PADUA, Italy (BRAIN) — Italy’s ExpoBici ended its three-day run here Monday after opening its doors to consumers for the first two days. The final day was trade only.
Some 400 exhibitors packed into five halls and outside demo areas at the Padua Exhibition Center just outside of Venice. The sixth edition of the show was packed on Saturday and Sunday as consumers streamed through the doors. Even on Monday the aisles were buzzing with attendees and lines for the beer garden and food stands were long. One exhibitor noted that Italian shops often close on Mondays so they expected good foot traffic at the expo.
ExpoBici is now the only bicycle trade show in the boot-shaped country—Padova Fiere and Confindustria ANCMA, which previously ran the EICA show, agreed to hold a single event instead of two competing trade shows—and the single-show format seems to have boosted attendance.
The trade show remains a key event for the Italian market, many exhibitors noted, as it draws retailers nationwide who attend to test, see and order 2014 bikes and parts as well as regional distributors. Trek and Cannondale may have bowed out of Interbike, but both brands had big booths at ExpoBici. Other brands with large footprints: Colnago, Scott, Pinarello, BH, Look, Fuji, and Haibike among others. But inbetween the large stands were also many domestic, made-in-Italy boutique brands that only exhibit at this show.
![The 27.5-inch trend that took over Eurobike and Interbike was also evident at ExpoBici as many exhibitors showed hardtails and full-suspension models such as this one from Italian brand Bottecchia.]( "The 27.5-inch trend that took over Eurobike and Interbike was also evident at ExpoBici as many exhibitors showed hardtails and full-suspension models such as this one from Italian brand Bottecchia.")
The 27.5-inch trend that took over Eurobike and Interbike was also evident at ExpoBici as many exhibitors showed hardtails and full-suspension models such as this one from Italian brand Bottecchia.![U.S. retailers know Abus as a lock brand, but the German company also sells helmets in Europe. This model has sunglasses that retract into the helmet, winning it a Eurobike award.]( "U.S. retailers know Abus as a lock brand, but the German company also sells helmets in Europe. This model has sunglasses that retract into the helmet, winning it a Eurobike award.")
U.S. retailers know Abus as a lock brand, but the German company also sells helmets in Europe. This model has sunglasses that retract into the helmet, winning it a Eurobike award.![Yes, bike polo. Polo matches and finals occupied an entire hall—albeit, one of the smaller ones, and a few fixed-gear bike companies also set up small tents there.]( "Yes, bike polo. Polo matches and finals occupied an entire hall—albeit, one of the smaller ones, and a few fixed-gear bike companies also set up small tents there.")
Yes, bike polo. Polo matches and finals occupied an entire hall—albeit, one of the smaller ones, and a few fixed-gear bike companies also set up small tents there.![This bright orange bike from Bressan Biciclette Speciale was a magnet for consumers.]( "This bright orange bike from Bressan Biciclette Speciale was a magnet for consumers.")
This bright orange bike from Bressan Biciclette Speciale was a magnet for consumers.![This one-sided carbon road fork was spotted on a couple of bikes here, including this one from Caam Corse, a two-year-old brand that says it makes all of its bikes in Reggio Emilia, Italy. Sales manager Gianni Panciroli said among the advantages of the one-sided design are improved stiffness and better weight balance.]( "This one-sided carbon road fork was spotted on a couple of bikes here, including this one from Caam Corse, a two-year-old brand that says it makes all of its bikes in Reggio Emilia, Italy. Sales manager Gianni Panciroli said among the advantages of the one-sided design are improved stiffness and better weight balance.")
This one-sided carbon road fork was spotted on a couple of bikes here, including this one from Caam Corse, a two-year-old brand that says it makes all of its bikes in Reggio Emilia, Italy. Sales manager Gianni Panciroli said among the advantages of the one-sided design are improved stiffness and better weight balance.![Cannondale had a large booth at ExpoBici and was bustling with attendees.]( "Cannondale had a large booth at ExpoBici and was bustling with attendees.")
Cannondale had a large booth at ExpoBici and was bustling with attendees.![Carrera showed its new foldable helmet, which it claims meets both U.S. and European safety standards. It comes with a belt to tie it down and is available in solid color, black matte finish and a premium, multi-colored version with integrated light and retails for 79, 99 and 149 euros, respectively. The Italian helmet brand is looking for a U.S. distributor.]( "Carrera showed its new foldable helmet, which it claims meets both U.S. and European safety standards. It comes with a belt to tie it down and is available in solid color, black matte finish and a premium, multi-colored version with integrated light and retails for 79, 99 and 149 euros, respectively. The Italian helmet brand is looking for a U.S. distributor.")
Carrera showed its new foldable helmet, which it claims meets both U.S. and European safety standards. It comes with a belt to tie it down and is available in solid color, black matte finish and a premium, multi-colored version with integrated light and retails for 79, 99 and 149 euros, respectively. The Italian helmet brand is looking for a U.S. distributor.![Belt drives weren’t so common at ExpoBici, but we did find them on some urban models including this aptly named Belty from Chesini with an oddly bent toptube.]( "Belt drives weren’t so common at ExpoBici, but we did find them on some urban models including this aptly named Belty from Chesini with an oddly bent toptube.")
Belt drives weren’t so common at ExpoBici, but we did find them on some urban models including this aptly named Belty from Chesini with an oddly bent toptube.![Two of four bikes that are part of DeRosa’s 60th anniversary Black Label collection, or “Sessanta.” The bikes will be custom built in steel, titanium, carbon and aluminum to customer specifications, and made in Italy.]( "Two of four bikes that are part of DeRosa’s 60th anniversary Black Label collection, or “Sessanta.” The bikes will be custom built in steel, titanium, carbon and aluminum to customer specifications, and made in Italy.")
Two of four bikes that are part of DeRosa’s 60th anniversary Black Label collection, or “Sessanta.” The bikes will be custom built in steel, titanium, carbon and aluminum to customer specifications, and made in Italy.![Not as prominent as at Eurobike, but many brands showed e-bikes here including this pedelec, a licensed Ducati from Italwin.]( "Not as prominent as at Eurobike, but many brands showed e-bikes here including this pedelec, a licensed Ducati from Italwin.")
Not as prominent as at Eurobike, but many brands showed e-bikes here including this pedelec, a licensed Ducati from Italwin.![Vegas-style entertainment at the Marin booth.]( "Vegas-style entertainment at the Marin booth.")
Vegas-style entertainment at the Marin booth.![Italians have been slow to roll on the fat bike craze. Only a couple of brands had them on display, as far as we could tell: Fat Sand Bikes Italia (shown here) and Klaxon, which had an electric model. An Italian distributor for QBP’s brands who shared a booth with a local retailer had a few Surly and Salsa fat bikes on hand, which he introduced last year. “It’s a very small niche,” said Ambrogio Grillo of Pedal Domain. Seen here is a show attendee demoing a Fat Sand Cruiser.]( "Italians have been slow to roll on the fat bike craze. Only a couple of brands had them on display, as far as we could tell: Fat Sand Bikes Italia (shown here) and Klaxon, which had an electric model. An Italian distributor for QBP’s brands who shared a booth with a local retailer had a few Surly and Salsa fat bikes on hand, which he introduced last year. “It’s a very small niche,” said Ambrogio Grillo of Pedal Domain. Seen here is a show attendee demoing a Fat Sand Cruiser.")
Italians have been slow to roll on the fat bike craze. Only a couple of brands had them on display, as far as we could tell: Fat Sand Bikes Italia (shown here) and Klaxon, which had an electric model. An Italian distributor for QBP’s brands who shared a booth with a local retailer had a few Surly and Salsa fat bikes on hand, which he introduced last year. “It’s a very small niche,” said Ambrogio Grillo of Pedal Domain. Seen here is a show attendee demoing a Fat Sand Cruiser.![Show attendees crowded and took photos at the tiny Fat Sand Bikes booth.]( "Show attendees crowded and took photos at the tiny Fat Sand Bikes booth.")
Show attendees crowded and took photos at the tiny Fat Sand Bikes booth.![ExpoBici is family friendly with a children’s bike course, a bungee trampoline, and inflatable water wheels to keep the kiddies entertained.]( "ExpoBici is family friendly with a children’s bike course, a bungee trampoline, and inflatable water wheels to keep the kiddies entertained.")
ExpoBici is family friendly with a children’s bike course, a bungee trampoline, and inflatable water wheels to keep the kiddies entertained.![Luca Pileri of S-Light with his company’s Hyperfive, featuring a one-sided carbon fork and carbon disc brake rotors. The two-year-old startup, whose founders have roots in motorcycle racing, is working to make a name for itself at home and abroad with custom carbon bikes made in Italy.]( "Luca Pileri of S-Light with his company’s Hyperfive, featuring a one-sided carbon fork and carbon disc brake rotors. The two-year-old startup, whose founders have roots in motorcycle racing, is working to make a name for itself at home and abroad with custom carbon bikes made in Italy.")
Luca Pileri of S-Light with his company’s Hyperfive, featuring a one-sided carbon fork and carbon disc brake rotors. The two-year-old startup, whose founders have roots in motorcycle racing, is working to make a name for itself at home and abroad with custom carbon bikes made in Italy.![Northwave showed its new range of helmets, made up of two mountain and two road models. Add that to its line of apparel, shoes and sunglasses, and you have the complete package, said Mauro Baldini, who handles marketing. Up until now, only the shoes have been sold in the U.S. but Baldini said that will change in 2015. Hawley and Lambert recently picked up Northwave shoe distribution in North America.]( "Northwave showed its new range of helmets, made up of two mountain and two road models. Add that to its line of apparel, shoes and sunglasses, and you have the complete package, said Mauro Baldini, who handles marketing. Up until now, only the shoes have been sold in the U.S. but Baldini said that will change in 2015. Hawley and Lambert recently picked up Northwave shoe distribution in North America.")
Northwave showed its new range of helmets, made up of two mountain and two road models. Add that to its line of apparel, shoes and sunglasses, and you have the complete package, said Mauro Baldini, who handles marketing. Up until now, only the shoes have been sold in the U.S. but Baldini said that will change in 2015. Hawley and Lambert recently picked up Northwave shoe distribution in North America.![A hard sell for the pedal bike lock, which eliminates the need for a traditional bike lock.]( "A hard sell for the pedal bike lock, which eliminates the need for a traditional bike lock.")
A hard sell for the pedal bike lock, which eliminates the need for a traditional bike lock.![Here’s a new take on security: Locking your pedal to a plate secured to the spokes of one of the bike’s two wheels. A key unlocks the pedal from the crank and lets the user lock it onto the wheel, preventing it from rotating. The company claims it’s lighter than a traditional lock and discourages theft because it would require costly damages to a bike to steal it.]( "Here’s a new take on security: Locking your pedal to a plate secured to the spokes of one of the bike’s two wheels. A key unlocks the pedal from the crank and lets the user lock it onto the wheel, preventing it from rotating. The company claims it’s lighter than a traditional lock and discourages theft because it would require costly damages to a bike to steal it.")
Here’s a new take on security: Locking your pedal to a plate secured to the spokes of one of the bike’s two wheels. A key unlocks the pedal from the crank and lets the user lock it onto the wheel, preventing it from rotating. The company claims it’s lighter than a traditional lock and discourages theft because it would require costly damages to a bike to steal it.![Peruzzo won an ExpoBici innovation award for its Trail Angel, which allows parents to bring their kids in tow, and once they’ve outgrown it, can easily turn it into a cargo trailer. The company, which also sells roof and rear bike racks for cars and bike stands, says it uses local suppliers and assemblers to keep manufacturing in Italy. It’s looking for a U.S. distributor.]( "Peruzzo won an ExpoBici innovation award for its Trail Angel, which allows parents to bring their kids in tow, and once they’ve outgrown it, can easily turn it into a cargo trailer. The company, which also sells roof and rear bike racks for cars and bike stands, says it uses local suppliers and assemblers to keep manufacturing in Italy. It’s looking for a U.S. distributor.")
Peruzzo won an ExpoBici innovation award for its Trail Angel, which allows parents to bring their kids in tow, and once they’ve outgrown it, can easily turn it into a cargo trailer. The company, which also sells roof and rear bike racks for cars and bike stands, says it uses local suppliers and assemblers to keep manufacturing in Italy. It’s looking for a U.S. distributor.![Among the companies exhibiting outside was PLM Bike. We didn’t see many cargo bikes at the show—in fact, this may have been the only one. The company is only about a year old.]( "Among the companies exhibiting outside was PLM Bike. We didn’t see many cargo bikes at the show—in fact, this may have been the only one. The company is only about a year old.")
Among the companies exhibiting outside was PLM Bike. We didn’t see many cargo bikes at the show—in fact, this may have been the only one. The company is only about a year old.![Trek had its Bosch-equipped 29er on display at its enormous booth. The company also promoted its Project One custom paint program.]( "Trek had its Bosch-equipped 29er on display at its enormous booth. The company also promoted its Project One custom paint program.")
Trek had its Bosch-equipped 29er on display at its enormous booth. The company also promoted its Project One custom paint program.![Consumers as well as retailers took bikes out for demo.]( "Consumers as well as retailers took bikes out for demo.")
Consumers as well as retailers took bikes out for demo.
