Interbike & Health + Fitness Business Trend Guide by Interbike

Welcome to the Show

Contents 03

Welcome Letter

Show Info

BMX Trends - BMX Plus - Ride BMX

INTERBIKE.COM

WHAT’S INSIDE Staying on top of trends in the marketplace is key for any retail business. We talk to consumers, sales reps, read the news, social media and more – but who knows more about specific trends in

Mountain Bike Trends - IMBA - Bike magazine - Decline - Mountain Bike Action - Dirt Rag - Mountain Flyer - NICA

the bicycle industry than the writers, editors and reporters from the magazines and news publications we know best?

No one.

Interbike is proud to produce our Trend Guide for the second year in a row with content on almost every discipline of cycling from road to BMX. This is the information that we hope will guide the way you

Road Bike Trends - Bikes Belong - Paved magazine - ROAD - Velo

operate your business, and ultimately give you the best ROI during

Triathlon Trends - Tri - Triathlete

participation in the Interbike Trend Guide, wish everyone a success-

Urban Trends - Bicycle Times - Urban Velo - Momentum Magazine

Retail Trends - The Mann Group

Health+Fitness Trends - Health+Fitness Business

Events and Featured Areas of Interbike

OutDoor Demo

your time at Interbike and OutDoor Demo.

We’d like to thank our friends at the publications below for their

ful 2012 – and a great show in Las Vegas.

The Interbike Team

E xplore

SHOW STAFF Senior Vice President, Sports Group

Managing Director

Darrell Denny darrell.denny@nielsen.com Pat Hus pat.hus@nielsen.com

Sales Manager

Andria Klinger andria.klinger@nielsen.com

Senior Account Executive

Brian McKavic brian.mckavic@nielsen.com

Account Executive

Leigh Donovan leigh.donovan@nielsen.com

PR & Communications Director

Justin Gottlieb justin.gottlieb@nielsen.com

Marketing Director Marketing Coordinator Senior Art Director

Order Entry Manager Order Entry

Elayna Caldwell elayna.caldwell@nielsen.com Mike Quilliam mike.quilliam@nielsen.com Jennie Brewton jennie.brewton@nielsen.com Manny Lemus manuel.lemus@nielsen.com Anne Hovas anne.hovas@nielsen.com

Directors of Operations Alicia Keith alicia.keith@nielsen.com Cindy Sample cindy.sample@nielsen.com Operations Managers Erin O’Donnell–Interbike erin.odonnell@nielsen.com

The Pub and the Café at The LAB

Kristen Novick–Registration kristen.novick@nielsen.com Operations Coordinators Lindsay Jennings lindsay.jennings@nielsen.com Kirsten Khoury kirsten.khoury@nielsen.com Rachel Katz rachel.katz@nielsen.com Emily Jensen emily.jensen@nielsen.com Jamie kelley jamie.kelley@nielsen.com

Grab a drink with friends or play some shuffleboard with your sales rep, whatever your form of relaxing is The Pub is sure to help. Fuel up in the café from a wide menu of options from sandwiches to sushi to a salad and baked potato bar.

President, Nielsen Expositions, David Loechner Senior Vice President, Human Resources, Michael Alicea Senior Vice President, Business Development, Darrell Denny Vice President, Finance, Denise Bashem Vice President, Operations, Lori Jenks Vice President, Digital, Teresa Reilly Vice President, Manufacturing & Marketing, Joanne Wheatley

Interbike Event Guide is published by Nielsen Expositions. Editorial Offices, 31910 Del Obispo, Suite 200, San Juan Capistrano, 92675, Phone: 949-226-5700 Interbike is a trademark owned exclusively by Nielsen Business Media. All rights reserved. c 2012 Nielsen Business Media. All rights reserved. Printed by American Web. ®

TRENDGUIDE 2012

Show Info

INTERBIKE AND HEALTH + FITNESS BUSINESS SHOW HOURS

OUTDOOR DEMO SHOW HOURS

Wednesday, September 19: 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. (Street Level Only)

Wednesday, September 19: 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Monday, September 17: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 18: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

(Upper Level)

Thursday, September 20: 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Friday, September 21: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

You must have a badge, badgeholder and wristband prior to going to the Demo.

Early Access Hours: 8:00 – 9:00 a.m. Thursday & Friday (by appointment only)

Important Information

EARLY ACCESS HOURS 8:00 – 9:00 a.m. Thursday & Friday Early access hours allow for morning private meetings and appointments between retailers and exhibitors. To take advantage of this service, you must have an Early Access Pass, from an exhibitor, to enter the expo hall between 8:00 – 9:00 a.m. For security purposes, no early entry will be allowed without a pass.

EXHIBITOR REGISTRATION Sands Street Level Lobby

Sunday, September 16: 12:00 – 6:00 p.m. Monday, September 17: 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 18: 6:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 19: 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Thursday, September 20: 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Friday, September 21; 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

ATTENDEE REGISTRATION

E xplore

Sands Street Level Lobby

Monday, September 17: 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 18: 6:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 19: 7:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Thursday, September 20: 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Friday, September 21: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

WORKING MEDIA Working Media must register in the Press Room, Sands 301 or at the Media Registration Counter. For media information on-site phone: 817/929-8123.

BIKE LOCK UP Sands Meeting Room 302 (This is not an overnight lock-up) Wednesday, September 19: 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Thursday, September 20: 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Friday, September 21: 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. 6

TRENDGUIDE 2012

Trends- CATEGORY

TRENDS: BMX TRENDS BMX PLUS! MAGAZINE

mx has always been a very trend driven realm of cycling. From colors, to clothes, to brands and geometry, its all about the masses, whether riders will admit it or not. In years past, this could be played to a brands advantage, as they simply needed to dangle something shiny in front of a riders face and they would overlook a world of impurities in the product so they could have it in their garage tonight.

But in the past few years, BMX has undergone a revolution of sorts, riders are smarter, wiser with their money and are willing to put impulse on hold to sleep on a product and research the fantastical claims and fancy tag words that have been slapped on every product, along with a steadily growing price tag. Because of this, todays serious Bear has learned to flush out the imposter products and make the smart buy. This left many brands to knock off the nonsense and focus on the core quality of the products. This is great, because for 2013, BMX products have never been better; unfortunately, they have never looked more the same. With the gimmicks gone, and flashy colors still leaving the instinctual reaction to steer clear in many riders heads, and wallets, BMX may appear very bland and boring with dark, matte finishes leading in sales, but it’s not just some gothic uprising on 20” wheels, there is something at the root of every bike sale that riders want more then anything, and that is to be part of something. Image has become the main rider focus for 2013 and the right mix of brands or models for your shop depends on what 8

teams shoes your buyers are looking to fill. Tough, berm blasting racers will turn to brands like Haro and DK to fit the team image set by factory riders like Nic Long and Marc Willers, while hardcore street and freestyle riders will pair up with brands like Cult and Subrosa because they feel team riders like Dakota Roche and Hoang Tran best reflect the way they want to be seen as riders. On the flip side, serious, hard training racers will hop on bikes like those made by Chase, Redline or Free Agent, not necessarily because of the bikes them selves, but because of the team riders that represent them, like Connor Fields, Sam Willoughby and David Herman. And for your X Games hopefuls? Brands like Premium and Specialized will appeal to the rider who has their sights set on the “next big thing”, following in the image of team riders like Chad Kerley and Daniel Dhers. So before you get caught up in colors and models, consider the images set forth by the factory teams and how they might appeal to your local riders. More then ever before, for 2013, expect to see factory teams and images selling the bikes the brand names alone wont be able to.

FREESTYLE MISSES • Long chainstays (14” or longer) • Narrow tires (1.75” or smaller) • Low or narrow bars (under 8” rise and 26” width) • Detanglers • Large graphics RACING HITS • Long chainstays (14.5” or longer on Pro bikes) • Oversized, through-style axles (15 or 20mm) • Narrow, low rolling resistance tires (1.85” or smaller) • Low slop cassette or clutch hubs • Unique, performance frame features RACING MISSES • Non-integrated tensioners • Railed seats and posts • Forged cranks • Low bar position • Tall standover height

FREESTYLE HITS • Removable brake mounts • Darker/matte color ways • Fat tires (2.2 or larger) • Longer top tube options (21”) at more affordable price points • Tall bars (8.25” rise or taller)

TRENDGUIDE 2012

Trends- CATEGORY

TRENDS: 2013 BMX TRENDS By Keith Mulligan, Ride BMX Editor in Chief

MX companies set trends. They also react to them and incorporate anything that makes sense into their complete bike line and aftermarket parts. Whether it’s innovative and simple new takes on decades old designs, a change in tire or handlebar sizes, or a whole new color palette, you’ll always see something new and important to your business in the BMX Zone. Pay attention to this year’s trends, stock the right products, and you’ll see plenty of traffic in your shop.

Go Big Hit any riding spot and you’ll see bigger bars, seats, and top-load stems on bikes. Expect to see those items being the norm on completes, and count on seeing at least one top-load stem and big set of bars in most brands’ booth this year. Longer posts are also popular. “Everything in BMX seems to come back around eventually. Larger seats and longer seat posts are resurfacing in a big way,” said S&M’s Chris Moeller. The thicker seat trend was apparent this time last year, but has now been recognized by every major brand. Expect plenty of new beefed up saddles, most being Pivotal-style, at this year’s show.

A Few Extra Pounds Heavier bikes and parts sales mean things have reached a breaking point—literally. Riders want their bike as light as possible while being able to hold up to anything, and companies want to offer the lightest products they can, but not without compromising safety. According to Animal’s Jay Dyer, “Frame tubing [is] getting thicker because of grinding and crashing. Light frames are gone for the time being.” Coast to coast, brands are seeing the same changes. “One thing we see—or hope to see—going away is the whole ‘lightweight’ thing. Everyone flirted with how light we can make products and later figured out what the happy medium is on 10

bikes have also been a big one, and if you’re spec’ing a bike without tapered forks above the $350 price point, you’re in trouble.”

what we can get away with. Strength over weight will be more popular in coming years,” says Brian Castillo. Keep It Simple When it comes to parts, riders want less technical and overbuilt stuff. Simple and economical is in demand. “As far as P&A goes, there’s a shift back toward simple, strong, and affordable products. Not so much price point level, but a good mix between price and quality with less focus on making things lightweight,” said Verde’s Cory Muth. On the complete bike side, the simple setup is also key. Haro’s James Ayres agrees. “The four peg/front brake/Gyro setup has gone the way of the dinosaur on anything considered upper end. Even the two-peg/Gyro setup has slowed compared to the straight cable/no pegs setup that most guys are running today. Brakeless

Other Important Trends: • Long flangless grips on big bars. • Hub guards are hot—both metal and plastic. • Rear 3/8-inch axles are back. • Plastic pegs with alloy or chromoly cores, long plastic pegs are in. • Female hub axles and left-hand drive hub sales are up. • Shorter cranks are popular—down to 170mm, and even 165mm. • Big tires are being used on everything from dirt to street.

TRENDGUIDE 2012

Trends- CATEGORY

TRENDS:

IMBA’S BEST WORLD SUMMIT NEARS

ANTICIPATION IS BUILDING — JOIN US IN SANTA FE!

International Mountain Bicycling Association

nticipation is building as the sixth edition of IMBA’s World Summit gathering nears. The 2012 edition will be held in Santa Fe, New Mexico, on Oct. 10-13. If you attended recent IMBA summits in Whistler, BC; Park City, UT; or Augusta, GA you might be surprised to hear that the riding, summit speakers and social events in Santa Fe could top them all. Visit imba.com/world-summit to register.

registrations rates (with a 10percent discount for IMBA members). All delegates get two breakfasts, three lunches and a dinner, plus the open and closing barbeques. There will be plenty of beverages available, including choice offerings from local microbrewers. Visit imba.com/worldIMBA’s summits bring hundreds of delegates from multiple countries together, from local mountain bike enthusiasts to professional trail builders, land managers, tourism operators and bicycle industry professionals. Darco Cazin, an expert on bicycle-related tourism and founder of Allegra Tourismas, will travel from Switzerland to attend the summit. “It’s the best platform I know of to exchange ideas and network with other developers of great mountain bike experiences,” said Cazin. “I’m looking forward to presenting new information about mountain biking in Europe, and I look forward to getting updates from the global leaders who will attend.” Excitement in the host community is also evident. A recent article in the Santa Fe New Mexican touted the outstanding riding that attendees will have access to during the summit, including the La Tierra and Dale Ball trail systems. The story also quotes the director of sales for the Santa Fe Convention and Visitors Bureau, as predicting an economic boost of $500,000 to $1 million from IMBA’s summit. You’ll find complete summit info, including 14

• IMBA Trail Building School • Southwest Trails Conference • Race Promoter Powwow • Vendor expo opens • Group rides (led by Santa Fe Fat Tire Society and Pedal Queens) • Opening reception Thursday (10-11) • Summit educational sessions and workshops • Group rides (led by Santa Fe Fat Tire Society and Pedal Queens) • MTB community art celebration and poster session Friday (10-12) • Summit educational sessions and workshops

summit today. What’s on Tap? The Santa Fe Convention Center will be the backdrop for all summit events and activities. The summit vendor expo — held in the convention center courtyard — will provide an opportunity to ride demo bikes supplied by IMBA industry partners, including Trek, Specialized and Jamis. Plus, Shimano, SRAM and others expo vendors will provide additional equipment and mechanical support. A day-by-day breakdown looks like this: Tuesday (10-9) • Pre-conference riding field trip to Los Alamos and Ski Pajarito (separate registration). Hosted by Los Alamos Singletrack Association, Los Alamos County and Ski Pajarito. Wednesday (10-10) • Special pre-conference/co-hosted events (separate registration): • NICA Leaders’ Summit • Trips for Kids Conference TRENDGUIDE 2012

CATEGORY-Trends

• Chapter congress (admission by invitation only) • Expo party, plaza night criterium, followed by special film presentation Saturday (10-13) • Epic group ride • Closing BBQ “We are thrilled to bring the summit to Santa Fe in 2012,” said Mike Van Abel, the group’s executive director. “Santa Fe presents a model of how to enrich a community with top-notch mountain bike facilities. We were impressed by the connectivity from in-town bike paths to nearby trail systems. IMBA’s local chapter, the Santa Fe Fat Tire Society, has emerged as an incredibly effective and well-organized group — they have been a great asset as we plan for our best world summit ever.” IMBA World Summit Sponsors In addition to the strong national support from the Federal Highway Administration and Bikes Belong, additional summit sponsors include Primal Wear, League of American Bicyclists, CLIF Bar, QBP, Sock Guy, Dirt Art, Kona, Santa Cruz Bicycles, BikeFlights.com, Vermeer, Dirt Rag and New Belgium Brewery. Local supporters include the City of Santa Fe, Hutton Broadcasting/SantaFe.com, BTI, REI, Premier Subaru, O’Leary Built Bicycles, Century Bank, Santa Fe Brewing Company, Marble Brewery, Second Street Brewery, Santa Fe Spirits and Outside Magazine. Conference accomodations arranged by Hotel Santa Fe and the Hilton Santa Fe Historic Plaza. Sponsorship opportunities are still available. Contact IMBA Development Director Rich Cook (rich.cook@imba.com) to learn more.

INTERBIKE.COM

How Good Are Santa Fe Trails? With previous IMBA summits held in Whistler, Park City and other outstanding riding locations, the bar has been set quite high. Is Santa Fe up to the challenge? Here’s how our friends at Dirt Rag magazine summarized the local offerings: After years of planning and countless volunteer hours the City of Santa Fe recently opened La Tierra Trails, a 1,500acre recreation site with more than 25 miles of multi-use trails. Located within

The newly created La Piedra Trail is a link connecting the northern Dale Ball trails with the extensive trail system in the Santa Fe National Forest, including the towering Winsor Trail. The three-mile connector makes it possible to ride from the Plaza in the heart of Santa Fe to the 13,000-foot peaks of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains high above the city. The city’s in-town trails system is growing and includes an extension to the Chamisa

““WE ARE THRILLED TO BRING THE SUMMIT TO SANTA FE IN 2012,” SAID MIKE VAN ABEL, THE GROUP’S EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. “SANTA FE PRESENTS A MODEL OF HOW TO ENRICH A COMMUNITY WITH TOP-NOTCH MOUNTAIN BIKE FACILITIES. WE WERE IMPRESSED BY THE CONNECTIVITY FROM IN-TOWN BIKE PATHS TO NEARBY TRAIL SYSTEMS. IMBA’S LOCAL CHAPTER, THE SANTA FE FAT TIRE SOCIETY, HAS EMERGED AS AN INCREDIBLY EFFECTIVE AND WELL-ORGANIZED GROUP — THEY HAVE BEEN A GREAT ASSET AS WE PLAN FOR OUR BEST WORLD SUMMIT EVER.” biking distance of downtown, the new complex incorporates clear signage, interconnected loops to vary a ride’s length, separate singletrack terrain and stunning views. The family-friendly area also provides hiking and equestrian terrain, plus a purpose-built BMX area. The Dale Ball Trail System uses a similar interconnected trail strategy that provides more than 30 miles of singletrack trail, with multiple trailheads and a wide variety of terrain and challenges accessible from the city limits. The Dale Ball system is a model for forward thinking land conservation in an urban-wilderness interface.

Trail, connecting with the Santa Fe Rail Trail. The newly paved portion turns to dirt after the city limits and goes for 12.5 miles to the city of Lamy. This is a popular outand-back ride for locals and visitors alike. The Caja del Rio area is covered in twisting single- and double-track running through a field of extinct volcanoes. From the expansive views at La Bajada escarpment to Rio Grande overlooks there is more to explore here than any one trip can hold.

Trends- CATEGORY

TRENDS: IT’S ALL ABOUT A BETTER RIDE Bike Magazine

ike has always been up to date on the latest trend. Yup, that’s ‘trend’, as in singular. Because, really, at Bike there’s this nagging belief that the only true ‘trend,’ per se, is that whole thing where people actually get out on their bikes and ride—and have a damn good time doing it. But, that’s not to say advancements in technology and novel, new products don’t have any influence on how we get out and ride. This year there are plenty of new products and innovations that should definitely influence our riding for the better.

One is the Loneliest Number—But Not For Long While still definitely a niche product, the trend towards 1x10 and 1x11 drivetrains is rapidly gaining steam with dedicated offerings like SRAM’s XX1 group. Promising a simpler drivetrain, it also frees up frame design by eliminating the front derailleur. And, interestingly enough, it’s a trend that both enduro and XC riders have been adopting en-masse. While still not the choice of many riders, paired with the weight loss and advancements in pedaling efficiency making their way into frames all throughout the industry, it’s becoming a more and more attractive option.

Suspension Simplified Anything we can do, as an industry, to simplify suspension setup, is a win-win for everyone. That’s why we’re plenty chuffed to see innovations like Specialized’s novel Auto Sag feature, Trek’s impressive online suspension calculator and Fox’s CTD damping platform and iRD app. These innovations help riders untangle the mystery of proper suspension setup, making for a remarkably better ride experience. A mere 10 psi too much can make for a horrible day on the trail and a bummed out consumer suffering from a bad bout of buyer’s remorse. It’s this reason alone that making suspension simple is even more important than adding an extra click of radness to a fork or shock. Size Matters 650B. Ready or not, here it comes. And, like it or not, it’s coming on strong with adopters of the new wheel size touting it as the best of both worlds. Oh, wait, excuse us for calling it 650B—it appears

we’re now calling the new standard 27.5. So while the industry can’t seem to make up its mind on what to call it, that certainly hasn’t stopped manufacturers like Scott and Intense from throwing plenty of resources behind the new wheel size. In fact, Scott’s new Genius eschews 26-inch wheels completely, coming only in 27.5and 29-inch-wheeled versions. It appears the naysayers will be eating a healthy dose of crow in the years to come—27.5 is here to stay.

Raising The Stakes—and Dropping The Saddle It’s pretty hard not to notice how dropper posts just keep getting better and better. It’s a product we feel every rider should have—and we don’t even say that about front or rear suspension. Nowadays, we feel riding a bike without a dropper post is akin to gargling razor blades—it’s just not fun. While in the past a few shining stars dominated the market, competition breeds better products and this maturing product segment certainly bears that out, and the latest posts from newcomers to the segment like Fox and Thompson promise to raise the competition even higher.

TRENDGUIDE 2012

Trends- CATEGORY

TRENDS: INTERBIKE TRENDS By Alan Davis, Decline Magazine

ecline magazine is always looking for the hottest trends among gravity mountain bike enthusiasts. Over the years, freeriding, World Cup downhill, all-mountain bikes, street riding and bike parks have all had their day, but right now we see a big surge in Enduro racing. This type of racing appears to be supplanting the Super-D at many bike festivals – in fact it’s so popular that Enduro races are popping up as a stand-alone events at many locales. at the same time you’re not blowing up before the real fun begins. Line up at the brink of some sweet piece of singletrack and rip down as fast as you can. Wait at the bottom for a couple of your competitors so you can talk about how rad your run was, or what close call you had… Then you pedal off to the next section together, line up and repeat. Repeat until you’ve gotten to taste and explore all the best trails a given place has to offer. Plus you can do it with whatever bike you ride on your local trails after work every day.”

Photo by: Alan Davis

Decline magazine is always looking for the hottest trends among gravity mountain bike enthusiasts. Over the years, freeriding, World Cup downhill, all-mountain bikes, street riding and bike parks have all had their day, but right now we see a big surge in Enduro racing. This type of racing appears to be supplanting the Super-D at many bike festivals – in fact it’s so popular that Enduro races are popping up as a stand-alone events at many locales.

That’s the Enduro formula for success – racing on fun singletrack descents with your buddies on equipment that you ride every day. Most events are multiday affairs with several timed sections throughout a long ride and the sustained climbs are not timed to help level the playing field. The Enduro racing scene has really exploded in Oregon where the Oregon Enduro Series had five stops this year. Other popular events included the Canadian Open Enduro at Crankworx Whistler and

Instead of just a watered down downhill race, like many Super-D events had turned into, the Enduro is becoming a big event in itself, with the festive atmosphere like you used to find in the old NORBA National pits or at a 24-hour race. One of the best Enduro racers in the U.S., Nathan Riddle (Santa Cruz/SRAM), describes them. “Enduro is the best part of every ride condensed into one race. You pedal to the top of the hill with your pals and chat about what is to come. No dawdling but 18

Photo by: Alan Davis

the Specialized Enduro at the Colorado Freeride Festival but more grassroots Enduros popped up this year too including the Bell Super Enduro at the Santa Cruz Mountain Bike Fest and the VP Components Dirt Club Enduro in Los Olivos, California. Given the current growth trend of Enduro racing we wouldn’t be surprised to see its popularity continue to expand into any region with sweet singletrack descents on event-friendly land. Increasing demands for fast and light, longer-travel alternativewheel-size bikes like 27.5- or 29-inch should also fuel the appetite for festive events that the masses can enjoy on these new versatile two-wheeled machines.

Photo by: Alan Davis

TRENDGUIDE 2012

Trends- CATEGORY

TRENDS:

YOUR CUSTOMERS CAN HAVE IT THEIR WAY From the editors of Mountain Bike Action

ountain biking continues to be a strong and growing segment of outdoor recreational activity. The best news is that bicycle retailers are well positioned to capitalize on it. Your suppliers are offering an unprecedented array of mountain bikes that cover so many segments it is hard to imagine a rider walking into your shop with a need that you can’t fill. In addition to bike sales, there is a large opportunity for mountain bike-related services and accessories that these riders need.

WHEEL WARS Now that you are used to selling (and stocking) 26- and 29-inch wheeled mountain bikes, the in-between wheel size for mountain bikes (650b, or the more understandable, 27.5-inch size) is going to be a hot topic of conversation in your showroom, like it or not. While 27.5er sales are currently too small to measure against your 26er and 29er sales, you should not dismiss this as a fringe group like downhill race bikes or singlespeeds. This new wheel size is most attractive to the largest segment of mountain bikers, and that’s trail riders. We are fortunate to have ridden a fair number of 27.5-inch wheeled bikes from both boutique builders and large brands, and their application for the average trail rider is obvious. They roll nicely over varied terrain and still have a lively, fun feel in the corners and while pumping the trail. If the mountain bike pioneers had adopted the 27.5-inch wheels, the need for a 26- or 29-inch wheeled mountain bike would have never arisen and every mountain bike in your shop today would be a 27.5—a bold statement that is rarely challenged by riders who have ridden the new wheel size. Since the 27.5-inch wheel did not come first, where will it fit in now? The 29er has established itself as the go-to wheel for high-performance, cross-country riding and racing. This is unlikely to change. Lower-end 29ers will lose sales to entrylevel 27.5ers which have both a bike size advantage (smaller riders will feel more comfortable on them) and a wheel weight advantage. They will also cannibalize 26er sales in all categories except long-travel park and downhill race bikes, where the smaller wheels still hold an edge in frame designs, durability and rider expectation.

represent a brand that has a traveling demo bike fleet, work with your sales representative to get the fleet to your shop. If your supplier offers a demo bike discount, utilizing this program to get a variety of wheel sizes in the shop for demo rides is an excellent idea. THIS YEAR’S HOT ACCESSORY Dropper seatposts (telescopic seatposts that will drop 3 to 4 inches at the push of a lever) will continue to build momentum. While the dropper seatposts we have tested in the past have all had reliability issues, they have come a long way (far enough for many brands to spec them on their new bikes). So far, two stand above the crowd. The KS LEV earned a Mountain Bike Action 5-star rating and the RockShox Reverb, although more complicated to initially set up, is proving very reliable.

Adding a third mountain bike platform is a tough financial decision for any retailer. Based on the interest level of our readership, we believe the 27.5-inch wheel is something you have to take seriously. TRY IT AND BUY IT More so than recent innovations in drivetrains or frame materials (carbon fiber) the 27.5er and 29er is a feel-it-to-believe-it product. Retailers who can lend bikes for wheel comparison demo rides will reap the sales benefits that the 27.5 and 29er bring to the table. We still see plenty of 26er riders who are ready or at least considering the move to larger diameter wheels. If you

TRENDGUIDE 2012

Trends- CATEGORY

TRENDS: WELCOME TO THE B-SIDE By Dirt Rag Magazine

t started this spring at Sea Otter. Under hushed voices, brand managers from various bike, wheel, and tire companies were asking us what we’d heard, who was doing what, and what to call the darn things—27.5?, 650B? It seems that everyone wanted to jump on the “tweener” wheel bandwagon, but many companies were unsure if the timing was right. Well, if this summer is any indication, 2013 will go down as the year of the 650B mountain bike.

Kirk Pacenti was the man who brought 650B wheels from touring bikes to the modern mountain bike world. Click here to read our full interview with the man who started the modern 650B movement.

For several years it seemed the increasing popularity of 29-inch wheels was set to roll over the nascent crop of 650B-wheeled bikes. A handful of companies introduced production models, but some of them gave up on the idea after a few short seasons. Some observers saw stagnation in the 650B movement. But 650B innovator Kirk Pacenti has a different take on the evolution of the wheelsize: “What may be viewed as ‘stagnation’ by some, could be looked at as ‘the calm before the storm’ by others. When you consider that development of a new product line from big companies can take up to 24 months, and that both Fox and RockShox released 650B-specific forks this year, you can begin to piece together a more accurate picture of how quickly the industry got behind 650B. The other thing people seem to forget is just how long 29ers took to get to where they are today,” said Pacenti. While 29ers may have stolen the spotlight 22

for several years, their acceptance set the stage for mountain biking’s next act. “The 29-inch phenomenon fueled this taste for bigger wheels. The momentum, roll-over ability, and traction that bigger wheels offer are undeniable. However, 29-inch wheels cannot be placed on a bike in the ‘Trail’ segment without compromising geometry,” said Scott Sports’ Adrian Montgomery. Not everyone is excited about introducing a third wheel size. For companies, it could mean expanding product lines, for dealers it means more SKUs, more inventory, and more education for staff and consumers alike. “I imagine the complexity of three wheel sizes will be too much in the long term and the market will settle on one or two. Honestly, we'd like to see one,” said Yeti’s Chris Conroy. Even the companies committed to 650B acknowledge that it presents challenges to retailers and consumers. “Trying to explain the pluses and minuses of 26- and 29-inch

Scott is fully embracing the 650B revolution for 2013. This summer Scott unveiled the 650b Genius. It’s worth noting the company dropped the 26-inch-wheeled Genius from its line in favor of the larger wheels.

wheels to an entry-level consumer is already quite difficult. Inserting a third wheel size creates more confusion. Ultimately, people need to get on each of the different wheel sizes and see what they like best for their local trail and personal riding style,” said Schwable’s Sean Cochran. Another salient point is that 650B is unlikely to grow the mountain bike market. Rather, it will likely be a matter of selling new bikes and components to the same riders. “[650B] is only going to reshuffle market share,” said Trek’s Travis Ott. This reshuffling is sure to be a theme of this year’s show. Will companies try to support all three wheel sizes, or will they choose to focus on one or two?

The 650B wheels aren’t new to Dirt Rag readers — In 2008 we squeezed 650B hoops into a Santa Cruz Heckler, subsequently dubbed “The Beckler.” Read our initial impressions of this “tweener” wheelsize project here.

TRENDGUIDE 2012

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Trends- CATEGORY

TRENDS:

ENDURO FASTEST GROWING DISCIPLINE IN ROCKY MOUNTAIN REGION By Mountain Flyer Magazine

he enduro is growing in popularity as the format that speaks to a broad range of mountain bikers and additionally showcases destination riding, spectacular scenery and the excitement and glory that goes hand-in-hand with racing. It’s not about who can tackle the fire road in record-setting pace or who can drop the sickest line. At the heart of enduro racing is just a simple desire to ride your mountain bike.

Hailed as the discipline that best highlights the all-around rider, enduro racing is exploding in the Rocky Mountain region, and race promoters are responding by adding the format to their race season offerings or starting new enduro series altogether. Just this summer, for example, Bigfoot Productions — which organizes the prestigious Mountain States Cup gravity series — launched the Big Mountain Enduro Series with three backcountry events: the Buffalo Pass Enduro in Steamboat Springs, Colo; the Kennebec Pass Enduro in Durango, Colo.; and the Enchilada Enduro in Moab, Utah.

Bigfoot representative Sarah Rawley said the promoter wanted to offer events that speak to all types of racing. “This opens the door to people who just love to ride their bike, fast and hard, and still wear their baggies and race on their everyday trail bike,” Rawley said. The number of entrants for the Big Mountain races is capped (200 for the Colorado races and 150 for the Utah race, which is full). But Rawley says the caps will increase in the future with the success of the 2012 events. Other races, such as the Trestle All-Mountain Enduro in Winter Park, Colo., also had successful first-year runs. The three-day all-mountain race began in 2011 and required racers to choose a single bike and suspension set-up for five stages and a variety of terrain and distances. With long-distance courses (such as the Fears, Tears & Beers in Ely, Nev., at 34 miles long) and tough climbs (such as the Kennebec race that requires a 2,000-foot climb in five miles to get to the start), physical fitness is still a factor. Five years ago, equipment would have been a hindrance, but gone are the days in which a rider has to sacrifice stability to save weight and vice versa. All-mountain and cross-country trail bikes with 4 to 7 inches of suspension are widespread and are light, nimble and durable.

Photo by: Eddie Clark Professional downhill racer Jon Watt sails over a slight drop on the SallyAnn Trail during the fourth stage of the Trestle All-Mountain Enduro in Winter Park, Colo.

Photo by: Eddie Clark Tyler Moreland rails into a tightly bermed corner during the first stage of the Trestle All-Mountain Enduro in Winter Park, Colo.

Organizers of the new Master of the Mass in Snowmass Village, Colo., created the multi-day, enduro-style stage race this year to appeal to a range of cyclists. “This type of racing is far less intimidating than rolling up to the start line with uber athletes who are watching their caloric intake every day,” said race director Dave Elkan. “Enduro is the type of race for the average guy and girl that likes to just ride their bike. You don’t have to train 30 hours a week; you just have to like to ride.”

“Racing in the U.S. has gone through lots of different changes, partly due to influences from the industry and technology, and part to racers who are looking for new and different challenges,” Rawley explained.

TRENDGUIDE 2012

CATEGORY-Trends

TRENDS: THE FUTURE OF CYCLING LIES WITH OUR YOUTH By Tyler Dibble and Paul Skilbeck

he recent Annual Stats Issue of BRAIN showed U.S. ridership waning across disciplines. The answer to this decline doesn’t lie with the baby boomers and their disposable income – it lies with our youth. And while lots of kids ride bikes through middle school, many stop riding in high school. What can we do to get more kids riding bikes throughout adolescence and adulthood? How can we mainstream the sport for younger generations? The key rests with making mountain biking an option for the teenagers wondering what sport to pursue in the coming school year. on the balcony by the top of the staircase,Thursday September 20 at 3:00 p.m. NICA’s programs have already created thousands of new, dedicated lifelong cyclists. 89 percent of NICA student-athletes ride year-round and 99 percent say they will continue riding for the rest of their lives. NICA’s statistics paint a promising picture of the future of the sport.

Photo by: NICA Growing the sport: NICA events are well organized, well attended, and are for studentathletes only - there is no adult racing at these events.

BRAIN recently pointed to a 15% decline in youth cycling from 2001-2011. The most obvious remedy to this might be the National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA), whose program provides a realistic opportunity for long-term reversal of the trend. NICA has found that high school cycling bridges a critical gap between adolescence and college, and it brings in new male and female riders and, in many cases, their parents, too. High school cycling programs have the dual effects of mainstreaming the sport of cycling as well as adding a steady flow of new life-long customers to the market. NICA was founded in 2009 as a way to promote mountain biking at the high school level and help student-athletes develop strong mind, body and character. With the help of local community leaders, NICA has already established leagues in seven states, with three more coming on board for 2013. Details of the new leagues will be announced at Interbike Booth L10, INTERBIKE.COM

Student-athletes in the NICA program appear to get hooked on mountain biking. All they needed was for someone to present the sport in a way that was attractive to their generation.

Opportunities for both retailers and manufacturers abound in the NICA program. Retailers that promote the local NICA teams and leagues not only see improvement in sales figures from existing participants, but can help bring in more of these long-term customers by supporting and publicizing local NICA programs. Dealers and manufacturers can visit nationalmtb.org or contact info@nationalmtb.org to learn if there is a NICA league in their state and find out about partnership opportunities. Something as easy as providing a meeting space for a local high school mountain bike team is a great place to start.

In 2012 NICA will have close to 2,000 actively participating student-athletes and an additional 1,000 adult coaches, which represents a 73% growth over 2011. Eighteen states expressed interest in the three 2012 new league spots, double the previous year. With ten leagues now in the program and approximately three more coming on each year, NICA expects more than 30 states to have a high school cycling leagues by 2020. It is projected by then that more than 30,000 high school students and coaches will have passed through the NICA system At the local level the impact of NICA programs is felt far beyond the participants. Entire communities rally around these student-athletes, and the mixture of enthusiasm and opportunity is pulling family members into the sport. NICA families reported that 61% of dads and 36% of moms got into cycling because of their child’s participation on their high school mountain bike team. And why not? How many youth sports allow a parent to participate alongside their child? 25

Trends- CATEGORY

TRENDS:

BIKES BELONG LAUNCHES PROJECT FOR PROTECTED BIKEWAYS By Bikes Belong

he national bicycling advocacy nonprofit Bikes Belong Foundation has launched a new project to bring protected bikeways to six U.S. cities. The initiative, Green Lane Project, will work with Austin, Chicago, Memphis, Portland, Ore., San Francisco and Washington, DC, to support the cities’ development of world-class bicycling facility networks over the next two years. Top transportation officials from each city, along with Federal Highway Administration leader Victor Mendez, introduced the program and announced initial plans at a kickoff event earlier this year. The Project will provide updates on the progress in the six cities, best practices as they are developed, and links to other resources on their website at greenlaneproject.org. Other interested cities are invited to use the website to share their plans and progress on building green lanes.

“We are seeing an explosion of interest in making bicycling stress-free on busy city streets,” said Martha Roskowski, Green Lane Project director for Bikes Belong. “The selected cities have ambitious goals and a vision for bicycling supported by their elected officials and communities. They are poised to get projects on the ground quickly and will serve as excellent examples for other interested cities.” Green lanes are dedicated, inviting spaces for people on bikes in the roadway, protected by curbs, planters, posts or parked cars. The goal of the Green Lane Project is to support the selected cities in their efforts to develop and install these kinds of facilities. Recent studies have demonstrated their benefits nationwide. In Washington, DC, bicycle volume tripled after protected bikeways were installed. In Portland, Ore., more than 70 percent of survey respondents said bicycling is easier and safer with these dedicated lanes, while motorists said the facilities did not make driving any slower or less convenient.

Advisors to the Green Lane Project include the New York City Department of Transportation, the League of American Bicyclists and the National Association of City Transportation Officials. Funding partners include the SRAM Cycling Fund, Volkswagen of America, Inc, Interbike, Taiwan Bicycle Exporters Association and the Bikes Belong Coalition. “Green lanes benefit everyone who uses city streets, not just people on bicycles,” continued Roskowski. “With these facilities, people in cars and on foot know where to expect bicycles. More people on bikes eases congestion. When people ride bikes, they are healthier, and they save money.”

TRENDGUIDE 2012

Trends- CATEGORY

TRENDS: SPEEDING DOWN AND SLOWING UP By Kevin Rouse

t Paved, we certainly don't shy away from celebrating cycling's deep roots in tradition, but we also recognize it is still far from immune to the ephemeral nature of the product cycle and the model year. Yes, the threat of faux denim Lycra resurgence still haunts us. That said, we strove to make sure our following picks represent some of the more enduring trends surfacing this year. It takes but a glance around the showroom floor to get an idea of just how far carbon fiber has come. Engineering marvels abound in the medium, as do veritable works of art—Pinarello’s beautifully sculpted, Dogma 65.1 Think2 is clear evidence of both. Lighter, stiffer, stronger—it’s been the mantra responsible for the huge advancements made in the past 10 years. These developments have made going fast easier than ever as we approach stiffness-toweight ratios riders could never have imagined just a few short years ago. And while there’s no arguing that this is a good thing for cycling, it’s also inspired an interesting trend of riders looking to slow down rather than speed up.

Almanzo Gravel Race Series, savvy companies like Salsa have begun to offer bikes dedicated solely to this fast-growing, yet slower-moving, category. Their Warbird is one of the first gravel-race specific offerings from any mainstream company and is certainly headlining the growing trend with its massive tire clearance, disc brakes and customized geometry.

Photo by Robin O'Neill

With dirt-road Randonnée and gravel-road grinders experiencing a huge growth in popularity, especially in the Midwest with events like the Dirty Kanza and the

The Warbird also illustrates the widespread adoption of disc brakes in both the cylcocross and road segments. While disc-brake compatible frames and forks were trickling onto the market last year, we are now seeing the flood of disc-friendly components necessary to make the switch. With road-specific hydraulic levers and calipers on the way from SRAM and dedicated disc wheels from companies like HED, 2013 certainly marks the tipping point for the viability of disc brakes on skinny-tire bikes.

On the soft goods side of the equation, things show signs of slowing as well, with classic design embodied in the likes of Giro’s new Empire lace-up cycling shoes evoking a slower time where people actually had time to tie their laces. But, on a more serious note, many of the designs popping up this year possess a decidedly retro flair, while still marrying the vintage aesthetic with the latest technology—and what’s not to like about a perfect union between quintessential style and cuttingedge technology?

Photo by Robin O'Neill

TRENDGUIDE 2012

Trends- CATEGORY

TRENDS: THE CUSTOM ROAD RACER By: Road Magazine

It’s astonishing to see how much our sport changed in the last 10 years when you compare it to the previous 100 years. And it’s not just a “lighter and stiffer” bike. It’s so much more than that now. Options are now available to satisfy every style of cyclist. Frames are specific to a rider’s style, wheels are at varying depths and widths for a given parcours, power meters are being used by all level of racers and relayed to coaches who have given them a custom training plan, nutritional needs are modified to one’s dietary needs. And now, you can even plug your drivetrain into your computer and adjust its functionality to your liking

Leading the way has been the advancements in aerodynamics. Frame designers are continually studying shapes in the wind tunnel and refining designs that will shave off watts from your efforts. This gives the rouleurs of the peloton a faster bike specific to their specialty. Felt’s AR1 line of bikes is a great example of a product that was created in a wind-tunnel and designed to be more efficient hammering through the wind-swept, flat roads.

For years carbon deepdish wheels have been pretty similar in design, but recently advancements have been made that improve balance, stability and decrease rolling resistance. This “toroidal” shape, pioneered by Zipp with their Firecrest design, helps to stabilize the wheel in cross-winds and it’s wider profile has proven to be a faster rolling product. This shape is being implemented in various depths, allowing for climbers and sprinters alike to benefit from this design.

For any serious cyclist these days a power meter is a must. And with all of the data accumulated it’s almost necessary to have a coach help you understand it and customize a training plan for you based on your numbers. With this increase in demand, power meters are becoming more integrated into the bike itself. Companies like SRAM and PowerTap have teamed up with other like-minded brands to create a more concealed design. SRAM recently acquired Quarq and the two developed a crankset together that is lighter and less bulky, while improving ease of use. PowerTap has slimmed up their hubs and launched a line of wheels with the help of Enve Composites, making for a super high-end, race ready wheelset. Nutrition is also becoming customizable. More and more is being discovered about the effects that different foods have on an athlete. A giant bowl of pasta (or carb-loading) before a race is being replaced in favor of a balanced meal that will better sustain an athlete during competition. Gluten is becoming a bad word and many new “gluten-free” products are gaining popularity. Bonk Breaker makes delicious gluten-free

edibles that are enjoyed by pros and amateurs alike. Some athletes are now proponents of the Paleo diet, basically what humans ate when we were cavemen simple foods that were collected by hunters and gatherers. Diets can be further defined by deficiencies, blood type, build, race season and racing style; there’s a lot of literature out there and for the athlete that’s looking for an extra edge a customized diet can help give you the edge.

And now bikes can be customized electronically. Shimano’s latest Di2 line of drivetrains allows a user to actually plug their bike into a computer and modify its settings. The buttons on the shifter can be adapted to your preferred riding style and the entire system can be analyzed and updated. Customization has reached a new level and it’s giving every style of cyclist a better product.

TRENDGUIDE 2012

Trends- CATEGORY

TRENDS: STOP LIKE NEVER BEFORE By Nick Legan, Tech Editor at Velo magazine/VeloNews.com

he next big thing to hit road cycling comes from our offroad brethren; disc brakes. Naysay all you want, but disc brakes have arrived. While they may not be perfect yet, expect big strides in the near future. Volagi got the ball rolling for disc brake road bikes at Interbike in 2010, with its Venga model. While it took some time for others to follow suit, suddenly manufacturers, both big and small, are getting on board. Canyon showed a concept bike at Eurobike in 2011 and Colnago displayed its C59 Disc at Sea Otter this spring. Craig Calfee offered his Dragonfly model in a disc brake Adventure model. With Specialized, Salsa, and Foundry launching models this summer, the damn has truly burst.

The brakes While some concerns about brake fade from poor heat dissipation on long descents persist, brake manufacturers are reworking current mechanical designs and creating new hydraulic offerings. Images of SRAM’s Red hydraulic brakes and shift/brake levers surfaced in February, but the project seems to have been delayed for the moment and we’re unlikely to see it on cyclocross bikes this fall. Shimano introduced its new CX75 mechanical caliper for cyclocross and the R515 mechanical brake for road this year. In its first year, Hayes’ CX-5 is already original equipment on many current ‘cross bikes. TRP, Formula and Hope all produce mechanical to hydraulic adapters for consumers that want hydraulic brakes on their drop bar bikes now. But the really exciting news in disc brakes may come thanks to electronic shifting. Instead of trying to cram shifter mechanicals and a hydraulic reservoir inside a brake lever body, electronic shift buttons make room for the hydraulics.

But it isn’t one of the big three component manufacturers (Shimano, SRAM, Campagnolo) to bring the idea to fruition. Instead TRP and Formula are leading the charge. Both TRP’s HyWire and Formula’s yet-unnamed road brake systems both look very promising. Unfortunately it may take a little time for both systems to see the light of day as Shimano Ultegra Di2 group has proved difficult to hack compared to the “open” nature of Dura-Ace. That said, this is certainly a case of two smaller players in the cycling market pushing the edge of the envelope.

Racers will also demand lighter systems and wheel options. Expect both in the coming seasons. Because heat from rim braking will no longer be a concern, carbon and aluminum rims can be made lighter than ever before. That is when bikes will start to ride lighter than they actually are. And that will sell bikes. As more manufacturers get on board, the speed at which we’ll all be able to slow down more effectively thanks to disc brakes will really pick up.

Rotor size has settled, for the most part, on 140mm for now and sensibly, manufacturers have adopted 135mm rear dropout spacing, making the use of mountain bike hubs possible. Before racers get on board though, the UCI will have to approve the use of disc brakes for road racing. With the precedent of allowing disc brakes in cyclocross already in place, this may not take too long.

TRENDGUIDE 2012

INTERBIKE.COM

Trends- CATEGORY

TRENDS: TRI TRENDS By Tri-Magazine

New Shapes Wheels have undergone a major change in the past few years. New shapes have emerged that have altered the way we look at wheels. It is no longer just the goal to make a wheel fast, it has to handle well in windy conditions. Manufacturers now tout how well their wheels react in windy conditions as much as they do the low drag numbers. More and more, triathletes are looking for a good all-around wheel rather than the one that tests fastest in a wind tunnel. Also seeing new shapes are aero helmets. The back of the helmet is getting reworked, and in most cases shortened. This trend is very recent as many of the new models were showcased at the Tour de France. Always looking for extra speed, helmets are relatively inexpensive but effective way for athletes to gain those extra seconds.

Fabric Protection Triathletes spend an inordinate amount of time outdoors and with the current science on sun damage, skin protection is a major concern. Athletes are looking for more apparel that contains SPF protection for both training and racing. In addition to protection, cooling fabrics are also trending upward. Fabrics like ColdBlack can now actually reduce the wearer’s core temperature, a feature many triathletes will appreciate. Shops can add to their apparel sales by educating the customer on the benefits of these often higher priced items.

Getting Fit Not just aerobically, but on their bike. Most athletes know that the majority of the drag created on the bike is caused by the rider, and they value comfort over the long haul. For athletes purchasing a new bike, stack and reach figures are replacing top tube and seat tube length as the preferred metrics for choosing a proper fitting bike. Terms like “long and low” or “short and tall” are now commonplace for describing a tri bike’s geometry. A good sales person will understand these new terms and be able to explain them to potential buyers. Additionally, athletes are looking to have their current bike fit better and are turning to fit studios to dial in their existing bike. As such, shops can generate a new revenue stream by creating a fit studio staffed by a knowledgeable and respected fit expert. Clothing Compression continues to be a popular trend. Companies are now branching out in two areas to add to their compression line. First, it's no longer compression socks or sleeves. You are now seeing quad sleeves, arm sleeves and race singlets that incorporate compression. Also, the segment is being further broken into active and recovery types, using different knits, compression rates and manufacturing to create a different effect. Along with skin protection, cooling garment are gaining popularity, specifically arm coolers. These white sleeves look to be counter-intuitive, but provide not only sun protection but a cooling effect as well.

Electronics Tracking the miles, heart rate, power and other metrics has become a major part of triathlete’s training. Mostly in the form of power meters and GPS enabled watches, these accessories have become widely available and more popular with every year. The addition of ANT+ technology has made it easy for all the electronics to be compatible with one another. In watches, there are plenty of vendors that have products to support the swim, bike and run. Many have the same functions, but knowing the key differences between them will help drive sales. Several watches are able to read ANT+ data and can double as a cycling computer as well. In power meters, the difference between crank based and hub based versions is still the major deciding factor for buyers.

TRENDGUIDE 2012

SEE YOU IN 2013 SEPTEMBER 16 & 17, 2013 BOOTLEG CANYON, NEVADA

SEPTEMBER 18-20, 2013 MANDALAY BAY • LAS VEGAS, NEVADA

SEPTEMBER 18-19, 2013 MANDALAY BAY • LAS VEGAS, NEVADA

Trends- CATEGORY

TRENDS: THREE TRENDS From the editors of Triathlete

he editors of Triathlete, the world’s largest triathlon magazine, explain three big trends emerging from the triathlon space: racing triathlon on a road bike, the proliferation of women-specific gear and apparel, and the use of anatomical saddles. For more information from the sport’s premier editorial voice, visit Triathlete.com.

Trend #1: Racing triathlon on a road bike Using a road bike for triathlon is a commitment—at least a temporary one— and swapping a setback seatpost for a forward-oriented post converts the slack road-style seat tube angle to a more tri-friendly setup. Instead of sitting on the rivet, an aggressive seat tube angle helps the rider stay in the bars and sit toward the meat of the saddle. Handling suffers in favor of a comfy aero position. Adjustable aerobars that orient the pads high above the drop bar further mask the shortcomings of road geometry for triathlon.

Trend #2: Women-specific gear and apparel Women are the fastest growing segment in the sport, and everyone from gear manufacturers to race directors are sitting up and taking notice. (Us, too: The editors of Triathlete will produce a special Women’s Issue supplement (January issue) to help female readers navigate the swim- bikerun space so they can get the most out of their limited time and budget.) Thankfully the growth of women in triathlon has served as a catalyst for companies to dismiss the notion of “shrink it and pink it” to create functional, fashion-forward options that athletic women actually like. Zoot continues to pay attention to detail with flat-line stitching, zipper covers and bindings in the right places; Louis Garneau has mastered the shorts that flatter women’s legs; and BlueSeventy has femme wetsuit sizing for women who are a little heavier but not necessarily tall.

Trend #3: Anatomical saddles Saddle discomfort is a common complaint among triathletes spending hours in the aero position, and the latest solution targeted at changing that is the anatomical saddle. ISM (Ideal Saddle Modification) led the charge with their oddly-shaped Adamo saddle—they eliminated the nose, leaving two front “prongs” for the rider to perch on. This type of saddle claims to help to alleviate pressure, prevent numbness and increase blood flow during long bouts, making it a winner from the medical perspective. Its benefits also cross over to performance, as it allows for a wider hip angle and therefore a potentially more forward and aggressive time trial position. Many elite triathletes, including Andy Potts, Julie Dibens, Meredith Kessler and even Lance Armstrong when he was racing, have adopted the ISM, and the wordof-mouth among age groupers has helped this product gain in popularity in the last year.

TRENDGUIDE 2012

Trends- CATEGORY

TRENDS: EVERYDAY CYCLING by Karen Brooks, Bicycle Times

ot all the cool products for pavement riding are about racing—in fact, the categories of cycling for adventure, transportation, and wellness are growing fast. “Road biking for the rest of us” presents great opportunities to draw more customers to your shop and keep them cycling for life. Here are some burgeoning niches and trends to pay attention to at Interbike 2012. We’ll be busy discovering more at the show, so tune in to www.bicycletimesmag.com for updates. Cargo bikes: The SUVs of the bike world. More people are choosing a car-free or car-lite lifestyle, and cargo bikes are key, especially for families. Look for American brands to offer more models and especially accessories to add versatility, and look for European brands, particularly those that offer Dutchstyle bakfietsen, to make inroads in our market. Cargo bikes with electric assist, make it easier to run errands by bike.

Comfort/endurance road bikes, such as this Specialized Secteur Comp, are gaining popularity with riders who want to push their limits without sacrificing comfort.

Comfort/endurance road bikes: The jury is still out on what to call this new category, but its impact is solid. These bikes are for the rider that wants to go far and fast without needing to shave seconds off a race result. Comfort or endurance road bikes look like typical road machines with a few key differences that add comfort for mere mortals, such as a taller head tube for a higher handlebar, wider tires, geometry tuned for easier handling, and a more forgiving feel. Disc brakes: More road and cyclocross bikes are being spec’d with disc brakes—for many riders, the benefits of control trump any weight gain. Having superior braking power in any weather will encourage more people to ride more often. Hydraulics are the next step in the evolution; be on the lookout for conversion boxes and all-in-one solutions.

Adventure bikes: This is a big tent of a category, covering mixed-surface touring, gravel racing, multi-cross, and more. Touring of all kinds is becoming more popular—the journey is the point, not the destination. Then one can use the same bike to ride to work the Monday morning after the adventure. Whatever the style or purpose, these kinds of bikes are versatile enough to be on many shoppers’ short lists for one bike to do it all.

High-end commuters: We saw a rise in top-end commuting bikes last year, mainly in European brands, but this trend will continue and spread in the U.S. as gas prices inevitably rise. Several thousand dollars won’t get you much in an automobile, but can buy a really sweet commuting bike that will make the journey to work pleasant and fun. Electric bikes: As of this writing Eurobike hasn’t happened yet, but last year’s Euro show saw an explosion of electric bikes. The technology is pushing the envelope of smaller, faster, lighter, and more reliable electric bikes. A little boost from an electric motor is all it takes to get many more people hooked on riding bicycles.

Cargo bikes with electric assist, such as the Yuba elMundo, make hauling stuff by bike a lot easier.

TRENDGUIDE 2012

Trends- CATEGORY

TRENDS: LIGHTS, LOCKS, BAGS AND BRAIN BUCKETS By Urban Velo

s the urban cycling scene matures, the demand for basic necessities remains strong. Not surprisingly, the successful purveyors of lights, locks, bags and helmets tend to be the ones with their ear to the ground, responding to the needs of today's riders. City cyclists benefit from vastly improved safety equipment, such as brighter, longer lasting lights, and bicycle retailers stand to gain from the continued popularity of bike commuting as accessory sales result in high profit margins. Every year the major players in the bike light category strive to outdo themselves. Self-contained rechargeable LED headlights designed for commuting are now brighter than yesteryear's premium mountain bike headlights, and retail at a fraction of the price. Take for example NiteRider's Lumina 650, where just $140 buys you 650 lumens. At the other end of the bike, NiteRider's new Solas tail light sports a whopping 2 watt LED and a USB rechargeable Li-Ion battery, features that would have made an impressive headlight a year ago.

he Skully K2 lights offer serious performance in an eye catching design.

There are also a host of lesser known companies fighting for market share in the bike light category. Take the Taiwanese manufacturer S-Sun for example. The company's Skully series combines eyecatching industrial design with serious technology such as high-powered Cree LED lights and solar rechargeable LiPoly batteries. See even more in this category from Knog, Light and Motion, Lezyne and CatEye.

Locks are unfortunately always going to be necessity items in an urban environment, and as bike thieves become better informed and better equipped, lock manufacturers need to stay one step ahead. One company who has been taking great pains to bring the highest level security to the market is Abus. Started in Germany more than 80 years ago, Abus prides themselves on their technology such as temper-hardened steel and double locking shackles. Kryptonite, OnGuard, and Hiplok are all bringing more locks to market uniquely suited to urban use and style. Timbuk2 was among the first bag companies to bring bike messenger style and functionality to the everyday commuter. They're still one of the leaders in worldwide messenger bag sales, and have a dizzying array of backpacks and accessories to choose from. Following in their footsteps are brands like Bailey Works, Chrome and Mission Workshop, who all started small but are now supplying premium quality bags to legions of cyclists around the globe. Of course boutique brands such as Blaq Design, Road Runner and Burro Bags will always have a place in the market.

Sponsored rider Kevin "Squid" Bolger and his pro model Bern helmet.

tend to fall in the $60 to $70 range, making them an affordable option for workaday commuters and college kids alike.

For the past six years, helmet manufacturers Bern and Nutcase have been the veritable Coke and Pepsi of the urban cycling market. Their skate-style helmets have reached a level of ubiquity on the city streets that's finally got the big brands taking notice. Giro's take on the urban cycling helmet is the Reverb, which features an in-mold polycarbonate shell and expanded polystyrene liner. Unlike helmets in the road and mountain category which routinely sell for over $100, urban helmets

TRENDGUIDE 2012

PRODUCT SHOWCASE- Interbike

INNOVATIONS ON DISPLAY: Get a Sneak Peek at what's in store for you and your customers at Interbike! Start your planning early for Interbike 2012 by getting a sneak peek here at what's in store for your store in 2013. The products in this section are a brief highlight of the latest innovations in bikes, gear, apparel and accessories that will be on display this year on the exhibit floor. Come to Interbike 2012 early and be prepared to see first-hand the products you need to grow sales and differentiate your store from the competition.

The Bordo Abus Mobile Security Inc 811 W. Evergreen Ave. #403 Chicago, IL 60642 Phone: (312) 375-3275 www.abus.com Booth: 20102

ABUS, a family owned lock company founded in 1924, is committed to high quality anti-theft equipment and innovative lock options for the bicycle industry. ABUS is the market leader in Europe and the fastest growing bicycle lock company in the US. The Bordo is ABUSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s signature lock featuring a convenient folding construction while offering U-lock security. The lock has special hardened steel-links featuring lighter weight and easy and rattle free mounting on 99% of all bikes.

INTERBIKE.COM

Zitech P.O.B. 3413 Ramat Hasharon Israel 47133 Phone: 011-972-50-6515051 Fax: 97235406222 www.zictech.com Booth: 33072

ZicTech is an innovative design, development and manufacturing company. Save space, store your bike horizontally or vertically, with the new, patent pending, stylish bike stand. Store your tools, tubes and helmet inside the built in storage compartments and hanger. Contact: Alon Kedar Alon.kedar@zictech.com During show: (805) 453 3115

Trends- CATEGORY

TRENDS:

WOMEN’S TRENDS: A BAG TO MATCH THE BIKE by Momentum Magazine

s more women look to purchase bicycles that fit their daily lifestyles, the demand for complete bicycles continues to rise. For many, a bicycle is considered complete when it comes from the shop fully loaded with a rack, kickstand, chainguard, bell, fenders and lights. Taking this demand a step further, some bicycle companies are now offering a complete line of matching accessories. This year we’re seeing more companies introducing accessories and clothing that coordinate with their complete bicycle line. Two companies pedaling that extra mile to complete their product lines Electra Electra’s Amsterdam line is as complete as you can get. The Amsterdam Royal 8i and Classic 3i are ready for the streets with a color-matched rear rack, chainguard, skirt guards and fenders. To top it off, the Royal 8i and Classic 3i also feature a kickstand, bell, dynamo lighting system and Shimano Nexus 8-speed internal gear hub. For those who want to customize their ride, the Amsterdam Original 3i still includes a chainguard, fenders and kickstand while allowing the rider to choose additional accessories that suit their personal style. As a long-standing industry leader in promoting and selling cycling as a lifestyle

choice it is no surprise that Electra’s latest product line includes a coordinated range of baskets, panniers, backpacks and clothing. These fashionable and functional accessories can come packaged for dealers with Electra’s own Personalization Station program that provides an attention-grabbing platform elevating the retail experience to that of mainstream retail environments.

Linus Continuing to make a big splash is relative newcomer to the bike industry, Linus. Offering simple and affordable bicycles the Linus line continues to equip many models with fenders, rear racks, chainguards, bells and kickstands. And like Electra, Linus is expanding their line of accessories for the day-to-day cyclist. Women particularly gravitate towards the Dutchi model, a simple and classic stepthrough design available in six different colors. Pairing the Dutchi with Linus’s growing accessory line that includes canvas handlebar pouches, roll-up market bags, versatile sacs with rack hooks and retro-style headlamps is a simple way for retailers to offer complete bikes to today’s lifestyle focused clientele. 42

TRENDGUIDE 2012

Trends- CATEGORY

TRENDS: VISUAL MERCHANDISING By Dan Mann

icycle Retail has not historically been known for great Visual Merchandising. The rise of the “Concept Store” by Trek, Specialized and Giant has increased awareness and set a new standard for merchandising in the Bicycle Industry. Without the dollars and creativity of merchandising specialists, an Independent Bicycle Retailer can still offer customers a compelling and attractive merchandise presentation.

In our work we travel extensively throughout the US and Canada visiting Bicycle, Running and Outdoor Stores. Some retailers are really making merchandising a priority—and it shows in the visual experience, and in the register. Here are some of the merchandising trends we like: 1.More Space. In the “old days”, bike shops we dark, dusty and crowded. Thankfully, we’ve learned that giving the product more space actually adds value and creates a better shopping experience—and a better presentation. No one is doing this better today than Randy Clark and the team at Bicycle Garage Indy. His new store on the north side of Indianapolis has abundant natural light, high ceilings and lots of space to show off their products. One of the best stores I’ve seen in a while. 2.More Light. Too many retailers have under budgeted on store lighting, only to regret it and have to go back and augment lighting later on. It’s often hard for a retailer to validate this in advance, but lighting ALWAYS pays for itself at the register. Years ago in the men’s clothing company that I ran we had so many lights in the ceiling of our stores that we never had to install a heating unit. We just ran AC….

3.More Mannequins. Once you do the math on the margin advantages of clothing and accessories, you begin to add more and more apparel to your sales floor. The best way to sell apparel is to display it in 3D in your store. No one sells apparel better than Jeff Selzer at Palo Alto Bikes. And for him it’s not just about mannequins, it’s about attitude, adequate floor space and wooden hangers. 4.Local Personality. Skip Hess once told me that he admired Urban Outfitters because even though they were a national chain, they always had a local feel to their stores. One advantage that we should be capturing in Specialty Bike Retail is the fact that we are LOCAL. What is the personality of your local bicycle market and how can you bring that into your store merchandising. Mike and Claudia Nix at Liberty Bicycles in Asheville have encircled their store with large posters of their staff members on their bikes riding the local trails and roadways. They’re BIG and they’re professional. You have to look twice before you’d notice that they are not stock photography.

The best thing about the current merchandising atmosphere is that most of us have concluded that merchandising is crucial to our retailing efforts and we are getting better and better at it! Keep it up. The Mann Group has been providing sales management system expertise in over 350 independent retail stores in the US and Canada for over a decade. To begin your retail growth, please visit our retail health check-up application at www.manngroup. retanet or call us at 800-936-3049 X701.

TRENDGUIDE 2012

Trends- CATEGORY

TRENDS:

TREADMILLS VS. ELLIPTICALS VS. CROSSFIT? By Therese Iknoian, HFB Industry Ambassador

say elliptical, you say treadmill, he says Cross Fit, she says yoga…. What’s the current trend to jump on? Maybe the trend to jump on isn’t just something hot that will burn out in a year, but a longerterm investment in a broader selection of gear with the education and customer outreach to match.

A deeper dive into some research shows that the sports and fitness market doesn’t have the doldrums as deep as some may think, although consumers may still be a little shy about larger purchases. Overall, sales are still growing – no matter if it’s a bike or a ball -- despite lingering economic worries. Sales increased in the broader sports market – showing gains of between about 4 percent to 5 percent in 2011 over 2010, depending on which study you read. Total value ranges from $55.5 billion to $77.3 billion, again depending on the source. Break it down to fitness and exercise equipment and the market in wholesale dollars in 2011 reached between $4.5 billion (according to the SGMA most recent “Tracking the Fitness Movement” report out in July) and $5.6 billion (per the NSGA’s most recent “Sporting Goods Market Report” out in June). Those are increases year-over-year, respectively, of 3.4 percent and 2 percent. Treadmill vs Elliptical vs… Everybody wants a piece of the elliptical pie, which is a growing segment of sales and participation. But the treadmill remains the meat-and-potatoes piece of equipment. According to the NSGA, treadmills actually had the greatest increase in market share, increasing its sales by 3 percent in 2011 over 2010 to $3.2 billion. Ellipticals increased just 1 percent to $480,500. Per the SGMA’s recent report, participation is a slightly different creature, with an increase year-over-year in elliptical workouts by 8.8 percent compared to an increase in treadmill participation by only 1.9 percent. Of note, however, is that the total numbers for elliptical workouts remain just barely over half of those using treadmills. Home gym sales were down by 2.5 percent in 2011, per the SGMA, while participation was up slightly by 1.7 percent in 2011. In contrast, the NSGA showed 46

home gym sales down by 6 percent. Other activities that are on a recent growth pattern include running, day hiking, using hand weights, walking and road cycling, according to the SGMA, while the NSGA points to big jumps also in running and yoga. In general, activities people can do at or from their home remain a hit, such as stretching, home gym workouts and yoga. And the NSGA notes that working out a club decreased in the prior year by 4.8 percent to 34.5 million. What about CrossFit? The research cited here doesn’t survey CrossFit, per se, although the SGMA has a new category called “boot camp-style cross-training” that shows 7.7 million participants (this would cover all styles of classes). However, retailers we have spoken to note increasing numbers of customers coming in for the gear they need, including, barbells, dumbbells, kettle bells, other weights, mats, jump ropes and ropes. The regimen, founded in 2000 and now a cultural phenomenon, is not to be ignored. Its devotees find equipment and gear they like, and quickly pass the word around the community, often creating increased sales without a brand immediately aware of its source. Put on your to-do list to find out more about CrossFit and other non-traditional training activities. Find out what they use, how they think, get a trainer on your staff or available for consults, then consider working with a CrossFit gym or putting together equipment packages. Reaching the Active Getting an active person to buy equipment and other gear may not be as hard as thought – if the come-on isn’t just about price and techie details. According to a Leisure Trends report from its “Most Active Americans Panel,” participants said that price remained important; however, other benefits were attractive: Think lessons, training, fittings, free accessories, partici-

pation in drawings, package deals, and product demos. A recent report found that while 26 percent of participants wanted discounts and “buy one, get one” deals, 27 percent reported they wanted raffles, expert talks, clinics, demos, or free classes and lessons. The desire to increase their knowledge and ability was a key factor. And the Inactive? The number of inactive Americans overall remains high, climbing again in 2011 to more than 68 million. That means there are still millions of people for the industry to reach. And they’re not to be forgotten since they could be a goldmine if you gain their trust and help get them active. According to the SGMA, many of the “inactive” and “formerly active” sadly aren’t interested in any kind of activity (39.8 percent), but that leaves more than 60 percent who think there may be something there for them. No. 1 is a class of some sort – think camaraderie and support as well as motivation – then working out with machines – it seems easier than aerobics to many. Others mentioned include bicycling (no word about indoor or out), working out with weights and running. And, not to spur competition or anything, but this is opportunity knocking at the door: The top 10 inactive states are, in order: Mississippi, West Virginia, Louisiana, New Mexico, Tennessee, New York, Florida, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. And, the top 10 active states, again in order, are: Utah, Idaho, New Hampshire, Colorado, Minnesota, Virginia, Wisconsin, Nevada, Oregon and Illinois. Get them – inactive and active – in the door, get them excited, educate them, help them, consult with them, and be a star member of an industry that has a future. TRENDGUIDE 2012

Events

Events at Interbike & Health + Fitness Business INTERBIKE INDUSTRY PARTY – PRESENTED BY SRAM Lavo Nightclub and Lounge at The Palazzo Hotel Tuesday, September 18 9:00 - 11:00 p.m.

Celebrate SRAM’s 25th anniversary at the Lavo nightclub and lounge at the Palazzo hotel. Win a chance at 1 of 200 SRAM 25th anniversary books and party with SRAM celebrities. All you need to bring is your Interbike badge.

Wednesday, September 19

INTERBIKE CITY FASHION SHOW: GAINING MOMENTUM PRESENTED BY MOMENTUM MAGAZINE The LAB Fashion Show Stage Wednesday, September 19 and Thursday, September 20 – 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.

Join us for the Interbike City Fashion Show: Gaining Momentum. Be inspired by the latest designs in city cycling apparel, accessories and city bikes that will be showcased at Interbike.

HEALTH+FITNESS BUSINESS HAPPY HOUR Health+Fitness Business, SNEWS Hub Wednesday, September 19 – 4:30 – 6:00 p.m.

Join us for the HFB Happy Hour at the SNEWS Hub located on the street level. Grab a cold one and mix it up with fellow retailers, exhibitors and members of the media while we celebrate the business of fitness.

Head to the LAB Fashion Show Stage, grab a beer at The Pub and view the latest in city inspired apparel, bikes and accessories.

TOP 100 RETAILER AWARDS RECEPTION BROUGHT TO YOU BY BICYCLE RETAILER AND THE IBD SUMMIT AND PRESENTED BY BIKES BELONG

INTERBIKE INDUSTRY BREAKFAST – PRESENTED BY BIKES BELONG AND THE NBDA Venetian Ballroom G,H,I Wednesday, September 19 7:30 – 8:45 a.m.

BICYCLING: THE $10 BILLION-A-YEAR U.S. BUSINESS

The Plan to Get There by 2020 and What the Industry Needs to Do to Make It Happen John Burke, CEO of Trek and the industry’s top bike advocate, will share his clear and compelling vision for transforming bicycling and our industry. The goals: • To increase U.S. bike trips by 500 percent in the next eight years • To build 20,000 miles of protected bikeways that make bicycling safe and appealing for all Americans Burke will describe the crucial role that the industry—retailers and suppliers–must play to create an effective movement that links bike businesses and consumers to shape a cycling-friendly future. This call-to-action presents the pathway to doubling the size of the U.S. bike industry and dramatically increasing your sales. This is the one presentation you can’t afford to miss.

INTERBIKE TECHNICAL FASHION SHOW PRESENTED BY THE MANN GROUP, SPONSORED BY BIKES BELONG The LAB Fashion Show Stage Wednesday, September 19 and Thursday, September 20 – 12:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.

New for 2012 – The Interbike Technical Fashion Show presented by The Mann Group and sponsored by Bikes Belong. Check out the latest trends and styles in technical cycling apparel, gear and bicycles. Bikes Belong will be sponsoring a happy hour to coincide with the 4:00 p.m. show on Wednesday and Thursday. Take home one of the looks from the Technical show by participating in the silent auction to benefit Bikes Belong and bicycle advocacy.

BIKES BELONG HAPPY HOUR AT ASI ASI Booth # 11112 Wednesday, September 19 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.

Donate $5 to Bikes Belong and get a limited edition Kleen Kanteen stainless steel pint glass full of beer. Submit a story about how you are giving back to bicycling and win one of three $1,000 grants for a community bike project of your choice through Bikes Belong's Build More than Bicycles Challenge.

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Sands 102-103 Wednesday, September 19th 5:00 – 6:30 p.m. Invite required

Bicycle Retailer & Industry News and The IBD Summit will host the nation’s top dealers at the Top 100 awards reception sponsored by Bikes Belong. This invite only event is now in its seventh year. The Top 100 has become an increasing popular and important addition to Interbike’s show calendar. Each year Bicycle Retailer & Industry News strives to improve the quality of its selections. Overall, the magazine has received more than 800 nominations or more than 20 percent of the industry’s current retail base.

2012 MOUNTAIN BIKE HALL OF FAME INDUCTION CEREMONY Sands 205-206 Wednesday, September 19 6:00 p.m.

The Mountain Bike Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will take place at 6:00 p.m. Wednesday September 19th, at Interbike, Las Vegas. The Ceremony begins just as the first day of the indoor show wraps up. All Interbike attendees as well as the public are encouraged to attend. New Belgium Brewing Company, the makers of Fat Tire Ale and many other great microbrews, will provide the libations. The 2012 inductees are: • Dave House, Journalism • Ruthie Matthes, Racing History • Gary Sjoquist, Advocacy • Monte Ward, Pioneers • Bob Woodward, Journalism

Events THE 7TH ANNUAL TERN BICYCLES MOBILE SOCIAL CROSSVEGAS

Desert Breeze Soccer Complex Wednesday, September 19 7:00 p.m. The international cyclocross season begins in Las Vegas again this year at the incredibly popular CrossVegas on Wednesday night of Interbike. This UCI-sanctioned event features some of the world’s top pro racers and the competitive industry cup race pitting manufacturer and retail employees against one another. Shuttles to and from the Sands Expo courtesy of Interbike.

MOVIE PREMIERE: WHERE THE TRAIL ENDS

Venetian Ballroon G Wednesday, September 19 Doors Open at 8:00 p.m. - After party with entertainment immediately following Red Bull Media House in association with Freeride Entertainment are proud to present the world premiere of "Where The Trail Ends" at Interbike 2012. A ground breaking film three years in the making, Darren Berrecloth and a team of the world's best take mountain bikes into remote zones around the globe to break new ground. The event is supported by Interbike and Teva, and film sponsors include Specialized, Contour, Dolby, Troy Lee Designs, and Pink Bike. Tickets are available in advance at www.wherethetrailends.com - and at Outdoor Demo in the Oasis and at Interbike in The Pub (based on availability).

Thursday September 20 IMBA INDUSTRY BREAKFAST

Marco Polo 801-802 Thursday, September 20 Breakfast/coffee at 7:00 a.m., presentation 7:30-8:30 a.m. In just the last two years, IMBA has protected more than 2,762 trail miles from closure to bicycling. Attend IMBA's annual breakfast to receive updates on advocacy and trail building projects from around the globe. Free coffee and breakfast items, plus special gifts for attendees while supplies last.

SCHMOOZAPALOOZA

Casanova 603 Thursday, September 20 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. If your company needs to hire or wants to build its employment brand amongst peers, this is the place to do it - the ShmoozaPalooza! The Shmooz is job fair and professional networking event for the Bike industry and it is coming to Interbike for the first time this year. You can expect industry leading employers and hundreds of great professionals to be on hand throughout the day. It’s the in-person hiring event of the year. It is completely FREE. To get involved, contact Kelly at Malakye.com for more details at kelly@malakye.com. Don’t delay – space is very limited and will go quickly.

Meet outside the Sands Convention Center Main Entrance Thursday, September 20 6:00 p.m.

The 7th annual Tern Bicycles Mobile Social Interbike will end with a New Belgium Block Party at the corner of Fremont and Las Vegas Blvd in the Fremont East District. After departing from the Sands, we’ll turn right on the Strip, ride to Downtown Vegas, and meet at the Beat Coffee house & Downtown Cocktail Room. You must sign a waiver and wear a wristband to participate in the ride. Don’t want to ride? Just meet us at the Block Party.

ISPO HAPPY HOUR

BIKES BELONG HAPPY HOUR AT SARIS

The Pub Thursday, September 20 4:00 – 6:00 p.m

Saris Booth #20055 Thursday, September 20 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.

Donate $5 to Bikes Belong and get a limited edition Kleen Kanteen stainless steel pint glass full of beer. Come cheer on as Bikes Belong awards the $1000 grants to the winners of the Build More than Bicycles Challenge.

OIWC KEYNOTE AND AWARDS PRESENTATION Sands 102-103 Thursday, September 20 4:00 – 6:15 p.m.

Join the Outdoor Industry Women's Coalition (OIWC) for its inaugural keynote and awards presentation. OIWC will recognize the accomplishments of two outstanding women in the bike industry and hear from Patrick Cunnane, President & CEO at Advanced Sports Inc. Pat will discuss how fostering a diverse and constructive workplace is a top down initiative that can lead to a better bottom line by sharing his experiences and tactics. Appetizers and drinks will be served. More info at: http://www.oiwc.org

THE 16TH ANNUAL TRANSWORLD RIDE BMX NORA CUP AWARDS Thursday, September 20

TransWorld Ride BMX will host its prestigious NORA Cup Awards show for the 16th year honoring BMX's number-one riders in seven categories. Chosen by the pros themselves, this year’s Number One Rider Awards categories will include: Dirt, Flatland, Street, Race, Ramp, and Best Video Part, in addition to the category of Video of the Year. The Awards show will commence during the second evening of the Interbike Trade Show. The Awards show is an invite-only event, but make sure to check out the nominees, winners, as well as all the detailed stories, photos, and video footage at ridebmx.com, or follow Twitter or Instagram through @ridebmx for live updates. The 16th Annual TransWorld Ride BMX NORA Cup Awards is proud to be supported by Red Bull, DC Shoes, and Interbike.

Thank you to the event sponsors! Bicycling Magazine and Advanced Sports.

TRENDGUIDE 2012

Events

Friday September 21

Saturday September 22

LEVA BREAKFAST

VIVA BIKE VEGAS GRAN FONDO

SINCLAIR IMPORTS 13TH ANNUAL LAS VEGAS PARTY XS Nightclub in the Encore Thursday, September 20 9:00 p.m. – 1:00 a.m.

Sinclair Imports is excited to announce the 13th Annual Sinclair Imports Party! Join us at 9:00 p.m. Thursday September 20th in Encore's XS Nightclub where we will welcome over 2,200 retailers, top cycling professionals and all of Sinclair's great suppliers. Last year's party was one to remember and we know you won't want to miss this year’s! Retailers interested in attending should email (lnigon@sinclairimports.com) or stop by Sinclair's two Interbike Booths, #14047 (Argon 18 / Sinclair) and #14053 (Stevens/Sinclair).

Sands 205 Friday, September 21 7:30 – 8:45 a.m. The Light Electric Vehicle Association (LEVA) represents the strategic interests of light electric vehicle retailers, dealers, distributors, manufacturers and suppliers to promote the development, sale and use of LEV's worldwide. Join LEVA for breakfast to learn more. Advance reservations can be made by emailing: sidneyk@levassociation.com

Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas Saturday, September 22

Viva Bike Vegas! Make history and bike the bright lights of the world famous Las Vegas Strip and across the Historic Hoover Dam in the RTC Viva Bike Vegas 2012 Gran Fondo Pinarello presented by Vector Media in partnership with Interbike. Experience Tour de France Vegas style in the only ride that takes you from the heart of Sin City to the scenic trails near Lake Mead National Park and over the Historic Hoover Dam to the vistas of Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. Viva Bike Vegas offers four different rides all with police escort, aid-stations, support and gear (SAG) vehicles, timing chips, and features a Beer Garden and festival after the ride. Register today at vivabikevegas.com

INTERBIKE.COM

Featured Areas

Featured areas of the show SMARTBAR/RECHARGE ZONE Upper Lobby

Need a place to plug in? Got a question? Can’t find what you are looking for? Need to relax? Visit the Interbike SmartBar and Recharge Zone where you can charge your devices, find the answers to your questions, locate exhibitors and featured areas and get your body refreshed with on-site experts who will be applying SpiderTech tape and performing A.R.T. on your tired body.

INTERBIKE/CHROME URBAN YARD Booth # 18073

Lounge in a sanctuary of urban ride culture, clothing, gear and goodness. Escape the metropolis. Find shelter in the Urban Yard. Packed with everything a rider needs to survive the onslaught of the city. Check out the latest in urban

bike products, buy a custom T shirt at the T-Bar, watch the Chrome DJ spin, grab a drink, access free WiFi, see the 2012 ARTCRANK show and buy posters or just kick back and relax with friends and enjoy the yard.

ARTCRANK

OIWC WOMEN’S LOUNGE Booth # 8077

Interbike and the Outdoor Industry Women’s Coalition (OIWC) are providing all attendees with a comfortable, easily accessible networking area where they can meet and relax, check out the latest in women’s products, mingle with the industry’s influential female leaders and attend OIWC featured events.

Chrome Urban Yard & The LAB ARTCRANK is a show of bicycle-inspired poster artwork that introduces people to talented local artists and sends them home with affordable, original works of art. ARTCRANK Interbike will feature original, limited edition posters by 25 artists from all over North America — all selling for just $50 each. Better yet, $5 from every poster purchase will go to support World Bicycle Relief, a nonprofit organization that uses bicycles to give people in developing countries access to independence and a livelihood. www.ARTCRANK.com

THE UNIVERSAL SPORTS MEDIA CENTER AT INTERBIKE Upper Lobby

The Universal Sports Media Center at Interbike is the on-floor press room for working media and is the focus for media happenings and events live from the show floor. Watch broadcasts and interviews with manufacturers, athletes, celebrities and advocates being broadcast in the Interbike studio.

TRENDGUIDE 2012

Featured Areas

TRIATHLON PAVILION PRESENTED BY TRIATHON BUSINESS INTERNATIONAL Booth # 12129

Interbike brings Kona to Vegas with the Triathlon Pavilion. A destination to recharge and discover all that’s new and fast. Meet the people, products and performance improvements that will make 2013 Triathlon’s finest year ever. Hosted by Triathlon Business International, the Triathlon Pavilion will be the epicenter of Triathlon Technology, the gathering place for triathlon advocates, athletes, retailers and brands. Attend one of several tri-specific educational seminars along with athlete signings and other guest speakers.

BMX ZONE

Booth # 26048 Explore the future of BMX in the zone. BMX has never been stronger and its future has never been brighter. Learn all that’s new from the best in the business. Get to the zone and attend the on-floor BMX specific seminars taught by BMX experts.

tickets to retailers in their booth during the show. Retailers will turn in tickets at booth number 999 until 3:00 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday and 1:00 p.m. Friday. Winners announced at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday and 1:30 p.m. on Friday.

“BEST NEW PRODUCT IN THE LAB AWARD” Retailers – vote for Best New Product in the LAB Award and enter to win prizes and a chance to win a trip to Interbike 2013. Ballots will be available at the prize table where retailers can vote for their favorite new product featured at the show. Best new product will be announced in October eNews.

CUSTOM BIKE ZONE Street Level

A new addition to Interbike this year is the Custom Builder exhibit. The exhibit will be displayed in a main thoroughfare of The LAB, bringing the artistic and grassroots soul of bicycling to the forefront of the bicycle industry.

THE PUB JOB CENTER AT INTERBIKE, POWERED BY MALAKYE.COM Booth # 19006

The Job Center at Interbike, powered by Malakye.com will provide interactive listings of job opportunities as well as use social media tools to get the word out about these job opportunities. Malakye staff will be on-site at the Job Center throughout the show to assist companies and people looking for opportunities.

When it’s time to unwind and refuel, The Pub is the perfect spot to grab a coffee and a bite to eat. Grab a beer and play bar games with your friends.

THE CAFE With plenty of seating and many healthy options for food and drinks, the Café is a great place to relax and enjoy your lunch or quick break. Tasty options include a salad bar, sandwiches, pasta station, baked potato bar, sushi and Asian selections.

PUMP TRACK BROUGHT TO YOU BY SOMBRIO Take a lap on the Sombrio Pump Track located next to the Demo Track. All participants must wear a helmet, sign a waiver and get a wrist band.

LEVA EBIKE TEST TRACK The electric bike test track will again be hosted by the Light Electric Vehicle Association (LEVA). The track, located in The LAB will allow attendees to try out the latest electric offerings from manufacturers. Exhibitors will be able to help attendees learn about their product line while experiencing firsthand the excitement of riding an electric bike in a safe and convenient location. The Light Electric Vehicle Association (LEVA) represents the strategic interests of light electric vehicle retailers, dealers, distributors, manufacturers and suppliers to promote the development, sale, and use of LEVs worldwide. Sponsors of the track are eVox/Procycle and Easy Motion.

IPAD CONCIERGE Got Questions? Ask one of our iHelp people located throughout the Interbike show. Equipped with iPads and the Interbike Mobile App, we will help you navigate the show floor easily, and provide information on seminars, tech clinics, special events, lounges and other exciting features of the show.

FASHION SHOW STAGE THE LAB

Immerse yourself in a world of cycling genius and innovation. Interbike captures all that’s new at The LAB. Bicycles, parts, accessories, fashion, Circulus, ARTCRANK, custom bikes, demo tracks and more with The Café and The Pub to keep you alert and well lubricated.

DAILY RETAILER RAFFLE Street Level

New for 2012, the Retailer Raffle will feature Daily Prize Giveaways, from iPads to apparel, bikes and more. Participating exhibitors will distribute INTERBIKE.COM

Check out Interbike’s two Fashion shows on the stage as well as press conferences held by Interbike Exhibitors. Consult the mobile app for the up-to-date schedule.

DEMO TRACK Take the latest bicycle for a test ride. Chose a bike and head over to the Demo area to give it a spin. Retailers must be accompanied by the exhibitor and all participants must wear a helmet, sign a waiver and get a wrist band. Helmets provided by Pro-Tec.

FOOD AND ENTERTAINMENT SPECIALS AT LAVO • TAO and LAVO will offer a complimentary cocktail with the purchase of an entrée September 18 – September 21, 2012. Show badge must be presented to qualify for offer. • LAVO to offer complimentary admission to Interbike attendees/exhibitors with a show badge, on Wednesday, September 19 and Friday, September 21, 2012. • TAO to offer complimentary admission to Interbike attendees/exhibitors with a show badge on Thursday, September, 20 2012. • And of course the kick-off party on Tuesday, September 18.

OutDoor Demo

BOOTLEG CANYON, BOULDER CITY, NEVADA SHOW DATES: Monday, September 17: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 18: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Journey south of Vegas to OutDoor Demo, where you can experience everything in cycling, Mountain, Cyclocross, Road, Tri or BMX. Discover for yourself what must be in your shop at the world’s largest two day outdoor bicycle demo event. Shuttle up to the downhill course, ride the Tour de Lake Mead with 400 of your industry peers, or tackle an XC loop on Bootleg Canyon’s world class trail system. All the bikes and all the gear in one incredible place — OutDoor Demo.

REGISTRATION

COMPLIMENTARY COFFEE, ICE CREAM AND BEER AT OUTDOOR DEMO: Grab a cup of morning coffee at the registration tent, cool down with an ice cream or Popsicle in the afternoon and enjoy a beer at the Hammerfest Happy Hour.

You must have your badge and sign a waiver prior to boarding the shuttles. When you arrive at Bootleg Canyon, you don’t need to check in again – you are all set to enter the demo and start riding. Complimentary bag check available at demo entrance.

SHUTTLE SCHEDULE: Monday, September 17

Sands to Demo: Service every half hour from 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Demo to Sands: Service every half hour from 2:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Tuesday, September 18 Sands to Demo: Service every half hour from 6:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

WHAT TO PACK: show badge, photo ID, business cards, helmet, cycling shoes, hat, sunscreen, water.

OutDoor Demo Events BOOTLEG CANYON CHALLENGE

For the first time in the history of Interbike and OutDoor Demo, we’re challenging attendees to see if they can beat the time set at Bootleg Canyon by Interbike Account Executive and former Downhill World & National Champion Leigh Donovan. Prizes will be awarded to the top 3 fastest male and female times on Tuesday at 4 in the Oasis. Prizes include awesome gear from Scott Sports, Oakley, GoPro, Troy Lee Designs, FOX, One Industries, Shimano, SockGuy and more. Riders in the challenge are encouraged to visit GoPro to demo a camera, document their ride and then keep the SD card. For more information go to: www.interbike.com/downhillchallenge

I ENCOURAGE ANYONE WITH DH SKILLS TO COME ON OUT AND SEE IF YOU CAN BEAT A 40-YEAR OLD WOMAN WITH A DESK JOB — Leigh Donovan, Interbike, Account Executive and former World and National Downhill Champion

ARMAGED

REAPER SIDEWINDER

HAMMERFEST HAPPY HOUR

Interbike Oasis Monday, September 17 - 4:00 p.m. Finish off OutDoor Demo at the Hammerfest Happy Hour sponsored by Sierra Nevada. Enjoy complimentary cold beer and drinks, music, games, and fun.

RIDE 2 RECOVERY HONOR RIDE Sponsors:

Honor Ride Las Vegas – Interbike Tuesday, September 18 - 9:00 a.m. Ride 2 Recovery, a 501(c) 3, helps injured veterans improve their health and wellness through individual and group cycling. There are seven Challenges in 2012 which are multi-day, long-distance rehabilitation rides that aid the recovery process by providing a new physical challenge to injured veterans while concurrently helping them to cope with mental challenges. The rides will begin at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino and ride to OutDoor Demo and return to Mandalay Bay. To sign up for the 20 or 60 mile ride go to: www.active.com – Honor Ride Las Vegas by September 15. TRENDGUIDE 2012

OutDoor Demo TOUR de LAKE MEAD

Tuesday, September 18 - 8:00 a.m. sharp! Shuttles depart from the Sands at 6:30 a.m. Join us on the annual Tour de Lake Mead. The 26 mile tour begins at OutDoor Demo and winds through scenic Lake Mead National Park. Bring your own bike, or arrange to test one from your favorite Demo exhibitor. You must have a wristband showing that you have signed a waiver, in order to participate in the ride.

IMBA AND CAMELBAK MEMBERSHIP PROMOTION

FOX AT OUTDOOR DEMO

Join or renew your IMBA membership at the IMBA booth anytime during OutDoor Demo and receive a Camelbak hydration pack (supplies are limited). You'll also be eligible to win a host of great prizes from other IMBA partners.

As the official suspension of OutDoor Demo, FOX will be offering professional suspension tuning at the FOX booth as well as up on the mountain. FOX has also designated the best cross country, trail and all mountain loops with signage to help guide riders to the appropriate terrain.

PARTY WITH IMBA AND CAMELBAK

Tuesday, September 18 – 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. Visit IMBA and Camelbak's adjacent booths for cold beverages, giveaways and more. Take advantage of the IMBA membership offer and get a Camelbak hydration pack.

FOX will be offering VIP shuttling via FOXequipped Ford Raptor trucks. Stop by the FOX booth to get your VIP wrist band and make your OutDoor Demo experience the best it can be.

Featured Areas: THE OASIS

PARK TOOL COOLING STATION

GIRL BIKE LOVE LOUNGE

Cool down in the shade of our spacious tents equipped with misters. The Oasis is a great place to sit and eat lunch or just relax and recharge before your next test ride.

Park Tool knows that people in the desert like drinking ice cold water. That's why, in addition to bringing a full compliment of tools for OutDoor Demo test riders in need, they rent a refrigerator truck to hand out over 7,000 bottles of refreshingly cold AquaFina water each year. Come to Park for sunscreen, handi-wipes and a shaded rest area. At the end of the day, stop by on your way to the shuttle. Find the Park Tool Oasis between the shuttle stop and the registration area.

Love girls on bikes? Visit us at the Girl Bike Love Women’s Lounge at OutDoor Demo! Come to ride, refresh and party with Girl Bike Love – the hub and soul of women’s cycling. Product demos, giveaways, group rides and fun times.

THE FEED ZONE Looking for lunch or need to refuel between test rides? Try out our expanded food selections from a variety of gourmet food trucks.

Sponsor

List of Exhibitors 5-hour Sample LLC 5.1 Acros Sport GmbH Action Wipes Advanced Sports Inc Argon 18/Sinclair Imports Globalbike Wipes BH Bikes BionX BMC Brompton Bicycle Ltd BTI/Bicycle Technologies Intl Campagnolo SRL Camelbak Cardo Systems, Inc Cascade Designs Chris King Precision Components Cirrus Cycles-BodyFLoat Co-Motion Cycles Continental Tires CONTOUR Crank Brothers Culprit Bicycles Currie Technologies Cycles Devinci Cycle Union Gmbh Cytosport Inc Dahon North America Deuter USA Easton Bell Sports ElliptiGO Ellsworth Handcrafted Bicycles Inc ENVE Composites

INTERBIKE.COM

Fallbrook Technologies Fatbike (9:zero:7) Felt Racing, LLC. Fenix Flashlights Fi' ZI:k Fluid Sports Nutrition Focus Bicycles USA Formula Srl Fox Racing Shox Full Speed Ahead Gates Carbon Drive Gatorade GoPro Giant Bicycle Girl Bike Love H2O Overdrive Haro Bicycle Corp Highway Two Intense Cycles Inc International Mountain Bicycling Association J & B Importers Inc Jamis Bikes Joy Industrial Company Ltd Kappius Components Kenda USA KHS/Free Agent Bicycles KMC Chain KS Litespeed Look Cycle USA Looxcie Inc Mad Fiber

Marc Pro Marin Bikes Mavic Maxxis International and CST Moots Motorex USA Native Eyewear NEILPRYDE Now Energy Bar Nukeproof Oakley Inc Orange Seal Cycling Products Osprey Packs Park Tool Pearl Izumi Pivot Cycles Polar Electro Primal Wear Pro-Tec Probar LLC Prologo Protec Quality Bicycle Products Raleigh America Redline Bicycles Ridekick International Ridley Rocky Mountain Bicycles Rolf Prima Rotor Bike Components USA Rudy Project XX2i Santa Cruz Bicycles Save Our Soles

LIST AS OF PRESS TIME 7/01/12

Seattle Bike Supply Serfas Shimano American Corporation Showers Pass, Inc SixSixOne. SKS Germany Smith Optics Spank Industries Co Ltd Specialized Bicycle Components Spider Technologies Speedplay Inc Squirt Lube SR Suntour Inc. SRAM Corporation Stanley, a brand of PMI Tern Bicycles Tektro Technology Corp The FRS Company TRETTA Troy Lee Designs Vee Rubber America Velo Enterprise Co Ltd VP Components Co Ltd WD-40 Company White Lightning Co. WTB Inc X-Fusion Xpedo Yakima Products Yeti Cycles Yurbuds Sport Earphones Zictech

OutDoor Demo KEY TRAIL HEAD

DOWNHILL TRAIL

CROSS-COUNTRY TRAIL trail 1 trail 2 trail 3

ROAD LOOP

BMX

BMX TRACK

E -BIKE TEST TRACK

SHUTTLE DROP

REGISTRATION

DOWNHILL DROP-OFF

FIREROAD

EXPO AREA

Exhibitor Parking

Tuning Tent

FOOD

DH SHUTTLE PICKUP

DRINKING WATER

Attendee Parking Cooling Station

TRAIL ACCESS

SOMBRIO PUMP TRACK

EXPO AREA

WOMEN’S VIP TENT

Interbike Oasis

HYDRATION STATION

EXPO AREA

HAMMERFEST EXPO AREA

Service Course

L ORIA EM

VETERANS

Provided by:

OUTDOOR DEMO SPONSORS

TOUR DE LAKE MEAD Starts @ 8:00 a.m. 18 Tuesday, September 8

AS OF 7-1-12

GOLD SPONSORS

TRENDGUIDE 2012