ROB’S BIGGEST STANDOUTS

FORBIDDEN DREADNOUGHT ENDURO MTB

The Forbidden Dreadnought was a fun one to test. Undoubtedly a capable, beautiful, high-quality bike, the Forbidden forced a different riding approach due to its unique design. The adjustment to my body positioning and inputs to the bike made for a stimulating and engaging ride, with some notable pros and cons.

While it might not be the first bike I’d choose for every riding scenario, the Dreadnought was undeniably good in fast and rough terrain, and it felt incredible on off cambers and flat turns.

ZINK VACAY FREERIDE-ENDURO MTB

I love that Cam Zink has made such a unique bike with the Zink Vacay. What really surprised me was how capable this bike was on technical terrain, given its ultra-short rear end and focus on the freeride aspects. And of course, when going out to ride with a playful mindset and riding jumps and berms, the Vacay was a party.

Sitting at the other end of the Enduro bike spectrum from the Forbidden, the Zink Vacay also made for an interesting and straight-up riotous time.

CANYON SPECTRAL ALL MOUNTAIN MTB

The Forbidden and Zink bikes both shouted with some strong, unique handling traits. The Canyon Spectral was less vocal about its excellence, instead providing a palate-cleansing, neutral handling bike that was fun regardless of the terrain.

The Spectral AL 6’s $3000 retail price was impressive given its performance, and there were no components that felt to hold it back. Kudos to Canyon for this one.

FOX PODIUM FORK

The Fox Podium was one of the bigger news items this year, and for good reason. Not only was it a statement item that broke Fox’s mold, but one that worked damn well, too. Front-end comfort and traction were truly stellar, and I dig the moto-esque looks, too.

MAGURA GUSTAV PRO BRAKES

I’ve read some mixed opinions of the Gustav Pro brakes, but mine are resoundingly positive. They’ve got enough power to stop my heavy butt on the steepest trails I dare ride, and the power comes without having to squeeze the lever hard. But most importantly, I’ve had two different sets exhibit exactly the same feel over a long test period and display the same unfaltering consistency. Add to this the tactility of the lever, and you end up with my favorite brake out there right now. Yes, I know they’re still using the “fragile” Carbotecture composite material, but they’re built suitably burly that I don’t foresee them breaking.

ROCKSHOX REVERB AXS 250

Cole and I were both desperate to get the Reverb AXS 250mm post in to test, as long-legged riders who value clearance for the steepest descents. I was the lucky recipient of our test unit, and it has proven to be even better than anticipated. Responsive, smooth and reliable – with the slight “give” when it’s partially dropped to improve comfort on rough technical climbs – the RockShox Reverb AXS 250mm dropper post is my favorite on the market, by a good margin.

AENOMALY CONSTRUCTS SWITCHGRADE

Still not quite getting the popularity I think they deserve – especially in the eMTB space – is the Aenomaly Constructs Switchgrade saddle angle adjuster. This high-quality device lets you tilt the nose of the saddle down for improved comfort and efficiency on steeper climbs, and tilt the nose up for improved clearance on the descents. And it’s so damn good, especially for steeper eBike climbs and descents.

DHARCO X RHEON PULL OVER AND GRAVITY KNEE

We’ve been thankful for the support of DHaRCO on the channel this year. Not only because the support allowed us to continue grinding on the content, but also because their gear and protection were excellent to use. The new protection range, which utilizes RHEON protective inserts, was particularly enjoyable. The Gravity Knee and Gravity Vest were both standout items for me, packing solid protection with exceptional comfort in use.

FOX RAMPAGE RS

Talking about comfort in use, the Fox Rampage RS also comes to mind. Sliding this helmet onto my head for the first time gave me instant comfort and confidence, which was further backed by the knowledge of how Fox developed it to maximize safety. I’d love a different colorway, as the army green isn’t my favorite, but it hasn’t stopped me from reaching for the Rampage RS for all of my full-face-worthy rides this year.

HIGH ABOVE VENTURE 3D HIP PACK

Carrying on with the comfort theme, the High Above Venture 3D might be the most comfortable hip pack I’ve had the pleasure of using. More than just a gimmick, the Carbon3D pad provides comfort and breathability that make this hip pack a pleasure to use. I appreciate its simplicity, too, with the Fidlock-secured flap design making for a quick and easy pack to get in and out of. And you can stuff just enough snacks and tools inside to support my typical rides.