Essential Summer Gear: Bike

Good bikes are priceless. A great mountain bike will come with an incredibly strong frame, shocks that can endure drops of 2 feet or more, and rear suspension to keep your butt from falling asleep. The bikes we found for both men and women fit the bill perfectly.

Cannondale Rush SL 5Z Bike
The Rush SL 5Z is great for endurance off-road riding with the top tube’s Performance Bend Radius and large shock mount providing enhanced load distribution and the Fox Fork taking off weight, due to it being the lightest in its class.
Get it here.

Novara Bliss 2.0 Women’s Mountain Bike
Designed to fit women, this bike has lightweight shocks and wheel sets, RockShox suspension in the front and rear, and a SRAM X7 27-speed drivetrain for flawless shifting.
Get it here.

Everyone has taken a tumble while mountain biking, so you should know how necessary a helmet is. These two helmets protect your noggin and still give you plenty of ventilation and great fit.

Giro Hex Helmet
Described by one backcountry.com user as “Light and Comfy” this helmet looks cool and is still affordable.
Get it here.

Giro Havoc Helmet
27 air scoops keep this helmet well ventilated, and the Acu Dial 2 fit system keeps it secure. Not to mention it will do a great job of keeping you safe.

Bike shoes are a whole lot more than tennis shoes with clips on the bottom. A firm sole takes a little work out of pedaling and easy adjustable straps make your foot comfortable.

Northwave Bike Raptor SBS Cycling Shoes
Not only will you get a great grip in these shoes, but the Step-By-Step (SBS) instep buckle adjusts tighter or loosens up with the touch of a lever for fine-tuning mid-ride. Plus, the Y-shaped heel counter banishes heel slip forever.
Get it here.

Sidi Dominator 5 Bike Shoe
Italians sure know how to make shoes. The Dominator 5 has easy-to-adjust straps, feminine-specific lasting, and lorica synthetic leather that won’t get wet or scratched. Get it here.

Gone are the days of lycra and spandex. Today’s mountain bikers wear loose-fitting shorts on top of the tight shorts for style as well as function.

Oakley Trail MTB Bike Short
This short wicks moisture and dries quickly as well as has mesh vent panels and stretchy saddle sleeves for comfort and a cool breeze.
Get it here.

Fox Racing Diva Bike Short
Fox thought of everything when they made this short- adjustable waist tabs, a detachable liner, and plenty of pockets.
Get it here.

A normal cotton t-shirt won’t suffice for a long day of hard riding. You need something with easy-to-reach pockets and enough vents to keep you from chafing.

Pearl Izumi Slice Versa Bike Jersey – Short Sleeve
Avoid stares and chafing with this loose-fitting jersey.
Get it here.

Oakley Trail Bike Jersey – Short Sleeve
UV protection blocks harmful rays, and mesh ventilation helps cool you when things heat up. Perspiration? Don’t sweat it – quick-drying material wicks moisture away from your skin and to the outside of the shirt where it can evaporate.
Get it here.