My Favorite Gravel Gear

When it comes to gear for riding gravel, I have used a lot of different products over the years and some I have abandoned while others have become a staple for every ride.  Below I will highlight some of my favorite gravel gear.

Garmin Edge 1000

The Garmin Edge 1000 has helped me explore many new gravel routes that I have planned out on RideWithGPS and others that were recommended by friends.  Loading GPX and TCX files into the unit is easy and they keep me on course without ever missing a turn.  With a long battery life and customized settings, I can set it up the way I like it and not have to worry about it dying in the middle of a ride.  The 3-inch high-resolution color touchscreen display is easy to read in a variety of lighting situations.  If I don't have a route in mind I can input a distance and choose from up to 3 round-trip ride options while out on the bike.  The Garmin Edge 1000 takes out all the worry of navigation and lets you enjoy the ride.  Available from Garmin, Penn Cycle and other fine bike shops for $499.99.

SaltStick Caps

SaltStick Caps are new for me but when put to the test at the Almanzo 100 they performed perfectly.  They were recommended by a friend to relieve or diminish cramping on long rides with significant elevation gain.  They are an electrolyte capsule containing sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium that helps keep balanced electrolyte blood levels.  This combination helps minimize cramping, fatigue and heat stress.  With all of the wind and climbing at this year's Almanzo 100, I didn't experience any leg cramping which had been a problem for me at previous Almanzo races.  Not having to deal with leg cramps on big climbs was a huge plus for me.  They definitely work.  Available directly from SaltStick in 30 count ($13) and 100 count ($22) bottles, Penn Cycle and other fine bike shops.

Banjo Brothers Large Frame Pack

The Large Frame Pack from Banjo Brothers is a newer addition to their frame pack line.  Made from Heavy-duty 1680 Ballistic Fabric it is a tough bag with waterproof zipper access from both sides.  This pack is big enough to hold your tool kit, spare tube and food for a long day out on the gravel.  It can also accommodate hydration bladders up to 100 fluid ounces (3L) if you prefer to carry water on your bike instead of your back. The easy open zippers provide quick access to food so you can continue your ride without stopping.  Available from Banjo Brothers, Penn Cycle and other fine bike shops for $39.99.


GeigerRig Hydration System Packs

The difference between GeigerRig Hydration Systems and other hydration packs is that they provide a pressurized spray to drink.  Pressurize the pack before a ride and simply bite on the valve to deliver water.  This makes hydrating much easier, especially if you are out of breathe after a sprint or big climb.  I have the Rig and Rig 500 and pick the appropriate pack for the distance and conditions of a ride.  When I want to travel light and don't need storage in the pack I will use the Rig.  For longer rides where I may need a little pack storage to peel off and store layers or extra food, I will use the Rig 500.  Staying hydrated is key and I found that I will drink more to replenish lost fluids using the GeigerRig pack because of its convenience more than just water bottles alone.  The Rig and Rig 500 both come with a 2L hydration engine and are available direct from GeigerRig for $115 and $135.

Banjo Brothers Cue Sheet Holder

The Banjo Brothers Cue Sheet Holder has long been a favorite of mine and many other gravel cyclists.  I used it the last two years at Almanzo and it worked flawlessly.  By laminating the cue sheets and rounding off the corners they could be changed to the next one easily while riding.  If you don't have a gps device or are doing a ride/race where the course is revealed at check-in with cue sheets for navigation, you're going to want one of these.  It mounts to bars and stem quickly using Velcro straps, zip ties or twist ties.  Available from Banjo Brothers, Penn Cycle and other fine bike shops for $7.99.

Revelate Designs Mountain Feedbag

I put the Mountain Feedbag from Revelate Designs to the first major test at Almanzo and loved them.  I mounted two of them on my stem/bars and filled them with a variety of gels, snacks and SaltStick Caps for a long day in the saddle.  The drawcord closure was easy to open one-handed while riding and their convenience made sure I was refueling throughout the day.  The mesh side pockets are perfect for stashing empty gel packs and wrappers.  The lower tension strap that wraps around the fork crown made sure they stayed in place with very little movement, even when digging into them to grab something to eat.  They are even big enough to hold a water bottle.  The Mountain Feedbag comes in a variety of colors and is available from Revelate Designs, Penn Cycle and other fine bike shops for $39.

TOGS

I have been using TOGS thumb grips for almost a year now for Winter fatbiking, mountain biking and gravel riding and they quickly became a favorite.  I use them mostly when riding gravel as they provide climbing leverage and an alternate hand position on the bars for those long rides.  Unlike drop bars, straight bars don't offer a variety of different hand positions so it's nice to be able to change things up without the use of bar ends.  Pictured above is the carbon hinged model which installs quickly without removal of the grips.  They are available from TOGS for $35.  TOGS also has a Dupont Zytel ring version in a variety of colors for $23.

Interbike 2015 Cool Bike Gear-Part 2

After spending five days in Las Vegas for Interbike and the Outdoor Demo, I came across a lot of cool new bike stuff that I wanted to share with my readers.  These are products that are now available or in the case of some of them, will be available soon from your local bike shop.  This is part two of a three part series where I will highlight some of the items that caught my attention.

45NRTH Wölvhammer

45NRTH showed their newly redesigned Wölvhammer cycling boot at the QBP booth.  They have done away with the zipper and velcro closure of the previous years' models in favor of a lace-up design with a gusseted tongue.  Also removed is the D-ring for the powerstrap at the top of the boot making it easier to secure.

The outer shell is now made with full grain leather and Ballistic Cordura Nylon with a rubber toe cap.  The new Wölvhammer still has a waterproof membrane with plenty of insulation and moisture wicking fleece allowing the boot to breathe while keeping your feet warm and dry.  Use with flat pedals or remove the cleat cover to install 2-bolt compatible cleats for clipless pedals.  Designed for 0° to 25° F comfort.  The Wölvhammer is beginning to show up at local bike shops now for the price of $325.

TOGS

TOGS stands for "Thumb Over Grip System" that offers riders an extra hand position by providing a thumb grip on top of the bars.  This thumb positioning allows plenty of leverage when climbing and a different hand placement for relief during long bumpy rides without interference to access brake and shift levers.  They are very lightweight, easy to install and come in a Zytel Nylon Ring in eight colors and a Carbon Fiber Hinged model making them a great alternative to bar ends.

While the Zytel Nylon Ring model requires removal of the grip for installation, the Carbon Fiber Hinged model does not.  With a universal fit on flat and riser bars, TOGS work will all grips including lock-on models.

Both models are available now from the TOGS website.  The Zytel Nylon Ring model sells for $23 and the Carbon Fiber Hinged model for $35.

Bianchi Allroad

For 2016 Bianchi introduces its new aluminum gravel bike, the Allroad.  Bianchi states, "Allroad is a mountain bike, a road bike, a cyclo-cross and a trekking bike all-in-one."  This do it all bike comes with a carbon fork, fittings for fender and rack mounts, a dropper seat post and Kenda Happy Medium tires.  It will come in two build options, Shimano 105 11-speed with Shimano hydraulic disc brakes and a more affordable Shimano Tiagra 10-speed with Avid BB5 mechanical disc brakes.  No word yet on a price for both models.  Expect the Allroad to start appearing at Bianchi dealers before the end of the year.

Maxxis Minion FBF & FBR

Maxxis was at Interbike with new fatbike versions of their popular Minion downhill tires.  These front & rear specific tires designed for trail riding are massive at 26x4.8.  The FBF (front) features Minion DHF tread blocks for great cornering and low rolling resistance.  The FBR (rear) is inspired by the Minion DHR II with side knobs for cornering and "paddle-like" knobs in the middle for better traction and decreased rolling resistance.

FBR

FBF

Both have a dual rubber compound and will be available in 60 & 120 tpi foldable bead casings.  A tubeless-ready EXO Protection (cut/abrasion resistant) version in a 120 tpi casing will also be available.  While not at your local bike shop yet look for them sometime soon.  While US pricing is not yet available, the European pricing of the 60 tpi casing models is around $100 each and the tubeless-ready EXO Protection models about $125 each.

Proviz Switch Gilet

 

From Proviz comes a great product for the road cyclist or commuter, the Switch Gilet.  This dual layer outer shell can be worn day or night to make sure cyclists are seen out on the road.  The Switch Gilet is reversible with a highly visible fluorescent yellow on one side and is 100% reflective (CE EN 20471 certified) on the other.  It features a 2-way reversible zipper, chest and back pockets, "meshed reflective material to aid breathability" and is machine washable.   

The Proviz Switch Gilet is available in Men's and Women's for $102.99 direct from the Proviz website.