The Rolling Revolution: A New Wave of Bicycles and Bike Gear
Cycling’s new wave promises to shake up your ride.
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1 /7 Bigger Tires, for Bolder Trails: Diamondback Release 29
Used to be, mountain bikes sat on 26-inch tires. These days, behemoths like this rule the trail. Why the inflation? Fat tires offer more contact with slick rocks for better traction, and provide a shallower attack angle against rocks, logs, and anything else that comes in your way. This setup boasts 140 mm of travel in front and a Fox shock to absorb bumps in back.
2 /7 DTC Discounts: Canyon Endurance
Backed by a no-questions-asked returns policy, and shipped with an industry-leading setup kit and instructional materials, Canyon’s bikes bring their top technology right to your doorstep. That means you can save a buck, or better yet afford higher-end components. This road bike boasts electronic shifting levers and hydraulic disc brakes.
3 /7 The Flexible Frame: Cannondale Topstone
Gravel bikes represent one of the newest categories of cycling, borrowing a bit from both the road bike and MTB worlds. This setup includes a “kingpin” beneath the seat affixing the rear part of the frame to the forward triangle. The result: just enough flex to soak up bumps without adding the weight of complicated shock setups.
4 /7 DIY Frames: Infento Genius Kit
Learning to ride goes meta with this ingenious DIY setup, which turns the customization process into a lesson in frame construction for you to share with your kids. A total of 28 configurations allow the setup to evolve as they do.
5 /7 A Well-Lit Lid: Lumos Kickstart Smart Helmet
With built-in LED headlights and taillights, this helmet helps highlight your moves to drivers nearby. Wireless turn signals are triggered via a handlebar-mounted switch. Better still, slow down and brake lights automatically appear.
6 /7 Woven Carbon and Nylon Frame: 100 Percent Hypercraft Sunglasses
Cycling glasses are part shield, part sunblocker. Heading downhill at 40 miles per hour, a bug can feel more like a rock. These are made from carbon fiber woven with nylon for a lightweight, durable profile. They’re just 23 grams in all.
7 /7 Contactless Bike Restraint: Thule Helium Bike Platform
Car carriers that grab your frame can cause damage through the bumps. This aluminum setup features easy-to-apply tire restraints that secure your rims in a moment. What’s more, it includes smart security features for locking everything in place.
This story originally appeared in our summer 2020 Outdoor Living issue.
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