BikeBiz Bicycle and cycling retail news
With upwards of 300 exhibitors and umpteen show features to make your way around, you’re going to need some kind of plan to tackle this year’s Cycle Show. BikeBiz lists some of the highlights you can expect to find…
(Free trade and press tickets via www.cycleshow.co.uk/trade)
Bob Elliot – M71
Expect to see the new Beto Combo Pump at the Bob Elliot stand, which works both as a mini pump or as a mini floor pump. FLR’s F-22 Pro Road Race Shoe is made from lightweight microfiber leather for comfort and fastened with an ATOP twist and Velcro system. Funkier will be with the Bob Elliot team too, including the J-772 Elite short sleeve jersey, featuring quick dry technology which also comes in long sleeve versions.
Bolle
The sunglass optics brand supplied AG2R La Mondiale throughout this year’s Tour de France, with the 6th Sense or 6th Sense Rx models (for those using prescription lenses). Designed for the road they use Trivex for the lens and B-Max tech to expand the field of vision and protect the upper part of the face. Get over to the stand to see the 6th Sense models in the flesh along with the rest of the range.
BikeBiz – M69
These chancers will have a stand on the trade-only day. Pick up a copy of the latest mags, fill in a subscription form (free for the trade), grab a business card or come along to gawp at us. If we aren’t there, please leave us an angry note about who won the BikeBiz Awards the night before.
Chicken CycleKit – D24
Chicken’s own stand on D24 will be flanked by stands taken by its brand buddies, including Vittoria tyres, Campagnolo, Deda Elementi, Datatag, Selle Italia, Sportourer, Zefal, Ryde and Sapim. They’ll all have their own personnel, including Massimo Guariso (Campagnolo), Paolo Simionato (Selle Italia and Sportourer), Alessia Petricelli (Vittoria), Gianluca Cattaneo (Deda Elementi), Greg Maupas (Zefal), Carl de Ruigh (Ryde), Klaus Greuter (Sapim) and Dave Luscombe (Datatag).
What about product? Tifosi has two new gravel/adventure bikes. The Carbon fibre Cavazzo and the aluminium Forcella are disc- equipped road bikes with clearance for 35mm tyres with unique, discreet mudguard fitting systems.
Deda Strada’s 2016 Atleta has a six per cent stiffer frame, without adding a weight penalty. The Supertrack track frame is available in two colours with a custom colour option. There’s new colours and custom colour options for six of the 2015 models. Cinelli’s Columbus Spirit triple-butted TIG welded steel tubes form the basis of a budget Nemo Tig bike for endurance and criterium racing cyclists.
There will be components too, including Deda Elementi’s Superzero carbon aero bar (replacing the alloy version) and the Superzero stem which has been given the aero treatment. Sapim will appear too, as will Vittoria and the Graphene Plus (G+) tyres, using a Graphene-based material that cuts rolling resistance by 12 per cent, we hear. Miche has new 11x l/w Shimano pattern cassettes, HSL chainrings and chains while Velox’s Magic Mastik is for fitting tubular tyres to carbon and alloy wheelsets, halving drying time. JetBlack’s Multi 13 function tool with Co2 canister pump will be on hand, while Specialite TA’s four arm Campagnolo chainrings will fit 2015 Chorus, Record and Super Record chainsets. Flinger’s new range of reflective side-wall 700 x 20, 25 and 32mm mudguards with a sturdy fit will be on show as will Vittoria’s new Ikon MTB shoes. Expect to find SiS at stand D24 too.
Citrus-Lime
The Marketing Services package have gone down a storm with Citrus-Lime’s online customers and the firm is hoping to spread the word at the NEC further still. Citrus-Lime’s Supplier Integration Module has teamed up with more suppliers too, including Hope and Moore Large, and will be seeking more to sign up at the show.
Rubena/Mitas – A7
The appearance at Cycle Show will see the brand renamed as Mitas. A big name in the motorcycle world, Mitas will absorb the Rubena cycle product range but there will be no changes to the manufacturing process, quality or product support, we’re assured. In fact the added clout of the bigger brand will see new innovations appear from the tyre label formerly called Rubena, including the Textra, an all-new dense and extremely strong rubberised fabric used in the sidewall to boost all-important puncture resistance.
Cube Bikes – A25 & A32
The Cube bike range will be on show at Booth A25, while Cube’s store will be at Booth A31. Some of the highlights to be found at the show are the new and improved Agree road bikes as well as the Stereo range, both of which have been updated for 2016. In addition, Cube will present the Two15 full-suspension bike, proudly brought back for 2016.
Dare 2B – City test track
Dare2b is backing the outdoor city test track this year. The firm will be touting its ‘Brotherhood Campaign’ for S/S 2016. Dare2b brought together a team of four world class ex-pro cyclists from across Europe to form a new team, including Spanish road racer and 2006 Le Tour winner Oscar Pererio, Stephen Roche, Italian road racer Angelo Furlan and British pro road race champ of 1989 Tim Harris.
Dare 2b’s whole AEP cycle range has been fitted on Oscar Pererio, using his expertise and experience to refine the collection making it fit, work and look as refined as the professional that it has been tested on, says Dare2b.
EVOPOS – M65
The Dealer Management Software will be a focus at Cycle Show, an all-in-one software solution for bike shops with effective telephone support, quick and easy point of sale software, comprehensive stock control, workshop organiser, hire and automated SMS and email marketing.
Extra UK – G91
There’s going to be plenty of new product that you may have missed at Eurobike including fresh lines from Topeak, Maxxis, Intense, Clif Bar, fi’zi:k, crankbrothers and Time.
Fisher Outdoor Leisure – H45
Fisher will be bringing all of its heavy hitting brands along, including SRAM, Santini, Early Rider, Tacx (you won’t miss the Tacx Truck), Troy Lee and LOOK, among others. Muc-Off will feature too, showing off its latest lines including the new Hydrodynamic Chain Lube, created by the brand’s research team in collaboration with Team Sky. It’s formulated to lubricate chains over long distances and the harshest winter conditions. It’s ultra low friction, hydrodynamic and hydrophobic. Muc-Off also has an athlete care line, including the Amino Ultra Endurance Cream, which helps keep the body at an optimum state of performance. It uses specially advanced ‘Amino Patch’ technology to help protect muscle cells against lactate accumulation which is the main reason for exhaustion. Find out more at H45.
Foffa – F35
Off the back of partnerships with Royal Polo clubs and Soho House, Foffa has a number of new bikes to show off at the NEC.
The Plume is Foffa’s new ladies range of bikes. Classic in appearance, the lightweight alloy frames mean you don’t need a forklift to lug it up a flight of stairs, the brand says. RRP is £359.99.
The Single Speed is core Foffa fare. Classic looks, a flip flop rear wheel and track geometry, it’s the entry range of bikes for the brand hitting the £319.99 price point.
Moving up the scale, the Single Speed Premium features chromoly steel polished chrome with plenty of attention to detail promised. This statement bike retails just shy of £500. Foffa’s Urban is a practical model, using a Shimano seven speed Nexus hub, alloy frame, full mudguards, internal cabling and kick stand (£499).
The Urban Premium runs with that concept and includes a Shimano eight speed Alfine and SRAM AvidBB7 disc brakes in matte black (£799.99).
i-ride – L12, B21 & B31
i-ride is packing plenty into its stands, incuding De Rosa, Fulcrum, Northwave, Orro, BKOOL, Argon 18, Alpine Stars, Catlike, Contintental and more.
Hope – G42
Hope is another brand bringing its latest tech to the NEC following a successful Eurobike showing. With any luck, they might bring along their prototype carbon bar too, which is currently in the lengthy testing and refinement stage.
Ison – G147 & H145
Ison’s bringing new parts and bikes from Surly, Halo (Vapour 35 & 50 rims), Light Blue (tasty retro looking bikes with modern geometry), HT Pedals (favourites of 2015 DH World Cup Champion Aaron Gwin and Enduro WC rider Jerome Clement), Apidura (bikepacking Bags that Mark Beaumont used on his recent record breaking Africa solo adventure), Rohloff, Banshee and the UK launch of a new series of grips from ODI which feature new technology and performance with a model to suit all riders whether they prefer slim or wide grips instead.
Meanwhile over on Stand H145 they will be introducing two very nice light brands: Owleye Lights offer great value and a wide choice whilst Gloworm Lights are at the performance end of the market with their focused range, Ison tells us. On the stand will also be the 2016 All City Macho Man Disc Red and White UK Spec 105.
Madison – B11 & C11
There’s little chance you’ll miss the 40ft double decker Shimano Truck on your NEC visit which is just as well as Shimano had a few interesting bits and pieces to show off at Eurobike and we hope they’ll make an appearance at Cycle Show too, not least the urban Metrea group. Also starring with Madison will be Elite, Garmin, GoPro (of course), Kryptonite and Lazer. On stand C11 there’ll be Compressport, Electron, Light & Motion, Madison clothing and Recon, among others.
Moore Large – B41 & B51
The Derby distributor is largely bringing along its P&A ranges, having shown off the latest from Moda, Forme, Haro, Cuda and the rest at its Autumn Geared show, though you’ll still see some highlights from the aforementioned. Expect to see the new broad accessories line from Bobbin, Knog’s expanded light line up, Proviz, Sigma, Super B, Lake, Jagwire and the rest.
PowaCycle – K121
The e-bike stalwart has been in the game since the early 2000s and will be taking the Infineum Continental along to the NEC, featuring a rear rack and 28-inch wheels. The Infineum Extreme bike will be there too, as will folder Lynx LPX and a wealth of other pedal assisted models.
Primal Europe – H91
Primal’s coming out of a major rebrand, so this showing will re-emphasise that as well as show off the latest lines from the firm. For those who missed it, there’s a new online identity, company tagline and logo.
Raleigh – J145, A45 & D83
Raleigh’s e-bike showing will be on stand J145, so head to A45 for the rest of what the firm offers, which as you’ll no doubt know includes a huge range reaching most of the cycle markets, from BMX to cyclocros, road, folders, tri bikes and more.
CSG – C41, G1 & D51
GT, Fabric and Charge will be back at Cycle Show this year thanks to the return of Cycling Sports Group UK, no doubt with a funky stand design from Charge and some of the innovations shown off over in Friedrichshafen at Eurobike.
Schwalbe – A21
The new Nobby Nic (all-round MTB tyre) and Pro One tubeless easy tyre will be among the highlights at the Schwalbe stand. The Procore double chamber system will be showcased too, aimed at offering MTB tyres new levels of grip, control and puncture protection. In the inner chamber there is high pressure, and with 0.8 bar in the outer chamber the tyre almost ‘sticks’ to the ground, we’re told.
Silverfish – D25
Mondraker and Ritte bikes will feature at D25.
Kona
Kona’s Sutra LTD represents the converging trajectories of mountain and road bike parts, which basically means you can ride it on multiple surfaces. The new Sutra geometry is based on Kona’s new CX geometry but uses a taller head tube and longer top tube as well as a 50mm offset fork to help improve tyre clearance and limit toe overlap.
The frame has a replaceable derailleur hanger on the rear dropout for unexpected issues during a trip, hidden fender eyelets inside the seatstays, and simple external cable routing for both shifters. The frame has two water-bottle bosses on the inside of the triangle and also one on the underside.
Kool-Stop – C1
Cycle Show stalwart and brake specialist Kool-Stop will be bringing its range along to the NEC, including organic, aluminium, sintered, e-bike and aero-kool (forged aluminium cooling pinned backing plate with a high performance organic compound) brake pads.
Met – A75
2016 road range highlights include the Manta, Rivale and Sine Thesis. Met’s boffins have spent hours in the wind tunnel, hopefully in their thermals, as well as getting feedback from Team MTN Qhubeka to develop the streamlined and compact shape of the Rivale, which saves three watts at 50km/h and weighing only 230g (medium), according to the brand. The Venturi effect allows for maximum air intake to keep the head cool without sacrificing aerodynamics. See it in the flesh at A75.
Vaude – M70
£10 doesn’t buy you much nowadays, especially when it comes to road cycling. Step in Vaude, who offer the Race Light S, which the brand is calling the world’s lightest saddlebag at just 39 grams. Attached via Velcro, it’ll house the bare essentials and offers some reflective detailing to boot. See it and more range highlights at M70.
Upgrade Bikes – G15
Find Lezyne at G15 and its new Stripdrive (£54.99). Stripdrive has a co-moulded body sealing against bad weather with new Memory Mode that ensures the lights starts on the mode it was turned off on. Featuring a Li-Poly USB rechargeable battery there’s a body and strap that easily fits to any type of seatpost and handlebars.
The Cycle Show has been running since 2002 and has welcomed over 300,000 visitors since its launch. This year the show, which will be held at the NEC between 25th & 27th September, will host around 280 exhibitors from the cycling world.
www.cycleshow.co.uk/trade
