Redfeather Snowshoes - Vapor

This week’s Made in America post appears on a day when the Colorado Front Range is finally getting pounded with its first winter storm of 2012. If the weather forecasters are correct, we may see up to 18-inches of snow by the time the storm is done. What better day to feature a company that has its roots in Colorado and may actually help me get out and around. Redfeather Snowshoes was founded back in 1988 by another Colorado resident who too was snow-bound, but that individual was a triathlete who lived up in Leadville, Colorado at 10,000-feet. His original design utilized an aluminum frame with a ‘V’ shaped tail that reduced the chance of a tail from one shoe from hitting the other shoe, especially while running and overall improved maneuverability while snowshoeing. This simple change to the shape has lead to the modern sport of snowshoeing that we know today as noted by Jim Tucker on the United States Snowshoe Association (USSSA) website.

Redfeather no longer manufactures their snowshoes in Leadville, but they are still manufactured in America. Now a division of ORC Industries, who also owns Bell Canoe and produces ponchos for the U.S. military, Redfeather Snowshoes are now manufactured at the ORC factory in La Crosse, Wisconsin. The V-tail design is now used in a number of their snowshoes, but other features have been added  to the product line over time. The Epic Binding, a ratcheting binding similar to a snowboard binding ratchet; the Summit Binding, an injection molded binding with a “stand up“ design for easy entry and exit; and the Live Action Hinge, a binding to snowshoe hinge that ‘springs’ the back of the shoe off of the snow when walking to allow people to run/walk with a more natural stride are just a few of the innovations that have been developed in their history.

Redfeather Snowshoes - Snowpaw

All of the adult Redfeather snowshoes feature crampons below the toe and heel area. Crampons are essentially metal teeth used to bite into the snow and ice for traction and stability. Most models use powder coated stainless steel as the basis for their crampons with the exception of the running or ’Race’ series. The two models that fall under the ’Race’ series, the Vapor and Race, use titanium as the metal to help create a lightweight snowshoe weighing 2.4-pounds and 2-pounds, respectively.

While we were at the 2012 SIA snowsports trade show in Denver, Redfeather was showing off their current product lineup. There have been quite a few changes since my pair of Falcon running snowshoes came out of the Leadville factory. Redfeather now has a snowshoe for just about every age, ability and purpose. From the Snowpaw and Y-20/Y-22 for kids; the Guide for those who want to hit deep snow; or the Vapor, used by Erin O’Mara to win the BigFoot SnowShoe 10k Run in Traverse City, Michigan, a regional qualifier for the 2012 USSSA Snowshoe Championship, Redfeather has a snowshoe for everybody.

There is one particular Redfeather design that stands apart from any other snowshoe shapes in their lineup. The Arrow doesn’t feature a V-tail or more traditional round-tail, but an asymmetrical tail shape. The nose of the left shoe fits in the tail of the right shoe and vise versa allowing easier use for those with a narrower gait. Also since the outside frame of the tails follow the round tail shape, more surface area is left in the tail area to help the wearer stay on top of the snow providing more stability.

Redfeather Snowshoes - Arrow Kit

Along with selling just snowshoes, Redfeather also offers some of their shoes in a ‘kit’ package with poles and a carrying bag, all for only about $50 above the price of the select snowshoes alone. Even though the bag and poles are not U.S. manufactured, this kit is still a great package to help those individuals who have none of the equipment to get into the sport.

Redfeather Snowshoes start at $34.95 for the Snowpaw and top off at $274.95 for the Race running shoe and Guide backcountry shoe. Most models fall within the $150-$250 range. Not every model is available as a kit with bags and poles, but those items can be purchased directly from Redfeather’s website or an authorized reseller. All models are covered by their lifetime warranty, so not only are you buying an American made product, but you are buying one from a manufacturer that stands behind each snowshoe that they produce.

As simple as snowshoeing appears to be, it is important to get setup on the correct equipment. Along with being able to purchase snowshoes on their website, Readfeather also offers a fit guide and a 101 guide. Even though a good pair of snowshoes cost over $150, if treated well, they will last. The pair of Redfeather Falcons that I have in my garage are from the 1990’s and though they show some wear, the are as strong as they were when they came out of the factory.

Redfeather Snowshoes Official Website

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Earlier this week we got a few details and video on the Cervélo P5 triathlon/time trial bike. Now the full details are available on the highly-anticipated bike.

As we mentioned, the frameset features a BBright bottom bracket. The frameset also includes skin surfaces tuned for each AeroZone to optimize airflow and make the P5 aerodynamic. Cervélo reports the new P5 frameset shaves up to 30 seconds in a 40-kilometer time trial. A compliment to the BBright bottom bracket, ComfortPly technology removes unnecessary material to reduce vibration and improve ride quality.

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Cervélo designed and 3T manufactured an integrated aduro aerobar that hides all cables and eliminates drag. Engineered cable paths minimize bends and maximize shifting performance. The Aduro can be positioned lower than most aero bars and allows for over 11 centimeters of upward adjustment, so you can find a comfortable position for a comfortable spin on race day or any ride.

Cervélo worked with Magura to produce the hydraulics for the brake system, the only tri bike to feature a hydraulic brake system as OEM equipment in 2012. The hydraulic system is both aerodynamic and lighter than standard caliper or disc brake systems. Cervélo says the hydraulic system is zero-maintenance, and for a racer that’s a welcome claim. The hydraulic system provides modulation and strong stopping power. The calipers adjust to fit all wheels, including the newest wide rims.

Often considered minor details, storage and hydration are never forgotten on aerodynamic bikes like the P5. Here’s where drag is further reduced. Cervélo offers a range of sleek and intuitive storage solutions custom designed for the P5. An integral bottle cage mount fits betweek the aerobar pads; a Shimano Di2 battery can be placed inside the frame’s HiddenPocket; nutrition bars and liquids fit in multiple locations.

The Cervélo P5 will be available in March as a frameset for $4,500 to $6,500, which includes aerobars and hydraulic brakes, and a complete bike for $6,000 to $10,000, depending on configuration. Six sizes range from 48 to 61 centimeters. A complete bike with Dura-Ace and hydraulic brakes will cost $6,500 and $10,000 will get you a frameset built with Dura-Ace Di2 and hydraulic brakes.

Cervélo Official Website
Cervélo P5 Website

Lance Armstrong sporting a pair of Oakley Radar glass

Among the racers wearing the new Oakley glasses will be Lance Armstong, and he’ll be sporting LIVESTRONG versions of the Oakley Radar and Jawbone models. Each is available with quick change-out lenses, including the G30 lens that is being used by Armstrong. There will also be new Clear-Black Iridium Photochromic lenses with new technology that automatically adjusts to changing conditions – like those in parts of France where it can go from rain to sunny skies.

Fabian Cancellara will also  be riding in the Tour with Oakleys and while his chances to get back the Yellow jersey maybe off the radar, it will be the Oakley Radar glasses that will let him see the saw. He won’t be alone, as Carlos Sastre will also have his Radar on. Finally, look for Mark Cavendish to sprint to the finish with a pair of BMX Chrome Jawbone. Let’s just see if he actually can earn the green ones!

Oakley Official Site

BehindTheTour.com to check for information on Oakley riders and daily updates on the race.

The free app offers instant, on-the-go updates and news, exclusive content and photos, behind-the-scenes Tour de France coverage, and video blogs from Lance himself, as well as expert commentary from the entire team. The updates can be accessed with a tap of an app, and easily shared via Facebook and Twitter.

The Team RadioShack iPhone app is available fro free download from the Apple App Store and from the LIVESTRONG.COM website.

This is reminiscent of when Graeme Obree – a.k.a. “The Flying Scotsman – built a homemade bike and broke the one hour distance record on the track. In Obree’s case the bike wasn’t so high-tech as it was just ingenious, utilizing parts of a washing machine for the bottom bracket, but the fallout was a crackdown on equipment that wasn’t standard. McQuaid has not defined what is actually meant by “freely available” nor “reasonable price” when discussing the new rules, so there will no doubt be questions raised.

But as some teams were riding on bicycle prototypes that cost between 50,000 and 100,000 Euros each, we have to agree that while technology should help athletes, the playing field needs to be level. In this case, even if the track the competition takes place on is banked!