Best of Interbike 2016
Thousands? Tens of thousands? Who knows exactly how many products we see during the three-day Interbike trade show. But some just stand out more than others. Here are 20 of our absolute favorites courtesy of Mtbr editors Saris Mercanti and Jason Sumner. Let us know which ones you love (or loathe) in the comments section.
#2xaintdead
Shimano XT Di2 Drivetrain
When Shimano XTR Di2 first hit the market, the entire setup (shifters, derailleurs, wiring, display unit, and battery) retailed for an extraordinary $3500. After two years, Shimano has trickled down the technology to the XT level a more reasonable $1000 price point. For more info, check our coverage here.
The new LEV Circuit uses Bluetooth 4.0 connectivity to alert the post when it’s time to rise or fall.
KS LEV Circuit Dropper Post
Zzzzzitt, zzzzzitt (not thunk, thunk) is the sound of the new KS LEV Circuit electric and wireless dropper post — and we love it. Though not the first to bring wireless tech to the dropper post arena, KS looks to have the best option to date. The new LEV Circuit uses Bluetooth 4.0 connectivity to alert the post when it’s time to rise or fall. The obvious beauty of this system is the end of tedious cable routing and exposed housing. The post will come in three travel sizes: 100mm, 125mm, and 150mm, and two diameters 30.9 and 31.6. Exact pricing is not set yet, but a KS staffer said it would be between $500 and $600 with availability set for spring 2017. More details here.
Meet the rowdiest of rowdy trail tamers.
Pivot Firebird
The new 170mm travel Pivot Firebird pairs one of the longest front-centers in the industry with super short chainstays to deliver stability and maneuverability. For more info, check out Mtbr’s coverage here.
Is 9-46 wide enough for you?
e*thirteen TRS Race 11 Wide Range Cassette
When it comes to super wide gear range, SRAM’s new Eagle drivetrain has garnered most of the attention. But what if you don’t want to buy a completely new set-up? Enter e*thirteen’s new TRS Race 11 Cassette, which offers 511 percent range via a 9-46 spread, works with existing 11-speed XD driver set-ups, and costs $350. Claimed weight is 280 grams, and because of the smaller cogs compared to Eagle, you’ll need a shorter chain, which will knock off a few more grams. More info at bythehive.com
The Wolf Tooth Remote dropper lever is compatible with virtually all mechanical posts.
Wolf Tooth Dropper Lever
While dropper posts are now more reliable than ever, many levers still leave lots to be desired. Enter the Wolf Tooth Remote. This little guy has a heavily textured face that mimics the dynamics of a quality paddle shifter. The entire mechanism spins on a giant sealed cartridge and is designed to survive crashes. For more info, check our coverage here.
Soft to the touch for less required gripping force.
GE1 Factory Grips
These new grips from Ergon have more damping in the outer area with a slimmer inner diameter. The unique rubber compound is manufactured in Germany, and offers superb adhesive and rebound properties. The grip feels soft to the touch, but is still defined and precise for optimal grip with reduced the gripping force. The slim inner improves speed of hand re-positioning, and they have a high-strength aluminum inner clamp that’s safe for carbon handlebars. Check out more info on Ergon here.
Each Push ELEVENSIX shock is custom built to order for the riders weight, riding style, and frame kinematics. Price is $1200.
Push ELEVENSIX Shock
First launched in early 2015, the ELEVENSIX from Push received a few key updates this year. A new non-anodized coating helps improve small-bump sensitivity, increased reservoir volume improves thermal stability, and new internal piston design aids with high-speed impacts. For more info, check out our coverage here.
Will this bike change the way we view this iconic brand?
Ellsworth Rogue Forty
Call this a sentimental choice. We all know Ellsworth has had some ups and downs in recent years, in the past producing dated-looking bikes with long swingarms and retro geometry. But the new Rogue Forty and Sixty are aiming to change that. The Rogue 40 pictured here has 140mm front and rear suspension, a 67-degree head tube angle, 420mm chainstays, and a 13.7” bottom bracket height. Ellsworth has also given its proprietary suspension system a makeover, renaming it Active Energy Efficient Suspension. The system is designed to maximize energy transfer and full travel activation at the same time. They also claim to have increased stiffness over 300 percent in their rear suspension system thanks in part to a new hex bolt shock pin that inserts in either side of the rocker to prevent scissoring. Learn more here.
Box Components is run by Toby Henderson, a legend on the BMX circuit.
Box Drivetrain
After several years of development, Box is gearing up to release their long-awaited drivetrain. What sets it apart from Shimano and SRAM is that it only uses a single paddle shifter for up and down shifts. For more info, check our coverage here.
One of the new breed of trail helmets, good for the up and down.
Uvex Jakkyl HDE Helmet
Winner of a 2016 Eurobike Gold award, the new Uvex Jakkyl HDE has 14 vents, a Boa tension adjustment dial, and comes in two sizes. The chinbar is attached via a pair of rotatable pins. It takes about 20 seconds to swap back and forth between uphill and downhill mode. In addition, the helmet is formed lower than conventional bike helmets on the sides and at back, protecting a larger area of the head. Goggle fastening is integrated into the design, and the helmet can be used with goggles even in half shell mode. More details here.
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