The WTB Riddler is a gravel tyre aimed at drier, faster trails, and this SG2 version features an updated 120tpi casing and a full puncture protection layer. The result is grippy and fast in the dry – and better than it looks in light mud – but it can be tricky to fit on some rims, and it wears fast.

The Wolf Tooth B-RAD 2 Mounting Base lets you adjust your bottle cage along the downtube, and proves very useful alongside frame luggage. It also serves as a mount for other parts of the B-RAD accessory range. It's a small, simple part that works well, but at £21 it’s quite expensive.

The Ultralight gravel handlebar from MT Zoom is one of the lightest off-road drop handlebars on the market. It has a great shape for fast, competitive riding and nicely designed internal cable routing, but it's only available in the one width.

The Bont Riot MTB+ is a very stiff, competition orientated shoe that's light and comes with custom moulding options, although the Boa is a bit basic for the price.

The WTB Byway TCS Light/Fast Rolling SG2 is a semi-slick, minimalistic gravel tyre which offers a smooth ride on roads but can handle some gravel and rock too. It is now available with SG2 puncture protection, which is very effective – just don't expect much grip if things get really rocky or muddy.

At 148g, the MT Zoom Ultralight Inline Carbon Seatpost is probably the lightest seatpost we've ever tested. This narrow, 27.2mm version performed perfectly for our test, although the limit on how far it can be inserted means it won't fit all frames.

The Ortlieb Handlebar-Pack offers a big storage space and some neat features, but it tends to slip down – and on some bikes might rub against the front wheel.

The Accessory Pack from Ortlieb is a small, reasonably easy to access pouch that can either be used on its own, or attached directly to Ortlieb's Handlebar Pack. It is made from high quality materials, but comes at a price.

The Gaerne G.Ice Storm winter boots are built from fully waterproof and windproof material, but let water in over the top rather easily via the unadjustable cuff – which kind of makes that point moot. They're expensive, too.