Though some of the big distributors have resisted attending, considering many have roadshows to present their new gear to bike shops in each state, this year it is easier to count the remaining brands or importers who won’t be there as the numbers of ‘non-attendees’ thin out. Good news for everyone and all the more reason for the cycling public and cycling trade (including interstate retailers) to make the trip .

The timing has been improved this year so that it takes place after Eurobike and Interbike where most brands will do their first showing of next year’s gear. This means Australian wholesalers should have their samples and even next year’s gear already onshore and can present it to the cycling audience and their retailers as it starts to make its way into the bike stores for sale. Friday is a trade only day.

Tickets are a very reasonable $10 for adults and $5 for youngsters (5-17) with under 5′s free.

Details online: www.ausbike.com.au

BNA will be there again this year, so if you spot me, say G’day.

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.

The Taga, as was demonstrated to us at Ausbike, it has five different positions; 3 in stroller and two in tricycle mode – basic bike and stroller mode, rain cover bike and stroller mode, bags bike and stroller mode allowing you to carry a picnic with you, side second child seat bike mode and stroller mode.

The Taga can also be converted to fit a child’s car seat all of which can be converted in 30 seconds to any of the five modes.

The Taga is made out of 6061 aluminum, with a Shimano Nexus 3 speed internal gear hub and it rolls on 16″ wheels fitted with disc brakes and a Nexus roller brake. To secure your child in the Taoga there is a 5 point safety harness to strap them in.

Other extras available for your Taga include a second child seat much like a double pram. A wooden shopping basket to carry your groceries. A removable seat with quick release for when it’s a tricycle and a set of sleds for the snow season.

Although it’s sold as a fold up child transporter, which you can put in the back of your car, at 20-29kgs that’s not really a option for daily transport by a parent.

All of this comes at a cost though, at $2295 for the chassis and child seat without any optional extras.

During the quick trial we had, it was stable, stopped well and relatively easily to convert – although we aren’t sold on the sled idea in Australia!

The Taga is distributed in Australia by Instyle Ventures. For more information visit www.tagabikes.com

3sixty Wheels

Brooks Hand hammered saddle

Campagnolo Chorus11 – and like all of the campag gear was concealed with no opportunity to have a closer look.

Colnago with closeup of Campagnolo SuperRecord11

Colnago Stand

Fox Racing Front Suspension Forks

Fox Racing Rear Suspension Boost Valve

Nalini

Orbea Stand

Orbea

Rolf Wheels

Rolf Wheels

Salice Eyewear

Selle SMP Lite 209

Selle SMP Range

SRAM 2X10 RockShox

Ultralight Stand

Wilier Cento1 Crono

Zipp 404

SRAM 2X10 RockShox

Sam Hill Signature Shoes
Built for speed and grip, the new Sam Hill Signature shoe sticks to pedals like burrs. Sam gave up clipless pedals for downhill races-and his choice of Five Ten has helped deliver him to the podium. Cut low for flexibility, the Sam Hill’s sport super-sticky Stealth S1? outsoles and a protective PU midsole that provides excellent tortional stability. The Sam Hills have moderately flexible midsoles for on-the-edge control.

Although we didn’t get to ride using APEX, we spoke at length with SRAM about their new groupset. SRAM Apex borrows many technologies from SRAM’s RED group.

Once again, the chain, the 10 speed Powerchain, features SRAMS Powerlock connecting link making it easier to break and clean or swap. I love SRAMS Powerlock, I now use it across all of my chains to clean, replace or swap over to a racing chain and I don’t have to have a chain tool.

The new APEX PG 1050 cassette has done away with triple chainrings allowing for fewer gears, where in a triple you can have a series of gears that are simply not used. The APEX cassettes has a wider range of gears, 11-32, 11-28, 11-26, 11-23T which means faster shifting than three chainrings and it is lighter through out, saving as much as 274 grams on its rivals. Interesting on the largest cassette, it is one notch up on Campagnolo’s 12-29, although theirs can be retro fitted to 11 speed reach derailleur’s.

APEX receives the same technology as the higher end groups with the SRAM’s DoubleTap controls feature, dual reach adjust, dual cable routing and a high picot brake lever. The levers are made from aluminium to keep the price down. Carbon levers are the only option I would have preferred, but with the grouppo being compatible across the range we can upgrade to Rival or Force to get our carbon fix.

The Apex crank arms are made out of forged AL 6061 T6 with AL-7075 hard anodized chainrings and alloy chainring bolts finished in sleek jet black gloss which looks very nice! The APEX is available in 53/39, 52/38, 52/36, 50/36, 50/34 and 46/38 chainring combinations. It feature gears that are both lower and higher than existing triple gear ratios.  The 2×10 chainrings have a improved Q factor adjusting the bottom bracket height which has improved heel clearance. And the crankset comes at all the usual lengths and hits the scales at 890g. The cassette is finished with a black spider, lock ring and spacers with nickel plated cogs.

The front derailleur also incorporates all the characteristics of the 11s groupsets and is compatible with compact and standard chainrings. And features WiFLi and ZeroLoss trim from the other SRAM groupsets. The body is aluminium with a steel cage.

The Heart of SRAM Apex
The heart of the groupset, and its key player, the rear derailleur, is constructed to allow 32-tooth cog and a 28-tooth cassette. The rear mech has an aluminium body, alloy outer cage and steel inner cage to keep weight down and for precise shifting. The derailleur uses SRAM’s Exact Actuation? and WiFLi? technologies.

The APEX brakes use Swiss Stop compound pads using a Dual Pivot design on forged alloy calipers, featuring external centering adjust.

We don’t have a RRP for Australia as yet for the APEX groupset, though we will keep you informed about all the latest from SRAM.

Coming up on BNA soon is a closer look at some of the bikes and gear presented at this years show.

If you have any news or scoops from Ausbike, we would love to hear – simply contact us.

Fuji Stand

Kestrel Stand

Merida Stand

Cannondale Stand

Merida Stand

Colnago Stand

Dahon Stand

Sexy Bicycles Stand

Shimano Dura Ace C35

BBB Stand

In 2009, while the show was a success, many of Australia’s larger bicycle distributers shied away. This year sees a much better representation, so many more of the bigger and more well known brands plus Australia will also benefit from the first public showing of 2011 bikes and gear for some brands.

Unusual for a trade show, the public day is the first day, rather than the last. To cater for the public visitors there are competitions, demonstrations and incentives to arrive by bicycle, visitors on bike save $5 off the normal entry price of $17,50. Concession is $10 and children/teens under 18 are free.

For the public, Ausbike is open between 10am and 5pm on Saturday 21 August at the Royal Melbourne Showgrounds. The origanisers are recommending purchasing your ticket in advance online in advance.

Trade visitors have Sunday 22nd (10am – 5pm) and Monday 23rd (10am – 4pm). It is assumed that attending trade visitors have already registered.

More details from www.ausbike.com.au

Public Visitors
The public day will be the opening day (rather than the final day). On Saturday 21st August 2010, doors open at 10am at the Exhibition Pavilion at The Royal Melbourne Showgrounds (Victoria).

In addition to exhibitor stands, there are a host of activities such as demonstrations, seminars, cycling fashion parade and a test track.

Visitors from the public will get a $5 discount off the regular entry price of $17.50 if they ride their bike, concessions are also available.

Trade Visitors
Following the Public Day, ausbike welcomes trade visitors on the two following days on Sunday and Monday – August 22nd and 23rd. Trade visitors will also benefit from seminars – details to be announced.

Registration is required for the Trade Days and is open to:
- Bike Shops-owners and staff
- Specialist sport stores-owners and staff
- Cycling/sports clothing retail trade
- Cycling/sports wholesale trade
- Department store/chain stores
- Bike Industry/supply industry
- Event planning companies
- Cycling purchasing association
- Outdoor/Leisure retailers

Ausbike are also planning a Queensland show in October 2010.

For further details about Ausbike and the complete exhibitor list, visit: www.ausbike.com.au

More recently Qoleum has developed a chain care range, and Ausbike will see the launch of 3 new products; a degreaser, a lube and a shine. RRP $24.95ea.