The water bottle is quickly becoming a statement of style and personal choice. Though we still like to see function trump fashion in this case with some technical elements, those elements are usually what determines those preferences. The Relaj water bottle brings its own look and technical details to the shelf.
Every Interbike is special to us of course, but the 2012 trade show for all things bicycle will see something truly unique as the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC) has announced that the RTC 2012 Viva Bike Vegas Gran Fondo will again begin on the Las Vegas Strip and century riders will have the opportunity to ride over the Hoover Dam, and the event will take place on Saturday, September 22, the day after the Interbike Trade Show ends at the Sands Expo Center.
“We look forward to offering riders a unique and exciting ride from the famous Las Vegas Strip to the iconic Hoover Dam in this year’s RTC Viva Bike Vegas Gran Fondo,” said Jacob Snow, RTC general manager in a statement. “We are proud to welcome cyclists from across the country and around the world to Las Vegas every year to ride in Viva Bike Vegas. This year, we are especially pleased to partner with Interbike and invite its exhibitors and attendees to join us for our fifth annual event.”
All riders will again have the unique opportunity to begin their ride under the bright lights of the world-famous Las Vegas Strip. The RTC 2012 Viva Bike Vegas Gran Fondo will feature three spectacular routes – 118, 72, and 17-mile courses – for cyclists of all skill levels taking riders from the Las Vegas Strip to the vistas of the Red Rock
Rider registration for the RTC 2012 Viva Bike Vegas Gran Fondo is available online now, and proceeds from Viva Bike Vegas will again benefit local charities.
Viva Bike Vegas Gran Fondo Official Website
Interbike Official Website
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Since the early 1990s, I have been an avid user of the Oakley Mumbo and M-frames with the Sweep lenses for all forms of cycling. They have protected my eyes from tree branches, sun, snow, mud, rocks, flying insects and anything else thrown my way. I never ride without them. They fit my head well and provide excellent coverage keeping the wind out of my eyes during fast descents. I have tried many other types of glasses and yet I keep grabbing my M-frames every time I ride… until now.
At Interbike this year, there were numerous eyewear companies and a number showing off photochromic lenses. Photochromic lenses darken when exposed to ultraviolet rays (UV) and fade back to lighter tint in low light areas or indoors. Shortly after the show, I received a pair of the Bollé Tempest glasses with their version of a photochromic lens, the Modulator, to try myself.
(Click Image for Closer Look)
On a bicycle built for two, either your partner and you work together or not at all. There really is no in-between on a tandem. It is a team effort, not only requiring both of you to pedal together to get over a mountain pass, but also work as ‘one’ negotiating turns and technical sections. Usually couples either ride on the road or on dirt trails, but seldom both due to limitations of the bike or rider comfort level. A road tandem, with its 700c wheels and larger gearing, is much faster on the road than a mountain bike tandem. A mountain bike tandem, with its 26-inch wheels and smaller gearing, is much stronger and is geared to make it easier to climb – especially while riding trails. My wife and I are in-between… we want the speed of a road tandem, but be able to ride some trails on a whim. Our 1998 Cannondale MT1000 mountain tandem has served us well for five Triple Bypass tours, but we both are looking for something that will roll faster on the road and yet still handle the trails. We just do not want to own two different tandems. Enter the 2012 Java from Co-Motion.
German engineering. For most people, those two words conjure an image of precision and utmost craftsmanship especially in the automotive world. The Germans are known for their attention to detail and quality products, but at a price. This tradition is carried on by A-GE hydraulic shifting system manufactured by ACROS of Germany.
With so much focus on the new electric shifting options from Shimano which are being adapted to mountain bikes, it is easy to overlook this hydraulic option which has actually been available since 2006. We had a chance to take a Storck carbon fiber bike equipped with the AG-E system out on the trails of Bootleg Canyon at the Interbike Outdoor Demo this year.
The leaves are changing colors and the days are becoming shorter; this means that winter is not too far behind and neither is the prospect of snow. For some cyclists this means hanging up the bikes for the winter and doing the grind at the gym. For those who want to brave the elements, there is another option – the Surly Moonlander.
Peter Suciu of KineticShift talks to Trey from Quintana Roo about the 2012 Kilo Carbon Time Trial bike. Trey gives the low down on why this affordable bike might be the way to go next season.
Don’t plan on flying home at the end of Interbike next year. For the 31st annual bicycle trade show you might want to stay the weekend and line up a bike to ride. Interbike’s organizers has announced that the trade show will partner next year with the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC) to bring more bicycle industry participation, in the form of sponsorship and exhibition opportunities, to the RTC 2012 Viva Bike Vegas Gran Fondo.
The 2012 edition of Interbike will be held September 17-21, and the RTC 2012 Viva Bike Vegas Gran Fondo will take place immediately following the show on Saturday, Sept. 22. Read the rest of this entry »
At Interbike this year, we at KineticShift.com couldn’t help but notice all the exhibitors with “Kinetic” in the name.
Kinetic by Kurt makes indoor trainers for your bike so you can keep pedaling through the winter. Kinetic’s Rock and Roll model takes some of the tedium out of the stationary bike conundrum by allowing for the bike to move or rock from side to side. It’s set up like any other trainer that connects to your rear wheel. Where the Rock and Roll differs, however, is that most trainers keep your bike stationary and unmovable. The Rock and Roll rocks your bike from side to side as you pedal. A Turntable Riser Ring holds your front wheel and lets you turn the bike as if you’re steering around a curve.
Since both wheels remain on the bike, expect your tires to get a certain amount of wear from a season on the trainer. More accurately, expect your tires to get a wear spot or bald spot from where the front tire sits, and the rear tire will get wear from friction where the tire rubs on the trainer. Because of this Kinetic by Kurt recommends using Trainer Tires. These indoor trainer tires are from Kinetic by Kenda.
Video after the jump: Read the rest of this entry »
Enid Burns of KineticShift talks to Joshua Hon VP of Tern Bicycles about the features of their Eclipse model. This folding bicycle has a unique dynamo hub switch that allows the rider to turn off electric power production. The bicycle also has other characteristics to fit an urban life. The stem height and reach can be adjusted by hand in about 2 seconds while the entire bike can be folded and bagged up for storage in around 15 seconds. It also sports a peculiar chain cover that will shield your body and clothing from grease.
What might appear to be a waste of perfectly good bike parts, the SRAM pART PROJECT was a challenge given to 50 artists to create something out of 100 brand new components. Their results were on display at this year’s Interbike where they were judged before being shipped to a galley in Chicago to be put on display in October where additional judging will occur. After both exhibitions are complete, all of the pieces will be auctioned off online.
This is not some sort of snooty artist affair with champagne and caviar – this is art with a purpose. After all of the shows and auctioning of the pieces is complete, the proceeds will go to the World Bicycle Relief. This non-profit organization was created in 2005 by the SRAM Corporation and with additional support from other leaders in the bicycle industry, the World Bicycle Relief helps people in third world countries through the use of bicycles.
Video after the jump
With so many manufacturers offering 29er hardtail mountain bikes, it can be difficult to pick one that is right for you. Just as demo days that many companies host around the country for the public, the Interbike OutDoor Demo, that occurs each year before the Interbike tradeshow, allows individuals involved in the bike industry to test the newest and latest rides on the market. Not all manufactures are present, but most of the major players are there alongside the little guys offering a fleet of bikes to ride on the trails of Bootleg Canyon outside of Boulder City, Nevada. Having had a chance to test numerous bikes, 29er hardtails were this writer’s choice to put trough the loops of loose, dry and rocky trails of Bootleg Canyon. Before you lay down your hard earned cash on a hardtail 29er, give any of these bikes a spin. Read the rest of this entry »
If you need traction and flotation in mud, sand, or snow, surly rims and tires have a combination for you. They offer tire sizes up to 4.7″ wide! If you don’t require this type of extreme gear they are still worth a look. They have hilarious names and are simply outrageous. Filmed at Interbike 2011 in September. Read the rest of this entry »
