COLE’S STANDOUTS

FAVORITE FULL-POWER E-BIKE

CRESTLINE S180

Man, what a machine the Crestline S180 is. For me the suspension feel was unmatched when paired with the Bosch (and now DJI) motor. There was enough platform to pop and play but when it got rough the S180 sat in and was right at home. Overall, the package just ticked every box I would ask for when looking at a full power Ebike. Close second would be the Trek Rail, this bike is a sleeper. Doesn’t “wow” you on every trail but constantly is tapping you on the shoulder with how fun and capable it is.

FAVORITE “SL” E-BIKE

REVEL RERUN

For me the best SL eBike of the year was the Revel ReRun. This bike found the happy medium of being poppy and fun, but still willing to plow through rough terrain. Would I have chosen a different motor for it? Yes, the TQ HPR 60 would take it to the next level. But on ride characterises alone, I really really enjoyed this bike. My second place would be the Pivot Shuttle SL/AM. I really got along with the geo of this bike and had confidence on every trail. The only reason it did not win is if I was purchasing a ebike, I would want something with a bit more travel for the trips and zones I like to go on.

FAVORITE ANALOG BIKE

TREK TOP FUEL

The Trek Top Fuel balances so many good attributes with very few tradeoffs. Sure, it is not going to be my pick for the bike park, but damn near anything outside of shuttle laps I would gladly ride this bike. The ABP rear suspension does an insane job at handling chunk and chatter for being just 120mm, and with the base level shock we had on our test bike it is even more impressive. It makes climbs something to look forward to and breaths new interest into green and blue trails you may not often frequent. This bike left me the most impressed out of all the bikes I rode this year (44 in total).

FAVORITE FULL FACE HELMET

FOX RAMPAGE RS

The Fox Rampage RS was impressively lightweight for the protection offered. The new Mips Integra Split gives quality peace of mind your brain will be ok after a heavy impact. And to boot, it is breathable and comfortable for all day park or e-bike sessions.

FAVORITE TRAIL HELMET

FOX SPEEDFRAME RS

I love the added protectipon from the Mips Intergra Split system on the Fox Speedframe RS, and the Virginia Tech rating backs it up. The internal helmet padding is comfortable with no hot spots, and can be replaced and cleaned easily. Adjustable height BOA goes a long way for customizing the fit, too.

FAVORITE PEDAL KNEE PAD

FOX ENDURO PRO

The Fox Enduro Pro knee pads are very comfortable, and can be worn for six or more hours without adjustments being made, which is insane! The large upper silicone band combined with the dual-sleeve keeps them in place exceptionally well, and the Koroyd protective insert offers stellar flexibility while still packing reasonable protection.

FAVORITE GRAVITY KNEE PAD

FOX LAUNCH ELITE KNEE/SHIN  

The Fox Launch Elite knee/shin pads offer great protection combined with great comfort. You must pay to play, but the $200 is a solid multi season investment for your legs. The large upper silicon band does a great job at keeping pads in place all day and the extra shin protection is very welcomed. While they are great for the park, I have also used them on long ebike rides with no issues at all.

FAVORITE BODY ARMOR

CASED PROTECTION

The Cased Protection system is a very cool concept. The pads are some of the thickest I have ever seen. Their Knee/Hip pad combo is awesome for park days. And their one piece upper spine/elbow and chest protective kit makes wearing elbow pads actually enjoyable. This small brand is a real disrupter when it comes to integrated padding for MTB and Moto. If you never wore elbow pads due to the annoyance, this might change the game for you.

FAVORITE SHOES

SHIMANO GE900HS

I wore the Shimano GE900 HS shoes for the majority of the year. My one pair have outlasted my previous favourites by a long shot. Yes, they are expensive, but when you look at the lifespan of the shoe, it might save you money. I have been very impressed with how stiff they have stayed over the last 9 months of constant use. This is a shoe you will be finding in my kit for a long time to come.

FAVORITE ACCESSORY

I’m a big fan of the new electronic mini pumps. The size and convenience of all of the units in our group test was amazing. I do not have a particular favourite, but using one with a built-in pressure gauge allows me piece of mind when on longer rides, knowing I can make some adjustments or fix multiple flats.

STANDOUT CATEGORY OR NICHE/PRODUCT

FIDLOCK WATER BOTTLES

This may seem silly, but man I love the Fidlock twist water bottles. The fact that I don’t have to have a bulky cage on the bike for me is a selling point, as I don’t always use a bottle but like to have the option. I think this just makes the bike look so much better. Yes, they do fail and can get rattly, but that takes at least a full year of use for me. Overall, cheap and easy upgrade to your very expensive bike that will help retain its factory silhouette.

DJI ACTION 5 PRO

I am constantly impressed with how stable the DJI Action 5 Pro camera is. We have come so dang far in POV cameras, but I found that this one to be a big step up in image quality, offering 10-bit color and a HUGE field of view with the Boost lens for any mounting location. This is a tool I used constantly this year and will continue to do so moving into 2026…unless DJI wants to send us something newer, hint hint.