The Specialized Stumpjumper Carbon Comp is an entry-level carbon-framed trail bike aimed at riders who want a capable descending and rewarding climbing machine. Equipped with 140/130mm front/rear travel, it's a solid trail-centre ripper that can handle some rough and steep trails, too.

The Fizik Gravita Alpaca X5 saddle is aimed at gravity riding such as enduro and downhill. With that in mind it has a flatter and narrower profile for better bike control. It's also equipped with a neat 12-function multi-tool. In use, the perch proves to be a bit too gravity-orientated for long pedalling days due to its flatter profile not being supportive enough, but it's a smart-looking and well-finished seat for gravity-orientated riding.

Zefal Deflector Lite rear mudguard sits at the minimalist end of the brand's offerings. For its size, it provides good protection and comes in a simple-to-fit and universal package. It's a subtle addition to your bike and remains quiet on the trails. If you need more protection, then look at Zefal’s Deflector RS75 option. 

POC’s Consort Dungarees are a great option that falls between a full dirt suit and a traditional two-piece waterproof set. The dungaree style gives more protection up the torso to stop mud and water from getting in underneath the coat with the added benefit of a kangaroo pouch-style pocket. They prove to have a great, non-restrictive fit and the waterproof qualities are excellent. The leg length could be a little longer to keep water splashes out of your shoes and the staining on the tan colourway is a shame but, overall, POC has produced a well-thought-out product.

Endura’s MT500 Waterproof Trousers are a full three-layer winter riding option using ExoShell40DR material with excellent waterproof and breathable abilities. The cut has been carefully considered to complement the riding position with plenty of room for knee pads. The elastic waistband lacks manual adjustment which may cause issues for some and the pockets are a little fiddly but these are nit-picking against a longer list of great features. They’re not cheap but I’d argue the performance and quality on offer warrants the price tag.

The Gore C5 GWS Thermo Trail jacket is aimed at riders who need protection from cold and windy conditions and the occasional light rain shower. The Windstopper material proves to be excellent at keeping the cold out while remaining breathable enough to not overheat. It also has impressive water-resistant properties.

The Madison Flux 3-Layer Waterproof Trail jacket is designed to be a lightweight waterproof riding jacket which is cool enough to wear all day and small enough to pack down. The three-layer construction does a good job of keeping the worst of the weather out although it results in a slightly bulkier product which I found not as breathable or packable as other options. The size and cut of the jacket were excellent and is tailored to a restriction-free riding experience.

The YT Jeffsy Mk3 Core 4 is a capable all-mountain bike which, thanks to its spec, has a bias towards descending but is equally able to climb. While the spec is hard to argue with and the value for money is excellent, it's worth paying attention to the frame sizing and geometry to get the ride you want. The bike could be improved further with a longer dropper post and a slacker head angle but YT has done a good job continuing to polish the already excellent Jeffsy. 

The Sonder Broken Road ST is designed to be loaded up and churn out off-road miles over multi-day adventures. With a wide range of model options and the ability to customise the build from the factory, the bike can be optimised for specific applications ranging from smooth gravel bikepacking to off-the-beaten-track exploring. The geometry provides a comfortable seated position even after an all-day mission and the factory build has proved reliable.

The Ohlins RXF38 m.2 suspension fork is a noticeably improved model over the previous iteration. The mid-stroke support and chassis dynamics are impressive resulting in a fork that rewards hard-charging and never feels flustered. There are still some areas for Ohlins to work on, particularly the small-bump sensitivity, which can make the fork feel scatty and unpredictable on flat corners compared to other forks with the more usual air spring configuration. This fork requires time to get it running sweet but once sorted, it's up there with the best mountain bike forks.