Northwave Compact 3V MTB

Advantages: Control, power transfer, efficiency etc
Disadvantages: You might fall off once or twice....

...If you're riding XC there is no other option, you should be riding clipless! Clipless pedals (so called because they do not require a toe clip & strap)improve bike control, power transfer, efficiency of pedal stroke (your foot is closer to center of spindle) & allow those that have trouble lifting the bike at the rear to cheat! Mainly used for XC not trials, downhill or duel, some platform types exist like the shimano m646's that can be good for all disciplines! There are two main players in the mtb emporium; these are Shimano who make the spd (shimano pedal dynamics) & Time who make the Atac. But I've seen loads of other makes I hear you cry - sure the list is endless, VP, Ritchey, Wellgo etc etc but at the end of the day they are all shimano copies & are usually adequate but not as good as the real thing! They are generally... Read review

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Advantages: Make an MTB better on road
Disadvantages: Can be hard to find. No good off road

...Continental have produced the Grand Prix tyre in mtb size. 26" x 1" It has the same tread pattern as the road tyre and is very light (c.200g) Foldable too - with a kevlar bead I rode them on my Specialised mtb over the summer on a commute (8 miles each way) and they are superb for use on the road. It is the closest to a road bike tyre that I have ever seen, is very responsive and feels fast! If you ride an mtb mostly on the road and can feel the energy sapping from your legs with big knobbly tyres, you could do far worse than get a pair of these! They seem very durable too and can be inflated to decent pressures too - I ran them at close to 100 psi They are quite rare in shops and I had to search through a few on line stores to find one that listed them and had them in stock.... Read review

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Advantages: smooth and tough
Disadvantages: £600

...The xcr 4000 I drive is the smoothest fully suspended MTB I have ever had the good fortune to ride. It is the I drive system that gives this bike a long travel suspension ride that moves well and is clever enough not to sap any of your forward energy as you ride. I have used this bike on road and off road in both the dry and wet and the I drive has never let me down. The price you pay includes shimano deore chainset and shift. judy front shocks and vanilla fox rear. The package is strong yet light and is therefore excellent value. The balance of the bike is spot on. It is the comfort of the bike that will sell it to most. If you only have £600 to spend on a mountain Bike then this is the best value you will find.... Read review

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