March 11, 2014 (Taipei, Taiwan) – The Taipei International Cycle Show is massive, spanning over 50,000 square meters and covering two different halls and four floors of exhibitor booths. For 2014 there were a total of 3,279 booths from both local and international suppliers.

It is also part of a bigger event, the International Sporting Goods show, that covers all areas of sport including diving, fitness, clothing, and all kinds of other gear. This massive event draws in over 10,000 foreign buyers. Taiwan has an excellent advantage, as it is located relatively close to some of the major manufacturing centers in China making it a manufacturing and trade hub in Asia.

By attracting so many buyers, the bike show provides a great opportunity for companies to get their products noticed and showcased to the world. Several Canadian companies have come to this show so that they can break into the Asian market and as well as meet with their existing distributors.

Montreal-based Guru Cycles is here looking to add growth in Asia with their Canadian-made frames and seeking new distributors. Louis Garneau, Argon 18, Race Face, Cervelo (now owned by Pon Holdings out of The Netherlands), Cannondale (part of the Canadian-owned Dorel group) along with new start-up lock company, Interlock, are all here looking to expand around the globe.

One interesting trend at the show is the increase in companies offering power-reading devices for your bike. Pioneer – yes, the same Pioneer that does stereo parts – has launched a power meter system, the SGY-PM910H that uses strain gauges mounted on a Shimano Dura Ace or Ultegra cranks to wirelessly transmit the power readings to the handlebar mounted computer. It gives a power reading for each leg as well as total efficiency.

Pedal manufacturer Xpedo also launched a power-reading pedal that will start shipping this year. It also wirelessly transmits data to the handlebar-mounted computer to provide power readings for each leg.

While Shimano doesn’t currently have a power-reading pedal system, the Japanese giant did introduce their new bike fitting system that uses power measurements as part of the formula for the best bike set up. They have crank-based power measurement technology on their bikefitting.com system so we figure it won’t be long before they’ll be offering it on their cranks. Yet when we asked Shimano they indicated that nothing new is planned in the near future.

The Taipei International Cycle Show features all kinds of cool and unique styles and designs for all kinds of cycling products. As they say a picture is worth a thousand words…we hope you enjoy the photos.