September 28, 2009
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By Zack Vestal

2009 Interbike: The Limar Carbon Pro104 will be the U.S. version of the ultralight helmet.

Photo: Zack Vestal

Interbike 2009 is officially over, in the books. We at VeloNews escaped Sin City without injury, and have just a few more tech tidbits and quick looks to share. Look for more detailed reporting on certain items in the months to come as we get to test them out for ourselves.

Limar touts ‘world’s lightest helmet’

Italian helmet company Limar first showed the Ultralight PRO104 at Eurobike, but we missed that presentation. Fortunately, they gave us another chance by showing the helmet at Interbike as well.

The European version weighs only 170 grams in a size medium, and the North American version (which must be certified to higher CPSC standards) is projected to weigh less than 215 grams. The North American version, to be called the Carbon Ultralight PRO104, is a fully featured helmet with a bug screen in the front vents and an adjustable ratchet buckle occipital lobe retention system. Pricing is yet to be determined.

Litespeed’s carbon fiber Archon C-Series

2009 Interbike: Litespeed’s Archon C1 is a new carbon fiber aero bike from the ti’ builders.

Photo: Zack Vestal

With the C-Series, Litespeed brings a carbon fiber aero road bike into the family. The Archon C1, C2, and C3 bikes and frames represent a bit of a departure for the brand that’s famous for artful titanium frames. But after two years of development, and with a handful of aero features that are best executed in today’s favorite material, Litespeed is in the carbon fiber game.

The frames use integrated aero seat masts, a tapered steerer, swoopy tube shapes, internal cable routing and a “shrouded” water bottle mount on the down tube. An Archon C1 frame uses unidirectional carbon fiber and costs $3000, while complete bikes are available at the Dura-Ace level for $4500 (the Archon C2) and the Ultegra level for $3000 (the Archon C3).

DuMonde Tech tests biodegradable, perfumed pink chain lube

Known mostly for long-lasting chain lubes that look green and smell funny, DuMonde Tech is experimenting with a scented version of its plant-based, biodegradable Bio Green chain lube.

The new lube is pink, will be called Bio Pink, and will be pleasantly scented. Company rep Andy DeVol said the project was only two weeks old, and they hadn’t yet settled on what version will be offered, or when. Scents on test include cherry, lavender, coconut, and butterscotch. DeVol added that a portion of proceeds would likely be donated to a charity.

Other highlights, cool stuff, and interesting sights

2009 Interbike preview: The Focus Mares Team cross bike looks sweet.

Photo: Zack Vestal

• Focus bicycles are coming to the United States this spring, including a Team Milram replica model, complete with Lightweight carbon wheels, and the sweet carbon cyclocross Mares Team for $4700.

• Speaking of Lightweight, the German company is out with a carbon clincher and also displayed a flat-bar, belt-driven singlespeed sure to be the envy of every urban fixie-riding hipster.

• SRAM accessorized a couple of XX product displays with live desert animals, including a monitor lizard and a tarantula — but most people were too busy looking at the cranks and brakes to even notice the fauna.

• Sun Ringle is out with a crop of new wheels that rely on machined aluminum hubs, straight-pull spokes, and a rim shape licensed from Stan’s NoTubes with a very low bead hook. Interchangable end caps permit use on various standards, including standard QR, 15QR, and the newer Syntace X-12 12mm rear QR . The Charger Expert and Pro wheelsets are trail-oriented, with a 28mm rim, and the Black Flag wheels have narrower, 24mm XC rims. Pricing is yet to be determined on most models.

• Oakley introduces a new “Elite” line of ultra-pricey eyewear and apparel, topped by the $4500 “C Six” sunglass machined from carbon fiber (a 96-hour construction process!).

• On the other end of the spectrum, Eric Sampson keeps offering bike, component and drivetrain alternatives, highlighted by his new Summit parts group, which will cost just $999.