Author Mick Kirkman
Mick Kirkman

Mick Kirkman

Contributor

Mick Kirkman is a bike and product tester for BikeRadar and MBUK magazine. A childhood spent messing about on, and then racing, BMXs eventually led to downhill and four-cross as an adult. Mick peaked at elite level in DH and was a dual slalom nationals medallist back when that was even a thing. As well as tinkering in bike development, he’s ridden, raced and documented mountain biking non-stop for two decades, and is one of only a handful of bike testers experienced enough to have hundreds of reviews in print and on the web. Mick is also a talented photographer, taking images for BikeRadar and MBUK magazine among others.

Recent articles by Mick Kirkman

9 best waterproof MTB trousers to keep you dry in 2024

Top trail pants to keep you warm, dry and clean in the slop
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Altura Ridge Tier waterproof trousers

Affordably priced MTB trousers with a modern tapered cut
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Fox Defend 3-Layer Water Pants

Do Fox’s latest Defend waterproof pants live up to their name and keep you dry in winter conditions?
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Rab Cinder Kinetic Waterproof pants

Rab’s new waterproof cycling trousers, featuring the brand’s own outdoor fabric technology
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7mesh Grit Pants

The Grit Pants are among the most expensive winter riding trousers on the market, so how do they perform?
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Polygon Siskiu T8

Budget all-rounder with formidable spec list
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Cannondale Habit 4

With great looks to match its great performance, Cannondale’s Habit 4 is a true all-rounder with a balanced, smooth riding package
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Canyon Neuron 5

Fast across the ground and very supple, Canyon’s bargain Neuron 5 offers a lot of versatility for the asking price
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DMR Wingbar Mk4 35mm review

DMR's latest Wingbar is available in many rises and clamp diameters, making it a versatile option
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ENVE M7 35mm carbon bar review

High-cost carbon fibre performance
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Nukeproof Horizon V2 Carbon Riser Bar 35mm review

Affordable carbon bar from bike-manufacturing giant Nukeproof
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Santa Cruz Riser Carbon Bar review

Santa Cruz’s Riser Carbon Bar comes with a lifetime warranty and will be a great upgrade for brand loyalists
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Hope Carbon Handlebar 35mm review

UK-made carbon bar with impressive performance
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Pivot Switchblade 29 Pro

Pivot’s lightweight trail bike with enduro attitude
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Intense Primer S review

An aggro trail bike with heavy-duty kit and supremely composed Öhlins suspension
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Yeti SB140 T-Series LR review

Yeti’s attractive new SB140 uses the brand's unique Switch Infinity and refined full-carbon chassis
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Haibike NDURO 6

Mullet-wheeled electric enduro beast with the latest Yamaha motor
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Hardcore hardtail head to head: Ragley Mmmbop 1.0 vs Whyte 905

Two UK-designed bikes with no rear suspension battle it out
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Maxxis Rekon 3C Maxx Terra EXO+

Maxxis’ long-serving pure trail tyre is available in multiple widths and sizes
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Vittoria Syerra 4C tyre

Downcountry-specific tyre that uses four different compounds in the rubber blend
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Teravail Ehline Light and Supple tyre

Teravail's fast-rolling, lightweight, aggro XC tyre for intermediate conditions
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Specialized Purgatory Grid 2Bliss T7 tyre

Part of Specialized’s overhauled tyre line-up, this Purgatory is the brand’s pure trail offering
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Michelin Wild XC Racing Line tyre

Part of Michelin’s overhauled tyre line-up, this Wild XC is one of several of the brand’s tyres targeting the faster end of trail riding
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Orbea Urrun 10

Spanish brand’s top-tier electric hardtail with lightweight motor and battery
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