BikeBiz Bicycle and cycling retail news
Opening at the Birmingham NEC on September 29th, Cycle Show’s trade-only day is set to draw crowds from up and down the country. So, why should you join those making the journey? Mark Sutton gathers a few sneak peaks from exhibitors…
Clee Cycles
There’s new items galore over on the Clee Cycles stand, found at K5. From chain catchers and bolt spares, to new polished road bike stems, Clee-distributed KCNC will be debuting plenty of new gear.
The KCNC Arrow road stem in black or white is one such item. This super stiff and light classic horizontal road stem is machined from 7075 alloy with a chamfered square cross section to give a really stiff ride for roadies who like the extra torsional rigidity. It’s still light at 128 grams for the 110mm length, helped by a full set of Ti bolts. The 17-degree drop gives a flat top bar and stem option.
Also of interest to those with a penchant for flashy titanium gear, KCNC’s full Ti ten-speed cassette and accompanying performance chains will be shown. Available in ratios 11-23, 12-25 and 12-27 the unit carries ten individual cogs mounted to a one-piece anodised 7075 alloy carrier. Mountain bike specific versions are set to appear in the Clee Cycles catalogue in just a few months time.
On to the chain, KCNC have managed to stamp a great value price tag of just £45.99 on its 116 link, TiN-coated, bushingless construction chain. Hollow pins, combined with improved plate profiles offer a lower weight and cleaner shifts.
Fisher Outdoor Leisure
Spanning three stands – D1, D11 and E25 – Fisher has one of the larger presences at the show and is planning to maximise its impact with a few product launches.
As exclusive UK distributor there will be a large SRAM presence showcasing the whole portfolio including Zipp, Avid, Truvativ and Rockshox 2012 ranges. The highlights include new SRAM X0, Apex and Red finish options, as well as the new Avid brakes and Zipp Firecrest wheels
The 2012 range of LOOK road bikes will be on display including some special 695 frames and the newly-announced complete bike options, as well as the exciting new 2012 MTB range.
The latest ranges from Troy Lee Designs, Santini, MET, Bluegrass, SMART lights, Basil and Tacx will also be on show in what is set to be the distributor’s main UK consumer show appearance of the year.
Fisher’s marketing and communications manager, Steve Cromwell tells BikeBiz: “Our experience in 2010 proved to us that the Cycle Show is a very effective way of introducing consumers to our key new products and brands and allows cycling enthusiasts to get up close and personal with the latest kit.”
Saddleback
Occupying two stands, Saddleback will be found on both H61 and G71, bringing along goods from ENVE, Felt, newly picked up shoe brand Bont and sports nutrition brands For Goodness Shakes and Mule Bar.
It’s Castelli making the headlines pre-show, however, much thanks to its patented Sanremo Speedsuit. While fast, skin suits aren’t really practical for road racing thanks to a lack of pockets and, more importantly, it’s hard to take what Castelli delicately puts as a ‘nature break’. The Sanremo solves this – stitching a new and improved aero jersey to a ‘Body Paint’ bib short. The jersey and short portions overlap on the front for full coverage, but leaves unstitched a section for when nature calls. Three rear pockets feature.
Saddleback is touting this as a show highlight, as not only does the skinsuit improve airflow around the torso, but it removes bib straps, improving comfort and allowing even more cooling when unzipped at the front. Johan Van Summeren took the skinsuit to its first victory on the roads to Roubaix.
Oxford Products
Bringing along its line of Comfy neck warmers, Chill Out jackets and kid’s cycle helmets, Oxford Products is seeking a greater presence in the cycle market.
The helmet line has something for everyone, from lid style helmets for dirt jumpers, through the F15 and F20 adult helmets, as well as a line of kids cycle helmets for both boys and girls, comprising the Little Rocket, Little Angel, Little Madam and Little Devil.
For more on Oxford Products’ cycle trade offering visit www.oxprod.com.
Moore Large
Expect a number of debuts on the Moore Large and Today’s Cyclist stand, found at C11.
Among these will be the Forza Components brand with which Moore Large has just signed an exclusivity deal for the UK. Lauren Vanderplank of Moore Large tells BikeBiz: “Stock isn’t due to land until next year, though we will show a large representation of the product and perhaps have a Forza manager on the stand to speak with the trade.”
Forza aside, expect to see product from Lake, Limar, One23, Knog and Proviz, among others, though Proviz will have it’s own booth. Lake is to debut a number of new footwear models, including the CX 312, exclusively revealed in the August edition of BikeBiz (page 58). This top-level shoe will be available with either three-hole, or Speedplay cleat compatibility. A BOA laced heel closure system features, offering fast, snag free slip on and removal of the shoe.
Knog will also show the Strongman lock, samples of which have been seen at prior Moore Large house shows. This model is now in production, but not before the brand used the unit to lift a car off the ground to test its strength. Expect this to land with the distributor in November and cost around £74.99.
NACT (ACT)
With all the uncertainty and controversy surrounding the Cycle to Work scheme and legislation tweaks the ACT has stepped in to offer independent retailers a solution.
WorkRiders is a brand new facilitator, via ActSmart, that can implement all the Cycle to Work benefits to the retailer and consumer, but with no commission charges to ACT members.
Although the WorkRiders programme launches to consumers late in 2011 and employer engagement commences in October 2011, retailer registration is live now, with over 300 currently signed up and ready to roll. What’s more, Work Riders sales provide instant payment to the retailer.
Find out more about Work Riders on the ActSmart stand, found at stand G23.
John Jordan
B&W and Buzzrack distributor John Jordan will be present on stand M17.
Protective case manufacturer B&W of Germany will traverse the channel to bring Cycle Show’s crowds its line of hard plastic cases and soft-density nylon bags, each of which is tailored to accommodate the bicycle. In fact, the whole range will be on show, including pannier boxes, folding bike boxes and even a range of handlebar-mounted smart phone cases.
On to Taiwan’s award-winning car rack manufacturer, Buzzrack. Cycle Show will host the brand’s patented Conical tow ball fitting, which allows four bikes to be carried on the Buzzy bee 4 rack. This rack is not only TÜV approved, but also meets the proposed ISO standard R18-904-4, a standard some way tougher than current requirements.
The new top of the range Buzz Runner SPARK (available for two or three bikes) includes adjustable wheel holders that can accommodate even small children’s bikes, a variable width lighting board, and an innovative tilting mechanism.
The distributor also offers full technical support and a complete spare parts programme for both brands.
Water Off a Duck’s Back
Boutique cycle clothing designer Water Off a Duck’s Back will be present on stand CSG11.
Having just this month launched the gentleman’s Cycle Coat, designer and founder Antonia Maybury tells BikeBiz: “I am delighted to launch our men’s coat. Since launching the women’s range we have had a huge amount of interest and it was a natural progression to branch out into menswear. Commuting as a cyclist is a fantastic mode of transport, however, there are times when you want to be able to look smart, professional and stylish as soon as you step off your bike. It was key for me to design a functional coat, creating something that would add to the experience of cycling, while looking smart at the same time.”
If you are interested in stocking the men’s Cycle Coat, contact Maybury through the website www.wateroffaducksback.co.uk.
Upgrade Bikes
Upgrade’s brightly-coloured, squishy floor stand returns over on G21 and will feature the likes of Pivot Cycles, DMR Bikes, Kinesis Bikes, Lezyne, TRP and Reynolds wheels.
US brand Pivot is entering its fifth year and has already scored some big reviews in the highly competitive market for full suspension bikes. Chris Cocalis, the man behind the Titus brand, started Pivot and, working closely with suspension guru Dave Weagle, began working on the next generation of DW Link suspension platform. An exclusive UK launch is planned at Cycle of Pivot’s full carbon Mach 5.7, costing £2,099.00 for a frame, shock and headset package.
Leyzne has a few launches to be aware of ahead of the show too. With a big focus on developing its home workshop tool line, expect to find new CNC pedal spanners and chain whips, versions of the same tools with hardwood handles, two-way BB-sprocket tools, three-way wrenches and a CNC’d spoke key.
Kool Stop
Kool-Stop Europe, found on stand F1, will introduce the new Kool-Stop Campi Super Record into the European market, hosting the pad’s consumer debut in Birmingham. The replacement rubber will be available in black, salmon (extreme conditions), ceramic, dual compound, carbon and triple compound (high performance in extreme conditions).
Kool-Stop has also developed a new carbon compound especially for cycle cross. The Dura Two inserts are available in this material and have been named Carbon 1003 RED.
