Thanks to
Vernon Felton it's no secret that the Interbike Outdoor Demo has been a little quiet this year. With big brands leaving behind their spots at the show, there were literally gaping holes where the displays used to be, and attendance has been on the slower side. What remains to be seen in the product portion of the demo has been thoroughly covered by the rest of the Pinkbike crew, so I decided to loiter around the base of the riding area to chat with folks about where they were from and what they were choosing to ride. The weather was definitely more tolerable today, which may have played a part in seeing a few more faces out and about.
 | The Alchemy Arktos seemed like a cool bike to ride. They are a Denver company and anything from Colorado is a draw for us. We're here for personal reasons, to have fun. We've only been open for 1.5 years so it's our first time here. We have limited stock and currently stock Specialized and Salsa. It's good to see and ride smaller brands. We're from a small town, so we don't get to see everything. - Jake |
| I wanted to demo the Spartan, but I am on the Troy. We stock Giant and Transition. It's good to get a feel for other stuff coming out. We haven't been for a couple of years but it was time to come and see other options. It's huge for us to come down here and make connections. Hugely valuable. - Anthony |
| We're on a mission to try other bikes and we're going with what's available and what looks fun. Things we've heard of and not heard of. Around here full suspension aggressive trail bikes are typical. Around 6 inches of travel on average. It's big bike terrain. At the store, we all ride long travel 29ers. We've tried a couple of e-bikes as we think it will be the next big thing. - Matt |
| We have a lot of demo bikes at our shop so we are riding a lot of the other bikes people are asking me about. That's our main goal. We only carry smaller, boutique brands so we are all for trying those brands that are here right now. - Jaden |
| I wanted to try the Lamere because of how light they claim it to be, and it was light. It's still a fat bike so it's hard to climb. The fork actually worked pretty good overall, except for big rocks and drop offs. We stock a lot of fat bikes so riding this was mainly out of curiosity. We come here every year to try and get new vendors we try to get local vendors as it makes the most sense for us. - Michael |
| I'm here making contacts and demoing bikes. I wanted to try the Ellsworth because riding a hand built bike at demo day seemed like a pretty fun way to go. I made my mustache especially for this week. And now I have the wrong jersey on. Oh well. - Brendan |
| My husband and I run MTB tours in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, so we came to see what bikes might work well for us. 140-160mm of travel is good for our area. I have heard good things about the Devinci Troy so I wanted to see what it was all about. I thought it would be a fun to try. - Brittney |
| It's our first time here, seeing what it's all about. We are trying the Haibike's because we wanted to try e-bikes and Ali needed something in XS. We're here to learn all about e-bikes. We don't carry any currently, that would be a really big investment for us as we are a bike store for six months of the year. - Jon |
| I just wanted to have some fun. We come every year to see and find brands we can stock. I have a list to try out but my goal is to have fun and report back to the boss about what I tried. - Mitchell |
| We've been coming for ten plus years. We come to try competitors' bikes. But this year it's very quiet, so we don't know now about next year. |
| I have been coming here now for too many years. 21 years in fact. We distribute Cannondale, so I am here to try the new models out. - Nelson |
| We're here strictly to play and to talk to sponsors. We chose the Haros because it took us back to when we were kids so we thought, why not? And they were pretty good! - Eddy |
| I've been coming every year since '96 to see what the new stuff is. I chose the Fuji Rakan because I sell Fuji! It's new, so I wanted to try it. Honestly it's hard to get a bike that fits, it took me an hour to get this. It's a large. - Mike |
| We distribute over 40 brands, so coming here is really important for us. It's tough to be in touch with all of our brands and follow up with them. So after the craziness of Eurobike we can come here and follow up with anyone who we did not get to speak with there. We chose Surly because we distribute them! - Daniel |
Janine and Jake, owners of Pagosa Mountain Sports, CO. 
Member since Jul 20, 2010
Guys if you don't know about this place... Its a must, endless scenic mountains with organic farms to visit and more. Its really an MTB must to ride!
I was crying for my Kona Coilair when I was on a trip there. Do your research, maybe bring your bike. They do have Cove bikes for rent in 140-160mm range from like 2009-2010 for $150 a day ( forgot the name of rental but they do most tourist trips for 5 star hotels and located 10-15 mins away from Rio 5 star hotels, you'll know what I am talking about when you book, they do boat trips and pretty much everything else) .
Just a heads up, its not going to be cheap. But way worth it !!! I wish I knew about Eco Ride - maybe they are new.
Look like the 26ers are now elites only. 26 at 2.8 is like 2.75 at 2.4
No one is talking about it. Shhhhh, lets keep it low and hit the 27.5ers with new plus size 26 tire on the trail, oh yeah, sweet sleeper 26+ just crawled in unnoticed.
In the past Interbike was a valuable resource in showcasing new tech and items. In the internet age, where most things are a video away, I don't know what an event like Interbike has to do to bring people and companies back to it. Take into account other industry events like QBP's Saddle Drive or Frostbike, and it appears the value of Interbike is further diminished. @streetfighter848 is probably right, 5 years may be a bit optimistic. Curious to see how it plays out.
I think interbike could be a lot more successful if they put it somewhere with good bike routs (road and mountain), good food and drink without breaking the bank, and more welcoming to women.
www.instagram.com/p/BIXfXxuh8Im
Think 23 more miles of that with no stoplights or stop signs and minimal traffic.
Da fuq?
Totally agree with you norcal77 and prop'd you, but some criticism is warranted, as most probably are on meds - BUT... not because of their age, but because they are obese (and I mean "obesity" in the medical terminology sense, not to sound derogatory).
Gotta chuckle every time I see someone, young or old, pushing a pricey carbon wonder bike, while carting an extra 20# of gut. Time to skip the donuts.
Was never a slouch, best placing I remember is 10th out of 96 in an open XC race that took 3+ hours.
I also remember riding Joyride at Whistler when they first opened (mide/late 90's ?) so again I was no slouch.
I turn 49 next month. I can't prove it, but I honestly feel I am a stronger (cardio) rider now than I was then, mentally tougher for big 8+ hour days in the saddle, and a more skilled and gnarly rider as well.
God willing you'll be here someday as well !
Bunch of dweebs who make money from riding, not really for the love.....
"Errrr...I'm here because I stock the bike......I can't move on price and i'm a dick....."