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BIKE Festival WillingenBest of Day 1

BIKE

 · 20.05.2022

BIKE Festival Willingen: Best of Day 1Photo: Stefan Frey
BIKE Festival Willingen: Best of Day 1
Today was finally the day: the BIKE Festival Willingen started its 23rd round after a two-year break. These were the highlights of the day.

Today was finally the day: the BIKE Festival Willingen started its 23rd round after a two-year break. At Germany's largest mountain bike outdoor trade fair in the Hochsauerland region, there was plenty of marvelling and testing on the very first day. More than 100 exhibitors with more than 200 brands will be presenting their products on the extensive grounds this weekend and making them available for free testing.

The Gravel Ride was the first event of the three-day MTB party on the Ettelsberg. Even a few rain showers couldn't dampen the good mood during the group ride without timekeeping. During the first official training session for the iXS Downhill Cup, the downhill specialists collected the first metres of depth on the downhill track for the big race on Sunday. We were out and about at the expo for you to track down exciting bikes, cool guys and new parts. Have fun with our Best of from the first day of the BIKE Festival in Willingen 2022.

Robin (soon to be 5) from Darmstadt rocks the festival pump track in the middle of the exhibition centre. He was "already on his bike at a quarter to three", says his grandma proudly. Medals are already hanging in his nursery. A new one will be added tomorrow, as Robin is trying his hand at downhill racing for the first time. The VPace Kids Cup with two short runs for children aged 5 and over starts on Saturday at 10.15 am.Photo: Gitta Beimfohr Robin (soon to be 5) from Darmstadt rocks the festival pump track in the middle of the exhibition centre. He was "already on his bike at a quarter to three", says his grandma proudly. Medals are already hanging in his nursery. A new one will be added tomorrow, as Robin is trying his hand at downhill racing for the first time. The VPace Kids Cup with two short runs for children aged 5 and over starts on Saturday at 10.15 am. Robin in action on the modular pump track in the middle of the festival site.Photo: Gitta Beimfohr Robin in action on the modular pump track in the middle of the festival site.

Abus Airdrop and Cliffhanger

Christina from Abus gave us a sneak preview of the German manufacturer's two latest helmets at the stand. The Cliffhanger replaces the previous Montrailer trail helmet. It has been redesigned in key areas and should now be significantly lighter and better balanced on the head. In size S, the Cliffhanger will weigh just 300 grams despite its very low neck section.

A version with MIPS will also be available. This still comes in at a fairly light 330 grams. The in-house Quin crash sensor is also on board, which not only issues an emergency warning in the event of a fall, but can also record riding data. Narrow contact surfaces and high channels should ensure particularly good ventilation.

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Sneak preview at Abus: new Cliffhanger trail helmet.Photo: Stefan Frey Sneak preview at Abus: new Cliffhanger trail helmet. Double benefit: The generous ventilation openings help to keep the weight down. A MIPS version weighs 330 grams.Photo: Stefan Frey Double benefit: The generous ventilation openings help to keep the weight down. A MIPS version weighs 330 grams. The in-house Quin crash sensor can issue an emergency warning in the event of a fall and also record driving data.Photo: Stefan Frey The in-house Quin crash sensor can issue an emergency warning in the event of a fall and also record driving data.

With the Airdrop, Abus has launched a full-face helmet for the first time. With a weight of 790 grams in size S/M, it is primarily intended to appeal to enduro riders. A particularly rigid chin bar was at the top of the developers' specifications. To achieve this goal, the Airdrop is manufactured in a hybrid design. This means that the upper part of the helmet is made of classic EPS foam with a polycarbonate cover. An injection moulded part is produced for the temple, which runs all the way around the helmet.

Other special features include a crumple zone above the collarbone to prevent injuries in the event of an impact, improved acoustics via the so-called Ambient Sound Channel and a finely adjustable adjustment system that can be closed simply by pressing the dial. The visor is adjustable and folds away in the event of a fall. All Airdrop models are also equipped with a MIPS shell, which has been integrated into the adjustment system.

The Airdrop, the first full-face helmet from Abus.Photo: Stefan Frey The Airdrop, the first full-face helmet from Abus.
Knautzsch zone: This area is designed to absorb possible impact energy. Instead of the collarbone.Photo: Stefan Frey Knautzsch zone: This area is designed to absorb possible impact energy. Instead of the collarbone. Inner values: The chin guard is based on a separate injection-moulded part that runs all the way around the helmet and is therefore particularly rigid. Inner values: The chin guard is based on a separate injection-moulded part that runs all the way around the helmet and is therefore particularly rigid. The visor of the Abus Airdrop is adjustable and folds away in the event of a fall.Photo: Stefan Frey The visor of the Abus Airdrop is adjustable and folds away in the event of a fall. Freeze Components from Dresden presents highly transparent thermoplastic handles. You can add your own design and pull the guaranteed non-yellowing grips over it. The special highlight, however, is the twist-clamp fastener with which the grips are attached to the handlebars. Without tools and even on carbon handlebars with the right torque. The patent is pending and production is based on regional products in Dresden.Photo: Gitta Beimfohr Freeze Components from Dresden presents highly transparent thermoplastic handles. You can add your own design and pull the guaranteed non-yellowing grips over it. The special highlight, however, is the twist-clamp fastener with which the grips are attached to the handlebars. Without tools and even on carbon handlebars with the right torque. The patent is pending and production is based on regional products in Dresden. The twist-clamp fastener, with which the grips can be attached to the handlebars without tools.Photo: Gitta Beimfohr The twist-clamp fastener, with which the grips can be attached to the handlebars without tools. Propain is not only extremely popular with enduro and gravity bikers. The brand was also one of the first to pick up on the trend towards high-quality children's MTBs. Some kids discovered their love of shredding on the Frechdax and Yuma. In Willingen, Propain probably has the smallest test fleet in the bike scene at the start. Here, the youngsters get the same service as the grown-ups. Seat position adjustment, suspension tuning, brake adjustment. Only then are the kids let loose on the test tracks around the festival site.Photo: Stefan Frey Propain is not only extremely popular with enduro and gravity bikers. The brand was also one of the first to pick up on the trend towards high-quality children's MTBs. Some kids discovered their love of shredding on the Frechdax and Yuma. In Willingen, Propain probably has the smallest test fleet in the bike scene at the start. Here, the youngsters get the same service as the grown-ups. Seat position adjustment, suspension tuning, brake adjustment. Only then are the kids let loose on the test tracks around the festival site.
Adjust the seating position, set up the suspension, adjust the brakes. Only then are the kids let loose on the test tracks around the festival site.Photo: Stefan Frey Adjust the seating position, set up the suspension, adjust the brakes. Only then are the kids let loose on the test tracks around the festival site. Selle SMP now presents the new VT20 C with gel filling for more comfort. The exceptional ergonomic design is intended to provide plenty of freedom of movement and minimise pressure pain. Available for men and women in sizes XS, S and M, for sit bone distances of 9 - 11.5 cm. Weight of the saddle: 260 grams.Photo: Gitta Beimfohr Selle SMP now presents the new VT20 C with gel filling for more comfort. The exceptional ergonomic design is intended to provide plenty of freedom of movement and minimise pressure pain. Available for men and women in sizes XS, S and M, for sit bone distances of 9 - 11.5 cm. Weight of the saddle: 260 grams. Fresh from the oven come these elegant <a href="https://www.bike-magazin.de/mtb_news/teile_zubehoer/fulcrum-red-zone-laufraeder" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Red Zone carbon wheels</a> (29 inch) from Fulcrum. Their flyweight including cone bearing: 1445 grams. Rim width 25 or 28 mm. However, the price is also high: 1378 euros per set.Photo: Gitta Beimfohr Fresh from the oven come these elegant Red Zone carbon wheels (29 inch) from Fulcrum. Their flyweight including cone bearing: 1445 grams. Rim width 25 or 28 mm. However, the price is also high: 1378 euros per set. The new VistAir glasses from Evil Eye: optical lenses can be integrated into the photocromatic lenses. The glasses with adapter lenses cost from 500 euros, without insert: 249 eurosPhoto: Gitta Beimfohr The new VistAir glasses from Evil Eye: optical lenses can be integrated into the photocromatic lenses. The glasses with adapter lenses cost from 500 euros, without insert: 249 euros

Cycling technology Müller

The Alzenau-based company produces exclusive and really light carbon wheelsets on request. At the festival site, the 1190 gram MXCR wheels in the oil-slick look sparkled at us so much that we simply couldn't walk past. The 240EXP hubs from DT Swiss are a special edition and only available here. The inner width of the €2199 XC wheels is a whopping 30 millimetres. In addition to the custom option, the wheel specialists also have pre-configured models in their range.Photo: Stefan Frey The Alzenau-based company produces exclusive and really light carbon wheelsets on request. At the festival site, the 1190 gram MXCR wheels in the oil-slick look sparkled at us so much that we simply couldn't walk past. The 240EXP hubs from DT Swiss are a special edition and only available here. The inner width of the €2199 XC wheels is a whopping 30 millimetres. In addition to the custom option, the wheel specialists also have pre-configured models in their range.bike/M4862054Photo: Stefan Freybike/M4862055Photo: Stefan Frey The gravel friends got into the groove of the BIKE Festival weekend today on a joint ride.Photo: BIKE Festival The gravel friends got into the groove of the BIKE Festival weekend today on a joint ride. On a 56-kilometre lap, the gravel bikers gained a good 1000 metres in altitude on off-road tracks.Photo: BIKE Festival On a 56-kilometre lap, the gravel bikers gained a good 1000 metres in altitude on off-road tracks. The highlight at the BH stand is the 750 gram Evo frame. The hardtail is manufactured using the complex HCIM moulding process. Here, only the particularly stressed areas are reinforced with several layers of carbon fibre. Price from 3599 euros.Photo: Gitta Beimfohr The highlight at the BH stand is the 750 gram Evo frame. The hardtail is manufactured using the complex HCIM moulding process. Here, only the particularly stressed areas are reinforced with several layers of carbon fibre. Price from 3599 euros.

RTB Bikes

We also discovered this gem from Antidote at the Radsporttechnik Müller stand. The extremely elaborate custom paintwork should make the bike virtually theft-proof. If you're still looking for an exclusive body, you've definitely come to the right place.Photo: Stefan Frey We also discovered this gem from Antidote at the Radsporttechnik Müller stand. The extremely elaborate custom paintwork should make the bike virtually theft-proof. If you're still looking for an exclusive body, you've definitely come to the right place.bike/M4861922Photo: Stefan Frey Included since the first festival: the rear stands made of a plastic/fibreglass mix from Hebie in Bielefeld. The rear wheel can be rotated freely. The company has been manufacturing bicycle parts since 1868, making it one of the oldest bike companies in the world.Photo: Gitta Beimfohr Included since the first festival: the rear stands made of a plastic/fibreglass mix from Hebie in Bielefeld. The rear wheel can be rotated freely. The company has been manufacturing bicycle parts since 1868, making it one of the oldest bike companies in the world.

Party at the BIKE stand

At the BIKE stand, star DJ Max Teaser will create the right atmosphere. In addition to great sound, the various Bitburger mix drinks will be available free of charge. Of course, a few fancy dance moves are always welcome. If you miss the party at the stand, you can still catch up on Saturday from 9 pm in the K1 hut next to the new 6-seater chair. That's where the big BIKE Festival Party will take place.Photo: Stefan Frey At the BIKE stand, star DJ Max Teaser will create the right atmosphere. In addition to great sound, the various Bitburger mix drinks will be available free of charge. Of course, a few fancy dance moves are always welcome. If you miss the party at the stand, you can still catch up on Saturday from 9 pm in the K1 hut next to the new 6-seater chair. That's where the big BIKE Festival Party will take place.

BIKE Academy

In Willingen we are once again going full throttle with our BIKE Academy. Here you can learn from the pros. The first courses have already taken place today. Simon Schumacher, ergonomics expert at grip and saddle manufacturer Ergon, is currently explaining the optimum riding position to festival visitors and helping them to adjust their bikes. All participants also received a free Ergon fitting box as a little treat.Photo: Stefan Frey In Willingen we are once again going full throttle with our BIKE Academy. Here you can learn from the pros. The first courses have already taken place today. Simon Schumacher, ergonomics expert at grip and saddle manufacturer Ergon, is currently explaining the optimum riding position to festival visitors and helping them to adjust their bikes. All participants also received a free Ergon fitting box as a little treat.bike/M4862059Photo: Stefan Frey This young man puts everyone in a good mood with his ukulele. He was still trying to dispel the clouds over Willingen with Hawaiian sounds. But after a slight delay, thunderstorms and rain turned the festival site into a swimming pool after all. However, the forecast for the weekend looks much better.Photo: Stefan Frey This young man puts everyone in a good mood with his ukulele. He was still trying to dispel the clouds over Willingen with Hawaiian sounds. But after a slight delay, thunderstorms and rain turned the festival site into a swimming pool after all. However, the forecast for the weekend looks much better.

The sponsors of the BIKE Festival in Willingen

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