Interbike 2004 - Post-Show Report
Julio Flores & Brad Foley,
CBR Contributing Writers & Photographers
10/31/04 - Carbon fiber is five times stronger than steel and somewhat light as well. No, it is seemingly weightless. There were bikes at this year’s show that were less than ten pounds. I remember ten years ago when carbon was in its first years in the industry. “Steel is real” was a saying I heard a lot when I got my first carbon fiber bike. I thought to myself, “steel is real…real heavy…real corrosive”. Well, I still ride that bike and it seems to be as good as new but I almost wish it would break so I could justify getting a new one.
The use of carbon fiber is simply exploding in the cycling industry. I saw carbon that was white, curved, painted, reinforced with metal fiber, & dampened. I believe people have finally lost their fear of this material of many uses. With the ability to produce high quality product in places like Taiwan at a lesser cost to the manufacturer, I would imagine it will not be too far off before we see most people racing on sets $500-$700 dollar set of carbon fiber-rimed wheels.
| I will go out on a limb and say that by 2008, Shimano Ultegra-level wheels will be carbon-fiber composite material. One fear and current weakness of carbon fiber rims is bottoming out the rim on a severe bump. Most rims could crack or dent in significantly currently, but, with adding a metal matrix into the weave, the rim becomes stronger than its aluminum counterpart. Imagine that, a carbon fiber rim that can take a crash or a rock in the street. The first time I see them survive Paris-Roubaix, I’m sold.
With nearly every name brand now producing some type of carbon fiber frame, wheel, gadget, etc., innovation and quality will increase as well. Where as frame makers could not design for certain needs due to material and weight restrictions, the flexibility of carbon grants them carte blanche in achieving function by the means of many forms. |
Carbon fiber rear hub
Stronglight Ultima Cranks
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Selle Italia's
SLR C64
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I saw a lot of saddles that were pure carbon with no padding as well. I am very curious how comfortable these would be. I think, if they were comfortable, the manufacturers would have had them set up on bikes so that we could have seen for ourselves. Don’t get me wrong, I would love for a saddle to be less than 100 grams and be comfortable. I just don’t believe both can exist.
One cool thing I saw was how Alpha Q has strengthened their carbon bars to be able to accept clip on aero bars. Also, I saw several carbon stems, although these seem giant compared to standard stems.
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Interestingly, Shimano seems to have avoided the carbon explosion…at least for now. They do intend on releasing Ultegra 10 this December. It is all very similar to the Dura Ace, but not as pretty. It is very close to the weight of the Dura Ace. Functionally, I couldn’t imagine a reason to buy the Dura Ace 10, but aesthetically, I must go with it. Even the Shimano guy was toting the new Ultegra as better than the 9 speed Dura Ace. My favorite piece of the Dura Ace 10 is the crank. If you ask me, I prefer an aluminum crank. I would certainly hate to drop a chain to the outside with a nice carbon crank. Just thinking of the scratches that would come of it, make me cringe.
In closing, I just want to say…carbon….carbon, carbon, carbon……Carbon, carbon, carbon….I think you know where I am going. I look forward to the next several years. I think we will finally see some true innovation and refinement.
Also at the show:
Easton's new wheels look an awful lot like Velomax’s*.
Sidi displays a "bling-bling" chromed version of their pricey Ergo 1s.
Even Master Lock got into the “bling” wars with a bike look looking like a V-twin engine.
*Because they are! Easton purchased Velomax in January 2004.
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Alpha Q's new TWO7 fork, two seven means 270g, extremely light
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Fallbrook Technologies released their first running of their variable ratio internal hub based on their NuVinci™ technology. It's a variable ratio in the sense the hub has no gear ratios as we know them but is essentially a scaled down version of a CVT transmission from a car. The difference being you control how much "gear" you feel when you pedal.
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Specialized has a lot going for 2005, including the new release of a new Tarmac carbon fiber frame, new Decibel helmets, and announcing their signing of the Gerolsteiner professional team onto Specialized bikes.
Still, they found the time to reveal their first serious foray into the sunglass market. The San Remo line shown here features a lens technology that changes itself according to existing light conditions. They used a display to emphasise the arduous process used to design and manufacture the glasses.
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