The answers to all your technical questions, plus how to stop your brakes rubbing and our bluffer’s guide to pad compounds
Your questions answered
Back to the future
I’m a roadie and haven’t bought a mountain bike for 25 years. I ride my old Marin Pine Mountain on local bridleways, singletrack and the South Downs Way. After all this time, I’m looking for a new bike. Things have changed a lot, so I feel a little lost and would love some advice. My budget is £1,000 and it seems like a hardtail with disc brakes would suit my needs best. Paul Wood, via BikeRadar forum
You’re right Paul, mountain bikes have really evolved over the past couple of decades. Luckily for you, they’re better than ever. While it’s possible to pick up a good full-suspension bike for a grand, it does sound like a hardtail will serve your needs best. You’ll also get a better parts package, because a frame without any pivots is cheaper to make.
Back in MBUK 356, we tested the Boardman MHT 8.9 and scored it a rare five stars. That’s simply because it’s a fantastic bike for the money. At 12.36kg, it’s light compared to other bikes in this category, and the kit hanging off it is decent. A wide-ish bar and short stem help to bring the cockpit bang up to date, while the RockShox Reba fork is easy to adjust and well-controlled.
The own-brand wheels and Vittoria tyres are tubeless-ready and of the 29in variety. That’s no bad thing for the type of riding you’re looking to do. Good geometry means the bigger wheels don’t affect the manoeuvrability of the bike or how fun it is on the trail. Shimano’s dependable SLX gearing has you covered on the ups and downs, while their M500 brakes feel solid and powerful. It’s just under budget at £950 and you can pop into Halfords to try one for size before parting with you cash.
#26aintdead
The original wheels on my son’s 2011 Specialized Stumpjumper are knackered. What replacement 26in wheels would you recommend? We want
them to last but don’t want to spend a fortune.
Gary Nibblet, via email
We’ve had good experiences with the JRA Traildog STi wheels from Just Riding Along. Builds start at £285 and they’re easy to customise via their website – there’s a choice of end caps and decals, and you can add tubeless valves too. The rims used are WTB’s ST i25s which, although not the fattest out there, will likely be wider than those you’re replacing. They’re laced to JRA’s own hubs with 32 spokes, which should make for a build that’ll last a good few years, providing your son takes care of them.
Hydrate or die
I’ve awakened the MTBer inside of me and am getting out and experiencing as many new trails as I can. I need a riding pack with a 3l bladder (I drink a lot, because I sweat so much) but can’t bear the thought of spending more than £100. Any suggestions? Brian Smith, via email
Hydration packs aren’t cheap, but invest in the right one and it’ll stay put on your back when you’re pelting down the hills and last for years. The Source Ride pack offers 12l of storage and a 3l bladder to quench your thirst, and is within budget at £80. If you can stretch to it though, we’d lean towards something like the Osprey Raptor 10. Although it costs £115, the bladder is fantastic and the attention to detail on the pack is superb. It’s one of the few that feels really stable when riding too, and we’ve had Osprey packs that have lasted years, even with daily use.