R. Cunningham
It was a big question: Who wasn’t there at the big Las Vegas bicycle show? Trek, Gary Fisher Bikes, and Cannondale all had their own shows outside the main hall. Santa Cruz, Yeti and Turner, along with a few other luminaries, chose to exhibit at Outerbike (Dirt Demo), where industry people could test-drive almost every bicycle that will be available in 2008 on Bootleg Canyons highly aggressive desert trail network.
The mood inside the Sands Convention Center was not ecstatic. But it was certainly not somber. This year’s story was more about big-brand innovations and refinements rather than the raw and exciting small company inventiveness that drives the juices of this sport. There were some surprises. Here’s a quick overview of highlights from the shows. MBA will have more information in its next print issue.
Chris Cocalis, founder and former Titus head designer, has resurfaced with Pivot. The Mach Five marks a departure in Cocalis long history with Horst-link suspension designs. This 140-millimeter-travel trailbike features a variety of innovative design features. They are based on Chris’s take on the dual link suspension, which Dave Weagle patented. Early tests revealed that the new design was far superior to our expectations. It should be a thrilling ride.
Pivots Mach 5
Valentino Campagnolo was the heir to one of the most recognizable names in racing components. He was present at Campys latest venture, Fulcrum. Fulcrum makes cross-country wheels for professional-level riders and won the world championships this past year. Fulcrum will be featured in future stories.
Valentino Campagnolo at Fulcrum
Rocky Mountain has reduced their top cross-country racer to a 33 cm size. This should be good news to anyone who was tired of pounding the trails on a heavy bike that is too big and too heavy, and wants to experience what a true competitor machine feels like.
Rocky Mountain Element 33 cm
Jamis also had a Ti frame Dragon Team to weigh 832kg. Jamis also offered a line of nearly-as-lightweight carbon hardtails and dual-suspension designs too.
832 kg Jamis Dragon Team
Road bike manufacturers are taking over traditional mountain bike brands. And for good reason. Light is right. These guys don’t know much about carbon fiber or lightweight aluminum construction. Colnago presented a carbon hardtail, the Ibex. It has parallel ribs along the top tube that continue to the seatstays for stiffness.
Colnagos Ibex Hardtail
BMC, another road-oriented company, also had a line called Virtual Pivot of aluminum trailbikes featuring dual-link suspension. This is the first time we’ve heard it. Despite the fact that they are similar to other proven systems, BMCs bikes still look great.
BMC Virtual Pivot Suspension
This saddle is the inspiration for a caption competition. Send your entries by email
Caption Contest
Dave Weagle visited his children and showed off a pre-production version his Concentric Pivot rear suspension design. The pivot position improves braking performance. Trek uses a similar system.
Dave Weagles Concentric Pivot dropouts
Tony Ellsworth has been hard at work on a 29er dual suspension bike. To allow for a steeply-sloped top tube, the Evolve has a seat tube that is reinforced. Ellsworth massaged Evolves geometry to keep them agile on the trail.
Ellsworths Evolve 29er
Ergon grips are the bulbous, molded grips that have won all the ultra-marathon races. They work, and the most well-known models now have carbon fiber bar ends that make them great climbing aids.
Ergon grips get carbon fiber bar ends
Floyd clothing is a one woman show that impresses us with its playful styling and serious performance.
Floyd’s feminine girl clothes
Every once in a while, an old idea finds a new reason for life. Flypaper pedals are thin enough for you to flip burgers using and have large bearings that are contained within the crank arm. Shimano tried it on the road (Dynadrive cranks circa 1970), but with limited success. However, inventor Dean Williamson claims that the lower pedal surface improves the effectiveness of the pedal circle, and keeps your foot on the platform.
Flypaper pedal system.
Kona’s newmagic Link suspension system has entered production. Coasting and pedaling modes change the suspension rates. They provide firm pedaling and smooth suspension, while going up and down without having to adjust lockouts or platforms.
Konas Magic Link suspension
Race Face has a new method of molding carbon fiber components under extreme pressure. This secret technique allows for the creation of shapes previously only possible with aluminum casting and forging techniques. Next Carbon Crankset is the first product to utilize the new process. It weighs 750g and includes everything: bottom bracket, bearings, and crankset. The arms are hollow and the spider is made entirely of carbon. All threaded parts have aluminum inserts. This is approximately 50g less than the XTR.
Race Face 750-gram carbon crankset
Marzocchi is also hard at work. All its trailbikes and gravity forks have new lowers that feature a flat-top arch profile. Air-springs and damping units can be easily replaced or removed with cartridge inserts. This upgrade decreases weight and maintains manufacturing tolerances to ensure the most important functions of suspensions.
Marzocchi 224 cms new arch
