The outdoor industry gathered in Denver last week for Outdoor Retailer, with the latest and greatest in gear on display. While I spent three days checking out new products from all types of outdoor companies, here are a few bike-related items that I found to be pretty cool.
Archer Components D1x Trail ($389)
Say goodbye to continual rear derailleur alignment problems. More affordable than a full electronic groupset, this after market system transforms your mechanical shifting mountain bike into a smooth, wireless-controlled, electronic shifting machine. Via a combination of programmable shifter, Bluetooth remote, and phone app, the D1x Trail system enables you to make micro rear derailleur adjustments on the fly, shift multiple gears at once, and ensure you remain in a hill-friendly gear if the battery should all of a sudden run out. Easy to install, the system runs off of standard AA lithium ion batteries that will last anywhere from 80 to 150 hours before needing a recharge.
Five Ten Trailcross LT ($130)
For Spring 2020, Five Ten decided to divert focus away from the traditional skate-style flat pedal shoes to more lightweight shoes for the adventure bikers amongst us. The result is the new Trailcross series with three models in the initial lineup. The Trailcross XT is extremely breathable and lightweight with a full mesh upper and drainage ports in the midsole for those rainy days or river crossings. A Phantom Rubber, dotty pattern outsole is beefed up with more grip in the toe and heel for all those inevitable hike-a-bike sessions. In place of padded foam around the ankle, Five Ten used helmet lining which should make them infinitely more comfortable for longs days in the saddle or on the trail. These would be the ultimate bikepacking shoe for those that use flat pedals. Expect the Trailcross XT to start shipping in March.
Hustle Bike Labs REM Pedal System
After almost falling off the side of a cliff in Moab when he couldn’t get out of his clipless pedals in time, Hustle Bike Labs founder Craig Payne vowed to come up with a better solution. Combing the efficiency of clipless pedals with the freedom of flat pedals, the REM Pedal System uses Rare Earth Magnets to keep your foot on the pedal with over 100 pounds of pull force. But move your foot any way other than pulling up and down and you are immediately out of the pedal. Payne is targeting a price under $200 for the pedals and corresponding SPD-compatible shoe plates, with release expected around April.