Luke Friend
Luke Friend has worked as a writer, editor and copywriter for over twenty five years. Across books, magazines and websites, he's covered a broad range of topics for a range of clients including Major League Baseball, Golf Digest, the National Trust and the NHS. He has an MA in Professional Writing from Falmouth University and is a qualified bicycle mechanic. He has been a cycling enthusiast from an early age, partly due to watching the Tour de France on TV. He's a keen follower of bike racing to this day as well as a regular road and gravel rider.
Latest articles by Luke Friend
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Best road bike handlebars: how to choose them and best reviewed handlebars
The best bike handlebars are an oft overlooked upgrade - we explain why they're so important and outline what to look for when you 're shopping for a new pair
By Luke Friend Last updated
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Best bike saddlebags for cycling essentials 2025
Offered in numerous shapes and sizes, we review some of the best saddlebags for holding your ride essentials and more
By Luke Friend Last updated
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Pirelli's new 55mm slick tyre is for more than just smooth tarmac
The Cinturato Evo TLR is made from over 50% bio-based and recycled materials and comes in widths from 28mm to 55mm
By Luke Friend Published
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Capri-Sun and Eddy Merckx reunite for a good cause
The limited-edition all-road bike and jersey revisits the '80s team colours with proceeds going to War Child plus Canyon updates, new kit from Alé and a Tailfin top tube bag
By Luke Friend Published
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Standert's updated Kreissäge RS aluminium race bike goes aero
The German brand has used CFD to create new, drag reducing tube shapes while upping the tyre clearance to 35mm
By Luke Friend Published
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Pretty in Pink: Poc releases EF Education team edition helmets and glasses in time for the Giro d'Italia
Both the Cytal helmet and Elicit Toric sunglasses are now offered in EF Team pink and will be worn by the team throughout the racing calendar
By Luke Friend Published
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Cannondale's latest Synapse seeks to blend greater speed and comfort in a more versatile package
Updated model boasts 42mm tyre clearance and a more compliant frame alongside downtube storage and SmartSense tech
By Luke Friend Published
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Who's riding what bikes at the 2025 Giro d'Italia: Here are the best bikes heading to the Italian Grand Tour
All the WorldTour bikes taking the start line in Albania as the Giro d'Italia kicks off
By Luke Friend Last updated
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Factor launches its new Monza: a cheaper more practical bike, designed to fit more racers
Factor's new Monza, promises more bang for buck, for more people, without losing the character that makes the OSTRO VAM one of the highest performance bikes on the World Tour
By Luke Friend Published
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Prologo launches a 3D printed version of its WorldTour approved Scratch M5 PAS saddle
The 3DMSS model features distinct sections with each using different geometric shapes and densities
By Luke Friend Published
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Mike's Bikes 'mega sale' is live and site wide with discounts over 50%
Running until Sunday all products are discounted including complete bikes, clothing, smart trainers and much more
By Luke Friend Published
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MAAP teams up with QUOC; first collab is the Gran Tourer XC shoe
Designed for off-road riding the limited-edition shoe features a new colourway and other features
By Luke Friend Published
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Elite asks 'why over complicate the bottle cage?' with new Race options
Sponsor Content Created With Elite
Favoured by several WorldTour teams, the Custom Race X cage builds on the success of its predecessor
By Luke Friend Published
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Ekoi releases large platform pedals while Vision goes all-carbon
The French brand's pedal and shoe combo aim to improve 'efficiency, lightness, aerodynamics, and comfort'.
By Luke Friend Published
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Best winter cycling gloves 2025 - how to keep your hands warm in the coldest months
If you want to keep riding in the colder months a pair of the best winter cycling gloves is an essential part of your wardrobe
By Luke Friend Last updated
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Cannondale’s updated Topstone Carbon is slacker, with increased tyre clearance and downtube storage
The third generation of Cannondale’s gravel all-rounder sticks to its distinctive blueprint but adds a few new developments including downtube storage and more travel on the Lefty fork option
By Luke Friend Published
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Boardman's new SLR range plus a more streamlined BMC Teammachine SLR and hands-on with Oakley's unreleased helmets
The updated SLR is designed to be faster yet more versatile than ever before and includes 36mm tyre clearance and hidden fender mounts
By Luke Friend Published
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Tech of the week: Rouvy app extends its reach to Zwift Ride users, Vittoria goes large with a new Corsa Pro tyre, ParkTool does the heavy lifting and more...
Combined, Ride and Rouvy means its thousands of virtual courses can now be enjoyed with the benefit of Zwift's virtual shifting tech
By Luke Friend Published
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Cannondale's updated SuperX is designed to 'smash gravel races'
Revamped frameset is said to be lighter and more compliant with increased tyre clearances
By Luke Friend Published
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Tech of the week: more 'affordable' Assos threads plus wheelsets from Vision and Berd plus Shimano's new range of road and gravel sunglasses
Available for both men and women, the Assos jerseys and bibs are summer-focused with plenty of colour options
By Luke Friend Published
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Should I buy an aero bike?
Changes in UCI rulings should help make aero bikes faster, but they could also make them more user friendly than ever before. Is it time to add an aero bike to your collection?
By Luke Friend Published
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Tech of the week: a new Ridley Noah Fast, a redesigned Giant Trinity TT bike and Stinner's 'affordable' steel gravel bike
Both the Noah Fast and the Trinity Advanced SL TT bikes will be ridden in WorldTour races this year
By Luke Friend Published
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Helmets are getting lighter and more aero - but are they getting safer?
Bike helmets are touted as being more aero or better vented but are these modern designs also offering improved protection?
By Luke Friend Published
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Hitting the nail on the head at 6.8 kilograms: Tom Pidcock's Scott Addict RC Ultimate
By signing with the Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team the Olympic champion gets his hands on the 'lightest road bike' around
By Luke Friend Published