On show: Rocky Mountain Bicycle Show Part 3

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Argonaut Cycles demonstrates that it's not just about classic-looking randonneurs and townies; it's more than capable of making full-blown race bikes as well.(Image credit: James Huang)

Mountain bike artistry on display

Groundup Designs had its own titanium creation on hand though with a decidedly different aesthetic. Builder Eric Baar decided from the start that he would use straight tubes exclusively so any requisite detours (such as for the stays) were accomplished with additional cuts and welds. Baar is also fond of pierced tube joints for additional stiffness and strength so both the top tube and down tube are treated as such.

In contrast, Victoria Cycles continues to fly the traditionalist flag with its lugged steel frames – though the 69er and 29er hardtails it showed off both featured non-traditional tube layouts. Instead of terminating at the seat tube, Salida, Colorado-based builder Dave Hill carried the seat stays all the way through to the head tube. On the 69er, the stays are dead straight – making for huge standover clearance – while the hardtail's stays arc gracefully forward and supplement a conventional top tube above.

Rudy Project's upcoming Sterling flagship helmet boasts an exposed reinforcement skeleton and larger and more deeply channeled vents than what it has produced in the past as a result. The new retention system will be adjustable for height in addition to circumference, too, and the one-piece liner features mesh covers at the vents to keep out bugs and a notably light fabric. The US$220 lid will hit stores around November and Rudy Project plans to launch an "aggressive trade-in policy" around then as well.

Also on hand was Rudy Project's new Wingspan aero helmet with a shorter tail that designer John Cobb claims to be more aerodynamic across a broader range of body types than the usual long tail. Depending on the rider's priorities for the day (aerodynamics vs. ventilation) the front vents can be covered with the included plug and the lower rear cover can be removed. The Wingspan is expected to land on shop shelves around the end of November and will carry a US$300 price tag.

Long-time shoemaker D2 was in attendance with its collection of road, triathlon and mountain bike footwear. D2 says its 'best fit option' with 41 sizes, nine widths, and two last shapes will fit nearly everyone but riders with more particular needs can also opt for temporary last modifications to accommodate anomalies such as bunions, fully custom lasts, or even custom upper patterns for especially demanding situations.

Over at the Hudz booth, the aftermarket brake hood manufacturer showed off the latest models to fit the Shimano's Dura-Ace 7900 and Campagnolo's most recent iterations. As with earlier Hudz, these are also offered in a diverse range of fourteen colors and two rubber compounds but the newest models also feature various ridges and squared edges to complement the trademark lower finger grips, all in the effort to improve ergonomics and reduce hand fatigue.

Maverick's highly anticipated carbon fiber DUC 36 fork is unfortunately still in development (now projected for release around the end of this year) but the all-new guts give us hope that it'll still be worth waiting for. Finally, compression and rebound circuits will be fully separated and externally adjustable and both will come with a wider tuning range. Travel will be internally adjustable from 150-175mm and as with the DUC 32, the DUC 36 will also be compatible with 650B and 29" wheels.