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
![Race Face Era handlebar against a wood chip back drop](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/qNz4Qu7eAbQSZHakx5Uz7S-320-80.jpg)
Race Face counters arm pump with new compliant Era and Turbine handlebars
By Graham Cottingham published
News Race Face introduces width-specific rise and compliance to its new carbon and alloy handlebars to optimize ride feel
![Fox 36 MY25 in gold](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/jpzbNsWAGcYxGNNJyHDCtZ-320-80.jpg)
Fox releases the next generation of GRIP dampers plus its lightest ever XC fork – the radical new reverse-arched 32 Step-Cast XC fork
By Graham Cottingham published
News Celebrating its 50th anniversary, Fox releases three new dampers, a lighter and stiffer 32 Step-Cast, and unveils a limited edition "Podium Gold" colorway
![MY25 Fox 36 Factory GRIP X fork fitted to a Trek Fuel Ex bike](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/pyVkK9Rj8dSgnJXJquN3DK-320-80.jpg)
Fox 36 Factory GRIP X first ride review – with a major internal overhaul, has Fox taken its benchmark trail fork to the next level?
By Graham Cottingham published
Not yet ratedReview Fox has updated its hard-hitting 36 trail fork with new sophisticated dampers that promise tuner performance with setup simplicity
![Selle SMP Dynamic saddle pictured against a wall](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/7eXUpFXKKx5k9GXfZVPyZW-320-80.jpg)
Selle SMP Dynamic saddle review – butt ugly, butt comfortable
By Graham Cottingham published
Review Selle SMP Dynamic saddle stands out from the current crop of short nose saddles, is this accentuated saddle shape the answer to riding comfort?
![Man wearig a GoreWear C5 Shakedry 1985 jacket](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4T4duxrT7UpLF2prc3u6fJ-320-80.jpg)
GoreWear C5 Shakedry 1985 jacket review – the last of the great waterproof jackets?
By Graham Cottingham published
Review Gore Shakedry is having its environmental swan song this year, but should you invest in one before they are gone forever?
![Shimano Essa 1x drivetrain](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/oCgyJqcp4QJpYXYQ3QF6Tj-320-80.jpg)
Following the cue from Cues, Shimano's new Essa groupset brings big benefits to its 8-speed lineup designed for budget MTBs
By Graham Cottingham published
News New 8-speed components bring Linkglide, 1x, and wide-range cassettes to Shimano's entry-level systems. Plus small hands benefit from a new Cues short-reach shifter and brake lever
![POV riding shot of the Whyte E-Lyte 140 Works, one of the best electric mountain bikes](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/TDVBk6GW3TRERvvEmUVTPF-320-80.jpg)
Best electric mountain bikes – the top-rated e-MTBs we've tested
By Rich Owen last updated
Buyer's Guide With a motor between the cranks, the best e-MTBs unlock huge potential for increasing your riding range and powering up the climbs. Here's our expert pick...
![Race Face Era rim graphic detail](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/XkL9pFbiF25Paie2nYTDTg-320-80.jpg)
Race Face Era wheelset first look – compromising without compromise, has Race Face found the carbon wheel performance sweet spot?
By Graham Cottingham published
News Race Face has launched a brand-new carbon Era wheelset purposely designed to be the jack of all trades, master of none
![A pair of mountain bike clipless pedals](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/zuCBdjBCMHz6g4WawWwYZ4-320-80.jpg)
Best mountain bike clipless pedals 2024 – the top-rated clipless MTB pedals for XC, trail and gravity riding
By Graham Cottingham published
Buyer's Guide The best clipless mountain bike pedals we've tested, covering all the options from trail and cross-country to enduro and downhill mountain biking
![Best MTB mudguards](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/2Eu3sgrybxwTDN7tWvCGCH-320-80.jpg)
Best MTB mudguards 2024 – top-rated options rated by our experts
By Colin Levitch last updated
Buyer's Guide The best MTB mudguards and fenders to protect you and your bike in muddy conditions
![Wiggle home page](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/sNcVssPh8GFM9TJWfE2YHK-320-80.jpg)
Wiggle and Chain Reaction Cycles websites return to life but now under Frasers Group control
By Graham Cottingham published
News After the finalization of the Frasers Group takeover and a week's hiatus, what's changed at WiggleCRC?
![Grid layout of pedals](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/3BNJdaRAGVtTuvdZRsJCR8-320-80.jpg)
Best MTB flat pedals 2024 – we test 10 top options for trail and gravity riding
By Rich Owen last updated
Buyer's Guide Check out our expert pick of the grippiest, toughest and best MTB flat pedals around
![Specialized Levo SL e-MTB on the top of a rocky hill](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/3bjPiPPypTc9C8mWwN8fMg-320-80.jpg)
The new Levo SL Alloy gives an affordable entry to Specialized's lightweight e-MTBs – it's bad news if you live in the U.S. though
By Graham Cottingham last updated
News Specialized release a new aluminum version of the Levo SL e-MTB that weighs just 20kg
![Industry Nine SOLix wheelset](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/L3kjrQVKvixQzmvqYUwwCV-320-80.jpg)
Industry Nine brings its legendary fast engaging hubs to drop bar bikes with the new SOLix wheelsets and hubs
By Graham Cottingham published
News Industry Nine SOLiX line packs 605 points of engagement and comes in two distinct configurations; SOLiX SL for road and fast gravel or SOLiX G for gravel
![Fizik Proxy shoes](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/DNU324EwtB7ZTTQdxWJ4Am-320-80.jpg)
Fizik's new Proxy MTB shoe has a bold futuristic aesthetic and we are all for it
By Graham Cottingham published
News New Fizik Proxy shoes are designed to be fast for gravel and XC racing
![Rider charging on Specialized S-Works Epic 8](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/HjtDRvmDiHZFpc6seSfkaW-320-80.jpg)
Specialized's Epic 8 XC MTB embraces algorithm-controlled suspension and ditches the Brain
By Graham Cottingham published
News Specialized claims the new Epic 8 is the "fastest XC race bike in the world", while the Epic 8 Evo gets a rowdy downcountry overhaul
![Mountain biker rides down a rocky trail using RockShox's new Flight Attendant](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Puv6Nn3vZKN22SYdsqkxhZ-320-80.jpg)
Are algorithms going to revolutionize MTB suspension? RockShox releases new Flight Attendant with Adaptive Ride Dynamics
By Graham Cottingham published
News RockShox's new Flight Attendant gathers data as you ride, learns from it, and automatically responds in real time
![Liv Pique Advanced 29 bike pictured side on](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/xk6Emp8XtvZZxyJhwbEHsR-320-80.jpg)
Liv's updated Pique Advanced 29 is a radical women-specific XC bike with slack geometry and more travel
By Graham Cottingham published
News Liv says the latest Pique Advanced 29 race bike is ready for a new era of XC racing
![A male mountain standing while wearing 100% Airmatic pants one of the best mtb pants](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/bYPGE2JseeHyktrK9M94RR-320-80.jpg)
Best MTB pants 2024 – we test top mountain bike trousers for full length trail and gravity protection
By Richard Owen last updated
Buyer's Guide MTB pants have radically improved over the past few years, making full leg coverage a much more popular option. Our experts review and rank the best options available
![Fizik Terra Nanuq GTX winter boots](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4DQMbfT6w4JwpgBydRuyFm-320-80.jpg)
Fizik Terra Nanuq GTX winter boot review – Gore-Tex sealed and insulated MTB shoes
By Graham Cottingham published
Review These sleek winter MTB shoes have been keeping my feet warm and dry in the worst conditions
![Look X Track Power pedal fitted to a gravel bike](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ZNJQS546KZe6XJ7pdASuEN-320-80.jpg)
Look Cycle releases its first off-road power meter, the brand new X-Track Power power meter pedals
By Graham Cottingham published
News Manufactured in France, the Look Cycle X-Track off-road power meter pedals are low weight, rechargeable, and have a claimed accuracy of +/-1 percent
![Canyon Grizl:ON e-gravel bike](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/faL9JTr4VbKmAkqy76ZxbX-320-80.jpg)
Canyon releases the brand new Grizl:ON e-gravel bike in adventure, lightweight, and urban utility guises
By Graham Cottingham published
News Canyon's new Grizl:ON is a versatile drop bar e-bike powered by bosch Performance SX motor
![Endura MT500 Lite](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/C6A4tGnwAMLPYnUgg2eQkn-320-80.jpg)
Best mountain bike knee pads 2024 – we review and rate 8 top knee pads for all kinds of MTB
By Richard Owen last updated
Buyer's Guide MTB knee pads will protect your legs from the inevitable crashes and falls. We've taken the hits to find you 10 of the best