Like a droplet of water, I like to take the path of least resistance, whether that be down a trail or in general day-to-day life.
Not enough is written about the joy of a hassle-free existence, but finding gear that makes it easier is worth sharing.
This year, I have been lucky to wreck, rate and review plenty of kit designed to alleviate some of the pain that surrounds not just mountain biking, but life as a whole.
These range from small conveniences to life-changing investments that will take years of innovation to improve on.
RockShox Reverb AXS seatpost
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- £750
Having given the Reverb AXS a 4.5-star review earlier this year, I couldn’t help but include it on this list.
It has made dropper-post ownership almost frictionless, with its simple button-press, quick actuation and ease of installation making it a joy to use.
I’ve yet to encounter any issues with it and, fortunately for my bike size, the 170mm of travel allows for full insertion.
Yes, it requires charging, and whether it justifies its price is hard to say, but I have swapped it effortlessly in and out of a few bikes this year.
Now, I’m not going to make the argument that dropper post installation would cost you around £20 at a bike shop, because you should really be able to do it yourself, but the ease and lack of hassle is very inviting.
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Gorilla Tub
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- £9.99
Loved by builders and botanists alike, this Gorilla Tub has been by far the most useful addition to my riding setup this year.
Its 38-litre capacity is plenty big enough to fit all of my away-day essentials and the flexible design makes it easy to stash behind car seats and squeeze between bags. That's something I’ve unfortunately had to resort to in 2024, having been cursed by engine trouble – shoutout to Wan for the lifts.
Having tested a couple of kit bags earlier this year, I found the compartmentalisation to be great for weekends away, but it was a hindrance on day trips – with endless zipping and a fear of breaking the bag with my sharper belongings.
With the tub, I don’t feel any need to be careful when shoving it full of tools, muddy clothing or anything else – and a simple wipe-down restores its full splendour.
Despite its open design, the tub remains stable and secure in the footwell of a car and protects interior upholstery from pooling water.
My favourite part of the tub is the speed at which it can be packed, meaning I can grab a couple minutes more shut-eye before packing for an impromptu day on the hillside.
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Silca HX-TWO Travel Essentials Allen Key Set
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- £105
As someone who keeps maintenance to a minimum, when I get around to fixing my bike having the right tools makes a big difference.
These Allen Keys have followed me just about everywhere this year, sparking uncomfortable questions at airport security and being dished out to friends in various car park trailheads.
The set includes 18 tools, split into nine Allen keys featuring 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 and 10mm sizes, and 9 Torq keys: T7, T8, T9, T10, T15, T20, T25, T27 and T30.
Admittedly, I’ve only touched one of the Torx keys, that being the T25, but it’s nice to know the set is future-proofed for when Big Bike decides to kill off the Allen key.
The tools are made from S2 tool steel, which the brand claims is treated with exclusive nine-step heat treatment and coated in a polymer coating to add grip.
I’m yet to round off a bolt with these, whether by look or thanks to the accurately formed heads, although some of this polymer coating has been lost, which adds some patina to the keys.
Their lustrous red colour has its advantages, making them easy to find when left on the floor of stoney car parks.
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