We can’t really give Blackspire any credit for creating something groundbreaking as we’ve kind of seen it all before in other chain guides, but what they have done is created a very simple guide that works a treat, and at the end of the day that’s all we really care about. With not a single moving part in sight you can’t get anything more reliable either.

Adjustment is easy and we always like to see captive bolts that don’t get lost. Ok, so you need to unscrew two bolts on the lower guide rather than the one that you’ll find on some other guides, but that’s far from the end of the world. Talking of the lower guide, this DER Guide uses a slider rather than a jockey wheel or roller and even compared to a perfectly spinning one of those (which we find is a rarity in this mud festooned country) this slider produces very little noise or friction. In fact this guide can be described as quiet full stop.

Another thing it can be described as is light. 149g to be precise. Despite that low weight the back plate is still plenty stiff enough and and the ‘Beavertail’ bash guard has plenty enough meat in it to survive big impacts. It might seem a bit pricy for something that appears to be so simple, but then again injection moulds cost a fiar bit of money to make and this is still a fair bit cheaper than some of the competition. You also get a choice of red, black, white or blue guides, ISCG or ISCG 05 mounting, and finally either 32-36t or 36-40t compatibility.

Whether it’s the shape of the slider or the material that it’s made from, the result is that it’s one of the smoothest that we’ve used.

Price: £99.99
www.hotlines-uk.com
www.blackspire.com

If you’ve missed our other favourite DH chain devices then here they are…

e*thirteen LG1+
MRP G3
Gamut P30s

With the P30s using a full bash ring you’d think that it’d be heavier than those designs which just have a taco at the bottom, yet because of its simplicity this weighs just 170g. That’s lighter than both e*thirteen’s LG1+ and MRP’s G3. Don’t let that make you think it’s not tough though because time and time again we’ve been amazed at what the bash guard in particular can withstand. Gamut appear to use a slightly different material compared to some of the competition and it seems to flex and absorb impacts rather than shatter. The aluminium reinforcements in the chainring bolt holes is also a nice touch as it means that even if you’re a bit ham fisted when tightening things up you’re not going to crack anything. Another thing that we’re fans of is that Gamut haven’t tried to make this device fit a wide range of chainring sizes. Yes that might not be what you want if you’re always wanting to change ring size, but on the other hand it means that you’re not running a massive bash ring (which reduces ground clearance) with a much smaller chairing.

Because of its simplicity this guide is very easy to fit and work on. In fact Gamut really pushed things on in that respect with their first chain device and they’re still hard to beat today. And, although that black plate might look a little weedy compared to some of the competition it’s incredibly stiff and we’ve never had problems with it flexing out of the way and allowing the chain to come off (a common problem with poorer chain devices). The fact that both Aaron Gwin and Greg Minnaar, two of the most consistant riders ever, have been using this guide on the World Cup circuit also speaks volumes for its reliability.

The original Gamut chain devices used to have a simple roller which span on a cartridge bearing as the lower guide, but because that had a tendency to sieze up (like so many others) they’ve now decided to go with a even simpler slider system instead. The unique thing about the Gamut slider though is that it uses a rubber o-ring to both reduce noise and friction. It’s incredible how effective something so simple is. Of course this will wear out with time but you get a spare one in the box and you could pick up something that’ll fit from any decent hardware shop for a few pence. And, if all else fails it’ll still work without one, it’ll just be a bit noisier and not quite as smooth.

This P30s fits 35 or 36t chainrings but Gamut also make identical guides that fit other size rings, and they’re equally as impressive. Mounting wise bottom bracket, ISCG and ISCG 05 are all covered, plus you get a choice of either a black or white bash ring. Overall it’s fair to say that this is our favourite guide which features a full bash ring, and if that’s what you’re after then you’ll love it. Even the price is pretty good.

Price: £99.99
www.madison.co.uk
www.gamutusa.com

If you’ve missed our other favourite DH chain devices then here they are…

e*thirteen LG1+
MRP G3
Blackspire DER Guide

The G3 features what’s now a fairly standard top guide along with a new lower guide which is integral to the bash guard. This design means that the whole thing is very light and stiff, plus there’s the added benefit that the whole lower section neatly swings out of the way when you undo just one bolt, which makes fitting cranks or a chainring a doddle. Of course you also have to deal with the top guide too, but again this swings out of the way after just unscrewing one bolt.

These features make this guide a joy to work on, and all the hardware is captive so you won’t be losing any little bits in a field at the bottom of a race track. Another little detail which we really like is the bit of softer tubing that is fitted to the most rearward part of the upper guide. A lot of riders used to fit cut off bits of hydration hose to this area to help reduce noise and so MRP thought it would be sensible to do something like this from scratch. Nice one MRP.

The G3 has another unique feature up it’s sleeve that should keep everyone happy. You see there’s been a bit of a trend of late for ‘sliders’ as the lower guide rather than a jockey wheel or roller. MRP found it hard to decide which design to go for as both have their merits, and their fans, so instead of just going for one they went for both. So, if you want the lowest drag and noise possible then you’ll probably want to run the jockey wheel, but then if the conditions turn proper muddy then you might want to swap it out for the slider as that tends to work better in those kind of conditions. Basically it just gives you more options to run your bike how you want to.

With excess material having been removed from anywhere possible this guide weighs in at just 174g, yet it’s still incredibly stiff and strong. Of course it kind of goes without saying that it’s not going to let your chain come off. As for options, it comes in either a 32-36t ‘Mini’ size or a 36-40t ‘Mega’ one, and both of those are available with a carbon or aluminium back plate. Mounting wise everything is catered for; bottom bracket, ISCG and ISCG 05. Oh, and you get a choice of a black or white finish too.

This is the chain device that made it into our 2013 Dirt 100, and that should kind of say it all really. This is a top piece of kit.

Price: £119.99
www.ison-distribution.com
www.mountainracingproducts.com

If you’ve missed our other favourite DH chain devices then here they are…

e*thirteen LG1+
Gamut P30s
Blackspire DER Guide

Some riders prefer a chain guide with a full bash ring, but we have a real soft spot for designs that use a lower ‘taco’ style bash guard which is fixed to the back plate, just like this LG1+. Crucially we’ve never been let down by one of these guides when it comes to keeping a chain on, and it’s smooth and quiet in use too.

It’s the little details though that make this chain device so good, and we’re not surprised that it has now remained unchanged for a few years as we really can’t see how they could make it any better. It’s when you’re fitting and adjusting it that you appreciate its design. The number of bolts is kept to an absolute minimum and all the hardware is captive so you won’t end up trying to retrieve a tiny little nut from wherever you just dropped it.

The fact that the lower guide and bash plate can be rotated to three different positions means that it’s incredibly adaptable to different frame designs. You get a choice of either 32-36t or 36-40t compatibility, with either an ISCG or ISCG 05 mounting. If you haven’t got either of those mounts on your frame then go for the ISCG 05 version as this comes with an adaptor which makes bottom bracket mounting possible. The final choice is either a black or white finish.

Thanks to a combination of any excess material being machined away from the back plate, and honeycomb sliders, this chain device is as strong and stiff as it ever needs to be, and yet at 183g it’s also one of the lightest offerings around. If you’re really concerned about weight then e13 also make the LG1R which uses a carbon back plate and Ti bolts to shave off a few grams, and conversely if you’re worried about the cost but bon’t mind a few extra grams of weight then you could go for the LS1+ which is very similar design wise (and performance wise) but uses a pressed steel back plate instead of the CNC machined aluminium one. That one will only set you back £79.95

As I said before, it’s difficult to imagine how they could really improve upon this design, and we think this particular version strikes a good balance between cost and weight.

Price: £129.00
www.silverfish-uk.com
www.e13components.com

If you’ve missed our other favourite DH chain devices then here they are…

MRP G3
Gamut P30s
Blackspire DER Guide

We reckon the key to their performance lies in their relatively soft compound. This manages to keep hold of rocks and roots where other tyres would give way, but of course we still have to play the age old game of compromise. On the one hand you get the great grip on those kind of surfaces, but on the other hand you do definitely pay a bit of a penalty in the rolling stakes. They’re not anchors by any means, and they’re still faster than many, but compared back to back with the Conti Mud Kings you do notice the difference.

As for grip in pure mud, these might not be the absolute best but they’re still definitely up there very near the top. Actually, if you’re running 29″ wheels these possibly are the best. Aside from the great all-round grip we particularly like the fact that Specialized offer these tyres with two different casing options (S-Works or Control), both of which sell for the same great value price. Even the heavier and tougher Control casing version only weighs 612g in the 29″ size so it’s certainly no heavyweight. If you’re looking to save weight though then the lighter S-Works works well up front, but we’d draw a line at using it on the rear. Oh, and whichever casing and wheel size you choose the width stays the same at 2.0″.

Overall, if the trails that you ride consist of a lot of mud which is littered with rocks and roots then these Storms really are hard to beat.

Price: £29.99
www.specialized.com

If you’ve missed our other favourite mud trail tyres then here they are…

Bontrager Mud 29
Maxxis Beaver
Continental Mud King
Schwalbe Dirty Dan

These kind of sit in a happy middle ground between a load of our other favourite tyres. They’re not quite up to the standards of the Conti Mud King for out and out grip in really bad mud, but they’ve perhaps got a slight edge on the Bontrager and Maxxis Beaver. On the other hand though they lose out a little to the Bonty and the Maxxis when you hit roots and rocks. For a tyre that’s so good in the mud though these roll surprisingly fast. The triple compound ‘PaceStar’ might not give the best traction on harder surfaces, but on the other hand it definitely doesn’t slow you down.

Only you can decide what qualities are most important to you, but basically if you’re prepared to up the focus a little when you’re dealing with rocks and roots then you can be rewarded with great mud performance and impressive speed. Apart from the compound, some of that speed definitely also comes from the low weight of these tyres. At 465g these tyres are never going to have the most bombproof casing, but despite feeling pretty thin we’ve been impressed at how well they’ve held up. The fact that they’re tubeless ready just adds to their appeal. Definitely a top contender for your money.

Price: £45.99
www.fisheroutdoor.co.uk
www.schwalbe.co.uk

If you’ve missed our other favourite mud trail tyres then here they are…

Bontrager Mud 29
Maxxis Beaver
Continental Mud King
Specialized Storm

Whilst some of the other tyres we’ve picked like the Bontrager are verging more towards a 50/50 tyre rather than a full on mud tyre, this definitely sits more towards the extreme end of the scale. The relatively tall and widely spaced tread pattern cuts through the mud in a way that very few can match, particularly when you start to head off-camber. It’s performance in the mud is no doubt helped by the narrow 1.8″ width, but there is a part of us that would love to try out a slightly wider version. We just think it might prove to be a better all-rounder.

As it stands though this tyre is hard to beat if you’re riding natural trails that are properly muddy, but because of the narrow width, tall knobs, and not particularly soft compound you do have to keep your wits about you when you’re hitting rocks and roots. As we’ve said many times, tyres are all about compromise and you just have to decide what is most important to you. If your muddy trails are also littered with rocks and roots then you might want to look elsewhere, but if they’re only an occasional challenge then these tyres really are hard to beat.

As if the great tread pattern wasn’t enough, these tyres also rack up the respect points thanks to one of the best casings in the business. Despite weighing in at just 528g these tyres are amongst some of the most resilient trail tyres that we’ve used thanks to the ‘Protection’ casing. Also, the Black Chilli compound definitely lasts for longer than most, so although these tyres are far from cheap they will last you for ages. And, we don’t know if it’s again down to the rubber compound but these tyres roll far quicker than we thought they would. Impressive indeed.

Price: £48.95
www.madison.co.uk
www.conti-tyres.co.uk

If you’ve missed our other favourite mud trail tyres then here they are…

Bontrager Mud 29
Maxxis Beaver
Schwalbe Dirty Dan
Specialized Storm

Tread pattern wise there really isn’t anything that can beat it, and when you combine that tread with dual-compound rubber which keeps rolling speed high whilst retaining grip on roots and rocks, you really have got something pretty special. Sounding perfect so far then. Well yes, but despite several sidewall options Maxxis could really do with offering something just a little heftier. Even the heaviest wire bead version weighs in at just 620g for the 29×2.0″ version, which is already on the light side. Go for the ‘eXC’ version though and you’re down to just 495g for a 29″ tyre! Whichever one you choose though they all suffer a little from having such a thin sidewall. If you try and run the pressures too low you’ll find they roll about a little in turns, and they’re also not the biggest fans of sharp rocks.

Is the insanely low weight part of what makes these tyres feel so good to ride? Would they not feel as good with a more supportive and resilient carcass? Well we won’t know the answer to that unless Maxxis offer us such a thing. In the mean time though these are still excellent tyres, and it’s likely that many riders will be more than happy with the low weight and will be willing to put up with any compromises which that brings. Oh, and don’t worry if you like the sound of these but have 26″ wheels because Maxxis are now also offering these in a 26×2.0″ size.

Price: From £23.99
One Industries Europe 08446 928 111
www.maxxis.com

If you’ve missed our other favourite mud trail tyres then here they are…

Bontrager Mud 29
Continental Mud King
Schwalbe Dirty Dan
Specialized Storm

Of course if you live in the UK you really don’t have much choice. If you avoided mud here you’d be lucky to get out more than a handful of times a year. Picking a tyre for these conditions isn’t easy though, mainly because no trail is the same for miles on end, you’re always going to have to compromise somewhere. If you really have no choice but to ride somewhere that is proper deep mud the whole way around then you probably want to consider what is really the only true mud trail tyre, and that’s Panaracer’s Trailraker. The problem with that tyre though is that as incredible as it is in the mud you’ll find yourself paying a heavy penalty if you take it outside that realm. It’s slow rolling, and you have to treat rocks and roots with a fair bit of caution. So, our advice would be that for general trail use where you’re coming across a mix of deep mud and other surfaces you’re better off with a 50/50 style mud tyre, the likes of which will feature heavily in this top five selection. Although they might not offer ultimate performance in the worst of the brown stuff they more than make up for it elsewhere, and as such we reckon they strike the perfect compromise balance.

The first of our top five selection are the Bontrager Mud’s. These have been a favourite of ours for years, and despite various name changes along the way the tread has remained the same, which is definitely a good thing. In this instance we’ve chosen the 29×2.0″ version as combined with the larger wheel size they really are a force to be reckoned with, both on natural and man made trails, but the original 26×2.0″ version is still available and is just as highly recommended.

The almost MX like tread pattern does a fine job of cutting through the mud in order to find something to grip on, and it clears easily. Bontrager seem to have hit a good balance on tread height too as there’s just enough to cut thorough, yet not so much that they don’t roll quickly when the trail firms up. Another area where a good balance has been struck is the casing. At 653g this 29″ tyre isn’t going to weigh you down, and yet the casing is also surprisingly resistant to cuts and the like.

Overall then this tyre definitely warrants a place in our top five selection, and that’s without even factoring in that it’s tubeless ready and comes with a bargain price tag. With such great all-round performance lazy riders will also love the fact that you wouldn’t even be losing out too much if you left these tyres on all year round.

Price: £36.99
www.bontrager.com

If you’ve missed our other favourite mud trail tyres then here they are…

Maxxis Beaver
Continental Mud King
Schwalbe Dirty Dan
Specialized Storm

At 221g and 9cm long this Pedros ICM is a pretty chunky multitool, but it makes up for that by providing as many tools as anyone is realistically going to need, and because it’s a decent length it also provides you with plenty of leverage. It folds up pretty neatly too, and we particularly like the way that the two tyre levers clip securely onto the sides. Unlike some other multitool tyre levers that we’ve seen these are actually decent bits of kit that won’t snap at the first sight of a tight tyre.

Aside from the two tyre levers you also get 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8mm allen keys, T25 torx key, flat and philips screwdrivers, a decent chain tool, two conventional spoke keys, a quality Mavic M7 spoke key, and last but not least a bottle opener to help drown your sorrows when you realise that no matter how many tools you’ve got you’re not going to be able to get your bike going again. Pretty comprehensive hey.

The whole thing is well made too and from previous experiences we’ve found Pedros allen keys to be some of the best in the business, they just don’t round off. The tough composite outer that holds everything together is also well shaped in terms of ergonomics, which just adds to the appeal of this great multitool.

Price: £24.99
www.2pure.co.uk
www.pedros.com

And incase you missed them, here are our other top picks…

Lezyne SV-10
Topeak Ratchet Rocket Lite
Park IB-3
Birzman E-Version 15