BikeBiz Bicycle and cycling retail news
Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock, you’ll know that the bike distributor trade show season is drawing to a close, with one of the final key dates being Madison’s iceBike*, running next week from Tuesday March 5th to Thursday 7th.
If you haven’t already, you can register for the show here.
Among the iceBike* highlights is the return of Truflo after a three year hiatus, with new branding and a new line of products.
The new packaging splits the range into three sections by usage. Red is for road based High Pressure applications, green is High Volume MTB specific, and blue is for ‘general purpose’. The packaging uses icons on the front to quickly inform browsers of key features of each product. Likewise the pumps themselves range from a line-up of premium CNC machined pumps, with dual stage barrels and laser etched graphics. There is a choice of flexible hose heads or fixed rigid heads.
The Minitrak trail side track pump is 300mm folded, coming complete with footplate and pop out gauge (£29.99). At the lower end of the scale is the £15.99 Micro 4, featuring an alloy barrel and flexible telescopic dual-head. Three new track pumps adorn the range, with key price points at £19.99 for the steel barrelled Easitrax 3. The Maxtrax 3 has a top mounted gauge and dual valve head at £34.99, whilst the range topping Airess boasts a 2.5” gauge, CNC machined barrel, Laser etched graphics and a wooden handle (£59.99).
At the Pearl Izumi stand the brand will be explaining the science behind its fabric technologies – Minerale, Barrier WxB and Coldblack – using lab equipment.
Developed by Cocona, the Minerale fabric (exclusively used by Pearl in its base layers, cycle and run clothing) accelerates breathability using volcanic particles to create a porous yarn structure. The fabric features an eight times greater surface area and dries two-times faster than comparable polyester materials, says Pearl. Those natural minerals also enhance anti-odour and anti-microbial protection. Barrier WxB was the result of a Cocona/Pearl Izumi collaboration and is a four-way stretch fabric providing waterproof breathable protection. Meanwhile, Coldblack is a reflective cooling technology developed by Clariant and first used by Pearl Izumi in cycle clothing due to its capabilities in reflecting heat and protecting from UV rays, even on dark colours. Dealers can find out more about those at the show.
Other iceBike* appearances will come from Kryptonite , which will show off its full range of bike security and will have the general manager of Kryptonite worldwide on hand to discuss anything bike security. From Resprowill be the brand new Cinqro Sports Face Masks, aimed at high intensity commuting, or training in an urban environment. It features improved comfort with particle and chemical filtration, featuring the latest in valve technology – the POWA valve.
Dealers will also be interested to hear SKS will be giving away Spaero sport road pumps (retailing well over £30).
Forcefield director of sales and marketing Matthew Dawson and marketing manager Stuart Long will be at iceBike* to explain the science behind the brand with demonstrations, in-depth knowledge and award-winning armour product on display.
The full range of Bell helmets will be displayed including the new “Full-9” which comes with a host of features; GoPro Mount, Eject System Compatibility, Speaker Ports, Carbon Shell, D-ring fasteners and more.
And finally a word from Madison on show offers: "With iceBike* being our biggest event of the year, we make sure we have some fantastic offers for all the dealers who attend. These range from limited edition colour schemes, to reduced price on POS units and everything in between.
"To take advantage of these extra special offers, you need to register and come along.Then you’ll receive an offer pack and all the necessary details. These offers will replace the usual March offer pack and will only be available to iceBike* attendees."
