BikeBiz Bicycle and cycling retail news
Organisers behind bicycle supershow Eurobike are predicting a vastly increased presence of the 29-inch wheeled bike this year, following a ‘market share grab’ in the USA and now Germany.
Large manufacturers are already leaking information of up-coming 29er launches, many of which will be debuted at the August 31st to September 3rd show. Both Specialized and Giant commented on forthcoming launches.
Oliver Hensche, head of the German division of Giant, backs the show’s comments, stating: “29ers are a major focus at retail stores specialising in biking sports. Customers are now asking about them by name. I estimate that in the future, 50 per cent of the hardtails sold in the upper price segment in Germany will be 29ers.”
What’s more, 29ers won’t just remain a phenomenon in the hardtail segment, says Sebastian Maag, country manager for Germany at Specialized: “In 2012 there will be a few new 29ers in the full-suspension segment up to 120 mm of spring travel.” The mountain bike expert also predicts that bikes featuring even greater spring travel will be offered with 29” wheels in the long term.
Doris Klytta of manufacturer Schwalbe echoed comments, stating: “Nearly every manufacturer will be participating in this trend at the upcoming bicycle trade show. We’re forecasting that the number of offerings in the 29er segment will also grow considerably in the coming sales year in Germany.”
Eurobike’s Demo Day has now been confirmed to take place on August 30, 2011, in the nearby town of Argenbühl in Germany’s Allgäu region.
