Trend Watcher: 12 Lust-Worthy Toys From Bike Fest

With something like 50 bike races — road and mountain — spread over four days, the Sea Otter Classic has become the unofficial kickoff to the U.S. cycling season. It has also, between the racing and the beer tents, become an important quasi-trade show for the bike industry, with demos, meetings and major product launches. For bike geeks, no event can match Sea Otter’s mix of racing action and pure gear porn.

Of course, we’re not racing (have we mentioned the beer tents?). We're prowling the festival grounds in search of product highlights. Here are some of the standouts from our first afternoon at the show, from the likes of Shimano, Santa Cruz, SRAM and Ibis. Check back for more.

Above:

Shimano's workhorse XT group gets a top-to-bottom makeover for 2011 that borrows heavily from the top-end XTR group the Japanese company launched last summer, including dual pedal options for race or trail applications, redesigned hydraulic brakes with cooling fins to dissipate heat, and a 10-speed rear cassette.

"XTR is the group for bike fanatics," said Shimano PR manager Devin Walton. "XT is for bike enthusiasts, people who ride a lot but also have maybe a surfboard, a snowboard. People who have a lot of fun and need dependable gear."

The gold coating seen on a growing number of Fox suspension components isn't cosmetic. It's Kashima Coat, an electro-chemical surface treatment borrowed from the Japanese motorsports industry that reduces friction for smoother and more responsive movement suspension parts.

Even dry, the treated surfaces feel like they've got a thin coat of oil. The new Kashima RP23 rear shock is slated for release in 2012.

The Spider is the No. 2 shoe in Sidi's off-road lineup but it has become a favorite of cyclocross racers for its comfort off the bike — relative to Sidi's uber-stiff top-end offerings.

But 'cross racers absolutely destroy their shoes. So for 2011, Sidi has redesigned the Spider's upper with a more durable synthetic material that should better withstand run-ups and barrier-jumps in the autumn muck of ’cross season. $330

Exciting insoles? Sure. Why not? Fi'zi:k didn't spend a lot of time naming its latest product. They're just called Fi'zi:k insoles. But they are as intricately built as a lot of shoes, with varying-density memory foam and a carbon-fiber heel cup.

Heat-moldable material running the length of the insoles allows them to be custom fit to the user, using a special in-store oven. Should be in stores by late summer.

Proper fit on a bike can mean the difference between walking upright after a ride or giving up the sport altogether due to a rebellious spine. Look's 695 uses an ingenious mix of shims and eccentric inserts that can raise, lower, shorten or lengthen the handlebar stem; alter the length of the cranks; and manipulate seat-post length and stiffness. The 695 can literally grow or shrink with the rider.

But it's also a serious race machine — as evidenced by the Look-sponsored pros currently racing the bike in Europe. And by the $8,500 price tag for a complete bike with Shimano Dura-Ace.

With frame weights and suspension technology improving as they have, the best platform for the majority of mountain bikers will be something with five to six inches of suspension travel. Ibis' brand-new Mojo SL-R offers 5.5 inches, and the swoopy carbon frame is light enough that this complete bike tipped the scales at just 22.4 pounds — not much heavier than my first road bike.

SL-R frames will be available in June, at $2,500.

Want it lighter? Make more of the parts out of carbon fiber. While the approach might be straightforward, however, the engineering can be tricky, which is why Magura's new MT8 hydraulic brakes are reportedly the first disc brakes in the world to boast a carbon-fiber master cylinder.

It's also why they cost $400 — per brake.

Using a process called plasma electrolytic oxidation — from a British firm specializing in surface treatments for applications like military machinery and F-1 cars — Mavic's "Exalith" treatment hardens the aluminum in their top-end rims so much that they require special brake pads.

The resulting matte-black finish also looks badass. Prices for Exalith-treated wheel sets start at $1,800.

DT Swiss' Tricon line of tubeless wheels expands for 2011, for both road and mountain. Tubeless? Yes. The special rims form an airtight grip on the bead of tubeless-specific tires.

Why? Comfort and durability. The system can run slightly lower air pressure without risking a pinch flat, since there's no tube. We've run tubeless wheels for four years now without a single flat.

Hate hills? Like hills but want them to hurt less? SRAM's Apex road group boasts crazy-low gearing that makes gravity slightly less of a hassle. New for 2011, Apex comes in Euro-friendly white, like that iPhone 4 we never got to buy.

Santa Cruz's heralded Blur XC race bike gets a substantial makeover for 2011. Though the geometry and key rear-suspension design remain, the frame gets a tapered head tube for a stiffer front end, plus a new carbon layup and other tweaks that get frame weight down to a claimed 4.1 pounds with rear shock. That should deliver complete bike weights close to 20 pounds. In stores May 2011.

We've never heard of Yelo Velo before, but we didn't leave its booth without buying some of the new company's 100 percent plant-based, biodegradable lubricants and solvents, like this $9 El-Bo Grease made from seed oils.

Tags:bicycles,bikes,components,Fox,Mavic,Santa Cruz,Sea Otter,Shimano,SRAM

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http://pulse.yahoo.com/_H3YMWWAF5WWSGOWXGCV3FL7V4I Matteu

Mavic’s ‘Exalith’ seem mostly redundant. It creates a rim out of much harder aluminum, making it 10-fold harder for wheel-truers and repairers to straighten a rim in a small accident or if it runs out of true. Also creates a propriety-like system for your wheels as it forces you to buy their ’special’ brake pads that only are compatible with those rims. Sounds like an expensive exercise for little return.

tubeless tires, I’ve been wanting a set of these for a while now.

http://profiles.google.com/lucas.fernandes.df Lucas Fernandes

ok, now let’s talk about bike that we can afford. hehe nice equipment we have here.

http://profiles.google.com/lucas.fernandes.df Lucas Fernandes

ok, now let’s talk about bike that we can afford. hehe nice equipment we have here.

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_4PYRFBR2HA43D42WU64GUMYN4I First Last

“Plant-based” grease?! Is there really a problem with traditional grease? Really?

Yet again, Wired features gold-plated shovels with titanium handles that almost nobody can afford. Or wants. Do you guys actually get paid to pimp this overpriced crap?

Where are the gottdamm articles? I can find the manufacturer’s promotional photos and sales blurbs for overpriced “luxury” garbage anywhere on the net.

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_OE5W6REZG7NEQT2F7B4AWW4TP4 Kickballer

The title of the piece is “12 Lust-Worthy Toys…”, which is a dead give-away that they’ll be talking about “gold-plated shovels”, as you say… so… duh… if you’re tired of this type of article, shame on you for even clicking on it.

But don’t for a second pretend that you know what others “want” or what others “can afford”. Maybe you’re happy with your hand-me-down Schwinn, but there are plenty of folks out there who’ll gobble this stuff up. I find myself lusting after several of the products mentioned, and I’m glad to have read this article since I didn’t get a chance to go to Bike Fest.

http://profiles.google.com/faithomatic Faith McGregor

I would think that these wheels would not require truing precisely because the aluminum has been hardened. Wouldn’t that be the point of the process?

http://www.facebook.com/people/Ken-Lord/26307342 Ken Lord

If you think 9 dollars is expensive in bike land, I suggest you limit your comments to walmarts website.

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_4PYRFBR2HA43D42WU64GUMYN4I First Last

I have a Trek aluminum hardtail converted into a commuter with thin Conti reflective-sidewall, belted street tires, fenders, and lights, and an old steel REI touring bike with full panniers/racks, bar-end shifters, and SPD pedals; thanks for asking!

So what if the post title reveals the content, my point stands. This is hardly the only example of Wired’s perpetual slant toward over-priced yuppie-gear.

If you’re a “racer” who believes this kind of stuff is worth the actual price, you’re just flushing your money down the toilet at least half the time, but perhaps you have money to burn in a country where the (real) unemployment rate is near 20%.

There was an article in Bicycling magazine many, many years ago. The “last page” essay. Focused on a guy who won races, a lot of them. His “race gear” was gym shorts, a T-shirt, and sneakers. And his observation, was that you can’t buy your way to wins, you have to actually work at it, but many people actually believe anodized skewers are worth the money, and will win races. Believe, because they’re fools.

Blow your money however you want (or yourself); my point stands on exactly which stuff Wired is constantly featuring. I mean advertising.

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_4PYRFBR2HA43D42WU64GUMYN4I First Last

Where did I make a reference to the price of the “green” grease?

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_4PYRFBR2HA43D42WU64GUMYN4I First Last

Where did I make a reference to the price of the “green” grease?

I like the idea of plant based lubricants for my bike just as I like the plant based cleaning stuff I have been using for years. Driving in the woods in often muddy or dusty conditions means going through a good deal of lube for all things moveable meaning some of that lube is left in nature (along with brake dust, “rubber” worn of the tires and so on).

I want mountain biking to leave nothing in nature apart from tire marks and drops of sweat but when you think about it we are far from doing that. This plant-based stuff helps.

You’re missing the point of why most people buy the expensive bike gear. The thing is we buy it because we like nice things and they do function a little bit better than the cheaper stuff which makes riding a little more fun.

When I look at my bikes( yes, s as in plural) it’s enjoyable because of the engineering and materials used, it’s enjoyable for me to put them together and it’s enjoyable to notice how equipment has evolved over time.

Take brakes for instance – when I started out with mountain bikes the brakes was cantilever rim brakes which offered little stopping power plus when combined with mud/dust brake pads would wear down in days and rimes were being worn as well. Then came V-brakes which offered much better stopping but still had the other problems and then we moved to disc-brakes with their superior stopping, modulation and gone is the wearing of rims plus the weekly replacing of brake pads and brake adjustment.

Save your money for other things but don’t knock those that choose to spend. Those that spend get fun for their money and they help fund progress.

http://profiles.google.com/kieranski Kieran O’Halloran

ok really who took those bike pics, unless they were purely teasers, give us close ups

http://profiles.google.com/kieranski Kieran O’Halloran

ok really who took those bike pics, unless they were purely teasers, give us close ups

http://profiles.google.com/kieranski Kieran O’Halloran

ok really who took those bike pics, unless they were purely teasers, give us close ups

http://profiles.google.com/kieranski Kieran O’Halloran

ok really who took those bike pics, unless they were purely teasers, give us close ups

http://profiles.google.com/kieranski Kieran O’Halloran

ok really who took those bike pics, unless they were purely teasers, give us close ups

http://profiles.google.com/kieranski Kieran O’Halloran

ok really who took those bike pics, unless they were purely teasers, give us close ups

http://profiles.google.com/kieranski Kieran O’Halloran

ok really who took those bike pics, unless they were purely teasers, give us close ups

http://profiles.google.com/kieranski Kieran O’Halloran

ok really who took those bike pics, unless they were purely teasers, give us close ups

http://profiles.google.com/kieranski Kieran O’Halloran

ok really who took those bike pics, unless they were purely teasers, give us close ups

http://profiles.google.com/kieranski Kieran O’Halloran

ok really who took those bike pics, unless they were purely teasers, give us close ups

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_4PYRFBR2HA43D42WU64GUMYN4I First Last

Good for you.

I happen to be more realistic. The amount of petroleum-based drips I might leave, is absolutely minuscule, if there’s any at all. And, every “green” product I’ve tried (wasted my money on) meant to replace petro stuff, absolutely sucked. For a reason. I still use plain ol’ gasoline to clean chains too, since it’s $3.50 a gallon, and works like a champ.

The real damage that occurs from MTN biking, comes from the trails and erosion and tires, and other significant changes to the actual ground/landscape. “Greasing the weeds” is not a legitimate concern, it’s BS.

And what about city riding, or do you only want to rig your “argument” to defend the poor blades of grass?

How much actual oil or grease leaves your bike in the woods? Really? When I re-oil, I also _thoroughly_ wipe off any excess before heading out, because if I don’t, the chain will pick up more dirt and debris.

I’ll bet we’re now getting sockpuppet “defense” comments from employees at the companies that make this (worthless) stuff.

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_4PYRFBR2HA43D42WU64GUMYN4I First Last

Good for you.

And what about city riding, or do you only want to rig your “argument” to defend the poor blades of grass?

I’ll bet we’re now getting sockpuppet “defense” comments from employees at the companies that make this (worthless) stuff.

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_4PYRFBR2HA43D42WU64GUMYN4I First Last

Good for you.

And what about city riding, or do you only want to rig your “argument” to defend the poor blades of grass?

I’ll bet we’re now getting sockpuppet “defense” comments from employees at the companies that make this (worthless) stuff.

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_4PYRFBR2HA43D42WU64GUMYN4I First Last

Good for you.

And what about city riding, or do you only want to rig your “argument” to defend the poor blades of grass?

I’ll bet we’re now getting sockpuppet “defense” comments from employees at the companies that make this (worthless) stuff.

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_4PYRFBR2HA43D42WU64GUMYN4I First Last

Good for you.

And what about city riding, or do you only want to rig your “argument” to defend the poor blades of grass?

I’ll bet we’re now getting sockpuppet “defense” comments from employees at the companies that make this (worthless) stuff.

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_4PYRFBR2HA43D42WU64GUMYN4I First Last

Good for you.

And what about city riding, or do you only want to rig your “argument” to defend the poor blades of grass?

I’ll bet we’re now getting sockpuppet “defense” comments from employees at the companies that make this (worthless) stuff.

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_4PYRFBR2HA43D42WU64GUMYN4I First Last

Good for you.

And what about city riding, or do you only want to rig your “argument” to defend the poor blades of grass?

I’ll bet we’re now getting sockpuppet “defense” comments from employees at the companies that make this (worthless) stuff.

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_4PYRFBR2HA43D42WU64GUMYN4I First Last

Good for you.

And what about city riding, or do you only want to rig your “argument” to defend the poor blades of grass?

I’ll bet we’re now getting sockpuppet “defense” comments from employees at the companies that make this (worthless) stuff.

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_4PYRFBR2HA43D42WU64GUMYN4I First Last

Good for you.

And what about city riding, or do you only want to rig your “argument” to defend the poor blades of grass?

I’ll bet we’re now getting sockpuppet “defense” comments from employees at the companies that make this (worthless) stuff.

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_4PYRFBR2HA43D42WU64GUMYN4I First Last

Good for you.

And what about city riding, or do you only want to rig your “argument” to defend the poor blades of grass?

I’ll bet we’re now getting sockpuppet “defense” comments from employees at the companies that make this (worthless) stuff.

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_4PYRFBR2HA43D42WU64GUMYN4I First Last

Good for you.

And what about city riding, or do you only want to rig your “argument” to defend the poor blades of grass?

I’ll bet we’re now getting sockpuppet “defense” comments from employees at the companies that make this (worthless) stuff.

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_4PYRFBR2HA43D42WU64GUMYN4I First Last

Good for you.

And what about city riding, or do you only want to rig your “argument” to defend the poor blades of grass?

I’ll bet we’re now getting sockpuppet “defense” comments from employees at the companies that make this (worthless) stuff.

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_4PYRFBR2HA43D42WU64GUMYN4I First Last

Good for you.

And what about city riding, or do you only want to rig your “argument” to defend the poor blades of grass?

I’ll bet we’re now getting sockpuppet “defense” comments from employees at the companies that make this (worthless) stuff.

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_4PYRFBR2HA43D42WU64GUMYN4I First Last

You think they’re literally immune from becoming out of true? Don’t believe the hype; I thought the (mechanic’s) warning was dead-on.