In short, the past year has been one of somewhat rethinking what I love about cycling. In previous years, I’ve been much more focused on the numbers, at least attempting to ride ‘x’ amount, but this year I’ve found myself in more than one rut in which cycling just has felt like a chore. That means that I’ve tried also to find other ways to keep my mind occupied, and running has taken me away from some of the miles I’d usually spend on two wheels. Not to mention, I’ve also been much more reluctant to head out in foul weather than before.
As such it’s been a sort of year of change. Starting at Escape Collective in September was one big shift, but so was what I found myself actually enjoying on the bike. I’ve been more drawn to getting off the roads and the nicest rides I’ve done have definitely involved some new roads and most importantly, friends. I’d love to say that I’ve started riding purely for the joy of it instead of chasing mileage goals or rounding up every Strava ride to a neat number… but that’d be a lie, especially considering I do ride for work too. I have, however, focused more on allowing myself time off the bike and tried to be outside even if I’m not cycling – though sometimes hopping on the turbo has been the easiest option for a little exercise.
My Favourite Things of 2024 are a mix, and also representative of the year it’s been. Some of my favourites here are longer-time loyal companions, while others are fresh discoveries that have made exploring with friends feel extra special.
Castelli Free Unlimited W Bib Shorts
In the past couple of years, I’ve realised just how much I love cargo bibs, or simply said, bib tights with pockets – shorts in the summer and tights in the winter. That quick access to essentials without having to nearly twist your shoulder out of its socket? Not having all the stuff in the pockets soaked in sweat? Game-changing.
My go-to summer bibs have been the Castelli Free Unlimited W. They’re perfect for long rides, with a comfy chamois, no harsh leg grippers, and best of all, they pull down without needing to take off your jersey (so practical). I like them so much that I had two pairs … one that I still use is starting to show serious signs of wear, and I burned a hole in the other on a radiator while bikepacking (don’t ask me how but do check the radiator temps!)
For winter, I’m still on the hunt for long-term favourite tights but Ciovita’s Supremo Thermo Cargo Bib Tights have been my go-to for the colder temperatures – they’ve got lots of pocket space and a super comfy fit with, again, a pull-down possibility.
Price: £195 / US$223
Specialized Roubaix SL 8
The Specialized Roubaix SL 8 is hands-down one of the nicest endurance road bikes I’ve ridden in a long time. I know it’s not the bike for everyone, but it suits my needs so well, and for that, it deserves a spot here.
When I bought my last road bike, I opted for the Tarmac – not out of brand loyalty, but because it seemed to fit the bill (and I could afford it in a sale). Over the years, though, I kept feeling the Roubaix might actually have been the better choice for my style of riding. After riding one, I’ve confirmed this feeling to be true.
The Roubaix’s high stack from the Future Shock adds to the bike’s weight, which is a trade-off, but here’s what I love about it: external routing at the headset makes it super easy to swap stems, bars, and service at home without needing to bleed brakes. The 40 mm tyre clearance also makes it capable on gravel, transforming it into a real all-rounder for multi-day rides that may involve some unpaved paths – or occasional navigation errors.
The ride quality is smooth, as you might expect with a little squish at the front. I’ve found this to be especially great on descents where the larger tyres and front suspension make the bike feel really planted and much more confidence-inspiring than many other small-frame bikes I regularly ride.
Visually, this bike is polarising, for sure, but for me, it just fits. And most of all, it’s been great at sparking a fresh thirst for audaxes, bikepacking, and simple, long rides.
Price: £5,500/US$6,500 for the Expert build
Post Carry Co Transfer Case
It’s been a while since I’ve used this bike bag, but when I have, it’s both saved me money and been a reliable travel companion. Many European airlines charge hefty bike fees, but the Post Carry Co Transfer Case is compact enough to count as standard luggage (most of the time). I’ve travelled with it on multiple airlines, listed as “normal” luggage with a 23 kg limit, and as such, saved quite a bit in bike fees (I can’t guarantee it works with every airline, so don’t blame me if you end up paying!).
Still, for me, it’s been a real money-saver, and as a smaller person, I also appreciate the compact size. It could do with a second set of wheels for four-wheel ease on smooth surfaces but on the other hand, this does have backpack straps too which I’ve used for carrying the bag on my back from the bus to the hotel. And on the topic of buses: unlike big full-size bike boxes, this one actually does fit nicely into public transport and you don’t need to call a family-size taxi to fit it in.
I must mention a few downsides, though: integrated cable routing and seat posts can make fitting your bike into this bag trickier, and you’ll need to be comfortable taking your bike apart and assembling it at your destination. For me, the Transfer Case represents great product design; it’s easy to maneuver and doesn’t take up valuable floor space when not in use – it really ticks so many boxes others don’t.
Price: This comes in two sizes – both priced at US$420.
Surly Bridge Club
There’s a lot about the Surly Bridge Club “all-road touring bike” that made me rethink cycling. This bike is by far the cheapest test bike that has come my way; at £1,600 it’s a bit of a bargain by modern standards.
It wasn’t just the “Whipped Butter” color that won me over; it was the simplicity. With a straightforward 11-speed CUES groupset, all-external cable routing, big tyres, tons of mounts, and 2.8″ clearance (for 650b wheels), this bike had me covered for trails, bikepacking, rides around the park, and everything in between. Similarly to the first gravel bikes I ever rode, it encouraged me to explore new local paths and kind of embrace riding slower but taking more in.
It also reminded me – very embarrassingly in front of some dogwalkers – that if you regularly ride sub-400 mm bars and go to 710 mm, you do need to consciously remind yourself of the extra clearance needed between the trees before diving into the trails …
Price: £1,599 / US$1,449
Epic Ride Weather App
I’m not gonna lie – living in one of the UK’s rainiest cities has made me a bit of a weather skeptic. Even if I’ve checked countless weather forecasts, more often than not I’m still surprised by an unexpected downpour or simply unnecessary time riding into the headwind.
Though I was late to discover the Epic Ride Weather App, it has been a bit of a game-changer for planning longer routes. It syncs with Strava, pulls in my routes, and lets me set an average speed and start time. Then, it provides detailed weather forecasts by location and time along the route, including wind direction and rain chances. I wouldn’t use it for every ride, but for big loops it’s nice to know what to expect and when a tailwind might give me that extra boost.
Cost: £12.99/year or £2.99/month ($2.99/ $14.99).
Ortlieb Quick Rack
Rear racks generally aren’t my favorite thing in the world – great for commuting, sure, but they can also be bulky eyesores. The Ortlieb Quick Rack, though, is different. I picked it up a couple of years ago when it was a £70 product, and it’s been a fantastic, versatile solution.
The rack works on bikes without dedicated rack mounts, attaching to mudguard mounts (M5/6) or with an adapter (extra £16) if your bike has no mounting points. Setup is quick – Ortlieb named this originally as “15-5” because it takes 15 seconds to attach and 5 to remove. All you really need to do is to screw the two hook mounts onto the chainstays and attach the rack to the seatpost with the adjustable strap.
I’ve used it for bikepacking and larger grocery runs, and though it maxes out at 20 kg, that’s plenty for my needs. It doesn’t rattle, and there’s even a compatible mudguard available. It’s a solid, good-value rack that’s easily removable when I don’t need it.
Price: £100 / US$110
And a few honourable mentions …
SRAM Apex XPLR AXS 1x groupset: My own gravel bike is built with this and I’ve found it to be excellent for my needs – great to see an electronic groupset that won’t break the bank.
Pro Discover Seat Bag – 15L: I’m not saying this will be my all-time favourite bag ever but this year, it’s been a definite winner. I like the grey colour (a nice change from all-black), the robust build, and the blue inside lining that makes finding things a little easier.
This is the third piece in our annual ‘Favourite Things’ series, which we’ll be rolling out into December. You can read the previous installments here.
Any thoughts/comments/recommendations – let me know in the comments below.
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