Trends- CATEGORY
TRENDS: EVERYDAY CYCLING by Karen Brooks, Bicycle Times
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ot all the cool products for pavement riding are about racing—in fact, the categories of cycling for adventure, transportation, and wellness are growing fast. “Road biking for the rest of us” presents great opportunities to draw more customers to your shop and keep them cycling for life. Here are some burgeoning niches and trends to pay attention to at Interbike 2012. We’ll be busy discovering more at the show, so tune in to www.bicycletimesmag.com for updates. Cargo bikes: The SUVs of the bike world. More people are choosing a car-free or car-lite lifestyle, and cargo bikes are key, especially for families. Look for American brands to offer more models and especially accessories to add versatility, and look for European brands, particularly those that offer Dutchstyle bakfietsen, to make inroads in our market. Cargo bikes with electric assist, make it easier to run errands by bike.
Comfort/endurance road bikes, such as this Specialized Secteur Comp, are gaining popularity with riders who want to push their limits without sacrificing comfort.
Comfort/endurance road bikes: The jury is still out on what to call this new category, but its impact is solid. These bikes are for the rider that wants to go far and fast without needing to shave seconds off a race result. Comfort or endurance road bikes look like typical road machines with a few key differences that add comfort for mere mortals, such as a taller head tube for a higher handlebar, wider tires, geometry tuned for easier handling, and a more forgiving feel. Disc brakes: More road and cyclocross bikes are being spec’d with disc brakes—for many riders, the benefits of control trump any weight gain. Having superior braking power in any weather will encourage more people to ride more often. Hydraulics are the next step in the evolution; be on the lookout for conversion boxes and all-in-one solutions.
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Adventure bikes: This is a big tent of a category, covering mixed-surface touring, gravel racing, multi-cross, and more. Touring of all kinds is becoming more popular—the journey is the point, not the destination. Then one can use the same bike to ride to work the Monday morning after the adventure. Whatever the style or purpose, these kinds of bikes are versatile enough to be on many shoppers’ short lists for one bike to do it all.
High-end commuters: We saw a rise in top-end commuting bikes last year, mainly in European brands, but this trend will continue and spread in the U.S. as gas prices inevitably rise. Several thousand dollars won’t get you much in an automobile, but can buy a really sweet commuting bike that will make the journey to work pleasant and fun. Electric bikes: As of this writing Eurobike hasn’t happened yet, but last year’s Euro show saw an explosion of electric bikes. The technology is pushing the envelope of smaller, faster, lighter, and more reliable electric bikes. A little boost from an electric motor is all it takes to get many more people hooked on riding bicycles.
Cargo bikes with electric assist, such as the Yuba elMundo, make hauling stuff by bike a lot easier.
TRENDGUIDE 2012