Omnico takes brands on the road

Published by www.sportstrader.co.za

Omnico took their brands on the road with two road shows held in Cape Town on the 2nd of October and Johannesburg on the 8th of October. The road shows were attended by retailers and media, eager to hear about Omnico’s latest available products.

Cape Town agent Jason Germshuys with the new GoPro and Red-E products.

The new GoPro 4 arrives in South Africa at the end of November. It now features a much-longed-for built-in touch screen. The black model also has several exciting new features like double the frame rate and process power of the Go Pro 3+, and the ability to adjust the exposure and white balance. Like previous models, white (Hero) is the entry level product, silver is the mid-range model and black is their top high-end model. Added to the range for 2015 will be the Hero, a basic unit aimed at entry level photographers and content makers.

The Fabric saddle range is brand new for Omnico. So new, in fact, that the products had just been unpacked the day of the show - directly onto the display stands. The brand claims to manufacture the world’s most advanced saddles, with the models designed for certain body shapes in mind.

Another new brand is RED-E. The range includes several charging options, phone covers and a bike bar mount, which allows you to mount two cameras at the same time. The wall and car chargers both feature dual USB capabilities, with the car charger also featuring surge protection and providing a 2.1A charge, giving an extra kick that is much appreciated by tablet users.

The Giro range features helmets that are not only new for Omnico, but are new for the brand itself. Synthe is a top of the range helmet that was launched in time for the Tour de France. Foray is a slightly cheaper helmet for road cyclists, while Fathom is for mountain bikers.

Bell’s Star Pro helmet features adjustable vents that allow the cyclist to control airflow through the helmet. The old thinking is that the more holes in a helmet, the better, but this is not always correct. Instead, the placement of the holes and the airflow through them is more important for a cyclist. By closing the vent, the cyclist becomes more aerodynamic as he stops the air from breaking up inside the helmet. Sprinters, for example, often wear helmets that do not have holes – for that added aerodynamics. The cyclist wearing a Star Pro helmet can therefore close the vents when he wants to sprint and open them again when he wants cooling down.

Cannondale Rush

Several of Cannondale’s bicycles have been given new colours, but the three models that stand out in the range are the F-Si, Rush and Trigger bicycles. F-Si has been given a complete revamp: a new design and new technology as well. It features an asymmetrically offset rear triangle and drivetrain, new-school geometry and custom offset Lefty. Rush is great for the entry level market. It is a full-suspension bicycle, but with an entry-level price tag. Trigger is a long-travel bicycle, ideal for those whose fitness levels aren’t quite up to scratch. With the ability to adjust the bicycle’s travel for climbing and downhill, Cannondale calls it possibly the most versatile bicycle that they have ever made.

Mongoose Argus

Mongoose’s Argus BMX bicycle – nicknamed the FatBike – is ideal for those who want to ride over soft terrain such as sand or snow. The price is also very reasonable given the spec of the bike, says Nick Barr of Omnico.

Giro’s new glowing red Empire cycling shoe is positioned at one higher level than the previous Empire shoe. In addition to its new eye-catching colour, it is also lighter and is a lace-up model, which offers more contact points with the foot than the usual buckle shoes.

Crankbrothers’ new range of mountain bike pedals feature four entry points that are great for beginners still getting used to clipping in. The pedals are also super light, with the top of the range Eggbeater weighing a mere 174g.

Among the highlights of the vast range of Ryder accessories are the Orion 800 rechargeable light system and the Rebar REAR USB light. Ryder’s water bottles are leak proof and retailers can custom print on the bottles, extending branding opportunities.

The Cadence Nutrition range of supplements is developed specifically for cyclists and therefore Omnico has made the decision to focus on cycle retailers for distribution. Under previous distributors the products used to be sold through other stores such as pharmacies, but these accounts have been closed.