Articles by Sean Fishpool, Freelance writer

Sean has old school cycle touring in his blood, with a coast to coast USA ride and a number of month-long European tours in his very relaxed palmares. Also an enthusiastic midpack club cyclocross and XC racer, he loves his role as a junior cycle coach on the Kent/Sussex borders, and likes to squeeze in a one-day unsupported 100-miler on the South Downs Way at least once a year. Triathlon and adventure racing fit into his meandering cycling past, as does clattering around the Peak District on a rigid Stumpjumper back in the day.

Height: 173cm

Weight: 65kg

Rides: Specialized Chisel Comp; Canyon Inflite CF SLX; Canyon Aeroad; Roberts custom road bike

Articles by: Sean Fishpool

Rider wearing a pair of Sportful Lobster Gloves

Sportful Lobster Gloves review – magic shell over-glove for nasty weather

By Sean Fishpool published 24 March 23

Review A superlight, weathertight shell to go over your normal gloves

Best cheap MTB pedals 2023 – flat and clipless options that won't break the bank

By Richard Edwards published 20 January 23

Buyer's Guide Our pick of the best cheap MTB pedals you can buy, whether you're looking to go flat or clipless on the trails

mountain biker riding down rocks by Scottish loch

Best trail helmets 2023 – our expert picks for protection, ventilation and comfort

By Sean Fishpool last updated 30 December 22

Buyer's Guide Trail helmets have to handle high efforts as well as potentially high impacts. Here's our pick of the ones that meet both demands

Best ways to stop squealing disc brakes on a mountain bike

Best ways to cure squealing disc brakes on a mountain bike

By Sean Fishpool published 25 July 22

How to Squealing disc brakes can ruin a ride, here are Bike Perfect's top tips for a quieter life on the trails

Shimano Deore XT PD-M8100 pedal review – Premium dependability

By Sean Fishpool published 31 May 22

Review No one has ever regretted buying XT SPD pedals, a true benchmark

Shimano XTR PD-M9100 pedal review – Still one of the best race-ready pedals

By Sean Fishpool last updated 31 May 22

Review Low, stable, and improved mud clearance for Shimano's top-tier pedals

Jenny Tough descends a rocky trail on her loaded mountain bike

Bikepacking routes – 10 of the best UK bikepacking routes

By Sean Fishpool published 25 May 22

Feature Unmissable UK bikepacking routes to take this summer, whether you're an absolute beginner or seasoned bikepacker

Bikepacking routes – 10 of the best USA bikepacking routes

By Sean Fishpool last updated 25 May 22

Feature American bikepacking adventures from desert to mountain top and suitable for all abilities

Time ATAC XC6 pedal review – a free floating, low weight pedal

By Sean Fishpool last updated 30 May 22

Review If you're after a freer feeling clipless pedal, the Time ATAC XC6 could be the one for you

The Candy 3 pedals on a wooden log, with one laying flat and the other slightly raised to show the surface

Crankbrothers Candy 3 pedal review – XC clipless meets platform support

By Sean Fishpool last updated 5 August 22

Review With modest weight, decent mud clearance and a bit of a platform, the Candy is an appealing package

Shimano PD-M520 pedal review – 18 years after its first release, this pedal is still going strong

By Sean Fishpool last updated 31 May 22

Review A bargain favorite with trail bashers and commuters alike

Crankbrothers Mallet E LS pedal review – smooth, stable, pedaling security

By Sean Fishpool published 19 May 22

Review The Mallet E strikes a winning balance between the security of cleats and the agility of a platform

Crankbrothers Eggbeater 3 pedal review – minimal construction yet surprisingly stable

By Sean Fishpool published 17 May 22

Review Crankbrothers Eggbeater 3's are light and appealing, even if they don’t clunk-click

Selle Italia X-LR Kit Carbonio SuperFlow saddle review – surprisingly comfortable weight saving perch

By Sean Fishpool last updated 27 April 22

Review Selle Italia’s lightest off-road perch is a dynamic, entertaining way to pluck a few more tens of grams from the scales

Fizik Terra Argo X1 saddle review – excellent but outshone by cheaper variants?

By Sean Fishpool last updated 27 April 22

Review How does the carbon-railed version of the renowned off-road Terra Argo stack up?

Prologo Scratch M5 AGX saddle review – long-distance gravel tamer

By Sean Fishpool published 25 April 22

Review If you’re looking for a sweet spot with your saddle, Lachlan Morton’s midrange off-road perch has some Goldilocks qualities

Selle San Marco Allroad Open-Fit Carbon FX saddle review – an agile, comfortable gem

By Sean Fishpool last updated 21 April 22

Review An expensive but lightweight and versatile saddle for gravel and cross-country riding

Specialized Power Expert saddle review – short-nosed MTB and gravel comfort

By Sean Fishpool last updated 11 May 22

Review Its short nose and deep cutaway have proven themselves for aero-positioned comfort, but Specialized also rates the Power Expert for gravel. How does it perform?

How to replace your bike's disc brake pads: simple fixes to sort your braking

By Glen Whittington published 24 March 22

How To Disc brake pads wear out over time, so here's how to replace them and keep your stopping performance sharp and precise

A rider drifting through a dusty corner with a mountainous backdrop

Mountain bike tire pressures – how to find the right pressures for you

By Sean Fishpool last updated 8 December 22

Feature We consult top tire manufacturers to help find the ideal tire pressures for your bike setup and the trail conditions you ride

Tubeless mountain bike tires – everything you need to know

By Sean Fishpool last updated 17 June 22

Feature Tubeless tires and MTBs go together like honey and bees. But are they right for you and how do you get set up?

The E-Caliber mountain bike being ridden through a river

Best mountain bike insurance: keep yourself and your steed safe and covered

By Sean Fishpool published 17 February 22

Insurance Always be prepared, with the best insurance policies for your mountain bike

Mountain bike racing: how to get started

By Sean Fishpool last updated 14 February 22

Feature Top tips and expert advice to help you on your way to competing in your first race

A close up of a phone mounted to some mountain bike handlebars, with Strava running in navigation mode

Best apps for mountain biking: useful apps that will compliment your riding

By Sean Fishpool published 9 February 22

Buyer's guides Get the most out of your time on the trails with the best apps for mountain biking

The Trek E-Caliber mountain bike in action

What types of mountain biking are there – and what type of rider are you?

By Sean Fishpool published 2 February 22

Feature Cross-country, trail, enduro, downhill... what’s the difference between the various types of mountain biking, and which one’s for you?

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