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Interbike Show
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, September 24 - 28, 2007
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Part 18: The last of the bikes from Interbike 2007
Edited by James Huang
More integrated seatpost designs from Look
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Look brings the integrated 'E-Post' design of its top-end 595 down to a more reasonable price point with the introduction of its new 586. At a claimed weight of 940g (with an uncut seat mast), the new 586 will actually be the lightest in Look's line and features 'Very High Modulus' carbon monocoque construction and compressed carbon rear dropouts with a replaceable hanger. As on the 595, the 586's E-Post will include vibration-damping elastomer inserts (available in three different densities to tune the ride quality) and an adjustable-offset head.
Up front, Look outfits the 586 with its newly patented Head Fit headset system, which supposedly simplifies headset and stem adjustments by making the two completely independent and also shaving 40g from a conventional threadless arrangement in the process. The system features pressed in bearings and a single lock nut that threads on to a unique HSC6 steerer tube, thus allowing the user to change stems if needed without affecting the headset adjustment as well as pack a bike for travel more easily.
Look also includes a modified version of its integrated E-Post design for its new mountain bike entry, the 986 hardtail. The monocoque front triangle is joined to the separately molded rear end with tube-to-tube technology, and the rear end is finished off with aluminum rear dropouts. Flattened sections on both the chain stays and seat stays supposedly improve the frame's vertical compliance, which works in conjunction with the elastomer stack in the reversible E-Post to take the edge off of the non-suspended design. Look says that it designed the new bike with weight, comfort and accurate handling in mind which should suit either the pro racer or weekend warrior alike. Look will offer the 986 as both a bare frame (with a claimed weight of just 1200g) or as a complete bike with retail pricing on the top-level SRAM X.0 build quoted at US$5499.
Also new from Look this year is the Quartz mountain bike pedal. The Quartz incorporates a unique 'uni-wire design' (at least that's what we're calling it) which melds the retention bars and spring into a single loop that has been bent and tensioned to provide a positive locking situation. The novel retention system, large platform, and open architecture is said to provide a stable shoe platform while still excelling at clearing mud and rocks in those nasty off-road conditions. /JD
Lynskey Performance Designs sticks to its titanium roots
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The Lynskey family founded Litespeed Titanium Components back in 1986, and after selling the company in 1999, recently re-entered the bicycle world recently with the eponymous Lynskey Performance Designs. Even in today's decidedly carbon-oriented world, Lynskey continues to preach the virtues of titanium, which it says is longer lasting and more customizable while offering nearly the same level of performance. Unlike many other titanium fabricators, Lynskey chooses to use aerospace-grade 6/4 and 3/2.5 titanium alloys solely milled in the US.
Lynskey offers a broad range of stock frames in a similarly comprehensive range of disciplines that includes road, mountain, triathlon, cyclocross, and touring, but it is primarily concentrating on its custom builds. The buying process includes a thorough fit by a Lynskey dealer and an interview by David Lynskey himself, iterations of proposed geometries and configurations, and finally the all-important decision of how the frame should be finished. According to Lynskey, "Painted, not painted, flames, panels, brushed, etched, personalized, you name it and we can do it. There are no limits other than your imagination."
Spot Brand and Carbon Drive Systems team up for winning combination
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One of the hottest areas at this year's show, both indoors and out, was the joint Spot Brand/Carbon Drive Systems booth. Spot Brand has long enjoyed a loyal following for its quality singlespeed frames, but the addition of Carbon Drive Systems' 'polychain' transmission promises to place the company front-and-center under a searing spotlight.
The toothed belt is molded from polyurethane and reinforced with carbon fiber strands that both keep it from stretching (thus robbing power) and increase its durability. The matching machined aluminum chainring and cogs are aggressively ported for mud and grime evacuation and are available in a variety of sizes for tenability and fitment on a wide range of crankarms. Unfortunately, the belt can't be separated in its current form so a special dropout is required. A steel 'keyhole' version is already available for interested framebuilders, though, and aluminum and titanium versions are already in development.
Carbon Drive Systems claims the belt, chainring, and cog weigh just 180g in total, and the belt can last up to 16,000km (10,000mi). According the CDS' Nick Howe, the company has been inundated with enquiries from interested framebuilders so we wouldn't be surprised if a number of these were to appear on bikes at the upcoming North American Handmade Bicycle Show in February. Stay tuned…
Temple Cycles: how custom do you want it?
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In today's bicycle world, there are custom bikes, and then there are custom. Boulder, CO-based Temple Cycles definitely fits more into the latter category, with an annual frame output of just two dozen pieces and a certifiable claim that no two creations are exactly alike.
Basic frame configurations include the titanium-and-carbon or steel-and-carbon Colibri, the integrated seatmast Kaana in either steel or titanium-and-carbon, and the all-steel or all-titanium Kachi. Save for those fundamental starting points, though, Temple Cycles can apparently accommodate anything else you could dream of.
Take the J30 'Connecticut Cutter', commissioned by a dealer in CT that wanted their bike themed after a specific racing yacht. Temple Cycles started with a custom steel-and-carbon Colibri frame, then applied teak veneer (yes, that teak) and frame and component logos fully redone in nautical flags. The Deda Newton handlebar and Thomson seatpost (with a now-defunct M2Racer cradle) are custom chromed, and the Selle Italia C64 saddle and handlebar are both wrapped in sail cloth.
Now in its sixth year of production, Temple Cycles apparently doesn't have much desire to get too much bigger, as that would almost certainly cut into its ability to dedicate as much time to each creation as it does currently. According to company co-owner Lance Johnson, "Our goal is to make it not about the bits and pieces; it's about the bicycle as a complete entity."
Photography
For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here
Images by
Jonathan Devich/
- The new Look 586 incorporates the new "Head Fit" system which keeps the headset in place without a stem.
- The Look 586 also comes in red.
- The E-Post offers a wide range of forward/aft adjustment and a range of elastomer spacers to help fine-tune the ride.
- A look at the new Head Fit system which uses a simple bottom bracket tool to keep the fork and bearings in place with the need for a compression plug.
- The Look 585 Elle has been geared towards women and smaller riders with a shortened top tube and taller lugged head tube.
- A cutaway of the front end of a Look shows the full carbon steerer that Look helped revolutionize as well as the new Head Fit system to keep everything together.
- Look's new MTB offering, the 986.
- The rear stays of the Look 986 are bonded to aluminum dropouts.
- Smooth styling where the seat tube intersects with the top tube and seat stays provide a simple and rigid rear end.
- Extra carbon was added up front for precise handling.
- Elastomer inserts on the E-Post provide a little bit of shock absorption.
- The rear brake caliper mount is integrated into the non-drive dropout.
- Look's top-end Quartz Carbon Ti pedals use a carbon body and titanium axle for a claimed weight of just 99g each.
- Look is helping out the Laneo organization with every sale of its special edition Keo Sport Laneo pedal. Donated funds help keep open air sporting areas open and maintained.
- Spot Brand and Carbon Drive Systems revealed its new belt drive system as well as the cog and chainring options to go with it.
- The front end of the stylish Carbon Drive Systems setup.
- The carbon-and-polyurethane 'polychain' can't be broken, so it must be installed on the frame through a special 'keyhole' dropout.
- A closer look at the Carbon Drive Systems belt drive. The belts are made by the same company and with the same technology that Ducati uses on its motorcycles so don't worry about snapping one.
- Trick paint on this Spot , courtesy of Spectrum Powder Works in Colorado.
- Phil Wood always has its shiny bits on hand to drool over.
- Niner offers up that traditional steel ride with its M.C.R. 9 (Magic Carpet Ride). Each frame is built with Reynolds 853 tubing and is intended as an all-rounder hardtail.
- Details on the rear dropouts of the One 9. The singlespeed-specific bike keeps the weight to a minimum with a custom Easton Scandium GX2 tube set.
- The Niner R.I.P. 9 (Roll in Peace) offers 4.5" of rear wheel travel.
- Niner goes to great lengths to save every possible bit of weight from its bikes by machining down even the smallest parts.
- The Niner JET 9 was built for the cross country racer with a minimal 80mm of rear wheel travel.
- Niner had this sweet titanium bike set up with nice details at the rear stays.
- Every titanium bike needs a matching ti head tube badge!
- Niner kept the weight down on this ti cross country bike by using a carbon-bladed rigid fork from DT Swiss.
- This says it all.
- Phil Wood shows classic lines on its singlespeed mtb.
- Sycip gives single speed riders some gearing options with this dual chainring setup courtesy of White Industries.
- The matching White Industries dual freewheel and built-in sliding dropouts of Sycip's singlespeed (or is it now a dual-speed?)
- The old school rear end on this Sycip single speed.
- Sycip gets creative with spare change lying around the shop.
- For the commuter in all of us Sycip offers up this retro yet minty fresh around-towner. Even the front and rear racks showed off the beautiful workmanship.
- A closer look at the detailed racks on the Sycip commuter. They're almost too pretty to use!
- Who needs water when you have one of these?
- The Gin & Trombones cross bike from Van Dessel Sports uses a 7005 aluminum front end and carbon fiber seat stays.
- A Ritchey WCS carbon 'cross fork takes the edge off while additional gusseting up front keeps things together.
- Cable housing is kept to a minimum so that things keep running smoothly in the mud.
- Lynskey brought out its new Pro-29 which accommodates either 29" or 650b size wheels.
- An oversized down tube and swooping top tube highlight the Lynskey Pro-29. The frame retails for US$2795 by itself, and Lynskey offers unlimited custom options beyond the base model.
- Titanium is putty in the hands of the Lynskey artists, as seen in the top tube of this custom model.
- Twisting seat stays match the shaped top tube on the Lynskey custom.
- The down tube was also shaped on this Lynskey and coated with a green/purple harlequin paint scheme that changed colors as you walked around it.
- For those brave enough Polar had wind trainer races going on to showcase its new training software.
Images by James Huang/Cyclingnews.com
- How custom do you want it? Temple Cycles can accommodate virtually anything you can imagine.
- This custom creation is covered in teak veneer.
- How many bikes have its own name?
- Even the components are given the bespoke treatment such as this Record crankset which has been completely refinished.
- Some may call it blasphemy , but Temple Cycles considers it necessary for a truly cohesive package.
- This definitely goes beyond the usual just bolt it on' treatment.
- And yes, the flags do spell out 'R-E-C-O-R-D'.
- You didn't think Temple Cycles would just use standard-issue cages, did you? These Arundel Trident models get the same teak veneer as on the frame.
- The Selle Italia C64 saddle is custom covered in sail cloth…
- …as are the chromed Deda Newton handlebars.
- Truss-style M5 brakes are also given the chrome treatment…
- …as are the Nokon cable housings.
- Titanium rear cogs are by Cycle Dynamics , and a cryogenic treatment supposedly delivers 200-400% over standard units.
- Temple Cycles co-owner Lance Johnson's own machine is, not surprisingly, far from a run-of-the-mill offering.
- More wood veneer on tap here.
- Top-end Lightweight wheels help bring the weight of this particular bike down to about 6kg (13lb).
- Hmm… but what have we here? Temple Cycles works closely with Groupe de Tete, who is now set to release its new Hudz line of aftermarket brake hoods.
- Hudz offer up a seemingly more anatomic shape than the original, and are carefully designed to deliver a precise fit.
- Hudz will be available for both Campy and Shimano levers in a wide range of colors.
