Encove Blog

It seems like forever from new product development to delivery but we are eventually sitting on the air waybill and packing list that signifies that at least 30 cartons are on the way. Assuming all goes to plan we should have the new products photographed and on sale just after the May Bank Holiday.

So what’s new? In the baggy mountain bike shorts we have a new range which will be initially available in Black and a grey, but there are more colours to currently in production including Brown, Khaki and Blue. With this short we are giving with or without padded undershorts options meaning you can save if you wish to use your existing undershorts or padding. In the ¾ Elara Baggy shorts we are bringing in desert sand with black trims and in the same short the uber-popular black with grey trims is also with the shipment in all sizes.

In cycling jerseys we have some brand new options along with some colour variations of existing designs in both long and short sleeves. The top selling Tethys Air jersey in white, black and red has been remodelled to include a long sleeve version. The long sleeve Europa jersey has two additional new colours of charcoal and black as well as light grey and black. There is also a range of sublimation printed jerseys in four options for those want a little more style and colour. And new colours of red and blue have been added to the Air Gel fingerless glove. And there’s more: We have neglected the girls in the past so to make amends we are bringing is a rage of shorts jerseys. The shorts will be a combination of Black and Pink and Black and Blue. Jerseys, jacket and bib shorts will be on a following shipment.

Cycling socks are must have cycling wear for any frequent cyclist; general day to day socks just don't cut it. The first port of call is to ensure your cycling socks are thin, due to your feet swelling when riding your bicycle, thinner socks will allow for the swelling to occur without adding the displeasure of your shoes feeling too tight and inflicting pain as you ride.

Another factor to look out for is the number of seams within the socks - the fewer seams the better. The reason being that the more seams a sock contains, the more discomfort it can cause as you ride. It is also worth looking out for socks that are made via an open weave construction to ensure maximum air flow, increasing comfort and preventing your feed from overheating. Also look out for socks that are made from man-made fabrics. The CoolMax fabric is ideal to wick away moisture from your feet and also reduce the chances of painful blisters and chafed skin. Socks that are made from 100% cotton absorb moisture and can get hard, thus resulting in the aforementioned blisters and chafed skin.

Female cyclists should invest in cycling socks catered for the female market. Females who use socks designed for males will find that that the size isn't accurate and will possibly result in discomfort and chafed skin when cycling. Specifically designed female socks offer a fit that is better suited to the female form, thus preventing any discomfort for the female cyclist.

It is recommended that you always carry a spare pair of socks, as you never know when a pair may be required. This is especially true for cyclists who embark on a great number of miles on a weekly basis. Anyone concerned with the winter period will need to invest in a pair of wool socks, however the same rules apply as before, less seams and open weave construction will ensure maximum comfort.

Many cyclists swear by DeFeet. DeFeet offer not only an array of socks catered for all cyclists, but also offer them in a range of colours and designs. Another popular product in the cycle sock world is Newlife socks from Mirai. The socks incorporate the company's “X-Dry” technology, continuous filament polyester along with modified cross section which transports moisture from the sock to the outer surface of the sock allowing it to dry quickly. This process is achieved by using micro-channels which create the type of capillary action to disperse moisture.

Red Bull is well known for its sponsorship, and great news for all fans of extreme cycling is you’re your sport is included. Red Bull is now synonymous as being affiliated with Extreme Sports. The cash injection from sponsorship allows great cyclists to show off their skills to an audience that would otherwise be unaware of how great cycling can really be. The International Cycling Union (UCI) has also confirmed that Red Bull Media House is the new official media partner of the Rocky Roads UCI Mountain Bike World Cup presented by Shimano. This means that live streams of the sport will now be streamed at www.redbull.tv as well as offering HD TV production, webcasting and content syndication, expanding the audience base further.

It can also inspire the younger generation to participate as taking up cycling can be pretty much done at any time. The Red Bull site is currently showing some jaw dropping cycling shorts videos featuring many of today’s upcoming extreme cycling stars. Danny MacAskill features in the video “Way Back Home” which follows Danny as he travels from Edinburgh to his hometown Dunvegam on the Isle of Skye. Along the way Danny embarks on some jaw dropping cycling skills in some of the tourist hotspots, including Edinburgh Castle and the Forth Bridge.

You can also see where the Red Bull cash injection has benefited Danny as now all his amazing work is captured with superb cinematography courtesy of his friend, Dave Sowerby, who is also a film maker. What's great about the video is not only does it show someone's passion in what they love doing, the scenery in which it is performed is equally part of the show.

Trial biker Petr Klaus also offers some skills as he visits Guatemala to hop, bounce and ride his way through some of Guatemala’s more natural habitat, including that of the Pacaya volcano. Petr can also be seen hopping down some dangerous, wet rocks as he goes riding in the caves with no name; and to most people remain unknown. The pleasure in watching Petr is that he makes everything looks so easy and his passion just oozes as he talks about his love of Extreme Cycling.

A nice sunny day is a great excuse to dust off the bike, dig out the cycling clothing and head outdoors for a long ride. The bad side of the sun shining brightly can be that your view is obscured, making it harder to enjoy your ride, and that's before mentioning the traffic and other obstacles that greet you on your journey. However, you can deter both the sun and the bugs from hindering your vision thanks to the many products available on the market to cater towards both your requirements and your budget. The pros of budget sunglasses is that if they are lost you can simply purchase another pair, that said, the budget sunglasses may not offer all, if any, of the features you may be seeking. As every person is unique, so would be the product you need to purchase; for example if you were a heavy mountain bike user, then a full face mask with ventilation may be a good idea.

All the stops, starts and speed ups can cause your glasses to steam up which will put you in the same predicament as before if the right product is not purchased. If you happen to be a long distance cyclist, then weight and comfort is essential here, there is nothing worse than travelling for miles on end only to be irritated by your glasses due to the toll they would burden you with if they were too heavy or sat uncomfortably whilst wearing them.

Another thing to consider when purchasing cycling sunglasses is the lenses themselves. You can have polarized lenses which can help deter glare from the sun and surfaces such as a flat road. Adapatalite sunglasses allow the lenses to adapt to the varying UV light levels around you giving you a clearer outlook when cycling. If you happen to cycle throughout the seasons then an interchangeable set of sunglasses may be the answer. Interchangeable sunglasses means you can simply covert your eyewear to contend with the relevant elements, ensuring you are prepared for all weather conditions. Interchangeable sunglasses can also be purchased at a reasonably fair price, such as Global Vision's shatterproof cycling glasses, complete with interchangeable lenses; ideal for newer cyclists who are just trying out, or for those on a tight budget.

So in conclusion the right choice for you will match your activities; everyone has their own requirements and needs and a little homework when purchasing sunglasses will mean you won't go far wrong.

Most cyclists would agree that your gloves are just as important as any other aspect of cycle clothing; they aren't worn just for comfort, but also protection. So what should you be aware of when purchasing gloves for cycling? Well one of the main factors is comfort and support; cyclists should be ensure that the gloves feel snug and comfortable whilst still allowing for a firm grip to be made on the bike grips. It is also important to ensure they have a gel based padding which will help absorb the jolts and shocks when riding, and may otherwise be transferred to your elbows and shoulders - not the nicest feeling.

Something else worth noting is to ensure that the cycling gloves have a fleece lining on the back of the thumb, this helps you wipe your nose when riding; a great inconvenience if you need to stop when you’re in motion. If you feel your hands get too heated when wearing gloves for cycling then the way forward may be to purchase the fingerless variety. You will then have the benefit of padding without your hands getting too hot. These are ideal for road cyclists however downhill cyclists and mountain bike enthusiasts may want to invest in the full finger variety. These will offer protection from the debris the rocky terrain can throw at you, as well as offering warmth and comfort in the colder climates. However some brands on the market do allow for cooling during the hot summer months, such as the “Planet Bike” Orion Full Finger Cycling Gloves.

Generally there are different gloves for the different seasons, so a visit to your local cycle shop will be able to advise you on what would suit you best. There are all season gloves on the market, for example the “Sealskinz” All Season High-Viz Cycling Gloves, but as these are full finger, some cyclists may still find them too hot for the summer periods. The best way to see if a certain brand of gloves is for you is too simply try them on, this in itself will give you a hint as to whether they will benefit you and your cycling.

Another recent addition to the cycle glove family is the “Lobster Glove”, acting as half glove, half mitten hybrid. These function by placing two fingers in each of the two slots, which in turn allows some dexterity in the use of the bicycles brakes.