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Interbike: Clothing and shoes, Part 1

The Capo Ronde leaves little question as to what your favorite cycling country is!

  • We've found Shimano's Thermo-Form shoes to be startling comfortable, as they should be given that they're molded around your own foot.
  • Apparently, a lot of Interbike showgoers felt the same way as there was an incredibly long line of people at the Shimano booth waiting up to two hours to purchase their own pair at a discounted price and molded right on site.
  • Pearl Izumi is reaching for the premium clothing segment again with a new P.R.O. Octane line of clothing.
  • Pearl Izumi will construct the new line in Italy using Italian fabrics and Euro-sourced designs.
  • Women will also be treated to the P.R.O. Octane treatment.
  • Asymmetrical sleeve cuts presumably will provide better coverage while in the cycling position.
  • Wide leg bands are less restrictive…
  • …and they're also lined with silicone dots inside.
  • prior to stitching into the shorts.
  • The matching Pearl Izumi Aero glove uses smooth edges.
  • Pearl Izumi used its experiences with the Garmin team to help develop the new P.R.O. Octane line.
  • The 'Speed Suit' uses textured fabrics in a number of strategic areas to decrease drag.
  • More textured material is used on the shoulders.
  • Pearl Izumi outfitted gold medal winner Sabine Spitz with a prototype pair of its Octane MTB shoes which are now available to the public.
  • The lightweight upper is mated to a full-length carbon sole with an aggressive tread.
  • Pearl Izumi will also offer its existing Octane SL road shoe in a bright red-and-white finish.
  • The PRO road shoes feature the same carbon sole as the Octane SL but with a more conventional buckled upper.
  • According to Pearl Izumi shoe product line manager Tony Torrance, the PRO shoe's synthetic heel liner holds far better than foam-filled designs.
  • Mesh vents are welded into the upper.
  • Pearl Izumi will add an Elite line to its shoe range for 2009.
  • Though it will be substantially cheaper than the Octane SL, the Elite still uses a nearly identical full-length carbon sole.
  • The Pearl Izumi Barrier GTX looks ready for winter with its weatherproof upper.
  • The Barrier's aggressive sole should do well in snow.
  • So, how shiny do you want to be?
  • Sidi will offer the shiny 'Vernice' finish in the off-road Dragon 2 SRS Carbon, too.
  • Sidi adds a wider Mega variant for its Genius 6.6 for 2009.
  • The Genius 6.6 Mega also includes Sidi's new Heel Security System.
  • The Sidi women's line looks to be among the most eye-catching around.
  • Capo does black-and-white for 2009 with the new Modena line.
  • The new Capo Potenza range continues the company's trend toward coordinated outfits as opposed to individual tops and bottoms.
  • The Capo Ronde leaves little question as to what your favorite cycling country is!
  • The new Capo Verde kit isn't just green in color; it's also made from recycled materials.
  • Descente is using a new Icefil technology in some of its top-end kit that supposedly keeps riders cooler in warm temperatures than other fabrics.
  • The Optima range will incorporate the Icefil treatment and will be offered in both sleeved and sleeveless varieties.
  • The Optima's zippered center pocket is flanked by two other pockets that are angled for easier access.
  • The unique collar cut presumably is more comfortable against your neck.
  • The C6 short and bib short sit at the top of the Descente range.
  • Descente's Microfuse chamois will finally make its way to market for the 2009 season.
  • The Descente Slipstream line is intended for those looking for a bolder look.
  • Less restrictive leg bands are lined with minimal gripper material.
  • Descente has also expanded its women's-specific collection.
  • The women's Slipstream jersey features unique removable arm warmers.
  • Matching tops and bottoms are on hand as well.
  • Louis Garneau says its new Carbon HRS shoe is for riders seeking maximum power transfer.
  • The new Exo-Jet Carbon sole is apparently the stiffest one Louis Garneau has ever offered.
  • The Carbon HRS upper is bolstered with Kevlar-reinforced straps.
  • A wraparound heel strap helps to keep the rear of your foot firmly planted.
  • The Louis Garneau Pro Carbon ETS jersey uses Carbon Ion fabrics which supposedly enhance your performance (without getting you busted).
  • The understated look is in keeping with current industry trends.
  • Wide leg bands are fast becoming the norm.
  • The Tattoo mountain bike jersey features a loose cut…
  • …and a single rear pocket that can be accessed while wearing a hydration pack.
  • The Louis Garneau Durango mountain bike short is finished in a cool plaid pattern.
  • New shoes are great and all but not if they don't work for your biomechanical needs. Bike Fit cleat wedges provide as much tilt as you need for proper knee tracking.
  • If cleat wedges don't do the trick, Bike Fit also offers ITS wedges that are used beneath your foot bed which can be particularly helpful if you also want to reduce your shoe volume.
  • Got a leg length discrepancy? Bike Fit's new leg length shims make for easy corrections.

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The Capo Ronde leaves little question as to what your favorite cycling country is!

© James Garrahan