In addition to showing off their new ICM and RxM lines, Pedro’s also had several other new tools on hand which they are hoping to have ready for the coming spring. Called Critical Mass, the new tool line with feature a carbon frame held together with titanium pins. The most basic model, the Critical Mass, will weight around 77g and feature 5 different hex wrenches (2mm – 6mm), along with a flat-head screw driver. The next model up, the Critical Mass M7, will feature all the tools of the basic model, but will add a Mavic M7 spoke tool. The most decked out model will feature all the tools of the M7, but will add an 8mm hex wrench, a #2 Philips head screw driver, and a Torx T25 tool. Sorry, no word yet on pricing.

Posted by David at 10:26 PM | Permalink

Pedro’s showed off two new multi-tools at Interbike the coming year – the ICM and the RxM. The ICM is based on the popular 230g ICU tool but will also include a wrench for Mavic wheels. The ICM will have a total of 17 tools including, tire levers, a chain tool, two spoke wrenches (3.2mm and 3.5mm), a flat blade, a Philips head screwdriver, a t25 Torx tool, and hex-wrenches sizes: 2.5mm, 3mm – 6mm, and 8mm. Total is about 235g. Pedro’s other new tool, the RxM, is also based on the ICU, but is a slimmed down version that offers a just 12 tools, including: a Mavic spoke wrench, a flat-head screwdriver, a chain-tool with built in spoke wrenches (3.2, 3.3, and 3.5mm) and hex-wrench sizes: 2.5mm, 3mm – 6mm, and 8mm. Total weight for the RxM is around 163g.

Click below for a picture of the Rx7

Posted by David at 10:58 AM | Permalink

One of the nice things about Interbike is the New Products Area which features innovative creations from a number of smaller companies. This year we came across Venture Design Works (VDW) which has come out with the Gel-Bot - an updated design of the traditional cage-bottle that integrates an internal energy-gel reservoir capable of holding two packs worth of gel. Users can select between gel or liquid by positioning the flow-valve in either the open (up) or closed (down) positions. When the flow-valve is closed, squeezing the bottle will force gel up from the flask area. When it’s open, only water will flow through the valve. Positioning the flow-valve somewhere in the middle allows a mixture of gel and water to flow. Several advantages to the system include 1. the ability to consume energy gels more evenly over the course of a workout, 2. reduced mess since gel can’t ooze out of the packs onto fingers, and 3. no wrapper to dispose of during a workout session. The Gel-Bot weighs in at 116g, holds 24oz of water / 3.2 oz of gel, and sells for around $16 on the company’s website – www.gel-bot.com

Posted by David at 4:15 AM | Permalink

Interbike is gearing up, with its OutDoor Demo already underway. While the show really picks up steam this Wednesday, Crank Brothers has decided to start the celebration a bit early by debuting their Interbike 2006 commemorative pedals which will only be availble in a candy apple red color, with Interbike 2006 laser etched on the outer metal housing. Given our road-centric focus, we of course bring you the Quarto SL version, but Crank Bros has these commemorative pedals available in a variety of models.

Posted by David at 3:17 AM | Permalink

The UCI announced the 2007 Pro Tour Calendar, including the Giro, Vuelta and Tour in the line up despite objections from organizers of the big three races. The 2007 ProTour will begin March 11th with the Paris Nice, and will conclude Tour of Lombardy in October.

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Posted by David at 3:39 PM | Permalink