Published by Time Inc. (UK) Ltd mbr is the UK's leading magazine for trail riding, mountain bike enthusiasts. Published since 1997, mbr aims to inspire readers to just get out and ride! with every issue, by providing the very best expert advice about where, what and how to ride. Every edition delivers the ultimate mix of inspirational riding features, with extensive bike and product reviews, along with superb advice and reader involvement - plus free pull-out route guides.

Calderdale compromise • Riders challenge changes proposed by landowners

Big picture

KIDS GO FREE • How a grandfather in Newport set up his own kids’ bike charity from his back yard

LESS IS RAW • Toby Pamtling’s unique raw Whyte E-150

HOPE RETURNS • The latest version of the HB130 features better spec and an aggro coil shock build

HOT STUFF • WHAT WE’RE EXCITED ABOUT THIS MONTH

E*THIRTEEN HELIX R 12-SPEED CASSETTE £320

DOWNHILL DELIGHTS • Five routes with the best, chunkiest descents in the UK

NEVER GET SICK • Well, nearly anyway. Here’s how to minimise your time off the bike and beat pathogens

NEED TO KNOW

NUKEPROOF MEGA 290 FACTORY • Sam Hill’s EWS-winning bike gets redesigned with a full carbon frame and revised suspension

1ST IMPRESSION

VITUS NUCLEUS 27 VR • The name’s been recycled but there’s nothing warmed-up about this bargain trail hardtail

NEED TO KNOW

NEED TO KNOW

SPECIALIZED S-WORKS STUMPJUMPER EVO • The new Evo’s an all-carbon 29er with enduro attitude aplenty and aggressive geometry

1ST IMPRESSION

NEED TO KNOW

PYGA HYRAX • Pyga is shunning Far East manufacturing and offering high-end alloy frames welded on home turf in South Africa

COTE TO COSTA

Mountain Bike Rider

Mailbox

mbr E-BIKE OF THE YEAR 2021: SHOP-BOUGHT • We put five high street e-bikes through a hard-charging battery of tests to find our high-voltage favourite

CONTROL TYRES

WHICH MOTOR? • There are three main motors on the market used by 90 per cent of the e-bikes on sale, and all three are represented here on our test bikes. But what are the pros and cons of each? Read on to find out...

VERDICT

CUBE STEREO HYBRID 160 HPC £5,799

VERDICT

MERIDA eONE-SIXTY 8000 £6,000

VERDICT

SPECIALIZED TURBO LEVO COMP £6,300

VERDICT

TREK RAIL 9 £5,700

VERDICT

WHYTE E-160 RS V1 £5,750

Conclusion

Our test winner’s stablemates

A look at e numbers

A CALL TO ARMS • For years the trails in the Calder Valley in West Yorkshire have been enjoyed in relative peace. But as numbers have gone up, opposition has grown, and the fight for rights is very real

ABOUT THIS SERIES

THE BIG PUSH CORNERS • Understand when to drive your bike into the ground and when to ease the pressure and with a little practice you’ll be cornering like you’re on rails

LET’S GET SPECIFIC • While this is a good description of doing a generic corner, there are subtle but important differences depending on what you have to work with. Let’s break down a few common corners and look at your line choice, body position, and how you’d manage that pump out of the exit.

LONG TERMERS • Countless hours on the trails make this the ultimate test of performance as well as reliability

YOUR TESTERS

Tested • The scores on the doors

WINTER JACKETS • Stay warm, dry and cosy this winter with our pick of the best waterproof jackets

Conclusion

AS CHOSEN BY... CHRIS PORTER, MOJO RISING AND GEOMETRON FOUNDER • Mtb’s movers and shakers select their favourite places to ride