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Kona 2015: Ironman Village Expo

 Oct 8, 2015 article & images by Nick Salazar

Zipp 808 NSW » The followup to Zipp's Firecrest and Firestrike wheels is the new NSW line. Similar to Felt's 'FRD' designation or Specialized's 'S-Works' moniker, NSW refers to the best Zipp has to offer. The 808 NSW features similar design language to the previous generation, but offers some very slick magnetic hubs, a new sawtooth dimple pattern said to improve shedding of air, and the grooved brake track aimed at improving braking.
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Every year the Ironman Hawaii expo offers something different and new. Here's what we saw this year.



Tags » 1xgroup,  argon18,  dimond,  expo,  felt,  hawaii2015,  normatec,  quarq,  sram,  stryd,  zipp

Zipp 808 NSW 

The followup to Zipp's Firecrest and Firestrike wheels is the new NSW line. Similar to Felt's 'FRD' designation or Specialized's 'S-Works' moniker, NSW refers to the best Zipp has to offer. The 808 NSW features similar design language to the previous generation, but offers some very slick magnetic hubs, a new sawtooth dimple pattern said to improve shedding of air, and the grooved brake track aimed at improving braking.

  • Zipp 808 NSW
  • Zipp 808 NSW
  • Zipp 808 NSW
  • Zipp 808 NSW
  • Zipp 808 NSW
  • Zipp 808 NSW

Zipp Kona Decals 

Another cool feature: exclusive Kona-themed decals for all Zipp owners. Just come to the shop and they'll swap them out for you. Very slick indeed.

  • Zipp Kona Decals
  • Zipp Kona Decals
  • Zipp Kona Decals
  • Zipp Kona Decals
  • Zipp Kona Decals

Misc 

More interesting bits of tech from the Ironman Village

  • There is truly no more beautiful expo location than the Kona coast.
  • Cervelo had a large fleet of P2 bikes available for demo. It's probably my favorite bike in their impressive lineup, and I was glad to see them.
  • Argon18 also had their new E119 on display, which we featured prominently during Interbike.
  • Walk around Kona much, and you'll eventually run into some of these guys.
  • Zwift has become quite popular recently, and had a display where riders could play the video game training system.
  • SRAM had a few 1x drivetrain setups on display on Scott Plasma 5 bikes, the same as at Interbike. Sadly, the Plasma 5 isn't exactly the ideal candidate for 1x, as its front derailleur hanger isn't removable, and remains exposed to the wind even if you remove that front derailleur. Regardless, I really want to try out that Force 1x clutch-enabled rear derailleur.
  • SRAM had a few 1x drivetrain setups on display on Scott Plasma 5 bikes, the same as at Interbike. Sadly, the Plasma 5 isn't exactly the ideal candidate for 1x, as its front derailleur hanger isn't removable, and remains exposed to the wind even if you remove that front derailleur. Regardless, I really want to try out that Force 1x clutch-enabled rear derailleur.
  • SRAM had a few 1x drivetrain setups on display on Scott Plasma 5 bikes, the same as at Interbike. Sadly, the Plasma 5 isn't exactly the ideal candidate for 1x, as its front derailleur hanger isn't removable, and remains exposed to the wind even if you remove that front derailleur. Regardless, I really want to try out that Force 1x clutch-enabled rear derailleur.
  • Quarq offered some slick anodized battery covers as a swappable upgrade, free for Kona attendees. They'll be available as an aftermarket purchase as well. I snagged an orange one, of course.
  • Quarq offered some slick anodized battery covers as a swappable upgrade, free for Kona attendees. They'll be available as an aftermarket purchase as well. I snagged an orange one, of course. It's shown here inside the crank spindle, but really swaps out for the battery cover (the black Q).
  • Stryd is the first self-proclaimed running power meter. What does that mean, exactly? Well, that's proprietary says Jamie, Stryd co-founder and algorithm developer. But it involves measurements from a six-axis accelerometer, altimeter, and possibly other environmental sensors and/or heart rate. Basically, the sensor goes on like a regular HRM strap, and uses proprietary data and algorithms to model your running power. This is different from the direct measurement provided by, for example, a crank-based cycling power meter. I'll be very keen to check this out in greater detail and learn more.
  • NormaTec was on site with their newest tech, available now via their website.
  • NormaTec was on site with their newest tech, available now via their website.
  • And on my way out, I spotted this lovely Dimond, complete with custom paint and an Omega X of course.

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