Kali Amara Helmet :: Teva Links FR Shoes :: Felt Flat Track Racer :: DZR Shoes :: Black Market NSF
Last weekend’s MTB festival in Aptos turned out to be a great event, and although the expo area didn’t have the precense of next week’s season kick-off known as the Sea Otter, we still managed to find some cool new stuff that caught our eye.
Kali Amara Cam All Mountain Helmet
At the Kali booth, their all mountain helmet the Amara stood out from the crowd with one of the coolest new features I’ve seen on an all mountain helmet. The CAM model features an integrated camera mount that is optimized for the perfect filming position. If you ride at night a lot, it can be used for a light as well, which would feasibly save a ton of time with all the finagling we do with our lights everytime we go out at night. The helmet is also pretty dang light weight.
Check it out: Kali Protectives
2012 Teva Links Shoes
It appears Teva took some of the blogger feedback to heart with their initial shoe release and the result is the 2012 Teva Links models in a murdered out all black color way. (check out my review of the 2011 model on i h8 bikes) The Links is our favorite dirt jumping shoe to date, and is that much better with the addition of a match-anything color scheme. You’ll finally be able to put together a proper outfit that doesn’t clash. Unless you happen to already tons of purple in your closet, in which case, you’re already a happy little clam and you should probably stock up on the purple ones.
It also is now available in a mid-top version that offers additional ankle protection.
Check it out: Teva Links MTB Shoes
Felt Flat Track Racing Cruiser
Felt Bicycles appears to be in possession of the crown for most awesome cruiser bike offerings these days. This cruiser is clearly inspired by vintage flat track racing motorbikes and it is kind of awesome. However, with rubber that burly on the wheels, you’ll likely be wishing for that missing motor and throttle. We’re not even sure if this model is going to be offered since it isn’t listed on the site yet, but it looks pretty dang cool. (where are the three piece cranks? That thing makes me want to get my Steve McQueen impression on)
Check it out: Felt Bicycles Cruisers
2012 SPD Shoes from DZR Shoes
SF shoe makers DZR had a presence at the festival as well, and were showcasing their latest models. They’re known for making some of the best looking SPD compatible urban cycling shoes, and recently branched into the trail/ all mountain market. We’ve been testing the blue Mamba-X model and they’ve working out great so far.
Check it out: DZR Shoes
Black Market NSF Fixed Gear Freestyle Bike
Black Market Bikes had their new fixed gear freestyle bike, the NSF on display. I’m completely confused by the drop bar and brake lever spec, as they seem a bit out of place on a frame that constructed for freestyle street riding, but if you’re looking for a fixed gear commuter capable of pedaling through hell and back, this is probably not a bad option. If it was me I’d quickly swap out the bars for some risers. (or the dirt jump stem for a Thomson 70mm) Either way, I approve of the black and red color scheme, you can’t go wrong there.
Check it out: Black Market Bikes
