Wednesday’s Interbike adventure moved indoors, into the Sands Convention Center, where we set out to unearth the best new bike gear for 2010.

Empire Cycles’ AP-1

Empire Cycles’ AP-1 has an unconventional yet high-performance design that’s bound to turn some heads. The frame is built from cast aluminum using a sand casting technology partly developed by Aston Martin and uses a pulley to reduce chain torque on the rear swingarm.

Hope Top Crown

Hope was showing off a new top crown designed to work on Fox 40 and RockShox Boxxer forks. The crown is completely integrated with a 50mm reach stem that makes for a super low profile. It uses two lower bolts and the top of the face plate is held in place with dovetail joints — slide it sideways to remove completely.
Five Ten SPD Shoes

Five Ten had a prototype pair of SPD compatible shoes in their booth—including their Stealth rubber sole. Colors will likely change by the time these reach production.
Five Ten Shoes


Five Ten also have a slew of new color ways ready to go to market. Here’s just a few of what they have in store for the 2010 season.
Turner RFX

Dave Turner had a prototype RFX frame on display in his booth. It includes 170mm of travel via a 8.5 x 2.5-inch Fox RP23 shock — other shock options will be available. When asked for an estimated sale date for the frame Dave said, “It will be ready when it’s ready.” We hope you are patient, it should be worth the wait.

Black Market Killswitch


Carter Holland was showing off his new Killswitch full suspension bike built up both as a singlespeed/dirt jumper and as a slopestyle/multi-gear bike.