Here are some updates from yesterday afternoon at the show:
Arkel makes a great line of bags & panniers for bicycles. All of the materials come from the U.S. and are assembled in Canada. Some details include both zip-lock & velcro on the map bag, panniers converting into a usable backpack, separate wet compartment with mesh drainage, Cam-Lock attachment system, and YKK zippers. http://www.arkel-od.com
Of special note, Arkel‘s “Grand Touring” series is a very complete system for adventure bicycle travel. Comprising of 4 different bags (2 front, 2 rear), it is a well thought-out system designed by the owners who are also avid cyclists. 54L rear and 18L front panniers come with multiple & modular compartments, including a separate waterproof interior compartment to separate dry from wet gear. One of the front panniers converts into a backpack, with the other three can easily be carried by hand or shoulder strap. http://www.arkel-od.com/panniers/gt54/overview.asp
Hand-welded in Santa Barbara, California, the Old Man Mountain racks were some of the toughest showcased at Interbike. Their “Cold Spring” series of front & rear racks are suspension & disc brake compatible, and feature a wrapped & welded platform for added strength. Another interesting rack is their “Ultimate Lowrider” front rack, which helps to keep the weight down much lower on the bike. http://www.oldmanmountain.com
Another innovative solution to a rear rack debuting this year came from Arkel. Their “Randonneur Rack” affixes to both the seat post & seat rails, preventing the side-to-side movement common with many other rear racks that only attach to the seat post. Currently this rack only allows for a top-bag, but plans for additional brackets for side panniers is in the works. http://www.arkel-od.com
Known for their ergonomic hand grips, Ergon had a few on display. http://www.ergon-bike.com
Introducing some technology to their already long line of hydration products, Camelbak will have 2 new products in 2010: the “Flow Meter” and “All Clear UV.” The “Flow Meter” measures how many ounces are left in your bladder, as well as helps you to monitor your hydration goals in ounces (or liters) per hour. The “All Clear UV” is a water purification system similar to the SteriPEN, but is fully integrated with their line of water bottles. http://www.camelbak.com
Cateye featured four new products this year: “Orbit,” “Loop,” “Adventure,” and “Hybrid.” The “Orbit” light fits into the spokes on a bicycle wheel, where the “Loop” comes in either a front or rear safety light, and easily fastens around many objects with a small bungee strap. The “Adventure” computer features a barometric altimeter in a tidy little package. The new “Hybrid” light runs on both a solar charge and AA batteries. http://www.cateye.com
On display in the Topeak booth was a kitted-out adventure bike, with an ultralight 1-person tent. http://www.topeak.com