BikeBiz Bicycle and cycling retail news
2pure
2pure had plenty to shout about, having just bagged the Ibis brand, but that wasn’t the only new addition on show – the Scotland-based distributor has also added Chamois Butt’r to its portfolio.
It would have been tough to pass the stand too with NiteRider’s latest lighting gear on display. Among those items blinding people walking down the aisles were the £650, 1,200 lumen lights. As with most on the market, the lights are helmet mountable, but unlike any others, they are so sophisticated that they come with a CD containing software capable of programming the burn time and output. Additionally, there was a 600 lumen model on display, which is set to retail for £499. Both of these lights come with a docking station and run off lithium ion batteries.
Dealers are being sought for the Ibis range; however, 2pure’s Marco Librizi said: “Show response seemed consistently high. I would go as far to say I’ve never had a better dealer response to a brand launch.”
Look out for the highly unique Ibis Tranny if you are considering becoming a dealer. The Tranny frame can be adjusted at the bottom bracket to tension the chain by literally extending the frame’s rear triangle. This model can be run as a singlespeed or geared frame.
Then there is the award-winning Ibis Mojo, which has scooped MTBR.com’s‘bike of the year’ title for three years running. A downhill model is also in the pipeline and will be available early next year.
Chamois Butt’r has been added to the stable of brands to cater for those cyclists who spend long periods of time in the saddle. The skin lubricant utilises ingredients such as witch-hazel, among others, and comes in both a ‘eurostyle tub’ and sachets.
BikeEye
With the issue of cycle safety growing ever more pertinent, accessories to keep the cyclist safe on the road are cropping up all over the place. BikeEye is just one of the brands highlighting this. It focuses on providing the cyclist with a view of what’s approaching behind via a frame-mounted mirror.
Retailers may take stock of the £15.95 mirror, which comes with a mounting bracket and is adjusted via a rolling hinge enabling the cyclist to adjust it to suit their height. The system is universal, fits the majority of frames and gives a vibration-free, crisp view of what’s on the road behind. BikeEye is constructed from ABS plastic and nylon.
Company Z
Viner’s UK distributor, Company Z, debuted two headgear brands at the Cycle Show – helmet brand Etto and eyewear specialist Swiss Eye.
Swiss Eye’s range offers UV protection throughout and ranges in price from just £20 right up to £130. Certain models may also be customised to fit prescription lenses. These simply clip in and out of the frame, as do the interchangeable lenses available with most glasses.
Among the Swiss Eye models you’ll find ‘Ballistic lenses’, which are used in the armed forces due to the strength of the lens. One such model costs just £25 RRP.
The Etto range was literally a show first for Company Z. Etto offers something for all cyclists, including highly aerodynamic time trial models, full-face protection, kids’ helmets and much more. The range spans from £35 to £175, which is the cost of the Chrono time trial helmet.
Company Z’s director Paul Bullett told BikeBiz: “We’re actively seeking retailers to work with on our new ranges. We’re carrying a small, but diverse selection of Etto’s helmets, covering everything from time trail right through to downhill.”
The Miche brand was also on display. Bullett had this to say of the line-up: “Miche is known for its track kit, but it has now got wheels for the road market, including lightweight alloy options and carbon clinchers. The brand is one of Italy’s best-kept secrets, but has been manufacturing since the 1920s. Miche is a real solution for those seeking an alternative to Campagnolo.”
Continental
Continental’s already diverse range is just getting broader. Urban riders were granted a peek at a new model at Cycle Show – the Gator Hardshell. Utilising a triple-ply construction, Hardshell offers fantastic protection against punctures and includes a tough central belt to shrug off tougher objects. Sharing the bead-to-bead protection of Duraskin, the hardshell casing wraps further into the sidewall.
Added material in the tread strip not only adds mileage to this tyre, but lends yet another degree of puncture resistance. The Gator Hardshell is available now. There are also three new additions to the ‘Plus’ range – a SuperSport Plus 700C tyre, a Touring Plus and an aptly named Cyclocross Plus. Retailers should also look out for a tube sealant (Conti Seal) due out in January 2010.
