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We've come across scores of ways to mount your Apple iPhone to your handlebar, transforming it into a bike computer. The latest to hit our desks from Wahoo Fitness has a few tricks up its sleeve, though, to make it stand out in a crowded market.

The key selling point of the Bike Pack is the ANT+ technology built into its water resistant hard case. This allows you to connect your phone wirelessly to ANT+ compatible devices such as speed and cadence sensors (these are provided with the pack), heart rate monitors and power meters.

Added to the speed, time and navigation data already provided by the iPhone, this gives you access to all the statistics you may crave to improve your performance without having to fork out for a pricey GPS computer.

A worry with all cases of this sort is whether your £500 non-waterproof phone will be protected from both the elements and impacts. Wahoo Fitness claim to have both bases covered, assuring us that it's both shock and water resistant.

The pack includes a handlebar mount (a time trial bar mount is available for $19.99) and a choice of two rubber inserts compatible with different iPhone models (4S, 4, 3GS and 3G). Wahoo have their own free exercise app on iTunes but the case is also compatible with other popular programs dedicated to cycling. The Bike Pack retails directly from their website for £95/$149.99.

The speed/cadence sensor fits to the chainstay in the traditional way

Cannondale

We've covered Cannondale's new helmet range in some depth already, but here they are again with UK prices. The Teramo road lid (£69.99/$109.99) is top of the four-strong line-up and weighs in at 263g on our scales (52-58cm size). It has 23 vents and is available in five colours (four men's and one women's) and two sizes (58-62cm & 52-58cm).

The Ryker cross-country helmet (£49.99/$79.95) weighs 296g (52-58cm), with a choice of three men's and two women's graphic options. The Radius is pitched at the trail/all-mountain crowd but we reckon it'll find fans in urban areas too. RRP is £39.99. The entry-level Quick (£29.99/$33.99) is a 231g lid aimed at beginners, with 19 vents, six colour options and two sizes (58-62cm & 52-58cm). 

Cannondale Teramo

Cannondale Ryker

Cannondale Radius

Cannondale Quick

Knog

Australian firm Knog's reputation for stylish, effective bike lights continues with the Blinder 4. The front (80 lumens) and rear (44) lights contain four super-bright LEDs housed in a waterproof aluminium casing and rechargeable via a USB socket. 

Each 39g light has five modes (steady, fast flash, organic flash 1 & 2 and eco flash) with a run time of up to 50 hours on the efficient eco flash setting. Five models will be available from UK distributors Moore Large & Co for £34.99/$55 from April.

Knog Blinder 4 rear (left) and front lights

Kontact

Kontact is a new saddle brand from cyclist, physical therapist and biomechanics expert Joshua Cohen. After years of research ? he wrote a thesis and a book, Finding the Perfect Bicycle Seat ? he's come up with a design that's claimed to give significant performance improvements. 

The 198g Anatomical saddle is said to improve blood flow and oxygen levels in the places that matter, with a shape designed to improve efficiency by allowing greater leg motion throughout the pedal stroke. It's made from a mixture of materials, with titanium alloy rails, a carbon and plastic body, and a leather cover. Shown is the "racing" model; a wider recreational saddle is in development. They're available from Hubjub in the UK for £79 or through Kontact's website in the US for $110. 

Kontact Anatomical

Polaroid

At £63.20/$100, the Sprinter sunglasses from Polaroid are something of a bargain, given they come with polarised lenses. Available only in the yellow/black colourway seen here, the UltraSight grey lenses offer 100 percent UV400 protection. The glasses come with a hard wearing carry case.

We?ve ridden Cotic?s ballsy hardtail before, fully kitted out with a trail-ready Shimano Deore XT 3x10 transmission. But, as the kind of bike that?s designed to be equally at home lining up at the start of a 4X race or taking the short route down an Alp, it comes pre-equipped with ISCG05 mounts for a chainguide. 

Which made us wonder, what would it be like set up with a 1x10 transmission? There was only one way to ?nd out. Although Cotic don?t supply complete bikes, the British company were happy to spec us a one-off BFe with single chainring up front.

Whether you choose to set your BFe up with a single chainring or three, it?s a genuine wolf in sheep?s clothing. The extra strength needed to cope with up to 160mm of front wheel travel has been cleverly and subtly built in without sacri?cing comfort, looks or fun. By the time you?ve built the bare frame into a complete bike it won?t be cheap, but few hardtails offer so much versatility.

Ride & handling: Big-hit tough and ride-all-day comfy

Many hardtails designed around long forks aren?t exactly subtle. The BFe, however, is different. For a start, its relatively low all-up weight (12.1kg/26.8lb) makes it a viable choice for all-day epics, as well as giving it a turn of speed that belies its hardcore potential. 

Then there?s the attention to detail in the frame build, which combines thin walls and careful tube pro?ling to provide all the strength required, while retaining the beguiling zing that de?nes the best of the steel hardtail breed. 

Combine all this with a willing 150mm fork, a reliable transmission and grippy, big volume tyres, and it?s almost impossible to come back from a ride on the BFe without a big grin. Very few bikes successfully combine such headbanging potential with ride-all-day comfort. The BFe is the exception that proves the rule.

As for the 1x10 transmission, it suits the frame?s fun character. A dose of extra ground clearance will be welcome for riders used to tackling woodsy, technical trails and, with one less bar-mounted control to worry about, it?s easy to concentrate on the important bit ? the ride. Having said that, the BFe?s such an accomplished all-rounder that we did occasionally wish we had a lower gear for steep, technical climbs.

Frame & equipment: You?ll need the experience and budget to self-build

It?s not easy to design a frame that?ll tackle just about anything, but Cotic designer Cy Turner has tackled this seemingly thankless task head-on. The result, ?ne-tuned over the past six years, is a steel hardtail that?s tough enough to handle a fork up to 160mm (with all that that implies in terms of intended use) and yet light enough and specced appropriately, to ride all day.

The backbone for this versatile chassis is an over-diameter, thin-walled tube of Reynolds 853 ? a clever steel alloy that?s remarkably strong and light. Most welded frames, whether steel or aluminium, are weakened near the joints by the heat applied during manufacture. With Reynolds? high end tubeset, the steel air-hardens during the cooling process after welding, actually increasing strength.

Reynolds 631, a close but slightly more cost-effective relative, provides head, top and seat tubes. The top tube is ovalised to increase lateral (pedalling) stiffness while adding some vertical give to the main triangle, while the oversized seat tube is compatible with telescopic seatposts and has no bottle boss mounts, making it easy to drop a standard post out of the way for steep descents.

Bridgeless chainstays and ovalised wishbone seatstays provide great gobs of mud clearance but, unusually for a UK-designed bike, there are no down tube Crud Catcher bosses because Cy reckons they compromise strength. The BFe's oversized tubes and strategically placed gussets add strength, while comfort is retained through thin tube walls and some cunning ovalisation.

The beauty of buying a bare frame is that you can spec it any which way you like, building in parts you may already have lying around or going for broke with a complete new set of components.  Our test bike?s Marzocchi Bomber 44 RC3 Titanium fork makes the most of the frame?s big-hit potential, offering 150mm of coil and air sprung travel in a relatively light package. Finishing kit from the relatively unknown KCNC works well, and a DMR Viral chainguide provides the ?nishing touch  to keep the chain on board.

This article was originally published in What Mountain Bike magazine.

Bontrager are pushing hard in the saddle market, investing in all sorts of pressure-mapping and 3D motion capture tech to help with design. The Evoke is the mountain bike-orientated result, and it?s packed with trail-friendly features.

The squared-off corners and flat, well-padded nose all work well, giving plenty of weight shift options with easy transitions between them. A hollow on the mid-section relieves pressure on your parts, although some may favour a deeper channel. 

The Evoke is more swoopy in profile and flat in cross-section than some. It can be bought in three widths (as well as a women?s version). Your Bontrager dealer can measure your behind (you just have to sit on a pad) and tell you which you need.

This article was originally published in Mountain Biking UK magazine.

Whistle are an Italian company you might not have heard of before. When this £2,500 carbon framed hardtail came on the radar we were excited ? cross-country bikes have been expanding into more and more interesting territory. Unfortunately the Huron didn?t provide the sprightly, rocketship ride characteristics that a bike at this price should provide.

Ride & handling: Average in performance

The medium sized bike we tested measured in at 18.5in and boasted a 605mm top tube, which is pretty lengthy for even an out-and-out cross-country race bike. The long top tube, coupled with the 100mm stem and steep head angle, resulted in dicey handling when the trails got steeper and more technical.

The long reach to the bars also made forward and backward weight-shifts dif?cult, and had us fearing the worst several times, in situations such as riding small drops into corners. Thankfully, the low 12.5in bottom bracket height helped to bolster the Huron?s cornering ability. 

As you'd expect with a carbon frame, trail vibration was greatly reduced. Lateral stiffness wasn?t as good as we?d expect though ? there was a surprising amount of ?ex from the bottom bracket area. The BB30 system may be stiff, but that?s no use if the frame around it isn?t up to scratch.

All-up weight of 26lb (with pedals) isn?t too far away from where the Huron should be, but the bike felt like it was held back a bit on the climbs and we were left disappointed when we wanted to change pace quickly. 

Frame & equipment: Not great value

The frame is a lugged carbon ?bre construction, with bulky joins and sections of carbon showing through the very ?Euro? paintjob. The press-?t BB30 bottom bracket is a modern touch but other features are decidedly more old-school, including an IS rear disc brake mount and a straight 1.125in head tube that gives the bike a 71-degree head angle.

Considering the high price of the Huron, we found the spec list somewhat disappointing. Although the kit all works well enough, we feel you should expect a bit more in exchange for £2,500. The RockShox Recon fork has 100mm (3.9in) of travel and a bar-mounted lockout. It stayed controlled through everything we could throw at it but the same fork can be found on alloy bikes that cost around £1,000.

Mavic?s Crossride wheels keep the bike rolling nicely, and the drivetrain is a 3x10 setup with an FSA V-Drive BB30 chainset, Shimano SLX shifters and front mech, and Deore XT rear mech. The 620mm ?at alloy bar paired with the 100mm stem adds to that racer stretch and feel but the grips are a low point of the spec. The Schwalbe Nobby Nic 2.1 tyres are a great choice though.

This article was originally published in Mountain Biking UK magazine.

Fifteen tools for £15 is a good deal in anybody?s book, especially as this includes a few handy tools you don?t always find in a multi-tool. In addition to flathead and Phillips head screwdrivers and Allen keys from 2-8mm, there?s a chain tool, spoke tools and a T25 Torx wrench. 

The tools are made from tough, hardened steel, the plates from anodised aluminium and it?s genuinely small and light enough to carry in your pocket. The Allen keys are quite short, but with this there?s no excuse for not being tooled up on your ride.

This article was originally published in Cycling Plus magazine.

?CNC machined in Barnoldswick, England? boasts the blurb for Hope?s XC stem, and it doesn?t hide its manufacturing provenance. Highly-visible machining marks in the nooks and crannies leave no doubt that plenty of swarf was created in its manufacture.

The somewhat industrial looks won?t be to everyone?s taste, and the same can be said of the laser-etched graphics. A choice of six colours is wider than usual, though. The size range of four lengths in two rises each isn?t huge but covers the most popular bases and includes a potentially useful 50mm size. This is also one of the few stems still available for 25.4mm bars. 

Hope have resisted the temptation to machine out every last bit of material, keeping full coverage for the faceplate and steerer clamp. We like the ?blind? threaded holes for the faceplate bolts, giving a clean look from behind. Performance is as good as you?d expect and, while towards the upper end of the price range, the £70 pricetag is reasonable considering the work that goes into it. At 162g it's not the lightest option.

This article was originally published in What Mountain Bike magazine.

BikeRadar's weekly round-up of great online deals from our recommended retailers could save you both time and money.

If you just want to get to the bargains, skip to the end of the article to see the deals listed as Quick Links.

Otherwise, read on for more details including pictures, BikeRadar reviews and your opinions wherever possible ? so you can make sure you're fully in the picture before parting with your hard-earned cash.

1. Sunn Shamann S1 (2011) ? Buy Now from Chain Reaction for £1,572 and save 45 percent

What the manufacturer says:

"The Shamann S1 is the full suspension bike of the XC lineup. The Shamann Alpha frame geometry has been designed to give an efficient balance of traction, acceleration and long distance comfort to make the perfect marathon bike. The RockShox Monarch RT3 shock absorber provides a highly progressive 100mm of rear travel. The front-end is comprised of RockShox SID RLT forks also with 100mm travel. SRAM 2x10 transmissions allow for a lighter and more efficient shifting system. Add to this SRAM X9 pedals, UN Premium 600-0 SL wheels and Hutchinson Python tyres for a bike that mixes performance with riding pleasure."

2. Saracen Zen 1 Bike (2010) ? Buy Now from Winstanleys Bikes for £449.99 and save 47 percent

What the manufacturer says:

"The Zens are 100% UK specific aggressive trail screamers, ready to take on whatever you throw at them. The lightweight frame uses a triple butted 6061 alloy tubeset designed specifically for longer travel forks and the mud clearance on the rear of the frame is class-leading. Also featuring RockShox Tora 289 U-Turn forks with 85-130 mm travel, Shimano HG50 9-speed cassette, Quad Sting Pro hydraulic disc brakes and Continental Mountain King tyres, these long-travel hardcore trail bikes were designed to take UK trail riding to the next level."

3. GT Zaskar Carbon Expert (2011) ? Buy Now from Wiggle for £ 1429.99 and save 35 percent

What the manufacturer says:

"Classy carbon hardtail that won't let you down. The Zaskar Carbon Expert is full of top class components that compliment the Foc-Ultra Carbon frame well. Proven RockShox Recon Solo Air forks are fitted to soak up punishing ground along with SRAM S1400 chainset ensuring a solid drive over varied terrain. Formula RX brakes with 160mm rotor both front and rear provide plenty of stopping power. Crankbros Cobalt 2 flat handlebars and seat stem as well as DT Swiss wheelset and Maxxis Aspen tyres round off a bike that can handle any terrain."

Quick Links:

• Sunn Shamann S1 (2011) ? Buy Now from Chain Reaction for £1,572 and save 45 percent
• Saracen Zen 1 Bike (2010) ? Buy Now from Winstanleys Bikes for £449.99 and save 47 percent
• GT Zaskar Carbon Expert (2011) ? Buy Now from Wiggle for £ 1429.99 and save 35 percent

Offers courtesy of: Wiggle, Chain Reaction Cycles and Winstanleys Bikes

Subscription offer:

What Mountain Bike ? Buy Now from myfavouritemagazines.co.uk for as little as £41.99 (£3.23/issue) and save 23 percent

The essential magazine to consult before you spend your cash on any mountain biking equipment. Read more & subscribe.

The 6061 alloy PRO Koryak is a straightforward, well thought out alloy seatpost. As you'd expect from Shimano, the company behind PRO, the post, designed loosely to ?t in with SLX-level components, is ready for the rough and tumble of regular hard rides, yet willing to make other seatposts costing more seem like a waste of cash.

The head is a little tricky to get into position when ?tting a new saddle, though it?s by no means the worst we've encountered. With the opposing hooked jaws of the clamp in place the single pinch bolt snugs everything up nice and tight. Oversize clamps are available if you're going to be using saddles with chunky rails, and there?s a 15mm layback option for riders looking for a more rearward seating position.

On the trail the post is remarkably comfortable given its material and stats, and proof that buying alloy need not preclude comfort. To maximise the comfort available with no loss to strength we recommend hardtailers getting a 27.2mm version and shimming it to ?t using USE?s brilliant shims. 

This article was originally published in What Mountain Bike magazine.

From the latest product news to details of routes and events, our news round-up is a collection of short snippets of information in one handy article.

Today we bring you the launch of Team Chain Reaction Cycles.com/Nukeproof's roster for the 2012 season, the death of Merida's founder, American Classic linking up with Cofidis, news of the US distributor of Olympia bikes and more.

Product and team news

Al Bond joins Team CRC/Nukeproof

Al Bond has signed for Team Chain Reaction Cycles.com/Nukeproof for the 2012 season, joining Matti Lehikoinen, Matt Simmonds, Joe Smith and Lewis Buchanan on the roster. The latter makes the step up from the junior ranks but, along with Lehikoinen, is still on the injury table through injuries sustained last season. Both are expected to recover in time for the first race of the season. The team are set to contest the full UCI World Cup series, the world championships, the Halo British Downhill series, Sea Otter Classic and more.

American Classic cosy up to Cofidis

As an equipment sponsor to a professional road racing team, it must be a satisfying feeling to see them winning races, even more so if it's the very first race of that sponsorship. That's the position wheel manufacturer American Classic found themselves in when Cofidis's French rider Samuel Dumoulin won the season opening GP Marseillaise on their Carbon 38 tubular wheelset. As well as supplying the team with hoops from their current range, the will use the partnership to test a prototype aluminium tubular not currently on the market.

Olympia Bicycles to hit the US

Italian manufacturer Olympia has confirmed Stage-Race as its new US distributor, bringing their bikes to North America for the first time. Stage-Race, who can count Scapin, Storck and Fondriest amongst their portfolio, will have a test fleet available in the coming weeks for interested dealers, with a full delivery expected in early March.

Merida founder passes away

Ike Tseng, the founder of Merida Bikes, has died at the age of 81. Tseng started Merida Industries in 1972 and was instrumental in the Taiwanese firm's rise in the bicycle industry. A statement from Merida called him a man whose "vision, leadership, inspiration and dedication over 40 years have successfully built Merida into the best global quality bicycle production company and a leading brand in the world."

In accordance with Taiwanese tradition, where business leaders have their funeral at the business they created, Tseng's will be held at Merida HQ on 11 March.

Routes, racing & rides

JE James staff get on their bikes for young cancer sufferer

Staff at JE James Cycles will take to their bikes this June to raise money for Niamh Curry, a young cancer sufferer. They?ll be riding 250 miles over two days, with the initials of the five towns they?ll pass through ? Nottingham, Ilkley, Almondsbury, Manchester and Heringthorpe ? spelling her name. All money raised will go towards the urgent funds needed to fund the treatment she needs in the US. You can read more about her story, or make a donation here. Twitter users can tweet the JustGiving link www.justgiving.com/FiveStepsForNiamh, using the hashtag #niamhbikeride.

We used this lube through some really punishing conditions on a wet ride through Scotland ? gritty and wet day after day. It survived 60-plus-kilometre days through those conditions, and only needed a top up each morning to make sure that the coverage was maintained.

Thick but not too thick, it didn?t seem to attract too much dirt to the drivetrain, and we hardly dented a 120ml bottle in a week, so it goes a long way. A great lube that?s useful throughout the year.

This article was originally published in What Mountain Bike magazine.

Noir components are Truvativ?s range-topping carbon parts, of which the T40 gear is the poshest. The Noir T40 riser bar (a racing-width ?at bar is available too) is a neatly-?nished and well-thought-out pipe. 

As well as thicker, reinforced ends, the T40 also comes with snug-?tting anti-crush bungs that offer extra support for bar ends. The bar has trim marks at the ends, but they only extend 10mm in from each end ? beyond that and you?d be past the end of the reinforced section. There are thicker sections around where the controls clamp on. Truvativ have included a textured coating at the centre to prevent slippage.

At 205g for a 700mm bar the Noir is impressively light. The shape follows what seem to have become almost industry-standard numbers ? it?s a popular formula because it works. Despite its low weight the Noir doesn?t mind being hauled on and you get a bit of carbon buzz-eating magic into the bargain.

This article was originally published in What Mountain Bike magazine.

You'd be forgiven for thinking that today's Daily Deal contains a typo. For this weekend only, a measly £10 will get you 25 percent off everything (including sale items) at cycling retailer Royles.biz. 

There's no limit on the offer either, so the more you spend, the more savings you make. For example, you can pick up a Trek Madone 5.2 C for a paltry £1,500, down from an RRP of £2,799. The offer will run until 11:59pm on Sunday 5 February and once you've bought your £10 voucher, you must use it by the end of the weekend.

Visit our Daily Deal page for more information.

The Santa Cruz Syndicate downhill team have confirmed they've switched to Shimano shifting and brakes after eight years with SRAM. They've also revealed they'll be using Fox Racing Shox suspension.

The squad have released a video and a load of images ? which you can check out in our gallery ? from their pre-season testing camp in Imperia, Italy. These show team members Steve Peat, Greg Minnaar and Josh Bryceland pinning it on their new full-carbon Santa Cruz V10s.

These are fitted with Fox 40 forks and DHX RC4 shocks, Shimano Saint cranks and gearing, and XTR brakes. Other kit includes Chris King hubs and headsets, ENVE Composites cockpit kit and carbon wheels, and Maxxis tyres.

?We were getting everyone up to speed on the new full-carbon frame, Fox suspension and Shimano components," said Santa Cruz boss Rob Roskopp, via press release. "With the frame being much lighter than the previous version we had to dial the suspension in because of less unsprung weight." 

He added: "I?ve been riding the new XTR brakes for some time now and can?t get over how impressive they are, particularly with modulation. Feedback from all the racers was what I was expecting ? a new milestone in performance.?

Testing took place on the long downhill track in San Romolo, with shuttle assistance from Roberto Vernassa of Argentina Bike. A five-man crew from Fox were on hand with data acquisition equipment to get the squad's suspension dialled.

New mechanic Jason Marsh said: ?I?m super-happy that we're using Fox Racing Shox and Shimano for the 2012 season. The new Fox 40 forks suit the carbon V-10 frame perfectly and the RC4 rear shock really complements the VPP suspension design. The riders were all impressed on how good the bikes felt, even after the first run."

He added: "I've worked with the Saint groupset for the last three seasons and I really like how it works. Saint cranks are super-strong, the brakes are simple to set up, and the rear derailleur and shifter are super-smooth and a nice setup. Finish and attention to detail can?t be matched. The support offered by the Fox team over the last few days has been superb and their race support is second to none. 2012 will be a great season.?

So, what did the riders reckon? "We came up with some great setups and I'm now looking forward to the season," said Steve Peat. "Now it?s our turn to give it a thrash on our V-10s. 2012 should be fun!?

Shimano said they were looking forward to a "successful and exciting" 2012 season with the Syndicate, while Fox said they were excited about bringing their suspension expertise to the race programme and were hoping to learn from Steve, Greg and Josh in order to continue improving their products. You can read the full Santa Cruz Syndicate press release here.

Borrowing its geometry from the popular mmmBop aluminium trail hardtail, the M74 swaps in some budget-conscious tubing to keep the price down and ends up ride-ready with its 1x9 transmission at a wallet-friendly £700. 

Although not quite the budget mmmBop that Ragley would like us to believe, the M74 is good enough ? and cheap enough ? to stand on its own two wheels. It has great handling and genuine hard-riding ability, at a price that should make the competition weep, making it well worth considering.

Ride & handling: Long geometry and precise steering make for a fun ride at a low price

The M74 we rode was an early production bike and some minor spec details may change but it?s very close to what will shortly be available. The frame sticks with Ragley's usual formula of slack angles and a long top tube ? an unusual take on geometry that works well, particularly for riders who actively take on the trail. 

The laid-back angles are about all the M74 shares with the more costly mmmBop, though. The budget chassis build lacks the subtle ?uidity of thinner tube walls and a more forgiving rear triangle ? it?s not at its best when you?re drifting along admiring scenery. But largely all Ragleys seem to be at their best when ridden hard and the M74 wants to be told where to go by its rider.

Ragley?s decision to market the M74 with a 1x9 setup is a bold one but we think it suits the bike?s playful character. The single chainring setup keeps gear selection simple and the long top tube and slack angles work extremely well, to keep the rider?s weight centred between the wheels, making it easy to shuf?e between front and rear wheel-biased grip. 

The ?y in the ointment is the unique-to-Ragley RockShox Recon Silver R fork, which, despite offering great steering precision thanks to its Maxle through-axle, has the typical over-sprung and slightly cludgy feel of a budget coil-spring unit. Still, at this price it?d be churlish to make too much of it.

Frame & equipment: Rigid frame build verges on harsh; the fork doesn?t do the frame justice

Ragley?s current line of bikes was built for typical UK-based technical trail riding. The company's slack-and-long approach to frame design works well for a number of different end uses, from cross-country to technical trail riding, giving the M74 the same versatility as its more expensive counterparts elsewhere in the range.

To keep the price down, other Ragley-speci?c features have been replaced on the M74 with bog-standard stays and guides. There?s still enough room to run 2.35in tyres but the bridged chainstays mean there's considerably less room for the gloop to fall through. In other words, the M74 has sacri?ced some of the UK-friendliness in a bid to shave costs.

Still, there?s plenty of good news. Rack mounts add a dose of real-world practicality to the otherwise unremarkable rear end, while a tapered head tube combines with the Maxle-equipped fork to provide a very stiff, stable and plantable front end offering up to 120mm of coil sprung travel.

A mixture of Ragley and branded ?nishing kit makes up the rider contact points, while the transmission is a 1x9 affair made up of SRAM X5 derailleurs and a Truvativ Blaze Howitzer 34-tooth single chainring with chainguide up front. If you want to add a wider range of gears you just need to remove the chain guide and add chainrings, a front mech and a shifter. The bike weighs in at a big boned 13.25kg (29.21lb).

This article was originally published in What Mountain Bike magazine.

Today, Thursday, 2 February 2012, the US House of Representatives? transportation and infrastructure committee voted no ? by two votes ? on the Petri-Johnson-Lipinski amendment to the American Energy and Infrastructure Jobs Act that would have saved funding for biking and walking, including the acclaimed Safe Routes to School program.

Representatives Tom Petri (R-WI), and Timothy Johnson (R-IL) sought to defend bike and walking funding with an amendment to the proposed transportation bill; Daniel Lipinski (D-IL) co-sponsored the pro-biking amendment. The vote was ultimately, mostly, split along partisan lines, with Democrats voting for the amendment and Republicans against.

Representative Frank LoBiondo from New Jersey was the only non-sponsoring Republican to vote ?yes? on the amendment.

Without the amendment, the bill eliminates all benefits to bikes and pedestrians previously afforded by the Department of Transportation. Many biking and walking programs are served under the Transportation Enhancement Act, which makes up less than 1 percent of all federal transportation funding. The new Bill makes Transportation Enhancements optional, rather than required.

The League of American Bicyclists offered an assessment of the greatest losses under the new bill, including eliminating transit funds for bicycling, the requirement for safe access to bridges, and the jewel of the Department of Transportation, in regards to youth development and America?s health and obesity battle, Safe Routes to School.

The proposed amendment was set to save funding for the two most important programs: Safe Routes to School and the Transportation Enhancement Act.

Without Safe Routes to School, this rack might be empty

The amendment to the American Energy and Infrastructure Jobs bill was voted on after a short two-day opportunity for review of the bill?s text, and without hearing. After the ?no? vote came in regards to the proposed amendment, Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-OR) gave a passionate speech to the House, first saying that no member had read the bill they were voting for. ?We?re failing to distinguish between investment and consumption,? he said. ?This committee needs to be about investment.

?We?re going back to ? I don?t know what era ? we?re going to say that mass transit is not an obligation of the highway trust fund, we?re going back to the pre-1980s in this country,? said DeFazio addressing the floor. ?Wow. This is incredible, all to have the ruse that we can somehow deal with these problems without raising any money and investing in our country.?

The League of American Bicyclists argue that bikes are part of the diversification of American?s collective investment. ?It?s still a big issue and a big challenge for us to make that case,? Andy Clarke, president of the League of American Bicyclists, told BikeRadar. ?We are evidently still not successful enough in making it, because there are still people who think that it?s kind of a frivolous luxury that we can do without, so that remains a big part of the message that we have to bring up to the Hill. This [cycling] is about jobs and the economy, and all of the stuff that the big car companies talk about. We [cyclists] are part of the same picture now and there?s more members who are getting it each time we have to go through something like this.?

From here the bill goes to the House floor for a vote without any provisions for bikes. To be enacted into law, however, it must be combined with the Senate?s equivalent bill and voted on, then pass through the President?s office. And this all needs to happen before the current Transportation Bill expires on 31 March.

Opportunities to amend the bill come at each step of the House, Senate and when it is combined. ?There is the opportunity when the debate happens on the floor of the house to ask for amendments and logically we would probably start with the one that was introduced but not successful today,? said Clarke. ?The political calculation we have to make is: do we have any chance of doing a better in terms of peeling off Republicans to support such an amendment on the floor, than we did in the committee ? that would be quite a heavy lift, quite a challenge to do that. And it may be that we consider the other alternative, which is to appose the bill.?

Clarke said that the committee had to work hard to overcome the amendment and speculates that ?maybe they?ll think twice before pissing us [national cycling movement and Washington lobby] again,? he said.

Cycling citizens are not helpless

Despite the defeat today, and the seeming uphill battle on Capitol Hill, Clarke was upbeat about cycling in the US. ?The other thing that I think keeps us going and the reason there is great optimism still within the cycling community ? and we?ll see it again at the Summit this year, I?m sure ? is that despite what?s going on in Washington the momentum at the local level is amazing,? he said. ?Every city we go to has great things happening for cyclists and it?s encouraging to see that.?

Clarke stressed the importance of cyclists? efforts in taking the time to make calls and send emails to their representatives ? even if it?s only to send a form email to a member of Congress. ?Even in this day and age a relatively small number of emails and calls and letters to a member of Congress make a difference,? he said. ?When they?re hearing from 40 or 50 people on one issue at one given moment that registers.?

UK cycle safety was in the spotlight today after The Times launched a 'Cities fit for cycling' campaign that coincided with the release of new casualty statistics by the Department for Transport. 

The Times deemed the issue important enough for a front page headline, "Save our Cyclists", calling it "a campaign to improve the safety of cycling in Britain's towns and cities". Inside, the newspaper detailed an eight-point manifesto, ranging from requiring trucks to be fitted with more safety equipment, to devoting more of the Highways Agency budget to building cycling infrastructure, to improving training for cyclists and drivers.

The catalyst for the campaign was an accident involving Times journalist Mary Bowers, who was hit by a lorry while on her way to work and suffered life threatening injuries. Bowers is still unconscious, while her colleagues question why she and others have joined the growing number of cyclists killed and seriously injured (KSI) in the UK.

Department of Transport figures show that KSI statistics for pedestrian, motorcycle and car users fell by between one and seven percent in the past year. Cyclist KSIs for the same period, however, increased by eight percent, including a four percent rise in the number killed. And although the number of miles cycled does appear to be increasing as well, British roads doesn't appear to be getting any safer.

IAM (the Institute of Advanced Motorists) called the long-term trend in KSI statistics for cyclists "deeply worrying", citing a 17.5 per cent increase in cyclist casualties between 2007 and 2011. The organisation's director of policy and research, Neil Greig, said: ?It's extremely concerning that cyclist casualties are not reducing and this is something the Government and local councils must act on. This will mean changes to road layouts, more cycle training and promoting better awareness among drivers.?

British Cycling lent its voice in support of cycle safety. The UK's governing body for cycling called for more "mutual respect between motorists and cyclists" along with "greater cycle awareness in the driving test and Highway Code", "better enforcement of the law on mobile phone use while driving" and improvements to "poorly laid out roads and junctions".

"It?s essential that we get away from this sense of ?them and us? between motorists and cyclists," said Ian Drake, BC's chief executive. "Most people who ride a bike also drive a car which suggests there should already be some mutual understanding. Now more needs to be done to build on this and create a culture in which all road users can better respect each other. And it?s important to stress that cyclists have as much of a role to play in this as motorists, by ensuring they adhere to the rules of the road with regards to things like stopping at red traffic lights and signalling correctly."

The Concor shape has been around for a long time. It?s best known as a road saddle but the Protek adds abrasion-resistant silicone trim to the corners and tail to make it a bit more mountain bike friendly.

Underneath, a carbon-reinforced nylon shell and Selle?s titanium/carbon/silicon alloy rails contribute to a feathery sub-200g weight. But despite the Concor?s spectacularly low weight, it?s not totally minimalist. 

There?s detectable padding for a start, and while the Concor?s definitely more suited to experienced behinds, it?s perfectly fine for long rides. 

The shape is fairly flat along the top but with a usefully dropped nose and kicked-up tail. The Microfeel cover offers just the right amount of grip, allowing easy shifts in position without feeling skatey.

This article was originally published in Mountain Biking UK magazine.

The Mercury gloves are fairly thin. This makes them a good option for warmer winter days but the lightweight build and lack of insulation means these aren?t the gloves to wear when it?s really, really cold.

The palms are made of 0.8mm thick synthetic leather and the backs are windproof and showerproof. The silicone grip lines on the palm are sticky and the fit is great, with no bunching and a positive feel. The snot wipe covers the thumb and half the forefinger, providing an ample area for wiping your nose.

This article was originally published in Mountain Biking UK magazine.

Minoura's entry-level remote resistance unit is smooth, quiet and torquey enough for any training session, making it a cracking cost-effective choice.

The U-bend frame has fold-out legs and needs to be bolted together before you start. It?s stable enough for thrashing around on though, and the single winding-handle axle clamp keeps the wheel central on the large metal roller. There?s not much run-on but pedaling isn?t too choppy as long as you concentrate on cadence and smooth spinning. 

The main things you?ll notice are the impressive smoothness and low noise levels, perfect for beasting yourself in a bedsit. The big resistance lever for your bars lets you ramp up the pain, so you?ll be able to max out your sprint sessions even with compact chainset ratios. There?s a non-remote version for £129.99.

This article was originally published in Triathlon Plus magazine.

This week we headed to Silverstone to check out the UK's Core Bike and The Bike Place trade shows. Here's our pick of the mountain bike kit on display, including new downhill frames from Tomac and Identiti, bikes from Liteville, RAM, Kona and Avanti, and parts from Hope, Marzocchi and E*thirteen.

Tomac

Evolution Imports were in full force at The Bike Place expo showing off two of their new lines for 2012, one of which is the boutique brand Tomac. It?s good to see the guys from Santa Cruz, California back with a downhill frame again. The Primer 200 offers up 200mm (7.9in) of rear wheel travel and is constructed from butted 6069 aluminium.

All the downhill staples are there, including an 83mm bottom bracket shell, ISCG 05 chain guide mounts, a 12x150mm rear axle, 1.5in head tube and 64-degree head angle. There are three sizes to chose from but the bike will only be available in lime green ? this might not be to everyone?s taste but it'll certainly help you stand out. The frame will set you back £1,899 (US$1,599).

Liteville

Evolution's second new brand is Liteville. The German company are renowned for their world-class attention to detail and as well as making bikes are responsible for Syntace components, including the increasingly popular X-12 rear axle assembly. On show were two bikes, the 301 (pictured), which we tested back in 2010 and is soon to be updated, and the 601. 

The 601, with a carbon wheelset, weighed in at a claimed 29lb, which ain't too shabby for a frame with up to 190mm (7.5in) of rear wheel travel. Further bolstering the appeal of Liteville's bikes is their 10-year warranty. This is fully transferable with the bike so even if you?re the third owner and something should break (which apparently just doesn?t happen), the bike is still covered. The 601 frame will set you back £2,050.

Intense

Extra had a huge stand at Core Bike and were proudly displaying Intense?s latest offerings ? the Carbine SL and the new Uzzi. We saw both of these at last year's Interbike show but the Uzzi in particular is worth a second mention. Intense have amalgamated the old Uzzi and SlopeStyle 2 (which is soon to be no more), and created this new machine which should be the best of both bikes. You still get the Uzzi?s all-round ability but with a slightly more aggressive edge to it. 

Out back sit Intense's adjustable G3 dropouts, with a 12x150mm rear axle to keep things stiff.  Geometry has been tweaked slightly to accommodate a 180mm (7.1in) fork, the seat angle is slightly steeper than on the SS2 for improved climbing and there's provision for a front mech. This particular model weighed in at a claimed 32lb with Cane Creek Double Barrel coil shock ? a very good weight, considering the new Uzzi delivers 165 to 177mm (6.5-7in) of rear travel. RRP is $2,399, with UK pricing TBC. Extra say the bike will be available from April. 

Ram Bikes

This small Bulgarian brand have refined and expanded their range for 2012. There are new bikes in the Ram line-up and cleaner, neater graphics too. The AM.TWO.1 is their all-singing, all-dancing top-of-the-line all-mountain bike which boasts 150mm (5.9in) of rear wheel travel. There are various specs to choose from, with prices starting at just under the £2,000 mark and heading up to £3,299 for this particular version.

The AM.TWO uses the same suspension platform as Ram?s Nduro but with a little more travel and slightly slacker angles for those keen to ride wilder terrain at higher speeds. The head angle, for example, measures in at an on-trend 67.5 degrees. 

Spec-wise, RockShox take care of suspension duty at both ends, with this particular model sporting a Revelation RL Dual Air fork with the all-important 15mm through axle which, when coupled with the tapered head tube, should make for a nice and stiff front end. Other highlights include the Mavic Crosstrail wheels, which we tested back in the summer and offer a great balance of strength and weight. 

Ram also had their new DHX2 on display, which should please many downhill fans. This particular model (the DHX2.1) belongs to their elite team rider Robert Smith (not from the Cure) and features a top-of-the-line spec that'll retail for £4,999. There are two other complete builds to chose from, as well as a frame-only option for £1,849.

Ram have tried to create a bike with enough adjustability to cater for the wide of variety of tracks and terrain that you?re likely to encounter on this sort of beast. The 6061 aluminium frame has adjustable chainstays, an adjustable progression setting for the rear suspension and a 1.5in head tube that?ll accommodate adjustable headset cups.

A stiff 150mmx12mm rear axle setup and 83mm bottom bracket complete the race-ready frame. When it comes to rear wheel travel, well, there?s plenty of it. With a whopping 220mm (8.6in), the DHX2 should be able to handle pretty much any track.

Identiti

The guys at Ison Distribution were proudly presenting the new Identiti Mogul downhill frame. If you?re in for a bargain, keep reading ? this little beast will only set you back £1,100, and that includes the top-of-the-line RockShox Vivid R2C rear shock. The frame is claimed to come in at 2.9kg (without shock), has 190mm of travel (7.5in) and sports a 64-degree head angle. Various colour options are available.

Kona

Alongside their new gravity bikes, which have impressed everyone who?s thrown a leg over them, Kona were proudly displaying their latest 29ers. The £2,850 ($3,099) Satori, which we first saw at Eurobike, offers up 130mm (5.1in) of travel which, combined with its big Easton hoops should result in a bike that can take one hell of a beating. 

Looking a little closer, it?s the small touches that help to confirm this: ISCG 05 chain guide mounts, a low slung top tube, tapered head tube and 142x12mm bolt-through rear axle. It's no surprise to hear it was the brainchild of Chris Mandell, main man behind the Entourage and Operator. Suspension wise, things look a little different to what we?re used to from Kona but the Satori simply uses a swing link version of the company's well-established 4-Bar linkage.

Avanti

Avanti are still pretty new to the UK but the range is looking great for 2012, including their women's-specific model, the Motiv. We?ve already ridden the 140mm-travel Torrent and have been impressed. For 2013 it's set to get a 12x142mm through-axle at the rear along with ISCG 05 chain guide tabs to make for a more aggressive trail machine. Pricing TBC.

Hope

Our friends in the north are constantly fettling and tweaking their ongoing projects. At Core, Hope were showing approximately the thirtieth version of their cassette. This has an integrated freehub body to allow for the tiny nine-tooth sprocket, and five of the 10 sprockets are made from titanium to keep weight at a minimum. Also on display was the latest version of the cranks we first saw at last year's show. Woody from Hope said these probably won?t make it to production.

Hope's new pedals, however, should hit shops in the spring. They've undergone plenty of tweaks recently and their thin profile combined with a decent size platform and 10 pins per side means they should be great. Also due for a spring release are new machined bash rings and a seat tube mounted chain retention system. This isn't the chain guide we saw last year but a cyclo-cross inspired chain-catcher style device that, according to Woody, works well for mountain bike use, too.

Marzocchi

It?s great to see Marzocchi back up the top of everyone?s wishlist once again and they've got some even better offerings for 2012. They?ve delved once again into the world of travel adjustment, this time with the 44 and 55 forks, which offer 30mm and 40mm of adjustment respectively.

Called STA, or Switch Travel Adjust, Marzocchi's new hydraulic system is said to work completely independently from the damping. The lever is easy to actuate and gives a firm but smooth click into place. Flick the lever and the fork will extend, with no need to pull on the bar. 

E*thirteen

Chain retention specialists e*thirteen were showing off their reworked range proudly. There are new wheels and pedals but it was the TRS+ dual-ring guide that caught our eye. This can be used with or without a bashring due to the shape of the lower guide. The lower roller is stepped and made from a stealthy plastic that should keep things nice and quiet. There's no word yet on pricing.

Check out our image gallery for more from the Core Bike and The Bike Place shows...

Easton parts are found as original equipment on lots of bikes, but that?s no reason to overlook them an upgrade option. The EA70 stem is tidily forged from Easton?s aluminium alloy, with subtle shaping and relieving cutting weight. The ?nish is particularly good.

While the front end looks like a regular four-bolt faceplate clamp, it's actually more subtle that that. Rather than aiming to get all four bolts tightened evenly with equal gaps between faceplate and stem top and bottom, Easton?s Top-Lock clamp locks down completely at the top, with the bottom bolts doing the clamping.

Similar ideas are around, but Easton?s is particularly slick and the faceplate can be mounted either way up. This is one of the few stems that's available in low and high rises, giving you lots of ?tting options. The shortest length is 70mm, though if you need shorter Easton offer the Haven all-mountain stem.

This article was originally published in What Mountain Bike magazine.

From the latest product news to details of routes and events, our news round-up is a collection of short snippets of information in one handy article.

Today we bring you the new Gale road crankset from ControlTech, Wiggle's search to sponsor a cycling star, the Sustrans National Cycle Network Android app and more.

Product news

ControlTech's Gale crankset breezes in

ControlTech have released details of their new lightweight Gale crankset, which features UD carbon fibre arms, 7075 chain rings and integrated with BB25. With a claimed weight of 660g, the Gale is comes available in 9/10 speed options, a compact 50/34t chainset and a choice of 170mm, 172.5mm and 175mm crank arms. Pricing and availability are to be confirmed, but UK distributor Hotlines will be the place to find them.

Wiggle launch "X Factor" style athlete search

Ever dreamed of becoming a sponsored athlete? Wiggle is giving ordinary people with a talent and passion for cycling a chance to realise that dream. The 2012 Wiggle Athlete Search is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for cyclists to join Team Wiggle and enjoy the benefits of a full support package for a whole season.

All you need to be is 18 years old or over, with a talent for any biking discipline. You can then head over to the competition website to submit your own application to be in with a chance to win a £1,000 training bike, a £2,000 racing bike, a clothing and equipment including a Team Wiggle kit, plus a discount on any kit from their website.

Sustrans' cycle network app brought to life on Android

UK sustainable transport charity Sustrans has released the Android version of their National Cycle Network phone app. The free app, which was released last May on iPhone and downloaded by over 50,000 people, brings 25,000 miles of cycling routes to your fingertips wherever you are in the UK.

Routes, racing & rides

BMX roadshow aims to stir London interest

Access Sport will host a five-day BMX roadshow in east London during February half-term (13-17) as part of a campaign to promote a new wave of participation in the capital. The events will offer free coaching and are backed by British Cycling and Olympian Shanaze Reade. It's part of a legacy project that hopes to establish five new BMX clubs and tracks in the five hosting boroughs of this summer's Games - Greenwich, Hackney, Newham, Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest. The Olympic Park itself will have an international standard track, and it?s hoped these community-led clubs will link up to it and ensure its use long after the summer is over.

To find out the full schedule and venues, click here.

Jurassic Classic unearthed

The Wiggle Jurassic Classic is a new Devon sportive designed to raise funds and awareness for the Prostate Cancer Charity. The event, set for Sunday 8 July, features 100km/100 mile routes along the stunning East Devon coastline and passes through towns including Budleigh Salterton, Sidmouth and Lyme Regis. Entry costs £28 for both distances, which gets you the usual benefits of food stations, marshals and route signs. Visit the event website for more information.

FSA uprated their SL-K carbon fibre components a couple of years ago and the result is one of the best budget carbon seatposts available. The SL-K is relatively light, cheap, easy to adjust and totally reliable.

In the two years that we've been running it, across several bikes, we haven?t had any issues. Most importantly for us, it's comfortable. Not all carbon seatposts can claim a tick in each of those boxes and even fewer alloy ones can. To get them all, at what's a knockout price for the spec, is awesome value.

FSA run one of the most stringent test programs in the bike industry to ensure that their carbon is up to the mark. Our own extensive ?in-?eld? testing of SL-K and its big brother K-Force back this up, and we simply don?t have any reliability issues to report; really, it?s that good.

The SL-K can be had with inline or 25mm set back heads so you can tailor it to maximise your bike ?t. Flies in the ointment are few, though we would like more corrosion resistant hardware to stop the post from going rusty.

This article was originally published in What Mountain Bike magazine.

The Afterburner is FSA?s entry into the wide-and-?at bar bun ?ght (there?s a low-rise model too). Its 670mm (26.4in) width isn?t over-generous by current bar standards, although it?s still wider than the average for ?at bars. If you do decide to cut it down you?ll need to measure carefully ? there are no cutting guides. There's an off-the-shelf 630mm (24.8in) option if you fear the hacksaw. 

The bar is shot-peened at the ends but not in the middle where the stem grips. Curiously, the Afterburner?s listed with a 4° upsweep which is odd for a bar that only sweeps along one plane. The ??at? line on the angle scale on the bulge isn?t in the same plane, though ? mount it according to that and it will indeed sweep up and back, which is a good thing. Although ?at, the bulge is quite wide so there?s not quite as much space for controls as you?d expect. It?s unlikely you?ll struggle for room, though.

This article was originally published in What Mountain Bike magazine.

Originally conceived as a carbon fibre version of On-One?s aluminium Scandal frameset, the Whippet was one of the ?rst bikes to bring affordable carbon technology to the masses. It's now available with the option of an eight- or 11-speed Shimano Al?ne transmission. We?re won over by the combination of price, low weight, carbon comfort and hub gear simplicity, but we?re not entirely convinced that a race bike is the right platform. 

Ride & handling: Great value, lightweight speed machine with the simplicity of hub gears

Stretched long and low over the Whippet?s light, stiff frame, there?s no doubting this bike?s intent. The uncompromising ride position won?t suit all riders, but for racers ? or converting roadies ? it?s immediately identi?able as a stance that maximises effort at the pedalling coal face. Put simply, this is a bike that wants to go fast.

That ef?cient position is given a big boost by the Whippet?s low weight, supremely stiff rear end and, you may be surprised to hear, its sublime comfort. Yes, you read that right ? this is a light, stiff, fast race bike that?s almost uncannily comfortable through the rough and tumble of ?at-out trails. 

Well engineered carbon frames are renowned for their ability to absorb vibration, and the Whippet proves it. Carbon ?bre?s great advantage is that it can be laid up in different thicknesses, direction and overlaps to change the strength, weight, ?exibility or vibration damping properties of a given area.

As for the hub gears, we?re torn. On the one hand the lack of chain slap and single shifter simplicity meshes well with the Whippet?s single-minded intent. On the other, backing off pedalling to shift on a bike that?s built for speed is rather counterintuitive, even if it is only momentary. 

Although the Whippet?s basic geometry numbers aren?t that far removed from the trail riding norm, the narrow bars and low, stretched ride position scream ?at-out speed. Although you could ?t a higher stem and wider riser bar, trail cruisers might be better looking at On-One's Carbon 456 instead. We?d love to try one with an Al?ne setup, but that?s not currently an option. How about it, On-One?

Frame: Stiff, light and incredibly comfortable; hub gears add a dose of stealth to match the looks

Although it?s based on the tried-and-tested Scandal geometry, a cursory glance at the Whippet?s ?ared and bulged plumbing is all you need to tell you that this is a frame designed from the ground up and built from the black stuff. On-One claim a bare frame weight around 1.3kg, or less than 3lb. Given our test bike?s all-up weight of under 11kg (24lb), it?s a claim we can believe.

The Whippet?s bolt-on, adjustable dropouts and twin front mech mounts make it one of the most adaptable hardtail frames out there in terms of gear choice. Whether you want hub, derailleur ? in 1, 2 or 3x10 con?gurations ? or singlespeed, the Whippet has it covered.

Despite a price that puts it level pegging with steel-framed competition, our 11-speed test bike was well equipped. A Middleburn singlespeed-speci?c chainset helps set it apart from the crowd, while the RockShox SID RLT fork provides all the adjustability for its 100mm of air sprung travel that any budding speed freak could ask for. 

Own-brand ?nishing kit looks good and works well, though the ?at bar is a culture shock for riders accustomed to the past decade-and-a-half of riser ubiquity. Thoughtfully, On-One have even specced the black version of Shimano's Al?ne hub to match the bike?s understated looks.

This article was originally published in What Mountain Bike magazine.