Nat Bromhead
Eurobike 2017 has been and gone, the ultimate global bike show attracting more than 60,000 visitors and seen by an audience of millions around the planet.
People from 101 countries attended the 26th edition of the world’s largest bike show in Friedrichshafen, near Lake Constance in Germany. More than 1400 exhibitors from 50 countries filled 12 huge halls to showcase the bikes and cycling related products we can expect to see over the year ahead.
Eurobike Highlights
Among the big winners was bike manufacturer Van Nicholas, their Skeiron winning the Eurobike 2017 Gold Award in the racing bike category. “The market for Titanium road bikes may be small, but the Skeiron particularly impressed us with its classic retro design and its unique integration of cables in the cockpit and frame,” the jury noted. “The price is also extremely attractive for a Titanium bike with disc brakes.”
Standout products were many and varied – space doesnt allow us to list each and every one here, instead we’ll focus on an overview of trends to expect in the remainder of 2017 and into 2018.
Road Bikes. It’s all about aero – every manufacturer continues to place significant emphasis on their latest aero offerings and efficiency gains. The difference may appear marginal but overall improvements, according to many makers, significant.
Disc Brakes. Discs are obviously here to stay. They are becoming so ingrained that even a simple social media post of a new model rim-braked bike will instantly attract ‘Where are the discs?’ comments.
E-road. A number of manufacturers have announced electric-assisted road bikes. Bianchi premiered their e-road Impulso and Orbea have just announced the ‘Gain’ range with integrated lighting, a compact down tube battery and 250watt hub-mounted rear motor.
The e-bike revolution. Showing absolutely no signs of slowing, e-bikes continue to dominate the cycling world. With e-mountain biking booming in Europe – it’s a sector that’s sure to follow suit here in Australia.
Lighting. It seemed everywhere you looked at EuroBike there was a new or updated model of lighting equipment with many makers widening their range. Smaller batteries, brighter, more efficient lights in less weight.
Technology. Indoor training continues to enjoy its resurgence with various manufacturers showing new model indoor trainers. The biggest crowd pleaser was the new Wahoo Kickr Climb – an indoor gradient simulator. Indoor training start up Zwift also enjoyed a popular presence at the show – representatives from the company saying the virtual training platform was continuing its rapid and unprecedented growth. Dual-sided power meters are becoming the norm – the measurement of power fast-becoming standard practice in the elite road market.
Style. You’ve never seen so much cycling kit as that on display at EuroBike 2017. Cycling fashion trends from the major manufacturers indicates more emphasis on style and less on sport for the year ahead. Knit shoes, such as the latest simultaneous releases from Giro & Fizik, appear to be ‘on trend’ and sure to be popular options over coming months, particularly as the weather warms.
Security. Bike locking systems continue to be reinvented, modified and improved upon. As more turn to the bicycle as an alternative means of urban transport, the need for lighter, more practical and more secure locking methods increases.
Adventure. Bike packing continues to boom. Numerous companies are adding or upgrading various bags and bike packing accessories to their lineups. This ties in with the huge number of predominantly 1x gravel with wide-range cassettes on display.
For more of Bicycling Australia’s Eurobike 2017 coverage you can read the following –
Interview With Gerard Vroomen From 3T
Eurobike Day 1: New Product Highlights
New From Fizik, Schwalbe And Rotor At Eurobike
The $20,000 Bianchi Ferrari-Scuderia
