Gear Break: Sportful Checkmate Jersey, Colnago x Tod’s Collab, KANSEPT1 Attire, Brooks C17 Particular Lab, La Passione’s Ultralight, Ortlieb Seat-Pack QR & Enduro Bearings & Brews Speakeasy

Gear Break: Sportful’s new Checkmate jersey, Colnago x Tod’s, an exclusive Made in Italy collaboration, KANSEPT1: Limited edition premium performance and lifestyle cycling apparel + gear designed in Portland Oregon USA, Brooks England invite riders to chart their own course with the latest Cambium saddle C17 – Special Lab, La Passione Striver Ultralight, even lighter for the warmer months, ORTLIEB launches Seat-Pack QR, bikepacking keeps getting easier and Enduro Bearings to host ‘Bearings & Brews Speakeasy’ June 29 at Rapha’s San Francisco Clubhouse.

Sportful Checkmate Jersey – $110 US / $140 Cdn

PEZ Sez: This one jumped out at me because of the cool burnt orange color, Sportful calls it “Chili Red Mauve”.  It’s not orange, and it’s not red – but somewhere nicely in between.  And let’s face it, ‘if da jersey don’t look good, Daddy not wearin’ da jersey’.

And to be honest – my wear days for this one go way beyond this photo shoot.  My tester is a Sportful size medium (and that’s me at around a buck ’36 lbs) – so even though I fit a size small in US sizing, I usually go for M in the Euro brands.  (Sportful is Italian cento percento 100%.)

An interesting feature here is the 6 (count ’em) pockets in back.  This one blurs the line between what we often see as gravel specific jersey designs (with lotsa pockets to carry all that gear for the big adventure), and the road, because it fits like a road jersey, and Sportful even tags it as a race and training top.  The extra layer of pockets are kinda cool to have, especially if you like being super organized in back, but sometimes I fumble around trying to get into the right one while I’m riding.

The fabric is light and very breathable – ideal for warmer summer days, either over a base layer, or just the bibs if it’s really hot.   The collar is one of those that’s there in the back, and tapers down into the body in front – further aiding staying cool.

The jersey is cut to fit in the riding position – with sleeves that are articulated forward, and the body is slim and trim – cut for cyclists as well.  If you fit that shape, it’ll fit you well, and the only need for silicone gripper is across the base of the back to keep the jersey from riding up – which in my experience rarely happens when the garment is cut correctly – which this one is.

Overall a nice jersey.

• See it at Sportful.com

Colnago x Tod’s, An Exclusive Made in Italy Collaboration

In the exclusive setting of the Tod’s boutique in via Montenapoleone in Milan, during the Salone del Mobile 2022, Colnago and Tod’s present a new bicycle made in collaboration: the Tod’s T Bike. Two of the top Made in Italy brands united for a project that embraces urban mobility and celebrates the Italian lifestyle. The bike will also be available to purchase in Bitcoins.

Tod’s T Bike is a limited edition bicycle built on a Colnago G3-X base with a monocoque carbon fiber frame. In racing green and tan orange, the Tod’s T Bike will be available in a limited edition of 70 unique pieces. Why start with a gravel frame? Because it is suitable for covering asphalted sections, but also for riding on gravel roads or more rugged terrain, making it a perfectly multifaceted vehicle to represent a unique solution, the classic “all-rounder” bike, also ideal for urban and commuting use.

Tod’s T Bike wants to represent all this, bringing together the racing soul of Colnago with a “suit” tailored for Tod’s in terms of taste, graphics and components. These have been chosen with the utmost care from some of the most prestigious Made in Italy brands: the group is Campagnolo Ekar 13-speed, the wheels are Campagnolo Levante with carbon fiber rims complemented by Pirelli Cinturato Gravel H tires that have tread designed for compact soils. The stem and handlebar are Deda Elementi, saddle and tape are Brooks, a brand owned by Selle Royal. Tod’s T Bike therefore interprets the desire for sustainable mobility with style and reflects Colnago’s desire to go beyond the traditional horizons of high-performance cycling to explore new languages ​​and new scenarios.

The Tod’s T Bike will be previewed tonight in Milan during the Salone del Mobile 2022 at the exclusive Tod’s boutique in via Montenapoleone and will be available for pre-order starting from 13 June on Tods.com and in a selection of Tod’s mono-brand boutiques, worldwide. Exclusively in the Tod’s boutique in Milan Montenapoleone, the collection can be purchased with Bitcoin cryptocurrency, a payment formula that can also be used to purchase the Tod’s T Bike online in Europe.

Digital passport, guaranteed value
The Tod’s T Bike also benefits from the blockchain technology developed with Colnago’s technical partner MyLime. Together they’ve created an RFID tag that is inextricably linked to the bike frame and grants access to the information in the bike’s digital passport through a smartphone app that is linked to the blockchain. The transparency offered by the blockchain solution will lend absolute traceability and will ensure the bicycle’s value over time. Furthermore, various blockchain technologies have been evaluated for how they promote sustainability and one has been selected that best minimises the use of intensive computing resources for block validation.

The bike: Colnago G3-X
This is the specific model for gravel use. From the experience gained in the world of cyclocross, Colnago has developed a bike dedicated to the increasingly popular discipline. Compared to Prestige, one of the most successful frames in cyclocross history, designed to pedal as fast as possible for an hour on a technical off-road circuit, the G3-X overcomes the circuits’ barriers. For this reason it has an optimized geometry to accommodate wider tires, with steering angle and overall length designed to offer greater stability and comfort at high speeds. Up to four bottle cages can be fitted to the G3-X, along with luggage if needed, for longer rides. G3-X is offered in five sizes, all sloping.

KANSEPT1: Limited Edition Premium Performance and Lifestyle Cycling Apparel + Gear Designed in Portland Oregon USA
KANSEPT1 is pleased to announce the launch of their Spring Summer 2022 collection of cycling apparel.

“This brand is much more than a passion project… this has been a dream of mine for many years… by combining two of my life’s passions: cycling + product design, KANSEPT1 is the culmination of decades immersed in both and truly what I’ve been working towards my entire career working with brands like NIKE, Salomon, Pearl Izumi, patagonia and others… our mission is to deliver cycling apparel that is stylish, without compromise and built to last.” George T. Nelson, founder + creative director.

With an inital offering of limited edition jerseys, bibshorts and socks for both Men and Women, KANSEPT1 plans to offer a full year-round collection of Fall/Winter and Spring/Summer apparel + gear for the dedicated outdoor cyclist and the committed indoor stationary trainer/racer.

The KANSEPT1 Launch Collection includes a ProSpec Rouler jersey for Men + Women in an AEROtomic fit, using performance fabrics such as SpeedSilk and MicroVent with features including a SpeedZip one-handed full front zip and a rear HiddenZip with access to a water-resistant StealthPocket. The ProSpec Rouleur bibshort features a premium Italian-made ProSpec Endurance 3D chamois sewn into QuattroMax and QuattroGrid compression fabrics as well as a lower back StealthPocket to secure phones, snacks and other essentials. And the ProSpec Rouleur sock is knit with a pro-style SpeedRib double welt cuff, SpeedSilk footbed and MicroMesh upper while the StealthToe enhances fit + comfort.

KANSEPT1 will be distributed through kansept1.com with plans to partner with online and brick + mortar retailers.

For more information on KANSEPT1, please contact George at 503.367.3930 and [email protected]

Brooks England Invite Riders to Chart Their own Course with the Latest Cambium Saddle C17 – Special Lab

From intense gravel racing to relaxed bikepacking escapes, the Cambium C17 saddle by Brooks England has become a fast favorite amongst the adventure-riding set.

To celebrate intrepid Cambium riders and those who chart their own course, Brooks have introduced the latest addition to their limited-series saddle collection: the Cambium C17 Special Lab.

Combining versatility, support, and all-weather performance, the C17 Special Lab features a limited topographic-line design alongside the comfortable riding characteristics for which Cambium is well known.

Inviting riders to chart their own course and enjoy adventures far from the beaten track, each Cambium saddle is carefully crafted prioritizing natural materials to deliver instant comfort right out of the box.

Striver Ultralight, Even Lighter for the Warmer Months
La Passione launches an evolution of the Striver collection, optimized to effortlessly withstand temperatures in excess of 30 degrees.

La Passione’s new Ultralight collection is designed specifically to cope with days of intense heat. This ultralight garment makes use of some of the lightest materials on the market and a specific construction, that minimizes seams and workmanship, ensures performance, effective sweat dispersion and optimal air exchange. In short, the same very high quality as Striver yet lighter.

The Ultralight Striver jersey is made entirely of a special mesh fabric that is highly breathable and has excellent elastic qualities, taking the concept of lightness to the extreme. The particular simplicity of the construction of this garment makes it ideal for high temperatures and possible humidity since the ultra-light fabric ensures a constant passage of air for an invaluable feeling of freshness. Its particular diamond-shaped construction is able to trap sweat and expel it quickly, allowing the body to stay cool and dry. Thanks to these special qualities, it is possible to keep the jersey tightly closed at all times and still benefit from a perfect feeling of freshness.The three back pockets that complete the garment are made of an even more stretchy fabric to comfortably hold everything needed.

The sleeve construction and the generous collarless round neckline contribute to increased comfort while pedaling. In a nutshell, the ideal garment for pedaling in absolute comfort despite the intense heat.

The Ultralight Striver shorts were created using some of the lightest lycra available on the market. Thanks to its six-panel structure, the shorts provide high muscle support while reducing the feeling of pressure and heat, typical of this material. An insert made entirely of mesh has been introduced in the lumbar area, replacing the classic bodice, to provide greater lightness to a critical area, such as the waist. The fabric, in direct contact with the body, promotes the passage of air, reducing sweating. The new pad is characterized by the innovative Humidity Transition System (HTS) composed of hydrophobic foams of different densities. Thanks to their recognized ability to mechanically attract sweat, they ensure a rapid and constant transport of moisture from the inside to the outside by means of the network of foams that make up the padding.

These two garments certainly form the winning team against heat and humidity during long summer rides.

ORTLIEB Launches Seat-Pack QR, Bikepacking Keeps Getting Easier
Bikepacking Trend Continues

Since 2016, the subject of bikepacking and the accompanying new form of cycle tourism has also spread to Europe. This type of bike travel originates from the USA. And the new gravel bike movement has also contributed to the unprecedented boom. In keeping with the origins of the trend, the latest development by ORTLIEB Sportartikel GmbH near Nuremberg was presented in California as part of the outdoor and bike festival “Sea Otter Classic“ that takes place every year.

CEO Martin Esslinger together with the CEO of the American subsidiary, Jeff Scully, took charge of presenting the Seat-Pack QR on site. He states: “Being on the move has changed, pandemic-related restrictions and the increasing environmental awareness of many consumers have given the trend towards regional, sustainable holidays a real boost. People are rediscovering their homeland, often by bike, very often in bikepacking mode. The term escape routes is a good way of describing these small breaks from everyday life. Only the essentials are packed and attached to the bike and then for a short time everyday life is exchanged for complete immersion in nature,” reports CEO Martin Esslinger from ORTLIEB, the bikepack specialist from northern Bavaria.

Demand has been tremendous in the last two years and despite significantly increased capacities of the production based in Germany, tremendous effort is reportedly required to satisfy the global demand. “More and more sports enthusiasts are using microadventures for short breakaways by bike, boat or even on foot,” Esslinger continues. Recognizing this development, the Heilsbronn-based pack specialist ORTLIEB is presenting its latest sustainable product from its bikepacking series – waterproof and made in Germany of course. The experts from Bavaria are supplementing their bikepacking line with an innovative saddlebag featuring a patented mounting system.

Waterproof Saddlebag with Quick Release for Bikepacking
Hitting the trails on a mountain bike, chasing up alpine passes on a road bike or heading off-road with the gravel bike? Whatever the tour, with the waterproof Seat-Pack QR, the choice of bike becomes secondary. The innovative Seat-Lock fastening system makes it quick to mount, regardless of which bike is in line for the next tour. After removal, the fastening system leaves no trace and can even be used with a dropper post as the special adapter clamp only takes up 4.3 centimeters.

Thanks to the inner reinforcement along with the four straps and compression valve, the content is securely fixed in place and the entire pack remains stable without any annoying bouncing on the saddle stem. Another positive aspect of the pack is the quick mounting and removal, enabling, for example, the equipment it contains to be kept dry inside the tent.
If the 13-liter volume is not enough, an elastic cord fastener is present for simply stowing a gilet or vest on the upper side of the 625-gram pack. The maximum load of three to five kilograms depends on the position of the hooks on the saddle rails.

The PVC-free saddlebag is of course produced sustainably in Germany and is immediately available from specialist retailers.

Enduro Bearings to Host ‘Bearings & Brews Speakeasy’ June 29 at Rapha’s San Francisco Clubhouse
Public welcome; founder Matt Harvey and pro mechanic Dan Large will present Enduro Insider Tips on bike bearing design, manufacturing and service

On the heels of Enduro Bearings’ info-rich website launch last week, they’ll be hosting a free-to-the-public ‘Bearings & Brews Speakeasy’ at the Rapha Clubhouse in San Francisco (2198 Filbert St.). The event will take place at 5:30pm on Wednesday, June 29.

Enduro Bearings’ founder Matt Harvey will share how Enduro became the go-to performance bearing supplier for global bicycle and component manufacturers, while pro mechanic Dan Large will demonstrate proper bearing R&R and wrenching secrets for success. Attendees will also learn what’s inside Enduro’s lifetime-guaranteed Maxhit 440C stainless and XD15 ceramic-hybrid product lines, and why industry leaders annually spec millions of Enduro bearings to meet the varying demands of road, gravel and MTB riding.

“Our Speakeasy events are a perfect way to tell the Enduro story, and more importantly the story of bearings and bikes, all in a casual setting — and we couldn’t think of a more fitting place than a Rapha Clubhouse,” says Harvey. “We love opportunities like this to meet and chat directly with cyclists, take their questions, so they can make the best choices when buying or servicing their bikes.”

All Rapha SF Speakeasy attendees will also receive a one-time 35% off coupon for online bearing and components. One lucky attendee will also receive a brand new Enduro Bearings XD15 ceramic-hybrid bottom bracket featuring Enduro’s famous lifetime guarantee (which includes coverage against corrosion).

If that’s not enough, attendees may “catch” a variety of giveaways including t-shirts and hats and other ‘swag’; hydration from San Francisco’s own Fort Point Beer Co. will be provided as well.

Enduro Bearings & Brews Speakeasy details:
Location: Rapha San Francisco
Address: 2198 Filbert St, San Francisco, CA 94123
Date/Time: June 29, 2022. 5:30pm

• For more information and/or media inquiries please contact: Nic Sims at SIMBOL Communications: [email protected].

Note: PEZCyclingNews ask that you contact the manufacturers before using any products you see here. Only the manufacturer can provide accurate and complete information on proper / safe use, handling, maintenance and or installation of products as well as any conditional information or product limitations.

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