While I'm fortunate enough that I can ride to trails from my house, these aren’t really the types of tracks to test products to their fullest. For this, I need to drive to steeper, more challenging terrain.
Hence, you’ll notice a theme running through my choices of the best gear from the past 12 months: to make life out of the back of my van easier.
It seems, without realising it, that is what’s informed my picks for 2022.
Cane Creek DB Kitsuma Air shock
- £724.99
My colleagues will be the first to tell you I’m a bigger fan of air suspension than coil. It’s not that coil shocks don’t have their benefits, but I don’t think they outweigh the performance of modern air shocks.
Plus, my riding style (and how I like a bike to behave) suits an air shock better.
A few months after I got my Evil Insurgent long-term bike for MBUK, I was keen to swap the stock RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate Coil for an air shock to see what difference it made to the bike.
Fortunately, the Cane Creek DB Kitsuma Air landed on my desk, and I didn’t go back to the original…
The shock’s big selling point is that you don’t need any tools to tweak its multitude of external adjustments. There’s low- and high-speed compression and rebound damping, plus a three-position climb switch.
It’s not just that these damping adjustments are tool-free. Cane Creek claims the shock has the broadest range of adjustment of any shock on the market.
Because of this, it will fit any bike without needing a custom tune to get it set up perfectly.
The internals have been updated too. The shaft diameter is wider than the previous iteration (9.5mm) to increase lateral stiffness.
There’s also a new polished and ported main piston for better responsiveness, a Monoblock oil seal head and larger shaft rings for improved durability and alignment, plus a more progressive bottom-out bumper.
This shock has been subject to a week of riding around Punta Ala, racing the Enduro World Series in Val di Fassa, and being the workhouse of a test rig. It hasn’t been serviced yet and is still going strong.
The breakaway force is minimal, and low-speed rebound damping is fast enough, so there’s plenty of traction and comfort through the first half of the travel.
Still, the shock doesn't wallow and has enough support to highlight the bike’s playful character.
Support in the mid-stroke is ample, and it ramps up smoothly to prevent any brutal bottom-outs and isolates me from harsh impacts.
It’s definitely impressed me throughout the year. Admittedly, it’s an expensive shock, but it works well for me and the Evil.
Rapha Trail Technical T-shirt
- £55
This is, without a doubt, the jersey I wore most this year. Its fit, material and comfort are brilliant.
The fact it’s made with 69 per cent recycled polyester is better for the environment, and its subtle design means it won’t go out of fashion soon, either.
While Rapha is known better for road kit, its ever-growing selection of mountain bike products has produced some quality items.
This jersey has a honeycomb structure to help wick away sweat and keep you cool. It also uses an antibacterial finish to keep it fresher.
The jersey's weave is lightweight but snag-resistant, and there is also a repair kit in case you tear it. You are eligible for Rapha’s repair service too.
On the bike, the top feels great. It’s airy but not baggy, and I barely notice it while riding.
I’ve used it for more than cycling too – it’s been on hikes and trips to the beach. It’s quick-drying and has held up well all summer.
Worx Hydroshot WG630E.9
- £99.99 (plus battery)
When I finish up a long, muddy day on the bike, it’s not often in the convenience of my garden.
And, often, my first thought is to get changed, warm and home for cuppa. So this small, battery-powered washer is a blessing, because it takes no time to set up.
I have a 25-litre water container in the back of my van, but this will draw water from any source – handy, if there’s a stream, river or lake nearby. The filters should keep it contaminate-free also.
The pressure is good for getting stubborn mud off, but not so high as to make you fear for your bike’s delicate areas.
There are five jet settings, and I use the 15-degree one, which seems best for covering a decent area while keeping good power. That said, don’t spray it directly at bearings and seals.
The 4Ah battery will last for four filthy bikes, and will outlast 25 litres of water.
This has been a great tool, and while I might get home from my ride 10 minutes later, it means I have one fewer chore to do once I’m already dry and warm again.
Feedback Sports Scorpion stand
- £75
I’m forever spending time leaning bikes against my van, only to keep shuffling them into different positions when oiling, cleaning or checking tyre or suspension pressures.
The Scorpion stand makes those tasks easier, and as long as there is somewhere reasonably level, it holds bikes securely and stable.
It’s especially good for car-park maintenance too, freeing up both hands so you can fix the bike without it rolling away, or the handlebars turning while it’s against your van.
Sure, it’s pretty expensive for what it is – and there are cheaper models out there – but this one does the job well.
UK Custom Covers van barn-door cover
- £49.95
On the test days when I’m working out of the back of the van and the rain is pouring down, this cover really comes into its own.
I thought it was pretty expensive when I first splashed out on it (no pun intended). After all, you could bodge some tarpaulin and rope together.
However, it’s been so worthwhile that I don’t know how I lived without it.
The rubber-coated clips protect the van’s doors, and the elasticated straps keep the cover taught and in place. Plus, the material seems robust and durable.
It only takes a few seconds to install and helps prevent the rain splashing into the van and soaking all the things I have at the back. It’s pretty quick to dry out too, which is a bonus.
This gives me a drier, more sheltered space to get on with whatever needs doing; bike work, typing or eating. All important chores.
It also means I can keep the doors open and have light in the van.
Overall, it makes those rainy days more comfortable, and I’m all for that.
