2025 has been yet another big year for me and off.road.cc. I’ve ridden and rated tonnes of kit from all four corners of the off-road cycling world, and completed one of my biggest events to date. A lot has gone on, so here’s the best kit I’ve tested.
- The Merida eOne-Eighty, Ride Concepts Hellion shoes, Hunt’s Proven Carbon Trail wheels and more in Ty Rutherford’s Gear of the Year 2025
- MAIN GOTY
- 10 things I learnt while racing my first-ever multi-day stage race
But first, let me self indulge a little. 2025 has been quite a special one compared to other years because, as per usual, I let myself get a little overambitious and took on Iceland’s inaugural RiftMTB with fellow tester, Ty Rutherford. It’s a project that snowballed from wanting to compete in a local cross-country race, to attempting an event of epic proportions, and when the RiftMTB’s organizers invited us to have a go, I couldn’t say no.
Ever since agreeing to the event and setting our talented commercial team on the hunt for willing sponsors, I was a bag of nerves with the Rift’s 300 kilometres, 7,000+ metres of ascent and five days of racing looming over me from the beginning of the year, through to crossing the finish line. For the very first time, I spent a lot of time on Zwift and really put a serious focus on training, but it all paid off, as I (and Ty) completed the biggest race of my mountain biking career, and we placed rather well, if I do say so myself.
Other than that, I raced with mates a lot more casually, but a real highlight for me was having a go at Ard Rock’s e-MTB enduro with none other than Tracy Moseley. To be honest, as soon as we started each stage, Tracy may as well have evaporated, as it’s certainly clear that age hasn’t slowed her down a bit. As always, the Ard Rock stages were the creme of the crop of UK enduro and an incredible amount of fun. Although the course is rather huge, I would love to have a go at the race on a regular mountain bike.
Aside from racing, 2025 was really about recovering from injury and regaining my confidence on the bike. In August last year, I dislocated my shoulder while trying to push myself, despite feeling and riding the best I ever have. And having had another nasty crash later in 2024, I was really surprised by how it affected my mindset subconsciously. Now, I reckon I’m back on form. It’s taken a good while, but it feels good to have some confidence back, and hopefully I can carry that into 2026, especially as I have Southern Enduro flavoured plans… Touch wood.
Mountain bike of the year: Canyon Spectral AL 6
Cycling is full of arguments. Wheel sizes, e-bike versus regular and carbon versus metal. And we rarely get the opportunity to test a carbon and alloy version of a bike, but after my time with the newer Spectral CF, I jumped at the chance to have a go with the Spectral AL.
And believe it or not, the difference is definitely there. The alloy bike has a certain resonance to it that really upped the fun factor. It pinged and twanged through corners, boosting feedback and adding a hint of unpredictability that resulted in a super flattering and generally more fun ride. For this test, I went for a medium frame, rather than my usual large, which brought a more manoeuvrable, less stable but more agile and better-balanced ride.
It’s not just about how the Spectral AL 6 rides, however, as once again, Canyon has managed to hit the value nail on the head. For its £2,800 asking price, you get everything you need, and really, it’s rather posh stuff. It’s one of the few bikes that just doesn’t need upgrades, as with the components bolted onto it as standard, it provides a stellar and uncompromising ride.
Here’s the review for a deeper look at the Canyon Spectral AL 6.
e-MTB of the year: Yeti LTe
Ok, so I only did a first ride review of the Yeti LTe, but let me tell you, this bike impressed me so much that I still think about it embarrassingly regularly. It’s a big, Bosch-equipped enduro e-mountain bike. It’s not light, and it’s packed with tonnes of travel, which honestly, doesn’t usually get me terribly excited.
However, the LTe surprised me massively. Yes, it’s a lump of a thing, especially when kitted with the fancy but definitely not lightweight Fox Podium fork, but I haven’t ridden a bike that summons traction quite like it. Although I only spent a few hours with the LTe, I was immediately comfortable aboard it as its ability to find all of the traction ever encouraged a level of confidence I didn’t know I had.
Alright, alright. It’s pricey. The build I rode will set you back £13,000, and I like my kidneys too much to consider running to the black market, but boy, the LTe is fun.
Head over to the Yeti LTe first ride review to learn about what makes this bike so great.
Clothing of the year: Leatt Ride Kit MTB 1.0
Performance clothing for any kind of cycling is expensive. Fifty quid for a technical jersey and £100-odd for a solid pair of pants adds up frighteningly quickly, but if you want to be comfortable on the bike, it’s an investment that’s well worth making. But Leatt has stepped in with its Ride Kit MTB 1.0 that addresses the typically high cost of mountain bike clothing by offering a jersey and trousers for £100.
The kit is flipping great, too. It’s comfortable, comes with all of the right tech to wick moisture and encourage good airflow while fitting perfectly, and that’s a tall order for such an affordable kit. I still ride in it regularly, too, and it’s certainly held up as the weather’s gotten wetter. If you’re looking for a fresh wardrobe update, definitely have a look at what Leatt has cooked up here.
Here’s a closer look at the Leatt Ride Kit MTB 1.0.
Shoes of the year: Ride Concepts Hellion
Ride Concepts is a brand that’s developing a glowing reputation. Before, the brand made excellent shoes, but they weren’t without their pitfalls. but in 2025, Ride Concepts has been storming it. Not only did Ty rate the clip pedal version of the Hellion, but I reckon that the flat pedal Hellion has been the best flat-pedal shoe I’ve ridden in all year, and for a good while.
It’s comfortable, it’s grippy and rather hard-wearing. Then its upper does a solid job of balancing breathability with weather protection. The shoes look great, too. What more do you need?
Check out the Ride Concepts Hellion review for more details.
Helmet of the year: Fox Racing Speedframe Pro
Fox’s Speedframe helmet has been a staple product in mountain biking for a good few years now, but this year, the brand gave it a well-deserved update. With refined lines, fresh tech and new colourways, the Speedframe Pro has been the helmet I’ve ridden in the most throughout 2025, and likely for a good while beyond.
Breathability, comfort, weight, style and features are all points that brands need to hit when designing a helmet, and hitting a good balance between all of them is far from easy. However, I reckon that Fox has nailed it. The Speedframe Pro is reasonably light, super breezy, comfortable, and it comes with all the features you would expect of a helmet at this price point. Those features work, too, with a secure sunglasses mount that I’ve found myself using whenever I don’t fancy wearing my shades.
It’s a great-looking lid, too, which always helps. Here’s the Fox Racing Speedframe Pro review.
Wheels of the year: Halo Skelta
Halo’s Skelta wheelset is one ambitious pair of wheels. They’re built for all kinds of riding, from dirt jump through to downhill and with such a range of riding styles to accommodate, it’s safe to expect some kind of compromise. Admittedly, the wheelset isn’t the lightest around, but the Skelta makes up for that in its strength, its exceptional freehub and its overall ride quality.
Halo’s move to a shot-peened finish results in a great look that fends off scratches, upping the wheelset’s durability. As I mentioned before, it’s not the lightest, but it’s shrugged off everything I’ve put it through.
Has this wheelset grabbed your attention? Take a glance at the Halo Skelta review for more.
Accessory of the year: Stan’s Tyre Sealant Injector
Because I test loads of tyres, and some bikes don’t come tubeless out of the box, I’m constantly setting up and disassembling tubeless setups. With that, the Stan’s Tyre Sealant Injector has become a godsend, and I really wanted to highlight it. It’s made the whole process so much cleaner, and no longer is my garden constantly coated in tyre juice.
It’s a simple bit of kit. It’s basically an oversized syringe, but Stan’s has built it up with a few tubeless-specific features that just make life dealing with sealant considerably easier and cleaner.
As I’m swapping tyres so frequently, sealant isn’t in a tyre long enough to dry up, and with sealant being such a hot commodity in my ever-changing tyre setups, being able to suck up the liquid gold and pump it into a fresh tyre without having to get my hands covered in the stuff. While it’s probably not the best thing to do, it can become an interim vessel for sealant, too.
Eye protection of the year: Giro Dropline
I’m not a frequent goggle wearer. I only really whip them out whenever the riding calls for a full-face helmet, but Giro’s Dropline goggles have become a firm favourite, and a go-to whenever riding at bikeparks or harder going races.
They’re certainly more premium, no doubt, but they balance comfort, fog-resistance and clarity in a way that outperforms others. I’m a big fan of the sliver of silicone that’s built into the goggles’ foam that keeps the worst of the sweat out, and I’ve found that they play ball well with all of the helmets I’ve paired them with.
It’s got a bunch of magnets in it, too, which makes anything much cooler. Here’s the Giro Dropline goggle review.
Tyre of the year: Specialized Butcher Grid Trail
Generally, tyres are rather pricy things with prices for a solid bit of rubber averaging at around £75. But to be fair, as long as you pick the right tread, it’s hard to pick a bad tyre for that money. However, Specialized has turned the whole price to performance ratio on its head as its recently revitalised Butcher costs just £50.
As long as you’re happy to forgo the more Gucci logos of Maxxis, Conti and Schwalbe, not only will you be saving yourself £25 an end, but the Butcher grips just as well as the best tyres do. In fact, it’s a very solid all-rounder, having provided reliable traction from bone dry to sopping wet. And although it uses a softer rubber compound, its rate of wear is reasonably low. It’s put up with all kinds of riding, too, with its supple but impressively protective carcass.
Riding a Specialized tyre on a bike that’s not a Spesh might be a little weird in theory, but in practice, the Butcher is an incredibly solid tyre for relatively little money. Click on over to the Specialized Butcher review.
Component of the year: Fox 36 Factory
With the introduction of the 32 Step Cast and Podium, as well as a complete revamp of the whole of its range (apart from the 38 and 40), Fox has been incredibly busy over the last couple of years. It’s all been looking pretty good, too, especially as the newer GRIP X2 damper has proven itself as a top contender.
However, the new version of the 36 Factory, sorted with a generatively designed crown on an all-new chassis, is what really changed my riding in 2026. I’m a long-term fan of the 36, but that new and stiffer chassis helps it punch well above its weight as a trail and all-mountain fork. That extra hint of rigidity boosts confidence, while helping the front wheel go exactly where you point it.
It’s a super supple and supportive fork, too. The GRIP X2 damper is a belter, and the Glidecore air spring adds another level of buttery smoothness, which improves front wheel grip and overall comfort.
Yes, it’s pricy, but if I were in the market for a new suspension fork, I’d be saving for the newer Fox 36. Here’s the Fox 36 Factory review for a closer look.
Object of desire: A dirt jump bike, any dirt jump bike
My riding rarely veers away from trail mountain biking. That’s not a bad thing. With such a plethora of trails within a couple of hours’ worth of driving from me, I’ve got plenty of spots to choose from, and to keep things fresh… although I usually ride the same spot, which is a bit limiting to my progression. I have found myself losing a bit of a spark, too, however, and I reckon that’s mostly due to me riding the same stuff in the same style over and over for more than 10 years, then there’s the travel, which dampens spirits.
A dirt jump bike has been on my mind for a while now. I’m crap at jumps, and I don’t really have any spots or pump tracks nearby, but the idea of moving my riding away from trail mountain biking and trying something different that’ll likely improve my mountain biking has been super appealing over the year. Dirt jump bikes tend to be comparatively affordable, and watching DMR’s Down For Life video has got me even more interested.
Whether it’s Merida’s Dirt, or DMR’s Sect and Rhythm bikes, I’m curious, but I’d better clear some space in storage first…
