Timbuk2 bags recently launched a new Travel line of bags, suitcases and pouches designed to make airline travel easier and less stressful.  Most items are only available in three colors; the “brown/flame” shown above on their Checkpoint wheeled bag, an “army green/spinach” combo and all black.  For now, you can’t custom order your own color pattern…we’re waiting on their marketing rep to call us back with plans for future customization options.

Color selections aside, there are some cool features among the 10 items offered, like removeable laptop/accessory pouches to speed security checks, clear pouches for your toiletries and liquid explosives (have you ever tried to light an astringent?  Good times…).  The Checkpoint, above, is Timbuk2’s first-ever rolling suitcase, and it has a couple of niceties.  You know that strap on top of your suitcase that you never use and just flaps around?  They’ve hidden it.  That crappy handle that extends?  This one’s shaped like a shovel handle.  It also has some useful interior pockets and sections.

There are also some messenger bags that have a few new features…but they’re still mainly messenger bags. Check out more pics and a couple of the more useful looking items when you read “more”…

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Campagnolo’s “75 Years of Cycling Passion” was released a couple of months ago, and we’ve had the chance to review it in depth.  Coinciding with the company’s 75th anniversary, the book covers more than just Campy’s contributions to the sport, it provides a revealing look into the history of the bicycle and its evolution to the modern, carbon spec’d race rigs of today.

There’s plenty of self congratulatory prose to be had, which is understandable since it is Campy’s book, but they do fairly describe the contributions of other brands through the years and acknowledge some of their competitor’s accomplishments.  And while the writing can at times sound as though it were translated from Italian first, it does paint some pretty vivid pictures of what the Tours de France of the early 1900’s were like.

If you’re looking for something to adorn your coffee table, or you just don’t know what to get that cyclist that has everything, here’s your answer.  Click “more” to see some pics, including close ups of a Campagnolo electronic derailleur and hints at a mountain bike group…

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From R.E.Load’s website: We are doing as much as possible to ensure that “gift” bags that are shipping to the continental United States will arrive by December 23rd. If you are about to purchase a bag that you need for the holidays (and this is applicable ONLY to bags that reside in the “limited edition” section or are marked for holiday delivery in the “collections” section) , please be sure to check the schedule below! If you have missed the deadline for your region, you must call us directly at 215-922-2018 so that we can properly process your order and ship it in time with the appropriate ups service.

PLEASE BE AWARE THAT SATURDAY, DECEMBER 20TH IS THE ABSOLUTE LAST DAY THAT WE WILL BE IN THE STORE!!! After that, there is NO WAY to order a bag for the holidays, even if you are willing to pay for overnight shipping, because we will not be here to process the order!

For our FREE ups ground shipping (in stock BAGS only):
- NY, NJ, PA, CT, DE, MD: order by 2pm Dec. 19th
- ME, VT, NH, MA, RI, OH, MI, IN, KY, TN, NC, SC: order by 2pm Dec. 18th
- WI, MN, IA, MO, IL, AL, GA, FL: order by 2pm Dec. 17th
- SD, WY, CO, AZ, OK, AR, LA, MS: order by 2pm Dec. 16th
- ND, MT, ID, TX, NM, UT, CA, OR, WA: order by 2pm Dec. 15th

For accessories, you must get the order in by 2pm on December 19th in order to receive it by the 24th!!!

Sustainable Travel International has released its 4th Annual Green Gear & Gift Guide just in time for the holiday season. It lists not just the brands that use sustainable “ingredients”, but a little about each of the companies.  For instance, this Bike Chain Bowl from Resource Revival…all of the energy used to make their stuff is from renewable sources and the bike parts are recycled.

From their press release: “The number of consumers purchasing fair trade goods has significantly increased over the past few years.  According to the Fair Trade Labeling Organization, consumers worldwide spent US$3.62 billion on Fair Trade Certified Products in 2007. This is a 47 percent increase over 2006, directly benefiting more than 1.4 million producers and workers worldwide. Outdoor equipment and clothing is also very popular.  In 2006, the Outdoor Industry Association reported that US$289 billion was generated annually in outdoor recreation retail sales and services across the U.S. alone.”

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Wheeltags and Zippzipp today announced a partnership that allows Zipp’s ZEDTECH customers the ability to create fully custom decals for their custom wheels. Wheeltags will handle the creation of custom ZEDTECH decals, as well as the unique flash feature within Zipp’s completely re-designed ZEDTECH website.

The new custom decal feature within the ZEDTECH website lets customers select from two different pricing levels. The first pricing level, $160 (US) for one wheel, includes complete color customization within the CMYK spectrum. The second pricing level, $220 (US) for one wheel, allows ZEDTECH customers to choose between complete color customization as well as a lighter/thinner OR reflective material.

“ZEDTECH represents the absolute pinnacle in custom performance race wheels. With options for Si3N4 silicon nitride ceramic bearings, rim laminates, spoke nipple colors, flange cap colors, and end cap colors, adding custom decals was the next logical step to meet the demands of the most discerning bicyclist on earth. With all of these options available ZEDTECH customers can truly have a one-of-a-kind wheelset.” said Andy Paskins, Marketing Manager for Zipp Speed Weaponry in Speedway, IN.

SteriPEN has introduced the SteriPEN Bottle Topper for SIGG aluminum bottles, which allows you to use their UV-Light water sterilization product to kill any bacteria or viruses in your water.  A side benefit is the silicone adapter also provides a softer bit to drink from, and you don’t have to worry about the aluminum bottle getting too hot or cold from the beverage in it…so your lips are comfortable.  Your hands, however, are on their own.

How does it work?  You remove the cap, insert one of two compatible SteriPEN models and turn it on.  SteriPEN uses ultraviolet (UV) light to destroy the DNA of disease-causing bacteria, viruses and parasitic protozoa.

Without DNA these microorganisms, even Giardia and Cryptosporidium, can’t make you sick. And because the SteriPEN uses light instead of chemicals to purify, water doesn’t have an unpleasant chemically taste or odor.

The adapter is $2.95 at REI.  The SteriPEN units range from $99 to $149.  Sigg bottles are $15 to $28.

The Green Guru makes products out of recycled materials, including inner tubes from bikes, trucks, tractors and more.  This messenger bag, called the Vulcar ($149.95), is made from reclaimed truck and tractor tubes for the body with a road bike tube for the handle.  Part of the “Blowout” line, they’re made of 98% reclaimed and recycled material by weight, including some of the PETE used in the straps, lining and webbing.

They also have lines made from recycled and reclaimed climbing rope, used vinyl banners and billboards, hemp and more.  Check ‘em out at greengurugear.com, or click “more” to see a few pics of other inner tube products they make…

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Thanks to Rob Morgan for sending this link in.  I’m not going to steal these guy’s thunder…their site is hilarious, so I’ll send you there (watch the slideshow for a few seconds…wait for it).  I’m assuming this is a real product, we’ll see if they respond to our email, but read the list of conditions it aims to cure on their “info” page and check out the “faqs” for a few good laughs about the taint…or, as they call it, the angy inch.

If you’re looking for a little stocking stuffer for your favorite cyclist (or runner or other athlete), here’s a couple of discount codes to save you a little coin: 

• PCSaveOurHair83 (15% off order, expires 12/5)
• PCHOLIDAY81 (10% off order, expires 12/12)

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Velocomp has launched the iBike iSport, a straight-forward, easy-to-use power meter retailing for $199.

iBike claims it’s every bit as accurate as $1,000-plus powermeters, and it comes with built-in fitness tests and workouts, which makes it easier to keep your training on target than taping scribbled shorthand to your stem.

Besides the low price, the best part is it’s self contained…you don’t need to replace your cranks, bottom bracket or hubs to use it.  Based on accelerometer technology used in cars, airplanes, iphones and nintendo wii’s, it’s all built into a compact, bar-mount package.

If you want to read their standard press release, click here.  If you want to see how this thing really works, click ”more” for all the details…

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Gore Ride On cables used to enjoy a premium position in the mind, if for no other reason than the cost and “cool” factor…but that was five-plus years ago.  I had a set on my mountain bike, but to be honest, I don’t remember how they performed, it’s been so long.  One of the issues with the original cables was the teflon coating frayed too easily during set up, leading to further degradation of the coating over time.

At Interbike this year, they released their new fully-sealed system after being off the market for a few years.  We’ve got a set of the derailleur cables that we’ll be doing a long-term mountain bike test with over the winter, which gets good and wet here in NC.  In the meantime, read “more” to see what’s in the box, what’s new and how they’ve improved… 

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Ironman competitor Matt Miller will be the face of Avon’s forthcoming Ironman collection.

The men’s fragrance is a fusion of citrus and spices spiked with rich woods. Top notes of ginger, lime and violet mingle with mid notes of nutmeg, rain mist accord and vetiver, and are grounded in a base of patchouli, cedarwood, wiliwood accord and tree moss.

Sounds like a good mix to me…I’m not a fan of the Driven (Derek Jeter) or Unscripted (Patrick Dempsey), both of which are Avon products.  My mom sells Avon, so we’ll see when she gets some samples in, because I know you are all just dying to hear my thoughts on this.

The fragrance launches globally in April 2009. The U.S. launch will follow in May 2009.  The collection will include the fragrance, an after shave and an anti-perspirant.

XTRAi (extra eye, get it?) has a new roof rack remote sensor that mounts to any rack’s cross bar to monitor impending garage doors and drive-thru roofs.

The system uses an outside sensor that transmits a wireless warning to an interior monitor.  The monitor sounds an alarm if you’re coming too close to a low hanging obstacle or if you’re trying to get into a parking deck or garage that’s too low.  The sensor runs on three 9v batteries and the interior monitor plugs into any DC lighter socket.  MSRP is $299.

Click “more” for more pics and specs…

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Besides having the coolest jerseys, now Rock Racing has added some serious experience added to their roster and management.

Rock Racing Owner Michael Ball announced the re-signing of U.S. National Champions Tyler Hamilton (Road), Rahsaan Bahati (Criterium) and Justin Williams (Under 23 Criterium) as well as stalwarts Oscar Sevilla, Fred Rodriguez and Victor Hugo Peña.

It further bolstered its ranks for 2009 by signing European specialists Baden Cooke, Francisco Mancebo and José Enrique Gutiérrez, as well as top domestic talents Ivan Dominquez, Glen Chadwick, Chris Baldwin and Caleb Manion. 

To top it off, they’ve hired Director Sportif Rudy Pevanage and Assistant Director Laurenzo LaPage.  Pevanage has previous management experience with T-Mobile and Coast/Bianchi, leading Jan Ulrich to a Tour de France victory in 1997.  LaPage was on staff with Discovery Channel team for two of Lance Armstrong’s wins (’03 and ‘04).

“Without a doubt, we have two of the most experienced director sportifs that cycling has produced in the last 20 years,” Rock Racing Team Owner Michael Ball said. “Rudy built a dynasty with the powerful Telekom and T-Mobile teams, while Laurenzo comes to us from Astana, a team that has won three of the past five Grand Tours.”

Perhaps more interesting is their anti-doping programs…que huh?  Read “mas“…

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Selle Royal has announced a new range of saddles designed to ergonomically fit both men and women.

In developing the saddles, the company worked with Prof. Bayen from the University of Brussels, who concluded that to ensure the feeding of oxygen to the pudendal nerves and arteries, male saddles should be endued with a 35 mm wide canal.  Female saddles needed a smaller canal of 25 mm to avoid strong compression or squeezing of the centre.

A broad surface around the cavern of this saddle balances the pressure on both sides of the pressure discharge area where external pudendal tissues support parts of the weight.

Shown above is the men’s athletic model, below the womens.  These weigh 440g and 435g respectively, so even being called the “athletic” models, their weight puts them more in the range of comfort saddles.

You can see the difference in channel widths between the men’s and women’s models.  Surprisingly, the Men’s “Moderate”, with more padding, is the lightest at 420g.  Read “more” for pics of the other models and more details…

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