Mountain Bike Gateway

Rachel Atherton and Tracy Moseley: boosting the next generation

When it comes to mountain biking, it's safe to say British women are doing rather well. Tracy Moseley has won the overall title at all three Enduro World Series. Rachel Atherton 'did the double' for the second time in her career in 2015, becoming both downhill World Champion and World Cup Champion at the same time. Hot on their heels come Katy Winton, the Scottish enduro rider who signed to Trek for 2016, Manon Carpenter, who took the downhill World Champion stripes in 2014, and Tahnée Seagrave, with multiple podium positions over the last two years, to … [Read more...]

Women in the bike industry: leading the way at Trek

Things are changing in the bike industry. Ever-increasing numbers of women are bringing their expertise and experience to a variety of roles. Some are behind the scenes, some in the public eye, but all of them are blazing a trail not only for other women within the industry, but also in how the cycling industry itself caters to women riders.We spoke to three women holding key roles at Trek about how they're making their mark. We asked them for their views on the changing world of cycling, and their hopes for the future.Related: Jessica Klodnicki 'We wanted to … [Read more...]

Just how much gravel can a gravel bike handle?

A gravel road bike is still a road bike. It's a road bike that has been designed to work well on rougher surfaces… but it's still a road bike. The recipe pushed by many manufacturers for a gravel bike is now clear: frames with slacker geometry and a longer wheelbase, disc braking and big volume, comfortable tyres. The resulting machines are often somewhere between a cyclocross bike and a tourer. There's little doubt doubt that they're more versatile than a traditional road bike – but just how good are they off road?ADVERTISEMENTRelated: GT Grade … [Read more...]

Black Girls Do Bike: ‘We are unstoppable!’

Monica Garrison got back into cycling as an adult and, noticing the low numbers of other African Americans cycling around her, decided to take matters into her own hands. She founded Black Girls Do Bike, and the organisation now has over 9,000 group members.  What started as a Facebook page in 2013 has now grown into a movement, with over 55 chapters across the US and Antigua, each led by a 'Shero' who organises group rides and events. The Black Girls Do Bike (BGDB) website hosts inspirational stories from members, how-to videos and information on how to … [Read more...]

Shimano RS505 hydraulic disc brakes

As soon as Shimano 105 inherited the equally smooth and precise 11-speed gearing from its Ultegra sibling, we were eagerly waiting for the more affordable groupset to get hydraulic disc brakes. They’ve arrived, but aren’t necessarily the no-brainer bargain we’d been hoping for.Compared with Ultegra R685 STI levers the 505s are longer, lower and more like Shimano’s non-hydraulic levers, with a familiar fit in the crook of your thumb and palm. But the more accessible bleed port – a good thing – creates a very obvious square-edged bulge … [Read more...]

First Look: 2016 Troy Lee Designs Collection

​Hot on the heels of last week's helmet launch, time has come to pull back the curtains and reveal the 2016 Troy Lee Designs apparel and protection collection. And what a collection it is. From XC to DH, from soberly understated to brash and bold, there is something here for everybody. And far from just a bunch of new colors, there are plenty of design improvements and innovation to discover as well. We've been putting in the miles with the new kit already, jump right in to find out how we've been getting along! 2016 Troy Lee Designs ACE When Troy Lee sets out to … [Read more...]

SRAM vs Shimano hydraulic brake pads in wet grit – video

Compared with standard rim brakes, hydraulic road brakes can be a godsend in wet conditions, especially when riding carbon wheels. But hydraulic road brakes aren’t magically unassailable, especially if you’re dumb enough to go ride for hours on dirt roads in the rain, as I did quite a bit in May. Related: Best road disc and caliper brakesI put organic and prototype SRAM pads and organic Shimano pads to the test on rainy 60- to 80-mile Colorado farm-road rides, where gritty dirt quickly kicked up all over the bike and down into the brake calipers, … [Read more...]

The 12 greatest mountain bike films of all time

The greatest riders, the most epic of tricks, or just some classic old-skool mountain bike action. Capturing the spirit of mountain biking on film may have become easier over the years thanks to new technology and equipment, but certain films have just managed to get it right, whether thats catching the mood of a moment, or telling the story of a legend of the sport.Related: Quiz – how well do you know mountain bikes?The early days: high budget, US focusBack in the days when cameras recorded onto actual tape, they were pricey items to get hold of, editing was a … [Read more...]