Tifosi has just introduced their new Podium and Podium-S full coverage, single-lens cycling sunglasses.

The Podium uses a frameless single lens with a unique arm attachment design that forgoes any pivots or hardware. They’ll be available either with a set of three interchangeable lenses or a single Fototec photochromatic lens that darkens in sunlight. Like all their shades, they use a hydrophilic rubber on the nose and arms to prevent slippage, and both are adjustable. The Podium, above left, is the larger of the two with a 135mm wide lens and will retail for $69.99 to $79.99 depending on lens.

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Mission Workshop just dropped a new product, the Arkiv Systems Field Backpack. Accessories sold separately, Arkiv gives the wearer the option to mix and match the following exterior compartments – folio, laptop case, tool pocket, utility cell pocket, vertical rolltop pocket, and a vertical zip pocket.

The bag itself is weatherproof and functions as both a roll-top and flap down pack. It comes in two sizes. The small ($209) holds 16 liters measuring 12” x 18” x 5”  while the large ($229) more than doubles that at 16” x 20” x 8” with a 36 liter capacity. Each weatherproof accessory is priced between $30 and $90. Offered in three colors – Black Cordura (above), Dark Gray Cordura, and Waxed canvas – check it out at the Mission Workshop website.

Click ‘more’ to view a video demonstrating the Arkiv System…

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This fall, Keen is releasing the Harvest III line, a gear series created from upcycled car airbags.

The Harvest III line includes a backpack, a messenger bag, a tote bag and two wallets. A company that strives itself on the idea of hybrid innovation, Keen collected airbags that would go to waste. After undergoing a dying process, the scrap materials are re-purposed into complete and finished made-in-the-USA products.

Each bag is hand numbered and hand signed by the manufacturer. Pictured above is the Harvest III Messenger, priced at $120. Click ‘more’ for the rest of the line…

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Hammacher Schlemmer is out with a rearview camera to compete with Cerevellum’s Hindsight. Though it may be the epitome of visual bulk, Hammacher’s Bicycle Rearview Camera can be picked up for a tad cheaper than the tech-loaded Cerevellum. It retails at $180 compared to Cerevellum’s $299.

Hammacher’s Bicycle Rearview Camera doesn’t provide any fancy tech, instead fulfilling only the basic promise – a screen that shows what’s behind you. A quick-release 3.5 inch LCD monitor mounts to the handlebar (up to 1 1/4″ diameter) with a cable that runs to the camera. Surrounding the camera, a light-sensitive circular pattern of red LED lights flash when the sun goes down.

It’s said to be fully weather and vibration-resistant. Run time is 10 hours and it’ll charge to full in two hours. Click ‘more’ to see up-close pictures…

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Five Ten is shipping two new shoes for flat pedal fan boys. If you’re not familiar with the brand, the shoes have long set the gold standard for durability, comfort, and stickiness on and off the trail.

You may have seen their shoes on Tom Cruise in Mission Impossible, Ghost Protocol, or in the award-winning wingsuit stunts in Transformers 3. This summer, Twilight Breaking Dawn will be the next Hollywood vehicle for Five Ten. Teaser alert: If you’re planning on attending any concerts this summer, keep an eye out for Five Ten to hit the stage in a big way.     (more…)

Twin Six has just released their T6 Back Sack, a collaboration with Banjo Brothers. It’s made of heavy waterproof tarp fabric over a water proof liner. The exterior is flat black and gray with reflective appliqués and two blinky light loops on the bottom. Five pockets are covered by the top flap, which lays over the roll top opening.

Shoulder straps are padded and the open side pockets fit a small U-lock. Measures 18″T x 11.5″W x 8″D and retails for $95.

For some, the path to the bike industry is through other companies, and the breadth of knowledge bases and skill sets means just about anyone can find their niche at a cycling related company. For others, the direct path is the way to go, and Vaya Bags founder Tianna jumped right in and started making bags for herself and her cycling friends.

BIKERUMOR: Who are you and what are you doing here?

TIANNA: My name is Tianna Meilinger and I am owner and creator of Vaya Bags. We hand-make bike messenger bags and other accessories.

BIKERUMOR: What was your first job or experience in the cycling industry? How did you “break” in?

TIANNA: This is my first job in the cycling industry. I started my own business about 7 years ago making messenger bags for myself and friends out of the necessity for a durable bag while I was in college.

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See all of our Project 24.2 posts here!

While it has worked so far, I decided to go in a different direction when it came time to update the contact information on my Road ID Wrist ID Elite.  As temperatures have gone from wintery to downright hot, the wide silicone band has been on the warm side.  More importantly, I’ve been spending more time on our mountains’ rough and rocky trails and the weight added by the Elite’s stainless deployment clasp has caused the ID to rattle around more than I’d like.  When I saw that a new Wrist ID Slim would cost $1 less than a replacement ID Tag for the Wrist ID Elite, the decision to give the smallest Road ID a try was easy. Cross the line for my thoughts…

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I don’t think there’s one gift greater than a pair of socks, a good pair at that. Swiftwick has a couple new ones to choose from, the Pursuit Twelve and the Pursuit One. Both are made from Merino wool and will wick sweat and be as comfy as Merino always has been. Swiftwick claims our PURSUIT line of Merino compression socks are made in America and The Best Socks You Will Ever Wear – GUARANTEED. To see how other models held up, read our reviews on Swiftwick socks here and here.

The Pursuit Twelve (left) with a 4″ double cuff runs $34.99 per pair in black.

Pick ‘em up here.

Run through the break for more socks…

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Part of Icebreaker’s spring/summer 2012 collection, the SS (short sleeve) Team Jersey and Cadence Short use mostly New Zealand wool blended with a bit of Lycra and, for the shorts, nylon.

The SS Team is their lightest weight, most performance cut jersey. At 150g/m² it’s fairly thin and the Lycra gives it a good bit of stretch. I tested a large and it fit nice and snug without being restrictive. Typically, I associate wool with warmer clothing, but the thin material and eyelet-pockmarked side panels kept me comfortable even on warmer, mid-80′s days in direct sunlight.

The shorts are much thicker, using their GT200 wool (200g/m²), and were a bit warm once the mercury rose into the 80′s. They’re also very stretchy with a full gripper section around the lower leg and a lycra/nylon panel on the center back. I tested a large in these, also, and the fit was pretty good. I did think the pad was a bit too thick for more performance oriented riding, though…

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Rapha can get away with helmetless bicycle riding for one reason in my book – pure awesomeness. Summer is approaching and Rapha released some dangerously fashionable gear loaded with function.

Rapha’s Super Lightweight Jersey (above) is designed to be worn in the most brutal of conditions. Constructed from a highly breathable extra lightweight antibacterial polyester, it’s equipped with a standard three rear pockets and an additional zipped valuables pocket. Available in XS-XL in the three colors pictured above, each jersey runs $150. Grab one here.

Click ‘more’ for arm screens and a pink jersey…

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