The first of January’s shows kicked off at London’s ExCeL, bringing to the exhibition centre four days of bikes, boats and Bear Grylls. Mark Sutton picks some of the highlights from the crowded isles…
ISON
ATB SALES The eye catcher from ATB’s stand came in the form of the addition of after-market branded Whyte components, “designed to keep the customer in the brand when things eventually wear out,” according to designer Ian Alexander. You’ll no doubt have caught wind of the
label’s own carbon fibre 29er wheels posted on BikeBiz.com last month, but these are followed by riser bars, grips, stems supplied with interchangeable coloured face plates and various saddles. The show also saw a debut appearance for
Whyte’s T129s full-suspension bike, said to have recently ‘blitzed’ a consumer magazine test. With Alexander’s own approach to full- suspension 29er design, this bike carries a sub 17-inch chainstay, allowing more length to be placed in the front and a slacker head angle built in for an agile build with ‘more pop’. These are in stock with ATB now and come in either a 100 or 120mm option, both retailing for £2,000.
Split into quarters, Ison brought four bike brands along to its stand, with the Salsa stand providing the most standout builds for consumers dazzled by the snow outside. Salsa’s fat-tyred BearGrease is something the
label’s own John Fleck hopes will catch on as the UK comes to terms with all-weather cycling. “I think inside a few years we will see the ‘fat bike’ become accepted as a category in its own right, particularly for the explorer” said Fleck. “It’s a viable bike year round and loads of fun
on any terrain. There’s half a dozen tyre styles to fit this bike, so there’s very little it can’t handle.” Salsa also debuted its new road-going disc- equipped frameset, the Collosal, in stock at Ison now and retailing for £899. Described as an all conditions endurance build, this bike will deal with light off-road should your customer be a fan of shortcuts. Surly is this year to change its model year
arrangement with shipments set to follow the traditional schedule as opposed to the previously employed September delivery.
USE AND EXPOSURE
SCHWALBE Following on from Ison’s solution to overcoming winter weather, Schwalbe introduced a new studded winter tyre with its KevlarGuard in sizes 700x30/35/40c and 26x 1.75. Carrying 12- spikes, the £30 tyre carries a reflective sidewall
Another new entry to the carbon wheels market, USE introduced a line of seven wheels, including one disc, a 29er clincher a cyclocross tubular and many more. Already an expert in aerodynamics and working with carbon, USE has coated each of its wheels in a ‘nanotech
BIKEBIZ FEBRUARY 29
and, should they be needed, the Tungsten Carbide studs can be ordered as spares if your customer does eventually wear them out. All Schwalbe’s low-end tyres have now been upgraded with Kevlar protection as standard.