#1469 // Review \\ 2014 Giro Product Catalog

Helmets, gloves, shoes oh my! For the last 4 or 5 years, Giro has been at the leading edge of cycling-chic. Just below pretentious thanks to loads of useability with an enviable balance of form vs function, the Giro book has become one of the highlights of the IBD year. Here's a quick look at the remarkable and new.

Let's get the obvious out of the way first...
This is the Aspect. Because Giro always wants us staring at certain helmets and scratching our heads in wonder. It picks up where the Air Attack leaves off. The visor is removable.
The cool-factor is not.
We are actually looking forward to trying this so-called, superlight, super aero, super cool helmet out.

Speaking of, the Air Attack adds a couple of new colors. 

The other high end helmet of note is the Cipher.
It is Giro's new freeride / DH helmet of choice.
$200

Giro makes a big push into cold-weather gloves for 2013.
This is the 100 Proof. $85 of extreme hand protection.
Official usable low temperature of this glove is 15 degrees.
We are guessing it can go as low as 10.

Slightly less intimidating is the plain ol Proof. Rated to 30 degrees.
Would we wear this glove during 30 degree late-November CX races...
Probably not. Would we wear it during 18 degree
late-January, 3 hour base-mile road rides... You bet.

This is the Pivot... "Our most versatile winter glove".
At $70 dollars it seems a little plain. But this glove will probably be a fool-proof
way to keep your grubby hands acceptably warm this winter.

Just had to include this 2-page photo spread because it is so rad.

Let's not forget summertime handwear. This LTZ II should be
a great glove for those new-age, no padding needed roadies.
Only $30 as well.

This is the new, top-o-the-line Prolight SLX. A new Easton EC90 Sole and
slightly thinner materials make this shoe a claimed 205 grams.
Lighter even than the Empire Lace-up.
Note that that weight is achieved with Giro's "Ultralight" footbed,
which will probably (hopefully) be replaced by most users with a more supportive insole.

Also updated is the very popular Factor. Price goes up $10
but you get that new Easton EC90 sole... That's the "ACC" part.

We've already discussed our love for the Empire.
As such hopes were high for the 2014 model. The new shoe gets that new ACC bottom part.
The blander color selection leaves a little to be desired.
Subtle is not what this shoe should be about.

This one left us wondering what the Giro R&D office
was smoking on this day. Which closet does this get put in? Won't beginner spin class buyers think even less of
"clipping in" after seeing this on the shelf?

#1468

Bet your weekend wasn't this good.....

#1467

Is it CX season yet!?

#1466 // Review \\ 2014 Jamis Bikes

Jamis as a brand is often considered second tier among the industry giants. Without a huge advertising budget the company often loses out on the "advertorial" game ( advertising that leads to editorial coverage ) and subsequently, the bikes do not get the media coverage they deserve. On the other hand, ask any shop that carries the line-up and you will be hard pressed to hear a negative comment about the bikes. Riders usually have sentiments that are similarly positive when talking about the bikes themselves.

The 2014 Product Book came into HQ last week and some interesting things stood out.

The Nemesis gets SRAM's XX1 11 speed, single chain-ring, super-efficient grouppo. This 19.75 pound bike will make racers think twice about heading out to the XC events with their dual-suspension rigs

The 2 race-ready Icon ( CAAD beater ) models go largely unchanged except for Shimano Ultegra 11 speed on the Elite.

Perhaps the biggest news to come out of the 2014 products is the new Xenith. Long loved by domestic racers who found themselves on Jamis sponsored teams, the Xenith gets edgy this year by hiding BOTH brakes from the wind. Tektro side pulls come standard and the expressed advantages are:
#1 - Better frontal aerodynamics.
#2 - Highly tuned seat-stays that no longer need to be overbuilt to support braking action.
Jamis is definitely going out on a limb with this move as it may turn off purists and riders who are specifically looking for an "aero" frame.

A neat technology that racers and hardcore riders will never see... The one bolt adjustable stem featured on Jamis' nicer hybrids and relaxed bikes.

More features that recreational cyclists (and bike shop sales managers!) can appreciate.

Another move against the tide... No Xenith road bike is available with electronic shifting for 2014. That doesn't stop Jamis from offering (and including with each bike) intelligently designed replaceable plates for various shifting set-ups. It's logical ideas like this that enables Jamis to stand out much higher than other mid-level brands.

Day-Glo! Not even the sensible designers at Jamis can resist the yellow/green tide.

More start design on bike models that usually do not get the R&D resources. This time fork tweaks that make for a more stable ride on the Endura ("Gran Fondo" style ) race bikes.

Whoa, we forgot what glossy looks like! Here is the stunning new 2014 T2.
Also the only Jamis to offer electronic shifting.

#1465

Yep, we'll take it!