After scouring the stands at the London Bike Show, we have the highlights. We found action cameras developed for ice hockey players, faux-fixie machines with hidden high-tech-ery, and steel-looking bikes that are actually carbon. Read on and scroll through the gallery to see it all.
UHWK action camera
Originally made for ice hockey, the UHWK camera is now ready for bike use
If you enjoyed the ice hockey at the Winter Olympics, then the UHWK camera might tickle your fancy.
It was developed to help ice hockey players capture the ‘rough and tumble' action, but is now available to cyclists. The UHWK is attached to a headband, not unlike one you'll find on a head torch, and will fit around a lid.
The camera features a 150 degree view
It shoots 1080p video at 30fps, offers 150-degree POV filming and will — probably — withstand an attack with a puck whilst you ride.
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Tomir XC
The Tomir is a titanium cross country machine
Jan-Willem Santnicolaas is the Dutch master who made his name with Van Nicholas titanium bikes. He moved on in 2012 to form J.Guillem but continued to make stunning titanium machines. More usually associated with road bikes, we're rather taken with this lovely looking Tomir XC.
Titanium on titanium on titanium
Hackney GT bobble hat
Hackney GT hat keeps you warm and shows your bike love
Alright, I'll admit I was still feeling chilly as I wandered around the show so I was drawn to Hackney GT's bike-themed bobble hat. What's not to like?
Rose Edelrose Metrea
Rose's Edelrose Metrea is built for urban use
The Rose Edelrose Metrea is a funky looking urban machine. Its cowhorn bars mean it's got a fixie vibe, but they actually house Shimano Metrea shifters. And it's got a leather Brooks B17 saddle, which is a good thing.
Shimano's Metrea components are on board
Favorit
It's not steel under that brilliant blue paint, it's actually carbon
If Favorit is making you think of old Skodas then you're actually on the right path. The brand is, like the pro peloton's favourite estate car supplier, a Czech company.
The F1 Classic isn't quite what you think
It's been building bikes since 1922, but is new to the UK. The rather lovely looking F1 Classic appears to be steel, but it's actually a full carbon machine. We like it.
The chunky stem on Favorit's urban models contain a dynamo-powered light.
So much angular goodness on Favorit's urban bike
GT Pro Performer 26 BMX
Old-school BMX style combines with 26in wheels for GT's Pro Performer 26
GT's Pro Performer 26 is a BMX for grown up kids… Inspired by GT's 1980s freestyle machines and boasting bits that have been lovingly recreated to ape the original bikes we guarantee that many a middle-aged-man-or-woman in Lycra will get their trick nuts in a twist when they see this.
Presca
Presca claims to make the world's most sustainable kit
Looking for the "world's most sustainable" cycling kit? Look no further! British brand Presca, based on Teeside, uses recycled plastic bottles for its jerseys and recycled fishing nets for the bottoms. There's probably a rubbish joke in here somewhere, but it's late and I've got a train to catch.
Mach7
Mach7's Gravello is painted by hand
There were a few new British brands at the show including Mach7. The company's Gravello and Aeroblade bikes use Taiwanese carbon frames but are rather beautifully hand painted using 14 coats of paints. The work is done in the Silverstone Technology Cluster F1 fans! And the bikes also have an embedded NFC chipset carrying the serial number and bike number for added security.
This little addition holds the bike's serial number in a microchip
Stanton
Staton's Switch is crafted from steel in Derbyshire
Another Brit brand, Stanton's Switch 9er FS is an eye-catching number. Especially to a roadie like me… It's a 29in Enduro bike made from Reynolds 631 steel and it's built in Matlock, Derbyshire. That's good enough for me.
Factor
The aero Factor O1 features the brand's split down tube
In 2010 I rode the, then, super techy Beru F1systems Factor001. It was a super-integrated, mind-bogglingly expensive and really bloody stiff machine. Eight years on Factor, as they're now known, are well established in the pro peloton under AG2R. Sure the bikes are less tech-laden, although the swoony Factor 01 still has a split downtube like the original and lovely TRP direct mount brakes, but along with the Factor 02 we think they're lovely looking things.
TRP direct mount brakes look the business
Calibre
Calibre's Triple B takes the Bossnut up a notch
The Triple B is an up-specced version of Calibre's well regarded Bossnut. It's got a thru-axle rear end, a 140 RockShox Reba RL fork, a dropper post, i29 rims and a 1x chainset. And, of course, if ye head to your nearest Go Outdoors store armed with your discount card you'll get money off the RRP. Boom!
Tresca
The Tresca is a fine example of making what you want
You're a young engineer who loves cycling and wants, but can't find, a bike that you believe offers the optimum blend of stiffness and comfort so what do you do? You design and build your perfect aluminium machine! That's what the team behind Tresca have done; this UK-based start-up has so far built just the one bike and was showing it off at the London Bike Show. The initial Tresca model will sell for around £1,500.
Kona
Kona's LTD checks a lot of the adventure road bike boxes
If the minty blue paint job, WTB 650b x 47mm tyres and Reynolds 853 steel tubes of the Kona LTD adventure bike don't make you even just little bit tingly then I feel for you. There's just something about this bike that's calling us.
Reynolds' 853 chromoly is a superb starting point for any gravel frame
