What’s the best mountain bike for the winter? Obviously, it’s the one you’re currently riding, perhaps with a change of tyres.

But there are several bikes out there that, while not designed specifically for the demands of the British winter, are able to better cope with the relentless mud, grit and grind of riding on British trails at this time of year.

Everyone has their own interpretation of what makes a good winter bike, but for the purposes of this feature, we’re thinking along the lines of reduced maintenance, sealed gear cables, extra mud clearance and so on.

Read on to view the six bikes we’ve picked as being ideally suited to a British winter.