1
See and Be Seen
Garmin Varia RTL515
Now 25% Off
Credit: Trevor Raab
Having experienced one too many close calls with cars, it’s clear that being seen isn’t enough for cyclists nowadays. And that’s why bike lights with rear-facing radar systems can be a massive help for riding with confidence. Garmin’s Varia RTL515 pairs with your head unit, giving you an early visual and audible warning when cars are approaching. Even if you don’t have a head unit to connect it to, it will blink faster as cars approach.
2
Digital Tire Gauge
Topeak D2 SmartGauge Black/Grey, One Size
Now 15% Off
Credit: Trevor Raab
Finding the perfect tire pressure has become a hot topic here at the office. The right number can make a significant difference to your comfort and speed on the bike. And that’s why aiming small, with the precision you get from a digital gauge like Topeak’s SmartGauge D2, can produce big results on the bike.
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3
Your Next Best Saddle
Fizik Tempo Argo R5
Saddles are an incredibly personal component of cycling. However, there’s something to be said for experimentation when finding a saddle that agrees with your backside. Fizik’s Tempo Argo R5 is a great place to start: Despite its fairly exotic-looking shape, this is the more basic variant of the Argo featuring alloy rails. You may have noticed it’s quite wide at the back—160mm, to be exact—featuring a sizable cutout to reduce pressure in some of those critical areas downstairs.
4
Roll-Fast Rubber
Continental Grand Prix 5000 (700 X 25)
It turns out a really nice set of tires can actually be one of the most cost-effective upgrades you can do to your bike. Our very own Dan Chabanov proved this in his recent test involving Trek’s least- and most-expensive Madone race bikes. Just the tire change alone saved an estimated 5 seconds per mile—adding an estimated .8 mph to his average speed.
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5
Great Value
Ridenow TPU Inner Tubes
Tubeless tires are brilliant when they work properly. However, they’re often also expensive and equally difficult to set up. TPU innertubes aren’t necessarily an alternative to going tubeless—in fact, they can often be more prone to going flat—but they can help you go faster. They’re also much easier to pack down small into a saddlebag, which is great for putting together a reliable flat kit that won’t leave you stranded.
6
No-Fuss Sealant
Muc Off No Puncture Hassle Tubeless Sealant
Muc-Off’s tire sealant is a great option for those of you who are indeed looking to go tubeless. In our recent testing, it sealed up smaller punctures almost instantly, putting it well above many other sealants on the market. This 1-liter bottle costs $35.64, putting it on the pricier side, but you get a lot more than just good sealant. Muc-Off’s latest stuff is UV-reactive, making it dead easy to spot slow leaks under UV light.
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7
Rim Tape
Muc-Off Tubeless Rim Tape (35mm) 
Good tubeless rim tape can be the difference between a reliable tubeless system and leaking sealant all over your kitchen floor. Ask me how I know. Muc-off’s rimtape has become a staple in our shop, and it’s not by accident. Along with fulfilling the baseline job of sealing the rim bed, it has some nifty tricks up its sleeve. Not only is it semi-transparent to help you locate your valve during installation, but it also comes with a set of patches to troubleshoot potential leaks.
Matt Crisara is a native Austinite who has an unbridled passion for cars and motorsports, both foreign and domestic. He was previously a contributing writer for Motor1 following internships at Circuit Of The Americas F1 Track and Speed City, an Austin radio broadcaster focused on the world of motor racing. He earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Arizona School of Journalism, where he raced mountain bikes with the University Club Team. When he isn’t working, he enjoys sim-racing, FPV drones, and the great outdoors.
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