Interbike – The Quick Recap Part 1

Now that we are back from Interbike and have recovered from the post-show/afterparty hangover and time change back to the east coast, here is a little of what we saw when we were there. Considering we met with almost 40 brands throughout the show (not bad for one journalist!), we’ll have a few recaps coming out this week. We’ll have more in-depth coverage over the next few weeks, including some interesting background on brands like Lightweight and Justin’s and some new products you’ll want to know more about. If you missed our Outdoor Demo coverage, check out Day One and Day Two.

Wahoo

We were treated to not only some hardware updates from Wahoo, but also some software that will be of interest to bike shops and training studios. The KICKR has a slightly updated look on the outside with the addition of a handle that makes it easier to transport, along with some changes to make it more stable. Internally, a larger flywheel increases the overall max wattage, but also runs more quietly.

For shops and studios that use KICKR’s for their indoor training sessions, Wahoo now has a software package that makes it easier to sync up and control up to 20 units at one time through an iPad. KICKR Studio also links to a television display to show each rider’s stats or the current training session, in real time.

We also finally got our hands on an ELEMNT cycle-computer, and we can’t wait to get it on the road for a full review.

TrainerRoad

Conveniently located right around the corner from Wahoo (and using their trainers at their booth), TrainerRoad launched their Android beta app at the show. Compatible with Lollipop and higher, the app will let you run power based workouts, train without a power meter, control your smart trainer, and connect bluetooth and ANT+ sensors (depending on your devices capabilities). More features will continue to be rolled out as the beta test continues. Click here to get the Android app.

With daylight fading quickly, we’ll be getting access to TrainerRoad to try out the website and will follow up with more on the site and what it has to offer.

Rosti USA

A relatively new clothing brand to the US, Rosti has been around in Italy for almost 40 years. If you were watching the European road championships, you might have caught Peter Sagan pulling on a Rosti jersey after taking his win. The brand also is the technical sponsor of Androni-Sidermec, providing kits for the team.

While they make several lines of cycling apparel with their own designs, their kits are also 100% customizable. Along with being able to add your own graphics and colors to every part of the kit, they can also customize many aspects of the kit, including zippers, gripper lengths, fabric textures, etc. Kits are hand sewn in Italy, made from top quality fabrics from Italy, Europe, and the US.

They sent us home with one of their Energystar warm weather kits, along with a cold weather Super Roubaix lined kit with some of their carbon fiber weave fabric.

Challenge Tires

Challenge launched their new Dune tread and S Series casings. The Dune is made for sandy conditions, while the S Series casings add a factory installed sealant on the outside of the casings. It helps protect and seal the casings, while keeping the compliance of the Challenge’s traditional cotton casings.

On the gravel side, they have added the Strada Bianca in 700×36 size to complement the 700×30 size. Keep an eye out for additional sizes coming of gravel tires coming out in 2017.

Polar Bottle

When jumping on your fat bike, it’s only fitting that you have a phat bottle to go with it. Polar Bottle skips the “Old E” 40 and goes straight to the 42oz, called the Big42. On that note, how cool would it be to see a take on some of the classic 40’s for the 42oz? The bottle comes with their standard cap and features the same insulated design we have been enjoying for years, just in a bigger size. Polar Bottle also has a ZipStream cap, which we have been enjoying since the Bike New York Expo, available for the Big42.

Also at the booth was a chance to see their new solid color bottles. While they are not customizable through Polar Bottle’s usual methods (printing the label that goes between the inner plastic and outer clear plastic), maybe some printing on the bottle like other brands could happen. You never know.

Meld Saddles

During the show, we posted an article on Meld’s launch during the show, and had a chance to sit down with Ethan Ee, the company’s founder. We walked through the process from beginning to end and had a chance to see the foam the company uses for your imprint. This imprint is then used to create your 3D version of the saddle design.

We also had the chance to check out the new Alps saddle. Still in the testing phase, the carbon shell ads a little bit more flex than their other saddles. For ultra-distance riders, like sponsored athlete Dave Cherne, this added flex is similar to a high end leather saddle, but without the break in time or the weight.

Xpedo

We has the chance to stop by and see “The Beard” at the Xpedo booth to check out their pedal lines. Robert Marion of the American Classic Cyclocross Team, was on hand to tell us about the only cyclocross specific pedal out there, the CXR. New for 2017 will be the Pro version of the CXR, which swaps the stainless steel spindle for a titanium spindle.

Designed with input from Marion, the CXR is designed to shed mud and sit at a slight nose up for ease of clipping in when remounting.

The Beard sent us away with a pair of the team’s CXR Pro edition pedals, and we’ll be running them for the rest of the cross season. Keep an eye out for a review.