After a pandemic hiatus, GO Outdoors-owned Calibre have revived their Rake line of top-value entry-level hardtails. While they're also available with 650b wheels, this 29in-wheeled version has long-and-low geometry plus a clever trail-ready parts spec.
THE FRAME
The Rake is made from 6061 alloy tubing, with well-finished welds and an aggressive-looking silhouette. A sloped top tube helps keep the frame away from your knees when getting loose in tight turns. Full-length external cable routing should make home repairs a doddle, while rack mounts give you the option to turn this brute into a 'ute: A slack-ish 66-degree head angle helps provide descending stability, while a fairly steep 74.5-degree seat tube angle sits you far enough over the cranks for climbing steep chutes. In the interest of money saving, the bike has quick-release dropouts rather than a rear through-axle, which will limit future wheel upgrade options.
THE KIT
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der Summer 2023-Ausgabe von Mountain Biking UK.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der Summer 2023-Ausgabe von Mountain Biking UK.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
BIKETEST BACKCOUNTRY HARDTAILS
We see whether carbon fibre or steel, big-name value or boutique attention to detail comes out on top on the trails
NUKEPROOF MEGAWATT CARBON 297 RS
The original Megawatt proved itself almost instantly, winning our inaugural E-Bike of the Year award in 2022.
CALIBRE LINE T3 29
£1,100 (with £5 GO Outdoors card) Cost-effective proper' mountain bike
FIRST RIDES
STRAIGHT OUT OF THE BOX & ONTO THE TRAILS
ROUTES QUICK BLASTS
Facing shorter days and inclement weather, Max finds three satisfying routes that show it doesn't have to be an all-day ride or nothing
GRIME TIME
EXPERT WORKSHOP ADVICE
TRAILCREW HAVOK BIKEPARK
A hand-cut, rider-built bike park, Havok reopened earlier this year at a new site in West Yorkshire and is still expanding
From dust it did rise
Steve Thomas traces the birth of British mountain biking, from 'tracker bikes' to Muddy Fox
THROW DOWN THE CAUNTLET
In our final challenge of the series, we see if e-bikes really are as good at climbing as they're cracked up to be, as we tackle Antur Stiniog back to front
THE RIDER OFF YEAR' 23
THE BIG REVEAL! You voted in your thousands - now meet our winners...