Hey There, Fellow Cyclists!

Look, we get it. You’re tired of bike “reviews” that read like they were written by marketing robots who’ve never actually ridden a bike outside of a showroom floor. That’s exactly why we started Go Bike! Review—to give you the straight talk you deserve from people who actually put miles on these machines. We’re also here to uncover the coolest, most extravagant, and downright fascinating stuff in the cycling world. From $15,000 wooden exercise bikes to electric adventure machines that’ll take you places regular bikes can’t dream of reaching.

Southern California

I’m Bob, and yeah, I know—“Biker Bob” sounds like something a 12-year-old would come up with. But hey, it stuck, and after starting on BMX as a kid (only broke my arm twice), then 20+ years of pedaling everything from beach cruisers to carbon road rockets, I’ve earned it.

My story started with BMX jumps and sketchy neighborhood trails, but I really fell hard for cycling during college at UC Santa Barbara, where biking to class isn’t just practical—it’s a way of life. What started as cruising campus and hitting the beach turned into exploring every road and trail I could find. These days, I’m based in San Diego, but I’ve been lucky enough to bike all over the world, from the Alps to Southeast Asia to wherever my wanderlust and two wheels can take me.

You’ll find me testing bikes on everything from the coastal routes around San Diego to mountain singletrack that’ll test your nerve and your gear. I’ve put thousands of miles on more bikes than I probably should admit to owning, and I’ve learned that the best gear reviews come from actually using stuff in the real world—not just reading spec sheets.

Our Crew of Road Warriors

Here’s the thing about cycling: it’s completely different depending on where you ride. A bike that’s perfect for cruising the Venice Beach boardwalk might be absolutely terrible for climbing through Marin County fog. That’s why we’ve assembled a team of reviewers who know their home turf inside and out.

*The Slaughter Pen, Arkansas*

Sarah lives and breathes gravel in the heart of Arkansas, where the trails have names like “Slaughter Pen” for a reason. When she’s not busy destroying her drivetrain on chunky limestone or finding new ways to get poison ivy, she’s the queen of adventure cycling gear. If you’ve ever wondered whether your bike can handle a 100-mile gravel grinder followed by a creek crossing, Sarah’s your person. She’s ridden every major gravel event in the region and has strong opinions about tire pressure, frame bags, and why most “gravel” bikes are just marketing nonsense.

Specialty: Adventure cycling, bikepacking gear, gravel bikes, and anything that can survive Arkansas’ particularly creative terrain

*San Francisco Hills*

Marcus has been conquering the brutal climbs of San Francisco for over a decade, which basically makes him a superhuman. When you’re regularly grinding up 20% grades through morning fog that could double as a car wash, you develop some pretty specific opinions about what works and what doesn’t. He’s our go-to guy for urban cycling gear, e-bikes (because even superhumans appreciate a little help sometimes), and anything related to riding in challenging weather. Plus, he’s got the inside scoop on which bike shops actually know what they’re talking about.

Specialty: Urban cycling, e-bikes, climbing gear, weather protection, and city-specific accessories

*Portland, Oregon*

If there’s one person who knows how to stay dry and visible while cycling, it’s Jamie. Living in Portland means riding in every type of precipitation known to science, often simultaneously. Jamie’s tested more rain gear than a weather station and has strong opinions about lights, fenders, and why most cyclists are doing winter riding completely wrong. When we need to know if something will actually keep you comfortable during a 40-degree drizzle in February, Jamie’s the one who finds out.

Specialty: Weather gear, lighting systems, commuter accessories, and sustainable cycling practices

*Colorado Rockies*

Alex lives at altitude where the air is thin, the climbs are endless, and the weather changes faster than you can say “afternoon thunderstorm.” From high-altitude road rides to technical mountain biking that would make most people reconsider their life choices, Alex has seen it all. When we need to know how gear performs when pushed to its absolute limits—whether that’s a 12,000-foot climb or a descent that makes your brake pads pray for mercy—Alex is our person.

Specialty: High-altitude cycling, mountain biking, extreme weather gear, and equipment durability testing

*San Diego, CA*

Liam brings a fresh perspective to the team as our youngest reviewer, specializing in throttle e-bikes and urban slammin’. Based in San Diego, he’s exploring everything from Point Loma to Mission Bay, PB, and Encinitas on various e-bike setups. Coming from San Diego’s surf and skate culture, Liam covers value props and practical considerations jamming around town and those choosing e-bikes over traditional transport options.

Specialty: Throttle e-bikes, urban mobility, budget alternatives

*Suburbia, USA (Poway)*

Xavier is our resident research guru who goes down rabbit holes so you don’t have to. When he’s not putting gear through its paces on weekend rides and suburban adventures, he’s diving deep into specifications, comparing features, and figuring out what all those numbers actually mean when you’re out riding. X has a knack for spotting the products that nail both form and function—the gear that looks good and performs even better. He’s the guy who’ll spend weeks researching a single purchase and then share everything he learned in a way that actually makes sense.

Specialty: Premium gear evaluation, design appreciation, thorough product research, and weekend recreational cycling

Our Testing Philosophy (aka How We Actually Do This)

We’re not going to lie to you and claim we test every single product for months in every possible condition. That would be awesome, but we’re not Consumer Reports with unlimited budgets and testing facilities. Here’s what we actually do:

Real-World Testing: When we review something, we use it. A lot. Bob’s put over 3,000 miles on various e-bikes this year alone. Sarah’s bikepacking trips have destroyed more gear than most people will ever own. We ride these bikes on our regular routes, take them on weekend adventures, and generally beat them up like the tools they’re supposed to be.

Geographic Diversity: That team spread isn’t just for show. A bike rack that works perfectly in Southern California’s dry heat might be a nightmare in Portland’s rain or Colorado’s snow. We test across different climates and conditions because that’s how real people actually ride.

Honest Limitations: Sometimes we can’t test something long-term. Sometimes a product breaks and we can’t figure out if it’s a fluke or a pattern. Sometimes we just don’t like something for reasons that might not apply to you. We’ll tell you when that happens because transparency matters more than appearing perfect.

Follow-Up Reviews: We actually go back and update our opinions. That bike we loved after 100 miles? How’s it holding up after 1,000? We’ll let you know, even if it means admitting we were wrong the first time.

Why We Do This

Here’s the truth: none of us are getting rich off bike reviews. We do this because we love cycling and we’re tired of seeing people waste money on gear that doesn’t work or, worse, gives up on cycling because they bought the wrong stuff.

Every cyclist has that story about a purchase that changed everything—the bike that made them fall in love with riding, the jacket that finally kept them comfortable, the light that made them feel safe riding at night. We want to help you find your version of that gear without having to learn from expensive mistakes.

What We’re Not

We’re not influencers trying to sell you lifestyle content. We’re not getting paid by manufacturers to push specific products (though we do use affiliate links to keep the lights on). We’re not trying to convince you that you need the most expensive option or that cycling has to be complicated.

We’re just cyclists who’ve made a lot of gear mistakes over the years and want to help you avoid making the same ones.

Got Questions? Want to Argue About Tire Pressure?

We love hearing from readers, especially when you disagree with us. Email us at [email protected] or catch us on social media. Bob’s always down to debate the merits of different bike geometries, Sarah will happily explain why your bikepacking setup is wrong, Marcus can talk urban cycling strategy for hours, Jamie knows everything about riding in the rain, Alex is probably off climbing some ridiculous mountain somewhere, Liam can share the latest on e-bike culture and urban mobility trends, and Xavier can share his latest gear research deep-dive (seriously, the guy finds stuff we didn’t even know existed).

Keep the rubber side down!

The Go Bike! Review Team

P.S. - If you’re ever in SoCal and want to ride some of Bob’s favorite routes, or if you find yourself in Arkansas, San Francisco, Portland, or Colorado and want local trail recommendations, hit us up. We’re always happy to share beta with fellow cyclists.