Articles by Paul Burwell, Freelance writer

Paul has been testing mountain bikes and products for the best part of 30 years, he’s passed comment on thousands of components and bikes, from the very first 29ers and dropper posts to latest e-MTBs and electronic drivetrains. He first put pen to paper for Mountain Bike International magazine but then contributed to What Mountain Bike, Cycling Today and Cycling Weekly magazines before a 20 year stint at MBR magazine. An ex-elite level XC racer, he’s broken more bones than records but is now sustained on a diet of trail building, skills coaching and e-bike trail shredding.

Articles by: Paul Burwell

Torso of man wearing black cycling jacket in front of hedge

100% Hydromatic jacket review – pared-back storm shroud

By Paul Burwell published 21 March 24

Review Not only does it use an aerodynamic cut, the 100% Hydromatic jacket slips through bad weather like a sprinter through the pack

Man wearing cycling jacket in front of hedge

iXS Carve All-Weather 2.0 Jacket review – updated hardcore wet-weather hoodie

By Paul Burwell published 20 March 24

Review Heavy-duty waterproof for hardcore all-mountain and e-bike adventuring

Gusset Slim Jim Nylon flat pedal review – synthetic trail flat with a hint of zest

By Paul Burwell published 7 February 24

Review Rocking an identical shape to the top-end aluminum pedal but sporting a synthetic chassis, the Slim Jim Nylon is Gusset’s entry-level platform pedal. But in a crowded market can this slimline trail shredder hit the sweet spot, or does it leave a bitter aftertaste?

RaveMen XR6000 review – powerful light for MTB trails

By Paul Burwell published 29 January 24

Review The first proper off-road light from the Taiwanese manufacturer

Knog Blinder 1300 Front Light review – Aussie pocket rocket

By Paul Burwell published 26 January 24

Review The Blinder 1300 is a compact bike light with the battery and lamp all contained in a single shell. Knog pitches it at the road market, but with its low weight it's an option for a second light for handlebar or helmet mounting

Exposure Six Pack SYNC Mk5 review – an updated version of this all-in-one bar blaster

By Paul Burwell published 25 January 24

Review The latest version of the Exposure Six Pack has more output and a wider beam, and it’s SYNC compatible, so you can configure settings like run time and output using Exposure’s dedicated app

Magicshine Monteer 12000 review – record-breaking light at a rock-bottom price

By Paul Burwell published 24 January 24

Review In theory, the Magicshine Monteer 12000 is one of the brightest mountain bike night lights out there but is it really that bright? And do you need that much when riding off-road?

Mountain bike flat pedal on wood surface

Canyon MTB Performance Flat Pedal review – impressively designed, multi-sized, shin shredder

By Paul Burwell published 17 October 23

Review A new in-house flat pedal in two platform sizes from the German direct sales bike brand

Renthal Apex 35 stem review – lightweight trail option with downhill DNA

By Paul Burwell published 8 August 23

Review One of the lightest mountain bike stems around with a unique faceplate clamping system

Shimano Saint PD-M821 review – flagship trail SPD with gravity DNA

By Paul Burwell published 13 June 23

Review Divine gravity/enduro pedal from the original SPD benefactors

Deity Copperhead stem review – brass-necked steering control

By Paul Burwell published 7 June 23

Review An oversized version of Deity’s award-winning mountain bike stem

The Shimano EP801 motor and e-MTB groupset

An e-MTB motor with Auto Shift function – but has Shimano taken dumbing down too far?

By Paul Burwell published 14 April 23

News With some Shimano electronic wizardry both EP8 and EP6 e-MTB motors can now shift under their own steam

Dainese HGL Pants review – top-quality, lightweight trail pants

By Paul Burwell published 15 February 23

Review A lightweight, high-quality trail trouser for changeable conditions

Madison Flux pants being worn in a garden

Madison Flux pants review – clean, simple, great value trail trouser

By Paul Burwell published 27 January 23

Review Can this budget pant handle challenging trail conditions or is it just too flimsy?

Leatt 7.0 HydraDri review – cold weather boot for flat pedal MTB use

By Paul Burwell published 19 January 23

Review Leatt’s new 7.0 HydraDri boot adds winter warmth and waterproofness for flat-pedal riders

Best winter MTB boots 2024 – we test top weatherproof mountain bike boots for winter riding

By Guy Kesteven last updated 9 January 24

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

Northwave Kingrock Plus GTX review – aggressive soled, cold weather biking boots

By Paul Burwell published 16 December 22

Review With its Gore-Tex and fleece-backed liner and meaty Vibram sole, the Northwave Kingrock Plus GTX is the perfect boot for cold weather biking but can it cut it when things start to melt?

Shimano MW7 review – a warm and waterproof XC winter wellie

By Paul Burwell published 14 December 22

Review Lightweight and resilient cross-country focused clip-in with branded Gore-Tex membrane and BOA fit system

Five Ten Trailcross Gore-Tex MTB shoes review – waterproof winter boots for flat pedal riders

By Paul Burwell published 9 December 22

Review One of the only flat pedal winter boots on the market with Gore-Tex waterproofness, high-top cuff and proper sticky rubber sole

Cane Creek ViscoSet review – damped headset for enhanced steering control

By Paul Burwell published 7 December 22

Review Unique headset with reconfigurable shims and viscous damping for improved steering control

Scott Genius ST 900 Tuned review – a redefined 29er trail bike with an in-frame rear shock

By Paul Burwell published 3 November 22

Review It’s not cheap but the Scott Genius ST 900 Tuned is an amazing piece of engineering with its own unique aesthetic

Best mountain bike knee pads 2024 – we review and rate 8 top knee pads for all kinds of MTB

By Richard Owen last updated 4 March 24

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

Torque Covert 7 Multi Tool – a plug-and-play tool with built-in magnetism

By Paul Burwell published 13 October 22

Review Stealthily conceals seven essential tools in your bottom bracket, including a sturdy chain breaker, for trail-side tweaks and repairs

BikeYoke Revive 2.0 160 dropper post review – highly engineered German dropper post

By Paul Burwell last updated 6 October 22

BikeYoke Revive 2.0 dropper post has an incredibly low ride-height, a precise action and superb build quality

USWE Zulo 2 Hydration Hip Pack – a quick shot on a short hop

By Paul Burwell published 8 September 22

Review Classed as a race pack, this lightweight 1 liter hipster is perfect for a quick blast where you only need minimal tools and the occasional H2O top up