Highlights From Interbike 2017

Interbike has wrapped its last show in Vegas and is headed to Reno next year. In the meantime, bike goodies of every stripe were ogled in Sin City last week. Here are some of the highlights.

Pearl Izumi MTB shoes
Three new models of Pearl Izumi mountain bike shoes are on their way for spring 2018, X-Alp Launch, X-Alp Launch SPD and X-Alp Elevate, all with one harsh reality in mind – sometimes you’re going to have to walk. The X-Alp Launch (shown above) is a flat pedal shoe designed for all-mountain riding. A Vibram Megagrip sole provides pedal engagement while the beefy rubber on the heel and toe adds durability. The lightweight lace-up shoe gets added appeal from trail-to-tavern casual styling.

Shimano XC5 Gravel shoe
Speaking of shoes, Shimano’s gravel-specific model is built on a wider last than the brand’s standard road or performance mountain bike shoes. The XC5 ranks 7/12 on the Shimano stiffness scale, while the soles feature carbon reinforcement and Michelin rubber. Cleats can be added up front if needed.

Yakima Universal Swing Arm Adapter And GateKeeper Tailgate Pad
Yakima garnered plenty of attention for its Universal Swing Arm Adapter, which came from a slew of customer requests for a swing-arm-style rack. Instead of reinventing the wheel, Yakima came up with an adapter designed to be used with an existing hitch rack. The result is a handy gadget with a 250-pound capacity that attaches to a 2-inch receiver.

Available in February, the GateKeeper tailgate pad (above) is an upgraded version of Yakima’s CrashPad. Its higher-density foam provides better protection, and this model holds up to six bikes. A thoughtful cutout means your back-up camera won’t be affected.

Park Tool THS-1 Trailhead Workstation
The Park Tool THS-1 is made from steel and plated before being powder coated before being assembled with tamper-proof hardware. In other words, this thing can stay outside and take a beating. An impressive lineup of basic tools – including screwdrivers, wrenches, hex keys and tire levers – are attached with coated steel cables. To use it, hang your bike on the padded steel support arms while you work on it. The tools can also be hidden inside the steel box if needed. The blue contraption is designed to be bolted in place at a trailhead, park or any spot where shredders congregate.

Kenda Nevegal Pro 2
Tire manufacturer Kenda upped the ante on its popular Nevegal tire with the Nevegal Pro 2. Developed in the company’s four-year-old northern Ohio tech center, this newest iteration honors the original with its traction, cornering and rolling resistance. Kenda engineers used a new dual-layer 70/55 compound, a new casing and trend patterns on the new Nevegal. The 27.5, 2.4-inch-wide version will show up in about three weeks, with other models appearing early next year.

E-bikes Galore
According to Emerald Expositions about 50 companies brought electric bikes to this year’s show, which was nearly a tenfold increase over the past five years. The models ran the gamut from cargo bikes to mountain bikes, big wheel trikes and foldable scooters – even electric skateboards threw their hats in the ring this year.

OjO Ford-Branded Scooters
Keeping with the theme, OjO Electric previewed its exclusive line of six Ford-branded OjO Commuter Scooters, which draw visual inspiration from classic and contemporary Ford vehicles while integrating OjO’s design and technology. Beginning in January 2018, the Ford OjO Commuter Scooter will be available for purchase at retailers as well as online.

The company’s two-wheel OjO Commuter Scooter incorporates tech features with an ergonomic design along with HyperGear motor and gear system to power up hills. Its 65 pound frame can support 300 pounds and it complies with the same rules and guidelines as the electric bicycle market, requiring no license.

Leatt Trail Riding Apparel And DBX Neck Brace
Elsewhere at the show, Leatt launched its 2018 apparel line for trail riding – including jerseys, shorts, gloves, jackets, hydration and a helmet featuring 360-degreeTurbine safety technology. Additionally, the brand introduced the DBX Neck Brace, the lightest in its range at 30 percent lighter than its existing 5.5 models. The brace combines in-molded EPS construction with a polyamide core similar to that found in high-performance bike helmets.

See you in Reno next year!