What’s the bravest thing you’ve ever done? It’s a question that’s likely to get you scratching your head. We’re constantly faced with tests of bravery – some big, some small, some that we head into voluntarily, and others we’re forced to face head-on. These are the sorts of stories that are in this issue.
From the perspective of non-riders, mountain biking probably seems pretty dangerous. Many people see bikes purely as a cheap and convenient way to get around; while the idea of carving up narrow singletrack is pretty unthinkable for them, it’s the most normal thing in the world for us. Does our risk of crashing automatically mean that we’re all brave? Afraid not. Today’s crop of mountain bikes are all about delivering confidence and control. But can you put a price on fun? This issue’s group test tackles a budget of less than € 2,000, asking if it’s possible to get a decent, wallet-friendly full-susser that’s capable of handling some serious trails.
Back in the Coliseum or today in the boxing ring, duels are an exceptional way to scout out the strongest. Right now the enduro world is seeing a standoff between the Specialized S-Works Enduro 29 and the Trek Slash 9.9 29 Race Shop Limited. But to end this stalemate, we invited the two big hitters of the big-wheel arena for a duel. One winner: machine vs. machine.
At the core of pretty much everything we do is the conviction that we can create something worthwhile. And the same applied to Chris, Jon, and Sam when they quit their stable jobs and founded OneUp Components. Today, as they live by their motto of “Work less, ride more!”, it’s worth considering whether brave decisions can be the root of your own success.
Higher, faster, further – a phenomenon of today’s society. But what’s behind this increasing need for more? For some it’s all about confirmation – but not if you’re seven-year-old Lois, who couldn’t care less about likes or followers. He’s written us a letter explaining what’s cool about riding, and why his mum sometimes brings Jelly Babies on the trail.
Snippets of brilliance won’t be experienced on the sofa with your smartphone in your hand. These brilliant moments are what good stories and even better memories are made of – so raise your thumb, avert your gaze, and stop scrolling through epic images on Instagram and Facebook. It’s time to start experiencing those moments yourself. This issue is packed full of inspiration, so heed my call: be brave and try something new tomorrow.
As of right now, all the exciting articles can be downloaded from our interactive iPad or iPhone app, and they’ll make their way onto the website over the next few weeks. Have fun reading!
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