https://www.mbr.co.uk Mountain Bike Rider Fri, 10 Jan 2025 13:38:23 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://www.mbr.co.uk/news/is-atherton-bikes-working-on-a-downhill-race-bike-with-a-gearbox-and-belt-drive-445936 Fri, 10 Jan 2025 11:06:26 +0000 https://www.mbr.co.uk/?p=445936 Atherton Bikes latest teaser video hints at a new A.200G, where 200 indicates the travel, and G could stand for gearbox...

A short teaser video has appeared on the Athertons’ YouTube channel offering glimpses of what looks like a gearbox downhill …Continue reading »]]> https://www.mbr.co.uk/news/is-this-the-future-of-lightweight-e-bikes-new-motor-and-battery-system-could-build-into-14kg-e-mtb-445917 Wed, 08 Jan 2025 10:58:37 +0000 https://www.mbr.co.uk/?p=445917 A new drive unit from Urtopia fits in your pocket, and weighs just 1.2kg, but pumps out 60Nm of torque.

Just when we thought DJI had killed off the mid-power e-bike with its uber powerful, yet compact and lightweight DJI …Continue reading »]]> https://www.mbr.co.uk/news/12-most-exciting-new-trail-enduro-and-dh-bikes-for-2025-445575 Mon, 06 Jan 2025 12:34:41 +0000 https://www.mbr.co.uk/?p=445575 A motor-free zone, these are the hottest MY25 analogue bikes from the likes of Santa Cruz, Atherton Bikes, Pivot, and Calibre.

It’s easy to get blinkered by e-bikes these days, but to do that would be to miss out on a …Continue reading »]]> https://www.mbr.co.uk/news/2024-a-review-of-the-year-in-mountain-biking-from-gladiators-to-snow-bike-racing-via-eastenders-tenuously-445554 Mon, 30 Dec 2024 17:16:01 +0000 https://www.mbr.co.uk/?p=445554 I can't remember what happened yesterday, let alone 12 months ago, so if you're anything like me, sit down and enjoy an amble through the highs and lows of MTB in 2024.

2024 has been a tumultuous year, and not only in terms of culture, politics, technology, sport, and climate, but actual …Continue reading »]]> https://www.mbr.co.uk/reviews/forks/fox-36-grip-x-damper-review Sun, 29 Dec 2024 17:00:44 +0000 https://www.mbr.co.uk/?post_type=review&p=444937 Fox’s flagship hardcore trail fork gets a new damper and shiny gold finish, but behind the sparkle there’s a lack of polish.

Boasting class-leading performance and that highly-desirable Kashima gold finish, the Fox 36 Float Factory fork with Grip 2 damper has …Continue reading »]]> https://www.mbr.co.uk/news/danny-milners-gear-of-the-year-2024-445292 Tue, 24 Dec 2024 07:04:02 +0000 https://www.mbr.co.uk/?p=445292 The bikes and products that have most impressed me during 2024 include an exceptionally well-designed e-bike, a clever new motor, dependable new brakes, and a freeride bike to lust after.

2024 has been a weird year for new product. With so many unsold bikes cluttering up the market – a …Continue reading »]]> https://www.mbr.co.uk/reviews/mullet-mx/mondraker-dune-rr-ebike-review Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:00:20 +0000 https://www.mbr.co.uk/?post_type=review&p=444799 According to Mondraker, the future of enduro bikes is this, a sub-20kg e-bike with a 600W motor, 400Wh battery, and MX wheels. It’s certainly a persuasive argument on paper, but how does it stack up on the trails?

Mondraker bills its Dune e-bike as the natural evolution of enduro. And the Spanish brand has a point. With many …Continue reading »]]> https://www.mbr.co.uk/reviews/electric-bikes/yt-decoy-sn-mx-core-4-cf-review Mon, 23 Dec 2024 09:00:20 +0000 https://www.mbr.co.uk/?post_type=review&p=439737 A rock-solid, mid power enduro e-bike from the direct-sales disrupters was not on my bingo card, but the new YT Decoy SN defies the numbers.

The new Decoy SN is YT’s first foray into the diet e-bike segment. It’s also only the brand’s second e-bike, …Continue reading »]]> https://www.mbr.co.uk/news/mondraker-dune-rr-vs-yt-decoy-sn-which-is-the-ultimate-lightweight-e-enduro-bike-444863 Sun, 22 Dec 2024 17:00:16 +0000 https://www.mbr.co.uk/?p=444863 The YT Decoy SN and Mondraker Dune were both launched in 2024 with the idea that they would represent the future of the enduro bike. And not just the electric enduro bike – the enduro bike full stop. So which one delivers on those lofty promises?

YT claims its Decoy SN is the “best enduro bike it’s ever made”, which is saying something coming from a …Continue reading »]]> https://www.mbr.co.uk/news/gt-bicycles-to-pause-new-bike-development-with-staff-layoffs-imminent-445280 Wed, 18 Dec 2024 13:20:09 +0000 https://www.mbr.co.uk/?p=445280 Iconic US-brand GT, for so long a huge force in mountain biking, will be mothballed by parent company Pon Holdings going into 2025.

GT Bicycles, one of the biggest names in mountain biking throughout the 90s and 00s, will be put on pause …Continue reading »]]> https://www.mbr.co.uk/buyers_guide/best-dropper-posts-338459 Wed, 18 Dec 2024 12:19:15 +0000 https://www.mbr.co.uk/?p=338459 More than any other product, the best dropper seatposts have changed the way we ride, and are essential to the modern mountain biking experience.

More than any other product, the best dropper posts change the way we ride and are essential to the modern mountain biking experience.]]> https://www.mbr.co.uk/news/specialized-launches-chisel-comp-evo-in-the-uk-445222 Wed, 18 Dec 2024 10:27:41 +0000 https://www.mbr.co.uk/?p=445222 We moaned too soon – the back-to-basics Chisel Comp Evo is now available for customers in the UK and Europe.

Last week I flagged up Specialized’s latest launch – a Chisel trail bike that had been given the Evo treatment …Continue reading »]]> https://www.mbr.co.uk/news/dannys-2024-new-bike-tech-predictions-how-many-did-i-get-right-445132 Tue, 17 Dec 2024 16:38:40 +0000 https://www.mbr.co.uk/?p=445132 Just under a year ago, I put my money where my mouth is and committed my 2024 new bike predictions to public scrutiny. Did I get any right?

Last January I recorded a video making some safe, and some not-so-safe, predictions about which bikes would be relaunched in …Continue reading »]]> https://www.mbr.co.uk/news/canyon-offering-partial-refunds-on-spectralon-and-torqueon-e-bikes-affected-by-battery-stop-ride-notice-with-solution-on-track-for-february-444978 Fri, 13 Dec 2024 09:44:21 +0000 https://www.mbr.co.uk/?p=444978 With a solution still pending to the potential fire-risk identified in battery casings on two of Canyon's most popular e-bikes, owners are now being offered refunds depending on bike age and model.

In November Canyon issued a stop ride notice on all of its Spectral:ON CF and Torque:ON CF models after a …Continue reading »]]> https://www.mbr.co.uk/buyers_guide/best-down-country-mountain-bike-398081 Thu, 12 Dec 2024 13:10:01 +0000 https://www.mbr.co.uk/?p=398081 Short on travel but big on geometry, we review the best down-country mountain bike rigs – fleet-footed steeds that blend the speed of an XC bike with the capability of trail bike.

Short on travel but big on geometry, we review the best down country mountain bike rigs that are at the forefront of the next wave of mountain bike.]]> https://www.mbr.co.uk/news/nuekproofs-award-winning-reactor-trail-bike-seems-to-have-come-back-from-the-dead-as-the-on-one-atomic-444964 Thu, 12 Dec 2024 12:50:49 +0000 https://www.mbr.co.uk/?p=444964 A bike that won our Trail Bike of the Year award in 2020 appears to be born again thanks to online retailer On-One.

Nukeproof enjoyed a legion of fans before owners Wiggle/CRC were sold to Frasers Group last year, and the core team …Continue reading »]]> https://www.mbr.co.uk/buyers_guide/best-mountain-bike-goggles-417108 Thu, 12 Dec 2024 11:22:13 +0000 https://www.mbr.co.uk/?p=417108 Providing the ultimate eye protection for trail, enduro, bike park and downhill riders, the best MTB goggles are lightweight, work with both trail and full face helmets and have amazing optical clarity.

Eye protection is essential for mountain biking; the best mountain bike goggles reduce the chances of injury from low hanging …Continue reading »]]> https://www.mbr.co.uk/buyers_guide/best-mountain-bike-of-the-year-323484 Tue, 10 Dec 2024 14:30:58 +0000 https://www.mbr.co.uk/?p=323484 Choosing the best mountain bike is hard. There's loads of them. They all look similar yet different. But help is at hand, and our expert panel of reviewers are here to narrow things down.

Choosing the best mountain bike is hard. There's loads of them. They all look similar yet different. Our expert panel of reviewers narrow things down.]]> https://www.mbr.co.uk/news/specialized-releases-new-chisel-evo-444868 Tue, 10 Dec 2024 11:59:43 +0000 https://www.mbr.co.uk/?p=444868 Only available in the US, the combo of down-to-earth down-country pace with added muscle could make the Specialized Chisel Comp Evo a hot ticket with UK riders too.

At the more realistically-priced end of the Specialized mountain bike range sits the Chisel. A short travel down-country/XC ripper that …Continue reading »]]> https://www.mbr.co.uk/buyers_guide/best-mountain-bike-handlebars-330711 Mon, 09 Dec 2024 15:03:36 +0000 https://www.mbr.co.uk/?p=330711 The best handlebars will give you greater control and comfort while riding, and are a simple way to upgrade your bike. These are the best we've tested.

The best mountain bike handlebars are a relatively cheap upgrade that will last you for ages. We’ve compiled the very, very best: carbon, alloy, 31.8, 35mm.]]> https://www.mbr.co.uk/news/8-hottest-e-bikes-for-2025-444791 Mon, 09 Dec 2024 13:01:44 +0000 https://www.mbr.co.uk/?p=444791 Welcome to our run-down of the 2025 e-bikes that have impressed us most so far, along with a few we can't wait to ride.

2024 has been chock with new e-bike launches, fresh motors released, and household names like DJI and ZF entering the …Continue reading »]]> https://www.mbr.co.uk/news/15-of-the-hottest-new-mountain-bikes-for-2025-444531 Mon, 02 Dec 2024 12:08:47 +0000 https://www.mbr.co.uk/?p=444531 Grab your bibs, because we guarantee you'll be salivating over this list of 2025's most exciting new bikes.

Most of the newest and sexiest bikes for 2025 have already been released, with blistering new models in every segment …Continue reading »]]> https://www.mbr.co.uk/buyers_guide/best-electric-mountain-bike-348254 Sun, 01 Dec 2024 10:32:27 +0000 https://www.mbr.co.uk/?p=348254 Electric mountain bikes (e-bikes) let you go further and faster in the same time as a regular mountain bike, which makes them perfect for the hectic pace of modern life.

Stating the obvious: the best electric mountain bike will be flipping great! We had so much fun with this best-of list we’re embarrassed to call it "work".]]> https://www.mbr.co.uk/news/black-friday-mountain-bike-deals-2-421141 Sun, 01 Dec 2024 09:58:36 +0000 https://www.mbr.co.uk/?p=421141 Cyber Monday is tomorrow, but the Black Friday deals will continue all weekend and into Cyber Monday itself on December 2nd. We've picked out the very best mountain bikes, clothing, and kit we can find from across the big retailers, with frequent updates as new deals surface.

Update December 2: Checked all UK and US Deals for stock and prices – Jamie Darlow The holiday weekend of …Continue reading »]]> https://www.mbr.co.uk/buyers_guide/best-mountain-bike-gloves-350681 Wed, 27 Nov 2024 12:00:44 +0000 https://www.mbr.co.uk/?p=350681 Protect your hands and keep them warm with a pair of the best mountain bike gloves. Here's our pick of the market.

Protect your hands and keep them warm with a pair of the best mountain bike gloves. Here's our pick of the market.]]> https://www.mbr.co.uk/news/this-fox-36-factory-fork-gets-the-older-grip2-damper-but-i-reckon-its-actually-better-than-the-latest-grip-x2-and-its-now-available-for-less-than-half-price-in-this-black-friday-mtb-dea-444230 Tue, 26 Nov 2024 17:07:54 +0000 https://www.mbr.co.uk/?p=444230 This deal is massive! Get the Fox 36 Factory fork with the excellent GRIP2 damper with a huge £654.45 saving which takes the price to £584.55. Yes, it's not got the latest damper, but I actually think that's a good thing...

If you’re looking for a suspension upgrade, I’d argue that the Fox 36 Factory GRIP2 is one of the best …Continue reading »]]> https://www.mbr.co.uk/news/shopping-at-amazon-makes-my-skin-crawl-but-these-3-products-id-make-an-exception-for-this-black-friday-444205 Tue, 26 Nov 2024 10:52:56 +0000 https://www.mbr.co.uk/?p=444205 Amazon is just not a pleasant shopping experience so I avoid it at all costs, but I'd use it to buy these 3 products.

Honestly shopping on Amazon always makes me feel slightly grubby, like I need to take a shower afterwards. I’m sorry …Continue reading »]]> https://www.mbr.co.uk/buyers_guide/mountain-bike-full-face-helmets-394092 Mon, 25 Nov 2024 15:37:26 +0000 https://www.mbr.co.uk/?p=394092 Full-face mountain bike helmets and convertible helmets offer enhanced protection for more extreme mountain biking, such as a day at the bike park or a trip to the mountains. Here's our pick of the best.

Want extra protection without getting hot-headed? You need one of the latest enduro lids. Read our guide to mountain bike full face and convertible helmets.]]> https://www.mbr.co.uk/buyers_guide/best-mountain-bike-flat-pedals-322478 Sun, 24 Nov 2024 10:10:15 +0000 https://www.mbr.co.uk/?p=322478 Looking for the best mountain bike flat pedals, no matter what your budget? Here's our comprehensive buyer's guide to all things flat pedal.

Looking for the best mountain bike flat pedals, no matter what your budget? Here's our comprehensive buyer's guide to all things flat pedal. ]]> https://www.mbr.co.uk/buyers_guide/best-mini-pumps-portable-and-powerful-puncture-savers-414154 Sun, 24 Nov 2024 10:00:18 +0000 https://www.mbr.co.uk/?p=414154 The best mini pumps are easy to carry in a pack or on your frame but still pack a mighty blast of air for those trailside emergencies. Here's our pick of portable mountain bike pumps...

It takes a brave mountain biker to venture out without the means to fix a puncture. And that means carrying …Continue reading »]]>