The Road Biking Essentials of 2015

Published: May 14, 2015

The best stuff for racing and city riding.—Aaron Gulley

(Photo: Michael Karsh)

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The best stuff for racing and city riding.
—Aaron Gulley

Smith PivLock Arena Max sunglasses

We love Smith’s classic frameless ($239)��design for its feathery feel and quick lens changes. The new Arena Max has additional Velcro-like grip at the nose and temples, and it’s compatible with more helmets, thanks to shorter, thinner arms.

We love Smith’s classic frameless PivLock ($239) design for its feathery feel and quick lens changes. The new Arena Max has additional Velcro-like grip at the nose and temples, and it’s compatible with more helmets, thanks to shorter, thinner arms. smithoptics.com — We love Smith’s classic frameless ($239) design for its feathery feel and quick lens changes. The new Arena Max has additional Velcro-like grip at the nose and temples, and it’s compatible with more helmets, thanks to shorter, thinner arms.
(Michael Karsh)

Castelli Free Aero Race bibs

With a yoke-style harness that lies flat and comfortable, lightweight mesh leg grippers, and an extremely plush, seamless chamois, this is definitely the highest-quality ($199)��for your dollars.

Louis Garneau Course Air Lite shoes

Not only are these ($380) some of the lightest we’ve tried (our size 42’s weigh less than a water bottle), but the mesh in the upper and vents in the sole kept our feet cool even when the mercury hit the mid-nineties.

Not only are these double-Boa-closure shoes ($380) some of the lightest we’ve tried (our size 42’s weigh less than a water bottle), but the mesh in the upper and vents in the sole kept our feet cool even when the mercury hit the mid-nineties. louisgarneau.com — Not only are these ($380) some of the lightest we’ve tried (our size 42’s weigh less than a water bottle), but the mesh in the upper and vents in the sole kept our feet cool even when the mercury hit the mid-nineties.
(Michael Karsh)

POC AVIP Short Sleeve jersey

Only the Swedes can make traffic-cone orange sexy. Combining bright panels with clean lines and smart details—like the reflective back patch and internal zip pocket—the ($170)��keeps you safe in style.

Lazer Genesis Lifebeam helmet

Kiss your old chest strap goodbye. With an optical sensor embedded in the brow pad and a small rechargeable battery out back, the ($230)��measures and wirelessly transmits your heart rate to your smartphone—all while protecting against crashes.

Kiss your old chest strap goodbye. With an optical sensor embedded in the brow pad and a small rechargeable battery out back, the Genesis Lifebeam ($230) measures and wirelessly transmits your heart rate to your smartphone—all while protecting against crashes. lazersport.com — Kiss your old chest strap goodbye. With an optical sensor embedded in the brow pad and a small rechargeable battery out back, the ($230) measures and wirelessly transmits your heart rate to your smartphone—all while protecting against crashes.
(Michael Karsh)

Rapha Brevet jersey and gilet

The stylish ($265) is built for long days, with five pockets and reflective stripes; the vest bumps up visibility even more.

The stylish merino-poly jersey ($265) is built for long days, with five pockets and reflective stripes; the vest bumps up visibility even more. rapha.cc — The stylish ($265) is built for long days, with five pockets and reflective stripes; the vest bumps up visibility even more.
(Michael Karsh)

Giro Bib 2.0 Undershort

With three rear pockets for carrying tubes, a pump, and other essentials, these ($130) can support long days in the saddle. But they’re also lightweight, with a thin but comfy pad, so you can wear them under street clothes.

With three rear pockets for carrying tubes, a pump, and other essentials, these under-bibs ($130) can support long days in the saddle. But they’re also lightweight, with a thin but comfy pad, so you can wear them under street clothes. giro.com — With three rear pockets for carrying tubes, a pump, and other essentials, these ($130) can support long days in the saddle. But they’re also lightweight, with a thin but comfy pad, so you can wear them under street clothes.
(Michael Karsh)

Oakley Sliver sunglasses

Forgo the fitness-goon look and slip on these stylish, ��($130), with impact-resistant synthetic frames and shatterproof lenses good enough for the brightest days.

Forgo the fitness-goon look and slip on these stylish, high-performing shades ($130), with impact-resistant synthetic frames and shatterproof lenses good enough for the brightest days. oakley.com — Forgo the fitness-goon look and slip on these stylish, ($130), with impact-resistant synthetic frames and shatterproof lenses good enough for the brightest days.
(Michael Karsh)

Kitsbow Haskell shorts

The knee-length ($165) are constructed from a rugged DWR-coated stretch nylon that won’t catch, bind, or stain. The tailoring is exceptional: when we wore them to the bar, no one realized they were made for cycling.

The knee-length Haskells ($165) are constructed from a rugged DWR-coated stretch nylon that won’t catch, bind, or stain. The tailoring is exceptional: when we wore them to the bar, no one realized they were made for cycling. kitsbow.com — The knee-length ($165) are constructed from a rugged DWR-coated stretch nylon that won’t catch, bind, or stain. The tailoring is exceptional: when we wore them to the bar, no one realized they were made for cycling.
(Michael Karsh)

Rapha Climber’s shoes

We love the retro look of the synthetic upper and the three Velcro closures, but ($400)��is no throwback: it has a thin carbon sole for efficient pedaling and an adjustable-arch cork footbed.

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We love the retro look of the synthetic upper and the three Velcro closures, but this ($400) is no throwback: it has a thin carbon sole for efficient pedaling and an adjustable-arch cork footbed. rapha.cc — We love the retro look of the synthetic upper and the three Velcro closures, but ($400) is no throwback: it has a thin carbon sole for efficient pedaling and an adjustable-arch cork footbed.

(Michael Karsh)

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Lead Photo: Michael Karsh

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