Gear Review

The new Rapha Explore shoes are designed for comfort on gravel and trails, offering a generous fit and a moderately flexible sole.

With solid construction, well-organized drawers, and a durable workspace on top, the Unior Modular Workbench takes home mechanics to a new level.

Princeton says its approach to a wavey carbon wheel yields better aerodynamics and a stronger rim. The wheels are also more affordable.

Specialized did away with the cutout and implemented a soft foam technology it calls Mimic to reduce soft tissue discomfort for female cyclists.

Our tester is surprised at the performance of these knit gloves, as they kept his hands warm even below freezing.

These cool-weather tights are versatile, as they can be worn both on and off the bike.

Rapha has put together a simple, elegant duffel bag that rarely falls short of our needs. Unfortunately, the price is quite steep.

If you want a big duffel bag with plenty of thoughtful pockets, compartments, and features, Silca hits the mark with its Maratona gear bag.

With a wool/poly blend and trim fit, 7Mesh's jersey is versatile for a variety of conditions and warm when damp.

Rapha employs Polartec’s Alpha insulation to great effect in this vest that manages to keep you warm, dry, and not sweaty at all.

The Specialized S-Works Recon shoe aims to balance performance and comfort. It's an improvement over prior models but is still quite stripped-down.

Pearl Izumi's PRO bib short is one of our favorites, with soft fabric that is not too compressive, and bib straps that practically disappear.

The addition of a second Boa dial makes the RC7 a more attractive mid-range road shoe, with ample forefoot width and a striking finish.

If you're committed to riding year-round, through rain, snow, and cold conditions, you owe it to yourself to get some dedicated winter shoes.

Mavic's gravel wheel and tire combination offers durability and performance at a reasonable price despite being a tad heavy.

Louis Garneau punches above its weight with the Course Air Lite II shoes, which are easily some of the most comfortable we've ridden in this season.

Selle Italia's entry into the snub nose saddle category has a subtle curve that provides a planted feel and a wide channel for soft tissue comfort.

If you need a simple way to store bikes that can double as a work stand, the Feedback Sports Scorpion fits the bill and doesn't cost much.

Thule's latest entry in the hydration pack market impresses with secure fit, Koroyd padding, and a magnetic hose holder.

The jersey is comfortable and versatile, with a look that reminds everyone that riding is fun.

Velocio takes a stripped-down approach to the Ultralight bib, but it still has the comfort offered by the Signature model, minus the zipper for bathroom breaks.

Assos packs ample features into its latest bib short. They're super-comfortable, but the improvements aren't always noticeable.

If you're building the ultimate smart trainer setup, you probably want a fan to match. Wahoo's Kickr Headwind isn't cheap but it is smart.

With a clear organizational system and a minimalist design, Black Line Sprinting's VeloRacing backpack is ideal for a day of racing.

A tire insert can help protect against flat tires and rim damage on a mountain bike, and Vittoria's Air-Liner is one of our favorites.

Wahoo finds another way to make indoor trainer workouts more realistic with the Kickr Climb, but this upgrade comes at a steep price.

These glasses feature Smith's redesigned PivLock system to aid in quick and easy lens changes.

This airplane bike case is disguised to help you avoid extra baggage fees — and it also does a good job of keeping your bike safe and secure.

Wahoo remains the king of the smart trainer world with the Kickr, a stable, accurate, and user-friendly trainer that now offers a suite of accessories.

Check out Dan Cavallari's author page.

Check out Dan Cavallari's author page.

With a stable platform, good looks, and nearly best-in-class performance metrics, the CycleOps H2 comes close to dethroning Wahoo's Kickr.

This jersey has a few drawbacks, but overall it's a well-made, high-end piece of kit.

Wahoo's Kickr Core is likely the best smart trainer on the market for the price. It's stable, quiet, and easy to set up on Zwift.

Check out Dan Cavallari's author page.

Elite's Drivo II smart trainer offers accurate power measurement and stout construction for workouts and virtual trainer sessions.

This jersey performed admirably for us in the humid Spanish summer weather.

Check out Dan Cavallari's author page.

It's hard to say whether this drink mix actually aids in recovery, but it appeared to have some impact on our tester post-ride.

If you’re looking for a well-made jersey for warm-weather rides and typically ride in bibs, this should certainly be a contender.

Even for bib short devotees, Assos S7 shorts offer a comfortable and secure fit with a supportive chamois.

The Surge shoes are an impressive addition to a crowded field of high-end, race-ready shoes.

Balance is what it is all about. No tire can do it all, but Vittoria's Mezcal is versatile enough to be our go-to pick for XC mountain biking.

These bibs are good option for everyday riding at a decent price point.

Bontrager's XXX shoes have been a welcome addition to the closet with a combination of comfort and stiffness.

If you’re doing big rides in hot weather, the Moderna is worth considering. Plus it has ample pocket space for food and essentials.

Kask goes wild with 37 vents on the Valegro. Its cooling is great, but this helmet falls a little short on secure fit.

Roka's ultralight SR-1 riding glasses are worth a look if you’re after crystal-clear optics and a low-profile, feathery fit.

Check out Dan Cavallari's author page.

Check out Dan Cavallari's author page.

Check out Dan Cavallari's author page.

Check out Dan Cavallari's author page.

The Black Line Sprinting VeloRacing Bag gets the job done when it comes to keeping your stuff neat, organized, and accessible

The 100% Speedcraft Air sunglasses try to boost airflow with magnetic nose pads, but for our tester, they didn't offer a noticeable improvement.

Check out Dan Cavallari's author page.

Check out Dan Cavallari's author page.

Cameras, lenses, computers, tablets, and more — Mission Workshop's The Rhake pack can stow all the gear you need to tote.

The Bontrager Chi Town pack is a bit large for commuters needing a lightweight pack, but if you tote a lot of gear, it's a great option.

The Bontrager Velocis shoes won't break the bank, but they've got enough performance features to help you break away.

This saddle's unique shape helped us stay comfortable while riding and provided room to fidget while seated.

These eye-catching hoops met all of our expectations from this high-quality brand.

This versatile jacket now has a permanent home in the shoulder season wardrobe.

The Chase Bike Vest really shines in long days on dirt when you don’t have the opportunity to stop and refuel.

This jacket is incredibly light and packs down small for easy stowage in a jersey pocket.

The Men's Wind Vest from Velocio is tailored for a snug fit, and it looks good too

This generation of Garmin's Vector power meter is far more reliable, bug-free, and data-rich than its predecessors.

The Asheville, North Carolina company takes its first foray into the road market with these wheels.

The 7Mesh MK2 bibs are snug around the waist but relaxed in the thigh, which is good if you’re not exactly racer-lean.

Ashmei's Bib Short V.3 has earned a permanent place in our closets with exceptional fit, high compression, and comfortable straps.

This small security tie is great for quick trips into the store and adding another layer of security on your car's bike rack.

If you’re after simplicity and on-the-fly adjustment in a super-stiff platform, it’s hard to beat the Helix shoes.

The Hunt 30Carbon Gravel Disc wheelset is versatile, robust, and caters to the needs of the modern rider

If price is no object and you’re after a remarkably stable and easy to use pedal, it’s hard to beat the Xpro 10 pedals.

Gladiator has come up with a better way to store your expensive rides in your garage without tearing up your walls or slicing and dicing your pricey rims.

Shimano's made-in-Japan jersey ditches shoulder seams to eliminate bunching, thereby reducing drag.

Pactimo Summit Aero RT makes orange look cool, and the hi-vis jersey is cut for racers.

Donkey Label Team Cross Jersey looks good and it’s comfortable with polyester fabric that's soft to the touch.

Poc tends to make aesthetically polarizing gear, but the AVIP jersey hits the nail on the head.

The Ashmei Croix de Fer's fit is snug but forgiving; it’s ideal for gran fondos and all-day warm-weather rides.

Rapha's Arenberg sunglasses are Italian-made full-frame shades that offer tons of coverage and a detachable Zeiss lens.