Articles by Guy Kesteven, Technical-Editor-at-Large

Guy Kesteven is Bike Perfect's technical editor-at-large. Hatched in Yorkshire he's been hardened by riding round it in all weathers since he was a kid. He spent a few years working in bike shops and warehouses before starting writing and testing for bike mags in 1996. Since then he’s written several million words about several thousand test bikes and a ridiculous amount of riding gear. To make sure he rarely sleeps and to fund his custom tandem habit, he’s also penned a handful of bike-related books and talks to a GoPro for YouTube, too.

Rides: Pace RC295, Cotic FlareMax, Specialized Chisel, Vielo V+1 gravel bike, Nicolai FS Enduro, Landescape custom gravel tandem

Height: 180cm

Weight: 69kg

Articles by: Guy Kesteven

Orange Stage 7 bike bring ridden on a trail

Orange’s new Stage 7 is their smartest, fastest enduro bike ever

By Guy Kesteven published 8 June 23

News So what are the smarter, faster details behind the latest handbuilt hardcore gravity racer from Halifax UK?

Bespoken Word – Tech yourself before you wreck yourself

By Guy Kesteven published 8 June 23

Opinion Apple finally put cycling on their app map this week and Guy Kesteven has been pondering what increasing amounts of tech means for biking

Leatt Knee Guard AirFlex Hybrid Pro review – knee pads with extra protection

By Guy Kesteven published 6 June 23

Review The Pro version of Leatt’s AirFlex Hybrid knee pads add extra impact resistance but is it at the expense of fit?

Is YT's Capra Core 1 the best value enduro bike?

By Guy Kesteven published 2 June 23

Review Capra’s 170mm travel Core 1 looks a total bargain enduro/park bike, but how does it ride? Guy Kesteven has been sending it hard to see if you should be buying it

Bespoken Word – the price of everything...

By Guy Kesteven published 1 June 23

Opinion After the crazy cost increases of Covid, bike businesses are hacking prices everywhere trying not to be the ones that go bust after the boom. But Guy Kesteven reckons there’s more to whether something is really a bargain or not than the amount of money saved on the price tag

Rab Cinder Ridgeline Jacket review – disappointing top from the usually excellent brand

By Guy Kesteven published 26 May 23

Review Have Rab leveraged their legendary outdoor gear reputation in this potentially versatile top or would a recommendation be stretching it?

Close up of a Formula Cura brake on a mountain bike

Formula Cura brake review – reliable two-piston stoppers

By Paddy Tolan published 26 May 23

Review Can Formula’s light, powerful, feel rich and affordable Cura brake challenge bigger brands as the best all-round mountain bike brake?

Bikestow Stance stand review – display your bike in style

By Guy Kesteven published 26 May 23

Review Bikestow’s Stance is a handmade UK single bike stand that’s ideal for high style, low profile bike storage/display

Kenesis Fend Off Shorty review – full metal gravel fender

By Guy Kesteven published 25 May 23

Review This tough, metal, rear mudguard from Kinesis is designed to keep gravel butts clean and dry, but fit issues are frustrating

Cotic FlareMax Gen 5 riding through the woods

Bespoken Word – get out and ride while the going is good

By Guy Kesteven published 24 May 23

Opinion Guy Kesteven reckons it’s the perfect time to get outside right now, so just go and do enjoy the goodness while you can, however you can

I rode all 225km of the new Traws Eryri MTB bikepacking route across Snowdonia and here's how you can do it too

By Guy Kesteven published 24 May 23

Feature Cycling UK and National Resources Wales have spent three years researching, negotiating and planning the project and mountain bikers are going to love this new addition to Cycling UK’s collection of multi-day adventures. Guy Kesteven has ridden the route and written the guidebook, so what’s waiting for big country bikepackers in Wales?

Classified Powershift review – we test the tech packed gear system on a gravel Campagnolo setup

By Guy Kesteven published 22 May 23

Review Guy Kesteven has been testing Classified’s radical Powershift 2-speed hub in a premium Mason Exposure, Hunt carbon wheel, Campagnolo Ekar gravel bike format. So are 26 speeds better than 13 and is that worth double the price?

Feedback sports through axle chain keeper

Feedback Sports Thru-Axle Chain Keeper review – very simple yet clever

By Guy Kesteven published 19 May 23

Review Feedback Sports' eco friendly Chain Keeper is our new favorite workshop accessory

Cotic FlareMax5 review – short travel steel with 5 star feel

By Guy Kesteven published 19 May 23

Review Cotic’s 2023 FlareMax Gen 5 adds stiffness, strength and more sizes but has it still got it’s signature steel feel?

rider riding through red flags at the Ard Rock Enduro

Bespoken Word – how to pick the perfect bike

By Guy Kesteven published 18 May 23

Opinion Guy Kesteven has reviewed bikes for a living for over 25 years, but he still finds picking the perfect long term test bike a serious challenge

Topeak Backloader Wishbone review – seatpack anti-sway stabilizer

By Guy Kesteven published 18 May 23

Reviews Topeak’s Backloader Wishbone is designed to stop seat pack flop for boisterous bikepackers but it’s not without it’s issues

Deviate Cycles continue their high pivot Scottish revolution with the Highlander 2

By Guy Kesteven published 17 May 23

News When it comes to cult bikes from the land of kilts, none have as many loyal fans and as much global recognition as Deviate Cycles. Their new Highlander evolves their established trail dominating format while combining two bikes into one

Jamis Dakar review – full-sus MTB with a hardtail price tag

By Guy Kesteven published 16 May 23

Review How grand can a full-suspension mountain bike be for under a grand?

Rapha Trail Merino T-shirts back and front views

Rapha Trail Merino T-Shirt review – well cut wool-based jersey

By Guy Kesteven published 16 May 23

Review Rapha wool mix T shirts combine natural and synthetic strengths for casual, durable and fresh trail performance but are they worth the high price?

Specialized Fjalraven Safari Suits in photo studio

Ride out and stay out with the latest kit from the Specialized Fjällräven collaboration

By Guy Kesteven published 15 May 23

News US MTB pioneers Specialized and Swedish hiking icons Fjällräven have added a third drop of fashionable but far away functional kit to their premium bikepacking / lifestyle collection

Exclusive first ride impressions of Cervelo's new full send & full-sus ZFS-5 World Cup XCO MTB

By Guy Kesteven last updated 12 May 23

News This weekend’s World Cup race at Nova Mesto sees the first appearance of Cervelo’s new full-suspension race MTB. Guy Kesteven has the inside line on the bike and the project

7Mesh Roam LS jersey being worn by a man near a river

7Mesh Roam Shirt LS review – cosy and eco-friendly

By Guy Kesteven published 11 May 23

Review 7Mesh’s new long sleeve trail top prioritises distinctive fit and eco fabrics over features

A woman riding an electric mountain bike through the woods

Bespoken Word – mountain biking is just better

By Guy Kesteven published 10 May 23

Opinion Guy Kesteven has nothing against road biking, but he’s very glad mountain biking exists

Forbidden Druid V2 mountain bike on a fireroad trail

Forbidden create the ultimate ride anything mountain bike with spellbinding Druid V2

By Guy Kesteven published 9 May 23

Review Want short travel, agility and responsiveness or long travel control and confidence? Forbidden’s new Druid is designed to combine both even better than before, but did it put Guy Kesteven under its spell?

A woman riding the Turbo Levo SL Comp Carbon in woods

Does Specialized’s latest Turbo Levo SL II Carbon set a whole new benchmark for trail bikes?

By Guy Kesteven published 5 May 23

News It’s been a while coming, but Specialized’s new Turbo Levo SL II Carbon might not just be the best electric mountain bike around, it might be the best mountain bike you can buy too

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