I’ve been treated to a sm\u00f6rg\u00e5sbord of tech, a lot of it coming with a hefty price tag and earning a place in my picks for 2023\u2019s Gear of the Year.<\/p>
7mesh Northwoods Windshell jacket<\/h2><\/div>The Northwoods is lightweight, breathable, water-resistant and packs down super-small. – Scott Windsor \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>- 7mesh Northwoods<\/strong>: \u00a3170 \/ $180<\/li><\/ul>
I\u2019ve been a huge fan of 7mesh\u2019s clothing for years.<\/p>
If you\u2019ve watched any of the videos I\u2019ve been in on our YouTube channel, chances are you\u2019ll have seen me rocking their threads.<\/p>
One of the lesser-seen but most frequently used garments I\u2019ve turned to this year has been the brand\u2019s Northwoods Windshell.<\/p>
This little jacket has been a godsend on days when the weather doesn\u2019t play ball.<\/p>
The Northwoods is lightweight, breathable, water-resistant and packs down small. Just stuff it into its own pocket, zip it up and it\u2019s ready to stow away.<\/p>![\"7Mesh](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2023\/12\/Tom-Laws-Gear-Of-The-Year-2023-7mesh-3.jpg\")
Having become a bit of a minimalist regards the kit I carry, the Northwoods has been a revelation. – Scott Windsor \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>Its trump card is 7mesh\u2019s Stash System, which enables you to strap it to your bike.<\/p>
I\u2019ve become a bit of a minimalist when it comes to the kit I carry on my person on a ride. I\u2019ll usually take a small hip pack with essential tools and sling a water bottle on the bike.<\/p>
Being able to have a bit of weather protection that goes totally unnoticed strapped to the bike, but is there when I need it, is worth its weight in gold.<\/p>
Even if, at only 125g, it\u2019s not a lot of gold.<\/p>
<\/div>SRAM HS2 rotors<\/h2><\/div>![\"SRAM](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2023\/12\/Tom-Laws-Gear-Of-The-Year-2023-SRAM-HS2-Rotors-1.jpg\")
I can\u2019t think of a better-value upgrade for your brakes. – Scott Windsor \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>- SRAM HS2 Rotors<\/strong>: \u00a352-65 \/ $53-69<\/li><\/ul>
These rotors from SRAM are not new. Nor are they particularly fancy. They don\u2019t float and, much to the chagrin of my inner weight weenie, they actually add weight to my bikes.<\/p>
However, having run several sets of these on my personal and test bikes throughout the year, I can\u2019t think of a better-value upgrade for your brakes.<\/p>
There are cheaper and lighter rotors around, but what makes the HS2s stand out is how much of a difference they make to SRAM\u2019s brakes.<\/p>
The G2 RS brakes on Norco\u2019s Fluid were distinctly lacking in a few areas, but the HS2s largely solved the quibbles I had.<\/p>![\"SRAM](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2023\/12\/Tom-Laws-Gear-Of-The-Year-2023-SRAM-HS2-Rotors-2.jpg\")
The SRAM HS2s have had a big impact on Tom’s braking. – Scott Windsor \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>They increase the power noticeably, thanks to the increased surface area that comes into contact with the pads.<\/p>
The thicker 2mm-wide construction also removes a good degree of play in the levers before they bite, which is nice on brakes lacking any kind of bite-point adjustment.<\/p>
Most importantly, they stack up well when I\u2019m inevitably dragging the brakes and putting undue amounts of heat into them.<\/p>
They may not be a particularly noteworthy entry at first glance, but few bits of kit I\u2019ve used this year have made such a difference.<\/p>
<\/div>Crankbrothers Mallet pedals<\/h2><\/div>![\"Crank](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2023\/12\/Tom-Laws-Gear-Of-The-Year-2023-Mallet-Trail-DH.jpg\")
Once I switched to the optional easy-release cleats, I was hooked. – Scott Windsor \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>- Mallet Trail\/DH:<\/strong> \u00a3179.99 \/ $179.99<\/li><\/ul>
In my years of riding clipped in, I\u2019ve been a Shimano man through and through.<\/p>
In 2023 though, my head (and feet) were turned.<\/p>
I tried out Crankbrothers’ pedals for the first time in years.<\/p>
My only dalliance with its pedal produce before was a set of Eggbeaters I tried on a road bike about eight years ago.<\/p>
Armed with a set of Mallet DH shoes and pedals, I quickly became a surprise fan. But this was only after I switched to the optional easy-release cleats.<\/p>
Up until then, I\u2019d struggled with them. My right ankle is twisted and weak, and I was struggling to get enough movement to unclip with the stock cleats.<\/p>
Once I swapped over to the easier-to-escape options, I was hooked.<\/p>
I\u2019ve since also used the new Mallet Trail pedals and am equally a big fan of those.<\/p>
They may be spendy compared to their Japanese counterparts, but for the foreseable I\u2019m going to be cranking it up with the Brothers.<\/p>
<\/div>NOBL TR35 x Berd spoke wheels<\/h2><\/div>![\"NOBL](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2023\/12\/Tom-Laws-Gear-Of-The-Year-2023-NOBL-TR35-1.jpg\")
These wheels, although expensive, are worth the upgrade. – Scott Windsor \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>- NOBL TR35:<\/strong> $2,188<\/li><\/ul>
I\u2019ve ridden a few different MTB wheelsets<\/a> this year and all have impressed at some point.<\/p>But for this list, I\u2019ve selected the most interesting and spendiest wheelset I\u2019ve ridden all year; NOBL\u2019s TR35 laced to Onyx hubs via Berd\u2019s unusual PolyLight spokes.<\/p>
If you want to stand out from the crowd, these wheels will be right up your street.<\/p>
They\u2019re also light for a wheel rated for downcountry and trail use, at a measured 1,522g for the pair. And that\u2019s with Onyx\u2019s relatively heavy Vesper hubs.<\/p>
They are a standout performer though.<\/p>![\"NOBL](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2023\/12\/Tom-Laws-Gear-Of-The-Year-2023-NOBL-TR35-2.jpg\")
The spokes are floppy when they’re not tensioned in a wheel. – Scott Windsor \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>I\u2019ve grown to love the instant freehub engagement, as well as how they just glide along effortlessly with so little drag, and pick instantly out of corners and on tech climbs.<\/p>
Combined with the vibration damping from the spokes and compliant yet tough TR35 rims, these wheels feel incredible on the bike.<\/p>
They enabled Norco\u2019s Fluid to fly up and down, and the level of vibration damping and improved acceleration they added over the stock wheels was transformative.<\/p>
Yes, they are pricey, and pretty flexy in the bends, but if you want to add some serious zest to your trail bike<\/a>, these wicked wheels are worth it.<\/p><\/div>\u00d6hlins RXC34 m.1 fork and TXC2Air rear shock<\/h2><\/div>![\"New](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2023\/06\/Products14-029af5f.jpg\")
\u00d6hlins’ new TXC2Air rear shock made an instant impression on Tom. – Ohlins<\/figcaption><\/figure>RXC34 m.1:<\/strong> \u00a31,310 \/ $1,190 \u2013 \u00a31,485 \/ $1,390<\/p>TXC2Air:<\/strong> \u00a3609 \/ $565<\/p>While I\u2019ve put a lot of miles into the other items on this list, this last selection was a case of just a few hours.<\/p>
But, even in that time, they left a lasting impression.<\/p>
When I heard \u00d6hlins was launching an XC fork and shock, I was keen to see how they would stack up to my benchmark, the RockShox SID and SIDLuxe<\/a>.<\/p>At the launch in Sweden, I had only three hours to get some trail time on the new RXC34 m.1 fork and TXC2Air shock.<\/p>
On an unfamiliar bike and trails I\u2019d never ridden, I was shocked (no pun intended) by how quickly I felt at ease.<\/p>
The RXC34 feels like a proper trail fork, but lighter. It feels closer to a RockShox Pike in precision, but at the weight of the SID.<\/p>
The control from the new OTX14 damper was sensational and it was incredibly plush over small bumps.<\/p>
The same could be said for the TXC2Air, which offered excellent support, small-bump compliance and bottom-out resistance.<\/p>
- 7mesh Northwoods<\/strong>: \u00a3170 \/ $180<\/li><\/ul>
I\u2019ve been a huge fan of 7mesh\u2019s clothing for years.<\/p>
If you\u2019ve watched any of the videos I\u2019ve been in on our YouTube channel, chances are you\u2019ll have seen me rocking their threads.<\/p>
One of the lesser-seen but most frequently used garments I\u2019ve turned to this year has been the brand\u2019s Northwoods Windshell.<\/p>
This little jacket has been a godsend on days when the weather doesn\u2019t play ball.<\/p>
The Northwoods is lightweight, breathable, water-resistant and packs down small. Just stuff it into its own pocket, zip it up and it\u2019s ready to stow away.<\/p>
Having become a bit of a minimalist regards the kit I carry, the Northwoods has been a revelation. – Scott Windsor \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure> Its trump card is 7mesh\u2019s Stash System, which enables you to strap it to your bike.<\/p>
I\u2019ve become a bit of a minimalist when it comes to the kit I carry on my person on a ride. I\u2019ll usually take a small hip pack with essential tools and sling a water bottle on the bike.<\/p>
Being able to have a bit of weather protection that goes totally unnoticed strapped to the bike, but is there when I need it, is worth its weight in gold.<\/p>
Even if, at only 125g, it\u2019s not a lot of gold.<\/p>
<\/div>SRAM HS2 rotors<\/h2>
<\/div>I can\u2019t think of a better-value upgrade for your brakes. – Scott Windsor \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure> - SRAM HS2 Rotors<\/strong>: \u00a352-65 \/ $53-69<\/li><\/ul>
These rotors from SRAM are not new. Nor are they particularly fancy. They don\u2019t float and, much to the chagrin of my inner weight weenie, they actually add weight to my bikes.<\/p>
However, having run several sets of these on my personal and test bikes throughout the year, I can\u2019t think of a better-value upgrade for your brakes.<\/p>
There are cheaper and lighter rotors around, but what makes the HS2s stand out is how much of a difference they make to SRAM\u2019s brakes.<\/p>
The G2 RS brakes on Norco\u2019s Fluid were distinctly lacking in a few areas, but the HS2s largely solved the quibbles I had.<\/p>
The SRAM HS2s have had a big impact on Tom’s braking. – Scott Windsor \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure> They increase the power noticeably, thanks to the increased surface area that comes into contact with the pads.<\/p>
The thicker 2mm-wide construction also removes a good degree of play in the levers before they bite, which is nice on brakes lacking any kind of bite-point adjustment.<\/p>
Most importantly, they stack up well when I\u2019m inevitably dragging the brakes and putting undue amounts of heat into them.<\/p>
They may not be a particularly noteworthy entry at first glance, but few bits of kit I\u2019ve used this year have made such a difference.<\/p>
<\/div>Crankbrothers Mallet pedals<\/h2>
<\/div>Once I switched to the optional easy-release cleats, I was hooked. – Scott Windsor \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure> - Mallet Trail\/DH:<\/strong> \u00a3179.99 \/ $179.99<\/li><\/ul>
In my years of riding clipped in, I\u2019ve been a Shimano man through and through.<\/p>
In 2023 though, my head (and feet) were turned.<\/p>
I tried out Crankbrothers’ pedals for the first time in years.<\/p>
My only dalliance with its pedal produce before was a set of Eggbeaters I tried on a road bike about eight years ago.<\/p>
Armed with a set of Mallet DH shoes and pedals, I quickly became a surprise fan. But this was only after I switched to the optional easy-release cleats.<\/p>
Up until then, I\u2019d struggled with them. My right ankle is twisted and weak, and I was struggling to get enough movement to unclip with the stock cleats.<\/p>
Once I swapped over to the easier-to-escape options, I was hooked.<\/p>
I\u2019ve since also used the new Mallet Trail pedals and am equally a big fan of those.<\/p>
They may be spendy compared to their Japanese counterparts, but for the foreseable I\u2019m going to be cranking it up with the Brothers.<\/p>
<\/div>NOBL TR35 x Berd spoke wheels<\/h2>
<\/div>These wheels, although expensive, are worth the upgrade. – Scott Windsor \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure> - NOBL TR35:<\/strong> $2,188<\/li><\/ul>
I\u2019ve ridden a few different MTB wheelsets<\/a> this year and all have impressed at some point.<\/p>
But for this list, I\u2019ve selected the most interesting and spendiest wheelset I\u2019ve ridden all year; NOBL\u2019s TR35 laced to Onyx hubs via Berd\u2019s unusual PolyLight spokes.<\/p>
If you want to stand out from the crowd, these wheels will be right up your street.<\/p>
They\u2019re also light for a wheel rated for downcountry and trail use, at a measured 1,522g for the pair. And that\u2019s with Onyx\u2019s relatively heavy Vesper hubs.<\/p>
They are a standout performer though.<\/p>
The spokes are floppy when they’re not tensioned in a wheel. – Scott Windsor \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure> I\u2019ve grown to love the instant freehub engagement, as well as how they just glide along effortlessly with so little drag, and pick instantly out of corners and on tech climbs.<\/p>
Combined with the vibration damping from the spokes and compliant yet tough TR35 rims, these wheels feel incredible on the bike.<\/p>
They enabled Norco\u2019s Fluid to fly up and down, and the level of vibration damping and improved acceleration they added over the stock wheels was transformative.<\/p>
Yes, they are pricey, and pretty flexy in the bends, but if you want to add some serious zest to your trail bike<\/a>, these wicked wheels are worth it.<\/p>
<\/div>\u00d6hlins RXC34 m.1 fork and TXC2Air rear shock<\/h2>
<\/div>\u00d6hlins’ new TXC2Air rear shock made an instant impression on Tom. – Ohlins<\/figcaption><\/figure> RXC34 m.1:<\/strong> \u00a31,310 \/ $1,190 \u2013 \u00a31,485 \/ $1,390<\/p>
TXC2Air:<\/strong> \u00a3609 \/ $565<\/p>
While I\u2019ve put a lot of miles into the other items on this list, this last selection was a case of just a few hours.<\/p>
But, even in that time, they left a lasting impression.<\/p>
When I heard \u00d6hlins was launching an XC fork and shock, I was keen to see how they would stack up to my benchmark, the RockShox SID and SIDLuxe<\/a>.<\/p>
At the launch in Sweden, I had only three hours to get some trail time on the new RXC34 m.1 fork and TXC2Air shock.<\/p>
On an unfamiliar bike and trails I\u2019d never ridden, I was shocked (no pun intended) by how quickly I felt at ease.<\/p>
The RXC34 feels like a proper trail fork, but lighter. It feels closer to a RockShox Pike in precision, but at the weight of the SID.<\/p>
The control from the new OTX14 damper was sensational and it was incredibly plush over small bumps.<\/p>
The same could be said for the TXC2Air, which offered excellent support, small-bump compliance and bottom-out resistance.<\/p>
- NOBL TR35:<\/strong> $2,188<\/li><\/ul>
- Mallet Trail\/DH:<\/strong> \u00a3179.99 \/ $179.99<\/li><\/ul>
- SRAM HS2 Rotors<\/strong>: \u00a352-65 \/ $53-69<\/li><\/ul>