2023 has been an interesting year, with the bike industry starting to get back to normal.
We’ve seen some fabulous new bikes – the Giant Defy, Ridley Grifn, GT Grade and the latest Specialized Roubaix come to mind.
On the other hand, the pressures on the industry have meant some very serious challenges and big shocks, with more to come.
Personally, I’ve tried to expand my horizons a little more, trying out lots of new electric bikes and commuter bikes.
I've kept my hand in riding as many cool road bikes as I can, but used most of my (limited) time aside from testing bikes to get in plenty of gravel riding.
So, I make no apologies that the stand-out products for me in 2023 have been mostly gravel-orientated. It was hard reducing the number down to five.
If framesets were allowed, I’d be championing the Lab71 Topstone, which I’m adoring right now,
I was also impressed by the radical looks and top performance of Black Inc’s Five wheelset. I continue to enjoy Torq’s energy products (their cola-flavoured caffeine energy powder has become a staple), while MAAP’s clothing has continued to impress me, as have Sportful and Endura.
The final selection has boiled down to the kit I’ve enjoyed the most, yet doesn’t cost the earth – we are amid a cost-of-living crisis and a climate disaster, after all.
So, while I’ve loved trying premium wheelsets, premium groupsets and top-of-the-line clothing, what I keep coming back to is the kit that works brilliantly but represents value along with performance. Here’s my top five…
SRAM Apex AXS XPLR
- £1,252 / $1,189 / €1,401
After riding new Apex AXS XPLR at the official launch earlier in the year, I came away impressed by just how well this cheapest wireless setup from SRAM performed.
So, when it came to building my dream gravel machine this summer, I wanted to have the brilliant Cannondale Topstone Lab71 frameset as the basis with lightweight carbon wheels, Tufo tyres, Easton cockpit and an XPLR dropper post.
Apex AXS has all the shifting performance of the higher groups and has proven tough and accurate over lots of miles.
On a bike that’s built to be used and abused in the worst conditions, I’m happier using a more affordable groupset.
If I tank an Apex rear derailleur on a rock or stack the bike when I run out of talent, the £295 / $275 / €330 cost of replacement is an easier pill to swallow than RED AXS XPLR at £610 / $710 / €685.
The premium groupset will save some weight and look a bit more bling, but my Lab71 build came to £7,100 (with every part at full retail) and weighs in at 9.07kg (size 58cm) including extras, or 8.38kg without. That’s plenty light enough for me.
Udog Distanza gravel shoes
- £160 / €250 / $200
Now we are deep in the depths of winter, it seems odd to be recommending shoes that I deemed best for drier conditions.
That said, Udog’s Distanza gravel shoe has been a real favourite for most of my years of riding.
The 3D-knit upper of the Distanza fits so well and conforms to the shape of my feet brilliantly, yet it's supportive and breathable.
These are among the most comfortable gravel shoes for long rides I’ve tried.
I like that they were designed from the outset to be gravel shoes, rather than overly stiff XC shoes that have been given a matt khaki makeover to appeal to gravel riders.
The Distanzas use a composite nylon outsole, which has enough stiffness but a little give to make them comfortable to walk, scramble and even run in.
I’ve used Udog’s premium Carbon version of the Distanza too, but I prefer this more affordable option.
Bell Falcon XR LED MIPS
- £129.99
I’ve been impressed by premium road bike helmets from Giro, Kask and Smith this year, but the one I keep coming back to is Bell’s Falcon XR.
It's supremely comfortable, fits my head like a charm and has both MIPS and Fidlock’s brilliant magnetic buckle.
It also comes complete with a powerful rechargeable clip-in rear light, and while it may be a few grams heavier than top-of-the-range helmets, who can really tell the difference?
The Falcon has great airflow, thanks to its generous vents, yet it's robust enough to stave of accidental knocks and dings.
It looks good, thanks to its lower volume, and at nigh-on half the price of premium lids, yet with all of the features, this one is something of a bargain.
Tufo Thundero gravel tyres
- €49.90 / $40 / £42.99 each
Czech tyre maker Tufo was legendary back when tubular tyres ruled the roost. These tubeless gravel tyres, however, are in my opinion just as good.
The Thunderos, with their gridded 2.5mm-deep tread pattern, have been my go-to tyres for my own gravel bikes throughout the summer.
They offer bags of dry-weather grip, and the tight diamond pattern centre strip makes them rapid on tarmac too.
At 439g for a 40mm tyre, they’re a good weight too.
Plus, at £42.99 each, they’re cheaper than most of the premium gravel tyre offerings out there.
That said, I’m retiring the Thunderos for the winter and looking to replace them with Tufo’s mud-specific option, the Swampero. Hopefully, these will perform just as well in the wet and filth as the Thunderos have in the dry.
Vaude Moab Pro pants
- Price: £74.90 / €70.38
Vaude’s lightweight Moab Pro pants are ideally shaped for riding, with a highly elastic material that’s also water-repellent.
These are a great gravel or commuting option for summer days when the weather is changeable.
They’re not waterproof by any stretch, but shake off light spray and rain with ease. They do so without compromising comfort too.
The tapering leg shape stops flapping cuffs from getting oiled by your chain, while the pre-formed knee shape also means you don’t get creases that’ll cause rubbing and skin irritation.
The waist is cut higher at the back to protect your modesty when hunched over the bike and an integrated belt/tensioner makes getting the waistband spot-on easy.
Twin thigh pockets offer a bit of storage and a proper fly makes these a good casual option too.
The fabric is made with ECO Finish, so it gets its water resistance without the use of PFCs. The material is also made from a sustainable polyamide that reduces CO2 emissions by 60 per cent compared to traditional polyesters.
I love these lightweight riding pants for chillier days with the risk of rain – which, let’s face it, is any day in the UK from October through to March.
