Random Products Part Seven - The Last Hurrah of Interbike 2012
Enjoy the grand finale of Pinkbike's 2012 Interbike fireworks show. After the smoke clears, look for a list of links at the end of this feature to every Interbike piece we posted over the torrid week of non-stop coverage. The takeaway message at Las Vegas was less about carbon, crazy inventions and wild marketing claims as it was about genuine improvements. Colors are brighter and happier across the board, which is a big change from the matte black and fungus colorways that have long been the staple for gravity and all mountain. Lots of technical flat-pedal footwear and good-looking freestyle helmets indicate that mainstream players are taking PB's core riders seriously. And finally, the lack of hype about 29ers at both Eurobike and Interbike signals that the big wheel is permanently linked into the framework of the sport.
This means that we will be more inclined to ignore wheel sizes when we judge a bike's performance or its application. So, what about 650b? If widespread acceptance in both Europe and by the core of North America's most influential brands isn't enough to convince naysayers, the fact that every tire and wheel maker has dedicated one third of its premium range to the mid-size wheel format clearly indicates that 650b is on track to replace the 26-inch-wheel dual-suspension bike for the 125 to 160-millimeter-travel market in the near future. Don't throw away your trusty 26er though, because democratic elections to determine the winning wheel size for the long-travel trailbike will not be scheduled until Trek and Specialized wake up and smell the coffee. In the meantime, we invite you to enjoy the last booms and showering sparks of Pinkbike's 2012 Interbike coverage. Pinkbike enjoyed the show - we certainly hope you did. - RC
Win an Intense Uzzi
This Intense F*CK Cancer bike - a pink Uzzi - will soon be raffled off to raise money and awareness to assist young women who are fighting breast cancer. Shimano, Fox, Loaded, HT, ODI and Intense teamed up to trick out the Pink shredder and the raffle will be posted on the all-new-and-not-quite-completely-finished Intense website the week following Interbike.
How it works: For every $5 donated, you will earn one chance to win this bike. So if you donate $25 that is five chances. The winner will be selected from a magical spreadsheet using random.org. and will then be notified by e-mail.
Your contribution will:
• Fund support and education programs for young women affected by breast cancer.
• Help support YSC’s mission to ensure no young woman faces breast cancer alone.
• Raise awareness that young women can and do get breast cancer.
Visit F**K Cancer
Intense
Dekerf Team SST 29er
Dekerf is one of the iconic Canadian handmade brands. Their frames are truly works of art, although that cliche falls well short of seeing and touching one in real life. The Dekerf Team SST 29R, with its fillet-brazed frame, custom integrated bar and stem combo, and the signature Dekerf "Tuning Fork' could make the most calloused dual-suspension rider want a custom-made rigid bike. Dekerf prepared this SST with a Vegas Poker paint scheme to celebrate the moment.
Smith Optics
Smith Optic team riders Aaron Gwin and Brandon Semenuk had a long line of folks waiting for their autographs. True professionals, makin' time for their fans.
Smith Optics
NiteRider
The NiteRider Lumina series got lighter and brighter for this night riding season. This cordless system has three models, with the 650 being the top tier model. Their new lightweight body, along with better thermal properties guarantee a brighter, longer lasting LED.
NiteRider Lumina 650 details: (pictured above top left corner)
• Run Times - 1.5 HRS at 650 lumens, 3 HRS at 400 lumens, 5.5 HRS at 200 lumens and 18HRS at 40 lumens (Walking setting)
• Charge Time - 5.5 HRS
• Weight: 172g
• One piece modular design
• Newly designed quick release bar mount to ensure a secure hold to your bars.
• Four light levels plus flash mode
• Helmet mount (650 model only), and bar mount
• USB rechargeable
NiteRider
DSP Racing
Details are a little sketchy on this made-in-Taiwan dropper post. DSP Racing said that the Bighorn dropper post was nitrogen charged, but the instructions call for 100 to 120 psi charged by a good old shock pump, which makes the Bighorn's pneumatic return spring charged with about 78-percent nitrogen. The circular seat rail clamp looks like a knock-off of some popular posts, but DSP says that clamping and angular functions are separated in the head to provide individual adjustment of each function and more secure clamping. The hydraulic locking mechanism appears to be a closed loop, and if this is true, then manually raising the post won't suck air into the fluid (A-la Crankbrothers Joplin) and create an unwanted suspension post. The actuating valve has an adjustable needle that users can control the post's return rate and drop sensitivity with. Both remote and under-the-saddle actuation are offered and there was no talk of an internal cable routing feature. A pair of brass keyways keep the Bighorn sliding smoothly with a minimum of side play. If the DSP Bighorn performs to at least 78-percent of its claims, it should be competive. Travel is 114 millimeters and the website lists diameters at 27.2, 30.9 and 31.6-millimeters.
Bighorn Dropper post details:
• Nitrogen filled (maybe)
• Two-way hydraulic locking
• Wobble free thanks to two brass keys
• Lever sensitivity adjustment
• $230 USD for Lever, $250 USD with Remote
• 30.9 and 31.6 diameters (Working on a 27.2 option)
DSP Racing
Brian Berthold's Latest Invention
Brian Berthold is a blues-singing Indiana wildman who has been designing and building suspension systems for nearly every kind of racing that occurs on wheels and costs a lot of money. His most recent baby was the Kona Magic Link - a dual-rate all-mountain shredder that pedals like a four-inch bike and decends with a full six inches of rear-wheel travel. The 'Patronis' suspension is Bethold's new invention and it uses a similar linkage, but with a single spring. Chain tension locks a pair of vertical links just in front of the seat tube and restricts the rocker link from driving the shock. Braking, or bump action instantly retracts the swingarm, which releases the 156-millimeter rear suspension to freely suck up the terrain. Ummm, aaaah, um, well, um, that's how we understand it.
The prototype 156mm Patronis from Brian Berthold: Note how the swingarm pivots on the lower of the two vertical links in front of the seat tube. Chain tension from pedaling keeps the vertical links straight. Bump action swings the links forward, which frees the suspension. The frame looks a bit sliced and diced, but all true prototypes and test mules look like living experiments. Brian is a sharp designer - we wonder where this design will pop up.
Ask Brian about Patronis
Swagman Jackknife Rack
Gemini Lights
Man Behind the Lens
Reuben Krabbe won the Deep Summer Photo Challenge at Crankworx, Whistler and was here at Interbike to show off his portfolio to potential clients.
Reuben Krabbe portfolio
Famous Bike
The Corsair Konig 7.8 is the bike that Zink used to 360 the Oakley sender at the Rampage two years ago. Enough said.
Turner Burner 650b
Dave Turner has been tweaking and tuning the geometry of his 650b designs for almost two years. Turner was a first adopter of rear suspension and is known for being driven by small details - especially in the handling department. The Burner has been Turner's go-to trailbike since the brand was founded, so we expect that it will deliver the full advantages of the mid-size wheel format - speed, efficiency and excitement. The Burner uses dw-link suspension and sits in the sweet spot of the trailbike range with 140 millimeters of suspension on both ends and room for 2.4-inch knobbys. The frame and shock price is reported to be $2400 USD.
Turner redesigned its original 'Burner' dual-suspension trailbike with dw-link suspension and 650b wheels. Few suspension bikes can claim a longer and more storied history. We will be riding one soon. Keep an eye out for a test this Winter.
Liteville 601
Syntace purchased Liteville because the two German manufacturers think alike. Liteville is uber progressive and almost as nerdy as Syntace when it comes to its dedication to pure performance and uncompromising design elements. The Liteville 601 is its long-travel AM/Enduro racer that features 160 to 190 millimeters of rear-wheel travel and a quick-adjust forward shock mount that accepts almost all DH/AM shock lengths. Liteville's straight tubes are a nod to the fact that curved pipes, however sexy, must be heavier to carry the same loads as straight ones. The 601 is sold in six sizes, and each size varies in its construction and geometry so that all riders feel the same farfagnugen on the trail. Rear axles are Syntace X-12 (142/12-millimeter compatible) and ISCG-05 chainguide mounts are standard. North American pricing is not yet set, but 2233 Euros buys a 601 frame, bare or black anodized, a Fox DHX Air shock and an Syntace X-12 axle and breakaway derailler hanger system.
Liteville's 601 is equipped with Syntace's X-12 through-axle (left). The serrations on the forward shock mount allow one-bolt adjustment for different length shocks. Welded tubes route full housings and hoses through the frame where necessary. Syntace makes the sealed seat tube clamp for the 601.
Germany is rainy and glum most of the year, so the designers welded tubular guides in the frame to allow full housing and hoses to be threaded internally through the bike to keep them operating crud free. Even the seatpost clamp has a seal on it to that end. Each tube is butted to accept the stress at that station of the frame - even the chainstays and seat stays vary from left to right. Nerdy? Definitely, but that is the beauty of German engineering. If liteville says that the 601 can climb like a goat and descend like a DH bike, they probably have raced goats uphill in timed testing and secretly entered the 601 in DH events across Europe. Presently, PB is testing a 140/160-millimeter Liteville 301 and it is putting in an impressive performance. Can't wait to ride the big version.
Liteville
Dakine
Dakine has an extensive lineup of hydration packs, riding gear and accessories. If you ever wondered where Mike Levy got those famous blue baggies, well you can blame it on Dakine. That Mikey has been wearing the same pants for nearly five years speaks well for Dakine's quality - and is good reason that their gear is one of our office favorites at PB.
Chuck Norris Approved: The Two Best Bikes at Interbike
One of the rare times you'll see Minnaar and Gwin's bikes in the same display. Greg's V10 still had dirt on it from Leogang. Aaron's Session was his new ride from Norway - check out the traaaaavel on that Fox 40 proto!
Pinkbike Links to Interbike 2012
Outdoor Demo Photos Day One
Pivot Takes a Step Back in Time - Pivotles carbon hardtail 29er
Steve Smith's Devinci Wilson Carbon
Random Products Part One
Outdoor Demo Photos Day Two
Diamondback Mason FS
Random Products Part Two
Yeti's Chris Conroy Talks About SB 66 Switch Suspension
Random Products Part Three
Day One Photos
Inside SRAM's 11-speed rear hub and XD Driver
Random Products Part Four
Video: Steve Smith - Blow by Blow Account of His First World Cup Victory
Day Two Photos
Random Products Part Five
X-Fusion Hilo SL
Day Three Photos
Fox Head
RC's Random Walk Through Interbike
Where the Trail Ends - Las Vegas Premiere
Video: Mike Montgomery
Random Products Part Six
Video: Where the Trail Ends - Las Vegas Premiere
Sombrio
Random Products Part Seven - The Last Hurrah of Interbike
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Unfortunately, I love Intense but I found out their frames crack often
I thought with all their over-sized tubing, gussets, double joints, etc they would last a little longer. But they still ride amazing and look sexy no matter what
FRO = marketing excuse to build frames that are going to be less durable.
Don't believe me? Look it up. Google has it all.
Also, about FRO/Intense, I've been researching more and more, and I've completely stopped looking at them as a next bike. I want to point out on more disturbing thing about their frames + warranties. It's quoted on their site/owner's manual!!
"+ The warranty will not cover normal wear and tear, normal maintenance items, damage, --> FAILURE --, accidents, crashing, abuse, mis-use, neglect, or any damage caused by bicycle components.
+ Intense frames are NOT intended for use in STUNT RIDING, RAMP JUMPING, HUCKING OR ANY OTHER SIMILAR ACTIVITY."
So they are literally saying, even with an M9 you can't go do a jump, do a whip in mid-air since it's a "stunt", do 4-6 foot drops? Isn't that what DH is? Although Intense may stand by their bikes for many customers, the fact that it has to be done 2-3 times with 2 years is sad and surely unreasonable, on top of a very odd/contradictory warranty claim.... Not very assuring when Intense could simply say, NOPE.
More big wheel propaganda being spouted as fact! It doesnt indicate that the 26in wheel is going away it just indicates that these companies are going for the money grab and accommodating the new wheel size. I think dropping their 26 inch wheel offerings would "clearly indicate" that the 26 inch wheel is being replaced...
www.corsairbikes.com/storereplacement.html
hope that helps
...but isn't the "konig 7.8" actually the "corona"? or whatever the name of the single pivot non-pablo version of zink's "dominion" is.
not being picky about names, it just that surely we should credit pablo/zink's unit-pivot bearing dominion with the awesome 360... not the later copy...
Even though they have changed the design, I bet the factory is the same one. I'll give it a look when it comes out. Who knows, the tech doesn't look great so the price should be pretty low compared to some other bikes with actual hydroformed tubes, actual carbon, and actual detailed paint jobs.
Don't like the slide drops though. I think a chip system is more robist (but these will be quicker to change configuration - if anyone ever does that more than once).
I'm glad they stuck with the shock jacks to allow different lengths of shock but maintain clean looks. I wish there were more full on DH bikes with a similar system. I mean, I absolutely love the Devinci Wilson, but I don't want a bike with that much travel, and I don't like the shorter travel designs or geo. Mini DH is the way forward, and that is possible with this bike.
It's low tech, and I guess they are going to sell them w/o shock.
It's got to be cheap hey?
My guess is $1000-$1200 American.
This new Corsair is owned by Atomlab I think, but not designed by Pablo and not really bearing more than a passing resemblance to the original Corsair Konig.
Therefore new Hyper = old Corsair, soon to be new.
New Corsair = to all intents and purposes, a new company.
At the Taipei show this year they had "Danny Hart's" Glory on the Giant stand, but it wasn't. Different tyres, and blatant brush strokes in the mud they had obviously painted on for the show.
Having said that, few countries I've been to have been so touchy about dirt imports as Aussie, and even worse, NZ. They even make you wash kayaks if you go from one river to another in the same country FFS!
But yes I can agree with your point, but accept that a lot of things are wrong in bike terminology.