We found a few remarkable mountain bikes at the first day of the Interbike 2012 OutDoor Demo, and some new gear for off-road riding. Here’s a sample of the best.
Steve Smith’s Devinci Wilson Carbon
On display in Devinci’s booth was a Wilson Carbon that factory rider Steve Smith won on at last weekend’s World Cup in Norway. Custom-painted in Canadian colors for Smith’s world championship race, the new carbon frame also had lots of other custom bits specific to the star (see the image gallery on the right for details).
Spot Dualie
Spot’s Dualie might look like a singlespeed at first glance, but comes with a stealthy overdrive gear in a package reminiscent of the old BMX days – a kickback hub.
The Sturmey Archer Kickback 2 acts as a singlespeed under normal, forward-pedaling conditions. But with a quick reverse pedal the 50-24 gearing bumps up to a gear that’s claimed to be 38 percent higher.
The Dualie retails for US$1,199 and comes with a CenterTrack belt – the best Gates Carbon Drive offers. It only features in the shown Scooter Blue, and is available in six sizes (45, 49, 52, 55, 57 and 60cm).
Bell Super and Full-9 helmets
Bell is offering two completely new helmets for 2013 – the all-mountain Super and the gravity-specific Full-9. Neither will be available until next spring, but they look pretty cool.
The Super pays homage to Bell’s rich heritage, with some subtle lines borrowed from motorcycle helmets of the 1970s. But it’s also full of modern mountain bike design.
Bell’s Super helmet should appeal to the enduro crowd
The Super’s visor is designed with enough on-the-fly adjustment to allow goggles to rest on the overbrow or be swapped for dedicated goggle strap guides. Also removable is the integrated camera mount, which should break away before a camera-grabbing tree branch breaks your neck.
With hints about a gravity-specific Bell lid last year, it wasn’t much of a surprise to see the Full-9 at this year’s Interbike. And knowing the helmet was based on the popular Moto-9 motorcycle model, it’s no shock that it looks good.
The stylish Full-9 is a full face option for 2013
Features include an Eject removal system, wicking and antimicrobial X-Static material on both the liner and magnetic cheek pads, integrated speaker pockets and wire routing, and overbrow venting that channels air over the head and out exhaust ports in the back. You also get a removable camera mount. World Cup dominator Aaron Gwin is said to have had involvement in the design process.
Both helmets have a waiting list into next spring, with the Full-9 due to hit the market in March 2013, for US$400, and the Super in May 2013, for US$125.
Zoic
New from Zoic for next year are the woven Nirvana jersey for men, and the Collins for women. At US$74 and US$70 respectively, the tops come in full button or 1/3 zip styles and feature a zip pocket and vents on the back.
The latest in aero time trial technology from Zoic…
Adding to the casual cycling look, Zoic is also offering the popular Ether short in four new plaid colors for 2013. The shorts consist of Ripstop nylon and a 12in inseam, and come with a mesh-based liner that veatures a multi-level chamois. The plaid choices retail for US$89, and the solid shade version will save you US$10.