Autumn is prime time to get out on gravel, singletrack, roads, and bike paths to spin those wheels. To help get you out there, here’s our top gear picks for fall cycling.
Ibis
Ripley V
Put it this way, the Ripley is the do-it-all mountain bike you dream about. The ride you buy when you know you want to commit to singletrack and a passion for the trails. The latest iteration of the brand—an OG MTB pioneer, founded in 1981 by the legendary Scott Nicol, AKA Chuck Ibis—features 140mm of travel up front and a new sizing range that better fits different body types. It climbs as well as it sucks up all the rattle of technical downs, reaffirming its status as our dream ride. $3,499 frame only, $4,999–$8,199 builds; ibiscycles.com
Vvolt
Alpha II
Ringing in at a very nice price for an ebike, this baby is built to make commuting and cruising around town a blast. The bike tips the scales at just 44 pounds (much lighter and easier to wrangle than most ebikes) and puts five levels of pedal assist power and a throttle at your fingertips. The 350w motor runs for up to 45 miles on a charge, topping out at 20 mph, and a belt drive means you don’t have to worry about chain upkeep. $1,799; vvolt.com
Giant
Trance X 1
With 29-inch wheels (and the ability to opt to mount a 27.5-inch wheel in the back), this bike delivers a lot of fun on the trails at a reasonable price point. It can handle big hits thanks to a plush 150mm front fork and 140mm of rear travel but still climbs like a champ thanks to smooth Maestro suspension that delivers solid pedaling power. Even better, a flip chip allows riders to adjust the frame geometry according to the terrain. $3,900; giant-bicycles.com
Salsa
Warbird
This bike simply eats up hills. It’s nimble and can take on singletrack, packed dirt, loose gravel, and pavement—all with utter confidence and comfort. The recipe Salsa has created in this high-performance gravel ride makes it perfect for speed, distance, fun, or an escape. It was the perfect bike for a tester who thought she’d given up pedaling long distances—until she hopped on. $3,399–$7,699; salsacycles.com
State Bicycle
6061 All-road
A take-on-surfaces bike with an aluminum frame and carbon fork, this machine was made for those of us who don’t have a whole lot of lucre but like to play hard. The knobby tires, 11-speed drivetrain, and disc brakes mean it can handle full-on gravel adventures but it’s just as comfortable commuting to class. The brand will even supply you with a second wheelset so you can swap out between 700c and 650b for an extra $350. Builds starting at $1,400; statebicycle.com
Trek
Checkpoint ALR 5
If bickpacking is your bag, this is your beast. This alloy ride, which won’t break the bank, can cruise dirt and pavement and features an array of mounts to haul all your bags. The 1×12 drivetrain provides power on hills and flats while keeping things simple. $2,500; trekbikes.com
Segway
Ninebot eKickScooter E2 Pro
It’s back-to-school season, and this scooter is the answer when it comes to getting to campus and whizzing to class. Accelerating up to 15.5 mph with a battery life of about 17 miles at full speed, it provides more power and range than most scooters and big 10-inch tubeless tires can deal with bumpy terrain. Plus, a built-in Apple Find My function means you can trace it should it get nicked. $500; store.segway.com/kickscooter-e2-pro
Bolt
Performance Razor
Look the part. Feel the part. And, sure, make it easier to heal from road rash. These are the reasons male cyclists shave their legs. Designed in Scandinavia, this razor is specifically built to shave your masculine legs, boys. $40; boltshave.com
GU
Hydration Tabs
No matter if you are racking up road miles, hitting the singletrack, or just commuting on sunny fall days, proper hydration is critical for cyclists. With 320 sodium and 55 potassium (and just 10 calories) these yummy quick tabs give you that necessary boost of electrolytes in your water bottle. $30; guenergy.com
Rab
Cinder Crimp Tee
Simple and fast-wicking, this versatile tee is just the ticket no matter where you are riding (or running). And we love the small zip pocket that holds an ID and credit cards. Bonus: In an effort to increase transparency when it comes to sustainability, Rab gives full information on material sources. $69; rab.equipment
Sweet Protection
Fluxer MIPS
Lightweight with wide, roomy vents, this is a helmet to keep your noggin relatively cool on gutty rides. Of course, it’s also a helmet to keep you safe should you go down thanks to added ribbed protection (yup) on the inside of the lid and MIPS technology that mitigates the chances of a concussion. $200; sweetprotection.com
Stio
Shifter
Quick to wick and serving up UPF 50+ sun protection, this cycling shirt is a godsend when you sweat out in the autumn sun—and it still looks presentable when you wander into a brew pub post-ride. It comes in several color/pattern options but we give the thumbs up to the Saddle Biking Cowboy style, which reflects the brand’s Wyoming roots and your attitude on a ride. $59; stio.com
Outdoor Research
Freewheel Ride Pants
Ideal for those cool fall morning mountain bike rides, these long bike pants offer up plenty of stretch and wick away moisture. Plus, they feature abrasion resistance and a nice fit for your butt when you straddle your saddle.
$130; outdoorresearch.com
Abus
Bordo One 6500A
Never worry about forgetting your combination or losing your key again—this heavy duty bike lock secures and opens via a Bluetooth app. What’s more, it’s equipped with a 100-decibel alarm should someone dare to mess with it. But you can rest easy since the 5.5mm-thick bars take construction-site-level effort to cut through. $240; abus.com
Camelbak
M.U.L.E. 12 100-ounce
The old standby with some new upgrades, this hydration pack is our choice for big trail rides as well as wheeling around town. The vented back panel provides just enough airflow without taking up too much space and the removable waist strap allows you to customize to your liking. Plus, it’s made from sustainable repurposed nylon. $130; camelbak.com
Curious Creatures
Ramble Scramble Short
These well-constructed shorts, from up-and-coming MTB brand Curious Creatures, feature a stylish slim fit, and they’re made from a comfortable 4-way stretch poly that offers plenty of give when you’re ready to hammer some singletrack miles. $139; wearecuriouscreatures.com
