A miserable day, so Maggie and I went up to the Excel Centre to see the Cycle Show. A bustling and busy show, with a lot to see. But, as we all know, the cycle world changes slowly, so there wasn't a lot that was really new. Marginal gains, I suppose ...
Changes since last year are that the e-bikes have more or less disappeared (or perhaps they now have their own show?); there is much less fancy steel than there was; much more aluminium than there has been for a few years, but it's really about carbon these days, even for relatively modest frames. Bit of a titanium resurgence, too - most manufacturers have one, somewhere near the top of their ranges. Electronic shifting is pretty widespread, and the road disc revolution is happening, but fairly slowly. Still very few high-end race bikes with the technology - waiting for the UCI, I guess - but plenty of sensible bikes/cyclo-cross bikes with discs, both cable and Shimano hydraulic.
This Marin Lombard would go nicely in the Surrey Hills
With this Canyon Cyclocrosser at the sportier end
Here's a genuine Tour de France bike; all the bells
and whistles for £5999.
I can't help feeling there's a branding issue with this
'Cheetah' paint job
And lastly, a shaft drive bike. Been tried a few times over
the last century or so. Maybe this time.
Maggie liked the 'Chapeau' range of clothing, which had a good selection of kit for women, and the free samples of the 'Honey Stinger' energy food tasted good.
In summary, it was all about the bike - fast, light road bikes, and holidays in sunny places to ride them. Plenty of companies offering cycling holidays, including our own CTC, who were a sponsor but I missed their stand.
And then the dream was over - still raining when we left. Hey ho.
Mark
