THIS WEEK IN PRO CYCLING
Interbike kicks off with Outdoor Demo'
The tradeshow season culminates with the start of the Interbike tradeshow in Las Vegas. Although the majority of the show takes place at the Sands Expo and Convention Center - in Sin City itself - the show actually starts a couple of days early, with bike demos in Bootleg Canyon roughly 20 miles outside the city limits. The area is renowned for exceptional mountain bike trails (a few have even earned IMBA’s renowned “Epic Rides” label to prove it).
The Interbike folks have been coming to Bootleg canyon for the past few years, because the area offers demo’ riders the opportunity to try out new bikes on any of three cross-country tracks, a dirt jumping area, a BMX track, a road course and even a downhill mountain bike course.
But on this, the first day of the Outdoor Demo’, our focus was largely on trying to get a few more details on the SRAM road group we first spotted (behind glass) at the EuroBike show in Friedrichshafen. No such luck.
Sure, we got to see the group, play with the components, but only after signing a non-disclosure agreement. The omnipresent security staff ensured our silence… at least for a few days.
BMC president Andy Kessler was on hand to introduce the Pro Machine road frame. Kessler said the company was still putting the finishing touches on the frame just a day before the start of this year’s Tour de France. Kessler said, team riders, including Santiago Botaero and Floyd Landis, were happy to hop right on the new bike, despite being at the beginning of a three-week journey.
The new frame utilizes Easton’s Nano Technology, which was co-developed by the two companies for this specific frame application. The frame employ’s five monocoque pieces bonded together to complete the frame. By using the five pieces instead of a single monocoque, BMC’s engineers can precisely place carbon in high stress areas, especially those asked to bare high clamping forces, like the front derailleur mounting area. The only non-carbon elements of the entire frame are the bottom bracket threads. The rest, including dropouts, is pure carbon. A 55cm frame weighs in at 950 grams. Your wallet will be a touch lighter, too, since the frame, fork, seat post and headset will run you a hefty $3650.
While checking out the Pro Machine, one could not help but notice the ‘06 Superstroke. This mountain frame is a new model employing BMC’s Advanced Pivot point (virtual pivot) to provide a pedaling friendly platform to the bike’s six inches of travel. The frame is constructed of hydro-formed aluminum and the rear triangle uses a monocoque aluminum section to provide lateral stiffness. I had the chance to take a tear on Bootleg Canyon’s trails with this bike, and my first impression was good. The bike pedaled better than many bikes I have ridden with half of the travel (while seated). Unfortunately, rushed setup, as is common in any sort of high volume demo situation, left the bike feeling bouncy while out of the saddle. As I said, my first impression was good and leaves me wanting to spend real time on a properly set it up bike. The Superstroke 01 frame retails for $1950.
Bicycle conglomerate Pacific Cycles showed a strong line up for 2006. Many of the bikes have impressive component packages for their prices points. I rode the I-Drive 1.0, GT’s cross-country race/ trail bike. It has four inches of travel sprung by Fox on both ends. The package is completed with a full Shimano XT group. At $2600 the butted aluminum frame seems like a good value, though the package ends up being bit heavy and the welds leave a bit to be desired. From a design standpoint the frame hits a high mark, the suspension works well, and offers great serviceability. The pivots rotate on sealed headset bearings, which can easily be found in any bike shop.
Mongoose, also a part of Pacific Cycles, had some impressive bikes playing off of the company’s sponsorship of Eric Carter and the Mongoose team. The EXC is a race-ready mountain cross bike with a similar parts spec to that used by EC to win the National Championship in the discipline of four-cross. The frame has adjustable travel from 2.8-3.1 inches, controlled via a custom tuned Rockshox Black Box rear shock. The complete bike costs $2500 and features top-of-the-line components from SRAM, Rockshox, and Truvativ.
Other 2005 Show Coverage
Other 2005 Show CoverageInterbike-Las Vegas '05Interbike '05: A fine day in the desert
EICMA-Milan '05EICMA Show opens in MilanMilan Style: EICMA show offers plenty to admire
EuroBike '05EuroBike gives a peek at 2006... and beyondEuroBike, Day 2: A Sram update and a brief visit to ItalyEuroBike, Day 3: New stuff, all new stuffEuroBike: The off-road set in the courtyard
