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Interbike Show
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, September 24 - 28, 2007
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Part 2 - September 25: It's cyclo-cross time!
By James Huang in Boulder City, NV
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The Interbike OutDoor Demo wrapped up today in Boulder City, NV. The new venue definitely provided a more inviting and open atmosphere (you could actually walk through the aisles without fear of getting run over by a demo bike), but even liberal fresh pavement and artful landscaping couldn't keep the dust at bay.
Nevertheless, 'cross bikes are already a-flowin' at this year's show, which seemed particularly appropriate given the upcoming Cross Vegas race to be held tomorrow night. The inaugural event has already landed a star-studded start list, too, with top male riders to include Jonathan Page (Sunweb-Projob), Ryan Trebon (Kona), Tim Johnson (Cannondale), and Barry Wicks (Kona), and female riders Katie Compton (Spike), Georgia Gould (Luna Chix), and Katerina Nash (Luna Chix). Be sure to check back with us later tonight to see how things played out over the barriers of Las Vegas! Litespeed debuts latest 'cross machine
Litespeed's new CX model looked ready to race with its Geometrically Enhanced Tubeset and clean lines. Large-diameter diamond-shape profiles are used at both ends of the down tube and at the front end of the top tube, and the S-bend stays incorporate a tidy brake cable hanger up top. As usual, the welds were impeccably neat and clean.
The particular CX we spotted actually belonged to Team Maxxis mechanic Adam McGrath, who had it intelligently built up with Easton's EC90X fork, Dura-Ace componentry (including a single Rotor Q-Ring), an Easton Orion II wheelset, and Paul Touring cantilevers. Still think titanium is dead? McGrath's machine was well under 7.7kg (17lbs), and could have easily been lighter with a swap to carbon tubulars. Bam!
Jamis Supernova lightens up
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Jamis' Jesse Anthony will head to Cross Vegas aboard an updated Jamis Supernova built with a Kinesium aluminum tubeset and new lighter chain stays that shed 50g from last year's model. A flattened top tube is easier on the shoulder, and the front end is still graced with Easton's capable all-carbon EC90X fork.
For 2008, Jamis is equipping its top-end Supernova Team with SRAM's highly competitive Rival group, which offers nearly all of the performance benefits of Force but with just a marginal weight increase and much-improved pricing structure. The stock machine will be fully race-ready yet will command just US$1850 at the cash register.
Xpedo Twins pedals offer jump-and-go engagement
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Xpedo is decidedly more of a fringe player when it comes to clipless pedals, but its new Twins model looks particularly appealing with its dual-hinged engagement mechanism. Those of you who remember Shimano's original M737 pedals likely remember their uncannily easy step-and-go engagement procedure. There was no 'toe first' entry required, since both the front and rear jaws could pivot open to accept the cleat from nearly any angle.
The new Xpedo Twins model can be set up as a conventional clipless pedal with just the movable rear jaw, but we're not sure why you'd want to do that since they can also be configured with movable front and rear jaws, possibly making it among the easiest pedals to re-engage after a quick remount in a slippery barrier section.
The Twins pedal is offered in a variety of flavors, with the top model offering triple cartridge bearings and a titanium spindle. Stay tuned for an upcoming long-term test on these, folks.
Cannondale expands 29er lineup
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Okay, so it's not a 'cross bike, but this still strikes us as newsworthy anyway. After a successful foray into the big-wheeled market in 2007 with its mid-level Caffeine 29'er, Cannondale beefs up its 2008 29” line with four new models. Among the 140 bikes offered in Cannondale's OutDoor Demo fleet was the top-of-the-line 29'er 1, which uses the same frame as last year's Caffeine (which was already quite good) but brings a slightly higher end component group and the highly droolable Lefty Speed Carbon SL fork. Components include SRAM X-9 trigger shifters and rear derailleur, Avid Juicy 7 brakes, and WTB Laserdisc Trail FR wheels.
After spending some time on last years Caffeine 29'er, the '08 improvements were easily noticeable on the trail, especially in regards to the lighter weight. In spite of the rigid aluminum hardtail frame, the 29” wheels delivered a surprisingly comfortable and predictable ride over the rocky singletrack at Bootleg Canyon. The unconventional Lefty fork still takes some getting used to, but the superb ride quality is well worth the adjustment period. Suggested retail pricing for the 29'er 1 is set at US$2499.
Last year's Caffeine 29'er transforms into the 29'er 2, albeit with a new flame paint scheme. The more reasonable component spec for the 2 centers around the Lefty Speed Bonded DLR2 fork, SRAM X-5 trigger shifters, X-7 rear derailleur and WTB Speed Disc rims, and brings the suggested retail price down to just $1699.
For those of you who still have trouble changing gears (or just don't like them) Cannondale also will add the 29'er 3 singlespeed. Suspension duties are handled by the Lefty Speed Bonded DLR2 fork; braking is handled by the Avid BB5 mechanical discs, wheels are the WTB Dual Duty FR, and cranks are Truvativ Firex SS. Retail price for the 29'er 3 is $1599. /JD
Photography
For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here
Images by James Huang/Cyclingnews.com
- The Jamis Supernova Team loses 50g…
- …but retains the carbon fiber seat stays…
- …and gains a SRAM Rival group.
- The rear brake housing stop is cleanly integrated into the seat clamp.
- Litespeed's CX machine utilizes a GET tubeset and can easily produce a sub-17lb finished package.
- The down tube morphs into a diamond shape at the bottom bracket.
- A diamond-shaped top tube joins the head tube up front.
- The down tube runs almost the entire width of the bottom bracket shell.
- Cleanly welded and capped dropouts are a Litespeed trademark,
- The rear brake housing stop is located dead center on the seat stays.
- Xpedo's Twins pedal looks pretty standard…
- …but offers a unique dual-hinged design that should provide easier entry.
Images by Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us
- Cannondale expands its line of 29" hardtails to four for 2008.
Images by James Huang/Cyclingnews.com
- The race-winning Foes DHS Mono is available with an air shock for 2008…
- …which sheds a full pound in the process over a standard coil-over model with a titanium spring.
- Foes showed off this prototype hardtail at the OutDoor Demo.
- The Foes hardtail is still a prototype , but avid consumer feedback might warrant its production.
- Heavily shaped tubing is a characteristic Foes feature.
- The prototype hardtail boasted beefy-looking dropouts.
- Hmm… and by the way , what kind of repair stand is that mounted on?
- Foes also debuted this pneumatically operated repair stand that opened and closed with a foot pedal. Clamping pressure can be tweaked by an adjustable regulator, and the stand has a built-in outgoing compressor line for use with common air tools.
- Lezyne offers a plethora of multitools in a variety of shapes, features, and materials.
- Tool bits aren't just wrapped around the pivot pin but are rather forged and drilled. Smaller bits are L-shaped for easier access to common bolts.
- Got a Mavic wheel? Then you probably have use for one of these spline spoke wrenches.
- Lezyne's hydration packs include some unique thinking…
- …including a very handy-looking organizer section.
- The bladder uses a sturdy 'zip top' closure for easy cleaning.
- The bite valve is of Lezyne's own design.
- How much work can you put into designing a mini pump? Plenty, apparently, if Lezyne's new models are any indication.
- The new Polarpak bottle includes a mud cover and bite valve for convenient sipping.
- The chilled Polarpak keeps liquids cooler than standard bladders.
- Polarpak's bladders can also be fitted with a 0.3µ filter or shower head attachment.
- The pressurized MoFlow bladder can easily convert into a powered sun shower.
- Spyder debuted a line of cycling clothing at this year's OutDoor Demo.
- The clothing is mostly geared towards impact protection as it includes the intriguing D3O material which stiffens up under impact.
- The D3O material is integrated in a variety of strategic locations and covered with durable fabrics.
- Fi'zi:k served up new saddles and free gelato at this year's OutDoor Demo! Lemon was our favorite… yum.
- Fi'zi:k's Suzette Ayotte also made the rounds in a mobile cart. Gelato, anyone?
- Tucked away in the Rotor booth was this all-carbon frame from new company Kirklee.
- Tubing is supplied by Easton for this clean-looking machine.
- Is it any good? We can't tell you for sure, but it at least looks the part.
- ATC/Nuvinci has yet to come out with a truly lightweight model , but at least manages to lop 300g from last year's model thanks mostly to some internal changes.
- Hubs are compatible with both six-bolt rotors or drum brakes depending on the configuration.
- What on earth are these things? Tire Balls replace a standard inner tube with a series of individual cells.
- The individual cells need to be inflated separately one by one , but virtually guarantee that you'll never experience a total failure. How much does it cost, though? Proposed pricing is a whopping US$150 per wheel.
- Formula showed off a new aluminum-and-stainless steel rotor at this year's OutDoor Demo.
- Rotor continues to forge ahead on the lightweight path with its new seatpost head design.
- Deuter and Nuun hydration have teamed up for 2008. All Deuter packs will now include a free tube of Nuun.
- Nuun will offer its self-mixing electrolyte drink tablets in bigger sizes for 2008. The standard tablets will still be offered.
- OutDoor Demo is always an excellent venue for showing off nutritional supplements, and PowerBar and Nuun take full advantage here.
- Accelerade is now offered in ready-to-drink varieties , including new flavors Peach Mango and Citrus Grapefruit.
- What the??? Not quite sure what to make of these.
- Cervélo's booth was equipped with a sweet start ramp to send demo riders on their merry way.
- What was the hottest booth of this year's OutDoor Demo? Without a doubt, it had to be Spot Brand/Carbon Drive Systems, as nearly everyone was clamoring to sample its new polychain drivetrain.
