El Cyclista

08.19.10

Outlier Summer Shorts: The Only Alternative to Lycra

Photos by Emiliano Grando and Bjorn Wallander

It is hard to find the perfect pair of shorts. They tend to be too baggy or too long, and never seem to be comfortable enough to ride in if you are just heading out and about. Also compounded by the fact that the more you wear them, the worse they look. I have never been one for different shorts for different occasions, except for racing. So last weekend prompted by our new riding buddy and photographer Emiliano, and seeing some of Outliers clothes around the studio I headed over to Williamsburg to see for myself what looked like some really well made clothes. Sometimes when you pick up a product or a piece of clothing you know instantly two things, 1) you are going to buy it without asking the price, and 2) you will regret not buying two. Outliers Summer Shorts are such a product. But if there was any doubt I was hooked by the “water demonstration“. When placing the shorts on a table Abe proceeded to pour a bottle of water over them, only to see the water bubble and run straight off the shorts. Yes my friends these shorts are water repellent. Sold!

The shorts are made here in New York with an imported Swiss technical fabric called Schoeller Dryskin Extreme. As mentioned they repel water incredibly well and when saturated will dry in 15 – 20 minutes. The 4-season fabric has a little elasticity to it (a four-way stretch) that makes them very comfortable to wear. The cut is pretty much perfect. They sit just above the knee making them perfect for riding and evening out your cycling tan. They have a stylish rear pocket design that remind of a well cut pair of Paul Smith trousers, and mesh front pockets that if you get a soaking will breath and dry quickly. I tried them on in the shop and walked out wearing them and have been wearing them for the 5 days since, even after spilling my Stumptown coffee on them which wiped straight off. I think I am going to be wearing these for most of the summer. A great company run by a great bunch of guys who love riding of all types and want to contribute some quality enduring products to the bike community.

08.15.10

Elcyclista Kit In The Wild

Above 1: Taking some sun on the Ghisallo ferry post ride.
Above 2: Topping up in the camper on Lake Como.

Above 1: Brad got a flat on Riverside Drive.
Above 2: On River Road, the weekly climb.

Above: Anwen sneaks a peak at the Tour, She likes Andy.

08.02.10

Carbon Ti Upgrade Parts

Loving these colored bike parts from Italian Company Carbon Ti. They are maybe more famous for their light weight Ti skewers, that weigh in at around about 35 g and have been spotted in the pro peleton this season. They currently don’t have a distributor in the US, but with the wonders of the internet they can be purchased in Germany at Nano Bike Parts. Also check out the colored chain ring bolts, very nice

07.30.10

The Rapha Lightweight Jersey

It is a rare occasion that I will go out and ride and not be in my Elcyclista jersey, but stashed in the middle of my “pile o’jerseys” I keep the Rapha Lightweight jersey I bought last year. This jersey is made for the current conditions we are having in New York. A heat index of 103, really! Now looking a slightly off-white it is one of the most comfortable jerseys I own. Putting it on again I rediscovered the details that make Rapha products that little bit special. The built in pump sleeve in the back pocket and the middle zip pocket (with the ring pull, making it easier to use). It makes me smile when something is designed just right. They are back in stock. Go buy one, you won’t regret the little bit extra you will pay.

06.12.10

New Elcyclista Kit Is In

After what seemed like an eternity (but probably really wasn’t), the new Elcyclista kit from Capo Forma is in our sweaty mitts. Scuppered by Volcanoes and missed fabric delivery, the wait has been well worth it. The quality of the Capo product is pretty amazing. It is beautifully finished, and they really paid attention to the details. All the ink is crisp, and the panels are all aligned beautifully. I took the shorts for a test ride this morning and they a seriously comfortable. For those of you that ordered and paid in advance, thank you, thank you, thank you for hanging in there and being so patient. We will be sending your kit out tomorrow. For those of you that ordered, but haven’t paid you better hurry up because there is now a long list of people waiting for spares. Since we are now set up with the manufacturer in Italy we have been told if we place another order by the end of July we will have the kit by September. Which is somewhat quicker than this time around. So if anyone out there is interested we are starting to take numbers to build up that order (drop us an email at eurobiker@gmail.com). We did hats as well this time which we will get next week. For the September delivery order as well as repeats of the jersey, bibs, and arm warmers, we will be adding a Wind Vest and Thermal Jacket.

06.11.10

The Knog Nerd

As product design goes the guys at Knog seem to pretty much get it right every time. This little guy is their 12 function bike computer. It does everything you would expect from a computer, but where the design excels is in its minimal and simple looks. The locking mechanism follows the design on their already popular Gecco light, which I already own and never comes of the bike in winter. The  little wrap around silicone band more or less allows you to attach the little fella anywhere. Coming in six colors and weighting in at a water tight 45 grams, it is a little thing of beauty.

06.07.10

Chainbot by Topeak

This has to be the best looking chain tool out there. Made by Topeak, it has already received the prestigious Red Dot Design Award. It reminds me a lot of what Philip Starck would do if he was asked to design a bike tool. It makes me want to unfold it and put it out on the shelf. Who said tools have to stay in the toolbox. More details at Topeak.

06.02.10

I see this in my future

This is one fine looking ride. There are a few parts on here that I might swap out, but that SL3 frame looks fast standing still. Completely turned my head.

Photos and bike by Mario Hartman

03.28.10

Edge Composite 45 Clinchers

I got these wheels about nine months ago almost to the day, and this is the first time I have had them off my bike (I got a massive blow out last weekend that left a whole the size of a quarter in my new Evo Corsa). They have been over some pretty rough terrain in and around New York. They have also been up and down the Pyrenees last summer. Seven different states from California to Pennsylvania, and in and out of a bike box, a lot. After all of these miles and travel Mark at ifixbyx has only had to true them once, after a bounce in and out of a pothole on River Road. Despite the fact these are carbon clinchers, they are my everyday ride wheel, I find them to be absolutely bomb proof. The guys at wheelbuilder.com built them up, and all it took was a visit to the website and a phone call. The rims are Edge Composite 45 Clinchers, with a 20/24 spoke combo. For the hubs I chose the DT Swiss 190’s with ceramic cartridge bearings. The spokes are DT Aerolites in silver. The front wheel weight using the Wheelbuidler calculator comes out at about 650g, the rear wheel around 750g, without the cassette (total wheel weight around 1400g). So not the lightest, but what you loose in weight, you gain back with the DT Swiss super smooth hubs and bearings. They roll beautifully. Now I just have to get a new tire and look out for nine inch nails lying in the middle of the road.

ADDITION: By complete chance I just saw this post via Above Category and I couldn’t agree more. These wheels are not “too finicky for everyday use” as described in Bicycling Magazine. I have found quite the opposite. My rather large blowout was down to nothing more than my bad eyesight. Like he said sell your first born to get them and be proud to ride something niche.

02.10.10

Elcyclista Kit Update

Update! We have finalized the details of the next run of our kit with Capo Forma. If any of you own any Capo kit you will know that it is a high quality product. Great longevity and attention to detail. We will be releasing this round of the kit at cost price (prices per piece below). We are going to do a limited run, so let us know if you are interested nice and early as it will impact the quantities we get per size (we have already had a lot of interest). The main pieces we will offer will be the Elcyclista jerseys and bibs. Also, depending on the amount of interest we may do caps and arm warmers. We made a few tweaks to the original design but nothing major as the feedback we got was so positive. The details are below. If you are interested, drop me an email to eurobiker@gmail.com with the pieces you are interested in and the sizes you would want (the Capo Forma catalogue has more details on sizing). When I get your requests, I’ll email back individually with payment details (we will be doing it through PayPal). Thanks in advance for your support and spreading the word

The Jersey: $65 (USD)
We are getting European race cut (usually means if you like a little room like me you need to go a size up; I am 5′8″ and about 154lbs and medium build – I need a large jersey) using their Drop fabric, Dual-knit, tear drop style knit with proven moisture management and sublimation properties. The design has a full-length lockable hidden zipper, three back pockets and a silicone gel waist gripper.

The Bibs: $75 (USD)
Will be made with their 210 Power Lycra for longevity and have the Corsa chamois insert. It is an elastic one-piece construction with varying thickness (High 10mm, Medium 7mm and Low 5mm), perforated open cells for maximum air flow, anti-microbial microfiber composed of silver ion threads and enhanced perennial channel for additional comfort. This is a great all-around seating option.

Arm warmers: $25 (USD)
Ideal accessory for every climate and condition, providing both muscle support and effective UV protection. Power Lycra® SPF 50 and silicone gel arm gripper.

Caps: $8 (USD)
One size fits all! Standard cap size. Branded inside peak, wear it flipped up in honor of VDB.

Posting:
Using USPS on Priority Mail, flat rate, with 6 to 1o days delivery time
International: $14
Domestic (US): $10