Cycle Show, NEC - any good?
Cycle Show, NEC - any good?
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Discussion

antspants

Original Poster:

2,402 posts

204 months

Tuesday 18th September 2012
quotequote all
Just seeing if any of you have been in previous years and if it's worth a visit?

Planning to go with my little lad so he can see the BMX and pump track events as well as have a go on the test track. Should keep it interesting for him while I drag him round the stands in between smile

Matt_N

9,035 posts

231 months

Tuesday 18th September 2012
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I'm heading up next Thursday for the trade day with a mate, first time I've been.

anonymous-user

83 months

Tuesday 18th September 2012
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last two years have been really good. lots of manufacturers and the chance to see their stuff up close, ask questions etc etc.

we played a little game whilst stopped for coffee. pick someone hovering around a stand, then when they go up to a bike, try to guess if they are a flicker or a squeezer, as in, will they flick the frame on the down tube as if they are testing the material or squeeze the brake levers as if they are testing the brake feel..... hours of fun...

slomax

7,265 posts

221 months

Tuesday 18th September 2012
quotequote all
pablo said:
last two years have been really good. lots of manufacturers and the chance to see their stuff up close, ask questions etc etc.

we played a little game whilst stopped for coffee. pick someone hovering around a stand, then when they go up to a bike, try to guess if they are a flicker or a squeezer, as in, will they flick the frame on the down tube as if they are testing the material or squeeze the brake levers as if they are testing the brake feel..... hours of fun...
haha, that sounds brilliant!

im a squeezer, its usually easy to tell the difference between carbon, ti, alu and steel just by glancing at the frame. It can be tricky to tell the difference between painted ti and steel though.



Mod edit - It was good, but it wasn't three times goodwink

Edited by burriana on Friday 28th September 15:57

IroningMan

10,598 posts

275 months

Tuesday 18th September 2012
quotequote all
That bears repeating.

aspender

1,405 posts

294 months

Tuesday 18th September 2012
quotequote all
I went last year. As a display show it is ok, but don't go expecting to spend any money on stuff as the only things on sale are either tat from the retail village, or the odd bike/random wheelset that one of the stands wants to get rid of (Sigma Sport and a Triathlon stand IIRC)

3rtt

943 posts

281 months

Tuesday 18th September 2012
quotequote all
aspender said:
I went last year. As a display show it is ok, but don't go expecting to spend any money on stuff as the only things on sale are either tat from the retail village, or the odd bike/random wheelset that one of the stands wants to get rid of (Sigma Sport and a Triathlon stand IIRC)
The organisers have made this a strictly no selling show to avoid it turning into a car boot sales. There are retail areas where you can make a purchase like clothes and accessories.
All exhibitors will be able to offer information of their sales channels, so if you wish to make a purchase when you get back home, you can do.
To avoid any commercial bias here, we will be exhibiting a well respected German Brand of Bicycles, Cycling Gear and e-bikes.
Cheers,
Ian

antspants

Original Poster:

2,402 posts

204 months

Tuesday 18th September 2012
quotequote all
Sounds as if it's worth a visit then, cheers smile

itsnotarace

4,685 posts

238 months

Samcat

505 posts

252 months

Monday 24th September 2012
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We're planning a visit on Friday, I was looking to spend a little cash, but I guess I'll have to put up with drooling over bikes I'll never be able to afford.

MadDad

3,835 posts

290 months

Friday 28th September 2012
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Anyone been to the show yet? Is it worth a visit?

I am planning on dragging the family along on Sunday, but given the cost of the entrance fee and parking its not a cheap day out, just want to make sure its worth the effort and cost before I go.....

Rob_T

1,916 posts

280 months

Friday 28th September 2012
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Just been. It's rubbish. Not very big. Can't buy anything useful and there's not a great deal on display. Next to no mtb, same old same old of the larger manufacturers with the usual road bikes. Loads of cycle tops in odd sizes. Uninspiring and a waste of money. My advice is don't bother. Wait until the London show in January. Too many energy drink/food stands. I left early very disappointed

antspants

Original Poster:

2,402 posts

204 months

Friday 28th September 2012
quotequote all
Rob_T said:
Just been. It's rubbish.
Bugger, I've already bought tickets frown

Never mind I was only planning to go for the afternoon on Sunday. Hoping my son will get to see a couple of the bmx and mtb shows, size him up for a new bike, and have a wander round a couple of stands myself.


Magic919

14,493 posts

230 months

Friday 28th September 2012
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I was wondering about going, but think I'll skip it given the review. Long way to drive for a hotdog and a cuppa.

Hackney

7,429 posts

237 months

Friday 28th September 2012
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Rob_T said:
Just been. It's rubbish. Not very big. Can't buy anything useful and there's not a great deal on display. Next to no mtb, same old same old of the larger manufacturers with the usual road bikes. Loads of cycle tops in odd sizes. Uninspiring and a waste of money. My advice is don't bother. Wait until the London show in January. Too many energy drink/food stands. I left early very disappointed
Agreed.

I did get excited by the "trade offer" on the Garmin stand as I'm about to buy an Edge 500 + accessories, but their offer just brought the price down to what you'd pay at Wiggle etc.

MadDad

3,835 posts

290 months

Friday 28th September 2012
quotequote all
Thanks for the feedback, I will give it a miss! Now, an alternative plan for Sunday........

anonymous-user

83 months

Friday 28th September 2012
quotequote all
much, much smaller than last year, the exhibitor list is a bit misleading too, the importers for example dont have all their range on show, far from it, so what you see on the website is what they do, and they may or may not have any of it on show. you can spend a few hours there but thats about it. it was worth it for me as i was wheel hunting and found a very nice pair on the Spin stand which are a little over budget but what the hell.... checked out mavic, campag and vision, had a look around the others but went back to the Spi nstand after lunch. also some good bike tour/holiday stands worth a look too. big stands from raleigh, trek and specialised, smaller ribble, colnago, condor and pinarello stands and thats prety much it....

a shamereally given the 2012 cycling bonanza year of TdF and olympics, can only assume organisers were asking too much for a stand?....

raceboy

13,899 posts

309 months

Friday 28th September 2012
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Been today and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
But then I guess it depends where your biking interests lie.....and our tickets were freebees. wink
With my main interest being BMX there were a lot of associated stands and the BMX Park contest was a great draw....just a shame to see one rider take a fall and break an ankle very badly. frown
And knowing a few people in that trade it was good to catch up with a few faces and chew the fat and lap up the freebees on the stands. smile
Before I went I was looking at getting a roadie but not being up to speed on them the show was good to see what's out there and some of the top end (completely out of my budget) bling is stunning!
But the things that impressed me most were the fixie and Urban bikes on show, loved the stuff on www.thebicycleman.co.uk stand, never seen anything like some of it and their biscuits were lovely.
Didn't see much MTB but that's not my thing anyway and the MTB Pump track thing looked a bit pants next to the BMX Park section.
Spotted a few of our Olympic medal winners and had a great day but I wouldn't really want to pay to go or have to buy a meal there.....just blag energy drink/food/gel from stand to stand and that'll see you through the day. rotate