Cycle 2003 - Trade Bike Show

This years Cycle 2003 show took place over the last weekend in September. Pete Osbourne trekked down their with his spy-cam to catch the latest goings on for [ gravity-slaves ] visitors. Read on to see what the industry thinks will be big for us in 2004…
(This article should be viewed in conjunction with the full size images available here).

Mavic didn’t really have anything new on show but have decided for some reason to rename all of their rims! The 521 becomes the EX 721, the 321 is now the EX 729 DISC and there tubeless DH rim the D3.1 is now the EX 823 DISC.

The Fisher stand had some of the new 2004 Troy Lee Kit on it, next year there doing the freestyle inspired MOTO line which comes in camo for all the Metal Mulisha wannabees as well as some more subtle colours. The Grand Prix gear is back again in a few new colours. There was no news yet though on any new helmet designs.

SRAM had there new X-9 and X-7 thumb shifters at the show as well as their matching rear mechs. The action was really light and though it is slightly different to rapid-fire won’t take much time to get used to. With Shimano going with duel control levers for XTR, XT and Saint Groupsets next year I can see these selling like hotcakes.

Windwave had the entire Mountain Cycle range on their stand including both versions of the Shockwave.

Hope had there new Mono range of brakes on their stand including the eagerly awaited Mono 6 Ti (pic 015) which should be available in about a month, cost £180. For that you get a floating 205mm disc (pic 017) and these (pic 022) cool drilled out and Ti nitride coated pistons to help with heat dissipation. They also said that they will be making the gold piston covers in a few other colours so you can match when to the rest of your bike.

X-Lite had Steve Peat’s World Championships Bike and Helmet on their stand. They’ve got a new range on Muc-Off Degreasers and Chain lubes coming out including their new re-hydrating disc brake cleaner which should be the one for sorting out oily brake pads and discs.

Scott had this new High Octane Freeride bike on their Stand complete with Manitou swinger shock.

Argon 18 had this helmet with graphics scarily similar to a certain Troy Lee helmet.

Windwave also had the new 2004 Marzocchi 888’s and Shivers.

Elsworth Dare on the Freeborn stand.

Tracey Moseley’s Stab Primo, is this the furthest it’s been off the ground all year?!

GT had pretty much there entire 2004 range at the show including there 2004 I-Drive DH and the new G Box urban DH concept bike complete with internal gearbox and these cool hope rotors (pic 055).

On the American Bicycle Group stand was the mean looking Tomac Omen 4X/Jump bike. Complete with built in ISCG mount. Check out the detail on the machining on the back end.

Specialized had their Demo 9 Freeride/DH frame on show. Yours for £1999.

There seemed to be lots of cruisers on show, perfect for the summer we’ve just had. Including the rather cool Deuce on the GT stand which comes complete with a these pimp flame tyres (pic 060) to match the Flame paint job.

The obligatory Yeti Shot! Cheers Pete. Ed.