Gadgetell | Tech News, Reviews, and Interesting Things

Last week, Gadgetell was at the US’s biggest cycling show and we’ve plenty to report on.  Interbike is always one of fall’s hottest tickets and this year spun out more carbon fiber components than seems possible.  Here is what left an impression on us:

Santa Cruz Tallboy

Everyone seemed to be talking about this 29er.  Santa Cruz’s first 29er this one was adored by common Joes like me, but also folks like Guitar Ted over at twentynineinches.com (he named it best of show).  What’s not to love?

The frame is carbon fiber and uses the company’s VPP technology for a smooth and balanced suspension feel.  Travel is only 100mm, but coupled with the large wheels, it looks like she’ll roll over just about anything.  This could be an instant classic, if you can afford the price of admission: $3599 for a complete bike over at competitive cyclist.

Speedplay SYZR Pedal

I was surprised to see all the innovation in pedals this year.  It seemed every time I turned around, I found something new.  Whether from Look, some crazy magnet guy, or Speedplay.  Speedplay has been at this game for a long time and their pedals are legendary at this point.  They’ve got something now that looks nearly finished, the SYZR (scissor).

This two sided pedal looks simpler than a Crank Bros Egg Beater but look to exhibit the same “pull up and the pedal grabs harder” concept.  Speedplay showed off a version of this pedal last year, but it looks much closer to being a reality now, and a winner.

Gyro bike wheel

Learning to ride a bike is a right of passage for many in the world.  Kids must master sitting atop spinning wheels and for many of us, it takes a while.  One outfit looks to reduce that time with a gyro wheel to provide the balance.

Their wheel, the Gyro bike wheel, is a spinning front wheel that replaces the one on your bike and provides the steadiness young riders need to learn to control the bike.  You can imagine the concept is debated whether or not it helps riders or is cheating, but the company says kids can learn to ride in just 30 minutes.  They hope to offer riding to those that have lost the ability due to inner ear issues as well.

Street Wrapz

Proving that not everything at Interbike must require a new mortgage on your house, Street Wrapz showed off how simple it can be to spiff up your existing bike with their new decals.  These decals cover your existing tubes with inspired graphics and give your ride a new-bike smell.  Or at least, a new decal smell.

The catchy designs look to cover everything though you’ve got to wonder how much work is involved in getting it right.  Heck, it takes me a good 20 minutes to cover my iPhone screen with plastic, how long would it take for whole bike?  The site boasts an installation video that is “coming soon.”  Price is only $49 in 24 different styles.