Day 2 is about to get underway - here is the rest of what I saw on Day 1.

Carver had this 650b wheeled bike at the demo sessions earlier in the week - here it is in the halls sporting some desert dust from countless rides. If there is anything “new” this year, its 650b form some of the smaller manufacturers.

Cranks Bros has their new wheels on display. Not quite ready for public consumption, they’re an interesting take on a wheel system with straightpull spokes that are a modular design - aluminum base with a stainless spoke that meets the rim. Their pedal display was impressive as ever with some new colors for the coming year. Also on display but not in pictures is their new headset with minimal parts, integrating the bearing itself with the headset parts.

Cateye has expanded their high powered LED lineup to include this light with a Li-Ion battery pack. Durable, lightweight, and way less finicky than HID systems. My personal choice in lighting.

Astute readers will recognize the Diamondback Overdrive name from their 700c mountain bike of old. Now 700c is called 29″, and Diamondback has brought back the Overdrive at this $650 pricepoint with cable discs and RockShox suspension.

Giant is continuing with thier women’s lineup. Finally, no pink or baby blue on these! The full suspension bike is this years’ Yukon - a far cry from the Giant Yukon that I had as my first “real bike” way back when. Entry level full suspension gets better and better every year.

The Peace 9r is back this year from GT, now in a limited rasta paintjob and with disc mounts that were unfortunately lacking last year. Also back form the dead is the vintage Zaskar aluminum hardtail design, a staple of the 90’s race and trialsin scene and still a worthy design.

Jamis has always had good spec for the given price - this $1350 bike is no exception. XT shadow rear deraileur, carbon stays, and hydraulic brakes make this a true off the shelf race bike.

The Solo One by KHS now features sliding dropouts which seem to be gaining more and more momentum for singlespeed use as time goes on.

Would you believe the Kona Caldera is $1000 and comes with hydraulic discs and a XT shadow rear deraileur? And that there is now a Smoke 29 commuter? Kona listens to the word on the street.

Pivot is a new brand featuring the famed DW-link and an oversized bottom bracket shell which uses press in bearings and is compatible with many external BB cranksets - Shimano, Race Face, Truvativ etc.

Raleigh supports the 29 lineup for 2008 with their XXIX line. Gears or not, you choose. Steel all around.

Thats a Surly Crosscheck with S and S couplings. Would you beleive I had my 7 year old Crosscheck retrofitted with couplings just this spring? Great minds think alike, or something like that. They also have a new stainless seatclamp.

Schwinn is rebranding themselves as more commuting, crusier and road, less mountain. And check out the coffee delivery bike for Project Rwanda. Nice.

…more images to come later in the day as the convention continues. Thanks!…