Pinkbike’s walk through Eurobike’s outdoor demo revealed some interesting items originating from North American as well as European soil. Here are some highlights from the first few kilometers of aisle walking near the outskirts of Germany's famous Friedrichschafen Zeppelin flughafen.
Conway’s E-Rider Extreme cuts a menacing profile, although it carries a lot a weight high in the frame. Previous electric-powered MTB designs have suffered in the handling department from having a high center of gravity. The powerful motor drives a double-row chain on the left side, while the final drive uses a standard bicycle chain which turns the crankset (the final drive chain was curiously missing on this prototype).
E-Rider ExtremeConway was busy demo’ing its E-Rider all-mountain bike. The E-Rider has a geared electric motor that drives a granny gear sprocket on the crankset. The battery is stashed in the split top tube frame, which is modeled to look like a motorcycle gas tank. The drivetrain uses SRAM rear shifting with a provision for a front derailleur, which seems unusual for a bike which can power anyone uphill. E-rider claims that its brushless motor drive can peak at 2000 watts can run continuously at 1000. That is far more than a Pro Tour athlete can produce intermittently and the E-rider is supposed to run at cruise power for over 50 miles. The 160-millimeter-travel suspension appears to be a derivative of Bionicon’s dual-crown fork and air-sprung shock. The E-Rider Extreme is slated to cost 6999.95 Euros, while the E-rider Performance will run 5499.95 Euros.
www.e-rider.info
E-LOME-LOM is short for electric locomotion. The power for this dual-suspension MTB comes from an Austrian-designed MPF assistance-motor produced in Asia. The Motor is reported to produce 250 watts at full power and 50 Newton-meters of torque. The MPF system is a pedal-assist device that kicks in the power as the rider pedals the bike. Suspension is basic, but the design looks relatively promising.
(Clockwise from top) The E-lom was among the few e-bikes that looked capable of any degree of off road use. The handlebar speed controller has three power assistance settings. Up close, the MPF gearbox and motor is well integrated into the chassis. The E-lom is slated for sale December 2011 for around 3000 Euros.
www.e-lom.com
Jet-Nine RDONiner has been making inroads in the European market with its big-wheel bikes. The Jet-9 RDO is that company’s first full-carbon dual-suspension design and it is completely sold out for the summer season.
Niner’s Jet-9 RDO is about as sweet as a carbon 29er gets. The CVA dual-link suspension received a patent this year. The wheel path is fine tuned for 29-inch wheels to optimize both bump sensitivity and frame clearance at full compression.
www.ninerbikes.com
American Classic Tubeless SystemsAmerican Classic had its tubeless tire conversion on display. The tape is a tough, single layer that seals a standard rim, and the valve stem is made air tight by a chubby O-ring. The valve is removable to add sealant without breaking the bead. We have used the American Classic system with excellent results. Tape for two wheels is $12.95 and the valve stem kit is also $12.95 (USD).
American Classic's new tubeless conversion kit is simple to install and has been working well on our personal rides.
Another secret coming down the pipe at American Classic is an all new wide-body tubeless rim. The 28-millimeter profile will add volume to any tire, which should allow a 2.125 tire to expand to the same volume as a conventional 2.4 inch tire on a 19-millimeter rim. The wide rim profile is the future of MTB riding as tires are heavier that rims, so the overall package promises to be lighter weight at comparable volumes. The added benefit is that the wide stance of the rim will bolster the sidewall stiffness in corners and make it harder for tubeless tires to burp air at low pressures.
www.amclassic.comAmerican Classic's ultra-wide tubeless rim has a bead lock in each corner and features a non-perforated inner bridge so it will seal without tape.
Finally, for fastidious 29er riders, American classic is launching a Zeppelin-sized wheel bag that can handle the widest tires—and the bags double as huge duffels for traveling.
Grippp GlovesGrippp gloves come in full and half-finger styles in black only and are made from synthetic backs with Kangaro leather palms and fingers. The unusual leather makes for a long wearing and remarkably supple glove – but the real news is that the leather provides excellent grip in wet conditions. No more hassles with sweaty palms or rainy weather.
www.hirzl.comThe folks at Grippp gloves are convinced that kangaroo leather has superior wet weather grip.
Much more to come in Pinkbike's 2011 Eurobike reports as we leave the outdoor demo and enter the great halls at Friedrichschafen today. 
that stuff is cool!
