LCP

Liam Mercer

Articles by Liam Mercer

Canyon Spectral:ONfly CLLCTV e-MTB review

Utilising the TQ HPR150 drive system, the Canyon Spectral:ONfly CLLCTV takes the shape, geometry and suspension kinematic of the well-received Spectral but throws in a hint of assistance – the result of which makes it one of the best e-MTBs on the market. 

The Chain Damper is Rimpact's answer to O-Chain

Stemming from Aaron Gwinn's monumental chainless win at Leogang in 2015, the effects of a chain on suspension performance have always been a huge talking point. Since the Gwinn incident, brands have been conjuring methods of combatting pedal kickback – examples include O-Chain's chain damping system and the uprise in the popularity of high-pivot mountain bikes. However, Rimpact has taken a different approach with its new Chain Damper that focuses on chain slap. Here's everything you need to know.

WTB unveils new SG1 carcass and two new rubber compounds

Modern mountain biking has developed to the point where riders are tackling silly terrain much faster than before. Wilderness Trail Bikes, or WTB, has acknowledged this and built its new SG1 casing to be the toughest yet. Additionally, the brand has updated its rubber compound to help it perform better, everywhere.

WTB Judge Tough/High Grip SG1 tyre review

Although the latest version of WTB’s Judge looks the same as before, the differences are more than skin-deep. Introducing the SG1 carcass and tweaks to the tyre’s rubber compound, it’s a much more reliable tyre in all senses of the word. It provides tonnes of predictable traction in the wet and dry with excellent puncture protection. 

ENVE's M-Series Gen 5 wheelsets are built for the demands of modern MTB

During the past few years, mountain bikes have changed drastically with 38mm stanchion forks being the standard on enduro bikes and advances in frame design mean wheels don't need to make up for lack of stiffness. Owing to this, ENVE has taken its M-Series of wheels back to the drawing board and has brought fresh rim profiles, more compliance and lower prices.

Title Form Carbon 35 handlebar review

The Form Carbon 35 is Title’s carbon fibre bar that’s designed to combine vertical compliance with enhanced stiffness throughout the steering plane, claiming that vertically, it’s the softest bar on the market. Proportionately, the bar hits top marks while providing a noticeable level of vibration reduction without sacrificing stiffness where needed. However, against much cheaper competition, shelling out for this bar is a tough ask, but it is rather light for its rating.

Title ST1 35 stem review

The ST1 is another product in Title’s range that’s designed and tested to cope with serious riding. With that in mind, it does sacrifice weight savings to hit those goals, but in return, you get a very attractive and super stiff stem. It is pricy, however, and up against some very strong competition.

Meet the Scampr: Canyon's first off-road shoe

Canyon has been rapidly expanding its offering away from mountain bikes with the recent Disruptr helmet and Tempr CFR road shoes. Now, the brand has stepped into the world of off-road cycling footwear with the Scampr, a shoe designed for all things knobbly tyred.

Merida unveils two Bosch equipped e-mountain bikes - the eOne-Sixty SL and the eOne-Eighty

The eOne-Sixty is Merida's staple e-mountain bike, but the rapid electric revolution means some gaps have formed in the range. Today, Merida has expanded its lineup with the eOne-Sixty SL, a lightweight e-mountain bike and the eOne-Eighty, a big-travel bruiser. Importantly, both bikes cater to those who prefer Bosch's drive systems.

Trek Top Fuel 8 Gen 4 mountain bike review

Although raced by Evie Richards on the elite-level cross-country circuit, Trek’s latest Top Fuel 8 Gen 4 is a bike that’ll cater to a raft of tastes thanks to its impressive adaptability. Despite the meagre suspension travel, it dishes out stellar trail manners up and downhill and is primed for UK trails. 

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