2010 INNOBIKE Award Continues to Set Trends in Cycling Industry

Some 48 short-listed entries among 109 submits from 55 makers were judged

Knowing that rewarding creativity may be the surefire way to bring out and breed innovative designers in Taiwan's bicycle, assembled-bike, parts and accessory sectors, which is critical to continual upgrading of product sophistication, marketability and desirability that positively influence overall industrial growth, the Taiwan Bicycle Exporters' Association (TBEA) inaugurated a few years ago the Annual Innovative Bicycles, Parts, and Accessories Competition (INNOBIKE), an event that also helps to further reinforce the island's reputation as home to some of the biggest volume makers of bicycles, as well as world-class bicycles for racing, off-roading and urban cruising.

Held in Taichung in central Taiwan's Cycling & Health R&D Center (CHC), the 2010 INNOBIKE saw a jury of 16 experts, including some heavyweights as Taiwan Bicycle Exporters' Association (TBEA) chairman Y.M. Yang and CHC president B.C. Liao, evaluate 48 short-listed entries among 109 submits from 55 manufacturers.

The entries were judged on 30% for originality, 20% for trend-setting, 30% for practicality, 20% for eco-friendliness, and 10% for safety.

TBEA chairman Yang, also chairman of major bicycle tire maker Kenda Rubber Ind. Co., expressed enthusiasm about INNOBIKE, which is jointly organized by TBEA and the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA).

"With the joint support of the government and private-sector companies over the years, Taiwan's bicycle industry has achieved outstanding performance in production, branding, and distribution management, as well as wining wide recognition worldwide," Yang says. "All the operators in the bicycle sector in Taiwan will continue to tap existing strengths to further develop markets, innovations in their respective specialties."

Notable Winners
The below summarizes the prizewinners in different categories, mainly the champions and second-prize winners.

Product: Trinity Advanced SL

Category: Complete Bicycles

Award: Champion

Company: Giant Manufacturing Co.

This overall winner in the Complete Bicycle category earned with a win at the 2008 World Championship Time Trials its nickname "World's Fastest Bike." It was then an unproven prototype but, after further development with Team Rabobank riders, including 2009 Giro d'Italia champion Denis Menchov, the Trinity Advanced SL is available to triathletes and anyone racing against the clock. The all-new composite frame is brimming with aero designs, and is infinitely adjustable for the perfect fit. Add the groundbreaking AeroDrive stem/ handlebar combination and aero tubing, and it seems clear--the clock has met its match.

Product: Time Warp

Category: Complete Bicycles

Award: Second Prize

Company: Merida Industry Co., Ltd.

The Time Warp is designed for speed, with invisible tube line and rear brake design optimized for aerodynamic effect. The patented adjustable head tube frame allows users to adjust the height of handlebars according to different riding applications.

Product: AM

Category: Complete Bicycles

Award: Third Prize

Company: Merida Industry Co., Ltd.

The AM (All Mountain) bike adopts the AL6066 frame material for excellent structural strength. Its patented D.Shock design adopts the high and low lever design to handle all kinds of terrain, increase riding comfort and joy, hence being the best choice for cross- country riders.

Product: Eagle

Category: Electric Assist Bike

Award: Champion

Company: JD Components Co., Ltd.

The "Eagle" electric bike is a new dimension in e-cycling. Sensational styling and technical innovation make this a bike with form and function built-in. This highly sophisticated Eagle e-bike is powered by TranzX PST, a proprietary lithium polymer power pack. Available with either a 250W motor as a pedal-assisted cycle employing a torque sensor, or a stronger 350W motor as an e-bike, the Eagle has 20-inch wheels, is more responsive than most e-bikes, and accelerates faster with more turning and steering control.

Product: PC-220

Category: Electric Assist Bike

Award: Second Prize

Company: Merida Industry Co., Ltd.

Weighing 17kg (including the battery pack), the PC-220 is foldable, easy to store and portable. The high-efficiency, lightweight battery allows for 30-km cruise range, ideal as home-to-mass-transit commuter. Its color combination of white and colorful checks epitomizes modern urban lifestyle at its greenest, most convenient.

Product: Springless

Category: Pedals

Award: Champion

Company: Wellgo Pedal's Corp.

Perhaps solving the age-old problem of unintended separation between foot from pedals, the Springless clip-less pedal has flexible damping and cleats to enable easier click-in and release. The Springless clip-less pedal realizes a simplified pedal-cleat system for beginners who are starting to learn to ride without pedal clips.

Product: Suspension Pedal

Category: Pedals

Award: Second Prize

Company: Wellgo Pedal's Corp.

Enhancing the fork shocks in many bikes today, Wellgo's Suspension Pedal combines the maker's modular pedal body design with the new damping mechanism, offering more shock-absorption at riders' ankles and knees especially over rough terrain.

Product: Sidelight Handlebar Grips

Category: Components

Award: Champion

Company: Chia Cherne Industry Co. Ltd.

Upgrading riders' visibility with safety lighting, Chia Cherne's Sidelight Handlebar Grips integrates LEDs in a multi-step indicator on the bar end. The LEDs on the Grips are designed for maximum, widest visibility to cars going in various directions, with ergonomic form to minimize fatigue during long-distance cycling.

Product: Environment-friendly Water Transfer

Category: Components

Award: Second Prize

Company: Transart Graphics Co., Ltd.

Every eco-friendly gesture counts. This new water-enabled transfer sticker is environmentally-friendly. The sticker is applied with water only without need for solvent, also an excellent substitute for Solvent Transfers (also called BC transfer) which are used widely in industry. Besides being of 100% recyclable paper, this transfer sticker will adhere perfectly after baking at low temperature.

Product: Magnetic Wide Opening Energy Dual Chamber

Category: Accessories

Award: Champion

Company: Taiwan Vertex Production Corp.

This dual-chamber water bladder supplies hardcore riders energy drinks with maximum convenience.

1. German-patented wide opening for easy clean-up. The diverter allows riders to choose from water, energy drink or mixed.

2. Quick refilling system allows to replenishing without removing the backpack from riders to save time and effort.

3. Multi-nation patented; 100% anti-microbial; lightweight; and meets all food-grade regulations worldwide.

Product: LED Optic Fiber Bicycle Helmet (EX-5)

Category: Accessories

Award: Second Prize

Company: Hopus Technology Inc.

Most bicycle helmets offer passive protection. But HOPUS is groundbreaking with 360° lighting to offer incredible visibility. The EX-5 - Golden World is multi-patented, with innovations as the first helmet with 360° lighting; the first helmet with specific graphics; manufactured with eco-friendliness and minimized raw materials; optimized safety and comfort.

Product: KMC Chain Riveter

Category: Tools

Award: Champion

Company: KMC Chain Industrial Co.

Solving the issue of broken chains even on-the-go, the KMC chain riveter allows shop mechanics, support crews and riders to easily connect and disconnect all kinds of bicycle chains. This innovative tool is user friendly and enables effective connection of chains without damage.

Product: Digital Chain Checker

Category: Tools

Award: Second Prize

Company: KMC Chain Industrial Co.

Taking the guesswork out of chain replacement, the KMC's Digital Chain Checker applies electronics to measure chain elongation, an accurate way to tell if a chain is due for replacement.

Product: Kool Knight Chain

Category: Chains

Award: Champion

Company: KMC Chain Industrial Co.

Breaking new ground in chain structure, KMC's Kool Knight Chain features the unique "L" type plate structure to further strengthen bicycle chains, especially for BMX extreme sports.

Product: CRES Chain

Category: Chains

Award: Second Prize

Company: KMC Chain Industrial Co.

Aiming to enhance chain durability and performance, KMC's CRES Chain features metallic alloys to maximize strength, corrosion resistance, anti-oxidation and colorful looks.

Product: RL-05 1-PC FORK

Category: Front Forks

Award: Champion

Company: Kinesis Industry Co.

Kinesis' newest 2011 SPF racing fork is formed in one-piece from plain gauge aluminum tubing via SPF forming technology, with 15% weight-saving relative to conventional forks and sans joints between crown and blade, achieving perfect smoothness. With the forks formed in a mold, the tolerance is much better controlled compared with the bonding/curing process.

Product: KR-515 Frame Kit

Category: Frames

Award: Champion

Company: Kinesis Industry Co.

The KR-515 improves on the popular KR-510. Formed with the SPF technology, this high-end frame is lightweight and has the new SPF chain stay called CE12 that is engineered for better stiffness to compete with carbon frames, the high rigidity of the brake area enables improved pedaling acceleration. The new SPF down tube is designed to match the shape of the top tube, achieving an unique-looking frame.

Product: Seatpost i7

Category: Stems & seat posts

Award: Champion

Company: Kind Shock Hi-Tech Co., Ltd.

The i7 seat post offers height adjustability to owners of older bikes which adopt the smaller 27.2mm seat-tube diameters. Until now, these riders have not been able to enjoy the benefits of a hydraulic height-adjustable seat post. With the same proven platform as the i900 and i950 series, this seat post is sure to make riders of older bikes very happy.

Product: YSP05 Bearing Axial Suspension Seat Post

Category: Stems & seat posts

Award: Second Prize

Company: J.D. Components Co., Ltd.

The EN14781-approved seat post weighs 350g and the travel range is 35mm. Its features include: 1. Hi-flow and smoother rolling compression. 2. Smoother travel and less friction. 3. Enhanced road impact absorption. 4. Lightweight and compact. 5. Patented in Taiwan, China, and the U.S. (pending).

Product: Environmentally Friendly Tire Tube

Category: Wheel Set Group

Award: Champion

Company: Foss Worldwide Inc.

Special features:

1. Eco-friendly thermoplastic elastomer compounds (TPE), an un-vulcanized rubber which can be recycled. 2. When punctured, this highly-polymerized rubber tube forms air-tight seal to slow leakage, hence being safer to allow riders more time to react. 3. Material density is only 0.88, or 30% lighter than that of traditional tubes.

Product: Switchable Dynamo Hub

Category: Wheel Set Group

Award: Second Prize

Company: Formula Engineering Inc.

With innovative ON/OFF switchable design, the world's first innovative switchable dynamo wheel can rotate and function equally well in OFF mode, with the dynamo residual drag being zero. Besides generating power, this dynamo wheel also features innovative design elements as clean spoke design and avant-garde hub shape.

Product: Revolutionized Ceramic-Fiber Bicycle Brake Shoes/Pads

Category: Braking Systems

Award: Champion

Company: GE Nuine Products Co., Ltd.

Special features:

1. Carbon-fiber rim dedicated. 2. Non-squeal guarantee. 3. The only all- terrain, waterproof brake shoe. 4. Extends carbon rim life by insulating against friction heat buildup and maintaining temperatures well under 100C. 5. German DIN EN14766 certified.

Product: Synchronous Moving Adjustable Brake

Category: Braking Systems

Award: Second Prize

Company: Lee Chi Enterprise Co.

This brake has a parabolic rod and a slide roller on the brake arms. The rod and roller combined with a single, linear spring tension creates synchronous and efficient braking balance.

Product: SRAM XX MTB Drivetrain

Category: Others

Award: Champion

Company: SRAM Taiwan

SRAM XX is the first-ever 2X10 XC advanced group with drivetrain, suspension and brake components built by the four brands: SRAM, RockShox, AVID and Truvativ, which are regarded in the field as representing innovation, engineering, superiority and dedication.

Product: F.A.Q.

Category: Others

Award: Second Prize

Company: Qbicle Inc.

An eco-friendly solution to pack bicycles onboard airplanes, this F.A.Q. replaces expensive, heavy bicycle boxes. The paper-made bicycle box is the perfect way to transport expensive bikes from factory to dealers, and can be re-used, achieving compactness, affordability, and convenience.

Product: High-end derailleur set for MTB

Category: Others

Award: Third Prize

Company: AD-II Engineering Inc.

An innovative derailleur set for MTB was launched by microSHIFT at the end of 2009. The set contains a pair of thumb-tap shifters, aluminum front derailleur and a double wide links plus computer numerical control (CNC)-machined, plus seal-bearing rear derailleur. Besides being appealing in looks, this derailleur also works smoothly at reasonable cost.