When compiling my summer Editor’s Dozen this year, I started thinking about the choices I make when outfitting a bike. One of the unexpected perks of my job is sometimes getting to live with gear long after the review is published. While impressions during a review period are important, I’ve found that there’s another level of testing that comes many months later, as certain pieces become a choice among other options in my personal gear library. A few of the items below have become regular preferences for me, purely for their user-friendly design or sheer practicality.

This summer’s Editor’s Dozen is a mix of those picked, in-rotation favorites and a handful of newer things that have genuinely impressed me over the last several months. From bikepacking trips in Oaxaca to everyday singletrack laps closer to home, each has proven itself through repeated use rather than a single outing. As always, these aren’t necessarily the newest or flashiest products on the market, just the ones I’ve found myself reaching for again and again.

Revelate Choss Frame Bags

190/222 grams / Made in Seattle, USA / $135 at Revelate Designs

Kicking things off with a three-year-old product that perfectly illustrates the concept outlined above, here’s a pair of bags that I’ve used (in one size or the other) on nearly every mountain bike I’ve tested since reviewing them in 2023. Both versions of the Revelate Choss have proven to be incredibly versatile, practical, and simply enjoyable to use across a wide range of hardtails.

Much of that stems from the way the Choss solves one of the biggest challenges on modern mountain bike frames: actually fitting in the cramped front triangle. Its clever shape tucks neatly into the narrow wedges common on progressive hardtails and full-suspension bikes, while still leaving room for one or two water bottles or a variety of cargo cage setups, as shown on the Solstice. It basically does a good job at making the most of these relatively small spaces, particularly for an off-the-shelf option.

That said, it’s the details that keep me coming back. The full-length flat “map” pocket is perfect for stashing a pump so it doesn’t bang around inside the main compartment, the stretch panel relieves pressure when the bag is overstuffed, the silicone-backed straps do a decent job at keeping the bag from shifting, and the internal webbing organizer is just right for corralling small essentials—I usually keep my Bose earbud case there. It’s the wedge bag I recommend most often because it strikes an good balance between fit, organization, and everyday utility.

Goat Gloves

55 grams / $27 at Riv Bike

A couple of years ago, the PDW 1817 gloves landed in one of my Editor’s Dozen lists. I loved the grip of the leather palms, the built-in breathability, and natural anti-stink quality of cotton and leather. They held up pretty well in Mexico’s arid climate, but after that, I ended up blowing through a few pairs quicker than I would have hoped in the humid Appalachian Mountains. Fortunately, I found the GOAT, both literally and figuratively.

The GOAT Glove is a collaboration between Rivendell Bicycle Works and Cardiff Ltd., and I can confidently say they live up to their name. The GOAT pairs supple, vegetable-tanned goatskin palms with an organic cotton crochet back, relying on quality materials to provide comfort and grip. Similar to the 1817, the unpadded design offers a direct connection to the bars, which I prefer for everything from long gravel rides to technical singletrack. The leather develops a handsome patina over time and is softer and more supple than that of the 1817s. Plus, despite looking almost too nice to use, they’ve proven remarkably durable, even in the Southeast. I’ve been running one pair for over a year, and they’re still in great condition with no signs of fatigue. Sometimes, the simplest designs really are the best, and the GOAT is a much more hard-wearing and generally better version of this style of glove.

Bowl and Kettle Meals

Made in Colorado, USA / $15+ at Bowl and Kettle

I try not to rely too much on pre-packaged dehydrated/freeze-dried meals. They’re expensive, and I like to avoid single-use plastic packaging when possible. However, they have their time and place, and fortunately, there are some delicious options available these days from smaller cottage brands. Good To-Go and Luxefly Basecamp come to mind. More recently, someone told me to try Bowl and Kettle, a small Denver-based company founded by Sarah and Brett Bowlin, a pair of PCT thru-hikers. I’m glad I did.

At this point, Bowl and Kettle only offers three flagship flavors: Chicken Tikka Masala, Mexican Street Corn Grits, and Crawfish Étouffée. I’ve only tried the latter two. The Street Corn Grits was amazing—perhaps one of the best freeze-dried meals I’ve had—with highlights like organic Texas-grown yellow corn grits, a smoky poblano essence, and whole grape tomatoes.

However, the Étouffée impressed me the most. It reminded me of a langostina stew that some friends of ours from the Low Country used to make. It has a similarly rich roux and a base of onions, bell peppers, and celery (aka the Creole “trinity”). Crawfish tails sourced from Louisiana add a meaty texture, and a hot sauce packet caps off this Bayou-inspired dish.

King Cage Mini Thing Cage

47 grams / Made in Colorado, USA / $47 at King Cage

I own a dozen or more cargo cages, which I keep around for comparison. Over the last couple of years, the one I’ve reached for most is the King Cage Mini Thing Cage. It’s not exactly a full-blown cargo cage. It’s slightly smaller and only has two mounting points. It also relies on a single Voilé Nano Strap to secure whatever load you choose to strap onto it. In addition to its size and practicality, that simplicity is what keeps me reaching for it. The strap slot that holds the Nano Strap in place is another nice touch, making it the perfect perch for a single canned beverage that you pick up along the way.

Silca Ultimate Shock Pump

258 grams / $125 at Silca

One of my least favorite tools to use has always been the dreaded shock pump. I’m speaking of the typical ones from Fox and Rockshox. But that recently changed. After trying it, the Silca Ultimate Shock Pump is one of those products that made me wonder why there aren’t more options that improve on the shortcomings of those standard-issue pumps.

It makes sense that Silca took it to task. The brand built its reputation on well-designed pumps, so a premium shock pump feels like a natural extension to its product line. The standout feature for me is the zero-loss chuck, which has made dialing in suspension pressure a little less frustrating. It works as intended, but I also like that it has a long, relatively slender shape, making it easy to fit into more challenging recesses, like those on dropper posts, and still get a purchase on the knurled part of the dial.

The overall size and ergonomics of the handle and grab area are equally well-conceived. Plus, the rotating gauge, stainless braided hose, and beautifully machined aluminum construction are icing on the cake. It’s expensive for a shock pump, but I think it’s worth it. I can see it being a long-term investment that’ll live in workshops for years.

165mm Cranks

I was late to the short crank party—and admittedly skeptical. For most of my cycling career, I blissfully pedaled 175mm crank arms without question. After all, they came standard on large bikes for decades. They forced me to take pedal strikes in stride and learned cadence and proper technique as I pedaled through technical obstacles.

At some point in the early 2020s, as bikes and bottom brackets were trending lower, I switched to 170mm cranks to play nicely with the reduced clearance. Then, last year, I tested the Bird Forge, an interesting hardtail with an 87mm bottom bracket drop, which is wildly low compared to other mountain bikes I’d ridden. I decided to switch to 165mm cranks for that build, which seemed irrational to me given my long legs—I’m 6 feet tall and wear pants with a 34-inch inseam. The shorter crank arms fit that bike and helped normalize the pedal location to avoid interference with the deep ruts that run rampant on many of Oaxaca’s backcountry trails. Plus, I didn’t mind the difference. If anything, the smaller rotational profile almost seemed better for climbing on steep roads and trails.

I moved those same cranks onto the Esker Smokey, which has a relatively high bottom bracket. That combination clicked on these trails. The extra clearance from the shorter cranks gave me more confidence when attacking rocky, technical climbs, allowing me to pedal through obstacle gardens with fewer strikes and less hesitation. It wasn’t until later, when I rode the Solitaire and Unity—both with 170mm cranks—that I wished for the slightly shorter 165s. It’s not like that compounded centimeter of difference has transformed my riding, but it’s quietly become one of those small changes that I appreciate when climbing technical trails.

Batch CBD Gummies

Made in Wisconsin, USA / $40+ at Batch

Over the last year and a half, I’ve had a bout of insomnia, something I haven’t dealt with chronically since college. There have undoubtedly been plenty of contributing factors—a house remodel, the unending stress of owning and running a business, and the generally apocalyptic state of the world—but I knew I needed a little help. I tried melatonin back in my university days, but it gave me epic nightmares and made me feel groggy the next day. After doing some research, I decided to give some of the newer non-psychoactive cannabinoids a try.

I eventually landed on Batch, a small company that produces full-spectrum hemp extract from organically grown plants on its Wisconsin farm. They’re GMP-certified and use third-party testing, which gave me some confidence in the product. I’m sure there are plenty of other reputable options out there, but so far, so good. Lately, I’ve been sleeping much better using their Original CBD Gummies and Nighttime Gummies (not shown), the latter of which combine 25 milligrams of CBD with 15 milligrams of CBN, plus L-theanine and passion flower extract.

PAUL NOQR

30 grams / Made in California, USA / $80+ at PAUL Comp

Out of all the bits and pieces that go into a bike build, I’m usually most pedantic with the seat post collar. I’ve simply had too many slipping seat posts and situations where the clamp affects dropper performance. My go-to over the years has been the Hope seat post clamp. Its deep profile and clever bolt clamp spread out the clamping force to solve these issues. Now there’s another game in town, and it’s good to have options.

The PAUL NOQR was designed specifically to improve clamping distribution using a curved nut and an extra-tall collar. You can hear all about it directly from the horse’s mouth on Paul’s video here, but I’ve been impressed with it over the last couple of months and can see this going on many future builds. Bonus points for a variety of finishes, including anodized black, purple, and silver.

Pillow Strap and Thick Pillows

65 grams / Made in USA / $42 at Garage Grown Gear

One of these days, I’ll get around to making some sort of “best of” roundup for camp pillows, but in the meantime, I feel like I’m continuously updating my setup. More is always better, and I’ve become accustomed to carrying two pillows—one stuff-sack-style and one inflatable—to add volume. However, I think I’ve found a winner with the Pillow Strap. It’s made in the USA from a soft, stretchy nylon fabric designed to hold your camp pillow and additional layers, like a puffy, to bulk it up. Even better, it straps to your sleeping pad to stop it from sliding around. All I can say is that I wish I’d have found this sooner.

XT/XTR Brakes

$530+ at Jenson

I know we gave these a Gear of the Year award last year, and at this point I’m feeding a fed horse. However, I’ve reviewed some high-end brakes lately, and every time I climb back on my full-XT-equipped Cotic BFe, I’m even more impressed with Shimano’s (still relatively new) four-piston stoppers.

The 2025 redesign was monumental, addressing many of the shortcomings of the previous generation that folks have been awaiting for some time. They essentially revised the entire brake system, down to refined hose routing, new caliper seals and pistons, and a lower-viscosity fluid. As we’ve reported, all this was in an effort to improve heat management and deliver a more consistent bite point on long descents—eliminating the dreaded “wandering bite point.” They’ve been pretty flawless in my now longer-term experience. I was so impressed that I recently took a bath and equipped Virginia’s new Solstice with a pair of the XTRs.

Helinox Chair Zero LT

533 grams / $160 at Garage Grown Gear

Regular readers might recall my love affair with the Helinox Chair Zero. It has gone everywhere with me for the last few years. It’s plenty comfortable, tough as nails, and the weight and size are worth the added comfort. Earlier this year, Helinox released a new version called the Chair Zero LT. With a packed weight of just 533 grams (1 pound, 3 ounces), it shaves a little from the bottom line of the original. And after using it for a while, I think I prefer the new “GhostGrid” material, a mesh-like fabric that makes it more breathable, too. The Chair Zero LT also comes equipped with the new Helinox X-Strap stabilizer, which increases ground surface area to reduce sinking and shifting on softer terrain. I think they have another winner on their hands.

Having a Huckleberry

Speaking of things I return to, I’ve also been thinking about the rides that have quietly become fixtures in my life. They’re the ones I look forward to every week, not because they’re the biggest or most spectacular, but because they’ve become familiar companions. Two of mine are a variation of Out and Black in Pisgah National Forest and a local trail called Escalones in Oaxaca. Each dishes out a couple thousand feet of climbing, mixes in technical puzzles that demand attention, and finishes with enough rewarding descending to make the effort worthwhile.

Top: singlespeeding Out and Black; Bottom-left: Escalones on the Smokey; Bottom-right: Cass ratcheting up the crux on Escalones

Over time, both of these have become more than just rides. Like my favorite “spot in the road,” they’re places I know intimately, where I notice subtle changes with every visit: a tree that finally gave way in a storm, a rock that became unlodged, or how light filters through the forest at different times of year. I think every rider needs a huckleberry—a go-to route that never seems to get old, one that becomes a benchmark, a refuge, and a reminder that you don’t always need to chase new places.

“Heavy” Organ Music

Alright, here’s to a proper baker’s dozen. Ever since I stumbled on Anna Von Hausswolf’s tectonic 2025 release, Iconoclast, I’ve had her music in rotation. This isn’t for everyone, but it’s been bathing my soul lately with epic lyrics and even more monumental instrumentals that, when woven together, create their own class of music influenced by modern jazz, doom metal, sea shanties, and post-rock. Anna’s instrument of choice is the pipe organ, although one of the heavier songs in this little playlist I put together is a rare one with her on guitar.

If you’re interested in purchasing any of these products, please support your local bike shop and buy from them when possible. If you can’t, or they're only obtainable online, we’ve provided links to manufacturers and stores where they are currently available; some of these retailers offer a modest referral fee, which helps support this platform. This has no bearing on the review or selection.

Further Reading

Make sure to dig into these related articles for more info...