Each year the biggest brands in cycling head to Las Vegas, Nevada, for Interbike, one of the biggest cycling tradeshows in the world. Here’s our sneak peek at some of the new bikes and cycling gear released at this year’s event.
Releasing in early 2018, Oakley had its new line of cycling gear on display. In addition to new backpacks, jerseys, bibshorts and jackets, Oakley’s helmet range attracted a lot of attention. The Aro TT 7 is an aero road helmet that integrates a high-quality Oakley sun shield, which can be mounted upside down on the helmet when not in use. Italian cycling manufacturer Bianchi recently announced a partnership with Ferrari to create a new range of bikes. While a high-end road bike was the only model on display, a mountain bike, e-bike, city, triathlon and kids bikes with the Ferrari logo will be released in the future. Pricing details have not yet been released. Last year, Shimano’s release of the S-Phyre road shoe was a big hit despite the near $400 price tag. For 2018, Shimano has taken some of the technology from the S-Phyre and included it in the RP9 range. This new women’s version replaces the previous RP9 buckle closure with a Boa dial and uses a carbon composite sole to achieve a nice balance between stiffness and comfort. If there was one big takeaway from this year’s show, it’s that electric bikes are taking over. Raleigh has a huge new lineup of e-bike offerings, but the one that caught my eye was this vintage electric model with disc brakes and Schwalbe mountain bike tires. Top speed for this model is around 36 mph and it can be ridden for 30 miles before needing to be recharged. Whether you’re looking for a cyclocross bike or an adventure road bike, this model from Basso is a top option. The frame can handle up to 35mm tires, and the 1x drivetrain simplifies your shifting decisions. Disc brakes and the Compact Race Design geometry for off-road speed are other highlights. For 2018, Primal is releasing a new line of commuter gear. The thought behind the design was to create a line that’s functional on the bike but wouldn’t be out of place off it. Jackets, pants, vests and caps are among the new pieces being released this fall. As far as high-end bikes go, the Nitrogen Pro used by professional cycling team Astana was a real stunner. While Argon 18 hasn’t gone the disc route yet, the brakes have been redesigned for improved aerodynamics. Among the other highlights are the AHB 5000 integrated aero handlebar that is said to provide a 30% decrease in wind drag over standard round handlebars. For anyone looking for a new kit forrace day, this S-Phyre kit from Shimano is a top option. The kit is worn by the LottoNL-Jumbo team in the pro peloton and is known for being tight fighting to provide aerodynamic advantages. Shimano’s 3D construction is said to reduce bunching and wrinkles in places like the shoulders and chest. The high thread count in the shorts creates patterns that’s said to reduce friction against the saddle. A racing skin suit is also available in the new collection. FOCUS BOLD 2 E-bikes are no longer just for commuters. Fat bikes, road bikes and this standard mountain bike from Focus also include pedal-assist motors. While you’ll still get a very good workout in, you’ll climb a little faster and can extend the length of your ride when you might normally have to cut it short. The front suspension and 27.5 tires make it a suitable ride for almost any trail. The Shimano E8000 motor uses a dual battery to provide 756 watts of power. If there’s a king of bar tape, Lizard Skins might be it. This fall, new colors are being introduced into the range with some being a little wilder than others. But no matter which option you choose, you’ll get some of the most durable and comfortable handlebar wrap currently on the market.
$3,500