Specialized has introduced its new triathlon friendly saddle, the Sitero. It is designed to provide more comfort for those 112 miles in an Iron Man, where riders might be sitting on the nose of the saddle to stay in the most aerodynamic position. It will be available this spring in a Pro model with carbon rails, and an Expert model with titanium rails. These might be something worth “tri’ing” out.
Category: Triathlon
Training Phones
Jaybird has long understood that the needs of athletes when it comes to audio. Just any headset isn’t going to do, but the Bluebuds X are headphones that will go the distance as there are the official training headphones of USA Triathlon!
These wireless Bluetooth headphones are designed to handle music and voice calls, offer a secure fit that won’t fall out while running or working out and will stand up to sweat while blocking the outside world. Users can enjoy music and calls and work out for an hour a day for an entire week on a single charge. Video after the jump
Introducing Betty Designs
Fashion and fitness don’t have to be mutually exclusive, and this is why Kristin Mayer launched Betty Designs. The podium age group triathlete has designed suits and kits for World Champion triathletes, cyclists and teams, but she is also a mother, and a lover of fashion. She’s taken her passion along with her serious drive and channeled this into an entrepreneurial spirit with Betty Designs.
She was recently featured in The New York Times Style section and something tells us we’ll be hearing a lot more from Kristen (a.k.a. “Betty”) in the months to come!
Take the sting out of your eyes with Sweat GUTR
One of the most annoying and sometimes dangerous situations that can occur will cycling is to have sweat, laced with sunscreen, drip into one or both eyes. This is especially true while descending some of the canyons around Colorado at over 50- miles per hour. Just that split second of time not focusing on the road can mean the difference between riding home on your bike and never making home again. The pads inside a helmet do a decent job holding the sweat back to a point, but once they become saturated, the sweat just continues to run down the forehead and into the eyes. A terry cloth and bandanas can also be used, but they too will become soaked with sweat leading to the same problem.
There exists another solution for managing the sweat that doesn’t involve a fabric band that can ultimately become saturated with perspiration. The Sweat GUTR is an ingenious little invention that does exactly as the name implies – it acts like a rain gutter for sweat. The thin, non-absorbent band is worn across the forehead, just as a terry cloth sweatband is worn; but instead of soaking up the sweat, it channels the sweat from the forehead to fall down the face between the ears and eyes. When a workout is over, simply remove the Sweat GUTR, wash it with soap and water, and let it dry. Continue reading Take the sting out of your eyes with Sweat GUTR
A ‘Slick’ Chain Lube
Stroll into any bike shop looking for a chain lubricate and prepare to be inundated with numerous choices. From synthetic to ‘biodegradable’ options, picking a lube usually comes down to a recommendation from a shop mechanic or a friend who works on their own bikes. Each year at Interbike there seems to be a new lube making its debut, but is there really any need to change from what already works? This year there was one company bringing a lube to market that maybe worthy of trying something new. Slick Lube of Newark, Delaware has a product line with a laundry list of features, some of which have not appeared in any other chain lubes. Continue reading A ‘Slick’ Chain Lube
Interbike 2012: Purely Custom(ize) Your Bike
You’ve just bought or finished building your new bike and it is just about perfect. The weight is where you want it and the positioning is spot on, but there just is something that doesn’t make it feel like your bike yet. A splash of color or some custom engraving can often be that ‘cherry on the top’ to finish off your ride and really make it feel like yours. Purely Custom, of Twin Falls, Idaho, is in the business of manufacturing and customizing anodized aluminum parts for the bicycle industry and they are doing it in America for a very reasonable price. Video after the jump
Interbike 2012: PocketFuel Natural ‘Concoctions’
The words ‘whole food’ are not just reserved for the name of a grocery chain, but is a term referring to food that is eaten in its purest, unprocessed form. Without ingredients like partially hydrogenated oils, high fructose corn syrup, or many of the chemicals that we can barely pronounce, the body can digest whole foods much easier than those containing processed ingredients. As a bonus, whole foods often taste much better than their processed counterparts and are much easier to stomach during a physical activity lasting several hours.
There are many solid, whole food type of energy bars on the market that can be carried easily in a pack or cycling jersey pocket. There are even unprocessed drink options. But when it comes to gels, there are not many choices for those wanting a compact, easy to carry, quick energy boast. While strolling the floor at Interbike this year, I was able to sample a number of different flavors of the whole food type of energy ‘gel’, PocketFuel, a 100% all natural energy product. Video after the jump
Interbike 2012: 2XU Intros Teamwear Line
Custom team clothing is quickly becoming a popular choice among team sports. In fact, KineticShift recently had custom cycling jerseys made to wear during the Demo Days at Interbike. At the same show, 2Xu will be introducing its Teamwear line of custom performance garments. Continue reading Interbike 2012: 2XU Intros Teamwear Line
Interbike: Kinetik Compression Gear Makes U.S. Debut
This year at Interbike, Paris-based Kinetik Compression Gear will make its U.S. debut, showing its compression garments for cyclists, runners and triathletes. You may have seen Kinetik in the Tour de France. The company is the official compression sponsor of Team Saxo Bank.
Kinetik strikes a balance between comfort and performance with a fabric mix called SupraKomp and XPower technology.
Trismarter Review: Ignite Naturals Reload Gel
Product Name: Ignite Naturals Reload Gel
Purpose (from website): Reload Energy Gels are made from real figs and fruits to give overworked muscles and tired cells the nutrition they need to produce a natural boost of energy. It’s a wholefood energy gel for a holistic approach to producing energy. And because Reload is made from real food, it has the naturally delicious taste of real food—no artificial preservatives, colorings or flavorings, excess sodium or cheap carbohydrate fillers.
Contamination & Safety: Their website states that Ignite Naturals is GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) rated for manufacturing but does not specify which products have actually been tested nor how recent. GMP certification costs money and is voluntary so any company that participates in this program on a consistent basis does leverage their credibility. Continue reading Trismarter Review: Ignite Naturals Reload Gel
Interbike 2012: Triathlon Pavilion and Urban Yard Added to Show
Next week’s Interbike trade show will see the addition of two additional communities including a new Triathlon Pavilion, which is there to embrace the spirit of the sport. It is hosted by Triathlon Business International and will feature tri-specific educational seminars, including two sessions by Kristen Carroll, Active.com’s VP of Corporate Communications.
The show will also feature the return of the Urban Yard for a second year, where retailers and attendees can take in urban bike products, while also having access to free Wi-Fi. Continue reading Interbike 2012: Triathlon Pavilion and Urban Yard Added to Show
Weekend Reading List (9.1.2012): Future Tech, Behind Bars, Raw Sewage, Honorable Riders
Future Tech
From Triathlete: Gear From The Future: What’s Stopping Us?
Aero brakes are evolving, giving you more choices than ever. Continue reading Weekend Reading List (9.1.2012): Future Tech, Behind Bars, Raw Sewage, Honorable Riders
Endurance Junkie Speeds Out its Oly Tri Suit
Triathlons require different clothing than each sport dictates, since one kit needs to be worn in the swim, run and cycling components of the race. To address all three, Endurance Junkie released its Oly Tri Suit. Endurance Junkie assures us it’s ITU-legal. Continue reading Endurance Junkie Speeds Out its Oly Tri Suit