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FEATURES: PRE-INTERBIKE NEW PRODUCT PREVIEW
Road Bike Action
September 12, 2011
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Welcome to the opening round of Road Bike Action's "Interbike Week" Reports. For better or worse, we have been attending the Interbike shows for 25 of the 30 years that the show has been in existence. We attended when the show was in Long Beach, CA., Reno NV., Philadelphia, PA., Atlantic City, NJ. and Anaheim, CA. Heck, we were even in attendance at the break-away "Bio" show in Las Vegas (was that 1994?) when the industry big brands made a mutinous attempt at wresting the show away from the private hands that owned the Interbike franchise.
And so, after all the years, different locales, over-priced chrome dogs and 60+ year old security guards threatening to have us evicted for shooting photos without a media pass, Hi-Torque's cycling triad: Road Bike Action, Mountain Bike Action and BMX Plus will be returning for another round of Interbike madness. This year we are promised 750 exhibitors representing 1200 brands. We'll be at the Monday morning Campagnolo road ride, Tuesday's Lake Mead Tour (really a race which our own Neil Shirley plans to win) and then of course inside the Sands Convention center for the next three days.
What we've assembled here is but a small primer of some of what we heard we'll be seeing, but regardless, new products that we thought YOU would like to see....
NOW, AS FOR WHAT TO EXPECT AT THE SHOW...
Regular readers of RBA might recall the story we did on Sarto Cycles in our annual "Euro Issue", Sarto is a small, family run frame shop outside of Venice that made the decision this year to start selling frames under their own name in addition to all the frames that they make for race teams and other brands to race and sell.
Both custom and standard frames will be made available, each one hand made in Italy. The cool thing about the brand is that the family name - Sarto - translates into "tailor" and so it is that every custom frame is painstakingly "tailored" to fit each rider.
Sarto has long relied on their "faciato" or tube tube method of frame construction (versus monocoque), yet the joints are as clean and refined as if it popped out of a mold. In the best of authentic, old school traditions, that's Antonio Sarto's signature on the top tube.
IN THE SARTO HOPPER
In the run-up to the Interbike show the boys at Sarto have been hard pressed to get their show bikes ready. There should be two new models joining the Classica in Las Vegas one being the new lightweight Leggerissima road racer.
"The Leggerissima will be our new lightweight racer and so far we have weighed the medium frame at 710 grams and still it is a very stiff frame! In the next months this frame will get a carbon BB and a thinner seat tube and we'll take it down to 660 grams."
Sarto is bowing to the fashion of the day and coming out with their own version of an aero road bike. This early prototype was meant as a proof of design model so there was no weight. Sarto says the bike will be built with Shimano Di2 in mind.
AS FOR MORE INTERBIKE FODDER...
How about this for an awesome sell line, "Our best-selling saddle for over 100 years"?! Yeah, you won't find that claim to fame anywhere else and for 2012 Brooks has updated the classic B-17 saddle by adding some new colors (including Mandarin and Dark Blue) to their usual variety of brown and black. And even if you don't like green you gotta admit this is a cool looking saddle.
Miche Supertype Carbon Tubulars
Italian brand Miche does something most other Italian companies aren’t
doing anymore, actually building their wares themselves, in Italy. The
full carbon Supertype rims have a depth of 38mm for the front and 58mm
for the rear. The 1334-gram wheels' hub shells are composed of a
combination of CNC-machined aluminum and carbon. The set comes complete
with: wheel bags, brake pads and quick-releases. Look for a full
review of the Supertypes coming soon. Price: $2,600. Miche Cycling.
STAY DRY WITH GORE
• Oxygen Gore Tex Active Shell Jacket
• Newest evolution of the Gore Tex membrane is the most breathable
ever. Specifically developed with endurance sports in mind.
• Highly tailored jacket fit is ideal for road cyclists
• Lightweight (sub 200g)
• Waterproof & Windproof
• Easily packable in jersey pocket
• $249.99
• More information at Gore Bike Wear.
MAVIC HOOPAGE
Wheels continue to be all the rage and as popular as carbon hoops have become, there is still plenty of reason to consider aluminum. If you do, Mavic Wheels has a full range of their popular CrossMax wheels to choose from.
SEA SUCKER SUCTION RACK
SeaSucker’s bike racks are amazing – not only do they fit on virtually
any car right out of the box, but they can be attached and removed in
just seconds. These racks use incredibly powerful vacuum cups to lock
onto your car’s roof, trunk or back window. 1-bike, 2-bike and 3-bike
versions available on line at Sea Sucker and at bike shops all
over.
SCAPIN RACING BIKES
Scapin is a household name in Italian cycling circles and the vaunted Italian made bikes are now coming to America is a variety of frame materials: carbon, steel and carbon/steel hybrid. The carbon Hysack runs with internal cable routing, a press-fit bottom bracket and an integrated seatmast. Scapin Bicycles.
TREK'S ARTCRANK DISTRICT
Trek Bicycle and international poster phenomenon Artcrank have unveiled a
new aesthetic for Trek’s popular District line. The Trek District
Artcrank Edition combines Trek’s top commuter bike with graphics created
by Artcrank lead designer Rob Angermuller. The bike is painted and assembled
by hand at Trek’s Waterloo, WI manufacturing facility. The District also features the Gates Carbon Drive
instead of a traditional chain and sprocket, which accentuates the
bike’s singular appearance.
The Trek District will be on display at upcoming Artcrank events in Denver, CO, Portland, OR, San Francisco, CA and Bend,
OR. The bike will also be at Trek dealerships in those cities before
and after each Artcrank event. Cyclists who are ready to design their
own Trek bikes can get started at www.trekbikes.com/projectone.
Louis Garneau Launches New Gear
This year, Louis Garneau will debut the Mondo Evo Jersey and Bibshort.
Designed for performance, the jersey offers an aerodynamic fit and
design with details such as Aero Lazer Band sleeves which are laser-cut
and hemless for a smooth transition from the fabric to the skin. The
jersey is super light and thin giving a second-skin feel. The Mondo Evo
Bib is made with Cell-Ion fabric which has been clinically tested to
increase blood flow and blood oxygen levels in the body. It has
clinically been proven to relieve pain, increase comfort, and aid in
healing. It balances body temperature to help athletes achieve maximum
performance. Reflective accents have been added on both the jersey and
bib to promote safety and visibility to traffic when riding and
training. The innovative 4Motion chamois combines 3D pre-shaped wings
and a deep split at the back bridged by ventilated mesh to provide a
multi-directional motion and amazing comfort. Central channel is shaped
to relieve pressure, and the chamois has a high-tech bacteriostatic
carbon top sheet.
The Mondo Evo Jersey retails at $159.99, and the Mondo Evo Bib retails
at $189.99. Both styles will be available in October at your local
Louis Garneau Retailer.
THE NEW NINER E.M.D. 9
The Niner E.M.D. 9 uses
integrated custom hydroformed tubing and a tapered headtube to build a stronger frame. These upgrades also allow for
the use of tapered steerer suspension forks and internal zero stack
headsets, for the stiffest front end possible (with the same stack
height as our original E.M.D. 9 model). The EMD 9 still features a
standard bottom bracket, making this a friendly frame option for riders
upgrading from a pre-existing bike.
The E.M.D. 9 sees an update to
looks as well, with the new aesthetics reflecting the flagship bikes in
the Niner lineup, and now including a Black Anodized option for those
seeking the lightest, most rugged finish.
Frame finish details
remain top-notch on the E.M.D. 9 - stainless steel Niner headbadge,
reamed and faced headtube and bottom bracket, chased BB threads and
faced disc brake mount tabs.
JOHN BOULTBEE CRITERION MK 1
Although not marketed under their usual name, the John Boultbee Criterion Mk.1 jacket comes to you from your friends at Brooks. The outer surface of the jacket is made from Ventile, a treated woven cotton textile, both windproof and waterproof, that was designed in England and used in pilot’s suits during World War II. Ventile is also popular among birdwatchers and naturalists because it produces almost no noise when in use. The Criterion is designed and produced in London and will retail for $1400.
DANNY SHANE'S NEW TARTAN
In a dramatic break from existing cycling jersey styling, the Danny Shane Tartan Plaid line incorporates the rich design and deep colors of
traditional plaids with the latest innovation in eco-friendly fabric.
Inspired by a rich European cycling heritage, each pattern is an
authentic, original Danny Shane design and offers the sharpest look in
unique cycling jerseys today.
Tartan Performance Cycling Jersey Features:
-Fabric blend of Bamboo White Ash & Textured Microfiber Poly Ripstop
-White, red, black and gray tartan plaid design
-Invisible full-zip entry
-E-grip race toggle
-Ipod/communications back zip pocket
-3 Taper-cut race pockets
-Waist gripper
-Mock race collar
-Ultra soft comfort
NEW 7-ELEVEN BOOK GETS UNVEILED AT INTERBIKE
 Team 7-Eleven is the extraordinary story of how two Olympic speed
skaters, Jim Ochowicz and Eric Heiden, assembled a local band of amateur
cyclists and turned them into one of the greatest cycling teams the
sport has known. Written with the enthusiastic cooperation of the team
members, Team 7-Eleven tells the true and complete story of the team's
founding, its growing pains, its strange introduction to European
cycling, and its lasting legacy as the team that launched American
cycling into the modern era.
"The 7-Eleven story showed us that what's good for American bike racing
is also good for American bike retailing," said Jim Ochowicz, Team
7-Eleven cofounder and current General Manager of the BMC Racing Team.
"The success that Team 7-Eleven had in America and Europe went
hand-in-hand with the rapid growth of all forms of cycling here. As I
look back 30 years to the formation of the 7-Eleven team and the birth
of Interbike, I'm proud of what all of us in the bike community have
been able to accomplish together."
For information: Velo Press |
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