Alex Evans

Jan 10, 2025 | bikeradar.com | Alex Evans

Atherton Bikes has teased a prototype downhill bike without a derailleur, cassette or chain. Dumping the traditional drivetrain in favour of what looks to be a Gates belt-driven system with a gearbox – most likely made by Pinion – Atherton Bikes' new A.200.G prototype is a statement of intent. The drivetrain as we know it has a long track record and plenty of wins under its belt, including for Atherton Bikes’ Charlie Hatton, Rachel Atherton and ex-team rider Andreas Kolb.

Jan 8, 2025 | bikeradar.com | Alex Evans |Luke Marshall

The best winter mountain bike tyres can transform your riding when the weather turns and the trails are muddy. Winter MTB tyres are the most aggressive type of mountain bike tyre. They have tall knobs designed to dig into softer ground and wide spaces between them to help ‘clear’ built-up mud. Softer compounds are needed to help the tyre ‘stick’ to wet rocks, roots and harder trail surfaces, providing traction when the tread can’t chew into the ground.

Jan 8, 2025 | bikeradar.com | Alex Evans |Luke Marshall

The best winter mountain bike tyres can transform your riding when the weather turns and the trails are muddy. Winter MTB tyres are the most aggressive type of mountain bike tyre. They have tall knobs designed to dig into softer ground and wide spaces between them to help ‘clear’ built-up mud. Softer compounds are needed to help the tyre ‘stick’ to wet rocks, roots and harder trail surfaces, providing traction when the tread can’t chew into the ground.

Jan 7, 2025 | bikeradar.com | Alex Evans

WTB’s new Vigilante SG1 has boosted carcass strength and a reformulated rubber compound to give exceptional grip and damping on the trails, but it’s very heavy. This latest iteration features an under-the-hood refresh, with tougher casings and a grippier yet faster-rolling rubber compound, but its tread pattern remains unchanged. Tipping the scales at a whopping 1,570g, it’s one of the heaviest mountain bike tyres on the market. Its £80 / $89.95 / €74.50 price is about par for the course, however.

Dec 6, 2024 | bikeradar.com | Alex Evans

SQUIRREL_13151958Whyte’s T-140 S is a budget-friendly, sub-£2,000, 29in-wheel trail bike with 135mm of rear-wheel travel and decked out with a thoughtful, although not luxurious, spec. Its alloy frame and functional components culminate in a 16.31kg weight (without pedals, large), putting it on the chunkier side of the trail bikes domain. On the trails, the bike's demeanour is all about the descents.