The "Best of 2020 Lists" on the front page of NSMB are fun. So what's your best of list for the year?
Sticking to gear related items....here's my list:
1. Steel Hardtails - I've been having a blast riding my hardtails this year. Modern geo makes them much more capable than they were just a few years ago.
2. Maxxis - Rekon Tires - I've been riding 29 x 2.6" and 29 x 2.8" Rekons a lot this year and they impressed me with how fast they roll and how well they grip given the light tread. They are my new favourite bikepacking tire.
3. High Rise/Generous Backsweep Bars - I guess I'm getting old and tired of being hunched over the front of my bike. I've been using the SQ Labs 12deg/16deg bars in what they call "high rise", which could be 25mm-50mm higher, Soma Dream bars, Deity Highside 50mm/80mm rise...needs more backsweep and a Jones 2.5" rise bars. I'll be trying that Pro Taper Bar Andrew posted about next. The higher rise feels good as does the higher backsweep. After a bit of adaptation I haven't found the 12-16 deg range bars to hold me back on techy terrain. I like the 20+ deg backsweep bars for touring/gravel grinding.
4. Frame Bags - I've been loving riding packless for the last few years. Having collected quite a few frame bags I can carry everything I need for even long rides on hot summer days on my bike. There is no going back for me. I know some people think a bike with bags/bottles on it looks goofy. That's okay I like the look and most people with a hydro or big fanny pack hanging off them look goofy so I don't see the point in judging! Props to Porcelain Rocket for making a lot of my favourite bags in Canada. Too bad Scott is moving on from the bag game, but his stuff is made so well I might be able to keep using them for as many years of riding as I have left in me!
5. Fenders - I can't imagine riding a mountain bike on the BC Coast in winter without generous fenders front and rear. I like the RRP longer front fender and the long Mudhugger rear fender.
6. Shimano 11 Speed Drivertain - Not sexy, but I have this on 2 of my mountain bikes and it works great, is easy to source and is priced reasonably. I may try the Shimano Deore 12 speed stuff people are talking about one day when all the HG drivers I own need replacing. Until then I'll just keep rocking the Shimano 11 speed stuff.
7. Code RSC Brakes - They are strong. They don't need a lot of maintenance. They don't have that super annoying wandering bite point. Honourable mention to my older Shimano brakes [pre-2014] that are still going strong and not doing anything funky.
8. Five Ten Bike Shoes - Every time I try the competition I wish I had just bought 5.10s. At the moment I'm loving the EPS Freeriders that are insulated and waterproof for winter riding. Too bad they stopped making them. **sigh** For dry weather I love the OG Freeriders and the Freerider Pros. The only 5.10s I didn't like were the set I had with the smooth contact soles. They had to be glued back together constantly and I always seemed to have to hike-a-bike over something slippery with them...even in summer.
9. Race Face Ruxton Pants - This is the first winter I have tried full length pants and I am loving them. These RF pants have an oddly large waist for the numbers on their size chart so I had to have a friend alter them...the design makes that easy. Once that little hiccup was taken care of they fit well, don't get too hot while providing enough extra warmth to be useful, they fabric is robust enough to survive some crashing, I can wear knee pads under them and pedal comfortably for several hours. If I could change one thing I'd love a normal waist/zipper/fly with belt loops. I'm going to try the NF pants for a Canadian made option when they are back in stock in my colour/size.
10. Winter Gloves - I haven't found a pair I fully love, but I am glad that I [finally] bought some warmer winter riding gloves. I'm not sure how or why I used to just soldier on with summer gloves [and shorts] in the winter, but I now see the error in my ways. I haven't found the perfect winter glove, but now that I know how nice they are I'll keep looking.
Last edited by: Vikb on Dec. 30, 2020, 6:55 a.m., edited 2 times in total.