Specialized 2008 Clothing
Specialized are pretty exceptional in the cycling world, not only do they
provide some of the world’s best bikes (see their list of riders), but they also
provide some world beating cycling accessories (see the amount of
non-Specialized riders wearing Spesh kit).
2008 sees some particularly exciting new products in the Specialized accessories
line, probably their biggest jump forward in years.
Having spoken to our friends over at Specialized UK and gotten the inside scoop,
we thought we’d share some of the most impressive new bits about the 2008
Specialized cycling accessory line up with you.
‘Cocona’
Yeah, I hadn’t heard about it before either but it’s pretty unique stuff.
Carbonised coconut shells are incorporated into materials, allowing the material to
maintain its existing properties (say, for example stretchiness), then adds
some of its own:
- Superior moisture management
- Odour resistance
- UV protection
Cool huh? It won’t wash/wear out and since it’s made out of coconut shells, it’s
also friendly to the environment.
Some of it’s properties are reminiscent of merino wool, like the ability to wash
out the smell of yesterdays ride, but it differs because it can be added to
synthetic materials to get the best of both worlds.
You’ll find this technology in the
Jet jersey and the
Trail top at the moment,
but mark our words, carbonised coconut shells are the new black, they’ll be
everywhere next year.
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Specialized JET jersey |
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Specialized TRAIL jersey |
‘Therminal’
Minimal and thermal (aaah, I get it), ‘Therminal’ material is perfect for cycling bibs, knickers and other cycling warmers, thanks to its superior lightweight insulation.
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Specialized Leg Warmers |
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BG Pro Knicker bib cycling shorts |
Flat lock stitching
Basic stuff really, double stitched material is much more resistant to wear and most of the new range of cycling clothing from Specialized utilizes it.
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Specialized TRAIL shorts |
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Specialized ATLAS women's cycling jersey |
External zipper construction
Zips worn next to the skin are uncomfortable. Fact. External zip construction puts the zippy bit of the zip (technical stuff I know), on the outside. Less chafing, allowing you to concentrate a little bit more on your screaming thighs.
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OFFSET short sleeved cycling jerseys |
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Specialized SL cycling jerseys |
Functional seam placement and no sewn in tags
Talking chafing (hey, we’re cyclists, it’s all we talk about), how many times have you realised too late, as in when you’ve voided the warranty after thirty miles of sweat, that this new bib/jersey/whatever has got seams in all the wrong places? Specialized have placed their seams to be entirely functional and irritation free, whilst their sewn in tags… What sewn in tags?
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Women's lycra cycling shorts: "BG COMP KNICKER D4W" |
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Specialized BG COMP cycling shorts |
Fit
It’s been noted before how sometimes the Specialized bicycle clothing range’ fit was a little odd. Hulking MTBers who usually reached for the XXL size could sometimes fit into a medium whilst emaciated roadies looked desperate when they found they couldn’t fit into small. That’s all changed for 2008, the new clothing range follows a much more standardised fitting scheme.
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Short sleeve cycling base layer: 1ST LAYER |
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Specialized DOLCE TANK D4W - women's cycling tops |
‘BG’
Anything with the Body Geometry stamp on it should leave you in no doubt that
the product has been tested ergonomically to within an inch of its life. It’s
all about keeping you comfortable in the saddle (and yes they have got BG
saddles), for longer.
Evidence? Check out Specialized’s cycling shoes, their precise contours designed
to increase power output, reduce hotspots and alleviate foot numbness. Or how
about this:
“Our Body Geometry angulation adjusts forefront angle to match the foot’s natural canted position.”
Impenetrable stuff, but when they tell you it results in “smoother pedalling, better alignment and reduced knee pain and strain. You begin to understand what they achieve from this physiological approach. It will make you cycle better.
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MOUNTAIN TEAM REPLICA
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BG EQUINOX
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BG SPORT ROAD
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‘D4W’
Never accepting that bicycles or bikes accessories should be adapted for women, Specialized build their range of ladies bicycles and bicycle accessories from the ground up. From their women's cycling shoes to their shorts, the 'Designed for Women' cycling kit doesn’t just suit the body shape of women, it fits their style and the way women ride bikes.
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SONOMA D4W 2008
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DEFLECT D4W Gloves
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‘Optics’
Glasses to you and me, but Specialized’s unique approach doesn’t stop there. Unlike most other glasses designers they make their glasses just for cyclists. You won’t find their stunningly strong and lightweight cycling ‘optics’ on the face of a cricketer or an SUV driver; their engineers make their glasses for cyclists on the road and the trail. That’s it.
Technology includes the much loved and copied Adaptalite photochromic lens, lightening and darkening as the sky does and the shatterproof NXT material.
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DIVIDE ADAPTALITE cycling glasses |
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HELIX 2008 cycling glasses |
