It’s hard to believe we’ve almost wrapped up another year, but here we are at the holiday season and a chance to reflect on 2023. Along with so many great rides, memorable events, and the best community we could ask for, there are also some outstanding new products tested that deserve a spotlight. Rather than focus on individual product categories, this year I decided to reflect on my favorite gravel bike upgrades from 2023. After first building my custom Open WI.DE. in the Spring of 2022, I’ve swapped out several parts to further tune the experience. This list is a reflection of those upgrades that have made the most difference, or stood out far beyond the rest. I hope you enjoy the story and be sure to share your favorite gravel-specific upgrades in the comments below! -Dave

Wolf Tooth Morse Cage Ti

My favorite bottle cage for years was the Rib Cage from Specialized. It was lightweight, sleek, and I never lost a bottle on rough terrain. However, they would often break after just 1 or 2 years, and my favorite bottles would suffer from black scuffing until the graphics were unrecognizable. I later tried carbon cages, but quickly learned that composites are best reserved for other bike components. I never considered metal cages as they were too heavy for my liking. But what if that metal was titanium? It turns out the water bottle cage may be one of the best applications ever invented for titanium. My pick is the Wolf Tooth Morse Cage Ti for its superior durability, the most fore/aft adjustment for any titanium cage (32mm), and great Cerakote finish options including Teal (shown below), Green, and Red. The titanium Morse Cage weighs just 33 grams (that’s 43% lighter than the Morse Cage Stainless Steel) and is hand bent in the Minneapolis, Minnesota. If you’re looking for a bike water bottle cage that will live well beyond plastic while being friendly to your favorite bottles, look no further than the Titanium Morse Cage from Wolf Tooth Components.

Wolf Tooth Morse Cage Ti | from $63.72

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Ergon Bar Tape (BT) Gravel

A good handlebar tape isn’t easy to find. Like tires, they are quickly consumed and often designed around short-term fashion and short-lived feel. Gravel tape should be supple and strong while looking the part. Few have executed this quite as well as Ergon with their BT Gravel Tape. As you may have guessed, the Gravel version of Ergon’s BT is their most supple offering, with 3.5 mm of thickness. For reference, most handlebar tapes are between 2-3 mm thick, and you can definitely notice the difference. The BT Gravel was my favorite bar tape from 2023 as it lasts long, feels amazing, and comes in 5 great looking colors. The new BT Gravel is easy to install with handy wrap guide marks incorporated in the design, and comes in a generous length that should fit most flared bars. Handlebar tape may be disposable, but don’t overlook its importance in your overall ride experience.

Ergon BT Gravel Handlebar Tape | $39.95

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Knog Blinder R-150 Rear Bike Light

After all of my years of riding, no rear bike light has impressed me more than the Blinder R-150 from Knog. Knog is a Melbourne-based outdoor tech company that’s been creating innovative solutions and beautifully designed products since 2002. Designed specifically for road cycling, the Blinder R-150 is crazy bright with up to 150 lumen output, super-light at just 48 grams, and features an elegant, minimal design. Having multiple functional modes is a must for rear bike lights, and the Blinder R-150 has 9 good ones to choose from. My favorite things about the Blinder R-150 is its long runtime (up to 50 hr) and the super convenient integrated USB-A connector for cable-free charging. If you’re looking for a rear light with a minimal design that works great for long-distance visibility and features an innovative charging method, look no further than the Knog Blinder R-150.

Knog R-150 Rear Bike Light | $64.95

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Ergon SR Allroad Core Pro

I’ve been a long time fan of Ergon saddles ever since I first reviewed the SR Pro in 2019. Taking it one step forward in 2023, Ergon has leveraged the world's first expanded thermoplastic polyurethane to create the SR Allroad Core in collaboration with BASF. The result is a saddle that remains soft and elastic across a wide range of temperatures, while offering improved rebound (returning to its original shape) versus comparable particle foams. The men's-specific shape is engineered for optimal pressure relief and support, ensuring you can clock in the miles minus unwanted discomfort. Like the SR Pro before it, the Allroad Core features a central relief channel that does an effective job at alleviating pressure on sensitive areas, minimizing squirming over the long haul. While three versions of Ergon’s latest gravel saddle are available, I always recommend the Pro version that offers a good value while featuring upgraded TiNox rails for just $20 more than the Comp version. The SR Allroad Core Pro Men Saddle is a standout choice for gravel riders with its innovative design, premium materials, and another demonstration of Ergon’s commitment to ergonomics and performance.

Ergon SR Allroad Core Pro Men | from $135

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Logos Epoché 700c Wheelset

We first put a spotlight on the $1299 Epoché 700c wheel system last year when Logos Components launched their company and first products. The name itself means “refrain from judgement”, and that’s spot-on branding for those seeking a game changing gravel wheel. At launch, the value proposition seemed somewhat unbelievable, but after a few months of testing I’m happy to report that the Epoché wheels have definitely lived up to their promised performance. In terms smart upgrades for most stock bikes, wheels are a great place to start. And unless your hung up on being seen with a specific logo other than Logos on your wheels, I’d be hard pressed to find a better set to recommend other than these 700c hoops. The Epoché wheels are light and stiff as you would expect, while featuring a generous 24mm internal rim width fitting tires up to 54mm. I also love their clean design, and the option to go with decals in Sand (shown below) or Stealth (black). Logos also offers a generous lifetime at-cost replacement program in case of unfortunate incidents for an extra peace of mind. Logos Components has truly crafted a gravel wheelset that embodies the spirit of exploration, making the Epoché 700c a must-have for gravel riders seeking a perfect balance between performance, value, and aesthetics.