The must-have accessory of Press Camp 2015 was easily Fabric’s ultra-functional, minimalist Cageless Waterbottle, so we were excited to see how the UK brand would top itself moving into this year’s event. Fabric did not disappoint.
The brand has not only taken strides in further fleshing out its otherwise impressive existing lines in bottles, saddles, and tools, but it has once again expanded into several new categories with the same out-of-the-box approach. Let Fabric’s new offerings pump (CLAP) you up after the jump.
For those who love the look and finish of the Scoop saddle, but who have sit bones too wide to ride them comfortably, there is the new Scoop Gel/Women’s saddle. The saddle has the same basic design of a Scoop, but is both wider at 155mm and shorter at 260mm (down from 282mm of the regular Scoop saddles) to better accommodate women’s geometry. Also, unlike many typical gel saddles where the gel material is isolated to specific areas of the saddle surface, the Scoop Gel features a gel layer over 95% of the surface while keeping weight to a claimed 280g with cromoly rails.
The Tri Saddle has also experienced a bit of an upgrade. It now includes carbon and titanium rail options in addition to the cromoly rail option previously available. Where the Cromoly rail option came in at $90 MSRP and 240g, the carbon option weighs a claimed 176g at an extremely reasonable $180 MSRP. The removable rear bottle attachment kit is included on all levels of Tri, allowing you to attach tools or bottles for easy access while riding.
The original offering of the Line saddle, designed with a central relief channel, was available only in a 134mm width. For this season, Fabric has introduced an additional wider 142mm version to suit more body types. The new version is also longer and debuts in cromoly, titanium, and carbon rail configurations.
The pinnacle of Fabric’s saddle line, the ALM, is now available in a variety of color and style options for OE and aftermarket. The saddle which at several angles resembles more of an architect’s bridge rendering than a bicycle component, was developed utilizing expertise by AIRBUS as well as high performance hockey stick manufacturing, weighs a barely-there 140g and can be yours for $360 MSRP.
Last season, Fabric came out of the gate with their clever Chamber ratcheting multi-tool. This season, they have expanded their line to include several compelling, functional pieces. Their Chain tool, compatible with 8-11 speed chain, can be attached to a key ring. In case of breakage on the road, the pin of the tool is removable and able to be reversed to keep you going, just in case. The Chain tool will be available for $20 MSRP.
Their multi-tool line has expanded as well. The compact Six and Eight Tools are designed with, you guessed it, six and eight functions, respectively. The Six contains 3, 4, 5, 6mm hex keys as well as a #2 Phillips head screwdriver and a Torx 25 wrench. The Eight adds a 2mm hex key and a #5 flat head screwdriver. They will be available at $15 MSRP for the Six and $20 MSRP for the Eight.
The Sixteen Tool includes tools such as truing keys, chain tool, bottle opener, and 2.5mm and 8mm hex keys and, like its little brothers, folds into a low profile. The Sixteen Tool is available at $30 MSRP.
In a surprise move this season, Fabric has expanded, full bore, into pumps. The line will be offering inflation options from floor pumps (or ‘track pumps’ as Fabric calls them) down to super portable pumps.
The M200 (left) is a compact pump designed for high-volume inflation and a maximum inflation pressure of 90psi. The road pump (right) comes in two lengths, Compact (R200, shown) and Ultra compact (R150), have a maximum inflation pressure of 120psi, and feature extendable hose heads to protect valves and keep the head secure when pumping rapidly.
On the premium end is the Z250 a model designed to be the inflation accessory to your fancy town bike. The hose, when not in use, lives inside the ergonomic wooden handle of the pump, and is deployed by screwing it into the other end of the pump. The head features separate Schrader and Presta options, the head just needs to be unscrewed and flipped. It will be available in silver only at $55 MSRP.
When moving into lighting solutions, Fabric approached the diving industry, experts in durable, compact, corrosion-resistant, and waterproof lighting solutions. As they put it, “People in the UK don’t ride in the sun.”
This rear light solution, the F30, is loaded with features. The cylinder snaps onto the mount for easy adjustment and removal/attachment on the bike. It is Micro USB rechargeable and contains accelerometers so that it glows brighter when braking. The production model will have a daylight feature so that the F30 can act as your brake in visible light conditions.
This model is available in black or white, rear or white light versions. All are available for $40MSRP.
Front lights come in two brightnesses. The FL 300 has a brightness of 300 lumens (not shown) and is available at $60 MSRP). The FL 500 (shown above) has a brightness of 500 lumens and will be available at $80 MSRP.
Both feature side cut outs to allow for greater side visibility as well as four red LEDs across the top of the light to allow it to act as a visible rear light when needed. All are available only in silver, are USB rechargeable, and contain Lithium batteries.
Expanding on its previous success with the Cage-Less Water Bottles, the brand has introduced new color options and several products that utilize the Cage-Less interface. The bottle is now available in a larger, 750mL side. There is also a 600mL internally insulated version as well as a tool keg in case you need better storage solutions. Stay tuned to Fabric for those, and many more fun and clever accessory conclusions.
