Far left How Elite regularly at World
XC looked nearly Cups in the Nineties
Godfather of 30 years ago – not and Noughties
all that di erent to
British XC today, actually! Gary Above top Team
Foord leads Team Raleigh at a cafe
Simon Burney is Raleigh up the first stop in the Peak
a giant in British hill at the 1993 District: (l-r) Paul
mountain biking 7UP-BMBF National Hinton, David Baker,
terms, not only Champs, held at Caroline Alexander,
because of his great Eastnor Park in Adrian Timmis,
tallness, but also his Herefordshire. Gary Coltman,
unwavering passion Barrie Clarke can Barrie Clarke
and drive for o -road be seen in the pack
racing. Had the former Above David Baker
cyclocross pro not Top ’90s XC ace racing in 1997. Check
lured his ACE Racing Tim Gould enjoys a out the narrow bar,
Peugeot team riders busman’s holiday at rim brakes and
into mountain biking the Malvern Classic triple crankset,
in the early 1990s, never mind the
things may have Left Caroline geometry… How
turned out di erently Alexander podiumed things have evolved!
for the sport in the UK,
and especially for XC
racing. It was Simon
who introduced the
likes of David Baker
and Tim Gould to the
sport, and they duly
took it to a whole new
level. He was also
a major force when it
came to awakening
British Cycling to the
arrival of mountain
biking. Since then,
he’s worked with the
UCI as a technical
delegate and has been
on hand to encourage
aspiring British XC
racers for 30 years.

Mountain Biking UK

The 5 o’clock
hero of ’90s

racing

Mild-mannered,
Surrey-born rider
Barrie Clarke turned
to mountain biking
from cyclocross and
road racing. Through
the ’90s he was rarely
o the podium at
home, winning three
Elite XC National
Championships – no
mean feat at a time
when British riders
were regularly winning
World Cups. Barrie
had some close calls
with the World Cup
podium too, but unlike
his counterparts he
also worked a full-time
job as a BT engineer.
He’d train in the early
hours on his commute
to work and then
cat-nap at lunchtime
before his evening
blast home. To race
internationally for
Raleigh and for GB,

he’d book long
weekends o . It wasn’t
until much later in his

career that he went
full-time as a pro, and
he was perhaps one

of the least-hyped
and most underrated

riders of that time.

Mountain Biking UK