On paper carbon-fibre appears to offer the mountain biker a wonder combination of attributes - namely light weight and strength. But how does it fare in practice?

Heavy metal fans look no further: the metal in this test will really get your head nodding! We took six of the most heavy-duty six-inch sussers on the market out to the Alps and gave them a devil of a hiding. Only one received the top mark - of Cain - WARNING EXTRA LARGE FILE