April 6/21 12:10 pm - Taiwan Industry Report - Five Companies Showcasing Innovation

Posted by Editor on 04/6/21
 

With the pandemic curtailing the Taipei Cycle Show, TAITRA, the Taiwanese trade promotion organization, worked with the Bureau of Trade to produce an online showcase of some of the brands that would usually take part in the Taipei Show. The full presentation is still available for viewing (see the bottom of this article).

This year would have been the 34th edition of the Taipei Cycle Show, a cornerstone of the bike industry for decades. Traditionally taking place in the early Spring, it is a manufacturers' show, meaning that many of the primary companies that make the bikes and components you ride bearing name brands come from the companies exhibiting here.

Taiwan is one of the backbones of the cycling industry, one of the top-3 exporters of bicycles globally. I have attended both the Taipei Show and visited factories around the island for over a quarter of a century. Unfortunately, for the second year in a row, the pandemic has meant that the in-person, physical show was cancelled.

The online event began with an overview of the state of the bicycle industry, by Bob Margevicius of Specialized Bicycles [see How the Pandemic Has Impacted the Bike Industry]. As Margevicius pointed out, the pandemic has provided significant opportunities for the bike industry, but has also led to some critical issues that will impact suppliers, retailers and consumers over the coming months and years.

The presentation then moved on to a showcase of five brands that have been recognized with Taiwan Excellence awards.

KMC
Chain manufacturer KMC is well known globally for high quality chains, and they have now introduced an e-Bike dedicated model, called the e12. "The key ingredient is our "Shield Tech", a patented new riveting technology that utilizes a reinforced pin design, which significantly increases pin power. We are very confident to say that it's 25% stronger and we are the only chain manufacturer who can offer e-bike specific chains." said Adrian Bleiler, global sales manager of KMC. The enhanced tensile strength and rigidity of the e12 absorbs the constant load generated by strong mid-motors. KMC also highlighted their EPT anti-rust coating and the DLC coating for shifting on high performance chains.

Novatec
Novatec is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, and was originally known for its Joytech model hubs and other components. The company is one of the top-5 bicycle hub producers in the world (for its own brands and others). The company produces carbon fibre as well as alloy products, and is introducing its first carbon gravel bike specific wheelset, the G24. The G24 is the first ever carbon fibre gravel wheelset featuring a hookless and tubeless ready design. Jeff Chen, chief marketing officer of the Joy Group explained that the cassette body is convertible with Shimano HG and 11 speed systems, as well as SRAM XDR and Campagnolo 13S systems. The weight of G24 is just 1575 grams per set. In addition to G24, Novatec also introduced the M30 - carbon fibre MTB wheelset, the first carbon fiber MTB wheelset for Enduro and all mountain bikes.

Maxxis
Maxxis tires are one of the top-10 tire brands in the world, and well-known to Road and MTB racers. For 2021, the company has updated its popular Shorty MTB model with the Shorty Gen 2, as well as introducing the gravel-specific Receptor. Receptor is a semi-slick design with side knobs, the perfect choice for riders who want to go the distance on the road as well as off the beaten track. The Shorty Gen 2 offers a new knob layout based on feedback from World Cup DH and EWS riders. "The benefit includes pattern upgrade, mud clearing ability and size optimization," said Frank Liu, the OEM sales manager of Maxxis." So, if you are looking for a Mid-Spike tire for wet or extreme dust conditions, the new Shorty would be a great option."

Dizo
While Dizo has been around for 25 years as an OE (Original Equipment) manufacturer of carbon frames for other brands (collaborating with Japanese manufacturer Toray), in 2016 they started to develop their own bike brand, with the Grover gravel bike as their first model. The frameset is 100% Taiwanese developed and manufactured. "This lightweight carbon gravel bike is ideal for comfortable bikepacking or exciting races. It allows you to easily tackle tricky terrain," said David Tsai, sales representative of Dizo bikes. The design includes mountings for front and rear luggage racks, fixed mudguards and a three bidon (bottle) design. Currently, Dizo is only distributed in Asia and Europe, but Tsai says they are looking for distributors in other countries.

Pacific Cycle
Pacific Cycle has been an innovator in bike design for more then 40 years, both for other brands and its own. I have visited Pacific multiple times, and their design display showcases an incredible array of unique designs, including folding, urban and special use bikes. Pacific presented two collections in the Showcase; the Moove e-pedelec and the Micah. "The [Moove] design integrates the battery and the carriers, and it provides over 140 kilometres of range. In general, Moove is meant to be very practical, for urban use, for commuting, for shopping and for day-to-day use," said Stijn Deferm, a designer for Pacific Cycles. The Micah is designed to help special needs riders, says design engineer Mendu Baya, "It is the perfect companion for the elderly and people suffering from cerebral palsy, designed with adjustable handlebars, seat height, angle and position to maintain a comfortable sitting position."