For the folks who are new here or are just starting to read my blatherings, I’m the Lycra guy on staff. Voted most likely to show up to the group ride in a matching kit, an aero helmet, and ask everyone what pressure they’re running. That said, I’m also the race guy; I love talking about the newest, latest, and greatest, oddest-looking kit that comes through the door.
About Jordan Villella
When I’m not writing about gear or racing, I’m out training or riding with my friends and athletes. I coach for Cycle-Smart, where I work with amateurs, professionals, and everyone in between to find their best cycling selves. Cycling is my life, and my work, and I’m very grateful for it.
Besides cycling, my other passions are music and playing the drums. I love going to shows with my family and introducing my kids to the music that shaped who I am (mostly punk and heavy metal, with some ska).
Most weekends, you can find me at my local trails, helping out with Hollow Oak Land Trust, out racing, or enjoying the outdoors with my family.
Year Recap: 2025
2025 was wild; this was the year I said “yes” instead of overthinking everything… like, wanna do a gravel race that you didn’t train for? Yes. Wanna go on a ride that has more cafe stops than miles? Yes. Wanna do a 5-day MTB stage race in Iceland… YES!
In 2025, I made a promise to myself to step out of my comfort zone and a highly predictable yearly flow. I planned to step back from the super-serious side of my cycling life and take time to enjoy the ride. To spend more time enjoying the process, and less time rushing through the year from race to race, deadline to deadline.
Some of the ride was relaxing and beautiful, something you’d never see rushing the pace… other parts were pure pain, but I’m grateful for every mile.
Event of the Year: RIFT MTB
I received a call early in 2025 asking me if I would be interested in racing the inaugural RIFT MTB, a five-day MTB stage race in Iceland. This call put my new promise to the test, baptism by fire style. I called my own bluff and signed up, thinking, “That sounds like a problem for August Jordan.”
As August approached, I grew more and more excited, already ticking off small yet awesome new cycling endeavors on my list. But I would be lying if I didn’t have a big red circle around the RIFT dates on my calendar.
As the date arrived, I found myself in a place I’ve rarely been. Not nervous on the start line, but excited. Surrounded by all manner of racers and the world cycling community, hell-bent on having the best experience possible. And let me tell you, the RIFT provides.
Over five days of racing, battling, surviving, and some hiking – I reconnected with the bike in a way I wasn’t expecting. The race took riders through some of the most magnificent parts of Iceland, some of which you can only see on foot or by bike. All the while, you’re making connections with your race mates and eating together nightly, traveling together by bus to off-site send-offs, and commiserating about the last couple of miles in the rain.
The race covers nearly every terrain that you can imagine: pavement, gravel, artificial trails, bike parks, lava, sheep trails, and everything in between. Each stage delivered a different flavor; some were short and sharp. Others were like a mythical quest, riding through the fog with our steeds, never knowing what would come next.
The event was a master class in planning. No one got lost, only one broken bone among all the racers, and lots of support both mechanically and spiritually. It’s an experience I’ll never forget, and one I’m deeply honored to be part of. Check out: Rift-MTB for more info.
Editor’s Choice / The Bike I Rode the Most: Colnago G4-X
Every year, there is a bike that clicks with me, like we’re kindred spirits. It’s like that scene in Avatar where they bond with the animals and become one… that’s me. That bike this year for me was the Colnago G4-X.
I didn’t give it a “best of” notation because I used it for everything, and, truthfully, it was released last year… so I’m not 100% it qualifies. But I used it too much not to mention. Plus, it took a long time for our review bike to arrive, so I’m calling it good.
The G4-X is billed as a gravel bike, and it’s a great one. Hell, Florian Vermeersch rode it to a gravel world championship this year. It’s stiff, versatile, and predictable. I’ve ridden it with nearly all my gravel test gear, and everything shines when paired with the bike’s stunning paint job.
But it’s also a good cyclocross bike. I used it throughout our Cycle-Smart camps and training this season. Plus, Ryan Kamp uses it as his race bike, and he’s having a good season, so it’s not holding anyone back.
What about all the roads? Yeah, that too. I hooked it up with a double-front-ring setup, and we hit the road and logged tons of training miles together to prep for the RIFT MTB. I love it because it sticks out; it’s an elegant frame paired with a classic ride. It’s stiffer than any gravel bike I’ve ridden, and that helps its multifaceted performance.
Editor’s Choice Mountain Bike: Ari Signal Peak 3.0
I’ve always thought ARI offered excellent bikes. They find the right niche of outstanding performance and value. However, they never really had a full-on carbon race bike that fit my style and riding preferences. But when I saw the ARI Signal Peak 3.0 on paper, I was like… whoa. It was a mix of my favorite attributes from different manufacturers, but delivered with a true ARI spin.
The ARI Signal Peak 3.0 is a race bike through and through; it can climb, descend, and get rowdy with the best of them. The geometry is the right mix of how you want a modern race bike to feel. Fast but not twitchy, and planted while you’re carving the corners.
One of my favorite characteristics of the Signal Peak 3.0 was the seated climbing. I always had a good sensation over the pedals, not sliding forward on the saddle or trying to find the sweet spot of power. I was in it, and the suspension was just active enough to bump over larger roots and rocks that would throw off your traction.
The build is excellent, and paired with the price, it is a no-brainer for a cross-country racer looking for top performance without the price. The color options are slightly limited, but they are all classic. Just like the external cable routing, perfect just the way it is.
Editor’s Choice Gravel Bike: Cannondale TopStone
One of my biggest surprises on the bike front this year was the Cannondale TopStone. I did not expect to like this bike as much as I did. I thought it was a bike you kept in the garage, only popping it out for one race a year. A race that is a little too tame for a mountain bike but too much for a gravel bike, kind of like the Life Time GP stuff. However, after spending months on the TopStone Carbon 1, I found myself reaching for it daily; it’s just that fun.
The Cannondale Topstone is a full-suspension gravel bike. The Kingpin suspension provides travel in the rear, while a special gravel-tuned Lefty handles business in the front. If it seems like a lot…it is, or so I thought.
What actually happens is small bits of chatter being rounded off in the rear, and a “I hardly noticed it” performance from the Lefty in the front. The whole experience yields a better ride, fresher legs (and arms) over long distances, and the courage to take the road less paved.
In a nutshell, it’s a lot of fun to ride, and those extra features help on more rides than one would expect. I found myself with the fork unlocked more often, pushing descents I had previously been unable to. It’s a thoroughly enjoyable bike that will make many riders faster, not only because of the suspension but also because you’re having fun while riding it.
Editor’s Choice Best Budget Bike: Van Rysel GRVL AF
To build a bike that not only performs well but also keeps the price in check is a challenge. The Van Rysel GRVL AL accomplishes this many times over. You can buy a few of the Van Rysel GRVL AF for the price of the Cannondale mentioned above, but they are slightly different beasts. Still, they ride on the same terrain, and can supply the same result – a great ride.
The GRVL AF is an entry-level gravel bike; it comes with Microshift Sword shifters, tubed tires, and cable-actuated disc brakes, and will cost you $1,399 at your local REI. But the specs aren’t what spark the headlines; it’s the combination of those super-selective specs and the bike’s build that make it pretty special. They all work together harmoniously to provide a ride that is balanced, dependable, and fun.
When you ride a bike like the GRVL AF, you forget why you need all this top-end kit on big-ticket bikes. Everything on this bike works well together and will weather the storm better than some of the more expensive bikes. But it’s not really about that; it’s about getting more butts on bikes and giving riders the best ride possible, no matter the price.
If you’re looking for a bike that will do a multi-day gravel tour, a gravel race, a cyclocross race, and commute – this is it. It’s a “ride all the rides” kind of bike. One that you can upgrade easily without a proprietary kit, and one that will take a few nicks from a U-lock with stride.
Editor’s Choice Kid’s Bike: Giant Seek
If you look at the USAC race fields, there is one demographic that is blowing up, and it’s not the drug-test-avoiding masters – it’s the juniors. Yet one of the hardest things to find (locally) is a great out-of-the-box race bike for a super young starter.
Yes, you can build a super bike for your kid out of the bin parts in your garage, but we’re talking off-the-shelf race. Yes, there are a few (especially on the mountain side of life), but you rarely see them on the roadside.
The Giant Seek is a race-ready road bike. No questions asked, it has carbon wheels, electronic shifting, and it’s light – like 16 lbs out of the box light. You can quickly turn it into a cyclocross or gravel bike in a sec (or longer if you’re me) with a tire swap (included). The bike comes in one size and is designed to grow with your little one.
The geometry is stable, and after watching my 7-year-old rip (terrifyingly fast) around the neighborhood on it, I can safely say it’s not twitchy. It’s right in the middle of racy but friendly. The Seek was my youngest’s first drop-bar road bike, and he took to it quickly. Not because he’s a prodigy, but because the bike feels approachable.
Out of all the experiences and rides on the bike this year, I asked him what he liked most about it. “It looks cool” was the first (obviously), but the second was “going uphill fast”. The bike is super light, and the frame is top-notch alloy with a heck of a silhouette. When he pushes on the pedals (all 50lbs of him), he’s rolling, and the kid-size crankarms are the perfect length to spin up without feeling like a reach.
This is a niche, top-end kids’ bike, but it’s a great start. Hopefully, this tech will come down in price, or Giant will offer the Seek as a standalone frameset so that we can get more kids into races.
Editor’s Choice Groupset: SRAM Force AXS
When SRAM launched the new RED AXS last year, it drew the cycling world’s attention back to it. The brakes were leagues above anything they’ve had before, and the addition of the XPLR T-type derailleur was the icing on the cake.
This year, SRAM followed the RED AXS launch with a better-value, same-performance update to the Force (and Rival) lines. The brakes are every bit as good as the RED AXS, and the shifting is nearly the same (I can’t tell the difference).
The launch of the newest iteration of SRAM Force and Rival ushers in a supremely better-performing product. That will help evacuate the bikes they are spec on rather than detract from performance. Long live the new SRAM road line.
Editor’s Choice Wheelset: HUNT Limitless Aero Gravel
Like the Colnago G4-X is the bike I’ve used all year, the Hunt Limitless Gravel wheels are the wheels I’ve used all year. These are Hunt’s newest Limitless aero gravel wheels, and they walk the wide, but not too wide line.
You can fit an all-road tire like a 32 just fine, still taking advantage of the aerodynamics of the 26/27mm internal width. But also fit a 45mm gravel tire without risking a pinch flat with a 4.5mm hookless bead.
The wheel set is versatile, fast, and durable. I’ve traveled all over with these wheels. In and out of bike bags and airports, I’ve still never needed to true them or replace a spoke. Yes – that’s some good luck and good bike bags (thanks Thule), but that’s also a testament to the quality of these wheels.
Editor’s Choice Road Shoes: Specialized Ares 2
It takes a lot for me to change footwear, but this year, after testing the new Specialized Ares 2 road shoes, I tossed my trusty pair to the shelf. The Ares OG was not my favorite shoe; it was a bit hard to get on, and once on, there were some hot spots. However, everything that I didn’t like about the Ares OG, I loved in the Ares 2.
Specialized ditched the sock/slipper fit and moved towards a unique, super-sturdy platform. That, paired with the updated last, hit the sweet spot for my picky feet. I didn’t have hot spots; I didn’t slip; it was a perfect match.
A shoe that fits my foot correctly and comfortably is a victory in itself. When you pile on all the extra stiffness, the 1-2-3 watts gained, and all the marketing speak, it was just icing on the cake. The shoes look great, and the white version is surprisingly easy to keep clean. These are now my go-to road shoes. The major downside is that they are super pricy, but if they last as long as the outgoing set (5 years), I’ll be happy.
Editor’s Choice Off-Road Shoes: Giro Gritter
Another shoe company that gets my foot shape is Giro. When the newly released Giro Gritter shoe came across my desk, I was immediately excited. I was a massive fan of the Empire shoes; they were a vibe and a heck of a performance shoe. But the same can be said about the new Gritter.
The Gritter takes lots of cues from the Empire, but what that shoe lacked, the Gritter doubles down on. The updated Boa enclosure is obvious, and the newest BOA Li2 dials are every bit as hefty yet ideally suited for performance. The updated design pairs the ruggedness of a mountain bike-focused shoe with the look of a road shoe. Creating a nicely smooth sweet spot in gravel. The shoes lack toe spikes, but they make up for it with a super lightweight design and a very stiff, yet not uncomfortable, walking sole.
I’ve spent tons of time on the Giro Gritter this season, in every off-road riding situation I can think of, and every time it’s been comfortable: no hot spots, no pain, just an easy-on/easy-off design that matches every kit.
Editor’s Choice Sunglasses: Oakley Vanguard
I wasn’t expecting to enjoy the Oakley Vanguard glasses as much as I do. But now, they’ve become a training partner. They offer the small things that make capturing memories and video on the ride a little easier.
Every time I was about to grab my phone to snap a photo or record a video, I remembered I had the glasses. Every sketchy descent that I “wish I had a camera on,” I remember: “I do!” It’s easy to grab short clips for Strava, Instagram, or whatever.
The speakers are good enough for any ride. They allow you to hear your tunes without drowning out the world. You can easily hear cars, the surrounding noise, and your ride mates. The same goes for making calls and replying to texts. I decided it was too easy to keep going back and forth in messages while using the Vanguards, so I stopped interrupting my ride time with it. Highly recommended for the rider who has everything and is somewhat into tech.
Editor’s Choice Best Headphones: H2O Audio
I break a lot of stuff, so when I was asked if I’d like to check out the new RIPT Ultra H20 Audio Headphones, I jumped at the opportunity. They are a design that can withstand all the abuse, sweat, and non-charging an active athlete can dish out. They 100% lived up to that claim.
For months, I’ve used the H2O Audio Ultra headphones on the trainer, before races, at work, and while traveling. I’ve dropped them, left them on top of my car during a rainy race, and neglected to charge them for weeks.
They keep coming back for more. All the while with excellent sound quality, easy pairing to devices (two at a time if you want), and a battery that might never fully drain. They have a Zwift version now, and these are the most reliable headphones I’ve ever owned, and they are worth it.
Editor’s Choice Gadget: Hdrop
Lots of little gadgets come out each year, and one that tells you when and how much to drink might sound goofy. But if you’re serious about your training (and your survival in long races), the Hdrop Gen 2 hydration system is worth a look.
Instead of using a patch like Nix, the Hdrop attaches to your heart-rate monitor and reads your hydration level from your chest. It works well with Garmin and other head units and is getting updated daily. It’s an innovative little tool that helps you track your hydration and sweat rate while taking up minimal real estate on your body and bike.
Editor’s Choice Shoes: BERT
I’m always looking for a good pair of shoes to wear at races and around the house. Pretty much shoes that are packable and aren’t flip-flops. These BERT Shoes turned out to be the ones I was looking for. They are super slim and light, and you can put them in your jersey pocket if you’re planning an adventure.
They have a neoprene toe box and are warm enough to walk around early in the morning when it’s cold out, and water-resistant enough to keep the rain at bay. I’m a big fan, and they go on every flight or race trip with me.
(Photo/Jordan Villella)
Editor’s Choice Album of The Year: Propagandhi – At Peace
Propagandhi has been my all-time favorite band for years. Their musical output changes naturally along with my taste, moving from thrash-fast to mid-tempo mellow. When I heard they had new music coming in 2025, I eagerly waited. When my record finally arrived in the mail, I sat, dropped the needle, and listened like someone about to take a test.
(Photo/Jordan Villella)
The album mirrors my thoughts on most things: current world events, fatherhood, life, and its end. The themes of At Peace are heavy; these are heavy times.
The album is not only a sonic masterpiece but also a lyrical one. I’ve always seen Propagandhi as a band with their heads on straight. Ones that can convey a message and get it across to listeners in the best way possible.
At Peace is the clearest expression of feeling lost, inspired, hopeful, and hopeless. Full of lines that can make you laugh one second, “Excuse me, sir, this is an Arbys,” and tear up the next, “Remember back when you were young, I was your everything, your everyone.” It’s a roller coaster of riff and reality that I can’t stop listening to. Every Propagandhi album is worth the wait, and At Peace is no exception.
Must Listen track for BikeRumor fans: Vampires Are Real.
(Photo/Jordan Villella)
Onward
For 2026 and beyond – I wish you all the best. The long rides that seem like minutes, the vision-quest rides that unlock a new level of consciousness, and lots of positive, happy times on and off the bike.
Here’s to 2026 being that year….
Many more great products have passed through our hands this year, but this collection highlights the best I’ve seen or ridden. Full disclosure: Each of these products has been chosen purely on its performance and/or technological merits for the reasons described above. Under no circumstances were any of our selections paid for by their producers. Nor was any preference or favor given to advertisers or brands that invite us on trips. Our selections are limited to products that we’ve actually spent time riding/testing in person. So, a brand’s willingness to invite Bikerumor to a launch event or provide product samples makes it more likely we’ll consider their products, simply because we’ve had a chance to try them firsthand.
