We're still culling through all of our 2016 Sea Otter coverage and have more interesting products to show you, like the latest from Fabric.
Fabric is a company that spun off of the UK's Charge Bikes as its accessory business picked up based in part on successful saddle designs. Based in Somerset, England, Fabric runs independently under the umbrella of CSG, the parent company of Cannondale. According to James Hamilton, Fabric's Global Marketing Manager, that partnership has given Fabric a better ability to develop innovative products for the cycling community.
The first product from Fabric was the Scoop saddle, based on the very successful Spoon saddle from Charge Bikes and seen on the likes of Stephen Hyde's 2016 National Championship and Worlds bike. Though the shape is similar, the cover material does not wrap around the base allowing a softer foam that is not compressed by the covering material and saving weight at the same time. Also, the Scoop is available in three rail materials, chomoly, titanium and carbon, as well as three shapes, flat, shallow and radius, and two base materials, nylon and carbon. Of course each varies in price, starting at just $70 USD, and weight. The $300 USD Ultimate version with a carbon base and carbon rails flexes a bit less than the other models, the price to pay for sub 200 gram saddle.
The ALM uses high-impact carbon and the rails run right to the shell's edge for better flex. 2016 Sea Otter Classic. © Clifford Lee / Cyclocross Magazine
New to the fabric line is the ALM, which was originally developed in conjunction with AirBus with a 3D printed, one-piece titanium rail and base with a bonded top. That was too difficult to produce so further research led to high impact carbon, similar to that used in hockey sticks, as the material of choice. The rails meet the shell at the edge for better shell flex. The ALM is only available in one shape and profile with a claimed weight of 140 grams and sells for $325 USD.
The Fabric bottle offers a clean look and minimal weight. As seen on the Cannondale Slate. 2016 Sea Otter Classic. © Clifford Lee / Cyclocross Magazine
We first used the Fabric cageless waterbottle on the Slate introduction ride, along with the Scoop saddle, and find the bottle to be ideal for cyclocross, during the season when a bottle might be desireable but not a cage. The bottle has two slots that slide onto two small studs that bolt onto the frame. Light, simple and inexpensive. Presenty only a 600ml bottle is available, but soon a 750ml will be released. Isn’t that a bottle of wine or a fifth of your favorite spirit?!
The Chamber's bits are stored in the sturdy handle and offer some adjustability depending on how much reach you need. 2016 Sea Otter Classic. © Clifford Lee / Cyclocross Magazine
Finally we saw the Chamber 13-tool multitool. An elegant package with bits stored in the handle. There is the option for a ratchet head, which will likely prove more popular than the fixed head version with no weight penalty. The bits are long for better reach and they can be length-adjusted for the task at hand by sliding them within the handle, which itself provides excellent grip and leverage. The Chamber is attractive, compact, snag-free and at 162 grams weighs no more than other multitools of similar capability.
With CSG’s backing, Fabric is is also a proud sponsor of Grinduro 2016 in October!
More info: Fabric.cc
The Fabric Scoop saddle features thin padding. 2016 Sea Otter Classic. © Clifford Lee / Cyclocross Magazine
