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Interbike Show
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, September 24 - 28, 2007
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Part 11: Good deeds and great style in Vegas
By Mark Zalewski, North American Editor in Las Vegas, Nevada
Pedro's keeps on 'greening'
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In keeping with its ongoing environmentally friendly theme, Pedro's continues to work to reduce the impact of its product line. Its new Go! biodegradable chain lubricant, combined with the company's Green Fizz and Orange Peelz cleaners and a little elbow grease, will keep your machine sparkling clean and running smoothly while also keeping your environmental conscience clear. Also lessening waste is Pedro's nifty new Ethik saddle bag, made from high-purity HDPE (high density polyethylene). The bag is designed to be long-lasting, but when it does finally come time to replace it, just yank out the straps and drop the rest into the recycling container.
Some may question why Pedro's doesn't use recycled materials in the construction of the Ethik to begin with, but according to Chris Zigmont of Pedro's, the low-impurity plastic content greatly enhances its ability to be reformed into something else, whereas nearly all recycled HDPE materials can't easily be reused given the amount of superfluous 'junk' it usually contains.
Pedro's also worked to make this year's Interbike trade show itself a little greener along the way, giving away several hundred compact fluorescent light bulbs to visitors. Zigmont said the total amount distributed was roughly equivalent to 160 tons of CO2 over the life of the bulbs, enough to offset its own carbon footprint generated from attending the show.
Pedro’s also debuted a retrofittable version of its burly ROCKStand repair stand head for shop mechanics that prefer the design but are already outfitted with an industry-standard base. The PRC-1 is designed to fit into the ubiquitous Park Tool shop stand receiver and comes with Pedro’s usual three-year unconditional guarantee against wear and breakage as well as a lifetime warranty against manufacturer's defects.
Nalini does retro casually and tastefully
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So what do you do if you've just finished your race and are awaiting the pageantry of standing on the awards podium (or watching your buddy who actually won the race), but don't want to keep wearing that chamois? Well, you could throw on the old sweatpants and t-shirt you have in your car, or go Italian style circa the 1970s with Nalini's new line of casual wear. The look is all retro but the material is all moderno.
Albabici, the importers of Nalini in the U.S., had a whole line of his and hers casual wear that would look great pre- or post race, or even just for a Sunday morning jaunt down to your local coffee source. Because let's face it, actual cycling clothes are made to look good on a bike, not necessarily off of it.
The Cesco (US$195) is a full-zip 100% heavy cotton sweater, while the Amedeo (US$155) is more of a cotton stretch t-shirt with a 1/4 zip. Nalini addresses your lower half with Vanny (US$150), which uses a cotton and polyester blend with straight and open cuffs at the ankle.
The equally eye-catching women's collection includes the Mary (US$195), a brushed heavy cotton zip sweater, and the Cinzia (US$140) brushed heavy cotton pants, available in two colours. All of these heavy cotton items arrive just in time for the upcoming cyclocross season!
Giant stands by its women
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Just over two months ago, Giant-sponsored gravity rider Tara Llanes crashed heavily in her semi-final heat at the Jeep KOM race in Beaver Creek, Colorado, leaving her with a severely injured back and damaged spinal cord. As of right now, Llanes still doesn't have feeling or appreciable movement below her waist, but (not surprisingly to those that know her) she hasn't given up hope of a full recovery. As she begins her long road of rehabilitation and therapy, the Giant for Women crew arranged for a modest 'get well' card for Interbike visitors to sign.
In continuing its theme of standing by women, Giant also showed a continued effort in developing women's specific bicycles at this year's Interbike. The Aeryn is a new carbon/aluminum aero-tubed multisport and time trial frame designed specifically for women, featuring compact geometry and a range of three sizes. The suggested retail price of US$2,100 keeps it within a reasonable price range, but the blend of Shimano 105 and Ultegra componentry helps ensure that it is race-ready.
According to Giant, the Aeryn is meant to improve upon the foundation that the TCR CW road bike has built and serves as a strong sign of the company's future intentions on the women's side of things. Apparently, the next target is the 'pure road' market, but we'll have to wait and see what awaits us next season.
Photography
For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here
Images by Mark Zalewski/Cyclingnews.com
- The newest addition to Pedro's biodegradable line of bike care products is its new Go! lube, which features a natural canola oil base.
- Pedro's latest 'bright idea' was to give away hundreds of compact fluorescent light bulbs at this year's Interbike show.
- Chris Zigmont of Pedro's isn't as electrifying as he thinks he is!
- Pedro's new Ethik bag is made of high-purity HDPE , the same stuff that milk jugs are made from. The low-impurity content also makes them similarly easy to recycle. Got bag?
- The PRC-1 replacement repair stand clamp features a three-year limited warranty and lifetime defect warranty.
- The new Nalini Amedeo cotton stretch t-shirt includes a 1/4-length zipper.
- The Vanny is a cotton and polyester blend pant with straight and open cuffs at the ankle.
- For the ladies, Nalini offers the Mary brushed heavy cotton zip sweater and the Cinzia brushed heavy cotton pants, available in two colours.
- Nalini's designer models the Cesco full-zip 100% heavy cotton sweater.
- A 'giant' get well card for Tara Llanes from Giant and the people at Interbike.
- Lots of well-wishers signed the card.
- Giant for Women's entry into the multisport and time trial arena, the Aeryn.
