Sheppards On Track for 2013
Sheppard Cycles Australia as it is now known, offer a vast conglomerate of brands spanning all types of bicycles, parts and accessories.
The group came together last year when New Zealand based Sheppard Industries, took over Pacific Brands, which was already one of the largest importer wholesalers in Australia.
The group’s bike brands now include Avanti, Scott, ABD, Raleigh, Malvern Star, Haro, Masi, Diamondback and Repco.
Major P&A lines include Zero, Peak Fuel, Volta, Kenda, Bell, Giro, Blackburn, Cateye, Park Tool and Rosebank.
With so much to show, they needed a large space, so they chose the DISC Velodrome (Darebin International Sports Centre) in Melbourne’s inner northern suburbs.
Look out for an interview with Sheppards’ Head of Product Development Kim Struthers, who came over from Auckland head office for the launch, in an upcoming issue of Bicycling Trade.
Our editor Simon Hayes was invited to attend. Here were some of his impressions:
- The Haro range is particularly strong in BMX and sub $1,200 mountain bikes.
- Sheppards are expanding their own Volta clothing label, and have a dedicated designer, Jenine Lesa-Wellington, on staff.
- Scott bikes will be priced competitively for 2013. For example one Scott Speedster road model is $1,799 compared to $2,100 in 2012.
- There is a new entry level Avanti track bike, the Pista for $699 and an entry level cyclocross bike for $1,499.
- There are plans for Avanti to be sold more widely across south east Asia, with a new team sponsorship announcement set for November.
- Avanti’s new flagship road bike the Corsa has been developed ahead of schedule. Head designer Stephen James said that they were able to take advantage of lessons leaned in developing their Cadent and Quantum models to refine the design and test process of the Corsa.
Talking bikes down at the velodrome…
The new Avanti Corsa
Giro, best known as a helmet brand, is expanding its range.
Go Aussie! Sheppard Cycles Australia formed a partnership with Scott, not long before Australia’s first Pro Tour team, Green Edge Cycling, announced Scott as their team bike sponsor.
Monica Kamienowska displays the 2013 Giro helmet range.
