Easton Haven Carbon For Fixie Wheelset

All-mountain goes bulletproof
The use of composites in bicycle manufacturing is hardly a new idea; frame builders have been utilizing bonded carbon fiber tubes since the mid-1970s, and as carbon-composite technology advanced, wheels and components were quickly embraced by the skinny-tire world.

Giant Revel 0

The 0 is the most costly bike in Giant’s Revel Recreation range, and it’s the only one to get hydraulic disc brakes. For another £50 you could go for a Talon 3, the entry-level bike in the trail range, which has a better frame but fewer gears.

Rose Mr Ride (custom build)

Rose's Mr Ride 29er has it all in terms of component value and low weight, and the basic geometry is sound if you get the right size for your sort of riding. The brutal bluntness of the oversized frame tubes makes it a boneshaker on longer rides and less than buff trails, though.

Ride & handling: Stable, safe, burly

Giant Reign

Giant’s Reign has been evolving for years now, generally getting both lighter and slacker with each passing season. The 2011 version is no exception. What’s more, it receives a tapered-steerer-compatible Overdrive head tube that’s raked out by 1.5° compared to the 2010 bike.

Ride & handling: Stiff and light but rear suspension never gave the performance we expected

Merida Ninety-Six Carbon Team-D

Merida’s Ninety-Six project was designed to put both their World Cup cross-country race team and their bike design skills at the top of the tree. While it’s no relaxed and easy option, it’s far more fun than you’d expect from such a light, race-honed ride.

Norco Faze 2

The Faze is Norco’s singletrack hellraiser, with a sleek design and solid build. With a slightly shorter stem to encourage a more neutral riding position, it could be a trail centre killer.

Focus Zonukwa Review

By Jenn Hopkins, What Mountain Bike

Mail order giants Wiggle have unleashed some real bargains from Focus before, but although the Zonukwa looks good on paper we had mixed feelings about it that didn’t dissipate as we notched up the test miles.

Ride & handling: Lags behind its rivals in terms of both speed and fun

Tech: Santa Cruz Blur XC under 19 pounds!

Speedgoat Bicycles has built a sub 19-pound Santa Cruz Blur XC carbon full-suspension bike, and if you have US$11,000 to spend, they can do the same for you.
Pennsylvania-based Speedgoat is known for working closely with each customer to build a bike around his or her specific needs -- a little more durable here, a little lighter there -- so the shop rarely concentrates all efforts into a single goal.
"But this was our version of a "concept" bike, something designed to push the possibilities envelope,"

Mountain Bike World Cup: Cross country results from Belgium

Marga Fullana (Massi) and Frenchman Julien Absalon (Orbea) won the elite cross-country World Cup races in Houffalize, Belgium this past weekend.

Over 20,000 spectators packed the hillsides at Houffalize, and watched Fullana take a record fifth victory in the women's race, taking the women's World Cup standings lead as a result of the victory. Absalon took his second consecutive victory in the men's cross-country, padding his lead in the overall World Cup standings. This was the third World Cup race in the series.
"It is a very hard race here at Houffalize, and very special to win," said Fullana. "The crowds are so big here and the fans are very special, so it pushes you to go harder."