2023 has been one for the books for several reasons and, despite the cycling industry facing a bit of turmoil, it's been a huge year for tech releases which has certainly kept me on my toes. Some of our favourite items voted for collectively by the off.road.cc team can be found in our main 2023 Gear of the Year awards feature.

And because of all of the very cool new products that have hit the market, this year has been a particularly busy one having racked up 101 reviews (on top of news, features, and videos!) with more to come before the year closes. However, it's not just about desk time as the release of Mondraker's Dusty e-gravel bike set the standard of what to expect throughout the year. Of course, a gravel bike from a mountain bike-centric brand was quite a surprise – for it to be equipped with a motor was another thing altogether.

The most exciting moment of the year was when SRAM unveiled its long-awaited Transmission drivetrains. Before its release, I was following its development like a hawk having spotted patents of it the year before. It's been receiving rave reviews and seems to be paving the way for the next era of bicycle drivetrains. It was also very cool to see the brand release a cheaper GX setup to the range only a couple of months later. Of course, all of this was building up to Eagle Powertrain's launch, SRAM's long-awaited e-MTB motor.

2023 has been very e-bike-focused as we've been working to bring you the best e-MTB reviews and, well, brands have been expanding their pedal assist portfolios with Canyon sending me to Italy to test not one, but three brand new e-bikes. Experiencing a guided and partially coached ride through tracks that appeared during the first-ever EWS from none other than Fabian Barel (who won that particular EWS) was not only a career highlight, but I day I'll remember for years to come. But it's not all about foreign press trips as a couple of days with YT Industries riding the excellent new Jeffsy MK3 proved that you don't need to jump on a plane to have great fun on bikes.

However, with all that said, the most gratifying thing to happen this year was to watch off.road.cc's growth and further establishment in a competitive market of cycling publications. Over the years, the off.road.cc has found its footing and is now seeing more eyes on its articles than ever and it's massively rewarding to see that the hard work we as a team are putting in is paying off. With that, in the future, you'll be seeing more content based around even more cool mountain bike, gravel and adventure brands.

Anyway, back to those tech highlights. These are all products that left a long-lasting impression for one reason or another or made a real difference to life out on the bike.

Mountain bike of the year - Merida One-Sixty 500

Upon releasing its new One-Forty and One-Sixty platforms, Merida shook things up, gracing the bikes with an all-new geometry, sizing concept and suspension kinematic and while the shorter travel One-Forty is great, it all makes total sense on its enduro rig, the One-Sixty. And while it has the travel that's expected of an enduro bike, and a lengthy wheelbase, during testing it proved to be a bike that was great fun almost anywhere.

Post-COVID, bike prices rose and they're still pretty pricy but at £2,750 the One-Sixty 500 is one of the most budget-friendly on the market and it even looks like good value when compared to direct-sales bikes thanks to its well-considered geometry and sorted suspension kinematic. Despite its not-so-blingy build kit, this is a bike I would be more than happy riding, racing, and owning permanently. 

For a deeper look at my thoughts on this bike, have a look at the Merida One-Sixty 500 mountain bike review.

e-MTB of the year - YT Industries Decoy Core 3

Electric mountain bikes have been a big focus for me throughout 2023 and, while many follow the same geometry mindsets as their pedal-powered siblings, the Decoy surprised me as it's geometry isn't exactly progressive, but that's why it's so good. Before testing this bike I was sold on the fact that its comparatively short geometry wouldn't cut it against other all-mountain e-MTBs I've ridden but I was incredibly wrong.

Instead, the Decoy employs its weight to encourage stability at speed, allowing its shorter wheelbase and reach figure to rustle up all of the agility. It corners like it's on rails too and provides great bang for buck, offering a build that outshines bikes of a similar price point.

To find out more as to why the Decoy impressed me, read my YT Industries Decoy Core 3 review.

Clothing of the year - Scott Grenade Evo Zip knee guards

I struggle with knee guards as many end up tearing my knees to shreds after a few hours on the bike but the Scott Grenade Evo Zip knee pads have changed that for me. With these, I can ride all day in full comfort without any kind of rubbing. 

But that's not the only reason why they're so good, their padding is very well placed with extra pads around the knee accompanying the Scott-designed D3O cap. The zip is mega handy, too, making for easy removal at the end of a ride. They're not perfect, being a little on the warm side and rather expensive but for the comfort and protection on offer, they're hard to ignore and have made me much happier during big rides.

If you're after a set of mega comfy and seriously protective pads, here's the Scott Grenade Evo Zip knee pads review.

Helmet - Fox Proframe RS

I usually leave the full-face helmet at home unless I'm headed to a bike park but Fox's Proframe RS has changed that, meaning that I've been able to up my protection with minimal payoff. It genuinely blends an open-face feel with the protection and confidence that a full-face helmet offers.

It's lightweight and comfortable but most importantly, it's super breathable. I've been happy wearing this hat all day without feeling claustrophobic, warm and without my neck getting achy at the end of it all. Without a doubt, I'll be using this when the time calls throughout next year.

To learn a little more about this full-face lid, here's my Fox Proframe RS helmet review.

Wheelset of the year - Hunt Trail Wide V2

Although smitten with the performance of Reynolds' Blacklabel 309 Enduro Pro wheels, Hunt's Trail Wide V2 wheelset wins its place in this round-up for what it offers for the money. At £450, it's relatively inexpensive but it poses a serious upgrade due to its excellent feel on the trail and durability. But most of all, the freehub engagement on the Trail Wide V2's rear wheel is exemplary, outshining almost every other wheelset at this price point.

Often, testing more budget-friendly products is hit and miss but these wheels were an absolute pleasure and proof that you needn't shell out your life savings to achieve a proper, tangible upgrade.

After an upgrade that won't burst the bank? Learn more in my Hunt Trail Wide V2 wheel review.

Shoes - Ride Concepts Accomplice Boa Clip

Okay, I didn't score Ride Concepts Accomplice Boa Clip as well as everything else in this round-up or as other shoes, such as the Fox Union Clip and Crankbrothers Mallet E. That's because as a shoe for the general customer, it's lacking in a couple of areas. However, it's a shoe that I can't stop coming back to because it's just so darn comfortable and that's partially as a result of some of its drawbacks.

It's not a stiff shoe but because of that, it's comfy and foot fatigue sets in way later, I've found. It also means that there's excellent contact and engagement on platform-based clipless pedals. It's not the most breathable shoe, but with that, it packs good weather protection It brings a fully-fledged Boa closure to a somewhat reasonable price too. Oh, and it looks great.

Although I didn't score them highly, I like these shoes and I think they deserve more recognition. Find out why by heading to our Ride Concepts Accomplice Boa Clip review.

Component of the year - Wolf Tooth Resolve dropper post

Dropper posts are still one of the most important components any bike can be equipped with (yes, even gravel) and now, there are loads to choose from all at different price points. Wolf Tooth's Resolve dropper post may be one of the more expensive ones out there but in terms of features and servicability, few come close.

The Resolve can be completely disassembled using easily purchased tools, with only one being specific to this post and that one included in the box. Users can change the semi-freely using spacers but importantly, this one performs impeccably and does so for a very long time before needing a service.

It comes with a super low stack too, and a weight that rivals even those with carbon stanchions. Here's the Wolf Tooth Resolve dropper post review for more.

Accessory of the year - OneUp EDC V2 tool and Threadless Carrier

I flipping love integrated bike tools, enjoying the likes of the Granite Stash RT to great effect. However, OneUp Components' EDC tool is a household name for a reason, it's damn good. I tested it with the Threadless Carrier too, which means I've not had to throw my fork's warranty out of the window.

What makes it so excellent is that it's a very comprehensive multi-tool that sits well within easy reach, inside your fork's steerer. Included is a good range of Allen and Torx keys, a tyre lever and even a chain tool. That's not all as there's a full range of spoke keys, a place to store a quick link and OneUp even sent in the EDC Plug Kit, equipping me with almost everything I need for trailside bike repair all kept in my fork's steerer. And because it's always on my bike, all I need to do is fill up a water bottle and bung it on my bike before heading out, leaving with full confidence that I'll be able to sort most things out if things go awry.

If you like bike-integrated tools as much as I do, check out my OneUp Components EDC V2 tool and Threadless Carrier review.

Tyre of the year - Pirelli Scorpion Race Enduro M

Previous tyres from Pirelli's Scorpion line have been good, great even but not quite enough to tear me away from the likes of Maxxis and WTB (the Verdict and DHR II being a setup I've run for the best part of the year). However, when Pirelli launched the Scorpion Race Enduro tyres with a softer compound and slightly revised tread pattern, it looked to be a promising bit of rubber.

Usually after inflating a brand new tyre to a rim, there's some adjustment period required to get to grips with it. However, with the Scorpion Race Enduro, it was set up and let fly. Full confidence was instilled in the first corner where grip was immense, so much so that I was riding faster with more control with less effort. They're draggy and wow, are they expensive? But this tyre is a total winner from Pirelli. Pairing this one with a Scorpion Enduro S at the rear results in a fantastic all-rounder setup.

With a race or two already on the calendar for next year, I fully intend on getting this tyre in between the tape. Here's the Pirelli Scorpion Race Enduro M tyre review if you would like to find out a bit more.

Bike light - Magicshine Moneteer 8000S Galaxy V2

It may come with more lumens than the sun (but recently trumped by the monstrous 12000-lumen model, but the Monteer 8000S's simplicity is what won it for me. It's a bar-mounted light that comes with a Bluetooth remote that provides easy scrolling through the three power modes and two bars of LEDs. 

A great spread and of course, that mass of output serve as cherries on an already tasty cake. It's a great light. Here's the Magicshine Monteer 8000S Galaxy V2 front light review.

Object of desire - Reeb Cycles Steezl

This bike has lived in my mind ever since its release back in February of this year and it's one I still find myself pining over on a fortnightly basis at the very least. I love its name, and it looks awesome but it's much more than just a steel frame as it combines several materials, namely 4130 Chromoly, 3D printed 316L stainless steel and 7005 aluminium.

It's the brand's enduro bike with 155mm of rear suspension and it's completely up to date in terms of frame features. As for geometry, it looks like it's right on the money with a 480mm reach on a large, a 64-degree head tube and a 77-degree effective seat tube. 

REEB, if you see this and want to send a bike over the pond – yes, please.

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