BikeBiz Bicycle and cycling retail news
With a stable as big as Zyro’s the Cycle Vision series will have come as a welcome refresher for many dealers who made the journey. For those that missed out, BikeBiz reports on the London instalment of Cycle Vision…
Torq
Putting its point of sale testing stations to good use, Torq introduced three new products to the many dealers passing through.
First of all, Torq has added to its gel selection, adding an apple crumble flavour, which like all of Torq’s blends, offers 30 grams of fast-acting carbohydrate per sachet.
The second addition is a natural blackcurrant energy drink mixer to sit alongside the many other citrus-based blends currently available. This mild blend is unoffensive in taste and easily palatable.
Last of all, the nutrition label introduced a ‘cookies and cream’ flavoured recovery drink. Slightly thicker, this blend contains all the recovery proteins you’ll need post ride.
Zyro are offering a variety of point of sale options with buy ins. Dealers are able to access the tasting station from as little as an eight box commitment and will earn a free countertop stand. Each gel, bar or powder sachet retails for £1.45, excluding caffeinated products which sell for £1.75.
Abus
Few will have passed through the Cycle Vision halls without having their eye caught by Abus, which introduces the Pedelec helmet with both a built in LED and a hidden rain cover in the rear. With three flash modes, the triangular LED is visible throughout 180-degrees on the outer of the EPS double shell.
That’s not all though, the manufacturer also claims to have created the world’s only helmet with integrated visor, which you’ll be able to use and retract with a simple slider found in a frontal vent. The lenses are interchangeable should your customer like to fine tune their viewing experience.
On the security front, Abus’s Bordo series expands and trickles down, now beginning at just £39.99 for the smallest unit and £99.99 for the hefty Bordo Granit X Plus. For the eco-concious customer, Abus has also recently introduced the Bordo Ecolution, which features the same basic 5mm hardened steel lock, but this time with a recycled canvas cover and a synthetic coating mixed with biodegradable natural fibres.
Exteondo
Zyro’s premium road offering Exteondo had much to shout about, with the introduction of new women’s garments, the display of the Giant Shimano team kit manufactured by the brand in Spain and plenty of new catalogue highlights. A little fact we didn’t know prior to Cycle Vision – Exteondo is one of just seven firms licensed to use GoreTex fabrics.
The biggest news will be especially pleasing to those customers with a keen eye on weight. The label has introduced the Feather bib short, which is half the weight of your typical bib short at just 114 grams. Contrasting and comparing, the difference in the £169.99 garment was noticeable and comes with ‘no sacrifice in fabric technology’, according to the brand representatives that had flown in to speak with dealers.
Onto the women’s gear and Zyro has taken on stock of the new Kobina jersey at £89.99 and Bikona bib short at £69.99. Each is multi-panelled and designed around female contours.
Genuine Innovations
“We thought it was about time to make this type of inflation product easier to understand for the first time user.” That’s the thoughts of Genuine Innovations UK account manager Paul Sullivan who was busy talking dealers through the new Hammerhead system, which is actually fairly self-explanatory – simply push a button on the rear of the supplied cartridge head and inflate. The Hammerhead retails for £19.99 and is supplied with one cartridge.
Many would have noticed a packaging revamp throughout the range that makes all Genuine Innovations product just a little simpler, with information, specs and instructions all clearly visible on the packet.
Also introduced was a “cartridge for 29ers”, as put by Sullivan. “It’s the only 20 gram cylinder on the market at present and you’ll achieve full inflation from one cartridge, which wasn’t always possible until now.
Hamax
Hamax has come to market with a childseat able to universally fit to pannier racks of 12 to 18cm in width.
Dubbed the Caress, the system will clamp onto racks or even some e-bike batteries and even retains the suspension to ease the ride feel for the child. The new Caress will come in at £139.99, while a front seat, dubbed the Caress Observer also joins the catalogue at £79.99. An optional windscreen that works with the Observer retails for £29.99.
Altura
Revealed on BikeBiz.com just prior to the exhibitions, Altura’s Versa messenger and backpacks are all the more impressive when seen in the flesh.
The rugged tarpaulin construction combined with tried and tested Rixen and Kaul fittings should give both bags some longevity, but it’s the hidden details that impress. You’ll find features such as a U-lock sleeve, compartments for laptops upto 15-inches and tablet sleeves. There’s fleece lined pouches for phones and glasses, as well as reflective detailing and places to clip your lights. The 20-litre backpack retails for £74.99 and the messenger at £69.99. Both contain a hidden fluorescent rain cover.
Zyro also add to the catalogue three new commuter backpacks – the £39 Grid, £49 Zone and £59 Sector – as well as a handlebar and saddlebag, which also use Rixen Kaul fittings.
Onto clothing and the label continues to make progress with visiting dealers to Cycle Vision given a special opportunity to carry a commemorative Tour de France Welcome to Yorkshire jersey. There are limited numbers of the jerseys, which were offered exclusively at the show, with dealers signing up for packs of ten, with each jersey retailing for £45.
In other garment news, the Airstream casual line has been overhauled, with small price increases throughout, but many more additional features more than make up for the rises.
Female cyclists are also now served by a new ProGel bibshort and a £40 tech jersey made from soft fitted lycra with added reflective detailing. Colour coordination is now ever-present throughout the Altura catalogue, making it easier than ever to up-sell matching garments.
Panaracer
With the progress of 650b mountain bikes, Panaracer has introduced two new tyres to suit, one of which has been developed alongside rim experts Pacenti and features an all mountain suited tread in 2.1 and 2.3 widths.
For a lower rolling resistance and perhaps for when the trails turn a little dustier, Panaracer’s Quasi Moto 650b tyre will suit.
For the road cyclist who takes the occasional shortcut off road, the label has also introduced the Gravel King. This 120tpi tyre is resistant to puncture and will come in 23, 25 and 28c widths, with the 23c weighing in at a mere 220 grams.
Onto high-end road, look out for the Evo2 in 23 and 25c widths. This tyre has a special rubber compound that is said to be equally as good in wet and dry conditions and doesn’t react differently in high or low temperatures.
Fenwicks
Fenwicks has undergone some changes to packaging in response to feedback and you’ll now find twist tops as opposed to a pipette lid on all bottles.
With a big marketing push promised for 2014, as well as the sponsorship of the NFTO pro team, Fenwicks will be looking to build its brand awareness to the levels some of its competitors enjoy.
On the products front, there’s a new 250ml size for lubricants, retailing at £20 a bottle and 100ml for £10. The Fast Blast degreaser also joins the range, combining four solvents and a PH neutral formula to remove dirt quickly without any nasty side effects.
