Fabian’s new threads: Gore Wear’s C7 bibs and insulated Shakedry rain jacket
Fabian Cancellara was a guest on the opening two days of the Rouleur Classic, taking to the stage with Eddy Merckx for Bradley Wiggins’ Icons book launch on Thursday, and returning on Friday to reflect on his own career. However, Cancellara was also at the Rouleur Classic to launch Gore Wear’s innovative C7 bib shorts and showcase the company’s insulated Shakedry jacket.
The C7 bib shorts will be part of Gore Wear’s 2019 spring/summer collection and are based around a concept called ‘central torso architecture’, which flips the traditional construction method for shorts on its head.
“In common constructions the seat insert is usually applied to an engineered bib short ‘shell’,” according to Gore. “When riding, bib short straps exert multi-directional tension on the seat insert and the stretchy fabric of the bib short.”
Rather than building the shorts and stitching the pad into place, Gore has effectively designed the chamois, lower torso and bib straps as one piece, with the aim of keeping the pad in position and working in harmony with the rider.
“With ‘central torso architecture’ everything revolves around the seat insert and how it is connected to the body and the bib shorts,” adds Gore. “This design keeps the seat insert in the perfect position – and thus provides a stable but sensitive connection between rider and bike.”
Otherwise, Gore has used four-way stretch fabrics for the rest of the shorts to minimise seams – something Cancellara, who apparently plays a key role in testing and developing Gore’s latest products, was keen to avoid. The bib straps are wide and have a seamless construction, while the silicone-lined hems are also designed to avoid constriction and irritation.
Three variations of the C7 shorts will be available, each based around a different padded insert and materials, depending on the intended use. What all three pads have in common, however, is the use of a windproof material at the front to provide a little protection for the nether regions.
First up, the C7 Race bib shorts use high-density foam to cushion the sit bones and provide support for an aggressive riding position. Meanwhile, the C7 Long Distance shorts use a softer, slightly heavier and less compressive knitted fabric, as opposed to the Race shorts’ woven material, and add a more generously padded insert, designed to suit a wider range of riding positions.
Finally, the C7 Vent bib shorts swap in lightweight, breathable fabrics for summer use (or on the turbo trainer), with a better-ventilated and fast-drying chamois.
Moving on and Gore Wear’s new C5 Gore-Tex Shakedry 1985 Insulated jacket is the company’s latest take on its market-leading waterproof technology.
Shakedry was initially launched in 2015 and is, quite simply, the best waterproof fabric out there, combining first-class rain protection with fantastic breathability, thanks to the two-layer design that removes the outer face fabric found on a traditional three-layer waterproof fabric.
Shakedry has been used by Gore Wear (Gore’s in-house clothing clothing) and a number of brand partners, including Castelli and 7mesh. Now Gore Wear has launched its latest jacket, combining Shakedry with Polartec’s Alpha insulation to provide both breathable winter warmth and waterproof protection.
Details include a rear pocket, elasticated cuffs, reflective logos and print, and high-visibility neon panels on the sleeves and rear. Yours for £319.99.
