[Words and photography of Hans Rey by Steve Thomas]Back in 1972, Gary Turner set out to make a durable BMX frame for his son Craig. That frame soon caught the eye of other youngsters at the local BMX track – and so, he made a few more. At that time most kids were hitting the … Read more
Madison’s DTE 3-Layer Waterproof jacket is the brand’s flagship offering, retailing at £200. It’s designed to tackle the nastiest weather and the harshest, filthiest riding conditions. It boasts 20k waterproofing and a whopping 40k breathability, with a great performance-oriented cut and massive pockets to aid airflow. Everything points to an extremely durable jacket that should survive … Read more
The connection between rider and bike runs deeper than metal and gears — a bond forged in motion, trust and shared adventures. With every ride, the feelings grow stronger until you and the machine move as one. It becomes an extension of your body, responding seamlessly to every twist, turn, and challenge the trail throws your way. It … Read more
Wet trails are mountain biking’s greatest leveller. Slick conditions where traction is non-existent pose some of the most difficult riding of the year, and this is where solid riding techniques come to the fore. Because there’s no grip, small mistakes are magnified, but mastering riding in the rain will keep the stoke high, whatever the weather. Five … Read more
After a small Christmas break to recharge, Five Cool Things is back for 2025 and, in this year’s first edition, we’re not holding back. We’ve got Hunt’s top-end cross-country carbon wheelset, Merida’s latest e-mountain bikes and fresh gloves from Troy Lee Designs. Wrapping things up, there’s also a very neat tool from Prestacycle, but first, … Read more
Madison’s Roam jacket has been around for a few years now. The latest model, the Roam Men’s 2-Layer waterproof jacket, gets the ‘gravel’ tag to add to its mountain bike roots. Its casual styling and adventure-ready attributes make it a packable, versatile all-rounder designed to take on the worst the weather can throw at it. … Read more
Imagine it, a post-apocalyptic world scarce of fuel and pretty much anything else for that matter, its inhabitants would likely turn to bikes, right? Scott’s leopard-print lycra-wearing, bike-tinkering supremo Dangerholm, has taken that Mad Max aesthetic and applied it to the Solace eRide. Yes, it’s an e-bike, so we don’t know how it could be charged in … Read more
As you may have worked out from the name, POC’s Thermal Lite gloves combine a lightweight build with windproofing and insulation properties for use in cooler temperatures. They’ll appeal to riders after some thermal protection without sacrificing bar feel. Best winter cycling gloves 2025 – mountain bike gloves to keep your hands warm Troy Lee … Read more
The most dedicated mountain bikers and gravel enthusiasts will not let the chill keep them off the trails. Riding in colder temperatures does take a little more planning to ensure you stay comfortable, dry and warm without looking like a Michelin man. To help you figure out what exactly to wear on those colder cycling … Read more
Crank length is a topic that’s often overlooked outside of the peloton. But it is being spoken about more in the off-road communities with brands such as Hope and 5Dev, to name just two, offering shorter cranks to the masses. As I’ve been using 170mm cranks throughout my riding career, I decided to see if there was … Read more
