Interbike Highlights: 2015
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September 20, 2015 – With major launches occurring all year long, the 24hour tech cycle online, and euro bike already in the books, Interbike becomes less and less relevant for tech news. Big players like Trek and Cannondale don’t even show up and others like SRAM gave the biggest product of the year, eTap, a dedicated launch in Europe. The big tech news has already been made and covered ad nauseum.
peloton
Still, some of those big new products were there to be seen by a new audience for the first time and a few gems could be found deep within halls of Interbike 2015. We’ll assume you’ve already read the big news for 2015 product – eTap, Venge, Madone, FOIL, SuperSix, etc… – but if not, you’ll find links to all those stories at the bottom of this story.
Tifosi Pro Escalate
Swappable lenses is nothing new in cycling, but how about swappable frames? Tifosi’s new Pro Ecalate is a kit that contains a single lens shield, half-frame and full-frame options, all with the same ear pieces. In addition to the three frame options, six different lenses come in the same kit. To say you will be covered for any conditions, including chilling at the pool after a ride, is an understatement. More: tifosioptics.com
Lezyne Super GPS
More competition for Garmin, we finally got our hands on the highly anticipated Lezyne GPS. Like all Lezyne products it stands out aesthetically from other GPS devices and will hopefully continue the company’s history of delivery exceptional functionality. ANT+ and Bluetooth connectivity allows it to talk to all your sensors and your phone for text and call updates at your bars. It doesn’t do navigation, which allows the unit to be quite small for all it does, relatively inexpensive at $200 and thanks to the phone connection and Lezyne’s Ally app it can push the .fit ride files right to the your favorite web based training platform. More: lezyne.com
Wahoo Elemnt
Garmin finally has some real competition and Wahoo, known for its apps, trainers and sensors, is looking to leap frog the GPS behemoth with the new Elemnt. The unit does just about everything you’d expect -navigate, track all your data, deliver ANT+ and Bluetooth 4.0 connectivity – but it’s the smart phone connectivity that they hope will set it apart. Menus are customized via an app on your phone, texts and calls can be displayed, Strava routes can be pushed to your Elemnt for navigation and small LED’s light up as turn indicators to help keep you on track. You’ll pay $330 and get three different mounts as well as Di2, GoPro and Kickr trainer integration. Shipping in November. More: wahoofitness.com
Vittoria Corsa Speed
Vittoria’s legendary tires aren’t resting on their laurels. The Italian’s newest tire reportedly has the lowest rolling resistance ever measured in independent testing and it’s tubeless ready. Called the Corsa Speed Open Tubular it uses Vittoria’s new Graphene compound and weighs a stunning 205grams, making it the lightest tubeless tire available. It’s only available as a 700×23 tire so for now it’s really just TT or climbing specific, unless you haven’t joined the high volume revolution yet. The natural Corespun casing, a Vittoria hallmark, also looks the business. More: vittoria.com
DMT R1 Shoe
DMT is going through a bit of a relaunch in the US. Despite a recent lack of focus on the US, DMT has retained a reputation as a quality shoe, and with the new R1 they have an incredibly impressive shoe to pin the relaunch hopes on. Using two Boas and a new vented carbon sole that forms a low tub around the rear of the foot, the R1 cuts an incredibly clean profile and weighs a scant 220grams in size 41. More: dmtcycling.com
Schwalbe G-One Tubeless
Schwalbe’s new One Tubeless line up continues to impress and the G-One, a 35mm or 40mm, gravel inspired tire is definitely a highlight for us. Super low rolling resistance, a bit of tread for loose surfaces and the puncture protection of tubeless make the G-One the current go-to gravel tire. Schwalbe even makes a 650b/40mm G-One for bikes like the Open U.P. or the Cannondale Slate. More: schwalbe.com
4iii’s Precision Power Meter
This left side only, crank based power meter sets a new low price tag – $400 – for power and initially allowed for user installation to an existing metal crank arm. Bluetooth and ANT+ compatible, the meter is now factory installed, but you use your own crank. Considering +/-2% accuracy is the industry standard the move to factory installation seemed inevitable. Like other left side only meters it is very light and compatible with the majority of alloy cranks. How reliable, consistent and accurate the tiny unit is will be remains to be seen. more: 4iiii.com
Open Unbeaten Path
The brain child of Gerrard Vroomen and Andy Kessler, Open’s Unbeaten Path combines a road and ‘cross bike with clearance for 650b MTB wheels for incredible versatility. Like Open’s hard tail MTB, the bike is super light carbon. The frame fits standard road wheels with tires up to 35mm or 650b MTB wheels with up to a 2.25” tire which will give the wheel almost the same roll-out and ride height. Through axles, a dropped drive side stay, and tight rear end complete the package. More: opencycle.com
Pearl Izumi Elite Escape
With apparel prices going through the roof, perhaps the most impressive clothing we saw during the show was Pearl Izumi’s new Elite Escape line for 2016. With beautiful details throughout the jersey, like high-end technical cooling fabrics with Ice-fil, venting panels, a lined collar, two extra stow pockets and reflective elements the jersey’s price – $85 – simply blew us away. More: pearlizumi.com
For more big 2015 product news, check out the links below.