Cycle Show: New goodies from Marzocchi, X-Fusion, Velocite, Storck, Intrepid, Diamondback, Haibike & more.

01:53PM Fri, 28th September 2012

Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre is hosting the 2012 Cycle Show this weekend. We went along for the trade-only day yesterday and went hunting for hidden gems among the obvious wares from Trek, Specialized and the other big boys.

Shows like this remind us how far the bike industry pendulum has swung back to skinny tyres in the last ten years. Today’s shows may not be dominated by mountain bikes, but there was still plenty of fat tyre stuff to look at and we unearthed a few hidden gems by our well-known technique of desperately begging our mates to show us something we hadn’t already seen.

Here’s a few of them, and don’t forget the gallery, where you’ll find lots more.

It wasn’t on display, but Dan from Marzocchi importer Windwave unboxed it to show us: the Corsa SL 29in Carbon fork from Marzocchi boasts nickel-plated stanchions, a deep brace for rigidity and a one-piece carbon fiber crown and steerer.

In a hidden office, down a corridor, with a sign on the door saying ‘beware of the scorpions’, Raleigh had this machine from Haibike. This is the German brand raced to Olympic silver by Sabine Spitz and Raleigh will be importing them from next year.

X-Fusion’s new Hilo SL post is claimed to weigh 100g less than the company’s previous model at 450g. We didn’t have scales with us but it felt not much heavier than a typical mid-grade OEM post.

Intrepid Apparel had a well-recieved new gilet in very light and soft stretch fleece. Jason from Intrepid was just back from taking the Interbike show by storm, though he says Americans just don’t understand why you’d wear a gilet.

Green is a bit of a miniitrend this year. Specialized are on board with one of our must-rides for 2013, the latest version of the Camber trail bike.

To go with your green Camber, how about a matching Tactic helmet, sir? Considering how similar it is to Specialized’s high-end helmets, the Tactic is a serious bargain for 55 quid.

650Bold as love? Raleigh was showing a completely revamped range of Diamondback mountain bikes and the development of the new range is ongoing, as this 2-14 roto 27.5/650B version of the Axis shows.

Trek is still offering top-flight 26ers like the Elite 8.9 hardtail with full Deore XT group, Fox fork and Bontrager Race Lite wheels on a lightweight aluminium frame and with a very cheery paint job.

Previous Next

Doom Bar, a leading supplier of post-ride recovery drinks for over-18 riders, had a popular stand.

Intrepid Apparel had a well-recieved new gilet in very light and soft stretch fleece. Jason from Intrepid was just back from taking the Interbike show by storm, though he says Americans just don't understand why you'd wear a gilet.

Intrepid Apparel's new 3/4-length-sleeve jerseys.

From nrg4, this twin-LED headlamp from Tumble and Fall pumps out 2000 Lumens

Tumble and Fall's 1200-Lumen Pro headlamp is great value for under £150.

The Unich range of pumps and CO2 inflators comes in a big range of colours and is all made from nicely-machined aluminium.

Unich big volume mini-pump, with a hose so you don't damage your valve moving it about.

The MSC and Aerozine component ranges from nrg4 include some very light and minimal gear such as these jockey wheels.

X-Fusion's new Hilo SL post is claimed to weigh 100g less than the company's previous model at 450g. We didn't have scales with us but it felt not much heavier than a typical mid-grade OEM post.

The X-Fusion Hilo SL post also gets a new joystick-style remote release.

X-Fusion also has several models of new fork. This is the 2013 Trace 29er fork with 34mm stanchions and 15mm Syntace tool-less axle. And one more very clever tweak...

The X-Fusion Trace has a one-piece, forged steerer and crown, which X-Fusion says increases stiffness of this area by 50 percent.

Green is a bit of a miniitrend this year. Specialized are on board with one of our must-rides for 2013, the latest version of the Camber trail bike.

To go with your green Camber, how about a matching Tactic helmet, sir? Considering how similar it is to Specialized's high-end helmets, the Tactic is a serious bargain for 55 quid.

Trek is still offering top-flight 26ers like the Elite 8.9 hardtail with full Deore XT group, Fox fork and Bontrager Race Lite wheels on a lightweight aluminium frame and with a very cheery paint job.

Kinesis UK say the green of their new Cross Light has led to a deluge oif requests for other models in the same shade. Is green the new black?

Yes, it's an electric mountain bike. The AVE XH-7 has a Bosch motor to assist the rider, and comes with a free face mask so nobody recognises you riding it. Okay, we made that last bit up.

Storck is known for amazing road bikes, so we're hoping their 700C expertise carries over to 29er mountain bikes with the new Rebel Nine hardtail.

Velocite's aluminium Flux turns out to be very nice indeed in the flesh.

Merged top and down tube to keep the head tube on the Flux 29er nice and short.

We approve the choice of a Magura TS8 fork on the Velocite Flux

650Bold as love? Raleigh was showing a completely revamped range of Diamondback mountain bikes and the development of the new range is ongoing, as this 2-14 roto 27.5/650B version of the Axis shows.

Smoothly flowing lines of the Haibike Light carbon hardtail.

De rigeur internal cables. Nice to see a combined top cap and spacer on the headset so the stem is completely filled with steerer.

Another hidden gem (Dan from Marzocchi importer Windwave unboxed it to show us), the Corsa SL 29in Carbon fork from Marzocchi boasts nickel-plated stanchions, a deep brace for rigidity and a one-piece carbon fiber crown and steerer.

Making a crown and steerer in one piece doesn't come cheap - you're not going to get much change out of a grand for this fork. But there will be less spendy versions too.

Need to keep your bike safe? Pragmasis make well-thought-out, heavily tested chains and ground anchors, plus this shed-reinforcement bar, the shed shackle.

These two hefty lumps of steel are a removable ground anchor. The right hand piece covers the left and a chain through the two loops holds them together.

Doom Bar, a leading supplier of post-ride recovery drinks for over-18 riders, had a popular stand.

Intrepid Apparel's new 3/4-length-sleeve jerseys.

From nrg4, this twin-LED headlamp from Tumble and Fall pumps out 2000 Lumens

Tumble and Fall's 1200-Lumen Pro headlamp is great value for under £150.

The Unich range of pumps and CO2 inflators comes in a big range of colours and is all made from nicely-machined aluminium.

Unich big volume mini-pump, with a hose so you don't damage your valve moving it about.

The MSC and Aerozine component ranges from nrg4 include some very light and minimal gear such as these jockey wheels.

X-Fusion's new Hilo SL post is claimed to weigh 100g less than the company's previous model at 450g. We didn't have scales with us but it felt not much heavier than a typical mid-grade OEM post.

The X-Fusion Hilo SL post also gets a new joystick-style remote release.

IMG_4336

X-Fusion also has several models of new fork. This is the 2013 Trace 29er fork with 34mm stanchions and 15mm Syntace tool-less axle. And one more very clever tweak...

The X-Fusion Trace has a one-piece, forged steerer and crown, which X-Fusion says increases stiffness of this area by 50 percent.

Green is a bit of a miniitrend this year. Specialized are on board with one of our must-rides for 2013, the latest version of the Camber trail bike.

To go with your green Camber, how about a matching Tactic helmet, sir? Considering how similar it is to Specialized's high-end helmets, the Tactic is a serious bargain for 55 quid.

Kinesis UK say the green of their new Cross Light has led to a deluge oif requests for other models in the same shade. Is green the new black?

Yes, it's an electric mountain bike. The AVE XH-7 has a Bosch motor to assist the rider, and comes with a free face mask so nobody recognises you riding it. Okay, we made that last bit up.

Storck is known for amazing road bikes, so we're hoping their 700C expertise carries over to 29er mountain bikes with the new Rebel Nine hardtail.

Velocite's aluminium Flux turns out to be very nice indeed in the flesh.

Merged top and down tube to keep the head tube on the Flux 29er nice and short.

We approve the choice of a Magura TS8 fork on the Velocite Flux

650Bold as love? Raleigh was showing a completely revamped range of Diamondback mountain bikes and the development of the new range is ongoing, as this 2-14 roto 27.5/650B version of the Axis shows.

Is anyone not using tapered head tubes?

In a hidden office, down a corridor, with a sign on the door saying 'beware of the scorpions, Raleigh had this machine from Haibike. This is the German brand raced to Olympic silver by Sabine Spitz and Raleigh will be importing them from next year.

Smoothly flowing lines of the Haibike Light carbon hardtail.

De rigeur internal cables. Nice to see a combined top cap and spacer on the headset so the stem is completely filled with steerer.

Another hidden gem (Dan from Marzocchi importer Windwave unboxed it to show us), the Corsa SL 29in Carbon fork from Marzocchi boasts nickel-plated stanchions, a deep brace for rigidity and a one-piece carbon fiber crown and steerer.

Making a crown and steerer in one piece doesn't come cheap - you're not going to get much change out of a grand for this fork. But there will be less spendy versions too.

Need to keep your bike safe? Pragmasis make well-thought-out, heavily tested chains and ground anchors, plus this shed-reinforcement bar, the shed shackle.

These two hefty lumps of steel are a removable ground anchor. The right hand piece covers the left and a chain through the two loops holds them together.

Previous Next