POC INTRODUCE PROPEL – AERODYNAMIC EYEWEAR

As part of its Aero initiative POC is delighted to release Propel, its brand-new cycling eyewear designed to enhance aerodynamics and performance for each rider.

Developed for high-performance racing and to be the most aerodynamic cycling sunglasses POC has ever produced, Propel is lightweight with a large lens and unique field of view. But what stands the Propel apart from the crowd is the aerodynamic advantage.

The result of meticulous computational fluid dynamic testing (CFD), the Propel features a unique lens and temple design to reduce drag and allow airflow to interact with the rider and their body position.

Photo: Jered Gruber & Ashley Gruber
Photo: Aron Brzezinski


Introducing the Propel, POC’s eyewear manager, Tilda Håll said,
“In developing our Aero initiative, we wanted to explore the aerodynamic potential of eyewear. We know the world of performance cycling is about marginal gains, and every watt saved can make a difference. We tested continually with CFD to research and fine-tune our ideas. The results led us to design the eyewear with the rider's body and position in the forefront of our minds. The result is the most aerodynamic eyewear we have ever produced.”

The Propel is explicitly designed to sit closer to the face, with a wrap-around feel and precise side fairings which guide air away from a rider’s ears. This precise management of airflow brings aerodynamic gains as air is guided over the shoulders - instead of allowing a rider's ears to cause turbulence - which creates a smoother airflow and enhances a rider's aerodynamic profile.

Photo: Aron Brzezinski

Tested in CFD alongside many of POC’s performance sunglasses, the Propel’s continually came out on top, saving watts and with a new design emerging as the most aerodynamic. In addition, the Propel’s feature a unique Clarity lens that wraps further around the head and results in an incredible field of view, enhancing peripheral vision and the ability to see and react to dangers earlier.

Snapshot of Propel CFD testing – CFD is not a static process, it is dynamic and in constant motion, thus the image serves for illustration purposes only.

DEBUT AT THE TOUR DOWN UNDER

The Propel made its professional debut at the Tour Down Under with both EF Education First teams using the new eyewear.

Commenting on the Propel’s, EF Education-TIBCO-SVB General Manager, Rachel Hedderman, said, “Performance is critical when the margins we are playing with are so small. It’s essential that the kit we use can contribute to our success, and it helps motivate us to dig even deeper knowing that everything we use is so technical and highly tuned, designed to support and enhance our effort.”

EF Education – EasyPost CEO, Jonathan Vaughters, added, “There’s a saying in cycling, ‘if it looks fast, it is fast’, and that sums up Propel. We know all the aerodynamic testing that went into creating it, but equally important is the lens shape and broad field of view, which is incredibly confidence inspiring when you are packed in a tight peloton.”

Photo: Zac Williams
Photo: Zac Williams
Photo: Zac Williams


PRODUCT DETAILS

The result of computational fluid dynamic testing, wind tunnel testing and rider feedback, the Propel sunglasses introduce aerodynamic gains to eyewear. In addition, the sunglasses feature finely tuned, wrap-around Clarity lenses to ensure vision is always at its sharpest.

It is constructed with a bio-grilamid frame, and three nose bridge sizes are included, allowing each user to find a comfortable and secure fit. The temples are fully adjustable in both length and grip for absolute comfort.

Colours:
Hydrogen White / Violet/Silver Mirror
Uranium Black / Violet/Silver Mirror
Grey Translucent / Violet/Silver Mirror
Fluorescent Orange Translucent / Violet/Gold Mirror
Purple Quartz Translucent / Violet/Silver Mirror
Fluorescent Pink/Uranium Black Translucent / Violet/Gold Mirror

Comes as standard with a spare clear lens.

Other lenses available are:
Brown/Light Silver Mirror
Brown/Silver Mirror
Brown
Clear 90.0
Violet
Violet/Gold Mirror
Violet/Light Silver Mirror
Violet/Silver Mirror

Availability:
Available as of January 24th, 15.00 CET.
Product page available HERE

Price MSRP:
249 EUR, 2499 SEK, 250 USD

NOTES TO EDITORS

Assets
All assets are available HERE
Photos by: Aron Brzezinski, Sofieke Van Bilsen, Zac Williams, Jered Gruber & Ashley Gruber.

POC’s Aero initiative
Aerodynamics has always been one of the fundamentals at POC, and with our new aero initiative, it’s time to re-evaluate and re-imagine performance and aerodynamics once more.

About POC
POC, a leading manufacturer of helmets, eyewear, protection and apparel, has been awarded more than 70 international safety, design, and innovation awards. Founded in 2005 in Sweden, POC’s mission is to ‘protect lives and reduce the consequences of accidents for athletes and anyone inspired to be one’.

About EF Education-TIBCO-SVB
EF Education-TIBCO-SVB is a UCI Women’s WorldTour team that provides a platform for female cyclists to reach their full potential. Founded in 2004, the team is the longest running professional women’s cycling team in North America. Composed of 15 riders from seven countries, the team races in road, cyclocross, gravel, and mountain bike races across the world. Beyond race results, the team’s dream is to inspire more people to ride. Our original mission to help women reach their goals in a healthy and supportive environment remains central to who we are, and where we’re going. Join us.

About EF Education-EasyPost
Explore the world of professional bike racing with EF Education-Easypost. We are an international team of free spirits and mavericks, with riders and staff from more than 20 countries. Our team was founded on the belief in ethical competition and providing fans with a team to believe in. In 2018, EF Education First entered cycling as team owner to help spread its mission of “opening the world through education.” From the alt-Tour to the Tour de France, we work together to race with freedom and integrity.


Contact
Damian Phillips
POC, Head of PR and communication,
POC HQ, Stockholm
damian.phillips@pocsports.com
Mobile: +46 702 77 69 44

Photo: Sofieke Van Bilsen