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Interbike show
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, September 22-26, 2008
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Part 14 - October 7, 2008: Tons more new gear from Interbike
By James Huang
Parlee and others form 'mini-NAHBS' at Interbike
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Edge Composites had one of the most talked-about booths at the show what with nearly a dozen stunning bikes from several premium niche builders such as Independent Fabrications, Vanilla Bicycles, Rüe Sports, Crumpton Cycles, KirkLee Bicycles and Temple Cycles, all of which use either tubing and/or componentry from the up-and-coming company from Ogden, Utah.
Among the most striking examples was a pair of bikes from Parlee that included a long awaited 'cross rig. The bike is based on Parlee's Z2/Z3 road frame and borrows much of its DNA such as the signature tube-and-lug construction, impeccable finish work, carbon housing stops and titanium dropouts. Naturally though, this new creation isn't just a road frame with cantilever bosses tacked on.
The 'cross frame wears a new rear end that was designed by Bob Parlee (and built by Edge) to allow more tire clearance. Geometry has also been suitably adjusted and the top-routed cables run through new carbon housing stops.
As is usually the case with Parlee, both geometry and ride characteristics are fully customizable and frames are already in production. According to Parlee Cycles' Tom Rodi, frame weights range from just under 1000g to around 1200g.
Parlee also displayed the latest development in its time trial frame project which looked distinctively more production-ready than earlier samples we've seen. The head tube wears a more pronounced aero cross-section than before and its slight upper extension is set up for fully guided internal cable routing.
The previously integrated seat mast has also been traded for a more conventional telescoping design with a multi-position head that should easily accommodate both time trial and triathlon-style setups. The rear brake caliper is neatly positioned behind the bottom bracket below the chain stays.
Expanded range of componentry from Edge Composites
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Of course, Edge had its own range of items on hand as well. New for '09 is a shallow carbon tubular rim that measures just 24mm deep and weighs only 220g. Depending on what hubs are used, these would easily build up into a sub-1kg wheelset.
Edge is also continuing to expand beyond the carbon rim world with a line of componentry that includes road and mountain handlebars, seatposts and road and 'cross forks.
The new drop handlebar looks particularly interesting with its semi-anatomic drops, slightly downsloping tops and unique bullet-shaped ends that Edge's Kevin Nelson says fits better in the palm of your hands. The only round section on the entire bar is in the stem clamp area and the well-recessed double cable grooves should work well with the newest crop of levers. Claimed weight is 200-210g depending on size.
The seatpost won't be available until the spring but looks to be a good design. The mast and head are all made from a single piece of carbon and the entire head is also carbon save for the titanium hardware. The clamp mechanism reminds us a bit of USE's Alien head though the hardware is substantially stouter-looking and looks like it'll be easier to access.
Projected weight is around 160-170g and Edge will eventually offer it in 27.2mm and 31.6mm sizes, all in a versatile 350mm length.
Lots of new wheels from Crankbrothers
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Crankbrothers' unique Cobalt wheelset has spawned three additional models that now span the full intended use range from cross-country to downhill. All of the wheels will use Crankbrothers' unique 'Y'-shaped rim extrusion and externally attached twinpair steel-and-aluminum spoke concept.
The Opium downhill and Sage freeride models share most of their components, including the new thru-axle front and rear hubs and 24mm-wide rim extrusion. The Sage leaves its central rib at full-height though, while the Opium's is milled down a bit to shave a few grams and slightly soften the ride. Claimed weight on the Opium is 2062g (956g front, 1106g rear); the Sage is slightly heavier at 2172g (1011g front, 1161g rear).
Alternatively, the more versatile Iodine all-mountain wheelset's 21mm-wide rim extrusion falls in between those of the 19mm-wide Cobalt and Sage/Opium. The quick-release rear hub is matched to a convertible front hub that can be used with either 20mm thru-axle or 9mm quick-release forks.
Claimed weight on the Iodine is 1895g (870g front, 995g rear) and the suggested retail price for all of the new wheels is US$1,000.
Crankbrothers obtained an exclusive license for Maverick's novel Speedball adjustable seatpost and now has done what the Colorado-based company was never able to do. Crankbrothers has now introduced a 27.2mm size of the handy Joplin post that is not only available in both remote and lever versions but also includes a longer adjustment range of 100mm. Both of the 27.2mm posts also wear a new head design.
Finally, last year's intriguing Directset headset concept now includes a 1.5" variant of the Sage freeride model. Claimed weight is still a very impressive 129g and retail price jumps to US$140.
Zipp ZedTech custom program to use broader palette for '09
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We already showed you most of Zipp's new lineup for 2009 but now have a few more details on its custom ZedTech program. As in previous years, Zipp will continue to offer performance-enhancing tweaks such as the lighter SL rim laminate or stiffer SS lay-up and optional hybrid ceramic bearings.
In addition to the usual assortment of spoke nipple color choices though, the
new 188 hubs will add six anodized color options for the dust caps and bearing
adjustment collars. Moreover, rim decals can now be produced in any mix of hues
from the Pantone scale.
Photography
For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here
Images by James Huang/Cyclingnews.com
- Edge Composites' new tubular carbon fiber rim measures just 24mm-deep and reportedly weighs just 220g each.
- The new Edge seatpost is nearly 100 percent carbon fiber with the only exceptions being the titanium hardware.
- The unique twin-bolt design is similar to USE's Alien head but with a novel twist.
- The Edge Composites road handlebar is competitively light at 200-210g.
- Deep double grooves should hide cables well.
- Edge says the rounded ends fit better in the palms of your hands.
- The included plugs finish things off nicely.
- Edge Composites hosted their own little 'mini-NAHBS' show in their Interbike booth.
- The new Parlee cyclo-cross bike is based on the Z2/Z3 road line and is available with the same broad range of custom options.
- The rear end is purpose-built for the 'cross bike by Edge Composites.
- Parlee even crafted a set of triple housing stops for the top tube of the new 'cross bike.
- Neatly-cut titanium dropouts finish off the rear end.
- It's a small detail but one that can mean the difference between a solid front shift and one that barely functions at all.
- The bridgeless chain stays offer ample tire clearance.
- This Parlee road bike was custom-finished for Arizona retail Fairwheel Bikes by Texas painter Dave Sem.
- The Storck Stiletto fork is among the lightest around.
- The custom finish isn't just reserved for the frame.
- Even the AX-Lightness saddle and post are painted to match.
- And yes, the rear derailleur and rims get similar treatment.
- The latest incarnation of Parlee's TT frame looks ready to go.
- Aero tube shapes are used throughout.
- The sculpted head tube now also provides the entry point for the internally routed housing.
- Parlee has swapped the earlier version's integrated post for a more conventional telescoping design.
- The rear brake caliper is neatly tucked away behind and below the bottom bracket shell.
- Also on hand in the Edge booth was this superlight carbon creation from Nick Crumpton.
- What? Independent Fabrications is making bikes from wood now?
- No, no, these tubes are actually carbon fiber but finished in a wood veneer. Trick stuff.
- Brent Ruegamer was another guest in the Edge Composites booth with this eye-catching carbon hardtail.
- The Cannondale Lefty fork and even the handlebar and stem combination were all finished to match.
- This looks like a mechanic's nightmare.
- Anyone else remember these? Yes indeed, Ruegamer even saw fit to polish a set of old Coda Magic cranks.
- This single-speed 'cross bike from Vanilla Bicycles was apparently inspired by Evel Knievel.
- Though we've seen Sacha White's creations on numerous occasions they never cease to amaze us.
- Another Edge client on hand was Temple Cycles whose bespoke bicycles are among the most over-the-top we've seen.
- We hope the painter was compensated well for all of these dots.
- KirkLee's customer list includes none other than Tyler Hamilton but the company also does mountain bikes as well.
- New builder October also chooses Edge carbon fiber tubing.
- Whoa. We spotted ee Cycleworks' new eebrake in the Edge booth and were quickly smitten with the design. Look for a full review in the near future.
- Zipp's ZedTech range of custom options now includes rim decals available in virtually any hue.
- The new 188 hubs should not only work better but are more customizable than before.
- Zipp's Flash Point range will carry on for 2009.
- Crankbrothers expands on its wheel range with the new Opium, Sage and Iodine models.
- The DH-specific Opium includes a thru-axle rear hub.
- The versatile Iodine model uses an in-between 21mm-wide rim.
- The Iodine front hub can be used with either 20mm thru-axle or 9mm quick-release forks.
- The Sage freeride model is similar to the Opium but leaves more of the rim extrusion intact for more strength.
- The original Cobalt cross-country wheelset is now available with an optional adapter for use on 15mm thru-axle forks.
- Crankbrothers was granted the exclusive license for Maverick's Speedball adjustable post design last year and now adds long-awaited 27.2mm models to the range.
- The new 27.2mm models offer a longer 100mm adjustment range and also use a new seatpost head design.
- Crankbrothers' novel split lever design finds its way on to seatpost clamps for 2009.
