BikeBiz October 2014 by Biz Media Ltd

F O R

BIKEBIZ.COM

E V E R Y O N E

I N

T H E

B I K E

B U S I N E S S

OCTOBER 2014

ISSUE 105

ISSUE 105 OCTOBER 2014

@bikebizonline | facebook.com/bikebiz

F O R

I N

E V E R Y O N E

p15 Eurobike

T H E

B I K E

B U S I N E S S

p31 Halfords revamped

Products and stories from the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s biggest bicycle show

Take a guided tour through Halfordsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; freshly upgraded store portfolio

p39 CMAs Who would you pick as the winners of the inaugural Cycling Media Awards?

On with the Show Cycle Show kicks off with the trade day on Thursday September 25th. BikeBiz runs through the exhibitors and celebs to rub shoulders with

p23

p35 A new Cyclelife

p49 Retail on track(s)

p53 Running Le Tour

p69 Road bikes

Raleigh reveals all about the future of Cyclelife

One bike shop tells how he set up his business at a rail station

Behind the scenes of the Tour de France with Pennine Events

A rundown of the latest road bikes and P&A ready to stock

Prestige brands from i-ride.co.uk

BIKEFIT

Your perfect ride deserves the ďŹ nest equipment

WIN ON SUNDAY SELL ON MONDAY It’s well known that what you race on Sunday you can sell on Monday – as long as the race result was good and the bike is on the money. In September Gee Atherton won the 2014 UCI Downhill World Championships, so we can tick the ‘win race’ box. GT offer the same 2015 Fury 27.5 bike that Gee raced on, as well as a full line of super competitive MTBs including this 27.5 GT Avalanche Sport; at only £399 with 27 speed, hydro brakes and a lockout fork it’s destroying the competition – just like Gee... 2015 GT Avalanche Sport 27.5 - £399.99 RRP GTBICYCLES.COM

Interested dealers contact CSG UK • Tel: 01202 732288 • Email: sales@cyclingsportsgroup.co.uk

NEWS

EDITORS COMMENT SYMPTOM OR THE CAUSE?

Setters gets into the BikeBiz saddle RICHARD SETTERS has joined the BikeBiz team as account manager. Setters will handle sales across the magazine, website and the rest of the BikeBiz brand, replacing Jake Adams. Setters previously worked in the leisure industry, including a stint in shop

management in the outdoor sector. A keen cyclist, Setter rode the Haute Route from Geneva to Nice. You can contact Setters by phone on 01992 535647, email at rsetters@nbmedia.com or Twitter: @richiesetters

Wales is riding high CYCLING IN Wales received another shot in the arm with the launch of female-only rides piloting in Swansea, Cardiff, Newport and Monmouthshire this autumn. The Breeze rides are being funded in partnership between Sport Wales and British Cycling and follow the successful Breeze programme that is already operating in England. This summer also saw the arrival of “new major domestic cycling event” Velothon Wales, following in the footsteps of Ride London and running from Cardiff in June 2015. 10,000 cyclists are expected to take part. The BIKEBIZ.COM

ride will run alongside a UCI sanctioned elite pro race, expected to attract many of the world’s top riders and teams. Also this summer, the Welsh Government’s guidance for walking and cycling routes closed for public consultation. The consultation was the latest stage of its widely acclaimed ‘world leading’ Active Travel Bill, which makes it a legal requirement for local authorities to plan and deliver routes that link up hospitals, schools and shopping areas with traffic-free routes and cycle lanes. breeze@welshcycling.co.uk www.velothon-wales.co.uk

WHEN YOU’RE focused on the business end of the cycle world, speculating whether big cycling events affect sales is an occupational hazard. It’s natural to draw the link this year more than most because we’ve gorged ourselves on high profile cycle events in the UK and Ireland. You have to wonder if we’ll see its likes again – both the Tour de France and Giro d’Italia Grand Departs, the inaugural Women’s Tour, The Tour of Britain, The Commonwealth Games, RideLondon… Judging by that list you should have had your busiest year ever, right? If you’re a journalist covering UK-set races, then perhaps you did, but if your business is selling bikes and P&A then did you really have your best ever year? Even if you are lucky enough to say it was, then will next year – with no Tour or Giro Grand Depart or Commonwealth Games – therefore see a down swing in sales? Ultimately, UK-set cycle events leading to increased sales is an overly simplistic equation, despite their being more than a grain of truth in it. Common sense, for instance, argues that a few extra Pinarello Dogmas have been sold thanks to the efforts of Team Sky. But does it matter if these events don’t boost sales? No, of course not. It would be great if they did, but that’s not really the point, is it? It’s easy to muddle the equation, but the fact these events are here in the first place is because there is a growing interest in cycling here in the UK – or specifically, the sport of cycling. That’s something worth celebrating in itself. jharker@nbmedia.com

BIKEBIZ OCTOBER 7

NEWS

Dennis launches new road cycling mag PIC: Mocked up cover

Publisher follows up Cyclist magazine with Bikes Etc

DENNIS PUBLISHING is launching a new brand aimed firmly at the growing road cycling market. Bikes Etc is a new monthly magazine focused on testing and reviewing the latest bikes and kit, with expert reviews and advice on performance, maintenance and the best places to ride. Those at Eurobike may already have caught a glimpse of the mag when the Dennis team showed it to a number of clients. Priced at £4.75, Bikes Etc will have a print run of 40,000 copies from launch. “We believe that a passion for bikes and kit is fundamentally at the heart of the UK’s road cycling boom,” said publisher Nicola Bates. “Road cyclists are in a perpetual state of purchasing, rationalising their purchases, or dreaming about what they might buy next. We want Bikes Etc to indulge our readers in their passion. “Many people have asked us how Bikes Etc will differ from Cyclist. If Cyclist is 80 per cent rides and 20 per cent kit, Bikes Etc will be 80 per cent kit and 20 per cent rides, but will have the same top end production and design qualities as Cyclist. We want the aesthetic delivery to match the

Juicy Bikes opens new showroom

aspirations of road cyclists, and reflect the styling and branding prevalent in this market. We hope that this, along with the quality of our reviews will set us apart from the competition. “As with Cyclist, there will be significant launch and marketing investment, with key listings already secured with most national magazine retailers. The magazine will be priced at £4.75, and the first issue will be on-sale at the end of October. We’ve already marketed Bikes Etc to the Cyclist and Dennis Publishing email databases, with over 2,000 hot prospects for subs sign ups before launch.” Bikes Etc will have subscriptions marketing website from launch, with further plans for a reviews based website in the Spring of 2015. Dennis Publishing will draw from its experience of reviews websites across various markets. Advertising director Sean Igoe said: “The response from the market has been overwhelmingly positive, and with the web launch also around the corner, the market seems to be excited with the ambition of Dennis in the road cycling market.” www.dennis.co.uk

E-BIKE BRAND Juicy Bikes is moving to a new showroom in Ashbourne, Derbyshire. The company told BikeBiz it has exceeded its targets for new dealers this year and has a number of new electric bikes in the works. “The Heath colourway has been so popular in our Sport Click and Compact Click ranges that we’ve had bow to demand and introduce a Heath Classic as well.” The firm also has two brand new bikes in the pipeline: the Classic and Sport ‘Lite’. Both

these bikes will keep the powerful motors and understated style of the originals but in an altogether lighter design, “with a lighter price to match”. The brand said: “This new range should satisfy the demand for an even more affordable Juicy Bike, and encourage even more undecided people to swap out their car journeys for a Juicy Bike ride or two.” Find out more about the new lines from Juicy via: www.juicybike.co.uk

THIS MONTH WE ASK THE BIKEBIZ TEAM: What is your preferred greeting to fellow cyclists? Executive Editor: Carlton Reid carltonreid@mac.com Editor: Jonathon Harker jharker@nbmedia.com Answer: A ker-ching and thumbs up. Production Executive: Alice Sanz asanz@nbmedia.com

Deputy Editor: Mark Sutton msutton@nbmedia.com Answer: I normally just shout: “Do a wheelie!” Design: Dan Bennett dbennett@nbmedia.com Answer: A quick wave

Account Manager: Richard Setters rsetters@nbmedia.com Answer: I usually say “jump on the train” as I am overtaking them. But seriously it’s a standard boring “morning” Publisher: Lisa Carter lcarter@nbmedia.com

Marketing & Circulation bike.subscriptions@c-cms.com Editorial: Saxon House, 6A, St. Andrew Street, Hertford, Hertfordshire. SG14 1JA BikeBiz is mailed FOC to 4,000+ trade addresses every month ISSN 1476-1505

© NewBay Media 2014 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or any information storage or retrieval system without the express prior written consent of the publisher. The contents of BikeBiz are subject to reproduction in information storage and retrieval systems. Printed by Pensord.

8 BIKEBIZ OCTOBER

BIKEBIZ.COM

NEWS

EUROBIKE: ON THE UP 2014’s Eurobike showing saw trade visitors numbers grow again. As the graph shows, aside from a blip in 2011, it’s a continuing upward trend for the show. Source: Messe Friedrichashafen

CYCLE

SHORTS ‘Cycling is a discriminatory form of transport’

47,000 46,300

45,000

45,200

Bike shop numbers grow 15 per cent in a decade ACT and ActSmart statistics revealed that the cycle retail market has become increasingly competitive on the retail frontline, with bike shop numbers up 15 per cent in ten years.

43,700

43,000

Birmingham Councillor Deirdre Alden took issue with the £17m dedicated to improving the city’s cycle infrastructure. She said it would only benefit “white, young men”. Public transport ticket cost increases and increased facilities for cars didn’t appear to irk the Councillor, however.

£300,000 lawsuit filed against bike shop

41,000

According to The Daily Mail, a family is suing bike shop Acceler8 after servicing the brakes of a bike, hours before a fatal incident involving a 14 year old and a van. The coroner found there had been a ‘catastrophic failure’ of the front brake. Now the family is bringing a £300,000 lawsuit against the shop.

41,482 40,000

39,000

39,152

2009

WD-40 acquires GT85

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

Upsetting the Applecart THE LONG rumoured Apple Watch launched last month and is promising to be a game changer for lots of existing tech. The Apple event in California, which featured much road cycling, MTBin, BMXing and family cycling, revealed the watch has an inbuilt heart sensor, altimeter, speed gauge and taptic wrist buzzes that could alert cyclists to turn left or right in cycle satnav apps. www.apple.com BIKEBIZ.COM

UK-based GT85 lubricants has been purchased by maintenance giant WD-40. GT85’s largest market is the UK, with sales also in the US, Australia and some other European countries. The takeover will see GT85 develop further domestically.

Dom Mason leaves Upgrade and creates Mason Cycles Kinesis UK designer and brand manager Dom Mason has now left Upgrade to work on his own bicycle brand Mason. Promising something “very different to Kinesis UK in look and feel” the frames will be Italian made using Columbus steel and Dedacciai alloy.

Children spending 50% longer in the car Research reveals that kids are being consigned to the car far more than their parent’s generation.

For breaking news visit:

www.bikebiz.com BIKEBIZ OCTOBER 9

OPINION

Is everyday cycling just a novelty? What’s with our cycle sport obsession? Stuart Newlands of Bikelands asks whether we should concern ourselves with normalising cycling and selling that image to those holding off two-wheel travel THE OTHER day someone looked through the window of our shop while pointing at a ‘sit up n beg’ and said, ‘oh novelty bikes!” It made me think, what’s more novelty: The person who cycles two miles a day, five days a week to get their groceries, pick up the kids and pop into the bank, or the person who puts in 50 miles on a Sunday morning? The answer? Neither! However, in the UK we seem to be obsessed with ‘sport’ cycling, we think that the very existence and growth of the bike industry relies on it. It made me wonder, is this the reason why regular cycling in the UK remains stubbornly at eight per cent? (says the National Travel Survey). So whilst the cycle industry continues to focus and fight over the minority, they’re doing nothing to appeal to the 92 per cent not cycling. What makes one person catch the bug, but turns another off? What can we do? I think it starts with our retail environment. Now I’m not talking about sticking a life-size cut out of Victoria Pendleton in the corner of the store, or fitting a wicker basket on a grey hybrid. We need to think about how to excite and engage this elusive customer. The questions we should be asking are; where do they shop? What magazines do they read? What are their aspirations? We answer those questions and we may see these potential customers stepping

XX BIKEBIZ XXXXXXX

“If I had a pound everytime a customer came in and said: ‘My husband bought me a MTB. I hate it and never use it. I just want a bike with fewer gears and a basket’...”

through our doors. Remember, they’re not the same customer as your mountain biker or road cyclist. Bicycle shops aren’t renowned for browsers; you tend to go into one when you need something. Now that’s OK for those people who already cycle or have made the decision to buy a bike. But how about those who just don’t feel like they fit into the current ‘promoted’ cycling fraternity? Too often the customer will be confronted with a ‘terracotta’ like army of bikes lined up cheek by jowl. An old boss of mine once said, when presented with a wide range of products at a range review – “too much choice, spoils choice!” I think this is something the bike trade needs to reflect upon. Making the shopping experience more akin to other shopping trips may give that

elusive customer a reason to step through the door and try a bike. If I had a pound every time a customer came into the store and said, “my husband bought me a mountain bike, I hate it and never use it. I just want a bike with fewer gears and a basket”, I probably couldn’t retire, but I’d have more holiday money for ice-creams. The stats show that 43 per cent of people in the UK have a bike or access to one (National Travel Survey) – well why aren’t they using them? Perhaps we’re selling over geared, over complicated bikes, when all they really need is a simple everyday bike? Okay, I know we can go on about the government’s spend and road safety putting off cyclists, but as retailers we need to take a little responsibility too. When they do eventually ride off with the bike they want, perhaps they’ll tell their friends and come back again. You will have initiated a relationship that’ll last and develop. There are plenty of ways to accessorise your bike; whether its lights, computers or flower garlands. Remember that they are all repeat purchases. When we’ve achieved our 15 per cent regular cycling national average, the government will have to sit up and take notice. But this growth isn’t only going to come from the sports side; it has to come from the everyday cycling side too. Ditch the car, buy a bike and feel the benefits. bikelands.co.uk

BIKEBIZ.COM

OPINION

Where is the bike industry’s Rightmove or Zoopla? With a retail playing field blown wide apart by the internet, it is high time there was a comprehensive choice of shops, brands and bicycle types, all in the same place online, argues Bikesoup founder Antony Auty… THE CURRENT buzzword in cycling retail is ‘community’. Building your base of loyal customers makes an awful lot of business sense. There are a number of ways to build your shop community – rides, skills workshops, newsletters, offers, demo days…The list goes on. But how do you get new customers into the shop in the first place? How do you reach out and find new buyers for your products? Things were much simpler before the internet. You placed adverts in a local newspaper or a cycling magazine and then ‘KaBoom!’ the phone is ringing constantly and you can’t move for the number of people in the shop. Yes, you could produce a well-designed advert with some engaging text but beyond that, the playing field was largely level – you gained customers based on your location and your brands. As long as you moved with trends and realised that MTBing was here to stay, all was fine. Life was simple. Today, life is more challenging for the bicycle retailer with increased consumer expectation, more competition and new products released almost daily. You need to be an expert in customer service, active with social media, have the budget to stock the latest ‘must have’ products and be able to deliver at a moment’s notice. There was a period when a basic website was a viable alternative to traditional print advertising but

“Other business sectors are fulled engaged online, delivering consumers with a choice of products in a couple of clicks. Why not bikes?”

those days are long gone. Now, to be competitive and attract new customers companies need a significant investment in an online presence, but how that investment is spent has become a very cloudy affair. Do you write content about your products? Do you invest in a comprehensive e-commerce platform? Do you allocate budget to Google or Facebook marketing? There is no right or wrong answer, you just have to give it a try. If only life for the IBD could be more predictable and allocating advertising and marketing budget was a simple decision.

Other business sectors are fully engaged online delivering consumers with a choice of products and services in a couple of clicks. Leading industry players like Rightmove and Zoopla direct us to the perfect house to buy or rent. Autotrader will help us find the perfect car. Just Eat puts you in contact with 20,000 local takeaways for your pizza or curry. So, why has the bike industry not reacted in the same way and provided consumers with a one-stop-shop to find a new bike? Broadly, the bike industry is made up of three key components – suppliers, publishers and retailers. Without the retailers the industry will grind to a halt. Is it not time for brand managers and publishers to come together and make life simpler, more enjoyable and profitable for the retailers? And time to provide consumers with an enjoyable experience online when looking for a new bike and offer them a wide choice or shops and brands, all in one place? That is our ambition at Bikesoup, to work with publishers and cycling brands to direct consumers into retail stores and get back to a simpler, more predictable, easier to manage and profitable business life. We’d like to see retailers doing what they do best – engaging and advising customers, building their community and making more sales. www.bikesoup.com

For your local wholesaler, contact us:

www.oxprod.com info@oxprod.com 01993 862 300 12 BIKEBIZ OCTOBER

BIKEBIZ.COM

Manon Carpenter | 2014 UCI MTB World Championships | Hafjell, Norway | Credit: Â©Laurence Crossman-Emms

CONGRATULATIONS MANON CARPENTER 2014 WORLD CHAMPION Worn and developed by the Madison Saracen Factory Race Team

facebook.com/madisonclothing

twitter.com/madisonclothing

Visit www.madison.cc or contact your Madison apparel represenatative for more information

99p INNER TUBES

EVERY DAY, EVERY WEEK, ALL YEAR

THE BEST CATEGORY SOLUTION IN THE CYCLE TRADE

QUALITY POP SOLUTION MAXIMISES DENSITY & EFFICIENCY

BOXED RETAIL TUBES ALL SIZES AND VALVE LENGTHS 99P EACH TUBE12SVA TUBE14SVA TUBE16SVA TUBE16SVB TUBE18SVA TUBE20PVC TUBE20SVA TUBE20SVB TUBE24SVA TUBE26PVB TUBE26PVC TUBE26PVE TUBE26SVA

12 1/2x1.75/2.125 A/V 14x1.75/1.95 A/V 16x1.75/1.95 A/V 16x1 3/8 A/V 18x1.75/1.95 A/V 20x1 1/8 F/V 20x1 1/8 A/V 20x1.75/1.95 A/V 24x1.75/1.95 A/V(40mm) 26x1.75/1.95 F/V(40mm) 26x1.75/1.95 F/V(60mm) 26x2.125 F/V 26x1.75/1.95 A/V(40mm)

TUBE26SVD TUBE275PVB TUBE275SVA TUBE29PVB TUBE29PVC TUBE29SVA TUBE700PVA TUBE700PVB TUBE700PVC TUBE700PVD TUBE700PVE TUBE700PVF TUBE700PVH TUBE700SVG

26x2.125 A/V(40mm) 27.5x1.75/2.125 F/V(48mm) 27.5x1.75/2.125 A/V 29x1.75/2.125 F/V(48mm) 29x1.75/2.125 F/V(60mm) 29x1.75/2.125 A/V(48mm) 700x18/25C F/V(40mm) 700x18/25C F/V(60mm) 700x18/25C F/V(80mm) 700x25/32C F/V(40mm) 700x25/32C F/V(60mm) 700x28/35C F/V(40mm) 700x35/43C F/V(40mm) 700x35/43C A/V(40mm)

WORKSHOP BULK TUBE26PVBULK 26x1.75/1.95 F/V(40mm) x80 TUBE26SVBULK 26x1.75/1.95 A/V(40mm) x80 TUBE700PBULK 700x18/25C F/V(40mm) x100

JUST 89p EACH

Speak to your Fisher Account Manager Phone Telesales on 01727 798 345 Visit us at b2b.fisheroutdoor.co.uk

EUROBIKE

Squeezing it in… Eurobike’s huge, or at least far bigger than BikeBiz’s pagination limits, so without wasting any more precious words, Mark Sutton rounds up some of the show’s many highlights…

1. LIV BY GIANT The Liv branding has been present alongside Giant for a while now, but Eurobike saw the separation of the two, with Liv commanding a stand of its own on which it announced that the label is to become independent. Former Giant CFO Bonnie Tu, who herself has previously participated in the Tour de Taiwan using substandard “shrinked and pinked” equipment, takes charge as Liv CEO. Existing Giant dealers will have priority on stock and the label will command its own point of sale units designed to reflect the many aspects of leisure and sport cycling for women, as designed by an all-female team. A fresh apparel colour palate will be agreed upon by those designers on an annual cycle. 2. SCHWALBE PROCORE We genuinely had real trouble with the crowds photobombing while trying to get near the Schwalbe BIKEBIZ.COM

ProCore, such was the interest. Developed alongside Syntace, the new technology consists of two air chambers – an inner core holding 55 to 85 psi and an outer chamber where sealant and air fill the space to anything around 10 to 20 psi. The advantages are obvious: More grip, no chance of snake bite punctures, prevention of burping and it’s compatible with all wheels. At 200 grams per wheel, there’s a weight penalty, but the performance advantages may just outweigh the extra grams, which can be countered with a lightweight tyre choice. 3. ECLAT German manufacturer WeMakeThings continues to trailblaze when it comes to the BMX sector. Evidence comes in the form of a thicker 25.4mm clamp area on the new Eclat handlebar, which makes perfect sense – as bars get taller, forces on the junctions have more leverage.

The same applies to the new Fortress pedal. Running on bushings and a oversized spindle, the Fortress is a plastic body with metal pin combination and it looks as though it could be as tough as they come in the BMX market at present. Other subtle additions include a steel washer supplied with the barends to vastly add life, as well as two new rims in the superlight Mercury and cross-lace Phantom. 4. ORBEA We’ve included Orbea not only because the product looks incredibly sharp for 2015, but because having undergone a pricing restructure, the catalogue is now extremely competitive when put up against its closest rivals. Orbea’s Damian Hackett told BikeBiz: “There’s no sacrifice in quality, despite the pricing coming down across the board. We’re taking the UK market very seriously and have recruited a quality

dealerbase to deliver the level of service we need.” On the product front, the mountain bikes will this season come in both 27.5 and 29-inch wheel sizes. Look out for the Rallon range, which spans build price points from £2,199 through £4,299, as well as the pictured Oiz full suspension race series. 5. CLARKS Price point product is a key focus for many brands at the moment and Clarks is no exception, having come to market with a caliper and rotor disc package for just £14.99. It’s a simple mechanical system that has rear backing plate adjust and accepts Avid BB5 pads, as well as IS or post mount fittings. For the dealers servicing the enthusiast customer, there’s both new 30 metre and individually boxed alloy housing for gear and brake cables, coming in at 45 per cent lighter than the steel version. Finally, Clarks has added the M2 BIKEBIZ OCTOBER 15

EUROBIKE

disc, another affordable disc, this time taking mineral oil and utilising a dual 22mm piston set up. This brake is capable of a very respectable 112Nm of stopping power, putting it on par with much more expensive units. Stock is expected to be available by the end of October. 6. GIRO One of the busier stands of the show and for good reason, Giro had plenty to talk about. Starting with the brand’s traditional territory, the MIPS technology has found its way into five helmets in the line. Having invested in Swedish label MIPS, Giro now promises that the technology will be rolled out throughout both its catalogue and Easton Bell owned Bell’s lines. For those who haven’t heard of MIPS, it’s an inner layer that breaks away from the outer shell during a crash and rotates within, greatly 16 BIKEBIZ OCTOBER

reducing the rotational forces the brain can suffer in many incidents. Giro won two Eurobike awards this year, including a best in show in the footwear category. The models gonged are the new Empire SLX and Rumble shoes, which as award-winning footwear goes, pack in the value for relatively low price points.

Another subtle, but also overdue design feature is the five degree lean now adopted by the track pump barrels. If your mechanic is pumping wheels all day, this could make life a lot more comfortable. Another workshop wonder is the newly patented chain tool, which is adjustable in seconds to take any type of chain.

7. BIRZMAN Central to the Birzman 2015 catalogue is not one product, but a simplistic innovation that the market’s bike shops have been crying out for since the Presta valve came to be. Now found across the majority of the range is the Snap-It Apogee valve head, which with the slip of a collar will transform to take either type of valve head. Many within the inflation range are also now equipped with a pressure relief valve in order to fine tune the PSI input.

8. SRAM GROUP It’s been a busy year for the SRAM Group and we’re promised yet more “pipeline projects” coming to fruition in the near future. Beginning with SRAM, a key product from Eurobike was the from the ground up revamp of the Rise 60 wheelset in both 27.5 and 29-inch builds. The hub’s an interesting unit, offering 26 points of engagement, but with two of the pawls offset so as to double the effect, essentially creating 52. Regardless of size, a front wheel will

come in at £722 and a rear at £790. An upgrade to the RS1 predictive steering hub adds £30 up front. That brings us to Rock Shox RS-1 fork, which is described as a project 25 years in the making. Currently only available as a 29er fork, Rock Shox has worked around the issue of torsional stiffness in an inverted fork with the pairing of the RS1 hub, which has low profile teeth that lock the body into the fork’s dropouts, thus replacing the strength lost by the lack of bridge. The upper chassis is entirely one piece of carbon, including the steerer tube. Of interest to those who like to fine tune their progression curve is the inclusion of three threaded volume spacers that can alter the fork’s response. Aggressive riders would add more of these spacers than those just pootling along. Finally, 80, 100 and 120mm travel versions will land imminently in the UK. For more coverage see BikeBiz.com BIKEBIZ.COM

/paligap.cc CycleOps exclusively distributed in the UK by www.paligap.cc

CYCLEOPS.COM

FLUID2

24681

24681 0

DON’T FORGET YOUR TICKET

BIKEBIZ AWARDS 2014

It’s time to clear a space on the shelf of your awards cabinet THE TRADE has lobbied and voted, the award maker have been feverishly carving out the names of the winners at a secret location, the room has been swept and we’ve put out our best glasses – we’re now mere days away from the big cycle industry night where the BikeBiz Awards will be handed out at last.

This time it’s at a new venue – the Crowne Plaza Birmingham NEC – but it is still just a stone’s throw from the NEC exhibition hall setting of Cycle Show. The awards night itself takes place on Wednesday September 24th, the evening before the trade day of Cycle Show. This year’s awards are being kindly

supported by Platinum Partner cycleplan, Category Sponsor nuun and Event Partners Sealskinz and Cycle-SOS. So, if you want to enjoy a drink or several, a hot buffet and hob nobbing with the cycle industry, you know where to come. See you there. intent-events.com/events/ event_details/42

SPONSORS Event Partner

Event Partner

Category Partner Platinum Partner

Bike Brand of the Year

Among this year’s Workshop Services finalists is the havebike team

British Cycling picked up an award for Skyride at last year’s awards.

INDEPENDENT BIKE DEALER

SPECIALIST RETAILER

MAINSTREAM RETAILER

STAR STORE

Chevin Cycles, Otley Criterium Cycles, Edinburgh Je James Cycles Rutland Cycling Sigma Sport Wheelbase

Cycle Surgery East Coast Cycles, Hull Edinburgh Bicycle Cooperative Evans Cycles Ilkley Cycles Pennine Cycles Velorution

Halfords Decathlon Go Outdoors Cotswold Outdoor

Bike Doctor, Rusholme Blazing Saddles, Hebden Bridge Eddie Mcgrath Cycles, Urmston Holloway Cycles, Islington Peak Cyclesport, Macclesfield The Bike Rooms, Manchester

WORKSHOP SERVICES

RETAIL EVENT

IN-STORE EXPERIENCE

ONLINE STORE

Cycle Surgery Evans Cycles Hoops Velo Sigma Sport Soho Bikes Velocafe, Brighton

Action Sports Chain Reaction Cycles Evans Cycles Probikeshop Probikekit SDJ Sports Wiggle

Evans Cycles Finely Tuned Ride Grease Monkey Cycles Havebike Mojo Suspension Sram Tech Centre Tf Tuned

BIKEBIZ.COM

East Coast Bicycles: Ecb Knights Evans Cycles: One For The Girls Hargroves Cycles: Qe Cycle Fest Je James Cycles: Tour Weekend Pennine Cycles: Put You In Le Saddle Rutland Cycling: Mums and Tots Rides Wheelbase: Big Demo Weekend

BIKEBIZ OCTOBER 19

BIKEBIZ AWARDS 2014

246810

18 bikes scored last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Star Store award

BIKE DISTRIBUTOR

P&A DISTRIBUTOR

SPECIALIST DISTRIBUTOR

Cycling Sports Group Uk

Madison Moore Large Paligap Silverfish Upgrade Bikes Windwave Zyro

Batribike Seventies Chicken Cyclekit Electric Bike Corporation Jungle Products

Moore Large Paligap Silverfish Sportline Windwave

BIKE BRAND Kinesis Uk Verenti Hoy Bikes Cannondale Genesis Giant Specialized Trek

Award sponsored by

P&A BRAND Easton Cycling Giro Lake Lezyne Muc-Off Race Face Torq Vulpine

TRAINING ATG Training Bike-Inn Bikeright Cyclefit Cyclesystems Academy Evans Cycles

20 BIKEBIZ OCTOBER

SALES TEAM

MARKETING TEAM

RETAILER SERVICES

CSG Uk Fisher Outdoor Leisure Madison/Sportline Moore Large Paligap Silverfish Upgrade Bikes Zyro

Dare 2B Evans Cycles Hotlines Madison/Sportline Moore Large Raleigh Sealskinz Upgrade Zyro

ACT Bikesoup Citrus-Lime Cyclescheme Cycleworks

CYCLING ADVOCACY ACHIEVEMENT

SPONSORS

#Spaceforcycling, London Cycling Campaign Big Pedal, Sustrans Cycle To Work Day, Cyclescheme Donnachadh Mccarthy, Stop Killing Cyclists John Moss, Stolen Bikes Kids Bike Club, Halfords Stu Dawkins, Seventies

Event Partner

Category Partner Platinum Partner

Bike Brand of the Year BIKEBIZ.COM

“Take control when it counts!”

Mud saddle

scrub saddle

uicy

electric bikes

01663 308 409 01298 214 040

AREAS STILL AVAILABLE

Easy on line ordering with 0% finance* buy one bike and get three

* subject to status

www.juicybike.com

MULTI-TOOLS

SHOES

SADDLES

BOTTLE CAGES

QUALITY - RANGE - VALUE HEADSETS

BRAKE PADS

A great range for a wide variety of functions. Recognised as a value for money brand with excellent dealer margins and user friendly B2B ordering. Products illustrated are a small sample so why not check out the website, you may be surprised at what you find.

0845 1661983

DISTRIBUTED BY:

www.greyville.com JOCKEY WHEELS 22 BIKEBIZ OCTOBER

HUBS

sales@greyville.com

GREYVILLE ENTERPRISES

BIKEBIZ.COM

OPENING TIMES

CYCLE SHOW 2014

OPENING TIMES: Thursday September 25th (trade and press) 9.30am to 6pm Friday 26th to Sunday 28th (consumer) 9.30am to 5pm WWW.CYCLESHOW.CO.UK

Cycle Show 2014 Guide Bringing together a wealth new bikes, fresh tech, product launches and cycle celebrities all under one roof, Cycle Show is a key date for UK cycling. Jonathon Harker looks at what you can expect to find at the NEC… > ANSMANN Ansmann has grown its repertoire with front and rear retro fit kits that come complete with all the necessary products to convert a 26 or 28 inch wheel bicycle. The motor replaces the front wheel hub and is compact with a smooth silent run.

> BIANCHI Bianchi will headline its stand with the brand new super aerodynamic TT-Triathlon Aquila CV. The carbon frame with Countervail Vibration Cancelling technology was engineered and designed using advanced CFD simulation software BIKEBIZ.COM

and pro athlete feedback, and features concealed brakes and a dual position seatpost. > BOB ELLIOT Key brands from the Bob Elliot portfolio will be appearing on Stand M71, including Funkier Clothing, FLR Shoes, Chiba Gloves, NRC Eyewear, Zefal Components, Muc-Off, Schwalbe Tyres & Tubes & Continental Tyres & Tubes.

> CITRUS-LIME As any retailer who knows their onions is aware, it’s all about click and collect these days. But how do

you implement it? This is where Citrus-Lime comes in, with the firm keen to prove that click and collect is not solely the domain of big retailers, but something small independents can get involved with too with the right software.

> CHICKEN CYCLEKIT Chicken’s biggest Cycle Show presence yet will see dedicated areas for Campy, Datatag, Deda Elementi, Selle Italia and Vittoria. The redesigned Cinelli range will be there too, as will Nalini, Briko, LAS and Vittoria shoes.

> COLNAGO Colnago’s first aero road bike – the V1-r – was designed in collaboration with Ferrari and first seen in the UK during the Grand Depart, ridden by Europcar’s Bryan Coquard. UK fans will now be able to take a closer look at the monocoque frame with aero dynamic tube sections and full-carbon rear dropouts as it comes to Cycle Show. > DATATAG At a time when bike interest is seemingly at its highest for years, bike theft appears to have grown hand-in-hand too. When high-end wheels and components are as valuable to thieves as some frames, protecting the entire bike is a tricky job. Security expert Datatag thinks it has the solution in two new systems – the ‘UV Stealth’ and ‘UV Stealth PRO’ – marking components and frames alike. BIKEBIZ OCTOBER 23

RIDING

Together

wint e r Col lection 2014 N o w Ava i l a b l e i n t h e U K s e e w w w. b o b - e l l i ot. c o. u k for Full Range

UH-02

B-392

WJ-1403 Ladies Waterproof Jacket

C-4 Pad

WJ-1317

B-114

Gents Waterproof Jacket

CYCLE SHOW 2014

> EXTRA The distributor of Brooks, Clif, crankbrothers and Time will be over at stand G91. > EVOPOS Ecommerce provider Evopos will be showing off its new EPOS software upgrade. Version 6 of the ‘all in one cycle dealer solution’ combines the reliability of the desktop, the accessibility of the web and convenience of the mobile. Specifically, the upgrade includes integration to eBay and e-commerce sites with mobile access. > ELECTRA Freshly acquired by Trek, Electra is not just about stylish beach cruisers, but also stylish city, stylish commuter bikes…and stylish accessories. Flat Foot Technology is within the brand’s arsenal, providing an upright, relaxed riding position where the leg is properly extended despite not making the rider leave the saddle to put a foot on the ground.

> FISHER OUTDOOR LEISURE SRAM, LOOK, Santini, Troy Lee and more will be showcased alongside some yet-to-be-revealed new brand signings, according to the rumours.

> GAZELLE Gazelle is riding into the future of electric biking through a collaboration with Italian design house Giugiaro Design. The Concept E-Bike integrates the battery and motor into the frame, and will be released as a very limited edition at the end of 2015, with an RRP yet to be set.

> HARDNUTZ The Stealth Hi Vis Black helmet sounds like an odd mix of contradictions, but thanks to 19 panels of colour matched 3M Scotchlite reflective material – virtually undetectable in daylight – these helmets are highly reflective under street lights and car headlights. > I-RIDE De Rosa and fresh faced new own brand Orro will be among the i-ride highlights at Cycle Show, over three stands at the NEC.

> KTM KTM’s Lycan LT frame is the ‘next step in evolution’ from the previous long travel KTM, the 26-inch Bark. The Lycan is 27.5-inch wheeled and features ultra stiff and high performance PDS rear suspension for a superior ride feel. See it in person at the NEC.

> MADISON Madison’s large Cycle Show presence will lead with the likes of Garmin, GoPro, Lazer and Shimano, among other stocking potentials. > MOORE LARGE Under both its trade and consumer (Todays Cyclist) name, Moore Large will bring along Knog, Moda, Dare 2b together with newer brand signings like Super-B. > NUUN Sugar-free and non-sticky, nuun packs in electrolytes and no carbs. Find out more first-hand at the stand of the original portable hydration tablet. > ORBEA Among the bikes, helmets, spares and more, there’s a good chance that the new Orca (Orbea Carbon) platform will feature, first launched globally at Press Camp.

CYCLE SHOW EXHIBITORS LIST 2014 L28 H141 K13 J145 L67 M21 J45 J42 K130 F45 A70 J71 K190 G61 C35 B57 F37 M26 H101 A15

BIKEBIZ.COM

1partCarbon A2B Academy Eyewear ACT Active Traveller Aftershokz Sport Headphones Aguesport Alpine Cadence ANSMANN UK LTD. Arc Carbon Wheels Ashﬁeld Special Needs Ltd ATB Sales Batribike BBB Beaconfell & Protool Cycleworks Beet It Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce in Great Britain Benson & Ashley LTD Bianchi Bicicielo

H125 M20 J36 J144 N16 M33 G131 L82 D11 M71 H133 N25 L69 H151 M27 C73 F3 K145 D1 G111 F71

Bicisupport Srl Bike Lights UK Bike Register BikeBiz Magazine Bikeklox BiKLOX LLP Bioracer Bloomsbury Publishing Plc Boardman Bikes Bob Elliot & Co Body Geometry Fit Bosal British Cycling Brunton - Rosker Ltd Buhel UK Bushnell Performance Optics BWT Ltd BYOCYCLES LTD C Originals Ltd Campagnolo Cherry Marketing Institute

D21 M34 L47 P24 J147 H81 G101 C67 A25,A31 G31 C69 J146 J34 B54 F81 M35 N17 K73 L33 D77 H81

Chicken Cycle Kit Chilli Technology Cicerone Cicla Citrus-Lime Ltd Colnago Condor Cycles Ltd CTC Cube Bikes Custom Performance Kit Ltd Cycle Alert Cycle Show (Wales) Ltd Cycle Works Ltd Cyclescheme Cyclesure from Butterworth Spengler CycleWiz Ltd Cycling Buddy Cycling Costa Daurada Cycling World Cyclist Dainese / Marzocchi / Transition

M72 D67 D23 D24 C55 H11 B41 A55 G41 H131 L17 L57 K166 K150 K22 F63 J140 L73 K72 G91 A51

Dare 2b Dassi Datatag ID Ltd Deda Elementi Diamond Back DMR Doom Bar Dynamic Bicycles Early Rider Limited EBC Ltd EDZ layering Electra Electric Bicycle Company Electric Bike Magazine Equisafety Ltd EuroRaxx Evopos UK Ltd Exodus Travels Ltd Explore! Extra UK Ltd Extreme-Eyewear Ltd

BIKEBIZ OCTOBER 25

CYCLE SHOW 2014

> RALEIGH The famous bike brand returns to Cycle Show with its arsenal of bikes for the road, for kids, for offroading, commuting and the rest. > REECE CYCLES Reece’s not inconsiderably-sized brand portfolio includes Hamburgbased Bergamont bike brand, among others.

> PALIGAP Californian brand Marin will have a strong showing at the Paligap stand at Cycle Show this year. Look out for Biologic, Mekk and more. > PINARELLO DOGMA F8 Designed in partnership with Team Sky and Jaguar, the eighth generation of the award-winning Dogma made its debut at the 2014 Critérium du Dauphiné and will be making its UK trade show debut at Cycle Show. It’s the first and only bike in the world built with T1100 1K carbon and has 47 per cent improved aerodynamics over the Dogma 65.1.

> POWERBAR PowerBar’s Nutrition Lab is open to UK athletes for the first time, a community where athletes, trainers, nutritionists and the like can exchange ideas to hopefully boost performance and help shape future products lines. That and new lines will be promoted at the show. > QUEST 88 Quest 88 is hosting the Inclusive Cycling Hub once again this year, and among their new models will be a three-wheel semi-recumbent cycle, named the Draisin Slider, designed for people with impaired balance or movement.

> SILVERFISH Yeti, Easton Cycling, Mondraker, SDG and more make up the Silverfish line-up. Head to stand D25 for the full line-up. > TAGGISAR ICE STICKERS Taggisar is bringing to the market QR code tags that can be stuck to helmets, so if an emergency does occur, a quick scan of the code will reveal key medical information and emergency contact details.

> VELOTECH The all-new Rotor Power LT crank is coming to the NEC via Velotech Services. Riders will be invited to turbo test the superlight powermeter for themselves, with their live data appearing in screen.

> TENN OUTDOORS For the first time since it launched in 2007, Tenn Outdoors will be appearing at Cycle Show showing off its road, MTB, commuting and tri products, over three levels of garment – Tenn Active, Performance and Optimum.

CYCLE SHOW EXHIBITORS LIST 2014 M15 Fat Lad At The Back J32 Fibrax Limited B51 ﬁreﬂy™ Sports Recovery K61 Fisher Outdoor Leisure Ltd J31 Four4th H61 FSA J121 & J131 & K142 FWG Freego Wisper Group J43 Garmin VIRB G71 Gear Club Ltd M30 Get in Gear Ltd L35 Gigapower N13 Ginger & French Ltd D85 Golden Eagle Enterprises K71 Green Jersey Cycling Tours F39 Greenover Ltd F7 Grit.cx D84a Grn Bikewear L84 Gwynedd Council - Visit Snowdonia D29 Haibike K26 Halo Headband C1 HardnutZ

26 BIKEBIZ OCTOBER

L81 B52 N26 G31 B32 G42 L26 J35 L12 B21 B31 M32 G154 H15 P14 F49 L83 M31 G73 K25 J155

Headwater Help for Heroes Trading Henty Hersh Bike srl High 5 Hope Technology HopeBits.co.uk Human Race Ltd i-ride i-ride - De Rosa i-ride - Orro Icetagg Ltd Immediate Media Impact Cycle Trading Ltd Intrepid Apparel Ltd Italy Cycling Holidays Jet2holidays Jura Cycle Clothing KALAS WEAR LTD. Keela International Ltd KETTLER (GB) Limited

D13 G21 C2 H121 N23 L15 F48 G143 K140 C11 B11 L11 L65 K123 A41 C21 K200 N10 J151

Kiddimoto Kinesis Kool-Stop Europe BV KTM Bike Industries Lightrider Lucas Bike Lights Lusso Sportswear Lyon Equipment Ltd Madhog Madison - GoPro, Garmin and Lazer Madison - Shimano, PRO and Elite Magicshine UK Malta Tourism Authority Momentum Electric Limited Moore Large & Co Ltd / Todays Cyclist Moore Large & Co Ltd / Todays Cyclist Moustache BIkes Northern Albion Northern Flags Ltd

B56 J143 D65 H97 G51 J38 S1 H51 A56 M14 J49 H12 P28 K154 K121 D61 G150 K76 J165 H91 M18

Nurishment Active Nutrition Works Nuun O’Neal / Azonic / DIRTY / San Marco Onda Optimum Cycling Ordnance Survey Paligap Ltd - Marin Bikes PediBal Limited Piga Cycling PitBitz Ltd Pivot / X-Fusion Plain Lazy Powabyke UK Ltd Powacycle PowerBar Pragmasis Ltd Premiere Velo Prestige Primal Europe Ltd Pro Vision Cycle Clothing Ltd

BIKEBIZ.COM

Indoor training bikes Shown for the first time at The Cycle Show 2014, NEC Birmingham, 25th September 2014. Stand No.

J155

KETTLER is exhibiting its new range of indoor training bikes that enable the continuation of road training routines indoors during the winter months. There is a mixture of ďŹ xed wheel and free wheel models boasting the latest training technology. Compete against your friends on any route in the world using KETTLERâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s virtual KETTLER WORLD TOURS software, or simply upload your workouts from your smartphone to your individual KETTFIT webpage.

http://www.kettler.co.uk/product/racer-s-new/

Bring your outdoor road training, indoors Kettler GB Limited, Merse Road, North Moons Moat, Redditch, Worcestershire, B98 9HL Tel: 01527 588995 | Fax: 01527 62423 | Email: sales@kettler.co.uk | A member of the HEINZ KETTLER group of companies

www.kettler.co.uk

CYCLE SHOW 2014

PRO-RIDERS AND CELEBS:

1. IVAN BASSO (FRIDAY) 2. SIR CHRIS HOY (FRIDAY) 3. KEITH BONTRAGER (FRIDAY)

4. JENS VOIGT (SATURDAY) 5. DAVINA MCCALL (SATURDAY) 6. JOANNA ROWSELL (SATURDAY)

CYCLE SHOW EXHIBITORS LIST 2014 L63 B55 A77 M22 D51 D41 C71 J33 H41 F79 K74 P20 J95 K51 M36 K220 D17 J37 F77 K127 J100

Protect Your Bubble Pulsin Quest 88 Rackshack.co.uk Raleigh Bike Parts Raleigh UK Ltd RAM Mount UK Rearviz Pty Ltd Reece Cycles Plc. Reid Bikes Rendezvous Hotel Ride UK BMX Magazine Road Cycle Exchange Rock Machine Bikes Rockets Roodog Ltd Rose Bikes Roswheel UK Rouleur Magazine Royal Dutch Gazelle RPM 90

28 BIKEBIZ OCTOBER

G152 A7 A21 D5 K24 C61 D84 G115 B53 D79 L71 D25 H95 K155 C59 G33 P26 F35 N15 D83 F1

RSPB Rubena Tyres Rudy Project/Giordana SALICE SAM Wear Scimitar Sports Selev Helmets Selle Italia srl Shok-Box Sicleri Silent Wolf Silverﬁsh SiS (Science In Sport) Ltd smart Birmingham SMP 4 Bike - Dillglove So Cycle Sorrymate.com Spitﬁre UK Distribution Ltd Sportif Magazine Sports Kits Direct St John Ambulance Cycle Response Unit

P16 StayStrong A52 Stebles Bikes H27 Stique G125 Storck Bicycle UK G151 & G35 SUB-4 Health & Wellbeing Centre F67 Success Cycling Ltd C65 Sure Clinic A53 SURE SPORTS H154 Surf & Turf L41 Sustrans J111 Tannus Tyres L16 TCL Sports C70 Tenn Outdoors G153 The Bike Bag L45 The Bike List J150 The Hooky D81 The Sock Mine C51 Torq Ltd D63 Tour Rides J51 Trek C77 Trillion Cycles

F29 G140 A57 G32 G147 J153 A54 F69 J41 G40 L31 C63 D22 H21 L55 H31 H25 L77 D71 H155 A11 K14 G45

Two Makers Ultimate Sports Engineering Ltd Universal Cycles Ltd Valke Ltd Van Nicholas Vaude (UK) Ltd Veglo Velosure Velotec Limited Velotech Services - Rotor VISIJAX LTD Visualsoft Vittoria SpA Vitus Vulpine Wattbike Limited Westfalia - Automotive Woodland Trust Wosskow Brown Yellow Jersey Cycle Insurance Yellow Ltd Zero 50 Retail Ltd ZipVit

BIKEBIZ.COM

Work Stands Professiona l Set

Professional Bike Tools Disc Brake

Cleaning

Storage

Bottom Bracket & Freewheel

Folding

Tube & Tire Workstation

Wheel & Spoke

Tube & Tire

Hub & Axle

s Torque Wrenche

Hex Wrenches

Frame & F ork Frame & F

ork

Truing Stand

Chain

Torque Wrenc hes t: 01332 274200 | e: sales@moorelarge.co.uk | www.moorelarge.co.uk

778 The lightest helmet range in the World With 28 years’ experience, Limar are the true helmet specialists. Using an exclusive in mould technology, helmets are incredibly light and yet meet the toughest safety standards. Helmets range from Superlight Kids to the 175g Ultralight+, the World’s lightest helmet. All helmets offer extreme comfort and fit.

Change to lightness, change to Limar. Exclusively distributed by Fisher Outdoor Leisure. •

Compelling stockist programmes.

•

New competitive pricing across the range from £19.99 to £140.

•

FOC staff helmets and team programmes.

•

The new in-store display creates the Limar brand experience.

For further information contact your Territory Account Manager or visit b2b.fisheroutdoor.co.uk

REVAMPING HALFORDS

Slots in nicely: Evesham’s store manager came up with this simple bike rest

UPPING ITS

GAME EVESHAM, sits just 20miles from Halfords’ Redditch HQ and hosts one of the retailer’s flagship stores. The Evesham branch is also something of a testing store for and was the first to do something fairly revolutionary – bring the cycle department front of store and put bread and butter car maintenance items like car oil and wiper blades upstairs on the mezzanine level. This significant break in tradition gave some of the top brass sleepless nights, but the gamble paid off, proving so successful that the other 92 or so Halfords stores with a small mezzanine level will be getting the same treatment, placing cycling front and centre. “WE WERE SO FAR BEHIND” Halfords is refreshingly up front while taking BikeBiz around the Evesham store. “We were so far behind,” says Craig Marks, head of BIKEBIZ.COM

The UK’s largest cycle retailer candidly admits it is playing catch up, but if its flagship stores are anything to go by, the chain is starting to look like a very different cycle retailer indeed, finds Jonathon Harker…

investor relations and corporate communications. “We had a lot of catching up to do.” Halfords is fixing its aging store set up, starting with a new logo outside and a huge sign simply saying ‘we repair bikes’, a not so subtle hint of where Halfords is

With an ‘invite me in’ mantra, Halfords has ditched the double lobby doors, notoriously hard to negotiate with a bicycle, for sliding doors. There’s more natural light in store thanks to more windows while outside there is a free air pump. Those with their ear close to the

“We had a lot of catching up to do.” Craig Marks, Halfords

planning to grow business. “We had low market share in repairs. People didn’t know we did it,” Marks admits. The new approach is working already – from an admittedly small starting base, this side of the business has grown 29 per cent.

ground will already know Halfords. com has grown with 185 brands and a product range expanded by 15,000 new products. That diverse brand line-up is being reflected in store (though obviously not on the same scale), with an emphasis on being, to use a well worn but useful

phrase, a one-stop-shop, providing not just the bike, but kit options and maintenance too. Clothes and P&A have grown 64 per cent since these changes were put in place, again, from a low starting point. According to cycles comms manager Louise Iles: “It’s about the right brands for the right customers.”That means more Raleigh SKUs in-store, while clothing brands like Dare 2b and Tenn have shop floor visibility. Via more interesting and engaging POS (“bringing the store to life”), brands are being given their own devoted areas for the first time. New joiners like Jim Berkeley, head of trading for cycle parts, accessories and clothing has been credited as a key player in forging ahead in these areas. Of course, making these changes across Halfords’ 450-strong store portfolio is not going to happen BIKEBIZ OCTOBER 31

REVAMPING HALFORDS

Changing rooms, coffee machines... Halfords now has much more in store

overnight, but they’ll be coming to a Halfords near you (in the region of 35 have been converted so far). Speaking of brands, Halfords is clearly very excited about Boardman Bikes, with hints about a much expanded accessories range in the near future – “clearly a big opportunity”. Pendleton too is a big deal for the retailer, not least because the Somerby is Halfords’ best ever selling bike for women, over the 100 years Halfords has been in business. Buyers are now given more space to take risks for Halfords, keen to have new ranges to generate interest for returning customers, something the company hasn’t nailed in about a decade, it admits. Marks says: “We are spending and have asked our suppliers to spend too. Our dividend was cut by a third to invest in the business. We got a better response than we thought from our suppliers – they are enthused about the direction.” FIXING REPUTATION Part of the reason Halfords wasn’t renowned for offering bicycle maintenance was its habit of tucking the service desk away in a dark corner. Well no longer, a dedicated cycle desk is placed in 32 BIKEBIZ OCTOBER

the equally unmissable cycle section of the store, while a central information hub offers click and collect pickup and more. Some of the freshened up stores have a workshop behind glass where customers can see mechanics at work, servicing can now be booked online and a clear bronze, silver, gold servicing price structure is in place. Training is being addressed with a ‘cycle repair academy’ in Leicester

With kids a crucial part of Halfords market, revamped shops feature a track around POS which has gone down well with juniors and helped keep them contained on busy weekends, with matching accessories and chance to design bespoke stickers for their bikes. Other POS innovations have ranged from the simple whyhaven’t-we-thought-of-that-before (measuring tapes a la IKEA so customers can measure their head

“We’re helping people into cycling. Our new stores inspire them.” Louise Iles, Halfords and to service increasingly clued up customers. Training has helped address a notoriously high staff turnover level, which is also being tackled with a focus on offering bona fide careers, rather than a seven hour a week stop gap. Then there are kids clubs where seven to 11 year olds are shown repair basics, as well as working with 9,000 Scouts year to date – they can work towards a Halfords badge now.

for the right helmet) to the innovative (a simple slot in the customer service desk where a bike can be rested while the customer chats with staff). Perhaps inevitably, coffee machines have been installed, but Halfords has cannily placed touch screen terminals alongside, where you can browse Halfords.com whilst supping, in store, which is a bit meta now we think about it (what would happen if you placed a click

and collect order while you are in-store, we wonder?). All of this fits into Halfords’ strategy; store, infrastructure (“some of our stores used to look like they were closing down – availability is much better now we’ve moved to five deliveries a week”) online and products. And that’s not all…the Halfords team weren’t afraid to tease BikeBiz with forthcoming scoops and ‘big news’ coming soon. While tradition dictates that Halfords and independent bike dealers are sworn mortal enemies, the truth of the matter is ever so slightly more nuanced, a point Halfords is keen to press. “We’re helping people into cycling. Our new stores help inspire them. We get them going.” So while Halfords is happily intent on clawing back share, it says it prefers brands to give them exclusive lines. “We are helping grow the market. We bring people in, engage the customer and then they often trade up and head to independent channels. We are very accessible.” So, summing up, the bad news is that Halfords is raising its cycling game, massively. And the good news? Halfords is raising its cycling game, massively. BIKEBIZ.COM

Cycleguard Partnership scheme – sign up today! Keep your customers cycling……and more importantly keep them cycling with you.

Our goal, like yours, is to keep our customers happy, and cyclists cycling. At Cycleguard we arrange insurance cover for thousands of cyclists, and over the past 15 years we have worked hand in hand with hundreds of Independent Bike Dealers just like yourself. Contact us today and find out more about our Insurance Partnership Scheme which offers the following benefits amongst others:

VALUE ADDED SERVICE FOR YOUR CUSTOMERS when a customer makes a claim then they can come back to you for their bike repair or replacement, giving you the chance to offer the same quality professional service again. Additionally you will be added to Cycle Scheme’s database for claims replacement

FINANCIAL BENEFITS FOR YOU For each new policy that is taken out following a referral from your store a commission share will be paid to you. If these clients then renew you will receive a further commission share year after year following each renewal. This means you can continue to generate income from all customer referrals for as long as they keep their policy with us.

01452 222120 Email cycleguardsupport@thistleonline.co.uk Tel

Cycleguard is a trading style of Thistle Insurance Services Limited. Lloyd’s Broker. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority A JLT Group Company. Registered office: The St Botolph Building, 138 Houndsditch, London, EC3A 7AW. Registered in England No 00338645, VAT No. 244 2321 96.

CYCLELIFE REVAMP Bristol saw one of three shop Cyclelife launches this summer

A decade in Cyclelife Ten years on from launching Cyclelife, Raleigh is now breathing life back into the stores with makeovers and a new agreement. Ben Hillsdon tells Jonathon Harker about the latest on the retail support programme for IBDs RALEIGH IS in the process of revamping its nationwide Cyclelife store concept and launched three stores in three weeks this summer. H That trio of shops included Cyclelife Bristol, close to the start of the Bristol-Bath Cycle Path. Pitched by Raleigh as “the biggest and boldest example of the new Cyclelife concept”, the shop has taken over a 3,000 sq ft site. In-store, Raleigh road, electric and leisure bikes are displayed in zones with other ‘house-brand’ bikes from Haibike, Diamondback and Dahon while POS displays with the new Raleigh branding deck out the store’s white interior. Cyclelife Bristol manager Shaun Butcher said: “We’ve got a first class shopping environment and we need to match that with our service. That’s why we’ve been at pains to stress our principle of getting the right bike for the right discipline, offering professional advice and excellent customer service. BIKEBIZ.COM

“With the help of Raleigh’s marketing support team we’re working to develop long lasting relationships with cyclists in Bristol, attracting those consumers looking for something more than just a place to buy bikes.“ Other recent Cyclelife launches include On Yer Bike Burnley, which officially opened its Cyclelife department zone as part of a

cyclists,” Raleigh’s marketing manger Ben Hillsdon tells BikeBiz. “With clearly presented in-store zones for Raleigh, Diamondback, Haibike and our accessory brands we’re able to give consumers the consummate Raleigh experience. “For dealers, Cyclelife was always designed as a one-stop-shop so they could buy everything they needed from us,” explains Hillsdon.

“The scope of Cyclelife is open-ended, with options for shops.” Ben Hillsdon, Raleigh significant store expansion, followed by the soft launch of Cyclelife Electric Wessex in the town of Poundbury, near Dorchester in Dorset. “The first thing you’ll notice in the new stores is a clean, modern look fit for today’s discerning

“Now that we have upped the game with the quality of our bikes and the range of our accessories, we believe that more than ever. “For consumers, we wanted to create a retail outlet with the backing and peace of mind you get with such a recognised name.

“But in essence the new Cyclelife concept is a supportive partnership programme. As well as a financial package including 12 months phased credit and bikes on consignment, Raleigh covers 50 per cent towards the cost of shop fit outs, including signage, lighting, display, flooring, counter space and work-shop. We are also committed to offering sales and marketing support to the stores, including demo days, click and collect and ‘white label’ websites.” Raleigh’s had a big few years, so what about Cyclelife’s future? “The scope of Cyclelife is open-ended. Whether it be working with a dealer to operate a full concept-store or a significant ‘department’ within a multifranchise operation or indeed a specialist electric bike outlet, we are now positive that we can provide effective and valuable support to independent bike dealers of all persuasions.” www.cyclelife.com BIKEBIZ OCTOBER 35

LAUNCH INTERVIEW

BRANILDE

Seen the light?

PROF

Fresh from Friedrichshafen, Jonathon Harker asks Knog’s brand and marketing guru Sam Moore about shining a light on the action camera market How was Eurobike? Fantastic. It was great to talk to almost all our distributors – we love getting some quality time with our partners. But also great to see the reaction from everyone to our product lines – our combo locks, video lights, and discuss our development of existing products. Is it tough for Knog to come up with new outlandish stands? It’s funny you ask. We have prided ourself on the unexpected approach to our booths and they’ve been great – I’ve loved every one. So we love to make a splash, but the thing we like even more is socialising, so we’ve made sure our stand facilitates conversations. It’s form and function – style and substance. We have invested in some grown up video and product display stands. This year, it wasn’t naked barbies or a dark box room, but it was our world [qudos] action video light for GoPro that raised an eyebrow or two. The Qudos light seems a bit of a departure for Knog... We don’t think it is a departure for a design brand. The inspiration came from using our GoPros out mountain-biking. It’s a bike product, but not exclusively. Ultimately, we’re believers in getting out there and don’t want people to be inhibited by technology, security, or even darkness! Most of our lot own GoPros and as we’re night owls by nature, the need to light the stuff up that we were ﬁlming became obvious. If you scan YouTube or GoPro’s website for night-time videos, they are bizarrely scarce. We want to change that. But the exciting bonus is the response we’re getting from the photography sector. We have been overwhelmed with the feedback from SLR owners. Can you take us through some of the other launches? We’re currently ﬁnalising a range of StVZO compliant lights for the German market. They are similar 36 BIKEBIZ OCTOBER

to our Blinder ARC 1.7 and 5.5 and Blinder ROAD 2. We’re calling them Blinder TILT 1.7 and 3.0 – which will have a similar look to our BlinderARCs, plus the Blinder ROAD 2.2. These are exciting because we’ve been locked out of the German market since these regulations came into play. The development of a range of entry level lights is one of our more exciting projects. We want to change the equation of cost to design quality. We did it with the Frog, and we want to do it again – make sexy looking lights that don’t cost the earth. And new launches in the locks side of the business? We’re really excited about our Combo lock range. No more keys, same great convenience locks – Party Combo, Twisted Combo, and Milkman Combo will be great for anyone riding around town. Look out for our “What’s Your Combo?” campaign – it’s a bit of fun! What POS options are available? We have introduced Digital POS options for retailers. We’re really happy with them – they are practical, great value, and look great. They also have the capability to be updated remotely. Most of all, the results are outstanding. From a quick review post launch, the average jump in Knog sales using DPOS was 30 per cent.

“The results are outstanding – the average jump in Knog sales using digital POS was 30 per cent.” Sam Moore, Knog

Any ﬁnal thoughts to share? We’re really excited about our future and are setting ourselves up for growth. In Europe we have a number of new distributor relationships, including Brooks in Italy, and have registered Knog as a German business, led by our global chief sales ofﬁcer, David Burger. We have also hired a new head of marketing at Knog HQ in Melbourne, Sam Moore (me!). So, we’re building the team and relationships, but we always want to hear feedback and ideas about how we can keep improving. Moore Large: 01332 274200 BIKEBIZ.COM

: INSPIRING GRASSROOTS Working with

BRITISH TRIATHLON FOUNDATION TEAMS UP WITH DAWES ACADEMY The British Tri Trust aim to use the engaging sport of triathlon to encourage children to become more active, not only improving their health, but also developing their social skills, increasing self esteem and nurturing good habits such as commitment, discipline and respect. Over 11,500 ‘active days’ were delivered in 2013 and over 13,500 delivered in 2014 so far with the help of Dawes Academy bikes. Dawes Cycles have also supported a series of 16 weekly British Cycling Youth A & Youth B races (Under 14’s and Under 16’s) at the Rockingham Raceway in Northamptonshire. The closed road circuit played host to weekly races with ﬁelds of up to 50 riders all competing to wear the Dawes Academy yellow jersey for that week’s race winner. With our range of bikes we hope to inspire a whole new generation of cyclist’s be it for competition or general health. Go online or instore to view the full Academy range.

by Premium, Lightweight Bikes for Kids

Dawes Cycles | Discover Your World @ www.dawescycles.com

- cycleplan Retail Partner Programme -

A WINNING CHOICE FOR YOU, YOUR BUSINESS AND YOUR CUSTOMERS DO YOU WANT TO... Promote 4 weeks free cycling insurance at no cost to you or your customers? 5HFHLYH VLJQLÂżFDQW FRPPLVVLRQ UHYHQXHV \HDU after year after year? Ensure the customer leaves your store insured â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;instantlyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; with 100% customer satisfaction? %HQHÂżW IURP XQULYDOOHG PXOWL FKDQQHO marketing support including all your in-store POS? Receive insurance replacement business from bike and accessory claims? Get an exclusive 30% policy discount for all your staff? Provide your customers with 20% off an annual insurance policy and no postcode premium weighting?

IF YOU GAVE A TO EACH OF THE ABOVE THEN CONTACT US TODAY!

cycleplan policies are designed to cater for the insurance needs of cyclists and their equipment. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s quick and easy to purchase and also provides cover for Public Liability, Personal Accident, Bicycle Accessories, Replacement Bicycle Hire and much more. Couple this with our â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;lowest price promiseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and no extra charge levied on those living in a city, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s easy to see why so many cyclists are now choosing cycleplan. $V D F\FOLQJ UHWDLOHU \RX WRR FDQ QRZ EHQHÂżW IURP WKLV tidal wave of interest in the cycleplan product. We offer unprecedented retailer support especially with promotions such as Four Weeks Free Insurance which can be offered to your customers who purchase a bike or accessories. This promotion is free of charge to our retail partners and can really assist you in generating additional sales. It provides fantastic added value to the customer who can leave the store with peace of mind, knowing their new purchase is insured immediately. Once a customer takes out our four weeks free insurance it is likely they will convert to an annual policy and this is where our retail partners earn a very attractive commission for the lifetime of the policy, not just the ÂżUVW \HDU This promotion, exclusively provided by cycleplan LV SURYHQ WR VLJQLÂżFDQWO\ LQFUHDVH WKH QXPEHU of insurance policies generated from your in-store and online channels, resulting in increased commission revenues for our retail partners. Earning revenue from a partnership with cycleplan doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t stop there. In the event the customer should make an insurance claim, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll channel the replacement sale back to the relevant retail partner. We also provide full multi-channel marketing support LQFOXGLQJ OHDĂ&#x20AC;HWV ZLQGRZ VWLFNHUV ELNH VZLQJ WDJV DQG website content to help drive sales. Finally, your store VWDII ZLOO DOVR EHQHÂżW IURP D KXJH GLVFRXQW RQ D cycleplan policy.

For further information or to register for the Retail Partner Programme: Visit: www.cycleplan.co.uk/partner Call: 08000 92 92 68 Email: partner@cycleplan.co.uk OFFICIAL SPONSOR

GOOD LUCK to all nominees at the Bike Biz Awards 2014

CYCLING MEDIA AWARDS

The finalists The inaugural CMAs take place in October, with the winners picked out from the following list of finalists…

CYCLE JOURNALISTS, websites, magazines and newspapers have been named as finalists at the UK’s specialist awards celebrating the very best in cycling journalism. The inaugural Cycling Media Awards covers all corners of the cycle press, from specialist magazines and websites, to national and mainstream media, fitness brands and broadcast. The winners will be voted for by a panel of over 150 judges from the

professional cycle press and then announced at the awards evening on Thursday October 16th at The Bloomsbury Ballroom, London. 150 of the UK’s top cycling media will be invited to attend for free. Individual category sponsors include Cycle Alert (Cycle Campaign of the Year), Lapierre (Coverage by a Mainstream Website) and the Austrian National Tourist Office (Coverage in a Health & Fitness Magazine).

SPONSORS - KINESIS UK BIKES - DMR BIKES - CYCLE GUARD - AUSTRIAN NATIONAL TOURIST OFFICE - LAPIERRE - CYCLE ALERT BIKEBIZ.COM

BIKEBIZ OCTOBER 39

CYCLING MEDIA AWARDS

CYCLING MAGAZINE - SPONSORED BY KINESIS UK BIKES

CYCLING WEBSITE

CYCLING WEEKLY Launched in 1891, the only weekly cycle mag covers racing, training advice and more. CYCLIST This premium road cycling mag launched in 2012, covering routes, tales from the pros and more. DIRT This MTB focused mag is 15 years old and covers gear, racing action and the off-road subculture. INTERNATIONAL MOUNTAIN BIKE This free mag is published every two months, covering all aspects of the MTB world. WHAT MOUNTAIN BIKE News, advice, reviews, routes, national events and more are featured in this stalwart.

SINGLETRACK Independently published Singletrack provides news, reviews, tests and in-depth MTB-orientated features. WOMEN’S CYCLING MAGAZINE Started in 2013 to address the lack of female-focused media.

ROULEUR This game changer is published eight times a year, combining fine writing and photography.

BIKERADAR This huge heavy hitting site contains product reviews and news, based over three continents.

ROAD.CC A wide variety of cycle news features on road.cc, from news and reviews to advocacy and more.

CYCLING NEWS Race results and reportage, plus fast breaking news from the world of competitive cycling.

SINGLETRACKWORLD Daily news, reviews, bike tests and a popular forum help forge Singletrackworld’s appeal.

MPORA Among Europe’s biggest specialist sports sites; exciting action sports and adventure stories come as standard.

TOTAL WOMEN’S CYCLING For women who love to ride, the site promotes women’s cycling in the UK and abroad.

BEST USE OF PHOTOGRAPHY - SPONSORED BY DMR BIKES

40 BIKEBIZ OCTOBER

CONQUISTA.CC The global quarterly cycling mag merges style, passion and emotion with thoughtful, intelligent content.

ROULEUR Rouleur uses photography to celebrate the passion and beauty of the sport.

CYCLIST Cyclist aims for breathtaking imagery and uses some of the sports best photographers.

THE RIDE JOURNAL This all-encompassing mag doesn’t pigeon hole riders and uses original photography with specially commissioned illustrations.

BIKEBIZ.COM

CYCLING MEDIA AWARDS

SPECIALIST PRINT WRITER Lara Dunn

SPECIALIST ONLINE WRITER Rebecca Charlton

ANDREW DODD - MBUK Features editor at MBUK, Dodd is keenly behind building a better MTB infrastructure.

PAUL KIMMAGE In recent years this ex-racer is best known for daring to take on the UCI and Armstrong.

JAMES SPENDER – CYCLIST This cycle journalist won the 2014 PPA Rising Star/New Talent for Journalism Award.

REBECCA CHARLTON - IPC This author and broadcaster writes across Cycing Weekly, Cycling Active, Cycling Fitness and MBR.

KAYA BURGESS - THE TIMES Not only a news reporter, Burgess helped lead the Times’ ‘Cities Fit for Cycling’ campaign. LARA DUNN - WOMEN’S CYCLING Dunn not only writes for Women’s Cycling, but has also worked for Cycling Plus, Countryfile and others.

ROSS LYDALL - LONDON EVENING STANDARD Chief news correspondent Lydall covers cycle news in London. WARREN ROSSITER - IMMEDIATE MEDIA Technical editor Rossiter is one of the key journalists putting in the hours for Cycling Plus’ bike of the year comp.

Ben Carlson-Oakes

Dan Joyce

BEN CARLSON-OAKES SPORTIVE.COM The self-styled ‘baroudeur’ enthuses over cycling, coffeehouses and style over suffering.

KIRSTY HO FAT - WOMEN’S CYCLING Ho Fat supported female cyclist as Total Women’s Cycling editor and now as online editor at Women’s Cycling.

DAN JOYCE - ROAD.CC With 23 years in cycle journalism, Joyce also edits Cycle Commuter and Cycle for the CTC.

MARC BASILIERE - BIKERUMOR. COM AND SINGLETRACKWORLD.COM Now at Singletrack as ‘US Special Agent’, Basiliere has over 25 years on MTBs.

JAMES HUANG - BIKERADAR A bike tech writer since 2005, Huang not only tried out tons of gear but also used to fix them as a shop mechanic for 14 years. MATT BRETT - ROAD.CC In bicycle media since ‘96, Brett has edited both 220 Triathlon and Cycling Plus.

TOM EDWARDS – BBC BBC London transport correspondent Edwards has written plenty about cycling in the capital for an enviably wide audience.

COVERAGE BY A NEWSPAPER - SPONSORED BY CYCLE GUARD LONDON EVENING STANDARD The Evening Standard keenly covers the capital’s cycle news and views.

TELEGRAPH The Telegraph’s coverage sees sports reportage as well as the big bike stories.

GUARDIAN The Guardian’s long term cycle coverage sees increasing column inches dedicated.

THE TIMES Famously getting on the campaign trail for cycling, The Times also provides pro race reports.

INDEPENDENT Race reports and cycling news are covered by the paper. OBSERVER The Sunday paper packs in plenty of words on cycling lifestyle and news.

BIKEBIZ.COM

BIKEBIZ OCTOBER 41

w w w. a u s t r i a . i n f o

G o o d l u c k t o a l l t h e C M A’ S 14 N o m i n e e s ! #Visit Austria

Good Luck Cycleguard would like to wish all of the finalists in the Cycling Media Awards 2014 the very best of luck. Cycleguard provides specialist Cycle Insurance for all levels and types of cyclist, from experienced racers to every day commuters and leisure cyclists.

0844 826 2297 www.cycleguard.co.uk

Cycleguard is a trading style of Thistle Insurance Services Limited. Lloyd’s Broker. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. A JLT Group Company. Registered office: The St Botolph Building, 138 Houndsditch, London, EC3A 7AW. Registered in England No 00338645, VAT No. 244 2321 96.

42 BIKEBIZ OCTOBER

BIKEBIZ.COM

CYCLING MEDIA AWARDS

COVERAGE BY A STYLE MAGAZINE

ELLE Elle combines fashion, shopping and celeb news, including blogs on lifestyle. ESQUIRE Esquire is pitched as the smart man’s guide to the living a fuller, richer life. GQ Style advice and tips, entertainment, culture and lifestyle are all covered by GQ.

COVERAGE BY A HEALTH & FITNESS MAGAZINE - SPONSORED BY AUSTRIAN NATIONAL TOURIST OFFICE

GRAZIA Grazia features fashion trends, beauty tips and A-list news. SHORTLIST Style and fitness feature heavily amongst the culture, tech and entertainment news in Shortlist. STYLIST Stylist covers fashion, travel and ideas, among others.

MEN’S FITNESS Exercise, health and nutrition advice are all covered by Men’s Fitness.

TOP SANTE Health, psychology, diet and nutrition are among the focuses of Top Sante.

MEN’S HEALTH Men’s Health helps its readers with fashion, sport and health advice.

WOMEN’S FITNESS Fitness tips, workout plans, cardio techniques and exercises are the key topics in this mag.

COVERAGE BY A MAINSTREAM WEBSITE - SPONSORED BY LAPIERRE BBC The BBC provides full race reports, news and live updates from major competitions. EUROSPORT Blogs complement photos, videos and reports from the cycle racing world. GUARDIAN The Guardian covers race news and reports as well as a dedicated cycle life and style with news and comment.

BIKEBIZ.COM

HUFFINGTON POST Also blending lifestyle with news, Huffington’s cycle coverage includes tips and pointers for riders. SABOTAGE TIMES Sabotage has a typically irreverent angle on cycling, with blogs and opinions including cycling and flirting tips. SHORTLIST Shortlist combines articles like ‘ways to look smart on sweaty commutes’ to ‘great cycling scenes in movies’ and Olympic cycling guides.

BIKEBIZ OCTOBER 43

CYCLING MEDIA AWARDS

BROADCAST COVERAGE

BBC The BBC provides hours of cycle coverage from the likes of the Glasgow Commonwealth Games. EUROSPORT Live coverage from major races, Eurosport is a stalwart of the cycling TV world. FIVE LIVE The sports radio channel brings live action, news and of course debate from the cycling world.

CYCLING PODCAST

GCN This YouTube channel puts you in the centre of riding action as well as providing ‘how to’ guides and more.

THE BIKE SHOW PODCAST (RESONANCE FM) Now in its eleventh year, it covers everything from politics and advocacy to brands and more.

ITV From race highlights and live coverage to the Cycle Show, ITV’s support of cycling is hard to ignore.

THE CYCLING PODCAST An experienced, three journalist team opens the world of pro cycling to listeners.

THE UNOFFICIAL UNSANCTIONED WOMEN’S UCI This podcast is based on the sweary blog of the same name, explaining the joys of women’s racing. THE VELOCAST Coverage of all the major races plus a look back to cycling’s racing history.

CYCLING CAMPAIGN - SPONSORED BY CYCLE ALERT #CHOOSECYCLING British Cycling’s campaign is its vision of how Britain can become a true cycling nation.

#STOPKILLINGCYCLISTS This uncompromising campaign launched following London’s biggest ever ‘die in’ in November.

#CITIESFORCYCLING The Times’ campaign kicked off a couple of years ago, but still has a far reaching influence.

THEBIGPEDAL Over 1,142,000 journeys were made as part of this nationwide school competition.

#SPACEFORCYCLING The LCC’s campaign reached election candidates with bespoke actions to improve cycling in their area.

#THINKBIKES The AA’s Think Bikes helped remind drivers to consider cyclists.

44 BIKEBIZ OCTOBER

WORLD NAKED BIKE RIDE This eye catching ride protests against car culture and raise awareness of cycling as an environmentally friendly option. BIKEBIZ.COM

Greg Minnaar 3 times MTB DH World Champion

Visit us on stand H97 to see the new ranges from Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Neal, Azonic and DIRTY San Marco! Call John for tickets and/ or to make an appointment on 0117 980 7500 or email jf@oneal-europe.com

Exclusive show offers on 2015 pre-orders and new account packages! One stop for DH, Enduro and Trail Riding needs: Greg Minnaar on-board for another 3 years

Stems, bars, pedals and more from Azonic Saddles from DIRTY San Marco

Complete range of helmets (full and open face), jerseys, pants & shorts, gloves, protection, goggles and accessories from Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Neal

oneal-europe.com

/oneal

/onealracing

Great margin and stock availability, free delivery, competitive pricing, drop-ship options direct to your customer and no direct sales

0117 980 7500 | jf@oneal-europe.com

GOOD LUCK TO ALL NOMINEES AT THE CMAs FROM EVERYONE AT LAPIERRE Distributed in the UK by www.hotlines-uk.com

46 BIKEBIZ OCTOBER

Email: sales@hotlines-uk.com

Tel: 0131 319 1444

BIKEBIZ.COM

PITCHING TO INVESTORS

Enter the Dragons’ Den Looking to boost your profile and gain investment for your new brand? BBC’s Dragons’ Den programme has had no shortage of cycle-related hopefuls this series, writes Jonathon Harker… EVER WONDERED what it would be like to pitch your business to the likes of Deborah Meaden, Duncan Bannatyne and Peter Jones? If you’ve ever seen Dragons’ Den then you’ve probably speculated how well you’d hold up to questioning (as well as how you would spend your millions). With plenty of upstart cycle businesses eager to turn prototypes into production models through crowd funding and investors, it is no surprise to see more cycle businesses bashing down the Dragons’ Den doors. The latest series alone has seen the likes of apparel firm Fat Lad At The Back fail to make off with cash from the investors, and more recently Torch Apparel has chanced its arm. Torch’s product lines use integrated lights. The helmet, through those integrated (and rechargeable) lights boasts 360-degree visibility, while the light-up backpack has similarly eye-catching properties.

“Appearing on Dragons’ Den has clearly made our brand more visible in the UK.” Nathan Wills, Torch Apparel founder

In the Den, Torch founder Nathan Wills and UK business partner Hugh Roper asked for £75,000 in exchange for ten per cent of the business. Sadly initial enthusiasm for the products from the investors didn’t lead to investment, with the ‘Dragons’ not finding Torch’s patent to be quite as far reaching as they’d hoped. But, as Wills and Roper told BikeBiz, it wasn’t just about the investment opportunity… BIKEBIZ.COM

Torch’s integrated light provides all-round visibility for riders

Nathan Wills: “While Hugh and I were excited at the opportunity to pitch to the Dragons we were well aware of the likelihood of not receiving an offer and the complexity that might come with any such offer. Aside from any funds our main goal was brand exposure and so far I feel great about the attention that Torch has received since airing. Hugh had a crowd-funding campaign ready to go at airing on Seedrs. The idea was to capitalise on any viewers of the show that might be interested in investing in our brand. We have already surpassed our initial funding goal and it still has over a month left [at time of press]. “Additionally, it has clearly made our brand more visible in the UK. Previously the company was known more in the US so sales were slow on the European side. After appearing on the Den we’ve seen more sales in the UK in three days than in the previous three months. We attribute this not only to the simple exposure, but the very kind reviews of the product and brand by all of the Dragons and for that we of course would like to say “Thank you!” to all the Dragons and the BBC.” Hugh Roper: “I would like to add that I am personally very pleased to see Torch and Nathan’s design receiving the recognition it deserves. The T1 is the first of a number of exciting products that we will bring to Europe. To have over 150 investors in our business is brilliant and puts us in great shape to execute on our European plan. “We are actively looking for independent bike retailers to show and sell our products. We receive many enquiries from customers in London, Birmingham, Bristol and Manchester looking for places to try our products on. We look forward to the next few months, where lighting the night, becomes a real issue for cyclists all over the Northern hemisphere.” torchapparel.com BIKEBIZ OCTOBER 47

Search our database on behalf of prospective tiv participants to see if ttheir employer is partnered par with Cyclescheme. Cyc me

DER EMPLOYER FIN w an employerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s oye specific pec View scheme che settings ttin including: nclu + ' $ & %!# $ %! + ' & % & # ! + # " # ! % + #! % % $

Staff will save on tax and N.I. through the scheme as well as learning about the Cyclescheme process

FREE EE SCHEMES ES FOR FO RETAILERS LER

L TOO T up EN

sign er and mploy ts w Vie cal e even l lo for otiona m o pr

E PROFIL STORE

shop our own Create y n our Store o window d pictures, Ad g Finder. , parkin g times usive openin nd exclu sa facilitie your sttore. r offers fo

BO SH A

BRAND NEW

View key information relating to your Certificates at a glance!

Participants can rate their in-store experience. This will become part of your store profile e allowing potential customers to see the he excellent level of Retailer service available aila

$$&# *!&# $% - # # $% Cyclescheme hem trained through oug an online learning tool. le

RUSSELL’S BICYCLE SHED

RETAILERE

PROFIL

Rail easy? How simple is it to set up a bike shop alongside a railway station? Jonathon Harker hears all about it from the owner of Russell’s Bicycle Shed in Sheffield…

“It was anything but easy. After providing a comprehensive business plan I needed to persuade East Midland Trains board that I could make this successful.” Russell Cutts, Russell’s Bicycle Shed

CYCLE-RAIL journeys, or journeys cycling to rail stations then jumping on a train, are growing. A lot. This is already common knowledge but – when you get down to it – it’s unthinkable that we take for granted that cycle-rail journeys were at 14 million in 2009 and rocketed to 39 million in 2013. 39million! That’s an awful lot of inner tubes. Anyone part of that boom who is riding to the railway station every Monday to Friday will see the evidence first-hand. Fellow cycle commuters daily have to negotiate all the bikes already locked up and taking all the best spots, despite cycle parking spaces more than doubling since 2009 (to over 53,000 spaces). So why aren’t there more cycle retailers taking advantage of a footfall to kill for and tapping into that cycle commuter market at rail stations? That’s the question we asked a couple of issues ago and sure enough, one reader – from the Cycle Rail Working Group (CRWG) – pointed out that increasing numbers of retailers have indeed been taking advantage of the potential of the railway. One of the newest shops capitalising on cycle commuters is Russell’s Bicycle Shed, which opened at Sheffield Station this summer. Just a couple of weeks after opening BikeBiz spoke with owner Russell Cutts... The story goes that you turned up once a week at Sheffield rail station to service bikes and the opportunity to set up a

BIKEBIZ.COM

49-50 BB104 Profile-Russells_final.indd 1

permanent site came about when the station was being redeveloped – was it really as simple as it sounds? Is anything as simple as it sounds? It took some work to get in touch with the station manager and then put forward my proposals, but I have found East Midlands Trains to be very supportive. They were very eager to get me working here one day a week and when the cycle hub development got underway they did ask if I would be interested in taking on the shop unit. It was anything but easy. After providing a comprehensive business plan I need to persuade East Midlands Trains board that I could make this successful. I have since received a lot of help and support from East Midlands Trains. How popular was the service on those weekly sessions before you opened the shop? Did you get regular custom from the cycle commuters there? I’ve built up a good relationship with the commuters and the take up of the service was astounding. People knew they could get their bike serviced or repaired while they were at work and they didn’t need to find a bike shop that opened at 7am to do it. Effectively their day was uninterrupted, so it made complete sense. There are many commuters who use my service regularly and some who have been thankful that I was there when they returned to find they had a puncture. I provided a public bicycle pump within the store which people really appreciated, BIKEBIZ OCTOBER 49

17/09/2014 10:57

RUSSELL’S BICYCLE SHED

WORKING WITH THE RAILROAD The Cycle Rail Working Group (CRWG) is a group which was formed originally by the last government back in 2008 with membership from a number of key players in the world of rail transport – notably Network Rail, the Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC), Transport for London, Passenger Transport Executives Group, with representation from the DfT and some other more specialist groups. During this Coalition Government, the CRWG has received £30 million in funding from the DfT for projects – large and small – to improve all elements in support of cycling to stations, from better security; better parking facilities; better access to stations and also, in a number of cases, the provision of premises for local bike shops to provide maintenance and repairs to cycles at the station themselves. Find out more at cycle-rail.co.uk

especially those who commute to Sheffield on the train and leave their bikes here overnight. What were the biggest obstacles to setting up the permanent servicing station and shop? Finance. What can I say, the banks are unhelpful and many avenues for funding just wouldn’t touch this type of commercial enterprise. I’ve spent a lot of money just getting the place stocked up and with my Marin franchise there will be significant investment to offer an all-round service for those commuter cyclists. How’s business been since you set up the Bicycle Shed? Well I’ve only been trading here for two weeks [at time of press] so it’s hard to tell, but I have had a good couple of weeks and there has 50 BIKEBIZ OCTOBER

49-50 BB104 Profile-Russells_final.indd 2

RETAILERE

PROFIL

“The connection between cycling and train travel is an obvious one. Cycle hubs like this one are essential.” Russell Cutts, Russell’s Bicycle Shed

been lots of interest shown in the shop. I’ve noticed a strong uptake in my cycle hire offering too, people are taking advantage of the location to pop out to the Peak District for a few hours or ride the Five Wiers Walk. Although I am yet to market the hire business other than through the web, I have seen a good response so far. So your service is tailored to commuters? Do you sell spares as well as offering repairs? I offer all services, although we are attached to the cycle hub and our main focus is commuters we do offer services to all other types of cycling. We have a very wide range of products and spares available to buy. I also offer hire of bicycles, car carriers and soon Bike Boxes. What advice would you give to

other bicycle businesses planning to work alongside their local railway stations? Working at the railway station means you see the same people twice a day in most cases. Having a good relationship with this customer base is critical to success. Any final thoughts? The connection between cycling and train travel is an obvious one; more people on bikes means less congestion and with most stations in very central locations within cities it benefits a wider community of cyclists. To help connect up the major cities having cycle hubs with businesses like mine attached is critical, not withstanding that I am still running a bicycle shop and you don’t have to be a commuter to benefit from the services I provide. www.russellsbicycleshed.co.uk BIKEBIZ.COM

17/09/2014 10:57

ECO-FRIENDLY LUBES, CLEANERS & POLISHES

Available from: Moore Large & Co, Derby • Coyote Sports, Manchester • Walkers Cycle, Leicester • Reece Cycles, Birmingham • Ison Distribution, Ely • Mackadam Factors Ltd, Cardiff

BIKEBIZ.COM

BIKEBIZ OCTOBER 51

THE CATEGORIES SERVICES AND TRAINING E-COMMERCE AND EPOS EVENT ORGANISERS, EVENT HOSTING, HOLIDAY AND HIRE MEDIA AND PUBLISHING MARKETING, PR AND CONSULTANCY

TO ADVERTISE

For more details and to advertise, contact Lisa Carter on 01992 535646 or email lcarter@nbmedia.com

GET LISTED

Email your updated details NOW to msutton@nbmedia.com

RETAILERS, WORKSHOP AND MAIL ORDER DISTRIBUTION AND WHOLESALE MANUFACTURER, STANDALONE BRANDS, FRAMEBUILDERS AND AGENTS ORGANISATIONS, CHARITY AND ASSOCIATIONS

www.cyclealert.com

SPONSORING

Cycle Campaign of the Year

MAKING CYCLISTS VISIBLE

*RRG /XFN WR Dç )LQDOLVWV /RYH &\FOH $OHUW

#choosecycling #citiesforcycling #spaceforcycling #stopkillingcyclists #thebigpedal #thinkbikes #worldnakedbikerides

cma cyclingmediaawards2014

info@cyclealert.com

¨ 020 8330 5356

¬ cyclealert

cyclealert

Registered office: 84 Mendip Court, Chatfield Road, London SW11 3UZ Registered in the UK - CRN: 07516642. VAT Reg No: 129306814

52 BIKEBIZ OCTOBER

BIKEBIZ.COM

Photo credit: Pennine Events

TOUR DE FRANCE 2014: RETROSPECTIVE Crowds lined the streets through much of Yorkshire

A Grand Depart Pennine Events was involved in the Tour’s last UK foray in 2007 and this year the Grand Depart in North Yorkshire on Stages One and Two. Now the dust has settled, we asked Pennine Event’s Graham Jagger to tell us about the hard work and sweat that went into putting on a UK event that was watched worldwide... PENNINE EVENTS are very proud to have been involved in Stages 1 and 2 of the 2014 Grand Depart in North Yorkshire, particularly after our involvement in the last visit of the Tour to the UK in Kent in 2007. This puts the company in a unique position and in particular the director of the company Mark Sandamas and myself (Graham Jagger) as we worked together on both events. Few can claim that achievement and we are pleased to have that on our personal CVs. The 2014 Grand Depart achieved a massive amount of publicity and promotion which raised its profile to the highest possible level and there was a huge amount of pressure and responsibility place on us to “get it right” for Yorkshire and the UK. In 2007, the build-up was not as intense and TV coverage much less so, this year the level of expectation was much higher all-round. Being a Northern-based company, but one that nevertheless works all around the UK, the 2014 Tour was literally on our doorstep and we knew the area and the routes very well which made our involvement that bit easier. BIKEBIZ.COM

“There was huge pressure for us to get it right for Yorkshire and the UK.”

In 2007 the Tour was a time trial followed by the London to Canterbury leg but this year there were three full Stages, two being in Yorkshire, making it a much bigger event this time round. With it going through several large cities and towns and a large swathe of very rural North Yorkshire the challenges were much greater in 2014 than 2007. However, using our skills, knowledge and experience we were able to overcome all the logistical and technical issues that the event could throw up. The roads used on both Stages 1 and 2 were full of spectators throughout with hardly a spare vantage point unused. The crowds were absolutely enormous but we were able to maintain safety for both spectators and riders over both of the days. Pennine Events were first brought in by North Yorkshire County Council in February, giving us just six months to prepare to deliver the event in the County on their behalf. We worked closely with the County Council, Harrogate Borough Council, Craven District Council and Richmondshire District

Council as the routes cut through all those administrative areas. We were also brought in by Harrogate Borough Council and Craven District Council to manage their official Spectator Hub sites in Knaresborough and two in Skipton. It was a huge task to prepare the Event and Crowd Management Plans for each Stage in North Yorkshire, carry out all the Risk Assessments and co-ordinate the delivery of the event on each day. As a result of our work we have been pleased to receive such positive feedback and commendations from all we worked for and worked with. The reputation of the company has been enhanced considerably by virtue of what we achieved in delivering what the French have acknowledged as being the best Grand Depart ever in the history of the event. To have been involved in two Tours is a great feeling of satisfaction for Mark and I and both were great successes. What was achieved has put Yorkshire firmly on the worldwide map both as a cycling destination and somewhere highly capable of putting on such a BIKEBIZ OCTOBER 53

Photo credit: Carlton Reid

Photo credit: Pennine Events

TOUR DE FRANCE 2014: RETROSPECTIVE

prestigious event with such success. Its success will create a cycling and visitor legacy, which is what was intended when the bid was made to host it in the County. It is right to say just how much the whole county embraced the coming of the Tour to Yorkshire. Everywhere you went in the lead up to the event you could see yellow painted bikes, bunting and just everything you could possibly think of to tell you what was about to happen in the area. Businesses saw it as not only an opportunity now but also in the future to promote themselves and the area as a whole. There was hardly a spare room to be had in hotels and B&Bs around the area in the lead up to and immediately after the two Stages that were held in Yorkshire. Of course there were many roads closed in order to allow the Tour to take place and these were very disruptive to people’s lives, but thanks to much advance publicity, consultation and co-operation the resolute people of Yorkshire coped well with the disruption and inconvenience and the event passed through each area with minimum fuss. It cannot be overstated just how big a challenge it is to put on an 54 BIKEBIZ OCTOBER

event of the scale and stature of the Tour de France. On the day, the whole world is watching what happens and without doubt that has its effect on you. The relief you feel when it’s all over and gone well is enormous then you begin to realise just what you have achieved. I remember seeing the first riders come through Skipton where I was responsible for managing all that was taking place on the day and hearing the noise created by the crowds increasing as they came up the High Street to the point where it became a deafening roar as the peloton rode through and I have to admit to having a tear in my eye. It was underway, going well and we had done it. Despite the euphoria of such a moment there had been some difficult times before getting there. The delivery of the Tour de France in Yorkshire was a complicated affair with many organisations and individuals involved, some of whom were not easy to deal with, lacking in competence and plainly obstructive. Overall governance became a heavy burden, the event was “over engineered” unnecessarily and it took a lot of patience to get through all the steps required in order to make it

While the Tour caused much disruption for locals, Pennine Events praised them for their co-operation

“I remember seeing the first riders come through Skipton and hearing the noise from the crowds increasing as they came up the High Street. I have to admit to having a tear in my eye.”

work. But nevertheless whatever had to be done we did and we got the right outcome – a hugely successful and enjoyable event, acknowledged as the best Grand Depart ever! Pennine Events is a stronger company for having worked on this and the previous Tour De France in the UK. Our reputation in delivering events of this calibre has been yet again enhanced and we can only grow and go forward from here. We can now without question say we are one of the leading event management companies within the UK and in particular one with such unrivalled knowledge and experience in cycling events of this stature. Pedal for Scotland on 7th September with 10,000 cyclist riding between Glasgow and Edinburgh for Cycling Scotland was our next big event but there are also others still to deliver before this year ends, a year that Mark and I, the whole company and Yorkshire and the UK will remember fondly for many years to come. Come and join us on one of our future events. For more on Pennine Events contact Director Mark Sandamas at mark@pennineevents.co.uk or on 01772 447979. www.pennineevents.co.uk BIKEBIZ.COM

Connect. Ride. Share. Featuring a Mirror Mode, the Strada Smart displays ride data tracked on your phone and alerts you to calls and emails. Our Sensor Direct Mode also pulls data wirelessly from the BluetoothÂŽ Smart speed, cadence, heart rate or power sensors, even when your phone is not available. Sync to training and social cycling websites post ride via Cateye Cycling App; all data sends quickly while you recover. Enjoy your ride. We got this.

PRODUCT IN STOCK NOW,

TO ORDER CALL ZYRO SALES ON 01325 741325, WWW.ZYROB2B.CO.UK

56 BIKEBIZ OCTOBER

BIKEBIZ.COM

Sponsored by

ELECTRIC BIKES

Continental-powered Entz arrives in the UK A2B’s newest electric bike, revealed at Eurobike, is among the very ﬁrst to use the CONTI eBike system

The smartphone-look backlit display gives riders real-time feedback on their speed, distance and power.

ANOTHER EUROBIKE launch saw A2B reveal its latest, the Entz, which will be available to consumers late September. Named after the American inventor of electromagnetic transmission (Justus B Entz), the newest bike in the A2B range integrates the brand new CONTI eBike system from Continental – the Entz being one of the ﬁrst bikes in the world to feature the technology – and an incorporated new gearless NuVinci Harmony hub. The CONTI eBike drive system consists of a motor, display, remote and battery, weighing just 3.4kg. The motor is integrated into the frame design and provides silent ride support through a sensitive sensor. The gearless NuVinci Harmony hub is featured in the deluxe model – the hub changes the gears automatically and also enables the

rider to adjust their own individual cadence on the ﬂy. The Entz also features a smartphone-look backlit display on the handlebar giving riders real-time feedback on their speed, distance, power and battery status. It can be mounted in two positions and is integrated into the grip. The high capacity battery has a 100km (62miles) range and the bike has a maximum supported speed of 15.5mph. The rider can select between the standard and the deluxe version, which also offers an automatic shifting gear hub and the new belt drive and the CONTI eBike system, which in combination offer a very smooth ride, A2B said. Coming in black or white, the frame has a ﬁve year warranty while a two year warranty (in the EU) covers the all-important electronics, motor and battery. The standard Entz will retail at £2,899 while the deluxe model will hit the £3,399 price point. www.wearea2b.com

Shops join the e-bike sector TWO NEW shops specialising in electric bikes opened this summer. The Flat Earth has opened in Codicote, Hertfordshire. Offering bike servicing for both electric and nonelectric bicycles, the new shop also provides P&A and clothing for riders. The Flat Earth launched at the end of May. Meanwhile in Stroud, offering what it says is the largest stock of electric bikes in Goucestershire, eCycle UK has opened in John Street. The shop launched in August and offers A2B branded bikes, among others. theﬂatearth.co.uk www.ecycleuk.com 58 BIKEBIZ OCTOBER

BIKEBIZ.COM

City Lights HDS12 2.4w front hub

The current generation of Sturmey-Archer hub dynamos will add power to your sales. The 6v range includes front hub models combined with 70 and 90mm diameter drum brakes and now there is also a single side model for recumbents. The new type HDS12 2.4w version is for bikes where only the headlamp needs to be powered.

making cycling easier making cycling safer www.sturmey-archer.com www.sturmey-archerheritage.com

Sealed cartridge bearings are standard and all models are CE and EN compliant. X-SDD single sided for recumbents

Clarks new light weight disc brake suitable for MTB bikes. Available in 160mm and 180mm rotor options. Content Supplied Í 1 x Calliper including bracket (IF I.S ordered) Í 1 x Wavy design rotor Í 6 x T25 Torx head rotor bolts Í 2 x Mount bolts and spacers Í 1 Pair of organic pads pre-fitted

Online: www.clarkscyclesystems.com Email: info@clarkscyclesystems.com

We have the solution! Finding the right gear hanger is from now on child’s work! Enjoy on our website the easy and friendly menu for 120 gear hangers. These are available from stock at wholesalers, razor-sharp priced and including special hangers for TREK, Specialized, Cannondale and Giant.

Choose!

Find!

Fit!

www.marwi-eu.com/gh

60 BIKEBIZ OCTOBER

BIKEBIZ.COM

RETAIL ONLY THE TRADE’S GUIDE TO SOURCING STOCK, UP-AND-COMING IBDS AND THE VERY LATEST PRODUCTS

RETAIL

STATS 11% The amount spent online increased by 11.2 per cent in July 2014 over July 2013’s ﬁgure (Source: ONS)

BIKE TO THE FUTURE OPINION It’s crystal ball time: Technology is shrinking, becoming lighter, adding power and becoming more readily available and adaptable. So what does the bike and the dealer of the future look like?

BIKEBIZ.COM

SANDWICHED BETWEEN Eurobike and Interbike, this issue has offered me very little in the way of time to think, or check the news to see what’s affecting the market this month. As a result, all I have to offer is some speculative thinking out loud. However, what being on the ground at these shows will do for you is give you some idea of how well the industry as a whole is performing, often thanks to the number of unique R&D cashsucking items appearing on stands. Eurobike once again gave a strong indication that innovation in the market is rife. There’s plenty of superﬂuous product, of course, but there’s a sense that as technology evolves, shrinks and reduces in cost that bikes and accessories will become a lot more interactive with the rider, at least at higher price points. You’ll no doubt have seen BMC’s Eurobike concept bike, by no means a production item as yet, but a strong and heavily papped indicator of the direction that the label sees the market going. If you ask me (and you probably shouldn’t) I’d say there’s nothing like

the simplicity of the bicycle minus any gadgets. There are those purists who ask ‘why’ every time a new gadget lands. And then there’s the masses, who – as is evidenced by ﬁve minutes in public – will demonstrate that technology is both mesmerising and addictive. But it could also be incredibly practical for cycling, particularly for those who need encouraging outside of their comfort zone.

“With technology evolving, perhaps the bike of the future will be serviced best by the specialist...” Will the dealer of the future have to have a ﬁrm grasp of built-in computers, cope with a far wider availability of power assist and perhaps even be able to program the shop number on a bike’s speed dial before every sale? Time will tell, but as is the case with modern cars, you can bet there will be specialist diagnostics equipment aplenty. Perhaps the bike of the future belongs with the independent retailer. mark.sutton@intentmedia.co.uk

12 The number of ﬁrms who scooped Eurobike’s top design awards. Winners included Canyon, Cube and Topeak.

STORE OF THE MONTH p64 NEW PRODUCTS A Eurobike themed round-up of some brand new cycle gear.

p75 SECTOR GUIDE Road bikes and P&A p69 SECTOR GUIDE Trailers and racks p67 OFF TRACK Stats, columns and interviews.

p88 BIKEBIZ OCTOBER 61

S E A L S K I N Z W I S H E S A L L T H E F I N A L I STS O F T H E B BAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; S T H E B E ST O F L U C K

THOSE T H AT KNOW KNOW

ENDURANCE ACCESSORIES

SEALSKINZ.COM

62 BIKEBIZ OCTOBER

BIKEBIZ.COM

STORE OF THE MONTH

A hand with your hillstart Renowned for being one of the few specialist electric bike retailers in the UK, Cycling Made Easy is a beneﬁciary of the overdue emergence of the power assist bikes domestically. Mark Sutton talks to Ray Wookey about his store’s service and a possible franchise startup… Tell us about Cycling Made Easy and why you decided to go e-bike only? Our store came about as a result of my thinking that it seemed a good idea to have employees travelling by bike. While exploring where my staff came in from I found many lived in hilly areas, so I looked at e-bikes, which presented the solution. Having said that, eight or so years ago the quality disappointed me. When I sold my business in 2008, I noticed the market had become buoyant in Europe, but had no strength here in the UK. I thought we could be pioneers in the market and initially we had considered pedal cycles, but thought it lacked focus. As a result we have a 2,000 square foot showroom within a stones throw of a large population selling just electric powered product. How’s business? How many staff are on the books now? We’ve got nine staff on board BIKEBIZ.COM

and have doubled our sales each year for the past few years. What’s surprising us is the uptake of quality bikes stretching into the thousands. People are prepared to travel to get specialist knowledge too. Buying an e-bike is a signiﬁcant purchase, so customers demand the correct level of expertise. It’s not a knee jerk, bike in a box

the one brand when somebody arrives you are limited in meeting their criteria. We deal in all the sub sections of electrics. Importantly, our suppliers can deliver excellent back up service to us in store. Commuters don’t want to be without their bike, so it’s important to have a well-stocked and prepared workshop.

“We take all customers on accompanied test rides so as to explain the product.” Ray Wookey, Cycling Made Easy experience, with us the service is tailored to customers. You’ve been open long enough to watch the market’s evolution. What key changes have affected sales in past years? An important thing for us is that we offer a broad range of different branded bikes. If you offer just

We’ve found an increased tendency to sell crank driven units, particularly the reliable Bosch system, which we are conﬁdent in recommending. Our mechanics have all been in for the Bosch training so we’ve become a bit of a service hub. We also have the software here to determine fault codes on a variety of bikes.

We don’t just ship a box out to anybody, we will do a full PDI and test ride on every bike, so that any problems are pre-diagnosed. Demo days are a big part of engaging new customers – tell us about your events: It’s not just demo days, we take all customers on an accompanied test ride. This enables us to explain the bike on a one-to-one basis and we assist in any confidence issues or tweaks needed to tailor the experience to the buyer. An awful lot of conventional cyclists are dismissive of e-bikes until you touch on whether other family members could benefit. We appeal to quite a cross section of people, sometimes you get regular and perhaps previously experienced cyclists who just would like to keep up with a faster field. As a specialist, can you tell us is the ‘older rider’ stereotype true? We’re seeing now an increased availability of bikes that you’d be BIKEBIZ OCTOBER 63

STORE OF THE MONTH

hard pushed to tell are electric. Commuters in particular are looking at bikes capable of powering them over a modest distance and the suitable bikes can be quite stripped down and minimalist. The technology is integrating and reducing in weight, so is aesthetically more appealing. The advent of things such as the Nyon e-bike technology from Bosch that allows in-built navigation and fitness assessment via the on-board display will draw new plugged-in audiences over time. The system also alerts the rider to text messages. The product has amplified out to become so much more than just a power assisted bike. It will get to the stage where cyclists will ask, why would I not buy an e-bike as my next ride, it offers so much more than a standard cycle. How lucrative is an e-bike sale in comparison to a standard cycle? The advantage of selling e-bikes is that the product is naturally of a higher retail value, but on the counter you must back this with the resource to manage a more complex sale, including qualified staff and the right diagnostics equipment. A husband and wife team will often come in and buy a pair so both are on the same playing field when they go for a leisurely ride. We always ask the purpose of the customer’s use of the bike. We will assess the level of technical need 64 BIKEBIZ OCTOBER

Ray out on a spin with a customer

“A husband and wife team will often come in and buy a pair of bikes so as to be on a level playing ﬁeld...” Ray Wookey, Cycling Made Easy

with every customer and so each sale is tailored to the customer’s skill level and budget. And how about the workshop, what’s the most common job for an e-bike specialist? Our workshop time is largely spent PDI’ing new bikes and setting them up. The old issues don’t exist so much nowadays as the product has become plug and play. It’s a much more grown up product now. We have the battery testing equipment here, which is a big plus. What steps must the industry take to further educate the consumer on the e-bike? We are a BEBA member, but only pitch in here and there on nationwide ideas and legislation discussion. What we do often is promote the market to local councils and organisations. We provided 12 bikes for a staff pool for Croydon Council for people to assess how they get on with power assisted cycling. What’s coming up next for Cycling Made Easy? In future we hope to roll out more stores and would like to partner with others who are interested in joining as part of a Cycling Made Easy franchise. We’ve been so incredibly busy this season, but this is the next step for the business to branch out in 2015.

STORE INFO: TELEPHONE: 020 8660 8823 WEB: cyclingmadeeasy.co.uk EMAIL: ray.wookey@cyclingmadeeasy. co.uk TWITTER: @cyclingmadeeasy LOCATION: Leo House 226-230 Brighton Road, Coulsdon CR5 2NF

If Eurobike is anything to go by, e-MTBs are popular, is this the case on the ground? We do a lot with Scott, KTM and Haibike e-MTBs upward of £2,000 and all are performing above expectation. They all look cool and are surprisingly agile on the trail. I myself get to work and back on a Scott electric MTB. That’s 500 feet every evening. How popular is the Cycle to Work scheme with the e-bike buyer? Largely it’s over the threshold. We’d like to get legislation through for up to £2,500 tax-free, but that’s something we’d like the providers to nudge the Government toward. BIKEBIZ.COM

welcome the front view pereiro to of(youoscar probably wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t see it again)

hiplok.com Tour de France Winner 2006 D E S I G N E D F O R R I D I N G . B U I LT F O R S E C U R I T Y

Hiplok bicycle locks are easy to carry without compromising security. From the reflectivity of our wearable chain locks to the integrated clips on the tough yet portable Hiplok D - we believe the small details make a big difference to the enjoyment of the ride.

BECOME A STOCKIST OF OUR AWARD-WINNING LOCKS NOW

The Dare 2b cycle apparel collection incorporates cutting edge design and features for performance and rider comfort.

www.dare2b.com

sales@hiplok.com|01926 298747|facebook.com/hiplok BIKEBIZ.COM

BIKEBIZ OCTOBER 65

The world’s most comprehensive range of two wheeled puncture repair kits Popular Kits Containing all the basics needed for simple puncture repair Box of 25 01012 Box of 25, printed with dealer’s name and address 01025 Cure-C-Cure World famous kits with automotive quality feather edged patches Box of 25 01003 Box of 25, printed with dealer’s name and address 01026 Box of 10 Motorcycle Kits 01004 Box of 12 Narrow Profile Kits 01006 Cure-C-Cure Kits with Tools High quality Cure-C-Cure kits with additional tools Box of 10 Kits with Tools 01007 Box of 10 Kits with Tools and Inflator 01024 Red Devil Self Seal Patches Strong and reliable patches for quick, clean repair Carded Patches 04006 Carded Repair Kit with Tyre Lever 06011 Carded Kit 01021 Dispenser with 25 Kits 01022 Carded Display with 12 Kits 01027 Display Box with 12 Kits 01031 Display Jar with 36 Kits 01023 Flat-Fix Kit 01020 Airtite Kit A quality repair kit at a budget price Box of 25 01016 Jetvalve Tyre Inflation System Instant C02 inflation for all valve types Carded Inflator 07008 Carded C02 Cylinder 07007 Box of 5 C02 Cylinders 07009

Ask your wholesaler for details

MADE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM

66 BIKEBIZ OCTOBER

weldtite.co.uk • weldtite.co.uk/twitter • weldtite.co.uk/facebook

BIKEBIZ.COM

SECTOR GUIDE

Trailers & Car Racks Whether your customer’s after a rack to take the family cycling in the Lakes or a suction cup to transport their electric bike, it’s all available. Mark Sutton explores some of the carrier product currently proving popular...

DISTRIBUTOR: MOORE LARGE CONTACT: 01332 274200 The Outeredge cargo range starts with a trailer base frame and wheel set, retailing at £158 and then a choice of standard or delux ABS trailer box, wooden trailer platform and wire basket platform. All trailers conform to EN15918 when fully assembled.

DISTRIBUTOR: ZYRO CONTACT: 01325 741200 Minoura’s new Vergo Excel, retailing at £109.99, offers a sleek proﬁled aluminium body with two quick release fork supports. These can be positioned sideways, and forwards/backwards with quick release ﬁxings to attach to your customer’s van or MPV.

DISTRIBUTOR: FISHER OUTDOORS CONTACT: 01727 798345

DISTRIBUTOR: MADISON

New to the UK, SeaSucker are an all-American company who began making chairs for boat decks back in 2005. Today, they focus their attention on creating premium bike racks that are suitable for cars of any size. Innovative vacuum formed ﬁxtures lock racks incredibly securely with the pump of a button. All racks are tested on tracks at 140mph, so you can be sure they are safe for your customer’s car.

CONTACT: 01908 326 000

DISTRIBUTOR: PALIGAP

Thule has added the VeloCompact 926 three bike carrier. It’s the ﬁrst equipped with the next generation tow ball coupling. Thanks to the increased load capacity the Thule VeloCompact 926 can carry up to four bikes by adding an adapter.

CONTACT: 01454 313116 The Saris Bones 3, as the name suggests, will cart three bicycles around on its engineered resin frame, which boasts to have been built with 100 per cent recyclable and non-rusting materials. The Bones 3’s arced design will ﬁt over a car’s spoiler in many cases and will comfortably attach to most sedans, hatchbacks and minivans. A lifetime warranty is offered as standard with Bones 3.

BIKEBIZ.COM

DISTRIBUTOR: PENDLE CONTACT: 01282 699555 Producing just racks and trailers, Pendle are experts in the ﬁeld. The ﬁrm produces type approved trailers for six or 12 bikes. There’s a wide range or tow bar mounted racks. There are heavy duty versions for e-bikes and even an option for carrying trikes too.

BIKEBIZ OCTOBER 67

NEW FROM THE POWERBAR INNOVATION FACTORY ®

Ironman? Tour de France? Or just a Sunday training ride? PowerBar® products have been providing athletes the power to push through boundaries for over 25 years. In 1986 PowerBar® developed the world’s ﬁrst energy bar, we haven’t stopped pushing since and neither should you. Millions of athletes all around the World use PowerBar® products to fuel their goals and dreams, from ﬁrst timers to professional athletes our products are always close to hand.

NEW

FIRST ENERGY WAFER + C2MAX

NEW

ZERO CALORIE SPORTSDRINK + 5 ELECTROLYTES

NEW

FIRST ENERGY SMOOTHIE WITH C2MAX

www.PowerBar.co.uk To ﬁnd out more about the new PowerBar® products please contact: Fisher Outdoor Leisure on 01727 798 340 (for all England, Scotland & Wales enquiries) or Life Cycle on +353 1 843 3712 (for all Ireland & Northern Ireland Enquiries)

SECTOR GUIDE

Road bikes and accessories Still the headlining category on the cycle retail stage, road has a wide ranging selection of product on offer. Jonathon Harker steers through some of the stocking options

DISTRIBUTOR: BOB ELLIOT CONTACT: 01772 459887

DISTRIBUTOR: 2PURE

CONTACT: 0844 811 2001

The all-new NeilPryde Nazare2 aero road bike promises wind cheating aerodynamics, using NeilPryde’s C6.9 ultra-high modulus carbon ﬁbre and tipping the scales at 920g. 2pure also supplies Eddy Merckx and the brand new Mourenx69, a high performance bike designed for endurance racing. Elsewhere in the portfolio there are La Sal gloves from Lizard Skins, DSP Grips and Mio Global heart rate monitoring (with no chest strap).

Bob Elliot brings Zefal to the trade, including road focused Air Profil Micro Mini Pumps, made from 100 per cent aluminium for durability and weight. At just 165mm it can easily fit in the pocket, while packing a 7bar/100psi puff. Also hitting the road market is the Shield R30 mudguard set, covering 80 per cent of the wheel and earning the respect of your fellow, unsplashed riders. The firm also distributes Velox Guidoline ‘High Grip’ bar tape.

DISTRIBUTOR: CHICKEN CYCLEKIT CONTACT: 01525 381347 The new 2015 Tifosi range has been given a fresh look, with new logos, graphics and brand new POS. Four new models have been added which fall under the £1,000 mark and include Campy builds, broadening appeal to a much wider audience with bikes at competitive retail prices, and with all important good margins, says Chicken. The bikes are due to land around October.

DISTRIBUTOR: FISHER OUTDOOR LEISURE

CONTACT: 01727 798340

LOOK is among Fisher’s key road bike offerings. The brand has been forging frames from carbon fibre for over two decades and can consider itself a bit of a specialist in the material having built the first carbon fibre frame to win the Tour de France (back in 1986). The 796 Aerolight is amongst the latest from the brand, available in two versions – Aerolight (integrated brakes) and Light (conventional brakes). BIKEBIZ.COM

BIKEBIZ OCTOBER 69

SECTOR GUIDE

DISTRIBUTOR: HOTLINES

CONTACT: 0131 319 1444

The Cratoni C-Blaze Road follows the success of the MTB version. Rapid Lock Adjustment System can be adjusted by one hand and an in-moulded insect net keeps critters out. Meanwhile, Lapierre’s Sensium frame combines elements of the Race and Sports series. The 2015 Sensium 400 (£1699) features a full Shimano Ultegra drivetrain and Mavic Aksium One wheels. Also from Hotlines comes Gaerne’s G.Stilo Shoes, handmade leather Italian shoes featuring Boa closure, injection mounted plastic anatomic heel cup and an EPS Light Weight full carbon sole.

DISTRIBUTOR: I-RIDE CONTACT: 01444 243000 Argon 18 and De Rosa are two of i-ride’s primary road bike offerings. The Nitrogen is Argon 18’s ﬁrst aero road bike, upholding the brand’s ‘optimal balance’ philosophy of lightweight, rigidity and comfort with enhanced aerodynamics. De Rosa has released a new colour for the slightly unhealthy sounding Super King, based on the Vini Fantini-Nippo race team. Look out for the Idol Disc Bike at the forthcoming Cycle Show.

DISTRIBUTOR: SPORTLINE CONTACT: 0870 034 7226

DISTRIBUTOR: MOORE LARGE

Sportline’s road bike offering has broadened this year with the launch of Rapide, a nine-bike line-up from the makers of Ridgeback. The adult range starts at £649.99 and reaches £2,999.99 for the range topping Rapide RC4. Two kids bikes are in the range – 24-inch and 26-inch – both for £399.99.

Forza has a full complement of road-based components from wheels and saddles to handlebars, forks, stems, seatposts and more. The Belgian brand splits its components over three levels: Stratos, Cirrus and Cirrus Pro, with Stratos at the entry-level and featuring trickle down tech.

70 BIKEBIZ OCTOBER

CONTACT: 01332 274200

BIKEBIZ.COM

Thursday 16th October 2014 The Bloomsbury Ballroom, London

With an audience including over 150 media guests, including representatives from: IPC, Factory Media, Singletrack, Dennis Publishing, Rouleur, road.cc, The Guardian, The Times, The Independent, Telegraph, Metro, Time Out, GQ, Menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Health, Esquire, Marie Claire, Elle, FHM, Top Sante, %%& 6N\ 6SRUWV (XURVSRUW 6DERWDJH 7LPHV +XIÃ&#x20AC;QJWRQ 3RVW &KDQQHO DQG ,PPHGLDWH 0HGLD

THE CATEGORIES

For media enquiries contact: lcarter@nbmedia.com For sponsorship opportunities, contact: ceagles@nbmedia.com

Cycling Magazine of the Year Cycling Website of the Year Best Use of Photography The Steve Worland Award â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Specialist Writer â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Print. Specialist Writer â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Online Coverage in a National Newspaper Coverage in a Style Magazine Coverage in a Health & Fitness Magazine Coverage by a Mainstream Website Broadcast Coverage Cycling Podcast of the Year Cycling Campaign of the Year

SECTOR GUIDE

DISTRIBUTOR: ORBEA

CONTACT: www.orbea.com

Orbea’s 2015 Orca is said to be 24 per cent stiffer and 20 per cent lighter than the 2014 model. How has it managed that, you might reasonably ask? One reason is thinner seat tubes and a minimised number of aluminium inserts, redesigned to cut down on unwanted bulk too. A traditional seat collar replaces the aero collar of the 2014 Orca – the top tube is robust at the head tube where it contributes to torsional stiffness, but tapers to limit unnecessary material.

DISTRIBUTOR: PALIGAP CONTACT: www.paligap.cc While best known for its mountain bikes, Marin also covers the road with the Argenta and Ravenna WFG bikes, the latter designed for women riders, with frames constructed from lightweight 6061 aluminium-alloy. Argenta frames feature Endurance Fit geometry – a longer wheelbase, shorter cockpit and relaxed head tube angle, for greater comfort and stability. Paligap also brings Avanti and MEKK to the trade, the latter of which has increased its line-up for 2015.

DISTRIBUTOR: POWERBAR

DISTRIBUTOR: ZYRO

CONTACT: (FISHER) 01727 798340

CONTACT: www.zyrob2b.co.uk

Energize Wafer is one of PowerBar’s newer concepts, launched earlier this year, an easy to eat wafer/energy bar combo. Easily split into two pieces, it comes in Berry Yoghurt or Chocolate Peanut. Another 2014 launch for the high proﬁle brand was the Performance Energy Blends, which feature a tasty fruit smoothie taste due to natural fruit ingredients and, via PowerBar’s own C2Max Carb Mix, is effective as a gel.

Abus’ Combiflex Pro (90cm, £19) is a lightweight lock ideal for café stops or for securing accessories. Cateye’s Strada Slim (£49) is a super sleek aerodynamic computer, even using less battery and a sensor that is 47 per cent thinner. Camelbak’s Podium 610/710ml (from £8.99) features improved squeezability (says Cycling Weekly), while Fenwick’s Road Lube (£9.99) keeps the running smooth, clean and silent. Genuine Innovations’ Hammerhead Compact CO2 inflator (£19.99) is on hand to re-inflate on the road, while SKS’s Spaero Sport Alu pump (£34.99) has a presta screw on head that attaches to an extendable hose.

72 BIKEBIZ OCTOBER

BIKEBIZ.COM

BIKEBIZ OCTOBER 73

74 BIKEBIZ OCTOBER

BIKEBIZ.COM

SEND PRODUCT DETAILS INCLUDING A HI-RES PHOTO AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRODUCT TO…

RETAIL ONLY

msutton@nbmedia.com or call 01992 535646 for a chat

NEW PRODUCTS

BOMBTRACK HOOK Triton imports: 02085080682 Bombtrack has added the Hook, set to retail at £1,399.99. Developed with Olaf Wit and made from Columbus steel, there’s a carbon fork up front, as well as Continental Cyclo Cross Race 35c tyres and Mavic’s Crossone disc hubs. The WeMakethings produced range is found with Triton Imports.

This month we trawled the halls of Eurobike, cornering brand managers to bring you...

CLARKS M2 Zyro: 01325 741200 A product of note from Eurobike is the new M2, Clarks’ first mineral oil unit carrying a dual 22mm piston. The lightweight nylon lever provides firm two-finger action, capable of 112 NM stopping power. IS and post mount fittings will be included.

NORTHWAVE AERO EXTREME

CUBE BACKPACKS

Having linked with backpack specialist Deuter, you can be sure that Cube’s new backpack lines pack in the features. There are two ranges for 2015 – the smaller Pure line and a larger capacity AMS Series where you’ll really start to notice the subtle details.

i-ride: 01444 243000

Designed for the track, Northwave’s new ﬂagship Extreme Aero shoe looks the part with a dimpled effect that minimises drag. Built around a full carbon sole, the shoe takes either Speedplay or SPD cleats and features a quickly adjustable Boa dial that makes sliding on and off a doddle.

BIKEBIZ.COM

Direct to retail: 01905 798692

MOUSTACHE Direct to retail: +33 603 803810 With designer Philippe Starck, Moustache Bikes has added the M.A.S.S line – short for mud, asphalt, sand and snow. The snow, pictured here, has a mono arm fork to reduce snow build up.

BIKEBIZ OCTOBER 75

RETAIL ONLY

SEND PRODUCT DETAILS INCLUDING A HI-RES PHOTO AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRODUCT TO… msutton@nbmedia.com or call 01992 535646 for a chat

SRAM GUIDE RSC Fisher: 01727 798345

WETHEPEOPLE CADENCE

The new Guide brake line is made up of three tiers – the R, RS and RSC. Described as a brake capable of all applications, even downhill, the key thing about the series is the level of reliability and modulation SRAM has built into a highly detailed brake lever.

CSG UK: 01202 732288

WeThePeople has tweaked plenty of its frames for 2015, including subtle touches like the taller head tube on the Sterling. Dan Foley’s signature Cadence frame is the only fresh addition and will land with CSG during November, with a retail price of £289.

GIRO ALPINE DURO Zyro: 01325 741200 One of the new shoes drawing interest on the Giro stand was the new £149 AlpineDuro, a weatherproofed shoe sporting a Vibram IceTrek sole that is bound to add plenty of traction underfoot. There’s subtle reﬂective detailing and a waterproof liner clad with PrimaLoft insulation. Scuff guards add toe and heel longevity.

CEEPO MAMUSHI XC

Velotech Services: 01789295470

Ceepo’s ﬁrst MTB has been produced for Ceepo athlete Guy Crawford. The XC bike concept has now become a production model rolling on 27.5 wheels and built to an XT spec, with ﬁnishing kit from Deda and Rock Shox.

ORBEA ORDU

KNOG QUDOS

Direct to retail: 01449 711632

Moore Large: 01332 274200

The Ordu platform is an eye-catching prospect for dealers with a large triathlon customer base for 2015, with builds starting at £1,699 for the 11-speed 105 clad M30, and at the top of the pile, the £7,999 Ordu M-LTDi.

Once again Knog’s first to the party with a nifty little idea for the film enthusiasts among us. Introducing the 400-lumen Qudos to the Eurobike crowds, the firm has come up with a rechargeable unit tailored to the lighting requirements of not only helmet cameras like the GoPro, (whose dimensions it matches) but DSLRs and many others. A Sony helmet cam specific mount is also in the works.

76 BIKEBIZ OCTOBER

BIKEBIZ.COM

CONQUER MOUNTAINS, CLIMB PODIUMS. NEW ORCA. Luz Ardiden. Alpe d’Huez. Empire. Mortirolo. Flagstaff. Marmolada. Hautacam. La Pandera. Galibier. Angrilu. La Linea. Navacerrada. Maybe you’ve experienced some of these cycling monuments. Perhaps they are only jagged lines the maps and UVCIG RTQƂNGU QH [QWT KOCIKPCVKQP 6JG GOQVKQP KU KPGUECRCDNG – these names incite passion and memories of heroic struggles between the giants of cycling, impossible feats made painfully real by competitors who refused to surrender. It’s these storied climbs and the riders who made them sacred that inspired the newest Orca. An Orca born from competition and love of cycling, ready to write history on pavement everywhere.

78 BIKEBIZ OCTOBER

BIKEBIZ.COM