Paul Burwell
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.
Latest articles by Paul Burwell
Best MTB flat pedals 2024 – 9 top options for trail and gravity riding
By Rich Owen last updated
Buyer's Guide Our expert testers' pick of the grippiest and toughest mountain bike flat pedals you can buy
Best mountain bike lights 2024 – top MTB lights reviewed and rated by our test team
By Rich Owen last updated
Buyer's Guide Ride your favorite trail at night with the best mountain bike lights
Best waterproof MTB pants 2024 – riding trousers to keep you dry on the trails
By Jim Bland last updated
Buyer's Guide The best waterproof MTB pants are packed full of modern weather-resisting technologies so you can focus on riding and the trail ahead
100% Hydromatic jacket review – pared-back storm shroud
By Paul Burwell published
Review Not only does it use an aerodynamic cut, the 100% Hydromatic jacket slips through bad weather like a sprinter through the pack
iXS Carve All-Weather 2.0 Jacket review – updated hardcore wet-weather hoodie
By Paul Burwell published
Review Heavy-duty waterproof for hardcore all-mountain and e-bike adventuring
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
Gusset Slim Jim Nylon flat pedal review – synthetic trail flat with a hint of zest
By Paul Burwell published
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
Review The first proper off-road light from the Taiwanese manufacturer
Knog Blinder 1300 Front Light review – Aussie pocket rocket
By Paul Burwell published
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
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
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?
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 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
Canyon MTB Performance Flat Pedal review – impressively designed, multi-sized, shin shredder
By Paul Burwell published
Review A new in-house flat pedal in two platform sizes from the German direct sales bike brand
Best mountain bike stems – top-rated stems to sharpen up your steering
By Guy Kesteven last updated
Buyer's Guide We steer you in the right direction with our pick of the best mountain bike stems whatever your budget and biking style
Renthal Apex 35 stem review – lightweight trail option with downhill DNA
By Paul Burwell published
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
Review Divine gravity/enduro pedal from the original SPD benefactors
Deity Copperhead stem review – brass-necked steering control
By Paul Burwell published
Review An oversized version of Deity’s award-winning mountain bike stem
An e-MTB motor with Auto Shift function – but has Shimano taken dumbing down too far?
By Paul Burwell published
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
Review A lightweight, high-quality trail trouser for changeable conditions
Madison Flux pants review – clean, simple, great value trail trouser
By Paul Burwell published
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
Review Leatt’s new 7.0 HydraDri boot adds winter warmth and waterproofness for flat-pedal riders
Northwave Kingrock Plus GTX review – aggressive soled, cold weather biking boots
By Paul Burwell published
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?