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Outdoor Research expands into Mountain Biking with Freewheel Line, Crankworx Whistler Festival Partnership

  • Ron 

I’ve been riding a couple of pieces from Outdoor Research’s new mountain bike line since the Spring. If it’s any indication of what’s coming, their launch into the a full mountain bike collection in 2024 should be respectable and deserving of the Outdoor Research name.

The forthcoming Freewheel MTB Collection is an eight-piece mountain-bike assortment that brings the technical design expertise and materials innovation leadership that has defined Outdoor Research products for more than 40 years to a category that is a core activity for a large segment of its existing customer base.

For many years, cyclists have adopted technical apparel from Outdoor Research for punching out the miles. Pieces like the waterproof Helium Rain Jacket, the durable Ferrosi Overshort and sun-protective, quick-drying Echo collection — though not explicitly built for riding — are versatile layers that work across a wide range of activities.

In anticipation of the Freewheel launch, and to showcase the brand’s commitment to the mountain bike community, Outdoor Research has signed on as a Principle-Level Sponsor of Crankworx Whistler 2023, the original stop of the world’s biggest mountain bike festival. Outdoor Research is the title sponsor of the Speed and Style Event on Friday July 28th and will be on-site throughout the festival promoting the upcoming Freewheel Collection with displays and product giveaways.

“The Freewheel program was developed because our customers and athletes ride mountain bikes alongside their many other outdoor activities, and we knew they were already using our gear for riding,” said Kylene Wolfe, Senior Product Manager of Sportswear. “Talking to our customers showed us that there is a real need for better-fitting, more technically-led trail-riding apparel. So it was a logical next step to expand directly into the trail-riding category.”

The Outdoor Research team has extensively field tested the new Freewheel line with a wide range of athletes. The collection brings in proven technology from OR’s outerwear and sportswear collections, including DuraPrint®, a 3D printed overlay. DuraPrint delivers extra abrasion resistance in high-wear areas without adding weight or impeding flexibility in the fabric — a natural fit in the bike category. It also offers extended and inclusive sizing options, up to women’s 4X Plus and men’s 42.

The new collection includes a bike-specific half-zip hoodie, a long-sleeve Jersey, and short-sleeve riding tee, riding shorts featuring DuraPrint technology, two bike gloves and a hip pack.

“Whistler holds a special place as the hub of the mountain bike world, and Crankworx has established itself as the premier event in the sport,” states Chris King, VP of Brand at Outdoor Research. “We are excited to be a Principle-Level Sponsor for an event that draws such a wide-reaching, influential audience. We can’t wait to show off our product team’s hard work to develop a versatile kit specially tuned for mountain biking.”

Darren Kinnaird, Managing Director, Crankworx Events Inc., said: “Outdoor Research’s reputation for building world-class outdoor gear and apparel is widely recognized. We are excited to introduce them to the mountain bike community, and we look forward to creating a solid foundation for a potentially long-standing partnership.”

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