Gear Shed: OGC Spring Cycling Roundup

Founded in 1979, Outdoor Gear Canada (OGC) is an exclusive distributor of premium cycling products that consumers have consistently chosen and elevated into Canada’s leading brands. Their distribution channel creates access and opportunity for these brands to reach retailers nationwide. OGC is headquartered in a LEED-certified office and warehouse complex in Montreal, where it also assembles Opus bicycles. Below, OGC and ML offer a preview of the latest in biking gear for 2022.

Fasthouse Hooper Knee Pads

Designed, developed and tested (too many freakin’ times) with legendary rider Tyler McCaul, the Hooper is a sleeve-style pad that’s heavier-duty than most. Adventurous riders will appreciate the extra shin protection and pro details including silicone grippers on the top and bottom of the pad to avoid slippage.

CamelBak Arete 14 Hydration Pack

With breathable air mesh panels and straps designed to keep you cool even on the hottest hikes, the unisex Arete 14 includes a 1.5L Crux Reservoir to ensure easy hydration on the move. Go short or go long: the Arete is ready to excel on any trail. Or take it on a hike-commute, since there’s a 13” laptop sleeve plus space to organize all the essentials. And even better than all that? The Arete is made with recycled materials, safer chemicals, and designed to preserve resources and diminish disposables—earning the Repurpose Gold Sustainability Badge.  

Bell 4Forty Air Mips Helmet

The 4Forty Air is bursting with pro-level features in a sleek and ultralight package that never scrimps on safety. With an aerodynamic new shell and three-position visor, the benefits are all at your fingertips for increased ventilation, sweat management and goggle compatibility. The Float Fit system, super-effective built-in Sweat Guide and Ionic+ padding bring lasting comfort, while Integrated Mips (Multi-Directional Impact Protection System) and extended hard-shell coverage add all-conditions and all-terrain confidence. Plus: eyewear ports so you can stow your shades in a jif, a Fidlock magnetic buckle and no-twist straps.

Vittoria Terreno Series

Gravel riding demands that you adapt your bike to any type of terrain. And that starts with your tires. Gravel-specific tires need to deliver a silky, stable ride on roads, but also outperform on uneven terrain.

Terreno Dry and Zero

Vittoria’s Terreno Dry boasts a unique angled fish-scale design, that allows the center tread to roll at max speed, but lends a lot of traction when cornering and braking. Plus, the transitions are smooth as butter thanks to the mid and side tread. From grinding to moderate cross racing, the Terreno Dry offers stable performance. Also for dry terrain, the Graphene-compound Terreno Zero boasts a Corsa-inspired tread design, for both asphalt and tight-packed gravel. The smooth center rolls fast, while the side tread scales add just the right amount of bite when cornering or braking.

Terreno Mix

In gravel or cyclocross, course conditions change constantly. That’s the appeal. So if you’re looking for a performance advantage, look no further than the Terreno Mix. At the heart of the design is a fast-rolling center ridge, which minimizes resistance while still providing braking traction. Meanwhile, cornering (and off-camber work) is well-handled by alternating open shoulder lugs shaped for a supple feel for hardpack/pavement and an effective edge for loam/grassy terrain. This is one tire to do it all.

Terreno Wet

Experienced riders know that in gravel and cyclocross racing, your tires make all the difference. No other component can make or break you to this extent. So Vittoria worked with pro athletes to develop the Terreno Wet tread, cherry-picking their wish-list to better tackle the challenges of wet-weather performance. The order was tall: the ultimate wet tire had to corner on rails, roll like race rubber and be as clog-proof as possible. The Terreno Wet offers up a tread with an open alternating-lugged design and full siping. In short: pro-led performance for a range of soft terrain.

Giro Eclipse Spherical Helmet

The Eclipse Spherical brings top technologies together for both the fastest road helmet and the coolest aero road helmet Giro has ever created—ideal for both road and gravel racing. The Eclipse streamlines airflow to reduce drag across multiple wind angles, while 14 vents pull cooling air through the helmet. Inside, Spherical Technology—developed at the Dome laboratory in partnership with Mips—redirects impact forces by allowing the outer foam liner to rotate around the inner foam liner during a crash. With the Eclipse, design, performance and protection come together without compromise.

DT Swiss ERC 1400 Dicut 45

The ERC 1400 Dicut 45 wheels with AERO+ optimized rim profiles allow you to stay in control during endurance rides thanks to many new features including redesigned rim shape for increased crosswind stability. The 45 offers mid-height rims for extended comfortable rides over varying terrain including fast descents. Each pedal force is transferred into propulsion and speed by the revolutionary Ratchet EXP freehub system and DT Aero Comp T-head spokes.

For these items and more, click here for a Canadian retailer near you.