IN-TURB-IKE

Knolly bikes first showed us their new DH bike this time last year. It had an elevated pulley positioned in front of the chainring. Shortly after the show the pulley was scrapped and prototyping continued.

This is what the nameless Knolly DH bike looked like in 2008.

The new bike incorporates Knolly’s ‘four by 4’ linkage, swooping hydroformed tubes and a long, low slung attitude – but until today it was without a name. Knolly held a contest to sort out a label for their new ride and the winner was announced today. Check the video to hear Noel himself announce the winning name and the winner.

 

Here Noel uncovers the name of the new bike – trying carefully not to remove the lettering wth the adhesive.

Contest winner Devin Baloux of Calgary wrote in his entry, “simple, to the point, every racer wants to be on the Podium.”

And there is the finished product ready for a bike shop – and a trail – near you.

You never know what’s going to catch fire. DT Swiss – who has a booth that was twice as big as last year – re-engineered the ratchet for their freehub. It’s now hollowed out and has gone from 18 to 36 teeth. That means your engagement happens twice as fast. Because it can be retrofitted into existing wheels distributors sell out of them as soon as they arrive. Photo ~ Cam McRae

This might be the swankiest all mountain (don’t say DH) wheelset you could ever hope for. The rims weigh 400 grams and the entire wheelset comes in at just 1550 grams – but with a full 32 spokes front and rear. They are wide enough to accept a burly tire and short of DH riding the EXC 1550 wheels should be able to handle what you can throw at them. Another number is the price in US dollars: $2800 – without a happy ending. They are available with a 9mm, 15mm or 20mm front hub. Photo ~ Cam McRae

These tubeless ready wheels have direct pull spokes, a clever three piece hub and 24 spokes per end. While they also weigh 1550 grams the XM Tricon wheelset comes in at around US $1200 a pair. These too are available with a 9mm, 15mm or 20mm front hub. DT also has some bargain priced rims and wheels for 2010 including a US$55/630 gram rim that designed for the DH market. Photo ~ Cam McRae

I love tools – and Park make some of the best. This is their new folding aluminum work stand. It’ll toss easily into a cupboard or the trunk of your car – and it’s nice and light. Price in the US should be under $300. Photo ~ Cam McRae

Need a new tool kit? This set up – the EK-1 – includes 35 ‘shop level’ tools in a handy suitcase. There is also room for any extras you may need. Photo ~ Cam McRae

If you need to take your show on the road the optional backpack for the EK-1 suitcase will get your toolage where it needs to be. In the US the kit and case – without the backpack – will set you back around $600. Photo ~ Cam McRae

Is a shock pump too heavy for you to lug around? How about one that is only 84 grams – like the Shock Drive from Lezyne? (shown here extended). Photo ~ Cam McRae

The Lezyne Port-A-Shop – an inexpensive and compact way to start doing your own bike maintenance. Photo ~ Cam McRae

The crew from Evil bikes had a viewing in their suite in the Palazzo tour at the Venetian – and they were showing off a new finish option for the Revolt. This gun metal grey anno is one – and there is also a glowstick yellow version that both Thomas Vanderham and Steve Smith have been riding – plus the black anno and white paint finishes from 2009. There will also be two complete versions of the Evil for this year including one with Fox Shox front and rear that approximates Steve Smith’s World Cup race bike and another ‘Privateer’ build with a more modest spec.

The Faction hardtail rolls out in this green and a brown. The artwork you see on some of the bikes comes from urban illustrator and artist Jeremy Fish.

The Resident urban machine – again with artwork by Jeremy Fish.

This is the bike we can’t show you. The Sect is a 140mm rear travel machine with a 6.5lb frame – including rear shock. The head angle will be adjustable between 66.5 and 68 degrees. Evil is very careful about having things look just right and while this pre-production sample was rideable the tubes and welds aren’t what they should be – so this is the best we could do. With favourable seas these bikes should arrive from the far east in April.

It’s not easy hosting a trade show booth in your hotel room – but having a Venetian-sized bathroom helps.

The aircon was pumping in the Sands – but Fergs was quite happy to help this young lady warm up. Photo ~ Cam McRae

Whoa! Look at that – a fishbowl full of condoms. Photo ~ Cam McRae

A silly yellow bike with enormous wheels escorted around the Sands by these two friendly spokesmodels.

Fergs was asked to pose with these two ladies after they were given what was described as a ‘verbal licking’ by Cedric Gracia. Photo ~ Ed Snyder.

That’s my take on Day 1 from inside the Sands. It’s 7:20 am and we’re just getting ready to do it all again – just for riders like you.

If you’ve got anything to say, any complaints or comments or jeers – point them in this direction…