How Cycling Weekly tests products
Cycling in itself is beautifully simple, but the sheer range of products out there can be dizzying.
Having plenty of choice is a positive thing – there are bikes, clothing and accessories for every need and bank balance. The flipside is it can be a genuine challenge to find your perfect needle in the haystack, especially when it’s filled with other needles, which may be perfect for someone else, but aren’t quite what you’re looking for.
That's where we come in. Since Cycling Weekly’s inception way back in 1891, we’ve provided expert, impartial advice to our audience, based on product tests carried out by and for cyclists. You can read more about our story and the early years here.
How we score products
With test products covering such a wide variety of applications, our testing protocols depend on the category in question. For example, a bike is rated based upon its frame construction, serviceability, weight, specification, ride quality, and whether it would meet the needs of the expected rider.
Key parameters for a power-meter are reliability, connectivity, ease of charging, day-to-day use and ease of fitting, whilst clothing reviews look for fit, weatherproofing and breathability as well as durability.
In all our reviews, we finely detail the balance of performance, quality and price – alongside those category-specific considerations – and how those combine to result in our final score...
1) Our products are only tested by committed cyclists with years of experience – we believe that’s gives a deeper insight than that of outdoor-generalists or fitness-enthusiasts
2) When we say we’ve reviewed a product, that means we’ve ploughed the hours in on familiar roads or trails
3) Manufacturers can’t pay for a good review – we keep complete editorial integrity
5 stars: Superb, best in its class and we couldn’t fault it
4.5 stars: Excellent, a slight change and it would be perfect
4 stars: Solid product, could be improved
3.5 stars: Fine, but there are better alternatives
3 stars: Passable, a few niggles let this down
2.5 stars: Acceptable, needs improvement
2 stars: Functions, but disappointing
1.5 stars: Poor, approach with caution
1 star: Extremely poor, barely worked or simply didn’t
Who reviews products?
Andy Carr - Tech Editor
Tech Editor, Andy Carr, came to cycling journalism through the cycle trade, writing blogs and content for his own custom bike brand. Before that he led a corporate life, managing complex PR and reputation work, and helping brands to communicate their purpose.
A life long cycling fan and rider, he left the City life in 2015, moving away to the Alps. There he worked as a ride guide, running pro-camps, whilst designing and building custom bikes.
Over a decade, that escape grew into a business, and Andy’s bike designs became well known in the industry. He used his platform to champion higher standards in fit, design, and fabrication, and his own products won awards at events and five star reviews in most of the major magazines.
Having set up and run a bike shop, workshop, and award winning paint shop, working in metal and composite for customers all over the world, Andy has in-depth, practical experience of the processes and work that go into producing great bikes and components – from FEA and CFD to physically testing products in wind tunnels, or production of moulds for composite work, he's gained useful behind-the-scenes insights into everything brands do to get products out of the peloton and into stores.
View Andy's full profile here.
Joe Baker - Tech Writer
Joe is one of Cycling Weekly's Tech Writers, combining a lifelong passion for bikes with a keen interest in cycling technology. Having mastered two wheels before the age of four, he began racing at 16 and soon found himself competing internationally, with memorable experiences in Italy, Spain, and Belgium.
Always drawn to the technical side of the sport, Joe even piloted a self-built, ultra-lightweight hill climb bike to victory at the Junior National Championships in 2018. After stepping back from elite-level racing in April 2022, he joined Cycling Weekly as a freelancer before taking on his current role as Tech Writer in May 2023.
Though you won't find him at your local crit, Joe still enjoys a spirited chaingang or long weekend club run - as long as there is promise of coffee and cake at the end of it!
Hannah Bussey – Tech Writer
Having occupied the role since 2011, Hannah Bussey is currently Cycling Weekly’s longest serving Tech Writer. She’s got an eye for detail, having covered multiple seasons of the Spring Classics and Grand Tours, for both print and the website.
Prior to joining CW, Hannah was a successful road and track racer, competing in UCI races across the world. She’s taken to start lines in China, Pakistan, New Zealand and most of Europe.
For fun, she’s won a 24-hour mountain bike race, ridden LEJOG unaided, completed a lap of Majorca in a day and tackled famous mountain passes across the French Alps, Pyrenees, Dolomites and the Himalayas. Now living just outside the Peak District National Park, near Manchester, UK, with her partner and daughter, along with a small – but perfectly formed – bike collection
View Hannah's full profile here
Matt Ischt-Barnard – Tech & Ecommerce Writer
Having now traded his Allen keys and spreadsheets for a keyboard and the power of words, Matt dedicated the majority of his 15 years in the cycling industry to roles such as a mechanic and product manager. He has designed bikes for UK brands including Pinnacle, Hoy, and Cairn Cycles.
While Matt is a big fan of bike racing in all its forms, you won't ever see him lining up as he prefers to take things a bit slower. Cycling serves as a way to seek solitude and calm away from the craziness of life, and more often, it’s a form of transport. In the rare moments when Matt can cycle away from work or without a toddler in tow, you’ll find him exploring the South Coast and Downs on his Gravel bike, seeking out the best POIs.
As our tech and e-commerce writer, Matt is dedicated to providing Cycling Weekly readers with the best buying advice. He utilizes his extensive expertise in bikes, product design, and manufacturing to ensure readers have all the information they need when buying cycling products.
Have a read of all Matt's latest reviews and buying advice
