Issue 62 | March 2011

Transcription

EDITORIAL
NEWS 4-6
The latest on new products, new deals and recent events
taking place in the bicycle industry...
CHAIN REACTION 9
EVENTS 66
DEALER PROFILE 55
iceBike* Review
24
Adventure, Shimano, Giro
Pacific Outdoors and
more from Madison...
Bikeability has been an unmitigated
success. By 2012 over half a million
children will have taken part in its
cycle training programme.
FOCUS ON…
28
EXPO REVIEW
We report from Fisher Outdoor Leisure’s Expo 2011,
featuring Bluegrass, Kansi and plenty more...
CEDRIC GRACIA INTERVIEW
45
BikeBiz interviews the shy and retiring cycle star, quizzing
him on his tyre team up with Panaracer
35
EUROBIKE PROFILE
Nearly two years on from the genesis of Eurobike Ltd, we
speak to joint founder Russ Masters
MEDIA SPECIAL
E-BIKES
37
59
REGULARS
BRAND SPOTLIGHT
47 LETTERS
How did an IV bag and tube sock lead to the
birth of CamelBak? We find out on page 47
PEOPLE
50
64
57
iPhone holders, books, gearsets, seat posts and
lights. It’s all in our six-product round-up
SPONSORED BY
SPOKESMAN
boosted the Treasury by stopping multinational corporations
avoiding paying billions of tax, you know. Just saying.
What we do know for certain, however, is that Bikeability
– launched by Cycling England in 2007 – has been a
massive success. By Olympic year half a million children are
expected to have taken part in Bikeability cycle training. It is
a scheme treasured by the cycle trade – its survival topping
the list of concerns of the industry at the time of the
Cycling England announcement. Funding for Bikeability has
been guaranteed, ensuring Cycling England’s legacy endures.
The soon-to-be-no-more quango also proved that
investment in cycling works. The Cycling England-led Cycling
City, Cycling Towns programme saw cash spent on
encouraging biking in those local areas. As a result, cycling
increased by 27 per cent across all the towns in the scheme,
bucking the general downward trend in cycling in the UK
outside London over the last three decades. Using strict DfT
measures, it also found that for every pound spent on
cycling, three is paid back, saving the state money.
Whether local councils – now in charge of the new Local
Sustainable Transport Fund – will bear that in mind when
they’re divvying up the Fund’s cash remains to be seen.
So if you’re that way inclined and have a drink handy,
why not raise a glass to the outgoing Cycling England, to its
achievements, measurable or otherwise, and to all who
sailed in her.
Jonathon Harker, Editor
The BikeBiz editor is taken to task, and two
authors stir up some electric-based debate
New faces at South Downs Bikes and i-Ride, the
distributor formerly known as Jim Walker
NEW PRODUCTS
HOW DO YOU measure success? It’s a
question that troubles every company,
organisation and person at one time or
another. It’s a question that becomes
all the more pertinent when you’re
staring down the metaphorical gun
barrel of a boss looking for some
justification for your existence.
Certainly, it seems the success that
Cycling England had, within the cycle
trade and throughout the country, wasn’t measurable
enough to convince the Government that it was worth
preserving, despite being run for only £200,000 a year. A
figure that is, lest we forget, the equivalent cost of five
metres of the M6 motorway.
What I’m attempting to hit on, is the point that
measuring the effect Cycling England had is, in many ways,
really tough to quantify. Having a hotline to Westminster
and lobbying for the cause of cycling is the kind of thing
that sounds woolly to naysayers looking to save (relative)
peanuts on something that promotes the obesity-quashing,
pollution-tackling practise of cycling. They could have just
78
Got a problem? Don’t know who to call? Then
maybe you should turn to the BikeBiz forum...
NEWS
CYCLE
SHORTS
Sir Jimmy Savile can
do frontflips?
Log on to BikeBiz.com and
search 'Savile', or ‘MTBCut’ if
you want to see the ex-DJ
and presenter perform in a
video touting Scotland as the
'Outdoor Capital' of the UK.
Mavic links with
Bicester firm
French wheel specialist Mavic
has employed the help of UK
firm Keronite, which is
currently treating four rims in
the 2011 line with a wearresistant surface applied via
electrochemical surface
conversion.
Braking performance is
said to improve with the
treatment. Weight shavings
of ten grams have also been
achieved over traditional
rims.
Shimano wind
breaker wins iF
award
The Shimano Accu3d R wind
breaker has won a 'gold
award' at the iF Product
Design Awards. Weighing just
63 grams, the compact jersey
folds into the pocket of most
cycling jerseys. What's more,
it's tear resistant and repels
water.
Seven bikes pinched
from CRC team
Nigel Page, manager of the
Chain Reaction/Nukeproof
team has had seven bikes
stolen in a garage break in.
If you're local to Liverpool,
keep your eyes peeled for a
raw finish Nukeproof Mega, a
black Nukeproof snap, a black
Intense SS2, a blue Ragley
Mmmbop, a raw finish Black
Market Riot and a grey Planet
X hardtail with Mavic
Crossmax wheels.
Buff calling for
Christmas orders
Four limited edition
Christmas 2011 gift packs are
now available from Buffera,
which is calling on retail
partners to order by May
13th to guarantee delivery.
Call 01707 852244 for
further details.
For breaking news visit:
www.bikebiz.com
4 BIKEBIZ MARCH
2010 sees bicycle imports
jump by almost 25%
...but December figures show sharp year-on-year decline as Her Majesty’s
Revenue and Customs investigates certain sources
by Mark Sutton
EIGHT HUNDRED thousand
more bikes landed on UK shores
in 2010 when compared with the
prior year. The UK imported a
total of 3,911,028 bikes,
representing a 23.84 per cent
jump on 2009's 3,158,095.
There were signs of a coming
dip in imports from sources such
as Sri Lanka, Thailand, the
Philippines and Bangladesh, with
December totals from all of
these dipping between 31.13 and
53.77 per cent, respectively.
Britain's largest supplier, Taiwan,
grew its exports to the UK by
15.14 per cent, delivering 89,688
bicycles in December 2010.
The drops from those far-east
countries may be down to Her
Majesty's Revenue and Customs
taking a hard line approach to
tackling duty dodgers, many of
whom declare complete bicycles
as components to avoid charges
of up to 48.5 per cent, (China to
Europe) or 34.5 per cent
(Vietnam to Europe).
Having seen the figures,
Cycling Sports Group UK codirector Russell Merry told
BikeBiz: "I've not seen figures like
these before, it's unprecedented.
The recession caused many to
place cautious orders that didn't
meet demand. For 2010 it
appears firms have overcorrected in a way, though sell
through remains incredibly
strong. A significant change over
the past years has been the
squeeze on a distributors margin
due to currency shifts and the
VAT increase. Wholesalers have
“I’ve not seen
figures like these
before. It’s
unprecedented.”
Russell Merry,
CSG UK
taken a hit and now work harder
to achieve the same revenue."
There are some startling
figures among the statistics – a
claimed 109,815 pairs of 'bicycle
forks' came in from Taiwan and
87,121 from China during 2010.
If in fact true, that means that
China has recorded a 1,383 per
cent rise in imports of bicycle
forks in just one year. Industry
critics are sceptical of such
statistics.
Cyclescheme joins search for
Top 20 IBDs
C2W provider pairs up with BikeBiz in quest to
uncover the best dealers in the business
“We believe high
standards in
serving our
cycling consumer
are paramount to
continued growth
in our industry.”
Daniel Gillborn,
Cyclescheme
CYCLESCHEME, the largest cycle
to work provider in the UK, has
teamed up with BikeBiz to profile
the best independent bike
retailers in the nation.
Offering top-notch service,
superb product knowledge and a
great range of product, the best
bike retailers are invaluable to
the industry. BikeBiz and
Cyclescheme are looking for IBDs
with all of the above, plus great
customer and community
relations.
Daniel Gillborn, head of
commercial operations at
Cyclescheme said: “We're very
pleased to support BikeBiz in this
venture and believe that high
standards in serving the consumer
is paramount to ensuring
continued growth in our industry.”
IBDs can nominate
themselves, suppliers can
highlight a store, specialist press
journalists can have their say,
even consumers can provide
input. Nominated IBDs do not
have to be partners with
Cyclescheme to make the list.
If you’ve got a bike shop in
mind email BikeBiz’s editor at
Jonathon.harker@
intentmedia.co.uk
BIKEBIZ.COM
NEWS
‘Most consumers don’t
know what an e-bike is’
E-BIKES ELIGIBLE FOR
LOCAL FUNDING
Specialized first to
answer CTC’s call
BIKE BRAND Specialized has
become a corporate sponsor of
the CTC’s ‘Fill That Hole’ pothole
reporting service.
Through the iPhone app and
online reporting tool,
FillThatHole has reported
46,000 potholes to local
councils.
Specialized will be the first
company in the CTC Pothole
Hall of Fame.
Still time to vote
on Bike Week
IBDS CAN still make their voices
heard on how they can benefit
Bike Week 2011
will run from
June 18th-16th
from this year’s Bike Week. Find
out more at www.bike-week.biz
Should e-bikes be aimed at mainstream
commuters and leisure customers? ‘Time to stop trying to convert cyclists’
by Jonathon Harker
THE UK’S ELECTRIC bike market
is being held back by a lack of
consumer awareness, and the
misconception that cycle
enthusiasts are their target
audience, say several leading
voices in the e-bike sector.
The market for electric bikes
is booming in several European
countries, particularly Germany
where e-bikes sales grew from
100k to 150k in 2010, with
prices in €1,300-plus range.
But the UK market is yet to
see success even close to that
level. Some brands believe
problem is that the message of
what e-bikes are – and who
they should be aimed at – is not
getting through.
“We need to shift the
mindset away from trying to
sell e-bikes to cycle
enthusiasts,” said Paul Stanforth,
EBCO MD. “Some of the better
IBDs understand the
opportunity for sales exists with
the mainstream commuter and
leisure customer, but the
general awareness of what
modern e-bikes offer is poor.”
Va Hua, Director, Spencer Ivy:
“We certainly feel a lot of
consumers don’t understand
what an electric bike is – you’d
be surprised at how many think
you can use it like a scooter
when you turn the motor on.”
Storck Radar UK MD Ian
Hughes believes more backing
from the media will spur the
market: “I believe consumer
awareness is one large part of
the e-bike sector jigsaw. At the
moment there is not a
consumer communication
“You’d be
surprised at how
many customers
think e-bikes are
like scooters.”
Va Hua, director,
Spencer Ivy
vehicle to help drive the market
forward. We really need a print
or online publication like
Germany’s ElectroRad. I believe
there are enough suppliers
around to provide ad support.”
But not all e-bike firms
believe consumer awareness is a
CAMPAIGNING from the British
Electric Bike Association (BEBA)
has resulted in the inclusion of ebikes in the DfT’s White Paper
Creating Growth, Cutting Carbon:
Making Sustainable Local
Transport Happen.
The paper states: “With their
longer range compared to normal
bikes, e-bikes could make cycling
more viable in hilly and sparsely
populated areas.”
The paper is linked to the
£560m Local Sustainable
Transport Fund, which local
authorities will spend on
transport projects to reduce
carbon emissions and improve
the local economy. BEBA
secretary Mark Loveridge said:
“The fact that electric bikes get a
mention in the White Paper has
given us the leverage to write to
all Local Transport Authorities
with suggestions of how they
could create projects that involve
using electric bikes.”
BEBA president Lord Laird will
be hosting a reception at the
House of Lords in May to push
the e-bike cause to politicians.
problem. Wisper and BEBA’s
David Miall said: “Awareness
without doubt has become far
wider. Six years ago virtually no
one had heard of e-bikes and I
found myself having to
continually explain the concept.
Today people have an idea of
the basics, but there is a long
way to go before the public
understand the benefits.”
Richard Forsyth, Powabyke
marketing manager added:
“Consumer awareness is
relatively strong and growing,
and this year is going to be a
positive year for publicity for
this sector, for press coverage
for e-bikes, with ridiculously
high fuel prices, problems with
public transport, and the cost of
living rising at pace.” For more
opinions from the trade on ebikes, turn to page 11.
THE SCOTTISH BIKE SHOW | NEWS AND PREVIEW
‘Watch out
Eurobike!’
While that might be the tongue-in-cheek
comment from Rowan Mackie on the potential of
the new Scottish Bike Show, there is something
undeniably exciting about Scotland’s very own
consumer bike show. Jonathon Harker takes a
closer look...
THIS YEAR the bicycle show scene is positively
Needless to say when you have the likes of Sir
thriving, with multiple new events cropping up
Chris Hoy et al representing our fine nation in
for trade and consumers alike. And for what is
cycling it’s a good time right now.”
probably the first time, Scotland is getting its
So perhaps it’s little wonder that Mackie
very own cycle event in the appropriately
thinks it’s high time for a Scottish Bike Show
named Scottish Bike Show, taking place on the
to arrive: “Scotland has been without a show
weekend of April
for too long now and it’s
16th to 17th.
cherry ripe to do it this
Originally set to
year because all forms of
take place in May,
cycling are becoming
the debut event was
more mainstream. There
brought forward to
needs to be
April to avoid a
representation from the
clash with the
Scottish angle because
Highland Perthshire
we aren’t represented
Cycling Festival. At
down south in the
time of press there
existing cycling events in
Rowan Mackie
is already a
any great capacity. So
respectable list of
the event offers the ideal
exhibitors signed up to the inaugural event
showcase in the central belt of Scotland.”
from all over the UK, including the North and
The show is to take place in Glasgow’s
South of England, and international exhibitors
SECC, one of the top three venues in the UK,
from Austria and Italy, including Continental
according to Mackie. “It’s accessible, in the
tyres, Tuscany Bike Tours and Tirol Austria. There
central belt of Scotland and is an awardare a good number of other exhibitors too,
winning venue. So it makes sense to set the
including Cycling Scotland, Singletrack, Dig,
precedent that this is a serious show with the
IMB and many more, including Scotland-based
best facilities available.”
retailers and bike firms like Alpine Bikes.
It could be argued that there has never been
TAKE THE HIGH ROAD
a better time for such a show to launch too,
While Scotland may naturally conjure up
with mountain biking now on the curriculum
images of mountain biking for many, the
(currently being trialled in schools across seven
Scottish Bike Show is taking care to appeal to
Scottish councils) and the small matter of the
all parts of the market, a fact exhibited not
bid for the country to host the Tour de France
least of all in its recent announcement of a
Grand Depart in 2017.
significant BMX feature.
So it’s good to be in the Scottish bike
Mackie says this is a sign of the inclusive
industry at the moment? Show organiser
spirit of the burgeoning event: “The way the
Magdala Media’s founder Rowan Mackie thinks
show is now, there is a lot of diversity in terms
so: “Money is being spent on all manner of new
of brand representation for all sectors of the
developments in road and MTB and the fact
bike trade. This is going to grow right up to a
that Glasgow is hosting the 2014
week or so prior to the event. All aspects are
Commonwealth games doesn’t hurt either.
pretty much covered in display and product
“There is no reason why
the show couldn’t be a
regular in everyone’s
calendar. Eurobike watch
out!”
6 BIKEBIZ MARCH
All disciplines of
cycling will be catered
for, including MTB,
BMX and road
and the BMX display is going to be, I have been
told, amazing.”
It’s early days for sure, but hard to resist
asking how Mackie forsees the show
developing over the years. He tells BikeBiz:
“This has to be an annual event. This year is
looking to be a great show and there is so
much scope to develop it into one of the
leading consumer events in the UK – why not?
We have the infrastructure, environment and
talent up here in abundance, so there is no
reason why TSBS couldn’t be a regular in
everyone’s calendar. Eurobike watch out!”
The enthusiastic Mackie concludes: “We are
excited, our exhibitors are excited, so I hope
everyone has a great time and the first show is
a great experience for everyone.”
[email protected]
THE SCOTTISH BIKE SHOW IS
TAKING PLACE ON APRIL 16TH17TH ON GLASGOW SECC
SELECTED exhibitors (correct at time of
going to press) include: 2pure, Alpine Bikes,
Dirt School (MTB coaching), Continental,
Pedal Power, BSD BMX, Fort William MTB
World Cup, Nevis Range trail centre,
Tuscany Bike Tours, The Bicycle Works, The
Edinburgh Cycle Company, Purple Harry,
Dig BMX magazine, Unit 23 Skatepark,
Walkers Cycling Bike Shop, Drumlanrig,
Ironwood Bicycles, Laid Back Bikes,
Prentice Events, Motion Junkies, FreeGo
Electric Bikes, Tirol, Sustrans, Developing
Mountain Biking, Pocket Mountain, Cycling
Scotland, Renner Sport, Scottish Cycling,
Prostate Cancer Charity, Highland
Perthshire Cycling Festival, Singletrack, IMB
mag, Glasgow Bike Shed, Scotland
Outdoors mag, Duchally Country Estate.
BIKEBIZ.COM
Thank you to everybody who came and made
iceBike* 2011 the best show yet!
We hope to see you in July for iceBike* winter, our mid-year showcase of 2012 products
www.icebike.co.uk
7JGTGUWNVQH[GCTUQHGZRGTKGPEG
,PVTQFWEKPI
VJGCNNPGYEUVV[TGTCPIG
HTQOHKUJGTQWVFQQTNGKUWTG
7JGKPKVKCNEQOOWVGTHQEWUUGFTCPIGHTQOEUV
EQPUKUVKPIQHFWTCDNGXGTUCVKNGV[TGU
VWDGUCVOCTMGVNGCFKPIRTKEGU
:KVJCUKORNGGXGT[FC[NQYRTKEKPIUVTWEVWTG
YGMPQYVJGTGURNGPV[VQKPVGTGUV[QWTEWUVQOGTU
OKZGFSWCPVKV[FKUEQWPVUCXCKNCDNG
For more information and to view the full range
of CST tyres please visit www.fisherb2b.com
CHAIN REACTION | COLIN REES
Living off a prayer?
This month our guest columnist has an axe to grind with those offering discounts needlessly,
among other bug bears found along his travels. Sales trainer Colin Rees asks are you going all
out for business in 2011, or waiting for it to come to you...
IT’S PRETTY clear that 2011 is going to be a
much harder year in retailing as the cuts bite
and tax rises feed through into people’s
pockets. That’s not to say that people won’t be
buying new bikes, but they may well decide
right now, the mortgage is more important and
if interest rates rise and unemployment kicks
into the mix, it means retailers will have to
work harder than ever to keep their margins up,
as well as their turnover.
This compendium of impending bad news
begs the question, can owners carry on just
waiting, hoping, praying customers will come in
to their shop?
The bike trade generally seems not to be
pro-active in customer encouragement. When I
ask some owners: “If I buy a new bike from you,
when’s the next time I will hear from you?”,
the usual honest answer is never. Often, I will
not even be phoned to remind me my new bike
is ready for its first service. “Costs far too much
and who’s going to do it?”
Most owners will agree the best situation to
create is the customer, their wallet and their
bike in your shop. Yet so many miss a chance at
that first service point. After that, surely a bike
will be better fun and last longer given regular
servicing. But how many times is the rule
broken to book a next service each time the
bike comes in?
I had occasion to visit my local bike shop
straight after New Year as the chain was
slipping badly on my bicycle. Their service was
BIKEBIZ.COM
Colin Rees,
sales trainer
brilliant, done the same day for £25, including
replacement parts. “Well”, he says, “we’re not
busy till March now.”
If only he had just told me I really should
have a regular service booked and put a date in
the diary, that extra maintenance cost him
nothing to get. If he made it for January, or
February next year and asked everyone who
comes in for a repair this year, he certainly
wouldn’t be reading the paper in the first two
months of 2012.
How about establishing a marketing plan?
What are you going to concentrate on
promoting each month? What do we need to
highlight in the window this week? Someone
said that those who don’t plan are, in fact,
planning for failure.
Let’s start with the window. Why not select
one product a week, say lights or helmets, pile
it as high as possible in the window and get
people (anyone) to guess how many there are.
Send a picture and details to the local press. An
eye-catching display always creates
excitement so more people come in. If you
change the product every two weeks, get all
staff to offer it to everyone as the ‘current
special’ (you only have to knock 10p off to
create a ‘special purchase’), you will sell more.
Stop giving discounts. These payments to
customers come directly from net profit. It
could be going in your pocket rather than
theirs and right now is the best possible time
anyone will have to say no! For ever. Using the
excuse of the difficult time everyone is going
through is totally understandable and
customers will not press you if you post up a
sign in the shop explaining that. Saying no to
discounts extends to your mates as well.
Chances are, your staff absolutely hate giving
them and a policy to discontinue would make
their job ten times easier, and your bank
balance higher.
So far, we haven’t spent any money but
allocating a promotional budget and
formulating a marketing plan will bring a
planned response of greater foot flow
A leaflet from Domino’s Pizza dropped
through my letterbox early in January offering
me a two for one deal. I have lived in this
isolated village (three buses a week) for 42
years and not once have I ever heard from any
local bike shop. If I did eat pizza, where would I
go for my next one?
Manufacturers can steal a march on
competitors by providing leaflets ready for over
printing by the dealer.
There are lots of ways to increase sales and
customers without spending shed loads of
cash. Introduce a friend scheme, open evenings
until 10 pm with blue ticket reductions.
Another freebee will come from training
your staff how to sell properly and that just
costs your time.
Colin Rees
Cycle specific sales trainer
07540 351 530
BIKEBIZ MARCH 9
INDUSTRY OPINIONS | E-BIKES
Current affairs
So why exactly should the trade be talking about e-bikes? And what is getting in the way of the
UK market from booming? Jonathon Harker asks the questions...
just go to their local bike shop, get an electric
bike and breeze up that hill.”
Why are electric bikes such an exciting market for the cycle trade?
DAVID MIALL, DIRECTOR, WISPER:
“Electric bikes simply open a retailer’s shop to
a far larger audience. Many people who would
not consider riding a pedal power bike to the
shops would certainly try an electric bike. What
is little known is many customers who come
back to cycling for an electric bike will become
keen pedal cyclists in the future.
“Electric bikes offer IBDs the opportunity to
increase sales volume and profits by supplying
a new group of customers with bikes ranging
between £1,000 and £2,500 each without any
significantly increased investment. As electric
bikes are used at least three or four times more
often than standard bicycles, revenue for
servicing will also increase.”
IAN HUGHES, MD, STORCK RADDAR UK:
“If you open your mind and consider the
potential consumer demographics for e-bikes,
it’s huge. Think of the additional business it can
offer; from new customers who don’t want to
get sweated up, existing cyclists who want to
half their journey, cyclists who have ridden for
years but due to medical conditions or
operation want to keep cycling and need some
assistance.
Then there is a whole new generation of
younger customers who can interact through
smart phone apps with their latest generation
e-bike. The e-bike market is also attracting
BIKEBIZ.COM
companies like Cosworth engineering who
want to offer their electronics expertise in
KERS, data logging smart apps etc, and help
develop more efficient and lighter drive
systems, batteries and switch gear. The whole
electric transport thing is not just limited to ebikes. Look at the number of car companies
that are starting to produce electric cars and
the media activity following it. Fuel prices are
rocketing and the whole market can benefit
from new electronic technology.”
RICHARD FORSYTH,
MARKETING MANAGER, POWABYKE:
“Electric bikes are not going away as a fad or
trend. They are clearly not only here to stay
but they make up one of the most exciting
growth industries around. I can’t help notice
them on the streets now and even ignoring all
the practical reasons for owning an e-bike, I
think they are a really fun way to get around –
they are a fun product.
“We’ve noticed that many of the dealers
who decided not to stock e-bikes in years gone
by are now re-entering the market with the
improved, lighter and better bikes. It’s a wise
choice to stock e-bikes if you are an IBD, as
stocking e-bikes is now an edge or equaliser on
competitors. The fact is, to omit an e-bike from
your offerings if you are dealer could be costly
mistake in terms of business, this year
especially.”
MARK LOVERIDGE, MD, ULTRA MOTOR:
“It’s an exciting market because they could
significantly lift turnover of an IBDs shop.
Electric bikes have a higher average resale cost
and they bring a new customer to store. The
successes of the e-bike market can be seen
right across Europe and the UK just hasn’t
caught up yet. Our market may be smaller
than Germany’s, but there’s no reason why a
third of all sales can’t be electric, as they are
predicted to be by 2012 in Germany.”
VA HUA, DIRECTOR, SPENCER IVY:
“E-bikes open up the customer base, bringing
in more turnover from a higher end product.
People that previously wouldn’t consider
cycling because of the hills they have to
encounter will no longer have to think twice
about taking up cycling. They should be able to
Ian Hughes (above)
Mark Loveridge (centre)
and Lloyd Clarkson
(below)
LLOYD CLARKSON,
E-BIKE DEVELOPMENT MANAGER, RALEIGH:
“This is simply the fastest growing sector in the
cycle trade. Whilst there are reports of the
European market starting to level out, the UK
market is definitely in it’s growth stage, and if
Germany’s market growth over the past five
years is anything to go by, then we are in for a
very exciting future!”
>>>
BIKEBIZ MARCH 11
INDUSTRY OPINIONS | E-BIKES
MARK GOULDTHORP,
MD, RALEIGH UK:
“E-Bikes may be a slow burn opportunity, but it
is critical that as an industry we offer the
public robust product that builds their
confidence.”
>>>
PAUL STANFORTH,
MANAGING DIRECTOR, EBCO:
“The market offers incremental business. Ebikes offer a product that will appeal to a wide
range of non-cycling mainstream customers.
The market for them is absolutely vast. Look at
how many adults own and use cars compared
to how many adults own and use bikes. It is
the car owners that we should be targeting
now and the numbers are huge and any ebike
sales will clearly be incremental. We are not
eating into any other customer group, this is a
brand new customer and therefore additional
money through the till.”
If consumer awareness isn’t the biggest
obstacle to the market really flourishing,
what is?
DAVID MIALL,
DIRECTOR, WISPER:
“Consumer awareness is certainly the main
factor hindering sales in the UK, but there are
other factors too such as legislation confusion
and the public and IBD misconception that ebikes are for the lazy or infirm. Users are often
keen cyclists who use their e-bikes to
commute longer distances rather than use the
car or public transport. At the weekends they
are back in the mountains or in the country
enjoying their people-powered bicycles.”
“Another part of the electric bike jigsaw is
educating consumers and dealers on price and
quality. If you want to spend £1,000 or less on
an e-bike, that’s great, this is the quality you
get. If you want better quality (drive systems,
batteries components, etc) then that comes
with a price. At the moment, I see dealers more
resistant to price than consumers.”
MARK LOVERIDGE,
MD, ULTRA MOTOR:
“The IBDs acceptance is a big obstacle. Many
have dealt with poor product in the past with
very little back up, this is one of the reasons
BEBA was created. I can only speak for Ultra
Motor, but we offer six days a week technical
support, technical training in store or at our
Technical Centre, manuals and decent quality
bikes with plug and play components. We
aren’t alone with this offering and as more and
more manufacturers give IBDs the confidence
we hope the market will also grow.”
VA HUA,
DIRECTOR, SPENCER IVY:
“After awareness, I’d say education. Education
about the bikes and education about the
benefits. This is why we’ve published the
Electric Bike Buyer’s Guide and also a simple
Electric Bike Benefits Guide
(http://www.scribd.com/doc/47404258/Electric
-Bike-Benefits-by-Spencer-Ivy). The content has
been created, it just needs to be spread in the
right way.”
12 BIKEBIZ MARCH
RICHARD FORSYTH,
“E-bikes started out with teething problems
and dealers did not always know what to make
of them. However, this is no longer
experimental technology and now the quality
of the bikes is at a place where dealer and
consumer confidence is justified. Our latest
range of X-bykes have plug and play electrics
which make them tidier and easier to service.
Weight of the bikes has come down
significantly, for instance, early models could
be 40kg but the new range of Powabykes are a
mere 21kg. The designs have matured and real
thought has been put into every aspect of the
bikes’ technology and handling, and so we are
at a point where confidence in the product is
high. Image of the bikes suffered in days of old
too but this is no longer the case.
Once thought of as a bike just for the
mature rider, the e-bike has now got a much
wider target market and is more exciting in
many ways. Obstacles in the market now as far
as we are aware are, if anything, meeting
demand!”
PAUL STANFORTH,
“Obviously infrastructure is a major hurdle and
when you compare how the e-bike market is in
certain European countries, the fact that the
likes of Germany and the Netherlands have
much better facilities for all cyclists obviously
plays a big part in their superb ebike sales.
That said, fuel prices are going to continue to
rise and alternatives to the car will have to be
sought and this should force change.
Also facilities for try before you buy and
general exposure are still limited. If there are
people out there who still have negative
preconceptions around e-bikes the only way
we are going to convert them is to get them
on a modern e-bike. There needs to be more
stores and locations where people can
experience what it’s actually like to ride a
modern e-bike.”
Is the e-bike market still suffering
somewhat from the dark early days of
electric bike retail?
DAVID MIALL, DIRECTOR, WISPER:
“Certainly, especially the many IBDs that were
willing to try selling electric bikes through their
shops. Unfortunately there are still many
importers selling electric bikes (and this
includes some of the big names) that either
cannot or will not offer the level of service
necessary for the introduction of such vehicles
to the market.
“A well designed and built electric bike
should not be very much more difficult to look
after than a standard pedal powered bike,
however when it goes wrong, it may not
immediately be obvious what the problem is.
With the support of a decent supplier any
problem can be overcome during a short
telephone conversation.
If there is a faulty part to replace they
should be despatched the same day. Although
chain drive bikes are a little more complicated
there is no job on a good hub drive electric
bike that should be more difficult to undertake
than changing the rear wheel.”
“Because the UK market has largely seen poor
quality and cheap e-bikes with limited design
from the Far East, it’s not surprising the stigma
that is still around. However, there is a raft of
new and much better quality bikes coming to
the market from the likes of Giant, Trek, EBCO
and Storck with distribution experience, dealer
support, education, training and marketing.”
MARK LOVERIDGE, MD, ULTRA MOTOR:
“Yes, it left a rather sour taste with most IBDs
and their reluctance to try again is evident and
to an extent understandable. However, things
have changed dramatically and there isn’t a
better time for them to invest in the market.”
Mark Gouldthorpe
(above) and Paul
Stanforth
VA HUA,
DIRECTOR, SPENCER IVY:
“Certainly. The amount of independent bike
retailers that first adopted poor quality electric
bikes years ago, many are still very resistant to
electric bikes to this day. This obviously doesn’t
serve the industry well nor the end customer
for that matter. Perhaps an electric bike demo
day for IBDs only, with paid travel expenses
should be considered.”
RICHARD FORSYTH,
“We are seeing very positive signs for the
market. Retailers can be confident of
serviceability now, and the fact that these bikes
sell well. Some dealers respond to customer
enquiry by taking on e-bikes which shows the
e-bikes are no longer the dark horse of the
bicycle world.
Our network is growing and that’s for good
reasons such as the high quality of the bikes,
good servicing options, and retailers wanting to
be part of this profitable branch of cycling.”
LLOYD CLARKSON,
E-BIKE DEVELOPMENT MANAGER, RALEIGH:
“Whilst most people I speak to now appreciate
the false economy of poor quality bikes, there
are still a high number of people who see just
the negative side of poor, sub-standard
product.”
PAUL STANFORTH,
“As mentioned, we need to shift a mindset
away from trying to convert enthusiast cyclists
who are so blinkered that they are never going
to admit how good ebikes are now. It is a
mainstream form of transport, not an
enthusiast sport, and this is where we need to
focus now. These customers do not have the
emotional baggage and although a few of them
may have had limited experience of the old
style ebikes, the majority of them have an open
mind and are just looking for a better way to
get to the office or just get around.
Quality ebikes are not cheap but this reflects
the level of technology and development work
invested in them. The old ebikes were there to
hit a price point but rather than opening up the
ebike market they actually put the sector back
a fair few years. However, now we have quality
ebikes which retail from £1,000 - £2,000, but
when you look at what they have to offer (in
terms of comfort, reliability, specification and
range) they still offer exceptional value.”
BIKEBIZ.COM
BIKEBIZ.COM
BIKEBIZ MARCH 13
BIKEBIZ AWARD WINNER | RUTLAND CYCLING
On the waterfront
BikeBiz IBD Award winner Rutland Cycling may be set in picturesque surroundings and have one of the
biggest demo fleets in the country, but it’s not all plain sailing being a premier bike retailer, as sales
director Steve Gill tells Jonathon Harker...
How does it feel to have a BikeBiz Award in
the trophy cabinet?
Well, with BikeBiz being the Industry standard
in terms of a trade publication, to be
recognised as the ‘Best IBD’ for 2010 is a
fantastic achievement. It doesn’t really get any
better does it? We are, however, working
especially hard to try and secure the award
again for this year!
Rutland also bagged a local business award
last year – can you tell us a bit about that?
We won Local Business of the Year, which was
another nice accolade to receive. To be
recognised by your local community and by
the trade you work in must mean we are
getting something right.
What are the advantages to working in
picturesque surroundings?
For the people that work in our shops it is a
real buzz to turn up to work each day on the
side of a picturesque lake. Our head office is in
a somewhat more industrial location however!
Both Rutland and Grafham Water are beautiful
locations and we really are very lucky to have
shops in such fantastic places.
Does Rutland get involved in demo days, or
reach out to the local cycling community in
any way?
We host three to four demo events per year
with up to twenty brands attending each. This
gives us some of the biggest demo events in
the UK and on top of that we have a 600-bike
demo fleet spread across our three shops,
which is available 363 days of the year
14 BIKEBIZ MARCH
as our head office so we have quite a few staff
working there.
featuring bikes from all major manufacturers.
We run monthly night rides throughout the
year too, which are extremely popular.
We like to offer something more to our
customers than a cash till!
What services does Rutland Cycling offer
beyond bike retail?
Well as mentioned above we have one of the
largest Demo/Hire fleets in the world, which is
actually where this business started from. We
also have a climbing centre with a rock wall
and high ropes assault course.
Outdoor activities are something we feel
passionately about and will continue to
support regardless of the direction of the retail
element of our business.
What training do your workshop staff get?
And are you finding the workshop more
important at the moment during these
tough economic times?
When Cytech published their list of best
trained cycle shops in the UK we were number
one. We train all of our mechanics to either
Cytech Level 2 or 3 depending on what they
specialise in. The workshops are a very
important part of any shop as that is where
your reputation can be made or lost. We pride
ourselves in having well trained staff who are
very knowledgeable within all areas of cycling.
How many employees work for Rutland?
How many sites do they cover?
We have about 100 staff overall working in
three shops and at our head office. The mail
order operation is run from the same location
Rutland created a new website last year –
how was that received and how important is
the online business to Rutland’s operation?
The new site was well received by consumers
and has helped us gain some market share.
Ecommerce is a way of selling that is here to
stay so our plans are to make the best we can
of this very versatile platform. We embrace
new technologies and selling ideas, and as such
are growing in this sector.
Sales director Steve
Gill picked up the
BikeBiz Award for
Rutland on the night
How does the Giant Store integrate with
Rutland Cycling?
With having two shops located on the same
lake there was always going to be a problem
differentiating between them, so when the
opportunity to work with Giant came along we
grabbed it with both hands. The shops function
better now and have their own customer base.
We have nearly been open as a Giant Brand
Store for one year now and we are very excited
about what the future holds. This store
coincidentally is the largest Giant Brand Store
in the world.
What’s the biggest challenge ahead for
Rutland Cycling?
The biggest challenge will be to continue to
grow the business at the rate we have done for
the last few years. Everyone is working very
hard and we do have plenty of goals to achieve
this year. We have a few irons in the fire so
watch this space...
www.rutlandcycling.com
BIKEBIZ.COM
CITY TYRE
RRP £18.49
700 X 28C
700 X 32C
700 X 35C
700 X 40C
700 X 47C
TRACKER TYRE
RRP £19.99
26” X 1.85”
PILOT SPORT ROAD
RRP £27.99
700 X 28C FOLDING
700 X 32C FOLDING
700 X 35C FOLDING
COMMUTE WITH CONFIDENCE
Distributed in the UK by:
www.hotlines-uk.com
I
Email: [email protected]
I
Tel: 0131 319 1444
MYSTERY SHOPPER | TONBRIDGE AND TUNBRIDGE WELLS
Welling up…
Between figuring out which
of Kent’s similar sounding
boroughs he was in and
peeling parking fines off the
‘mystery machine’, Mystery
Shopper found a diamond
in the one of the roughest
incognito town tours
featured to date. It sure as
heck wasn’t Sports Direct, so
which of the Tonbridge and
Tunbridge Wells retailers
almost made the visit
worthwhile…
Halfords Tunbridge Wells
Sports Direct
THIS WAS Mystery Shopper’s first encounter with a
single floor layout Halfords store, of which space was
divided by 60/40 for car accessories to bikes, respectively.
With 20 per cent discounts on some Boardman
builds, customers could bag themselves a very strong
value for money bike deal. Problem is, a staff member is
needed to make a sale and those were certainly thin on
the ground in this store.
However, a redeeming quality was that all bikes had
display tags on, as well as additional cards displaying
offers on Halfords add-on maintenance policies. Some
sale models were tagged with ‘care plan’ bundles thrown
in as an extra incentive for a sale. As an impartial
observer, this left me thinking that Halfords would not
be out of the running for my cash, despite the fact one
young staff member strutted right on by when I
signalled for assistance.
Finally, this store had made good use of point of
display units, elevating one bike above the rest and
flagging up the need for accessories
such as a helmet and lock with
SCORE
each purchase.
MYSTERY SHOPPER hadn’t planned to visit Sports Direct,
in fact, the sports chain can, at worst, be on par with
Justin Bieber movies and things like the Black Death in
terms of desired avoidance.
Nonetheless, having been driving around in circles,
getting lost thanks to multiple inaccurate Google listings
for bike shops, I was left with little choice but to visit the
store, which can be a bit of a lottery if you’re looking for
a bicycle.
On this particular occasion no bikes were found in
store, but rather than walking out, I thought it best to
give staff a chance to sell me some gloves suitable for
cycling. I tracked down a staff member and asked if such
gloves were stocked. This was followed by being led to
the appropriate section, which for a second, seemed like I
might be about to encounter some redemption for the
chain’s woeful track record in past visits. That was until the
staff member handed me some goalkeeping gloves, I kid
you not. Unsure whether I had lost my sense of humour, or
if the assistant was serious, I
simply said thank you and
SCORE
accepted this was going to be a
bad day.
[ 3/5 ]
16 BIKEBIZ MARCH
[ 2/5 ]
BIKEBIZ.COM
MYSTERY SHOPPER | TONBRIDGE AND TUNBRIDGE WELLS
Halfords Tonbridge
YET ANOTHER single-floored Halfords store, this time in
neighbouring Tonbridge. The layout was again a 60/40
split, though the key difference in this visit was staff
making themselves known to customers. I observed one
family buying a bike for their daughter, carefully
watched over by an apron-clad assistant making
adjustments on the fly to best fit the bicycle to the
customer. It was refreshing to see an assistant take the
time to tailor the experience to the customer.
Once tweaked to the girl’s liking, a test ride around
the car park was offered, which seemed like a deal
clincher if the smiles on faces were anything to go by. I
don’t know whether or not a sale was made in the end,
though from observations the assistant certainly worked
hard enough to earn one.
As with the Tunbridge Wells store, good use of display
stands with add-on sale
incentives were ubiquitous and
the stock was diverse and well
SCORE
presented.
[ 4/5 ]
Brian’s Bikes
Evernden Cycles
HAVING SEEN just the one shed-based operation prior
to this visit, Mystery Shopper had very little to compare
Brian’s Bikes with. First impressions were that this might
just be a hobbyist, repairing and selling reconditioned
bikes as and when business comes along. However,
venturing into the tightly packed shed I could see price
tags.
The store assistant seemed almost surprised to see me
and before I had made my introductions I was being
offered reconditioned mountain bikes from prices as low
as £50. Explaining to the assistant that I was after
something more road orientated and that I would prefer
the build to have some longevity, I was lead through the
sea of wheels to a £200 Specialized in a fair condition. At
this point I was expecting my guide to explain a bit
about the bike, its working condition and what services
Brian’s Bikes offers post-sale to keep me on the road.
Sadly, it was up to Mystery Shopper to drive the
conversation forwards.
For a business without a website, or Google listing, it
was odd to find Brian’s Bikes via
SCORE
the new Bike Hub phone
application.
NOTING THAT four idle staff spotted me the moment I
walked through the door of Everden, I wasn't expecting I'd
be let down by service here. As such, I set expectations
high with a view to testing the perhaps overstaffed store.
From behind the counter, the first of the four listened
to my brief, considering carefully what my money could
best achieve given the discounts available on some
2010 models ahead of the arrival of current season
stock. The first recommendation came slightly above
budget and was a model with an appealing discount tag.
My desire to buy this bike was further boosted by the
assistant pointing to the 2011 prices, comparing the
value of each. If I were to “place a deposit on this bike,
I'd make a huge saving and end up with a top quality
bike,” it was explained.
What's more, accessory add ons were strongly
recommended with the purchase, as were panniers,
which proved to me that the assistant had given proper
thought to my desire to 'ditch the car and do everything
via bicycle, if possible.'
I left with a business card and
SCORE
bookmarked catalogue.
[ 2/5 ]
BIKEBIZ.COM
[ 5/5 ]
Summary
THANK GOODNESS for Evernden Cycles. If it wasn’t
for its staff and the fantastic chippy a few doors
down, I think this visit might have been enough to
have spurred Mystery Shopper to keep driving
South until somewhere in the English Channel.
To ensure my experience is based around a
typical consumer visit, I’m unable to track stores
down using the BikeBiz Bible. Therefore, with Google
as my primary search aid, please, retailers of Tun...
Tonbridge, whatever your similar sounding towns
are called, update your listings. I ended up on a
farm looking for one store. Nightmare.
Sports Direct finally gets off rock bottom scoring
this month, despite selling no bikes at all. The
reason for this? A staff member didn’t run away
from me for once! Have you ever tried cycling in
goalie gloves? It’s not so bad, you know...
BIKEBIZ MARCH 17
BOB CHICKEN | OBITUARY
Bob Chicken MBE
BikeBiz pays tribute to the cycle industry legend...
BOB CHICKEN SENIOR died peacefully on the
island of Madeira on Friday February 11th at
the age of 89. He had lived there for three
years following his complete retirement from
the industry he loved.
He inherited his interest in cycling from his
father William but only after a spell in the
Navy during the Second World War.
Trading as a cycle agent in Goswell Road,
Edwardes Cycles was one of his early
customers. He had obtained the agency for
Sedis chains, one of his principal brands. He
became involved with the Baycliff saddle bag
manufacturing company in Halifax, taking it
over in the 1950s. At the same time he worked
for the Humber Oil Company in Hull, becoming
its sales director. In 1954 he was appointed
agent for Vredestein tyres. Shortly after, EsgeMarby and Van Schothorst joined his collection
of agencies.
The ownership of Baycliff made him eligible
for membership of the Centenary Club in 1963.
He became president and participated in club
runs well into his 70s. He formed the Industrial
Chain Supply company, a distribution business
based in N. London.
He took over the Weinmann brake agency,
one of the best at the time, and also the
distribution of Maillard hubs. The company name
was changed to R J Chicken & Sons Ltd, whilst
he continued his role as the bastion of the
European industry, providing the ever dwindling
number of home-based bike manufacturers with
components from Switzerland, France, Belgium,
Holland and Germany.
He was a past president of the Pickwick
Bicycle Club and the Pedal Club, joining
Pickwick – the world’s oldest bicycle club – in
1954. In 2008 Bob Chicken was awarded the
MBE for services to the cycle industry. Chicken
BIKEBIZ.COM
Bob Chicken receiving
his MBE in 2008
This most respected and
legendary figure in the
cycle industry will be
remembered at a
meeting of friends on
Wednesday April 13th at
the Prince of Wales,
Drury Lane, London.
had worked tirelessly for a London-based
exhibition, the continuity of a round Britain
Bike Race and race sponsorship from outside
the trade. To mark the achievement he was
also awarded a BikeBiz Award for Industry
Achievement in the same year.
Bob Chicken was well known for his
knowledge and the encouragement he gave to
others, his gentlemanly behaviour and his
generosity. This most respected and legendary
figure in the industry will be remembered at a
meeting of friends on April 13th at the Prince
of Wales, 150 Drury Lane, Holborn, London
WC2B 5TB (on the corner of Gt. Queen St)
from 10.00 – 12.30.
With thanks to Cedric and Robert Chicken,
and the rest of his family.
Members of the cycle trade shared their
memories of Bob Chicken on the BikeBiz forum
“Bob will be remembered by many in the
industry as one of the stalwarts that gave it
character.
I remember Bob mostly as a colourful
contributor to Bicycle Association
members’ meetings – he was a personal
member for very many years.
I am sure I am not alone in remembering
his empassioned pleas for a London show,
which of course eventually he helped get
established.
Condolences to Robert, Cedric and
families.”
Mark Bickerton
VP, Bicycle Association of Great Britain
“Bob was, sadly, one of the last real fighters
for the British bicycle manufacturer.
He was a true blue who hated the
thought of bicycle and accessory
manufacture never being done from Britain.
He often felt that he was the last man
standing when fighting for British
recognition and the death of Raleigh
Industries was arguably the saddest
moment of his professional life.
I was so pleased he was finally
recognised with an MBE. It should have
happened years ago.”
Phil Liggett MBE
Sports commentator and journalist
BIKEBIZ MARCH 19
INTERVIEW | CYCLE SCHEME
Keep on cycling to work
Rumours of Cycle to Work’s death have been greatly exaggerated. Cyclescheme’s head of commercial
operations Daniel Gillborn explains why C2W is stronger than ever to Jonathon Harker...
YOU KNOW the story. Around six months ago
“The best way of doing that is for them to
the Cycle to Work initiative, the tax-free bike
have an extended usage agreement with us
buying incentive aimed at boosting numbers of
and to wind down the value of the bike with
employees biking to work, was subject to a rule
age. So our process is based around the
change from Her Majesty’s Revenue and
employee keeping hold of the bike, using and
Customs.
enjoying the same benefits and when they take
As Cycle to Work had widely been seen as a
ownership of it at the four-year stage – it’ll be
driver of bike sales in the period since its
worth a lot less, so they’ll pay a much lower
introduction back in 1999, initial reaction to
end of hire payment at the period.
the change was gloomy. Was the scheme now
“The actual material value difference is just
on the ropes? And
£10 – even at the
would the number
£1,000 level. So for
of bikes sold be
the people with
subsequently
bikes of the value of
slashed?
£500 or less, they’re
Rumours of the
actually better off.”
death of Cycle to
National
Work were
Insurance goes up
premature, says
for the employee
Daniel Gillborn, Cyclescheme
Daniel Gillborn,
and employer on
head of
April 1st by one per
communications for the largest C2W provider
cent and for people on the scheme that gets
Cyclescheme. “We stood still for three weeks
passed back to the employee, so the £10 – or
to see what the best course of action was. I felt
one per cent – difference will disappear. “It will
it was better to do that and make the right
be exactly the same as it was before the
decision rather than make a knee jerk reaction
change came into effect. On top of that,
and possibly get that wrong.”
employers will be saving another one per cent
For those not versed in the intricacies of
in national insurance – a message we have
HMRC terminology, the rule change was taxing
been driving home to them.”
to understand, to say the least. So what did it
And getting that message across has been
actually mean? Gillborn explains: “There is now
an area of focus for Cyclescheme.
clarification from the HMRC using their table.
The firm has spent six months working with
So, if you stick to the table, HMRC will not
employers, employees and partners, but also
investigate you as an employer.
with the bike brands. “We’re much more
Sounds a bit scary? Not so, says Gillborn:
engaged with the brands. We’ve spent a lot of
“We believe that it has helped. In the last six
time with the guys at Trek, Merida, Giant and
months we had to think about how we could
Specialized to get closer to them and how
best use the matrix and comply with it while
they’re communicating with their dealers and
retaining the same benefits for participants.
how to get their dealers on board.”
“We’re much more engaged
with the brands now, and how
we can help them to get their
dealers on board.”
20 BIKEBIZ MARCH
Daniel Gillborn,
Cyclescheme
Cyclescheme is also working with its biggest
rivals – fellow C2W providers Halfords, Evans
and Cycle Solutions, in the Cycle to Work
Alliance: “We’re a member and yes it is good
for us – it enables us to lobby Government and
directly engage with MPs. The research it has
produced has been enormously positive. The
Alliance gives us a single voice, while still being
competitors.”
Cyclescheme itself, now 35-staff strong (five
new bodies in the last year) has seen big
employers like Asda and Sainsbury’s and 35,000
strong Derby Council either commit again to
running the scheme or close to re-signing. The
Ministry of Justice and Prisons Service has just
been picked up: “They’re great adopters
because the workforce tends to live close to
where they work. It’s great news.”
The ever busy Cyclescheme also launched its
iGo vouchers at the end of last year, an
initiative gaining momentum, the firm tells
BikeBiz: “To be fair it is early days and we’re not
talking big numbers at the moment. Coming
into the retail vouchers market you never get
an instant overnight success. But the reaction
we’ve had so far is very good. The people who
have come in with us from the start are the
ones that will benefit from it the most. 350
retailers have signed up to them and we want
to have nearly 1,700 as we are with
Cyclescheme. There’s some great stuff we’re
working on that will give them a real platform.”
Cyclescheme has a number of other
initiatives on the go for 2011 too, now easier
to achieve with an expanded office space.
Gillborn adds: “We really are getting out there
and talking – that’s our key message. I’m really
keen to increase the level of communication.”
www.cyclescheme.co.uk
BIKEBIZ.COM
...is now available from
As of 1st February 2011 Windwave has begun distribution of BBB
parts and accessories. Distribution will be shared with the
existing BBB distributor until the 1st July when Windwave will
become exclusive.
BBB products are now in stock and can be ordered immediately
via our sales force or on our B2B website www.windwave.co.uk.
Falcon Helmet
BHE-01
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
In-mold shell construction.
Carbon fiber and aluminum reinforcements.
High density gray EPS.
23 air vents.
SpiderWeb inner reinforcement structure.
Rear vents for optimum air flow.
Adjustable straps for a perfect and
comfortable fit.
Easy to use DualClose adjustment system.
Washable anti-bacterial pads.
Rear reflective stickers.
Sizes: S (52-55 cm), M (52-58 cm) and L
(58-62 cm).
• Colours: blue, red, white and silver.
•
•
•
•
£99.95 SSP
Sucessor Team Sport Glasses
BSG-28
• Sport glasses with interchangeable
polycarbonate lenses.
• 100% UV protection.
• Grilamid frame with adjustable rubber nose
piece.
• Adjustable rubber temples.
• Comes with a pouch.
• With extra lenses: yellow and clear flash
mirror.
£59.95 SSP
LightFlex Shoe Covers
BWS-10
• Thin Lycra shoe cover.
• Elastic fabric characteristics for a smooth,
tight fit around the shoes.
• One size: fits shoe sizes 41/42, 43/44 and
45/46.
• Colours: white, black and blue.
£14.95 SSP
MicroBoard Computer
BCP-32W
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Wireless computer with 13 functions:
Current speed
Average speed
Trip distance
Settable odo meter
Clock
Low battery indicator
Auto scan
Auto start / stop
Maximum speed
Riding time
Total riding time
Speed pacer
Backlight
• Slim computer with easy to read full-sized
display.
• High-resolution 3 line LCD.
• Easy operation by a single button.
• Sophisticated auto start / stop function with
sleep mode after 48 hours to save battery
power.
• Computers can be mounted on handlebars
and stems.
• Waterproof casing.
• Wheel magnet fits round and aero spokes.
• Battery included.
• Colours: Team Vacansoleil, Team Quick-Step
and Team world champion.
£46.95 SSP
for more information call 02392 528912
or visit www.windwave.co.uk
MARKETING FOCUS | BOBBIN BICYCLES
Smile,
you’re on Yell.com
THE PRINT version of Yellow Pages couldn’t do
it, but the online version can. Videos. Of small
businesses. You know, like bike shops.
Yell.com has an addition to the address
details for local businesses, and you could be
the star. Yell’s ShopView features embeds
videos to enliven business listings.
There are 50 or so UK bike shops on
ShopView already, including Sidwell Cycles,
Plymouth Cycle Scene, Leith Cycle Co, and E J
Barnes.
Yell.com has a database of over two million
UK business listings including 208,000
searchable advertisers.
Yell.com’s ShopView videos were launched
last year. They are short films that let potential
customers see first-hand what local businesses
– and their owners and staff – look like, a stepup from plain listings.
The videos can be uploaded for free to the
Yell.com website, with a 100 MB limit. The
videos will also soon be available to view on
Yell.com’s iPad, iPhone and Android apps.
The videos can be shop walk-arounds or
feature staff as the stars. There’s no need for a
bike shop to spend big money on a professional
film-crew: access to video cameras has never
been greater and, with many of the most
22 BIKEBIZ MARCH
The videos can feature
store walk-arounds
The search directory wants small
businesses to showcase themselves with
videos, reports Carlton Reid...
popular videos on YouTube being short, shaky
but fun, creativity often counts for more than
HD cameras.
Matthew Bottomley, who heads up
innovations at Yell.com, says: “If a video is
clever or funny enough, it could go viral and
even get a global audience.”
Bobbin Bicycles of Islington, founded in
2007, is a quirky bike shop, selling Dutch
roadsters, tweedy spats and bowler hat
helmets. It was chosen by Yell.com to be a
featured shop on Yell.com’s ShopView, and despite what was said above about no need for
HD cameras – the Bobbin Bicycles owners
were shot by a professional film crew. The
resulting short film oozes personality and can
be viewed here: http://tinyurl.com/bobbinvideo
“The videos can be as home-made or as
polished as each company wants. You could
even shoot one on your phone,” explains
Bottomley.
Yell.com has about 5,500 ShopView videos,
with more being added constantly.
“Use of video by small business is still tiny,
but with technology now it’s pretty easy to get
started,” says Bottomley.
“Most of the videos uploaded so far are
pretty good quality, but we won’t judge the
videos. It’s up to businesses to make them in
the way they think their customers will like.
“An accountancy firm took a spoof approach
and it worked very well for them. I can imagine
that seasonal videos would do well, too. Maybe
what a bike shop will have in the store for
Christmas, perhaps?
“People are used to text searching for
businesses. Video is now the most talked about
entrant into this space. Video can go viral in a
way a text listing never could.
“Small businesses should push the videos
through their websites and Facebook pages and
so on.”
What’s in it for Yell.com?
Bottomley says: “I’m looking to distinguish our
service, enforcing that Yell is the place to go to
search. With rich and engaging media,
searching becomes more real. Customers have
a real thirst for more knowledge before buying,
something the internet has really fostered.
“ShopView videos are not like television
adverts, they work best when they’re
explanatory. A shop’s personality needs to
shine through. Customers want to see there are
real people involved.”
http://www.yell.com/video/
BIKEBIZ.COM
It’s all about the
style
Functional, stylish & fun.
kansi folding bikes are
designed in the UK by
people who love to ride.
t No model year - easy to sell all
year round
t In-store only selling policy to
support IBDs
t Industry leading spares support
programme
t Simple and concise range of
6 bikes, all fitted with SRAM
components
To become a stockist please
contact Fisher Outdoor Leisure
on 01727 798345.
For further information and to
see the full range please visit
SHOW REVIEW | ICEBIKE*2011
Adventure begins here…
With over 1,200 trade members through the doors, iceBike*is plainly a must-attend for a large
portion of the UK bicycle business. Mark Sutton discovers that, along with the distributor’s
portfolio, the typical stock of a bike shop might be about to become a whole lot more broad…
SINCE THE turn of the year, distribution giant
Madison has been introducing trade and
consumers alike to the ‘Adventure’ line – a
diversification into cycling gear for the outdoors
enthusiast, some of whom choose to cycle on
breaks in the country, but would never dream of
labelling themselves cyclists.
ADVENTURE
So what’s different about Adventure’s cycling
product? For starters, it’s quite a streamlined
range, seemingly revolving around the family
day trip. There’s a small, but tailored line-up of
bikes for the kids, mum and dad, with add on
accessories such as child trailers. It’s the family
bike excursion optimised and the bikes are
simple too, designed to last and require no
special servicing. As a bonus for the dealer, each
bike is supplied 95 per cent assembled, by
Cytech mechanics at the factory source.
Starting at £129.99 for the 16-inch wheeled
kids bikes and going no higher than £259.99 for
the gents 26-inch MTB, the bikes are beginner
cyclist orientated, though revolve around tough
24 BIKEBIZ MARCH
Adventure bikes come
95 per cent assembled
from the factory source,
by Cytech mechanics.
alloy frames. For toddlers, retailers can also take
on a selection of brightly coloured Adventure
Zooom scoot-along bikes at £89.99 each.
Brand manager Phil Hammill adds: “We have
paid particular attention to all the contact points
of the bikes such as the saddle, grips, shifter and
braking system. We anticipate that Adventure will
be the first experience of riding a bike in a long
time for many buyers. We want them to have a
good experience and not throw the bike in the
shed because of a poor quality saddle.”
THULE
Moving on, Thule drew BikeBiz’s attention to its
G6 rear door-mounted rack, which replaces last
year’s G5, as well as the new Slide Bar roof rack.
The highlight feature of the G6 is a foot-operated
tilt mechanism, which makes accessing the boot
with bikes on board a doddle.
It was the Slide Bar that drew the most
attention. Capable of holding four bikes when
equipped with ‘532’ carriers, the roof bars slide
up to 60cm each way on rollers, so there’s no
need to lean over the car to mount bikes.
Neil Sellers of Thule tells
BikeBiz: “Three sizes of slide bar
are available ranging from £190 to
£220. The 532 add on retails for £50 a pop,
giving dealers plenty of opportunity to upsell. If
a store has space, we’ve some great point-ofsale units this year in sizes from one metre
wide, to full on four metre wide units. Dealer
training and a listing on Thule’s website also
comes with some packages.”
MEMORY MAP
Aside from hard goods, Memory Map has a
money-making, risk-free opportunity that many
dealers may have missed. That comes in the
form of online trail finder service trailzilla.com,
where dealers can become an affiliate and earn
commission from weblinks. By placing a small
banner on their website, retailers can earn 25 to
30 per cent of any resulting sale of mapping.
With 5,000 users having registered in the first
three months, the site’s popular too, making it a
great point of reference should a customer ask
about local routes.
BIKEBIZ.COM
Giro’s Supernatural Fit Kit (above) uses inserts to adjust to the contours of the
foot. Thule’s Slide Bar (below) works with the ‘532’ carrier to hold up to four bikes.
Shimano now offers coloured
reels of cable best suited to
boosting workshop margins
The firm’s more
traditional product has a new
flagship item too, thanks to the
introduction of the Adventurer 3500. This 3.5inch wide mapping device comes fully loaded
with GB maps and comes boxed with a silicone
protection sleeve and quick-release bar mount.
SHIMANO
Groupsets aside, Shimano has picked up on
dealer grumbles about basic workshop and shop
floor extras such as cabling. There are now
several colours of workshop cable reel, as well
as packaged units for road bike gear and brake
systems.
Road specialists should also take note of the
new C35 wheel, pitched as an “all-round, do
everything” road wheel. Striking a balance
between weight, aerodynamics and stiffness,
customers will be able to take home a wheelset
BIKEBIZ.COM
for just £1,800.
Furthermore,
the RS80 C50 is
new to the line
and pitched as
an Ultegra level
wheel, but sub£1,000 a pair. In
fact, a wheelset
will only cost
£900 and the rear
wheel holds a
titanium freehub
body.
KRYPTONITE
Kryptonite’s Don Warren had
made a special trip to the UK to
meet retailers and discuss the firm’s
link up with Bike Revolution.
The partnership has materialised in the form
of an ID tag system, which when applied to a
bike, creates a permanent, scannable link to an
online registration of the bike and owners
details. Thieves could attempt to remove the
tag, of course, but it’d be incredibly slow work
thanks to a sticker that ‘chips’, as opposed to
peeling off. Even if the thief were to be
successful in damaging the barcode, a ‘Pulse ID
code, found below, would also have to be
removed to prevent identification.
Once registered online, a customer can use
social networking links to make everyone
aware of their bike and its status. Bike
Revolution tags are now in stock at Madison.
Another of the firm’s quirky products was
the interchangeable sheaths that now allow
owners of the Mini Five and Seven D locks to
customise theirs to match their bike. At £4.99 a
pop, dealers can offer these as an add-on
purchase on all Mini locks sold.
Don Warren (above)
discussed Kryptonite’s
ID Tag partnership with
Bike Revolution
BLACKBURN
Horizons are expanding for Blackburn meaning
dealers can for the first time pick up a range of
Blackburn branded saddlebags, panniers and
grocery bag solutions – some developed
alongside specialists Rixen and Kaul.
>>>
BIKEBIZ MARCH 25
at £12.99 RRP and rising
>>> to Starting
£30, the saddlebag line and ‘Strap
Wallet’ are now in stock with Madison.
Blackburn’s wallet is designed for those who
don’t get on with saddlebags and would prefer
something to snugly fit in a jersey pocket.
What’s more, for fans of Blackburn product, the
wallet is designed to accommodate the Airstick
SL pump and Toolmanator multitool.
A spokesman for Blackburn also revealed
to BikeBiz that the lock range currently
debuting in the US may eventually find its
way to the UK as the line expands.
Stockists should also be aware that the
popular ‘Click’ light, debuted at last year’s
iceBike*, now comes in ten colours. The Flea
2.0 USB light has also been updated to include
an LED that indicates how much power remains.
told BikeBiz that next year will bring many
more women’s specific goods too. “Next year
the line broadens past the current one model –
the Espada – which this year is the only
women’s shoe.”
Visit BikeBiz.com and search Giro shoes for a
detailed spotlight on the brand, that was
originally run in the February issue.
Simon Fisher (left) of
Giro’s soft goods
division gave
many the guided
tour of the
seven shoe line
PACIFIC OUTDOORS
For the majority of iceBike* attendees, this will
have been the first viewing of the Pacific
Outdoors line in its entirety. For those who
don’t know much about the brand, there’s a
few differentiating features, such as you’ll not
find any stitching within the line.
Waterproofing is key and as such, joins are
‘welded’ together at 170 degrees.
Three types of bag fit into Madison’s
portfolio – Expedition panniers, the City range
and a line of lightweight solutions utilising a
thinner version of the waterproof material
employed on all other product.
As you’d expect, the City line caters for the
cycle commuter and as such has all the
appropriate internal pockets for laptops, MP3
players and the like. The Expedition line, again
does what it says on the tin, providing a
durable and resistant line suited to long days in
the saddle.
The majority of stock lands with Madison in
mid-April, so retailers should keep a close eye
on the distributor’s B2B, if interested.
SCIENCE IN SPORT
There’s one new item in the diverse Science In
Sport line that was tried and tested by the
iceBike* faithful – the Smart 1 powder mix,
designed for use in water bottles.
Having been developed alongside pro tour
teams like Saxobank and Team Leopard Trek,
the blend revolves around caffeine and is best
used to drive the metabolism of carbohydrates
in order to keep the rider alert.
Two flavours, Green Tea and Lemon, as well
as Berry are now in stock with Madison,
retailing at £10 for a 500-gram tub, or £1.67 in
pre-mixed gel form. Point-of-sale support is
available on request.
Pacific Outdoors is one
of Madison’s most
recent additions to the
portfolio (above)
GIRO
The full seven model line of Giro shoes, in all
sizes, were on show to iceBike*’s crowds, giving
anyone who has not yet had the chance to
sample the Retul-developed ‘Supernatural Fit
Kit’ a chance to see what all the fuss is about.
Supplied with the Prolight SLX, Factor and
Code models, a Giro footwear customer takes
away the three-size footbed altering kit,
(pictured top right, page 25) meaning the fit
within either shoe can be tailored to the
contours of the foot.
Simon Fisher from Giro’s soft goods division
26 BIKEBIZ MARCH
BIKEBIZ.COM
ChickenDedacciai 230x315
15/2/11
5
REASONS
TO STOCK
DEDACCIAI
1. The impressive new
Dedacciai Strada range is now
available in the UK and looking
for dealers with territory
available.
2. Impressive specifications.
Prices from SRP £1769.99 for a
full carbon Veloce equipped bike.
3. Impressive designs that
stand out from the ordinary.
4. Impressive build quality
through use of AWP, a unique
advanced technology for carbon
manufacturing, which
makes the frames
18.5% stiffer than the
traditional Monocoque
process and 15g lighter
in weight.
5. Impressive
reputation
built over many years
by working side by side with top
pro riders like Armstrong, Ulrich
and Bettini and mechanics from
the big pro teams.
See www.chickenb2b.co.uk
for all the details.
CH CKENCYCLE-KIT
THE PERFECT BIKE
20:55
Page 2
SHOW REVIEW | EXPO 2011
Zipp-edy day!
There’s a lot of product coming Fisher’s way, including items from Zipp, CST and Bike Eye, SRAM,
Look, Troy Lee and many more. Jonathon Harker summarises the action at last month’s Expo...
FISHER OUTDOOR Leisure’s Expo headed back
to Sopwell House this year, at what Fisher’s
sales and brand management director Mike
Cook tells BikeBiz is “Expo’s best venue yet”.
This time round the show took more space
than in its Sopwell House debut in 2010, and
show attendance has ballooned, bolstering that
perception that cycling is beating the crunch
and VAT rise. No doubt also buoyed by its
clever timing timing in the same week as
Madison’s iceBike* – giving dealers two strong
reasons to come to the home counties in late
Feb – the show had plenty to attract dealers,
not least the arrival of Zipp, bringing all of
SRAM’s brands under the one room of the St
Albans-set distributor.
The attendance of SRAM’s own founder and
president Stan Day was a highlight of the show.
While BikeBiz missed out on meeting the
company founder, retailers reportedly lapped
up the chance to hear the man speak, with
Pennine Cycles’ Paul and Sandra Corcoran
telling BikeBiz it was a great opportunity to
meet one of the key players behind the brand.
Kansi returned to the
site of it’s trade debut
at Expo
ZIPP AND SRAM
Zipp’s arrival was undoubtedly one of the Expo
headlines, with Fisher offering the full range
including the Firecrest 404 and 808, both of
which are easy to handle and, naturally, fast,
with Firecrest rims offering stable and
predictable handing in real world conditions.
Other SRAM-based highlights include the
new 2011 Avid Code and X0 brakes. The Code R
is tougher and offers more power without
cutting control. Rockshox’s Sektor range also
drew the crowds, featuring external rebound
adjustment and sporting 32mm upper tubes,
the Sektor is designed to provide maximum
responsiveness and control. SRAM’s
2x10 groupset remains a key product while the
Reverb seatpost also attracted much attention.
Offering 125mm of height adjustment the
Reverb has a weather-protecting custom
sealing system.
CST
CST brought a wealth of product to its
inaugural Expo, including the Firenze allrounder tyres. Developed for the European
market they feature a grooved-slick tread
design and a reflective sidewall for improved
visibility in the dark. CST also offers the Sumo
and Speed, the latter a lightweight fast rolling
urban tyre. CST also produces the Czar tyre,
available in a multitude of colours.
SANTINI
This year the prestigious Santini has
incorporated a range suitable for wear on and
Airace’s Fit
Tele pumps
28 BIKEBIZ MARCH
BIKEBIZ.COM
SHOW REVIEW | EXPO 2011
telescopic pumps truly are pocketsized and retail at £21.99.
off
the
bike – the
Downtown
range, including
the Paris double layer
stretch jacket. Paris features an
internal elasticated windbreaker zip, two zipped
front pockets and one rear zip pocket. Aside
from Downtown, the Smart bib shorts feature
the innovative NAT chamois pad. Designed
around the anatomy of the rider the NAT
thoughtfully offers high levels of shock
absorption and heat resistance with no
stitching coming into contact with the skin,
affording maximum comfort to the rider.
Santini is now also offering a new
custom/team clothing facility in the UK, for
the first time ever.
BASIL
Appealing beyond the traditional cycle market,
Basil’s bike baskets and bags have been
updated with new styles. The threerange Baboushka doll print bags look the
business for fashion fans while also
offering water repellent material with
double reflection strips. The Basil Select
range is a three-bag line-up pitched at
commuters or tourers looking for a spot
of added style. Boasting a plethora of
storage pockets, Select bags start at
£29.99 and rise up to £39.99 RRP.
AIRACE
Launched last year, the well
received Airace has seven new
products, including the Speed F2
– a floor and hand pump, with
integrated flex hose. Available in
chrome and white, Speed F2
retails at £32.99. The Dual Jet is
a hand tyre pump – ideal for
those trail emergencies,
retailing at £27.99. Other
highlights include the new
Infinity P, with a plastic sleeve
and window showcasing the
aluminium barrel, providing 80
psi at £49.99. Airrace’s attentiongrabbing Fit Tele comes in Road
(100 psi) and MTB (80 psi)
versions, in red, blue, yellow and
the ubiquitous black. The
BIKEBIZ.COM
BLUEGRASS
MET’s brand new Bluegrass brand
aims to provide premium protection
at lower prices, providing an entry
into the protection market. The stand
caused a stiar at the show, with a
range destined to appeal to the
fashion-conscious market. Fisher has
high hopes for the Bluegrass brand
and expects more competitive cyclists
to pick up the brand as the year
progresses. As detailed on
BikeBiz.com, the range includes full
face and BMX style helmets as well as
elbow and knee pads.
BLOC
Eyewear brand Bloc’s Shadow is an enhanced
version of the Leopard. Bloc now sponsors
triathletes who had an input in the design of
the specs, including the length of the arms.
It was found that the Leopard’s long arms
poked into the helmet, so the Shadow sports
shorter, more rounded arms. It also includes
deeper lenses to provide better eye cover and
comes in white. The Stealth is now available in
white too.
MASTERLOCK
Masterlock has spent decades in the lock
business but last year was a biggy for the firm,
seeing sales double in 2010, the firm tells
BikeBiz. More specifically for cycling, the firm’s
Sold Secure D-Lock has been a key and Fisher
asked for a smaller version, which has duly
been created with the prototype available at
Expo. Developing last year’s more colourful
approach to the market, Masterlock has a
wealth of new hues on a wider range of its
products, including the quirky cufflock.
Packaging is set to change over the coming
year, with ‘less is more versions letting
customers get their hands on the product. The
change will also reflect the logo’s change to
yellow from orange. Masterlock also has a
clever portable safe in the works that locks to
the bike (or rider) while keeping phones,
wallets and the like safe on rides.
KANSI
Right from the off, Kansi has focused on
individualism, offering customers stickers with
which they can emblazon their rides as they
choose – pink and green being particular
MET’s new Bluegrass
brand caused a stir at
Expo 2011
favourites, Fisher revealed to BikeBiz. Now one
year on from launch, the brand is continuing in
that vein by offering accessories to further
indvidualise those bikes. Those accessories
include a Kansi carry bag, coloured pedals,
folding pedals, mudguards and more.
LOOK
The phenomenally light Look 695, first revealed
last year, attracted admiring glances at Expo,
but newer offerings from the brand include the
Keo Blades Titanium and Keo Blade Aero. Used
by the yellow and green jerseys at the 2010
Tour, the Titanium is priced at £274.99 and
features an INOX steel plate contact area that
is 31 per cent lager and 17 per cent wider than
the Keo Carbon pedal. It weighs a mere 95g per
pedal, while the Aero was created to reduce
drag and improve airflow while pedalling.
TROY LEE
The evergreen Steve McQueen was present at
Expo through a range of licenced apparel from
Troy Lee, a brand celebrating its thirtieth
birthday in 2011. Aside from the cooler king,
Troy Lee’s new range includes redesigned GP
and GP Air ranges and the new D3 Composite,
launched at £399.99 RRP, follows in the
footsteps of the popular D3 Carbon.
Other highlights include the new Range 2
from Norco – a MTB incorporating Advanced
Ride Technology suspension, the latest step in
the four-bar FSR suspension platform delivering
160mm of suspension travel at the rear wheel.
Expo also saw Fisher release the ‘Fisher
Essentials’ catalogue, containing P&A everyday,
well, essentials, for bike shops. To see what else
you missed at Expo 2011, head over to
www.fisheroutdoorleisure.co.uk.
BIKEBIZ MARCH 29
BRAND SPOTLIGHT | CAMELBAK
The Texas hydration
backpacker…
CamelBak’s origins stem from an IV bag and a tube sock combined to allow paramedic Michael Eidson
to ride a100-mile bike race in the Texan heat. Mark Sutton finds out from Zyro brand manager Richard
Samuels how the line has evolved over the years from that slightly bizarre creation…
What major evolutions have come about as
CamelBak has developed?
CamelBak’s crown jewel remains its patented
Big Bite Valve, a one-piece, medical-grade
silicone valve that self seals and offers intuitive
drinking. Omega reservoirs also lead the way in
terms of bombproof reliability, carrying a
lifetime guarantee.
Sustainability and reusability is a further
cornerstone of CamelBak’s work as the firm
challenges the bottled-water market. Many
consumers do not like to drink tap water
because of ‘taste’ issues. By introducing
products such as the Fresh Reservoir filter and
the Groove bottle that reduces chlorine, taste
and odour, fresh potable water can be filtered
on demand to taste great.
For 2011, CamelBak has introduced the
Antidote reservoir, which brings new levels of
customisation to the market, plus a new
system for integrating the reservoir into the
CamelBak pack that keeps the water more
stable and closer to your centre of gravity than
ever before.
Further to that, this year also sees the
introduction of the ‘Got Your Bak’ guarantee,
which comprehensively covers packs, reservoir
or bottles with a lifetime guarantee.
CamelBak were also the first manufacturer
to introduce BPA-free Tritan bottles to the
market when concerns over the Bisphenol-A
within polycarbonate lead to countries banning
the material.
Which other markets does the firm now
cater for?
There’s product for the specialist outdoor
sector, including running and triathlon-suited
BIKEBIZ.COM
items. Then there’s also gear that can be used in
motorsport, as well as specialist product for the
Governmental, military and industrial sectors.
Rucksack hydration packs aside, what other
goods are manufactured by CamelBak?
Bottles, wearable hydration vests and various
reservoirs suitable for retrofitting to other OEM
packs. Further to the core line, there are
accessories including insulated and thermal
control tubes, taste filters as well as digital
flow meters, reservoir cleaning kits, including
soluble cleaning tablets and specially designed
cleaning brushes.
Richard Samuels,
Zyro’s CamelBak
brand manager
Can energy supplements be used with
CamelBak bladders?
Yes, and with no degrading of materials.
Customers doing this should be reminded to
clean and dry reservoirs after every use.
Hydroguard anti-microbial protection goes a
long way to improving hygiene within a
reservoir. The technology comes integrated into
the Antidote and Omega reservoir films,
Pureflow tube linings and the Trutaste
polypropylene of the Podium bottle range. This
permanent silver-ion treatment eliminates up
to 99.99 per cent of bacteria and fungus.
What product is available to turn standard
rucksacks into hydration backpacks?
The Antidote Reservoir is a big-seller, though
requires the customer’s rucksack to have a
hydration sleeve.
It is important to distinguish between
hydration compatibility and CamelBak’s
preferred methods of hydration integration.
Many OEM rucksacks claim to be hydration
compatible, but in reality, the reservoir simply
sits within the main cargo compartment of the
pack, taking up valuable space.
This is also where CamelBak’s value comes
to the fore, as the combination of an OEM
pack and aftermarket reservoir is frequently
more expensive than buying one of CamelBak’s
fully integrated hydration systems.
How can interested retailers take stock of
CamelBak?
Simply spend £250 or more to open an
account with Zyro. This can be via our
business-to-business site, found at
www.zyrob2b.co.uk, or dealers can get in touch
by phone at 01845 521742 for all sales and
product enquiries.
What marketing plans are in place for the
brand in 2011?
There are two reservoir advertising campaigns
pushing out in various road, MTB and specialist
outdoor titles throughout 2011; with similar
campaigns also planned to support the new
CamelBak bottle pushes.
Among the 52 bottles on sale right now, the
Podium Big Chill and Groove Tritan BPA-free
line will receive a big push.
Can Zyro offer any point-of-sale material or
promotional material?
At present, all available POS is in the market in
the form of wooden displays. Header boards
are available through Zyro, but we will also be
launching an additional bottle-specific unit in
the near future. 545mm wide slat wall
headerboards are available from Zyro, just drop
us a line on 01845 521742.
BIKEBIZ MARCH 31
%50$F$T%1T7;%.'2146146**#8'/#+06#+0'&6*'+4215+6+101(6*'5.#4)'56+/2146'4#0&
9*1.'5#.'41(#/2#)01.12#465#0&#%%'5514+'5(1418'4EL;'#45T
17%#08+'924+%'5#0&2.#%'14&'45(14#/2#)01.1#0&/#0;16*'4241&7%65
#66*'F9'$5+6'T999T%50$F$T%1T7#6+109+&''.+8'4;'48+%'T':6&#;&'.+8'4;10#..#+0.#0&
9'$5+6'14&'452.#%'&$'(14'FTNN2/
EVENT PREVIEW | CYCLE SHOW
Cycle Show gears
up for tenth year
LOWER COSTS for exhibitors, higher
attendance, more extensive marketing and a
more central location. Those are just some of
the features and expectations for this year’s
Cycle Show.
As you doubtless know by now, Cycle Show
will take place over September 29th to
October 2nd 2011 at a new location for the
event – NEC, Birmingham. This year is also
Cycle Show’s tenth as a showcase for the new
season’s products and everything cycle-related.
Upper Street Events, the organising company
behind the event, say the show’s move to a
more central location is the perfect way to
celebrate its first decade in the business. The
firm said: “[The move] has received
overwhelming support from the
trade, who view the move as a
great opportunity to deliver on
even greater trade and consumer
visitor numbers.”
And why so confident? The
area’s strong network of national
transport links are a key factor,
making the NEC accessible to a
large audience and – through the
location of the nearby airport –
making it easy for international exhibitors and
visitors to get to the show.
Cycle Show 2011 will
blend new products
with cycle displays and
much more
BIKEBIZ.COM
One of the most noticeable
changes in the 2011 event
calendar is Cycle Show’s move
to Birmingham. BikeBiz
quizzes Upper Street Events on
the move...
EXHIBITOR COSTS
Another key element in the appeal of an NECbased Cycle Show is a reduction in the cost of
exhibiting at the event. Space-only costs have
decreased by £25 per m2 compared with last
year, and decreases still further over 100 m2
and 200 m2.
The Cycle Show has up-weighted its
marketing spend to comprehensively cover the
larger catchment area too, and to target the
ABC1 demographic. With the new visitors
added to the already very loyal visitor base, a
total audience of 35,000 visitors is forecast.
Considering the show, when set in London, hit
nearer 25,000 visitors, that’s a significant
predicted uplift.
The Cycle Show has already signed up
ambassadors for 2011, including Olympic and
World Team champion Ed Clancy and BMX
rider Ben Hennon.
The show itself will feature brand new road
and mountain bike outdoor demo tracks, which
will offer visitors an authentic ride experience
and on the off-road track, a chance to get
muddy (see inset).
Cycle Show event director Andrew Brabazon
said: “It was very sad to hear of the passing of
Bob Chicken. It was Bob’s original vision for
‘One Big Show’ for the industry; we will always
be grateful for his enthusiasm, drive and
tenacity, without which the Cycle Show may
never have happened.
“We are really excited by the move to our
new home at the NEC. It gives us the
opportunity to deliver features that will take
our visitor experience to a whole new level.
“With the support of the industry, we have
come a long way in ten years and what better
way to celebrate than to invite the whole
country to the show.”
Trade and press day for the Cycle Show
2011 will be September 29th, with the show
then open to the public until October 2nd.
Exhibitor enquiries please contact Damian
Watson on 020 7288 6645 or email
[email protected]
2011 CYCLE SHOW HIGHLIGHTS:
New outdoor ‘try out’ tracks where
visitors test road and mountain bikes
through forest and on tarmac for a real
demo experience.
2012 bicycle launches from the world’s
leading brands
BMX street course and competitions
with the world’s top BMX riders
1,000 seat arena and interviews with
the worlds biggest cycling celebrities
Bigger cycle store with the very latest
clothing and accessories
Kids’ test track
Indoor triathlon
Demonstrations and expert advice
sessions
Cycling for disabled people
BIKEBIZ MARCH 33
34 BIKEBIZ MARCH
BIKEBIZ.COM
BRAND SPOTLIGHT | EUROBIKE
British
Classic…
Nearly two years on
from forming a small
distribution outfit
focused on unique
and exotic
product, Eurobike’s
Russ Masters tells
Mark Sutton that
it’s time to
consolidate the firm’s
rapid growth and
introduce its portfolio to
a wider audience…
Eurobike, though still young, is a growing
name. How do you feel the first two years’
business have gone?
Eurobike Ltd is about to complete its second
year and we feel that we have ‘turned a corner’
in terms of recognition. We are extremely
happy with how the business is growing. When
myself and Paul set out we had a clear goal in
mind and I would like to think that we are
totally on that target still.
We had a booth at Eurobike last year and the
interest from the UK dealers was extremely
positive. Overseas dealers from as far as
Australia and New Zealand, came on the booth
and went through the range with much
interest, as a result of that show we have sent
product to Holland and Belgium.
We took good forward orders at our UK
shows for 2011 stock and our dealer base has
increased accordingly.
What’s next for Eurobike – any predictions
for the next two years of business?
For the next two years we really need to build
on the initial success and response to the
brands. We have always set out to have a fiveyear growth plan for Moda Bicycles in
particular and this is on track.
What was the thinking behind branching
out into titanium?
Our recent launch of titanium models has had
pleasing success. We were careful to choose
the right manufacturing partner to supply our
frames and we are delighted with the results.
The attention to detail is outstanding and we
not only supply complete bikes in road, track
and MTB, but can also supply frame kits,
something that gives us an edge.
There have been a few brand additions that
some may not have heard as yet – can you
fill us in on Bebop and Ultimate Ceramic?
Our most recent addition to the brand
portfolio was the acquisition of Be-Bop pedals,
which we spied at Eurobike (Germany) a year
ago. We were taken by several aspects of the
brand, notably the weight, and ease of use. This
combined with a neat and concise model range
fitted the existing brands well. Ultimate
Ceramic Bearings was a product that was
introduced to us and had instant appeal,
anybody seeing this product for the first time
remembers it. Again, much like Be-Bop, the fit
with our business was instant, as we are always
interested in brands that have an exclusive and
exotic side to them.
Tell us about the feedback you’ve had to the
Moda line through recent shows:
Feedback for the Moda brand has been superb.
BIKEBIZ.COM
Now the bike line covers a variety of
categories – how do you progress?
The Moda range, in the future, will start to
diversify into a longer-travel freeride bike, as
well as a women’s specific range.
Is the Cycle to Work price bracket as
important to the Moda line as it was in the
early days?
The Cycle to Work scheme, although very
important, has not been our range driver. Our
bikes start at £999 and building a bike around
this price point is crucial. Our ‘Rubato’ and
‘Bolero’ models hit this price squarely and we
believe them to be the best value for money
road bikes shoehorned into the sub £1,000
bracket. We simply like to build great value for
money bikes that perform.
How much of making a Moda come to life is
done in the UK?
We use the tag line ‘UK Born Bikes’ and this is
the philosophy behind the brand. Each model is
solely designed by us, with input from all over.
This is then translated to our frame supplier.
Once we have received the frame in the
building we then go into the build process here
in Derby. Everything from here on in is done inhouse. We spec the bikes carefully, catering to
our customer’s needs. If a dealer has a
preference on a build with chain set, or stem
length, this is adjusted and sent out
accordingly. This flexibility is something that
we really want to shout about as no other
brands can offer this level of service.
Russ Masters
Are you still recruiting dealers to carry the
bike line?
We are still pursuing dealers in areas not yet
covered and welcome trade enquiries. Eurobike
maintains its stance on dealing with dedicated
independent bike shops, as we strongly believe
this is where the future of the trade lies.
American Classic now has its own
production, can you tell us more about the
benefits of this?
American Classic does indeed have its own
production facility and because of this they can
offer complete control over not only the
design, but as importantly the quality control.
American Classic continues to grow and gain
positive feedback. Comments such as ‘lightest’
and ‘fastest spinning’ have been common from
journalists recently. As far as the consumer
comments, they repeatedly report on the value
for money package. 29ers particularly are flying
out the door at present as the consumer looks
for an upgrade to the bikes for 2011.
BIKEBIZ MARCH 35
MEDIA SPECIAL | THE DIGITAL AGE OF PUBLISHING
The iPrint age…
Many expected print would have met its demise by now, yet
somehow it battles on. Mark Sutton talks to ten publishers, large
and small, old and new to find out how each is performing and what
evolution is required to keep the media business alive…
Future Publishing
As one of the few publishers to take part in the
Audit Bureau of Circulation’s annual gathering
of statistics, Future Publishing’s magazines have
made both measurable gains and losses.
The big news is that Mountain Biking UK, the
flagship title in terms of figures to date, has
been leapfrogged by roadie bible Cycling Plus.
Group publisher for the sports division
Katherine Raderecht tells BikeBiz: “This is down
to the road side of the business growing each
and every year. Cycling Plus has, in fact, grown
its circulation for 11 straight years and that’s
largely down to the middle-aged man taking
up cycling.”
Over half of the 44,683 copies sold on an
average issue are via the newsstand, though
subscriptions are heading on for 17,000,
showing a growing commitment to the sector
from Future’s readers.
So what’s happening to the former
mountain biking stronghold MBUK? Last year,
total average net circulation per issue stood at
41,772 and this year that figure has dipped
below 40k to 38,482.
Raderecht added: “The UK mountain bike
market is changing. Recent research by Future
shows that the number of riders under 16 is
declining, while the 25 to 44 age group is
growing. Mountain Biking UK’s heritage as the
only magazine for all mountain bikers means
we have to work harder than ever to ensure we
remain relevant in this changing environment.
A major redesign of the magazine will go on
BIKEBIZ.COM
Cycling Plus is now
Future’s highest
circulating cycle title
per issue
sale in May, designed to engage all mountain
bikers through four key editorial pillars: news;
reviews; routes and riding; and tech knowhow,
all served up in MBUK’s own inimitable style.”
Digital is recognised as a crucial pillar in the
framework of the publisher’s stable going
forwards. In the year to 2010 the number of
global unique visits to Future’s online sites
increased by 32 per cent to 19.6 million, while
UK uniques grew by 45 per cent to 4.8 million.
Pro Cycling is the first of many cycling phone
and tablet compatible applications, something
which Future editor in chief for iPad and tablet
editions, Mike Goldsmith, says is “the perfect
showcase for the diverse line of photography
and video content” generated through the
publisher’s action sports titles.
Factory Media
Encompassing Factory Media’s online portfolio,
Mpora.com remains Europe’s largest action
sports website, drawing around 3.8 million
unique visitors users monthly and streaming
around two million bike related videos per
month, according to the publisher.
With a tech-savvy, well-travelled readership,
Factory Media has early to create iPhone apps
for its print titles. Initially the apps were just
page-turning replicas of the magazine, however
the second generation app allows the editorial
staff to create alternative pages for the app,
with live links, video content and
even an automatically updated news
>>>
BIKEBIZ MARCH 37
>>>
feed, or social media feed, so each
time the issue is revisited it has
changed. During 2010, total app sales grew by
26 per cent, with subscription sales up 343 per
cent, Factory tells BikeBiz.
The Bicycle Buyer is described as a ‘priority
title’ for Factory Media in 2011, having secured
strong newsstand listings in 2010, including in
WH Smith stores, as well as Tesco, Sainsbury’s
and Asda. Newstand sales grew three per cent
through 2010 and should continue to grow
given the publisher’s plan to extend each
copies shelf life with more content per issue. A
digital version of each edition is now available
free-of-charge for iPhone and iPad users.
Further to this, each issue is distributed to over
2,000 independent retailers.
Following a rollercoaster year across its BMX
titles, the publisher intends to move on from
losing a few key staff, including ex-Ride UK
editor Steve Bancroft. Despite setbacks,
newsstand sales are reported to be up five per
cent, while subscriptions top a rise of ten per
cent. Continued cover promotion investment in
stickers, posters and DVD gifts saw average
sales uplifts of 39 per cent. On top of this, the
Ride to Glory 2010 DVD issue had an incredible
year, with the highest sales ever achieved since
its inception three years ago, and the highest
issue sale in nine years.
Road.cc publishers
Farrelly Atkinson also
handle Cyclescheme’s
bi-annual magazine –
Cycle Commuter
CTC magazine
“AS CTC membership grows, CTC’s awardwinning magazine ‘Cycle’ maintains it’s
position as the UK’s highest circulation cycling
title – landing on doorsteps of over 63,000
members,” CTC commercial director Nick Fish
tells BikeBiz. “With the most diverse readership
in cycling and substantial growth in commuter
and sportive members in 2010, Cycle magazine
directly reflects the interests of cyclists visiting
UK bike shops. To further cater for ‘special
interests’, Cycle magazine has added unique
editorial to each issue in the form of special
features focussing in on one specific cycling
‘tribe’ activity. Rolling across the six issues each
year ‘Cycle’ magazine focuses on – new season
bikes and equipment, Touring, Sportive, MTB,
Commuter and Family/Leisure in addition to
content for all. Cycle magazine is posted
directly to members of the CTC and therefore
has a guaranteed circulation.”
Road.cc
YEAR-ON-YEAR figures for Road.cc are very
impressive, even for a still relatively young
website. Having seen the Google Analytics
report, BikeBiz can confirm in the past 12
months Road.cc has generated over eight
million page views, a 144 per cent year-on-year
growth. There have been 1,477,358 unique
users over the past 12 months, too, which is
158 per cent more than the prior year’s
statistic.
During the website’s 2010 Autumn peak,
over one million page views per month,
combined with 210,000 unique visitors were
being recorded. The site’s editors now tell
BikeBiz it is anticipated that these records
could soon become normal as part of the site’s
continued steep growth trajectory.
Farrelly Atkinson, the publishers of Road.cc
and Cyclescheme’s Cycle Commuter magazine,
told BikeBiz: “It’s been a bumper year as the
figures show and we still continue to nurture
and grow the Road.cc community of users by
continuing with comprehensive news coverage
and in-depth product reviews. In March, the
site is to receive additional fitness and travel
sections. Further to this, we’re the media
partner to the Sunday Munch sportive at
Mountain Mayhem, as well as partnering with
Evans Cycles for a Fantasy Cycling
competition.”
Cycle Commuter is this year to circulate
more than 35,000 copies per issue of its biannual look at the commuter market. The
magazines are distributed via dealers,
distributors, manufacturers, supporting
organisations, human resource departments of
the thousands of employers that are signed up
to Cyclescheme and through the 500-plus road
shows for employers that Cyclescheme arrange
each year.
38 BIKEBIZ MARCH
Case BMX
UP UNTIL the recent announcement that
Albion BMX was to launch, Case was the only
BMX-dedicated title to sit on counter tops and
go out to customers free-of-charge.
Editor Mike Netley tells BikeBiz despite the
new competition he’s confident Case
Case and The Albion
are both distributed
free of charge in
bike shops
can continue to progress. “It’s been slow
progress, but steady. We’ve grown a lot, we are
growing constantly, and will continue to
regardless of the position of other titles new
and old on the market. That I’m sure of,”
assures Netley.
“Over the next couple of issues we will be
working really hard on creating original and
artistic cover ideas, like the screen printed issue
five, and as far as behind the scenes business
goes, we are looking into production of the
magazine in the USA and also to make the
magazine bi-monthly.”
January of this year saw Case put on it’s first
BMX jam at The Works skatepark in Leeds. “The
turn out was amazing,” said Netley. Look out
for a Case magazine trails jam to come to
fruition over the next few months, too.”
Netley concludes with a message of thanks:
“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank each
and every person who has picked up a copy of
Case, bought a shirt, ran an advert, distributed
the magazine, or simply said a kind word to us
about all the hard work that goes into this
project each issue. An extra special thanks to
my friends and family and most importantly
Louis Smith and Ollie Reeve.”
The Albion
LAUNCHING April 1st, The Albion is the
brainchild of photographer and pro rider
Daniel Benson, ex-editor of
Ride UK Steve Bancroft,
George Marshall and Tim
March.
Confirming that the
launch is definitely not an
April fools, March tells
BikeBiz: “The Albion was
started by four of us with our
own money. We have no
backer, but our own credit
cards and piggy banks. I, the
old man on the mountain, am
older than old school and will
be publishing the mag. Steve
Bancroft has been on the scene
since he was a kid. George
BIKEBIZ.COM
The South West is also to benefit from a
further diversification in the business model.
Shred Events is now to offer mountain bike,
road and multisport events including the Shred
Classic, Deer Hunter Duathlon and RaceFacesponsored Circus of Dirt.
During the winter of 2010, the publisher also
linked with the National Trust, creating its own
racing team, which will tackle both regional
and national events. Again, this team officially
launches in March, taking part in cross country
and road rides.
A to B
Marshall and Daniel Benson have been
itinerant wanderers after a good time that
involves BMX bikes.”
Slapping down the presumption that the
magazine will be solely for the older, discerning
rider, March added: “We haven’t singled out
one group of riders to focus on. The Albion will
be full of quality content cover-to-cover that
will be enjoyed all riders regardless of age, from
the ten year getting their first bike, to the 40
year old rider who can’t bare to throw away his
old VHS riding videos. We have all agreed that
we didn’t want to worry about running full
pages of text if the article requires it. I’d hate
to think BMXers couldn’t tackle a full page of
writing.”
The Albion will be distributed by a number
of wholesalers and retail stores. All, account
holding BMX shops will be supplied by 4Down,
Seventies, CSG UK and Mint Distribution, as
well as by the mail order shops like Alans,
Edwardes, Volt, The Source, Crucial, Alpha and
Evans among others. If a shop advertises they’ll
be sent a stack of mags and POS to display
them in.
The only detail March dare tell BikeBiz about
the first issue was simply “we have an exclusive
interview with a superhero.” Intriguing stuff.
Triathlete’s World
Since launch in February 2009, Triathlete’s
World has become a favoured source for
information on training, events and kit reviews
within the sector among new and improving
triathletes up and down the UK.
The publisher’s subscriptions are up more
than 100 per cent year-on-year and its Audit
Bureau of Circulation figure, published on
February 17th 2011, saw average monthly
circulation rise to 13,160.
The firm also launched
www.triathletesworld.co.uk in December 2009
to complement the magazine and the website
now boasts 35,000 unique users a month.
Alison Hamlett, editor of the magazine tells
BikeBiz: “We’re proud of this growth in a tough
market and plan to build on it throughout
2011 and beyond.”
BIKEBIZ.COM
Hamlett was also awarded ‘Editor of the Year
2010’ in the Sport, Leisure and Health category
by the British Society of Magazine Editors.
Singletrack
Having just broken through 5,000 subscribers,
BikeBiz Award winner Singletrack’s fortunes are
on the up. This time two years ago the
publisher was rebuilding its website after an
invasion by hackers.
This time around the online portal is
recording around 450,000 unique users per
month, which publisher Mark Alker says is up
over 50 per cent compared to the same period
12 months ago.
“In the same period we delivered 7.2 million
page views and delivered 48 million ad
impressions,” said Alker. “In addition, just short
of 2,500 current subscribers regularly access
our exclusive premier content on our website.”
The publisher sells on average 14,000 copies
per issue, though Alker confirms that digital
viewing is the fastest growing format as the
internet age has well and truly set in.
Editor Chipps Chippendale adds: “We have
plans to ride bigger and further, and then write
about it all. Features are now getting so
multimedia that journalists have become
filmmakers and riders have become stuntmen.
Also, as it’s our tenth anniversary year, so we
intend to push that to the limit with reader
rides, trade drinks and special merchandise to
commemorate the fact.”
Shred has branched into
events and now has its
own cycling team
2010 was a bit of a rollercoaster, according to
A to B publisher David Henshaw, who has also
recently published a book dubbed Electric
Bicycles, available now through Cordee.
“We’ve been producing ‘A to B’ and its
predecessor ‘The Folder’ since 1993 and never
seen anything like this. At first the recession did
nothing to us, then it hit hard and we lost a lot
of subscribers. But things recovered a fair bit in
the last months of 2010, so we’re pretty
optimistic again,” says Henshaw.
“On top of this has been the change to
digital media and digital shopping. We thought
the digital version of A to B would take over,
but it’s settled at around 15 per cent of the
paper numbers. On the other hand, about a
third of the paper subscribers now pay a little
more to get digital as well, and that seems to
be the trend.”
Having decided to take advertising on its
website, as many firms moved away from print,
Henshaw tells BikeBiz that web revenues now
represent 50 per cent of the print figure, a
change that occured in very little time.
“With over 1,000 hits a day it reaches a big
audience, and they are mainly people looking
to buy bikes,” explains Henshaw. “It now looks
as though web advertising may overtake print
revenues in the next few months. The other big
change is in the shear breadth of places your
words get to through digital media of various
kinds. Ten years ago, we printed a magazine for
2,000 people and by and large that was our
readership. Five years later, we grudgingly
released an article or two onto the net after six
months. Today, anything and everything goes
straight out and is openly available to anyone,
through dozens of sources.”
Shred
Now on the brink of its 55th issue, Shred is still
going strong in bike shops around the country.
As is increasingly the case in the media
world, Steve Toze’s business is quickly
diversifying into events market, as well as
moving rapidly with the digital age.
Coming soon, Shred magazine will be
available in a downloadable application to be
available free-of-charge on iTunes. The
application is scheduled to launch during
March.
BIKEBIZ MARCH 39
BIKE HUB | UPDATE
From Shetland to
Cornwall
APP HAPPY
Schools from all four corners of the UK are taking part in a bike-boosting
initiative. Are you supporting it? Jonathon Harker and Carlton Reid
saddle up for The Big Pedal...
AT TIME of print, support for The Big Pedal is
already snowballing in schools up and down
the land, with over 1,200 planning to take part
in the cycling boosting scheme.
With over 230,000 pupils within those
schools, the potential number of children that
could be taking to their bikes this month to
participate in the biking initiative could – and
probably will be – huge.
The Big Pedal was born following a Sustransled organised project held last year, the Virtual
Bike Race. Originally open to Bike It schools
only, 373 schools took and pupils made a mind
boggling 288,201 journeys during it – over
461,121 miles made by bike. Those miles were
pedalled in aid of becoming the first school to
complete 5,224 miles by bicycle.
This year Sustrans is running the scheme
again, only this time with the backing of Bike
Hub – the cycle industry levy scheme designed
to support the future of cycling.
Crucially, this year the initiative has been
extended to all schools in the UK, not just
those benefiting from a Bike It officer. And the
effect has been marked as the figures above
show. Over 1,280 schools have signed up, with
over 816 registered to take part – well over
double that of last year’s Virtual Bike Ride. And
those are just the figures at time of going to
press, weeks ahead of the deadline. By the time
you’re reading this, The Big Pedal will already
have begun, with inestimable numbers of bike
miles pedalled.
40 BIKEBIZ MARCH
And this isn’t an initiative confined to one
part of the country – all corners of the UK
have taken up the challenge. Schools from the
Shetland Isles, Northern Ireland, Cornwall and
Wales have all signed up.
Big Pedal Project Manager Vincent Goodwin
said: “With more schools than ever taking part,
many more pupils will be inspired to cycle the
school journey, perhaps even for the first time.
“This is an exciting opportunity to get more
children cycling to school everyday, helping
them to lead a much more active – and fun –
lifestyle.”
The Big Pedal will run over three weeks and
will already by running by the time you are
reading this, finishing Friday March 25th.
Children, parents and teachers will be
encouraged to get on their bikes to help hit
that target.
In a neat piece of dovetailing, 507 of those
schools have received Bikeability cycle training,
and 179 are Bike It and/or I Bike schools. The
Big Pedal also coincides with Bike to School
Week (from March 21st to 25th) and schools
that are unable to take part in the whole three
weeks of the Big Pedal are being invited to take
part in the daily stages in the final week. Extra
prizes will be available for the winning school
in the final week.
So if you see an influx of kids, parents and
teachers in your shop over the next couple of
weeks, you’ll know why. Download your Big
Pedal poster here: http://tinyurl.com/66njhyc
This is an
exciting
chance to
get more
children
cycling to
school
everyday.”
Vincent
Goodwin, Big
Pedal project
manager
THE GOOD works of Bike Hub are not just
confined to getting thousands of school
kids onto their bikes via The Big Pedal. The
Bike Hub-funded Bike Hub app for iPhones
and Android phones is a cycle journey
planner with a difference. Routing via
CycleStreets.net and including the Sustrans
National Cycle Network, the Bike Hub app
also locates the nearest independent
bicycle dealers in a six mile radius from
wherever the user is.
Now the app is going into an exciting
new phase, reaching out to leisure riders as
well as those on the urban commute.
Right now, the app routes A to B. The
new version will route A to A so people can
get suggested tours.
Routes can also be made ‘sticky’ to
points of interest, such as churches,
National Trust, stately homes, museums
and the like.
This will all be exclusive to Bike Hub.
Newcastle Cycle Centre owner Jill
Hopkirk is an iPhone owner and recently
downloaded the app. She said: “It’s really
positive to see the industry take the
initiative. This is a project that can get new
people to start cycling.
“Showing would-be cyclists that it is
possible to find quiet routes, without lots
of cars, is something done by paper maps
produced by cycle campaigns and this app
is taking that knowledge and putting it on
to mobile devices.
“I love the fact I can be out cycling
somewhere new with my little boy, and
we’ll always be able to find a quieter way
home.”
BIKEBIZ.COM
+ $& ''$# .&243) &6) !*(-3414,= ! &:&.1&'1* .3 &3) 75**) 334:&8.:* &3) 1.,-8;*.,-8 .3 )*7.,3 =*8 2&.38&.3.3, .87 795*6.46
786*3,8- ++*6.3, *<86*2*1= 71.(0 &3) 56*(.7* 7-.+8.3, 5*6+462&3(*
3-&3(*7 (-&.3 1.+*
&<.292 )96&'.1.8=
$"%( ! (-
#.8- &11 2&/46 7=78*27
()&'
&6)*3*) -4114; 5.3 !
*)9(*) ;*.,-8 43 *:*6= 51&8*
3(1.3*) .38*63&1 '6.),* 43 *:*6= 51&8*
**5 .33*6 ;&.78 (-&2+*6
*),*7 (-&2+*6 498*6 51&8*7
# ''
6**3 96+&(* !6*&82*38
41)
(
&) $#
*&- %!(
!# -"#
, ( "' ( $#! -!$
&$''
"% $# & # $# - # $&
( $& .$# (#'' "
4-1* " 8)
BIKEBIZ.COM
' "&
$)(& %!('
&#
$!!$+ % #
! .3+4'4-1*(490
#! # #(&#!
& $# *&%!(
# ;;;8&=&(-&.3(42
BIKEBIZ MARCH 41
INTERVIEW | RAY KEENER
Selling cycling
Ray Keener’s Growth Cycle retail training has
been followed by 1,600 bike retailers in the
US. Now the programme is being opened
up to UK IBDs, as BikeBiz finds out...
BIKE RETAILERS visiting Madison’s iceBike* last
month got the chance to benefit from a
number of seminars led by retail gurus.
One such expert is Ray Keener, president of
Growth Cycles, founded by Keener in 1996. A
regular writer for US-based Bicycle Retailer and
Industry News (BRAIN), Keener created the
retail staff training programme following the
close of the Bicycle Industry Organisation, of
which he was executive director.
Growth Cycles runs a selling cycling training
shop programme, run via a DVD – and online,
giving retailers the chance to take part in the
training in-store.
Keener has produced customised
programmes for the likes of Trek, Specialized,
Giant, Camelbak, Thule and Mongoose.
So what does the Growth Cycles programme
cover? A multitude of points, tactics and skills
designed to help bike retailers and staff develop
their skills in selling product. Covering a range
of bases, the programme features ways of
helping distinguishing between casual and
expert customers, and covers core
competences vital for retailing.
Keener’s H.A.N.D acronym is one of the
devices he employs in the training programme
as an, erm, handy way for retailers to
remember some essential sales techniques. H
stands for customer welcome, such as “Hello,
how are you?” The A for ask questions, like
“what brings you in the store today?”
When the sales man or woman has heard
the reply they can then (N) narrow the choices
available to the customer, likely through further
questions, if necessary. Finally the D is for
‘direct the sale’ – “would you like to buy
BIKEBIZ.COM
included a recommended training strategy for
today?” Straightforward, yet to the point and
saving no end of wasted time.
dealers. Over 70 people filled the room in two
It sounds simple, but it’s all designed to look
seminars at iceBike*. Attendees were able to
after potential purchasers. “If a customer is
benefit from a show special on signing up to
the Selling Cycling training programme.
happy then they’ll buy more,” Keener tells
While the seminars would have been the
BikeBiz. “And if you can’t sell in 15 minutes
first time many UK bike
you’re probably not
retailers would have
doing it right.”
The knowledge gap
come across Ray Keener,
between staff and
the Growth Cycle boss is
consumers is just one of
a distinctly more familiar
the key points of the
face in the United States.
training driven home by
He estimates: “40 per
the training. Keener
cent of shops in North
says: “You have to go
America use my
down to a customer’s
programme.”
level as opposed to
In fact there are about
bringing them up to
1,600 US bike retailers
Ray Keener, Growth Cycle registered on the Growth
your level of
knowledge.”
Cycles programme. The
The skills training also includes areas still
stores have used the DVD, online videos and
relatively new to the industry, such as how to
their three components of general sales
compete online, and even how to make the
techniques, category-specific training and SKUbest use of telephone calls into the shop.
specific training – all wrapped up in a snappy
“Store branding is key – it’s what sets you
easy-to-digest-format.
apart,” stresses Keener.
There are samplers of what the training
In his seminar Keener addressed the
programme has to offer on YouTube on the
questions of why bike retailers should bother
Growth Cycle channel.
to train their staff in sales techniques. He also
http://growthcycle.net
“H - Hello, how are
you?
A - Ask why the
customer visits today
N - Narrow choices
D - Direct a sale”
Keener has produced
custom programmes
for the likes of Trek,
Specialized, Giant,
CamelBak, Thule and
Mongoose
BIKEBIZ MARCH 43
INNOVATION FOR EVERY RIDER !
Husky Track Pump (230psi)
£59.99 srp
HPX Pump (174psi) BEST SELLER
£24.99 srp
« Only 88 g »
Air-Profil Micro (100psi)
£19.99 srp
Z-Cross (102psi/156g)
£21.99 srp
Arctica 750ml Double
Insulated Bottle & Carbon Cage
£9.99 srp & £34.99 srp
Française des Jeux - for everybody
Call 01845 521 742 to order now
Quote POSZEHEAD545 to request your FREE 55cm (w) display header
www.ZyroB2B.co.uk
Zyro Ltd
Exclusive UK & Eire Distributor
INTERVIEW | CEDRIC GRACIA
Burning
rubber
Following his deal with Panaracer to produce a
signature line of tyres, cycling star Cedric Gracia tells
Jonathon Harker what went into the range, and
also about his first-hand experience of running his
own bike shop...
WHEN TYRE brand Panaracer first announced it
was teaming up with former mountain bike
World Champion Cedric Gracia at the end of
2008, the resulting line of tyres could have
been produced with the minimal involvement
from the French mountain biker.
But if anything, the partnership has seen
Gracia do the oppostie and work incredibly
closely with the Japanese-made brand. Two
years after the relationship was formed the
firm launched its first tyres and this year the
team up will produce another three SKUs to
the signature tyre range including the Soft
Condition and the CG 29er.
Gracia does, of course, have the kind of
unique first-hand experience of cycling in all
kinds of conditions across the world that is
invaluable in the development of the tyres. But,
it turns out, Gracia also has first-hand
knowledge of being at the sharp end of bike
retail.
Gracia’s racing
experience has been
utilised in his signature
tyre range
“The bike shop I own is in
Andorra, but I’m going to
have to shut it down. It’s
too bad. It was a lot of
fun.”
Cedric Gracia
“The shop I own is in Andorra, but I’m
going to shut it down,” Gracia confesses.
“It’s just so much work and I’m never
home. I carried the brands that sponsored
me in the shop, but it’s too bad that I have to
close it. It was a coffee place as well – you
could drink beers and just hang out as well.
Coffee and biking go really well together.”
But this might not be the end of
Gracia’s bike shop running days, he
>>>
BIKEBIZ.COM
BIKEBIZ MARCH 45
RIGHT HEIGHT.
The all-new RockShox Reverb gives you 125mm of
infinite seat-height adjustment and control of your
return speed in a hydraulically actuated remote
package giving you the right height, right now.
•
•
•
•
125mm adjustment range
Adjustable height-reduction and post speed
Quad-lipped energized sealing system
Available in 30.9mm and 31.6mm diameters
SCAN & LEARN MORE
www.rockshox.com
© 2011 SRAM LLC Distribution UK: www.fisheroutdoor.co.uk
INTERVIEW | CEDRIC GRACIA
“I think we are arrogant.
We want to do great stuff
and kick ass. The
relationship works pretty
good and after just two
years look at the range
we have.”
Cedric Gracia
>>>
reveals to BikeBiz.
“If I wasn’t racing then I would
definitely do it because it is a lot of fun. I used
to make €50k in four months. It was crazy. I
sold everything I had. I sold Santa Cruz bikes
and had crazy rentals. I had 12 bikes to rent
and every bike was gone every day. And it was
€100 for a full day – I think that’s ridiculous,
but people would pay it. I felt bad, but the
price was fixed and we had to do that.”
But future bike retailing aside, we’re here to
talk to the shy and retiring cycle star about his
partnership with Panaracer.
He takes us through some of the tyre
features: “The soft condition is a perfect tyre
for here [the UK]. It’s muddy all the time, but it
is really good rolling though. Typical mud tyres
have knobs that are way too high and you lose
so much energy pedalling and they will
actually make you slide. A lot of people have
problems with them.
“Then we came up with this idea to make
the perfect tyre for wet conditions, but not 100
per cent wet condition – just soft condition
when it has just been raining and tacky.”
The composition of the tyres has also been
an area of focus on the CG range: “All these
tyres come with the dual compound – but a
progressive layer rather than the old way of
doing dual compound, where’s it’s just two
compounds side-by-side.
“We can progressively change the
consistency of the material in the knob,
starting right at the root. It allows for
grippyness and flex, giving people control when
they need it.
“Tyres are not just about the softness of the
rubber – sidewalls are important. If you have
shitty side walls you need huge amounts of air
and it doesn’t matter how good the design of
the tyre is.
“We have to make a good balance. We don’t
want to piss people off. People want
everything. They don’t realise there’s a
compromise.”
The tyres are growing in distribution and
reputation, Gracia says: “We’re in places as
varied as Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Thailand,
BIKEBIZ.COM
Gracia led the annual
night ride at Zyro’s
Open House this year
Russia. I think we’re getting known now. The
name [Panaracer] has been known for a long
time now but I think with younger people
maybe not as much.
“Now with the aggressive marketing we’re
doing, with an aggressive design we’re basically
answering all those questions from people;
‘What about if it’s muddy?’ ‘we have the tyre
for that’, or ‘what about if it’s between two
conditions?’ ‘we have it’… we have it all.”
The pairing won’t stop here, Panaracer’s
international go-to-guy Jeff Zell tells BikeBiz:
“We envisage having 20 different tyres over
the course of the next five years. And that’s
not including the different SKUs we have
within each tyre type – like 29 is getting
popular. But if people want to take it bigger –
we can already answer to those guys. If it’s
going that way. We worked a lot to get these
tyres right. “
Now an Andorra resident, Gracia has ridden
for the likes of Cannondale and Commencal,
and spent time as a professional skier. His first
love was BMX: “I knew nothing about
mountain biking. I had no MTB culture. I had
BMX culture. After that I kind of liked it and
especially after I started to hang around with a
couple of American guys.”
Gracia also now finds time to run a
marketing agency to promote cyclists: “It’s
always hard to talk about yourself and sell
yourself to a new sponsor and I started to do it
and it was so much work for so little money...
we started to do some events too.”
“I work with many companies, but I spend
most of my time with Panaracer.
“I think we are arrogant. We want to do
great stuff and we don’t care who is against us.
We just want to do it and show everyone.
Some of the people in mountain biking are so
arrogant and I just want to kick their ass.
“I think [the relationship] works pretty good
and after just two years, look at all the range
we have. We are going somewhere. It is
important. It’s exciting to me.”
BIKEBIZ MARCH 47
ACT | UTILITY COSTS
Beat the energy price rises
After the phenomenal response to ActSmart’s free business banking offer
in February’s BikeBiz, they now unveil how to cut utility costs...
THE RECENT BikeBiz survey identified that over
a third of retailers are concerned about the
impact of rising utility bills – not a surprise
when you consider the constant oil and gas
price rise stories in the media.
Money saving expert Martin Lewis often
uses the example of “how would you feel
Due to the tough winter
draining reserve energy
stocks to the lowest level
on record, pricing is only
likely to get worse and
this is the best time to
take action.
taking six £50 notes and setting light to
them… because that’s exactly what you’re
doing by not keeping on top of your energy
contract”.
On a standard tariff you will typically pay
£1,200 a year for energy supplies, compared to
the £900 annual rate available on one of the
best online deals. But be warned, even if you
have taken advantage of an online deal, these
often expire after a year and the prices return
to the higher standard tariffs. This highlights
another key problem – the time involved in
48 BIKEBIZ MARCH
picking your way through the myriad of
provider prices and varying formats available to
you. At no point is it explained why prices keep
going up and how to combat the dramatic
impact upon business users. So, when you’re
locked into a contract for a fixed period, how
can you save money?
ActSmart’s partnership with GET Solutions
means they will assess your needs, compare
the market and negotiate for you. GET will also
monitor your energy contract to ensure that
you don’t roll over onto expensive out of
contract rates at the end of your agreed term.
Due to the tough winter draining reserve
energy stocks to the lowest level on record,
pricing is only likely to get worse and this is
the best time to take action.
For full details of how the scheme works
visit www.actsmart.biz and see ‘Electricity
& Gas’ or contact ActSmart on 0845 618
7256 or [email protected].
ACTSMART MEMBERS CAN SAVE MONEY
ON TELECOMS AND BROADBAND TOO…
Award winning Telecoms provider Chess are
ActSmart’s preferred partner and with their
‘Never beaten on price’ guarantee you can
rest assured that they will match or beat
any alternative offer. They currently deliver
exceptional communication solutions to
more than 60,000 businesses in the UK. 18
Bikes switched their phone calls to Chess in
2010 and saved over £400 p.a.
HOW MUCH YOU COULD SAVE?
How shocked would you be to find that
the difference between the best and
worse contract prices available for the
average ActSmart member today is a
staggering £980 per annum? This
represents a potential 70 per cent
saving available to businesses by
securing the best available deal.
Ben Hayward Cycles moved their
energy contracts to GET Solutions in
2010 and have saved over £400 by
doing so.
One leading Leicestershire retailer
saved a massive £2,411 on a rolled over
electricity contract via GET.
BIKEBIZ.COM
BIKEBIZ.COM
BIKEBIZ MARCH 49
PEOPLE | RECRUITMENT
Send your recruitment news to
[email protected]
Andy Cook heads up UCI’s ‘Cycling for
Farrow joins Cycleurope to relaunch Peugeot Cycles in the UK Opperman takes on i-Ride role SRAM’s
aftermarket division enlists West Scorpati joins Trans X team South Downs Bikes recruits Macnamara
UCI The UCI’s Cycling For All Commission is
to be fronted by ANDY COOK, founder of
Andy Cook Cycling.
As president of the foundation, Cook is
tasked with encouraging as many people as
possible to take up non-competitive cycling;
whether that is using a bicycle as a means of
transport, as a leisure activity, or taking part in
cyclo sportives. The commission is also
responsible for all masters racing and the new
UWCT events. Cook held a similar role with
British Cycling in 2005, where he assisted in
establishing the ‘Everyday Cycling’ initiative.
UCI president Pat McQuaid said: “We’re very
pleased that Andy is joining us. We look
forward to using his experience and expertise in
progressing our ‘Cycling For All programme.”
Bill Farrow, (above) and
Darran Stephens
CYCLEUROPE UK BILL FARROW, a cycle
industry stalwart, has joined Cycleurope to
help re-launch the Peugeot Cycles brand to the
UK after an absence of nearly ten years. His
role will be to bring new customers to
Cycleurope, developing a UK specific range and
generally shouting about Peugeot Cycles as
loudly as he can.
After having run his own shop for 25 years
and then switching sides to act as Northern
Area Manager for Massi for nearly three years,
DARRAN STEPHENS also joins Cycleurope as
Bianchi’s northern sales executive. His role
revolves around promoting the Bianchi brand
around Northern England, Wales, Ireland and
the whole of Scotland. Both can be contacted
through Cycleurope’s HQ on 01234 245929.
I-RIDE Greg Stevens has decided to move
on from i-Ride, formerly Jim Walker and Co,
after five years’ service.
Stevens told BikeBiz: “Working with you all
has been a real pleasure and although I have
met some absolute bastards along the way,
most of you are pretty good. I am staying in
the bike business, so unless you’re one of the
bastards, hopefully our paths will cross soon.”
JORS OPPERMAN now takes over Stevens’
role. For any Jim Walker/i-Ride related issue
please contact him at [email protected]
SRAM As part of the creation of a formal
aftermarket product division, JASON WEST has
been promoted to vice president of retail sales
and aftermarket product, and will be part of
Trek Bicycle Store Milton Keynes is opening this spring;
and we need great people to work for the business.
●
Store Manager
Assistant Store Manager
● Sales Assistant
● Head Mechanic
● Part-time Sales Staff
●
All applicants must have bicycle retail experience with a history
of success in sales and it is preferred that you have that retail
experience and knowledge with Trek products.
Your role will be to maximise sales of bikes and accessories and
facilitate display and promotions advantages in conjunction with
other members of staff.
This is a great and exciting new opportunity
and we want you to join us...
Email your cv with a covering letter stating why you would be a
good fit for the business to [email protected].
Closing date: Friday 11th March
Further details can be found at :
www.eaststcycles.com or
www.trekbikes.com/uk/en/company/careers
50 BIKEBIZ MARCH
BIKEBIZ.COM
PEOPLE | RECRUITMENT
All’ programme
the SRAM senior management team. West
began his career with SRAM in 1996 as quality
manager of the Chicago factory. He has
worked in many capacities since then,
including factory manager, product team
leader, leading the RockShox integration and
was most recently category manager of
suspension. He will switch to the new role
over the coming months.
ALTINO LOURENCO has joined the SRAM
MarCom team as marketing coordinator for
France. He is 35 years old and speaks fluent
French, English, Spanish and Portuguese.
Lourenco will become the main contact for
MTB magazines in France, Spain and Portugal.
He will also be the technical contact person
for road magazines in France.
TRANS X The JD Group has extended its
TransX team with the appointment of Tanguy
Scorpati to the role of European sales
manager, as well as David Reichenbach to the
position of European technical support.
Scorpati will be responsible for client
maintenance, as well as new customers, with a
focus in the Benelux and French markets.
Scorpati speaks Dutch, English, German and
French. With over ten years of work experience
with Melexis, a specialist of semiconductors
for transmission and sensor technology, he
also has background in automotive electronics
and technical mobility products.
David Reichenbach will head the European
client services at the Technical Service Centre
of TranzX PST. His passion for bicycles began in
2003 when he placed second at the German
Dirt Jump Championship. His skills in bicycle
mechanics, specifically in electrical
engineering and informatics, are what
qualify Reichenbach for the e-bike branch.
His responsibilities include the repair of
system components and e-bikes,
technical client consulting, and OEM and
dealer training seminars.
SOUTH DOWNS BIKES has appointed
Simon Macnamara as Stores and Development
Manager. Macnamara took up the position at
the start of the month.
Commenting on Macnamara’s appointment,
South Downs Bikes director Martin Richardson
said: “This is a really exciting opportunity for
Simon to work with the directors and staff to
further develop the South Downs Bikes brand.
“Simon is already a member of our
successful bike team and we look forward to
his enthusiasm for all things bike moving us to
the next stage of our continuing
development.”
BIKEBIZ.COM
Altino Lourenco
Jason West
Tanguy Scorpati
David Reichenbach
BIKEBIZ MARCH 51
topeak.com
Commute
MTX
TrunkBag DXP
TM
QuickTrack system
1380 ci capacity
Zip-out panniers
Expanding top compartment
FoamShell side protection
Water bottle holder
Shoulder strap
Slide & Click
to Mount!
TM
MTX QuickTrack
An innovative mounting system
that allows our Trunkbags to
mount to MTX racks with slide
and click convenience.
Race to work
8:25am Seattle, WA
MTX TrunkBag DX
750 ci capacity
Expanding top
01933 672170 or visit www.extrauk.co.uk
MTX TrunkBag EXP
1010 ci capacity
Zip-out panniers
MTX TrunkBag EX
480 ci capacity
Value leader
RETAIL ONLY
The trade’s guide to sourcing stock, up-and-coming IBDs and the very latest products
RETAIL
COMMENT
THIS MONTH’S comment is once again based around my
time on the road, both visiting bike shops and the February
iceBike* show, held by distributor Madison.
Each and every year, brand managers and guest speakers
are invited to fly into Milton Keynes to meet the UK’s
retailers – something done at the expense of the
wholesaler to add value to dealers visit.
This year I was fortunate enough to catch guest speaker
and president of sales training firm Growth Cycle, Ray
Keener (also profiled on page 43) – who also writes for the
US equivalent of BikeBiz, Bicycle Retailer and Industry News.
Given the unconfirmed rumour that I may, or may not,
occasionally mystery shop among the great and good of the
bike trade, Keener and I had plenty to discuss on the topic of
shop floor behaviour. Not just that of hired help either...
I could bore you with a transcript of our conversation, but
would rather thrash out a few points we found common
both here and on the other side of the Atlantic.
Passion for bikes, though essential if you’re to stay sane, is
almost irrelevant day-to-day. A passion for business is what’s
“Passion for bikes, though essential if
you’re to stay sane, is almost
irrelevant. A passion for business is
what’s needed...”
needed. Technical jargon and information about carbon fibre
is only necessary if your store caters solely to the
experienced gear freak. The newbie hasn’t the faintest idea
what a chainset is, nor do they really want to know. Your
average customer simply wants to understand why this bike
best fits their needs, how to work the gears and what
accessories are available to help them carry their shopping.
“Are you looking to buy today” is a key phrase in Keener’s
presentation. It sorts the time wasters from the genuinely
interested, for starters. A simple request such as “would you
like to place a deposit so we hold this bike for you” has
always hit a chord with me. I’m put on the spot. If I genuinely
had been thinking of taking up cycling, that question alone
would be enough to help me take that first step.
The UK’s counterpart to Keener, Colin Rees writes on page
nine of this issue about his main pet peeve, stemming from
his years as a sales trainer. Again, Rees’ rant rings true with
my own experiences in more stores than you might expect.
Discounts are offered, regardless of whether price is
mentioned, or if I had outlined upper or lower spend limits.
“I’ll do you a deal” may well seem friendly and a good way
to get custom, but friend or not, I’m your customer and you
run a business. After all, if I wanted a cheaper bike, I’d be
Googling from the comfort of my sofa.
[email protected]
IN THIS MONTH’S ISSUE
NEW PRODUCTS
57
This month brings together the latest shiny bits from Hope,
Gravity Dropper, Biologic, SRAM and more.
ELECTRIC BIKES
59
They’re everywhere. Well, in the press and on distributor’s
shelves... Could any of the e-bikes on 59 sway your interest?
LETTERS
The bike trade, sexist? Never. Well one of our readers
believes different. Flip to 64 to find out why.
64
Infinity
FIT AND PERFORMANCE
ERGO 3D ULTIMATE INSERT: high density progressive cushioning with 3 different densities and 4 different thicknesses,
preshaped foam for form fitting comfort.
ERGO GRIP: unique double layer elastic mesh construction and silicone printing ensure maximum grip, breathability and blood flow
(arms and upper legs).
CARBON POWER: highly supportive, elastic fabric with Lycra Power® and Resistex® carbon fibers for improved muscle performance
and moisture management.
www.mavic.com
IBD | PROFILE
Cedar Cycles
Cedar changes
Telephone: 01502 675473
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.cedarcycles.com
Opening times: Mon Wed Fri Sat: 9-5, Thursday: 9-7, Sun and Bank Hol: 10-4, Closed all day Tuesday
Address: Wrentham, North Suffolk, UK
Suffolk-set Cedar Cycles’ owner Dan Marshall-Bull has some strong views and pulls no
punches about the future of cycle retail, as Jonathon Harker finds out...
How did the shop get its name?
It was our first real building, the barn behind
Cedar House (my Aunt’s then home) in
Cottenham, Cambridge, from which my father
gave the company its name. Before that he had
worked from his mother’s garden shed.
How many staff are at Cedar?
Two full-time and three part-time, plus a
growing address book of independent
specialists (including a qualified cycling trainer,
a tow bar fitter, and a pole dancing instructor)
who we call on when needed.
How many shops are part of Cedar Cycles?
Currently just one physical and one online,
although we have had branches all over East
Anglia in our 43-year history. The current site
was never intended as a retail store and was
purchased in 1977 to act as a wholesale
distribution depot. But the change in people’s
shopping styles saw more members of the
public arriving year after year until the whole
store became more retail focused in the 1980s.
What sort of customers do you get in-store?
Are you catering to a specific market?
We pride ourselves on finding the right solution
for any person who contacts us. Our location is
very much on the border of a very poor area to
the North (Lowestoft and Gt. Yarmouth) and a
much more affluent region to the South
(Southwold and Walbeswick) so we find it
easier to try to display an example of each type
of cycle, and focus on the client rather than the
bikes. Obviously being a large retail warehouse
does make this much easier than if we still had
High Street-sized shops. If I were to categorise
BIKEBIZ.COM
our typical customer I would have to say ‘bike
riders’ who would pay more for the reassurance
of dealing with experts, rather than cyclists
who think they know what they want and will
research prices on the net.
Is the workshop more important during
these times of financial hardship?
Definitely. Cycles of various types are now
available from many different retail sectors so
we now focus much more on the workshop
services we provide. People will price check
shop items but cannot easily price check
services like correct assembly, inspection and
eight-week checks. We have plans to focus
more on these ‘subjective products’ in the
future for this reason, and have recently moved
our workshop from an out-building into the
back of our main warehouse so we can focus
our internal marketing on those customers.
What are your plans for the store, and what
are the biggest challenges ahead?
We only bought shelving to properly display
P&A when the local Woolworth closed, so the
last five years since my father and company
founder retired and I took full control have seen
massive improvements (not all of which were
popular with staff) to try to change what was
still a trade warehouse into something
recognisable as a shop. Over the last five years
these changes have seen turnover remain
steady while cycle sales have been declining,
and now we are in a position to market a ‘New
Cedar Cycles’ to increase turnover back to the
position it was in the mid ‘90s, but unlike the
‘90s increasing the net profit as well. Suppliers
need to realise (most have) that if you want
me to sell your products, waving a 40k signup
contract in my face every year is no longer the
way to do it. I need realtime stock checking,
catalogues and delivery in an agreed time.
The biggest challenge we currently face is
the view of the general public that cycling is
dangerous and not something that children
should be allowed to do. Cycle training should
be a compulsory part of all road user training
from an early age, and this will help grow
public confidence that cycling is safe.
Any final thoughts on the bike industry?
It has always amused me that the cycle trade
bitches and moans about the ‘net; mail order;
car accessory/DIY/Supermarket warehouses;
national retailers; international retailers and
local retailers. Then they refuse to help
themselves or others.
We have always tried to maintain good
relations with our competitors and will
regularly phone another shop to check if it has
a bike that the customer has decided upon and
we cannot (or will not) supply. Most times we
see the bike back to us for work a few weeks
later because we were ‘so helpful’.
The public need to see the bicycle as safe,
dependable transport. Brands cannot afford a
TV ad campaign and most dealers would
struggle to run local radio campaigns as in the
past. But between the IBDs and brands we
could work together to promote cycling via
cycle shops. Not ‘raising public awareness’ like
your hippy do-gooders or Government quangos,
but a proper TV campaign like the Raleigh ads I
used to watch during the breaks in Tiswas on
Saturday morning. You can find an extended
version of this interview on BikeBiz.com
Cedar Cycles has been at
its present location since
1977 (above); The store
has been undergoing a
number of improvements
(top)
BIKEBIZ MARCH 55
PRODUCTS | NEW RELEASES
New gear
Hand cuffs, an iPhone bike mount, the new rear light from
Hope and the latest from SRAM are among the products in
this month’s New Products round-up...
Masterlock Hand Cuff
Fisher Outdoor Leisure
01727 798345
The Mountain Bike Skills Manual
A&C Black
07764 509287
Biologic iPhone 4 Bike Mount
Zyro
01845 521700
SECURITY giant MasterLock has added to its line of
‘hand cuff’ locks with the introduction of the
Quantum Cuff.
At 1.8 metres long, the cable lock carries a loop
and cuff – a versatile lock that can weave in and out
of the bicycle, securing multiple components.
The heat-treated lock core utilises a Masterlock
patented pick proof system, meaning that aside
from lugging around bolt croppers, no thieves will
get away with being light fingered. The braided steel
cable and cuff are vinyl coated, keeping your
customer’s bike scratch-free.
AT ONLY £16.99, you’ll probably not find a more
comprehensive guide out there to the basics of
MTBing. Covering techniques across various
disciplines, as well as bike tech, maintenance and
more, Clive Forth’s 202-page paperback has the
beginner’s FAQs covered from A to Z.
MTB academy founder Forth and photographer
Frazer Waller fill the pages with step-by-step
photographs and tips to trail riding, downhill, street,
marathon, enduro, freeride, cross country and much
more. The trade can get hold of copies via A&C Black
as above or via [email protected].
LIKE THE previous generation, Biologic’s latest iPhone
handlebar mount caters specifically to the shape of
the latest model, which features squared edges.
Bike Mount is a weatherproof case with a welded
touch sensitive membrane, completely protecting the
iPhone from the weather, but fully functional. Inside,
the case is lined with silicone for shock resistance.
The handlebar mount carries a 360 degree pivot
to allow for portrait or landscape functionality,
though the manufacturer doesn’t recommend getting
too caught up in Angry Birds, instead highlighting the
sat nav benefits of mounting your iPhone.
Vision District 3 rear light
Hope
01282 851200
SRAM Red in black
Saddleback and Fisher Outdoor
01454 299965/01727 798345
Gravity Dropper seatposts
Hotlines
01313 191444
HOPE HAS further progressed its lighting range with
the introduction of the District 3 rear safety light.
At 84 lumens on high, the wide beam covers 270
degrees of visibility ensuring the cyclist is seen from
both the rear and sides. Three red CREE XR-LEDs emit
light on five settings, from steady to flashing and
various power outputs, meaning burn time can be as
long as 104 hours per three hour charge. As with all
other Hope products, the District 3 is CNC machined
in Barnoldswick and designed to shed the heat
generated. The neat QR bayonet fixing securely
attaches the lamp to the mount.
AFTER THE success of the Limited Tour Edition (LTE),
SRAM Red will be available in a new colour option –
black.
Stock of the race-proven groupset is due in the UK
from early March and aside from the neutral colour,
the spec details stay the same as the original and the
kit remains the world’s lightest gruppo, approaching
1,800 grams in the BB30 version.
The groupset includes shifters, rear and front
derailleurs, brakes, cassette (same as LTE, w/11-28
option), crankset with black anodized rings, ceramic
bottom bracket and chain.
HOTLINES HAS picked up high-end adjustable
seatpost brand Gravity Dropper.
The firm’s marketing manager Martin Astley told
BikeBiz: “Gravity Dropper adjustable seatposts are
well known for being one of the most reliable
performers on the market. The posts are made in
the USA and use a mechanical design. There are no
air or oil seals to leak and the posts do not develop
the lateral play common in other dropper posts. In
addition to this they are available in a variety of
drop heights and different diameters including 27.2
for smaller seat tubes.”
BIKEBIZ.COM
BIKEBIZ MARCH 57
58 BIKEBIZ MARCH
BIKEBIZ.COM
SECTOR GUIDE | E-BIKES
Bikes with
potential
From firms based exclusively in the
sector, to brands stepping into electric,
there’s a wealth of companies now
offering e-bikes to the market.
Jonathon Harker takes a look at
some of the latest available...
Zyro
BIONX’S RETROFIT power system converts
almost any bike into an electric bike,
boosting kinetic energy input anywhere
from 25 per cent to 300 per cent, according
to distributor Zyro. It provides four
assistance modes and four charging modes
and the battery’s output ranges from 35 to
105 km of pedal assistance.
Bionx kits come with a console, rear
wheel and motor, battery and ancillaries
(including cables, fittings and manual). The
premium PL250 HT SL XL has a £1,799.99
SRP and is available in 26-inch or 700c.
With a unique power delivery and extra
BIKEBIZ.COM
long range down tube battery, the package
weighs 20 per cent less than many other
rear systems, finished in an all-new sleek
white finish. At the other end of the range is
the PL250 S, RRPing at £1099.99.
Dahon’s Boost is a 20-inch folding e-bike
hitting £1,999.99 SRP. Folding to the same
dimensions as Dahon’s 20-inch wheel
folders, it weighs 19.6kg. It boasts SRAM
iMotion three rear hub and SRAM shifters.
The lithium ion battery is complemented
with a brushless motor and smart charger.
The 250W motor and torque sensors add
power in proportion to the force applied to
the pedals. Biologic Chime brake levers with
integrated bell are also included.
www.zyrob2b.co.uk
>>>
BIKEBIZ MARCH 59
Congratulations
to Guim and Thuy Anh on their recent marriage!
In June 2009 Guim Val
Teruel set out from the
Bird’s Nest Olympic
Stadium Beijing on his
epic Wisper electric bike
adventure. So far he has
traveled nearly 15,000km
en rout to the Olympic
Velodrome in London, on
target to arrive during the
Olympic Games in 2012.
Last year whilst pedalling
through Vietnam, Guim
was interviewed for
television by Thuy Anh.
After completing his trip
through Asia, Malaysia,
Australia and New Zealand
Guim is back in Vietnam,
two weeks ago Guim and
Thuy Anh were married!
Thuy Anh has now joined
Guim for the next leg of
their adventure cycling
from Hanoi to London.
To learn more about
Guim’s epic electric bicycle
world tour please visit
http://vimeo.com /16203066
to see his latest short video.
Wisper electric bikes
www.WisperBikes.com
For more details
please call 01590 681553
British Electric
Bicycle Association
Founder Member
>>>
Powacycle
THE INFINEUM Continental and
Continental GT are amongst the
newest offerings from Powacycle, both
developed and designed in the UK and
featuring the patented stackable
battery system unique to Infineum.
The Continental boasts a customdesigned step-through aluminium
alloy frame, while the GT offers a
urban diamond style aluminium alloy
frame. Featuring discrete battery
systems, both are based around the
premise of feeling and looking like a
conventional bicycle.
The 1.82kg lithium polymer
batteries are charged from empty in
Storck Radar
STORCK HAS been in the business for
over 12 years, and the latest e-bike from
the firm is a noiseless bike with a 40 to
100 km range on one charge. A clever
energy recovery system powers the 10
Ah lithium polymer battery, which sports
an LED battery state indicator. The
motor is Swiss-built, a 60 nm torque
250W system. The torque system is
patented and the motor weight is 4,900
g. The complete bike weighs from
18.9kg. Shimano cassette
compatible, the e-bike
provides ultra smooth
linear power delivery
which isn’t stepped
or spiked. The bike
is finished off with
quality Shimano
Deore / XT
components and
Storck’s custom
finishing kit.
Storck bagged the
‘best of test’ accolade
from Elektrorad
Magazine in Germany
last month, with the
publication calling it “the best
five hours using the custom-designed
docking station or included charger.
Each charge provides up to 35 miles of
pedal-assisted cycling for up to 1,000
recharge cycles. Spare batteries can be
discreetly and easily stacked into the
specially configured rear rack.
The Infineum stackable batteries
each provide an average of 25 to 33
miles of pedal-assisted travel per
charge, but multiple batteries can be
added and secured in position in the
clever rack, making each journey
almost limitless, says Powacycle. The
charger and battery have indicator
lights to let the rider know when they
have been fully charged.
01279 821243
Wisper
WISPER’S DaaHub ‘plug and
play’ e-bike kit will be available
in the UK in June 2011.
Pitched as the world’s
lightest high performance ebike conversion kit, the Daahub
can transform around 90 per
cent of existing road, mountain,
BMX or racing bikes into an
electric version.
Three years in the making,
the Daahub features modular
design, front wheel with high
efficiency hub motor, pedal
assist system, micro throttle
and LCD controls. Wisper says it
can be fitted with ease in less
than an hour.
The Daahub is ultra-light
weighing in at only 5.5kg. It
packs a punch too – 36V 9Ah at
324W. New Zealander Anthony
Clyde worked with Wisper to
develop the Daahub, subjecting
prototypes to hard wear and
tear on and off the road.
Also up later in the year from
Wisper, the 905 SEL has a
number of enhancements on
the firm’s 2010 models, which
the manufacturer will confirm
in the coming months.
www.wisperbikes.com
e-bike in Germany”. Storck’s long-term
distribution plan is to team up with 20
to 30 specialist e-bike ‘bricks and
mortar’ dealers throughout the UK,
offering retailers full sales, warranty, tech
support and training in return.
The firm recently revealed that it has
been working with Cosworth to bring
technology from high performance
industries – including Formula One – to
the development of e-bikes.
0771 500 5626
Avocet
THE FIRM HAS two new electric
bicycles for 2011 – the Viking Freedom
and the Viking Evolution.
The Freedom is a 20-inch wheel ebike aimed at the commuter market. At
its heart is a 250W motor and threemode controller, giving the Freedom an
assisted range of 30 km. Powerful alloy
silver ‘v’ brakes incorporate a power cut
off switch, while a six-speed Shimano
drive train is featured, as are full 20inch wheel mudguards and a front and
rear light set. The Tig welded brushed
alloy folding frame has a low step-over
top tube and Tig welded hi-tensile
forks. A Velo comfort saddle sits on a
chrome 350mm seat post, while the
overall weight of the Evolution is 18kg.
The Evolution is aimed at making
the commute easier with its 250W
motor and three-mode controller.
Unlike the Freedom’s 30km, the
Evolution has a whopping 50km range,
depending on terrain and load.
The Evolution also sports a 26-inch
wheel frame, seven-speed Shimano
drive train, mudguards and light set.
Powered by a 26V 14Ah lithium-ion
battery, the Evolution also includes a
handy front basket.
For further details or to make an
order contact Glyn Nolan on:
0161 727 4051
>>>
BIKEBIZ.COM
BIKEBIZ MARCH 61
>>>
Powabyke
THE ALL-NEW Mk2 Powabyke X-6 LS
is a six-gear LS (low-step-through) ebike, one of three newly updated Xbyke models from the firm. The lowstep-through is a design most often
associated with women, but
Powabyke’s LS is resolutely unisex,
following the European trend.
Finished in retro polished chrome,
the sleek cylindrical battery has been
repositioned to tuck behind the seat
under the rear rack so it doesn’t
impede the low-step-through
design and doesn’t upset the
centre of gravity of the bike (it
used to be on the frame). Other
enhancements include
suspension forks for a
smoother rider and a height
adjustable seat that provides
the equivalent of three ranges
of bike frame.
Improved electrics also feature
on the upgraded model, with a
plug-and-play throttle and sensor, a
slim-line lightweight high torque
brushless motor, all contributing to a
Freego
FREEGO Electric Bikes’ new bike for
2011 is the Eagle, an enhanced version
of the 2010 model.
Improvements include all Tektro
brakes, new Mega move seven-speed, a
sealed crank cassette and new
streamlined rear in-line motor plug.
The Eagle also sports a gear guard, gel
saddle (Eagle), new ergonomic hand
Raleigh
THE DOVER, priced at £1,699.99, boasts
three-speed Shimano hub gears and a
‘new for 2011’ weight-saving 8Ah
battery. Also up from Raleigh, the Leeds
Tour, which was trialled at the end of
2010. At £1,999.99 RRP, the model is at
the top of the firm’s e-bike range, with
Shimano Nexus seven-speed hub gears
and 12Ah battery that extends the range
Urban Mover
THE A2B Hybrid 24-inch retails for
£1,999.00 and comes with a 250W
motor. The li-ion battery is supplied in a
portable battery box and charges in
three to four hours. Range is up to 40
miles and the overall weight, with
battery, is 29kg. Other features include
three levels of assist (economy, cruising
and sport), a seven-speed Shimano
62 BIKEBIZ MARCH
bike that weighs less that 23kg. The
easy to use model sees the motor
activated with the turn of a key, and
the bike itself can reach speeds of 15
mph without assistance from the
pedals. If the cyclists pedals for
some of the time the
grips (Eagle), new logo, new front light
(Eagle) and upgraded suspension (Eagle
and Kingfisher).
The company says that as part of its
constant research and development they
have made many changes to improve its
e-bike range.
Freego says it would welcome any
dealer to enquire about taking on
FreeGo Electric Bikes to complement
their business.
07856 339037
to a 60-mile max. The Leeds is MTBstyled with a 26-inch wheel set up.
The entry level has been targeted with
the 2011 Velo range. Starting at
£1,099.99, the Velo-Trail is another MTBstyled bike, while the Velo-Cite – at
£1,199.99 – is a traditional hybrid, with
hub gears and 700c wheels. Both feature
a 36v 10Ah lightweight lithium battery,
mounted in the rear pannier rack.
www.raleigh.co.uk
derailleur and comfort saddle. The 26inch version retails at £1,799.00.
Both Hybrids make use of an
electronic key anti-theft system. It’s
based on RFID (Radio Frequency
Identification) tech used in alarm
systems, with an antenna integrated into
the vehicle. Ultra Motor have cooked up
a clever power management system to
stop that draining the battery.
01242 252 334
battery can stay charged for up to 20
miles. The X-6 LS is available with a 15inch frame, retailing at £899 SRP.
01225 443 737
Giant
GIANT HAS launched the Escape Hybrid
– the firm’s first rear wheel driven bike.
According to Giant, the rear wheel drive
has benefits over the more traditional
front wheel motor, whilst maintaining
the maximum power output of 250 W.
Adapting the same frame styling as
Giant’s city bikes, the Escape Hybrid uses
the new Syncdrive R hub motor giving
Spencer Ivy
BOTH OF Spencer Ivy’s e-bikes have
been designed with the Panasonic motor
and battery system, currently capable of
a 50-mile range but soon to be available
with an 86-mile range option in a few
months. The motor and battery come
with a two-year warranty and are
maintenance free, Spencer Ivy tells us.
The bikes use a crank-driven motor, so
EBCO
AT £1,750 the Eagle tops the EBCO
range. Available as a roadster – the LSR
with crossbar – or low step – the LSL
without crossbar, the lithium polymer
battery gives the bike an approximate 50
mile range and charge time of five hours,
from flat. The Eagle is powered by the
TranzX PST 250 watt electric drive
system, using a crank intelligent torque
riders a high level of torque, acceleration
and climbing ability.
Battery power is from a 36v 8Ah pack
using Sanyo cells and Giant’s-own
Battery Management System with builtin charge gauge and over charge
protection among other features – range
on a single charge is up to 100km in Eco
mode. Pitched as an agile and sporty
ride, the Escape Hybrid is simple to use
and maintain.
www.giant-bicycles.com
the rest of the bike uses conventional
bike parts, pitched as making life easier
for dealers.
Using a lightweight alu frame, the Ivy
weighs 21.8kg, including Alfine eightspeed internal hub gears, Deore XT
brakes and dynamo hub. The hub powers
Busch and Muller front and rear LED
lights, while Continental punctureresistant TopContact tyres are standard.
020 3021 3388
sensor. A ‘dashboard’ displays the charge
and range left, with a possibly Knight
Rider-inspired turbo button for extra
oomph. Featuring Tektro disc brakes, a
drive train from Shimano and an eightspeed Alivio deore system, the frame is
high grade T6 aluminium. The custom
headstock suspension unit provides
35mm of travel and the bike includes
integrated front and rear lights.
01926 437700
BIKEBIZ.COM
BIKEBIZ.COM
BIKEBIZ MARCH 63
LETTERS | YOUR SAY
BikeBiz is keen to publish your opinions, whether they’re from
letters, emails or via BikeBiz.com...
Mail to:
Saxon House, 6A St. Andrews Street,
Hertford, Hertfordshire SG14 1JA
SPONSORED BY
Email:
Jonathon.Harker@
intentmedia.co.uk
STAR LETTER
In response...
Cycletta Ambassadors
Lia Hervey, Layla Anna
Lee, Victoria Pendleton,
Orla Chennaoui and
Annie Emmerson at the
launch of the prowoman cycling initiative
It’s a man’s world?
IN THE column I wasn’t
pushing the view that there is
no sexism in cycling, not
intentionally anyway. By using
the Gray/Keys saga in football
I was trying to highlight that
while cycling may appear less
sexist or biased against
women on the surface, there
are still huge problems in
attracting women to the
industry and cycling in general.
And, as you rightly point out,
having women in more
powerful positions in cycling
organisations would be a
positive step in tackling this
long running issue.
Jonathon Harker,
Editor
A charged issue
Last month BikeBiz commented on gender equality in
the bike trade. Two readers respond...
IT’S FUNNY that Jonathon Harker thinks there’s
no sexism in the bike industry. There must be
some reason why women, as Jonathon
acknowledges, don’t ‘feel as welcome as men in
the world of cycling and in the trade’.
Unspoken barriers often keep women in the
background. Acceptance in the workshop as a
competent mechanic can be tough. And for
women to be equal participants in sport and
everyday cycling, we need to have our say at
decision making levels. Leading organisations –
CTC, British Cycling, Sustrans – are headed up by
men. Which national cycling organisations apart
from our own are headed by women?
Pointing to the few fantastic women
champions, role models to all cyclists, can be a
token gesture unless it’s backed up by female
participation across the board. In-built inequality
must be excised, as the UCI has for London
2012 by balancing male and female events.
Fortunately, things are changing – half of the
representatives at the inaugural meeting of the
DfT-approved Instructor Training Organisations
in January were women. But pressure still needs
to be applied. British Cycling has £1m to
encourage cycling amongst women, whilst still
having no women on their board: a challenge
which was laid down ten years ago. Good
practice advocates a minimum of 30 per cent
women on boards in all sectors.
Events which target women like Bike Fabulous
and health rides for Asian women turn the tables
on male domination and those unintended unwelcome vibes. BikeBiz readers could keep the
issue snowballing by supporting the latest
initiative: 100-100 Glow, aiming to get at least
100 women riding in the Manchester 100 in
September. http://100-100glow.blogspot.com
Liz Clarke and Jo Somerset
BikeRight!
Star Letter
Whether it’s a hand-written, sent-through-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 Oxford’s Ultra Torch 9.
Part of Oxford’s top selling range of LEDs and lights, the front light has nine
ultra bright diodes, a quick release mounting bracket and comes complete
with batteries. The sturdy aluminium body makes it ideal for general
purpose use as a compact torch. The rear LED has 3 modes, 7 diodes and a
universal mounting bracket.
64 BIKEBIZ MARCH
AS AUTHORS of Electric Bicycles
– the Complete Guide we would
like to highlight a few points
which have become apparent
whilst writing and marketing the
book which might well be of
interest to BikeBiz readers.
1. Specialist electric bike shops
are selling many thousands of
electric bikes a year and all the
while gaining valuable knowledge
about the market and inside
information on what bikes to buy
and where. If sales continue to
grow steadily, as they seem set to
do, do IBDs really want to be left
out in the cold? IBD reaction to
the book (whilst it is selling very
well via direct sales to the public)
has been lukewarm so far – just
as it seems to be to electric bikes
in general.
2. Electric bikes are treated
unfairly by Government and
overlooked by the great and the
good – viz subsidies for electric
car purchases but not e-bikes.
Also you struggle to find any
leading figureheads who will
endorse them, despite high profile
figures queuing up to endorse
various green causes. Why is this?
Do they still have an image
problem?
3. Some study evidence and
lots of anecdotal evidence
suggests electric bikes are more
popular with women in per cent
terms than non-electrics. Initial
figures from dealers we have
consulted suggest a 50-50 split
between men and women
whereas conventional bikes are
sold to and used by men in far
greater numbers than women.
We’d be interested to hear
readers opinions on these topics.
David Henshaw
& Richard Peace
Authors, Electric Bicycles – The
Complete Guide
www.electricbicyclesbook.com
BIKEBIZ.COM
2pure
0844 811 2001
www.2pure.co.uk
Eurobike Ltd
01332 774796
www.eurobike.uk.com
DISTRIBUTOR
DISTRIBUTOR
Otagocyclesport
07939 543016
www.otagocyclesport.
co.uk
Seventies
0845 3103670
www.seventies.co.uk
DISTRIBUTOR
DISTRIBUTOR
Abacus Online Ltd
0151 342 9799
www.abacusonline.net
EPOS
Ascend Retail
Management System
01908 280667
www.ascendrms.com
EPOS
Fat Spanner
07966401165
www.fatspannerworld.
com
Pacific Cycles Inc
+886 34861231
www.pacific-cycles.com
DISTRIBUTOR/MANUFACTURER
MANUFACTURER/DISTRIBUTOR
Fisher Outdoor
Leisure
01727 798345
www.fisheroutdoor.co.uk
Paligap Ltd
01454 313116
www.paligapltd.co.uk
DISTRIBUTOR/IMPORTER
Hotlines Europe Ltd
0131 3191444
www.hotlines-uk.com
DISTRIBUTOR
Cube Bikes Uk Ltd
www.cube.eu
0031 180441350
DISTRIBUTOR
Custom Sports
Clothing Ltd
07580 495881
www.customsports
clothing.com
Cybertill Ltd
0800 0304432
www.cybertill.co.uk
EPOS
Cycle Division Ltd
0845 0508500
www.thecycledivision.
com
WHOLESALER/DISTRIBUTOR
The Cycle Show
0207 2886733
www.cycleshow.co.uk
EVENT/EXHIBITION ORGANISER
Digital Retail
Solutions Inc
001 8003229471
www.digitalretailer.com
EPOS
Hykeham Wholesale
Limited
01522 801550
www.hykehamwholesale.
co.uk
DISTRIBUTOR/WHOLESALER
Jungle Products Ltd
01423 780088
www.jungleproducts.co.uk
www.santacruzbikes.co.uk
DISTRIBUTOR
Lyon Equipment
01539 625493
www.lyon.co.uk
DISTRIBUTOR
Monterey Industries Ltd
0117 9509499
www.masibikes.com
www.brevm.com
Mojo suspension
Hoodoo ltd
01633 615815
www.mojo.co.uk
DISTRIBUTOR
Moore Large and Co Ltd
01332 274252
www.moorelarge.co.uk
DISTRIBUTOR
DISTRIBUTOR
SKS
+49 2333831246
www.sks-germany.com
MANUFACTURER
DISTRIBUTOR
Parklife (Havant) Ltd
02392 475895
Sonic Cycles
0207 2432848
www.soniccycles.co.uk/b2b
IMPORTER/DISTRIBUTOR
IMPORTER/DISTRIBUTOR
Pashley Cycles
01789 292263
www.pashley.co.uk
Sport Direct Ltd
0845 2693060
www.sport-direct.co.uk
Peter Dobbs
Design and
Print Services
01482 224007
Stormfront
Technology Ltd
0800 6121044
www.stormfront.co.uk
MANUFACTURER/DESIGN & PRINT
SERVICES
EPOS
DISTRIBUTOR
Bohle UK Ltd
01952 602680
www.schwalbe.co.uk
Silverfish UK Ltd
01752 843882
www.silverfish-uk.com
Qoroz
01453 889204
www.qoroz.co.uk
MANUFACTURER
Raleigh UK Ltd
01773 532600
www.raleigh.co.uk
www.cyclelife.com
DISTRIBUTOR
Red Cloud MC
01767 692831
www.redcloudmc.com
MARKETING, PR & EVENTS
Reece Cycles PLC
0121 6220180
www.reececycles.co.uk
Trek Bicycle Corporation
01908 282626
MANUFACTURER
USE Ltd
01798 344477
www.exposurelights.com
www.use1.com
Vigour Corporation
0092 524269920
www.vigourcorporation.com
MANUFACTURER/EXPORTER
Walkers Cycle
Components Ltd
0116 2833885
www.walkerscycles.co.uk
WHOLESALER/DISTRIBUTOR
DISTRIBUTOR
Saddleback Ltd
01454 299965
www.saddleback.co.uk
Zyro Ltd
01845 521700
www.zyro.co.uk
DISTRIBUTOR
DISTRIBUTOR
To order copies of BikeBiz Bible or ensure inclusion in the 2011 edition please contact
[email protected]
EDITORIAL PLANNER | EVENTS
UPCOMING EVENTS
Editorial Planner
SPOTLIGHT
April 2011
BIKE SECURITY
CYCLE FASHION:
Clothing, sunglasses,
watches and accessories
UK’S TOP 20 IBDS
THE BIG PEDAL
Monday March 7th – 25th
Nationwide
www.thebigpedal.org.uk
March 2011
Editorial Deadline:
March 11th
Advertising Deadline:
March 16th
To advertise call Carly Bailey on +44 (0) 1992 535647,
or email her at [email protected]
For editorial contact Jonathon Harker on +44 (0) 1992 535646,
or email him at [email protected]
MAY 2011
Energy and Nutrition, Bottles and Cages Women: Bikes,
Clothing and Accessories
Editorial Deadline: Apr 8th Advertising Deadline: April 13th
JUNE 2011
Electronic Point of Sale Cycle Computers
Editorial Deadline: May 6th Advertising Deadline: May 11th
JULY 2011
BMX: Bikes, Protective Clothing, Grips & Accessories
P&A: Forks, Gears, Brakes & Chains
Cycle Luggage: Panniers, Cases & Bags
Editorial Deadline: June 3rd Advertising Deadline: June 8th
AUGUST 2011
Bicycle Lighting & Reflective Clothing Mountain Biking:
Bikes, Protective Clothing & Accessories
Editorial Deadline: July 8th Advertising Deadline: July 13th
SEPTEMBER 2011
Children: Bikes, P&A Clothing and Accessories
Editorial Deadline: Aug 5th Advertising Deadline: Aug 10th
OCTOBER 2011
Road Cycling: Bikes, Gear and Accessories Cycle Show
Guide Guide to the High Street Buyers
Editorial Deadline: Sept 2nd Advertising Deadline: Sept 7th
THE BIBLE
IS BACK!
66 BIKEBIZ MARCH
THE BIG PEDAL 2011
Monday March 7th – 25th
Nationwide
www.thebigpedal.org.uk
TAIPEI CYCLE SHOW 2011
Wednesday March 16th – 19th
TWTC Nangang Exhibition
Hall, Taipei
www.taipeicycle.com.tw
April 2011
THE GADGET SHOW LIVE
PROFESSIONAL
Tuesday April 12th
NEC, Birmingham
www.gadgetshowlive.net
SEA OTTER CLASSIC 2011
Thursday April 14th – 17th
Monterey, California
www.seaotterclassic.com
THE SCOTTISH BIKE
SHOW 2011
Saturday April 16th – 17th
Scottish Exhibition and
Conference Centre, Glasgow
thescottishbikeshow.com
May 2011
UCI CROSS COUNTRY
MOUNTAIN BIKE WC
Saturday May 21st – 22nd
Dalby Forest, Yorkshire
britishcycling.org.uk/
mtbworld-2010
June 2011
UCI MOUNTAIN BIKE
WORLD CUP
Saturday June 4th – 5th
Fort William, Scotland
http://fortwilliam
worldcup.co.uk
UK HANDMADE AND
BOUTIQUE BICYCLE SHOW
Friday June 10th – 12th
Passenger Shed, Bristol
www.bespokedbristol.co.uk
PRESS CAMP 2011
Monday June 20th
Deer Valley, Utah
www.presscamp.com
BIKE EXPO 2011
Tuesday July 21st – 24th
Munich, Germany
www.bike-expo.com
YORK CYCLE SHOW 2011
Saturday June 25th – 26th
The Racecourse, York
www.yorkcycleshow.co.uk
August 2011
AUSBIKE 2011
Thursday August 20th – 22nd
Exhibition Pavillion,
Melbourne Showgrounds
www.ausbike.com.au
For more cycle trade dates: www.bikebiz.com/events
For additional copies please contact:
[email protected]
BIKEBIZ.COM
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.
The BikeBiz Marketplace, and 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
Marketplac
Quartere PRaates:
ge
To get your company
featured here contact:
£175
Carly Bailey on
01992 535647 or
(minimum
six months)
[email protected]
MARKETPLACE CONTACTS
BIKES & ACCESSORIES
LIGHTING
Madison
01908 326 000
madisonb2b.co.uk
Paligap
01454 313 116
paligapltd.co.uk
The Cycle Division
0845 0508 500
thecycledivision.com
BIKE MAINTENANCE
Weldtite
01652 660 000
Exposure Lights
01798 344 477
exposurelights.com
Pendle
01282 699 555
pendle-bike.co.uk
Maxx Raxx
0845 230 3799
maxxraxx.co.uk
0117 972 4730
argoscycles.com
07540 351 530
[email protected]
0207 6082577
cycle-systems-academy.co.uk
RACKS
weldtite.co.uk
RESPRAYS & REPAIRS
COMPONENTS
Argos
Bob Elliot & Co Ltd
01772 459 887
bob-elliot.co.uk
Pace cycles Ltd
01723 867 919
pacecycles.com
SALES TRAINING
USE Ltd
01798 344 477
use1.com
Quest Consultants
CUSTOM CLOTHING
Wildoo Ltd
TRAINING SERVICES
01908 374 555
wildoo.co.uk
Abacus
0151 342 9799
abacusonline.net
Wildoo Ltd
01908 374 555
wildoo.co.uk
Citrus Lime
0845 603 9254
citrus-retail.com
Bottlesport
0845 602 9267
bottlesport.com
Evopos
0845 644 9424
evopos.com
SimpleEshop
0116 267 5145
simpleeshop.com
SiWis Limited
01709 511766
siwis.co.uk
EPOS
Cycle Systems Academy
WATER BOTTLES
WEBSITE SERVICES
BIKEBIZ.COM
BIKEBIZ MARCH 67
BIKEBIZ | MARKETPLACE
COMPANY PROFILE
CHRIS GILES
THE CYCLE DIVISION LTD
How many brands does The Cycle
Division supply to retailers?
The brands we are most proud to push
are Sturmey Archer/Sunrace, RavX,
Finesse, Schwalbe, Weldtite, Oxford and
our own generic brand D2O. Whilst
brands are important to us and our
dealers, our product range must be
equally aligned with the offering we are
most proud of – service! Without good
stock competitively priced and available
then the law of competition dictates
that customers will go elsewhere. We at
The Cycle Division understand this.
Are there any plans to bring more
brands/products on board?
We fully support and respect the
branded product we currently stock.
Whilst always on the lookout for new
brands this is not our primary focus. We
import primarily from the Far East and
choose only quality bread and butter
product which best suits the needs of
our customers. We appreciate it is
important to strike the balance between
quality and price ...for D2O we are
motivated more by these factors than
the badge.
TEL: 0845 0508 500
WEB: www.thecycledivision.com
Last year we began building our own
wheels. We anticipated future issues
with availability and maintaining costs.
All being well we have overcome these
issues with the added benefit of
flexibility where special wheel builds are
concerned. So if any dealer wants any
size rim building onto any hub using any
spokes (quickly) then we’re your guys!
Our dealers have found this service
especially useful for the many
configurations of Sturmey Archer hubs
we have in stock.
How many dealers do you supply?
We currently have over 2,000 dealers
listed in our system. Roughly half of
these bought off us last year. We
basically supply anywhere our parcel
carriers go. Any dealer in the British Isles
are welcome to contact us, the majority
enjoying next day delivery. Subject to
credit status we rarely turn anyone away.
Have you always supplied bread-andbutter products to the trade?
Yes. We believe certain sectors of the
market such as club cyclists are not a
shops friend. They know the branded
BIKES & ACCESSORIES
68 BIKEBIZ MARCH
EMAIL:
[email protected]
product they want, where to find them
cheapest (internet) and how to fit the
parts themselves. Branded products are
easy meat for discounters and dealers
sometimes struggle for margin. To us the
quality of a ‘bread-and-butter’ product
item is every bit as good as its ‘badged’
equivalent. Leisure cyclists and
commuters include people who just
want to ride their bike and leave repairs
in the more capable hands of their local
shop. Whilst they don’t wear the tag of
‘enthusiast’ there is a large demographic
out there with plenty of money, time
and a willingness to keep fit. These are
the customers we keep in mind for our
dealers to service.
Have you got a message for dealers?
We’re always open and responsive to
constructive criticism. We actively
promote this and find it’s as good as any
other form of market research. So
basically if there are any dealers out
there finding we are failing in certain
areas or there is something else our
wonderful trade is lacking then let us
know! You can find an extended
version of this article on BikeBiz.com
“To us the quality of a
‘bread and butter’
product is every bit as
good as its ‘badged’
equivalent.”
BIKES & ACCESSORIES
BIKEBIZ.COM
BIKES & ACCESSORIES
COMPONENTS
BIKEBIZ.COM
BIKE MAINTENANCE
COMPONENTS
BIKEBIZ MARCH 69
70 BIKEBIZ MARCH
COMPONENTS
CUSTOM CLOTHING
EPOS
EPOS
BIKEBIZ.COM
BIKEBIZ.COM
EPOS
LIGHTING
RACKS
RACKS
BIKEBIZ MARCH 71
RESPRAYS & REPAIRS
SALES TRAINING
Extra profits, immediate results...
Sales training can easily double your business. If every customer
who comes in to buy an accessory goes out with two, you just
doubled your accessory sales. If every customer who comes in to
buy a £500 bike goes out with say an £1000 bike, you did it again!
A sales training course on your least busy day can realistically
double the sales each staff member produces from your present
customer base. The youngest sales people vastly increase in
confidence, the longer serving ones suddely realise there are
modern techniques they did not know about. It's not about hard
selling, its about understanding the sales process. Four hours
later, your sales will start to increase. Here's what dealers who
have had the course say:
"You trained us in the morning, by that afternoon,
I had the course fee back. Amazing."
"I cannot understand why every dealer in the Uk is not banging
on your door. Everyone is so much more confident. Now we have
to work on keeping it that way. Totally recommendable"
"The boys really enjoyed your session the other day and are
trying to prove who can remember the techniques best. The till
is certainly ringing a lot more than it was, thanks Colin"
"You remember I told you I had loads of trouble selling
accessories when I sold a new bike? The first bike I sold after
you came went out with 13 accessories! They cost more than
the bike, I still don't believe I did it. Thanks Colin"
One fee, no extras, progress guaranteed:
Email [email protected] now,
or call 07540 351 530 for full details.
Colin Rees: specialist cycle sales training in the bike trade for 14 years.
TRAINING SERVICES
72 BIKEBIZ MARCH
WATER BOTTLES
BIKEBIZ.COM
WATER BOTTLES
WEBSITE SERVICES
WEBSITE SERVICES
To get your company
featured here contact:
Carly Bailey on
01992 535647
or [email protected]
BIKEBIZ.COM
BIKEBIZ MARCH 73
OFF TRACK | NUMBER CRUNCHING
I N THE SADDLE
Neil Batt, Freelance Cycle
Marketing and Communications
What bikes do you own?
In my current stable I have: Spin Spitfire with SRAM Force, a
Bertoletti custom Reynolds 953 with Campag Record, a
LOOK 585 with SRAM Rival, a LOOK 464 fixie and an ‘old
skool’ Cannondale CAAD4 Stars and Stripes Cippolini replica
updated with SRAM Rival.
There’s still room for a ‘crosser later in the year. I need to
decide between titanium and steel.
Let’s get
statistical
Did Shimano’s sales beat predictions, or did they
stutter? What do Troy Lee Designs, Velo Vision
and Singletrack have in common this year? And
how much is Brighton and Hove planning on
forking out to remove a bicycle lane? All these
questions and more are revealed in this month’s
regular round up of miscellaneous statistics,
figures and facts...
£1m
Brighton and Hove Council is
proposing to spend £1.1m to
remove a bike lane to ‘improve
traffic flows’, instead of
coughing up to improve it. The
CTC and Bricycles are
campaigning against the folly.
Where’s your favourite place to ride?
There’s no place like home. Northamptonshire is a maze of
country lanes that thread themselves through the rolling
countryside. There aren’t many flat roads. If you’re not going
up, you’re coming back down again. I’m planning to ride the
Ventoux with a group of friends in July though, which will be
slightly more challenging terrain!
What’s the biggest achievable rush on a bike?
To me the biggest achievable rush is to be riding a bike that
you’ve designed yourself or at least had a high level of input
in to. My first spin on the Factor 001 was a bit special and I
designed my Bertoletti for Reynolds to display at the Inter
and Eurobike shows.
What’s your business background?
My business background is varied. I’ve worked in retail, sales
and training roles as well as marketing. I’m definitely a
‘people person’. Being a perfectionist, product design is a
passion too.
When did you go freelance?
I decided to go freelance in August last year. I really enjoyed
my time working full time with Fisher – they’ve got some
very exciting brands for a roadie like me – but I needed to
spread my wings. I really enjoy the ‘free’ in freelance.
What brands/clients are you currently working with?
I’m currently leading the marketing roll-out of Spin titanium
frames and components for Velotech Services which is a
great project. ROTOR is another great brand I work with
heavily. I still have a very good working relationship with
Fisher Outdoor Leisure. I represented them on the LOOK
stand at Cycle Show and arranged the logistics for their Stay
Strong charity ride at Expo 2011.
I also helped Fisher Outdoor Leisure with the database
population for their B2B website. Currently I’m coordinating
a cycle event for the University of Northampton.
How can potential clients get in touch with you?
I can be contacted on 07500 388430 or by email at
[email protected].
74 BIKEBIZ MARCH
2012
The build-up to the Olympics
got into full swing in February,
with the road cycle race route
and BMX, MTB, road and track
cycling schedules unveiled.
Tickets go on sale this month.
100
Bicycle aid charity Re-Cycle shipped its
100th container of unwanted bikes to
Africa in February, improving the lives of
many in Mombasa, Namibia, South
Africa, Malawi and Tanzania.
40p
Hugh Bayley, MP for York, was ridiculed by
Metro and The Daily Mail for claiming 40p for
expenses accrued through bicycle mileage.
MPs claiming mileage for gas guzzling cars
got off scott-free however.
BIKEBIZ.COM
OFF TRACK | NUMBER CRUNCHING
ActSmart January retail shop sales analysis
Sales bounce back
ActSmart’s monthly market research for January,
produced exclusively for ACT and BikeBiz saw sales
growth inevitably recover as the wintry weather
subsided. But the bigger question is: how much do
readers value this market research and is there
sufficient demand to warrant its continuation...?
10
Specialist cycle retailer core sales growth vs. previous year
This year is full of trade anniversaries,
including Singletrack’s tenth. Peter Eland’s Velo
Vision also celebrates its first decade in 2011.
20
17 per cent
Shimano’s cycle component
sales bucked expectations and
grew 17 per cent in 2010.
30
Troy Lee Designs was formed back in 1981
and in this, its 30th year, awarded Fisher its
top distributor accolade.
BIKEBIZ.COM
‘% turnover growth vs. previous year'
15
10
5
0
2010
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
July
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
2011
Jan
-5
-10
February 2010 – January 2011
-15
SPECIALIST CYCLE retailer sales grew by
15.9 per cent in January, as the sector
recovered from the December snow and
the wintry weather’s impact upon
January 2010.
The month’s sales were -17 per cent
down on 2009 and this year’s recovery
should be viewed in that context.
Over half of contributors to the Jan
research reported growth in excess of 20
per cent vs. 2010 in the month. Average
sales growth in these businesses was a
massive 63 per cent. 70 per cent of
businesses reported sales growth in
January with a mean growth of 46 per
cent. All positive stuff, but what about
the under-performers?
16 per cent of businesses reported a
sales shortfall in excess of -20 per cent
in January, despite last year’s dire results.
The mean shortfall in these retailers was
-55 per cent. The market is increasingly
divided. Like-for-like sales revenues
dropped by over 10 per cent in January
2011 vs. December 2010, despite
December’s poor returns. Things remain
uncertain as we move into 2011 with a
continued mixed bag of performance
across the sector. So, what next?
ActSmart has undertaken the most
detailed available, continuous research of
the UK cycle retail market for over three
years, but now is the time to question
the industry as to its value and
continuity.
The monthly retail research exercise is
ever more expensive and despite regular
commentary that the cycle sector lacks
data, market feedback is negligible and
the investment in production of this
research remains wholly attributable to
ActSmart and ACT. If the cycle industry
truly value retail market data and want
to invest in its continuity we need to
know. Contact ActSmart at
[email protected] or via BikeBiz.
For more info visit: http://cycles.actsmart.biz/news/
ActSmart: 0845 6187256
BIKEBIZ MARCH 75
OFF THE RECORD
OFF
k
c
a
r
T
Send your pictures to
[email protected]
• electric bikes in world tour
High
Voltage
GUIM
VALLS TERUEL is
touring the five
continents of the
world on an e-bike,
in the appropriately
named Electric
Bicycle World Tour.
Taking in a wealth of
cities on the way to
London in time for
the 2012 Olympics,
Teruel is embarking
on the project to demonstrate and
promote the use of alternative – and
green – transport.
Dawes Draw at Core
The intrepid cyclist is
taking on the challenge on a Wisper. Find
out more at For more head to
www.electricbikeworldtour.com
It’s checkmate for
iceBike*
MADISON’S TWICE yearly iceBike*
featured a plethora of new product
last month, covering a bigger space
than ever before – and the
expanded show rooms at the
Milton Keynes distribution facility –
attracting more members of the
trade than ever too, with
registration up by over 20 per cent.
Dealers seeking to check the
progress of the m:part brand at the
show were confronted with a quirky
take on a chess board. Instead of
standard pieces, the rooks, pawns,
bishops, and the rest were actually
m:part headsets.
Turn to pages 24 and 25 for more
on the latest edition of iceBike*.
76 BIKEBIZ MARCH
RECENTLY DAWES Cycles’ launched its 2011 bikes on the road at five locations across
the country. But before dealers got to see the likes of the Discovery 701 hybrid, Audax
Clubman, Sportif, Ambassador and new touring bikes, Dawes mailed out invitations and
golden tickets – Willy Wonka-style – offering cash prizes to dealers making the trip.
After each of the five shows – covering Birmingham, Scotland and the North, York,
Bristol and finally London – the winning ticket was drawn. BikeBiz deputy editor Mark
Sutton drew one of the tickets at the Whittlebury Hall-set Core Bike show in January.
The lucky winners are:
1st Prize
2nd Prize
3rd Prize
4th Prize
5th Prize
£1,000
£500
£250
£125
£50
Sydney Street Bikes
Whiptail Cycles
Vale Cycles
Firth Cycles
Green Bike Company
In other Dawes news, the firm is supporting two charities, including the Cyclists
Fighting Cancer ‘Wheel Heroes’ Sportive on May 22nd, which aims to raise money to
buy bicycles for young people
whose lives have been affected
by cancer. Find out more at
http://www.cyclistsfc.org.uk
Dawes Cycles is also
supporting Blind Dave
Heeley’s ten-day tandem ride
from John O’Groats to Lands
End in aid of Macmillan
Cancer Care. The amazing
Heeley has previously run
seven marathons in seven
days across seven continents.
Find out more at www.blind
daveheeley.co.uk
/top2toe/
BIKEBIZ.COM
OFF THE RECORD
• dawes offers dealers a golden ticket • chance to look like you’re in team gb
Official
Team GB kit
goes on sale
CYCLISTS looking to replicate the performances of Chris Hoy,
Victoria Pendleton and the rest of Team GB will be able to look like
them too – or at least don the same threads – through the launch of
the GB Cycling Team replica kits from British Cycling and Adidas. Going on sale in
April, the line-up includes short and long sleeve cycling jerseys as well as
accessories in GB colours. Racing gloves, a cotton cap and children’s cycling
jerseys will be available from a number of well-known cycling retailers.
Dahon’s
a happy
camper
ELECTRIC BIKES (spotted the theme this
month?) are not just attracting discussion in
the cycle market, as demonstrated by the next
edition of Camping and Caravan Magazine, out
at the end of the month.
The 200,000 readership-strong publication
is testing electric bikes in the April issue,
including Dahon’s Boost e-bike (above). For
more on e-bikes, turn to page 59.
quote
unquote
"We have to keep up the battle against
this blight which damages cars and risks
road safety, especially for those on two
wheels.
An emergency pothole fund is
urgently needed to help cash-strapped
local authorities to patch up the roads.
However a more coherent maintenance
strategy and long term increased
funding is required to stop the rot."
AA president Edmund King speaking
out on pot holes following an AA poll
that found 81 per cent of its
members had fond road conditions to
have deteriorated in the last three
years, speaking on February 23rd
Sponsored by
the brands of
Moore Large
01332 274252
“The Tour of Britain is a fantastic event
and I am thrilled to be able to support
it. I would urge Londoners and visitors
to turn out and cheer on the cyclists as
they whizz past some of the capital’s
iconic landmarks and raise money for a
really worthwhile cause.”
Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London,
on the news that the Tour of Britain
will finish in Whitehall, London,
speaking on March 1st
Cycletta events, which will give
thousands of women the opportunity to
get on their bikes and rediscover the
sheer fun of cycling again.”
Corin Dimopoulos, director of cycling
at Sky, at the launch of the femaleonly Cyletta series launch speaking
on February 22nd. Two events are
scheduled for 2011; Cycletta North
near Manchester and Cycletta South
near London.
"Sky and British Cycling are working in
partnership to get a million more people
in the UK cycling regularly by 2013 so
we’re delighted to be supporting the
"We'll help to make your parents better
drivers and you'll learn first-hand the
importance of road safety when we put
you in the driving seat – always under
the watchful eye of the academy's
driving professionals."
Children’s BBC spokesperson on the
launch of the ‘CBBC Driving Academy’
– a new series set to take bad drivers
to task.
“Best evidence supports the use of
bicycle helmets for the prevention of
acquired brain injuries, similar to
motorcyclists. They reduce the risk and
severity of head injuries.”
Former Irish Medical Organisation
president Dr Fenton Howell speaking
to the Irish Medical Times, airing his
views on cyclists wearing helmets
For more on these stories, head to www.bikebiz.com
BIKEBIZ.COM
BIKEBIZ MARCH 77
OFF TRACK | SPOKESMAN
TWEET
short and
SPOKES
Wondering what the Twitterati have been up
to this month? Look no further...
On the way to the Forum
Want to take part in the cycling trade community? Then why not
contribute on the forum, asks Carlton Reid...
Forums are
addictive.
That’s a
good reason
not to start
in the first
place. Just
Say No.
WHEN PALIGAP told its dealers it would be
ceasing as the distributor for Kona I could
have placed the story on publicallyaccessible BikeBiz.com. But it’s a story of
zero relevance to consumers. They know
Kona through dealers, not the distributor.
So, I placed the story on the trade-only
forum and will now do that with many stories
so they aren’t spidered by Google’s bots. (On
that note, sorry about the Christmas hols
security glitch. This was patched pronto, but
not before we got a panto slap in the digital
mush from forum regulars).
Forums – password-protected or not –
are an acquired taste. Once you acquire the
taste, they’re addictive. That’s a good reason
not to start in the first place. Just Say No.
But they’re addictive for a number of
reasons. One, you can get instant feedback
on an gripe/joke/question. Two, the online
life is a solo affair, forums make it a group
thing. Three, it’s often educational, you can
learn stuff from your peers. Four, it’s fun.
Not fun in the style of eating a cream
cake fun, but fun in the way you become
part of a larger whole. You start to get the
‘in’ jokes, and become part of the scene. This
is a deterrent for some but this is a small
industry and forums can be substitute for
real-life meetings in-between trade shindigs.
Friendships can be forged on forums and you
get to know the posters. You’d want to avoid
some in the flesh, but it can be car-crash
entertaining to get to know them online.
On the BikeBiz forum you’re not going to
be groomed for any offline naughtiness
(unless you’re very lucky) but you may be
‘sold’ stuff. The forum – like the Roman
shopping and meeting square from whence
came the name – is sometimes used as a
marketplace. The BikeBiz forum rule is you
can market your wares but only as an
answer to a legitimate question. So, no
starting a topic plugging your product but, if
somebody asks ‘Which are the best
companies that specialise in bike shop
insurance?’, and you sell shop insurance, you
can pitch to your heart’s content.
Beware, though. Just as you can ladle on the
praise, others can put the boot in. Forums
are a two-way street.
Peer help group
If the BikeBiz forum was a hangout for
product pluggers only, it wouldn’t be
somewhere you’d linger. It’s mighty useful
to get answers to trade questions (“who
does Grommet X?”) but I think the best
thing about a forum is the ability to answer
stuff, to contribute, to put something back
into the system, karma. Lurkers – of which
there are lots – don’t get this pleasure.
Mainstream forums, such as the
phenomenally busy one on
MoneySavingExpert.com, have a voting
system so forum habitues can vote on the
helpfulness of posters. Those who help the
most get gifted stars, and rise up the star
rankings. The most helpful posters receive
no actual benefits, apart from the warm
glow of philanthropic joy, but clearly get a
kick out of being seen to be knowledgable,
helpful and all-round good eggs.
If you’re willing to contribute your
experience to help others, sign up for the
BikeBiz forum and join in the fun.
EDITORIAL: 01992 535646 | ADVERTISING: 01992 535647 | FAX: 01992 535648
Executive Editor: Carlton Reid
[email protected]
Editor: Jonathon Harker
[email protected]
Deputy Editor: Mark Sutton
[email protected]
Advertising Manager: Carly Bailey
[email protected]
Production Executive: Abby Fanger
[email protected]
Design: Kelly Sambridge
[email protected]
Business Development:
Dave Roberts
[email protected]
Managing Editor: Lisa Carter
[email protected]
Publisher/MD: Stuart Dinsey
[email protected]
Was last meeting of Cycling
England today. Tragic waste of
expertise and ridiculous
vindictive, ideological decision
by government.
@christianwolmar
Good day @ Fisher Expo lots of
bike shops signing up
staff for mechanic training+
@CycleSystemsAc
Any Lezyne stockists want an
extra display stand?
Yours for beers, must collect.
@18bikes
What a day. Madison Saracen
team launch massive success.
Highlight of the night, karaoke
and jagermeister...My first
iceBike* was amazing!
@kellieparsons
SUBSCRIPTIONS
Finance Director: Hilary Cole
Editorial
Saxon House,
6A, St. Andrew Street,
Hertford,
Hertfordshire.
SG14 1JA
BikeBiz is mailed FOC to 3,000+ trade
addresses every month
ISSN 1476-1505
Marketing & Circulation: Lindsay Banham
[email protected]
LATEST NEWS STRAIGHT TO YOUR MOBILE | BOOKMARK US: MOBILE.BIKEBIZ.COM
78 BIKEBIZ MARCH
Day zero iceBike* starts in 2
hours & pre registered is huge
today – bring it on,
we’re ready!
@DominicLangan
UK: £50 Europe: £60 Rest of World: £90
BikeBiz is published 12 times a year by Intent Media – Saxon House,
6a St. Andrew Street, Hertford, Hertfordshire SG14 1JA
Intent Media Subscriptions Department
PO Box 35, Robertsbridge, TN32 5WN
Tel: 01580 883848, Fax: 01580 883849
If you or one of your colleagues would like to
request a subscription to BikeBiz, please email
[email protected] or call 01580 883848.
Please note that this is a controlled circulation title and
subscription criteria will be strictly adhered to.
Intent Media is a
member of the Audit
Bureau of Circulation
and the Periodical
Publishers Association
© Intent Media 2010 No part of this publication may be reproduced in any
form or by any means without prior permission of the copyright owners.
Printed by The Manson Group, AL3 6PZ.
/QNkSäVHSGNTSä/TMBSTQDR
2TODQRONQS
/KTR
3NTQHMF
/KTR
"XBKNBQNRR
/KTR
VVVBNMSHSXQDRBNTJ
"NTMSQX
/KTR
I really liked the experience and
the atmosphere. Wheel building
was covered particularly well.
Terence Morris
· City and Guilds Professional Cycle Mechanic Training
· One Day Basic Maintenance Courses
· Short courses in Wheel Building
We are very proud
to be sponsored by:
Checkout our new website at
www.cycle-systems-academy.co.uk
Or call 0207 608 2577 for a chat about what we can offer you or
to arrange a visit to our state of the art workshop in London, N1.
Photo: Em Fitzgerald

Issue 62 | March 2011

Transcription

Similar documents

Visit a Navy AutoSource Representative on-board

at dorel sports, we are motivated by our passion

our product portfolio in PDF format

fix-it-yourself bike stand 1693e, 624172

Grand OpeninG Deals - Performance Bicycle

Registration Form - City of Airway Heights

Work-‐shop kring sin vuxenutbildning

Grand OpeninG Deals - Performance Bicycle

from park(ing) - EcoMobility World Festival

Cycling Quiz - CYCLE FOR GLORY, CHANGE LIVES