We’ve still got a few more photo galleries and some interesting product news left from the 2011 Sea Otter Classic Expo. Today we highlight Redline’s singlespeed, Grammo’s new radical carbon cyclocross bike, new products from the founder of Clif Bar, and Giro’s new Aeon helmet and Code, Gauge, and Sica mountain bike shoes.
Redline had former SSCXWC Champ Kari Studley's 2010 singlespeed on display.© Cyclocross Magazine
Redline unveiled its Conquest Pro SS singlespeed frame last fall at Interbike, and one of the first people to grab a ride on the new model was none other than 2009 SSCXWC champ Kari Studley. Studley’s Conquest Pro SS she rode to second place in the 2010 edition of SSCXWC was on display at Sea Otter, complete with mismatched wheels (Dura-Ace front, Velocity rear), a Rival crankset, Kore brakes, and a zero-setback FSA XC seatpost. The frameset is set to retail for about $529, and $399 without the fork.
Grammo's C3X's fork had some of the most radical styling we've seen. © Cyclocross Magazine
Grammo had is C3x carbon cyclocross frame and fork on display, and was still waiting hope its disc brake model would arrive soon when we stopped by. The bike features a short head tube, internal cable routing, a tapered steerer and fork, and some of the most radical shapes we’ve seen on a cyclocross bike yet. A SRAM Apex-equipped model will set you back just $1795.
Giro unveiled several new products at Sea Otter 2011, including their top-of-the-line Aeon helmet that has been raced in Europe for a few weeks in the classics with success (as far as we know nobody wearing one was hurt).
Giro unveiled its Aeon helmet, its second lightest and worn by just a few European pros. © Cyclocross Magazine
The Aeon (pronounced ee-on) represents Giro’s latest technology, and the helmet either looks to add more ventilation to the Prolight, or make the Ionos lighter, depending on your perspective. At 222 grams for a CPSC-approved Medium size, the helmet is the company’s second-lightest offering after the Prolight, but differs from the Prolight with its RocLoc 5 fit system as well as Giro’s Thermoformed SL Roll Cage reinforcement. The Aeon has one vent less than the Prolight’s 25 vents, but its larger vents should mean more ventilation. Like both the Ionos and Prolight, the Aeon will come in three sizes.
Our first impression is that the RocLoc 5 makes it feel more secure than the Prolight while it still feels airy light. Of course, its $250 price tag will also make something else lighter too. Stay tuned as we give it a full review.
Giro offers a unique, velcro-secured arch support system in its new shoes called SuperNatural Fit Kit that allows easy swaps of different height supports. © Cyclocross Magazine
Giro also showed off its new shoes that are arriving in stores now. For the off-road cyclist, the company offers the $279 Code, and $199 Gauge, and the $199 women’s-specific model, the Sica. The Code offers an Easton EC90 carbon sole and the company’s SuperNatural Fit Kit with an adjustable arch support system. The arch support system provides three different heights of arch supports, and you can swap them in and out in a snap as they’re attached with Velcro. A Japanese man-made synthetic leather fiber called Teijin is used for the uppers, and is said to conform well to the foot without stretch or water absorption.
The more affordable Gauge and Sica also feature carbon soles, but Easton EC70 versions instead of the Code’s EC90 sole. Both shoes also feature the same SuperNatural Fit Kit soles, but only come with medium arch supports (other heights are sold separately).
Gary and Kit from ClifBar have launched the Clif Family Winery focused on trail mix and wine. © Cyclocross Magazine
Clif Bar founder Gary Erickson has started a new venture with his wife Kit – the Clif Family Winery. But the don’t just sell wine, as one of their first products is “Mountain Mix,” a trail mix sold under the new “Gary and Kit Gourmet” brand. The company is really looking to take trail mix upscale with products like “Sundried Berry and Cherries” and “Paprika Almonds.” They could make an ideal mid-ride or post-race snack for the foodie.
And if Mountain Mix has you thirsty? Erickson’s winery offers its wine in a package called the Climber Pouch, the company’s effort to make box or bottle wine more portable. Using a packaging bag called Astrapouch, the Clif Family winery packs the equivalent of two bottles of California-sourced wine into one $15.99 pouch. The pouch is responsible for 90% less waste than two bottles, and 80% less greenhouse gases than two bottles, and should keep wine for up to a month after opening. We admit this isn’t very cyclocross-specific, but less waste and portability is nice, and for that venue that allows adult beverages but not glass, perhaps it’s an attractive option for your over 21 Après-mud refreshment.
View Cyclocross Magazine’s complete coverage of all things cyclocross from Sea Otter 2011.
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