Welcome to the first post-Awards edition of road.cc Recommends in 2024, where we unveil the month's top-reviewed cycling gear and award them with the prestigious road.cc Recommends badge. In this off-roady edition, we're diving into the world of titanium bikes and other cycling gems that have left our reviewers impressed. Scroll down to find out what we liked about each of the products that is up for an award this month, or click below for the full review.
Bikes:
Clothing:
Components:
And if you haven't caught up with all our end-of-year award winners yet... firstly, where have you been! Now you here though, click here to find out who won the road.cc Recommends Road Bike of the Year, Wheels of the Year, Bargain Buys, the Bike of the Year overall + more.
Fearless Bikes Vulture Titanium frameset
Pat has been rattling along the Southwestern gravel paths with this titanium gravel beast that is the Fearless Bikes Vulture, concluding that it's a very comfortable gravel bike. Titanium frames often claim to be just that, and turns out that this holds true with this bike, thanks to its slightly slacker geometry and taller front end.
It delivers excitement on the rough stuff especially if you like your technical trails to go down – and with clearance for 2.4in tyres you can really equip this bike for any sort of expedition. Overall, it's just a really fun bike with more than one trick up its sleeve.
Read the full Fearless Bikes Vulture Titanium frameset review
Enigma Edge Frameset
Another titanium gravel frameset! Whereas the Vulture got praise for its capability, Enigma's Edge is an elegant-looking gravel machine suitable for a little tamer gravel. Stu was very impressed by this bike's great performance and balanced geometry which made it a joy to ride on any kind of surface.
> Best titanium road bikes
The Edge is also available in loads of build options, which gives it a little edge over some of its rival titanium gravel bikes…
Read the full Enigma Edge Frameset review
Yamaha Crosscore RC
Leaving the titanium gravel bikes behind (quite literally on any uphills) is the Yamaha Crosscore RC. This is an e-bike from the brand that most of us likely associate with burly motorbikes, and the decades-long experience of making fast engines is clearly paying dividends, as the brand is very capable with e-bike motors too.
> Best electric bikes
The CrossCore RC is primarily an urban e-bike, but it can be so much more. Rebecca said its mid-drive motor and excellent battery life make it a great e-bike for commutes but also some leisurely treks.
Read the full Yamaha Crosscore RC review
Lauf Úthald
Last but not least when it comes to bikes we've rated highly in January is the new kid on the block, Lauf's Uthald. The name, translating to 'endurance' in Icelandic, is a very appropriate title for this bike that Dave has concluded is hard to fault, and has a lot to recommend.
Read the full Lauf Úthald review
Santini Adapt Multi Jacket
"A very lightweight jacket that can be worn in atrocious conditions" is how Stu concluded the review of this winter cycling jacket. Whether any of us want to ever head out for a ride in atrocious conditions that it will perform well in is another question altogether, but if you do then the Adapt Multi's highly waterproof, thermally insulating and breathable materials will come in handy. Though this is not the heaviest jacket, paired with the right baselayer the season can be extended into the winter months.
Read the full Santini Adapt Multi - Jacket review
Castelli Entrata Bibtight
The Castelli Entrata bib tights impressed us with their no-nonsense nature - they're warm, comfortable and have a high-quality chamois, but at a lower cost than many other premium bib tights. Even if this pair doesn't utilise cutting-edge technologies, they're still impressive in performance, fit and comfort for rides on all but the very coldest winter days.
Read the full Castelli Entrata Bibtight review
Galibier Liberté Insulated Packable Jacket
The Galibier Liberté Insulated Packable Jacket doesn't really look like a cycling jacket at first glance, and that is part of its appeal. It's padded with Primaloft-like insulation and a water-repellent finish and all that only sets you back £82, making this a relatively inexpensive investment. It's got zipped pockets, a stashable hood, a dropped tail and reflective details for cycling practicality and safety.
Read the full Galibier Liberté Insulated Packable Jacket review
Seido Stage front rack
Whether you want to be your own life pizza courier or load up your bike for a bikepacking experience, the Seido Stage front rack is a handy solution. It's easy to assemble and fit, although you do need mid-fork mounts for attaching it, but after that you're all good to go!
Read the full Seido front rack review
Raceware Apple Airtag Holder
The RaceWare Apple AirTag Holder is a tidy solution if you use a Specialized Swat-compatible saddle. In essence, this wee thing holds an Apple Airtag and attaches to the bottom of your saddle, where it stays discreetly tracking all of your whereabouts.
Read the full Raceware Apple Airtag Holder review
"Acting like", not necessarily "built like". However, I don't think leaf springs work under tension and instead require compression which isn't how...
Interesting theory - how many points does it take for them to drive carefully?
At the end of the consultation in May 2025, a decision will be taken.........
The absurdity of it deepens when you realise that those points were acquired by the age of 26.
BAM!
"Polartec Power Shield RPM fabric – which has a 10,000mm hydro head to keep wet weather out, and an industry-leading breathability spec of 30,000g...
Oxfordshire councils are quite capable of letting you down too!...
I guess Morrissey could claim it.
I do see a lot of delivery riders (on illegal e-motorbikes) with their faces covered...
Stuff like this seems more relevant than ever after the Trump victory. sorry not a funny