While it’s only a short drive away from the M4 motorway, Cwmcarn offers up some big views and some great riding too. There are two red-graded cross-country loops that offer some decent technical challenge as well as a solid serving of climb and descent, almost entirely on singletrack. Despite being so easy to get to, once you’re out … Read more
The Merida Travel Framebag is tough, simple and very easy to fit thanks to a good range of adjustment across the top straps. While the fabric and zips are waterproof, however, the seams can leak in heavy rain, and overall it doesn’t quite match up to the competition. Buyer’s guide to gravel & adventure bikes … Read more
If you like to push your limits on the mountain bike – or even if you’re just a bit accident prone – then a set of kneepads is an excellent investment. However, there are loads of different styles out there, so which kind of kneepad is best for you? Read on to find out. The … Read more
RevGrips Pro Series mountain bike grips are an innovative ‘suspension’ design that creates a gap between it and the bar, allowing a small amount of float aimed at combating fatigue and arm pump. They’re a faff to set up and expensive, but they do absorb vibration without affecting control, so if you’re suffering numbness they’re definitely … Read more
The Race Face Atlas 35 is a very wide, reliably solid aluminium bar, and whilst not the lightest, it keeps a decent level of bar comfort, and is a great choice for harder riders or if you’re looking for a bombproof set up. Cromag Fubars OSX 35 handlebar review RaceFace Next R 35 handlebar review … Read more
Spinergy’s GXC Carbon wheelset uses a radical combination of materials and design to create a good-looking gravel wheelset with a 32mm-deep carbon rim. Intricately machined and turreted hubs, innovative spokes and the very low overall weight of 1490g impress, but the rims are too narrow for the latest wide tyres and the price is high. … Read more
With around a dozen different runs to choose from, Stile Cop Bike Park has something to offer everyone, from relatively mild red downhill runs to much spicier fare, with jumps, gaps and plenty of technical features. The runs aren’t hugely long, but they’re easy to lap.It’s possible to get to the bike park if you take … Read more
The Atlas is RaceFace’s high-end flat pedal. It’s a sleek, low-profile design that’s grippy and confidence inspiring thanks to a concave platform and 10 pins per side, and it’s tough. It’s also fully rebuildable for great longevity, though riders with big feet or small wallets may not find it so much to their tastes. eXotic Alloy Flat … Read more
The Liv Brava SLR is a cyclocross bike with gravel vibes. A smart alloy construction paired with a neat spec and small frame sizes make this a great value option for women just starting out – it’s not a full-blown adventure machine, but it’ll take you off the beaten track and out into the wilds … Read more
