CAPOforma's latest wardrobe
By Mark Zalewski
Socks for every
Photo ©: Mark Zalewski
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The full kit,
Photo ©: Mark Zalewski
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Long sleeve jersey
Photo ©: Mark Zalewski
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Milano hat
Photo ©: Mark Zalewski
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Upland Sports Group has been busy importing a plethora of items
from Italian clothing maker Capoforma, via Bergamo, and sent Cyclingnews
a lovely care package. Here is a preview of the items that will
get a full review after logging many miles. The distinctive, European-inspired
collection includes a complete line of men's and women's in-line,
custom, and casual cycling apparel and accessories.
The Capoforma brand was developed in response to the growing need
for a new line of cycling apparel offering a balance of technical
performance, superior comfort and progressive style. The Fall 2006
collection is currently available and the Spring 2007 collection
will premier later this fall.
Our test package includes a short and long sleeve jersey made from
dual-knit, fast-drying micro-Quattro fabric that is anti bacterial,
anti odor, and SPF 50 -- with the long sleeve consisting of a beefier
fleece. The 6-panel bib shorts are constructed with flat-lock seams
and contain and mesh upper portion for increase breathability.
When it gets a little cooler this fall the thermal vest will come
in handy and is made of a temperature-regulating, windproof membrane
combined with an internal insulation layer. Beneath these layers
is a thin wool base layer that is half merino wool and half acrylic.
And on top is a unique styled hat made of a soft, stretchable fabric
with a drawstring top providing warmth and breathability.
Finally, a set of arm warmers, leg warmers wristbands and an assortment
of socks completes the package.
More info: http://www.uplandsg.com/capoforma
PhotographyFor a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here
Images by
Mark Zalewski/Cyclingnews.com
Images by
James Huang/Cyclingnews.com
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They look odd,
but Vino and Julich seem to like them
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Schwinn's new Madison
brings fixed gear variety at a budget price.
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The new Alpin MTB shoes
feature a rigid carbon fiber sole with replaceable lugs that are offered in both hard and soft durometers.
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The Fox 32 TALAS RLC
wears a brand-new chassis for 2007 along with a new three-position TALAS II lever that allows users to rapidly switch from 100mm, 120mm, or 140mm of travel.
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Williams Cycling
is a new player in the pre-built wheel market but brings an impressive array of features at rock bottom pricing.
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Easy in, easy out
Jagwire eliminates the hassle of replacing Campy's stubborn brake pad inserts with this shop quality tool.
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Mmm… more carbon
Jagwire's carbon and machined aluminum road brake pad carriers are not only good looking, but lightweight as well. A new Pro Series pad compound allegedly offers better performance in both wet and dry conditions.
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Curvy legs on this one
- the new Alpha Q CX20 carbon fiber cyclocross fork shaves 70g from last year's version and is also reported to be significantly more resistant to brake chatter.
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Kiss your extra lenses
goodbye. The photochromic age is clearly upon us. UV-activated Transitions lenses in these Oakley Half Jackets automatically lighten and darken in response to changing light conditions.

Nike Alpin MTB shoes
The new Alpin MTB shoes
Photo ©: James Huang
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Nikes Alpin MTB shoes feature lightweight KNG100 synthetic
leather upper that foregoes the de rigueur ratcheting buckle-plus-strap
arrangement. Instead, a more traditional (and lighter!) trio of
hook-and-loop straps work in concert with a molded heel cup to secure
your feet and a carbon fiber sole makes for a stiff pedaling platform.
A bit of built-in toe spring aids in hike-a-bike sections while
Nikes X-Change System of replaceable lugs makes life a bit
easier when there are a few too many of them. As part of Nikes
Lance Armstrong signature 10//2 line, the Alpin shoes dress up their
otherwise utilitarian motif with just a splash of yellow. Our size
43.5 shoes weigh a respectable 848g for the pair. MSRP is US$199.99.
More info: http://www.trekbikes.com

Schwinn Madison
Schwinn's new Madison
Photo ©: James Huang
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Chances are that this will likely be the least expensive complete
bike to come across the Cyclingnews tech desk. With a retail cost
of just US$529.99, the 07 Schwinn Madison offers the burgeoning
fixie rider a turnkey package that includes a butted chromoly frame,
brazed straight-bladed chromoly fork, and a competent parts mix
from Formula, Tektro, Schwalbe, and Selle San Marco. The rear flip-flop
hub also includes an ACS freewheel for those days when coasting
just cant be resisted. At barely over five hundred bucks,
though, somethings got to give: our 54cm test sample weighs
a relatively portly 9.9kg/21.8lbs without pedals.
More info: http://www.schwinnbikes.com

O,Symetric road chainrings
They look odd,
Photo ©: James Huang
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O,Symetric non-round chainrings have graced the bicycles of such
prominent ProTour contenders as Bobby Julich (Team CSC), Alexander
Vinokourov, and Andrey Kashechkin (Astana). While they certainly
look unconventional, O,Symetric says that altering the effective
gear ratio throughout the pedal stroke in relation to the riders
muscular force results in a 5-15% improvement in efficiency with
a concurrent 3% increase in speed. O.Symetric offers road rings
to fit standard and compact cranksets as well as mountain bike rings
in the current 104/64mm four-arm bolt circle diameter and older
standard and compact five-arm patterns. Our 52/42T road samples
weigh 100g and 58g, respectively, and carry a suggested retail price
of US$245 for the pair.
More info: http://www.osymetric.com

Fox TALAS RLC
The Fox 32 TALAS RLC
Photo ©: James Huang
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Foxs TALAS (Travel Adjust Linear Air Spring) system has been
around for several years now but 2007 finds the system housed in
the companys brand-new 32mm chassis. The new 32 TALAS RLC
features a new lower leg casting with beefier dropouts and more
heavily reinforced brace along with a deeper bore crown for improved
steering precision. A new three position TALAS II lever quickly
switches between 100mm, 120mm, and 140mm settings with only 90 degrees
of throw. As always with Fox, all of the control knobs are machined
and anodized aluminum, but laser-etched markings now make for easier
deciphering of adjustments. Our 32 TALAS RLC registers 1.88kg/4.13lbs
with a full-length steerer tube and costs US$699.
More info: http://www.foxracingshox.com

Williams Cycling Wheel System 30
Williams Cycling
Photo ©: James Huang
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The Wheel System 30 from upstart company Williams Cycling pairs
30mm deep aluminum clincher rims with bladed stainless steel spokes
(16f/20r) and low-profile cartridge bearing hubs to produce a sub-1500g
handbuilt wheelset. Williams Cycling sells consumer-direct exclusively
via its web site in order to reduce retail costs, and indeed, the
Wheel System 30 carries a price of just US$479 including skewers
and brake pads. The wheels come pre-configured with a Shimano 10spd-compatible
alloy freehub body, but Shimano 9spd and Campagnolo bodies are easily
interchangeable and cheap at just US$20 each. Our test set scored
an actual weight of 840g/650g front/rear and were impressively true
and evenly tensioned out of the box.
For heavier or more aggressive riders, Williams Cycling also offers
the Wheel System 30 which uses heavier bladed spokes in a 20f/24r
pattern. Conversely, the Wheel System 19 trades the semi-aero 30mm
rim for a shallower and lighter 19mm deep rim that brings the total
wheelset weight down to a claimed 1405g for the pair.
More info: http://www.williamscycling.com

Jagwire Elite Pad Press
Mmm… more carbon
Photo ©: James Huang
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Campagnolo's cartridge-style brake pad inserts can be a bit, er,
frustrating to replace at times. While simple to swap in theory,
their tight fits often warrant a few skinned knuckles along with
the occasional choice word. The folks at Jagwire feel your pain
and come to the rescue with its well-designed Elite Pad Press which
promised to reduce the task to a much less animated five minute
job. Convenience comes at a price, though, as the Elite Pad Press
carries a MSRP of US$100.
More info: http://www.jagwire.com/aftermarket.html

Jagwire Sleek Road Lite and Elite Road Carbon brake pads plus
Pro Series inserts
Easy in, easy out
Photo ©: James Huang
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Jagwire also sent us a set each of their machined aluminum Sleek
Road Lite Shimano (and now SRAM)-compatible brake pads and their
Campy-compatible Elite Road Carbon pads, weighing just 32g and 34g
a pair, respectively, complete with titanium hardware and orbital
washers. Filling them in are Jagwire's new-for-'07 Pro Series pad
inserts. Jagwire's Director of Aftermarket Products, Jason Grantz,
was a bit coy on what makes them so special, but advised us to "compare
the compound to Shimano, Campy and anyone else for that matter.
Dump a bucket of water on them and then bomb a 12% grade! Then give
me a call to ask how we did it!"
Call us foolishly obedient, but we'll report back with the findings
shortly (what the heck, my health insurance is paid up!). The Sleek
Road Lite pads carry an MSRP of US$50 per wheel and the Elite Road
Carbon pads fetch $US70. Both include an supplemental pair of Jagwire's
Red Zone inserts which claim better wet weather performance and
enhanced resistance to heat buildup in "extreme" conditions.
The new Pro Series inserts are a very reasonable US$8 per pair.
More info: http://www.jagwire.com/aftermarket.html

Oakley Half Jacket Activated by Transitions
Kiss your extra lenses
Photo ©: James Huang
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Oakley has joined forces with the folks at Transitions Optical,
Inc. to offer its first non-prescription photochromic optics offerings.
The Black Persimmon Iridium lenses in our Half Jacket Activated
by Transitions incorporate a UV-sensitive dye that darkens
in bright sunlight and lightens when conditions become more dim
or overcast. The increased flexibility minimizes the need for multiple
lenses and is especially useful when conditions may change during
the course of a ride. Currently, Oakley offers two Transitions tints
in six non-prescription frame styles, including George Hincapie's
signature Racing Jacket. MSRP for our Half Jacket model with Black
Persimmon Iridium lenses is US$180.
More info: http://www.oakley.com

Alpha Q CX20 cross fork
Curvy legs on this one
Photo ©: James Huang
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Cross season is still several months away for most of us, but the
time to start thinking about equipment is upon us. Alpha Q has supplemented
last year's all-carbon CX fork with a new CX20 model that is 50g
lighter yet allegedly offers better steering precision, enhanced
reliability, and improved resistance to brake chatter. The new CX20
is built using the company's trademark Carbon Rooting Technology
where carbon fibers run uninterrupted from the steerer down through
the newly reinforced crown into the legs which are capped with a
pair of neatly designed aluminum dropouts. Titanium cantilever studs
help drop the weight of our test sample to just 470g with a 300mm
long 1 1/8" steerer tube. MSRP is US$569.
More info: http://www.truetemper.com
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