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Sea Otter Classic Expo
Monterey, California, USA, April 16-19, 2009
Part 6 - April 23: Cool accessories from a hot Sea Otter Classic
By James Huang in Monterey, California
Leatt brings motorsports protection to the bicycle world
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Downhill riders looking for additional protection can now call on the Leatt-Brace, a shoulder-worn device common in motorsports but only now making its way into cycling. The shoulder-worn harness is claimed to help prevent a wide range of extreme head movements – such as fore-aft and lateral tilt and axial compression – when worn in conjunction with a proper full-face helmet.
The key to the brace is the semi-rigid circumferential upper pad, which effectively transfers impact load from the neck and spine on to the rider’s shoulders before it can cause damage. Additional supports down the front and back of the upper back further prevent excessive fore-aft tilt.
Costs are fairly high – ranging from US$225 to US$595 – though still far cheaper than the potential consequences of not wearing one. The top-end Sport model features carbon fibre construction for a relatively light claimed weight of 780g plus a host of adjustments for tweaking the fit between the two available sizes. The mid-range Club subs in glass-reinforced nylon for an extra 70g while the base level ADVenture offers just basic adjustments.
More juice from Light & Motion
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Light & Motion has trumped its own 700-lumen Seca 700 six-LED headlamp with a new Seca 900 model with – you guessed it – 900 lumens of claimed output thanks to upgraded emitters. Published run times on the high setting is slightly lower than the Seca 700 as a result: 3:30 versus 4:15, with the Ultra Li-ion battery and 2:30 versus 3:00 with the standard pack.
Total system weight is unchanged at 686g and 520g, depending on the battery, and retail pricing is set at US$699.99 and US$49.99.
Light & Motion has also added three new models to its popular Stella lineup. As the name suggests, the bar-mounted Stella 300 Dual pairs two 150-lumen single-LED Stella heads together – one spot and one flood – via a hard-wired Y-splitter for greater coverage and reach. The 300g system will run for a claimed 2:00 with both beams blazing while kicking things down to the 75-lumen setting (there is a medium 150-lumen option as well) will extend that to a generous 8:00.
Minimalists can tap into the new Stella 150L with its 197g total weight and tiny 7.4V Li-ion battery pack and budget-minded shoppers now get two power settings and a flashing option for the very accessible US$129.99 Stella 120.
No more sweaty backs from Camelbak
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Camelbak now has two upgraded variants for its popular H.A.W.G. and M.U.L.E. hydration packs called H.A.W.G. N.V. and M.U.L.E. N.V. Both are based on the standard versions but are now fitted with a new ventilated N.V.I.S. (said ‘envious’) back panel that holds the pack off the rider’s body for improved airflow. Both also feature integrated rain covers tucked into a lower compartment.
The new packs are available now for US$125 and US$110 (H.A.W.G. and M.U.L.E. , respectively) and the standard packs will carry on in the lineup.
Also new are stainless steel bottles for those averse to plastics – BPA-free or otherwise. Camelbak will offer both single-wall and vacuum-sealed insulated double-wall versions, both in 750mL sizes and either with the handy flip-top lid or so-called ‘classic’ screw top. Suggested retail price is US$24 for the single-wall bottles and US$30 for the double-walled ones, both set to hit stores around May.
Lezyne adds colour and carbon
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My, my, where to begin with Lezyne’s expanded range of stuff?
Lezyne now has a pump – floor, mini, or frame-mounted – to suit nearly any taste or need plus an impressively wide selection of cleverly designed mini-tools. Highlights to the pump collection include: the miniscule 84g Shock Drive high-pressure suspension pump; the Micro Floor Drive that quickly converts from a frame pump to floor pump thanks to its neat flip-out foot and flexible hose (yes, we know it’s been done before but not to this degree); and the beautiful CNC Floor Drive floor pump with full CNC-machined aluminum construction and trick thread-on head.
For those of you already with a Lezyne hose-style M or L-series mini-pump in their possession, you can now also replace the stock hose with the Pen Gauge, which adds a handy pressure indicator without adding any bulk. Many of the new pumps are now also offered in a range of anodised colours or with carbon handles for a little extra bling.
Tool-wise, there’s a new chain tool with integrated spoke wrenches for both standard and Mavic alloy-spoked wheels, larger shop-style multi-tools for extra leverage, and a handy Smart Wallet, a take-along organiser that conveniently arranges your tools, tyre levers, mobile phone and other necessities into a single one-pocket package.
Lezyne also offers a range of hydration packs that continue the organisational theme. The generously-sized All Pack features a ventilated back panel, two large compartments, two side pockets, a full-face helmet holder, plus a comprehensive organiser panel with clearly labeled spots for typical gear.
The slightly smaller Power Pack omits the side pockets but retains most of the All Pack’s volume and features while the more streamlined Smart Pack trims down the overall size with a single main compartment, external ‘stuff pocket’, plus the organizer panel.
All of the packs feature custom aluminum buckles and waterproof zippers with aluminum pulls, plus Lezyne’s neat zip-top 3L or 2L bladder.
Clever new inflators from Genuine Innovations
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Genuine Innovations head Marty Mares and communications director Michael Drabousky didn’t have a booth at this year’s Sea Otter Classic but they were still hard to miss in their military-style garb loaded to the hilt with CO2 cartridges (apparently event security almost didn’t let them in!).
The upcoming Mountain Pipe (just a working name for now) is based on the current Second Wind and pairs a mini-pump and a CO2 inflator but skips the drawbacks usually inherent to such designs. The thread-on cartridge is used as the pump handle to save space and the thread-on cartridge fitting at the other end adds fast inflation capabilities without cutting into the manual pump chamber volume. A convenient storage space is included in the pump shaft, too, and total length barely measures three cartridges laid end-to-end.
Also on the way is a new trigger-style inflator tentatively called ‘Full Metal Jacket’ with an aluminum cup and cast head, plus potentially a carbon fibre trigger. Though bulkier than simple thread-on heads, the cup design will accept both threaded and unthreaded cartridges.
Finally there’s the convenient Tire Repair Canister, which offers a ready-made take on an old pro trick of using a bottle to hold some tools and gear. The screw-top lid secures a pair of cartridges, an inflator head, patch kit, two tire levers, and rag all included for US$29.99.
‘Squeeze this!’ says Hydrapak
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Hydrapak’s new SoftFlask trades the usual hard-sided energy gel flask for one made from hydration bladder material. In addition to being far more squeezable, the collapsible container also omits air space so the gel comes out quicker.
Hydrapak will offer the SoftFlask in both 8oz and 5oz sizes with a handy bit valve (probably better for more diluted gels) and the 8oz size with an easier flowing flip-top. Pricing ranges from US$7.99 to US$11.99.
New LEDs shed new light on Princeton Tec
Princeton Tec has upgraded its LED emitters across the board for double the claimed light outputs with no drop in run time. The three-LED Switchback 3 remains at the top of the range with a whopping 6:30 of burn time on the high setting courtesy of its 10-cell Li-ion battery. Total system weight is a bit heavy at 826g but if run time is what you’re after, this might work well for you.
Commuters can look to the revised all-in-one Eos with its now-50-lumen output. Burn time is a generous 121 hours maximum with three AAA batteries and helmet, headlamp, and handlebar mounts are all included.
The Swerve continues to be Princeton Tec’s top rear light with two LED emitters – one focused, one flood – for enhanced 180° visibility. The tool-free mounting strap accommodates a wide range of tubes and an intuitive toggle switch is easily used even while riding.
Photography
For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here
Images by James Huang/Cyclingnews.com
- The Leatt brace offers an additional lever of protection against head and neck injuries when mated with a full-faced helmet.
- The front and rear extensions prevent excessive neck flexion in those directions.
- The top-end version uses carbon fiber construction and is adjustable for a more customized fit.
- Naturally, there has to be a way to get into the thing!
- While the top-end models are rather expensive, Leatt also offers a more reasonably priced Club model.
- Light & Motion's new top dog is the Seca 900.
- Upgraded emitters crank out 900 total lumens as compared to the Seca 700's still-bright 700.
- The new Light & Motion Stella Dual pairs two 150-lumen emitters together: one spot and one flood.
- The Stella range of relatively inexpensive LED lamps has now grown to five.
- Most of the Stella models are small enough that you can mount the lamp and battery right on a helmet.
- Light & Motion's tiny two-cell battery obviously doesn't offer the run time of the larger packs but is decidedly tiny.
- Also on tap is a new charger that will accompany some models with a smaller form factor but longer charge time.
- Camelbak adds the N.V.I.S. ventilated back panel to the new H.A.W.G. N.V. and M.U.L.E. N.V. models.
- The new packs essentially offer all of the features of the standard ones but add in the ventilated back for improved airflow and comfort.
- Integrated raincovers are also featured on the two new models.
- Camelbak add stainless steel models to their line of bottles in both single-wall and insulated double-wall varieties.
- Camelbak's popular bottles are also now offered in a wide range of colors and styles.
- The intriguing Racerbak base layer-plus-hydration bladder is now available for sale.
- Lezyne's range of pumps and accessories has grown considerably.
- For those of you that find black and silver awfully boring.
- New alloy and carbon cages also double as pump holders.
- The tiny Shock Drive pump weighs just 84g
- The new Pen Gauge adds a pressure gauge to some existing Lezyne mini-pumps.
- Even the CO2 inflators use machined aluminum construction.
- Lezyne's floor pump range features stout bases, metal and wood construction throughout, and a clever screw-on head.
- It's almost a shame to put your feet here.
- The new chain tool includes spoke wrenches for both standard and Mavic splined nipples. Larger shop-type folding tools offer more leverage.
- Even the tools are now offered in colors.
- The Lezyne Power Pack offers plenty of room for lots of gear…
- …as well as a means to keep it all organized and easy to find.
- A ventilated back helps keep sweat at bay.
- Aluminum buckles and zipper pulls are used throughout.
- The smaller Smart Pack offers many of the Power Pack's features but in a more streamlined shape.
- As with the Power Pack, the Smart Pack also includes an organizer panel.
- A place for everything…
- Lezyne will also introduce a few messenger bags in the near future.
- The Smart Wallet Elite is a handy convenience that tucks all of your usual essentials together…
- …into one package that easily slips into a jersey pocket.
- Also forthcoming is a rack and chain stay protector.
- Genuine Innovations' upcoming Mountain Pipe will combine a high-volume mini-pump and a CO2 inflator.
- The cartridge acts as the pump handle then screws on to the other end for fast inflation.
- The Genuine Innovations Tire Repair Canister takes the place of a bottle but includes a bunch of handy bits for roadside repairs.
Images by Genuine Innovations
- The Full Metal Jacket is a premium canister-type inflator that will accept both threaded and unthreaded cartridges.
Images by James Huang/Cyclingnews.com
- Genuine Innovations' Marty Mares and Michael Drabousky almost weren't allowed into the Sea Otter venue on account of these uniforms.
- Hydrapak's new SoftFlask uses the same material as their hydration bladders for easier access to the energy gel within.
- Princeton Tec say new LED emitters double the light output of their entire line, such as the Switchback 3.
- The all-in-one Eos now cranks out 50 lumens.
