Could Pace’s radical RC429 really be the one bike that does it all? The brand claims it's a trail, XC, adventure and gravel bike all-in-one, I put it to the test and the results really surprised me

Pace RC429 MTB viewed from the side on a gravel path.

Given it’s crazy gravel adventure bike to hardcore XC/trail bike remit it’s no surprise there’s a lot of mixed messaging coming from Pace with the RC429. So is it “a unicorn that will ride-it-all” and “steel your heart”? A functional, competent, technologically advanced and effective 'sport tool’? Or both? I rode it down black runs in a conventional T-Pack hardtail build and across wild moors in a rigid fork, drop bar G-Pack build to find out.

Our T-Pack build was boosted with Hope's excellent Tech E4 brakes, but Pace can create whatever custom bike you want (Image credit: GuyKesTV)