Mountain Bike Rider

Published by Time Inc. (UK) Ltd mbr is the UK's leading magazine for trail riding, mountain bike enthusiasts. Published since 1997, mbr aims to inspire readers to just get out and ride! with every issue, by providing the very best expert advice about where, what and how to ride. Every edition delivers the ultimate mix of inspirational riding features, with extensive bike and product reviews, along with superb advice and reader involvement - plus free pull-out route guides.

No fear, no fun • Break out of your comfort zone for the ultimate mtb high

BIG PICTURE

TICKET TO RIDE • Why car-free mtb adventures in the UK are about more than green virtue signalling

NINO’S SECRET WEAPON? • Did a prototype SRAM drivetrain save the day for the new, 10-time world champion Nino Schurter?

VW ID. BUZZ £56,244

SPECIALIZED HILLBILLY £37.50

FULLY EXPOSED • Exposed trails are equal parts thrilling and intimidating, whether clinging to a steep hillside, teetering along a ridgeline or just leaving you at the mercy of the elements

SPRINT LIKE A PRO • Building strength will massively benefit your riding, but it’s power that will help you explode away from other riders; here’s how to train it

SANTA CRUZ NOMAD C GX AXS COIL RSV MX • With MX wheels and a new sense of purpose, the latest Nomad strikes out on a different path

TREK FUEL EX 9.9 • With a 10mm travel boost and a super-versatile new design, the Fuel EX 9.9 is a tasty prospect

SCOTT SPARK RC WORLD CUP AXS • With a hidden shock and killer XC credentials, the latest Spark is a concealed race weapon

It's never too early to start your Christmas shopping! • SUBSCRIBE TO mbr FOR JUST £24.50* plus FREE CATEYE AMPPBOO HELMET LIGHT

Mountain Bike Rider

Mailbox

BEHIND THE RAINBOW STRIPES • Evie Richards tells us how a chance meeting with ex-pro downhiller Katy Curd changed the course of her racing life

A LEGAL HIGH • On the French and Italian border, the ‘Great Needle of Rock’ tempts brave souls with the rush of Europe’s loftiest rideable descent

THE BIG PICTURE • We tell you how to prepare for winter riding and how to position your body to anticipate and respond rapidly to the trail

JAMES’S PIVOT FIREBIRD PRO • MONTH 1: With 10 days in the Alps, James isn’t messing around on the Firebird. Instead, he’s cut straight to the chase…

PB’S GIANT REIGN E+1 • MONTH 10: PB takes a deep dive into the numbers this month to prove that his Giant is the norm, not the exception

SEAN’S SONDER SIGNAL ST GX • MONTH 6: Sean throws his hat into the timeless SRAM/Shimano gear shifting debate…

BEN’S PRIVATEER 141 ÖHLINS • MONTH 5: Ben takes a tumble, but the 141’s geometry is the fall guy

JAMIE’S SPECIALIZED TURBO KENEVO SL COMP • MONTH 12: Jamie milks his new e-bike analogy for an entire column…

BIKESTOW ORIGINAL 2 BIKERACK

YOUR TESTERS

FOX HIP PACK

mbr ratings explained • The scores on the doors

ALTURA ESKAR TRAIL TROUSER

CHROMAG SYNTH PEDALS

WOLF TOOTH 8-BIT PLIERS

RACE FACE GETTA GRIP

MAVIC LOMBARDE SL PACKABLE JACKET

KASK CAIPI HELMET

LIGHTS • With the right set of lights, short days won’t stop you hitting the trails

Know your lights

CATEYE AMPP 800

EXPOSURE ZENITH MK2

GLOWORM X2 ADVENTURE

HOPE R4+

MAGICSHINE RN 1500

EXPOSURE SIX PACK MK12

GLOWORM XS

LIGHT AND MOTION SECA 2500 ENDURO

MAGICSHINE MONTEER 8000S GALAXY V2.0

NITERIDER LUMINA MAX 2500

Conclusion

LIGHTWEIGHT ENDURO E-BIKES • Two lean and mean big-hitters go head-to-head in the e-bike arena, but which will punch the hardest above...