Airstream Changes Name to Slipstreamz and Launches Redesigned Cycling Earwear

MORNINGSIDE, South Africa – July 15, 2006 – Airstream, a South African based manufacturer of an innovative cycling earwear product, today announced it has changed its name to Slipstreamz and is now shipping an extensively redesigned version of its product called, “The Slip.”

Lonnie Tiegs, president and chief executive officer, formed Airstream in 2004 to develop the initial idea of an airflow-noise reducing bicycle helmet accessory into a globally marketable product. The name change to Slipstreamz is designed to simplify the company’s image and avoid trademark concerns with recreational trailer manufacturer Airstream Trailers.

Tiegs debuted the company’s original product, The Glove, at the 2005 Interbike International Expo in Las Vegas, NV. After extensive product testing and several product redesigns, Slipstreamz now offers The Slip. The Slip is a set of unobtrusive deflectors consisting of soft foam, flexible plastic and durable mesh fabric, which attach to the straps of virtually any bicycle helmet. The Slip lies comfortably over the ear to reduce irritating wind noise and also allows the safe use of MP3 players while riding.

The Slip includes a space in its foam deflector to insert industry-standard iPod earbuds, and positions the iPod earbuds away from the ear canal allowing riders to hear the music, as well as important ambient sounds (i.e. approaching cars, conversations with fellow cyclists, etc.).

After more than 15 years as an avid road and mountain cyclist, Tiegs began to notice his ears were starting to ring after bike rides and that he had difficulty hearing sounds in the high decibel range.

Thinking cycling might be one of the causes of his hearing problems, Tiegs tried several methods to protect his ears – for example, riding with a bandana covering his ears or using earplugs – but found they limited his ability to hear what was going on around him, especially cars approaching from behind.

One day while coasting along on his bike he placed his index fingers just in front of his ears and noticed they deflected the wind around his ears reducing the noise. Back home in his garage, he began shaping chunks of bedding foam into airfoils and attaching them to his helmet with nylon zip ties. His test rides showed the prototypes not only cut down the wind noise, but also kept his ears warm on cool days. Most importantly, he could hear what was going on around him, and his ears didn’t ring after rides.

Tiegs initially took some ribbing from fellow cyclists about the look of his early designs and the concept of reducing wind noise while riding. However, after talking further with them and other cyclists, Tiegs was convinced he had a viable product that could help cyclists and subsequently started Slipstreamz in 2004.

Those interested in finding out more about Slipstreamz please visit www.slipstreamz.com. Suggested manufactures retail price is $13 (US) / 11 Euros. The Slip can be initially purchased directly on www.macfriends.com starting Monday, July 17, 2006.

About Slipstreamz
Formed in 2004 by Lonnie Tiegs, Slipstreamz is based in South Africa where Tiegs resides and created a new form of earwear for cyclists. As an experienced road and mountain cyclist of more than 15 years, Tiegs, President and CEO of Slipstreamz, noticed his ears rang after riding and that he began having difficulty hearing sounds in the high range. Inspired by this annoyance, Tiegs developed “The Slip” - An innovative set of unobtrusive deflectors consisting of soft foam, flexible plastic and durable mesh fabric, which attach to virtually any bicycle helmet. The Slip deflects air turbulence away from the ears, resulting in reduced wind noise, warmer ears on cool days and pronounced situational awareness by improving the ability to hear important sounds, such as cars approaching from behind. The Slipstreamz Slip also allows safe use of iPods while riding by placing iPod earbuds out and away from the ear canal, resulting in ambient listening instead of music blaring directly in the ear.

iPod is a registered trademark of Apple Computer, Inc.

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