As 2023 involves a detailed, I used to be requested to provide a fast rundown of my favourite merchandise of the yr. Now, it’s possible you’ll be asking your self, who the heck is that this man? And that’s completely comprehensible. My title is Jeremy, and I began working at Bikerumor in March of this yr. My position is comparatively behind the scenes, so that you received’t see my title or picture practically as a lot as your favourite members of the Bikerumor editorial group. Nonetheless, I’ve been testing and reviewing bikes and associated equipment for over 7 years, and I get to see and use A LOT of merchandise over the course of a yr.
Mountain biking has come a good distance within the 30+ years since I began bouncing round on fats tires within the woods. It has all the time been enjoyable, however the bikes we trip and the gear we use simply proceed to get higher yearly which helps improve my efficiency, enjoyment, and expertise out on the paths. The checklist beneath covers a number of the finest experiences, bikes, and merchandise that I beloved in 2023 and really feel are worthy of point out or excessive reward. A few of these issues had been model new this yr, others have been round some time and I lastly received to attempt them, and a few of it’s simply stuff that I like so much. I attempted to maintain it brief, there’s lots extra the place this got here from.
Expertise: Native Races
The Downieville Basic
After a three-year hiatus, the Downieville Basic made a triumphant return final summer time for its twenty fifth Anniversary. Though I don’t dwell within the small city of Downieville, I’m solely about an hour away, trip within the space continuously, and think about it to be considered one of my native races. I used to be very excited for it to be again on the calendar as it’s hands-down my favourite race, and arguably probably the greatest occasions within the nation. It appears I wasn’t the one one excited because the occasion offered out as typical, and the professional area was stacked heavier than I’d ever seen it.
In the event you aren’t acquainted, the Downieville Basic is a uniquely difficult mountain bike race placed on by the Sierra Buttes Path Stewardship that takes place on the rugged and rocky trails simply west of the crest within the northern Sierra Nevada mountains of California. There’s a standalone XC race, or you possibly can join the All-Mountain which consists of the XC race on day one, adopted by the Downhill race on day two, and it’s a must to race the identical setup each days. The purpose-to-point XC race is 26.5 miles with 4,500 toes of climbing and 5,700 toes of descent. The DH is a 15-mile time trial with 5,000 toes of descent and 500-ish toes of climbing. Oh, and it simply occurred to be 100° F each days. (Shout out to the Evoc Hydro Professional 1.5L vest for holding me hydrated on day 1)
I raced within the professional class so there was undoubtedly no probability of me successful, particularly when lots of the finest racers in North America confirmed up this yr. Nonetheless, lining up with the likes of Keegan Swenson, Chris Blevins, Geoff Kabush, Felix Burke, and plenty of others was fairly cool. Regardless of the warmth, I nonetheless managed to fulfill my aim of PRs on each days and show to myself that I’m by some means quicker than I used to be 4 years in the past. It was additionally unbelievable to see so lots of my pals come out and push themselves and the neighborhood come collectively over driving and racing bikes once more.
Truckee Tahoe Gravel
Along with the occasional mountain bike race, I completely take pleasure in gravel driving and racing. There are many nice gravel races all through northern California, and we’re fortunate to have an area occasion in my hometown of Truckee. Truckee Tahoe Gravel is a well-run occasion with difficult programs that happen on roads that I can trip proper from my home.
Previously, this race felt like extra of an area, grassroots occasion. Actually, the final time I raced it in 2019, I completed 2nd total. Like the game of gravel normally, this race has steadily grown in reputation and participation, and a date change this yr meant it lined up nicely for an entire bunch of get-paid-to-race-bikes professionals to attend. Whereas that dashed any hopes of an total podium, it was nonetheless a blast to compete towards these in my age group, and it was fairly candy to race alongside legends like Peter Stetina, Levi Leipheimer, John Borstelman, Matt Beers, Haley Hunter-Smith, and others. Till they flew off the entrance and I didn’t see them once more, that’s…
1984 Six Pac Camper
Okay, not an expertise per se, however a few yr and a half in the past, my spouse and I picked up a 1984 Six-Pac cab-over camper which has facilitated many nice experiences. It’s not precisely the fanciest factor on this planet, but it surely was very inexpensive, and it suits within the mattress of my Toyota Tacoma. It’s practically as outdated as I’m, and much from cutting-edge, but it surely’s tremendous comfy and is a significant improve over sleeping within the mattress of my truck with a camper shell like we did for too a few years. It has made our frequent street journeys and weekend getaways this yr a lot simpler and extra satisfying, and it’s undoubtedly probably the greatest purchases we’ve ever made.
In fact, bikes include us more often than not, and transporting them on a rack whereas nonetheless having easy accessibility to the camper is fairly darn necessary. I’ve been utilizing a Rocky Mounts MonoRail as my major bike rack for a few years however bought elements to transform it right into a BackStage Swing-Away. It’s lighter and much inexpensive than most racks plus swing-away extensions, will get the bikes and rack out of the way in which for camper entry, and continues to work nicely after a number of use and abuse.
Bikes
EDITOR’S CHOICE MTB: Fezzari La Sal Peak
I’m admittedly an enormous fan of do-it-all mid-travel path bikes, however once I received the possibility to trip the newest model of the Fezzari La Sal Peak, I jumped on it. I don’t spend lots of time on longer journey enduro bikes, however there are a bunch of tremendous enjoyable steep/skiddy/slabby trails very near my home (thanks native path builders!) the place the 170mm of journey and 64-degree head angle of the La Sal had been a welcome change in comparison with my on a regular basis trip. Tyler reviewed it some time in the past, so I’ll maintain my ideas transient.
With 170mm of entrance and rear journey, a slack 64-degree head tube angle, and a protracted wheelbase, the La Sal performs exceptionally nicely on the descents. It feels steady at velocity, soaks up huge hits and drops, and has a peaceful, muted, ground-hugging really feel. However all that’s to be anticipated. What I didn’t count on from a motorbike like that is simply how nicely it does the whole lot else. Certain it’s just a little heavier than what I’m used to, however this bike climbs like a goat with unbelievable traction and really cheap, managed dealing with for its journey/geometry. I felt like I may claw my method up absolutely anything together with tremendous technical sections and tight switchbacks the place I initially anticipated it to falter. This translated to mellower trails too because it didn’t really feel overly portly or bland on average descents or at decrease speeds, as an alternative, it remained participating and enjoyable.
Whereas it won’t be the outright hardest charger for its journey class, it’s the flexibility that basically impressed me probably the most in regards to the La Sal. For a motorbike to carry out in addition to it does on the descents but retain climbing and dealing with attributes extra akin to a snappier path bike is one thing particular, for me anyway. Oh, and Fezzari’s costs are excellent. The Elite Shimano construct I’ve been driving retails for $4,799 (at present on sale for $3,999), which is unbelievable for a full carbon body, XT drivetrain and brakes, and Final-level RockShox suspension package deal. The Zeb Final fork and Tremendous Deluxe Final shock additionally deserve particular point out for being completely improbable on this bike.
EDITOR’S CHOICE E-MTB: Specialised S-Works Levo SL Gen 2
On a visit within the early summer time, I blew out the rear shock on my path bike driving in Ashland, Oregon. We had been assembly a bunch of pals in Oakridge, OR, the following day to tear shuttle runs for 2 days, so I used to be in a little bit of a pickle with a shock that had no compression or rebound damping. Fortunate for me, a good friend introduced an additional bike with them, which simply occurred to be a model new Specialised S-Works Levo SL, that they kindly let me borrow. (Zach received to trip it again in Could when it launched)
I’ve ridden lots of totally different e-bikes in my life, however I used to be notably excited to throw a leg over the brand new Levo SL Gen 2. On the primary day, we did six shuttle laps and I even rode with the motor fully off for just a few of them. What instantly struck me was simply how a lot it dealt with and pedaled like an everyday path bike. It additionally felt extremely intuitive and cozy with no getting-to-know-you interval in any respect. In fact, we’re speaking in regards to the absurdly costly top-of-the-line mannequin with the fanciest the whole lot and a just-under-40-lbs weight, so that you’d hope that’s the way it rides, and it does.
The SL motor was additionally a spotlight. Placing out extra torque than the earlier model whereas additionally producing much less noise. The up to date show can be a giant improve, as are the motor tuning choices to dial it in how you want. In fact, there’s additionally the wealth of geometry changes, yada yada. Would I ever spend that a lot on a motorbike? Completely not! Will I soar on the probability to trip one once more if the chance arises? You guess I’ll.
EDITOR’S CHOICE GRAVEL: YT Szepter Core 4
YT stepped into the gravel market final yr once they launched the Szepter. I like gravel driving however I’m nonetheless a mountain biker at coronary heart, so this bike actually spoke to me. I received to trip the YT Szepter Core 4 for a number of months final winter and spring, and whereas it could not match everybody’s concept of the right gravel bike, I fell in love with it.
Lots of people discuss how gravel bikes are mainly simply turning into hardtail mountain bikes from 20+ years in the past, and whereas that’s kinda true, a motorbike just like the Szepter really rides method higher than my classic ‘93 S-works FSX {custom} hardtail. With a 40mm RockShox Rudy fork, 50mm Reverb AXS dropper, and progressive (for a gravel bike) geometry, this bike smoothes out the tough gravel that’s frequent in my space and it’s surprisingly enjoyable and succesful on mellower singletracks as nicely. Certain, the suspension and the dropper add just a little weight, however I’d fortunately commerce the few seconds I lose on a climb for the consolation, management, and stability it offers me on the descents.
Just like the Fezzari above, the YT Szepter Core 4 can be very fairly priced for the standard of the construct and probably the greatest values you’ll discover. You will discover out extra in John Herron’s Szepter evaluation from earlier this yr.
Parts
EDITOR’S CHOICE: Roval Management SL Wheels
I like my bike to be an inexpensive weight, however I undoubtedly wouldn’t name myself a weight weenie. However once I mounted up a set of the Roval Management SL wheels on my path bike, it felt like unlocking a cheat code. At simply 1,282 grams for the pair (measured with rim tape and valves), they’re very light-weight for a 29er wheelset. Actually, they’re round 500 grams (17 ounces) lighter than my typical wheels, which could be very vital. I slapped some XC tires on them for good measure and dropped the full weight of my bike by over two kilos, and, proper the place it issues.
These wheels immediately made me really feel noticeably quicker on the climbs and accelerating out of corners. They don’t strike me as probably the most forgiving wheels, however they’re snappy, exact, and responsive with out beating you up both. On the similar time, they really feel surprisingly powerful for one thing so shockingly light-weight. They don’t really feel like they’ll explode in the event you hit a rock, and the flat-topped 4mm extensive bead wall ought to assist scale back pinch flats if/whenever you do. I’m not saying anybody ought to exit and race enduro on them, however they’re a good way to lighten and quicken up your XC or brief to mid-travel path bikes in the event you can justify the excessive asking worth.
EDITOR’S CHOICE: Reserve Fillmore Valves
$50 for a set of tubeless valve stems? I additionally scoffed on the worth of the Fillmore valves once they first got here out, however then I began utilizing them. This stuff ship on the guarantees they make, keep clog-free, and make it method simpler to do frequent tire swaps without having to make use of a compressor or tubeless booster. I do know you possibly can take away valve cores, clear them, exchange them, and so forth, however with the Reserve Fillmore Valves I don’t should and that’s a win for me.
EDITOR’S CHOICE: Schwalbe Tires
Maxxis has been and continues to dominate the mountain bike tire marketplace for good cause, however a number of different producers are placing out nice tires nowadays. Continental’s newest tires are fairly superior and I actually like Vittoria’s tires too. Till this yr, nevertheless, I had just about sworn off Schwalbe tires given their excessive worth and questionable sturdiness. I tore sufficient knobs off of older fashions years in the past that I’ve been very reluctant to provide them one other attempt.
Nicely, so much has modified since then, and Schwalbe’s newest crop of tires has impressed me sufficient to alter my tune. I spent fairly a little bit of time on the Magic Mary (Comfortable) and the brand new Cheesy Chan (Extremely Comfortable), and I’d argue that they’re simply nearly as good as any comparable tires in the marketplace. Our filth is sort of all the time free the place I dwell and it was tremendous dry all summer time earlier than having an uncharacteristically damp fall. By all of it, each tires excelled, offering wonderful cornering grip and nice braking traction whether or not dry or moist. Even within the mushy and ultra-soft compounds, they’ve additionally been surprisingly sturdy and lasted for much longer than anticipated.
EDITOR’S CHOICE: HT T2 Pedals
HT Parts doesn’t have the market share of better-known pedal manufacturers like Shimano, Crankbrothers, or Time, however their T2 Path pedals would possibly simply be my new favourite. They’ve received a considerably distinctive clip mechanism that takes a proprietary cleat, however they’re straightforward to get out and in of, have a stable connection, and a extra dynamic-feeling float that I’ve grown to essentially like. The mid-sized pedal physique interfaces very properly with the soles of sneakers for nice lateral stability, and including the rear traction pins may help enhance the grip and sole contact. They’re additionally lighter weight than many comparable pedals, competitively priced, they usually are available in an enormous vary of colours if that’s your factor.
The Hope Union TC pedals additionally deserve a point out right here as a result of they’re superbly crafted, similar to the whole lot else Hope makes. They’ve additionally received an awesome clip mechanism that takes as proprietary cleat and gives a really safe connection. There are 4 non-obligatory, adjustable pins per aspect and the marginally bigger than mid-size platform gives wonderful help and stability underfoot for a path/enduro pedal.
EDITOR’S CHOICE: Cannondale 18-in-1 with Dynaplug
I received a Dynaplug tablet a number of years in the past they usually rapidly turned my tubeless tire plug of selection. I’ve all the time had fairly dangerous luck with bacon strips, however Dynaplugs nearly all the time work for me and they’re tremendous fast and straightforward to make use of. Recently, many manufacturers are incorporating tubeless tire restore instruments into their multi-tools, and the one which received me most excited is the brand new Cannondale 18-in-1 with Dynaplug.
It is a compact and light-weight (125-gram), fully-featured multi-tool that comes geared up with a dual-headed Dynaplug plugger. The software itself works simply wonderful for my on-trail wants, and now I can carry one much less factor with me once I trip. Sure, the $80 price ticket is excessive, but it surely’s nonetheless cheaper than shopping for a Dynaplug tablet and most different multi-tools individually.
Attire
EDITOR’S CHOICE: Mons Royale
I’m a fan of pure fibers and I like Merino wool for its consolation and pure odor preventing means. I’ve received an older Mons Royale ¾ sleeve jersey that I’ve been driving in for years, and I’ve all the time kinda simply appreciated their stuff normally, even whether it is costly. On the finish of the summer time, I received my palms on the Mons Royale Virage Pants and the Tarn Merino Shift Wind Jersey, they usually rapidly rose to the highest of my pants and jersey piles and stayed there.
Lately, I’ve been driving in pants so much, and there are lots of nice choices in the marketplace for every type of driving and preferences. What I like in regards to the Mons Royale Virage pants is just not solely that they match nice and have superior pockets, however they’re produced from a mix of Merino Wool and recycled polyester that’s merely extra comfy towards the pores and skin than some other pants I’ve worn. They’re additionally the right weight. They aren’t overly scorching, they breathe nicely, and on the similar time, they take the sting off the chilly in temps down into the 40s. After I do get sweaty, they dry rapidly, they usually don’t maintain onto my stink practically as a lot as artificial supplies once I use them for greater than a few rides between washes. Additionally they look pretty cheap off the bike, and you may put on them round like a cushty pair of joggers and never appear like you simply completed a motorbike trip.
The Tarn Merino Shift Wind Jersey unlocked a brand new degree of consolation whereas driving in cool fall circumstances. It’s a long-sleeved jersey produced from a Merino Wool mix, and it has a wind-blocking Pertex panel protecting the complete entrance panel. On chilly days the place I’d often be placing a jacket on on the prime of a climb to maintain the wind off my sweaty torso, then taking it off once more earlier than heading up for one more lap, this jersey permits me to simply skip these steps lots of the time and carry on rolling.
EDITOR’S CHOICE: Velocio MTB
I’m going to echo what Tyler mentioned about Velocio’s new line of MTB attire. I’ve been driving in just a few items of their newest gear and completely find it irresistible. Their experience in making high quality street biking gear could be very obvious within the design, development, and high quality of supplies, and these things suits me higher than absolutely anything else I’ve worn.
The Ultralight Path Shorts really feel like they had been custom-tailored to suit me. That will not translate to everybody, however the paneling and match of the scale Medium is totally good for me. They’re, the truth is, ultralight, weighing in at a scant 135 grams in a measurement Medium. Fortunately, they aren’t awkwardly brief like many different superlight shorts are typically, so that they cowl extra of your leg and don’t make me appear like an XC nerd, even when I’m generally. Certain, they’re costly, however they arrive with a candy, stretchy Arcade belt, and I can’t say sufficient good issues about them.
Together with the shorts, I’ve been rocking the Delta Path Jersey which is tremendous gentle, ethereal, and suits precisely how I need my driving jerseys to suit. I sized right down to a Medium from my regular Giant, and it’s lots lengthy whereas having a really contoured match that works exceptionally nicely for my physique form. With a stable colour and minimal branding, it blends in nicely with different manufacturers’ attire, and it rapidly turned my new go-to heat to scorching climate driving prime.
EDITOR’S CHOICE: Specialised SWAT Bibs
For shorter rides or rides once I’m by no means that removed from the home or the automotive, I attempt to keep away from sporting a pack of any type. I strap issues to my bike and I put on cargo bibs to hold the whole lot else. I’ve tried many alternative manufacturers, however for me, the Specialised SWAT Bibs are nonetheless the perfect. I can stuff a shocking quantity of snacks and different gear in these again pockets and it’s comfy and doesn’t actually transfer round. My favourite half about the latest model is that they shortened the entrance of the chamois pad (the half you don’t sit on anyway), which allowed them to include a flap within the entrance that makes stopping to pee a lot simpler.
Safety
EDITOR’S CHOICE: Giro Manifest Spherical Helmet
I don’t crash that always, however once I do, it’s often fairly spectacular, so defending my head is a precedence. I’ve owned and examined lots of totally different helmets over time, and I’ve to say that the Giro Manifest Spherical is my new favourite. It’s been round for a pair seasons now, however this yr was the primary time I spent vital time sporting one.
The Manifest has the protection I search for in a contemporary path driving helmet, but it’s nonetheless competitively light-weight. Air flow is correct up there with the perfect of ‘em and it has an adjustable visor that’s really efficient at blocking the solar whenever you want it to. I haven’t personally examined the dual-shell MIPS Spherical system by smashing my head into something, however the Manifest has a 5-star Virginia tech score that leads me to imagine it really works. Even with the twin shells, Giro managed to maintain it comparatively low-profile, and I believe it seems fairly cool even when I don’t.
EDITOR’S CHOICE: Race Face Covert Knee Pads
I wish to pedal, so much. I’m the form of one who will get as a lot satisfaction out of pushing the tempo up a climb as I do on the descents, and that’s the primary cause that I’ve by no means been an enormous fan of sporting knee pads, even once I must be. A fast have a look at my knees, and you may inform that’s really pretty typically. For me to put on knee pads persistently, they’ve received to be light-weight, slim, breathable, tremendous pedal-friendly, and never transfer round on my legs in any respect whereas I’m driving.
That’s why I used to be stoked once I received my palms on the Race Face Covert Knee pads this fall. These are light-duty knee pads however the sizeable D30 Ghost pad offers me the protection I need and has a a lot harder really feel than most comparable pads whereas remaining tremendous comfy towards the knee. The sleeve is pretty lengthy, but it surely’s produced from tremendous breathable mesh that permits for nice airflow and doesn’t irritate me regardless of how lengthy I trip. The higher and decrease leg openings even have wonderful grip that has stored them securely in place on my legs with much less motion than some other pads I’ve tried.
EDITOR’S CHOICE: Julbo Density Sun shades
I put on contact lenses and my eyes are pretty delicate in consequence, so good eyewear is totally vital for me at any time when I trip. I’ve been and proceed to be an enormous fan of Smith’s biking sun shades, however what impressed me probably the most this yr is the brand new Julbo Density. I’ve tried quite a few pairs of Julbo glasses up to now, however none of their earlier fashions actually labored for me, till now.
The Density glasses got here out this yr and they’re tremendous light-weight at simply 19 grams. They’re so gentle that it barely feels such as you’re sporting something in any respect, but they’ve been extremely steady on my face on the roughest trails and even throughout path runs. Additionally they have large lenses that successfully maintain the wind, mud, and bugs from irritating my eyes. The Reactiv 0-3 Excessive Distinction photochromic lens adjusts primarily based on the sunshine circumstances and has been completely improbable. They undoubtedly aren’t low-cost, however they’re a number of the finest biking sun shades I’ve ever used.
Sneakers
I’m a shoe man. I personal extra bike sneakers than common sneakers, and that’s not an exaggeration. My favourite shoe of all time is the unique Specialised 2FO Cliplite, which I felt set a bar for what fashionable path driving sneakers must be. Ever since these sneakers received up to date, nevertheless, I’ve been struggling to search out one thing I like simply as a lot. The Shimano ME7 was working nicely for me, however alas, now these have been discontinued as nicely. Luckily, I rode in lots of totally different sneakers this yr and located some new favorites.
EDITOR’S CHOICE: Crankbrothers Mallet Boa
They’ve been in the marketplace for just a few years now, however I lastly received round to driving within the Crankbrothers Mallet Boa and I used to be very impressed. The only real is a tiny bit softer flexing than I’d like, however the whole lot else about these sneakers actually does it for me. They’re a number of the most comfy sneakers I’ve ever worn, have an inexpensive weight, are straightforward to stroll in, present a average degree of foot safety, appear tremendous sturdy, and I like the way in which they give the impression of being.
EDITOR’S CHOICE: Fox Union Boa
Fox’s new Union Boa sneakers additionally get a nod from me. These is likely to be “DH” sneakers, however they’re path bike weight and as stiff as I wish to really feel environment friendly on the pedals and forestall foot/calf fatigue. They aren’t fairly as comfortable because the Mallet Boa and the toe may use just a little extra flex for lengthy hike-a-bikes, however they give the impression of being badass and I actually like them regardless.
EDITOR’S CHOICE: Shimano S-Phyre XC-9
After I’m driving or racing gravel, the Shimano S-Phyre XC9 is my go-to. I received a recent pair originally of the summer time to exchange the earlier model that I’d been driving in for the previous 5 or 6 years. These sneakers are loopy gentle and tremendous stiff, but they’re surprisingly comfy with the wrap tongue and twin Boa closure. Air flow can be spectacular and the intense blue colour simply makes me really feel fancy. Sure, they’re wildly costly, however my final pair lasted lengthy sufficient for me to think about it cash nicely spent.
Parting Ideas
I’ve mentioned it many occasions earlier than and I’ll say it once more. There’s by no means been a greater time to be a mountain biker, or any sort of rider for that matter. The bikes we trip and the gear we use simply proceed to get higher and I believe that’s a beautiful factor. I’m undecided what 2024 has in retailer, however well being, happiness, and time spent driving bikes are all that I’m actually hoping for, and I want the identical for you.
Many extra nice merchandise have handed via our palms this yr, however this assortment highlights the perfect I’ve seen or ridden. Full disclosure: Every of those merchandise has been chosen purely on their efficiency and/or technological deserves for the explanations described above. Certainly not had been any of our alternatives paid for by their producers. Nor was any desire or favor given to advertisers or manufacturers who invite us on journeys. Our alternatives are restricted to merchandise that we’ve really frolicked driving/testing in particular person. So, a model’s willingness to ask Bikerumor to affix a launch occasion, or to offer product samples, does make it extra doubtless that we’ll have thought-about their merchandise just because we’ve had an opportunity to attempt them firsthand.
