BikeBiz May 2011

Issue 64 | May 2011

EDITORIAL

Issue 64 | May 2011

NEWS 4-8

We cover innovation from Sea Otter, the debut Scottish Bike Show and take a look at the Gadget Show Live Pro

CHAIN REACTION 13

EVENTS 58

DEALER PROFILE 43

Brand Stores

20

Everyone seems to want a brand store these days. We look at the phenomenon

Outside the cycle domain furious arguments over bike lanes and helmets can serve to make cyclists sound, well, a bit unbalanced.

FOCUS ON…

16

MYSTERY SHOPPER Our undercover reporter takes a long overdue trip to Bath, but will any shop’s service get him in a lather?

FOCUS ON KERONITE

24

The surface treatment is being used by an increasing number of brands. BikeBiz takes a closer look...

33

THE GREAT OUTDOORS Go Outdoors reveals impressive profits and plans to expand its growing retail empire

ENERGY, BOTTLES, CAGES

WOMEN’S PRODUCTS

47

53

REGULARS BRAND SPOTLIGHT

23 LETTERS

I-ride carries Argon 18 to the UK trade. We put the brand under the glare of the spotlight

PEOPLE

38

56

Heavier penalties for speeding drivers is the way forward, writes one BikeBiz reader...

SPONSORED BY

Chris Taylor is appointed head of comms for Future, plus a new face at Cycle Surgery

NEW PRODUCTS

44

Lazer helmets, Campag TT components, Pro Missile Aerobars and much more...

SPOKESMAN

CONTROVERSY HAS dogged the world of cycling this month.

Why? It’s probably got a lot to do with the fact that the sun came out and got vast numbers of the public back on their bikes – and asking for a last minute bike service when cycle workshops are full to bursting.

With plenty of bikes back on the road, perhaps piloted by some returning cyclists in need of a skills refresher, it’s probably inevitable that the issues surrounding it should be taken up by the national press (which we cover in more depth over on page 29).

This month, if it wasn’t an argument about whether helmets should be compulsory, then it was a debate over whether cycle paths should be segregated from roads.

They are the kind of issues that make sense to discuss when you’re within the cycle domain, but outside that in the wider world there is a danger that those furious exchanges serve to make cyclists appear a bit, well, odd.

Heated discussions over the finer points of whether the AA

70

Carlton Reid looks at our car obsessed nation and the role that bikes will play in the future

was right to hand out cycle helmets to cyclists can sound at best ‘quirky’ or at worst ‘another sign of bike riders never being happy’. Complaining about something free? Unheard of. Even if the giveaway was seemingly putting the ‘blame’ of cycle safety solely at the foot of the cyclist. Such arguments can also be a turn off for those within the world of cycling, which is a great shame. If only it was as simple as jumping on a bike and riding it on a summer’s afternoon?

While we debate the rights and wrongs of the burning issues of the month, firm action is being taken to improve the lot of cyclists around the globe.

We’ve heard a lot about how London is undergoing a self styled ‘Cycle Revolution’, but on the other side of the world, Sydney is having its own bike revolt. By 2030 the city is planning to be car-free and is investing millions of Australian dollars in building a bike lane infrastructure (see page 18).

Closer to home Dublin City Council has revealed that measures to cut back motor vehicle traffic in the rush hour – including banning five-axle lorries in 2007 – has grown cycle commuting by a third in a decade.

Healthy debate is a natural result of increasing numbers of cyclists. With more and more councils and authorities around the world making serious moves to increase cycling we can expect to hear and participate in many more heated debates on points of cycling and cyclist safety. In fact, I’d encourage those taking part to purchase a helmet.

Jonathon Harker, Editor

NEWS

CYCLE SHORTS

F-At reveals new site Farelly Atkinson (F-At), the publisher behind Road.cc and all-round cycle creative firm, has launched a brand new website at http://f-at.co.uk/ The new site features testimonials and all the essential contact details for those wishing to use F-At’s creative services.

Wiggle ‘Likes’ sales Online cycle retailer Wiggle created a Facebook store, through which customers can ‘like’ or ‘comment’ on products. When a customer wishes to make a purchase, they’re taken through to the Wiggle site. There’s more from Wiggle on page 27.

Sun’s out, but times are tough...

The latest figures from the British Retail Consortium made for glum reading in March. The month saw the worst UK retail sales fall since the BRC started collecting figures in 1995. The economy is also facing the first year-onyear fall in disposable incomes for 30 years.

At the Sharp end of the Tour of Britain Sharp has resigned as Official Broadcast Sponsor for the ITV coverage of the national race this September. The brand will also continue as Official Electronics Partner to the Tour. Organiser Sweet Spot is currently lining up a number of competitions in the local media to build up to the event.

Mechanic Academy rolls out advanced training Cycle Systems Academy has launched its Level Three training course. The new tenday course includes high-end groupset set up and maintenance, working with Shimano’s Di2 electronic system, working with hydraulic brakes and suspension systems to an advanced level. Call 0207 6082577 for more information.

For breaking news visit:

www.bikebiz.com 4 BIKEBIZ MAY

Industry hails debut Scottish Bike Show Scotland’s first bicycle show goes off with a bang More exhibition space and extra day planned for 2012

by Jonathon Harker THE BIKE Trade got behind the inaugural Scottish Bike Show last month, calling it a ‘great success’ with ‘a wide cross section of visitors’.

The first Scottish Bike Show took place over April 16th and 17th and saw attendance exceed 5,000 visitors over the weekend.

Show organiser Magdala Media revealed that work has begun on next year’s show and told BikeBiz that the Scottish Bike Show will return in 2012, with an extra day and additional exhibitor space (1,200 metres squared).

“The visitor numbers showed that the Scottish cycle consumer is very much alive and well,” said 2pure’s Marco Librizzi. “The mix of consumers varied from hard core MTB and road riders to

commuters and families.

“We felt the show was very well run and all the exhibitors spent time and money on making their stands look professional."

“I was keen to support the first Scottish Bike Show and am delighted with the footfall.”

Bryan Shedden, Alpine Bikes Magdala Media told BikeBiz: “The show is on the map as the nation’s bike show; over 45 exhibitors, hundreds of brands, two cycle test tracks, BSD

Forever BMX display with 18 plus riders from all over the UK and the 7stanes trial display team.

Just about every single exhibitor was delighted and mentioned they would definitely do the event again.”

Alpine Bikes director Bryan Shedden added: "I was keen to support the first Scottish Bike Show and I am delighted with the number of people that came to see the show.

“I am especially pleased that there was such a wide cross section of visitors. The show was a great success for Alpine Bikes."

It wasn’t just the trade that responded well to the debut show. Over 40 local and national TV and local newspapers covered the event.

The Scottish Bike Show will return Friday April 13th to 15th 2012.

Mavic ‘store within a store’ to land in UK

Success in Europe with dedicated Mavic areas spurs brand to launch concept here in January

MAVIC HAS told BikeBiz of plans to introduce its 'store within a store' concept to the UK after installations across Europe proved popular.

Having set out in France and quickly branched into Germany, Europe now has 22 Mavic units in place. The concept mimics displays by other brands under

the Amer Sports umbrella, most notably 'Salomon sections', often seen in outdoors stores.

UK sales manager Alex Coventry spoke of the plans on a visit to Keronite, a UK surface treatment specialist for which the French firm now has a partnership (documented on page 24).

“Participating retailers have reported substantial gains in Mavic clothing, shoes and accessory sales...”

Alex Coventry

Coventry said: "Participating retailers have reported substantial sales gains in Mavic clothing, accessories and footwear, as well as tangible sector increases."

Supplying its retailers on a sale or return basis, floor space required for stock will be between ten and 30 square metres, with the firm also providing training support and merchandising equipment.

Current UK partners are being kept under wraps at present, though Coventry told BikeBiz: "Having learned from the Salomon brand's experiences, I’m without a doubt that Mavic will be able to accelerate the expansion of this in store program."

Mavic is contactable on 01276 404870

BIKEBIZ.COM

NEWS

Hydraulic shifting reborn at Sea Otter Classic

Christophe Muthers’ invention finally comes to fruition thanks to Acros appointment

by Mark Sutton THE HYDRAULIC shifting prototype first seen at Eurobike in 2006 under the ‘5 Rot’ label has finally gone into production, much thanks to inventor Christophe Muthers joining German components firm Acros.

UK distributor for the brand Balfa has confirmed to BikeBiz that it will get a number of the mid-cage units from the first batch – just 250 worldwide – though much of its stock is already pre-ordered, or allocated to demo rigs. A further batch is in production and will be available shortly, along with downhill versions of the system.

Balfa's Simon Shephard: "By the end of May we'll have the first batch, of which we've got a small share of the 250 produced. At present, the guide price falls between £1,300 to £1,400 for the full front and rear derailleur and shifter package and we'll carry each of the 248 pieces that make up the system as spare parts."

Shooting down concerns that the system will be difficult to

service, Shephard added: "Anyone who can service a hydraulic brake will have no

“At present, the guide price falls between £1,300 and £1,400.

Delivery is in May.” Simon Shephard, Balfa problem with the Acros system – it's very easily serviced and fully sealed."

Acros claims the weight or the minimalistic-looking rear derailleur is a mere 159 grams, while the front is just 79 grams.

A pair of the shifters is claimed to hit the scales at a feathery 65 grams. As a complete package, the firm believes it has managed to undercut SRAM's XX by 150 grams and XTR by 175 grams.

SRAM, though not reinventing the wheel with its product at the Sea Otter Classic, did debut a chrome and polished X0 groupset, MRPdesigned XO chain guides, as well as new x10 gearing options.

Balfa UK: 01442 826007

The system is said to be as “easy as a set of hydraulic brakes” to maintain

NEWS | GADGET SHOW LIVE

The Gadget Show’s Jason Bradbury riding the Pacific iF Reach

Record attendance for The Gadget Show Live Almost 5,000 attend the first ever Professional trade-only day THE NEW Professional day for the huge NEC-set consumer Gadget Show Live got the thumbs up from exhibiting bike firms.

Gadget Show Live Professional took place on Tuesday April 12th and saw a number of cycle brands appear to take advantage of the wide ranging trade contacts at the show – and the huge consumer footfall of the consumer days.

This year the show’s public days attracted a record 104,759 visitors – a 50 per cent increase on 2010, with around 20,000 visiting each day. A further 4,735 trade attended the first GSL Professional day.

E-Lifestylebikes, PogoCycles, Create Bikes, Pacific Europe, Bicygnals and

6 BIKEBIZ MAY

Big Cat were among the exhibitors.

"It was very busy with every day sold out and the trade day on Tuesday brought a number of solid enquiries,” Bicygnals Robert Dickman told BikeBiz. “The Indicators proved very popular with consumers and the launch of the Angel Helmet generated loads of interest."

Pacific Europa unveiled its line of bikes to the UK at GSL. MD Juan Marquez explained: “We have just ended a very successful launch at the Gadget Show Live with over 800 people riding our bikes and over 1,000 requesting to find out more via email.”

Pacific has recently picked up an Innovation and Design Award nomination from Conde Nast for the Pacific iF Mode and said it will be selling its bikes directly via www.folding-bikes.com and through folding bike experts Fudges CycleStore.

The appeal of the Gadget Show Live

attracted a number of celebrities to the bike stands, including the show’s own presenters. Create Bikes director Jaz Walia told BikeBiz: “The show was really fantastic, our stand was mobbed.

We had a few celebrities – like Jason Bradbury and Ortis Deley –

“The show was fantastic, our stand was mobbed. We even had a few celebrities visit.”

Jazz Walia, Create Bikes visit our stand and are ordering the new 2011 range. Doug Richard from Dragon’s Den wanted one for himself and his son. We also held a prize draw to win a new 2011 create bike – with more than 3,000 entrants.”

Carl Tatum, Pogocycle director added: “We only really intended to go to promote brand awareness but orders were very strong. Sincerely speaking, the

Gadget Show Live was just brilliant. All the visitors showed real enthusiasm for the event as a whole, it was a great day out.”

Tatum added: “As far as BigBMX was concerned, we had an amazing week meeting many new people who simply ‘had to have one’. We spoke of the kudos attached to the BigBMX since our sponsored rider won his race series last year in the Southwest region – testimony to the fact that the bike is very quick and extremely tough.

Furthermore, our 2011 bikes have tougher wheels too, using Double-Wall AlexRims TA20s which should last a lifetime as a daily-use city bike.

“Our new line of 'LittleBMX' balance bikes were fun too, we left them at ground level and watched almost every toddler make a beeline for the bike as soon as it caught their eye. Our products sold themselves well to the show visitors and I didn't hesitate to sign up for the same place, same time next year.”

Another firm using the show for a launch was E-lifestylebikes, introducing the Grace range to the UK and promoting Elmoto. The range is German built, featuring high-torque

performance of an electric hub motor.

Stephen Nash, UK business manager for E-lifestylebikes, told BikeBiz: “The reaction to the products both at the stand and the test-track was amazing.

“For me the show was an opportunity to show the public that there are alternative ways to travel other than the conventional car, moped or bike and at a cost from as little as 1p/mile. The reaction to our products was beyond our expectations; this gives us a solid platform for introducing Elmoto and Grace throughout the UK.” Next year’s Professional day will be on April 9th, with the consumer show running straight afterwards from 10th to 15th. www.gadgetshowlive.net

BIKEBIZ.COM

THE AEON A breakthrough design with best-in-class ventilation and luxurious comfort, all at a feathery light 190 grams.

Featuring our best technologies, including 24 Wind Tunnel™ channeled vents, our lightest-ever Thermoformed SL Roll Cage™ reinforcement and the sure fit, comfort and adjustability of Roc Loc® 5. It’s a new level of performance, without compromise.

giro.com

NEWS

New Spin for UK distributor The MK II Super Sportive and MK III Supermarine are both ti-framed

VELOTECH Services is set to act as sole distributor for Spin, supplying the UK trade, the firm has revealed.

The brand launched the Spitfire Mk II Super Sportive, Mk III Supermarine titanium bicycles and a range of wheelsets and super lightweight components last month.

The UK designed Spin titanium frames are crafted to

high standards from aerospace grade 3Al-2.5V and 6Al-4V titanium alloys in Spin's own manufacturing facility. The frameset modules are supplied with fork, titanium headset, stem and seat post. All-carbon forks and handlebars are part of each bundle too.

“This is a hugely exciting time for Spin and selecting the right distribution partner is so

“I feel Spin niches well with Velotech’s other brands, particularly Rotor...”

Drew Gill, Spin

British brand picked up by Velotech

important,” explained Spin Cycle Works founder Drew Gill. “I feel Spin niches perfectly with Velotech's other brands, particularly Rotor’s extensive component line.

“It's all about the ride. The frame and components have been designed to work in harmony and offer the best titanium riding bicycles on the planet. The Mk II has been tuned

for all-day sportives and the Mk III is stiffened-up for racing.”

All Spin components and frames are designed and manufactured in-house. Spin’s British-built carbon deep-section wheels are available with clincher or tubular compatible rims. Aluminium rimmed clincher wheels are available too and are built around the same Spin six pawl hubs and laced with DT Swiss spokes. Other components include 45g QRs and 100g onepiece cassettes.

Velotech Services MD Robin Corder added: “Spin is a truly inspiring brand with beautifully engineered products. Spin is perfectly positioned in the marketplace as it offers super high quality titanium framesets and components and very competitive pricing for dealers and their customers.

Spin is immediately available to the trade on Velotech's new B2B site.”

To find out more about the Spin product range or to become a stockist contact Velotech Services on 01789 295470. www.velotechservices.co.uk

Britain Bike Week Retail Partner at www.bike-week.biz.

Each enrolled retailer will be promoted as a Bike Week Retail Partner on The Cycling Experts website and will be searchable via the consumer facing location tool. The Retail Partner search will also be available via a growing number of consumer websites, which utilise ‘The Experts’ business search, including www.bikeweek.org.uk.

Early enrolment will give retailers early promotion as customer-friendly locations to

help cyclists prepare for their Bike Week event.

Retail Partners agree to accept a Bike Week promotional voucher allowing the participant a discount on a single transaction after participating in their Team Green Britain Bike Week event. Bike Week event organisers are responsible for providing voucher download links to their event participants.

Enrol as a Team Green Britain Bike Week Retail Partner at www.bike-week.biz, or call ActSmart on 0845 618 7256.

Bike Week to boost custom for IBD Partners FOLLOWING the results of a survey earlier this year, independent bike dealers will be able to sign up as Team Green Britain Bike Week Retail Partners to promote them to a wide range of customers.

Over 92 per cent of respondents to the Bike Week retailer survey, run by ActSmart, voted for a retail promotion targeted at the expected half a million Bike Week 2011 participants. The survey was created to engage IBDs in Bike Week after a decision was taken to invest extra Bike Hub funds in the 2011 event following cutbacks from the Government.

Bike Week offers a chance to target new cyclists, but the event has previously worked well

8 BIKEBIZ MAY

for corporate retailers, able to co-ordinate national retail promotions. ActSmart said IBD contributors had expressed a strong desire to prove the specialist sector can deliver a retail event and effectively grow their own customer base.

Chris Compton, a director of Bike Week and the NACT, said: “I’m pleased that we have been able to get a Bike Week IBD event off the ground at last. This year’s trial promotion will hopefully lead to a much more widely publicised retail event in subsequent years.”

The promotion has been structured to meet the requests of the great majority of the retail survey respondents. Any IBD can register as a Team Green

“I’m pleased we’ve been able to get an event with dealer involvement off the ground.”

Chris Compton, Bike Week director

BIKEBIZ.COM

INDUSTRY OPINIONS | 29ER FOCUS

we just introduced two new 29-inch wheel models, a lightweight carbon hardtail and aluminium tallboy frame. We expect strong sales of these in North America and UK. It’s certainly growing in popularity now, and there are many people who are still trying bigger wheels for the first time.”

Joe Graney, Engineering and Quality Director, Santa Cruz "The availability of 29-inch parts is now almost on a par with 26-inch wheel products in terms of tyres, wheels and suspension, which has helped a lot. Undoubtedly, more manufacturers bringing more 29er bikes to market gives customers more confidence in the market and reassurance that it’s not some passing trend."

Dickon Hepworth, MD, Jungle Products "I am an avid supporter of 29ers, but I think their growth and increasing popularity will be driven by region and very heavily based upon the type of terrain and type of racing being done. For example, if you’re in a situation where you’ll be doing a lot of acceleration and deceleration a 26-inch wheel will probably be the better choice due to the less rotating mass of the wheel. If you’re on a fast cross-country course and can carry good speed, a 29-inch wheel is going to be your best choice. It will also be somewhat driven by the size of the rider. If you’re short in the height department the standover requirements of a 29er may simply not fit you.

In our world I believe that consumers will come to understand that these two types of bikes are different in their performance benefits and the rider will end up owning both and choosing the bike that best fits the requirements of any particular course or terrain."

Mark Lynskey, Founder, Lynskey

Three inch

FROM THE BIKEBIZ.COM FORUM "I predict they will be a second bike option for keen MTBers. I think there seems to be a lot of 29er curious people around at the moment. I was talking to Stu from Evolution yesterday and he was saying that their Yeti Big Top is currently the most borrowed bike on his demo fleet."

Ed-Smith

wonder Following on from last month’s confirmation that the bike industry is well behind the 29-inch wheeled bike, Mark Sutton asks a selection of industry individuals why a couple of extra inches per wheel could reinvigorate mountain bike sales in the UK… “You cannot ignore the vastly improved traction, enhanced rolling, and better management of what I call ‘everyday’ trail obstacles that come with a well-designed 29er bike. Fundamentally, these bikes are easier to ride, as they flatter us all as riders, climbing steep gradients without twitchiness/light steering. Descents can be despatched with more confidence too as you no longer feel like you are about to be catapulted over the bars the instant the trail points down.

Merida dealer response has been fantastic throughout the world, with the 29er in our BIKEBIZ.COM

current range selling out within weeks of becoming available.”

Juergen Faulke, Head of Design, Merida “I’m not quite as bullish on 29ers as saying it’s going to be as big as 26-inch. Some of the downsides of the larger wheels are easily glossed over in the enthusiasm for growth in any segment of the market.

The US and UK has been more broadly accepting of our one 29-inch wheel offering, the carbon tallboy (100mm travel). However,

"As an IBD, I can confirm they definitely have to be demo’d to be appreciated. I’ve not sold many, but those who have grin ear to ear just like me."

Thor 74

Dickon Hepworth, (above) and Mark Lynskey (below)

"We have just started stocking an entry level Trek/Gary Fisher 29’er hardtail. I don’t think that we will sell many. However I believe that internet sales will be the best place for these."

Marra "I think ten years ago, 29ers would be an exceptionally tough sell. People were fixated on 26-inch wheels then, whereas nowadays there are more people riding 700C bikes than ever before. If there was ever a time in which 29ers could become something, then it is now."

Andy

BIKEBIZ MAY 11

12 BIKEBIZ MAY

BIKEBIZ.COM

CHAIN REACTION | CYCLECHIC

Glamour is back The image of cycling shifted to the sporty in the 1970s and ‘80s, but elegance and chic are now back with a vengeance, argues Caz Nicklin...

CYCLING HAS had a major makeover in recent years – it’s been well and truly ‘Gokked’. When I first started cycling in London five years ago, us girls on bikes, with a blatant disregard for Lycra, were few and far between.

Despite the long list of advantages to riding a bike, cycling’s lacklustre image was a turn-off for most women. The city cyclist uniform of geeky helmet and gaudy anorak was keeping women away in droves. The only cycling celebrity around was Jon Snow and, although a great newsreader, he was not exactly the most relevant role model for the fashion-conscious girl about town.

But I am pleased to say things have changed and cycling has eagerly pedalled its way up the style rankings. We now have a whole army of glamorous cycling celebrities, from Agnes Deyn to Kelly Brook. Bicycles often grace the pages of glossy fashion magazines advertising luxury brands such as Dior and Liberty and there are countless TV ads that use cycling to signify femininity and freedom.

But it’s not just the media who are jumping on two wheels. The market is showing real signs of change with London’s cycling lanes now bustling with Topshop-wearing, Pashley-riding pretties.

There are now hundreds of blogs following the lead of Copenhagen Cycle Chic, documenting real women on bikes looking fabulous, turning ‘Cycle Chic’ from a mode of transport into an international movement.

BIKEBIZ.COM

Glamour is returning to cycling, and that’s encouraging more women to take to their bikes once again

The Bicycle Muse brand features a stylish range of accessories

The relationship between women and bicycles is no new phenomenon. In the ‘20s and ‘30s artwork of women looking elegantly seductive whilst riding bikes was a major force in the marketing of bicycles.

More examples can be seen from the golden age of Hollywood with screen icons such as Audrey Hepburn and Bridget Bardot posing for photographs on bicycles. But in the 1970s and 1980s various factors led to cycling’s image becoming more sport-focused and masculine.

However the glamour is now confidently making a comeback.

I started Cyclechic.co.uk in 2008 to celebrate the shift in the industry and provide fashionable accessories to the blossoming market. As a Vogue-reading city cyclist myself I was frustrated with the lack of stylish cycling accessories on the market and it was my quest to find a stylish bike helmet that laid the foundations for the business.

When I dug a little deeper I found a handful of innovative, young brands coming up with bikes, accessories and clothing with a fashion element. Yakkay, Sawako Furuno and Bern designed stylish alternatives to the traditional bike helmet and Dashing Tweeds, Cyclodelic and Two and Fro were tackling reflective clothing with aplomb.

Over the past three years we have sold a wide range of fashion-focused cycle products and have spent time talking to our customers, observing which products sell and why. The key

formula is products that both flatter and solve a problem.

This year we are launching our own brand of cycling accessories – The Bicycle Muse – with this formula at the heart of our first two accessories.

We found that most women didn’t want to give up their beloved Mulberry handbag for a frumpy rucksack, so we came up with the ‘Handbag Hugger’, a spring loaded rack that attaches to the handlebar stem but unlike a basket sits on the inside of the handle bars keeping your bag within easy reach. Problem solved and style intact.

Our second product, The Vintage Box bag, has also been carefully researched. We identified a high number of women in our market preferred to buy and ride classic, traditional style bikes.

In response to this we created a product modeled on a vintage design, the perfect accompaniment for a traditional style bike. As well as looking good on the bike, the Vintage Box Bag is the perfect size for a handbag, lock and a waterproof coat or a few groceries. The lid also buckles down securely keeping the contents safe and dry.

Both products are selling well so it appears our formula is working and that cycle fashion is still very much en vogue.

CAZ NICKLIN is founder of Cyclechic Ltd and writes a cycling column for The Sunday Times.

The Bicycle Muse products are now available to retailers. Go to thebicyclemuse.com or email sales@cyclechic.co.uk for more details.

BIKEBIZ MAY 13

NATIONAL CYCLE MUSEUM | NEWS ANALYSIS

Schwalbe backs the National Cycle Museum Museum needs £60,000 per year to remain open Funds from visitor numbers alone not covering the bill Schwalbe hands over substantial donation, while Museum calls for more support THE NATIONAL Cycle Museum is calling on the bike industry to chip in following a generous cash donation from Schwalbe, which will go a long way to helping the volunteer curators meet the £60,000 annual bill to keep the doors open to visitors.

Located in Llandinidrod Wells in Wales, the museum's collection is one of Europe's largest cycle collections, spanning 6,000 square feet of space and housing around 250 cycles in period settings, including examples from 1818 through to the present day. It also displays rare components and accessories from this period.

Sadly, income generated from daily paying visitors, subscriptions and website sales cannot cover the cost of operating the exhibition and the collection requires trade backing to remain operational seven days a week from the May to October peak season.

Schwalbe has recently lent its support to the exhibition with a cash injection. However, material donations are also welcomed, whether it be contributions of cycles and cycling memorabilia, or cycling books or catalogues.

The museum (below centre) and the BBC filming a period documentary (lower right)

Past donations include Chris Boardman's Lotus Sport Olympic replica, used as a reserve bike, as well as his Olympic skin suit. The museum also houses original drawings from Frank Petterson, 1,500 cycling cub badges from the length and breadth of the UK and the bicycle ridden by Mr George Nightingale when he achieved the record breaking time of less than one hour for 25 miles in 1939.

Marketing manager at Schwalbe, Dave Taylor told BikeBiz why the rubber specialist got involved with the museum. “We recognise that museums such as these need as much support as possible, not only through tourism and from local communities, but also through organisations within the industry such as Schwalbe UK." A panel of dedicated trustees have now drawn up a dedicated development plan, setting out specific targets and projects to be attained, many of which can materialise with a little input from the trade. Such targets include organising an 'Olympic' Stand at the Birmingham National Exhibition Centre during

the Cycle Show 2011 to utilise the space kindly donated to the NCM and its Trustees at Earls Court Show last year. A display is also to be arranged for the York Rally held on June 25th and 26th at the York Racecourse.

Further to this, the museum is looking to launch an appeal to national and international cycling bodies to support UK cycling heritage.

It is also hoped that membership to the 'Friends of the Museum' programme will grow with a little bit of marketing within the trade, particularly from cycle businesses within Wales.

Membership of the 'Friends' entitles you to free access to the National Cycle Collection for one year, as well as the receipt of four magazines each year containing articles of interest from the world of cycling and up-to-date information on the work of the museum.

Without membership, admission charges are just £3 for adults, £2.50 for senior citizens and £1.50 for children.

If you think you can help The NCM or for more information visit www.cyclemuseum.org, or contact cycle.museum@care4free.net

© National Cycling Collection

14 BIKEBIZ MAY

BIKEBIZ.COM

MYSTERY SHOPPER | BATH

Bathtime This month Mystery Shopper gets down and dirty with Bath’s retailers, going in search of a bike to take over the hills and far away. There’s a catch though... Petrol prices are troubling everyone, so our incognito investigator wants a bike that will handle both road and off-road terrain...

Avon Valley Cyclery

Cadence

LOCATED at the rear of the Bath Spa railway station, Avon Valley Cyclery's warehouse allowed for a spacious shop floor and some good point of display.

To begin with the assistant appeared a little on the shy side. However, he soon enough got back into his stride by simply asking me what I was intending to use the bike for and what my budget was. With these two questions alone it was simply a case of putting me on a bike that matched by brief – which was done with only a little deliberation.

Though the conversation was largely led by Mystery Shopper, the assistant's knowledge couldn’t be faulted, though as sales techniques go, this wasn’t at the stronger end of the scale. Sadly, certain key things relevant to my brief, such as fork lockout and tyre choice were neglected, leaving a bit of guess work for the less bike-savvy customer.

THE DECEPTIVELY large Cadence has both a basement and second floor, though handily you'll be met on entry thanks to some good till area placement – as was the case on this visit – by two staff at once.

With high footfall in store, I was able to observe both staff fairly quickly, establishing early that this is the kind of store that seems to have a loyal customer following – with no fewer than two customers being referred to by name during my visit.

My assistant made some bold and opinionated statements, writing off a hybrid bike early: “These do half a job. Best focus on either on or off road builds and customise from there,” I was told. An interesting angle and the logic may be sound, but the beginner may be thrown if on a low to mid-end budget.

The bikes recommended to me were done with strong reasoning and explained in a jargon-free way. I left with an earmarked catalogue for browsing and asked to return to 'size up' once I'd made a firm choice. He was wise to save the sizing up for my return as this would prevent me taking information away and buying on the web.

SCORE

[ 3/5 ] SCORE

16 BIKEBIZ MAY

[ 4/5 ] BIKEBIZ.COM

MYSTERY SHOPPER | BATH

Total Fitness ASSUMING the role of 'beginner triathlete', Mystery Shopper went into this specialist store asking some vague questions in the hope of a bit of a quick-fire education in the equipment needed to take part.

It was with some relief that the assistant steered clear of jargon, explaining to me that it's best that I ease myself in to the sport to avoid spending hundreds in one hit. Recognising that if I were to be thrown in at the deep end it would be a costly experience, the assistant referred me to the store's website, which listed ‘Triathlon packages’. An investment in such a bundle would give me better scope on whether or not to take the sport seriously or not, it was explained.

Sale items were recommended to further help ease me into the sport, should I want to make purchases to get me rolling right away. Modifications to my current bike were also discussed in order to help me get the most from SCORE equipment. Honest, helpful and plenty of sensible suggestions.

[ 4/5 ]

Halfords

John’s Bikes

A FEW DOORS down from one of Future Publishing's many Bath offices, this single-floor High Street Halfords had limited stock, consisting largely of Carrera's bike line, neglecting the performance end of the market almost completely.

As with most Halfords branches, the handlebar tags kept me amused while the inevitable wait to be seen ensued. It took a short while, as I had to contend with staff chatting with their mates, before I became tired of waiting and butted in.

In the end it was the handlebar tags that better sold the bike as the staff member couldn’t give many solid answers to my questioning and referred to the material dangling off each bike.

It was pointed out that there was up to 30 per cent off the entire Carrera stock, as well as further incentives to buy add-on packages, again discounted. These would be attractive and certainly offer good value to the consumer. It wasn't the salesman's efforts that would have won me over, however.

WALKING in on the closing of a sale is always a sign that the shop is doing something right. Waiting my turn, I observed aftercare service, such as tweaks to saddle height and further checks to the ride comfort.

As the prior customer departed they were followed with the seemingly well-practiced phrases "be sure to come back for your free service in four weeks. We'll email you a reminder." Brilliant.

On to me and having established that I wanted a bike for light jaunts both off and on road, a hybrid trek was initially offered for a test ride, followed by a rigid forked build, which I was asked to compare. Once the assistant had established my favoured ride he went into detail about riding posture and comfort in the saddle, showing me ways in which I could modify the bike to best suit conditions.

All in all, I found this experience educational, tailored, polite and, from a sales perspective, the "would you like to buy or place a deposit today" was asked of me. Good job. Details of my chosen bike were written on a business card and as I left I was reminded I could place a deposit over the phone and that my bike could be serviced and SCORE ready to ride inside an hour.

[ 2/5 ] SCORE

BIKEBIZ.COM

[ 5/5 ]

Summary EACH AND every store had their strong points, even Halfords with its top-notch handlebar tags.

Mystery Shopper is, however, increasingly about sales techniques and methods used to secure a sale by those manning the fort. As such, John's Bikes just pipped Cadence, with my gut feeling being that Cadence would be the more intimidating to the newbie cyclist as the store seemed to have a very 'savvy' audience, despite handling my questioning with concise jargon-free solutions.

The closure of sales was strong across the board, with, at the very least, Mystery Shopper leaving with hints on websites and mentions of deposit.

Kudos to Cadence for resisting sizing me up on the spot having secured my interest in a bike. This often leads to customers taking away sizing information and ordering online.

BIKEBIZ MAY 17

AUSTRALIAN PROFILE | REEF BIKES

Everybody needs good cycle neighbours Sydney is nurturing cycling and plans to ban cars in the city by 2030, something new local electric bike firm Reef Bikes is planning to take advantage of. Jonathon Harker reports...

WHEN YOU’RE inside the bike industry it’s easy to forget that the whole e-bike concept can be something of a mystery to everyday consumers. Identified by some as an obstacle to the sector booming in the UK as it has done at the northern end of the continent and Far East, consumer awareness has not just been an issue for the local market – consumers on the other side of the world are also still in the early stages of getting to grips with the genre of product.

In Sydney, Australia, the burgeoning electric product specifically for the Australian market bike market is expected to grow with the with Reef Group, which he founded. whole cycle market, which is currently being Reef Bikes designs its own electric bike nurtured by the local authorities. Sydney is models, getting them manufactured in Taren undergoing healthy investment in bike Point Factory in China, using components from infrastructure – to the tune of $76 million over the likes of TopGun, Shimano, Velo, with high the next four years. quality lightweight So serious is the lithium batteries. Top ambition that a of the Reef Bikes project, City of range is the Bull Sydney 2030, aims Shark e-bike, while to make the centre at the other end of of Sydney the range is the completely car-free. small foldable urban It’s a tall order commuter e-bike maybe, but if the Electric Blue. city can pull the Co-founder Nina Vucetic, Reef Bikes feat off then it’s Vucetic said that ethe kind of bike market is environment that showing can only be to the benefit of bike, and e-bike, encouraging signs of growth in Sydney. He said: businesses in the area.

“Most people don't know what electric bikes One local company aiming to make the are here. They are a novelty, but are gaining most of the potential in Sydney is Reef Bikes, popularity by the day. Driven by high fuel one of the many bike companies springing up prices, environment sensitivity and obesity in the area. issues, cycling is booming here. New bike shops Set up by keen cyclists Jovan Vucetic and open every day, and existing ones are George Kazacos, Reef Bikes is a new electric expanding.” bike company not yet one year old. Vucetic is Reef Bikes plans to build the business by an entrepreneur and investor, responsible for focusing on previously untapped markets, strategy, brand and sales and marketing at the predominantly targeting women over 40, the company. Kazacos’ background includes ten firm tells BikeBiz, with older men also a key years of designing and importing recreational focus for the firm.

“Our market is growing at a pretty fast pace. We have local government legislation providing the wind in our backs.”

18 BIKEBIZ MAY

Sydney aims to be carfree by 2030

Marketing manager Nina Vucetic, sister of co-founder Jovan, tells BikeBiz: “We want project a fresh, modern image and brand to differentiate ourselves from our competitors.

“Our market is growing at a pretty fast pace, we have local government legislation providing the wind in our backs with many kilometers of cycle paths/lanes in the pipeline.”

“The environment and sustainable transport is central to our business. We believe we can reduce our country's congestion and traffic problems while at the same time grow as a business.” www.reefbikes.com.au

SYDNEY’S CYCLE COMMITMENT LONDON MAY have Boris bikes and a growing cycle culture, but Sydney’s city council has impressive plans for cycling. At its heart is a ‘safe, convenient and sustainable’ 200 km network – including 55 km of separated cycleways.

As well as reducing congestion, the cycleways are hoped to cut emissions and improve public health. The routes have been designed to improve connections between employment, recreation and residential destinations.

Cycle events, free cycling courses, cycling ambassadors and other resources are also on offer to help get locals on their bikes.

BIKEBIZ.COM

FOCUS | BRAND STORES

Specialized

Trek

Brand builders With some of the biggest names in the business opening their own stores Jonathon Harker quizzed the UK bosses of Giant and Specialized for their take on the phenomenon...

IF YOU’RE seeking a good example of how to successfully grow a brand you could do worse than look at Apple. Not the Beatles record label (though that not inconsiderable brand has a shop too, on the corner of Baker Street), but the multi-million selling manufacturer of iPods, iPhones, iPads and Macs. You know the one.

Ten years ago this month the brand opened its first Apple Store in Tysons Corner, Fairfax County, Viriginia, United States. London got Apple’s first European Store at the end of 2004, set in Regent Street, and according to Wikipedia (which is admittedly shaky ground) is the most profitable shop in London with the highest sales per square foot.

It’s difficult to imagine a time when Apple had a low brand profile, but the company didn’t get where it is today through product alone. Apple Stores have played a key part in the building of Steve Jobs’ brand, as have similar retail offerings for many others.

It’s a phenomenon not just confined to a single sector. The bike trade has adopted the

20 BIKEBIZ MAY

” There is a demand from the brand orientated consumer to purchase in a store that can best represent the experience of the brand in question.”

Richard Hemington Similarities are evident in the floor space and presentation by each concept store

idea and a growing number of names from the business have created their own shop identity.

Giant currently has eight stores in the UK, its most recent opening in Guildford last month. The first opened its doors just two years ago in Liverpool, while in 2010 Giant opened its first retail outlets in the US. Specialized opened its first concept store in Santa Rosa, California in 2007. In the same year the brand opened a store in Chester and since then has seen eight concept stores spring

Giant

BIKEBIZ.COM

FOCUS | BRAND STORES

be the old small mom and pop style shops, especially when the top bikes are costing 10 thousand dollars.”

Sims adds: “I think that it is making us much more of a household name globally as concept stores are being opened up on busy High Streets and it is pushing cycling out to a wider audience.”

For Giant, Specialized and Trek the stores have been opened in conjunction with a partner dealer.

The shop provides a wider range of product from the brand, according to Hemington: “Each store can offer the broadest range of Specialized products to view and purchase.

Each store can offer the BG F.I.T. service, not exclusive to a Concept Store but common to all of these stores.”

However, Beasant believes that Giant brand stores are about a number of different factors.

“There are many great IBDs in the UK and I think it’s inaccurate to say that we offer anything above other stores,” he tells BikeBiz. “What the stores are aimed at providing are non-intimidating retail experiences, focused on usage and brand experience. Consumers choose their purchasing destination on many factors and for some this style of store really hits the mark.”

up in the UK, with a ninth opening soon in Covent Garden (with Cycle Surgery).

Trek has also now joined the trend with a store recently opened in Milton Keynes. The 3,700 sq ft retail space is the first for Trek in the UK, following a number of stores in the US. Elsewhere, Cube Bikes has opened a store in Berlin this year, and even Chain Reaction Cycles is seeing the benefit of having (at least) one stand alone physical store.

But why have these companies suddenly all decided to take their brands to the High Streets in this way?

Specialized UK managing director Richard Hemington explains: “The general retail environment across all sectors is that there is a demand from the consumer who are brand orientated to purchase in a store that can best communicate and represent the experience of the brand in question. This is particularly more relevant for premium brands and many

BIKEBIZ.COM

examples exist such as Apple, North Face, Sony and – of course – Specialized.

“This is already well established in retail outside of the bicycle industry and, like Specialized, other bicycle brands have stores globally, so it was logical to see that other bicycle brands would bring that strategy to the UK market.”

“In the UK there has been a demand from Specialized dealers to expand their business in this way, giving added value to their existing business while capitalising on the value of the Specialized brand.”

Giant UK director Ian Beasant tells BikeBiz that a brand-centric industry like bikes was destined to dip its toes into brand stores: “They help build recognition by the consumer while gaining retail understanding. It’s the same in all brand-based industries.

“Brand stores are designed to achieve three goals; to strengthen consumer awareness of the brand; work with like minded partners to develop a great retail experience in areas of opportunity; and learn more about consumer demands and requirements.”

The lesson from other industries is a key factor too, in the opinion of Specialized’s head of global marketing an PR Nic Sims: “We looked at other industries and how they were represented – like Harley Davidson and Porsche – and there is a consistent look and message worldwide, and that is what we wanted for cycling and the brand. Bike shops don’t have to

A SUCCESSFUL CONCEPT? We’ve seen the phenomenon succeed outside the bike market, but how has the experiment fared for bikes?

Hemington: “By providing exclusive retail space for the Specialized products it gives clearer visibility of the brand and to new consumers an awareness of the brand that they may not have had prior. The stores are effectively a shop window for Specialized.”

Beasant says so too: “We have seen growth in all regions surrounding a brand store location.”

It comes as no surprise to hear that both brands will continue to grow their retail presence on the High Street. But, they stress, new stores and locations are arrived at organically, with no grand overarching scheme or set targets to hit.

Hemington says: “Future stores and their locations will be determined by the partner dealers. Stores will only be in locations our dealers wish to operate in, not where we wish to operate in.”

Beasant adds: “The right partnership comes first. The locations are based on areas of the country where the brand has opportunity.”

WHO NEXT? In the ten years since Apple opened its first store in May 2001, the firm has opened over 300 across the globe, proof of Apple’s continued belief in the concept.

In the bike industry, belief in the concept appears to be growing. Between them Giant, Specialized and Trek have opened 17 stores in four years in the UK alone. It’s brought a shift in the retail landscape, if you will, and a renewed focus on the importance of brand power.

Which bike brand will be next to join the standalone store club remains to be seen.

But it’s surely a safe bet that other cycling brands will be aiming to take a presence on the High Street soon.

BIKEBIZ MAY 21

22 BIKEBIZ MAY

BIKEBIZ.COM

BRAND SPOTLIGHT | ARGON-18

I-ride an Argon 18 With North American race legend Gervais Rioux having hand-raised the Argon 18 brand, you can be sure performance is second to none. But what’s in it for the stockist? Mark Sutton asks I-ride’s Tom Marchment who explains what support is in place to market the brand in the UK, how retailers can get some hands-on experience with the bikes and also touches on the many technical aspects of a typical build for which the brand is renowned…

What sets Argon 18’s bikes apart from the competition?

There are obvious features like the adjustable 3D head-tubes that allow headtube lengths to be altered and hence offer a much more customisable fit, while not compromising headtube stiffness or fork steerer warranty like standard headset spacers. Of course, normal headset spacers can be combined with the 3D system for even greater adjustability. The 3D headtubes also allow for rider position changes, especially as fitness and experience improve and allow for a lower, more aero position.

Thanks to the 3D system’s adaptability dealers can simplify their range, no need for sportive and race specific frames. Argon 18 can outperform the competition in both areas.

A lot of tailored work goes into a carbon Argon 18 build – can you tell us a bit about how each frame is unique?

A very important part of the Argon 18 ethos is that geometry and tubing for each size should be optimised and this performance improvement not be restrained by cost. This ideal means geometry and tube alterations occur through the size ranges; this is known as the Argon Fit System (AFS). Using different shaped and sized tubes with altered wall thicknesses and re-enforcements across the size range are more expensive to produce, but it produces much improved ride qualities, handling and power transfer. So each frame size is suited to the weight and power of the rider.

Does the firm offer goods fitted to both men and women?

Argon 18 offers some very small and large sizing and thanks to the tailored tube shapes and 3D customisable headtube length their frames will fit almost any rider. Female or male, tall or short, each rider is different and so allowing customisation and building in tailored tubes and geometries provides for the best fit.

Are there any criteria to be met to become an Argon 18 dealer?

Argon 18 products are fairly technical in nature and our end users require excellent support from their stockists, so we welcome any retailers to apply who feel the product fits with their portfolio and technical capabilities.

Where are service and warranty requests handled and by whom?

We handle all warranties in our technical service department here at I-ride and our turnaround is very quick. We also carry a wide inventory of Argon 18 spares and parts.

Argon 18 has its own YouTube channel – what content is uploaded here?

This channel is simply a great way to see how much Argon 18 and its athletes put into developing the frames. A great example is the video of multiple World Champion and longtime Argon 18 athlete Tjorbjorn Sindballe testing the E-114 in the wind tunnel. There are also loads of videos of how the frames are put to use in professional races and training.

Are framesets available, as well as complete bikes? What price does each range begin at?

We offer two complete bikes: the world championship winning, but great value E-80 Aero bike at £1,635; and the full-carbon Krypton from only £1,999, which is actually a trickle down frame and so is almost identical to last year’s top of the range Gallium Pro. There are several Road and Aero frames ranging from to £800 to £2,800. Argon 18’s expertise has also been applied to produce excellent cyclo-cross and track bikes, which we also stock here at I-ride.

What back-up support can I-ride offer the Argon 18 dealer?

We pride ourselves on our dealer support and thus we offer excellent POS, provide in-store staff training, are always willing to attend demo events. I-ride also has a full consumer marketing campaign, including important exhibitions, regular full page road and triathlon advertising and great product reviews and coverage. In fact, editorial product coverage is pretty easy to achieve as journalists are just riders and so they get excited about the benefits of Argon 18 just like ourselves, our dealers and the end consumers do.

Can a dealer request a custom build through I-ride?

We are distributors for Fulcrum, Campagnolo, Continental, and 3T, so can prepare complete bike orders using these parts for shops to custom build.

I-ride claims that the Argon 18 range outperforms the competition BIKEBIZ.COM

BIKEBIZ MAY 23

KERONITE | SURFACE TREATMENT

What is Kero You may have seen this word cropping up lately, whether it be in association with Mavic’s rims, or Rock Shox forks. Mark Sutton visits the Bicester firm, also dubbed Keronite, to find out what applications the proprietary surface treatment may have for the bicycle business in future…

IT’S highly unlikely you will have heard of Keronite before its introduction into the bicycle market in the early months of 2011.

That is unless you work for a Forumla One race team, are a NASA engineer, or have a particular penchant for the gear boxes on helicopters. The technology was, in fact, born out of the Russian space programme with scientists seeking a long wearing, flexible and heat dissipating coat for components destined to be launched skywards.

You may, however, have stared right at Keronite product and been none the wiser. Go Cycle, for example, has its magnesium frames coated by Keronite, which is then covered over with a powder coat.

”At one time, 11 guys were doing 100 miles a day for six straight weeks.

Up and down mountains, in wet and dry conditions without any faults. They loved Keronite.”

Bicester plant – the Comete Road, Cosmic Carbone SLR, R-Sys SLR and Ksyrium SLR. Alex Coventry, the UK sales manager for Mavic told BikeBiz: "We’ve actually been working with Keronite for around four years now. In that time packing in a year of solid machine and on bike testing with a team of 11 athletes. These guys put the wheels through six straight weeks of 100mile per day rides up and down mountains, through rain and fairer conditions and have been unable to fault the Keronite surface, particularly given the braking advantages."

Those advantages are revealed particularly in

Alex Coventry, Mavic

Before and after photos of the bonding process

24 BIKEBIZ MAY

Perhaps you’ve observed yacht racing. At BikeBiz, we’re certainly no experts, but we’re told that during a race, non-Keronite coated masts typically should have a rope wrapped around up to four times, costing valuable time.

Keronite coated masts cut the time spent here by half, offering performance advantages over the competition. This is thanks to the material’s adhesive properties.

So, what is Keronite? In layman’s terms, it’s a ductile ceramic style coating, but far deeper ingrained in the base material, to the point where it atomically bonds by a few microns making it inseparable from its host. Of course it’s much more technical than that, involving plasma, electrical charges and a lot of sciency stuff better explained by the firm’s research and development partners at Cambridge University.

Mavic calls the tech ‘Exalith’ on its 2011 product, for which four aluminium rims have received the special treatment at Keronite’s

wet conditions where Coventry reveals: "a Keronite-coated rim will stop a bike better when wet than an aluminium rim in the dry."

For this reason, as well as the aesthetic advantages, Mavic has exclusivity for Keronite coating rims worldwide.

There are many other advantages to ‘Keroniting’ a surface too. Compared to anodising a surface, which by creating minute cracks in the surface gives such products a slightly lower fatigue strength, Keronite’s coat is more consistent.

On a standard aluminium rim, Coventry says wear life will be extended by between 20 and 30 per cent dependant on conditions. "Your wheel will give in long before the Keronite surface shows signs of wear," he adds. Road

BIKEBIZ.COM

KERONITE | SURFACE TREATMENT

nite? salts and chemicals are well resisted by the coat, with tested rims lasting a cycle of 2,000 hours of salt spray without any major damage. Thanks to the 25micron thickness of the coat, heat is dissipated under heavy braking very quickly, too.

Now for the sales winner, it’s lighter than anodizing and similar processes. Rock Shox saved 30 grams on its 2011 Boxxer fork legs, which neglect the usual painting methods, introducing Keronite in a grey shade.

The future is Kero-bright The colour, though in the grand scheme of things barely worth mentioning, may perhaps be a stumbling block to some firms’ interest in this wonder coat. To date, Keronite has only managed unique shades of black, grey and white from its process. It can however, be painted over, though this would negate the weight saving and scuff resistance advantages.

Mavic, alongside Swiss Stop, have Keronite specific brake pads which make the most of the adhesive properties of the coat. Each of the four models carrying the tech are supplied with a set of these ‘Exalith’ pads, as well as a tube and tyre. Replacement ‘Exalith’ pads will retail at £40, roughly the same as performance brake pads for many carbon rims.

Prototype product from other cycling manufacturers was spotted by BikeBiz on the visit to Keronite HQ, indicating the industry has taken note. Sadly, though, we’re restricted from offering any further detail, other than the picture of the bottle cage and seatpost seen here. Crank arms, stems and chainring spiders were present. However, with the former perhaps making the most sense in terms of resistance to colour disparity so often seen on the painted arm of many cranks.

Mavic confirmed to BikeBiz that it will soon roll out its Keronite programme into other areas for which it produces hard goods. Meanwhile, Keronite’s UK production line is working overtime, coating rims at a rate of 16 per hour. This however, seems like it may just be the beginning for the business the firm does with cycle trade partners. www.keronite.com

BIKEBIZ.COM

A cross section of a Keronited rim reveals how very little is added to the aluminium base

KERONITE’S ADVANTAGES It’s ductile Much thanks to the atomic bonding process, the ‘coat’ is as flexible as the object it is bonded to.

It’s lighter and wear life is longer Lighter than other methods such as anodising anyway. At only 25 microns thick, weight added is negligible. The surface lasts “20 to 30 per cent longer” than aluminium rims.

It has a higher fatigue strength Higher than anodising anyway, largely down to the ‘cracks’ created via anodising.

Keronite is more consitant.

It’s smooth, yet adhesive Just look at Mavic’s rims, smooth, yet when a ‘Exalith pad is applied’, that wheel is stopping thanks to the adhesive properties.

The industry has taken note Rock Shox, Mavic, Go Cycle and others now work with Keronite.

Better braking in the wet Mavic was so taken aback by Keronite’s stopping power in the wet, it made sure the business had worldwide exclusivity for rims.

It’s atomically bonded and eco-friendly Keronite bonds with the sub-structure by a few microns. There is no waste product.

Supporting a UK business Though there are other facilites outside Bicester and Cambridge, the patent to Keronite is owned by a UK firm.

Chemical resistance 2,000 hours of continuous salt spray couldn’t break a Keronite surface.

BIKEBIZ MAY 25

...is now available from

As of 1st February 2011 Windwave has begun distribution of BBB parts and accessories. Distribution will be shared with the existing BBB distributor until the 1st July when Windwave will become exclusive.

BBB products are now in stock and can be ordered immediately via our sales force or on our B2B website www.windwave.co.uk.

Microboard Team

Official Supplier

£46.95 Falcon Team

Official Supplier

£99.95 Impact Team

Official Supplier

£59.95 OvalIntegrate

Official Supplier

£19.95 for more information call 02392 528912 or visit www.windwave.co.uk

AWARD WINNERS | WIGGLE

Wiggle room Multiple award winning online bike retailer Wiggle’s own Martin Talbot, director of marketing, speaks to Jonathon Harker...

What's it like to be a BB Award winner?

Different awards mean different things, but winning an award that is voted for from within the industry by peers and competitors is fantastic. It’s important because those who are voting have a professional eye on what is going on and to be considered good at what you do by such a discerning audience is exciting.

In the last 12 months Wiggle also won the Oracle Retail Week Award for Verenti, earned a spot on the Times/Virgin Fast Track 100 and won the Cross Border e-Retail title at the e-Commerce Awards for Excellence.

Has that raised the bar of expectation for Wiggle, and do you forsee more award wins in 2011?

It is exciting to win the awards but they were never the objective. The customer is the key for us and always will be. Ultimately success in any market is down to how well you can offer the customer what they want, so range integrity, and our service offer are going to be the areas we continue to focus on in the coming year. However, the awards are a reflection of how well you are doing at serving the customer so by default, now that we have them, we will want to keep them.

Overseas business has been a phenomenal area of growth for Wiggle in 2010 – is that where you expect to continue to see this year, or will growth be more homegrown in 2011?

It is really important to Wiggle to be strongest in the domestic market. We have some really great plans to drive our UK business through

BIKEBIZ.COM

2011, not least through our events programme (we will have over 150,000 people attending our events this year) and our advertising strategy. Overseas is an important aspect of our business, but it does not overshadow the absolute necessity to be strong in the UK. Are you seeing the effects of the tough economy yet, or is cycling still buoyant?

There is no question that the UK market is very tough. Our customers are not immune to the challenge of the wider economy and we have to be sensitive to that. However, we have had some great successes so far this year. Our events have been massively popular, with the Wiggle Dragon Ride selling out in a matter of hours and the Wiggle Super Series events, like the No Excuses Sportive, going in a matter of days. The appetite for cycling still seems to be growing strongly and Wiggle’s offer and proposition is appealing to more and more customers – which is great news for the industry as a whole and Wiggle in particular.

Can we expect to see any changes to the functionality of the Wiggle site and how have the recent changes been received?

Changing anything on the site when customers are familiar with using functionality in a certain way can be a challenge. However, we engaged with customers every step of the way when we initiated changes last year and this approach has proven to be successful. Because the web is such a dynamic environment change is a necessity. Lots of new functionality becomes available very quickly. Take social media, for example: Facebook has gone from

nothing to a global phenomenon in just a few years. So, really, change should be the expectation. We are going to continue to evolve the site over time as our customers increase their demands for enhanced content or functionality. The key challenge for Wiggle is to ensure that we are working on the right things at the right time and that we innovate based on what our customers want.

Wiggle’s bike buyer Simeon Madder picked up the award on the night

Is internet retail still vibrant?

Yes, it certainly is. Within the market as a whole broadband penetration is still growing and this delivers a faster more enjoyable customer experience, so internet growth will be driven in part by an expanding technical infrastructure.

More people are finding a use for the internet in their everyday lives (the fastest growing demographic on Facebook is 55-65 year-old women) which provides access to potential new customers. And people are spending more time online, according to research. This combination leads to a fast moving and vibrant channel of operation.

What are Wiggle's long-term ambitions?

We would aspire to be famous for the quality of our service and our range authority. We want to be the first stop shop for any consumer who is passionate about cycling in any form, trisports and running.

Final cheeky question – any chance Wiggle will open a stand-alone physical retail store like certain other bike online retailers?

You’re right...that is a cheeky question.

BIKEBIZ MAY 27

MEDIA ANALYSIS | CYCLIST SAFETY

Hot off the press The heated debate over whether cyclists should be forced to wear helmets or not hit the headlines again last month. Jonathon Harker summarises the action from the latest chapter in the long running dispute on safety...

WAS IT the warm start to spring that brought all the attention to cycling in the national newspaper, TV, internet and radio news media?

Whatever prompted the flurry of stories and controversy there’s no doubt that it was hard to avoid the topic of cyclist safety in April.

Front pages, comments threads and Twitter were chock full of vigorous debate. Anyone daring to approach the topic without due caution was liable to face fierce criticism.

The month’s cycle controversy kicked off with Norman Baker’s helmet ‘faux pas’. The Transport Minster and Liberal Democrat MP was taken to task by safety groups after being spotted cycling without a helmet. Instead of caving into pressure, however, Baker stuck to his guns and gave interviews to the press, including the BBC, The Guardian and Financial Times, pointing out he is the Cycling Minister, ‘not the Minister for Safety’. Baker said it was his ‘libertine’ right to ride with the wind in what hair he had left.

Speaking to John Humphrys on the Today programme Julie Townsend, of road safety charity Brake, said: “This isn’t only a public figure we’re talking about, this is the Minister with responsibility for cycling. We think it’s positive he’s choosing to cycle, but we’d like him to set an example by cycling safely.”

Responding to the criticism Baker said: “I want to encourage people to cycle and stress the benefits and freedom it brings.”

The controversy over helmets continued after Baker referred to research that suggested helmet-wearing cyclists are not given as wide a berth as those without. More research criticising the positives of cycling with a helmet came from the Norway Institute of Transport Economics. The report, made by Dr Elvik, said that helmet wearing increases the risk of neck injuries to the wearer, though critics responded that on balance, helmets do more good than harm.

PR STUNT BACKFIRES The topic refused to fade away when automobile organisation AA launched its own cycle safety day. On Friday April 15th the AA Charitable Trust gave away thousands of AA branded yellow cycle helmets and high visibility vests at two locations in the capital.

While at face value a motoring organisation attempting to help cyclist safety may have appeared a hugely positive move, some vocal cycle advocates were troubled by the emphasis that cycle safety remaining solely with cyclists.

An AA poll of almost 16,000 members found that 97 per cent of AA members thought cyclists should wear helmets. Edmund King, director of the AA Charitable Trust and AA

BIKEBIZ.COM

president, said: "We welcome the increase in cycling but we want to ensure that more cyclists don’t lead to more casualties. The use of cycle helmets and vests by all cyclists could significantly reduce the number and severity of injuries that occur each year."

Critics included road safety organisation RoadPeace which, at time of print, is selling one of the free AA helmet and high vis vests on eBay. The firm said: “The AA did not appear to be offering a choice of size when they handed these [helmets] out, or to be offering any advice on fitting, despite the fact that both size and fitting are critical to the (limited) protection that a helmet can offer.” It added: “RoadPeace supports the many victims of road crashes and campaigns to tackle bad driving and introduce 20mph speed limits – both far more likely to reduce cycling casualties than giving away cycle helmets!”

If there’s one message that can be taken from the month’s controversy, it’s that the emotive subject of cyclist safety and helmet wearing remains precisely that, and any organisation, MP or commentator should approach the topic with caution. More importantly, behind the bluster, the issue of how safe cyclists feel on the roads of the UK remains vital. With safety fears regularly listed as obstacles to potential cyclists saddling up, the topic remains important for the industry, the cycling world and also for the world at large. And yes, that includes motorists.

A MONTH OF CONTROVERSY April 8th A drunk driver kills two cyclists in Carolina, USA. US TV station WWAY TV emphasises the fact that neither cyclists wore helmets and later changes that emphasis after pressure from backlash on Twitter April 10th Government reveals it will consider harsher sentences for cyclists in a new Bill April 12th Norwegian study downgrades the protective effects of helmets April 12th MP Norman Baker defends helmet-free cycling on BBC Radio 4 April 14th AA distributes free helmets and high vis vests to cyclists in London April 14th The Independent launches ‘Save Our Cyclists’ campaign, contrasting with the paper’s positive message on cycling at the start of 2009 (right)

BIKEBIZ MAY 29

BRAND SPOTLIGHT | TAYA CHAIN

Link in the

chain Can you give us some of the history of the brand?

TaYa began when Ta Tung Industrial was producing roller chains in the Taipei area. When Ta Tung decided to close their plant in Taiwan, the grandfather of current TaYa sales director Jill Wu succeeded the technologies and facilities and went on to establish TaYa Chain.

From 1969 TaYa was producing bicycle chains, motorcycle chains and industrial chains for the respective markets. Only when the company was passed onto the second generation did it start to focus solely on producing quality bicycle chains.

Like Bohle, TaYa is a family business. Now in its third generation, Jill Wu and her brother Jasper Wu head the TaYa operation. Jill began her career with the company in 1997 and her brother Jasper joined in 2002.

With the benefit of a close family and strong relationships, TaYa was able to devote itself to ongoing research and development – that commitment to development is evident in the company to this day.

What are the hero products for the brand?

Does it serve all the sectors of the bicycle market?

That would be the TaYa Sigma Connector. It has been patented now for 19 years and is the most popular and well-known TaYa product around the world. TaYa have sold over 19 million sets to date. The Sigma Connector series covers the whole TaYa chain range, but more importantly are fully compatible with other chain brands in the market.

BIKEBIZ.COM

With a product portfolio that includes the 19 million-selling Sigma Connector, TaYa Chain couples innovation with environmentally-friendly materials. Bohle’s Dave Taylor speaks to Jonathon Harker...

What can you tell us about the environmentally-friendly developments for Taya Chain products like the Green Surface Treatment?

Greener Surface Treatment, or GST, was developed because the environment plays a fundamental role in the research and development of TaYa products.

GST has a unique range of corrosion protection coatings to meet the demand for corrosion resistant specifications in the bicycle industry today. As environmental issues continue to be a catalyst for change, TaYa has consistently and continually engineered solutions that avoid, or completely minimise pollution risks. TaYa’s GST is 100 per cent free of hexavalent chrome compounds and complies with the environmental standards REACH, CPSIA and RoHS. Taya chains do colourful, rust proof, eco-credentials and more...

The Super Single-α picked up a Eurobike Award in 2010 and a Taiwan Excellence Award this year. Can you tell us about the product?

The Super Single-α is designed for e-bikes and bikes with internal gear hubs. The half-link design makes it much easier to adjust the chain length and also lasts much longer thanks to its half-link strength. The GST coating keeps the chain rust free for 500 hours. Compare this to a traditional chrome-plated chain that has just 45 rust-free hours. The hollow parts of the chain achieve a remarkable reduction in weight and lighter bikes make for faster riders. The asymmetric shape holds the chain tighter with the gear and reduces the chance of slipping, which gives piece of mind to the rider. The lightweight strong design is great for Single Speed, premium hub-gear bikes and e-bikes.

Are there any other stand-out innovations from the brand?

The innovative Diamond Hard Treatment is available on TaYa’s nine, ten and 11-speed chains, providing excellent performance and durability with minimal wear to the chainwheel. It is adapted not only to the pin, but on all the related parts. Thanks to DHT, the expected chain life can be anywhere between 3,000 to 5,000 km.

Components in vibrant colours seems to be trending – has TaYa found that to be the case and does it have any products to appeal to that market?

The single speed and fixie markets are no doubt becoming more and more prevalent here. TaYa offers a range of coloured chains with anti-corrosion Teflon coating or an antiscratch painted layer. They are available in 1/8” or 3/32” specifications including TB-910, TB980, 410H, 408H and 410B. What’s coming up in the next 12 months?

Any hints on forthcoming product lines?

There will be more innovation of GST, with an 11-speed chain and more colours across the single speed range.

In addition, TaYa is also bringing out a 30metre small roll package for manufacturers, or workshops.

How can dealers get in touch and stock the brand?

The full TaYa range can be sourced through Bohle UK. For more information email info@bohle.co.uk.

BIKEBIZ MAY 31

RACE LECTOR COMP

Ghost Race Lector Comp rrp: £1899.99

Distributed in the UK by

Shimano Ultegra gears Easton EA 70 wheels High Modulus carbon frame

Web: www.hotlines-uk.com I Email: sales@hotlines-uk.com I Tel: 0131 319 1444

BEYOND CYCLING | OUTDOORS

Staycation retail boom Pressure on consumer cash remains strong, but the resulting rise in holidaying in the UK spells good news for outdoors retailers...

NEWS IN BRIEF New store opening for outdoors retailer GO Outdoors has opened a new store in Hanley, Staffordshire. Creating 60 jobs, the 75,000 sq ft store is reportedly Go Outdoors’ largest yet, featuring an 18,000 sq ft tent display, a climbing wall and an in-store café owned by Natasha Hamilton of Atomic Kitten fame.

Timberland fails to reach emissions target

THE RISE of the ‘Staycation’ has not just benefited the UK cycle trade, according to The Sunday Times. The trend of holiday makers spending holidays in Britain has seen a rise in camping, climbing and fishing cycling trips, benefiting retailers in the outdoors sector.

Go Outdoors, a 30-strong retail chain specialising in the likes of running, riding, climbing, fishing and cycling, has reportedly seen profits rise 65 per cent a year. The firm made the ‘Profit Track 100’, listing private firms with the fastest growing profits. From £1.2 million in 2007, profits rose to an annualised £5.5 million in 2010. The private equity firm 3i recently took a minority stake in the firm in a £28 million deal, with those funds set to be used to accelerate

growth in the business. To that end the retailer has recruited former Tesco director Colin Holmes to Go Outdoors as new chairman.

The increasingly enterprising firm is planning to grow its retail portfolio from 30 to 70 stores in the next four years, according to 3i.

Go Outdoors president Paul Caplan and CEO John Graham said: “We are very excited by the capital injection and the partnership with 3i. Go Outdoors is a fast growing company with ambitious plans for the future.

“Through our unique business model, we can now extend our presence in the UK market through new store openings and further growth within our existing stores. www.gooutdoors.co.uk

The rise of ‘staycations’ in the current difficult economy has boosted business in the outdoors sector

Industry body publishes ‘Active Guide’

“We can now extend our presence in the UK market through new stores.”

The Outdoors Industries Association (OIA) has published its latest edition of the Active Guide – a complete guide to a number of popular outdoor pursuits including walking, climbing, camping, caravanning and a variety of water sports.

Consumers can use the map based innovative guides to lead them to service providers, activity centres, retailers and much more. www.theactiveguide.com

Online growth for outdoor sector sales

EVENT FOCUS THE OUTDOOR Trade Show is one of the key events in the outdoors industry, now in its sixth year. Taking place at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire and running from September 26th to 28th the event brings retailers, brands and distributors from the outdoors trade together.

The timing of the event is pitched as the ideal time for placing forward orders for spring/summer 2012 or even for top-up orders in time for Christmas.

The Outdoor Trade Show has grown yearby-year, starting with a modest 621 visitors in 2006 with 46 exhibitors. In 2010 the total number of exhibitors reached 120, with over 1,400 trade visitors – a 13 per cent growth on 2009 visitor numbers.

BIKEBIZ.COM

According to the show organiser exhibition stand has sold faster than ever for the 2011 event, with 89 companies signed up by February 2011 – a 15 per cent increase on the same time the year before. 7,500 square metres of exhibition space will be available at the venue.

Show organiser Marta Williams explains: “The OTS was set up by the trade, for the trade, and represents an important opportunity for companies to showcase their products to over 1,000 retailers. The demand for a UK trade event means the popularity of OTS has grown year-on-year. With companies keen to secure their previous locations, many opting to increase the stand size, OTS 2011 promises to be the biggest year in the show’s history.”

Outdoor clothes retailer Timberland has missed out on hitting its ambitious target of cutting emissions by 50 per cent by the end of 2010. The five year goal aimed to slash emissions from Timberland facilities and employee air travel by half, instead hitting a 38 reduction by December 2010.

The company is now planning to hit the tough target by 2015 instead.

Online sales in the sporting goods industry have continued to grow, according to Shopatron. In Q4 2010 sporting goods brands saw sales rise 32 per cent year-onyear. Snowsports brands rocketed, however, and alone saw same store sales growth of 59 per cent in the same quarter.

Shopatron, an e-commerce provider, works with more than 5,000 sporting goods retailers.

Garmin rolls out 610 watch www.outdoortrade show.co.uk @OTS2011

Garmin has launched a brand news sports watch – the Forerunner 610. The slim, robust weather-proof touchscreen has been designed specifically for runners and can be operated with running gloves.

BIKEBIZ MAY 33

BIKE HUB | THE BIG PEDAL

Winning Big Pedal – children from the Pontrhydyfen Primary School in Port Talbot, Wales

Pushing bikes It seems that kids just need a gentle push to get cycling, so found the Sustrans-run, Bike-Hub-backed Big Pedal. Sustrans school travel director Paul Osborne tells all to Jonathon Harker...

PONTRHYDYFEN Primary School in Port Talbot, Wales was the winner of The Big Pedal this year, but, as corny as it sounds, the real winner was the world of cycling. Don’t believe it? Well read on...

In case you missed it, for three weeks in March schools across the nation took part in the stage-by-stage Big Pedal bike race. School pupils, teachers and parents clocked up miles by riding to and from school, in competition with other schools in Britain. The results were fed into Sustrans’ super computer and the school with the most miles made by bike won out – enter Port Talbot’s Pontrhydyfen Primary School.

Along the way an impressive number of bike journeys – 990,550 in fact – were made in the three weeks as part of The Big Pedal. The fact that those journeys saved school parents a combined £250k in petrol costs is besides the point for the bike industry, of course.

While even an optimist wouldn’t claim every one of the 990k bicycle journeys wouldn’t have happened had Big Pedal not existed, it would take a gargantuan effort of head numbing cynicism to claim the initiative hadn’t caused a good number of extra bike journeys – and all by incentivising children to cycle with prizes and good natured competition.

Organiser Sustrans was pleased with the reaction to the project, and the potential

34 BIKEBIZ MAY

cycling legacy it has left schools with.

“We were amazed at the response from schools, teachers, pupils and parents; it was a hugely successful race,” enthuses Paul Osborne, Sustrans school travel director. He tells BikeBiz: “We’ve had lots of positive feedback from schools and parents, and plenty of Bike It officers have remarked that cycling levels in schools that took part in the race have remained high, even though the race has finished.”

Pitting schools against each other to see which can notch up bike miles is not a new concept – Sustrans ran the Virtual Bike Ride last year, on a smaller scale than Big Pedal, but racking up an nevertheless impressive 288,201 journeys by bike. This year the crucial difference was funding from the cycle industry’s own Bike Hub fund.

Osborne explains how the grant from the trade affected the project: “The Bike Hub contribution to the Big Pedal was invaluable – without it we wouldn’t have been able to offer many of the materials that we sent to schools.

“Bike Hub’s generosity enabled us to promote the event beyond Bike It schools, particularly those signed up to Bikeability cycle training. We were also able to develop the website and provide large wall charts, giving Bike Hub and Sustrans a visible presence in all participating schools.”

Thorpe Greenways Junior school

While the school winners are still enjoying their prizes – including performances from the M.A.D cycle stunt team, bike storage and repair kits from Fisher Outdoor and Weldtite, Sustrans is shaping up next years event, which could yet include a school versus workplace twist.

Osbourne explains: “We would like to build on the success of this year’s race and persuade even more schools to get involved. We more than doubled participation this year, and there is no reason for us not to do the same again. We may consider a competition between schools in different size categories and explore how schools can challenge local workplaces.”

Would grown-up workplace staff be able to match enthusiastic kids who respond well to a cycle challenge?

Would it generate more bike journeys nationwide? You’ll be able to find out in the Big Pedal round two...

BIKEBIZ.COM

RETURNING THIS OCTOBER

THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO RETAILERS, SUPPLIERS AND SERVICES WITHIN THE CYCLE TRADE

For advertising and sponsorship opportunities contact: Carly.Bailey@intentmedia.co.uk or call 01992 535647

ACTSMART | MEMBER BENEFITS

1,900 members and growing…

Ever wondered what the advantages are of being a member of specialist retail community ActSmart?

BikeBiz gets the skinny from the organisation’s own Tony Jones...

NOW WITH over 1,900 members and 7,000 businesses in its network, ActSmart must be doing something right. With the National Association of Cycle Traders positioned at the heart of the community, delivering an extensive and growing range of membership benefits, information, research, consumer promotion and business support, BikeBiz asked Tony Jones from ActSmart to try and establish what they do in the cycle industry.

“With peak season approaching fast, now is the time to make sure your ActSmart

membership does the hard work for you so you have more time to give your customers what they want,” Jones tells BikeBiz. Although ActSmart is achieving record levels of membership and getting more recognition across the country, there is a general feeling that many cycle retailers and suppliers aren’t aware of the width of activity that ActSmart do to benefit your business.

Jones adds: “If you are an existing ActSmart member then here is a selection of some of the benefits already available to you. If you aren’t a member now’s the time to ask yourself ‘why not’?

“If you aren’t a member now’s the time to ask yourself, ‘why not?’”

Tony Jones, ActSmart

Phone ActSmart for a free no obligation consultancy to find out how you can help your business.

Do you know how ActSmart can help your business?

0845 618 7256 WWW.ACTSMART.BIZ

SUPPORTING YOUR INDUSTRY

INCREASE YOUR SALES

ACT MEMBERSHIP: Become a member of the only UK trade organisation dedicated to supporting the Specialist Cycle Retailer

CYCLE ACCIDENT SUPPORT: Support customers in the event of an accident and receive referral fees

INFORMATION AND ADVICE: Market research, employment advice, business law and legal helplines to help cycle businesses when required

CYCLE INSURANCE: Dealer commissions for introductions

POLITICAL ADVOCACY: Working for the interests of independent retailers – helping dealers have their say in Government and within the industry SKILLS DEVELOPMENT: Cytech – the cycle training accreditation owned by the industry for the industry, as a member dealers save money on Cytech technical courses

CYCLE MARKETPLACE: Retailers can appeal to a much wider audience with online product promotion RETAIL FINANCE: Give customers the ability to purchase what they really want without breaking the bank

REDUCE YOUR COSTS ACCOUNTANCY: Fixed fees agreed in advance with 15 per cent cash back

PROMOTE YOUR BUSINESS BUSINESS DIRECTORY: Dealers get added business exposure and find retailers, suppliers and service providers across many different sectors CAREERS CENTRE: Unlimited free job vacancy promotion for retailer members CONSUMER PROMOTION: Promotion to over 250,000 consumers per month via The Cycling Experts and other websites YELLOW PAGES: Directory listing under ACT banner for extra consumer promotion

BUSINESS INSURANCE: Specialist insurance from one of the UK’s leading cycles broker CARD PROCESSING: Preferential rates for members amongst the lowest available FREE BUSINESS BANKING: Free business banking and preferential terms free commercial tax protection: Protection in the event of a PAYE or a VAT inspection CYCLE SHOP STATIONERY: Savings available for dealers ELECTRICITY, GAS AND TELECOMS: Source the best deal available for your business with our independent specialists EMPLOYEE BENEFITS: Retain and motivate staff with an employee benefits package

BIKEBIZ.COM

BIKEBIZ MAY 37

PEOPLE | RECRUITMENT Send your recruitment news to

mark.sutton@intentmedia.co.uk

WFSGI Gains expertise of FSA’s Marra Easton Bell targets aggressive Euro growth with Paul Stratta hire Future appoints Taylor as head of communications Apple hires former Kestral carbon engineer, sparking rumours of fancy gadgets FUTURE PUBLISHING CHRIS TAYLOR has been appointed head of communications for Future Publishing's UK business. Taylor joins Future from IPC Media, where he was group head of PR, and will report to UK chief executive Mark Wood.

Day to day, Taylor will be responsible for all aspects of external and internal communications. Managing a team of four, he will oversee media and public relations, as well as internal communications across the portfolio, which is based in London and Bath.

Most recently Taylor oversaw the delivery of the consumer PR campaign for the Shockwaves NME Awards 2011. He created and implemented the PR campaigns for some of the biggest magazine launches of the last 20

38 BIKEBIZ MAY

years – including Nuts and Look, as well as raising the profile of IPC’s digital expansion – from the acquisitions of www.mousebreaker.co.uk and www.trustedreviews.co.uk to internal developments, including both www.goodtoknow.co.uk and NME Radio.

Claudio Marra

WFSGI CLAUDIO MARRA of Full Speed Ahead, and Mark Schroeder of Specialized, have joined the newly created Bicycle Technical Committee of the World Federation of the Sporting Goods Industry. They will be vice chairs supporting chair Dirk Bruynseraede of Ridley Bikes.

The Bicycle Technical Committee will liaise with the UCI over the 'approved by UCI'

BIKEBIZ.COM

PEOPLE | RECRUITMENT

and Specialized’s Schroeder programme. Marra is the MD of Full Speed Ahead (FSA) Europe.

He said: “It’s an honour for me to be part of the WFSGI as vice chair. I believe in the association and I’m glad to offer my contribution for the improvement and the support of the bike industry. For me, it’s important to be an active part of this world and put my efforts day by day in order to develop new projects and create something for the future of the federation.”

Schroeder has been director of engineering at Specialized since 2002.

He said: “I have volunteered in this role with the intent to help WFSGI members collaborate with the UCI on a better handling of the rules going forwards.”

APPLE Tech giant Apple has hired former Kestral man KEVIN KEENEY as a senior composite engineer, sparking rumours the next generation of gadgets may work with carbon fibre components, or shells.

Having spent fourteen years building carbon bicycles with Kestral, Keeney's name was first mentioned in an Apple patent in 2009 regarding the use of carbon fibre in Apple products, though as yet none have hit the market and speculation, at this stage at least, is largely unfounded.

EASTON-BELL PAUL STRATTA has been named as the man to lead Easton-Bell through what it describes as “an aggressive panEuropean growth.”

Previously commercial director at the Coleman Company and VP of global marketing at Hi-Tec Sports, Stratta now holds the role of managing director of action sports for Europe with Easton Bell.

He said of the role: “Easton-Bell Sports is at an exciting crossroads, and I am pleased to help guide its accelerated European growth strategy. Our goal is to ignite a resurgence of our brands.”

CTC AND CYCLE SURGERY JONATHAN SHARPE left the CTC during April and has since landed a role with Cycle Surgery, part of Snow and Rock, becoming the chain’s marketing manager.

Nick Fish will cover the role at the CTC.

AREA SALES MANAGER South West of England 2x2 Ltd require an Area Sales Manager for the South West of England whose prime responsibility will be promoting and developing our bicycle portfolio within the UK IBD network.

ABOUT US...

The recently expanded portfolio includes the well established LAND ROVER range, the SHOGUN range, the MAD trials range and the exciting new 2011 MONTAGUE range of folding bicycles. This is a fantastic opportunity for you to become part of a team that will provide you with the tools for the job - an existing customer base that is well established, a 97% stock fulfilment ratio and the back up necessary to achieve beyond your expectations.

ABOUT YOU...

You are professional, committed and enthusiastic, from the South West area. A natural communicator with a real determination to succeed. You will be responsible for the management of an existing account base and the development of the area utilizing your honed sales skills and an outstanding attitude to service.

WE OFFER • Generous basic salary • A genuine uncapped bonus scheme • Company Car, Mobile phone, laptop, home fax and other benefits associated with a quality employer If you would like to join one of the fastest growing bicycle distributors in the UK bicycle trade and can demonstrate a successful sales background within the bicycle industry or another related trade then please forward your CV including current salary details to;

Mr. Scott Hillyard, 2x2 Ltd, Unit 6 Hall End Business Park, Dorden, Tamworth, Staffs, B78 1SX E: sales@2x2worldwide.com

BIKEBIZ.COM

BIKEBIZ MAY 39

STC - SRAM TECHNICAL CENTRE

SRAM IMPROVES DEALER SERVICE IN THE UK ALL BRANDS: SRAM - ROCKSHOX - AVID - TRUVATIV - ZIPP ALL CATEGORIES: MTB - ROAD - WHEELS Good products deserve good service. A strong increase in market share and the launch of new product categories are driving SRAM to support their distributors and OE customers.

Especially with the seasonality of cycling and a broad dealer base, additional product service for dealers, distributors and OE customers is a logical next step.

The SRAM Technical Centre (STC) program offers dealers and OEMs the option of going directly to a dedicated SRAM technical facility for service and warranty support.

TECHNICAL CENTRE

SRAM Technical Centre UK Unit 1, Millside Park, Crouch Lane WinkďŹ eld, Windsor, SL4 4PX Open Monday to Friday: 08:00 to 18:00

Tel: 0843 487 8815

RETAIL ONLY

The trade’s guide to sourcing stock, up-and-coming IBDs and the very latest products

RETAIL COMMENT WHAT A DIFFERENCE a bit of sunshine makes. Formerly desolate streets instantly transform into high footfall areas.

People peel themselves off sofas and spend evenings in pub gardens, go for walks, or even better, go for a bike ride.

EastEnders and Britain’s Got (Very Little) Talent are all forgotten about, with the evening sun adding a few hours playtime to the end of the working day.

Peak season seems to have arrived, or at least as I sit behind this keyboard staring out the window into the afternoon sun, I’ve been fooled into thinking the worst of the wet weather has been and gone.

So, what are you going to do differently this summer to ensure consistent footfall and strong sales? What opportunities went begging last year that could have been seized? Are you going to remain shop bound, or attend a few summer cycling events to raise the store’s profile?

All things worth considering in the run-up to what will hopefully be a bumper summer for bicycle sales.

“I recently witnessed a new bar girl and her employer act out a ‘role play’ during a quiet spell...”

Beware, however, there’s plenty of distraction around for the first time buyer at the moment. Just today I’ve opened the paper to find Tesco offering to ‘double up’ the worth of clubcard points against bike and accessory sales. If a customer mentions such bicycle shaped objects, how will you explain to them the false economy of buying cheap.

And, more importantly, can your staff explain with the same grace?

Having sat down for a pub lunch recently I observed how other trades go about tutoring staff. A new bar girl and her employer were acting out a role play, with the former being prompted lightly whenever she’d ‘forgotten her lines’. With a rehearsal fresh in her mind, the next customer through the door was served far more efficiently than I was just half an hour earlier.

An impromptu visit to Evans following the destruction of a pedal also left impressions this month. Despite spending no more than £25 in store, the assistant asked “would I mind if Evans held on to my details with a view to sharing promotions with me in future”. I took the bullet, for research purposes, and intend to keep an eye on what arrives.

I’ve praised Evans for a number of things in the past – women’s exclusive events, clever marketing and more – and I have to say, I can’t fault the chain’s tactics. The ‘vibe’ within isn’t that of a nasty corporate monster, more a friendly independent. That alone should be of more concern to any competitive retailer than supermarket discounting.

Mark.Sutton@intentmedia.co.uk

IN THIS MONTH’S ISSUE NEW PRODUCTS

44

Lots of time trial goodies from Campagnolo, Pro and other manufacturers make up this month’s new products

NUTRITION GOODS

47

From page 47 to 50, BikeBiz offers a supplier-by-supplier run down of nutrition goods, bottles and cages

WOMEN’S GEAR

53

We’ve got three pages dedicated to women’s specific bikes, components and accessories

42 BIKEBIZ MAY

BIKEBIZ.COM

IBD | PROFILE

Strawberry Cycles

Getting fruity Telephone: 0191 5871729 Email: sales@strawberrycycles.co.uk Website: www.strawberrycycles.co.uk

Opening times: Monday - Friday 9.30 - 17.30, Saturday 9.00 - 17.00, Sunday 10.00 - 14.00 Address: 14 Davy Drive, Peterlee, County Durham, SR8 2JF, United Kingdom

Graffiti in the shop is a good thing when you’re in Strawberry Cycles. Owner Marcy Rochester tells Jonathon Harker why...

RETAIL SOUNDS simple to the uninitiated. Get a shop, stock it with products, sell at a hefty margin, pocket the profit and head off for early retirement in Montego Bay. But there’s a bit more to it than that, sadly, otherwise every Tom, Dick, Harry or journalist would be opening a shop somewhere.

Differentiation from the competition is one factor that every retailer has to consider. Do you cut prices below your retail rivals? Or do you target a previously untapped sector and hope for the best?

One bike shop carving out a niche for itself is North East-set Strawberry Cycles.

Although not a retailer new to the cycle business, Strawberry relocated in January this year to Peterlee, County Durham, the same town that gave us TV legends Roy Walker and the Krankies. Strawberry Cycles owner Marcy Rochester used the relocation as chance to give his shop an eye-catching and unusual look.

Sporting bespoke graffiti and reclaimed materials like railway sleepers, Strawberry Cycles has set about standing out from the crowd. But it’s not been an easy process.

“It’s been a nightmare getting everything sorted and in its place,” Rochester tells BikeBiz. “We have finally got the shop looking something like we wanted, but there is still a lot to do to get it to where we want to be.”

The shop enlisted the services of an artist from the nearby community to help put the look together: “Nelson, the graffiti artist, is a

BIKEBIZ.COM

local lad. I just gave him my ideas and let him do the rest. He said it’s the first legal job he has done...”

Cycling’s ecologically sound image played a part in the other aspects of the shop’s unique appearance, Marcy explains: “Reclaimed materials meant we were in keeping with the overall green theme of cycling. We have done all the work ourselves and wanted to be a bit different from the rest.”

The move to a new location wasn’t just about the chance to do something unusual with the look of the show, however. Rochester explains: “They are much bigger premises – two and a half times the size of the old unit. Having a larger base meant the shop would be improved in terms of display and also give the shop space to grow.

“It also had better parking facilities and cheaper rent – it was a no brainer deciding to move.”

With the shop over twice as large as the former retail unit, Strawberry Cycles now also has the opportunity to stock a broader selection of product and in a more orderly fashion too.

“We are stocking a lot more bikes and accessories and all bikes now have their own section, so there’s one place for full suspension, mountain bikes, road, BMX and hybrid.”

Reaction has been positive for the quirky look. “So far everyone that has walked through the door has said ‘wow’, as it is so different

Strawberry Cycles recruited the services of a local graffiti artist to decorate the shop

from the norm. We have had good feedback from the reps that we’ve had in.

“We have tried to make it more of a shopping experience than just a shop. We have a laid back atmosphere and make everyone feel welcome, we have a chill out area so customers can browse catalogues or discuss their needs.”

BIKEBIZ MAY 43

PRODUCTS | NEW RELEASES

New gear

Plenty of tech kit this month, from time trial components from Campagnolo and Pro, to the latest ‘North Shore’ specific tyre from ITS...

ITS Intruder NS Tyre Silverfish 01752 843882

Lazer Neon RollSys Helmet Bob Elliot 01772 459887

Campagnolo Time Trial Components Various distributors

ITS TYRES has developed what it calls a 'North Shore' specific tyre, developed alongside riders from the famed scene in Canada.

Featuring a dual tread pattern which mates bands of high knobs with sections of low aggressive multiknobs, the tyre is designed to give better grip on North Shore ramps and ladders.

Delivery of the ITS Intruder NS tyre is expected now and it will be offered in both 2.35 and 2.5-inch widths. Work is already underway on a lighter weight XC version, as well as a 29-inch tyre as the use of North Shore increases at trail centres around the UK.

LAZER HAS produced a new in-mould helmet coming in at £49.99, complete with 16 vents and weighing in at around 290 grams.

Fitting the helmet is simple thanks to Lazer's own RollSys retention system, which securely holds the helmet in place. The finger-adjusted dial symmetrically tightens around the contours of the head without any resulting pressure points. The dropped back design comes in sizes ranging 54 to 61cm.

As with all Lazer protectives, the helmet comes CE certified. Four colours are available through Bob Elliot – black, grey, blue and white and red and white.

CAMPAGNOLO has released details of a number of new components for the time trial and triathlon sectors. The 2012 range will include bar end controls, TT cranksets, TT brake levers and ‘U brakes’ so TT riders can equip their bikes with complete 11 or tenspeed Campagnolo drivetrains.

Campag’s bar end shifters are designed primarily with aerodynamics in mind with a ‘Back to Zero position’ mechanism keeping the lever in the optimal place for airflow, with the start position adjustable to the rider’s preference. Campagnolo is sourced from Chicken’s and Cycle Sport North and I-ride.

CeramicSpeed Bearings Saddleback 01454 299965

Pro Missile Aerobars Madison 0208 385 3385

Storck Cosworth Electric Bike Storck Raddar 0771 5005626

BEARING specialist CeramicSpeed now has its product carried in the UK by Saddleback. The ball bearing manufacturer offers hub, bottom bracket and pulley wheel products, among other items.

CeramicSpeed hybrid bearings are said to reduce friction, improve power transfer and increase bearing longevity. These advantages over standard steel bearings are gained by using ceramic balls, which are harder, smoother, stiffer, lighter and more durable.

Saddleback is now encouraging triathlon, road and mountain bike retailers to give CeramicSpeed's product a go.

PRO'S MISSILE triathlon bar, created alongside Aussie athlete Craig Alexander, has undergone some changes thanks to a link up with Retul.

The bike fitting experts listened to feedback, using wisdom gained from the athlete's many years of racing and has now created a new extension-shape; the 14º S-bend TipUp. This shape enables the wrist to find a natural position while remaining aerodynamic.

The bar itself is constructed from monocoque carbon, with accommodation for internal cable routing, as well as adjustable carbon armrests with an aero index. The complete unit weighs in at 530 grams.

AS PART of an ongoing relationship between Storck and motorsports giant Cosworth, the german bike firm has announced the creation of the ‘EFV'.

Retailing at £3,999, the bike is for the electric bike enthusiast, though comes with a spec to match the price tag. You'll find a carbon-fibre frame that sports a Shimano Deore XT groupset, hydraulic disc brakes, alongside a high performance 250W motor, which produces 60Nm of torque, powered by a 25.5V Lithium polymer battery.

This model is set to be available from Storck Raddar around about now.

44 BIKEBIZ MAY

BIKEBIZ.COM

BIKEBIZ.COM

BIKEBIZ MAY 45

SECTOR GUIDE | NUTRITION, BOTTLES AND CAGES

Hungry for

business?

If so, read on to find out which distributors are in charge of energy and nutrition brands, as well as which carry bottle and accompanying cage product. Mark Sutton does the rounds on behalf of those with an appetite for satisfying customers…

Moore Large

Fisher Outdoors

THE ONE23 range has expanded yet again to feature a comprehensive range of bottles and cages. The Pro Cage, which is designed to mimic more expensive streamlined designs, is available in black, red or white and is constructed in resin, weighing 28 grams and retailing at £6.99. A variety of alloy and stainless steel cages are also available, as well as a 'tool can' in two sizes.

Moore Large also has a range of ETC bottle cages and a huge range of bottles in various colours and sizes from the following brands: ETC, One23 and Polisport.

01332 274200

PROVING A big boost to dealers with limited space in store, Fisher Outdoors has come up with plenty of clever point of sale displays for its Maxim product, as well as a number of promotional offers.

As the sponsor to the CyclePremier Metaltek road team, Maxim's product will receive a marketing push this year much thanks to the team's exposure in national competition. The range includes a wide selection of carbohydrate, protein and vitamin products for use before, during and after exercise.

The firm feels that Maxim’s High Energy gels should be a key seller going forwards. Some of these highly concentrated carbohydrate gels also

Paligap WITH TORQ'S roots firmly entrenched in both fitness consultancy and mountain biking, combined with the extensive research and development that goes into each product, dealers won't go far wrong by taking on a little stock here.

Adding to its own ingredients, Torq critically analyses the best bits of competitors’ product and takes on board the findings ahead of its next product launch.

Using only ingredients derived from natural sources, the firm is of the opinion that artificial ingredients like sweeteners offer no performance advantage, can cause stomach discomfort and could potentially harm your health long term.

Advanced compounds like D-Ribose, HMB and LGlutamine naturally occur within the human body and

include magnesium to prevent cramping and caffeine for mental and physical stimulation.

Also new for 2011 are the Maxim Energy gel drinks. These are more fluid and negate the need to drink water with the gel. Available in citrus and orange flavours, the gel drinks contain sodium to replace lost nutrients in sweating.

01727 798345

represent some of the most potent supplements available on the market today, hence the inclusion of each among the range.

Powder product comes in tub sizes ranging 500 grams to 6kg.

Currently, Paligap's best selling products from the Torq line are the Rhubarb and Custard gel and the raspberry and apple bar, retailing for around £1.35.

01454 313116

>>> BIKEBIZ.COM

BIKEBIZ MAY 47

48 BIKEBIZ MAY

BIKEBIZ.COM

SECTOR GUIDE | NUTRITION, BOTTLES AND CAGES

>>> Zyro

Wildoo IF YOUR FIRM could use a little extra promotion, check out Wildoo's custom printing programme, which has probably the most comprehensive range of bottles sizes and colours ranging from 330ml to one-litre capacity.

In many cases, a company name or logo can be 'moulded' directly into the plastic for that extra tailor-made touch.

All the bottles feature non-leak screw-on caps and an easily pinched soft pulling spout. Minimum order quantities for custom printed designs start from just 150 pieces and the firm can include up to five colours per design.

New for 2011 is the stylish new Max 800ml bottle featuring a widened 60mm opening.

For more information see wildoo.co.uk.

Upgrade LEZYNE HAS bottle cages in all of the most common materials and price brackets and lightweight solutions for even the most gram-conscious cyclist.

Starting with the performance cages, the Road Drive Carbon cage, retailing at £44.99, comes in a glossy finish and weighs in at just 26 grams, making it barely noticeable. The low profile design has integrated mounts for Lezyne’s Road Drive pumps and tough ribs to clamp

Madison AS ONE OF Science in Sport's distributor's in the bike trade, Madison has access to the latest 'Go' line, for which the nutrition firm is focusing its marketing efforts at present.

Two such products are the Go electrolyte drink and the Go bar.

The former of the two has a new Green Tea and Lemon flavour, which combines the stimulation properties of carbohydrates with the hydration properties added by electrolyte inclusion. Go

is maltodextrin-based, making it light on the stomach and clean in taste.

There are also two new flavours of Mini Go Bars – Red Berry and Blueberry.

Best suited to pre or post-training, as well as multi-day events, the Go Bar is packed full of oats, rice, corn and real fruit meaning that there is a steady release of energy. Go bars typically contain less than two grams of fat per 40 grams bar.

Each bar contains vitamins and minerals, though omits added sugars.

0208 385 3385

ZYRO HAD another successful year with PowerBar, finishing 2010 having sold 38 per cent more units. Once more, this year, sales have exploded and to date for 2011 the distributor is 90 per cent up year-on-year.

Basing its ingredients largely around fruit content, Powerbar's C2Max carbohydrate blend is said to get energy to the muscles 55 per cent faster than glucose alone. The previously favoured Energize drink has been superseded by new IsoActive and IsoMax lines, which are now in stock with Zyro. IsoActive is a refreshing, energizing, isotonic sports

drink containing the five main electrolytes lost in sweat, and the C2Max carbohydrate blend.

For training, IsoActive is perfect. For when it really counts, IsoMax is what you need.

Based on IsoActive but with 50 per cent more energy per serving, it includes caffeine for increased mental alertness, and PeptoPro protein hydrolysate. This absorbs faster than whey protein isolate to prolong performance, delay fatigue and enhance recovery.

Both new drinks are also available in single serve sachets, as well as medium and large jars.

01845 521700

onto the bottle.

At the other end of the budget scale, Lezyne's Power Cage is a rugged hollow alloy solution with a 3D forged base. It's tough and double the weight of the carbon alternative, but costs just £7.99.

Mid-range there are plenty more alloy solutions, including a CNC'd cage retailing for £18.99 and weighing in at 39 grams. Ovalised mount holes allow for a greater degree of adjustment during installation.

01403 711 611

I-ride TWO NEW Flavours of Zipvit's 60ml energy gel satchets have just become available via I-ride, the exclusive UK distribution partner. These two blends are the ZV7 Banana and ZV7C caffeinated Cherry Cola flavour.

The banana gel is caffeine free and contains a massive 51 grams of easily digested carbohydrate energy to keep your legs pumping the pedals. The Cherry Cola provides 51 grams of carbohydrate and includes a synergistic mix of caffeine and tyrosine that provides what Zipvit say is a "significantly bigger performance boost than standard caffeine gels". These retail at £1.49 for the banana and £1.75 for the caffeinated.

If it's protein supplements your customer is seeking, perhaps recommend them Zipvit's ZV9 Protein bar in chocolate caramel flavour.

Costing £1.75, these are the bar of choice for the Cervelo Test Team.

ZV9 bars contain high-quality proteins from whey and milk and one of the first things you notice as you bite in is the smooth soft texture. Each bar provides 20 grams of quality proteins, none of which is sourced from soy, gelatin, or collagen hydrolysates.

01444 243000

>>>

SECTOR GUIDE | NUTRITION, BOTTLES AND CAGES

>>> Windwave

Cube

GERMAN PARTS and accessories goliath BBB has now been with Windwave a few months and should have caught the attention of most retailers by now, much thanks to the sheer scale of its catalogue.

For the cyclist seeking a bottle cage, or accompanying bottle, BBB has a variety of options, including the aerodynamically designed 6061 T5 lightweight aluminium Aerocage. The twopiece design has an integrated bracket, with extra composite protection on the cage's upper arch. The £12.45 AeroCage weighs only 43 grams and comes with stainless steel bolts.

Moving on to the bottles, retailers should look out for the Alutank at £8.45

CUBE'S streamlined accessories line contains a few printed water bottles and cage solutions, of which latter aerodynamic carbon unit costs £44.95 and weighs in at 36 grams.

As with other carbon Cube products, no corners are cut with the quality of this carbon, meaning your customer should never need further investment here.

The printed plastic Team line and AM bottles, both of which are Cube branded, hold up to 750ml of liquid and feature a soft spout.

01905 798692

Chicken Cyclekit BRAND NEW bottle-making machinery installed at the new T.A. factory ensures perfect, no-leak bottles with every batch.

As a result, custom orders are now able to be completed far quicker than previously. The same personalised choice of up to five different colours in the design can be made even more striking with pip, top and band designs in varied colours.

Chicken Cyclekit's Gary Hughes told BikeBiz: "A full range of bottle cages are

SKS IF YOU'VE a particularly high accessories turnover, SKS is definitely worth a shout. Available in the UK through Madison, Chicken Cyclekit and Raleigh, you'll always have a sustainable source for the diverse catalogue.

For example, the manufacturer produces several bottle cage designs, ranging from £6.99 through to £34.99, as well as accompanying bottles in both half litre and 700ml capacities, at £3.49 and £3.99, respectively.

For smaller frames and suspension builds, check out the 'Slidecage', retailing at £8.99. This unit allows quick modification and adjustment

50 BIKEBIZ MAY

for the 600ml capacity and £9.95 for the larger 750ml unit. The top cap valve of the AluTank is made of soft Kraton, with a locking mechanism.

02392 505320

available from different suppliers, notably Deda, Cinelli and Tifosi whose designs appear the most popular."

If it’s a totally un-branded water bottle your customer is after, the distributor can dispatch a line of five coloured bottles minus markings, which retail at just £3.99 and hold up to 600ml of fluids.

Chicken Cyclekit, among others, is also a stockist of the SKS CageBox container - a tool kit disguised within a water bottle, housing a mini pump, spare tube and multi tool.

01525 381347

for both right and left handed riders.

For a further look at the massive catalogue that SKS offers, visit sksgermany.com.

Hotlines IF YOUR customer is after one of the very lightest bottle cages around, then look up the Controltech Comp carbon cage from Hotlines. It's pricey at £64.99, but at 29 grams and specced with titanium bolts, this monocoque carbon cage is among the lightest available.

To sit within the customer's shiny new cage, you may as well up sell them a matching Controltech water bottle at £6.99, which holds 600ml.

Alternatively through Hotlines, Ghost also offers a bottle of the same capacity, but at £4.99.

0131 319 1444

BIKEBIZ.COM

+ $& ' '$# .&243) &6) !*(-3414,= ! &:&.1&'1* .3 &3) 75**) 334:&8.:* &3) 1.,-8;*.,-8 .3 )*7.,3 =*8 2&.38&.3.3, .87 795*6.46 786*3,8- ++*6.3, *<86*2*1= 71.(0 &3) 56*(.7* 7-.+8.3, 5*6+462&3(*

3-&3(*7 (-&.3 1.+* &<.292 )96&'.1.8=

$"% ( ! (- #.8- &11 2&/46 7=78*27

()& ' &6)*3*) -4114; 5.3 ! *)9(*) ;*.,-8 43 *:*6= 51&8* 3(1.3*) .38*63&1 '6.),* 43 *:*6= 51&8* **5 .33*6 ;&.78 (-&2+*6

*),*7 (-&2+*6 498*6 51&8*7

# ' '

6**3 96+&(* !6*&82*38 41)

( & ) $# * &- %! (

! # -" # , ( " ' ( $# !

- !$ &$''

"% $# & # $# - # $& ( $& .$# (# '' "

4-1* " 8)

52 BIKEBIZ MAY

' " & $)( & %! ( '

& # $!!$+ % #

!

.3+4 '4-1* (4 90

# ! # #( &# ! & $# * &%! (

# ;;; 8&=&(-&.3 (42

BIKEBIZ.COM

SECTOR GUIDE | WOMEN’S PRODUCTS

The female of the species With over 30 million women in the UK, and a growing interest in encouraging females to saddle up, there are profits to be had in the sector. Jonathon Harker looks at some stocking options...

Avocet THE VIKING Elysee ladies road bike retails at £299.99 and is part of a fivebike Viking range running alongside the new 2011 models.

The Elysee’s alloy frame is lightweight, featuring smaller dimensions and a 700c hitensile fork. The Elysee has Shimano 14-speed gears, plus Shimano handlebar mount control and Shimano cassette.

Sporting Viking 700c 36-hole black double wall alloy rims with CNC sides, alloy quick

release front hub and black spokes, the Elysee boasts a Viking road saddle with micro-adjust alloy seat post, black cork handlebar tape, plus steel cage pedals with toe clips and straps.

0161 727 8508

Chicken Cyclekit TIFOSI CYCLES has introduced a new pink colour bike version of its extremely popular CK7 touring/sportive model, available in sizes XXS to XL. A grey/white retro colour option is also listed in these sizes to complement the full range.

Available from stock, the SRP is £814.99.

Nalini’s ‘handmade in Italy’ clothing range includes a full listing of women’s

Campagnolo CAMPAG’S new women’s clothing range’s highlights include jerseys, bibs, shorts and jackets. The featureladen Challenge Lady Shorts are made of Invista Lycra, a ladder-proof fabric with multi-directional stretch, which exerts a calibrated compression on the muscles, the net result of which is an easing of muscle fatigued while in the saddle.

The garment also includes full protection from harmful UV rays, and the reflective inserts on the sides and back increase visibility and safety of the

bike when the ride has stretched into the evening.

Silicone leg grippers increase the comfort levels, and an exclusive anatomical TriProPad is included in the Lady version.

Camgagnolo is available to the trade via Chicken, Cyclesport North and i-ride (formerly known as Jim Walker).

Various distributors

clothing, ranged with big margins for a Nalini stockist, the firm says. Please call the Chicken Cyclekit sales team on 01525 381347 for more information.

>>> BIKEBIZ.COM

BIKEBIZ MAY 53

SECTOR GUIDE | WOMEN’S PRODUCTS

>>> Cube

CSG UK THE CHARGE Ladle is a durable and light female-specific saddle, 5mm wider and 20mm shorter than the Spoon with a dual compound base unit.

Retailing at £24.99 the saddle sports a synthetic leather cover with embossed logo, tubular cro-mo steel rails, lightweight padding and pressure relief channel. It’s available in white, brown, black and swirl.

The Charge Hob is a fixed or

freewheel equip bike retailing at £629.99. Featuring a classic Mixte frame in metallic red, Sugino Messenger RD2 cranks, a ladies-specific Charge Ladle saddle and colour matched mudguards, the Hob is ideal for commuting, or just cruising around town.

The GT Avalanche 2.0 GTW (women specific geometry) comes in at £629.99 and is pitched as the top choice for any lady looking for a serous MTB. Find out more from CSG UK. Sales@cyclingsportsgroup.co.uk

CUBE’S WLS (Women Like Series) line is tailored to the female anatomy, blending matched styles, comfort and function, the firm says. The light, breathable fabric enables optimum moisture dissipation and allows for enhanced ventilation.

Cube’s WLS jersey is a short-sleeved loose fitting cut jersey with a 14cm front zip, mesh insert under arms and at the sides, with a zipped back pocket.

Retailing at £44.95 it is available in a range of colour combinations, including the pictured petrol/grey. The WLS line also includes the casual loose-fitting freeride shorts,

Hotlines THE LAPIERRE Audacio 400 ladies road bike comes in 7005 alloy and takes its inspiration from the new Sensium, providing an enjoyable, efficient ride.

Available with triple, double or compact chainrings, the Audacio features Shimano components, Michelin dynamic sport TX 700x23 tyres and Ritchey stem, seatpost and handlebars.

With the same technical features as their male counterparts, the Ghost range covers everything from comfortable entry level to top-notch

Fisher Outdoor Leisure SANTINI’S technical but stylish and comfortable clothing range includes the Fir line-up comprising women-specific jerseys and three quarter bib knickers.

Produced using eco-friendly recycled pro fabric, it is made of 90 per cent renewable sources, UV resistant and retails at £59.99. Santini’s Fair three

Fox The 2011 Fox range includes the women’s DIVA short which features a detachable inner liner with Pro Form-W chamois, zip closure at the sides for aethestics appeal and a flattering fit, plus thigh vent zips for airflow and breathability.

54 BIKEBIZ MAY

WLS jacket – a water repellant number fit for all terrains – and the three quarter length cycle knicker short that features padding to help cyclists through those long distances and a silcone band at leg closure.

01905 798692

sports equipment for ambitious female athletes. The Ghost Miss AMR 9500 is tuned to the female anatomy, with special parts and dimensions that work for shorter women and a shorter and angled top tube for maximum comfort even on demanding tours.

On the clothing side, Hotlines supplies the Loeka commuter jacket, with subtle reflective piping and asymmetrical zips. Taped seams 100,000 ml waterproofing and 8,000 breathability to keep riders dry and warm.

0131 319 1444

quarter anatomic knickers use Newport fabric, silicone leg grippers and smooth flat seams for comfort. Top of the range Gel Intech ladies chamois are also includes in these RRP £59.99 knickers.

Met offers female-friendly stylish designs including the Cameleonte at £29.99, or £49.99 for the executive version with an in-built red LED light.

The MET crossover is ideal for all riding styles and features a removable visor, all for £39.99 RRP. www.fisherb2b.com

The women’s GAIA Jersey has a slight drop tail for rear coverage, plus mesh panelling for cross ventilation.

The women’s Digit Glove glove, meanwhile, sports embossed silicone details on the fingertips, plus Clarino palm and thumb guards and padded knuckles. For stockist enquiries, call 0191 487 6100

Raleigh THE DIAMONDBACK Response women’s bike retails at £549.99 and brings performance components to its build. As with the men’s Response, only into geometry adjusted specifically to make the ride and control perfect for female riders.

The new Raleigh All Terrain series, starting at £229.99, has a large range of women-specific models, all of which are manufactured from AirLite aluminium tubing and top name parts, we’re told.

Each model has two different women’s designs to cater for a range of tastes.

0800 096 9060

Sugoi THE VERSA JACKET features magnetic ‘action’, the removable raglan sleeve Bolero easily turns into a jacket and vice versa.

The clothing brand also offers a short as part of its all-new RPM series, a range pitched at being versatile, with great BIKEBIZ.COM

SECTOR GUIDE | WOMEN’S PRODUCTS

i-Ride THE AGU Malaga Long Women’s Raincoat, retailing at £84.99, has a detachable hood and is fitted with the AGU skirt-system. It features reflection and integrated pouch system in the back under the ventilation opening.

The Northwave brand’s latest includes the Freetime sunglasses. Featuring polycarbonate, water resistant and offcentre lenses, a soft and hard carry case come included for the £25.52 retail price.

Northwave’s May black/silver ladies MTB shoe comes in at £81.69 and features Airmesh inserts and Airflow System construction. The 2011 clothing line includes the Devine short sleeve jersey and Crystal knickers, the former costing £49.99 and the latter £36.75. i-Ride also supplies the Eddy Merckx brand, with the EFX-1 2011 bike

Moore Large

featuring geometry tailored for women’s performance. Featuring a 24 High Modulus Carbonb fibre, plus carbon fork, legs and steering, the performance bike retails at £1,939.41.

01323 445155

comfort and is available in a range of colours, including pink/silver (pictured). The F15 Helmet retails at £14.99.

The Oxford Comfy is a multi-functional head and neck wear item.

Breathable and wind

Oxford Products OXFORD’S helmets are all pitched as being super lightweight with seven vents to provide ventilation. Made from shock absorbing EPS and featuring a stylish easy-clean micro shell top, the helmets have a quick-fit, dial-a-size fitting system. Each Oxford helmet has an anti-pinch strap/clip for

Windwave BBB’S LATEST ranges include baselayers for men and women.

The lines are specifically designed to keep the rider dry and cool in even the warmest of temperature, or even during heated indoor activities.

Moisture is regulated by the 130 grame/m2 CoolControl fabric, which wicks moisture away from the skin. When the moisture is trapped in the fabric it cools and evaporates quickly due to airflow.

The BBB fabric uses Cross-Section fabric which

performance and comfort with a great performance/value ratio.

The RPM shorts are made of Sugoi’s latest fabric innovation, something the firm calls ‘P3’ – a lightweight technical garment featuring a sleek surface and ‘buttery texture’ while providing stretch comfort and muscle support in key areas.

07734 206702 BIKEBIZ.COM

LAKE’S LADIES shoes cover the road, triathlon, MTB and leisure/touring markets. The new and improved MX85 and popular CX165 road shoes are both available in femalespecific versions, as is the CX211 triathlon shoe.

The CX211 retails at £89.99 and has a competition fibreglass injected nylon sole with injection moulded heel counter antimicrobial liner.

Knog’s female friendly locks come in all shapes and sizes, with cable locks using a fibre core steel cable absorbing the concentrated force of a bolt cutter attack. Knog’s Pug small shoulder bag for light travellers has water resistant construction using waxed canvass, rear

allows for almost 30 per cent increase in surface area, again improving evaporation. Ultra light and sporting flat-stitched seams, no harmful substances were made in the creation of the high-tech underwear.

RRP is £27.95 and sizes range from small to XXL. BBB’s Force Short Sleeve is a tight fit short sleeve jersey for women, made with ComfortDry fabric, a full length reversed zip, Lycra stretch binding on sleeves and bottom and four back pockets, one of which comes with a zip. The Force retails at £59.95 and is available in a range of colour combos. Find out moreor order directly from Windwave.

02392 505320

Pashley PASHLEY CYCLES has added a range of bright and vibrant colours to its popular range of ladies bikes, resulting in sales going from strength to strength, the brand tells BikeBiz. The traditional Princess Sovereign impresses with its

Zyro CAMELBAK’s Luxe is an all-day trail riding hydration system for women, providing over three hours of hydration using the antidote reservoir system with 3D reservoir compartment, maximising cargo space.

Tifosi’s Alpe, (£34.99) features polycarbonate decentred lenses and is designed to fit small to medium sized faces. The Hydrophillic rubber temples and nose piece aid comfort.

Abus has created the Lane-

classic looks in Black and Green, while the Sonnet and Poppy continues to appeal to younger, fashion conscious customers.

This year Pashley also launched the Britannia models available in red, white or blue as a nod towards Pashley’s history of manufacturing in Stratford upon Avon.

01789 292 263

protective sleeve, ample padding and a thick durable shoulder strap, all for £24.99 (in three colour options).

Limar offers a comprehensive helmet selection for ladies, all featuring InMould tech and Coolmax Pads.

Dealers get in-store branded POS and excellent margins, Moore Large says. sales@moorelarge.co.uk

resistant, Comfy’s come in a pack of three and retail at £14.99. The seam-free Comfys offer comfort for all outdoor activity, the FibreTec ensuring moisture is taken away from the skin. There are a wide range of designs available, from the Girlie and Tie-Dye Pink, to the Tribal, Mod and Flame. They’re also available for kids in the Little Devil and Little Madam designs. cycle@oxprod.com

U (£54.99) for women. The in-mould construction has fused the shell to the shock absorbing EPS material, meaning there is no shell to separate.

Altura has a wide range of women’s clothing, including the all new Synergy range aimed at performance female cyclists, with high quality fabrics, proGel shorts, glove padding and all manner of features. The city rider is catered for with the casually styled Metro shorts and Spirit sleelveless jerseys teamed with reduced leg length Spin Lycra shorts.

01845 521700

Walkers SERFAS HAS produced a womenspecific floor pump, with an alloy barrel and base. The pump has an extended hose with smart head, and has a reduced standover height. With a 160 psi maximum capability, it features an oversized top-mounted pressure

gauge and simple valve that accepts either presta or Schrader valves.

Officially named the FP-200, the floor pump retails at £34.99 and has an ergonomic handle as well as aluminium barrel and base. Contact Walkers Cycle Components directly for more details.

01162 833885

BIKEBIZ MAY 55

LETTERS | YOUR SAY

Mail to: Saxon House, 6A St. Andrews Street, Hertford, Hertfordshire SG14 1JA

Email: Jonathon.Harker@ intentmedia.co.uk

SPONSORED BY

STAR LETTER

BikeBiz is keen to publish your opinions, whether they’re from letters, emails or via BikeBiz.com...

A vote of no confidence Road safety campaigner Allan Ramsay thinks it’s time the Government brought heavier penalties to speeding motorists to save money – and cyclists...

ALMOST 99 per cent of delegates from the Royal College of Nursing have passed a vote of no confidence in Health Secretary, Andrew Lansley. It’s the first time such a motion has ever been passed against a Minister, but who else might warrant such a vote?

If cyclists, for instance, knew the facts and figures, and policies regarding their health and safety on the roads, there would without doubt be a 99 per cent vote of no confidence for the current Road Safety Minister, Mike Penning.

Star Letter Whether it’s a hand-written, sent-through-the-post letter, email or a comment made on the BikeBiz forum, the best letter of the month wins a prize from Oxford Products.

This month the lucky winner will receive The Oxford Magum.

The Oxford Magum is approved to Sold Secure Gold Standard, comes in two sizes (both with 16mm hardened steel shackle and robust carry brackets) and retails from £49.99.

56 BIKEBIZ MAY

Prior to entering politics, his time as a paramedic in the army, and also as a fire fighter with experience of cutting bodies from mangled vehicles, would suggest he’d push for tougher legislation to protect the most vulnerable of road users and very essential contributors to a healthier nation – obesity and diabetes threatening to bankrupt the NHS. At the back end of last year, with cyclist fatalities showing an increase of two per cent, and all injuries, an increase of three per cent, (in the 12 months up until September 2010), I wrote to him via my Labour MP Ivan Lewis about my concerns for the safety of cyclists.

The letter I received in response read: “Speeding is one of the most common factors in fatal accidents, so it is important that we provide effective enforcement and penalties to bring about changes in behaviour.” If the cost of living rose by two per cent, the Governor of the Bank of England would have to act!

If Mr. Penning is going to refer to a fatality that’s resulted from a criminal offence as an accident, then we are a long way from changing driving behaviour! What has changed behaviour is the rising cost of petrol – more people are being driven to cycle.

Not all drivers suffer from high fuel costs though. Figures published by Brake, the charity for road safety, showed that more than 60 per cent of drivers could ‘afford’ to drive at speeds above 80 mph on the motorway. Motoring experts reckon such speeds use some 25 per cent more fuel than if driving within speed limits, effectively making the cost of a litre of fuel around a totally unacceptable £1.80 – time for the Government to act?

To my appeal for tougher penalties for speeding Mr. Penning wrote: “There are no plans to increase the penalty for speeding.”

The Government wants fewer people claiming Disability Living Allowance. The annual budget for DLA is £12 billion, the same as for the Department for Transport. You could reduce road casualties and reduce DLA by toughening up on speeding drivers.

If Andrew Lansley wants to cut staffing levels in the NHS, then how do they care for the 200,000 (figure from DfT) road casualties each year? We cannot afford not to have increased penalties for speeding. Also how can a reduced police force cope with increasing drug crime, abuse/assault against minors, and threats from terrorists, when they have a high number of road casualties to deal with?

Driving behaviour has got to change.

BIKEBIZ.COM

2pure 0844 811 2001 www.2pure.co.uk

Eurobike Ltd 01332 774796 www.eurobike.uk.com

DISTRIBUTOR

DISTRIBUTOR

Otagocyclesport 07939 543016 www.otagocyclesport. co.uk

Seventies 0845 3103670 www.seventies.co.uk DISTRIBUTOR

DISTRIBUTOR

Abacus Online Ltd 0151 334 8303 www.abacusonline.net EPOS

Ascend Retail Management System 01908 280667 www.ascendrms.com EPOS

Fat Spanner 07966401165 www.fatspannerworld. com

Pacific Cycles Inc +886 34861231 www.pacific-cycles.com

DISTRIBUTOR/MANUFACTURER

MANUFACTURER/DISTRIBUTOR

Fisher Outdoor Leisure 01727 798345 www.fisheroutdoor.co.uk

Paligap Ltd 01454 313116 www.paligapltd.co.uk

DISTRIBUTOR/IMPORTER

Hotlines Europe Ltd 0131 3191444 www.hotlines-uk.com DISTRIBUTOR

Cube Bikes Uk Ltd www.cube.eu 0031 180441350 DISTRIBUTOR

Custom Sports Clothing Ltd 07580 495881 www.customsports clothing.com MANUFACTURER/DISTRIBUTOR

Cybertill Ltd 0800 0304432 www.cybertill.co.uk EPOS

Cycle Division Ltd 0845 0508500 www.thecycledivision. com WHOLESALER/DISTRIBUTOR

The Cycle Show 0207 2886733 www.cycleshow.co.uk EVENT/EXHIBITION ORGANISER

Digital Retail Solutions Inc 001 8003229471 www.digitalretailer.com EPOS

Hykeham Wholesale Limited 01522 801550 www.hykehamwholesale. co.uk DISTRIBUTOR/WHOLESALER

Jungle Products Ltd 01423 780088 www.jungleproducts.co.uk www.santacruzbikes.co.uk DISTRIBUTOR

Lyon Equipment 01539 625493 www.lyon.co.uk DISTRIBUTOR

Monterey Industries Ltd 0117 9509499 www.masibikes.com www.brevm.com DISTRIBUTOR/MANUFACTURER

Mojo suspension Hoodoo ltd 01633 615815 www.mojo.co.uk DISTRIBUTOR

Moore Large and Co Ltd 01332 274252 www.moorelarge.co.uk DISTRIBUTOR

DISTRIBUTOR

SKS +49 2333831246 www.sks-germany.com MANUFACTURER

DISTRIBUTOR

Parklife (Havant) Ltd 02392 475895

Sonic Cycles 0207 2432848 www.soniccycles.co.uk/b2b

IMPORTER/DISTRIBUTOR

IMPORTER/DISTRIBUTOR

Pashley Cycles 01789 292263 www.pashley.co.uk

Sport Direct Ltd 0845 2693060 www.sport-direct.co.uk

MANUFACTURER/DISTRIBUTOR

DISTRIBUTOR/MANUFACTURER

Peter Dobbs Design and Print Services 01482 224007

Stormfront Technology Ltd 0800 6121044 www.stormfront.co.uk

MANUFACTURER/DESIGN & PRINT SERVICES

EPOS

DISTRIBUTOR

Bohle UK Ltd 01952 602680 www.schwalbe.co.uk

Silverfish UK Ltd 01752 843882 www.silverfish-uk.com

Qoroz 01453 889204 www.qoroz.co.uk MANUFACTURER

Raleigh UK Ltd 01773 532600 www.raleigh.co.uk www.cyclelife.com DISTRIBUTOR

Red Cloud MC 01767 692831 www.redcloudmc.com MARKETING, PR & EVENTS

Reece Cycles PLC 0121 6220180 www.reececycles.co.uk

Trek Bicycle Corporation 01908 282626 MANUFACTURER

USE Ltd 01798 344477 www.exposurelights.com www.use1.com MANUFACTURER/DISTRIBUTOR

Vigour Corporation 0092 524269920 www.vigourcorporation.com MANUFACTURER/EXPORTER

Walkers Cycle Components Ltd 0116 2833885 www.walkerscycles.co.uk WHOLESALER/DISTRIBUTOR

DISTRIBUTOR

Saddleback Ltd 01454 299965 www.saddleback.co.uk

Zyro Ltd 01845 521700 www.zyro.co.uk DISTRIBUTOR

DISTRIBUTOR

To order copies of BikeBiz Bible or ensure inclusion in the 2011 edition please contact Gemma.Messina@intentmedia.co.uk

EDITORIAL PLANNER | EVENTS UPCOMING EVENTS

Editorial Planner

SPOTLIGHT

June 2011 ELECTRONIC POINT OF SALE CYCLE COMPUTERS

Editorial Deadline: May 6th

May 2011

Advertising Deadline: May 11th

To advertise call Carly Bailey on +44 (0) 1992 535647, or email her at carly.bailey@intentmedia.co.uk For editorial contact Jonathon Harker on +44 (0) 1992 535646, or email him at jonathon.harker@intentmedia.co.uk

UCI CROSS COUNTRY MOUNTAIN BIKE WORLD CUP Saturday May 21st – 22nd Dalby Forest, Yorkshire britishcycling.org.uk/ mtbworld-2010

June 2011

JULY 2011 BMX: Bikes, Protective Clothing, Grips & Accessories P&A: Forks, Gears, Brakes & Chains Cycle Luggage: Panniers, Cases & Bags Editorial Deadline: June 3rd Advertising Deadline: June 8th

AUGUST 2011 Bicycle Lighting & Reflective Clothing Mountain Biking: Bikes, Protective Clothing & Accessories Editorial Deadline: July 8th Advertising Deadline: July 13th

SEPTEMBER 2011 Children: Bikes, P&A Clothing and Accessories Editorial Deadline: Aug 5th Advertising Deadline: Aug 10th

OCTOBER 2011 Road Cycling: Bikes, Gear and Accessories Cycle Show Guide Guide to the High Street Buyers Editorial Deadline: Sept 2nd Advertising Deadline: Sept 7th

NOVEMBER 2011 Stocking Fillers: Gifts under £20 Trailers and Trailer Bikes Cycle Show Review Editorial Deadline: Oct 7th Advertising Deadline: Oct 12th

DECEMBER 2011 P&A: Wheels, tyres, tubes, pumps Retail Survey Editorial Deadline: Nov 4th Advertising Deadline: Nov 9th

THE BIBLE IS BACK! 58 BIKEBIZ MAY

UCI MOUNTAIN BIKE WORLD CUP Saturday June 4th – 5th Fort William, Scotland http://fortwilliam worldcup.co.uk UK HANDMADE AND BOUTIQUE BICYCLE SHOW Saturday June 11th – 12th Paintworks, Bristol www.bespokedbristol.co.uk TGB BIKE WEEK 2011 Saturday June 18th – 26th Nationwide www.bikeweek.org.uk PRESS CAMP 2011 Monday June 20th – 24th Deer Valley, Utah www.presscamp.com YORK CYCLE SHOW 2011 Saturday June 25th – 26th The Racecourse, York www.yorkcycleshow.co.uk

July 2011 BIKE EXPO 2011 Tuesday July 21st – 24th Munich, Germany www.bike-expo.com DEALER CAMP 2011 Monday July 26th Deer Valley, Utah www.dealercamp.com

August 2011 AUSBIKE 2011 Thursday August 20th – 22nd Exhibition Pavillion, Melbourne Showgrounds www.ausbike.com.au EUROBIKE Wednesday August 31st to Saturday September 3rd, Friedrichshafen, Germany www.eurobike-show.de

September 2011 INTERBIKE Monday September 12th to Friday September 16th, Las Vegas, USA www.interbike.com CYCLE SHOW Thursday September 29th to Sunday October 2nd, Birmingham, UK www.cycleshow.co.uk

For more cycle trade dates: www.bikebiz.com/events

For additional copies please contact: Gemma.Messina@intentmedia.co.uk BIKEBIZ.COM

BIKEBIZ MARKETPLACE TO ADVERTISE IN THESE PAGES PLEASE CALL CARLY BAILEY ON 01992 535647

THE STANDARD PACKAGE INCLUDES:

The BikeBiz Marketplace offers a complete marketing package of print, online and editorial visibility, allowing companies the opportunity to maintain contact with readers each month without the associated cost of full display advertising.

Its associated online version, has been designed to offer readers a directory of all products and services in the bike trade.

A quarter page advert in each issue Regular editorial coverage in the dedicated column Company details listed in the online directory with web link Company details listed in the BikeBiz Marketplace Contacts Marketplace

To get your company featured here contact:

Your presence in this section ensures that your company’s details are easily found, keeping you one step ahead of your competitors.

£175

Carly Bailey on 01992 535647 or carly.bailey@intentmedia.co.uk

(minimum

six months)

COMPANY PROFILE

MARKETPLACE CONTACTS BIKES & ACCESSORIES Madison Paligap Seventies The Cycle Division Upgrade Bikes

01908 326 000 01454 313 116 0845 310 3670 0845 0508 500 01403 711 611

www.madisonb2b.co.uk www.paligapltd.co.uk www.seventies.co.uk www.thecycledivision.com www.kinesisbikes.co.uk

BIKE MAINTENANCE Weldtite

01652 660 000

www.weldtite.co.uk

COMPONENTS Bob Elliot & Co Ltd Pace cycles Ltd USE Ltd

01772 459 887 01723 867 919 01798 344 477

www.bob-elliot.co.uk www.pacecycles.com www.use1.com

CUSTOM CLOTHING Wildoo Ltd

01908 374 555

www.wildoo.co.uk

EPOS Citrus Lime Evopos

0845 603 9254 0845 644 9424

www.citrus-retail.com www.evopos.com

LIGHTING Exposure Lights

01798 344 477

www.exposurelights.com

RACKS Pendle Maxx Raxx

01282 699 555 0845 230 3799

www.pendle-bike.co.uk www.maxxraxx.co.uk

PRINT & DESIGN SERVICES Peter Dobbs 01482 224 007

peter.dobbs@artyfaxltd.com

RESPRAYS & REPAIRS Argos

0117 972 4730

www.argoscycles.com

TRAINING SERVICES Cycle Systems Academy

0207 6082577

www.cycle-systems-academy.co.uk

WATER BOTTLES Botlesport Wildoo Ltd

0845 602 9267 01908 374 555

www.bottlesport.com www.wildoo.co.uk

WEBSITE SERVICES SimpleEshop SiWis Limited

0116 267 5145 01709 511766

www.simpleeshop.com www.siwis.co.uk

BIKEBIZ.COM

Quarter PRataes: ge

PACE CYCLES Pace Cycles Limited, Dalby Forest Courtyard, Low Dalby, Thornton Le Dale, North Yorkshire, YO18 7LT PACE CYCLES moved to new premises at the end of last year, re-locating in Dalby Forest in the North York Moors.

Pace’s connection with Dalby extends back to the company’s origins 25 years ago. When Pace developed the R100 mountain bike in 1987 most of the testing took place in Dalby Forest. According to Pace, every bike it has designed has been developed in Dalby and the surrounding forest complex.

The area is also where Pace started organising some of the earliest mountain bike races and purpose-built trails in the UK. The move to Pace’s new premises was only made possible when the firm sold the fork part of the outfit to DT Swiss – the forest wouldn’t have been able to accommodate a business of that size, says Pace.

The new Pace set up is where the full Demo Fleet of its frame range will be showcased, which dealers can take advantage of by booking their customers in for a ride, with the sale directed back to the dealer. The Fleet is handily based right at the start of the Dalby Trail network and a short ride from the XC World Cup course and the Pace Bike Park – a mountain bike skills area in the centre of the trail network at Dixons Hollow. The Park is built in the shape of a bowl, featuring some low level ‘Northshore’ and opened by Steve Peat three years ago.

Riders visiting Dalby will be able to benefit from Pace’s re-organised suspension servicing to providing technical support for most types of suspension forks and shocks. Now known as Dalby Suspension Service Centre, the longestablished operation services Pace, DTSwiss and Scott suspension, as well as other major suspension brands like Fox, Rock Shox and Manitou.

T: 01751 460599 W: www.pacecycles.com E: info@pacecycles.com

Dalby Forest is where Pace started organising some of the earliest mountain bike races.

BIKEBIZ MAY 59

BIKEBIZ | MARKETPLACE

60 BIKEBIZ MAY

BIKES & ACCESSORIES

BIKES & ACCESSORIES

BIKES & ACCESSORIES

BIKES & ACCESSORIES

BIKEBIZ.COM

BIKEBIZ | MARKETPLACE BIKES & ACCESSORIES

BIKE MAINTENANCE

BIKEBIZ.COM

BIKES & ACCESSORIES

COMPONENTS

BIKEBIZ MAY 61

BIKEBIZ | MARKETPLACE

62 BIKEBIZ MAY

COMPONENTS

COMPONENTS

CUSTOM CLOTHING

EPOS

BIKEBIZ.COM

BIKEBIZ | MARKETPLACE

BIKEBIZ.COM

EPOS

LIGHTING

RACKS

RACKS

BIKEBIZ MAY 63

BIKEBIZ | MARKETPLACE PRINT & DESIGN SERVICES

RESPRAYS & REPAIRS

TRAINING SERVICES

WATER BOTTLES

64 BIKEBIZ MAY

BIKEBIZ.COM

BIKEBIZ | MARKETPLACE WATER BOTTLES

WEBSITE SERVICES

BIKEBIZ.COM

WATER BOTTLES

WEBSITE SERVICES

BIKEBIZ MAY 65

OFF TRACK | NUMBER CRUNCHING

I N THE SADDLE

Let’s get statistical This month we look at Powabyke’s e-bike shipments, Glastonbury Festival’s incentives to cyclists for this year’s event, cycle sales at Halfords and BikeBiz’s referrals via Facebook...

Ian Hughes, MD, Storck

4,000

Raddar UK

The number of e-bikes Powabyke is to ship to new exclusive US distributor Brandsco. The firm’s UK network extends to around 400 dealers, who have sold over 35,000 Powabykes, we’re told.

What bikes do you own and where do you like to ride?

I own two Storck road bikes, a Fascenario 0.7 for summer riding and a Scenero for Winter, as well as a Storck Adrenalin Mountain bike and Storck Multiroad carbon city bike. We often take a couple of Raddar Pedelec bikes out to ride for fun with friends at the weekends, as there are so many trails and paths around the Newcastle area where I live. You can hook up to the Coast to Coast route and ride out to the east coast without touching any busy roads.

Tell us a little about your business background: My experience is all self taught really. There were a few people who I admired in business and learned a lot from them. Working for a Swiss company, like Scott Sports, for 15 years was a good experience in terms of working to a business plan. Sometimes I felt it was a bit anal, but it made you think about your actions, consequences and the impact it would have on the business.

Storck Raddar UK is my own business venture and funded by me, so that brings a new dimension and challenge. I really enjoy sales and marketing; that’s the fun side of business.

Why should dealers choose Storck over competitors?

Quite simply, Markus Storck. Everything he designs and makes is done with incredible precision, thought and detail.

Function is the key word for Markus. It’s no surprise the amount of design awards he has won in recognition.

Can you highlight any big sellers, or well reviewed models in the 2011 line-up?

The Raddar Multitask and Raddar Multiroad have both won ‘Best of Test’ in the German e-bike consumer magazine ElektroRad. They quote: “A brilliant motor concept. Great handling characteristics (with and without engine support) silky smooth support – adjustment, fine sensor technology.

The sporty Storck Raddar outperforms all e-bikes we’ve ever tested.” These two models are the ones that are most popular right now amongst UK dealers.

Tell us a bit about the Storck electric bike: The Raddar pedelec bikes are quite unique. Each has a Swissbuilt motor with patented torque sensor within, which provides the smoothest, seamless power assistance in the ebike market. The motor is noise-free and vibration-free.

Only quality lithium polymer battery packs are used and the rider can adjust the amount of power assistance they wish via a handle bar mounted lever. The range on a single charge is between 40 to 100 kilometres. The Cosworth partnership will bring a whole new bunch of ideas, electronics technology and engineering to Storck Raddar e-bikes. Cosworth are very keen to help develop more efficient e-bike systems using their vast experience in F1 electronics and engineering.

66 BIKEBIZ MAY

2008 UK sport performance director Peter Keen told The Daily Telegraph that Britain’s cyclists would suffer a dip in performance at London 2012 compared with their stellar success at Beijing 2008.

2 The number of Red Dot Design Awards the Ghost Bike brand won this year. NeilPryde also won one of the coveted prizes.

BIKEBIZ.COM

OFF TRACK | NUMBER CRUNCHING

50 foot The length of a new cycle lane in Bournville, Birmingam.

The City Council was blasted for making the short and ‘pointless’ lane in the Daily Mail and The Mirror.

200 Two hundred miles of new bike lanes were approved by Los Angeles City council this spring.

510% The importance of social media continues unabated with a 510 per cent rise in referrals from Facebook to BikeBiz.com, yearon-year.

80% The percentage of respondents to a Cycleguard survey who said they preferred travelling in cycle lanes instead of a main road, as ‘it feels safer’.

8.7% Cycle sales returned to likefor-like growth in the last quarter for Halfords, following a 16 per cent drop in the quarter leading up to Christmas.

BIKEBIZ.COM

20 miles Glastonbury Festival is offering a range of incentives to travel to the shindig by bike, including a luggage delivery service for those within 20 miles of the site.

BIKEBIZ MAY 67

OFF THE RECORD

OFF

k c a r T

Send your pictures to mark.sutton@intentmedia.co.uk

• baker in email blunder

Meeting: Impossible

Braking news HOPE COMPLETED its factory move last month and invited press and partners to celebrate and also to come and have a nosey round, take a tour and see the ‘Designed, Made and Tested’ brand at Barnoldswick in person.

Trials extraordinaire Danny MacAskill was one of the cycling gliteratti who made the trip to the new Hope HQ and obligingly showed off a few tricks along the way.

Find out more at www.hopetech.com

Bespoked Bristol

WHILE MP Norman Baker won brownie points from some individuals for sticking to his ‘I’m not wearing a cycle helmet’ stance – and also lost a few from the likes of road safety campaigners Brake – the Secretary of State for Transport did manage to provide a chuckle when he made a blunder that was reported on, of all days, April Fools day.

Baker tried to schedule a meeting for autumn 2011 with Cycling England Phillip Darnton. Sadly, Baker had failed to remember that he had axed the quango and it officially closed for business on March 31st 2011. Had the MP forgotten that he had taken the hatchet to Cycling England? Or was he hinting he had rethought the decision and was planning to resurrect the quango...?

UNIQUE FRAMES, components and clothing designed for road, track and MTB sectors will be on show at Bespoked Bristol in June.

Pitched as a meeting place for makers, designers and customers to come together, the event is open to the press and invitations only on June 10th, with the public show then running on the weekend of the 11th and 12th.

Established names will line up alongside a new generation of framebuilders, including Condor (pictured), 18 Bikes, Lee Cooper, Fresh Tripe (pictured), Peter’s Bikes (pictured), Really Useful Bikes, Enigma and Paper Bicyle (pictured).

A sting in the tail PRO-CYCLING commentator Phil Liggett made a shocking discovery upon his return from covering Flanders and Roubaix.

He had, unwittingly, brought back a scorpion in his suitcase, as revealed on Twitter. Thankfully Liggett wasn’t on the receiving end of a sting from the pesky arthropod and instead took it to

68 BIKEBIZ MAY

a nearby wildlife centre.

He tweeted: “The large scorpion I brought back in my suitcase (accident!) from Africa is doing well in my local wildlife park. I'll have to pay to see it.”

“The scorpion was 2.5inches or about 6.5cms. This one has a very painful sting, but unlikely to kill – how lucky is that!”

BIKEBIZ.COM

OFF THE RECORD

• iain pollitt walmsley wears a silly hat • aa servicing the nation’s roads

Life begins THE EMPLOYEES of Coyote Sports revealed that managing director Iain Pollitt Walmsley passed a landmark birthday last month.

One staff member, who shall remain nameless, sent us this picture of the man in question and told us: “Iain may be 40 but as you can see the stress and strain of working for one of the cycle industry’s leading accessory companies, has not effected him in the slightest…err well, perhaps a little.”

The unnamed employee added: “Iain wore his hat all day, yet surprisingly few people noticed any difference.”

Hole in your logic IN ONE intentional piece of April Fools japery, the AA and the CTC said they were teaming up to speed fill the potholes of Britain. The new service, AA Pothole Assist, was to tackle potholes picked out by AA patrols between breakdown jobs.

AA president Edmund King said: “Cyclists as well as drivers suffer from the often shoddy conditions of Britain's roads. We won't be able to patch all of the potholes out there, but with the help of CTC and other organisations we'll be able to pinpoint the worst ones and get to work on making them safe for all road users."

As well as featuring on BikeBiz (we knew it was a joke, honest guv) the story ran on BBC News and a handful of other esteemed news organisations.

quote unquote “In the bike industry we’re all consumers to a certain extent, or bike geeks, but then when you actually get a chance to get in front of that consumer and see how your products are affecting them – you get questions here that you probably take for granted.”

Scott Struve, Hayes Bicycle Group discussing importance of events such as the Sea Otter Classic

Pat McQuaid

"It's not a great concern."

What UCI President Pat McQuaid told reporters when they asked whether he foresaw breakaway groups challenging the UCI’s dominance

Sponsored by the brands of Moore Large 01332 274252

“The breakaway league is only as real as McQuaid wants to make it. Compromise and it'll probably go away.”

Daniel Benson, CyclingNews.com, via his Twitter account @dnlbenson “As someone who cycles mainly to commute, it took me a while to forget that I didn't have to be anywhere by a particular time. Speed can wait when you have herons to gawp at, canal boaters to talk to and ice cream to eat.”

James Walsh, Guardian.co.uk “We have recently been made aware of a scam that has been hitting several

larger retailers. A thief obtains a legitimate receipt from a store, then, using normal till roll printers and till roll paper, a receipt (or set of receipts) is faked. The thief and accomplices then shoplift items from said store, later returning to the store to ask for a full price refund.”

ACT Blog warning stores to be on high alert for fake receipts “If a hipster so much as touches a bicycle anywhere in the world then it must be filmed. ‘For Immediate Release!

Hipster Rides Through Tunnel!’”

BikeSnobNYC.blogspot.com

For more on these stories, head to www.bikebiz.com BIKEBIZ.COM

BIKEBIZ MAY 69

OFF TRACK | SPOKESMAN

TWEET short and

SPOKES

Wondering what the Twitterati have been up to this month? Look no further...

Bicycles

vs cars?

There’s much more to promoting cycling than despising cars. Carlton Reid explores where the industry could learn a thing or two from the US...

ROUGHLY speaking there an equal number of bikes sold per year as cars (c.2.5m), yet despite the increasing expense of buying and running cars there are an awful lot more of them on the roads than bikes.

Britain is a car-obsessed nation. It's perfectly normal and mainstream to get a kick out of cars. It's therefore no surprise that plenty of bike trade folk love cars and the freedom that cars can bring.

Mass motoring has enabled an awful lot of things (think out-of-town supermarkets) as well as screwing up an awful lot of other things (think out-of-town supermarkets).

There's no rule to say that somebody who works in the bicycle industry should automatically despise cars. And many don't, as was demonstrated recently on the BikeBiz forum when some industry 'fat cats' (not my words) poked fun at my suggestion we might want to invest some cash in renewable energy, as China is doing.

But love them or despise them, for city centre use, cars are going to be restricted in years to come. This won't come about because some lentil-loving loons say it will be so, but because of geology and economics - Google 'Peak Oil' - and because there's only so much road space to go around - Google 'Tragedy of the Commons.'

Okay, I'm a starry-eyed optimist and would love to think we could all ditch cars and ride bikes instead. Of course, we're not going to easily prise motorists out of their cocoons and on to people-powered transport. And the present Government doesn't seem too keen on wielding any sticks, for fear of losing votes.

However, Peak Oil and the Tragedy of the Commons will eventually force the Government to act.

Listen up, here’s the plan...

There were 700-plus delegates at the recent National Bike Summit in Washington D.C. A great many were from the bike industry.

They heard the US Secretary of Transportation say "bicycling has an important role to play in America's transportation mix".

Ray LaHood is a transport secretary who knows the importance of bikes. He told delegates: "You know, bicycling started the personal mobility revolution, well before automobiles emerged."

He added: "When cycling advocates see me exhibiting my enthusiasm for more bicycling and pedestrian options, it's out of this Administration's desire to give people more flexible, convenient, and affordable options when it comes to getting around."

Part of the reason such a key figure addressed this bike conference was because of the clear thinking shown by some bike industry leaders over the past ten years.

John Burke, president of Trek, for instance.

He recently addressed Congress, saying: "The federal investment in bicycling is providing tremendous benefits to our nation. It is boosting our economy, making our transportation system more efficient, improving the health of Americans, and enhancing the quality of life in communities coast to coast. Few other federal investments — if any — provide so many tangible benefits for so few dollars.”

EDITORIAL: 01992 535646 | ADVERTISING: 01992 535647 | FAX: 01992 535648 Executive Editor: Carlton Reid Carlton.Reid@intentmedia.co.uk Editor: Jonathon Harker Jonathon.Harker@intentmedia.co.uk Deputy Editor: Mark Sutton Mark.Sutton@intentmedia.co.uk Advertising Manager: Carly Bailey Carly.Bailey@intentmedia.co.uk Production Executive: Abby Fanger Abigail.Fanger@intentmedia.co.uk

Design: Kelly Sambridge Kelly.Sambridge@intentmedia.co.uk Business Development: Dave Roberts Dave.Roberts@intentmedia.co.uk Managing Editor: Lisa Carter Lisa.Carter@intentmedia.co.uk Publisher/MD: Stuart Dinsey Stuart.Dinsey@intentmedia.co.uk

Finance Director: Hilary Cole Editorial Saxon House, 6A, St. Andrew Street, Hertford, Hertfordshire.

SG14 1JA BikeBiz is mailed FOC to 3,000+ trade addresses every month ISSN 1476-1505

Marketing & Circulation: Lindsay Banham Lindsay.Banham@intentmedia.co.uk

LATEST NEWS STRAIGHT TO YOUR MOBILE | BOOKMARK US: MOBILE.BIKEBIZ.COM 70 BIKEBIZ MAY

The chap who knocked me off my bike has sent me an exceptionally good bottle of wine...what a nice guy! I could build quite a cellar this way! @jonsnowC4

3 days until I go on holiday for 2 weeks & so much to sort before I go #nervousbreakdown @UKmadison @Dominiclangan

Have managed to persuade my pregnant wife that we should go to The Scottish Bike Show instead of baby shopping. #Result! P.S. feel a bit bad @Inverdair

All AA helmets in Lincolns Inn gone in 25mins "in British style many people queued" AA patrol said. Thanks to all helpers and great cyclists. @AApresident

SUBSCRIPTIONS UK: £50 Europe: £60 Rest of World: £90 BikeBiz is published 12 times a year by Intent Media – Saxon House, 6a St. Andrew Street, Hertford, Hertfordshire SG14 1JA Intent Media Subscriptions Department PO Box 35, Robertsbridge, TN32 5WN Tel: 01580 883848, Fax: 01580 883849 If you or one of your colleagues would like to request a subscription to BikeBiz, please email bike.subscriptions@c-cms.com or call 01580 883848.

Please note that this is a controlled circulation title and subscription criteria will be strictly adhered to.

Intent Media is a member of the Audit Bureau of Circulation and the Periodical Publishers Association

© Intent Media 2010 No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means without prior permission of the copyright owners.

Printed by The Manson Group, AL3 6PZ.

UÊÊ Êand City and Guilds Approved centre UÊÊIndustry Standard QCF qualifications UÊÊ ««Ài Ì Vià «ÃÊand i>À iÀÊ,ië à ÛiÊvÕ `i`Ê«>V >}iÃÊ UÊÊ iÜÊ iÛi ÊÎʵÕ> v V>Ì Ênow available We are very proud to be sponsored by:

You realise that the instructors here don't just work

here. They love bikes and cycling. That makes a

difference and creates a good craic. Studying at

Cycle Systems Academy has given me the ability

to open my own shop - Cycle Ops - in Dublin.

Chaz Farrell

C he ckout our we b s i t e at w w w.c ycle-sys tems-ac ademy.co.uk

In association with:

C O L L E G E

HAVERING

to arrange a visi t to our s ta te of t he ar t work shop in London, N1.

or call 0 2 07 6 0 8 2 5 7 7 for a chat about what we can offer you and

Photo: Em Fitzgerald