Interbike 2014 Highlights
Active Gear Review is supported by its audience. If you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
If staying in the know of the latest cycling gear is your thing, knowing what’s going on at Interbike is a must. Our writers were hard at work while at Interbike to see what the latest and greatest is for the coming season’s in cycling.
Lazer Magma Helmet at Interbike 2014
The Magma Helmet from Lazer uses MIPS (Multi-directional Impact Protection System) to help protect riders from the most violent crashes. The low-friction area in the helmet separates the helmet liner from the hard shell so in the event of a crash, the head is allowed to rotate freely inside the helmet (so think of an egg – the egg-white protect the yolk from jostling around). This system has shown in tests to reduce the likelihood of rotational brain injury.
Parktool Cable Router
Internal routing is quickly becoming the norm in the bike world and with that comes a whole set of challenges involving getting the cables and hoses through the frame. Parktool has solved this with two cables with magnets on both ends. This sounds simple, which it is, but it works. You send one cable into one end and the other into the other and the magnets latch together inside. Then you attach your cable or hose to the exposed end of the cable and pull it through the frame, turning a tedious task into an effortless one.
Thule ThruRide Bike Rack
Many of us are tired of trying to balance a bike on top of a car while feeding the thru-axle through the rack before tightening it down. The people at Thule felt my pain. They devised a system that easily attaches your thru-axle bike to the top of your car. It’s as simple as removing the wheel and latching the axle into the slot in the rack. Any easier and they would send someone from Thule to do it for you.
Spank Oozy Trail Wheel
The Oozy trail wheel is the first from Spank to integrate bead lock technology. It works by locking the bead of the tire to the wheel using three ridges. This system makes it nearly impossible to roll your tires off the rim. It also makes changing tires more difficult, but it’s a price that many bikers are willing to pay.
Felt IA FRD
New at Interbike 2014, The Felt IA FRD uses a carbon fiber material from a company called TeXtreme. TeXtreme is lighter and stiffer (and stronger) than conventional carbon fiber because it is composed of a shatter resistant resin. Traditional carbon fiber has a tendency to shatter and become sharp and pointy while TeXtreme supposedly stays together. Not something I’d necessarily want to test through experience.
100% Speedcraft
100% has always been know for the raised section in the middle of their goggles and now they’re bringing this design into their glasses. This raised section isn’t just a trademark feature, it improves visibility when you are bent over in the “attack position” while riding. The Speedcraft is 100%’s first high performance sunglass and is meant to be used while riding but can also just be worn as a stylish everyday pair of shades.
Outdoor Tech Orca
Many companies are developing bluetooth earbuds but no one is making them to the same standard as Outdoor Tech. Instead of using regular bluetooth, Outdoor Tech uses Bluetooth 4.0 which is smart ready and much more energy efficient that the 3.0. We found at Interbike 2014 that with a range of 32 feet and 6 hour play time, the Orca is neck and neck with some of the best bluetooth earbuds on the market and the sub $100 price point is another great features of the Orca.
Photos and Reviews by Josh Campbell & Yoon Kim
