Aaron Borrill
Aaron is Bike Perfect's former tech editor and also the former gear editor of Bicycling magazine. He's tested thousands of bicycles all over the world. A competitive racer and Stravaholic, he’s twice ridden the Cape Epic, raced nearly every MTB stage race in South Africa and completed the Haute Route Alps. Recently, Aaron has also taken up Zwift racing and competes at the highest level of eRacing, the ZRL Premier Division.
Rides: Trek Procaliber 9.9 MTB
Height: 175cm
Weight: 61.5kg
Latest articles by Aaron Borrill
![A selection of MTB tires on a stony pathway](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/V3UxoCNshC79vzNz7Uo8nZ-320-80.jpg)
Best XC tires 2024 – our expert pick of the fastest rolling mountain bike tires for maximum speed and control
By Guy Kesteven last updated
Buyer's Guide Cross-country tires are the lightest and fastest MTB rubber. You need to be able to finish if you're looking to finish first though and race conditions can really vary too. Our XC experts have tested the latest race tires to find the very best options for how and where you ride
![Best mountain bike forks](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/3zyhipFkzveVdG7bL2egyd-320-80.jpg)
Best mountain bike forks – the best front suspension for trail, XC, enduro and downhill
By Aaron Borrill last updated
Buyer's Guide The best mountain bike forks will add speed and control to your riding. Here are our top picks for every mountain bike discipline
![Best XC tires - Vittoria Barzo](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/bD47QmDA2e7JvqMYdZaZdj-320-80.jpg)
Vittoria Barzo tire review - the most complete XC tire available
By Aaron Borrill last updated
Review With a proven compound that's rich in grip, feel and durability, you can't go wrong with the Vittoria Barzo
![Schwalbe Racing Ralph Performance Line](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/i4jJVH6vSra2XzjHChUNpE-320-80.jpg)
Schwalbe Racing Ralph Performance Line tire review – good in the wet, safe in the rough
By Aaron Borrill published
review A super-grippy tire designed to reliably cope in all conditions
![Hutchinson Skeleton Racing Lab tire](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/2fW7G4eyov8jvKSZJsboNM-320-80.jpg)
Hutchinson Skeleton Racing Lab tire review – a fast and affordable XC tire
By Aaron Borrill published
review There’s a lot to like, but in terms of all-round performance, the Hutchinson Skeleton Racing Lab tires lack the precision of its rivals
![Bontrager XR2 Team Issue 2.20 tire](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/gCXeUbtd5zk6WLMiugHQJo-320-80.jpg)
Bontrager XR2 Team Issue 2.20 tire review – a lightweight tire for pure XC speed
By Aaron Borrill published
review A fast and impressively planted tire designed to chew up hardpack at speed
![Pirelli Scorpion XC RC Team Edition 2.4](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/K5kn99CFGioMNZMkqeNsyZ-320-80.jpg)
Pirelli Scorpion XC RC Team Edition 2.4 tire review – a large-volume, sticky rubber option
By Aaron Borrill published
Review The Italian company’s lightest and fastest tire has been designed to help you carry more speed through corners but what about climbing and straightline performance?
![Best XC Tires - Vittoria Mezcal](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/7XMWqvYu4XUSJD6Ho97u9k-320-80.jpg)
Vittoria Mezcal tire review – responsive all-rounder with the pedigree to boot
By Aaron Borrill last updated
Review Few tires grip and roll as effectively in dry and dusty conditions as the Vittoria Mezcal, but can they do the job when the trail turns to slop?
![Specialized S-Works Fast Trak](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/o8xo5deYE6TEmMfzrsiHij-320-80.jpg)
Specialized S-Works Fast Trak T5/T7 tire review – light and fast but not very durable
By Aaron Borrill published
Review If racing as fast as possible is your modus operandi, the Specialized S-Works Fast Trak will sate your need for speed
![Best XC Tires - Maxxis Aspen](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/yaNJrshLXhBYt5Myahj64k-320-80.jpg)
Maxxis Aspen EXO tire review – pure speed with sidewall protection you can trust
By Aaron Borrill published
Review Trusted compound and width variety makes the Maxxis Aspen one of the fastest cross-country tire options on the market
![Factor Lando XC full suspension mountain bike](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/cMQ9GmYzdTcMLzvLFJdvkD-320-80.jpg)
Factor Lando XC review – fast and focussed but easy to ride
By Aaron Borrill last updated
Reviews Factor's foray into the mountain biking discipline has yielded a capable and playful machine with the contemporary geometry numbers to match
![Factor Lando XC mountain bike](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/rqgGvYa9hRwyykUjfhWP4f-320-80.jpg)
Factor unveils Lando XC and HT mountain bikes
By Aaron Borrill last updated
News The Lando XC and HT represent a logical progression for Factor, combining elements of the brand's off-road lineup with contemporary mountain bike design
![Lazer Jackal KinetiCore MTB helmet](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/XvmfLLj2xY6N3zngGdfX8-320-80.jpg)
Lazer unveils proprietary KinetiCore rotational impact protection in their helmets
By Aaron Borrill published
News Strategic location of EPS crumple zones said to reduce cost, weight and waste, with improved helmet safety and ventilation
![Top secret Canyon Lux spotted at the Cape Epic](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/J3qoXqxYFXfgJ3dQLPTwYD-320-80.jpg)
Spy shot: secret Canyon Lux spotted at Absa Cape Epic
By Guy Kesteven last updated
Spy Shot A new rear end hints at a potential update in the works for Canyon's Lux XC, a bike which is currently leading the 2022 Absa Cape Epic
![Nino Schurter and Lars Forster cornering on dust](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/qpiAZA6YrM7Ea5iVn2ZH5M-320-80.jpg)
2022 Absa Cape Epic: riders to watch
By Aaron Borrill published
Feature The 2022 Absa Cape Epic kicks off with a 24km Prologue at Lourensford Wine Estate in Stellenbosch, South Africa on Sunday. Here's our pick of who to watch...
![Forestal Bikes e-MTB parked side-on out on a trail](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/qQMCeAWSYmRgPsPwJhwUFH-320-80.jpg)
Forestal Bikes set for exclusive distribution in the UK and Ireland
By Aaron Borrill published
News Andorran brand Forestal Bikes has awarded sole distributor rights to Silverfish UK to maximize visibility and growth in the UK
![Nino Schurter's 2022 Scott Spark RC Special Edition](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/29GgJQZ8HERjrJ85cKXZRQ-320-80.jpg)
Pro Bike: Nino Schurter's 2022 Scott Spark RC Special Edition
By Aaron Borrill last updated
Pro Bike Bike Perfect takes a closer look at the nine-time XCO World Champion's special-edition Scott Spark RC
![POC Omne Air Resistance Spin helmet](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/YdStHrpasReoC7yq9MFUwS-320-80.jpg)
POC Omne Air Resistance Spin helmet review: a great choice for gravel or XC
By Aaron Borrill last updated
Review POC has adapted its Omne recipe for the gravel/mountain bike market and the result is an impressive helmet with one of the best fits in the business
![Garmin Smartwatch](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/XmKv7fQ3jzgerQFwVpjZDX-320-80.jpg)
Garmin launches Fenix 7 smartwatch with touchscreen
By Aaron Borrill published
News Garmin's halo smartwatch offering gains a touchscreen, improved battery life and flashlight
![Stage 2 of the 2021 Absa Cape Epic](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/yXp6Fn5CBsHmL3mCFQfEJf-320-80.jpg)
2021 Absa Cape Epic: Everything you need to know
By Aaron Borrill last updated
Cape Epic From daily stage recaps and galleries to pro bike features and interviews, here's everything you need to know about the 2021 Absa Cape Epic
![Start line of Stage 7 of the 2021 Absa Cape Epic](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/yeogtCrXT4YzCnxwLwNKfG-320-80.jpg)
Jordan Sarrou and Matt Beers win 2021 Absa Cape Epic
By Aaron Borrill published
News Hans Becking and Jose Dias win the day but NinetyOne-songo-Specialized take the overall win at the Cape Epic
![Team Bulls 2's Martin Frey and Simon Stiebjahn driving the pace on Stage 6 of the 2021 Absa Cape Epic](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/srnZHKQCx5JhA9mmZUeGmB-320-80.jpg)
Cape Epic: Stiebjahn and Frey of Team Bulls 2 secure first stage win with a sprint finish
By Aaron Borrill published
News Bulls 2 stamp their authority on the 2021 Absa Cape Epic with an emphatic win on a wet and muddy Stage 6
![Hans Becking and Jose Dias on their way to winning their second stage in a row on Stage 5 of the 2021 Absa Cape Epic](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/geyEwGWvoguEKXSATri2Pc-320-80.jpg)
A second stage win in a row for Buff Scott MTB's Becking and Dias
By Aaron Borrill published
News The men's podium splits wide open as Buff Scott MTB put the hammer down to claw back more time on the GC