Riva Bike Festival Randoms

May 3, 2015
by Mike Kazimer  

The Riva Bike Festival takes place every spring along the shore of Italy's Lake Garda, a setting that offers absolutely stunning views in every direction. Cycling fanatics descend on the town from all over Europe, filling the streets with a blast of colors that Mother Nature never dreamed of. There's an XC marathon, an eliminator, and an enduro race over the course of the weekend, but for many of the 30,000+ visitors, it's the exhibition that's the big draw, offering consumers a chance to ogle and drool over the latest mountain bike technology.



Riva del Garda
There's no shortage of incredible views in Riva del Garda.


Riva Bike Fest
The streets around town fill with cars and bikes as the population swells for the weekend.


Riva Bike Fest
The crowds began to arrive on Friday, filling every inch of available space between booths.


Riva Bike Fest
Nope, this brake lever isn't from Japan - it's the latest from Germany's Trickstuff for their Cleg brakes, and is scheduled to be available sometime in July or August. The new lever sees the master cylinder oriented almost parallel to the bars as opposed to the more vertical configuration currently used.
Riva Bike Fest
Another view of the lever body, which has a cutout between the reservoir and the lower portion that houses the piston.


Riva Bike Fest
SRAM had a larger-than-life version of their Motion Control damper on hand to illustrate what actually goes on in a fork when the blue compression dial is turned.


Riva Bike Fest
Who remembers this shoe? Shimano is celebrating the 25th anniversary of their SPD system, and had a display containing shoes from the early days all the way to the present.


Riva Bike Fest
It's hard to go wrong with a black paint job, and Canyon's Lux CF is no exception. It's a pure XC bike, but there's something about it that makes me want to install proper tires, a dropper, wide bars and a short stem and take it out for a rip.


Riva Bike Fest
A sure sign that end times are near.


Riva Bike Fest
The carbon Devinci Spartan at the DVO booth looked race ready with a Diamond up front and a Jade coil shock in the rear.


Riva Bike Fest
Danny MacAskill's Santa Cruz Bronson was sitting in the Magura booth, the same bike that garnered mainstream attention thanks to his film, 'The Ridge,' which has racked up nearly 39 million views so far.


Riva Bike Fest
Radon had a fleet of their Swoop 210 downhill bikes available for demo on the extremely rocky trails that surround Garda.


Riva Bike Fest
Propped up against the fi'z:ik booth, but sporting an Ergon saddle, this Transition Patrol's build kit was attracting plenty of admiring stares, with a BOS Kirk shock and a Deville fork.


Riva Bike Fest
Scott's line of mountain bike apparel isn't readily available in the United States, but they have a large presence in Europe, offering everything from shorts and jackets to helmets and packs.


Riva Bike Fest
Now junior can have a Voltage just like mom or dad.


Riva Bike Fest
Anyone up for some foosball, courtesy of Continental?


Riva Bike Fest
EVOC's new Bike Travel Bag Pro is claimed to be the lightest on the market, with a clean layout and enough room to accommodate everything from 29ers to DH bikes.


Riva Bike Fest
The timeline of what came first, Schwalbe's ProCore or DeanEASY's version is a little hazy, but there's no disputing that DeanEASY was the first to have a dual chamber tire system available for consumers. Installation of the system requires drilling out the rim slightly, and then gluing in the red valve. Once it's in place, the Presta valve is used to inflate the inner chamber, and the Schrader valve is used for the outer tire.


Riva Bike Fest
The inner tubular is currently only available for rims that have an internal width of 21-24mm, but DeanEASY is planning to have a system available that will work with rims up to 30mm wide.


Riva Bike Fest
That's one way to gain shock clearance.


Riva Bike Fest
Bike parks are opening back up around the Northern Hemisphere, which means DH season is officially here, and Intense's new M16 could be a good option for those lift served laps.


Riva Bike Fest
Danny MacAskill and his Drop and Roll tour impressed onlookers with a trials exhibition.


Riva Bike Fest
Handmade in France, Caminade's One4All is constructed entirely of steel, and can either be set up with 27.5" wheels and 135mm of travel, or 26" wheels and 155mm of travel.


Riva Bike Fest
The expression on the face of the bystander to the right probably says it best.


Author Info:
mikekazimer avatar

Member since Feb 1, 2009
1,716 articles

89 Comments
  • 206 1
 Bring back those Shimano SPD shoes from 1998! Looks like a pair of Vans Half-Cab.
  • 96 2
 those shoes look more than apropiate today. actually they look better than what most companies are offering. remake???
  • 21 1
 For sure !
  • 36 2
 I would get one for myself just for casual wear. Flat version would be sweet as well.
  • 21 0
 i would rock those babies in a heart beat
  • 27 0
 Could more people thumbs up these comments above so Shimano takes note!
  • 11 0
 Shimano had more sense of fashion back in the days
  • 11 0
 I want those shoes too!!
  • 5 0
 I would definitely buy those if they remade them
  • 2 0
 bought those in 1998 and used them for my all-mountain type of riding...unfortunately the sole didn't hold up well.
  • 1 0
 I think I still have those. Got them for less than 10 USD 'cause it was the only pair left. Wish I hadn't cut the soles open for cleats, as I only ride flats now.
  • 4 0
 @donpinpon29 I agree, not sure why clipless shoes started looking like baseball cleats with a ton of hard plastics and ratchet straps/velcro. The Shimano DX wouldn't be too bad if not for the lace cover. Luckily Vans, FiveTen, DRZ, and Chrome all make good looking clipless shoes though. Since my ABA racing days I've always chosen to wear Vans with flat pedals so as long as the waffle tread is still around I'm good! Anyone remember Odyssey Sharkbite pedals? Didn't need clipless with those just don't let them get to your shins.
  • 3 0
 looks more like 90s AIRWALK
  • 3 0
 Can some one tag a person who works at Shimano in this thread @shimano #shimano , where are you people? Why you no exist on pink bike?
  • 2 0
 kottongin, i had a pair of sharkbites. they lived up to their name. they did a better job of scaring my shins because they wouldnt hold my feet on the pedals at all. i think that was when i started running pinned platforms like the old GT's.
  • 1 0
 My favorite shoes of all time were an original pair of Vans Half Cab bought new in about 1990 ish.
They went through hell and back on skate boards, bikes and moto X. Wish I could find another pair that weren't called "vintage" and priced at $500.
  • 1 0
 @keystonebikes The Primo Meat Tenderizers lived up to their name too and those slipped like crazy when some dirt got caked on. I'll take the potential of a slipped pedal over clipless still though.
@killerb09 The Half Cabs out now are still quality. I have a pair of Vans/Metallica Half Cabs that I love but they were limited release and the price has gone up since then like you mentioned.
  • 1 0
 primo meat and the super meat tenderizers sucked. they were too big so too much surface area. my favorites for grip were the old s&m platforms. still have them on my bmx. wish i bought like 4 pair when i was young. oh and guaranteed for life. nice.
  • 1 0
 That damn square inner profile on the Primos too. You must be talking about the S&M 101s before they started using the bland re-branded wellgos. S&M has been the bees knees ever since I can remember. I have an issue of Freestylin' from '89 and on the back cover is Chris Moeller doing a one handed x-up with S&M crossbar and toptube pads on. Legendary.
  • 50 0
 Send this Devinci to my address please... Thank you.
  • 10 0
 That was probably one of the greatest bikes I've ever seen.
  • 5 0
 iam in total agreement
  • 2 0
 Very very nice looking bike!
  • 41 1
 You cant "unsee" the pink cheatah!
  • 3 1
 LOL! I saw Katrin Swing & her Teammate in this "dress" few weeks ago in Bikepark Beerfelden... NOBODY said "this is a really cool jersey" ... but if u win, like Katrin, the Rondo extremo: so u can wear everything... ;-)
  • 2 0
 That dude has the word "Yoni" on his collar.
That means sumpin' else here in the states...
What goes on in your shorts should stay in your shorts broseph... errr brosephina.
  • 3 0
 Please give Emily Batty her kit back! Once she's back in it, we'll forgive you.
  • 1 0
 Emily Batty, ahh the memories. @jrocksdh you sir, are the man.
  • 14 1
 "It's a pure XC bike, but there's something about it that makes me want to install proper tires, a dropper, wide bars and a short stem and take it out for a rip."
Those confidence inspiring seatstays, maybe?
  • 7 1
 +1. Flex-stay bikes are right up there with Lefties and leaf-spring forks for me, in terms of things that seem to actually work but nonetheless give me the heebyjeebies.
  • 1 0
 Yeti uses em on their asr c, which is definitely a bike that can be ridden hard for an xc bike. Sure they're not perfect but can be perfectly safe.
  • 4 0
 And I thought that Yeti's were only good for 1 season, hmm...
  • 3 10
flag b1k35c13nt15t (May 3, 2015 at 8:32) (Below Threshold)
 Mike, how about you just ride a spectral?
@Jubbylinseed The inclusion of the Lefty means you most likely know very little about them. Flex stays have their place, just not on Pinkbike crowd bikes. And leaf-spring forks are perfect for fat bikes.
Quit being so ignorant.
Let the red arrows fly!
  • 5 0
 @b1k35c13nt15t
Leetspeak isn't cool any more. And up until a year ago I was a wrench at a shop that deals Cannondale, among other brands. I've rebuilt more than one of those damn proprietary columns of questionable benefits. They have needle bearings, so they feel good in the parking lot. Big deal.

All of this is of course irrelevant, since I said in the original post that lefties SEEM TO WORK. They just creep me out. As do flex-stays and leaf-spring forks.
  • 2 5
 As have I. They do SEEM to work... really well, for their applications. I owned a Scalpel a few times, until I bought an Anthem which began my road to real suspension. I am not saying I am a fan, but they certainly have a place. I am a Chemical Engineer, I'm not interested in being cool. That is for children.
  • 13 1
 that caminade is the bollox...
  • 2 14
flag bikecustomizer (May 3, 2015 at 2:01) (Below Threshold)
 @thebush10
Seems you have riden it already ?
Could you tell more details of your experience ?
  • 2 0
 is there a fender on there? seems like that shock would get covered
  • 4 0
 Is Bollox a bad thing??? How long are those chainstays???
  • 4 1
 @unrooted. Bollox is bad, "the bollox" is good!
  • 3 0
 Much like "sh*t" and "THE sh*t" stateside.
  • 1 0
 Yep, presumably steel looking at the skinny rear triangle. I like it. A lot.
  • 11 0
 I always wanted to buy a Shimano lever for what I assume will be 10 times the price.
  • 6 0
 Bike Festival here in Riva is always a pleasure, So many bikers, so many people. And this year was wonderful. I could know and speak with Bobby Root and the italian Marco Aurelio Fontana. And saw in action Macaskill. Love Bike Festival.
  • 1 0
 A game of foos with MacAskill followed by a brew (or wine - it's Italy, right?)...awesome.
  • 1 0
 Right man Wink sorry for being so late ahah
  • 12 4
 That devinci spartan looks amazing ! Why put those green DVO forks on it tho ?
  • 13 1
 ...because it's DVO's bike and...they make a green fork
  • 5 4
 Ah didnt realise that , shame , it kinda cheapens the look
  • 4 3
 agreed
  • 5 0
 That carbon spartan. Just... wow. And I'm spent.
  • 13 1
 Here's a better question: Why couldn't they get a Spartan from Devinci with green logos???
  • 7 0
 Yeah would of finished it off perfect. Can't get over how hot that frame is though , right up there with the best looking.
  • 1 0
 I'll be interested to see it side by side with the carbon sanction and nomad
  • 1 0
 It says all steel - and 26" compatible. Bet nobody's got one in SA...
  • 4 0
 My Granddad was a handy type. Once he welded me up a home-made mountain bike. It looked pretty amateur, the welds weren't straight, gussets everywhere and it weighed a tonne but it rode better than it looked. That Intense M16 reminds me of that bike.
  • 10 3
 That M16 OOOooofffff!!!
  • 3 3
 ya man, it looks hardcore. I love it too Smile
  • 1 0
 The M16 definitely resembles a weapon
  • 1 0
 before they added all those gussets up front, it was probably as deadly as a weapon
  • 4 1
 "Installation of the system requires drilling out the rim slightly, and then gluing in the red valve.", and a Schräder valve sticking out to the side? Schwalbe wins.
  • 4 1
 At least they sell these
  • 1 0
 Why not find a way to drill another valve stem and incorporate a rimlock or something along those lines for balance and aesthetics sake?
  • 1 0
 Yea, this should have gone back to the drawing board. I'd rather drill a second valve hole opposing the main one than use glue to bond 2 pieces of aluminum together. Beyond that, also locking myself into their system. not remotely interested.
  • 4 2
 @mikekazimer, agree! That Canyon LUX CF is a blast with a dropper, wider bars, and short stem. We have one in the German and USA offices set up in that configuration!
  • 1 0
 [P=http://blog.theregularguynyc.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/eye-bleach_o_2873725-300x236.jpg size=m align=c][/P] Pink cheetah, must bleach eyes.
  • 1 2
 Top picture can you see what is not!!!! Natural......besides the picture being a artificial reprsentation of a place..now look just above The water do you see that layer of smog!!!! That is not from cars or factories. .......now look upwards at the picture.....now go outside And look at the sky .........
  • 2 0
 Guide brakes with Shimano rotors? Interesting...
  • 2 0
 Heaven on Earth. I'm in love with Garda and Ledro!
  • 2 0
 What came first?
T.H.E eliminator rim.........
  • 3 1
 Shimano called, they want their brake levels back
  • 5 0
 They say, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
  • 3 1
 the Caminade with hope stuff is sick !!!
  • 2 0
 Look at the pink guys seat post? Little saddle free riding perhaps!
  • 1 0
 I thought I was the only person who noticed that, that may be the longest seat post I've ever seen haha
  • 2 0
 Beautiful trickstuff brake!
  • 1 0
 I knew Trek bought Fisher, but I didn't know Gary received a custom pink leopard-skin riding suit as part of the deal.
  • 6 9
 what happens when you rotate that blue knob on motion control? fork changes rapidly from compressionless holy diver all to rough as badgers arse with everything in between being worst of both worlds. Somewhere there you can find a sweet spot within 0.2 degree of rotation. And peopl were saying that CTD sucks... MoCo works ok on 80-100mm fork with lock out on and floodgate to medium, until you hammer the damping oil into the outer leg offcourse
  • 7 2
 You're an IDIOT
  • 1 1
 I had better experience with it on my domain, though I had to modify the shim stack to get that plush feeling. Currently my revelation has no perfect point. A couple days riding rough southern Utah terrain early in the season left me with a sprained wrist. I could have set it up plusher, but only.if I wanted it to wallow. I wish I could afford the new 34 or a pike.
  • 3 1
 I owned 4 forks with MoCo, 2 Rebas, old Pike and Sektor. Rode Revelation, many Pikes and Sektors as well. Fox RLC in my wives bike is much better. I did hear positive opinions on Domain though.
  • 2 0
 No, CTD is far and away the worst
  • 1 0
 I think ctd's flaw was it assumed everyone was 50kg (110lbs). That is the reason you need more clicks.
Currently my drcv ctd shock does next to nothing on trail. The same has been true for every fox rear shock I've ever had.
  • 2 1
 My CTD shock on Blur Tr was too harsh aaaand worked lik motion control: from too plush to too harsh. Pushed the bastard
  • 1 0
 Your right on the nuggets about the RS Motion Control. The 0.2 degrees is accurate, but I assume you rounded up to 1 decimal place?
  • 1 0
 Looks like a bad session. Not a trek session.
  • 1 0
 sweeeeeeeeet
  • 1 1
 lol gotta love that pink! The look on the guys face is priceless!
  • 1 0
 Mmmmm.......Lycra!!!







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