Look KEO Power
The power pedal is definitely coming to market, and Look's Keo Power, a joint venture with Polar seems to be the first thanks to a few sales in France. Ridable production models were on display and available for test spins on trainers. First impressions are very good.
The pedal looks great with typical Look styling and entry. No carbon blade on this pedal. Power is measured by sensors along the spindle. The transmitter unit attaches to the end of the crank with the help of a zip tie and talks to the Polar head unit wirelessly. Look claims accuracy of plus or minus 2 watts when compared to the SRM which they used as their bench mark.
Three Polar head units can be used, the CS600X, CS600 or the CS500. The computers display total watts, but also gives you the percentage of that power each leg is putting out. A smart phone ap may also be in the works, but that could take some time.
Look for units to be available in the spring of 2012. Price is still quite high, $2200 for the pedals with full kit with head unit in the $2500 range. But the convenience the system offers is unparalleled. No other power system can so easily be swapped from bike to bike. Of course, Garmin is entering the game and we'll bring you an update on their system soon.
Ridley Noah FB
We got a sneak peek of the technology last year, but it was very hush-hush. Now it's been launched, and we have to say, it is one of the slickest products at the show. The Ridley F-Brake uses carbon calipers that are integrated directly into the fork and seat stays. It's incredibly elegant, very aero and looks fairly simple to use. How it actually feels on the road is something we didn't get to experience.
The Noah FB also gets some other novel technology, special textured strips that keep airflow attached to the tubes and the split fork which is designed to channel air away from the spinning wheel. Spring 2012 availability and a frame will run $5395.00.
Campagnolo Electronic
It's been a bit of an open secret that Shimano is no longer alone in the electronic shifting game. While the official launch has not yet occurred Movistar has been riding, and winning, on the group all season. Campy had one of their electronic equipped team bikes at the show and while they didn't share any details a few conclusions can be drawn.
While the battery appears a bit bigger than Di2, the wiring seems much cleaner. The front derailleur also appears to contain much of the groups 'brain'.
The system is, of course, 11 speed and retains the same carbon, black on black look of SR11. The crank set is also standard Ultra Torque.
The junction box from the levers is located under the stem, rather than on a brake cable like Di2, a bit cleaner and a bit smaller. It is labeled Campy Tech Lab as is the rest of the group. There appear to be no fine tuning trim buttons on the box.
Like their mechanical groups, their electronic relies on a single finger tip lever and a thumb lever inboard of the hood. The system has the ability to change multiple gears with one push, perhaps the single biggest difference with Di2, which can only shift one cog per push.
Stay tuned for more goodies from the floor of Interbike 2011...