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| Interbike | |
|---|---|
| Name | Interbike |
| Type | Trade show |
| Industry | Bicycle industry |
| Founded | 1982 |
| Defunct | 2018 (annual show) |
| Headquarters | Las Vegas, Nevada |
| Key people | Chris Carmichael, Rebecca Rusch, John Burke (bicycle industry), Gary Fisher |
| Products | Bicycle components, bicycles, accessories, apparel |
| Website | N/A |
Interbike Interbike was a major North American trade show for the bicycle industry that served manufacturers, retailers, media, and athletes. The exhibition connected firms such as Trek Bicycle Corporation, Specialized Bicycle Components, Giant Bicycles, and Cannondale with retailers, distributors, and advocacy groups including PeopleForBikes and League of American Bicyclists. Over its run, Interbike intersected with events and individuals like Tour de France, Eddy Merckx, Bradley Wiggins, Lance Armstrong, Kristin Armstrong, and institutions such as International Mountain Bicycling Association and U.S. Bicycle Route System.
Interbike originated in the early 1980s amid growth driven by companies like Schwinn Bicycle Company and Raleigh Bicycle Company and personalities like Joe Breeze and Tom Ritchey. The show expanded alongside the rise of manufacturers including Shimano, Campagnolo, SRAM Corporation, RockShox, and Fox Factory. Interbike hosted appearances from athletes such as Greg LeMond, Miguel Induráin, Peter Sagan, and Marianne Vos while trade organizations like NBDA (National Bicycle Dealers Association) and media outlets like Bicycling (magazine), VeloNews, Cycling Weekly, and BikeRadar covered product trends. The event adapted to industry shifts driven by mergers among Dorel Industries, Merida, Accell Group, and changing retail landscapes exemplified by Competitive Cyclist and REI. Interbike's timeline overlapped with policy developments enacted by bodies like U.S. Department of Transportation and urban programs championed by Andy Clarke (transportation advocate).
Exhibitors included leading component makers such as Continental AG, Maxxis International, Mavic, and DT Swiss alongside apparel firms like Pearl Izumi, Castelli (cycling) and GORE-TEX. Demo days linked to venues managed by entities like Clark County (Nevada) and used terrain associated with icons such as Lake Mead and routes near Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. Seminars featured speakers from companies such as Garmin, Wahoo Fitness, Polar Electro, and SRM plus retail experts from Performance Bicycle and Alpenrose Velodrome affiliates. Media presentations often involved outlets like Outside (magazine), Men's Health, Women's Health (magazine), and broadcasters like NBC Sports and ESPN that covered endurance events including Leadville Trail 100 and Sea Otter Classic.
Attendance drew buyers from chains such as Pactimo, Backcountry.com, Chain Reaction Cycles, and independent shops associated with North American Bicycle Association. Interbike influenced OEM decisions at firms like Yeti Cycles and Pivot Cycles and affected supplier relationships with companies such as KMC (bicycle chain), Hope Technology, and Thomson (company). The show was a marketplace where venture activities and private equity deals involving Bain Capital, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts, and Permira intersected with bicycle brands. Trade delegations from countries represented by Taiwan External Trade Development Council, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce, and China Bicycle Association attended, shaping global supply chains tied to ports like Port of Los Angeles and Port of Long Beach.
Major launches debuted products by Trek, Specialized, Giant, Cannondale, Bianchi, Colnago, Pinarello, Canyon Bicycles, Santa Cruz Bicycles, and Scott Sports. Innovations from component makers such as Shimano Di2 electronic shifting, SRAM 1x drivetrains, and RockShox suspension platforms were showcased alongside advances in tire technology from Schwalbe and Pirelli (company). Electric-assist bicycles by brands like Brompton, Rad Power Bikes, Gocycle, and Haibike attracted attention along with accessories from Thule (company), Yakima (company), and Topeak. Bikepacking and gravel trends promoted by events such as Unbound Gravel and athletes like Lael Wilcox were highlighted, and wheel and carbon innovations from Enve Composites, Zipp, HED Cycling Products, and American Classic generated press coverage.
Interbike's primary venue roster included sites such as Mandalay Bay Convention Center, Las Vegas Convention Center, and outdoor demo locations near Boulder, Colorado and Reno, Nevada. Scheduling alternated between late summer and early fall to align with retail buying cycles influenced by holidays like Black Friday and business calendars used by companies such as Amazon (company), Walmart, and Target Corporation. The show also coordinated with calendar fixtures including Eurobike, Sea Otter Classic, NAHBS, and regional expos run by organizations like Bike Expo.
Critics cited consolidation and market shifts tied to conglomerates such as Pacific Cycle and Dorel Sports and criticized vendor costs and trade practices linked to firms like Inertia Group and large distributors. Environmental concerns were raised about demo day impacts on public lands managed by Bureau of Land Management and advocates from Sierra Club, Protect Our Winters, and Surfrider Foundation engaged in debate. The show faced scrutiny over athlete endorsements involving figures like Lance Armstrong and ethical questions raised by journalists from The New York Times, The Guardian, and San Francisco Chronicle. Debates about inclusivity involved diversity advocates linked to Black Velo and Women Who Bike and coverage by outlets such as The Washington Post and Los Angeles Times.
After Interbike's final annual exhibition, successors and spin-offs emerged including Sea Otter Classic, Outdoor Demo Expo, Eurobike Trade Fair, Sea Otter Europe, and industry conferences organized by NAHBS and Bicycle Product Suppliers Association. New marketplace models led by online platforms such as Shopify, Rakuten, Alibaba Group, and eBay altered wholesale dynamics formerly mediated at Interbike. Industry communities and advocacy networks including PeopleForBikes, League of American Bicyclists, International Mountain Bicycling Association, and Adventure Cycling Association continued shaping product trends and policy engagement that had been fostered at the trade show.
Category:Bicycle trade shows