Bikes, brands and launches at The Bike Show 2004

The latest bulletin from The Bike Show (16-18 April, NEC, Birmingham – that’s THIS WEEKEND) contains details of all sorts of new bikes, products and things to be revealed at the show. Brand new stuff includes the first public airings of the 2004 Muddy Fox range, Pace’s all-new RC40 fork (and not “RC30” as the press release has it, unless they’re re-releasing a teenaged rigid fork…) and a new range from Pashley. Non-MTB stuff includes Whisper carbon fibre road frames and the new Raleigh Chopper.

We’re told the the show will feature over 200 brands including (but not limited to) Airborne, Commencal, Cove, Diamondback, Fuji, FSA, Kona, Litespeed, Merlin, Moots, Mountain Cycle, Muddy Fox, Orange, Regal, Santa Cruz, Scott USA, Tomac, Turner, Yeti plus leading components from the likes of Azonic, Foes, Hope, Intense, Michelin and Pace.

You’ll even be able to try some of them out on the promising-sounding Outdoor Technical Trail. It’s “North Shore style” apparently, which we hope doesn’t mean “raining”. It’s worth heading over there just to grab a handful of exclusive Bike Show/Bikemagic stickers, of course…

And you’ve got all the usual live riding action with superstar names to boggle at. Various BM personnel will be around on Friday – say “hi” if you spot any of us.

You can still just about book in advance – tickets are £13 including guaranteed seating in the Diamondback Race Track grandstand. They’re another two quid (and probably a queue) on the door, so if you’re planning to go it’s well worth calling 0870 902 0444 or visiting www.thebikeshow.com.