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‘The cycling industry is inundated with inventive, resourceful and enterprising individuals ready to drive this sector into a new era’
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THE EDITOR
Evolving in the right way Last week, the UK Government announced plans for thousands of miles of new protected bike lanes, cycle training for everyone and bikes available on prescription. “We’ve got a once in a lifetime opportunity to create a shift in attitudes for generations to come, and get more people choosing to cycle or walk as part of their daily routine,” transport secretary Grant Shapps said. “The measures we’ve set out in this revolutionary plan will do just that. No matter your age, how far you’re travelling, or your current confidence on a bike – there are plans to help and support you.” Despite the ongoing unfamiliar circumstances, there’s something exhaustingly familiar about UK politicians promoting cycling. In principle, the plans demonstrate undoubted promise, but I expect I’m not alone in saying I will believe it when I see it. As the country transitions to business as usual, our August issue has, for the most part, followed suit. This month’s edition focuses on positive evolution, innovation and ambition throughout the cycling industry, from Raleigh UK’s new chapter (p14) and the rise of e-cargo (p22) to the launch of the National Bicycle Tyre Recycling Scheme (p33) and a workshop boom (p37). And to really top off this innovatory sector, we hear from Henry Furniss on how 3D printing could be the future of custom carbon bike building. Regardless of whether our Government delivers on its many promises, it’s reassuring to know the cycling industry is inundated with inventive, resourceful and enterprising individuals ready to drive this sector into a new era.
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AUGUST 2020
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Raleigh UK on life in lockdown James Groves sits down with newly-appointed Raleigh UK managing director Lee Kidger as he talks e-mobility, COVID-19 and continual development
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Printer is coming Henry Furniss tells Rebecca Morley why 3D printing could be the future of custom carbon bike building
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Delivering change Rebecca Morley examines how changing travel habits and online shopping trends will impact demand for e-cargo bikes
33 Solving a major ecological issue Following two years of research, Velorim has launched its National Bicycle Tyre Recycling Scheme. James Groves caught up with director Richard Lawrence to find out more
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At your service Cycle shops have seen a boom in demand during the COVID-19 pandemic. But how has this affected the repairs and servicing side of business?
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Sector Guides August’s guide rounds up mountain bikes and stocking fillers
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A CYCLING ICON RELOADED Available exclusively from VeloBrands View the Mojito3 on www.velobrands.biz kask.com
POINTS OF VIEW
A land of opportunities By Stacey MacNaught, founder of SEO agency MacNaught Digital
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he future of retail is unpredictable. COVID-19 was the final nail in the coffin of many large high street brands in recent months. And it’s no secret that brick and mortar retail has been struggling in many areas for some time. So as IBDs, a solid safety net is likely to be available in the form of a performing website – a website that can generate revenue even on the days when the shop is quiet. But it comes with its challenges. The online Google Ad spend in this space is dominated by big names like Halfords and Evans Cycles. And big retailers have the big budgets to invest in all-singing-all-dancing websites with the bells and whistles. So can an independent retailer really compete online? I think so. And here’s why. Searches are on the up… Big time. Especially following lockdown, searches for “bikes” on Google UK are astronomically high. In May 2019, 110,000 people searched “bikes”, based on data from KWFinder. In April 2020, that was a phenomenal 550,000. And although the peak was May and searches dropped slightly in June, we’re still way above the level of this time last year. COVID-19 means that people who would normally go to a physical store for a bike have made the purchase online. And this could lead to long-term habits in people who have previously shopped in store for cycling equipment. So if more people are likely to be shopping online for bikes, then there’s more of the online market to go around. In other words, the timing is great for independents looking to make online work.
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Big brands dominate big searches – but not all Big brands have a big challenge on their hands keeping up with content requirements on their websites. When you stock hundreds of thousands of products, you cannot realistically create in-depth content and information on every single page with any degree of ease. Yes, if you search “bikes” in Google, you’ll find Evans, Halfords and Decathlon all in the top five. It’s not too dissimilar if you search “mountain bikes”, which had over 600,000 searches in May.
“The timing is great for independents looking to make online work” But data from search engines shows us that people search in much more specific terms too. You know your customers and you know the level of research they might do before making a purchase. This is often online. And when they get to the point when they’re ready to buy, they might type in much more specific queries than those big ones. Some examples: – “Cinelli Bikes” (5,400 searches in May) where much smaller retailers can be found on the first page of Google – “Ridley bikes” (6,600 searches in May) – “Elswick bikes” (2,900 searches in May)
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POINTS OF VIEW
– Write content as someone who has been hands on with that bike, giving a solid first hand description rather than a simple specification based on data from a manufacturer – Answer questions you know customers might have right there on the page A unique, in-depth product page is something, with a smaller range than a big retailer, you could potentially do better than the big brands and in turn this is something that works in your favour with getting in search engines. So, how do you do it? We’d need a whole series of articles to walk you through the step by step. But to cover it concisely, let me point you in the direction of some resources to get online, research your audience and start learning the basics of online advertising and SEO if you’re new to it. First up, a website doesn’t have to cost hundreds of thousands of pounds and take several months to create. Try shop builders like Shopblocks and Shopify for a quick and cost effective website that will enable you to sell online fast.
“In May 2019, 110,000 people searched “bikes” via Google UK. In April 2020, that was a phenomenal 550,000”
Big brand reputations are suffering online In part down to fulfilment issues in lockdown and also in part down to other issues, many of the big retailers struggle with online reviews, which are critical in the decision about whether or not to buy something. Halfords is rated just 2.7 out of five on TrustPilot, while Evans is even lower on 2.1. With thousands of reviews, it’s hard to turn these average scores around. But newer-to-the-online-space independent retailers who focus on great customer service can build a pristine online reputation from day one.
SEO and Google Ads are powerful marketing tools because they let you reach users while they’re actively looking for your product. Deciding how to reach that audience all starts with understanding how they search. Online tools will help you to understand, such as KWFinder, SEMrush and AlsoAsked. Some resources if you’re embarking upon this without the assistance of an agency or consultant: – Google Skill Shop equips you with resources to learn the basics of how to use a host of Google tools – The Moz Beginner’s Guide to SEO is a great place to start with getting your head around the basics of SEO – Google’s Own Webmaster Guidelines offer insight into what Google is looking for with your website
Independents can create better web content As an independent retailer, you probably know the specific questions of your customer far better than a marketing team inside a head office somewhere. As a smaller business, even if you’re not customer facing day to day, you’re likely closer to your customers than the marketing team within a large retail organisation. In other words, when you come to create a product page for a bike on your website, you can:
More people are looking to buy bikes online and independent retailers have a potential knowledge advantage over many of the marketing teams within large brands. You don’t have to invest hundreds of thousands to go head to head with the market leader. Instead, you identify and carve out your own area of the search market, get a cost effective site up fast and start building a reputation for offering the same level of expertise and service online as you do in your physical shop location. Good luck! n
In other words, by researching how people are searching for more specific brands or even products, you can target your marketing in areas less dominated by retail giants.
8 | August 2020
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APPOINTMENTS This month’s movers and shakers throughout the cycle industry... Pippa Wibberley, Accell Bike Parts
Bruce Sandell, RGT Cycling
Pippa Wibberley is taking up a new position as global managing director of Accell Bike Parts GmbH, after two and a half years as managing director of Raleigh UK. During her time as MD, Wibberley led a strong Raleigh team to deliver market share growth in key markets such as e-bikes and parts and accessories, implement industry service propositions and prepare the business for future opportunities. Wibberley has been succeeded in this role by Lee Kidger (see page 14). Previously business manager, parts and accessories, Kidger has worked at Raleigh for more than five years and has played a pivotal role in growing the Raleigh UK parts and accessories business to almost double what it was in 2017. His experience and knowledge in the areas of sales, marketing, service and supply chain have made him well prepared to take up the reins. “It is great to be leaving Raleigh on such a high,” Wibberley said. “The whole team has worked tirelessly to create the momentum we see today and as my new role includes the P&A business of the UK, I will get to stay involved with a team I have thoroughly enjoyed working with.” Kidger added: “There has never been a more exciting time to lead the Raleigh UK business. We have done some important heavy lifting over the last two years and our plans, which combine super-strong bike brands and a market-leading P&A business, means the future is full of opportunity. “I would like to thank all our customers for the support they give us. I am very much looking forward to the continued success we will experience together in the coming months and years.”
RGT Cycling has added Bruce Sandell to its team. Formerly managing director and founder of Gruppo Media, owners of the Rouleur Classic, print magazine Rouleur and its online companion, Sandell joins RGT Cycling as consultant commercial director to work across business strategy, development and partnerships, as the platform continues to develop its commercial offering for partner brands. “RGT Cycling has been a brand I’ve followed since its inception. To join the team at this phase of its development is very exciting,” said Sandell. “This is a very dynamic area of huge growth potential for the cycle industry. The RGT team has already started to build some superb partnerships with brands – as well as race organisers, teams and governing bodies over the past few months. This will connect cyclists from all over the world and create unique riding, racing and training experiences. I’m very much looking forward to helping take RGT to its next level.” Alex Serban, RGT Cycling CEO, added: “We’re delighted to bring Bruce on board, adding a wealth of skills and experience to our team. Bruce’s network and knowledge of the global cycling industry will play an important role in our development as we continue on our path of rapid expansion. It’s the start of another exciting chapter for the both of us.”
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“RGT Cycling has been a brand I’ve followed since its inception. To join the team at this phase of its development is very exciting”
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30/07/2020 14:11
Chris Atkins, Muc-Off
Kevin Rouse, Lezyne
Chris Atkins has joined the Muc-Off team in a newly appointed role of trade marketing manager. He started out in the cycling industry at just 15, where he carried out work experience at his local bike shop. Having spent 17 years at Specialized UK working across a variety of sales and brand development roles, he has developed a passion for retail and visual merchandising. “I’ve always been a huge fan of Muc-Off and am super stoked to join the team – especially at a time of exceptional growth and opportunity for the company,” said Atkins. “I look forward to working alongside our retailers and global distributors to help promote the Muc-Off brand and its market-leading products.” Atkins will be responsible for driving the execution of Muc-Off brand strategies with distribution and retail customers. This will include the development and roll-out of impactful POS, coordination of trade launches for new product releases and execute the brand’s presence at key trade show events within Europe and the US.
Lezyne has hired Kevin Rouse to support and sustain the brand’s continued growth as marketing/PR specialist. Focusing on progressing paid and organic digital outreach efforts as well as assisting with brand communications, Rouse will join the in-house digital marketing and communications team. He comes to Lezyne with nearly a decade of industry experience, including roles as account executive at True Communications and senior editor at Paved Magazine. Rouse’s hire follows record growth that has seen the introduction of numerous new product lines, including the Smart Connect-enhanced LED lights and GPS devices. “I’m proud to be joining the team at Lezyne,” said Rouse. “The fact that I start my rides with an 11-year-old— and counting—Road Drive pump in my jersey pocket is a testament to my long-held admiration of Lezyne and its dedication to creating tirelessly engineered, top-quality products and I can’t wait to help bring the singular Lezyne experience to others.”
Ben Clark, Coros Wearables
Michael Mchale, Decathlon UK
Coros Wearables has appointed Ben Clark to Northern Europe market manager, as the company continues to strengthen its product offering in Europe. Coros Wearables is a performance sports watch brand but is also well known in the cycling world for its smart helmet technology. The Linx, Omni, and SafeSound cycle helmets are worn by roadies, commuters, and mountain bikers alike. Clark, who had previously been the UK market manager for Coros, said: “I am delighted that Coros has placed further trust in my ability to represent and market them in the Northern European market. We have achieved so much so far in the UK through press and marketing, and I am looking forward to replicating this success in Benelux and the Nordic countries.”
Decathlon UK has appointed Michael Mchale as its new national after sales care leader. Mchale will lead the whole operation both digitally and in stores to provide an omnichannel experience to customers in all areas linked to post-purchase support. He has lead the road cycling side of the business for over a year but, with the recent upsurge in demand for store workshops and online support, “the time was ripe” to invest further in customer care and after sales, Decathlon said. “We are confident that by increasing focus on spare part supply, training for technicians, simplifying the way customers can connect with us and creating a unique and tailored experience for the end-user, we will be well placed to support our continued multi-channel growth plans here in the UK,” said a statement.
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FEATURE
Sustainability, brand development and recruiting from within: Raleigh on life in lockdown James Groves sits down with newly-appointed Raleigh UK managing director Lee Kidger as he talks e-mobility, COVID-19 and continual development
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n June, it was confirmed that after two and a half years at the Raleigh UK helm, Pippa Wibberley would be taking up the role of global managing director for Accell Bike Parts. Yet for many of those with a pre-existing relationship with the UK distributor, her replacement is a very familiar face. Lee Kidger has been heading up Raleigh UK’s P&A sector since 2018. In that time, he has overseen key brand acquisitions such as Saris, Met and Selle Italia, while total P&A sales have almost doubled. Kidger, who began his Raleigh career as an area account manager in September 2014, believes the Accell Group recruitment process delivers an encouraging message to his inherited team. “It’s demonstrated that Accell is very keen to recruit from within, and that has to be very promising for everyone involved,” he says. “We’ve done some amazing things at Raleigh in the past few years and it’s vital that we’re able to continue that same project uninterrupted with a similar team. “There’s continual development on the Raleigh brand, and we want to take that to the next level in the coming months. We have some exciting projects going on – which I can’t really go into right now – but it’s looking like the next 18 months will be a really exciting time for Raleigh.” It’s been an interesting start to life at the helm for Kidger, who first discovered he would be taking on the role less than a fortnight before UK lockdown. “The team worked really hard. We still had some essential logistics workers in from the get-go, which naturally can’t be done from home. We had one week Pippa Wibberley is now global of pausing, monitoring the managing director for Accell Bike Parts situation and wondering what
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The new man at the helm: Raleigh UK managing director Lee Kidger we should do. But with that exception, it’s been all systems go; there’s been no let-up since. “Naturally there have been stock issues, but we’re working with bike factories and P&A brands to secure as much stock as possible. Supply chain is different to what is has been, but we are here to support our IBD customers through this time. “COVID has, of course, put paid to a few of the plans that I had. My background is in P&A, so I know many people from that side of the business, but I’m not quite as established with the bike side. It would have been great to do a couple of weeks touring our dealer network, but unfortunately, that will have to wait!” In line with the rest of the cycling industry, the ongoing lockdown period has left Raleigh more in-demand than ever. “While we’re hardly celebrating the pandemic, it really is an exciting time to be in cycling,” Kidger says.
www.bikebiz.com
30/07/2020 16:14
FEATURE
“It’s equally a really exciting time to take charge of a business in this industry. The coronavirus has brought about some challenges, of course it has, but the business is in a very good position.” He’s quick, however, to give credit to his predecessor. “If we hadn’t been in such a strong position for the past few years with Pippa in charge, we’d be having a very different conversation,” he says. “She’s done some genuinely amazing things, both from a business perspective and pulling the team together, and I’ve inherited a great team beside me. “We are ambitious and we want to continue to take Raleigh UK on this journey that takes us to the next level.” E-mobility has without question been a key trend of the past couple of years, and COVID has only served to accelerate that.
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“There’s continual development on the Raleigh brand, and we want to take that to the next level in the coming months” “Clearly, e-bikes, e-cargo bikes and e-mobility in general will be a huge focus for Raleigh,” says Kidger. “It’s no secret that e-cargo is becoming more and more prominent, so we’ll certainly be venturing into that market. Conventional, mechanical bikes will remain a significant focus, too, but they will be structured to the bikes we want our customers to buy. We’re not going to be doing £5,000 road bikes or high-end electric mountain bikes. We have Haibike and Lapierre (as our sister brands) in the market to offer bicycles for these sectors. Raleigh is famous for the urban, leisure and commuting sectors, and that’s what we’ll continue to prioritise.
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FEATURE
E-bikes will be a “huge focus”
Raleigh UK in 2020 January Raleigh extends portfolio to work with Selle Italia “We are really excited to start a new brand relationship with Selle Italia. Its product line-up is very exciting with superb quality, and with the rebrand, offers bicycle retailers a full spectrum of exceptional price pointed saddles; from great quality mid-price point saddles to top end saddles like SLR and FLITE.”
February Met distribution deal confirmed, effective 1st March
“It’s a really exciting time to take charge of a business in the cycle industry” “We do this both as a business and then as an industry, so that moving forward, we have the ability to actually change cycling. That means working with the Government, helping to change infrastructure, get more people on bikes, get fewer people using cars. We’re in a unique position with COVID, but it could be a fundamental change for the industry.” And speaking of fundamental changes, UK e-scooter trials represent an interesting dilemma for the cycling industry – assuming legislation evolves. Some IBDs are already considering the possibility of stocking e-scooters alongside their more conventional rides, but how could that affect cycling distributors? “Anything that is sustainable, both from a mobility point of view and transport point view, we are absolutely behind,” says Kidger. “We’re in business to sell bikes and bike solutions, so at this time, e-scooters are not something we will be venturing into. Legislation has to change, but if their arrival means a reduction in carbon footprint, it can only be a good thing.” He concludes: “Raleigh has the highest awareness as a bike brand in the UK (82% aided brand recognition). We need to do everything we can to harness that as best we can.” n
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“Met’s product portfolio offers an impressive range, covering the full spectrum from sports performance road and MTB helmets, through to its stylish Urban helmets and popular youth category. We’re confident that this new partnership will add incredible benefit to our trade customers and be well-received.”
March Raleigh launches Electric Bike Access c2w scheme The scheme targets SMEs and their employees with ‘uncomplicated and affordable’ access to its range of e-bikes. The aim is to provide businesses with a digital cycle to work benefit that elevates the Raleigh, Haibike and Lapierre brands in the UK market, supports the network of retail partners and builds greater awareness of e-bikes. Working in partnership with small to mediumsized businesses across the UK, Electric Bike Access will expose e-bikes to new customers in new markets and promote electric bikes as an alternative to cars and public transport for the daily commute.
April Raleigh awarded Gold Cycle Friendly Employer accreditation by Cycling UK Cycling UK’s James Palser said: “We were impressed to see the enthusiasm Raleigh has for supporting its staff to cycle more often, which is very encouraging from one of the country’s best-known bike brands. It was superb to see the workshop where, alongside new bikes being checked before delivery, the workshop team maintains staff bikes, with parts being offered at cost price to employees, an often-overlooked cost of cycle commuting.” n
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30/07/2020 16:14
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21/07/2020 15:46
FEATURE
Printer is coming Henry Furniss tells Rebecca Morley why 3D printing could be the future of custom carbon bike building
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&D and innovation are vital in any industry, with businesses of all sizes benefiting from technological advancements. And 3D printing is certainly adding a new dimension to the bike manufacturing sector – in this particular case, revolutionising how made-to-measure carbon frames can be fabricated.
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Henry Furniss co-founded WyndyMilla in 2009 with Nasima Siddiqui, but sold it in December last year to take on new challenges in the world of cycling and fitness – and it’s safe to say he’s been busy experimenting since. Pictures of 3D-printed lugs were teased on his Instagram feed earlier this year while he and some close friends began R&D for custom carbon frame builds.
www.bikebiz.com
30/07/2020 14:13
FEATURE
“We are experimenting with 3D printing to push technical boundaries for frame fabrication,” Furniss later tells BikeBiz. “This would enable a huge leap forward in bringing a viable business model for custom carbon frame manufacture to the UK. “The next step will be to see if we could deliver that with world beating quality and a great customer experience for a global market. Right now, we are very focused on the technology – everything else follows on from that.”
3D CAD image of a lug
Home improvements Furniss says everything he has ever done in cycling has been inspired by a simple and enduring passion for riding bikes, striving to improve that experience and everything that goes with it. But his best analogy to highlight the inspiration behind this part of the journey is likening frame R&D to home improvements. “If you’re renting your house, your creative imagination is being channeled into adding value to somebody else’s property, and your long-term security is at the mercy of the owner,” he says. “However, if you own the house, you own the ideas and any home improvements that you make. The value and credibility is yours; you have both control and long-term security. Knocking down walls to secure a more comfortable and efficient future becomes both a viable and valuable option. “Right now, the team is working out the best way to build a totally new kind of house from the ground up.” Furniss has been involved in designing and building made-to-measure custom bikes for ten years. “The frames were designed in the UK and built in Italy,” he continues. “The value of that experience is immeasurable and Italian production remains a good model for a small, direct-tocustomer, UK-based lifestyle business. “However, as my network and ambitions grew beyond UK shores, it became clear that our model could not service an international market in a viable manner. This realisation inspired us to turn creative imagination towards a lean, agile and commercially-focused way to fabricate frames in the UK.” But how long has this idea been gestating? “You could say I had the idea in 2009,” Furniss says. “My faith and definiteness of purpose in cycling has ultimately remained the same since then – to make fantastic bikes that look good enough to eat and ride like a dream.” However, the idea to experiment with UK fabrication was a fusion of a conversation on a very wet Mexico City hillside in 2019, (at 3000m, Furniss says), and a seemingly ‘idle chat’ at a pub with an engineering friend of Furniss’ early in 2020.
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30/07/2020 14:13
FEATURE
A few other factors conspired together with the WyndyMilla sale and COVID-19, all of which put them in a position to start turning that creative imagination into material innovation. Custom collective Furniss says that until recently, the team hadn’t spoken about these ideas to anyone beyond their ‘Brain Trust’ of fellow travellers. But the support for these plans has been “overwhelming”, he says, and has helped to build confidence and a clearer picture of what a business model could look like. “This was, and is, something really fun that we are collaborating on – pressure-free. As a relationships person in business, I have always been a staunch believer in the value of collaboration. Times have changed, many of the very best industry experts are independent: painters, bike fitters, engineers, designers and specialist brands. “A marked step up in interest in our ideas due to the credibility of ‘in-house’ fabrication and ownership of technology has already laid the foundations for potential joint marketing ventures, community initiatives and shared sales channels with many of the aforementioned. “If we were to pull the trigger on something new, we’d essentially form a ‘custom collective’ with the best the industry has to offer. A cooperative of expert individuals and brands all united by having passion, harmony, definiteness of purpose and faith at their core – crucial in the current environment to be lean and agile enough to compete for a viable slice of the market. Better together!” Leading the charge For now, Furniss says he is enjoying this rare opportunity to pursue integrating new 3D printing technology into frame building without any immediate pressure to take it to market. “We are looking at all the different options as to how we might utilise the fruits of our labour, should it all go to plan,” he says. “There are many factors at play as to how that might look. Maybe we’ll prove the technology is not ready yet, or simply too expensive. But parking that notion for now, it could either be a case of utilising the technology in collaboration with existing brands, or perhaps if the environment was just right, we’d consider pulling the trigger on the creation of something new.” Furniss believes the future of bike design is integration: “The bicycle is still made up of hundreds of component parts, so it stands to reason that bikes will continue down the path of becoming cleaner and more simple – integrated.” The importance of 3D printing, he continues, particularly with carbon fabrication, is that it reopens the door for
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Furniss’ workstation
challenger and disruptor brands to have a chance to join the ‘big guys’ in leading the R&D race in a material way. “Take TT bikes as an example – at WyndyMilla, we used to make them and sell a good number, but when annual changes to integrated hydration systems and proprietary cockpits became the accepted norm, we were priced out of TT R&D and it became the sole remit of the big guys.” As 3D printing advances, Furniss says that type of R&D can be within reach of challenger brands again – the ‘gargantuan’ cost of proprietary monocoque fabrication will no longer be the only option to lead the charge. In short, the versatility of 3D printing could allow the ‘small guys’ to compete at every level in what is an incredibly fast-moving and fickle industry. “Think N+1, who knows, maybe in a few years you’ll be able to press print on your new bike frame on a whim in your living room,” Furniss concludes. “Until then, we’ll keep experimenting for the love of it!”
www.bikebiz.com
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Hotlines MY21 Bikes Launch.
To get the info first, please e-mail us to register your interest, including the brands you would most like to hear about. We will reply with an itinerary when presentations are primed and dates are confirmed. Then when it’s safe and sensible, we will be back on the road showing you the best bike brands up close(ish)… info@hotlines-uk.com
B M X
We have huge news to share on our key bicycle brands. To get the scoop as soon as possible, you can join us online throughout August.
B i c y c l e
No surprises here; we are going online…
FEATURE
Zedify recently raised over £300,000 from private investors
Delivering change Rebecca Morley examines how changing travel habits and online shopping trends will impact demand for e-cargo bikes
D
emand for deliveries in 2020 is high – many people have been working from home and shopping online during COVID-19 and there’s potential for this trend to continue in the coming months. And one option that might help, particularly in our cities, is the e-cargo bike. Even pre-COVID, their use had been growing rapidly as businesses looked for zero emissions delivery solutions that can travel through congested streets faster than other vehicles. And earlier this year, funding was awarded to 18 local authorities from the £2 million eCargo Bike Grant Fund, funded by the DfT and delivered by Energy Saving Trust. “E-cargo bikes are an attractive low carbon transport solution that are becoming more widely adopted,” says Tim Anderson, head of transport at Energy Saving Trust.
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“They offer significant benefits, most impressively fuel cost savings and contributing to improved local air quality which are particularly attractive as we work towards a green recovery following the COVID-19 outbreak. “With more deliveries to our homes than ever, last-mile delivery is an important area for consideration in our journey to reduce transport emissions to net-zero by 2050. We expect the eCargo Bike Grant Fund to support wider and longerterm uptake of these light vehicles.” Home deliveries E-cargo bikes allow companies to make deliveries in a more environmental way, something which many businesses will be putting a great emphasis on.
www.bikebiz.com
30/07/2020 14:15
FEATURE
“E-cargo bikes fit in really well with the push for green recovery and clean air in cities,” says Rob King, co-founder and CEO of Zedify. Moving forward, King says people are likely to continue having goods sent to their homes as they look for choice in when exactly they get their deliveries. “If you book something online, you’d expect it to come the next day. That’s changed in the last five to ten years. “Our model means that we can be much more flexible – we can do evening deliveries, we can offer people time windows for when they want their delivery to be.” E-cargo bikes also offer the city-wide benefit of cleaner air and more livable streets as well as flexibility for businesses. “People tend to be happier on a cargo bike. It’s a stressful job being a delivery person – if you’re stuck in traffic and get frustrated that can end up being a negative experience on the doorstep. But if you turn up having done an active delivery on a cargo bike, that pressure is often released in the exercise. And it’s a much clearer demonstration of your environmental principles than an electric van.” The technology platform Zedify has developed is set to improve too, with the company recently completing its first external funding round having raised over £300,000 from a group of private investors led by Green Angel Syndicate (GAS). The funding will further enable Zedify depots to optimise and manage first and last-mile deliveries efficiently as volumes grow across the group. It will also expand the capacity of its national team with new hires in sales, marketing and operations to accelerate the growth of the national network and support its plans for up to 20 depots to be operational by. Creating space European research suggests that 10-15% of all deliveries could be replaced by the e-cargo bike sector in the coming years. e-cargobikes.com aims to capture 20% of this market, replacing nearly 12,500 diesel vans, saving 300,000 tonnes of carbon per year plus savings of embedded carbon over vans – around ten tonnes of carbon per diesel van replaced. “We keep hearing this term ‘shovel-ready solutions’ and that’s exactly what we are: a sustainable, ready-to-go solution without the infrastructure changes that electric vehicles would need,” says Clare Elwes, co-founder of e-cargobikes.com. “It will be interesting to see what remains of the work we’ve done during COVID and what we were doing before, but either way, there’s going to be more acceptance that cargo bikes are good for many things.” e-cargobikes.com was among 11 winners at the annual Ashden Awards announced on 2nd July, chosen from over
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200 applicants for their work creating resilience, green growth and fairer societies. Many of the finalists and winners were also applauded for their quick and effective responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, supporting businesses and communities, and the Ashden judges commended e-cargobikes.com for making its cargo bike fleet available to move vital food and medicines in London. The company has shown that just one single e-cargo bike can deliver the same amount as a conventional 3.5 tonne diesel van over an eight-hour shift, while requiring only a fraction of the energy. Using the well-to-wheel metric – a measure of the total energy required to power a vehicle, including the energy required to produce and distribute the fuels they use – one e-cargo bike requires less than 0.5% of the energy needed to power a 3.5-tonne conventional diesel-fuelled delivery van over an eight-hour delivery shift. An electric van, however, provides just a 30% improvement over the diesel van. Additionally, Elwes says one of the complaints people have about cycling infrastructure is that it’s mainly used during rush hour, therefore taking up road space during the day from other vehicles. But if cargo bikes can replace delivery vans, that space will still be used during quieter periods – creating a win-win scenario for everybody. “How we live and do business in our cities is crucial to meeting climate, jobs and inequality targets and delivering a green recovery,” says Harriet Lamb, CEO of Ashden. “Improving infrastructure for bikes is key to improving the air in our cities, and all our health. E-cargo bikes in the UK are demonstrating how low carbon last-mile transport can and must replace high carbon van delivery.”
E-cargo bikes allow companies to make deliveries in a more environmental way
August 2020 | 23
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NUMBER CRUNCHING 24 BBAug20 Stats Final.indd 1
With UK trials underway, Uswitch investigated which cities are ready for an e-scooter revolution...
Carlisle
Preston
47.1
50.0
Newcastle
39.4
43.5
46.7 42.0 Salford
Sunderland
Hull
Manchester
46.0 39.3
Oxford
42.2
49.0
Peterborough
Westminster
Sources Numbeo ONS Sustrans Stolen-Bikes.co.uk www.cyipt.bike Wikipedia
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FEATURE
FEATURE
Value-added Tacx Following the acquisition of Tacx last year, Garmin is bringing distribution and marketing in-house as of 1st August. James Groves catches up with Andrew Silver, Garmin’s European product manager for fitness and cycling
Garmin acquired Tacx back in April 2019. What attracted you to Tacx, and how did that agreement come to pass? Garmin’s heritage is centred in GPS, which influenced the entry to many of our markets, including cycling. The first products we launched in the cycling space were GPS computers, with the earliest iterations of the Edge range. As we established ourselves in the market, we saw that cyclists were looking for even more insights into their riding and more technology to support their rides. That’s when the Varia and Vector ranges were introduced, to offer cyclists a comprehensive system of products that worked together to give the rider unique performance insight, bike-specific navigation, and an improved sense of safety while riding. It’s this journey and mindset that led us to Tacx. At Garmin, we’re always listening to our athletes and what they want, as well as market trends to see where we should be building products.
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One thing we started to see was more Garmin users logging indoor rides with Edge and Vector products. We also saw indoor cycling begin to shift from a winter only activity to a year-round sport in its own right. More and more riders will train indoors because it can be more efficient, targeted and convenient. We saw an opportunity to bring our expertise in outdoor riding and training to the indoor space to give cyclists an integrated and seamless year-round training experience. When you consider what this year has brought in terms of the emphasis on indoor, clearly this approach was the right one. At Garmin, engineering is at the heart of what we do, which means we’ll almost always develop products ourselves rather than acquire or outsource. Tacx is a rare exception to this because it so perfectly mirrored Garmin’s values and how we would approach the indoor market.
www.bikebiz.com
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FEATURE
Tacx’s product innovation is hugely advanced and delivers everything that we’d want if we created a Garmin bespoke product, being a highly realistic, quiet and accurate indoor ride experience. Tacx shares a lot of the cultural values at the heart of Garmin: it’s a company driven by innovation and product development. At both Garmin and Tacx’s cores there is a passionate engineering culture at heart, where developing the best products is the key goal. The product quality and existing brand was the key driver, but it can’t be ignored that we were entering the indoor trainer space later than some of our competitors. If there wasn’t a player like Tacx on the market that mirrored the Garmin brand so well, we would have developed our own line. But when there was an already highly functional and market-leading opportunity available, it made sense to take it. Garmin has now taken steps to centralise Tacx’s distribution and marketing. Why have you adopted this strategy, and to what extent will this differ from ZyroFisher’s work with the brand?
The acquisition was quite new territory for us; we usually choose to engineer in-house rather than through acquiring an existing company. But as Tacx is such a valuable, strong brand, that mirrors Garmin’s values, it made sense to bring it into the Garmin family. By bringing Tacx under the Garmin umbrella, it’s important that Tacx keeps its identity while also feeling like a full Garmin offering. Tacx has a really strong brand, but so does Garmin, and integrating these two from development to marketing is something that needs to be handled centrally to ensure a consistent brand feeling for customers. Throughout the acquisition, ZyroFisher has been a great partner in helping us reach this goal in the UK and Ireland.
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But August was always the clear goal for Tacx to be managed fully by Garmin, and we’re incredibly excited to continue to take Tacx to new heights as part of Garmin. It’s unlikely that you’ll see any significant immediate changes, but Tacx will become a clear Garmin brand in all senses, while staying true to its existing brand identity. To what extent has the handover process been complicated by COVID? All businesses have needed to be dynamic in the face of COVID, but the plan to integrate Tacx into Garmin has always been clear and something we’ve strived for as a priority. August was always a clearly set timeline for us, and while there may have been new challenges (changing working practices for example), we have always focused on achieving that goal. While we can’t comment on Tacx sales specifically, the whole cycling industry has seen a strong uptick in the wake of COVID, and Tacx has been no exception here.
It’s promising to see the number of people getting on their bikes and the number of people riding indoors for the first time. This is a trend we expect to continue as indoor cycling continues to build its identity as a sport in its own right. What’s next for Tacx? We acquired Tacx because it mirrored Garmin’s drive for engineering excellence. Both brands have the goal of providing a seamless, enjoyable and safe year-round riding experience. So, while there’s nothing to announce right now, rest assured that the new Tacx products coming in the future will have some amazing, industry-leading technology and features. n
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FEATURE
Wheels for Wellbeing director Isabelle Clement at Southbank
How accessible is active travel infrastructure? Rebecca Morley catches up with Wheels for Wellbeing director Isabelle Clement to find out why disabled people’s freedom of movement must be prioritised post-lockdown
A
ctive travel infrastructure has been popping up all over the country in the past few months. With Government funding, local authorities are introducing measures encouraging people to walk and cycle to limit overcrowding on public transport and reduce our reliance on private cars. Pavements are being widened, car access is being limited in certain neighbourhoods and car lanes are being turned into cycle lanes. However, charity Wheels for Wellbeing says that unless pop-up pavements and cycle lanes are accessible to all and disabled car parking is retained, disabled people will “remain prisoners in their own homes”
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because it won’t be safe for them to move around and they won’t be able to physically distance. “On the one hand, we’re very excited about local authorities being told to provide better walking and cycling environments,” says Wheels for Wellbeing director Isabelle Clement. “That’s a really good development and it’s sad that we needed COVID to take us there. We want any additional walking, wheeling and cycling infrastructure to be fully inclusive, so disabled people can physically distance while using an active mode of transport. That won’t be able to happen if the pop-up infrastructure isn’t fully accessible to people on wheels – whichever kind of wheel.
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FEATURE
“We’re concerned that disabled people are among those who may be clinically at a higher risk of serious consequences if they were to catch the virus. A good proportion of disabled people will have been shielding and they need to regain their physical conditioning all the more because of lockdown. “A lot of the ways through which disabled people will have been trying to stay fit and well, before COVID, have all shut down as well.” 19% of the population is over 65 and 21% of UK adults are disabled. 1.8 million people were advised by the NHS to practice shielding and remain at home due to COVID19, but being isolated indoors for prolonged periods leads to a greatly increased risk of ill health and greater care needs. The chief medical officer recommends that every adult should aim for a minimum of 150 minutes per week of moderate intensity exercise to improve their mental and physical health, but even before lockdown, disabled people were 50% less likely to achieve this.
“We are potentially putting more strain on the NHS by not providing accessible walking, wheeling and cycling environments”
Any additional walking, wheeling and cycling infrastructure needs to be fully inclusive, says Wheels for Wellbeing
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Restrictions on the ability to exercise and social interaction may cause or worsen key medical conditions, leading to an increase in the incidence of disability and higher economic costs. And while the population has been encouraged to stay physically active through walking and cycling during lockdown, Clement says this needs to be made available to disabled people too. “People whose health and fitness is generally harder to keep in good condition need the widened footways and the new cycling infrastructure. We are potentially putting more strain on the NHS by not providing accessible walking, wheeling and cycling environments. We are keen that local authorities are aware of that.” Wheels for Wellbeing welcomes the £2 billion package for walking and cycling announced by Transport Secretary Grant Shapps earlier this year, as well as the Mayor of London’s Streetspace plan, but it is asking the Government and local authorities to prioritise the freedom of movement of disabled and older people in post-lockdown Britain. Research shows that there are three main reasons why disabled people do not cycle more: inaccessible infrastructure, the prohibitive cost of mobility equipment and the failure to recognise cycles as mobility aids on a level with mobility scooters.
www.bikebiz.com
30/07/2020 16:15
FEATURE
“We also need to ensure these new bits of walking and cycling infrastructures are not in the way of disabled people driving or being driven in order to access their communities.”
The chief medical officer recommends 150 minutes of moderate intensity exercise for adults per week
Moreover, many disabled people rely on a combination of accessible public transport, driving or being driven to experience any active travel at all. “While COVID is still out there in our communities, it’s crucial that we can go out again, and we can do that safely and actively,” says Clement. “There are plenty of disabled people who are not appropriately equipped to go about their daily life actively. There’s still a huge part of the disabled population that BB-JUL20-THE CYCLE DIVISION.qxp_Layout 1 04/06/2020 relies on cars or taxis.
Kickstarting a revolution Last month, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced plans to roll out thousands of miles of new protected bike lanes, cycle training for everyone and bikes available on prescription. The new plan aims to build on the significant increase in the number of people cycling during the pandemic, setting out a long-term vision to increase active travel. New, higher standards for cycling infrastructure have also been published in updated guidance, in order to make sure that schemes are better designed around cyclists’ needs and to make sure they can support a larger number of cyclists in the future. “The role of cycling as an aid to mobility is often overlooked,” said the guidance. “It can help many people to travel independently, but only if the infrastructure is accessible to a range of cycles used by people with children and disabled people. It is therefore very important to ensure that new cycle 15:01 Page 1 infrastructure is designed for use by everyone.”
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FEATURE
Solving a major ecological issue Following two years of research, Velorim has launched its National Bicycle Tyre Recycling Scheme. James Groves caught up with director Richard Lawrence to find out more
How was Velorim first concepted? We knew that common frame and parts materials such as steel, aluminium and plastics were pretty simple to recycle, so we started looking at tyres and inner tubes, which are far more complicated. Inner tubes, to an extent, are accounted for by those overseas who make handbags, wallets and the like, but they will only take a small amount. There are craft reprocessors out there who will look at tyres, but they want new ones. For example, if they want to make a belt, they want it to look nice.
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We did plenty of research but couldn’t find anywhere out there that specifically recycles bike tyres and inner tubes. So we broadened the search and spoke to car tyre reprocessors – they were the obvious people to talk to, after all. They were willing to take our tyres at a cost of £1.50 each. But if you look at Bike For Good, a charity in Glasgow, it has a stockpile of 20,000 tyres. You do the maths! We also came across someone in Loughborough who has hired an industrial unit just to store surplus tyres, so we knew it had become a major issue.
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FEATURE
Cycle King has joined the scheme across all 23 of its stores
“We stumbled onto a problem that was ten times larger than we expected”
From there, we spent two years speaking to many, many people in the UK to build an appropriate model for Velorim that best serves the cycling industry. What was your research method? The first research we did was running through all the stats. We worked out how many bikes were being sold in the UK, how many were on the road, what the average life cycle of a tyre is, how much use each bike is getting, etc. That worked out at around 30.5 million tyres per year being scrapped, and around five inner tubes per tyre. That’s 152.5 million inner tubes. It’s 44,000 tonnes per year being dumped straight into landfill. We stumbled onto a problem that was ten times larger than we expected. We’ve been working with Birmingham University to find ways to devulcanise the tyre rubber, which is quite a technical challenge, but we’ve come up with three different ways of doing it. Working with the inner tubes is considerably easier. How will Velorim look at launch – how will it work? We are launching the Velorim collection process on a trial basis. At present, we’ve got 33 confirmed collection centres and will expand as go along. The collections will be started by early August. There are thousands of bike shops out there, and it causes logistics issues where you’ve got shops who might only get through two bags per year. Then you’ve got some in central London who might get through two bags per day. The logistics are more difficult than the actual collection and processing, and that’s what the next few months are going to be about. We’ll have ongoing partnerships with the shops. The contract will be based on how often you want a collection. We can’t ask all shops to have a collection every week, every fortnight, every month, because every
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shop is different. It will essentially be a standard waste collection service. What sort of reaction have you got from IBDs? Pretty much every shop we’ve spoken to has been very keen. The main queries have been costs and recycling methodologies. One of the larger chains is not interested in signing up with us unless we can prove those methodologies. They don’t want us taking money for it and then dumping them in landfill, or using them as mulch for equestrian centres, which we can totally appreciate! It defeats the object. But in short, everyone we’ve spoken to has said yes. Scotland has been all over this. Primarily that’s down to the fact that the Scottish Government now has an absolute ban on putting any form of tyres, cars, bikes, motorbikes, into landfill. Even as an individual putting a tyre into your bin, and the disposal guys see it, they will refuse to take it. You mentioned one of the main queries is cost. Most people, understandably, look at this and say ‘I’m paying £90 per bag for it to be collected. That’s £90 out of my profit margin. How do I deal with this?’ Fortunately, we can run this as a cost-neutral system. One of our bags will take between 150 and 180 tyres. Of course, that depends on how large the tyres are, and how long you spend jumping up and down on them! For IBDs, we are suggesting 50p per tyre and 20p per inner tube for those who bring recycling into the shops. You can work it so that if you change tyres for the customer in the shop, you just slap another 50p onto the cost of the tyre. We don’t believe that customers are going to mind. 50p per tyre at 180 tyres is £90, which covers the cost of the bag. Even if someone walks into a shop, doesn’t purchase anything, but
www.bikebiz.com
31/07/2020 07:38
FEATURE
is charged £3 for the six tyres they’ve brought in, I don’t think they’re going to baulk at that. How does an IBD advertise the recycling scheme? When an IBD signs up as a Velorim Centre, they’ll get window stickers. We can also offer floor stickers and collection bins, with separate bags for tyres and inner tubes. What they will get is a bag for the tyres, a separate bag for the inner tubes. We’ll also give them leaflets to explain to the end customer exactly how it works. Most cyclists have a very green mentality. It might primarily be for fitness, or for commuting, but there’s always that extra bonus of helping the environment.
“For IBDs, we are suggesting 50p per tyre and 20p per inner tube for those who bring recycling into the shops”
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Each year in the UK 30,500,000 tyres are disposed of long with 152,500,000 inner tubes A ● Over 99% of these end up in landfill ● This is in excess of 44,000 tonnes ●
●
When they realise they can help the environment even more at minimal cost and little inconvenience, I think they will be more than happy to help. Earlier you referred to charity organisations with thousands of tyres stockpiled. What can you offer them? Naturally, if a company has 1,000 tyres stockpiled, that would, in theory, cost £500. It’s a lot for a small charity to spend, so we’re looking at significant discounts for situations such as that. We’ll do everything we can to help them. n
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Opening our doors
In these uncertain times we are opening our doors to every IBD. Whether you’re
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IBD FOCUS
Pennine Cycles’ Paul Corcoran
At your service Cycle shops have seen a boom in demand during the COVID-19 pandemic. But how has this affected the repairs and servicing side of business? Rebecca Morley investigates
O
ne advantage IBDs will always have over the internet is servicing and repairs. Even if customers do choose to spend an increasing amount of time perusing the web, the value of customer service and expertise that bike shops provide in person can never be overlooked. And while the COVID-19 pandemic has seen a boom in demand for bikes, with data in June revealing that 1.3 million UK consumers have bought a bike since the beginning of the crisis, many have
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also been taking bikes out of their sheds for their daily exercise. But have workshops seen an increase in demand? And how big a role do they play in cycle stores’ offerings? “Demand for repairs has changed for us – pretty much from day one of lockdown the phone didn’t stop buzzing,” says Jim Cartridge from 73 Degrees Bicycle Shop. “It was not our usual customer base, in fact we have barely seen any of our ‘usual’ customers – ie club riders and enthusiasts.
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IBD FOCUS
“It has purely been local people who have never or very rarely been into the shop. If only 10% of these customers get the bug and start commuting or generally riding on a more regular/permanent basis, it will be good for us, and I assume other bike shops will have exactly the same. “Obviously, the type of bikes we were getting in weren’t the sort of thing we usually work on, but we rolled our sleeves up and got on with it. Even the bike fitter was getting dirty hands. New stocks of cheaper hybrids were put in the window instead of carbon superbikes, and we became acquainted with 7 and 8 speed drive chains external cable routing and threaded bottom brackets. “We are now starting to see the end of this and our more regular customers are appearing again, so whether the Government repair scheme will be a hit remains to be seen.”
“About a week into lockdown, we suddenly realised everyone wanted to get cycling – it was allowed and people needed to get out of the house” An emotional rollercoaster The Government’s Fix your Bike Voucher Scheme, announced earlier this year, allows members of the public to receive a voucher worth up to £50 towards the cost of repairing a bike. The scheme has been set up to encourage more people to embrace cycling, to boost the number of commuting and leisure trips, and to promote an alternative to public transport. It also aims to help reduce the number of short journeys made by private cars. The vouchers can only be used with bike repair businesses that are registered for the scheme, and bike repairers must meet certain eligibility criteria, including the possession of valid public liability insurance with a minimum cover of £2 million. “When the COVID-19 lockdown started we were left in a very strange place,” says Bill Temple, Primera Sports MD. “Were customers going to disappear, was cycling going to be banned? We were on an emotional rollercoaster but took it all day by day. “About a week into lockdown, we suddenly realised everyone wanted to get cycling – it was allowed and people needed to get out of the house. Workshops were going into overdrive and the phones were beginning to ring off the hook.
38 | August 2020
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“We appreciated that not everyone would want to visit the shop, so we put on a full time collection and drop off service. This proved extremely popular with local hospitals and other key workers looking for help keeping their bikes running. Although we have several mechanics, we were running a booking service three weeks in advance, also taking into account cleaning contact areas on bikes, service time was extended.” Temple says they were ‘very impressed’ with the Government’s offer of a service voucher, as this could keep new cyclists keen and engaged with cycling. The more people cycling, the more chance there is of local councils improving cycle networks. “We are involved with our local Dorset Mind charity as we have no doubt that cycling helps to achieve a happy mind and body. Increased new bike sales have also put more pressure on staff, so although the bike business is booming it has also brought new pressures, but good ones to have. Whatever happens in the bike trade you have to embrace it and turn it into a positive. We are a unique bunch!” The joys of cycling The role of bike shops has been highlighted as ‘extremely important’ during the COVID-19 pandemic, says Paul Corcoran, owner at Pennine Cycles. “As a shop which also offers servicing and repairs, we have seen an increase in demand. “We think the voucher scheme is a good idea as it encourages people to ride their bikes and use their local bike shops for repairs. We have signed up and will be interested to see the take up.” Since the lockdown, servicing and repairs have increased, Corcoran says,
Primera Sports put on a full time collection and drop off service
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30/07/2020 16:17
IBD FOCUS
An extra pair of hands
Schwalbe is assisting retailers with a volunteer programme especially given the shortage of new bikes – meaning customers are having to repair their old ones for the time being. And Tom Farrell from The Woods Cyclery says that since COVID kicked off, the shop was almost immediately busier on repairs than ever in its history. “We offered free labour on NHS workers’ bikes to help them stay rolling. “It seems there was a massive number of people who rediscovered the joy of cycling, whether to try and stay healthy during lockdown or purely because there wasn’t much else to do. We can only hope that they keep it up when life returns to normal. “We are feeling really positive about the future of cycling. With people being more conscious of their health, money being invested in cycling infrastructure and the sheer number of new cyclists that COVID has inspired, we are sure to see continued growth.” The Government’s £50 cycle service voucher scheme is a ‘great idea’, continues Farrell. “It’s so nice to see that cycling is being thought of during this difficult time. I hope the Government continues to value cycling and considers it a solution to many of the world’s problems.” However, Ian Whittingham, co-founder and managing director of Sigma Sports, expresses slight concern about the Government’s “lack of consultation” with independents before launching the £50 voucher scheme. “Whilst we’re very supportive of any measure that encourages more people to ride bikes, we’re concerned that there’s little consideration for existing capacity for
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Schwalbe has launched a volunteer programme to assist retailers with a surge in business, particularly for servicing and repairs. The programme will allow retailers in the UK access to a Schwalbe sales promoter who will work as an extra pair of hands, either in the workshop or on the shop floor, for a day or multiple days if required. This will be completely free of charge to the retailer. The assistance from Schwalbe staff has helped retailers get on top of often huge backlogs of work. The sales promoters can assist retailers in getting on top of their workload with services which include, but not limited to, workshop assistance, bike collection/drop off, run a puncture workshop, charity enterprise work, stock control and management, merchandising, keeping the store tidy and clean, answering phone calls/emails, receiving and storing delivery of stock, meet and greet customers, giving advice and guidance on product selection to customers, assisting customers to find goods and products, and answering queries. Please call Schwalbe UK on 01952 602680 or email info@schwalbe.co.uk to arrange assistance.
repairs in the industry, and the significant admin and unprofitable business this could create for independent retailers. “At a time where bike shops are incredibly busy trying to support new customers and get more people on bikes, there’s a chance this scheme could be a distraction from a huge opportunity for an industry that has been trying to become more sustainable for a number of years.” Sigma Sports has also seen an increase in demand across all areas of its business, Whittingham says, with many stores experiencing uplifts in service bookings. “Due to the immediate and significant increase in demand for new bikes, our workshops were very quickly at maximum capacity and we had to prioritise servicing for key workers and existing customers only. This continued throughout April and May, meaning access to service bookings at Sigma Sports currently has a long lead time. “Going forward, we expect the level of demand for workshop services and repairs to grow even further, the knock-on effect of massive increases in bike sales is naturally going to create an increased demand for aftersales services and repairs. We’re looking closely at our business model at the moment and looking to identify areas where we can increase capacity to cope with the new levels of demand.”
August 2020 | 39
30/07/2020 16:28
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SECTOR GUIDE
Mountain bikes and accessories 1
2
4
3
1
2
3
4
TSG
Lapierre
RRP
Niner
Scope Helmet
Zesty AM FIT 5.0
Bolt-On
RIP 9 RDO
Distributor: Ison Distribution
Distributor: Raleigh UK
Distributor: Extra UK
Distributor: ZyroFisher
The Scope is TSG’s flagship mountain bike enduro helmet featuring superior head coverage, enhanced adjustability and a brand new look and construction. The lower fitting profile delivers better coverage for a rider’s temples, while 3-point height adjustability makes the fit of the helmet super customisable and therefore secure and comfortable. Additional features of the ultra-modern design include a channel for the secure fit of headlamps and POV cameras.
The Zesty. Our original do it all bike is a true all-mountain machine; enduro levels of descending stability combined with XC climbing ability will keep the grin factor up all day. Small and medium models fitted with 27.5 wheels as standard, whilst a medium 29 option bridges the gap to large and Xlarge 29ers. Full carbon ultimate frame. RockShox Revelation RC. GX Eagle 12 speed. X1 carbon eagle boost crank.
ProGuard Bolt-On is the first large direct-mount mudguard of its type. It offers outstanding protection from mud and spray, and provides a slick factory look thanks to not requiring zip ties or velcro straps to secure it in place. Two sizes: standard offers high levels of protection and mini is ideal for all year round, offering good protection that’s more discreet.
For more than a decade, the RIP 9 RDO trail bike has ruled our off-road line-up. This flagship bike has evolved again. Our do it all trail bike hits the sweet spot with 140mm of consistent, controlled CVA suspension, progressive and adjustable geometry and increased frame stiffness. Plus it’s got more standover for 170mm dropper posts, longer reach, and a shorter head tube. More versatile and capable than ever before, reach for your RIP to tackle any trail.
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SECTOR GUIDE
5
6
7
8
5
6
7
8
Weldtite
NS Bikes
SDG
Continental
Cyclo SRAM DUB Removal Tool
Define AL 150
Bel-Air 3.0 saddle
B+ ShieldWall System
Distributor: ZyroFisher
Distributor: Hotlines
Distributor: Silverfish UK
Distributor: Madison, Raleigh, i-ride, Bob Elliot
Designed for removal and replacement of 12-notch 46mm outer diameter bottom brackets, including SRAM DUB and Rotor Bsa30. The unique design features socket (3/8in) and wrench drive (25mm) for maximum and accurate application of torque. The remover is part of Cyclo’s workshop range, made from forged steel for strength and durability and machined for accuracy. Lifetime guarantee on all Cyclo tools.
The stunning Define range from NS is now available in Alloy, with every detail of the frame sweated to make it as light and elegant as possible. Unique features include adjustable geometry which allows the BB to be raised or lowered, and semi-integrated cable guides that offer a practical, easy-toservice solution for cable routing. The four-bar suspension design’s kinematics keep pedal bob exceptionally low and its pivots run on durable, sealed bearings.
SDG’s Bel-Air version three maintains the iconic shape, with a slight rear rise profile, on a proven 140mm platform. Taking advantage of new materials and manufacturing techniques to further enhance the performance, overall aesthetics and bring time-tested comfort along for the ride. With more colour offerings than a bag of Skittles, the SDG Bel-Air 3.0 extends premium craftsmanship across the line-up and hits several price points thanks to a range of rail options.
Spanning three tread patterns and two widths of 2.6 & 2.8, the popular Shieldwall MTB range is now extended to B+. Suitable for e-bikes, the tubeless ready casing can be fitted easily and inflated using a standard track pump. An extra cross-woven casing ply provides sturdy protection in all types of terrain. Available models – Cross King, Mountain King, Trail King.
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www.bikebiz.com
30/07/2020 14:25
SECTOR GUIDE
9
10
11
12
10
11
12
Gussett
XLC
Ergon
Giro
S2 Lock on Grips
E-Bike Rucksack - BA-S94
SM Enduro Saddle
Fixture MIPS helmet
Distributor: Ison Distribution
Distributor: Raleigh Bike Parts
Distributor: Extra UK
Distributor: ZyroFisher
The grip of your dreams - now in an extra soft compound version! Utilising different size diamond knurling top and bottom, and eccentric core to give more padding on the topside and under your palm, ribbed underside for finger grip, as well as a dedicated thumb grip area when you’re gripping tight and pulling back. We also added extra security ribs on top to stop your hands blowing off the end of the bars when you’re sending it deep.
With a 23-litre capacity and specially-designed e-bike battery compartment, this is no ordinary rucksack. Crafted from water-repellent 210D nylon, this bag is packed full of features and compartments, making it ideally suited for the trails. The battery compartment’s location has been carefully considered regarding weight balance and is afforded extra protection by a protective plate.
Developed in conjunction with Fab Barel, Richie Rude, Cody Kelly, Joe Barnes, Remy Metailler to name but a few. The narrow and short V-shape seating surface ensures optimum freedom of movement and easy position shifting. The saddle enhances steering input and control to the bike through the inside of your thighs, hence the contact zones being padded all-around.
The Fixture MIPS brings confident mountain bike style and breezy ventilation together in a compact design that complements nearly any ride – especially when there’s dirt under tread. Some of our best features, like In-Mold construction coupled with the ease and comfort of our acclaimed Roc Loc Sport fit system, offer the versatility you need to ride everything from fire-road adventures to swooping singletrack trails.
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SECTOR GUIDE
14
13
16
15
13
14
15
16
Yeti
Hutchinson Tires
Kali
Coyote
SB115
Kraken Racing Lab
Strike Elbow and Knee Guards
Zodiac
Distributor: Silverfish UK
Distributor: Windwave
Distributor: Oxford Products
Distributor: Insync Bikes
With 35 years of making the most desirable MTBs, Yeti Cycles knows its stuff. Its latest creation is the bang on-trend SB115. Combining the lightness of a XC race bike with the capabilities of an enduro rig, this carbon 29er is as efficient uphill and it is fun on the descents. Available in three build levels and as a frame only option, all SB115 models are fully covered by Yeti’s no B.S. lifetime frame warranty.
The Kraken Racing Lab is the result of close collaboration between designers, engineers and Hutchinson athletes. It offers a fast, agile and reassuring ride thanks to the addition of high lateral knobs allowing maximum cornering confidence through rough terrain. Available in two 29 x 2.30 constructions, ultra-light 127 TPI or ultra-versatile 66 TPI coupled with Hardskin bead-tobead reinforcement, it will satisfy everyone from pure performance addicts to trail enthusiasts.
Features: · Xelion 3D moulded main pad · Additional EVA padding in critical areas for added protection · Lightweight compression fabric front with breathable mesh back panel · Highly perforated pad design provides excellent ventilation · Convenient slip on sleeve design · Elastic cuffs top & bottom with non-slip bands to prevent slippage
The Zodiac is built around a lightweight aluminium frame making it strong and responsive, with a tread pattern ensuring it is suitable for off-road riding and rough terrain. Lightweight alloy rims add style and reduce weight, and a powerful disc type brake system provides rapid stopping power. With a mountain bike-specific saddle and steel low-rise handlebars, the Zodiac also features 21-speed Shimano gears with mega range to minimise the impact of steep hills.
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SECTOR GUIDE
17
18
19
20
17
18
19
20
Scicon Sports
DT Swiss
Smith Optics
Smith Optics
Aerocomfort MTB Travel Bag
XMC1501
Mainline MIPS
Convoy MIPS - Sage
Distributor: Scicon Sports
Distributor: Madison
Distributor: Ultra Sport EU
Distributor: Ultra Sport EU
Scicon’s MTB bike travel bag offers a compact design and two fold-down sides for easier loading, capable of accommodating modern geometry mountain bikes with wider tyres. Featuring an internal bike stand, internal wheel pockets and multiple rigid protection shields, the Aerocomfort MTB Bike Travel Bag provides all-round protection to get your bike to your next destination in one piece.
The DT Swiss Spline 1 has long set the standard for premium alloy MTB wheels, its renowned mix of ride quality, reliability and exceptional strength to weight ratios have made it a favourite all around the world. Following extensive lab-based and real world testing, DT’s engineering team in Biel decided that there was really only one place to go – carbon.
The pinnacle helmet in Smith’s mountain bike collection is the all new, DH certified, Smith Mainline MIPS Full Face Helmet. Featuring complete Koroyd coverage and the MIPS rotational system, the Smith Mainline provides exceptional protection while combining internal air channels and open exhaust ports to maximise breathability. As goggle fit and ventilation are crucial for gruelling days, the AirEvac system relieves hot air that builds up on your goggles, to prevent fogging.
The Convoy helmet provides mountain bikers an exceptional custom fit and elevated protection wrapped in Smith’s signature style. By integrating Smith’s proven VaporFit fit system with a MIPS liner system – the Convoy delivers a tailor-made fit for every rider across four unique shell sizes. The Convoy’s AirEvac ventilation system and engineered eyewear storage delivers the ultimate integration you expect from a Smith helmet.
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30/07/2020 14:25
BB-AUG20-ULTRA.qxp_Layout 1 24/07/2020 13:52 Page 1
The pinnacle helmet in Smith's mountain bike collection is the all new, DH certified, Smith Mainline MIPS Full Face Helmet. Featuring complete Koroyd® coverage and the MIPS® rotational system, the Smith Mainline provides exceptional protection while combining internal air channels and open exhaust ports to maximize breathability. As goggle fit and ventilation are crucial for grueling days, the AirEvac™ system relieves hot air that builds up on your goggles, to prevent fogging.
sophie@ultrasporteu.com | 01332 813 150 | ultrasporteu.com | smithoptics.com
BB-AUG20-CUBE.qxp_Layout 1 27/07/2020 09:20 Page 1
THE ONE-SIZEFITS-ALL E-BIKE POWERFUL SHIMANO DISC BRAKES
BOSCH POWERPACK 500
BOSCH DRIVE UNIT ACTIVE PLUS
2 0 “ C O M PACT HYBRID • BOSCH ACTIVE PLUS GEN 3 • 500 WH BATTERY • QUICK SADDLE AND HANDLEBAR ADJUSTMENT FOR MORE INFO ON CUBE BIKES SEND US AN E-MAIL: INFO@CUBE-BIKES.CO.UK OR GIVE US A CALL 0031 10 340 3502
IN HOUSE STOCK // 24/7 AVAILABILITY IN OUR B2B WEBSHOP 48 HRS. DELIVERY // SHOP.ONEWAYBIKE.NL
ACID panniers Waterproof PVC-free ACID mounting system Including shoulder strap £ 119,95
SECTOR GUIDE
Stocking fillers
2
1
3
1 Muc-Off Ultimate Bike Cleaning Kit
4
2
3
4
Giro
Smith Optics
KranX All Cycle
DND Glove
Fuel V.2 - Mystic Green
Distributor: Muc-Off
Distributor: ZyroFisher
Distributor: Ultra Sport EU
3-Piece Tyre Lever Set Including Bottle Opener
The Muc-Off Ultimate Bicycle Cleaning Kit covers all bases when it comes to cleaning, protecting and lubing your bike. It comes complete with our award-winning Bike Cleaner, Microcell Sponge, Soft Washing Brush, Two Prong Brush, Microfibre Cloth, Drivetrain Cleaner, Bike Protect and Bio Wet Lube.
The DND (Down And Dirty) is all about the essentials – fit, durability and control. It’s built to be affordable and long-wearing, with a supple feel thanks to the Super Fit engineered AX Suede palm that eliminates excess material and bunching. The upper breathes well, and offers four-way stretch for maximum comfort day in and day out. These features and simple construction make the DND the favourite among dirt jumpers and trail riders alike.
Ride in style with custom graphics and performance mirror lens options. The Fuel V.2 Sweat-X M includes our super-absorbent Sweat-X F.A.T. 3-layer face foam. This model brings technology and style to the front of the pack.
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Distributor: Bob Elliot & Co Ltd What is better than a 3-piece tyre lever set that works amazingly well with its robust and ergonomic design? A tyre lever set which includes a bottle opener convenient for refreshments after your repair!
August 2020 | 49
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SECTOR GUIDE
6
5
8
7
5
6
7
8
ABUS
Moon
Smith Optics
Supacaz
Smiley 2.1
Canopus
Wildcat - Matte Black
Krypto DH Pedal
Distributor: Extra UK
Distributor: Raleigh Bike Parts
Distributor: Ultra Sport EU
Distributor: Velobrands
Even small cyclists need a helmet. With the Smiley 2.1, the first excursions with the training bike become a safe thing. ABUS Smiley 2.1 protects the head of the little ones reliably against falls and unavoidable collisions. This is ensured by our innovative safety technology as well as ABUS’ many years of experience.
This MTB-focused light packs a punch, with a whopping 4,000 maximum lumens; enabling you to ride your favourite trail any time of the day! New for 2020, the Canopus is packed full of features. These include USB charging and a variable lumen system (VLS) for battery management, which can be controlled remotely using the remote included.
Charge any trail in the Wildcat - Smith’s full coverage, hybrid construction, cylindrical lens sunglass. Constructed from durable TR90 and flexible TPU used in Smith goggles, the Wildcat provides coverage and protection like a goggle with the airflow and comfort of a sunglass. Equipped with two-position nose pads, megol temples for no-slip fit, the Wildcat also comes with a bright light ChromaPop lens, and a secondary clear lens for low light overcast days, or rides with heavy tree canopy.
Available in the Supacaz signature oil slick colours, the Krypto DH pedals and built tough. With a CNCed aluminium body and selflubricating bushings, this pedal makes a big statement on the trails. Ten strategically placed pins keep you in maximum control.
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www.bikebiz.com
30/07/2020 14:26
SECTOR GUIDE
9
10
11 12
10
11
12
Oxford
Passport
Stan’s NoTubes
Campagnolo
Oxsocks - Waterproof
C-D-W Fold-Up Tool
Dart
Big Corkscrew Chrome
Distributor: Oxford Products
Distributor: Ison Distribution
Distributor: Paligap
Distributor: Chicken CycleKit
Oxford’s waterproof socks are designed to keep your feet warm and dry. The three layer construction sandwiches a breathable waterproof membrane between the outer knitted layer and inner seamless lining. Waterproof, windproof & breathable; providing protection from all weather conditions. Cushioned toe, sole & heel to prevent blistering.
Your fully inclusive take along Fold-Up tool. 20 essential bicycle repair and maintenance tools in a handy clip together 2-piece tool set, includes a belt fit Nylon pouch. Including: 7 hex keys, T-25, flat blade and Phillips screwdrivers, chain tool, stainless steel 45mm knife blade (with safety lock), 8, 9 and 10mm ring spanners, 14g and 15g spoke nipple keys, bottle opener and tyre lever.
The Dart is a pocket sized tyre repair tool that chemically reacts with your sealant to seal holes and cuts that sealant alone won’t fix.
Campagnolo’s Big Corkscrew faithfully reflects the genius of its inventor Tullio Campagnolo and has not been bettered since 1966. The patented system of the telescopic self-aligning cover always places the screw in the central part of the cork. The large screw in hardened steel with a wide and sharp profile provides maximum grip on the cork and the two large levers enable the corks to be pulled out of bottles with ease.
9
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August 2020 | 51
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Introducing A dedicated news service for the micromobility industry micromobilitybiz (MMB) is a brand new media outlet delivering regular updates to the burgeoning micromobility industry. It is the only dedicated trade news service for the sector. Delivered by the BikeBiz team, MMB focuses on sustainable transport solutions, from e-bikes and e-scooters to bike-sharing and hire schemes. MMB offers a free weekly newsletter, delivering the latest updates directly to readers’ inboxes, from market trends and product updates to Government initiatives and evolving legislations. With an initial database of over 4,000 professionals in the sector, MMB is a must-read for those with an interest in the business. Our dedicated team can help you reach your business goals.
BB July20 MMB House ad.indd 8
Interested in being involved? For more information about MMB and its respective editorial and advertising opportunities, please get in touch via the details below: James Groves Editor 020 3143 8779 james.groves@biz-media.co.uk Richard Setters Sales Manager 0779 480 5307 richard.setters@biz-media.co.uk
23/06/2020 16:39
SECTOR GUIDE
13
14
15
16
13
14
15
16
LifeLine
DexShell
Knog
Supacaz
Digital Pressure Gauge
Waterproof Socks, Hats and Gloves
Oi Luxe Bell
Fly Cage
Distributor: Silverfish UK
Distributor: Velobrands
Bike bells generally look and sound a bit ugly. But why? What if they looked sexy and sounded like an angel playing a glockenspiel? The Oi Luxe is a bell with a beautiful tone, but also a remarkable style and choice of materials that embodies a rider’s personality. Its CNC machined ringer and brass dinger, stitched ‘vegan’ leather shim and metal injection moulded stainless steel make it a pleasure to have on any bike.
Available in the Supacaz signature oil slick colours and an absolute masterpiece, this cage screams style. The Fly Cage’s clean lines and laser etched design really stand out. No cage outperforms the Fly Cage Ano with its lock tight yet accessible wings.
Distributor: Hotlines Providing exceptional accuracy and hassle-free performance, this digital pressure gauge can give an accurate pressure reading within three seconds, shown on an LCD backlit display. It is compatible with Presta and Schrader valves and features a bleed valve to fine-tune ideal tyre pressures. It offers readings in PSI, BAR, KPA or KG CM2 and offers a ‘Calculation Mode’ for quick readings and an ‘Adjustment Mode’ to measure pressure adjustments and help identify pressure loss.
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Distributor: Troll Outdoors DexShell’s range of waterproof and breathable socks, gloves and hats offers a range of styles and thermal ratings for all times of year. With sock prices starting at just £22 RRP, they also offer great value for money. Manufactured with a Porelle membrane, the easy care garments are fully waterproof whilst retaining excellent breathability for both on and off the bike activity. They also come in kid sizes too.
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SECTOR GUIDE
17
18
19
20
17
18
19
20
Lake
Crazy Stuff
Basil
Cube
Socks
Pink Bunny Child’s Helmet & Lock
Boheme Carry All Bag
Cubetool 12 in 1
Distributor: Raleigh Bike Parts
Distributor: Oneway Bike Industry
New for 2020, the Basil Boheme Carry All Bag is a stylish choice for storage, with plenty of userfriendly features. This high quality 18-litre bag can be worn over the shoulder, or attached to the luggage carrier of any bike, thanks to a simple hook-on system. Crafted from waterrepellent polyester, a spacious inner compartment is stylishly supplemented by smaller pockets and compartments.
Fix your bike while you’re out riding. With a complete set of Allen keys, Phillips and flat screwdrivers, Hexalobular Internal T10 and T25, tyre lever and chain tool, the Cubetool 12 in 1 will keep you rolling. There’s even a bottle opener included because you never know when it’ll come in handy!
Distributor: Moore Large Complement your cycling shoes with these Lake cycling socks. With a reinforced toe and heel cup, they offer great support but with the mesh upper they also allow your feet to breathe. Features: 6in cuff finishing just below the calf, reinforced toe and heel cup, and breathable mesh upper.
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Distributor: Greyville Enterprises Safety can be fun with Crazy Stuff children’s helmets in a selection of animal designs. The Pink Bunny, illustrated, is offered as a great stocking filler with a matching Pink Bunny lock. Complying with EN1078 and TUV standards, these helmets are a safe and easy way to get a child into the idea of wearing a helmet at an early age. Matching bells and locks complete the range.
www.bikebiz.com
30/07/2020 14:26
MARKETPLACE
BB-AUG20-UPGRADE X5.qxp_Layout 1 27/07/2020 10:11 Page 1
BIKES & ACCESSORIES
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EPOS & ECOMMERCE
NEW LEZYNE Y14 RANGE
Neo Metallic Range CNC Cage £35
Pocket Drive Pro £45
Hecto Drive LED £50
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BIKES & ACCESSORIES
BIKES & ACCESSORIES
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GET STAFFED! WWW.BIKEBIZ.COM/JOBS
WHERE THE TRADE GOES FOR THE LATEST JOB OPPORTUNITIES Contact: richard.setters@biz-media.co.uk | +44 (0)779 480 5307 Get Staffed HALF-PAGE 183 X5.qxp_Layout x 115mm.indd 1 1 27/07/2020 10:11 Page 2 BB-AUG20-UPGRADE
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NEW LEZYNE Y14 RANGE
NEW LEZYNE Y14 RANGE
BIKES & ACCESSORIES
BIKES & ACCESSORIES
Stick Drive LED
CNC Tubeless Drive
Slim design, 30 Lumens, Wide Optics. £30
CO2, Hand Pump, Tubeless Kit combo. £80
UPGRADEBIKES.CO.UK / / 01403 711 611
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BIKES & ACCESSORIES
Serious travel Serious gravel for
The Vybe suspension Seatpost. 50mm of tunable travel: when the road turns to gravel, tame the terrain. Find out more at ultimateuse.com.
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NEW LEZYNE Y14 RANGE
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BIKES & ACCESSORIES
LED Strip Alert Range
Rap2 Multitool Range Rap8 £15
Rap12 £20
Rap19 CO2 £30
Rap25 CO2 £35
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30/07/2020 16:20
COMMUNITY
‘Pushing back the boundaries of diversity in cycling’: RideFest four years on
R
ideFest began life on a chairlift in the Austrian ski resort of St Anton in March 2016, from a conversation between Enitan Shonibare and Richard Liston. A simple question was posed: how many people in the ski group (SkiFest) rode bikes? ‘Not many’ was the answer, and from there, the idea was hatched that we would set up RideFest as a vehicle to drive participation among the BAME community. The rest, as they say, is history. Four years on from that initial conversation, a meeting of like-minded bike riders convened at Richmond Park on the outskirts of London. After a few tentative laps by the ten adventurous souls who had swapped their skis for bikes, we settled down for chat, coffee and probably too many cakes. In the four years passed, we have become a diverse group of friends who get together as often as possible to ride. Our wider aim is to push back the boundaries of diversity in cycling where distinctions around gender, race or religion are absent from what we do – which is to motivate, encourage and support all aspects of cycling, from small to large, and where individual achievements are celebrated by all. Very early on, we recognised there were many people in the BAME community who loved to ride, but were discouraged by the skinny white males on expensive bikes, all wearing manufactured, surly looks; not inviting nor welcoming. RideFest offered an alternative space; one where the mystique and the constant chatter of power numbers and reps were dispensed with, replaced by fun, organised rides to suit every ability. Guided rides by the more experienced members, but more importantly, always encouraging newcomers to join us. The aim of RideFest now is to push inclusivity and encourage the participation of female riders who would otherwise not go near a racing bike. As a result, the near100-strong group boasts a 50% gender balance. By chance, Liston is a British Cycling L2 Road and TT coach and runs the coaching for Islington CC Youth Section. Using this experience, RideFest put on a few skills sessions – the first in Alexander Palace in 2017 and another at Crystal Palace. Wattbike sessions soon followed, as members wanted to improve their fitness and their on-bike performance.
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The latest skills session took place at Regent’s Park on Sunday 12th July. The locations also reflect the geographical spread of RideFest. Soon, excursion ideas were being organised in Mallorca, with some members tackling the challenging Mallorca 312, and training camps in Calpe, Spain. We now have a Ladies’ captain, Shirla Poole, to drive the participation and encouragement of female members, and Poole is training to become an instructor. However, the wider aim of RideFest remains to push back the boundaries of participation among people from the black and ethnic communities and to include everyone and not to exclude. We want to change the narrative of cycling, to ensure that the traditional barriers to participation are broken down and create a space where newcomers, especially women, who are new to the sport are encouraged to get on their bikes without feeling intimidated in what is normally a maledominated space.
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30/07/2020 14:26
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