Another 12 months is nearly over, and meaning it is time for our gear of the 12 months alternatives on the Cyclingnews tech workforce.
I’ve been capable of check numerous very succesful bikes and tools this 12 months, however my choice is an actual listing of the stuff that has made the most important impression on me, the package that has made me go ‘wow’.
There are some costly bits on this listing, and I’m not pretending I can afford them. But amongst every thing I’ve examined this 12 months, the efficiency of this stuff has impressed and excited me probably the most.
Regardless of what gear I’ve been utilizing, I’ve loved one other nice 12 months of biking. And I hope you’ve got too. Here’s to plenty extra biking adventures in 2025.
1. SRAM Red AXS brake levers and brakes
Image 1 of 2
SRAM hit a house run this 12 months for me with the brand new Red AXS groupset and the Hammerhead Karoo launch, each are actual successes.
SRAM Red AXS is a improbable groupset, which can not come as an excessive amount of of a shock, it is the head of what SRAM has ever produced for the highway.
The groupset is nice, however the spotlight for me is the brake levers and braking efficiency, they’re my favorite piece of biking tech from this 12 months. I spent the summer season testing bikes with Red AXS, Dura-Ace and Super Record WR groupsets and the brakes clearly stood out, they’re that good. The gravel-specific Red XPLR group additionally makes use of the identical levers and brakes and they’re immense off-road as nicely.
The newest race content material, interviews, options, opinions and professional shopping for guides, direct to your inbox!
The brake lever hood itself could be very comfy and the curved lever blade is well-shaped and offers a pleasant handhold. I really feel like SRAM has actually thought-about ergonomics and rider really feel within the design.
Then there’s the braking itself, the brake lever really feel and the braking motion is gentle and easy. It’s a pleasure to make use of. There’s greater than sufficient energy and the pads hit the rotor solidly and with precision which additionally contributes to the nice really feel.
I embody the levers and brakes on their very own as they’re backwards appropriate, you may improve and retrofit them to your older tools. It’s thrilling to assume that this tech might trickle right down to different SRAM tools sooner or later, an thrilling prospect certainly.
2. Hammerhead Karoo
The third technology Hammerhead Karoo launched this 12 months, in tandem with the brand new SRAM Red AXS groupset and it impressed me immediately. After 10 months of use, I’m assured in calling it the perfect bike pc up thus far and undoubtedly a tech spotlight of my 12 months.
I’ve used it in a number of nations, an amazing check for its navigation tech and mapping and used it to navigate on the Paris-Roubaix Challenge and on the Chasing Cancellara Bern-Zermatt occasion in Switzerland.
Why do I prefer it a lot? First off, it seems to be nice, the tapered physique and general form work rather well, which at all times helps. Second, it’s a really intuitive, easy-to-use pc with an amazing format and delicate contact display screen. Navigating your approach across the menus and settings could be very nice and there is not a lot packed in that it begins to get complicated.
Lastly, the mapping and navigation are by far my favorite of any pc I’ve used. Specifically, the colors and general format used for the map display screen make following a route very clear and straightforward certainly. I don’t assume I’ve missed a single flip whereas utilizing it. Hammerhead has produced a superb mannequin within the Karoo and I at all times get pleasure from driving with it.
3. Canyon Aeroad CFR
The Canyon Aeroad CFR is a rocket ship. I used to be capable of check the bike for a number of months this 12 months and it solely impressed me, I used to be unhappy to see it return to Canyon and easily cherished driving it.
The Aeroad was actually put by way of its paces, we examined it within the wind tunnel, after which I did all method of driving on it, together with a highway race. It did not miss a beat. For starters, it is a great-looking bike, aggressive and trendy with out going excessive. Performance-wise, it is only a quick, stiff and agile machine with nice dealing with that made me faster throughout the board.
The bike has obtained some stick on-line for its built-in entrance finish, and I’m not deaf to that. For me, the system was faultless, simple to regulate and rattle-free. Tick. If I owned one I’d minimise intensive front-end washing, guarantee there may be loads of high quality grease in and across the headset bearings/meeting and periodically take away clear and refit the handlebars Torx bolt {hardware}.
The bike can also be simpler to stay with, which I recognize. There’s a thru-axle lever so you may at all times drop a wheel out simply, and that very same lever has a T25 Torx instrument to regulate almost all the important thing fasteners, seatpost, cockpit and so on. A helpful contact that may assist homeowners.
Tubeless tyres imply mucking about with tubeless valves, and for those who’re becoming or swapping tubeless tyres or including sealant, occasionally you are going to must take away the valve core itself. This is required to assist enhance airflow by way of the valve stem to assist seat the tyre, exchange a gunked-up core, or add sealant simply.
I’ve been utilizing the Feedback Sports Valve Core instrument this 12 months and it has been glorious, the perfect elimination instrument I’ve used thus far.
Why? The instrument’s measurement and form make it very simple to undo probably the most resistant valve cores. The textured rubber grip is nice, and you may exert an excellent quantity of drive if wanted in a managed approach. The instrument can also be double-ended for Presta and Schraeder valves.
I’ve used loads of these fiddly plastic removers previously, the sort you get free with valves, and so on. The Feedback instrument eliminates the faff and works each time. It’s additionally sufficiently small to hold in a saddle bag or with you. It’s the correct instrument for the job, and I’m glad to have it.
5. GripGrab Waterproof Cycling cap
Waterproof biking caps have been a little bit of a revelation for me this 12 months. I’d by no means used one in years passed by however have been actually impressed with how way more comfy they assist me really feel when driving within the rain.
I’ve used just a few totally different ones, together with an Assos mannequin that appears to have been discontinued however the GripGrab Aquashield is probably the most comfy I’ve used.
Heading out in a single looks like a little bit of a secret weapon. Your head stays largely dry within the rain, they usually do not appear to get too sweaty. If you have already got in your rain jacket, overshoes and different waterproof gear, a water-proof cap helps you’re feeling a lot better within the rain. Money nicely spent in my view, I actually fee them.