Editors Note: Yeah, yeah…..another year end review! Tis the season! So, here are my favorite things that have passed through the Twenty Nine Inches review process during the past year. I want to point out a few parameters that I used for what I chose here.

1. The product had to be in the review process during the time period of December 2008 through to the end of November 2009. Reviews that are currently in process I did not include and will be eligible for my 2010 Top Ten list.

2. They had to be products or bicycles that I personally used during this period. Nothing any of the other Twenty Nine Inches staff reviewed on their own could be considered for my list. This list doesn’t necessarily reflect the opinions of anyone but me, Guitar Ted.

3. The reviewed products were provided to Twenty Nine Inches at no charge for review. I was not paid or bribed for this review. I will give/gave my honest opinion or thoughts through out.

That said, let’s get on with this……

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Number 2: Rock Shox Reba Team with Maxle Lite 20mm Through Axle: In 2007 we were hearing rumblings that the classic Reba fork for 29 inch wheels was going to get a make-over. That was finally confirmed early in 2008 when we layed eyes on the new Reba for the first time. Finally, SRAM announced at Sea Otter that year that the new Reba would be in riders hands by late June. That got pushed back, and pushed back, and finally in late 2008 Twenty Nine Inches received a 120mm travel Reba Team with a Maxle Lite 20mm through axle to test.

Why It Made The List: The original Reba for 29″ers was an instant classic. For a time it was the benchmark in 29″er forks which all others were shooting for. Instead of resting on their laurels, SRAM/Rock Shox came out with something to keep them in the game concerning 29″er forks. Not only that, but they introduced the easiest to use, lightest 20mm through axle for 29″ers out there. Still using the excellent, smooth Motion Control damper, the fork was otherwise totally improved over the original Reba.

My Two Cents: The Rock Shox Reba Team is one of those products I see as a highwater mark in the development of the modern 29″er. It made having a front suspender on a 29″er a legitimate, performance enhancing component on the same playing field as its 26 inch brethren were on. No longer were twenty nine inch riders going to have to “put up with” something less than what 26″er riders were getting with front suspension devices. Nope! The Reba Team is stiff laterally, tracks straight with zero flex induced wheel deflection, and has a very competitive weight for a longer fork. The Maxle Lite is brilliant. Light, easy to use, and stiffens the front end noticeably. I said when I first used it that it would kill the traditional QR. I still believe that. The Motion Control damper, (a BlackBox unit on the Team fork) was smooth and easy to set up. Travel was great. A bit of a ramp up at the very end, but generally smooth and linear feeling. The air springs held air really well and the day to day living with this component was a breeze. Moving to a modern offset for 29″ers with this model was also greatly appreciated.

Sure, there are other nice 29″er forks out there, but Rock Shox was the first widely available through axle fork with the easy to use Maxle Lite for 29″ers, and was light, stiff, and had a 46mm off set which brought the company into the forefront of 29″er forks once again. The Rock Shox Reba Team with the Maxle Lite 20mm was a game changer for many riders and it is why I made it #2 on 2009′s Top Ten list.

What will grab the coveted #1 spot on the Top Ten list for 2009? Stop by tomorrow to find out!