Using the latest mid-drive motors and batteries from Bosch and Shimano, Canyon designers have updated the ‘ON’ versions of the Grand Canyon and Torque, also introducing an all-new enduro platform, the Strive:ON. The Grand Canyon:ON and Strive:ON both use 600W versions of Bosch’s Performance Line CX, CX Performance or CX Performance Race mid-drive motors. 

At the weekend’s Swiss UCI mountain bike event in Lenzerheide, Nino Schurter won his 34th World Cup race. That makes him the winningest elite men’s rider, besting Julien Absalon’s record. In typical Schurter style, the margin of victory was immense, but not without drama. Schurter clashed with New Zealand’s Sam Gaze in the short track event, which relegated him to a disadvantaged start position for the main race. 

If Epic Series riding gear means something to you, Ciovita won’t be an unfamiliar name. The South African cycling apparel brand is an official kit partner to the Absa Cape Epic and Epic Series mountain bike events, with stage winners and category leaders present on the podium in Ciovita mountain bike jerseys. 

The Scott subsidiary has been experimenting and building monocoque carbon-fibre wheels for its World Cup racers for many seasons, with proven results and no compromises. With the Capital SL one-piece wheelsets, that technology has now been reshaped for gravel bikers. ​

It might not be the steepest or most densely wooded venue in mountain biking, but Fort William is the longest and most respected. For riders and followers of downhill mountain biking, a win at Fort William is worth two anywhere else.

Santa Cruz might have been late to the 29er mountain bike market but the iconic Californian brand was an early adopter of the best gravel bike trend. Debuting in 2007, Stigmata was curiously ahead of the gravel bike awareness curve. Santa Cruz discontinued it in 2011, only to relaunch the Stigmata in 2015, as the gravel bike market rapidly became the ‘on-trend’ category in cycling.

With 170mm of front and rear suspension, the Capra is a dedicated enduro bike. In its latest Uncaged 10 specification, YT’s product planners have opted for a build kit to give enduro mountain biking riders confidence when attempting the most technical trails possible, on a single-crown fork mountain bike. 

For those riders seeking a value gravel bike that doesn’t look or feel cheap, Rondo’s Ruut has been a viable choice since its debut in 2017. The Polish brand’s aluminium gravel bike is now in its third generation, with the latest Ruut AL featuring several design upgrades.​

Committed mountain bikers who live in severe winter climate trail areas know the value of a fat bike-specific fork. Fat bike tyres create unique riding demands and Manitou has redesigned its Mastodon fat bike fork by reducing weight, enhancing geometry and giving riders more travel options than before. 

This year’s Red Bull Rampage venue and rider list have been confirmed, detailing a shock omission for this year’s event. Virgin, Utah, will again host the world’s most iconic and extreme freeride mountain bike event, with riders returning to the site of Rampage 2022. This site hosted Rampage from 2008-2013 and returned as Red Bull’s venue of choice in 2022.