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Interbike Show
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, September 24 - 28, 2007
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Part 17: New 'wearables' for 2008
Edited by James Huang
Capoforma and DeMarchi Sport bring Euro flair to everyone
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Capoforma is a relatively new cycling brand created by Upland Sports Group but has quickly become well known for its bold euro-inspired styling and high quality. Somewhat surprisingly given its decidedly Italian flavor, Capoforma kit is actually designed in California but manufactured in Italy's top cycling factories.
For 2008, Capoforma's new Signature Series Diavolo Jersey incorporates increasingly popular carbon-enhanced fabric augmented with mesh arm and side panels to provide moisture transfer and breathability. Capoforma uses a blend of three different fabrics for its women's-specific Classic Donna Jersey, with each material occupying a specific panel position to help maximize performance and comfort. Capoforma also offers a vast range of 'Made in Italy' socks, like its trendy Euro Web Skinlife model with full mesh upper and lower sections and anti-bacterial materials.
Upland Sports Group is also the US distributor for high-end Italian clothing brand De Marchi Sport, who showed off its new Contour EVO jersey at Interbike. The Contour EVO's Contour Body Framing System incorporates a laser-cut, thermo-welded frame of non-elastic fabric that helps stabilize the rear of the garment, especially when loaded, while Dry3 Next fabric and mesh armpit inserts provide ventilation and moisture transfer. /TM
Descente reduces stitching for 2008
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The big news out of the Descente camp for 2008 is the introduction of its new Micro-Fuse chamois, a smaller and lower-profile race-oriented insert that is thermo-welded to the shorts to completely eliminate stitching in that critical area. The pre-shaped foam padding is also perforated for ventilation, and the smooth SpeedFree stretch polyester anti-microbial fabric reduces chafing.
Descente includes the new Micro-Fuse pad in its updated Optima short (available in standard or bib version), which now uses carbon-Lycra blend Resistex side panels whose anti-static and compressive properties supposedly improve circulation while also delaying the onset of fatigue and reducing lactic acid buildup. As in the current version, the Optima does away with grippers altogether in favor of a more comfortable 50mm-wide (2") band of material at the leg openings.
Descente has also improved its multi-density and multi-thickness Strata chamois, used in the corresponding Strata shorts. The Strata insert is still component-welded to eliminate stitching, but new mesh materials on the edges reduce chafing even more than before.
Carbon also finds its way into the new light and airy Spirit and C6 Carbon jerseys. The Spirit marries sublimated styling with Descente's Nexus Carbon fabric that supposedly delivers better temperature regulation and reduced odor, while the C6 Carbon is built using a carbon-infused version of its Resistex fabric. Both are MP3-ready with dedicated security pockets and wire management systems.
Cooler and wetter fall weather is met with the new Bobby J. jacket, whose eVENT fabric is claimed to be 100% waterproof and breathable. Seams are fully sealed and the full-length zipper is also waterproof. Thoughtful details include a fleece-lined collar, an array of reflective appliqués, and a hem that only uses elastic at the rear to prevent bunching up front. /JH
Tifosi Optics debuts new shapes and styles
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Watkinsville, GA-based Tifosi Optics adds a number of new styles to its diverse range of eyewear for 2008. The Vogel is lightweight at just 22g, yet boasts a protective shield-type rimless construction that maximizes the field-of-view. Temples and nosepiece are both covered in hydrophilic rubber and adjustable for a customizable fit. Tifosi offers the Vogel in seven frame colors and a variety of polycarbonate lens options, including its photochromic Fototec and polarized hues. Suggested retail is just $39.95.
The Ventoux uses a full-frame, interchangeable lens design that is intended for medium-to-large faces. As on the Vogel, the temples and nosepiece are covered in hydrophilic rubber and are adjustable for fit. However, the Ventoux includes a trio of lenses, including clear, Smoke Red, and 'All-Conditioned' Red. Polarized and photochromic Fototec lenses are also available.
The new Scatto offers a semi-frameless construction designed for a small-to-medium fit. Again, the Scatto includes an adjustable and hydrophilic nosepiece and temples for a secure and semi-custom fit. The single fixed lens is similarly available in a wide array of tints, including photochromic Fototec and polarized options, while Tifosi's Glare Guard lens treatment helps reduce eyestrain. Suggested retail on the more premium Scatto is still a very reasonable US$89.95. /JH
Camelbak goes big
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Hydration pack megapower Camelbak is on a two-year development cycle and concentrated on some of its larger offerings for 2008. The Uproar is the latest addition to Camelbak's burlier Outlaw lineup and boasts a healthy 28L cargo capacity supported by an Independent Suspension harness and waist belt. The Uproar is definitely ready to launch with its full-face helmet holder and external straps for arm and leg armor, but an included padded laptop sleeve signal the pack's impressive versatility as well. Interesting, the Uproar has no provision for a hydration bladder; instead, Camelbak simply fills a dedicated insulated pocket with a 0.75L version of its Better Bottle.
The H.O.S.S. is billed as a full-day/multi-day mountain bike pack that includes the company's new articulated and ventilated D.V.I.S. (say 'devious') back panel, Dynamic Suspension harness, and a rare-for-cycling waterproof roll-top main compartment. Smaller compartments hold pumps, tools, and other essentials, and a dedicated media pocket handles MP3 players and smaller cameras.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, the multipurpose Octane line gets a smaller Octane XC variant for those that want to travel light. The Octane XC is built with lightweight mesh and holds just 1.5L of cargo, but still has room for a 2L (70oz) bladder and an updated Air Director rear panel to reduce sweat buildup. /JH
Crumpler: It's in the bag
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If we gave Interbike booth awards for 'most laid back', 'most unique atmosphere', 'most colourful characters', or any combination thereof, the folks at Crumpler would easily win, hands down. But beyond the flowing Coopers and eco-friendly booth design (made almost exclusively of corrugated cardboard!), Crumpler debuted the next big thing from the popular bag company - a line of luggage.
Crumpler sticks with its unique style of nomenclature for the new line of roller bags, which includes 'The Period Chamer (28 litre capacity), 'The Mock Tudor' (49 litres), and 'The Free-Standing Edwardian (82 litres). All feature a water resistant 900D polyester outer shell and 150D ripstop lining, neoprene stretch panels, an easy-access side loading laptop pocket, and internal stretch mesh pockets. The bags also come with a 'dirty-undies' bag that can be tossed whole into the laundry upon your return home.
Three colour combinations are available across the three sizes; however, the bags are still in the final development stages with an expected release of April, 2008 so the final palette isn't quite set just yet. The new line of luggage may be new territory for the company, but if its half as good as the company's messenger bags, it will be top notch and worth the wait. As for the prices, they should be up to snuff as well: the small, medium, and large bags are US$400, US$475, and US$560, respectively. /MZ
Photography
For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here
Images by Tim Maloney/Cyclingnews.com
- Capoforma's new Signature Series Diavolo Jersey features carbon-infused fabrics and mesh armpit and side panels for ventilation.
- Capoforma's women's-specific Classic Donna Jersey uses a blend of three different fabrics for performance and comfort.
- Capoforma is well-known for great custom kits , as used here by LA's Helen's Cycles race team.
- Capoforma's cool Retro Wool Polo is an Italian-made, retro style merino wool three-button polo.
- Capoforma offers a vast range of Made in Italy socks from the trendy Euro Web Skinlife with full mesh upper and lower sections and anti-bacterial fibers for maximum ventilation and comfort, to Cordura shoe covers for mid-season foot warmth.
- Italian high-end clothing brand De Marchi Sport is distributed by Capoforma owner Uplands Sports Group. The new Contour Plus EVO jersey includes the Contour Body Framing System to provide support to the rear of the garment for a better fit.
Images by James Huang/Cyclingnews.com
- Descente's new Micro-Fuse chamois is a performance-oriented insert with a smaller footprint and thinner profile.
- The insert is welded directly to the shorts to eliminate a bunch of stitching in a critical area.
- The Spirit and Optima shorts have both been heavily updated for 2008.
- The Optima leg openings do away with grippers entirely in favor of a wide band of elastic material.
- The Spirit jersey combines sublimated styling with carbon-enhanced fabrics.
- Thoughtful details include the easy-to-grab zipper pull on the Spirit jersey.
- The Spirit jersey includes a standard array of three rear pockets.
- The C6 Carbon jersey is available in both men's and women's cuts.
- The C6 Carbon jersey material is light and airy.
- The standard trio of pockets is supplemented by a fourth zippered pocket with wire porting for an MP3 player.
- The C6 Carbon jersey uses a less restrictive collar construction which should be a boon when summer hits again.
- Even the zipper pulls are distinctive between the men's and women's versions.
- The new Bobby J. jacket from Descente uses waterproof and breathable eVENT fabric for a protective and easily stowable outer layer.
- Hmm… wonder who contributed to this design…
- The waist of the Bobby J. uses elastic only in the rear to prevent bunching up front.
- The updated Axiom jacket uses zip-off sleeves for a wider comfort range.
- A fleece-lined collar adds to the comfort.
- The clever zipper placement moves it away from your armpit when the sleeves are removed.
- The new Supreme glove uses a more comfortable pull-on style.
- Strategically placed padding helps cushion your hands from road buzz while silicone pads improve grip.
- The new Camelbak Octane XC is a light and fast way to carry fluids and a little bit of gear.
- The Octane XC uses an updated version of Camelbak's Air Director panel.
- The Octane XC is offered in a highly visible neon hue or a more subdued black and red.
- The new Uproar is a bottle-based pack from Camelbak.
- The new H.O.S.S. is intended as an all-day/multi-day MTB pack with heaps of storage.
- Rolltop construction on the H.O.S.S. keeps contents dry.
- The D.V.I.S. back panel on the H.O.S.S. distributes the load and greatly improves airflow.
- It looks complicated , but it's actually quite light.
- Camelbak adds a caffeinated Orange Alert flavor to its Elixir drink line.
- Camelbak hopes to get its Podium bottle on to the bikes of some high-profile riders in the near future.
- The UnBottle continues to be one of our favorite products.
- Tifosi's new Ventoux is a full-framed model with interchangeable lenses.
- Lens options include a polarized version to cut down on glare.
- The Scatto is a small-to-medium fit model with a semi-frameless construction that maximizes the field of view.
- Adjustable nosepieces allow for a customizable fit.
- Tifosi Optics adds the new Scatto and Vogel to its lineup for 2008.
- The Vogel is a full-sized shield-type sunglass designed for maximum coverage and protection.
Images by Mark Zalewski/Cyclingnews.com
- Crumpler introduces heavy-duty roller luggage to its wide array of offerings.
- The interior of the bag is an open design.
- The self-cleaning wheels are widely placed to avoid unfortunate mishaps when on uneven surfaces.
- The Crumpler booth was one of the coolest , greenest... and most flammable designs.
