That’s another year done and dusted, and 2024 has been yet another packed year for myself and off.road.cc. With a record-breaking number of reviews being published, picking the very best has been no easy feat but here’s my annual list of the top kit I’ve ridden and reviewed throughout the year, and some that’s made it into my daily riding armoury. ​

2024 has seen a real mix of componentry and bikes come to the market and with the Olympics taking place, cross-country has been the genre of the year. Not only has a new Specialized Epic broken cover, but it was a real treat to sample a proper race-winning thoroughbred, the Pinarello Dogma XC HT over in Italy ahead of its launch. It’s stiff, it’s super racy and it comes as no surprise that it has propelled the now iconic XC duo, Pauline Ferrand-Prevot, and Tom Pidock to Olympic gold.

Other highlights include Starling’s mental Mini Murmur. It’s every bit as ‘Starling’ as you would expect but thanks to its minimal travel and XC/downcountry idealogy, it’s fast, simple and nothing short of hair-raising. Pivot's Switchblade needs an honourable mention, too. It was also fun to see brands such as Lauf break into the MTB scene in style with the Elja and Eurobike 2024 was a refreshing event that showed that there’s real hope and positivity behind the bounce-back of the cycling industry.

MTB of the year - Merida Big.Trail 600

The previous iteration of Merida’s Big.Trail is one that quickly won hearts and minds throughout the off.road.cc team and the very latest version not only built upon an already fantastic bike but made it an awful lot better. The brand has recognised that although the old bike was awesome, there was some room for improvement and, now, it’s the trail hardtail to beat. It was also an early sign that bike prices become more reasonable, as seen on bikes like the Voodoo Canzo and the new Boardman MTR.

This new and improved Big.Trail features bang-on geometry with longer reaches and a steeper head tube it’s shaped as a very real all-rounder for all levels of rider. Whether you’re smashing trail centre tracks or tipping it into something particularly spicy, the Big.Trail 600 is the one bike that I’ve ridden this year that’s kept me pedalling back up the hill for one more go, over and over again. 

And its value is excellent too. Considering it’s littered with all of the mod cons, the top-end 600 build gets componentry that’s impossible to sniff at. The absolute bang for buck translates throughout the range too, with the entry-level 400 model coming in at £1,100, making for a serious option for those looking to step into proper trail riding on a proper quality machine.

I’ll let the full Merida Big.Trail 600 mountain bike review do the rest of the talking.

e-MTB of the year - Whyte E-Lyte Evo RS

As always, e-MTB is the area that’s benefitting from the bulk of brands’ R&D budgets - it’s constantly evolving with new technologies bringing fresh updates and improvements in an area that’s still rather new, in the grand scheme of things. Whyte’s E-Lyte Evo is yet another step forward for the genre and a positive one at that.

Pairing a lower output motor with a smaller capacity battery makes sense but building a bike with the latest in Bosch technology – a motor that outputs 85Nm of torque and up to 600W with a 400Wh battery means range is very limited, one would think. However, the brand has done this for a very good reason, and that’s to lower the overall centre of gravity and take better advantage of the greater weight that a battery and motor provide. Plus, the brand includes a range extender for the cash.

The result is a full-power e-mountain bike that rides like no other. It still drives through techy sections with the poise and composure you’d expect of a 22 kilo e-MTB but because there’s not much weight high in the downtube, it corners exceptionally. Although the range extender adds more weight (included in that 22kg) because it hardly affects the centre of gravity, the bike’s handling remains identical. It’s not outrageously priced either. I’ve not felt short-changed by the overall range it offers either as it confidently covers all but the lengthiest of jaunts with healthy helpings of assistance.

Here's a deep dive into the Whyte E-Lyte Evo RS.

Item of clothing of the year - Rapha Trail Knee Pads

I often struggle with even the best knee pads on the market. Many provide more than adequate protection and coverage but I regularly struggle with long-term comfort - I probably have weirdly shaped knees. But then Rapha’s Trail Knee Pads came into the office.

Since then, these knee pads are the first I’ve reached for before any type of ride simply because they’re so comfortable. From the moment I slip them on, I forget they’re there until I need them and there have been situations where they’ve paid back in dividends. 

A lot of the comfort on offer comes from the super stretchy sleeve and the silicone that flies under the radar while keeping the pads perfectly in place. However, it's the RHEON protectors that do most of the heavy lifting. They’re super bendy and very breathable but importantly they certify to Level-2 protection which is serious stuff for a pad like this.

Check out my favourite knee pads - Rapha Trail Knee Pads review.

Helmet of the year - Fox Racing Dropframe Pro

Late in 2023, Fox Racing brought updates to the Dropframe, an extended coverage open-face helmet that gained a cult following within the MTB scene. This time around, the brand broadened its protection further by effectively taking a full-face helmet and chopping off the chin guard.

The Dropframe Pro boasts more protection than most other three-quarter helmets but it’s packed with safety features to make it ideal for aggressive riders who want a little more coverage. Inside is a Mips cradle, Fidlock buckle and a Boa dial for adjustment - three big names in helmet tech. There are loads of vents and the Dropframe Pro can be run with goggles or glasses seamlessly.

Most of all, I’m a huge fan of the plethora of padding in the box. With interchangeable cheek, forehead and neck pads, getting the fit of this helmet dialled is merely a case of trial and error. It packs comfort, protection and style, it just needs a little more room for large ears.

Here's my review on the Fox Racing Dropframe Pro.

Shoes of the year - Crankbrothers Mallet Trail Boa

A bunch of shoes have made it onto my feet this year and none have been as impressive as Crankbrothers’ latest clip offering. With other shoes in the brand’s range being among the most comfortable I’ve ever ridden in, I had high expectations of the Mallet Trail Boas and they exceeded them. They’re mega comfortable but importantly they’re slimmer than before and lighter.

Then, because the closure is super simple, employing a single Boa dial and a Velcro strap, getting in and out of the shoes is quick and easy. This doesn’t sound all that impressive but when soaking wet or with tired legs, it’s a serious benefit. Performance translates well on the bike as the Mallet Trail Boa balances efficiency reaping stiffness with a good level of support and vibration damping. They look great too! Since testing these, I’ve been riding in them at every opportunity I can. If I’ve not been riding the Mallet Trail Boas, I’ve been in the Stamp Trail Boas – the flat variant.

For more on the best shoes of the year, check out the Crankbrothers Mallet Trail Boa shoe review.

Wheelset of the year - Hope Fortus 30 SC

Granted, I’ve not been through many wheelsets this year but Hope’s Fortus 30 SC has been an absolute pleasure, ticking all the boxes for an accessibly priced pair of hoops for trail and enduro riding. Your £500 entry fee grants you access to Hope’s stellar Pro 5 hub that looks great, sounds mean, comes in a bunch of colours and is among the easiest to service. It’s incredibly well sealed, too, with the internals being box-fresh, even after months of abuse.

As for the rims, there’s little to complain about there, too. They might be a little heavier but during a test period that saw all kinds of riding and conditions, they still ran true, showing only a few signs of use after rocks and other hard things marred the shot-peened finish.

Head over to the Hope Fortus 30 SC wheelset review for more.

Accessory of the year - OneUp Components 70cc EDC Pump

Since reviewing OneUp’s EDC tool in 2023, it’s become a permanent fixture on my personal mountain bike as it covers many functions in a low-profile but easily accessible package. However, in its threadless carrier guise, it’s not the easiest thing to move from bike to bike, especially when spending so much time riding bikes that I don’t own.

The ability to house the EDC tool in a pump both ups the tool’s usefulness and makes it mega portable, so with the included bottle cage mount and Inline Pump Mount (that I personally bought), I can move the pump between two or three bikes without making any drastic changes. Additionally, it’s a great pump in its own right. It’s efficient, well built and it doubles as a CO2 inflator.

Admittedly, the whole setup is a bit expensive but it’s well worth the investment if you like to ditch the backpack and store as many tools as possible on your bike.

Check out our deep dive on the OneUp Components EDC Pump.

Eye protection of the year - Madison Crypto

Cycling-specific glasses can get pretty damn expensive with eyewear from POC, Smith Optics and other brands reaching sky-high prices. Although such glasses come with fancy technologies and coatings, at just £40, the Madison Crypto puts them to shame.

Despite its relatively small asking price, the Crypto has a lot to give. It offers loads of coverage, it’s comfortable and it stays put. It combats fog effectively and replacement lenses are reasonably priced too. As I said in my review, the Madison Crypto is ‘solid proof that incredible performance needn’t cost the earth’ and several months after that test, I stand by that statement.

After some cheap riding specs that don't skimp on performance? Head over to the Madison Crypto glasses review for more.

Tyre of the year - Maxxis High Roller III

At first, the High Roller III just made me angry. It’s a tyre built to bridge the gap between the already great Assegai and the very well-established Shorty. Both are top-tier tyres that straddle each other's intentions with the former being rather capable in wetter conditions and the Shorty holding up through proper dust. Honestly, I didn’t understand it and palmed it off as another attempt to get tyre nerds excited, which it did.

But… It’s a fantastic tyre that suits my riding perfectly. Where I ride mostly natural trails that usually feature soft or wet surfaces, or a mix of the two with a smidgeon of hardpack in between, the High Roller III conquers all. It provides a blend of traction with minimal rolling resistance that makes it a tyre that’s near-on perfect for all but the most groomed of bike park trails. 

And it holds up over smoother and harder surfaces. It wouldn’t be my first choice if I were riding bike park trails all of the time but I don’t, and the High Roller III has fit my riding style to a tee.

For more on one of the best tyres around, this is the Maxxis High Roller III tyre review.

Component of the year - RockShox Lyrik Ultimate Charger 3.1

This year RockShox brought updates to its Charger 3 damper and introduced the Charger 3.1. The brand tweaked its internals to allow for freer oil flow through the damper, which resulted in less damping with the low-speed compression open and more damping than before with the high-speed compression closed. So, its adjustment range is broader, meaning more riders can achieve a dialled setup without needing to open the fork.

But it’s not just about the span of adjustment as the RockShox Lyrik Ultimate delivers an excellent quality of damping that’s smooth but supportive and mega-tunable. That damper is inserted into the very same chassis as the outgoing Charger 3 Lyrik and with good reason. It’s plenty stiff enough for enduro, all-mountain and heavier trail riding, despite being a little heavier than its competition. However, it is cheaper than the likes of Fox and given how capably and smoothly it manages its travel, it’ll appeal to those who want top-level performance but want to save a few quid.

For more details, here's the RockShox Lyrik Ultimate Charger 3.1 review.

Product of the year - Crankbrothers Mallet Enduro LS pedals

I’ve had a love/hate relationship with Crankbrothers pedals over the past couple of years with this time the coin landing on ‘love’. While testing the Mallet Trail pedals, I had an incredibly hard time clipping into the mechanism, despite all my efforts and the best will in the world. But that all changed when riding the Mallet E LS pedals.

These get the mid-sized platform that sits between the Mallet DH and the Mallet Trail, and they get the very same Eggbeater mechanism that the brand’s pedals are famous for but this time, I’ve been able to clip into them with ease. These provide support through its platform and its subtle engagement with plenty of float. The ‘LS’ in the name stands for long spindle – these are built with the same spindle length as what you’ll find on the DH pedals, so you’ll get the same Q-factor for a similar feel between bikes if that’s your thing. However, the real benefit is more stability and more comfort.

Click here for my full impressions on the Crankbrothers Mallet Enduro LS pedals.

Object of desire - Dawley T16

Dawley has been a brand that’s quietly been on my radar for a while now but since meeting Thom at Ard Rock and seeing the T16 in the flesh, it’s yet another steel bike that I’ve been dying to ride. 

Now the only bike Thom builds by hand up in Nottinghamshire (he’s dropped his hardtails) the T16 is a 115mm travelled 29inch-wheeled trail bike that features masterful bronze welding and fillet brazing. The devil’s not only in the details as the frame looks incredibly well considered with a single straight line running from the head tube right through to the seat stays. The result in a cohesive and ridiculously sleek aesthetic.

And although it dons a mere 115mm of squish, it features 35 per cent progression, so it should have plenty to give in terms of ride character, and that’s what has got me interested. It’s also a bike that thrives on wise geometry choices, with a large size getting a 488mm reach, a 77.5-degree seat tube angle and a 65-degree head angle.

If you’re one for precision bike builds and superb detail, Dawley’s Instagram is well worth a follow, too.

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