Miscellaneous finds at Interbike
Garmin had some new toys for bike computers. The have the new 605 and 705, which are color version of the 205 and 305. Another new toy is needed! Ugh. They also have mapping abilities so that you can have a street or topo map as you ride. In addition its easier to get your coordinates. The only thing it didn’t sound like they fixed is that you can’t save a lap if you forgot to archive to your home computer, you still have to delete it to get a fresh one started. I need to ask for an enhancement request for a software update?
I never saw this cool tool from Ritchey called the Torqkey. Its a 4mm allen that has a preset torque thats just right for setting bolts (usually Ti) on seatposts, stems and other lightweight fragile parts. Very cool, need to get me one of those!
Specialized Carbon Stumpjumper. This is a pretty sweet bike, wonder how it rides? I was never a fan of the brain technology even though they have worked out some kinks in the system . I rode a Epic for a year so I do know the system pretty well. They do have more control over things now that they have their own shocks (not sure if they or someone else actually make them).
The Schwalbe’s Furious Fred’s don’t have much tread depth but they sure are light, much more of a hardpack tire for sure. The Racing Ralphs next to them have a new side know called the U-Block that are supposed to help with cornering. I love my Alberts! But man oh man are they the toughest beads to get on a rim. Its can take forever to get one on. My fingers get weak after strangling one on. Doing a Maxxis tire takes 30 seconds and no effort.
The Industry 9 wheelsets looked very sweet. The hubs and their spokes are very trick
I demoed one of the Iron Horse MKIII’s. It had a very nice ride, very much like my Ibis Mojo (not quite but close!) probably due to the DWLink suspension that they both share.
The Sweetskinz stuff looked very cool, my 5 year old would love these tires! Not sure how they ride as a tire but they are lookers!
The Shimano XTR Shadow is very trick, very expensive and very light. I want one! I am always having issues with hitting the cable fixing bolt on my current XTR and then the shifting goes from bad to worse when the cable totally pops out. The new shadow design has the cable fixing bolt back on the rear of the unit. Nothing much else is new in the Shimano world. The XT also gets the Shadow treatment. I didn’t spend to much time at their booth, not enough time.
Show me your Shadow!
Azonic girl. Would you try out their helmet headphone?
Celeb John Tomac showing one of his bikes to the Interbike TV crew.
Fizik was giving away some Italian Gelato all day at the outdoor demo, thanks guys!
Celeb Greg Lemond signing autographs. Greg, so how is Floyd?
Celeb Deadly Nedly Overend, showing his Carbon Stumpy to the Interbike TV guys.
Another Celeb was Phil Liggett that I hung out with as a press junkie. Very nice guy. Kept bumping into him throughout the show. I would pass by and yell hey Phil! Hehehe. Fun! Met him with some Brits in the Press room on the first day at the Sands.
I also hung out with Alison Dunlap at the Maxxis booth one day and when she was signing autographs with the Luna chicks. She is a local rider here in Colorado Springs and I know her and her husband (Greg Frozley). A great couple and 2 world class riders.
