BikeBiz Bicycle and cycling retail news
The organisers behind super show Eurobike have released a look ahead to the trends at the August show, which doubles as a handy ‘bluffers guide’ for the trade.
Coupled with our round-up of the preview Eurobike Media Days, every bike trader reading the two will be able to enter the vast halls of Friedrichshafen ready to nod wisely and impress their trade chums.
27+
It will come as no surprise to see MTB wheel sizes picked out as key trends for 2016. Offering the best of several tyre trends (29ers, 650b and fatbikes), 27+ is based on a wide rim in 650b/27.5 format, only equipped with a 2.8 to 3-inch tyre, offering high traction but not as heavy as fat bikes.
‘Size split’
To accommodate the broadening church of MTB wheel sizes, bike manufacturers are equipping more models with several possible wheel formats. So for example, a small MTB equipped with 650b wheels may be launched alongside the same model in medium offering a choice between 650b and 29ers, then a large version equipped for 29ers. Confused?
Boost standard
Sticking with MTBs, brands have apparently decided wider is better for hubs too – by six mm for back wheels and ten for front wheels – intended to provide broader support to spokes and boost stability.
Flat mount
Direct mount is another trend to watch out for on 2016 bikes, a new mounting standard for brake calipers on race bikes that reduce the weight difference between rim and disc brakes to just a few hundred grams.
There’s more Eurobike primers in the upcoming edition of BikeBiz, arriving with the trade in just a few days time.
Eurobike starts with the Demo Day on Tuesday August 25th. The show proper starts Wednesday August 26th to Friday 28th. Following those, there is a very busy public day on Saturday August 29th. www.eurobike-show.com
