James Watkins

Review The Aliante R5 promises all-day comfort, but this wasn’t the case when venturing away from the tarmac

Review The Crankbrothers F16 is the most comprehensive multi-tool in their metal-cased F-series. It takes the F11 and adds an easy-to-use chain tool to the mix

Review Great fitting sunglasses with Fototec adaptive lenses for unpredictable light conditions

Review With all-round riding intentions, from commuting to trail riding, can the budget Madison Freewheel Trousers really perform on the trails?

Review Don’t be fooled by the race-oriented center block pattern, the Python 3 is a surprisingly capable and tough XC tire

Review The Terra Powerstrap X4 is Fizik’s budget gravel shoe offering, with a paired back design, claiming great comfort and reliability. I’ve been putting the miles in to test the claim.

Review Supremely airy but pricey helmet for gravel, road or XC exploits

Review Merida’s One-Twenty 600, with its 130mm of travel, aims to be a jack-of-all trades at an affordable price, but can the component package compromises still shred?

Review With an updated design for 2024, can the Madison Flux compete in the ever growing in Trail Pants category?

Review Despite a hefty asking price, the XC7s are a lot cheaper than some of the range-topping shoes out there. But does the lack of a full carbon sole limit their potential?

Review Can Shimano’s new GE9 gravity shoe follow in the success of the hugely popular ME7s?

Review A quality, mid-range offering from Endura, giving pricier models a run for their money, but watch out for eye-wear compatibility

Review Merida’s 130mm travel One-Twenty (yes you read that correctly) aims to be the bike of the people, offering an up-to-date, do-it-all platform at a reasonable cost

Review Merida’s new longer-travel bike takes the standard One-Sixty aluminum frame and amplifies the fun factor, with more suspension up front and a coil-sprung rear shock

Review Level 1 CE certified protection, providing extended elbow coverage in a design that allows great freedom of movement

Review A lightweight 3/4 arm length jersey with an innovative solution to help keep stuffed pockets under control

Review SRAM brings their latest T-Type Transmission to GX level drivetrains, but is it as big a game-changer here as it's proved to be at XX and X0?

Review This new for 2023 model from UK brand Endura, exudes quality and sports features normally reserved for pricier models

Review A great-looking bike for the money, but seriously hampered by the laid-back seat position

Review A well-fitting helmet with 5-star Virginia Tech rated impact protection, at a very reasonable asking price

Review With a potential 5,250 lumens on tap, and some unique British innovation, can the Six Pack Mk12 justify its price?

Review The Rockrider Slim-Fit Softshell Mountain Biking Jacket is Decathlon’s take on a winter jacket aimed at the cross-country crowd. Can this relatively inexpensive jacket keep you warm and toasty through a UK winter?

Review The Win Wing is Ass Savers’ attempt at a clip-on style rear mudguard using what it calls ‘tangential coverage’, but can a simple bit of bent plastic really help to keep you dry and clean over winter?

Review The Rails are Tifosi’s large-format cycling specific sunglasses, supplied in a three-lens package that should, in theory, provide everything you need for year-round riding