The Cycle Show is currently on at Earls Court and yesterday I cycled over to checkout the latest gear and bikes on display. If you wish to visit you can still book tickets from the official site and using the code IVY courtesy of Spencer Ivy you get 30% off.
Electric bikes are out in force
A number of manufacturers are keen to jump on-board the electric bike market. One that is generally targeted at non-cyclists rather than people who are quite happy getting the pedal powered exercise.
Of particular interest was Spencer Ivy who have two bikes on display: Spencer and Ivy. A male and a female version. The electric bikes have an impressive 50 mile battery range and look stunning. Both bikes are designed to be very functional with classic features such as a bike rack, chain cage and low maintenance components. All common place in similar Dutch style bikes. As I trotted over I noticed there was particular interest from the guys at Future Publishing who run a load of popular cycling mags.
As IVY said himself the bikes will appeal to commuters, busy moms and over 50’s. If you fall into any of those categories swing by on the far left of the cycle show to check them out.
Enter competitions, try free samples and watch people do stunning things on their bikes
This is generally the idea of the show. I was told in particular some of the energy bars really did give you a rather extreme boost. Try them out!
Recording your bike commute or downhill action
One particular cycle show stand that caught my eye is this Muvi range of cameras. Priced generally at an affordable -ish £75+ these mini cameras can easily clip onto your shirt or be mounted to your handlebars. They’ll definitely be of interest to people recording their commute for security purposes of which a couple have emailed me recently.
I Bike London, Cyclodelik and fashionable cycling clothes
Towards the back of the show to the left there is plenty of excellent cycling clothing on show. The stuff by I Bike London and Spokeshirts make a good and sometimes humorous purchase. Of course while you’re there don’t forget to checkout the Cyclodelik range by Amy.
Topeak with a good new commuter range
A popular brand with commuters is Topeak and they’ve got their new 2011 range on the way to bike shops. To get a bit of a preview head to their stand.
Tracking your cycling
Of course Garmin were present to display their latest Garmin 800 which was receiving a thorough amount of interest. However, these newbies to the cycle tracking game caught my eye. O_synce do an impressively easy to configure set of bike computers. You simply plug the computer into your USB and can upload all your data. The company is also teamed up with a training partner who can provide you a training plan based on your workouts.
Any URL for that O_Synce company ? When I google it I get only some geeky Linux file system system call.
Yep.. it’s distributed by Extra UK:
http://www.extrauk.co.uk/product/list/O-Synce/Cycle_Computers/
Electric bikes are very popular in China. Disconcerting in a way, but fast and easy way to get about.
Hi, I too went to the exhibition and was impresed with Thorns Nomad cycle, unfortunatly at £2300 its the closest im going to try these wonderful bikes out.
Hey Andreas, Good to see you there on Saturday. Did you have a go on the Penny Farthing? Those muvi cameras look interesting. Don’t forget the bike Yoga stand!
Sorry i mean ‘Thursday’ not Saturday!
My favourite bikes were the John Cooper bikes so simple and classic in their design. I have a Mini Cooper for when I am not on the bike but didn’t realise that the John Cooper workshop produced such special bikes.
http://www.cooperbikes.com
My favourite is the Championship 50. I want one!!!
I had a wizz round the commuter track trying out a couple of folding bikes i’m thinking of upgrading to. I also joined the london cycling campaign and signed both of their petitions (no more lethal lorries and cycle parking for london) entered a few comps, bought a t shirt from sustrans and some gear from the cycle store, drooled over the impressive array of spanking new bikes and wound down for lunch at the bmx competiton. A fun day 🙂
The highlight of my trip to this years Cycle Show was seeing this;
http://www.mesurf.com.au/ProductDetail.aspx?id=1736&name=bike-apparel-|-vans-x-brooks-saddle
A genuine Momento Mori what with the skull and ornate floral embossing.
HI A,
I’d actually printed out your tips and took them with me to the Cycle Show, so thanks for all those tips! I was glad that the show wasn’t too big and that one could take in pretty much everything in a few hours, and then “relax” by the BMX course and watch some amazing tricks. My highlight was getting some great armwarmers and trying out a few weird bikes on teh commuter course. I wrote a little blod post on my blog, if anyone is interested in it: http://annacyclestoparis.blogspot.com/2010/10/bike-porn-show-2010-aka-cycle-show.html
cheers, a.
Good stuff Anna – glad you enjoyed!
I also felt that there was a big focus on electric bikes, much more so than in previous years. I’m still not convinced that the UK market is that big here. Not so much either on hybrids, but a strong focus on folding bikes, with some very neat models on show.