Interbike International Bicycle Expo 2012 began again in the
heat and blowing dust of Boulder City, NV, where hundreds gathered in the
desert outside the Las Vegas strip to kick off the country’s largest annual
bicycle industry trade show with a two-day outdoor demo event, followed by
three days of two-floor action inside the Sands Expo Center. 

“The companies here are so active in working with teams,
cyclists and retailers to research and develop products that the quality of
goods available truly enhances the cycling experience whether you are a pro or
casual rider,” said Universal Sports Network cycling analyst and commentator
Todd Gogulski. “A lot can be said about the positive health of the industry by
the fact that the team owners I spoke with have so many competing brands who
see value in sponsoring their teams.”

Splitting the show into two levels of the convention center
might not have been good for everyone, but the downstairs certainly didn’t lack
for vibrancy or innovation and was anchored by the fashion stage, test ride
areas, and heavy hitters such as Teva, new to the cycling market with its
clipless pedal freestyle shoe and other freeride models. Everyone-manufacturers,
dealers, consumers-is looking for ways to differentiate themselves and their
products in a competitive market through customization, graphics, or
innovation.

“We are pleased with the success we found at Interbike this
year. We were in the downstairs hall of the show, surrounded by innovative
brands and head-turning products, so we certainly felt some great energy,”
Lauren Wilson, Footbalance marketing director said. “But we were most impressed
by the dealers’ high level of motivation. They understand the importance and
benefit of offering their customers a custom fit solution, and they have
identified us as the key to making that happen. So we spent a lot of time
having impactful conversations about turning the custom fit opportunity a
profitable solution for dealers. We opened new doors on the spot and we are
looking forward to the continued momentum in the wake of the show.”

Teva wasn’t the only company pushing freestyle this year.
While the outdoor-industry giant enjoyed the relative newness of the downstairs
level of the show, upstairs, the flat-pedal market continued to expand, in
mountain biking and of course BMX cross, freeride, and pump track. Downhill
mountain biking, or simply DH, with its highly progressive shock technology and
bomber construction technology, seems to be doing for mountain biking what
snowboarding did for skiing, introducing a new generation and type of rider
into the sport…a generation who is purchasing helmets, pads, shoes, apparel,
magazines, electronics, et al.

Other major trending categories included: electric bikes,
packs and bags, hydration formulas, fiber technologies in apparel, compression
apparel and sports-performance tape, sock technology, car racks, and reduced
weights on everything.

Dakine introduced its new Concept Glove, billed as the
world’s thinnest and lightest mountain bike glove on the market. Swiftwick
introduced the cycling world’s lightest weight performance sock. And startup
company Ultralight, also located downstairs among dozens of up-and-coming
entrepreneurs, introduced the currently lightest road cycling pedal cleat
system to the marketplace.

“We had a great show,” Dakine national sales manager
Chico Bukovansky said. “The retail environment was challenging over this past
year, and still, the mountain bike category is our fastest growing segment
globally. Our booth was busy: we had a lot of fresh product to show with more
all-mountain and women’s products and a new kids line. The mood at the show
seemed optimistic, and we’re looking forward to seeing the orders roll
in.”

Some old and some new, it seemed as though all 1,200 brands
represented had something to talk about. From Bell Helmets cultural
revitalization, to the Electra cruiser booth, to fixed-gear specific bicycle
manufacturers and Honey Stinger introducing its line of organic and
source-certified pure honey. Pearl Izumi also drew attention with its X-Project
mountain bike shoe, as well as its innovative use of textiles in cycling and
triathlon apparel.

HydraPak showed up with renewed vigor and the first
insulated water bottle made with PrimaLoft, utilizing a double-layer design
borrowing technology from the apparel industry. POC, energized by its recent
merger with Black Diamond, entered the cycling market this year with its innovative
time trial helmet, as well as a commuter slash freestyle lid that was
definitely turning heads.

Various community-based booth pavilions around the
convention center made it easy to track down favorite exhibitors, whether Euro,
China, Taiwan or Triathlon; and while the roadies kept things high-tech and
serious, the BMX groms kept it lighthearted and tipsy on the other side of the
floor, with mountain bike and cruiser holding down the middle.

Pat Hus, managing director for Interbike, said momentum for
the Las Vegas tradeshow is moving along at an incredible pace. “We have so many
great things happening this year and we are thrilled with where we are right
now,” he said. “It’s great to see industry leaders like Cervélo coming back to
Interbike and reinforcing their commitment to retailers domestically and
globally.”

Intebike was founded in 1982 and has been grounded in Las
Vegas since the mid-1990s. It is currently run by Nielsen Expositions who also
produces Outdoor Retailer and Health+Fitness Business expo tradeshows.
Interbike recently announced plans to move the show to the Mandalay Bay
Conference Center and Hotel for 2013, 2014 and 2015. Nielsen is reporting more than 25,000 total attendees to this year’s Interbike.