Rich Owen
Rich Owen has led the Bikeperfect.com team since he joined in 2021. He's worked as a journalist and editor for over 24 years, with 12 years specializing in cycling media. Rich has previously been the editor of What Mountain Bike magazine, and has written for many cycling magazines and websites, including – Bikeradar.com, Mountain Biking UK, MBUK.com, Off-Road.cc, and Cycling Plus. Rich bought his first mountain bike (a Scott Tampico) in 1995 and has been riding MTB for almost 30 years. He likes hitting flowy yet technical trails and is a jack of many MTB trades, competing in cross-country, enduro and long-distance races over the years. A resident of North Devon, he can mostly be found pedaling furiously around his local trails, or slightly further afield on Exmoor and elsewhere in Britain's southwest.
Current rides: Merida One-Forty 6000, Banshee Paradox, YT Jeffsy Core 3, Saracen Ariel 30 Pro
Height: 175cm
Weight: 69kg
Latest articles by Rich Owen
Best mountain bike saddles 2024 – the top 6 most highly rated MTB seats we've tested
By Richard Owen last updated
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
Hands on with Gorewear's first ever waterproof, PFC-free cycling jacket, the Spinshift GTX
By Richard Owen published
News The bad weather clothing specialist release its first fluorocarbon-free jacket designed for cyclists
Tifosi Sledge review – versatile glasses for all light conditions
By Richard Owen published
Review Good looking specs with three included lenses and a bargain price
Mountain biker repeatedly slams his MTB onto $120,000 Tesla super car in a series of wild stunts
By Richard Owen published
News MTB stunt rider, Christian Peper, pulls off airs and other tricks using the Tesla super car as a launch and landing pad
Iconic British brand Orange Bikes pulled back from the brink with new restructuring deal
By Richard Owen published
News While things were looking bleak for the firm earlier this month, details of a new deal have recently emerged
You're probably not using your Garmin smartwatch's best training tool. Here's how to use it to fire up your fitness
By Richard Owen last updated
Feature Insider advice from a Garmin expert helped me unlock the full training potential of my smartwatch and rebuild my MTB fitness after a long lay-off
Best mountain bike shoes 2024 – 14 top-rated flat and clipless MTB shoes tested by our experts
By Rich Owen last updated
Buyer's Guide Our expert pick of flat pedal and clipless mountain bike shoes that are comfortable, secure, durable and will give you an excellent connection to your bike
The Merida EX enduro returns for 2024 and pre-registration is open
By Richard Owen published
News Despite rumors of 2023 being the final year for the three-day MTB race-party, the EX is back for its seventh edition
YT Decoy Core 4 review – playful mullet e-MTB
By Richard Owen published
Review The Decoy's frame may have been around for a while now, but there's still lots to love about this lively MX e-MTB
Best full-face MTB helmets 2024 – we test the ultimate helmets for downhill and enduro protection
By Paul Brett last updated
Buyer's Guide MTB full-face helmets provide the highest level of safety when riding gnarly terrain. Check out our tried and tested recommendations
Best shock pumps 2024 – our testers' pick of high-pressure pumps for the ultimate tuning
By Richard Owen last updated
Buyer's Guide MTB and gravel shock pumps that will get your suspension settings exactly where you need them – every time
Best mountain bikes 2024 – our guide to picking the right mountain bike for you
By Graham Cottingham last updated
Buyer's Guide We breakdown everything you need to know to choose the best mountain bike and have a great time on the trails
Best winter MTB boots 2024 – we test top weatherproof mountain bike boots for winter riding
By Guy Kesteven last updated
Buyer's Guide Proper winter MTB boots can help prevent the inevitable misery of mountain biking with frozen feet. Here’s our pick of the best footwear for when temperatures head south
Shimano GF800 GTX review – the flat pedal winter boot we've been waiting for?
By Rich Owen last updated
Review Rich Owen has been testing Shimano's new flat pedal winter boot to see if it measures up
We've tested over 200 pieces of MTB and off-road cycling kit in 2023, here's our pick of the very best
By Richard Owen published
Feature Gears, gloves, e-MTB motors and much more, the Bike Perfect test team nominate their top choices for Gear of the Year
The Garmin Tacx NEO 3M looks like the best indoor trainer yet for mountain bikers
By Richard Owen published
News New features make the latest Tacx smart trainer the top indoor option for off-road riders over the winter season
Here's how the latest electronic MTB tech could ruin your next ride
By Richard Owen last updated
Opinion Rich Owen ponders whether mountain bikes and technology are really a happy match and whether we should all channel our inner Luddite
Five Ten Freerider Pros are the best flat pedal MTB shoes I've ever worn and now they're up to 70% off in this huge deal – savings still live!
By Richard Owen last updated
Deal I've had many pairs of Freerider Pros over the years and despite strong competition from newer rivals, they're still the best flat shoes I've ever tested
Specialized play it safe with relatively modest tweaks to the 2024 Stumpjumper
By Richard Owen published
News The latest Stumpys get SRAM Transmission drivetrains, but is it the end of the line for this particular version?
This MTB rivals Canyon's excellent Neuron 5 but costs $$$ less in this exceptional deal – savings still live
By Richard Owen last updated
Deal Just like Canyon's Neuron 5, the Vitus Mythique VRS is a versatile and easy to ride full-suspension MTB, and now it's at its lowest price ever
Cyber Monday mountain bike deals 2023 – savings still live on all the best MTB and off-road cycling deals
By Paul Brett last updated
Cyber Monday Cyber Monday may be over but the deals from all the biggest mountain bike and off-road cycling brands are still going strong
Cyber Monday electric mountain bike deals 2023 – the very best e-MTB deals available right now
By Richard Owen last updated
Cyber Monday Updated daily – the best bargain electric mountain bikes from the Cyber Monday shopping event
This is the best e-MTB bargain I've ever seen and now it's reduced by 40% in this huge Cyber Monday deal
By Richard Owen last updated
Cyber Monday If you're looking for a seriously capable electric mountain bike at a bargain price, fantastic value for money doesn't get any better than this