BikeBiz Bicycle and cycling retail news
The inaugural Eurobike Media Days has wrapped up, having been hailed a success by many of the 120+ journalists and 19 exhibiting brands.
Serving as a platform for 2016 bike launches, prototype previews and a chance for press to explore the Alpine mountains in Kirchberg and the surrounding areas on demo bikes, the event revealed a number of new trends.
First of all, the electric bike sector could be on the verge of going beyond the current Europe wide regulation – 168/2013 – e-bikes with a maximum speed of 25 kmh and 250 watts, currently exempt from type-approval.
Introduced by both Kalkhoff and Giant were departures into the so-called Speed pedelec segment, with bikes capable of 45kph. These will of course, under current rules, require a license plate and a motorcycle grade helmet. Kalkhoff confirmed to BikeBiz that e-bike specialist 50 Cycles will carry stock of its new Integrale model, which it said in the German market is insured for about €60 on the roads. Interestingly, the trip computer on the demo model registered 73.3kph, with one journalist apparently accidentally snatching a Cadel Evans Strava KOM in the process – we’re guessing on a downhill segment.
There was also an abundance of gravel bikes on show, with brands keen to stress these are more than just altered cyclocross bikes. The most radical of the designs was perhaps Cannondale’s Slate, pictured below.
As the first road-suited Cannondale to feature a Lefty fork, the Slate was built using the same advanced software as the new CAAD12, meaning the frame is optimised in material thickness in key areas. The Lefty specced is new too and is an all-carbon affair, offering 30mm travel and zero sag.
A full report will feature in the August print edition, but in the meantime, feast your eyes on BikeBiz’s Facebook Gallery.
