Unless you’ve been living in a cave the past couple weeks, you know the 2012 London Olympics are in full swing, and personally, I can’t get enough of them.  I don’t care what the event is, I’ll watch pretty much any event in the Olympics, simply because I love watching people compete against one another.

What amazes me most about the Olympics is how minute the difference is that separates the winners.  It’s not uncommon for victory to come down to a few hundredths of a second in many of the events.  When you compete, speed matters, down to the most minute amount.

And while I’m not an Olympian, I do compete in a variety of a cycling races on an amateur level, with my favorites being road cycling and triathlons.  As such, I’m always looking for ways to better my time, and one of the latest ways I’ve found to do so is with some new gear from one of my favorite cycling gear makers:  Louis Garneau.

I recently picked up their VORTTICE aero helmet, Carbon Pro Team shoes and Quartz helmet, and all have surpassed my expectations in terms of both their comfort and performance.  Here’s a look at all three, and why if you’re in the market to shave some time off your rides, how each will help you do so.

Louis Garneau VORTTICE Aero Helmet ($250)Let’s face it:  for novice riders, an aero helmet isn’t an everyday purchase.  They note a distinctly alien-like in appearance, they weigh more than traditional helmets, and unless you’re in aero position, it’s unlikely you’ll see any benefit from one.

But once you make the switch to a tri-bike, an aero helmet needs to be at the top of your must buy list.  Tri-bikes are built to be as aerodynamically efficient as possible, and aero helmets are built to maximize your aerodynamic efficiency when you’re in a tucked position.  They’re simply made for each other.

I’ve tried a few aero helmets prior to Garneau’s VORTTICE, and for me, they suffered from a couple major flaws:  they were uncomfortable, and they were relatively strict in terms of the position you had to be in to gain the maximum aerodynamic advantage.  For me, the Louis Garneau VORTTICE solves both of these key flaws.

First of all, lets talk comfort.  At the front of the VORTTICE you’ll note a singular opening strategically placed at the point of the helmet receiving the highest amount of pressure during your ride.  While some helmets attempt to deflect this air around the helmet, Louis Garneau decided to vent it through the helmet.  Air enters the VORTTICE through the vent, is then diverted through channels inside, and it exits out the rear.  Not only does it minimize air resistance in the front of the helmet, it also produces exceptional ventilation while riding – eliminating the overheating issues I’ve experienced with other aero helmets.  I’ve ridden with the VORTTICE on 100 degree days, and it’s handled the heat beautifully.

Another thing I love about the VORTTICE is its fit.  When you’re in the Tour de France, you get an aero helmet fit specifically to you.  Normal cyclists don’t get that luxury, so finding an aero helmet with the perfect fit is far more challenging.  With the VORTTICE, you can get an exceptional fit across a variety of head shapes and sizes, thanks to Louis Garneau’s Spiderlock SL system.  A series of webbing gives you a comfortable, secure fit that’s easily adjustable, and because the Spiderlock does such a great job keeping the helmet in place, it allowed Garneau to keep the ear sections a little wider.  For me, that was a major plus of the VORTTICE, as almost all of the other helmets I used were too snug around my ears.

The second key element to the Louis Garneau VORTTICE is its aerodynamic efficiency (or more specifically, it’s broad range of aerodynamic efficiency).  Typical aero helmets are optimized for aerodynamic efficiency in ideal conditions, meaning when the wind is coming at you and you’re in a perfect aero tuck.  That’s why most aero helmets note a full teardrop shape that extends all the way to your back.

The VORTTICE, on the other hand, sports a tear drop shape that’s cut off in the back, which serves two key purposes:  it reduces drag when you’re in a crosswind, and it reduces drag when you’re in a tuck and you put your head down (both of which, if you haven’t already guessed, are quite common).  Because surface area is reduced, wind resistance is reduced, thus making you faster.

When you’re in ideal conditions and a picture perfect tuck, the VORTTICE is equally as exceptional.  Up front, graduated dimples reminiscent of a golf ball help keep air flow close to the helmet.  This air is then diverted to a series of channels in the middle of the helmet, which create a vortex like effect as they divert air back.  Providing additional efficiency, an integrated (and removable) lens is included, which extends down to cover roughly half your face.

While I haven’t taken it in a wind tunnel, I will say the VORTTICE feels incredibly fast.  For me, the biggest areas I notice a benefit in is either in crosswinds or when my head’s down, but these are both common enough that the VORTTICE has become my go-to aero helmet.  Add in the extra comfort and beautiful fit, and Garneau’s VORTTICE is the perfect compliment to my triathlon/time trial arsenal.

Here’s more details of the VORTTICE aero helmet as noted directly from Louis Ganeau:

• Weight: 15.9 oz/450 g
• Certifications: CPSC-ASTM-CE-AS 2063
• Vents: 2
• In-Mold Construction: Industrial process binding the  front liner and outer shell for increased durability.
• Spiderlock SL: Lighweight rack-and-pinion system, micro-adjustable using only one hand, offering extreme comfort and stability.
• Steplock Divider: Cam locking device to quickly adjust strap position.
• Sealed Pro Ice Padding: Washable sealed adjustment padding for enhanced durability. Provides cool effect when wet. Ergonomic design for optimum comfort.
• Vorttice Lens Included: Designed to minimize fogging.  It features UV 400 resistance.

You can learn more about the Louis Garneau VORTTICE helmet at the official Louis Garneau website.

Louis Garneau Carbon Pro Team Shoes ($330)

I’m a huge fan of Louis Garneau’s cycling shoes, so when I saw they came out with new Carbon Pro Team Shoes, I had to have them.  I’m sort of like a girl in that respect – when I see a cool new technology packed pair of cycling shoes, I have to have them.  And Garneau’s latest offering hasn’t disappointed.

Most importantly, there’s the incredible outsole.  The Carbon Pro Teams are built on Garneau’s Carbon X-Lite outsole, their stiffest, lightest outsole to date.  Not only is it super light, it’s super thin, meaning your foot is closer to the pedal for maximum power.  Mated to the outsole, the Pro Teams feature insoles utilizing Ice-Fil moisture technology.  The fibers in the insole work by converting your foot’s perspiration into a refrigerant, thus keeping your feet cooler and dryer as you ride.  Of course, you can alway swap the Ice-Fil insole for a traditional cold weather insole as well.

Fit wise, the Carbon Pro Team shoe utilizes what’s called HRS-300 technology in the heel area.  Getting geeky for a second, it’s an internal polymer system that secures the foot in place, optimizes fit, and reduces loss of power through slippage.  In the real world, it means your foots stays glued in place –  no slippage, which equals no power loss.

Up front, two velcro straps and one ratchet strap offer a secure fit, and they do so without placing strain on your foot’s pressure points.  These straps (in tandem with the HRS-300 technology) make Louis Garneau’s Carbon Pro Team shoes, the stiffest, most secure and most comfortable cycling shoes I’ve worn, bar none.

Here’s more details of the Louis Garneau Carbon Pro Team shoes:

• ELITE FIT
• Carbon HM X-Lite outsole
• New HRS-300 system featuring built-in rigid nylon with a 0.6-mm membrane
• PU Lycra inside heel cup
• Breathable Dry-type microfiber and nylon cycling mesh upper
• Fully adjustable micro-rachet
• Ice Fil Ergo Air Cool Stuff blue double density EVA and Hot Stuff red insoles
• Visual display of cleat position compatible with DURA-ACE, TIME, LOOK and SPEED PLAY cleats with shims (F-4, R-4)
• Shoe bag included
• Offset straps
• Ergo Air insole interchangeable
• Lightweight
• Approximate weight (size 41/1 shoe): 258 g/9.20 oz

To learn more about the Louis Garneau Carbon Pro Team cycling shoe, head over to the official Louis Garneau website.

Louis Garneau Quartz Helmet

For traditional road racing or just everyday rides, my go-to helmet is the Louis Garneau Quartz Helmet.  To be honest, I even use it when I’m mountain biking.  It’s simply the most comfortable, coolest helmet I’ve had the pleasure of wearing.

So how did Louis Garneau make the Quartz so comfortable?  By adding huge ventilation channels (with 33 a total of 33 vents) to provide ultimate cooling and weight reduction.  Of course, too many vents typically means reduced rigidity; however, thanks to Garneau’s monocoque structural base (MSB) technology, this isn’t the case with the Quartz helmet.  The base of the helmet is reinforced around the perimeter for superb protection, while additional composite reinforcements help spread the shock of impacts while still noting an exceptionally light weight.

Providing a superb fit, the Quartz helmet utilizes Garneau’s Spiderlock SL system.  As is the case with the VORTTICE aero helmet, the Quartz fit system easily adjustable and comfortable irregardless of your head shape, while angle adjustments and ergonomic foam padding make the Quartz the most comfortable helmet I’ve worn.

Here are the full details of the Louis Garneau Quartz helmet:

• Weight: 8.8 oz/250 g
• Certifications: CPSC-ASTM-CEN-AS 2063
• Vents: 33
• Super MSB Technology: Ring-shaped protection at the base of the helmet reinforces the perimeter for enhanced protection.
• In-Mold Construction: Industrial process binding the front liner and outer shelle for increased durability.
• Evacuation channels: Moisture channels provide better airflow and moisture wicking.
• Ringlock: Frame ring that ensures helmet’s integrity on impact.
• Spiderlock SL: Lightweight rack-and-pinion system, micro-adjustable using only one hand, offering extremet comfort and stability.
• Steplock Divider: Cam locking device to quickly adjust strap position.
• Sealed Airdry padding: Washable sealed adjustment padding for enhanced durability, ergonomic design for optimum comfort.
• V-Pro System: Receptacle molded into the helmet in order to put on and off the visor as often as you wish. Plastic plugs are included to fill the holes when not used.
• Quartz Visor: Specifically designed for the Quartz, this visor perfectly adapts to the helmet design. Can be installed with the included V-Pro system.

To learn more about the Louis Garneau Quartz helmet, head over to the official Louis Garneau website.

With the 2010 Tour de France officially underway, we thought we’d turn our attention back to the world of cycling for the next few days and more of the requisite cycling gear that goes along with it.  If you’ve spent any amount of time cycling, there’s no doubt been a time when you’ve planned a beautiful day out on your bike, packed your gear, travelled to the perfect location and started your ride, only to discover a mechanical problem with your bike that derails your plans.  In such situations, you’ve got two options.  One – you can pack your gear back up, travel home or to a bike shop, and get your ride back in working order.  Your day’s ruined, but there’s always next time.  Option two – and the option that’s really a must for anyone that loves riding – is the Pedro’s Master Tool Kit 3.0.  It’s the most bad-ass portable biking tool kit available, and no matter what your mechanical misfortunes, it will have your bike up and running in no time flat.

As a self-described tool junkie, I have to tell you – the Pedro’s Master Tool Kit 3.0 is about as lust-inducing as you’re going to get in the world of bike tools.  There’s a total of 65 pieces included with the Master Tool Kit 3.0, all housed in a custom, water tight, pressure regulated, ABS plastic case, backed by a lifetime warranty.  As for what you get, here’s the complete rundown:

• 8pc open/ ratchet box wrenches (8mm-15mm)
• Y Torx Wrench
• Y Wrench 2,2.5,3
• Y Wrench 4,5,6
• Cable Cutter
• Pro Chain Tool 2.0
• Equalizer Pedal Wrench
• 13 -19 mm Cone wrenches
• 5-piece Screwdriver set
• Tire Lever – Yellow pair
• 5,6,8mm hex driver w/ handle
• 10mm Campy hex driver
• GO! low viscosity chain lube, 4oz
• ISIS BB socket
• HG Socket W/O Pin
• Campy lock ring tool/cassette tool
• Universal crank puller with handle
• 3 meter Tape Measure
• Beverage Wrench
• External Bearing BB Socket
• Pro T/L hex set -8pc
• Pro Socket Handle 2.0
• Vise Whip
• Shimano ‘Integrated’ BB Wrench
• 9-piece L hex set
• BB socket holder

An impressive assortment, to say the least, but just as importantly, it all works – and it works very, very well.  Everything is designed precisely to work on your bike, regardless of make, model, year, etc.  And that’s the beauty of Pedro’s Master Tool Kit 3.0.  It doesn’t matter what you ride, you can fix or maintain virtually any major component on the market today.  Pack it up, throw it in the back of your vehicle, and you’ll never again have to worry about a mechanical issue sidelining your ride.  Back at home, you’ll be assembling, disassembling, and fine tuning your bike, just because you can.  Pedro’s tools are a simply a joy to use.

As for which tools of the Pedro’s Master Tool Kit 3.0 are the best, that’s easy:  the best tool is the one you need.  It doesn’t matter how great your cable cutter is, if you need to repair your chain, the best tool is going to be the chain tool, and vice versa.  That being said, I love the Pro Chain Tool 2.0 with its new contoured handle and integrated pin storage.  I love Pedro’s new Vise Whip – a tool that eliminates the need for a traditional chainwhip and makes securing the cassette a utterly simple process.  I love the super comfortable Pedro’s cable cutter.  And I love the new Y Torx wrench – an ingenious tool that includes three of the most popular torx sizes in one location.  But really, I love all the Pedro’s tools, because as I said, on any given day, you never really know what you’re going to need.  With the Pedro’s Master Tool Kit 3.0, you’re covered regardless.

Of course, as with all tools, strength is a must.  Pedro’s tools, whether it’s the tools found in the Master Tool Kit 3.0 or any of their other tools, are designed to last a lifetime.  All Pedro’s tools are backed by a lifetime warranty, save for the Pedro’s Pro Torque and Demi-torque wrenches, Pedro’s Pumps, and Pedro’s Blow Out Bags (each feature a 2-year warranty).  Other than that all Pedro’s are protected against breakage, malfunction, or defect, meaning the Pedro’s tools will likely outlast you.  And even if they don’t, Pedro’s will keep replacing them until they do.  In the world of tools, you can’t get much better than that.

Pricing for the Pedro’s Master Tool Kit 3.0 is set at $939, and it can be ordered from any bike shop that carries Pedro’s tools or from a variety of online retailers.  If you spend any reasonable amount of time on a bike, buy one – it will likely be the last bike tool kit you’ll ever need to buy.  To learn more about any of the Pedro’s lineup of bike tools, you can find more info at their website, Pedros.com.

Road cycling is, in many ways, a gentlemen’s sport.  Although grueling in nature and at times, incredibly intense, there’s a certain style that remains amidst the pain – a style uncommon in most other sports.  Part of it’s the engineering style of a gorgeously designed road bike; part of it’s the style that permeates great cycling gear.  And when it comes to looking good on your bike, there’s few companies that can compete with Capo.  They’re like the Armani of the cycling world.  They create sleek, sculpted pieces of cycling apparel that are seemingly tailored to fit your precise contours, and they do it while it maintaining the comfort and performance vital for a day in the saddle.

When it comes to selecting which Capo gear to opt for, I personally love the Modena line (for men).  It’s stylish, incredibly comfortable, durable, and as far as price goes, it’s a tremendous value.  As for the ladies, our female staffers love the Cortina line for the same reasons I’ve mentioned, and although it’s a little pricier than a men’s Modena gear, it’s still offers a tremendous value for the money.  Here’s a look at both the men’s Capo Modena gear and the women’s Capo Cortina lineup, accompanied by some photos showing just how great they both look.

Capo Modena Short Sleeve Jersey (Men’s, $79.99)

Available in both white and black designs with contrasting white and black race stripes, the Capo Modena jersey is an exceptionally stylish, well-tailored jersey perfect for a quick sprint on the bike or a longer, more intense day of riding.  The Modena jersey is constructed from lightweight polyester Drop fabric, offering both superb comfort and excellent moisture management properties.  Other features include a full length lockable zipper, a silicone waist gripper and the traditional three pockets in the rear.

While it is the entry level jersey in the Capo line, the Modena jersey really does offer a superb level of styling.  Despite owning other jerseys in the Capo line (all of which perform brilliantly, I might add), the Capo Modena is the one that garners the most praise from other riders, no doubt due to its elegantly simple design.  Add to that a quality construction that’s held up brilliantly after numerous washes, and the Capo Modena jersey offers riders an incredible value for the money at a mere $80.

Capo Modena Bib Short (Men’s, $139.99)

Designed to match the styling of the Modena jersey, the Capo Modena bib short again features Capo’s trademark tailored fit in a stylish, comfortable package.  Available in black with white stripes, the Modena bib short is constructed from Power Lycra along with an all-way stretch mesh upper and an anti-microbial multi-layer EIT (elastic interface technology) insert.  The result is an extremely wearable bib short perfect for those of you seeking a medium level of padding when you ride.

While comfort is of course subjective depending on body type, for me, the Modena Bib short is an exceptionally comfortable option for non-competitive riding.  Although it doesn’t offer the same level of compression as its more expensive Capo siblings, the Modena still offers excellent support due to its slimmer fit.  If you’re looking for a stylish, well balanced bib short geared towards general everyday riding, the Modena bib short fits the bill exceptionally well, and at $140, it’s a tremendous value for the price.

Capo Cortina Jersey (Women’s, $129.99)

When it comes to styling it wouldn’t be fair for men to have all the fun, so for women, Capo has created the Cortina jersey.  It’s an incredibly sexy jersey that in addition to its stunningly gorgeous good looks, features the utmost in Capo technology to match.  At its core, the Cortina Jersey is constructed from two key fabrics:  Silver and HSC.  Capo Silver is a dual knit micro fiber featuring quick dry technology that’s both exceptionally breathable and provides excellent moisture management properties.  The second fabric – Capo HSC – is a high-gauge, lightweight microfiber that adds the perfect level of stretch to the jersey.  Designed to move with you while you ride, HSC again provides excellent moisture management and anti-bacterial properties, and just as importantly, it doesn’t bunch or pull the more you move, making it remarkably comfortable.  Other features of the Capo Cortina jersey include a full length lockable zipper, two back pockets, and your choice of either white or black designs with contrasting red accents.

On the road, the Cortina is just a gorgeously designed piece of cycling gear.  It’s one of the most tailored women’s jerseys you’re going to find, but just as importantly, it’s construction places it easily at the forefront of jersey technology.  Comfortable, breathable and beautiful, the Capo Cortina is everything you could ask for in a women’s jersey, and at $130, it’s well within the price range for most cycling enthusiasts.

Capo Cortina Shorts (Women’s, $159.99)

Complimenting the women’s Cortina jersey, the Capo Cortina shorts feature a matching design in black with white and red accents, and they look fantastic.  Featuring an eight panel construction of Power Lycra and Dual-Ply Power fabrics, the Cortina shorts offer a superb level of muscle compression without sacrificing comfort.  Inside, a women’s High Performance EIT insert featuring elastic one-piece construction offers an ideal level of padding for longer rides, and thanks to an intelligent design that utilizes varying thicknesses, the chamois remains comfortable without bunching.

Adding to their unique feature set, another notable attribute of the Capo Cortina shorts are their waist.  Unlike cycling shorts that feature a traditional waist, the Cortina shorts feature a crossover waistband, offering support without placing too much pressure on the stomach.  It’s just one of the many custom features Capo has implemented specifically for women in their Cortina line, and it’s one of the reasons Capo consistently ranks as one of the favorite cycling brands among our female riders.

To see more of both the Capo Cortina jersey and shorts and the Modena jersey and bib short, you can find photos of both in their varying color options in the gallery below.  For more info on the Modena or Cortina or any of the other lines offered by Capo, you can find more information at the official Capo website.

 

For the most part, finding the perfect of cycling shoes is a supremely difficult feat.  By nature, most cycling shoes are uncomfortable, narrow, and have multiple traits you wish you could change, all for the sake of increasing performance.  Enter the Bont a-one road cycling shoe.  The Bont a-one pretty much eliminates any negatives you’re likely to experience in selecting cycling shoes, and what may be most impressive, they do so while maintaining the attributes most vital in cycling shoes – they’re exceptionally stiff; they’re light; and they have the lowest stack height on the market.

But before I tell you about the Bont a-one, let me tell you a bit about Bont itself.  Founded in 1975, Bont began when recreational speed skater Inze Bont decided to fiberglass the back of his leather skates to gain extra support.  From there, Bont continued to experiment with various materials, later adding Kevlar and carbon fiber to his designs along with pioneering heat moldable boots, and in doing so, Bont became the first company to make skates where the blade and frame could be adjusted on the boot.  Other Bont firsts include using lace covers, no void frames, velcro, and creating aerodynamic skates.  Today, virtually all modern day speed skates are based on Bont’s inventions back in the ’70’s.

But back to the Bont a-one road cycling shoe.  In 2007, Bont took their expertise in creating skates and expanded it to the world of cycling, and the a-one is just one example of this engineering excellence.  Featuring a handmade 100% carbon monocoque construction that’s the stiffest I’ve laid foot on, the Bont a-one is designed from the inside out to maximize performance.  Key features include a 3.6 mm stack height, industry leading strength to weight ratio (450 or 500 grams per pair for a size 39, depending on configuration), shiny microfiber or leather uppers, non porous microfiber liners, and 40 air vents with air gills in the arches to ensure optimum breathability.

But what may be the Bont a-ones’ greatest attribute is their fit.  Carried over from their skate development, Bont a-ones are completely heat moldable, ensuring your supreme comfort despite their exemplary performance levels.  To mold them, simply heat your oven to 160 degrees, add your Bont a-ones for 20 minutes, remove them and wear them until they cool, and voila – road cycling shoes, tailored to your unique foot contours.  It’s an ingenious way to customize your cycling shoes, and if for some reason the fit isn’t quite right, you can re-mold your shoes multiple times as necessary to get the fit perfect.  The one thing to take note of is that when you heat mold your shoes, be sure to remove the insole, cleats, and cleat mounting screws, and test the shoes before putting them on to ensure they’re not too hot (let them cool a little if they are).  Other than that, heat molding your Bont a-ones is about as simple as you’re going to get, and the result is the most comfortable, stiffest pair of cycling shoes I’ve ever worn.

The Bont a-ones are available in your choice of ten colors – eight of the shiny microfiber variety and two in leather – with sizes 36-50 in whole sizes as well as 40.5, 42.5, 44.5 and 46.5.  Adding a further level of precision to the fit, you can also select from standard, narrow and wide widths, and for those of you desiring the ultimate in cycling footwear, you can also opt for a full custom Bont a-one at additional cost – one created specifically for you from a mold of your foot.  Pricing for the Bont a-one is set at $400.  To learn more about the Bont a-one as well as the full lineup of Bont cycling footwear, you can find more information at the Bont cycling website.

Great cycling gear is like a great pair of jeans.  You can throw it on anytime, be comfortable, and enjoy whatever it is you’re doing.  On the bike, whether in a race or just out for a quick ride, Louis Garneau cycling gear is, figuratively speaking, that perfect pair of jeans.  Garneau gear is just so comfortable, you can wear it for a quick ride, all-day excursion, or pretty much anything else you need it for.  But just as importantly, Louis Garneau engineers everything with performance at the forefront, meaning when race day comes, you’re good to go.

I own and use a variety of Garneau cycling gear, and I have been for some time now.  In recommending what Garneau gear ranks among the best, it’s actually quite difficult, as I love every piece of Garneau I own.  But if you forced me to pick the essentials – a single Garneau package for a day out on the bike – this is what I’d choose.  There’s plenty more superb Louis Garneau options to choose from, but this will at least get you headed in the right direction.

Louis Garneau Diamond Helmet (Men’s and Women’s, $189.99)

I’m not usually one to boast about athlete endorsements of products, but this is the helmet worn by Chrissie Wellington in her record-setting 2009 Ironman World Championship title.  As a triathlete myself, I know how incredibly difficult completing an Ironman is, let alone being at the top of the Ironman field.  It goes without saying that a comfortable helmet is a must in an Ironman competition, and the Louis Garneau Diamond helmet is about as comfortable as you’re going to get.  It’s incredibly cool thanks to its more than 40 vents; at 285 grams, it’s super light; and most importantly, it incredibly, incredibly comfortable.  Wearing it, you forget you’re wearing it, and as far as helmet compliments go, that’s about the highest praise I can give it.  Features of the Louis Garneau Diamond helmet include:

• CPSC-ASTM-CEN-AS 2063 certified (Order 1408847 for Australian certification)
• In-Mold Construction: An industrial process binding the microplastic and polystyrene together to add superior mechanical properties to these materials.
• Spiderlock Elite: Adjustable and detachable rack-and-pinion mechanism using only one hand to stabilize the helmet on the head. It is provided with ergonomic padding.
• Steplock Divider: Cam locking device to quickly adjust strap position.
• Sealed Airdry Padding: Washable sealed adjustment padding for enhanced durability, ergonomic design for optimum comfort.
• Evacuation channels: Moisture channels provide better airflow and moisture wicking.
• Super MSB Technology: Ring-shaped protection at the base of the helmet reinforces the perimeter to spread the shock of impact.
• Exo-Insert Technology: Lightweight inner plastic reinforcement spreads the shock of impact and helps maintain the helmet’s structure.
• Composite Reinforcement: Inner composite-made frame which spread the shock of impacts. It provides support and protection while being lightweight.
• S: 6 1/2-7; 20 1/2″ – 22″; 52-56 cm
• M: 7-7 3/8; 22″ – 23 1/4″; 56-59 cm
• L: 7 3/8-7 3/4; 23 1/4″ – 24 1/2″; 59-62 cm

Louis Garneau Équipe Bib (Men’s, $149.99)

In selecting a bib, comfort, moisture management and muscle compression are all vital features, and the Louis Garneau Équipe Bib blends the three perfectly.  A patented Airgel Chamois has perforated gel inserts to keep you comfortable for long stretches in the saddle; a combination of Power Lycra and Fit Sensor fabrics help keep you dry while still providing excellent muscle compression; and Powerband compressive grippers help keep the Équipe Bib in place while you ride, avoiding the slipping and riding up common in other bibs.  Other features of the Louis Garneau Équipe Bib include:

• Lycra power, fit sensor and speed mesh fabric construction
• Ergonomic fit
• 8 panels
• 1 back pocket
• Powerband
• No seam inside leg
• Flatlock seams
• Back reflective logo
• Men Airgel Chamois
• Compressive Fit
• Inseam 11.25″/28.5 cm

Louis Garneau Factory Team Jersey (Men’s, $84.99)

Complimenting the styling of the Louis Garneau Équipe Bib, the Louis Garneau Factory Team Jersey features a matching color combination paired with the same comfort and performance attributes of its sibling.  Thank to its diamond fabric construction, air flow remains consistent, keeping you cool and wicking moisture away from your skin.  3 back pockets provide storage while riding, and elastic at the hem ensures the jersey stays in place while you ride.  Features of the Louis Garneau Factory Team Jersey include:

• Diamond Fabric
• Full-length zip
• 3 back pockets
• Elastic at hem
• Back reflective logo
• Pro Fit Men

Louis Garneau Équipe Shorts (Women’s, $129.99)

Men have the Louis Garneau Équipe Bib, women have Louis Garneau Équipe Shorts, but both feature a similar construction and similarly exceptional performance properties.  As in the men’s bib, the women’s shorts feature a Power Lycra and Fit Sensor fabric construction, offering excellent muscle compression with superb moisture management properties.  Also present is the patented Airgel Chamois with perforated gel inserts, keeping you comfortable on long rides, while a HuggFit waist specifically designed to fit the natural contour of a woman’s body helps differentiate the Équipe Shorts from the bib.  Features of the Louis Garneau Équipe Shorts include:

• Fit sensor and lycra power fabric construction
• Ergonomic fit
• 6 panels
• HuggFit waist, designed to fit the natural contour of a woman’s body without adding pressure points
• Powerband
• Flatlock seams
• Back reflective logo
• Women Airgel Chamois
• Inseam 10.5″/26.5 cm

Louis Garneau Équipe Jersey (Women’s, $84.99)

Again similar to the men’s Factory jersey, the women’s Louis Garneau Équipe Jersey features styling designed to match the women’s Équipe shorts.  In addition, a diamond fabric construction keeps you cool and dry as the heat rises, 3 back pockets offer another means of storage, and elastic at the hem helps keep the jersey in place, both in and out of the saddle.  Features of the women’s Louis Garneau Équipe Jersey include:

• Diamond fabric
• Full-length zip
• 3 back pockets
• Elastic at hem
• Back reflective logo
• Pro Fit Women

Louis Garneau CFS-150 Shoes (Men’s and Women’s, $299.99)

In seeking out to provide a shoe that offers the perfect fit and ultimate in power transfer, Louis Garneau has created the CFS-150, a heat moldable shoe that’s incredibly stiff and comfortable.  If you’re unfamiliar with heat moldable shoes, the premise is simple:  you heat your oven to 150 degrees, remove the main strap, place the shoes in the oven for 15 minutes, remove them and put them on your feet for 15-20 minutes, until they cool.  The result is a shoe that perfectly contoured to your foot, supremely comfortable, and one that’s a far less expensive option than full customs.

In addition to its heat molding properties, Louis Garneau CFS-150 shoes offer a variety of other superb features as well, including a microfiber leather upper, numerous vents for excellent foot ventilation, a visual display of cleat position compatible with SPD, TIME, LOOK and SPEED PLAY cleats, and Ergo Air interchangeable inserts (one for warm weather and one for cold).  Features of the Louis Garneau CFS-150 Shoes include:

• Carbon HM outsole with patented mulitvent system
• 100% heat moldable shoe at 150 F (65 C)
• Ergonomic thermoplastic molded toes with 3 side vents
• Micro-ratchet upper strap with fully adjustable EVA padding
• Microfiber leather upper
• Nylon mesh upper
• 2-position micro-adjustment ratchet reinforcement
• Toe covers and shoe bag included
• Weight (size 41/1 shoe): 305 g/10.9 oz
• Ergo Air Interchangeable
• 100% Thermomoldable
• Patented Ergo Air

Louis Garneau Revo XR2 Shoes (Women’s, $129.99)

And lastly, for a more economical choice in cycling shoes, the Revo XR2’s are an excellent choice for women.  Featuring a dual-material carbon and nylon outsole with patented multivent system as well as breathable nylon-mesh/synthetic leather uppers, Revo XR2’s are exceptionally breathable and offer an incredible amount of performance for the money.  As with the CFS-150’s, the Revo XR2’s come with Ergo Air interchangeable inserts (one for warm weather and one for cold) as well as a visual display of cleat position compatible with DURA-ACE, SPD, SPD-SL, TIME, LOOK and SPEED PLAY cleats.  Some of the other highlights of the Revo XR2 include:

• Women specific
• Dual-material carbon and nylon outsole with patented multivent system
• HRS-80 system
• Synthetic leather
• Ergonomic thermoplastic molded heel
• Ratchet closure and velcro straps
• Main strap adjustable with velcro
• Nylon mesh upper
• COOLMAX Ergo Air Cool Stuff blue and Hot Stuff red interchangeable insoles
• Approximate weight (size 38/1 shoe): 225 g/8 oz

Again, picking Louis Garneau gear really is difficult, because everything I’ve worn by Garneau I’ve loved.  But if you’re new to the company, or just can’t decide what piece (or pieces) of Garneau you’re going to get next, I can tell you that any of the aforementioned items offer an incredible blend of performance, price and comfort.  To learn more about any of the Louis Garneau gear above or to view the full range of Louis Garneau’s offerings, you can find more info at the Louis Garneau website.

In the world of cycling, it doesn’t take long to discover you’re only as good as the gear you’ve got on you.  It doesn’t matter if you’re riding a top-of-the-line $10,000 carbon fiber rocket – when that persistent feeling of pain sets in due to an uncomfortable pair of shorts and/or jersey, your ride quality is going to drop.  The solution?  Get yourself gear engineered from the ground up to maximize your comfort and performance when you ride.  There are many companies that claim to follow this mantra, but few that do it as well as 2XU.

Based in Melbourne, Australia, 2XU offers a variety of performance oriented gear across various disciplines of sporting events including cycling, swimming and triathlon.  They’re also the key innovator in the area of compression technology.  If you’re unfamiliar with compression technology, it’s an concept that’s been utilized in the sporting industry for over 100 years in the form of compression bandaging.  The principle is that by supporting the various muscle groups, circulation is improved, thus providing more oxygenated blood to the various muscle groups when they need it most.  Because your muscles are adequately supported, fatigue and damage that can result from muscle movement are severely reduced, and post exercise fatigue and recovery time are also lessened.   It’s these benefits (and others) that led 2XU to transfer compression technology directly to their garments, offering the advantages of compression technology across a wide spectrum of activities.  2XU calls it “Human performance.  Multiplied.”  I call it brilliant.

I’ve been using the 2XU Elite Cycle Bib Short and 2XU Elite Sublimation jersey for the past two months, and my wife has used the women’s 2XU Elite Cycle Short and the 2XU sublimation jersey.  On the road, every 2XU garment has performed exceptionally.  Each piece is comfortable, and after a long ride, the moisture management is absolutely superb.  All utilize a combination of the materials to provide support and cooling where needed, and all will help you take your riding to the next level.  Here’s a an overview of the various 2XU Elite cycling gear we’ve used:

2XU Elite Cycle Bib Short (Men’s, $210)

Exceptionally comfortable, supportive, and offering fantastic moisture management properties, the 2XU Elite Cycle Bib short makes races and longer rides a pleasure.  Featuring Swiss dimpled airflow technology and Japanese extreme moisture management fabrics combined with 2XU’s Fusion Pro Chamois, the Elite Cycle Bib Short is an excellent option for virtually all types of performance-oriented riding. Features include:

• Kinetic Speed – Turbulent airflow technology, compression and moisture management properties
• Sensor Mesh – High stretch for increased support and comfort
• Kinetic Fabric – Durable 220gm weight for long life performance and enhanced muscle containment
• Flatlock Seams – For anti-chaffing and comfort
• Fusion Pro X Chamois – Seamless multi density chamois and moisture control
• 2XU Silicone Leg Gripper – Anti-ride hem, soft against skin and maintains position

2XU Elite Cycle Short (Women’s, $150)

Like the 2XU men’s Elite Bib Short, the women’s short also feature Swiss dimpled airflow technology and Japanese extreme moisture management fabrics paired with 2XU’s Fusion Pro Chamois.  All of the properties found in the men’s bib short can be said of the women’s short – exceptionally comfortable, supportive, and offering fantastic moisture management properties – but with the added benefit of the perfect fit for the female form.  Features include:

• Kinetic Fabric – Durable 220gm weight for long life performance
• Fusion Pro X Chamois – Seamless multi density and moisture control
• Kinetic Speed – Turbulent airflow technology
• Contour Panellingo – Optimising the human form through looks and function
• Flatlock Seams – Anti-chaffing and comfort
• Silicone Leg Gripper – Support with anti ride silicone gel strip

2XU Elite Sublimation Jersey (Men’s, $130)

Comfortable, stylish and innovative, the 2XU Elite Sublimation is a great choice when opting for an all-around functional jersey.  Microfibre fabric technology keeps moisture to a minimum, and the rear pockets (one zippered) along with eyelets for MP3 player make taking your entertainment on the road easy.  Features include:

• Micro Fibre Fabric – Extreme moisture management sublimated fabric
• 2XU Full Length Zip – Adjustable zipper for climate control
• SMD Mesh – Extreme moisture management and denier graded technology
• Fitted Pockets – Storage for all your essentials
• Wired Pocket and Eyelets – Pockets and loops for MP3 player storage and cable management
• Rear Zip On Back Pocket

2XU Elite Sublimation Jersey (Women’s, $110)

Again, everything that can be said of the men’s 2XU Elite Sublimation Jersey is true of the women’s.  It’s comfortable, stylish and innovative;  it has an integrated wired pocket and eyelet for your favorite MP3 player; and unique to the women’s jersey, it offers the option of a sleeveless design, providing a wider range of movement.  It also features the same microfibre fabric construction as the men’s, beautifully managing moisture on long rides.  Features include:

• Microfibre Fabric – Extreme moisture management
• Sleeveless Design – Greater comfort and freedom of movement
• SMD Mesh – Extreme moisture management and denier graded technology
• Contour Panelling – Optimising the human form through looks and function
• Fitted Pockets – Storage for all your essentials
• Wired Pocket and Eyelets – Pockets and loops for MP3 player storage and cable management
• 2XU Full Length Zip

For more information detailing the 2XU line of cycling gear as well as their other compression technology, check out the official 2XU website for more information.  You can also see additional photos of the 2XU Elite cycling gear in the gallery below.