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.

Gear of the Year • We round up 2022’s standout bikes and products

BIG PICTURE

EXMARKS THE SPOT • How Exmoor’s treasure trove of bridleways and woodland singletrack stole our hearts again

LIGHT FANTASTIC • TQ’s cutting-edge motor is at the heart of two new XC e-bikes

HOT STUFF • WHAT WE’RE EXCITED ABOUT THIS MONTH

GNAUGHTY BUT GNICE • Here are five trails that fit the mbr dictionary definition of gnarly

7 WAYS TO GET STRONGER (WITHOUT UPPING THE WEIGHT) • You don’t need to lift heavier to make progress if you tweak other key metrics

First rides • SWINGING A LEG OVER WHAT’S HOT THIS MONTH

MARIN RIFT ZONE XR

CANYON TORQUE 29 AL 6

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Mountain Bike Rider

Mailbox

GEAR OF THE YEAR • Our team pick the best bikes and products of the past year

TRAILS BY RAIL • Let the train take the strain and go on a (mostly) car-free road trip around Scotland

CORNER CONTROL • Learning how to maximise traction when leaning into bends is a vital skill that will boost your control and speed on wintery trails

LONG TERMERS • Countless hours on the trails make this the ultimate test of performance as well as reliability

PB’S GIANT REIGN E+ 1

SEAN’S SONDER SIGNAL ST GX

JAMIE’S SPECIALIZED TURBO KENEVO SL COMP

JAMES’S PIVOT FIREBIRD PRO

Tested • ALPINA ROCA HELMET

YOUR TESTERS

LIFELINE 2 IN 1 MASTERLINK PLIERS

mbr ratings explained • The scores on the doors

MARIN OSO PEDAL

WOLF TOOTH ECHO LOCK-ON GRIP

SCOTT SIX DAYS HIP PACK

ALTURA ESKER DUNE INSULATED GILET

SYNCROS IS TUBELESS HANDLEBAR TOOL

FOX RANGER 2.5-LAYER WATER JACKET

Winter boots • Our pick of the latest cold weather footwear to keep your plates of meat warm and cosy through the inclemency of the winter months

INFLATION BUSTING TRAIL BIKES • Prices may be rising, but quality is rising faster and £2k today will buy you a truly capable full-suspension machine; we test three of the latest

JAMIS FAULTLINE A1

POLYGON SISKIU T8 29

VITUS MYTHIQUE 29 VRX

Conclusion

Price of everything, value of nothing • Premium-priced boutique bikes may stir emotions but we all benefit from technology trickle-down. The only meaningful metric should be the fun you’re having