The Inside Line's Product of the Year Staff Picks
The end of the year is here, and so are the 2025 staff picks for Product of the Year from the friendly faces at The Inside Line! These are not all new releases, but they are the ones that spoke most to our hearts. Check 'em out below or shop the collection now!
Cam - e*Thirteen Sidekick Hubs
Cam has been drinking the pedal kickback device kool-aid since we got our hands on the O-chain. Having that system built into the hub has proven to be a reliable way to get that same feel. He attributes the Sidekick with increased traction and claims it’s the best investment in your suspension you can make.
Dawson - RockShox Boxxer Ultimate D1 Fork
Dawson got himself a Transition TR11 before a long bike trip this summer and came back a new man. The standout component on his new bike was the Boxxer. It's the perfect blend of responsive and plush. Easy to adjust and easy on the eyes, too! The DebonAir+ twin tube air spring is buttery smooth and will have you thinking it’s a coil.
Yurii - Fox Podium Fork
Our in-house web dev and designer is always drawn to good design, and that’s exactly what happened when the podium was released. We could see the heart eyes comically protrude from his head! Not to mention it’s really dang smooth!
Noah - Hayes Dominion A4 Brakes
Power was never really something Noah struggled with, and the jury is still out about whether he uses brakes at all... But when he swapped out his old codes for the Hayes, he immediately noticed the light lever pull and appreciated the reduced fatigue on longer descents. They offer great modulation, are easy to set up and have tool-free reach adjustment. Also, they come in purple.
Pierre - RevGrips Race Series Grips
As a self-proclaimed Lord of the Pump, Rev Grips saved his life during a late-season Whistler trip. No arm pump was had! It seems those who try Rev Grips swear by them, and Pierre has joined the cult. It’ll change your life. Like getting a bidet or a good pair of shoes. They come in both "Race" and "Pro" series with options for thickness and waffle design, so you can get the feeling just right.
Josh - Transition Bottlerocket
There has never been a bike more suited to Josh’s riding style. He even built a Patrol that’s singlespeed with dual 27.5” wheels and a Bomber 58. He’s already saving his pennies to pick up a new Disco Flamingo Bottlerocket for 2026. This bike was thoughtfully designed for the freerider in mind; the only thing missing is a place to stash gummy bears. Sorry, Josh!
Walton - Coast Optics Alta 2 Goggles
The lenses are so easy to change, you could probably do it while wearing them and riding!* Walton loved everything about the Alta 2 goggles, they’re made from recycled and more eco-friendly materials, have a dialled fit, venting in all the right places and as previously mentioned have a super fast magnetic lens swap system.. and they come in some rad colourways! Oh, and did we mention they’re a Canadian brand, based out of Whistler?
*Please don’t try that.
Christian - Aenomaly Switchgrade Saddle Adjuster
The ability to climb and descend with the seat out of your way is what sold Christian on the Switchgrade. Adjustment on the fly between each lap, and all you need to do is pull a lever! The Switchgrade helps to steepen your seat tube angle and level out your saddle on the climbs. This change in seat angle allows you to move your riding position more forward over the bottom bracket, balancing your weight, which increases traction and overall comfort. The downward angle also helps to relieve pressure points, which makes for a better day out on the bike. Trust us.
Zach R. - Vorsprung Telum Coil Shock
Zach is the one hiding in the back of the shop working on suspension day in and day out so he knows what makes a solid and reliable shock. Pair that with the rapid revalving tech that Vorsprung has designed into the shock body, this makes a highly tunable shock attainable for anyone!
Ben - WPS Piston Upgrade Kits
Ben says the WPS kit transformed a good shock into a great shock. He liked it so much in his Bomber CR that his experience was largely responsible for our decision to carry them at the shop. He says the piston helped delete the harshness, and the custom tune for his style/weight was the last piece of the puzzle! At WPS, they managed to find a Goldilocks design for pistons across many of the most popular models of forks on the market. These improved pistons and shim kits are able to give a wide range of tuning options without restricting oil flow, easing harshness from hard hits and improving repetitive bump recovery. More flow = more performance!
Bruce - Loam Labs Counterpunch Bar Ends
Bruce spent most of his season punching trees that didn’t deserve it. Eventually, after getting a pair of Counterpunch bar ends from Loam Lab, he was able to hit them harder, with less collateral damage. These bar ends are super durable, and the curved shape helps to slide off the surface of trees instead of grabbing on. You can also rest your hand against the ends for improved control and handling.
Jaime - Hope Evo GR4 Brakes
It’s hard not to appreciate nice machining. Form must follow function because these things pack a punch! Jaime likes to spend a lot of time on the back wheel, and modulation is important! The Evo GR4’s can handle anything in their path, including Chilean dudes that rip.
James - Smith Forefront 3 Helmet
James has been a Smith helmet evangelist for some time. The new Forefront 3 was so exciting to him that we heard his voice hit a second tonal range for the first time. He credits the new retention system, which makes this helmet the most comfortable he’s ever tried. I’ve heard that he even wears it around the house, just because.
David - Thule Revert Car Rack
Have some bikes? Need to get them somewhere? Here’s your answer! A full season of testing went into this product recommendation. The Revert has lived on David’s car since the beginning of 2025 and has proven sturdy, easy to use and reliable. There are two versions of this rack, a 4-bike and a 6-bike. The tilt-assist function makes it super easy to roll your bikes into the rack, and allows access to your vehicle's hatchback!
Lance - RockShox Reverb AXS B1 Dropper Post
Lance actually upgraded his AXS dropper from the original generation. To drop that kind of cash to replace a product that was already good means this one’s gotta be great. The new Reverb AXS has some new features to make it easier to service and replace the battery without the need for special tools. The wireless controls are lightning fast, almost like magic.
Chey - Akta Trail Knee Pads
Have you ever had to put your whole arm down your pants trailside to fix your knee pads? It can be pretty awkward. But with these bad boys, that'll be a thing of the past. Akta knee pads stay in place with the shape rather than relying on the band, but heck, the band stays in place too! Two thumbs up if you like to wear pants. If you don't, these pads are super tough and handle all kinds of abrasive situations. So here's another two thumbs, if you don't like to wear pants.
Zach S. - Helix Coil Spring
The most accurate spring known to mankind. Well, maybe… These Helix coils are accurate within ±2% of spring rate tolerance, while other coils on the market can range as much as 50lbs. If you’re fine-tuning your suspension for a better ride, there’s no better approach when it comes to coils. Just ask Zach.
Mikhail - Marzocchi Super Z Fork
Mikhail appreciates the fact that the Super Z is not just a simplified version of a Fox 38. The stanchion wall is thicker, the lowers are a different cast, and the steerer is reinforced. Even the internals are different despite sporting the same GripX name. It’s a burly fork for a great price.
Danika - Devinci Troy Aluminum
We knew Danika would have a good name for her new bike. Baby Bok Choy is the newest bike in her stable! Believe it or not, this is her first non e-bike! She finds the bike to be the perfect fit and is enjoying the nimble nature of the 27.5 rear wheel. We’re waiting for her to knit a sweater for it!
We hope you've enjoyed our staff Product of the Year round up as much as we have enjoyed reminiscing about the gear that got us through the year!
