Cycle Gear is your connection for new riding gear

Spring is definitely here. You know how I know? My morning rides are cold enough for a jacket and by the afternoon I’m cracking my visor at every stoplight just to breathe. It’s that awkward in-between where my winter gear suddenly feels like overkill, and my summer stuff still feels a little too optimistic. So how about some spring cleaning?

Living in a city has its perks, though riding a motorcycle isn’t really one of them. Atlanta does however offer five Cycle Gear stores conveniently scattered around our city perimeter.

I love a Cycle Gear store. And since Toys “R” Us went under, I had to find a new fix. They’ve got everything from tubes to tools, tires, brakes, oils, jackets, gloves, helmets, boots, and more. There’s plenty to choose from for riders new and experienced. For me, window shopping usually turns to browsing, turns to leaving with a whole new wardrobe…

New gear, sweet bike, juiced on some hot caffeine. Let’s ride.

So- let me tell you about my new wardrobe. Let’s start from the top.

I wouldn’t say I’ve purposely avoided modular helmets, but I never thought I’d see the day I became sold on them. Maybe it was me being young and naïve, not knowing any better, but after years of touring I’ve finally learned it’s everything I’ve been missing.

The SEDICI Pro Mod caught my eye. It’s matte black, minimal, and offers plenty of vents for air flow. I often prefer an open-face helmet for that reason, but will choose full-face for safety and quietness. And that’s why modular helmets exist. In theory it’s the best of both worlds, so I decided to try it on for size.

Sedici Pro Mod helmet.

Somewhere between flipping the chin bar up and down I realized it actually looked… normal. So, I figured it was worth a shot. Out on the road, it made sense almost immediately. There’s something about being able to flip the front up at a gas stop or sitting at a light without feeling sealed inside your own helmet, that changes the ride experience more than I expected.

The Pro Mod is built around a polycarbonate shell and meets both DOT and the newer ECE certification. It’s got a drop-down sun visor, a surprisingly effective venting system, and a comfortable liner. It all feels right and works well. Stable at speed, not overly noisy, and no top-heavy feeling when I flip it up. Turns out I might be a “modular helmet guy” now.

Street & Steel Mission Moto armored riding shirt.

The trick this time of year is maintaining the temperature balance, so my gear can’t be too heavy nor too light. The Street & Steel Mission Moto shirt happened to catch my eye, mainly for its red and grey flannel pattern, but also for its casual look. It is definitely my style.

It’s one of those items that doesn’t try too hard, which is exactly why it works. At a glance, it looks like something you could wear anywhere, on and off the bike. But underneath, it’s built with abrasion-resistant materials and reinforced in the right places, with CE-rated armor tucked into the shoulders and elbows and a pocket for a back protector if you want it.

But what really sells it is how it wears. Light. Easy. Comfortable in the way that makes you forget you’re wearing gear at all. Turns out I got lucky, too. The red and grey colorway is a limited edition to only 2,000 pieces. So if you see one, grab it! Don’t fret, there’s a few other colors to choose from as well.

Street & Steel Mission Oakland Kickstarter armored riding pants.

Moving down the line, let’s talk pants.

The Street & Steel Mission Cargo riding pants follow a similar logic- they don’t look technical, but they are. Reinforced where it counts, with CE armor at the knees and room to add more if you want it. The fabric has enough structure to feel protective, but enough give to stay comfortable off the bike.

The pants strike that sweet spot between streetwear and riding gear. The fit is an athletic, straight cut that feels natural. The added stretch lets them move easily once in the saddle. They don’t feel stiff or armored in a traditional sense. Instead, the cotton and spandex blend gives them a broken-in, workwear feel right out of the gate. These pants are a good balance of casual comfort and added protection.

Street & Steel Eastwood 2 gloves.

Oh yeah, and let’s not forget the details. Continuing the theme of minimal and stylish, I went with the Street & Steel Eastwood 2 gloves. They’re simple leather, broken-in almost immediately, comfortable and went right along with my fit. And surprisingly, I found the thumb and index finger touchscreen capabilities to work well with my devices.

And for kicks? Street & Steel’s Kickstarter 2 riding shoes. They lean casual, but they’ve got the right reinforcements built in—toe, heel, ankle—and a sole that actually holds up on the pegs. They fit right in with my casual yet protective vibe. They are comfortable on and off the bike all day and to the untrained eye appear as if they are normal high-top sneakers.

Street & Steel Kickstarter 2 riding shoes.

Having gear is about using it. That’s really what this whole setup came down to for me. Personally, it’s not about having the most technical or highest rated gear- rather I seek good functional gear, with a nice form, that I will actually wear.

With riding season starting and the weather warming up, why not consider some new digs yourself? Upgrade that jacket or grab a new lid. Wherever you are, hopefully there’s a Cycle Gear store nearby. Just go in to browse- who knows, maybe you’ll end up walking out with a whole new kit like me.

Drew P

Links to gear:

https://www.cyclegear.com/gear/sedici-promod-helmet

https://www.cyclegear.com/gear/street-steel-mission-moto-le-shirt

https://www.cyclegear.com/gear/street-steel-mission-cargo-riding-pants

https://www.cyclegear.com/gear/street-steel-eastwood-2-gloves

https://www.cyclegear.com/gear/street-steel-kickstarter-2-riding-shoes