5 cool things from Redshift, Kinesis, Marin, Carrera and Specialized
Suspension seat post and four new bikes on test
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This week we have four new bikes and a suspension seat post fr your gravel bike in on test. The bikes come care of Marin, Carrera, Specialized and Kinesis and that seat post is from Redshift. Whilst you dig in, we'll get riding!
- The best mountain bikes you can buy for under £1,500 - full sus and hardtails
- Best mountain bikes for under £3,000 - capable trail bikes that won't break the bank
- Buyer's guide to kid's mountain bikes - get the best MTB for your child
Marin Rift Zone 2
You'll have heard a lot about the carbon version of this bike on its launch back in November, but it was the alloy bike we were interested in testing. The carbon versions are good value but this alloy Rift Zone 2 at £1,895 looks even better value with decent geometry to match. We tested the previous iteration of the Rift Zone in 2018, a bike which Rach thought was a super fun all-round trail bike, will the new version be better? It's slacker, longer and gets 5mm more travel - Rach will be on board again testing soon and you can keep an eye out for a full first look soon.
- £1,895
- www.marinbikes.com
Carrera Titan X
A £850 full susser? Yep, that's the cost of this Carrera Titan X, which looks like it wants to topple crowns at the rival brand Calibre Bikes. The bike gets 130mm of travel, a Rockshox Recon RL fork, SRAM SX Eagle, Shimano M200 hydraulic brakes and some fairly conservative geometry. Find out how it fairs on test soon.
- £850
- www.halfords.com
Kinesis Rise e-MTB
We first got wind of the new e-bike range from Kinesis at the 2019 NEC Cycle Show back in September, and the new Rise hardtail e-mtb didn't disappoint. With a lightweight Fazua motor, 29er wheels and some pretty progressive geometry, we liked the look of the brands first foray into the electric mountain bike market and now, it's here in the flesh at eBikeTips and off-road.cc HQ!
- £32,00 - £3,500
- www.kinesisbikes.co.uk
Redshift Shockstock suspension seat post
Providing what Redshift call “35mm of tunable, ultra-responsive suspension travel for the ultimate bump-eating comfort”, could this be the in-between we're looking for on rough British roads and gravel to avoid going for a full-on mountain bike to keep ourselves comfortable? Redshift says we'll be able to float over rough terrain, ride further and fast and ride more comfortable on our existing steed, while the subtle design will blend in seamlessly and not look out of place even on a full-on race bike. Time to embrace suspension in all disciplines?
Specialized Turbo Levo SL
Specialized has launched it's latest e-bike, the Turbo Levo SL a lightweight addition to their line of Turbo electric mountain bikes. This latest e-bike is seriously impressive with a small motor, a neatly integrated battery and a natural feel to the powered assistance. Is this the future of e-MTBs? Read all about it in our First Look and First Ride here.
Or watch our video below!
- £5,999 (Turbo Levo SL Carbon Comp)
- www.specialized.com
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