2018 Interbike Outdoor Demo report
Outdoor Demo manufacturers with bikes to try out reaped the rewards.
So this is a transition year for Interbike as the tradeshow moved from Las Vegas to Reno. Also, the traditionally ‘industry only’ tradeshow has finally added a consumer event to allow end users to see and try the products first hand.
The venue is at the Reno Convention Center for the indoor tradeshow and the Northstar ski resort for the outdoor demo. Given that the outdoor event last year in Bootleg Canyon near Las Vegas was a virtual ghost town, folks were very curious how this year’s demo event would go.
The drive between Reno and Northstar Resort featured some incredible views of Lake Tahoe
The great news is foot traffic was good and demo bikes were flying off the racks with very enthusiastic consumers and retailers. For a first-year event in Northstar, the vital signs were very good.
The folks who came to the outdoor demo event were ready to ride and explore the Lake Tahoe area after the event.
One of the keys to Interbike’s future is selecting a venue that is conducive to the sport of the audience. Las Vegas at 105 degrees may be the worst available venue. Lake Tahoe at 75-degree weather is a better fit for sure. Folks can take time off, attend the event and go on a cycling adventure in a beautiful area like Lake Tahoe.
Registration was fast and professional by enthusiastic staff under 80 years old this time.
The Outdoor Demo venue
Northstar resort had great parking for vehicles of all shapes and sizes. Registration was a breeze and the closest parking lot was converted into an Expo area. There were about three long rows of booths and action was busy, especially on Sunday, the consumer and bike dealer day.
They sold out of their available Plus Tire inserts very quickly
Cushcore
CushCore has a new addition to its range of tire inserts, this week launching the CushCore 27.5+ insert. It’s 50% wider than the standard 27.5 insert, yet at a weight close to the current 29er product, claims the Oregon-based company.
Cushcore introduced their Plus tire insert. It’s like a suspension tuning device that improves the signal to noise ratio of the tire.
In addition to damping the tire’s air chamber, enhancing the suspension potential inherent in 27.5+ tires, the new CushCore insert bolsters the tire’s sidewall, ensuring more predictable behavior, reducing tire squirm, protecting rims against impacts, and allowing you to realize the traction benefits of large tires without less downsides.
The most popular booth was Pivot Cycles
Pivot
The line to demo bikes at Pivot was a sight to see. Folks were trying out the Firebird 29, Shuttle e-bike and Trail429. 250 bikes a day was what they were getting out there and that is a successful effort by any measure.
Schwalbe updated all their rubber last year and are now going through their tread patterns like the Hans Dampf
Schwalbe
Schwalbe has been busy making better rubber compounds and updating all their popular treads. A new Hans Dampf and a new Racing Ralph are here to corner better and hold up to the rigors of aggressive cornering and riding.
Tailwind Nutrition was perfect in Northstar’s high altitude to prevent cramping and dehydration headaches.
Tailwind
Tailwind Nutrition is a company we’ve come to love because they offer an electrolyte drink that you can drink all day. You feel its benefits but don’t get that dreaded gut bomb when you take too much or have a very long effort.
Their protein drink too is a delight to use so you can replenish before you get to the post-ride beer and tacos.
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