BikeTips was founded in 2021 to publish trustworthy, rider-tested cycling content. This page describes how our content is researched, written, fact-checked, edited, and updated — plus our policies on corrections, affiliate disclosures, and reader feedback. We treat our editorial process as the most important thing about the site.
Who writes for BikeTips
Every BikeTips article is written by a named member of our masthead. We don’t publish anonymous content, and we don’t attribute articles to a generic “BikeTips Team” byline. Our writers are practising cyclists — road racers, gravel grinders, mountain bikers, e-bike commuters, mechanics, coaches, and bike-touring veterans. Each contributor has a public bio at /meet-the-team/ covering their cycling background, areas of expertise, and how to reach them.
We never use an AI-generated pseudonym, and every article passes through a human editor before publication. Where AI tools are used in the content workflow (for research, drafting outlines, or generating images), it is disclosed in the article and the final copy is fact-checked and rewritten by the named author.
How we choose topics
BikeTips content is organised into topical clusters — road cycling, gravel, mountain biking, e-bikes, indoor training, bike maintenance, race coverage, and route profiles. Each cluster has a pillar guide and 10–40 supporting articles. We choose new topics based on:
- Reader-search demand — we mine Google Search Console for questions our existing audience is asking that we haven’t covered yet.
- Genuine knowledge gaps — areas where existing online coverage is shallow, outdated, or factually wrong.
- News and product cycles — new bike launches, race results, regulation changes, technology shifts.
- Reader feedback — questions sent via email and comments. Several of our most-read articles started life as a reader email.
How we research
We start every article with primary sources where possible:
- First-hand experience — our writers have ridden the bikes, climbed the mountains, used the components, and lived through the training plans they write about.
- Manufacturer specifications — sourced directly from manufacturer documentation rather than re-published spec sheets.
- Scientific literature — for training, nutrition, and physiology articles we reference peer-reviewed studies and link to the original papers.
- Expert interviews — for technical or specialised topics we contact bike fitters, frame builders, coaches, and team mechanics for direct quotes.
- Secondary research — trade publications, regulatory bodies (UCI, USA Cycling), and other cycling outlets are referenced and linked when used as sources.
How we write and edit
Each article moves through four stages before it goes live:
- Outline. The writer produces a structured outline covering the question, the answer, the evidence, and the sub-topics. The outline is reviewed by an editor.
- Draft. The writer drafts the article, citing all sources inline, and includes original photographs, diagrams, or video where appropriate.
- Edit. The article is reviewed by an editor for accuracy, clarity, completeness, and tone. We push back on unsupported claims, vague generalisations, and any wording that could mislead a reader.
- Fact-check. Numerical claims, prices, manufacturer details, and historical facts are verified against the cited sources before publication.
How we update content
Cycling moves fast — prices change, new components launch, race results update, regulations shift. We have three update tiers:
- Annual reviews for evergreen guides (training plans, anatomy explainers, technique articles). Each evergreen post is reviewed at least once per year.
- Quarterly reviews for product comparisons, buying guides, and price-sensitive content.
- Live updates for race coverage and breaking news — corrections and additions are made within hours of new information becoming available.
Updated articles carry a visible “Last Updated” timestamp at the top. Significant edits are noted in an editor’s update log on the article itself.
Affiliate links and disclosures
BikeTips earns a portion of its revenue from affiliate links. When we recommend a product, the recommendation is based on rider testing and editorial judgement, not on the affiliate commission. We will recommend a product we don’t earn a commission on if it’s the right answer; we will recommend against a product that pays us if it’s the wrong answer.
Articles that contain affiliate links carry a clear disclosure at the top. We never accept payment for editorial coverage and we don’t allow advertisers to influence article angles or conclusions. Sponsored content (when it exists) is clearly labelled “Sponsored” and kept separate from editorial.
Corrections policy
If we get something wrong, we fix it. Spotted a factual error? Send the article URL and the correction with a link to the source to editorial@biketips.com. We aim to respond within 48 hours. Corrections that materially change the meaning of an article are noted in a “Corrections” box at the bottom of the article alongside the date of the correction.
Reader feedback
The single best way to improve an article is for a reader to tell us what we got wrong, what we missed, or what we should cover next. Comments on every article are read by the writer and editor. Email editorial@biketips.com for substantial feedback or article requests.
Standards and ethics
- We don’t fabricate quotes, race results, product specs, or first-person experiences.
- We don’t plagiarise. All sources are credited and linked.
- We don’t use AI-generated images that are designed to look like real photographs of products, races, or people without disclosure.
- We don’t accept gifts or payment from manufacturers in exchange for a positive review.
- We don’t publish thinly-disguised advertorial as editorial.
Questions about this editorial process? Email editorial@biketips.com or visit our team page to find the right contributor for your topic.