There was so much new gear, race action, and ground-breaking happenings in 2024 that I’m just starting to process everything. It was a banner year for cycling, racing especially. The Olympic years are always good for new tech and outrageous pricing in the cycling world. All the fans cross their fingers and hope that new tech leads to a victory for their favorite rider (Victor Koretzky over here). While others sit back and wait till the latest and greatest trickles down to a palatable price.
With all the racing, tire companies out-sizing each other, and the rise of the robots (in our shifting only, hopefully), 2024 was one heck of a year as a cycling fan.
About Jordan Villella
“Hi, I’m Jordan!” I’m Racing Tech Editor at Bikerumor.com. I’m the one who is voted most likely to wear a skin suit in the group ride, can talk for hours about pre/during/post ride nutrition and loves a good CRR graph. I’m also a cycling coach with Cycle-Smart, so I love to see how a refined racing machine complements a well-tuned athlete.
No matter racing, training, or parking lot beers, my hands-down favorite thing about cycling is the community. It’s one that I’m proud to be a part of and that I cherish with every outing. So, no matter how many gears you have, what kit you’re wearing, or your ride goals, watch out for each other. On the road and in the forests, we’re all we have.
I wish you all a happy and safe New Year filled with no bonks, fewer flats, and lots of great coffee — Now, onto the gear!
Event of the Year: Iron Maiden – Future Past Tour
If you asked me the best event I attended this year, unfortunately, it wasn’t bike-related. It was taking my son to see Iron Maiden on the Future Past Tour. Heavy metal, punk, and the live music scene are a large part of my life. Taking my oldest to see a live show of one of the greatest to take the stage was a bucket list moment for me. It was also one of the few last shows Nicko McBrain would play live with the band, and that made it extra special after the fact.
My son’s favorite part of the night? Seeing Bruce Dickinson fight Eddie.
My favorite part of the night? I looked over and saw my son’s eyes huge with excitement as the band took the stage, his first big concert, and it was a classic.
Best BIKE Event: ENVE Grodeo
For those who don’t know, the ENVE Grodeo is a gravel ride from the ENVE HQ in Ogden, UT, and covers nearly every fun terrain you’d want to ride a bike on. The ride is fun, with enough challenging sections and technical bits to keep the seasoned pro honest. But with rest stops enticing enough to make you actually get off your bike and interact with the people around you. My favorite was the axe-throwing rest stop… that was awesome.
The best part was ending the ride at the ENVE HQ and getting a tour of the carbon room and creation process. No, it wasn’t because “I was with the press.” Everyone who attended the ride was given a tour. It was nice to see the people you were ripping down mountainsides with, giving tours of their workstations and wheel-building processes. For those looking for a ride that’s out of a usual mix of events, the ENVE Grodeo is a must-attend.
Road Bike Editor’s Choice: Sage Skyline
I don’t get to ride titanium bikes often, I usually get carbon aero-race gear. That’s great, don’t get me wrong, but when the Sage Skyline bike review came in, I was hooked. The bike is a classic titanium build with round, robust tubes and a modern clearance for larger tires. The bike offers an incredible lively ride sensation while being responsive enough to race.
The comfort and feel of the slight vibration rolling on the tarmac made this bike stand out in my review catalog this season. Sage is a great company; I’ve loved their bikes for a while. This is just the first of their road bikes I’ve ridden. I hope to ride more in the future, and you should check them out if you’re in the market for a titanium bike, no matter the discipline.
Mountain Bike Editor’s Choice: Lauf Elja
The Lauf Elja is a unique bike, not only in its looks but also in its ride quality. The silhouette is more of a retro chainstay-less design; some feel weird about it. I think it looks fantastic and makes the bike feel less “serious.” That’s the whole vibe of the Elja. It’s unassuming, fast, and a heck of a lot of fun.
When riding the Elja on my home trails, I found myself taking different lines, playing more, and with more confidence. Yes, the 2.6″ tires help, but the Elja ride is playful, but when you wanna go hard, it can deliver. The spec for my “race build” is precisely what I’d want, and the SRAM Flight Attendant suspension with 120mm of travel front and rear is more than enough to get rowdy (I don’t get that rowdy, actually).
Best Kid’s Editor’s Choice: Giant Faith
The Giant Faith was my son’s first real experience on a full-suspension bike. He’s ridden them around but never fully embraced the “bouncy” feeling. Plus, the ones he rode were small adult bikes, not really “made for kids.” So when the Giant Faith came into review, I was curious to see how he would like it.
It was heavier than his hardtail (which he loves) and had more controls, but it was like a “magic carpet” in the woods. The suspension was more sensitive to his small stature, and everything from the dropper to the grips was kid-focused.
I personally like the extra confidence it gave him on the trails. The pedaling platform didn’t have him struggling on the uphills. Plus the spec was finely tuned for what a kid would like, and priced for a parent to replace when need be. The bike is perfectly shreddable and an excellent jumping-off point for intense trail riding.
Component Editor’s Choice: SRAM RED XPLR
As I mentioned on the BikeRumor podcast, one of my favorite pieces of kit this year was the new SRAM RED XPLR. It’s not only because the RED XPLR groupset performs so well. It’s because this group hopefully means a step in the right direction for SRAM road groupsets.
When SRAM re-designed the RED group, I was super excited. I didn’t like the older design, especially the brake feel. The new RED groupset, however, seemed to have skipped a few generations, and landed right in a sweet spot of comfort on the road and functionality off-road.
The shifting is accentuated by the meeting of SRAM’s transmission mountain bike tech and updated lever design. Having 13 gears isn’t the piece that sells the RED XPLR group, but it helps immensely in its cause. I sincerely hope that we will see an updated SRAM Force XPLR and APEX in the future. This tech should be enjoyed by all who want it, not just the race crowd.
Headunit Editor’s Choice: Garmin 1050
Over the year, I’ve spent time on many different head units: the WAHOO Ace, the COROS DURA, and lots of smartwatches. The one that keeps coming back on my bike is the Garmin 1050. It has features, including waze-like trail/road issue reporting and excellent mapping. Plus, it has a bell! Yes, it’s not without issues; the battery life isn’t great, and I’d love to see it have a solar panel – but maybe for 2025. The Garmin 1050 has been my ride-or-die for the 2024 season on MTB (it’s too big for most MTB, but…I like it), road (perfect sizing), and gravel (awesome).
Road Tire Editor’s Choice: Pirelli P Zero Race RS
The road tire I spent most of my time on this season is the Pirelli P Zero Race RS. It’s super fast rolling, comfortable in the bumpiest conditions (size dependent), and I didn’t have a flat all season. I’ve been a fan of Pirelli tires since they came back into the cycling world, and the P Zero has been my go-to road race tire for the past two seasons.
When the P Zero Race RS arrived, it was like riding the tires I was used to, but faster and gripper. What’s not to love? Well… the price, but you can’t win them all.
Gravel Tire Editor’s Choice: Hutchinson Caracal
Depending on what kind of gravel adventure or race you’re rolling will dictate your tire. For me, I spent lots of time on mixed gravel with plenty of hard-packed and road sections thrown in. The perfect companion for those days was the Hutchinson Caracal gravel tire.
The 40mm size was just enough volume for my type of riding, and it rolls effortlessly on the road. The size knobs are just enough to rip some single track or pull you out of a deep quicksand (gravel?) and bite into the soggy earth.
Hutchinson had three excellent releases in 2024, all of which exceeded my expectations, especially the Python 3 and Python Race Tire. I hope to see this trend (and supply in the USA) continue into the next year with another classic company returning.
Mountain Bike Tire Editor’s Choice: Maxxis Aspen ST
You know the Maxxis Aspen ST tire if you watch World Cup XCO racing. It’s the one you wanna ride, but they didn’t have it available for you to purchase – because it’s “pro-only”. All that changed this season when they finally made stock for the masses. I was eager to get my hands on a set, and it didn’t disappoint me. The tire is fast, super fast, and it’s an absolute ripper in the right conditions (if you can control it).
The additional suppleness is notable, and the voluminous casing is a great mix with modern cross-country racing. Unfortunately, the wear isn’t that great (it’s a race tire, so Im not bummed), and the price is bonkers, but….man, is it a fast, fun tire. It definitely should be on the short list of cross-country, short-track, and gravel racers looking to squeeze out the most speed (fun) they can on race day.
Helmet Editor’s Choice: Canyon Disruptr CFR
I’m going to get flack for this, but I like it. The new Canyon Disruptr CFR helmet with the HighBar system was one of my most worn helmets this season. Why? First off, I liked showing off the unique buckle and the “check this out” look I’d get from some “too cool for school roadies.” But I did (do) like the design, and I feel that the HighBar system has promise.
The unique design is an acquired taste, but I can see it gaining speed in the commuter market and other segments of the sport. I like the fit, the shape of the Disruptr CFR helmet, and the sunglass ports. Win.
Subscription of the Year: Fuel Goods
For the most part, I think I have my ear to the ground and know about the “cool kit” coming in the sports and nutritional realms. It turns out… I don’t know, and one place that reminds me monthly is Fuel Goods Rider Boxes. About a year ago, I got a Rider Box (from Fuel Goods) and was introduced to the next awesome tea, hydration mix, gels, chocolate, and more. Every month, I would get these treasures, some I knew and some that were extra to me. I didn’t know I would be into some of the pieces in the box, but now I am searching out (like sip-able soup in the holiday box).
The Fuel Goods boxes aren’t about getting you hooked on new brands or products. They support the month and the activity you’re doing. The newest Holiday Box is an excellent example of that. It arrived with some chocolate (excellent) but also some Ginger Chews, hangover helper (thanks!), and a parade of energy bars and gels (including my favorite TORQ). If you want to meet Fuel Goods’s owners, check out the BikeRumor Podcast. I sit with the team and chat about Gravel Race Fueling and hydration. Highly recommended as a gift for the cyclist or adventurous person in your life.
Cool Gear Editor’s Choice: Nix BioSensor
Nix Biosensor is a sweat monitor that is “kinda” like a CGM, except it doesn’t penetrate your skin. It creates a layer around the skin and takes samples of sweat, anything for sweat rate and concentration. The companion app will give recommendations and analysis after the ride (and during).
The cool thing is you don’t need to wear it all the time. You can do rides where you take samples, dial in your electrolytes and sodium, and test again. For athletes looking to dial in their hydration for long events or are experiencing cramps (raises hand), it’s worth a try, and you can pass it around to your crew to share the knowledge.
Bike Rack Editor’s Choice: Velocirax Tilt and Pivot
With all the bikes coming in and out of our place during the year (including our personal bikes), it’s hard to find a reliable and durable bike rack for family use. We moved this year, and it was a chance to start over bike rack-wise, so I went in a new direction.
I bought a Velocirax 8-bike wall rack for my garage. It wasn’t cheap, but I figured I was in business if it held up as good as the car rack. The installation was super easy, and I’m no Al Borland (90s kids get that joke). The rack itself is super beefy and clean-looking. It can take a multitude of differing bikes and different wheel sizes. Plus, I can shuffle through each bike without scratching them. Something that was always a challenge with my homemade hanging bike rack I had previously. After nearly a year of use, I’m excited about my decision. Highly recommended.
Mountain Bike Wheelset Editor’s Choice: Roval Control SL Team Issue
I’m very familiar with the Roval MTB wheel family. I’ve raced the Roval Control SLs for the past couple (5 years), and they are my go-to race wheels. So when Roval updated them, I wondered how. They didn’t do much, but they made them lighter and gave them an excellent kit package and presentation.
The hubs are silver bling and have each Specialized Factory Racing team member’s signature. The carbon spokes are the same ones used on the Roval Team Edition road wheels. However, the best and most prominent selling feature of the Roval Team Edition Control SL wheels is the extra bits. The wheels arrive with a second set of ceramic speed bearings, replacement spokes, Specializes Fast Track Tires, and much more.
Road Wheels Editor’s Choice: Mavic Mavic Allroad SL
2024 was a big year for Mavic, especially in the USA. The French brand opened a USA office in 2023 and has been trucking since. One of the most iconic pieces I see from Mavic is their alloy road wheels. I raced on a set of Ksysim SL wheels for years, and they were my babies. I fell in love with the ride of Mavic wheels, and when I rode the Mavic All Road SL wheels, I was reunited with that feeling.
The Allroad SL wheels are reminiscent of the yellow age of wheels (minus the single yellow spoke). They are light and dependable, and now, thanks to a US presence with Mavic, replacement parts are readily available. Now that carbon has replaced high-end alloy, the high-end alloy Mavic creations are best served with unpaved roads, slight gravel, and the path less traveled. I’m excited to see what they have in store for 2025 and beyond.
Now — on to 2025!
Each of these products was entirely chosen purely on their technical merits, by me personally, and for the reasons described above. More great products passed through my hands in 2024. Under no circumstances were any of my picks, paid for by their producers. Nor was any preference or favor given to the brand or advertiser. My selections are mostly (but not exclusively) limited to products I’ve actually spent time riding/testing in person. So a brand’s willingness to invite Bikerumor to join a launch event, or to provide product samples can make it more likely that we will have considered their products, if only because we can share our real, firsthand experiences.
