While still on point in terms of aesthetics, Merida’s Big.Nine cross-country hardtail has been around for quite a while. Seven years in fact, so it’s safe to say that it was overdue an update. Today, Merida has unveiled the updated machine with a revised geometry complete with a new frame, available in both carbon and alloy. We managed to … Read more
The RockShox fork range 2023 has just received another update and, this time, it’s the uber-popular cross-country-going SID that has gone under the knife. Along with a heap of fresh features, the fork gets more air volume as well as a host of other nifty updates. The SIDluxe shock receives an all-new high-speed compression system and increased … Read more
Taiwanese company Microshift has unveiled a new gravel groupset called Sword that’s set to undercut Shimano and SRAM in terms of price and potentially disrupt the market. Sword is a 10-speed system with mechanical (cable-operated rather than electronic) shifting that’s available in 1x (single chainring) and 2x (double chainring versions. The levers work with mechanical … Read more
When it comes to the plight of being more environmentally friendly, very few bike cleaner brands do it quite like Squirt and its Biodegradable Bike Cleaner. Now available in 30ml sachets with a super concentrated formula, this cleaner effectively covers all kinds of washing applications, whether that’s a general post-ride hose-down or a more intense drivetrain … Read more
The Nzo Active Zip-Off Dusters are a unique combo of trail shorts, trousers and street gear. With stylish looks and hardwearing, smell-resisting fabrics, plus three zipped pockets paired with a decent undershort, they are a strong contender for the best mountain bike trousers title, although they fare well for touring or gravel riding, too. Best hardtail mountain … Read more
Norco Bicycles has just released the Fluid FS Carbon trail bike. The highlight of the bike is its all-new carbon-fibre front triangle, which boasts 600g frame weight saving over the aluminium model. Best mountain bikes 2023 – top options from cross-country to Enduro Trail mountain biking – everything you need to know Types of mountain bike … Read more
Mondraker’s Neat represents the brand’s first foray into the lightweight electric mountain bike market. It might be the first light e-MTB in the brand’s history but how does it compare to the best electric mountain bikes? Buyer’s guide: electric mountain bikes – all you need to know about e-bikes Best MTB’s that you can get shipped straight to your … Read more
This week’s Five Cool Things are pretty exciting as we’ve got RockShox’s enduro fork as well as a pair of WTB’s latest saddles in for testing. Bolstering our curation of the coolest kit to make its way through the office is some frame protection and a mudguard from Slicy, Fidlock’s magnetic action camera mount, and … Read more
The best mountain bikes, particularly full-suspension options, posses rear shocks that work in tandem with the frame linkages to deliver smooth travel. That said, every suspension platform is only as good as its weakest link, which is why it’s important to keep on top of your shock’s maintenance. Here’s how to do a quick air can service on your rear … Read more
