The Week in Tech: new Search and State jersey, Specialized’s short-travel dropper post, Ruckus auctions frames, Cafe du Cycliste’s Cote d’Azur guide

Search and State S2R Jersey

Search and State has made a name for itself by both designing and manufacturing its clothing in the USA, and with its new S2R jersey the company is hoping to step into an even higher performance realm. The S2R jersey will file into the Search and State line as a big brother to the S1-A jersey, with a price tag to match.

At nearly $200, the S2R jersey enters a realm of high performance jerseys long ruled by Italian and Swiss manufacturers — and more recently, Rapha’s Pro Team line. The S2R is touted to be aerodynamic and highly technical, the latter being something we haven’t been quick to relate to Search and State, except when talking about its Manhattan-made outerwear.

The S2R comes in any color you can imagine so long as it’s black, and sports subtle logos on the cuff and rear pocket. There are also two side panel pockets that are intended for gels and other small items to be easily accessed while riding. One shortcoming is with a price tag like this, we would expect a small zippered rear pocket that can hold a credit card and ID for post ride ales, which may not be a primary concern for other buyers seeking an aero-cut race jersey, but we take our recovery beverages seriously.

To celebrate the new product, Search and State has enlisted Joseph Henry, of Phoenix, Arizona, to ride from the Search and State headquarters in New York City to Golden Saddle Cyclery in Los Angeles, California.

Purchase the S2R jersey > >
Read more about the NYC to LA ride > >

Spotted: Short-Travel Specialized Dropper Post

We first noticed something that resembled a shorter travel, 27.2mm diameter Specialized Command Post Blacklite dropper seatpost earlier this week when the photos of the Specialized Diverge road bike surfaced. Now, thanks to more Instagram photos, and friends close to Morgan Hill, we have a crisper image of what we think is the same post we saw on the Diverge on Specialized employee Benno Willeit’s Epic World Cup.

The bulbous design might limit the market for this narrower seatpost, but for most riders with mountain bikes using 27.2mm seat posts, this new Command Post Blacklite should be a big hit. The cable is internally routed and we expect the price tag to be on par with the current Command Post Blacklite, which retails for $275. Thomson has announced a 27.2mm dropper post will be available later this month, but with a price tag of $480, it’s on another level. We hope to learn more about this leaner, shorter travel dropper seatpost in the coming weeks.

See the Instagram post > >

Ruckus Composites Turns Orphan Frames into Fundraising

Ruckus Composites of Portland Oregon is a carbon fiber frame repair shop, much like the work that Calfee and Broken Carbon do. Ruckus has repaired hundreds of frames over the years, and some frames were never paid for or picked up after the repairs were finished. To rid its warehouse of these abandoned frames, Ruckus is repainting them, and using them as fundraisers by auctioning or raffling them off.

For the first two 54cm frames Ruckus is selling raffle tickets to benefit Presented By Let’s Race Bikes, a non-profit that helps women race at the elite level by deferring some of the entry fees, awarding $80 scholarships to racers in Oregon.

The raffle tickets are on sale for $25 each or three for $60 until June 17th, when winners will be announced.

Read more and enter raffle > >

Café du Cycliste’s Cote d’Azur ride guide

A little local knowledge goes along way, particularly on the spiderweb of roads that emanate up from the Cote d’Azur and into the maritime Alps. Café du Cycliste calls this region surrounding Nice, France home and has put together a handy ride and travel guide for two-wheeled visitors.

The guide includes ride routes, details of the best climbs, the where to get snacks and coffee, even the location of water fountains for refilling bottles.

Check out the guide > >