New Arrivals – October 27, 2008 Edited 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. Specialized cool weather clothing The Activate jersey and BG Pro RBX knicker from Specialized Photo ©: James Huang Specialized's latest front in its campaign to take over the cycling world is on-bike apparel, an area where it has actually long produced quality items but is now devoting more attention and resources. Highlighting our test collection is the mid-weight Activate jersey with its brushed polyester material that provides a bit of extra warmth as the days get shorter. Mesh panels run down the center of the back and around the armpits as the activity level rises, though, and if that isn't enough there is also a full-length zipper. Three pockets with a bit of reflective material plus a zippered security pocket adorn the rear and a siliconized hem helps keep the jersey in place. The Eureka jersey instead boasts a heavier-weight Fieldsensor fabric throughout and a lined full-length zipper to better keep out the cold. As winter also typically brings less daylight and more precipitation, Specialized also equips the Eureka with additional reflective material and a waterproof lining in the center pockets to protect valuables. Truly cold conditions call for the Eureka Element jersey which builds on the standard Eureka with windproof panels on the front of the body and sleeves. Waffle-texture materials form a protective 'lollipop' of insulation around the shoulders, base of the neck and down the front center while stretch panels along the sides help maintain a good fit. Further details include zippered, reflective and color-contrasting cuffs and a siliconized rear hem. Just two pockets (plus a piggybacked one with a zipper) adorn the rear but Specialized at least adds an extra 'napolean' pocket up front. Need a shell, too? Then the Deflect Hybrid jacket might do the trick with its lightweight wind- and water-resistant shell that quickly converts to a vest via a removable one-piece sleeve and upper shoulder section. Extra ventilation comes courtesy of an open mesh panel beneath the yoke while the single rear and front napoleon pockets (both zippered) provide a bit of room for goodies. Finishing things off is the BG Pro RBX knicker with lofted 'Therminal' front panels, more breathable Fieldsensor rear panels and Specialized's cushier BG Pro RBX chamois. Silicone grippers and minimal racer-back mesh bibs keep everything in place. Winter is fast approaching so we've already begun to log some miles on this stuff. Stay tuned for a full review in the near future. Prices: US$90 (Activate jersey); US$125 (Eureka jersey); US$155 (Eureka Element jersey); US$120 (Deflect Hybrid jacket); US$165 (BG Pro RBX knicker) Rapha cyclo-cross kit Rapha offers a 'cross-specific kit Photo ©: Marty Caivano Cyclo-cross season often brings cold temperatures, wet weather and sore shoulders so Rapha has equipped its new Cross jersey with Sportwool construction and a season-appropriate brown, orange and black color palette that includes the company's usual tailored fit and signature single colored armband. A small foam pad is stitched right into the right shoulder to ease the pain of run-ups and a single zippered rear pocket is angled for easier access to your pre-race supplement of choice. The matching Cross 3/4 bib shorts use the same Thermoroubaix fabric, Cytech stretch chamois and distinctive styling and cut of the standard Rapha 3/4 bib shorts we reviewed last season. A few details set it apart, though, such as the increased coverage around the lower back for a little extra warmth and the additional zipper on the single rear pocket which now sports a thin neoprene pad to protect your back from the contents in the event of a fall. Both items are offered in standard versions or special Independent Fabrication editions which are augmented with the respected framebuilder's characteristic crown logo. Prices: US$220/£120/€160 (Cross jersey); US$240/£130/€170 (Cross 3/4 bib shorts) Rapha Classic Softshell jacket The rubberized shoulder panel Photo ©: Marty Caivano Rapha's new Classic Softshell jacket almost strikes us as too nice to abuse what with its superbly tailored stretch polyamide shell (with three-piece sleeves) and distinct black-on-black styling but given the plethora of technical features, we expect it to perform just as well on the bike as off in the coming weeks ahead. Weather protection is provided by a windproof, water-resistant and breathable Hytrel membrane, a full-length offset zipper with a built-in bite panel, and integrated thumb cuffs that seal off drafts and keep the sleeves in place. The zipper and tall collar are both lined with fleece and pit zips add extra airflow when needed. Handy features include a rubberized shoulder pad to keep messenger bag straps in place and a fold-down rear panel to protect your rear end in the event of rain. Five rear pockets are fitted out back including a dedicated pump sleeve and a waterproof, zippered media pocket further augmented by a full internal wire management system. We'll be sure to give this a thorough run-down as we head into winter both on the bike… and at the bar! Price: US$375/£215/€275 Light & Motion Seca 700 Race Light & Motion's new Seca 700 Race Photo ©: James Huang Candlepower is the name of the game when it comes to ripping off laps during a 24-hour race after the sun goes down and Light & Motion's new Seca 700 Race reportedly spews out a whopping 700 lumens to burn a hole through the night. Six high-powered LED emitters are each fitted with their own reflector to yield a half-bull's eye beam pattern that Light & Motion says provide more long-distance punch while still illuminating the immediately surrounding trail. A 'cruise' mode offers high (700 lumens), medium (350 lumens), low (175 lumens) and flashing settings for claimed respective burn times of 3.5, 7, 14, and 100+ hours from the 6-cell Li-ion battery. A handy 'race' mode simplifies things for the heat of battle with just high and low settings. Charge time is an equally impressive 2.5 hours and total system weight is just over 500g including the tool free mounts. We've already begun logging some time on this gem and so far, so good. Look for a complete review shortly. Price: US$550 Niterider MiNewt Mini-USB Plus Niterider's tiny MiNewt Mini-USB Plus Photo ©: James Huang Niterider has taken full advantage of LED technology's packaging advantages with its diminutive MiNewt Mini-USB Plus. The tiny 64g, single-emitter head reportedly streams out 110 lumens of usable light for up to three hours from the similarly teeny 102g Li-ion battery. Total on-bike weight is just 174g while the included helmet setup of our 'Plus' model kicks that figure up to 246g including the mount and extension cord. While we don't anticipate our MiNewt Mini-USB Plus tester to provide enough light for trail use, it will likely be an ideal option for commuters: the mini-USB power port on the battery means that you can charge up your battery either with the included wall charger or just by plugging it into the side of your laptop or desktop computer. Claimed charge time is just 4.5 hours so by the time you're ready to head home for work in the dark, so is your light. Price: US$129.95 Wabi Woolens long-sleeved jersey Wabi Woolens' long-sleeved wool jersey Photo ©: James Huang In this day and age of high-tech fabrics and marketing buzzwords, wool sounds decidedly old-school yet it still remains one of the best materials around for cold weather riding for its enticing combination of superb overall warmth (even when wet) and resistance to odor. Portland, Oregon-based upstart Wabi Woolens' long-sleeved jersey is built from 100 percent heavyweight 13oz Merino wool that is sourced from New Zealand but knit and sewn in the US. As compared to modern wool blends such as Sportwool, Wabi proprietor Harth Huffman says his pure wool blend is denser, warmer and more resistant to wind and water but it does require more care; machine washing is a distinct no-no. Attention to detail is clearly a priority here: the stitching is among the burliest we've come across in recent memory and all key stress points are heavily reinforced. A double layer of fabric around the neck and straddling the partial zip provides some extra warmth and three rear pockets (plus one zippered pocket) provide plenty of stowage space. The color palette is definitely on the more subdued end of things and riders who regularly crack out the matching team kit even on easy recovery days probably won't find something to suit them. But if classic is more your style, this might fit the bill and we're certainly looking forward to giving the Wabi jersey a thorough run-in as winter looms. Price: US$140 Swiftwick Four Merino and Four Ole socks Swiftwick's Four Merino and Four Ole socks Photo ©: James Huang Swiftwick's Four Merino socks sport a perfect-length 4" cuff and beefy 60 percent Merino wool blend that should help keep your piggies warm this winter. Though not exactly cycling-specific, they are still thin enough to fit into most cycling shoes. Swiftwick fits the Four Merino with a tight-fitting cuff that shouldn't ride down (especially when secured beneath tights) and the mostly seam-free toe area leaves fewer opportunities for chafing. If wool isn't your style, Swiftwick also offers the Four in an olefin fiber blend which is claimed to retain less than 0.01 percent of its weight in water yet be highly breathable and abrasion resistant. Both models are also offered in 1" or 12"-tall cuffs and custom models are also available. Prices: US$16.95 (Four Merino); US$14.95 (Four Ole) Photography For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here Images by James Huang/Cyclingnews.com The Activate jersey and BG Pro RBX knicker from Specialized look to be ideal companions for fall riding. The BG Pro RBX knicker uses brushed material up front for warmth mixed with standard Fieldsensor behind for more breathability. The Specialized Eureka jersey uses a heavier weight Fieldsensor fabric when things get colder. Specialized adds windproof panels to the front of its Eureka Element jersey for an added measure of protection. The clean black-and-white styling should suit most riders but other colors are certainly available. Zippered color-contrast cuffs and a small 'napoleon' pocket are both flanked by reflective dots. The Specialized Deflect Hybrid jacket starts out life as a jacket… …but quickly converts to a vest when things warm up a bit. Images by Marty Caivano Rapha offers a 'cross-specific kit complete with season-specific colors and a padded right shoulder. Typical Rapha styling elements are littered throughout. The single rear pocket uses an angled zipper for easier access, at least with your left hand that is. The Rapha Classic Softshell jacket is almost too nice to wear on the bike! The asymmetrical zipper is supplemented by a handy bite tab up top. The rubberized shoulder panel keeps messenger bag straps in place. A drop-down tail with a reflective Rapha logo is on tap when things get wet. Images by James Huang/Cyclingnews.com Light & Motion's new Seca 700 Race packs a powerful 700-lumen LED beam in a relatively compact head. Individual reflectors for each emitter yield a unique beam pattern. The six-cell Li-ion battery pack powers the Seca head for up to 3.5 hours on the high setting. Niterider's tiny MiNewt Mini-USB Plus weighs just 174g in bike-mounted form. The comprehensive kit includes the lamp head, battery, charger, extension cord, three sizes of mounting straps, a helmet mount, and both computer and wall chargers. Wabi Woolens' long-sleeved wool jersey is made from 100 percent Merino wool. Wabi's dense wool knit is harder to care for but rewards its wearer with greater protection against wind and water. Swiftwick's Four Merino and Four Ole socks provide cozy warmth or thin and lightweight wicking performance depending on your preferences. The mostly seamless construction leaves fewer chances for chafing.