leimkuhl@uiucdcsp.CS.UIUC.EDU (03/05/86)
I visited the Chicago bike dealers trade show last Sunday. It was a pretty mediocre show, I think, but there were a few neato gadgets on display. Here's what I remember: Peddle Systems: (all these are no clip pedal systems) Aerolites Definitely the stars of the show, I'd say. These <100g (also available in titanium) pedals consist of just a small cylinder housing the bearings and spindle. Cleats can be mounted on any shoe and seem to pop on and off easily enough, but only when you twist them carefully, so it's doubtful they'll come off when you don't want them to. ($70 retail) Look Large, heavy, unimpressive. But Lemond and Hinault use them. They just didn't seem to be in the same league with Aerolites. ($70? retail) Cycle Bindings Combination shoe/pedal. The pedals were heavy and the shoe/pedal system is not cheap (>$150 retail), but the Cyclebindings system seemed like the sturdiest of the three. Also, the shoe is specially reinforced to keep from coming apart when your foot starts pulling up on the upper while the sole is locked on the pedal. Parts: Suntour Sprint Very nice. Brakes sturdy, well thought out Everything consistent and quite handsome. Looked much more like Superbe than Cyclone. Shimano 600 SIS Excellent. I got a hold of one of the retro-fit (derailleur/chain/freewheel/levers) kits from a local dealer who snagged it at the show. I love it!! I'm using my old Regina CX freewheel since the only Shimano ones were 13-24, and, though it is not supposed to, it works flawlessly! Don't believe everything you hear/read!!!!!!!! Miscellaneous: Alenax alternative drivetrain system has to be the silliest thing I've ever seen. Puma is making some beautiful lightweight racing shoes. Turbo V's looked nice but are they worth the price? Shogun's new frame design racers looked ultra-cheap to me. The new line of sunglasses being marketed by Cannondale seemed to fit my face well and to feel comfortable. They demoed the things with steel wool (look--no scratches) and claim they're bulletproof. Cannondale has greatly improved their paint/finish. (but they are still pretty fat!) Snazziest, most trick frameset award goes to Saronni for their totally internally cabled, squished stays/fork blades model. Assos has hot clothes, but at a price. -Ben Leimkuhler