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    2020 Gear of the Year - FeedTheHabit.com
    Gear Reviews

    2020 Gear of the Year

    Jason MitchellBy Jason MitchellDecember 18, 2020No Comments7 Mins Read

    Collectively, we’ll all be glad to see January 2021 on the calendar. Everything will be fresh and new. Hope is on the way. This year, in particular, represented the resiliency of brands and their ability to bring new products to market — all amidst the most chaotic supply chain of modern times. With that, we have a few items that stood out and brought us joy in 2020. Here goes.

    Bontrager Aeolus Pro 37 Wheelset

    Bontrager Aeolus Pro 37 Wheelset Review
    The Aeolus Pro 37’s are impressive and affordable hoops.

    Though Bontrager understandably delayed the launch of these by a few months, they were well worth the wait. Aiming to deliver the perfect blend of aerodynamics, stability and speed, the Aeolus Pro 37 wheelset also comes in at a super-approachable $1300 price point. We’ve recommended these wheels to locals on several occasions and they have all praised them. Oh, and tubeless setup on these is an absolute breeze. 

    Read More: Bontrager Aeolus Pro 37 Review


    ENVE SES Tubeless Tires

    ENVE SES 29c Road Tire Review
    The 29c measures out to 31mm on 25mm wide rims.

    2020 will be the year that ENVE made things out of rubber and aluminum. On the rubber side, the fresh SES 29c Road Tires impressed. They come in as some of the lightest tubeless tires for their size and have proven to be wicked-fast, comfortable and grippy. They are a little more difficult to seat, but if you’re going tubeless, you know the drill. If light and fast is your game and your hoops are ready for road tubeless, ENVE has some rubber for you.

    Read More: ENVE SES 29c Road Tires Review


    BMC URS 01 One

    BMC URS 01 One Review
    Is it a mountain bike with drop bars? Well… sorta.

    We didn’t think the BMC URS would end up as our top gravel bike for 2020, but here we are. The URS possesses all the best qualities 2020 demanded in a gravel bike: comfort, capability and fun. In fact, the URS reminded us just how much fun gravel bikes are. Admittedly, the model tested is the 2021 URS One 01, but it’s available now and will put a smile on your face no matter what year you ride it in.

    Read More: BMC URS 01 One Review


    Ergon GA3 Grips

    Ergon GA3 Grips Review
    Those wings add a good dose of comfort.

    As mountain bikers age (or refuse to age), a little extra help is always welcomed. This year, we had the Trek Supercaliber as our “Corona Escape Vehicle” and the wrist-friendly Ergon GA3 grips were a natural addition. That little mini wing offers wrist relief without getting in the way of bike handling. Ergon grips are always tops on our list and these just earned a spot for 2020. 

    Read More: Ergon GA3 Grips Review


    Tifosi Sledge Sunglasses

    Tifosi Sledge Sunglasses Review
    Big and bold, the Tifosi Sledge offers excellent field-of-vision.

    Big. Flashy. Obnoxious. Yes, yes and yes. The enormous Tifosi Sledge sunglasses are exactly what everyone is looking for in a great pair of cycling glasses. The field-of-vision is superb, lens changes are a breeze, they fit great and won’t break the bank. The Sledge is by far our favorite pair of Tifosi’s ever tested. 

    Read More: Tifosi Sledge Sunglasses Review


    Patagonia Airshed Pro Pullover

    Patagonia Airshed Pro Pullover Review
    Great for cool morning trail runs.

    While the full High Endurance Kit is very specialized, the Airshed Pro Pullover can be added to your existing kit and you’ll love every minute of it. It’s a lightweight, form-fitting, breathable hooded pullover that moves with you. I found myself going for a trail run and then comfortably keeping it on for the rest of the day. 

    Read More: Patagonia Airshed Pro Pullover Review


    Shimano GRX RX810 1x

    Shimano GRX RX810 on the Argon 18 Dark Matter
    1x mechanical never felt so good.

    Mechanical drivetrains are dead, right? Wrong. Dead wrong. Shimano’s 1x GRX RX810 gravel groupset is an absolute delight with rapid shifts and powerful, ergonomic braking. At the height of 2020 lockdown hysteria and after dealing with the aftermath of a serious earthquake, simple mechanical drivetrains were so, so welcomed. No power or apps are needed to get the GRX groupset rocking and rolling. We really had a blast aboard the Argon 18 Dark Matter donned with the Shimano GRX RX180 groupset. It’s affordable and bombproof — just what every gravel rider likes to hear.

    Read More: Shimano GRX RX810 Review


    RockShox SID SL Ultimate

    2021 RockShox SID SL Ultimate Review
    Smooth, light and fast — the SID impresses!

    The lightest XC fork on the planet didn’t disappoint. Nope. Adding the RockShox SID SL Ultimate to the Trek Supercaliber tipped that bike further into XC dream machine territory. Not only is the SID SL Ultimate feathery-light, it’s plush beyond its travel grade and stiff beyond stiff for a responsive, fast and smooth.

    Read More: RockShox SID SL Ultimate Review


    Trek Supercaliber 9.8

    Trek Supercaliber 9.8 - Flying Singletrack
    Don’t mind me… I’m just flying around the local singletrack.

    The Supercaliber is a truly unique entry into the XC race market. With a mere 60mm rear travel via the IsoStrut suspension system, you’d think it would ride like a softail of yesteryear. However, the Supercaliber delights on every level and excels at typical up/down race tracks. The kicker is just how fast this bike ascends up both long grinders and short, steep sections. Needless to say, the new PR’s set on the Supercaliber might last awhile.

    Read More: Trek Supercaliber 9.8 Review


    Hoka One One Speedgoat 4 GTX

    Hoka One One Speedgoat 4 GTX Review
    Good enough for anything you can throw their way.

    Trail running and inclement weather often go hand-in-hand. This is particularly true during shoulder seasons when temperatures drop and snow or rain is common. The Gore-Tex waterproof bootie keeps wind, cold, rain and snow from slowing you down and the Vibram outsole delivers superb traction. Don’t forget the ultra-comfortable ride these squishy-yet-responsive trail runners deliver.

    Read More: Hoka One One Speedgoat 4 GTX


    Wahoo ELMNT ROAM

    Wahoo ELEMNT ROAM Review - Workout Summary
    Tons of data for quick consumption after every workout.

    Reliable, readable and rock-solid — the three R’s of bike computers (dontchaknow). The Wahoo ELMNT ROAM has all three in spades. That crystal-clear display does wonders for data junkies capturing all the deets of their ride and Wahoo’s slick companion app is bonkers-easy to use. 

    Read More: Wahoo ELEMNT ROAM Review


    Oakley Crossrange Glasses with SportRX

    Oakley Crossrange Rx Review
    Prescription glasses for all your adventures.
    If you wear glasses or have a heavy prescription, finding good adventure eyewear can feel like a lifelong journey. SportRX made it easy to find a lens and frame that could accommodate my heavy prescription, and their customer support was exceptionally good at fielding questions and ideas to get to just the right product. The Oakley Crossrange frame coupled with their Prism Trail lens give flawless optics in rapidly changing terrain, as well as low light conditions (although they are a bit weak for bright light).
    Read More: Oakley Crossrange SportRX Review

    Arc’teryx Proton LT Hoody

    Arc'teryx Proton LT Hoody Review
    All smiles in the Proton FL.
    Active insulators have been on the market for several years now, but I was never really sold on them. The Arc’teryx Proton LT was the first active insulator that really sold me on the technology. Over the course of a multi-day Canada hut trip (back when we could ski in Canada!), the jacket totally proved itself in challenging conditions, keeping me warm, dry and comfortable. 
    Read More: Arc’teryx Proton LT Review
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    Jason Mitchell
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    A native of the Pacific Northwest, Jason quickly developed a love for the outdoors and a thing for mountains. That infatuation continues as he founded this site in 1999 -- sharing his love of road biking, mountain biking, trail running and skiing. That passion is channeled into every article or gear review he writes. Utah's Wasatch Mountains are his playground.

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