Chris King Precision Components wanted to make sweatshirts for the winter season but they didn’t just want to outsource them. So what did they do? They cut their own patches, in house and then bought machines and hired people to sew them. Pretty cool, huh? They cost $52 and you’ll have to tell people what “CKPC” is, but they have an interesting story.
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Radar
ORNOT Bike’s Men and Women’s Cold Weather Gear Looks Amazing
San Francisco-based ORNOT just launched their extensive cold weather gear. It’s all made in the USA and designed with vibrant, bright fabrics the brand is known for. Thermal bibs, long sleeve jerseys, jackets and other products for men and women are stocked and ready for ordering. Head over to ORNOT for more information.
Radar
Mission Workshop: The Steppe Merino Hoodie
In a quest for the best possible apparel, Mission Workshop is continuously updating and redesigning their pieces. The newest being the Steppe Merino Hoodie. This minimally-designed mid-weight merino hoodie is great as both a layer and an everyday garment.
Made with ultra fine 18.9 micron merino and woven with 2% lycra for increased mobility and durability, these hoodies are made in San Francisco and are in stock now at MissionWorkshop.com, Mission Workshop SF and Mission Workshop LA.
Radar
Adidas Unveils Extensive Cycling Collection
Footwear giant Adidas has resurrected its cycling program with an full line spanning road to mountain. Everything from jackets, to bibs, tights and jerseys can now be ordered through select retailers… In Europe.
For US-customers, we can check out the entire collection in the embedded program or browse the catalog on the Adidas Cycling website. Personally, I think it’s an impressive launch and would like to hope that some of it makes its way Stateside.
Radar
Levi’s® Commuter: The Ride – Julius Kranefuss
Levi’s continues to profile young creatives who commute to work by bike. This video profiles Julius Kranefuss, an architect and founder of Zweidrei. See more at Levi’s.
Radar
Giro’s New New Road is Made for Speed with the Chrono Collection
When Giro launched their New Road apparel line a few years back, they brought in their take on what road cycling wear could become and now, their Chrono Collection addresses the other side to that coin for apparel.
The Chrono collection was launched yesterday and I’ve been reading up on it at their site. My take-away here: the Chrono Collection offers affordable and functional pieces for men and women but the most significant designed piece is the Chrono Expert Halter Bib for women. That’s innovative design.
Check out more at Giro and I’m curious to hear your thoughts on this.
Radar
Showers Pass Cascade Collection
The Showers Pass Cascade Collection is designed for the unpredictable temperature and weather fluctuations riders experience while taking on mountain ranges like the Cascades. Included in this men’s and women’s collection are the Alpine Jersey, Cyclone Jersey, Track Pant, Gravel Short and a Liner Short.
The Cascade Collection provides a full range of versatile cycling apparel utilizing technical fabrics, reflective elements, innovative waterproof pockets, and UV protection; keeping cyclists comfortable at peak performance through multiple seasons and varying conditions.
Check out the Cascade Men’s and Cascade Women’s Collections at Showers Pass. Also, check out the lookbook at Issuu. I woulda loved some of those Track Pants during the TDR!
Radar
Mission Workshop: Softshell Faroe Pullover
I know it’s easy to geek out about ever piece of tech apparel brands like Mission Workshop develop and eventually put to market. I say “eventually” because sometimes it takes a while to make sure it’s ready. Take this Softshell Faroe Pullover for example. I’ve been wearing one since January and it’s safe to say it’s almost all I wear when I’m riding in an environment that demands it. That ranges from sunny days in the New Zealand mountains, where I want to keep the sun off my arms and neck, or a misty mountain hop in the Angeles Crest. Even here in Austin, with our hit-or-miss rainy spring weather.
This one garment has been put through the ringer and it’s still kicking. It’s lightweight (220g) and is constructed using Swiss-made Schoeller®-Dryskin fabric with Nanosphere® water repellent treatment. Schoeller is like the titanium of the fabric industry. What can’t it do? Camping, mountain biking, road cycling, touring, bike packing, its applications are endless.
Check out more at Mission Workshop and yeah, it might not be for everyone, but believe me when I say it’s one of my favorite pieces ever made from the brand. I’ll be taking it with me to Banff this week!
Radar
Ride With Ringtail Today
Studio photos by Jesse Carmody
This one’s been a long time coming! Our friends at Ringtail have finally launched their new web shop, which is stocked with their Breeze Breaker jacket, Breezer vest, Don Cherry cap and Pocket Trumpet cap. All of these products are made in the Los Angeles area, with details that are inspired by many of the rides you’ve read about on this site. While it might be a small initial launch, Ringtail is aspiring to become a great American-made cycling apparel brand.
Head over to Ringtail to see what’s up. If you see your size sold out in something you want, don’t fret there’s more stock coming next week.
Also check out some more product photos below.
Reportage
A Weekend with De Marchi: Italy’s Cycling Apparel Heritage
Heritage is not something that can be bought, or self-prescribed. It’s grown and nurtured over time. Heritage is not a by-product of the self aware, or the overly ambitious. It can’t be self-stated either. Not unless your company began in 1946 and the whole time, has had a presence both locally and internationally in this world we so often call the cycling industry.
De Marchi apparel was started by Emilio De Marchi shortly after WWII. It began as a motorcycle and cycling store in an era where there were no cycling-specific jerseys. If you cycled, you wore the same jersey that you played futball in, or wore while you rode your motorcycle.
It wasn’t until the late 1980’s that De Marchi stepped away from motorcycle apparel to focus solely on cycling. This was after multiple cycling brands had offered to buy De Marchi for a hefty profit, yet Emilio stuck to it. Again, heritage.
Radar
Tenspeed Hero Summer Collection
With the days getting longer, the sun staying hotter and miles being put down on the road, Tenspeed Hero is welcoming the season change with a whole lotta new offerings in their lineup. They’ve issued a few new pieces for men and women, as well as more socks and a collaboration cap with Intelligentsia coffee. Head on over to Tenspeed Hero to see the full Summer Collection. I’m digging the kaleidoscope design.
Radar
Patagonia’s Better Than New Project
Com’on, admit it. You’ve got a few pieces of Patagonia in your wardrobe. My favorite is their down sweater. I never leave for a trip without it. That thing has saved me on more than one occasion over the years. Chances are, your clothing has hit a few snags after heavy use. Rather than tossing it in the trash, you choose to send it in for repair.
Patagonia’s repair facilities are in Reno, NV but now, there’s a new mobile repair truck. The Worn Wear truck is currently crossing the US to make on the spot repairs, sell used clothes and even teach you how to repair your own apparel.
Check out the full schedule below…
Radar
Acre’s New Apparel
Acre’s been working on a few key items over the past year and if you can’t visit their San Francisco or Los Angeles storefronts, they’ve finally stocked their web shop with the new pieces. I’ve used a few of these and they’ve quickly become my new go-to trail apparel.
Check out each below!
Radar
Giro’s New Women’s Ride Halter Bib
Talk about a genius design for female cyclists. Check out more information on the Women’s Ride Halter Bib at Giro.
Radar
Giro: 2015 Ride LT and Ride Apparel for Men and Women
For 2015, Giro has overhauled their New Road line into two new categories: Ride LT, which is more like traditional lycra and Ride, which features more casual apparel. They’ve expanded the men’s and women’s line, bringing each a few new key pieces for spring riding. Most impressive to me is their women’s halter bib, which solves the problem of quick removal without having to remove a jersey.
Check out the full Giro Men’s Apparel line and the full Giro Women’s Apparel line online or head to your local dealer.
Radar
Twin Six’s Providence Jersey
Twin Six’s 2015 made in the USA apparel line has some gems in it, including the Providence Jersey. Inspired by the Eye of Providence, with radiating lightening bolts and rendered in light yellow, this design is available either as a full kit, with matching bibs and a cap, or just in a jersey.
See more at Twin Six.
Radar
Chris Hoy and Vulpine Launch Cycling Apparel Line
As part of the Hoy brand, the former accomplished – to say the least – track racer has teamed up with UK company Vulpine on a line of cycling apparel. Inspired by vintage style, with a modern fit, the Hoy Vulpine line is in stock now online. Or you can see the line in person at the London Bike Show.
Also, that bike is so good!
Radar
Tokyo Fixed: New Block Gilet and Overshoes
Tokyo Fixed’s recent apparel collections have been absolutely beautiful. Coming in hot are the new Block Gilet and Block Overshoes, both designed to keep you warm and visible in the winter months. See more at Tokyo Fixed.