Guy Kesteven
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 started 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 he reviews MTBs over on YouTube.
Current rides: Cervelo ZFS-5, Forbidden Druid V2, Specialized Chisel, custom Nicolai enduro tandem, Landescape/Swallow custom gravel tandem
Height: 180cm
Weight: 69kg
Latest articles by Guy Kesteven
![Crankbrothers Synthesis Carbon Gravel wheelset](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/oqqRSzy2ocfM5h8LgppuP9-320-80.jpg)
Best gravel bike wheels – top-rated wheels rated by our experts
By Guy Kesteven last updated
Buyer's Guide The best gravel bike wheels borrow tech and ideas from both MTB and road, but which are the best for you?
![Best mountain bike lights](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/7obJFZgCbExMA9qouTgdsa-320-80.jpg)
Best mountain bike lights 2024 – top MTB lights reviewed and rated by our test team
By Richard Owen last updated
Buyer's Guide Ride your favorite trail at night with the best mountain bike lights
![Whyte E-Lyte 140 Works POV riding shot](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/TDVBk6GW3TRERvvEmUVTPF-320-80.jpg)
Bespoken Word – Are lightweight e–MTBs the future of mountain biking, or the very worst fusion of price, power and practicality?
By Guy Kesteven published
Opinion Many brands are hoping that lightweight e–MTBs will power them clear of stagnant, overstocked conventional mountain bike market. Guy Kesteven has been spending a lot of time on the latest options, so what’s his hot take on lower powered, smaller battery, sub 20kg electric mountain bikes? Are they really the future, or are they just futile in terms of what performance boost they give compared to the extra cost, complexity, and reliability issues any e–MTB brings?
![Whyte E-Lyte 140 Works e-MTB](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8SDek2gffmpRgebtqCygVJ-320-80.jpeg)
Whyte E-Lyte 140 Works review – Whyte’s lightest e-MTB is an outstanding further and faster flyer
By Guy Kesteven published
Review Whyte’s new E–Lyte 140 Works gives outstanding fast and far performance, but can this Bosch SX powered superbike still play the trails or is it too cross country for comfort?
![YT Jeffsy Core 5 being ridden in a forest](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/bWaG3v3K98R2iLxjMmjQb9-320-80.jpg)
Bespoken Word – With funding issues really starting to bite, is mountain biking in real danger of not being able to see the wood for the trees?
By Guy Kesteven published
Opinion Guy Kesteven was going to make this a simple and easy ‘moral panic’ piece about a couple of pieces of mountain biking (bad) news. But as usual, when he started thinking, things got complicated...
![Gravel riders on the GR3](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/DEfDKxHyFAWkHGb3dr4GbF-320-80.jpg)
Gravel riding is going to be bigger than ever this year, so here are the top five bikes I can’t wait to ride in 2024
By Guy Kesteven published
Feature Guy Kesteven has been getting dirty on drop bar bikes for nearly forty years. So what probable gravel bike launches is he most looking forward to in 2024 and what fantasy ‘all terrain’ machines would he like to appear on the mixed surface menu?
![Mountain bike riders in bracken](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/K7KDWkmMbQNuLa782gu68P-320-80.jpeg)
Probably the most experienced bike tester in the world reveals the five hottest MTBs he can't wait to ride this year
By Guy Kesteven published
Opinion Guy Kesteven is already ahead of the curve with several 2024 bike launches, but what other awesome bikes is he expecting to see this year?
![Maxxis Minion DHF on a bike](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/XWXp5vmgvYQhT4XkcL2XkG-320-80.jpg)
Best MTB trail tires 2024 – we test 12 totally sorted options for hitting the trails
By Paul Burwell last updated
Buyer's Guide Our pick of the best trail-orientated MTB tires for ultimate grip, support and predictability in all conditions
![Best e-MTB tires](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/TP3VV3gUqgcYCd9aW568rj-320-80.jpg)
Best e-MTB tires 2024 – 9 top-rated tires tested by our experts
By Guy Kesteven last updated
Buyer's Guide Maximum tire grip and carcass toughness are crucial for making the most of your e-MTB, here's our expert pick...
![A mountain bike shoe on a pedal](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/yBq7FWcACQBwkibbJGLBTa-320-80.jpg)
Best mountain bike shoes 2024 – 14 top-rated flat and clipless MTB shoes tested by our experts
By Rich Owen last updated
Buyer's Guide Our expert pick of flat pedal and clipless mountain bike shoes that are comfortable, secure, durable and will give you an excellent connection to your bike
![Mountain biker on an Everest challenge](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/U5pkUnNsyMAdmprfnBD5tP-320-80.jpg)
Bespoken Word – Changing wars into welcomes at the most important mountain biking meeting I’ve ever been in
By Guy Kesteven published
Opinion SRAM and Developing Mountain Biking in Scotland have launched their UK Trails Project and Guy Kesteven was at the first industry and media presentation to find out what the plan is and how massively important it could be for mountain biking in the UK
![Benoit Coulanges on Fort William downhill track 2022](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/cExifuLekEeSBXPzT9ZTWa-320-80.jpg)
Best full-face MTB helmets 2024 – we test the ultimate helmets for downhill and enduro protection
By Paul Brett last updated
Buyer's Guide MTB full-face helmets provide the highest level of safety when riding gnarly terrain. Check out our tried and tested recommendations
![Cervelo ZFS cornering hard](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/KTJGkXhDdqvf4AqRpPJQoU-320-80.jpeg)
I tested 58 MTB and gravel bikes last year, here are the ones I really didn't want to give back
By Guy Kesteven published
Feature Over the past 27 years Guy Kesteven has tested more bikes than anyone else on the planet. So what were his top MTB and gravel picks of 2023?
![Nils Amelinckx](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/yUzugh5qa7MzFoSj8iEY5E-320-80.jpg)
Bespoken Word – Missing Linckx and pushing the Rider Resilience ‘Bikes are Medicine’ message forwards
By Guy Kesteven published
Opinion Guy Kesteven and many others said goodbye to a truly inspiring individual this week. Nils Amelinckx showed just how much riding bikes can lift and empower people and his legacy will live on with Rider Resilience
![Best MTB grips guide winner is the ODI Reflex](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8Ry6iatZ844xSLaD78N6bU-320-80.jpg)
Best MTB grips 2024 – our testers picks of the best models that will improve your mountain bike's comfort and handling
By Colin Levitch last updated
Buyer's guide Choosing the best MTB grips will give you maximum comfort and control of your bike wherever you ride
![Best shock pump](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/pN37FsyDMRoqg7daaQFc9n-320-80.jpg)
Best shock pumps 2024 – our testers' pick of high-pressure pumps for the ultimate tuning
By Richard Owen last updated
Buyer's Guide MTB and gravel shock pumps that will get your suspension settings exactly where you need them – every time
![Best MTB hip packs](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/jCLo8FYyRHdH8QHb7UmKvE-320-80.jpg)
Best MTB hip packs 2024 – ditch the bag and travel lighter on the trails
By Graham Cottingham last updated
Buyer's Guide Whether you call them MTB hip packs, bum bags or fanny packs, they all offer a little extra storage for those who want to ride bag-free without sacrificing storage for essential items
![Five Ten Trailcross Gore-Tex](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/fmFDw38SPVKkQuFoRwmYhE-320-80.jpg)
Best winter MTB boots 2024 – we test top weatherproof mountain bike boots for winter riding
By Guy Kesteven last updated
Buyer's Guide Proper winter MTB boots can help prevent the inevitable misery of mountain biking with frozen feet. Here’s our pick of the best footwear for when temperatures head south
![Orange Phase Evo details](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/qfozup2uNdkEbwrTBdWgxQ-320-80.jpg)
What went wrong at Orange Bikes and what might happen next for this much loved MTB brand?
By Guy Kesteven published
News How have one of the UK's original MTB brands gone from iconic, World Championship innovators to financial administration?
![The 7mesh Copilot jacket in action](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/cdJfrBUNppAJmdDEa5ZuLM-320-80.jpg)
Best MTB jackets 2024 – we review the 8 best jackets on the market
By Guy Kesteven last updated
Buyer's Guide Our testers pick the best MTB jackets that allow you to beat the bad weather and ride year-round
![Rider at Red Bull Downtime in Nagano, Japan](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/SbTYZPNcuA9B9L8roXTQtT-320-80.jpg)
Best budget MTB forks 2024 – our expert choice of affordable dampers that will enhance your ride
By Guy Kesteven last updated
Buyer's Guide Decent budget suspension forks that will add control, grip and predictability to your mountain bike
![Lapierre Overvolt GLP3 being ridden down a rocky section of trail](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/W59Xr9nAKpKhXqnyvHLUbA-320-80.jpg)
Six big changes coming to MTB in 2024 – our tech experts make their predictions
By Guy Kesteven, Graham Cottingham published
Opinion Guy Kesteven and Graham Cottingham pick out the most important MTB tech and trends coming in 2024
![Riders at night](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/EdHJWMPDAwKhWGHmaH7MpV-320-80.jpg)
Bespoken Word – New Year's empty promises or genuine bike life upgrades?
By Guy Kesteven published
Opinion Guy Kesteven questions whether he’ll actually make more meaningful, lasting gains in 2024 by learning from his story so far, not ignoring them with fashionable ‘fresh start’ resolutions
![Best full-suspension mountain bikes](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/D3QLNYvUDr7PsyEH6tLct-320-80.jpg)
Best full-suspension mountain bikes 2024 – we put the top XC, downcountry, and trail MTBs to the test
By Guy Kesteven last updated
Buyer's Guide Which full-suspension mountain bikes are the pick of bunch for XC, downcountry, and trail riding? We've tested the best full-suspension machines for whatever you ride