October 26, 2009
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Oct. 26 Tech Update: Cateye’s Hybrid light uses a one LED lamp and a tool free bracket.

Photo: Courtesy

For every hot piece of gear that we stuffed into our Interbike show coverage both online and in print (see the coming December issue of VeloNews, on stands November 1), there are ten bits that we missed. Here’s some of what’s new from a few companies.

Cateye goes green with a Hybrid

Oct. 26 Tech Update: The Cateye Hybrid light is powered alternately by either solar energy or a standard AA battery.

Photo: Courtesy

Fans of the Toyota Prius and other hybrid vehicles should check out the Cateye Hybrid light. It’s the 2009 Eurobike award-winning “hybrid” headlight that might be sweet for bike commuters. The Cateye Hybrid is topped with solar cells and stores solar energy in a NiMH rechargeable battery, but also has back up power available from a standard alkaline AA battery.

Housed in the same unit and controlled with a simple switch, you can choose to draw power from either source to light your ride for up to 36 hours (in flashing mode, fully using up both power sources). An LED light on the top of the unit shines blue when the Hybrid is using stored solar power, and changes to orange when drawing power from the AA battery. The 400 candlepower light has both flashing and constant modes, and comes with Cateye’s FlexTight tool-free mounting bracket.

The $60 Hybrid ships in recyclable, environmentally safe packaging.

cateye.com

New Skins

Oct. 26 Tech Update: Skins will be supplying USA Cycling athletes for the next three years.

Photo: Courtesy

Skins, one of the first players in the compression clothing category, continues to grow its range with a new line of cycling gear. The new top of the line collection is called “C400,” in keeping with updated technology across all Skins compression clothing. All the high-end Skins compression clothing is now called the “400 Series.”

The series uses body mapping instead of BMI (body mass index) to size and shape the pieces. The company scanned the bodies of over 400 athletes (male and female) and took more than 800,000 measurements of the different shapes. From those measurements, they used 400 data points to design and size the new series. The end result is that Skins claims the new 400 Series compression clothing is more anatomically correct. The compression fabric also moves better with the body through the use of a new yarn called “MX.” MX yarn has 100 percent memory (it stretches and returns completely to original shape) and is spun in the warp knit used in Skins compression.

Oct. 26 Tech Update: The new C400 range from Skins is based on high-end compression and fit.

Photo: Courtesy

The C400 range of cycling clothing uses MX yarn plus the 400 Series design to make premium cycling garments. The difference between the new C400 and the current “Pro” range is improved fit and updated compression, and upgraded stitching and support. For instance, the C400 bib short has different stitching and panels compared with the Pro range short. The C400 short also uses a new chamois from Cytec developed for Skins.

USA Cycling has adopted Skins clothing in a three-year partnership to equip USAC athletes. Beginning in February 2010, Skins will provide its full range of competitive cycling apparel to USA Cycling racers in road, track, mountain and cyclocross. The agreement will remain in place through the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London. In addition to USA Cycling, Skins sponsors Cycling Australia, Team Columbia-HTC, Rabobank and Team Milram.

In a press release, Gregg Hemphill, VP of Marketing for Skins America, said, “What is unique about the relationship we’ve established with USA Cycling is that we have the ability to develop and fine tune their competitive product assortment based on the actual specifications of the organization and its athletes.”

The full release of the new Skins cycling range will occur in the USA in 2010.

skins.net

Two more weeks of Blackbottoms’ 35th anniversary sale

Oct. 26 Tech Update: Blackbottoms makes a wide range of club and team custom apparel.

Photo: Courtesy

Blackbottoms Cyclewear of Salt Lake City turns 35 this year, and to celebrate, the company is offering 20 percent off all orders through November 6th.

Barbra Zakarian started Blackbottoms Cyclewear in 1974, sewing cycling shorts in her home for friends and acquaintances. The company says that she was first to introduce “flatlocked” seams to the industry, and successfully expanded the product line to include tights, jerseys and jackets. Blackbottoms continues to be a family-run business under the ownership of Jay and Tara Elggren.

To take advantage of the sale, orders have to be signed, art approved, and deposit made by November 6th. There is a 25-item minimum order per style and piece, but for clubs and teams planning for 2010, January delivery is available.

blackbottoms.com