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Ready to level up your ride? We’ve rounded up the crème de la crème of cycling components — the standout products from all that earned a coveted spot in road.cc Recommends during 2025. From high-quality groupset components to pedals, saddles and some less-expected upgrades, this list has something for everyone
How the road.cc Recommends Awards work
Each month, our team picks the very best bikes, components, accessories, and kit we’ve reviewed — not just on road.cc, but also our sister sites off.road.cc and ebiketips.
The top performers get inducted into road.cc Recommends — our hall of fame for truly exceptional gear.
Getting featured in road.cc Recommends isn’t easy. In fact, it’s really tough. Only the most impressive products make the cut.
We’ve now gone a step further. We revisited every single product that made it into road.cc Recommends in 2025 — and from that stellar lineup, we’ve picked the absolute best of the best. These are the game-changers, the head-turners, the “shut up and take my money” kind of gear.
Unlike our bike awards (coming next week — stay tuned!), we don’t do ranked top-10s for components and accessories. Instead, we offer three awards:
- Bargain Buy The gear that delivers mind-blowing performance for the price.
- Money No Object Pure performance. No budget limits. Just excellence.
- Editor’s Choice The perfect balance of value and performance — the one we’d buy ourselves.
We don’t necessarily hand out every award in every category — we only give them when something truly earns it.
Final point: all the prices quoted below were the full RRPs at the time of our initial reviews. They’re what we based our findings on. Some could have gone up since then, while you might be lucky enough to find other items at sale prices. We’ve added buying links with the best prices we can find online, too.
It’s time to reveal the road.cc Recommends Components of the Year 2025/26…
SRAM Rival AXS Groupset (£1,730)
Buy from Team Cycles for £1,299.00
SRAM has updated its Rival AXS wireless groupset with the aesthetics and ergonomics of its range-topping Red option, improving the performance of both the shifting and braking. The price has risen, but you still get a big bang for your buck.
Reviewer Stu Kerton reviewed SRAM’s top-level Red groupset in 2024 and declared it to be the best gearing/braking setup on the market. Since then, SRAM has been able to trickle down much of the design to its cheaper groupsets, Force AXS and Rival AXS. Okay, the latest Rival incarnation is a little more expensive than previously, but it’s lighter and has taken a huge leap forward in terms of performance and looks.
The gear shifting is faster and more precise, and Stu is a big fan of the chainset and cassette ratios on offer. Everything worked superbly throughout our test period, and tweaks are quick and simple via the app.
Stu has always said that Shimano had the edge over SRAM in terms of braking modulation, but that’s no longer the case. Rival AXS has taken a big step forward here.
Rival just works extremely well. It feels much more refined and high-end than previously, running smoothly and quietly while being pretty much fit and forget, except for the occasional charging of batteries. From initial setup through to riding, everything is simple and hassle-free.
Why it’s here Great ergonomics and performance, making it the market leader at this price point
Read the review
Shimano CUES U6000 Groupset (£721.90)
Shimano’s CUES U6000 groupset might be a lower-level option – on the road, it’ll replace Shimano’s 8-speed Claris, 9-speed Sora and 10-speed Tiagra groupsets over time – but don’t let that fool you; there’s nothing low-end about the performance. Borrowing ergonomics and tech straight from Shimano’s higher-level groupsets, CUES delivers quick and precise shifting and excellent hydraulic braking.
CUES is a mix-and-match range covering 1x, 2x, 9, 10 and 11-speed setups for both drop-handlebar and flat-handlebar bikes. It’s meant for real-world riders – those of us who go out in the rain, forget to clean the chain occasionally, and want our bikes to keep working anyway.
The U6000 setup that reviewer Stu Kerton used on a Canyon Endurace AllRoad bike sits between U8000 and U4000, and feels close to Tiagra level. The Linkglide drivetrain shifts a touch slower than Hyperglide, but does so smoothly and quietly, and is happy to work under load. Shimano claims the cassette lasts three times longer, which is great news if you’re on a budget.
The real stars are the shifters: 105-like ergonomics, light action, winter-glove friendliness – all at a reasonable price.
Overall, CUES U6000 is a great reminder that entry-level components can still offer a very good performance.
Why it’s here Comfortable and easy-to-use groupset that provides loads of component choices
Read the review
Cadex Amp 3D Saddle (£349.99)
Buy from Balfe’s Bikes for £297.00
The Cadex Amp 3D is a 3D-printed version of the original Cadex Amp saddle that earned a place in road.cc Recommends Components of the Year 2023/24 and yes, it’s an improvement – but is it the right saddle for you? That’ll depend.
Weighing a mere 149g on the road.cc Scales of Truth, it’s just 18g heavier than the original. That’s a tiny trade-off for the benefits of 3D printing.
The secret sauce? Cadex’s use of ‘G3D gyroid infill pattern technology’ – a wavy 2D flat surface that, by printing layer upon layer, twists into a 3D structure.
The result is improved pressure distribution and comfort, particularly for those who can appreciate the forward-shifted position of a short-nosed saddle.
As well as being very light, the Cadex Amp 3D is beautifully made with the gorgeous carbon rails providing as much sprung length as possible. It’s beautiful, functional, and undeniably high-tech.
Objectively, this is a top-tier piece of kit, but saddle comfort is highly personal. The Amp 3D is brilliant if your bike fit calls for a short-nose saddle, moving your weight forward toward the bottom bracket. If you’re unsure, get a proper fit first and work out what you need from a saddle.
Why it’s here Well-made, comfortable and fantastically light
Read the review
Ergon SR Allroad Comp Men Saddle (£99.99)
Buy from Balfe’s Bikes for £80.00
Ergon pitches its SR Allroad Comp Men as the one-saddle-to-rule-them-all for road, all-road and gravel riders, and after plenty of road blasts and gravelly adventures, reviewer Ollie Smith was won over. Designed specifically for men – the clue’s in the name – and available in two widths (the 143mm that Ollie used, plus a 151mm option), it aims to deliver all-day comfort without the numbness… and Ollie reported it a success.
The SR Allroad Comp felt comfortable straight out of the box. The central relief channel is generous enough to make you wonder why other saddles play coy, and after a couple of hours, Ollie realised that he wasn’t thinking about the saddle at all. No sit-bone pressure, no perineal grumbling – just stable pedalling.
On tarmac, the TiNox SL rails (vanadium stainless steel alloy with a small amount of titanium) and neutral profile give a supportive platform without the squishiness of some saddles that aim to deliver a high degree of comfort. Hit the rough stuff and it stays impressively composed, muting buzz without ever feeling squidgy. Okay, a gravel bike’s high-volume tyres are doing lots of work to reduce vibration, but the Ergon is certainly helping.
Set level, the Ergon SR Allroad Comp worked brilliantly for Ollie’s not-especially-aero riding style. Aggressive racers might find the nose a touch long, but you can’t argue with the comfort, quality materials or thoughtful ergonomics.
If you’re focused on balancing performance and comfort rather than saving weight or cash, this is a very good option.
Why it’s here Very good all-road/gravel option with excellent male-specific comfort and a solid build – and good value too
Read the review
Posedla Joyseat 3.0 Plus Saddle (£299)
If saddle shopping feels like a cruel game of trial and error, Posedla’s Joyseat 3.0 Plus might finally end the misery. This saddle isn’t plucked from a shelf – it’s 3D printed to your exact anatomy,
The process starts with Posedla’s Smiling Butt Kit – great name. This is a fancy slab of foam that you sit on before taking pictures of it from various angles. This is just part of the story in dialling in what the brand reckons is the perfect shape. You upload the photos online along with details about your bike, mileage, flexibility, and so on. A few weeks later, your bespoke saddle arrives, tuned to you.
Sounds like marketing fluff? Reviewer Liam Mercer found that wasn’t the case from his first ride. The Joyseat delivers superb comfort, impressive vibration damping, and support where you need it. The longer you ride, the more you’ll appreciate the wonders of the flexible lattice design. Even Liam’s 300km Icelandic epic couldn’t faze it.
At 295g and £299, the Posedla Joyseat 3.0 Plus isn’t featherweight or cheap, but that’s missing the point. This is comfort that’s engineered especially for you. It’s durable, smart, and might just be the saddle you’ve been looking for.
Why it’s here Comfortable, custom and easy to measure – if weighty
Read the review
Time ATAC XC 12 Pedals (£295)
Buy from Winstanleys Bikes for £229.99
The ATAC XC 12 is Time’s top-tier pedal for cross-country mountain biking and gravel riding, performing superbly with a titanium and carbon bling thrown in. Sitting at the top of Time’s ATAC XC lineup, it’s the lightest, sleekest, and priciest of the bunch.
All ATAC pedals share the same clever dual-sided entry and three-position tension adjustment. The XC 12 adds titanium axles, shaving a few grams and adding just enough glamour to justify the £295 price tag. Well, almost. At 240g a pair, they’re lighter than Shimano’s top-end XTR, heavier than Crankbrothers Eggbeaters, and they’re right in the sweet spot for reliability.
Clipping in delivers a positive click, even in thick mud. The standard cleats (included) offer a 13° or 17° release angle, depending on setup — and float is generous, giving knees a welcome reprieve on long rides. Engagement feels smooth and consistent, and never vague.
After months of foul-weather riding, the bearings in our review pedals were still butter-smooth and the brass cleats barely worn so we’ve got no durability worries.
It’s hard to justify the price in that the only real upgrade over the far cheaper XC 10 is a titanium axle that shaves off just 10g, but the the ATAC XC 12 delivers reliable and consistent entry and release, adjustability to suit a wide range of riders, and a cleat system that allows customisation of the release angle. Reviewer Matthew Page is a Time convert.
Why it’s here Easy to enter and exit with consistent and reliable performance, and a low weight.
Read the review
Look Keo Blade Pedals (£139.99)
Buy from Merlin Cycles for £99.00
Since 2011, Look’s Keo Blade pedals have been a mainstay in the pro peloton, and it’s easy to see why. Ditching a traditional steel spring for a carbon leaf ‘blade’ produces a pedal that’s lighter, sleeker, and supposedly more aero, now in its third major update. At 220g per pair, the Keo Blades are lighter than similarly priced rivals yet still feel rock-solid underfoot.
Clipping in is simple thanks to the rear-weighted design that presents the pedal nose-up. The supplied 3° float cleats offer quick engagement, and the large 705mm² contact patch distributes pressure evenly for comfort.
The pedals come with the 8Nm carbon blade, one of four available options, though you’ll have to pay extra if you want to swap to a 12, 16 or 20Nm blade. Reviewer Sam Smith found the 8Nm release tension to be firm enough for security, although he’d have preferred the 12Nm option for a little extra security in sprints and hard efforts.
The carbon blade subtly alters the release profile, holding your foot firmly through the initial twisting motion, then snapping free. The chances are that you won’t notice the benefit of Look’s aero tweaks (it claims a 2% gain), but these pedals certainly look cool. Durability is excellent, too; water-resistant grease and multiple seals keep grit and moisture out.
Light, stiff and comfortable to use, the Keo Blades blend style, speed and substance.
Why it’s here Light, stiff, and aero – these deliver pro-level performance, low weight, long-term durability and at a reasonable price
Read the review
HT PK02 Carbon Pedals (£99.99)
Buy from Balfe’s Bikes for £92.00
HT is better known for its mountain bike pedigree, but its PK02 Carbon pedals prove the Taiwanese brand can mix it with the big boys on the road, too. Priced at 100 quid, these Look Keo-style clip-ins weigh the same as Shimano’s Dura-Ace and Look’s Keo Blade Ceramic pedals, yet cost less than half as much. That’s fabulous value.
Installation is simple — 8mm hex key, dab of grease, job done — though there’s no flat for a pedal spanner, which might make some grumble. Engagement out of the box is on the stiff side, but once you’re clipped in, the feeling is planted and confidence-inspiring. The 760mm² surface provides a stable platform so you can really stamp on the pedals without any vagueness.
After a month of foul weather and the occasional jet-wash, reviewer Ollie Smith reported that the bearings remained silky smooth. They’re fully serviceable, too.
HT has quietly built a pedal that rivals Dura-Ace performance for way, way less money. Light, solid, and slick, the PK02s are proof that big performance doesn’t always need a big logo.
Why it’s here High quality, a very low weight, a super-low price and a performance to rival the likes of Look and Shimano
Read the review
Favero Assioma Pro RS-2 Power Pedals (£649)
Buy from Sigms Sports for £649.00
If you want accurate power measurement as you ride, the Favero Assioma PRO RS-2 pedals might be exactly what you’re after. They’re lighter than most normal (non-power measuring) pedals, cheaper than most power pedals, and you can even swap the pedal bodies to choose between road and off-road systems. These are very hard to beat.
Favero has ditched the old pod-on-the-crank look and crammed all the brains – sensors, battery, communication – into the spindle. They’re compatible with Shimano’s SPD-SL road pedal system, but if you want SPD for off-road riding instead, you just need to buy the replacement bodies (around £40 a side) and Bob’s your uncle. If you ride both on and off road, you can have one power meter to cover everything, with only mild faff required to swap between.
The data? Rock solid. Indoors and out, reviewer Dave Atkinson found that the Pro RS-2s tracked within a couple of watts of a Wattbike and sit slightly under an SRAM Rival crank meter, with discrepancies shrinking as the effort rises. In other words: when it matters, they’re bang on.
At 247g a pair, they’re lighter than Shimano’s (non-power measuring) 105 and Ultegra pedals, and also lighter than Garmin’s Rally power meter pedals, their most direct competitor. Battery life is around 60 hours (in summer conditions) – enough for most scenarios short of the whole Transcontinental Race – and the use of a magnetic charging cradle rather than a vulnerable standard port is a sensible choice.
For £649, you get accurate dual-sided power measurement, real versatility and feathery weight. You’ll need to charge them a little more frequently than some other systems, but otherwise, they’re simply superb.
Why it’s here Excellent double-sided power pedals that are light and reliable
Read the review
Ergon GP3 Evo Grips (£54.99)
Buy from Leisure Lakes Bikes for £49.49
The GP3 Evo grips bring Ergon’s comfort-focused offering for your hands into a sleeker, more eco-friendly package. Primarily intended for commuters, tourers and e-bike riders, they’re a solid upgrade if you’re looking to improve comfort and control on flat-bar bikes.
Ergon reckons its latest innovations offer “holistic relief, more control and better performance”, and in the case of the GP3 Evo grips, the marketing fluff isn’t far off.
The grips are made from SGS pollutant-free rubber, the wing-style platform spreads pressure beautifully, and the stubby bar ends give you a bonus hand position without adding much bulk. Yes, setup can be fiddly – get the angle wrong and your wrists will file a complaint – but dial it in and your wrists and palms will be forever grateful.
Out on the road and trail, they delivered exactly what Ollie Smith’s grumpy ulnar nerve had been begging for. Numbness? Gone. Tingling? Practically extinct. And even after soggy winter commutes, the rubber still looked fresh.
The GP3 Evos sit toward the top end of the ergonomic grip market in terms of price, but if you’re upgrading from something basic, they feel downright transformative. If you struggle with hand comfort on a flat-bar bike, this could be the upgrade you’re looking for.
Why it’s here Very good comfort upgrade for touring and commuting, with eco credentials and high build quality
Read the review
Pro Discover Aero Carbon Handlebar (£349)
Buy from Freewheel for £349.99
Aerodynamics aren’t just for road racers anymore – gravel riders want speed too. Enter Pro’s Discover Aero Carbon handlebar, part of its gravel-dedicated line that also includes stems and bags. Yes, it looks fast, but the real story here is how incredibly comfortable it is.
Available in 40, 42, and 44cm widths (measured at the hoods), the Pro Discover Aero Carbon handlebar features a compact 100mm drop, 72mm reach, 12° flare, and 5° backsweep. Pro describes this bar as race-focused, but it’s equally at home on adventure rides. The 40cm version weighs 276g – not featherlight, but pretty good given its sculpted form.
Installation is painless, and once wrapped, the aggressive shaping disappears visually but comes alive under your hands. The tops sweep down and outwards before rising gently into the hoods, creating a different feel from a traditional round bar. You get loads of usable hand positions, while the drops feel secure and confidence-inspiring. Comfort is the standout feature: vibration damping is superb, and long days feel smoother and less fatiguing.
Narrower options for aero-obsessives would be nice, but the Discover Aero Carbon is more than a wind-cheater. It’s a beautifully engineered bar that blends speed, comfort, and versatility in one sleek package that’s well-suited to a wide range of gravel riding, not just racing.
Why it’s here Expensive but very comfortable bar with excellent shape and vibration damping
Read the review
BBB GravelRibbon Bar Tape (£19.99)
Buy from Tweeks Cycles for £17.39
Humble handlebar tape can make a big difference to the feel of your bike, and the BBB GravelRibbon Bar Tape is thick enough to provide plenty of comfort while being grippy and durable too. It doesn’t look grubby after a few months of cycling and about the only downside is that it’s available in only three colours.
Thick, springy, and comfy, this 3mm polyurethane (PU) foam tape soaks up bumps so it’s perfect for gravel, back roads, or just surviving your local pothole parade. Reviewer Stu Kerton, who often rides glove-free in warm weather, was impressed with the comfort, even on long rides.
Grip is reliable in both wet and dry conditions. It’s not ultra-tacky, but the non-slippery surface gives you plenty of confidence, even when you’re hammering down a bumpy trail. After four months of mud, rain, gravel, and chalky tracks, the tape didn’t discolour, and mud and spray wiped off easily.
Installation is straightforward. The tape stretches enough to wrap tight curves on drop handlebars, and the backing is tacky without being overly adhesive, so you can tweak its position if you don’t get it right the first time. At 200cm per roll, there’s plenty of length for standard bars, with a little extra to spare.
In terms of price, the GravelRibbon sits squarely in the mid-range, while delivering comfort, grip, and durability.
Why it’s here Comfortable and grippy in all conditions, a doddle to fit, easy to keeping looking new – and all at a good price
Read the review
Ergon BT OrthoCell Bar Tape (£39.99)
Buy from Balfe’s Bikes for £32.00
Ergon focuses on the bits of your bike you actually touch – such as grips, saddles and pedals – and BT OrthoCell sits at the top of its handlebar tape range. This stuff isn’t cheap, but it does deliver on its promise of comfort and grip.
The OrthoCell tape is a middling thickness – 3mm – but squeeze it between your finger and thumb and you immediately notice how dense it feels. Ergon uses an orthopaedic foam that it also specs in saddles, and the material doesn’t just squash flat and dump your hands into the bar. On the road (and gravel), that translates into impressive comfort for something that isn’t overly bulky. You still feel nicely connected to your bike, just without much buzz.
Grip comes from a subtle, dotted texture rather than the super-tacky silicone feel you get from the likes of Supacaz and Lizard Skins. It gives you ample grip with or without gloves – although some people might prefer a more tacky alternative. Installation is straightforward enough – reviewer Jez Ash had enough tape to cover his 42cm handlebars with some to spare – although the adhesive backing isn’t the grippiest, so you’ll need to take care.
It’s pricey, only comes in black, and the plastic bar plugs feel a bit mean at this price. Still, if long rides on rough roads leave you looking for more comfort, the Ergon BT OrthoCell bar tape delivers plenty and lasts far longer than softer, squishier rivals.
Why it’s here Dense foam tape gives a plush ride for your hands
Read the review
Muc-Off Big Bore Lite Tubeless Valves (£40)
Buy from Cyclestore for £27.96
Muc-Off’s Big Bore Lite Tubeless Valves are well-engineered and more or less immune to getting gummed up with sealant.
The airflow through them is much higher than cored Presta valves, which can also make seating tubeless tyres less of a chore. They’re expensive, but they’re really good.
Instead of a fiddly Presta core, these use a mini stainless-steel ball valve, operated by a neat little lever. Flip it 90 degrees, and you go from sealed to “blast me with all the PSI you’ve got.” The result? Airflow that Muc-Off claims is 230% higher than a standard valve. In practice, it’s not quite compressor-free magic, but it’s a noticeable improvement – and you’ll spend less time swearing at your floor pump.
The best bit, though, is how resistant these valves are to clogging. The smooth internals and stainless-steel ball shrug off sealant buildup that would turn a normal Presta valve into a gunky nightmare. Even after weeks of mucky gravel miles, reviewer Dave Atkinson found that they still operated as smoothly as on day one.
They’re undeniably pricey – but they’re also smart and virtually immune to gumming up. If you’ve suffered one too many sealant-induced hissy fits, these valves are worth it.
Why it’s here Great engineering solution to tubeless problems built into a quality valve
Read the review
Schwalbe Clik Valve Conversion Set (£13.99)
Buy from Fawkes Cycles for £16.95
A valve conversion set among our favourite components of the year? Absolutely. It might not sound exciting, but the Schwalbe Clik Valve is the easiest and most foolproof way to inflate your bike tyres. This is an excellent way to get air where it needs to be.
Pumping air into a tyre can be fiddly with traditional systems. Enter Schwalbe’s Clik, a deceptively simple solution that was inspired by the inventor’s five-year-old son struggling with an old-style valve.
Installation is simple: unscrew your old Presta core, screw in the Clik core, and you’re done. The magic lies in a groove at the end of the valve and four spring-loaded ball bearings in the pump head. Click it on with two fingers, and air can flow; click it off, and the seal holds perfectly. No screwing, no difficulty, no sealant mess.
Releasing air is just as simple – a quick press with a fingernail or valve cap, or unscrew for rapid deflation. Clik works with most Presta pumps, and a Schrader adaptor is included. It’s faster, cleaner, and easier than anything that’s come before, and it increases airflow by a claimed 50% over a Presta valve.
For anyone with weak hands, messy sealant habits, or simply a love of zero-faff maintenance, Clik is brilliant. It’s the first genuine valve innovation in 130 years, and at a few quid per wheel, there’s no reason not to give it a whirl. You’ll be glad you did.
Why it’s here The easiest and fastest way to inflate your tyres, do-able by anyone
Read the review
