The Derby-based Forme bike brand is holding a dealer launch today for the 2012 bikes and among them apart from more hybrids and city bikes is an expanded road range that includes a couple of crossers, racers with a higher spec apart from the value models they're already known for and a full-on aero time trial machine.

Of course, we'd already had a sneak peek of the Forme 2012 range back in October. Product Manager Adam Biggs says he's feeling reasonably pleased with the brand as it goes into its third proper season. Numbers are well up, coinciding as they have with the recent growth in road bikes although they haven't sold as many as they could have, he says, if there had been more in stock. But manufacturing lead times stretch out six months and the dealers now numbering 160 nationwide are clamouring for more.

Last year the range expanded in the hybrid area as urban commuting took hold. This time there are a few more hybrids and mountain bikes, too, but the big news is further expansion in Adam's own beloved road bikes – he's a former racer who even competed in France before work commitments encroached. We sense there's a fair amount of vicarious bikie geekdom going on in Adam's head, not least because he's named all the 2012 road bikes after famous Peak District climbs and the one of the models, the new Calver X, is named after "the best cyclists' cafe in the country."


The new Calver X Race: "a proper race spec for £1,399.99" according to its designer.


Longcliffe 1.0: 7005 triple-butted alloy frame, Shimano 105, Mavic Open Pro rims and mudguard clearances for Cycle-to-Work Scheme money.


New Thorpe premium carbon frame weighs under 1,000 grams, in this spec with Ultegra, Easton EA70 wheels and finishing kit £2,199.99.