Held from the 26th-28th September 2014, the show is a chance for the public to get up close and personal with big name brands in the world of cycling, as well as discovering some of the latest and most innovative new products in the industry.
The bikes
Fresh on the back of a fantastic year for cycling in this country, visitors will be able to see the latest offerings from big bike superbrands like Pinarello, Colnago, Trek, Cube, Raleigh, Boardman and Condor as they showcase their newest and most popular models ahead of the 2015 season.
In particular, Trek will be showcasing their new super-light machine, the Émonda. Known as the “lightest production bike in the world”, it saw plenty of action in this summer’s Tour de France for the Trek Factory Racing team.
Pinarello are also set to show off what their technical partnership with Jaguar has brought with their new F8 – a bike designed to embody all the benefits of an aero bike with the climbing prowess of a superlight and stiff machine.
The Team Sky suppliers will also bring their successful TT bike, the Bolide, which home fans will have seen Bradley Wiggins ride to victory on in the recent Tour of Britain time trial.
The components
On top of these world-class bike brands are the big three of the component manufacturers: Shimano, Campagnolo and SRAM. Each brings their own ethos to the show, representing Asia, Europe and America and will be bringing their latest products to Birmingham to display.
Shimano are set to show off their 2015 incarnation of the 105 groupset, which now boasts the same four-arm chainset and 11-speed cassette as its high-performance sisters, the Ultegra and Dura-Ace, in a competitive price bracket. They’ll also be showcasing the new XTR shifting range for mountain bikes – complete with Di2 electronic shifting technology.
The clothes
The 2014 show is set to have the largest choice yet of cycling clothing and accessories. High-end manufacturers Assos are making an appearance with their latest s7 range of cycling shorts; innovated to be the most comfortable and advanced cycling shorts available on the market.
Alongside the Swiss mark will be, amongst others, Dare 2b, KALAS, Storck and Vulpine, who each represent their own corner of the market for every cyclist’s needs.
The tech
For those who like their gadgets, The Cycle Show will be a chance to get hands on with the latest from GoPro and Garmin. The former will be showcasing their latest models, including the Hero 3+ Black Edition, “the world’s most versatile camera”, while Garmin will be showing their full range of GPS devices; complete with their Edge 1000, which boasts Shimano Di2 integration and new connectivity.
The fresh
As if that wasn’t enough, The Cycle Show is also the place to get a first look at kit from new-to-the-UK brands from continental Europe, such as Hersh, an Italian bike manufacturer and Sicleri, an Italian cycle clothing brand – both of which bring Italian flair and craftsmanship to the show.
The race
The Cycle Show this year has a trick up its sleeve: a new Cyclocross race organised by Derby Cyclocross. Starting and finishing in the NEC and taking in the surrounding woodland, it’s sure to provide mud, thrills and spills. Featuring a men’s and women’s elite race – and a prize fund of £1,000 to the winner of each – the stakes are high as some of the best Cyclocross talent in the UK goes head-to-head.
To buy tickets and for a full list of brands at The Cycle Show 2014, visit cycleshow.co.uk. Tickets cost £13 when booked in advance and children 14 and under can go for just £1.
