When the trails turn from brown to green and the knee warmers get left at home, we know it’s time to gear up for another year of riding. Bicycling attended the 2019 Sea Otter Classic to get to know the bike industry’s latest and most innovative tech. Here’s a list of our favorite new riding essentials that we can’t wait to use this year.
Hiplok Spin
Keyless security that’s comfortable to wear
Price: $50 Buy Now
The new Spin is first wearable Hiplok with a keyless combination lock. The 800-gram belt secures around your torso with a hook-and-loop fastener; it fits 26- to 44-inch waists. The 75cm chain has 6mm-thick hardened steel links, and Hiplok gives the Spin a medium security rating. It’s not the toughest chain around, but it’s one we wouldn’t mind riding with—a heavy-duty chain isn’t helpful if you don’t bring it with you.
Bryton 450
A feature-filled bike computer
Price: $200 Buy Now
The Bryton 450 offers premium features in a $200 bike computer. OpenStreetMaps and Trailforks provide turn-by-turn directions for road and mountain bike rides, and the 450 can link to five different satellite positioning systems to give you reliable mapping worldwide. The computer boasts more than 78 functions, with a battery life of up to 35 hours. The device supports TrainingPeaks workouts, and compatibility with ANT+ and Bluetooth sensors means it should integrate into your existing sensor ecosystem, and any future purchases.
Liv Shuttle Flat Shoe
A comfortable women’s flat-pedal mountain bike shoe
Price: $110
Liv’s first flat-pedal shoe have an injection-molded TPU toe and heel to protect you from rocks and keep you stable if you need to hike-a-bike. A mesh pocket on the tongue allows riders to tuck the reflective laces out of the way of the chain ring. They also have a surprisingly flexible midsole, which makes them comfortable for wearing to walk around. The TPU-reinforced upper has ventilation perforations for a faster drying time and a cooler wearing experience. Available in June.
Abbey Bike Tools Decade Chain Tool
A shop-quality tool for every kind of chain
Price: $175 Buy Now
This new chain breaker tool has a removable mid-plate which allows you to swap in different sized prongs to fit any chain on the market. Primarily designed for mechanics and bike shops, the mid-plates available for after-market purchase are compatible with track and BMX chains, and 8- to 12-speed chains, including the newly released SRAM AXS chain. The silver chromoly body is treated with a low-friction coating for corrosion prevention and smooth operation.
Saris MTR Rack
A heavy-duty rack that folds up when not in use
Price: $500 (one bike), $800 (two bike) Buy Now
MTR, which stands for Modular Tray Rack, is Saris’ biggest and beefiest rack yet, ideal for mountain bikes and hefty e-bikes. The adjustable trays accommodate wheels from 20 to 29 inches in diameter, a wheelbase of up to 53 inches, bikes up to 60lbs., and tires up to five inches wide. This tray-style hitch rack has two pivoting arms for each wheel to rest on that can fold into the middle and flip up when not in use. It’s available as a one- or two-bike system, with optional add-on trays to hold an additional bike ($345) or two ($650).
Selle Italia SLR Boost and Boost Lady Superflow
A short-nosed, cutout race saddle that lets you get more aero
Price: $170 to $396 Learn More
Selle Italia's Boost is its first short nose road saddle. It features its largest cut-out option (a 3 on their 1, 2, or 3 scale), enabling riders to tuck even further into the drops without putting pressure on sensitive areas. And if you tend to sit back on the saddle the majority of the time rather than scooting up on the nose, this saddle gets the nose out of your way to eliminate a bit of weight, as well as give your legs a little more room to move. The men’s version is available in carbon and titanium rails. The women’s model uses titanium rails, and is a few millimeters wider with a bit more gel cushion in the mid-section.
Marzocchi B2
Trail performance at a value price.
Price: $500 Buy Now
Marzocchi's B2 is a value priced fork designed for easy setup and great reliability. It features 34mm legs and an open-bath damper with lockout designed by the brand's Italian engineering team. On the other side is the same air spring found in Fox's 34 forks (Fox's parent company purchased Marzzochi in 2016). The B2 is offered for 27.5 and 29 inch wheels, and in travels from 100mm to 130mm.
Lazer Impala
Great looking trail helmet at a great price.
Price: $120; $140 with MIPS Buy Now
After a few unique trail helmets, Lazer gets the style right with the Impala. It's a great looking helmet with goggle compatibility, extended coverage, big vents, and a large visor. It features lightweight and quick dry straps, an adjustable fit system with large dial, and it's offered in six colors. It's offered with MIPS, or without for $20 less.
Orucase B2
Light, compact, and stealthy hard-sided bike case.
Price: $550
Orucase's Airport Ninja bike case is a lightweight and compact bike travel case designed to sneak by airline employees without incurring an extra fee. The new B2 is actually an inch smaller than the original Airport Ninja but offers hard sided protection and some convenient features like wheels. But it's still very compact and light, and designed to sneak by agents without drawing an extra fee.
OneUp EDC Stem
A new stem lock for integrating OneUp's Tool System.
Price: $115 Buy Now
We love OneUp's EDC tool system which stores conveniently in a fork's steerer tube. We didn't love that the EDC required threading the inside of the fork's steerer, or the special tools required to install prep the fork for the EDC. OneUp's new EDC Stem solves all those hassles. You can now store the convenient EDC Tool System in your steerer tube for quick and easy access without having to thread your fork. The EDC is offered in 35 and 50mm lengths for 35mm bars only.
Unparallel XC Shoe
California dreamin’ of stylish bike shoes.
Designed by a small company in California, these shoes are the first XC shoe in the brand's growing line. This shoe is made with a lightweight, fused synthetic upper, a carbon shank, and a non-slip heel grip. The shoe offers a roomy toe box and will come in black and an eye-catching “sandstone” orange. Unparallel representative stated the XC shoe will arrive in 2020.
Giro Mens Roust Jersey
Look good and ride hard in…recycled fishing nets?
Price: $60 Buy Now
The apparel in the environmentally-conscious Giro Renew series is guaranteed to be made with at least 50% recycled material. The polyester fabric is still just as moisture-wicking, and it even has a UPF 50+ rating. Made in Italy, this jersey is so soft you’ll forget it’s actually made out of fishing nets.
Spurcycle M2 Compact
Our favorite bell optimized for mountain bikes.
Price: $39 with DLC black dome; $29 with yellow brass dome
Spurcycle's loud and beautifully made bell is one of our favorite products. Now the company has a new, and less expensive, version optimized for mountain bikes. It's designed to fit on flat-bike bars only and features a narrower mount that takes up less space. The M2 stands higher off the bar so it clears grips and brake-mounts, and features a internal striker with fewer exposed parts. The M2 Compact bell will be available later this year.
