Interbike show

Las Vegas, USA, September 26-30, 2005

Photography

Part 24

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Images by James Huang/Cyclingnews

• A closer look at the Titus Racer-X suspension assembly reveals new carbon fiber seatstays and revised aluminum chainstays. The carbon fiber rocker arms are carryover from last year.
• In the all-mountain category Titus offers the up-to-five-inches-of-travel Moto Lite. It features Titus’ Horst Link design, enough chainstay clearance for a 2.6 tire and comes in aluminum (shown here), titanium and Exogrid (ti/carbon mix) versions.
• The Isogrid Ultralite is Titus’ lightest road frame and uses Isogrid carbon and titanium tubing.
• Isogrid doesn’t just add a titanium end to a carbon tube. The carbon is actually cured into the titanium, plus Titus adds a couple of cutouts to provide some mechanical hold between the two materials as well. You can’t see it, but the carbon is also internally reinforced, sort of like old Columbus SLX tubing used to be.
• Take one titanium tube add one part laser…. now where’d I put that carbon?
• Oh, right, there it is. Here’s Titus’ Vuela featuring a complete Exogrid tubeset.
• Want a Titus road bike but are a little short on funds? Try a Modena on for size.

Images by Steve Medcroft/Cyclingnews

• Hanging on a scale, the Titus Racer-X weighed in at only 19 ½ pounds. Titus says they lightened the bike partly with component choices but also with a new hydro-formed chain stay and carbon seat stay; losing a quarter pound in the rear end alone.
• The 2006 Titus FCR Mountain cross-country hardtail.
• Titus’ big-hit bike the Super Moto, has five linkage options to accommodate pretty much any rear shock on the market. It also features an oversized OnePointFive system compatible head tube to fit the newer, stiffer long-travel forks. The bike ships with 1-1/8-inch head cups and Titus says they’ll offer a half-degree offset 1-1/8-inch cup to give buyers setup options up to 7-1/2 inches of travel.
• Scott USA designed adjustability into the seat mount assembly of their High Octane big hit bike.
• Scott’s High Octane is new for 2006.
• Thomas Frischknecht won the Marathon World Championship on a Scott all-carbon Scale cross country hardtail. Showing faith in the hardtail format, Scott offers something like thirteen different work ups of the Scale, from almost $6,000 down to the $500 and less price point. The Scale 10 (shown here) comes with the 80mm Fox 80, SRAM X10 and Avid components. The one-step-higher Scale Limited comes equipped with Shimano XTR.
• Scott throws their new six-inch Ransom into the all-mountain category.
• A close up look at the core of the Ransom with the six-inch Fox 36 Talas.
• got a serious junior racer in your family? Scott offers this 24-inch wheeled hardtail (RC Jr Team Issue) equipped with a very adult set of components (Shimano XT, FSA cranks).

Part 23

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Images by James Huang/Cyclingnews

• The Maxxis Courchevel mixes three different rubber compounds in a single road tread. Hope you like orange…
• The workhorse Columbiere tire is now finally available in a 25c casing width. Finally, there is acknowledgement that some of us live in areas with bomb craters for pavement.
• The new CrossMark sort of combines Maxxis’ successful Larsen TT and Mimo tread designs into one tire. Developed with Christoph Sauser, the CrossMark promises super fast rolling that still drives and corners well. From previous experiences with the Larsen treads, this one looks like a winner to me.
• The versatile Ignitor tread pattern is now available in a more useful 2.1” casing width.
• The mud-specific Medusa is also now available in a 2.1” casing for situations when cutting down to the base dirt with a skinny mud tire is either impractical or impossible.
• Yikes, where’d the knobs go? This tire might not have much grip, but at 310g, it’ll likely go like stink in the right conditions.
• This DH tire is still so new that it doesn’t even have a name yet. What it does have, however, is a triple compound tread that promises outstanding braking bite with stable cornering characteristics with knobs that won’t chunk off in rough stuff.
• Nope, it’s not exactly a new tire from Michelin, but it sure is sticky. Don’t plan on racing RAAM with it, though, unless you plan on carrying a spare set to swap out along the way. Those crazy kids competing in the upcoming Red Bull Road Rage, though, might want to check out a set…
• Three tread compounds - one tire. An elastic base is paired with a durable center tread and grippy shoulders for low rolling resistance and good cornering grip.
• The new Table Top is intended as a versatile tire for both urban and dirt jumping environments and is the first offering in a new Timo Pritzel line of tires from Schwalbe.
• The capable Stelvio Evolution is now available in a 25c casing width for a little more cushion and a bigger footprint for improved cornering capability.
• Kenda’s lone new off-road tread pattern for ’06 looks to be fast rolling and grippy. I’ll take two, please.
• WTB showed off a new large-volume, short-knob version of their popular Weirwolf tire.
• Watch out for tubular MTB tires in the near future. Reynolds is just about ready to release their ultralight carbon fiber MTB tubular rims, and these off-road tubulars from Tufo will likely make for a super light and fast combination.

Part 22

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Images by James Huang/Cyclingnews

• The shape of SRAM's lever hoods seemed comfortable enough on the trainer, but we'll see for sure later on. And contrary to speculation, there is just a single lever used to initiate shifts in both directions.
• The frontal view of SRAM's new road shifters highlights the radical shape they take in the name of ergonomics.
• A reinforcing brace is neatly integrated into SRAM's new upper-level road caliper and should minimize flex for a solid feel at the lever.
• SRAM's new crankset is its first all-carbon offering that doesn't incorporate an alloy spider. The external-bearing Giga X Pipe is carried over.
• The new front derailleur uses cold-forged aluminum links with widely spaced pivots to minimize cage deflection during shifts. Speaking of the cage, it looks to be steel rather than alloy for durability.
• A glance at the cable path underneath the rear derailleur suggests that SRAM may be doing something a little different with their cable pull ratio. Word has it that it's not quite along the lines of their 1:1 system from their mountain bike componentry, though.
• The rear derailleur - Like the front derailleur, the rear looks to be constructed mostly of forged alloy. Of course, though, there is a healthy smattering of carbon tossed in for good measure.

Images by SRAM

• A new shift position for sprinting - SRAM's road group has multiple positions for shifting, including this unique way of shifting while sprinting in the drops.
• Shifting from the drops - the long shift lever is easy to reach from the rops.
• Shifting from the hoods - little effort is needed to tweak the shifter across from the tops of the lever.
• The angles at which different shifts are achieved.

Images by Mark Zalewski/Cyclingnews

• Where it all began - SRAM's shifters made their first appearance at the USPRO criterium championships in August, but had been under development for two years before that.

Part 21

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Images by Gerard Knapp/Cyclingnews.com

• Specialized's cruiser in the 'Fat Boy' mould looks scary in black, complete with similarly ludicrous helmet.
• It looks faster in red... and not quite so scary
• Check out the wheels and dual discs on Specialized's super cool cruiser
• 'Longest rake award at Interbike 2005 goes to..." this outrageous model, the origin of which is almost as puzzling as how you steer the monster. Check out the two lights on the fork.
• The Scythe cuts through the hype and gives you a reasonably-priced ride that still looks very cool, not to mention cute
• Felt have a large range of cruisers including the Scythe, which comes in these two excellent paint schemes - black and crimson with flames
• Choppers U.S. offer something for the purists because they're in the motorcycle industry, and make their bikes accordingly
• Buying one for the kids, eh? Choppers U.S. representative Frank Hennessy told Cyclingnews their choppers were being purchased by many fathers, who thought it would be good to help their kids build up a kit bike. Yeah, right. 'Buying it for my kid.' I don't think so...
• The Radical Original chopper comes in many colours and gets to the point of why a chopper is a chopper - to look cool!
• Rock and roll, indeed... another of the Chopper U.S. creations seems to be inspired by the famous Harley-Davidson 'Springer Softail' - yeeeeah!

Part 20

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Images by Park Tool

• DT-2 truing lever for oomph on disc brake rotors
• DT-3 truing device for disc brake rotors.
• A dial gauge for the DT-3 makes for precise rotor truing.
• Align your disc mounts with Park Tool's new DT-1.
• The MB-1 magnetic bowl combats the forces of Fridge Suck.
• PRS-21 pro race workstand - the same as Park's PRS-20, developed for the Discovery Channel team, but lighter!
• The lightweight PCS-11 - one of a brace of new workstands for Park aimed at the home mechanic.
• A home use pedal spanner - the Park Tool PW-5
• A headset press for home mechanics - perhaps a 'brave' idea, but certainly tidier than the standard DIY bodge.
• If I had a hammer... it'd be blue, and say 'Park Tool' on it.
• SW-40 spoke wrench - one of a pair of new wrenches for aluminium nipples.
• The mighty MK-129 tool kit - everything but the shed you need to put it in. What are the odds on Park launching the MS-1 Mechanic's Shed for 2007?

Images by Cyclingnews

• Cateye captures your heart - Cateye's new pair of heart rate monitors add wrist-mounted gear to the range for the first time.

Images by Cateye

• Cateye Triple Shot uses three high-power LEDs to light the way, even off-road.
• Cateye Double Shot with two high-power LEDs for handlebar or helmet mounting.

Images by Assos

• Assos gets casual - the Swiss clothing experts are branching out into very stylish off-the-bike wear. This stuff is currently so new that only catalogue photos of it exist!
• More of the Assos range for off-the-bike use - yes, there's even an Assos pillow for those moments when you get caught out without a blouse. Ahem.

Part 19

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Images by James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

• The new Cosmic Carbone Pro front hub now incorporates a carbon fiber center section bonded to aluminum flanges.
• The new Mavic Cosmic Carbone freehub body is apparently now made of titanium. This significantly reduces weight relative to Mavic’s traditional steel construction but should prove much more durable than aluminum.
• The new all-carbon rim cuts a bunch of weight as compared to last year’s aluminum-plus-carbon fairing construction. Rim depth is a wind-cheating 52mm.
• I bet those yellow-on-black graphics probably look pretty cool when they’re spinning really, really fast…
• All of Fulcrum’s rear wheels use their 2:1 Two-to-One spoke arrangement which uses twice as many spokes on the drivetrain than on the non-driveside to equalize spoke tension.
• Fulcrum’s new Racing Light uses an ultralight clincher-compatible carbon fiber rim.
• With a label this big, Fulcrum certainly doesn’t want anyone to think that their new deep-section Racing Speed wheels were made by Campy or anything…
• Just in case your friends don’t believe you, they say ‘Carbon’ right on the rim.
• The folks at Look had Thor Hushovd’s Look 585 on display, complete with some interesting wheels…
• Yes, they say Dura-Ace on them, they’re carbon tubulars, and they’re an awful lot deeper than their “officially” released WH-7801-Carbon wheels. No, Shimano won’t say anything about them yet, and no, you can’t have them yet.
• The new 7801-SL wheels use a new Scandium rim with an offset rear spoke bed.
• Shimano very cleverly integrates a counterweight into its new carbon rim to balance out the valve.
• The solid outer wall of the new 7801-SL rim not only makes it stronger and stiffer, but also eliminates the need for rim tape and facilitates tubeless compatibility… that is, whenever that tubeless stuff becomes commercially available.
• Like Mavic’s Ksyriums, the spoke nipples thread directly into the rim. Unlike the Ksyriums, though, Shimano chooses to weld a little widget on to the inside of the rim rather than thread the rim itself.
• Topolino’s new carbon-rimmed wheelset does away with their trademark carbon and Kevlar composite spoke construction. Bladed stainless steel spokes are used in the new model to make the wheels more aerodynamic.
• A single spoke runs uninterrupted from one side of the rim to the other. The hub is still mounted in the centre of the wheel, of course, but the hub doesn’t encounter nearly as much stress as in traditional wheel construction. This apparently allows Topolino to make their carbon hubs much lighter since the spoke end isn’t actually anchored there.
• Carbon Ti’s chainrings mate a 6/4 titanium outer section with a carbon fibre centre. The rings honestly aren’t much lighter than a standard aluminum ring, but they are reported to be much more rigid and offer 20,000 mile longevity. In a pleasant departure from other exotic chainrings, the Carbon Ti rings are also pinned and ramped for good shifting.
• What? Fox makes a 29er-specific version of their 36 fork? Well… not quite.
• The unique appearance of Lightweight’s rear disc wheel isn’t just for show. The disc is actually constructed much like the rest of their line, and the black lines are tensioned carbon spokes. The white stuff is actually just filler material and serves only an aerodynamic function, not a structural one.
• Lightweight uses freehub internals from their German neighbors at Tune (who are themselves no slouches in the weight department, either).
• The folks at Lenzsport have devised a clever offset front hub that allows you to run a 29er wheel in a standard 26” fork. No, it doesn’t look light, but it does open up the fork possibilities a tonne for the 29er crowd.
• Surly showed off some very extreme-looking off-road unicycles using their superwide Large Marge rim and three-piece chromoly cranks.

Part 18

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Images by James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

• Yup, it’s the actual one that he used, including 36h conventional-spoked wheels with monster-sized tubulars.
• The name says it all... somehow I get the feeling that it just wouldn’t quite have the same effect if I were to have “Huang” emblazoned on the down tube of my bike.
• The ATAC line has been updated with improved inboard seals to fight against dirt and water.
• Time’s new AXS crankset weighs as little as 598g complete, yet still uses a tremendously-reinforced spider for efficient power transfer.
• Time chose to mount the AXS crankset bearings wholly within the bottom bracket shell for a narrower Q-factor. The wide, double-row bearings are said to improve bearing longevity over more common single-row varieties.
• The RXR has some seriously complex shapes going on in the bottom bracket area, presumably for improved aerodynamics.
• ...ditto for the RXR head tube.
• I know it sounds cliche but yes, the new RXR does look fast standing still.
• The VXRS Ulteam incorporates carbon matrix composite for a variety of little bits that used to be aluminum, saving over 125g over the standard VXRS. The “Translink” extended seat tube saves a bit of weight over a conventional setup, but also allegedly improves chassis rigidity as well.
• Zipp’s 303 rim has received a number of changes for 2006. The new rim is both wider and deeper for better aerodynamics, yet still tips the scales at just 285g. New dimpled surface improves airflow as well.
• Zipp’s new 185 bottom bracket uses a 6/4 titanium spindle and super wide roller bearings to better distribute loads. This should improve bearing life but also increase drivetrain rigidity.
• Zipp will offer two lower-cost carbon-rimmed clincher wheelsets for 2006. The Flashpoint 40 uses a 40mm deep rim while the Flashpoint 60 uses, you guessed it, a 60mm deep rim.
• Unique collet clamping arrangement is clean-looking and secure. Offset drilling allows for a bit of height and width adjustment to the extensions without tilting.
• The new VukaAero is a little hard to see from here...but it's there, believe me
• VukaAero forearm pad width is also adjustable for a custom-tuned fit.
• The VukaClip also uses the collet clamping setup, but without the offset drilling. Extensions use the now-popular “chicane” style bend for better power delivery.
• Easton’s Havoc seatpost uses a novel flip-flop head design to better accommodate the newer crop of thick-railed freeride/all-mountain saddles.
• Easton put together the Havoc AM for a somewhat more “aggressive” rider. Put these on your bike and go “grrrrrr”.
• The new Easton bar incorporates super clean internal cable routing.
• Easton showed off a prototype TT/Tri bar this year at Interbike. The one-piece bonded carbon fibre design sure looked fast, but it doesn’t look like there is any provision for adjusting the extension length
• Easton’s XC One hubs use aluminum freehub bodies, low-drag asymmetrical seals, and standard six-bolt disc mounts.
• The XC One is a lightweight disc-only XC wheelset incorporating Easton’s trademark Twin Thread Technology.
• This Ibis Mojo would not have been seen 10 years ago…
• The new Ibis Mojo Carbon uses Dave Weagle’s acclaimed DW-Link rear suspension system to allow for 5.5” (140mm) of rear wheel travel that allegedly pedals, brakes, and absorbs bumps exactly as you think a bicycle should.
• They say that engineers make things that work but are ugly, and industrial designers make pretty things that don’t work. Well, combine the two and this is what you get.
• This one doesn’t look half bad, either!
• Giant has done away with the “shock basket” design of last year’s Maestro bikes. The new pierced downtube arrangement is reported to be stiffer, stronger, and more fatigue-resistant than before without adding any weight.
• Not to knock the guys at Tektro or anything, but come on, you guys couldn’t find something cooler to use than this?
• One of the best things about Interbike is all of the pro bikes that are on display. Two guesses who this one belongs to…

Part 17

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Images by Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us

• Argon 18 sporting some fancy carbon weave in the rear end of it's new super aero TT bike.
• Tom Boonen's newly crowned World Champion bike was being shown at the Fulcrum wheel booth.
• The new Argon 18 TT bike also sported these aero bar offerings from Oval. Full carbon, including carbon levers and a double wing design to assist in air flow.
• Independant Fabrications had a slick new cross model on display. Classic steel of course, signature IF sparkly paint and lots of clearance for the deep muck.
• The way cool headbadge on the IF.
• The headbadge of the Italian builder Pegoretti. Pegoretti offers some unique and clean-lined steel bikes.
• Downtube sticker on the Pegoretti.
• Oversized stays round off the Pegoretti Marcelo.
• A close up of the super lightweight Parlee especially made for Tyler Hamilton which he recently won the Mt. Washington Hillclimb on.
• Minimalist seat and carbon post on the special Parlee.
• The complete Tyler Hamilton Parlee.
• A sweet flame job on one of the Parlee's.
• Another of the Parlee road offerings with some very nice Lightweight wheels.
• Choice Ti lugs on the Independant Fabrications Ti/carbon road model.
• The intricate lugs on the IF indicate the care taken in creating their machines
• Redline offers up a new bike this year with the 9.2.5 commuter. The rear end features a flip flop hub with fixed gear on one side and freewheel on the other for those of us less coordinated.
• The 9.2.5 with fenders; out of the box and ready for the commute
• Ridley presented the X-Night carbon cross bike. The bike features top tube mounted cables with carbon tubes shaped for easy carrying.
• The super rigid and clean-lines of the rear of Ridley's X-Night.
• CSK had a new track bike on display made of Dedacciai 7003 Aluminum. It features aero tubing all around, replaceable rear dropouts and is suited to either mass start or TT events.
• Whack whack! Aerus Composites, aka Blue Competition Cycles was showing off it's new full carbon hockey stick. The new stick comes in all sizes for adults and juniors, retailing for $150.
• Seigler is a new brand on the horizon from ex-pro Wes Seigler. The frame features Deda EM2 Hydraform tubing combined with a Dedaciai rear end. All bikes are feature customer specified paint.
• The rear of the Seigler with the Deda Hydraform tubes for strength and comfort.
• CSk also offers a full carbon bike which this year called the X-carbon, featuring the Deda hi-modulous carbon.
• The Ghisallo is Litespeed's new superlight baby
• The Ghisallo weighs in at an unbelievable 11.9 pounds, ready to ride.
• No extra titanium here... one of the ways Litespeed gets the weight down on the Ghisallo are these very tiny dropouts.
• Slick new cranks from Zero Gravity; aluminum and hollow everything.
• Fondriest was on hand to sing a new tune with it's carbon bikes.
• Close-up of the Fondriest paint on the top tube.
• City paint job on the new Colnago Chrisalis.
• The Limar lads with Emma, from their 'slightly controversial' ads
• SRAM carbon cranks with hollow axle and polished finished round out the complete group.
• Carbon shift lever on the pro SRAM group. One button shifting promises precise shifts to any gear.
• The front and side profile of the SRAM road brakes.
• The sexxxy new brakes from the SRAM pro road group.
• Tioga's new seat called the "Spyder". Carbonite composite carbon shell with hollow composite alloy seat rails help keep the weight down to 135grams.

Part 16

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Images by Tim Maloney/Cyclingnews.com

• Pictured here on Lance Armstrongs's special 10//2 bike used on the final stage of the 2005 Tour De France, Bontrager's new Aeolus high profile carbon fibre wheels, developed with Steve Hed, may be among the fastest hoops on the planet. The 65mm cross section and torroidal shape slice the wind and weigh in at a reported 1630 grams per pair.
• Ivan Basso and Team CSC are proudly sponsored by Bell Helmets, and with helmets now manditory in all ProTour races, all the time, this is a crucial choice for any team. CSC's choice is Bell's top of the line Sweep R, a light (292 grams) and effective In-Mold helmet with 20 vents and Bell's GPS Fit system.
• Bell's Sweep XC has been upgraded for 2006 with a new Variable Position Visor (VPV) up front, which allows 15 degrees of vertical adjustment. Add the great ventilation from 20 large vents, GPS retention system and In-Mold tecchnology and Sweep XC has what it takes to conquer any mountain.
• Established in 1954, proven ever since and their wall of fame on display at Interbike paid testament to legendary auto racers like dragster Don Garlits, auto racer Dan Gurney and cyclists like Thor Hushovd.
• Bell's state of the art downhill and BMX helmet is named Ballistic, designed for full-face protection. With 15 vents, this '06 Ballistic can also come with cool new crypto-outerspace graphics.
• For 2006, Blackburn's Air Tower 5 CF floor pump has been upgraded to reach 100psi in a mere 10 strokes. With improved Dual Stage, Dual Stroke internals and a lightweight carbon fiber barrel and gauge face, the Air Tower 5 CF can reach a maximum pressure of 160psi.
• Castelli calling in winter. A cold white winter ride calls for a cool white Castelli winter jacket, in this case the Carbon 5 jacket in their proprietary Resistex Stratosheer fabric.
• Renowned for their YPRO bib shorts, Castelli has been upgraded for 2006 with a new scallop-shaped Alchemia short panel, Vibra lycra on the long leg cuffs, fast-drying ProSecco lycra for the body, and stretch net bibs.
• Castelli's Teseo windvest has WH Ripstop fabric, reflective inserts and a full front zip.
• Sportful's new Mach 1 WS Race jacket features WL Gore's Aggon 60 Windstopper, the lighest ever version of the famous fabric. With 117g sensitive Lycra and a stretch waist for easy closure, this is the perfect jacket to start with on those cool days, then fold up and put in your pocket.

Part 15

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Images by Tim Maloney/Cyclingnews.com

• Magnus Backstedt poses with Bianchi's new Pista Concept bike.
• Bianchi's Pista Concept is the real deal for real banked track racing, with oversized double butted 7005 alu tubeset, beefy 50mm oval downtube and custom shaped tubes.
• Detail of Bianchi's Pista Concept with contoured seat tube for extra rear wheel clearance.
• Bianchi's Milano is a super stylin' coffee cruiser that is Eduardo Bianchi Meets Schwinn Excelsior.
• Here's a special new version of the Bianchi Oetzi frame as ridden by Olympic and world champion Julien Absalon of the Bianchi-Motorex squad.
• Detail of Absalon's Oetzi with golden chainstays.
• Detail of Absalon's Oetzi headtube.
• Titus Cycles' nude Exogrid frame shows the special laser cut titanium tubes that interlock with carbon fibre diamonds, reinforcing the tube cutaway center section.
• Titus Cycles' full custom racer with Isogrid frame tubing.
• The Racer-Exogrid is something special for the rider who is looking for an ultra high-tech solution to road bike excellence.
• Detail shot of Exogrid laser cut diamonds on FCR seatube.
• You wish - Titus Cycles' Racer-X MTB is the must-have off-road racer for many on the NORBA Sport circuit, and the Exogrid Ti/Carbon frame is race tested.
• Detail of Titus Racer-X MTB new carbon fibre seat stay assembly and new tapered, hydroformed lower swing arm.
• Wilier Triestina's Thor bicycle, similar to their top-of-the-line Le Roi model but more affordable.
• Detail of Wilier Triestina's new Thor carbon fibre model with FCF (full carbon frame).
• ITM's new Visia Superlight stem. The stem is claimed to weigh in at 107 grams (120mm), thanks to 3D cold-forging and a process where the stem has CNC machining to thin the central tube walls.
• ITM's new round version of the popular Sword carbon fibre integrated handlebar/ stem combo.
• ITM's Nivola monocoque carbon fibre TT handlebars have internal brake cables and Aerogel armrests, shown here with straight extensions and weigh a claimed 730 grams.
• What would Cannondale's new Daytripper be without a cool coffee cup clip.
• Bike pods - Cannondale has created a futuristic new bag line called Velopods for 2006.
• Fizik commemorates some of their national champions with special one-off national flag-themed Arione saddles (L-R) Italy, United States, Germany, France.
• Fizik recently introduced their Bar Gel and it's been a huge hit, with special gel inserts that are covered by high grade microfibre tape.

Images by Nike Cycling

• New from Nike Cycling is the Nike Air Whistler, specially made for the "hucking" set and developed with input from freeride pioneer Andrew Shandro.

Images by Trek USA

• In 2006, Trek's Remedy provides a solution for "All-Mountain" mountain bike riders, with a lightweight component spec package and 5" or 6" of balanced travel.
• Trek's Jack platform is for big time big sky riding.

Images by LeMond Racing Cycles

• LeMond's Rennes Triathlon bike has been named in homage to Greg LeMond's 1989 TT stage win in Rennes, France.

Part 14

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Images by Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us

• 'We hope your stay is a pleasant one...' The Sinclair girls made visitors very welcome
• The Sinclair girls make Vegas wonderful to visit for all the cycling fraternity
• Cedric Gracia and crew line up with the lovely ladies
• Cedric Gracia is a happy boy... especially around the ladies. I mean, who couldn't be?
• The old Saturn gang of Kimberly Bruckner, Kristy Scrymgeour, Ivan Dominguez, Ina Yoko-Teutenburg and Suzanne Sonye
• Reb Bull was one of the main sponors of the evening
• Cyclingnews.com on ice please... 'shaken, not stirred'
• George Hincapie and Dave Zabriskie get accosted by another female fan, as Levi Leipheimer pops his head up from behind
• Floyd Landis was laid back as usual and enjoyed the evening with some quality beverages from Mr Daniels
• What if the missus sees me... she won't be happy!
• Bobby Julich had the cheeky smile happening as he stopped by for some party craziness
• Fred Rodriguez, always Mr. Cool... poses with a couple of fans.
• The Cyclingnews crew plus bombshells just made it out alive! (l-r): James Huang, Gerard Knapp and Mark Zalewski with a couple of close friends
• Hello boys! Anyone got a bicycle I can ride?

Images by Sinclair Imports

• Definitely the host with the most! Party host Lance Donnell (Sinclair), Jochim Aerts (Ridley) with Milena, Gigi and Julianna
• Jochim Aerts (Ridley) and Richard Storino (General Manager Campagnolo North America) with Gigi, Milena and Bree.
• Models A-list President Michael Clark (America's #1 source for gorgeous models!) and Milena.
• Olympic Gold Medalist Steve Hegg with Brazilian model Julianna.
• You can almost see the Vetta Ice Sculpture melting under the heat of Julianna and Gigi.
• Mr. Bib has a good view of the Party!
• Cinelli director Francesco Sergio with Natalya, Divine, Kai and Bree
• No going to sleep... with thousands of free Red Bulls on hand!!
• Red Bull's Las Vegas connection, Tony Cordasco with Bree, Natalya, Alysa, Anya and Kai.
• Selle San Marco owner Luigi Girardi with Natalya.
• Ivan Stevic having a good time with a couple of the ladies
• The Cinelli/3T ice sculpture featured a set of their carbon bars in the ice
• Interbike's number 1 party where everyone was having a smashing time
• George Hincapie with Bobby Julich and Dylan Casey.
• Chad Reed and Tony Cordasco from Red Bull with Julianna.
• Cinelli, 3T or Bree?
• Kris Wehage, Doug Stuart and Ric Hjertberg from FSA with Milena and Gigi

Part 13

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Images by Jacob Csizmadia/CeramicSpeed

• Yikes, these things are pricey, but allegedly worth every penny. Tyler Hamilton paid 1500 Euros out of his own pocket for enough bearings to outfit a bike and a half. According to the manufacturer, running ceramic bearings instead of steel ones can drop a full second per kilometer in an individual time trial. Apparently the entire CSC team is now so-equipped.

Images by James Huang

• FSA external bottom brackets equipped with ceramic bearings will have red-anodized cups so that everyone knows why you keep pulling away during your local group ride. Pulleys that come with ceramic cartridge bearings pre-installed will also be available.
• The ceramic bearing on the right is not only much lighter and impervious to corrosion, but also much more resistant to impact. Ceramic bearings earn their reduced friction due to much tighter roundness tolerances as compared to even the best steel bearings.
• The Chaos is the smallest pack in Camelbak's Outlaw series and is available in both black/grey and tan, if you're more interested in blending in with Las Vegas desert backgrounds...
• The Mayhem is a medium-sized hydration pack that includes a 100 oz. toughened polyurethane bladder and enough storage room for your full-face helmet and full complement of pads.
• More stuff! Must carry more stuff!!!
• Top-mounted media pocket is ideal for housing a small video camera body (with remote unit attached to your helmet, of course!) or your digital music player.
• The new Theory frame fits smaller faces and features a trim frame with adjustable nosepiece and rubberized temples. The new Ignitor lens is reported to highlight shadows and heighten color definition in mixed lighting conditions.
• Adjustable nosepiece should accommodate a wide variety of nose shapes and sizes.
• Prescription lenses directly replace stock lenses so there are no clumsy inserts to deal with. Prescription lenses are available in similar tints to standard non-prescription lenses.

Images by Gerard Knapp/Cyclingnews.com

• BMC's general manager shows the innovative 'Time Machine'. The one TT frameset can be used by the vast majority of riders, he said.
• The front end of the patented-new 'Time Machine' being offered by BMC.
• Nicknamed 'The Nurse', due to its white, red and black livery, not to mention use of the Swiss national emblem, this is BMC's new track bike that the company is hoping to place under leading track riders in 2006.
• Sheila Moon (L) exhibiting her very feminine line of women's cycling clothing that still possessed all the good technical qualities cyclists expect.

Images by Sheila Moon/www.sheilamoon.com

• Melodie Metzger wearing the racer bra in jetson and the ballet skirt in jetson.
• Melodie Metzger (L) wearing the tank base layer, Barbara Howe (M) wearing the long sleeve base layer, and designer Sheila Moon (R).
• Barbara Howe wearing the keyhole shimmel in blue.
• Barbara Howe wearing the keyhole shimmel in blue and the thinking cap in blue and neon.
• Barbara Howe wearing the sleeveless jersey in neon.
• Barbara Howe (L) wearing the sleeveless jersey in neon, and Melodie Metzger (R) wearing the halter shimmel in jungle and holding the thinking cap in jungle.
• Barbara Howe wearing the mesh puff-sleeve tee in jetson, the pink racer bra and the 5.5" shorts.
• Melodie Metzger wearing the racerback mesh tank in neon.
• Melodie Metzger (L) wearing the racer bra in jungle and armwarmers in jungle, Barbara Howe (R) wearing the racer bra in neon, the thinking cap in neon and armwarmers in blue.

Part 12

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Images by Mark Zalewski/Cyclingnews.com

• The latest Adidas road shoe with plenty of ventilation and some secure-looking straps
• A nice wide carbon fibre sole provides stiffness over a large area.
• Adidas' top-level MTB shoe has the same enclosure system as its road cousin
• Plenty of traction on the sole of adiStar XC race MTB shoes
• Bobby Julich needed his Camelback to stay hydrated for the long line of fans waiting to get his autograph.
• The Carnac M5 in newly updated colours for 2006, and a slightly reduced price but with no change in features.
• Just five minutes at 180 degrees and you'll have a shoe that even Martha Stewart would be proud of!
• Lake's enclosure is simple, quick and effective.
• The carbon fibre heel cup goes up even higher under the leather upper to give maximum support and stiffness.
• The carbon sole is wide and stiff.
• That's a lot of carbon.
• Oven mitts are recommended when handling the shoe just out of the oven.
• The Ridley Damocles is the bike of Fast Freddie, Robbie McEwen, Peter Van Petegem, Cadel Evans and soon to be Chris Horner.
• The headtube uses a nifty trick to route the down tube shifter cables.
• The 2006 Damocles is slightly lighter but with all the same stiffness thanks to shaped carbon in key areas.
• The monocoque carbon fibre frame has a slightly compact rear triangle.
• The Ridley Noah has been redeveloped for 2006 and includes a newly shaped aerodynamic seat tube that acts as integrated seat post.
• The top tube has been designed to flow into the head tube as well.
• A closer look at the new seat tube.
• Like the Damocles, the monocoque carbon fibre frame has a slightly compact rear triangle.
• The Ridley Gladius is the Aluminum/Carbon composite frame in the 2006 lineup.
• Carbon in the rear triangle creates a softer ride.
• Cinelli carbon bars finish off the Gladius in style
• Four national champion frames say it all.
• Leon van Bon's Ridley paint scheme is available to customers. If it worked for him, maybe it can work for you!
• The Aussie national champion rides a Ridley.
• Just tell the good doctor where it hurts and he'll try to fix it.
• It hurts here and here and here…
• A 46 percent loss over 33 seconds - ouch!
• 96 percent! My girlfriend is not going to be happy about this!
• Ah, only 40 percent... that feels better.

Part 11

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Images by Steve Medcroft/Cyclingnews.com

• Arizona-based bike manufactirer Titus had a 19.5 pound version of their Racer-X full suspension cross country race bike on display.
• For 2006, DT Swiss has packaged their FR6.1 rim and 440 hub to offer this dynamic-looking wheelset to downhillers and freeriders.
• DT Swiss is also getting in on the tubeless conversion business.
• The seat-post mount on this Scott High Octane adjusts to give owners options in seat-post angle.
• Scott's 2006 downhill bike, the High Octane.
• Helmet maker Uvex is the team supplier to both T-Mobile's U.S.-based women's team and their ProTour team. This time trial helmet is not for sale to the general public but if you contact the company as a professional athlete, they say they may be able to hook you up with it for about $250.
• The Uvex MTB helmet comes in a really sharp-looking matte finish, has bug screens in the forward-facing vents and a LED mount on the back.
• A second trip to the Scott booth revealed this junior hardtail. Weighing about 23 pounds, Scott equipped it with adult-grade components to give junior racers a serious bike option.
• The Interbike trade show floor is autograph and cycling-celeb central. Break-out NORBA pro Heather Irmiger met fans at the Shwalbe booth on Thursday.
• We know he's not an MTBer... but who can pass up an opporuntity to snap a picture of George Hincapie?
• Mathieu Toulouse, Geoff Kabush and April Lawyer getting mobbed at the Maxxis booth on Thursday.
• Turner makes a cyclocross bike? Geoff Kabush will race a limited cyclocross schedule, beginning Saturday at Seattle's Star Crossed. He rode on a Giant last year. This year, he was seen building up this Turner frame in the Outdoor Demo pits, trying to get it ready for the weekend. Stay tuned for news as to whether Turner will be releasing a 'cross bike this year or whether this is something else hiding in Turner colors.
• US National Cross Country Champion Mary McConneloug signs away for her fans
• Traditionally a titanium frame manufacturer, Seven Cycles has released a line of Carbon/ti (called IMX) mixed media frames. Fully built up, this IMX retails for over $8,000.
• The infamous Bob Roll was on hand at Alison Dunlap's retirment celebration at the Luna/Clif booth on Thursday evening. In this picure, he's showing off his Marla Streb and Shonny Vanlandingham autographs.
• In a flip of the tradition of podium girls, Fast Freddy Rodreguez and Tom Danielson did the honours for Alison Dunlap's send off on Thursday.
• To commerarate Dunlap's career sponsor Sugoi made a special jersey. The three riders along the bottom are wearing U.S. National, World and World Cup Championship jerseys to recognize Dunlap's thirteen championships. The graphic on the center (Dunlap in a World Championship jersey riding off into the sunset) represents her retirement.

Part 10

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Images by Mark Zalewski/Cyclingnews.com

• Argon 18's new cyclocross bike, the Arsenic, featuring a full carbon frame design - a rarity in cross bikes.
• Carbon lugs are utilized throughout the frame.
• Detail shot of the headtube cluster.
• Kevlar-reinforced nano-tech carbon technology is utilized in Argon 18's new 'cross bike.
• Detail shot of the chainrings and crankarms.
• And a full carbon fork to boot.
• Argon 18 built a "special-show-stopper-light" bike for the Interbike show, tipping the scales at around 13 pounds.
• These nifty carbon brakes help keep the weight down, down, down.
• Zipp's new carbon cranks provide the pedal power.
• The monocoque frame by Argon 18 is made of the 6009 high-modulus carbon fiber.
• ITM's Sword carbon stem.
• Not much padding on this saddle - but plenty of carbon!
• Detail shot of the seat stays.
• ITM's Sword carbon bars.
• The Mercury time trial bike is another carbon offering from Argon 18.
• George Hincapie gets his foot laser scanned by the Foot Fitting crew.
• The air cushion insures a truly neutral scan of the person's foot.
• The information is recorded into the computer which then will control the CNC machine that carves out the insole.
• George Hincapie helps out his brother Rich by signing autographs for the fans.
• Hincapie clothes go a little retro.
• But there are still some new developments in materials.
• Don't worry honey, I'll smile for the camera.
• The new low-profile Ventoux wheels from Lightweight were used to help make this Javelin Togiano weigh not much more than 10 pounds.
• Rocket 7 makes shoes for Shaq and Frodo.
• The new Rocket 7 shaved a few more grams off the weight and increased breathability. Saul Raisin should be happy about that.
• Rocket 7's custom fitting goes right through to branding your name on the shoes.
• Dave Zabriskie, Floyd Landis, Gord Fraser, John Lieswyn and Chris Wherry were all present at the Speedplay booth.
• Speedplay even gives a history lesson in regards to pedal design, dating all the way back to the late 1800s.
• This 1986 Puma shoe and pedal is a rare find.

Part 9

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Images by James Huang

• This prototype full-carbon frame from GT won't likely see production until the 2007 model year. At the very least, the frame looks great and hopefully will have performance characteristics to match.
• The prototype GTR Carbon downtube used a unique pseudo diamond-shaped profile.
• The prototype GTR Carbon downtube has similarly radical shaping as the downtube.
• GT's iT1 incorporated a centrally-mounted Shimano Nexus 8-speed internal gearbox drivetrain, which yields better weight distribution and reduced unsprung weight for better suspension sensitivity.
• Another benefit to the centrally-mounted gearbox is the ability to align the chain line directly at the main pivot point of the rear end. This virtually eliminates chain tension effects on the suspension throughout the full range of travel.
• GT's prototype DHi won't see production until '07, but it may very well be worth the wait.
• The yet-to-be-released '07 GT DHi uses a totally new frame design built from formed and welded aluminum sheet. The new frame should be both lighter and more rigid than previous versions.
• The ECX is Mongoose's dedicated 4X machine. The ECX is designed to be race-ready out of the box and is allegedly a virtual carbon copy of Eric Carter's own personal race rig.
• Schwinn's Fastback LTD is race-ready with a lightweight aluminum and carbon fiber frame decked out with top-of-the-line componentry.
• The Fastback LTD uses a monobox-style chainstay arrangement for a laterally rigid rear end.
• Fi'zi:k's new top-tier saddle is the Arione Carbon Braided. The carbon shell of last year's Arione Carbon carries over but the hollow titanium rails have been replaced with true carbon fiber ones that incorporate a unique braided carbon overwrap to provide extra protection from clamp forces.
• The carbon rails on the new Fi'zi:k Arione Carbon Braided have a unique braided carbon overwrap.
• The classic Fi'zi:k Nisene has been completely redesigned for '06 with a new flatter profile and deeper padding.
• The new Nisene shell (bottom) has also been revamped to incorporate the proven Wing Flex system, better support, and strategically placed flex zones.
• Many Fi'zi:k saddles now incorporate a built-in port to clip in a seat bag.
• Jagwire's new Sleek Road Lite pads use a minimal aluminum skeleton for ultralight weight.
• The Jagwire Elite Pad Press Tool makes a quick job of what can often be a frustrating one.
• Jagwire's new cable and housing system won't be available until mid-season or so, but the prototypes were impressive looking and should be easier to assemble and more resistant to ghost shifting than competitive systems.

Part 8

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Images by Mark Zalewski/Cyclingnews.com

• Canari's new line of custom clothing.
• Canari shorts come in male or female specific padding.
• The new Canari jacket features removable sleeves and enough wind stopping power to keep you warm and dry.
• Perfect for days when the temperatures hoover between cool and cold.
• A rear zipper pocket was a feature many people asked to see.
• The Canari jersey features seams on the outside to improve comfort on the inside.
• The long sleeve jersey is made of similar material as the jacket.
• Canari wool base layer rounds out the package.
• Phil Liggett and Bob Roll get into the action at the Crank Bros. party.
• Fast Freddie doubles as a photojournalist in the off season.
• Jittery Joe's teammates Geoff Kabush and Tim Johnson keep Lyne Besette company.
• Floyd Landis pays a visit to his friends at CycleOps.
• Fred Rodriguez was spotted signing autographs at the Ridley/Sinclair Imports booth.
• So one time I ended up like this...
• I better write my name on it so people will know it's mine.
• Levi Leipheimer made the rounds today, stopping here at the Specialized booth.
• "Can you make it out to My favorite fan in the whole world?'"
• Look has a clever new carbon seat post that only uses one bolt to adjust the seat in multiple angles.
• The man behind the carbon Thierry Fournier poses with his latest offering.
• The Look 565 is a carbon lugged frame showing the naked beauty of the material.
• The 565's integrated headset and headtube offer a unique design.
• Carbon lugging bonds the carbon tubes together, and offer designers more freedom in geometry.
• The Look 496 is their best weapon against the clock.
• Compact design in the rear.
• Solid design up front.
• Rotor's new Q Ring chainrings.
• Thor Hushovd's green jersey speed machine.
• The label allows a glimpse of the material behind the speed.
• The name says it all.
• From top to bottom Look's lineup of Keo pedals.
• Special Mavic red M&Ms with Ksyrium ES on the flip side.
• The drawing for the 10 year edition wheelset went to...a mountain biker. Rub it in, why don't you!
• A long line waited to get a autograph from the legend.
• Some were lucky enough to get a quick chat in too.
• Orbea's latest offering is through their new interactive web site, which allows you to build and rebuild your own dream machine, right down to the preferred stem size.
• The Orbea Obru is the new choice for TTs and multi-sport athletes.
• A different rear design with an offset seat tube.
• A big head tube section with a fairing style fork.
• The Ritchey booth offered Autographs from Gord Fraser, USPRO champ Chris Wherry, John Lieswyn and Niki Gudex.
• A special photo of two Cyclingnews diarists, John Lieswyn and Niki Gudex
• Gord Fraser and veteran U.S. champion Wayne Stetina.

Part 7

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Images by Tim Maloney/Cyclingnews.com

• Capoforma is a new and stylin' brand of Italian cycling socks and accessories.
• This retro-modern wool jersey, also from Capoforma, is made in 50% merino wool blended with 50% microfibre acrylic for easy care.
• Bergamo's attractive Gavia jersey looks like a sublimated jersey, but close-up, the Gavia is constructed from dual-knit Micro-Quattro fabric with mesh side panels for more air flow and a silicone gel waist-gripper.
• Proudly displayed at USG's stand at Interbike were two souvenirs of their DMT shoe brand, a signed Fassa Bortolo jersey from Ale-Jet Petacchi and signed shoes from 2005 Tour de France runner-up Ivan "The Terrible" Basso.
• Cannondale's new Rush mountain bike is built with 24-hour and marathon racing in mind.
• The Cannondale Gracia is a new pure downhill bike named after downhill monster man Cedric Gracia.
• Detail showing Thru-12 swingarm and Marzocchi Roco RC coil rear shock.
• Gracia's name cut into Thru-12 swingarm.
• Cannondale's new Prophet MX model was inspired by Cedric Gracia's Four Cross bike.
• It's what's up front that counts - The new Cannondale Prophet MX has Fox 36 Talas 150mm travel front fork and Hayes El Camino discs.

Part 6

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Images by James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

• On display behind glass was a Nicolai UFO-ST outfitted with a variety of early development SRAM freeride gear. This four-piston brake caliper will likely be an Avid offering for ’07 and promises gobs of stopping power.
• Clavicula crankarms are light and pretty.
• Removable plates make for easy pin access and are made from harder aluminum for improved damage resistance. Plus, now you can finally match the color scheme of your pink and yellow downhill rig!
• Mmmm… more ti! Spindles on the 4ti models are 4mm shorter per side.
• Crank Brothers’ long-awaited Cobalt crankarm offers a unique look and stiff crankarms.
• The Cobalt crankarms mate a stainless steel cap to an aluminum base in a process dubbed “coldfusion”. This produces a hollow crankarm that is lightweight yet super rigid.
• Crank Brothers is rapidly running out of bits to turn into titanium on its flagship Egg Beater pedal. New cleats are more durable and also allow for 2mm of lateral adjustment.
• Deda’s excellent DAVS Monobox carbon fibre chainstay assembly is a rare find but is well incorporated in the Primavera.
• Elite launched a new stationary trainer design that automatically adjusts resistance depending on your position on the bike.
• Oh, did I forget to mention that Elite also decided to produce a limited-edition carbon fibre version of the trainer that will cost you US$900!
• K2’s Mod 6.0 provides great value at $2499, including American Classic Sprint 350 wheels, an FSA SL-K carbon crankset, and DuraAce componentry hung on an aluminum and carbon fibre frame.
• Full carbon construction brings Lightweight’s Campy-compatible rear derailleur a full 100g below the comparable Record piece.
• Full suspension mountain bikes receive geometry tweaks to accommodate newer shock offerings. The 2006 Niota Ti now comes equipped with a Fox DHX 5.0 rear shock.
• Much of Litespeed’s 2006 frame tubing is shaped even more radically than last year’s versions for better ride quality and more efficient drivetrains. Lighter weight is a nice bonus.
• The Primavera is Luciano’s premier road bike featuring Dedacciai EM2 triple-butted tubing and a full carbon rear end.
• Unique downtube gusset adds a purposeful touch to the XCR.
• Luciano utilises composite seatstays to produce a neat and supple rear end
• Rafael Luciano stands proudly behind his premier off-road bike, the XCR.
• Two new oversized stems are available for Maverick’s DUC 32 dual-crown fork. Extension lengths are adjustable in 10mm increments and lengths up to 120mm are now available.
• Maverick displayed a custom purple-anodized version of their 6” travel ML8.
• One display bike sported a Reynolds carbon fibre tubular mountain bike wheelset complete with Tufo tubulars. This disc-specific wheelset incorporated a set of DT 240s hubs.
• The compression and Floodgate dials on Rock Shox’s prototype air-sprung freeride rear shock clearly indicates the use of Motion Control damping.
• Rock Shox also had a prototype single-crown freeride fork on display behind glass. The burly new fork uses 40mm diameter stanchions, a 1 1/8” steerer tube (at least on this prototype), and a magnesium lower casting incorporating the proven Maxle 20mm quick-release system.
• Seven also introduced a 6.5” travel version of their Duo. The Duo 6.5 also incorporates Maverick’s Monolink suspension design, but now melds an actual Maverick ML8 rear end to a Seven-produced titanium main frame.
• As is typical with Seven’s ti-carbon joints, the IMX junctions are exceptionally tidy and elegant-looking.
• Seven incorporates a carbon fibre top tube and seat tube into last year’s Sola frame to produce the new IMX. Ride quality remains about the same, but the frame weight has now dropped about ¼ lb.
• The additional reinforcing strut on SRAM’s new road brake caliper should stiffen up the mechanism considerably and provide for good lever feel, power, and modulation. We’ll find out soon enough!
• Truvativ cooked up a full carbon fibre crankset for SRAM’s new road group. As with their other cranks, this one also uses their GXP external bottom bracket system. Expect the one-piece arm and spider to possibly carry over to Truvativ’s other top carbon cranks mid-season.
• Again, the front derailleur is a nicely finished piece of kit. Pivots are widely spaced and the assembly looks to be quite rigid.
• SRAM’s new levers are pretty radically shaped... apparently to achieve better ergonomics.
• You may have seen these already, but here’s another look at SRAM’s new integrated brake/shift lever for roadies. It may still be technically considered a “prototype”, but it sure had a nicely finished look to it.
• SRAM’s new road rear derailleur is another pretty piece of polished aluminum and carbon fiber. The extension on the parallelogram plate that guides the cable suggests that this will likely be a 1:1 type of setup like with their mountain rear derailleurs.
• SRAM’s incredible robots were handcrafted by an artist in Japan for “a lot of money”. I don’t know what SRAM plans on doing with these after the show, but I’ve got a spot on a shelf somewhere…
• Perhaps you missed it the first time, but the majority of these things consisted of scrap bicycle bits…maybe you should think twice before pitching that blown rear derailleur!
• Luciano specs their bikes with a mix of top-end componentry, including this Stronglight Magma mountain crankset, which uses carbon construction similar to the Pulsion road version but with a protective titanium cap at the end for improved impact resistance.
• Neat welds and tidy joints characterize the Colibri construction.
• The Colibri is Temple Cycles’ premier road bike, offering the mating of a 6/4 titanium tubeset with a carbon fibre top tube and seat tube.
• Um...can you maybe make that just a smidge more red? Great, thanks, Lance!
• Custom-anodized Nokon housing, anyone?
• Custom-tanned leather cover on the Selle Italia C64 saddle.
• This very cool-looking prototype machined titanium dual-pivot road brake caliper was spotted on a display bike. Details are few and far between, but the design elements suggest that they’ll be very rigid and likely to be very lightweight.
• Tune’s carbon chainrings use a moulded-in ring of titanium teeth for reasonable longevity.
• Complex machining is fast becoming a hallmark of Zero Gravity products.
• Zero Gravity’s new crankset was still in the development stages but was allegedly very close to production. External bearings and large-section arms implied plenty of rigidity. Exact numbers weren’t available, but expect them to be super light and mighty pricey.

Part 5

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Images by James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

• Thirsty? The hot and dry climate out at Bootleg Canyon was made a little less brutal by Chris, Rich, and Cliff of PacificHealth Laboratories who were kind enough to bring nearly 100 ice-cold gallons of their new Accelerade sports drink, with fatigue-fighting and recovery-enhancing whey protein.
• The mega-aero “seat tube” is tightly tucked around the rear wheel in an effort to reduce aerodynamic drag to an absolute minimum.
• Zoom-zoom!
• Cervelo’s Soloist Carbon frame uses an absolutely massive amount of carbon fiber in the BB area.
• The Soloish Carbon is the frame of choice for much of Bjarne Riis’s CSC team and offers an aero frame that is light enough for climbing stages.
• The Epiphany is a new 5.25” travel frame from the folks at Ellsworth. Ellsworth promises frame weights comparable to their 4” travel Truth, but with an extra bit of travel and better lateral rigidity out back.
• The German folks at Ergon are paying an awful lot of attention to hand physiology and pressure points. Their grip design allegedly provides nearly 100% palm support to alleviate nerve pressure.
• Like many other carbon frames Felt’s F1C uses an immense amount of carbon fiber at the bottom bracket for efficient power transfer.
• Felt’s F1C incorporates a tidy looking headtube assembly.
• Felt’s top of the line road frameset is the carbon fibre F1C. US$5600 buys you roughly 15lbs of go-fast goodness.
• Felt’s RXC Team is built around a Scandium frame with carbon seatstays and serves as yet another reminder that the hardtail is alive and well.
• The Flybar is certainly not your granddaddy’s pogo stick at up to $230 for the top-level model. Bounce around as high as you can muster all day if you like…
• …or just pull a backflip in mid-flight as Flybar’s Chewy Call neatly executes here!
• One of Giant’s crew displays their Trinity TT/Tri bike, which is essentially the production version of the frames that the T-Mobile squad was running last season.
• Race Face enters into the road crankset market with their new Cadence model.
• As with their other X-Type cranksets Race Face’s new Cadence road crankset uses externally-mounted bottom bracket bearings and a huge hollow spindle.
• Rotor’s Eggrings promise increased power output at the sweet spot in your pedaling stroke while minimising the dead zone. Unlike other elliptical chainrings currently out on the market, Rotor’s rings are tunable to match a rider’s particular power output profile. Thankfully, the Eggrings are also pinned and ramped to retain quality shifting. Road and mountain versions are both available.
• The Salsa Primera is the first production frame using True Temper’s stellar S3 tubeset. At less than 3lbs for an average-sized frame, US$1540 seems like a veritable bargain, especially when you consider that it also includes an Alpha Q carbon fork, too!
• Even though the lugs are carbon fiber Serotta still manages to make them look pretty.
• Serotta’s Meivici uses a traditional separate head tube-plus-lugs construction unlike many other carbon frames, which allows for a nearly limitless range of head tube lengths.
• The Meivici lugs are internally CNC-machined to not only provide an accurate mating surface for the tubes, but the internal machining is also what affords Serotta the ability to do custom frame angles in full carbon.
• Serotta is launching their first full-carbon frame for 2006 with completely customisable geometry. Carbon tube-and-lug construction offers manufacturing flexibility at about 1100g for an average frame.
• Slingshot has quietly continued to chug along all these years with their unique mid-frame suspension design. For 2006, we finally see the release of their aluminum-framed version which should be both stiffer and significantly lighter than earlier steel versions.
• Might I recommend the new Zipp 300 carbon crankset if you’ve got $750USD burning a hole in your pocket? At 450g, complete with rings and mounting hardware, this may very well be the lightest production crankset around. If you’ve got another $250, you may also want to pick up one of Zipp’s matching ISIS splined bottom bracket, complete with superwide roller bearings and titanium spindle.
• Zipp’s ZSL bar offers an ergonomic fit in a 165g oversized package. I’ll take two, please...

Part 4

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Images by Cyclingnews/Steve Medcroft

• Canadian manufacturer Louis Garneau enters the cyclocross market with their new Steeple X 'cross frame. Celebrity cycling couple Tim Johnson and Lynne Bessette will be riding the bikes in the '06 'cross season.
• Inflation company Genuine Innovations put singlespeed racer Dejay Birtch in an RV and sent him on a tour of their U.S. dealer network. Along the way, he picked up both the U.S. National and the 24 Hours of Adrenalin World Solo Singlespeed championships.
• Genuine Innovations minimalist inflation device, the Air Chuck, activates using a spring similar to the air compressor nozles found in most bike shops.
• According to Genuine Innovations product specialist, the Big Air CO2 catridge can inflat two 26" mountain bike tires to forty pounds each.
• Foes was on hand at Interbike talking up their 2:1 suspension ration philosophy, seen here on their downhill frame.
• For every ten people who walked past the Felt booth at Interbike, two stopped to take a picture of hot-rod designer Bryan Fuller's custom, full-suspension, aerodynamic cruiser show bike.
• Felt has a full Cruiser division.
• In the words of Christopher Walken with Will Farrel in a skit on Saturday Night Live "I got a disease. And the only cure is more cowbell." Cowbell.com provides custom-imprinted promotional cowbells; some for less than $2 a piece.
• Looking for a bike you can travel with? Spot offers S7S machined couplings as an add-on option to every one of their mountain bike frames.
• Careful attention to small details is what makes building a custom bike around a boutique frame fun. Spot's Jessica Stein added this custom headset spacer provided by Spot's English components supplier.
• A closer look at the S&S machined coupling on the Spot frame. A special wrench lossens the coupling. The option includes a 10x26x26 carrying bag.

Part 3

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Images by James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

• Darek Barefoot of Ekosport proudly displays their new White Brothers 29er fork, mounted on the front of a Lenzsport 29er dual suspension rig
• Niner’s ONE 9 frames are neatly TIG welded with a strategically placed gusset and a slightly offset down tube to clear most 29er fork crowns. The slick stainless steel headtube badge is actually bolted on!
• Sorry, but don’t bother calling Avid to find out where you can buy yourself the fully polished version of their juicy hydraulic disc brakes. Also used is a custom polished version of Stan’s NoTubes’ new Olympic Disc ZTR 29er rim.
• Orbea may not have done a great job of telling consumers that they even offered a 29er frame, but they still managed to sell all they could squeeze out of the factory. For ’06, complete bikes with SRAM X-9 components and a Rock Shox Reba SL 29er fork will be available for about US$1999.
• Niner founder Chris Sugai proudly presents a one-off SIR9 29er singlespeed bike with custom-polished…everything!
• White Brothers has been a longtime supporter of the 29er movement, but the 2006 model now benefits from Ekosport’s new IMV (Intelligent Magnetic Valve) stable platform technology, which uses an externally adjustable magnetic compression valve to provide a solid platform but with a reportedly seamless transition to a fully open mode when bumps are encountered.
• American Classic offered a singlespeed version of their ultralight cassette rear hub last year, but they’ve upped the ante this year with a 29er version of their mountain bike clincher rim.
• Salsa offers a unique softail 29er frame built from Easton Scandium tubing. The proprietary rear air shock and inherent flex in the stays allow for about an inch of rear wheel travel.

Part 2

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Images by Cyclingnews/Steve Medcroft

• The Zirkel is Moots' replacement for the Smoothie XC in '06. The main changes are a new configuration for the rear shock and a taller rear triangle.
• A closer look at the Moots Zirkel.
• Moots developed this sliding rear dropout as part of the ongoing development of adjustable chain tension in singlespeeds.
• A full-on look at Moot's Uno singlespeed.
• Surly's Pugsly, which comes equipped with 4" tires, got a lot of attention from riders. "Someone would take the bike out and two people would follow them back to the booth," said Surly product manager Nick Sande.
• The custom-made Pugsly tyre is actually 3.7 inches, to be precise. Surly says the ability to run super-low pressures (as low as 5 PSI) means the bike floats over terrain previously meant for suspension bikes.
• The Pugsly's tyres are apparently great on snow, too.
• Rocky Mountain pro Andreas Hesteler was on hand at the Rocky Mountain booth talking to riders testing their new Slayer50 six-inch travel freeride bike.
• With "six and six" inches of travel, Andreas Hestler said that Rocky Mountain has put out a bike that's 'pedalable' but is super fun on longer downhills. Will we see it in NORBA Super D races in 2006?
• Industry insiders lined up outside the Giant MTB demo tent to get a chance to ride Giant's new three-inch cross country bike, the Anthem.
• Hutchinson held a mechanics competition at Outdoor Demo: the 2005 "get it on" tyre mounting Challenge. Les Welch from Harrisonburg, Virginia (R) won the final.
• Dahon makes a steel-framed 26" hardtail that uses Ritchey's break-away clamping, so that it folds into a piece of luggage you can check-in on any airline.
• The lower half of the Ritchey break-away system involves a removeable collar and cables that seperate just above the bottom bracket. The second breaking point is at the seattube/top tube junction.

Part 1

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Images by James Huang

• Here's one we prepared earlier... Giant worked with pro riders Adam Craig and Rune Hoydahl to fine-tune prototypes before production versions were finalized.
• Radically hydroformed tubes are lightweight, yet also increase strength without the need for heavy and redundant gussets.
• Production lower link is forged as two halves, then welded to produce a hollow centre section for lighter weight
• Anthem uses a pair of short links to achieve the desired axle path. Adam Craig's prototype frame used machined upper and lower links, but production versions are lighter (and stronger) forged units.
• Giant was more than ready to go for the demo with a small army of Anthems (and other models) prepped for test rides.