Reviews
Review | Trek's Checkpoint ALR 5 Gen 3 proves great gravel bikes don't have to cost a fortune – but I'd make one upgrade
A thoroughly modern design that can hold its own against pricier gravel bikes
Review | Pirelli's P Zero Road TLR tyre is enticing with a top-level compound, but beware of its narrow sizing
Top-tier branding and compound headline
Review | Continental’s Grand Prix TR tyre offers flagship grip and competitive rolling resistance for a good price
Key tech means the Grand Prix TR is worth your consideration
Review | Outlier Pendulum flat pedals offer unrivalled grip, but one flaw might put you off
One-sided self-righting pedal, designed with performance in mind
Review | The Lauf Elja XC Ultimate Flight Attendant is the best-value high-end XC race bike on the market
Impressive spec is backed up with high-speed performance on the race track
What's new?
Madison's DTE 4 Season Bib Trousers review: so good I want (no, need) another pair
The ultimate winter trousers, but don't be fooled into thinking they're a summer option, too.
Michelin Pro5 Competition Line review: proof you don’t need to spend big for speed
Mid-range price, but near top-end rolling resistance
Outlier Pendulum flat pedals review: unrivalled grip, but one flaw might put you off
One-sided self-righting pedal, designed with performance in mind
Zipp 303 SW review: a high-performance, versatile wheelset that adds usable data-driven tech
The new 303 SW is a truly excellent do-it-all wheelset
These flat-pedal shoes have everything I need for life at the trail centre – and the pub | Will Soffe's Gear of the Year 2025
The Fox Union BOA Flat is functional and fashionable on DH tracks, at the dirt jumps and even on the high street
Accessories
Review | Tailfin’s SpeedPack is an exciting addition to the brand’s range – but it’s not perfect
The SpeedPack solves most of the problems associated with traditional bikepacking saddle bags
Review | Tailfin’s CargoPack sets the standard for bikepacking saddle bags
The CargoPack does nothing to diminish its predecessor’s reputation
Review | The Oxford Ultratorch CL1000 delivers solid performance but is starting to look dated
Large format provides powerful output, although runtime is short
Bike Reviews
Review | The Whyte Verro will get you to work and down the trails, but it's not the quickest on tarmac
Whyte's affordable off-roader is a capable commuter, too
Review | Forestal's e-Cygnus Diōde is the lightest, most nimble eMTB I've tested but it has niche appeal
Forestal’s electric downcountry bike should be called the enigma
Review | Lee Cougan’s Innova Super Gravel is hugely capable on the trails, but it needs lighter wheels and taller gears
The Innova Super Gravel has epic abilities on the roughest terrain, but it comes up short on the roads to the trailhead.
Clothing
Review | Troy Lee Designs Speed Pro knee guards are a comfortable fit but they don’t tick every box
Lightweight knee pads for trail riding
Review | Castelli’s Premio Evo bib shorts are tremendously comfortable but oh so pricey
Castelli’s top-tier bib shorts for the longest escapades deliver the goods
Review | Fox's Enduro Pro Knee Guards are possibly the comfiest I've worn and well worth the money
Great knee guards for long days in the hills
Components
Review | SRAM XX SL Eagle AXS Transmission is equally at home on my enduro bike and my race bike
Unsurpassed shifting performance, but at a high price
Review | e*thirteen Sidekick hub makes a marked difference to suspension performance
The Sidekick reduces kickback, improves suspension performance and helps smooth out the trail
Review | Schwalbe's G-One RS Pro is a surprisingly versatile gravel race tyre that goes straight to the top of my list
Schwalbe’s speediest gravel tyre impresses
Helmets
Review | Met Revo is a sweaty MTB helmet with a particular fit, but its safety rating will make you want it
MET’s Revo takes safety seriously, but you need to try before you buy
Review | Lazer's Victor KinetiCore helmet brings tangible performance gains but not without compromise
Is a full TT lid too much for road riding?
Review | Kask Nirvana is an impressively light aero helmet, but it fails to transcend expectations
Race-proven but not perfect
Maintenance
Review | OneUp Components 70cc EDC Pump Kit
An all-in-one kit designed to fix most trail-side mechanicals
Review | Crankbrothers TT17 Twin Tube Tool Kit
A compact kit designed to handle most trail-side repairs
Review | Stanley FatMax Walltech Pro air compressor
Pricey but powerful tyre inflator that makes tubeless seating struggles a thing of the past
Shoes
Review | Northwave's XT Arctic Celsius GTX gravel shoes are my new winter favourites, but keeping them clean is a nightmare
Dream shoes for winter gravel riders and bikepackers
Review | Fox Union BOA clipless shoes have a revised upper and better impact protection – at a high price
Fox rolls out a host of changes on its top-tier clipless shoes
Review | DMT Pogi's shoes are perfect for Pogačar but have a few flaws for mere mortals
It’s not their stiffness or weight that’ll surprise you…
Training
Review | The Elite Rivo is a wonderfully compact smart trainer but it lags behind the competition in key areas
Can Elite's compact mid-range smart trainer keep pace with the competition?
Review | Wahoo Kickr Core 2 is a modest upgrade but still offers excellent bang for your buck
Wahoo’s mid-range smart trainer refines a well-proven formula
Review | Favero's Assioma PRO RS power meter pedals are the best you can buy for road bikes
Italian power meter pedals offering near-flawless performance