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Eurobike odds & ends: Only in Europe, or coming to America?

Published August 28, 2014

FRIEDRICHSHAFEN, Germany (BRAIN) — Some say that what you see at Eurobike is coming to the U.S. market soon — maybe as soon as next month's Interbike show (like the GoPro doggy camera mount), or maybe in a matter of years (electric unicycles? Well, maybe someday).

Others say there will always be some things in the European market that will never translate to the U.S. — like flourescent orange camo mountain bike shoes. And trekking bikes. We're still not quite sure what a trekking bike is.

After a few days of scouting the halls of the Messe Friedrichshafen, we have a few items to share. You can decide which category they belong in.

GoPro's doggy cam mount is for action dogs, Euro or otherwise.
  • Matchy-matchy, part 1: Alpina helmets and sunglasses aren't distributed in the U.S., but that didn't stop us from checking them out. The German brand does a great job at offering matching sunglass and helmet colors, and gives retailers displays to show both pieces together.
    Matchy-matchy, part 1: Alpina helmets and sunglasses aren't distributed in the U.S., but that didn't stop us from checking them out. The German brand does a great job at offering matching sunglass and helmet colors, and gives retailers displays to show both pieces together.
  • Matchy-matchy, part 2: Just about every OE wheel supplier is offering color accents to match frame accents, such as these Fulcrum wheels on a Cube road bike. Cube matches the cable housing and bottle cage, too.
    Matchy-matchy, part 2: Just about every OE wheel supplier is offering color accents to match frame accents, such as these Fulcrum wheels on a Cube road bike. Cube matches the cable housing and bottle cage, too.
  • Matchy-matchy, part 3. Santa Cruz is on top of the trend on the mountain bike side, with black forks and rims each with colored accents that match frame accents. Just about every major brand at Eurobike is doing something similar with colors on the mountain bike side.
    Matchy-matchy, part 3. Santa Cruz is on top of the trend on the mountain bike side, with black forks and rims each with colored accents that match frame accents. Just about every major brand at Eurobike is doing something similar with colors on the mountain bike side.
  • With all the e-bikes on display at Eurobike, vendors are also showing repair stands for the hefty bikes. This Minoura W150 is one of the simpler designs.
    With all the e-bikes on display at Eurobike, vendors are also showing repair stands for the hefty bikes. This Minoura W150 is one of the simpler designs.
  • A foot pedal operates the W150's hydraulic lift, which provides 13 kilograms (28.7 pounds) of lifting force. It's rated for bikes up to 66 pounds.
    A foot pedal operates the W150's hydraulic lift, which provides 13 kilograms (28.7 pounds) of lifting force. It's rated for bikes up to 66 pounds.
  • Shimano's display has been overrun all week with folks looking to try the new XTR Di2 shifters. There was a line to use one of the stationary trainers and for the counter-mounted display.
    Shimano's display has been overrun all week with folks looking to try the new XTR Di2 shifters. There was a line to use one of the stationary trainers and for the counter-mounted display.
  • The new PRO mountain bike stem from Shimano has a nifty design to eliminate the need for a star nut. That allows a battery to be placed in the steerer, and also saves weight.
    The new PRO mountain bike stem from Shimano has a nifty design to eliminate the need for a star nut. That allows a battery to be placed in the steerer, and also saves weight.
  • Matchy-matchy, part 1: Alpina helmets and sunglasses aren't distributed in the U.S., but that didn't stop us from checking them out. The German brand does a great job at offering matching sunglass and helmet colors, and gives retailers displays to show both pieces together.
  • Matchy-matchy, part 2: Just about every OE wheel supplier is offering color accents to match frame accents, such as these Fulcrum wheels on a Cube road bike. Cube matches the cable housing and bottle cage, too.
  • Matchy-matchy, part 3. Santa Cruz is on top of the trend on the mountain bike side, with black forks and rims each with colored accents that match frame accents. Just about every major brand at Eurobike is doing something similar with colors on the mountain bike side.
  • With all the e-bikes on display at Eurobike, vendors are also showing repair stands for the hefty bikes. This Minoura W150 is one of the simpler designs.
  • A foot pedal operates the W150's hydraulic lift, which provides 13 kilograms (28.7 pounds) of lifting force. It's rated for bikes up to 66 pounds.
  • Shimano's display has been overrun all week with folks looking to try the new XTR Di2 shifters. There was a line to use one of the stationary trainers and for the counter-mounted display.
  • The new PRO mountain bike stem from Shimano has a nifty design to eliminate the need for a star nut. That allows a battery to be placed in the steerer, and also saves weight.