Guest Article: Interbike 2011
Imagine my surprise when, while enthusiastically discussing the “porn show” down in Vegas, some of my coworkers expressed concern and declared the discussion of this subject during a conference call to be “inappropriate”. Apparently, there is some other kind of porn that doesn’t involve bicycles that also has a show there as well. Very confusing, and, quite honestly, I’m not sure what the appeal would be if it doesn’t involve chains and lube.
Our community member @sgt has managed to lie and cheat his way into the vendor-only Interbike Show in Las Vegas, which is one of the most significant bike shows in the world. He was kind enough to share his thoughts and photos, and even provided a V and Anti-V summary at the end. Cheers to that.
Yours in Cycling,
Frank
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I had the distinct privilege to attend Interbike 2011 in Las Vegas with some clubmates. What follows is my first hand account of what I saw, what I liked, what I didn’t like, and what impressed me most and least, with special attention paid to those items of particular interest to you, my fellow Velominati.
For those of you who don’t know, Interbike is the US equivalent of Eurobike, an industry-only trade show for all things related to the bicycle industry. All the major component manufacturers attend, and most of the frame, wheel and component companies. I was there under the nominal auspices of my local shop and club sponsor, but I had an ulterior motive: to represent the Keepers, to seek out new devices for channeling The V; to boldly go where no Velominatus had gone before.
Let me start by saying that Interbike is an amazing compendium of bike-related ephemera… you can find anything related to travel using wheels and pedals, plus a bunch of stuff that seems to pertain to nothing at all. I found it interesting that although most of the second tier bike/frame manufacturers were there, only Specialized represented the big boys: no Trek, no Cannondale, no Giant (although they did have some stuff at the outdoor demo earlier in the week, which I missed). And no Cervelo either (sorry, Frank).
Just as well, as I am way more interested in what the mid-to-small size builders are doing. I visited Bianchi, Wilier, Look, Time, Lapierre, Argon, etc. But the bike-maker that most impressed me was BMC.
The Time Machine:
The Race Machine:
The Cuddles Machine:
BMC really pushes the envelope with tube shapes, materials and their signature short seat stays, plus big honking bottom bracket shells. And they use really hard math:
I also saw some downright silly stuff, like this aero headtube on a Look mountain bike (really?):
And this unique saddle from Merckx-knows-who:
I visited the booths of many companies beloved of the Velominati.
Dumonde Tech was showcasing this:
Yes, that’s coffee-scented organic chain lube, folks. Sorry Frank, I couldn’t coerce a sample out of them, but I did get a little Dumonde Tech Lite for personal consumption.
Lezyne was showcasing a very sharp looking new line of tools. When I remarked that the beer opener was a nice afterthought for the pedal wrench, the designers quickly corrected me; the pedal sockets were added to the beer opener so the boss wouldn’t yell at them….My bad.
And even Columbus Tubing had a booth in the Italia pavilion, along with Wilier, Vittoria, Limar, and a bunch more:
My next pair of shoes:
Nirvana:
I even got some classic bend bar porn for Frank:
Oval Concepts (the only carbon classic bars I found, and my bars of choice, btw):
Deda:
3T Rotundos:
Interbike was truly an embarrassment of riches. There were many companies paying homage to La Vie Velominatus with clothing and equipment designed in accordance with The Rules. Unfortunately there were many, many more heretics. I could go on and on and on describing the various horrors being foisted on the cycling public, while applauding the good that was displayed cheek by jowl, sometimes in adjoining booths. With that said, and after careful consideration, I have conferred the following honors and demerits for the best and the worst of Interbike.
Interbike V-Awards:
The companies below are representative of the highest quality, initiative and entrepreneurship I saw at Interbike. While they were by no means the only companies displaying these traits, they set themselves apart with innovation, guts and audacity. Business V, as it were.
East Coast Cycle Supply (http://www.eccyclesupply.com/):
This startup is composed of a bunch of guys that got their pink slips after their old bike company failed. (I’ll spare you the sordid details, especially since I really don’t remember what they told me.) But, rather than pack it up and call it a day, they rallied, started a new company and set about using their industry knowledge to source some very cool frames and start a new brand (Bootleg). I ran across them down in the bowels of the second floor, behind some elliptical trainers. They are good eggs, have passion for what they do, and aren’t afraid to back it up with their own scratch. Good on yer, boys!
Knog (http://www.knog.com.au/ ):
Against my better judgment, and despite being fucking poms, Knog deserves a mention. They make some very nifty shit, including little strap on LED lites in case you get caught out late, and they had a very cute young Sheila handing out what was beyond doubt the best booth schwag (that’s a patch kit, ya perverts!). Bonzer!
HeadsUp Systems (http://www.headsupsystems.com/):
This company cleverly repurposes existing RFID technology to keep us from ruining our expensive toys while being hauled about car-top. One sensor goes in the garage with a big bright LED warning light, another goes in the car, and individual compact units clip onto bikes, kayaks, carriers, etc. When you put the gear on top, the in-car sensor / alerter detects them, and if your car then gets too close to the garage door, both alerters flash / beep to warn you you’re about to make a costly mistake! The units are economical, simple and use proven technology. Very strong work!
Now that the laurels have been handed out, it’s time for the brick bats…
Anti-V Awards (no further explanation needed, and no links provided):
Ellipti-go:
What. The. Fucking. Fuck. Needlessly complex much? There’s a guy with one of these locally; if he ever even gets onto my wheel I’ll know it’s time to start playing golf again.
E-go Kits:
A bolt-on electric motor that attaches to your frame with a contraption right out of Brazil, attached to a twenty pound battery backpack with the electrical connection on the nose of the saddle, right where it can do the most damage. But hey, it only costs $2,995.99 USD! Here’s some advice for the E-go boys: Go ride your bikes, without the stupid motors, and think up something better.
Specialized:
Just because… Boring!!!!!!
That brings me to the end of my story. I had a really fun day, saw some cool stuff and got to talk bikes with knowledgeable staff, friends and other attendees. Well worth it, but suffice to say that a full day at Interbike left me feeling a little like this:
“Go ahead, get your fucking camera just a little bit closer…”
Wow, first to post on this. Fantastic photo montage… the entire Interbike 2011 show in under three minutes, and I’ve been giggling like a girl throughout. Jealous of the Wilier stand. Mmmmmm. Thanks @sgt, and well done for blagging your way in.
@Sgt cracking article and thanks for the inside scoop, I have to say the more I see those shoes the more and more I want them. Thanks for the bar shots as well I have been looking at going for something new myself and i am considering the 3T Ergonova Carbon set.
Having said that I might just get myself this instead which happens to have the handlebars included, how considerate of them.
this:
Along with the picture of that toilet seat… hahaah i’m still laughing out loud.
Coffee-scented Dumonde Tech lube? They need to ship a pallet of that shit to the Pacific Northwest, stat.
Very nice photos and wright-up, Sgt. Though I’m a bit disappointed you didn’t get a picture of Sheila throwing out the Secret Sign of Merckx.
@mcsqueak
Tell me about it… definitely light on the hottie shots… been married too long; don’t want that stuff on the phone.
Nice stuff, @sgt! Thanks for the rundown. I hang out at my coffee shop with a guy who imports Merckx and Lapierre bikes. Slowly warming up to a Lapierre Xelius””any quick thoughts on the 2012 bikes?
That LOOK mt. bike is seriously awesome and way to fly the colors at the big show. Thanks for the write up.
Thanks @sgt for being our man in Vegas. Those Oval classic drop bars look great.
It’s not exactly the same thing, but in New York, street vendors sell lube-scented coffee.
I’m sure the Spesh hating was just mountain bike directed ;)
Could you post more pictures of the E-go monstrosity? Great Brazil reference, btw.
@xyxax
It’s funny, because it’s true!
Nice work, sgt!
A bike show is about the only thing that could get me to visit Las Vegas.
@Steampunk
Both were looking good…. Have you checked out Argon, though? The Gallium Pro is a pretty sweet looking ride! Plus they’re Canucks (Québécois oui, but Canucks just the same).
@itburns
Sorry buddy, I had to fight back waves of laughter long enough to take that one before they got wise…
@mcsqueak
As far as I know, they’re based in Seattle…makes a lot of sense if you know that.
Thanks sgt, I love trade shows but have not been for years. My favorite was the coffee lube – if it came in espresso they could not keep enough in stock between Frank and the rest of this crowd.
@itburns, @sgt
Call me crazy, but I’m sure I’ve seen one of those out and about. Was it a dream? Was it real? In real-life or on the tele? I don’t know, and the harder I think about it, the farther I am from gaining clarity.
@sgt
No pictures from Argon? When I was in Montreal those guys were everywhere. Like the Trek of Montreal. Never seen one before then, but they look like great bikes.
@sgt
Argon: nice, too. But I’ve spent a bit of time around a couple of Lapierre Sensiums and I like what they’ve done with the seat- and chainstays. It’s an interesting looking bike, and I heard good things from folks who’ve ridden them. Also, being able to get a good discount on a Xelius wouldn’t hurt; nice looking bikes.
@frank
I can tell you, they know a LOT about lube… and they’re happy to tell you, too…
@King Clydesdale
Nope, but they have a nifty website…
@frank
Ah, interesting – that would make sense, then.
I’m going to look for the coffee lube next time I’m at the LBS. I know this is THE definition of a “First World Problem”, but I use normal Dumonde Tech and something about the smell of it actually makes me feel a little queasy. Not sure why. I try to only apply it outside, or keep the bike shut in the closet for a night after I first apply it. It just had a smell that doesn’t sit right with me, and I can’t place why. Great product, though. Keeps my chain purring nicely.
Excellent work Sgt. If someone has to go to that family-friendly Gomorrah in the desert, at least there were many bikes to ogle. Yes, the whole show boiled down to a funny photo-log. I’m glad Columbus still has a presence at such a sordid affair.
And I like the nasty dog with the GoPro camera on its back.
just suddenly and unexpectedly gained some insight into the girls and shoes thing….. those are shoeelicious
@Dr C
Yes, those Vittoria shoes are hot. Though I do enjoy telling women that I own a pair of $300 Italian shoes (Sidi), as those are usually more expensive than any pair of shoes they own. They are always slightly unimpressed by the fact that they are cycling shoes, though… weird….
@marko
Yep indeed.
Not aero so much as a solution to the problem that plagues mountain bike geometry in general (talking XC oriented bikes) where the amount of travel on the forks tends to result in a more sit up and beg sort of situation.
The more aggresively I ride XC, the more i realise that its quite difficult to get the front end low enough.
Problem solved.
Well done Sarge, you have succeeded in ‘establishing a need’.
And, thanks by the way for the aweesome write-up. It’s great also to put a face to the name as well.
@Gianni
+1. I actually have to go several times a year for work. This trip was the first one I actually enjoyed in quite some time.
Interbike makes it look like heaven fell from the sky and landed in las vegas
Nicely done sgt! I was asked to go down and work for one of teams sponsors. I couldn’t ’cause it interfered with my job that pays the bills. Gonna plan ahead for next year and go check it out. As Frank said, Porn.
Nice on sgt. Lovin’ those BMC’s as well. Did anyone ask you about your T-shirt BTW?
Nice onE sgt!!
The Vittoria are great but have a look also at the Gaerne and the DMT.
@Pedale.Forchetta
The DMT Prisma 2.0 looks like my next shoe. Complete cable lace. I went that route with my snowboard boots a few years ago and never looked back. Should work well for cycling shows too.
@itburns
and maybe even cycling shoes.
Great writeup Sarge. Am compelled to correct one thing though – Knog is an Aussie company!
http://www.australiandesignunit.com/index.php/on-your-bike/
Nice photos: I don’t think that I would have made it out of the Italia pavilion! Thanks for sharing.
@sgt
I’ve to say that BMC are the only non-metal bikes I like (a bit).
@mouse
Mate, right on. I set up my mountain bike basically like my road bike, with nice low bars for the same reason I like them low on the road: stability. Given the need to pop your wheel over crap, I do ride them higher than on the road, but not much. As badly as I’d like to grab me a 29er, I’m seriously discouraged by how high the bars are on all these bikes, though I have considered taking riser bars and flipping them around to get some extra drop. Seems just a little too far that side of wrong, though.
But that Look…now THERE’s a nice design. Love it. On my way to the Look site now to scope if it comes in a 29er or not…
@Sean from the great white north
This.
@mcsqueak
@frank
Can’t risk coffee smelling lube….if I run out of coffee at home, smell that coffee I might just be tempted!
@mcsqueak
Funny, I actually love the smell. I’d wear a cologne of it if I could.
Err… Knog = Melbourne, not Pom
@frank
Sorry guys, I gotta dissent on the Look. That head tube setup is a recipe for a broken frame when you crash and the front wheel whips around hard… And re; 29ers, mine is set up with 5mm under the stem, and it’s TEH AWESOME. Plenty of drop, good position, climbs like Virenque, descends like Voeckler. The secret is only 80-100 mm travel on the front shock. Big 140mm shocks really fuck up the geometry.
@Marcus
My bad… The interwebs told me that pom was a disparaging term Brits use for an Aussie… Had that one backwards, did I?
@sgt
You certainly did! They are Pommy Bastards and we are dumb Aussies, filthy descendants of convicts (I really am), etc etc
@sgt
I hear ya brother.
Just wish I could get this sucker a biiit lower.
There is more to see than bikes and parts at a good bicycle show,
i.e. Crema Cycles feat. Chris King at this year’s Eurobike: http://vimeo.com/28895374
(Too bad I missed it …)
@grumbledook
Oh yes, we have lusted after those Chris King tampers too. My stinking espresso machine is not worthy of such a nice tamper.
I wonder if Crema Cycles were in Las Vegas?
@mouse
You’ll be halfway there if you ditch the spacers and get yourself an integrated headset. looks like you could lose close to an inch on top and almost as much again. I’ve gone the other way on my prophet to slacken the head angle for more stable descending. I can wind my travel down if I’m going to be climbing a lot.
@Chris
I’ve got no spacers on there except one on top of the stem.
I’m uncertain that I can get an integrated headset on there due to the internal diameter the head tube. Ah well. Steeper stem perhaps.
It did look from the photo as though there were spacers in there. I was also thinking it was the tapered HT version which would have allowed at least the lower section to be integrated but the internet suggest that might cause an unpleasant interface between the down tub and the adjustment dial on the crown. Depending on the model of fork and whether you use the full travel, you could get the travel reduced by an inch to drop the front.
@Gianni
Probably not. CC is currently present in Germany only, I guess. (Although the frames are made in Canada.) The focus is on steel and titanium CX bikes. Apart from Crema Cycles, Ken Bloomer sells Firefly and maybe still Independent Fabrication, AFAIK.
@sgt
I’m with you on that one, it’ll end in tears. I’ve seen what happens when noobs take the rubber bumpers of dual crown downhill forks because they think it’ll improve the look. I also remember the heartbreak of putting a huge dent in the pristine royal blue sparkly paint of my 1978 z650b’s petrol tank.
Not sure where to put this but at an old friend’s party on Saturday found out that one of my other old friends is involved in organising the cycling at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Looking forward to trying the track. It’s possible to do a wee course and get accredited so that you can ride any track in the UK. Then wandering around yesterday found this in the old Fruitmarket and on the leader-board was my buddy Jon Silvera from Dundee!
Smallest velodrome in the world! Looked fun.