BikeBiz Bicycle and cycling retail news
The Cycle Show 2019 took place from 12th to 15th September at the NEC Birmingham, enabling visitors to compare hundreds of new bikes from some of the industry’s leading brands, test ride new models, speak to brand experts and get help, advice and inspiration from professional riders and cycling legends.
The 28th staging of the show kicked off with a trade and press day on the 12th, which saw the launch of a revised and reformatted business conference that addressed key issues in establishing, maintaining and expanding successful retail businesses. The aim of these business sessions was to provide examples of best-in-class retailing from beyond the cycling industry, looking for lessons from across the retail spectrum and particularly at sports and athleisure innovation.
Speakers included partner at global retail agency Cushman & Wakefield Adam Lazenbury, Virtue People director Andy Marsh, founder of Enterprise Nation Emma Jones, chief creative officer of Green Room Mike Roberts and Nielsen Sports global lead and head of brands (UK) Lynsey Douglas.
The 12th September also had the 11th annual BikeBiz Awards, hosted by Jools Walker, where the industry came together to celebrate the collective successes of the UK cycling scene.
Winners included Backyard Bike Shop, Sigma Sports, V12 Retail Finance, Yeti Cycles, Muc-Off, Silverfish UK, Madison, Hexlox, Rachael Walker and Cycling UK.
V12 Retail Finance sponsored the drinks reception as well as the Best Omnichannel Retailer Award. Citrus-Lime was an event partner and also sponsored the Best Independent Bike Dealer Award. Saddleback sponsored the BikeBiz Woman of the Year Award.
There was also plenty of new products to see at the show. All-City Cycles launched its new Zig Zag in the UK, “built it to be a ripping fast and efficient machine that shields the rider from road chatter and unnecessary fatigue allowing them to go further, faster, and have more fun”, and Revolutionworks launched the second version of its ‘revolutionary’ e-bike solution.
Gocycle previewed its new fast-folding GXi model show, ahead of it joining the brand’s four model 2020 line-up. The brand’s newest model will offer the “ultimate blend of design purity, convenience of fast-folding, and exceptional rider fit and riding dynamics”.
Its technology includes a patented automotive-inspired Daytime Running Light (DRL), LED cockpit and Gocycle’s electronic predictive shifting.
Orange Bikes launched a brand new 2020 bike collection at the show. It has revised the Stage 5 and Stage 6, Surge and Charger and introduced the Switch 6 and two e-bikes; the Surge 29 and the Phase. EBCO launched its 2020 range of e-bikes, with models available to dealers from January 2020. The range features bikes for three aspects of the market: urban, adventure and street.
Extra UK was displaying its full portfolio of products as well as new product launches from Fizik, Crankbrothers, FFWD, Topeak, Rapid Racer Products and Abus. Abus was showing the “next logical step” in the evolution of the most secure lock segment: the ABUS 770A SmartX. The key element is the new SmartX cylinder. It is the first electronically controlled, keyless lock cylinder in the product range. The lock is operated via smartphone via a secure, encrypted Bluetooth connection.
Bosch eBike Systems exhibited its full range of new model year 2020 (MY2020) products and offered exclusive test rides to visitors. It gave visitors the opportunity to ride the latest e-bikes and try out the handling and safety benefits of the unique ABS system on two bespoke test tracks.
Bosch also showcased all its latest products, from the eMTB specific Performance Line CX drive unit and the high capacity new PowerTube 625 integrated battery, to the compact colour Kiox display and the networked SmartphoneHub control centre.
Kinesis exhibited its first e-bike, the Rise, which will be available to pre-order in October from a Kinesis UK dealer or online. “Thanks to the lightweight Fazua drive system, the ‘Rise’ challenges everything you think you already know about e-mountain bikes,” said a statement.
ZyroFisher had brands on show including Argon 18, Look, Selle San Marco, SRAM and Tacx, amongst others. Argon 18 was showcasing the Galleon Pro disc 15th Anniversary edition as well as the Krypton Pro, and Look exhibited its new gravel bike and new e-road bike, the 765 Gravel RS and the E-765 Optimum, as well as pedals.
To see more products and brands that were at the Cycle Show 2019, check out BikeBiz‘s gallery of photos on Facebook.
