Is AusBike Expo worth going?

[slian]

Would appreciate comment form forumners who had been to the AusBike Expo ( http://www.ausbike.com.au/ ) in Melbourne.

Is it worth going from perspective of:
1. getting cycling goodies at discounted price?
2. test riding latest top of range roadies?

[longshot]

I went last year, going again this year. Not far from where I live so low overhead., but reckon worth it just to see latest bike tech and styling, and for bike gabfest.

No particular bargains I was interested in - although there was stuff for sale and vaguely remember some it being cheaper than normal, clothing for example (like sale prices in bike shops).

Didnt see new bikes being able to be test ridden, but maybe missed it.

Entry is cheap

[cpical]

Disappointed by this year's Ausbike. Far less interesting than last year's. No Colnago, no Passoni,No Sabbath,....

[Cinder]

Just went, unless I missed something, there we a couple of larger bike brands and bike shop chains completely missing this year.

Wanted to check out dualies, Focus only had one there, Merida were pretty much completely MIA, very little GT, Kona was a bit lame, Rocky Mountain/Jamis and Giant all had good displays though.

[Eberbachl]

I went today. A but underwhelming overall.

I did like the Ghost bikes. They have a very nice looking XT hardtail in their lineup - I'm going to research them a bit further. Other than that there wasn't too much to excite me.

I took the family, so I won't complain about $25 (Two adults, one child, one child under five), but I wouldn't have wanted to have paid any more.

The BMX 'demo' out the back was particularly lame... a few disinterested looking riders taking turns at repeating the same mediocre tricks time after time (and usually bailing on it).

Not much there for the kids either.

I think they could have put more effort into the whole thing to be honest.

[Mulger bill]

Oh good, made sleeping in worthwhile.

[damhooligan]

Oh good, made sleeping in worthwhile.

Yeah, I slept till 1 pm..

(went to bed 10 pm the day before.., 15 hours non stop.... )

[Mulger bill]

Big Saturday night Hooli?

I was at a cousins wedding in Fed square til laaaate.

Shaun

[slian]

Thought I'd answer my own question

In term of bikes on display, there were some notable absence in big brands as mentioned previously. But nevertheless some worthwhile hardware to check out:

Giant '12 display including Ultegra Di2
Look range
Scott Foil
Focus range including a 5.3kg Izalco
Garmin powermeter pedal
playing around with the different SRAM gearsets
some German brands like Stevens and Ghost

In term of picking up bargains: there wasn't much tho I did pick up a Campy cap and Look Keo 2 pedals for a good price!

So overall worthwhile going but hoping to see bigger and better next year!

[Cinder]

New edge 200 was there as well, that was about the highlight for the missus.

[AUbicycles]

Anyone from a bike shop attend? Please drop me a line - or I will call you - [email protected]

I have some great exhibitor feedback and am after a retailer (visitor) feedback so complete an article on the show for BNA.
If you wish, as a Local Bike Shop I will give you a mention and a link in the article.


Cheers
Christopher.