Fox's XC and gravel helmet, Brendog's limited-edition goggles and more
Plus this week's top highlights
This may be our last Five Cool Things of the year but we're ending the series off with a bang for 2023. That's because the flow of cool things to come into the office simply isn't showing signs of slowing and we couldn't go into the new year without showing off some of the seriously exciting items we've got for testing. Of course, we'll also highlight the best stories of the week.
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Even though we're inching ever closer to Christmas, the bike industry is still in full swing with news of Privateer lifting the lid on its Gen 2 bikes, and Sonder introducing the El Camino e-gravel bike and the new Sedona. Giant released two new wheelsets, too, dubbed the TRX and TRA. And the list goes on as Red Bull has announced its return for 2024 and its rider lineup with big names making a comeback such as Loic Bruni, Tahnee Seagrave and the last winner, Jackson Goldstone.
We've been rolling out the features, too, starting the week with a look back at my 2023 tech predictions to find out whether I was right or wrong and our Suvi talks you through exactly what to wear for winter cycling. To top things off, Steve explains why the Raleigh Chopper was and still is the best Xmas gift.
However, the biggest news is that we've kicked off our Gear of the Year series for 2023, starting with the off.road.cc team's collective Gear of the Year where each member of staff has voted to pick the very best kit that we've tested throughout 2023. We've then gone into my Gear of the Year tech highlights where I've sifted through the 100+ things I've reviewed to show you what I reckon is the best.
POC Column VPD Backpack 8L
£140
2023 poc backpack 5ct.jpg, by Liam Mercer
POC says that the Column VPD 8L backpack is ideal for shorter days out on the bike as it combines eight litres of storage capacity with the brand's VPD Air backplate, giving the pack a hint of back protection. A big feature of this pack is the strap design which is almost completely adjustable with adjustment at the shoulders and the sternum, keeping the backpack in place without requiring a waist strap.
The Column VPD is constructed using recycled materials and can house a three-litre, hydration bladder. There's a tonne of pockets, too, with its main opening containing plenty of organisation, keeping your essentials well within easy reach. Other features include 3D mesh venting on the straps, a hanger loop and reflective details.
Scott Fury Brendan Fairclough goggles
£85
2023 scott BF limited edition gogs 5ct.jpg, by Liam Mercer
Brendan Fairclough is a rider who needs no introduction, especially after his ridiculous and world-renowned canyon gap at this year's Red Bull Rampage. And his film, Deathgrip is a household name, hailed as being one of the greatest riding edits of all time.
With Deathgrip 2 incoming, and with Scott being no stranger to cool signature colourways, the brand has introduced its Fury Brendan Fairclough signature goggles. They get all of the tricks that you'll expect of any good pair of goggles, including a three-layer face foam, a silicone strap and a lens lock system, which the brand claims is the safest lens retention system around. The lens included is a Scott TruView single lens that gets NoFog anti-fog treatment and offers 100 per cent UV protection.
Fox Crossframe Pro
£190
2023 Fox crossframe 5ct.jpg, by Liam Mercer
The Crossframe Pro is the very latest addition to Fox's protection range and it seeks to appease the needs of gravel and cross-country riders coming packed with features to do so. First and foremost, there's a Mips cradle as well as a dual-density Varizorb EPS foam. There's also a Boa fit system with a rear cradle adjustment for setting the dial to an ideal position.
As well as that, the Crossframe Pro is equipped with a Fidlock buckle, adjustable strap dividers and a washable Ionic+ comfort liner. There's then a tonne of vents with channelling in the EPS foam to help get air moving around the head.
Ergon GDH Team grips
£35
2023 ergon ghd grips 5ct.jpg, by Liam Mercer
Released just this week are Ergon's new GDH Team grips and they're designed to offer all of the control in downhill situations by providing effective ergonomics. As such, these grips get a special contoured shape with a squishy texture and grippy rubber compound all to get the job done.
This design comes as the result of Ergon's work with the two-time Downhill World Champion Vali Holl, as well as Troy Brosnan and Fabian Barel. The grip's soft GravityControl Rubber compound is made in Germany and its SGS tested for harmful substances.
100% Brisker Xtreme
£40
2023 100pc extreme brisker 5ct.jpg, by Liam Mercer
Another brand-new product is the 100% Brisker Xtreme gloves. It takes everything we love about the Brisker, which has become a standard for all cold-weather riding and turns the warmth up a notch. That's done by building the gloves with an insulated embossed soft-shell top and an extended cuff to help fend off cold weather better.
These gloves also get their fair share of fleece, with finger gussets being fleece-lined, as well as the single-layer Axe Suede palm to boost warmth even further. As with many gloves, these get silicone printing in the right places for grip in the wet, there's a slip-on cuff and a bit of terry cloth on the thumb. There's also an integrated tech thread so you can use touchscreen devices without removing the gloves.
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