NEC bike show '07
Discussion
I couldn't make it. Anyone here go? Any cool kit & pictures to share?...
ps
These guys thought it was lame, oh dear: www.mbuk.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=169128&whichpage=4
ps
These guys thought it was lame, oh dear: www.mbuk.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=169128&whichpage=4
Edited by KUB3 on Monday 30th April 19:41
To be honest with you, if the costs are to be believed (and having regularly attended the NEC for other events I can), then I can well understand their reasons.
The shows were slowly descending into a cheap parts sale for all the bargain hunters out there, and you were not a true show goer if you were not walking around with a pair of cheap Tioga Psycho tyres in your hand for £10.
I've worked at two bike shows at the NEC in years gone by, and having been to several at Earls Court in the VERY early days (think back to when Tomac was XC AND DH champ period), I can see where it goes wrong.
Like the Motor Show, it loses its atmosphere in the size of the NEC. Additionally, whilst a valid attempt at spicing it up with some side shows of top stars jumping and racing in a side hall, its no Freestyle Motocross type show.
We've simply become to expect more from our money and entertainment, and the bike show constantly fails to deliver. It went south when MBUK got ahold of it and tried to make it 'theirs'. Even the reknowed after show exhibitor/staff party went crap, and never had the vibe of old. You even had to pay for your beer!!!
The Bike Show went outdoors a couple of years ago, and from what I remember was a success in terms of things to see and do, however as these shows are driven by the exhibitors and shops that like to offload their bargains, I understand that the organisation of having outdoors stands could have been too difficult (however I may be wrong as they probably had somewhere inside). Either way, I can absolutely see where the difficulty lies for the organisors.
The only shows worth going to (especially to see cool stuff) is ones where nothing is sold (Interbike etc), and unfortunately, for the mere public, they are not accessible.
So without having had gone, I can safely say that those people were probably bang on, especially having spent their hard earned on going.
I remember a conversation with a friend when he asked whether I would have liked to have gone last year, and I simply replied that I'd rather save my cash for the Severn Bridge toll, my lunch money, and uplift costs, and have an amazing day riding at Cymcarn.
As soon as I put it that way, he understood why I turned my nose up at going.
Hope that helps put it into perspective...
The shows were slowly descending into a cheap parts sale for all the bargain hunters out there, and you were not a true show goer if you were not walking around with a pair of cheap Tioga Psycho tyres in your hand for £10.
I've worked at two bike shows at the NEC in years gone by, and having been to several at Earls Court in the VERY early days (think back to when Tomac was XC AND DH champ period), I can see where it goes wrong.
Like the Motor Show, it loses its atmosphere in the size of the NEC. Additionally, whilst a valid attempt at spicing it up with some side shows of top stars jumping and racing in a side hall, its no Freestyle Motocross type show.
We've simply become to expect more from our money and entertainment, and the bike show constantly fails to deliver. It went south when MBUK got ahold of it and tried to make it 'theirs'. Even the reknowed after show exhibitor/staff party went crap, and never had the vibe of old. You even had to pay for your beer!!!
The Bike Show went outdoors a couple of years ago, and from what I remember was a success in terms of things to see and do, however as these shows are driven by the exhibitors and shops that like to offload their bargains, I understand that the organisation of having outdoors stands could have been too difficult (however I may be wrong as they probably had somewhere inside). Either way, I can absolutely see where the difficulty lies for the organisors.
The only shows worth going to (especially to see cool stuff) is ones where nothing is sold (Interbike etc), and unfortunately, for the mere public, they are not accessible.
So without having had gone, I can safely say that those people were probably bang on, especially having spent their hard earned on going.
I remember a conversation with a friend when he asked whether I would have liked to have gone last year, and I simply replied that I'd rather save my cash for the Severn Bridge toll, my lunch money, and uplift costs, and have an amazing day riding at Cymcarn.
As soon as I put it that way, he understood why I turned my nose up at going.
Hope that helps put it into perspective...
Edited by Neil_Bolton on Monday 30th April 22:13
Edited by Neil_Bolton on Monday 30th April 22:14
I was talking to someone the other day about various other show's going downhill. It seems that once the rot set's in it can easily end up leading to no show at all.
This happened with car audio. Over ten years ago there used to be a large sound quality competition scene. Over the years the products and public interest have largely evolved into cheap tat from china, sold online, more interested in bang per buck rather than hifi quality. Now there are too few sq enthusiasts to support a london show.
Perhaps the last signs of real trouble are a high ticket price, due to the supply and demand, and a low quality product / show. Oh well, shame.
This happened with car audio. Over ten years ago there used to be a large sound quality competition scene. Over the years the products and public interest have largely evolved into cheap tat from china, sold online, more interested in bang per buck rather than hifi quality. Now there are too few sq enthusiasts to support a london show.
Perhaps the last signs of real trouble are a high ticket price, due to the supply and demand, and a low quality product / show. Oh well, shame.
KUB3 said:
Perhaps the last signs of real trouble are a high ticket price, due to the supply and demand, and a low quality product / show. Oh well, shame.
Bingo - I really am very upset by the fact that there isn't anything now for everyone to get together like we used to - the Bike Show, the Nationals, Cheddar, Malverns etc, all gone.
All replaced by commercialism and exploitation of the people who make it really special, over actually putting on a damn good show.
However it seems that the sport is taking a turn with a move back to its roots, and I very much look forward to seeing whether we can host another Malverns again; Cheddar is back again this year
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