Interbike 2015 Cool Bike Gear-Part 2

After spending five days in Las Vegas for Interbike and the Outdoor Demo, I came across a lot of cool new bike stuff that I wanted to share with my readers.  These are products that are now available or in the case of some of them, will be available soon from your local bike shop.  This is part two of a three part series where I will highlight some of the items that caught my attention.

45NRTH Wölvhammer

45NRTH showed their newly redesigned Wölvhammer cycling boot at the QBP booth.  They have done away with the zipper and velcro closure of the previous years' models in favor of a lace-up design with a gusseted tongue.  Also removed is the D-ring for the powerstrap at the top of the boot making it easier to secure.

The outer shell is now made with full grain leather and Ballistic Cordura Nylon with a rubber toe cap.  The new Wölvhammer still has a waterproof membrane with plenty of insulation and moisture wicking fleece allowing the boot to breathe while keeping your feet warm and dry.  Use with flat pedals or remove the cleat cover to install 2-bolt compatible cleats for clipless pedals.  Designed for 0° to 25° F comfort.  The Wölvhammer is beginning to show up at local bike shops now for the price of $325.

TOGS

TOGS stands for "Thumb Over Grip System" that offers riders an extra hand position by providing a thumb grip on top of the bars.  This thumb positioning allows plenty of leverage when climbing and a different hand placement for relief during long bumpy rides without interference to access brake and shift levers.  They are very lightweight, easy to install and come in a Zytel Nylon Ring in eight colors and a Carbon Fiber Hinged model making them a great alternative to bar ends.

While the Zytel Nylon Ring model requires removal of the grip for installation, the Carbon Fiber Hinged model does not.  With a universal fit on flat and riser bars, TOGS work will all grips including lock-on models.

Both models are available now from the TOGS website.  The Zytel Nylon Ring model sells for $23 and the Carbon Fiber Hinged model for $35.

Bianchi Allroad

For 2016 Bianchi introduces its new aluminum gravel bike, the Allroad.  Bianchi states, "Allroad is a mountain bike, a road bike, a cyclo-cross and a trekking bike all-in-one."  This do it all bike comes with a carbon fork, fittings for fender and rack mounts, a dropper seat post and Kenda Happy Medium tires.  It will come in two build options, Shimano 105 11-speed with Shimano hydraulic disc brakes and a more affordable Shimano Tiagra 10-speed with Avid BB5 mechanical disc brakes.  No word yet on a price for both models.  Expect the Allroad to start appearing at Bianchi dealers before the end of the year.

Maxxis Minion FBF & FBR

Maxxis was at Interbike with new fatbike versions of their popular Minion downhill tires.  These front & rear specific tires designed for trail riding are massive at 26x4.8.  The FBF (front) features Minion DHF tread blocks for great cornering and low rolling resistance.  The FBR (rear) is inspired by the Minion DHR II with side knobs for cornering and "paddle-like" knobs in the middle for better traction and decreased rolling resistance.

FBR

FBF

Both have a dual rubber compound and will be available in 60 & 120 tpi foldable bead casings.  A tubeless-ready EXO Protection (cut/abrasion resistant) version in a 120 tpi casing will also be available.  While not at your local bike shop yet look for them sometime soon.  While US pricing is not yet available, the European pricing of the 60 tpi casing models is around $100 each and the tubeless-ready EXO Protection models about $125 each.

Proviz Switch Gilet

 

From Proviz comes a great product for the road cyclist or commuter, the Switch Gilet.  This dual layer outer shell can be worn day or night to make sure cyclists are seen out on the road.  The Switch Gilet is reversible with a highly visible fluorescent yellow on one side and is 100% reflective (CE EN 20471 certified) on the other.  It features a 2-way reversible zipper, chest and back pockets, "meshed reflective material to aid breathability" and is machine washable.   

The Proviz Switch Gilet is available in Men's and Women's for $102.99 direct from the Proviz website.

Interbike 2015 Outdoor Demo Finds

I spent two days looking at all the new offerings from the bike industry and what a better place to see them first and test some of them out than at the Interbike Outdoor Demo.  While my posts concentrate on the fatbike and gravel scene, I came across some products for those that also share my interests.  Below are some of my finds.

Vee Tire Snowshoe XL

Vee Tire is introducing the Snowshoe XL Studded fatbike tire for 2016 with a 120 tpi folding bead (shown above) and a 72 tpi wire bead with a silica compound that is designed to hold traction at lower temperatures.  This 4.8 inch studable version has 240 carbide-tip studs and a Vee rep told me the folding bead will retail around $200 putting it more affordable than 45NRTH's folding bead Dillinger 5 and Bontrager's 3.8" Gnarwhal.

9:Zero:7 Whiteout Team

The 2016 9:Zero:7  Whiteout Team carbon limited edition frame/fork combo to build up was displayed at the Outdoor demo as a super lightweight build of 18 lbs. 15 oz.  $3100 price tag to start your build.  This bike was crazy light and is expected to be the fatbike racing choice coming into this Winter.  Get one before they are all gone.

Raleigh Roker

 

For the gravel enthusiast, Raleigh has taken the Tamland to the next level with two lightweight carbon choices.  The Raleigh Roker LTD is their top-notch carbon gravel/adventure bike with clearance for tires bigger than 40c, hydraulic disc brakes and Shimano Ultegra Di2 electronic shifting.  MSRP on the Roker LTD is $5299.99.  For the budget-minded cyclist that wants the same lightweight carbon chassis there is the Raleigh Roker Comp.  This model features the new Shimano 105 shifter and hydraulic disc brakes with a price tag coming in at $3299.99.

Crank Brothers Candy 7

Crank Brothers introduced its new Candy 7 pedal for 2016.  Although not yet available, the Candy 7 is "competition-oriented with new integrated traction pad" with an all new body shape.  This pedal has upgraded the Candy 3's inner needle bearing with an igus LL-glide bearing and an enduro cartridge outer bearing that the rep told me would not have to be rebuilt as often as the Candy 3.  When available, the Candy 7 will retail for $165 a pair.

SKS Fatboard Fender Set

Coming in January from SKS is the Fatboard Fender Set.  The quick-release rear fender with an adjustable two-hinge arm to accommodate your bike's geometry and a downtube front fender with straps,  they quickly and easily attach to to the bike.  Made of rigid plastic, they have plenty of coverage to keep you dry on those messy Winter/Spring rides. MSRP is $54.99 for the set.

GoPro Hero4 Session

GoPro introduces their new Hero4 Session, which is their "smallest, lightest, most convenient camera yet".  It shoots video in 1080p60 and photos in 8MP.  This tiny camera weighs in at only 74 grams and has an easy one-button control to capture video or time-lapse photos.  Use it with the free GoPro app for your smartphone or the Smart Remote to access most of its modes.  It is compatible with all GoPro mounts, is waterproof to 10m and has Wifi and Bluetooth connectivity for remote app control and social media sharing.  Available now for $399.99.

Surly Wednesday

I had a chance to ride Surly's newest offering, the Wednesday fatbike.  It's a 100% Surly 4130 CroMoly steel frame bike who's geometry I felt really comfortable with.  I test rode a small frame and it felt really good out on the trails at Bootleg Canyon.  I don't have a chance to experience the elevation changes and climbing like Bootleg Canyon has to offer and this bike made me feel right at home on trails that are much more technical than those back in Minnesota. The Surly Nate tires grabbed the loose terrain nicely proving that they are not just a snow tire.

With its 2X10 drivetrain, I never felt the need to shift into the smallest chainring on some of the steeper climbs where converting the Wednesday to a 1X10 drivetrain is definitely an option.  This bike is Bluto-ready and comes with the new My Other Brother Darryl tubless-ready rims for the affordable price of $1499.