Marc and I have both been rockin’ Darn Tough Merino wool cycling socks for quite some time. Marc’s review is here, and until they contacted us a couple years ago, I’d never heard of them. Funny thing is, once I had a pair, I started noticing just how many of my friends had already discovered these little gems.

For 2013, they’ve introduced four new styles, the highlights being the new 3/4 length “Road Warrior” above and “Herringbone” designs. They’re a blend of 53% Merino Wool, 43% Nylon and 4% Lycra Spandex, and they feel great. With my original pair, I tested the anti-stink nature of their wool by wearing same pair of socks for the entire SRAM Rise wheels launch, which included two full days of riding followed by racing the Roc d’Azur. With no washing. Oh, and the plane flights to and from Europe. And there was no stink. Seriously.

These haven’t suffered through quite the same test, but they’re just as comfortable as ever thanks to a no-feel toe seam and plenty of cushioning for an “ultralight” sock. Retail is just $17, and if they hold up half as well as the others I’ve had, that’s a steal. Check the others below…

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In honor of twenty seven year old Marc Cavendish’s 100th (and 101st!) UCI win, Specialized is releasing a limited edition Venge frameset. The frame comes on the heels of his back-to-back stage wins at the Giro d’Italia. In recent years, he has also claimed a world championship and the green jersey at the Tour de France.

The caVENGEdish frame will only be available through a select set of retailers and will set back potential owners $3,750 USD.

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Xentis is better known for their five-spoke full carbon wheels, but it’s their new Silver line road wheels that are handmade in Austria, including the carbon production, that were in the spotlight at Sea Otter Classic.

They build in three depths, getting wider and rounder as they get deeper. The spoke holes are drilled asymmetrically, and they partnered with DT Swiss to make specially developed nipples that keep the spokes aimed straight at the rim, so there’s no binding or bending.

The shallowest is a 25mm deep, narrow, lightweight model. On the 42mm and 58mmm, a magnet is embedded in the rim across from the spoke hole, which not only balances the wheel a bit, but means you don’t need to add one for speed sensors or bike computers.

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Born out of Ancaster, Ontario, 9point8 is looking to make a splash in the component world with the introduction of their very first product – the Pulse Stepper Seat Post. 9point8 is quick to point out that the Pulse is not another dropper post but rather a stepping post capable of dropping in 5mm increments. The launch of the new seat post coincides with the launch of the brand itself, which is proud to be a Canadian company designing and creating unique products that are to be sold consumer direct.

Get the drop on the Pulse after the break.

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Over the past decade, the Marzocchi 888 DH fork helped define the term buttery smooth. While some model years were plagued with reliability issues, for the most part, the 888 fork was a riders best friend. It rarely required servicing, was stupid simple to rebuild, and was easily tune-able.

So after ten years of solid performance, the Italian stallion has been completely redesigned from axle to crown. This new beauty debuting, dubbed the 380 C2R2 Titanium, will be the lightest coil race fork on the market when it debuts in September. At just over six pounds on our scale, it’s just a shade lighter than the current generation of air forks released this year.

Drop past the break for the details… READ MORE ->

It’s national bike month, and bike to work week, which is a good time to introduce the Urban Cycling Hall of Fame. In a joint effort between Chrome Industries and Echos Communications, the Urban Cycling HOF aims to recognize the riders, makers, and organizers who have developed urban cycling into what it is today.

Read on for more on the selection committee, and how to nominate a rider.

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• Twin Six has released a sweet new t-shirt in collaboration with PedalMN (<–a great website!) The On Your Left t-shirt is available now for $24.
• Zoic and Performance Bike are hosting a pit stop for Bike To Work day today. Stop by their San Diego HQ (11675 Sorrento Valley Rd, San Diego, CA 92121) from 6-10am for a free t-shirt, food and drinks – and 3 lucky commuters will have their old commuting duds traded out for a new set.
• Have a Bike To Work Day event? Post it in the Comments Section of this article.
• Gold Bond has announced their No Mess Powder Spray for odor and wetness protection – perfect timing for our bike commuters.
• The League of American Bicyclists has some great statistics on the rise of bike commuters in the United States. Commuting by bike has increased by 47% in the US (!) with designated “Bicycle Friendly Communities” seeing an 80% increase!
• Bicycling Magazine announced a Bike To Work Week photo contest. Instagram a photo from your commute and tag it with #bicyclingcommute and @bicyclingmag by June 1st. The photo that “best celebrates and promotes bike commuting” will win a Shinola Bixby commuter bike.
• Teacher Andrew Sufficool is riding his bike across America this summer to raise money for Southeastern Guide Dogs. His trek will take him from Bar Harbor, Maine, to Seattle, Washington. Check out his progress, make a donation, or find out how to join him here.
• Cyclist Patrick Sluyter still needs your donation to help him get to the Deaflympics this summer. He’s not quite halfway there – let’s help him get to Bulgaria so he can represent the USA!
• Après Vélo has collaborated with American designer Eleanor Grosch to release six new retro t-shirt designs in celebration of the 100th Tour de France. They go on sale mid-June. A preview of four of the designs below, click on the image to see it bigger:

Amidst the rumors of a long travel Trek 29er and word of a dealer only launch earlier today, Justin Leov tweeted a picture of his new ride for the World Enduro Series. Looking an awful lot like a 29 inch wheeled Remedy, Justin had this to say about the bike, “This thing has changed my mind on big wheels… fastest bike I’ve ridden on trail ever!” Word is that the Fuel EX and the Remedy will both have big wheels for 2014, with an official launch at the end of this month. We’ll keep you posted.

Photo submitted by Gabe Rosales.

To see more Pics of the Day, click here, and to submit your own photo to be shown to the world, go here.

Whether you’re new to power meter training or an old hat needing to update your baseline measurement, an FTP (Functional Threshold Power) test is the way to go. It’s what all proper power training starts with, and generally it’s done outdoors on a smooth, flat road with minimal wind and environmental (stop lights) interference. If that sounds like absolutely nothing around you, The Sufferfest has an alternative: The Rubber Glove.

The video test is 60 minutes, including warmup and cool down, and helps keep you in the right effort zones and tells you when to measure your power output. In typical Sufferfest style, they make it entertaining. It’s just $13.99 and you can download it here. Order in the next 48 hours and you’ll get 10% off with promo code LUBEUP.

Curious about how to use power once you’ve determined your FTP? Check out this post from coach Hunter Allen.