Interbike Day 1: 10 Hot Products from the Desert

We scoured Interbike’s Outdoor Demo for the top new products for 2012. Here’s a few of our favorites.

Yeti SB-95

Coming on the heels of Yeti’s revolutionary SB-66 trail bike is the SB-95 full-suspension 29er. The highly anticipated bike has 5 inches (120mm) of rear-wheel travel and uses the brand’s radical new Switch suspension system. The platform is designed around an eccentric pivot that reverses direction mid-stroke to control chainstay length, which offers a solid pedaling platform, yet plush travel independent of pedaling forces. The SB-95 has a 68.5-degree tapered headtube and Yeti’s Chip System dropouts allow riders to run a conventional 135mm rear axle, or the new 142×12 design. Expect a carbon version out sometime next year.

Marin Rift Zone 29

Marin joins the full-suspension 29er movement with the Rift Zone 29. The third-generation of Marin’s Quad Link dual-link suspension system cuts a more traditional frame profile than the previous layout. Marin says the fundamentals of the system remain same, but the revision provides a more consistent leverage ratio, which leads to less progression at the end of the stroke and there more a more “bottomless” feel. Marin will sell three aluminum and one carbon version of the 29er. Prices start at $1,900 and top out at $5,200.

Osprey Zealot

After the successful introduction of its trail-oriented Raptor hydration packs, Osprey developed the larger Zealot for all-mountain rippers and freeriders. The pack comes in either 10-liter or 16-liter sizes, in two torso lengths. The Zealot has space for a full-face helmet and sleeves for armor. A clamshell design allows access to the large main pocket, but the pack’s trickest feature may be the roll-up tool pouch that zips into an easily accessible pocket under the pack. The smaller model will run $130, while the larger options will sell for $150.

Fuji Outland 29

The $3,400 Outland 29 1.0 uses the FSR suspension design (they’re one of the only brands left in the USA to license the system from Specialized) to control 100mm of travel. The aluminum frame boasts significant hydroforming to reinforce the tapered head tube while the BB92 shell anchors the bottom of the frame. Full-length derailleur housing keeps mud from gumming up the shifter cables—a nod to Fuji’s East Coast roots. The kit is race oriented with a remote fork lockout, 2×10 drivetrain and WTB semi-slick tires.

Jamis Dakar XCR 29

Jamis has become a leading proponent of 650b mountain bikes (there are two new hardtails for 2012), but the company’s not about to be left out of the 29er full suspension game. The Dakar XCR is a race-oriented machine with 100mm of front and rear travel. A tapered head tube sits on the nose, while both wheels are stiffened by thru-axles (15mm front, 12x135mm rear). The bike is offered in with a carbon frame for $5,100. That version comes with American Classic tubeless wheels, RockShox suspension and a SRAM X9 drivetrain. An aluminum version with Fox suspension and Shimano SLX drivetrain will run $3200.

Speedplay Syzr

Speedplay’s long-in-development Syzr (say, scissor) mountain pedal now has an on-sale date: January 2012. The Syzr’s stability comes from cleat to pedal contact—not the shoe-to-pedal interface like other MTB pedals—for a more solid, locked-in feel according to Speedplay. Like Speedplay’s road pedals, the Syzr is highly customizable: float is adjustable from zero to 10 degrees, and inboard and outboard rotation is independently tunable. Different spindle lengths as well as cleat cant wedges will also be offered. Riders can adjust release tension, but float is always friction free. Expect versions with titanium axles to sell for about $335; with stainless steel axles the price should be about $210.

X-Fusion Velvet DLA

Among the many changes to the X-Fusion line, the Velvet trail fork now has an adjustable-travel feature. A fork-mounted dial will lower travel from 140mm to 110mm. The hydraulic system reduces travel by controlling oil flow through the sealed DLA cartridge. The fork also receives a secondary compression circuit that X-Fusion says will improve performance as the fork travels through the middle and end of its stroke. “It will keep the fork riding higher, and not diving,” says X-Fusion’s John Hauer. “It’s like adding internal high-speed compression adjust.” The fork weighs 4.25 pounds.

SR Suntour Axon RC

SR Suntour is best known for its lower-end forks, but has quietly been improving its upper-end models. Just look at the Axon RC, which was ridden by World Cup XC overall champion Julie Bresset. It has carbon lowers with lugged magnesium dropouts. It is also available with carbon crown and steerer. It is internally adjustable for 80 or 120mm of travel, with an optional handlebar-mounted remote. The fork uses an all-aluminum air cartridge, which is easily removed for repairs. The Axon weighs 3.2 pounds and comes in under 3 pounds with the carbon steerer and crown. Price is about $1,150 for the standard RC.

VP-69

VP continues to expand its flat pedal line with the new $90 VP-69 $90. The concave design (19mm-17mm-19mm) features six traction pins each side with dual outboard cartridge bearings and an inboard bushing. With the stock steel axle, a set weighs 378 grams; the optional forged titanium axle kit ($100) knocks the weight down to 308g. The pedals are offered in 9 painted colors, which VP says have a more consistent finish and better match frame finishes than anodized colors.

Ibis Mojo SL-R

While the SL-R isn’t Ibis’s newest bike (that honor goes to the Ripley 29er, which is still in prototype stages), it will be hitting retail shops for the first time in two weeks. The 140mm trail bike represents a significant update to the brand’s Mojo and Mojo SL frames. Most importantly, it weighs .3 pounds less than its predecessors, but is stiffer. Ibis uses a new carbon process that allows them to build the entire front triangle from a single lay-up, with longer and more exact plies of carbon. That, according to the company, offers better compaction and fewer folds. Translation: a stiffer, stronger frame. The new model also has a tapered headtube, 142x12mm rear axle and press-fit bottom bracket. A frame and shock will cost $2,500, about $350 more than the Mojo SL.

SOURCE:  MountainBike.com