InterMonkey 2001

The Interbike show this year was certainly a more somber affair than it had been in years past due to some missing exhibitors, GT and Scwhinn to name a few, and heavy feeling in the air in the aftermath of the September 11th attacks. The great aluminum bike maker Cannondale who normally has an acre size plot of land to show its wares off had a small showroom on the lower level of the Sands Convention Center. The official reason was that most of the dealers had seen the models mid-year. But, after posting a $22 million loss, one suspected otherwise.

It seemed in many ways a continuation of the 2000 show with many of the same themes repeated and no new innovations in the grand sense. But just because there were no amazing innovations did not mean there was no fun to be had as many of the regular cast of characters who comprise the grand show of biking were in attendance and the latest gossip was as juicy as ever.

Top ten things seen and heard:

1. Shhhh... Cipo on a Specialized road bike. Secret inside sources whispered in this monkey's ear that Mario Cippolini would be riding a Morgan Hill bike. But, of course this is unconfirmed info that I should probably be killed for.

2. Gary Fisher riding around the dirt demo-taking people for test rides on a prototype 29-inch wheeled bike with a hidden headset. When asked about the hidden headset he seemed a little disappointed and remarked, "The technology is in its infancy and it has its own set of issues." Wes Willits, the flag waving 29-er, took a scoot on Gary's bike and to see them talk about what they like about each other's bikes was something you don't see every day.

3. No GT/Schwinn. Not only did they announce to their dealers that in the year 2002 that the bikes would be seen in the Walmarts and K-Marts of the world, but the highest price point for their high end bikes would be $1500. RIP Homegrown and the I-Drive bikes. That sucks. What sucks more is Pacific Cycles, the new owner, decided not to pay any of their riders the bonuses for winning races or salary for the last part of the year. Needless to say that really sucks because those kitties and cats aren't making a mint to lay their bodies on the line everyday and deserve every American trading unit.

4. Maverick bikes vs. Seven Duo...Klein-made aluminum or handmade Massachusetts Ti beauty? Well, for starters, the Maverick bike is more expensive with a retail price of $2500, but it does come with a custom Rock Shox fork. The Seven Duo is made of the marathon metal and retails for $2-300 less. Seems like a no brainer. What is Paul Turner, the man, the myth, the Rock Shox innovator, thinking? One mail-order company shop employee that carries the bike commented that "Paul thinks he can slap his name on anything and charge anything." There would be picture of the Seven Duo, but the kids at Seven had some sort of issue shipping the Ti beauty out to Vegas.

5. Egg Beater pedals and the Micra 17 by Crank Bros. While many people were lusting after the EggBeater Pedals by Crank Bros., the people who brought you the most excellent Power Alloy Pump, I have to say I have never been so excited by a pocket tool since the Ritchey CP-13. The Micra 17 has the tools you may or may not need like spoke wrenches (need those) and Disk Rotor tightening torx wrench (don't need... yet). This tool lies flat; meaning no puncture wounds if you fall on your back with the tool in your jersey pocket, and is very light. It has a retail of $20 bucks. Say good-bye to the ToPeak Alien.

6. Carbon seat stays... Not new, but still around. One well known frame builder, most notably known for his work on the bikes that Team USA used at the Olympics, poo- pooed carbon seat stays and said even the Italians (the guys who came up with the idea and are the ones who seem to be using them everywhere) know "it is all marketing." He also said that his group did a lot testing on the carbon stays and they arrived at the conclusion that it offered no strengths benefits or any real ride benefits. Good, because I always thought that it looked stupid, but you gotta love marketing.

7. Paint jobs to be had by everyone... . While you can expect the best paint jobs by the people of Independent Fabrication, DeKerf and Sycip (pronounced See-sip), this year Trek unveiled their custom paint jobs for Trek and Lemond brands. Big bike brand technology with little shop custom details. But it goes without saying that the bikes by Independent Fabrications (as a side note the IF head tacker is a woman: Shanna White) and others are still ride-able works of art.

8. Orange Bikes are here in the USA. With a new importer, Orange hopes to catch some of the dollars that are going into mono-link bikes. Super nice bikes. For those who have not seen their bikes up close what makes their frames unique is the fact the down tubes are constructed by taking 6000 series sheet metal and bending it into a downtube producing a super stiff front end. The same technique is also applied for there rear ends. I really dug the their 5 inch travel free ride bike which was built up with some nice trinkets for a weight around 25 pounds. David Merten the SoCal importer seemed so pumped to be selling these super deluxe handmade English beauties that it is hard not to be excited by them.

9. Women's bikes were around and it was nice to see that segment start to really develop. My vote for one of the best looking bikes of the show was the Trek 90 WSD. I can't help myself around blue bikes. Cannondale and Gary Fisher had chick specific models to show as well.

10. Getting to spend a few moments with American racing icon and legend John Tomac was cool. Such a nice man. While soft spoken off the bike and an animal on the bike, you can see that he moves with purpose. A good family man, whose image of riding down the Mt. Snow in 1994 course is burned in my head and whose bikes are mean machines. Look for their 98 special as it is a great deal and looks snappy at the trailhead. He also had a Ti hard tail that looked like it meant business.

One last note: Queen of Dirt, Missy Giove who normally is in attendance at the show was home still recovering after her world's crash. Missy is my hero and I wish her a speedy recovery.

Look for an even more comprehensive wrap-up on Interbike in the coming days as I am still recovering from overeating at the buffets.

Till then, good days to you.

Live long and ride hard!