The Odd World of Eurobike in 69 Photos
I've never been to Eurobike, and while my primary purpose for being at the show was to connect with clients and friends to talk a bit of business I couldn't help but feel a bit overwhelmed and intrigued by the hustle and bustle of the show. While most of the relevant bikes and components to the Pinkbike audience have been documented over the past few days and months, or seen previously under World Cup and EWS riders, there are literally thousands of booths and products that you just never see or hear about. With that in mind I set out with a camera for one lap of the entire show, all 13 expo halls, the 2 outdoor courtyards in between, and even a quick peek into the car park. With no agenda and no appointments my only goal was to shoot a few photos of things that grabbed my attention, be it because they were just bizarre, or actually kind of cool did not matter. From outlandish marketing claims to products that leave you more confused than amused and a bit of everything in between, enjoy my One Lap of Eurobike 2014.
Warning: A sense of humor, and understanding of sarcasm, and possibly some parental guidance is advised.
View entire Eurobike 2014 Product Gallery Here
Warning: A sense of humor, and understanding of sarcasm, and possibly some parental guidance is advised.
 |
 Eurobike 2014... One Lap... Let's do this. |
 |
| Welcome to the jungle. |
 |
| There are 12 expo halls all connected by congested hallways. Making a left or right turn to visit a booth must be planned far in advance. |
 |
| I totally forgot 1/2 finger gloves even existed until I walked by this booth. |
 |
| Some booths had a limited budget for topless models. |
 |
| Others were a bit more creative. Though I have to admit, I still don't know what either are actually trying to sell. |
 |
| Nothing about that photo looks like a good idea. |
 |
| Around just about every corner there is a reminder that you are in Europe. |
 |
| Questionable marketing claim number one. If I had the time I could probably document a few thousand more. |
 |
| Computers and motorized gadgets where all the rage throughout the show, including this computerized fitting machine. Sadly it couldn't pick the ideal wheel size. |
 |
| Motors and gadgets, motors and gadgets. |
 |
| More motors and gadgets... Are you seeing a theme develop yet. |
 |
| Another E-bike ready to take all your gains in trail access back 10 years. Thanks. |
 |
| Overdressed. Part 1. |
 |
| Overdressed. Part 2. |
 |
| It isn't just bikes and components on display here. Many manufacturing tech companies have their machinery on display as well. |
 |
| Ever wondered what the machine looks like that makes wheels? |
 |
| There is an entire hall dedicated to small Asian manufacturers, and in these booths are some interesting finds. |
 |
| Perhaps not a ton of business but at least there is time for lunch here. |
 |
| If you're not sure how to innovate, just make everything brighter. |
 |
| Absolutely nothing #enduro to see here. |
 |
| Suspension wheels? Seems totally safe to me. |
 |
| Questionable Marketing Claim number two. |
 |
| More colors to whet your appetite. |
 |
| A lot of work has gone into a lot of parts that are practically obsolete. |
 |
| Half way through... Roll on. |
 |
| Looking for a job in the industry? Just read the fine print... In German. |
 |
| My favorite bike of the show part one. Enjoy the history lesson and get to know your roots. |
 |
| Brook's takes my favorite bike of the show part two. I want this bike, but worry I don't own Classy enough clothes to actually ride it. |
 |
| Ah yes, the understated saddle booth. One of many that didn't have an actual saddle mounted to an actual bike for one to sit on. |
 |
| Questionable Marketing claim part three. |
 |
| The most comfortable seat in the world was sadly, not mounted to any bike for me to sit on. |
 |
| Schwalbe had a pretty cool video demo to showcase their Procore system. |
 |
| Fat bikes, E-Bikes, and Folding Bikes were everywhere. |
 |
| Brilliant? |
 |
| Bold Marketing Claim number four seems a bit lost in translation, but all the telemetry should give it credibility, no? |
 |
| I'm not sure what it does, but there were colorful graphs to back it up. |
 |
| Lost in translation once again. |
 |
| Apparently this is what German engineering and fatigue testing looks like. |
 |
| When in Europe. I've picked up a second hand smoking habit in the two days I've been here. |
 |
| There are food courts everywhere and each one has a massive queue. |
 |
| Once you get through the queue the food is, well, very German. |
 |
| I have no Idea who this guy is, but he was larger than life at the Uvex booth. Is Kittel's hair real or a plastic mould? |
 |
| Apparently these people know more than me and were packed in to hear the mystery man speak. |
 |
| E-Bike demos were going on all day long. |
 |
| Outside the display halls you could rider all kinds of "innovations." |
 |
| Phew.. you made it to the end, now get yourself a complimentary massage. |
 |
| Right as I finished up, the annual fashion show was beginning. |
 |
| Thanks for keeping the Euro in Eurobike. |
 |
| Nope... Still have no clue what they are selling. Something about wheel size probably. |
View entire Eurobike 2014 Product Gallery Here
Must Read This Week
196 Comments
Objectifying of the woman body is a huge problem when it comes to gender inequality so yeah that "marketing trick" is hurting about 50% of the worlds population. Putting it in relation to another evil like war just to diminish the problem is low but if it pleases you to know I've used all my democratic rights to take stance against wars.
Again, PB, you should not even recognize such behavior from biking companies.
Problem 2 is that it treats men like idiots - the idea that we will be drawn to a product, not for its own merits but because of the bewbies.
Problem 3 is (perhaps most important) that it reinforces the idea that pretty women are good for nothing but looking at, in the context of our society, and have no merit of their own unless they are exposing themselves in public for the guys' benefit.
Oh and @DaveTrumpore that's Marcel Kittel you dumbass; mutiple TDF stage winner... be very ashamed.
TLDR: @MendelMu has a point.
It is more like an alternative/creative presentation rather than a marketing trick (at least in my opinion). Nothing more nothing less.
I actually JUST read the end of the sentence where you said "Kittel"... I am ashamed of myself.
harden the f*ck up.
You would ride that like a new bike down Fort William! Am I right?! Am I right?! Ah.... Ah..?
I hope you all realize that the more those on the inside of the industry utter such things, it is a call to mobilize.
Before it is too late.
Fear not though... the average age and gender of a user of such bike is a woman 30-50, which means: fear of falling. Despite a huge army of amateurs swarming the city center, asphalt roads and fire roads, there is very very few people on proper trails, ones of a kind that an average PB user might find interesting to ride. A rumour has it (I have been told by a major retailer) that many companies are now designing ebikes for kids, even in 20" sizes!!! That is due to success of selling those ebikes to middle aged women. There is always a way around fat and TV buttocks
The dude can wheelie no handed, cruise down and up stairs on a rigid bike.
DH and dj's are hella fun, fun going out for a twisty mountain road climb/descent can be a damn good time as well (if you've got the strength and fitness for it).
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wx2e9jSSK6E
Painted lady quelled my anger tho.
Beeeeeeeeewwwwwwwwwbs!
@davetrump Love your humor and sarcasm, thanks for the chuckles.
It's funny cause I was in North Africa last week, exactly in the east, near Barcelona.
And the funniest thing is that I met your mom, she's a great cocksucka, you know?
Next time try harder there is an international audience here.
And in every language humor is a good thing sarcasm is not.
Or whas because nobody was using suits and back packs? or ...no Fahrenheit day temperature Display...or what?
We do leave in a very globalised world with places like Texas or Chicago (where I graduate) or Wisconsin having very different ways of doing things. What is not bad, you just Need to know MORE , like why a guy is wearing a suit before call it overdressed. He may needed if the customer is waiting requires that:
In the times I went to the "cycle Show" in Anheim, I could put such a collection of shots like that in minutes and start being sarcastic from the very first "how are you" from somebody that do not wait for any answer from me..so why ask? I knew where I was so ...no Point in being sarcastic or descreminate a culture or way of doing Business.
It may be the right time to create a more global (international) plarform...like "Pure Bike" lol
www.crazy-safety.com
Join Pinkbike Login