BikeBiz Bicycle and cycling retail news
iceBike* 2019 took place this week at Arena:MK in Milton Keynes, from 19th February for three days, with over 250 new products on show.
Dominic Langan, CEO at Madison and Sportline, said: “The feedback from our customers and suppliers at iceBike* has been overwhelmingly positive and it felt like visitors this year came with real purpose. We had plenty to speak to retailers about including Freewheel, new brands, new products and Business Services, which coupled with show offers to create a really worthwhile event for everyone. Tuesday was actually our best attended single day ever at iceBike* so was a real positive message amidst all the current economic uncertainty. A huge thank you to everyone that attended and made it such a success.”
Thule showcased its hydration packs, including the new Uptake and Rail. The Vital, which the team said was launched last year, was also on show, as well as the new Evo roof racks. Allsport Dynamics made its iceBike* debut this year, with its range of wrist braces. Worn by a host of MX riders, the wrist braces have also been used by downhill mountain bikers Steve Peat and Danny Hart as well as current European BMX champion Kyle Evans, so the team said there is still an application to cycling despite this being the first time the range has been introduced to the dealership.
Cosmo Connected joined the Madison portfolio last year, and made its iceBike* debut too this year. The smart bike light is controlled by a bluetooth remote or smartphone mounted on the handlebars. Another new brand is 100%, which joined the portfolio last year, but Madison only handles the eyewear range. At the show, it had the S3, which is a new frame, and it also has a new active lifestyle piece called the Slent, which has a “fashion look to it, but still has the attributes of performance.”
Dynaplug also made its iceBike* debut, with its tubeless repair kit, and the team was around to give demonstrations on how the product works. Lazer had the Century helmet on display, a road helmet that has an adjustable cap to improve aerodynamics or air-flow, marking the brand’s 100th anniversary which it is celebrating this year.
Science in Sport is now Madison exclusive, having previously been distributed through multiple distributors. The team said the show was good, and was keen to talk to as many people as possible about the products. Pearl Izumi exhibited its SS19 and AW19 collections alongside its range of road and mountain bike shoes. It said it has "completely changed the look and feel" of the brand, and gone away from bold graphics and logos in favour of more subtle prints and block colours.
New Park Tool products were on display too, including the HBT-1 hydraulic brake tool for both cutting the hose and inserting fittings, new precision hex drives and the BX-3 Rolling Big Blue Box. Ridgeback had a ‘complete rebrand’ at the show, and it also had a new e-cargo bike which was a prototype that visitors could see and offer feedback on.
Retail expert Alf Dunbar hosted seminars on Tuesday and Wednesday that focused on customer service and how to greet, approach, up-sell, close sales and give till service, and Park Tool director of education Calvin Jones offered his advice on workshop best practice.
The concept store made its comeback, where visitors could pick up some hints and tips on merchandising and store layout. Freewheel was a big focus at the show, with daily seminars about what the initiative entails and how retailers can sign-up. There was also evening entertainment for those staying over, with an Italian-themed celebration for Elite’s 40th birthday, and Wednesday evening was Lazer’s centenary celebration.
