SQlab's formula for comfort lies in their measuring system that determines the width of the rider's pubic bones, and therefore the saddle width that corresponds with what SQlab refers to as the "seat bones". The concept of measuring a rider's pelvic area isn't new, with other companies offering similar solutions, but German brand SQlab does make use of a very simple system that utilizes a corrugated square of cardboard placed on
a hard surface, which the rider then sits on firmly to leave an imprint that can be measured. There are four saddle widths in their lineup, with 12, 13, 14, and 15 centimetre options available, and SQlab uses a formula that sees them add between zero and four centimetres depending on the rider's intentions: zero for a very aero position, one centimetre for a stretched position that you might see with an aggressive cross-country stance, two or three for a moderate and slightly bent forward position that you would likely see on an all-mountain machine, and four centimetres for a casual layout.
We gave the measuring system a go and found that we have a relatively narrow seat bone structure that, after adding a single centimetre to accommodate for the long position that we prefer, sees us on a 13 centimetre SQlab 611 seat. Will their system make for a comfortable ride? We'll see, as we've taken the seat home with us to put some long miles on it.
www.sq-lab.com
ABUS is a big name in security, offering everything from industrial to home locking solutions, as well as a wide range of bike locks that go from lightweight to practically unbreakable. Their folding uGrip Bordo 5700 slots into about the middle of that range, with a design that ABUS describes as offering "good protection at low to medium theft risk''. Rather than a chain or u-lock layout, the uGrip Bordo 5700 consists of six steel bars, each 5mm thick, that are riveted to one another to allow for it to be folded up into a relatively small package. The rivets themselves sit just below the the height of the steel bars, and a rubberized coating available in black, pink, lime, blue, or orange prevents the bars from scratching your bike's paint. The lock's head also rotates to allow for easier key access.
The 830 gram lock folds up into a small rectangle which can then be slid into its rattle-proof plastic case and bolted to your bike's bottle mount, and a one-hand release button allows it to be removed quickly without any fussing about with clamps or levers. MSRP$69.95 USD.
www.abus.com
Easton's Vice XLT 650Bs are a new addition to their wheel lineup for 2014, although they do employ existing components in the form of stealthy black aluminum rims lifted from the Haven series, as well as spokes and nipples. The 21mm wide (
internal width, 26mm external) rims use a UST certified inner profile and a completely sealed rim bed that doesn't require any kind of rim strip to be setup with or without a tube. The difference between these and an actual Haven wheelset comes down to the hubs, with the XLT 650Bs being built around new hubs that see the front compatible with both 15mm and 20mm thru-axles, a move that makes sense due to the lack of 650B compatible forks that feature a 9mm QR axle. The Easton X4 rear hub is completely new, with a design that forgoes Easton's adjustable preload system in favour a set and forget layout that the company says offers improved durability. Both standard and SRAM XD driver bodies are available, and the claimed weight for the complete wheelset sits at 1,750 grams. MSRP for the new trail/all-mountain wheels is $700 USD.
www.eastoncycling.com
I just checked mtbr out of boredom and they've got a ton of Interbike coverage.
Mike, I know your a pretty lone wolf dude but soon I'm going to join you in the backwoods with only a hardtail....
www.pinkbike.com/news/Interbike-2013-Ladies-Edition-Part-I.html
www.pinkbike.com/news/BOX-Components-Prototype-Drivetrain-Disc-Brake-Interbike-2013.html
www.pinkbike.com/news/Liteville-601-Frame-Interbike-2013.html
www.pinkbike.com/news/Norco-Lezyne-Hyper-Interbike-2013.html
www.pinkbike.com/news/Fly-Racing-7iDP-and-Ergon-Interbike-2013.html
www.pinkbike.com/news/POC-Lizard-Skins-and-FSA-Interbike-2013.html
www.pinkbike.com/news/Day-Four-Randoms-Interbike-2013.html
www.pinkbike.com/news/KHS-DH-650-Prototype-Interbike-2013.html
www.pinkbike.com/news/Rocky-Mountain-Ryders-Eyewear-KORE-x-fusion-Interbike-2013.html
www.pinkbike.com/news/X-Fusions-Revel-HLR-Interbike-2013.html
www.pinkbike.com/news/Outdoor-Demo-Interbike-2013.html
www.pinkbike.com/news/Jared-Graves-World-Champs-Edition-Yeti-SB66C-Interbike-2013.html
www.pinkbike.com/news/Marin-Bicycles-Comeback-Story-Interbike-2013.html
www.pinkbike.com/news/Jamis-Dakar-AMT-Interbike-2013.html
www.pinkbike.com/news/wtb-vp-element-case-Interbike-2013.html
www.pinkbike.com/news/Outdoor-Demo-Day-One-Randoms-Interbike-2013.html
www.pinkbike.com/news/Marzocchi-350-NCR-Fork-Interbike-2013.html
What sites had better coverage, and if you could, please link to said coverage.
The amount of self entitled elitists here is staggering. Classy pink bike community we have.
@seraph - boohoo, you want a tissue? nobody every said work was easy, but walking around taking pics, getting free stuff is certainly one of the easier jobs around, so give us what we want, after all we keep the website relevant and profitable.
I can't say if this fits the criteria or not. I'm assuming it's fairly heavy and bigger than it seems, but either way it's a nice concept.
Oh, I fully understand what constructive criticism is. His post was not constructive criticism at all, especially given how many articles and how much coverage we've actually gotten. His complaint had no merit. Especially if you look at the coverage from previous years. They covered a TON of stuff from so many different aspects of the sport of mountain biking as a whole.
@ryancoonya - I agree. SQlab saddles do provide more options and in my opinion look better than Specialized saddles.
www.ismseat.com/how-to-fit-peak
It's a TRADE SHOW, not a consumer event.
Most of the people there are doing business, wether meeting face to face with their current suppliers, or trying to secure a distributorship deal with a new brand, companies small or big have invested cash to send people to vegas to make a business connection.
You see the stands with free beer on offer..... this is a chance to grab 5 mins time with a brand executive and hopefully exchange business cards with a direct email to that person and then move on to the next stand that might be of use to your business.
We were on our feet from 8am until 6pm back packs full of catalogs hats, pens and other swag to help remind you when your back in your room of who you were speaking to and what about!
The Troy Lee truck had a meet & greet session with Cam Zink and Curtis Keene, I went over to get a photo and in the 45mins I was close to their stand they must have signed posters for 6 or 10 people. Everyone is too busy to notice! The fact that PB has so many pictures of pro riders has amazed me as I figured if I was there I would see them all, it's just not like that.
The logistics of that event, the money pumped into that event, and the benefits to our industry from that event is absolutely impressive!
So all those people that say Interbike is dead or boring...... stand up, take a good, long hard look at yourself in the mirror and shut the f#%k up!
There seems to alot more recycled and revamped old ideas. The gold X-Fusion fork is just a revamped Marzocchi Shiver SC, which most of the young riders do not know of since they were not around for it. A singlecrown inverted fork is a horrible idea then and now and I really cant get my head around why a company would take that plunge.
The new big thing seems to be the 650 size wheels and Pinkbike covered that well. And I would say that a slightly bigger wheel is hardly innovative, but this is what the bike industry seems to figure is the best way to sell more stuff.
After all, everyone and their uncles have 26" mountainbikes as it is...Now everyone needs a bike with 650 hoops...
the abus lock kinda reminds me of this...
Go home easton, your drunk