September 29, 2006 (Las Vegas, Nevada) — The final day of Interbike takes on more a more relaxed atmosphere as exhibitors and attendees wind it down after a marathon week of bike industry activity. Celebrating it’s 25th anniversary this year marked a milestone for the show and the cycling industry at large. We viewed everything from Avid to Zoot, from amazing to zany, and have the blisters and blood shot eyes to prove it. Oh ya, we also have pictures!

Kenda
Kenda had some red hot products front and centre at this years show, none more prominent than the new El Moco, from the Brian Lopes signature series, and the Dread Tread, from the Tinker Juarez signature series. El Moco features unique round and rectangular shaped interlocking knobs for sure footed cornering and lightening fast acceleration. DH wire bead and XC folding bead available. Dread Tread is a typical cross country racer with a low profile, Dual Tread Design, providing cornering grip and longer wear in the tire’s centre. Tube and tubeless available.

Electra
Electra’s theme for the show was “The Art of Electra” and they introduced a colourful palate of new products to prove it. The bright colours and graphics of the women’s specific Pajama Party bikes grabbed all eyes as they passed. The pictures tell the story.

Fi’zi:k
Fi’zi:k’s popular Arione Wing Flex saddle now comes with I.C.S. (Integrated Clip System). The clip system is designed to allow the attachment of Fi’zi:k’s Saddle Pa:k and Blin:k light . The Blin:k has two super bright LED’s and offers three modes by pressing on the light itself. The battery change is tool free and takes a standard CR2032. The 230 gram Arione still offers a Titanium rail design with several cover colour options.

Sugoi
Sugoi’s spring 2007 line incorporates TechLite, their lightest, most effective fabric yet for hot weather riding. TechLite uses a unique fit construction, which allows it to be as light as mesh but with full coverage. In addition, silver ions are embedded into the fabric to eliminate odour. The X-posure is one of Sugoi’s latest featuring the new fabric. The jersey also features a lower “Bottle Neck” collar, full zips, which are found across Sugoi’s line, and Ergo Arms, which are designed to match a riders natural riding position.

Race Face
Race Face had three hot new stems on the floor, including the Atlas AM, Evolve AM, and Diabolus DH, which has been revised and updated for “˜07. Atlas Am is designed specifically for the all mountain rider, but is light enough for cross-country use but also capable of withstanding light freeriding. It is machined from 6061-T6 aluminum. Evolve AM is also designed for all-mountain but is forged and blasted 2014 aluminum for high strength and fatigue resistance. The Diabolus is freeride specific and machined from 6061-T6.

Guru
The Quebec-based company is entering its ninth year in 2007, and it’s doing so with a bit of flair. Guru is known as being one of the fastest custom bike producers on the planet, but now it’s taking that to a whole new level with a pair of ultra-high end offerings of two of its popular designs. The company will offer a limited edition Crono time trial bike and Geneo road bike, and both will come custom carbon monocoque frames covered in a wide variety of House of Kolour paint scemes. The Geneo is Guru’s new road bike line, and in the Limited Edition version, which comes with a full Campagnolo Record grouppo, the price will be more than $12,000 CDN. The more standard Dura-Ace Geneo (though it still comes with custom geometry) will cost around $8,000 CDN.
Also introduced by Guru was the Dynamic Fit Unit, which is the result of two years of R&D. The $10,000 CDN unit uses hydraulics to allow users to be perfectly fitted to a bicycle as they pedal. A computer and remote control the machine and provide instant feedback on the rider’s output.

MicroSport Technologies
An Ottawa company is hoping to bring power meters down to the average user. MicroSport launched the Power Meter Revolution at the show, which is a shoe-mounted meter using the latest in wireless technology. Though the production designs are still being finalized, the unit will consist of a wireless head unit, a thin insole sensor, a transmitter that mounts on the shoe and optional speed and heart rate sensors. Together they will give all the same functions as a standard power meter, but without having to use special cranks or hubs, and at about one third of the price.

Kool-Stop
The brake pad maker introduced the Koolite Ti, an ultra-lightweight brake pad and holder set. The $99 (US)/$115 (Cdn.) units use a dual-compound brake pad and an aluminum forged holder that has been machined down to reduce weight. The hardware is titanium and altogether they weigh in at just 28g per pair.

Floyd Cycles
Green with envy? Abotsford British Columbia’s Simon Blyth, of Floyd Cycles, mounts his one-off “Green Machine”. Floyd Cycles has launched a line of women’s wear for the competition and casual rider.

Specialized
Specialized Barmac is the latest in fully integrated bar stem systems. The adjustable full carbon Barmac can be set anywhere from dead level to a rise of 8 degrees. Eleven lengths are offered (90-130 mm) and widths are available from 40 to 44 cm. The super wide stem provides an incredibly stable feel to the steer and fits all 1-1/8″ steer tubes.

Rocky Mountain
Rocky’s Element line has undergone some huge changes for the upcoming season. The stunning looking frames are designed with Form tubing and incorporate new carbon seat stays, new forging at all the joints, a hollow chain-stay yolk, 12 mm through hardware on the BB, larger pivot bearings, and an hourglass sculpted head tube. The 30, 50, 70 and Team Scandium frames are all lighter and stiffer than last year’s models and have classic Canadian graphic.

Michelin
Michelin’s XCRDry2 is a lightweight, dual compound, dry condition cross-country racing tire. The highly refined tread pattern provides excellent grip and precise steering. A tubeless and tube option are available in 26 x 2.00, both with 127 TPI, and 680 and 480 grams, respectively.

Woolistic Sportswear
Everything at Interbike indicates that Wool is making a huge come back this season and is better than ever. No one knows that more than Woolistic Sportswear, who has been producing fine merino wool clothing since 1998. Custom retro jerseys, sweaters, shorts and lifestyle clothing, including tights, arm/leg warmers, skull caps, and seamless body wool base layers are 100% natural, always comfortable, and produce no odor. Custom designed jerseys are also available.

Ultimate Support
In addition to a Rasta-flavoured three-colour stand on display, Ultimate Support introduced two new stands to the market. The Pro-UltraLight Repair stand retails for $189 US/$215 Cdn and is designed for pro mechanics looking for something light and easy to travel with. The unit folds down to just three feet long and weighs 10.5 pounds. Ultimate also introduced the Sport-Mechanic Repair Stand, which replaced the Consumer Stand. It’s beefier than its predecessor and weighs in at 12.8 pounds when folded. It uses the Spinner Knob Clamp and retails for $159 US/$185 Cdn.