BikeBiz Bicycle and cycling retail news
Chicken Cyclekit
Dedicating an entire room to a new bike brand, Chicken Cyclekit used Core to gauge dealer reaction to Czech Republic label Superior bikes and high-end off-shoot SUP.
As its first real foray in the mountain biking world, Superior starts them young with 20 and 24-inch kids bikes at £219.99 and £254.99, respectively.
With a Superior team having competed on the professional circuit for over a year now, it’s no surprise that the brand has a bit of luxury within its line too. Full suspension rigs come in at both £1,999 for the Recon/Monarch spec bike and if your customer is spending some real money, there’s a £3,199 29er with Rock Shox Sid RL forks, Magura MT4 brakes and a DT Swiss M212 shock.
There’s also a number of women’s specific builds and a carbon hardtail in the range.
Across from Superior’s room, Chicken gave outings to many of its other labels, but the crowds largely were interested in finding out more about the Selle Italia ID Match program.
With the purchase of a saddle stock of £399, retailers can now gain a free measurement kit to perfectly define where their customer’s sit bones are and thus pair them up with the appropriate saddle. Point of sale units, inclusion in advertising and test saddles are also part of the package.
Hope
Though not flagged up as one of Hope’s new products, the eagle eyed would have spotted another long burn prototype project on the downhill demo bike by the entrance – a six-speed cassette.
Officially, this was the launch of new bars, grips and a press fit bottom bracket, the latter arriving in February and the rest trickling through in late march and May for the bars. A ceramic version of the press fit BB will be on the way later this year, estimated to retail at £120, as opposed to the standard’s £90 price tag.
Hope’s £60 bars will arrive in a 10,20 and 30mm rise and will be 800mm long. A nice touch is markings on either end of the bar to accurately space shifters and levers.
Meanwhile, dealers can currently take advantage of a 25 per cent off trade discount on all Hope carbon wheels.
Hope also let us in on a little known secret – the Barnoldswick manufacturer is toying with prototype BMX hubs, which will be ‘peg compatible’.
Polaris
Dealers visiting the Polaris room would have been lead through the Venom and Vapour lines, covering road and mountain biking respectively.
Landing with the distributor from mid-February, the Venom line has added long sleeve jerseys with thermastretch fabric for holding on to any warmth and reflective detailing across the shoulders and with detailing on the cuffs.
The new bib shorts house a branded Italian gel pad for any customers looking for top quality comfort. Meanwhile, new laser cut mitts, housing mesh panels, an Amara gel pad palm and bonded construction throughout are added to the Venom line.
On the mountain bike front the Vapour jacket is the highlight, designed to strike a balance between waterproof and breathability it’s no ‘boil in a bag’ jacket and provides ventilation in all the right places. With a microfleece lining and drawcord adjustment it will keep the rider warm if the temperature does dip.
Endura
Plenty of exciting developments from Endura, so if you were considering a new clothing label for your shop, you may now get a whole load more.
Core provided the launch platform for the brand’s helmets and new luggage. Starting with the luggage, there’s two new daypacks and a travel case. The travel case is a substantial unit, perfect for the travelling athlete, with compartments for footwear both clean and dirty, a handy pull out change mat and dedicated areas for laundry. What’s more, it’s a robust unit too, with buckles protected by neoprene covers, a thick telescope handle and micro scooter sized wheels for easy transportation. Expect this kit to hit shelves in July.
On to the helmets and Endura has a simple line of three to begin with, each in four colours and coming with a free case while stocks last.
The road going ‘Airshell’ comes in at £89.99 and weighs 220 grams, with venting galore as you’d expect. The off road ‘Snype’ will retail for £69.99. Both are a in-mold construction and carry a three step adjust bar for cradling the rear of the head and a dial adjust. Three sizes are to be stocked.
Paligap
Here’s a stat for you to chew on before we kick off, CNP sold 1.6 million flapjacks in December to January last year. Having just secured the distribution rights to CNP nutrition, the Paligap crew were in high spirits, offering plenty of product to dealers to try out. Many, knowing of the firm’s link with Team Sky and British Cycling, didn’t need a whole load of convincing, according to Paligap and sign ups to packages were said to be strong.
Produced in Manchester with direct input from the riders and Nigel Mitchell of British Cycling. Solely for the independent store, CNP stock is available to order now.
Elsewhere, Portland Design Works had a few standout products, most notably its Full Metal Fenders, perfect for anyone running 23 to 25c tyres and fed up of plastic guards. At £60 for a front and rear package, these aren’t the cheapest, but your customer will only need one ever and they’re easy to install on all road bikes. What’s more, these are the preferred guard of the Rapha Continental road team, so you know they have a certain level of quality. A cyclocross version is in the works.
PDW also debuted what could be the only Fat Bike fender, developed at the request of Surly and Dave Grey – the ‘godfather’ of fat bikes we’re told. At 5.5-inches wide and 22.5 long it offers comprehensive coverage.
BioLogic also debuted its disc ready Jule 3 ‘Holy Grail’ Dynamo hub at £175 for anyone looking for a cheaper alternative to a Schmidt.
