Gallery: Fat Wheels, Gravel Whips, and Kangaroo Leather: The Latest Cycling Gear at Interbike
01Interbike
LAS VEGAS -- The bicycle industry’s epically huge, fluorescently lit, yearly hype-fest is an assault on the senses. Every inch of Mandalay Bay’s sprawling convention center here is covered with people using all manner of trickery to make you notice them and check out their products. I saw a Delorean towing a tiny trailer, more blinking lights than the runway at McCarran airport, and an army of women whose only job seemed to be to riding rollers with their jerseys unzipped. There were more than 1,200 vendors to see, hear, and smell. As I sit at the airport headed home, bleary eyed and exhausted after two days of this insanity, I try to parse all I learned, comprehend all I saw and, in the end, figure out why the hell WIRED was at Interbike. I get this question a lot at car shows, music shows, and comic book shows. The majority of people out there think of WIRED solely as a tech publication. The fact is, we like cars, music, comic books and bikes as much as we like smartphones and laptops. And if we like it, that makes it WIRED. And there was a lot to like at Interbike, even though the big industry trade show has grown a bit long in the tooth. It used to be the event where all the fancy brands unveiled their latest whips. But I wandered the floor for two full days and didn’t see anything new from the major players. Specialized, Cannondale and the other heavy-hitters all launch their new products at tightly managed, big-budget events at places like [Copper Mountain](http://www.coppercolorado.com/). Still, the trends are palpable. The biggest: Fat is where it’s at. Every single aisle had at least one vendor showing off a fat-tire bike. Everyone is on the tubby train -- Salsa, 9:Zero:7, Felt. My favorite was the sub-22-pound Yampa from Borealis. If you live where the snow falls early and often, but can’t bear the idea of only riding in the basement, it looks like this is the year you get to fatten your quiver. See what I did there?  Another thing I noticed: The sheer number of companies trying to sell you energy bars, gels or electrolyte beverage mixes has officially become ridiculous. Who knew we were all so hungry and dehydrated? Gels, blocks, bars -- most of them still only taste good mid-century. But the good news is that I stayed hydrated and energized during my first day on the floor, even though I missed lunch. Just as many companies are making attire to compress every part of your body. To hear these folks tell it, we absolutely, positively must pull on super-tight socks, pants, shirts, knee pads and arm-sleeve-things to hasten our recovery or improve our endurance or ease our pain. I make fun, but I am about to call in some compression wear for review. The whole phenomenon still has the whiff of hokum, but we'll see. Is your company lacking something new to talk about at Interbike? Fear not -- just introduce a new "colorway." Interbike was full of new paint jobs. Some of them are downright blinding -- bright green and safety orange were everywhere. If 2013 was the year everything was "murdered out," 2014 looks like somebody murdered the '80s and let it bleed everywhere. Oh and in case you haven't heard, gravel bikes have become A Big Thing. Everyone is scrambling to introduce a bike that is not a road bike yet not a ‘cross bike and definitely not a skinny-tired mountain bike, but an honest to goodness all-day adventure bike. If you’re struggling to understand just what a "gravel bike" is, the key criteria appear to be a bottom bracket lower than that of a cross bike but higher than a road bike, with a wheelbase a little longer than both. Gravel bikes also have quick handling and plenty of provisions for racks and fenders. I want to give a special shout out to two I liked in particular, the [Giant Revolt](http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/bikes/model/revolt.0/14818/66243/), the [HED Black & Tan](http://gravelgrindernews.com/interbike-13-gravel-nation/), and the [Raleigh Tamland](http://www.raleighusa.com/media-coverage/velonews-com-gets-a-first-look-at-the-raleigh-tamland-gravel-bike/). The biggest takeaway is this: The entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well within the bicycle industry. That’s most apparent at the edges of the convention center, where you'll hear the sweetest, and saddest, stories from the people WIRED most loves to root for. It’s where you find those mom-and-pop companies (though often just pop) who have designed their own bikes or lights or panniers. They’re eager, almost desperate, to get a little media attention, to convince a shop to carry their goods, or to make a quick sale on the show floor. My wallet fell open for a sweet t-shirt from the folks at [Handlebar Mustache](http://www.hbstache.com/), a bag made from recycled bike tubes at [Green Guru](http://www.greengurugear.com/), and some extra fancy pants at [Makers & Riders](http://www.makersandriders.com). You can see what the big boys have to offer simply by opening a magazine or browsing a website, but Interbike is the only place you can see what’s coming from the other end of the industry. Viva Las Vegas.  CrossVegas ---------- There's a giant race at Interbike called [CrossVegas](http://www.crossvegas.com/25/index.php). It's the largest cyclocross race in America, and it takes place at a huge outdoor soccer complex near the Vegas strip. It's the only time any of the Interbike attendees actually go outdoors, smell the fresh air, and feel grass under their feet. The fields did not disappoint, with Katerina Nash winning the Elite Women's race, Sven Nyes taking the elite men's title, and an impressive showing for the big "Wheelers and Dealers" shootout. I want to offer props to Christopher "Smithers" Smith of Lazer Sports, who finished in the top ten of the manufacturers' field. Woot.
02C-Preme
C-Preme ------- Does your kid balk at wearing a lid while he rides? Then hunt down one of these [C-Preme Raskullz](”http://raskullz.com/”) helmets ($25). They come in over a hundred styles for kids between 2 and 7 years old. Apparently the cats are particularly popular with kids ... and even some adults.
03Concept Assassin
Concept Assassin ---------------- I didn’t know this was a thing, but Vancouver’s [Concept Bikes](”http://concept-bikes.com/”) is selling Fixed Gear Freestyle bikes exclusively. Apparently, this trick-style of riding is quickly catching on in Canada. The Assassin is available in two sizes, and Concept will sell you either a frame and fork ($400) or a complete build ($1,800 as shown here). I took the whip for a ride around the loading dock and couldn’t help but smile. Seems crazy, but fun. They even offered to build me an Assassin with a flip-flop hub and front disc brake. Hmmmm.
04Lake CX402
Lake CX402 ---------- [Lake](http://www.lakecycling.com/)’s top-of-the-line road shoe ($525) is made from kangaroo leather. Yes, you heard that right. The shoe checks all the boxes of high-end accoutrements like carbon fiber soles, a Speedplay-specific cleat options, and double Boa closures, but it’s definitely the supple kangaroo leather that makes it special.
05Niner RLT 9
Niner RLT 9 ----------- From the land of the 29er faithful comes a drop bar, gravel-grinding, mint-colored adventure bike. It's a little something for those who want to get on the open road, but don’t want to be stuck riding on the pavement all the time. From the looks of the [RLT 9](http://www.ninerbikes.com/RLT9), there seem to be some roadies hidden amongst the dirt dogs at Niner -- and they’ve been whispering in the president's ear. In true gravel-grinder fashion, the RLT 9 looks like a cyclocross bike at first, but if you study it, you see the differences. It has a slightly longer wheelbase and a more slack headtube angle, and it's finished with eyelets for both rack and fenders. There were a lot of sweet rides at Interbike, but this is the one I called in for review the minute I saw it. In Fresh Mint, please. ($1,050 for the frame and fork)
06Brooks Cambium Saddle
Brooks Cambium Saddle --------------------- This new saddle starts out with the feel of a broken-in, old-school leather [Brooks](http://www.brooksengland.com/) and will stay that way for its lifetime, which sounds pretty wonderful. For those of us who’ve never had the patience to break in a seat ourselves, this may be the ticket. The saddle uses a rubber bottom, an organic cotton top, aluminum structure and steel rails to achieve its magic. Side note: there are grumblings of Brooks making a lightweight version for folks who are looking for old-world charm on our weight weenie whips. Fingers crossed. ($160)
07Borealis Yampa
Borealis Yampa -------------- Hanging from a digital scale on the back wall of the convention center was the [Yampa](http://www.borealisbikes.com). Attached to it was a laser-printed paper reading "21 lbs." When I saw that weight, I figured they were talking about the wheelset, There's no way this big, ol’ fat-bottom girl was that light. But I was wrong. The whole bike, sans pedals, comes in at 21.9 pounds. Apparently fat-tire bikes are not so fat anymore. Using their own carbon tubeless wheelset and other tasty bits, the folks at Borealis have built not just an amazing showpiece, but a bike you could ride all day long in any and all conditions. ($7,000)
08Pulp Fiction T-shirt from Handlebar Mustache
Pulp Fiction T-shirt from Handlebar Mustache -------------------------------------------- Just like every other trade show, Interbike attendees walk around all day looking for free swag or a hookup of some kind. But it was without hesitation that I cracked open my wallet and bought a t-shirt from the folks at [Handlebar Mustache](http://www.hbstache.com/Default.asp). I had a hard time deciding which one to take home. Good thing they don't make any shirts with graphics that reference Rush album covers. Otherwise, I wouldn't have had any cash left over for all those umbrella-adorned drinks by the pool. ($26)
09State Bicycle Co. Undefeated
State Bicycle Co. Undefeated ---------------------------- There were a lot of stunning bicycles on the show floor, including rides from Pegoretti, Speedvagen, Ritte, Black Cat and others. But I kept ogling this fixie from [State Bicycle Co.](http://www.statebicycle.com) Built with 7005 aluminum and using a set of Ezzor carbon track wheels, the Undefeated was truly a thing of beauty. ($950 standard build; $4,000 as shown)
10Dainese Rhyolite Jacket
Dainese Rhyolite Jacket ----------------------- After years concentrating on motocross gear, [Dainese](http://www.dainese.com) is back in the mountain bike game. The company showed off its 2014 line: knee and elbow armor, gloves, shorts, full body armor, soft vests, and this sweet $300 soft-armor jacket named the Rhyolite. Perfect for the Enduro or Super D rider looking for comfort as well as protection.
11Scratch Apple & Cinnamon Hydration Mix
Scratch Apple & Cinnamon Hydration Mix -------------------------------------- With the weather turning wicked, [Scratch Labs](http://www.skratchlabs.com/collections/drinks) has a something to warm your innards. Just heat up some water, fill your insulated bottle, and add the appropriate amount of its Apple and Cinnamon hydration powder. Voila -- a warm, hydrating treat in your bottle. At least for the first hour of your ride, anyway. But the sweet and salty concoction tastes just as yummy cold. ($20)
12Shinola Limited Edition Runwell Di2
Shinola Limited Edition Runwell Di2 ----------------------------------- If you're the cruise-about-town type who prefers the aesthetic of a gentlemanly steed, but you also appreciate the advantages of modern electronic shifting and hydraulic braking, then you’d better get in the queue -- fast. This limited edition [Shinola Runwell Di2](http://www.shinola.com/) ($4,500) -- decked out with full electric shift controls, Shimano’s 11-speed internally-geared Alfine hub, hydraulic disc brakes and Shinola's gorgeous dropouts, fender racks and eyelets -- drew its fair share of attention at Interbike. The Detroit-based company has committed to making only ten, and folks are lining up to get one while they last.
