Once a place for closed-door distributor meetings, forecasting discussions, and manufacturer meet-ups, the Taipei Cycle Show has grown to be that and so much more.
As the largest cycling trade show in Asia, the Taipei Cycle Show has become relevant to local retailers, as well as those deeper within the industry. For us bike geeks, it’s typically a show that features a large portion of new products we’ve already seen, a handful of closed-door meetings we’re not privy to, plus a sprinkling of 2020 product gold thrown in.
Many brands and manufacturers on display call Taiwan home or at least have major business here. In total, there are over 1,000 exhibitors spread across two major halls, split by a buzzing road.
Here are the interesting bits and pieces we saw on the first day of the show.
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- Giant Bicycles is the latest major bicycle company to offer a customisation program. Currently limited to Taiwan, this program offers buyers the ability to choose paint and components.
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- Giant’s customisation app was getting a solid workout at the show. It’ll be interesting to see whether Giant rolls out this program to other regions.
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- Giant is using its partnership with CCC to test a number of high performance component concepts, something that’s dubbed “OverAchieve”. This snub-nose saddle is one example of such products currently in race use.
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- The one-piece carbon rail system of this snub-nose saddle should provide plenty of stiffness and reliability at a low weight. Note the integrated accessory mount too.
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- The CCC team is also racing on prototype tubular wheels. Apparently the hubs, rim and spokes are all new – with specific details to be announced in July.
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- Giant’s performance wheels have long used DT Swiss internals, but it’s likely these are using something else.
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- Bryton, the value-orientated GPS computer company, released three new models in 2018. The Aero60 is the company’s flagship model and is clearly made to compete with the Wahoo Element Bolt. Priced at US$230, the Aero60 offers a claimed 32 hours battery life, and the ability to connect with five satellite systems for reliable directions and data. It also offers Bluetooth, ANT+ and WiFi connectivity.
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- The Bryton Aero60 features a slim and dimpled profile to make your data less draggy. For 2019, Bryton is the official computer partner of Deceuninck–Quick-Step; although the team is using the mid-level Rider 450 due to its more standardised mount, whereas the Aero60 has a wholly new mount design.
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- Bryton also has a brand new phone app that offers simple device setup and ride syncing via Bluetooth. Wahoo was the first to do this well, and it’s nice to see others following.
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- Otion (pronounced ocean) is a small company with a range of adhesive-based products. The brake lever and shifter paddle covers are designed to aid in lever feel and control. They’re available in a range of colours (blue was easy to show in photos).
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- The road brake and shifter grips are available to suit most Shimano, SRAM and even Campagnolo levers. Otion produces them in a choice of micro-cillia and microtex, with the former offering a grippier feel to the lever. While it’s mostly pitched at more recreational riders, it’s a product that could also offer an advantage when racing cross or gravel. Expect to pay about US$20 for a set of brake lever covers.
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- Otion offers similar grippy add-ons for saddles. These wouldn’t be UCI-legal, but that doesn’t mean others won’t find a purpose for them. Otion also offers a similar product for time trial bars.
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- The brake lever grips aren’t limited to roadies, either. These stick-on brake lever covers offer a surprising amount of added control, and it’s certainly a more considered approach than the common hack of using skateboard grip tape.
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- Automotive partnerships are fairly common within the cycling industry. Argon-18 teamed up with Mercedes-Benz last year, with the “Mercedes-Benz Style Endurance Bike” being the first product of the partnership.
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- Branding for both Argon-18 and Mercedes-Benz is surprisingly subtle on this carbon fibre endurance road bike.
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- This particular bike is really just a fancily painted Argon-18 Krypton GF. However, the four-year partnership seems likely to feature projects focussed on developing e-bike technology.
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- Australian company Fumpa has its portable air compressors on display. The regular version (right) is something I reviewed a few years back, and the newly updated iteration seemingly answers many of my initial criticisms. Next to it is the new Fumpa Mini, designed to replace a mini pump and/or Co2. I already have both in for review.
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- Granite offers a number of clever accessories. These valve caps double as a valve tool. It nearly gives purpose to presta valve caps.
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- Granite also has this new chain breaker that’s designed to slip into the end of a handlebar. It’ll work on both road and mountain bike handlebars, assuming there’s a 18mm inner diameter (or larger) and 100mm of straight length from the end. A 3mm hex key is needed to remove it from the bar, and a 5mm hex key is used to drive the pin. Pricing is TBC. Granite is also working on a tyre plug kit for the other end of the bar.
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- Hung Ta Instruments specialises in fatigue and diagnostic testing equipment. This is a machine that frame manufacturers and brands may use to do ISO standards and stiffness testing of their frames. The fixtures can be swapped to test different parts of the frame or fork.
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- German brake-specialist Magura has long been a key name in super light disc brakes. The MT8 SL is the company’s current pared-back offering, weighing just 195g per end.
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- Best known for its cranks and cogs, Sugino also offers a range of bottom brackets. These ceramic bearings are specifically made for Trek’s BB90 system and claim to offer superior durability through an integrated external shield system and hard-wearing surfaces. However, these direct-fit bearings perhaps won’t help those suffering creaking issues.
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- And that’s where Token comes in. Token’s new Ninja BB90 bottom bracket is a thread-fit system designed to solve any creaking issues experienced in Trek’s press-fit system. It’s offered in a regular diameter and an oversized version, the latter used for frames that lack a snug fit with the stock bearings.
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- There are two major catches to Token’s Ninja BB90 bottom bracket. Smaller bearings had to be used in order to fit them within a pressfit cup. And a proprietary tool is required for installation and removal. Given that, it’s perhaps a last resort for those trying to silence a noisy bike.
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- Token’s Ninja bottom bracket range covers a huge array of crank and bottom bracket shell fitments. All models thread together, and most offer a creak-free resin interface that’s designed to offer an element of compression so as not to damage frames or the bearings – the latter being bad for efficiency and durability.
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- The Token NinjaLite is a brand new thread-fit composite shell bottom bracket. Its patended moulded design is made to be light, creak-free and with compression to best fit varying shell tolerances. It’s 30% lighter than the regular aluminium Ninja model.
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- The NinjaLite’s moulded design compresses so as not to transfer loads onto the bearing races. The thread pitch itself is also new, made deeper and wider due to the material used.
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- Token’s new Shuriken oversized pulley wheel system uses a 12T pulley up top, and a 19T pulley at the bottom. The mismatch is to maintain shift quality while improving drivetrain efficiency. It can be used with up to 11-34T cassettes.
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- Token claims the Shuriken is the only pulley wheel system to use mismatched tooth profiles. The top pulley wheel features longer teeth to aid in positive shifting, while the lower offers a shallow and chamfered profile for smoother and quieter running. Both wheels are given an ultra-slick PVD coating – similar to what’s used on the surfaces of premium suspension products. Expect to pay US$329 for this upgrade.
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- Perhaps best known for its solid-core and airless commuter tyres, Tannus is now offering a full range of gravel and mountain bike foam tyre inserts for use with regular inner tubes. The Armour range surrounds the inner tube from punctures, and is said to offer better tyre support at lower pressures than a tubeless setup. It can also be ridden flat (up to approximately 20kph).
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- Tannus says that some of the added weight (and cost) from the insert can be made back by running thin non-tubeless tyres. There are three widths designed specifically for 700c gravel use, with plenty of other options to cover mountain bike wheels. Personally, I see this product ideally suited to recreational and utility bikes where maintenance of tubeless tyre setups, or even tyre inflation for that matter, is likely to be ignored.
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- Merida launched its Silex gravel bike last year. Pictured is the aluminium version that was used to transport Merida’s entire booth to the show (ok, I made this up). While 35c rubber is fitted as stock, the frame should handle up to 42c.
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- The Silex is also available in a more premium carbon version. The carbon model boasts considerable tyre clearance, and can be run with either 700x42c or 650Bx50mm tyres.
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- Most 2020 products are hidden from view at the Taipei Cycle Show, but thankfully, not all. The iTM 50 integrated handlebar sees a computer mount moulded in.
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- The computer mount “chip” can be swapped to fit various popular bike computers.
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- A supplied cap can also be used in place of a computer. Italian company iTM will offer this new bar in 40, 42 and 44cm widths and with a choice of multiple stem lengths in each.
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- The tops of the bar have a ribbed surface for grip, while the edges are flatened for a smooth transition from the lever hoods. The bar is quoted at 390g for a 42cm width and 110mm stem length.
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- The bar and stem combo is ready to accept a number of internal cabling options.
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- That’s day one done. I’ve got a few more days ahead to giggle over this press pass: I work for CyclingTips, I live in Sydney, and my surname doesn’t start with a D.
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