Matthew Allen
BikeRadar
United Kingdom
Contact Matthew
Discover and connect with journalists and influencers around the world, save time on email research, monitor the news, and more.
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Past articles by Matthew:
New Rockshox Pike Ultimate, BMC SLR01, Whisky No.9 fork and... a car?
Friday hath dawned and that means new bikes and gear at BikeRadar HQ. Oh yes. This week we’ve got shiny forks, a less shiny car, some excellent modelling poses and some top class reading matter to ease you into the weekend. So sit back, relax and get ready for 48 hours of fun! Oh, and if you haven’t seen it yet, you HAVE to take a look at Danny MacAskill’s latest video. File it under ‘things you… → Read More
Shimano GRX — dream gravel groupset or too little, too late?
The news that Shimano has finally embraced 1x gearing wasn’t exactly a surprise but it does raise valid questions about what took the brand so long. It also leads to inevitable comparisons with SRAM’s latest and greatest AXS components. → Read More
Shimano updates Tiagra 4700 with new-look hydraulic levers
I tastelessly celebrated the demise of Shimano’s hideous 105-level RS505 hydraulic levers when they left the building for good about a year ago. Now, alongside the launch of its GRX gravel components, Shimano has replaced the 10-speed Tiagra-level RS405 with an updated — and much nicer looking — design that’s very similar to the 105 R7020 model and which comes with a matching flat-mount brake… → Read More
Shimano GRX is here: gravel-specific and 1x components for Ultegra, 105 and Tiagra
Shimano finally goes 1x on the road with an all-new range of gravel-specific components at Ultegra Di2, Ultegra, 105 and Tiagra levels → Read More
Pinarello Grevil review
Fast, fat-tyred aero gravel bike with a unique frame and one hell of a price tag → Read More
Step aside bikepacking, bikefishing is the reel deal
I’m not sure how this passed me by but I’d like to inform you that bikepacking is cancelled, and #bikefishing is now where → Read More
More 12-speed kit from Shimano (but it’s not a groupset)
Shimano has added a small selection of 12-speed components to its STEPS e-bike system, updated firmware to allow riders to control their → Read More
Small hands? Shimano Ultegra has your back
Shimano has announced a new version of its existing Ultegra R8020 hydraulic levers for riders with smaller hands. Called the R8025, the new → Read More
Rapha’s Explore shoes are gravel-ready and not insanely expensive
The Explore is a brand new gravel and adventure shoe from Rapha. By the lofty standards of the brand, it isn’t ridiculously → Read More
Continental is FINALLY making a tubeless gravel tyre
At the recent IceBike show, Continental gave me a sneaky look at this unnamed prototype gravel tyre. Not many details were forthcoming but → Read More
11spd: this week's best new bikes and gear
It’s Friday and that means new bikes and kit for your perusal. This week we’ve marvelled at Specialized’s insane 99g road → Read More
5 reasons you need a fixie in your life (it's not the ones you think)
We probably reached peak fixie in 2008. The cool kids might be bikepacking and riding gravel now, but here at BikeRadar we remain ardent → Read More
Your IceBike 2019 mega gallery is here
IceBike is the annual show at which mega-distributor Madison shows off all of its brands under one roof. We've covered highlights from → Read More
Why this boring carbon fork will make your old bike great again
It might not look like much, but this fork was one of the geekier delights at this year’s IceBike show, the annual gathering of all → Read More
This prototype drop bar dropper remote could be coming to your next gravel bike
Shimano component brand PRO is working on a dropper remote that’s specifically designed for drop bars and I've had a play with a → Read More
Best road bikes under £1,000 for 2019
The best road bikes under £1,000 are a great place to start if you’re new to cycling or if you’re unsure how much riding you’re actually going to be doing. They can also make brilliant speedy commuters or second-string bikes for more experienced cyclists. If you need some help with what to look for, read our guide to choosing the best road bike and watch our video primer below. Road bike buyer’s… → Read More
The Boardman 9 series SLR is faster and more UK friendly than ever
Boardman has launched an all-new 9 series SLR platform, replacing the whole of the current 9 range with updated framesets that are more in → Read More
Ducati's latest bike has a motor but no, it's not a motorbike
Ducati is best known for beautiful and expensive motorcycles like the Panigale V4, a screaming superbike powered by a V4 engine that puts → Read More
Motorbikes make bicycles look terribly overpriced
I’ve been lucky enough to use some outstanding kit and ride some wonderful bikes in the last 12 months. Here’s what stood out → Read More
JetWet's portable pressure washer could finally end your muddy misery
No one likes bringing mud home after a ride, but sometimes there isn’t a hose handy and it’s a necessary evil. Portable → Read More