I asked Andy how this idea came about:  “I had the idea for a bike show 4 years ago. The idea has morphed over time, changed by experience, interactions and more time.

Since the initial idea, I have had the good fortune to interact with a number of local builders including Darrell McCulloch, Darren Baum, John Bosevski, Ken Evans, Ewen Gellie, Daryll Perkins, and Bryan Hayes.

I have naturally fostered the frame building scene because I love hand made bicycles to the point of mild obsession. Australia has a rich history of locally made marques and those who rode them, and above all nothing is cooler than a bike made for an individual with a true purpose.”

The Australian custom scene is no different than overseas; it is small, however the frame builders and brands are known by name well beyond their customer base. Attracting all of the key players to one event is no mean feat and Andy White discusses the reception of the Australian Custom Bicycle Show by newer frame builders.

“There has been great interest from builders who to this point have been building as a hobbyist, and considering it as a full time profession. This years shows two stipulations are Australian Made products, and all builders have insurance which I see as critical to promoting their offerings.”

There is no single reason why a cyclist gets a custom made bike, the audience is very broad. I was interested to know what type of visitors Andy anticipates will attend the Australian Custom Bicycle Show.

“The audience will be varied,” says Andy, “from old to young, current and past customers, enthusiast builders looking for inspiration, cyclists looking for something different,  those who embrace cycling as a lifestyle and not merely a recreational activity or transportation alternative.  Hopefully a large majority will be those looking for something built with a purpose and not to a price point.  The show will provide an opportunity for these small scale craftsman to showcase their skills in an intimate setting.”

Exhibitors
Baum Cycles, Busyman Bicycles, Cycle Designs, Fikas Bikes, Gellie Custom, Kenevans, KUMO Cycles, Llewellyn, PATEBURY, Peter Bundy Cycles, Primate Frames, Teschner Bikes

Show Details
Location: 167 Gladstone Street, South Melbourne 3205, Victoria, Australia
Opening Hours: Saturday 1 December & Sunday 2 December 9am – 5pm
Entry: $10 Adult / Children $5 (under 6 free)

Online: www.acbs2012.com

I spoke with the show organiser Simon Head about Ausbike. He was relaxed and had a smile on his face, while we spoke were no mini-emergencies or issues he had to tend to, I got the feeling that all was well.

Ausbike is the bike show that Australia needs, when the Bicycling Australia Bike Shows stopped there was a gap – as time passed it became harder and harder to setup a big show because winning the support of the industry takes time. By moving the show back, after Eurobike and Interbike, wholesalers can return to Australian and present the next seasons gear.

“You can’t run a bike show in September because of the AFL finals and NRL final” notes Simon Head. “We responded to our exhibitors and if they want the show on at this time of the year so that they can get their [new] product, then that what we do.”

The new location has been welcomed by exhibitors and visitors alike. “We have been able to make the move from the showgrounds which doesn’t attract people to the royal exhibition building which is a magnificent expo and suits the bike industry.” says Mr Head “It’s light and airy situation in beautiful parklands in central Melbourne. All of the exhibitors are very excited that we are here and we have just signed on for the next three years.

“They have allowed us to do a lot more next year, in particular a demo track upstairs [in the 2nd level observation level that circles and overlooks the hall].”

Based on the exhibitor list on the Ausbike website, I was expecting a few brands to be exhibiting that were however not at the show (as exhibitors) and asked Simon Head about this.

“It is not as if we don’t invite them. Trek bikes don’t do shows, they don’t even do Eurobike or Interbike, they do Trek World. Giant was listed as an exhibitor and you will notice that they have bikes on some of the stands. Giant had other commitments.”

Simon Head continues “There are probably about 20 top companies, mainstream big companies. If we can get ten of those each year we are really happy. From the trade perspective, most retailers have stitched up their number one big brand so they come to look at niche markets, second brands, parts and accessories. The show started for the small to medium wholesaler who cannot afford a fleet of reps driving around the country. The shops come to look for things they haven’t seen before. Certain products in certain years have just excelled because they have been the product of the show, people who don’t have them, they miss out.”

There was a healthy mix of products, both SRAM and Shimano were well represented along with top brands such as BMC, Focus, Felt, Fuji, Specialized, Jamis, Rocky Mountain, Cervélo and Zipp. The stands for these big name brands were big with lots of gear on display.

Simon Head discusses the stands and response from exhibitors, “One of the biggest things we have notice this year is the amount of effort and resources people have put into their stands, it is really noticeable. And the amount of work that exhibitors have put into getting trade here such as with show only deals for the trade. I know that some of the exhibitiors did very well [getting orders on the trade day]. Like all of the trade shows, you only need one really good retailer who you don’t deal with to come to your stand and it can make an amazing difference for the whole year.”

Ausbike Show Organiser Simon Head

The trade visitors day was also conveniently placed on the Friday followed by General Public days on Saturday and Sunday. Even with the improved schedule it remains tough to encourage interstate retailers to visitor Melbourne for the show: retailers already get regular visitors in their stores from brand reps and bigger brands often have roadshows in each state to present the next season gear.

The trade day this year was particularly cold, an open door out to a test-ride area put some exhibitors in this area on the test, many returning of Saturday rugged up and prepared though warmer weather made it more bearable.

As expected, on the friday with entry restricted to trade visitors, the visitor numbers were low though many of the stands remained busy. On Saturday a long waiting line out the front was welcome news for exhibitors now looking to present their products to the public. It was a busy day and I asked Simon Head whether he was happy with the attendance.

“Yes very, we charge $5 [concession] and $10 [adults] on the door, it is not about making money on the door tickets, it is about getting a good crowd in. I am happy if the exhibitors are happy, and the exhibitors are happy.”

I spoke with exhibitors and received a lot of good reports, for smaller brands exhibiting and trying to get into stores, some confided that they were able to connect with retailers who were interested in taking them on board. As expected, visitor numbers on Sunday were down on Saturdays numbers.

I was expecting a well-executed show, assuming that the organisers were able to build on their experiences since first launching in 2009 and wasn’t let down. I hope to see growth and more big wholesalers and brands committing to the show next so that it really is “the place to be”.

This also makes it more attractive to the general public and retail visitors, including interstate visitors who can then justify the time and expense to come to Melbourne. This however shouldn’t be at the cost of loosing younger brands and entrepreneurs. Though the exhibition was well planned and spacious, it was also booked out so brings the challenge of how to use the available space to cater for more exhibitors.

Photo Highlights from Ausbike

The 2013 BMC Roadbike Range

Brown Jersey Machined Wheels

Calfee Bamboo Roadbike with Mad Fibre Wheels

Cardo Bluetooth Cyclist Communication

Cervélo is now under Derby Australia

Emma of Cyclette for Women's Cycle Fashion

Jono and Rob of Tineli

Lombardo Best Quality Imports

Lombardo prime exhibition stand at Ausbike

Long Haul eBike test ride at Ausbike

View of the Exhbitition Halls at Ausbike

Lots of bikes on display

New Shimano Hydration Backpacks

Rubena Phoenix Road Tire

Schindelhauer at Ausbike

Shimano Mechanical Training

Simon Head at Ausbike

Specialized S-Works Road Shoe

SRAM stand at Ausbike 2012

SRAM Rockshox Australia

Test Rides at Ausbike

Thule Roofracks and Shimano Australia

2012 Ausbike in Melbourne

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.