AMB's best of 2022
What rocked our 2022? We've had a few of our regular contributors chime in with what made their year awesome.
2022 has just about wrapped up – so what made it the year that it was? We already heard from our Deputy Editor Georgina von Marburg about her highlights, and this prompted some of our crew to list their own.
Hayden Wright's top picks
Cannonball Festival
After a slow couple of years for mountain bike events in Australia, the reintroduction of Thredbo's Cannonball Festival ensured that 2022 would start off with a bang. The energy in the air was nearly tangible, with gravity racers from all over the country ascending to the Kosciuszko National Park for a week of riding, partying and even a little racing.
It was fantastic to see a long list of Australia's best make the trip, using the event as an opportunity for a tune-up prior to the beginning of the World Cup season. The integration of professional and amatuer riders through this event is something to behold – it's not often you can see a 12 year old grommet high fiving their favourite pro after a run down the mountain.
On a more personal note, I had a big wind up to the festival in the hopes of some good results. The delayed delivery of a Forbidden Dreadnought test bike which was slated to be my sled for the week meant I only had two rides on it prior to the event. This led to some performance anxiety prior to the first race of the week. Fortunately, the bike and I gelled instantly and I went on to exceed my personal expectations in both the Flow and All Mountain events. Happy days!
Aenomaly Switchgrade
This nifty little component has genuinely redefined what trail riding looks like for me. Thanks to the seat angle it allows you to run while climbing, fire roads which were once deemed too steep are now well within my reach. The improved seating position has led to better posture, less back pain and more front end traction to boot. Add in the ability to throw the seat in full DH mode for the descents and you have a winner in my books. Undoubtedly one of my favourite products of 2022. My review is online.
FI'ZI:K Gravita Tensor
I have completed 12 months of riding in these high-tech clipless shoes since first taking delivery of the Gravita Tensors, and have loved almost every minute. They're comfortable to walk in, have great pedal engagement, and dry quickly thanks to the use of nylon in the main construction of the shoe's upper.
Durability wise, there have been a few issues with the lace strap loop tearing – but this was quickly remedied by my local cobbler. The price tag on these bad boys might be high, but after a year of hard use I can say they're worth every penny.
100% Aircraft 2
Through spring and into summer I tested a bunch of full face helmets for a group test – and I had a stand out favourite. Comfort, ventilation, and safety all wrapped up in a good looking package. That's what the new Aircraft 2 from 100% delivers. Undoubtedly my standout from our full face helmet group test, this carbon-fibre beauty presents itself as great value relative to its competition and provides a genuine alternative to the mainstays in the downhill helmet market.
The provision of multiple sets of padding also allows you to really dial the fit to your liking, which while being highly personal is spot on for my head shape. Also included with the Airmatic 2 is a high quality helmet bag with room for your goggles and some other small items. What more could you ask for?
Anna Beck chimed in with a few of her favourite moments and items from 2022.
Australian Juniors and Young Riders
With Zoe Cuthbert not venturing out of the top 10 in her World Cup campaign this year PLUS a silver medal at Commonwealth Games, it’s hard to see past a new brigade of Aussie riders who are performing on a world stage.
Add into the mix Sam Fox’s 13th in U23 XCO Worlds and it seems like Australia may be headed for a purple patch in mountain biking. For the gravity followers, Luke Meier-Smith and Ryan Gilchrist’s amazing U21 EWS campaigns (on the podium!) and Remi Meier-Smith’s 2nd at World DHI junior champs and World Cup podiums are nothing to sneeze at, and the Women are at it as well with Both Elise Empey 6th and Elle De Nooyer 9th at DHI worlds in U19.
Little Shredders
2022 has seen mountain biking communities coming back full force after some mandated time off for the Spicy Cough. The new generation of tiny shredders are getting faster at a more rapid rate and that’s likely due to access to coaching (mountain bike is kind of the new soccer!), better quality age-appropriate equipment and the support of old school parents who say things like "back in my day we rode 26'' hardtails with 80mm suspension on everything”. We get it, your kid jumps better than you. Insert the meme ’sure grandma, let’s get you back to the nursing home’.
One of the coolest things is now having a range of kids clothing options so kids can feel stylish and comfortable on the bike. Brands like Rubber Side Down, Sendy and DHaRCO all have little shredder options. No more wet-cotton clothing chafe meltdowns on the trail. As they say, Look good, feel good, ride good.
Osprey Savu 5
At the risk of becoming a meme of myself, I am going to say one of my best (and TBH there haven’t been many this year…) purchases of 2022 has been the Osprey Savu 5 bumbag. While I’ve been a pack aficionado since 1986, the bumbag is something I initially reluctantly tried, but now I am fully on board.
Do I look ridiculous? Probably. But when out in 35+ degree heat on the reg’, coaching a bunch of kids or precocious young athletes, it’s a great option that enables you to rock trail kit rather than relying on even more deeply uncool lycra pocket, and it fits 2x extra bottles (perfect when on the trail bike with minimal triangle room), has a key holder, enough room for phone, small first aid kit, and snacks to keep everyone’s glycogen in check. I can even jam some plastic cones in there at a pinch. The pack is raised away from the back, making it a much cooler (thermal, not aesthetically) option than a standard backpack. If you’re not a fan of the bottles, you can grab options with inbuilt hydration bladders. I am very daggy, and I love it. Fight me.
Ben Morrison
There are a few cool new products but I think something I bought this year that I really liked was Pirelli Scorpion and Cinturato Smart tubes.
It’s not so much the low weight (around 49 & 100g) its more the fact they pack down super small and even though all my bikes have frame storage, it means that these compact little units allow me to get more into that frame storage without extra bulk that can make the frame sleeve hard to get in and out.
Jack Fletcher
Connor Fearon winning the National Title
A long time coming, and a long time waiting in the shadows of Troy. With a new team and new fire, it was amazing to see Connor take the win and pull on the national jersey. It was even cooler seeing him race World Cups with the Aussie stripes, I’m sure it meant a lot to him after years of being second.
Piper Albrecht
For me, the moment of year was the finish of the DH World Championships in Les Gets, France. It showed me how big the sport is, and how passionate the fans are. Yes it was wild, and dangerous too; I know people who were trampled under the crowd, clotheslined by gendarmerie and battered by flailing limbs. I don’t condone it, but it was wild to a part of…
By most accounts – of people who have been to all the major races in the last 2 decades – this was the craziest. The French fans are known to be extremely passionate about their downhill racing, and with 3 of their heroes taking the 3 top steps, in their home country no less, I think it was expected to be wild. But I don't think anyone expected it to pan out like it did…
Thousands upon thousands of passionate and alcohol fueled fans rushed the finishing area en masse, dodging past the 7 hugely outnumber gendarmes, jumping barriers and, and filling the finishing area with sweaty bodies, flares, flags, chainsaw fumes, and noise. Oh the noise…
As a photographer I was in the finish area from the beginning, and I watched as a wave of humans came after us, ecstatic about a french 1-2-3. I watched as the hot seat stand slowly crumpled under the weight of the fans jumping and singing and yelling, until it was flattened and the party went on. I watched as the gendarmerie tried to control the chaos and guide athletes to interviews. I watched as beer was sprayed, flares were lit, souvenirs were acquired, and absurdly, I watched a watermelon, delicately bobbing above heads as it was taken to safety.
I made my exit from the crowd, and found a moment of quiet away from it all, on a rooftop jutting out from the gondola station. I watched the throng of people from afar, and heard the chainsaws and cowbells and horns ringing in my ear, just as loud as when I was in amongst it. A friend of mine had stationed himself there to watch the last few riders finishing, and he photographed the carnage as it unfolded, watching up close but away from it all. He had the best view in the house.
Later at the presentations, I listened as thousands of voices – packed into every inch of the square, balconies and rooftops around the podium – sang together the La Marseillaise
I have seen countless videos and photos of the chaos documented by the amazing media representatives on the ground, and each one still gives me goosebumps, reminding me of what a special sport we have. That final hour of the race will be an hour I will not forget for a very, very long time.
Mike Blewitt
It's been a long year driving the AMB bus, and it's easy to look back at plenty of highlights. But if I were forced to narrow it down, here's the short list.
Reef to Reef
I love a stage race, and Reef to Reef is one of my favourites in Australia thanks to the diversity. But something about the 2022 edition was just better than most. Maybe it was the weather, as escaping to the tropics in August is very pleasant. Maybe the vibe? Lots of top racers had taken part in the XCM National Championships the previous weekend, so the pressure was off.
It might have been racing in Mixed Pairs with my wife? The category was lit, which is what makes racing fun. Either way, it was a racing, event, and mountain bike social highlight for the year.
Junior Worlds Team
It's been a few years since Australia sent a full Junior team to World Champs. But 2022 was different, and the DH crew especially shone. While the XCO was good, the DHI squad really took the cake, with top 10 rides (and a silver medal!).
There's a whole lot of talent in this generation, and I just hope AusCycling figure out a way to create useful pathways for them.
Trek Fuel EXe
This bike got a lot of coverage around the world, and it was justified. As an eMTB, the Fuel EXe was fun to jump on for any ride. It gave you more the more you put in, and wasn't a bus that you needed to wrestle in tighter trails.
You've likely read and watched a lot about the Fuel EXe – if you're not convinced, take one for a ride. I know I'm saving up for one.
Group Tests and the people who do them
This might be a bit corny, but the AMB crew who have been part of any of the group tests we published (and there are more to come) really work hard to deliver these. They're very involved, with the tests you see written up, or on video, just our best summary.
A lot goes on behind the scenes to get these right, including reaching out to every relevant manufacturer to supply appropriate product. We've had great support in this from suppliers, and I hope one of our group tests helps you decide on a product that's a best fit for you.
Made in Australia
This series has taken a look at brands that are opting to make their products in Australia. From bike companies to clothing manufacturers and more. Not everyone can do their whole line in Australia, but it's been interesting to speak to people and find out what the challenges are – and why they're driven to take them on. Take a closer look at some of the people we spoke to, and stay tuned for more.
