Graham Cottingham
Graham Cottingham joined the BikePerfect team as our senior tech writer in 2020 and has over five years of experience writing about bikes. He is all about riding bikes off-road and based in Edinburgh, he has some of the best mountain biking and gravel riding in the UK on his doorstep. With over 20 years of riding experience, he has dabbled in downhill, enduro, and gravel racing. Not afraid of a challenge, Graham has embraced bikepacking over the last few years and likes nothing more than strapping some bags to his bike and covering big miles to explore Scotland's wildernesses. When he isn’t shredding the gnar in the Tweed Valley, sleeping in bushes, or tinkering with bikes, he is writing tech reviews for BikePerfect.
Rides: Cotic SolarisMax, Stooge MK4, 24 Bicycles Le Toy 3, Surly Steamroller
Height: 177cm
Weight: 71kg
Latest articles by Graham Cottingham
![A rider wearing the best gravel bike shorts while riding a dry gravel track](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/qVHDSg8TgDKNeSZPL5tgFd-320-80.jpg)
Best cargo bib shorts – gravel bike shorts for comfortable adventures
By Graham Cottingham published
Buyer's Guide The best gravel bike bib shorts for carrying gear and staying comfortable for long hours on the saddle
![Schwalbe Albert Radial gravity tire rolling over a rock](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/f58sf3Y4PMDhF3PVV5kLsg-320-80.jpg)
Will Schwalbe's new radial technology revolutionize tires forever?
By Graham Cottingham published
News Schwalbe's new radial carcass is said to significantly increase performance by boasting grip, damping, and comfort
![Enve G-Series gravel handlebar](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/APhkT38CVHKZtnLdGGSYAW-320-80.jpg)
Confused about gravel bike geometry? Here's everything you need to know
By Graham Cottingham last updated
Feature A deep dive into the geometry of gravel bikes and how they differ from road, cyclocross, and mountain bikes
![Crankbrothers Stamp 1 Gen 2 with plants in the background](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/PTe3tDLjz86fxtWPbqEDo7-320-80.jpg)
Crankbrothers Stamp 1 Gen 2 flat pedal review – a plastic fantastic composite pedal
By Graham Cottingham published
Review Does the second generation of Crankbrothers Stamp 1 composite pedals compete with alloy alternatives?
![Attaquer All Day 2.0 jersey being worn and pictured with a background of trees](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/jsMCDmqk4qqpG5xVKyPUpR-320-80.jpg)
Attaquer All Day 2.0 jersey review – maximum comfort without sacrificing performance or style
By Graham Cottingham published
Review The anatomically optimized All Day 2.0 jersey combines a stylish aesthetic with sun-up to sun-down riding performance
![SRAM Red XPLR AXS close up while being ridden on a gravel bike](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/pF6P2Cz9fGiBxMPV4sFY2k-320-80.jpg)
SRAM updates its latest RED XPLR AXS groupset to T-Type, but are gravel riders ready to ditch their derailleur hangers?
By Graham Cottingham published
News SRAM's new top-of-the-range gravel groupset features 13 speeds with a direct-mount T-Type derailleur, plus new gravel-specific wheels and handlebar from Zipp
![Attaquer All Day Cargo bib short review listing image](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/NuVrb8TX6j4edrCnqYNm4Y-320-80.jpg)
Attaquer All Day Cargo bib short review – when style meets comfort
By Graham Cottingham published
Review Are Attaquer’s All Day Cargo shorts fashion over function or are they comfortable enough to ride from sunrise to sunset in style?
![Canyon Grail CF SLX 8 AXS with a grass background](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/zUWhNhy44cabe7G9uKkmy-320-80.jpg)
The Canyon Grail CF SLX 8 AXS is one of the best gravel bikes I have ever tested but I would never buy one
By Graham Cottingham published
Review Canyon’s Grail is an optimized gravel racing machine, but is it the pinnacle of gravel tech or death by integration?
![Trek Slash+ being jumped on a downhill trail](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/yqHJ2UAN3mzfEtXgA3s6wC-320-80.jpg)
Does the release of Trek's Slash+ signal the start of a new trend of enduro bikes with lightweight motors?
By Graham Cottingham published
News Trek says it has taken its enduro bike to the "next level" by equipping its high-pivot Slash+ with a lightweight TQ HPR50 motor
![UYN Adventour Cargo bib being worn and pictured against some trees](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/CFgab7jTfnMpnaNgW547JK-320-80.jpg)
UYN Adventour Cargo bib review – warm weather gravel shorts
By Graham Cottingham published
Review Lightweight adventure bib shorts with a unique double-layered mesh pocket design
![Privateer 161 Gen 2 pictured side on with a forest backdrop](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eVjuJuh8S39veF8T6PFcrn-320-80.jpg)
Is Privateer's 161 Gen 2 a dependable enduro workhorse that’s ready to race? I took it on an epic month-long Canadian MTB trip with over 67,500m of descending to find out
By Graham Cottingham published
Review I subjected the Privateer 161 Gen 2 enduro bike to almost a month of seriously tough riding in British Columbia to find out if this affordable enduro racer is the perfect blend of performance and durability
![Maxxis High Roller III being ridden by Ritchie Rude in a downhill race](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/nYjBegRHyi3m7Thirz5Nic-320-80.jpg)
Maxxis reveals the High Roller III. Can this latest version of the downhill MTB tire bring the once-renowned model back from the dead?
By Graham Cottingham published
News The new High Roller III tire has an intermediate hybrid tread pattern, designed for mixed conditions – which Maxxis hopes is on the money
![a selection of the best deals on budget mountain bikes on a yellow background](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/wrN3zGVeeA69fTqfHjdnfb-320-80.jpg)
I'm a professional bike tester and I've hunted down the best budget mountain bike deals to hit the trails this summer
By Graham Cottingham last updated
Deals I've searched the internet to bring you this round-up of the current best deals on budget mountain bikes
![Cycplus AS2 e-pump range with a Bike Perfect Amazon Prime day banner](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/z9ePskRCXYrJT7bBtGNXiG-320-80.jpg)
Who needs mini pumps or CO2? This tiny pocket compressor quickly inflates your tires and it's currently discounted by 20% for Amazon US Prime members
By Graham Cottingham published
Deal I reviewed the full range of Cycplus electric pumps and they have become a must-have part of my riding kit ever since
![Garmin devices hovering in the air near a Bike Perfect logo](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/HVrMN9PnH5DYnvgwEuju9G-320-80.jpg)
Amazon Prime Day Garmin deals – final day savings on Garmin GPS, watches, and accessories
By Graham Cottingham last updated
Deals Amazon Prime Day two is here and these top Garmin deals will end midnight tonight
![Shockz headphones and the Bike Perfect logo](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ux699kg7zuNpaK8xLU757C-320-80.jpg)
If you listen to music as you ride, these Amazon Prime Day deals on Shokz headphones are brilliant – but move quickly as it's the last day of discounts
By Graham Cottingham published
Deal It's the final day of the Prime offers and the Shokz headphones are currently discounted by up to 32%
![Garmin Fenix 7 amazon prime day deal banner](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/MV3mL9YTbcZ5PggfY2HBEF-320-80.jpg)
The awesome Garmin Fenix 7 smartwatch is at its lowest price ever in this Amazon Prime Day deal
By Graham Cottingham published
Deal This top-spec smartwatch from Garmin is currently available with the biggest Amazon saving ever on its RRP
![Our guide to the best mountain bike tires](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/6RmHSiyhDXyghvMJdxYPMP-320-80.jpg)
Best mountain bike tires 2025 – top-rated trail, XC, and gravity options for ultimate grip and speed
By Graham Cottingham last updated
Buyer's Guide The best mountain bike tires will provide plenty of traction to your riding experience while balancing durability, control, and speed
![A rider wearing one of the best mountain bike helmets](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8QEixDSEtgDvLphwzYVujN-320-80.jpg)
Best mountain bike helmets 2025 – top-rated head protection for trail, XC and enduro
By Graham Cottingham last updated
Buyer's Guide Our expert pick of the best MTB helmets to protect your head and ensure you look good on the trail
![Canyon Tempr CFR shoe being worn on a gravel bike](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/gVjaxTN4UHALmLGNMCn82m-320-80.jpg)
Canyon launches its first footwear line with the Tempr CFR XC and gravel race shoe
By Graham Cottingham published
News The Canyon Tempr CFR shoe features tech from BOA, Solestar, and Vibram and is aimed at XC and gravel racing
![Kona Process 153 in a forest](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/KPKyooDid7w36w8RdxpHb7-320-80.jpg)
Kona announces its third-generation Process – the first range of bikes to be released since the brand was re-acquired by its original founders
By Graham Cottingham published
News The latest Process gets a wealth of evolutionary changes after Dan Gerhard and Jake Heilbron are at Kona once again
![Lapierre Spicy CF Team on a rocky hill](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/n8NutWGcK6viFruFX2GDcR-320-80.jpg)
Unsure whether to go for a high pivot or low pivot MTB? Lapierre's new Spicy CF enduro bike offers both
By Graham Cottingham published
News Lapierre's Spicy CF features a unique double swingarm position design that allows riders to switch between high-pivot and low-pivot suspension kinematics
![Shokz OpenFit earphones and case on a wall](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/TGpbMkkxEbddxrqsmxkzPT-320-80.jpg)
Shokz OpenFit earphone review – decent open-ear audio
By Graham Cottingham published
Review Shokz massively increases open-ear audio quality with its OpenFit earbuds, but are they good enough on the bike to beat Shokz's proven bone-conduction alternatives?