The Bike Place 2014: Highlights

MET UK

A latecomer to the party, but one which many dealers will no doubt be interested in talking to

is MET helmets. Since parting ways with Fisher the label has set up a direct distribution model

that services the UK from a domestic warehouse. There are several sales reps on the

road and you can expect to speak to representatives at the show about stock of the

protective gear label.

Velotech Services

For those who missed The Cycle Show, The Bike Place will be another opportunity to see the

Ceepo brand’s goods. A highlight is the already popular road/short distance tri frame, dubbed the “Mamba”. This value packed carbon frame is UCI legal and under 1,000g, featuring internal Di2 cabling, an

aero reversible seatmast, all for £1,399 at retail. Velotech has also begun offering product

focused training days for any members of staff from partner stores completely free of charge,

all from the firm’s Cotswold headquarters.

Triton Imports

With a few new labels on board, Triton is to show for the first time product from the Vee

Tire catalogue, for which it exclusively carries the BMX and Fat Bike product, as well as

Macneil BMX goods. Fairdale has expanded its range this year too.

Building on the success of the Original weekender’s adventure inspiring geometry, Taj

has designed a full specced out tourer/adventure/road/commute bike.

Another bike to look out for is the SE Santa Cruz Big Ripper – a 29-inch wheel take on the

classic with graphics drawn by Jim Philips himself. A free custom SE/Santa Cruz

skateboard deck is supplied with the bike.

Velo Brands

The focus for Velo Brands continues to be brand management with the result that the

distributor’s products enjoy stable and equal retail pricing structures online and offline,

allowing retail partners to earn money without the need to compete with discounters.

This has lead to brands such as Kask to enjoy strong growth alongside the distributor’s

house labels. VeloBrands has recently launched a new and vastly improved B2B website at

www.velobrands.co.uk – go there for a look at the current portfolio and for further contact

details. At The Bike Place retailers can expect to see the spring/summer Chapeau collection, for

which the distributor is actively seeking retail stockists. Furthermore, the firm is now carrying

the Suplest performance footwear range, also set to be on show.

BG Innovations

Based just around the corner, BG Innovations said the decision to exhibit was a no brainer,

especially given the firm’s goals to expand its bike trade presence.

The PRO range of products is made up of PROclean-gold, an easy to use and 100 per

cent natural plant based degreaser and cleaner, and two PROtecht products designed to

prevent corrosion and provide the ultimate protection for bikes from mud, water, salt and

acid.

VIP Bikes has stock of the brand’s goods now.

Just Riding Along

Fresh from its appointment as the UK distributor for Industry Nine wheels and hubs,

Just Riding Along will be on hand to discuss custom wheel builds and much more.

Built around 120-point engagement hubs, the wheelsets are responsive and eye-catching,

coming in numerous anodised colours. In addition to their proprietary wheelsets,

Industry Nine now offers a complete range of standard “classic” flanged hubs for mountain,

road, road disk and fat bikes. The firm will be holding stock of standard colour wheelsets and

all spare parts, while custom colours and unusual combinations are available to order

with a four to six week lead time.

Craft

With ‘incentives’ to sign up to the label at the show, Craft are looking to build its dealerbase

and will be offering goodie bags to those stopping by.

Hailing from Sweden, the label has worked with professional teams and athletes to create

a collection of technically advanced base layers, jerseys, shorts and accessories that can

perform in all weather conditions and varying temperatures.

Impact Cycle Trading

Impact Cycle Trading (ICT), has added to its portfolio of bike brands with the arrival of

RedLevel technical clothing from Italy. The clothing is designed and made in Italy from

fabrics such as Tactel, and includes silver, bioceramic materials and carbon fibres and is

specially treated to optimise body temperature control. The comprehensive range includes

base layer vests, t-shirts, long sleeved shirts, leggings, all-in-ones, socks, gloves, headwear,

arm and leg warmers, cycling overshoes and underwear.

Also on the Impact stand will be Fondriest, who have a new build for 2014 in the TF4.

Promised to be one of the show highlights, the sub £2,000 bike is full carbon monocoque, with

direct-attached dual pivot brakes and a reflex fork.

Sugru

You may have read about Sugru on BikeBiz.com before now and had your curiousity ignited. If

so, swing by their stand at the show to play with some samples of the self setting rubber

that can be used to mount or repair all kinds of things.

Particularly useful to have handy in your tool kit, the rubber sets in around 24 hours and can

be used to make things such as light holders, or to fix broken brackets. There’s countless other

uses too, you could even use the rubbery stuff to hold up point of sale displays and signs.

Rubena

With sales having increased some 150 per cent year-on-year, Rubena are beginning to appear

on the map as a great alternative tyre label to the big players.

Distributor Bike Tyrestore will be talking to dealers about the new launches, which include

an extreme tyre dubbed the Highlander – available in 26 or 650b – for downhill riders.

Then there’s the Pheonix. This is Rubena’s latest road tyre, which tips the scales at just 185

grams. Special sign up deals will be on offer to retailers signing up at the show.