Top Ten Recommendos

 Welcome to a top-ten list of cycling items I would heartily recommend for any gravel cycling person out there. This list comprises my choices of the top-ten items I am most impressed with and which I use personally. These represent the things I would tell you to buy if you asked me. 

I should say some of these items were review items which I have continued to use. So, please refer to the Standard Disclaimer for how I view such things.  

I also will be posting a few links to the company websites and in a few cases I will pass along some recent information on discounts and sales I am aware of. You should know II do not have any affiliate links, association with sales/discounts, or any ties whatsoever to promotions these companies are running currently. I have not, and will not ever, monetize Guitar Ted Productions. 

So, let's get into the list. These are listed in no particular order, by the way. I also may have a few extra recommendos along with my choices in certain cases. 

Ergon BT Gravel Handlebar Tape

Handle bar tape is something many of us do not give a lot of thought to beyond color. However; it can enhance your ride to a great degree if you choose your tape carefully. 

I've found from using many different brands of handle bar tape over the past 20 years that Ergon's BT Gravel tape is the best from a ride feel and durability standpoint. 

While it costs a little bit more than some other tapes, this is not a place to 'cheap-out' on since you have your hands here most of your riding time. Why not have the most comfortable tape you can get? At $44.95 USD, it is worth it to protect your hands and get a better ride to boot. 

I will say two negative things about this tape: One- Their color options are limited and will not be everyone's cup of tea. Second - BT Gravel tape is some of the most difficult tape to install I've ever used. So, be sure to have an experienced mechanic put it on for you, or carefully follow Ergon's video instructions if you want to try to install it yourself. 

Despite my reservations, I still would highly recommend this tape as being the best you can get. Plus, Ergon's BT OrthoCell pad accessory can make the BT Gravel tape even more comfortable. 
 

Ergon AllRoad SR Core Comp Saddle

Snub-nosed saddles are the fashion in seating for performance cycling these days. The first saddle of this type I ever tried was Ergon's SR AllRoad Core Comp. Ironically, it is the only snub-nosed saddle I still use!

Ergon uses a center channel design to relieve soft tissue issues and the padding is generous without being too soft or unsupported. This particular model, the SR AllRoad Core Comp, has steel rails, but you can get higher end titanium or carbon railed versions if you want. 

The Core saddle line uses BASF Infinergy padding, which is amazing. It really is different. It probably is the main reason, besides the non-irritating fit, that I keep this saddle on my Noble GX5, where it has been since I received it for a review several years ago.  

This saddle comes in two sizes and runs $154.95 from Ergon's site. You might find it cheaper online. 

I like this saddle as it reduces gravel road vibrations well, plus it doesn't irritate me at all. I know..... Saddles are highly personal items. Not every recommendation will suit some people. This is, unfortunately, a truth and you can only discover what works best for you by some trial and error. I'd recommend getting a sit bone measurement, if possible, and this will help guide your choices.   
 

Redshift Sports ShockStop Stem

Image courtesy of Redshift Sports

Anyone who has read this blog for very long knows I am a big fan and user of Redshift Sports ShockStop stems. 

While many are excited by the prospects for telescopic front forks on gravel bikes, I do not subscribe to the hype. Most "all-road" applications should be focused upon vibration reduction, not the absorption of obstacles as in mountain biking. If this seems wise, then it makes zero sense to have a telescopic front fork with its excessive weight, complexity, and frequent maintenance schedules. Especially when a 'suspension stem', like the ShockStop, does the job for less money, zero maintenance, and in a far better, more efficient way. 

Adding in the tune-ability of the spring rate, the ability to mount the ShockStop on almost any gravel bike, and its far less expensive cost versus a telescopic fork, it is a better choice. All of those things make the ShockStop stem a high value-high performance option. An option which more gravel riders would do well to explore.  Especially now since Redshift is running a sale offering riders 25% off regular prices now through November 17th. 

Redshift Sports also has several other products I'd recommend like their ShockStop seat posts and their awesome pedals. But the ShockStop stem is the product I will not ride without. Check it out if you desire a better ride experience.  

 Redshift Sports Kitchen Sink Handlebar

Flared drop bars are a product of early attempts to make mountain biking more comfortable and controlled. When gravel cycling got going in the mid-2000's, the flared drop bar enjoyed a renaissance of sorts, and they became ubiquitous on most every gravel bicycle you see anymore. 

One of my favorite flared drop bars is the Redshift Sports Kitchen Sink handle bar with the extension on the front. (It is also available without the extension)

The Kitchen Sink has a little riser action going on, a decent amount of flare, but not too much, and the extension can hold the excellent Kitchen Sink Handlebar Bag, which is a great accessory. If you are not a fan of that much flare in your handlebars, there is a Low Flare option for this handlebar as well. 

That's a lot of options for one handlebar model. I'd always choose the regular Kitchen Sink with the extension and bag, but it is great to see Redshift offering variations on the theme. You can also see I have the Cruise Control grips on my Kitchen Sink bar, which I love. Plus, these are all on sale as mentioned above until 11/1725. 
 

Twin Six Thermal Cargo Bib Shorts

Image courtesy of Twin Six

It is getting cooler every day, and the Winter cycling gear is getting drug out of drawers and closets all across the world in the Northern Hemisphere now. One piece of kit I have purchased recently which I have found indispensable is the Twin Six Thermal Cargo Bib Shorts. 

I have been quite impressed with how these fit and feel. The brushed inner fabric is warm, but still will work in temperatures into the 50's. The length of these is perfect, allowing tall socks to create a total barrier to the elements, or you can bare the skin for warmer rides. 

Having "pockets" is amazing. They really are not pockets per se', but you will find them great for putting things in like wrappers from nutrition, gloves, and even thin wallets, which you won't lose even when pedaling along. (Well....I haven't lost anything out of them yet!)

They are not cheap. But when you want gear which feels good while riding, doesn't require stupid detailed care, and holds up, and looks great? The money spent is well worth it. I am happy to have spent my hard earned dollars on these bib knickers. 

Also take the time to check out Twin Six's other gear, like their t-shirts, water bottles, jerseys, and socks, all things I also swear by and use often. 

Mint Socks 

Image courtesy of Mint Socks

Socks are not an item which carries a great deal of importance when it comes to gear reviews or media attention. However; can you imagine a world where all socks were sub-par and you had to wear them? Well, thankfully, that is not the case! Especially when we have Mint Socks to choose from as cyclists. 

Mint is a cyclist-owned, small business whose owner happens to be a female. I like to support such companies, and I can assure you Mint has awesome products as well. 

I don't know how many pairs of Mint socks I have, but I'd be willing to say that Mint has about 1/3rd of my sock drawer filled, and it will continue to rise in "drawer-share" in the future. Why? Because as a cyclist, I can say these socks work really well for on-the-bike and off-the-bike usage. 

Mint changes things up on a fairly regular basis when it comes to colors and models.. They do wool and synthetic blend socks, so you can get socks for year-round use.  They wear like iron, feel great, and launder easily. 

With so many great fashionable choices, high-performance, and small company charm, I cannot recommend these socks highly enough. Check them out next time you need something to cover those bare feet of yours. 

Hand Up Gloves

I  wrote a review on HandUp Gloves which you may have seen recently. But I cannot leave them off this list because I really like their products. 

I mean, ya gotta cover the hands sometimes, and right now the weather pretty much dictates we do this as cyclists. You may as well use a really great glove to do this with. HandUp makes really great gloves for any and all seasons. 

I typically use their Standard (Most days) gloves, but I do also have their cold weather gloves in two weights which I swear by in Winter. 

HandUp gloves come in an array of fashionable colors and patterns, some with goofy sayings on the palms which act as gripper surfaces for you handlebar grips or tape. They are reasonably priced, long-lasting, and come in various styles, some which I did not mention here. So, you are sure to find something which will work for you on their site. 

They also do other apparel, like shirts, shorts, and pants. But I have no experiences with anything else they make, so I cannot speak to those items. I just know the gloves are awesome. Check HandUp out next time you need something to cover those mitts of yours.

 Bike Iowa PogieLites

When the winds howl and the cold creeps in wherever you don't want it, then the pogies come out! No.....they are not little gremlins, but they are like fairings for your hands. They keep the cold winds at bay, and create a little micro-climate inside which keeps your hand warmer. 

The thing is, these can be cumbersome to install, and usually remain on the bike until you get to warmer weather when you take them off. But what about in between weather times when you may see a warm up, or if there is a cold Spring day after you've taken the pogies off for the season?  Or what if it warms up too much for pogies during a ride, or cools off so much you wished you had them?

This is where Iowa-born Pogie Lites come in. They are a non-structured pogie option which does what regular, structured pogies do, but can come off or be put on easily. They are also stashable, because you can roll them up into a size which would fit into a bag, or maybe even jersey pockets.  

Pogie Lites are three-season items you might just find to be worthwhile to have around for better comfort during inclement, or cold spells where your hands might be freezing without them. Also, you may note as well that these pogies still allow you to grip the bars outside of their fabric because the fabric is pliable and compresses under your grip around the handle bar. This comes in handy more than you may think. And yes, you can make them work on some drop bar configurations as well. 

Feedback Sports Workstand

My old Ultimate Repair Stand - Now known as Feedback Sports

Repair stands are indispensable items for anyone who might want to do any sort of maintenance on their bicycle(s). Even if all you do is clean your bicycle or lubricate your chain, it is so much easier done with a repair stand. 

While there are several portable repair stands available for bicycles, the best in class portable repair stand is made by Feedback Sports. 

I purchased my repair stand from this company when they were known as "Ultimate". (You may recall they made stands for Public Address speakers as well.) Now known as Feedback Sports, they offer a wide array of repair stands and other tools and gear for cyclists. 

My repair stand's analog in 2025 would be the Pro Mechanic model. (linked above). While its $425.00 cost may seem prohibitive, my stand is still going after twenty years of service. You should easily be able to squeeze that much out of yours, if you buy one, or more. 

The Pro Mechanic stand has a very well thought out clamp which is easy to use. The stand itself is sturdy, stable, and allows 360° rotation of the bike while you work on it. It is very adjustable for height, making it perfect for family use by adults and children who are old enough to understand how to use the stand and execute good judgement. 

This is an investment into your cycling which will last for literally decades. The fact that a repair stand makes things so much easier makes a choice like this so worth the money spent. 
 

Foundation Elite Tool Kit 

Image courtesy of Jenson USA

If you get a repair stand, and/or you want to do your own maintenance, you should check out this basic tool kit through Jenson USA from their Foundation series of tools. The Foundation Elite Tool Kit has all the essentials to get you started on doing basic tasks on your bicycle maintenance list. 

I can vouch for how well these tools work since I chose this kit for a remote tool kit at the Cedar Valley Bicycle Collective. It has tools which other company's kits have at one third the price. Yet these tools work as well or better than tools found in those more expensive tool kits. 

We have groups come in to tear down bicycles we are sending in for scrap and to harvest parts from. Those volunteers often use some of the tools in this kit. If those tools can hold up to usage from unskilled, (mostly), ham-fisted folks, then I think I am okay with recommending them to my readers. 

With a sub-100 dollar price, you won't go wrong, and assembling this kit with its own tool box separately would cost well over the asking price. It is a great value for the beginner mechanic or casual maintenance person. 

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And there you have it! My Top-Ten Recommendations for anyone who might ask me what I would do for cycling gear.  Of course, I have more than ten things I'd recommend, but that would not fit the "Top Ten" thing now, would it? No. 

If you found this useful, let me know in the comments. If you would like to see more posts like this, also, let me know in the comments. Thank you for reading Guitar Ted Productions!