Zyro Open House round-up

BikeBiz took more pictures at Zyro’s Open House than it could squeeze in here. To see the full gallery head to our Facebook page and click ‘Like’. If you are already a fan of BikeBiz on Facebook then you can view the Open House 2012 gallery directly here.

First up, one of Zyro’s newest additions – SQ Labs – takes a different approach to saddles. No two backsides are the same – “a saddle must fit like shoes”, the brand says – so SQ Labs has devised a simple way of measuring the space between the seat bones, which thankfully doesn’t involve a tape measure and screens. Instead a simple seat (available to stores through Zyro) and a sheet of cardboard mark the distance between the bones (once a customer has sat on it). Then a quick check on a chart reveals the ideal saddle shape. All of which is impossible to do online, so SQ Labs is a natural fit for physical stores. The custom specialist also takes into account the natural sway movement with saddles that rock with the rider’s pedalling motion. The SQ line-up also includes grips, which vary again depending on the discipline.

XeNTiS’ high-end wheel offering (unusual capitalisation and all) is another of Zyro’s new brands – a logical choice for the distributor while the high-end of the market continues to flourish despite the downturn. The Austrian handmade line-up includes wheels for road, MTB and tri, where it is perhaps best known. ZeNTiS uses its own patented brake surface which, it says, sees no wearing while providing top performance in wet and dry conditions. There’s the attention to detail you’d expect in a range that sees prices hit £1,599.99 (for the TT clincher and tubular carbon) with great lengths gone to, to ensure the spokes are straight (using a XeNTiS devised link). As with SQ Labs, there is focus on IBDs with ‘Buy it local’ POS is available via Zyro.

Zyro’s Bodyfit range has a brand new logo and fresh designs created in-house. The firm is looking to broaden the appeal of the entry-level brand, not least with the introduction of the Classic saddles, complete with copper rivets and in the case of the Classic Spring Deluxe, huge old-school spring action. The firm also hinted at future development of the performance range.

Meanwhile, Tortec’s line-up is broadening. Also designed in-house by Zyro, the new lines includes the Epic Stainless Steel rack, pitched at touring cyclists with substantial loads to bear. It cunningly uses a triangulated frame for added stability, for a maximum load of 40kg.

The brand has also created a fancy sleek new Air Cage, made from a lightweight thermo composite and available in three colours, priced at £9.99 each.

Last year’s Sufferfest promo was a success for Minoura, the firm told the journos at Rudding Park. But this year the firm has developed a cunning plan to bring power training to a broader audience while simultaneously giving existing users more reasons to use Minoura. The heart of the system is a £6.99 app – ‘Live Training’ for the iPhone, Pad or Pod. Linking up (via an ANT+ dongle) with Minoura’s V-series, plus multiple speed, cadence and heart rate sensors, the consumer can map his or her training, recreate rides by downloading a GPS file or share data via links to social media. As one of the very few apps that is trainer specific, the line-up is set to offer consumers something a bit different. An Android version has not been ruled out, we’re told.

Panaracer has a new 29er option in the Driver Pro, ideal for all-mountain, XC or race, while the relationship with cycle superstar Cedric Gracia continues to bear fruit with CG Downhill 26 x 2.50.

Fenwicks has taken a long hard look at its range and redesigned its packaging. Most importantly of all, the names of its products have been revised to simple, product names. Smaller versions of the Foaming Chain Cleaner, Disc Brake Cleaner, Suspension Lube Spray have been introduced to allow riders to pack more into their tool kits. The firm has also created an eye-catching new chain lube range under the ‘Stealth’ label. The road lube provides, well, stealthy performance being amazingly quiet and displaying exceptional longevity, we were told. The tough MTB Stealth Lube is suitable for all weathers and, like the road version, is priced at £9.99.

CatEye has released a wealth of new computers, ranging from refreshes to brand new iterations, including the Fit Computer. Rolling a pedometer and cycle computer into one simple, clean white unit, the natty device is expected to appeal to fitness and female markets, retailing at £69.99, complete with wheel sensor.

The firm also has a patriotic take on the cycle computer in time for the London 2012 Olympics. The popular Strada Wireless is now available in Team GB colours and priced at £49.99. The wildly popular V-Series line saw 250 per cent growth last year and has been upgraded, while the Strada Compact is among the computers given a fresh look.

Another of Zyro’s new brands, Hamax child carriers now sport a new lightweight fastening bracket, available both separately and incorporated within the new ranges. The secure fixing indicators have been revamped and there’s also a lockable version of the bracket on Hamax’s top end products.

Other tweaks promise to make the seats easier to use, including a new chest buckle that can be fitted with one hand, and also when the child already has their helmet on. An inflatable air cover has been launched to up comfort levels and other new accessories include rain covers and spare bar options so Hamax seats can be fitted to virtually any type of bicycle.
With parents understandably keen to garner advice on the child seat ranges before they buy, the range is again being touted as a natural fit for physical High Street retailers.

The folks behind Altura have been working hard on branding over recent months, resulting in fresh logos, a new website, a sportive series, glossy videos and more.

New commuter-aimed jerseys in the Metro range have been introduced with trousers and ¾ lengths made with strong stretchy fabric that definitely won’t look out of place off the bike. Also new in the Metro range is the short sleeve jersey – again designed to look just as good off the bike as on – in the polo style, the collar of which does up with a handy magnet while riding.

Other additions to the range include the Ergofit comp shorts – a waist version of the bib shorts aimed at those new to road cycling, who are maybe put off with full-on bib shorts, developed following requests from dealers. There’s plenty more, of course. Head to www.altura.eu to find out more.

According to Bryton, there’s plenty of potential in the GPS market yet to be tapped. Now a year into its relationship with Zyro, Bryton has moved its full range of computers in, including the Rider 40, designed specifically for competitive road cyclists. But it is Rider 20 that the firm is pinning high expectations to. The cheapest cycle GPS device in Bryton’s range, it retails at £99.99, or £139.99 with a Heart Rate Monitor.

The last of the new brands, Spanish high end apparel focused Etxeondo hasn’t really had much of a crack at the UK market despite over three decades under its well tailored belt. But all that is set to change with Zyro and the enthusiastic brand is keen to make an impression on these shores. Another of the high-end brand acquisitions hoped to do well in our tough climate, the range includes feather-light bib shorts (119g for a size medium) and Zyro is looking for a select number of retailers to stock the range. Find out more from the firm directly.

Elsewhere, Prologo has the new Scratch Pro Plus saddle, Powerbar is launching a new hydrogel in June and Camelbak’s lumber reservoirs take the weight of water off those weary shoulders. For more on all these and more, contact Zyro on 01845 521742.

Here’s that link to the Zyro Open House 2012 gallery again, from BikeBiz’s Facebook pages.