By Luke Marshall

Published: Friday, 18 February 2022 at 12:00 am


This week’s First Look Friday brings you something our mountain bike test team are hugely excited about. More on that later though. Here’s a run-through of this week’s latest and greatest news and reviews on BikeRadar.

With the nights drawing out and winter slipping away, bike rides can start becoming longer again. For those looking for an endurance road bike, Stan Portus has put together a round-up of the best options out there.

Elsewhere, Warren Rossiter checked out the latest Tifosi Cavazzo Ekar, explaining how the do-it-all frame has been nudged gently in the gravel-bike direction with bigger tyre clearance and revised geometry to better tackle off-road trails.

Liv has released a new Embolden, its entry-level full-suspension trail bike. The new bike comes with a 29in-wheel option and there are two models available. Liv claims these are aimed at trail riders who are new to the sport. Check out Oscar Huckle’s story for all the details and prices.

It isn’t, though, all about complete bikes this week. If you’re looking for a new road bike saddle, then check out our top picks and reviews. And if you’re keen on listening to a podcast while out riding, the bone-conducting Shoxz OpenRun Headphones review might be right up your street.