As 2025 comes to a close, it’s time once again to recap our top 20 stories of the year. The past year seemed particularly busy, with no shortage of product launches, new gadgets and technologies, industry uncertainty, and big wheels gaining traction. As usual, the team at BikeRumor was there to cover it all. So what coverage garnered the most interest and attention in 2025? The most popular posts aren’t always what you’d expect…
Without further ado, here are the top 20 stories of 2025 on BikeRumor.
#1: NXS Wireless Shifting Conversion
It came as a bit of a surprise that the post to get the most traffic in 2025 was about the NXS Wireless Shifting System. At the same time, upgrading to a wireless drivetrain is expensive, so it makes sense that people would be interested in an alternative, such as the OG Bikeworks NXS System. Launched on Kickstarter back in May, NXS promised to be a universally compatible system capable of converting any existing cable-actuated drivetrain to wireless. The brand debuted the system with its fully functional 1x MTB Kit, with plans to expand its offerings to dropper posts, road bikes, and to collaborate with brands on OEM integration using its NXS wireless protocol. While still not for sale outside of Kickstarter, according to the latest update on 12/29, more than half of all rewards have been delivered, with the brand nearing completion of the Kickstarter products.
#2: That’s Just Like Your Opinion, Man…
We don’t post many opinion pieces on BikeRumor, but when we do, they often receive a significant amount of traffic and engagement. In our first Dear Bike Industry piece, Jeremy shared his thoughts on helmet visors. As many brands lean toward the aesthetics of visors on mountain bike helmets, he hopes their functionality doesn’t get forgotten along the way. He also questions why there aren’t more road and gravel helmets with removable or semi-integrated visors. With 100+ comments and counting, it seems that plenty of our readers have opinions about visors, too.
#3: Patent Patrol: Shimano XTR, XT, and Deore Di2
At BikeRumor, we love a good rumor, and it seems like you do too. In fact, this patent-patrol article about Shimano’s upcoming Di2 proved to be even more popular than the eventual XTR Di2 launch and review articles later in the year. Indeed, Shimano’s highly anticipated all-new wireless drivetrains were long overdue, and rumors had been circulating for quite some time. Cory dove into the patent drawings of the derailleurs and brakes to bring readers the scoop, months before they officially launched. Maybe sometimes the hunt really is more satisfying than the catch.
#4: A Lighter and More Affordable Transmission Cassette
Lower weight and lower price are often mutually exclusive, but Garbaruk’s Gen2.0 cassette proves that the two can occasionally be combined. Fully machined in the EU, it turns out the Garbaruk Gen2.0 is both the lightest Transmission-compatible cassette you can buy, while also being less than half the cost of either of SRAM’s two top-tier options. The piece also covers a variety of Garbaruk’s other exquisitely machined and anodized parts, including a prototype wireless derailleur. Given that many riders appreciate a good value, weight savings, bright anodized colors, and prototypes, it’s no wonder this article was one of the most popular in 2025.
#5: Zoceli Vysoko Steel High-Pivot with Split Drive Inside
There’s no shortage of exotic and interesting bikes out there, but Zoceli’s Vysoko Steel High-Pivot Enduro bike might be one of the most unique we saw last year. The Czech-built steel frame and machined aluminum linkage and dropouts garner plenty of attention on their own. When you notice that this high-pivot enudro-sled doesn’t have a chainring, it gets even more interesting. Indeed, the brand’s Split Drive drivetrain is unlike anything else we’ve ever seen, highlighting the ingenuity and innovation that small manufacturers are capable of.
#6: Get Pumped with Trek’s Air Rush
Portable electric tire inflators were definitely trending in 2025. Every month or so, it seemed like we were reporting on another brand or model joining the quickly growing electric mini-pump market, including Trek. And for good reason. These compact mini-compressors are super convenient and easy to use. Most of them are small, lightweight, and easily portable. Additionally, you won’t need to pump a tire by hand or generate CO2 cartridge waste, possibly ever again. Zach was impressed with the Air Rush’s performance, as well as its reasonable price.
#7: The Cleanest & Easiest Way to Lubricate a Chain?
The drivetrains on our bicycles do a lot of work and require more attention and maintenance than most other parts of the bike. Perhaps that’s why a product claiming to be the cleanest and easiest way to lubricate a chain, as SIMPLYFAST 123BIKE does with its Lube Cube, got so much attention. Unlike drip or immersion chain waxes, the Lube Cube is, not surprisingly, a cube of wax which is intended to be applied directly to a backpedaled chain. We haven’t tried it, so we can’t report on its effectiveness in the real world, but it certainly attracted a lot of views and some lively discussion in the comments.
#8: The Pro’s Closet Makes a Comeback
Somewhat surprisingly, the most popular article of 2024 was about the Pro’s Closet auctioning off everything after going out of business last year. That made it less surprising that the 8th most viewed article of 2025 was about The Pro’s Closet reopening under new ownership. Back in January, The Pro’s Closet 2.0 celebrated its first bike sale under its new consignment model. Nearly a full year later, TPC 2.0 appears to be back on track, selling refurbished, pre-owned bikes, along with a wide range of components, apparel, and accessories.
#9: The Definitive Spreng Reng Project Interview
From patent patrol articles to reviews, we’ve been reporting on Spreng Reng chainrings since 2018. In our latest coverage, Jordan sat down for an interview with Spreng Reng’s inventor, Doug Brown Jr., to get the inside scoop. We always enjoy learning more about unique and interesting designs, and it appears that many of you do, too. Whether or not Spreng Reng’s asymmetric chainring ever catches on, however, definitely remains to be seen.
#10: Spying on Campagnolo Super Record 13 Wireless
Cory went full Mission Impossible to bring us a bevy of spy shots of Campagnolo’s prototype wireless Super Record 13 groupset. Okay, so that might be a bit dramatic, but that large collection of prelaunch shots of Campy’s soon-to-be-released wireless Super Record 13 certainly got quite a bit of attention. Spotted on Team Cofidis Bikes in early May, these shots confirmed the rumors and put the speculation to rest a full month before the new group officially launched in June. Spying, it turns out, makes for exciting movies and popular cycling articles.
#11: Kamingo eBike Conversion
This e-bike conversion kit from Kamingo is claimed to be compatible with “any bike” while adding up to 750 watts of pedal-assist power to the rear wheel, with a drum rolling on the rear tire. The compact motor, combined with its Bluetooth controller and 266 Wh battery, certainly seems like it could be a convenient way to add a motorized boost to your non-electric rides. While there are similar options, the Kamingo looks pretty polished and ready for prime time in press materials. We’d like to know how well it actually works, but we haven’t actually seen it in person in spite of the brand apparently using our logo in an Instagram post with five stars…
#12: Convoy Cargo Bike Conversion
And while the Kamingo system mentioned above can convert regular bikes into e-bikes, the Convoy system takes it a step further, or maybe just in a different direction. This trailer adds cargo hauling capacity to your bike with a user-friendly, tool-free axle attachment system that makes it easy to install and remove. Plus, it can be flipped on its end to support the bike while minimizing its stored footprint. The most unique features of the Convoy, however, are the options to add a hub motor to the trailer to assist with heavy loads and the self-steering rear wheel. An awesome idea or just another wacky product at Eurobike? You decide.
#13: Dangerholm’s SCOTT Solace Wasteland
Any article with Dangerholm in the title is sure to rack up the views. After all, it’s hard to resist checking out his wild one-off creations that often push the limits of weight savings and/or border on being completely absurd. The latter is the case with the SCOTT Solace Wasteland, a Mad Max-esque creation based around the Scott Solace Gravel eRide bike. With an extra tube added to the front triangle for aesthetics, and a custom-welded, industrial-looking fork, stem, handlebar combo, this is an e-gravel bike like no other. Add in the special paint that rusts and the brake rotors made from actual saw blades, and this is easily one of the most unique bikes we saw all year, possibly ever.
#14: Ducati High-Performance Bicycles Coming Soon
Ducati is well known for making some of the fastest and most lust-worthy motorcycles you can buy, and the brand recently announced a new bicycle range. While the Italian brand has been selling a small lineup of electric mountain and e-road bikes for the past few years, this latest announcement demonstrates it is aiming to expand its presence into other parts of the market. What exactly that looks like remains to be seen, but with Italian cycling legends such as Vincenzo Nibali and Elia Viviani supporting the product development, it seems pretty likely that we’ll be seeing some high-performance, non-electric road and gravel models. We should know more in March of 2026.
#15: Pirelli’s Fast and Light Tubes
Pirelli created an “RS” version of its signature yellow TPU tubes to go along with its top-of-the-line tube-type tires — such as the P-Zero Race RS. Of course, the new RS tubes are inherently fast because they’re yellow (joking), but Pirelli claims a few grams of weight savings, along with (up to) a 12% reduction in rolling resistance with the new TPU formulation. Pirelli also claims that pairing the new Smartube RS with RS versions of its tube-type tires is lighter than going tubeless and just as fast. That certainly sounds like a winning combination if true.
#16: Trek Updates Its Popular Bike Lights
Trek’s Ion and Flare light combo has long been a popular choice for commuters, roadies, and urban riders to make themselves more visible on the road, day or night. The latest versions build off the long-running success of the originals, but with updates to increase run time, improve charging, and enhance visibility. They’re still lightweight and easy to use, but with modern USB-C charging, up to 28% more battery life, 900m visibility, and light windows for side visibility, Trek’s little bike lights are better than ever.
#17: 32″ MTB Tires Make Their Mark in Taipei
Big tires were big news at the Taipei Bike Show. There, Maxxis introduced a production version of its Aspen XC tire in the 32″ size, signaling broader industry acceptance of the larger wheel size. Of course, brands like DirtySixer have been producing bikes with larger wheel sizes for some time, and we’ve known that mainstream brands have been experimenting with them behind closed doors for years. The introduction of the 32″ Aspen in Taipei, however, seemingly opened the lid of Pandora’s Box and a nearly non-stop onslaught of 32″-related prototypes, components, accessories, and production bikes ever since.
#18: Get Hitched
Hitch-mounted bike racks are our preferred way of transporting bikes, and the BikeRumor team has tested nearly every model on the market. As we test and review new models, we update this guide with the latest and greatest to ensure that it reflects the best hitch bike racks currently available. We share our favorites so that readers can make more informed purchase decisions.
#19: The 32″ Hype Train Gains Speed with BMC’s Prototype
Once Maxxis opened the floodgates with the production version of the 32″ Aspen at the Taipei Show, the 32″ hype train started accelerating and hasn’t slowed down. While proportional sizing for taller riders is one of the most obvious applications for the larger wheel size, cross-country riding and racing is the next. Most brands and racing teams are keeping their new bike development behind closed doors, but BMC turned quite a few heads with this rideable prototype. This chopped up frankenbike was named Project Fahrenheit and was one of the most visible examples showing that big wheels are very likely to be coming to the World Cup XC stage — even more so now that the UCI has given the green light for 32″ wheels in competition.
#20: A Modern Masterpiece in Steel
The Colnago Steelnovo was originally introduced in late 2024 as a limited edition bike to celebrate the brand’s 70th Anniversary. Well, it wasn’t limited for long, as Colnago has already brought it back as a standard model in the lineup. The Steelnovo blends traditional steel tube construction with modern production methods to create a metal masterpiece that’s truly one of a kind. Using steel tubes with 3D-printed internal lugs and joints throughout, along with smoothed, hidden welds, the Steelnovo reportedly maintains the classic ride quality of steel, but with a sleek, modern look and features. It certainly caught our attention, along with enough views to round out our top 20 list.
Interested in seeing how 2025 compares to last year? You can revisit our list of the top 20 stories on BikeRumor of 2024 here.
Happy New Year!
We hope you enjoyed revisiting the top 20 stories of 2025 on BikeRumor. We’re already looking forward to what 2026 has in store. From all of us here, thanks for reading, and best wishes for the new year. Here’s to health, happiness, and more time spent riding bikes in 2026. We’ll see you next year!
