My Year in Cycling: A Tale of Two Halves (and Some Favorite Gear!) - Alex Hunt's 2025 Review
Has your passion for cycling ever felt… lost? Like you're chasing numbers instead of joy? That's exactly where I found myself in early 2025. But fear not, fellow cycling enthusiasts! This isn't a story of burnout, but of rediscovery. Join me as I delve into my favorite cycling gear of 2025, reflecting a year of dramatic shifts in focus and a renewed appreciation for the simple pleasures of riding.
It's hard to believe it's been a full year since I last shared my favorite cycling innovations and experiences. Looking back, both the cycling landscape and my personal approach to it have undergone significant transformations. In the daily grind, it’s easy to feel like nothing’s changing. Days blur, weeks resemble each other, and without conscious reflection, you might feel stuck in a loop, lacking progress. However, periodic self-assessment reveals just how far you've traveled.
For me, cycling provides a unique lens to witness change in real-time. Evaluating fresh tech keeps me abreast of industry advancements. More significantly, my perspective evolves month by month as I test the limits of what's possible.
The initial six months of 2025 were heavily road-bike-centric – partly because someone (ahem, thieves!) permanently "borrowed" my beloved XC bike. I was laser-focused on data, pushing my limits solo, and letting the power meter dictate my idea of fun. But here's where it gets controversial...was I really having fun? Or was I just going through the motions?
Then, something shifted. The latter half of the year brought a profound introspection. I started pondering what a sustainable future in cycling looked like for me. What truly sparked joy? I decided to prioritize “Type 1 Fun” – the kind that's enjoyable during the activity, not just in retrospect. This led me to ditch the power meter a few times a week and reconnect with my preferred playground: the dirt trails.
And this is the part most people miss...It wasn't just about escaping the data. It was about reconnecting with the feeling of riding. The thrill of navigating technical terrain, the camaraderie of riding with friends, the sheer joy of being outdoors.
Consequently, my favorite things this year mirror that newfound equilibrium: a blend of performance and personal gratification, advancement and amusement. Nothing on this list is groundbreaking or unexpected, but these are the products that consistently brought a smile to my face throughout 2025.
SRAM Force E1: Trickle-Down Tech Done Right
When SRAM unveiled the E1-generation Red groupset last year, my excitement wasn’t solely about Red itself. It was about the implications for Force and Rival. SRAM has a proven track record of quickly cascading new technology down their product line, and I suspected it wouldn’t be long before the mid-tier offerings benefited from the upgrades. The Force E1 groupset delivered exactly what I hoped for, bringing high-end performance and features to a more accessible price point. This makes cutting-edge technology available to a wider range of riders, enhancing their experience without breaking the bank.
So, what do you think? Did SRAM make the right move by prioritizing trickle-down tech? And more importantly, what does "fun" look like for you on the bike? Let me know in the comments below! I'm eager to hear your thoughts and experiences.
