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New Arrivals – December 6, 2007Edited by James Huang Got Tech? Send press releases, news, and tech questions to the Cyclingnews tech-heads. Welcome to New Arrivals, a section showcasing the latest equipment that's landed on the Cyclingnews tech desk. Look out for reviews over the next few months when we've clocked up some saddle time with this stuff.
UK-based Rapha Racing Ltd.'s cycling apparel definitely lies at the more premium end of the pricing spectrum for cycling clothing, but riders that place their priorities on unflappably timeless styling, top-notch materials, and second-to-none quality probably won't flinch too badly. The stretch Thermoroubaix fabric and Thermolite fleece lining on Rapha's 3/4 Bib Shorts are arranged such as to remove all seams from around the knees, and the pre-curved legs should yield a more natural motion while in the saddle. Rapha sticks with a keyhole-style mesh bib section on this winter piece for more of a 'barely there' feel, and subtle white and reflective accents add style and low light visibility when the sun begins to dip. Inside, Rapha equips with 3/4 Bib Short with a stretch Elastic Interface Technology chamois that comes up a little higher in the front to provide a little more coverage and warmth. In keeping with the Rapha theme, the Long Sleeved Sportwool Jersey is the perfect aesthetic match to the 3/4 Bib Shorts with classic solid-color styling highlighted by the single white armband and embroidered logo. The Sportwool material provides a naturally warm and dry alternative to synthetics, but the trimly cut jersey is still feature-packed: the full front zipper includes a handy 'bite grip' up top for true one-handed operation (take a second; you know what we're talking about here), the elastic silicone-enhanced waist is adjustable, and the cuffs are asymmetrically cut for proper coverage when you're on the bike. The rear of the jersey offers three full-sized rear pockets, an additional hidden pocket specially sized for a mini-pump, and even a smaller piggybacked and zippered pocket lined with waterproof material. Reinforced keyhole access on the interior of that pocket also makes for easy routing of MP3 headphone wires, too. As the mercury continues to fall, the windproof, water-resistant, and breathable Lightweight Softshell Jacket promises to add that last essential piece of kit to keep you warm. The slim fit includes an offset and fully lined front zipper to prevent neck/chin irritation, a double wrist opening cuts down on drafts, and the shock cord adjustable dropped waist allows for a perfectly tuned fit. Three rear pockets are fitted on the back (including an extra long-and-deep center one) and one additional zippered pocket is piggybacked on top of one side. Just as on the Sportwool jersey, Rapha equips the Lightweight Softshell jacket with keyhole pass-throughs for MP3 wires. In this case, however, Rapha also equips the interior with loops to run the wires up towards your head. A fleece patch on the back of the collar and a pair of embroidered logos complete the package. Want more? Naturally we can't forget Rapha's Winter Hat, made from a versatile 26/70/4% Merino wool/polyester/Elastane blend and dressed up with a full mesh liner, ribbed ear flap, and embroidered Rapha logo. How well does all of this stuff work? Wait and see… /JH Price: US$220/€190/£130 (3/4 Bib Shorts); US$200/€175/£120 (Long Sleeved Sportwool Jersey); US$295/€255/£175 (Lightweight Softshell Jacket); US$55/€50/£35 (Winter Hat)
Capoforma winter clothing
Capoforma is still a relatively new kid on the block but it's certainly safe to say that it no longer qualifies as a startup, having established itself as a quality designer and manufacturer with mostly reasonable prices to boot. Our winter test kit starts out with the Capoforma Signature Series (CSS) Classic ED bib tight, which combines proven WindTex and SuperRoubaix brushed fabrics in a snug-fitting eight-panel cut augmented by a Teflon treatment for water resistance. Zippers at the high-cut waist and leg openings ease ingress and egress, and silicone gel grippers help keep the ankles in place. An Elastic Interface Technology chamois boasts one-piece multi-density construction, perforated padding for breathability, and antibacterial silver ion threads to keep the stink at bay. The Tuscan Long Sleeve Jersey proudly displays Capoforma's now easily identified styling sublimated on to its brushed 'Winter Quattro' mid-weight polyester fabric. A high-cut collar provides a little wind protection and the full front zipper adds versatility in changing conditions. Capoforma finishes off the Tuscan jersey with a full complement of three rear pockets and a silicone gel gripper waist. The CSS Classic ED Jacket should be more appropriate for colder days in the saddle with its heavier Windtex wind- and waterproof panels on the front of the body, top of the sleeves, and shoulders. Mid-weight SuperRoubaix brushed polyester fabric is used elsewhere to provide a little more breathability along with the two-way full front zipper. Three standard-sized pockets adorn the rear of the CSS Classic ED jacket, while a smaller chest pocket is sized for an MP3 and includes an internal pass-through for headphone wires. Filling out our winter test ensemble is Capoforma's Retro Wool Cycling Cap and Euro Winter Wool Sock. The machine washable Wool Superwash cap offers a traditional six-panel cup with an extended rear to cover your upper neck and ears, along with an appropriately sized brim to protect your eyes from rain or snow. Down at the other end, the Euro Winter Wool sock is made from medium-gauge Merino wool with a heavier sole and offers a little more ankle coverage courtesy of its 12cm-long cuff. Winter is just now arriving, so be on the lookout for a full review
in the coming weeks. /JH
Hincapie winter clothing
Yes, more winter clothing (and there's still more to come later)! Your feedback has told us that clothing is among the highest priority items for you so who are we to argue? Savvier pro cyclists begin to plan their post-racing career well in advance of their retirement, and George Hincapie is already ahead of the curve with his eponymous line of cycling clothing. Our winter test kit starts out with the HinSkin long sleeve base layer made from wicking polyester, and the silky-smooth Merino wool short sleeve base layer that should be versatile enough to carry us into the spring. Warmer sun-kissed days will call for the Verona long sleeve jersey, which uses a fleece-backed wicking polyester throughout along with Lycra-enhanced stretch panels in the arms and shoulders for a better fit. Slightly more open mesh panels down the sides improve breathability as the efforts increase, and a high-cut collar helps block out the wind. Details include a pair of novel diagonal-cut rear pockets that eases access to stowables, an additional zippered pocket tucked away for added security, and a silicone gel gripper waist to keep the bottom of the jersey from riding up. Colder temps will command the heavier-duty Tour and Kevlar jackets. The Tour jacket adds extra protection courtesy of wind- and waterproof Windtex fabric on the front of the body and throughout the sleeves. Two mesh pockets out back offer additional storage and the slightly roomier cut allows for extra layers beneath. Somewhat surprisingly, the Kevlar jacket actually has Kevlar in it, which Hincapie uses to reinforce high-wear areas around the upper back and shoulders. Windtex is used through the entire front of the body (and even part of the rear) and upper sleeves, while a waterproof 'HinShield' fabric armors the lower sleeves and upper back. 'HinSport' side panels add some breathability. Ample storage is provided by a single large rear pocket and two side pockets, all of which are zippered for security and can double as supplementary vents. Rounding out the kit is the SuperRoubaix bib knicker. Hincapie uses the surprisingly warm (in our experience) SuperRoubaix fabric throughout the four-panel lower section and high-cut bib, and equips the interior with a Coolmax-covered Hincapie H.A.P. chamois. Silicone gel grippers keep the leg openings in place and reflective details add nighttime visibility. Stay tuned for a more in-depth report once we log some appreciable cold-weather saddle time. /JH Price: US$119.99 (SuperRoubaix Bib Knickers); US$199.99 (Kevlar Jacket); US$149.99 (Tour Jacket); US$139.99 (Verona Long Sleeve Jersey); US$34.99 (HinSkin Long Sleeve Base Layer); US$39.99 (Merino Short Sleeve Base Layer)
2007 Tour de France DVD
After perhaps the darkest hours in the history of the Tour de France, the 2007 race concluded with a ray of sunshine and glimmers of hope that the sport of cycling has entered a new era that will be free of doping scandals and marked by restored trust in the minds of its millions of fans. Such was the impact of the victory of 24-year-old Alberto Contador on the Champs Elysees. Moulded by the hands of Tour King Maker Johan Bruyneel and the Discovery Channel - the power and the team behind Lance Armstrong's seven Tour victories - the young Spaniard had to face numerous obstacles en route to success. A gifted climber, the Madrid-born rider first let rip on the daunting Galibier deep in the Alps as part of a daring two-rider attack. Then he came even closer to yellow with one of the most memorable mountain victories of the decade, deep in the Pyrenees on the fabled Plateau de Beille. Is it just a coincidence that on two occasions, Armstrong himself sealed the Tour there? The final step to leadership came in a surprising twist that not even Bruyneel could have predicted or engineered. No sooner had Contador taken the yellow jersey than he had to mount his final defence in the terrain where he was weakest - the time trial. Hailed as the new Armstrong for his aggressiveness, strength and racing wisdom even in the most tumultuous of Tours, Contador's path to cycling's ultimate prize is a gripping tale of persistence in the face of sporting turmoil, self-belief in times of doubt and widespread cynicism, and courage in the darkest of dark times. This DVD presents a storybook triumph in the midst of real-world adversity! The DVD is available in both four and 12 hour versions and is perfect as a stocking filler and those long indoor training sessions during the winter. Readers in the Australasia region can purchase the DVD set from Cyclingnews' online store with a free gift, for a limited time. US readers can purchase the set from World Cycling Productions. Price: 4-hour version AU$89.95 / US$89.85 12-hour version AU$169.95 / US$109.85
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