SHOW PREVIEW: Core Bike

The Core bike trade show was established to give the UK cycle trade a one-stop show that would give exhibitors the chance to view more brands from more distributors, in one easy visit.

By bringing together a large part of the UK trade under one roof, the show is designed to minimise the time dealers spend away from their shop floor. Networking opportunities are also vastly increased with the post-show evening entertainment.

For most exhibitors, Core provides a platform to show off the latest prototypes and talk to dealers about 2009’s product.

The 2009 Core Bike trade show sees the line-up of top brands become even stronger as Merida Bikes, Jim Walker distribution and Citrus-Lime Dynamic IT solutions have confirmed their attendance.

This will add a further 20 more brands to the already strong CoreBike line-up and means that anyone attending the show will be able to have IT and cycle queries answered in one visit.
Core Bike is held at the luxurious four-star, Whittlebury Hall Hotel which is located near the Silverstone race circuit in Northamptonshire. The show days are Sunday 25th through to Tuesday 27th of January 2009 with a Gala evening of entertainment taking place on the Monday night.

Pre-registration goes live!
2009 pre-registration is now live and all visitors can click on www.corebike.co.uk to register their attendance.

Gala Night
Back by popular demand is the Gala evening of entertainment with will take place on the Monday night of the show. Last year’s event was a great success as dealers, stores and distributors enjoyed an evening filled with entertainment including arcade machines, sumo suits and guest industry speakers.

Merida Bikes UK
The philosophy of Merida Bikes has always been to produce the best possible, German-designed machines. They combine Western development know-how with efficient, quality-oriented production in Asia. This ensures that the brand can offer bikes featuring quality-focused design, which also remains affordable to those seeking a well-specced bike. Merida has been developing and building bicycles since 1972.

Jim Walker
The premium cycle distributor joins the Core Bike show line-up for the first time in 2009. Within its portfolio, Jim Walker offers brands such as Iron Horse cycles, De Rosa, Continental, 3T, Fulcrum, Campagnolo, Northwave, Thomson and Wellgo, plus others.

Citrus-Lime
Citrus-Lime offers clients a wide range of dynamic IT solutions, which are tailored to their needs and adaptable to meet their growth. The IT specialist also offers an integrated epos and eCommerce solution, for which dealer talks and demonstrations will be available at Core.

Paligap
Marketing manager, Ben Gaby gives BikeBiz the reasons Paligap makes Core Bike its number one trade show every year:

“We exhibit because Core is quite simply the most complete trade show in the UK. The show gives dealers the opportunity to view all of Paligap’s brands, but also talk with the Paligap team and get a chance to discuss how to improve the way we run our business.

“We have invited our suppliers from Torq, Litespeed, Ritchey and Fast Forward to the show. The Fast Forward carbon wheel range is the brand that’s in most demand at the moment and the complete range will be at the show. We will also have the 2009 Sombrio and Kona clothing range. In addition to this, it will be the first opportunity for dealers to view the 2009 Quintana Roo range of Tri Bikes.”

Silverfish UK
Marketing manager Pete Drew tells BikeBiz: “Core Bike is the trade show in the UK for us from both an exhibitor’s and a store’s point of view. Core Bike is a must-attend event each year because it gives us the chance to meet with our dealers from all over the country in a high quality location and spend time talking face to face with all of them. As much as it is our chance to show them our full product range, it is also their chance to get to know the people behind the brands, gain a great knowledge of our product range and provide vital feed-back on ways we can better to meet their daily needs in store.

“As with previous years, we will have representatives from our brands flying over for the show, including some very special guests on our booth. Core Bike will be our first official UK launch of the new Evil Bikes range to the trade and mark our ten-year anniversary.”

Buffera
Sarah Gowans at Buffera tells BikeBiz: “We exhibit at Corebike because we’re proud to be among such auspicious companies. Core Bike is one of the most focused trade shows available: top brands, top dealers and a great chance to tell the trade about what we do.

“Buff is still a new brand to many Core Bike visitors and as a strong supporter of cycle events we know there is consumer demand out there that dealers can translate into sales. We have a range of free, proven merchandising options which will help with Buff sales and a trade website that’s receiving much praise from existing customers – we aim to do everything we can to help our dealers succeed, from next-day delivery to staff training.

We will also be showing hides – multifunctional eyewear necessities and SueMe as a new brand of responsibly and ethically sourced sportswear at the 2009 show.”

Chicken Cycles
Mike Catlin, marketing manager of Chicken Cyclekit, says: “Core Bike is a good time to introduce our suppliers to the trade. They appreciate this and we think dealers do too. There is an exchange of information, particularly during a seminar. Our Continental visitors come from Italy (Cinelli, Las), Belgium (Sapim spokes) France (Time), Germany (SKS) and Holland (KMC). There’s enough space to exhibit full product ranges so that the depth of our stockholdings can really be appreciated. It’s a time to renew personal acquaintances with our customers. Core has a relaxed, business-like atmosphere in which we can further develop relationships to the benefit of suppliers and customers alike.

“There is always something new and a lot has happened to our company since the fire that nearly wiped us out. We have substituted brands. Mavic has been replaced by Rigida rims and Rigida Ryde wheels. Top end adidas clothing has been replaced by De Marchi, which is now distributed by us. Vredestein has been largely replaced by Vittoria. Other new brands are exclusive, like Squire Locks and Las helmets.”