Liam Mercer

Since 2009, we’ve seen MotoGP riders instantly double in size after their mighty spills. That’s come thanks to Alpinestars’ active airbag technology, which deploys just before or during a crash. Now, similar technology has made its way to mountain biking in the form of the Tech-Air MX Airbag system and its new Downhill algorithm. It’s ... Read more

In a world where brands are constantly trying to get you to part with your money in pursuit of ‘better’, it’s really easy to get bogged down in the slew of new and fancy kit, thinking that it’ll make life riding bikes better. To a fine degree, it will. But after 10 years of riding ... Read more

In this week’s Five Cool Things, we’re going to take a look at the Rocky Mountain Instinct, a bike rammed full of adjustment, as well as Giant’s latest cross-country ripper and Insta360’s latest 360 action camera. But there’s more, as we’ve also got some fresh colours from Tailfin and Cast’s handlebar.But before we get into ... Read more

SRAM’s T-Type or Transmission drivetrains bring very sizable benefits to mountain bikes, with even plenty of gravel bikes adopting the mech hangerless technology thanks to the wireless AXS protocols and XPLR systems. Having unveiled its long-awaited mechanical lineup last year, those with a penchant for curly bars who want to revel in the T-Type benefits ... Read more

We’re now at the point where the wild designs of mountain biking’s earlier days have plateaued a little, and that’s no bad thing, as modern MTBs perform very well consistently no matter which brand they come from, for the most part. That has led to a somewhat cookie-cutter design, where many bikes use similar technologies ... Read more

Factor reckons that gravel racing is evolving at a very rapid pace, and to a degree, the brand is correct. Road bike aero technologies, like deep-section rims and slippery tube shapes, are finding their way onto many modern gravel bikes in the pursuit of podiums, but with its new Elara, the brand has turned that ... Read more

We’ve weighed in on the electric/mechanical debate quite a bit over the years, but as I’ve had as many positive experiences as I have negative with both, I’ve landed on a real preference for mechanical everything, whether that’s shifting, computers (not that there are mechanical cycling computers), or full bikes. Over the years, bikes kitted ... Read more

We may earn affiliate commission from some of the links on this pageIf you’re partial to a spot of home workshop bike tinkering, there’s a very solid chance you’ve got absolutely everything you need to get most jobs done. I spend an awful long time working on bikes, getting forks set up and mounting drivetrains, ... Read more

As gravel racing becomes increasingly popular, so too does aerodynamics on gravel bikes, with Factor’s Elara, launched last week, being a prime example of what happens when brands push the aero boat out. Now, WTB has thrown its ‘faster’ hat in the ring, unveiling three new tyres designed with help from the folk at Stromm ... Read more

Back in June, Scott unveiled its overhauled Spark RC, gracing it with a fresh internal shock layout as well as a whole host of useful gubbins. It’s an excellent-looking bike that’s already seeing success on the world circuit under the likes of Bjorn Riley. But in classic Scott style, the brand has taken that race-winning ... Read more