Interbike Preview 2009

This has been a great or crappy or slow or really fast year depending on perspective but one thing’s certain. It’s Interbike time again and here are a few tidbits to look for from this year’s floor.

Want funky right from the Go? How’s a fully adjustable fitting bike that allows you to adjust on the fly…

Serotta and their SICI set will be displaying a few pretty cool gadgets that help shops beyond the brand (not that they won’t have a bike or two on the scene…)

Selle SMP and several brands will be located at Booth 2817-2821 under the Albabici flag.

A few new from SMP will include the Forma (shown) and will vary a bit from the Napa leather covering and padded version down to the 170 gram “CRB”.

Zipp will be showing several updated things in slot 1339 including their new 101…

This is the only Aluminum wheel on the market with a full toroidal shape that is the standard in Zipp’s industry leading aero arsenal. 1484 grams and an aero 30mm profile make this one of the more interesting new bits this year.

Kuota will show a few new models in the line up this year including the new Kult…

Deeper tube sections, an aero mast and a new rear end for the company are a few of the features on this all new bike.

GORE Bike wear will be in slot 2957 and have a full new line of skins including the Countdown AS Vest…

Windstopper is a given but this vest blows the back out with a full mesh panel so that you let out the wet while keeping the worst part of the chill off your chest.

Elitehave loads of cool stuff on hand. Trainers are also a biggie as is their body care kit and of course bottles…

The new Jossa is 550ml and 750ml (superJossa) and has a pretty neat new top that works with a squeeze but should allow splatter. The price will be slightly less than the couple thousand dollars that Elite’s top line (and far-out-cool) top line trainer costs.

Fairlwheel Bikes, the kings of bling (and frequent Pez bail-out providers of parts nobody stocks but they seem to always have) will be on hand at booth 853.

A quick look by a trained geek eye at the picture above will have you scratching your head wondering what’s what. Those of you that are not making notes simply are not worthy of their booth…

Descent will be in slot 2357 and showing their new AVANTI Pro bibs.

They’ll have a whole slew of stuff on hand that is fairly under rated (unless you’ve tried it) including the Avanti that kick in Schoeller Coldblack tech treatment to deflect heat, a new chamois and more. Really, you need to see em…

Santini will also have their new line up presented. While I’m sure I am getting hot guy pictures from Santini now because I made the wrong comment a while back, you should still note the kit…

That’s Biolite upper that is the best use of recycled materials in cycling clothing anywhere (and are dang nice even if they were not green) and Bibs that have some of the best compression I have ever felt while still allowing completely free movement…

LOOK are the fathers of clipless pedal design and have bumped up the funk…

The new Blade is trick kit that I am genuinely pissed I don’t already own. They weigh diddly squat, have an updated platform and if you want to find their booth, Look for a guy with a Pez Shirt, shaved head and a pedal wrench and you’ll find Look close by…

Lazer have a new lid that’s got a tough name to live up to…

The new Helium will be found floating in the air just above Booth number 1756, where you’ll also see the rest of the line of helmets that I think have the best retention system available. If these breathe well, scratch “shaved head” from the Look paragraph above and insert one of these helmets.

GIRO always have a packed house but most folks still think lid. This time you have to give em a hand…

Or two… The new LXLF is just one of several new grippers that Giro are bringing this year as well as an updated eyewear line (that still doesn’t get enough credit…). I’ve lost the booth number but they won’t be hard to spot.

And something I might consider wearing for the show is the new Integrated Jersey drinking system from Camelback.

The VeloBack is a 3 pocket breathable jersey with built in Hydration. No word on capacity yet but this is a pretty neat expansion to the wearable hydration products from Camelback and you can find it (and a new flow meter and a couple more products) at booth 3955.

Topolino is launching two new wheel models with their new TrueBlack™ spokes designed to yield higher tensile stiffness. TrueBlack™ CTR 2.0 is smooth, durable and responsive, and weigh 1360 grams for the set, while the more aero shaped “balances enhanced aerodynamics with stability and control in changing cross-wind conditions.” See ‘em at booth 4818.

That’s it. Time to go to sleep and wake up next week ready to go!

[updated Friday 9-18… GREAT CATCH: Bonus points go to Andrew at Cycling Innovations. He’s the only person that emailed me and caught the “Pedal Wrench” line under Looks new pedal. Look pedals take a standard Hex wrench…]

Have Fun,

Charles Manantan

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