10 Pieces of Tough Cycling Gear That Will (Seriously) Last a Long, Long Time
Cycling gear can be expensive. So you want to make sure your investment goes a long way. (That $200 pair of bib shorts better last longer than a season, amirite?!) And while that's in large part of a function of how well you take care of your stuff, in our testing and experience, we've found that some products wear better and last longer than others.
The 10 pieces of gear below-jerseys, shoes, glasses, tools and more-have impressed us with not only the initial quality, but how long they've lasted. Some of them are old enough that the manufacturers have updated or replaced them. In those cases, we've highlighted the latest version you can buy now. All of them are a solid investment in your long-term cycling joy. This is the stuff we can't live without-and would buy again in a heartbeat.
Specialized Air Tool Pro Floor Pump
Price: $120
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I’ve owned this pump for longer than I’ve owned my car. And my car has 171,000 miles on it. At some point, the gauge started under-reporting air pressure by 8 psi. But it’s been so consistently off for so long that I just go with it. I like the sturdy base, the pressure-release valve, the easy-to-grip handles, and the way that the aluminum has worn in some spots and picked up smudges and stains in others in a pattern that to me is as cool as any of the custom-painted models you can get from Silca. I’ve tried lots of others. Still keep a few of the better ones around. But there’s none I’ve held on to for as long, or enjoy using as much as this one. -Lou Mazzante, Test Director
Castelli CW 6.0 Gloves
Price: $50
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I’ve had these since 2014, and they’ve been through everything a ’cross season (or four) can throw at them. They have good grip and just enough warmth. I also have multiple friends who say the same thing. Only now, after a few hard crashes, are they starting to wear. -Trevor Raab, staff photographer
Pedro’s Tire Levers
Price: $5
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Other tire levers break, whether from use or in my tool box. But I’ve never cracked a pair of these. They fit together nicely, and come in bright colors so they’re easy to see in my dark basement. -Taylor Rojek, associate features editor
Sportful Women’s Sleeveless Diva Jersey
Price: $55, Diva W Jersey with sleeves
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I literally just got rid of my Sportful women's sleeveless jersey two weeks ago after TWENTY (20!) years. I got it when I first started writing and riding for Bicycling. I loved it. Wore it all the time. Washed it, dried it, raced in it until it became threads, just threads.-Selene Yeager, the Fit Chick
Park Tool TS-2 truing stand
Price: $280, current TS-2.2 version
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I purchased this well-used in 2010, from a shop that had opened in 1999 and had purchased the same stand from a shop that had gone out of business some time the decade before. So it had seen over 20 years of shop (ab)use before I got it. It is still going strong. -Jo?l Nankman, mechanic and logistician
Sidi Genius Road Shoes
Price: $250, Genius 7
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They don't die, they just get more comfortable. The microfiber upper isn't real leather, but after thousands of miles, the fabric softens and forms to your foot like a calfskin slipper. The ever-reliable buckle, and hook and loop straps, keep your feet secure for big efforts. Expect to replace your pedals, and probably your bike, before these shoes face retirement. -Matt Allyn, features director
Louis Garneau L.a 84 Cycling Shoes
Price: $95
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I bought these because they were the most affordable lace-up shoe I could find . The yellow has since faded, and they are scuffed, but they are so comfortable and in such good condition that they continue to be my go-to shoe-they feel even better than when I first put them on. The shoe takes all types of pedals, so I have taken them on day-long road adventures, gravel rides, and even raced the track in them. The laces have gone a couple of times, but finding another pair of black laces is easy, and the rest of the shoe has held up brilliantly. It seems the more I ride in them, the more comfortable they get. -Matt Jacobs, test editor
Oakley Radar Sunglasses
Price: $107, Oakley Radar Path
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My Radars are 10 years old. I go them just before the Beijing Olympics and wore them at the Games, so they have special significance to me. Since then they've gone around the country, around the world, stuffed into countless duffel bags, and stashed in more helmets than I can remember. Through all that they still look and feel just as solid as the day I got them. I’m pretty obsessive about taking care of them and at this rate they will last another 10 years as long as my dog doesn't get her paws on them. -Bobby Lea, test editor
7Mesh Womens Resistance Jacket
Price: $110
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I’ve owned this rain/wind jacket since 2015, put it through countless machine washes and dries, and despite the fact that I've tested many other rain and wind jackets in the past three seasons, it remains my go-to for both mountain and road, in almost all types of inclement weather. It’s waterproof, it’s breathable enough to trail-ride in without immediately overheating, and it packs small enough for my jersey pocket or fanny pack so it’s always easy to bring along just-in-case. Despite its superlight fabric, there isn’t a rip or a hole in three seasons of constant wear, and the zipper is still running smoothly without snagging. -Gloria Liu, editor-at-large
Rapha Pro Team Base Layer
Price: $65
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I purchased it in 2015. It's a simple and effective base layer that has been through the wringer for me. Although it's one of the more expensive baselayers you can buy, it has held up through many, many washes. -T.R.
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