Advice Stage schedule announced for this year’s The Cycle Show
Maintenance demos, Q&As, the life of a bike tester and more
The Cycle Show kicks off on Friday 13 September at Birmingham’s NEC, and it’s packed full of shiny bikes, new tech and inspiring talks.
Alongside the main stage, BikeRadar is sponsoring the Komoot Cycle Advice Stage and we’ve got an array of speakers lined up to discuss a range of topics.
Whether you’re looking for practical maintenance tips, advice on how to buy a bike, or how to bring everything but the kitchen sink on a bike tour, there’s bound to be something for you.
You’ll also get to hear from BikeRadar‘s tech editors about what they do.
Here’s the full line-up of talks at the Komoot Cycle Advice Stage sponsored by BikeRadar, as well as featured speakers on the Main Stage and V12 Retail Finance stage.
Komoot Cycle Advice Stage – Friday 13 September
Bike maintenance — front gear adjustment
This demo will cover everything you need to know about adjusting your front derailleur, from alignment to cable tension and routing. You’ll learn about the different styles of front derailleur as well as how to set up, maintain and troubleshoot them.
- Time: 10:10–10:40
- Speakers: Jules Thrasher, technical manager, Shimano
New product showcase
The team from BikeRadar have picked their favourite products from this year’s The Cycle Show. Find out what they chose and why, and ask them your questions on buying cycle gear.
- Time: 10:50–11:20
- Speakers: Robin Weaver, technical editor-in-chief, BikeRadar, MBUK, Cycling Plus and Rob Spedding, content director, BikeRadar, MBUK, Cycling Plus
How do you design a bike?
Ribble’s Jamie Burrow gives an insight into how his road racing career launched his career into bike design.
- Time: 11:30–12:00
- Speakers: Jamie Burrow, head of product, Ribble Cycles
Komoot route planning workshop
Whether you’re off on a bikepacking trip or just want a change from the same local loop, this workshop will show you how to use Komoot to discover, plan and share your rides.
- Time: 12:10–12:40
- Speakers: Eleanor Jaskowska, community manager, Komoot
Are e-bikes a force for good?
Do e-mountain bikes make the sport more accessible or do they ruin it for everyone else? Olly Wilkins, known for his jumps and downhill racing, will be talking openly about his opinions on this often divisive topic.
- Time: 12:50–13:20
- Speakers: Olly Wilkins, British MTB legend
The truth about bike fit
Experienced physiotherapist and bike fitter Phil Burt joins Rob Spedding for a frank and honest discussion around the bike fit industry, which has grown rapidly in the last 10 to 15 years.
- Time: 13:30–14:00
- Speakers: Phil Burt, lead physiotherapist, British Cycling
Lifestyle, Vlogging and Cycling Adventures — a Q&A with Keira McVitty
Since taking a sidestep from pro racing, Keira McVitty has used YouTube to promote her passion for cycling. In this Q&A, we’ll explore the adventures from her racing career and how she grew her YouTube channel, plus more.
- Time: 14:10–14:40
- Speakers: Keira McVitty, pro cyclist and vlogger
Strength training tips for cyclists
Having coached Olympians and Paralympians with British Cycling, Scott Pearson knows exactly how to minimise injuries and maximise performance. He’ll be answering all your strength and fitness questions, and giving some valuable tips that you can take with you.
- Time: 14:50–15:20
- Speakers: Scott Pearson, strength and conditioning coach, British Cycling
Bike maintenance – rear gear adjustment
This demo shows you how to set up and adjust the rear derailleur, check for damage and recognise misalignment. You’ll get to know the different types of rear derailleur and how they relate to cassette sizes, and learn how to replace the cable.
- Time: 15:30–16:00
- Speakers: Jules Thrasher, technical manager, Shimano
Main Stage – Friday 13 September
If you’re at The Cycle Show on Friday 13 September, don’t forget that there’s an array of guests lined up for the main stage too.
Sir Chris Hoy — Olympian, business owner, author, mental health advocate, motivational speaker, family man — will be sharing his inspirational story on the main stage at 12.30pm. Be sure not to miss it.
Komoot Cycle Advice Stage – Saturday 14 September
Bike maintenance — front gear adjustment
Another chance to see this demo, which will cover everything you need to know about adjusting your front derailleur, from alignment to cable tension and routing. You’ll learn about the different styles of front derailleur, as well as how to set up, maintain and troubleshoot them.
- Time: 10:10–10:40
- Speakers: Jules Thrasher, technical manager, Shimano
Breaking barriers — increasing women in cycling
Join some of this year’s inspiring 100 Women in Cycling to celebrate the fun, friendship and freedom that cycling provides.
- Time: 10:50–11:20
- Speakers: Anna Glowinski, TV presenter, Anna’s Legs designer
How to buy a bike
BikeRadar’s experts explain what to look for when you pick your next bike, and answer all your bike-buying questions.
- Time: 11:30–12:00
- Speakers: Warren Rossiter, senior technical editor – Road, BikeRadar, Cycling Plus and Rob Spedding, content director, BikeRadar, MBUK, Cycling Plus
How you can use Tour de France science to be a better rider
The training secrets of the world’s best cyclists and how you can benefit from them too.
- Time: 12:10–12:40
- Speakers: James Witts, author of The Science of the Tour de France
Tales of endurance racing and bikepacking
Come and hear Jenny Tough’s tales of ultra-racing. As well as being the first woman in the inaugural Silk Road Mountain Race she’s had plenty of bikepacking adventures, and you can learn about the mistakes and discoveries she’s made along the way.
- Time: 12:50–13:20
- Speakers: Jenny Tough, adventurer, writer, film-maker
Are e-bikes a force for good?
Another chance to see this talk that asks whether e-mountain bikes make the sport more accessible, or do they ruin it for everyone else? Olly Wilkins, known for his jumps and downhill racing, will be talking openly about his opinions on this very divisive topic.
- Time: 13:30–14:00
- Speakers: Olly Wilkins, British MTB legend
Komoot route planning workshop
Whether you’re off on a bikepacking trip or just want a change from the same local loop, this workshop will show you how to use Komoot to discover, plan and share your rides.
- Time: 14:10–14:40
- Speakers: Eleanor Jaskowska, community manager, Komoot
How do you design a bike?
Ribble’s Jamie Burrow gives an insight into how his road racing career launched his career into bike design.
- Time: 14:50–15:20
- Speakers: Jamie Burrow, head of product, Ribble Cycles
Bike maintenance – rear gear adjustment
This demo shows you how to set up and adjust the rear derailleur, check for damage and recognise misalignment. You’ll get to know the different types of rear derailleur and how they relate to cassette sizes, and learn how to replace the cable.
- Time: 15:30–16:00
- Speakers: Jules Thrasher, technical manager, Shimano
V12 Retail Finance Stage – Saturday 14 September
At 1pm, BMX legend Bob Haro will be talking about his extensive career: from pioneering freestyle riding back in the seventies and eighties, stunt riding in that infamous BMX chase scene in E.T., through to founding Haro Bikes and collaborating with Nike for the 2008 Olympics.
At 1.45pm, Paul Jones will be in conversation with Michael Broadwith, who currently holds the End to End record. Paul photographed Michael’s ride, and his forthcoming book End to End explores the social and racing history of this iconic route.
Komoot Cycle Advice Stage – Sunday 15 September
Bike maintenance — front gear adjustment
This demo will cover everything you need to know about adjusting your front derailleur, from alignment to cable tension and routing. You’ll learn about the different styles of front derailleur, as well as how to set up, maintain and troubleshoot them.
- Time: 10:10–10:40
- Speakers: Jules Thrasher, technical manager, Shimano
How to buy a bike
BikeRadar’s experts explain what to look for when you pick your next bike, and answer all your bike-buying questions.
- Time: 10:50–11:20
- Speakers: Warren Rossiter, senior technical editor – Road, BikeRadar, Cycling Plus and Rob Spedding, content director, BikeRadar, MBUK, Cycling Plus
How do you design a bike?
Ribble’s Jamie Burrow gives an insight into how his road racing career launched his career into bike design.
- Time: 11:30–12:00
- Speakers: Jamie Burrow, head of product, Ribble Cycles
A day in the life of a bike tester
It sounds like the dream job, doesn’t it? Hear first-hand from one of our bike testers about the reality of the work and whether testing bikes for a living is as glamorous as it looks.
- Time: 12:10–12:40
- Speakers: Alex Evans, technical editor, BikeRadar
How not to pack light
Kate Rawles cycled the length of South America on a bamboo bike to raise awareness and inspire positive action on biodiversity loss. In this talk she explains why she chose to travel heavy, while offering valuable long-distance touring tips.
- Time: 12:50–13:20
- Speakers: Kate Rawles
Are e-bikes a force for good?
Do e-mountain bikes make the sport more accessible or do they ruin it for everyone else? Olly Wilkins, known for his jumps and downhill racing, will be talking openly about his opinions on this often divisive topic.
- Time: 13:30–14:00
- Speakers: Olly Wilkins, British MTB legend
Fuelling your ride: Michelin Star nutrition advice
Former Michelin starred chef Alan Murchison explains how he’s used his culinary knowledge to improve the performance of some of Britain’s best riders, plus he’ll be sharing the nutrition tips you’ll need to take your cycling to the next level.
- Time: 14:10–14:40
- Speakers: Alan Murchison, author, The Cycling Chef
Bike maintenance – rear gear adjustment
This demo shows you how to set up and adjust the rear derailleur, check for damage and recognise misalignment. You’ll get to know the different types of rear derailleur and how they relate to cassette sizes, and learn how to replace the cable.
- Time: 15:30–16:00
- Speakers: Jules Thrasher, technical manager, Shimano
V12 Retail Finance Stage – Sunday 15 September
At 11.15am there will be a Q&A with Jody Cundy OBE, seven-time Paralympic champion and 19-time world champion. Not to be missed!
Authors
Mildred’s a utilitarian cyclist at heart, determined to do everything on two wheels, whether it’s shopping, commuting or moving house. She’s spent the past three years volunteering as a mechanic and workshop coordinator at the Bristol Bike Project, and now sits on its board of directors. Her expertise in bikes — and what people want out of them — comes from working in real-world bike shops and learning the ins and outs of the industry. At home on slicks and knobblies alike, Mildred’s ideal ride covers long distances through remote countryside, on mixed terrain that offers a bit of crunch. She’s easily won over by steel frames coupled with a 650B/plus-tyre combo, and is currently riding a Surly Bridge Club.
