So last week was Dealer Camp.
Dealer camp is an industry tradeshow. The vendors are the fabricators (Enve composites for example), and the “consumers” are specialty retailers…..bicycle shops.
Last year I brought a little entourage with me and was reprimanded for doing so. So, to play it by the books, I went it alone this year. And just like interbike, I got a lot out of it. Because after all, being a better informed shop means helping people buy more appropriate stuff…and therefore being a better shop. Get it?
So, Dealercamp started for me at 0800J on Tuesday with a Saris presentation. Jarod told me and one other shop person all about the new 2012/13 powertap hubs. Basically, the newer ones are slighter, smaller and will have a firmware USB type interface. I was most impressed by their PowerCal,
a simple way to estimate (accurately) power without having to have a powertap wheel. Perfect for going from bike to bike AND perfect if you want to see you power and keep your precious Chris King wheelset (on your mountain bike)….like I do.
Alright, an hour well spent. Then it was off to tour booths. At the Enve booth, they have one of the prototype Turner Burner 650B’s….they are awesome if that is your desired wheelsize.
At this time, my other favorite 650B frameset would be the Ventana Zeus.
I then went home to have lunch with my darling wife and then went downhilling in the afternoon. Dealercamp is fun because so many of my “bike friends” were in town but it also makes it a little stressful because its impossible to make plans with everybody. So, despite many social possibilities, I hit the hay early Tuesday because Wed promised to be another full day.
And it was. Enve seminar in the morning, and more booth offerings. Back to the 650 thing, Rockshock had a 650 fork on display that looked just peachy. In terms of Eye Candy, Campagnolo got the top bidding with their new EPS electric 11 speed shifting system.
The natural question that you will ask if you value my opinion in technology is….Shimano vs Campagnolo…..which is better? And of course the answer is not easy – nor the same for every individual.
Shimano’s Di2 has had almost a decade of research into it….and they really are on version 2.
On the other side of the coin, Mr. Campagnolo took his time putting out his electric system so that it would be just a hair over Shimano’s. I love them both. You’ll have an easier time finding Shimano parts but the belt buckle I’m wearing right now says Campagnolo and Made In Italy….you’ll have to decide for yourself friends.
In the best idea of show, it was FSA’s system to have their cranks work for ALL bottom brackets, yes indeed, all bb’s. BB30 PF30′s, standard external, and all the weird shit. Great idea FSA.
FSA also had a great 2 speed front drivetrain similar to the SRAM Hammerschmidt. Same type of design, simple to use, not terribly expensive, and perfect for Park City…..easy gear for uphill, harder gear for going down. And it mounts to a standard BB shell….no ICG mounts needed.
So, after downhilling all afternoon once again, it was time to return for the evenings festivities….a cyclocross race with amateur and pro style competitors.
I of course showed up with about 10 min to go for the pro race.
Which is good because pro riders never want whiskey handups.
My shy friend Steve wondered by….I think he can smell cheap indian whiskey a mile away.
We met people.
Told bad jokes.
Yes, you can see we snuck Tom in.
And then decided how awesome we were.
That was about the extent of DealerCamp for me.
For industry people, DealerCamp has been given some hard reviews. “They” say its too small, not well attended and basically not worth it. “They” also say that Park City is the greatest venue they’ve ever been to for a tradeshow. I like dealercamp, sacrificed my vacation time to attend it, and learned a lot. I still believe, like interbike, that the last day should be for the public to PAY to attend so they don’t feel left out. Dealercamp will be back next year….and so will I.
