Editor’s Choice: Hand-Picked Bike Gear & Accessories Part 2

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This week, I’m looking at a few more of my favorite accessories that make life a little easier on and off the trail, cool new big-ass shades, and some apparel that has impressed me so far during the early season.

Now, here’s some MTB kit that I think is pretty neat.

Smith Syncline Glasses

Shop Smith Syncline Glasses Here

Sunglasses are more than just a fashion statement on the bike; they serve as eye protection from the sun and debris kicked up while riding, and most MTB-specific lenses also boost contrast on the trail. The best eyewear will look good, and check all the protection and utility boxes. If you like an oversized, almost goggle-like look for your sunglasses, the Smith Syncline are the right sunnies for you. The Syncline glasses are big, which usually means I won’t be a huge fan, since I sweat a lot and run warm. A large lens and oversized form inhibit venting and offer more surface area for sweat to accumulate on a long climb, but the Smith Syncline has an ever-so-slight lens gap between the frame and lens for moisture venting and a unique smudge- and moisture-resistant coating that makes cleaning easy and keeps the optics clear.

I’ve been rocking the light-sensitive photochromic lens options with ChromaPop™ technology, which adapts to changing light conditions pretty quickly while still enhancing contrast and the trail’s natural color. The extra-large coverage area and wrap-around lens also mean there’s no frame blocking the eyeline or weird gaps in coverage on super-bright days. Despite their size, they’re still super lightweight, and the autolock hinges make for easy one-handed on-and-off and storage.

State Bicycle Co. Mini Pump

Shop State Bicycle Electric Mini Pump Here

I’ve always been a hand-pump enjoyer. They work pretty well, and if you’ve got the fitness and a high-volume pump, it doesn’t take much to get a tire or tube back up to the desired pressure after a burp or flat. But when the SBC Mini-Pump showed up on my doorstep, I was intrigued. Most electric mini-pumps are not cheap, and at just $69 USD, the State Bicycle Mini Pump is surprisingly affordable. As is the trend with most of what State offers, it works just as well, if not better, than other options that are sometimes twice the price.

It’s become a staple on my rides, not just because it can inflate efficiently, but because it pulls double duty as a tire pressure gauge. The 1100 mAh battery, USB-C recharge, and easy operation are the standouts here, and even at half-charge, I know it’s still got the juice to inflate multiple tires or keep a tire topped up enough to limp home without wasting energy with the hand pump just to squeeze out a few PSI. 

Pear Izumi Canyon MTB Kit

Shop Pearl Izumi Canyon Short Here
Shop Pearl Izumi Canyon Jersey Here

Pearl Izumi is often seen as a budget or entry-level brand when it comes to cycling kit, but the brand has a deep heritage in bike clothing, and the Canyon MTB kit is a solid option with minimal branding, a great fit, and solid functionality. I’ve been impressed with the Canyon short-sleeve jersey and shorts so far this year, and it’s become one of the outfits I reach for when I know I don’t want to be messing around with waistband adjusters, struggling with weird pocket placement, or worrying about the dreaded “pad-gap” that can come when riding in shorts and knee-pads.

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Ergon GDH Slim Grips

Shop Ergon GDH Slim Grips Here

Grips are so incredibly personal, and I’m a picky little diva when it comes to this small but important contact point. I really struggle with finding the right diameter grip that also lasts a season without issues, and the new Ergon GDH Slim has been a huge win. I loved the GHD already, and found the grip pattern and fit to work really well with my larger hands, but the new GDH Slim option has made a great grip even better. Ergon has also rolled out a GDH Fat for those after more real estate to grab onto.

The GDH Fat is a hefty 34mm diameter; the GDH is a more standard 32mm, and the GDH Slim comes in at a svelte 30mm for those that prefer a slightly less bulky grip. All the GDH grips feature the same multi-directional cushioning, aggressive finger channels, and Ergon’s GravityControl rubber compound, the brand’s softest.