Squeaky Brakes Get the Spray from SwissStop

The modern disc brakes used on bikes today have dramatically improved performance and safety. In conjunction with those improvements, disc brakes have also freed rim makers to push the envelope regarding design since that do not have to incorporate rim brake surface anymore. With the abandonment of the rim brake design, mechanics have lost the ability to adjust the angle in which the brake pad hit the braking surface, referred to as ’toe’. Adjusting the toe was how the mechanics were able to quiet rim brakes that would squeal – this is not an option with disc brakes.

So what is a mechanic to do if they have properly installed disc brakes and they still squeal?

SwissStop has an answer. Developed for use in the railroad industry, the SwissStop Disc Brake Silencer is a metallic-based release agent with a biologically degradable carrier fluid that is very sparely applied to disc brake pads to stop the squeal. It is not an oil, but a liquid that dries. What is left behind is an agent that reduces brake dust and polishes the braking surface to minimize brake chatter – the chatter is what can cause the squealing problem.

Along with reducing brake squeal, SwissStop claims that their Disc Brake Silencer also dissipates heat better than none treated brakes, prevents non-uniform wear, and eliminates vibration – all while not impairing brake power. The Disc Brake Silencer is compatible with all disc brake systems on the market and brake pad types, including both organic and metallic. SwissStop states that one half-second application per pad will last well over 1000 miles. This should mean many happier miles for you and your friends! Video after the jump

Interbike 2012: Elite Rolls Into Wireless Control

Training rollers used by cyclists have remained largely unchanged for years. Set your resistance, hop on, and ride. With most rollers, the resistance unit, whether it was a fan, magnetic unit, or simply the diameter of the roller drums, can not be adjusted while riding. To make the workout harder or easier, changing to the next gear was pretty much to only option while in the saddle. The Italy manufacturer, Elite, has changed all of that with the introduction of their Arion Digital rollers for 2013. Continue reading Interbike 2012: Elite Rolls Into Wireless Control

Interbike 2012: PocketFuel Natural ‘Concoctions’

The words ‘whole food’ are not just reserved for the name of a grocery chain, but is a term referring to food that is eaten in its purest, unprocessed form. Without ingredients like partially hydrogenated oils, high fructose corn syrup, or many of the chemicals that we can barely pronounce, the body can digest whole foods much easier than those containing processed ingredients. As a bonus, whole foods often taste much better than their processed counterparts and are much easier to stomach during a physical activity lasting several hours.

There are many solid, whole food type of energy bars on the market that can be carried easily in a pack or cycling jersey pocket. There are even unprocessed drink options. But when it comes to gels, there are not many choices for those wanting a compact, easy to carry, quick energy boast. While strolling the floor at Interbike this year, I was able to sample a number of different flavors of the whole food type of energy ‘gel’, PocketFuel, a 100% all natural energy product. Video after the jump

Interbike 2012: Floor Recap

It is hard to believe that Interbike was a week ago. It came and went so fast, but it remains among our most favorite shows of the year. We went through the camera one more time and have posted our final photos from the show floor, including this one above of our own Brian O’Connor and pro cyclist Tom Danielson. Continue reading Interbike 2012: Floor Recap

Interbike 2012: Chris King Presses Further into the Bottom Bracket Market

For years Chris King of Portland, Oregon has been producing some of the finest cycling components on the market. Sometimes they are at the forefront of a new idea and sometimes they choose to wait on the consumer to see which new innovation they will embrace. Up until recently, the only bottom bracket shell “standand” that they have supported has been the ISO/English or BSA threaded 1.37 in x 24 TPI in the widths of 68mm and 73mm – the U.S. standard for decades. It looks like that is about to change. Continue reading Interbike 2012: Chris King Presses Further into the Bottom Bracket Market

Interbike 2012: Empire Builder at Giro

Giro has built a not so small empire with its line of helmets and shoes, and at Interbike last week the company unveiled the Empire, a new custom shoe developed specifically for Taylor Phinney to use in the 2012 Giro d’Italia and Olympic Games. Video after the jump

Interbike 2012: Michelin’s Call of the Wild and Mud

We know what you’re thinking: “It’s 2012 can there really be innovation in mountain bike tires? Seriously!” The answer is yes, there is always innovation, always some improvement. That’s par for the course at Eurobike or Interbike.

But then we saw the Michelin Wild Mud Tire and it could be a game changer for those who ride in situations where the ground isn’t bone dry. So while they might not hear the call of the Wild Mud in drought-plagued Texas, for those where the rain falls and snows leave mud this is the tire that can cut through it like no other. Continue reading Interbike 2012: Michelin’s Call of the Wild and Mud

Interbike 2012: Eyes on Cébé Eyewear

During our annual pilgrimage down to Las Vegas for Interbike, we had a chance to stop by the Bushnell Eyewear booth to checkout their current lineup. For those of you who are not familiar with the Bushnell Eyewear name, they are the parent company of Bolle and Serengetti – two high end eyewear lines. But it wasn’t the offerings under those two names that piqued our interest, it was a third name in the booth, Cébé, which caught our eye. Continue reading Interbike 2012: Eyes on Cébé Eyewear

Interbike 2012: Timex Keeps Ticking with 2.0 Cycling Computer

Timex – the company know to take a licking and keep on ticking – was back at Interbike last week with its Cycle Trainer 2.0 GPS Bike Computer, which includes five screens of real-time cycling data provided by GPS. It can track speed, distance and grade all in real time, while also providing barometric altimeter readings and temperature. Continue reading Interbike 2012: Timex Keeps Ticking with 2.0 Cycling Computer

Interbike 2012: Tretta Two Wheel Drive Bikes

Japanese based Arte Sales rolled out its new Tretta 2WD bike at last week’s Interbike. The concept has taken five years to develop and was finally introduced last year, but the company hopes to gain traction in the worldwide cycling market.

And given that the concept involves a two wheel drive system the company should be able to get through the mud, snow and just about anything else that stands in its way. The Tretta, which as shown in the photos, utilizes a unique drive chain system that delivers some of the power from the pedal stroke to the front wheel. This helps riders power through snowy roads, bad rods and assists in climbing as well as tackling rough terrain. Additional photos after the jump

Interbike 2012: Keep the iPhone in the Pocket But Display on Handlebars

Last week at the Interbike trade show Wahoo Fitness offered a peak at its new RFLKT Bike Computer, which allows riders to keep their expensive iPhones tucked in a pocket or tool bag but still be able to get crucial information sent to a receiver on the handlebars.

The small gizmo weighs just two ounces and should be able to run on a single coin cell battery for up to a year. Data is transmitted from the handset to the RFLKT device via Bluetooh 4.0 and it is compatible with a variety of iPhone apps. Press release after the jump

Interbike 2012: ODD Recap

The dust on the trails has settled but we had a great time at Interbike 2012’s Outdoor Demo Days, where were were able to test ride several bikes. Here is a recap of what we hit on the trails.

Continue reading Interbike 2012: ODD Recap

Interbike 2012: Adrenaline Junkies for Jerseys

Cyclists love jerseys and Adrenaline Promotions of Mt. Vernon, Wash. was on had at last week’s Interbike trade show to show its school spirit. The company continues to introduce new university-themed cycling jerseys. So whether you’ll wear only your school colors or want to collect your favorite schools based on football or basketball this collection is the one to beat with constant additions.

The company’s motto is “represent while you ride” and we think they proved they know how to represent and then some!

Adrenaline Promotions Official Website