Encouragingly, Ausbike wasn’t all about the eye-wateringly expensive race machines. The growing popularity of commuting was represented by most manufacturers offering a purpose built workhorse, with internal gear hubs and belt drives far better represented than 12 months earlier.

For those with an inclination towards dirt, Ausbike demonstrated that 29ers are here to stay, and most manufacturers exhibited their interpretation of the emerging All Mountain genre. These newer styles of MTB are yet to kill off the 26″ wheel, countless World Cup XC inspired race hardtails stood prominently on almost every stand.

The presence of adventure tour operators is encouraging for those seeking a cycling themed holiday close to home, and demonstrates that Australia is catching up with popular riding destinations in Europe, America and New Zealand. Bike Buller deserves a special mention, with their array of road, XC and downhill rides definitely worthy of a visit this summer.

Of the 154 exhibitors my top five of to watch this year are:

1. Ghost
Massive throughout Europe, this German brand is looking to expand into Australia. Already familiar to fans of World XC and the European road scene, Ghost offer a wide range of mountain and road bikes, appealing to everybody from the weight weenie road racer to big-hitting downhiller.

Ghost are recognised for a high tech approach to design, and every model is the massive range reflects the extensive research and development they conduct. Their bikes are hand made in Waldsassen and competitively priced throughout European markets.

The featherweight XC MTBs that made Ghost famous are leading their push into Australia, but their impressive road bikes were also present and sure to find their way here when distribution details are finalised.
The aesthetically striking range drew many Ausbike attendees to the Ghost stand, suggesting that if Australian pricing is comparable to Europe they will soon develop a strong following.

2. Focus
Another established European brand new to Australia, Focus were in attendance at Ausbike with their massive range of road and mountain bikes and after recently announcing an Australian based company (Derby) for the brand, they are solidifying themself here.

Focus require little introduction, already sponsoring Russian Pro Team Katusha and present at all three Grand Tours. The German brand is at the cutting edge of technology, but likes to describe their design process at a more soulful blend of racing experience and engineering expertise.
Their road offerings are comprehensive and sure to have something to appeal to everyone, while the extensive XC and All Mountain MTB range will appeal to racers and weekend warriors alike.

Focus already has an established dealer network across Australia – see focusbikes.com.au for your nearest outlet.

3. KTM
A new player to the world of self-propelled bicycles, KTM presented a massive range of beautifully finished road and MTBs. Mojo bikes have committed to distributing KTM in Australia and are clearly excited by the latest offering from the successful Austrian motorcycle company.

The large KTM Ausbike stand was MTB heavy, but their range includes the full spectrum of road, recreation, triathlon and touring bicycles. The Ausbike crowd was clearly intrigued by the industry newcomer, and surely impressed by KTM’s commitment to their new products and the Australian market.

Having been in the motorbike business for the best part of 80 years, it is clear that KTM can play the game and it looks as though their bicycle division is set for big things. Although pricing could be sharper to compete with established brands in Australia, their enormous and well-finished range is sure to appeal and well worth investigating when their local network is finalised.

4. De Vinci
This Canadian brand has flirted with the Australian scene for a couple of years, but is yet to establish themselves outside of Queensland. Offering everything from basic recreation bicycles to the epic Wilson downhill rig, De Vinci are making noises about expanding into the southern states and demand is growing fast on the back of their formidable reputation.

While De Vinci produce some serious machinery, their Ausbike stand catered more to the recreation end of the spectrum. While these bikes may appeal to many, their working class offerings aren’t revolutionary. The standouts at Ausbike were clearly the heavy-hitting Wilson downhiller and Dixon all-mountain rig, but overseas they offer a diverse range of high-end bicycles to suit every need.

If De Vinci find a way into the local market with their 2012 range, look out for the high-tech and beautifully finished road bikes. Their representatives were not sure of the brand’s future in Australia, but they would be a worthy addition to our cycling landscape.

5. Adventure Brands: Jamis & Rocky Mountain
Arguably the most impressive exhibit at the show. Adventure Brands are an established distributor with a deserved reputation for good post-sale support, and the addition of Canadian Rocky Mountain provides a fantastic opportunity for local riders to access some sensational bikes.

The 2012 Jamis range is huge, with a number of niche road, mountain and urban offerings complimenting the expected standard models. The extensive range of steel road and MTBs sets Jamis apart from its rivals, especially with their competitive pricing when compared to local boutique alternatives.

Adventure Brands have been distributing Rocky Mountain for a couple of years, but have had little impact until now. The massive display of Rocky Mountain MTBs at Ausbike suggests this is about to change, with their epic range including something for everybody who enjoys getting off the beaten track.

It is clear from the crowded Adventure Brands exhibit that local riders are welcoming Rocky Mountain with open arms, and the quality, hand built bicycles are a valuable competitor in local market.

For more information about Jamis, Rocky Mountain or Bauer bikes, contact Adventure Brands.

Ausbike Futures
This year there was a shift with two public days and one trade day (instead of two trade followed by one public day) which may have made it more challenging for bike shops to attend. It would probably be an advantage if Ausbike could move the show back after Eurobike and Interbike so that the local brands have a chance to bring in more of next seasons bikes and in this way encourage more local bike shops to attend and use Ausbike and a ‘get to know the new gear’ event – which goes hand-in-hand with ordering next seasons stock.

As the biggest bike show in Australia, it was refreshing to see brands with little or no current representation in Australia exhibiting and while each year is seeing more and more Aussie distributers exhibiting, a complete representation of all brands in Australia would benefit everyone, from the general public, to retailers and the exhibitors.

History has shown that in this case most people revert to the car, relegating the bicycle as a secondary form of transport.

Cargo bikes are not a new concept, but broaden the opportunities for cycling through their large storage space. They havn’t had a strong tradition in Australia due to their size, weight and our car-centric culture, but practicality has made them common throughout bicycle-dominated cities in Europe.

The Copenhagen brand Larry Vs Harry released the Bullitt, declaring it to be "The worlds lightest, fastest cargo bike" and this popular cargo bike is now available in Australia. At 245cm long and 47cm wide the Bullitt is a far more manageable shape for urban environments than the traditional three wheeled christiania cargo bike, and at 24kg it is significantly lighter than its competitors.

The design is a modern interpretation of the traditional Danish "long john" cargo bike, placing its cargo area low down between the rider and front wheel. Larry Vs Harry have brought the Bullitt into the 21st Century by employing a lightweight and stiff alloy frame, quality modern parts and an ultra chic design.

The test bike was the ‘Clockwork’ model and there are no points for guessing the colour. This model came fitted with a floorboard and side/rear panels, which provides a generous storage space for the optional child seat. The spacious area will cater for a growing child over many years, the safety belt, low seating position and high sides protect the valuable cargo.

The Bullitt’s capacity for transporting inanimate items is also impressive, with the front storage section able to carry 100kg without concern. This provides infinite possibilities, the company co-founder Harry used a long john as his primary transport while working in construction for example. While few Australian tradesmen are likely to trade their ute in for a bicycle, the Bullitt has potential as a functional or ultility vehicle for business. Environmentally focussed businesses in particular have been quick to take notice, but Australian distributor Dutch Cargo Bikes are hoping that individuals will follow suit.

The Bullitt is available with a variety of build kits, with a choice of a seven or eight speed internally geared hub or a nine speed derailleur system. The test bike came fitted with the Shimano Alfine groupset, which included the internal gear hub, hydraulic disk brakes and cranks.

First impressions were that the Bullitt was nicely put together with quality parts, though it was slightly daunting given its length and dramatic geometry contrasts from a conventional bike.

The first ride saw some initial wobbles, but the length and steering soon began to feel natural. Within 5kms the gentrified shopping strips of Melbourne’s inner south were proving no challenge, and it was clear that the Bullitt was drawing more favourable looks than a Sunday morning, lycra-clad road racer can muster.

Although it took only a few minutes to adjust to the handling, the weight and size demanded ongoing care. Uphill starts from traffic lights were the greatest challenge with patience required to get away from standstill cleanly. When unloaded the steering initially felt twitchy, but this feeling passed after the first decent ride and the discovery that keeping some load on the driveline aided stability. The internal gear hub was particularly valuable as it allowed smooth, fast shifts – even if stationary or freewheeling while trying to squeeze into gaps in traffic.

The ride itself was impressive in many ways. Most surprising was that a long, relatively heavy and upright bike could require so little effort to pedal. The Continental puncture-resistant tyres roll fast, while the long wheelbase gave stability and engaging cornering. While not a contender for the commuter cup, it cruises along steadily and the lively handling and effective brakes ensure that even fast downhills never feel out of control. A bunch of team-kitted roadies returning from their morning Beach Road ride were given a surprise as they were overtaken by the Bullitt. Not only did was this immensly satisfying it also confirmed the bike’s performance credentials. It also explains why the Bullit is a favorite amoung European bike messengers who specialise in bulky deliveries.

While the popularity with couriers is not surprising, there is clearly a wider market. As congestion worsens, petrol prices rise and people begin to question their dependence on cars the Bullitt can be a fantastic lifestyle investment.

Pricing varies according to the many options and specification levels, the Sram 7 speed internal gear hub model retails for $3400. The orange ‘Clockwork’ model which I tested starts at $3750, and includes the side panels, floor and child seat optional accessories.

For more information see dutchcargobike.com.au or email info@dutchcargobike.com.au to arrange an appointment to inspect the Bullitt.

The five stage race concluded on Friday, with Australia’s MTB orienteering world champion, Adrian Jackson, taking home the $15000 prize for first place. Fellow Australian Steele von Hoff came in second just 29 seconds behind Jackson, with Malaysia’s Shahrin Amir a distant third.

420kms of racing over five days promised to test the 350 entrants to the limit, with temperatures over 30 degrees and high humidity experienced throughout. Recent rains led to slippery clay surfaces and the course included many epic challenging climbs.

Day one saw entrants leave from Dili with an official send-off from Jose Ramos-Horta, East Timor’s President. The 124km route to Balibo promised the fastest conditions for the event with primarily flat sealed roads. Australia’s Adrian Jackson won the stage by one minute 40 seconds from Malaysia’s Shahin Amir, who was one second clear of Australian junior Scott Liston in third.

The heat clearly took a toll on competitors, with thirty saline drips administered to riders suffering dehydration after the first stage.

As a destination, Balibo is famous as the location from which six Australian journalists documented the Indonesian invasion in 1975. These reporters were murdered by Indonesian troops and many reminders remain in the town, giving this day special significance.

Stage two was promoted as the toughest of the event, with early sealed surfaces broken up by rough and potholed dirt sections. After the initial road section the race moved to dirt tracks with long climbs and technical rutted clay surfaces. The 95km stage was won by Daniel McConnell from team mate Von Hoff in second and Jackson in third. Neil van der Ploeg came in forth, over seven minutes behind third place.

After the first two stages, Jackson led McConnell by 59 seconds with von Hoff in third. Van der Ploeg’s focus was moving to Felt team members von Hoff and McConnell, with his chances of defending his 2009 victory slim, sitting nearly thirteen minutes off the pace.

Day three’s 67km profile appeared to offer riders a break after the gruelling day before, but the severely potholed roads, river crossings and massive climb to the finish line ensured that this did not eventuate.

Von Hoff and Jackson continued their strong performance, crossing the finish line one second apart. Third place again went to Amir, with defending champion van der Ploeg ruled out of contention after losing nearly 30 minutes to the winners.

Day four warned of difficult climbs, with the stages 2000m summit at the top of a relentless 20km climb. The smooth tar surface came as some consolation, as did the long descent into Aileu which offered a break for weary legs.

Van der Ploeg proved on this tough stage that he still had the pace to challenge the leaders, crossing the line in first with teammate von Hoff one second behind. Jackson minimised losses to his overall lead coming third, just 31 seconds behind the winner.

The final day began at an altitude 800m above the finish line in Deli and 57kms away. Despite the elevation drop, this stage warned of  climbs big enough to cause difficulties for fatigued riders. The thousands of cheering spectators and satisfaction of completing the epic event made this a memorable day for competitors.

Steele von Hoff took out the final stage, but only managed to take 72 off the required 101 seconds out of Jackson’s overall lead. This gave Jackson the overall win after five days of close, tough racing. With Jackson falling heavily near the end of the stage the result was in doubt until the very end, but he and his team’s hard work paid off with a winning margin of 29 seconds.

Amir filled the bottom place on the podium, with a massive gap of over 24 minutes separating second and third places.

The women’s division was won by Rowena Fry with a margin of nearly 36 minutes to second placed Naomi Hansen. Fry’s time put her 15th overall, just over 2 hours behind Jackson.

Jackson, also the winner of the 2010 Otway Odyssey, dominated the King of the Mountain classification, winning with 110 points to McConnell and von Hoff who tied for second on 64 points.

Felt won the team classification, with members von Hoff, van der Ploeg, McConnell and Liston all finishing in the top 10.