Issue 76 | May 2012

Issue 76 | May 2012
EDITORIAL
Issue 76 | May 2012
We’ve the exclusive announcement of a new consumer
bike and triathlon show for the north west, as well as the
BA’s AGM highlights
NEWS 4-5
MYSTERY SHOPPER
Our undercover reporter
quizzes retailers in both
Andover and Basingstoke on a
very wet April’s day...
FOCUS ON…
10
MARIN AND MINESTONE
15
With a hefty investment from European firm
The Minestone Group, Marin is set to begin a new
and exciting chapter. More on page 15.
DAVID WEAGLE
13
We give the DW-Link creator free reign in
our monthly Chain Reaction column.
VELOBICI: UK MADE 18
We discuss the revival of clothing
manufacturing in Leicester with Velobici
E-BIKES
in association with
Bikebiz now has a dedicated ection
for the emerging electric bike
market. Flick to 33 for more...
33
OUTDOOR & FITNESS
Sell to, or are curious about the
outdoor trade? BikeBiz helps you
dip a toe in the market
39
CYCLE TOURISM FOCUS
WOMEN PRODUCTS
25
DEALER PROFILE
47 LETTERS
retail and tourism business Hooked on Cycling,
comes under the spotlight this month
PEOPLE
55
43
60
To what extent should bIke shops support
‘The Big Pedal’? Opinions on page 60
SPONSORED BY
NEW PRODUCTS
52
“Are we selling to the same bunch of
people, preaching to the converted, if
you will? If you want to grow a
business, or industry, we need to
appeal to new customers...”
Innovations in gearing technology, super-light frame
materials and accessories are great for keeping the bike retail
space interesting, fresh and lively. But do they actually grow
the market? Or are we selling to the same bunch of people –
preaching to the converted, if you will? Nothing wrong with
that, of course, but if you want to grow a business, or an
industry, there must be some thought dedicated to how to
appeal to new (potential) customers.
On paper, e-bikes should be a boon for the less fit who are
eager to dabble in longer cycle rides and – perhaps more
significantly – older generations or the disabled that can find
the effort required for cycling prohibitively difficult. Then
there is potential cycle commuters unwilling to turn up at
work sweaty, and those that live in hilly areas put off by
nearby gradients…The list goes on.
Sadly, lacking the skills to see into the future, we cannot
predict whether the e-bike market will ever take off
significantly in the UK – or should we say more significantly
than it already is. But while we’re waiting, we’re dedicating
regular space to the market in the hope that e-bikes can
fulfil expectations here in Britain.
Sure enough, e-bikes won’t force minicab firm bosses to
side with cyclists or ensure the government thinks of bikes
when it creates new roads, but if those electric marvels can
widen the UK cycle market just a fraction, then everyone is,
we think, a winner.
Jonathon Harker, Editor
Clive Gosling joins Marin, Matt Skinner leaves
Future plus movements at Felt and Lezyne
BikeBiz’s monthly round up of products
new to market, or due to land shortly
EVER KEEN to listen to the market,
BikeBiz has launched a new regular
electric bike section of the magazine,
which you can find on page 33 of this
month’s edition. Go on, have a quick
peek. Seen it? So now you’re wondering
why we’ve gone and created the
section?
Let me explain: While the market
isn’t exactly cleaning up in the UK just
yet – and many bike retailers suck their teeth and tut
whenever ‘e-bikes’ are mentioned (you might even be
shaking your head disapprovingly as you read this), there is –
we think – something in the electric market.
There are rooms full of head honchos in the bike trade,
filled with cigar smoke, drinking more coffee and/or whisky
than is good for them and gruff talking at each other,
arguing over how to grow the cycle market (and if there
isn’t, there surely should be).
SPOKESMAN
Carlton Reid argues that local authority run
hire bikes are good news for cycle retailers
EVENTS 64 OFF TRACK 76 NUMBER CRUNCHING 74
78
NEWS
CYCLE
SHORTS
Oxford holds
dealer conference
Oxford Products has staged
its first-ever dealer
conference, offering retailers a
tour of the facility, meetings
with international brand
managers and an insight into
a range of new products now
in the pipeline.
TfL blocks Addison
Lee from bus lanes
Transport for London has
taken out an injunction in the
High Court against minicab
firm Addison Lee, which
begun encouraging its drivers
to use bus lanes during April.
John Prescott urged a
boycott of the firm.
James Cornford
joins Tenn Outdoors
Industry veteran and racer
James Cornford will join Tenn
Outdoors, charged with
handling the firm’s marketing
and PR.
Trek reclaims
32,000kg of
carbon through
recycling
One year on from Trek’s
carbon recycling programme
launch, the firm has reclaimed
32,000kg of carbon from
composite frames.
Trek works in partnership
with Materials Innovation
Technologies of South
Carolina to recycle the scrap.
Shimano 2013 to
include ‘Zee’
gravity group
An entry-level gravity group,
dubbed ‘Zee’, will join
Shimano’s catalogue for 2013.
Stock of the new groupset
should land from Autumn.
Sports nutrition
brands lobby
against tax hike
UK nutrition supplement
brands have begun petitioning
the Government to hold off
adding VAT to the product,
which would see retail prices
leap by 20 per cent.
The petition can be found
on the direct.gov.uk website.
For breaking news visit:
www.bikebiz.com
4 BIKEBIZ MAY
Manchester Central to stage
‘The Bike and Triathlon Show’
Hamerville Media Group to ‘fill gap for North West show for cycling and triathlon’
with February 16th and 17th exhibition Show will likely have trade element
by Mark Sutton
BIKE INDUSTRY marketing and PR firm Red
Cloud has teamed up with the Hamerville
Media Group to announce the formation of
‘The Bike and Triathlon’ Show, scheduled to
occupy Manchester Central on the weekend
beginning February 16th, 2013.
Targeted at the entire cycling community,
from families of cyclists, through enthusiasts
and professionals of all things pedal powered,
the show will host a number of interactive
features, including test tracks, a skate park
and a main stage set to host speakers and
cycling seminars.
Colin Gale, keen cyclist and director of the
show, told BikeBiz: “We’re looking to appeal
to the entire market and to work with our
exhibitors to develop their ideas for what a
show should offer. We’ve already put in place
“We’re looking to appeal
to the entire market and
to work alongside
exhibitors to develop
their ideas for what a
show should offer...”
Colin Gale, event director
secure, manned cycle parking at Manchester
Central, on top of the 10,000 car parking
spaces available, for those who’d like to cycle
to, or at, the show.”
The organisers, Hamerville Media Group,
are publishers of trade magazines and event
organisers for tradesmen spanning builders,
the green and eco industry, electricians and
many others. With the expertise of Mark
Almond of cycle industry marketing firm Red
Cloud, the hope is to bring the company’s
expertise in putting on a show to “plug the
obvious gap in the market for a bicycle and
triathlon show dedicated to the North West.
“The cycling scene around Manchester,
home to British Cycling, and its neighbouring
counties is huge,” said Gale. “We’re looking to
go live with a website in June, on which
visitors will be able to sign up to a newsletter
Cervelo co-founder Vroomen
MTB label ‘Open’
UK partner will be sought during visit this month
Gerard Vroomen and Andy Kessler behind
exotic MTB brand First bike from the brand, a
carbon 29er, already seen at Sea Otter Classic
CERVELO CO-FOUNDER Gerard Vroomen has
launched an MTB label at the Sea Otter
Classic, alongside former Cervelo sales
manager Andy Kessler.
Called Open, the brand sets out as it
means to go on, claiming to have
manufactured the world’s lightest mass
production hardtail 29er frame – the O-1.0 –
tipping the scales at 900 grams for a large.
Kessler confirmed to BikeBiz that the label
will be available here, saying: "I will come
over to the UK in May to select one or two
good retailers for Open."
With the pair’s backgrounds centred
around producing exotic race bikes, its no
surprise to learn that an ENVE wheel and
Acros hydraulic shifting specced O-1.0,
weighing in at just 19lb, is going to set
customers back some $12,000.
Vroomen began working on Open a year
ago, with the thumbs up from founding
Cervelo partner Phil White.
Vroomen told BikeBiz that the plan is to
take things slow and steady: "We’re in no
hurry to add products to the model line. We
want to keep it small. If and when we find
something interesting to add, we will. But not
before, so it’s hard to say if that will be six
months or six years from now."
The O-1.0 is to be available in four frame
sizes, with reach leaps of 20mm between
each. German frame testing firm EFBe are
said to have verified the firm’s frame as the
lightest they’ve ever passed. Spec wise, the
frame uses the asymetric BBright bottom
bracket, with a flared downtube for stiffness.
The seat tube is setback and thus a little
slacker than a traditional frame. Cables are
internally routed and the front derailleur is
mounted via a S3/E2 front derailleur mount.
You can follow Open on Twitter via
@opencycle.
BIKEBIZ.COM
NEWS
Raleigh bought
by Accell Group
The sale of Raleigh to the Accell Group of the Netherlands,
mooted at the beginning of April, has now been completed
by Carlton Reid
and keep up to date. We’re in the process of
building relationships with the trade and
welcome any businesses with an interest in
cycling, or triathlon to get in touch with their
thoughts and enquiries on the event.”
Though still early days, Gale said he
expects the show to have a trade element
and welcomes trade visitors. Trade ticket
prices are still yet to be decided, though
consumer visitors will pay £12 on the door,
or £9 in advance. Zone sponsors and partners
are sought for many of the interactive
features planned. Contact sales exec Aaron
Dombey on 01923 237799.
launches
“We’re in no hurry to
add products. We want
to keep it small. If we find
something interesting
to add, we will, but
not before.”
Gerard Vroomen, Open
ACCELL GROUP has bought Raleigh,
valued at €76 million ($100 million). The
acquisition price for the Raleigh shares
was approximately €60 million.
The sale is still subject to approval of
the German competition authorities and
is expected to occur at the end of May.
René Takens, chief executive officer of
Accell Group said: “We are very pleased
with the acquisition of Raleigh, another
milestone for our company. Acquiring
Raleigh adds a strong traditional and
global brand with a rich heritage to our
brand portfolio and with the
Diamondback brand we strengthen our
position in the mountain bike and BMX
segment. We also strengthen our
position in bicycle parts and accessories
in North America and the United
Kingdom improving Accell Group’s global
competitiveness in this field."
He added: "We have great confidence
in Raleigh’s management team and will
fully support future growth of Raleigh
within our group.”
Alan Finden Crofts
Alan Finden-Crofts, chief executive
officer of Raleigh Cycle said: “I am
delighted with the conclusion of the
sale of Raleigh to Accell Group. As talks
progressed with the various interested
parties earlier this year, Accell Group
emerged as the clear preferred buyer for
the business, given the highly
complementary product range and
geographic presence of the two
businesses.
"I am entirely confident that Raleigh
has found the ideal buyer to support the
employees, customers, suppliers and the
future growth of the business.”
Raleigh’s management team is
expected to stay after the acquisition.
Finden-Crofts will remain as an advisor
for at least another six months.
BA Pres welcomes
Summer of Cycling
by Jonathon Harker
THE PRESIDENT of the Bicycle
Association of Great Britain has praised
the ‘truly united effort’ behind the
creation of 2012’s Summer of Cycling.
Speaking at the Houses of Parliamentset annual general meeting last month,
BA president Mark Bickerton lauded the
35 organisations that had collaborated
to create the cycling ‘plus one’ initiative
running this summer – where cyclists
pledge to get a non-cycling friend on a
bike.
Bickerton said: “The world of cycling is
full of highly individual people and
organisations – all passionate, all
committed to what they do – but not
always very good at working together.
“Our idea was to persuade everyone
who cycles and has an interest in cycling
to collaborate together in 2012, even if
for one year only.
“The All Party Parliamentary Cycling
Group became patrons of the idea and
now we have the Summer of Cycling,
launched here in the Commons by over
120 people representing over 35
different organisations.”
Over 20 members of the BA attended
the AGM, which was opened by
Cambridge MP and co-chair of the All
Party Parliamentary Cycling Group
(APPCG) Julian Huppert MP.
Huppert told the room that there was
the political will to follow up on this
year’s ground-breaking cycle debate in
Westminster Hall. The next meeting
should take place, he said, with firm
ideas on the table that can be voted on
by the cross-party group of politicians.
The AGM also tackled the latest
statistics for the market. Bickerton said:
“Imports were slightly lower in 2011
than 2010, which was reflected in
residual inventory at the distributors and
retailers, but it averaged out over the
two years at approximately 3.7million
units and £312million per year.”
There will be a fuller report from the
BA AGM in the next edition of BikeBiz.
www.summerofcycling.net
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CH CKEN CYCLE-KIT
EVENT UPDATE | IRISH CYCLING SHOW 2012
Professional road cyclist
Philip Deignan is the
latest star to lend his
weight to the new show
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
WHAT:
The debut of the consumer-facing Irish
Cycling Show
WHERE:
Simmonscourt Pavillion at RDS, Dublin
WHEN:
The weekend of May 16th – 17th 2012.
A new Eire
WEB:
http://irishcyclingshow.com/
WHO:
Organised by Mara Media: +353 86 8239607
The first ever Irish Cycling Show is almost upon us, taking place in little over one week’s time. Jonathon
Harker takes a last minute look at what visitors can expect from the Dublin exhibition…
REGULAR READERS will have already seen that
the first ever Irish Cycling Show is taking place
this month, promising to appeal to a wide range
of cycle audiences.
The event is being opened by Dublin’s own
Stephen Roche (who will attend for the full two
days), but just as impressive is the level of trae
support the show has managed in its debut year,
with the likes of Madison, Moore Large, Trek,
Paligap, Cyclescheme and many other significant
companies on the roster (see
http://irishcyclingshow.com/ for the most up-todate listing).
Professional road cyclist Philip Deignan is the
latest big name from the world of cycling to get
behind Ireland’s first Cycling Show.
“Cycling has grown over the last three or four
years – it’s been huge,” says Donegal-born
Deignan. “I think it’s almost like the new golf at
the moment. There are so many people buying
bikes and taking up cycling. Even in my own
family my brother and sister have started cycling
regularly, which I never thought I would see in a
million years.”
Scottish BMX stunt team The Clan will bring
their stunt track attraction to Dublin in May too.
The stars of Scotland’s cycling community have
appeared to over 100,000 people live in the flesh,
over one million on television and over 30
million with their online videos. At the Irish
6 BIKEBIZ MAY
“Cycling is
the new golf.
Even my own
family are
buying bikes never
thought i’d
see that...”
Philip Deignan
Cycling Show 2012 they’ll be acting their stunts
out live for audiences.
There will be practical advice and throught
provoking discussions at the show too, taking
place in the dedicated seminar theatre will be
installed at the RDS, playing host to a
presentations from experienced coaches and
industry cycling experts.
Cycling psychology will be covered in “The
great untapped resource in sports performance”,
while nutrition will be examined in “Fuelling the
engine for top results”. Bike Fitting will get its
own focus too in a seminar entitled “How to get
the most power through the pedals with the
least pain”. The inclusive spirit of the show will
see Ireland’s annual eight-day stage race An Post
Ras get a seminar alongside a ‘how to’ focus on
cycling as a sport for ages eight to 80.
Last but not least, Stephen Roche will get a
seminar entitled “25 years on, Dublin’s finest
reflects on his triple crown”. As the title suggests,
the Dublin cyclist is celebrating the
25th anniversary of his 1987 racing season when
he won the Giro d’Italia, the Tour de France and
the World Road Race Championships.
The Stephen Roche Cycling Holidays and
Training Camps in Mallorca will be featured on
his stand. Attendees will have chance to win a
Stephen Roche Cycling holiday over the course
of the weekend event.
The Irish Cycling Show has secured joint title
sponsors One4All and An Post. Both companies
have been active in promoting the health,
tourism and leisure benefits of an activity that
now boasts over one million bicycle owners in
Ireland alone.
Michael Dawson of One4All will promote
One4All’s various activities in cycling including
promotion of the Cycle4Haiti charity cycle and a
thriving business in bike purchase vouchers for
the Cycle to Work scheme. He says: “We’re
delighted to be co-sponsors of the inaugural Irish
Cycling Show, which I think it’s going to be
something very special.
“Cycling has become a mega business in
Ireland with new shops opening every month
and increase in sales by several hundred per cent
over the last number of years, so there’s a big
boom and a big race for people to get into
cycling.”
Over to organiser Mara Media for a final word
on the new event show: “The Irish Cycling Show
will feature exhibitors from every facet of cycling
and related industry, including cycle retailers and
distributors and there will also be emphasis on
general feature attractions to entertain the
whole family.
“Other plans include a test track around the
venue, demonstrations, shows and seminars
throughout the weekend.”
BIKEBIZ.COM
DISTRIBUTION NEWS
Distribution round-up
Cyclevox to represent Seven Cycles’ push into the UK High 5 nutrition now
with Hotlines Sought after Rido Saddles finds home with Velobrands
by Mark Sutton
TRITON AND SE BIKES
US bicycle brand SE Bikes has named
Loughton-based Triton Imports as
exclusive UK distributor.
The move marks Triton Imports’ first
step into distribution. Triton will be
importing the highly stylised range of
retro, race BMX, 24-inch and fixed gear
bikes from the brand.
“We are very pleased to be making our
first steps in distribution with one of the
most iconic and original BMX innovators,”
enthused Luke Edwards, director of Triton
Imports.
“The strength of the model names PK
Ripper, OM Flyer and Quadangle speak for
themselves and will be a great asset to
dealers looking to offer something trusted,
proven and individual.”
Triton Imports: 0208 508 0682 or
[email protected]
White/Silver
VELOBRANDS AND RIDO SADDLES
Velobrands has taken on UK distribution
duties for Rido Saddles. Available to cycle dealers now, the
range has a patented design that directs
rider weight to the sit bones and not the
sensitive perineum. This medically proven
technology is known as Pressure Shift
Geometry and has gained much positive
press. Velobrands took on its first bike
brand for UK distribution – Cyfac – last
August. www.velobrands.co.uk
SEVEN CYCLES VIA CYCLEVOX
Seven Cycles is to expand its UK
operation, having already appointed a
number of new dealers, alongside UK
partner Cyclevox.
Claiming to be the USA’s largest
manufacturer of custom bicycles,
founder Rob Vandermark now
believes that 40 per cent of the
brand’s customers reside outside the
US. Cyclevox: 07774 850516
Black/White
SE Bikes’s
catalogue of
classics are now
with Triton
HOTLINES AND HIGH 5
Hotlines has announced that it will carry
High 5 sports nutrition.
Martin Astley, marketing manager at
Hotlines said: “High5 fits perfectly with
Hotlines’ ethos of distributing ‘strong
products’ and makes it even easier
for independent bike shops to use
Hotlines as a one-stop-shop for all their
purchasing needs.”
Among the products now in stock with
the distributor, dealers will find the new
pink Grapefruit dissolveable tablets.
For sales enquiries contact Hotlines on
0131 3191444 or [email protected]
A Seven Cycles
custom (left)
Red/White
World Champion
Flash Yellow
The magneto sunglasses provide
exceptional comfort for the wearer, and
allows for a lot of adjustability.
The comfort is because there are no
more temples that go between the ears
and the head, this relieves pressure and
increases blood flow.
The adjustability comes from the
magnetic tabs that can be shifted up
and down and forward and backward
on the strap.
All of this combined makes the
magneto into the first sunglass that is
designed specifically with cycling in
mind.
Tel 01772 459887
WWW.BOB-ELLIOT.CO.UK
BIKEBIZ.COM
BIKEBIZ MAY 09
MYSTERY SHOPPER | ANDOVER AND BASINGSTOKE
Selling
‘And-over fist?
STORE • S
TA
AR
R
ST
•
AR
ST
R
STOA
RE
R
A
•
E • STAR ST
OR
OR
ST
E
10 BIKEBIZ MAY
ST
Like the April weather, this
month mystery Shopper
ended up all over the place –
from military training barracks
warning of unexploded
bombs, to shopping centres for
shelter from the rain. Oh, and
some bike shops too…
AR STO
• ST
RE
ST
ST
RE
O
RE • STAR
STO
ST
OR
•
E
Just bikes
Basing Cycles
UNFORTUNATELY, ON this occasion, Mystery Shopper
did too many lengths of the shop floor before being
seen. As the day’s visits went, this was one of the more
stand offish and despite me playing incredibly dumb my
visit wasn’t particularly educational.
My budget placed me slap bang in-between two
Whyte hardtails at £700 and £900 and it was the
former of the two that was sold to me over the higher
priced model.
My intended use wasn’t discussed, nor how seriously I
foresaw myself taking mountain biking given my relative
newbie status.
It was in fact the road worthy features of the build
that were flagged up to me and led the conversation,
including discussion on the fork’s lockout and low profile
tyre tread. Good to know, but not really what I’d hoped
for while being sold an off-road rig.
Another store, Behind the Bikeshed’s 22a
Marlborough Street address bizarrely took me to Just
Bikes.
HIGH STREET store Basing Cycles proved one of the day’s
more productive visits, with an assistant quickly meeting
me and pinpointing the Specialized Rockhopper as the
strongest bike I’d find on my budget anywhere. We
discussed the bike’s pros and cons over competitors for
some time, though the chat largely revolved around the
bike’s chassis, as opposed to tyres, brakes and gears.
Selling from personal experience of the Spesh classic,
the assistant came across as very honest in his manner,
telling me that he could easily upsell me a bike nearing a
grand, yet touted the Rockhopper’s foundations as a great
base to build on, with a good finishing kit to boot. Ideal
for the novice mountain biker Mystery Shopper pitched
himself as.
Crucially, the assistant didn’t give away sizing
information that’d perhaps allow me to leave and order
online, instead stating ‘he had my size in stock’ and
would adjust it to best fit my measurements at the point
of purchase.
BIKEBIZ.COM
MYSTERY SHOPPER | ANDOVER AND BASINGSTOKE
No prizes for guessing
the month of Mystery
Shopper’s visit...
This is where customers
can end up with the
wrong Google address
for your business
Winklebury Cycles
Halfords
THE FIRST thing you notice about Winklebury is the
masses of bikes in stock – fewer stores on Mystery
Shopper’s tours have held such a wide range. The
downside to this, however, was that without guidance in
store it’s a bit of a ‘sea of wheels’ experience and not the
easiest to navigate.
Thankfully, there was an extremely pro-active and
chirpy assistant seeing to the crowds. It didn’t take long
for him to pass me and politely ask if I needed help.
Encouragingly, the helper flagged up a few bikes, taking
my attention beyond just the hub geared Genesis on
which I was to challenge the assistant to sell me in a
jargon free manner.
Prior to returning to the Genesis and clearly picking
up on a hint of flexibility in my budget, the assistant told
me of a 2010 bike hidden up in the racks that “on
today’s market, is £1,600 worth of bike, now reduced to
just a grand”. It was clear that the assistant knew how to
sell a bike.
EVERY NOW and then, as on this occasion, a Halfords
store shines. The young lad caught me browsing shortly
after I’d hit the upper level and politely asked if I needed
assistance.
Getting into his stride quickly, the staffer emphasised
Boardman’s value for money, comparing the Halfords’
exclusive brand to others.
What’s more, I was pushed for a good investment
straight away on the grounds that, “if I were to take
mountain biking seriously I’d be upgrading a bike’s
components before long.”
Though aftercare was mentioned, detail on what
Halfords offered wasn’t discussed, something we’d
consider a strong bargaining tool for the chain.
Before allowing me on my way, the helper checked
stock levels and reassured me that he could quickly
order another if the last remaining bike in my size sold.
Further to this, it was asked of me whether my
budget would extend to include mudguards and other
accessories.
BIKEBIZ.COM
Summary
CAN’T LIE, this extremely rainy April day was a bit of a
nightmare. Between stores not being where they’re
listed on Google and dodgy sat nav detours down
military training grounds, a very wet Mystery Shopper
wasn’t particularly convincing in his desire to get
cycling.
The likes of Winklebury, and on this occasion
Halfords, did turn things around though. Winkleburys
simply because the salesman was a top chap, full of
enthusiasm and quite convincing in sales mode and
knowledgeable of his extensive stock.
Basing Cycles was a great all-rounder – with a well
presented store and bonus points for a little honest on
value for money I can’t help but feel this may have
been the store to secure a sale.
BIKEBIZ MAY 11
Ap
powerful
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owerfu
ul
sele
i
selection
lection
of uniq
unique
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supporting
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rting dealers
Call us for more
morre in
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nformation 0870 240 4219
or visit our we
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mountain bikes s lights s components s clothing s tools
12 BIKEBIZ MAY
BIKEBIZ.COM
CHAIN REACTION | DAVE WEAGLE
hopping two feet up to the trail head. It was a
nightmare. I was so pissed with my buddies.
They were clearing the stuff for the most part I
was walking. I distinctly remember yelling to
my friend John, “What the hell is this? How
could you come close to even thinking about
riding this terrain?” I thought to myself, here I
have a $7,000 bicycle with every piece of
technology – every bell and whistle possible –
and I’m carrying it, not riding it over the trail.
There's something wrong here. After that ride,
my confidence was shattered, but like many
times that followed, we all went out for a post
ride beer and burger and laughed about it. It’s
that support network and camaraderie that got
me going back to Lynn Woods, and by the end
of the summer, I was cleaning every bit of
those trails with style. I was learning to push
my limits, and I was ready for some new
challenges. That's when I got into racing and
really learned some important life lessons.
A beer and a burger…
Despite having spent his life intruiged by tweaking the efficiencies of a
bicycle on the drawing board and in the workshop, creator of the now
widely used DW-Link suspension system, Dave Weagle, maintains that
he’s learned the most on the trail…
AHH, THE good old days… Back when
mountain biking was new to me, things
seemed a little simpler than they do today.
Through my college years (the mid-90s), I
became infatuated with bicycles, specifically
mountain bikes. As a mechanical engineer in
training, I gravitated toward the technological
revolution that was happening in cycling. Fullsuspension MTBs were finally becoming a
reality for the everyday rider. Downhill seemed
like it was going to become the next big sport
in the United States, with the US national series
regarded as the biggest and most sought-after
title in the world—even more so than the
World Cup. That's hard to imagine now.
I have some good friends that got really into
mountain biking during college. They all had
relatively high-paying co-op jobs, so they
bought themselves nice mountain bikes and
started riding in the famous Lynn Woods and
Vietnam trails around the Boston area. As soon
as I graduated from college, literally the day
that I got my first job, I went to the bank to
get a loan. With that loan, I bought the most
BIKEBIZ.COM
tricked out mountain bike available. I'm sure
the guys at International in Allston who built it
still remember. This was one of the first
mountain bikes that any of us had ever seen
using hydraulic disc brakes. It was basically a
very lightweight 100-mm-travel cross-country
bike built up with every trick new part possible
to be a killer slalom race bike.
I remember the first day that I brought that
bike to Lynn Woods to ride with my friends.
Coming into that experience, I viewed myself
as a pretty talented rider. I could ride a
wheelie, manual for a short distance, J hop over
a good-sized log, heck, I had ridden motocross
bikes for my whole life. How hard could this
be? Boy, was I in for a surprise. The fire road in
was no problem, and the little twisty offshoot
climb had some embedded rocks, but it wasn't
too bad. Then we got to the real trail, the
famous “Bow Ridge Trail” (RIP). I had no idea
what I was getting into when I started that
ride. The entire trail was made up of huge
boulders, drops that were over my head, short
bursts of climbs that can only be started by J-
A signature DW linkage
as used by the likes of
Evil, Pivot and Turner
GOING DOWNHILL
Almost anyone who remembers the “Trail 66”
series has fond memories. At the time, the only
place you were going to ride your bike on a
mountain was at a race. There was no Whistler;
there was no freeride; it was either race or
don't ride. So naturally, I wanted to ride
downhill and I began racing. I didn’t have a
proper DH bike, so I use my slalom bike for
downhill and slalom at the time. It was tiring –
man, it was tiring – but so much fun. One of
my fondest memories was a local race in the
early 2000s where my old friend Lars Tribus was
duking it out for the top downhill podium spot
with a couple of our other friends. There was a
particularly gnarly tree section with a drop
about 150 yards from the finish line. Lars came
through at what seemed about Mach 20,
blazed to the finish line, then immediately
ripped a 180 and started hammering up the hill
on his downhill bike. Back then, pedalling a
downhill bike up a hill was a lot more of a
chore than it is today. In less than a minute,
Lars was up in the woods section with us, out
of breath, but screaming to cheer on his
buddies – in truth, cheering for them to go and
beat his time.
This is when it all clicked for me. I originally
got into bikes because of technology. I still
have a huge passion for understanding,
dissecting, and developing the latest and
greatest. But this really has very little to do
with what it's all about. When I'm old and
telling my grandkids stories, those stories will
be about the people that I've met, the friends
that I've made, the stories that capture those
timeless memories. Telling jokes around the fire
at Haystack, the time I did an unintentional
superman off an eight foot drop in my race run,
the infamous ‘meat catapult’ at Mt. Snow, the
many, many times we did something stupid
with fireworks… I'm sure I won't even
remember what type of bike widget I had
during my first race – that stuff doesn't matter.
It doesn't matter what type of bike or parts
you are riding, or what new, latest and greatest
technology you are using. All that really
matters is if you are having fun and enjoying
your friends, enjoying the trails, and ultimately
enjoying life. Those personal experiences are
why mountain bikes continue to hold a place in
my heart. Do yourself a favour and get out for
a ride with some friends today, maybe even a
post ride beer and burger, mmm good times!
BIKEBIZ MAY 13
FOCUS | MARIN
Marin’s Rift Zone 29er,
kitted with Quad Link 3
suspension tech
A milestone
for Marin?
A Minestone, actually. Thanks to the backing of
the European investment firm, the Californian bike
brand has been able to boost its resources
significantly. Mark Sutton attended a Peaslake
demo of a selection of 2012 bikes for a catch up
with Marin Bikes’ Jason Faircloth...
NESTLED AMONG countless other
Californian bike labels and with access to
the best of Marin County’s trails it’s no
surprise that Marin continues to thrive
among the mountain biking community,
both at home, throughout Europe and
further afield.
“We’re certainly well placed to watch
the evolution of mountain biking,” as vice
president of product development Jason
Faircloth puts it. “We do get compared to
other brands occasionally when dealers
pass feedback, but we’re not about
following the pack, Marin has always been
beating its own path.”
Speaking to BikeBiz
during a recent press
demo in Peaslake,
Faircloth explained
that the future looks
particularly exciting for
Marin, having been
sold to European
investment firm
Minestone Limited.
“The February 1st
acquisition comes as
there is light at the
end of the tunnel, as
the economic
downturn begins to stabilise, says Faircloth.
“I think Marin’s founder Robert Buckley
was looking to pass the torch to allow him
more time with his family and ultimately
allow the brand to begin the next chapter.
The gentleman behind Minestone has
other interests in the bicycle business too.
The headquarters remains in Novato and
we’re taking on plenty of new faces to
boost our human resources, marketing and
product development.”
Outside California, Marin now has
employees in Taiwan, Canada and
Switzerland, as well as distribution partners
in 40 countries. The acquisition, according
to Faircloth, doesn’t take any power away
from Marin, though does open doors to
developing new and fine tuning existing
product to a greater extent than
previously. So what’s new for 2012?
“The Rift Zone was a whole new
package for this year. We had to test the
pivot systems and Quad 3 suspension
technology in real world conditions. With
complex suspension designs you can often
solve one problem and create a few new
ones. The development timeline can’t be
rushed, as problems have to be overcome
in real ways, no quick fixes. It’s immensely
satisfying when you get it right, so
although we’re a tiny bit behind schedule
with deliveries, we’re very happy with the
new bikes.”
Asked what’s in the pipeline given the
expanded budget, Fairloth revealed that it’s
now 26 and 29-inch wheels in equal
measure off-road. As for the re-emergence
of the 650b wheel
size, Faircloth told
BikeBiz: “At present I
don’t see the need
for it, it seems to be
a very European
reaction to the 29er.
However, if it proves
to be a worthwhile
investment, then I’m
sure we could
consider it.”
For now, there’s
plenty to be getting
on with in Marin’s
product development hideaway. The brand
does after all have an ever-growing
commuter catalogue, something which
BikeBiz is told is to expand going into
2013, though just a careful selection of
these 700c models will reach the UK via
UK distributor ATB Sales.
“Our 700c bikes retain a lot of the
character from our mountain bikes,” says
Faircloth. “The geometry isn’t massively
different, they almost ride like a mountain
bike, meaning they’re quite adept to
covering distance quickly. We’re not too far
from San Francisco either and the scene
there serves as inspiration to the design
team.”
Stock of Marin’s 2012 bikes has arrived
with ATB Sales and is now available for
order on 01424 753566. For those yet to
familiarise themselves with Marin’s
catalogue, the brand will also be present at
Interbike and Eurobike later this year.
“We’re certainly
well placed to
watch the evolution
of mountain
biking...”
Jason Faircloth
Journalists try out the
Mount Vision and Rift
Zone 29er at Peaslake
BIKEBIZ.COM
BIKEBIZ MAY 15
BRAND SPOTLIGHT | SHOWERS PASS
NRG4 place the
Showers Pass Portland
jacket in the Brompton
and Rapha league
Take the weather with you
US clothing brand Showers Pass is at last getting a proper crack at the UK market through distributor
NRG4. Jonathon Harker interviews Andrew Perry about the apparel…
PORTLAND, OREGON, based in the Pacific
Northwest is known for its dry summers and
winters that are mild and wet. While that’s
great for growing its famous Portland Roses, it’s
a climate that poses familiar challenges to
cyclists, best tackled with appropriate apparel.
Clothing brand Showers Pass is based in that
city, so not only does the brand understand the
plight of cyclists in long wet winters first-hand,
but it also naturally produces gear that is
suited to the UK.
So it’s perhaps a bit of a suprise that until
now the brand has only been sold through a
very small number of dealers in Britain. Now,
however, through a deal with distributor NRG4,
Showers Pass is set to get a wider audience on
these shores – but not online at discounted
prices, the firm assures the trade.
Showers Pass started out producing
functional waterproof and breathable cycling
raingear, and now also offers urban bike
clothing, styled for the office or for socialising.
Priding itself on being technically innovative,
gear from Showers Pass has been regularly used
by winter hikers, Nordic skiers and runners
seeking protection from rain and wind, but also
for its core market of racers, commuters,
messengers and everyday cycling enthusiastic.
Showers Pass is not the only brand operating
in this vibrant everyday cycle apparel market,
of course, so how does it differ from the
BIKEBIZ.COM
“We feel
quality at
competitive
prices – and
no online
sales – offers a
great dealer
incentive.”
Andrew Perry,
NRG4
competition? Andrew Perry of UK distributor
NRG4 explains: “Showers Pass uses the very
best fabric on its clothing including Event
fabric – widely recognised as being the best
fabric for this type of clothing. It’s not available
from every bike or outdoor shop in the UK
thereby supporting the dealer network.
“The clothing often comes out top in
clothing reviews and similar urban wear is
normally only found in the UK through the
likes of Brompton or Rapha – like the Showers
Pass Portland jacket for commuters.”
Bike dealers with their fingers on the pulse
will already have spotted the brand in the
course of recent months. It appeared at last
September’s NEC Cycle Show, the Bike Place in
Silverstone, the London Bike Show and more
recently in the Scottish Cycle Show. Irish cycle
dealers will have chance to see the clothing at
the debut Irish Cycling Show this month.
At the insistence of both Showers Pass and
NRG4, the brand won’t be subject to online
discounting as we heard above – a key factor
in Showers Pass’ attractiveness to dealers, Perry
explains: “We think that truly good quality
clothing at competitive prices and not
available online represents a great incentive for
the dealer. We often hear stories of dealers
having to discount their clothing to match
online prices or those from the shop down the
road. We will give the dealer back the
exclusivity enabling them
to achieve the sale safely
in the knowledge that
they won’t have to
discount. We think this is
a big incentive for the
dealer – also, there are no
minimum buy in
requirements,” Perry adds. “They can buy one,
two or 30 items.”
Showers Pass is just one apparel brand
NRG4 is bringing to the trade. It just launched
a range of carbon-impregnated clothing from
www.sixs.biz including D30 protection all
aimed at cyclists, runners, skiers, motor bikers,
etc. NRG4 has also launched a range of pumps
that have recently been awarded another Taipei
and Red Dot design award.
Perry concludes: “We are trying to reach out
to dealers to increase our network but are only
working with bricks and mortar retailers
offering exclusive products to help them grow.
One major concern of the dealers is the online
presence of the big few – this is the reason
why we want to support the local dealer
network by offering exclusive products that
only they can sell in their area.”
NRG4 has a B2B website in the works, giving
dealers full access to stock, delivery schedules
and prices.
0870 240 4219; [email protected]
BIKEBIZ MAY 17
UK MANUFACTURING | VELOBICI
Below; Chris Puttnam,
co-founder of the brand
Knit the ground running…
That’s the plan for VeloBici, a cycle clothing brand investing in the once proud clothing manufacturing
heartland of the Leicestershire. Mark Sutton talks to co-founder Chris Puttnam about kitting out road
cyclists in carefully thought out homegrown kit…
IN A nod to its once bustling knitwear
industry, to this day Leicestershire’s
coat of arms carries a lone ram, prized
by those in the county for its wool. Like
many other manufacturing sectors, a
decline in domestic production of the
region’s staple product hit hard in the
late 70s to early 80s, with Far-East
competition wiping out the trade in the
blink of an eye.
To the present day and the nation’s
businesses seem to be rediscovering the
perks of producing goods domestically,
with the likes of John Lewis and Asda
announcing plans to source and
produce garments in the UK at the
start of 2012. Those who make the
journey to Bespoked Bristol each year
to ogle UK-built handmade bicycles and
trinkets may be familiar with Velobici –
another such, albeit smaller, label
placing its faith in production at home.
“Given my families background in
textiles right here in the Midlands, it’s
important to me to support local
firms,” says VeloBici co-founder Chris
Puttnam. “There’s a certain buzz around
manufacturing here again, partly down
to the increasing shipping costs from
18 BIKEBIZ MAY
VeloBici’s garments
wouldn’t look out of
place in the pub, but
they also perform on
the bike
the other side of the globe. It will take time for
a full-blown revival, but the skills remain here in
the UK, I can source everything I need from our
partners in Hinkley, Nottingham and
Leicestershire. Even our silicone grippers used to
stop jerseys riding up come from Longeaton.”
Heritage aside, quality control is central to
Puttnam’s choice to produce his garments here
and he concedes that local firms have become
specialists in producing only the finest tailored
high-ticket items.
“Our merino wool product has a maximum
lead time of six weeks and during the
production I can keep tabs on every step of the
process, though the quality here is a cut above.
Living a short distance from the factories, we
can often meet to discuss revisions or ideas –
that’s just not possible when sourced from
abroad.”
So what differentiates VeloBici as a high-end
clothing brand for roadies? The short answer
has to be looks. There’s next to no lycra here, in
fact of the 40-plus ‘casual’ styled items on
which VeloBici focuses, most use super soft
merino wool, coolmax material, Meryl fabrics
and a smattering of fabrics such as Alpaca wool.
As casual and unoffensive as the garments
look, VeloBici isn’t shy of tailoring a garment to
the very specific needs of the road cyclist.
“I prefer subtle detailing,” says Puttnam. “And
I think that the road market had a gap for less
‘loud and branded’ high-end garments. Our
customers to date are certainly into the
product as a lot become repeat customers.
Those who I’ve personally spoken with say
they’re sold on the quality having put in the
miles in the saddle and remained comfortable
for the duration.”
From mid-June, Velobici will take stock of
some more traditional jerseys, again sporting
what Puttnam describes as more ‘classic’ styling
that won’t look out of place in the pub, or at
the supermarket.
“In future our roadwear line will grow, as will
our ladies collection, which at present is largely
focused around matching accessories. There’s
also scope for a products such as waterproof
softshells, jeans and shirts, but of course UKsourcing is paramount. In the ‘70s, around 70
per cent of the jeans sold here were produced
in Cardigan, Wales and shirts largely made in
Londonderry. It’s obviously harder to find
sources nowadays, but we are talking to a
remaining few.”
VeloBici is open to hearing from interested
road cycling specialist retailers wishing to open
a trade account. For enquiries, contact
[email protected], or call 01162 540066.
BIKEBIZ.COM
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SHOW REVIEW | GADGET SHOW LIVE PRO
3
1
3
6
6
Lights, cameras, action!
Gadget Show Live Pro saw video camera brands face off for a slice of the cycle market.
Jonathon Harker takes a look down the viewfinder to see what the ever popular NEC
show had to offer the bike trade…
Greased lightning? No,
it’s the e-bike test track
THE PRO PART of the Gadget Show Live day
was the proverbial calm before the storm, the
storm in this case being the 120,000 members
of the public that flooded the event proper,
from Wednesday to Sunday.
So, before the hordes of technology-hungry
visitors got to stalk the halls of the NEC, the
trade got to see the event unhindered and
potentially do a bit of business into the
bargain.
While not a traditionally central show for
the cycle trade, the industry was represented
in the form of electric bikes, navigation and
cycle computers, lights, scooters and notably
in the increasingly competitive sports video
camera sector.
BIKEBIZ.COM
Video wars
Picked up by Ultra Sport Europe last year,
Contour (1) was touting its range at Gadget
Show Live, including the entry level Roam. The
full High Definition camera has a couple of
key selling points, not least the fact it’s
waterproof out of the box. The Roam also
sports an easy on/off button so recording is
pretty much instant and fuss free, ideal
particularly for ‘evidential’ videoing of road
incidents with motor traffic. The Roam
features simple laser alignment so the user
can check the direction they’ll be recording in,
all the easier to adjust with Contour’s rotating
lens. Moving up the range, Contour GPS
features exactly what you’d expect, capturing
location, speed and elevation data and a
handy interactive map so the user can rewind,
fast forward or click to the best parts.
Other key aspects of the range are the ultra
small attachments and mounts for the
Contour range. Ultra Sport also distributes
Bern helmets, which are proving incredibly
popular for the firm, they tell BikeBiz.
(2) Veho’s launch of the No Proof, No Glory
web site is part of its marketing strategy for
2012. The site, for which no less than Sam
Pilgrim is creating exclusive edits, invites users
to upload their own videos. At the end of the
year there will be an award for the highest
ranked. There’s also a dedicated Veho Muvi site
on the way too. But why, you may ask, is
>>>
BIKEBIZ MAY 21
SHOW REVIEW | GADGET SHOW LIVE PRO
2
3
2
4
5
Aside from the
competitive sports
video camera
market, the event
saw electric
scooters and other
assorted gadgets
like those from
Bicygnals
22 BIKEBIZ MAY
there such an emphasis on these online
>>>
portals? It’s all down to showing people what
the camera is capable of and encouraging the
end user to use it or purchase it, Veho explains
to BikeBiz, which the brand says shows how
easy it is to produce great video from its range.
The Veho line-up of product is distributed to
the bike trade by Raleigh and includes a new
universal bar mount which has been created
after user feedback (cyclists wanted something
sturdier). The mount launched with a batch of
accessories in January, as did a chest harness,
which has proved so popular it sold out in the
first order, we learn.
(3) Madison-distributed Go Pro has a few
products in the works, but sadly the show
came too early for the new WiFi BacPac and
the new dive casing, but what was at the
event was the familiar HD Hero 2 (which the
WiFi BacPac will be compatible with). You
probably know by now, but the Hero 2
captures 720p, 960p and 1080p HD video as
well as 11MP still photos with full 170, 127
and 90-degree field of view photo options. As
well as the HD Hero 2 SKU, the camera also
comes in a variety of packs – the Outdoor
Edition most appropriate to the cycle world
(the others being Motorsports and Surf
editions). The Outdoor Edition includes
mounts, straps and assorted peripherals, while
individual accessories like the Helmet Front
Mount and Chest Mount Harness (pictured top
left) available separately.
And as if that wasn’t enough video camera
action, Hedcamz (4) also threw its hat in the
ring with an ultra-light offering weighing 32.5
grams. It’s so light that it can be attached by
just Velcro, while the camera itself records in
720p HD and is waterproof up to ten meters.
There are Velcro-based bar mounts, goggle
mounts, etc, included in the pack. But Gadget
Show Live Pro wasn't just about the cameras.
Razor scooters (5), sponsored their own
scooter test track and revealed to BikeBiz that
they’d had a phenomenal year – up 70 per
cent year-on-year, they said. That growth has
been driven by electric and stunt scooter
ranges, the latter being robust non-folding
versions of the popular scooters. In the space
of a year the range has gone from one to 11
products, so now Razor hits different markets,
including the pro and stunt ranges.
With the expansion of the range has come
many more colour options, while the flagship
model is the Pro XX. Marketing is being taken
care of with a TV campaign, the Global
Domination Tour and a programme of festival
visits culminating at NASS again.
Targeting the urban cyclist, Bicygnals’ (6)
distinctive light up helmet and bike indicators
were the firm’s key draws. Last December they
made The Sunday Times Top 100 Gadgets for
Christmas, and the indicators have been
exported to Japan, the US and other territories.
Bicygnals says it uses the principle of
technology for ‘practical use’, rather than
shaving seconds or grams off high-end bikes.
The firm will be refining its current product
ranges pitched mostly at those that use their
bike as a vehicle, like commuters and children.
The Electric Transport Shop also appeared at
the show, providing visitors with a range of ebikes to test out, with Cambridge Dutch Bikes
helping man the stand – telling BikeBiz the
company now has 70 or so of its distinctive
bikes riding the streets of Cambridge. There are
more pics from the show at
www.bikebiz.com/facebook
BIKEBIZ.COM
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24 BIKEBIZ MAY
BIKEBIZ.COM
© Skedaddle
© GuidesOfBhutan
CYCLING TOURISM | FOCUS
Biker and school
girls in Paro, Bhutan
Patagonia’s salt flats
may not be the most
challenging terrain,
but they’re not bad
for a drag race
Business
ad-ventures…
The view from atop the
Shropshire hills toured by Max Bikes
PR’s new tourism
division
© GuidesOfBhutan
The bike business is certainly no stranger to working its socks off only to just about turn a profit, but
what’s more rewarding than doing something you love? Mark Sutton approaches three of the trade’s
cycle tourism firms to find out if working for love not money is really worth it…
Bike bridge in Paro,
Bhutan
EACH YEAR the bike trade looks on enviously
you’re the jealous type, it’s at this point you
across the corridors of the ExCeL centre into
should turn the page.
what those peddling bikes describe as ‘a
“You are never going to be rich running a
different world’. The glitz, glamour and riches
cycling holiday company, but for me it was a
of the adjoining boat show is, in reality, a
lifestyle choice rather than making a million,”
distant dream for the bike
says Saddle Skedaddle’s
industry in which just a lucky
Andrew Straw. “If I can get out
few make their millions.
on my bike, enjoy it and see
BikeBiz has, in fact, heard
others doing the same, then I
rumour of boat shoe-clad
feel I’ve been successful. Saying
millionaires buying fleets of
which, we feel we do things
top-end bikes on the show
right and over 50 per cent of
floor to give away as ‘freebies’
those travelling with us each
with their yachts.
year are repeat customers.”
Andrew Straw,
But that’s not really the
For much the same reasons,
point of the bike business, is
industry
marketing and PR
Saddle Skedaddle
it? The vast majority of us are
guru Keith Jepson recently
here as hobbyists, fitness fanatics, for the love
made the move to expand his business’
and adventure of the outdoors. It’s therefore
horizons with the creation of Lima Cycle
little surprise that the trade so often mixes
Guiding. Though currently keeping his tours
business with pleasure, simply for an excuse to
domestic, Jepson, who lived and worked
accumulate some mileage in the saddle. If
in Switzerland for several years, knows
“If I can enjoy
riding, and see
others doing the
same, I’ve been
successful.”
>>>
BIKEBIZ.COM
BIKEBIZ MAY 25
DUE A HOLIDAY?
Guides of Bhutan:
Phone: 02071935239
Email: Philip@guidesofbhutan
Borneo is the third
largest island in
the world and
offers plenty to
cyclists
© Skedaddle
CYCLING TOURISM | FOCUS
Max Bikes PR/ Lima:
Phone: 07531627433
Email: [email protected]
Saddle Skedaddle:
Phone: 01912651110
Email: [email protected]
in the Alps leading a pack of trail-hungry
cyclists through some of Europe’s most lusted
after scenery.
“I have been riding for many years and have
built up a wealth of routes both on and offroad in the areas we serve. I really wanted to
share these and ride with varied people who
are both experienced and novice cyclists,” said
Jepson. “I work in the cycling industry with a
PR and marketing consultancy and this seemed
like a fun way of diversifying my business and
getting more riding in.”
Further to touring the rolling hills of
Shropshire and the Cotswolds, Lima will also
offer cycle skills coaching, tips on fitness
training and cycling technique, as well as cycle
maintenance skills sessions.
Asked whether he foresees making a killing
from the new venture, Jepson concedes that
again, “I can only hope for the business to do
well financially, largely this is a lifestyle choice,
though. We can cater up to 15 to 20 riders
with say a large corporate group. For that size
group we would have a minimum of three
guides.”
Further afield and having set out in the
tourism business more than a decade ago,
Guides of Bhutan, operated by Philip Bowen
was a pioneer of cycling in the region, prior to
setting up his stall as a cycle tourism guru for
the region.
“I worked as a trekking and biking guide all
over, from Morocco to Nepal for many years,”
Bowen told BikeBiz. “Initially I was based in
Bhutan for eight years, up until about three
years ago. When I first arrived, there were only
a handful of bikes in the country. Seeing the
potential I taught five of my guides to ride
bikes and we imported a fleet of Konas for
hire, the first-ever in the Kingdom.”
Conceding that Bhutan generally attracts
only the seasoned tourist, Bowen’s typical
crowd will happily spend entire days in the
saddle navigating the best of the terrain at a
relaxed pace, absorbing the immense views the
landscape has to offer and wherever necessary,
stopping for photo breaks.
“These days there are three shops in the
capital Thimpu, which has now been
designated a ‘bike city’, with the police
patrolling on two wheels and a growing
interest in biking,” adds Bowen. “Cycling is
slowly taking over from the national sport of
archery in popularity. Having pioneered bike
adventures for the five-star hotel Uma Paro,
we finally branched out on our own as a guide
co-operative in 2010 and have thankfully been
doing very well since.”
26 BIKEBIZ MAY
A cyclist navigates
Gold Hill (top left)
Ladakh, where this picture
was taken, translates to
“land of the high passes”
© Skedaddle
that with a little bit of luck his
>>>
business could eventually revolve around spells
“When I first
arrived, there
were just a
handful of
bikes. These
days there are
three bike
shops and
Thimpu is a
‘bike city’.”
Philip Bowen,
Guides of Bhutan
BIKEBIZ.COM
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BIKEBIZ MAY 27
BIKE HUB | BIG PEDAL ROUND-UP
Bikes go back
to school
The results are in for the Big Pedal, but did school children
respond to the chance to cycle to school for prizes? Or
were hopes of getting more kids on their bikes cruelly
punctured? Jonathon Harker investigates…
HOW DID YOUR LOCAL
SCHOOL DO?
THE WINNING SCHOOLS IN
EACH CATEGORY ARE:
SMALL PRIMARY:
Leswalt School, Stranraer
LARGE PRIMARY: Oakhurst Community
Primary School, Swindon
SECONDARY:
Aboyne Academy, Aberdeenshire
AND THE RUNNERS UP:
SMALL PRIMARY:
Pontrhydyfen Primary, Port Talbot
LARGE PRIMARY:
Paulton Junior School, Bristol
There are more
statistics and info on
the competition at the
official site
thebigpedal.org.uk
ACCORDING TO THE Department for
Transport, the number of children travelling to
school by car over the past 20 years has
doubled.
Whatever way you look at it, that’s a
worrying statistic. Prevention is better than
cure, so to avoid ballooning numbers of obese
children and adults, that trend has to be
curbed. And as members of the cycle trade
there’s an obvious added incentive for getting
kids out of cars on the school run. How many
of us spent our childhood on bikes on the way
to and from school?
Bike Hub, the cycle industry levy, has for the
second year pledged funds to Sustrans’ Big
Pedal competition, an inititative tailored to
encouraging children to saddle up. The results
are now in for the competition, which
challenges schools to cycle the most miles in
three weeks in March.
Those results are proof, if it were needed,
that school kids are ready and willing to get
pedalling – particularly when there are prizes
involved. And clearly the Big Pedal is gaining
momentum: This year, 890,304 journeys were
made by bike, up from 606,919 last year. That
2012 total works out as around 59,354
average journeys per day in participating
schools. But enough of the figures – BikeBiz
28 BIKEBIZ MAY
spoke to Sustrans’ regional supervisor Vincent
Goodwin for his take on this year’s
competition and the future of the Big Pedal…
Did the response from schools to Big Pedal
2012 meet expectations?
Absolutely – we were really impressed with
the effort schools, pupils and parents put in to
this year’s competition. We’ve had so much
great feedback from teachers and plenty of
stories of mums and dads getting back on to
bikes for the first time since they were kids.
SECONDARY:
Chessbrook Centre, Watford
A full list of overall, regional and daily
stage winners can be found at:
http://thebigpedal.org.uk/
part from the previous year. Schools that took
part last year were trying to beat their
finishing place this year and trying to get
ahead of schools they finished behind last year.
Is there the potential for the Big Pedal to
grow still further in 2013?
Definitely! We want to encourage even more
schools to get involved next year. We want to
give all children the opportunity to be involved
and have a chance at cycling to school – the
three-week competition is a great way to show
them just how easy it is.
Was it easier to publicise and get the Big
Pedal message across now it's an
established competition?
Yes. Having an established competition
enabled us to start getting the message out
earlier. We had hundreds of schools preregister for the competition to be the first to
hear of dates etc. There’s a real buzz around
the competition now, schools just can’t wait to
get started.
Last year there was speculation on creating
a ‘workplace versus school’ aspect to the
challenge. Is that any update on that?
We would love to get the bike trade involved
in actually taking part in the race – getting the
bike shops to take on kids and see how many
journeys they can make in the competition. It
didn’t happen this year but it’s something that
we’d like to look into further.
Do you know how many schools returned
to take part in the competition again this
year?
We don’t know the exact numbers but we
recognised lots of the schools we had taking
Is there anything else you'd like to add?
The support from the Bike Hub has been
brilliant once again – the race wouldn’t be
possible without the funding and support it
gives the competition.
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BIKEBIZ MAY 29
ACTSMART | RETAIL FINANCE
RIDE IT AWAY DEALERSHIPS
Ensure your shop listings at The Cycling Experts are
up to date today
Stock up on Ride it away POS
Create finance promotions on relevant brands,
products and price points in store
Visit the ActSmart website to find out if you qualify
as a female-friendly bike shop
NHS Rides it away
ACT explains how it is working with the UK’s largest employer
to help push cycling and independent bicycle dealers…
THE NATIONAL HEALTH Service (NHS) is the
largest employer in the UK, with over 1.3million
staff. As part of sustained push for a healthier,
happier work force, cycling is being promoted to
these employees as a solution.
NHS employees are being galvanised via a
new, quarterly publication, Balance magazine,
specifically designed for them with the focus on
personal health and wellbeing. It aims to deliver
help, advice, examples and inspiration for a
healthy lifestyle to the 1.3million workforce.
After investigating the current cycling to work
offerings and wanting to engage with leading
brands and IBDs, Balance identified Ride it away
retail finance. From May 7th, the ACT and
Moneyway are working with Balance to
encourage NHS staff throughout the UK to get
cycling with a new bicycle purchased on retail
finance.
The Ride it away retail finance scheme is
available via hundreds of independent cycle
retailers throughout the UK, offering NHS
employees the opportunity to purchase a new
bike and accessories over an extended
repayment basis with as little as nought per cent
interest.
Moneyway lending director David Nield
commented: “This is a major progression for
retail finance companies who traditionally wait
for customers to be introduced to them by the
retailer. At Moneyway we recognise the tough
retail trading environment and see this initiative
as way to boost sales for our supporting retailers
30 BIKEBIZ MAY
by introducing new customers via the Ride it
away scheme.”
From May to July dealerships offering Ride it
away will be promoted to NHS staff via printed,
online and iPhone magazines, regular internal
emails and on The Cycling Experts website.
The NHS not only offers IBDs a volume of
new business, but just as importantly a
predominance of female custom, who have
historically not been active cyclists or regular
customers of specialist retailers.
The Cycling Experts will match up all NHS
employees with their local IBD (offering Ride it
away) and the products and brands of choice.
In order to participate dealers simply need to
enrol in the Ride it away retail finance
programme available to all ACT members and
we’ll do the rest.
ACT supplier members are being encouraged
to advertise relevant product for this extensive
audience free of charge via The Cycling Experts.
Those Ride it away retailers who have already
enrolled in The Cycling Experts ‘Female Friendly’
programme, in partnership with British Cycling,
will also benefit from enhanced exposure to this
largely female audience.
NHS employees will be able to search for
bicycle brands in their nearest Ride it away
retailers and calculate their ideal spend and
repayment plan before they visit you.
Those retailers who use Bikesoup also
showcase product on their shop floor to NHS
employees on their Cycling Experts profile.
NOT A RIDE IT AWAY DEALERSHIP?
Find out more and how to enrol on the ActSmart
website
BRAND OWNERS
Contact ActSmart to participate in the programme
RIDE IT AWAY RETAIL FINANCE
FACT FILE
Nought per cent to 19.5 per cent interest options
available
Loan periods from six to 36 months
Available from over 500 UK IBDs
Provided by Moneyway
ACT is working with
the NHS Balance
magazine to
encourage staff to get
in the saddle
For more information call
ActSmart on
0845 618 7256
www.actsmart.biz
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ELECTRIC BIKES
The guide to electric bicycle industry news, products, announcements and events
FreeGo plugs dealers
into new sales drive
Electric bicycle brand FreeGo has
unveiled a brand new sales initiative
designed to direct business to its local
e-bike dealer partners. Find out more
on page 36...
Plus: New battery tech could be
set to revolutionise market (p34)
And: We look at Vauxhall’s new
concept electric bicycle (p36)
ELECTRIC BIKES
FROM THE UK'S LEADING SUPPLIER
Tel: 01279 821243 | [email protected]
www.PowaCycle.co.uk
in association with
ELECTRIC BIKES
New battery technology to
revolutionise e-bike market?
Latest technology, ten years in development, promises high-end results at far lower costs than lithium
By: Jonathon Harker
ATRAVERDA HAS created a new type of
lead battery offering performance similar
to that of lithium cells, but at a fraction
of the cost.
Atraverda’s ceramic lead batteries have
been in development for ten years and are
now being touted commercially for the
first time. The firm revealed to BikeBiz
that it is currently in discussion with five
or six companies in the electric transport
sector, with a view to signing a deal to
put its batteries into transport products.
“We have three fundamental USPs,”
Atraverda CEO Graham Ryan told BikeBiz.
“One is energy density performance at
low cost, and I think that’s crucial that we
are at low cost.
“The second is the form factor – we
can make our battery any shape we
want – so if you wanted a battery to fit
between the seat tube and the back
wheel for instance, we could actually
make a triangular battery.
“Thirdly, we at Atraverda can add layers
onto the battery to produce batteries of
different voltages.”
The Atraverda boss explained how the
gap in the battery market arrived: “There
was an initial feeling that lithium batteries
would take over the whole space. But it’s
quite interesting as the e-bike market
mirrors what we’re seeing in the overall
electric vehicle market – that yes there’s a
place for the lithium high-end, but the
vast majority of people buying etransport can’t necessarily afford it.
“The other problem is that traditional
lead acid is too heavy and bulky, so with
our technology we’re able to bridge the
gap between lead acid and lithium
batteries – we’re extending the
performance envelope of lead acid
batteries. The performance isn’t as good
as lithium, but it’s pretty close. As the
markets mature I see that there will be an
increasing need for that advanced lead
acid technology, so I see a great
opportunity for us.
“Inside it’s still a lead battery. The key
point is that our price is a quarter to 20
per cent of lithium batteries so you can
have four changes before you spend that
kind of money,” Ryan added.
Read the full interview online at
www.BikeBiz.com
Atraverda: 01495 294 026
Upper Street electrifies Cycle Show
NEC-set event to include greater focus for the e-bike industry
BIKEBIZ CAN reveal that this year’s Cycle
Show will include a ramped up electric
bike presence.
This September at the NEC
Birmingham event, Cycle Show will
include a new electric bike area in
partnership with the E4 group, the British
Electric Bicycle Association (BEBA) and
Electric Bike Magazine.
In practice, the partnership will include
a section of the show dedicated to
electric bike brands as well as an e-bikefriendly extension to the outdoor test
track. An incline challenge has been added
and electric bikes will get their own
section of the track’s pit area.
“We at BEBA strongly believe that it is
imperative to get as many people onto
the saddle of an electric bike as possible,”
said BEBA chairman David Miall. “Offering
test rides is by far the best way to
convince riders of their magic. The new
test track at this year’s Cycle Show with
34 BIKEBIZ MAY
its ramped area will enable riders to
experience the all-important hill climbing
capabilities. Electric bikes are quietly
becoming mainstream in the UK just as
they have in Holland and Germany for
the last several seasons. With all our
members reporting marked increases
in sales volumes over the spring of
2012 we are convinced that this
is the year of the electric bike
and are looking forward to
building on the success of last
year’s Cycle Show at the NEC.”
Wisper, Storck-Raddar,
EBCO, Hero Eco, Batribike,
Barnes and Robinson, Green
Zebra Cycles and Oxygen are
among the companies signed up
to the event so far.
Cycle Show 2012 runs from
September 27th to 30th. Trade day is
Thursday 27th.
www.cycleshow.co.uk
BIKEBIZ.COM
BIKEBIZ.COM
BIKEBIZ MAY 35
in association with
ELECTRIC BIKES
Brand Frees up online
sales for dealers
Sales made via FreeGo’s site will be pushed to retailers
Jonathon Harker
FREEGO HAS unveiled a new sales
initiative designed to direct online
business to its local dealers.
Customers can now buy direct from
the FreeGo website shop –
www.freegoelectricbikes.com – and
collect the bike at their local dealer,
where the bike gets its final inspection
and delivery to the customer.
FreeGo confirmed that the scheme
does not cut dealer margin.
“It’s a genuine move on our part to
underpin the relationship that we have
with dealers to provide the greatest
amount of help and assistance whilst
also providing unrivalled support for the
end customer,” the firm told BikeBiz,
adding that it is happy with its growth
over the past year.
“FreeGo’s new website shop is
indicative of how the business runs and
the ethic that is behind it, with
aggressive measures to secure sales
through e-commerce and local dealers.”
FreeGo has recently launched a new
range of mountain bikes in its Eagle
Vauxhall
drives ebikes into
the future
VAUXHALL HAS become the latest car
brand to create a concept electric bike.
The ‘RAD e’, revealed at Geneva’s
International Motor Show in March, is
the first e-bike to be designed around
automotive manufacturing methods,
according to Vauxhall. The e-bike uses a
high-end lithium-ion battery and 250
watt electric motor, providing 40Nm of
instant torque. The electrically supported
range is of 40 to 90 miles, with 20km/h
average speed ‘easily attainable’.
Vauxhall said the e-bike complemented
its urban mobility vision and also that of
the 82nd International Motor Show’s
theme – ‘Driving into the Future’.
www.vauxhall.co.uk
36 BIKEBIZ MAY
NEWS IN BRIEF
Mayor attends 3E
Electric 2012 launch
Local dignitaries, including Mayor
and Deputy Mayor of Hertsmere,
attended 3E Electric’s 2012 launch and
fourth birthday in March. 3E has five
new bikes in the new line-up,
including the 3E City Light, 3E Urban,
3E Sport, 3E Mini E Folding Electric
Bike and the bespoke Urban Retro.
At the event 3E Electric revealed
details of its warranties, which are
‘unmatched in this industry’,
according to the firm.
www.3eelectric.com 03333 551840
No go for Turbo
“It’s a genuine move
on our part to
underpin the
relationship we have
with dealers.”
FreeGo
range (pictured above), featuring either a
10ah or 17.5ah battery, Shimano
gearing, throttle control and front and
rear disc brakes.
Meanwhile last year’s Regency model,
which was initially stocked as a trial, has
proved so popular that more stock was
ordered in to cope with a growing
waiting list, according to FreeGo. The
Regency is described as ‘a nostalgia trip’
in heritage green, featuring a basket and
a skirt guard.
02380 679007
[email protected]
Specialized hit the e-bike market in
typically eye-catching fashion with
the Turbo last month. As the name
suggests, the Turbo is fast – too fast,
in fact, to be legal in the UK (it can
reach 45kph). Nevertheless, the
Turbo picked up plenty of column
inches in the press, potentially
bringing the e-bike phenomenon to
the attention of a wider audience.
The battery charges in just two hours
and is integrated into an oversized
down tube for a sleek look. Find out
more at turbo.specialized.com
Kudos for e-bike
demo day this month
Redbridge Cycling Centre will play
host to an electric bike demo day for
Kudos Cycles on May 27th.
Admission is free, but tickets will be
required (available through
www.kudoscycles.com) and will
provide access to the circuit and all
the bikes. Kudos said it has invited
competing electric bike brands to
come along too, saying: “We’re trying
to sell the electric experience. it is our
intention to arrange the suppliers in a
F1 pit style so testers can safely
arrive and leave the test bike
selection area. The event begins at
12.30 and runs until 5pm.
E-bike solves problems
in the Quantocks
An electric bike hire project had been
launched across Exmoor and the
Quantock Hills to boost visitor
numbers. Created by Exmoor National
Park and Exmoor Unplugged, the
scheme is hoping to get more people
out of their cars, reports the BBC. The
scheme is not the first of its kind in
the UK – it follows similar projects that
are already running in the Peak and
Lake Districts.
Got any Electric bike news you’d
like to see in these pages?
Then let us know at
[email protected]
BIKEBIZ.COM
BIKEBIZ.COM
BIKEBIZ MAY 37
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BIKEBIZ.COM
OUTDOOR & FITNESS
The guide to the wider outdoor industry news, products, announcements and events
Outdoor Trade Show
2012 will be in-tents
Show organiser MCS has confirmed
this year’s Outdoor Trade Show will
combine with the Tent Show, making
it the largest show of its kind in the
UK. Find out more on page 40…..
Plus: Sport Direct squares up to JJB
and Dick’s Sporting Goods (pg 40)
And: Nike and TomTom’s triathlon
and running sports watch is
showcased at the Gadget Show
Live Pro (pg 41)
NTS • SAILING
E
V
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•
G
IN
IN
A
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G
• CLIMBING • TKING • SWIMMING • RUNNIN N
N
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H
T
IA
R
T
•
UIPMENT
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• TRIATHLO
CLOTHING • EQ& SNOWBOARDING • CAMP• CLOTHING • EQUIPMENT WBOARDING
SURFING • SKI BA • KAYAKING • CAVING G • SURFING • SKI & SNO ING • CAVING
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S • SAILING
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CLIMBING • T LKING • SWIMMING • RUNNIN
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•
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• WALKING
A
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B
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P
•
M
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CA
RUNNING
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HLON • CL
OUTDOOR & FITNESS
OTS and Tent Show combo
confirmed for 2012
Outdoor Trade Show is back and looks set to be
the biggest UK outdoor show of its kind
By Jonathon Harker
THE OUTDOOR TRADE Show has
confirmed it will combine with the Tent
Show in 2012 for the biggest UK outdoor
trade show.
The event may even be the largest
outdoor tent area in Europe, said organiser
MCS.
A new website – outdoortradeshow.com
– has been launched for the 2012 Outdoor
Trade Show – now in its seventh year,
including the floor plan and exhibitor list,
as well as news and information about this
year’s show in September.
While the 2011 event saw a rise in the
number of exhibitors, up to 135 from 120,
the show saw a drop in visitor levels to
1,265 (from 1,427 in 2010). The organiser,
MCS, maintained that despite the drop,
feedback from visitors and exhibitors was
‘excellent’. This year’s combination with
the Tent Show is also expected to
invigorate the event.
“Following feedback from exhibitors and
visitors, the organisers of the show have
joined the Outdoor Trade Show with the
Tent Show for this year’s event,” said the
organisers. “This creates the largest UK
outdoor trade show and possibly the
largest outdoor tent area in Europe. This
gives retailers the chance to see all the
clothing, footwear and accessory products
at the same time as tents on the outside
grass areas at the venue.”
The OTS is also set to have a greater
social media presence too, with a Twitter
feed at @OTS2012 and Facebook site at
www.facebook.com/OTSshow.
The Outdoor Trade Show takes place at
Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, running
from September 9th to 12th (9th-11th:
Indoor and Tents, 12th: Tents only).
0161 980 7242
Dick’s arrival shakes up
High Street sports chains
US RETAILER DICK’S Sporting Goods looks
set to ride to the rescue of beleaguered UK
sports retailer JJB with a £20 million
package.
At time of press, the investment from
the 500-plus strong store chain is being
assisted by an extension of existing
arrangements from the Bank of Scotland
and from suppliers.
The investment from Dick’s will provide
the American retail chain with a presence in
the UK retail market, a potential move
which has irked UK rival Sport Direct.
Direct’s chief exec Dave Forsey told
several news outlets: “Dick’s is well known
in America for selling guns. We just want to
let them know that over here, they will
fight by our rules. We have three weapons
of our own, and the customer knows they
are unbeatable: price, price and price…Bring
it on.”
Meanwhile JJB’s chief exec welcomed
the arrangement. Keith Jones said: “We
believe this investment package and
strategic alliance with Dick’s will provide a
40 BIKEBIZ MAY
real opportunity to accelerate JJB’s
turnaround. Dick’s is a premier sporting
goods retailer and we look forward to
working with them.
“We have always said that the
turnaround of JJB was never going to be
easy or quick, and the current retail
environment has made our work even more
difficult. But we have made significant
progress since our restructuring in April last
year with the financial and commercial
support we are announcing today, we can
go further and faster and take advantage of
the tremendous opportunities we see in our
market in 2012 and beyond.”
Chairman and CEO of Dick’s Sporting
Goods Edward W. Stack added: “We believe
that JJB is a strong company with the
potential to become a leading multichannel sporting goods retailer in Britain
and Europe. We look forward to providing
the company with financial support at this
crucial stage of its turnaround and to using
our expertise in the U.S. market to help
guide its growth efforts.”
BIKEBIZ.COM
NEW PRODUCTS
OUTDOOR & FITNESS
NEWS IN BRIEF
VANGO AIRBEAM
Brits miss out on
great outdoors
Since launching the Airbeam with two models last year,
Vango has expanded its range of inflatable tents to five
models (three of which are available in two editions). Built
to replace the family tent, the Airbeams are said to take
only five minutes to put up. After pegging the tent down,
the consumer takes out the supplied pump and attaches it
The Woodland Trust and furniture
retailer IKEA have questioned 2,000
parents, revealing one in five say
they don’t spend time with their
family in local woodland as they
don’t know where to find it. A third
say they don’t have any woodland
near them to visit. Statistics from the
Woodland Trust reveal that the UK is
actually one of the least wooded
countries, with a 13 per cent covering
compared with the 44 per cent
European average. The research is a
prelude to highlighting the duo have
been creating acres (309 in fact) of
woodland since they started working
together in 2007.
in the zip up section. And that’s about it, bar the pumping.
They’re tall enough to stand up in and there are a range of
options from a quick pitch tent for couples and friends
(Flux 200, RRP £225) to the six capacity Shangri-La (RRP
£1,400) including a large living area, large windows and
plenty of storage options.
The AirBeam range scored a spot in the Gadget Show
Live’s Tech Top 20 for 2012.
www.vangoairbeam.com
£4 million investment
for Snowdonia
North Wales’ Snowdonia is in line to
become a ‘world-class outdoor
adventure centre of excellence’ via a
£4 million project. Designed to
attract more visitors, offer improved
facilities and boost local business and
communities, four key centres in
south Snowdonia will benefit. The
funding has come from the European
Regional Development Fund,
through the Welsh Government, as
well as a range of partners.
NIKE+ SPORTWATCH GPS
Ideal for the triathlon and running markets, Nike’s
TomTom team-up packs a fair bit of kit into a slim-line
watch. Offering GPS, the SportWatch measures time,
pace and distance along with calories burned and heart
rate (the latter available if the Polar WearLink
transmitter is purchased). A clear, backlit screen provides
statistics at a glance and even messages encouraging
the user to have a run if they’ve been slacking off.
Attractively packaged, the Nike+ Sportwatch GPS has
a USB connector built into the watchstrap for the allimportant upload of run data. When sent to a computer,
the user can keep tabs on their training progress and
upload to the nikeplus community.
There’s also a new TomTom Rider in the works.
Primarily pitched at motorbikes, the waterproof
navigation tool can also be used on the bicycle and
features a touchscreen that can be operated while
wearing gloves, set to retail circa £250.
www.nike.com
FIBO body-builds
presence for USN
Germany’s FIBO event, which took
place mid-April, saw sports nutrition
firm USN show off new products,
including the Protein Delite Bars and
Hardcore Whey. USN’s stand included
competitions, athlete interviews and
routines by bodybuilders. FIBO saw
over 600 exhibitors and circa 58,000
visitors attend over four days at the
Exhibition Centre Essen, Germany.
www.fibo.de
EUREKA! N!ERGY TENTS
They might have patience-testing
punctuation, but the current
collection of N!ergy tents have the
potential to switch consumers on
with the convenience of built-in
power. The N!ergy Grand (retailing
for a cool £1,099.99) is the top of
the range tent, boasting a spacious
living area, generous head space
and seven ‘Clearvu’ windows. You
can fit a camping table and chairs
in the recreational zone and the
tent sleeps four to six persons.
Despite packing power, the tent has
a small pack size, boasts Eureka.
www.eurekatent.com
BIKEBIZ.COM
Thule takes bite of
the iPad Apple
Swedish roof rack and bike carrier
brand Thule has scored the not
inconsiderable coup of retailing a
range of ‘Apple carry solutions’ in
Apple stores. Thule’s new Applespecific cases and backpacks have
been created following Apple
approaching the brand looking for a
way to bring rugged outdoor carry
solutions to its sleek product range.
www.thulegroup.com
Got any outdoors news you’d
like to see in these pages?
Then let us know at
[email protected]
BIKEBIZ MAY 41
INVITATION TO TENDER: PROVISION
OF BIKEABILITY TRAINING
The Council wishes to establish an agreement with a suitable firm
from whom the provision for an Approved ‘Bikeability’ Training
Scheme may be commissioned.The agreement will be in place
for an initial period of seven months commencing 1 September
2012 until 31 March 2013, with the opportunity for two further
one-year extensions dependant upon funding and performance.
Business totalling some £460k for the training of 11,500 children
during the potential thirty-one months contract may be placed
under the agreement, which will be established by means of a
competitive tender exercise. The estimated value of the initial
seven months contract period is £80k. This contract is for the
whole county of Cambridgeshire with a few exceptions. A full list
of participating schools is included in the tender documents.
Cambridgeshire County Council will be conducting this
procurement through the e-tender portal
https://lgss.bravosolution.co.uk Reference Bravo ITT 28588
Tender documents and other information must be downloaded
from and returned through this portal. If you require any further
assistance the Bravosolution help desk is available on:
Email: [email protected] Phone: 0800 368 4850
BY
42 BIKEBIZ MAY
Please note that the deadline for receipt of completed
applications is 12.00 noon 25 May 2012
BIKEBIZ.COM
PEOPLE | RECRUITMENT
Send your recruitment news to
[email protected]
Matt Skinner departs as WMB editor
Marin gets Gosling as UK brand manager Uli to oversea Lezyne global sales Four Felt moves
FUTURE PUBLISHING Having been at
Future for nearly a decade, What Mountain Bike
editor Matt Skinner has departed.
In his final email to industry colleagues from
Future HQ, Skinner said: “I am moving on to
fresh challenges outside of journalism but will
(thankfully) still be in the bike biz so will no
doubt continue to bump into many of you out
on the trail, in the corner of a muddy field, or
pounding the aisles at shows. “I will be leaving WMB in the capable
mountain biking and editing hands of my
replacement, Steve Williams (CCed). Steve can
be contacted via e-mail (steve.williams@
futurenet.com) as well as via the normal WMB
office number (+44 (0) 1225 442244 x2215)
so feel free to introduce yourselves.”
ATB AND MARIN ATB Sales has
appointed trade veteran Clive Gosling as the
UK brand manager for Marin Bikes.
The appointment comes as the brand has
outlined plans to boost its human resources on
the back of a cash injection from European
Matt Skinner
Clive Gosling
investment firm The Minestone Group. “This is
a very exciting opportunity, Marin has always
been such a strong player in the UK, but the
market has become far more competitive in
recent years and all brands need to up their
game to remain strong,” Gosling stated.
“There’s 25 years of pedigree and heritage
that needs shouting about and some great
products coming down the line, but short term
I shall be helping the sales team focus on
Marin’s spring promotion to get those tills
ringing before the spring summer rush, and to
capitalise on our stock position when other
brands seem to have under ordered.”
Gosling starts immediately and can be
reached at [email protected]
LEZYNE After a two years handling the
firm’s European sales and marketing, Lezyne’s
Ulrike “Uli” Schlifske has assumed the position
of global sales coordinator. Schlifske will
oversee all Lezyne accounts and sales staff
worldwide with the ongoing goal of growing
sales and developing key markets into 2013.
“Uli has demonstrated time and again her
skill for managing Lezyne accounts and
understanding the challenges faced in each
market,” said Micki Kozuschek, Lezyne owner
and CEO. “We believe she has what it takes to
move our sales to the next level. We are very
proud to have her as a member of our team.”
FELT BICYCLES Two new appointments
have been made at Felt this month, boosting
the marketing and creative departments at the
Irvine headquarters.
Skyler Wallace joins Felt as brand marketing
manager. An avid cyclist and triathlete with
advertising agency and marketing experience,
he will oversee all of Felt’s brand-related efforts
including print and digital advertising,
brochures, consumer and social site efforts, and
identity-related marketing. In conjunction,
Doug Martin becomes Felt’s new sports
marketing director. In Felt’s in-house creative
department, veteran artist Bob Thomson has
been promoted to senior graphic designer, while
Cody Alderson has joined as graphic designer.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Schwalbe UK is part of Ralf Bohle Group, a family owned company based near Cologne, which
has additional subsidiaries in Holland, France, Italy and Indonesia. The success of the company’s
SCHWALBE brand in Europe and its growing global presence, coupled with Schwalbe UK’s move
to a purpose-built distribution centre located in Telford, Shropshire in May 2008, means that the
company is now well poised to take forward its ambitious programme of expanding its brand
penetration within the UK. Having appointed our first promoter in 2009, and a second in 2011,
which replicated a model proven in both Germany and Holland, and to build on this success the
company’s wishes to invest in a further top class SALES PROMOTER, who will be regionally
active in the South of England and who should ideally have a comprehensive knowledge of the
industry and be technically minded.
If the idea appeals to you of taking up an important role within a financially sound, international
company and you are comfortable working with colleagues who are passionate about the
products they create and sell, entrepreneurially spirited and single-minded about success, you
will fit in very well.
THE ROLE
A core part of our business plan is to extend the support currently offered to our wholesale
distributors by promoting the SCHWALBE brand directly to retail accounts. Reporting to the
Commercial and Product Managers and liaising with our other Promoters and internal sales staff,
you will create a considered business plan demonstrating how you will grow the brand and achieve
targets. You will be responsible for maintaining excellent customer relations with our extensive
network of wholesale distributors and the implementation of key strategic, partnerships, building
and promoting SCHWALBE directly to retailers. You will therefore focus on introducing our brand to
potential retailers, while growing and nurturing existing retail accounts on a face to face basis,
helping them to understand and appreciate our varied and technical product range and also promote
point of sale material including our Shop System.
This is an exciting opportunity for you to manage and foster our business, as you will be instrumental
in achieving company sales targets by pro-actively promoting the technical sales of products.
OBJECTIVES
• Clear and effective communication and collaboration with our
wholesale distribution partners
• Work from daily and weekly contact records, prioritising and
making calls to and defining your regional customer base
• Recruit new retail accounts by gaining a clear understanding
of customers’ businesses and requirements
• Maintain and develop relationships with existing retail
customers via meetings, telephone calls and emails
DEVELOPMENT
• Ensure that each retail account is maximising their potential
through close liaison with the relevant wholesale distributor
• Participate in management meetings and training that may
be required to understand wider company goals and strategy
• Help reach and exceed the aims and defined targets set by
the Commercial Manager / Product Manager
• Gather good product, market and customer knowledge to
enhance selling abilities
• Represent the company at trade exhibitions, events and races
Analysis
• Take responsibility and be accountable for the growth of your
customer base
• Recognise and feedback future buying trends within the
product range
ENTERPRISE
• Grasp opportunities to improve business
• Be creative to overcome challenges
PERSONAL QUALITIES
• Cycling-minded, energetic and self-motivated
All responses
be treated in strict confidence
IN THE FIRST INSTANCE PLEASE SEND YOUR CV AND REMUNERATION DETAILS
TO:will
[email protected]
BIKEBIZ.COM
BIKEBIZ MAY 43
44 BIKEBIZ MAY
BIKEBIZ.COM
RETAIL ONLY
The trade’s guide to sourcing stock, up-and-coming IBDs and the very latest products
RETAIL
COMMENT
IS THERE A TIME of year when bike theft hots up? It seems
that when we report one slightly elaborate case on
BikeBiz.com, soon after our inboxes and Twitter feeds deliver
more bad news by the truckload.
I’ll not need to remind anyone to be vigilant in guarding
their shop floors and double checking card payments.
However, in a worrying and somewhat surprising twist,
recent stories that I’ve reported on point to organised
operations, as well as well rehearsed and equipped scallies
carrying out smash and grabs.
First there was our bogus policeman who was doing the
rounds throughout February, duping retailers from London to
Cambridge using a fake police warrant card to earn a test
ride on top end Madones and Roubaixs from which he’d
never return.
A regular on BikeBiz’s trade only forum informed fellow
users that the police had the wannabe cop in custody. What’s
the betting he’s charged with impersonating a police officer
and let off with a slap on the wrist for the missing bikes?
“In this case the thief even had the
audacity to return for a brief sizing
adjust before taking off with the bike
for good...”
In the past month we’ve had a crook leaving behind
copied batches of keys as collateral, hinting that they’d open
a car in a nearby car park. They of course, do not. In this
case, the thief has even had the audacity to test ride a bike
in the car park, return for a proper sizing up, before taking off
for good. A BikeBiz forum user suggested that the tally
pinched by this fraudster was nearing 20. As you’d expect,
none cheap, either.
Once more, this suspect wasn’t afraid of clocking up some
mileage to avoid detection, striking at stores nearly 300
miles apart and thus involving multiple police forces. Luckily,
in this case I’ve been informed good progress has been made
in pinning the suspect to an address. It is, however,
disheartening to hear that, despite the best efforts to bring
some to justice, many retailers also have little faith in the
justice system securing a convinction for ‘just a bicycle thief’.
So what are we to do?
My suggestion, as if the majority hadn’t thought of this
already, would be to photograph everyone seeking a test ride
and refuse anyone unwilling to leave photo ID.
For internet orders for which address disparities appear,
yet where payments often seemingly go through, it’s worth
having the customer’s phone number to hand and a ‘security
question’ perhaps relating a location nearby to the delivery
area to hand.
[email protected]
IN THIS MONTH’S ISSUE
PROFILE: HOOKED ON CYCLING
47
Bathgate’s premier bike shop-come cycle tour operator
talks about balancing the two businesses.
NEW PRODUCTS
52
BikeBiz rounds up the month’s latest product releases, both
new to market and due for delivery shortly.
NUTRITION GOODS
Sales of nutrition products lacking the energy they
promote? BikeBiz rounds up what’s new to market.
48
DEALER PROFILE | HOOKED ON CYCLING
Hooked on Cycling
Hook, line and sinker
Location: 17b Glasgow Road, Bathgate,
West Lothian, EH48 2AG
Telephone: 01506 631919 (retail shop)
01501 740985 (cycle holiday business)
Web: www.hookedoncycling.co.uk (cycling holidays)
www.hookedoncanada.co.uk (cycling holidays)
www.hookedoncycling.eu (shop)
Want to book a cycle holiday? Check. Want to buy a bike? Check. Jonathon Harker speaks to Hooked
on Cycling’s Jon Hook about his multi-faceted bike business…
Hooked on Cycling is a cycling holiday
business as well as a retail shop?
When we started in 1997 we didn’t know
whether to start in the cycle holiday business
or retail, but we decided on the former at that
time. In some respects, that was a good
decision because now we’ve grown that side of
the business and probably have one of the
largest cycle holiday businesses in the UK, with
over 2,000 cyclists on holiday each year. The
retail part launched in November 2010.
And what prompted you to launch the shop?
We’ve always been looking around for
potentially building a retail business. The
holiday side of the business generates lots of
income during the summer months, but not
much in the winter months. I know obviously
historically the first quarter is usually pretty
poor for cycle retailers, but it gives a boost in
the fourth quarter.
We wouldn’t have launched it if we didn’t
have the prime location and the right brands
wanting to come on board – and the right
people to run it at that time and obviously the
cash to invest.
We perceived a growth in the road side, so
we invested quite heavily in high-end road bikes
and high-end MTBs, plus hybrids, city bikes and
hire bikes.
We’re in a central part of Scotland that is
seeing investment in industry and lots of house
BIKEBIZ.COM
building, so the population is growing strongly
here compared to other parts of Scotland. The
local market is expanding.
Those who are serious about cycling
probably already had relationships with other
shops, so they’d only come to us if they wanted
a brand we stocked.
And there’s the people who are new to
cycling. Those 40-plus customers who want to
get riding are our bread and butter.
Has business been strong on the retail side
since launch?
We broke even in the first 12 months, which
was good. Since the Christmas period finished it
really hasn’t dropped at all and has carried on
growing into February and March.
How about the holiday market? Is that
market generally buoyant?
Yes, our turnover and profit has always grown.
Some times you might find the numbers
haven’t changed much, but we’ve always turned
a profit. We’re very strong online – it’s not just
UK customers. Probably around 50 to 55 per
cent of our holiday customers are non-UK.
There are Americans and Canadians – generally
always English speaking – as well as customers
from South Africa, Israel, New Zealand and
Australia. We do quite well in Scandinavia and
we’ve had a good run of those incoming to the
UK from Europe. It’s quite well balanced.
“The holiday
side of the
business
generates a big
income boost
in the summer
months...”
Which destinations are the most popular?
Italy is always our number one country – it has
been for the last three or four years, with Austria
next. But the Austria figure is distorted with the
popularity of the Danube ride – a top ride – so if
you took that out it would drop in the list.
You’re at the Scottish Bike Show again?
Last year a lot of people went there to retail,
but we were there to show the brand and the
kind of bikes we had in store. This year we’re
doing it a little bit different. We are retailing
this time and the stand is quite long so we’re
splitting it in three areas hitting different levels
of cyclists, from ‘getting started’ ‘get dreaming’
for the high-end stuff. We’re trying to mark a
difference from last year and stay ahead of the
competition at the show.
What are your ambitions for the short term?
Our real ambition is to make sure the cycle
shop is somewhere people want to come and
visit. Whether they’re buying a £10 pump or a
£3,000 bike, we treat our customers the same. I
think there are places where if you’re not
buying a high-end road bike you tend to get
looked down on, but we’re not like that at all.
Trying to grow our customer base and make
sure everyone who comes in has a good
experience is our ambition. It’s great to grow
turnover and generating profit, but it’s important
to be associated with good customer service.
BIKEBIZ MAY 47
SECTOR GUIDE | NUTRITION GOODS
Sales Fatigue?
No fear, BikeBiz is here with a round up of the market’s best-selling nutrition goods. From jelly beans,
to gels, powders and energy bars, Mark Sutton puts on a spread for your eyes to feast upon…
Saddleback
THOUGH IT claims to sell the UK’s
number one recovery product, For
Goodness Shakes isn’t a one-trick pony.
In fact, those who attended Core Bike in
January would have been introduced to
another product that the firm believes
to be a ground breaker – Nectar.
The concentrated formula, supplied in
a two-litre tank, enables athletes to
dictate their own dose, with each pump
delivering a 25ml shot to be diluted
with water. As a guideline, one squirt
mixed with 500ml of water will create a
hypotonic drink offering three per cent
carbohydrate. Two more doses and
you’ll create a ‘hypertonic’ blend, ideal
for intensive exercise sessions.
Unusually, Nectar delivers 5-ION
electrolytes (Sodium, Potassium,
Magnesium, Chloride and Calcium) to
maintain optimum hydration.
Two flavours, Light Orange and
Lemon Lime are currently stocked by
Saddleback, each costing £25 and
making 80 500ml servings when mixed
as a Hypotonic.
01454 299965
Extra
Zyro
EXTRA’S MAIN nutrition label comes
from Accelerade, of which the flagship
powder product revolves around a 4:1
ratio of carbohydrate to protein. The
30 to 60 serving tubs cost between
£21.99 and £37.49 at retail and come
in a variety of flavours, from the fruity,
to classic and palatable mixes
resembling lemonade.
Accelerade aside and touted as a
‘fun way to top up energy levels’, Jelly
Belly Sports beans, costing £1.49 at
retail, are stocked by Extra in seven
flavours.
These jelly beans have been
specially formulated to fuel the body
during exercise with carbohydrates,
electrolytes and vitamins C and E. They
pack as much punch per serving as
competitor’s energy products in nonliquid form and allow you to eat just
what you need for optimal
performance. Each serving provides 25
grams of carbohydrates to fuel your
THOSE WITH a Zyro account have
access to Powerbar's tried and tested
catalogue, which this year sees an
extended sachet range with the
introduction of Recovery Regeneration
drink, at £1.50 per sachet, and the
dynamic Charger at £2.00 per sachet.
Landing in stock as this issue hits
doormats, dealers will also have access
to Powerbar's new natural energy Fruit
and Nut bar at £1.40 (retail) per bar.
This new bar has a denser, more moist,
cake-like consistency and uses only five
natural ingredients.
If your customer is seeking strength
or recovery supplements, Powerbar
products such as the Charger are
touted as a 'pre workout loader'.
Further to this, Zyro carries
Powerbar's Beta Alanine product,
designed to be used as a lactic acid
buffer, so perfect for endurance events
to keep you riding hard for longer. By
selling it in tablet form, PowerBar has
48 BIKEBIZ MAY
body during intense activity and
120mg of electrolytes, which are
essential for metabolising
carbohydrates and maintaining
hydration.
01933 672 170
also made it easier to consume than in
powdered form.
01845 521700
BIKEBIZ.COM
SECTOR GUIDE | NUTRITION GOODS
Nuun
HOLDING CLAIM to being the
creator of dissolvable hydration
tabs some ten years ago, Nuun
has this year rebranded with a
new logo and branded packaging.
The sugar-free recipe is now
delivered in 11 flavours, five new
to the range this year. These
include tropical blends, cola,
lemon tea, grape, fruit punch, triberry and many others.
12 tablets come inside a tube,
each dissolving in 500ml of
water to create a hydrating blend
with optimal salt balance to stop
stomach cramping. The blend
also contains sodium, potassium
to assist muscle and brain
impulses, magnesium to further
prevent cramping and calcium,
which assists maintaining a
normal heart rhythm during
exercise.
Nuun has offices in Bath and
Seattle, Washington where its
passionate athlete-employees
are intensely active in triathlon,
cycling, yoga and climbing.
01225 442915
2pure
Chicken
Cyclekit
PROVIDING BRITISH Cycling and Team
Sky with its fuel, Gatorade now has its
portfolio carried by Chicken Cyclekit.
Comprising three types of product –
Prime, Perform and Recover – the first is
a Gatorade’s answer to pre exercise
energy top-ups. The Prime solution aids
the body’s energy metabolism and will
not cause indigestion.
The second, Perform, is a
carbohydrate-electrolyte drink that
helps cyclists refuel, replenish, and also
rehydrate, whilst performing. It replaces
the fluid and electrolytes lost during
exercise, ensuring rapid rehydration. The
five-litre Canister will mix ten 500ml
servings and is also available in ‘Single
Serve Stix’.
Last of all is the post-ride Recover
blend, supplied in 500ml bottles, which
is a protein, carbohydrate and
electrolyte beverage formulated with
the consistency of a thirst quencher to
provide hydration and muscle recovery
after exercise.
01525 381347
CLIF SHOT takes a streamlined
approach to performance
nutrition – delivering only what
the body needs most while
training and racing. Organic
ingredients help provide clean
essential energy and hydration,
plus fast muscle recovery.
At £1.29 per sachet, Clif’s
energy gel combines two
carbohydrate sources that work
together efficiently – maltodextrin
and evaporated cane juice – to
deliver energy to the bloodstream
in five minutes or less. Available in
four flavours: Citrus, Double
Expresso, Razz and Chocolate;
each contains wholesome
ingredients like fruit and cocoa.
Furthermore, the liquid is blended
to a thin consistency.
With two caffeinated flavours,
Citrus (25mg) and Double
Expresso (100mg), Clif Shot
provides options for customised
caffeine intake. Comparable to
about two shots of espresso, or
one 12oz cup of drip coffee,
Double Expresso offers the highest level
of caffeine in any energy gel.
The solution is housed in a
streamlined package with a small
opening for easier eating and rounded
corners for carrying convenience. The
packet also features the patented ‘Litter
Leash’ to keep the torn-off tops from
littering trails and roads.
0844 811 2001
>>>
BIKEBIZ.COM
BIKEBIZ MAY 49
SECTOR GUIDE | NUTRITION GOODS
>>>
Hotlines
JUST LAST month, Hotlines
announced the distribution
of High5 nutrition goods,
which has a number of new
products for 2012, including
the brand's first foray into
dissolvable tablets.
Product highlights include
the EnergyGel Plus, which is
a high carbohydrate, ultra
concentrated fourth
generation gel, enhanced
with Caffeine. Each 38-gram
sachet contains 23 grams of
carbohydrate to provide
instant energy. Caffeine is
added to increase endurance
and explosive effort. Each
99p sachet is easy to open,
easy to swallow and, yes,
easy to digest too.
Another staple of the
range is the Energy Bar,
retailing at £1.19 each and sold
to dealers in boxes of 25. The 98
per cent fat free bar has a balance of
simple and complex carbohydrates to
provide both fast and sustained energy.
Each is made from real fruit (58 per
50 BIKEBIZ MAY
i-ride
cent) and wholesome grains (22 per
cent) and are a nutritionally complete.
0131 319 1444
FOR THOSE customers yet to decide
where to begin with sports nutrition, iride stocks a ZipVit ‘Sampler Box’,
which retails for just £9.99 and comes
with a free water bottle.
The sampler contains one satchet
of energy drink power, a pack of
energy chews, a protein bar, energy
bar and a gel satchet.
For those who do know what
they’re shopping for, the catalogue is
extensive and covers everything from
powders to gels and more. A good
place to begin for those after a
recovery solution is the ZV5 Night
Time recovery tub, containing 870
grams of chocolate flavoured formula,
designed to slowly release proteins,
acid buffers and glutamine. The blend
contains no artificial colours,
preservatives or flavourings.
ZipVit also now produces a line of
vitamins and supplements designed to
meet the needs of endurance athletes.
01444 243000
BIKEBIZ.COM
S
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O OW TS E
12
IN N IS
Y E K ID W 20
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B B TO I-R NE FOR
T ILA G S
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EA VA IN CT S O ON
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Photography: ©TDWsport.com
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PR
MARKETING SUPPORT
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PRODUCTS | NEW RELEASES
New gear
This month BikeBiz dons a Race Cape and illuminates
the West Yorkshire Dales with the help of Singletrack’s
Benjamin Hayworth...
V2 XML light
MTB Batteries: 07527 508273
MARK TWO of MTB Batteries XML light has been
revised largley on trade feedback for the original.
Most notably, the anodised black shell is entirely
new It carries several cut outs to disperse heat faster,
while the body has received an anodic oxidation
treatment.
The illuminated end cap remains, indicating the
remaining charge. Four modes feature this time
around, from high, through medium, weak and flash.
On full beam, a very reasonable 1,000 lumens, riders
can achieve three hours use.
The battery is a four cell, 4.4ah Lithium Ion unit
with a protection circuit fitted and all contained inside
a waterproof cover.
Helmet straps are supplied, as are two sizes of Oring for varying handlebar thicknesses.
MTB Batteries has also taken stock of a front and
rear silicone wrap light, holding two LEDs and running
from a replaceable Coin Cell battery. The lights, which
come packaged in a Tour de France branded case, run
on both constant and flash.
Endura FS260 Race Cape
Renthal 30mm Fatbar
Carradice Cavo pannier
Direct: 01506 497749
Ison: 01353 662662
Direct: 01282 615886
PEOPLE TEND to avoid people in capes. So thankfully,
though it’s called the Race Cape, Endura's new
garment isn't actually the kind of thing you'd see
Batman sporting on his crime-fighting 'Batmobike.'
It is instead a European style road cycling piece
from Endura’s FS260 Pro Series. Made out of a
transparent, lightweight waterproof fabric that is
highly breathable, this jacket is the perfect weather
protection solution for race day since it allows for
the race-number on the jersey underneath to be
visible at all times.
The fabric is waterproof to a water column of
15,000mm and the breathability of the fabric
reaches a value of 20,000g/m2/24hrs. Pull-on/off
elasticated cuffs and collar, as well as a long frontal
zip make quick removal a doddle.
The FS260-Pro Adrenaline Race Cape is available
in sizes S-XXL and retails at £59.99.
PLUGGING A gap in the already established Fatbar
range, Renthal has introduced a 30mm riser. The
firm's thinking is to offer a bar for the serious
downhill rider. With courses including steeper
obstacles and top tube decreasing in length, Renthal
believes a swing back toward higher rise bars was
inevitable.
The Fatboy is also available from Ison Distribution
in a 10, 20 and 38mm rise and will cost £59.99 at
retail.
BRITISH BAG brand Carradice has linked with
renowned clothing designer Ally Capellino to create a
three bag line suited to cycling.
Made in proofed waxed cotton with a fully
waterproof lining and with heavy leather trims, the
pannier has a removable shoulder strap while the
rucksack and dispatch bag both have a dedicated
laptop section. For extreme weather conditions, the
pannier and rucksack both have the option of a
waterproof outer cover.
All have a silver reflective trim for night time
visibility.
The range will be available to Carradice stockists
from early May 2012.
52 BIKEBIZ MAY
BIKEBIZ.COM
PRODUCTS | NEW RELEASES
GET YOUR NEW PRODUCTS FEATURES IN
Send your product details including a hi-res photo and brief description of the product.
Email [email protected]. Or call Mark on +44 (0)1992 535646 for a chat
West Yorkshire MTB Guide
www.v-publishing.co.uk
THE 14TH instalment to Vertebrate Publishing’s ride
guides covers some of the most famous and wellridden off road tracks in the UK – home of Singletrack
magazine and many other UK cycling businesses, West
Yorkshire.
Authored by Singletrack’s own Benjamin Hayworth,
an expert on the South Pennines, the guide documents
the best trails found around Bradford, Leeds,
Calderdale and Kirklees.
Ordinance Survey maps feature throughout the 23
documented routes, which are all illustrated by
stunning scenery shots from Hayworth’s own lense.
Commenting on the book, Vertebrate’s publishing
manager John Coefield told BikeBiz: "Although we
have expanded the scope of our publishing list into
other genres since we first published Dark Peak
Mountain Biking, our MTB guides are still the heart
and soul of our business. The opportunity to work
with Benji has proved extremely rewarding.”
Avid XO Trail brake
Truvativ Noir T40 Bar
Lotek 2012 shoes
Fisher Outdoor: 01727 798345
Fisher Outdoor: 01727 798345
Seventies: 0845 3103670
SRAM HAS expanded the XO family with the
addition of a new four-piston, 345-gram Avid XO
trail brake, set to land mid-July.
A lighter cross country model, weighing 315
grams, will accompany the new product and feature
the same tool-free reach adjust, MatchMaker
compatibility and aluminium caliper body.
Changes at the lever include better sealing, as well
as a sealed pivot bearing for a smooth, wobble-free
contact.
Avid have also added a 170mm rotor to the line,
giving riders of this model a choice of 160mm
through 200mm rotors.
THE NOIR carbon handlebar family, form Truvativ, is
to expand again with the introduction of the T40, the
first 720mm width bar in the range.
At 215 grams, with five degrees up sweep and
nine back sweep, the Noir T40 will provide a stable
platform for those looking for maximum control and
comfort while negotiating the trails.
Landing this July, the bar will be available in red,
blue or silver and will complement a line of
matching Noir T40 seatposts with identical graphics.
A LONG overdue improvement in footbed
technology for BMX riders seems to have arrived
with Lotek’s 2012 shoe line, which introduces
signature models from Craig Passero and Mike Hoder,
while maintaining Mike Aitken's classic model.
Colin White of Lotek’s UK distributor Seventies
told BikeBiz: "All this year’s range have a totally
redesigned sole pattern with a solid 6mm heel pad
for braking. The shoes also feature a waxed Suede
upper and a full length moulded eva footbed.”
Stock of the three models landed with Seventies
earlier this month.
BIKEBIZ.COM
BIKEBIZ MAY 53
Distributed in the UK by:
www.hotlines-uk.com I Email: [email protected] I Tel: 0131 319 1444
SECTOR GUIDE | WOMEN’S PRODUCTS
The female of the species
…is as profitable as the male, so stocking the kind of kit that will appeal to women is more essential
than rainwear during a British summer. Jonathon Harker presents a round-up…
Extra UK
MONTANE’S FEATHERLITE Velo jacket for
ladies is an ultra-lightweight endurance
riding jacket, made of Pertex Microlight
material that provides protection from
the wind and fast drying to boot.
It features rear ‘Afterburner’ vents that
help keep core body temperature stable
and full body ‘Dusk till Dawn’ reflectivity
for rides that run into the night.
Extra also supplies the Fizik Vesta
saddle, a women-specific model with an
Ergonomically-shaped base and concave
central zone designed for comfort relief in
sensitive areas. The integrated clip system
accepts Fizik bags and lights, and the
WingFlex allows thighs to move freely.
Sticking with Fizik, the firm also offers
the R3 Donna shoes for women.
Designed to match the (typically)
smaller anatomy of a woman’s foot, the
R3 Donna has the same features as the
R1 sole with a Kangaroo/Microtex upper.
Kangaroo Leather/Microtex upper. The
R3 Donna shoes are compatible with any
three-bolt cleat system, feature a 3D Flex
System Carbon Outsole and Sail cloth
closure straps.
www.extrauk.co.uk
Rapha
THE WOMEN’S Merino Jersey, in grey
and cream merino wool, is the first item
in the City Riding range. Also new this
year is the Lightweight Jersey, made for
hot summer riding, with a flattering cut
for women and available in two colours –
cream with a red arm band and
Moroccan blue with a white arm band.
The firm also has V-Neck base layers
in stock, which come in a high-wicking
ultra-fine Merino wool that is perfect for
summer. The cut of the V-Neck makes it
more feminine, says Rapha, and it comes
in pastels for spring (cream and pink) and
also black. As we known by now, the
merino wool is high-wicking, naturally
anti-bacterial and comfortable.
Rapha also stocks a Silk Scarf, ideal
and stylish for those chilly mornings in
Veho
the saddle while cycling in the city.
www.rapha.cc
IN AN effort to bring you
an eclectic mix of product,
we next bring you the Pink
Peddle Smartstick. This
Portable Battery keeps
devices charged on the go,
which is ideal for longer
days in the saddle. The tidy
package promises to work
for all mobile devices and
is available in a variety of
colours. The pink version,
when purchased, sees £1
donated to the Breast
Cancer Campaign. Veho
has so far raised £25k for BCC through
sales of the unit and a variety of other
ways, including its regular Charity
Buffera
Avocet
WOMEN’S SLIM Fit Buff is a femalefriendly iteration of the product Buff
is famous for. It’s as versatile as the
Original Buff, meaning it can be
worn in up to 12 different ways for
protection and comfort – as a
bandana, head band and yep, ten
other ways too. However, this slim
fit female version is slightly smaller
and the designs – of which there are
many – are more feminine. Aside
from good old-fashioned black there
is paisley-ish Quak, Easterninfluenced Sultan and plenty more.
Recommended retail price is £13.00.
Contact UK distributor Buffera to
find out more or place an order. You can
also obtain more information at
AVOCET’S WOMENSPECIFIC models include
the Viking Elysee (RRP
£325.00) a sporty road
option, as is the Whistle
Win Sora (RRP £799.99)
the latter featuring
hydroformed lightweight
aluminium triple butted
custom frame and geometry tailored
for both the track and road. There are also seven ladies-specific
models in the 2012 Viking Heritage
range including the six-speed Vitesse
(RRP £219.99), which features a
traditional low step over top tube.
The line-up includes two single speed
options: the Pinewood (RRP £199.99)
www.buffwear.co.uk
01707 852246
Football Match. Veho is distributed to
the trade via Raleigh.
0800 096 9060
and Westwood (RRP £209.99). Other
heritage offerings from the brand include
the seven-speed Prelude 7 (RRP
£229.99), the three-speed Downtown
(RRP £269.99), the Déjà Vu three-speed
(RRP £299.99) and the Paris six speed
(RRP £299.99). And then there’s the Déjà
Vu, of course (sorry).
0161 727 8505
>>>
BIKEBIZ.COM
BIKEBIZ MAY 55
SECTOR GUIDE | WOMEN’S PRODUCTS
>>>
Muc-Off
WE’RE GOING to adhere to
a stereotype or two here, but
based on the assumption
that women care more
about how they smell than
men do, the Muc Off Dry
Shower is a product perfectly
poised for the female cyclist
sector. Probably suited best
to commuters keen not to
whiff when they start work
in the morning, the Dry
Shower has been formulated
to kill odour-causing
bacteria. It’s pH balanced
and free from Parabens,
Formaldehyde and Alcohol.
So how does it perform? The
not-so secret ingredient is
derived from coconut. It’s
suitable for sensitive skin and
leaves the skin clean and
moisturised.
Fisher Outdoor
Leisure
THE SANTINI women’s clothing offering
continues to grow for 2012, with the
brand promising the range is elegant and
performance-related, rather than
featuring token ‘girly’ items. It includes
the ASA jersey, which is pitched at the
enthusiast and uses E1 race cut and high
performance stretch fabric. For entry
level the Yoru Jersey uses E3 cut
reflective detailing and comfortable soft
handle microfibre fabrics.
The Fair three-quarter lengths and
shorts are an established favourite in the
range, while the ASA Short Sleeve Jersey
features two-way stretch and breathable
Carezza fabric (RRP £69.99). The Fair
three-quarter length anatomic knickers
Whatever sex your
customer is, if they’ve
got a bike they might
be interested in a
variety of cleaning and
maintenance product,
such as Muc Off’s C3
Ceramic Lube.
Muc Off is distributed
to the trade by CSG
UK, Walkers Cycles,
Paligap and others.
and shorts use
Santini’s
Newport fabric,
silicon leg gripers
and smooth flat
stitched seams
for comfort,
while the
Women’s Yoru
Short Sleeve
Jersey Giro uses
soft micro fibre touch fabrics giving a
natural fibre handle. Sporting breathable
mesh side inserts, a 75cm reversed
divisible zipper and triple back pocket,
the Yoru also uses a Santini internal
elasticated silicon gripper to keep the
jersey in place. It comes in red and white,
blue and white, and purple and white
(RRP £54.99).
www.fisherb2b.com
2pure
POC HAS now arrived in
the UK and the brand has
an offering designed for
female MTBers. The colour
palettes are super bright
and designed to be unisex,
however, POC has cut tshirts specifically for the
female shape.
The Colours t-shirt is
made of 100 per cent
cotton with a high quality
print designed to
withstand all the wears
and tears of riding. There
are also Merino wool
headbands offered by
POC, as well as Merino
wool socks and hoodies, all
designed with the female
MTBer in mind. [email protected]
Fli Distribution
IT WON’T come as a shock to hear
that KTM’s City Universe 7 is built for
urban and city riders. It comes fully
built with all racks, mudguards,
dynamo light and kick stand as well as
Shimano Nexus 7 speed gearing.
Three size options are available
and the RRP is £549.99.
Moore Large
Polaris
FORME OFFERS Feminine Ergo
(FE) models for ladies, with a
compact design, shorter top tube and
longer steering tube. Meanwhile One23
designed components offer comfort, with
female-specific models available in road,
urban, hybrid and MTB.
Lake’s shoes include the MX160 and
CX160 shoes for £74.99. The MX160 MTB
comes with Lake’s race sole and nonmarking rubber outersole while the
CX160 road comes with a competition
fibreglass-injected nylon outsole. The new
TX211 Tri shoe retails at £89.99. Lake has
introduced the MX100 with a Trail Vibram
outsole (£74.99). Lake also offers active
life cycle shoes, designed for those who
want to ride in or outdoors (£69.99).
POLARIS HAS a new and
improved version of the
Mica, made from the same
fabric as the brand’s Niteride.
The Wind-X fabric has a
windproof membrane
bonded into the fabric,
blocking out windchill whilst
presenting a soft fleece lined inner
(RRP £54.99).
This year Polaris has also updated
the She-Quartz, a ladies-specific three
quarters. With the introduction of
mesh panelling in all the high heat
areas to aid heat transfer thus
increasing comfort, and an ergonomic
fit and pad designed specifically with
the needs of female riders in mind.
56 BIKEBIZ MAY
Knog has a
huge range of
female-friendly locks
available in many colours, with cable
locks using a fibre core steel cable, unique
to bicycle locks. All Limar models have a
crash replacement programme and
feature InMould technology and Coolmax
Pads. Limar offers female-specific designs
in the 777 road, 575 MTB, 525 Sport
Action, X Gen, teen and kids ranges.
01332 274252
The brand also supplies those
getting out of the city with the KTM
Life Cross. This off-roader also comes
in three size options and components
ideal for off-road trekking like Suntour
coil sprung fork, 27-speed Shimano
XT together with an AL6061 frame.
0161 304 8555
Happily, the price remains the same, at
£42.99.
The Xena Mitts, designed using
ladies-specific patterns the Xena is
designed to fit a ladies hand rather
than just a down sized guys hand. Gel
pads at the key points on the palm
ensure all the pressure points get
ample support. Retailing at £16.99 the
Xena Mitts are available in four sizes.
www.odlo.com
BIKEBIZ.COM
SuperSix 105
Price: £1,999.99
A
PORTFOLIO
OF
UNIQUE
AND
POWERFUL
ROAD
BRANDS
“Pro racing heritage shows in the
poise and handling of the brilliant
frameset. A lightweight superbike
that we’d be happy to put up
against bikes costing three times
the price”
- BikeRadar.com
GTR Series 2
Price: £1,099.99
“A super deal with bags of
personality and, importantly, looks
like a GT should“
- Cycling Active
Group Test WINNER
Filter Mid
Price: £799.99
“Comfortable and great fun to ride.
It’s the ultimate urban warrior“
- Cycling Active
Slicker
Price: £599.99
“Classic looks, and a ride that’s
ideal for the city, but the added
bonus of decent gearing to get
out into the hills. A surefire winner
from a classic brand”
- Cycling Plus
© CYCLING SPORTS GROUP UK. TEL: 01202 732288 EMAIL: [email protected]
SECTOR GUIDE | WOMEN’S PRODUCTS
>>>
CSG UK
Odlo
THE CANNONDALE Trail SL
Woman’s 3 (RRP £749.99)
is a hard tail ideal for those
progressing from beginner
to MTB enthusiast. Featuring
tech from upper end sibling
Flash, the frame is light (1,600g) with
6061 alu tubing and mechanical
forming allowing complex shaping and
over sizing at stressed points. It also
sports female-specific geometry,
accounting for shorter torsos and
longer legs, shorter reach brake levers
women’s specific saddle and more.
Charge’s Hob (RRP £499.99) is a
single speed urban bike, fixed or free
wheel, with a steel Mixte frame. It’s a
skirt friendly version of the Charge Plug.
Sugoi’s Evolution Jersey for roadies
(RRP £49.99) is a brand new contoured
fit jersey for the female road enthusiast,
while the Evolution Short (RRP £59.99)
is a highly evolved performance short.
ODLO’S COLLECTION has been
significantly expanded to offer brighter
colours with eye-catching designs, not
least in the Body Soul (RRP £110).
Also fresh for this year’s summer
season are Odlo’s mid-layer stand-up
collar tops, Sign and Asphalt (both RRP
£70), available for men and women in
a variety of bright, up to date colours.
The ladies version of the Asphalt
comes in fashionable Flame Pink.
The ladies’ race and performance
lines predominantly feature vertical
stripes while the casual Active line
offers a technical-style floral print for
women. The Odlo range also has a
unique selection of highly functional
seat paddings. ODLO’s activitycontrol-system allows cyclists to
choose the right padding for their
needs, depending on their activity
level and ride time. Three types are
available according to the type and
For MTBers, the Ruby Jersey (RRP
£39.99) makes use fresh, progressive
styling, designed into a comfortable
semi fitted Women’s jersey. The Ruby
Short (RRP £59.99) features
comfortable fit and lightweight form,
with durable double needle stitching,
functional back pocket accompanying
two comfortable front pockets and a
seamless crotch gusset to eliminate
saddle hooking and bulk.
Cannondale’s helmet line includes
women-specific Radius (RRP £39.99)
for the MTB and urban markets, and
the Teramo (RRP £69.99) squarely
pitched at the road sector.
01202 732288
Madison
MADISON’S
COMPREHENSIVE clothing
line-up features garments
for women whether they’re
on the road, mountain
biking or commuting. The
Flux all-mountain short
sleeve jersey has been built
tough to withstand the
rigours of the discipline. It uses a strong
and durable fast wicking main body
fabric providing the blend of strength and
comfort, backed with contrast mesh
panels for increased airflow.
For commuters and roadies, the Skye
and Echelon Mitts are both new
additions to the range. The former is built
for high performance with a soft Amara
palm, carefully placed foam padding and
Lusso
a lycra/mesh backing with hook and loop
closure on the wrist allowing for
maximum breathability.
The Echelon is pitched a simpler
offering, with a Terry loop brow wipe to
mop away sweat and tears. Find out
more directly from the firm at the offical
clothing website www.madison.cc or on
the number below.
01908 326000
BRITISH-MADE LUSSO’S Ladyline is,
yes, a line-up of products for ladies,
including the Cooltech short sleeve
jersey. Made from Cooltech fabric it
wicks away moisture and is well
ventilated too, plus it features two rear
pockets (one zipped) and flat seams
for comfort. It is available in two
colours and retails around £35.
Also up from Lusso’s female range
are the Carbon Bib Shorts, featuring
Resistex carbon fabric. The material
speeds up the evaporation process of
perspiration, says Lusso, keeping colour
and lower in the acid build up which
improves circulation.
There’s also a gillet which comes in
a number of colours and is uber light
Windwave
Zyro
THE TIGHT fit short sleeve Force jersey
designed for woman is made of
ComfortDry fabric, which has a special
finish that results in moisture
transportation, quickly dissipating
moisture for faster evaporation. As well
as a full length reversed zipper, the
jersey has Lycra stretch binding on the
sleeves and bottom together with four
back pockets (one with a zipp).
GirlTech Shorts, made of 240-gram
lycra material, has a specific design for
woman. Premium performance padding
comes with silverplus anti-bacterial
protection, while comfort is taken care
of with a flat stitched seam and tenpanel composition. Extra comfortable
grippers with silicon design keep the
ALTURA’S SUMMER women’s range
includes the Spin three-quarter length
short, ideal for the bike or gym (RRP
£34.99). The Aubergine Night Vision
Jacket in the winter range now moves
in to the Transformer windproof. The
Synergy range is designed for
performance, cut to fit in the riding
position. The short sleeve jersey and
stretch shorts (£49.99), with matching
gel padded gloves at £19.99. The Spirit
short sleeve and sleeveless jerseys,
both £29.99, have a slightly looser fit
for leisure riders. For the trail the
Women’s Quantum X baggy combines
hard-wearing durable panels and
stretch fabrics on the outer short. Abus’
Arica (£39.99) is an all-rounder with 14
58 BIKEBIZ MAY
duration of the load they will bear.
www.odlo.com
short in place and RRP is £59.95. For
mild conditions the Primavera
lightweight windproof and waterrepellent jacket and vest are ideal, both
made of the same thin laminated
Polyester that stretch properties and a
breathable microporous membrane.
023 9250 5320
at just 86 grams. The Short Sleeve
Silverplus T-Shirt’s main properties are
its micro fibre and a silverplus
antibacterial coating on the fabric
which helps evaporation and curtails
pesky odours.
0161 724 5222
cooling air vents and Camelbak’s Luxe
pack is a women’s-specific narrowgauge product for £79.99.
Prologo’s Nago Evo DEA (£119.99)
is also female-focused, while Tifosi’s
lady offerings include the Slip (£49.99),
Wisp (£49.99) and Altar (£49.99).
01845 521700
BIKEBIZ.COM
st
th
From 1 March to 15 May 2012
WITH THE PURCHASE OF A PAIR OF
WHEELS OR HELMET, MAVIC WILL
OFFER YOU OUR EXCLUSIVE MP3* PROGRAM, FOR ONLY…
£
1
*With the MP3 “crash replacement” program your Mavic product
is covered for any accident or crash damage for 2 years!
Discover more about MP3 and the selection of
product included in the offer at participating retailers.
Further details, eligible products and conditions
available on www.mavicmp3.com
www.mavic.com
LETTERS | YOUR SAY
Mail to:
Saxon House, 6A St. Andrew Street,
Hertford, Hertfordshire SG14 1JA
SPONSORED BY
Email:
Jonathon.Harker@
intentmedia.co.uk
BikeBiz is keen to publish your opinions, whether they’re from
letters, emails or via BikeBiz.com...
STAR LETTER
Safety issues
‘Big Pedal is
a firm fixture
in our calendar’
How one local bike retailer got involved in
the school cycle competition…
Dear BikeBiz
In the last edition you asked for information
regarding being involved in the Big Pedal.
We are very proud to say our two local
schools Dunbar Primary and Dunbar Grammar
both came second in Scotland. They also
finished seventh and eighth respectively
nationally. We have recently started tweeting
and it was great to get further involved with
the Big Pedal using this medium. We awarded the class who pedalled the
most in the Primary category with water
bottles for their bikes, and we did that last
year too. As they narrowly missed out on a
prize (...again!) we contacted Sustrans who
very kindly gave us some of their promotional
goodies to give out to some of the other
children to say ‘well done’. We also donated
ten free skatepark sessions for our local indoor
skatepark www.thespacenb.co.uk to the ten
Grammar school pupils who pedalled the
most. We all look forward to the Big Pedal, it’s
a firm fixture in our local cycling calendar.
Our town of Dunbar lends itself to cycling
and people use it as such. This is one of the
reasons we felt opening our shop back in
2005 would be of service to our community.
We hope by offering a local service – one
which offers a wide selection and attends to
the various disciplines of cycling – we have
maintained and strengthened the cycling
ethos in our community.
Mandy J Cairns Ford
Belhaven Bikes
www.belhavenbikes.co.uk
www.twitter.com/belhavenbikes
Belhaven Bikes got
behind the Big Pedal
this year, helping
more kids get on
their bikes
Dear BikeBiz
In a full page interview published in the spring
issue of ‘Advanced Driving’ (magazine issued
to members of the Institute of Advanced
Motorists), Parliamentary Under-Secretary of
State for Transport, Mike Penning –
responsible for road safety – starts: “This
country can be rightly proud of its road safety
record.”
In March, the European Commission
reported that progress in cutting road deaths
within the EU, significantly slowed last year.
On Bolton’s roads last year 13 people, (more
than double those in 2010), were killed, and
the number of (UK) cyclists killed and injured
showed an increase too. So what’s to be
proud of? For me, it comes in the form of Chief
Inspector Rachel Buckle of Greater
Manchester Police’s special operations
division! In leading a road safety campaign
code named ‘Operation Dice’ (The Bolton
News, April 21) she said: “It’s all about safeguarding precious lives and saving family and
friends from having to suffer the terrible
devastation that losing a loved one
brings”. Shouldn’t that make a great deal of
sense to everyone smart enough to hold a
driving licence? What doesn’t make sense is that in the
four-day campaign, only 24 drivers were
caught breaking the speed limit, with one
using a mobile phone. If I cycle between Bury
and Bolton (in 24 minutes, not four days) it’s
odds-on more than 24 vehicles will pass me
breaking the speed limit. Also, I’ll see more
than one driver on a mobile. A cyclist can’t
win against law breaking drivers, anymore
than an honest athlete can against drug
cheats. If zero tolerance is right for the
Olympics, where no one gets killed, then why
not for our roads – the human race?
When the volume of motor vehicles got
too much for officers on point-duty, traffic
lights revolutionised traffic
management. Hasn’t everything from cutting
people out of smashed cars, to making
artificial limbs; to blood donations and
transfusions, been revolutionised by ‘spaceage’ progress?
Isn’t looking for life on other planets total
madness, when ‘simplicity’ itself isn’t used to
protect life on this one? Time for a ‘Road
Safety Revolution’ is it not?
Allan Ramsay
Roadpeace
STAR LETTER
Whether it’s a hand-written, sent-throughthe-post letter, email or a comment made
on the BikeBiz Forum, the best letter of the
month wins a prize from Oxford Products.
This month the lucky winner will receive
the Oxford Wordlock
Easy to remember word or letter
combinations
Up to 10,000 possible combinations
(4 dials)
Easy to set and reset your own combination
Heavy duty flexible Hexagonal steel cable
All weather vinyl coating that minimises
scratching
Black dials with easy to read white letters
Bike Mounting Bracket
in association with
The new BikeBiz Bible is out now,
providing the industry with a
must-have guide to the UK’s
retailers, distributors,
manufacturers and related
businesses.
If you’d like to find out more,
contact Carly Bailey on
01992 535647 or email
[email protected]
The BikeBiz Bible is now
available online.
Visit www.bikebiz.com
2PURE
46c Bavelaw Road
Balerno, Edinburgh. EH14 7AE
Tel: 0844 811 2001
www.2pure.co.uk
2X2
Unit 6, Hall End Business Park
Dordon,
Tamworth, Staffs. B78 1SX
Tel: 01827 331099
www.2x2worldwide.com
FAT SPANNER
Tel: 07966 401165
Web: www.fatspannerworld.com
BM7 DISPLAYS
Unit 7, Metro Centre,
Toutley Road
Wokingham,
Berkshire. RG41 1QW
Tel: 0118 977 2814
www.bm7displays.com
BUA SPORTS LTD
Sandyford Office Centre
17 Corrig Road,
Sandyford,
Dublin 18. ROI.
Tel: +353 8799 78859
www.buasports.com
BUFFERA LTD
Cranborne House,
Cranbourne Road,
Potters Bar,
Herts. EN6 3JN
Tel: 01707 852244
www.buffera.co.uk
C3 PRODUCTS LTD
Tel: 0754 564 2931
www.c3products.com
CARRADICE OF NELSON LTD
Westmoreland Works
St. Mary's Street,
Nelson
Lancashire, BB9 7BA
Tel: 01282 615886
www.carradice.co.uk
THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO RETAILERS, SUPPLIERS AND SERVICES WITHIN THE CYCLE TRADE
CHICKEN, RJ & SONS LTD
Unit B2, Cherrycourt Way
Leighton Buzzard,
Bedfordshire. LU7 4UH
Tel: 01525 381347
www.chickenb2b.co.uk
CHOCOLATE DISTRIBUTION LTD
2 Flint Cottages
Oxford Road,
Stokenchurch
Bucks, HP14 3SX
Tel: 0871 231 9966
www.chocolatedistribution.com
CAMBRIAN TYRES/CONTINENTAL
North Parade,
Aberystwyth
Ceredigion. SY23 2JR
Tel: 01970 626777
www.conti-tyres.co.uk
For additional copies please contact
[email protected]
CYBERTILL LTD
2 Dovecote Court
Stanley Grange, Ormskirk Road
Knowsley,
Merseyside. L34 4AR
Tel: 0800 030 4432
www.cybertill.co.uk
CYCLING SPORTS GROUP
Vantage Way,
The Fulcrum
Poole, Dorset.
BH12 4NU
Tel: 01202 732288
www.cyclingsportsgroup.co.uk
CUSTOM SPORTS CLOTHING
Tel: 07580 495881
www.customsportsclothing.com
DAWES CYCLES LTD
35 Tameside Drive,
Castle Bromwich,
Birmingham. B35 7AG
Tel: 0121 748 8050
Web: www.dawescycles.com
www.dirty-bikes.com
www.barrosabikes.com
EUROBIKE LTD
9 Portico Road
Littleover, Derby.
DE23 3NJ
Tel: 01332 774796
www.eurobike.uk.com
FALCON CYCLES LTD
Bridge Street
Brigg, Lincs.
DN20 8PB
Tel: 01652 656000
www.falconcycles.co.uk
FISHER OUTDOOR LEISURE LTD
8/9 Brick Knoll Park
Ashley Road,
St Albans,
Herts. AL1 5UG
Tel: 01727 798345
www.fisheroutdoor.co.uk
GREEN OIL UK LTD
Green Oil House
12 Rolvenden Gardens
Bromley,
Kent. BR1 2TN
Tel: 020 8313 9074
www.green-oil.net
HIGH FIVE LTD
Unit 4 Ash Court,
Forest Business Park
Bardon,
Leicestershire. LE67 1UD
Tel: 01530 835873
www.highfive.co.uk
HOTLINES EUROPE LTD
Unit 17 The Loan
Viewforthbank Industrial Estate
South Queensferry.
EH30 9SD
Tel: 0131 319 1444
www.hotlines-uk.com and www.hotlines-europe.com
HYKEHAM WHOLESALE LTD
7 Earlsfield Close,
Lincoln.
LN6 3RT
Tel: 01522 801550
www.hykehamwholesale.co.uk
I-RIDE.CO.UK
7-8B Mid Sussex Business Park
Ditchling Common Industrial Estate
Folders Lane East,
Ditchling, Sussex. BN6 8SE
Tel: 01444 243000
www.i-ride.co.uk
Specialist | Cycle | Distribution
DISTRIBUTION
AND WHOLESALE
E-COMMERCE
AND EPOS
ISKUTE LIMITED
Tel: 01803 752225
www.gritscooters.co.uk
JOHN JORDAN LIMITED
Unit 3 Toll Bar Estate
SEDBERGH
Cumbria. LA10 5HA
Tel: 01539 751125
www.buzzrack.co.uk
www.bike-cases.co.uk
JUNGLE PRODUCTS LTD
Unit 3, The Cedar New York Mills,
Summerbridge. HG3 4LA
Tel: 01423 780088
www.jungleproducts.co.uk
www.santacruzbikes.co.uk
KOOL STOP EUROPE
Kool-Stop Europe bv,
Kostverloren 21
NL 9684 TB Finsterwolde
The Netherlands
Tel: +31 597 522 944
www.koolstop.eu
MAVIC SAS
Amer Sports UK,
Theta Building, Lyon Way, Frimley,
Surrey. GU16 7ER
Tel: 01276 404870
www.mavic.com
MDI LIMITED
115 New Court Way
Ormsmirk,
Lancashire. L39 2YT
Tel: 01695 571029
www.mikedixonimports.co.uk
MOJO SUSPENSION HOODOO LTD
2 Rbf Business Centre
Pontymister Industrial Estate
Risca, Newport. NP11 6NP
Tel: 01633 615815
www.mojo.co.uk
EVENT
ORGANISERS
MEDIA AND
PUBLISHING
MARKETING,
PR AND
CONSULTANCY
POWACYCLE
Akhter House,
Perry Road, Harlow,
Essex. CM18 7PN
Tel: 01279 821243
www.powacycle.co.uk
PUNCTURE PROOF TYRES
Unit 1, Barons Court Gardens,
Bromsgrove. B61 9ET
Tel: 0844 800 6493
www.puncture-proof-tyres.co.uk
RAM-MOUNT UK LTD
Unit 5, The Lion Cente,
Hanworth Trading Estate,
Hampton Road West
Feltham. TW13 6DS
Tel: 020 8894 1234
www.ram-mount.co.uk
RED CLOUD MC
2 Merlin Drive, Sandy,
Bedfordshire. SG19 2UN
Tel: 01767 692831
www.redcloudmc.com
REECE CYCLES PLC
100 Alcester Street,
Birmingham. B12 0QB
Tel: 0121 622 0180
www.reececycles.co.uk
RUBENA
Bike Tyrestore (Sole UK Trade Distributor)
Tyburn Trading Estate, Ashold Farm Road
Erdington. Birmingham. B24 9QG
Tel: 0800 281 413
www.worldofbiketyres.com
SADDLEBACK LTD
Unit 10, Easter Court
Woodward Avenue
Yate, Bristol. BS37 5YS
Tel: 01454 285285
www.saddleback.co.uk
MOORE LARGE & CO LTD
Sinfin Lane Industrial Estate
Sinfin Lane, Derby. DE24 9GL
Tel: 01332 274252
www.moorelarge.co.uk
SCHWALBE UK LTD
Schwalbe Centre
Hortonwood 30, Telford,
Shropshire. TF1 7ET
Tel: 01952 602680
www.schwalbe.co.uk
NEMESIS GB LTD
17 Great Western Business Park
McKenzie Way, Tolladine Road
Worcester. WR4 9GN
Tel: 08707 775530
www.nemesisgb.com
SEVENTIES LTD
Unit 1, 25 Moorhurst Road
St Leonards on Sea,
East Sussex. TN38 9NB
Tel: 0845 310 3670
www.seventies.co.uk
PALIGAP LTD
Unit 2 Danbury House
Great Western Park Armstrong Way,
Yate, Bristol. BS37 5NG
Tel: 01454 313116
www.paligapltd.co.uk
SILVERFISH UK LTD
Unit 3C and 3B Woodacre Court
Saltash Parkway Industrial Estate
Burraton Road, Saltash,
Cornwall. PL12 6LY
Tel: 01752 843882
www.silverfish-uk.com
PARKLIFE (HAVANT) LTD
Unit 5, Butterick Building
New Lane, Havant. P09 2ND
Tel: 02392 475895
www.parklifeparts.com
PELICAN PR
No.1 Holly House,
Mill Street,
Uppermill,
Oldham OL3 6LZ
Tel: 01457 820807
www.pelicanpr.co.uk
SONIC CYCLES
PO Box 39804,
London. W11 4WQ
Tel: 020 7243 2848
www.soniccycles.co.uk/b2b
STORMFRONT TECHNOLOGIES LTD
Unit 1B,
The Newton Centre
Thorverton Road,
Exeter. EX2 8GN
Tel: 0800 612 1044
www.stormfront.co.uk
MANUFACTURER,
STANDALONE
BRANDS
RETAILERS,
WORKSHOP
AND MAIL ORDER
SERVICES
AND TRAINING
SURF SALES LTD
Point Break
North Road,
Shorncliffe, Folkestone
Kent. CT20 3UH
Tel: 01303 850553
www.surf-sales.com
THE CYCLE DIVISION
Unit 27,
Gatehouse Enterprise Centre
Albert Street, Lockwood,
Huddersfield,
West Yorkshire. HD1 3QD
Tel: 0845 050 8500
www.thecycledivision.com
THE CYCLE SHOW
Upper Street Events Limited
58 White Lion Street
Islington, London. N1 9PP
Tel: 020 7288 6733
020 7288 6010
www.cycleshow.co.uk
UPGRADE
PO Box 688
Horsham, West Sussex.
RH13 8XQ
Tel: 01403 711611
www.upgradebikes.co.uk
USE LTD
(ULTIMATE SPORTS ENGINEERING)
Unit 6,
Hampers Common Industrial Estate
Petworth,
West Sussex. GU28 9NR
Tel: 01798 344477
www.use1.com
www.exposurelights.com
VELORBIS LTD
Peter Bangs Vej 53
DK 2000 Frederiksberg,
Denmark
Tel: +453 111 0030
www.velorbis.com
WALKERS CYCLE COMPONENTS LTD
22 Holywell Road
Leicester.
LE2 8SG
Tel: 0116 283 3885
www.walkerscycles.co.uk
WILDOO LTD
39 Barton Road
Water Eaton Industrial Park
Bletchley.
MK2 3HW
Tel: 01908 374555
www.wildoo.co.uk
ZIPVIT LIMITED
7-8B Mid Sussex Business Park
Ditchling Common Industrial Estate
Folders Lane East,
Ditchling,
Sussex. BN6 8SE
Tel: 06 283 3885
www.zipvit.co.uk
ZYRO LTD
Thirsk Industrial Park
York Road, Thirsk.
North Yorkshire,
YO7 3BX
Tel: 01845 521 700
www.zyro.co.uk
ORGANISATIONS
COMPANY PROFILE | EVENTS
UPCOMING EVENTS
SPOTLIGHT
COMPANY PROFILE
RWD
JAMES HALL, CO-FOUNDER
Tel: 01403 711 611 (via Upgrade)
W: www.rwdbrakes.com
to see how it unfolds, but
we’ll be ready with a suitable
friction material formula
when the time comes.
Which brands do you
manufacture pads to be
compatible with?
All of them. RWD Brakes is a
supplier of all-makes
aftermarket disc brake pads.
We try to provide as much
coverage as we can.
IRISH CYCLING SHOW
Saturday May19th to 20th
RDS, Dublin
[email protected]
May 2012
VELO FRANKFURT
Saturday May 12th to 13th
Frankfurt, Germany
www.velofrankfurt.com
IRISH CYCLING SHOW 2012
Saturday May 19th to 20th
RDS, Dublin
[email protected]
June 2012
BIKE WEEK 2012
Saturday June 16th to
Sunday 24th
Nationwide, UK
www.bikeweek.org.uk
DEALER CAMP 2012
Tuesday July 24th to 26th
Deer Valley Resort,
Park City, Utah
www.bikedealercamp.com
August 2012
EUROBIKE DEMO DAY 2012
Tuesday Aug 28th
Friedrichshafen, Germany
www.eurobike-show.de
EUROBIKE 2012
Saturday Aug 29th to Sept 1st
Friedrichshafen, Germany
www.eurobike-show.de
September 2012
PRESS CAMP 2012
Monday June 18th to 22nd
Deer Valley Resort,
Park City, Utah
https://bikepresscamp.com
INTERBIKE OUTDOOR
DEMO DAY
Monday Sept 17th
Las Vegas, USA
www.interbike.com
YORK CYCLE SHOW
Saturday June 23rd to 24th
The Racecourse, York
www.yorkcycleshow.co.uk
INTERBIKE 2012
Wednesday Sept 19th to 21st
Las Vegas, USA
www.interbike.com
VELO-CITY 2012
Monday June 26th to 29th
Vancouver, Canada
www.velo-city2012.com
CYCLE SHOW 2012
Thursday Sept 27th to 30th
NEC, Birmingham
www.cycleshow.co.uk
For more cycle trade dates: www.bikebiz.com/events
THE BIBLE
IS BACK!
64 BIKEBIZ MAY
Tell us about RWD’s origins:
It was one of those moments of
inspiration in the pub. I grew up in the
brake industry – I’ve got friction
material running through my veins. My
Dad started selling brake linings for
trucks back in the early ‘80s before I
was born. The business grew into the
car and motorsport industry in the ‘90s
and our products – particularly the
racing brake pads – became widely
regarded as the best on the market.
The RWD business is technically a
separate legal entity and it started in
2010 as a partnership between myself
and the marketing manager for the
main business. The idea came to us
after became involved with the
Nutcracker cross country race series in
the North and witnessed its immediate
popularity. We thought “wouldn’t it be
great if our hobby became our job”?
Is it a case of taking a pad from your
motorsport catalogue and making it
miniature for a pedal bike?
It’s not quite that simple. Friction
materials are designed for specific
applications and as a rule you can’t just
take a material from one and apply it
to another. It’s almost a black art in
knowing which materials will work in
which applications – and then having
the capability to take a catalogue of
raw materials and mix them together
in the correct quantities to come up
with the optimum friction mixture.
Any road bike disc pads in the works?
Of course. It’s only a matter of time
before the UCI sanction the use of disc
brakes in competition and the
technology exists to allow the system
manufacturers to integrate hydraulics
into their STI shifters. It’ll be interesting
Any plans for expansion
into non-disc
pads/anything else?
Friction material is what we specialise
in. We’re not into taking off the shelf
products from another manufacturer
and re-branding them. What we won’t
rule out is expansion into other related
braking products – we’ve been working
with brake fluid and might take a
product to market in 18 months or so.
Tell us about testing:
Testing on RWD products is done by
real riders, on real bikes on real trails.
We’re very lucky to be based in the
Yorkshire Dales and we have a handful
of trails identified in Swaledale that we
use for testing different product
elements. Once a new material is at
testing stage, we listen carefully to the
feedback of our test riders and then it’s
a question of tweaking the formula to
try to improve the characteristics.
Once we’re happy we’ll ask our
team to try the pads in a race situation
and we value their feedback. It’s a
process that comes naturally – the
regulations and restrictions in the
automotive sector are very tight given
the safety critical nature of a braking
component and as a result we invest a
lot of time and expense testing.
How’s things going since you’ve
partnered with Upgrade?
Really well. We specifically targeted
Upgrade after we watched the growth
of the Lezyne brand in the UK. They’ve
done a great job there and with all of
their brands – and if they can achieve
even half of that success with RWD
then we’ll be happy. It’s a breath of
fresh air to do business with a
company like this in comparison to
some of the hard-faced and cut-throat
vehicle and brake manufacturers that
we deal with in the automotive sector.
For additional copies please contact:
[email protected]
BIKEBIZ.COM
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MARKETPLACE CONTACTS
BIKES & ACCESSORIES
DESIGN & PRINT SERVICES
B&W International (Cases & Bags)
01539 751125
www.bike-cases.co.uk
Bob Elliot & Co Ltd
01772 459 887
www.bob-elliot.co.uk
DMR Bikes
01403 711 611
www.upgradebikes.co.uk
Kinesis Bikes
01403 711 611
www.kinesisbikes.co.uk
M&J Distributors Ltd
0161 337 9600
www.mjdist.co.uk
Madison
01908 326 000
www.madisonb2b.co.uk
Seventies
0845 310 3670
www.seventies.co.uk
The Cycle Division
0845 0508 500
www.thecycledivision.com
Peter Dobbs
01482 224007
[email protected]
0845 603 9254
www.citrus-retail.com
01494 530761
www.adcal-labels.co.uk
Exposure Lights
01798 344 477
www.exposurelights.com
USE Ltd
01798 344 477
www.use1.com
01444 243 000
www.zipvitsport.com
01282 699 555
www.pendle-bike.co.uk
EPOS
Citrus Lime
LABELS
Adcal Labels
LIGHTING
BIKE MAINTENANCE
Green Oil
01403 711 611
www.upgradebikes.co.uk
Weldtite
01652 660 000
www.weldtite.co.uk
NUTRITION
Zipvit
RACKS
COMPONENTS
Pendle
Freedom by WTB
01403 711 611
www.upgradebikes.co.uk
Independent
01299 400008
www.independent100.com
Pace cycles Ltd
01751 460599
www.pacecycles.com
RWD
01403 711 611
www.upgradebikes.co.uk
Sonic Cycles
020 7243 2848
www.soniccycles.co.uk/b2b
RESPRAYS & REPAIRS
Argos
0117 972 4730
www.argoscycles.com
Bob Jackson Cycles Ltd
0113 2551144
www.bobjacksoncycles.co.uk
0207 6082577
www.cycle-systemsacademy.co.uk
0845 602 9267
www.bottlesport.com
01709 511766
www.siwis.co.uk
TRAINING SERVICES
Cycle Systems Academy
CLOTHING
Lusso Clothing
0161 724 5222
www.lusso-clothing.co.uk
Wildoo Ltd
01908 374 555
www.wildoo.co.uk
WATER BOTTLES
Bottlesport
DEALER MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
Evopos
BIKEBIZ.COM
WEBSITE SERVICES
0845 644 9424
www.evopos.com
SiWis Limited
BIKEBIZ MAY 65
BIKEBIZ | MARKETPLACE
66 BIKEBIZ MAY
BIKES & ACCESSORIES
BIKES & ACCESSORIES
BIKES & ACCESSORIES
BIKES & ACCESSORIES
BIKEBIZ.COM
BIKEBIZ | MARKETPLACE
BIKEBIZ.COM
BIKES & ACCESSORIES
BIKES & ACCESSORIES
BIKES & ACCESSORIES
BIKES & ACCESSORIES
BIKEBIZ MAY 67
BIKEBIZ | MARKETPLACE
BIKE MAINTENANCE
BIKE MAINTENANCE
CLEANERS:
WE’VE GOT IT
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The ultimate range of mechanic
approved total bike cleaners
• Dirtwash Bike Cleaner Cleans safely with minimum scrubbing
1 Ltr Spray 03028 5 Ltr Refill Tub 03031
• Citrus Degreaser Specially formulated to degrease oily parts
400ml Aerosol 03002 75ml Liquid 03017 1 Ltr Refill Tub 03022
250ml Spray 03023
• Metal Polish Unique formula polish suitable for all metals
75g Tube 02007
• Disc Brake Cleaner A heavy duty disc brake cleaning spray
250ml Aerosol 03029
• Chain Degreaser Machine Chain driven four sided brush action
Machine and 75ml bottle of Citrus Degreaser 06017
MADE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM BY
WE ARE BIKE MAINTENANCE
www.weldtite.co.uk
BIKE MAINTENANCE
COMPONENTS
LUBRICANTS:
WE’VE GOT IT
COVERED
The world’s best range of
bicycle® lubricants with
Teflon Surface Protector
• TF2 Spray Leaves a Teflon® film for low friction and high lubricity
450ml Aerosol 03015 150ml Aerosol 03021
• TF2 Performance The ultimate all weather Teflon®-based lube
100ml Bottle 03047 1 Ltr Refill Tub 03048 5 Ltr Refill Tub 03049
• TF2 Extreme For extreme weather and long distance cycling
75ml Bottle 03036 125ml Bottle 03037
• TF2 Plus Specially formulated for chains, derailleurs and cables
75ml Bottle 03034 125ml Bottle 03035
• Bike Grease High performance red grease for on and off road use
150ml Tube02009 3kg Tin03038 150ml Tube & Grease Gun06009
MADE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM BY
WE ARE BIKE MAINTENANCE
www.weldtite.co.uk
68 BIKEBIZ MAY
BIKEBIZ.COM
BIKEBIZ | MARKETPLACE
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COMPONENTS
COMPONENTS
COMPONENTS
COMPONENTS
BIKEBIZ MAY 69
BIKEBIZ | MARKETPLACE
CLOTHING
CLOTHING
j^[Ykij
e
if[Y_Wb c
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DEALER MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
70 BIKEBIZ MAY
DESIGN & PRINT SERVICES
BIKEBIZ.COM
BIKEBIZ | MARKETPLACE
BIKEBIZ.COM
EPOS & ECOMMERCE
LABELS
LIGHTING
LIGHTING
BIKEBIZ MAY 71
BIKEBIZ | MARKETPLACE
72 BIKEBIZ MAY
NUTRITION
RACKS
RESPRAYS & REPAIRS
RESPRAYS & REPAIRS
BIKEBIZ.COM
BIKEBIZ | MARKETPLACE
TRAINING SERVICES
WATER BOTTLES
CUSTOM PRINTED BIKE BOTTLES
London's first professional cycle mechanic training course.
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Industry Standard QCF qualifications
Apprenticeships & Learner Responsive funded packages
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Employment opportunities
On-going support and community
Become part of a global growth industry.
Telephone 0207 6082577
07786 636771
Mobile
E-mail
[email protected]
Website
www.cycle-systems-academy.co.uk
in association with:
HAVERING
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쎲 Wide choice of sizes from 300ml to 1000ml
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For prices, samples and further information
call us on 0845 602 9267, visit our website or
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WEBSITE SERVICES
BIKEBIZ.COM
BIKEBIZ MAY 73
OFF TRACK | NUMBER CRUNCHING
I N THE SADDLE
Let’s get
statistical
Profits up, expectations up, number of journeys up… has the
world of cycling ever been so strong as it is here and now? We
take a look at plenty of reasons to be cheerful in this month’s
briefing of assorted bicycle world statistics…
Adam Rous,
Rubena sales manager at UK
distributor Bike Tyrestore
What bikes do you own?
I’m currently ‘between’ bikes, having recently sold my
Cannondale CAAD5. It was great, but with carbon wheels there
are only so many potholes you can absorb before your fillings
come loose! I have my eye on an MTB because it can go offroad as well as on if the mood takes me. Also, Rubena does
some pretty slick MTB tyres so it’s just a case of swapping them.
3.3million
Giant and Merida are predicting 3.3million unit sales in China this year, a
market that has become the single biggest market for bike makers of Taiwan,
according to CENS.com.
Where is your favourite place to ride?
The roads around where I live in Staffordshire are pretty good for
road riding so I don’t really have a favourite place, but I’d say any
quietish B-road around where I live is great as there are fast flats
as well as some quad-burning hill climbs too.
How has the trade reacted to the UK Rubena launch?
Competition is fierce with so many tyres available so the launch
hasn’t been ground breaking, but we knew this was going to be
the case as there are already so many fantastic tyres out there. I
think once we get established and have some product reviews,
the trade may start to realise Rubena is a viable option for any
dealer with good margins. Plus they’re buying European quality.
Which sectors of the bicycle market does the range serve?
Rubena has been going for a long time and has seen its range
change as cycling has. It manufactures tyres for almost every
discipline but I guess is best known for its off-road range of
tyres, developed by the 2010 cross country world champion,
Jaroslav Kulhavy. He knows a thing or two about MTB XC.
Are there any incentives to get cycle retailers on board?
We’re able to offer good POS and some literature as well as
offering a really nicely made tyre from Europe which we feel will
enable a dealer to make a good margin whilst at the same time
not feel like they’re selling an inferior brand. When dealers see
the quality of the tyre, I think they will be comforted by this.
We’re looking to get a dealer database going so that the
growing cycle community can find out where their nearest
Rubena dealer is, whilst at the same time find out all they need
to know about this growing brand. We’d love to hear from any
dealer wishing to find out more about Rubena.
To find out more about how to get on board please call
freephone 0800 281413 or visit www.worldofbiketyres.com.
74 BIKEBIZ MAY
5.7%
Retail giant Halfords saw cycling revenues
remain strong, rising 5.7 per cent in 2011,
and 8.7 per cent in Q4 2011.
1 in 5
(20%)
One in
five
time wit parents don’t
spend
h
woodla their family in
nd as th
local
ey d
where t
o find it on't know
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m to vis nd
it.
BIKEBIZ.COM
OFF TRACK | NUMBER CRUNCHING
€40.3million
Accell Group, Raleigh’s potential buyer,
saw net profit for 2011 up 11 per cent at
€40.3million, compared with €36.4million
in 2010.
OUR BIGGEST TEN STORIES ONLINE IN
MARCH
120,000
The Gadget Show Live is not called ‘one of
the largest consumer events in the UK’ for
nothing. This year’s event attracted120,000
visitors. Imagine the queue for the ladies.
1. Focus Izalco Pro 3.0 named Cycling Plus’ Bike of
the Year 2012
bikebiz.com/news/read/focus-izalco-pro-3-0-namedcycling-plus-bike-of-the-year-2012/012698
2. Brake makers want UCI to allow disc brakes on
road bikes
bikebiz.com/news/read/brake-makers-want-uci-toallow-disc-brakes-on-road-bikes
890,304
This year’s Sustrans-run and Bike Hub-funded Big Pedal competition saw 890,304
cycle journeys made, smashing last year’s 606,919 journeys.
3. Brompton Toolkit wins an innovation award at
Taipei Show
bikebiz.com/news/read/brompton-toolkit-wins-aninnovation-award-at-taipei-show/012708
4. ‘Helmets offer little protection against head injuries’
bikebiz.com/news/read/cycle-helmets-offer-littleprotection-against-head-injuries/012728
5. UCI’s wheel plans news to us, says Oz wheel maker
bikebiz.com/news/read/uci-s-wheel-plans-news-to-ussays-oz-wheel-maker
6. Velorution to shut up shop
bikebiz.com/news/read/velorution-to-shut-upshop/012817
7. Belt drive and NuVinci spec Grace MX e-bike now
in production
bikebiz.com/news/read/belt-drive-and-nuvinci-specgrace-mx-e-bike-now-in-production
€6.5billion
Decathlon owner Oxylane saw turnover reach
€6.5billion in 2011, an increase of 8.8 per cent.
In the same year the number of Decathlon
stores in the UK rose by three, to 12.
BIKEBIZ.COM
8. Raleigh memories proving a hit with photo uploaders
bikebiz.com/news/read/raleigh-memories-proving-ahit-with-photo-uploaders/012700
9. Summer of cycling launched at parliamentary
reception
bikebiz.com/news/read/summer-of-cycling-launchedat-parliamentary-reception/012749
10. Accell in talks to acquire Raleigh
bikebiz.com/news/read/accell-in-talks-to-acquireraleigh/012839
BIKEBIZ MAY 75
OFF TRACK
OFF
k
c
a
r
T
• charity ride to see 3k riders
Bear-faced cheek
Brammeier,
bang to rights
THIS YEAR’S Liverpool-Chester-Liverpool is set to attract 3,000 riders and
hopes are already high that it will raise even more than last year’s £22,000
for Claire House Children’s Hospice. Taking place on Sunday July 8th,
Olympian Craig MacLean has got behind the Pennine Events-organised ride.
He said: “It’s one of the very few days cyclists can pass through the Mersey
tunnel, which is an experience in itself. With nearly three miles under the
Mersey, it’s going to be different to anything they’ve ever done before.”
www.liverpoolchesterliverpool.com
OMEGA PHARMA-QUICKSTEP pro
cyclist Matt Brammeier has signed up
to take a lead role in Right To Play’s
2012 Ride raising money for children
around the world. Joined by up to 200
other riders, including his Dad,
Brammeier will cycle from Liege to
London from June 30th to July 3rd.
Brammeier overcame an injury back in
2007, where he was struck by a
cement-mixing lorry while training,
breaking both legs. Find out more about
his charity ride at
www.righttoplay.com/uk/
Pages/2012BikeRide.aspx
Sponsor-ing
the grassroots
Waiter, there’s a
cyclist in my soup
NUTRITION BRAND Sponsor is providing a
discount for club cyclists as part of its
commitment to supporting grassroots
cycling. Sponsor backs athletes including
MTB star Nino Schurter and Ironman
Ronnie Schildknecht.
www.sponseruk.com
IT’S DIFFICULT to resist the temptation to print a photo like this one sent in by the
TweedLove Bike Festival. The event, taking place in Tweed Valley in the Scottish
Borders has been extended from a week to ten days to include the Queen’s Jubilee
holiday weekend, so it now runs from Saturday May 26th to Tuesday June 5th 2012.
What better reason to jump over a couple enjoying a bite to eat?
http://tweedlove.com/
Facebook fight!
This month unicycles, tricycles and Penny Farthings
enjoy a bout of Facebook fisticuffs…
1. Unicycling
14,069 likes
2.Penny farthings
790 likes
3.Tricycle
562 likes
Likes
76 BIKEBIZ MAY
BIKEBIZ.COM
OFF TRACK
Send your pictures to
[email protected]
• cyclist bear-ly makes it • wellbeing works out how to spends lottery win
Numbers come up
for Wheels for Wellbeing
CYCLE CHARITY Wheels for Wellbeing has been thrown a funding lifeline for the
next year by the Big Lottery Fund’s Supporting Change and Impact fund.
“Finding just under £130,000 to keep going was an extremely difficult prospect,”
said WfW manager Isabelle Clement. “It was a very competitive process so we are
delighted to be one of 217 groups chosen nationally. Now we have until May 2014,
which gives us a fighting chance.” www.wheelsforwellbeing.org.uk
Don’t look now, but there’s
a human-sized bear in a pink tshirt behind you...
quote
unquote
“It had sexual connotations and bore no
relevance to the advertised product and
that the text likened the aesthetic
qualities of the woman to those of the
product. The image was likely to cause
serious offence to some readers of
Cycling Plus.”
The Advertising Standards Authority
rules that Triuk’s ‘It all starts with
great bodywork’ advert contravenes
the ASA’s code. In response, Triuk said
the ad was not degrading or sexist,
adding that the use of the female
form in the industry is commonplace.
“City fathers have to choose. Cars or
bicycles. And in Copenhagen they’ve
Sponsored by the brands of
Moore Large 01332 274252
gone for the bike. In Copenhagen it’s
just a pleasant way of getting about.
Nobody wears a helmet. Nobody wears
high-visibility clothing. You just wear
what you need to be wearing at your
destination. For girls that appears to be
very short skirts. And nobody rides their
bike as if they’re in the Tour de France.
This would make them sweaty and
unattractive, so they travel just fast
enough to maintain their balance.
“The upshot is a city that works. It’s
pleasing to look at. It’s astonishingly
quiet. It’s safe. And no one wastes half
their life looking for a parking space. I’d
live there in a heartbeat.”
Jeremy Clarkson, writing in The Times
“I started out racing MTBs, so having
fun on the trail is a core value at Seven
and we’re always exploring possibilities
of technologies new and old. 650b is an
old standard and it is very cool to see it
emerging in the market and bringing
riders a new trail experience.
“Several Seven employees are riding
650b for their everyday trail bike and
have taken time to understand this
wheel size’s unique characteristics in
both geared and, more recently, singlespeed set ups. These bikes give a very
pure trail experience. There is a lot of
stripped-down, old-school fun to be had
on bikes like these.”
Seven Cycles founder Rob Vandermark
For more on these stories, head to www.BikeBiz.com
BIKEBIZ.COM
BIKEBIZ MAY 77
OFF TRACK | SPOKESMAN
SPOKES
Boris bikes mean business
They might not be resoundingly popular with everyone, but
cycle hire bikes are increasing the cycle population, which is
a good thing, argues Carlton Reid…
BORIS JOHNSON gets a lot of stick from London’s
cyclists. The Cycle Superhighways aren’t super, they say –
they’re just blue paint – and the Mayor is accused of
being obsessed with "smoothing traffic flow", a
euphemism for designing roads to make them friendly to
motorists, and unfriendly to cyclists and pedestrians.
But one major fillip for cycling did come on Boris’
watch, and the blue vehicles
have even been named for him,
despite their introduction being
the idea of his predecessor. (Ken
Bikes just doesn’t have the same
alliterative effect).
I’m an out of towner. I love
Boris bikes. I bought a key before
the ink dried on the scheme’s
announcement. I hook up with a
Boris bike at King’s Cross and use
the Bike Hub iPhone app to
navigate me through the back
streets of London. I’m the
archetypal user: white, male,
middle-aged, middle class.
But I’ve also seen pre-teens on
the bikes accompanied by their
parents (perhaps foregoing the
Chelsea tractor for the short trip
to school?). Tourists – of all
shapes, sizes, sexes and cultural
backgrounds – are also highly
visible users of the scheme. They
wobble. This is a good thing. Drivers (apart from Addison
Lee minicab drivers, it seems) are wary of wobbly cyclists.
Drivers who are wary are the best kind. Higher use of Boris bikes – we need more bikes and
more docking stations – is helping to civilise London,
slowing down motorists. In time this could persuade the
authorities – through sheer dint of numbers – to increase
safe cycling facilities for all cyclists. Bike shop owners –
even those who offer cycle hire of their own – tell me
they love Boris bikes. New-to-cycling locals get on them,
realise gridlock is only for those with motors, and upgrade
to their own bikes. (If you think different, by all means let
me know).
Boris bikes are here to stay (car-centric Los Angeles just
announced it is to instal its own
city cycle hire scheme) and offer
cheap, fast mobility for a city with a
rapidly growing population. The
underground is creaking; cars and
trucks in cities are dinosaurs-inwaiting; the future is blue and
pedal-powered.
In my hometown the city cycle
hire scheme bikes are green.
Scratch Bikes started as a service
to students and was later rolled
out to all users. It’s a harder to use
service than Boris bikes, but it’s
getting easier as new tech is
slotted in place. Other cities
around Britain – and perhaps
some towns – will no doubt get
such city hire bike schemes. If
some cities don’t get more folks
on bikes their central business
districts are likely to calcify with
gridlock. Increasing urbanisation
means British cities are set to grow in size:
not in road space, that will stay the same, but in
population size. Cities which wish to function in 20 years
time had better start designing cars out of the picture.
Boris bikes are horses: Trojan horses. They are
popularising cycling by stealth. If your city starts toying
with a scheme, don’t think of it as a threat to your
business, it could be the very opposite.
EDITORIAL: 01992 535646 | ADVERTISING: 01992 535647 | FAX: 01992 535648
Executive Editor: Carlton Reid
[email protected]
Production Executive: Kelly Jones
[email protected]
Editor: Jonathon Harker
[email protected]
Design: Dan Bennett
[email protected]
Deputy Editor: Mark Sutton
[email protected]
Managing Editor: Lisa Carter
[email protected]
Sales Manager: Carly Bailey
[email protected]
Publisher/MD: Stuart Dinsey
[email protected]
Account Manager: Jennie Lane
[email protected]
Marketing & Circulation: Lindsay Banham
[email protected]
Finance Director: Hilary Cole
Editorial
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6A, St. Andrew Street,
Hertford,
Hertfordshire.
SG14 1JA
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78 BIKEBIZ MAY
TWEET
short and
Wondering what the Twitterati have been up
to this month? Look no further...
Lots more worry among Tory
MPs that Cam and Os have
wrecked it for Boris. Lab aides also
think Ken now has a chance.
Going to be very close...
@oflynnexpress
Delilah is watching her Daddy
race for the 1st time today (she
slept through yest !) so I have
help for the armchair cheering.
@PetaTodd
Truth hurts. Maybe not as much
as jumping on a bicycle with the
seat missing, but it hurts’ – Leslie
Nielsen, Naked Gun 2 1/2
@lateraltruth
Looking forward to moving and
having @PlushHillCycles
as one of my local shops. Heard
great things about them. @YetiCharge
Next person who says “it’s good
for the garden” will be
buried underneath a lawn of
AstroTurf.
@MattMBR
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SRAM RED - 2012 represents the pinnacle of road racing technology and delivers countless performance
advantages to the professional and enthusiast alike.
Six brand new components - revolutionary front shifting technology without trim, Yaw™ technology fully integrated power meter option - amazing new two-tone finish - totalweight of 1739g, 100g lighter
than SRAM RED 2011 Black Edition.
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I really liked the experience &
the atmosphere. Wheel building
was covered particularly well.
Terence Morris
UÊÊÊand City and Ո`ÃÊ««ÀœÛi`ÊVi˜ÌÀi
UÊÊIndustry Standard QCF qualifications
UÊÊ««Ài˜ÌˆViň«ÃÊand i>À˜iÀÊ,i뜘ÈÛi
funded packages
UÊÊ iÜÊiÛiÊÎʵÕ>ˆvˆV>̈œ˜Ênow available
We are very proud to be sponsored by:
Checkout our website at www.cycle-systems-academy.co.uk
or call 0207 608 2577 for a chat about what we can offer you and
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