2011 Interbike Opens with Strong Attendance and Upgraded Amenities at OutDoor Demo

Interbike 2011 Underway

OutDoor Demo continues Tuesday, followed by Interbike International Bicycle Expo in Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS – September 13, 2011 – The 2011 Interbike OutDoor Demo kicked off the continent’s largest gathering of cycling industry insiders on Monday with a day of riding in Bootleg Canyon near Las Vegas.

“The first day of OutDoor Demo has been marked by A-list retailers testing product from over 200 brands. This provides retailers from all over the world with a epic venue to test and learn more about the products that will fuel their sales in the year to come,” said Interbike Managing Director Pat Hus. “We’re getting some serious business done and having a lot of fun.”

OutDoor Demo continues today, giving attendees the chance to ride the latest bikes on the scenic roads and trails near Lake Mead.

“We do our buying really early, so OutDoor Demo is an opportunity to ride what we’ve already bought and get more familiar with the product,” said REI’s Mark Harding. “Plus, we see product we use to fill in later if we missed it initially.”

OutDoor Demo also gives exhibitors a platform to meet with new and existing dealers to show off their product and get the pulse of the industry.

“OutDoor Demo is the event that allows us to tie up any loose ends with our top dealers and show our very best to new dealers,” said Andrew Juskaitis, global product marketing manager at Giant. “OutDoor Demo is also a great barometer to gauge how and where our competitors are allocating marketing dollars. Everyone’s got more bikes and a more professional presence then ever before. It’s a big deal.”

New at the event for 2011 is the Strava OutDoor Demo Challenge, a friendly competition over the area’s most popular trails using the company’s social ride tracking software to crown industry champs in multiple categories. Another new feature for this year is the Oasis at OutDoor Demo – a shaded and misted area with food vendors, free ice cream, beer and plenty of seating.

“We’ve been loving the interest in our newest road products. OutDoor Demo gives us the invaluable opportunity to offer retailers an equally impressive road and mountain bike demo experience,” said Alex Bell, USA marketing manager at Specialized. “Getting to spend time on the bikes gets the retailers excited about everything the bikes can do. Heading into the show, that’s where we finish the rest of the conversation.”

On Wednesday, Interbike heads inside to the Sands Expo for three days of new products, educational opportunities and events. A searchable list of all events can be found here.

Photos from the first day of OutDoor Demo can be found at www.flickr.com/interbike. Free shuttles run all day from the Sands to the OutDoor Demo in Boulder City.

About Interbike
The Interbike International Bicycle Expo and OutDoor Demo are the bicycle industry’s leading business-to-business events bringing together top manufacturers, retailers, industry advocates and media to conduct the business of cycling. Interbike is a business unit of Nielsen Expositions, the parent company of the Outdoor Retailer (OR) and Health Fitness Business expos. Nielsen Expositions is a full-service trade show company that creates, markets and produces high-quality expos and educational conferences. Interbike (www.interbike.com) gathers more than 1,100 cycling-related brands and close to 24,000 total attendees annually.

Kali Veda Elbow Pads Review

Kali Protectives Veda Elbow Pads in Gray.

Product Name: Kali Protectives Veda Elbow Pads
Weight: 270g
Recommended Use: Agressive AM / FR / DH

Description:
– A Nitrex foam-lined, flexible ABS shell to protect the elbow
– A Kevlar-weaved synthetic elbow cup cover for extra durability against abrasion
– Two additional Nitrex foam pads above and below the flexible ABS elbow shell
– Six dense foam pads positioned on both sides of the elbow guard cuff to protect your ligaments
– Perforated neoprene cuff for comfort and breath-ability
– Slip-on style elbow guard that will fit under or over your jersey or base layer
– Two large Velcro belts to keep the Veda elbow guard securely in place
– Anti-microbial material that is fully washable

DESIGN & FIT:
The Kali elbow pads offer a comfortable, light and sturdy solution to the alternative hard pads which are more restrictive in movement. I spent a full day in them at a resort and they were great under a jersey. They are low profile and don’t stick out. They slip on with a bit of effort and stay put, I didn’t think about them or have to adjust them at all. Beyond protection and comfort, a pad should “stay put” really well; these pads didn’t disappoint (whereas the popular 661 EVOs moved quite a bit once neoprene has stretched out).

The sizing on these is a head scratcher. They run one full size too small and when using them one size bigger, they are still snug (but not overly tight). This explains why they stay put so well, but it does create a little binding when they are new. I wore them for 6-7 hours one day and by day’s end, the internal rubberized material (that keeps the elbows from slipping down) on the upper arm had started to cut into my skin. Ouch! This is probably extreme, since on occasions where I wear them for 2-3 hours, I haven’t had the same experience occur.

CONSTRUCTION & FUNCTION:
Construction is good and so far with a few rides in, they don’t show signs of stretching and wear that I’ve seen on the 661. They are however, warm to use on pedaly rides or where you need to HAB. Even with the perforation on the neoprene material… it is a wetsuit material afterall, and if you’ve ever had the pleasure of wearing a wetsuit, it’s not something you’d want to wear and go for a run in. That is the one of the tradeoffs you’d need to live with if you are considering these pads. But overall they work pretty well and do their job. Just don’t use them if you’re doing an epic and the temps are going to be warm.

GOOD: Good looking elbow pads, low-profile and great for under the jersey. Quality construction, light at 270g and all around comfortable. Stays put — slip them on and forget about them.

BAD: The sizing is really off with these elbows, you’d want to buy one size up. When worn all day (beyond 6 hours), the no slip rubber ring on the inside did cut into my arm. They are perfect for 2-3 hour jump sessions however. Best used when outside temperatures are  70° F or cooler.

Reviewed by Qwan Pham

ContourGPS Video Camera Review

Product: ContourGPS Video Camera
Weight: 160g w/o mounting accessories
Memory: Removable MicroSD – Capacity: 32GB (2GB included)
Average Record Time: HD » 30min/GB | SD » 60min/GB
Wide Angle Lens: 135°: 960p, 720p, Photo | 110°: 1080p | Dual alignment lasers
Battery: Removable Lithium-Ion Battery | Charge via USB to computer or Contour chargers (sold separately)
Battery Life: 2 – 2.5 hours
Retail Price: $299.99

See manufacture detail specs

One of the coolest cameras making a splash as of late is the CountourGPS. Strapped to helmets of big name riders like Cameron Zink, Cam McCaul, the Atherton clan and Matt Hunter, it’ll be no time before these hi-tech black canisters become a must-have accessory for every gravity adrenaline junkie.

I will stick to simple observations that will help you decide if this is a good camera for you. As a teaser, this video give you an idea for the great video quality. All the technical stuff you can read below.

DESIGN & UTILITY
Packaging aside (which is awesome!), the camera looks and feels great. The build feels solid and will hold up for outdoor activities it’s intended for. One of the unique and innovative feature on the camera is the “record” slider-button. The camera seems to have been designed around it. Located at the top of the camera, the button needs to be purposefully slid forward to record. To stop recording, it needs to be slid back. Even with gloves on, there’s little doubt as to what position the camera is in.

Once installed, launch StoryTeller (app) and plug in the camera using the USB cable (included). The app automatically recognizes the camera and shows all the videos that are available to be downloaded into your computer. Select a video or all, click “Download” and go grab a beverage… it actually works pretty fast, so don’t go away too long.

Once movies are in the library. You can start to relive the fun you’ve captured. The UI is not too flashy and is intended to be a no frills app, since the important thing is YOUR content. Just double click on any video to play. In the play mode, you obviously get to enjoy your ‘sick’ video, but the coolest thing is seeing your actual course that is overlayed on top of a google map. There’s also a speed and elevation display that tracks against what you’re doing on the map in real time. Definitely ‘tight’ on the geek meter.

StoryTeller makes it simple to share your videos on the internetz. Just click “Post Online” and publish it to Contour’s community. Other contributors can comment your post and can publicize it through the popular social sites. So for all you Facebook addicts out there, you can spread the shred real easy.

MOUNTS & ACCESSORIES
The ContourGPS comes standard with a goggle strap mount and 2 helmet adhesive mounts. iPhone users can get even more app-happy by purchasing a Connect View card. This will enable you to see what you’re shooting before you blast down the trail and avoid capturing a clip of your hand shifting gears (LOL). Android phone users have better luck (however), this connectivity is built in. There are numerous accessories that can be purchased if you’re hoping to do more with the camera.

GOOD: Video quality is tops. Great design and construction. Ultra-intuitive “Record” button. 3 position rotating lens for different mounting positions. Light weight and all the fixins’ to get you started out of a nicely packaged clear plastic case (box).

BAD: Image stabilization could be better. No iPhone app connectivity without purchasing a wireless card. 8GB card would have been a better choice instead of 2GB. Power button is fussy along with the process for updating firmware. Chest mount not ideal, due to form factor.

Reviewed by Qwan Pham

2011 Urge Bike Down-O-Matic Helmet Review

Urge Down-O-Matic Helmets. Sizing S/M (54/57cm) and L/XL (58/60cm).

I learned about Urge helmets last summer and was intrigued by their unique styling and good looks; after seeing them in person at the 2010 Interbike show I had to get a hold of one as soon as possible. Since they weren’t in stores and not available in the US till late December 2010, I called South Shore Bicycles out of Colorado and got a Down-O-Matic to test.

DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION
My first impression was the graphics was fresh and different. It just didn’t look like anything else out on the market and that a big feature (vent holes) of the helmet was thoughtfully integrated into the overall design aesthetics. Shown above are 5 colorways (L to R) Black Veggie, Palace White, Impact Black, Monaco Orange/Yellow/Black and Frisco Blue. While most companies copy the big dogs, Urge rose above the moto-inspired themes and created its own identity. This type of thinking also lends itself well to being more innovative. Thinking different and offering a product at a good value is what customers want. And Urge Delivers that in a light, well-vented and affordable product.

The finish on the helmet is pristine and reminds me of a new car. The paint job is flawless. Black being a color that shows imperfections the easiest, I found none. Fabrication is superb. Along with the good looks, the helmet is light, the one tested in a S/M size weighed in at 1010g. A noticeable feature of the helmet are the huge vent holes; 4 on the top front, 2 on the top rear and 2 on the face guard. These holes are grilled to keep debris out but their size and shape appear to be modeled after more lighter helmet design (often used in cross country and road helmets). The construction is made from a fiberglass shell with a sturdy foam core like most helmet construction. But unlike other DH full face helmets, the down-o-matic is lined with a double layer of light mesh fabric. This helps cut down on weight as well as prevents sweat from being soaked up — creating a more breathable interior that allows air to vent more efficiently. In fact, I can actually feel a breeze on top of my head when I’m speeding down a run. Something I’ve only felt with XC lids.

For medium to large goggle frame size, you will be limited in your choice. I have tried, Oakley, Smith and Thor goggles but these frames did not clear the opening. This could be a big deal if you prefer to wear larger frames because you either have a large face or perhaps you wear prescription glasses under your goggles. So far, the only goggles I have had success with are the VonZipper Sizzle MX and the Spy Optic Alloy. These work beautifully and there’s no issue.

FIT & COMFORT
One manufacturing innovation I appreciate is the dual sizing. You’re actually getting 2 helmets in one. This is achieved by two sets of padding inserts of different thicknesses. In the S/M helmet, I use the thinner pads intended for a medium sized head, if I ever decide to pass this helmet on to my wife let’s say, it’s as simple as switching out the 3 pads, and I can hand this off to her in a minutes time. Very easy switch. There is also 2 sets of cheek pads at the sides to get a more custom fit depending on your face size. With the 2 different padding size, I was able to mix and match to get the perfect fit since I was closer to a small/medium vs a true medium — not too many other helmets will accommodate for half sizes and this one does it. Bonus!

Testing the Frisco Blue Down-O-Matic. Photo Erich McCoy.

The comfort of the helmet is good and I might even say it’s great, but it isn’t plush. Knowing that this helmet was designed and tested by pro-racers, this is a matter of performance. Think of it as the race car, what goes on or in has to serve a purpose of getting more performance. Comfort can be derived from weight savings, your neck and shoulder muscles aren’t as fatigued. It can also be attained in ventilation, this helmet rides cool and if you hike a bike in some sections like I do, you can keep it on. That being said, after a few rides, the padding has contoured to my melon and feels about as natural as a full face can feel.

PROTECTION
Lucky for you all, I actually played the role of crash test dummy and took a spill right on the crown of my head. It was a relatively good crash, good meaning, I was dazed momentarily. First thought I had was, damn! I just ruined the finish on the helmet but then I thought, holy crap, I’m not hurt. Sore as hell and feeling like I had a hangover but not hurt. I got the helmet off and saw that I cracked the visor on its side, but the rest of the helmet survived with minimal cosmetic scuffs. Granted, I was lucky I landed on a downside of a transition, on soft dirt, that minimized my injury more than anything, but the harsh reality of it is, without helmets, this sport would not exist.

Structurally, I couldn’t find a flaw so the helmet can live to serve another day. I was bummed that the visor broke since it was designed to flex (and perhaps not break) but this is clearly a safety measure. One that reduces the chance of the helmet shifting as a result of the visor striking the ground (or object) first and moving the helmet off the head. I think this is one detail where real racing experience and knowledge is specifically designed in. Its these types of details that new product introductions can distinguish themselves from a me-too product and I love them for it.

NOTEWORTHY
Ever the earth-friendly minded company, (pictured left) the Veggie Linen model is intended to compete in the carbon fiber market. According to Urge: “The natural resources needed to produce this helmet are low because of the low energy needed to produce the fibres compared to traditional composite materials. This also allows a healthier working environment of the people producing the helmet. Most of this helmet is naturally biodegradable, although it is not yet possible to make a totally recyclable helmet, the Down-o-matic veggie starts a new way of thinking about how helmets are produced…”. The Veggie Linen retails for $299.95.

Urge Bike helmets is a French company located near Saint Tropez on the Mediterranean, much of the R&D has been done by Fabien Barel, a former World Downhill Champion. Along with the Mondraker Team riders, Fabien has created some of the most attractive helmet designs across 4 different models (Down-O-Matic, Endur-O-Matic (review to come), Archi Enduro and Dirt-O-Matic). Urge helmets are available in select shops or at Huck-n-roll.com. They are distributed in the US by South Shore Bicycles out of Colorado. More information on Urge helmets can be found at urgebike.com.

GOOD: Racer design. Awesome finish and visceral appeal. Light-weight. Cool venting. High-quality protective bag. Overall a great value at $179.95 retail.

BAD: After 3 months of use, the interchangeable padding shows some wear. The visor hardware is soft and will strip if over-tightened. Limited goggle support.

Reviewed by Qwan Pham

It’s rained a lot in SoCal recently, we’ve already received our year’s worth of rainfall in the past couple of storms. So when I was slipping a pedal here and there, I had 2 options (since I already have Five10s):

1) Buy new pedals… uhhh. These are still new.
2) Modify existing pedals. Ding Ding! Winna! Winna!

Sourcing your pins:
Home Depot is for moms! Go to a real hardware store. They’ll have what you need and you can actually find help when you walk through the door. Bring in an existing pin off the pedal or better yet, bring in the pedal too. This will help you find what size / length pins you need. Usually they run in increments of 2mm in length. I got all 16 pins for under 75¢.

Plan out your work:
In case you didn’t notice. Most pedals are designed with an offset where the contact surface (with your shoe) is pushed forward and the opposite side is pulled back, but regardless of which side your foot makes contact, all the pins will be exactly in the same position. Also, keep in mind that there is a left and right pedal and their pin positions are designed as such. So lay them out on a table and mark the pins you’ll be replacing for each side (pic 2).

Get ‘er done fast:
I did 4 pins on each side so that’s 16 total, it goes pretty fast. Do each process before going to the next. Example: Clean all pins first (pic 3), Remove all the old pins second (pic 4), and so on.

Parting Words:
I chose to do 4 longer pins on each side, you may choose to do more, it’s all preference. I find that fewer longer pins where I want them is more effective in giving me that extra bite. If they were all long, I’d just be raising my feet off the pedals more. If you need to replace broken pins in the future, you now know where to get them and the process for replacing them.

Happy Trails!!!

By Qwan Pham

Hope Tech M4 Brake Review

Arguably, one of the most bad-ass looking brakes to grace a mountain bike also delivers a big punch. In a world of space-age, light-weight materials (for trail bikes), where manufacturers scramble to produce the lightest, ultra-modulating and powerful brakes, Hope makes a statement by sticking with its precision CNC guns.

Riding with Hope M4 Brakes. Photo Craig Goebel.

Crafted from solid hunks of “Al-lu-min-num” (as the Brits would say), the M4s are MONEY! Burly in appearance with its almost smoothed over CNC markings — raw in appearance and resembling more like an aircraft part. They are truly distinctive.

Model Tested:
– CNC machined in Barnoldswick, England
– Externally adjustable Tech lever
– 9.74 caliper with all mount options
– 2014 T6 aluminium alloy
– Wide angel hose connector mount
– Top entry pad fitting
– Floating rotor
– Braided hose
– 183 + 203mm rotor sizes in 6 bolt
– Weight: from 448g

While not being the lightest stops on the market, Hope delivers in just about every category you can think of.

Hope Tech M4 shown with standard black line.

LEVER DESIGN
The levers are designed to be ambidextrous or “flip flop” and can be installed US or EURO style (front brake lever on the right). What’s great about this design is the ability to access the fluid reservoir lid on either side, this is handy when the brakes need bleeding. The lever is made up of the piston, lever and pivot assembly with 2 external adjustment dials. One for reach and the other for pad contact point adjustment. The lever linkage is well constructed, giving a smooth, consistent and reliable feel to the brake.

M4 CALIPER
The M4 caliper has two 16mm pistons on either side of the caliper that provide an abundance of power to the brake. Installation is easy like many brakes, the M4 has markings at the top to line up with the rotors. Once secured, the brake pads self center through use. The hose is positioned in a good place where it can be adjusted to and ideal angle and tucks away neatly. Changing the pads is a snap. Remove a small safety clip, unscrew the allen screw and they slide up and out! It’s that easy.

BRAIDED HOSE
A blingly option… the Hopes can be paired with stainless steel braided hoses (from the same factory as Goodridge). The hose has a Teflon central core, encased in a stainless steel braid. The braiding also has a plastic outer coating to protect your frame and fork. According to Hope’s literature, “The hose allows no expansion, even in the most extreme situations, transferring all braking power from the lever to the caliper. It’s also extremely tough as well as being more flexible than standard hoses.” I’ll have to say I can vouch for that. I’ve ridden many brakes and there is a solid feel to these that aren’t like the others. Most of that can be attributed to these hoses.

FLOATING ROTORS
The most recognizable thing with this brakeset are the rotors. It is constructed of a stainless steel braking surface (rotor) riveted to an aluminium central carrier. Compared to some rotors, this design offers weight saving as well as allowing the rotors to expand or contract with changes in temperature. What’s surprising is that even with moisture, they are less prone to howling than standard 1-piece rotors.

GOOD: Excellent design and build quality. Lever comfort, feel and power. Easy installation and maintenance. Recommended for Trail and AM style riding but can handle light duty DH.

BAD: High buy in price. On prolonged brake usage they do develop a bit of fade. Parts are not readily available in shops as they are not your everyday purchase.

Reviewed by Qwan Pham

Twenty6 Products f1.2 stem

Twenty6 Products f1.2 Stem - Green Ano

Product Name: f1.2 stem
Steerer: 1 1/8″
Rise: 0°
Length: 50mm (only)
Handlebars: 31.8mm
Stack Height: 44mm
Hardware: 4mm allen hex bolts
Material: 6061 T6 Aluminum Billet
Weight: Actual 183g
Recommended Use: Agressive AM / FR

The one defining thing about Twenty6 products is “Design”. At a glance, you notice the details of what’s important. There’s no excess in materials used, and it’s there where you need it. The form factor is sleek and sexy and moto all wrapped into one.  Overlay that with the floral pattern etching and you’ve got yourself a piece of art.

A stem is a stem is a stem. They all clamp bars and steer tubes well. Where this one differs from what everyone else is offering is the wedge style clamping system. This provides a smooth uninterrupted flow of material around the steer tube which gives it a elegant look but also reduces the chance of your pinch bolts catching onto any part of your body or clothes when you get your “whips” on. It’s a nice integration of a design you’ve seen on the old Thomson XC stem. It works.

WHERE TO GET EM:
Best price on them is at hucknroll.com.

GOOD: Bling Factor!!! Match these up with the Prerunner pedals and some Gascaps (bar ends). Show up at the local spot and get around the “No Dig, No Jump” policy.

BAD: Known for their light ass pedals, this would be a sick stem if it was 150g. Stack height could be shorter. Spendy pay to play factor.

Reviewed by Qwan Pham

Maxxis Minion EXO 3C – 26 x 2.5

One of the most anticipated tire offering I have been waiting for. The single-ply 2.5 Minion tire. Well, it’s been available, but like many riders, I hesitated trying a tire that was only available for the front. Odd why they didn’t make a rear as well.

I’ve been waiting for this design to come out for a long time, so I wasn’t about to wait much longer for the DHR to be made, I decided to run these on the front and rear.

DHF EXO 3C on the rear

Tires Tested: Maxxis Minion DHF EXO
Size: 26 x 2.5
Durometer: 3C – Triple compound
Foldable: Yes
Weight: 860g
Recommended Use: Agressive AM / FR

PERFORMANCE & HANDLING

Coming from the dual-ply DH tires, it’s comforting to have the same expectations going into any terrain or situation. This tread design being the same does the job as always. I find the weight savings has been a boost in making the bike more lively in diving in and out of turns. The only trade off that I can see is the thicker dual-ply tires did offer a little more top end stability for big landings and absorbing vibration. This was easily remedied though by turning up the dampening on the suspension a couple clicks.

Running the tire on the rear also has some pluses. With the center tread being closer and more symmetrical, the rolling resistance is noticeably reduced. The bike feels like it’s going fast and braking performance doesn’t seem to be compromised. In wet conditions is where you’ll be making a slight trade off as the DHF tread does not shed mud and debris as well as the DHR pattern — this ultimately effects traction and braking.

I would be hesitant about running these on a DH rig; as you’re moving much faster and the conditions are usually rougher – you want your stuff to be bomb proof. Although I have had racer friends run them on the front only… that might be the best way to go.

MATERIALS & DURABILITY
The obvious benefit is weight savings. A normal dual-ply DHF/DHR will run 1300g +. Right away you can shave nearly a pound on each wheel. Based on my conversion, to the single-ply EXO’s, I achieved a 1.8 lbs weight savings. Dollars per gram, this is the most cost effective way to shed lbs.

Maxxis basically used the single ply design and added exterior sidewall protective layering (the EXO).  Looks pretty cool with almost a snakeskin like appearance. The jury is still out on the tire for heavy duty rocky trail riding. I have heard others who have pinch flatted easily in this terrain. Since I’m running them tubeless, I’ll be skirting that issue. The only worry would be burping them or tearing the sidewalls. So far, 1 month of riding, at 25-30 psi, I have not had any issues.

WHERE TO GET EM:
Best price on them is $46.95 at ebikestop.com

GOOD: This tire works. A reliable old friend you love that’s lost 1/3 of the weight. Triple compound!!! Fast tire for the rear as an alternative. Makes climbing noticeably easier.

BAD: Lack of a DHR (rear) tire offering and no UST. Expensive at $50-$60/tire at most LBC.

Reviewed by Qwan Pham

American Classics

Chris King

E*Thirteen

FOX Racing

ODI

Osprey Packs

WILSON

DIXON

DEXTER