This guide is for those of us who ride all the things, or are just getting into the sport and haven’t quite found our tribe yet, some basics are loved by anyone who’s pedaling two wheels for fun or exercise.

Here are our top gift ideas for the cyclist (or cyclists!) in your circle, from budget stocking stuffers to roll-up-the-garage-door surprises at every price point…

REI is Linking Together a Bikepacking Bag Range

A good frame bag is a must-have for riders who love long-haul adventuring and bikepacking, or for commuters and everyday riders who want to keep weight off of their backs and have a little more space to carry essentials.

The REI Co-op Link Frame Bag provides a spacious, weather-resistant storage option that fills up the main triangle of a bike.

The bag comes in 5.25-liter, 9-liter, or 12-liter options, and can hold up to 10 pounds of gear.

The Link frame bag is composed of a puncture- and scratch-resistant nylon shell and polyester lining that makes the bag tough enough to handle the toughest conditions.

It also features a nonfluorinated durable water repellent that helps water bead up and roll off the surface of the bag, rather than soaking all your stuff.

The bag includes a 1.25-liter zipper pouch that nestles into the bottom of the bag, and a stuff sack to help keep things organized.

The bag sells for an MSRP of $80.

Sponsored Placement

Nite Ize

The Nite Ize Squeeze Rotating Smartphone Bar Mount provides a simple, yet elegant solution to mounting just about any phone to the bars or stem of a bike. 

The Squeeze mount offers a tool-free strap attachment system that allows for lightning-fast installation and removal without the headache of having to fiddle with tiny bolts or slim rubber bands that are a chore to unhook. 

The mount fits any smartphone ranging from 2.3 to 3.6 inches in width. 

In addition to providing a secure and reliable hold on road, gravel, or even trail, the Squeeze mount also features unique 360-degree rotation to allow users to easily switch from portrait to landscape orientation.

The Squeeze mount is available in black or white for an MSRP of $26.

Sponsored Placement

Lectric Bikes

For those looking to put a little more power in their ride, there’s never been a better time to get your hands on an e-bike.

The Lectric XPress 750 e-bike makes commuting zippy and fun with a 750w rear-hub motor that offers 85 Nm of torque, which is more than enough power to effortlessly cruise up urban hills and bike paths.

The XPress 750 has a top assisted speed of 28 mph and a range of up to 60 miles. Other features include a color LCD display, torque sensor, and a suspension fork with 80mm of travel that makes the bike comfortable and extremely user-friendly.

The Lectric XPress 750 is currently on-sale for $1,299 in either step-over or step-through models. Plus, now through December 31 shoppers will receive $365 in free accessories with the purchase of an XPress 750.

Sponsored Placement

Best Cycling Gifts Under $25

Ornot MacGyver Strap ($8, available at Ornot) this versatile strap may seem simple and not very flashy. But what it lacks in the bling department it makes up for in the versatile market. Is the ride warming up? Strap your jacket to the frame. Don’t need your gloves anymore? Strap them to your bike. Carry an extra tube, your snacks, a banana, you name it, this strap will come in handy, Ornot.

Every cyclist needs a multi-tool along for the ride, and the Park Tool IB-2 ($19, available at REI and Competitive Cyclist) has most of what you’ll need in a tiny, lightweight package that fits in a saddlebag, jersey pocket, or even the tiny side pockets on some hydration pack waistbands. It’s a great starter tool or a perfect replacement for the weight weenie. (Check out all our favorite mini-tools here)

Chamois Butt’r may be the original anti-chafe cream (or at least the best known), but it wasn’t until they introduced their Coconut Oil & Shea Butter formula ($17.99, available at Amazon) that it became one of our favorites. Along with a good pair of padded shorts, a good chamois cream will improve rider comfort, especially if you’re not used to spending much time on a saddle. (Check out all our favorite chamois creams here)

Full disclosure here, the all-new Biking for Dummies book ($15, Amazon) was written by Bikerumor founder Tyler Benedict and co-edited by EIC Zach Overholt. As such, the book makes our technical expertise fun and approachable to the beginner cyclist but keeps plenty of interesting tidbits for enthusiasts, too. With an overview of every type of bike and every category of riding, plus detailed explanations of how all the latest components and technology works, it’s the perfect all-in-one summary of everything bike! If you have friends and family just getting into cycling, it makes a great gift to get them up to speed quickly.

Best Gifts For Cyclists Under $50

The Topeak SmartGauge D2 ($32.99, available at Amazon) digital tire pressure gauge does a bit more than just check the air in your bike tires, it’ll also check your suspension fork and shock (up to 250psi at least, so heavier riders might find it doesn’t quite go high enough on some rear shocks). It works with both Presta and Schrader valves, rotates to keep the screen in view, and has a pressure release valve to help you dial in your setup.

No matter what type of cyclist you’re buying for, they all have aches and pains. That’s why the KT Health Ice Sleeve ($29.99) is one of the best gifts for cyclists. We use ours a lot, and we’re convinced it’s resulted in more time on the bike with less pain. Unlike a traditional ice pack or bag of frozen peas, the Ice Sleeve is made from a soft, flexible fabric filled with a semi-solid gel that won’t ever leak. Not only does it stay in place so you can still move around the house, but it also provides gentle compression to help reduce swelling. Available in three sizes for use on knees, elbows, arms, legs, and other areas if you get creative.

The Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight/Watertight .7 ($33 at REI) is a compact first aid kit in a waterproof pouch that fits in a jersey pocket. This means it’ll fit in a hip pack, hydration pack, or glove box just fine, too. We take one with us on almost every ride, and there’s a bit extra room to customize it with whatever meds or little additions you want to add.

Ergon GE1 Evo Factory ($39.95, available at Ergon) Most grips that boast relief from hand numbness, often end up feeling too vague and squishy, leaving the rider feeling less in control. The GE1 Evo Factory grips manage to accomplish the real job of offering relief from hand discomfort. Plus they offer great damping that doesn’t leave you feeling disconnected from the trail.

For $40, the Ergon GE1 Evo Factory grip is a low-cost, upgrade for your bike that will yield very noticeable differences in your ride feel and hand comfort.

Rapha Racing Books

Unsure about what to get the roadie in your life? Are they too particular (like all roadies), and you don’t want to buy them the wrong gels or kits? Check out Rapha’s newly released coffee table books. They are the perfect addition to any roadies training den or living room.

Kings of Pain ($55) is a hard-back book filled with beautiful (to cyclists) photos of the sport’s most iconic days. It is also packed with short stories and information to engage even the most tangential cycling fan. 

The Extra Mile ($45) is another highly recommended book by Rapha. It covers the start and progression of the brand through the years, what influenced it, what events it held, and everything in between.

Also, you should buy your favorite cyclist a liter of Stan’s No Tubes Race Day Tubeless Sealant ($44 at Stan’s). Pretty much every serious bike rider has gone tubeless for all the right reasons over the past decade or so. But most of us forget that we have to actually refresh the sealant in our tires at least every year. Many new tubeless sealants have come and gone, but Stan’s was really the original. And you’d still be hard-pressed to find a better and more universally appreciated sealant than their Race Day formula. This is a super practical one, like finding new merino socks under the tree. But we’re all adults, right? And this is a gift all of us would be happy to unwrap.

Bicycle Gifts under $100

The Muc-Off 8-in-1 Bicycle Cleaning Kit ($80, available at REI) gets you all of the essential brushes to clean every part of your bike, plus a spray-on cleaner that gently releases grime from your chain or road spray. We like this because it lets us add whatever degreaser and chain lube we like, and it’s half the price of their bigger kit while still giving you all the right brushes.

We are firm believers that every bike should be equipped with a bell to help stay safe by being heard. The Spurcycle Original Bell ($59 at REI) is not only our favorite, but it is a real thing of beauty. It can be heard pretty far away with its distinctive “ring”. It’s a sharp but pleasant ring that we’ve witnessed penetrate trail users’ headphones. These are precision-built in the USA for a lifetime of bell ringing. Comes with the ability to swap from a handlebar with a 2.22 diameter, to a bar with a 31.8 diameter.

If your favorite cyclist has been dropping hint that they need more hydration, the Camelbak Hydrobak Light 50oz ($65) could be a good place to start. The minimalist hydration pack includes a 1.5L (50oz) Crux reservoir with a Quicklink disconnect hose and an Air Support Light back panel with ventilated harness straps. There’s also a secure zippered pocket for essentials and the ability to carry a helmet, spare tube, and a light.

Regardless of what type of cyclist you’re buying for, there are times when we’ll skip the full Spandex kit but we still want some padding. Whether it’s for a long spin around town or a casual ride with friends. The Club Ride Woodchuck (Men’s, $60 available at Club Ride Apparel) and Montcham (Women’s, $60 available at Club Ride Apparel) are super comfortable under regular shorts (or even jeans), with just enough compression to support muscles on longer, harder rides, too. They’re great under MTB baggies, too!

Don’t forget your Local Bike Shop! In fact, any of this stuff you can find locally should be bought locally. And let’s face it, there’s always going to be some repair we don’t wanna do ourselves or some part we need in a pinch. Buying local and supporting your favorite bike shop means they’ll be around when you need them! Grab a Gift Certificate to your cyclist’s favorite shop so they can get exactly what they need when they need it!

Best Cycling Gifts under $250

Sure, you can get cheaper floor pumps, but few if any will outlast a Silca. In fact, chances are this will get passed down to the next generation of cyclists from its original owner.  The Silca Pista Plus Floor Pump ($200, available at REI) is a do-it-all pump with its special Presta valve chuck that makes it quick and easy to inflate any bike you’ve got. And it’s fully rebuildable, so it won’t end up in the landfill if something does break.

Technically, this combines two under $100 gifts to save a bit of cash as one Knog Blinder 1300 & Blinder R-150 Rear Bike Light Set ($150 direct from Knog) because cyclists need to see AND be seen. So, while each is solid on its own, this combo is even better together. The USB-C rechargeable Blinder 1300 headlight is like a tiny super-powered flashlight that you can strap around a handlebar, clip to a helmet, or hang under your out-front GPS mount. It’s bright enough for extending your road, gravel, or most mountain biking in the winter months, and snaps securely on & off the bike in a second. The Blinder R-150 taillight is simply bright and easy to loop around a seatpost, and has a USB-A plug built into its mount so you never need a cable to keep its battery topped off. Simple bright lights mean your favorite cyclist doesn’t have to stop riding just because Daylight Savings is back.

Theragun Mini

If you’re looking for the perfect gear bag companion for the rider you list, the Theragun Mini is it. Its small size and lightweight build make throwing in any race-day bag super easy. The updated Theragun Mini is 20% smaller than the previous one and has three settings to loosen up your muscles (lower back especially) pre- or post-ride.

Since incorporating the Theragun Mini into my pre-race warm-up, I’ve noticed less back pain and shoulder tightness during the race. It provides a slight “wake-up” to the muscles without overstaying its welcome. The $199 price tag is enough to make it a premium gift, but if you’re lucky, you can find refurbished ones on the TheraBody site for $140. Plus, it has an excellent case for falls, drops, and mishaps. My Theragun Mini has hit the pavement more than I can count, and it’s always good to go when needed. 

Best Cycling Gifts over $250

Every cyclist should have a good work stand, and if you’re working on heavy e-bikes (see below), you’ll need a heavy-duty work stand ($495 ). The new Feedback Sports Pro Mechanic HD Bike Repair Stand ($495 at REI) is a burlier version of their impressive work stands that’s meant to handle ebike heft. Even if you’re not working on ebikes, heavier bikes like long travel mountain bikes, commuter bikes, and anything else that isn’t light weight will benefit from the bigger tubes.

Whether your favorite cyclist gets lost on purpose or by accident, make sure they can always make their way back with the wahoo ELEMNT ROAM V2 GPS bike computer ($400 at REI). The smart navigation features are easy to use, which is wahoo’s calling card – no need to spend hours learning how to use your GPS, just get on and go. The color screen has just enough color to call out important information, but it’s still easy to see in bright sunlight and the battery lasts long enough for all but the longest adventures.

The post Best Gifts For Cyclists: What to Get Your Favorite Bike Rider appeared first on Bikerumor.

While the recently revamped ENVE M-Series wheels continue to push the category forward at the high end, many riders are looking for a more affordable option that doesn’t skimp on quality. And that’s where ENVE’s Foundation Series wheels come in, so I tested the AM30 mountain bike wheels to see how they compare.

I’ve been riding the original M5 since they launched and they’ve held up impeccably. The AM30 is a decidedly more trail-to-all-mountain wheel than the XC-oriented M5, but it shares some of the key features and, for now*, come with Industry Nine hubs. (*Their Foundation Road/Gravel wheels now come with ENVE’s InnerDrive hubs, but the AM30 hasn’t made that switch…no word on whether they will)

For comparison, the AM30 wheelset is $1400, while the M6 “trail” wheelset is $2300. So, here’s what happens when you spend $900 less…

Actual weights & widths

The wheels ship bare and weigh in at 858g (front) and 1011g (rear) without rim tape or valve stems. Total is 1869g actual (claimed weight is 1852g).

Add the rim tape and valve stems and they weigh 877g (+19g, front) and 1029g (+18g). That’s 1906g total ready to ride.

Tape and valve stems are included with the wheels, and these are equipped with a Micro Spline freehub body so I could test them with the TRP EVO 12 mountain bike group.

Claimed rim widths are 30mm internal and 39mm external. Mine measured 29.83mm internal and 38.92mm external…well within expected tolerances. Depth is a claimed 20mm.

This is one of the key differences between the AM30 and M-series. These have the same rim front and rear, while the M-series wheels use different profiles and widths front to rear. For example, the M6 measures 32mm front/internal and 29mm rear/internal.

But the AM30 keeps one of ENVE’s best features – the wide bead wall with rounded corners. Using math, they should be 4.5mm wide each, and that’s exactly where mine ended up.

In my opinion, this is why ENVE’s wheels are so good, they’ve nailed a design that virtually eliminates pinch flats. Even when I’ve run intentionally too-low pressures and hit rocks just to test them, I didn’t have issues. Under normal setup and conditions, I’ve been able to rally rough terrain, rocks, and roots without fear. And without incident.

Details

Here’s what that looks like as a profile. Note the little bead seat channels, too, and rounded ramps to bring the tire up from the deeper center for easier tubeless tire installs.

The ultra-shallow rim depth improved compliance, and these wheels are indeed very comfortable without giving up lateral stability or the ability to rail corners.

External nipples are now the norm for both Foundation and M-Series wheels, but they were a new thing for ENVE when this wheelset launched. But, these rims also use molded spoke holes, not drilled, which is a premium touch that’s trickled down.

I also really like the matte finish that still allows some of the carbon’s sheen to come through. It’s subtle, but there.

There’s a reason why a lot of wheel brands spec Industry Nine hubs…they’re fantastic. These I9 1/1 hubs are a proven element, and J-bend spokes are easy to source and replace at almost any bike shop. End caps are tool-free, making them easy to service and clean, too.

ENVE AM30 ride review

I’ve ridden these in Deer Valley, Utah’s steep and flowing trails that (thanks to some local knowledge) weren’t always fully established.

I’ve ridden them at Beech Mountain’s bike park, where lift-served trails range from groomed and bermed to “I can’t believe this many rocks exist in one place!”

And I’ve ridden it in Vermont’s expansive trail network of long climbs, blazing descents, technical trails, and man-made ramps and features:

Everywhere I’ve ridden them the AM30 wheels excelled. ENVE calls them the “one-wheelset quiver for lunch laps, park laps, and backcountry epics”, and I’d agree.

I’ll admit, $1400 is still a lot for a wheelset, but it’s a lot better than $2300. And it finally put ENVE at a competitive price point without watering down the product or adding a ton of weight. These are only 277g heavier than the M6 (claimed weight comparisons), and some of that weight comes from the hubs, so it’s not all out at the rim.

The reason I often ride and recommend ENVE is because I’ve seen how they make their wheels. I’ve ridden them enough to know they hold up to abuse. I appreciate the design thinking that goes into them. And I appreciate that they’re made in the USA (and in this case with US-made hubs, too).

If you’re looking for a bombproof mountain bike wheel that’ll handle almost anything and has a killer pedigree, the ENVE AM30 is worth a look.

ENVE.com

The post Review: ENVE AM30 Foundation Mountain Bike Wheels appeared first on Bikerumor.

One Up Components makes some of my favorite cockpit parts, I’ve been riding their carbon riser bar for years and it’s amazing. Same with their 2nd generation dropper post.

So, when they introduced an alloy version of a handlebar that adds a little flex to soften blows, I was intrigued. And when their 3rd gen dropper promised significant weight savings, I reached out. Here’s how it all came together, starting with actual weights.

One Up Cockpit – Actual Weights (and Details)

Actual weights for the front end are:

• Handlebar: 348g
• Grips: 108g (pair)
• Stem: 155g (claimed, 35mm length)

The new One Up V3 dropper on the left is a 180mm travel post and weighs 484g. That’s compared to the 150mm V2 dropper on the right at 500g.

So, longer travel for less weight…yes, please.

At a glance it’s hard to tell them apart save for graphics and the ridges on the collar. Read our launch coverage for all the tech details, but basically it’s a new, lighter cartridge with fixed air pressure that saves most of the weight.

I tested One Up’s Thin Grips, which are 29mm in diameter and 138mm long. They also make Standard (30mm diameter, but with ridges on the bottom, and Thick Grips (32-35mm diameter). All come in six colors plus Black, and all are $27/pair.

To be honest, I’m not sure why I requested the Thin Grips as I actually like the design of the standard ones better (and the 0.5mm extra cushioning wouldn’t hurt either, but these Thin Grips are great.

They’re grippy even in the wet (I always wear gloves, so no comment on bare handed grip), and perhaps as a testament to the bar’s ability to soak up the bumps, haven’t felt harsh…which is a compliment for thinner grips, I can’t say that about every brand. They’ve also held up well. The only potential knock is the ends are closed, so they’re not compatible with bar-end tools without some cutting.

The handlebar accomplishes its vertical flex by using an ovalized shape at the rise. It’s a bit thinner from the front, and a bit wider from the top.

Having ridden both the carbon and the alloy version, and generally NOT being a fan of how harsh alloy bars are, I’m surprised at how much I like this bar. To be fair, it’s on a 170mm bike with big tires, but it’s still immediately apparent that the bar is doing something to mitigate impacts and fatigue.

If your (or your wallet’s) preference is alloy, One Up’s Aluminum Handlebar is a great option at just $90.

One Up’s Stem comes in 35mm (tested), 42mm, and 50mm lengths, all with 0º rise and only for 35mm handlebars. Bar clamp width is a stout 55mm, which makes it very sturdy but still leaves a little room for computer mounts.

Stems aren’t the most exciting product, but their critical, and this one does what it should without drama. It also looks good, is reasonably light, and will handle everything from trail to freeriding.

Ride Review

I mostly summed up my feelings on the cockpit above. The handlebar is the standout, offering better (any!) compliance than other alloy bars by a large margin. If you feel a little roughed up after longer, more aggressive rides but can’t pinpoint why, swap this (or their carbon) bar in and I bet you’ll like your bike a lot better.

As for the dropper post, it’s great, and it’s worth giving a nod to the V2 version (shown above) because it’s still available and just $185 (compared to $270 for V3). I ran this post for quite a while on some rough stuff, in varying conditions, and it’s still performing well.

But my Fezzari (now Ari) La Sal needed more drop, so the 180mm V3 replaced it (below).

Not only is the One Up V3 post one of the lightest (if not the lightest standard dropper post) on the market, it also comes in an huge range of travel, from 90mm up to 240mm! It can be adjusted by 20mm, and you can drop another 10g with their titanium bolt kit. It’s also super easy to rebuild with basic tools, and all parts are available

As for performance, it’s smooth and actuates easily. While you can’t adjust the return speed anymore, I have no complaints with its speed or reaction. It goes down and up just like I want. The only improvement I’d make is to angle the front saddle rail clamp bolt forward to make it easier to adjust, but that’s an issue with almost every seatpost out there, not just One Up.

One Up makes a great Dropper Post Remote lever, too, which I used here. The post has a standard brake cable attachment point on the bottom, so you can run basically any remote you want that clamps at the lever, but I’m a fan of matchy-matchy components, and One Up’s has the added benefit of a three-position mount that lets me fine-tune how far inboard it is without having to change my brake lever’s position, and that works whether you pair it with its own bar clamp or a Match Maker setup.

Final call? Get it. It’s light, long, and smooth, which is everything I want out of a dropper post.

OneUpComponents.com

The post Review: One Up Cockpit – Bar, Stem, Grips & V3 Dropper appeared first on Bikerumor.

Marin has added an “Electric Light” option to their Rift Zone e-mountain bike lineup, offering a sleek alloy frame and mid-powered Bosch motor for a bike that feels like a mountain bike should – Fun.

The Rift Zone EL has a new, highly formed Series 4 aluminum front triangle sandwiching a Bosch Performance Line SX motor with 55Nm torque.

The downtube hides a 400Ah CompactTube battery, good for 15-55 miles of riding depending on your enthusiasm. It’s compatible with their external 250Wh booster battery if you’re feeling extra, but you’ll have to give up the single water bottle location to hold it.

There’s room to use a Wolf Tooth B-RAD bottle relocation kit to move the bottle cage a little lower and fit a taller bottle…at least on this XL frame, anyway.

The wireless controller helps keep the cockpit a little cleaner, and top models come with SRAM AXS for even less clutter.

The bike uses their well-balanced Multi-Trac suspension, has 140mm rear travel, 150mm forks, and rolls on 29″ wheels front and rear.

Shaped forgings and full internal routing keep the frame in shape and looking good, as does a custom composite bash plate under the motor block. Rubberized chainstay and seatstay protectors keep the chain from scratching things up.

The head angle is adjustable with an included +/- 0.75º upper bearing cup for a bit of fine-tuning. Their housebrand cockpit and grips are well designed and have nice little touches like these alignment guides to make initial setup easy.

The bikes ship with 29×2.5″ tires. Three models will be available this fall, prices and specs at bottom of post, but first, here’s my…

Ride Review & Actual Weight

I brought the Rifty on my road trip from NC to Portland for the MADE Bike Show and hit Mt. Nebo (Monument Trails) in Arkansas and Oakridge in OR. Between the two, I hit dry rocky hardpack and loamy, rooty PNW goodness, giving the bike plenty to think about.

I’ve always appreciated Marin’s take on the four-bar linkage, and this bike’s no different. It pedals well and descends with grace, and it’s easy to dial in with the available adjustments. Note that lower trim levels lose some of those external shock and fork adjustments, though.

Handling is solid. We dove in blind on some very steep trails, where the brakes did all the could to keep speeds in check without surfing across the ground.

I kept the head angle set in the stock position and had no problem getting back far enough, but it’s nice to have the option to push it out a bit more if descending is your go-to activity. But our riding in AR was mostly flowing singletrack with chunky rock gardens, mild uphills, and those select (but very steep and technical) descents. And the Rift Zone handled it all just fine.

Once in the PNW, the climbs got longer and steeper. We had to earn the turns, and this is where the “low power” motor definitely keeps the bike feeling more like a regular mountain bike.

If you’ve ridden a full-power (~80Nm) eMTB and rocketed up the mountain, then you’re in for a different experience. Mid-powered bikes (~50-55Nm) take more work. Yes, the Bosch motor has a boost mode that’ll make short rips more tolerable, but the smaller batteries require judicious use of it. On a 2.5 hour ride, I almost drained the entire battery spending most of my time in the middle “Trail” mode and turning assist off on the descents.

For anything bigger than 2.5 hours, I’d absolutely want the auxiliary battery supply.

One upside to the lower output is that it’s less likely to spin out on delicate maneuvers, like super steep and tight switchbacks. This is also where Marin’s geometry shines, making it easy to handle the techy uphills as well as the downhills.

Another upside (for the e-curious purists, anyway) is that a lower output makes you work more. I’ll be honest, there are some epic trails that I just don’t want to ride on an analog bike anymore, but I still want to put the work in to earn the descents. Modern lightweight/mid-power eMTBs are just the ticket for that, and this Marin is a solid option thanks to its durable alloy frame and smart component selection.

When it’s time to get rowdy, the motor doesn’t matter. I’d argue that the extra weight helps keep an eMTB planted, but my riding partner was on a full-size, full-power bike that weighed 15lbs more and would argue that it’s a bit much. That other bike wore him out to the point where he was making mistakes toward the end that cost him his phone (it smashed between his hip and a rock).

So, if you’re the type of rider that prefers something more nimble but still wants the assist, I’d argue that the Rift Zone EL is a good middle ground. We ripped down 30+ minutes of epic forest singletrack, some steep, some techy, and some wide open and full gas, and I never felt out of control. That’s more impressive considering I’d never ridden any of these trails before, so I was trusting the bike as much as I was my skills.

I tested the top model in size XL. It weighed in at 46lb 11oz (21.0kg) with a tubeless setup. Spec list below, and it had alloy wheels. There are some easy ways to cut weight on this (carbon bar and wheels, then carbon cranks), but it’s a good starting point that doesn’t need any immediate upgrades to enjoy

If you’re a fan of alloy and want a solid, upgrade-worthy platform for long-term use, the new Marin Rift Zone EL is worth a look.

Models & Pricing

Rift Zone EL XR

• Fox 36 Performance Elite 150mm fork, Float X Performance Elite shock w/ custom tune
• SRAM GX Eagle AXS T-Type 12-speed drivetrain
• Magura MT-7 4-piston brakes w/ 203mm rotors
• MSRP $6999 (US), 7699€ (EU), £6699(UK), $9399(CAN)

Rift Zone EL 2

• Fox 36 Performance 150mm fork, Float X Performance Elite shock w/ custom tune
• SRAM GX Eagle Lunar 12-speed drivetrain
• SRAM Code Bronze 4-piston brakes w/ 200mm HS2 rotors
• MSRP $5999 (US), 6499€ (EU), £5699 (UK), $7999 (CAN)

Rift Zone EL 1

• Marzocchi Bomber Z1 150mm fork/Bomber Air Inline shock w/ custom tune
• Shimano CUES 10-speed drivetrain
• TRP Slate EVO hydraulic disc brakes w/ 203mm rotors
• MSRP $4799 (US), 5399€ (EU), £4699 (UK), $6499 (CAN)

MarinBikes.com

The post Marin Rift Zone EL lightens up eMTB – First Rides! appeared first on Bikerumor.

One of the early advocates of 3D-printed parts, No.22 bicycles used additive-manufactured dropouts in summer 2022. The following year they partnered with Silca to 3D print a complete stem to give them a unique stealth cockpit.

Naturally, they needed a top-shelf bike to showcase such things, and that’s where the Great Divide comes in. It’s a boutique titanium road bike with their signature polished-and-brushed finish, with your choice of anodized finishes. I stuck with the natural titanium finish with a dark gray belly for my test bike, and the geometry was their stock size 58, but you can go full custom if you want.

Regardless of what geo you want, each one is built to order, so that’s where we’ll start…

Every No.22 bike that rolls out of their New York HQ is handmade, one at a time, based on your specs and requested add-ons. They offer seven stock sizes, or you can send your bike fit data for a custom build.

Every person who touches the frame signs off on their work, a process that not only maintains accountability but illustrates the number of craftspersons involved (it’s not just craftsmen, their best anodizer and others on the team are women, too).

The most striking element of the bike is the stem, but not just on its own…it’s the how it hides all of the wires and hoses and creates a perfectly seamless cockpit. That it’s smooth but so obviously metal (and especially when it’s anodized in colors to match the frame) makes it even more of a conversation starter.

Shape-matched interlocking spacers make bike fit easy and don’t require any brake hose disconnects. The stem has two bolts on back to secure it to the fork, pressing a rounded plate against the steerer tube. The top bolt snugs it down to compress the headset bearings.

The face plate nests into the top of the stem and bolts down on the top…

…with two traditionally placed bolts clamping the bar into place.

Silca prints the stem for them, so naturally a Silca 3D-printed titanium computer mount is the right option. This one’s custom made to fit their stem faceplates.

For a headtube that hides everything inside, it’s not oversized. If I’m being honest, I wouldn’t want to have to build this bike from scratch (and I didn’t), but damn if it doesn’t look amazing. I expect stealth routing to look good on carbon bikes, but there is something about this bike that just makes it seem more special.

Small touches abound that show No.22’s attention to detail. The polished inset head badge is one.

And the polished logo; Despite being shiny, it’s somehow also subtle.

The fork inset is another, which gives them a spot to put their logo…but also a spot where other brands can put their own mark. No.22 offers this fork to others, too.

All main tubes are custom butted to tune ride quality and make it lighter. The downtube is bi-ovalized, sitting a little taller where it meets the head tube…

…and wider at the downtube to improve torsional stiffness at the pedals. A fat T47 BB shell gives it plenty of space to land. A round seat tube makes front derailleur mounting and seat post selection easy.

The T47 BB also makes room for massive bearings, particularly when running a Shimano crankset with 24mm spindle.

Note the welds… perfect.

Tire clearance is rated at 35mm. I rode it with 28mm tires and there’s plenty of room to go bigger.

The 3D-printed dropouts are left “rough” but smoothed gradually to blend into the tubes. Note the stealth fender mounts with small bolts to keep them plugged.

My test bike was built before the introduction of T-Type/Direct Mount rear derailleurs for road and gravel, but No.22 offers that as an option on this bike now, too. But check out the stout hanger and sleek nesting into the dropout! I never heard any creaking, and shifts were sharp and fast. Also note the minimal Di2 wire protrusion, keeping the aesthetics super clean.

No.22 makes their own seatposts but uses ENVE’s multi-piece saddle rail clamps. You can opt to use your own post if you prefer.

More details: Check the small flat shape at the front of the seatpost collar, which matches their headbadge shape and…

…the top of the seatstay bridge. Nice continuity, and this bit can be had with a hidden fender mount, too.

Here’s another photo to drive home just how clean the front of this bike looks.

Actual weight for the complete bike with ENVE wheels and handlebar, two Silca ti bottle cages, no pedals, was 18lb 4oz (8.2kg). It’s roughly a size 58-59 equivalent.

No.22 Great Divide ride review

When people say there’s something magical about a titanium bike’s ride quality, they’re not lying. So it’s something for a builder to be able to elevate that, and I think No.22 does.

To be fair, I initially had some…uh…feelings about the 3D-printed stem. Not skeptical, and not scared. But maybe…cautiously optimistic. There’s something about the notion of a bunch of metal powder being magically turned into a part that directly connects the two things (fork and handlebar) that take the brunt of the forces at the front end of the bike.

So, I started slow and worked up to more stresses and rougher surfaces. In the end, it was perfect, and clearly contributed to the front end’s excellent lateral stiffness. Standing and cranking on the bars yielded nothing but dramatically firm swaying of the bike beneath me.

That lateral and torsional stiffness also helped the bike carve corners and stick to its lines.

And it sends power backward rather efficiently. Compared to the stiffest carbon bikes there’s maybe a slight drop in “snap” off the line, but I’d trade that any day for the smoothness this bike delivered.

I like that they’re using a T47 BB. It’s big, robust, and easy to service. I never heard any complaints from it, either.

At $5,999 for just the frameset (frame, fork, and titanium headset, spacers & seat collar, all with raw finish), the Great Divide needs to be special, and it is.

Most of my riding is just Zone 2 cruising, with long rolling hills and 50-70 mile stretches from meetup to brewery. For that, it is sublime…easy to pedal and comfortable, knowing that it’ll handle the occasional strong pull or county line sprint with ease.

But it’s also a bike that likes to chill. If I’d kept it longer, I’d put 30-32mm tires on it and it would likely disappear under me.

It also handles the occasional gravel road quite well. If I were doing this a lot I might swap in a carbon seatpost, but I honestly don’t have any complaints.

No.22 Bicycles clearly fall into the boutique category of bikes you want because you want them and can afford them. Nothing wrong with that, but it’s nice to see that they’re more than just art, they’re helping create the state of the art with clever touches and beautiful finishing work. And they ride pretty damn nice, too.

22Bicycles.com

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When the Astral Luna wheelset launched, I called them a perfect all-rounder road wheelset that would deliver years of drama-free performance, and that about sums up my time with these wheels.

Quick background: Astral is the rim brand sister company of White Industries, and these come with your choice of several White Industries hubs. And they’re built in Eugene, Oregon, and the hubs are made in the USA while the carbon rims are made for them elsewhere (Astral is making their own alloy rims in house, but not carbon yet).

The Luna wheels range from $1,899 to $2,099 for the pair depending on whether you choose the base Approach hubs or White’s CLD hubs. Functionally they’re the same, but the CLD hubs get titanium freehub bodies and a bit more machining to save weight. They also have slightly lighter Sapim CX-Ray bladed spokes, making the CLD wheelset 80g lighter.

I tested the CLD version, but the rims are the same (~420g, 40mm deep), so overall ride quality should be about the same.

Actual Weights, Widths & Details

With tubeless rim tape installed, the wheels weighed 681g (front) and 857g (rear) for a total of 1,538g. Claimed weight is 1520g, so the tape likely makes up the difference. The included valve stems are 16g.

Claimed rim dimensions are 25mm internal and 31mm external, and these measured very close to that.

The rims have a semi-gloss finish with UD fibers. It’s not matte, and it’s not glossy, which should match up with a lot of unpainted carbon frames out there. And it blends in with painted frames, too. Astral showed it on steel road bikes for the launch, and unlike some racier-looking carbon rims, these seem to look right at home whether on a carbon or metal bike.

They don’t make any specific aerodynamic claims, but it’s a generally aero shape that worked well in my testing.

They use mini-hooks rather than go hookless. A broad bead shelf with minimal hump made tires easy to seat and setup tubeless, but getting the tires initially on was a bit tight.

I tried two different brands of tire throughout my test period and it was the same for both, so it wasn’t the tires…but, once the tires were on there, they popped into place quickly and easily and held air well. I didn’t need to remove them during riding (to fix a flat or insert a tube), but if you typically struggle to mount tires, it could be an issue.

The hubs are all Center Lock with Enduro stainless steel bearings, alloy bodies, and steel axles. Both versions uses bladed Sapim spokes, and the CLD model simply uses higher end versions of them.

As one would expect from White Industries, the hubs are fantastic. It’s hard to put into words other than to say White’s hubs are some of the smoothest rolling hubs I’ve ever ridden.

The only limitation on the Astral wheels is that you can choose black, or black. If you want White’s more colorfully anodized hubs, you’ll have to build up a set of hoops on your own.

Ride Review

The thing that stands out about the Astral Luna wheels is… nothing. And I say that with the biggest of compliments.

In fact, I talked to Alec White about this during testing because I was struggling to come up with any superlatives, and we agreed that there are a lot of great wheels out there now. And these are great, too.

So while they’re not the lightest, or stiffest, or most affordable (nor most expensive), there were a few things I liked about them that might appeal to you, too:

• The freehub isn’t too loud, but also not silent, hitting that sweet spot of coasting noise.
• They roll ultra smooth thanks to White’s excellent hub design.
• They look great on just about any bike.
• They’re optimized for 28-32mm tires but can handle up to 52mm.

Importantly, there’s nothing I disliked about them. They’re a great wheelset that’s versatile, smooth, and is backed by a solid company with a history of making great products. And the price is fair, IMO, especially considering you get White Industry hubs as part of the package.

If that sort of “really good without screaming it” thing appeals to you, the Astral Luna should be on your list.

AstralCycling.com

The post Review: Astral Luna Carbon All-Road Wheels appeared first on Bikerumor.

Dear Bikerumor readers,

As of today, I’m officially moving on from Bikerumor.*

When I started this site in 2008, it was to avoid getting a real job. Over the years, it certainly became one, but, mostly, it never felt like it.

Sure, there were days, weeks, and months when it took everything I had. I remember the early Interbikes, Sea Otters, and, eventually, Eurobikes, when I would cover the shows from open to close, then work until midnight writing stories about everything I’d seen that day.

As my network grew, those days got longer with post-show beers and burritos (or schnitzel) with industry friends, then even later nights to catch up on the writing.

Yet, even after giving so many years of hustle to feed this beast, Bikerumor has given me so much more.

It’s allowed me to travel the world, ride epic locations, enjoy amazing experiences, and form lifelong friendships with awesome people. It’s let me ride the very best bikes and components, and opened doors to the companies and people that make them.

And it gave me a platform worthy of the excellent writers, past and present, that have helped fill the news feed daily. I can’t thank my team enough for all of their hard work, and I’m fortunate to call them all friends, too.

That’s it? I’m done?

First, lemme explain that asterisk. It’s going to be a slow roll out, full of high fives, over the next month.

I have a lot of reviews I’d like to finish to honor the brands that entrusted their products to me. And as anyone in the industry knows, once you’re in the bike industry, it’s hard to leave…it’s just too much fun. This is a passion industry, and I love passionate people.

And, Zach, you can always send me to product launches in a pinch. Because I will never say no to riding bikes somewhere awesome!

But I will no longer be posting daily news here.

So, why am I leaving?

This summer marked 16 years covering the cycling industry. And I turned 50 earlier this year.

I was 34 when I started Bikerumor and have often joked that “I didn’t wanna be 50 and writing about bikes.”

Not that there’s anything wrong with that, I just thought I would be elsewhere. I didn’t know where (still don’t), but I like to start projects, try new things, and experiment. (NFTs, anyone? How about a sports drink?)

The bug to build something new has bitten hard, and some of my side projects are off to a great start. Follow me on LinkedIn if you want to see what I’m up to.

Thank you, to all of you

Bikerumor wouldn’t be what it is without the hard work and dedication of the crew. I’m proud to have been able to call them “my” crew, but I’m also proud that they’ll be just fine without me.

Bikerumor was never about me, and it makes me happy that everyone here has had the opportunity to get out of it what they wanted and enjoy just as many (sometimes more!) opportunities as I have.

Thank you to Zach, Cory, Jordan, Ron, and Steve for keeping the pages filled lately, and to Kristi, Watts, Jessie-May, Saris, Nick, Anna, Tim, Marc, Colin, Greg, and all of the other freelancers and Allgear crew who have filled in over the years.

Also, thank you Kristi for trusting me to make something of this to support our family and plan so many of our vacations and family trips around bike launches, factory tours, and riding!

Thank you to everyone in the industry who let me peek behind the curtain, ask a million questions, and ride your bikes. Thank you for trusting me to tell your story.

And thanks to all of you for reading, commenting, and sharing.

Sincerely,

Tyler Benedict
Founder, Bikerumor

The post Thanks for the Ride, Bikerumor… I’m Moving On appeared first on Bikerumor.

If you’ve held out on upgrading (or just getting into filming your rides), there’s never been a better time to grab a new action camera. The latest options from GoPro and Insta360 have incredible specs, and the new DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro brings some serious pro-level tools to the field.

Unlike its 5.3K competitors, it maxes out at 4K, but it makes the most of that with a new 13.5-stop dynamic range, 4-hour battery life, subject tracking and centering, and AI-enhanced low-light footage. Basically, it makes it easier to capture great footage no matter when or how you’re shooting, and it’s still full HD 4K. Here’s what you need to know…

DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro key features

The main things that set the Osmo Action 5 Pro apart from GoPro and Insta360 are:

Image quality & options
It has a large 1/1.3” (0.77″) sensor with a 2.4 μm pixel size and a high dynamic range of up to 13.5 stops. Which basically means it can capture a wider range of light to dark sections without losing detail in either. There are also plenty of manual settings, including 19 steps of +/- EV correction.

Color Modes
It has two basic color modes for point-and-shoot fun, but pros can switch to 10-bit D-Log M and hybrid log-gamma (HLG) modes for more control over color and output in post-production.

Active Subject Tracking
Borrowing a feature from their drones, this cam’s subject tracking automatically detects people in the frame, then helps keep them centered. In the screenshot above, it shows the area being saved in the smaller white box, which moves across the total visible area to keep your subject centered. This helps if you’re riding behind or running alongside someone and can’t always keep it pointed directly at your subject. This is particularly helpful if you’re shooting vertical for social.

Sport Data
Not only can you import .fit files from GPS trackers like cycling computers, watches, and Apple Watch, but it also has a built-in barometer/hydrometer to internally capture altitude and underwater depth, then make that data available in editing to show off your stats.

47GB Internal Storage
You don’t even need to buy a MicroSD card right away, it’ll store a LOT of video on board right out of the box, which is a very cool & unique feature.

Dual Touchscreens & Audible Feedback
Need to change settings while you’re looking into the camera? No problem, as the full-color front screen is also a touch screen. Need to change modes when it’s stuck to your helmet or chest and can’t see it? Turn on voice response and it’ll tell you what mode it’s in as you swipe and hit buttons out of view.

More features & specs

Other cool features include:

• Compatibility with wireless DJI Mic 2
• Up to 240 minutes of recording with new 1950mAh batteries
• SuperNight mode that uses AI to minimize noise in low-light
• Ultra-bright (and dimmable) OLED screens
• 40MP photos
• 155º FOV
• 4K120fps slow mo in full-screen 4:3 framing
• 1080p/240fps for super slow motion
• RockSteady and HorizonSteady image stabilization
• 20m waterproof out of the box w/ automatic underwater color correction
• 15 minute charging yields 2 hours of recording
• Replaceable glass lens

The standard kit is $349 and includes the camera, one battery, magnetic mount, two-way mounting case, and a couple other small things. The Adventure Combo adds a 1.5m ultralight telescoping selfie stick, three batteries and a charging cradle for $449. Other bundles also available

Tons of accessories are available, too, including ND filters, mini remote control, power-pack handle, and full-face helmet chinbar mounts. It’s the same dimensions as the prior model, so it works with all of their existing mounts and accessories, too.

DJI.com

The post DJI Osmo Action 5 brings next-level options to action cameras appeared first on Bikerumor.

Like every cycling clothing brand, GOREWEAR updates their styles and model names every season or two. Mostly, this makes it hard to write clothing reviews that stand the test of time, but in this case, I’ve been testing their stuff for enough seasons to notice trends that carry over from year to year. And they’re all good.

For this review, we brought a collection of their Spinshift, Endure, Distance, and Spirit lines to Japan. Between them, they covered more than two weeks of road cycling and bikepacking in rain and shine. We mixed and matched, so most images have a variety of these styles in them.

We also brought their Endure mountain bike rain jacket, which makes for a great all-purpose raincoat, too. Here’s a look at the items we tested and notes on their features that carry over year to year and make Gore stand out as one of my favorites for quite some time…

GOREWEAR bibshorts & jerseys

GOREWEAR’s most recent collection is Spinshift, and it includes bibshorts, jerseys, and a road rain jacket. For the jersey and jacket, the front jersey zippers close to create their logo at the top, which is a cool touch.

Above that is their Distance collection, where materials feel a bit more premium, cuts are a little more fitted, there are fewer seams,

Both are excellent, and compared to top-shelf competitors, they’re comparatively featured but very also fairly priced. For hot weather, I prefer the Distance Bib Shorts because they have a lighter-weight mesh strap with less overall material. That said, all of Gore’s bibs use wide but soft straps that are supremely comfortable and stay in place.

It also introduces Gore’s first-ever cargo bibshorts, which have a clever left-side pocket flap that helps keeps things inside the pocket without adding any extra tension. It easily fit my iPhone 15 Pro (standard, not Plus-sized), sized just right to keep it upright.

The right leg pocket has no flap, making it quick and easy to stash wrappers while securing valuables in the flapped left-side pocket.

Conveniently, Gore’s palette is complementary throughout the styles, so it’s easy to pair across price points. Or match it up like the Spinshift Orbit Blue jersey and Distance 2.0 bibs above.

Or their Spirit Organic Camo design with… anything? It also came in purple:

…which is the challenge of putting any clothes through the wringer for a proper test: Styles come and go, and not every color you see here is still available. So, big picture, focus on the features. Speaking of the wringer…

Durability & Pockets

…we’d suggest washing these separately the first time. I know we weren’t this dirty, and *gasp* we’re not triathletes, but a single pair of shorts tainted the tub water when we did an early trip wash. The upside is that Gore’s colors are deep and rich, and they’ve held up really well to many subsequent machine washing.

Importantly, they’ve also held up to the high-heat combo washer/dryer units often found in Japanese hotels. That said, we usually hang dry these things at home. They’ve even held up to a few scuffs…

Regardless of which jersey we wore, all of them have great pockets. Steve showed off his tuck-and-roll skills on a low-speed tumble and ended up scuffing a few holes in his pocket. Despite continuing to stuff it full and through future wearings, those tears haven’t really spread or grown.

The three main pockets are deep enough to hold a lot of stuff, like weird vending machine snacks, action cameras on selfie sticks, phones, jackets, and more. But they’re not so deep that we couldn’t easily fish a gel or bar out of them either.

They all also have a fourth zipper pocket for cash and cards, even on their budget jerseys, which is a great feature.

We also really liked Gore’s leg openings. They’re seamless and use a simple repeating “+” plus sign pattern of silicone grippers. It’s minimal, so it won’t leave a deep ring around your leg, but effective – our shorts never rode up or shifted out of place.

Not shown, most of their bibshorts have an additional “modesty panel” above the front of the chamois pad, which helps smooth over any bumps and conceal dribbles…you know, I mean, I hear some people worry about that I guess. Anyway, it’s a nice feature, and it also blocks a bit of wind in the winter without being hot in the summer.

The last thing to note is sleeve length. They’re not the longest, and not the shortest. For my son and I (both ~6’2″), they hit is mid-arm. For Steve, they came a little closer to his elbow. Personally, I prefer longer sleeves for more sun coverage, but these are a good middle ground that stayed comfortable and should fit most riders well.

Jackets & shell shorts

For the road cycling tour, Steve and I both used the new Spinshift Gore-Tex Jacket. It’s ultralight, as breathable as anything else in the category, and drys very quickly. If you miss Gore’s Shakedry jackets (RIP), these are close and probably more durable.

The fit well, just snug enough to minimize drag and flapping, but with enough room to move, even when they’re zipped all the way up. I typically have to size up on jackets to get the arm length and shoulder room, but here I was able to stick with a Large (US, Men’s) for a more aero fit.

They also fit over a jersey full of stuffed pockets in the back, too, and has it’s own zippered pocket that can be used for stuff, or…

…it stuffs into it’s own pocket for compact storage. Once compressed it fits easily in their jersey’s pockets, but I also just shoved it down into a jersey pocket without storing it, too.

Two other noteworthy features: The sleeves are long enough to cover the tops of your gloves, so there’s no awkward gap there, and the front zipper is easy to adjust while riding. I was also able to pull the jacket on and off while riding, but you should attempt that only at your own risk.

For the bikepacking leg, we switched to the Endure Gore-Tex Jacket, their top-level mountain bike jacket. This jacket is also incredibly lightweight, packs down small, and dries very quickly, but has more room to move.

We wanted something more casual since we’d be riding slower and stopping at a lot of spots, cafes, shops, etc. So, we sized up because we wanted to be able to layer under it for off-the-bike adventures. This made it a bit big for pure cycling, but I’ve used it for mountain biking, hiking, and just walking around and it’s great.

I went with an XL on this and can easily layer a hoodie or sweater underneath when temps drop. I love its versatility, and since it’s $280, it’s a really nice jacket that might be hard to justify purely for MTB use anywhere outside of the Pacific Northwest or UK.

We noted that the material does appear to “wet out” on the forearms and where it’s rubbed by things like pack straps, but we concluded that it doesn’t seem to let moisture in. Some sweat will accumulate and feel wet inside, but opening the zipper to let fresh air in or turning it inside out once we stopped (and the rain stopped) allowed it to dry almost instantly. All in all, it’s one of the best rain jackets I’ve used.

We also brought along the Endure Gore-Tex Shorts, which are a wind- and water-proof shell short with simple elastic waist band. They’re ultralight, are quick and easy to put on and take off as conditions change, and long enough to provide excellent coverage. Sitting right at the knee, they kept our bibs from getting wet in the rain, so we had dry clothes underneath once the clouds cleared. These are a great option for MTB, commuters, touring, or just playing outside on rainy days!

Gore cycling gloves

For some reason, we only took pics of Steve’s Gore C3 cycling gloves, which he liked. They have a single-layer palm with very light padding and a simple stretch backhand.

Harrison and I wore Zone full finger (slim, no padding) and C5 short finger (gel + foam padding) gloves. Both offered great grip on the handlebar tape during downpours and were comfortable throughout the long days. I wore an XL and found that the bits between the fingers could have had just a bit more room (they dug in slightly, but not enough to cause pain), but otherwise they’re a great compliment to Gore’s excellent cycling kits.

Gore Wear for the win

Over the past 16 years of testing cycling kits, Gore has consistently delivered on quality, smart features, and great comfort. More recently, they’ve got a lot better about their fit, too, with more consistency across models and seasons.

I typically wear a Large in road kits, and everything I ordered for this trip fit perfectly. Steve typically wears Medium, but went with Small bibshorts (mediums were too big) and Medium jerseys, and he commented that their online sizing guide suggested XS, so maybe just go start with what you normally wear and go from there.

I also really appreciate that they offer great features, material, and design all the way down to their lowest price points. Minimalist grippers, wide shoulder bands, reflective hits, and zippered jersey pockets…all these things are on every model they offer. We highly recommend checking them out next time you’re shopping for cycling kits.

GoreWear.com

The post Review: GOREWEAR Cycling Kits Cover All the Bases appeared first on Bikerumor.

When we went to Japan for a couple weeks of cycling, there was a mix of riding styles on the docket, and we had to prepare for everything from sunny heat to lots of rain. CEP offered socks and (full disclosure) helped support our trip, so we dug through their sock drawer to find the best options for long days in the saddle and mixed conditions.

CEP Compression is the sporting division of Medi, a German brand primary in the medical-grade compression socks business. Which makes it sound like these things would be tight. Maybe too tight. Fortunately, they turned out to be very comfortable, with their knee-height travel/recovery socks being much lighter than we anticipated, and much easier to pull on and off than some competing brands I’ve tried.

That said, CEP is not a “cycling” sock brand. Their current catalog is tailored for running, walking, hiking, or everyday/office use. So we over-shopped to make sure we had something that would work. My sock cube was stuffed, and over two weeks, we tried every possible option to see what worked best for cycling. A few stood out – here’s what we liked:

CEP Hiking, Running & Wool socks are the best

Most of what we rode were the “Mid Cut” models. Our favorites were the Hiking Light Merino, Run Compression, and Ultralight Mid-Cut socks.

The Ultralight (shown above in black, at top of post in white) are the closest thing they make to a pure cycling sock. It’s extremely lightweight, making it great for hot weather. And the neutral white, black, gray, and navy color options should work with most cycling kits. If you’re the type of rider who uses their socks to add a splash of color to your kit, look elsewhere. CEP’s palette is rather reserved.

The Reflective Mid-Cut Compression socks (on right in olive green) add two reflective stripes to enhance visibility. They’re a general-purpose athletic sock that held up well, too, and was one of our faves.

In fact, all of their socks held up really well throughout the trip, and continue to do so. I’ve worn mine on a number of other road trips, hikes, and rides, and we spent plenty of time in Japan walking around in just our socks. They’re showing no signs of wear, despite trekking across bridges, tatami mats, gravel, and more.

All of their socks have extensive zonal knitting, adding compression here, padding there, and generally being very well thought out for the intended use. For cycling, I wish the cuffs were about one inch higher, but they never looked out of place…and I’m kinda tall, so that’s just my personal preference. Steve liked them just fine.

Because of all that zoned construction, they’re left- and right-specific, which I like. All that knitting does tend to pick up “stuff” off the ground easily, so check the bottom of your socks before sticking your feet back into your shoes if you’ve been traipsing around in them.

Most of their socks come in “normal” sizing schemes, but their full-height travel compression socks are based on ankle and calf size, so you’ll need to do a little measuring for those. We tested their lightweight Infrared Recovery model, which sounded like they were going to be hot, but ended up being very comfortable on the very long flight to and from Asia.

The Hiking Light Merino (shown above in Low Cut, also available in Mid Cut) was one of our favorites on the bikepacking part of our trip. It’s well padded on the bottom, but thin and light on top. That makes it comfy for hike-a-bikes and off-bike adventures, but without adding bulk or unwanted warmth.

The merino wool also stayed stink-free throughout consecutive days of wearing and riding in them. Note that the style has changed slightly since we got ours, but the features are the same. Also note that all links in this story are to the men’s versions, but they have women’s versions of everything, too.

The Run Compression Mid-Cut socks (on right) are the exception to their rule in terms of color. These offer a wide variety of hues with hits of brightness here and there.

For kits, we wore all Gore Wear cycling kits and jackets. Surprisingly, we were able to find enough CEP options to match some of Gore’s latest Spinshift and other kits. So it’s not like there’s no good colors from CEP, but most models are kinda limited to muted options. Almost all models have white, though, and we all know white is the fastest color, so…

Training Socks and other stuff we tried

Steve tried the Allday Compression Socks, which are very much like dress socks. These actually look the most like a traditional cycling sock from DeFeet or Swiftwick, with solid colors, minimal branding, and a very thin, lightweight knit.

But sadly they’re not very good athletic socks mainly because the cuff would sag down after a few miles of spinning. If you want something lightweight and mildly compressive for office work, these should be great for that.

I tried the Training Socks for two reasons. First, they seemed like a good all-purpose athletic sock. But second, and more importantly, I really like the way the stripes look on them, and I liked the navy blue color. Other colors also available.

These are, indeed, very comfortable socks, but they’re also really thick. They were too warm for the heat of Japan’s summer riding, and a bit thick for my cycling shoes. I can see these being a go-to in winter and/or with larger-volume shoes, though.

Final thoughts

Overall, CEP’s range of socks are comfortable, supportive, and have enough variety to meet almost any need in any season. There are plenty of other models that are more specialized (warmth, arch support, etc.) that we didn’t try. For cyclists, the Ultralight, Hiking Light Merino, and Reflective Mid Cut socks are probably the best options for most seasons.

I also wore the socks while walking and hiking around Japan for another three weeks after the cycling segments, adding in a few of Low-Cut styles. Feature wise, the Mid- and Low-cut options are similar, so if you find one you like, you’ve got options. I like the durability and support, especially on really long days on our feet. Worth a look if you’re trying to pack light for a variety of adventures.

CEPcompression.com

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