Interbike round up, part four

Fairdale

Fairdale has reviewed well since its introduction to the UK under Triton Imports and if the interest in the stand at Interbike is anything to go by, 2014 will be another strong year.

Designed by BMX icon Taj Mihelich, the range borrows some of the styling from Taj’s Terrible One days and brings it to cruisers and road rigs, including low step through women’s bikes starting at £499.

The Road Parser comes in slightly cheaper this year at £699, while retaining its robust, low maintenance qualities. The £999 Weekender goes drop bar this year and retains mechanical Avid disc brakes. 

State Bicycles

Offering direct to dealer sales, State has a catalogue of singlespeed bikes suiting various styles of riding and even a WuTang collaboration bike of which there’s only 200 worldwide.

There’s a mix of bikes, typically all centred around a 4130 steel frame, but various fork options are available, so your customer can upgrade to carbon should they feel the need. Prices range from $400 to $1,000 for complete bikes and framesets, wheels, cranks and handlebars are also sold individually.

Info@statebicycles.co.uk

Chrome

At times chrome’s booth had queues stretching around its corner. Now that may have had something to do with beer, but it could also have been down to hand making shoes and t-shirts on the show floor.

Having salvaged a number of rubber forging machines from a Slovakian factory, the label has refurbished each in Thailand and is now able to use a process which results in a much more solid shoe base than those that are vulcanised. Granted it takes ten minutes to make one shoe, but the quality speaks for itself. Chrome’s forged shoes should land in Spring and cost around $80 – though none of the forged models are cycling specific. Each will host an anti-microbial liner, so will be fine to wear without socks.

That wasn’t all, however, Chrome also debuted a line of knurled and welded bags. Again, expect these to outlast any bag using stitching. 18 to 37 litre units are to go on sale shortly and a pannier bag will be included in the line.

Chrome now sells direct to retail via its Rotterdam warehouse and can be contacted on greg@chromeindustries.com

Electra

It’s been coming for a while, but Electra finally showed its electric Townie Go at Interbike and spec-wise, it’s worth the wait.

Described as a low-maintenance e-bike, the bike runs on Sram’s e-Matic drive system, the gearless bike shuns a throttle. It’s a looker too, with all cabling internally routed, including the brakes.

The European market will be supplied with a ring lock security system that springs into place through the rear wheel with the turn of the supplied key. This key also provides access to the eight-Amp battery, which comes stowed in the parcel shelf mounted above the rear wheel.

Tern

Here’s one we missed at Eurobike, Tern’s Eclipse SAT, one for the “hardcore commuter”, according to Eric Mah of Tern.

Built around a 24-inch wheel and Big Apple balloon tyres, it’s built to endure the rigours of city riding and comes kitted with fenders and front and rear racks, as well as mechanical discs.

Hidden in the seat-tube is Tern’s PostPump and up front you’ll find an easily adjustable stem to dial in the riding position. With a Joule 3 hub specced as standard, the front and rear lights are battery free.

Something we did spot at Eurobike was the second generation Valo light. Specced on all bikes supplied with lights, the Herrmans developed unit rotates on the bar to allow the rider to fine tune their visibility needs.

Sombrio

Landing in the UK in March, Sombrio has a number of key new items that should be well received by the mountain biker and cycle commuter alike.

The Pinner short is a highlight of the freeride catalogue, combining four-way stretch material and a DWR water resistant coating, as well as Velcro re-enforced buttons.

Our favourite of the bunch though has to be the Vagabond technical riding shirt. Smart and casual at the same time, there’s a rear light look on the back, armpit venting and a discreet side pocket, among other features. An excellent ride to the pub shirt.

C-Drive

We stumbled across C-Drive on route somewhere else, but couldn’t pass up the opportunity to check out a manufacturer of belt drive gear – there’s not many around.

Already specced OEM on a Pashley build in the UK, C-Drive describe themselves as a low-cost entry to the belt market. Using a proprietary plastic, the firm produces its own sprockets that are compatible with most gearhubs. Got a customer who wants to go belt drive? These could be your guys.

Shimano

The Outdoor Demo gave a select few the chance to try out Shimano’s new hydraulic road brakes, which are largely based around XT mountain bike callipers.

Finned IceTech pads combined with the 140mm Freeze rotor design ensure overheating won’t be an issue. Locking up the wheel shouldn’t be an issue, with refinements made to ensure a strong, but modulated control of the brake’s feedback. Bleeding is one-way, with fluid travelling from the caliper to the lever hood so rising air works in the favour of the mechanic.

Within Mandalay Bay, talk turned to the Di2 TT shifters, which are similar to the road versions, just with an aluminium lever.

Pro

Shimano offshoot pro introduced time trial saddles for men and women at the main show, with the Aero Fuel set to be the range topper. With a 25mm deep channel, there’s a high focus on pressure elimination when leaning over the bars.

Female athletes should consider the Falcon saddle, which comes in either a 142 or 152mm wide, carbon re-enforced mold.