It really is that time of year… all of the new duds start coming out in time for you to get ready to look your Sunday (ride) best. Today we have shiny new kit from QLoom, and then GripGrab turns up the brightness knob a bit just as spring has sprung. And then if it rains a lot where you’re riding this spring, Ground Effects has an all-new set of rain gear that will keep the water off your back and breathes better than ever…
QLoom set out to rid the world of drab earth tones, and thus introduced a brand that won’t let you blend in with the forest. Their $80/80€ (same pricing in dollars and euros) Sarina tank and $100 Sarina short sleeve cycling tops for women are made of a fast drying fabric with these basic jerseys getting a half zip that come in white, light blue, and navy and in a wide size range from XS – XXL.
- Wicked-fast-dry performance fabric
- Laser-cut and bonded YKK back zipper
- Lycra sleeve cuff
- UV protection
- Color blocks
- Chafe-resistant flat-lock seams
- Soft handfeel
On the left is their $80 Umina dirt bag bike enduro jersey with the same “Wicked-fast dry” performance fabric. The $120 Bondi Premium is what they call a women’s “pro tour level” jersey that gets taped cuffs and internal seams for a smooth feel against the skin and mesh side panels to keep things cool.
Their $140 women’s Umina shorts (left), are also available in kid’s sizes which is great to hear with so many young riders heading to the trails. They are constructed with a durable nylon shell and have waist adjustments as well as zip-vents on the thighs. The $100 Silberhorn shorts are a bit more on the casual side with a board-short-style draw string. They’re designed for that fun day on the bike that maybe might involve a lake swim somewhere along the way.
The women’s $45 Lorne glove is pretty cool… literally! The full mesh back and perforated palms let it breathe as much as possible. The fit isn’t just a downsized men’s glove either, but was designed around a woman’s hand shape.
The $70 Avalon Enduro shirt (left), comes in both short and long sleeve versions, and their $120 Fraser Endurance shirt should keep you comfortable and dry with a closer fit.
Men get the 3/4 length knee-pad ready Rockingham shorts, ready for a range of situations with a durable stretch material, while the women’s Shoalwater short provides the same in a more tailored cut. Both run $190.
The $140 enduro ready Avalon shorts (left), are built tough with stretch material in all of the important areas so you can move all over the bike. For those (like me) who prefer the more comfortable and supportive fit of proper bibs under my baggies, the $200 Fraser Premium bib shorts may fit the bill. They are a unique combination pair of loose fit baggy shorts that integrate with a pair of special bib liners.
To really get your aero on, GripGrab has you covered with a new Aero TT glove that has a super slim fit with a close-fitting wrist and finger cuffs. A gel padded palm gives a good grip and keeps hands comfortable in any aero position you end up on the bars.
To complement their fast gloves, the RaceAero TT and water-proof high-vis Race Aqua shoe covers will keep your shoes from dragging you down.
Though winter is mostly gone finally, chilly mornings are still sticking around a bit longer in some places. GripGrab’s insulated, yet breathable arm and knee warmers feature silicon grippers to hold them in place and are said to fit like a second skin.
For those spring showers, Ground Effects has a few options depending on your needs. The $275 men’s Anti-Cyclone and women’s Antidote jackets will keep you warm & dry, and both have enough mechanical venting to cool things off when it gets steamy.
The $300 men’s Storm Trooper and women’s She Shell both repel rain with the same 3-layer breathable HydroFoil shell and features a WhaleTale back to keep dat booty dry (stop shaking your head).
If you just need a little wind blockage and to remain seen, the $70 Vespa vest features mesh sides and a reflective logo, and of course a lot of high-vis. Though currently out of stock, their popular $35 Chipolatas glove will be back soon. These should keep your hands toasty on those chilly morning rides and feature a touch-screen sensitive finger and thumb tips so you can answer when boo calls without taking your gloves off.
