Mason delivers its first mountain bike frame with the RAW - a steel hardtail with bespoke levels of design and manufacturing detail. The Raw is aimed at long-distance fast off-road riding and offers an engaging, supple ride feel. The RAW is top of its class.

The Royal Racing Matrix Jersey is a loose fit top that breathes well, is comfortable, and looks good on and off the bike. It's warm, which makes it a great choice for cold riding conditions, and it's reasonably priced too.

The Fox Mainframe (MIPS) is an economical trail helmet. It looks good, is comfortable when riding, has decent coverage, effective ventilation and comes in several colourways. Plus, the MIPS offers an increased level of protection. On the whole, it’s a good value trail lid.

The Gusset Slim Jim CNC pedals have been updated and given an improved shape and performance upgrades. This newest version is affordable, tough, and offers decent grip despite the somewhat compact platform. With easily replaceable pins and axle bearings, they should also last a long while.

The Alpinestars Paragon Plus Elbow Guards are designed to give lightweight trail protection. They are made using a minimal breathable mesh with a ‘certified protector’ pad sewn into the sleeve. The pad stuck out when riding and felt inflexible. Although the sleeve stayed in place, it doesn't feel especially durable for its purpose or for long term use.

The Pipedream Cycles Alice frame and fork is a do-it-all adventure bike - a master of some while surprisingly capable overall. It's a long-distance off-road bike, with a firm bias to bikepacking and gravel riding - but can handle a wide range of other duties with ease, too. 

The Fastline 2.0 trousers are Fasthouse's top of the range riding trousers, with great quality materials and a race-style cut. I was really impressed with the toughness and comfort. They are perfect for bike park riding, laps on downhill trails and when you want something more hard-wearing. The compromise is a heavier feel and added warmth.

Despite its size, the 76 Projects Micro Piggy is a handy and reliable item for carrying extra kit. I was impressed with how much it can hold, the fact it can be stuck anywhere, and how well it stayed in place. It's well made, performs well, and is very affordable. 

The Royal Racing Quantum Shorts are aimed at all off-road riding disciplines. They have a fairly square cut and are on the baggier side but are pretty average considering there are more refined options available for the same asking price.

As far as the best enduro MTB wheels go, the Hunt Enduro Wide MTB V2 are a great for hard riding at a great price. With neat touches to the rim width and spoke count, they manage to balance strength and weight very well, while retaining a fast and comfortable ride feel.