Get Ready For Cycling Season With The Best New Bike Gear

It's cycling season, so here's the best gear to stay safe, comfy and hydrated.

Spring has been on and off again in many parts of the country, teasing the active with brief periods of nice, warm weather. But pretty soon even Mother Nature will have to realize it's cycling season across North America, and I just pumped up the tries, lubed the chain and headed off on my first outside road ride of the year in New England a couple of weeks ago.

The good news is that whether you are new to cycling, like many who took it up during the pandemic, or have been at it for years, there is some great gear on the market that can make your experience better, more comfortable, and safer. The great news is that the outdoor gear industry has continued its recent trend of producing more women-specific gear, a once overlooked sector of the market. These are my 2023 favorites:

Garmin's new line of Edge GPS computers make it easy to ride new routes, train and keep stats - ... [+] without getting lost.

Better Computer - Plus Radar! Years ago, I went on a group cycling trip and one of the guests had a Garmin radar unit which I had never seen. Mounted on the back of the seat post or a saddlebag (or even in a jersey pocket) it detects cars approaching from the rear and notifies you via an audible and visual output on your bike computer. Because so many road cyclists are (rightfully) scared of cars, I was wowed by this innovation and immediately ordered a Garmin Varia RTL515. In the years since, I have become an evangelist for bike radar - it's a huge safety advance that many don't even know exists, but one no rider should be without.

Recently, Garmin released a new upgraded model, the Varia RCT715 ($350). This one adds a rearview camera that continuously records the action on your ride and saves the footage if you have an incident. Both models include a flashing rear light as well, a safety feature all cyclists should have, and thanks to the new model, the original is now on sale for a lower price ($150). They also have a new Varia radar and light model specifically for e-bikes ($300).

Solar versions of the Edge run longer between charges and have advanced training features.

Garmin is the leader in bike GPS computers with built in maps, turn by turn instruction, downloadable routes, and workout stats, and I have also long used a GPS Edge computer with color display. They just released a new and upgraded slate for 2023, for road, mountain, gravel and e-bikers, including solar versions of the popular Edge 540 and 840. These feature a solar charging lens that extends battery life and gives you up to 60 hours in battery save mode. All the new models, Edge 540, 540 Solar, Edge 840 and 840 Solar have superior navigation, plus planning and training programs that can adapt to you and your goals.

The introduction of multi-band GNSS gives enhanced positioning accuracy for the GPS and helps you find your way in the most challenging environments, including wilderness single track trails. Targeted Adaptive Coaching programs can help you train for an upcoming race or extended tour, with personal milestones and custom workouts, including daily suggested workouts and recovery prompts, ideally used with a heart rate monitor and/or power meter. The ClimbPro Ascent Planner, which displays remaining ascent and grade when riding in the mountains so you can pace your effort, is now available on every model and ride. Battery life and smart phone pairing have also been improved, even on non-solar models, and there are myriad technical and data improvements as well. Like the popular Apple watch, the new computers include Incident Detection which can automatically send a message with your location to emergency contacts after an on- or off-road incident to get help fast.

The new Edge 540 starts at $350, the 840 adds touchscreen capability and starts at $450, while existing top shelf models 1030 Plus and 1040 are still available ($600). All are wirelessly compatible with the Varia radar units, just a perfect combo.

Wild Rye makes cycling clothes just for women including the bestselling Freel shorts for mountain ... [+] biking.

Styling On Singletrack: Wild Rye is an easy brand to love, developed by active women for active women in Sun Valley, Idaho. For cycling they focus on trails rather than roads, and have an extensive lineup of women-specific mountain biking garments. For shorts I like the flagship Freel, which won Outside Magazine's coveted Gear of the Year award, and is made of comfy but durable nylon that protects against everything from mud to thorns, with just enough spandex to offer 4-way stretch. They look great off the bike too, have deep pockets, a reinforced no-roll hem and come in a vast array of prints, colors and sizes from 0-18 ($95-$129).

If you want more padding, add the Alice Chammy shorts.

The Freel shorts are not padded, and if that's what you are looking for, the Alice Chammy is the answer, which can be worn alone like Lycra-style road shorts or under the Freel shell. The Alice has a high wait, no slip leg bands, plus an imported Italian padded insert and is available in the same large range of sizes ($119).

It's The Shoes: Sometimes when it comes to what we wear cycling, we focus more on shorts or tops, but the shoes are the most integral part of our outfit when it comes to performance, via efficiency of transferring our effort to the pedal. It is also an area where comfort, ventilation and durability are at a premium. Lighter is better, a stiff sole is better and these days, BOA is better. Once upon a time all bike shoes used ratcheting straps, Velcro straps or laces to close, but the BOA system, a dial that tightens wires integrated throughout the shoe, surpassed all of those, because it cinches the entire shoe around the foot to your comfort level, rather than just a couple of points on top. It's also more precisely adjustable than ratchets and can't loosen under use like laces. BOA has been the hot choice for years and is used in the Tour de France, but the newest version, the Li2, is better than ever, with precise micro-adjustments and a quick release pull up on the dial feature that lets you take the shoes off much more quickly.

If performance and quality is your thing, it's hard to beat the top shelf Shimano S-PHYRE SH-RC903 ... [+] Women's bike shoes

When it comes to combining the newest BOA technology and all the other factors that make a premium road shoe, the Shimano S-PHYRE SH-RC903 Women's is the Rolls Royce of cycling footwear - and they even look good. It's pricey at an MSRP of $450 (though often substantially discounted online), but you won't find a better shoe. While many models have a single BOA dial and metal wiring pattern, this one has two for more precise adjustment of the fit around your entire foot. They are also highly breathable with an ultra-light, stiff sole and feature an anti-twist heel cup to put more of your effort into the pedals. The true women's style and sizing, built on a women-specific last, makes it more comfortable than many premium models I’ve tried. If the price tag give you sticker shock, there are several more affordable BOA single-dial models available from top brands, such as the Bontrager Velocis Women's’ Shoe at just $120, and you can see a list here.

While many major manufacturers make women-specific road shoes, surprisingly few offer mountain bike models, the vast majority of which are unisex. Shimano also leads this category when it comes to BOA with several true women's models, most notably the SH-XC502 Women's, a heavy-duty cross-country type shoe for all-day technical riding ($175).

The Smith Network helmet combines the safety of MIPS with comfort, light weight and awesome ... [+] ventilation

Use Your Head: If you buy a helmet for road biking, mountain biking, skiing, snowboarding, or pretty much any action sports, the first thing it should have is MIPS, a third party licensed safety technology that provides additional protection from blunt force impact. Since many manufacturers offer models with MIPS, the next things to look for are fit, comfort, ventilation, weight, style and design, and if you’re looking for a bike helmet, it's hard to beat venerable industry leader Smith - I have a Smith ski and bike helmets. There are multiple cycling options, but I like the Network MIPS ($170 and often available at a discount) with a clean, modern design, lightweight shell, optional fabric visor and because helmets can get nasty fast, an Ionic+® antimicrobial lining with sweat-activated odor control. You can always wear a thin hat or ear band under a helmet if it's cool out, but when it's hot there's no way to wear less, so what I really like are the 15 vents for maximum airflow on even the hottest days. But one other key thing that Smith has pioneered in its helmet lineup is the use of Koroyd, a ventilated protection technology that looks like foam honeycomb and is molded into the shell in strategic, zonal impact areas to offer safety coverage where it matters most.

Finally, because Smith is also the ski industry leader in goggles and a big player in sunglasses, all of its sports helmets are designed for clean fitting integration with eyewear and feature the trademarked AirEvac ventilation system for fog-free lenses. Light mount compatibility makes it easy to add a headlamp when riding at night. The Network is affordable, packed with features and comes in a whopping 17 color options.

Cooler Hydration: Thanks to technological innovation from the likes of Yeti, Hydro Flask, Kleen Kanteen and similar brands, many of us have gotten used to always having cold water or sports drinks on the go, thanks to the double-walled vacuum insulation popular in quality reusable metal models. But cycling has lagged behind, and even though double walled, insulated plastic water bottles for bikes have been around for years, they just don't do a great job at keeping things cold. Even when I load up with ice, the water is back to room temperature in 90 minutes or less, which doesn't cut it on longer rides.

The latest and greatest option is the Camelbak Podium Ice, an upgrade from the existing Podium Chill, which has been one of the leading options in this category for years. But the Ice uses Aerogel insulation, and as result, Camelbak claims the bottles keep water cold four times longer than non-Aerogel versions. It hasn't been hot enough yet to give mine a real test, but Aerogel is generally considered the world's best solid insulation, used by NASA to protect electronic components in space. It made its debut in outdoor gear about five years ago with the innovative and critically acclaimed Aerogel phone pocket in ski jackets from Helly Hansen, to keep phone batteries working longer in the cold, and I’ve experienced that firsthand while skiing. This is the opposite, keeping beverages from getting warm, and while $30 is a lot for a plastic water bottle, I keep good water bottles for years and expect the enjoyment of cold drinks to more than pay for itself. The Podium Ice is also 100% BPA, BPS and BPF free, squeezes easily, has a high-flow, self-sealing cap with medical grade silicon, and it is easy to clean. This is an instant upgrade to any hot weather ride, road, mountain, gravel or e-bike - and you can also use it hiking. All Podium Ice models are a generous 21 ounces and fit standard cycling bottle cages.

Pearl Izumi is a renowned brand for cycling clothing and they make several women-friendly bibs.

Bibs With A Bathroom Break: Just about every pro road cyclist, male or female, wears bibs rather than basic shorts – and you should too. It took a while for me to even try to want to try them – I never saw the need – but once I did, I was a convert. I’ve been a bibs advocate for a number of years now. The only problem is that long rides require bathroom breaks and, traditionally, cycling bibs have not been female friendly in this regard, requiring taking off your jersey and removing the straps. Fortunately, in recent years manufacturers have rolled out innovative toilet-friendly designs for women's bibs.

Few garment makers are more closely associated with cycling performance than Pearl Izumi. New this year is the Women's Attack Air Bib Shorts, which combine 4-way stretch and lightweight breathable fabric with a women-specific multi-density trademarked Levitate plus chamois insert and a drop-tail design for bathroom breaks that does not require gymnastics, or difficult fasteners some other brands have used to facilitate this. Pearl Izumi has been doing this for a long time and adds all the other bells and whistles you want, like silicone grippers at the leg openings for no slip fit and integrated reflective elements for better visibility in low light riding, for $160.

If you want a lower price, but still the convenient drop-tail design and the same chamois, Pearl Izumi's Women's Podium Plus Bib Shorts are a great deal at $85 with their high-performance features.

The Terry Butterfly series is the most acclaimed women specific saddle of all time.

Saddle Upgrade: Few women's outdoor gear companies are more beloved than Terry Bicycles, founded way back in 1985 by Georgena Terry to fill the void in products for women. Terry introduced the first women specific frame designs, and for almost 40 years, female athletes have relied on the Terry catalog for clothing, accessories, and especially saddles. Terry pioneered the design of women's (and men's) performance saddles, and while they sell clothing by other brands, the saddles have always been the proprietary highlight. I have four road and gravel bikes, and have used women-specific saddles from other companies, and in the end always send up replacing them with ones from Terry. They received their first saddle patent more than three decades ago and today offer more than two dozen women's models (the men's styles are excellent too, and my husband rides one) for everything from leisurely cruising and city riding to long distance touring and competitive racing, with higher end models featuring carbon fiber, titanium rails and gel inserts. The choices run the gamut from $50-$220.

To simply things, they have an online saddle selector, which I recommend using. The most popular style has long been the Butterfly, which comes in several different versions, including the bestselling Butterfly Century ($190), their longest distance, lowest profile, widest cutaway take on the Butterfly design. It adds a layer of shock absorbing material between the saddle's base and foam layers to reduce road shock, while a thin layer of gel and a larger center cutaway provides greater soft tissue relief. It's made by hand in Italy.

The perfect glove for every kind of riding

Hands On: Road riding puts a lot of pressure on your hands, especially on long rides, and you need the padding to stay comfy and prevent numbness. Trail riding requires the extra protection you will appreciate if you go over the handlebars and hit the ground palms first. You could outfit yourself for cycling pretty much from head to toe just by shopping at Terry. They have many different women's glove models, short and long finger, and you can spend more, but for $40 its hard to beat the classic Touring Gel Gloves, in four sizes designed for a woman's hands, with microfiber backs, perfectly placed ergonomic gel padding on the front and a wrist closure designed with the nerves of the hand in mind. You’ll enjoy more comfortable rides for years with a single pair.

When It Rains: Even fair-weather cyclists sometimes get caught in a downpour, and when it comes to staying dry while being active, there is no bigger or better name than Gore-Tex. But a lot of people don't know that the legendary producer of the best breathable, windproof and waterproof active fabrics also has its own proprietary clothing line, Gorewear, specializing in cycling. The Women's Endure jacket ($250) is a best seller for a reason, because its exactly what you need.

It's tailored for all kinds of riding, road, mountain and gravel, it's super light and highly packable, has a helmet compatible hood - something oddly lacking on most cycling rain shells - and two front, zippered pockets to protect things like your phone from weather while keeping them handy. The Endure is made of completely windproof and waterproof Gore-Tex Paclite Plus, with the company's trademarked "Guaranteed to Keep You Dry" promise. It features an unlined construction for better breathability, has slightly extended back to protect against the spray you get from the rear tire when riding on wet surfaces, adjustable hem with interior drawcords for dialed in fit, Velcro cuff closures, reflective details for improved visibility in bad weather, zipper tags for easy one-handed adjustment on the fly, even pre-bent elbows to make the riding position more comfortable. When you finish, it dries quickly - a perfect rain shell for cycling, in five colors and patterns including high-viz yellow, and five sizes from 00-14.

I have a couple of Gorewear shells and they are so great I also use them as rain jackets while hiking, walking the dog, or for any activity that requires keeping dry inside and out while perspiring. If you commute by bike or are a more hardcore all-season rider, Gorewear makes a full range of women's foul weather gear, from tights to gloves to booties, vests and headwear.