America’s smallest, biggest and most award-winning Jewish (and now Sideshow Freak) Beer Company, Shmaltz Brewing is excited to announce that Retro Image Apparel Company will release cycling jerseys featuring the Coney Island Lager  and HE'BREW Beer labels. A Portland, OR based clothing company, Retro Apparel's trademark has focused on vintage art and iconic images on cycling jerseys and other clothing items (i.e., classic covers of The NewYorker, Cat in the Hat, The Grinch). Inspired by the label artwork of Coney Island Lager, Retro Apparel CEO Roger Mallett launches his ambitious line of Micro Beer Cycling Jerseys this month. www.microbeerjerseys.com or www.shmaltzbrewing.com


CANADIAN CARBON

Louis Garneau introduces the Carbon X-Lite, a new innovative lightweight road cycling shoe, developed with innovative design technology. In an effort to drastically reduce the weight, the new Carbon X-Lite is feather lightweight with the power transfer needed by competitive cyclists. The shoe weighs in at an amazing 196 grams, the lightest Louis Garneau cycling shoe to date. In order to reduce the weight, the Carbon X-Lite features a 100% Carbon Extralite outsole with the patented mutlivent system, lightened heel cup with anti-slip one-way stretch lycra, and a heel retention system to keep the foot in place during upstroke, seamless microfiber leather upper, and a new Coolmaxx Ergo Air insole. The Euro Fit shoe offers a glove-like fit and support needed. Side vents display the Venti X-Lite Socks which are packaged with the shoes.

The Carbon X-Lite will be available in the U.S. beginning in November, 2009 with a suggested retail price of $280. Hey, why ot take a look at the wide array of Louis Garneau accessories.

THERE'S A NEW WILIER IN TOWN...

For all the latest info, check it out at the Wiler Site.


AS FOR YOUR APRES RIDE FOOTWEAR

The first multi-sport sandal constructed of proprietary Croslite material, this sandal is the perfect shoe for all adventure needs, from biking to hiking and everything in between. The sandal’s exo-frame both protects the foot and allows for breathability while participating in all active endeavors. A quick-pull lacing system and microfiber heel and tongue keep the sandal comfortable and easy to put on and take-off. A lightweight crocs lock  multi-traction outsole means the sandals won’t weigh you down and will keep your feet comfortably in place. Available in a variety of colors including rust, black, chocolate and coffee. Available in women’s sizes 5-12 and men’s sizes 4-13. Look for more at Crocs.

BRANCHING OUT...

The folks at Fizik would like you to know that they had a bunch of teams riding their saddles at the Tour. I thought that even more interestiNg than that was the introduction of the brand's first hardpart...the Cyrano seatpost...

After years of making attention grabbing saddles, Fi’zi:k’s is now moving into a new component business with the introduction of their new Cyrano 3D forged 7075 aluminum seat post. The mast walls are thicker on the front and back, for strength; thinner on the sides, for weight savings. The ultra-wide lower clamp at 45.5mm long, provides exceptional rail support; the narrow, low profile upper clamp increases adjustability toward rear providing an effective 20-25mm offset. Radiused clamp edges prevent damage to rails. The tilt mechanism is a two-bolt system (with thumb wheel for front adjustment) with infinite angle adjustment to accommodate a variety of seat tube angles; the post is reversible for tri/TT positioning. Cyrano includes a silicone ring useful for marking your post height. Compatible with fi’zi:k’s ovalized 7x9 braided carbon rails, Cyrano comes in four diameters: 27.2, 30.9, 31.6 and 34.9 and three lengths 270, 350, and 400. Estimated weight is 250 grams (27.2 x 270). $125.00. Look for more at Fizik.

RUMORS PERSIST...

That Cannondale will (wisely) release a limited version of Pelizotti's KoM title winning SuperSix complete with the polka dot paint scheme. Please leave the (housewives of Orange County-like) bleached locks at home!

CANE CREEK SAYS THEY HAVE THE LIGHTEST

Cane Creek, the world's leader in headsets and headset technology, introduces the revolutionary AER. By incorporating Norglide® composite bearing technology into a super lightweight design, the AER offers more than 50% weight savings over comparable models making it the world's lightest headset. It's the ultimate headset upgrade for road cyclists with an eye on weight. Made in U.S.A. The AER headset incorporates Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics latest innovation in composite bearing technology; Norglide® X2. A revolution in bearing technology, the X2 material sandwiches an aluminum base between a layer of low-friction PTFE tape and an elastomeric rubber backing material yielding a composite bearing that weighs scant 1.5g. The Norglide  X2 bearing is durable enough to provide over 450 hours of smooth steering. For more info head to Cane Creek.

ALL NEW FROM TIMBUK2

With the introduction of their new Swig, Timbuk2 is offering their first customizable backpack. The Swig features portability for laptops, cell phones and netbooks, ergonomic shoulder straps, and a patented swing-around design for easy access to gear. Designed to fit any body type, it also molds to any style with the option to customize colors and fabrics making the easy transition from office to outdoors.Two large internal compartments accommodate loads of stuff and the organization panel makes it easy to find your keys. The sleek pack features a front flap closure in two sizes to fit a 15 or 17-inch laptop, with a dedicated padded laptop compartment and the signature Timbuk2 bottle opener.The Swig is affordably priced at $100 and $110 for a small and medium-sized pack, respectively, and comes in black/gunmetal, moss/camo, gun metal/blue, and dark brown/orange.

Additional Timbuk2 backpacks can be purchased at retail stores nationwide and customized on the Timbuk2 website.

COLORED HOOPS FROM WISCO

 

Each year Speedgoat Bicycles invents a bike for its annual raffle benefiting the Breast Cancer Fund with only one absolute: the bike must be pink. The campaign however, has proven so huge that Speedgoat has become a victim of its own success and spawned a few entrepreneurial souls who have gone on to fashion pink bike raffles of their own. Rather than turn purple with rage at the copycats, this year's bike simply turned purple - and gold too, which are the colors that distinguish the Breast Cancer Fund.

The bike this year started with a graciously donated Lynskey R230 frame and fork featuring custom purple and gold panels to go with gold hubs, headset, and bottom bracket, courtesy of Chris King. With a nod toward the original Pink Bike concept, Cateye donated three pink Strada wireless computers. For a modest charge, Velocity offered up purple rims and George Yoder, Speedgoat's custom wheel builder, has kindly given his time to build up the wheelset. Speedgoat donated the balance of parts and labor.

The parts' geneses speak for themselves, the bike's matchless identity wll be unmistakable, and its charitable beneficiary will get to strengthen its mission to identify and eliminate environmental and other preventable causes of breast cancer. The retail price for this bike including the frame and all the parts if sold on Speedgoat's web site would be more than $6,900.

To date, Speedgoat has contributed nearly $80,000 to the BCF with every cent from each $10 raffle ticket benefiting the Breast Cancer Fund. What inspired and motivated Speedgoat to create the Pink Bike Raffle came from both a bit of personal history with the disease and a craving to answer the question that's pinned to all great ideas: can this be done? When it comes to custom bikes, the meticulous minds behind Speedgoat have a serious itch to scratch when designing purposeful bikes. There have been four Pink Bikes so far and each one so distinct that Speedgoat must reinvent the theme every year by creating a bike whose superior pedigree is rivaled only by its inspired style.

This year's raffle starts now and tickets can be purchased right up until midnight on October 31. Then, on Nov. 1 Speedgoat will announce via its website the date of the drawing. The drawing will take place during the first week in November. Each ticket gives you another chance at the bike so to better your odds, get more tickets! Go here to buy tickets.