The Curtis Bikes G.O.A.T, OneUp's new Clip Pedals and more
We take a look at some of the UK's top hand-made bikes and the best stories from the week.
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The final Five Cool Things of 2024!
This week's Five Cool Things and the top stories of the week.
Five Cool Things is back – and we've got some seriously cool kit to show off.
This week's five cool things and the top stories of the week!
This week's Five Cool Things covers all corners of the cycling globe but with a small theme – British hand-made bikes. We're going to look at Curtis Bike's entry into the gravel market and Carbon Wasp's Leeds-built carbon trail bike. We've also got OneUp Components' latest Clip Pedal, Insta360's newest action camera and a neat care package from Motorex.
- 15 terrible pieces of mtb advice - ask the audience
- What is downcountry?
- Mountain bike slang - a beginner’s guide to speaking MTB
But before diving into the coolest kit to hit the office this week, it's been a strong show from the cycling industry as 2025 ramps up. Cotic dropped its glow-in-the-dark BFe hardtail, which now rolls on 29-inch hoops with the option to run a 650b wheel at the rear. Rondo also unveiled its latest bike, the IOON – an e-gravel bike. Finally, Hunt has brought a new wheel to the market, the Proven Carbon Trail. This wheelset benefits from technology found on the brand's enduro wheelset but comes in a lighter-weight format.
As for features, we've been cranking out the winter content, starting with mountain biking in the rain and 8 tips for mountain biking at night. We also looked at GT Bicycles, outlining its history and chatting with Hans Rey, the brand's longest-standing athlete.
In terms of reviews, we looked at Trickstuff's Power Pad and Dachle UL rotor, a pair that brings heaps of Trickstuff's renowned performance for a much more accessible price. There's also our verdict on the Deity Flat Trak pedal and GT's Grade X gravel bike. Matt shows us his thoughts on the Windover Beacon RACE, a gravel bike that treads into MTB territory in the name of adventure, and we wrap off the week with ODI's Vanquish grips. Let's not forget our review of 5Dev's R-Spec Trail Enduro crankset.
Carbon Wasp Truffle 120
From £2,600
2025 carbon wasp hero.jpg, by Liam Mercer
Locally made carbon-fibre frames aren't too common, but Carbon Wasp, a brand that may resonate better with the road crew, has released its latest off-road frame. With roots in designing, laying up and crafting aero extensions for road bikes, Carbon Wasp has not only developed the Truffle 120 bike we've got here but also a gearbox-equipped hardtail and fat bike.
But let's not get too carried away. The Truffle 120 is a carbon-framed cross-country, down-country, small travel trail bike that's hand-built in Leeds from the finest pre-preg carbon fibre. Where it's geometry looks right on the money for this type of bike, with a large getting a 480mm reach, a 65.5-degree head angle and a 76-degree seat angle, Carbon Wasp doesn't stop there. Along with four front triangle sizes, it offers six rear ends that allow potential customers to pick between 435mm and 460mm chainstay lengths in 5mm increments. There's 120mm of suspension at both ends of the bike.
And Carbon Wasp offers plenty of customisation options, which is the real secret behind the handmade carbon frame. The bike gets in-frame storage as standard, but that can be removed and the frame can be built to run an IS-56 upper headset cup for head angle adjustment.
One of the most interesting features of the Truffle 120 is that rather than paint, the brand chooses to wrap the frame in coloured vinyl. Single colours can be selected free of charge but you can go for a more sophisticated design at an extra cost. Additionally, these wraps can be bought aftermarket, should you wish to recolour or refresh your bike.
OneUp Components Clip Pedals
£143
2025 oneup clip pedals.jpg, by Liam Mercer
The Squamish-based componentry brand, OneUp Components, has unveiled its first-ever clipless pedal. In classic OneUp style, the brand hasn't done things by half either – not only does it claim to be the thinnest clipless pedal on the market, but also uses a reworked SPD mechanism.
Measuring 26.8mm thin, the SPD mechanism provides five degrees of float and a 12-degree release angle. However, this mechanism hugs the cleat tighter for a more secure feel. OneUp claims that a single pedal weighs 205.2g, stating that it balances lightweight with a large and supportive platform designed to support the shoe.
The OneUp Clip Pedals employ chromoly steel axles that roll on three outboard-sealed bearings and a single IGUS bushing. They're available in eight colours.
Curtis Bikes G.O.A.T
From £2,200
2025 curtis goat hero.jpg, by Liam Mercer
Curtis Bikes is a brand that needs no introduction. It's a long-standing British bike brand that's become an institution for steel-framed bikes such as its XR mountain bikes and successful BMX frames. It started life building frames for Honda-powered motocross bikes in 1972. A few years later, Curtis moved to braze pushbike frames.
The G.O.A.T (Great Over All Terrain), marks the next step for Curtis as the brand moves into the gravel market. This bike is designed to excel over a mix of terrain, whether road or full-on gravel and, of course, it utilises steel tubing. Specifically, the front triangle boasts Reynolds 853 tubes, the seat tube is made from 631, and the rear triangle uses Columbus steel. Each frame is made to order and the tube set is chosen for the customer's weight to achieve the best blend of stiffness, compliance and weight savings for that rider.
Insta360 Ace Pro 2
From £390
Insta360 Ace Pro 2.jpg, by Liam Mercer
Claiming to be 'simply the best', Insta360's Ace Pro 2 looks to be one powerful action camera. It boasts a 1/1.3" sensor paired with a Leica Summarit lens to bring 4K footage at 60 frames per second, although it can film at 8K at 30fps. And if you know Leica, you'll know that lens is going to be something rather good.
The Ace Pro promises exceptional low-light performance with help from AI technologies to reduce noise, and a built-in wind guard reduces wind noise. Horizon lock is included in the camera's breadth of stabilisation options, and there's a mega handy folding screen, so you can see what you're filming from a large range of angles.
Motorex bike care kit
From £10
2025 motorex.jpg, by Liam Mercer
The bike care sector is one hot market with brands such as Muc-Off and Peaty's dominating. But Swiss brand, Motorex is looking for a piece of the action as it has a product for every need any budding or experienced bike mechanic might need. Here, we have a small collection of the range that'll effectively top up any home-mechanics toolbox.
We've got assembly grease and carbon paste that come with handy brushes built into the caps, and bike cleaner, a range of brushes, chain degreaser and wet lube. We're not too sure what the impregnation spray is, and we're a little scared to use it, but, jokes aside, it'll help keep shoes and textiles clean as it forms a protective coating.
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