WRECKED & RATED
THE BEST BIKES & MTB KIT GIVEN A THRASHING
WHY OUR TESTS ARE THE BEST!
Our technical-editor-in-chief Rob Weaver gets new products in as soon as they’re available and coordinates all the testing through our team of tech experts, who have unrivalled knowledge and experience. Every test starts with a detailed product check in the workshop. Next, we hit the trails… hard! We test in real riding conditions, incorporating feedback from multiple riders, and don’t stop until we have the complete picture, no matter how long it takes. Our testing is staunchly independent and not influenced by PR or advertisers (sometimes to their great discomfort). We’re never afraid to tell you the truth.
HOW WE RATE
We base our scores on value for money and performance
TROY LEE DESIGNS CRESTLINE JACKET £159.99 https://saddleback.co.uk
This well-cut jacket is packed with PrimaLoft Gold insulation throughout, with the exception of a strip panel down each side. There are two zipped hand pockets on the front, which are useful when off the bike, plus a pocket that spans the width of the rear, with a zipped entry at either end. The close-fitting collar is lined with soft microfleece, which makes it feel snug on bitter days. Our size-small jacket fitted well, with enough room underneath to wear multiple layers, but without feeling too baggy or airy. Length through the sleeves and body is good, too. On cold days in the hills, we loved the Crestline’s added warmth. When zipped up, cold air can’t get in through the neck. Even on milder days, we found it avoided feeling overwhelmingly hot. We’d like a two-way zip on the front, as this would be a good way to dump heat, while preventing the jacket from slipping off your shoulders. Otherwise, this is a great bit of kit that we’ve used constantly, although it is pricey. Rob
NOBL TR35 ONYX HOOK FLANGE BERD WHEELSET US $2,192.48 (approx. £1,737, as tested) https://noblwheels.com
NOBL pitch their TR35 carbon fibre rims as suitable for aggressive cross-country and trail riders. Here, they’re teamed with Onyx Racing Products’ Vesper Hook Flange hubs and 28 Berd PolyLight spokes front and rear. The result is an addictively lightweight, compliant wheelset with a silent freehub and what feels like a split personality.
Those Berd spokes are the main talking point. Instead of being constructed from the usual stainless steel, they’re made from Dyneema – an ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibre. US brand Berd claim they provide 200 p
