The MTB Gear I Actually Ride (Part 2): A 2025 Picks Series From Our Tech Editor

2025 was a big year for the mountain bike industry, and aside from a bunch of new bikes, racing drama, brands collapsing and being reborn, and so much more, it has been hard to pinpoint the best of the best, but not in a bad way. Picking my favorite things from the last year has actually been really fun. This is part two of my favorite bike-related things from 2025. In this installment, I'll talk about my favorite drivetrain bits, cross-country bikes, helmets, knee pads, and some tech stuff that have left a lasting impression from the last 12 months of riding.

Let's dig in.

Protection

POC Cularis

This unassuming lid topped the Virginia Tech Ratings for a while, and aside from its high ratings and excellent protection, it also boasts a low weight and exceptional breathability for a helmet that is so damn safe. It might look like a sub-$100 helmet, but that is one of the things I love about it. There are no weird vents, sharp angles, or bulk to it. It’s just a really good helmet for trail and XC rides. 

MET Revo

This might be my favorite trail-and-enduro-focused helmet I’ve tested all year. It feels robust without the weight, and the glasses storage is some of the best I’ve ever seen. I find myself picking this over a half-shell or even a full face most of the time, and I don’t hesitate to strap lights or an action camera to it thanks to how secure it feels on the dome. The MIPS system fades away into the shell, and I pretty much never notice the liner or pads. 

Fox Enduro Knee Pads

The OG Fox Enduro Knee Sleeves were my go-to for years, and I don’t even know how many pairs I cooked through, but the new Fox Enduro Knee Pads have made a great knee pad even better. The Koroyd insert is breathable, the sleeve is super secure, and the fit is on point. Plus, instead of tossing the pads after a few months of heavy perspiration, I can pull the insert out and wash the sleeve, something I have already done many times.

Drivetrain

Madrone Cycles Jab

The market is dominated by electronic shifting from Shimano and SRAM, but illuminated by a beacon of mechanical light, the Madrone Jab triumphantly pulls cables and provides repairable, reliable, and downright delightful shifting. Compatible with most major shifters, drop bars, and all kinds of cassette options, the Jab is a highlight of the year, and this light will carry into the next few years of my riding. 

New Shimano Di2 

Despite my love for mechanical, the new Shimano M9220 and M8220 Di2 systems have graced the industry without a new derailleur mount or standards (except for the new mineral oil). Although the new Di2 has done away with a traditional clutch, the level of attention that these drivetrains have received is apparent. The new M9220 and M8220 shifters and derailleurs are the most ergonomic and mechanical-feeling wireless drivetrains I’ve ever encountered.

XC Bikes

The cross-country category is at an exciting point of growth, and the bikes are becoming more and more capable, but still retain the same emphasis on performance that XC is synonymous with - and exploring the world of short-travel XC bikes has been eye-opening. 

Cannondale Scalpel

I rode the Scalpel in a 100-mile gravel event over the summer as an experiment to examine the significant drawbacks of choosing an XC bike over a dedicated gravel bike. I hypothesized that while less efficient, an XC bike would likely be more fun, and I was mostly correct. I had a blast and wasn’t that far off the fastest finishing time, earning me a top 10 for the finishers of the 100-mile course. 

Norco Revolver

Although my time on the new Revolver was brief, it was notable. Tackling some of the steep tech of Pemberton Valley on a 120mm XC bike isn’t something you’d typically think possible, but the Norco Revolver proved a valid contender for the G-outs and slabs. Even being just 4 weeks from a broken clavicle, the Revolver ate the tough stuff with composure, even if I was feeling like Gumby.

Data

I’ve been testing a lot of computers and watches this year, and the standouts have been the devices that just work. From integration to user interface and battery life, the COROS Apex 4 and Dura are at the top of the list. Still, Garmin has recently announced the Edge MTB and a new collection of Fenix watches that warrant mention here. Especially when Garmin also offers power meter pedals and heart rate monitors, allowing all the data to be stored under the same umbrella.