Thursday Randoms - Eurobike 2014

Skin wall Onza tires mounted on Factor carbon wheels made this Intense Tracer 27.5 a head turner.

The original Surly Instigator was a steel, 26" wheeled hardtail, one that saw innumerable hucks to flat under riders who built it up as a freeride machine. Version 2.0 keeps the steel and the 26" wheels, but this version gets a 12x142mm rear thru axle, and rolls on 2.75" wide tires that are mounted to 50mm rims, giving them a height of close to 27.5". Add a dropper post, a short stem and wide bars and this rig looks like it could be a boatload of fun.

This time traveler was walking around wheeling a bike that looked as old as the apparel he was wearing.

Cedric Gracia was looking quite dapper as he signed autographs for fans at the iXS booth alongside Richie Schley and Hans Rey.

Eurobike is held in the town where the original zeppelins were manufactured back in the late 1800s, and there's quite a bit of aviation history related to the area.

Vee Rubber have a line of new tires developed by BMX and mountain bike legend Mike King (now there's a name we haven't heard in a while). The Crown Series consists of three different tread patterns, the Crown-F, Crown Gem, and the Crown-R (shown in that order). All of the tires are available with Vee's Dual Compound or Tackee rubber, and there will be 27.5" and 29" options.

After more than 50 years in the footwear business, SIDI continues to produce race cars for your feet, constructed from high end fabrics and composites.

Shaeffler is one of the largest companies in Germany, manufacturing ball bearings and engine components, but their subsidiary brand may have trouble breaking into the English speaking market.

Every day at Eurobike is an exercise in patience trying to weave around the roller baggers that fill the halls.

Well, that's settled. Now we know where enduro came from.

Speaking of enduro, Ergon's new BE1 pack is targeted at enduro racers, with a horizontally oriented water bladder located at the very bottom of the back in order to keep weight low and centered. The ability to carry either a half shell or full face helmet was also a priority, and Ergon has created a recessed area in the center of the pack to accomplish this.

Dartmoor's Roots Red Devil 27.5 was set up with a Marzocchi 380 CR front fork and a Moto C2R rear shock, and a large selection of components from Dartmoor's own component line, including their Shield 27.5" rims.

BMC's TrailFox TF02, their 150mm 29er, gets a new parts kit for 2015 that includes a Cane Creek Double Barrel Air rear shock and RockShox Pike front fork. The TF02 has a carbon front triangle joined to an aluminum rear, where the more expensive TF01 is a full carbon affair. As shown, the bike will retail for $6499 USD.

BMC also had their new Speedfox on display. Meant for trail riding as opposed the the all-mountain riding the Trailfox is aimed at, the Speedfox has 130mm of travel and will be available in three different frame constructions: full carbon, carbon front and aluminum rear, or full aluminum. The 11 speed XTR equipped, full carbon version will set you back $8999 USD.