Well it’s been another great year of riding, but like anyone who lives in a colder climate my season could come to an end any day now. I’m lucky to live somewhere that affords 9-10 months of open trails, giving me plenty of time to have fun and enough of a break to get stoked again as the Spring snow melts away. As my bikes look ahead to some down time, I start looking back on all the great bikes and cycling products I tested this year.
I guess I didn’t ride anything I’d call a technological breakthrough in 2025, but I definitely rode a lot of nicely refined bikes, components and gear. It looks like there is a big development on the horizon (32” wheels anyone?) and I’ll take the chance to ride them as soon as I can. I don’t have any particular goals for next year, I just plan to ride as much as possible, test whatever bikes and gear come my way, and as always keep it fun!
About Steve
At the age of 24 I moved to British Columbia, landing in the tiny town of Pemberton (just North of Whistler). I suspected the mountains would pry me away from my BMX past and sure enough I quickly transitioned to MTB. These days I enjoy B.C.’s world class trails riding primarily long-travel trail and enduro bikes. I’m happy to pedal, but I can’t deny the joys of pedal assist so I’m equally open to testing MTBs or eMTBs.
My little town is very bike-friendly so I also like testing commuter bikes, and although Bikerumor currently has several more qualified contributors I’d be easily convinced to test more gravel bikes too.
I’m thankful that riding MTB keeps me in good shape, and I enjoy it enough to ‘work out’ for fun. However, despite my best efforts I am getting older! My goals have changed from pushing my limits to getting through full seasons without injuring myself, but I’m still motivated and I expect to keep riding for years to come!
Best Experience
Mega Volt
This year it was easy to pick my best experience, as I finally participated in a cycling event! After a few years of encouragement from BC Bike Race and Mega Volt ambassador Andreas Hestler, I made the trip to the Mega Volt eMTB event in Naramata, B.C. With options to choose how competitive or casual you’d like to be, this was an ideal low pressure event for a first-timer.
I took the casual route and approached Mega Volt as an opportunity to explore a new trail network with a huge group of eMTB riders. I did attempt the hill climb challenge and the on-trail scavenger hunt, but I opted against the fondo ride and enduro race. If I go to Mega Volt again, I would compete more next time. There are lots of prizes to be won, and the more you participate the better your chances get. Also, with an eMTB assisting, you don’t have to be a superstar athlete to complete all the events. I had a great time at Mega Volt riding fun trails, meeting new riders, hobnobbing with sponsored pros, and checking out the scenic, vineyard-filled Naramata bench.
Bonus news: The Mega Volt organizers recently announced they’re holding two events in 2026 in new locations: One in Cowichan Valley (Vancouver Island) and another in Squamish, B.C.!
Mountain Bikes
Editor’s Choice – Devinci Troy Carbon GX AXS 12s
The MTB I really enjoyed riding this year was Devinci’s Troy Carbon GX AXS 12s. Offering 150/160mm travel, it’s a suitable bike for my local trails and its frame geometry happens to be almost exactly what I’d request if I had a frame custom built. I’ve ridden a few Devinci bikes now and I really like their Split-Pivot suspension linkage; It won’t wallow too deep into it’s travel during climbs, but it handles all kinds of bumps very nicely on descents. Devinci has tuned their linkage to absorb small or big impacts smoothly without losing a supportive mid-stroke, so the Troy retains a pleasantly playful ride.
The Troy’s flip-chip offers two geo settings with the bike’s stock MX wheelset or provides the option to run 29” wheels. The Troy Carbon also offers handy features like the SHED in-frame storage compartment, ample room for water bottles, and UDH compatible dropouts. As a smaller rider, I really appreciate that Devinci kept the complete bike’s weight quite reasonable at 33.95lbs with pedals! After riding the Troy Carbon, it’s now a top contender for whenever I replace my current trail bike.
eMTBs
Editor’s Choice – Rocky Mountain Instinct Powerplay SL
I’ve ridden several of Rocky Mountain’s eMTBs now, and the Instinct Powerplay SL easily impressed me the most so far. While the other models I rode all offered loads of power, I experienced multiple technical issues with them. I put a ton of mileage on the Instinct Powerplay SL this year, and it only produced two minor faults which were both solved without a shop visit or replacement parts.
The Instinct Powerplay SL’s range was very impressive. It’s 480Wh battery is big for a mid-powered bike, and it provides enough juice for two decent rides on a single charge… or one long day on the trails. As for power, I felt the Instinct Powerplay SL offered enough to ride anything before the firmware update came along… then that boosted the bike to a 700W/75Nm max output! With the update this bike gets close to matching the specs on full powered eMTBs, but it weighs 45lbs! Also, the update didn’t reduce the bike’s range by much. If you feel the need for more battery capacity, the OvertimePack 2.0 range extender is available.
The Instinct Powerplay SL’s suspension offers solid all-around performance, and it’s 145mm rear travel never felt lacking on my rough local trails. This bike offers lots of geometry adjustability between the Ride 4 chip and reach adjust headset cups, it can run 29” or MX wheelsets, and I like how the on-board electronics don’t use an app – All operations, settings and adjustments are done via the Jumbotron display unit and Micro Remote controller.
Honorable Mention – E-Spartan Lite GX AXS 12s
Devinci’s E-Spartan Lite is a solid eMTB, but what impressed me most about it was how the bike itself rides. The E-Spartan Lite is on the heavier side for a mid-powered eMTB, but much like the Troy Carbon, Devinci’s Split-Pivot linkage offers a very playful ride which makes the bike feel lighter on the trail than it actually is. The 165/170mm travel E-Spartan Lite offers the seemingly impossible opposite qualities of sucking up rough terrain like a dream, yet it pumps, pops and hops down trails surprisingly well.
The E-Spartan Lite’s frame geometry offers a slack head tube, short chainstays and a reach that’s roomy but not excessive. The MX wheelset also helps this big bike maintain agility and cornering prowess.
The Bosch Performance Line SX drive system performed without fault, and offers ample power for any trail. It’s 400Wh battery will get you through one long ride, but it won’t get you through two rides unless they’re short laps. One nice touch to the GX AXS 12s build is how the rear derailleur is wired into the bike’s main battery. You never have to worry about charging a separate AXS battery, and if you run the main battery down to 2% it cuts assist power and saves a little juice so you can shift gears while pedalling home.
eBikes
Editor’s Choice – Priority Current Plus
In addition to riding trail/enduro bikes, I pedal around my home town quite a bit in the summer so I enjoy testing commuter bikes as well. This year Priority Bicycles sent me a Current Plus to ride, and it proved to be a great e-commuter bike with a comfortable riding position.
The Current Plus’ 720Wh battery provided an impressive range of roughly 50-60 miles, so you can do plenty of shorter rides between charges. The mid-drive motor boasts a 500W/140Nm output, and had no problem shooting me up the steepest roads in my town. A 5-speed Shimano Nexus rear hub offers adequate gear range for any typical commuter needs. This bike does have a throttle too, so you can let the motor carry you along when desired.
All of Priority’s bikes run Gates belt drive systems, and I’ve ridden a few now with no problems whatsoever. The belts run smoothly and quietly, and not worrying about staining your pants with oil or snagging them in a chainring is nice!
Priority’s display unit is easy to read, the controller is simple, and I had no mechanical issues with the bike or it’s electronics. My only gripe with the Current Plus is that it doesn’t perform well in it’s Class 3 configuration. As a Class 2 bike it’s great, but despite its powerful motor it struggles to deliver Class 3 mode’s 28mph top speed and the throttle cuts out at 20mph.
Components
Editor’s Choice – Continental Kryptotal tires
This year I got my first chance to ride Continental tires. At Crankworx Whistler, Continental set up a crew of media with their Kryptotal tires, and they quickly won me over. The Kryptotals are a grippy, aggressive MTB tread that’s suitable for mixed terrain.
The Kryptotals climbed fairly well, offering decent rolling speed and coming in at pretty reasonable weights. On descents, their grip proved excellent on rough surfaces like chunky slabs or rooty sections, and l noticed how well they maintained traction on sketchy terrain like rock slabs covered in loose gravel. The big knobs also offered plenty of braking power, and dug into deep dust really well. The Kryptotals weren’t particularly amazing in wet conditions, but they were comparable to other popular trail/enduro tires.
I rode a pair of Kryptotals with Continental’s Enduro casings. These casings include Apex sidewall protection, and they impressed me by offering a supportive feel and solid rim protection. I’ll be stoked to ride these tires more next Spring!
Editor’s Choice – SRAM Maven Ultimate brakes
Oh the power! Despite having some issues with setup and reliability, I am still giving SRAM’s Maven Ultimate brakes an Editor’s Choice award for their sheer power and how awesome it is to ride with them. I’ve had the Mavens on my bike for two years now, and they’re my favorite reason to ride my own bike when I’m not testing something new.
My Mavens did take two bleeds from a skilled mechanic to perform without the bite point migrating in and out, but after the second bleed they stayed perfect for quite some time. Aside from an annoying issue where both brakes developed bubbles during a heli ride (which thankfully corrected itself after we descended a bit), I have continued riding the brakes without any further maintenance.
You’ve got to love a component that changes the way you ride, and the Mavens do! What I love most is how much less time my fingers spend squeezing the levers. In a split second, the powerful Mavens can slow you down as much as dragging many other brakes for a few seconds would. Immediately I found myself braking later when approaching corners. I also love how little effort it takes at the levers to brake hard, and the fact that they still modulate well (once you adjust to how quickly the power ramps up).
Honorable Mention – Maxxis Dissector tires
I was very impressed with the new Dissector tires from Maxxis, but I will admit they’re not the most suitable pair for where I ride so I’m giving them an honorable mention. My area justifies aggressive, knobby tires, but I am considering keeping a Dissector on my rear wheel since they do offer good traction and better rolling speed than most trail/enduro treads.
One thing I liked about the new Dissector is how Maxxis updated the design to address rider feedback; The outgoing Dissector was apparently not the best for consistent traction while leaning into turns, but the new tire is actually great in this regard. I found turning felt very smooth and predictable, plus traction was solid at any lean angle.
I also have to appreciate a product that performs well beyond what it’s intended for. The Dissector is said to excel in dry, hardpack conditions but I wound up riding them on plenty of damp or wet days. While they won’t rival a knobbier tire or a wet-weather specific tread, the Dissectors were surprisingly planted on damp roots and they stuck to soft dirt really nicely.
On-Bike Accessories
Editor’s Choice – Full On Lighting MB6 light
Since my first night ride, I’ve been a fan of shredding in the dark. After spotting Full-On Lighting’s MB6 light at Crankworx Whistler last year, I got the chance to try one out throughout this riding season. As Full-On Lighting’s debut product, the MB6 offers a powerful output maxing out at 6000 lumens with a wide beam that lights up the trail and surrounding forest.
Full-On’s MB6 kit includes all the pieces you need for helmet or on-bike mounting, including a nice aluminum mount that centers the light over your stem. The battery charges in two hours, and shows its life as a percentage so it’s easy to monitor… if it’s on your top tube. More run time in its highest power setting would be great (I got about an hour and a half), but the medium setting puts out 3800 lumens and it runs for two hours. There’s also a 1500 lumen mode which is ample for climbing and will extend the battery life greatly.
I had no functional issues with the MB6, and I had a ton of fun night riding this year with this powerful light!
Bike Racks
Editor’s Choice – Thule Verse 2 hitch rack
Last fall I had to replace my car, and wound up with the chance to buy something I always wanted – An Infiniti G35. I was stoked to bring this sporty sedan home, but I knew it would need a bike rack. Thankfully Thule set me up with a Verse 2 hitch rack to test, and it’s proven to be a great product.
The Verse 2 was easy to assemble and is easy to load and operate. Securing a bike takes seconds, and you don’t have to lift the bike very high. My bikes always stayed perfectly secure on the rack, and the rack snugs up tightly inside your hitch to minimize wiggling. While this rack won’t work for bikes with fenders, it was compatible with a few different MTBs/eMTBs and my commuter bike with minimal adjustments. The Verse 2 carried the Rocky Mountain Instinct Powerplay SL on a 12 hour round trip this summer – I came home with complete confidence in it and I expect it to hold up for many more years of use.
Clothing and Gear
Editor’s Choice – FiveTen Freerider Pro BOA
Being the most established flat-pedal shoe brand in MTB (and operating under the ownership of athletic shoe giant Adidas) I was hardly surprised FiveTen’s Freerider Pro BOA shoes did their job well. I’ve rarely heard complaints about FiveTen shoes, and the Freerider Pro BOAs upheld my expectations.
First off, FiveTen’s signature sole offers a great amount of support and excellent pedal grip. The Freerider Pro BOA is also very weather resistant, and proved to be highly durable. After riding all year in mine, they’re still in near-perfect shape and the soles have only lost a marginal amount of stiffness. The big addition to this tried-and-true shoe was the BOA system; I liked its easy, quick operation and I had no functional problems with it. The BOA dial is a nice upgrade for this proven trail shoe.
Honorable Mention – Tifosi Moab sunglasses
Cycling is not an inexpensive sport, but thankfully there are brands like Tifosi who seek to deliver good quality products at reasonable prices. Early this year I got to test the Moab sunglasses and I had a hunch I’d be perfectly happy with them, despite their far lower price tag than most major eyewear brands.
For just $80 the Moab Interchange sunglasses include three lenses, a soft bag and a rigid carrying case. The frames are made from the same material as pricier competitors, and the lenses are optically decentered. The lenses are also shatterproof, scratch resistant and protect against UVA/UVB rays.
Most importantly, the sunglasses and lenses perform well on-trail. I had no issues with condensation, the glasses were comfortable and stayed in place, and the Moab’s field-of-view is huge. The model I tested included a clear, a low-light and a shaded lens, so they’re potentially useful in all weather conditions. All that for $80? Thanks Tifosi!
Parting Thoughts
Two things come to mind for this year’s parting thoughts, but let’s start with the more exciting one. 32” wheels are on the way! Bikerumor just covered the Actofive I-Train 32, the first full-suspension trail-focused MTB to be sold with them. DT Swiss was involved in this bike’s development so they could start studying how to build trail worthy 32” MTB wheels. We’ve also seen more than one 32” tire from Maxxis either fully developed or spied as prototypes. What’s also interesting is the first 32” trail MTB will debut with a 32/29” mullet option, so that’s already a thing too.
So will 32” wheels get widely adopted? Will they only hit the mark for XC/Trail riders, or will they move up the gnarly scale to enduro or even downhill bikes? Are they simply too big for shorter riders? I guess we’ll find out in the next few years!
On a less positive note, it’s been a tough year for many in the bike industry. Is anyone else going bust in 2026? After bankruptcies and near shutdowns of several significant cycling brands things are looking a bit scary. Between post-covid problems, severe tariffs or random tariff threats from the US government, and rampantly rising costs of everything I’m hoping the bike industry rolls along without losing any players, whether big brands or boutique builders.
Happy trails to all in 2026!
-Steve
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 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.
