BikeBiz Bicycle and cycling retail news
Whittlebury Hall is becoming ever more accustomed to the bicycle trade and those that sail in her thanks to the summer’s Core Bike Live debut. That introduced a few exhibitors new to the Core set-up and some of those will be back for Core Bike proper this January, not least heavy hitters like Moore Large.
What can you expect to see at the show? Here’s a sneak preview of some of the highlights, with more to follow in our January issue.
But before you run off and look at all the new products being shown off at Whittlebury Hall, you don’t want to forget to pre-register, which is a must if you want to make sure you don’t miss out on the free lunches and avoid dreaded queues upon arrival. Head to the site to register www.corebike.co.uk
2pure
Eddy Merckx’s 2016 range will be shown exclusively at Core Bike. The jewel in the crown of the range is the EM525, a new top-of-the-line carbon road bike.
It comes in a Performance and an Endurance version and has been fitted exclusively with disc brakes. Featuring a monocoque front triangle and monocoque fork, there’s internal cable routing for mechanical and electronic as well as internal disc brake cable routing. Fork and seatpost are both integrated, with kink compliance seatstays and a Syntace thru axle (12mm). There are seven frame sizes available with clearance for 30mm tyres.
Chicken CycleKit
Chicken CycleKit returns to Core with products and brands centred around 2016 stockist packages including Campagnolo, Cinelli, Deda Elementi, Flinger, Miche, NET (from Selle Italia), Sportourer, Tifosi and Vittoria.
Among the most eye-catching are the new NET saddles by Selle Italia, and the new disc bikes from Tifosi.
NET is a new urban saddle project from Selle Italia. Made from a virtually indestructible material, they are completely waterproof, are 100 per cent recyclable and are not manufactured with any toxic materials or bonding agents. The unique thermoplastic honeycomb shell was design to allow the Ischial bones to move independently and adapt to various riding styles, making this “one of the most comfortable saddles in the urban market”. The saddles are competitive, starting at £21.99, and are made in Italy along with the rest of Selle Italia’s range. NET offers a great margin for stockists, they say, and POS options are available.
Meanwhile Tifosi gave dealers a glimpse of its new road disc bikes at Cycle Show in September, and at Core the full range will be on display. The retail prices and specifications are incredibly competitive, with pre-orders already flying in, we’re told. Three models have been introduced; two gravel bikes, one aluminium and one carbon version, with a carbon disc road option also available. Visit Chicken CycleKit at Core for information on becoming a Tifosi or NET dealer. Alternatively call 01525 381347.
Citrus-Lime
Citrus-Lime provides ecommerce, retail and stock control systems for specialist independent retailers. The company’s outgoing team work with cycle retailers to build user friendly, future-proof solutions to grow retail businesses online and in-store. In the last year Citrus-Lime has invested its efforts in developing its online marketing services such as Google Shopping to support the goals of their ecommerce retailers.
The firm prides itself on delivering a personal relationship along with the cycle specific solutions that have made a name for themselves; the Workshop Module, Supplier Integration and Cloud Reports to name a few. Dealers can call in to see the team and find out what they can do for retail operations.
Extra UK
As usual Topeak will be launching plenty of new innovative accessories for 2016 across pumps, tools, bags, lights and bike stands, including the Joe Blow Booster for tubeless tyres.
You can see new tyres from Maxxis like the much-anticipated Minion SS along with the complete range of leading MTB, Road, Cyclocross, Hybrid, BMX and Urban tyres.
Keen BikeBiz.com readers will already be aware that Clif Bar has recently launched the new Coconut Chocolate Chip flavour and this will be available to sample along with the rest of the range of Bars, Bloks, Gels and Builders Bars.
Ergon will be focusing on new additions to the All Mountain and Enduro specific line up of Saddles, Grips and Backpacks, while fi’zi:k has seen great success with their boa road and MTB shoes this year (Extra tells BikeBiz) and they’ll all be at Core. Crankbrothers is adding new pedals to the range including the Enduro specific Mallet E. Brooks will be showcasing the new Cambium C13 plus new grips that have been developed in conjunction with Ergon. Also on display will be the stunning new 2016 line up from boutique MTB and road bike brands Intense and Time.
Hope
Hope has a number of launches for Core, including several improvements on the Pro 4 hubs. They now use a 44 tooth ratchet mechanism which gives a 10 per cent quicker engagement over the Pro 2 EVO. Also with the move to larger wheel sizes Hope has increased the flange diameter, adding important stiffness to wheel builds, even with non Boost width hubs. The final change is on the Shimano compatible freehubs, to be supplied ready to take 11sp cassettes.
Then there’s the new Tech DH wheels and rims, which had a pretty tough launch event – Rampage in Utah. Hope had seven riders using the new wheels including the winner Kurt Sorge and second placed Andreu Lacondeguy, although you don’t need to be riding quite so extreme to feel the advantage, the firm says. They have a 28mm internal width and are available in 26-inch and 27.5-inch. Rim weight is 623g, there are Rim only as well as complete wheels and 135, 150 and 157mm rears are available.
Ison Distribution
Among the show highlights for Ison are Light Blue’s steel bikes and frames, now available with six models in the current range from sportive to tourers. HT-Components has been making waves with a range of high performance clipless and flat pedals. Dealers can see the brand new T1 enduro pedals, X2 downhill pedal, new AE06 and AE12 flat pedals and more at Core.
More than a dirt jump brand, Halo’s wheels – from BMX to the Pro peloton – are are hand-built and 2016 will see many new products, some of which can be seen at Core.
The new Gloworm CX700 and CX1100 lights will debut, featuring internal battery, USB charged units with 700 and 1100 lumen outputs that are fully programmable.
MORGAW will be displaying their unified, patented and self-supported saddle platform based on shock absorbers and interchangeable rails, while Apidura will show its new welded construction Saddle Pack and Full Frame Packs. All-City will have CX bikes on show alongside the usual Surly display including the new Wednesday Fat Bike.
ODI will be offering products for road and offroad including the test-winning bar tape and brand new Elite Series Lock-On grips. As well as brand new colours and designs in their best-selling open face helmets, TSG is releasing new lightweight and visible urban-focused helmets with integral rear lights for safety.
Lightweight
Lightweight’s new Weiss.Ed Urgestalt frame has been finished with a special coating that promises to be incredibly durable and has been calibrated to precisely match the Weiss.Ed finish on the wheelsets, and meets the brands high standards of quality. In a nutshell, the firm sought to replicate the technical attributes of its wheelsets in the race bike frameset. (For those that were wondering, Urgestalt translates to “archetype” or ‘standard”.) The frame also promises stability and predictability on descents while providing direct, precise steering in corners and under rapid changes of direction in race scenarios.
The brand adds: “Urgestalt offers a unique new riding experience, infused with the engineering DNA of the world’s best wheels to create a union between rider and frame that is unparalleled in the industry.”
Moore Large
Following up its Core Bike Live debut in the summer, Moore Large is bringing along its brand portfolio. In terms of accessories, Lake’s 2016 range – including the new MTB models – will appear as will American Classic’s new models, featuring updated graphics on all lines. Core will see the first show of Alpina’s 2016 models, while Knog’s lock range will debut alongside extended ranges for the POP, Blinder Road and Blinder Arc. New signing InfoCrank will be at Core too, as will Jagwire and Sako7 socks.
On the bike side, Bobbin’s full new range will be seen for the first time at Whittlebury. Expect to also see Cuda Performance, Peugeot’s all new electric MTBs, new models added for Forme, Onza MTB, Haro and another new signing in Polygon.
Polaris
Polaris has new performance road ranges for next spring summer. The geometric patterns are inspired by the peaks and hills of the Peak District which has been the company’s home for over 25 years. The diverse Peak District is split into the northern Dark Peak, where most of the moorland is found and whose geology is gritstone and the southern White Peak, whose geology is mainly limestone, so influencing the tonal colour palettes used in this range. Both ranges carry ergonomic race fits and Italian-branded three layer performance chamois with rapid sweat absorption to prevent chaffing. The men’s Geo Range contains a jersey, bibs, mitts, armwarmers for summer UV protection and socks. The women’s Vision Range builds on the success of the Vela Range last season. The Vision Range’s performance lines have a colour palette that integrates with last season’s products building on the ideal capsule wardrobe collection. The women will have a performance jersey and shorts that include the contour cross-over waistband for female ergonomic tailored fit along with new mitts for this season.
Silverfish
Skratch Labs’ all-natural hydration has been based on the premise that it can be consumed consistently without giving you gut-rot. Launching with the Exercise Hydration Mix last year, Skratch has now added all-natural Energy Chews to the range, again made with simple ingredients and flavoured with real fruit. You’ll also find Race Face’s Turbine Dropper Seatpost at Core, giving riders the ability to ‘drop’ their saddle down for increased clearance when the trail starts to descend. Using a patented hybrid system, the Turbine post gives a solid feel when in use and support the rider’s body weight with a mechanical locking system for a solid pedalling platform which does not slip and also offers less potential to fail over time thanks to not relying on the system seals to support the rider when seated. A hydraulic system within the seat post takes care of dampening and rebound duties actuate once the lever is pressed, with lower air pressures and static seals.
This article originally appeared in the December edition of BikeBiz, which you can read in full online.
