Gear of the year 2023 - Suvi Loponen's tech highlights
These are Suvi's highlights from the past 12 months
It feels as if this year has passed in the blink of an eye and what a rollercoaster it has been. Some of my highlights from this year are definitely around the events I've completed. While it's been exciting to test all the latest cycling gear and tech, it's the community of cyclists and meeting new inspiring people from the industry that have made my year. I've got to work as part of a great team here at off.road.cc and, together, we've reported on many product launches and industry ups and downs in 2023.
If I had to choose one cycling thing to highlight from 2023, it would be gravel. It's a lovely, ever-evolving and relatively new discipline and it is the only discipline that was not part of the 2023 UCI World Championships that transformed my home city of Glasgow into a cycling beehive. But, in my books, it is the discipline that had the centre stage in the cycling industry as a whole over the last 12 months. It was also the discipline I spent most of my time riding this year and it's behind the most memorable moments.
It's not only the brands that have been churning out new gravel rigs left right and centre in 2023 but it's also the UCI that has stepped up its game with the gravel sector. That was tangible at the Gralloch, the first-ever UCI gravel race hosted in the UK. I was lucky enough to report from the race day in Gatehouse of Fleet and managed to collect some very cool bike checks from plenty of pro riders. The other highlight from the gravel scene this year was the inaugural FNLD GRVL, which happened to take place in my country of origin, the happiest nation on earth, Finland. It was simultaneously strange and wonderful to travel "home" to ride the type of gravel I grew up riding. And, best of all, I got to complete a bike race with my sister, which was one of the most special moments of this year.
Apart from riding bikes and watching pros do it even better, I also spent a lot of time testing new bikes, groupsets, wheels, tyres and everything in between this year. Some of the things I tested were merely satisfactory and some exceeded my expectations.
Canyon Grail CF SLX 8 Di2 2024
2023 Canyon Grail CF SLX 8 Di2.jpg, by Suvi loponen
I've been a fan of Canyon's bikes for a while. Not only because it is a brand that caters well for smaller riders, but also because its bikes are simply stylish and functional. The Grail CFR, which I first spotted at the Gralloch way before its official launch, was one of those bikes I was very excited to try out, and one that left me with a thirst for more time with it.
This gravel bike is made for racing and, in the bid to make it more aero, Canyon rather boldly opted to replace the much loved and hated double-decker handlebar with a brand-new one-piece cockpit. The result of years of designing is an aesthetically pleasing bike that rides extremely well, too. I haven't bagged any podiums on this bike but, instead, I've secured more cups and crowns on the local gravel sections than on any other bike. Its performance at the World Champs and several other international gravel races is a testament to the speed it carries and I think it's a bike that can elevate any gravel hobbyist's ride.
I like the innovative frame storage, the earthy look, the long and stable wheelbase and the component choices. It's a bike that is hard to fault – apart from the handlebar width.
Read my Canyon Grail CF SLX 8 Di2 review.
Kostüme Women’s Short Sleeve Jersey
2023 Kostüme Women's Short Sleeve jersey-hero, by Suvi loponen
It feels rather strange to be writing about a short-sleeved jersey when it is quite literally freezing outside but this happened to be my favourite piece of clothing this year and looking at it makes me go back to the nice summer rides.
This jersey is not only stylish in design, but I also really appreciate the ethos behind the brand. Kostume is a small boutique brand that focuses on producing high-quality cycling clothing in smaller batches. Each edition (this jersey is from EDIT001) is produced in limited quantities which means there is less waste.
For all the details be sure to read my Kostüme Women’s Short Sleeve Jersey review.
Ass Savers Win Wing rear mudguard
2022 Ass Savers Win Wing-4.jpg, by Suvi loponen
Part of the reason why this little flap has made it to my Gear of the Year list is the fact that AssSavers has brought out an updated version of it – now in all-stealthy black. I certainly didn't mind the previous look (mine is covered in mud most of the time, anyway) but the Swedish brand has now tweaked the design slightly and thrown in a pair of frame protection stickers to the package.
There is not much to say about this mudguard, it's one of the simplest things you could attach to any bike that has seat stays and it gives you a guaranteed dry bum. It's like the Ikea of mudguards – it just does it all in a very simple, functional manner. What's not to like? Five stars.
You can read about it in more detail in our Ass Savers Win Wing rear mudguard review.
Seido Acceleron gravel wheelset
2023 Seido Acceleron wheelset-7.jpg, by Suvi loponen
I've been quite impressed with a whole host of stuff from Seido Components in the last year. The wheels pictured here are a great quality set of hoops that added a noticeable performance boost to my ride. I feel these wheels are good value and you get a very snazzy 102T rear hub, which can have a big positive impact on race performance, especially on technical courses.
For the skinny on how they performed, read my Seido Acceleron gravel wheelset review.
Object of desire - a podium at a gravel race
Suvi Raiders Gravel Team-orcc hero, by Suvi Loponen
Last but not least, my object of desire. I want to train and race more seriously going forward but juggling that with a full-time job testing bikes and writing about them is tough. For 2024, I want to train with more structure and test my legs on a gravel race or two. The goal will be to see if I can secure a podium spot.
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