BikeBiz Bicycle and cycling retail news
Now well established on the trade calendar, Silverstone will once again host The Bike Place come January 26th through 28th. BikeBiz has rounded up a selection of some of the product highlights to whet your palettes…
With plans to house over 30 cycling distributors, the Bike Place show has come a long way in the three years since its debut exhibition. Having revealed a guest list that includes the likes of the Cycling Sports Group, Triton Imports and Velobrands, over 100 labels are expected to be represented, with many showing product to retailers for the first time.
Overlooking the Silverstone circuit, the hangar housing the show this year will be noticeably larger in order to accommodate all those signed up, with room to spare for a ShoreTrax portable MTB demo track. There may also be an opportunity to go for a spin on the track itself, though this is still to be confirmed.
Without further ado, let’s have a look at a selection of the product that’ll be on show.
Greenover
This will be the first time Greenover has taken Rocky Mountain to Silverstone, but that’s not all. The firm has told BikeBiz that it will be introducing a brand called Wishbone Design, who is known for its wooden balance bikes. Thanks to a modular construction, the bowed frame can flip, handily raising the saddle height as the child grows, as well as turning into a trike, should a bit more balance assistance be required by the rider.
R53 Sport
Returning for a second year, R53 is anticipating a big year with Pyga Bikes having scored numerous positive reviews in the consumer press. At the Bike Place show R53 is expected to launch two more new models, the Pyga Pascoe (140mm 650B) and Pyga Zero, a 650B carbon hardtail frame, with the same ‘fun and fast’ geometry.
A fresh version of the extremely popular ICE dropper post is also set for launch at the show, dubbed the V8 Deluxe. A newly-designed remote lever, with a more precise function make up the changes, while the retail price actually decreases.
GearMechHanger.com
With over 300 replacement hangers now in its catalogue, gearmechhanger.com claims to now be the UK’s largest supplier of CNC machined frame spares.
To be introduced at the show, the engineering firm will reveal a workshop box containing all of the best-selling hangers, ideal for backing up the numerous brands that you may carry in store.
Cycling Sports Group
In its debut year at Silverstone, Cycling Sports Group is expected to bring along Mongoose, Eclat, Charge, Salt, Fuse, GT and Cannondale for the ride.
Expect to see some of the many developments that have been brewing with high-end BMX label Eclat, including fresh coloured tyres, the beefy Maverick cranks and perhaps the recently spotted Eclat Blind freecoaster hub.
Evolution
Expect plenty of eye catchers from Evolution, with products like the limited edition turquoise Chris King hub, headset and bb shells. Delivery of some of these sought after parts will land in the UK during mid-January in time for the show.
The Bike Place will also be an early opportunity to check out the newly added Pacenti rims line, with which Evolution are offering wheelbuild packages alongside Chris King hubs.
Gigapower
With a new brake pad designed specifically for carbon fibre wheels on the way, Gigapower will be worth a visit for the high-end road retailer in particular.
A specially formulated brake pad for electric bikes is also set to debut alongside two new counter top display stands to support stockists.
Stanton Bikes
Derbyshire’s Stanton Bikes will displaying its line of steel and titanium hardtail frames.
Having made the Dirt 100 with the Slackline 853 in 2011, the company has since gone on to develop further frames, which are available to retail stockists with an interest in fine handmade product.
Complete builds, such as an XT spec Ti Slackline and a new dirt build, both of which have been noted in the most recent Dirt 100 will be on show. Though the pick of the bunch, we’re told, will be the introduction a new XC/trail 29er frame, dubbed the Sherpa and made from Reynolds 853. There will also be a 650b gravity enduro frame called the Switchback launched at the exhibition.
ByoCycles
Finally, one for the e-curious or e-savvy retailers out there, ByoCycles will be exhibiting its wares.
With components sourced from only the most reliable industry manufacturers, ByoCycles are building confidence into its line, which now includes a folding bike.
The Bike Place will be perhaps the first showing of the new Zest 26-inch, offering pedal assistance delivered by a 250w brushless geared motor and 36v 9ah li-ion battery.
Registration for the show is now live at www.thebikeplaceshow.co.uk
