Articles by Richard Owen, Editor, Bike Perfect

Richard has worked as print and internet journalist for 23 years. He's the editor of the Bikeperfect.com team, having previous been editor of What Mountain Bike magazine and written for Bikeradar.com, MBUK.com, Off-Road.cc, Mountain Biking UK, Cycling Plus, as well as many other magazines and websites. Rich has been riding mountain bikes for over 30 years and mostly likes hitting flowy yet technical trails that point downhill. A jack of many trades, Rich has competed in cross-country, enduro and long distance MTB races, not to mention also now adding gravel to his riding repertoire. A resident of North Devon, he can mostly be found pedaling furiously around his local trails, or slightly further afield in the Quantocks, the Mendips or Exmoor.

Current rides: Merida One-Forty 6000, Banshee Paradox

Height: 178cm

Weight: 68kg

Articles by: Richard Owen

Endura MT500 Spray Trouser review – superb winter riding pants

By Richard Owen published 5 December 23

They've been around in one form for another for a while, but Endura have totally nailed the current MT500 Spray Trousers

Specialized play it safe with relatively modest tweaks to the 2024 Stumpjumper

By Richard Owen published 1 December 23

News The latest Stumpys get SRAM Transmission drivetrains, but is it the end of the line for this particular version?

SRAM Eagle Powertrain POV drop send action shot

Here's how the latest electronic MTB tech could ruin your next ride

By Richard Owen last updated 5 December 23

Opinion Rich Owen ponders whether mountain bikes and technology are really a happy match and whether we should all channel our inner Luddite

Five Ten Freerider Pros are the best flat pedal MTB shoes I've ever worn and now they're up to 70% off in this huge deal – savings still live!

By Richard Owen last updated 4 December 23

Deal I've had many pairs of Freerider Pros over the years and despite strong competition from newer rivals, they're still the best flat shoes I've ever tested

Canyon's Neuron 5 vs Vitus Mythique VRS Cyber Monday 2023 deal

This MTB rivals Canyon's excellent Neuron 5 but costs $$$ less in this exceptional deal – savings still live

By Richard Owen last updated 29 November 23

Deal Just like Canyon's Neuron 5, the Vitus Mythique VRS is a versatile and easy to ride full-suspension MTB, and now it's at its lowest price ever

This is the best e-MTB bargain I've ever seen and now it's reduced by 40% in this huge Cyber Monday deal

By Richard Owen last updated 26 November 23

Cyber Monday If you're looking for a seriously capable electric mountain bike at a bargain price, fantastic value for money doesn't get any better than this

SRAM GX Eagle AXS vs GX Eagle T-Type Transmission – mid-level wireless drivetrains go head-to-head

By Sean White published 20 November 23

Feature SRAM now offers two GX level wireless, electronic, MTB drivetrains. We compare both options, looking at compatibility, ease of fitting, weight and performance

After culling nearly all of its existing conventional bike range, is Whyte on the road to going all electric?

By Richard Owen published 16 November 23

Opinion The British bike manufacturer has announced it's 2024 line up which now has just five non-electric bikes in it

Whyte reveal the lightweight E-Lyte e-MTB range and brutally axe most of its conventional bikes with an e-bike focus for 2024

By Richard Owen published 16 November 23

News British innovators Whyte announces its 2024 line-up and drastically cuts back on the number of conventional bikes it produces, completely dropping gravel

A pair of Shimano flat pedal winter boots

Is Shimano's GF800 GTX finally the flat pedal winter boot we've been waiting for?

By Richard Owen published 7 November 23

Not yet rated

Review Rich Owen has been testing Shimano's new flat pedal winter boot to see if it measures up

I've been hunting bargain full-suspension MTBs this Amazon Prime Day and this is an unmissable deal on a top bike

By Richard Owen published 11 October 23

Deal The extremely capable Vitus Mythique 29 VRX is excellent value at its regular price, but now it's insanely good at 30% off

This Garmin Instinct Solar smartwatch is at an unbeatable price this Amazon Prime Day

By Richard Owen published 10 October 23

Deal The Instinct Solar has been around for a few years now, but it captures all the essential metrics you're likely to need and if you like to play rough, it's totally bombproof too

A hand-painted downhill bike on a Utah hillside

Kyle Strait's prototype Vitus DH bike built for Red Bull Rampage 2023 is a thing of beauty

By Richard Owen published 6 October 23

News Check out the fully custom bike the Californian rider will be competing on at this year's Rampage event and its country and western theme

A mountain biker in a very challenging rock section

Do this one exercise for strength gains that will boost your gravity and e-MTB performance

By Richard Owen published 6 October 23

News Build a better upper MTB body with this essential movement that you can basically do anywhere

Rider on electric mountain bike in rocky landscape

Best hardtail electric mountain bikes – our expert pick of entry level e-MTBs

By Sean White published 5 October 23

Buyer's Guide Our pick of the best electrically-assisted all-terrain bikes that blend versatility with performance

Fox Union Flat shoes review – a top choice for flat pedal riders

By Richard Owen published 4 October 23

Review Fox have a great rep for making MTB gear, so how does the brand's recent foray into flat shoes fare?

Close up of bike with SRAM Eagle Powertrain

Think auto-shifting e-MTB gears aren't for you? SRAM's revolutionary Eagle Powertrain tech will change your mind

By Neal Hunt published 28 September 23

News SRAM gatecrashes the e-MTB party with the launch of a brand new motor system complete with AI gear shifting

Two MTB flat shoes facing each other outdoors

Five Ten Freerider Pro vs Fox Union Flat – two excellent flat pedal MTB shoes, but which is best?

By Richard Owen published 27 September 23

Feature We've pitched the market leading performance MTB flat pedal shoe against a newer model from one of the biggest names in bike gear

Don't miss 'Bike Party', Martyn Ashton's theatre show touring the UK very soon

By Richard Owen published 21 September 23

News Ashton announces a speaking tour in which he talks about his life in MTB

Watch the crazy moment when mountain bikers bumped into King Charles strolling across the Scottish highlands

By Richard Owen published 21 September 23

Video MTB YouTuber films the bizarre encounter with the British monarch

EX Enduro 2023 review – spooky singletrack and biblical rain failed to dampen the party

By Richard Owen published 20 September 23

News The EX Enduro is having a lie down for a bit, but after this year's event, some time off is richly deserved

A MTBer riders over a rock on a singletrack trail

Do these 5 essential things after every mountain bike ride

By Richard Owen published 11 September 23

Feature Top tips for on building a sorted post-ride routine that will benefit both you and your bike

Canyon Spectral:ON CF 8 review – sorted, lively e-trail bomber

By Richard Owen published 2 August 23

Review Excellent ride-everything all-rounder from the German online-only brand

Studio shots of YT's new pants and shorts

YT now make shorts and pants for trail and gravity riders, but the sendier gear comes in male only options

By Richard Owen published 1 August 23

News The new legwear looks great, but why don't women get their own gravity cut?

A bikepacker with stunning mountains in the background

The latest Garmin watch software update gives cyclists a handy training boost

By Richard Owen published 25 July 23

News New software changes bring a raft of updates with a number of useful improvements to training plans for cyclists

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