September 25, 2014 (Las Vegas, NV) – Pedal’s coverage of Interbike, North America’s biggest cycling trade show, continues with more exciting new goodies for next season from Rocky Mountain, Pioneer, Fizik and Wahoo. The international cycling trade show was held recently at the Mandalay Bay Convention Centre in Las Vegas, Sept. 16-18.

Rocky Mountain

The big news for 2015 from Rocky includes the new fat tire Blizzard and the Thunderbolt MSL (marathon super light). Colours and graphics are improved across the lines with bright and beautiful west coast Salish graphics on the new Blizzard.

The Blizzard is designed as a trail handling MTB bike rather than an expedition bike, and is unique in that it has a Race Face soft conditions drive train (for sand/snow) featuring a 1 x 24 tooth chainring with narrow profile and bash guard – to help keep the price point down. Maxxis tires now cover Rocky’s whole line up other than the Blizzard which has 4.7″ tubeless ready bulldozers from Veetireco.

Rocky’s trail and all MTB bikes feature, wider runs and more tubeless ready spec. All high-end 99 series bikes feature carbon wheel sets, while 70 level bikes offer handlebars and stems from Race Face. High-end Rally and BC Edition bikes see improved spec and full carbon frames. And the 50 level Altitude Rally sees an upgrade from aluminum to a carbon front triangle.

The Thunderbolt is Rocky’s high-end off road bike featuring Di2 XTR and carbon and alloy frame options. The alloy and carbon are both 120mm bikes but the carbon bike features Ride 9 suspension and geometry adjustment and 30% more anti-sag, for better power transfer. The Thunderbolt is now using BC 2 pivots (bushing concept two) with grease ports on the rocker link and main pivot. The 50 level Thunderbolt frame is full carbon in a 27.5″ wheel platform.

Pioneer

Pioneer’s new power metre sensor attachments are built right into the crank sets of Ultegra and Dura Ace. Pioneer has also launched a power meter kit that allows you to send your cranks (Dura Ace 9000 and Ultegra 6800) into Pioneer directly and receive them back, fully integrated with their sensors, in 7-10 business days, for about $1,300 US.

Pioneer is also offering a new bundle pack in their computer system offering. The pack offers Di2 compatability and includes the SGZ CA 500 black and white touchscreen monitor with heart rate monitor and cadence sensor.

Fizik

Along with their Italian handmade shoes, which have not been changed for 2015, Fizik has added a new line of footware in the R3, R5 range for the road and M3, M5 range for off-road.

The R3 makes use of a Microtex upper (also used on its saddle lines), a sailcloth toe-box closure strap, full carbon sole with replaceable heel cap, and the latest Boa IP1 dial. The IP1 Boa offers two-way micro adjustment on its dial as well as the traditional pull-out fast-release function.

The R5 uses a one piece Microtex upper with the same Boa system as the R3 but differs in the carbon reinforced nylon sole.

The mountain line M3 makes use of more durable metal internals (vs plastic for road) on the IP1 Boa system. The M3 also features a Microtex upper, full carbon outsole, polyurethane sole and thicker sailcloth closure straps. The M5 has all the same features as the M3, differing in the sole, which is a composite material.

Fizik has also redesigned their Kurve saddle range geared towards comfort and flexibility, featuring new carbon Mobius rails that are lighter and more flexible, and “Re:flex” carbon shell which also offers flex. The Kurve also uses a new lighter and thinner, yet tougher, Kevlar based fabric that helps reduce the saddle’s overall size.

Wahoo

All new for 2015 Wahoo fitness releases their line of TICKR tech. The three products in the line include the base model TICKR, the TICKR run, and the TICKR X. All feature the dual technology of ANT+ and Bluetooth 4.0 to connect to a smartphone or GPS watch.

TICKR features Real-Time tracking of heart rate and calorie burn while exercising, along with the Wahoo Fitness Burn and Burst Heart Rate Training Plan, offering an eight-week training program designed to burn fat and improve performance, free with a Wahoo fitness App – also works with over third party iPhone Apps.

TICKR Run has a built in accelerometer that measures three dimensions of your run to help improve form and strength. An indoor training mode can track speed and distance on the treadmill and additional analytics measure vertical oscillation, ground contact time and stride rate.

The TICKR X offers a memory feature that allows you to track heart rate, calorie burn, and duration while working out without a smartphone including auto-syncs with up to 16 hours of data. Motion analytics capture indoor cycling cadence and additional motion analytics (i.e laps, reps etc) for other sports will be added in future firmware updates.