PEARL iZUMi, maker of performance cycling apparel and footwear, has released its new spring 2018 line with road styles including: new Women’s P.R.O. Escape Bib Shorts and an expanded Aero Apparel Collection.
With a continued focus on women’s apparel that fits riders’ mindsets as well as the body, the Women’s P.R.O. Escape Bib Shorts feature ‘luxurious fabrics, minimal seaming and a premium W PRO Escape chamois for unmatched riding comfort’. The new breakthrough v-strap drop-tail in the bib shorts is designed for ‘seamless nature break convenience, solving the problem of bibs-for-women without using additional clasps, zippers or other compromises’.
“Deciding what to wear on an all-day ride, especially for women, requires serious convenience considerations,” said Lynn Bush, Senior Design Manager at PEARL iZUMi. “This season PEARL iZUMi is excited to introduce the ultimate solution for women who prefer the fit and feel of bib shorts. Our new design uses the amazing stretch and recovery of our P.R.O. Transfer fabric with a patent pending v-strap drop-tail innovation that allows the short to be pulled down without any awkward steps. Yet it still provides the support of a traditional bib and holds the chamois closely to your body for out of the saddle stability.”
Overlapping straps at the back waist allow for the straps to move to the side in the crouched position for a quick and easy pull-down movement.
“Riders were finding that the bib straps were sliding down their shoulders,” said Melodie Miller, Manager of Advanced Concepts at PEARL iZUMi. “Late in the development process we added a bridge at the upper back to hold them in place and then our feedback was universally positive. The testers didn’t want to give them back.”
The W P.R.O. Escape Bib Shorts (US$170) are made from P.R.O. Transfer fabric which provides optimal comfort and moisture management. The company adds that the women’s P.R.O. Escape 1:1 Chamois is smooth next to the skin, with a free floating, dynamic stretch top sheet and 3-layer suspension core for comfort.
Going aero
Developed through PEARL iZUMi’s athlete centric Speed Shop program to be at the zenith of engineered aerodynamics, the patented Speed Sleeve in its apparel range is designed to stretch between the upper arm and torso, creating a smooth shape that acts like a fairing. Textured Transfer Aero fabric helps smooth airflow around the rider and special pattern engineering eliminates wrinkles to further reduce drag. Additionally, longer sleeves with raw edge hems wrap more of the upper arm, a significant source of drag, in textured aerodynamic fabric to provide a further aero advantage for all-out performance.
“People often talk about the benefits of aero wheels and bikes,” said Andrew Hammond, Brand Manager at PEARL iZUMi. “But [they] ignore the opportunity for improving performance through apparel. Unlike other equipment that may make a bike difficult to handle in a crosswind or ride harshly, aero apparel does not compromise comfort or safety. After riding in a piece like the P.R.O. Pursuit Speed Jersey for a while you become accustomed to a quieter, no flap ride, which you really appreciate when you put a standard jersey back on.”
The Aero Collection includes:
Men’s Pursuit / BLACK Mach 5 Long Sleeve Speedsuit (US$350)
Developed in PEARL iZUMi’s athlete centric Speed Shop program, this suit claims to reduce aero drag by approximately 8% compared to a fitted jersey.
Men’s Pursuit / BLACK Race Suit (US$350)
The Men’s Pursuit / BLACK Race Suit combines the jersey and shorts into and aerodynamic skinsuit. Every detail is focused on pure performance, like the patented Speed Sleeve construction and longer sleeve length with raw edge hems, to cheat the wind.
P.R.O. PURSUIT Speed Jersey (US$150)
The jersey features a highly engineered, race oriented cut and patented Speed Sleeve technology to eliminate wrinkles and smooth airflow over the body.
Women’s Pursuit / BLACK Speed Mesh Jersey (US$175)
Developed with elite female athletes through the Speed Shop program. The patented Speed Sleeve construction creates an optimal close to body fit through the shoulders, eliminating wrinkles and smoothing airflow to reduce drag while in the cycling position. Additionally, longer sleeves with raw edge hems wrap more of the upper arm in textured aerodynamic fabric to provide every advantage for all-out aggressive riding.
Women’s ELITE Pursuit Speed Short Sleeve Jersey (US$110)
Optimized with patented Speed Sleeve and wind tunnel tested Aero fabric, P.R.O. Transfer Aero fabric and the Speed Sleeve smooth airflow over shoulders to reduce drag.
Men’s Elite Pursuit Speed Jersey (US$110)
This jersey features the patented Speed Sleeve to smooth airflow around upper arms and shoulders. Special textured fabrics are used on the leading edges and over the shoulders to further reduce drag.
