This month – does long, low and slack geometry really help you tackle ALL types of terrain? Find out in our head-to-head test.
Plus, read our verdicts on 12 flat pedals, six workstands and a ton of other kit. We take an in-depth look at multi-rider racing and show you the skills you need to tame four-cross tracks and the trails. Also, find out how to get rid of annoying creaks, choose the right tyres for your riding and pick the right lube or grease.
On top of all that we've got three of the best epic UK big-mountain routes, new bikes from Santa Cruz, YT and VooDoo, and lots more besides!
Extreme geometry versus race geometry
In this head-to-head biketest, we take a look at the significant changes to mountain bike geometry over the past decade. We've got two modern enduro bikes – one built to conquer the Enduro World Series and the other with even longer, lower and slacker geometry figures – to see whether bike brands have hit the sweet spot or whether there's still room for improvement.
Tyred out: part two
In the second part of our comprehensive guide to mountain bike tyres, we take you through the ins and outs of tyre casings and inserts. Learn the differences between casings and find the best combination of tread, compound and carcass for the wide variety of terrains and MTB disciplines.
Luxury flats
Pedals are one of your contact points with your bike, so it's essential to get the right pair. But choosing the best platforms isn't as easy as you might think. We've taken 12 sets of the greatest flat pedals around and tested them for grip, shape, strength, ease of servicing and pin quality.
4X forever!
Four-cross is an aggressive and intense riding discipline, with four riders wheel-to-wheel on a track packed with technical features. And, with the 4X Pro Tour expanding this year, we take a look back at the history of this exciting racing style.
How to tame 4X tracks & the trails
It's a 4X special! To go with our feature, we've dedicated this month's how-to guide to this wild sport. With so much going on, 4X's many skills can be transferred to a wide range of mountain biking styles. We've enlisted the help of 4X racer and MTB coach Scott Beaumont to share all the essential tips and tricks to step up your riding.
Hidden treasures
Mountain biker, photographer and intrepid adventurer Dan Milner takes us into the heart of the Swiss Alps on an MTB mission like no other. High above the alpine town of Engelberg, the valley is littered with cablecars used by the local farmers. Entrust your beloved steed to one of these rickety rides and you're rewarded with some of the best twisting, technical singletrack trails in the Alps.
And that's not all…
This issue of MBUK is jam-packed with all the latest and greatest bikes, product reviews and news stories from the mountain biking world. We've got new bikes from Canyon, Santa Cruz, YT and VooDoo, along with pages of product reviews that include Garmin's fēnix 6 Pro Solar Edition GPS smartwatch. Plus, discover our pick of the best massive mountain rides in the UK and our Trail Crew report from Old Hill Bike Park in Cornwall.
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