Cycling
Best Value Road and Gravel Bikes: Nine Picks That Stretch Your Budget
Nine road and gravel bikes that put money in the right places, from a £1,200 gravel all-rounder to race platforms that are worth upgrading later.
Independent reviews
Product Reviews and Buying Guides – 673 / 805
From everyday tech and home products to lifestyle and specialist gear, each review focuses on practical use, strengths, limitations, and who the product suits.
Road Bikes
Best Value Bikes with Shimano Ultegra R8100: Six Carbon Road Bikes Compared
Six carbon road bikes built around Shimano's 12-speed Ultegra R8100 groupset, compared on wheels, tires, cockpits and long-term value.
Road Bikes
Best Value Shimano Ultegra Road Bikes: Six Builds Compared
Six Ultegra-equipped road bikes compared on wheels, bottom brackets, and cockpit design, with clear notes on where each build asks for an upgrade.
Mountain Bikes
Best Value Trail Bikes: Five Affordable Mountain Bikes Worth Considering
Five trail mountain bikes that deliver modern geometry, sensible components, and strong value, from budget hardtails to a fast and composed full suspension build.
Mountain Bikes
Best Value Trail Bikes: Five Practical Picks for Trail Riders
Five trail bikes that balance modern geometry, dependable parts, and sensible pricing, from an entry-level hardtail at £725 to a full suspension build with a top rating.
Cycling
Best Winter Bike Builds: Carbon and Aluminum Approaches Compared
Two winter road bike builds compared: a carbon Cannondale Synapse with Ultegra Di2 and an aluminum Kinesis Four Season Disc, plus the wheels, lights and fenders that make cold-weather riding work.
Mountain Bikes
Best XC Race Bikes: Four Modern Cross-Country Racers Compared
Four modern cross-country race bikes compared on geometry, suspension behaviour, and setup demands, with clear guidance on which one suits your racing.
Road Bikes
Bianchi Specialissima RC Review: A Lightweight Aero Racer Built for Steep Gradients
The Bianchi Specialissima RC climbs beautifully, descends with composure and runs a flawless Dura-Ace Di2 build, but its divisive looks are part of the buying decision.
Gravel Bikes
Big Tire Clearance Gravel Bikes: Nine Drop Bar Bikes That Push Toward Mountain Bikes
Nine gravel bikes with generous tire clearance, from lightweight carbon frames to drop bar machines that sit firmly in mountain bike territory.
Cycling Gear
Bike Fit Products Worth Buying: 9 Picks for Comfort and Power
A practical roundup of nine bike fit products, from modular footbeds and narrow saddles to steel frames, wide-fit shoes and extended axle pedals.
Cycling Components
Bike Fit Red Flags: Five Component Choices That Shape Comfort and Control
A practical look at five bike components and frames that decide whether a bike fits a real rider, from handlebar reach to entry-level shifters and hammock saddles.
Cycling Components
Bike Fit Upgrades Worth Buying: Seven Components That Change How a Bike Fits
Seven fit-focused components, from narrow handlebars and short-reach levers to wide-fit shoes and a studio fitting jig, and who each one actually helps.
Cycling Gear
Bike Gear That Disappoints: 11 Purchases to Think Twice About
Eleven cycling products with real drawbacks, from solid tires and firm saddles to cheap bike hangers, plus the trade-offs to weigh before you spend.
Bike Locks
Bike Locks Tested: Which Models Resist Cutters and Angle Grinders
Eight high-security bike locks timed against cutting attacks, with clear performance tiers, recorded cut times, and guidance on which design suits daily carrying versus a fixed parking spot.
Cycling
Bike of the Year: Gravel, Race and Endurance Winners Tested
After thousands of miles of testing, three category winners stand out: the Parlee Taos for gravel, the Cervélo S5 for race, and the Cannondale Synapse for endurance and overall Bike of the Year.
Bike Packing
Bike Packing Essentials: 12 Gear Picks That Earn Their Place
A practical roundup of bike packing gear that proved itself over a 3,000 km route through Chile and Argentina, from a long-running GPS computer to tubeless repair.
Bike Packing Gear
Bike Packing Gear for Long Tours: 15 Picks From a Month on the Road
A month-long, 1,000-mile tour of France put luggage, shelter, navigation, lighting, cooking, tires, and clothing to the test. These are the pieces that held up.
Bike Saddles
Bike Saddle Comfort Guide: Shape, Width, and Fit Explained
Saddle comfort depends on shape, width, padding, and position. Three saddles show how short-nose, channel-relieved, and narrower designs behave in practice.
Cycling Gear
Bike Tech Roundup 2026: Wheels, Saddles, Shoes and Groupsets Worth a Look
A practical look at the road and gravel gear that stood out this year, from a four-depth aero wheelset family and a 3D printed saddle to a 12-speed groupset that makes Dura-Ace hard to justify.
Cycling Gear
Bike Tech Roundup: Five Cycling Upgrades Worth a Closer Look
A practical look at five cycling products, from a titanium bolt kit and a lightweight aero road racer to a cordless pressure washer, a dirt jump fork, and a waterproof jacket.
Cycling Gear
Bike Tech Roundup: S-Works 7 Lace, Brompton T Line, Cannondale Synapse and Canyon Endurace
Four notable releases, from lace-up S-Works road shoes to the lightest Brompton ever built, plus two endurance bikes with very different philosophies.
Bike Tools
Bike Tools Nobody Needs But Everybody Wants: 14 Workshop Extras Worth Admiring
Fourteen specialist bicycle workshop tools that solve narrow problems beautifully, from flush zip tie cutters and brake wear gauges to hanger alignment gauges and professional wheel truing stands.
Cycling Components
Bike Weight Savings: Seven Smart Upgrades for Road Riders
A practical guide to where road bike weight savings actually come from, from free trimming work to premium components.
Bikepacking Gear
Bikepacking Essentials: Three Must-Have Gear Picks for Remote Rides
A practical look at three bikepacking essentials covering satellite communication, water filtration, and waterproof on-bike storage.
Cycling Gear
Bikepacking Setup for a 3,000 km Ultra: Eight Components That Held Up
A detailed look at the frame, fork, tires, drivetrain, wheels, luggage and saddle used on a 3,000 km unsupported bikepacking route through Chile and Argentina.
Cycling
10 Bikes With Real Ownership Trade-Offs: Maintenance Notes Before You Buy
Ten road, gravel and time trial bikes whose servicing demands deserve a closer look before you commit, from proprietary brakes to awkward cockpits and tight tire clearance.
Bike Components
Bird Spokes Review: Are Fabric Bicycle Spokes Worth It?
Fabric spokes promise less weight, more compliance, and better vibration damping than steel. Here is how a Bird spoke wheel build compares with the same rims and hubs laced with steel.
Indoor Cycling
Bkool Indoor Cycling App Review: Real World Routes, Structured Training, and Lower Cost
A practical look at Bkool, an indoor cycling platform built around real world routes, structured training plans, and social riding at a competitive subscription price.
Indoor Cycling
Bkool Review: An Indoor Cycling Platform Built Around Real-World Routes
A practical look at Bkool's real-world route library, structured training, multiplayer rides, and instructor-led spin classes, plus subscription pricing.
Road Bikes
Black Series Corsa SL Review: A 5.24 kg Claim Under the Microscope
The Black Series Corsa SL pairs a 597.5 g frame with a 1,081 g wheelset and a claimed 5.24 kg complete build in full tubeless trim.