This week is the biggest and most important of BikeRadar's year – it’s Bike of the Year week!
Publishing of our annual mega test is now well underway, with 57 bikes tested across mountain bike, road, gravel, and urban categories.
The long-awaited release of SRAM's new Red AXS groupset is the other huge story of the week.
We've had our hands on the groupset and have put it up against Dura-Ace on the scales of truth, with Warren Rossiter delivering a full review.
Formula Nebbia shock
Formula incorporates its CTS (Compression Tuning System) valves and Neopos spacers into the Nebbia, enabling easy tuning.
Designed to work on any bike, the Nebbia offers tool-free stroke adjustment and wide-ranging rebound control.
Internally, the Nebbia boasts a hybrid coil/air negative spring system for enhanced sensitivity and a reservoir bladder for reduced friction and improved small bump sensitivity.
It employs a polyurethane bump-stop for a quiet and comfortable end to the shock's travel.
The Nebbia stands out for its unparalleled tunability with swappable CTS valves for at-home compression damping tuning and Neopos volume spacers for mid and end-stroke progression.
Additional adjustments for low-speed compression and a three-way compression switch mean riders can fine-tune the shock to meet the riding style, weight, and trails.
Formula prioritises user-friendliness, enabling home servicing with minimal tools.
The shock is available in a wide range of sizes.
Formula guarantees spare parts for 10 years, so the shock should outlast your current (and probably next) bike.
- £680 / $849.99 / €790
Race Face Era wheels
Race Face says its new Era carbon fibre wheels redefine the standards of compliance and durability for aggressive carbon wheelsets.
The Era wheels are available in 29in and 29/27.5in options.
The rims are laced to Race Face's Vault hubs with 28 straight-pull spokes.
Race Face says it has honed rim profiles and thicknesses to achieve an optimal balance of flex and toughness.
Like Crankbrothers' Synthesis wheels, the rims are designed to be front and rear specific.
For the front wheel, Race Face builds in lateral compliance to improve tracking on rough terrain by using a shallower 30mm wide 18.6mm tall rim.
The rear wheel prioritises strength and impact resistance, featuring a deeper 22.6mm rim.
Race Face incorporates an asymmetric design for the rear rim, with 4mm offset spoke holes. This helps balance tension across drive and non-drive side spokes, producing a stronger wheel.
The rims also feature what Race Face terms the anvil edge.
Here, the rim wall balloons to 4.5mm, giving the rims an anvil-like profile. This aims to minimise the chance of pinch flats or tyre slices.
Race Face says that, while not class-leading in terms of compliance, impact resistance, and weight – scoring second best versus the competitor wheels it tested – this makes its Era wheelset the least compromised across all three categories.
The wheels are backed by a lifetime warranty – crashes included.
- £1,698 / $1,599
Leatt freeride MTB 4.0 AllMtn kit
Leatt's MTB All-MTN 4.0 pants are designed for mountain bikers seeking durability, functionality, and comfort.
Featuring reinforced Rockstrike panels and a new durable 4-way stretch outer shell, Leatt says the pants are suitable for tough terrains and weather conditions.
The pants stand out with unique storage solutions.
The Mission Pack pouch is dedicated to stashing convertible helmet chin bars. A padded water-resistant pocket for delicate valuables.
The Hydradri Max laminated seat panel provides water resistance for splashy days and UPF 50+ sun protection for less wet climes.
The MTB AllMtn 4.0 jersey is crafted using IceYarn. This is, of all things, made from recycled coffee grounds.
The laser-perforated jersey is claimed to be naturally cooling during intense rides. It's also claimed to be dirt and water-resistant.
The cargo theme continues with a three-compartment pocket supported by a concealed waist belt, plus a sunglasses carrier loop.
The jersey also offers UPF 50+ sun protection, an extended hem for coverage, and a hip split for mobility.
- Leatt MTB AllMtn pants: $ 179.00
- Leatt MTB AllMtn 4.0 jersey: $89.99
DMR Flat 4 pedals
DMR says its Flat4 pedal are a versatile option suitable for endurance riders, gravel riders, and road cyclists who prefer flat pedals.
DMR also says triathletes who don't want to use clip-in pedals will find the pedals work well with running shoes.
Equipped with removable polypropylene treads and multiple pin options, the Flat4 pedal can be tailored to your shoes. Swappable rubber treads and metal pins are sold separately.
The rubber treads are claimed to prevent damage, even on smart office shoes.
Their slim profile makes the Flat4 suitable for young mountain bikers or riders with smaller feet.
The Flat4 pedal features a tough diecast aluminium body and 4130 CroMo steel axles.
- £60
