The Big Show in T.O.
A North Shorish Look at 2001 Product Offerings
Didn't bring the digital camera. Stupid, stupid, stupid.

Cam,

I'm afraid I've got some bad news. It looks like bicycle design has grown stagnant.

I went to the Toronto 'Industry Bicycle Show' yesterday and have never been to a quieter trade show ever. No buzz on the floor. Everyone was there and it still felt like there was nothing to see. The only thing worth mentioning from the show was that I saw some footage from both 'New World Disorder' and 'NSX4'. Bender's not all there - is he?

None of the bikes at the show seemed so exciting that I absolutely had to have one. I want a bike that I can race DH with and still ride technical trails (both up and down). I currently ride a '99 Kona Stinky with a Mr. T fork and Hayes brakes and love it but want to keep current and new (and slightly bigger/badder). Here's some hi/lo-lights of the show - my opinions only so don't get upset or insulted and start flamin' me.

Norco

Saw the new Norco Shore bikes for real and was actually a little disappointed. The bikes are nice and well spec'd but the 'Shore' actually looked a little 'cheap'. Don't ask me why 'cause I can't put my finger on it yet but it wasn't as impressive as I had hoped. It also looks like it had a really steep head angle which won't lend itself to DH racing very well, probably excellent for technical trail riding though. Haven't seen the actual frame numbers yet so we'll see. Also, the improvements to the linkage are great and all but we're still just talking about the same ol' Specialized design. Nothing really earth shattering there.

To make up for it, Norco totally blew me away with the 'Supercross' bikes. Freakin' cool machines. Not at all what I want but damn nice spec and look. If I raced DS I'd have to buy 2. One for the wall in my living room and the other to ride. I hope someone I know buys one so I can play on it!

Brodie

The Brodie '8-ball' looks promising but is spec'd with a 'Shiver' which is probably overkill for the trails and I'm not sure I like the whole linkage on the downtube idea. Makes me nervous. However, for those who want that 'Shiver' fork, it's a real affordable bike for what you're getting. I don't want to throw around inaccurate info. but I think it is supposed to retail for around $4800.00CAN.

Kona

The Kona's are pretty ho-hum. Everyone commented on the Stab's V brake spec (in a negative way) but otherwise their lineup has some nice parts. They've put 'Klump' tubing in place of Easton RAD and changed graphics. Same old 4-bar linkage - which works really well. I really can't say enough about how well my Stinky has held up and performed. Maybe a 'Stab' with Hayes will fit the bill?

Rocky Mountain

Rocky didn't do anything new other than change the RM6dh to an RM7 (unless you'd call the 'Slayer' new? I'd call it 5 years old!). Mind you, the RM design is still pretty fresh so what was I really hoping for? Maybe an RM7 would be nice?

Giant

Giant had their new 'freeride' models on display. Spec'd with RockShox shocks. Nuff said.

I don't know what to do and I'm getting depressed about the whole thing. I don't mean to come off sounding like some 'crusty old bastard'. Maybe I was expecting too much? I mean, how many suspension designs can there be that actually have real benefits for the ride?

I know what I'm going to do - I'm gonna film myself hucking the 15 footer and send the mpeg video clip to nsmb.com. Then I'm gonna go riding with the Kona rep on Sunday. Then I'm gonna go riding with the Brodie rep on Tuesday. They're going to be blown away with the trails and be so happy that they'll both give me a free bike. A 'Stab Primo' for DH racing and an '8-ball' with a Super T for freeriding. Then I'll train my ass off and clean the whole O-Cup series and turn pro. The money'll come pouring in from endorsements and winnings and I'll retire at 30 (that's next year). My wife will always be happy with me and let me ride long, long hours with the kids and everyone will cheer when I ride by. They'll say, "There goes Dave, the happiest guy I know. And it all started when he dropped that 15 footer!."

Sorry - started day dreaming there. I've got to get back to work.

Article by our Ontario Correspondent Dave Drenth