Graham Cottingham
Graham Cottingham joined the BikePerfect team as our senior tech writer in 2020 and has over five years of experience writing about bikes. He is all about riding bikes off-road and based in Edinburgh, he has some of the best mountain biking and gravel riding in the UK on his doorstep. With over 20 years of riding experience, he has dabbled in downhill, enduro, and gravel racing. Not afraid of a challenge, Graham has embraced bikepacking over the last few years and likes nothing more than strapping some bags to his bike and covering big miles to explore Scotland's wildernesses. When he isn’t shredding the gnar in the Tweed Valley, sleeping in bushes, or tinkering with bikes, he is writing tech reviews for BikePerfect.
Rides: Cotic SolarisMax, Stooge MK4, 24 Bicycles Le Toy 3, Surly Steamroller
Height: 177cm
Weight: 71kg
Latest articles by Graham Cottingham
![RockShox Zeb fork and Vivid Coil shock on a Transition MTB](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/UPcvW7mCDYbnDwZkbsfNA3-320-80.jpg)
RockShox reveals a lineup of upgraded forks and shocks designed to improve rider control, enhance tire grip and give wider tuning options
By Graham Cottingham published
News RockShox upgrades the Pike, Lyrik and Zeb forks with a new Charger 3.1 damper, while the Super Deluxe shock gets an overhaul too
![A close up of a mountain bike with geometry imagery overlaid](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eF2uVubH8oL4dBEhu2DjMU-320-80.jpg)
Struggling to get your head around mountain bike geometry? Here's everything you need to know
By Graham Cottingham published
Feature Don’t know your reach from your rear center? We explain what all the numbers mean so you can get to grips with the latest mountain bike geometry
![Fizik Proxy shoes pictured in a forest](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/63f4XZHffkY6DRhEUp9XxX-320-80.jpg)
Fizik Vento Proxy shoe review – bold and breezy
By Graham Cottingham published
Review Fizik’s new Vento Proxy is pitched as an off-road shoe with pure racing DNA, is the punchy color scheme backed up with performance?
![Best gravel shoes grid layout](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/NVAw9UgZ8f4jGWCskLfwNY-320-80.jpg)
Best gravel shoes 2024 – we test 10 top off-road shoe options for racers and explorers
By Paul Brett last updated
Buyer's Guide The best gravel shoes that will make your pedaling more efficient so you can ride faster and longer in comfort
![Ergon SR All-Road Core Pro Carbon gravel saddle review](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/moW4ZKh7HUr83aHn32WhL5-320-80.jpg)
Ergon SR All-Road Core Pro Carbon gravel saddle review – subtly smooth gravel seat
By Graham Cottingham published
Review Ergon’s SR Allroad Core Pro saddle adapts running shoe tech to maximize shock absorption, but is it a step in the right direction?
![100% Celium – one of the best MTB gloves](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/6JqUU6NPfw5RkTQUHTgEwD-320-80.jpg)
Best mountain bike gloves 2024 – top-rated full-finger gloves for every trail and situation
By Richard Owen last updated
Buyer's Guide Our expert pick of the top glove options that give ultimate grip and protection all year round
![ODI Vanquish MTB Lock On Grips featuring D30 on a white background](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/hVxPj7iBRjeiugXJDXn7Zd-320-80.jpg)
ODI's new Vanquish grips use Formula 1 and NASA robot anti-vibration tech developed by D3O
By Graham Cottingham published
News The new D3O GRIP compound is claimed to offer 2x vibration dampening and is used in ODI's Vanquish as part of a control and comfort-boosting multi-layered grip pattern
![Sea To Summit Spark](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/LJD32bxETUYzmW2jkwEs5J-320-80.jpg)
Best bikepacking sleeping bag 2024 – our pick of the best sleeping bags and quilts for a night under the stars
By Graham Cottingham last updated
Buyer's Guide The best lightweight sleeping bags to keep you warm and comfortable wherever your next epic bikepacking trip leads you
![compilation image of the best MTB sunglasses](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/7oCecJNXvjJEdwqoYCjPaR-320-80.jpg)
Best mountain bike sunglasses 2024 – we test the top MTB eyewear for protection and clear vision
By Rich Owen last updated
Buyer's Guide Our experts choose 10 of the best mountain bike sunglasses that will protect your eyes from debris, harmful UV rays, and keep you looking stylish on the trail
![Easton's new EC90 ALX wheel floating in a forest](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/GMezmDLC55uSfLxuqkahba-320-80.jpg)
Easton's new EC90 ALX gravel race wheels bring aero benefits to its AX range
By Graham Cottingham published
News Designed to "go faster ride further" the new EC90 ALX wheels are designed to "elevate gravel bike speed"
![Adidas SP0075 sunglasses review listing image](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Z5ZusHxQBLFRTdX5iXuUPG-320-80.jpg)
Adidas SP0075 sunglasses review – multi-sport sunnies that work well on the bike
By Graham Cottingham published
Review Adidas SP0075 sunglasses are designed for running, but can they also cross over to riding duties too?
![Pirelli Cinturato RC gravel tire fitted to a bike wheel and leaning against a wooden door](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/od9uAPVej2NyizCuLKaePm-320-80.jpg)
Pirelli Cinturato RC gravel tire review – confident corner carving gravel race tire
By Graham Cottingham published
Review Pirelli Cinturato RC is a versatile all-rounder gravel race tire with a penchant for cornering
![Ergon GDH Team grip fitted to a mountain bike handlebar](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/yFxikcFna7rkQLDpCCEaHQ-320-80.jpg)
Ergon GDH Team grip review – ergonomic gravity-specific grips
By Graham Cottingham published
Review Ergon has packed its GDH Team grip with loads of downhill-specific features but do they add up to enhanced control on the trail?
![Valentina Holl braking hard at the DH World Cup in Vallnord, Andorra](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/KdgVvQmfrzGEE6hzTigbFK-320-80.jpg)
Best mountain bike brakes 2024 – our testers rate the most reliable MTB stoppers around
By Guy Kesteven last updated
Buyer's Guide No matter your riding style and budget, our experts have picked out the best mountain bike brakes available
![Two parts of the Topeak Plug n Tool positioned next to each other](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/S74sBSVaTVS6E7FwBCJgq3-320-80.jpg)
Topeak Plug ’n Tool Mountain multi-tool review – tool and tubeless repair at your fingertips
By Graham Cottingham published
Review There’s nothing worse than rummaging around in a seemingly bottomless bag for a tool, Topeak’s Plug ’n Tool Mountain aims to keep your most needed tools close to hand
![Graham Cottingham riding a dusty corner on a mountain bike](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/c3VnCm5jSbfPfU5rkaHd2Z-320-80.jpg)
If your MTB is feeling rough after a winter of riding, here are the five essential things I do to get my mountain bike sorted for summer
By Graham Cottingham published
Feature Top tips to freshen up your bike for a summer of shredding dry dusty trails
![Albion Reflective Cargo vest being worn](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/zRsMU3TjSYwssYEo5TEVmY-320-80.jpg)
Albion Visibility Cargo Vest review – lightweight on-body storage for adventure riding
By Graham Cottingham published
Review Albion’s Visibility Cargo Vest was developed as a cycling-specific vest for added storage and extra visibility on endurance bike rides
![McLaren e-MTB mounted to the top of a McLaren sports car](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/MLeWR29ij3KRXXHz5eUY9o-320-80.jpg)
McLaren (yes, the supercar brand) release an e-MTB which it claims to be the world’s most powerful street-legal electric mountain bike
By Graham Cottingham published
News The McLaren Extreme and Sport "hyperbikes" also feature a mad integrated digital dashboard on the handlebars
![Hammerhead Karoo fitted to a moving bike](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/xbzjszVpjPWJr5cxGfaBET-320-80.jpg)
Hammerhead's new Karoo GPS unit gets a companion app, upgraded specs, and now integrates with SRAM AXS ecosystem
By Graham Cottingham published
News Hammerhead's third-generation Karoo GPS computer also gets a more powerful processor and includes new navigation and training features
![DT Swiss F 1900 CLASSIC wheels being jumped on a trail](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/vLLMVEaTbzA5fNtjuTUWUA-320-80.jpg)
Will DT Swiss's new F 1900 Classic be the new go-to affordable downhill and freeride wheelset?
By Graham Cottingham published
News New rim profiles and side walls combined with 370 Ratchet LN hubs could make the F 1900 Classic the answer for privateer racers and bike park enthusiasts on a budget
![Sea to Summit Spark SP2 sleeping bag setup on a beach listing image](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/M5JZD7ZeGsFUpvyukJz5nf-320-80.jpg)
Sea to Summit Spark SP2 sleeping bag review – compact and comfortable
By Graham Cottingham published
Review The Sea to Summit Spark SP2 is a premium sleeping bag that packs up small for a comfortable and cozy night's sleep out on the trail
![Hunt E-All Mountain wheelset review listing image](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/v8NqjwpEtEVhjZvdhTwBiN-320-80.jpg)
Hunt E_All Mountain e-MTB wheelset review – planted, predictable, and affordable alloy e-MTB wheels
By Graham Cottingham published
Review Hunt has beefed up its E_All Mountain e-MTB wheelset with stronger freehub, oversized axles and reinforced rims, but are they a worthy budget e-MTB wheelset upgrade?
![Topeak RaceRocket pump listing](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/YRU3XBQoCVmqm2r9CCGiji-320-80.jpg)
Topeak RaceRocket pump review – well designed, mid-volume pump
By Graham Cottingham published
Review Topeaks RaceRocket pump is a neatly designed pump although it's not as quick as its name implies
![A rider wearing the best mountain bike goggles](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/qHRDegmzSD8ysuNSb2J8AA-320-80.jpg)
Best mountain bike goggles 2024 – top-rated models that provide clarity and protection on the trails
By Graham Cottingham last updated
Buyer's Guide The best MTB goggles will keep your sight clear and your eyes protected from dirt, rain, and sunlight and here are the top models we've tested