Fall Preview: High Performance Biking Apparel

Published on 08/16/2012

By Peter Reese

The wheels are spinning in earnest for mountain and road riders already this season.  Active Junky shows up with some high-performance gear certain to make the miles smoother, safer and earn style points with every turn of the crank.

Club Ride Zeal Pant

CLUB RIDE, despite their apparel’s comfort and performance, turns any ride into the promise of group social time.  The Club Ride ZEAL pant with BambX morphs bamboo, spandex and polyester into a trail-taming concoction built around easy movement.  Longer than cargo shorts but high enough to avoid crank entrapment, ZEAL earned top marks from Active Junky testers for cruising flats and crushing inclines.  In-pocket storage of essentials is effortless as is CLUB RIDE’S post-mission mellowness.

Dakine Triumph Jersey

DAKINE’S TRIUMPH JERSEY bests them all for snap-to fit, ventilation and the ability to transition from trail to tavern.  Anti-microbial treatment combines with a thoughtful, panelized design to keep heat from pushing into the red zone.  Dakine’s obvious understanding of the contemporary athlete comes through in details like a step-down hemline for greater on-bike rear coverage.  No-brainer laundering keeps the look intact from session to session.

Earn cash back on the Dakine Triumph Jersey

Deuter Trans Alpine 30

The TRANS ALPINE 30 hails from A.J.-endorsed Deuter and deserves credit for giving cross country riders and downhill psychos a legitimate load management strategy. Testers took note of the burly build floating on top of back-saving Airstripes ventilation architecture.  With a high vis rain cover appearing out of the bottom panel, TA30 handles messy conditions like a Navy Seal.  This model’s smart enough to hang with adventure travellers who need packing flexibility, chest stability and a waist belt that promotes comfortable airflow.

Earn cash back on the Trans Alpine 30

Detour Georgetown Dry Pannier

For on-bike toting, Detour’s GEORGETOWN DRY PANNIER stays strong with up to 22 lbs. loaded in the 850 cu. in. water-defying pack. Between a large, undivided interior and a side pocket, G-Town gives the rider much-desired packing options along with four-point attachment security.  Active Junky testers see this rolled-top design as a sleeper for significant value.  The reason?  Off-bike carrying options (haul handle and removable shoulder strap) transform the pannier into a briefcase or stealth airline carry-on, one agile enough for under seat stowage.  Clean looks make G-Town a fit for women and men, come rain or shine.

NiteIze Connect Case / Mount

Try NiteIze’s CONNECT CASE/MOBILE MOUNT if other IPhone attachment systems have failed to perform.  Testers liked the universal-but-switchable rear clip system.  Despite the phone frame’s lightweight build, it defended the beloved Apple during full-height drops on trails and pavement (don’t hold the good folks that make it to A.J.’s Armageddon-rebuffing standards, please).  Styling is nearly invisible which keeps CC from attracting undue criminal attention.  Pricing is easy and makes this worth a gamble even if you’ve previously purchased another option.

Earn cash back on the NiteIze Connect Case Mount