Mick Kirkman

Contributor/tester

Pirelli Scorpion Enduro M Race tyre

This new Pirelli Scorpion M Race model is the result of the brand busily developing new treads, casings and compounds. Also, the much softer rubber blend here stems from testing…

Rapha’s combination of fabric and fit is seriously effective at keeping you cool and airy when it’s scorching, yet it doesn’t use such an open mesh that it lets too…

Merida One-Twenty 2024

First ride review As a trail all-rounder that targets simplicity and affordability, Merida’s latest One-Twenty model isn’t directly competing with the best downcountry bikes that we’ve tested, like the Scott…

Merida One-Sixty FR 600

The Merida One-Sixty FR was launched at September’s EX Enduro in Devon, so our first ride testing and evaluation was carried out on terrain in and around the event with…

Atherton AM.170

We’ve seen it the Atherton AM.170 perform at the highest level in Gee’s latest Ridgeline IV video where he ventures high into the Dolomite mountains on an epic trip, but…

Fasthouse Crossline 2.0 Short

The Fasthouse Crossline 2.0 is a lightweight baggy mountain bike short, with a price tag that places it at the premium end of the category. With stiff competition from benchmark…

Giro Merit Spherical helmet

Sharing loads of safety technology with Giro’s flagship Manifest helmet, this Merit Spherical lid saves you £50 by omitting a few features. Like me, you can probably live without a…

Fasthouse Trace SS Tech Tee

This latest version of the Trace SS (short sleeve) from Fasthouse has improved fit and fabric, with a slightly more body-hugging athletic shape than previously, and also a softer fabric…

Madison Target glasses

Madison sells some excellent value own-brand eyewear with sharp, clear lenses that we’ve rated highly in the past. They’ve impressed when tested in range of weather conditions and have gone…

Dainese Linear 03 MIPS+

This 03 is the open-face model and it shares some design attributes with Dainese’s Linea 01 – currently the world’s lightest DH-certified full-face helmet. Available with or without MIPS, it…

Schwalbe Tacky Chan

Only coming in a 2.4in width for both 27.5in and 29in wheel sizes, the new Tacky Chan from Schwalbe focuses on all-out speed for racing. The majority of its rivals…

Hope Dropper Lever 

One look at this new dropper lever and you’ll see there’s everything you’d expect from a Hope component. It’s a shiny, feature-packed, CNC aluminium product that’s made in the UK…

Rapha MTB Trail Hip Pack

When Rapha branched out into mountain biking a couple of years ago, it was tempting to think a brand whose image revolved around stylised monochrome images of noble suffering on…