At its core, Mountain biking is a sport that doesn’t take itself too seriously. From Christoper Walken promo videos to Ratboy’s questionable hairdos, the bike community seems to enjoy not giving a f*ck. Instead, our attention and energy are better used for real priorities: riding our bikes and having a good time. So if you’re looking to add a little pizzazz into your kit and gear, we’ve got a few ideas for you. We can’t promise that any of these things will have you riding like Casey Brown or R-Dog, but at least you’ll look fast.
RELATED: TGR’s 5 Favorite MTB Upgrades
Club Ride Hawaiian Shirt Jersey - $79.95-89.95
Get the men’s jersey Here, women’s Jersey Here
Every mountain biker needs a solid party shirt. Most opt for the $4 Hawaiian shirt from the local thrift store, which is a noble and respectable choice. But its durability is questionable. Imagine having that same surfy vibe but in a shirt that is lightweight, stretchy, and that has zippable pockets. Thankfully, Club Ride brought that vision to life with their Dirt Surfer and Sandia Jersey. The jerseys have all the bells and whistles you’d expect from a traditional bike garment: moisture-wicking fabric, sun protection, and arm vents. And the best part is that when you’re finished with the ride you don’t even need to change. You’re already ready for the after-party.
Five Ten Sleuth DLX - $120
Get the men’s pair here, women’s pair here
Mountain bike shoes are a necessary part of your kit, but they’re not always the sleekest shoes. If you’re looking for a pair of shoes you can wear on and off the trail, the Five Ten Sleuth DLX is for you. The Sleuth DLX is like the more stylish cousin to the Freerider, which is the brand’s iconic flat bike shoe. The upper material is soft suede leather, that almost passes for a stylish skate shoe. You don’t even realize its a bike shoe until you flip it over and see the outsole’s stealth phantom rubber dotty tread. I wouldn’t ride the absolute gnarliest trails you can find day in and day out with these shoes since they’re not as reinforced as a normal bike shoe. However, should you clip a rock, the shoes have extra protection around the toes and heels just in case.
Industry Nine Enduro 305s Wheels w/ Hydra Hubs - Starts at 1355.00
Get the wheels here
Industry Nine prides itself on completely handbuilt wheels that are manufactured right in their shop in Asheville, North Carolina. The company, which lives and breathes cycling, is best known for its wheels. Their Enduro 305 is our favorite because they’re built in mind for the rider who wants to ride anywhere and everything. It’s a versatile, strong, and stiff wheel made from premium alloy. They’re built with the infamous I-9 Hydra hub, which means 690 points of engagement between you and your wheels. If this all wasn’t already enticing, I-9 lets you fully customize the color. So go ahead and design the wheel of your dreams.
Rocky Mountain Slayer - Starts at $7999
Get the bike here
For the rider that just wants to get a bit rowdier on the trails, Rocky Mountain’s new Slayer is the bike for you. The 2020 rendition of the Slayer is a bike that’s having a bit of an identity crisis. It’s a trail bike that could easily go toe to toe with a DH bike—it’s just missing the dual crown fork. A few noticeable changes about the new Slayer are that it’s longer and slacker, making it a joy to take down aggressively steep terrain. They kept their iconic RIDE-4 system, which allows riders to finesse their geometry for a more custom fit. Overall the new bike represents the brand's desire to honor their freeride legacy. Considering it’s a bike that makes three diverse riders—Carson Storch, Remi Gauvin, and Thomas Vanderham—very happy, you’ll probably have a good time on it too.
Oakley Sutro Glasses - $166
Get the glasses here
Riding glasses have evolved in the last decade. These days for trail riding, there isn’t just the stereotypically sporty-looking eyewear. Instead, we have glasses that feel a bit more urban and that make a statement. Drawing inspiration from their iconic goggles, Oakley designed the Sutro with an oversized frame so that your field of vision remains unobstructed. They’re big and bold, but as we’ve seen with competitors like Smith and 100%, this Pit Viper-esque trend is currently hot within the bike world. On top of looking pretty darn fast, these glasses feature a Prizm lens which aids in maximizing contrast and enhancing visibility.
About The Author
stash member Katie Lozancich
TGR Staff Writer and photographer. Fond of bikes, pow, and dogs. Originally from Northern CA, home for me has ranged from the PNW to a teepee in Grand Teton National Park.