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| Gemini athlete: Max, World Champ Norman, and Coach KK take a break from a busy Interbike 2007 schedule. |
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| Interbike 2007 was a great experience, getting to meet up with many industry leaders in the world of cycling. From Tour de France champions to Ironman Champions like Magnus Backstedt, Norman Stadler, Mark Allen, and countless others. It was always a dream to go see everything the general public would not see for a year or more. Concept bikes and components, to really slick gruppo's like SRAM RED. Nutritional products, clothing, and other neat little gizmos that make one think..."Why didn't I think of that?" Although this was a short trip, what I saw was nothing short of heaven on earth for any cyclist or multisport athlete. Carbon fiber products from all over the planet, as far away as China, Tawaiin, Italy, and of course, the USA. This is where Shimano, Campagnolo, SRAM, and other companies in the same product line go head to head with their absolute best. I had a chance to rub shoulders with the inventors/designers of so many great products from Speedplay, Cervelo, HED, ZIPP, Blue Seventy to name a few. Of the more impressive lines I had seen was the KUOTA line, which presented the jewel of their stable, the Kueen K Triathlon frame. I would love to get my hands on one of these! The lines are clean, aero, and this machine is light AND stiff! Best of all, it comes in a 79 degree seat tube. More companies building triathlon bikes may want to hop on the bandwagon and build stock 77 to 79 degree seat tube bikes, and the trend seems to be shifting that way. Those still stuck in the 76 degree era are running a couple years behind in design. Although not the best for everyone, it is a fast growing trend. I hope to see what is new at the 2008 Interbike, and bring more cool pictures and updates back from Vegas. If you can attend, this is a must see show.
Funny how small of a world the bike industry is. I ran into several local shop owners and employees, triathletes and cyclists from Boulder, and even some old competitors from my days back in the Midwest. There were the design brains behind the fastest wetsuit out there...Blue Seventy, and the kind gents from Velo Vie bicycles. So many products in only two days of viewing, my brain was on visual overload; luckily, I had my trusty digital camera to capture slick inventions I wanted to remember. Until next year, I'll climb on board my 7 year old bike, and hope one day I can be on board one of these many rocket ships I saw.
Train smarter than smart! Coach KK
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| 2 weeks before the World Championships: Norman's actual race-ready steed for Kona 2007 |
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| This weighs just over 10 lbs! |
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For more Interbike 2007 pictures click HERE.
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