home history news Where to Buy web store contact us

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PRESS RELEASES & REVIEWS

4-17-09 IRD Releases Anodized Colored Versions of Their 1" Techno-Glide Headsets
While the 1" standard is growing less common in the bicycle market, especially for threadless, there are a few bikes like fixed gear track bikes that are sticking with it. And these enthusiasts love to customize. The Techno-Glide 1" Threadless headset will not only add style points to track bikes, but improved performance thanks to precision machining and Japanese sealed cartridge bearings.

1-17-09 IRD Fire650b Tires Are Available Now

 

11-17-08 IRD Product Updates


We are excited to introduce a new stainless steel sliding dropout for mountain and cross frames. One of the only sliding dropouts to feature eyelets. Don't need eyelet? Dremel them off.

In the summer we added colored threaded headsets to our line. In a couple of months we will also add colors to our 1" threadless Techno-Glides.

650b MTB fans can look forward to IRD FireXC Pro2.1 tires in that new platform early 2009.



Photo: "Ron the Climber"

3-10-08 IRD Sponsors the Vanderkitten Team
Interloc Racing Design is providing cassettes to the kick-ass Vanderkitten Race Team.

The Vanderkitten cycling team is composed of a powerhouse roster and a squad of regional riders, including:
Jane Despas (AUS)
Leah Guloien (CAN)
Liz Hatch (USA)
Moriah MacGregor (CAN)
Melissa Sanborn (USA)
Jenny Trew (CAN)
Leigh Ann Valletti (USA)
Flavia Oliveira (USA)
Heather Sborz (USA)
“I couldn’t be more stoked to have this group of women representing Vanderkitten - clothing
for women who kick ass,” said Dave Verrecchia, owner and founder of the Berkeley-based
clothing company. “These girls have proven that they not only can race their bikes, but they
embody the Vanderkitten brand with class, intelligence, and style.”
The mission of The Vanderkitten Foundation’s Elite Women’s Cycling Team is to promote
health, well being and equality for women in professional cycling. The VK cycling team is
committed to the development of young riders and increasing participation and visibility of
women in the sport of cycling. For more information please visit http://racing.vanderkitten.com


2-01-08 IRD Product Updates
Our apologies for not keeping you guys up to date.
Here is a run-down of what we've released in the last few months.
- Techno-Glide Threaded Headsets: A quality cartridge bearing headset for the old-school crowd.
- Elite Cassettes in 11-30t and 12-30t 10-speed
- Defiant "Mark II" Freewheels: re-engineered for improved reliability
- B49 Road Brake: Reliable, predictable performing short reach caliper brake.
Last but not least:
- The Superdrome Elite Carbon Bar: Stiff (and light) enough for elite level track racers.

 

5-01-07IRD Releases the Fire 29er XC Pro Tire
The tires are available. The first ones to have them so far are BikeMan and Bike29.com. These will be available from distributors Merry Sales, UBP and Cyclone now and other distributors later
.


12-20-06 IRD and Panaracer To Release Fire XCPro 2.1 for 29ers
Interloc Racing Design (IRD) has completed an agreement with National Tire Co. of Japan (Panaracer) to co-produce the famous FireXCPro mountain bike tire in a new 29 inch version. The FireXCPro 2.1 has been arguably one of the most loved tires of the last 10 years and this fact had not been lost on IRD. IRD had been encouraging National to make it for over a year. The new Fire will be manufactured by Panaracer, but released under the IRD brand. Detailed specifications are not ready for release, but the width will be 2.1?.
This follows a similar successful co-production agreement to produce a FireXCPro for cyclocross, which IRD released as the CrossFire in mid-2006. Production is will begin soon with the new Fire due in stores as early as March of 07.



11-21-06 IRD Celebrates Cyclocross With New Tires and Euro Decal
Our new cyclocross tires are made by Panaracer and based on the FireXCPro tread, one of the most successful tread designs of the last decade.
Also... show your obsession for CX with a CX car sticker.
Show them your are part of the CX Nation. You can purchase them in certain shops and our web store, but if you see our Pac Northwest team Tireless Velo out at the races, they might have some for free.





6-21-06 IRD Releases New Derailleurs for Touring/Compact Road Triples
The new derailleurs called Alpina are designed to work with the old MTB standard (48-36-24) aka "touring triples". These will also work for the standard sized triples up to 52t. Models for drop bars and flat bar road bikes.
Also: More sizes in B2 bars.... we introduced a 40cm a few months back and expect a 46cm soon.

1-30-06 USA's Bjorn Selander Has An Impressive Finish at CX Worlds
(From Alan Cycles' Paul Schoening) Bjorn had a great race, a clean race with no mechanicals or major crashes. I spoke to Bjorn's Dad and Jean-Paul Van Poppel, the winners Dad while the U23 race was going on. Apparently there was a group of 5 riding at the front all day (including Bjorn) and actually Bjorn was forcing the pace at times with the best in the world of Jr's. Van Poppel decided he was getting an advantage on the stairs and decided to punch it there on the last lap and only Gavenda and Bjorn could follow. Van Poppel got a gap and the group behind reformed and tried to catch back up. Then the Czech rider crashed out Bjorn into a tree and 3 riders passed Bjorn from behind otherwise Bjorn would have been sprinting for 3rd place on the line! I am glad Van Poppel won, he is a good kid and his Dad is super nice.
We'll never say woulda shoulda coulda, cause 7th is a great result and I think we all knew Bjorn had it in him. I think this is the best Jr. result at cross World's since Matt Kelly in 1999. All the Jr's rode well and the team finished 5th in the team standings. (IRD sponsored forks and other components for the Alan Elite and grassroots teams.)

10-18-05 New Dual Banger Review in "Dirt Rag" #117
They had these for almost a year. They reviewed the Hayes El Camino, too in the same issue. Conclusion: The Dual Banger is easier to take a nice picture of than any hydraulic brake. We love this photo. ... read the review



10-12-05 "Alan Factory Team Off to Strong CX Start"
In the last 3 weeks, the team had accounted for 6 victories and several other podium spots in various races across the country. Congrats to Bjorn Selander, Matt Kraus, and Matt Kelly on their respective wins. IRD supplies carbon forks and other components for Alan's elite and grass-roots teams. www.alan-usa.com

9-12-05 "Ride Against Aids World Tour"
Update # 1: Bevan started his trek in Australia after a long flight from his home in California to Singapore, then onto Perth. He is blogging updates, but has not had time to post pix, but we have some. Click pic for more info.

7-20-05 IRD Sponsors Rider on his "Ride Against Aids World Tour"
Bevan Barton just graduated from high school last month and now is embarking on trip around the world by bike. We just sponsored him some parts, but you can help him out by donating to the American Foundation for AIDS Research. His progress can be tracked on his website. www.rideagainstaids.com
.



7-15-05 IRD Adds UK Distributor
IRD has a new distributor in the UK in the form of Fine-ADC. Fine-ADC is located in Innerleithen, Scotland next ot the Glentress mountain bike trails. They hope to introduce our line at the International Cycle Show in October. Can't wait that long? We'll be haunting some space near the Storck booth at this year's Eurobike.