BikeBiz Bicycle and cycling retail news
Saddleback
For the first time Saddleback will join CoreBike with its elite performance brands.
Bont’s new shoe range will be on show including the redesigned A-three road and all new Sub-8 Triathlon models, w ith the chance to try the anatomical shoe line-up for yourself. From Castelli you can see the full Summer range featuring the new Triathlon line, the revolutionary and patented Sanremo Speed Suit, new dealer tools and a first peak at Castelli’s Garmin 2012 Pro Tour Team range.
Chris King’s new R45 road hubs will be available to test and the full hub line will be at Core. Dealers can test ride the Smart ENVE wheel range and lookout for something special.
The Saddleback stand will also see Felt Bicycles 2012 models including the full 29-inch wheeled NINE range. There will also be samples of For Goodness Shakes! all new Nectar Energy Fuel. Vredestein bring their new Freccia Tri Comp mid-range road tyre and tubular featuring high-end tyre attributes with mid-range pricing, plus the introduction of Vredestein’s touring tyre line.
Experts will be on hand from all brands delivering product seminars and answering any tech questions during the show.
Plus, dealers can pick up their fresh copy of Saddleback’s 2012 dealer workbook, hot off the press.
Upgrade
Upgrade Bikes has plenty for dealers to get their teeth into at Core. There are not to be missed new products and stockist packages at the show, they tell BikeBiz.
DMR’s full range of dirt colourful accessories will be on show, including Vault pedals, Viral chain devise and Thret rims. Dealers will be able to see the new Bolt frame with tapered head tube and complete jump and dirt bikes and dynamic combinations will be on show from the new wheel build programme.
Kinesis UK will show new build kit options on more models and the Crosslight Pro6 disc specific cross frame and a first look at the new XC29er.
Pivot Cycles will be in a separate room from Upgrade’s other ranges. With many new models including the Carbon 5.7, dealers are invited for one-to-one viewings that will be supported by Pivot’s head of sales, Daniel Limberg.
Lezyne has a complete new pump line-up featuring the patented Air Bleed System. Complete range of multi tools, bags and hydration will also be on display with new stocking packages available, as well as LED lighting.
Reynolds wheels have the new Eighty One wheel set in this year’s line-up, offering more deep section aerodynamic advantage for the road, while a new UK road sponsorship with team UK Youth will be announced. The Spin-It-Up demo wheel programme has more dealers taking part every year and is a great way to build customer experience. The MTB wheel line now includes new XC and AM carbon wheels as well as the much anticipated 29er set.
X-Fusion Forks and Shocks will be presented with all-new models across the range and great value for top quality engineering. Award winning Green Oil has attention grabbing new packaging and graphics. Tektro/TRP will also be showcased. A support for dealer’s replacement OE parts, Tektro grows as an after-market range each year.
TRP, the racing arm, is first to market with the Parabox cable to hydraulic brake converter. Shown on the Kinesis Pro6 cross bike, it also opens up possibilities for touring, tandem and custom MTB builds that want the advantages of disc brakes with drop bar levers.
Siwis
Regulars know the drill by now. SiWiS, headed up by company owner Si Watts, will be exhibiting at Core Bike in 2010, showcasing its internet solutions for bike-related companies online.
Watts says: “Having worked in the retail environment and later as a rep for a major player at the time, what started as a hobby building websites for a few select customers has rapidly turned into a thriving business catering almost solely for the web needs of bike-related companies.”
The firm offers bespoke web work, providing dealers with the chance to have a dedicated system built to suit their individual needs, or to select the i-BikeShop e-tail system. This ready-to-go e-commerce solution features simple self management systems to make looking after the content of sites easy for novice users and computer boffins alike.
Windwave
Windwave will be back in the Lounge at Core, representing BBB, Colnago, FSA, Marzocchi, A2Z and Ice Toolz products.
At Core Bike Windwave will present the BBB range and sales concept. The latter is a self-service retail system with smart, well thought out POS units designed to maximise sell though and promote multiple purchases. A BBB salesman will be on hand to discuss which sales solution can work best for dealers.
The pinnacle of the 2012 Colnago range is the handmade, carbon fibre framed C59 Italia. It offers classic Italian style and the best selling CLX model has been updated for 2012 with a revised tube set to accommodate a tapered head tube. The CLX is available as a frame and fork, or with three group set options, 105, Ultegra and Ultegra Di2.
FSA has introduced the 386EVO bottom bracket standard, a one-crank-fits-all solution to all the confusing bb standards currently on the market.
Marzocchi’s back with models starting from £199 for the Marathon R to the championship winning and range topping 888RC3 Evo V2 Titanium. All models are backed up with a three year warranty.
Endura
Endura will showcase its range of hard working, durable mountain bike shorts, performance cycle jerseys and bench mark jackets for all weather conditions to innovative, high-end road cycling gear, hi-viz commuter wear, a huge accessory range and eyewear. Not only will the new collection for spring/summer 2012 be on display, including the trendy new Urban Range, but Endura will also present highlights of its brand new autumn/winter 2012 line-up. Dealers will also get a sneak preview at the top-of-the-line MTR range, which will be unveiled in full at Core Bike for the very first time.
Chocolate Distribution
Clement tyres are new to Chocolate and coming to Core 2012. The light and durable Clement Strada comes in three versions, from entry-level training to a supple 120tpi race tyre. All tyres have a puncture protection belt weaved in.
Sticking with wheels, the Rolf Prima 2012 line features its first all-carbon clincher wheels – the Ares – which can be customised, come with ceramic bearings (like all Rolf’s carbon wheels) and can be purchased individually.
Chocolate will also bring Kurt Kinetic trainers, Honey Stinger nutrition samples and Princeton Tec’s bike light range.
SealSkinz
The brand’s Performance Cycle Range for autumn/winter ‘11 includes the Performance Road Cycle Glove, providing all-round protection from the weather.
Waterproof, breathable and windproof, the gloves have a textured palm with lightweight padding and abrasion resistant Kevlar blend fabric. You’ll find Pittard’s leather on fingertips for sure touch and feel when changing gears or braking, as well as a reflective trim to the back of hand and the all-important fleece nose wipe on thumb.
You can see that, fleece wipes many more gloves and fleeces, and more at Core. In the meantime, head to sealskinz.com for more.
Polaris
Polaris’ new Pulse waterproof jacket is pitched at the road market. Available in either black or fluro yellow, both feature Polaris’ new ‘stealth reflective’ print, which is subtle by day and dazzling by night. The Pulse is also made from the brand’s latest fabric Hydrovent 4W, a highly breathable and waterproof material that offers stretch in four directions to ensure a perfect fit regardless of body shape. The back pocket has an integrated LED pocket while ‘360 Reflect’ provides cyclists with enhanced visibility.
Also up is the bike carry case Bike Pod Pro, which has been taken up by the Raleigh Race Team among others.
Merida
Consumer confidence might be bumping along at all-time lows, but 2012 is the 40th anniversary of Merida and it’s taking an aggressive view: “Despite already having a reputation for value for money, we have dug deeper to give the customer more. The graphics team have been busy, giving some really strong looking bikes to support the aggressive specs.”
The range of 29ers has grown dramatically, including the introduction of a team replica at £649.99 with 27-speed transmission, hydraulic disc brakes and a lockout fork.
Find Merida and its brands, including Birzman tools, in the Hockenheim room.
