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2023 bike of the year is the bike you own. In my case, that's my 2021 SC Bronson V4. It's better to have a 2, 3, 4 or 5 year old bike and be able to go outside and enjoy our awesome sport than sitting behind a computer lusting for some unicorn bike that doesn't exist. However, in the interest of starting or foddering a best bike brand war, I tried the Commencal Meta v5 in CO and that thing felt amazing! Props to the gents at Commencal for creating, in my opinion, one of the best all around bikes...

In light of the ongoing economic uncertainty and declining purchasing power, what about "the bike you already have" as Bike of the Year. I'll be honest, I don't think anything incredibly revolutionary was released this year. The Arrival 170 is cool (but really its just the 152 anyway) and I'm a big supporting of WAO ethos of Canadian made frames. Some cool niche steel products are popping up, and alloy, but these aren't mass market. A lot of established models got incrementally better, but nothing major happened.

But isnt the UDH designed to break to save your derailleur?

Looks like something's cooking!

Spomer to Syndicate, Minnaar to PB Racing, Levy to VitalMTB?

what does this mean for team rumors

Only Fans?

Yeah, don't know the rationale behind not having integrated reach adjustment. Maybe they don't think it's a big enough issue. Works and Wolftooth make 2-degree angle headsets that will work with a 49-49 HT, and Works make a 7mm reach offset headset for that HT as well. I do like the adjustable dropouts.

ENHANCE!

Cura (both 2 and 4 piston) are hands down some of the best brakes Ive ridden and highly recommended. The new hayes brakes are great from a performance standpoint, but the finish and ID is super cheap feeling in my opinion. The "fit and finish" is on par with the $60 set of tektros that came on my kids bike. Lots of lever slop, mediocre finishing feel whereas the formulas are on the other end of the spectrum and the finishing is much nicer than the price suggests.

I've been running them for over a year and they are really good. All I've done is replace brake pads...

I run cura 4 since they came out on a couple of bikes and they’re perfect. I am cheap so I only run AliExpress brake pads from KingStop. All good, plenty stopping power and no issues with durability.

Have used nothing but Cura4 on several bikes over several years. No issues, basically bleed after cutting hoses to fit and then pretty much replace pads when needed, that is it. I prefer Galfer pads and rotors over the Formula versions but strictly preference there, nothing wrong with the Formula versions. Great modulation and power, the only thing that I have found that I like better is Hope V4 on lever feel and a little bit more modulation. Pretty much a 'do you like pie or ice cream' type deal there, no wrong answer just nuances really.

I've got long term experience using Cura and Cura 4 brakes. It's all I've ran since they came out however many years ago now. I lean toward the regular Cura or Cura X because they're crazy powerful for two piston calipers, they modulate well, and are really easy to setup drag-free and maintain. I've had a few issues with Cura 4 in the past, mainly user error, but not enough bad things to not recommend them. I actually just put a new set on a Heckler SL and they set up drag free and have been running without issue for...

I ran mine for 3 season and never had any issues. They would get bled whenever I changed pads, and not because they needed it, rather just because I find it’s a good time to do it. They are also fully rebuildable, and parts seems to be pretty easy to source from distributors. I fully rebuilt a lever for a buddy who managed to damage his in a crash and it was easy and straightforward. Power is okay with the stock organic pads, really good with the sintered pads, and way more than enough with some Trickstuff power pads installed...

I don't have any "long-term" review for you. About 6 months worth. My Trickstuff brakes are constantly having issues, so I put on some Cura 4's while I awaited more parts. The Curas don't have all the mental power of the Trickstuff brakes, but it's close enough that I simply haven't bothered putting the Trickstuff's back on (220mm rotors though). The levers fit me fine. The adjustment is a little finicky, but that's something I took care of in the first ride. You need a hex to adjust the standard lever. No issues with fade, leaking etc. Feel is right...