As both a rider and a racer, I like having a goal, something clear to aim for. That big annual target is what keeps me heading out when the weather is grim and the sofa is tempting. So, when that main goal of the year falls in February and goes completely tits up, it could easily mark the start of a bad year. As it turned out, from a riding and events perspective, it’s actually been a very good one.
- SRAM Eagle 90, Leatt’s affordable clothing, Hunt’s modern gravel wheels and more: off.road.cc’s Gear of the Year 2025
- 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
- The Canyon Spectral AL, Yeti LTe, Halo’s Skelta wheels and more: Liam Mercer’s Gear of the Year 2025
I finished the season as Welsh V40+ Mountain Bike Champion, despite our car being broken into the night before and a load of kit being stolen. Huge thanks to Matt and Aelwen for sorting shoes and kit at short notice. Later in the year, after taking cyclocross semi-seriously for the first time, and still riding a mountain bike, I finished third at the Welsh Championships. There were some solid endurance highlights too, including clawing back the FKT on the Traws Eryri route by just a few minutes, although I’m sure Metheven is already plotting how to take it back.
Results aren’t everything, even for me. I’ve been lucky to enjoy some genuinely memorable rides this year, even if there were far fewer overnight bikepacking trips than in previous seasons. My main target was the Atlas Mountain Race, and while I didn’t finish, Morocco left a huge impression. I’d love to return simply to ride rather than race; the scenery is stunning, and the people are fantastic.
A personal highlight has been watching my son grow and starting to go on proper off-road rides. He’s now reached an age and height that allows him to move to 24” wheels. While the Trek Wahoo 24 Trail isn’t my Bike of the Year, it deserves a special mention as it let us ride our first true MTB trail centre together and left him itching to do more.
My plans for 2026 aren’t finalised yet, but I love all things Italian, pizza, pasta, ice cream and coffee, and I love gravel. A trip to the UCI qualifier in Sardinia (Sardegna) in May is a strong possibility.
Gravel bike of the Year – Whyte Verro
Whyte has been away from gravel bikes in a serious way for a while, but the Verro is an impressive return to form. It’s the little things that make it special, with subtle design touches that make a tangible difference. It rides brilliantly on almost any surface, but especially if your idea of gravel extends beyond smooth forest tracks.
It’s competitively priced with a versatile specification, suitable for general riding, bikepacking or longer events with extra bottle cages.
Riding it has been an absolute blast. Since testing it, it has become the benchmark against which I measure other bikes, and it is very tough to beat for fun or value.
Check out the Whyte Verro review for my full thoughts.
Clothing of the year – Albion Allroad Winter Bib Tights
Staying comfortable through winter is key to enjoying rides and maintaining motivation. The Albion Allroad Winter Bib Tights are my go-to for all conditions, rain or cold. The fabric and panel placement don’t restrict movement, while keeping out the worst of the weather. The additional rear pockets with side access are well-sized and positioned, outperforming other bibtights I’ve used.
They are expensive, but comparable to other top brands. For me, these are the winter bib tights of choice. Check out the Albion Allroad Winter Bib Tights review for more.
Shoes of the Year – Lake MX333
The cycling industry seems to be waking up to the fact that a shoe should fit your foot, not force your foot into it. Lake has traditionally catered to riders with wider or irregular feet, but their shoes also deliver for standard shapes, with half-sizes and multiple widths available.
The MX333 is an off-road, race-ready shoe with a stiff carbon sole, comfortable upper and wide Li2-Boa spacing for precise adjustment. Heat-moulding in the upper further improves the fit. For cyclocross, I’ve added Lake cross-specific spikes, which are more like blades for traction on running sections. The only downside is that the Clarino microfiber upper is harder to clean when they get muddy, although a Helcor leather option is available.
For more details, click over to the Lake MX333 shoe review.
Wheelset of the Year – Hunt Proven Race XC UD Carbon Spoke
Incredibly lightweight, with impressive lateral stiffness and surprisingly comfortable, the Proven Race XC UD Carbon Spoke wheels from Hunt have been superb. I’ve used them in a huge variety of riding, from the Atlas Mountain Race to local muddy cyclocross, as well as more general mountain bike riding, and they spin beautifully without requiring servicing so far.
Any concerns over carbon-spoked wheels would be understandable given that the technology is still new, but my experience has been entirely positive.
For a closer look, here’s the Hunt Proven Race XC UD Carbon Spoke wheelset review.
Accessory of the Year – Prestacycle Prestaflator GO
Rechargeable inflators have been the standout product category of 2025, and I’ve been fortunate enough to test several. With plenty more expected to land, we set up a test designed to let us assess and directly compare every pump that comes through for review.
The Prestacycle Prestaflator GO scored well in the inflation tests, but the reason I reach for it above the other pumps I’ve tested is down to a combination of the results from the testing and the design. The solid metal body and the placement of the buttons and screen make it feel solid, and genuinely simple and intuitive to use.
Feeling deflated? Read more about the Prestacycle Prestaflator GO.
Tyre of the Year – Schwalbe Rick XC
I’ve tested several excellent tyres this year, but the Rick XC stands out for versatility. It’s essentially a chunky XC race tyre, yet it handles less than bone-dry conditions exceptionally well. Despite a thin carcass, it has proven reliable over thousands of kilometres of riding, adventures and races, offering a smooth, quiet ride.
If you’re in the market for some killer XC rubber, get more info in the Schwalbe Rick XC review.
Component of the Year – Time ATAC XC 12 Pedals
Switching to a new pedal system is always a gamble, especially if you have multiple bikes. I’ve bounced between Shimano, Crank Brothers and various LOOK models over the years, before finally settling on Time pedals. The ATAC XC 12, the top-of-the-range model, works brilliantly in all conditions, offering reliable clip-in and adjustability via pedal and cleat. I only wonder why it took me so long to switch.
Get all of my thoughts over in the Time ATAC XC 12 review.
