It's that time of year when we reflect, take stock, and gear up for another one. I’ve experienced significant change in my personal life over the last 12 months, but bikes have always been the constant – bikes are the best!

I’ve moved from my travelling and van-based life back to bricks and mortar, and while the looming mortgage has very much put me back in the ‘system,’ I am grateful for some stability and a place to store all my two-wheeled toys, electrically and petrol-powered alike.

Back in January, I had one of the worst crashes of my entire riding life which resulted in three days in hospital. I have no recollection of the crash, being scraped up, the trip to the hospital or the countless scans they performed but my rear axle snapped so I’m blaming that for my hugey right at the end of the day on a blue trail.

In May, Rachael Wight and I embarked on our north-to-south Wales adventure. These plans were cooked up many months earlier, but for one reason or another, training was very much lacking. With upwards of 400km and more than 8,000m of elevation over four days, it was certainly outside my comfort zone but completely worth it for the adventure, the disconnection and the sense of achievement. 

Although my riding hasn’t been quite on the scale of last year, I’ve managed a select few events which have been highlights for me. I waited until June to get racing and headed north for Ard Moors. This was my second time at the event with a couple of years gap and it didn’t disappoint – it's one of my favourite races of the year with some great stages and a proper day out on the bike. For some reason, I seem to go well there and was super stoked to bag a top 10 in a stacked Masters category and 36th overall.

July was a great month for bikes first heading under the channel and onto Meribel for Enduro2. For those who haven’t heard of Enduro2, it's a team racing event in the French Alps – you and your mate race together in an enduro format. It was hectic with some changeable weather and long stages, some of which clocked 15 minutes but we had a great crew and had three solid days of racing. After the race, the following week was spent exploring La Thuile, riding some big mountains and savouring the Dolce Vita Italian lifestyle.

Two weeks later, I got to do my first e-bike race at Ard Rock. Having never done Ard Rock, I was super keen to see what all the hype was about. I prefer the stages at Ard Moors, but the festival vibe at Ard Rock is like nothing else on the MTB calendar, and it’s a great opportunity to catch up with familiar faces. I turned up to race the Cannondale Monterra, a bike I had not ridden until the day of the race and parked it into another top 10 in category.

Aside from the big events, I’ve been cramming in plenty of local laps and enjoyed this year’s crop of test kit. I’m still aboard my trusty Deviate Claymore but I feel like the urge to try something new is on the horizon so we’ll watch the space for next year. In the meantime here is a round-up of my favourite kit from the year.

e-MTB of the year – Pivot Shuttle LT

2024 pivot shuttle lt hero.jpg, by Liam Mercer

A 750Wh battery, 160mm of travel and just over 22kg is a great recipe for a hard-hitting e-bike. Then add a good spec, DW suspension and a mullet set-up to make the Pivot Shuttle LT an outstanding ride. I’ve ridden a fair amount of e-bikes in the previous years, but nothing has been quite as composed and controlled.

It is not without its problems and I can’t justify the price but the Pivot Shuttle LT was a standout bike for me this year.

Take a look at my Pivot Shuttle LT review.

Item of clothing of the year – Fox Defend Fire Alpha jacket

Fox Defend Fire Alpha jacket_9, by Ty Rutherford

Aside from the mouthful of a name, this jacket is like wearing a hug. It has become my go-to jacket for all cold-weather duties thanks to the warmth, breathability and super-comfortable fit.

The Polartec tufted fleece fully lines the jacket, giving maximum warmth, and it feels nice against the skin and manages heat well. While it isn’t the cheapest jacket I’d highly recommend it if you can stretch your budget.

You can read about my thoughts in the Fox Racing Defend Fire Alpha riding jacket review.

Helmet of the year – Bluegrass Vanguard Core

Bluegrass_Vanguard_Core_1, by Ty Rutherford

I wouldn’t say I’m actively against full-face helmets but I rarely wear one. The majority of my riding involves pedalling, so I value the breeziness of a half-shell lid. That said, on the odd occasion there is a motor or cable-operated way to get to the top of the hill, I will wear a full face. I find the full coverage a little claustrophobic and the lack of airflow frustrating. Couple that with a pair of goggles and I’m all out of sorts.

I was impressed with the Bluegrass Vanguard Core for the ventilation and field of view. I still had a little adjustment period to settle in with it, but I found it a very easy full-face helmet to get on with. For the comfort, lack of weight and ventilation, I highly rate this as an enduro and downhill lid.

Read my Bluegrass Vanguard Core Full Face helmet review for more details.

Shoes of the year – Fox Union Canvas

Fox_Union_Canvas_2.jpeg, by Ty Rutherford

The majority of my mountain biking is handled with clipless pedals, however, this summer, I’ve gone back to my roots and have been riding a dirt jump hardtail again. Relearning how to ride pump tracks, skateparks and dirt jumps has been humbling and made me realise how lazy certain aspects of my riding have become.

Getting back on flat pedals was also a learning curve, but I’m super happy to have the Fox Union Canvas shoes for these duties.

These shoes have become my go-to option for hardtail duties. They are mega grippy on the pedal, easy to walk in and I dig the casual looks.

For the full lowdown, have a look at my Fox Union Canvas shoes review.

Eye protection of the year – Scott Fury goggles

Scott_Fury_Deathgrip2_goggles_5, by Ty Rutherford

When the full-face comes out, I love a comfy set of goggles as long as the field of view isn’t compromised. The guarantee of keeping debris out of my eyes is reassuring – especially as a contact lens wearer.

I praised the Scott Fury goggles for their comfort – this comes from the three-layer foam and microfleece. I also found the shape to be a good fit.

For more details, read the Scott Brendan Fairclough Fury Deathgrip 2 goggles review.

Tyre of the year – Michelin Wild Enduro MH Racing Line

Michelin Wild Enduro MH_3.jpeg, by Ty Rutherford

The original Michelin Wild Enduro Racing line tyres were excellent, but the weight, rolling resistance and durability posed a serious compromise. The new batch of Wild Enduros has sought to address these issues while retaining excellent grip thanks to a new rubber compound and carcass.

I put some decent miles on the Wild Enduro MH and found it an outstandingly confidence-inspiring tyre for the front wheel. The drawbacks to the old tyre have been alleviated so I’m looking forward to spending some winter time on the MS in the mud and slop.

Read my Michelin Wild Enduro MH Racing Line tyre review for the final verdict.

Component of the year – Hayes Dominion A4 brakes

2023 hayes dominion a4 5ct.jpg, by Liam Mercer

I had the pleasure of testing the very fancy Dominion T4 brakes which do an impressive job of managing power with a predictable feel. The light lever feel, along with the cross-hair alignment made these brakes very easy to love.

The titanium and carbon of the T4 are nice features and save a little weight, but they’re not cheap. That’s why the Dominion A4s are included in my gear of the year – they have all the same functionality as the brakes I fell in love with but are £170 cheaper!

You can read more about them in our Hayes Dominion A4 brake review.

Product of the year – Raceface Chester grips

Raceface_chester_grips_3.jpeg, by Ty Rutherford

I love a cheap upgrade over having to drop serious coin on something such as wheels or brakes. The Raceface Chester grips were great additions that didn’t break the bank. I’ve always preferred a thicker grip with the additional cushioning so the 34mm diameter suits me nicely.

They've got a pretty fuss-free pattern but it works well whether gloved or not and, at £25, they’re hard to beat on value.

If you’re interested, read my Race Face Chester grips review for more information.

Object of desire – Atherton AM170

Atherton A 170 full bike, by Suvi Loponen

I’ve been aboard my Deviate Claymore for a couple of years now and can’t fault it. The high pivot took a bit of getting used to, but the way it trucks through the rough stuff is unlike anything I’ve ever ridden.

I think I’m nearly at the stage where it's time for a change towards something a little more lively that I can have fun with when going fast isn’t my main priority. Having loved the DW link platform on the Pivot Shuttle LT, it's got me thinking about other acoustic bikes that run a similar set-up.

The Atherton AM170 sure is a bike to lust over and the engineer in me sure does get excited about how it's made. With the DW6 suspension, I’d love to swing a leg over one and put it through its paces.

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