One of the most venerable hardcore UK hardtails has become even more versatile for riders who want that immersive rigid rear triangle riding experience. 

One of the most storied brands in mountain biking and off-road riding, Ritchey’s agreement with the UCI for using the Rainbow Stripes ended late last year. Required to create new product branding, Ritchey’s marketing team has revealed the graphic design, that will now feature on its frames and components. 

The Japanese drivetrain and component giant has developed a new range of CUES 9-, 10-, and 11-speed gravel bike groupsets with interchangeable components. There’s a value 8-speed option, too, and a compact derailleur and brake rotor option for junior riders on 20-inch wheels. 

If you love the feel and durability of Shimano components but can’t quite afford GRX or even Deore for your gravel bike build, the new CUES drop bar range is a deal.

From the desert cliffs of Utah to the Dyfi Valley, Wales and Tasmania, Red Bull’s Rampage and Hardline events push the world’s most courageous and technically talented downhill and freeride mountain bikers. 

The broad range of trail e-bikes now feature 150mm forks complemented by 140mm shocks, meaning 10mm more travel at each wheel. Frames are still aluminium, but the suspension linkage and rear triangle designs have evolved to accommodate the increase in travel. 

How much homework? The Roval Control World Cup design, prototype and engineering team created 1017 iterations of Specialized's new ultra-lightweight carbon rims to achieve the final production version's 44g weight saving. 

The American cycling super brand has developed its latest tyres to deliver the lowest possible rolling resistance and rotational mass while retaining enough grip to keep confidence and control under demanding race conditions. 

The Revo (say ‘Ree-vo to be on-brand) is all about coverage, comfort and crash safety. Engineers and industrial designers at Met invested a lot of time and CFD resources in the wind tunnel to optimise the Revo’s internal channelling and airflow. 

To complement the Cannondale Super X gravel bike launched last month, the Topstone Carbon has more of a do-it-all demeanour to it. The KingPin thru-axle pivot still provides 30mm of rear suspension, and if you want a suspension fork, there’s an updated version of the Lefty Oliver up front, delivering 40mm of stroke.

Engineers and product designers at Specialized focussed on developing a more dynamic tread-to-trail contact patch for the Butcher and reshaped tread blocks for the Eliminator.