Week in Tech: Kitsbow jeans, new Silca pump, 7Mesh jacket, and sponsor news

Published December 12, 2014 02:15PM

Here’s your Week in Tech — all the gear news, tips and announcements you need and none of the marketing gibberish you don’t.

Kitsbow Mountain Bike Wear launches urban collection

Kitsbow, manufacturer of high-end mountain bike clothing, has broadened its apparel range to offer a few items that can be worn whether you’re riding or not. Of course, all of the new products are designed and tailored to be worn on the bike.

The $230 Drifter Jeans are one of the highlights of the line. They sport a cotton and Cordura blend with a touch of lycra for increased mobility. Interior seams are smoothed out, and reflective accents are added to the inside of the leg, for when riding in traffic with the pant leg rolled up.

Another notable piece from the urban line is the Icon Shirt. Woven in Washougal, Washington of Pendleton wool, the Icon Shirt is not your average flannel shirt — it isn’t priced like one either at $195. The riders behind the Kitsbow brand call themselves “obsessives” and their products are designed, and priced, accordingly.

Seven Cycles Mavic 125th edition bike benefits Davis Phinney foundation

All year, Mavic has been celebrating its 125th anniversary. As we near the end of the calendar, Mavic has one more bike to auction off. The 54cm Seven Cycles Axiom SL is up for bid, courtesy of The Pro’s Closet, with all proceeds going to the Davis Phinney Foundation.

The titanium Axiom SL frame has mostly black paint with matte and gloss finish and yellow striping. A Shimano 6800 drivetrain handles the shifting and braking responsibilities, and titanium Seven Cycles components round out the build. Of course, the wheels are limited-edition Mavic Kysrium 125. Seven Cycles touts the Axiom SL as the bike for everything from criterium racing to solo endurance rides.

The winner of the auction will receive the bike and a two autographed jerseys courtesy of the Phinney family and Rapha. One of the long-sleeve Rapha jerseys celebrates and is autographed by Davis Phinney, and the other is signed by Connie Carpenter-Phinney.

7mesh Launch Edition Revelation jacket

7mesh, out of Squamish, British Columbia, has not been on the market for long, but in a short amount of time, the Canadian brand has brought several awesome products to market — we will feature a couple in our 2015 Buyer’s Guide.

The latest product is the Launch Edition Revelation jacket. The jacket will be produced in limited numbers. The Launch Edition Revelation will also be the first cycling garment made with Gore-Tex Pro fabric, which is claimed to work in the widest range of temperatures, keeping the rider warm, dry, but not too warm.

Of course, that fabric comes at a price, and the $450 price tag might be a little steep for riders who won’t be riding in rainy places, like British Columbia.

Silca launches low-pressure pump

The Silca Super Pista Ultimate floor pump has made waves and won awards at trade shows since it hit the market this year. It’s pricey, but it’s beautiful, functions flawlessly, and it’s a Silca, so it’s built to last.

Now Silca is offering a low-pressure version of the Super Pista Ultimate. The Super Pista Ultimate LP sports a different gauge designed with a max pressure of 60 psi. The lower-PSI gauge allows the rider to more accurately set their tire pressure on cyclocross, mountain, and gravel bikes. Cannondale-Cyclocrossworld.com team manager Stu Thorne provided design input, and he knows a thing or two about dialing in cyclocross tire pressure.

The Super Pista Ultimate LP shares the same price tag as the Super Pista Ultimate, with a retail price tag of $450, and is available now. For riders who already own a Super Pista Ultimate, the LP gauge will be available for purchase sometime in mid-January, and the gauges will be interchangeable for different racing seasons.

Bianchi and Campagnolo to sponsor Inpa Bianchi Giusfredi pro women’s team

Bianchi will sponsor Team Inpa Bianchi Giusfredi with its Oltre XR2 Dama Bianca frames in 2015. The team, which is led by Italian Rosella Ratto and also includes junior world champion Anna Trevisi, will use Campagnolo Record drivetrains, Campagnolo Bora wheels, Selle San Maco saddles, and Vittoria tires.