Bib shorts designed for mountain biking are becoming more prevalent in the market and Rapha’s Men’s MTB Trail Liner Bib Shorts are an excellent example. Built with plenty of mesh panels, combined with a near-perfect fit in a comfortable package they stake a serious claim as one of the best bib shorts on offer. They’re a little pricier than similar offerings and they use thicker fabrics but they’ve become a go-to for almost every ride.

Discounts and sales are rife in the bike market at the moment in response to the economic issues that the industry is facing. However, Specialized has just lifted the lid on a crazy sale that promises up to 50 per cent off of chosen Specialized products – even bikes. Now is the best time to stock up on a season's worth of fresh kit.

The Fox Launch D3O knee pads are an excellent option in the knee guard market, offering stellar protection and comfort for relatively little cash. Although they can compete with the best knee pads, attributes such as ventilation and build quality leave a little to be desired – and double check the size guide before buying as you might need to size up.

The 100% Glendale sunglasses are a great-looking pair of riding specs built to a high quality. Performance isn’t too shabby either as the glasses confidently fend off fog while protecting against wind. You get a lot for your money with a lovely case and clear lens included in the box. However, there’s plenty of room for improvement as coverage could be tweaked for MTB use and it can rattle against the brow of a helmet.

Title is a brand that was created by none other than freeride and slopestyle legend, Brett Rheeder. Having gained a following at home in Canada, Title is quickly making its name for creating high-end and rather beautiful components. More importantly, all its products are tested to the highest of certifications and are suitable for the most rigorous of riding.

We recommend cladding your bike in frame protection. Wrapping your expensive frame with a thin protective film wards off all kinds of wear and tear that can be picked up through general riding, keeping it looking like new, and helping the bike retain its value for when the time comes to sell it. But don't take our word for it, watch Rob Warner, Olly Wilkins and Dan Atherton put invisiFRAME's frame protection to the real test.

The Orbea Rise is a trail-focussed e-mountain bike that's received tonnes of praise from the media and its owners. For 2025, the updated Rise looks set to redefine what's expected of a lightweight or mid-powered e-MTB. Not only has the new model ushered in a boost in stiffness but it also makes use of Shimano's very latest battery technologies that pack more power per gram offering up to an 840Wh battery range.

YT Industries' downhill bike, the Tues, has been around for years now in its current guise, and with its sponsored athletes riding a covered-up frame, it comes as no surprise that the brand has been working hard behind the scenes on a new and improved version – the Tues MK4.

Earlier this year, Privateer pulled the covers off its new Gen 2 161 and 141 platforms, introducing a host of refinements and upgrades while building on what made the first-generation bikes so good. And now it seems as if Joe Connell, one of Privateer's athletes, has just won a round of the Scottish National Downhill series on what looks like a Privateer downhill bike.

Madison has been on a green wicket with its current range of eyewear and the Crypto is an excellent example. Thanks to its large lens it provides huge coverage with performance enhanced by its ergonomics.