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Cycle Show 2004

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01 / Original postCycle Show 2004JohnB · 23 Sep 2004 02 / This pagePosts 1–12Page 1 of 1 · chronological order 03 / Latest replyPost #12Email address hidden · 25 Sep 2004

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UK and Europe
Published
23 September 2004
Last activity
25 September 2004
Original author
JohnB
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12
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Public discussion
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364
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Topics
Recumbent cycling

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  1. Original post
    JohnB
    Archived post
    #1

    Just back from the Islington Cycle Show.

    There were loads of bikes and a *lot* of road bikes and hybrids but
    quite a dearth of bike 'bits'. I was pleasantly <ducks> surprised at
    the low number of MTBs - I had expected the Show to be dominated by them
    but there were quite a few chopper/American big tyre type cruisers around.

    The gallery area was perhaps the best with the smaller companies
    displaying. I had a good look at the adult KMX, and its some machine for
    its low price.
    The two new trices were also displayed - the T and the Q and at only
    £1599 will certainly attract more into dark side. There was also a Trice
    Pixie that had been dismantled and squeezed into a suitcase.
    Several stands had folders/small wheelers, with AVC having some pretty
    dinky Dahon machines in flowery designs.

    The Hub area with the Campaign organisations was very quiet, although
    like at the York Rally I thought the CTC did not do themselves justice.

    I had gone specifically to look at cycling safety aids of which there
    were a few - flashing vests, pedals that lit up when rotating, and
    bright rucksac covers, so it was a reasonably worthwhile visit,
    especially as I came away with a few free samples :-)

    If you are looking for a new road bike, I'd say a journey would be well
    worth while, otherwise I'm not so sure.

    John B

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  2. Simonb
    Archived post
    #2
    JohnB said:

    If you are looking for a new road bike, I'd say a journey would be
    well worth while, otherwise I'm not so sure.

    Is it possible to ride any of the bikes on show?

    Report
  3. JohnB
    Archived post
    #3
    Simonb said:


    JohnB said:

    If you are looking for a new road bike, I'd say a journey would be
    well worth while, otherwise I'm not so sure.

    Is it possible to ride any of the bikes on show?

    There was a try out area but not for the vast majority of bikes at the Show.
    When I glanced in it was pretty deserted, but that could have been
    because it was the trade session and it was quiet anyway.
    I don't think it would be suitable for riding the £5000 Airborne tho'.

    John B

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  4. Tumbleweed
    Archived post
    #4

    "Simonb" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:
    JohnB said:

    If you are looking for a new road bike, I'd say a journey would be
    well worth while, otherwise I'm not so sure.

    Is it possible to ride any of the bikes on show?

    Not really. Or at least not today, there were about 4 adult bikes for try
    out, and lots of kids bikes with lots of kids riding them :-) I was the
    only adult when I tried out a rohloff equipped MTB (not that I wanted an mtb
    but it was that or nothing if I wanted to try a rohloff)

    I was surprised at the number of major makes that werent there. Dawes &
    Cannondale & Ridgeback missing that I noticed. It was also smaller than I
    thought it would be. As the OP said, a good percentage of road bikes.
    SJS had a good stand for anyone who wanted to see one of their tourers up
    close.

    --
    Tumbleweed

    email replies not necessary but to contact use;
    tumbleweednews at hotmail dot com

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  5. Colin McKenzie
    Archived post
    #5
    JohnB said:

    There was a try out area but not for the vast majority of bikes at the Show.
    When I glanced in it was pretty deserted, but that could have been
    because it was the trade session and it was quiet anyway.

    I wanted to have a go, but after I'd filled in the form the man on
    duty said I had to wear a helmet. I said I wouldn't wear one, so no ride.

    The organisers, or their insurers, need a rocket up the backside for this.

    Colin McKenzie

    --
    The great advantage of not trusting statistics is that
    it leaves you free to believe the damned lies instead!

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  6. DG
    Archived post
    #6

    Didn't bother going this year.

    Went last year, expecting to be able to pick up something - most trade type
    shows have some trade capability, but nothing.

    Lots to look at but no more. Didn't consider it worth spending £12 (plus
    £25for travel) to go window shopping!

    Unless the show format changes, I will not go next year either.

    DG

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  7. Richard Goodman
    Archived post
    #7

    "DG" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:

    Didn't bother going this year.

    Went last year, expecting to be able to pick up something - most trade
    type shows have some trade capability, but nothing.

    Lots to look at but no more. Didn't consider it worth spending £12 (plus
    £25for travel) to go window shopping!

    Unless the show format changes, I will not go next year either.

    I'll be going, but only because it won't cost me anything. I do find it
    interesting to browse, but I also do not see why exhibitors should not be
    able to sell from their stands. I would prefer it if they could and do not
    think the show serves as useful a purpose as it would if they did. The best
    part about shows is impulse buying - especially when a genuinely good price
    is offered!

    Rich

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  8. David
    Archived post
    #8

    "DG" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

    Quoted message said:

    Didn't bother going this year.

    Went last year, expecting to be able to pick up something - most trade type
    shows have some trade capability, but nothing.

    Lots to look at but no more. Didn't consider it worth spending £12 (plus
    £25for travel) to go window shopping!

    Unless the show format changes, I will not go next year either.

    DG

    I went yesterday, I have never been to this show before, and I was
    pretty disappointed for my 12 quid. Almost all bikes were static (ie
    bolted down) displays, so it was not possible to lift, move or bounce
    the bikes to even get a feel for them.
    I asked a guy on the GORE stand how much a waterproof was. He checked
    but pointed out that they were not selling anything at the show. Do
    you have any catalogues then ? No, he replieed we want people to buy
    online. Disappointing.

    The tryout zone was an empty loading area in the basement, with about
    ten bikes available, none of which I would call mainstream:
    recumbents, bikes with baby chairs, strange little trikes...

    It was all a bit disappointing really and the most useful bit of info
    I got was a dealer list and a recommendation to "support my local
    bikeshop". A laudable aim, but this was supposed to be a national show
    providing the larger view.

    Dave

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  9. Jack Ouzzi
    Archived post
    #9

    On 24 Sep 2004 23:58:42 -0700, [email hidden] (David)

    Quoted message said:

    I asked a guy on the GORE stand how much a waterproof was. He checked
    but pointed out that they were not selling anything at the show. Do
    you have any catalogues then ? No, he replieed we want people to buy
    online. Disappointing.

    When are retailers going to learn in the UK ??

    A bit OT but reminds me of a summer holiday in Dawlish Devon, went to
    get some nice fresh rolls for breakfast, went into the (fully opened
    door) shop, windows stacked top to bottom with bread products at about
    08:15 ............ "ten crusty rolls please" "Sorry we don't open
    until 9 o'clock"

    )(*&£+~:+_ yer rolls up yer %^$£"()*&^

    Sad really !!

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  10. JohnB
    Archived post
    #10
    Richard Goodman said:

    I'll be going, but only because it won't cost me anything. I do find it
    interesting to browse, but I also do not see why exhibitors should not be
    able to sell from their stands.

    Some were selling to the public but they were far and few between.
    You could certainly buy books and videos, and buy and subscribe to magazines.
    Not much else tho'.
    Perhaps as well as the trade displays there should be an area set aside
    for sales.

    John B

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  11. JohnB
    Archived post
    #11
    Jack Ouzzi said:


    On 24 Sep 2004 23:58:42 -0700, [email hidden] (David)

    Quoted message said:

    I asked a guy on the GORE stand how much a waterproof was. He checked
    but pointed out that they were not selling anything at the show. Do
    you have any catalogues then ? No, he replieed we want people to buy
    online. Disappointing.

    When are retailers going to learn in the UK ??

    To be fair, many of the big names displaying at the Show would not be
    selling direct to the public anyway. They would be selling to the LBSs.
    They would be wanting customers to be supporting their LBS and to be
    asking for their products.
    If they sold direct it would put many of the LBSs out of business,
    which would be a Bad Thing as it would cut off the route to their end user.
    Most stands I asked prices, at questioned me as to whether wanted to buy
    at trade prices as this was the market they were aiming to reach.

    John B

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  12. Email address hidden
    Archived post
    #12
    David said:

    "DG" <[email hidden]> wrote in message


    news:<[email hidden]>...

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    Didn't bother going this year.

    Went last year, expecting to be able to pick up something - most


    trade type

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    shows have some trade capability, but nothing.


    The tryout zone was an empty loading area in the basement, with about
    ten bikes available, none of which I would call mainstream:
    recumbents, bikes with baby chairs, strange little trikes...

    It was all a bit disappointing really

    surely that is (one of) the point(s) of the show, to try out some
    different beats. I reckon I will go downstairs and have a look now. I
    wasn't going to bother

    best wishes
    james (bona fide industry member (consumer), thanks for the suggestion
    Sandy)

    Report

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