LOS ANGELES – The new bike kit I designed for I. Martin Imports (here in Los Angeles) arrived in May, and it has been a modest hit in local cycling circles. I am working on a special online sales page, set to go up sometime very soon (probably on or linked through imartin.com). When it goes up, I’ll announce it here first.
For those of you following along at home, you’ll remember the “From Italy, With Love” teaser post I did in April. The beautifully-made Capo Custom kits really are coming over from Italy. Friend of I. Martin (FoIM) and cycling enthusiast, Angi Greene, and her photographer-cousin, sent some great shots (in case you somehow missed her, she’s in the graphic above). 
And who could forget the Three Amigos post from early June, featuring Josh, John, and Mike. I designed some t-shirts which match the kit in theme and color. FoIM Neil was captured sneaking some shots of Team Astana riders, wearing one of the t-shirts at the opening stage time trial at the Tour de France in Monaco.
The kit colors are close to the Belgium National Champion colors, 
and are especially influenced by Team Quick Step rider Stijn Devolder’s kit from last year (pictured at right on a breakaway — yes, the Flemish are hardcore cycling fans). Tom Boonen, also with Team Quick Step, took the Belgian trophy this year and had a very similar kit at the TdF this year.
Below is a sneak peak of a possible new white and black summer kit. I’ve already received some constructive feedback. I heard that FoIM, Tomás, suggested “no white” on the business end of the shorts. And I must say I agree with him, so now they’re black. Let me know your thoughts. Why the arm and knee warmers on a summer kit? Good question. Actually, the kit will also function as a snow kit, of course, and if you’re really daring, a cyclocross kit (if your detergent is good enough). That, and there are actually some cool altitudes in the mountains and on the coast during early hours around here, even in summer. Plus, if you want black, those will still be available and will coordinate fine.
