Offroad Archives

Super fat grips from Pembree, Hunt’s enduro wheelset, more XC rubber from Pirelli, Markus Stitz’s latest book and Ride Wrap’s complete protection kit

Another week, and another five cool things have landed at off.road.cc HQ ahead of testing. This time, we’ll take a glance at Pembree’s new grips, Hunt’s enduro wheelset, and some mega racy XC rubber from Pirelli. That’s not all, as there’s Ride Wrap’s full protection kit, and Markus Stitz’s latest gravel ride guide. Bike check: … Read more

Rule makers vs rule breakers – does the UCI have any power over regular riders?

At times, it can seem like a never-ending and ever-changing bombardment of rules and regulations in cycling, usually carried out under the UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale) banner, or locally by its cohort, British Cycling. Do they really have any powers or influence over us – or should we just take them with a pinch of “out of … Read more

Merida has built the Bosch-equipped ETMO to get more people out on bikes and prices start at £3,650

Bikes are expensive. There is no two ways about it, but when brands such as Orbea and Pivot are busy pushing the technological boundaries of e-MTB and slapping on lofty price tags to match, pedal-assist machines may seem out of reach to many. However, Merida is set to buck that trend with its new ETMO … Read more

Deviate Cycles is back: Scottish high-pivot mountain bike specialist returns after liquidation woes, but removes e-MTBs from its line-up (for now)

It’s not been an easy few months for some players in the bike industry, but we’re seeing a few dip into liquidation or administration and come out the other side with a new lease of life. YT Industries is perhaps the highest profile brand to do exactly that, but beloved UK brand Deviate has seen … Read more

Leatt HydraDri ProFlat 7.0 Boa shoes

Being a brand that never settles, Leatt has brought a range of tweaks to its HydraDri ProFlat 7.0 Boa shoes. The new Boa dial, combined with the waterproof membrane, bootie construction, WaffleGrip tread, and top-notch comfort make for a near-perfect waterproof shoe. They’re a little pricier than others, but waterproof shoes don’t often come quite … Read more

Six ways to survive winter riding if you hate mud

If you’re fortunate enough to enjoy the great British winter, or live in climates that are prone to an awful lot of rain, you’ll know exactly what it’s like riding in the mud. Although it can still be a lot of fun, it creates an awful lot of faff, it’s not quite as easy, and … Read more

Tailfin Bar Cage

Whether it’s road, gravel or mountain biking, the Tailfin Bar Cage has you covered for handlebar-mounted cargo carry capabilities. It’s a beautifully made and high-quality item which provides a sturdy and secure place to attach bikepacking paraphernalia. It’s certainly not a cheap option, especially if you include the Tailfin-specific Bar Bag and other accessories, however, … Read more

More aero, more speed and made for racing: Basso Palta III first ride review

Basso’s Palta has built its name on being race-ready, while being up for the odd gravel adventure. Now in its third version, the Basso Palta III continues the versatile theme but introduces more aero shapes, sheds some weight and refines its stiffness characteristics. The result is a mega-efficient gravel machine that can be loaded with … Read more

Mudhugger Shorty 2026 Fox 36 Bolt-On Mudhugger EVO MTB Mudguard

With a new wave of suspension forks all featuring redesigned arches, Fox’s fork lineup requires a fresh batch of mudguards with mounting points to suit. Mudhugger is one of the first brands to create a compatible bolt-on mudguard for the 2026 Fox 36, and although it’s taken some work, mudguards don’t come more solid and … Read more

“It’s a proportion thing”: Genesis unveils prototype 32″ gravel bike alongside two other unreleased gravel and allroad models

32-inch wheels are the talk of 2026, with numerous brands, such as Schwalbe, Nukeproof, and BMC, throwing their hats into the ring. It’s safe to say that the development of bikes for bigger wheels is in full swing, especially as Genesis has unveiled a prototype gravel bike equipped with 32in hoops at IceBike. “Real tangible … Read more