Gear Break: ROKA Sunglasses, Kane Shoes, Ritchey Zeta GX Gravel Wheels, Swiftwick New National Park Sock, The Dot by Lachlan Morton & L39ION Tulsa Kit

A big mix of what's new

Gear Break: ROKA CP Series Sunglasses, Kane Revive active recovery shoes, the new Ritchey Zeta GX gravel wheels, Swiftwick launches new National Park sock designs: Mt. Rainier, Glacier, Banff + more, The Dot by Lachlan Morton and L39ION of Los Angeles’ latest special edition kit inspired by Tulsa Tough with purpose beyond the podium.


ROKA CP Series Sunglasses – US$250

PEZ Sez: I first noticed the ROKA brand a couple seasons back – about the same time oversized sunglasses started to come back in fashion.  I’ll be up front about my own ethos for choosing eyewear – if the shape and style of the frame doesn’t appeal to me, there’s simply no amount of tech / cool features that will even make me choose to put ’em on my face.

But that’s exactly why they caught my eye – I liked the shape their designers had chosen, and was inspired to find out more.  My initial attempts to reach the company went unanswered, but having been in the cycling arena log enough to have seen more than a few brands come and go, I chalked it up to start-up pains.  A couple of years later they’ve proven some staying power, and enough marketing smarts to engage the crew at IGTStudio to help get the brand connected to us media types.

Roka is an Austin TX based brand, started in a garage by the two founders who first created a wetsuit for triathlon, but now offer a very good range of sunglasses for cycling, running, triathlon, golf, and casual street wear, plus more gear for triathlon like wetsuits, goggles, backpacks and more.

And now that I’ve finally got a pair for testing, I can see also appreciate the tech that goes into the specs.

Practical points from wearing these on several rides over the summer months:

  • The circular shape of the whole frame fits very nicely around my head – a continuous wrap from one wear, around the front of my face, over my nose, and around to the other ear

  • The arms feature a long section of grippy rubber that does a good job of holding the glasses in place and interfacing with helmet straps, ears, and your head.
  • My testers came with just one rubber nose piece, while other brands I’ve seen these days come with a selection to adjust fit, but mine fit well out of the box.

You can order them in a variety of frame colors and lens options.  I went with the stock Silver Matte frame because I tend to favor frame colors that contrast with my helmet.  My HC Octane Mirror lens (recommended for Med Light – Sunny & Partly Cloudy – 20% Light Transmission) lens, actually delivers on the website promise of : Great in sunny and slightly overcast conditions. High contrast on the road and enhances traffic lights.

  • The lens actually does a good job across a range of bright sun, and less intense cloudier days.

  • They come in a pretty bomb-proof case.
  • Ventilation has so far been very good.  I’ve not had any fogging – (although this could change come the cooler wet months of Fall and Winter).  Sweat management is also very good – as I’ve not experienced sweat drops landing inside the lenses – and I’ve worn these on some pretty hot days.

I’m happy I finally got to check these specs out in person, and even happier that they’ve proven to be worth the wait, and worthy of adding to my rotation of sunglasses.

See ’em online at: ROKA.com

Kane Revive Active Recovery Shoes – $70

A couple of old school rules for recovery after riding are:

  • Don’t stand when you can sit, don’t sit when you can lie down
  • Don’t walk if other means of transport or movement are available

But what if staying off your feet isn’t practical?

Chuck

For starters, the Kane Revive Active Recovery Shoes have a cool factor and are environmentally/socially responsible because they’re made with sugarcane. Per Kane: “The Kane Revive is made with BounceBack™ foam, created from Brazilian sugarcane. A renewable resource, sugarcane helps reduce greenhouse gases by capturing CO2 as it grows.” And for those to whom it matters, Kane’s shoes are vegan: “We don’t use animals for testing or animal-sourced glue for our dual-density construction. Kane shoes are made with bio-based materials and water-based glue.”

Kane touts these six features to help promote recovery:

  • Breathes – Exterior perforations and interior channels allow enhanced airflow
  • Stimulates – Raised footbed nodes activate blood flow in key pressure points
  • Supports – Anatomical last design comfortably secures heel, arch and instep
  • Rebounds – Built for smooth transferability and energy return from heel to toes
  • Cushions – Dual density construction for generous cushioning and active support
  • Grips – Oversized channels and siped soles provide flexibility and traction

The shoe design itself is what I would call a slip-on sneaker. You slip your foot in and then pull up on the loop at the back of the shoe to get your heel in. I’m a US size 9 and found the Kane Revive true to size for my feet.

But here’s what Kane says about sizing:

The Kane Revive shoe size follows standard sizing for a running shoe. The shoe size chart should therefore reflect your normal fit.

IN BETWEEN SIZES?

A narrow foot, go one size down (ex. if you typically wear size 10.5 – select size 10).

A wider foot, go one size up (ex. if you typically wear size 10- select size 11).

Length-wise, my toes had just enough room so they weren’t pushed up against the front of the shoe. And the toe box was wide enough for my toes to be spread out and not be squished together, i.e., roomy but my feet weren’t swimming in the shoes. I could feel the arch support, but it wasn’t so high/firm to cause any discomfort (but high enough so that with my flat-ish feet my instep was held comfortably snug by the “tongue.”) Finally, the heel counter was “loose” enough to be able to easily slip on/off, but my heel fit like my toes in the toe box, i.e., snug enough but not tight like you would expect/need in a pair of cycling shoes. Overall, just this side of slipper-like.

With it’s perforations, appearance-wise the Revive is reminiscent of the Crocs my daughter loves to wear — except they’re not “clogs” so IMHO more “adult” and “stylish” (I know style is in the eye of the beholder). But the holes are functional — they allow your feet to breathe. The little “nubbies” on the insole create a massage-like effect (especially when walking).


Wear them without socks to feel the full effect of the nubbies

In a word, the Kane Revive shoes are comfortable. Actually, uber comfortable (OK, that’s two words). The first time I wore them was after playing a round of golf with my daughter. My feet were definitely a little “tired” and putting the Kane Revive shoes on was “relaxing.” The effect was the same wearing them the first time after a bike ride.

While the Kane Revive is touted as an active recovery shoe, I actually find myself wearing them for more than that because they’re just so comfortable. IMHO, they’re a great pair of shoes for all-around casual wear. When I’m at our house in Bluffton, SC (just before the bridge to go to Hilton Head) and essentially in a beach/resort environment, they’re now my go-to, knock around, go-everywhere shoes whenever I’m out and about.


Kane includes extra pull loops in different colors

So here’s my PEZ new school rule for recovery after riding:  I’m wearing a pair of Kane Revive Active Recovery shoes. I’m not a pro who gets paid to ride and has the luxury of staying off my feet after riding. I’m an average Joe who leads an everyday life with stuff to do and places to go.


Of course I swapped out the black pull loops for my trademark #realmenwearpink

• Shop KANE Revive Recovery Shoes at Amazon here.


The New Ritchey Zeta GX Gravel Wheels
While the WCS Zeta GX wheels might be a new product for Ritchey, one could argue their development has been in process for nearly 50 years. Tom, often together with his mentor Jobst Brandt and other friends, has been blazing trails and riding rough stuff since the early 1970s. Riding dirt is literally in Tom’s blood.

Directly inspired by the reliability and top performance of the original Ritchey Zeta wheels, the new WCS Zeta GX wheelset is designed to shine in the gravel. These hand-built wheels are tubeless-ready and feature the new WCS hub with sealed bearings, and center-lock rotor mounts – with the rear hub housing a precise Ratchet Driver system with 360-degree, 36-point engagement. The rims offer a wide 25mm inner diameter, so they’ll nicely fit wider tires for gravel, and they’re laced with 28 sturdy spokes.

Tom Ritchey doesn’t carry a mobile phone when he rides. Nor does he bother with the hassle of following GPS coordinates on a cycling computer. A firm believer in self-reliance, one of Tom’s guiding design principals is that every Ritchey product needs to be reliable enough to get you home. Designed for durability and to perform in rough and rugged conditions in remote locations or close to home, the WCS Zeta GX wheels are built to be strong, dependable, and ready to rip, carve, and cruise through all of your gravel adventures – and reliable enough to make sure you can do it all again tomorrow.

Tech Specs:

  • Rims: 6066 alloy Tubeless Ready with tubeless tape applied – OCR offset
    • Rim diameters: 650b and 700c
    • Rim depth: 19mm
    • Outer rim width: 29mm
    • Inner rim width: 25mm

  • Suggested tire size range: 32-67mm
  • Hubs: forged disc thru-axle hubs and sealed bearings
  • Hub spacing: 100x12mm front / 142x12mm rear
  • Axle Compatibility: thru-axle 12mm
  • Freewheel: Ratchet Driver with 36-point engagement
  • Freehub material: alloy
  • Freehub options: Shimano / SRAM XD-Road / Campagnolo (N3W and backwards compatible specs)
  • Compatibility: Shimano 9/10/11-speed and 12-speed road cassette – SRAM XD/XDR – Campagnolo 10/11/13s (freehub conversion kits available separately)
  • Disc brake compatibility: Centerlock (hub center-lock lockrings available separately)

  • Spokes: DT Competition 2.0/1.8 double butted
    • Front: 28 spokes / 2x lacing
    • Rear: 28 spokes / 2x lacing
    • Nipples: 2.0 brass 12mm
  • Weight: 1740g/set (650b) – 1840g/set (700c) – with tubeless tape installed
  • Color: black
  • More info at: ritcheylogic.com/bike/wheels/wcs-zeta-gx-wheels

Do not use sealants containing ammonia

• Shop Ritchey gear at Amazon here


Swiftwick Launches New National Park Sock Designs: Mt. Rainier, Glacier, Banff + More

Swiftwick has released eight new National Park sock designs; including Mt. Rainier, Acadia, Glacier, Death Valley, Olympic, Bryce Canyon, Banff and Jasper National Parks, which will join their current National Park designs.

The Vision National Park socks are designed in collaboration with the local Anderson Design Group, and combine a fun artistic flair with high-performance design and materials. The Vision socks feature a thin channeled up for breathability, along with a seamless toe box and arch band support. I’ve worn these for 10+ mile hikes and stayed comfortable and blister-free!

Swiftwick proudly supports the National Park Foundation, and is excited to offer more National Parks designs. They’re a great option for gifts or for adding flair to your latest activity outfit.


The Dot by Lachlan Morton
In the latest publication from Rapha Editions, Lachlan Morton lifts the lid on his incredible Alt Tour journey which raised over $760k for World Bicycle Relief

La Grande Boucle is cycling’s ultimate challenge, with the biggest audience, the toughest parcours and the most prestigious prize. Last July, while his colleagues in the peloton toured France, EF Education-EasyPost rider Lachlan Morton undertook a Tour of an entirely different kind. Riding not for points and prizes but to raise money for World Bicycle Relief, the amicable Aussie covered over 5,000 kilometres, completed every Tour stage and transfer and still beat the peloton back to Paris. The Dot is the story of his ride as told by the man himself.

The Alt Tour raised over $760,000 for World Bicycle Relief, a non-profit organisation and Rapha Foundation grantee that delivers specially designed, locally assembled, rugged bicycles for people in need.

Earlier this year, Lachlan joined World Bicycle Relief in Colombia to help distribute hundreds of bicycles to students living in Cordoba, a rural community lacking access to reliable transportation. Morton also visited World Bicycle Relief’s Barranquilla assembly facility, where local staff assemble and support distribution of specially designed Buffalo Bicycles, built to stand up to the rugged terrain where they’re used. The remainder of the funds will be used to mobilise thousands of students throughout World Bicycle Relief’s programs in Colombia as well as Kenya, Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Lachlan Morton: “The Alt Tour was an incredible experience but it was also a lot to process at the time, so it was really nice to gather my thoughts in this book. The experience was incredibly personal and there’s a lot of different emotions and feelings that I wanted to share that you can’t really get across in film or photos. Thanks to the funds we raised for World Bicycle Relief, there are a lot of kids out there now who have access to bikes that wouldn’t have had before. It’s all proof that when the cycling community comes together, we can have an impact on the world.”

  • The Dot is available now in the bookstore at rapha.cc.
  • THE DOT | RRP GBP 20 AUD 35 CAD 35 CHF 26 DKK 190 EUR 25 HKD 200 JPY 3300 KRW 33000 NOK 280 SEK 250 TWD 800 USD 30
  • Shop more Cycling books at Amazon here

L39ION of Los Angeles’ Latest Special Edition Kit Inspired by Tulsa Tough with Purpose Beyond the Podium
The first $43,000 of the special edition kit sales will support Rapha Foundation grantee, CYCLE Kids, set up a new program in the city of Tulsa

For everyone on the L39ION of Los Angeles team, Tulsa is home to the most important race in the calendar, but it also holds an incredibly important past. It’s not just three days of racing that bring together the best racers in the business, it’s about Tulsa’s history – both good and bad.

Fresh off the back of another dominant team performance at Tulsa Tough, L39ION of Los Angeles are back with a limited edition kit inspired by the city’s past, present and future. Including the all-new Pro Team Crit Jersey, the collection is now available with the first $43,000 in sales to be donated to CYCLE Kids, helping grassroots cycling programs in local schools.

Oil slick quick new design inspired by the streets of the inner-city crits, the urban stage where Legion never fail to put on a show and includes the all-new crit jersey, created specifically for all-out efforts between the barriers, developed from the ground up for aero efficiency and temperature regulation in hot weather crit races. And in collaboration with clothing line Greenwood Ave, set up by business owner and designer Trey Thaxton, the jersey features their label on the arm to honour black success and ownership, acknowledging the tragedy of the past and celebrating the future’s potential.

Since Rapha launched in 2004, nearly every product has carried some kind of story label – woven or printed anecdotes and illustrations that connect both the product and its owner to the history, characters and intrigue of road racing and culture. The new Crit Jersey includes a graphic that references Black Wall Street and the area that was destroyed in the massacre.

Justin Williams, Team Manager and Co-Founder of L39ION: “When we think about Tulsa, we think about what could have been. A community full of opportunities for minorities that was uprooted by hate and ignorance. We are proud to elevate and support Greenwood Avenue in its quest to help Black Wall Street thrive again and the ideology of Black ownership.”

The L39ION of Los Angeles Tulsa-inspired kit features the new Rapha Pro Team Crit Jersey and Pro Team Training Jersey for men and women, the Pro Team Socks and Cap, available at Rapha Clubhouses and on Rapha.cc.

Men’s Legion Tulsa Pro Team Crit Supporters Jersey
RRP GBP 180 AUD 315 CAD 335 CHF 240 DKK 1750 EUR 215 HKD 1780 JPY 30500 KRW 300000 NOK 2500 SEK 2250 TWD 7100 USD 250

Women’s’s Legion Tulsa Pro Team Crit Supporters Jersey
RRP GBP 180 AUD 315 CAD 335 CHF 240 DKK 1750 EUR 215 HKD 1780 JPY 30500 KRW 300000 NOK 2500 SEK 2250 TWD 7100 USD 250

Men’s Legion Tulsa Pro Team Training Supporters Jersey
RRP GBP 95 AUD 165 CAD 180 CHF 125 DKK900 EUR 115 HKD 940 JPY 16000 KRW 160000 NOK 1300 SEK 1200 TWD 3800 USD 130

Women’s Legion Tulsa Pro Team Training Supporters Jersey
RRP GBP 95 AUD 165 CAD 180 CHF 125 DKK900 EUR 115 HKD 940 JPY 16000 KRW 160000 NOK 1300 SEK 1200 TWD 3800 USD 130

Legion Tulsa Pro Team Socks – Regular
RRP GBP 17 AUD 30 CAD 32 CHF 23 DKK 160 EUR 20 HKD 170 JPY 2900 KRW 28000 NOK 240 SEK 215 TWD 670 USD 23

Legion Tulsa Cap
RRP GBP 17 AUD 30 CAD 32 CHF 23 DKK 160 EUR 20 HKD 170 JPY 2900 KRW28000 NOK 240 SEK 215 TWD 670 USD 23


 

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