BikeBiz Bicycle and cycling retail news
Thule Easy Fold & Wingbar Edge
www.thule.com
Thule has broadened and improved upon prior designs with the introduction of the Easy Fold and an upgrade to the Wingbar Edge.
The former of the two holds two bikes weighing up to 30kg and folds into a compact unit in just two simple, easy steps. As you would expect it’s tested and is certified to meet the highest quality and safety standards on the market.
The Wingbar Edge, now in its second generation, has been slimmed down to a new low profile shape that hugs the roof and won’t look out of place and – handily for consumers – won’t majorly affect fuel consumption when left mounted permanently. What’s more, the system is theft resistant.
As with all Thule racks, both have been tested in wind tunnels, been exposed to various conditions in the lab and on the road and even crash tested to ensure a robust product.
SealSkinz AW12
Direct: 01553 817990
Apparently carried by some 1,200 independent and multiple stores in the UK, SealSkinz clearly still commands a strong fan base and it’s no wonder we’re fans given the changeable domestic weather.
For AW12 the label has plenty to keep us riding bikes and throwing snowballs, including the new Spun Steel Glove – which having achieved full marks at the SATRA testing centre, is touted as perhaps the most technical glove in the world. Uniquely knitted in spun steel, the gloves offer supreme abrasion resistance, as well as the usual water and windproofing. Inside you’ll find a merino wool liner that’ll stay odour-free and warm, as well as keeping moisture in check.
The catalogue also offers the usual waterproof socks, beanies and now a new low profile Belgian- style cycling cap. This classic seven panel cap has a Bemburg lining for providing added warmth and all-important moisture control.
Showers Pass and Tumble & Fall
NRG4: 0870 240 4219
Plenty of new gear has been landing with NRG4 in recent weeks and as some of you may have seen at the NEC Cycle Show, the Tumble and Fall and Showers Pass labels are knocking out some great winter sellers.
Showers Pass have introduced the Rogue Hoodie, designed to be a ‘street wise, yet bike-friendly’ fiercely weather-resistant hoodie. The Rogue features a three layer waterproof soft-shell Artex material ideal for temperatures 55-degrees and below. Carrying light loops, media ports and draw cords in the hem and hood, this garment is ideal for the regular cyclist about town who needs something slimline and packable to stash and pull out when the weather turns.
Tumble and Fall introduced two new lights this month too, the Pro1600L (£149.99) and Pro2000L (£179.99) with the name of each indicating the lumen output. Each light now benefits from a new secure handlebar and helmet mount, as well as an upgraded and sealed battery.
Bryton Rider 5OE OS
Zyro: 01845 521700
For the customer with an eye for large quantities of ride data and quality mapping, Bryton’s new Rider 50E MTB GPS with OS maps is as comprehensive a device you’ll find for recording rides.
At £279.99, it’s not cheap, but it does come loaded with UK & IRL Dual Maps, Including OS 1:50K Ordnance Survey Adventurer Maps & Navteq HD Street Mapping.
Providing you with 48 options of display information ranging from speed, altitude, distance, calories and ride time, the user can quickly personalise up to three pages of information.
Furthermore, the device is ANT+ compatible, is able to save locations of interest, carries a sensor for night and day use and is perfectly capable of drawing up training plans for the competitive rider.
BBB Select Giftbox
Windwave: 02392 505320
This is an item for the cyclist who has everything, perhaps in every colour available, and ideal for a late pre-Christmas stock up.
BBB has long been known for the quality of their cycling shades and the Select Giftbox builds on the quality aspect, introducing colour co-ordination with a carry case complete with one frame in black or white, six coloured lenses that adapt to the light conditions and seven temple tips to further customise the look.
The package includes a clear lens for night riding or extremely low light conditions, a yellow lens for overcast days that require tons of contrast, MLC lenses in red, blue and green for sunnier conditions and a Smoke lens.
This entire package comes boxed in it’s own protective travel case, ready to hit the road.
Tern Multitool
Cyclemotion: 01580 755633
Those lucky enough to have been in Vegas for Interbike may have spotted Tern’s Multitool, designed largely with the folding bike in mind, but also equipped with a bottle opener for those not shy of a post-ride beverage.
It’s a nifty unit, packing 20 tools into dimensions of just 90 x 54 x 28mm. Supplied with a handy pouch containing puncture repair patches, the tool has 6, 8, 10 and 15mm crescent wrenches, hex keys spanning 2 through 8mm, three spoke keys, a flathead, T25 and #2 cross-head screwdriver, tire levers and a chain tool. Tern’s Josh Hon believes it’s the only multitool with a 15mm wrench, ideal for wrenching off axle nuts on Tern’s folders, as well as those commonly used on fixies, among others. For more on the newly available supply of Tern for IBDs, email mark.bickerton@ternbicycles.com.
