Cycling Gear Roundup: Six Standout Products Worth Considering

Introduction

This roundup covers six products that span indoor training, trail tires, performance eyewear, a reversible riding layer, and a cross-country race hardtail. Each one targets a different rider and a different problem, and each comes with trade-offs worth understanding before you commit your money.

How We Evaluated This Month’s Gear

We judge each product on how it performs in its intended use, the quality of its materials and construction, and whether its price makes sense for the rider it is aimed at. Where a newer model overlaps with an existing one, we also weigh what the update actually adds and whether that difference justifies the extra cost.

Value matters as much as headline performance. A product earns a recommendation when it fits a clear riding need and delivers something tangible that a rider can feel, measure, or rely on over time.

Wahoo Kickr Move: Indoor Training With Movement

The Wahoo Kickr Move is a direct-drive smart trainer built around a simple but distinctive idea: it slides back and forth by up to eight inches to simulate how a bike moves beneath a rider. Wahoo says the movement is inspired by third-party rocker plates, and that it makes indoor riding more realistic, more engaging, and more comfortable.

The mechanism is straightforward. The drive system and flywheel sit within a slightly curved track, so the whole unit shifts in response to pedaling and changes in weight distribution. Riding normally within a virtual platform feels noticeably different from having a bike locked rigidly in place.

Beyond the movement, the Kickr Move shares its core hardware with the Kickr V6: the same maximum power output, the same flywheel, the same electromagnetic drive system, the same power accuracy, and the same connectivity features, including Wi-Fi.

It is a heavy unit at around 29.5 kg ready to ride, which makes it a set-up-and-leave-in-place trainer rather than something to tuck into a cupboard. The two support legs do fold in, but the weight still discourages regular moving. Price is another consideration: it costs roughly 300 (in pounds, dollars, or euros) more than the Kickr V6, which was already positioned at the top of the market.

Wahoo Kickr V6: The Established Direct-Drive Option

The Kickr V6 remains available and continues to be a strong direct-drive smart trainer. It delivers the same maximum power output, flywheel, electromagnetic drive system, power accuracy, and connectivity as the Kickr Move, including Wi-Fi support. For riders who do not need the sliding movement, the V6 offers the same underlying performance in a more conventional package.

It launched at just under 1,100 pounds, or 1,300 dollars or euros, and its continued availability makes it a sensible reference point when comparing the two trainers.

The main reason to choose the V6 over the Move is straightforward: if the back-and-forth motion does not appeal to you, you are paying less for the same core trainer hardware.

Specialized Purgatory: A Redesigned Trail Tire

Specialized has redesigned the Purgatory, a tire that has been in the lineup for more than a decade. The new version departs significantly from the old tread, moving from a largely paddle-shaped design to a more open square block arrangement. That change should help the tire clear mud more effectively and makes it suitable for both front and rear use, whereas the previous Purgatory was more of a rear-only option.

The side knobs are now staggered rather than in line, which is intended to give a more predictable feel in corners. The tire is available in different rubber and casing combinations: riders can pair a lighter casing with the grippiest T9 compound, or a tougher casing with a harder compound for more protection and lower rolling resistance.

In the tested setup, a Grid T9 runs up front and a Grid Trail T7 sits at the rear. Interestingly, the supposedly lighter Grid T9 actually weighs more than the Grid Trail T7, at 1,036 g versus 1,004 g. Both come in around 40 to 50 g heavier than Specialized’s claimed weights.

POC Illicit Ti: 3D-Printed Titanium Sunglasses

The POC Illicit Ti is a 3D-printed titanium version of the brand’s frameless Illicit sunglasses. It is the lightest pair of shades POC has made, though the margin is modest: just one gram, bringing the weight to 22 g. The glasses are manufactured in Sweden and do not fold.

They are built from recovered medical-grade titanium, described as waste generated during the production of surgical tools. POC says the titanium starts as a large powder block, and after the temple is acidified, the remainder is blown away and reformulated into another usable block. The open, lattice-like temple design is claimed to improve rigidity while reducing weight compared with the plastic used on the standard Illicits.

Elsewhere, the Illicit Ti stays close to the regular model. It ships with a violet silver mirror lens and a spare clear lens, and the large frameless lens is curved to improve coverage. Two sizes of nose piece are included for a customized fit. A repel coating is claimed to protect the lens from dirt, water, sweat, and other contaminants, and an anti-scratch treatment helps protect the investment.

The Illicit Ti is a premium purchase at around 350 pounds or 400 dollars, which is roughly 130 pounds more than the standard Illicits. Availability is limited, with only 365 pairs produced.

If the weight saving and titanium construction appeal to you, it is worth moving quickly given the small production run.

Pelago x Element Vest: Skate Style Meets Cycling

The Pelago x Element vest is the result of a collaboration between Finnish brand Pelago Bicycles, which was founded by two skateboarders, and the skate brand Element. The garment features a distinctive camo pattern designed specifically for the partnership.

There is substance behind the style. It has zipped pockets with fleece lining to keep hands warm, and three rear mesh pockets that offer plenty of storage on the bike. It is made from waterproof materials, though the sleeveless design makes it less suitable for heavier rain. The whole vest is made from 100% recycled polyester.

It is also reversible. The cozy black fleece interior can become a subdued exterior for a more casual look, with a spacious chest pocket and two hand pockets on that side. In practice, it works well as an all-rounder for casual use or for adding warmth and storage on the bike. It is available now on the Pelago website for 130 euros.

Merida Big Nine 10K: A Race-Ready Hardtail

The Merida Big Nine 10K is a lightweight cross-country race hardtail, and the Big Nine range has been overhauled for 2024 with longer, slacker geometry. Merida describes the geometry as progressive and uses its agilometer sizing. In practice, it is not as slack as some rivals, but the numbers are still punchy for a cross-country bike: a 68-degree head angle and a fairly long 472 mm reach on a size large.

The seat tube is short and uses a 30.9 mm diameter, which broadens dropper post options compared with the 27.2 mm posts found on many modern cross-country bikes. One notable point at this price is that the bike does not come with a dropper post.

The rest of the build is well specified. The frame is Merida’s lightest CF5 carbon option, helping keep the complete bike well under 10 kg. Up front is a RockShox SID SL Ultimate fork, which uses a two-position lockout rather than the newer three-position lever. The drivetrain is SRAM’s range-topping XX SL transmission groupset with a power meter, and braking comes from Level Ultimate Stealth brakes with matching floating rotors. The wheels are Reynolds Black Label 309/289 XC carbon hoops wrapped in Maxxis Recon Race tires, which have proven versatile across a wide range of conditions. The one small quibble is a noisy freehub.

At 9,000 pounds, this is a serious investment for a hardtail, so the missing dropper post is worth weighing against the otherwise high-end specification.

Buying Advice: Matching Gear to Your Riding

These six products serve very different purposes, so the right choice depends on where and how you ride. Indoor trainers like the Kickr Move and Kickr V6 are best judged on the experience you want: the Move adds motion for a more natural feel at a higher price, while the V6 offers the same core performance for less if you do not need that movement.

For trail riders, the redesigned Purgatory is worth considering if you want a versatile tire that can run front or rear and clear mud well, with rubber and casing choices to match your priorities. The POC Illicit Ti is a niche, limited-edition purchase for riders who value titanium construction and low weight, while the Pelago x Element vest suits those who want a reversible, practical layer with a distinctive look. The Merida Big Nine 10K is aimed squarely at cross-country racers who want a light, well-equipped hardtail, and it is worth confirming the dropper post situation and the geometry before committing.

Conclusion

There is no single best product here, only the best fit for a given rider. A motion-equipped smart trainer makes sense for anyone chasing a more natural indoor feel, the V6 covers the same ground for less, the Purgatory is a versatile trail tire, the Illicit Ti is a statement purchase in limited numbers, the Pelago x Element vest blends practical storage with skate style, and the Big Nine 10K is a focused race hardtail. Match the product to the riding you actually do, and each one earns its place.