Courtesy Specialized
Mountain Biking Equipment
The kit you need to get the most out of the trail.
BY CHRIS BRINLEE JR.
Specialized set out to achieve the ultimate goal: create the most radically designed alloy trail bike ever made. Their result is the Men’s Stumpjumper ST Comp Alloy 29. Its alloy frame provides maximum stiffness, allowing an effective transfer of power when charging uphill—while feet and hands stay in sync sending the gnar. Its 29-inch wheels roll over everything; Fox Float shocks take the hit when the trail drops. $3,020; specialized.com
Not ready to step into clipless pedals? The lightweight, multi-mountain-sport Salewa Multi Track shoe features a specially designed tread pattern that makes it compatible with mountain bike flat pedals. To sweeten the sole, Salewa partnered with Michelin on a sure-grip compound, which maximizes traction when hiking your bike. From $170; salewa.com
When riding for days at a time and uphill for hours on end, cyclists cherish every breeze. With its extreme ventilation, the POC Octal X helmet allows more airflow without sacrificing impact protection for your skull, and it’s light enough for the rider to forget it’s there. $250; pocsports.com
The stylish, high-performance Revo Harness Sunglasses have a frame design that offers protection during high-output endeavors without compromising style. Polarized lenses feature Revo’s proprietary Light Management System, which reduces the amount of blue light that hits the eye while providing the wearer with greater color contrast. A permanent hydrophobic coating helps the sunglasses resist sweat and moisture buildup when you’re pushing hard. In short, they’re just as great to wear on the trail as they are around town. $190; revo.com
Carrying a significant amount of weight in a backpack while riding uphill can lead to serious backache. The key to alleviating that stress and enabling maximum readiness when it’s time to send it is to transfer some gear weight to your bicycle. Compatible with full-suspension trail bikes and dropper seat posts, the nearly 2-gallon, water-resistant Revelate Designs Vole seat bag will effectively eliminate some of that overnight kit weight so you can crush hard. $160; revelatedesigns.com
A lightweight, minimalist gear kit is crucial while bike-packing single track because every ounce counts when you are pedaling uphill or carrying your bike over rough terrain. A sleeping bag is often the heaviest and bulkiest item. But not the Big Agnes Flume UL 30°. The technical, ultralight (1-pound, 6-ounce) mummy bag provides adequate insulation achieved with 850-fill hydrophobic DownTek down, which provides significant loft, even in damp conditions. From $450; bigagnes.com
The Italian-made Velocio Recon Vest combines technical features, including a Pertex Quantum ultralight windproof front shell and Polartec High Loft for a superb active insulation warmth-to-weight ratio, with styling that doesn’t scream, “I just stepped off my bike.” From $260; velocio.cc
Riding single track guarantees grimy hands and faces. Ursa Major Essential Face Wipes are individually wrapped bamboo fresheners that provide the ultimate on-the-go cleanse. They are 100-percent naturally derived and infused with a sample of Ursa Major’s four-in-one Essential Face Tonic formula, which cleans, exfoliates, soothes, and hydrates without stripping moisture from the skin. $24; ursamajorvt.com
