Cycle Show - NEC, is it any good?
Wacky Racer
Posts: 638
I notice that the cycle show is on at the NEC at the end of September. Has anyone on here been before, and is it worth going? I know it's a good chance to see the 2012 bikes, but what about gear and clothes? Any good deals to be had?
Ridley Orion
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Waste of time for buying kit. There is a small compound where a limited range of clothing is available but few bargains IME. The other stands will not even take orders. OK if you want to drool over or compare the latest bikes etc.0
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^ what he said, it used to be at the NEC before it switched to London. Not as good a venue imo. And you can't buy much, never changes even with the 'village' for purchasing kit.0
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Cheers guys, I'll save my entrance fee for something worthwhile. Thanks.Ridley Orion0
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Birmingham?? Why ?
Dont expect to see the same about of companies displaying their stuff here. London was a much bigger draw for the wholesalers.
Save you money and take a trip to Eurobike in Friedschafen , Germany sometime. That show is mind blowing in terms of size and manufactures .0 -
Birmingham?? Why ?
I live near to Worcester, so closer to home for me. IMO there is nothing wrong with the venue, easier than London, easy to park, better motorway links, more central.
But, only any good IF there is more there than a few nice bikes to drool over.Ridley Orion0 -
A British bike show is exactly like everything else in Britain.0
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Berk Bonebonce wrote:A British bike show is exactly like everything else in Britain.
what, full of negativistas?Facts are meaningless, you can use facts to prove anything that's remotely true! - Homer0 -
New this year is a road bike demo track that 'gives you the opportunity to try out the latest road bikes'
Not what the OP was after but it sounds like it could be great.
As far as location goes - I'd need a really compelling reason before I'd contemplate going to London, but no reservations about going to the NEC.
The organisers say they've moved to get more space.0 -
I,m only going because it is at the nec!0
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I,m only going because it is at the nec!0
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blackrockracer wrote:Birmingham?? Why ?
Dont expect to see the same about of companies displaying their stuff here. London was a much bigger draw for the wholesalers.
Save you money and take a trip to Eurobike in Friedschafen , Germany sometime. That show is mind blowing in terms of size and manufactures .
To put it into perspective - Birmingham NEC is £20 on the train and the entrance fee is £11 max if you get a code (which are everywhere). Friedrichshafen is at least £200 return for flights and then hotels on top before you think about entry fee and you will need at least 3 days. Comparing the two isnt really fair.
Also there will be quite a few fancy things to see at the NEC - no trek or spesh or boardman I expect but thats pretty standard fare anyway.
Being bristol based Id prefer the event to be at the nec, as easy and cheap to get to but without the london centric 'nothing else in the UK exists' mentality.0 -
jonbristol wrote:blackrockracer wrote:Birmingham?? Why ?
Dont expect to see the same about of companies displaying their stuff here. London was a much bigger draw for the wholesalers.
Save you money and take a trip to Eurobike in Friedschafen , Germany sometime. That show is mind blowing in terms of size and manufactures .
To put it into perspective - Birmingham NEC is £20 on the train and the entrance fee is £11 max if you get a code (which are everywhere). Friedrichshafen is at least £200 return for flights and then hotels on top before you think about entry fee and you will need at least 3 days. Comparing the two isnt really fair.
Also there will be quite a few fancy things to see at the NEC - no trek or spesh or boardman I expect but thats pretty standard fare anyway.
Being bristol based Id prefer the event to be at the nec, as easy and cheap to get to but without the london centric 'nothing else in the UK exists' mentality.
+1
and what makes you think all the wholesalers are based in London or the south east anyway?0 -
It's a TRADE show
They let us Plebs in to look over many things at once (shame the big brands don't bother) Our entry fee offsets the cost of exhibiting.
Remember you only want to buy one of something the wholesalers probably took orders for £10K on the Thursday0 -
Rule74Please wrote:It's a TRADE show
They let us Plebs in to look over many things at once (shame the big brands don't bother) Our entry fee offsets the cost of exhibiting.
Remember you only want to buy one of something the wholesalers probably took orders for £10K on the Thursday
not the case0 -
Aye it's designed more for the public these days (1 trade day 3 public days), Eurobike and Interbike have more of a trade bias. I think the cycleshow's biggest problem is being so close to those shows on the calendar, there's less incentive for the trade
-orientated exhibitors to attend. Still I'm hoping it's worth it as I'm going...0 -
anyone got a link to a discount code?
I'm thinking of going, i want to look at the dolan range as there are no stockists where I live.0 -
I wouldn't go when it was in London as it would work out too expensive.
The NEC is a great host and travelling by train is cheap and efficient.
I'm going to the trade day as I find from experience in other interests that the trade days are more rewarding.0 -
ynyswen24 wrote:Rule74Please wrote:It's a TRADE show
They let us Plebs in to look over many things at once (shame the big brands don't bother) Our entry fee offsets the cost of exhibiting.
Remember you only want to buy one of something the wholesalers probably took orders for £10K on the Thursday
not the case
"Tis0 -
motor city wrote:anyone got a link to a discount code?
I'm thinking of going, i want to look at the dolan range as there are no stockists where I live.
try CSH or STM (only need one or the other) to take the price to 11 quid.0 -
It isnt really a trade show - most accounts get a visit or two (or an invite to a proper exhibition) to showcase a brands 2012 kit in july/august/september. Im going to the NEC to see what gets the most attention from 'customers'.0
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jig wrote:motor city wrote:anyone got a link to a discount code?
I'm thinking of going, i want to look at the dolan range as there are no stockists where I live.
try CSH or STM (only need one or the other) to take the price to 11 quid.
cheers...the stm code worked.0 -
The facts are it's much easier for people from all over the country to reach the NEC, right on the m42 and great train links, rather than at earls court.
Also it gives them a lot more space for exhibitors and most importantly a demo track for mountain bikers and roadies.
As for discount codes: http://www.cyclescheme.co.uk/community/ ... leshow2011 are doing it for £11 if you quote CSH. Definitely worth a punt at that price!0 -
Do you have to pay for parking? Last time I went to NEC parking charge was £8.Coupla Road Bikes0
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Went today and is today - Sun is public.
Overall, OK, not been to one before and wasnt massively impressed, Im looking for new bike and spent about 3 hours there, thought it wold be bigger larger, no big drama as live near Bham
I at least maanged to decide on new bike [Fous Cayo 3.0] from the Sigma Sport stand who were very helpful, happy to measure up there and then, althogh now faced with 3 hours to Kent to pick the sodding things up!
Also a lack of promo skirt which I thought there would have been [sorry to the ladies who may be reading this]Kuota Kharma Race [Dry/Sunny]
Raleigh Airlite 100 [Wet/Horrible]0 -
bails1310 wrote:Went today and is today - Sun is public.
Overall, OK, not been to one before and wasnt massively impressed, Im looking for new bike and spent about 3 hours there, thought it wold be bigger larger, no big drama as live near Bham
I at least maanged to decide on new bike [Fous Cayo 3.0] from the Sigma Sport stand who were very helpful, happy to measure up there and then, althogh now faced with 3 hours to Kent to pick the sodding things up!
Also a lack of promo skirt which I thought there would have been [sorry to the ladies who may be reading this]
I was tempted to go today until I read this thread last night. Like you, i'm very close but don't want to waste money needlessly. My reason for wanting to go is to buy some new wheels, hopefully a bit cheaper than in the shops. Would I be wasting my time on this mate?
Thank you.0 -
All depends on budget, most wheels stands [there were only probably about half a dozen at beast] were mostly carbon and well out of my price bracket. [I.e. - more than £1k a set, a lot more in some cases!]
Being in the market for a bike I thought Id be there for hours but as someone else said, looking at bikes you will never afford loses its appeal after a bit.
Even the road test track area wasnt great, only decent triel on offer was a middle of the range Felt, rest was rubbish.
Looking at the weather this weekend, if I had a road bike already, Id have prefered to be out on that than the show.Kuota Kharma Race [Dry/Sunny]
Raleigh Airlite 100 [Wet/Horrible]0 -
Ps - defiantley no bargains.Kuota Kharma Race [Dry/Sunny]
Raleigh Airlite 100 [Wet/Horrible]0 -
Got back earlier and yes the car parks are 8 bloomin quid. Not a bad show but some of the better manufacturers ie Fizik, Mavic, etc missing which was a shame. Not as good a venue as London imo ....0
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Get yourselves over the Eurobike, it's the only one really worth going to
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I think my mind is made up not to go. 8 english for parking is disgusting for a start. I was hoping for a Mavic stand as I am after a set of their wheels maybe. If stands like Fizik etc aren't there, then it seems daft looking at dream machines all day.
Thanks for the feeback guys.0
