https://www.mbr.co.uk Mountain Bike Rider Thu, 09 Jan 2025 15:01:07 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://www.mbr.co.uk/news/yts-new-izzo-is-more-trail-bike-than-down-country-shredder-445948 Thu, 09 Jan 2025 15:00:54 +0000 https://www.mbr.co.uk/?p=445948 YT’s new 2025 Izzo is its burliest yet, with 140mm travel forks and chunkier components bringing it closer to the Jeffsy in travel and intention.

YT has grown the Izzo into a proper trail bike, increasing fork travel, the burliness of its components and the …Continue reading »]]> https://www.mbr.co.uk/news/why-mathieu-van-der-poel-will-take-over-from-tom-pidcock-as-the-roadies-mountain-biker-in-2025-445595 Tue, 07 Jan 2025 07:00:53 +0000 https://www.mbr.co.uk/?p=445595 Can we expect Mathieu van Der Poel to blow mountain biking away this year, just as Tom Pidcock did in 2024? Here are my thoughts on the Dutchman's World Championships chances

Tom Pidcock won’t win a mountain bike World Cup or even finish on the podium in 2025, largely because he …Continue reading »]]> https://www.mbr.co.uk/news/the-most-enjoyable-bike-i-rode-this-year-got-slammed-in-our-lightweight-e-bike-test-but-i-dont-care-because-i-love-the-way-it-rides-and-its-my-bike-of-the-year-2024-445225 Thu, 26 Dec 2024 15:00:48 +0000 https://www.mbr.co.uk/?p=445225 My bike of the year is an odd choice, given how badly it scored in our latest review. The Trek …Continue reading »]]> https://www.mbr.co.uk/news/new-world-cup-feeder-series-launched-as-the-uci-looks-to-ease-entry-for-up-and-coming-riders-and-grow-the-sport-globally-445315 Fri, 20 Dec 2024 07:00:33 +0000 https://www.mbr.co.uk/?p=445315 Continental Series will include 28 races worldwide in 2025, with overall winners in XC and DH eligable to race the World Cup

The UCI has launched a new 28-strong global race series for 2025, with race winners eligible to compete in the …Continue reading »]]> https://www.mbr.co.uk/news/e-biking-is-one-of-the-fastest-growing-sports-in-the-world-according-to-garmin-data-with-e-mtb-rides-surging-18-in-2024-445284 Thu, 19 Dec 2024 07:00:25 +0000 https://www.mbr.co.uk/?p=445284 Garmin’s annual data dump shows e-bike rides are up on 2023’s figures

E-biking is one of the fastest growing outdoor activities in the world according to data from Garmin, which reckons the …Continue reading »]]> https://www.mbr.co.uk/news/new-scott-patron-e-bike-eride-abs-brakes-bosch-cx-800wh-removable-battery-444724 Thu, 05 Dec 2024 15:00:57 +0000 https://www.mbr.co.uk/?p=444724 Scott’s Patron eRide might look like a Cybertruck, but with 150mm travel, a big fork option, Bosch CX motor and a ton of technology it could prove to be a great bike

When Scott first launched its Patron eRide with concealed shock it looked like something from the future. And a pretty …Continue reading »]]> https://www.mbr.co.uk/news/commencals-new-meta-power-sx-400-e-bike-444714 Thu, 05 Dec 2024 10:31:27 +0000 https://www.mbr.co.uk/?p=444714 The Commencal Meta Power SX 400 looks like a ripper, with a Bosch SX motor and 170mm it's built a shuttle-replacement bike

Commencal’s latest e-bike is called the Meta Power SX 400 and it’s designed for just one thing – going downhill, …Continue reading »]]> https://www.mbr.co.uk/news/e-bikes-are-more-popualar-than-ever-and-5-cheaper-than-they-were-in-2022-according-to-the-latest-research-444616 Tue, 03 Dec 2024 13:09:47 +0000 https://www.mbr.co.uk/?p=444616 One in 10 bikes sold in the UK are now e-bikes, with electric mountain bikes the most common search term

E-bikes now account for almost 10% of bicycle sales in the UK, with 180,830 of the things sold by bike …Continue reading »]]> https://www.mbr.co.uk/news/ard-rock-enduro-tickets-go-on-sale-this-sunday-but-like-glasto-they-wont-hang-around-long-heres-how-and-when-to-enter-which-category-to-race-in-and-what-to-expect-from-the-trails-444482 Fri, 29 Nov 2024 18:01:40 +0000 https://www.mbr.co.uk/?p=444482 With 4,000 riders, seven timed stages and 45km of racing, the Ard Rock is a showcase of enduro... just make sure you're on the site at 7pm to snag a ticket

Ard Rock 2025 tickets go on sale this weekend, with entries for the enduro racing expected to sell out within …Continue reading »]]> https://www.mbr.co.uk/news/dont-write-off-the-trek-fuel-exe-just-yet-ive-found-a-way-to-increase-its-range-and-spec-drop-the-price-and-drag-it-back-up-the-rankings-444391 Thu, 28 Nov 2024 17:00:14 +0000 https://www.mbr.co.uk/?p=444391 The Trek Fuel EXe 9.7 gets slammed it in our SL bikes shootout but it's a great bike hamstrung by a few poor spec choices, here’s how to set it right and grab a bargain

The Trek Fuel EXe launched last year and promised to be one of the best e-bikes around. A whisper-quiet motor, …Continue reading »]]> https://www.mbr.co.uk/news/gifts-for-mountain-bikers-353458 Wed, 27 Nov 2024 15:00:50 +0000 https://www.mbr.co.uk/?p=353458 Mountain bike gifts from under £10, all tested and recommended by our team of expert reviewers

Here are solid ideas for gifts for the mountain biker in your life. Every budget and every type of mountain biker is catered for in this little lot.]]> https://www.mbr.co.uk/news/ive-tested-kit-for-two-decades-but-this-is-the-stuff-i-choose-to-wear-on-a-mountain-bike-ride-and-its-on-sale-for-black-friday-444224 Wed, 27 Nov 2024 13:00:23 +0000 https://www.mbr.co.uk/?p=444224 Eight of the best deals going, from Patagonia pants to my best £7 riding glove

This riding kit is all top drawer stuff, by which I mean it’s so good I’m either wearing it, washing …Continue reading »]]> https://www.mbr.co.uk/news/ive-scoured-the-black-friday-deals-for-my-all-time-favourite-tyres-five-of-them-are-on-sale-right-now-and-in-the-best-compounds-and-casing-options-444152 Mon, 25 Nov 2024 17:00:11 +0000 https://www.mbr.co.uk/?p=444152 The Maxxis Assegai, Specialized Butcher, Continental Kryptotal Schwalbe Magic Mary and Specialized Hillbilly all on sale

I think of mountain bike tyres as expendable: to get the best grip, comfort and control those little rubbery lugs …Continue reading »]]> https://www.mbr.co.uk/reviews/kids-bikes/kids-ride-shotgun-dirt-hero-off-road-balance-bike-review Sun, 24 Nov 2024 17:00:45 +0000 https://www.mbr.co.uk/?post_type=review&p=444069 The Kids Ride Shotgun Dirt Hero is my kids balance bike pick, and the disc brake is a touch of luxury

Kids Ride Shotgun started out with a great idea, take the traditional toddler bike seat and fit it up front …Continue reading »]]> https://www.mbr.co.uk/news/coed-y-brenin-cafe-will-close-on-march-31-2025-with-nrw-accused-of-dragging-its-heels-on-finding-a-new-lease-443964 Thu, 21 Nov 2024 17:00:35 +0000 https://www.mbr.co.uk/?p=443964 The visitor's centre will close at the end of March, but Natural Resources Wales won't put the venue up for tender until after the doors close.

Coed y Brenin and Bwlch Nant yr Arian will close their cafes as soon as April 2025, with the last …Continue reading »]]> https://www.mbr.co.uk/news/athertons-first-super-durable-alloy-trail-bike-gets-150mm-travel-costs-4500-and-is-bonded-not-welded-together-for-superior-strength-443972 Thu, 21 Nov 2024 14:00:35 +0000 https://www.mbr.co.uk/?p=443972 Atherton Bikes is growing its appeal, but these are no normal aluminium bikes: made from 7075 alloy the frames are slotted together with tubes and lugs

There’s a new Atherton bike out, called the S.150 it’s made from aluminium, gets 150mm travel and is the most …Continue reading »]]> https://www.mbr.co.uk/buyers_guide/best-suspension-shock-pumps-416437 Mon, 18 Nov 2024 15:11:41 +0000 https://www.mbr.co.uk/?p=416437 The best digital and analogue high-pressure suspension pumps for your mountain bike tried, tested and rated by our experts, plus what to look for in a shock pump.

A shock pump is a must-have item for for setting up modern mountain bikes. With it you can unlock the …Continue reading »]]> https://www.mbr.co.uk/news/coed-y-brenin-visitor-centre-closure-we-need-people-to-get-angry-about-this-443769 Mon, 18 Nov 2024 13:00:37 +0000 https://www.mbr.co.uk/?p=443769 It might be Britain's oldest trail centre, but Coed y Brenin needs reform to save it, and the local community should take up the mantle, says Toby Bragg from Beics Brenin and Caru Coed y Brenin

Coed y Brenin must become a community run trail centre with a new “vision for the future”, or accept trail …Continue reading »]]> https://www.mbr.co.uk/news/ive-used-every-tubeless-sealant-out-there-but-muc-offs-no-puncture-gunk-works-best-and-its-on-sale-right-now-with-29-off-443755 Fri, 15 Nov 2024 13:00:52 +0000 https://www.mbr.co.uk/?p=443755 Amazon’s got 1l of Muc-Off Muc-Off No Puncture Hassle tyre sealant at 29% off, now £24.76

Black Friday is a good excuse to splurge on stuff you don’t really need, but you’d really love to use. …Continue reading »]]> https://www.mbr.co.uk/news/watch-gee-atherton-ridgeline-vi-kazakhstan-443456 Thu, 14 Nov 2024 14:01:56 +0000 https://www.mbr.co.uk/?p=443456 Gee Atherton's latest Ridgeline VI: Kazakhstan is 10 minutes of thrilling action, just make sure you keep breathing

Gee Atherton’s at it again, risking his life riding an impossibly steep and spiky ridge in a far-flung destination: this …Continue reading »]]> https://www.mbr.co.uk/news/the-uks-trails-are-officially-harder-than-the-rest-of-europes-according-to-the-first-ever-state-of-our-trails-report-and-we-want-more-443245 Wed, 13 Nov 2024 07:00:58 +0000 https://www.mbr.co.uk/?p=443245 The UK has a higher percentage of black-graded trails than France and Switzerland combined, and the UK Trails Project reckons this shows demand for techie riding

It’s official, the UK has gnarlier trails than the continent, with a greater percentage of black and red-graded tracks than …Continue reading »]]> https://www.mbr.co.uk/news/five-tens-freerider-pro-is-on-sale-for-a-ridiculous-39-get-there-quick-443255 Tue, 12 Nov 2024 17:20:31 +0000 https://www.mbr.co.uk/?p=443255 My all-time favourite riding shoe is now 70% at Evans, I’m going to stock up

The Five Ten Freerider Pro is my absolute favourite riding shoe. I trust it to stick my foot to the …Continue reading »]]> https://www.mbr.co.uk/reviews/helmets/treks-blaze-wavecel-with-removable-side-protection-is-a-triumph-of-design-and-technology-i-only-wish-my-ears-were-smaller Tue, 12 Nov 2024 07:00:57 +0000 https://www.mbr.co.uk/?post_type=review&p=442737 The Trek Blaze WaveCel has spring-loaded ear guards for extra protection, WaveCel technology, great padding and wicked venting... but it does squish my ears

The Blaze is Trek’s newest mountain bike helmet, it is packed out with features and technology that go some way …Continue reading »]]> https://www.mbr.co.uk/news/england-and-wales-have-been-left-behind-in-the-race-for-trail-access-with-scotland-now-boasting-over-5000km-of-singletrack-according-to-a-groundbreaking-new-study-443209 Thu, 07 Nov 2024 17:00:23 +0000 https://www.mbr.co.uk/?p=443209 The UK Trail Project's new report on trail access shows huge differences in mountain bike access across the country, and hopes to bring land owners and riders closer together

Scotland has nearly as many kilometres of singletrack as England and Wales combined thanks largely to its liberal land access …Continue reading »]]> https://www.mbr.co.uk/mountain-bike-routes/uk_trails/winter-mountain-bike-routes-102048 Tue, 29 Oct 2024 09:15:22 +0000 Winter can be an incredible time of year for exploring natural trails, especially if you get crisp cold days with blue skies and incredible views. We've picked out a selection that ride well in all conditions.

If you want to get some good riding in this winter, don’t limit yourself to trail centres — there are plenty of natural winter routes out there too.]]> https://www.mbr.co.uk/news/meridas-two-new-e-bikes-are-night-and-day-a-super-heavyweight-with-full-power-and-a-lightweight-sl-with-bosch-sx-442824 Fri, 25 Oct 2024 07:00:21 +0000 https://www.mbr.co.uk/?p=442824 Merida launches the eOne-Eighty and the eOne-Sixty SL, both with Bosch power: check out the full range including prices

Merida has two new e-bikes out, one is just about the biggest hitting full power behemoth of a bike you’ll …Continue reading »]]> https://www.mbr.co.uk/news/cotic-launches-new-steel-ebike-442608 Wed, 23 Oct 2024 10:00:23 +0000 https://www.mbr.co.uk/?p=442608 The first new e-bike with an external battery in seven years? Cotic’s Rocket UK-built e-bike uses its custom steel tubing, Shimano EP801 motor and a 418Wh battery, but prices start at £8,799.

Cotic’s first ever e-bike is called the Rocket, as you’d expect from this famous ferrous brand it’s made from steel …Continue reading »]]> https://www.mbr.co.uk/news/will-brendan-fairclough-ever-ride-red-bull-rampage-again-not-likely-on-the-strength-of-these-comments-442536 Mon, 21 Oct 2024 16:00:14 +0000 https://www.mbr.co.uk/?p=442536 Brendan Fairclough and Ollie Wilkins break silence and talk through their Red Bull Rampage result

Brendan Fairclough won’t be at Red Bull Rampage in 2025, after revealing just how “gutted and butt-hurt” he is about …Continue reading »]]> https://www.mbr.co.uk/news/why-innerleithens-mountain-bike-innovation-centre-wont-now-be-housed-in-a-renovated-textile-mill-caerlee-mill-442372 Thu, 17 Oct 2024 06:00:58 +0000 https://www.mbr.co.uk/?p=442372 The Caerlee Mill site at Innerleithen could still host the Mountain Bike Innovation Centre, but only if the existing structure is torn down first

Innerleithen’s promised mountain bike innovation centre will not now be housed inside a renovated textile mill, after its costs ballooned. …Continue reading »]]> https://www.mbr.co.uk/news/bikepark-wales-opens-a-new-quarry-skills-area-with-tables-gap-jumps-drops-and-techie-steeps-designed-to-replicate-real-trail-features-442434 Wed, 16 Oct 2024 11:15:46 +0000 https://www.mbr.co.uk/?p=442434 Riders asked for it, BikePark Wales has delivered: the new Quarry Skills Area opens tomorrow (17th October).

BikePark Wales has just opened a brand new skills area, packed with gaps, drops, skinnies and techie bits the idea …Continue reading »]]>