Here's an Italian tri-colore version of the Cipollini RB1000 used by the Farnese Vini team. The monocoque carbon Cipollini frame & fork is made in Italy, sells for a cool $6999, and is available in seven different sizes. Available through the
An all-new model for 2012, Selle Italia's Max SLR Gel Flow saddle
incorporates many of the Italian brand's signature design features.
These include Selle Italia's signature SLR shape combined with a hefty
amount of gel padding, as well as an ultra-wide pressure relief cutout.
Available in two colors, the Max SLR Gel Flow measures 275mm long by
145mm wide and weighs in at 248 grams. $185. A higher-end Superflow model weighing 191 grams is available for $300. Contact:
From wheels and stems to these lightweight aluminum cogs, Miche offers a full-line of Italian-made components. The $290 aluminum Supertype cassette comes in 10 and 11-speed Campy versions, in addition to 10-speed Shimano (undoubtedly they're already working on an 11-speed Shimano iteration). Our 12-26 10-speed cassette weighed a mere 130-grams, and features individual cogs that can be replaced in order to customize the exact gearing you want. Contact:
Miche
BIANCHI SEMPRE
Bianchi currently has two models of their carbon bikes in the Pro Tour, both which can also be found on your local dealer's floor. The Oltre was used by Thomas De Gendt to win the arduous stage up the Stelvio in the Giro d'Italia for an eventual third overall. The Sempre (above) is used by the Columbia/Coldeportes team. Contact:
Bianchi.
LAZER HELIUM & RIDLEY NOAH
Fresh outta Belgium, a sweet neon green Lazer Helium aboard a Ridley Noah with internal brake FAST technology. The Lazer stands out with it's unique Roll-Sys retention system that tightens the helmet around the circumference of your head versus just pushing against the back of your neck. Better still, the neon green version we first saw at the bike shows last year has finally arrived. Contact:
Lazer Helmets.
The radical Ridley Noah and its FAST Technology stands out in the crowd of aero road bikes by virtue of a host of unique design features including the radical inboard front and rear brakes, Splitfork aero fork and chainstay and F-Surface paint. Contact:
Ridley Bikes
VITTORIA
Vittoria has been hand making shoes in Italy since former racer Celestino Vercelli started the company back in 1976. Over the years Vittoria has brought a variety of innovations to the market. The Hora is their top-o-the line road shoe that features their own micrometric cable closure system and a ventilated carbon sole. Contact:
Vittoria Shoes.
MAVIC COSMIC CARBONE
When it comes time to go deep dish,
Mavic's 80mm deep Cosmic Carbone wheels are a popular choice...as most recently realized by Peter Sagan to win five stages of Tour of California. Contact:
Mavic
ROTOR CRANK & POWER2MAX POWER METER
Sure, over the last few years the Spanish made
Rotor cranks and chainrings have become world renowned due to the variety of victories, including most recently the Giro d'Italia win with Ryder Hesjedal. As much as Rotor pushes their elliptical chainrings, it's important to note that not only does Rotor also make round rings (American made Praxxis rings shown here), but their stiff & beautifully machined 3D crank is a contender as well. Attached to the Rotor crank is the German made
Power2Max ANT+ power meter, which is the least expensive crank based unit we've seen, selling for $1,399 including crank. Similarly to Quarq, the Power2Max power meter features a user replaceable battery, rather than having to send it in for service.
BMC MASS CHALLENGE
If ever you were in the mood for an expensive and exclusive city bike, the BMC MassChallenge would be it. The meticulously welded and machined aluminum frame runs with a Gates Carbon belt drive, a carbon fork, Easton 29'er wheels with Shimano XT disc brakes, and an Easton bar & stem. Available in five sizes. Contact:
BMC Racing
SIDI ERGO 3
Probably the winningest shoe in Pro racing, the Sidi Ergo 3 saw its most recent success on the feet of Liquigas riders Peter Sagan in winning the Tour of California and Timmy Duggan winning the U.S. National Road Championships. Contact:
Sidi America.
BROOKS WORLD TRAVELER
The Brooks B17 Select World Traveller 2012 Limited Edition Saddle celebrates the brand's historical associations with the sporting heroes of the previous London Olympiad, as well as our relationship with devotees of Long Distance Touring, during the inaugural
WCR Grand Tour, a competitive circumnavigation of the Earth by bicycle.
The leather surface features a restyling of a piece by Frank Patterson, artist and illustrator of the Brooks catalog of the 1920's, realized by Richard Phipps. All saddles have been made using Brooks Select organic leather tops, fixed to a chromed copper steel frame and finished with hand hammered copper rivets. The production of the Brooks B17 Select World Traveller has been capped at 2012 pieces. Contact:
Brooks Saddles.
RAPHA FIVE DECADES SHIRTS
Undoubtedly the coolest t-shirt collection available is the Tour de France five-pack from Rapha that celebrates the five winners of at least five Tours (Anquetil, Merckx, Hinault, Indurain, and Armstrong). Available individually at $60 each or complete for $240. Contact:
Rapha.
RAPHA CIRCLE OF DEATH JERSEY
The
Circle of Death is the infamous loop of Pyrenean mountains that
contains the Col d’Aubisque, Col d’Aspin, Col de Peyresourde and the
mighty Col du Tourmalet – all of which feature on the route of this
year’s Etape Acte II, Pau-Luchon. The first riders to challenge these
punishing ascents were understandably apprehensive about what awaited
them; not simply the altitude but the creatures that resided there, such
as bears and vultures.
The Rapha Circle of Death Jersey is made from a merino-rich technical
fabric for comfort and performance. The jersey has a slim cut, with
side panels for a superior fit, while the slightly longer arms and
fine-ribbed cuffs are a nod to classic – and highly collectable – racing
shirts. The jersey features two rear pockets, with buttons based on the
concentric circles of the Lammergeier’s eye. The names of the climbs in
the Circle of Death are printed on the collar, while the inside of the
collar has a feather print inspired by the Lammergeier’s plumage,
represented by a stitch detail on the outer collar. Available sizes: XS-XXL. $200
Contact:
Rapha
FULCRUM RACING ONE LTD
These Fulcrum Racing One Ltd wheels are aluminum, but in the big scheme of things, that's really okay because aluminum rims still make a lot of sense. The Italian made Fulcrum hoops are known to be both sturdy and well-built with a host of high tech proprietary features, key among them is their 2-Way Fit tubeless capability. The $1349 wheels weigh 1483 grams for the pair and only 2012 will be made. Contact:
Fulcrum Wheels.