Geared Up: The Many Colors of Spring
Endura Pro SL Primaloft Gilet II, $165
Spring may be upon us, but mountain weather is still plenty variable, at least where I live. Endura’s Pro SL Gilet (French for vest) is a great little nugget of warmth that fits easily in a jersey pocket and keeps me toasty on frigid descents. It’s a smart little vest with three pockets (including a zippered pocket for keys and the like), stretchy and breathable side panels, and reflective logos on the back. With 80 grams of Primaloft insulation in the front and 60 grams in the back, it’s got more insulation where you need it most and less where you don’t, which helps with packability. And Primaloft is synthetic, meaning it’ll still keep you warm if you get caught out in the rain. The cut is pretty slim — I wear a size small, which fits perfectly over a jersey without feeling restrictive. If you prefer a roomier fit, I’d recommend sizing up. –Dan Meyer
Jano Velo Clubride Saddlebag, $275
Jano Velo makes custom bike luggage with classic designs. Jano lent me a Clubride saddlebag made from purple leather with a marine-grade synthetic fabric underneath, which looked snazzy against my bike’s purple frame. The design is unique in that it makes use of all the space behind your seat tube, from the saddle rails all the way down to the seatstays, without getting in the way or wobbling around. It’s a pretty spacious bag with a couple of pockets for smaller items like your phone, keys, or a multitool, and a large main compartment. I was able to fit a puffy vest, lobster gloves, and an extra hat in the main compartment with room to spare for snacks and a pump. There’s reflective piping on the outside and a strap on which to clip a taillight. It’s a great bag for daily use that you can keep on for touring because it won’t get in the way of a rear rack and panniers. Surely $275 isn’t cheap for a saddlebag, but it’s custom-made just for your bike, and in the good ol’ U.S. of A no less. –DM
Velocio Foundation Bibs, $129
Good bib shorts may not be hard to come by, but good bib shorts that don’t cost an arm and two legs are rare indeed. Luckily, Velocio’s Foundation bibs, its most affordable, are maybe the biggest bang for the buck in cycling apparel that I know of. The Foundation uses the same straps — the best bib straps out there, if you ask me — and leg grippers as the more expensive Signature bibs, but with a lower-profile chamois and slightly different fabric. The result is a comfortable, supportive bib that feels just as good at the end of your ride as it did at the start. I have other bibs that I’ll wear for my usual workday rides, but if I know I’ll be in the saddle for at least a few hours, I put on the Foundations. Note that the Foundation bib shorts have a lot of compression, so if you don’t like your bibs very tight, consider sizing up. –DM
