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Words and photos by Cam McRae
With four of us roaming the floor we saw more goodies than ever before at Interbike 2007. With the exception of last year we never managed to get everything we checked out to you. So we're keeping the keg flowing until the dregs are gone.
Sombrio seems to keep getting better and better at making clothes that suit riders' fancy. Every year they come out with fresh goods that don't look much like the competition at all. You can also wear your Sombrio kit to the pub for a pint after your ride without looking like a tosser.
Andrea Kraft could have been a spokes model full time. Instead she's the marketing and PR honchess at Sombrio. Here she is posing in the Manchester Jacket. The print is actually taken from satellite images of Manchester and is intended as a tribute to the fine music made by bands like The Stone Roses, Joy Division and The Smiths.
Sombrio's been at it for 10 years and the Decade Ball cap is a commemorative issue.
And this is the Decade glove. Don't wear them when it's wet on A Line. This glove has subtle carbon inserts.
Sombrio is committed enough to grrl riders to give them their own Web site. Sombriogirl.com is where you'll find the goods - although it seems that the 2008 stuff isn't up yet. Sombrio has developed a portion of the women's line to service riders who are more comfortable wearing small men's jerseys. They are clearly made for women but they have an edge as well.
Last year Steve Mitchell had his mountain bike Alien on display at the Sombrio booth. The Alien went to live at Knolly and this lovely lass took the stage instead. It's truly a thing of beauty - and so is Kevin Faw - the man who does the heavy lifting at Sombrio. For more of Steve's work hit bikeartist.ca
The cool thing about this jersey is that it is made entirely out of recycled fibre.
Wade Simmons (right) and Dave Watson were wondering why a Bean Around the World thermos mug ended up in the Dakine booth at Interbike.
Fox Riders Co.
Fox is another clothing company pushing hard to make you feel like a rockstar on your bike. The bike line still sports some moto-inspired looks but there is a trend toward less racy, more casual goods.
When it was warm this summer the Sergeant was just the ticket. Here is a new digi camo look. Sarge comes with a removable liner with a RIDE chamois.
Fox's Rampage helmet is back with this sick new graphic. There is also a John Player Special F1 inspired treatment.
Mitch Chubey - our AIRprentice winner and Drop In cast member - helped me out at Interbike by modelling Fox's new Transition dj lid. Unlike most dj buckets this uses molding technology rather than a heavy poly carbonate outer shell. A nice light head pad. It's also nicely vented without making you look like Thomas Frischknecht.
Fox's Launch pads are some of the nicest I've used. They are light, protective, incredibly easy on and off. On the right is the the new Launch Shorty for those looking for a little less protection.
Fox Riders Co is pushing hard into the women's market as well. Here are two colour ways for the Diva jersey. This garment incorporates Fox's sunglass wipe feature.
Fox Riders didn't know there would be a wrestling theme to the new NWD film - this smackdown graphic was just a well placed coincidence.
These plaid shorts - dubbed Campus - were Greg Fox's idea. And they have been a huge hit.
Mongoose
Any company that recognizes that Steve Romaniuk kicks ass has it going on. Romo first showed up on a Mongoose Black Diamond at Sea Otter and he's been rocking it on Drop In all summer long. Here's some freshness from Mongoose for 2008.
The Khyber is Mongoose's new 6" travel bike. As you may have noticed sixers come in many stripes from long travel XC to Slopestyle to All Mountain to Freeride. The folks at Pacific Cycle (owners of Mongoose, GT and Schwinn) call the Khyber "a Mongoose with more nuts for the bangers." Bouncing a full 6.5" of rear wheel travel, the Khyber is designed with a pedal to the top in mind despite its aggressive pedigree. The "FreeDrive®" technology the Khyber employs is said to eliminate shock compression while eliminating brake jack and boosting lateral stiffness.
A close-up of the Khyber elite. In case you were wondering this ride is named after a now closed trail off the backside of Whistler Mountain. With a little luck we may be planting some flat shoes onto one of these in the not too distant future.
The Mongoose Ritual had to be the prettiest dirt jump ride at the show.
Eric Carter's pro model - The EC-D.
Bike industry Shakers. Harookz (left) talking to Lou Mazzante who took over from Mike Ferrentino as editor of bike when Mike went to massage the brand at Santa Cruz.
There are always things we stumble across in Vegas. Many disappear the following year but occasionally an idea flourishes.
Derek Lahr built this Carbon frame to showcase his infinitely variable transmission. You'd never be between gears again if this works in real life.
Derek's dad (Mr. Lahr!) was your typical proud father. So much so that he went out and bought this trophy for his son. Notice how it doesn't say Interbike on it? It fooled many a journalist and Mr. Lahr thought it was hilarious.
Quamen make bmx bikes and they did this one off DH machine for the show. It's a high-mounted single pivot with linkage bike with a bashguard sandwich for chain management. Don't expect to see this one make it to production. Looks more like they should call it the Bob.
I have to post a road bike or it wouldn't be Interbike. This Cinelli wanted me to take it home but my suitcase was full. This was the Estrada Pro model. Cinelli still makes a chrome lugged steel road frame which would look fabulous over the mantel.
You're probably thinking we're done but with four of us down
there we still have more juicy content to squeeze out. Stay tuned.
I always miss some cool stuff at Interbike - but I guess that's natural considering the place is 600,000 square feet. What did I miss?
