The bike industry uses a different calendar to everyone else; it's already releasing 2013 model year bikes. In actual fact, there's been a steady trickle for the past month or so, and this will accelerate as the world's biggest, and smallest, bike brands gather in Germany next week for the Eurobike trade show.
Let's have a roundup then of what new bikes we've seen and what you can expect to see in your local bike shop in the coming months.
Most recently off the conveyor belt is one of our favourites, from UK brand Whyte. They've startled us with a carbon fibre commuter offering, in the shape of the new Montpellier. They've also added new models down the price range too, and a women's bike as well.
Salsa revealed the Colossal, a new disc-equipped road bike made from a choice of titanium or steel. They didn't rest with just one new release, oh no, they've added the Warbird and the Vaya Travel for frequent fliers.
Merckx are out of the blocks early with their latest 2013 bike. While not a brand new frame, the pairing of the EMX-3 and Shimano's Ultegra Di2 groupset is a first. We even got to ride it recently to bring you our thoughts on this well priced package.
The really exciting developments from Merckx is the EMX-525, an all-new very top-end race bike, and the stunning ETT with its radical holes in the downtube design.
German brand Focus have gone back to the carbon moulds with their top-end Izalco Team SL. It's dropped a substantial 200g pushing it below a kilo for the first time.
Charge Bikes stunned everyone with the dropouts on their new titanium cyclo-cross frame. Working with EADS (European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company) they've used additive layer manufacturing to produce the innovative dropouts. A bicycle world first.
We were out in Utah a couple of months ago to get the scoop on the new Cannondale 2013 bikes. The big news is the lighter SuperSix Evo Black, using nano resin technology, and a more affordable Evo using a simpler carbon layup.
There's also their first disc-equipped carbon SuperX cyclo-cross bike.
Kona has the Rove, a bike for taking on the roughest roads and paths, bridleways and more that you can find. Put simply, it loves rough surfaces. Should be ideal on the lanes of Surrey, then.
More news from the UK, as Ridgeback has revealed details of their new range, including the new Flight frame and Advance drop bar commuting series.
And from the same stable is Genesis with a new range of Volant aluminium road bikes, and the all-new titanium Equilibrium.
Some really exciting new developments there, and that's just scratching the surface. So make sure to tune in next week to see the entire 2013 highlights from Eurobike.
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