The Cycle Show 2017

ayjaycee

Can anybody recommend a visit to the NEC Cycle Show this year? I went a few years ago with a complimentary ticket and quite enjoyed it as there was a lot to see, a fair few freebies to be had (I managed to fill a bag with flapjacks, snack bars and sports / energy drinks and also won a set of lights in a draw) as well as some bargains from small retailers (particularly caps and musettes if you like such things!) but I have heard that things have been a bit different for the last couple of years.

With the price of entrance (£15 on the day / £14 in advance), parking (£12, I believe) and the 140 mile round trip in the car, it's quite an expensive day out which I would not begrudge if it was worth it but..............

lakesluddite

I went last year - sounds very similar to what you have experienced in the past. I think the best thing to do is check which speakers you would like to see the most, and go on that day. Last year we had no choice of days, and the speakers I wanted to hear the most were not there on that day, so a little disappointing in that respect. I think Merckx and Nibali are there this year?

There's always more bike porn that you can possibly linger over for more than a minute or two, and there are some bargains to be had, so in that respect I would go again. I would probably go every year if it were nearer - for me it's at least a 2.5 hour drive or similar (and quite expensive) on the train, so can't really justify it every year.

If you still want to go, try looking on various bike websites, you might get a discount code for the tickets somewhere (is there one on here?)

ayjaycee

If I go at all, it's got to be Friday (which I don't really mind as there shouldn't be so much of a crowd). On the discount code for tickets, that £14 that I mentioned for advance tickets actually reflects a 10% discount after using a code which bring the actual ticket price down to £12 - the only problem is that they impose a £2 booking fee if doing it online. To my simple mind, that's nothing short of a scam which gets even better when you find that they will also charge you another £2.50 if you want the luxury of being able to cancel the ticket and get a refund if you decide not to go. That actually makes it more expensive than paying at the door on the day which, of course, you wouldn't have to do if you decided not to go anyway. They also ignore the fact the you have every right to cancel an online transaction under 'The Consumer Contracts Regulations' anyway!

stevie63

ayjaycee wrote:

If I go at all, it's got to be Friday (which I don't really mind as there shouldn't be so much of a crowd). On the discount code for tickets, that £14 that I mentioned for advance tickets actually reflects a 10% discount after using a code which bring the actual ticket price down to £12 - the only problem is that they impose a £2 booking fee if doing it online. To my simple mind, that's nothing short of a scam which gets even better when you find that they will also charge you another £2.50 if you want the luxury of being able to cancel the ticket and get a refund if you decide not to go. That actually makes it more expensive than paying at the door on the day which, of course, you wouldn't have to do if you decided not to go anyway. They also ignore the fact the you have every right to cancel an online transaction under 'The Consumer Contracts Regulations' anyway!

Tickets for events on a specific date are exempt from refunds under the consumer contracts regulations.

ugo.santalucia

Round the corner for me... J6 on the M42 and I live at J5... not going... too much money and no discounts on the day. If, for instance, Hope were to sell their hubs with a 20% discount, I would be tempted, but there isn't anything like that going on.

As I understand The Cycle Clinic has a stand there :-)

step83

As above really check who is speaking on the day an go, I'm there Sunday mainly as its the only day I can do. Couple of companies I like will be there so ill be buying bits.

Last yeah I met Martyn Ashton which made the day very worthwhile just for that, very relaxed he was rolling around the Pinnarello Stand of all places.

ayjaycee

stevie63 wrote:

Tickets for events on a specific date are exempt from refunds under the consumer contracts regulations.

Just goes to prove that you're never too old to learn - thanks. That said, just the process of typing the original probably persuaded me not to bother this year anyway!

ugo.santalucia

tickets on the day are actually 17.50, so quite steep for a trade show. 12 pounds car park seems extortionate... it's almost "airport parking fare"

ayjaycee

ugo.santalucia wrote:

.......it's almost "airport parking fare"

The polite way of saying 'taking the p1ss'!

ugo.santalucia

ayjaycee wrote:

ugo.santalucia wrote:

.......it's almost "airport parking fare"

The polite way of saying 'taking the p1ss'!

Parking at the airport is one of my phobias... the spaces are incredibly narrow and I have scratched the car more than once. Then, of course every minute counts and the bill for a stay in excess of an hour can be astronomical. Admittedly I always try to avoid doing it, pretending to be busy at that time and suggesting an (often cheaper) Uber taxi instead

Craig_Broadbent

Save on parking by cycling in. There is a big bike park there. Perhaps you can park outside, and cycle the last bit.

redvee

I'm heading up north to the NEC from Brizzle and have paid £22 for entry and £10 for the coach for two of us. Will buy lunch in B'ham, won't be paying NEC prices for food :shock:

sigorman85

Park at the train station over the other side and walk in

wongataa

ugo.santalucia wrote:

tickets on the day are actually 17.50, so quite steep for a trade show. 12 pounds car park seems extortionate... it's almost "airport parking fare"

The NEC parking charges are extortionate and always have been. It's cheaper parking at the railway station and making the short walk from the station to the NEC. I'm getting the train there as I live in Birmingham.

Beatmaker

I'm going as down for Velo Birmingham on the Sunday and have to register on the Saturday. Don't think I'd make the trip otherwise based on my last visit I remember going years ago when it was at Earls Court. You used to get loads of bargains.

supermurph09

I'm going on Sunday with the non-cycling Mrs. I've got tickets with 20% off, I have no intention of buying anything but it's an enjoyable couple of hours looking at bikes. I'll be taking my own drink and sandwich this year though, the queues and prices are pretty ridiculous!

Visiting with the mrs gives me the opportunity to tell her why I need a new bike, wheels and kit etc without her being distracted by other things like what happens at home. She cannot escape!

carbonclem

Ive been the last couple of years, for the speakers as much as anything. Advance tickets make it reasonable, and I park in the train station. Food/drink is as dear as eating out anywhere really - meh.

I'm not going this year due to doing Velo B'Ham - it seems an own goal not to have combined it better, maybe getting a sign on opportunity there or something? If I went this year it would be Sunday for Eddy, but cant do everything!

There are always a few bargains about. Last year there was a LOT of floor space given to e-bikes however.

ugo.santalucia

wongataa wrote:

ugo.santalucia wrote:

tickets on the day are actually 17.50, so quite steep for a trade show. 12 pounds car park seems extortionate... it's almost "airport parking fare"

The NEC parking charges are extortionate and always have been. It's cheaper parking at the railway station and making the short walk from the station to the NEC. I'm getting the train there as I live in Birmingham.

Obviously I would cycle, but not sure the Mrs would be keen... quite busy roads

chippyk

ugo.santalucia wrote:

wongataa wrote:

ugo.santalucia wrote:

tickets on the day are actually 17.50, so quite steep for a trade show. 12 pounds car park seems extortionate... it's almost "airport parking fare"

The NEC parking charges are extortionate and always have been. It's cheaper parking at the railway station and making the short walk from the station to the NEC. I'm getting the train there as I live in Birmingham.

Obviously I would cycle, but not sure the Mrs would be keen... quite busy roads

Pretty easy to get there without going on busy roads Ugo, especially if approaching from the south or the east.

ugo.santalucia

ChippyK wrote:

ugo.santalucia wrote:

wongataa wrote:

ugo.santalucia wrote:

tickets on the day are actually 17.50, so quite steep for a trade show. 12 pounds car park seems extortionate... it's almost "airport parking fare"

The NEC parking charges are extortionate and always have been. It's cheaper parking at the railway station and making the short walk from the station to the NEC. I'm getting the train there as I live in Birmingham.

Obviously I would cycle, but not sure the Mrs would be keen... quite busy roads

Pretty easy to get there without going on busy roads Ugo, especially if approaching from the south or the east.

Out of the M42 and then back in... long way = Mrs not happy... to be honest we most likely won't go... I'm out of cash this month :? :?

matt_n-2

I went yesterday, bear in mind that the trade and press day is slightly different in that not all the activities, talks etc are happening.

Thoughts are that a lot of the big names were missing, no Specialized, Trek, Giant, Felt but this may tie in that their new ranges aren't ready for launch yet?

Colnago stand was a highlight, but then with 3 of them I'm a fan.

Condor stand was good, some nice metal on show.

Canyon, Pinarello and Cube have massive stands with lots of bikes on display, albeit most on the Canyon is boring in matte black, the Kraftwerk was cool.

Vittoria had a small stand but a couple of new tyres mixed in with the current range, they're unmarked but are Corsa Control, a 320tpi casing but a more robust and winterised compound, they are also launching Corsa's in an all black casing.

Lots of energy bars and drinks to sample, OTE were my favourite, all of those have bundles to buy as well.

There was a small stand in the top left corner selling some cheap Castelli gear.

E-bike test track was full of stuff to try, kids bike test track could be good too, Isla bikes, Ridgeback etc but wasn't running yesterday for obvious reasons.

Road bike test track wasn't running, but seemed to be Ribble and Ridgeback.

The MTB track looked quite good, lots of people on that.

IDMatch bike fitting was cool, probably going to be busy but I had a 10 minute fit, it uses 3 photos to come up with a basic fit, you then hop on the fully automated test rig that adjusts your position automatically as you're riding. Quite funny to be pedalling and have the bars move forward and then the saddle up etc. with no input other than what the computer thinks.

jmccabe

Matt_N wrote:

There was a small stand in the top left corner selling some cheap Castelli gear.

Can you tell me a bit more about this (if you had a good look)? Was it old summer stuff, winter stuff, much of a range of sizes etc?

This is the kind of thing I was hoping would be there, but more different brands, but it sounds like it's probably not worth me going at the moment.

Thanks

animal72

jmccabe wrote:

Matt_N wrote:

There was a small stand in the top left corner selling some cheap Castelli gear.

Can you tell me a bit more about this (if you had a good look)? Was it old summer stuff, winter stuff, much of a range of sizes etc?

This is the kind of thing I was hoping would be there, but more different brands, but it sounds like it's probably not worth me going at the moment.

Thanks

Mix of summer and winter, plenty of sizes.

Tbh, if you're going for kit, don't bother. If you're going for ogling shiny things (and freebies) then do.

jmccabe

Animal72 wrote:

Mix of summer and winter, plenty of sizes.

Tbh, if you're going for kit, don't bother. If you're going for ogling shiny things (and freebies) then do.

Thanks a lot for your help. My main reason would've been for kit; the ogling would've been a secondary thing so, given Velo Birmingham is on tomorrow as well, I'll give it a miss.

Cheers

supermurph09

I went yesterday and was a bit underwhelmed. After a walk around all the aisles I'd pretty much had enough after 45 minutes, indeed we left after 90 minutes and that included a coffee in the cafe.

What perplexed me most was why Canyon (I ride an Ultimate SL) who are a mail order brand, having spent the money and effort of having a stand don't bring a model of all their bikes?? I was interested in looking at an Ultimate AL SLX but they didn't have one on display.

The Colnago stand was nice, as was Cannondale, Ribble, Dolan and Ridley, I also enjoyed having a feel of the amazing light Tifosi, indeed that was the only photo I took. I also thought the Boardman range including a couple of prototypes really showcased their brand, certainly more of a contender than they were before.

I think I'll leave it a couple of years before going again, we did buy a massage device though, well the none cycling Mrs did, I just encouraged the purchase in case I need something myself in the next few months...

Beatmaker

I thought it was an improvement on the previous edition I went to 2 years ago. We arrived about 16:00 and stayed to pretty much the end on Saturday, but we did watch the crit from 17:30-18:00. Some really nice kit was on show there, the Condor Acciaio Stainless is a thing of beauty, as is the Van Nicholas Skeiron (which a friend ended up ordering after seeing it at the Cycle Show). It depends what your expectations are I guess, I tried on a set of Jawbreakers and then bought them online for 40 quid less than I would have paid at the show, my mate dropped £4k on a bike, so it was worthwhile for us.

fudgey

I went last year, had a free ticket and my mate paid £17.50 on the door. Walked around it 2 hours, then left.

Didnt pay for parking either, spotted the barrier was up so just drove out. Think i was supposed to stop for the guy sat in the booth but he didnt give chase.