Day one of the annual Week O' Interbike started off at the "Dirt Demo" under cool weather and a fast circulating rumor that following his Wednesday press conference in New York, none other than Lance Amstrong himself plans to jump on a jet and show up for the Wednesday night cyclocross race - to compete!! (For more info Click Here.)
Following a SRAM supported road ride on their new deep dish wheels, I made some quick rounds before rushing back to the hotel to watch the Jets/Chargers game and chase down some enchiladas verde - priorities you know.
The demo is made up of a 70/30 dirt/road split, but there's still some interesting road product to show you so look for more every day this week as Road Bike Action team brings you the best Interbike coverage. Tomarrow starts off with a chorizo con huevo burro followed by a Cannondale/Campagnolo 11 speed morning ride. Til then.
The Easton/Bell/Giro/Blackburn Booth
Blackburn was showing off a sweet line of road and dirt mini-pumps including the Air Stick SL (top) and Air Stick Two Stage that has a hi & lo volume switch. Unlike many pumps that run solid shafts, the Air Sticks run hollow shafts to provide dual air chambers. Both the pumps are under $30. For more info, Click Here.
Besides the pocket pumps, Blackburn has a new "road specific" floor pump, the $80 Air Tower HP. The pump features an all metal head (presta only) only head with all metal internals. Look for a bleed/release valve and a lifetime warranty.
Easton still runs two levels of wheels; the $1000 EA90 SLX aluminum clinchers and the $2000 tubular EC90 SLX carbon hoops. Easton claims a 60 gram weight savings for the (claimed 1355g) EA90s by using their new grade 6X alloy. Both carbon and alloy SLX hubs run ceramic bearings and gruppo specific cassette bodies. For more info, Click Here.
Giro was showing off their growing line of (on/off bike) sunglasses headlined by the $210 Filter riding glass which uses their very proprietary Pop Top lens replacement system. Both frames and lenses are available in five different colors/tints and the Filters come with spare lenses. Key to the Giro's are the hi-end, Italian made Zeiss lenses that provide extremely clear vision. For more info, Click Here.
The Credit Agricole green Bell Volt helmet looked bitchen in the bright desert sun. The $175 lid has an optional visor with 15 degrees of adjustable motion, X-Static pads, 22 vents and Bell's Twin Axis Gear fit adjustment. For just over $70 less Bell offers the Array which also runs 22 vents and the TAG fit system. For more info, Click Here.
Line O' Colnagos
You say you're in the mood to ride a Colnago? Here's the CX-1 stable at the Colnago test ride both. The white Vredestein tires were a nice aesthetic detail.
The Sramsters
Sram has three big initiatives this season. There's the push for Red (and their celebration for having just won the Vuelta), the pull for Lance (and their hoped for celebration of winning the '09 Tour), and, a hard promo for 'cross. Sram is providing the neutral support bikes for the USGP series and the Nationals.
By now most everyone knows that Sram purchased Zipp earlier this year. Right now the Sram and (Zipp's entry-level line) Flashpoint wheels are pretty similar, but you can expect that to change for 2010. For more info, Click Here.
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