Crankworx Returns to BC, Fresh Packs and On-Bike Storage, and a Wild Paint Job from Ibis

Industry News

PEARL iZUMi’s Pedal to Zero™ Initiative Calculates Pedaling Distance to Balance Out the Impact of Garments

PEARL iZUMi is excited to launch Pedal to Zero™, a first-of-its-kind initiative to motivate and inspire people to choose bicycles as an alternative form of transportation. Every garment in PEARL iZUMi’s new BikeStyle Spring 2022 collection will include a stat with the number of miles needed to ride a bike, instead of driving a car, to offset the carbon impact of that garment.

Like many outdoor and apparel brands, PEARL iZUMi uses the Higg Index to measure the environmental and social impacts of its business. Using the new Higg Product Module, PEARL iZUMi can also determine the amount of carbon dioxide created in the manufacturing of each garment. Using the EPA’s estimate that the typical passenger car produces 404 grams of CO2 per mile, they can then calculate how many miles a cyclist would need to ride to zero out the carbon of each garment.

For example, the Rove Short contributes the equivalent of 5.9 kg of CO2 to make and ship to the U.S. If you ride 15 miles instead of driving, you’ve zeroed out the emissions impact of the garment.

“Our Social Purpose is to harness our business practices, products, and advocacy to consume less oil in order to fight the effects of climate change. We believe the biggest opportunity to reduce oil use through our business is to inspire and empower people to ride bikes for transportation instead of driving a car,” said Aaron Kutzer, social purpose lead for PEARL iZUMi. “Seeing the miles to zero number reminds you that everything we buy has an impact, and so does our daily behavior. If you love to ride, we hope it spurs you into going by bike when you can.”

According to Andrew Hammond, brand marketing director at PEARL iZUMi,“This is bigger, and more fun, than commuting. It’s about seeing the bike as a vehicle that can change the way we move around our communities. And while it’s true that you don’t need to buy new clothes to ride around town, our BikeStyle line makes it easier and more comfortable with bike-specific features and design. Off the bike, you’d never think of it as bike gear, so you can wear it every day.”

Pedal to Zero™ is part of an overall brand goal to reach net positive by 2025. In 2018 PEARL iZUMi announced an ambitious sustainable product target of 90% sustainable styles by 2022. Today, over 40% of the product line is made with recycled, renewable, and organic fibers, and the brand is on track to reach 90%.

To learn more about PEARL iZUMi’s visit www.pearlizumi.com.

Event News

Crankworx announces B.C. festival in September 2021

Crankworx has announced the addition of a third stop to the 2021 World Tour. With the addition of Crankworx British Columbia as the second stop of the year in September, the 2021 Crankworx World Tour is now set:

June 16-20: Crankworx Innsbruck

September 6-19: Crankworx B.C.

November 1-7: Crankworx Rotorua

Crankworx B.C. will bring some of the world’s top pro riders together to compete at some of the province’s top mountain bike destinations. Over the 12 days, nine competitions will challenge a field of some of the best mountain bikers in the world. The select group of invited athletes will include:

• 32 King and Queen contenders (16 men and 16 women) who are on the hunt for the overall titles.
• 14 Slopestyle riders qualified to compete in the Crankworx FMBA Slopestyle World Championship.

The list of qualified and invited athletes will be released closer to the festival dates. Locations will include: SilverStar Mountain Resort, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, Golden, and Sun Peaks Resort. Disciplines on offer will include: Downhill, Dual Slalom, Air DH, Pump Track, and Slopestyle. Full schedule info will be released in the coming weeks.

The multi-stop festival will visit the same locations as last year’s CLIF Crankworx Summer Series, but it will follow a format more closely related to a traditional Crankworx festival. King and Queen contenders will be chasing points for the season overall titles, while Slopestyle riders will be focused on the Crankworx FMBA Slopestyle World Championship.

In addition, with a third Slopestyle event now on the calendar, the Triple Crown of Slopestyle prize will once again be up for grabs by a Slopestyle athlete who can win all three competitions in 2021.

Coverage of Crankworx B.C. events will include live racing and competition on Red Bull TV, event highlights, behind-the-scenes action, and more. In addition to pro racing and competition, the full scope of the event (spectators, etc.) will be determined closer to September as organizers assess what can safely be added. Planning for Crankworx B.C. has been in the works for months, but an announcement was not made earlier due to the shifting restrictions within the province related to COVID-19. Currently, B.C. is at Step Two of a four-step reopening plan.

Overall, Crankworx B.C. is a pivot that will provide a temporary replacement for Crankworx Whistler in the Crankworx World Tour calendar in 2021. Bringing international athletes to compete in Whistler was ruled out by organizers for 2021. As Whistler is home to the largest lift-access bike park in the world, part of the largest ski resort in North America, the number of stakeholders involved in planning an international competition event was beyond the scope and lead time available this year.

The Whistler festival set to return to the Crankworx calendar in August 2022.

Get the details of the full 2021 Crankworx World Tour: https://www.crankworx.com/

Product News

Cannondale Launch an All-New Jekyll

After vanishing from their lineup for the past few seasons, Cannondale has pulled the cover off their all-new Jekyll enduro machine. Sporting a low-slung shock, a high idler pulley, some mad colour schemes, and a list of Cannondale's special additions, the Jekyll is expected to land in showrooms during Q3 this year. Catch the intro video here, and check out some photos of the two builds and pricing below.

Ibis' EWS Team Gets a Slick Anniversary Paintjob (And You Can Too)

Forty. The big four oh. On April Fools, we officially hit the milestone. We're celebrating all year long. To honor our racing heritage, the Ibis EWS Team will be riding custom Ripmo frames painted in our throwback 88 SS (Super Sport) paint scheme.

These custom frames were built exclusively for the Ibis EWS Race team. Ibis has no immediate plans to offer this as a production colorway.

If you're not a professional enduro racer, you're only chance to ride one of these limited edition team spec bikes is to donate to a forthcoming raffle. Ibis will be partnering with their local trail organization, Santa Cruz Mountain Trail Stewardship (SCMTS), to help raise funds for new trail development and maintenance.

In 2022, Ibis Cycles partnered with SCMTS to raise nearly 300k for various causes, including Covid-19 relief and parks impacted by the CZU Lightning Complex Fires

Reserve Launches 30|SL Wheelset for Trail Riding

There are magical moments when the bike and rider become one with the trail in an almost existential state of mountain bike euphoria. Rocks and root sections disappear as you float through berms and corners, carrying maximum speed with an ease that permanently plants an ear-to-ear grin on your face.

Enter the new Reserve 30|SL. The Reserve 30|SL delivers trail bliss by incorporating Reserve’s legendary quality and durability with a host of updated features. A wider and lower rim profile increases strength and lateral rigidity while delivering improved vertical compliance for enhanced traction, and a new rim shape eases tubeless tire installation and improves bead retention at lower pressures. At just under 1750 grams, the Reserve 30|SL is one of the lightest trail-ready wheelsets on the market, with no rider weight limit and our uncompromising lifetime guarantee. Compared to the 30|30, the 30|SL is lighter and offers more vertical compliance and provides a more comfortable ride. The Reserve 30|SL wheelset is built for you and the way you ride: balanced and responsive to go the distance, delivering uncompromised, untethered trail riding nirvana.

Features

• Step-in internal rim bed to ease tubeless installation
• Lower profile for added lateral stiffness with increased vertical compliance
• Asymmetrical design (flipped front to rear) 440 gram rim weight

Specs

• Designed For: Trail riding
• Internal Width: 30mm
• Sizes Available: 29 only
• Recommended Tire Dimensions: 2.2 to 2.5
• Spoke Count: 28
• Wheelset Weight: 1750 Grams with i9 Hydra hubs with valves and tape
• Price: Starts at $1599
• Options: DT Swiss 350 and i9 Hydra hubs, CL or 6B, MS or XD driver

USWE Launches New EPIC™ Series All Mountain Pack in 3, 8, and 12L Variants

USWE, a leader in packs for action sports, today announces the launch of its new EPIC™ Series packs for mountain bike enthusiasts with performance in mind. Featuring USWE’s proprietary NDM™ 1.2 harness system, smart organization, and multiple size capacity options, the EPIC Series offers the perfect fit to meet the needs of any mtb ride.

The EPIC Series comes standard with the NDM (No Dancing Monkey) 1.2 harness system, Elite™ hydration bladder, and ample gear carry options. The combined efforts of NDM and ergonomically designed shoulder straps keep the pack stationary on the back during the climb and even at high speed on the descent.

“We designed the EPIC Series to extend the ride and make carrying gear and hydration truly a part of the ride,” said Karl-Johan Engdahl, USWE Founder. “The EPIC packs are the latest from USWE’s evolution of performance-driven cycling packs and after miles of testing on the trails, we are confident that the EPIC Series is unlike any pack currently available.”

The USWE EPIC packs were designed for mountain bikers of all riding abilities, no matter the intensity of the terrain or length of ride, and setting the new standard for MTB and cycling packs, the EPIC Series air-vented back panel with wave-profile pads for optimal comfort and airflow, and is completed with detachable organizing pockets, tube clips to secure hydration, and reflective points for night visibility. After a few rides with the new EPIC Series from USWE, you’ll question how you ever pedaled around before. Available in specialty retail and online at uswe-sports.com.

EPIC™ Series 3L

Features:

• Bounce-free No Dancing Monkey™ 1.2 harness system with integrated elastic straps that expands along with the chest during physical exertion.
• Ventilated shoulder straps that are ergonomically designed for a comfortable and smooth distribution of the backpack over the shoulders.
• Air-vented back panel with wave-profile pads for optimal comfort and airflow.
• Main compartment for hydration and water-resistant phone pocket.
• 2.0L/70oz Elite™ hydration bladder with a slider opening for easy cleaning/drying and to make it possible to put ice inside the bladder during hot conditions. The bladder is also equipped with a smooth Plug-n-Play tube coupling for extra secure and easy handling.
• Detachable organizer pocket for tools, equipment and food.
• 2x tube clips, secure attachment for the drink tube.
• Reflective points for night visibility.
• MSRP: $129.95

EPIC™ Series 8L | 12L

Features:

• Bounce-free No Dancing Monkey™ 1.2 harness system with integrated elastic straps that expands along with the chest during physical exertion.
• Ventilated shoulder straps that are ergonomically designed for a comfortable and smooth distribution of the backpack over the shoulders.
• Air-vented back panel with wave-profile pads for optimal comfort and airflow.
• Large main compartment for hydration and dry gear.
• 3.0L/100oz Elite™ hydration bladder with a slider opening for easy cleaning/drying and to make it possible to put ice inside the bladder during hot conditions. The bladder is also equipped with a smooth Plug-n-Play tube coupling for extra secure and easy handling.
• Zippered organizer pockets.
• 2x tube clips, secure attachment for the drink tube.
• External gear carry attachment points.
• Reflective points for night visibility.

KOM Cycling Expands into On-Bike Storage Category with Two New Products

On the heels of launching the highly touted Full-Motion Indoor Cycling Rocker Plate, KOM Cycling is adding two clever new products, on June 22nd, to its problem-solving line of cycling products – this time more focused on outdoor riding for the summer season: The cleverly designed KOM Tube Strap and KOM Saddle Tool Roll feature minimalist design to shave weight, but the ratchet-dial closure keeps off-road bike essentials safe and secure wherever you mount them.

Whether looking for the ultimate in minimalist storage or a bit more coverage from the elements, the Tube Strap and Saddle Roll offer the ideal solution: The former features and open design with stretch slots for different items, including a tube, levers, CO2 cartridge and mini tool; the latter offers a closed design with separate pockets inside for the same items with some extra room for other necessities. Both are compatible with road/gravel and MTB frames.

But what really sets them apart is the ATOP Reel Knob Lacing System: This ultralight and extremely ergonomic dial-closure lets you crank down on either unit – increasing security for the items within and ensuring the interface with the bike is as tight and reliable as possible. Simple on-the-fly tightening is at the rider’s fingertips if needed, and removal of the packs and tools is just a few clicks away.

We’re always brainstorming and tinkering in search of innovative-but-simple solutions to common issues, and on-bike storage is an area we though could use some new ideas,” says Founder, Austin Loper. “With all the frame variations across all the bike categories, we knew it had to be easily installable in lots of different places, and the ATOP system opened up lots of options. And it’s so easy to open/close and more secure and durable than traditional hook-and-loop systems.”

Here’s a list of some key features/spec for both products:

KOM Saddle Tool Roll

• Sleek, lightweight design with surprising storage capacity
• PUV-coated shell protects items from water and road grit
• ATOP dial for simple operation and tight, reliable storage

KOM Tube Strap

• Ultimate in minimal design for lightest weight
• Inner straps keep items secure and organized
• ATOP dial for simple operation and tight, reliable storage