Frostbike is the annual tradeshow held by North America’s largest bicycle parts and accessories distributor, Quality Bicycle Products. Held every winter at QBP’s headquarters in Bloomington, Minnesota, the event showcases the latest bicycles and accessories that the distributor has to offer independent bicycle dealers. It's a chance for shop owners and employees to pick the brains of manufacturers, to brush up on their tech knowledge, and to get the scoop on new products.
Here’s a look at some of the new products that will be hitting bike shop shelves this spring and summer.
Saris Superbones
The Saris Bones is arguably the best trunk-mounted bike rack on the market. First introduced in 1996, it has remained virtually unchanged until now. The next iteration of the Bones is the Superbones.
This rack builds on the success of its predecessor with a clever strap system that uses mechanisms housed in the rack’s legs to manage the straps that mount it to the vehicle. It functions much like a tape measure, releasing and retracting the webbing as needed.
The feet larger feet should better distribute the load — it will have a maximum weight limit of 35lb / 15.8kg per bike. The Superbones incorporates integrated locks that hold the straps to the car. The webbing has stainless steel strands woven into it for a small measure of theft deterrence.
The Superbones is still in development and pricing is yet to be determined.
Pedro’s expands tool line
Tool manufacturer Pedro’s has always had a small but very reliable line of specialty bicycle repair tools. For many years the company opted not to produce tools that could easily be found at your local hardware store.
According to Pedro's Matthew Bracken, the company has listened to feedback from professional team mechanics who have wanted yellow-handled tools such as box cutters and needle-nose pliers to round out their tool kits.
K-Edge Gravity Cap
K-Egde introduced its top cap mount last fall, but it was largely overshadowed by flashier items such as the company’s combination Garmin/GoPro mount.Top cap mounts are a great solution for mountain bikers running stubby stems, as stems shorter than 50mm seldom leave room for more traditional mounting options.
Related: Garmin mounts for mountain bikers
The K-Edge Gravity Cap retails for US$25.
There's more!
Be sure to scroll through the gallery for even more new gear from Frostbike 2015.
In case you missed it
Here’s a look at some of the other new products that made their debut at Frostbike.
