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

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?

Mountain biking vs road biking: How are they different?

By Sean Fishpool published 18 January 22

Feature Both disciplines are awesome but what are the differences and which is better?

Best way to transport mountain bikes

By Sean Fishpool published 11 January 22

Feature Unless you are seriously lucky, most mountain bikers need to drive to the trailhead, we look for the best way to transport mountain bikes

Mountain bike vs hybrid bike: How are they different?

By Sean Fishpool published 30 December 21

Feature What’s the difference between a hybrid and a mountain bike? And which is right for you?

SRAM SX vs NX: Understanding the differences

By Sean Fishpool published 9 November 21

Buyer's Guide Looking for a low-cost 12-speed groupset? We break down the differences between SRAM's two budget drivetrains

100% Altis helmet review

By Sean Fishpool published 17 September 21

Review 100% brings its proprietary Smartshock impact protection system to its mid-range Altis trail helmet

A picture showing the front vents of the Bontrager Starvos

Bontrager Starvos WaveCel helmet review

By Sean Fishpool published 16 September 21

Review The Starvos features Bontrager's Wavecel technology but does this innovative approach to protection translate to performance on the bike?

Selle San Marco Ground Dynamic saddle review

By Sean Fishpool published 13 September 21

Review Selle San Marco Ground Dynamic saddle is an update to the Italian brand's popular GND off-road saddle, but have the changes in shape improved comfort and performance?

A top-down view of the black Selle Italia X-LR TI316 Superflow saddle, with central cut-out, black X on the right flank and shiny gloss finish on the nose

Selle Italia X-LR Ti316 Superflow saddle review

By Sean Fishpool published 9 September 21

Review Selle Italia combines its current saddles to create a lightweight racey off-road saddle, but is less in fact more?

Scott Centric Plus helmet review

By Sean Fishpool published 9 September 21

Review The Scott Centric Plus brings a low weight and ventilation to an aesthetically pleasing XC lid

Spank Spike 160 saddle review

By Sean Fishpool published 7 September 21

Review The Spank Spike is a tough, lean saddle aimed at the performance gravity audience but is it comfortable enough for a full day's riding?

Cannondale F-Si Carbon 3 set against a South African backdrop at Meerendal Wine Estate

Cross-country mountain bikes: Understanding their anatomy and design blueprints

By Sean Fishpool last updated 1 September 21

Feature We take a look at the key designs and components that make cross-country mountain bikes so fast off-road

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