Article By:All of the gadgets, accessories, apparel and services keeping me happy in the saddle.
In the old, prepandemic days, I used a combination of gym time and sports to stay fit. A regular schedule of pickup basketball, pickleball and soccer adequately supplemented a handful of weekly gym workouts. Since the coronavirus swallowed the US, however, my gym has been closed and social distancing protocols have put the kibosh on many group sports.
Back in March, I dragged my 2005 Lemond Tourmalet bike out of the garage, put on four layers of warm clothing and went for a ride. Since then, I’ve been cycling just about every other day. I wrecked the Tourmalet in June, but have since replaced it with a used 2010 Specialized Roubaix Pro. And I recently added a 2018 Specialized Enduro mountain bike to my arsenal, which has given me access to tons of mountain bike trails — and will allow me to experiment with riding on the snow this winter.
Over the past year, I’ve been trying out a variety of cycling clothing and accessories, bike gear and technologies that have made riding safer and more enjoyable. Note that I haven’t comprehensively tested out any of these product categories; this is just a sampling of my own personal top picks of the best cycling gear. I regularly update this article as I try out new gear.
Having now tested a variety of hydration backpacks and hip-packs, I’ve settled on the Camelbak Chase for mountain biking. It has the right amount of storage capacity — 70 ounces of water plus a good amount of gear — as well as lots of handy pockets and other bells and whistles. (Literally, it has an integrated safety whistle.) It also has an integrated protective impact panel, which could come in handy should you fall off your bike and land on your back. At $200, it’s not cheap. But if you’re an aggressive rider, the additional protection is worth it.
That noted, if you’re looking to spend less, I’ve been using the Osprey Syncro 12 on family hikes, and I actually prefer its water bladder to Camelbak’s system. Plus, the Syncro has a nice balance of storage capacity and accessibility, an integrated rain cover and it costs a more reasonable $130.
There are plenty of folks who ride in order to leave the emails, texts and calls behind, but I prefer to keep my phone handy when I’m in the saddle. (Obviously, I pull to a complete stop on the side of the road before engaging with the screen.) Until recently, I was tucking my phone into the pocket of my jersey, which was often underneath a jacket, which made it difficult — and unsafe — to access while rolling. Then I got this Quad Lock case and mount. It’s been a total game changer.
The Quad Lock mount sits atop the bike stem, and I feel quite confident in its capacity to keep my phone safe and secure, even when traversing bumpy terrain. When the ride is over, or I’ve pulled off the road to take a photo, it’s dead simple to release; just pull the mount’s locking mechanism upward and twist. The Quad Lock phone case is hefty — there’s a raised bump on the back that fits onto the mount — and I’d trust it to ably protect the phone in a crash. But when I end my ride, I switch over to my preferred
Until it gets really cold, this is my go-to top layer for bike rides and runs after dusk. The DriLayer HorsePower fabric is both insulating and breathable, and the integrated 3M Scotchlite reflectors are unmistakably bright — and cool-looking.
As the weather turns colder and wetter, I’m experimenting with new outerwear to keep me dry and warm on rides. Endura’s Luminite pants have become my go-to choice on the strength of their lightweight construction, protective waterproofing and comfortable fit. I also appreciate the combination of ankle zippers and adjustable snap-button cuffs, for on-the-fly tweaking, and the four reflective panels, which help increase my visibility to others in the dark. Well worth it — especially if you can catch them on sale for under $100.
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