Josh Ross’s Top Gear of 2025 — AI, Cameras & Bikes

• Key Takeaways:
• Google Pixel Watch 4 became a daily health bridge for Ross and his wife, offering useful training readiness data.
• Nikon Z6 III, DJI RS4 Mini and Insta360 X5 tightened Josh’s video/still workflow, enabling 4K/120fps hybrid shoots.
• Scott Addict RC paired with Campagnolo Super Record 13 is Ross’s favorite ride for 2025 — light, stiff and emotionally resonant.
• Google Gemini 3.0 moved from gimmick to practical assistant, helping with training data and other real-world tasks.

Why the Pixel Watch 4 mattered

The Google Pixel Watch 4 stood out as a device that created connection as much as data. Ross uses it not only for typical smartwatch features but as a shared language with his wife through training readiness metrics.

“A way for me to understand another person’s experience is always worth celebration,” he writes, noting the watch’s battery life and integration with Google services make it a practical daily wearable.

Video and photography: one camera to rule both

Ross upgraded to the Nikon Z6 III and emphasizes how it simplified his workflow. The Z6 III captures stills and 4K/120fps video in one full-frame body, eliminating the need to juggle two cameras.

Complementary tools include the DJI RS4 Mini gimbal for silky b-roll and the Insta360 X5 for on-bike talking-head footage; Ross also keeps a GoPro Max 2 for compact chest mounts and bright-sun recording.

Bikes and components: ride feel and practical gearing

Despite a long-standing interest in aero bikes, Ross picked the Scott Addict RC as his 2025 favorite. He cites a blend of storytelling in the bike’s development and an aggressive yet forgiving WorldTour geometry.

The switch to Campagnolo Super Record 13 added practical value: an extra top gear with parity in price to rivals, offering better gearing without compromise.

AI that actually helps: Google Gemini

Ross was skeptical of AI until Gemini 3.0 proved useful. He reports using it to analyze training data — Gemini flagged overtraining and under-fueling trends from his Garmin screenshots — and to solve non-bike puzzles like video-game loadouts.

For Ross, Gemini acts like “a really knowledgeable friend” that augments expertise and points out blind spots.

Small upgrades that mattered

Other practical wins include custom Specialized insoles (improved cleat position and arch support), the Feedback Sports Rakk stand for studio shots, and Zwift for social indoor riding and structured winter training.

Across categories, Ross’s 2025 picks prioritize real-world usability: better data, streamlined media workflows, and bikes and components that feel right on the road.