Week in Tech: Silca tubeless, free Rapha, pink helmets
Silca announces tubeless valves, Kask celebrates the Giro, Rapha offers free shoe covers, and Rudy Project has new Rx lenses.
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Here’s the Week in Tech — all the gear news, tips, and announcements you need and none of the marketing gibberish you don’t.
Silca goes sleek with new tubeless kit
Silca now offers a tubeless kit that includes two valve stems, two spherical valve nuts, and two SpeedShield rim protectors, all for $25. The company says its aluminum valves are lighter than brass options, stronger than typical aluminum valves, and offer improved airflow thanks to the fully machined brass valve core. The SpeedShields protect your rims when using the valve nuts so you won’t be left with scratches on those pricey carbon wheels. But the shields also improve aerodynamics, hiding parts of the valve stem from the wind for smoother airflow around this area.
Kask harnesses Italian spirit with pink helmets
Kask helmets announced limited edition Giro d’Italia designs for its Protone and Mojito helmets that will be available just before the start of the Giro. The decision to work with RCS Sports (the company that operates the Giro) in licensing these designs is part of Kask’s drive to promote Italian craftsmanship and passion for cycling. The Giro edition Mojito includes flashes of the Maglia Rosa pink coupled with the event’s motto of “Fight for Pink” while the Protone will boast a striking all-pink design. Both helmets will be available in medium and large at the beginning of May.
Framed fatbikes go on a diet, slim down to 27.5+
Framed bikes strayed from its fatbike roots with the launch of the Marquette 27.5+ hardtail mountain bike. Initially, the new bike will only be available in carbon but the company says an alloy version is soon to follow. The bike will be decorated predominantly with SRAM components and will have an option for RockShox or RST fork otpions. Custom builds will also be readily available. The Marquette will be priced at $1,999 for GX and $2,199 for X1 builds, both featuring hydraulic SRAM brakes and RockShox Reba forks.
Rudy Project prescribes Intuition Rx glasses
Rudy Project revealed its newest prescription sunglass frame to join the company’s extensive lineup of Rx optics. The Intuition glasses utilize a lightweight thermoplastic chassis (called Grilamid) for impact resistance and have adjustable temples for a comfortable fit. The Intuition glasses can be crafted with Rudy Project’s in-house Rx lenses or with the ImpactRX-2 adaptive lenses that change from light to dark tints depending on the amount of sunlight.
4id glow gear lights up morning rides
Powered by high intensity LED lights, 4id’s PowerWrapz light bands hook onto your bike’s frame, handlebars, or even on your helmet so you’ll be more visible at any time of the day. The weatherproof light bands easily attach onto most square and circular objects and offer up to 70 hours of steady operation (100 hours of flashing). The lights retail for $25 each through 4id’s website.
Free cycling caps from Full Windsor
To celebrate the launch of Full Windsor’s new website, the cycling accessory site is giving away free caps and a 10% discount on all orders through the end of the week. So hurry up.
Free Rapha shoe covers (when you buy a pair of shoes)
Wait, Rapha makes cycling shoes? They do indeed, and now you will get a free set of overshoes (shoe covers) or oversocks when you buy a pair these stylish kicks. The shoes run from $400 to $450, so this won’t end your search for the deal of a lifetime, but the two shoe cover options will help keep your feet warm and protected from the elements this spring. Plus, if you opt for Rapha’s sparkly white Climber or GT shoes, these covers are essential in keeping them mud and grime-free.