Hoback Sports Staff Picks for Summer 2021

We have compiled a list of some of our staff’s favorite bike gear! From Bikes, to accessories, to clothing, these are the products that we take out when we go for a ride.

Hard Goods and accessories

Don

Specialized Epic Evo:

The Epic Evo is the slightly slacker brother to the Specialized Epic. It’s a XC bike built not for the podium but for the love of riding. This bike is light enough to ride all day without feeling like I am on a race bike. The geometry is slack enough to handle great even when I’m tired.

Andrew

Specialized Enduro:

This bike is an absolute monster. It feels very comfortable and climbs great. It may be a couple pounds heavier than other bikes, but Andrew, our rental manager only notices this loading and unloading from his vehicle. “On the trail,” he said, “the weight is virtually unnoticed! Descending on this bike makes you feel like Greg Minnaar in his prime, the confidence you have is unmatched. It plows through anything and everything, and still pops over anything as well. With ground hugging traction of FSR suspension, this is by far the most fun and most confidence inspiring trail/enduro style bike I have ever swung my leg around.”

Chris

Yuba Spicy Curry AT

With the ability to carry as many as three passengers and a payload capacity of 440 pounds the Yuba Spicy Curry AT is the greatest electric cargo bike on the market. Yuba took the award-winning Spicy Curry known for its superior stability and handling and added a Bosch speed tuned cargo motor, Magura hydraulic disc brakes, suspension fork and knobby all terrain Schwalbe tires. This bike is great for a weekend bikepacking trip, but my favorite thing to do with it is put the kid on the back and cruise past Jackson’s horrific summer traffic.

Specialized Airnet Mips Helmet:

This helmet is safe, aerodynamic, light weight, and has great ventilation. It’s sleek design is inspired by the leather “hairnets” cyclists used to wear before concern for rider’s safety paved the way for modern helmet design. At around $100 it is my choice road and gravel helmet.

Nico

ESI Chunky Grips:

These are the grip of choice for several of our employees. They offer good cushioning and grip while removing wrist pain and still being super light.

Cassie

Troylee Designs A2 helmet:

Troylee Designs always does a really good job with making the fit of their helmets comfortable and safe with excellent coverage and venting. Not to mention they look very sleek and always have the best colors! The A2 half-shell offers a solid combination of protection, comfort, light weight, and great venting.

Brian

Troy Lee Designs D4 Carbon Helmet:

Troy Lee helmets are very popular among our staff. “The D4 Carbon is the best full face on the market, as far as I am concerned.” Says Bryan who, among other things, decides which full face helmets Hoback carries. It’s lightweight and has awesome ventilation.  Plus, it fits great.

IXS Dagger Knee pads.

These are awesome, lightweight, minimalist hardshelled knee pads.  They are super comfy, offer awesome protection and stay in place while shredding.

Matt Ross

Smith Ruckus Chromapop Sunglasses:

These sunnies rock! I use them year-round! Biking in the summer and split boarding in the winter. They allow for great peripheral vision. They are super breathable, and the collapsible design is convenient and adds some durability to them. They come with a hard case and two lenses so you are prepared for any light scenario.

Fox Launch Pro D30 Knee pad:

These knee pads are very breathable, comfy, and slim enough to pedal in. Velcro straps at the top and bottom plus the inner silicon band at the thigh, assure that they always stay in place and don’t ‘creep’ up or down my leg. The soft padding inside is flexible while riding and hardens upon impact to give you the protection you need in the event of a crash.

Ethan

Camelback Mule:

I have owned this hydration pack for something like 6 years and it’s still going strong. The Camelbak Mule is a versatile pack that fits my mountain bike tools, snacks, and plenty of water in a compact design, yet can expand to swallow a surprising number of layers, snacks, and supplies for longer rides or hikes.

Soft Goods

Roxy

Norrona Woman’s Singlet:

This tank is perfect for running, hiking, and biking on the hottest days. It is so lightweight feels like you are not wearing anything and is very breathable.

Patagonia Woman’s Dirt Roamer Bike Short:

Patagonia updated their mountain bike shots this year, the new shorts still feature a sleek leg pocket perfect for a cell phone, but in a lighter weight material than they have previously used, a great upgrade! I also like that the liner short is sold separately this year allowing a lower price point and the ability to pick your favorite liner as opposed to a package deal.

Chris

Hoback Team Kit:

Castelli has been innovators in the world of cycling since 1876. And their high level of quality is exactly why we work with them to create our custom Hoback Sports road kits for women and men. With a range of sizes from XS to 4XL you will be able to find the perfect fit, and this year’s design and colors cannot be beat.

Brian

Fox Ranger 8” socks:

They fit great and are very comfy. You also get bro points for the 8” length.

Andrew

Mons Royale Tarn Freeride Short-Sleeve Jersey:

Mons Royale are known for their high-quality merino wool base layers. Some might think wearing wool in the summer sounds crazy but the Mons Royale Tarn Freeride jersey is incredibly light weight, soft, and breathable. Combine that with the moisture wicking and anti-odor capabilities of Mons’ merino wool blend and you have a shirt that will keep you cool and dry all day. It also has a microfiber sunglass cleaning cloth sewn into the hem of the shirt which is quite convenient out on the trail.

5 ten Freerider Pro:

Everyone knows that Five Ten rubber provides the best grip in the industry so why wouldn’t you want it on the bottom of your mountain bike shoe?  If you are just starting out or are a seasoned vet who prefers riding flats, these shoes are stiff, breathable, and provide unbeatable traction on and off the bike.

Pat

Fly low Bandit shirt:

Lightweight and comfortable, this hoodie is perfect for long summer days when sun protection is a must, but you don’t want to overheat. Whether you are biking, hiking, fishing, or any other summer activity this hoody will keep the sun off you and is breathable enough to wear even on the hottest summer days.

Cassie

Norrona Fjora Shorts:

These are some excellent shorts, stretchy yet heavy duty and very good looking! They have the best pockets of all women’s shorts and full vents like ski pants on the sides, plus a lens cleaning cloth in one of the pockets. Clearly a thoughtful design that is functional and comfortable.