FW GEAR GUIDE 23-4

VELOCIO TRAIL ACCESS HARDSHELL

So far, my favorite Velocio pieces have been their excellent bib shorts and their LS Signature jersey. I was eager to try their outerwear. I’ve said over and over how I love versatile pieces that I can wear for multiple activities. I get twice as much usage if I can wear it mountain biking and commuting. For outerwear, these sub-10-ounce jackets have been the sweet spot. We want jackets that are light and packable, but also offer full protection from wind and rain. But as anyone from the PNW will tell you, there is a real range of precipitation, from gentle mist to full-on downpour. So the first thing you notice when you pull on the Trail Accesss Hardshell is how nicely it’s cut. It fits like it should - room for layers without being so big that it flaps in the wind. The second thing I notice is how svelte this jacket it is. I almost didn’t trust it in hard rains, but so far it’s handled itself quite well. As Velocio tells it, the fabric is “Pertex Shield Air 3-layer waterproof breathable fabric, with recycled content and DWR” Usually you get great weather shedding from a 3-layer fabric and historically Velocio hasn’t skimped on quality. Finally, you’ll notice the smart and very functional cord locks that are all smartly integrated and cinch up the hood in two different ways. I also like the orange pop color. Overall recommended. Time will tell on the durability and waterproofness, but so far so good.

VELOCIO ALPHA MERINO AIR JACKET

At this point, everyone is using alpha insulation for lightweight breathable mid-layers. I love versatile pieces like this that offer both warmth and weather protection. On paper this jacket should be extremely versatile and cover fall, winter, and spring. I think for cold morning starts, it does that. Honestly, though, this piece is so warm that unless I’m riding a completely flat route, I’ve overheated several times in this jacket. It’s a cozy experience, but I come home wet on the inside. So my takeaway is that it’s more suited to cold mornings and temps in the 20s. But this jacket does so many things right. The fit is great - though a trim road cut. It fits trim enough that you can layer a shell on top for persistent rain. I love the three roomy and stretchy back pockets. The alpha insulation is actually 63% polyester, 33% wool, and 4% nylon. I love the two way zipper. The fit and finish of this jacket is impeccable. I think I would get more use out of it if were slightly less warm and cut a bit less trim, but if you’re looking for a very warm insulating layer for road and gravel rides, it would be hard to do better than Velocio’s Alpha Merino Air Jacket.

ANTHM COLLECTIVE LONG SLEEVE SALTZMAN JERSEY

There’s a lot to love with Anthm Collective clothing. For one, it’s made right here in Portland. That seems special to me in 2024. Second, it looks exactly like we want it to - simple bold colors that stand the test of time. I remember when Rapha’s debuted with its sportwool. We loved the vintage feel and focus on durability. Anthm Collective jerseys follow in that tradition. As a former bike racer, I have to say I very much appreciate the fit, which is less trim than race fit. I’m not reaching for anything race fit these days. The fit is perfect - trim and not flappy. Anthm Collective’s copy says it well on the material blend: “From the natural anti-odor benefits of wool, to the quick dry performance of poly, from the classic styling to the timeless colors, the Saltzman is destined to be your go-to jersey for years to come.” River City Bicycles offers these with their branding as well. Brian Anthony has a huge hit on his hands with Anthm Collective jerseys. Track one down, it’s sure to be a favorite in your wardrobe.

ANTHM COLLECTIVE FL.5 BACKCOUNTRY JERSEY

From Anthm Collective’s site: “When we discovered the fabric for the much loved Saltzman Jersey, we knew it had potential to do much more than just a riding jersey. So relaxed the fit, removed the cycling jersey (but built in a concealed pouch pocket for a roll of bagels or whatever you can fit in there, squared off the bottom hem with some additional length, and used a two-way larger zipper for durability and versatility. The result? “Our new go-to adventure shirt for everything from bikepacking to ski touring.” We keep saying how much we love versatile pieces that can be used for more than just cycling. It’s almost a prerequisite these days for me. The FL5 delivers on it’s promise. I appreciate the looser fit, the chunkier two-way zipper, and the use of the wonderful sportwool fabric from the Saltzman jersey. We love what Anthm Collective is doing. Grab a couple of their jerseys and help support this wonderful local company.

7MESH ASHLU MERINO LONG SLEEVE JERSEY

We’ve been raving about 7mesh for since they started. Most of our reviews mention their obsessively good fit and attention to detail. The Ashlu Merino jersey continues that tradition. The funny thing is that when you put on their jerseys and shorts, they just fit. That’s because someone has gone out of their way to ensure the pattering fits your body. The fabric is 89% wool and 11% nylon, which is a combination that we’ve come to love - you get the comfort, wicking, and antibacterial properties of wool, and the bit of nylon helps with stretch and durability. We love that the sleeves are properly long. As someone with long arms, that’s actually a big deal on long sleeve jerseys. The other thing worth mentioning is how much work 7mesh has done on their “Anything Pockets” which successfully resist sagging to keep the contents of your pockets snug to your body. This jersey is a great versatile option for road and gravel riding.

RAB CINDER CARGO BIB SHORTS

We’re new to RAB and RAB is new to cycling. RAB is a British outerwear and clothing company that’s been around since 1981 and they’re known for their well made product. They had a booth at Sea Otter, so we were excited to meet them and see how their gear does for cycling. Overall I’ve been quite impressed with these bib shorts. To keep things brief, the top two aspects of the Cinder Cargo Bib Shorts is the fit and material. Normally with Euro brands (I suppose we label the UK “Euro” I realize this is technically incorrect) I size up from Medium to large. These shorts do fit me slightly large for bibshorts. It’s always hard to tell exactly - for me there is some unwanted bunching at the hip, but it’s not a dealbreaker. The material feels slightly beefier than your standard bib shorts. If you’re brushing up against things or riding singletrack in the woods, this may appeal to you. Overall they feel like comfortable and rugged bib shorts that will stand the test of time. The chamois is a nice middle ground. Not too thick or thin. Just right. The cargo pockets are sheer and stretchy and are ready to hold your snacks or gloves at your rest stop on your next epic ride. Check out RAB. We’re anxious to try their MTB line.

RAB FORCE HOODY

We’re new to RAB and RAB is new to cycling. RAB is a British outerwear and clothing company that’s been around since 1981 and they’re known for their well made product. We’ve mentioned before in these pages that we do as much trail work as we do riding these days, so we need pieces that work well in the sun without having to reapply sunscreen all day. Bikepackers will like tops like the Force Hoody as well. A good stretchy hood can help keep the bugs off as well, though that’s secondary to sun protection. I’m a fan of the Force hoody. It has impressive stretch and wicks well. I like the minimalist thumb loops and use them more than I thought i would. The sage green color is unobtrusive and looks good out in the real world. The fit is quite good and the hood may be slightly more generous than it needs to be. If you’re looking for a nice performing wicking sun shirt, give the Force hoody a try.

GOREWEAR ENERGETIC LONG SLEEVE SHIRT

At this point, we’re fans of Gorewear. Their strengths have always been fit and material. We’ve been especially impressed with their Shakedry (RIP) and their bib shorts. This shirt isn’t a breakthrough, but it does continue their tradition of nice comfortable materials and pieces that just work. It’s noteworthy when I find a good synthetic top that doesn’t stink after one wearing. The polyester material is stretchy and comfortable. The material has a bit of heft to it. It’s not lightweight, but not heavy…somewhere in between. You can see from the photos that the cut is a bit loose. It works just as well for mountain biking as it does for running. It’s had some minor pilling but still looks good months later. The fit is slightly loose without being baggy. It doesn’t seem to stink like many synthetic tops after a couple hour hike or ski. They’re on sale at the moment, so if you’re looking for a good versatile wicking first layer, I can recommend the Gorewear Energetic LS shirt.

HOKA CHALLENGER 7 SHOES

This is my first time in Hoka shoes and I’m a fan! The challenger bill themselves as a crossover shoe, comfortable on both road and trail. Hoka rates the stability as “neutral” and the cushioning as “balanced” I find them quite comfortable and responsive enough. I probably end up using them on pavement more than trail, but there is a park not far from my house, and when I want to do dirt laps, the Challenger 7 are the perfect shoe. I don’t think the 4mm lugs would do much in mud or loose terrain, but I think they’re brilliant for what I use them for. At first the orange shoes were a bit flash for my personal taste, but I’ve come to love them. They’re eye-catching for sure and I’ve gotten compliments on them. I suppose I don’t run enough to be fanatical about any one brand, but the Challenger 7 has me wanting to try a springier shoe and I’ll be looking at Hoka again for their excellent comfort and performance. So far the durability is good. I don’t imagine them to be sturdier than any shoe on the market, but with performance and weight being most important, the Hokas are winning.

BIKE YOKE REVIVE 2.0 DROPPER SEATPOST & TRIGGY REMOVE LEVER

I had been looking to replace my KS Lev post which had developed a bad case of the sags. I dug in and did my research and landed on a new German company named Bike Yoke. I was a bit skeptical at first. Apparently they got their name and their start developing aftermarket links for full-suspension bikes. Putting their Revive 2.0 dropper post on my bike has been a revelation. No more sag! It works quickly and doesn’t smoosh when I sit on it. The coolest part of this dropper is the ability to remove excess air that gets into the system with just a twist of a 4mm allen wrench, something I always have in my trail kit. I like that if happens when I’m out in the woods on a week long trip, I don’t have to run to a bike shop. Bleed that excess air, and keep riding. Their Triggy lever has been seamless as well. It mounts cleanly to my Shimano XT brake levers and works like it should. It has servicable bearings and has a smooth throw. If you’re in the market for a new dropper post, start by looking at the Bike Yoke Revive 2.0. It’s an essential piece of gear and an honest solid development for full suspension mountain bikes. Recommmended.