Scoping out the next ride

Cyclists in the coming months can expect smoother and more stylish rides and a wider array of gear designed to keep them alive.

Among the top head-turners at last week’s Interbike trade show at Sands Expo -- the biggest bike show in the U.S., 15 acres strong -- were Phat Cycles’ SuperStretch chopper, sporting a Shimano Nexus seven-speed internal hub; Surly’s Pugsley Frameset, which can handle 4-inch tires on 26-inch rims (the tires “are in the works”); Airnimal’s Rhino, a full-suspension, high-performance folding mountain bike that can fit in a standard suitcase or car trunk; and NuMotion’s Catalyst electric bike, which provides plenty of pep (500 watts; an Olympic cyclist puts out 250) at a pretty price ($999) and convenient powering -- it plugs into standard sockets.

Products for safer rides were rolled out from many corners. Bell will release the 10.9-ounce Sweep XC helmet that looked so good on Tyler Hamilton during the Tour de France ($135). The turn signals on the Bike Light leave no doubt where you’re going -- without any help from you. They come on automatically when you initiate a turn ($20).

And Dainese, rulers of body armor for cyclists, skiers, snowboarders and others, will add to its gladiator-like closet stuffers with a new safety jacket and shorts.

To see more products from the Expo, go to latimes.com/bikeshow.

-- Scott Doggett