Diamondback Response Sport review

The Response Sport was introduced to the UK shortly after the whole range was launched. There is a US version with different finishing kit. You won’t find many £500 bikes with 27 Shimano Deore gears, Shimano disc brakes and a RockShox fork. While the Dart 2 is basic compared to more costly RockShox forks, its controlled rebound sets it apart from the more clunky rebounds of many rival forks on £500 bikes.  The nine-speed rear gears and hydraulic disc brakes mean it’s more future proof than some of its price rivals. Add that to confident handling on all types of terrain and you have a bike that we’d recommend to anyone with trail...

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GT Zaskar Comp reviews

The GT Zaskar is one of mountain biking’s longest-running hardtail success stories. Cropping up in various incarnations over the years, it’s been ridden by pros covering the gamut from trials to cross-country racing. This isn’t a bike that’s going to set pulses racing. It’s neither light enough to win races nor nimble enough for extended sessions of rock-dodging. What it is, though, is a thoroughly sorted all-rounder that’ll do most things well. Ride & handling: Efficient ride position makes mile munching easyIf it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. It may be a well-worn cliché, but GT’s designers haven’t tried to redefine the trail hardtail...

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Spin Spitfire MKIII titanium race bike

Up against carbon fibre, aluminium and even steel, titanium road frames are currently lagging behind a little in the popularity stakes. This doesn’t reflect its suitability as a frame material or its ride quality, but rather its affordability. However, Spin, a relatively new name in the titanium bike world, say they wouldn’t make their frames from anything else. We posted a review of their Spitfire MkII sportive bike just this week, and hot on its heels is the more race-orientated Spitfire MkIII Supermarine. With claims of being both stiffer and lighter than its little brother, Spin say the MkIII has been tuned with the sole purpose of speed...

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Cannondale CAAD 10 Dura-Ace Compact review

With so much invested into manipulating aluminium tubes, manufacturers are compelled to keep pushing the envelope just that little bit further with every model year, as evidenced by the latest Cannondale CAAD 10. Its 6069 aluminium frame is smoothly welded and beautifully put together, with every inch of tubing subjected to some sort of manipulation process. Besides the massively supersized head tube to down tube interface, the CAAD 9’s curved seatstays have been straightened and made beefier; shot into either side of the seat tube with an unusually wide stance, they produce a stouter ride than previously… maybe a little more than desired, actually,...

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Cannondale Trail SL1 review

Despite the name, Cannondale describes the Trail SL as “a racer through and through”. The SL1 is the most expensive of the Trail SL series – Cannondale does 29er versions of the bike, but we’re looking at the 26er.  There’s a lot to like about the Trail SL1 – it looks great, the frame is well designed and finished, and it’s got lively handling. The parts spec is only adequate, though. Ride & handling: A lively feeling bike with agile handlingCannondale’s not kidding with the racer thing – the SL1 is long, low and lively. It’s not all that light (12.5kg), which dulls acceleration a bit, but its race-day DNA shines through. In some senses...

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Intense M9 FRO – First ride review

Based Intense Cycles have been busy once again producing their latest pedigree downhill bike, the M9 FRO. With help from some of the fastest riders in the world – Intense claim that their M-series, of which this is the latest incarnation, has been ridden by more pro athletes than any other downhill bike ever – the M9 FRO should be one of the best bikes out there. It's a real racer's bike, with masses of adjustment and speed. But the suspension feel won't suit everyone.Ride & handling: Plenty of speed but a harsh rear end An uplift day back in the UK helped with bike setup before we headed to Europe’s downhill capital, Morzine in France,...

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Boardman AiR/TT 9.8 - First Ride Review

It's rare that you can jump on a time trial bike and immediately feel at home on it. In our experience it usually takes weeks to months to fine tune a position. That's why the Boardman AiR/TT 9.8 surprised us - in a good way. On its maiden journey we were able to get comfy almost straight away, which meant we could concentrate on extracting some decent speed out of it.  Ride and Handling The AiR/TT likes going fast. This was apparent after we'd done 2 miles on it and knew what sort of speed the ride would be. Although it was a low level endurance ride, effort wise, the speed told a different story. We were happy to finish with an...

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Volagi Liscio review

At their most basic level, road bikes only have to perform a very limited set of tasks: accelerate, roll along, turn and stop. Most companies focus primarily on the first three attributes and the metrics that affect them (stiffness, weight, geometry, ride quality) but upstart outfit Volagi have pushed the boundaries a bit further by including disc brakes on their Liscio endurance machine.   Are they necessary? Hardly. But after spending a few months on them, it's hard to go back to the status quo. That Volagi have managed to integrate them into a satisfying all-day road cruiser that's perfectly suited to how most roadies actually ride...

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