Plus the best stories to start 2024
Hello wonderful cyclists and welcome to 2024’s opening First Look Friday. Here’s a small dose of biking goodness to see you through the end of the first week of January. To get us started, let’s quickly recap on what’s been going on at BikeRadar this week.
With team changes, and new kits and colourways springing up online, we spotted some leaked images of what might be Trek’s new lightweight road bike, while Filippo Ganna modelled a new aero Kask helmet.
If you’re anything like me, no doubt you’ve indulged over the festive period. If so, take a look at the six ways to use your indoor trainer to reach your 2024 goals and get back on track.
We’ve seen plenty of reviews hit the site this week, including winter kit from 7mesh, Pearl Izumi and Gorewear, plus cold-weather gloves from Sportful. We also rounded up the best trail mountain bikes out there to show you what’s hot in 2024.
What’s more, we took a deep dive into the differences between carbon, aluminium, steel and titanium frame materials and updated our guide to road bike sizing for those of you considering buying a new bike in 2024.
And don’t forget to check out BikeRadar’s YouTube channel and podcast, where we set out to define the hottest trends for MTB and road riding in 2024.
Nukeproof Blackline Dirt Suit
While this may not be true for every reader, the winter in the UK has been wet, wild and windy. It’s exactly for these conditions that Nukeproof has released its Dirt Suit. This is a pants and jacket combination that can be zipped together to form a mountain biking onesie.
Nukeproof claims this design gives you far more versatility, while maintaining the wet-weather protection a onesie provides.
This rugged and resilient suit boasts a waterproof/breathability rating of 10,000mm/10,000g/m2/24h, thanks to its three-layer bonded fabric, which features four-way stretch capabilities.
The integration of a ‘dirt-skirt’ connects the jacket and pants, forming a protective one-piece ensemble secured by a waterproof zip. This means you can enjoy the flexibility of using the jacket and pants independently in mild weather and opt for the complete suit during heavy downpours.
Temperature regulation is facilitated by underarm pit-zips, enabling the release of excess heat.
The generously sized hood accommodates trail helmets and includes a chin guard with a soft-back internal storm guard. Dual directional zips on the pockets ensure easy access, even in challenging conditions that might numb your fingers.
For a customised fit, the suit features fully adjustable branded braces and the pants can be securely cinched with waist tabs.
Recognising that accidents are inevitable, especially in challenging wet conditions, a comprehensive repair kit is included to keep you waterproof season after season. It’s not cheap, but you’re getting a pair of pants, a jacket and a onesie all in one.
- £450
Fox Ranger 2.5L Water pants and Ranger Wind pullover
Fox’s Ranger line is its more cost-friendly kit, aimed at those looking for specific mountain bike features without the often prohibitively expensive materials of range-topping models.
The Ranger 2.5L pants feature a lightweight 2.5-layer waterproof main fabric with 10,000mm waterproofing and a 3,000g/m2/24h breathability rating. The trail-friendly cut boasts a fully seam-sealed interior to add waterproofing. In addition, the pants use a DWR coating and are made using recycled materials.
They’re equipped with two zippered pockets for storing essentials and a lower-leg gusset featuring an adjustable snap closure.
The Ranger Wind pullover is designed to deliver casual styling without sacrificing performance. Crafted from four-way stretch polyester fabric, this stylish anorak jacket is designed to excel on and off the bike.
Boasting a casual-sized hood designed to accommodate most mountain bike helmets, this lightweight garment packs down into its centre pocket for convenient storage, establishing itself as a versatile and portable choice.
- Fox Ranger 2.5L Water pants – £119.99
- Fox Ranger Wind pullover – £99.99
Funn Python pedals
Funn pedals were once all the rage when Sam Hill was dominating downhill through the noughties.
The Python pedal design features a thin and lightweight AL6061 alloy forged pedal body. The platform measures 103x110x10.5mm, striking a balance between a stable and streamlined profile.
To keep the pedals spinning freely, they use a cartridge bearing with a full-length bushing axle system.
Each side of the pedal incorporates 11 removable pins, providing an adaptable grip for varied preferences. For those seeking additional bite, optional long pins are available separately.
With a weight of 375g per pair, these pedals offer a light addition to your cycling setup, which shouldn’t compromise on strength and functionality.
- $115
Ravemen XR6000 light
In deepest, darkest winter, getting out on the bike often means riding at night. Fortunately, there are plenty of decent mountain bike lights out there these days. This 6,000-lumen light from Ravemen aims to join that vast array.
The XR6000 dishes out its lumens from nine white LEDs, delivering a T-pattern beam with wide-reaching flood LEDs and far-reaching spot LEDs. Its HiLo beam is designed to prevent dazzling other road users.
There are two modes: road and mountain bike. Road mode has five brightness settings (1,500, 1,000, 500, 250 lumens and rapid flash) and mountain bike three (6,000, 3,000 and 1,500 lumens). At the push of a button, there are 6,000 lumens on tap in either mode.
The light body is constructed from aluminium with heat sinks to help cooling. It’s rated to IPX8 waterproofing. The light is powered by an 8,000mAh battery that is claimed to provide power for 1.2 hours at 6,000 lumens and 18 hours at 250.
The battery pack has a USB-C connection that supports fast charging, with a claimed charge time of 4.5 hours. The light also features a wireless remote that can turn it on and off, change settings and cycle through modes. We’ve got the XR6000 on test, so look out for a review soon.
- £389.99