BlackBottoms Cycle Wear Introduces Argento

SALT LAKE CITY - May 2007 - Salt Lake City-based BlackBottoms Cycle Wear, manufacturers of quality cycling clothing for more than 30 years, today announced the introduction of a new cycling short for Women called the Argento™, shorts with reflective side panels to help cyclist be more visible.

The Argento shorts are made of form fitting, 8.1 ounce weight Lycra with special reflective panels running down the sides of each leg. The panels are placed so when a light source hits the panels they reflect light back to the light source, such as car headlights, for maximum visibility from the front, side and rear.

The reflective fabric is made in Italy and consists of a thin silver colored layer of highly refractive, microscopic glass beaded fabric, bonded onto 4-way stretch fabric. Tests indicate that when light is pointed at 4- x 4-inch section of fabric it is visible at a distance if close to 400 feet.

"I've been hearing more and more about cyclists being hit by cars, even when they are riding far to the side of the road," said Jay Elggren, BlackBottoms' owner and operator. "I found the reflective fabric last year and felt I could integrate it into a pair of cycling shorts. I ordered some fabric, stitched up some sample shorts and did a few simple tests. The pumping action of a rider's legs in conjunction with the reflective light can make riders more visible on early morning and late evening rides. The panels even have some reflective properties in bright daylight."

The shorts are named Argento because the Italian word for silver, the color of the side panels, is argento.

Besides their reflective properties, Black Bottoms' Argento shorts are designed with a figure flattering low-rise waist and short 5- to 6-inch inseam. Argento shorts also use comfortable and durable flat lock-stitch construction, an anatomical 4-Way stretch Italian chamois and are machine-washable.
The manufacturer's suggested retail price for women's Argento shorts is $84.00 and they are available in women's small, medium, large and extra-large sizes. A men's version of Argento shorts will be available soon.

For more information about BlackBottoms Cycle Wear, please visit www.blackbottoms.com. For wholesale sales, please contact Jay Elggren at jay@blackbottoms.com.

About BlackBottoms Cycle Wear
BlackBottoms Cycle Wear (www.blackbottoms.com) designs, manufactures and distributes sensibly priced, high-quality cycling apparel for road, mountain and fitness cyclists. From its humble beginnings as a home-based business, established in 1974 in beautiful Salt Lake City, BlackBottoms was the first to use "flat seamed" sewing techniques, providing cyclists with comfortable, durable and quality focused cycling shorts. With those beginnings driving the company forward, BlackBottoms' goal is to provide modern cyclists with shorts, tights, jerseys and jackets which incorporate high performance fabrics, anatomically correct fit and "casual" fashion without hype or high prices.