The Vancouver Bike Show provided a haven of bike related good times over the weekend as the skies opened up and let out a downpour of substantial proportions on Saturday. With over 60 vendors on display, the Bike Show kicks off the season for BC and gets bike enthusiasts amped for the upcoming summer months. The Pinkbike staffers took time off from the booth to wander the show and take in the action over the course of the weekend.
Ian Galbraith of Silverstar Mountain Resort had high traffic both days with people getting pumped on plans for summer ride trips to the resort.
Thomas Vanderham and Brett Tippie represent!
Jason Haycock of Norco Bicycles had to man up to a tattoo job after both of his daughters put the pressure on.
This very pink Xprezo Adhock will be in the hands of one of our tech editors shortly for testing. Stay tuned for a full report in the coming months.
Brett Tippie models his new signature shirt and signed a bunch for lucky show goers over the weekend.
To quote Brandon Chriton of Rocky Mountain Bicycles - they had "Enough carbon on display to build a formula one race car with."
The Bowen Island representatives were sporting arguably the most dapper outfits of the show. In other news Tippie tames a wild buffalo - vraiment.
The Trials Starts Demo Show drew the crowd with their tight skills and entertaining commentary.
Kenny Maude of Lynn Valley Bikes
Colnago were on hand with their unmistakable Italian style.
The ever smiling ladies from Dirty Girl Designs curated the daily Cycle Fashion show where exhibitors showed off their up-coming lines.
Jeff Bryson made the message of his company The Bike Room abundantly clear. If you missed that: Jeff teaches people how to maintain and fix their own bikes.
It may look like solid gold but Leanne and Monica confirmed that the XFusion Revel's stanchions are in fact Gold Slick Ano Aluminum.
Tippie tried his best to get his mother-in-law to crack a joke for the camera but she politely declined the offer.
The paddle boarding demo area was pretty popular, we don't think anyone went for a dip but this guy got really close.
Another pink bike on display, this one being the bike that piloted Ryder Hesjedal to first place in the 2012 Giro d'Italia.
The Pinkbike Lounge was a popular spot to rest weary feet all day long. This duo from Long Johns had the perfect attire on to lounge around in.
Mountain Biking BC had every map and piece of information you could possibly think of to assist in any BC bike related adventures you might have been dreaming of undertaking. No excuses with this crew on hand to help.
Vancouver Wheelmen Vintage Bicycle Club had a selection of refurbished golden oldies on display. These guys are a like minded bunch of people who collect, restore and ride old metal.
Flying the red, white and black. See you next year!
I tried the paddle boarding, it is more fun, so I'll be trading my bikes for one.
It's a much simpler sport, more girls involved, and you don't have all the wheel sizes.
I heard you can get speed stripes of alleyoop hyper resin on the underside of your board, and this will improve efficiency by .99%, and it was how paddle boards were meant to be back in the 70's when they cocked up the design.
Chattanooga has been breaking ground with whitewater paddleboarding and riverboarding. If you have never seen or heard about either of them you should youtube it, got a bunch of crazy friends doing it, wearing all the same gear as DH mountain bikers....
there is no good application for a paddleboard. in the surf? use a surfboard or boogieboard. On the flat? use a sea kayak. On whitewater? use a river runner/creeker/c1 if you are that cocky...
So you're saying that you don't have any balance? Or are you saying that you have tried it and in your opinion its too hard for you? Either way, bummer dude, its called progression.... "One board to rule them all" they're multipurpose, and cheaper than investing in all the different things that you mentioned above. The All Mountain bike of water sports in my opinion...
SUP takes far less balance than a surfboard. My point is that there are better beasts. your logic is like saying a cx bike is the future, it can handle roads and xc trails, therefore all you need. except they suck at both without changing parts. surfboards and boogies turn harder, sea kayaks are more efficient and ww paddleboarding is a joke that DJ and friends do when they are bored. on a similar theme, I'd love to see a paddleboarder do this: vimeo.com/80897373
The rumor I heard about the Toronto Show (which could very well be the same issue at the Van show) is that the booth charges are becoming outrageously priced. Something like 5K for a booth for the weekend? Plus surcharges for parking, wifi, electricity, tavel costs, whatever. Some of the smaller shops who usually come are not likely to pay that kind of cash to get a booth. Many are there just to make an appearance, showcase some new product, say hi to the locals that come to the show, but not have a whole lot to sell to make up the difference it would cost them to attend. So thus they just forget the event all together. From some of my buds in the winter industry, it seems the same is happening to the Toronto Ski/Snowboard show.
Maybe if Pinkbike can throw a booth into the Toronto Show and send us Tippie and Vanderham that will spice things up a bit! Oh, and don't forget the forks and the holders ;-)
I don't care about the shops and all the crap you can save 1 or 2 bucks on. i want to see more manufactures come out, I seen very little in the way of bike companies.
Toronto show is pretty boring in that it is just a big bike store with OK deals that you have to pay 20 bucks to get into. Very little on display from manufacturers, which is the only reason I would really wanna go.
I do agree with you there, be great if some of the manufactures and especially "Canadian Made" companies made appearances with setups and even some of the team riders for us to meet n greet.
Multiple sources have confirmed that the price of a booth is the limiting factor. No doubt the facility fees are insane right downtown. The show needs to move out of downtown. I'd happily attend a better show at a crappy venue.
Hell yeah. The show is one big ad, which you shouldn't have to pay 20 bucks to see. Ideally it would be free, or a minimal charge to subsidize advocacy groups etc.
I WAS NOT impressed at all with the show, next to nothing there, what 6 or so bike brands, 2 or 3 rare (new) brands, no Shim., no Sram, no Formula, no rims, next to nothing for gear, SAD really sad. Spent a total of 20-25 min. in there. Came from the Island (+ $175 or so for the ferry !!!! ) Pathetic !!
It was just as bad last year, big disappointment. small area, cramped, and only a couple of bike brands, and like you said, just a couple of component companies. I saved my money and didn't go this year.
Simmons has some of the best style on a bike. Watching that movie again a month ago I was reminded of that and wished there wasn't 2 feet of snow on the trails. Been going crazy wanting to ride since I saw it.
I was hugely disappointed with the show, virtually nothing to see, clearly there is a problem, I would probably assume booth space is too expensive? but that doesn't leave the bigger companies of the hook, Norco is local, what about, sram, shimano, etc... If they don't care about the show why should we, basically was a waste of time and money if you came to see bike stuff, lucky the outdoor shows had some stuff to look at.
Yes. Waste of time and money. Past years were really good. Won't be going back if it's anything like this again. Fortunately the Dunbar Cycles grand opening saved my trip into town.
@cboutin : Definitely the same !Dubar cycle grand opening was, THE event of the week...and Steve Smith was there man !
It's weird to heard the Vancouver Bike Show is getting bigger and bigger, all the guys I talked to told me : "it's getting smaller and smaller..." MTB self-promoting ? I didn't waste my 8$ though, I had a good talk with Tippie, and that made my show to me !
Ian Galbraith of Superstar: He looked after us when we made it over there last year; a gentleman and with a love of the bike park that shines through. We will be back someday Ian when the budget (and families!) allow!
Does anyone have any feedback about how the 26th annual Seattle Bicycle Expo was that took place on March 1st and 2nd. That show is able to attract 175 vendors including Giant, Kona and Santa Cruz to name a few .... www.cascade.org/Expo
Cheers for that @freeride-forever, but had I included the rather obvious next picture into the equation when writing that sarcastic comment, it would have lost a certain amount of comedy punch. The fact you didn't find it amusing worries me not. The fact that you missed the point bothers me not at all. The fact that you called me a butt nut, well, that hurt a little but hey, I won't let it ruin my day.
I want that Xprezo as long as the suspension is Enduro specific. As for SUPing....Flat water SUP = dumb, Big ocean or river wave SUP = you try it hoss.
Paddle boarding has been in Vancouver for a while. It just never caught on like bicycling or alpine sports. Maybe because our water is not as nice looking as Florida. I personally don't like Vancouver moldy green waters.
taking a pass on the pass again this year....baby #2 arrived two weeks ago...will be busy with that. Will be riding down here though lots...you have a non gravity ride? would be great to get out for some trail riding for sure.
how paddle boards were meant to be back in the 70's when they cocked up the design.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=laAtIyZX6aQ
Not that I can, but in my mind, that's how I surf
Maybe if Pinkbike can throw a booth into the Toronto Show and send us Tippie and Vanderham that will spice things up a bit! Oh, and don't forget the forks and the holders ;-)
It's weird to heard the Vancouver Bike Show is getting bigger and bigger, all the guys I talked to told me : "it's getting smaller and smaller..." MTB self-promoting ?
I didn't waste my 8$ though, I had a good talk with Tippie, and that made my show to me !