This year, at the Interbike OutDoor Demo, I jumped at the opportunity to take Colnago’s new CLX out for a spin. The bike, as you probably know, has generated some noise in cycling circles as it’s the first carbon road frame which Colnago has outsourced to Taiwan. While the test ride was short (only about 2 miles), and the bike’s set up was far from ideal (the stem was way too long), I enjoyed the overall feel of the CLX, which I thought was well above average. The frame provided an excellent mix of road-feel and vibration absorption, while the steering left me feeling surprisingly comfortable coasting down hills on a bike I was completely unfamiliar with. The CLX I rode was a Campy setup with solid shifting, and braking that provided what seemed to be a well balanced stop.

The one minor complaint I have is actually not with the bike, but rather the test ride. I just don’t think that two miles was enough time to get a good feel for the long term relationship a rider will have with this bike. It was however enough time to make me want more, alot more - something I can't say about every bike I rode that day. Price as tested was something in the range of $3,000, which moves Colnago toward a price point that will be more attractive to a larger group of buyers/riders. It won’t surprise any of us here if the CLX is a hard bike to find this spring.

Sorry no camera with me the day of the ride, so you'll have to settle for a stock photo...

Posted by David at 4:19 PM | Permalink

Buzz Rack’s new SP1 Buzz Rider rack caught our attention at this years Interbike with its functional design and pleasing looks. The rack can accommodate two bikes using a fork mount system, and includes an aero-shaped waterproof gear bag which easily mounts in a specially designed basket area using just two clips and a couple of Velcro straps. We like the bag design because when extra on-rack storage isn’t required, the bag can be rolled up and stored. Another feature we’re keen on is that the rack can be mounted and removed in about 60 seconds which allows us to cut down on wind noise, and save some gas when we don’t need the rack. The company says the load capacity of the rack is about 44lbs, and it has 9mm skewers which will accommodate a wide range of bikes. Buyers looking for additional capacity can purchase optional hardware that will allow a third bike to be mounted over the bag area. Buzz racks also offers wheel holders which can be mounted on the back of the rack, just behind the gear bag. MSRP is around $299 with optional accessories running about $35. The company also has several locking accessories planned – click through for additional photos.

Company Link: http://www.buzzrack.com

Continue reading "Interbike: Buzz Rack’s New SP1 Roof Rack" »

Posted by David at 9:39 AM | Permalink