Articles by Luke Friend, Freelance writer

Luke Friend has worked as a writer, editor and copywriter for 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, 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

Image shows route from Zwift's latest world - Scotland

Zwift launches Scotland, the new world designed specifically for the 2023 Esports World Championships

Zwift Scotland features five new routes for training and racing including a crit circuit in Glasgow, which will also host the real-life 2023 UCI World Championships

Parcours teams up with Classified to offer Powershift options across all its spoked wheelsets

Innovative British wheel brand unites with disruptor Belgian hub manufacturer

By Luke Friend Published 27 January 23
Redesigned DT Swiss 350 hubs are lighter but just as 'dependable' - and still come in a rim-brake version

Legendary road hubs updated to include 36t ratchet and redesigned hub shell and axle

By Luke Friend Published 26 January 23
Brooks teams up with artist Jeremy Collins on a limited-edition B17 saddle

The iconic saddle features a laser-etched design inspired by the US artists' bikepacking trip across the Italian Dolomites

By Luke Friend Published 26 January 23

What is the secret new bike tech behind LAB71, Project Black and 795RS? We go codebreaking...

What we know so far about the unreleased bikes and components from Cannondale, Specialized and Look...

By Luke Friend Published 25 January 23
Strava aquires FATMAP mountain adventure mapping platform

3D mapping technology will be enabled in all Strava services giving its subscribers the 'full FATMAP offering'

By Luke Friend Published 24 January 23
New POC Propel sunglasses 'introduce aerodynamic gains to eyewear'

Worn by the EF Education teams, the Propel is designed to smooth airflow to improve a rider's aerodynamic profile

By Luke Friend Published 24 January 23

Bastion unveils limited-edition ArchAngel road bike: 'the most highly specified production bike ever released'

The Australian brand's ArchAngel road bike is limited to 88 pieces and uses 3D-printed lugs

By Luke Friend Published 21 January 23
Fabian Cancellara and Assos rejoin forces: four-time world champion's Tudor Pro Cycling team announces multi-year clothing deal

Iconic Swiss clothing brand teams up with legendary Swiss rider's team for the 2023 season and beyond

By Luke Friend Published 20 January 23
Cycling holidays in the UK: Britain’s best road and gravel destinations for a low-cost break

Taking your bike abroad is expensive but with miles of great riding on your doorstep staying close to home can be just as rewarding

By Luke Friend Published 20 January 23

New Orbea Gain e-road bike boasts "massive" battery range and a "natural ride" feel

The Gain claims to deliver a synergy between the rider's efforts and the motor assistance to make you "forget you're riding an e-bike"

By Luke Friend Published 19 January 23
KMC introduces dedicated e-bike sprockets and chainrings to the US market

The chain supremo adds Shimano and Bosch-compatible components to go alongside its existing range of e-bike chains

By Luke Friend Published 19 January 23
Unreleased Cannondale SuperSix Evo 4 breaks cover at the Tour Down Under

EF's Alberto Bettiol pictured on the new bike, and UCI frame list confirms there will be three models

By Luke Friend Published 18 January 23

Is this Look prototype the 795 RS and where will it fit in its race bike line-up?

WorldTour team Cofidis are currently riding the prototype that cuts an aero all-rounder silhouette

By Luke Friend Published 16 January 23
2023 WorldTour bikes and equipment - guide to what the men's and women's pro teams are riding

This year sees the return of Look and Bianchi to the peloton plus new bikes from Colnago and Cannondale...

By Luke Friend Published 16 January 23
'Traces of cracking' within the fork of Scott's Speedster Road and Gravel bikes prompts international recall

Internal testing shows 'traces of cracking' within the fork steerer on various models...

By Luke Friend Published 16 January 23

Deda Elementi Trenta 2 gravel wheelset review - light and snappy but a little too firm to be called comfy

A performance-orientated set of carbon hoops with solid all-road and gravel riding credentials

By Luke Friend Published 13 January 23
American Classic Aggregate gravel tire review - solid performance at an affordable price

The relatively low price tag may suggest a budget offering but does the Aggregate punch above its weight?

By Luke Friend Published 12 January 23
Tech of the Month January: Potential updates from Shimano and SRAM, new bikes for 2023 and the Colnago V4RS

We discuss possible updates to SRAM and Shimano groupsets as well as the road bikes most likely to be see a redesign in 2023...

By Luke Friend Published 30 December 22

2023 road bike releases: what are the models we expect to see updated in the next 12 months?

Some big names are long overdue a refresh...

By Luke Friend Published 30 December 22
Is an updated SRAM Red AXS groupset on the way?

Images snapped at the recent Movistar training camp as well as World Cup CX races show newly shaped levers that could indicate a Red refresh for 2023

By Luke Friend Published 21 December 22
The best aftermarket aero bars for triathlons and time trialling

The best aero bars can optimize your TT position and help you save watts.

By Kristin Jenny Published 19 December 22

Decathlon is now selling e-cargo bikes – a Christmas gift for the whole family...?

The Elops R 500 comes in at a competitive price for e-cargo bikes, but incredibly there are still cheaper options

By Luke Friend Published 19 December 22
Our 2023 gravel bike tech trend predictions: More of the same or a radical new direction for drop-bar off-roading?

We look into gravel's crystal ball and see more race-ready rigs as well as affordable electronic shifting and wider tires

By Luke Friend Published 19 December 22
Christmas Sales e-bike deals: big savings on road, gravel and city models including Orbea, Vitus and more

We've rounded up the best savings on e-bikes this Christmas Sales season

By Luke Friend Published 15 December 22

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Luke Friend

Latest articles by Luke Friend

Zwift launches Scotland, the new world designed specifically for the 2023 Esports World Championships

Parcours teams up with Classified to offer Powershift options across all its spoked wheelsets

Redesigned DT Swiss 350 hubs are lighter but just as 'dependable' - and still come in a rim-brake version

Brooks teams up with artist Jeremy Collins on a limited-edition B17 saddle

What is the secret new bike tech behind LAB71, Project Black and 795RS? We go codebreaking...

Strava aquires FATMAP mountain adventure mapping platform

New POC Propel sunglasses 'introduce aerodynamic gains to eyewear'

Bastion unveils limited-edition ArchAngel road bike: 'the most highly specified production bike ever released'

Fabian Cancellara and Assos rejoin forces: four-time world champion's Tudor Pro Cycling team announces multi-year clothing deal

Cycling holidays in the UK: Britain’s best road and gravel destinations for a low-cost break

New Orbea Gain e-road bike boasts "massive" battery range and a "natural ride" feel

KMC introduces dedicated e-bike sprockets and chainrings to the US market

Unreleased Cannondale SuperSix Evo 4 breaks cover at the Tour Down Under

Is this Look prototype the 795 RS and where will it fit in its race bike line-up?

2023 WorldTour bikes and equipment - guide to what the men's and women's pro teams are riding

'Traces of cracking' within the fork of Scott's Speedster Road and Gravel bikes prompts international recall

Deda Elementi Trenta 2 gravel wheelset review - light and snappy but a little too firm to be called comfy

American Classic Aggregate gravel tire review - solid performance at an affordable price

Tech of the Month January: Potential updates from Shimano and SRAM, new bikes for 2023 and the Colnago V4RS

2023 road bike releases: what are the models we expect to see updated in the next 12 months?

Is an updated SRAM Red AXS groupset on the way?

The best aftermarket aero bars for triathlons and time trialling

Decathlon is now selling e-cargo bikes – a Christmas gift for the whole family...?

Our 2023 gravel bike tech trend predictions: More of the same or a radical new direction for drop-bar off-roading?

Christmas Sales e-bike deals: big savings on road, gravel and city models including Orbea, Vitus and more

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