BikeRumor Editor’s Choice 2025 – Frazelle’s Fun Faves and Reflection - Bikerumor

BikeRumor Editor’s Choice 2025: Frazelle’s Fun Faves and Reflection

A fast, full-hearted year wraps with Ron Frazelle’s top bike gear, bikes, and a few life milestones that shaped his riding season.

Quick hits

• Overall vibe: A standout year of testing, riding, and adventuring—harder than ever to pick winners
• 2024 throwback: Last year’s top pick was the Salsa Blackthorn
• What’s new: A mountain cottage with a home workshop, and a powerful health milestone—Ron is now a prostate cancer survivor (finished radiation Jan 31)

About Ron

• 30 years in the bike industry and a lifelong cyclist
• Bike stable: 3 mountain bikes, a gravel bike, an all‑rounder, and 3 eBikes
• Family first: Married 25 years to Maria, six kids, and two granddaughters (Kaia turns one any day)

Best non-bike experience

• Eastern Sierra backcountry trip: A multi-day, self-supported adventure with close friends Dave and Daniel, focused on off-roading, history, remote camping, and breathtaking routes. Highlight: crawling in 4‑low up to Mount Patterson’s 11,650' peak. Journey over destination, all the way.

Best rooftop tent

• Topoak Overland Galaxy Pro
  • Why it wins: Big value at $1,668, comfortably fits two adults plus gear, and battled high‑30s temps without drama
  • Standout details: 300GSM poly‑cotton blackout canvas, premium 3" mattress, easy setup and tear‑down

Best gravel bike

• Wilde Rambler SL
  • Why it wins: Incredible ride quality with elegant, understated aesthetics and dialed geometry
  • Build note: Swapped to 5DEV titanium cranks and titanium BB; weight is now 22 lb 11 oz
  • Verdict: Not just best gravel bike—arguably bike of the year

Best mountain bike

• Scarab Cycles Custom Darién
  • Why it wins: A custom hardtail that rides like a dream—high-end multi-butted steel, tailored geometry, and a seamless build/paint process
  • Details: Color‑matched RockShox 140mm Pike Ultimate Charger 3.1 RC2; full review coming early 2026

Best all‑rounder eBike

• Aventon Aventure M
  • Why it wins: A major leap forward for Aventon—fun anywhere, feature‑rich, safe, and accessible
  • Key tech: Mid‑drive A100 motor, strong spec under $3,000
  • Context: Aventon’s 2025 lineup impresses across the board (Abound LR eCargo, Level 3 Commuter also notable)

Best gravel tires

• Teravail Cannonball
  • Why it wins: Fast‑rolling, confidence‑inspiring, not too heavy, and consistently great across conditions
  • Compared to: Lighter Updraft is speedy, but Cannonball remains the go‑to all‑rounder

Best hitch rack

• Kuat Piston ION
  • Why it wins: Durable, stable on rough roads, and impressively versatile—especially good with fendered eBikes
  • Perks: Included ramp makes loading heavy bikes easy; clean, understated look on the vehicle

Best drop bar

• Velo Orange Nouveau Randonneur
  • Why it wins: Comfortable, affordable, and thoughtfully shaped
  • Specs: 46 cm width used; 6‑degree backsweep; $70 price point (wish: a 48 cm option)

Best tail light

• PDW Gravity Plus USB Tail Light
  • Why it wins: Built‑in accelerometer triggers a bright “brake light” on deceleration; USB‑rechargeable and versatile mounting
  • Runtime: Up to 30 hours in flash mode

Best all‑around trail shoe

• Lems Shoes Trail Thrasher
  • Why it wins: Ridiculously comfy and well‑made, with a wide toe box and zero drop
  • Note: Not a stiff, dedicated riding sole, but pedals and hikes extremely well

Best EDC essential

• Spurcycle Titanium Key Clip
  • Why it wins: Minimalist, durable, made in the USA, and doubles as a spot‑on bottle opener
  • Value: $59 for titanium machining and small‑brand craft

Just for fun

• Paul Components BËP bar end plugs
  • Why it wins: Secure, stylish, and engineered in Chico, CA; matches Paul stem caps and locks in place so they don’t eject
  • Tip: Looks killer with Camp and Go Slow bar tape (wink)

Parting thoughts
Thanks to BikeRumor readers and the brands that trusted Ron’s reviews this year. Here’s to more kind, inclusive, trail‑sharing rides ahead—wave at other riders, be the cyclist you want to be, and go have fun. See you out there for wheelies, jumps, coffee, and the occasional beer.

Source: https://bikerumor.com/bikerumor-editors-choice-2025-ron-frazelle-best-bikes-gear-awards/