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

Group of cycling jackets hanging from a tree

Best jackets for bikepacking and gravel – packable all-day protection

By Sean Fishpool published 5 May 23

Buyer's Guide The best packable, weatherproof cycling jackets for off-road adventures

Man wearing short-sleeved base layer in front of tree

Madison Roam Isoler base layer review – just-right performance at a just-right price

By Sean Fishpool published 6 April 23

Review Everyone deserves a decent base layer and this is a super-comfortable all-rounder at a great price

Off-road cycling gloves in front of a hedge

Sportful Giara Thermal Gloves review – nicely made mid-temperature gloves

By Sean Fishpool published 5 April 23

Review They’re not all that thermal, but as general spring gravel gloves they’re just fine

Man wearing Sportful Supergiara gravel jacket in front of hedge

Sportful Supergiara Jacket review – softshell gravel jacket with pockets galore

By Sean Fishpool published 3 April 23

Review With Polartec Alpha breathable insulation, a soft shell and nine pockets (count ’em), you could think of the Supergiara as a neat cool-weather jacket or a supercharged off-road jersey

Rapha Pro Team Thermal Base Layer review – light and long-necked

By Sean Fishpool published 31 March 23

Review Great wicking and a welcome cosy neck, but best at coldest temperatures

Rider wearing Decathlon Compact Waterproof Overgloves

Decathlon Compact Waterproof Windproof Overgloves review – bargain weather-beaters

By Sean Fishpool published 27 March 23

Review A simple, cheap way of storm-proofing your normal gloves

Man wearing gravel cycling jacket in front of hedge

Castelli Unlimited Puffy Jacket review – lightweight warmth for cooler rides

By Sean Fishpool published 27 March 23

Review Castelli’s Unlimited Puffy Jacket uses Polartec Alpha and a windproof shell to hit a sweet spot of warmth and breathability

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 2024 – top-rated flat and clipless options that won't break the bank

By Richard Edwards last updated 14 February 24

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

Best mountain bike saddles 2024 – the top 6 most highly rated MTB seats we've tested

By Richard Owen last updated 16 February 24

Buyer's Guide Whether pounding out the miles or winching back to the top of the trail is your thing, here is our round-up of the best mountain bike saddles

mountain biker riding down rocks by Scottish loch

Best trail helmets 2024 – 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 published 30 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

10 of the best USA bikepacking routes for epic adventures

By Sean Fishpool last updated 2 June 23

Feature American bikepacking exploration from desert to mountain top with something for every ability

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

By Sean Fishpool published 24 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 published 19 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