2026 Cycling Gear Review

Schwalbe Clik Valve

Who knew a small valve like this could be revolutionized? Schwalbe's Clik valve makes inflating tires much easier. Paired with its dedicated pump head, it's as simple as a quick insert – incredibly convenient. Another advantage is its excellent airtightness; when used with tubeless tires, the tire pressure change over two or three days was only within 5 psi, which is impressive.

Galfer Disc Wave Discs + Blue Semi-Metallic Brake Pads

Although Galfer launched its first true center-lock disc brake, the Disc Shark, mid-year, offering improved braking performance and lateral stiffness, I still prefer the Disc Wave. Based on my weight, I still prefer the braking performance of the Wave.

How to describe it? The Disc Wave is like Shimano's mountain bike brakes; the braking force increases linearly during braking, without being overly aggressive from the start. The Disc Shrak brake discs are more like SRAM mountain bike brakes; a light touch delivers powerful braking force.

Paired with Galfer's own blue semi-metallic brake pads, the overall performance is very stable. Even after long periods of inactivity, the braking doesn't produce an annoying "symphony," which is my current favorite brake disc and pad combination.

Insta360 Go Ultra

The GO 3S has always been one of my favorite cameras because of its convenience. Now, its upgraded version is even more powerful. I was initially worried that the Go Ultra's boxy shape would make it difficult to distinguish between horizontal and vertical composition, but after using it, I found that these worries were unnecessary. For many bloggers, a panoramic camera is a better choice because panoramic views offer more options, allowing for simultaneous shooting of people and scenery. However, its mounting method is a pain for me. An integrated speedometer mount has been released, perfectly compatible with the camera and speedometer, but that mount only works with certain car models.

When using the Go Ultra, I like to attach the expansion compartment under the computer and then place the camera in front of my chest using a magnetic lanyard, allowing me to get two shooting perspectives. Also, because it's lightweight, I can easily mount the camera at various angles on the rear fork or fork using the elastic strap bracket. Compared to the X5 panoramic camera, I prefer the Go Ultra because it eliminates the hassle of securing it.

Trek Aeolus AirLoom 3D Printed Saddle

Although it's a 3D printed saddle, it's very lightweight. It doesn't become bulky despite the 3D printing process; it maintains the same height as regular foam material, which means I don't need to adjust the seatpost's mounting position when changing saddles. In actual riding experience, the Aeolus AirLoom RSL saddle provides excellent support, which I really appreciate. Furthermore, the subtle displacement of the 3D material also improves cushioning, making it noticeably more cushioned than the Aeolus RSL, especially when maintaining a high cadence on rough roads, significantly reducing the feeling of being bounced up and down. When gripping the handlebars, you can clearly feel the elasticity of the nose material, effectively distributing pressure. Of course, this saddle is more suitable for riding postures with large elevation changes; the more aggressive the riding posture, the more comfortable it is.

Superteam S-ALL Carbon Ultra Wheelsets

When conquering long mountain roads with traditional 50-60mm rim depth wheelsets, I always longed for a wheelset that truly balanced lightweight design, aerodynamic efficiency, and comfort. Many high-rim wheelsets perform excellently on flat roads, but on inclines exceeding 10%, I always felt the weight and inertia. Pure climbing wheelsets, while lightweight, sacrificed aerodynamic advantages at high speeds.

Until I rode the Superteam S-ALL Carbon Ultra Wheelsets. Despite using a new generation of ultra-light carbon fiber spokes, the S-ALL Carbon Ultra didn't give me the overly stiff feel of racing gear. Instead, it effectively filtered out road vibrations while maintaining high rigidity. The wheelset not only boasts excellent pedaling response and acceleration but also makes the ride smoother and more comfortable. Especially on rough surfaces, it significantly reduces fatigue from high-frequency vibrations, allowing me to maintain good condition even after long rides.

Weighing only around 1385 grams, the entire set makes it one of Superteam's most well-rounded performance options. If I could only own one pair of wheels, the S-ALL Carbon Ultra would undoubtedly be my first choice. It can handle everything from weekend mountain training and high-speed group rides to long-distance Gran Fondo races.

What impresses me most is its versatility. It responds quickly from a standstill, with very direct acceleration; once in high-speed cruising, it maintains excellent inertia and stability; and even on gradients exceeding 15%, its lightweight design doesn't feel dragged down. Because of this, the S-ALL Carbon Ultra has become one of my most trusted pieces of equipment for long-distance challenges and mountain biking events. It's not just a wheelset that pursues the ultimate performance in one area, but a truly versatile wheelset that can cover the vast majority of riding scenarios.

Shimano XTR M9200 Di2 Wireless Shifting Groupset

Regardless of the era of the XTR, the silky smooth shifting experience it provides is, in my opinion, the best. Especially when climbing hills and pedaling hard, the rear derailleur shifts smoothly and precisely. The new generation XTR continues this tradition, employing a dual-spring clutch design to provide higher chain tension. This not only makes the chain more stable but also improves shifting performance. With the upgraded electronic shifting, its shifting logic requires no adjustment period; the two shift levers operate just like traditional mechanical shifting, without any erroneous operations, resulting in rapid and precise shifting.

Meanwhile, the brakes have also been optimized, using lower viscosity mineral oil for wider temperature adaptability. The brake levers utilize the new Shimano ERGO FLOW technology, with the pivot point closer to the handlebars, allowing the brake levers to better follow the natural movement of the fingers when pulled. The brake lever shape has also been redesigned, featuring a new asymmetrical upward curve that better conforms to the natural contact angle of the fingers.

From the perspective of the groupset itself, the XTR is undoubtedly my favorite. However, Shimano still has a lot of work to do. After all, the current mountain bike ecosystem has become fully electronic, from wireless dropper seats to wireless smart suspension—this is an inevitable trend. Of course, Shimano is already working on it; we just hope it's faster and look forward to more surprises in the future.

HJC IBEX 3 Vintage

This is my favorite helmet to wear in recent years—the HJC IBEX series helmet. Its rounded design, suitable for Asian head shapes, fits my head perfectly. The sweat-wicking effect on the forehead is excellent, a lifesaver for someone like me who sweats a lot. Its relatively flat front design provides a very good fit to the forehead, effectively guiding my sweat to the sides and preventing it from flowing directly into my eyes, thus affecting riding safety. Often, after a 100km ride, you'll find the straps covered in crystallized salt. Therefore, IBEX series helmets are my first choice for summer riding.

Of course, since the Vintage version is all white, from the shell to the foam material, the helmet often gets very dirty after a ride in the rain, making it difficult to clean, and sometimes even after brushing, it's not completely clean. So, if you have certain obsessive-compulsive tendencies, it's best not to choose an all-white helmet.

Rapha Pro Team III Cycling Pants

Compared to the cramped feeling of the second-generation Pro Team cycling pants, the third-generation Pro Team cycling pants and their wearing experience represent a qualitative leap. The pants are made with a proprietary Italian-made fabric with a high compression/weight ratio, providing more balanced compression, flexibility, and temperature regulation. The leg seams are reduced, with the outer leg using a thin, moderately compressible Lycra elastic fabric for support and compression, while the crotch and hip area uses traditional Lycra fabric for less compression and better breathability.

The shoulder straps use a wider and thicker elastic material, solving the problem of wrinkles caused by stretching in the thinner straps of the previous generation. An open mesh fabric is used between the hip and back shoulder straps to improve breathability. The cuffs feature laser-cut edges and a dotted adhesive design, providing stability while reducing the feeling of restriction.

Of course, the biggest improvement is still the newly designed liner. The third-generation Pro Team uses a new generation of lightweight, seamless liner design. The insole is thinner, but uses higher-density foam material for better stability, and also features perforations for a better fit and faster sweat wicking. The upgraded insole also improves wearing comfort, providing a very snug fit.

Besides the fit and compression, the fabric and feel of the shorts are also more premium than those of the previous generation. Laser-cut edges and reduced seams are key, but the fabric itself has a very high-quality feel; it feels very snug against the skin, without any wrinkles, and looks very luxurious.

Garmin Alpine Climbing Simulator

Purely from a price perspective, it's not really a necessity; a trainer is all you need. But why did I include it in my favorite product series? Because it truly makes trainer riding less boring. You can complete an efficient cycling training session without it, but once you get used to its presence, you can never go back.

Trainer training is highly efficient; it's no longer just a tool for maintaining my fitness in winter. During the week, due to busy work schedules, I get home very late, and trainer training is my only way to stay in shape, year-round. The logic behind hill climb simulators is the same as that of a rocking board: to make your virtual ride feel closer to real road conditions.

Garmin wasn't the first brand to launch a hill climb simulator, but it capitalized on this advantage. In addition to simulating gradients, it allows for forward, backward, left, and right swaying, providing a more realistic rocking control feel and seamlessly connecting to the riding experience of real road conditions. Many people dislike trainers because they are monotonous and far removed from real road conditions. Whether it's a trainer with a rocking board or a hill climb simulator with forward, backward, left, and right swaying, their existence is to make your virtual ride more fun.

SRAM Force AXS Groupset

The second-level Force groupset benefits from technological upgrades, and its feel even surpasses that of Red in my opinion. To differentiate themselves, the two groupsets differ slightly in weight. In the current road groupset market, the SRAM RED AXS wireless shifting groupset is the weight benchmark, with a full groupset with a power meter weighing 2496g. The new generation Force AXS groupset with dual chainrings and a power meter weighs 2776g. Considering the suggested retail prices of the two groupsets, I think the extra 300g is acceptable.

The biggest upgrade in this generation of SRAM groupsets is actually the brake feel. The redesigned shift levers make braking much lighter, even with a single finger. What truly makes it superior to RED is its shifter grip design. The Force shifter grips have a different texture than RED's; the texture is less dense, presenting an aerodynamic, radiating design. In actual use, the difference isn't significant when wearing gloves, but its biggest advantage is the enlarged design of the satellite assist buttons, resulting in a clearer and more precise feel when pressed. I'm now very used to the eagle-claw grip and shifting gears via the satellite buttons.

Whether it's easier inflation, more stable braking, a more comfortable seat, or a more immersive training experience, these aren't just cold, impersonal parts; they're reliable partners on the road, making cycling more efficient and enjoyable. Technology advances, but the essence of a good product remains the same: serving people, integrating into daily life, and becoming a part of your daily ride. I look forward to 2026, hoping to see more amazing products like these continue to accompany us on our next journey.