first-ride

Bird Zero 29 hardtail mountain bike

First ride review | Bird Zero 29

Big-wheeled beast that still likes to party

The big wheeled Megatower looks more than a little bit like its 650b brother, the Nomad

Santa Cruz Megatower first ride review

Big wheels meet big travel in this purpose-built enduro racer

This rig is built for charging headlong down the hill, but with manners and control

Norco Aurum HSP C2 650b first ride review

Is its performance as high as its pivot?

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The new Enduro is an okay climber and tames rough descents with ease

Specialized Enduro Comp 650b first ride review

The best Enduro yet, but still not perfect

The Powerplay is in its element clawing up steep, technical climbs

Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay Carbon 70 first ride review

Peppy e-bike with exceptional climbing prowess

The details on the Macho Man’s frame shine out.

All-City Macho Man Disc first ride review

Skinny steel and big tyres ensure go-anywhere versatility

Updated geometry, a stiffer frame and decent parts — there’s a lot to like about the Ghost

Ghost FR AMR 6.7 AL first ride review

Ghost enters the bike park/freeride ring

Forget the old stereotype of ungainly 29ers — the Foxy 29 is a great shape

Mondraker Foxy Carbon RR 29 first ride review

Can the big-wheeled Foxy justify its big price tag?

Despite its burly looks, it’s the climbs where the Spectral:ON excels

Canyon Spectral:ON 6.0 first ride review

Value-rich e-bike that loves the climbs

It may have the same 120mm of travel as the old T-129, but Whyte’s new 29er is longer, slacker and has tons more tyre clearance

Whyte S-120C RS first ride review

Whyte’s new shorter-travel 29er is a radical ripper if you like your XC riding properly extreme

The new 29in Canyon Strive CFR 9.0 Team

Canyon Strive CFR 9.0 Team first ride review

Significant updates and subtle refinements

The single-pivot silhouette has evolved over the years but the Stage 6 is still unmistakably an Orange

Orange Stage 6 Factory review

Characterful wagon-wheeled speed machine

Boardman’s new flagship MTB looks very different to the old FS

Boardman MTR 8.9 first ride review

Better on paper than on the trails

This complete bike costs less than some DH frames but offers a great ride

Canyon Sender AL 7.0 first ride review

Budget price, premium performance

Kona’s first carbon Process 29er has a smooth ride in the rough but I occasionally lost the front end in corners

Kona Process 153 CR/DL 29 first ride review

Kona’s new 29er is a beautifully-balanced aggro all-rounder

The Bitmap is designed to offer all the fun of an old-school ‘hardcore hardtail’ but with modern geometry

Airdrop Bitmap Works first ride review

Sheffield born-and-bred aluminium party starter

Cube’s new enduro weapon gets big wheels and an aggressive suspension feel

Cube Stereo 150 C:68 TM 29 first ride review

Nimble-handling 29er with improved suspension

The Forward Geometry frame may be eye-catching but the spec certainly isn’t

Mondraker Foxy Carbon R first ride review

Progressive geometry but poor value for money

As on off-the-peg build, the Metropolis 1 is hard to beat

NS Metropolis 1 first ride review

Top-shelf, competition-ready jump bike

UNNO Burn

UNNO Burn first ride review

Is this beast ready to rip or will it go up in flames?

The Fuzz’s low-slung and slack geometry delivers a well-centred riding position

NS Fuzz 1 first ride review

Race-ready DH demon you might not have considered

Naild's 'R3ACT' suspension system gives the Polygon an ungainly look, but delivers great pedalling manners

Polygon Xquarone EX8 first ride review

It’s no looker, but does its innovative design give it an edge?

Cannondale's new Habit is totally different to anything it's made before

Old name, brand new bike: Cannondale Habit Carbon 2 first ride review

More trail-focussed with size-specific, four-bar suspension

You can get a carbon Remedy for the same price, but the alloy 8 has a much better spec

Trek Remedy 8 27.5 first ride review

Lively trail bike that’s a real blast to ride