This month in MBUK magazine, we test four cross-country hardtails, find out the best clipless trail shoes money can buy and discover great British riding in the Tweed Valley, Exmoor, the Yorkshire Dales and more. On top of this, we've got a showcase of the works of photographer Sam Needham, first-ride reviews of new bikes from Lapierre, Vitus and Propain, and the lowdown on all the latest kit in Wrecked and Rated. Plus we bring you our ultimate guide to getting your bike dialled – because now's the perfect time to sort out all those little issues!
Pulse-pounding XC bikes
Our resident technical editor and cross-country hard-nut Tom Marvin puts the power down on four carbon-fibre XC hardtails. Which of these bikes from Specialized, Cube, Merida and Canyon comes out a potential podium-topper?
Clipless trail shoes on test
Fifteen pairs of clipless trail shoes to pump the pedals and stomp the trails in. Read our grouptest to find out which ones take it in their stride and which are left in the dirt.
Exmoor without the beasting
South West England's Exmoor National Park is home to some great mountain biking, but also some gruelling climbs. We head down there to try a new uplift-assisted guiding service that aims to fix that, taking riders straight to the top of the area's best descents.
Into ungraded territory
Scotland's Tweed Valley boasts a fearsome reputation for its steep, technical riding. But should it put you off visiting? Pro coach Aneela McKenna thinks not, and aims to prove it as she leads a group of MTB newbies into the unknown.
Yorkshire Dales Big Ride
Our man of maps, Max Darkins, heads to the Yorkshire Dales to lay out a top riding route. Rocky trails and ruined mining buildings make up this bracing, beautiful ride in one of England's great unspoilt landscapes.
Haldon Forest Park Trail Crew
We check out Haldon Forest Park near Exeter, Devon's main MTB trail centre. And what's more, we're accompanied by pro rider Ben 'Deakinator' Deakin. OiOi!
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. There are first rides of Lapierre's Overvolt e-bike, Vitus's Mythique and Propain's Tyee, and pages of product reviews that include Manitou's Mara rear shock.
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