Interbike 2010: Motorex Goes Green With Bike Lubes and Cleaners

The words “green” and “largest crude oil refinery” aren’t usually things you’d think would be one in the same, but for Switzerland-based Motorex this is very much the case. The company has been in business for more than 90 years and has made efforts to develop and produced produces that minimize the impact on both man and the environment, and creates as little waste as possible.

It’s line of lubes and cleaning products are popular with many racing teams, including Team Trek World Racing, Team GT World Racing and Team BMC among others.

The current products include both a Dry Lube for dry/dusty conditions, which utilizes a unique wax/oil formula to penetrate into the pins and plates, is also compatibles with the Easy Clean Degreaser, allowing riders to lube up the chain right after degreasing. For wetter and muddier conditions, the Motorex Wet Lube features a synthetic formula that is waterproof, and provides a guard for the chain in those sticky conditions. The Easy Clean Chain/Parts Degreaser promises to live to its name, it is aggressive on grease and dirt yet safe on components and finishes. Continue reading Interbike 2010: Motorex Goes Green With Bike Lubes and Cleaners

Interbike 2010: Looking Mod and Stylish While Helping the Planet

Looking good and doing so while wearing recycled water bottles isn’t really a stretch, and you don’t even have to be Lady Gaga to pull it off. Modrobes makes it easy as the company is set to launch a new line of urban cycling apparel made from recycled water bottles.

Toronto designer Steven Sal Debus spent five years cycling in some truly lovely locales including Amsterdam, Zurich, Portland, Vancouver and New York. He hit upon the idea to create a “new school” of cycling attire, and came up with an idea to use a product that typically is used once and discarded. The result is a line of products that looks good, feels good and is also good for the planet. Continue reading Interbike 2010: Looking Mod and Stylish While Helping the Planet

Interbike 2010: Look Out, Kéo Power is Coming

There is an old saying that absolute power corrupts absolutely. That probably isn’t a concern however with Kéo Power, a new pedal from LOOK and Polar. This new technologically advanced cycling pedal is much more than the place where you foot goes.

The pedal actually measures an athlete’s power output, as well as left/right balance. You do the pumping, and sensors integrated with the pedal and crank accurately measure the results, sending the data directly to a Polar cycling computer on the bike’s handlebars.

The Kéo pedal is also the lightest clipless pedal in its class, made of injected carbon with a stainless steel 17-4PH axel. While we don’t think it will corrupt anyone, it will make training as absolutely effective as possible.

LOOK Official Website

Polar Official Website

Interbike 2010: Ready Steady, Rack ‘Em Up

Bikes are great when you’re riding them, the rest of the day these two-wheeled machines are just in the way. And that’s true whether you’re a hardcore racer or just a causal rider. Most of us don’t have a team trailer to store a bike either, and whether the ride is kept in the garage, basement or in an apartment it takes room.

This week at Interbike new start-up Steadyrack is showing its innovative solution that can allow for keeping the bike off the ground and getting some valuable floor space. The system was invented in Perth, Australia by cyclist and homebuilder David Steadman and inventor Ron Collicott in 2000, and the pair have been tweaking it over the years to come up with a thoroughly thought out product. Continue reading Interbike 2010: Ready Steady, Rack ‘Em Up

Interbike 2010: Contour GPS Video Camera: Look Mom, No Hands

Take this for a ride. The Contour GPS camera shoots high-definition, 180p video while the built-in GPS tracks your trip in real-time. And then there’s the bonus that the camera mounts to a helmet, goggles or other article of clothing so your hands are free to grip handlebars, poles or a steering wheel. What would be the point of built-in GPS if you weren’t on the move while filming?

The Contour GPS films what you see. It also takes data on the map, terrain, and gives you a hybrid view. So when you play back the video on your computer, and especially when you post it for your friends to see, a ticker on the map follows the action on trails, ski slopes, roads, rivers, or wherever you filmed. There’s no limit. The camera is just about to hit the market for $349.99.

Just keep in mind. The video is 1080p high definition. However expect a little jerky camera syndrome. If you have a camera mounted to your helmet, it sees what you see. And if you’re riding your bike on rocky, uneven terrain, the video will likely bounce around a little. It’s still exciting that you can film high-definition to show your friends that daring descent on a black diamond slope.

For some really amazing mountain biking, check out this video and make sure to watch the GPS tracking on the right.

Contour GPS official website

Interbike 2010: Rotor Cranks It Up

Rotor hopes to help riders get pumping with its new line of 3D Cranks, Q-Rings and other products this fall. At Interbike The company is also introducing several bottom brackets that can be used with standard cranks in any BB30 frame, as well as their own 3D cranks of course.

Among the interesting new products are the 3D Aero & Track cranks, specifically designed for time trial and track bikes. These feature a “closed spider” design, and are made with an ultra-light, yet aerodynamic reinforced structure. The idea is to provide increased overall stiffness compared to an open spider crank, so as to help riders keep it turning on the track or during a time trial. Continue reading Interbike 2010: Rotor Cranks It Up

Interbike 2010: Ridekick – More Than a Bike Trailer

While cycling no doubt is a great way to get to the store, it isn’t always the best way to get the stuff you buy back home again. There are plenty of options for trailers, which are great for hauling stuff, but when filled with stuff it can make the ride home seem like quite the haul!

At Interbike this week Ridekick introduced its new trailer system, which not only provides extra space to store stuff, but it also includes a power assist of up to 19mph (the legal limit is 20mph for bike trails). This batter powered device can help for short commutes and jaunts to the grocery store, running up to 15 miles on one charge. The hard shell casing provides weatherproof and lockable storage, and the trailer system is designed to make for stable turns. The Ridekick is designed to hitch and unhitch to a bike in seconds, and first-time installation can be accomplished in just about 10 minutes.

The Ridekick will be available at retail next spring.

Ridekick Official Website

Interbike 2010: KineticShift.com is Heading to Vegas

Check back all week as we’ll be reporting from the 2010 Interbike International Trade Expo in sunny Las Vegas, Nevada. This event brings over 1,000 brands to Sin City, and we’ll report on the latest and greatest new products from the bicycle world.

We’ll be on the look for the most innovative products, new trends and just about anything else on two wheels.

Interbike Official Website

Interbike 2010: U.S. Rep Earl Blumenauer to Open 2010 International Bicycle Expo

With the Interbike trade show just three weeks away, it has been announced that U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.) will serve as the keynote speaker at a special press conference. Blumenauer is founder of the Congressional Bike Caucus, and he will speak on the state of cycling legislation and future government activity on behalf of cycling.

According to the official press release from the International Bicycle Expo organizers this visit from the congressman comes at a critical time as the U.S. government continues to work on the next transportation bill, which could set the tone for cycling infrastructure investments during the next six years.

Rep. Blumenauer will outline where bicycling stands in this matter, and where it is going. He will further pinpoint what the industry can do to support these efforts.

Congressional Bike Caucus

Interbike