Specialized debuted a secret new cross country race bike this weekend
Chipps
With 23 years as Editor of Singletrack World Magazine, Chipps is the longest-running mountain bike magazine editor in the world. He started in the bike trade in 1990 and became a full time mountain bike journalist at the start of 1994. Over the last 30 years as a bike writer and photographer, he has seen mountain bike culture flourish, strengthen and diversify and bike technology go from rigid steel frames to fully suspended carbon fibre (and sometimes back to rigid steel as well.)
Issue 147 Editorial: Best Foot Forward
Admission time… I’m a secret, or perhaps ‘recovering’ left-hander. That is to say I write and use a mouse with my left hand, but apart…
International Adventure: New Kids Sur Le Bloc
For my part, I have moved with my wife Beate to a little place called Fuilla, in the southeastern Pyrénées-Orientales –…
The Cobble Wobble Returns!
Frome Cobble is a ‘World Famous’ bicycle hillclimb sprint up 179 yards of a steep, cobbled hill in the heart…
Fresh Goods Friday 637: The Warranty Edition
This in the 'kin-tro... A bit like the flippin-tro but just that little bit coarser. Because we all just want…
7Mesh WTV Chilco Jacket review
7Mesh WTV Chilco jacket (‘Wind, Thermal, Ventilation’) is a big new thing from top-notch clothing company.
Issue 146: Editorial – We Are Not Alone
Chipps encourages us to get to know our ride-group neighbours. As a reasonably feeble and glasses-wearing schoolboy, I was never…
Issue 146: In Praise of Petrichor
Mountain biking smells aren’t just of damp shoes and disappointment. There’s joy to be found in the company of a…
Fresh Goods Friday 630: Behind The Radiator Edition
The orange-chested robin redbreast is called redbreast because there was no English word for the colour orange until the 16th…
The Bicycle Academy Closes Its Doors
After ten years of teaching framebuilding, designing and selling frame jigs and generally being a force for good for British…
Singletrack World Issue 145: Editorial
Chipps is in the flow zone… just don’t tell him. Been ‘in the zone’ lately? Have you achieved ‘flow state’?…
Issue 144 Editorial : No More Crashing?
On floors, that is… but why not? I’ve been a serial chancer/cheapskate/ ‘economic lifestyle enthusiast’ for years, especially when travelling. I’ve…
Issue 144: Zippity Doo-Dah
Zippity Doo-Dah Chipps would like to lead you in praise of the humble cable tie. Words Chipps Photography as credited…
10 most eyebrow-raising things seen at Eurobike
Chipps reflects on the best, worst and out-there inventions of the 2022 Eurobike Show (his 25th visit!) and the bike…
Issue 143 Editorial: Local Secrets
Chipps wants to show you all of his favourite trails. Well, nearly all. We all know that there are no…
Issue 143 Interview: Guy Kesteven
If he can tell how a bike will ride just by pushing it, why does he keep riding and testing? Words…
Issue 143: Lost In Time
A few rolls of lost camera film bring back memories of older times. Words & Photography Chipps The fading art of the…
Issue 142 Editorial: Gambling With Choices
Chipps ponders those moments where the path you choose makes all the difference. We all like to think that we’re,…
Fresh Goods Friday 595 – Big Fork, Little Bar, Cardboard Box Edition
It’s Friday again. Easter is approaching and, soon, summer will be here. Or is it spring? When does it all…
15 signs you have an unhealthy relationship with your bike
Yes, it's February the 14th. Time for some sort of crowbarred themed listicle! No matter what happens just remember, we…
Editorial: The Eternal Suffering Of The Spoke
I was once on a Mavic press launch, somewhere in the French mountains. Our merry band of bike journalists was…
Singletrack Issue 141 kit essentials: Insulated jackets
Chipps and the team venture out into the chill winds to bring word of the best insulated jackets out there.
Chris Hinds – Unexpected Hero
How much physical and mental strength does it take to finish, let alone win, the 1,800km Great British Divide? More…
MTB Culture: Meet The Minehead Mentors
Chipps takes a ride with the Minehead mountain bike club that’s just for youngsters. Words & Photography Chipps Saturday mornings…
2021 GT Malverns Classic – Editors’ Choice Awards 2021
The Singletrack Staffers pick the standout products and locations from their riding year. This article was originally published in Singletrack…
Glentress Forest – Editors’ Choice Awards 2021
The Singletrack Staffers pick the standout products and locations from their riding year. This article was originally published in Singletrack…
Thule Rail Hip Pack 2L – Editors’ Choice Awards 2021
The Singletrack Staffers pick the standout products and locations from their riding year. This article was originally published in Singletrack…
Scott Spark RC – Editors’ Choice Awards 2021
The Singletrack Staffers pick the standout products and locations from their riding year. This article was originally published in Singletrack…
Bike Check: Dan Milner’s ‘Modern Klunker’ Yeti SB115
Photographer, world adventurer and all round nice guy, Dan Milner (not to be confused with the editor of another mountain…
The Mason RAW – New Steel Hardtail On The Block, Ridden
The new Mason RAW hardtail. View and First Ride Review Today, those achingly-cool folks at Mason Cycles are launching the…
Review: Shimano MW7 Winter Boots – No excuses boots for winter riding
These Shimano MW7 winter boots are designed to remove any excuses you have about winter riding. Forget ‘it’s too cold’…
Giro Havoc Trousers Review
This review was part of the Singletrack World Issue 139 Kit Essentials Feature Tested by: Chipps Price: £119.99 From: Giro.co.uk…
Bike Check: The New Carbon Pyga MoBu Has A Four Month Waiting List
We’re so used to seeing the smooth, swoopy shapes of modern carbon mountain bikes, that the angular, chiselled, almost motorsport-like…
What A Classic 2021 Malverns Classic!
And what a Malverns that was! For many people at this year’s end of August gathering-in-a-field, this was the first…
The Hardest Race You’ve Never Heard Of Is Going Past Your Door Right Now
The Great British Divide – something you’ve probably never heard of until about… now – is a 2200km off-road mountain…
Ibis Exie Is Made In-House – Is This A New Movement For Bike Companies?
This week, Ibis Cycles has launched the Ibis Exie (‘X C’ – geddit?) cross country race bike. It’s a 120/100mm…
FGF 553 – The ‘Hannah’s So Happy She’s Lost Her Voice’ Edition
It’s all good fun here at STW Towers this week. We had Hannah’s birthday (and subsequent member discounts) though it…
Schwalbe Wicked Will Tyre – All Round Fast Trail Rubber
What is it with Schwalbe’s crazy tyre nomenclature? Not to be confused with the cartoon, talking penis, Wicked Willie, the…
Roval Traverse Wheels Get Star Ratchet Drive Internals
Roval wheels has just launched its brand new Traverse Alloy wheels – and while it sounds and looks like there’s…
Fresh Goods Friday 550 – The ‘Month To Midsummer’ Edition
Yes, make sure you’re enjoying every day of the summer so far, you’ve got a month before it all starts…
New Reserve 28/XC Wheels: No Weight Limit And No More Santa Cruz
If the ‘Reserve Wheels’ name sounds familiar, it’s because until recently, it’s been associated as Santa Cruz Bikes’ in-house wheel…
Movie: BikePark Wales Reopens
It’s been a tough old year for everyone. And while BikePark Wales was forced to close last year, it gave…
Fresh Goods Friday 547: The Dr Dolittle Extra Animal Edition
Lockdown, week whatever. Or are we still locked down? Kind of not – we can ride bikes with five friends…
Roval Control Carbon Wheels – XC Race Wheels At A Lower Price
Today, Roval is launching its 2021 Control Carbon 6B XD wheels. It features the same, impressive rim from the Control…
Fox 2022: Two New Fox 34 forks And Two New Rear Shocks
Fox Racing Shox has completely revamped its line of Fox 34 forks for the coming 2022 model year, with designs…
Video and Interview: Kriss Kyle – ‘Out of Season’
Kriss Kyle is a busy guy. By the time I speak to him at 10am, he’s already been to the…
2021 Trek Session: The High Pivot, Idler Pulley, Fast And Fun Machine
Right, get comfy, we have much to talk about. The new 2021 Trek Session is very different, and yet very…
ZIPP 3ZERO MOTO Wheels Updated for 2021
A first, it would look like there’s nothing new about the ZIPP 3ZERO MOTO wheels. They use the same ‘moto…
Podcast: Singletrackworld Turns 20 Years Old! The anecdotes episode
On April 1st, 2001 (no, really…) Singletrack Magazine and its website singletrackworld.com were launched. The website evolved off the back…
Garmin Launches Rally XC Power Meter Pedals
Today, Garmin is launching a range of clip-in pedals with built-in power meter sensors. There are Look and SPD SL…