Matt explains why it’s ‘my way for the byway’

Before joining MBUK I always chose to build up my own bikes rather than go for an off-the-peg option. I love the freedom to create something unique and tailored to me. Not being able to try the whole package before you buy is a bit of a gamble, but it adds to the fun! So the opportunity to build my ideal long-term bike around Cotic’s Rocket Max 650b+/29er frame seemed like too good an opportunity to pass up.

I’ve tried to keep things to an affordable budget, opting for Manitou’s wallet-friendly Machete fork up front. Having spent last year adventuring on their Magnum fork, I’m keen to see how the cheaper offering holds up. First impressions are good, and the ‘HexLock SL’ tooled axle is definitely a huge improvement over the fiddly ‘HexLock QR15’ of the Magnum.

After a year on SRAM GX, I was keen to try one of Shimano’s 11-speed drivetrains. Straight out of the box, the new SLX felt like the complete package. Shifting has been reliable and clean, while the brakes have plenty of power, even for this heavyweight steel beast. I’ve been more than happy with Shimano’s reliability in the past, so hope that’ll be the same this time around.