Interbike 2018 highlights: Trek’s new e-Domane, split saddles, and a foot pump
Published September 26, 2018 12:24PM
I’ll admit to being very apprehensive about Interbike’s new location in Reno, Nevada. But after what seemed like an eternity in Las Vegas, it was definitely more than time for a change of scenery — and as it turns out, it feels like a positive one, with plenty of exhibitors and attendees, and heaps of interesting new product to see.
Our final round of coverage offers a wide berth of products, including Bianchi’s collaboration with Ferrari, yet another update on FSA’s WE electronic groupset, a surprise new Domane Plus e-bike from Trek, a neat foot-operated pump (really), and a whole bunch of other intriguing bits and pieces.
So will Interbike ever return to its former glory? Probably not, but I’m still looking forward to heading back yet again. See you next year in Reno!
Be sure to also check out the rest of our coverage from the Interbike trade show.
Trek quietly debuted its Domane+ e-road bike at this year’s Interbike show. Look for more information to be released shortly.Trek’s new Domane Plus e-road bike only sports the road-smoothing IsoSpeed technology out back. The area up around the fork is too cluttered with wiring for the matching Front IsoSpeed unit to fit.Bontrager has incorporated a Flare rear LED flasher, which is powered by the main e-bike battery.The Bosch Performance Line Speed mid-drive motor is rated at 350W. The 500 W-h battery is hidden inside the down tube, and can also be removed and/or swapped if needed.FSA’s WE electronic disc-brake road groupset is still vaporware, but it’s supposedly still getting closer to an actual release. OEM versions will feature this neat quick-release hydraulic connection at the caliper that makes for easier bike assembly at the factory. It’s not something that can be retrofitted, though, and given that the threading for the caliper is unique from the aftermarket version, it’s probably not something worth pursuing, anyway.FSA is taking the issue of disc-related rider injuries seriously, if only to allay the perceived dangers. The edges of the stainless steel braking surface are rounded to prevent cuts, but the interior is also filled in so that errant fingers can’t get caught. At least initially, this design will only be offered in 160mm and 140mm diameters for road applications.Bianchi and Ferrari: two Italian brands that, together, make for a great-looking bike.Newsflash: Bianchi makes kids’ bikes.Cannondale is late to the e-bike party, but is starting to come on strong. This new aluminum e-road bike model was quietly on display at Interbike just outside the Bosch booth.Bike companies are more successful at integrating mid-drive motor units and batteries into carbon fiber frames, but Cannondale has done a pretty decent job of it on this aluminum chassis.As is clearly becoming the norm for higher-end models, the battery on Cannondale’s new e-road bike is integrated into the down tube.The computer and controls for the Bosch mid-motor system still look rather cluttered, though.Nearly every bike on the Bulls Bikes stand at this year’s Interbike show was electrified – a strong indicator of where the brand wants to go in the States.This Sturmvogel Evo Street urban runabout from Bulls looks quite appealing for commuting. Sign me up.Oversized front racks FTW.The shape of the BiSaddle seems familiar enough from up top……but flip it over, and it reveals its modular design that allows the two halves of the saddle to be independently adjusted. It’s an intriguing concept for sure.Australian cycling apparel company MAAP is seemingly the master of collaborations with other brands. Although the socks, caps, and gloves shown here are obviously inline items, the phone wallet is a joint project with Bellroy, and the shoes are made by Suplest.This commuter backpack offered by MAAP, and made by Bellroy, looks particularly dapper.Pioneer’s new SGX-CA600 computer is the company’s first model with integrated GPS and mapping capabilities.Pioneer’s new SGX-CA600 computer may have a full-color display and newly integrated GPS, but power-based training is still its forte.Data! I need more data!Pioneer’s software conveniently adapts its display for different viewing formats.The modular design on the Praxis Zayante Carbon crankset allows for a wide range of compatible chainring configurations, plus several power meter add-on options.Praxis Cycles’ C32 carbon fiber mountain bike rim is already monstrously stiff, and combining it with the large-diameter aluminum spokes and burly hub design from Industry Nine would make it even more so.Sidi continually updates its shoes, but the general fit and aesthetic hasn’t changed for ages – for better or worse, depending on your perspective.One area that could definitely stand to see some improvement is the tread design on Sidi’s mountain bike shoes. The minimal tread is fine in terms of pedaling, but the narrow spacing of the forefoot blocks doesn’t provide much stability at all when on foot.Remember Bar Fly? Company co-founder Woody Tate is on to bigger and better things after selling the company. His new Stompump is a foot-operated pump aimed at higher-volume mountain bike applications.The Stompump is obviously a fair bit bigger than most “hot dog” mini-pumps, but I can now say firsthand that it also inflates mountain bike tires much faster (and with less effort). A handy clip allows it to attach to your frame, too, although you’ll most likely have to give up one of your bottle mounts to do so.The hollow center is big enough for patches or tire plugs, too. Retail price for the Stompump is US$99.Specialized wasn’t present at Interbike, but that didn’t keep one of its brand-new Levo e-MTBs from making an appearance at the Brose booth. The German company produces the mid-drive motor unit.Specialized’s new Levo e-MTB sports an asymmetric design similar to the latest Stumpjumper trail bike.Hate on e-MTBs all you want, but even the detractors will have to admit that Specialized has done a better job than most of neatly integrating the motor and battery into the bike’s overall design.By designing the system from the ground up, instead of using an off-the-shelf package, Specialized was able to work with Brose on a more integrated package that more cleanly hides away the electronics and wiring.Alan has a long and storied history in cyclocross, but is now turning its attention to the gravel scene. Given how similar the two genres are in terms of bikes, this shouldn’t really come as a surprise.Van Dessel Cycles showed off this neat flat-bar build for its popular WTF frameset.Need to get the kids to school in the rain? Yuba’s new Electric Supermarche is available with a range of accessories, including this canopy so your kids (or your stuff) can arrive at your destination warm and dry.Osprey displayed at this year’s Interbike show a revamped range of hydration packs. The Kitsuma and Katari families look particularly streamlined and sleek.The new Osprey Siskin (men’s) and Salida (women’s) hydration packs sport larger capacities than the Katari and Kitsuma collections, and are better suited for all-day adventures.Prefer to keep weight down low? Osprey has you covered there as well, with new hip packs like the Savu.As with the company’s more conventional hydration packs, Osprey’s new hip packs sport ventilated back panels and straps to help keep you from drowning in sweat.Osprey’s new Seral hip pack includes a dedicated reservoir for more carrying capacity if you’d rather not carry conventional bottles.Oakley has touted its Prizm lens technology since it was first introduced a few years ago, but the company hasn’t offered a whole lot in terms of specifics on how exactly the lenses work the way they do. This curve shows the light transmission of a more conventional tint……and this one shows a Prizm lens in action. Note how only very specific bands of light are allowed through, which is the secret to why Prizm heightens contrast in specific conditions so effectively.Is longer-distance e-bike touring a thing? Seemingly so, seeing as how Ortlieb now offers panniers with dedicated battery holders.Ortlieb is already one of the masters of on-bike bags, and the explosion of bikepacking has provided the company with all-new outlets to show off its expertise.Kenda’s new Alluvium Pro gravel tire combines a fast-rolling center with a more squared-off and open shoulder tread for more confident cornering on loose or soft terrain. Available sizes include 700x35c, 700x40c, and 650Bx45c. We’ve got a set inbound for a review, so stay tuned for more.Got a rear hitch rack that’s either hanging too low or too high? Kuat’s aptly named Hi-Lo adapter comes to the rescue, offering about 60mm of rise or drop depending on your needs.How big is the e-bike category getting? Lezyne now has almost half a dozen specific models that are designed to be powered by the main motor battery.Muc-Off is best known for its collection of cleaning products, but is now diving into the world of tubeless tire sealant. According to Muc-Off, the embedded microfibers help seal punctures faster and more thoroughly than the competition.Clif Bar’s new collection of energy bars are filled with a blend of nut butter and fruit. They’re quite tasty if I do say so myself, although my opinion may have been tainted by the fact that these samples comprised my lunch one day.Long-time motorcycle and gravity brand Dainese is now diving into commuter gear.Dainese’s new commuting pants feature a very casual look, but with edgy details such as the fitted knees, built-in carabiner (for your keys, of course), and gussets at the lower edge of the pockets to keep contents from falling out.All-in-one e-bike wheels seem to be a hot segment these days, with new brands seemingly coming out of the woodwork to challenge the category that Superpedestrian created a few years ago with the Copenhagen wheel. Upstart brand HyCore hails from Korea, and while this offering looks interesting (especially with the swappable battery), it’s only offered in single-speed form.
