Clothing and luggage were the main focus of erstwhile saddle manufacturer Brooks at Eurobike 2011. New waterproof panniers with roll-top closure go by the names of Land’s End for the larger 19-23l rear model and John O’Groats for the 12-15l fronts. Attachment to a rack is quick and easy using a simple mechanism that locks the pannier securely in place.
There was a neat twin shoulder strap shoulder bag in a leather that looked and felt like the stuff they use for saddles. Should last well.
On the clothing front, the first garment of a new range under the label John Boultbee took pride of place. Named after the company’s founder, the kit is intended to perform well using traditional materials. To this end, the Criterion Jacket Mk1, to give it its full title, uses a treated cotton fabric called Ventile, popular with bird watchers for its noiselessness when moving and developed during the second world war for pilot immersion suits. Designed by leading tailor Timothy Everest, priced at €1,000 and to be made in a limited edition of 500 pieces, the Criterion features a wealth of pockets, flaps, cuffs, welts, bellows and vents and is offered in a choice of taupe, cinnamon and stone colours.
The Smethwick-based firm has also signed a deal with trend-setting Japanese clothing brand PEdALED, represented at the show by president Hideto Suzuki, to distribute its garments in Europe, and showed a selection of urban-styled clothes suitable for cycling at various levels of intensity. Cut-off denims with fake worn creases highlighted using a reflective coating were particularly pleasing.
