Retail - BikeBiz

FIVE
Issue 72 | January 2012
FACTS
43
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EDITORIAL
Issue 72 | January 2012
NEWS 4-10
Madison gets fully clothed, happy campers for York Cycle
Show, Future reveals new Hub and much more
MYSTERY SHOPPER
Our undercover reporter makes a nuisance
of himself in the Corby area
SPONSORED BY
FOCUS ON…
14
ONLINE MARKETPLACE
27
With the rise of online marketplaces adding another
route to market, BikeBiz interviews the major players
to see how bike retailers can benefit...
2012 PREDICTIONS 17
ABUS REVEALED
12
Expenses-paid trips to Jamaica? The trade
gives us their (realistic) expectations for 2012
Germany-based Abus enlists BikeBiz to try
and break into several bicycle locks
OUTDOORS
Jack Wolfskin opens a new store in
the UK, Helly Hansen goes off piste
and Speedo reveals new swim tech
50
CORE BIKE GUIDE
CLEANERS, TOOLS & MORE
30
MOBILE RETAIL
56
Half the adult population has a smartphone. Is
your website geared up to take advantage?
PEOPLE
52
61
LETTERS
68
Are retailers selling the benefits of cheap travel
by bicycle? asks one BikeBiz reader...
SPONSORED BY
British Cycling, Avocet, Snow and Rock, Dahon
Polar and Vos all have people news this month
NEW PRODUCTS
58
Velocite, BBB, Wildoo, Endura, Clarks and Federal
are among the goodies this month...
DUE TO THE quirks of publishing, I’m
writing this column before I’ve even
started my Christmas shopping. For
you, all the presents have been
unwrapped and you’ll have munched all
the mince pies you can possibly
stomach, while I’ve yet to get my
chops around a brussel sprout (hurrah).
What you probably will also be doing
‘round about now is ruminating on the
year ahead and what it will hold. I’m not talking about how
long the inevitably temporary New Year resolutions will last,
but how, in fact, your bicycle business will fare over the next
12 months.
Depending on who you talk to, 2011 was a bit of a mixed
bag. Cycle to Work was tweaked, leading to a few nervous
moments, but seemed to make a decent recovery in the end.
Others say bikes were hard to shift, but sales of accessories
were through the roof and more than made up for it.
But what everybody I’ve spoken to seems to agree on, or
admit, was that 2011 was the year that the tough economic
climate finally made some impact on the trade. How big an
impact has it made? As 2011 financials and statistics filter in
2011 seems to have been the year that
tough economic conditions finally hit
the trade. Nevertheless, 2012 promises
plenty of reasons to be cheerful.
as the months go by we’ll have a more accurate picture, but
I’m willing to predict that the impact hasn’t been as
significant as on the rest of the increasingly brittle High
Street.
I hope you’ll forgive me for being unashamedly upbeat,
but from where I’m standing, there’s plenty of good stuff
ahead for the trade. The event of 2012 will undoubtedly be
the Olympics, and if we have a few sunny months and
maybe some success on the track, road and the courses, who
knows how many will be inspired to dust off their cycling
skills? Or encourage parents to nurture their little tykes as
potential Olympic candidates for the future?
It’s true that the EU is in a state of flux, certainly at time
of writing, but at least we can be sure that HMRC won’t
want to change Cycle to Work again. Surely?
But it’s not just me who’s mainly chipper about 2012.
BikeBiz asked the industry for how they thought this year
will pan out (on pages 14 and 15) and one of the key quotes
was, for me, from someone who has been in the industry for
far longer than I – two decades in fact (back while I was still
in short trousers). He said that it is currently the most
exciting time for the bicycle industry in the last 20 years,
and that is not something I’m about to argue with.
Jonathon Harker, Editor
SPOKESMAN
86
‘Thou shalt not buy online’ may not have been in
the Bible, but it did appear in the Velomanti blog
EVENTS 72 OFF THE RECORD 84 NUMBER CRUNCHING 82
NEWS
CYCLE
SHORTS
Decathlon buys
stake in Storck
Retail giant Decathlon has
invested in the Storck Bicycles
brand to the tune of a 25 per
cent share of the company.
Founders of the firm Marcus
and Helena Storck have
reportedly upped their stake,
from 62.4 per cent, to the
own the remaining 75 per
cent of Storck.
CTC CEO joins ECF
Kevin Mayne has departed
from the CTC after 14 years
to join the Brussels-based
European Cyclists Federation.
Steve Worland
made redundant
by Future
Long-time bike testing guru
Steve Worland has been made
redundant by Future. Having
been in cycling journalism for
over two decades, Worland is
working freelance for Future
and looking for other
freelance roles in the trade.
Pedego e-bikes
opens UK
distribution centre
US electric bike firm Pedego
has opened a distribution
centre in the UK to service its
expanding European and UK
business. To register an
interest in stocking the bikes,
contact dan@
pedegoeurope.com
SRAM sticks with
cables and10-speed
SRAM's latest update to its
RED groupset, revealed on
BikeBiz.com during December,
appears to show that the
manufacturer's groupset
won't go electronic and that
it will remain ten-speed.
Five IBDs team up
with local council
Forward thinking independent
bike retailers have teamed up
with Ealing Council to
encourage cyclists onto their
bikes during the winter chill.
Adults taking part in cycle
training in a set period will
receive a £40 voucher to
encourage them into shops.
For breaking news visit:
www.bikebiz.com
4 BIKEBIZ JANUARY
Wiggle sells for
£180 million
Months of speculation finally end in Bridgepoint’s
purchase of the award-winning online cycle retailer Exports will remain a focus post-sale, BikeBiz learns
by Mark Sutton
BRIDGEPOINT, OWNER of the Fat Face chain
and HobbyCraft, has bought online cycling
and triathlon retail giant Wiggle.
Paying around £180 million, plus a further
£20 million contingent consideration, the
price equates to around 12 to 13 times the
earnings before interest, tax and depreciation.
It is believed several private equity groups
and trade buyers were interested in Wiggle,
though Bridgepoint, chaired by former Asda
chief executive Andy Bond, was largely
considered the favourite for the takeover.
Wiggle chief executive Humphrey Cobbold is
likely to remain on the board and to re-invest
in the business.
Wiggle’s cycle marketing manager told
BikeBiz: “All staff at Wiggle have worked so
tremendously hard over the past couple of
years and this hard work has evidentially paid
off. The signatures have barely dried on the
paper work, so changes may come that we
have no visibility on as of yet, which you’d
expect with a new owner. There will be a few
management shuffles, but it’s not a case of
people leaving. Indeed, the opposite.
Humphrey Cobbold (CEO) and Andy Bond
(non-exec) are both staying with the business
and investing their own cash. I’m certainly
“There will be a few
management shuffles
but it’s not a case of
people leaving. In fact
it’s the opposite.”
York Cycle Show holds trade prices
by Jonathon Harker
THERE WILL BE no rise in trade prices for
stands at this year’s York Cycle Show, which is
expected to build on last year’s growth in
attendance.
This year’s show takes place on the
weekend of June 23rd and 24th, days after
the Olympic Torch Relay at York’s Knavesmire
is held on the same site.
2011’s rise in camper numbers has led the
show to have online booking and prepayment
in the works for campers.
Facilities for those
staying overnight will be
improved too, with an
additional shower unit
and a wash trailer to
replace the wash tents
with bowls of cold water.
Chair of the York Cycle
Show Committee Paul
Hepworth told BikeBiz: “I’m delighted to
report that we made a modest profit in 2011,
largely due to advice by City of York Council
that we can now legally charge for whole site
entry. A wristband system was used, which
helped to increase footfall through the Trade
Area. We are going to stay with this for the
2012 Show on June 23rd and 24th and also
hold the previous show’s Trade Stand prices.”
This year will see all visitors given a free
‘slimmed down’ version of the programme
which will have advertising space for sale.
Show highlights, like the Stunt Show, will
return, while the 2012 Ron Kitching Challenge
Ride and Sportive will be held on Saturday
June 23rd with options for 100K and 150K to
the scenic North Yorkshire Moors. The leisure
day rides and the traditional Sunday morning
cyclists’ service in York Minster will also take
place during the 2012 event.
Hepworth added: “Arena grass track racing
was absent in 2011, due to the retirement of
a colleague and lack of a replacement
volunteer. However CTC Champions put on a
range of participation events for younger
riders in a smaller space,
and we hope to build on
that for 2012. Grass
track racing under the
auspices of national
bodies requires fees for
event registration and
attendance of officials,
plus prize money. This
can often only be
achieved through commercial sponsorship
which we currently do not have. However
we’ll welcome anyone with expertise in this
area, to join our team.”
A York Cycle Show app, introduced for the
2011 Show, is still available to download
from the iTunes App store.
Trade packs are now downloadable from
www.yorkcycleshow.co.uk. Alternatively, more
details are available from show secretary John
Taylorson on 07765 070120 or email
[email protected]
www.yorkcycleshow.co.uk
“Last year we used a
wristband system,
which helped increase
footfall through the
trade area.”
BIKEBIZ.COM
NEWS
Madison’s ‘strongest
clothing collection to date’
to launch at iceBike*2012
Line-up sees bulked up road and MTB offering and www.madison.cc launch
by Jonathon Harker
seeing this as confidence-inspiring as it’s
clear they both see huge potential in the
business and I can vouch for Humphrey
Cobbold’s passion for both Wiggle and bikes.
Changes will come, but it can only be a good
thing for all involved.”
Despite experiencing strong international
growth for over three years, Bridgepoint are
expected to continue to develop exports,
which already reach 88 countries.
www.wiggle.co.uk
for 2012
MADISON IS SET to show off its
‘strongest looking clothing collection’ yet
from its own brand at iceBike*, the firm
has told BikeBiz.
From an initial basic line-up in 2009,
Madison has steadily built the range up
into a ‘complete cycling collection’.
Visitors to iceBike* – running from
Tuesday February 21st to 23rd at
Madison’s distribution centre in Milton
Keynes – will see the broadened range,
new POS options and a sneak preview of
the autumn/winter 2012 pieces.
“We’re steadily building the range into
a complete cycle collection, and the past
12 months has seen us bulk up our
mountain bike and road offerings as well
as refreshing some of our original
pieces,” said brand manager Russell
Whitaker. “The updated style is really
just an evolution of what we were
already doing, but simply enhanced by a
cleaner and more defined image which
can be seen on our new website,
www.madison.cc. We’ve backed up the
evolution of our products with a higher
standard of product and lifestyle
photography in order to convey the
inherent brand quality of Madison
Clothing.”
The firm is planning to keep filling
range gaps with a new collection of
summer Lycra due to arrive in spring to
complement newf winter Lycra.
“When we launched the initial
compact range in 2009, the range was
basic and consisted of only a few
essentials like jackets and mitts. The
clothing industry was new to us and we
didn’t want to jump straight in at the
deep end.
“We’re now working with some of the
best designers in the industry and some
really great factories to create garments
that we’re really proud of. Our entire
design and development process has
been updated, and we’re backing it up
with some really strong marketing
“We’re now working
with some of the best
designers in the
industry to create
garments that we’re
really proud of.”
campaigns and a specific apparel sales
team to help ensure that our dealers get
the most out of Madison Clothing.”
The firm added that all-year round
stock availability is a key focus for the
brand and that the range draws on a
number of influences. “We try and take
our inspiration for new products from
outside of the cycle industry as much as
we can: as a business we’re involved in
the snow and outdoor trade, and both
those industries offer us something
different from the norm.”
Whittaker added: “We’re always open
to taking on new dealers and we’re
especially keen to be represented in
traditional bricks and mortar retailers, as
with clothing the fit and material are
really important and it’s difficult to get
that message across online.”
Interested dealers can contact sales at
www.madison.co.uk or speak to
Madison’s telesales on 01908 326000.
NEWS
Future’s Hub will be a ‘onestop-shop’ for cycle brands
Sports Product and Testing Hub created by media firm
by Jonathon Harker
FUTURE HAS CREATED a dedicated bike
and product testing team, serving Future’s
cycling and triathlon brands with expert
technical reviews for its brands.
The Sports Product and Testing Hub will
provide one point of editorial contact for
the industry for all product tests and
reviews. The creation of the Hub has been
an ambition for Future, BikeBiz was told.
“The idea for the Hub system is
something we at Future have been working
on for some months, and we’ve invested
significant time and effort into looking at
the best ways to implement it,” explained
Josse Vander-Bilson, manager of the new
Hub. “Both consumers and the industry will
benefit from the more clearly coordinated
approach to product news and testing and
technical feature writing we’re employing
across Future’s magazines and websites.
“There’s appetite for it from all corners
and increasing possibilities for crosspollenation between our print and digital
media. The Hub system will help us
develop new and exciting products in print,
online and mobile formats. Future has
already had considerable success with
Apple Newsstand and that outlet is part of
our digital strategy looking forwards.
“Manufacturers will be able to contact
the Hub directly with product for review,
and content will be channelled off to
Future brands in print, online and also on
the move.”
Increased demand for reviews for the
cycle sector from consumers also led the
media outlet to create the Hub. VanderBilson explained: “It’s an exciting time for
the whole industry with more and more
people getting into cycling – or getting
back into cycling – and wanting to buy
bikes and kit. All of them need help and
naturally look to our trusted brands for the
best buying advice available.
“The continued growth of Cycling Plus
and BikeRadar are driven in no small part
Rob Weaver, Warren
Rossiter (below left)
and James Huang
(below right) are key
contacts at Future’s
new Hub
“It’s an exciting time for
the whole industry, with
more consumers looking
for buying advice.”
by new cyclists making their first
purchases as well as existing cyclists
stepping up to increasingly better bikes
and equipment. Future’s new Hub has been
formed to ensure that we have the finest
technical writers working as an efficient
team to test more new gear to exacting
criteria and help this growing number of
consumers make the right purchases.”
THE KEY CONTACTS AT THE HUB ARE:
Road: Warren Rossiter, senior technical
editor, [email protected]
MTB: Rob Weaver, senior technical
editor, [email protected]
MTB: Justin Loretz, technical editor,
[email protected]
James Huang, technical editor, USA,
[email protected] Raleigh launches RSP microsite
The RSP range has its own
web focus following a
successful spell for the
light brand from Raleigh
6 BIKEBIZ JANUARY
RALEIGH HAS LAUNCHED a separate
microsite for light brand RSP following
what it says is a successful attempt to
boost market share.
Marketing manager Geoff Giddings told
BikeBiz more about Raleigh’s investment:
“Our sales of RSP lights have increased
significantly season-by-season as we
continue to develop new products. Sales
from the dealer view point are very strong
and we are now taking significant market
share from other light brands, like Cateye
and Smart,” Giddings claimed.
RSP’s range now has models delivering
off-road worthy output, with the
Steradian delivering a 1,200 candlepower
output via a one watt performance LED.
Giddings added: “We have now set up
www.rspcycling.com to showcase the
range and our print and online campaigns,
which have been running this winter with
Future Publishing titles.
“Raleigh has utilised page peel ads
mixed with banner online and QR codes in
print adverts.”
0800 096 9060
BIKEBIZ.COM
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NEWS
Muc-Off launches eco-drive with Treems
‘Banish grime, not the planet,’ says brand’s slogan
by Jonathon Harker
MUC-OFF HAS boosted its eco-friendly
credentials through a new partnership
with conservation group Treems.
The team up means that a percentage
of sales from every Bike Cleaner, Wet Lube
and Dry Lube sold will be donated to help
protect tropical rain forest trees against
deforestation, for a minimum of 20 years.
Muc-Off said the new pairing, which
aims to protect over 1,000 trees in the
next three years, is just part of a green
focus for the company. MD Alex Trimnell
said: “We want to reach out to as many
people as possible and help to educate the
world on the importance of saving our
“We want to educate the
world on the importance
of saving our ecosystem.”
valuable and delicate ecosystem. We’re
confidant that working with Treems we
can achieve this goal.”
Muc-Off’s Zhara Woods added: “We
wanted to take our eco fight to the next
level and have a physical benefit that you
can see and touch, and what better thing
to protect than real living trees.”
A tally of each tree protected will be
found on Muc-Off’s website real-time tree
tracker. The brand will even publish images
of the trees and release information about
each trees’ location and the impact on air,
water and biodiversity. A spokesperson for
Treems said: “Let’s save our world with a
simple yet efficient method: protecting
existing trees and their surrounding
ecosystem one by one. Together we are
powerful enough to halt deforestation and
save what we have to pass on to our
children.”
Treems guarantees the protection of
the trees by installing protection on three
levels: legal, physical and social.
http://www.muc-off.com/treems
Muc-Off and Treem
branding will draw
consumer attention to
the new partnership
between the firms
Veho cameras come to the cycle market
by Jonathon Harker
Veho is now targeting the
cycle market with its
MUVI range of cameras
VEHO’S MUVI range of action camcorders
and accessories will be brought to the UK
bicycle trade by Raleigh.
The line-up of goods that Raleigh will
distribute includes Micro and High
Definition Mini action cameras and the
Pebble power ranges in what Veho calls ‘a
very important market’.
“The Raleigh brand is synonymous with
cycling and bikes,” said Ben Vallance, Veho
sales and marketing director. “We are
pleased that our award winning successful
brand of action cameras is going to have
representation in this very important
market.”
“Our range is truly multipurpose for the
everyday cyclist. Not only are our cameras
being used for recreational use for people
capturing their weekend downhill MTB
run, but more and more for the daily
commute where the need to capture poor
driving habits is ever increasing. They are
small, simple to use and easy to attach to
either a helmet or handlebars.”
At time of press, Veho is building a
team of athletes to promote the brand in
the bike market and launch its ‘No Proof,
No Glory’ website. Sam Pilgrim and Grant
Fielder have already been enlisted for that
purpose (for more turn to page 84).
www.veho-uk.com
NEWS
Distribution round-up
Seventies link with X-Games gold medalist Reynolds Zyro adds Etxeondo clothing
by Mark Sutton
SEVENTIES AND FIEND
HASTINGS BMX distributor Seventies has
linked up with the Garrett Reynolds-run
Fiend brand, which since its conception in
summer 2011 has made a big impression
on the 20-inch world.
A statement from the firm reads: “Fiend
would like to announce that our parts will
be available to shops in Canada and the
UK shortly, just in time for the holidays.
We have selected Seventies (UK) and Ten
Pack (Canada) as our distributors for those
countries and we’re stoked that they’re
standing behind us and believe in Fiend.
Have your local shop contact them to get
the goods.”
HED WHEELS AND TORHANS
Signalling an expansion into distribution
beyond its own range, HED Wheels will
carry stock of the bar-mounted hydration
TorHans product.
10 BIKEBIZ JANUARY
TorHans Aero 30
bar-mounted
hydration system
(right)
All of the products are in stock right
now and available to ship immediately.
HED’s Seth Kay told BikeBiz: “We propose
an initial dealer package that would help
get any dealer up and running quickly
with the products.”
There are two bottles in the range that
are available in two different sizes. In
addition to these bottles an aero-bar
bottle mounting bracket will be required
to mount the bottles directly to the aero-
bars – this is available separately. Finally,
an accessory tray completes the range and
is suitable for carrying items such as
computers or energy gels.
ZYRO AND ETXEONDO
Zyro has been appointed exclusive UK
supplier of Etxeondo cycle clothing.
Etxeondo designs and produces all its
garments at its own facilities in Spain.
Founder and owner Francisco Rodrigo said
of the partnership: “We are very pleased
to enter this arrangement with Zyro. The
people at Zyro have a strong passion for
cycling and a great understanding of
product. They are a professionally run
company and we share the same
philosophy on the positioning and the
distribution of our products in the UK
cycle market.”
Trade enquiries should be directed to
[email protected]
BIKEBIZ.COM
FACTORY VISIT | ABUS
Abus’ Axel Rosler shows
off the brutal and
intelligent tools of lock
picking; Products are
put through intensive
conditions testing at the
Abus facility (above)
Cycle defenders
Bike locks are subject to attacks from saws, bolt cutters and crowbars – and in the case of Abus’ locks,
that’s before they’ve even left the factory. Jonathon Harker finds out what goes into the
manufacturer’s bike lock production and has a go at being a bike thief, the swine…
BikeBiz’s editor has a
hard time cutting one
of Abus’ locks (left);
The firm creates its tool
and testing tools inhouse (below)
12 BIKEBIZ JANUARY
BACK IN THE olden days, over 80 years ago,
Abus was founded. Working in the home
security market the firm has expanded its
security offering to cover everything from
window security to keeping things safe on the
move, including motorbikes, scooters, boats and
– of course – bicycles. Its extensive offering has
even seen it supply Wembley Stadium with
security products, trivia fans.
Back when it was set up in the 1920s, Abus
was one of 40 producers of locks in the same
area of Northern Germany, of which now only
three survive (including Abus). While finding a
manufacturer operating in Europe is an
increasingly rare phenomenon, Abus’
countryside factory setting is, to the unfamiliar,
equally unlikely.
BikeBiz visited the German production facility
and HQ to see first-hand how Abus puts
together its product range.
The company is, according to Abus, the
world’s biggest padlock manufacturer. It
recently made history when it won a contract
with the US Army, the first time a non-US
based company had achieved that feat.
Our guides for the day – Abus’ area sales and
marketing manager Axel Rosler and
international marketing and PR manager Mark
Stuiver – tell BikeBiz that the company has
succeeded because it has concentrated on who
its customer is and never lost sight of that. In
the case of Abus, that customer base is firmly in
the family, commuter and child market.
That market has taken to the likes of Abus’
foldable Bordo lock range, which has, Rosler
tells BikeBiz, gone from strength-to-strength.
Recent highlights also include the lightweight
Mini U lock for fixies and singlespeed markets,
an area that is still booming worldwide, the
firm says.
That growing market has led to the firm
extending its sites in Germany. Abus also has a
facility in Asia, which it owns, and employs
around 800 staff there. The firm has around
1,400 employees in Germany. Looking after
staff is a focus for the ‘Christian corporate
structure’, where suggestions for improving
workstations are rewarded and holding on to
skilled staff means it has begun to offer workers
the chance to work from home, rather than lose
BIKEBIZ.COM
FACTORY VISIT | ABUS
those who have to look after their families.
They also have a soccer playground, mini golf
and table football facilities, which helps too.
IN PRODUCTION
So what goes into the production of Abus’
ranges? Naturally enough it all starts with
design. Using Computer Aided Design (CAD),
Abus’ engineers and designers start with a
virtual cube and whittle it down to the product
in question. It’s at this stage that the design of
the products are honed, with pre-testing
simulated on computers before any physical
product is created, which handily keeps costs
down. A 2D blueprint is automatically updated
as the designer supplies the finishing touches,
which is then used in the physical creation of
the product.
The pernickery design process takes into
account all manner of considerations, including
mould flow, pinpointing where the injection
point should be made to bolster the integrity
of the product. Physical testing is also a vital
part of the process, but more of that later.
When the product goes into production a
key consideration is hardening. Raw materials
musn’t be over-hardened and brittle, for
obvious reasons. The secret is, Abus say, to
treat the raw material correctly. Repeated,
controlled temperature changes – from
subjecting the material to high temperatures,
then cooled with liquid, then subjected to
higher temperatures before being cooled again
– toughens the material.
During this process, and throughout
production, dimensions are always tested to
ensure each product has no distortion. Test
tools created in-house are used at different
stages of production all with the aim, in the
words of the firm, ‘so our products last for
years and years’.
Machines (also created by Abus) bend,
punch holes in and generally shape the
BIKEBIZ.COM
materials, while teams of personnel shape put
the pieces together. Japanese-style product
islands are increasingly used at the firm for a
‘one-piece flow system’. Up to six people can
work in the flexible islands, while staff aren’t
stuck endlessly completing the same
repetitious work. After completion the products
are shifted off the Abus’ nearby warehouse for
distribution around the world.
Not to understate it too much, but the lock
part of the production process is pretty
important. Abus uses techniques and computer
generated combinations (around 2.5 million)
for combination locks and key locks. ‘Unreal
numbers’ – like 111112, 111113, etc – are
deleted automatically, while there are around
1.5 million key combinations, all logged and
reproducible for spares by the factory. It’s
proper locksmithery stuff, Abus tells BikeBiz.
TESTING, TESTING
But before those products go out into the wide
world, there is testing on an industry scale to
be done. Corrosion testing is one aspect, where
products are placed into a salty steam bath,
aggressively subjecting products to the
equivalent of long term real world conditions.
It’s essential stuff when one of your products
(for the boat market) is designed to be
submerged in sea water during its working life.
Other machines in the product torture
chamber, if you will, include the cold cutting
machine that saws into the metal without
affecting the temperature of the material, so it
can be tested correctly. As touched on earlier,
dimension testing is a key part of the process
too. Abus uses a vibration-free room, complete
with a sprung floor, where computer tech,
lasers and high definition cameras ensure the
product is dimensionally accurate.
Even impact testing and tests of how a lock
copes with a key inserted into it many many
times are carried out.
Locks are cut from solid
pieces of metal (above); A
huge range of POS is
available from the firm
(top left); Abus HQ
includes a museum
featuring locks from
yesteryear (top right)
Products that have made it this far have
still got to jump through the hoops. A
selection of products are taken from each
batch and then subjected to freezing,
sawing, stretching and twisting to see how
they hold up under the kind of force
nefarious types will subject them to when
they’re trying to steal bikes.
This final testing area has another aspect
– it was here that it was discovered that a
parabolic shaped U-lock was found to be
harder to car jack than a standard u lock.
Innovations discovered through testing,
have been filtered into the product range.
Once again, machines are used in testing
to ensure they’re fair. Having an employee
wielding a sledgehammer to test a lock may
seem like a stern test, but it is dependent
on the employee (and how much they had
for lunch), while a machine provides almost
perfectly reproducible tests, BikeBiz learns.
There are brutal ways (wire cutters, saws)
and intelligent ways (lock pickers, etc) to
hack locks, with brutal predictably the most
popular. Both are used in this ‘worst case
scenario’ testing arena. Locks are subjected
to tonnes of pulling pressure, deep freezing
(with Canada an important market for Abus,
how locks perform in serious chills is an
important focus), twisting (to simulate
crowbar attack) and more. Naturally BikeBiz
saw Abus products standing up to incredibly
rigorous testing during the factory visit, not
least from our own fair hand, and
experienced frustration when attacking the
products with huge cutting implements.
In fact, frustration is exactly what the
firm is hoping for. “We want the thief to get
frustrated and give up trying to saw or cut
the locks,” Rosler says.
To find out more, visit Zyro’s Show Day
on January 18th, at Rudding Park, Harrogate.
www.zyrob2b.co.uk/zyroshow.aspx
BIKEBIZ JANUARY 13
MYSTERY SHOPPER | CORBY AND KETTERING
SPONSORED BY
Rouleur Ltd publishes the acclaimed cycling magazines Rouleur and
Privateer. These are sold exclusively through subscription and IBDs only
Nerves of st
Famed for its former industrial
prowess, Corby is now perhaps
best known in the bike world
for its indoor skate park
occupying a former chickenprocessing factory. Mystery
Shopper journeyed to the
Midlands pre-Christmas, once
more seeking a women’s
bicycle to present on
December 25th…
The winner of Mystery Shopper will
receive Star Store Status and will win a
display, magazine and book bundle
from Rouleur Ltd – purveyors of
exceptional cycling literature
14 BIKEBIZ JANUARY
Wilco
Glovers Cycles
HARD TO miss with a large, well-placed store, the
bright-yellow Wilko wasn’t on Mystery Shopper’s
original hitlist, but as a motoring and cycling hybrid it’d
be rude not to check out this retailer’s skills in the
cycling department.
Early signs reminded me much of the poorer visits to
Halfords branches where staff are barricaded behind the
counters. Approaching the till area, staff did seem
reluctant to come from behind the counter to assist, but
one eventually did.
Unfortunately, the assistant wasn’t really able to
engage me in the bikes on display, offering very little
more than your average first time buyer’s basic
knowledge of a bike.
Conversation stalled many times as one word
answers to my queries became the norm and it quickly
became apparent that some key knowledge needed to
sell a bike well was missing. Mystery Shopper suspects
the assistant may have been more into the car side of
business than cycling.
THE EXTERIOR may not have been as bright and eye
catching here as the Wilco store just down the road, but
the cheery assistant more than made up for this with a
hearty welcome. Observing the elderly staffer serve a
prior customer, the assistant rattled off good knowledge
on specific tyre sizes above and beyond your everyday
sale, showing depth of knowledge.
With a slightly more basic query, Mystery Shopper
didn’t feel as though he really tested the helper. It was
unfortunate that, with the mention of bikes on the shop
floor, the serving gentleman digressed in his sales pitch to
me, discussing in depth price hikes from suppliers and
other unrelated groans, which we can’t help but feel
would lose most customers.
Getting back on track a little and perhaps suspecting
the type of internet-savvy customer that might end up
making a purchase from an internet retailer, it was
recommended that I avoid buying online. The pitfalls of
doing so were demonstrated on a workshop bicycle
shaped object being tinkered with on the shop floor.
BIKEBIZ.COM
MYSTERY SHOPPER | CORBY AND KETTERING
SPONSORED BY
Rouleur Ltd publishes the acclaimed cycling magazines – Rouleur and Privateer. These are sold
exclusively through subscription and IBDs only. For information please contact: [email protected]
Cyclelife
THE SERVICE here was so good Mystery Shopper wonders
whether or not he may have been recognised. Such was
the level of personal care and attention, it almost seemed
over the top.
Giving the benefit of the doubt, the early signs were
strong, with a female assistant meeting me on entry.
Alongside another available staff member, the pair offered
me two ‘categories’ – practical or aesthetic – to satisfy
the needs of the person whom I was set to buy for.
Intrigued, I questioned the pair, who said that typically
young ladies buy on the looks of a bicycle, thus I’d be
best playing it safe with a reliable sit-up-and-beg style
bike, of which the female assistant herself was
considering purchasing. Reassuring to hear.
Should I choose a more practical ‘do-anything’ bike, the
pair concluded I’d best snap up a Marin. Citing the brand’s
aftercare package and general reliability, the store reassured me this would come into its own in warmer
weather and that should I want to modify, the shop could
change the tyres to make the bike a more comfortable
ride on road – free of charge with the bike’s purchase too.
eel?
C&D Cycles
Halfords
I WAS allowed to browse in C&D for a minute or two
before the assistant politely asked if I needed assistance.
To get the only criticism out of the way early, the aisles
in store were crowded and bikes needed to be moved
around for customers to pass freely. This, however, didn’t
hinder the assistant in leading me to a selection to choose
from, all while asking questions on budget and the height
of the rider set to be surprised with a bike come Christmas.
Explaining the difference between the high-end Pashley
in the window and Raleigh’s budget friendly Red or Dead
collaborations, the assistant didn’t force one option on me,
giving his customer a diverse range of choices.
Eventually we settled on a popular ProBike model,
which as the assistant put it, offered the style of the
Pashley, but at a more affordable price. He added to this
by telling me it was a best-seller with young ladies. Great
pre-Christmas sales pitch, so far.
This was furthered with emphasis on the bike’s comfort
features, but best of all, and a rarity on our travels, the
assistant detailed servicing and after-sales services that
his store can offer to ensure the longevity of the bike.
MYSTERY SHOPPER entered just as a number of staff
were going for lunch, leaving just the one sales assistant
manning the mezzanine level bicycle display.
This staffer tended to a prior customer, whom
Mystery Shopper observed be given sound and personal
advice on a lighting purchase, interspersed with chat
about local off-road routes.
Armed with the knowledge I was to be seen by who
was presumably a cyclist himself, I began to question
the helper about the ladies stock, largely separated from
the main bulk of bikes on show. Pulling an example from
the rack a little below the budget he’d asked of me, the
assistant mainly sold the bike on value for money
points, citing the included mudguards more than once.
Recommending a ‘guideline’ frame size for the height
of the rider, the helper stopped short of promising the
bike would be a perfect fit, but said it’d do the job.
The only obvious shortcoming of this sales pitch was
the mention of after-sales service and care packages
often quoted elsewhere in Halfords stores. Otherwise
this visit was above average for the chain.
BIKEBIZ.COM
Summary
PLENTY OF pros and cons to take from this visit. The
most obvious to me is what a difference a simple
welcome can make. C&D shone here, giving me a
minute or so to browse before coming from behind the
counter to politely ask if I could use assistance. It’s
surprising how often first impressions are neglected.
This particular visit to Halfords demonstrated how
one quality staff member beats ten mediocre
employees. While by no means perfect, the assistant
handled custom with grace and in good time.
Cyclelife had to come out on top, however, despite
suspicions that we may have been sussed.
BIKEBIZ JANUARY 15
BE SEEN...
(NOT SEEN OFF)
THE PACIFIER
THE DESTROYER
1200 LUMEN
1600 LUMEN
Kit Includes: Charger / Battery pack / Bar & Helmet mount
KIT:£129
THE ILLUMINATOR
450 LUMEN Front
£159
Kit Included
KIT: £89
THE ILLUMINATOR
450 LUMEN Rear
Some say that our lights are so bright that you can use it to direct international shipping into
port from 200 miles inland. Ok, that’s not quite true, but they are brilliantly bright with a simple
set up and best of all won’t burn your wallet in two. Three choices of bright LED light perfect for
making yourself visible on a winter commute or night time trail epics thanks to their lengthy run
times. No need to compromise.
www.nitelightsuk.com
[email protected] | 01803 752225
LIGHT: £79
Illuminator rear available
in kit £120 /Illuminator front
and rear kit £179
VISIT US AT THE BIKE PLACE SHOW:
January 26th to 27th – Harrogate Great Yorkshire Show Ground | January 29th to 30th – Silverstone Race Circuit
INDUSTRY OPINIONS | TRADE FORTUNE TELLERS
This confused looking
man isn’t a member of
the bike trade, but if he
was he might be
wondering whether this
is the year of the 29er...
2012 to challenge the status quo?
It’s January and nobody can really predict with any certainty what lies ahead. The economy remains in
a shaky condition, the Euro is on the brink of collapse, but is it really all doom and gloom in the
industry? Mark Sutton asks the bike trade for their thoughts on the year ahead…
RETAIL
PERSPECTIVES
“2012 is going to be a very exciting
year, it will be the year that separates
the men from the boys. For us it'll be
all about growing the business
internally by growing market share.
There is a lot of money out there, you
just have to give the customer reasons
to spend it and make it easy for them
to do so. Our biggest concern for 2012
is stock availability. If we can get it, we
will sell it.”
STEVE BASKERVILLE, REAL CYCLES
“We seem to be doing okay so far, but
speaking to reps and looking at other
companies we are expecting a tough
year for everyone.”
PETE AT CYCLE STORE,
CONGLETON
BIKEBIZ.COM
Keith Jones (right) says,
as cliche as it is, the
recession is better for
the bike business than
many trades...
“My prediction for 2012? I feel it’ll see the
closure of plenty of bike shops, for starters,
perhaps largely down to the discounting
practice that’s been strangling our margins for
so long. Further to that, I suspect it’ll bring
about tighter control of a distributor and
manufacturer’s margin too.
Personally, though, we’re looking forward to a
great 2012, as retail is only a small part of our
business. Offering hire and holiday to cyclists
gives us a boost given how many holidaymakers
are staying local at present.”
SPOKESPERSON, DALES BIKE CENTRE
“It is the most exciting time in 20 years in the
industry. The recession always seems to boost the
trade. It’s a cliché, but cycling really does seem
to be the new golf.” KEITH JONES,
WHEELIES DIRECTOR
BIKEBIZ JANUARY 17
INDUSTRY OPINIONS | TRADE FORTUNE TELLERS
Madison CEO
Dominic Langan says
that “whatever
happens, it won’t be
boring!”
DISTRIBUTION
PERSPECTIVES
"It is hard to gauge what 2012 will be like. On
one hand if we just look at our business and
our industry then we feel quietly confident, but
when you add the rest of the UK economy and
then the global economy you start to feel
more nervous. I believe the London 2012
Olympic games will have a positive impact on
the country. I believe as a nation we will be
proud of our staging of the games and I hope
this will raise consumer confidence.
We enter 2012 with currencies once again
looking unstable and for some product
categories, such as bikes, there remains much
greater inventory in warehouses than there is
demand in the market and this will continue to
have a negative impact on the retail value and
perceived value of bicycles in the UK.
With various new retail businesses now
Martin Astley and Ed Ibbetson
got their heads together and told
BikeBiz that Hotlines’ marketing
will go full throttle in 2012 to
further support retailers
18 BIKEBIZ JANUARY
entering the cycle market, others up for sale or
preparing to float, and some I am sure are
going through a challenging trading period,
there is likely to be some change in the make
up of the UK cycle market and an inevitable
further blurring of the lines between retailer
and supplier. All in all, it is going to be hard
work, but it is certainly not going to be
boring."
DOMINIC LANGAN, CEO, MADISON
“It’s fair to say that in general the UK has been a
little behind the rest of the world with the
wholesale adoption of bigger wheels. However,
2012 will see a large amount of coverage of
29ers in the press and it’s likely that this is going
to filter through to the public’s buying habits.
It’s exciting as it will be the first major re-shuffle
of the status quo for a long while. If the UK
follows the trend set by the rest of the world
then we could see some interesting shifts in the
market between lower-end suspension bikes and
mid-range 29er hardtails. Whatever happens,
the future of the larger wheels in the UK should
be fairly clear by the end of 2012. Hotlines are
carrying 29er bikes and frames from no less than
six brands, so regardless of the end user, we’ve a
29er designed specifically for them.
Concerns-wise, we’ve been lucky enough to
ride out most of the turmoil in the broader
economy over the past few years. While there
are genuine issues within the global economy
the happy fact is that people are still riding and
buying bikes. The key issue is that both IBD and
distribution network work together to ensure
that consumers continue to spend on cycling.
With this in mind, Hotlines will be pushing as
hard as ever on the marketing front with a focus
on product tests and the biggest spend to date
on advertising, sponsorship and demo events.
We’ll also be rolling out a number of eyecatching point-of-sale incentives to draw
customers into stores and facilitate sales
throughout 2012.”
MARTIN ASTLEY AND ED IBBETSON,
HOTLINES
With oodles of trade
wisdom to call on,
Cedric Chicken
believes now is the
time to upgrade IT
systems for a more
efficient business
“All things considered it hasn't been a bad
year. The trade has remained fairly upbeat in
spite of a few lulls that it could have done
without. Anybody big in clothing has
probably had a bit of a nightmare with such
weather variations.
Our advice to the trade has to be, rely on
your distributor. Look carefully at what is on
offer from their stock rather than making
forward commitments. There is that amount
of choice, you can always change brands.
We have seen a strong demand for key
brands and have substantially increased our
investment in stock for 2012.
What is more difficult for the likes of
most of us is keeping abreast of the neverending launch of new products. What a
wonderful business to be in. Continual
innovation, ever better products – we are so
fortunate as an industry. There is such a
good-natured willingness in the trade to
remain as resilient as ever. We have 2012 to
look forward to with all the good things
that will happen cycling-wise. There will be
good growth, providing we up our service
levels, offer more added value and make life
as easy as we can for the end user. Running
the business is getting more complicated, so
replacing systems and upgrading software is
an absolute necessity. Websites are playing
a more and more important role and need
to be refreshed and updated. There is more
competition in all sectors, more pressure on
margins. To successfully sell our bikes we
have introduced far better terms for
stockists, because, simply, we have to
compete.
It is easier to be positive about 2012
than negative, in spite of what is going on
outside the bike game. There is the London
bike show at Excel for starters. This is really
worth a visit. The Fixie market is here to
stay, cyclo-cross riding is attracting a larger
number of riders, there is another electronic
group set and more new computers.
Monolink seat post/saddles may be pointing
to a new era in an increasingly hi-tech bike
market. Given that wheels are arguably the
most important part of a bike, it is no
wonder that the market is awash with
newcomers.
Then we have the Core Bike Show – the
seventh if I am not wrong. How refreshing
that our trade show has lasted so long. If
you haven't visited it, it's really worthwhile,
with a lot of extra new exhibitors at
Whittlebury Hall.”
CEDRIC CHICKEN, DIRECTOR,
CHICKEN CYCLEKIT
BIKEBIZ.COM
BRAND SPOTLIGHT | FREEGO ELECTRIC BIKES
FreeGo claims to
overcome cash flow
barriers preventing
many dealers dipping
a toe into the market
Free-ing up e-bike sales
FreeGo managing director John Heath tells Jonathon Harker how the electric bike firm is hoping to take
the fear over stocking e-bikes away, with a new stocking scheme for retailers…
THE HOLY GRAIL for the electric bikes market is,
of course, getting the UK consumer to love ebikes to the same degree as consumers in
Northern Europe, where they are very big
business indeed. Whether the trade should be
trying to convert existing cyclists or go after a
completely different market altogether is up for
discussion, but one thing is for sure, there are
some retailers who remain cagey about stepping
into the electric bike market.
But just because the e-bike sector hasn’t (yet)
reproduced that Holy Grail of umpteen sales as
in the likes of Germany and the Netherlands, it
doesn’t mean it’s not a lucrative sector to be
involved in.
Which is where FreeGo comes in. The forward
thinking brand has brought a new offer to the
table, minimising the risk to retailers.
According to the firm, its Retail Demonstrator
Plan for 2012 “overcomes any cash flow issues
that are preventing outlets joining this rapidly
growing market”.
In a nutshell, for under £200 a month, a retail
outlet can hold sufficient FreeGo Demonstrator
Electric Bikes to enable them to represent the
brand and sell from, including personalised POS
material.
“There are no negative cash flow implications
with FreeGo whatsoever. There are no onerous
stocking requirements, as the stock is held by
FreeGo. Delivery for sold units is guaranteed for
the next day.”
According to the firm, this unlocks the
potential of a whole new group of customers
who would never visit a cycle shop. But it isn’t
the only trick up FreeGo’s sleeve. Finance plans
and a unique first year bike exchange programme
in the event of a malfunction are also part of
FreeGo’s offering. Training (technical and sales)
and promotion assistance are some of the more
traditional types of support the brand offers too,
20 BIKEBIZ JANUARY
which is on a national recruitment drive: “FreeGo
is currently looking for outlets who, like us, are
committed to customer satisfaction, can share
the same vision as FreeGo and of course want to
enjoy the very good margins that we have on
FreeGo Electric Bikes.”
BikeBiz speaks to managing director and
founder John Heath to find out more about the
FreeGo’s offering...
“The age
range of
Freego
buyers is
around 30 to
91, so the
market is only
limited by
one’s
imagination.”
Can you give us some background to the
brand?
FreeGo Electric Bikes is the culmination of four
years intensive research into the emerging
electric bike industry. Having watched this
market grow from its embryonic beginnings, it
became apparent that there were several key
issues which stopped people purchasing these
kind of bikes.
Most importantly was the reliability factor;
having spoken with many independent bike
shops, the biggest criticism was after sales,
repairs and availability of spare parts; this
culminated in a customer’s electric bike being off
the road for far too long. In many cases the bike
shops ended up reimbursing their customers
with a full refund, which is clearly an
unacceptable situation.
FreeGo Electric Bikes only sell their bikes
through carefully selected outlets, ones that can
offer an after sales service which is industry
leading. They do not, nor ever will, sell directly to
the public, delivering bikes in boxes.
To underpin the message of quality and
reliability all FreeGo bikes come with an industry
leading, unique warranty.
If during the first year of ownership a Freego
bike malfunctions and cannot be repaired within
five working days, a new bike will be given to the
customer, with no cost whatsoever, either to the
shop or the customer.
This has given the FreeGo range of bikes huge
credibility within this rapidly growing market
place. Indeed it’s a measure of the confidence
that we have in our products.
What demographic are your bikes pitched at?
All FreeGo Bikes look stunning and come in
many different colours, including Pink
Champagne. The age range of FreeGo bikes users
is between 30 and 91 (being the oldest
customer) and many are purchased through
cycle to work schemes, for motorhome and
caravan owners, leisure and bike hire companies...
in fact, the market is only limited by one’s
imagination.
Do you export to any other countries?
FreeGo are currently selling in the UK, but
January 2012 sees the first shipment to Australia,
which it is hoped will be the start of many. It is
the intention of the directors to expand overseas,
but only when a suitable outlet is found.
How many dealers have you got in Britain?
2012 will see the dealer network grow to around
150, giving us representation in most areas of
the UK. “It’s important for our customers to
know that they are not very far from a FreeGo
Outlet. With the new Dealer lease package, the
FreeGo range can be represented for under £200
per month, again another industry first. When it
comes to looking after our outlets and our
customers nobody in the market does it better
than FreeGo.
How can dealers get in touch?
To be part of the team that are going places in
our rapidly expanding market, contact
[email protected] or
[email protected] or contact 0800
077 8711
BIKEBIZ.COM
100’s Brands
22 Distributors
4 Days
2 Locations
1 Show
The cycle trade show brought to you by
the reps for the benefit of the dealers
HARROGATE
Pavilions of Harrogate
26th Jan 2012 - 11am - 7.30pm 27th Jan 2012 - 10am - 5pm
SILVERSTONE
Silverstone Circuit Wing
29th Jan 2012 - 9.30am - 6pm 30th Jan 2012 - 9.30am - 5pm
7FMP#SBOETŭ.BHVSBŭ,POBŭ&WPMVUJPO*.10354
)BWFOŭ(SJU4DPPUFSTŭ"YFM*.10354ŭ#VSHUFD
5BCMFUPQ%*453*#65*0/ŭ7FMPDJUFŭ3FEDMPVE."3,&5*/(
+VOHMF130%6$54ŭ0SBOHF#*,&4ŭYŭ8JMEPPŭ4VSG4BMFT
,PHBŭ*OTQJSFE#*$:$-&4ŭ*OEFQFOEFOUŭ,$/$ŭ5,$ŭ7BVEF
For more information & to register online
check out the website at
www.thebikeplaceshow.co.uk
or contact any of the distributors shown
COME VISIT US AT
FROM 29TH - 31ST JANUARY 2012
For more information check out www.hotlines-uk.com, Or contact us at, [email protected] I Tel: 0131 319 1444
INTERVIEW | WHEELIES
Wheelie good service
Service, service, service. Did we mention service? There is nothing more important for the insurance
business, says Wheelies director Keith Jones. Jonathon Harker heads to Swansea to find out more…
“When we started out we
found customer’s
insurance money was
ending up being spent
elsewhere – and leaving
the bike trade.”
Keith Jones
Workshop staff are
Cytech trained
BIKEBIZ.COM
THERE ARE two sides to every story, and that’s
never truer than in the cut and thrust of a
competitive business like the bicycle trade.
To some independent retailers, facing stiff
competition from rivals that appear to have
cornered a particular piece of the bike market is
cause for concern. But for those have been
doing the aforementioned cornering of the
market, it’s been a hard fought battle to get to
where they are and achieve that success.
Wheelies is certainly one company that has
built an increasingly successful business, as an
insurance replacement provider and significant
online retailer for the cycling industry. However,
it’s worth remembering that the firm started
from humble beginnings as a bike shop in
Swansea, South Wales.
Wheelies director Keith Jones opened that
store back in 1982 with his brother. So how did
a shop owner come to be where Wheelies is
now?
Jones tells BikeBiz: “When we started out we
found that when it came to insurance, bike
shops were giving out lots of replacement bike
quotes to customers, but there was actually
very few numbers of customers coming back to
buy bikes with their insurance money.
“That insurance money was, more often than
not, being spent on credit cards or what have
you, rather than on bikes. That money was
leaving the bike trade.”
All of which presented a business
opportunity for Wheelies, as well as chance to
keep that money within the bike trade.
BIKEBIZ JANUARY 23
INTERVIEW | WHEELIES
The insurance replacement aspect is just one
facet of the Wheelies business. Alongside
Wheelbase is cycle to work provider Cycle
Solutions, as well as cycle retailer Treadz, with
physical shops – in Swansea and Cardiff – and a
highly significant internet presence.
The three businesses employ around 170
staff, included Cytech-trained mechanics
(Wheelbase is 21st on the Cytech top shop list).
“We’ve seen a 20 per cent increase in
number of staff in our businesses in the last
two years,” Jones reveals.
The family-owned business has taken its
commitment to that growing staff base
seriously, achieving the Investors in People
Awards and the Positive Action Award, as well
as the ISO 9001 Award.
PREMIUM MARKET
The insurance replacement business is a highly
regulated industry. In fact it’s probably a bit of a
mystery to many in the bike trade, not least to
BikeBiz. The Wheelbase boss explains that
service is key.
“It’s all about people getting what they’re
entitled to and the insurance firms want the
replacement to be like-for-like on the original
bike – to be as near as possible to before the
claim,” said Jones.
“Wheelbase is a service, if you like, for the
insurance trade. We have a 24-hour helpline
and five people in our customer care team.
“And we’re trying our best to provide a
quality service. It’s in our own interests and it
wouldn’t make sense not to be. If we mess up,
we lose custom.
“Insurance companies want the level of
service. They want their customers to receive
their replacement bikes quickly.
“The whole insurance industry is founded on
honesty – on who puts the claim in.”
Jones sheds light on how the claims process
works, and how Wheelies fits in:
“We receive details of the claim from the
insurance company and that can be via fax or
24 BIKEBIZ JANUARY
by email, depending on the company. We then
follow up on the claim within an hour of
receiving it, which is faster than any insurance
company requires us to be. That’s an internal
deadline. Insurance companies actually only
want us to follow up with the customer within
three or so hours.
“Our validation team contacts the customer
and establishes the details, then we quote to
the insurance company. After that, the
completion team takes over and makes sure
there’s a speedy turnaround time to deliver the
replacement bike into the hands of the
customer, via our Cytech-trained workshop
staff.
“We can validate a query quickly and it’s all
about the quality of the validation and calls, so
we offer plenty of training for staff, including
NVQs.”
According to the firm the vast majority –
around 99 per cent – of replacements are for
stolen bikes, with only a comparative few down
to damages.
“It’s only a very slim percentage that try to
cheat the system,” Jones advises.
As a one-stop-shop for insurance companies,
Wheelies is attractive to work with. Dealing
with individual claims, issuing cheques that take
many working days to clear and ensuring the
claimant really is receiving like-for-like
replacement goods make this kind of operation
ever more attractive for insurance firms. As is
ensuring that the bike replacement cash stays
within the cycle industry.
“It can all be done with one call to us.”
Plus Wheelies provides insurance companies
with the all-important auditing trail.
“Auditing is hugely important to the
insurance companies. It’s a serious business and
we get audited all the time, about 20 times a
year – though not by the same insurance
company!”
Some insurers audit the firm three or four
times a year, while others opt for longer breaks
between checks – around 18 months.
Wheelies are audited
around 20 times per
year by various insurers
“Those checks keep us on our toes.
“It’s not just bikes – it’s for all commodities
in the insurance world.
“We looks after it all responsibly. We don’t
chuck bikes out of the door. We’re committed
to the trade and that’s in our own interests.”
ANY OTHER BUSINESS?
But it’s not just about insurance replacement.
The cycle to work side – represented by C2W
Alliance member Cycle Solutions – is a key part
of the firm too. Jones admits that cycle to work
had slowed: “But we’re catching up now the
VAT issue has been resolved. As a trade we’re
maybe up. Now those internal problems are
out of the way, it’s up to us in the trade to
push the positives and not emphasise the
negatives with cycle to work.”
Jones says C2W has been a key driver for the
industry over the years and acknowledges
some companies have helped drive it. He says:
“Cyclescheme, fair play to them, they’ve done
incredibly well.”
Road bikes in the cycle to work price bracket
have remained popular again in 2011, says
Jones. “The road bikes, from £500 to £1,000
have done great. Once it was mountain bike
market, but now road is far dominant and to be
honest it’s usually a lot more appropriate to
what the customer is going to use the bike for.”
The business has found road bikes for ladies
are increasingly popular too, as are clothing and
accessories for females. “It used to be a case
of
Zyro
‘pinking and shrinking’ the bikes, but now it’s a
big part in itself. We’re still not serving the
ladies bike market as much as we should be as
an industry.”
Currently Wheelies is undergoing a
rebranding to freshen up its images as well as
expanding its site in Swansea.
“It is the most exciting time in 20 years in
the industry. The recession always seems to
boost the trade. It’s a cliché, but cycling really
does seem to be the new golf.”
www.wheelies.co.uk
BIKEBIZ.COM
cc
29-31st January
SEE US AT THE 2012 CORE BIKE SHOW
Check out our huge range of parts & accessories from over twenty brands in rooms - Monza, S6, S11.
AVANTI BIKES 2012 LAUNCH
RETAIL FOCUS | ONLINE MARKETPLACES
The online
marketplace
Online cycle marketplaces are more than
just ‘eBay for bikes’. Jonathon Harker
speaks to four of the best-known players
in the sector about how they work with
the trade to provide a new option for
bicycle retailers…
SAVVY BICYCLE retailers have a number of
means at their disposal to retail goods besides
their physical stores.
Online is perhaps the best known of these,
with the huge benefit of extending your
customer base, but setting up your own online
shop may be daunting for some. And what
about those that have a bricks and mortar
store and an online shop, but are looking for
another option to reach out to customers?
How about marketplaces like eBay then?
Too generic and vast? Four of the UK’s bestknown bicycle market-specific online
marketplaces think so. And there’s more to
them than selling stock too. Some can cater to
the holidays and services market and even
trade-ins. Intrigued?
‘BETTER THAN EBAY’
Let’s start with the basics. What do these bikefocused sites have over other auction sites and
marketplaces?
“eBay is just too generic,” says Linds of the
Gorilla Firm. “If you’re selling an amazing bike
worth over £1,000 you can’t have any
confidence in it being seen by the right people.
A search in eBay for ‘road bike’ turns up
anything from mudgards to car number plates.
BIKEBIZ.COM
Selling a £400 bike via
BikeSoup will cost a
flat sum of £7.50...
“By using The Gorilla Firm, you’re appealing
to a market that already understands bikes and
is much more likely to understand the value of
what you’re selling. You put your item for sale
in exactly the right location so it’s easy to find
and also keeps the buying process clean and
simple. You ask for a price, and the buyer either
pays it, or they don’t. Simple, and all without
the fannying about of auctions, ‘buy it now’,
reserves, not to mention the ridiculous fees.”
Antony Auty, MD of Bikesoup, also picks out
prohibitive costs as a reason to avoid generic
auction sites: “eBay is a very expensive way to
sell a bicycle. Once PayPal fees have been
added to the ‘Final Value Fee’ it will cost nearly
15 per cent of the selling price. Selling a £400
bike will cost between £55 and £60 if the buyer
pays with PayPal. Selling a £400 bike on
Bikesoup.co.uk will cost a flat charge of £7.50.”
Cost was a driver for Bicycles for Sale too:
“We are a lot cheaper than generic auction
sites. We charge from £25 per month to list an
unlimited amount of bikes, along with a
company profile and images. Secondly, we have
spent a lot of time and effort to rank highly on
search engines.
“One of the main reasons we started
Bicycles for Sale, was to help the small retailers
get heard. They can sometimes become lost
among all the big bicycle retailers. They have
either not a large enough marketing budget or
have never in the past been given the
opportunity to explore different avenues.”
Going Going Bike believes that dedication to
the bike market is where the sites win out over
generic sites like eBay: ”We’ve got better
knowledge of bikes, more relevant content,
dedicated functionality and personal service
from fellow cyclists. We’re not a faceless
corporation – we’re five guys dedicated to
BIKEBIZ JANUARY 27
RETAIL FOCUS | ONLINE MARKETPLACES
Each site mentioned
here works with bicycle
retailers to assist sales
making this happen and if you’ve got a problem
we’re just an email or phone call away.”
The Gorilla Firm, which eschews the auction
model, added: “There’s also a notion that
placing an advert for a high-value item on
eBay immediately diminishes its value. There
are many buyers out there so desperate for an
‘eBay bargain’ that your bike is not as likely to
reach its asking price, let alone its reserve
price.”
Bikesoup has forged links with the ACT to
access the trade. MD Auty tells BikeBiz: “We
offer all dealers two months free advertising
and the success of Bikesoup is built around
positive engagement with bike retailers,
understanding their needs and tailoring our
website. As official ACT partner all dealer stock
on Bikesoup is fully integrated with The Cycling
Experts and accessed by circa four million users
per annum via a number of well-known sites.”
TALKING TO THE TRADE
Each of the sites interviewed by BikeBiz see the
involvement of the trade as key factors in the
success of their sites – and in turn feel they can
offer retailers a service unavailable elsewhere.
The Gorilla Firm said: “We advertise to the
trade and are building relationships with many
retailers, particularly to support the smaller
independent shops and workshops. A number
in our area have recently closed and it’s a great
shame. We want these shops to use our site to
showcase their deals, clear their ex-demo stock
and keep the cash flowing.”
It’s a similar situation for Going Going Bike:
“We are talking to and being contacted by
retailers all the time. We’re always looking for
retailers, distributors and independent brands
that we can build relationships with.”
ECOMMERCE-PLUS
The online marketplace sites also provide
dealers with another tool to encourage a sale,
according to the Gorilla Firm.
“We got really great feedback at our stand
at the Cycle Show this year from shop-owners
who all loved the idea that they could use us
not only to sell their own stuff, but to give
their customers a more positive reply to the
question ‘Can I trade this in?’
Instead of answering with the usual ‘No’,
they can now give a useful message to
customers looking to upgrade – buy this bike,
and you can sell your old one with The Gorilla
Firm, to people who know the value of what
they’re buying.”
“If a shop has great deals then it’s fantastic to
have them on the site, but we are not a price
28 BIKEBIZ JANUARY
comparison site. We want businesses to show
their offers and get sales.”
Going Going Bike has found the trade
response encouraging: “We never imagined
that so many different players in the
industry would be interested in what we’re
doing. We have new retailers coming on
board all the time and we’ve got to work on
exciting projects with great people like
Team Sky, Sky Ride and Brompton.”
Bicycles for Sale, the newest of the
marketplace sites, added: “We have had a
very positive response, but being the new
kids on the block it takes a lot of hard work
to gain credibility and their trust... We have
found some retailers have their set way of
advertising which do generate sales and so
why would you change something that is
working OK? It is these retailers who we are
trying to make aware of BFS and the greater
opportunities our website will provide for a
competitive fee.”
Antony Auty, MD, Bikesoup added: “The
trade has responded to our strategy by
delivering a comprehensive inventory of
consistently high quality bikes. Our focus is
on working with quality retailers who
accept that they need to get their product
as visible as possible to attract new
customers and generate sales from outside
their existing customer base. We currently
“Instead of saying ‘no’ to
customers asking to
trade their bike in,
retailers can direct them
to sell their old bike on
The Gorilla Site.”
have nearly 100 dealers who have
subscribed to use Bikesoup and they benefit
from low cost local and national
advertising. Our research suggests that
many dealers are baffled by the number of
online advertising options being offered to
them – we aim to simplify that situation.”
And it’s not just about selling bikes
either, the Gorilla Firm explains: “Given that
we only launched in May of this year, our
traffic and uptake has been superb. We think
that this is also due to the diversity of what
we offer in that you can also use us to find
Bike Doctors in your local area, holiday
venues in the UK and abroad, clothing,
accessories and more whilst keeping the
focus on bikes, snow and surf.”
BIKEBIZ SPOKE TO:
The Gorilla Firm:
thegorillafirm.com/bikes
Going Going Bike:
goinggoingbike.com
Bikesoup:
bikesoup.co.uk
Bicycles for Sale:
bicyclesforsale.uk.com
BIKEBIZ.COM
Whatever you would need to enjoy your
ride more, BBB has high quality product
and excellent value for money. From helmets that are good enough to be worn by the
pro riders from teams that compete in the Tour
de France to our test-winning DiscStop brake
pads, there’s something for everybody.
That’s why we feel we can say BBB is All About Cycling.
www.bbbcycling.com
Since 1954, Colnago has been defining
the cutting edge of road racing technology;
from classics such as the Master to modern
milestones like the C59 and M10.
Colnago was the first manufacturer to take full
advantage of the possibilities offered by exotic materials such as carbon fibre. Together with Ferrari and
the Politecnico di Milano they created the Concept and
the C35, the forerunners of today’s C59 and M10.
www.colnago.com
Full Speed Ahead produces world class
products for cyclists all over the world.
As the prime supplier for several Pro Tour
teams, Full Speed Ahead is deeply involved in
research and development of products at the
highest level of competition, resulting in worldleading products such as the K-Force range.
www.fullspeedahead.com
At Marzocchi we’re passionate about
bikes. Since 1949, every mountain bike or
motor bike product we have built has come
from our desire to design the most sophisticated, high tech suspension products for the ultimate riding experience.
All Marzocchi’s aftermarket products backed up with
an industry leading 3 year, no-nonsense warranty.
www.marzocchi.com
WE’RE ALSO EXHIBITING
Disc brake solutions for
every need.
To register for the Core Bike show visit www.corebike.co.uk
High quality, affordable
tools for cycling
enthusiasts.
Lightweight, armoured,
compression-less bicycle
cables from the future.
For more information on Windwave’s products please visit www.windwave.co.uk
CORE BIKE 2012 GUIDE
Your guide to
Core Bike
2012
Read on for a taste
of the vast swathes
of bike product you
can expect to see at
Core Bike
Seven pages (we counted ‘em) of previews, news, seminars,
maps and assorted essential info for the biggest trade-only
Core Bike show yet! Jonathon Harker crams it all in…
30 BIKEBIZ JANUARY
BIKEBIZ.COM
CORE BIKE 2012 GUIDE
2PURE
THE 'TUTTO' is Pedro's multi evolver
chain tool, pitched as a shop quality tool
designed to improve upon the
performance of current chain tools, and
offer 11 speed compatibility. With several
patent pending features, the Tutto will
replace several of the tools in the box and
offer a more precise and reliable
assembly, retailing
at £89.99.
Tasters of all
the new Clif
Shot Electrolyte
Gels will be on
offer at Core. The
all new gels
combine two
carb sources
that work
together
efficiently –
maltodextrin
and evaporated
cane juice – to
deliver energy to the
bloodstream in five minutes or less.
SILVERFISH
They’re available in four flavours: Citrus,
Razz®, Chocolate and Double Expresso favourite of Ironman Chris McCormack.
Also, Clif shot energy gels feature the
patented Litter Leash to keep the torn-off
tops from littering trails and roads. Price
per gel is £1.29.
Also up from 2pure is Crankbrother’s
redesigned for 2012
Mallet 3 DH pedal.
Featuring a twopiece aluminium
and polycarbonate
body, there has
been a 50 per cent
increase in spindle
strength and the
spring is ten times
more durable than
before (£99.99
RRP).
The Ibis Mojo SLR light trail bike will
make its UK debut at
Core while POC – new to
2pure – will show off its Trabec helmet.
CHICKEN CYCLEKIT
THERE ARE good margins in place for Jet
Black bike trainers, Chicken says, with a
five per cent discount for an assorted five
models. The discounts on the wider 2012
range of sunglasses are worth a look too,
the firm tells BikeBiz.
MTB wheels are now part of a
competitive wheel selection with new
quantity discounts, with plenty of useful
items in the Italian-made Miche range.
Meanwhile the 2012 Campagnolo
range includes new black/red carbon 11x
components, an upgraded entry-level
Veloce group, Cyclo Cross and TT specific
parts including canti- and bar-end levers.
The new high profile Bullet range of
clincher and tubular models includes a
standard 50mm model and an 80mm
profile also available from stock in spring.
Dedacciai Elementi hardware includes
the Bandito integral bar and new seat
posts. Cinelli’s Ram 3, updated Giro
d’Italia, Criterium and A1 join a number
of new track/fixie bars and stems. The
up-and-coming Las helmet brand has the
BIKEBIZ.COM
modestly priced Kripton 10 at just £57.99
with elements of the more expensive
Italian produced Victory, Anubi, Istrion
and Squalo models which are literally fitand-go and are now sold on reputation.
Weight-phobics will be pleased to find
‘the lightest spoke ever made’ debuting –
the Sapim CX-Super, while Klaus Greuter
will explain the benefits of building with
Sapim. A Test Saddle programme that
includes the entirely new slimmer shape
SLR range and the Money Back Guarantee
are set to help sell more expensive
models. Vittoria has widened its range of
tubulars and reflective Randonneur tyres
and introduced the Geax off-road brand
via Chicken Cycle-Kit for the first time.
Nalini and Moa clothing, worn by the
likes of Mark Cavendish, will bring their
Pro Tour replicas, as well as Bianchi
Milano strip, covering jerseys, shorts,
tights, socks, caps and mitts. Customised
versions are available to dealers. Chicken
is a priority customer with Nalini and can
fix up supplies efficiently and quickly.
FIRST UP there’s the news that Silverfish
UK has moved rooms for the 2012 show.
Dealers will now be able to find the firm
to the left of the reception in the Bentley
Suite. That is where the Cove Complete
bikes 2012 launch will take place, with
models on offer including Sanchez,
Handjob, Hustler, Stiffee and G-Spot.
EVOC’s luggage and pack market sees
new colours, packs
and tweaks
across the range
in 2012. The
Bike Travel Bag
has won
multiple tests
and reviews and
now has the
ability to accept
a 29-inch
wheel. It will be
on show with
travel luggage
and packs like
the new compact 6L
backpack and FR Enduro pack at Core.
The 2012 Yeti range will be on hand to
view including SB-95 Yeti’s first full
suspension 29er to hit the market. Any
IBDs are welcome to discuss dealerships
and growing the brand in the UK.
e*thirteen has introduced a Wheel
Programme, divided up into four models
all of which feature Scandium rims, DT
Swiss Super Comp spokes, Prolock nipples
and are tubeless ready.
Formula has introduced the Oval
piston brake system, the new RO. With
oval rather than the traditional round
pistons to increase the braking contact
area, the brand has given the brake a
boost in power and performance without
the addition of
extra material.
Dealers can also
see Turner Bikes’
complete bikes
and range
improvements. All
trail and XC
frames now
feature a
142x12mm rear
axle for increased
stiffness and
rigidity, while
upfront the 44mm
headtube now
features across the range. An updated
downtube was crafted onto the Sultan
and 5-Spot frames along with ISCG 05
mounts giving the ability to accept
piggyback shocks as well as chain
retention systems. Core Bike will also be
the UK debut for a new range of
complete Turner Bikes.
HOTLINES
LAPIERRE’S ALL-MOUNTAIN Zesty 314
has been updated for 2012, with a new
suspension platform (OST+). The sweetly
named Ragley Piglet X7 is the baby
brother of the Blue Pig, designed with the
same kind of ‘trail hooliganism’ as the
Blue Pig but designed to take a 120mm
fork. Core will also see show special
stock-in offers on Ragley for 2012.
The Lynskey Sportive is pitched as
ideal for Gran Fondos, cycle sportives
racing and Rangoneering, with curved
seat stays designed specifically for
medium to long endurance road riding.
NS Bikes’ Metropolis 1 is a dedicated dirt
jumping bike. Exclusive show offers will
be available and Sam Pilgrim will attend
the Hotlines stand on Tuesday. Hayes’
Prime Pro hydraulic disc brakes will be at
Core, as will Nuke Proof and its brand
new Critical Knee and Elbow pads.
Sombrio’s Wingman Jacket sports an
EPIK fit, combined with a lightweight,
water resistant S-Tek 1 series
windbreaker, while all orders of Spank
Spike pedals will have a show offer.
One Ten’s Primo Bib Short sports an
entry-level price tag but with a high-end
performance, says Hotlines, while
Cratoni’s C-Flash MTB Helmet is a sporty
all-rounder, with 19 big air vents and
offers at Core. More of which can be
found on Gaerne G Coste Reflex shoes,
Manitou’s new flagship Marvel Pro allMTB fork and Answer’s ProTaper 720 Am
Carbon Bar. There’s also special pricing on
Sun Ringle’s Charger Pro all-MTB wheel
and WTB’s Bronson AM TCS tyre.
BIKEBIZ JANUARY 31
CORE BIKE 2012 GUIDE
CITRUS-LIME
AT CORE Bike
2012 Citrus-Lime
will be providing
demonstrations
of its full ‘Clicks
and Mortar’
solution in Room S7 at Whittlebury Hall.
Citrus-Lime currently supplies a
sizeable estate of retailers with
ecommerce, EPOS and stock-control
solutions – around 60 cycle retailers and
20 outdoor retailers now use Citrus-Lime
systems. The firm says those systems
have been designed to give retailers the
competitive advantage and the
infrastructure on which to build ever
more successful retail businesses.
The firm says: “Our EPOS solutions are
flexible, feature rich and can scale from
single store/single till operation to
multiple sites with many lanes; all are
based around Microsoft Dynamics Retail
Management System & Microsoft
Dynamics POS 2009. Citrus-Lime’s
ecommerce system, Citrus-Store, links
fully with our Microsoft Epos based in-
ISON
store till and
integrated
stock control
systems.
Citrus-Lime
provides a full
range of hardware, support, training and
modular software solutions to enable
retailers to streamline their multi-channel
business with a versatile and integrated
solution.”
Stores using the brand range from
internationally recognised brands such as
Chain Reaction and the Giant UK store
franchise, to small and mid-size
independent Retailers and chains.
“The Citrus-Lime team pride
themselves on the quality of service and
the standard of solutions that they
provide for our clients. We are a strong
blend of creative, technical and
commercially focussed brains that pull
together to ensure that our clients have
the best opportunity for success. To find
out more, contact us on 0845 603 9254
or visit citrus-retail.com.
EXTRA
2012 WILL SEE the John Boultbee label
mark a new course in the footsteps of the
Brooks founder John Boultbee Brooks and
the introduction of the Criterion Jacket.
Bearing his name and carrying the Brooks
heritage, the Criterion Jacket is designed
in London by Timothy
Everest, bespoke
tailor and keen
cyclist.
32 BIKEBIZ JANUARY
The Criterion discreetly meets the
demands of contemporary cyclists, they
say, being made of Ventile, a waterproof
and windproof woven textile, combined
with an inner lining of Fox Brothers
Tweed and all handmade in London.
The innovative Topeak brand will be
bringing new and updated cycle
accessory products to Core, while
Easton’s technically advanced will
feature highly too. Now with a range
of MTB wheels – including the
Carbon EC90XC. Cane Creek,
meanwhile, will unveil the
Double Barrel Air Shock –
the latest step of its
Double Barrel
launched a few years
ago. The Air Shock is
pitched as the
ultimate upgrade
for all mountain
and long travel XC
bikes, with the
adjustability of
the bigger coil
shock in a
lighter, sleeker
version.
Don’t forget
Extra and all of
its brands will be
in the Aston’s
room at
Whittlebury Hall
for the first time
at this year’s Core
Bike Show.
UCI WORLD
DH champion
Danny Hart will be
appearing at Core with
Ison, which will be celebrating
two decades of supplying the
bike trade this year. Birthday presents
will see promo gifts coming the way of
dealers, festooned with the 20 years logo.
In the Indianapolis and Imola rooms Ison
will showcase TSG’s 2012 helmets,
including the new XC/Trail helmet, the
Substance.
Halo has several new rims, hubs and
wheels, with an expanded road offering,
new Mercury wheels in anodized colours
as well as deep section carbon clinchers.
KHE bikes’ 2012 range features great
specs and very good pricepoints, Ison
says, with a pro rider roster.
Other highlights include the Identiti
Krisis MX range of BMX race frames,
featuring unique features like Taper Lock
dropouts and Twin Box seatstays. To
compliment these frames Halo and
Gusset are producing race specific wheels
and parts. The brand new lightweight
CNC-machined Gusset Nitro pedals with
unique ‘Maz’ pins will be on show, as will
SP Dyno hub – a new brand for Ison,
featuring reportedly the world’s smallest
and lightest hub dynamo.
The expanded Society fork range sees
the introduction of new models for AllMountain, XC, Trail and 29er bikes. The
new Renthal Integra direct
mount DH stem will feature, as will TSG’s
helmets with an expanded catalogue.
Sturmey Archer debuted last year with
Ison and has a new S2 Kickback hub to
quickly convert a fixed gear into a twospeed freewheel urban bike using the
same single chain without having to
install cables and levers. Representatives
from Schwalbe, Fibrax and Weldtite will
be on hand, with the latter bringing TF2
Performance, a new all-weather lubricant
with Teflon available in 100ml, with one
and five litre refills for workshops. A
Weldtite Dirtwash one litre bike cleaner
offer will also be available, as will a range
of Workshop Aprons, sporting specially
designed pockets and split front for ease
of use. Weldtite is also introducing
Wedge Bags containing a red devil repair
kit and tyre inflator and EZY Tech levers,
but still with enough room to carry cash,
keys etc that everyone needs while they
are riding. MRP, White Brothers, ODI grips,
Dia Compe, Sunrace are just some of the
other quality brands that will be on show
alongside new bikes from Surly, Salsa, All
City and Civia.
CORDEE
BACK AT CORE for a third year, Cordee
stocks a whopping 500 books and maps
covering the full gamut of cycling
disciplines and more, from mountain
biking road racing, triathlon, training,
racing history, special interest and
narrative. It’s been in the business for four
decades and sources titles from
publishers big and small from across the
world. Some of the key books Cordee will
be showing off at Core include some of
the biggest releases of the year in the
cycle book world, including Racing
through the Dark by David Millar, Italian
Racing Bicycles and Mountain High to
name but a few.
Italian Racing Bicycles is particularly
worthy of note, says Cordee, as it brings
together all the Italian brands together in
one place for the first time.
For the mud junkies, last year’s best
seller has been the Good Mountain Bike
guide. Covering the entire country, split
by region, this book covers 500 areas
across England and Wales and includes all
the usual information with regard to
facilities nearby and on route. It also
features handy 1:50 000 Ordnance
Survey mapping.
Aside from books, Cordee’s map
offering is considerable too and there’s a
show-only offer put on by Cordee and
Ordnance Survey – an extra five per cent
off map orders will be provided on oders
placed at the show. Also available are
numerous maps from Sustrans
documenting the long distance cycle
routes around the UK.
The Cordee team is ready to chat with
Core dealers about the possibility of
adding books to their current product
range, and they can be found in S10.
BIKEBIZ.COM
SEE THE 2012 RANGE
29TH-31ST JANUARY
i-ride Benefits & Rewards Programme
Access To What You Want When You Want It - extended trading terms and excellent stock
Huge Customer Demand - market leading brands with widespread marketing campaigns
Replenish Easily - 24 hour delivery and up to free carriage on all orders
More Profit - extended margins
CORE INFO
CORE BIKE 2012 GUIDE
I-RIDE
IF TOP SECRET product launches are your
cup of tea, then you will be pleased to
hear that i-ride has something so
secretive and under wraps that dealers
may be only able to see it under lockedin-room conditions. The product in
question is from De Rosa. We’d tell you
more, but we’d have to kill you (or at
least get you to promise to keep it quiet),
so find out more at Core.
What we can tell you about is a
special Eddy Merckx competition being
promoted at Core. It’s one for the dealers,
with a visit to the Eddy Merckx Factory
combined with a ride on the Flanders
Sportive cobbles in the offing. Other
HOPE
prizes are available too. Zipvit’s expert
nutritionist David Smith will be at the
show to impart his professional
knowledge on diet and nutrition
programmes to interested dealers.
There’s also new product from the
autumn/winter clothing ranges from
Northwave and Campagnolo Sportswear.
Northwave’s innovative Speedplay
compatible Extreme shoes will be
featured. Other highlights include the
Argon 18 E-118 frame, and Red Wind
clincher carbon deep-section wheels, new
to Fulcrum’s range. Continental tyres will
also be on hand to answer questions and
show the winning Grand Prix TT Clincher.
PALIGAP
PALIGAP HAS expanded into three rooms
for the 2012 show (Monza suite,
Syndicate rooms S6 and S11) and will be
launching a number of new brands to the
UK market as well as new products from
our main brands Cycleops, Powertap,
Saris, Ritchey, FFWD,DMT,VDO , Stans
NoTubes to name but a few.
Seminars for Torq nutrition with the
brand owner and product creator Matt
Hart will be held, as well as for the
eagerly awaited Cycleops Powercal which
is a compact, lightweight, versatile
inexpensive power meter customised to a
rider’s own biometrics that can be used
both on and off the bike.
The summer-launched
ABD BMX range will be
housed in its own
room along with the
P&A range. Avanti
will also be
unveiled for the
first time to the
UK dealer
network covering
all categories of
the market, road,
BIKEBIZ.COM
mountain, path and trail as well as the
New Zealand Best design award winning
Chron Evo II frameset.
Axiom Performance gear will debut at
the show and Biologic’s full line can also
be viewed in the Monza suite for the first
time since Paligap took over the UK
distribution. A buy-in package will be
offered with great margins for new and
existing customers.
Experts will be on hand from the
majority of Paligap’s brands to discuss
briefly or in depth their respective
product ranges and this will include,
Challenge tyres, FFWD, Ritchey, Cycleops,
Saris, Powertap, VDO, Muc-off,
Cipollini, Biologic and
PDW.
Dealers should
remember to
stop by for a
bag of
goodies to
thank them
for their
support
during the
first ten years
of Paligap being
in business. New
dealers are very
welcome too, the firm says.
IF YOU MISSED Hope’s appearances at
the key shows over the past few month’s
you are in luck, as the latest parts
launched at those events will also be at
Core. And if you have caught up with the
brand recently…there may well be a few
extra suprises you hadn’t caught wind of
yet. The only way to tell is to head to
Hope’s stand at Core, of course.
Among the latest product launches
from the brand is the 1295 and 29er
wheel set, along with the recently
introduced Bash Guards and Chain Rings.
They’ll all be on show alongside the VTwin cable to hydraulic brake convertors.
Hope will also have the final
production version of the Flat pedal at
Core Bike, with confirmed pricing and
availability.
Aside from new products, the brand
will be demoing its recently launched
business-to-business site, which features
an easy product finder, extensive parts
lists and ‘How-To’ guides.
SADDLEBACK
BRAND NEW and heading to Core is
Mulebar’s latest – Kicks Café Cortado, the
latest flavour to Mulebar’s Kicks fast
energy gels. Like its sister flavours of
Cherry Bomb, Lemon Zinger and Apple
Strude, Café Cortado is made using 100
per cent organic and natural ingredients,
with the added oomph of 100mg of
naturally occurring guarana caffeine.
Packaged in eye-catching, innovative 37g
sachets, which are easy to open while on
a bike, the gel provides an incredible
energy boost during exercise, as well as
helping with recovery post training, the
brand says. It was developed in
conjunction with athletes like Eneko
Llanos, the 2010 Xterra World
Champion, Javier Gomez Noya,
the 2010 ITU Triathlon
World Champion and elite
Ironman Marcel
Zamora, the Kicks
gels are nature’s
carbohydrate
equivalent of
Rocket
fuel.
Saddleback will also be bringing a host
of other brands to its debut Core
showing, of course, including Bont’s new
shoe range – including the redesigned Athree road and all new Sub-8 Triathlon
models – and
Castelli’s full
summer
range
featuring
the new
Triathlon range,
patented Sanremo
Speed Suit, new
dealer tools and a first
look at Castelli’s Garmin
2012 Pro Tour range.
Also appearing are Chris
King’s new R45 road hubs, the
Smart ENVE wheel range, Felt
Bicycles’ 2012 models (including the
full 29-inch wheeled NINE range). For
Goodness Shakes samples will be
available for dealers to sample, Vredestein
newly introduced touring tyre line will be
at Core too, also featuring the new
Freccia Tri Comp mid-range road tyre and
tubular tyre. Find out more at the show.
BIKEBIZ JANUARY 35
CORE BIKE 2012 GUIDE
SIWIS
HEADED UP BY company owner Si Watts,
SiWiS, will be exhibiting at Core Bike in
this year, exhibiting internet solutions for
bike-related companies online.
Watts says: “Having worked in the
retail environment and later as a rep for a
major player at the time, what started as
a hobby building websites for a few select
customers has rapidly turned into a
thriving business catering almost solely
for the web needs of bike-related
companies.”
BUFF
The firm offers bespoke web work,
providing dealers with the chance to have
a dedicated system built to suit their
individual needs, or to select the iBikeShop e-tail system.
This ready-to-go e-commerce solution
features simple self management systems
to make looking after the content of sites
easy for novice users and those more
familiar with computers alike.
Find out more at Whittlebury Hall this
January.
UPGRADE
UPGRADE BIKES has plenty for dealers to
get their teeth into at Core, including not
to be missed new products and stockist
packages.
Tektro’s growing after-market range
will be on show, as will TRP, the racing
arm, the first to market with the Parabox
cable to hydraulic brake converter.
Award winning Green Oil has attention
grabbing new packaging and graphics.
Taking the eco theme one step further, all
100ml bottles are made from recycled
multi-coloured plastic, normally used for
landfill. Reclaimed fizzy drinks caps are
being used on Green Clean, diverting
from further landfill. Bike shops and
charities interested in collecting caps for
Green Oil are encouraged to get in touch.
DMR’s full range of dirt colourful
accessories will be at Whittlebury Hall,
including Vault pedals, Viral chain devise
and Thret rims. Dealers can see the new
Bolt frame with tapered head tube and
complete jump and dirt bikes.
Kinesis, meanwhile, will show new
build kit options on more models and the
Crosslight Pro6 disc specific cross frame
and a first look at the new XC29er.
36 BIKEBIZ JANUARY
Pivot Cycles will be showcased in a
separate room – where dealers are invited
for one-to-one viewings, supported by
Pivot's head of sales, Daniel Limberg.
Lezyne has a new pump line-up
featuring the patented Air Bleed System.
Learn more about this feature and many
new products from the brand including
home shop tools and LED lighting.
Complete ranges of multi tools, bags and
hydration will also be on display with
new stocking packages available.
Reynolds wheels have the new Eighty
One wheel set in this year’s line up,
offering even more deep section
aerodynamic advantage for the road. A
new UK road sponsorship with team UK
Youth will be announced, backing up
Reynolds’ support of the international
team AG2R. The Spin-It-Up demo wheel
programme has more dealers taking part
every year and is a great way to build
customer experience, Upgrade says. The
MTB wheel line now includes new XC and
AM carbon wheels as well as the much
anticipated 29er set. X-Fusion Forks and
Shocks will be presented with all-new
models across the range.
DEALERS UNFAMILIAR with the brand
will benefit from a starter package.
The Pack will feature men’s and
women’s t-shirts, socks and gloves – plus
an additional six Original Buff, the
Original Multifunctional Headwear, freeof-charge. There’ll also be a range of POS
material to display the products at their
best in-store.
New Infinity Buff Headwear will debut
at Core. Made of wood (yes, the stuff
derived from trees), the headwear is
naturally irritation-free and sports
excellent moisture management
properties. A type of Lyocell, Tencel
is a wood-derived fibre made
from Eucalyptus wood pulp,
from sustainably managed
forests, of course. Much longer
than the usual tubular Buff,
Infinity Buff had been designed
for use during any outdoor or
leisure activity, with an added
touch of style. It has much in
common with existing Buff
Headwear, including
extreme durability,
high wicking ability
and multifunctionality. Plain,
patterened and doublesided designs will all
preview at Core and will
be available from March.
Whittlebury Hall will also
see Buff show its 2012
spring/summer headwear, with
the High UV Protection collection
featuring the likes of the Cap Buff, a
reversible and ultra-light cap made
with a double layer of highly
breathable Coolmax Extreme fabric,
the double layer offering 98 per cent
protection from UV rays. Meanwhile, the
Headband Buff range includes 11 new
High UV Protection designs, 22 new
prints and patters in the existing tubular
Buff, as well as the introduction of the
first High UV Protection Buff collection
for babies.
The Visor Buff is back in the High UV
Protection collection too, with an
improved neoprene peak, similar to the
peak of a baseball cap. It hits the £18.00
retail price point.
MOJO SUSPENSION
ARRIVING AT CORE Bike for the very
first time this year, Mojo Suspension
is getting in on the Whittlebury
Hall action.
Displaying products from the 2012
Fox Racing Shox range, Mojo says its
latest ranges are the most
comprehensive and technologically
advanced yet.
The Mojo Suspension team will be
there in person to explain that new
technology in detail, whether it’s
suspension setup, service, tuning or
technologies Mojo Suspension is
looking forward to answering some
dealer questions.
The company will also be
demonstrating its new shock dyno
tester. This piece of kit takes Mojo’s
tuning service to a new level, they say.
Using software developed specifically
for Mojo, this machine allows them to
maximise the performance of each tuning
job, tailored to a rider’s requirements.
BIKEBIZ.COM
CORE BIKE 2012 GUIDE
WINDWAVE
SEMINARS AT CORE
WINDWAVE WILL once again be located
in the Lounge and will be representing
BBB, Colnago, FSA, Marzocchi, A2Z and
Ice Toolz products, among others.
BBB designs and produces a
comprehensive range of parts and
accessories that are suitable for everyday
riders to pro competitors. At Core Bike
Windwave will be presenting the BBB
range and the BBB sales concept. The BBB
concept is a self-service retail system
with smart, well thought out POS units
designed to maximise sell though and
promote multiple purchases.
The pinnacle of the 2012 Colnago
range is the handmade, carbon fibre
framed C59 Italia. Campaigned
successfully in this year’s Tour de France
by Thomas Voeckler, the C59 offers the
high technology crossed with classic
Italian style. The best selling CLX model
has been updated for 2012 with an
updated tube set to accommodate a
tapered head tube. FSA has introduced
the 386EVO bottom bracket standard.
The 386 EVO offers a one-crank-fits-all
solution to all the confusing bb standards
currently on the market.
FSA’s product range has now become
clearer with all products falling in to
family groups, making it easier to supply
cockpit products or matching customers
existing components. New products for
2012 include the Afterburner, V Drive and
Comet groups and the new Orbit Option
angle adjustable headsets.
Marzocchi is back with its strongest
product line yet with models starting
from £199 for the Marathon R to the
championship winning and range topping
888RC3 Evo V2 Titanium. All models are
backed up with an impressive three year
warranty and with no compulsory
servicing or funny maintenance routines
to adhere to, Marzocchi is a ‘fit and
forget’ suspension product for the market,
says Windwave.
Ice Toolz’s Hydraulic brake tool range
and the new 180mm floating disc brake
rotors from A2Z will be at Core too.
This year Core will be putting on a number of seminars and talks
for dealers, including some given by high profile names.
In the main, the seminars will be run at the exhibitors stand or
booth at Core. At time of press the seminar line-up includes:
i-ride
Supplement Your Potential - Pro Rider
nutrition plans and how they use
supplements.
Dave Smith Zipvit Sport Nutritionist
Sunday 29th Jan, 3.30pm, i-ride booth.
(20 minutes)
Windwave
Marzocchi: An in-depth look at the new
2012 features and core Marzocchi
technology with Dan Jones.
Daily, 3.30pm, Windwave booth
FSA: Technical talk and BB 386 EVO
presentation by FSA staff with a free
FSA work shop DVD to all attendees.
Daily, 4.00pm, Windwave booth.
Paligap
Torq products
Hosted by Matt Hart
Sunday Jan 29th, 11am
Hotlines
NS Bikes Dirt Jump rider, Sam Pilgrim
will be coming along to the show on
Tuesday with Hotlines, with the 2012
NS bikes and P&A as well as his own
bike. To talk to the dealers about
what's new at NS and what his plans
are in 2012 to promote the brand.
Cycleops
Hosted by Clayton Goldsmith
Sunday Jan 29th, 2pm
Ison Seminar
Featuring UCI
World Downhill
Champion
Danny Hart.
Indianapolis
room, Monday
30th Jan and
Tuesday 31st Jan
© Ian Cross
LET THEM ENTERTAIN YOU
ALL WORK and no play… is an unlikely
prospect for any bike trade show, let’s
face it, so it will come as no surprise
that Core Bike will be providing ample
entertainment for attendees this year.
All taking place on the Monday
(January 30th) gala night, the
entertainment will get started with
stand up comic and one-liner specialist
Gary Delaney will be among the
entertainment highlights, as will Carly
Smallman, musical comedian and
actress.
Stand-up comedian Tim Clark will
also be on hand to provide the funny
for the Core audience.
Chocolate
Endura
Polaris
Merida
Sealskinz
HONEY STINGER’S Stinger
Waffle is equally suited to
training and even for
complimenting a morning coffee.
It's now available in three
flavours: original Honey, Vanilla
and new Strawberry. Honey
Stinger bars and chews are
formulated specifically for health
conscious individuals and
athletes seeking a great tasting
energy snack made with up to
30 per cent honey.
Princeton Tec's Swerve rear
bike light uses two high-powered
LEDs flashing at an alternating
rate to create a long beam
pattern resulting in a high level
of visibility. The large switch
extends beyond the light allows
for easy use even with a gloved
hand whilst the flexible mounts
fit any seatpost size.
Chocolate will also bring
Clement Tyres and Rolf Prima.
THE MT500 Spray Baggy shorts
and three quarter-lengths
combine the comfort of regular
riding shorts and waterproof
functionality, Endura says. The
three quarter-length version are
new for autumn/winter 2011 for
extra coverage in the chill of the
winter.
The MT500 line also includes
a Jacket, Burner Shirt and
Overshoes, all of which are in
new colours for this season. The
Burner Shirt comes in two
colourways: burgundy for the LS
shirt and burnt orange for the
version with three quarter
sleeves.
The Shirt is made from a fast
wicking polyester fabric with
super durable stretch panelling
on sleeves and shoulders for
protection. Find out more at the
Core Bike Show at the Endura
stand.
POLARIS’ NEW Aquanought
luggage range is waterproof and
totally immersible up to a depth
of two metres, the firm tells
BikeBiz. To cut a long story short,
this not inconsiderable feat
means the range can take
virtually anything the weather
can throw at it from a measly
drizzle to a raging torrent, both
of which you can expect to see
later this year.
The range consists of four key
styles, a courier bag, a back pack,
a 40 litre holdall, and 110 litre
trolley bag meaning that Polaris
strives to have something for
everybody.
Available in a variety of
colours, the Aquanought range in
full will be on display on the
stand so dealers are invited to
see the brand in person for more
information on those and the
rest of the Polaris range.
MERIDA WILL be squeezing as
much as it can into the
Hockenheim room at
Whittlebury Hall, including a
new Ninety Nine suspension
platform which takes the place
of the Ninety Six as a superlight
cross county race machine.
The Merida range includes
road bikes like the Scultura 904
carbon road bike with 105
transmission at £1500, with an
Ultegra Di2 model at £2,800. The
line-up also includes a hybrid
range that starts at just £299.99
and has a highlight of an upspecced £499.99 Crossway 100D,
which gets a new techno formed
frame and graphic treatment to
compliment the 24-speed
transmission, hydraulic brakes
and lockout fork. The firm invites
dealers to see Merida at the
show to help celebrate its 40th
anniversary.
SEALSKINZ’S CORE line-up will
include cycle-specific gloves and
socks, such as the Performance
Road Cycle Glove (£40). These
styled waterproof, breathable and
windproof gloves includes a
textured palm with lightweight
padding and abrasion resistant
Kevlar blend fabric. The
Performance Mountain Bike
Glove, meanwhile, retails at £60
and include solid individual
knuckle protectors on the back of
the hand. Pittard's leather on
fingers ends provide a sure touch
and feel for changing gears or
breaking. Sealskinz’s Thin Mid
Length Sock retails at £28 and
sports a fine Merino wool lining
for excellent wicking
performance. The Mid Weight Mid
Length Sock (£30) is a medium
weight waterproof sock to the
mid calf. Find out more at Core
from Sunday January 29th.
40 BIKEBIZ JANUARY
BIKEBIZ.COM
CORE BIKE 2012 GUIDE
Lunch
M E L B OUR NE
S29
S27
S26
S25
Press
S28
S24
NEED TO KNOW
CAT AL UNY A
M A GN Y
COUR S
N U R B U R GR I N G
SU ZU K A
S12
S11
M ONACO
IM OL A
COUR T
YAR D
T OIL ET S
GR A N D P R I X
SU I T E
A ST O N S
R E ST A U R A N T
B E N TLE Y S
T OIL ET S
S4
S3
S2
S7
S10
S6
S9
S5
S8
CH E QUE R S
COUR T
YAR D
M O N ZA
IN DIAN AP O L IS
S1
H OCK E NH E IM
SI LV E R ST O N E
COUR T
YAR D
H U N GO R A R I N G
T OIL E T S
registration
L O U N GE
SI LV E R ST O N E B A R
E NT R ANCE
T O CAR PAR K
What: Core Bike 2012, a bike trade-only
event pooling 23 companies from the
trade, all at one location.
When: Sunday January 29th to 31st 2012
Where: The swanky Whittlebury Hall Hotel
and Spa, near Towcester,
Northamptonshire, NN12 8QH
Who: The full list of exhibitors for 2012,
including the new six, runs as follows:
2pure
Bionicon
Buff
Chicken CycleKit
Chocolate
Distribution
Citrus-Lime
Cordee
Endura
Extra
Hope
Hotlines
i-ride
Ison
Merida
Mojo Suspension
Paligap
Polaris
Saddleback
SealSkinz
Silverfish
Siwis
Upgrade
Windwave
Don’t forget: to pre-register your ticket.
Registration has opened already, so get in
quick to ensure you secure your free food
and to avoid the queues.
www.corebike.co.uk
R ECEPT ION
How to get there
By road
Exit the M1 (11 miles) at J15A. Take the
A43 dual-carriageway towards Oxford/
Silverstone (speed safety camera on A43).
After nine miles turn left onto
the A413 signposted Buckingham/
Whittlebury. Drive through Whittlebury
village to the far side and turn right into
Whittlebury Hall/Whittlebury Park. From
the M40 (18 miles), exit at J10 and take
the A43 towards Northampton. At the
Whittlebury junction, turn right onto the
A413 signposted Buckingham/Whittlebury.
Drive through Whittlebury village to the far
side and turn right into Whittlebury
Hall/Whittlebury Park.
Alternative routes are available from the
M40. Also from M1 via Junction 14 and 15.
From Central Milton Keynes (11 miles),
follow the A5 north and drive through the
villages of Potterspury and Paulerspury.
Take a left turn to Pury End/ Whittlebury.
Turn left at the T junction, drive through
Whittlebury village to the far side and turn
right into Whittlebury Hall.
By rail
Rail users travel to nearby Northampton
or Milton Keynes railway stations. Both
stations are mainline stations with regular
service connections to all parts of the
United Kingdom.
By air
London Heathrow (70 minutes),
Birmingham International (50 minutes),
Luton (40 minutes) and East Midlands
(40 minutes) airports are all within easy
reach of Whittlebury Hall.
42 BIKEBIZ JANUARY
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44 BIKEBIZ JANUARY
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SURVIVING THE DEN | KIDDIMOTO
You’re
kidding
me?
That was the reaction of Simon Booth, the big kid in
charge of balance bike firm Kiddimoto when thrust
into the media spotlight of Dragon’s Den last year.
Mark Sutton finds out more…
Tell us about Kiddimoto’s origins and the
reason for building the first:
I was introduced to the concept of balance
bikes back in 2003 and the first designs started
out as a very basic balance bike. As a
motorcycle enthusiast I immediately decided
the bikes had to be mini replicas of different
types of motorcycles – superbikes, motocross,
scooter and choppers. I sent the first MDF
prototype for safety testing, which failed
dramatically. This made me redesign the whole
product and to introduce the use of plywood.
Plywood is very strong and much more
aesthetic. This new design passed the testing
and that was the birth of the product that has
not changed much since then. However, there
have been evolutionary improvements and
developments to the bikes.
Has this been the busiest year in
Kiddimoto’s history?
Every year has seen high rates of growth and
2011 has been without doubt the busiest. Not
only have we had massive growth in sales, but
we have introduced new products and we have
gone from five employees to ten. We have also
pushed very hard into a much broader
spectrum of market sectors. These include not
only the cycle market, but the motorcycle, toy,
early years education and gift sectors.
Tell us a bit about the Dragon’s Den
experience – how it came about and the
resulting investment:
The Dragons Den was a roller coaster ride. I
applied through the BBC website in early May
and three weeks later I was filming in the Den.
The whole experience was surreal, it was like
stepping into a life sized HD TV. It was,
however, an experience I will always treasure. I
asked for £75k for ten per cent and was offered
the full amount for 30 per cent by Duncan. He
also offered half that amount, which left Hilary
making a matching offer. At the time I just
jumped opportunity to have two dragons on
board.
Have Hilary Devey and Duncan Bannatyne
offered much assistance above their
investment?
I had quite a bit of contact with Hilary’s
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finance director and he was very helpful and
insightful. The investment has not materialised.
There was an issue with a minority shareholder
that essentially skuppered the deal.
I also felt that Duncan’s advice of not giving
away part of my business was invaluable and
thus followed it.
You secured a fairly good deal by Dragon’s
Den standards – did you have to haggle for
this?
No haggling, just jumped straight in.
Tell us a bit about the bikes build and
the materials:
The bikes are very well engineered and
they are built like a piece of quality
furniture. I pride myself on producing
quality and unique designs and the
materials are all high quality. The
Birch plywood is from managed
forests and all the paints are non-VOC,
exceeding child toy safety standards.
Quality and safety are paramount.
How can retailers take stock of Kiddimoto?
Retailers simply contact one of our sales guys
and place a relatively small order. We try to
carry a complete inventory, however, we have
experienced unprecedented demand and seeing
a lot of models going out of stock this year. We
are doing everything to ensure retailers are
getting some stock.
Where are the bikes currently stocked?
We currently have over 450 stockists in the
UK. We also have partners in over 40 countries.
These range from small independent stores to
major national chains, such as John Lewis and
Evans Cycles.
Which bikes are typically the
best sellers?
The Heroes range and scooters
are very popular. The Kurve was
introduced a few months ago
and is becoming a major part
of our portfolio.
What’s your growth curve like at
present?
It’s doubling year-on-year.
Kiddimoto also has
matching helmet
designs to
accompany many of
its bikes
What are your aspirations for the future of
the business?
My aspiration is to make balance bikes the
natural first bike option for all children looking
to start rolling on two wheels and for
Kiddimoto to be the number one brand name
associated with the category.
www.kiddimoto.co.uk
You’ve lots of licensed and signature
products – how do you come by the
inspiration for these?
The licensed replicas come from being involved
in the sport. I make sure that I include the
most popular, highly regarded and iconic riders
from the sport of motorcycle racing. I am
moving into the world of cycle heroes and will
have some very famous names coming to the
range in 2012.
BIKEBIZ JANUARY 45
BIKE HUB | GETTING CHILDREN CYCLING
The Big
Pedal Push
CASE STUDY:
WASHINGBOROUGH
PRIMARY SCHOOL
IN A SMALL picturesque village close to
Lincoln, Washingborough Primary School is
surrounded by fields, close to Sustrans’
National Cycle Network (NCN) routes and
the Fosse Way. An ideal place to walk or
cycle to school maybe, but back in 2009
just three children cycled to the school,
with the vast majority of the 272 students
travelling by car.
In September 2009 the school began
working with Sustrans, spurred on by Head
Teacher Jason O’Rourke and teacher
Jonothan Moody. In a few months of
working with Sustrans’ Bike It officer
Vincent Gibson, the numbers of children
cycling rose dramatically, and last March
the school saw hundreds of children cycling
to school as part of The Big Pedal.
It’s back, and this time the aim is to get 1,000 schools
and their pupils taking part. Jonathon Harker quizzes
Sustrans on what to expect from the 2012 event…
The Big Pedal pits
schools against each
other to see which
can cycle the most
miles
JANUARY ISN’T just a hard-pressed time for
the trade looking ahead to a busy month or
two of shows, it’s also a lively time for schools
preparing for take part in the cycle
competition of the year.
In case you hadn’t heard, the Big Pedal is a
nationwide stage-by-stage bike race involving
schools. Pupils, teachers and parents shun 4x4s
and other motor vehicles in favour of bicycles,
clocking up miles ridden to and from school
for a month. Schools compete to ride the
most bike miles and last year the competition
saw over 990,000 miles (in 600,000 journeys)
ridden during the course of the Big Pedal.
Sustrans organises the competition, which
benefits from cash from the bicycle industry
levy Bike Hub.
The Big Pedal is back for 2012, running from
March 5th to 23rd and, at time of press, 600
schools have already signed up for it. Last year,
800 took part.
This year, Sustrans’ Bike It officers will be on
hand to encourage schools to take part – and
do well enough to scoop a few of the prizes on
offer to the top performing schools.
“Since working for Sustrans I have always
been overwhelmed by the enthusiasm of the
46 BIKEBIZ JANUARY
pupils at all the schools I worked with,” said
Bike It officer Vincent Gibson.
“A healthy dose of real-time, interschool
competition makes it so exciting. It’s great to
hear friends encouraging each other and
having fun together.
“With pupils so enthused about everything
to do with cycling, it is inevitable that parents
get involved as their children need their bikes
to come to bike breakfast, to take part in cycle
training after school and to go on the
pedalling picnic with their friends. Many
parents are already on board and we just work
at the initial barriers, put plans in place for
continued events and the consensus seems to
be that going by bike is popular and easy.” So, what of the lasting effects on schools
and how are they measured? Gibson explains:
“After the Big Pedal, all of the schools kept on
cycling. Inevitably numbers tail off after a big
event, but we make sure schools make a big
display with photographs of the riders. And
they book in further bike to school days and
classroom sessions to keep the pupils
interested.”
Find out more about the competition at
http://thebigpedal.org.uk/
Last year 800 schools
took part in The Big
Pedal
Moody explains: “At first I was unsure of
whether to take part in the competition,
but I talked it through with Vincent and was
assured that it was relatively simple and
easy to take part in. We agreed to take part
and it was the best decision we ever made.”
One day saw 301 children and their
parents cycle to school – a far cry from
those three riders in 2009.
“I thought the competition would
encourage a few more children to get on
their bikes, but I had no idea of the positive
effect it would have on parents and staff at
the school too. So many less cars outside
the school gates made parents aware of
how peaceful and quiet it can be at the
beginning and end of school. Parents didn’t
have to rush to get their kids in the car and
off the double yellow lines!”
“I thought I might struggle to get staff
motivated initially, but it was no problem.
Everyone got on board and there’s now
even a self initiated unofficial cycle club for
staff after school.”
An improvement in children’s behaviour
was noted by teachers and some children
learnt to ride bikes as a result of the Big
Pedal. One parent even went out to buy a
bike so that she could get more closely
involved, says Moody.
“Our work with Sustrans really has been
life changing and the Big Pedal competition
was amazing. It has improved community
spirit at the school and in the area. Pupils
and their parents have continued to cycle
to school long after the competition, and
enthusiasm for getting to school on two
wheels continues to grow.”
BIKEBIZ.COM
ACTSMART | WORKRIDERS
Cycling 2012 starts here
2012 will be a Year of Cycling, says the ACT, kicking off with one of the largest cycling consumer show
events. ACT will be ensuring that IBDs are represented, so why not join them?
WORKRIDERS, the new, retailer friendly cycling
to work programme launches at The London
Bike Show at ExCeL, January 12th to 15th.
The event has been extended this year, with
one ticket giving consumers access to four
shows – the Outdoor Show, The Active Travel
Show, the London Boat Show and the London
Bike show.
Over 70,000 people attended last year and
the increased audience expected in 2012
provides the ideal opportunity to meet with a
large number of employees interested in
outdoor pursuits, encouraging them to engage
their employers in the cycling to work
programme in 2012.
ActSmart’s Tony Jones said: “Through our
attendance at the Cycle Show in Birmingham
we found that many employees had no
knowledge of the cycling to work initiative and
of those that had, a significant number were
unhappy with the way it had been
implemented within their business. This event
will showcase WorkRiders to a large, relevant
audience as the only ACT endorsed route to
cycling to work.”
www.workriders.co.uk is an online solution
for delivering cycling to work in partnership
with the industry and charges no
administration fees for ACT members and just
a five per cent fee to non-ACT members, IBDs
can enrol online today.
THE CYCLING EXPERTS
The Cycling Experts is an industry partner of
the London Bike Show, ensuring that over
2,500 IBDs throughout the UK are represented
as the preferred UK retail network at the event.
In the run up to the show
www.thecyclingexperts.co.uk will be promoting
48 BIKEBIZ JANUARY
what’s special about independent retailers,
including Ride It Away cycle finance, Fetch
Recovery Centres, Bikesoup and what each
individual IBD business offers to its locality.
CYTECH TECHNICAL
Central to the London Bike Show will be a
Cytech Technical Area and a programme of
Cytech presentations on the Cycling Stage.
ATG Training will be educating cyclists on
the value of bicycle care and repair and the
benefits of using a Cytech Accredited retailer
for bicycle maintenance.
The Cytech stand will be the place for those
wanting to enter the trade and will see the
launch of the Cytech Apprenticeship Programme.
If you’re a business owner and want to
employ a Cytech Apprentice you can register
your comapny’s details at
www.cytechapprentice.co.uk now.
Bike retail visitors to the show can also find
out more about the Cytech Retail training and
accreditation programme, which is set to
launch early in 2012.
TAKE A DAY OUT
The ACT encourages IBDs throughout the UK to
take a day out and visit ExCel. It’s a consumer
event, but with four shows in one there’s lots for
any individual interested in outdoor pursuits to
enjoy and it’s always worth seeing what’s going
on in your industry first hand.
All IBDs and suppliers are invited to the
official launch of WorkRiders on Thursday
January 12th; why not bring a local employer
along, or at least encourage them to attend?
ActSmart has a free trade-only ticket offer
for the January 12th or 13th, contact ActSmart
for details.
IBD CHECKLIST
Find out more about exhibitors and show
attractions at www.thelondonbikeshow.co.uk.
To access free trade only tickets for all four shows
on January 12th or 13th contact ActSmart.
Enrol as a WorkRiders Authorised Retailer at
www.workriders.co.uk for free today.
Come and see WorkRiders live at the show and
bring some local employers with you.
Join ACT at www.actsmart.biz/join-actsmart and
pay no WorkRiders fees.
Ensure that your free shop listing at
www.thecyclingexperts.co.uk is fully up to date.
Check out www.cytechapprentice.co.uk and register
your interest in employing an apprentice in 2012.
Visit us at the WorkRiders / Cytech stands at the
show and learn about our key initiatives for 2012,
including the new Experts Gift Card scheme.
The ACT’s Cycle to
Work program is free
of commission for
members
For more information call
ActSmart on
0845 618 7256
www.actsmart.biz
BIKEBIZ.COM
OUT AND ABOUT BEYOND CYCLING
Brand store openings
and revolutionary swim
wear comes on sale this
month in the sector...
Wolf sighted in Brum
By: Jonathon Harker
OUTDOOR CLOTHING brand Jack
Wolfskin has opened its first store in the
West Midlands.
Taking its store tally up to six in the
UK, the new 2,400 square foot site
opened in Birmingham’s Bullring Shopping
Centre on Thursday December 8th.
Other Jack Wolfskin stores are located
in York and the Lake District, with a
further three in the capital.
The brand is expecting the new site to
attract customers from the Midlands and
beyond, and sees the UK as an attractive
market after being revealed as the second
largest market for outdoor goods.
“We’re delighted to be able to offer our
customers such a wide range of outdoor
clothing and equipment in our new
Birmingham store,” explained store
manager Chris Young.
“We take pride in being able to offer
expert advice, which is why our team is
always willing to go the extra mile for
customers.”
The Bullring-set store will stock the
winter autumn/winter collection from the
“Worldwide, Jack
Wolfskin products
are available through
550 franchise stores
and 4,000 point of
sale across Europe
and Asia...”
Wolfskin opens sixth UK
store in the Midlands
Alpinishm, Trekking, Hiking and Family
ranges, including three-in-one
technology-sporting jackets.
The store is open Monday to Friday
from 9.30am to 8pm, Saturday from 9am
to 8pm and Sunday from 11am to 5pm.
Worldwide, Jack Wolfskin products are
available through 550 franchise stores
and at 4,000 point of sale across Europe
and Asia. In 2010 the brand recorded
sales revenues of €304.2 million in
Europe, up 21 per cent on the previous
year’s figures.
www.jack-wolfskin.com
Consumers slope off with Helly Hansen
CLOTHING BRAND Helly Hansen has
teamed up with two of the globe’s bestknown ski resorts to offer free skiing to
cash strapped consumers.
Purchases of qualifying clothing gear
from the technical clothing brand entitles
the customer to a free day pass at either
the Chamonix Mont Blanc or
Aspen/Snowmass resorts.
With skiing a particularly expensive
pastime – the average cost is over £700
50 BIKEBIZ JANUARY
per person, according to the brand –
the offer has been popular among the
quoted five million UK snow sport
enthusiasts.
A spokesperson told BikeBiz: “The
offer has already been very really
successful here in the UK and Ireland –
we’ve had the second best pick up out
of the whole of Europe. The offer will
definitely continue in to 2012 and
perhaps beyond.”
Over 25 stylish winter jackets at
various price points are included in the
Ski Free promotion.
Consumers can purchase their
jackets online, or from a High Street
retailer and then validate their pass on
www.hellyhansen.com to take
advantage of the offer.
There’s more detail on the
promotion at
www.hellyhansen.com/skifree
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OUT AND ABOUT BEYOND CYCLING
Speedo ‘revolutionises’
swimming
Speedo’s Fastskin3 becomes available
to tri and sports retailers this month
By: Jonathon Harker
Fastskin3 Racing System went
on sale exclusively at
Speedo.com last month, but
from January 1st was released to
the rest of retail.
British swimming stars and
gold medallists Rebecca
Adlington and Liam Tancock
were part of the global launch of
Fastskin 3 in December.
Speedo president David
Robinson said: “Speedo has
always been the pioneer of new
swimwear technology and
innovation, and this reputation is
underpinned by the
development of the Fastskin3
Racing System, another worldfirst from Speedo that will help
swimmers achieve their full
performance potential.
“Speedo is passionate about
inspiring people to swim,
whether it’s to race, for health
and fitness or just to have fun.
Speedo puts the swimmer at the
centre of everything we do and
we dedicate ourselves to
creating the best products and
experiences for every swimmer.”
www.speedo.com
NEW PRODUCTS
SPEEDO HAS unveiled its Fastskin3
swimming technology to the
world, set to ‘revolutionise’ the
sport of swimming.
Fastskin3 is being claimed as a
world first and engineers the
swimmer’s cap, goggle and suit to
work together as one racing
system. The concept has been fully
approved by FINA (Fédération
Internationale de Natation).
According to Speedo, the
Fastskin3 Racing System offers a
full body passive drag reduction of
16.6 per cent and an 11 per cent
improvement in the swimmer’s
oxygen economy – allowing the
swimmer to swim for longer. The
brand also claims the kit provides a
5.2 per cent reduction in body
active drag, resulting in ‘the world’s
fastest cap, goggle and suit ever’.
Speedo has designed and
engineered the three elements
together for a unified system that
uses a new anatomical marking
system – Fit Point Markers – at
strategic points across the pieces
to help swimmers align the kit.
NEWS IN BRIEF
Wear a helmet? Then
get a discount...
EssentialTravel.co.uk is pioneering a
unique insurance policy that could
have wide reaching ramifications. It is
offering a policy discount to
encourage skiers and snowboarders
to wear helmets on the slopes, as of
November 2011. EssentialTravel.co.uk
is working with mountain sports
retailer Ellis Brigham and brain injury
association Headway on the policy,
which offers a ten per cent discount
to helmet wearers.
Segway rides to
Outdoor Pursuits ‘12
Outdoor Pursuits 2012 is returning to
Lowland Hall, Royal Highland Centre
in Edinburgh next spring. Running
from April 21st to 22nd, the event will
include a wide range of activities,
including Segway, Parkour, a Boulder
Wall and more. At time of press the
event’s website hasn’t launched.
Edinburgh sees new
outdoors store
Cotswold Outdoor opened its latest
store in Edinburgh at the end of
November last year. Attendees of the
opening were treated to mince pies,
mulled wine and even the sound of
traditional bagpipes. It is the retailer’s
fifth store in Scotland, the others in
Livingston, Aberdeen and two in
Glasgow (Silverburn and West End).
SUMMIT JUNKIE
SUMMIT JUNKIE is a relatively
new brand on the outdoors
block. It showcased its wares
at September’s Outdoor Trade
Show and specialises in
colourful and vibrant leisure
wear tee shirts and
accessories, pitched at those
who like being at altitude, as
the brand name suggests. One
line from the brand is the
Walkers and Climbers Ben
Tristar to light up
Milton Keynes
Nevis T-shirt. Made from 100
per cent cotton, it features a
mountain outline and rock
climber detail embroidered in
contrasting colours on front of
shirt (women’s edition
pictured). The reverse at hem
line has a data patch detailing
the mountains grid reference
position in the world and its
height in metres and feet.
www.summitjunkie.co.uk
The international TriStar triathlon
series is coming to Milton Keynes
next year, on July 29th 2012 – less
than two weeks before London 2012’s
Olympic triathlon takes place. It’s the
first time the series has come to the
UK and will be joint organised by Star
Event and Big Cow Events, the latter
based in MK itself, and a sport event
host company.
www.star-events.cc
TILLEY ENDURABLES
THE CANADIAN brand has released a
new hat for the outdoors market – the
TWC4 Outback Hat. Designed with a
broad brim, it features a modern waxed
cotton technology that can be washed,
worn, packed, used and abused, if you go
in for that kind of thing. Over time, the
fabric develops a leather-like appearance
that weathers to the nuances of each
Hat owner, according to the brand. Find
out more at www.tilley.com, or at the
brand’s UK offices on 01326 574402
www.tilley.com
BIKEBIZ.COM
ISPO sights expansion
ISPO 12 will run from January 29th to
February 1st at the New Munich
Trade Fair this year. Directly
afterwards, the IPSO on Snow Demo
will take place over three days for
testing of 2013 winter kit under pro
conditions.
www.ispo.com
Got any outdoors news you’d like to
see in these pages?
Then let us know at
[email protected]
BIKEBIZ JANUARY 51
PEOPLE | RECRUITMENT
Send your recruitment news to
[email protected]
Pro BMXer rides to new role at Avocet
Campbell will be on the road visiting dealers
and coordinating Avocet's marketing and event
management for each brand.
Campbell can be contacted on
[email protected]
Craig Campbell
AVOCET SPORTS On the back of securing
BMX brands Blackeye and Pilgrim, Avocet
Sports has hired ex-Team Skyway and Haro
professional CRAIG CAMPBELL.
Appointed to head up the sales and
marketing team, the former British Champion
was a key member of the original Skyway
squad, moving to the United States to
compete at the top level of the sport.
52 BIKEBIZ JANUARY
BRITISH CYCLING KIRSTIE MOORE has
been appointed to the role of board advisor at
British Cycling.
Whilst British Cycling is experiencing an
unprecedented period of growth, Moore will
handle driving forward priority projects, such as
the further engagement of women in all areas
of the organisation, and the cycling
community in general.
Initiatives such as the Victoria Pendletonfronted Cycletta series and Skyride are
highlighted as part of the future strategy, which
Moore will be working to improve access to.
Moore commented on her appointment: "I
am delighted to be joining British Cycling at
such an exciting time for the sport. I have
benefited hugely from my involvement in
cycling throughout my life and I’m passionate
Kirstie Moore
about others having access to the
opportunities in cycling that I have had.”
SNOW AND ROCK Snow and Rock has
appointed DAVID KOHN, the former head of
Waterstone's e-commerce.
The outdoor specialist places Kohn at the
head of its drive to improve delivery options,
implement click and collect and more.
BIKEBIZ.COM
PEOPLE | RECRUITMENT
Cycle Surgery partner Snow and Rock appoints former Waterstone’s e-commerce expert Kirstie
Moore becomes board advisor with British Cycling Avocet takes on BMX professional Craig Campbell
Kai Zimmer
Snow and Rock managing director Dion
Taylor said: "We’re putting significant
investment into online so we can become a
true multi-channel retailer."
DAHON Two new staff join Dahon this
month, with RUSSELL SNEED occupying the
role of product director and German native KAI
ZIMMER joining as a technical specialist.
Sneed, who most recently worked as sales
manager for American Grass and Turf, has over
25 years of experience in the bicycle industry,
including runs with the SAF Group, where he
served as vice president, and Vancouver
based FC.
Joining the technical team behind Dahon,
Zimmer will look after specifications and
product support, as well as relaying feedback to
the manufacturing source.
Zimmer’s previous experience in the bicycle
industry includes a run with Kona Bikes in
Germany, as well as a period as a workshop
manager for a prominent bicycle retailer in
Dubai.
BIKEBIZ.COM
POLAR BOTTLE Colorado-based Polar has
brought two new appointments on board,
taking its number of employees up to 34.
MIKE GOLDBERG is taking on a sales
associate role, while MONTANA MARSDEN has
become accounting manager.
Goldberg has over six years experience in
retail and sales in the outdoor and advertising
industries, including a recent stint with
giantnerd.com, an online shopping community
focused on outdoor gear.
Meanwhile Marsden is to take on accounting
duties at Polar, evaluating future business
opportunities for Product Architects as a member
of the in-house product development team.
VOS MEDIA DUNCAN NEWBURY has now
left VOS Media. IAN CHANDLER will be
handling marketing duties for the event
organiser in the near future.
Newbury is planning to start his own ski,
snowboard and summer mountain biking
company – dubbed Chez Serre Chevalier –
based in the French Alps.
BIKEBIZ JANUARY 53
RETAIL ONLY
The trade’s guide to sourcing stock, up-and-coming IBDs and the very latest products
RETAIL
COMMENT
DUE TO the way deadlines fell last month I didn’t have the
chance to make complete sense of the findings of our recent
independent retail survey. So better late than never, there’s a
few points I’d like to discuss based on the feedback from our
100-strong panel of front line shops.
Let’s kick off with trends and sales points. 27 per cent, the
largest fraction of the bunch, said that their store turns over
£60,000 or more in clothing and accessory sales per year.
That’s quite a substantial amount for a market that is now
supposedly afraid of churning out clothing that would make
us ‘look like cyclists’. With brands like Rapha commanding a
strong following, the luxury end of this market seems to be
doing rather good business. Perhaps this is an indication of
why a brand like Brompton would release a £250 jacket.
Brooks even manufactures a garment retailing for more than
£850, which is presumably targeted at the banker with a
bonus melting a hole in their gold-plated trousers.
“There are more casual cyclists
tango-ing with traffic than ever, so no
wonder suppliers selling out of key lines
has cropped up as a concern to retail.”
Cycling increasingly seems to be drawing affluent
customers with a taste for the finer things – middle aged
men in lyrca, or MAMILs as they’re often called. And that
brings me on to trends for the past year. The majority cited a
notable increase in demand for road bikes (56.2 per cent)
and sit up and beg style leisure bikes (41.6 per cent). From
my perspective, that marked rise in leisure bikes correlates
with the increased interest from female cyclists in recent
years. Maintaining that trend through the less inspiring
months is the challenge. Anyone got any tips to share?
There are visibly more cyclists tango-ing with the traffic
nowadays, so no wonder suppliers selling out of key lines has
once again cropped up as a concern to front line business.
It’s a regular occurance for a thread to appear on the BikeBiz
trade forum calling for spare units of a best-selling model,
often thanks to supplier’s stock running dry. Nearly 40 per
cent of respondents felt this to be one of many issues
making turning a profit ever-more difficult.
Provided they turn a profit, investing in expanding the
range of shop floor stock is of interest to many. On the
flipside, for those who’re tossing around areas to trim the fat,
70 per cent said they’d choose stock levels, above all else, in
order to retain cash. Suppliers have a bit of a balancing act
with the current economic climate then?
The margin-rich workshop is almost unanimously more
important, according to our survey. What could you do here
with a little more resource?
[email protected]
IN THIS MONTH’S ISSUE
THE RISE OF MOBILE SHOPPING
50
Online retail’s mobile cousin is ever more important to the
UK’s consumer. Are you ready to take advantage?
NEW PRODUCTS
58
This month BikeBiz takes a look at new products from
Velocite, BBB and a book on Victorian cycling
WORKSHOP, CLEANING, TOOLS
61
Lubes, cleaners, brushes, tools and sponges. Sounds a bit
like BikeBiz’s shower room...
RETAIL FOCUS | SMARTPHONES
Many online stores have
invested heavily in
mobile phone-specific
web pages
Retail
on call
Love them or loathe them, smartphones are more common and consumers are starting to use them to
buy goods. Are you ready for mobile retail?, asks Jonathon Harker…
WHEN SMARTPHONES first emerged on the
market they appeared to be exactly the kind of
device gadget freaks would snap up, use and
discard when something better came along.
Staggeringly, not only has that prediction
proved wrong, but smartphone ownership has
actually been a runaway success and far from
transitory, particularly on these shores.
The latest figures indicate that almost half of
UK adults (44.8 per cent) now own a
smartphone.
According to Kantar Worldpanel Comtech,
Great Britain is leading the way in smartphone
adoption. We’re in the vanguard, people. 67 per
cent of phones sold in the 12 weeks ending July
10th 2011 were smartphones.
This adoption is not just down to UK
consumers’ insatiable appetite for phones that
connect them to the internet, emails, GPS,
Facebook and the rest. It’s also down to a quirk of
the UK market, as Kantar Worldpanel Comtech’s
global consumer insight director Dominic
Sunnebo explained: “The two
countries which sell the most
smartphones [GB and
Australia] are also the
same two where the
highest proportion of
smartphones are given
free to consumers
signing up to contract
tariffs…Consumers
find it very compelling
to be offered a free
smartphone with little or
no increase in tariff.”
Irrespective of the reasons
behind the surge in smartphone
56 BIKEBIZ JANUARY
ownership in the UK, the fact remains that savvy
consumers on these shores have technology to
hand that they’re not afraid to use.
WHO CARES?
What has all of this got to do with retailing, you
might ask. Aside from the fact that around half of
your customers have almost certainly got one,
the surge in smartphone ownership has opened a
new retail channel up to consumers.
Figures from the end of November 2011 threw
light on a sizable shift in the way consumers
bought goods. According to statistics from the
APiServer Study, 67 per cent of consumers have
used an ‘app’, or software, on a mobile device in
the last twelve months. More pertinently, 33 per
cent have made a purchase using a website on a
mobile device, while 26 per cent have done so
using an app, the survey said.
The same research revealed that 43 per cent
use the mobile web to find information about
organisations and brands while on the move, too.
If you’re still sceptical about smartphones and
retail, you may wish to avert your eyes and look
away now.
Savvy heavyweight cycle retailers Halfords and
Wiggle have both got dedicated mobile versions
of their site (among others), geared specifically to
be used on smartphones. By November 2011, 12
per cent of Wiggle’s customers were using the
retailer’s mobile site to shop. In that month
Wiggle ecommerce head Steve Mills said: “We are
selling up to 50 bikes a week on mobile devices,
including a £4,800 Felt AR1 recently.
“The mobile site was developed in-house and
is unlike the standard off-the-shelf platforms used
by most large retailers. Users of our desktop site
will be pleased to hear that 95 per cent of the
“We are selling
up to 50 bikes
per week on
mobile devices,
including highvalue sales...”
functionality is available on our mobile version.
We’re extremely proud of it.”
Halfords’ mobile site launched in August 2010
and was made transactional by December of that
year. What prompted them to move so quickly in
this area? Research, suggesting that 13 per cent
of e-commerce transactions will come from
mobile in 2013, rising to over 50 per cent in
2014. Statistics that are going to be hard to
swallow for sceptics.
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) said that
in Q3 2011, mobile accounted for ten per cent of
retail searches. BRC director general Stephen
Robertson commented: “Online retailing is still
expanding quickly compared with selling through
stores and searching from mobile devices is
showing the most dramatic increase.”
All of which will probably be of concern,
especially while some bike retailers have yet to
step into the online retail world, let alone mobile
online retail.
But it’s also an exciting opportunity and,
ultimately, another method to make sales for the
nation’s retailers.
While 44.8 per cent of the population now
owns a smartphone there is still plenty of adults
without one. How long for? That’s up for debate
(though would you bet against the ownership
figure rising?). How retailers step up to the
challenge of mobile retail also remains to be
seen. Statistics indicate that for many consumers
mobile retail can be fiddly and unsatisfactory, but
as retailers tweak their offerings, the customer
experience will surely improve. Mobile online
retail won’t be for every shop out there, for sure,
but for those who are keeping up with the big
boys and girls, a mobile-centric retail portal is
looking more and more like an essential.
BIKEBIZ.COM
BIKEBIZ.COM
BIKEBIZ JANUARY 57
PRODUCTS | NEW RELEASES
New gear
This month BikeBiz layers up for the cold months ahead
with socks, jackets and custom-printed tea-carrying
flasks from a variety of sources…
BBB ErgoPlus socks: Windwave
ANATOMICALLY designed especially for cold
weather, the Ergoplus socks carry a sole that is
bulked up with extra insulation thanks to what
the firm calls Far Infrared technology.
This technology keeps feet warm and
comfortable by improving metabolism and
microcirculation. The open structure lines help
moisture wick away, while the seamless toe
construction and flexible ankle prevents damage
to the material.
The black ErgoPlus sock is available in sizes
35-38, 39-42, 43-46 and 47-49 and will retail
for around £15 per pair.
02392 505320
BBB has further socks within its range, some
designed for cold prevention, others specialising
in the elimination of bacteria, or the reverse of
the ErgoPlus, dissipating heat.
Windwave carries stock of much more in the
way of clothing and accessories from BBB.
Dealers can familiarise themselves with much of
the range at January’s Core Bike show, which
kicks off at Whittlebury Hall in
Northamptonshire from January 29th through to
the 31st.
For more information on this trade show, visit
www.corebike.co.uk
Velocite Bikes: Via Red Cloud
VELOCITE BIKES is seeking retail partners to
carry its range of performance road and
mountain bikes, wheelsets and various other
goods.
Revealing a full price list for its revised 2012
line up, the brand can offer three premium
carbon road frames, one alloy road frame and a
high-end carbon MTB hardtail, now all available
in a number of UK specific build options, or as
frame only. Velocite also manufactures a
portfolio of carbon components and road
wheels, as well as a Swiss-designed clothing line.
01767 692831
It’s the top-end rigs that’ll draw in the
enthusiasts, however, with the Velocite Flux
carbon MTB hardtail available in a wide range of
options, including SRAM XX, X0 and X9/X7
builds, as well as Shimano SLX, XT and XTR
options. All carbon fibre frames and complete
builds utilising one will carry a lifetime warranty.
All carbon bikes also come with Shimano
DuraAce Di2 and Ultegra Di2 build options.
Full marketing support is available free of
charge to all stockists courtesy of Red Cloud.
www.velocite-bikes.com
Wildoo: Custom printed flasks
WILDOO NOW offers custom printed stainless
steel bottles and flasks. Made from 18/8 food
grade stainless steel, the bottles are rugged and
durable offering long-lasting, clean taste from
whatever liquids you choose to carry.
There is a range to cover the sports/outdoor
market, a 740ml to fit bike bottle cages and two
sizes of thermos flask. Unlike aluminium bottles
there is no need for a chemical inner surface
coating and therefore the flasks can be safely
used with all fluids including milk and fruit
smoothies.
08709 771550
The minimum order is just 24 bottles making
it an ideal premium promotional item for shops,
cycling clubs and individuals alike.
Wildoo also offers a variety of plastic water
bottles with the same custom-design services
available. Find out more by visiting the firm at
January’s Bike Place exhibitions at Harrogate
from January 26th to 27th and Silverstone on
both the 29th and 30th.
For more information on this trade-only show
and to register, head over to
thebikeplaceshow.co.uk
Endura MT500 ¾ shorts: Direct to retail
ENDURA HAS announced a three-quarter-length
version of its award-winning Spray Baggy shorts
for the cycle market.
Combining the comfort of regular riding
shorts with some of the functionality of
waterproofs, these men’s baggy shorts and three
quarter lengths are brand new for Winter 2011
and give the rider that bit of additional coverage.
With their four-way lightweight stretch
Cordura at the front, the garment offers fantastic
durability and strength, is resistant to tears,
scuffs and abrasions, Endura says.
58 BIKEBIZ JANUARY
01506 497749
What's more, the baggy shorts also feature a
waterproof three-layer fully seam tapered rear to
prevent splash back, with an all-important
waterproof crotch panel to keep the wearer dry
in the saddle.
The Endura MT500 Spray shorts and three
quarter lengths are also Clickfast compatible so
a Clickfast liner can be easily 'clipped' in and out
and will stay in place during your ride.
Strategically placed stretch panels mean these
shorts won't restrict in the saddle, while hem
adjusters help give you the perfect fit.
BIKEBIZ.COM
PRODUCTS | NEW RELEASES
A Victorian Cyclist: Ozaru Books
RETAILING AT £19.99 and perhaps one of the
more interesting reads from a historical point of
view to be released lately, A Victorian Cyclist
offers a rare and insightful look into the Kentish
countryside in 1886.
The third book from historian Stephen
Channing and his wife Shirley, A Victorian Cyclist
includes several different rambles, each
beginning in the seaside town of Margate.
Guiding the reader through nearly 500 miles
of Kent countryside, this informative text
explores a variety of routes that are ideal for the
Intrepid apparel: Direct to retail
INTREPID APPAREL has announced its availability
to trade accounts, following on from the brand’s
Cycle Show launch in September.
Created by Jason Corbett, a Surrey mountain
biker, the firm specialises in clothing for off-road
cycling and has already scored some good
reviews in the consumer magazines.
Corbett told BikeBiz: “Dealers can contact us
directly and it is a very straightforward process
to get a trade account set up. We only launched
in September 2011, so we still have plenty of
stock ready to deliver to the UK retailers and, for
www.victoriancyclist.com
hiker and cyclist alike. Providing detailed
historical insight, the narrative offers a
comprehensive account of the experiences and
discoveries of a Victorian cyclist. This allows the
reader to learn more about the landscape and
ecology of the Victorian age, and discover how
routes and paths have changed and developed
over the years.
A comprehensive website at
www.victoriancyclist.com complements the
book, providing modern day maps, photographs,
information on the villages visited, and more.
[email protected]
this reason, we are willing to be flexible with
retailers to give them an opportunity to try out
stocking Intrepid.”
When asked what’s different about his brand,
Corbett cited a few examples of the technology
and materials used within much of his product.
“The race jersey uses a fast wicking, ultra
breathable material. The softshell uses a
microfleece and is also extremely breathable.”
For more details on the packages available to
retail, contact Corbett on
[email protected].
Clarks Components: Various distributors
INTRODUCED TO the trade at Eurobike and
coming into stock now, Clarks has an extensive
line of new products, ranging from Italian-made
saddles, colourful BMX chains and a number of
other bits under the BMX-specific C4 banner.
The Italian saddles are a talking point, in that
the variety gives dealers budget and higher-end
product to offer their customers, including
titanium railed, touring and city models, comfort
designs and retro styling proving so popular with
the fixed gear crowd.
Federal Liquid fork: Seventies
HASTINGS-DESIGNED and tested BMX brand
Federal has come up with some investment cast
forks, dubbed the Liquid Forks, that will land
with the distributor during December.
Made from 4130 heat-treated chromoly with
an ED anti-rust coating, the main changes over
the prior Drop model centre round the dropout,
with the lower leg joined to the rest of the fork
using a high tolerance fit that is brazed then TIG
welded externally. The steerer carries an
integrated race and the tapered legs are
BIKEBIZ.COM
Saddles aside, Clarks has released a number of
new colourful brake rotors in various shapes and
sizes for those looking to colourmatch even the
smallest components. There’s also carbon fibre
bottle cages, fresh brake pads for new systems
on the market and a number of other items.
Retailers should also look out for Clarks’ new
lighter and improved Exo-Skeletal brake
appearing on some OEM builds in the next 12
months.
www.clarkscyclesystems.com
0845 3103670
designed to avoid contact when used with pegs
during grinds.
Tough 5mm thick drop outs, a 35mm offset
and a final weight of 2lbs make these a solid bet
for the rider with a less than smooth or harsher
riding style.
The fork will be available in the pictured
shade of 'Star Blue', Chromed and ED black.
For more information about the federal line,
including the new signature frames, see
www.federalbikes.com or seventies.co.uk
BIKEBIZ JANUARY 59
SECTOR GUIDE | WORKSHOP, TOOLS, CLEANERS
Workshop wonders…
With a good reputation for tidying bikes up and a decent capacity the workshop can bring in some
of the highest margins available to bike shops beyond bike sales. Mark Sutton investigates what kit
is available to both the in-house mechanic and the consumer after tools…
CSG UK /
Muc Off
HAVING RECENTLY linked with
neighbouring Muc-Off, Cycling Sports
Group UK can now offer retail what is
often hailed as the market leader in
bike cleaning.
With a comprehensive catalogue
spanning cleaning and lubrication fluids,
greases and a number of cleaning tools
and brushes, it’s no surprise that the
firm has several bundled packages
perfect for retail.
One such item is the £24.99 Bike
Care Essentials box, containing a litre of
biodegradable cleaner, 500ml bike
spray, large microcell sponge and a set
of brushes for cleaning wheels and
fiddly components.
For a spotless chain prior to
lubrication, the £21.99 Chain Doc works
by clipping over the chain and
combining heavy-duty rotating brushes
with the power of the brand’s Chain
Cleaner. It makes short work of grime,
claiming to deliver a good as new finish
in under 20 seconds. The kit comes with
a can of Muc-Off Chain Cleaner to use
with the Chain Doc device, making it
ready for polishing chains straight out
of the box.
The firm’s 400ml Chain Lube can
also be attached to the Chain Doc for
mess-free lubrication.
Muc Off’s Workshop 5x brush set
(£23.99) features all five Muc Off
brushes, including the Soft Washing
Brush for bike frame and components,
with care for delicate finishes. The
Detailing Brush is ideal for hard-to-shift
dirt on sprockets, hubs and other tight
areas, while the Claw Brush for mud declogs the chain and cassette. The Wheel
and component brush is shaped and
contorted to clean rims and spokes,
while the Two Prong Bush cleans
shocks, cranks and more.
01202 732288
2pure
SUPPLIERS OF widely used tool brand
Pedros and Feedback Sports products,
2pure has plenty to offer the retailer in
need of both professional standard
product and product for resale.
Pedros are not just limited to tooling,
however, and can also offer products
such as the Green Fizz. This solution is
an environmentally friendly bike wash
to work on the entire bike. The
surfactants of Green Fizz coat the bike
and help wash away grime from the
toughest of rides and it can be used
with or without water. A one-litre bottle
costs £7.99 at retail.
A highlight of this year’s tool
catalogue and perhaps an industry
first – Pedros have introduced the Tulio
multi tool qucik release skewer. With
the QR lever hosting two spoke
wrenches, a chain tool a 4, 5 and 6mm
allen key, flathead screwdriver and an
emergency 8mm allen key, this is ideal
for the gadget freaks among us.
2pure also supplies Feedback Sports
product. The firm is a repair stand
specialist and can offer what it calls the
'Recreational Repair Stand for just
£99.99 at retail, making it ideal for
home mechanics seeking a more
maintenance friendly garage or shed.
0844 811 2001
Chicken
Cyclekit
FOLLOWING STRONG demand from
the market, KMC has now introduced
Chain Lube Pro. This solution is the
original grease used by KMC for the
lubrication of the X-Series Chains. The
lube is available in two sizes; 120ml,
which includes a Dual head
application/cleaning brush for £9.99, or
3ml (enough for one chain), which is
perfect to take with you on muddy
winter rides for just 99p.
Meanwhile, Chicken Cyclekit also
handles the Sapim tool range, from
which the new Nipple Grip is a must for
all wheel builders. The grip speeds up
wheel building and prevents the spoke
nipple dropping inside the wheel rim.
The wire loop grips the nipple so you
can thread it onto the spoke easily,
which is vital if you’re building wheels
with deep section rims.
01525 381347
>>>
BIKEBIZ.COM
BIKEBIZ JANUARY 61
THE WORLD'S BEST, MOST COMPREHENSIVE AND
INNOVATIVE RANGE OF BICYCLE MAINTENANCE PRODUCTS
A CLEAN
GIVEAWAY
Throughout 2012 you can purchase
1 litre of Dirtwash Bike Cleaner for
up to 1/3 off your normal trade price*
Strong on dirt, kind to your bike – Dirtwash is the
ultimate mechanic-approved total bike cleaner.
• 100% acid-free, yet has the penetrating power
associated with acid cleaners
• Cleans quickly with minimal scrubbing
• Safe to use on painted, plated, polished or clear
coated finishes
Ask your wholesaler for details
*Terms and Conditions apply.
MADE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM BY
WE ARE BIKE MAINTENANCE
weldtite.co.uk/facebook • weldtite.co.uk/twitter
SECTOR GUIDE | WORKSHOP, TOOLS, CLEANERS
>>>
Madison
Windwave
AS THE MAIN UK supplier for perhaps
the most famous workshop brand in
the cycling business, Madison carries an
extensive catalogue of Park Tool bits for
the professional mechanic and home
mechanic alike.
The professional tool range has
developed significantly over the past
few years and dealers are invited to talk
to the experts behind the brand at
February’s iceBike*. Until then, Madison
has flagged up the firm’s crown race
cutter and adaptor for 1.5-inch tapered
steerers as a hot product for the
workshop. Designed for perfect facing
every time, the tool is designed for use
with tapered steerer forks and tiny grub
screws lock the adaptor in place while
in use for a precision finish. The package
also includes a precision ground crown
race cutter.
Finish Line cleaners, lubricants and
much more are also available from
Madison, including the £11.99 OneStep aerosol that is both a cleaner and
lubricant in one 360ml can.
0208 385 3385
ONE STOP SHOP for
cycling bits
and bobs BBB has a
range of goods for the
workshop mechanic, a
highlight from which is the
Profimount work stand.
Highly adjustable to a
height of your choice
and preferred clamp
set up, the
Profimount has a
rotating head clamp
that allows for the
top tube or seatpost
to be securely fastened.
Mounted to the stem of
the highly supported stand is a
detachable tool tray. Once a job’s
finished the workstand packs down
in a few folds and can be stored in a
supplied carry bag. At just 5.4KG, it’s
a highly portable solution for the
mechanic on the move, or the in-store
workshop. At retail, the Profimount will
cost £149.95, should your customers
become envious.
Upgrade
THE BIG news from Upgrade’s stable
this year has to be Lezyne’s expanding
line of workshop tools for the
professional. In typical Lezyne fashion,
each is aesthetically pleasing, with
polished finishes and wooden handles
featuring on many tools.
New for 2012 are the home ‘shop
tools’ – a concise range of professional
quality tools for use at home that
includes CNC alloy or Classic (wood
handle) pedal and chain whip tools and
the innovative Two-Way Tech tools for
BB and cassette lock ring removal.
There’s also a new three-Way
Wrench tool that offers durable Steel
bodies and replaceable bits, a new CNC
three-way spoke wrench and for the
Windwave are also able to supply a
dedicated tool range targeted at the
consumer from IceToolz, as well as
plenty more from the BBB range.
02392 505320
Hotlines
‘must have it all’ customers out there, a
reassuringly large Shock Pump that
retails for £69.99, but is built for life.
Green Oil has been part of the stable
for some time too and offers the
Cycling Plus ‘Best Buy’ rated bike
cleaner. The use of concentrates with
the re-useable bottle system typifies
Green Oil’s commitment to less waste,
reduced landfill and minimised carbon
footprint.
Meanwhile, Effetto has a fancy
torque wrench that may end up top of
your shop’s wish list in the near future.
The Calibrated torque wrench is
designed with a range of torque 216NM and has a loud ‘click’ to threedegree movement when torque is
achieved with a ratchet head and
magnetic head that takes the
16 tool bits. A complete
boxed set retails for
£189.99 with a more
affordable tool,
without bits, starting
at £114.99.
01403 711 611
SUPER ENVIRONMENTALLY friendly
brand Orantas is now under the
Hotlines distribution umbrella with
stock of waterproof greases, lubricants
and cleaning goods all available.
Largely made from natural sources,
such as plants, the Canadian firm’s
product is biodegradable and non toxic.
The staple lubricant product, dubbed
the Plant-Based Lube, is a biodegradable
and non-toxic all-purpose lubricant and
anti-corrosive spray made from over 70
per cent sustainable material –
including the propellant.
For tougher jobs involving bearings,
the grease is again a synthetic
biodegradable solution with extreme
pressure additives made from plantbased material.
Hotlines is also the exclusive
distributor for X-tools, another brand
with both professional workshop tools
and amateur mechanic friendly tools.
For just £59.99 at retail, X-Tools offers
an 18-piece tool kit containing
everything the mechanic on the mood
will typically need – from chain whips,
through allen keys, cassette tools, crank
extractors and much more. It’s Well
worth a look for the freelance mechanic
on a budget.
0131 319 1444
>>>
BIKEBIZ.COM
BIKEBIZ JANUARY 63
SECTOR GUIDE | WORKSHOP, TOOLS, CLEANERS
>>>
Oxford
Products
SUPPLYING A series of tools and
multitools, largely under the £25 mark,
Oxford Products can supply plenty for
the amateur mechanic, from cone
spanners and cabel cutters, through
more advanced items like
cotterless crank extractors.
Staple goods such as
multitools are also
available, with a ten-tool
unit costing just £15.99
and coming equipped with
chrome vanadium steel
allen keys spanning 2mm
to 8mm and holding
screwdrivers and a Torx 25
key. A carry pouch is also
included.
A series of cleaning
brushes are also available
in a handy pack of four,
each with ergonomically
designed handles and
tough bristles.
01993 862 300
Moore Large
AS WELL AS stocking Weldtite goods,
Moore Large carries plenty of other
brands spanning tools, cleaning and
lubrication goods, among other items.
Pro Clean has been a leading name
in motorcycle cleaning and
maintenance products for over 15 years
and is now beginning to make inroads
into the cycling business.
The range consists of cleaners, hand
scrub, kit wash, degreaser, protection,
lubrication, polish and grip lock retailing
from £5.29. The Pro Clean chemists are
Zyro
Weldtite
FOR 2012, Fenwick’s steps forwards with
a major facelift and several new products.
Some lines have received name
changes to improve clarity and
understanding in the eyes of the
consumer – for example, the £8.99 Frame
and Shock Finishing Spray becomes
Showroom Finish Spray, FS Foaming
Degreaser becomes Foaming Chain
Cleaner and all new labels include QR
codes, which directs to video, showing
the product being used.
New products include lower-priced
sizes of aerosols, the simple Chain
Cleaning Sponge (£1.99), the non-latex
Airtight Tubeless Tyre Sealant (£19.99)
and the Stealth Road and Stealth
Mountain Bike lubes (£9.99). These new
performance-oriented lubes are created
by a combination of specialist synthetic
components; handpicked by a master
lubricant formulator, a surfactant
specialist and a material scientist.
Minoura has some workshop standard
workstands and truing jigs available
through Zyro, including the £109.99 True
Pro wheel jig, which is now compatible
with 29er and carbon rims. A spoke key is
included in the package.
Finally, Zefal (aside from producing a
new series of pumps) also offers brush
kits for the customer with a taste for
keeping their bike looking fresh. These
start at just £5.99 and various brushes
are available for different tasks. A brush
set retails for £15.99.
01845 521700
WELDTITE HAS plenty going on at
present, as demonstrated recently on
their stand at Eurobike. Log onto
BikeBiz.com and search Weldtite for
more on the brand’s latest highly
adaptable workshop stand head, which
is capable of latching onto car tow
balls, among other things.
A highlight from the latest additions
to the tool line is the 07701 universal
bottom bracket removal tool
set. Bottom brackets come under more
pressure during the winter because of
the bad weather, and
it is the time when
many fail, so having
the tool for a
workshop service is
essential. Weldtite also
offers a DVD free-ofcharge showing
demonstrations of how
all its workshop tools
are used – just call the
firm for a copy.
For cleaners,
Weldtite has an offer
launching before
Christmas. During
2012, a one-litre
Dirtwash bike
cleaner will be on
‘three for two
promotion’.
The 2012
trade price for a
12 pack of Dirtwash
64 BIKEBIZ JANUARY
working constantly to evolve the
products, all while maintaining the
long-running eco-credentials of the
biodegradable product line.
New to One23 is a sleek range of
tools offering strong value for money.
The range consists of a comprehensive
selection of multi tools from 4-in-1 to
20-in-1 units, as well as hex keys and
chain tools.
Retail prices range from £4.99 to
£22.99.
01332 274200
one litre cleaner is £47.00 per pack
making the cost of an individual bottle
£3.92. By taking advantage of the threefor-two promotion retailers will pay
£94.00 for three packs of Dirtwash
making the cost of an individual bottle
£2.61 trade which is a discount of 59
per cent and gives your store an
opportunity to offer the product to your
customers at a substantially better price
than any other bike cleaner currently in
the market, says Weldtite.
01652 660000
BIKEBIZ.COM
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BIKEBIZ JANUARY 65
66 BIKEBIZ JANUARY
BIKEBIZ.COM
SECTOR GUIDE | TRAINING
Workshop Training
Certificates on the wall and experience working with professionals is key to the making of a good
mechanic. Mark Sutton ask two of the industry’s training providers about their courses...
ATG Training
CLAIMING TO deliver around 90 per
cent of the Cytech accredited training
in the UK, ATG offers two short-term
apprenticeships for cycle mechanics:
firstly, a Bike Apprenticeship for working
mechanics who want more training and
qualifications under their belts. This
includes a Maintenance Certificate,
Cytech Technical Two and DT Swiss
wheel build training, Cycle Maintenance
NVQ2 and Keyskills Level one or two.
Then there is the Advanced Cycle
Apprenticeship, for those who want
more technical know-how after
completing the standard
apprenticeship. This includes the
Diploma of Cycle Maintenance, Cytech
Technical Three training (three courses),
Cycle Maintenance NVQ3 and Key
Skills at a minimum of Level 2. The
apprenticeship programme lasts
between six and nine months
dependent of the capabilities of the
candidate and the level of the
qualification.
Although employers are expected to
contribute to the overall cost of
delivering, assessing and certificating a
learner, the available subsidies in many
cases are substantial and a training
provider such as ATG can help dealers
through the process of finding the best
option for their business.
A survey commissioned by BBC
Inside Out suggests that two-thirds of
potential students would now consider
apprenticeships instead because of
university tuition fees. Apprenticeships
can be delivered largely at the place of
work with little downtime for the
training mechanics.
Best of all, apprenticeships are
eligible for public funding for
participants irrespective of their age, as
long as they meet the funding criteria.
www.atg-training.co.uk
Cycle
Systems
Academy
CITING THE Academy’s BikeBiz
Award win as a highlight of the
past year, director of Cycle
Systems Sean Lally feels the
educational facility has reached a
certain maturity within the trade.
“The fact that the award was
voted for by the industry itself is
of great significance to us,” said
Lally. “It’s a clear indication that
Cycle Systems Academy is now a
recognised brand in the delivery
of industry standard training, and
we were very honoured to have
received it.”
An ever-growing customer base
backs up the trade recognition
too. Having increased the amount of
apprenticeships provided for the cycle
industry means that the Academy has
been able to add many IBDs, Specialized
Concept Stores, Brompton, Cycle King
and Wiggle to their list of customers.
“Our advanced Level Three
apprenticeship is proving of particular
BIKEBIZ.COM
interest to businesses dealing with highend road and specialist mountain bike
equipment, such as Di2 groupsets and
suspension servicing,” Lally said. “The
investment we have made in Level Three
equipment is second to none, and we
have a huge amount of kit for students
to learn with.”
Striking up a partnership with
Havering College – one of the five
biggest Further Education colleges in the
country – means apprenticeship funding
is secure for learners under 25 and that
Cycle Systems can continue to develop
new courses to meet demand from the
cycle industry. As an extra incentive for
those companies concerned about
sending apprentices to London for
training, Havering also provides CRB
-approved ‘host families’ for
enrolled students to stay with
during their studies.
"Furthermore, the new cycle
specific retail NVQ can also be
included in an apprenticeship at no
extra charge and is soon to include
an industry-recognised cycle fitting
element due to a particular
demand for this from bike shops,”
adds Lally.
“Our goals for 2012 are to
expand our cycle trade
apprenticeships nationwide and
consolidate our reputation as the
quality option for cycle industry
standard training. The National
Apprenticeship Service continues to
recommend us, and we have passed
all our external verification quality
control visits with flying colours
from the cycle trade awarding bodies.
We welcome any queries regarding
training and different subsidised
packages available. If you want
something bespoke rather than the ‘off
the shelf’ course options, please do not
be afraid to enquire.”
www.cycle-systems-academy.co.uk
BIKEBIZ JANUARY 67
LETTERS | YOUR SAY
Mail to:
Saxon House, 6A St. Andrews Street,
Hertford, Hertfordshire SG14 1JA
SPONSORED BY
Email:
Jonathon.Harker@
intentmedia.co.uk
STAR LETTER
BikeBiz is keen to publish your opinions, whether they’re from
letters, emails or via BikeBiz.com...
When will we learn?
The cost of motoring is soaring, so we’ve got to
encourage consumers to take to two wheels and save
money, writes one reader…
Dear BikeBiz
With the news from the RAC that an average
cost of a new car in the UK is £128 per week,
when will we realise that ‘pottering’ in a car is
just pretty stupid and unbelievably expensive?
When we go abroad we see young and old
stepping on to a bike right outside where they
are then travelling to right outside where they
want to be. They are fitter, more vitalised,
more energised and – most of all – really in
pocket in comparison to us in the UK. We pull
out a car to go half a mile up the road.
Children sit in splendid isolation in large
people carriers being driven (in perceived
safety) to school sometimes no more than a
few hundred yards down or up the road.
How many people that you know, who
cycle regularly, are seriously obese or troubled
with persistent ‘ailments’? Indeed it would be
interesting to contrast the amount of time
those that cycle to work on a daily basis take
off compared to other colleagues leading less
active stress filled lives.
The case for cycling is a compelling one. I
am involved in an electric bike business, part
of the fastest growing sector in the
worldwide bike industry. For those who want
to take as much or as little exercise, e bikes –
are the answer. The sense of freedom and the
speed of journey can only be appreciated
when you travel by an electric bike. Cruising
past a line of stationary cars is a great feeling
– so too avoiding parking problems. The bike
is there for the weekend, and for less expense,
days out take a new meaning and perspective.
Best of all, if you travel by bike, the saving
of cash against cars – and even public
transport – is massive. A short five-mile
journey from Coulsdon in Surrey to Croydon,
return, costs £4.40. If you do this five times a
week this mounts up to a staggering £1,144
per annum, or £95 per month. Contrast with
the cost of owning a quality electric bike,
which costs under £50 a month to purchase
on deferred terms and 6p for a charge, which
will take you 30-miles-plus. At the end of the
term the bike is yours and so too is your
improved health and wellbeing.
Save money, take some exercise, enjoy
freedom with quick effortless travel and get
on an electric bike. It’s a message we need to
get out to potential customers.
Ray Wookey
Cycling Made Easy
www.cyclingmadeeasy.co.uk
Tel. 0208 660 8823
Ray Wookey believes
breaking down the
costs of bikes versus
other transport could
convert some
STAR LETTER
Whether it’s a hand-written, sentthrough-the-post letter, email or a
comment made on the BikeBiz Forum,
the best letter of the month wins a
prize from Oxford Products.
This month the lucky winner will receive
the Ultra Torch 9.
Waterproof Front headlight
Anti-shock switch non-slip structure
Quick release Jubilee clip suits
31.6mm handle bars
Batteries included
Jekyll
Jekyll
Prices £2,499.99 - £4,999.99
“Bikes are becoming more capable and versatile every year
and the new Cannondale Jekyll is the epitome of this”
- MBUK
RZOne20
“Unshakable on trail confidence thanks to great handling
and decent suspension performance”
- What Mountain Bike
Flash Carbon
“A truly awe-inspiring carbon colossus”
- Bicycle Buyer
Duster
Duster
Prices £999.99 - £1,599.99
“A buttery smooth free flowing ride, we adored this bike from
the moment we set it up”
- Bicycle Buyer
“I always wanted a simple Ti frame with great geometry and
this one suits me right down to the ground. Bring on the
grimy winter - the Duster Ti is begging for it!”
- MBUK
Blender
“It just makes you smile whatever you do on it, and we love
bikes that make you do that’.”
- Dirt
Avalanche
Avalanche
Prices £449.99 - £799.99
“We can guarantee that you’ll be riding and upgrading this
frame ten winters from now”
- MBR
Sensor
“Trail-munching suspension and rewarding handling deliver
a properly fun ride”
- What Mountain Bike
Karakoram 29er
“You probably won’t find a better riding 29er at this price”
- MBUK
Zaskar
“Light, stiff, flickable, reassuring handling, serious fun.
It’s a fantastic bike”
- MBUK
Slayton
Slayton
Prices £1,599.99 - £2,199.99
“We rode on a variety of trails and the Slayton impressed
across the board”
- MBR
Salvo
“Strong spec, distinctive graphics and capable suspension
performance”
- What Mountain Bike
Tyax Super
“A long forked trail bike with fast tyres & classy finishing kit”
- MBUK
in association with
The new BikeBiz Bible is out now,
providing the industry with a
must-have guide to the UK’s
retailers, distributors,
manufacturers and related
businesses.
If you’d like to find out more,
contact Carly Bailey on
01992 535647 or email
[email protected]
The BikeBiz Bible will also be
available online.
Visit www.bikebiz.com
2PURE
Unit 2A, Unit 3A,
Kirkliston
Tel: 0131 448 2884
www.2pure.co.uk
2X2
Unit 6, Hall End Business Park
Dordon,
Tamworth, Staffs. B78 1SX
Tel: 01827 331099
www.2x2worldwide.com
FAT SPANNER
Tel: 07966 401165
Web: www.fatspannerworld.com
BM7 DISPLAYS
Unit 7, Metro Centre,
Toutley Road
Wokingham,
Berkshire. RG41 1QW
Tel: 0118 977 2814
www.bm7displays.com
BOHLE UK LTD
Schwalbe Centre
Hortonwood 30, Telford,
Shropshire. TF1 7ET
Tel: 01952 602680
www.schwalbe.co.uk
BUA SPORTS LTD
Sandyford Office Centre
17 Corrig Road,
Sandyford,
Dublin 18. ROI.
Tel: +353 8799 78859
www.buasports.com
BUFFERA LTD
Cranborne House,
Cranbourne Road,
Potters Bar,
Herts. EN6 3JN
Tel: 01707 852244
www.buffwear.co.uk
C3 PRODUCTS LTD
Tel: 0754 564 2931
www.c3products.com
THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO RETAILERS, SUPPLIERS AND SERVICES WITHIN THE CYCLE TRADE
For additional copies please contact
[email protected]
CARRADICE OF NELSON LTD
Westmoreland Works
St. Mary's Street,
Nelson
Lancashire, BB9 7BA
Tel: 01282 615886
www.carradice.co.uk
CYBERTILL LTD
2 Dovecote Court
Stanley Grange, Ormskirk Road
Knowsley,
Merseyside. L34 4AR
Tel: 0800 030 4432
www.cybertill.co.uk
CYCLING SPORTS GROUP
Vantage Way,
The Fulcrum
Poole, Dorset.
BH12 4NU
Tel: 01202 732288
www.cyclingsportsgroup.co.uk
CUSTOM SPORTS CLOTHING
Tel: 07580 495881
www.customsportsclothing.com
DAWES CYCLES LTD
35 Tameside Drive,
Castle Bromwich,
Birmingham. B35 7AG
Tel: 0121 748 8050
Web: www.dawescycles.com
www.dirty-bikes.com
www.barrosabikes.com
EUROBIKE LTD
9 Portico Road
Littleover, Derby.
DE23 3NJ
Tel: 01332 774796
www.eurobike.uk.com
FALCON CYCLES LTD
Bridge Street
Brigg, Lincs.
DN20 8PB
Tel: 01652 656000
www.falconcycles.co.uk
FISHER OUTDOOR LEISURE LTD
8/9 Brick Knoll Park
Ashley Road,
St Albans,
Herts. AL1 5UG
Tel: 01727 798345
www.fisheroutdoor.co.uk
GREEN OIL UK LTD
Green Oil House
12 Rolvenden Gardens
Bromley,
Kent. BR1 2TN
Tel: 020 8313 9074
www.green-oil.net
CHICKEN, RJ & SONS LTD
Unit B2, Cherrycourt Way
Leighton Buzzard,
Bedfordshire. LU7 4UH
Tel: 01525 381347
www.chickenb2b.co.uk
HIGH FIVE LTD
Unit 4 Ash Court,
Forest Business Park
Bardon,
Leicestershire. LE67 1UD
Tel: 01530 835873
www.highfive.co.uk
CHOCOLATE DISTRIBUTION LTD
2 Flint Cottages
Oxford Road,
Stokenchurch
Bucks, HP14 3SX
Tel: 0871 231 9966
www.chocolatedistribution.com
HOTLINES EUROPE LTD
Unit 17 The Loan
Viewforthbank Industrial Estate
South Queensferry.
EH30 9SD
Tel: 0131 319 1444
www.hotlines-uk.com and www.hotlines-europe.com
CAMBRIAN TYRES/CONTINENTAL
North Parade,
Aberystwyth
Ceredigion. SY23 2JR
Tel: 01970 626777
www.conti-tyres.co.uk
HYKEHAM WHOLESALE LTD
7 Earlsfield Close,
Lincoln.
LN6 3RT
Tel: 01522 801550
www.hykehamwholesale.co.uk
DISTRIBUTION
AND WHOLESALE
E-COMMERCE
AND EPOS
I-RIDE.CO.UK
7-8B Mid Sussex Business Park
Ditchling Common Industrial Estate
Folders Lane East,
Ditchling, Sussex. BN6 8SE
Tel: 01444 243000
www.i-ride.co.uk
ISKUTE LIMITED
Tel: 01803 752225
www.gritscooters.co.uk
JOHN JORDAN LIMITED
Unit 3 Toll Bar Estate
SEDBERGH
Cumbria
LA10 5HA
Tel: 01539 751125
www.buzzrack.co.uk
JUNGLE PRODUCTS LTD
Unit 3,
The Cedar New York Mills,
Summerbridge. HG3 4LA
Tel: 01423 780088
www.jungleproducts.co.uk
www.santacruzbikes.co.uk
KOOL STOP EUROPE
Kool-Stop Europe bv,
Kostverloren 21
NL 9684 TB Finsterwolde
The Netherlands
Tel: +31 597 522 944
www.koolstop.eu
MAVIC SAS
Amer Sports UK,
Theta Building, Lyon Way, Frimley,
Surrey. GU16 7ER
Tel: 01276 404870
www.mavic.com
MDI LIMITED
115 New Court Way
Ormsmirk,
Lancashire. L39 2YT
Tel: 01695 571029
www.mikedixonimports.co.uk
MOJO SUSPENSION HOODOO LTD
2 Rbf Business Centre
Pontymister Industrial Estate
Risca, Newport. NP11 6NP
Tel: 01633 615815
www.mojo.co.uk
MOORE LARGE & CO LTD
Sinfin Lane Industrial Estate
Sinfin Lane, Derby. DE24 9GL
Tel: 01332 274252
www.moorelarge.co.uk
NEMESIS GB LTD
17 Great Western Business Park
McKenzie Way, Tolladine Road
Worcester. WR4 9GN
Tel: 08707 775530
www.nemesisgb.com
PALIGAP LTD
Unit 2 Danbury House
Great Western Park Armstrong Way,
Yate, Bristol. BS37 5NG
Tel: 01454 313116
www.paligapltd.co.uk
PARKLIFE (HAVANT) LTD
Unit 5, Butterick Building
New Lane, Havant. P09 2ND
Tel: 02392 475895
www.parklifeparts.com
EVENT
ORGANISERS
Specialist | Cycle | Distribution
MEDIA AND
PUBLISHING
MARKETING,
PR AND
CONSULTANCY
PELICAN PR
No.1 Holly House,
Mill Street,
Uppermill,
Oldham OL3 6LZ
Tel: 01457 820807
www.pelicanpr.co.uk
POWACYCLE
Akhter House,
Perry Road
Harlow,
Essex. CM18 7PN
Tel: 01279 821243
www.powacycle.co.uk
PUNCTURE PROOF TYRES
Unit 1,
Barons Court Gardens
Bromsgrove. B61 9ET
Tel: 0844 800 6493
www.puncture-proof-tyres.co.uk
RAM-MOUNT UK LTD
Unit 5, The Lion Cente,
Hanworth Trading Estate,
Hampton Road West
Feltham. TW13 6DS
Tel: 020 8894 1234
www.ram-mount.co.uk
RED CLOUD MC
2 Merlin Drive
Sandy,
Bedfordshire. SG19 2UN
Tel: 01767 692831
www.redcloudmc.com
REECE CYCLES PLC
100 Alcester Street,
Birmingham. B12 0QB
Tel: 0121 622 0180
www.reececycles.co.uk
SADDLEBACK LTD
Unit 10,
Easter Court
Woodward Avenue
Yate, Bristol. BS37 5YS
Tel: 01454 285285
www.saddleback.co.uk
SEVENTIES LTD
Unit 1,
25 Moorhurst Road
St Leonards on Sea,
East Sussex. TN38 9NB
Tel: 0845 310 3670
www.seventies.co.uk
SILVERFISH UK LTD
Unit 3C and 3B Woodacre Court
Saltash Parkway Industrial Estate
Burraton Road, Saltash,
Cornwall. PL12 6LY
Tel: 01752 843882
www.silverfish-uk.com
MANUFACTURER,
STANDALONE
BRANDS
RETAILERS,
WORKSHOP
AND MAIL ORDER
SERVICES
AND TRAINING
SURF SALES LTD
Point Break
North Road,
Shorncliffe,
Folkestone
Kent. CT20 3UH
Tel: 01303 850553
www.surf-sales.com
THE CYCLE DIVISION
Unit 27,
Gatehouse Enterprise Centre
Albert Street, Lockwood,
Huddersfield,
West Yorkshire. HD1 3QD
Tel: 0845 050 8500
www.thecycledivision.com
THE CYCLE SHOW
Upper Street Events Limited
58 White Lion Street
Islington, London. N1 9PP
Tel: 020 7288 6733
020 7288 6010
www.cycleshow.co.uk
UPGRADE
PO Box 688
Horsham, West Sussex.
RH13 8XQ
Tel: 01403 711611
www.upgradebikes.co.uk
USE LTD
(ULTIMATE SPORTS ENGINEERING)
Unit 6,
Hampers Common Industrial Estate
Petworth,
West Sussex. GU28 9NR
Tel: 01798 344477
www.use1.com
www.exposurelights.com
VELORBIS LTD
Peter Bangs Vej 53
DK 2000 Frederiksberg,
Denmark
Tel: +453 111 0030
www.velorbis.com
WALKERS CYCLE COMPONENTS LTD
22 Holywell Road
Leicester.
LE2 8SG
Tel: 0116 283 3885
www.walkerscycles.co.uk
WILDOO LTD
39 Barton Road
Water Eaton Industrial Park
Bletchley.
MK2 3HW
Tel: 01908 374555
www.wildoo.co.uk
SONIC CYCLES
PO Box 39804,
London.
W11 4WQ
Tel: 020 7243 2848
www.soniccycles.co.uk/b2b
ZIPVIT LIMITED
7-8B Mid Sussex Business Park
Ditchling Common Industrial Estate
Folders Lane East,
Ditchling,
Sussex. BN6 8SE
Tel: 06 283 3885
www.zipvit.co.uk
STORMFRONT TECHNOLOGIES LTD
Unit 1B,
The Newton Centre
Thorverton Road,
Exeter. EX2 8GN
Tel: 0800 612 1044
www.stormfront.co.uk
ZYRO LTD
Thirsk Industrial Park
York Road, Thirsk.
North Yorkshire,
YO7 3BX
Tel: 01845 521 700
www.zyro.co.uk
ORGANISATIONS
COMPANY PROFILE | EVENTS
UPCOMING EVENTS
SPOTLIGHT
COMPANY PROFILE
WELDTITE
CHRIS JENKINSON
Tel: +44 (0)1652 660000
Fax: +44 (0)1652 660066
Email: [email protected]
W: www.weldtite.co.uk
CORE BIKE 2012
Sunday January 29th to 31st
Whittlebury Hall, Northants
www.corebike.co.uk
January 2012
THE LONDON BIKE SHOW
Thursday January 12th to 15th
ExCeL, London
www.londonbikeshow.co.uk
THE BIKE PLACE
Thursday January 26th to 27th
Great Yorkshire Showground,
Sunday January 29th to 30th
Towcester Showground
CORE BIKE 2012
Sunday January 29th to 31st
Whittlebury Hall, Northants
www.corebike.co.uk
February 2012
FISHER OUTDOOR LEISURE
EXPO 2012
Monday Feb 20th to 22nd
Sopwell House, St Albans
www.fisherexpo.co.uk
MADISON ICEBIKE* 2012
Tuesday Feb 21st to 23rd
Madison’s Distribution Centre,
Milton Keynes
www.icebike.co.uk
SEOUL BICYCLE EXHIBTION
Thursday February 24th to
26th
Seoul, Korea
www.seoulbikeshow.com
March 2012
TAIPEI CYCLE SHOW 2012
Saturday March 7th to 10th
TWTC Nangang Exhibition
Hall, Taipei
www.taipeicycle.com.tw
BESPOKED BRISTOL – THE
HANDMADE BICYCLE SHOW
Friday Mar 23rd to 25th
Brunel’s Old Station, Bristol
www.bespokedbristol.co.uk
EUROPEAN HANDMADE
BICYCLE EXHIBITION 2012
Friday March 30th to April 1st
Congress Centum, Germany
www.e-h-b-e.eu
April 2012
THE SCOTTISH BIKE SHOW
Friday April 13th to 15th
Glasgow, SECC
thescottishbikeshow.com
SEA OTTER CLASSIC 2012
Thursday April 19th to 22nd
Monterey California
www.seaotterclassic.com
June 2012
YORK CYCLE SHOW
Saturday June 23rd to 24th
The Racecourse, York
www.yorkcycleshow.co.uk
For more cycle trade dates: www.bikebiz.com/events
THE BIBLE
IS BACK!
You’ve a few launches planned for
Fisher’s Expo – what are these?
Weldtite has agreed an exclusive
distribution deal with Fisher for the
new PURE range of eco-friendly
cleaning and lubrication range which
will be launched at their Expo show.
Within the range there are eight
products which not only perform really
well but are totally environmentally
friendly. Everything we make for PURE
maximises the use of sustainable
ingredients derived from natural and
renewable resources 100 per cent free
from petroleum based solvents. The
products in the line up are one litre
Bike Wash, Bike Wash Concentrate, Bike
Protector, Bike Degreaser, Bike Oil, Wet
Lube, Dry Lube and Bike Grease.
Any promotions running before,
during or after these shows?
During 2012 we are running a Dirtwash
cleaning promotion which will be
advertised as ‘A Clean Giveaway: clean
for less in 2012...’ Throughout the
whole of 2012 you can purchase 1 litre
of Dirtwash Bike Cleaner for up to a
third off your normal trade price.
This offer is being mailed to all our
UK distributors and retail partners and
runs from Jan to December 2012.
It seems like the catalogue is evergrowing – what’s new this year?
There are a number of new items in
the catalogue for this year but the
biggest change has been the new TF2
lubricant bottles which now offer a
double seal on the closure and a longer
nozzle for better application. Using the
new bottle we have also added an
additional lubricant into the TF2 family
with the inclusion of an all-weather
offering for all-year-round protection.
TF2 Performance is a high quality
lubricant with Teflon for multipurpose
application on the bike. The
Combination Kits with the addition of
a mini Pit Stop Cleaning kit which
offers all the products you need to
clean and lube the bike in a handy 2.3
litre round bucket have also expanded.
How can retailers take stock?
During 2012 we ran a promo to
encourage retailers to take a display
stand enabling them to offer a wider
range of our products. It was an
enormous success and was taken up by
over 350 shops who are now listed as a
Weldtite Partner Stockist on our site.
During 2012 we are looking to expand
our stockists further and retailers
should look out for special offers at the
in-house shows and special discount
vouchers available through wholesalers.
For our existing partners we will
contact them regularly and are
planning a series of giveaways and
offers this year to encourage them to
promote the Weldtite brand.
In order to become a Weldtite
Partner contact your local wholesaler
who will be able to offer the best deal
to enable them to become a Weldtite
Partner and become eligible for all the
associated benefits.
For additional copies please contact:
[email protected]
BIKEBIZ MARKETPLACE
TO ADVERTISE IN THESE PAGES PLEASE CALL CARLY BAILEY ON 01992 535647
The BikeBiz Marketplace offers a complete
marketing package of print, online and
editorial visibility, allowing companies the
opportunity to maintain contact with
readers each month without the
associated cost of full display advertising.
Its associated online version, has been
designed to offer readers a directory of all
products and services in the bike trade.
Your presence in this section ensures that
your company’s details are easily found,
keeping you one step ahead of your
competitors.
THE STANDARD PACKAGE INCLUDES:
A quarter page advert in each issue
Regular editorial coverage in the dedicated column
Company details listed in the online directory
with web link
Company details listed in the BikeBiz
Marketplace Contacts
Marketplace
Quarter PRataes:
ge
To get your company featured here contact:
Carly Bailey on 01992 535647 or
[email protected]
£175
(minimum
six months)
MARKETPLACE CONTACTS
BIKES & ACCESSORIES
EPOS
Bob Elliot & Co Ltd
01772 459 887
www.bob-elliot.co.uk
B&W International (Cases & Bags)
01539 751125
www.bike-cases.co.uk
Kinesis Bikes
01403 711 611
www.kinesisbikes.co.uk
LABELS
Madison
01908 326 000
www.madisonb2b.co.uk
Adcal Labels
Pivot Cycles
01403 711 611
www.upgradebikes.co.uk
Seventies
0845 310 3670
www.seventies.co.uk
The Cycle Division
0845 0508 500
www.thecycledivision.com
Citrus Lime
0845 603 9254
www.citrus-retail.com
01494 530761
www.adcal-labels.co.uk
Exposure Lights
01798 344 477
www.exposurelights.com
USE Ltd
01798 344 477
www.use1.com
01444 243 000
www.zipvitsport.com
BUZZRACK
01539 751125
www.buzzrack.co.uk
Pendle
01282 699 555
www.pendle-bike.co.uk
0117 972 4730
www.argoscycles.com
0207 6082577
www.cycle-systemsacademy.co.uk
Bottlesport
0845 602 9267
www.bottlesport.com
Wildoo Ltd
01908 374 555
www.wildoo.co.uk
01709 511766
www.siwis.co.uk
LIGHTING
BIKE MAINTENANCE
Weldtite
01652 660 000
www.weldtite.co.uk
NUTRITION
Zipvit
COMPONENTS
Independent
01299 400008
www.independent100.com
Lezyne
01403 711 611
www.upgradebikes.co.uk
Pace cycles Ltd
01723 867 919
www.pacecycles.com
Paligap
01454 313116
www.paligap.cc
Sonic Cycles
020 7243 2848
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OFF TRACK | NUMBER CRUNCHING
I N THE SADDLE
Let’s get
statistical
Which was the only bike shop to make Time Out’s top 100 shops of
2011 (and where did it come in the list)? And how fast is the Tour of
Britain gaining fans? All these questions and more are tackled in
this month’s compilation of statistics and numbers...
4,000
Ian Alexander,
Whyte Bikes designer
The number of new employers Cyclescheme signed up in 2011
(correct at time of press).
What bikes do you own and where’s your favourite place
to ride?
I suppose I don’t really own bikes in the conventional sense. I
have a fleeting and transient relationship with about half a
dozen bikes at any one time depending on what we’re
developing. They very often change from day-to-day
depending on set-up and parts we’re testing until we settle on
a particular set-up and then they can stay built for a while,
until we’re onto the next thing.
A favourite place to ride MTB’s is anywhere fast with great
flow. I’m not so much into really slow and technical terrain.
Tell us about the Whyte line for this year and any design
features unique to the brand:
We’ve pushed into a new area with the 146X for 2012. It’s a
very focused UK evolved trail bike with pretty much the
complete spec anyone could want. It’s been a massive success
for us.
Our 29er concept has shown great promise in alloy and
carbon, again evolving from a UK perspective instead of the
more common USA origins of the 29er platform.
The Whyte cyclocross bikes have also been amazingly well
received, and that’s really an extension of the Urban and Cross
Trail lines Whyte has branched into with massive growth. We’ll
be at the London Bike Show in January with the complete
line.
Can interested dealers test ride the line – if so, how and
where can they do so?
Yes, we believe there is no other realistic way to understand
the Whyte philosophy than to get onto the bikes. It goes for
dealers, as well as customers, so we have Neil Halcrow out
with the Whyte demo truck doing a great job riding with the
public and training our IBD partners all year, it’s really key to
the brand.
54th
Bobbin Globe shop, a collaboration
between Bobbin Bicyles and Globe
Bikes, made 54th on Time Out’s top
100 shops.
Anything exciting/fresh in the pipeline for 2013?
Plenty. We’re continuing to push really hard into new areas
and keep developing and evolving our current frames and
P&A. Sat in my computer’s 2013 Folder are 19 separate
Whyte projects we’ve been on all year, a lot of which will see
the shops.
82 BIKEBIZ JANUARY
BIKEBIZ.COM
OFF TRACK | NUMBER CRUNCHING
30%
Finance-funded sales rose 30 per cent in
bike retail (in July and September)
according to ActSmart.
OUR BIGGEST TEN STORIES ONLINE IN
NOVEMBER
3.9%
Cycle and leisure sales rose 3.9 per cent
for Halfords in its half-year financials,
positive news in a period where group
revenue fell 0.1 per cent for the retailer.
1. Chain Reaction and Wiggle ‘guilty of exploitation’,
says US store
/news/read/chain-reaction-wiggle-guilty-ofexploitation-says-us-store/012250
2. Argos Christmas TV advert re-ignites bicycle
shaped object debate
/news/read/argos-christmas-tv-advert-re-ignitesbicycle-shaped-object-debate/012258
3. Confused.com stirs up cyclist hate debate
/news/read/confused-com-stirs-up-cyclist-hatedebate/012239
17%
Audiences for the Tour of Britain continued to rise, with 2011’s edition
up 17 per cent in viewers of the daily ITV4 highlights.
4. Car website becomes viral hit with cyclists
/news/read/car-website-becomes-viral-hit-withcyclists/012193
5. Cyclist seeks compensation after alleged Halfords
bodge job
/news/read/cyclist-seeks-compensation-after-allegedhalfords-bodge-job/012187
6. Ultra Motor goes into administration
/news/read/ultra-motor-goes-intoadministration/012177
100
miles
The Sc
announ ottish Bike Sh
ced it
ow
its 2012 s own sportiv
ef
re
mile an turn, with 100 or
d 65-m
ile
for ride options
rs
7. Secondhand bike sales market gets another third
party agent
/news/read/secondhand-bike-sales-market-getsanother-third-party-agent/012216
8. Journo has a go at ‘bastards’ who work in bike
shops
/features/read/journo-has-a-go-at-bastards-who-workin-bike- shops/012276
46%
Confused.com courted controversy by
publishing a survey which found 46 per cent of
motorists were ‘annoyed by cyclists being on
the road’.
BIKEBIZ.COM
9. Is the electronic bike market shifting?
/index.php/news/read/is-the-electric-bike-marketshifting/012134
10. Not commuting by bike or on foot? Then it’s
bad for your health
/index.php/news/read/not-commuting-by-bike-or-onfoot-then-it-s-bad-for-your-health/012127
BIKEBIZ JANUARY 83
OFF TRACK
OFF
k
c
a
r
T
• coldplay dress as elephants
Music to my (g) ears
Following CRC’s appearance in Rihanna’s ‘We Found Love’ video, the UK’s own pop
supremos Coldplay have been getting in on the bicycle action.
For their video of Paradise, the, er, elephant lead character rides a Boris Bike in his
escape from a zoo. The elephant then flees the UK and promptly lands up in a bike shop,
where he is seen ogling a Schwinn and Morewood. Lacking the required funds, the
elephant ends up with a unicycle (we’re not making this up). But hasn’t he heard of
finance?
So, do any bike companies think they can trump that (sorry) with an appearance in a
pop video? Let us know at [email protected]. Thanks to ATG Training for their
eagle-eyed Coldplay-watching skilz.
Pilgrim and Fielder riding the
stunning landscape
Pilgrim progresses
to Iceland with Veho
Action camera brand Veho took Sam Pilgrim and Grant Fielder on a bike tour of
Iceland to launch its new community website ‘No Proof, No Glory’. Established
as a community for people to view and share their content on the Veho MUVI
HD, the site will also feature interesting activities and locations from the MUVI
Athlete team. Pilgrim and Fielder got the film rolling, if you will. We didn’t get to
see the moving pics as the site hadn’t launched at time of press, so we made do
with these eye-catching shots instead. www.veho-uk.com
Chris Martin in an
elephant suit?
Flintoff in £2m slam
ride with Dallaglio
Lawrence Dallaglio and Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff will be riding Boardman
Performance Series Road Pro Carbon bikes – supplied by Halfords – for Cycle
Slam 2012. The retailer will also supply a team of mechanics to provide tech
support and repairs when the sporting celebrities undertake the 22-day charity
ride. Cycle Slam involves five non-stop stages across Europe, starting on St
George’s Day (April 23rd, of course), with a view to raising over £2 million for the
Dallaglio Foundation, which supports Cancer Research UK. Find out more at
www.dallagliocycleslam.com/
Facebook fight!
Online cycle retailers fight it out,
Facebook style…
1. Chain Reaction
Cycles
340,046 likes
2. Wiggle
50,676 likes
3. JE James
2,264 likes
Likes
84 BIKEBIZ JANUARY
n
Cycle Slam involves no
oss
acr
es
rac
ge
sta
p
sto
Europe
BIKEBIZ.COM
OFF TRACK
Send your pictures to
[email protected]
• cavendish serenades covent garden shoppers • sram collaborates with artists
Art relief
High art and bicycle
components are as unlikely
bedfellows as you could
imagine, but last month
SRAM auctioned off some
unusual bicycle
paraphernalia in aid of
World Bicycle Relief.
The unique sculptures,
created using brakes pads,
cranks and the like, were
auctioned off on eBay as part
of its Part Project. Find out more
at worldbicyclerelief.org
World Bicycle Relief benefitted
from the proceeds of the auction
Cav fights for the right
Mark Cavendish headed down to the recently opened Specialized Concept
Store in Covent Garden to a party in support of Specialized’s charity
partner, Right to Play – and its 2012 Bike Ride event. Right to Play improves
the lives of children in disadvantaged parts of the world through sport and
play activities. Needless to say, the shop was packed out with those
attempting to catch sight of the Manx Missile quizzed by sports presenter
John Inverdale. Find out about Right to Play at www.rightoplay.org.uk/cycle
quote
unquote
“There is not just one reason why more
people might not want to go by bike so
all the initiatives in the programme will
help in some way, getting more and
more people onto their bikes when
making that daily commute. This is in
line with one of British Cycling’s overarching aims of getting more people
riding their bikes more often. I'm
particularly pleased this initiative is
being launched in the home town of
the Great Britain Cycling Team."
Chris Boardman, at the launch of
Transport for Greater Manchester’s
£4.9 million plan to boost cycle
commuter services and facilities.
Chris Boardman gets
behind the £5m cycling
Manchester scheme
Sponsored by the brands of
Moore Large 01332 274252
"Work is beginning on how
London gears up to move to
the next level of cycling
infrastructure and continuing
to improve safety. That work
will include an assessment of
Bow Roundabout, which TfL
have been asked to report back
to the mayor on as a matter
of urgency."
London Mayor’s director of
environment Kulveer Ranger
reveals TfL will review
junctions on Cycle
Superhighways, following
pressure by campaigners.
“Now that we benefit from a worldclass facility it makes sense to ensure
we have the right structure in place
within the BMX programme to
effectively identify and develop future
talent.
“The academy will enable us to do so
and generate a stream of riders,
hopefully with the quality to succeed at
the highest level, meaning we can look
ahead to 2016, 2020 and beyond with
optimism.”
British Cycling performance director
Dave Brailsford on the re-opening of
the residential BMX Academy in
Manchester
For more on these stories, head to www.BikeBiz.com
BIKEBIZ.COM
BIKEBIZ JANUARY 85
OFF TRACK | SPOKESMAN
TWEET
SPOKES
short and
Rules are
Wondering what the Twitterati have been up
to this month? Look no further...
rules
Never ride with Hasidic
Handlebars and never buy
online. Those are two rules
from the Velominati blog. Carlton Reid asks, which
will be the one your customers adhere to?
HASIDIC HANDLEBARS? “Handlebars with loose, loopy
bits of handlebar tape,” says velominati.com, a blog for
hardcore road bike riders. Think of the Profanisaurus
dictionary of swear words from Viz, but for bikes.
As well as a funny lexicon of road bike speak, the
Velominati blog has a list of 89 rules, first codified in
2009. It's a set of rules that went viral back in the day
and crops up on Twitter and in forums on a regular basis.
“We are the Keepers of the Cog,” say the four
international writers of the blog, published from America.
“We maintain the sacred text wherein lie the simple
truths of cycling etiquette known as The Rules. It is in our
trust to maintain and endorse this list.”
Rule number 77 is green and tidy: “Respect the earth;
don’t litter. Cycling is not an excuse to litter. Do not throw
your empty gel packets, energy bar wrappers or punctured
tubes on the road, or in the bush. Stuff 'em in your jersey
pockets, and repair that tube when you get home.”
Rule number seven details sun exposure: “Tan lines should
be cultivated and kept razor sharp. Under no circumstances
should one be rolling up their sleeves or shorts in an effort
to somehow diminish one’s tan lines. Sleeveless jerseys are
under no circumstances to be employed.”
The N+1 rule is now a standard ploy well away from
the blog and it's music to the ears of shop owners. “While
the minimum number of bikes one should own is three,
the correct number is N+1, where N is the number of
bikes currently owned.”
However, this rule has a counterpoint: “This equation
may also be re-written as S-1, where S is the number of
bikes owned that would result in separation from a partner.”
“Cycling caps are for cycling,” prescribes rule number
22, a dictat to make every hipster shudder.
“Cycling caps can be worn under helmets, but never
when not riding, no matter how hip you think you look.
This will render one a douche, and should result in public
berating, or beating. The only time it is acceptable to
wear a cycling cap is while directly engaged in cycling.”
It takes until rule 58 before 'Support your local shop' is
wheeled out. Should come earlier, but hey, it's not my list.
Rule 58 states: “Never buy bikes, parts or accessories
online. Going into your local shop, asking myriad inane
questions, tying up the staff’s time, then going online to
buy is akin to sleeping with your best friend’s wife, then
having a beer with him after. Online is evil and will be the
death of the bike shop. If you enter a shop with parts you
have bought online and expect them to fit them, be
prepared to be told to see your online seller for fitting and
warranty help.”
Of all the 89 rules this is probably the one most
flouted. 'Never buy bikes, parts or accessories online'?
That's ironic, right? Bike shops could add some sarky rules
to the list – such as not asking for club discounts and the
like – but expecting roadies to always pay full retail instore is fantasy land. And the internet has only
accelerated the trend, it didn't start it. Roadies were into
their mail order bargains sourced from dismally-designed
print ads in the comic long before Tim Berners-Lee linked
up a few computers (TBL created the internet).
So, while rule number 58 may be, sadly, long past its
prime, maybe you could set it in a fancy font, blow it up,
print it out, and place it somewhere in your shop, either
for a giggle when days are dark, or as a 'hold me back
before I thump him' poster for when yet another numptie
comes in expecting you to extricate them, for free, from
their 'just needs a little tweak' internet purchase.
EDITORIAL: 01992 535646 | ADVERTISING: 01992 535647 | FAX: 01992 535648
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[email protected]
Design: Dan Bennett
[email protected]
Editor: Jonathon Harker
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Managing Editor: Lisa Carter
[email protected]
Deputy Editor: Mark Sutton
[email protected]
Publisher/MD: Stuart Dinsey
[email protected]
Advertising Manager: Carly Bailey
[email protected]
Marketing & Circulation: Lindsay Banham
[email protected]
Production Executive: Kelly Jones
[email protected]
Finance Director: Hilary Cole
Editorial
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86 BIKEBIZ JANUARY
Singletrack Magazine is now all
officially going to the pub to
celebrate the arrival of 'proper grim,
northern winter'. Yay!
@Chipps
Apple shop sucks. Been waiting
ages to get served and I even
have a stupid "genius"
appointment. Got stuff to do!
@CrucialScott
Stupidly sprayed myself with a
tester perfume, which was
delivered with my new bronzer. I now
smell like an old woman.
@Laurenvdp
Very cool cutting edge s-light
materials and high torque
motors at this event. Brompton
@Will_brompton
potential?
Found out about a survey that
'proves' swearing relieves
pain. So that's my excuse sorted
after 30 years.
@Willfoth
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