Pearl Izumi’s new Elite IV road shoe borrows the aesthetic of the P.R.O. Leader model and its BOA closure system to offer a much sleeker, more comfortable shoe without giving much up to its top tier sibling.
Version III used three straps, two with Velcro, and a top ratchet buckle strap to hold the show tight against the foot. The “Bi-Directional Closure” pulls evenly from both sides as you twist the BOA dial, keeping pressure more evenly dispersed. Guide loops spread the load and keep the tongue centered.
The material is a fully bonded seamless upper, only lacking a bit of the ventilation and thinness of the top model. The carbon sole used unidirectional fibers with built in arch support shaping and front and rear vents. Compared to the P.R.O. sole, this one uses a slightly lower grade carbon and adds just 0.5mm to the stack height to come in at 7.0mm between it and your foot. It also adds a replaceable heel bumper.
All that for $200, which is $70 cheaper than the P.R.O. and only 30g heavier (275g claimed for size 43). Men’s versions will come in black or white, women’s in white/pink or black/purple.
Their Sunsleeves are updated with a lighter, cooler fabric but still offer UPF 50+ sun protection.
The Barrier Lite Cycling Cap (left) add a wind- and water resistant center panel, keeping the sides more breathable with their P.R.O. Transfer fabric to wick sweat away. The In-R-Cool Skullcap also uses the Transfer Dry along with Transfer Lite materials to evaporate sweat off your head before it can pool and drip into your eyes.
SPEEDVAGEN x CASTELLI
Speedvagen’s following up their new disc brake road and cyclocross bikes with a new black cycling kit.
It’s made up of matching bibshorts, thermal jacket and wind vest, all from Castelli. Complementing these are pink or black Team Jerseys, as well as a light gray Climber’s jersey, which is super lightweight and thin for the hotter days. Put it all together and you’ve got year-round riding kit. Well, year-round in California, anyway. Available for pre-order through Friday, March 1, you can nab this along with a pink
Check their story on the new threads here.
RAPHA x WIGGINS
Sir Bradley Wiggins and Rapha have partnered to create the Wiggins apparel collection. The line will grow over time but will start, naturally, with a performance collection for the Wiggins team riders.
Sir Bradley Wiggins comments, “I’ve got to know the Rapha team well over the last few years at Team Sky; they’re serious about design and they love cycling almost as much as I do. I want a range of kit that looks great but is also functionally practical for today’s cyclist in all their different shapes and sizes, and I know Simon and the team at Rapha will do the business.”
Rapha founder and Chief Executive, Simon Mottram, comments, “Sir Bradley Wiggins is one of the very few cyclists who transcend the sport. He combines world-leading performances on the road and track with a love of the culture and history of cycling and the charisma to inspire cyclists, fans and the general public. It’s flattering and extremely exciting to be working with him.”
Read the design story here.
