Gear Break: Obed expands its gravel component offering with Campagnolo’s new Ekar, Tubolito takes the innertube war to the city streets, the Revive slip-on from Kane is active recovery footwear for body and planet, GU Energy Labs introduces new liquid energy gel flavor, The Pro’s Closet partners with Cycle Effect to give bikes to girls and Bahrain Victorious partner with MADFORM sports creams.
Obed Expands its Gravel Component Offering with New Campagnolo Ekar Build
Obed Bikes announces the expansion of their gravel bike range with the introduction of its newest component specification to its Boundary gravel bike: Campagnolo Ekar. The Italian-made 1 x 13 gravel-specific drivetrain pairs perfectly with the Boundary, a highly-versatile platform with clearance and capability to match.
Obed’s centerpiece all-purpose gravel machine, the Boundary is a full-service do-it-all platform. With option of 700c or 650b wheels and tire clearance up to 45mm on 700c wheels, as well as mounts aplenty for anything from race day to bikepacking, the Boundary is as at home on a gravel race start line as it is on a solo weekend excursion, exploring the trails off grid. The Boundary is simply adept at it all.
Paired with Campy’s Ekar group, the Boundary’s capabilities soar. Featuring an Ekar 40-tooth chainring and 10 to 44-tooth cassette for exceptional gear range, the 1×13 groupset has been earning rave reviews for its crisp performance, lauded for being as strong as it is elegant, precise in its shifting as it is secure in its stopping power.
And it’s incredibly light. Outfitted with Campagnolo Ekar, the Boundary weighs in at just 18.5 pounds in a size medium (55cm) frame—comparable to—and in many cases lighter—than many top competitors in the gravel category.
Features of the Boundary include:
- Dropped chainstay allowing for modern tire clearance capability (700c x 45mm or 650b x 53mm max tire capacity)
- Top tube, downtube, fork and rack mounts, for plenty of storage capability
- Painted to order in Chattanooga, Tenn., the Boundary features 35 frame and graphic color combinations
Pricing for the Campagnolo Ekar Obed Boundary outfitted with Spinergy GX wheels will price at $3,995, and is currently in stock, with a few weeks lead time for delivery directly to customers after ordered online.
The new Campagnolo build joins the existing suite of Boundary builds featuring Shimano’s GRX 1x and 2x drivetrains. All build options of the Boundary can be configured and ordered direct online at obedbikes.com.
Like all Obed models, the Boundary is rider-friendly when it comes to shipping, assembly and mechanical service. When shipped, the Boundary comes 90% assembled and takes just a few minutes to assemble. All a rider needs is a basic knowledge of bike mechanics and two sizes of allen wrenches. At the bottom of the Obed homepage, there are home bike assembly videos to aid in the process. Obed also offers its Home.Delivery.Right premium delivery option, taking your fully-built Obed to your door, ready to ride.
Tubolito Takes the Innertube War to the City Streets
Tubolito, the FIRST name in thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) inner tubes, is proud to unveil the strongest tube in the world: X-Tubo. The X-Tubo is made of an extremely durable TPU material that’s designed to withstand everything the city and touring rider can throw at it. 1 Year Guarantee – yep, so durable, Tubolito is confident in offering a 1-year warranty against any flats that could be received while riding. Buyers just need to register the product within 1-month of purchase.
Everyday hero: X-Tubo City/Tour is developed to meet everyday challenges. The new, even more resistant material makes punctures impossible during normal use. This promise is underpinned with a world premiere: a one year warranty for all flats. Given its great robustness X-Tubo City/Tour reduces the maintenance necessary and allows worry-free rides. Available for 700c tires from 30mm-50mm and ready for disc and rim brakes.
The Revive Slip-on from Kane is Active Recovery Footwear for Body and Planet
Kane’s BounceBack™ foam utilizes sugarcane to form a foundation for all day comfort and style.
Kane Footwear, a new name in active recovery footwear, is excited to announce the direct-to-consumer launch of its flagship bio-based molded, EVA foam slip-on, the Revive™. Constructed from Kane’s sugarcane-derived BounceBack™ foam, the Revive utilizes thoughtful styling and an active recovery design to provide support for fatigued muscles and all-day comfort.
The Revive represents a collaborative design partnership between Kane CEO, John Gagliardi, brand building expert Bobby Riley of Soldier Unlimited, and Dr. Daniel Geller, a renowned Board Certified foot and ankle surgeon and advisor to Kane. “For John and I the Kane brand is the culmination of our 18 year long business relationship,” commented Bobby Riley. “I couldn’t be more proud of seeing the Revive come to life from the ground up.”
Dr. Geller’s work with the New York City Ballet, as well as top cycling and triathlon teams, helped Kane to develop an active recovery design that addresses superior construction, proper fit, cushioning, and air circulation—key properties in ensuring the Revive is not only comfortable but provides attributes necessary for the recovery of fatigued muscles. “Coupling superior cushioning and proper mechanics, Kane’s Revive achieves the concept of a recovery shoe,” notes Dr. Geller.
A cornerstone property of the Revive’s active recovery design is Kane’s use of dual-density construction. Featuring a firmer upper fused to a sole with 31mm of cushioning, the Revive supports smaller muscle groups within the foot and softens the impact of each foot plant. Kane also paid special attention to creating proper fit, an attribute that, when improperly addressed, can lead to undue muscle strain. Forming the interior dimensions of the Revive, Kane has employed an anatomical last shape that mimics the natural proportions and contours of the foot. This design helps promote proper fit by capturing the arch, heel and instep of the foot while providing room in the toe box for the forefoot to rest. Exterior perforations and interior ventilation channels keep feet cool and dry by maximizing airflow, and the Revive’s molded lugs utilize a siping pattern to increase traction across terrain.
EVA foam found in most recovery footwear is traditionally built using carbon-intensive petroleum-based polymers. Kane’s BounceBack foam utilizes biopolymers derived from sustainably harvested Brazilian sugarcane byproduct. Sugarcane is not only a renewable resource but is considered carbon-negative as well—the plant synthesizes carbon dioxide into energy via sugar, which is then extracted to form the ethylene used in Kane’s eco-based EVA foam. In total, the Revive is composed of over 56% sugarcane, a ratio that Kane intends to increase in the years to come. “It was important to me that sustainability was woven into Kane from the outset of the brand,” commented Kane Footwear CEO, John Gagliardi. “An obvious place for us to start was to be critical of the materials we used in production. As we learned more about the natural properties of sugarcane it became the clear choice for the Revive.” To further signify its commitment to sustainability, Kane is a pending B-Corp and will become a member of 1% for The Planet upon the launch of the Revive.
Having completed a successful launch on Kickstarter, the Revive will now be available for direct-to-consumer purchase at http://www.kanefootwear.com starting June 15, 2021.
GU Energy Labs Introduces New Liquid Energy Gel Flavor
New Cola Liquid Energy Gel offers athletes a refreshing and familiar flavor that’s ideal for fueling in hot weather.
GU Energy Labs today launched a new flavor in its Liquid Energy Gel lineup. Cola is a refreshing aid-station favorite flavor ideal for warm weather training and racing, with its slightly spicy sweetness.
Cola is the fifth flavor in the Liquid Energy line, described as “the GU you can gulp” because of its slightly higher water content compared to Original Energy Gels. The new flavor takes its inspiration from the wildly successful Cola Me-happy Original Energy Gel launched in March 2020, and packs the same 40mg of caffeine per packet.
“We’re excited to bring the popular Cola flavor to our Liquid Energy Gels and give athletes even more choices in flavor and form factor to keep them performing their best,” said Magda Boulet, SVP of Innovation, Research & Development. “Our focus is always on creating solutions for athletes’ fueling challenges. Liquid Energy Gels are easy to consume and can be frozen for use in hot weather, making them a refreshing option when it’s difficult to take in fuel.”
The new Cola Liquid Energy Gel boosts performance through an ideal blend of easily digestible carbohydrates, electrolytes and BCAAs. Like all Liquid Energy Gel flavors, it’s also vegan and gluten free.
Cola Liquid Energy Gel is available online through GUEnergy.com, Amazon and GU retailers. A box of 12 has an MSRP of $24 and the Mixed Box has an MSRP of $24 (2 Cola-Me Happy, 2 Lemonade, 2 Orange, 2 Strawberry Banana, 3 Coffee).
The Pro’s Closet Partners with Cycle Effect to Give Bikes to Girls
New partnership makes bicycling more accessible.
The Pro’s Closet is proud to announce a new partnership with the Colorado-based non-profit The Cycle Effect to support their mission: empowering young women through mountain biking to create brighter futures and build stronger communities. The Pro’s Closet will provide The Cycle Effect with bicycles and equipment discounts.
“We are honored to partner with an industry-leading company as innovative and passionate as The Pro’s Closet,” said Cycle Effect Executive Director, Brett Donelson. “Their vision aligns well with our mission of making the bike industry more inclusive and equitable for all. With their support, we can help get more young women out on bikes and encourage them to become leaders in their own community and beyond.”
The Cycle Effect’s goal is to serve 280 girls between the ages of 10 to 18 throughout Colorado in 2021. With 69% Latina enrollment and 86% low-income families, The Cycle Effect helps young women find independence and power through mountain biking. With one-on-one coaching and mentorship, every participant is offered 80 days of programming in a safe and supportive environment. Athletes are taught valuable life skills like building a growth mindset, perseverance, leadership, and self-efficacy. 100% of participants who have been in the program for three years or more have gone on to pursue higher education.
“Expanding access to cycling is at the core of The Pro’s Closet’s mission,” said Reese Ruland, The Pro’s Closet’s Social Media and Community Manager. “The Cycle Effect does very impressive work to get more girls — and their parents — on bikes in Colorado. It is our hope that by making it easier for program participants to access equipment, we’ll be able to make it easier for them to get more girls on bikes.”
Bahrain Victorious Partner with MADFORM Sports Creams
Bahrain Victorious are pleased to announce its partnership with MADFORM Sports Creams for the 2021 season.
MADFORM will supply our soigneurs with high-quality massage creams for post-ride treatments. MADFORM will also provide a range of high-performance therapy creams for pre and post-race for our riders.
MADFORM was founded and developed by Miguel Ángel Domínguez, a professional sports physio with more than 20 years of experience working with some of the best sportsmen in the world. His knowledge and that of his team have helped MADFORM become a highly respected, prestigious brand amongst physios, chiropractors, rehabilitation clinics, sports clubs, and elite athletes from many disciplines.
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