Not only is the Essential Guide to Mountain Biking packed with advice on buying the right bike, clothing and kit, but it’s full of expert riding tips that will have you taking on the trails like a pro. Updated 2014 edition including new bike reviews and new features.

WELCOME

BUY IT RIGHT • So many bikes, so little time. Here’s our guide to shopping wisely

WHAT TYPE OF BIKE DO I NEED?

MAKE SURE IT FITS!

WHAT ABOUT SECOND HAND? • A new bike doesn’t have to mean new prices, just make sure you buy second-hand safely

CHECKING FOR DAMAGE

BIKE TEST • From wallet-friendly machines to those that cost a fair chunk more, we review 13 of the best bikes around

CALIBRE RAKE • £450 (w/ £5 card) Forget the price and just ride flat out!

VOODOO AIZAN • £500 Can new geo and gearing conjure up extra trail magic?

CALIBRE LINE 10 • £750 (w/ £5 discount card) Sorted package for the price

MARIN BOBCAT TRAIL 5 • £775 The well-shaped Bobcat 29er has real trail potential

CALIBRE BOSSNUT EVO • £999 (w/ £5 card) Absolutely kills it if £1,000 is your limit

DIAMONDBACK HEIST 3.0+ • £1,000 Killer value, but more of a chiller than a trail slayer

BOARDMAN MHT 8.9 • £1,000 Evolution not revolution creates an instant classic

VITUS ESCARPE • £1,449.99 Hardcore full-gas package at an awesome price

NORCO FLUID FS1 29ER • £1,500 Not quite as sorted as it looks on paper

SONDER EVOL NX1 RECON • £1,599 Excellent frame makes the Evol a big-fun investment

WHYTE 905 • £1,699 Big tyres and tweaked geo mean aggro trail supremacy

NUKEPROOF SCOUT 290 COMP • £1,699.99 Efficient mile-eater that rips on the descents

SONDER TRANSMITTER GX EAGLE REVELATION • £1,899 Outstanding playful updated aggro hardtail

ESSENTIAL RIDING GEAR • You’ve got your bike, so here’s the other stuff you’ll need

UPGRADES • UPGRADING IS FUN AND CAN GIVE GREAT RESULTS HERE’S HOW TO DO IT THE RIGHT WAY

HELMETS • Helmets degrade over time and all eventually need replacing – especially if you have a crash in one!

TYRES • New bikes often come with poor-quality tyres. Upgrading them is one of the most cost-effective changes you can make to your ride

DROPPER POSTS • The ability to quickly adjust your seat height on the fly reaps huge benefits when you’re out riding the trails

FORKS • As your riding progresses you may find that your current fork doesn’t cut it any more. The right upgrade can boost control and traction hugely

WHEELS • Wheels are often a place where bike brands save money. So it’s worth thinking about whether your current ones are the best for you

BARS AND STEM • How wide you run your bar and how short a stem you go for can have a big impact on your ride experience

DRIVETRAINS • As good as modern drivetrains are, they will wear out eventually – which offers the chance for a change

SCHOOL OF ’ARD KNOCKS • Enduro virgins Al (Evans) and Al (Bond) are thrown in at the deep end at Yorkshire’s ’Ard Rock

EQUAL RIDES • WE INVESTIGATE THE WORLD OF FEMALE-SPECIFIC BIKES: DOES THE ‘SHRINK IT AND PINK IT’ STEREOTYPE STILL HOLD TRUE?

MAKE ME FASTER • Can professional coaching overcome years of ingrained habits and boost my speed out on the trails?

COACH ON THE COUCH • I picked Matt’s brains on a few MTB coaching matters…

BODY POSITION • Mastering the ready position gives you speed, flow and added confidence on all terrain. We take an in-depth look at how it’s done

SET UP FOR SUCCESS • Brake lever angle has a huge impact on comfort and control in your ready position

BRAKING • Revolutionise your riding by learning how to brake...