Trek recently presented their brand-new Fuel EX 2020 during a launch in Northern Italy. With an array of clever features, updated geometry, new technologies and more travel, the American brand has introduced the new Fuel EX as the next evolutionary stage of the platform and promises that it will offer even more performance, fun and trail prowess. We were able to take the € 7,499 Trek Fuel EX 9.9 2020 out for a first ride on the rocky, volcanic trails of the Colli Euganei south of Padua. Trek Fuel EX 9.9 2020 | 140/130 mm | 13 kg | € 7,499 googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1408638783102-0'); }); The first Trek Fuel EX was released in 2001 and has since become the bread and butter of the brand’s offerings. Over the years, the bike has constantly progressed in terms of wheel sizes, brakes, geometry and travel. The previous Fuel EX generation was introduced during the summer of 2016 at a launch in Canada with the words “slacker”, “longer”, “lower” and “more aggressive”. The new Fuel EX 2020 goes a step further, though has been faced with the challenge of finding the sweet spot between the cross-country Top Fuel and the enduro Remedy and Slash platforms. What’s new with the Trek Fuel EX 2020? The short answer: nearly everything! That means that the suspension, travel, geometry and spec options have all been updated, along with completely new features and details for 2020. 1. More models, but no women’s specific models for the Trek Fuel EX 2020 There will be seven different variants of the Fuel EX for 2020, but women’s specific models are no longer part of Trek’s philosophy, or rather, form an integral part of Trek’s “Awesome bikes for everyone” mantra. In 2019, Trek offered only three women’s models of the Fuel but identified a low standover height as the key criterion that influences the feeling of security as well as the ease of mounting and dismounting the bike. However, perhaps unsurprisingly, they also identified that not all the women buying Trek bikes go for a women’s specific model. In turn, Trek has consolidated its offerings and updated the Fuel EX frames, particularly in the smaller sizes, with a very low standover height (in comparison with the Specialized Stumpjumper, the Fuel EX’s standover is a full 30 mm lower for a size S). Trek no longer offers a separate range for women, signalling a new strategy that not only represents a more inclusive message for female riders, but also offers smaller riders in general a clear benefit: more spec and colour options to choose from. All seven builds will be available in eight sizes from XS to XXL: the smallest size is fitted with 27.5” wheels, the Small frame size provides the option between 27.5” and 29” wheels. From there, Trek chooses to fit 29” wheels only. 2. Full-carbon frame and the new Trek Fuel EX 2020 geometry The Trek Fuel EX 2020 comes with both an aluminium and carbon frame. The latter is reserved for the “9.” models. From this year, all carbon models will share the same full-carbon frame. In addition, the frame was also updated to provide more space for long-travel dropper posts. The XS and S frame can fit a dropper with 100 mm travel, the M and M/L frame a 150 mm dropper and the L, XL and XXL models a 170 mm dropper. Unfortunately, only the more expensive 9.8 and 9.9 models make full use of this. The more affordable models in the range come with 150 mm or 130 mm dropper posts at most. The geometry of the new Fuel EX is slacker and longer than its predecessor. The head angle has been reduced by 1° to 66°, the reach has increased by 10 to 20 mm depending on the frame size and finally, the seat tube angle has been steepened by 1° to 75° for a better position while climbing. Size XS 27,5″ S 27,5″ S 29″ M 29″ ML 29″ L 29″ XL 29″ XXL 29″ Seat tube 356 mm 395 mm 395 mm 420 mm 435 mm 450 mm 500 mm 540 mm Top tube 546 mm 568 mm 578 mm 603 mm 619 mm 634 mm 663 mm 688 mm Head tube 90 mm 100 mm 100 mm 100 mm 105 mm 105 mm 105 mm 140 mm Head angle 66° 66° 66° 66° 66° 66° 66° 66° Seat angle 75° 75° 75° 75° 75° 75° 75° 75° Chainstays 437 mm 437 mm 437 mm 437 mm 437 mm 437 mm 437 mm 437 mm BB–Offset 43 mm 43 mm 43 mm 43 mm 43 mm 43 mm 43 mm 43 mm Wheelbase 1.120 mm 1.144 mm 1.154 mm 1.179 mm 1.196 mm 1.211 mm 1.242 mm 1.270 mm Reach 395 mm 415 mm 415 mm 440 mm 455 mm 470 mm 495 mm 515 mm Stack 563 mm 572 mm 608 mm 608 mm 613 mm 613 mm 627 mm 645 mm 3. Suspension: more travel, easier setup and no Full Floater All Trek Fuel EX 2020 models have 140 mm travel up front, compared with the previous 130 mm. The rear keeps the same 130 mm travel. The more expensive 9.8 and 9.9 models now also come fitted with a FOX 36 instead of FOX 34 fork, promising more precision and performance on the trails. Trek have relied on their proprietary Full Floater suspension design for around 10 years. This saw the shock “floating” between two pivots which in turn was claimed to offer an optimal balance between pedalling efficiency and a bottomless feel. That comes to an end here! Just like the Trek Session, Slash and Remedy, Trek now replace the Full Floater design on the Fuel EX 2020 with a fixed lower shock mount by the bottom bracket. Why? New technology has closed the gap on suspension performance and the simpler shock mount provides improved tire clearance and allows higher frame stiffness (according to Trek around 20%). The Trek exclusive FOX Float EVOL RE:aktiv inline shock with Thru Shaft damper promises maximum control and traction in rough terrain. While classic shocks pressurise oil in an internal chamber to compensate for the decreased volume caused by the piston’s compression, Thru Shaft allows the piston to move through the shock. The absence of pressure reduces the breakaway torque and leads to a more sensitive response. In addition, the updated shock has a seemingly trivial but helpful feature: a numbered rebound dial which should make for significantly simpler setup. 4. Trek Internal Frame Storage: stowage in the Trek Fuel EX 2020’s down tube Similar to Specialized, Trek now provides space in the down tube for you to stow tools and spares. A bottle cage is mounted on the cover of the compartment, which can be removed using a mechanical closure. According to Trek, this system adds minimal extra weight and its implementation has been managed successfully and neatly. However, the space inside is rather limited and at most you’ll be able to fit a spare tube, CO2 cartridge and tyre lever in the Bontrager BITS tool roll. Unfortunately, there’s no space to fit a beer or sandwich ;) document.createElement('video'); http://enduro-mtb.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/IMG_7928.mp4 5. Lifetime warranty, more details and additional highlights of the Trek Fuel EX 2020 Trek offers a lifetime warranty on both its aluminium and carbon frames. In comparison to some of its competitors, this isn’t just a piece of paper. Trek promise to react quickly and personally if any issues do arise. Trek know that there’s nothing more frustrating than a long-winded warranty claim in the middle of prime riding season. The new Trek Fuel EX 2020 is designed exclusively for 1x drivetrains, with no option to mount a front derailleur. More tire clearance: the Trek Fuel EX 2020 can fit up to 29×2.6” tires. Trek’s ABP (Active Braking Pivot) is a classic feature of Trek full suspension bikes and is designed to keep the suspension active under braking. The Mino Link at the rear allows the angles to be adjusted by 0.5°, allowing it to be tuned for better downhill or uphill performance. The bike comes as standard in the high position. Inevitably, we ended up riding it in the low position for better downhill performance! The Knock Block steering limiter in the headset ensures that the fork crown or shifter can’t damage the down- or top tube if you crash. “Control Freak” is the name Trek gives its cable routing system which allows any cabling configurations (Shimano Di2 as well) to be fixed and routed without any rattling. Of course, if you’ve got SRAM Eagle AXS, you don’t need to route anything at all. 6.Trek Fuel EX 9.9 2020 weight Das von uns getestete Trek Fuel EX 9.9 2020 wiegt in Größe M/L exakt 13,0 kg. Im Vergleich zum Vorgängermodell, das wir in Größe L im Dauertest hatten (11,90 kg) ist das neue Fuel EX über 1 kg schwerer geworden. Die Hauptursachen dafür sind die FOX 36 Federgabel und die dickeren Bontrager Reifen. Trek Fuel EX 2020 models, pricing and spec As mentioned, Trek offer the Fuel EX in seven different builds priced between € 2,099 and € 9,099 (pricing might differ depending on location) with three aluminium and four carbon frames. The latter are all denoted by the “9.” in their model name. Trek Fuel EX 5 – € 2,099 Entry into the range comes via the Trek Fuel EX 5 with a RockShox Recon RL fork and a standard Deluxe Select Plus shock without RE:aktiv or Thru Shaft technology, Shimano MT200 brakes and a 10-speed Deore drivetrain with an 11-42 t cassette that results in noticeably less gear range than all other Fuel EX models. You’ll have to accept further compromise on the dropper post which has only 130 mm travel. However, the choice to spec the same tires as the top model is commendable! Trek Fuel EX 7 – € 2,699 The € 2,699 Trek Fuel EX 7 is fitted with a RockShox 35 Gold fork and FOX Float DPS Performance shock, though this doesn’t feature Trek’s RE:aktiv or Thru Shaft technology either. Thanks to the 12-speed SRAM NX Eagle drivetrain you have a wide gear range on offer. This model also upgrades to Bontrager Line Comp 30 wheels and Shimano MT400 2-piston brakes. However, the dropper still only provides 130 mm travel. Trek Fuel EX 8 – € 3,199 From the Trek Fuel EX 8 onwards, you’ll get FOX suspension with RE:aktiv, but no Thru Shaft technology, which only appears from the Fuel EX 9.8 and up. The € 3,199 Fuel EX 8 is fitted with Shimano Deore 2-piston brakes and a 12-speed SRAM GX Eagle drivetrain. The dropper post has up to 150 mm travel (depending on the frame size). Trek Fuel EX 9.7 – € 3,899 The Trek Fuel EX 9.7 marks the first carbon model in the range and cost € 3,899. For that, you’ll get a FOX 34 Rhythm fork and a FOX Float Performance shock with RE:aktiv damping along with a 12-speed SRAM NX Eagle drivetrain and Shimano MT420 4-piston brakes. The carbon frame means this is also the first model to feature Trek’s Internal Frame Storage. Trek Fuel EX 9.8 – € 5,499 From the Fuel EX 9.8 onwards, Trek equip the bikes with a FOX 36 up front. The 12-speed SRAM GX Eagle, 170 mm travel dropper post and Fox Float Performance RE:aktiv shock with Thru Shaft technology really help the full potential of the Fuel EX platform to unfold. In addition, this € 5,499 model features carbon instead of aluminium wheels. Trek Fuel EX 9.9 – € 7,499/€ 9,099 (AXS) Equipped with FOX Factory suspension, Shimano XT 4-piston brakes and SRAM X01 Eagle gearing, the Fuel EX 9.9 we tested offers top-end performance but requires you to hand over a princely € 7,499 at the shop. If that’s not enough, then for € 9,099 you can get your hands on the Fuel EX 9.9 AXS with a wireless SRAM X01 Eagle AXS drivetrain as well as a wireless RockShox Reverb AXS dropper post with up to 170 mm travel. The bling-bling benefit is a super clean cockpit with just two hoses left solely for your brakes. And if that’s still not enough, then you can run riot with the Project One customisation programme! googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1408638783102-1'); }); First ride review of the Fuel EX 9.9 2020 Comfortable from the get-go! Thanks to its central position, the Trek Fuel EX 9.9 immediately makes you feel at home. With its 13 kg for a size M/L, the bike might have become significantly heavier, but it’s everything but sluggish. It efficiently scampers up the hills without perceptible suspension bob. It’s particularly on steeper slopes where you notice the effect of the steepened seat tube angle, which allows you to keep enough pressure on the front wheel to stop it from lifting. Fork FOX Factory 36 Float EVOL Grip 2 140 mm Shock Fox Factory Float EVOL 140 mm Brakes Shimano XT Drivetrain SRAM X01 Eagle Seatpost Bontrager Line Elite Dropper 170 mm Stem Bontrager Line Pro 35 mm Handlebar Bontrager Line Pro WheelsBontrager Line Carbon 30, Tubeless Ready Tires Bontrager XR4 Team Issue 2,6″ Weight 13.00 kg Price € 7,499 On the downhills, the Fuel EX 9.9 2020 tracks the ground, with the suspension offering well-defined feedback and support while remaining supple and smooth. On small edges and roots, the bike encourages a playful and agile riding style. On larger jumps, the Trek is hard to unsettle: the bike convinced us with stable and precise handling in the air. In comparison with the old Fuel EX 9.9 the front end has noticeably improved precision thanks to the FOX 36 fork, without becoming too stiff or harsh. In turn, the bike also forgives the occasional poor line choice and plows its way happily through challenging terrain, maintaining traction throughout. While the Bontrager BITS tool roll doesn’t rattle at all in the down tube, we did notice some chain slap on our test bike on rougher ground. Closer examination of the chainstays makes it clear why: in the highest gear, there are just a few millimetres of space between the chain and chainstay guard. Shift to an easier gear and the clearance is much more acceptable. However, we do have to ask why there is no asymmetrical or dropped drive-side stay to address this. There’s some more criticism in store for the travel of the dropper post. Even if it has more travel than its predecessor and 150 mm travel is enough for most situations, we would still like to see a longer dropper post to make better use of the low standover height of the bike. The Bontrager XR4 Team Issue tires in 29×2.6” rolled quickly on the harder terrain of the flowy berms and jumps of our test trails. They even handled looser, more dusty ground and open corners admirably. The Shimano XT four-pot brakes with a 200 mm rotor up front and 180 mm at the back were similarly capable – depending on where you ride and your weight, we might recommend a 200 mm rotor at the back as well though. Conclusion Conclusion: the Trek Fuel EX 2020 is an absolute trail rocket and thanks to its burlier components, increased travel and more aggressive geometry it’s become more shredder than ever! New features such as the Internal Frame Storage are well executed and allow you to easily have an emergency repair kit with you at all times. We didn’t like the rattling chain and the shorter travel of the dropper post, but overall, Trek have done an excellent job with the Fuel EX 2020 and stayed true to their promise of more performance, fun and trail prowess and accordingly true to the motto of longer, faster, better! Oh, and have you seen the Project One paint jobs yet? #bikeporn For more info head to: trekbikes.com

The Aventura2 looks like a well equipped trekking machine that’d make a great option for commuters. Warren Rossiter/Immediate media Bosch’s new smartphone dock means you can use your phone as a controller for the e-assist via Bosch’s app. Warren Rossiter/Immediate media Focus now has an add-on kit so you can fit a second Bosch battery onto its e-bikes for a huge increase in potential range. Warren Rossiter/Immediate media The new Focus Max Disc 9.7 with SRAM Force AXS is a slick looking machine. Warren Rossiter/Immediate media Its always good to see skinwall tyres, especially when they’re quality like Vittoria’s Corsa. Warren Rossiter/Immediate media At two grand the Jam 6.7 Seven looks like a lot of bike. Warren Rossiter/Immediate media At the back it’s a RockShox companion Deluxe Select unit. Warren Rossiter/Immediate media The 150mm travel Jam2 comes with Fox suspension. Warren Rossiter/Immediate media With the new full-colour Bosch Kiox head unit. Warren Rossiter/Immediate media The Jam2 6.9 Drifter mixes a 29er front with a 27.5 rear. Warren Rossiter/Immediate media Shimano’s head unit is one of the most minimal and unobtrusive around and the integrated power switch is a neat detail. Warren Rossiter/Immediate media The Jafira2 6.8 is Focus’s mid-range e-hardtail. Warren Rossiter/Immediate media Bosch’s Performance CX power unit on the Jafira2 6.8. Warren Rossiter/Immediate media Focus’s road e-machine the Paralane2 has now got this flat-barred commuter version in its line-up. Warren Rossiter/Immediate media The Fazua controller looks better sitting next to a flat bar grip than it does centred on a drop bar bike. Warren Rossiter/Immediate media The Paralane2 6.8 GC is a Paralane2 more focused on gravel riding. Warren Rossiter/Immediate media The 6.8GC gets Shimano’s new gravel-specific GRX drivetrain. Warren Rossiter/Immediate media The Raven 8.8 uses a 885g carbon hardtail frame. Warren Rossiter/Immediate media The super light Raven chassis has plenty of chain protection bonded to the BB shell. Warren Rossiter/Immediate media The Focus Thron2 6.8EQP combines full-suspension and 130mm of travel with all the equipment you’d need for any commute — quite the odd combination. Warren Rossiter/Immediate media The 6.8 EQP even comes with integrated lighting from Supernova up front. Warren Rossiter/Immediate media Focus Thron2 6.9 shares the same aluminium 130mm travel chassis as the 6.8 EQP but is stripped down for full off-road duties. Warren Rossiter/Immediate media The Thron2 neatly mounts its charge point for the Bosch battery on the top tube. Warren Rossiter/Immediate media We headed out to Germany recently to get the low down on Focus Bike’s 2020 roster, and there was plenty to choose from. So, here’s our pick of the bunch from a range that included town bikes, mountain bikes, road bikes and a wide range of electric bicycles. These are the best electric bikes of 2019 Here’s why the Focus Paralane 8.9 GC is one of our favourite road bikes 2020 Focus Raven 8.8 The Raven 8.8 uses a 885g carbon hardtail frame. Warren Rossiter/Immediate media £2,799 / €2,999 (Dm) / €3,099 (F, ES, BLX) The Raven hardtail frameset remains one of the most advanced carbon chassis around, with a flyweight claimed weight of 885g in an unspecified size. The most interesting bike in this range is this bold red Raven 8.8, which comes equipped with a RockShox SID Select 100mm travel fork up front and Shimano XT M8100 1×12 gearing with matching brakes. Wheels come courtesy of Mavic’s Crossmax with BBB providing a smattering of lightweight finishing kit. Focus claims a complete bike weight of 10.75kg. Focus Jam 6.7 Seven At two grand the Jam 6.7 Seven looks like a lot of bike. Warren Rossiter/Immediate media Price: £1,999 / €2,199 (DM) / €2,299 (F, ES, BLX) Focus describes the Jam as its bike for those who like to earn their downhills and aren’t afraid of a meaty climb. The aluminium frame uses Focus’s F.O.L.D. Suspension design, which is claimed to balance sensitivity while being progressive enough to not bottom out when being put through the wringer. We like the look of the 6.7, and especially the price — it looks to be a very well-equipped sub-£2k machine. The frame has 150mm of travel at the rear controlled by a RockShox Monarch RT that’s matched up front with a RockShox Revelation RC fork. The drivetrain is SRAM’s 12-speed NX Eagle, and braking comes courtesy of Magura’s MT5s. It runs on a combination of 27.5 Maxxis High Roller II and Minion DHR II tyres wrapped over Race Face rims on Novatec hubs. The 6.7 is also available as a 29er (the 6.7 Nine). Focus claims 15kg for a complete bike. Focus Izalco Max Disc 9.7 AXS The new Focus Max Disc 9.7 with SRAM Force AXS is a slick looking machine. Warren Rossiter/Immediate media Price: £5,699 / €6,199 (DM) / €6,199 (F, ES, BLX) The Izalco Max launched over a year ago now, and with similar bikes from bigger manufacturers being launched this year, it seems the Max has had an influence. Any bike with as much integration as the Max is always going to look good with one of SRAM’s wireless groupsets, and the £5,699 Max with Force eTap AXS is a great looking machine. With its understated palette and graphics and, of course, tan wall tyres, we reckon it’s one of the best looking of the new breed of lightweight race bikes. The sub-kilo frame is matched with DT Swiss ARC 1450 Dicut carbon wheels running Vittoria Corsa G+ tyres, a SRAM Force AXS group and a dedicated stem that internally routes the disc brake hoses and holds a carbon Easton EC90 aero bar. At the back, a dedicated D-shaped carbon post is topped with ProLogo’s short Dimension saddle. Focus claims 7.85kg for the 9.7 AXS. Focus Paralane² 6.8 GC The Paralane2 6.8 GC is a Paralane2 more focused on gravel riding. Warren Rossiter/Immediate media Price: £3,899 / €4199 (DM) / €4,299 (F, ES, BLX) The Paralane² was the first e-road bike that proved that e-assistance needn’t be heavy, bulky or ugly. The Fazua system is both light (a little over 3kg) and comes in a small package, so the Paralane doesn’t look too dissimilar from a standard bike. Focus has also introduced road-Boost to the rear to ensure ideal chain line with the wider (motorised) bottom bracket shell. Since we first tried out the Paralane², we always thought it had the ability to go beyond the road, with generous tyre clearances giving it gravel potential. Well, it seems Focus has been thinking the same and, this year, there are now a smattering of GC models in both carbon and alloy (the 6.8 is the alloy version), which come equipped with grip-laden gravel tyres and a more off-road outlook. The bike runs Fazua’s Evation 60Nm/250w motor system with a 250w/h battery, and gearing from Shimano’s new GRX 400 group with 46/34, 11-34 gearing. The Alex Boondocks wheels are shod with Vittoria’s gravel-specific Terrero Zero TLR 33c tyres. Focus claims 15.65kg for the alloy 6.8 GC. The more expensive carbon 9.6 GC has a claimed weight of 14.15kg. Focus Paralane² 6.6 Commute Focus’s road e-machine the Paralane2 has now got this flat-barred commuter version in its line-up. Warren Rossiter/Immediate media Price: £3,399 / €3,599 (DM) / €3,799 (F, ES, BLX) The Paralane² range has also expanded to include this new commuter special. It uses the same alloy frame as the 6.8 but adds in full mudguards and a flat bar cockpit, a Shimano 105 drivetrain (46/34, 11-34) with Shimano RS700 flat bar shifters and RS405 brakes. The Alex Boondock wheels are shod with fat commuter-friendly Vittoria Zaffiro Pro 32c tyres and Focus claims an all-up weight of 15.95kg. Focus Thron² 6.9 The Focus Thron2 6.9 shares the same aluminium 130mm travel chassis as the 6.8 EQP but is stripped down for full off-road duties. Warren Rossiter/Immediate media Price: £4,499 / €4699 (D) / €4,899 (F, ES, BLX) The Thron² is Focus’s e-assisted trail machine and uses its aluminium F.O.L.D. suspension frame, with 130mm of travel controlled by a Fox Float DPS damper that’s paired with a Fox Float 34 Rhythm fork. Power assist is delivered by Bosch’s new Performance CX Gen 4 motor, which claims figures of 75Nm/250w and with a Bosch Powertube battery a 625wh capacity. The system is controlled by Bosch’s smart Kiox head unit, with the remote control located next to the grip. The bike is smartly equipped with Shimano XT M8100 12-speed, a KS E30i dropper post and DT Swiss H1900 wheels shod with 2.6-inch Maxxis Rekon 3C Exo TR tyres. Focus claims an all-up weight of 23.3kg for the 6.9. Focus Thron² 6.8 EQP The Focus Thron2 6.8EQP combines full-suspension and 130mm of travel with all the equipment you’d need for any commute — quite the odd combination. Warren Rossiter/Immediate media Price: £4,099 / €4,299 (D) / €4,499 (F, ES, BLX) It’s quite a strange thing to see a full-on full-suss trail bike like the Thron² available in what can only be called ‘commute’ spec. But after talking with the team at Focus it seems that this is a big area of growth for the brand in mainland Europe. We’re not convinced it’ll catch on in the UK, but if you ever feel the need for 130mm of travel when you’re riding to work then Focus has the solution. The 6.8 EQP shares the same chassis and powertrain as the trail-ready machines — so you still get the big 625wh powerpack and Bosch’s Gen 4 CX motor with its 75Nm/250w of power that’s controlled by the Purion head unit mounted at the grip. Here, though, it’s complemented by full mudguards from Tubus and a tubular alloy rear rack (with a 16kg max load). It also gets integrated lights with a Supernova E3 Mini 2 up front and a Hermans H-Trace micro at the rear. The rear suspension is controlled by Suntour’s EDGE LOR unit and up front, Suntour’s XCR 34 LOR fork, which all adds up to a claimed weight of 25.8kg Focus Jam² 6.9 Drifter The Jam2 6.9 Drifter mixes a 29er front with a 27.5 rear Warren Rossiter/Immediate media Price: £4,749 / €5,199 (D) / €5,299 (F, ES, BLX) The Jam² all-mountain machine combines a 29-inch front wheel with a 27.5 rear, has 150mm travel and is available in Bosch and Shimano versions. We like the look of the 6.9 Drifter with its Shimano Steps E8000 70Nm/250w motor and 765wh of battery. This impressive battery life is accomplished by combining the 378wh internal battery with Focus’s T.E.C. pack, which fits onto the down tube to provide an extra 378wh of power in reserve. The 6.9 comes with Shimano XT 12-speed (34, 10-51), a custom-tuned Fox Float DPS rear shock and Marzocchi Bomber Z1 forks. The E30i dropper post comes from KS and Mavic supplies its E-XA drifter wheels, which are shod with Maxxis Minions: a 2.8 DHF tyre and a 2.6 DHR. Focus claims 21.7kg for the complete bike. Focus Jam² 6.8 Nine The 150mm travel Jam2 comes with Fox suspension. Warren Rossiter/Immediate media Price: £4,599 / €4,799 (D) / €4,999 (F, ES, BLX) Prefer your assistance with a German flavour? Then Focus also has the Jam² available with a Bosch motor. The 6.8 comes with Bosch’s Performance CX Gen 4 motor (75Nm/250w) and a 625w/h internal PowerTube battery, which is all controlled by the Bosch Kiox head unit. Suspension duties come courtesy of Fox’s Float DPS rear shock and 34 Rhythm sweep adjust fork. The gearing combines SLX (shifters and cassette) and XT (rear mech) and Shimano MT520 brakes. Race Face provides the 29er wheels and Maxxis the 2.6-inch Rekon Dual Exo TR treads. Focus claims 23.5kg for the complete bike. Focus Jarifa² 6.8 Nine The Jafira2 6.8 is Focus’s mid-range e-hardtail. Warren Rossiter/Immediate media Price: £3,299 / €3499 (D) / €3,699 (F, ES, BLX) It’s not just full-suspension e-bikes from Focus, it also has three hardtail models. From the superlight Raven² to the budget-focused Whistler², the Jafira² sits squarely between the two as a more touring-orientated e-mountain machine. The 6.8 Nine uses Bosch’s Performance CX Gen 4 (75Nm/250w) with a PowerTube 625w/h internal battery controlled by a Purion head unit. You can expand the battery capacity by up to 1125w/h using an additional battery, which mounts on the down tube — it’s a similar system to Focus’s Shimano-based TEC pack system. Focus claims 22.3kg for the complete 6.8 Nine. Focus Aventura² 6.9 The Aventura2 looks like a well equipped trekking machine that’d make a great option for commuters. Warren Rossiter/Immediate media Price: £3,799 / €3999 (D) / €4,199 (F, ES, BLX) The Aventura² is the brand’s take on a go-anywhere trekking machine. It uses Bosch’s new Performance CX motor system with a 625wh battery (you can, like the Jafira, piggyback a second Bosch battery for a max of 1,125wh) and the bike comes fully loaded with full metal mudguards, a rear rack, Busch & Muller lighting, and Bosch’s new Smartphone hub to take care of motor control. The hub also lets you use the GPS functionality on your phone in combination with the bike’s motor system. The claimed 23kg bike comes with an SLX/Deore mix and a 100mm travel Suntour Raidon LOR fork.

SLAYER! A word that you’ll immediately associate with heavy metal: fast, hard guitar riffs, headbanging and moshpits. Our first ride on the brand new Rocky Mountain Slayer did indeed shake us up and make us feel as electrified as you do after several-hours at a heavy-metal concert. The bike rocks! Rocky Mountain Slayer 90 | 29″ or 27.5″ | 170/170 mm (29″) or 180/180 mm (27.5″) Travel | € 8,600 | Weight: approx. 15.4 kg (29 “) googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1408638783102-0'); }); Rocky Mountain had one goal when they developed the new Slayer: “this bike has to be rad!” At least that’s what the Canadian brand told us at the presentation at their headquarters in North Vancouver. They wanted to create a bike to go full throttle on the toughest tracks, a bike that you can hit the craziest lines on and not have to shy away from the highest drops. A freeride bike from the good old days that also climbs well and features all the modern technology that we’ve come to expect. Soon after starting on the Slayer project, Rocky Mountain realised that they wanted to offer this bike with 29″ as well as 27.5″ wheels Freeride legends Wade Simmons and Thomas Vanderham can’t wait to take the new bike for a ride on their home-trails When they started the project, Rocky Mountain only envisioned the Slayer rolling on 27.5″ wheels. But when they saw the first hard-hitting 29ers appear on the scene, the Canadian brand made some in-house prototypes and soon decided that they would offer the bike with both wheel sizes. Having said that, you can’t just change the wheel size as you like, you have to decide on a size before you buy the bike – there’s no flip-chip. However, the new Slayer does feature Rocky Mountain’s Ride4 system allowing you to adjust the geometry in four positions. The flowing lines and the careful attention to detail such as on the clamped cable inlets are typical for Rocky Mountain The rear triangle is made of aluminium across the range, which should save costs and be more durable – especially if you crash The chainstay protector with its extra cushioning is designed to effectively minimise all noise The new Slayer features Rocky Mountain’s proven Ride4 system, allowing you to adjust the geometry in four positions The down tube protector should please owners of pick-ups As featured on the predecessor: the specially developed chain guide gets attached to the top of the chainstay There is enough room in the front triangle for a water bottle: essential for the after-work ride! Maximum reserves – the suspension of the new Rocky Mountain Slayer The 29″ model has a whopping 170 mm travel on the front and rear while the 27.5″ bike offers an additional 10 mm on top of that. Like the previous Slayer, the new model relies on a four-bar rear linkage, but the kinematics of the bike have been revised, adjusting the anti-squat, anti-rise and leverage ratio. This should result in a bike that is more sensitive and more active – even when braking. The new Slayer has also been optimised for the use of coil shocks. Plush, plusher, Slayer! The rear linkage is extremely sensitive and offers endless reserves. Robust, reliable and easy to service – the frame Besides offering the new Slayer with two different wheel sizes, Rocky Mountain are also giving their customers a choice of carbon and aluminium for the frames. However, the rear end is made of aluminium across the range, which promises to be particularly durable in case of crash or a botched landing. Rocky Mountain also paid careful attention to the bike’s longevity with its specially sealed bearings. However, should you have to replace anything, all you need a number 5 and 6 Allen key to disassemble the rear linkage. The number of parts has been reduced to make the process that much easier. On the Carbon model, the cables are routed internally through carbon sheaths inside the frame, which makes replacing/installing brake lines and shifter cables hassle-free and keeps everything nice and quiet. The aluminium models don’t have any internal guides but the cable inlets should be big enough to make the cable routing less of a headache. Stylish and practical – the one-sided bearing mounts not only give the bike a clean look, but they also improve ease of maintenance The cables are routed through carbon sheaths inside the frame, making installation a breeze and preventing the cables from rattling. Long and slack, but not extreme – the geometry of the Rocky Mountain Slayer In times when more and more companies are trying to outdo each other with ever more extreme geometries, Rocky Mountain seems a little reserved with the Slayer’s geometry, which is a long and slack but not to an extreme – we applaud them for doing so. The 475 mm reach in size L is just right for 180 cm tall riders. The head angle of 64.5 ° (neutral setting) is slack but not too much so and the chainstays are neither exaggeratedly short nor super long at 442 mm (29 “). The bottom bracket is positioned rather low considering the amount of travel available. Rocky Mountain deliberately kept the seat tube angle steep at 76.5° to position the rider centrally on the bike when going up steep climbs. Rocky Mountain are offering the 29er in sizes M, L and XL, whereas the 27.5” model is available from S to XL. The geometry table of the 29″ Slayer’s four settings Size MD LG XL Ride 4 Pos. 1 slack 2 3 neutral 4 1 slack 2 3 neutral 4 1 slack 2 3 neutral 4 Seat tube [mm] 420 445 480 Top tube [mm] 600 599 598 595 628 627 626 623 657 656 655 652 Head tube [mm] 95 110 125 Head angle 63.8° 64.1° 64.5° 64.8° 63.8° 64.1° 64.5° 64.8° 63.8° 64.1° 64.5° 64.8° Seat angle 75.8° 76.1° 76.5° 76.8° 75.8° 76.1° 76.5° 76.8° 75.8° 76.1° 76.5° 76.8° Chainstay [mm] 443 442 442 441 443 442 442 441 443 442 442 441 BB Drop [mm] 34 30 25 18 34 30 25 18 34 30 25 18 Wheelbase [mm] 1220 1219 1218 1215 1249 1248 1247 1244 1286 1285 1284 1281 Reach [mm] 462 466 470 473 469 471 475 478 492 496 500 503 Stack [mm] 622 619 616 614 635 632 629 627 649 646 643 641 The geometry table of the 27.5″ Slayer’s four settings Size SM MD LG XL Ride 4 Pos. 1 slack 2 3 neutral 4 1 slack 2 3 neutral 4 1 slack 2 3 neutral 4 1 slack 2 3 neutral 4 Seat tube [mm] 380 420 460 480 Top tube [mm] 570 573 573 572 596 597 597 596 624 623 622 621 660 659 658 658 Head tube [mm] 90 95 110 125 Head angle 63.9° 64.2° 64.5° 64.8° 63.9° 64.2° 64.5° 64.8° 63.9° 64.2° 64.5° 64.8° 63.9° 64.2° 64.5° 64.8° Seat angle 75.4° 75.7° 76° 76.3° 75.4° 75.7° 76° 76.3° 75.4° 75.7° 76° 76.3° 75.4° 75.7° 76° 76.3° Chainstay [mm] 431 430 430 429 431 430 430 429 431 430 430 429 431 430 430 429 BB Drop [mm] 18 14 10 6 18 14 10 6 18 14 10 6 18 14 10 6 Wheelbase [mm] 1180 1179 1178 1177 1205 1204 1203 1202 1234 1233 1232 1231 1273 1272 1271 1270 Reach [mm] 419 422 425 428 444 447 450 453 469 472 475 478 494 497 500 503 Stack [mm] 595 593 591 589 600 598 596 594 614 612 610 608 627 625 623 621 Three carbon, two aluminium and one frameset – the Slayer models As with its predecessor, the new Rocky Mountain Slayer is available in various builds with the same two colours options for each. As a customer, you either have the choice between a striking red/black or a very discreet black/grey colour scheme. Rocky Mountain affectionately call them “heartbreaker red/the main black” or “touch of grey/”. Overall, Rocky Mountain are offering three carbon and two aluminium models and most of them in both wheel sizes. The only exception is the carbon 50 model, which is only available as a 29er. The new 2020 Rocky Mountain Slayer is available in aluminium and carbon, with 29″ or 27.5″ wheels, and two colour schemes Interesting to see, all but the most affordable Alu 30 model feature a Shimano drivetrain. However, only the Carbon 90 model is specced with FOX components while the rest of the models rely on RockShox for the suspension. Prices start at € 3,500 for the Slayer Alu 30 and end at € 8,600 for the perfectly specced flagship model. The € 4,200 Slayer Alu 50 with the RockShox Lyrik Select+ fork, Super Deluxe Ultimate shock and complete Shimano SLX groupset, and the identically specced C50 carbon model for € 5,300 look like the most exciting options. Alternatively, you can get the carbon frameset for € 4,200. The flagship model comes with FOX 36 Factory suspension while all other models are specced with RockShox The coil shock underlines the intended use of the Slayer: Freeride! The Shimano XTR brakes deliver an impressive amount of stopping power – unfortunately, the pressure point on our test bike was inconsistent Thanks to the short seat tube you can fit a longer dropper post A bike as capable as this needs robust tires: good thing Rocky Mountain specced MAXXIS’ Double Down casing across the range. We’re more than happy to accept the slight weight penalty! The different models at a glance Carbon 90 Carbon 70 Carbon 50 Alloy 50 Alloy 30 Fork | 170/180 mm (29″/27.5″) FOX 36 Factory GRIP2 RockShox Lyrik Ultimate RockShox Lyrik Select RockShox Lyrik Select RockShox Yari RC Schock | 170/180 mm (29″/27.5″) FOX DHX2 Factory RockShox Super Deluxe Coil Ultimate RockShox Super Deluxe Coil Ultimate RockShox Super Deluxe Coil Ultimate RockShox Super Deluxe Coil Select Brakes | 200/200 mm Shimano XTR 4-Pods Shimano XT 4-Pods Shimano SLX 4-Pods Shimano SLX 4-Pods Shimano MT520 4-Pods Drivetrain Shimano XTR 12-Speed Shimano XT 12-Speed Shimano SLX/XT 12-Speed Shimano SLX/XT 12-Speed SRAM SX Eagle Wheelset | 29″/27.5″ Race Face ARC 30/DT Swiss 340 Race Face AR 30/DT Swiss 370 WTB ST i30/DT Swiss 370 WTB ST i30/DT Swiss 370 WTB ST i30/Shimano MT400 Tires | 2.5″ WT Maxxis Minion DHF 3C MaxxGrip Doubel Down/Aggressor Dual Double Down Seatpost Race Face Turbine R OneUp Dropper Post OneUp Dropper Post Race Face Aeffect Dropper Rocky Mountain Toonie Drop Price € 8,600 € 6,500 € 5,300 € 4,200 € 3,500 Confidence level 100 – the new Rocky Mountain Slayer on the trail Riding the North Shore trails of Vancouver is something very special. The terrain is unlike anything you’ll encounter elsewhere in the world. Before we head down the first trail, Rocky Mountain Brand Manager Stephen tells us “do not trust anything, you are at the shore, if there might be a drop, there is a drop.” The terrain is usually steep, rough and full of holes that look for any opportunity to grab the front wheel and eject the rider over the bars. googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1408638783102-1'); }); With a rider height of 180 cm, we rode the 29″ Slayer Carbon 90 in size L. What immediately stood out to us is the extremely plush and sensitive rear suspension of the Slayer. With a weight of around 87 kg, the 475 lbs coil was perfect, giving us exactly 30% sag. On our way to the trail, we noticed how easily the Slayer manuals. As soon as we started heading downhill, the bike impressed us with the amount of traction it offers. Besides the unfamiliar terrain, the slack head angle and the 40 mm short stem made the front feel uncontrolled. We tried solving the problem by lowering the stem but we would personally have preferred a 45 mm or 50 mm model. The Slayer masters even the toughest trails with ease! You’re positioned very centrally on the bike and the low slung top tube gives you a good range of motion. Due to the rather moderate geometry, the bike’s handling feels very intuitive once you’ve gotten used to the short stem. As soon as the trail allows it, the Slayer motivates you to go as fast as possible. If you happen to encounter another one of those unexpected drops, you simply lift the front wheel and let the endless reserves of the suspension soak up the landing, no matter how rough it is. Having said that, the bike never feels sluggish, offering plenty of pop and always willing to get airborne. Another very positive aspect of the suspension is the enormous braking traction it generates. The powerful XTR brakes ensure optimal deceleration at all times and thanks to the robust Double Down tires we never suffered any punctures and always had a lot of grip on the occasionally super loose and soft ground. The capability of the new Slayer’s suspension is in a class of its own! Thanks to the steep seat tube angle, your riding position is upright and compact on the climbs. We never felt the need to push the saddle further forward – which we usually do on almost every other bike we’ve tested. The rear suspension generates a lot of traction on technical climbs and doesn’t wallow. However, on forest service roads and monotonous climbs, you’ll notice a significant amount of pedal bob on the super plush suspension – you’ll want to reach for the climb switch to calm things down. Helmet Specialized Ambush | Glasses Oakley Jawbreaker PRIZM Trail | Shirt Fasthouse Fastline Slash SS | Shorts iXS SEVER | Kneepads ION K Pact Our first conclusion after a day on the Slayer The careful attention to detail, good looks and, above all, the outstanding rear suspension convinced us of the new Rocky Mountain Slayer. Super sensitive, massive reserves and yet very defined – we were thrilled. The geometry is balanced and the spec is beyond reproach. If you’re looking for an enduro bike to tame the wildest trails, we recommend taking a closer look at the new Slayer. We can’t wait to spend more time testing it. Topssuper sensitive and defined suspensionfun and composed handlinggood spec on all modelsclever details comfortable climbing position Flopsstem too short for some riderspedal bob on the climbs More info at: bikes.com The new Rocky Mountain Slayer – a bike built for the roughest trails

Hands up, who loves looking at new bike kit? We’re guessing the answer is most of you! And it’s certainly all of us. So allow us to bring you another helping of shiny new kit, including kids’ cycling clothing from Alé, Endura’s Durapak packable jacket for those summer showers, Smith’s Reverb sunglasses, new mountain bike shoes from Ride Concepts and a Van Rysel bike that looks astonishingly well-specced for the money. Garmin Edge 530 GPS computer review Cheap cycling shorts for road cycling, mountain biking and commuting So what else has been happening in the world of cycling lately? Well, the amazing Fiona Kolbinger put in a sensational ride to become the first outright female winner of the Transcontinental, a 4,000km ultra-endurance race across Europe. Downhill fans will pleased to hear that there’s now a slightly cheaper aluminium version of the Scott Gambler, while Specialized has introduced the new S-Works Epic hardtail with a crazy-light 790g frame. We’ve also been to see the latest 2020 bikes from Genesis and Saracen, while, in the racing world, we’re gearing up to watch the Vuelta a España. Van Rysel RR920 CF Ultegra The Van Rysel RR920 CF Ultegra Is available from Decathlon. Earlier this year, the French cycling superstore Decathlon rebranded its higher-end Triban road bikes as Van Rysel, in order to gain ground at the performance end of the market. And while there may be an element of marketing spiel about the Dutch- or Belgian-sounding name, if our first glance at Van Rysel’s RR920 CF is anything to go by, it’s backed up by some substance and an impressively light 7.61kg weight (on our scales). The RR920 even comes with genuine race pedigree, being the weapon of choice for the AG2R La Mondiale U19 team. For £1,999.99/€2,500, you’d expect lightweight carbon and this Van Rysel frame comes in at a claimed 850g with a 320g Evo Dynamic fork that’s equally feathery on the scales. This model is kitted out with an Ultegra groupset. You might also expect a full raft of Shimano Ultegra R8000 for that price, and this bike includes the pro-compact 52/36 chainset. What you’re less likely to find is a pair of £989 Mavic Cosmic Pro Carbon wheels with 45mm NACA aero-profile carbon rims, even if they do have an aluminium braking track. These help make the Van Rysel one of the best equipped bikes at this price, with Fizik’s Antares saddle also headlining. The frame has a PressFit 86 bottom bracket shell and is Di2 compatible, with the £3,499.99/€3,600 Van Rysel RR940 having the same frame and wheels but with electronic Ultegra. We’ll be putting our Van Rysel RR920 CF Ultegra to the test in the near future. Van Rysel RR920 CF Ultegra specs: Weight: 7.61kg (medium) — measured weight Frame: Full carbon, PressFit 86 bottom bracket, 850g claimed weight Fork: Full carbon, 320g claimed weight Gears: Shimano Ultegra 52/36, 11-28 Wheels: Mavic Cosmic Pro Carbon Brakes: Shimano Ultegra, direct-mount front Finishing kit: Deda Zero stem and bar, Fizik Antares saddle, 25mm Mavic Yksion Pro tyres Price: £1,999.99/€2,500 Alé Sartana women’s and kids’ cycling kit If you fancy dressing the whole family the same, the Sartana kit comes in men’s, women’s and kids’ versions. Aoife Glass / Immediate Media Co If you like your kit bright and colourful then Alé has just the outfit for you, or for your mini cyclist, for that matter, because this kit also comes in kids’ sizes. The Sartana kit has a multi-coloured floral jungle print that will certainly stand out on the club ride, but the features aren’t restricted to looks. Designed for warm weather riding, the jersey’s fabric has been chosen for its breathability, with a lighter mesh on the sides and arms to help keep you cool in hot weather. The wide arm bands should mean that they sit in place without squishing or squeezing, and there are three deep pockets at the rear. The floral pattern will certainly get you noticed. Aoife Glass / Immediate Media Co There’s a silicone band around the hem to help keep the jersey in place, and there are subtle reflective highlights too. The adult bib shorts feature a sex-specific chamois pad and a panelled construction for figure-hugging support. The kids’ kit comes with waist shorts instead of bibs. The men’s version of this kit comes in a more subdued monochrome colourway, which is a bit of a shame. That said, there’s also a more low-key version of the women’s print too, so if you like the flowers but don’t want to go completely rainbow, Alé has you covered. Price: £185 / €177 / $TBC Ride Concepts Skyline Shoes Flat pedal fans will be pleased to see another addition to the rather sparse market. Aoife Glass A fresh arrival in the world of flat pedal shoes, Ride Concepts has just hit the UK from the US and already has a raft of high profile riders on its roster, including downhill World Cup racers Gee and Rachel Atherton. The brand hails from Lake Tahoe in the Sierra Nevada mountains, an area known for its great mountain biking, and the extensive range includes several flat pedal and clipless shoes that cover everything from trail riding to downhill racing. The Skyline shoe here though is a rugged, protective shoe that looks well suited to aggressive or technical riding. It features a rubber outsole with a custom-moulded toe and heel cup for added protection from hits. The inner ankle cuff is cut higher to provide a bit more protection for the ankle bones from the bike. There are two colour options: a blue outer with a grey sole or black with dark purple highlights. Ride Concepts offers a good range of sizes, from US5 to US10. In the UK, they’re available from UK4 to UK8. However, British riders take note; the sizing is a bit off, with the UK7 that we have in fitting more like a UK6. Price: £134.95 / $150 View this post on Instagram Who can guess which bike @jacquelucque is talking about in this video? Or, You can find out the answer by heading to our YouTube channel and watching the latest episode of BikeRadar Diaries. #terrifyingtt #retrovsmodern #jackvsjoe #hotboizofbikeradar #bikeradardiaries A post shared by BikeRadar (@bikeradar) on Aug 2, 2019 at 6:08am PDT Smith Reverb glasses The Reverb glasses come with a spare lens in a complementary tint plus a storage case. A good set of performance specs should be on every rider’s kit list. Smith’s Reverb sunglasses have a minimalist design consisting of a central one-piece lens, with detachable arms which click into place. This makes swapping the lens over to suit different light conditions very easy — good news if you live somewhere with changeable weather. Each set of glasses comes with two lenses, typically one lightly tinted to suit most riding conditions and a more heavily tinted lens for brighter conditions. The Reverb glasses are crammed with neat details. There’s also a range of arm colours, so you’ll be able to find a set that suits your kit. You can also buy spare lenses if you want a different tint or have an accident with the set you have. The Matte Moss set pictured comes with the Chromapop Red Mirror lens for bright conditions and contrast-enhancing Chromapop Contrast Rose lenses for dull weather. You also get a storage case and bag to keep everything together. Price: £189 / $189 View this post on Instagram How's this for a seat cluster? Coming soon to BikeRadar.com. ???????????????? #raw #gravel #mtb A post shared by BikeRadar (@bikeradar) on Jul 30, 2019 at 7:31am PDT Endura Durajak packable windproof jacket The Durajak from Endura is a packable, lightweight windproof with DWR coating. Aoife Glass Summer riding in some parts of the world can be an… interesting experience. Your ride might start off cool and crisp in the morning, then warm up rapidly. Endura’s very packable Durajak is designed for exactly this scenario; when you need something light and windproof to keep the chill off in the morning, on long descents or when stopping for lunch. The lightweight jacket squishes down to a size that’s small enough to stow in a pocket or waist bag. It features a full-length zip, hood and is constructed from a windproof Cordura fabric with a DWR coating, which should help keep light rain showers at bay. The fit is relaxed and it comes in sizes S to XXL. Price: £79.99 / €89.99 / $119.99

Calibre has just sent us details of its new Bossnut — one of the most impressive budget mountain bikes available. The new version of the bike gets up to date geometry and an impressive spec list, and it’s still a good price too at £1,100 with the Go Outdoors Discount Card (which costs a fiver). Best mountain bike 2019, how to choose the right one for you Specialized release sub-8KG Epic hardtail XC bike The Bossnut is, without doubt, one of the most impressive bikes you can buy for around £1,000, and joins the £2,000 Sentry enduro bike which was released earlier this year. Ever since its introduction, the bike has been the one to beat when it comes to pocket-friendly trail-orientated, 130mm travel, full-suspension mountain bikes. Not only was the parts package a lesson in picking decent kit for not much money, but the Bossnut was also a genuinely great bike to ride. There’s an alternative Women’s colour too, which we think looks rather good! Calibre Calibre’s designer, Mike Sanderson, always felt that cheaper bikes shouldn’t be compromised by their geometry or suspension, and so the frame itself was excellent, especially for the money. Calibre has built on this with the new Bossnut, and the bike’s geometry is now longer, lower and slacker — something we talk about all the time. Plus, the introduction of SRAM’s SX Eagle drivetrain makes a ‘proper’ 12-speed, 1x specific drivetrain possible at this price point. The hydroformed aluminium frame gets internal cable routing for a stealth dropper post too. SRAM’s SX Eagle drivetrain provides an 11-50t range. Calibre Almost more impressive is the addition of a bolt-thru rear end. There are distinct performance benefits to having a bolt thru-axle on a full-suspension bike, such as improving stiffness at both ends, and it also makes it a much more attractive prospect to upgrade later when budgets allow, because higher performance wheelsets rarely have a QR option these days. RockShox’s Monarch shock sits inside the frame. Calibre Calibre Bossnut 2020 geometry Calibre branded finishing kit is used, including a 780mm bar. Calibre While far from radical, the Bossnut has a shape that sits right up there with the big players. Reach figures have grown, head angles have slackened and seat tubes are steeper. Here are the key figures for a large Bossnut; Reach: 460mm Seat tube: 480mm Head angle: 66 degrees Seat tube angle: 74.5 degrees Chainstays: 436mm Bottom bracket drop: 24mm Calibre Bossnut spec A RockShox Recon RL fork controls the front of the bike. Calibre The spec is impressive for a £1,100 bike: a 130mm air-spring fork from RockShox is paired with a RockShox shock, while there’s SRAM brakes and a 12-speed drivetrain. Fork: RockShox Recon RL 130mm (non-Boost) Shock: RockShox Monarch R Drivetrain: SRAM SX Eagle, 11-50 12-speed cassette Brakes: SRAM Level T 180mm/160mm rotors Wheelset: Formula hubs, WTB ST i29 rims Tyres: WTB Vigilante High Grip Comp 27.5 x 2.3in front, WTB Trail Boss Comp 27.5 x 2.25in rear Finishing kit: Calibre branded, including 45mm stem and 780mm bars SRAM Level T brakes bring the bike to a halt. Calibre Calibre Bossnut pricing and availability The Go Outdoors Discount Card is a £5 membership card that gets you a range of discounts across the store. With the card, the Bossnut costs £1,100. The previous Bossnut was available for £1,000 with the card and £1,300 without it, so we imagine the vast majority of potential customers will see the value in purchasing the card! WTB Vigilante tyres have a chunky tread for front-end grip. Calibre The Bossnut is available now from your local Go Outdoors and online.

Whether you’re looking for padded shorts for cycling, commuter shorts, road cycling bib shorts or mountain bike baggy shorts, we’ve got you covered. This selection of affordable shorts will cater to all budgets. Cheap cycling jerseys: five affordable options for road cycling and commuting by bike The best cheap road bikes for 2019: 8 great choices for £600 or less Cheap cycling shorts: our favourites for 2019 B’Twin Triban RC500 Bib Shorts Endura MTR baggy MTB shorts dhb Blok camo women’s bib shorts Altura Tempo undershorts Endura 6-panel Essential Cycle Short B’Twin Triban RC500 Bib Shorts Buy now from {merchant} ({price}), {merchant} ({price}) and {merchant} ({price})."> (function () { var s = document.createElement('script'); s.type = 'text/javascript'; s.async = true; s.src = "//knl.mntzr11.net/widget/intext/app.bundle.js"; s.onload = function () { new inText({ domain: "knl.mntzr11.net", shopId: 608, geolocation: true, }); }; var x = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; x.parentNode.insertBefore(s, x); //trim whitespace from li to flag empty items (twig seems to strip out closing if you remove the space..... [].forEach.call(document.querySelectorAll('.monetizer-in-text-link'), function(textLink) { textLink.innerHTML = textLink.innerHTML.trim(); }); })(); The B’Twin Triban RC500 bib shorts can be found in outdoor super-retailer Decathlon. Robert Smith / Immediate Media Co Sizes: S–XXL Colours: Black, Navy Features: Matching jersey available, good muscle support, side leg pocket These shorts offer impressive overall performance for the price. Available from Decathlon, they combine a mesh upper, which helps keep you cool when riding, a pad with gel inserts and supportive Lycra that sits perfectly in place. Endura MTR Baggy MTB shorts 4.5 out of 5 star rating Buy now from {merchant} ({price}), {merchant} ({price}) and {merchant} ({price})."> (function () { var s = document.createElement('script'); s.type = 'text/javascript'; s.async = true; s.src = "//knl.mntzr11.net/widget/intext/app.bundle.js"; s.onload = function () { new inText({ domain: "knl.mntzr11.net", shopId: 608, geolocation: true, }); }; var x = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; x.parentNode.insertBefore(s, x); //trim whitespace from li to flag empty items (twig seems to strip out closing if you remove the space..... [].forEach.call(document.querySelectorAll('.monetizer-in-text-link'), function(textLink) { textLink.innerHTML = textLink.innerHTML.trim(); }); })(); Endura MTR baggy shorts are a good quality, affordably-priced option Immediate Media Co Sizes: S–XXL Colours: Black, Matt Grey, Navy, Khaki Features: Lightweight four-way stretch material, mesh panel for breathability, DWR-coated rear panel Designed for fast, light riding, these shorts are ideal for mountain bikers who want a good set of shorts that move with the rider, are breathable and fit well. The silicone dots at the waistband help keep the shorts in place, and a DWR-treated rear panel helps keep riders dry when riding on wet trails. These would also work well for commuters looking for something practical to ride in. Read the full Endura MTR baggy mountain bike short review dhb Blok Women’s Bib Shorts Buy now from {merchant} ({price}), {merchant} ({price}) and {merchant} ({price})."> (function () { var s = document.createElement('script'); s.type = 'text/javascript'; s.async = true; s.src = "//knl.mntzr11.net/widget/intext/app.bundle.js"; s.onload = function () { new inText({ domain: "knl.mntzr11.net", shopId: 608, geolocation: true, }); }; var x = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; x.parentNode.insertBefore(s, x); //trim whitespace from li to flag empty items (twig seems to strip out closing if you remove the space..... [].forEach.call(document.querySelectorAll('.monetizer-in-text-link'), function(textLink) { textLink.innerHTML = textLink.innerHTML.trim(); }); })(); 4.0 out of 5 star rating dhb’s Blok Camo women’s cycling shorts are a great choice for value and comfort Phil Hall / Immediate Media Sizes: UK8, 10, 12, 14, 16 Colours: Various Features: Comfortable chamois, good fit, great colours and designs with matching kit. Men’s versions also available. Good quality kit that’s comfortable for long and short rides. If you do like to coordinate, the Blok range has a whole host of mix-and-match kit available including jerseys, socks, baselayers and sleeves so you can coordinate as much or as little as you like. Read the dhb Women’s Blok shorts review Altura Tempo undershorts Buy now from {merchant} ({price}), {merchant} ({price}) and {merchant} ({price})."> (function () { var s = document.createElement('script'); s.type = 'text/javascript'; s.async = true; s.src = "//knl.mntzr11.net/widget/intext/app.bundle.js"; s.onload = function () { new inText({ domain: "knl.mntzr11.net", shopId: 608, geolocation: true, }); }; var x = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; x.parentNode.insertBefore(s, x); //trim whitespace from li to flag empty items (twig seems to strip out closing if you remove the space..... [].forEach.call(document.querySelectorAll('.monetizer-in-text-link'), function(textLink) { textLink.innerHTML = textLink.innerHTML.trim(); }); })(); A simple pair of padded shorts that are designed to be worn under trousers, shorts or skirts for added comfort Altura Sizes: Women’s UK8 to 18, men’s S to XXL Colour: Black, grey Features: Great for commuters and mountain bikers, men’s and women’s versions available, chamois pad with memory foam These shorts are designed to be worn under shorts or trousers, so they’re perfect for mountain bikers to wear under baggies, or for commuters who’d like a bit of comfort on their ride to work to wear under trousers or a skirt. They’re a perfect choice for those who don’t want to look like a full Lycra-clad cyclist. They consist of a high-wicking soft jersey short with a chamois pad and wide elastic band. Endura 6-panel Essential Cycle Short Buy now from {merchant} ({price}), {merchant} ({price}) and {merchant} ({price})."> (function () { var s = document.createElement('script'); s.type = 'text/javascript'; s.async = true; s.src = "//knl.mntzr11.net/widget/intext/app.bundle.js"; s.onload = function () { new inText({ domain: "knl.mntzr11.net", shopId: 608, geolocation: true, }); }; var x = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; x.parentNode.insertBefore(s, x); //trim whitespace from li to flag empty items (twig seems to strip out closing if you remove the space..... [].forEach.call(document.querySelectorAll('.monetizer-in-text-link'), function(textLink) { textLink.innerHTML = textLink.innerHTML.trim(); }); })(); A padded cycle short for an affordable price Endura Sizes: S–XXXL Colour: Black Features: Silicone leg grippers, antibacterial chamois pad If you’re looking for a simple, basic padded short for cycling, then Endura has a good option in its Essential Cycle Short. The six-panel Lycra construction is designed to fit well, with silicone leg grippers to keep the shorts in place when pedaling.

Oh, hello Friday. Wow, just look at you, with your enticing ways, coyly suggesting two whole days of two-wheeled fun awaits. And, dammit, you’re right! Just a few hours of work to get through first. So, let us cushion your entry into the weekend with a delicious carbon component from CeramicSpeed, or how about a sleek new wheelset from Vision? For those of you who like things with a little more rough and tumble, there’s a new full-face helmet from 100% and products from Peaty’s to clean things up afterwards. Trek Domane SLR 9.9 Project One first ride review I won’t miss BB90, the worse bottom bracket standard Wilier Zero SLR The Wilier Zero SLR road bike is a real looker Jack Luke / Immediate Media This is Wilier’s Zero SLR, a lightweight disc-equipped race bike from the Italian brand. Just take a moment to appreciate its beauty. From the striking ‘velvet red’ frame finish with white highlights, to the dropped ‘stays, uncluttered cable-free profile and aerodynamic elements throughout. The bike is built around a Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 groupset Jack Luke / Immediate Media Wilier provides a range of build options, including Shimano Dura-Ace Di2, SRAM Force ETAP AXS and SRAM Red ETAP AXS groupsets (among others), and a range of wheelsets including Fulcrum Racing Zero Carbon and Wilier’s own NDR38KC Carbon hoops. Prices range from €5,000 for the frame kit up to €11,200 for the SRAM Red ETAP AXS Disc build with either a Fulcrum Racing Zero Carbon wheelset or a Wilier Triestina ULT38KT Carbon Tubular wheelset. Wilier claims that the frame weighs 900g for a size medium in a matte finish and that an entire bike build weighs 6.5kg. We weighed it at 6.51kg, so yes, pretty much spot on. Those clean lines are created by running brake and derailleur cables internally through the integrated carbon handlebar and the frame and fork. Look! No cables! Jack Luke / Immediate Media Wilier claims that through a variety of carbon manufacturing techniques it has managed to exceed the stiffness to weight value on the Zero SLR by 24 percent over its previous models the Zero.6 and Zero 7. Other design elements include an asymmetric rear triangle with a more acute angle on the left seatstay compared to the right. According to Wilier, this counteracts the forces that the rider puts through the bike on the driveside. For quick wheel removal and low weight, Wilier has also opted to use Mavic Speed Release thru-axles. keep your eyes on BikeRadar for the full review in the coming weeks. Price: From €7,700 depending on build Buy from Wilier Vision SC wheels The Vision SC 55 wheelset offers carbon rims and hand-assembly for a more accessible price. Jack Luke / Immediate Media On the lookout for some new carbon wheels, don’t have huge amounts of cash to spend, want to ensure you’re getting good quality? Well, Vision would say that its new SC wheels are worth your consideration. They combine a carbon rim with alloy hubs and straight-pull aero spokes to form a package that aims to offer an enticingly low weight for the price. There is a rim and and a disc brake version of the wheels Jack Luke / Immediate Media Both options come as either rim or disc brake compatible, and there are Shimano and SRAM XDR options for the alloy free hubs. Vision SC 40 DB 40mm depth carbon rims, clincher or tubular ready P.R.A hubs with 2:1 aero-bladed direct-pull spokes with ABS self-locking nipples ISO 6-Bolt and Centerlock disc brake rotor mount Six sealed cartridge bearings, two front and four rear Shimano 10/11spd or SRAM XDR 12spd freehub 1,556g claimed weight per pair without quick release skewers Vision SC 40 40mm depth carbon rims, clincher only Hubs with 2:1 aero-bladed direct-pull spokes Six sealed cartridge bearings, two front and four rear Shimano 10/11spd or SRAM XDR 12spd freehub 1,410g claimed weight per pair without quick release skewer Vision SC 55 DB 55mm depth carbon rims, clincher and tubular compatible P.R.A hubs with direct-pull 2:1 aero bladed spokes with ABS self-locking nipples Six sealed cartridge bearings, two front and four rear ISO 6-bolt and Centerlock rotor mount Shimano 10/11spd or SRAM XDR 12spd freehub 1,640g claimed weight per pair without quick release skewers Vision SC 55 55mm depth carbon rims, clincher only Hubs with 2:1 aero-bladed direct-pull spokes with ABS self-locking nipples Six sealed cartridge bearings, two front and four rear Shimano 10/11spd or SRAM XDR 12spd freehub 1,510g claimed weight per pair without quick release skewers One of the big selling points of these wheels is they offer many of the benefits of Vision’s pricier Metron wheels but at a lower price. Our product testers rated the Metron wheels highly, with 5 out of 5 stars and “near Zipp-like performance”. Like the Metron, the SC offers a carbon rim with an internal width of 19mm, alloy free hubs, aero direct-pull spokes and hand-built construction. SC40: £TBC / $999 SC55: £TBC / $1,099 Buy direct from Vision 100% Trajecta full-face helmet The opening at the face is wide, which should mean good peripheral vision when riding Jack Luke / Immediate Media Protecting your head is no joke. Mountain biking comes with its fair share of spills to match the thrills, which is why investing in a good helmet is important. There has been a lot of new technology on the market in recent months, all designed to help reduce the forces your brain experiences if or when you hit the deck. These include custom MIPS liners in helmets, such as in the MET Parachute, and the Koroyd developed Endura MT500 helmet. 100% ‘s new Trajecta full-face helmet features what the brand calls its Smartshock Rotational Protective System. The helmet itself is constructed from an injection moulded polycarbonate shell with multi-density EPS foam. The Smartshock Rotational Protective System works in a similar way to MIPS (Multidirectional Impact Protection System) in that it’s essentially a mechanism that isolates and protects the wearer’s skull from direct and rotational forces. The Smartshock system does this by using a series of 13 Smartshock elastomer pegs that join a padded layer around the rider’s head to the EPS foam liner. When an impact is experienced, these pegs deform to allow the inner layer to move independently of the outer by a limited amount, dissipating force. The brand also claims it’s lightweight, breathable and comfortable. We will of course be testing those claims, so keep your eyes on BikeRadar in the coming weeks for a full review. In the meantime, we can say that it has 24 large vents, including five ports at the front of the helmet, plus seven in the chin bar. Vents are also located low at the rear and sides of the helmet, and are designed to channel air around the wearer’s head. The visor can be adjusted to different positions to allow a wider field of view or make room for goggle stowage. 100% has opted for a D-ring chin strap closure rather than a clasp, and the liner is both antimicrobial and washable, which should help avoid helmet pong or forehead spot. The Trajecta is available in four sizes: small, medium, large and extra-large; and five colourways: Essential Black, Black/White, Charcoal, Slate Blue, and Red (pictured). Price: £229 / $250 / AU$TBC Weight: 904g for the size large Peaty’s XXX Solvent Degreaser and Disc Brake Cleaner Get your bike nice and clean with these products from your favourite Sheffield-based downhill racing legend Jack Luke / Immediate Media British downhill mountain bike legend Steve Peat has been producing his own range of bike maintenance products for a few years now. Peaty’s range started off with valve caps and sparkly tubeless milk and has expanded into lube, cleaning spray, rim tape and more. Two new products joining the lineup are the XXX Solvent Degreaser and Disc Brake Cleaner. The degreaser is designed to be strong stuff, capable of removing grease, oil and wax, including bitumen and tar. Incidentally, you may not want to use this on parts such as your drivetrain unless you are looking to strip all the lubricant off. Instead, Peaty’s recommends using its alternative product Foaming Drivetrain Degreaser, which is designed to only remove chain lube and everyday dirt, and not go near your waterproof bearing grease. The degreaser bears the tagline ‘kills grease, not the environment’, is water-soluble and is listed as biodegradable, which is good news for riders who are concerned about their environmental footprint. The Disc Brake Cleaner is a solvent spray designed to remove contaminants and improve braking performance, and help you lose that awful squealing noise that comes with contaminated pads. It can be sprayed on all brake components including the calipers, discs and pads and is even biodegradable. Both products are listed as carbon safe, so you’ll be okay using them on your shiny (or matte) high-end steeds too. They come in colour-coded 400ml cans and are available via Saddleback and through many good local bike shops in the UK and internationally, including the US and Australia. Peaty’s XXX Solvent Degreaser: £7.99 / $TBC / AU$TBC Available via Wiggle Peaty’s Disc Brake Cleaner – £7.99 / $TBC / AU$TBC Available via Wiggle View this post on Instagram Our Matthew has got beef with a bike he's been testing, and you'll find out which one it is on our YouTube channel tomorrow ????????????‍♀️ In the meantime, does anyone have any guesses what it is? A post shared by BikeRadar (@bikeradar) on Jul 23, 2019 at 2:23am PDT CeramicSpeed OSPW X for SRAM Eagle Mechanical Oh-so-lightweight and oh-so-expensive. Jack Luke / Immediate Media If weight is all important and price is only secondary (or lower) in your concerns, then the ridiculously light Oversize Pulley Wheel system for SRAM Eagle mechs is going to be right up your (nice part of town) street. CeramicSpeed, purveyors of beautifully lightweight bike bling, has created a pulley wheel system that weighs a scant 85g. Handmade in Denmark, it features the narrow-wide tooth profile required to work with an Eagle chain, which gives it excellent chain retention and is constructed from a combination of aluminium (the pulley wheels themselves) and carbon reinforced cage. Compatible with 12spd Eagle drivetrains, it works with Eagle XX1, X01, GX and NX mechanical and yes, there is an AXS version for those of you who’ve already gone full wireless. There are currently two versions of this mech. The standard version retails at €479 and the coated bearing version retails at €559. There’s also a gold version in the works too, which will coordinate nicely with the other gold elements on the premium Eagle drivetrain. In the box you also get 15ml of CeramicSpeed Bearing Oil. Standard: €479 / £TBC / $TBC Coated: €559 / £TBC / $TBC Available from CeramicSpeed

After two years and 300 HB.160s sold, there are some new things coming from Barnoldswick. The Hope HB.130 keeps the sleek design and technical innovations that made the HB.160 such a unique bike but comes with 130 mm travel, 29” wheels and completely updated geometry. Hope HB.130 | 140/130 mm (f/r) | € 7,500 | 13.1 kg googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1408638783102-0'); }); Hope’s mantra “If we can make it in-house, we will make it in-house” holds true for the new HB.130. The carefully constructed carbon main frame, the exquisitely machined rear end and basically all components except for the tires, drivetrain and suspension come directly from the Hope factory in Barnoldswick, England. If you get your kicks from anodised, machined titillation you should be quite happy here. As the name suggests, the HB.130 offers 130 mm travel at the rear, is fitted with a 140 mm fork and rolls on 29” wheels. The bike comes in just one high-end spec that cost € 7,500 and weighs 13.1 kg. If you have your own particular wishes on spec and finishing kit, the HB.130 will also be available as a frameset for € 4,700. That obviously sounds like a lot of money, but the package you get is much more than just a frame and a shock. More on that in a second. Let’s start with the most exciting part. The Hope HB.130 is manufactured almost completely in England – only the tires, drivetrain and suspension come from external suppliers. The black logos are sandwiched between two layers of paint. If you’re after a more individual look, coloured sticker kits are available that sit in exactly the same place, though on top of the paint. Hope HB.130 geometry – a modern 29er Trail bike Developing the HB.160 in a manufacturable and production-ready bike turned out to be quite a challenge and cost a lot of time, which is why its geometry ended up being dated when it was released. The new HB.130 profited from the manufacturing experience Hope gained, allowing full attention to be placed on updating the geometry. The wheel size, travel and Trail bike intentions set the brief for the design. Continuous development over two years and three prototypes resulted in this, the fourth iteration and the production version of the HB.130. The numbers speak for themselves and on paper, the bike is a modern Trail bike with a reach of 470 mm, a head angle of 66° and a seat tube angle of 75.7° (all for a size L). The angles and bottom bracket height can be adjusted with a flip chip which actually makes a noticeable difference in handling and broadens the range of riding the HB.130 can do. We’ll look at this in more detail in our first ride impressions. The Hope HB.130 will initially be available only in sizes M, L and XL, though if there’s enough demand, a size S may also be added. Hope has learnt from the mistakes of the HB.160 – the geometry of the HB.130 is bang up to date. The flip chip offers you the choice of two geometries – low or high. We recommend the slacker setting for more fun on the downhills. Größe M L XL Sattelrohr 420 mm 450 mm 490 mm Oberrohr 600 mm 627 mm 654 mm Steuerrohr 100 mm 105 mm 110 mm Lenkwinkel (high/low) 66,5/66° 66,5/66° 66,5/66° Sitzwinkel (high/low) 76,7/76,2° 76,7/76,2° 76,7/76,2° Kettenstrebe 435 mm 435 mm 435 mm Tretlagerabsenkung (high/low) 33/39,5 mm 33/39,5 mm 33/39,5 mm Radstand 1191 mm 1213 mm 1235 mm Reach 455 mm 475 mm 495 mm Stack 615 mm 619 mm 624 mm About the suspension The rear end of the Hope HB.130 uses the same Horst link design featured on the HB.160 as Hope was happy with how it performed and behaved there. With the custom-tuned metric shock (210×50), the kinematics are similar to the HB.160 in the high setting and gain some additional progression in the low setting. A detailed look at the Hope HB.130’s special features The HB.130’s monocoque carbon frame has the same, sleek carbon finish as the HB.160, with just two layers of clear coat to fix the logos in place. The rear end is a labour of love that is machined from aluminium and has no visible weld seams. Unlike the HB.160, all the connections are slotted and glued together. That doesn’t only look better but allows Hope to use a non-weldable aluminium alloy that is stronger and more durable. In addition, it spares having to do the time-consuming alignment of the frame necessary to correct for slight warping during welding. The chainstays are now glued instead of welded and instead of a radial brake mount, the bike uses a Postmount fitting CNC-porn wherever the eye wanders A thick rubber protector shields the down tube The cable runs are neat and rattle-free The finishing is absolutely top class. Instead of the radial brake mount that required special brake callipers, the rear brake now uses the normal Postmount standard for maximum compatibility. The bottom bracket area has also been updated and now uses a threaded BB – though in Hope’s own proprietary 46 mm format. However, it does offer the option to fit any of the current crank axle standards on the bike and Hope offers bearings to suit each one. The other welcome new feature is the space for a large bottle in the frame. Just like the HB.160, the HB.130 uses 130 mm spacing for the rear end with a special hub to fit That makes the rear slightly narrower and ensures a rear wheel with even spoke angles The HB.130 keeps the special 130 mm rear dropouts and 17 mm thru-axle. That reduces “wasted” space on the brake side while maintaining effectively the same flange spacing as on a Boost hub. Theoretically, the biggest advantage of this system is that the spoke angles on each side are equal, resulting in a stiffer and more durable rear wheel. However, it does also limit you to using only the special Hope hubs as no other manufacturer builds hubs around this format. Spec, availability and service Like the HB.160, the Hope HB.130 will only be available in a single base build, though with various upgrade options. For € 7,500 you get FOX Factory suspension with a 36 GRIP2 fork and DPX2 shock. The suspension can be changed to Öhlins kit consisting of a RXF 36 EVO fork and a TTX air shock, free of charge. The bike comes fitted with a SRAM X01 Eagle groupset, though the cranks can be upgraded to Hope’s own offering for an extra € 360. Further upgrade options include the Santa Cruz Reserve 30 carbon rims and a SRAM Eagle AXS groupset. The Hope HB.130 is available as either a frameset or a high-spec complete build High-end build or dream custom bike – the Hope HB.130 is also available as a frameset. Except for the dropper remote, everything in this image is Hope The HB-logoed hubs are only available with the HB.130 complete built or frameset You also have the option to specify options such as your stem, crank or dropper length, rim width, rotor size of the Tech 3 E4 brakes and the colour of the large array of anodised Hope parts for free. You can choose from seven colours, though Team Green is only available for selected parts. If you desire, you have the option of seven different colours for all the anodised Hope parts as well as decals How about silver? Or stealth black? The suspension can also be upgraded to the Öhlins suspension here free of charge. Hope HB.130 complete build Fork FOX 36 Factory GRIP2 140 mm Schock FOX DPX2 Factory 3 Pos. 130 mm Brakes Hope Tech 3 E4 160/180/200 mm Drivetrain SRAM X01 Eagle Seatpost FOX Transfer, 125/150 mm Stem Hope AM, 35/50 Handlebar Hope Carbon 780 mm Wheelset Hope PRO4 Naben, Hope FORTUS 26 Felgen (verschiedene Felgenbreiten möglich) 29″ Tires MAXXIS Minion DHF/MAXXIS Minion DHR 2.5WT/2.3″ Price € 7,500 Optional Upgrades Hope Evo cranks: € 360 SRAM Eagle AXS: tbd Öhlins RXF 36 Evo fork + TTX shock: no extra cost Santa Cruz Reserve 30 carbon-rims: 1.695 € (complete build), 2.200 € (aftermarket) Sticker kit (8 colours available): 38 € The HB.130 is also available as a frameset. Because of its proprietary standards, the frame-only package includes the frame, shock and headset along with a bottom bracket and hubs as well. Hope HB.130 Frameset Shock FOX DPX2 Factory 3 Pos. 130 mm Bottom bracket Hope HB Headset Hope HB Saddle clamp Hope Hubs Hope PRO4 HB Edition Price € 4,700 The HB.130 will be available from the middle/end of September but can be ordered immediately. The delivery time for the standard spec is anticipated at 3–4 weeks as due to its involved production, it’s not feasible to make more than 5–6 frames per week. Hope is justifiably proud of its high-quality manufacturing and offers a lifetime guarantee – of the 300 existing HB.160s, not one has come back for warranty. If you want, you can also pick up your bike in Barnoldswick and get a factory tour thrown in as well. Helmet 100% ALTEC Glasses Oakley Jawbreaker Prizm Trail Shirt Fasthouse Jody Tech Tee Shorts POC Resistance Enduro Pads POC Joint VPD System Knee Schuhe O’Neal FLOW SPD Hip Pack High Above Lookout Pack Hope HB.130 first ride impressions As mentioned before, the HB.130 is endowed with modern geometry that makes you feel at ease as soon as you get on. The reach is comfortable, the seat tube angle neither too steep nor too slack and the bottom bracket is relatively low, letting you feel completely at one with the bike. With the flip chip in the high position you can surmount basically any climb without the front wheel lifting – the only limit will be your fitness or lack of low enough gearing. Even with the slightly slacker seat angle in the low setting, the bike still ascends without any problems and keep the front wheel planted. However, we would advice moving your saddle forwards to stay in complete control. The Horst link suspension has a tendency to bob when the shock is in open mode and it’s definitely helpful to use the climb switch for long uphill sections. The Hope HB.130 is an outstanding and versatile companion even on longer riding trips Steep uphills, technical trails, high-speed flow – the HB.130 is versatile and won’t let you miss out on any fun. The Hope HB.130 climbs extremely well. Unfortunately, the rear end has a tendency to bob up and down so you’re better of reaching for the climb switch on the shock. Thie bike offers a well-integrated riding position and the suspension is sensitive and plush On the way downhill, the rear end reveals just how capable it is, particularly when in the low setting. The HB.130 sticks to the ground, swallowing bumps effectively with good progression at the end of the suspension stroke, while being able to deal with big hits too. The handling can be descrbed as intuitive, quick and precise without feeling nervous at high speeds. The FOX 36 GRIP2 fork suits the character of the bike very well. In the high setting, the handling is similar, though the front end reacts even more sensitively, requiring a little more concentration. Given that the bike seems to climb just as willingly in both settings, the low option should be perfect for everyone except the most hardcore XC racers or long-distance riders. The agile and manoeuvrable handling is perfect for technical sections … … as well as blazingly fast high speed trails. Conclusion The Hope HB.130 is pretty much exactly the bike that the HB.160 should have been. A versatile and modern bike that scores points with its downhill performance, but will be just as happy with you spending long days in the saddle. At € 7,500 it’s not cheap but arguably offers acceptable value for money when you consider the manufacturing quality, manual labour and above all the excellent service and support that’s behind it. As a customisable English piece of crafted technology, this is basically a must-have for Hope fans and definitely an interesting option for anyone looking for something a bit different. Topsexcellent geometryincredibly high-end finishingcomprehensive customisation optionsversatileFlopsrear end tends to bob when pedalling uphill For more information visit: hopetechhb.com

When you live and breathe bikes everyday, it’s difficult to know what to do when you stop spinning and sit still for a while. Thankfully we’ve got your back, with our list of recommended cycling-related books to keep your cravings at bay when it’s — heaven forbid — too hot to ride. 10 great cycling books There are plenty of really well-known cycling books on the market, but we’ve tried to veer off the tracks a little with this list, including some lesser known options, as well as some brand new publications for 2019. Recommended reads Revolution: How the Bicycle Reinvented Modern Britain, William Manners (2019) Back in the Frame, Jools Walker (2019) Pedal Zombies: Thirteen Feminist Bicycle Science Fiction Stories, edited by Elly Blue (2015) What Goes Around, Emily Chappell (2011) Mind is the Ride, Jet McDonald (2019) Gifts for cyclists: 10 of the best cycling books Revolution: How the Bicycle Reinvented Modern Britain, William Manners (2019) Revolution explores how the humble bicycle impacted many aspects of Victorian society, from racing and competition, to fashion and showing off. Duckworth This is one for the history nerds, and is reasonably hot off the press, with the paperback only released last week. William Manners, AKA The Victorian Cyclist, has written an in-depth and highly entertaining social history of cycling in 1890s Britain. Revolution explores various aspects of how the two-wheeled wonder machine improved the lives of the more marginalised areas of society, including women and the working class. It covers various social uses and areas of public life, including fashion, competition, sociability, romance and travel. So, whether your interest lies in the history of cycling, the emancipation of women, Victorian society or anything in between, we reckon you’ll really enjoy this well-researched and humorous book. Available from Amazon (£9.18/$9.36) Back in the Frame, Jools Walker (2019) Back in the Frame is charming and engaging, much like its author. Mildred Locke Jools Walker, AKA Lady Velo, is another blogger-turned-author who released a debut book this year. Back in the Frame charts Walker’s return to cycling as an adult, having not ridden since her teenage years. It’s open and honest, charming and funny, and inspiring for anyone feeling nervous about getting back into cycling after a long hiatus. On top of that, the book is an eye-opening insight into an area of cycling that may not be familiar to many readers: navigating the industry as a woman of colour. Walker shares her ups and downs in a way that’s relatable and entertaining, and her passion for all things two-wheeled and determination to get more people on board really shines through. Most of all, her story shows that there’s no one true way to be a ‘cyclist’. Walker has a passion for fashion and cycling style and shows that you can don Lycra on a Sunday for a road ride and then be back in a dress for commuting on Monday morning. A really enjoyable and accessible read. Available from Waterstones (£14.99) and Amazon ($15.26) Pedal Zombies: Thirteen Feminist Bicycle Science Fiction Stories, edited by Elly Blue (2015) If you like sci-fi, bikes, zombies and feminism, you’ll probably love Pedal Zombies. Mildred Locke And now for something completely different. Pedal Zombies, published by Portland, Oregon based Microcosm Publishing, is a collection of sci-fi stories where bicycles are central to the survival of the human race in some fashion. Imagine a future where gas tanks are dry and the only way to survive is on two wheels. Or there’s a pedal-powered zombie apocalypse on the horizon where the effect of the virus is only dulled by the ecstasy of cycling. How about a world where only reanimated bicycles roam the lands, free of human interference? Some of the stories are scary, while others are hilarious. There’s a real mixture to keep you entertained, and the nice thing is that a collection of short stories is easy to dip into whenever you have only a short amount of time to spare. Fire up your imagination, and if this kind of thing floats your boat, be sure to check out other publications from Microcosm, such as Bikes Not Rockets, Biketopia and The Velocipede Races. Available from Wordery (£7.31) and Amazon ($7.42) What Goes Around: A London Cycle Courier’s Story, Emily Chappell (2011) What Goes Around details the highs and lows of life as a cycle courier, and is a really engaging read. Mildred Locke An oldie but a goodie. Emily Chappell’s memoir about her time as a bike courier in London is a riveting read. What Goes Around takes place long before Chappell embarked upon her ultra-distance racing career (which includes being the first woman to finish the 2016 Transcontinental Race), and co-founding The Adventure Syndicate. We find her in a reception job, having completed her masters degree, and contemplating what to do with her life. Her role involved receiving important documents delivered by cycle couriers, and these frequent encounters inspired her to get back on her bike. If you’ve ever romanticised the idea of becoming a courier then this is a must-read. Chappell takes us through the highs (community, coffee and confidence) and lows (the first winter was a baptism of fire). You’ll follow her through some real personal growth, and experience both the excitement and the despair that comes with being a courier. The book will either leave you feeling satisfied that it’s not for you or have you frantically digging out your messenger bag. Available from Stanfords (£9.99) and Amazon ($16.25) Mind is the Ride, Jet McDonald (2019) Mind is the Ride is no ordinary travelogue, it’s a philosophical journey. Mildred Locke Back in 2016, Jet McDonald told us in his own words why cycling and philosophy aren’t so different. Since then, he’s successfully crowdfunded and published his debut book Mind is the Ride, a journey from West to East via the various components of a bicycle. It’s an abstract concept, but it works. Mind is the Ride isn’t an ordinary travel book. It may involve a literal journey from Bristol to India, but it’s also a philosophical journey from West to East, and an imaginary journey around the bicycle itself. Although the premise seems complex, McDonald really pulls it off. It works. His writing style is fluid and accessible, while his storytelling is compelling and self-deprecating. As you move from component to component, the bike is gradually built, the history of philosophy is explored, and the journey from Bristol to India is completed. Buckle up for the ride, and put your thinking cap on. Available from Amazon (£13.88/$21.45) Got a favourite book that leaves you raring to ride? Share your recommended reads in the comments below.