Gear

Read reviews and tips about racks, fenders, clothing, and other gear from Adventure Cycling staff writing for our blog, as well as past and present Adventure Cyclist contributors. 

Photo by Tara Alan

Hauling it All -- Make Your Own Panniers
Hauling it All: How To Make Your Own Panniers

Greg Siple Award winner, Sara Chars, authored this DIY tutorial on making bicycle panniers. Sara led a pannier-making workshop last month as part of her Greg Siple Award outreach project.

A Rack Primer
A Rack Primer

All you'll ever need to know about bicycle pannier racks. 

Pannier Roundup, Part 1
Pannier Roundup, Part 1

By Mike Deme and Alex Strickland Panniers looking tired after a long summer of adventure? Check out our pannier roundup and get your replacements picked out.

Video Review: Novara Mazama
Video Review: Novara Mazama

In this video, Adventure Cyclist contributor Patrick O'Grady shows off the Novara Mazama touring bicycle.

Tiger Eye Mirror
Tiger Eye Mirror

Maintaining a keen awareness of your surroundings is one of the best things you can do to keep yourself safe when cycling on the road. Since bicycles don't come stock with rearview mirrors, and not everyone can turn their heads without veering out into the road, an aftermarket rearview mirror can be a huge asset.

Video Review: Nobilette
Video Review: Nobilette

In this video, Adventure Cyclist contributor Patrick O'Grady shows off his custom Nobilette road bike.

Osprey Raptor Hydration Pack
Osprey Raptor Hydration Pack

I've been using the Raptor hydration pack from Osprey for over a year now with a brief interlude using a model from another major national brand. The Raptor's design continues to stand out as one of exceptional quality.

Off With the Elements
Off With The Elements

The Niagara by Canari is my go-to, everyday commuting jacket. I’ve also used it for long distance trips. The Niagara, in my opinion, is an on-the-road, everyday, 3-season (fall, winter, spring) jacket. Being both windproof and waterproof, it has everything you could ask for in a cycling jacket.

BikeFlights.com
BikeFlights.com

Unless your bike tour begins close to home, transporting your bike can be one of the most difficult tasks in preparing for your journey. Flying with bikes can be outrageously expensive and shipping can cause all sorts of headaches in regards to where you're going to send the bike, and whether or not it will arrive on time. If you're struggling with these issues, you might want to turn your attention to BikeFlights.com.

Things Teri Loves: PackTowl
Things Teri Loves: PackTowl

Teri loves the PackTowl, especially the XXL size.

Holiday Gear Guide
Holiday Gear Guide

by Mike Deme and Alison Riley. Gift Ideas for the Cyclist in Your Life. If you're looking for holiday gift ideas for the adventurous cyclists in your life, you're in luck. 

Baja Bicycle Tour Gear List
Baja Bicycle Tour Gear List

Unlike other tours I've taken south of the border, this one presented some unique challenges. For starters, the route called for a mix of pavement, sand, and gravel roads. Heading into the Baja desert, we also needed to be sensitive to flat tires from thorns, in addition to hydration with temps much higher than what we're used to this time of year. Here's a rundown on the route, bike selection, equipment, and tools.

Blackburn AirStik 2Stage Pump
Blackburn AirStik 2Stage Pump

It's hard to beat the efficiency, and nostalgic look, of a frame pump mounted under the top tube of a touring bike. Unfortunately, if you have multiple bikes, such as touring and mountain bike, a frame pump may not fit on both frames, making a pocket sized pump a more economical option.

Give Up the Racks

by Jill Homer. If you try framepacks, you may never go back. (PDF)

Who Needs Fenders?

by Sheldon Brown. Explains the purpose, and different types of fenders. (PDF)