The short-travel 29er is bang up to date, with confident geometry and future-proof fittings and details. Its outstanding ride, excellent spec and high value all conspired to shoot it into an easy first place, while strong upgrade potential (and a lifetime bearing warranty) will keep you happy for years to come.

For a chance to win your own (worth £2000), simply go to www.futurecomps.co.uk/wmbtboty and answer the following question:

Question
How much rear suspension travel does the T-129 have?
A 100mm
B 120mm
C 130mm

You can text your answer to 87474. Type WMBTBOTY followed by a space, your choice of A, B or C, another space and your name and address. Text entries cost £1 plus your standard network tariff rate for one message. By texting your entry you are agreeing to receive details of further offers from Future Publishing Ltd. If you do not wish to receive this information, text NO INFO to 87474.

The closing date for all entries is midnight on 6 May 2013.

For full competition terms and conditions, go to www.futuretcs.com

For more information on this bike and the rest of the range, visit www.whytebikes.com.

For the April issue’s First Rides we’ve thrown legs over the Kona Hei Hei Supreme, Trek’s Lush WSD SL, Rose’s Dr. Z 8 and Starley’s S M1.

If you’re starting out we show you what you can get for £700. A small step up from proper entry-level steeds can get you a truly fun and capable hardtail.

Looking for a new fork? We’ve tested 15 of the best cross-country/trail forks to see what can soak up the trail trauma with ease.

For out Ride Guide, we head into the wild of mid-Wales for our three routes around Llanwrtyd Wells.

We’ve got our usual blend of kit reviews in our Trail Tested section, which includes a chance to meet some of the team’s new long-term bikes. Give you 20 reasons to get back on the trails if you’ve taken a break over winter. We test three-quarter baggy and bib shorts to keep your knees toasty on the trail. We answer your tech questions show you how to service the lower legs on a RockShox Revelation fork. Plus loads more…

These snowy steeds belong to Stuart Flood, James Thorne and Kevin Davis. Location: Afan Forest Park.

Inspired by our ride guide from issue 144, Colin Williamson and Craig Ide hit the trails around the South Downs.

Ian Bell’s Cove Handjob at Whinlatter.

Nik Spicer stops for a photo op in the New Forest. Picture taken by husband Lee.

When you’re out on your next ride, don’t forget to take some pics and send them to us at wmb@futurenet.com for a chance to see it in print!

The Trek Remedy 9, Ghost AMR Lector 9500 and GT Zaskar Elite 9R get the first ride treatment.

If you want to cram as much singletrack and as many summits into every ride, we test six long-distance, high-speed trail bikes that will do the job.

Short on stopping power? We test 15 of the best disc brakes for 2013

For this month’s ride guide, we’re checking out the manmade trails of Queen Elizabeth Country Park and beyond.

Fi Spotswood ponders the place of women in mountain biking.

Plus a look behind the scenes of Orange Mountain Bikes, the usual mix of news, opinions and in-depth reviews from our team of WMB testers.

The March (145) issue is in the shops now!

First rides: We’re in the saddle of the big-wheeled Scott Genius, Genesis’s first full susser – the Grapil – and Trek’s Cobia to bring you our first impressions

Do materials matter? We consider how what your frame’s made from, whether it’s steel, titanium, aluminium or carbon, affects your ride.

Bike test: We test six 26in-wheeled full sussers that won’t break the bank

Group test: Want to build your own truly custom steed? We test 10 tasty hardtail frames

Ride Guide: We’re discovering the delights of the South Downs on three rides to suit all abilities.

Plus the usual mix of news, reviews, tech advice and loads more… On sale now!

We’re testing the new generation that are getting ready to take on 2013 and win! Our test of big-wheeled trail full sussers include the Giant Trance X 29er 1, Santa Cruz Superlight and Specialized Camber Carbon Comp.

Confused about what wheels should grace your next steed? We ask what the heck is going on with wheels, chatting to industry figures to find out where there wheel size loyalties lie.

We ride the local trails of Yeti Cycles to find out how the routes help inspire its designs.

If you want to keep your toes toasty on the trail, check out our winter riding boots grouptest.

Three routes to inspire and encourage you to get out and ride in the Surrey Hills.

Plus the usual mix of news, reviews, opinions and more. On sale 18 December

The Cannondale Trail SS goes head to head with Trek’s 4500 in First Rides, plus the new Marin Mount Vision XM8, Swift’s first foray into mountain bikes with the Detritovore and a spin on Cotic’s Soul.

We’ve tested six carbon framed superbikes to find out if spending £6000 really makes you faster. If you prefer going back to basics, we also test five rigid forked steeds ranging from £350 to £1250.

The Yorkshire Dales is our ride guide location this month, with three awesome routes for all abilities.

Plus the final part of our skills guide shows you how to tackle technical climbs and clean them, tips to protect your bike from the perils of winter, waterproof jackets and winter shorts group tests and loads more!

What Mountain Bike 142 (December 2012) on sale now!

If you’ve already got your 2013 diary, we’ve got some dates for you to put in it now! January 17-20 will see London’s Excel play host to the London Bike Show, alongside The Outdoors Show, The Active Travel Show and the Tullet Prebon London Boat Show.

Brands confirmed to attend include Genesis, Ridgeback, Schwalbe, GoPro and more. Once you’ve checked out what the exhibitors have to offer,  take a look at the DMR Pump Track Challenge, where some of the UK’s best riders will race head to head, or get advice from the BikeRadar Training Hub. You can book a session to get a personalised training plan designed here. Use code TRAIN to get your session for £69! Code is valid until 31 December, but book early as there is a limited number of sessions available for this price.

Book your ticket now and save money by entering the discount code WMB12. For more details and to book go to www.thelondonbikeshow.co.uk

What Mountain Bike is the magazine for all cross-country and trail riders. Written by the most respected team in the business, What Mountain Bike shows readers what to ride, where to ride and how to ride. Packed with inspiring writing and photography, it’s an essential ingredient in any mountain biker’s diet.

Why subscribe?

You can get the chance to see her on the Trek stand at The Cycle Show to be held at Birmingham’s NEC on September 28th. Check out a selection of new stuff from Trek and Bontrager, get the opportunity to receive a signed poster and enter into a competition to win a signed jersey, or just swap energy food recipes!

As lucky readers of What Mountain Bike, you can also save money on the ticket price by heading to www.cycleshow.co.uk/book and using discount code WMB. Advance tickets will cost £11.50, on the door price is £16.