The new year has started and the Number One product of 2008 has been named: The Salsa Cycles Gordo Disc 29″er rim. With 2008′s Top Ten List now complete, I now will present all the links to the separate posts here in one place for ease of access. I also have a few final thoughts on the year’s gear with a peek at the coming months as well.

The Top Ten List Posts:
#1: Salsa Cycles Gordo Rim
#2: Continental Mountain King 2.4″ Tire
#3: OS Bikes Blackbuck Frame
#4: Gary Fisher Hi Fi Deluxe/ G2 Geometry
#5: Schwalbe Racing Ralph 2.4″ Tire
#6: Diamondback Overdrive Pro
#7: Origin 8 Black Ops Fork
#8: Edge Composites XC Rim
#9: Siren Song 29″er
#10: WTB Tires: Vulpine, Stout, Prowler SL

Congratulations to all that made the list!

And Now, Some Final Thoughts: Looking back on the year that was, I can say that it seemed that not a whole lot of exciting new product came out, but in reality, there was a lot going on. Some things that we didn’t test or review bear mentioning here. There was the Fox F-29, the Pivot Cycles 429, Turner’s redesign of the Sultan model, and the Fisher Superfly.

I think that taken in as a group, the products and bicycles introduced that were 29″er related in 2008 were actually a pretty impressive grouping. It’s just that products and bicycles were released all throughout the season, and not just at Interbike or Sea Otter. Many companies are rolling out product intros on their own stage, much like Salsa cycles “Sol Sessions” this year, or another example being Trek’s dealer show in August. I expect the same thing to happen for 2010 products, but perhaps on a smaller scale.

Speaking of the future of 29″er product, which is going to be heavily influenced by the recent down turn in the world economy, I don’t expect to see a big change right away. This is because the 2009 product is already here, or in the hopper. When the 2010 product rolls out, then we may see some effects of the times. Whatever happens with the economy, 2009 will be an interesting year regardless.

There is some mighty interesting things on the horizon, not to mention the products we are continuing to test like the Salsa Cycles Fargo, Easton’s XC- One single speed wheels, and our wrap up on the Specialized 29″er tires.

We hope you will check back in with us often in 2009, but most of all, we hope you have the greatest year of riding bicycles- whatever type they are- ever!