Bicycling USA – July 2019

ISSUE 5 • BICYCLING.COM 19

Shimano SPD / $135 I’ve used Shimano SPD pedals for over 30 years. They’re

strong and durable, but they struggle in wet conditions, and the interface can feel

sloppy. So I’m always searching for something better. I recently purchased some

HT T1 ($135) pedals, and they’re promising. Smooth and crisp entr y and release, no

surprise ejections, consistent in wet and muddy conditions, and little slop between

the cleat and pedal. And they’ve held up to many rock strikes and drags. If they

continue to hold up, I’ll have a new go-to pedal system.—Matt Phillips

100% Speedcraft SL /

$195

When you’re trying to pick

your line down a rough, body-

jostling descent, you don’t

want your shades sliding

down your nose. This used

to happen to me all the time,

which is why most of my

sunglasses ended up getting

tossed into my pack for the

rest of the ride. But the 100%

Speedcraft SL might be the

best sunglasses I’ve worn for

technical mountain biking.

The grippy nosepiece provides

generous coverage, and the

arms have just enough ten-

sion to hold everything in

place. The wraparound lens

gives you a massive field of

vision (and style for days)

and almost completely seals

out dust, wind, mud, and rain.

Basically, these shades do

almost everything goggles

do, without the fogging. The

metallic-blue mirror lens

blocks the most glaring rays

in the high deser t where I

ride (which is why you see

them on so many riders in

sunny places like Southern

California). Every pair comes

with a bonus clear lens, and

low-light lenses are available

too, so you’re covered even

if you ride in the dense, dark

woods.—Gloria Liu

THE

UN-GOGGLE

GOGGLE

A SUBLIME

COMMUTER

PACK

Timbuk2 Especial Scope
Expandable Backpack/
$189

There are a lot of good com-
muter bags, but many I’ve tried
have failed in one of five key
ways. This one nails them all.

1. If it’s heavy when empty,
   it’s already a burden. At 2.75
   pounds, the Scope is so light
   I’ve found myself double-
   checking that I didn’t forget
   my lunch or laptop.


2. A dark interior can be like
   the Bermuda Triangle. The
   Scope’s neon yellow liner is the
   ideal backdrop for finding, say,
   that pair of earrings you care-
   lessly tossed in before a ride.
   3. Big on the outside doesn’t
   always translate to roomy
   on the inside. The Scope’s
   expandable gusset adds 730
   cubic inches to the 1,465 you
   already have.
   4. Too many pockets is almost
   as bad as not enough. The
   Scope has the ideal mix.
   There’s an easy-to-access
   laptop sleeve in the main
   compar tment and a zippered,
   waterproof one for rainy com-
   mutes. An exterior pocket fully
   unzips and opens flat to reveal
   mesh organizational sleeves,
   and a side-zip outer pocket
   and stretchy side pouches
   hold things you want quick
   access to—like water bottles
   and your phone.
   5. If the pack is uncomfort-
   able, none of the above mat-
   ters. With breathable and
   adjustable mesh shoulder
   straps, a padded and water-
   proof back panel, removable
   sternum strap, and magnetic
   compression straps for cinch-
   ability, the Scope passes the
   comfor t test.—Jen Sherry

THE CONTINUING QUEST

FOR A BETTER CLIPLESS PEDAL