From: chandler@wc.novell.com (Mark Chandler)
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles.marketplace
Subject: Interbike Goodies
Date: 30 Sep 92 15:35:44 GMT
Organization: Novell, Inc. - Walnut Creek

Here's a few of the things that caught my eye at the recent Interbike
trade show in Anaheim.  Most of the "glossies" have already reported
on the new stuff from Shimano, SunTour, & Campy, so I've left that
stuff out.  And since I tend to favor hybrids, much of it is hybrid
related.


Suspension has come to hybrids: I saw a Bruce Gordon Rock & Road,
Barracuda cyclo-cross, and a Bontrager 'cross bike all fitted with Rock
Shox.

The drop bar hybrid is dead: Bianchi now offers only one drop bar hybrid
-- the Volpe (gone is the Equinox). Miyata has discontinued their
Alumicross, and Bridgestone's RB-T was absent from their booth and 93
catalogue. Fortunately, there are limited numbers of these bikes
remaining at the warehouses (and should be available at a discount).

Diamondback's 700C SuperCross bikes -- the Overdrive and Overdrive Comp,
return essentially unchanged for '93.

Trek gets serious about hybrids: Their top-of-the-line 7900 now features
a carbon fiber main triangle and all models have increased tire
clearance. Trek also debuted their line of "urban vehicles" dubbed the
"Metro Track" series replete with fenders and rear racks.

Klein had a "cross" stem which featured an extruded clamp with two binder
bolts.

True Temper introduced their hybrid tubeset which was showcased on a
custom hybrid bike built by Tom Teesdale.

Peugeot had several hybrids and touring bikes that looked like they might
fill some of the voids in the US market.

Schwinn's cross bikes now feature Scott-like multi-position handlebars.

Traditional (Euro-style) cross frames were on display from Gitane and
Torelli. While they featured the requisite cantilever bosses and cable
stops, the tire clearance was limited to "traditional" (read, narrow)
cross tires.

Sakae now offers a hybrid version of their bonded-aluminum Litage frames.
Interestingly, the frame does NOT include a fork.

Rock Shox will be offering a 700C-compatible version of their suspension
fork in early '93.

I saw a Ti Bruce Gordon Rock & Road that also featured a Ti BG rack.

Campagnolo's "Hybrid" aero drop-bar lever is optimized for cantilevers.

Veltec-Boyer will be distributing Kostriken cross (road and mountain too)
framesets. The cross frames feature a fork similar to Tange/Fat Chance's
"strut" design.

Aside from a few models from Kenda, there were virtually no new FAT
(i.e., greater than 40mm) 700C tires. Most manufactures said that there
was very little demand for tires that size, especially aggressive
knobbies.

Bridgestone now has 5 XO bikes with an assortment of drop, moustache,
priest, and arc bars. They also explain the silly fat-tire tariff in
their catalogue. And speaking of their catalogue, it's even better than
last year's.

For really thirsty cyclists, Blackburn offers the WTB-designed bottle
cage that will hold a 1.5 liter bottle of spring/mineral water.

Pedro's showed tire levers made from recycled milk jugs.

Shimano showed two new hybrid(-designated) groups: the 400 and 700cx.
Unlike last year's 500cx group, these are not simply re-labeled versions
of existing components.

SunTour now offers an SPD-type pedal. Manufactured by MKS, the pedal's
cleat fits SPD-compatible shoes. SunTour will offer the cro-mo axle
version only as an OEM item, with the Ti-axled model available for
aftermarket sales. MKS will offer the cro-mo model under their name for
aftermarket/retrofit sales.

Avocet ported their popular model 50's altimeter functionality to a
multi-sport wristwatch.

In addition to their Gran Sasso mountain bike pump, Silca debuted the
Super Gran Sasso floor pump. The latter should be able to inflate the
fattest tires with a minimal number of strokes.
--
Mark Chandler               Novell, Inc.          510/975-4522
chandler@wc.novell.com      Walnut Creek, CA      510/938-2562 FAX
==================================================================
     The opinions expressed above are mine, not my employer's.
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles.marketplace