BNA: The Avanti Bicycle Company announced the purchase of the Pacific Brands Bicycle Division last week, both with the well known "own brands", Avanti and Malvern Star. Does the acquisition mean that you can forsee any changes in production, distribution or marketing for these brands?
 
Steve Paraskevas: There are no changes planned at this stage.
 
 
BNA: Malvern Star has been ressurected as a brand, most notably with the Oppy, could we see it however turn into a supermarket brand, much like Repco has become?
 
Steve Paraskevas: We do not intend to move it into the Mass Market.
 
 
BNA: Can you provide an overview the Avanti Bicycle Company, which brands do you now own and which ones do you distribute in Australia?
 
Steve Paraskevas: We own the Avanti, Zero, Peak Fuel and Volta brands, and Avanti currently distributes Scott, Kenda, and DT
 
 
BNA: There are over 40 Avanti Plus branded stores in Australia and 23 Bike Hub stores, will they remain separated or do forsee changes with these local bike shops?
 
Steve Paraskevas:  We have not planned to make any immediate changes to the 2 networks but we will sit down with all our dealers individually to discuss the best way forward.
 

BNA: What about the range of brands available in both stores, will they be able to expand their range?
 
Steve Paraskevas: Our intention is that in the short term P&A brands will be made available to the majority of dealers in both networks, and bicycle brands will continue to be sold through existing channels

BNA: Will any of your Avanti Plus or Bike Hub store have another other significant changes as a result of the new business development?
 
Steve Paraskevas: We don’t forsee any significant changes in the short term.
 
 
BNA: You have come from Pacific Brands and have been named the Australian General Manager of the Avanti Bicycle Company. Do you face a learning curve in your role to manage a much broader group?
 
Steve Paraskevas: The size of the acquisition is definitely an exciting challenge we as a team are looking forward to managing, and I believe this will be a fantastic opportunity for the staff in general to learn and develop themselves, including myself.
 
 
BNA: For the administration, does the aquisition mean job losses for Pacific Brands staff?
 
Steve Paraskevas: Avanti is pleased to be making offers of employment to the vast majority of Pacific Brands bicycle division staff.
 
 
BNA: The aquisition makes Avanti a very strong player in the Australian market – does this mean that you have more bargaining power with respect to pricing, specifically with the popularity of online shopping?
 
Steve Paraskevas: In some respects we may have increased bargaining power as a result of the acquisition which we will attempt to utilise to build and maintain strong relationships with our resellers and customers.  However, ultimately the market for Bicycles, parts and accessories at wholesale and retail level (including online) remains fragmented and highly competitive so it will be our continued commitment to our business values including excellent levels of service that will build our relationships rather than our size.
 
 
BNA: While Avanti already run a large online store, will we see any changes to business as online sales grow?
 
Steve Paraskevas: We are constantly looking at how to grow our on-line business and with the addition of some brands this will add a certain level of growth.
 
 
BNA: Some customers are enquiring about their warranties, I assume that for a customer, that all warranties will be honored.
 
Steve Paraskevas: We will honour existing warranty terms.
 
 
BNA: Thank you kindly for your time, we wish you a successful start.

Here are highlights from day three, the final trade day. Saturday will be chaos – public day and the exhibitor will party hard on Friday night at the famous Eurobike party before bracing themselves for Saturday’s onslaught.

The Joys of Road Biking

3T is no longer The New 3T, though remain innovative with the stunning Meta crank, unsymetrical crank arm designs and very attractive.

Raised and lowered stems is a newer trend, as seen from 3T. Setting the angle is easy and also very stable allowing each rider to fine tune for perfect riding position and ergonomics.

The Look 595 replacement is the 695 with a ‘geniune’ carbon fibre monocoque construction and the E-Post seat post (dampening), C-Stem that is available in a variety of lengths (to fit riders preferences) and the ability to raise and lower the stem. This features the new HSC 7 fork and the ZED2 single piece carbon crankset.

Close up of the Look C-Stem on the 695

The Cervélo R5ca weighs well under UCI weight regulations. This was developed and built in California and ridden by Brett Lancaster for the Cervélo TestTeam in the Tour of California (with over 1kg extra balast to increase the weight to be UCI conform). Production is estimated at 300 bikes per year – the key advantage is the trickle down effect of technology into the R3 and R5.

Each Passoni bike is custom built by hand. After riders measurements are recorded and delivered to Passoni – a geometry suggestion is made. The retail shops then sets the rider up on on a Size Cycle (bicycle emulator) to confirm or improve the cyclists position. On completion, Passoni takes the data and creates the riders bicycle to specification in approximately 6-8 weeks.

The Viner Titan Carbon is, as the name suggests, a mixed titanium tubing and Carbon Fibre frame – and a very well regarded brand.

The Taiwanese brand Tange (est. 1920) supply tubing and lugs. This demonstration Yasujiro bicycle featured an amazing headset – the pattern created with chemical etching.

De Rose joins the trend also seen on Pinarello with ‘sparkles’ in their paintwork.

Schwalbe’s new racing tire, the Ultrema ZX has reduced rolling resistance and increased puncture resistance and milage.

Two time Hawaii Iron Man winner Craig Alexander (Australian) has his PRO Time Trial aluminium extenders set up to perfection with a distinct upward rise .

Look out for Cube next year in Australia. Cube are extremely strong in Europe with mountain bikes and road bikes. This is the Cube Streamer – entry to mid range road bike.

The new Cratoni Time Trial helmet with a fitting system for fine tuning the fit of the helmet up and down as well as to the sides of the head.

E-Bikes are a massive trend in Europe, many accessory companies are developing for this market – Cratoni presented the e-bike specific helmet with visor and inbuilt rear light.

The women’s Selle SMP Dynamic CRB saddle is identical to the mens except for the colours – this size/form is popular for performance athletes. The Carbon rails are wrapped in an extremely thin steel that protects the rails.

Mountain biking in Style

Spot the weld! You can’t because the Crank Brothers are serious about quality and design. Many wheel makers use stickers to brand their rims whereas Crank Brothers make their branding permanent and aethetic.

The new Crank Brothers stem includes unique locking system against the steerer tube as well and locking mechanism for the handbars.

Tom from Syncros shows of the 29er version of the new FL – F?ing Light – fork. The steerer and crown is one piece and the result is an ultra light rigid fork

The locking system of the new Syncros stem is angled and rather than being a two piece front / back lock for the handlebars, the forged aluminium stem closes around the complete surface of the handlebar for a better ‘lock’.

The cult German Mountain Bikes from Liteville and due to hit the shores of Australia soon (distributer EightyOneSpices). Syntace, Formula and the highly desirable Tune brands will also be represented locally.

Being an individual

The Electra Bicycle Company offers all the colours and combinations of the rainbow.

No more helmet arguments. The Danish Yakkay don’t manufacture helmets, they manufacture style – and there is plenty of it to suit all tastes.

The pear formed Yakkay helmet lock with integrated bag hangs of the the seat rail when riding. When you lock your bike up? out with the bag, in with the helmet,  the lock passes through loops in the bag and the helmet strap – making sure that you can leave your helmet with your bike and return later to find it still there.

Surly understand that cycling is a lifestyle – and if you choose this lifestyle, then this is the bike trailer that suits and will keep you mobile, whether you need to carry your sound system or 8 cases of beer.

“the” looks after downhill mountain bikers and dirt jump riders. For their range of helmets is a form fitting bag.

That wraps up Eurobike 2010 for me. Every time I visit, the godfather of mountain biking, Gary Fisher crosses my path and wants a photo with me. Gary is always a curious and friendly visitor at each Eurobike.

Here are highlights (photos) from the second day.

The new Bont Vaypor comes in a micromesh outer or leather outer (pictured).

The THM_Carbones Clavicula M3 is what carbon dreams are made of, slightly heavier that the current offering though more versatile with different systems including SRM.

Stevens is a trusted and well established brand on the German market (Hamburg) and is due on the Aussie market in 2011 with road and mountain bikes.

Skins had this poor girl up in their stand working ‘guinea pig’ and pedalling all day long.

TUNE love Marty Renwick and their ultra light, ultra desirable components feature on Marty’s custom titanium track frame, the Vuelo – particuarly suited to longer bodies.

Three cheers for Fixie Inc. who pushed for three years on the UCI’s cyclocross rules against disc brakes. Their Pure Blood, in victory yellow celebrates the rule change.

If the theme is yellow, Biomega, from Denmark are challenging the design boundaries with a Ross Lovegrove designed LDN urban bike.

PUMA is now getting into bikes with partner Biomega, and tackling urban cycling with fun and colour.

Another colour masterpiece is the GT Fury World Cup

Vanmoof gets a new bike in their lineup for 2011, the No. 6 for women.

There is no shortage of Mountain bike downhill and enduros fitted as e-bikes. The young brand EGO offers an adapter kit that turns your DH bikes into a roarer back up the hills as well – and features the battery in a backpack and amplifier mounted infront of the handlebars.

The Aussie BMX brand Colony is well regarded in Europe.

Knog probably gets the ‘best stand award’ for their blow-up stand and the inside (described to me as freaky) that consists of loud music and artistic installations to present their current and new gear – lights and a lot of locks (coil and chain link – U / D locks to come later).

It’s back to the 80′s for Charge with childhood BMX or mountain biking memories revived thans to the splashback tire.

Charge always surprise every year with their stand, though I had to look twice, and three times.

At the bottom of Germany on Lake Constance and within driving distance of both Austria and Switzerland is Friedrichshafen – famous for the Zepplin, this relatively tiny and peaceful city has been overrun by international cycling trade and retail off to Eurobike, 12 massive halls, set in the middle of apple orchard and fields with hops.

Walking in at 8:30, many stands still had vacuum cleaners running and some were unmanned and not set-up – most likely exhibitors caught in the traffic jams. When entering this show, it is wise to keep your eyes on the floor and your feet walking directly to your goal, for fear of being distracted every few seconds on your way by… hmm, let me take a look at that.

Here is a selection of the most interesting products from Eurobike after day 1.

From the Eurobike Award presentation, the Aussie Knog also featured as an award winner.

Trend: The eighties are back on bike

Perforated leather saddles from San Marco – based on old discontinued models and re-released for 2011. These are the Concor series with carbon steel rail.

Assos are currently releasing their new winter gear – though out of season for Australian. A revival of old Assos jerseys is also in th emaking, the kit includes the jersey, cap and socks.

Loud and Clear

The German ABUS lock company have been big on bicycle security for years. The Bordo Locks are a convenient solution for frequent riders and new colours and style offers this trusted product more flare – so much so that it won a Eurobike award today.

Brooks have released their popular colt saddles in a range of colours, and matching bar tape to satisfy the style freaks.

A special limited edition (and hard to get) Brooks Team Pro saddle (500) with embossed pattern and Vans Vault shoes (1000) . So special that the die for the pattern was destroyed afterwards.

Cinelli do massive business with their bar tape – no wonder, it is a must to have and can do wonders for even the most rickety old ride.

The MASH art projects are popular, the Gazzetta della Strada relaxes the classic track geometry to make it nice for road riding.

The Lezyne floor pump is a lighter more portable Travel Floor Drive, a sleek design and handy for the back of the car and topping up the tire pressure before a race.

A Pinarello can usually only be described as loud, and whether or not it is your style, the Graal (Carbon 60HM1k) Monocoque bike with Di2 (battery in the chainstay) is an eye turner.

The Swedish company POC are into Helmets and Armor. The helmets and body protection for the downhill and .. more injury prone mountain bikers are state of the art.

Peaks for (skate style) urban, dirt, street and ramp bikers are a real trend. tsg (Switzerland) are also introducing a flexible inner foam shell that better adapts to the individual riders head shape.

TRP brakes (from the Tektro family) are a unique design and fit behind the front fork, flush for a more aerodynamic performance. The brand expects it will be a hit for Triathletes and Time Trialists and there are already plans for brands to include them standard on their 2012 models.

Attention to detail

The BMC Impec was understandably attracting a lot of attention. BMC produce the carbon tubing themself with each part weaved for best tension and compression performance. The Shell Note Concept, lug system providing a softer ride and are a composite that include carbon fibre in the mix-up.

Selle Royal reintroduce the Respiro concept, a comfort style saddle with an air intake under the nose – and directs the air to the saddle area for extra cooling.

Brooks Selected means un-died leather selected from cows fed only on organic feed, a step towards more responsible products.

Matthew Lloyd rides one for team Omega Pharma-Lotto, though the average Aussie rider still can’t buy one. Cadel Evans helped introduce the name “Canyon” into the vocabulary of the average pro racing fan, though Canyon will not be available in Australia in the forseeable future (due to technicalities, the ability to support customers and fulfill warranty obligations – as a mail order bike brand based in Germany). A closer look however reveal why Canyon are a sales hit in other countries.

The Look 595 with stunning details such as the headset and stem.

A common theme of placing the Di2 batter under the chain stay, such as on the Obea Orca GDi2 – a frame two years in the making.

Rotor 3D also now offers the BB30 format for their popular crank and Q-Rings

Fluro is the new direction from Rudy Project with their “Racing Pro” eye wear and Sterling helmet.

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

While visitors can look forward to the crafts of established framebuilders like Pegoretti, Moulton or Aarios and EHBE “discoveries” Ulrich Vogel, vonrafael and JRD, there are also some exciting newcomers: OTM, Pure Bros Cycles, Manofacto, Mawis-Bikes.

This also goes for components with established and well known brands such as Brooks, Chris King and Campagnolo exhibiting as well as new and highly innovative smaller companies such brunn bike parts or Leonardi Racing.

Handmade expos such as the NAHBS (North American Handmade Bicycle Expo), several regional shows in the USA, and La Foire de V?los Artisanaux (French Handmade Bicycle Show) are becoming larger and more popular. The EHBE, even after just one year, is already on the map as an important show for trade visitors and cycling enthusiasts and is a platform showcasing custom- and small scale producers within the bicycle industry. The EHBE is distinctive because the builders themselves are at the show. Visitors have the rare opportunity to talk to many builders in person and gain insight into their work and art.

As part of the exhibition there will also be workshops and of course parties and supporting events and activities.

Registration is still open for exhibitors and further details about the show, locations and schedual are online: www.e-h-b-e.eu

Take, for instance, the new Prolight model by the American helmet pioneer Giro. At just 175 grams, its weight is hardly discernable. Twenty-five large air holes provide a refreshing flow of cool air under the helmet shell, even on warm days. And like the other new models, it make no compromises when it comes to protection. Indeed, this light-as-air helmet meets all bike helmet safety standards.

Getting completely lost and constantly having to look at a map can give you quite a headache. Cyclists can now get help from above with GPS devices, without which drivers today would hardly dare leave their garages. They not only point riders in the right direction but also show them their speed and distance traveled. Some of them even display the user’s heart rate and pedaling rate.

For instance, market leader Garmin is introducing its new Dakota line. Which will be available in bike shops with touchscreen-technology and a compact form mounted on the handlebars. On a similar note, a visit to the O-Synce booth should also be interesting. The newcomer to the sports electronics market announced the debut of its Navi to Move GPS device, which should find its way into bike shops with many cycling-specific features.

Electronics is one of the hot accessory trends in the bicycle industry, ergonomics being the other. In recent years, companies have released numerous novel accessories, tailored to their particular target groups. In this regard, the female anatomy has generally received special attention. Backpack maker Deuter, however, has also discovered a niche for tall men. In 2010, Deuter is coming out with the EL model type – EL as in ‘extra long’. Riders over 6 feet tall should find the right backpack here to fit their long backs. And since tall people also wear bigger clothes, the Trans Alpine EL holds two liters more than traditional bike backpacks. The German population is getting taller, which is increasingly being reflected in the model types within the bicycle industry.

Another trend: More and more people are using bikes to get to work. This has led bag manufacturers to aggressively develop products that are fashionable and highly functional at the same time. In 2010, bag maker Ortlieb from Germany’s Franconia region wants to make further inroads into city cycling. Their new Vario, Downtown and Citybiker models are fashionably attractive accoutrements in the urban jungle that can also be quickly and practically attached to the carrier as desired. It goes without saying that these bags are exceptionally rugged and protect their contents even in harsh weather conditions.

Abus is still a mostly unknown quantity in the bag industry. Yet, the lock and helmet specialist has declared the year 2010 as its year of the bag. Once you see their newest products, you may find it hard to believe that they are relative newcomers to this segment. Whether they are designing high-quality, functional, imitation-leather briefcases, casual messenger bags or fashionable shopping bags, high functionality is always paired with pleasing visual aesthetics.

And another well-known name is increasingly drawing attention to itself as a provider of high-end bags in the bicycle industry: he iconic British manufacturer of indestructible leather seats, will release a complete collection of travel bags for cycling enthusiasts for the first time. If you know Brooks, you’ve probably already guessed that they drew their inspiration from 19th-century bicycle bags, which have been functionally reinterpreted by the Brits in 2010 with water-resistant cotton and tough leather finishing.