Exhibitions

A Review of 2009 Autumn Bike Shows Text& Photos: Editorial Dept.

Eurobike Participation Sets New Milestone

articipation at the 2009 Eu- square meters of display space Probike show set a new re- was an increase of 15% com- cord, and the energy levels were pared with the year before. high. There were 1,028 partici- The mountain bikes at pating vendors—up 10% com- the show boasted light weight, pared with the previous year— bright colors, many full suspen- and the show used 14 exhibition sion designs, and even longer ►KTM introduced this front suspension e-bike; halls plus some open-air space. suspension travel. MTBs showed the rear wheel has a BionX electric hub, and the The total of more than 100,000 increasing emphasis on overall whole bike weighs only 21 kg.

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▲The 2010 Giant Faith is marketed as a freeride bike; it has a 7" travel, employs an OverDrive head set, and is equipped with exchangeable dropouts.

▲TAITRA invited Kenda, Giant, Pacific Cycle, Kind Shock, and Ming Cycle to appear at a press conference publicizing winners of the Taiwan Innovalue award.

color schemes, and almost all chainwheel. In addition, the show Autumn Bike Shows bikes, parts, and accessories were displayed some e-MTBs, which

extremely colorful. This added cater to off-road enthusiasts in ▲Weighing only 9.5 kg, Scott's brand-new Spark a strong element of fashion to their fifties and sixties who may RC full suspension bike is equipped with SRAM the show. Furthermore, thanks not have the hill-climbing energy XX components and the newly-developed Twin- Lock shift lever. to the use of high-tech carbon they once had. fiber materials and technolo- As always road bikes fea- gies, mountain bikes managed tured even more extreme efforts weights, wheelset design also to achieve even lower weights to cut weight, and the market emphasized balance. without compromising stiffness was led by ultra-stiff carbon fiber and strength. Some mountain frames and parts. Other notable German Sales bikes even approached the weight features included integrated de- Plunge 8% of road bikes. Numerous MTB signs, wireless transmission sys- models embraced carbon for the tems, and increased use of elec- According comments made first time, and took advantage of tronics. Furthermore, mid-level in September by Rolf Lemberg, this material’s light weight and groups (Force, Ultegra, Athena) managing director of German strength. In order to enhance rid- continued to improve and chal- two-wheeler industry association ing fun and safety, tour/marathon lenge high-end components, ZIV, German bicycle sales fell by bikes increased suspension travel giving enthusiasts an even wider 8% during the first half of 2009. to 120 mm, while all-mountain range of options. Integrated bot- Although Germany’s bicycle bikes increased travel to 150 mm, tom bracket systems (BB30, industry weathered the global or even 180 mm in the case of FR BB90) and tapered head tube economic crisis fairly well, said and 200 mm in the case of DH. designs boosted frame stiffness Lemberg, it certainly was far In the wake of SRAM’s introduc- and pedaling efficiency. One- from untouched by the downturn. tion of the XX 2 x 10 group, FSA piece seat tubes and streamlined, According to ZIV data, 2.55 mil- has introduced the 386 group, recessed designs became the lion were sold on the which contains a notable two-ring norm. Apart from steadily lighter German market during the first

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▲The beer flowed freely when Germany's MessingSchlager held its ▲Shown from left to right are Marwi CEO Patrick Pai, Pai's son Pai You-wei, 80th anniversary Party, and hosts and guests all had a great time. Shown Marwi Europe GM Martin K. Vogt, GM James Huang, and special assistant Liu here are President Mr. Messingschlager (center), Kenda GM Hongder Chung-liang. Chang (left), and Kenda Vice President Jimmy Yang (right).

▲Prophete President Berthold Lionne is shown with FEI MIN President ▲According to Mifa Purchasing Manager Maik Walther (second from left), Hsu Min (left) and Romania DHS President Niu Kuang-hui (right). although Mifa's sales shrank by 15% during the first half of 2009, profit increased by 10%. half of 2009, while 2.77 million fell by approximately 5.4% from bikes were sold during the same 1.77 million during the first half period of 2008. Lemberg also of 2008 to 1.68 million during the pointed out that the percentage of same period of 2009. Lemberg bikes sold through the IDB chan- was quite upbeat about the pros- nel reached a historic high during pects of e-bikes in Germany and 2009; this percentage rose from Europe, and noted that, in spite 56% in 2006 to 63% in 2008, and of the recession, e-bike sales continued to climb to over 65% increased during the first half of during the first half of 2009. the year. ZIV also forecast that A total of 1.15 million bi- bicycle sales leveled off during cycles were produced in Germa- the second half of the year, and ny during the first half of 2009, suggested that the overall drop in which was a drop of nearly 28% sales volume for the whole year compared with the 1.59 million would not exceed 8%. Eurobike ▲Eurobike CEO Klaus Wellmaun (left) with bikes produced during the same 2010 will be held September 1-4. Eurobike project manager Stefan Reisinger (right) and CBA Chairman Zhong Chao Ma period of 2008. Bicycle imports (center).

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▲Specialized's intense marketing ▲Eurobike GM Erich Reiss has ▲Severine Lionne, general manager ▲Thanks to GM Mathias Seilder, efforts in Europe have been rewarded played a vital role in Eurobike's of Germany's Cycle Union. Germany's Derby Cycle has with a steadily rising market share. successful growth and dominance of maintained steady sales and a good The photo shows CEO Mike the bicycle trade show market. reputation throughout the current Sinyard. recession.

◄SRAM introduced the XX 2x10 ►Import/Export component group. The D e p a r t m e n t group's ultra-light one- Manager Evgeni piece aluminum alloy Tanov of the openwork freewheels assembly firm (with eight wheels) are a Velomania. technical marvel!

◄Trek's top-of-the-line Fuel EX9.9 ◄Corratec's Revolution now carbon fiber bike is equipped with the includes a one-piece Air Tech brand-new Fox RP23 rear shock; the carbon version weighing only whole bicycle weights only 10.7 kg. 10.35 kg.

▲Fuji's lightweight carbon fiber front suspension SLM Ltd weighs ▲Cannondale's new All Mountain comes as RZ One20 with a less than 9 kg. travel of 120 mm or a RZ One40 with a travel of 140 mm.

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▲The Tago multifunctional city bike can be used for riding, carrying children, shopping, and window-shopping, and can be converted to a push- ▲Merida introduced the hydraulic formed aluminum Fully One. cart. Twenty with suspension travel of 120 mm.

▲Merida's brand-new top-end All-Mountain ▲ Cannondale brand-new carbon fiber Flash is ▲Specialized's sparkling-new aluminum Enduro Trans Mission Carbon boasted a new carbon rear equipped with a carbon fiber one-piece Lefty fork, DT Comp has a travel of 160 mm and a weight of only triangle and a suspension travel of 140 mm. Swiss carbon fiber wheelsets, and ultra-light hollow 13.5 kg. cranks, and weighs a mere 7.5kg.

Flye's full suspension Off-Road e-bike is equipped with lithium batteries.

▲Maxxis' top-end Courchevel ▲Centurion's highly creative concept bike employs a triple formulation and integrates the lock, air pump, and hand tools Kevlar Belt anti-puncture technology. with the frame.

▲GT's Fury Speca has a front suspension travel of 203 mm.

▲The Dogma 60.1 is 's first road frame with a completely asymmetric design, and is equipped with the exclusive Diamond finish. Exhibitions

▲Corratec displayed this colorful time ▲Winora's futuristic Town:exp nine-speed e-bike runs ▲Ghost's new AMR Lector 9500 features a suspension trial bike in line with its slogan "Color on lithium batteries. travel of 120 mm and a weight of 10.9 kg. Your Way."

▲Selle Italia's revolutionary Monolink carbon fiber seat post weighs 160 g. Also shown is the SLR Team Edition Flow Monolink saddle (top), which weighs 130g.

▲Trek's brand-new high-end Madona road bike is equipped with a Di2 electronics shift and boasts an integrated design. The has been enlarged from 68mm to 90 mm.

◄Time's new road bike clipless pedals. They have adjustable carbon fiber blades and weigh a tiny 170 g!

▲Mavic's all-new Crossmax ▲Mavic's newly unveiled ▲DT Swiss' wheelsets are ST Disc wheels employ R-SYS Ultimate wheelsets widely used on new 2010 exclusive ISM (Inter Spoke use the company's exclusive bikes. ▲Three leading mid-end shift systems—SRAM Force, Milling) technology, and TraComp anti-deflection Ultegra, and Athena—have been feature a lighter and stronger technology; a set weighs upgraded this year, and are now challenging high-end design; a set weighs only 1,385 g. systems! 1,615 g.

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▲Prologo's brand-new Nago Evo TRI 40 saddle is specifically intended for long- and medium-distance triathlon use, and weighs a mere 170 g. ▲Tektro's Auriga E-camp disc brake combines with brake light. ▲Look's new KEO 2MAX clipless pedals for road bikes.

▲FSA K-Force light 386.

▲Quick release pedal from Xpedo.

▲Fox's brand-new 32Talas RLC suspension fork ▲YUEN I's adjustable height bike uses Fox's exclusive FIT rack. technology and has an open bath system. The fork's weight has been reduced ▲Campagnolo's mid-end Zonda wheelsets by 70 g. ▲Ten-speed freewheel from Agogo have been upgraded to 2-Way-Fit, and weigh weighs only 107g. 1,580 g.

▲In 2009, Fulcrum introduced Red Zone XLR and Red Fire wheelsets for all ▲Scandiun Alexrims XCR Pro rim ▲Kenda reveals its first tubular road ▲ Maxxis's most popular anti-puncture mountain and freeride bikes. weighs only 310g. tire Super Domestique. city and trekking tires.

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Italian Cycle Shows in 2009

few years ago, Milan Bike even major manufacturers were AS how was moved to No- smaller than in the past. Aside vember and held concurrently from Scott, none of the leading with the Milan Motorcycle international brands bothered Show (EICMA), and the show’s to exhibit, and even the local atmosphere and effectiveness brands Pinarello and Wilier were declined steadily from that absent. point on. In 2009, the organiz- In her opening speech, ers held the show independently Italian Environment Minister in September (9/18-21), and Stefania Prestigiacomo an- repositioned it as a trade show nounced that, in the wake of the ▲ Italian Environment Minister Stefania Prestigiacomo (right) announced that the as opposed to a consumer show. past investment of €11.4 million government would invest another €7.60 million The organizers invited Italian to encourage the public to buy to stimulate bicycle sales. Environment Minister Stefania bicycles and e-bikes, the govern- Prestigiacomo and Lombardy ment had decided to invest an- bicycle system in 2009, and 100 Regional President Roberto For- other €7.60 million to stimulate bike stations throughout the city migoni to preside at the ribbon- purchase of bicycles! The latter currently provide 1,300 bikes for cutting ceremony, which lent action is expected to lead to the public use. Bikes can be rented at the show a lot more prestige. In sale of at least 70,000 additional these stations for €2.5 a day, €6 a spite of this state of affairs, this bikes. Prestigiacomo further de- week, or €36 a year. It is antici- has become a local show only, clared that, starting in 2010, the pated that 300 stations will pro- and major foreign brands are first Sunday in May would be vide 5,000 bikes within two years increasingly scarce. The show Italian Bike Day. Another notable time. occupied just one exhibition piece of information is that Mi- In spite of the foregoing hall in 2009, and the booths of lan began implementing a public incentive measures, the 2009

◄▲ The 2009 Expobici cycle show in Padua attracted both exhibitors and consumers. (Photo: Studio da Tos / Padova Fiere)

www.biketaiwan.com Exhibitions

The Italian Bicycle Market dropped by 6.8% from €425.0 million in 2007 to €396.2 million According ANCMA statis- in 2008, and parts export volume tics, a total of 1.80 million bikes also plunged by 9.6%. Saddles were sold in in 2008, and have consistently been one of this figure represented a decrease Italy’s most competitive exported of 9.5% from the 1.99 million components, and the value of sold in 2007. Italy also imported saddle exports grew by 6.7% to 704,000 bikes during the year, €77.06 million in 2008 (€72.21 which was a decrease of 14.8%, million in 2007), although export and the average unit price of im- volume sagged by 3%. The value ports fell by 18.4% from €94.22 of chainwheel exports fell by ▲FSA's K-Force Light 386 (BB30 specifications) was awarded the 2009 Eurobike (US$134.67) in 2007 to €111.54 21.1% in 2008, and only reached Design Award. Shown are FSA Europe GM (US$159.42) in 2008. In spite €21 million. and shift Claudio Marra (left) with President Antonello Mattia (right) of the Italian assembly firm of adverse economic conditions, system exports grew by 3.7% and Frames and Services, which imports frames and exports grew by 14.4% to 1.55 reached €16.64 million in 2008; assembles 5,000 bikes annually. million bikes, but the average the fact that and shift unit price of exports fell 10.5% system export volume grew by Milan show was just barely from €90.19 (US$128.91) to 24.1% implies that customers passable in terms of effective- €80.71 (US$115.36). Total Italian favored low-priced products. On ness. The Expobici cycle show, bicycle production also fell 5.6% the other hand, high-priced Ital- which was held at the same time from 2.52 million bikes in 2007 ian frame exports also grew by in Padua, divided the attention to 2.38 million bikes in 2008. 7.5% to €25.71 million. of visitors in participating firms. Recreational mountain Even worse, the much lower cost bikes dominate the Italian mar- of the Expobici show ensured ket, and have a market share of that many firms jumped ship, and 33%. In addition, city and sport overall participation ended up be- bikes account for 18% of sales, ing much lower than during the followed by road bikes with show’s EICMA days. According roughly 4%; all of these bikes to the Expobici organizers, 250 have relatively high prices. Chil- vendors participated in 2009, and dren’s bikes have a market share the show occupied two halls plus of around 45%. e-Bike sales have a test riding area. The total total recently increased at an astonish- area of 20,000 square meters was ing rate from 10,000 in 2008 to up by 50% compared with 2008. as many as 30,000 in 2009. The Approximately 25,000 people popularity of “fixed gear” single- visited the show. The show will speed bikes has now spread from be held September 18-20 in 2010, Japan to Europe, and single- and will again compete with the speed bikes can be seen in large Milan show (9/17-20). numbers on the streets of such major cities as Milan, Paris, and ▲ Milan began implementing a public bicycle London. rentals system in 2009; the city currently has 100 I t a l i a n p a r t s e x p o r t s stations renting 1,300 bikes.

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Colnago recently introduced a limited edition of 99 steel-tube, carbon fiber bikes to commemorate the company's 55th anniversary. Colnago has also introduced the high-tech, ultralight Pure Colnago Soul carbon fiber concept bike; it employs a CX-1 frame and weighs a miniscule 4.937 kg.

▲ is the heart and soul of Colnago.

▲ Sales Manager Diego Colosio has ▲A deeply retro Colnago single-speed bike. been at Colnago for four years, and possesses 20 years of experience in the bicycle industry.

▲ CLX carbon fiber frame. ▲ ACE carbonfiber bike. ▲ This ultralight carbon fiber concept bike weighs only 4,937 g.

De Rosa De Rosa has 23 employees and sells approximately 6,500 bicycles annually. The three new models introduced by De Rosa in 2010 include the all-new King 3 RX, which features an even better grade of material, a stronger and lighter frame, and Campy Super Record 11 components. The one-piece molded carbon Merak has a tapered head tube, and the streamlined Idol is equipped with a one-piece seat tube and an extra-thick down tube. The photo shows 75-year-old founder Ugo De Rosa (left), with Sales Manager Cristiano De Rosa (right).

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Olmo CEO Paolo Olmo. Casati Casati recently introduced two limited edition models to commemorate its 90th anniversary. The carbon fiber commemorative bike employs T800 high modulus carbon fiber yard and an exclusive honeycomb structure. The frame weighs only 940 g, but is 33% stiffer and stronger than conventional versions. The highly retro Linea Oro steel commemorative bike bears Casati's 1920 logo on its head tube, plus 24k gilded front and rear forks. The commemorative bikes are being produced in limited quantities of 200.

Olmo Olmo is a very long-standing San Patrignano Italian assembly plant that was San Patrignano was founded in 1999, and specializes in deluxe, aesthetic frames and founded in 1939 and celebrated technology. The photo shows a bamboo and carbon fiber tandem bike. The use of bamboo its 70th anniversary in 2009. The and carbon fiber lugs is an appeal to environmental protection and healthy living. Olmo plant occupies 7,000 square meters and has 20 employees. The company assembles 30,000 bikes annually using frames mostly imported from Taiwan and China, Kuota introduced its lightest-ever frame—the top-end KOM—in 2009. This frame but also uses some purchased from weighs less than 900 g, and is equipped with a Shimano Di2 electronic shift system. Italian tubing manufacturers. Olmo Kuota's newly-introduced KULT (Kuota Ultimate Laminate Technology) bike flaunts offers a full line of bicycle types, of a unique seat tube design allowing convenient saddle adjustment. which the majority are mountain bikes. Most bikes have mid-level prices, and 80-85% are sold on the Italian market. Olmo has 200 dealers and seven company stores in Italy. Sales were flat in 2009.

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Gruppo Bici Founded in 1927, Gruppo Bici is yet another historic Italian bicycle firm, and is now one of the country's main assembly firms and importers. Gruppo Bici employs 60 people and assembles 300,000 bikes annually. Most parts are imported from Taiwan and China. The company has an office in the Chinese city of Jiangjiagang, and plans to open another Bianchi's new 2010 models included the 928 office in Tianjin in 2010. Gruppo Bici owns three brands: Carbon SL IASP high-end one-piece molded nano- Rossin includes high-end models, Speed encompasses carbon road bike, which has a frame weighing a mid-range bikes, and Regina consists of low-price, entry- meager 1.02 kg. This bike employs a one-piece level models. Gruppo Bici obtains 70% of its sales in the gas dynamic seat tube. In addition, Bianchi has domestic market, and also exports bikes to western and also introduced its Dama Bianchi training bike southern Europe. According to CEO Andrea Chiarini (on for female riders. Bianchi is offering three major the right in the photo), sales are expected to hit €12 million mountain bike series in 2010: Racing, Perference, for 2009, the recreational bicycle market is growing fastest, and Off-Road. The brand-new top-end Methanol and bikes priced at €200-600 are most popular. Chiarini SL 9900 carbon fiber front suspension bike is foresees growth of 20% in 2010. equipped with Sram XX components.

SAB SAB is an Italian assembly firm established in 1990. According to GM Mario Vicini, the company produces 2,000 bicycles annually, and road bikes account for 80% of output. Most frames are imported from Taiwan or purchased from the Italian firm Detacchi. SAB performs processing and assembly in-house; its frames sell for retail prices of approximately €1,000-2,000, while whole bicycles fetch prices of €4,000-5,000. SAB sells most of its bikes on the Italian market, but exports a few products to the US, Japan, and Norway.

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ITM Selle SMP Founded in 1965, the ITM brand and equipment was sold to Luigi Selle SMP was founded in 1947, and produces Seghezzi in 2008. Seghezzi serves as general manager, and four million saddles annually. Roughly 60-70% has given the company a new brand image and product plans. of the company's saddles are sold in Europe, Most products sold under the ITM brand name are imported from but it also began exporting to the United States Taiwan. The company established an office in the Chinese city of in 2008. According to GM Maurizio Schiavon, Dongguan in 2009, and most low-price products are purchased 2009 sales were down by 5% compared with from China. The company's main markets are Europe (70%) and 2008. SMP introduced an ultralight carbon Asia (30%). ITM's agent in Taiwan's aftermarket is Helioser. GM fiber saddle, a white carbon fiber saddle, and a Seghezzi has 30 years of experience in the bicycle industry, and forma saddle for women in 2009. was previously the general manager of Gruppo. His résumé also includes stints at 3T and Bike Machinery. ITM's newest and finest product is the Pathom component group. Its product lineup also includes wheelsets, front forks, handlebars, seat posts, bottle cages, stems, and handlebar tape.

Wayel Wayel's e-bike emphasizes metropolitan style Bottecchia founder Ottavia Bottecchia was the first Italian to win and a minimalist, streamlined appearance. The the (in 1924). Bottecchia's new 2010 model is e-bike's battery is easy to remove and carry the RS 751 road bike, which employs SP9 high-end nano-carbon around, and the transmission system can be frame technology, and is equipped with a one-piece seat tube changed to a drive axle arrangement. and dropouts. The whole bicycle weighs only 6.65 kg.

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2009 Interbike Fights off the Recession

and Felt were absent from the angular frames in order to satisfy ▲SRAM CEO Stan Day introduced SRAM's latest indoor show, they neverthe- the preferences of even more products. less participated in the Outdoor consumers. There were numerous Demo. Another of Interbike’s proponents of various kinds of attention-getting features is the street bikes, including bikes that lthough the number of Urban Legend bicycle fashion looked like motorcycles, bikes Abooths at the 2009 Inter- show, which presents summer/ with extremely thick tires, mas- bike cycle show—2,885—was fall and winter/spring sively robust bikes, and bikes more than 200 fewer than in clothing. This show is an enter- geared to healthy living. As be- 2008, the 777 exhibiting firms taining event that injects life and fore, cycle cross bikes were ex- were up by more than 80 com- color into cycling clothing. tremely prevalent. pared with 2008. In addition, the The most popular types As Jay Townley pointed show occupied a total of 288,485 of bicycles in the United States out in a research report, US bi- square feet. The Outdoor Demo continue to be BMX, full suspen- cycle sales plummeted by 30.8% has become one of Interbike’s sion bikes, racing bikes, single- during the first quarter of 2009 major attractions, and enable it speed bikes, and 29” bikes. compared with 2008, and import to differentiate itself from other Interbike exhibitors introduced volume fell by 1.1 million units. bicycle shows. Although such some trendy paint schemes, and However, the average FOB price benchmark firms as Giant, Trek, both more streamlined and more of US$96.6 increased by 37.2%

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compared with the US$70.41 price in 2008. It is worth noting that sales of 27” road bikes con- tinued to surge, and sales volume increased by 16% in the first quarter of 2009 compared with the year before. Aalthough US bicycle imports in the first three months of the year had never been so low during the past 11 years, FOB prices were the sec- ond highest during the same 11- year period. ▲Interbike wasn't afected by the declining economy, said ▲Haro GM Joe Hawk says Sales TBEA Chairman Ying Ming Yang (left), and Director Hsin pressure is still high in America, but The 2010 Interbike Outdoor Hua Wu and Secretary Rho Lan Lin of the Taipei Economit that the future looks bright.. Demo will be held September 20- and Cultural Office, Commercial Division, in Los Angeles. 21, and the indoor show will be held September 22-24.

◄ After introducing a nine-color tire, Maxxis has introduced a nine-color nozzle.

◄Single-speed bikes flaunted eye-catching colors, and Backward ▲Seasonal cycle wear was shown off at the Circle provided a colorful Urban Legend fashion show. hand-painted design.

▲Masi's Speciale Fixed Ulitimate is being sold in the US in a limited ▲Specialized's brand-new FSR Epic high-end full suspension bike is edition of 100 bikes. equipped with the SRAM XX shift system.

118 BMU 2010 Spring www.biketaiwan.com