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nsmb's coverage of the biggest bike |
As you've seen from our coverage, Interbike is about components, bikes, and people. But it's also about the things you just happen to see while you're wandering the convention floor. Here are a bunch of things that I saw while I was cruising around the show. Some of it was weird, some of it cool, and some of it was kind of random. You decide which of the things below fit into what category.
e.13 components
e.13 components is becoming a huge player in the OE market with its chainguides.
If you aren't sure why, just check out this photo - pink bash guard. Need I
say more?
Other things coming from Dave Weagle and the gang at e.13 in 2005 are a OnePointFive stem with a special clamping system that's designed to keep your knees safe. This light-weight stem is supposed to be coming in at 193 grams, thanks to a hollow core design, and will be available in 31.8mm and 25.4mm bar diameters. Look for it some time next year.
Word has it that there will also be a pedal from e.13, with a special design that's supposed to eliminate failure due to crushed bearings. Pins can be inserted or removed from either direction, and they're spaced out to distribute traction evenly over the surface of the pedal.
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DT Swiss Hub / spoke / rim manufacturer DT Swiss is expanding its product line this year with freeride/DH goodies that are intended to go head-to-head with Mavic's big-hit Deemax wheels. The new 440 freeride hubs are available in 32 or 36 hole drilling, and use stainless steel bearings and special star ratchets. Standard QR and 20mm/12mm through-axle versions are available. The 12mm rears will fit 135mm, 150mm, and 165mm rear end spacing.
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 DT Swiss 440 freeride hubs for '05 |
 The complete wheel, with 20mm front hub |
There's also a Saint center-lock version with a 20mm front axle and 10mm rear axle, also available in the three different spacing sizes. In addition to hubs and spokes, DT is also offering complete wheelsets, built with the new FR6.1d rims. Weight for these rims is 620g, which is quite reasonable for a DH/freeride rim. You can purchase each of the components - hubs, rims, or the company's highly-regarded spokes - individually or as a complete wheel package. Expect to drop about US$750 for a sweet set of wheels. |
Shimano Rear derailleurs mount the same as Saint, which makes for a strong interface but a headache if you get a flat. Look for a write-up on Hone on the site in the near future. |
 STI shifters - whether you like 'em or not |
The Hone Hollowtech crank and DX pedal
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Norco Argyle is no longer just for old men and golf courses, apparently - watch for it on your next urban session. |
ODI Well, all your favourite Lock-on grips - the new Ruffian MX, the classic Ruffian, Rogue, Intense, and Yeti Hard Core - are now available in red, blue, and that old stand-by, black. ODI has also started making a bar end plug that slides over the outer Lock Jaw clamp. Unfortunately, the urethane plugs are only available in black. |
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 The golden child - X-Type freeride/DH BB |
Race Face You get all the same quality and testing as the higher-end stuff, but at a price that's easier on your wallet. |
You'll be able to pick up Evolve cranks and chainrings, ISIS splined bottom brackets, stems in 30-, 50-, and 70mm lengths with a 10° rise and 31.8mm clamp, a seatpost, and your choice of DH, XC, or flat handlebars.
Although Race Face is still making ISIS splined BBs, the real push is towards the new X-Type BBs with outboard bearings. There are two models available, the XC/all-mountain version and the freeride/DH version. Both are interchangeable with Shimano XT, XTR, and Saint BB cups.
The real benefit of the X-Type is bearings that are 35% larger than internal systems, which makes them considerably more durable. The freeride/DH BB also boasts 35% more thread engagement than the XC version, so you don't need to worry about taking big hits or stripping threads with these babies.
Race Face Evolve DH cranks paired up with that fancy BB
Fans of the Diabolous stem will be happy to hear that it will be available in a whole range of sizes. Reach and rise are the same as the Evolve stems, with OnePointFive, 25.4mm and 31.8mm options at your disposal.
The new Diabolous headset is cromoly, and long flanges mean deep insertion to prevent headtube ovalizing, while the twin-clamp Diabolous seatpost design distributes the loads from sketchy landings more evenly than a single-bolt design.Watch out for Peaty to be ripping it up again in '05 on Race Face components.
| Speedplay For those who don't know, Speedplay makes super high-end clipless pedals for the road and mountain bike sets. This year, however, the company rolled out the Drillium flat pedal, which is just about as much of a departure from what it did in the past as you could imagine. Sure, they look cool, but seriously - why? I'd really like to know. |
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There's more? You betcha - page 2
