Bicycle Retailer - April issue (Elby ad page 8-9) by ElbyMobility

Spring is here and so is our Gear Guide. APRIL 2021

Starting on page 18

What’s in a name?

IN THIS ISSUE Check out industry earnings reports for four companies. Page 22

Before committing to a ‘Brand X,’ check for liability coverage, experts say By Dean Yobbi

MINNEAPOLIS — Sco Chapin first realized the degree of liability risk that lesser-known brands can pose when talking with a West Coast e-bike retailer client about his inventory a few years ago. “A light bulb went on, and I thought, ‘I’m not familiar with that brand,’” said Chapin, a bicycle industry risk specialist with Marsh & McLennan Agency, recalling in February the conversation. “It was like half of the brands (the retailer carried) did not have insurance at all, and the others had foreign-domicile insurance, which if you talk to an a orney, they’ll verify those foreign-domicile insurers

Patent Watch: Pedalbased power meter expansion likely after recent mergers and acquisitions. Page 22

BRAND X page 14

As spring sales resume, supply chain remains the challenge

Engin Cycles ramps up the manufacturing of components. Page 23 STATE of RETAIL

By Steve Frothingham

Who are the biggest bike retailers in the US? different kind of project. How did we do it? First we defined what we were MILWAUKEE — There are lists of America’s best bike looking for: the 10 largest-grossing retailers who sell shops and of the “top 100” bike shops. But, BRAIN IBD-quality bikes primarily through brick-and-morbeing a dollars-and-cents kind of business maga- tar stores. zine, we set out to identify America’s largest: The BRAIN’s mission is to be a news source for the Big BRAIN Ten. entire industry, including mass merchants, e-comNo subjective reviews, no rankings or votes or opt- merce, sporting goods stores, non-profits, and the in fees from the stores. And, sorry, retailers won’t smallest, most wonderfully independent, operaget stickers for their windows. Not that there’s any- tions. We love them all and we have other Big BRAIN thing wrong with those approaches. This was just a BIGGEST page 12 By Ray Keener

Karen Malogorski, Co-owner, Bikes Plus Inc., Memphis, Tennessee

How does your shop engage with advocacy on a local or national level, and what types of advocacy do you think are most effective ? page 10

TAICHUNG, Taiwan — By most accounts, U.S. retail bike sales resumed their 2020 momentum as the snow began melting around the country. Many stores, in the Sun Belt and the Snow Belt, reported they had their best January and February sales in history. But as the first quarter closed with vaccination rates climbing and alternative recreational opportunities returning in some states, at least a few managers in the supply chain admi ed to some nervousness. “I do think about what will happen if spring comes around and people have moved on,” said a Taiwan-based product manager for one major brand. The manager noted that many Taiwanese manufacturers were dubious about a continued “boom” in SUPPLY CHAIN page 15

DASHBOARD

April 2021

U.S. wholesale bike inventory and sell-in, 12 months trailing January 2021 $350M Inventory, all bikes

$300M

Sell-in, all bikes

$250M $200M $150M

TOOL BOARD SHOP QUALITY TOOLS FOR PROFESSIONAL MECHANICS

$100M $50M $0M

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Source: PeopleForBikes Coalition Sell-In Report

US Dollar Exchange Rates

Bike category growth in 2020 Year-over-year dollar sales through all kinds of retailers …

1 USD =

BMX: 22% Children's: 51% Electric Bicycles: 144% Frames: 30% Lifestyle/Leisure: 62% Mountain: 75% Other Bicycles: 59%

3/15/2021

9/15/2020

% difference

British Pound Sterling

0.72

0.78

7.7%

Canada Dollar

1.25

1.32

5.3%

Chinese Renminbi

6.50

6.78

4.1%

Euro

0.83

0.84

1.2%

109.13

104.42

-4.5%

Road: 49%

Japanese Yen

Tandem: 33%

Swiss Franc

0.93

0.91

-2.2%

Taiwan dollar

28.24

29.21

3.3%

Transit/Fitness: 71% Overall: 65% Source: The NPD Group/Retail Tracking Service

Source: IMF.org

HBH-3 Handlebar Holder DAG-3

Derailleur Hanger Alignment Gauge

QTH-1 Quick Change T-Handle Bit Driver

Fewer riders faced bicycle inventory shortages within past 6 months Yes 26%

Sept. '20 to Feb '21 March '20 to Aug '20

No 74%

Yes 39% 0%

No 61%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Online shoppers faced greater bicycle inventory problems than those shopping in-person Online

Yes 61%

In-person 0%

NEW SHOP TOOLS!

No 39%

Yes 20%

No 80% 20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

How did low inventories affect customers? Long wait times to receive my bike

55%

Purchased from an online source instead of in-store

45%

Paid increased prices

Source: People for Bikes

10%

20%

30%

40%

• The HBH-3 holds handlebars in place on any bike in any position while in a repair stand. Useful for brake bleeding, cable and housing routing and beyond. • The DAG-3 is an all-new iteration of our iconic derailleur hanger alignment tool, with pivoting indicator to accurately measure more bikes than ever before. • The QTH-1 is an ergonomic, professional-grade T-handled bit driver with magnetic “quick-change” functionality and eight common bits stored in a mountable holder. • The 2197 is an add-on accessory for the Park Tool DT-5 & DT-5.2 Disc Brake Mount Facing Set - over 100 times more effective at facing carbon fiber disc brake mounts.

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42% 0%

2197

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50%

60%

Learn more at peopleforbikes.org

READER FEEDBACK Lime invests $50 million in its e-bike micromobility service

Published March 1, BicycleRetailer.com

Walmart. Walmart customers are not IBD core customers. I say good job Vista. Take the money and make some more great products. — Dannie Nall

QBP’s Tauer: Industry does not represent who we serve

Published Feb. 19, BicycleRetailer.com

I genuinely believe the future is electric, but I defiI like it. Statements like this are mostly just good businitely question an investment of $50 million in bikeness decisions that feel late, but if QBP is puing in a milshare, with the pandemic all but killing share programs Cycling groups call for an end to lion bucks and going to shops to recruit and train BIPOC — even mass transit is taking a hit. Without a doubt, helmet laws after a study showed talent, well, that’s actually a meaningful move. They are people are going to return to mass transit and shared inequity of enforcement the muscle in the industry and should show some moral micromobility, but I can’t imagine it will ever return to Published Feb. 23, BicycleRetailer.com conviction so that the rest of us have a model to go by. pre-pandemic highs. So this is great. As the article mentions, we made the change here in — Robbie Wood — Timothy Vance Jackson Tacoma (Washington) last year. Helmet laws are well-intentioned, and helmet use is a good idea, but in practice Great article and good things going on there. Any help Blackburn accessories will they serve to reduce access and disproportionately im- that people can get to break into the cycling industry be available at Walmart pact those who can least afford it. is a good thing. It is kind of ridiculous to make a firm Published Feb. 25, BicycleRetailer.com There’s clear evidence that increased cycling infrastruc- statement like that — “Industry does not represent who ture, awareness, and a higher percentage of riders (“mode we serve” — and put it on the entire industry though. Hey, who is kidding whom? Bell’s business has been drop- share”) reduce injuries, not helmet laws. Perhaps QBP should step out a bit and look at different ping at Walmart for years, and they are geing desperate. — Tyler Stetson shops, manufacturers, and cycling companies, and they Only problem is that most Walmart shoppers have never may find the cycling industry isn’t as bad and non-incluheard of Blackburn. Ending helmet laws is a bad idea. Even if there is a per- sive as they think it is. — John Cummings ceived enforcement bias, this is the wrong way to address — Brent Van Eps it. This will simply give the message that riding sans helmet Blackburn in Walmart is brilliant. As a former product is OK and in turn cause many more head injuries as a result. manager for Blackburn at Bell Sports and then a mass Even a small mishap can cause one to hit their head, and Lance Bohlen, 64, dies after product category manager, I know the financial power of without a helmet, that could lead to serious consequences. long battle with lung cancer Published Feb. 16, BicycleRetailer.com Walmart. The money made by selling some select prod- — Michael Paese ucts branded Blackburn will not hurt the IBD dealers. But I came on board toward the end of Lance’s tenure at FSA, those sales will generate a lot of profit for Vista Outdoor but in the short time I knew him, I really got to like him. that can be reinvested in expensive innovative product SRAM buys Time’s pedal business He was a great leader, and I enjoyed working with him. He development. The millions of dollars generated by the from Rossignol Group is the type of leader I strive to emulate. I always enjoyed mass tire, tube, and pump businesses that I managed Published Feb. 22, BicycleRetailer.com his industry stories during our Friday lunches. He was a at Bell Sports were the most profitable categories. The great man and will be dearly missed. RIP, Lance. money paid for a lot of wonderful innovative new prod- It’s about time that SRAM made some pedals. — Michael O’Haegher ucts. IBD customers do not go shopping for bike gear at — Jason A. Fenton

IN the NEWS

NEWS BRIEFS

SRAM buys the Time Sport pedal and shoe business from Rossignol Group CHICAGO — SRAM has completed the purchase of the Time Sport pedal business from Rossignol Group. The acquisition adds another brand to SRAM’s portfolio of RockShox, Avid, Quarq, Zipp, and Truvativ and gives it a distinct pedal brand and technology should it choose to re-enter the growing market for pedal-based power meters. Other than Truvativ flat pedals and PowerTap power meter pedals — which it recently stopped selling — SRAM has not previously been in the pedal business, although the Chicago company offers virtually every other component for road and mountain bikes. The companies did not release the purchase price. About a month before SRAM’s announcement, Rossignol Group sold its frame and bike business, including its TVM carbon factory in Gajary, Slovakia, to Cardinal Cycling Group. Cardinal is owned by U.S. industry veteran Tony Karklins and French engineer Martial Trigeaud. Cardinal and SRAM will operate separate businesses for the products — Cardinal’s bike and frame business will use the “Time Bikes” brand and SRAM will use the “Time Sport” brand.

Walmart stores will begin selling Blackburn Design accessories SCOTTS VALLEY, Calif. — Walmart will soon offer Blackburn Design accessories from 10 of the brand’s categories, including pumps, lights, locks, and tools. Blackburn, owned by Vista Outdoor, said in a news release it’s providing products to the big-box chain in order to “meet demand for quality accessories by bringing the product to a broader base of cyclists in the U.S.” In addition to being sold in all Walmart stores, Blackburn accessories will be available online through Walmart.com. Walmart is owned by the Walton family, which has growing interest in cycling. The family’s foundation has supported the development of bike trails, facilities, and events in its homebase of Bentonville, Arkansas, which has become a cycling destination. Walmart also unveiled the high-end bike brand Viathon almost two years ago. RZC Investments, founded by Tom and Steuart Walton, the grandsons of Walmart founder Sam Walton, made news in 2017 by buying a 95% share of the British clothing brand Rapha. RZC also has invested in Allied Cycle Works, the high-end bike manufacturer in Little Rock, Arkansas. Vista Outdoor also owns Bell Sports, whose products have been available at Walmart for years. Blackburn has designed and marketed accessories since 1975.

Veteran product developer and manager Lance Bohlen dies of cancer at 64 BURIEN, Wash.— Lance Bohlen, one of the industry’s most accomplished and knowledgeable veterans, died in February after an almost eight-year battle with lung cancer. Bohlen who had never smoked, had been in a race with the disease since his diagnosis in October 2013, Specialized Bicycle founder Mike Sinyard told BRAIN. Bohlen, who retired from FSA in July 2018 after serving as its U.S. managing director for six years, had spent more than 40 years in the industry. His career is a record book of quiet accomplishments — from frame builder to product developer to product manager, to product director for the French retail chain Decathlon and, later, with stints at Pacific, Specialized, KORE, and FSA. Sinyard credited Bohlen for Specialized’s entry into pro road team sponsorship. “I was into mountain biking; I wasn’t too interested in road racing, but he convinced me,” Sinyard said. “Lance was a heck of a rider and he was so determined to beat this, but it’s hard to beat cancer,” said Sinyard.

Saris and retailers team up for World Bicycle fundraiser MADISON, Wis. — A fundraising drive headed campaign and helped dealers promote it. Some by Saris and 10 of the company’s top IBDs more dealers matched donations by their customers. than doubled its goal, raising enough funds for Besides Saris and Race Pace, David’s World World Bicycle Relief to deliver almost 1,000 of Cycle, Mack Cycle and Fitness, Jax Bicycle its Buffalo Bikes in Africa.The Pay It Forward Center, American Cycle and Fitness, Cahaba campaign, whose theme was “From our village Cycles and Bike World Iowa participated. to your village,” was initiated by Alex Obriecht, The program delivers bikes to African vilthe president of Race Pace, a Maryland retailer. lages, in particular to girls who use them to get “I got the usual ‘can you help us?’ email from to school. Each bike requires a $147 donation. World Bicycle Relief and I thought, I know Fortune has been a long-time contributor to enough people in the industry, what if I con- WBR and has been to Africa several times with tacted 12 or 15 people I know well and see if we the program. can all help out with this?” Obriecht told BRAIN. “It’s a fascinating model, and it’s life chang“Bike dealers had a really strong year, and many ing,” Fortune said. “It’s fuel for the soul and we of them are more comfortable perhaps making all need that especially now. Anybody in the a moderately significant contribution than they bike industry should be thinking about what might have been in a different year.” they can do for other people right now, not One of Obriecht’s first calls was to Chris what we can do for ourselves.” Fortune, the owner of Saris. He helped rally a The campaign raised $136,000, well over its group of retailers to run the fundraiser, start- $75,000 goals. Fortune said it will be repeated ing in the fall. WBR set up a website for the in fall 2021.

BRAIN is now part of Outside BOULDER, Colo. — Pocket Outdoor Media, the parent company to BRAIN, VeloNews, and nearly 30 other active living brands, purchased Outside magazine and Outside TV in February. POM has been renamed Outside. On the same day, POM announced the purchase of Gaia GPS, Peloton magazine, and athleteReg. “Adding these businesses to our portfolio and rebranding Pocket is a transformative moment for us,” says Robin Thurston, CEO of the new Outside. “These brands make our new company the world’s leading creator of active living content, experiences, travel, and services. We now deliver content to almost every home in America across every platform, screen, and device.” Pocket Outdoor Media (now Outside), has been scooping up brands and talent from all over the active lifestyle market. Last summer, POM acquired a suite of brands from Active Interest Media, including Backpacker, SKI, Climbing, Yoga Journal, SNEWS, and 13 others. Then, in October, the company acquired Big Stone Publishing, which published Rock & Ice, Gym Climber, and Trail Runner. And when A360 Media abruptly shu ered Powder, Bike, Surfer, and Snowboarder in December 2020, Thurston picked up the phone and started recruiting talent. The result: Sierra Shafer and Micah Abrams came on board to lead SKI and Warren Miller Entertainment. And

Nicole Formosa and several others from Bike were brought in to launch a new mountain bike brand: Beta. There were several other acquisitions during the fall of 2020, like Paleo magazine and FinisherPix, which provides photography at hundreds of bike races, triathlons, and other events. Peloton Magazine (no relation to the exercise equipment company) complements the company’s family of cycling titles, which includes VeloNews, VeloPress, VeloSwap, BRAIN, Triathlete, and Beta, as well as the event company Roll Massif. AthleteReg (which owns BikeReg) and FinisherPix are also very active in the cycling market. POM bought BRAIN from Emerald Expositions in February 2019.

April 2021

WASHINGTON — Transportation Secretary Pete Bu igieg said he was born in “car country,” but has been born again as a bike enthusiast. “I come from an auto-making part of the country, and we’re proud of it,” said Bu igieg, who spoke at the League of American Bicyclists’ National Bike Summit. “But we can definitely be more of a bicycling country,” he added. Bu igieg spoke knowledgeably about the challenges that cyclists face and the opportunities for the country if it increases cycling. But he didn’t propose any specific initiatives at the event.. In 2018, when he was mayor of his hometown South Bend, Indiana, the League awarded his city with the Silver Level Bike Friendly Community designation. Bu igieg noted then that South Bend had nearly 2% of its community members commuting by bicycle daily when its population was a li le more than 100,000 people. “If you just get to a certain tipping point, and it’s not much — about 2% in terms of the rate of people who commute to work by bike — you tend to see step changes in terms of safety, probably because motorists are more conscious and aware of people on bicycles as a

ma er of routine,” Bu igieg said. “So it’s just building up that culture of cycling.” Bu igieg said beyond anything he or his office can do, it starts with local policymakers. “I can help, but the more bo om-up it is the be er,” he said. “What I can say is that whether it’s hard resources or whether it’s moral support, you’re going to see a lot of energy coming from my office and my team to help move things along. We’re going to be a be er safer, cleaner, and greener country the more people have safe options to get around on two wheels.”

Fox Factory wins round in its long patent fight with SRAM WASHINGTON — A U.S. Patent and Trademark Office board sided with Fox Factory and invalidated parts of a key SRAM patent on its X-Sync wide-narrow chainrings. The board’s decision could lead to a resolution of several long-running patent-related suits between SRAM and Fox. The dispute dates to 2015, when SRAM sued RaceFace (which Fox acquired in 2014) for infringing on two of its chainring patents. Several other brands offering similar chainrings had agreed to license the X-Sync technology from SRAM, but RaceFace took it to court. Fox asked the U.S. Patent Trial and Appeal Board to review two patents. The board upheld the patents in 2018 but Fox appealed and the appeals court sent one of the patents back to board. On its second look in light of the appeals court ruling, the board invalidated SRAM’s patent claims that Fox had challenged. The patent claims specifically relate to the combination of two separate Fox Factory asked a USPTO board to review two SRAM chain-retaining features: alternating patents related to chain-retaining chainrings. The board wide-narrow teeth and teeth that are upheld one, but invalidated parts of the other. offset to the le (or “inboard”). Both features may have been seen before, but a novel invention. In its decision, the board SRAM claimed that combining them constitut- noted that it wasn’t clear that those combined ed a new invention, and argued that second- features were related to the secondary conary considerations — including market accep- siderations. SRAM and Fox Factory said they tance of the X-Sync design — showed it was would have no comment.

Before shareholders’ vote, Dorel terminates going-private agreement MONTRÉAL — Dorel Industries Inc. terminated a proposal that would have taking the company off the stock exchange. The termination came a day before shareholders were set to vote on accepting the deal. A group of executives backed by Cerberus Capital had offered to buy Dorel’s outstanding shares for CA$16 ($12.60), an offer that had to be approved by shareholders. The company said the termination came after discussions with shareholders and a review of proxy votes. The board voted unanimously to end the agreement. “Independent shareholders have clearly expressed their confidence in Dorel’s future and the greater potential for Dorel as a public entity,” said Dorel’s president and CEO, Martin Schwartz, who was one of the executives behind the bid. Dorel owns Cannondale, Schwinn, and other brands. In March Dorel announced that its 2020 revenue was $2.76 billion, up 4.9% over 2019. In Dorel Sports, the division that contains the bike brands, sales were up 15% in 2020.

BTI restructuring to give employees larger say in strategic decision making SANTA FE, N.M. — Bicycle Technologies International has recently restructured as an Employee Ownership Trust, which co-founder and president Preston Martin said benefits employees and gives them more voice in strategic decision making. The distributor is only the 13th company in the U.S. to establish an EOT, also known as a perpetual trust. The majority of BTI’s employees are now members of the trust. Martin and Andrew Wright founded BTI in Ashland, Oregon, in 1993. Martin acquired his partner’s shares when Wright died in 2015. At the end of 2020, Martin sold the company to the Trust. Martin said he will continue as president for the foreseeable future. “The EOT honors and rewards the contributions of those employees who have stuck with BTI through the highs and lows,” said Martin. “There has been a noticeable culture shift in recent months, with employee-members taking greater interest in our customers and suppliers, our systems, and the bottom line.” Unlike Employee Stock Ownership Plans, EOT is not a retirement program and employees do not receive an equity stake in the company. Instead the trust provides employees with profit sharing. According to Martin, the EOT does not share the same tax benefits as the ESOP, however, setup costs and annual administration fees are a fraction of the ESOP and the EOT is not subject to Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) requirements.

Mountain bike brand Eminent Cycles declares Chapter 11 bankruptcy SAN MARCOS, Calif. — Mountain bike brand Eminent Cycles, LLC has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The company listed debts of $1.4 million and assets of $139,000. The secured debt includes $320,000 that company founder and president Jeffrey Soncrant loaned his business in 2018; $640,000 invested by Humberto Zavaleta; and $448,000 owed to Stella Mondo, LLC, a San Diego company formed by Kevin Sigismondo. Sigismondo is an industry veteran was a founder of Eminent and of Valiant Components. According to court filings, Stella Mondo also is suing Eminent in a collections case. The only unsecured creditor listed is a $3,000 SBA loan. The company’s Chapter 11 filing includes a restructuring plan with cash flow and sales projections for the business through 2023. The document shows total 2020 sales of $681,000. The 2021 sales projection is $943,000, a 40% growth rate. The document also forecasts a 40% growth rate in 2023. In addition, the document shows a 2020 net loss of $127,000, with a projected 2021 loss of $49,000 and a projected 2023 net income of $93,000.

NEWS BRIEFS

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STATE of RETAIL

How does your shop engage with advocacy on a local or national level, and what types of advocacy do you think are most effective? CHRISTINA BAANDERS-DECKER Owner, Midwest Cyclery Kansas City, Missouri Lobbying for bike lanes and facilities, joining the National Bicycle Dealers Association, supporting PeopleForBikes, and partnering in our local community are all great ways to engage in advocacy; however, I believe that supporting local events and clubs is the activity that gives us the most immediate results and the one that is most directly felt within the shop. There’s nothing better than giving sag support to small local rides. We hand out water bottles and donate helmets. We also donate bikes to local National Interscholastic Cycling Association groups and our local kids’ cyclocross group. Many times, it goes unnoticed; other times, the support from club members is obvious. To continue the COVID bike boom, I think shops should create local events like shop rides, teach basic maintenance, and invite the community to build an even bigger community. JODIE GATES Partner, Oregon E-Bikes Hood River, Oregon E-bike policy evolves quickly, so one of our advocacy efforts is to stay current on the news and let customers know about opportunities to improve access and infrastructure for bikes. PeopleForBikes’ e-bike resources are hugely useful, and we support them, along with an awesome local group, the Hood River Area Trail Stewards. When we opened in 2016, “e-bike advocacy” was akin to education. We found the best path from “What is an e-bike?” to “I need an e-bike!” were lots of test rides. Having our staff out in the community riding every day is another great way to increase exposure to e-bikes on a grassroots level, and Earth Day has been a great way to kick off our season and connect the dots between riding e-bikes and reducing car use. SHAWNA MACAN Manager, Mojo Cycling Bentonville, Arkansas Local and national advocacy are both important. Most cities don’t have safe bike routes for people to get to work or school. Bicycle shops are getting more people on bikes, which in return gets more people advocating for multi-use trails and bike lanes. Bike rodeos, the National Interscholastic Cycling Association, and community events get the next generation ready to continue the push. We need the National Bicycle Dealers Association to help connect, educate, and support bike shops. We need PeopleForBikes to work in Washington and at the state level to create new policies and funding. With their help, we can prioritize bicycles for a healthier and viable form of transportation. We just became a member of the NBDA, and we’ve supported PeopleForBikes for years.

KAREN MALOGORSKI Co-owner, Bikes Plus Inc. Memphis, Tennessee There’s an overwhelming amount of advocacy efforts on the national, state, and local levels. It seems to me that the most effective efforts are those that provide resources like grants, legislation impacting infrastructure (like greenways and bike lanes) and materials that can be used locally. These efforts really provide an umbrella for advocacy. They provide funding and emphasis on our local cycling community. In addition, the National Bicycle Dealers Association and other national groups can be incredibly helpful in sharing the best practices of our peers and guiding local advocacy efforts. We’re seeing a huge number of new riders, so we are encouraging and educating them with local route maps, training in shifting, minor repairs, flat changing, air pressure, and so on. MICHAEL HALDEMAN Owner, SpokeWorks Bicycle Workshop Summerville, South Carolina I feel strongly that advocacy at the local government level can be extremely influential and that digging our roots into the local community is key. Our plans to hold monthly workshops were thwarted by the pandemic, but I’m hoping we can start these soon. I’m a member of a pedestrian and cycling advocacy group that locally brings attention to the lack of safe pedestrian and cycling lanes, and I have just been appointed to two county council boards. I’m hoping my experience is that government officials are open to local residents’ concerns when it comes to infrastructure and cycling, and that along with the residential and commercial growth of this area, that the infrastructure is able to grow at the same rate and with pedestrian and cyclist safety in mind. DALE MATTSON Owner, The Velo, World’s Smallest Bike Shop Claremont, California All the above is needed for advocacy. But more, better, bike lanes and facilities will grow the customer base, which is something our industry must focus on. Most important for me is using my bicycle registration app, bikenab.com, to bring awareness to bike owners about protecting against theft. Reducing theft keeps people riding, because bike theft is a major problem nationwide. Another thing I do is offer free service on the bikes I sell to members of the high school mountain bike team, and I also give bikes to the local homeless advocacy group, and rebuild and give away kids’ bikes. Kids with a good bike experience grow up to be adults that ride. It’s that simple. Great customer service leads to customer re-engagement. Build on that!

BRENT NOISETTE Owner, Twisted Spokes Bicycles John’s Creek, Georgia I think it is all of the above — local and national efforts. There are so many facets of support that are effective, but there is so much more work that needs to be done, especially with so many more people riding bikes in this new environment in which we find ourselves. Right now, we pretty much stay local. We do engage our city council regarding bike lanes and other items that the community deems necessary to promote a safe cycling environment. We also support local trail advocacy whenever we can. I believe we need to keep the people who have just found the joy of cycling (in whatever genre) engaged and make them aware of the advocacy groups and efforts that affect the community where they enjoy riding their bikes. MUNEER RADI General Manager, Spokes Wheaton, Illinois I believe all types of bike advocacy have a place and are important to make the community as a whole much stronger. There are so many different working levels and systems, but for us, the foundation is at the community level. We have been concentrating on partnering with our local elected officials to help get more cycling infrastructure, such as more connection points for our local multi-use path system. Some of the proposals have been approved. We also work with the local mountain bike advocacy group and help them with fundraising events, races, demos, and trail work days. I think the best advocacy is to gather the riding community together through email, or whatever you use for contacting your customer base. Find elected officials who are receptive to the outdoor community and help them appreciate the demand for cycling infrastructure. HOWARD CHUNG Co-owner, The Bicycle Planet Syosset, New York If I could pick only one bit of advocacy, it would be to create protected bike lanes á la New York City’s. Cycling clubs, organizations, and teams unfortunately had little to no influence on that game-changing result. It came down to the will of one person, Mayor Michael Bloomberg. I am supremely grateful for that. Unlike Mike, we as a store have decided to be much more micro in our approach. A few years ago, we decided to assign any of our limited resources (money and time) towards those organizations dealing with children. One of our big annual events is an end-of-year bike giveaway to children and families who cannot afford them. You wanna see joy incarnate? Come hang with us when we give those bikes away in December.

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FROM THE COVER

established by the Landry Family, and has been owned by the Henry family since the mid-1970’s; it’s now transitioning to 100% employee ownership. Over the past several years, Landry’s leadership has gradually transitioned from Peter and Tom Henry. The next generation has already assumed responsibility for the company’s current and future operations. As co-owners, Landry’s employees have a vested interest in collaborative teamwork and exceptional customer service. The staff ranges from 80 yearround to 200 in the height of the season. Mark Gray is the general manager and leads the company with a leadership team. “We of course want the bike boom to continue and we know it will break at some point,” Gray said. “If we do a great job now of building trust with new customers, the surge will last for decades. Helping people discover and enjoy cycling is true to our core mission,” Gray concluded. “We have a great history of doing that, and we’re always learning.”

BIGGEST

features in the works. But this month we focused here.

So, yes: We know some large e-commerce retailers are missing from the list. All the retailers on our list do e-commerce, but are primarily brick-and-mortar.

And, look: REI and Scheels are on the list. Even though bikes are a fraction of their businesses, they sell and service IBD-quality bikes (Scheels has been Trek’s largest retailer in the past).

But, sorry: Walmart, Target and Dick’s (and Amazon) aren’t on the list. Walmart and Target generally don’t sell or service IBD-quality bikes. And while the bikes Dick’s and some regional sporting goods chains sell are close to IBD quality, the industry has long viewed sporting goods retail as a distinct channel, with products and programs distinct from the specialty channel. To come up with Big BRAIN Ten, our staff brainstormed a list of 40 large retailers. We were confident the 10 largest would come from among the 40. Then we sent a web survey to a group of about 40 suppliers, retailers, and other industry folks. The group included representatives at all the largest bike brands, the largest distributors, trade association leaders, and consultants. We asked them rediscovery of cycling by the general pubto pick the largest-grossing 10 retailers lic will continue to sustain the most sigfrom among the list of 40. (We also let nificant interest in cycling since the early 1970s. These are wonderful times to be in them add any names we had le off). We examined the responses for con- our industry,” Conte concluded. sensus, and no heavy math was required: David’s World Cycle the 10 largest clearly stood out. It’s important to note we didn’t try to Year founded: 1989 rank the list. The profiles are in alphabeti- Number of locations: 21, all in Florida Brands carried: Trek, cal order. Electra, Salsa, Catrike Conte’s Bike Shop Owned by: David Sanborn Year founded: 1957 David’s World has grown from its Number of locations: 15, in Virginia, original location in Orlando to 21 stores. DC, North Carolina, Georgia and Florida Sometimes owner David Sanborn acBrands carried: Specialized, quires “tired or failing” shops; sometimes Cannondale, Orbea, Pinarello, he starts from scratch when he sees a marSanta Cruz, BMC ket he thinks will support a shop. Owned by: David Conte and Wayne Souza Until last year, when Sanborn opened Charles Conte Sr. opened the first shops in Gainesville, Tallahassee and Conte’s Bike Shop in Newport News, Jacksonville, his stores had all been along Virginia. His son David Conte grew up in the I-4 corridor. Locations range from the business and learned the trade at the 1,000 to 8,000 square feet. “It works for right hand of his father. Later David took us to go into bedroom communities and charge of the enterprise and in 2014 joined set up li£le stores six or seven miles apart,” forces with his life-long friend, Wayne Sanborn said. Souza, to form the Conte Bicycle Group. Sanborn still treats each store like a David continues to be inspired daily by start-up, allowing him to pivot quickhis role as COO. “First and foremost, it’s ly. “This year, we saw sales picking up in ‘happy retail,’” Conte said. “There are not April, ran a bunch of scenarios, and startmany retailing segments of our economy ed back-ordering bikes in April,” noted where you can change peoples’ lives each Sanborn. “Now we have product (orders) and every day.” pushed out to 2023.” From a broader perspective, Conte It’s his passion for cycling and ge£ing sees the opportunity in being a part of others involved that keeps Sanborn goAmerica’s transportation fabric, especially ing. “The smile on people’s faces comwith the rise of e-bikes. “Current invento- ing back from a test ride never gets old!” ry headwinds will abate over time, yet the he said.

Mike’s Bikes

Erik’s Bike Board Ski

Year founded: 1998 Number of locations: 12, all in Northern California Brands carried: Specialized, Santa Cruz, Public, BMC, Salsa Owned by: Ken Martin and Matt Adams Mike’s Bikes, with 260 employees across its retail locations, distribution center, and online fulfillment facility, is the youngest business on the Big BRAIN Ten. Ken Martin was the store manager at the original Sausalito location and has built the business through a combination of acquisitions and opening new locations. “In my 30 years of selling bikes, I’ve never seen a market like we’re in right now,” said Martin. “All the work we’ve put in to create great systems and procedures and to build sustainable infrastructure is really paying off during the bike boom.” “It’s so much fun to see so many thousands of new people on bikes, and my only hope is that we’re just at the beginning of this wave,” Martin continued. “If we can normalize supply, keep our staff happy and motivated, and keep all these new riders engaged and enjoying the sport, the future is very bright.”

Year founded: 1980 Number of locations: 30, in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, South Dakota, Kansas, and Missouri Brands carried: Specialized, Diamondback, Santa Cruz, Haro, Cervelo Owned by: Erik Saltvold “When I was 13, I received my first bicycle and it sparked my interest in bikes,” Saltvold said. “My first ‘bike shop’ was in my parent’s barn house and a simple homemade sign out front brought business to my doorstep.” Today Erik’s employs over 400. “I a£ribute our success and growth to being able to take calculated risks and being open to continually testing what really works — which has become increasingly important during the COVID pandemic,” noted Saltvold. “And most importantly, we invest in training and support for our staff, they are the ones that drive our success.” “I have never worked a day in my life REI Co-op and I am proud to say that many staff at Year founded: 1938 Erik’s would probably say the same thing. Number of locations: 168, We love what we do!” Saltvold concluded. in 39 states and DC Brands carried: Cannondale, Landry’s Bicycles Electra, Tern, Co-op Cycles, Year founded: 1922 Salsa, Ghost, Pure Cycles Number of locations: 7, all Owned by: 19 million co-op members in Massachusetts Across its stores, REI carries dozens of Brands carried: Trek, top bike brands, including its own Co-op Specialized, and others Cycles brand, designed by its in-house Owned by: Transitioning to bike team, with insights from REI mem100% employee ownership bers. The co-op continues to add high perLandry’s is one of the longest operating forming bike and e-bike brands to its asbike shops in America. The business was sortment to meet customers expectations.

April 2021

Each REI location has a full-service bike shop. Trek Bicycle stores “More people than ever fell in love with cy- Year founded: 1976 cling this last year and at REI we are commit- Number of locations: At least 100 ted to providing them the very best selection Brands carried: Trek, Electra of cycling gear, apparel, service and friendly Owned by: The Burke family Trek declined to be interviewed for this feaexpertise,” said Nate Nielsen, REI’s general manager for cycle. “We have made significant ture. In recent years, sources have told BRAIN investments in both our product assortments that Trek owns 125, 150 or even more stores in and customer experience to ensure ge ing ev- the U.S. Could be. Not all stores with “Trek” in erything you need to enjoy riding is more ac- their names are owned by Trek, so to estimate the location count, we looked at acquisition cessible than ever before.” REI does significant online bike sales, but the news articles we’ve reported or that we found consensus was their brick-and-mortar business in local media. We also looked at the locations of retail jobs that Trek Bicycle advertises. We alone puts them solidly in the Big BRAIN Ten. counted 98 locations and we likely missed Richardson Bike Mart some, although we doubt we missed 50. We do Year founded: 1962 know that Trek has added about 25 stores just Number of locations: Four, all in Texas in the last 12 months, including Mike Olson’s 13 Brands carried: Trek, Specialized, Trek Superstore and Bike Gallery locations — Giant, Electra, Cervelo Olson’s stores would have made the Big BRAIN Owned by: Ken “Woody” Smith Ten list if it hadn’t been acquired. Richardson Bike Mart has been a North When Trek acquires stores, it generally ofTexas institution for cyclists of all stripes. fers all employees jobs, with a minimum hourly It’s 27,000 square foot “mothership” store wage of $15 recently. Sales and service employin Richardson is one of the world’s largest. ees and store managers say they enjoy working Owner Ken “Woody” Smith got started BMX for the company, which offers benefits many racing in 1979 and joined the industry in 1983. independent retailers can’t. A¡er acquisitions, “The bike has saved my life in many ways,” Trek usually eliminates local senior and middle Smith said. “I love the way bikes can change management, along with warehouse and adpeople’s lives. Seeing this happen inspires me ministrative positions. So employees in those every day.” positions soon depart, even if they are offered As far as challenges to his success, Smith lower-level positions. Trek’s acquisitions can cited competition from vendors and shrinking change a market significantly, as the stores stop margins. Secrets to his success includes “God’s selling other brands that then have to rebuild grace, surrounding yourself with staff that are their dealer base there. positive, hardworking and grateful, with a servWheel & Sprocket ing heart.” Smith describes the environment for his Year founded: 1973 stores as “awesome now and very good before Number of locations: 10 locations COVID.” He plans to open a few more stores in Wisconsin and Illinois within the next 18 months and bring his online Brands carried: Trek, Electra, Felt, Salsa, Giant, TerraTrike, Riese+Muller, Tern, Yuba sales into the 21st century. Owned by: Amelia and Noel Kegel Scheels “Wheel & Sprocket is our family business, Year founded: 1902 it’s in our DNA, it’s intimately tied to who we Number of locations: 28, in 13 are in this world,” said Noel Kegel. “Our dad, states across the central U.S. Chris Kegel, had us on the 20-year persuasion Brands carried: Trek and a plan. In the end he won: the bike shop was just few kids and BMX brands too much fun.” Owned by: 100% employee-owned The Kegel siblings and their staffs run on Started by the Scheel family in as a small two principles: 1) Be a good person: balance hardware and general merchandise store, the passion and discipline; pursue self-improvecompany opened its first all-sports store in ment; exhibit kindness. 2) Run a good busi1986. While the stores feature over 80 catego- ness: understand how money works; win-win, ries of products, “cycling will always be a major or no deal; invest in relationships. emphasis,” Branden Scheel said. “Our 50-year legacy can only properly be Scheel, the bike shop supervisor at the honored by growing and succeeding in new 250,000 square foot Johnstown, Colorado, ways,” Noel concluded. “We earnestly believe store, pointed to the passionate commitment a community is be er when there is a Wheel & shared by the staff and customers. “We spon- Sprocket as part of it. While we are a large bike sor race teams in many markets, and we also shop, we have the soul of a small business. We put on Strider events for kids. Our employees work together as a family, we hustle, we have get out there and commute to work, we meet grit, and we work hard for our customers to and encourage people out on the trails as well.” earn their trust.” Scheels has a long history with Trek. “Working with Trek allows us to push out great The Number 11s bikes with a high degree of personal service,” The Big BRAIN Ten stood out from our consaid Scheel. “At the same time, we really fo- sensus survey, but two other retailers were cus on creating a comfortable experience with close behind: Jax Bicycle Center, with 10 stores our welcoming, wide-open shopping environ- in California, and Sun & Ski Sports, with 30 stores, in Texas and 11 other states. ments and no-pressure sales staff.”

Get after our new lineup. Stock up 2021 bike models.

Gecko 12”

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FROM THE COVER

BRAND X

selling bikes in the United States because this is a good opportunity,’” Chapin said. The lack of quality-control testing is what makes many of these brands risky, Chapin said, because you don’t know to what standard they were tested.

aren’t really providing liability coverage. So my client got extremely concerned.” That concern is growing now with the industry amid a supply shortage. Carrying brands without proper prod- Supply chain evolving uct liability insurance — or none at all E-bike retailer Chris Nolte has been in — will leave a retailer liable if the prod- business for 10 years and won’t let supuct causes injury. Even a shop building a ply-chain issues lower his standards for customer’s internet-purchased Brand X carrying only proven products. “In the beginning, we sold all sorts of bike could be liable because it would be stuff, and the reality is a large percentage the last to touch that bike. Chapin wants to get the word out of the brands we started working with no longer exist,” said Nolte, owner of Propel about these risks. He addressed the topic in a short vid- Electric Bikes in Long Beach, California. eo recently on the Marsh & McLennan “From my side, I take ownership as a reAgency website, and urges retailers to ask tailer whether I’m ethically, morally, or brands they’ve never heard of to provide legally responsible. I feel responsible to a certificate of insurance, with a name take the ownership for that customer, and we have to support them.” and address, and limits of liability. A orney James H. Moss, who specialChapin can see from his clients’ social media posts that some are selling “Brand X.” izes in outdoor recreation and manufac“It could very well be (these brands) turer legal issues, said retailers need to have no insurance or don’t have the use caution adding an unknown brand. “It might not ma er for bo le cages proper insurance. But I can guarantee 99.9% of bicycle retailers are assuming or handlebar tape, but frames, compothat if somebody comes in to set up a nents, anything that could be the cause dealer relationship, that the manufac- of an accident, even if the manufacturer would win, the cost of winning could be turer has insurance.” Because of supply shortages, retailers enormous,” Moss said. He also noted that retailers should not are under pressure to get bikes and might be willing to trust an unheard of brand. only check to see if a brand is insured but “And of course the new brands that are also to see where the insurance compaoverseas are like, ‘We’re going to start ny is based because if it’s coming from

What retailers can do:

China, “getting support may be non-existent,” Moss said. Moss said a lot of retailers’ in- While stocking products from name-brand mansurance policies require purchas- ufacturers is not a concern, retailers need to be ing products only from manu- careful carrying new or lesser-known manufacturers as the supply-chain shrinks. A brand withfacturers offering a certificate of analysis, confirming a prod- out proper or domestic-domicile insurance can leave you liable for that product. uct meets specification. If sued over an uninsured manufactur Make sure products you sell have domestier’s product, a retailer would not cally domicile-product liability insurance. have access to the manufacturer’s information that could win the Request a certificate of insurance and subcase, said Moss, who added know- mit to your insurer for review. ingly carrying uninsured products could increase damage awards be- Request an insurance audit with your agent to review all certificates of insurance. cause the retailer knew the brand was “shady.” Understand that the size of your business Foregoing insurance increases determines your exposures. Your risk toleroperating profit for these man- ance will determine liability coverage, and it’s ufacturers, said attorney Steve different for each retailer. Hansen, who offers product lia Only carry products backed with liability bility defense for manufacturers, distributors, and retailers in rec- coverage and technical support. reational ma ers. “And since they don’t get quizzed on it very o en, “This is particularly important bethey can operate in the darkness with cause U.S. law can render every entity in impunity,” Hansen said. “Ignorance and the supply chain responsible for complimaking unfounded assumptions can be ance with the Consumer Product Safety very costly.” Commission’s bicycle safety regulations, Alex Logemann, policy council for including the manufacturer, importer, PeopleForBikes, which merged with the distributor, and retailer,” Logemann said. Bicycle Product Suppliers Association, Bildabike owner Daniel Einhorn, said the group encourages retailers to who was a full-time retailer for several carefully review supplier relationships to years, said he’s seen demand for comensure they’re carrying products meet- ponents driving the growth of lessering industry standards. known brands with one of his suppliers

April 2021

offering him a 12-speed drivetrain made by LTwoo. “I declined, not based on the liability issue, but because I was worried about brand recognition and customer perception,” Einhorn said. “The LTwoo drivetrains actually do have pre¨y good reviews on Amazon.” On the subject of Amazon, Moss noted two appeals court decisions in which the mail-order behemoth could be held liable for defective products sold by third-parties on its site. In one, a woman was injured in 2016 when a laptop battery she bought that exploded. Amazon argued it’s simply an online marketplace facilitator, helping manufacturers reach customers globally, and not a retailer or distributor that’s subject to product liability. Amazon is appealing the decision.

E-bike batteries a concern

Ba¨ery fires also are a concern with ebikes, and some of the sources BRAIN contacted noted the elevated worries with Brand X e-bike batteries. In FROM THE COVER

SUPPLY CHAIN the U.S., Europe, and elsewhere. That’s partly because Taiwan has been isolated from the pandemic — the island locked down tight early in 2020 and recorded just 10 deaths and less than 1,000 cases in the next 14 months. In a April story, The New York Times called Taiwan a “Bubble of Normality” and “an oasis.” A reminder: This is where most of our bikes and parts come from. “I’m not sure everyone here understands what’s going on (in the U.S. and European bike markets), because things are so normal,” the product manager said. That might contribute to a generally conservative approach among Taiwan’s bike manufacturers to increasing production capacity, he said.

Ramped Up

By all accounts, manufacturers are stepping up their game to meet demand. “Three months into the pandemic the surge of orders began and we ramped up every aspect of our production, in some cases more than doubling it,” said Michael Zellmann, SRAM’s senior corporate and road communication manager. “We have hired hundreds of qualified staff, increased the number of shi£s at every production location, invested millions of dollars in facilities, assembly, and capital equipment, and maximized production efficiency. We are running every shi£ available and at full capacity,” he said. A Shimano Europe spokesman told Singletracks.com that the Japanese giant had increased production by 150% in 2020, although otherwise Shimano has li¨le to say publicly.

fact, Nolte said he made the decision this year to only carry brands that are Bosch-powered. “Some would say that’s the craziest idea ever — what are you doing, you’re limiting your possible supply at a time when supplies are limited,” Nolte said. “Historically, there’s been plenty of fires. Their products are UL tested, and no one else is really doing it. The way I look at it, Bosch has airbags and nobody else has airbags.” With supply-chain issues continuing for the foreseeable future, Einhorn said he expects retailers and manufacturers to be in the market for substitutions. “As fools rush in, there will probably be a lot of sub-quality and weird off-brand stuff showing up in the next year or two from factories that just booted up to try to take advantage of the boom,” he said. And retailers need to do their due diligence with supply tightening. “I call it a false economy,” Nolte said. “People say, ‘This thing is cheaper!’ OK, but what corners did they cut? And there’s o£en a lot of that. It’s a challenging situation.”

Louis Garneau hopes to go public in 2 years, with assistance from e-bikes By Steve Frothingham

SAINT-AUGUSTIN-DE-DESMAURES, Québec — Just a few months after emerging from Canada’s equivalent to Chapter 11 bankruptcy, Louis Garneau Sports’ president said his goal is to take the company public in two years. He’s planning on e-bike sales providing a boost toward that goal. “Just like an Olympic athlete, we needed a few years to prepare for this great race,” said former Olympic cyclist Louis Garneau, the company’s founder and president. The company filed for creditor protection in March 2020, listing debts of CAN$32.7 million ($23.9 million at the time). In December, the company announced that it would relaunch following an investment from a Montréal

investment firm and support from a program created to help a¨ract and retain businesses in Québec. Company founder Louis Garneau remains the majority shareholder. “Louis Garneau Sports has reached a point in its existence where it will have to constantly innovate and invest to be able to hold its own on the global market and I feel the best way to do that is through the stock exchange. I want to be a part of the Quebec, Inc.,” Garneau said in March. He said a priority has always been to keep the company owned by Canadians. The bankruptcy did not affect Garneau’s U.S. operations, which are based in Vermont. Garneau said the company is profitable again and exceeded its budgets for its summer and winter apparel lines. He said the plan developed with the company’s new investors calls for Louis Garneau Sports to become “an important player on the global e-bike market.”

Major U.S. bike and component brands which will help satisfy global demand for to place large orders for delivery many says they’ve seen the increases, but note those bikes. months in advance. that manufacturers in Taiwan, China, and But mostly it’s the way small brands The reason is mostly conservatism elsewhere have been reluctant to make about continued consumer demand post- do business that got them squeezed out major capital investments in new facto- pandemic. It’s also partly because the bike in 2020. ries or in production of products that re- industry largely views its manufacturing These brands depend on being able to quire expensive machinery and facilities, future as being outside China and Taiwan, jump on new product trends and bring inlike suspension forks, derailleurs and so any new major factories will likely be in novative products to market quickly. They chains. Southeast Asia. But it’s difficult to build often, place small, just-in-time orders, As the Taipei Cycle Online show new factories there during a pandemic. keep inventory minimal and stay a step opened in April, representatives from One example: Velo, the Taiwan-based ahead of the giant multi-national brands. Specialized and Accell Group urged saddle maker, has a factory ready to go O£en they work closely with their facTaiwanese manufacturers, in particular, in Vietnam, but is delaying opening be- tories, providing non-binding forecasts to invest in capacity. cause it can’t send its engineers there due that get turned into orders with delivSpecialized’s Bob Margevicius made to COVID-19 travel restrictions. ery in 45 to 60 days. The most successful the case that the market will be able to build trust with factories over years and accommodate greatly increased produc- Smaller brands squeezed decades, showing that their forecasts are tion for years. He said even with a rela- The current imbalance between com- reliable and they pay their bills. tively small amount of projected retail ponent supply and demand hurts some When the bike boom went off in early sales growth a£er 2021, refilling the in- small component and bike brands the 2020, the biggest brands quickly flooded dustry’s pipeline requires a major increase most. It also leaves distributors hungry for factories with orders. parts for the a£ermarket and for custom in capacity. “By about May, all hell broke loose,” “There’s a gold mine today in the bike builds, because OE orders get priority said Aaron Abrams, Marin Bike’s Taiwanbike industry, but you have to invest,” over a£ermarket for most manufacturers. based product director. Dealers and distributors have noticed Margevicius said at a forum in Taipei. In “The big guys were placing orders with his presentation, Margevicius said com- that products that don’t do OE business, everybody, for everything. They would ponent makers appear “very reluctant to like accessories and some high-end af- place multiple orders and see who delivtermarket parts, have been more readily ered first.” invest in additional capacity.” Ton Anbeek, the CEO of the available than products that could end up Factories accepted orders on a firstNetherlands’ Accell Group, also spoke to on a new bike. The boom has also benefit- come, first-served basis. And lead times the group via a remote feed, saying com- ed some overlooked brands that have had went from the typical 45 to 60 days to ponent makers could “profit enormously” li¨le OE spec’ in the recent past: they are sometimes well over 300 days or even now being asked to provide a£ermarket 500 days.. if they invest. “To meet the growing demand in the and repair needs, and they hope at least “If you are a brand that needs to keep coming years we need component suppli- some of that business might continue turning small orders and now you can’t ers to invest in extra capacity to produce post-pandemic. get enough product to pay the bills, well, But smaller and newer brands that get depending on how long your runway is, more critical components and products as bikes or components made in Asia are that could be the end,” said Abrams. soon as possible,” Anbeek urged. Despite the urging, there are few re- being hit hardest. Some lack the decades ports of new bike or component factories of connections that would help them There is more on this topic on our webgoing up in Asia, although new e-bike keep their place in line for production site at bicycleretailer.com/supply-chain. factories are being established in Europe, capacity. Some simply lack the money

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TRADEWATCH

April 2021

US Bicycle Imports Trailing 12 Months from Jan. 2021 CHINA UNITS

TAIWAN UNITS

CAMBODIA UNITS

VIETNAM UNITS

OTHER COUNTRIES UNITS

JAN 2019

5,769,591

22,036

31,418

1,062

32,742

5,856,849

N/A %

$197,907,864

$33.79

JAN 2020

4,412,388

49,683

44,709

782

23,343

4,530,905

-22.60%

$154,915,309

$34.19

JAN 2021

5,919,810

12,357

70,712

8,752

47,986

6,059,617

33.70%

$203,359,175

$33.56

JAN 2019

3,381,966

146,829

38,668

4,315

36,161

3,607,939

N/A %

$150,796,696

$41.80

JAN 2020

2,465,047

161,001

78,344

5,709

23,919

2,734,020

-24.20%

$109,733,588

$40.14

JAN 2021

3,281,371

227,851

144,590

28,935

25,024

3,707,771

35.60%

$159,173,114

$42.93

JAN 2019

1,447,864

7,109

30,181

313

19,233

1,504,700

N/A %

$94,657,601

$62.91

JAN 2020

1,190,540

33,259

29,742

2,939

9,866

1,266,346

-15.80%

$73,689,402

$58.19

JAN 2021

1,639,211

19,254

85,189

2,276

23,787

1,769,717

39.70%

$111,726,527

$63.13

JAN 2019

1,197,608

151,691

3,758

642

32,810

1,386,509

N/A %

$343,180,620

$247.51

JAN 2020

634,337

219,533

24,451

21,582

57,225

957,128

-31.00%

$291,177,036

$304.22

JAN 2021

868,912

175,414

103,317

6,029

60,744

1,214,416

26.90%

$252,034,915

$207.54

JAN 2019

3,973,453

252,241

23,536

1,264

39,507

4,290,001

N/A %

$642,157,232

$149.69

JAN 2020

2,845,773

321,023

119,552

73,974

33,891

3,394,213

-20.90%

$548,919,492

$161.72

JAN 2021

3,780,053

315,384

411,491

62,416

79,579

4,648,923

37.00%

$659,633,572

$141.89

JAN 2019

222,269

11,383

699

2,860

237,221

N/A %

$35,622,378

$150.17

JAN 2020

21,563

13,095

9,352

355

5,378

49,743

-79.00%

$30,722,261

$617.62

JAN 2021

36,427

19,972

14,450

2,784

73,634

48.00%

$38,189,697

$518.64

JAN 2019

3,973,453

252,241

23,536

1,264

39,507

4,290,001

N/A %

$1,464,322,391

$161.72

JAN 2020

2,845,773

321,023

119,552

73,974

33,891

3,394,213

-20.90%

$1,209,157,088

$141.89

JAN 2021

3,780,053

315,384

411,491

62,416

79,579

4,648,923

37.00%

$1,424,117,000

$150.17

TOTALS

OTHER

MTN./ COMFORT

27”/ 700C

24”

20”

KIDS’

MONTH (TTM)

UNIT CHANGE WORLD TOTAL UNITS FROM PREVIOUS YEAR%

WORLD TOTAL AVERAGEWORLD VALUE VALUE PER UNIT

TROY LEE DESIGNS A3

WTB

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WTB Venture tires are available with our all-new SG2 Puncture Protection, which is a lightweight nylon insert that provides bead-to-bead coverage and ensures every area of the tire is defended against slashes and punctures. As events become progressively rougher and cyclists pedal farther, gravel gets tougher. It only makes sense for gravel tires to become tougher as well.

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MSRP: $69.95 Website: wtb.com/collections/gravel-cx/products/venture

Patent Watch: Patents (and news) show action in pedal power meters By Alan Coté

he industry is currently buzzing with product news and speculation on the power meter front — pedal-based meters in particular. Much of the talk stems from recent mergers and acquisitions, including those already selling wa age measurement but looking to expand offerings. Power-measuring pedals are burdened with plenty of challenging constraints. Both pedals need to house complicated and delicate instrumentation to measure force and speed along with a wireless transmi er and ba ery. To reduce costs, use of a single force-measuring pedal and doubling its wa age, in conjunction with a “dummy” second pedal, is an option. Electronics aside, all the usual ma ers of pedal performance like bearing and platform durability, weight, and retention system remain with power-meter pedals. Despite Shimano’s dominance in the road and off-road pedal markets, the company has not yet released a powermeasuring pedal as an alternative to its DuraAce power-meter crankset. However, Shimano has many patents and patent applications on power-measuring pedals, with filing dates going back to 2014. Technology in these shows the use of piezoelectric elements on the pedal body, as well as pedal spindles with strain gauges, as well as many other features. The Shimano patent drawings reviewed are illustrated with road-style pedals. However, it’s the claims of a patent, not the drawings, that define a (utility) patent’s intellectual property. Thus, the inventive elements a patent protects are not necessarily limited to the style (road versus off-road) of pedal in the drawings. Shimano could just as easily have road or off-road power-meter pedals in the pipeline — if any at all. In off-road/SPD-style pedals, it’s not

Shimano, but the company that’s the originator of the power meter, SRM, that currently has a product in the marketplace, or should soon, at print time. SRM’s website showed the X-Power pedals as not-in-stock, but available for pre-order. Consumer websites are reviewing sam-

MetriGear, Garmin switched the design to a Look road-style pedal body, for Keostyle cleats. It took another three years of R&D before Garmin finally released the pedals in August 2013. Several subsequent generations of Garmin’s pedals have followed, with current MSRP of

beyond saying the Wahoo POWRLINK Zero pedal is based on the Speedplay Zero model, has a stainless steel spindle, weighs 276 grams and will ship this summer. Price is to be determined. Photos show the pedal has its electronics housed in a unit that snugs up against the crankarm, rather than wholly inside the spindle or in the pedal body like some other designs. The other current offering in powermeter pedals comes from Italian company Assioma Favero, which uses Look Keocompatible road cleats. MSRP for these road-style pedals is $694 for dual-side measurement, and $444 for one-sided, undercu ing Garmin’s pricing. Finally, in February, SRAM discontinued the power-measuring pedals and hubs from their Powertap brand, which SRAM acquired from Saris in April 2019. Shortly therea¨er, SRAM announced the acquisition of Time’s pedal business. SRAM also owns the Quarq brand of power meters, which are crankset/spider-based. This has led to rampant speculation that SRAM will be mixing three ingredients together — Time’s pedal platforms, Powertap’s pedal-based power technology, and Quarq’s engineering capabilities — to produce a power meter pedal, perhaps in road and offroad configurations. But even if the Time acquisition had been in the pipeline a while, a new product seems unlikely to be imminent. Shimano has yet to get into the pedal-based power meter market, but the company has Rumblings about other pedal-based multiple patents related to the technology. power meters have also been heard, ples. MSRP is listed at $1,199 for dual-ped- $999. Besides any other benefits of the meaning this market niche may be al measurement, or $899 for one-sided. Vectors, Garmin is aided by having a wide changing a great deal over the next 12 to Garmin’s Vectors have been the pio- ecosystem including GPS head units, fit- 24 months. neering product in pedal power meters. ness watches, indoor trainers and smart Its roots go back to a start-up called indoor bikes (under the Tacx brand), Alan Coté is a Registered Patent Agent & MetriGear, which showed a prototype connected bathroom scales, smart bike principal of Green Mountain Innovations power meter at Interbike in 2009, based lights, bike radar and more. LLC. He has been a contributing writer to around Speedplay pedals. Garmin acWahoo Fitness, which acquired Bicycling, Outside, and other magazines, quired MetriGear a year later. While pre- Speedplay in 2019, publicly revealed a and is a former elite-level racer. He also sumably using some of the technology Speedplay-based power meter on March serves as an expert witness in bicycle-reand intellectual property developed by 16. It released few details, however, lated legal cases.

Industry Earnings Report ACCELL GROUP

DOREL INDUSTRIES

FOX FACTORY (NASDAQ: FOXF)

(NASDAQ: GRMN)

FY20 REVENUE

$1.6 billion

$2.76 billion

$890.6 million

$4.2 billion

(AEX: ACCEL)

Up 14% YoY NET INCOME

(TSX: DII.A, DII.B)

Up 4.90% YoY NET INCOME

Up 18.60% YoY NET INCOME

GARMIN

Up 23% YoY NET INCOME

$77.5 million

($43.4 million)

$90.7 million

$992 million

vs. $3.4 million in FY19

vs. ($10.5 million) in FY19

vs. $93 million in FY19

vs. $952 million in FY19

EARNINGS PER SHARE

$2.89

($1.34)

$2.22

$5.19

vs. $2.65 in FY19

vs. ($0.32) in FY19

vs. $2.38 in FY19

vs. $5.01 in FY19

April 2021

Longtime retailer says time is right to transition to full-time manufacturer By Dean Yobbi

PHILADELPHIA — A er 26 years in the industry, Drew Guldalian has figured out what he does best. So while many suppliers zig toward the direct-to-consumer route, Guldalian and Engin Cycles zags toward retail outlets to sell his components. “The decision was based on what our strength was,” said Guldalian, who has moved from operating Wissahickon Cyclery to full-time component and frame manufacturing. “We had inventory on the shelf and also the ability to make more. That seemed crazy to keep the inventory and not try to move as much of it as possible. If we need to make more parts, that is a good thing.” That goes to the heart of Engin Cycles, and the pivot can be traced to last year when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. “We need to accept certain things,” Guldalian said. “One of them was that the world as we knew it for retail was changed in the blink of an eye.” But before 2020, Wissahickon Cyclery was a niche specialty shop carrying brands like Moots, Independent Fabrication, Parlee, and Vicious Cycles — with the ultimate goal of manufacturing custom bikes. In 2005, and with a 4,000 squarefoot building available behind the bike shop, Guldalian decided to use the space for manufacturing instead of expanding the retail business.

He then purchased a milling machine, lathe, and welder. “At first, it was just a money pit that took all my time and energy,” said Guldalian, who manufactures mountain, road, and allroad models. “It yielded a bunch of crappy bikes and loads of frustration. Luckily, I am very stubborn and keep going until stuff started to click.” While Engin sells components primarily through retail outlets, Engin Cycle frames are sold direct-to-consumer, starting at $5,000 depending on options. Engin Cycles bike sales eventually came at the expense of the boutique brands that the store carried, but it led Guldalian to make another critical decision: go all-in on manufacturing by purchasing a CNC machine. “The CNC machine was so I could really make the bicycle the way I wanted and remove limitations from sourced parts,” he said. “As time went on, more machines and ability kept happening.” However, with the pandemic creating component shortages, Engin Cycles focused on supplying components to retailers and frame-building tools to builders. As for components, Engin Cycles manufacturers stems, seat collars, SRAM-compatible spiders, and tapered steerer tubes. Engin Cycles just released a 31.8mm seat collar that joins its 34.9mm version in four anodized colors. Because of precision machining, Engin Cycles says, posts can be secured at

Manufacturing components has become a main driver in Engin Cycles’ operations in the past year. Owner Drew Guldalian enthusiastically embraced a pivot from retail.

a lower torque value with its collars. when it came to making bicycles,” he said. “For the past year, we have focused al- “That desire has not gone away. If anything, most all of our energy on ge¡ing the com- it is greater than ever. … Our (frame-buildponents made and ready for this,” said ing) tools (ISCG 05 Locator Tool and wheel Guldalian, who said he’s confident the tool) are some of our best creations, so to CNC-machined component market is sus- keep them to ourselves seemed crazy.” tainable post-boom. “We tried to be directGuldalian has been steadily building a to-the customer only, but it was obvious retailer network and ge¡ing inquiries daily. that using the network of shops and build- “It’s been very well received,” he said, adding ers was the needed path forward.” that news of his transition is gaining traction Beyond filling a current need in the indus- through social media and word of mouth. try for components, Guldalian said the pasEngin offers pricing for bike shops and sion was fueled by the love of manufacturing. frame-builders. “We have never wanted to “The parts were born out of the desire to operate as a direct-to-consumer outfit that control as much of the process as possible cuts local shops out of the picture.”

THROUGH the GRAPEVINE

Pandemic Cyclists and You: I’m certain the

moniker “pandemic cyclists” has been floating about in the cybersphere for some time now, but I first noted it in a post from Rich Olken, a longtime industry impresario. So let’s give Rich a “Tip of the Quill” for penning that description, which caught my eye. The pandemic cyclist, to be fair, is a great identifier of what appears to be a new cohort of riders — those who have discovered, or perhaps re-discovered, the bicycle. It’s one of the many tangential impacts sparked by COVID-19 and our more than 13 months of tinkering with new lifestyles. So the question bubbling about the industry at the moment is pretty simple: They have come; can we keep them; or will they go? “Go” as in back to what they were doing before the pandemic upended their routine by driving them to seek an uncertain freedom on two wheels. It’s a certainty that some will stick with bikes as a lifestyle choice and most of them, I suspect, will view cycling as recreation — not sport or commuting. Cycling with family and like-minded friends — whether on mountain bikes, road bikes, hybrids or some configuration of an e-bike — is much more palatable as an activity than sport (think racing and the zany ego-baggage that entails) or commuting, which, admittedly, takes a certain mental swagger and a commitment to purposeful living. Purposeful living is a substantial qualifier. Lots of idle chatter about more commuters using bikes for errands and to get to work. Sure, there will be some, but by-and-large I’m skeptical that America is on the cusp of becoming a commuter nation no matter how many e-bikes — the Holy Grail of the commuter confab — get sold. Pandemic Families and You: If the in-

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dustry is to see some sort of long-term uptick in cycling, I’d put my bet on family and friends. And even then, I’d like to hedge that bet a bit. As most parents head back to work, especially women who’ve borne the brunt of our stay-at-home economy, and as kids return to school, I suspect some of the pandemic cycling the industry has profited from of late will dissipate. Again, not all of that new-found two-wheel family freedom, but a sizable chunk. Why? First, as life takes on a semblance of normalcy, most families will be forced to return to weekend chores — grocery shopping, haircuts, soccer games. You get the picture. Second, those of us committed to some sort of cycling lifestyle are reluctant, mostly, to admit that family cycling takes time and energy just to get out of the driveway. Check the weather — most families are reluctant to head off into a summer thunderstorm. Get the bikes out of the garage. Pump up the tires. Make sure the kids go to the bathroom, get their helmets, check to make sure they’ve buckled them snugly and, finally, zoom off for a neighborhood adventure. Triple that time if that family must drive to a nearby bike path. But for some new-found family cyclists, the zoom is worth it. Still, as an industry, let’s not get too far out over our handlebars. Ironically, family-oriented cycling is to the bicycle industry what meat

is to a vegan. Something to ignore while pushing ever more technical and costly bikes to a crowd of enthusiasts — or wannabe enthusiasts with fat wallets — the industry’s been pitching for decades. I might note one change in the enthusiast cohort — baby boomers are declining and millennials are ticking up. But it’s mostly the same mindset the industry seeks. Families? Not so much. Pandemic pandemonium I: I consider it a

given that the industry will ignore the family cyclist, particularly as the nation normalizes. That’s good news for the Walmarts, Targets, and perhaps Dick’s Sporting Goods, which I tend to be a bit bullish on at the moment. It also reflects the continuing divide in America among those who have a lot and those who have a little. Among families with less, price will always be a factor. So will we continue to see that sector sell better assembled, inexpensive bikes to families? Yes. Will many of those pandemic-driven family cyclists convert and become IBD cyclists in the future? I have my doubts, but my fingers are crossed. Pandemic pandemonium II: Hats off

to BRAIN’s editor, Steve Frothingham, for chronicling the industry’s current dilemma — an inability to meet current consumer demand for bicycles and the chaos it’s causing at retail. As well as for components, tires and other assorted parts, doo-dads and gizmos. But I suspect this consumer demand will taper off sooner rather than later. Most consumers flush with cash want to spend it now. For example, golf and tennis are back big time, especially golf, and softball season is fast approaching, COVID-19 permitting. Even roller blades, skates and skateboards are on a roll. How about a new pair of kicks from REI? Hiking is simpler than cycling. Family camping? Tents, sleeping bags, and all the rest? Even fishing is luring folks outside. There’s a lot of activities to spend money on. Right now! After all, most consumers are unwilling to wait months to fork over a chunk of change for a bike they’ve never ridden in a color they’ve never wanted. That just isn’t the American Way. Except, of course, for enthusiasts — the industry’s perennial lowhanging fruit. I have a good friend, who also is a good cyclist, about to order a $7,000 Orbea Rise e-bike (nice!) that — according to the dealer — she can pick up in October. Now that’s commitment. — Marc Sani

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3/17/21 12:32 PM

CLASSIFIEDS

Work and play in paradise Outside Sales Representative Basic Function: Wholesale sales and distribution to independent bicycle retailers. Location: Iowa, Eastern Nebraska, and Northern Illinois (ex-Chicago) Responsibilities: Service, in person, roughly 170 bicycle retail customers in this discrete geographic area. Heavy focus on overstock inventory. Ideal candidate must be extraordinarily motivated as a salesperson, customer serviceoriented, and have experience working in bicycle retailers or wholesalers. Excellent verbal and written communication is essential. J&B offers an outstanding compensation and benefits package. Please e-mail your resume to: hr@jbi.bike. Mechanics, Manager, Salesperson Looking for energetic and experienced managers, mechanics, sales staff for fast growing bike tours-store on Maui. Pay based on experience. Health Insurance included. Call (808)579-8970 or email resume to: info@mauisunriders.com Full Time Year Round Mechanic We are looking for a highly motivated, energized, experienced service tech who wants to take part in the growth of our retail operation. 3 years of bicycle shop experience. Self starter E mail resume and salary request chris@krebcycle.com Work and Ride in beautiful Napa Valley year round! Napa Valley Bike shop is looking for Bike nerds! Ride and Work YEAR ROUND in beautiful Wine Country. 1 full time Sales position and 1 (experienced) Mechanic position available. Noah@napavalleybiketours.com Yeti Cycles - Inventory Parts Prep Yeti Cycles is looking to hire a Inventory Parts Prep/Order Fulfillment position. This role is responsible for the preparation of all Yeti small/ component parts used to support bicycle assembly and dealer orders. This includes building bicycle subkits, parts packaging/stocking, and picking web store orders for shipping. We are looking for someone who has attention to detail, can produce flawless work while performing repetitive tasks, and can produce a high volume of work in a time sensitive environment. Jobs@yeticycles.com

Ready to join the most exciting bicycle business in Colorado? Seeking a Bikepacking Focused Bike Shop Manager Interested in leading a unique bikepacking/touring focused shop? Do you have the experience and inspiration to help make our shop thrive, from repairs to bike builds to merchandizing to sales? 50k/yr 4wks PTO www.campfirecycling.com/ bike-shop-manager

Lead Mechanic will oversee all repairs and insures that customer’s bikes are done on a timely basis. Maintains records of bike repairs, parts used and labor charges for each customer and ensures supplies are ordered as needed. Must enjoy interacting with customers. We are not in it for volume were in it for great experiences! Required Skills: 2-3 years bicycle mechanic experience

Giant Bicycle Inc. is hiring in the Quality Assurance Dept! Giant Bicycle Inc. is seeking to fill two positions within our Quality Assurance (QA)Dept! 1) Quality Control Specialist & 2) After Sales Technical Representative. Pls visit our website at: giant-bicycles. com/us-Careers at Giant for complete job desc with all the details. Giant provides competitive wages, health/ dental/vision/retirement plan, paid sick vacation and we boast about having fun! Come grow with us! If interested email cover letter and resume to: HR@giantbicycle.com. NO phone calls pls. Bike & Tour Mechanic (Full Time) We live and breathe outdoor exploration and enjoyment as an adventure center. Hanover Adventure Tours is seeking an expereinced bike mechanic with excellent customer service skills that’s interested in expanding their knowledge through tours & sales. Chip@hanoveradventuretours.com Quality Mechanic wanted for a quality bike shop Apex Velo is a high-end bike shop. We deliver quality to our customers in everything we do. We do NOT sell cheap bikes nor e-bikes. Check out our website for more about us. Competitive pay. barry@apexvelo.com Moabs highest rated bike shop is looking for more Rad People! Chile Pepper Bike Shop is seeking full time/year round mechanics/sales positions. We are Moab’s highest rated shop! Best wages/bonuses/ health care/housing! Have a passion for bikes? We’d love to hear from you! Send us your resume: chad@chilebikes.com

Preferred Skills: Certification ie Barnett Bicycle Institute LEVA & BOSCH lori@voltairecyclesco.com Colorado Mechanic Position proVelo Bicycles is looking for skilled mechanics. If you’ve wanted to live the Colorado lifestyle send me your resume. We are Northern Colorado’s premier shop with a focus on high end mountain, gravel, and road. greg@provelobikes.com Wanted! Professional Bicycle Mechanics Rhythm Cycles - Colorado’s premier custom mountain bike shop. We are looking for full-time and part-time professional mechanics to join our team. If you enjoy working with people, have at least 3 years shop experience and knowledge with ASX/ DI2, Wheel Builds, Brake Bleeds and Suspension Service, then we would like to meet you. Benefits include: competitive pay, employee purchase & training/certification programs. Please email resumes or stop by and check us out. TheRhythmCycles@gmail.com Seeking Ace Mechanic for San Francisco Area’s Premier Cycling Shop, Studio Velo Studio Velo seeks seasoned mechanic with excellent technical skills and attention to detail to join our team that emphasizes strong communication, teamwork and integrity. The SV Service Department is busy building and repairing an impressive array of custom and stock road, gravel, and mountain bikes for our loyal customers, and this position requires strong mechanical chops and good interpersonal skills. Work on the best including Moots, Parlee and Pivot, and live and ride year-round in a spectacular setting (see our “loops” on website). Pay and benefits are based on experience and performance, ranging from $60k-$75k. Please email your resume to: taylor@studiovelocycling.com

Venture Sports is celebrating 30 amazing years and needing experienced bike mechanics. Full service shop with rentals, sales, and repairs. Must be familiar with brake bleeds and electronic shifting. Suspension service experience preferred. Ski-centric in winter but can teach ski knowledge. 8 shops in winter and 4 in summer we continue to grow every year and are looking for like minded people to join us on the journey. We are a fast paced, friendly shop with 100+ bike rental fleet, tours, sales and lots of repairs. Covering the spectrum from kids’ striders to $12k road builds and everything in between. With shops at the base of lifts, a mile from amazing pedal access, great road riding, and a play friendly schedule, you can ride every day. F/T year round. $45-65k, matching IRA, health plan, limited housing available, unparalleled travel perks. If you like to smile, work hard and play harder Venture Sports could be the place for you. World class shops with world class riding. If you’re a world class mechanic please call 970-390-4317 or email: mike@avonventuresports.com Professional Service Technician for Trek Store Trek Clermont- premiere retail bicycle center with full-service, high-volume certified service center. We are looking for a full-time professional service technician to join our team. If you enjoy working with people, have at least 1 year bicycle technician experience, and have an attitude for success then we want to meet you. Benefits include: competitive pay, paid vacation and holidays, employee purchase program, health insurance stipend, & training/ certification program. Please send resume to: becky@trekclermont.com

Boutique Style E Bike Shop for Sale Established in 2011, this exclusive electric bicycle business has seen steady growth every year with a 300% increase in sales last year. The established business offers sales and service of only electric bikes from around the world. This unique store is a success story based on 10 years of research and marketing. This is a Turn-Key business. Congress is set to approve a 30% E Bike tax credit. The store is located in a shopping plaza outside of the main Santa Fe urban area in a medium traffic suburban shopping plaza. The store has an exterior entrance with a ramp to the street. The street is the private road around the shopping center which allows for an easy and safe test ride area. Retiring. Call Phil at: 505-699-8884. Experienced Bicycle Mechanic needed in Davis, CA Leading retail store in “the City of Bicycles” needs career bike mechanics to diagnose, troubleshoot, repair our clients’ bicycles and build new bicycles in our busy, fast-past shop. Applicants must have excellent references, strong work ethic, broad cycling knowledge (from personal experience) and proven mechanical skills including 3+ years’ full-time work in an established bike shop. Compensation includes a safe, fun, healthy work environment; $16-$20 per hour + benefits (DOE) to do what you love; flexible scheduling, paid sick leave, discounts on bicycle, ski, snowboard gear & lift tickets; FT year-round employees also enjoy health, dental, vision & chiropractic coverage, paid vacation, matching IRA contributions & more. Significant bonuses have been paid to all staff this year and will continue as possible. Apply today at www.kensbikeski.com/ about/job-application-pg222.htm.

Top Rated Phoenix Area Bike Shop Live in sunny Arizona! Highly Profitable Bike Shop located close to some of the best trails in USA. We stock several top brands. Very good lease and well organized modern store. Email for more info azbikeman2453@gmail.com Skilled Bicycle Mechanic Wanted Must be comfortable with high end mechanical and electronic drivetrains though we service all types of bikesroad, tri, mountain, gravel, commuter. Small but busy “mom and pop” shop in a great location. Competitive pay. missy@austintricyclist.com

Experienced Service Manager and Mechanics needed in Plymouth MN Trailhead Cycling needs an experienced Service Manager and two part-time bike mechanics for our new Plymouth location. We are MN’s premier Giant and Cannondale dealer and sell a wide range of gravel, mountain, electric road and family bikes. Great pay and benefits in a positive work environment. As Service Manager you’d have the opportunity to build the perfect shop and mechanics team from the ground up. Email resumes to: pam@trailheadcycling.com

April 2021

Wanted: Service Mechanic Palo Alto Bicycles is currently looking for individuals to join our service team.Here is your opportunity to join one to the nation’s oldest and most respected bicycle retailers. Palo Alto Bicycles has a long history of being a progressive, innovative, and successful retailer. If you are passionate about cycling, possess an upbeat and positive attitude, want to work with an engaged and passionate team give us a call! Qualifications: • Outgoing and upbeat personality • Strong mechanical abilities • Ability to work in a fast paced environment • Ability to balance several different projects at once • A love of cycling

A fast-growing network of over 140 locally-owned Pedego stores is seeking technicians, managers, and sale associates. Fun lovers only! Browse open positions here: https://www.pedegoelectricbikes. com/careers/

Pro Bike and Run is Hiring Experienced Machanics in Pittsburgh Pro Bike+Run is seeking passionate and motivated mechanics. Join our PBR team as we share our passion building up our community (mind, body, spirit).

Compensation: • Hourly + Sales Commission • Rich Medical Plan • 2 Weeks Paid Vacation • Company Match Simple IRA

Download and complete an application at: www.probikerun.com or email resume to: jordanc@probikerun.com

Interested parties should contact: nmehring@paloaltobicycles.com We look forward to meeting you!

Mechanic needed in beautiful Finger Lakes of NY

Start at $20 per hour with potential to $26.00 per hour MECHANIC Mechanic needed 5 days per week, May 1st thru Sept 30th. References a must. Potential for full time year round position info@orleanscycle.com Bike mechanic position at Big Ring Cycles Seeking FT, year-round bike mechanic to join our team. Minimum of 3 years experience required. Must be current with mechanical and electronic drivetrain systems and hydraulic braking systems. Suspension expertise a plus! seth.w@bigringcycles.com Seeking Mechanic and Sales Staff Century Cycles, 3 stores in NE Ohio, looking for experienced mechanics and sales staff, full and part time positions available. In business 25+ years, voted one of America’s best bike shops for 20 years running. doug@centurycycles.com Bicycle shop for sale at IMBA-Epic Santos Trailhead Shop opened in 2010 at amazing trailhead of both offroad and paved trails. BUSY, successful, debt-free, turn key operation located in beautiful Central Florida. A great opportunity for new ownership, or add to franchise! jess.kinnee@gmail.com

Trailcraft Cycles is Hiring!

Pedego Electric Bikes is Hiring Nationwide

Join a great staff, ride great roads and MTB, work 1 block from scenic Seneca Lake and always have Wednesday & Sunday free to pedal, swim, paddle, ski or hike the gorgeous terrain. Competitive pay, full time/year round, IRA w/ match, and health insurance premiums 100% paid. Owner is fulltime at the shop. Most employees stay here a long time. Position includes some sales and customer service. Gorgeous, spacious shop.

Work in Sunny Southern Utah We are looking for experienced bike technicians to work in our St. George, Utah store. Starting $18-25 DOE Health insurance 401k Shop credits for commuting Top-notch service area with big open windows Growth potential Apply at myteamredrock.com Growing eBike Company - Sales & Customer Service Position EVELO is looking to add a Sales and CS Rep to our team! -Inbound Sales Leads & Tech Support via Phone/Email -Assist customers in selecting the best bike -Troubleshooting service issues & work with local shops for repairs -Learn EVELO product line & all components The ideal candidate: -Has experience and passion for working with bikes, traditional and/or electric. -Has extensive pre-existing knowledge of bicycle parts, accessories, and the cycling industry in general. -Has experience with CRMs, Email, Slack, or similar communication tools. Please Email Cover Letter & Resume jobs@evelo.com

Contact Jim @ hogans41@yahoo.com Mechanic position Hutch’s is seeking an experienced bicycle mechanic.Full-time, year-round position.Our brands,Specialized,Giant.We’re a million $ plus store, high volume service department. You will be working on road, mountain and e-bikes.

Premium Cycling Business For Sale Bell Lap Advisors is representing a cycling industry business considering a sale; hard goods, premium, heritage brand, profitable, clean operation, seamless transition, growth opportunities, potential relocation or remote ownership. Email for NDA and more information. russell@bell-lap-advisors.com

hutchseugene@gmail.com Experienced & Well Rounded Bike Mechanic Wanted @ busy Norcal Shop Full-time/year-round mechanic needed to join our awesome crew & hoppin service center. Knowledge of current drivetrains & brakes required. Pay is based upon experience & ability to plug in immediately. Bonuses & vacation included. norcalhub@yahoo.com

Trailcraft Cycles is seeking to hire an experienced Sales and Customer Service Coordinator for our growing company. The ideal candidate will be a self starter, have a positive attitude, and be detail oriented. ginger@trailcraftcycles.com

Wheelworks Hiring for sales, service, management, inventory, ecommerce Wheelworks Bicycle Stores outside Boston are hiring: a manager for our kids’ store, experienced service technician, inventory control specialist, e-commerce fulfilment, bicycle (and ebike) sales, and bicycle assembly. Review requirements and apply at wheelworks.com. jobs@wheelworks.com

CeramicSpeed seeks North American Territory Manager CeramicSpeed is a leading high-end brand in the cycling industry. We have a strong brand and are continuously working to improve and strengthen our presence among cycling enthusiasts all over the world. Due to exceptional growth globally, we are now looking for a North American Territory Manager to reinforce our Colorado-based office and US sales team and manage our dealer network in the US and Canada. jobs@ceramicspeed.com Chattanooga TN - East Ridge Bicycles, mechanic wanted East Ridge Bicycles is seeking a skilled & efficient mechanic for a full-time position in our active service department. Applicant should have strong mechanical abilities, good time management skills and enjoy working with others in a busy & friendly shop. Duties would include bicycle repairs, assembly and customer interaction. Chattanooga claims over 100 miles of trails within 15 miles and offers great road cycling too. Be part of our award winning team in beautiful Chattanooga. Pay based on experience. Send resume to: zach.eastridgebikes@gmail.com

Established Bicycle and Board Shop Long established Loyal Customer Base Lots of repeat business Pandemic proof, proven moneymaker Strong brands Owner ready to retire Real estate negotiable Email ralph@southport-rigging.com

Experienced bicycle mechanic and retail salesperson extraordinaire wanted for Atlanta based shop. In search of someone with that perfect combination of experienced bicycle mechanic and retail sales guru. Email resume’ to info@ stonemountainbikecompany.com. You must have bicycle mechanic and sales experience.

Yeti Cycles - Director of Marketing Yeti Cycles is hiring for a Director of Marketing position. This role will report to the President and be responsible for developing the marketing strategy, including positioning and promotion of Yeti Cycles products globally, across all channels. Responsible for cultivating the soul of the brand, this role will lead all aspects of marketing, branding and creative strategy. We are looking for a leader who is strategic, creative, and organized who can turn big ideas into great work. Our ideal candidate has a proven track record of effective communication, leadership, and collaboration skills, with success delivering strategic campaigns across a variety of marketing channels. As a member of Yeti Cycles Leadership Team, the Director of Marketing will help to set, and be held accountable to achieve, the company’s annual, and long-term brand objectives. This position will work cross-departmentally to increase the effectiveness of all products, offerings, and communications to maximize customer engagement and respond to market changes. Jobs@yeticycles.com Bike Mechanic Needed for MTB Shop in Oregon The UrbanWheeler MTB & Trail Building Shop is looking for a Senior Mechanic in Beaverton, OR. Experience, knowledge & stoke of all things MTB required. Full-time Seasonal to Shop MGR Instagram @theurbanwheeler robi@theurbanwheeler.com Mechanic/Technician Wanted Hermosa Beach, CA Experienced mechanic for full-time or part-time job at popular, fun bike shop near the beach. Voted best bike shop 2009-2020. Most stay with us for years. Pay is based on experience. info@hermosacyclery.com Mechanics, Manager, Salesperson Looking for energetic and experienced managers, mechanics, sales staff for fast growing bike tours-store on Maui. Pay based on experience. Health Insurance included. Call (808)579-8970 or email resume to: info@mauisunriders.com Law Offices of

Steven W. Hansen

Representing manufacturers, distributors and retailers on all types of legal issues since 1986. Sign up for our newsletter at: www.swhlaw.com (562) 866-6228 legal.inquiry@swhlaw.com

CLASSIFIEDS

Stone Mountain Bike Company Looking for Sales Manager Kitzuma Cycling Logistics Delivery Technicians Needed Kitzuma is a fast-growing bicycle logistics company. We are seeking qualified drivers to transport and deliver bicycles regionally throughout the United States. Please submit a brief introductory email and your resume to info@kitzuma.com.

Full Charge Bookkeeper The Village Sport Shop is looking for a team oriented highly organized and self-motivated person to join us as our Full Charge BookKeeper. The position requires strong organizational skills, meticulous attention to detail, and ability to clearly relay pertinent information in a timely manner. We pride ourselves on our strong, open and dependable relationships we build and maintain with our staff, customers, and industry professionals alike. If this sounds like you please email chris@villagesportshop for complete Job description Sales were up 73% last year Established bike shop for sale! Passionate about bikes, people, and community? Take over my turnkey bike shop with 10+ years of stellar reputation. Efficient space & very low overhead costs. Friendly landlord, fantastic location. A great life for owner-operator! Asking $129,000 plus $20K in inventory. kaionabike@gmail.com Experienced Bike Mechanic Needed in Westchester, NY Hickory & Tweed is seeking an experienced bike mechanic for immediate employment. We are celebrating our 60th year in business! Position will mainly be working on repairs/builds/sales. Please email resume to discuss position and salary. mac@hickoryandtweed.com

Now Hiring Sales Manager/ Associate to develops and maintains relationships with new and existing bike dealer base and Manage Booming eBike retail store. Pay plus commission on all Retail & Wholesales sales. Email resume to info@ stonemountainbikecompany.com Yeti Cycles - Bicycle Assembler Yeti Cycles is looking for a Bicycle Assembler. This role would be responsible for the professional assembly of Yeti frames/bicycles. This includes frame assembly, parts picking and frame/bike packaging. The ideal candidate has a high mechanical aptitude, attention to detail, and can produce quality work in a time sensitive environment. This candidate understands high end bicycle assembly. This person is a problem solver, self-starter, and humble. This role will work as part of a team and contribute to all warehouse operations. Jobs@yeticycles.com Acme Bicycle Co. seeks a seasoned mechanic. We are seeking a mechanic with excellent technical skills and attention to detail to join our team that emphasizes strong communication, teamwork, and integrity. We are looking for a professional, experienced, friendly, organized, and well-rounded mechanic that can handle the demands of a high-end bike shop focused on stellar customer service in a new location. Familiarity with Lightspeed POS, excellent writing skills and a driver’s license are a plus. We offer a competitive salary. colin@acmebicycleco.com Yorktown Cycles is Hiring. Sales/ Service Positions Available We are looking for experienced bicycle technicians & sales staff. Assembly, maintenance, repair and sales of all levels of bicycles. Experience: • Bicycle Shop experience • Customer service skills • Enthusiasm for cycling • Attention to detail • Positive attitude • Dependability info@YorktownCycles.com

Professional Bike Fitter

Seeking Retail Professionals Ride MORE Bicycles is seeking riders/ retail professionals for key positions full and part-time. Fit experience a plus. Enjoy year-round road, mountain and gravel only minutes from the Gulf of Mexico. Email resume to: info@ridemorebicycles.com NYC Velo is Hiring! Sales/Service/ Managerial Positions Available NYC Velo is currently looking for talented folks to join our sales and service teams. We are searching for optimistic and driven individuals who are interested in growing with our group of bike industry professionals. NYC Velo is an independent retailer operating 2 locations in Manhattan/ New York City. To us, cycling is not just a hobby but a lifestyle that has health, social, and environmental benefits. If you share our convictions and are interested in joining our crew, please email your resume and cover letter to info@nycvelo.com. Ideal candidates have managerial experience in the bike industry though we are considering candidates at all experience levels.

Professional High End MTB Mechanic We are one of the fastest growing e-commerce companies in the bike industry. We are seeking an experienced bike mechanic that is specifically familiar with high-end mountain bikes...the best of the best! alex@worldwidecyclery.com Professional Mechanic Join our Key West Team Eaton Bikes,established old town Key West bike shop, new TREK retailer, seeks a full time bicycle mechanic. Up to $25 per hour, overtime available, pay commensurate with experience. English is required, Trek/Ascend/ LightSpeed knowledge is a plus. We have a small but effective team, open Monday through Saturday 8 to 6, Sunday 8 to noon. Bicycle technician/delivery driver position also available, starting pay up to $18 per hour. eatonbikes@gmail.com

Big Ring Cycles seeks fulltime, year-round bicycle sales professional

Technical eBike Product Specialist Opportunity at Bosch eBike Systems!

Bike, Tri and Nordic Shop for Sale in Cottage country Ontario Canada

Seeking a detail-oriented bicycle sales professional with the ability to build customer relationships and a deep knowledge and passion for everything bicycle. A strong history of closing high-end sales and Guru fit experience a plus. michelle.w@bigringcycles.com

Use your expertise in the cycling industry at Bosch eBike Systems! This role will conduct dealer clinics, technical trainings and provide field technical product support to eBike dealers across assigned territory in Northern California. email: external. andrea.garner@us.bosch.com

Busy cycle and Nordic ski shop for sale. Real estate, commercial, and residential available. Top cycle and Nordic brands. Triathlon and running shop too. Integrated Web sales. Owner retiring, available for transition time and beyond. david@ontariotrysport.com

Are you looking to join a great team? Pacific Cycling and Triathlon is looking for a professional bike fitter. Responsibilities will include leading, growing, and organizing our fit business. The ideal candidate has road, triathlon, and custom experience. Must have very good interpersonal communication skills, and a cheerful and a positive attitude. Sunday and Mondays off. Competitive salary and a great place to work with opportunity. contact@pacificsbr.com

Giant Bicycle Inc is hiring in our Purchasing Dept! Giant Bicycle Inc. is seeking to fill two positions within our growing Purchasing Dept.! 1) Planning & Supply Administrator & 2)Purchasing Import Coordinator. Pls visit our website at: giant-bicycles. com/us-Careers at Giant for complete job desc with all the details. Giant provides competitive wages, health/ dental/vision/retirement plan, paid sick vacation and we boast about having fun! Come grow with us! If interested email cover letter and resume to: HR@giantbicycle.com. NO phone calls pls. Wilderness Voyageurs seeks mechanics/ guides/ administrative/ outdoor retail staff Seeking experienced bike mechanic. Wilderness Voyageurs is a rapidly growing national bike tour company, specializing in week-long van supported trips. Easygoing, fun workplace- but we crank it out during the busy season! Candidate should be flexible and work with minimal supervision. Our base in the Allegheny Mountains is next to the Great Allegheny Passage Trail, awesome road riding and hundreds of miles of singletrack. Competitive pay, and guiding opportunities also available for the right person. Many other positions also available. montana@wilderness-voyageurs.com Bike Mechanic / Suspension Tech (We can Train!!!) Dirtlabs Suspension is currently looking to add a techs to our growing team. While technical work will be the focus of the new hire, the ability to communicate with customers, both in person and via the phone, is crucial. Our ideal candidate is excited about suspension technical work and enthusiastic about the ability to grow within the company. Bike Mechanic Experience is a plus, we can will supply the suspension service training. Hours are M-F 10-6. No weekends! https://service.dirtlabs.com/careers/

Yamaha has an excellent opportunity for a Field Marketing & Sales Representative to join our Smart Powered Vehicles team in Eastern PA/NJ or Southern NY/MA/CT. Responsibilities: Execute marketing and sales plans to achieve targets by business channel and region based on MTP and Annual Plans. Provide customer service and retailer support. Organize and operate product demonstrations and events. Manage service intervals for fleet inventory. Attend key trade shows, events and sales meetings. Analyze dealer and territory trends using company reporting and ad hoc analyses to identify new opportunities and emerging risks. Enroll new dealer accounts. Present YMFUS value proposition, and guide dealers through enrollment and onboarding processes. Monitor competitors’ activity, gather data on competitors’ pricing and promotional activity, and collect feedback from customers on programs and processes to drive growth Implement marketing and promotion activities driven toward consumer messaging and social media outlets. Coordinate regional marketing planning and implementation with internal divisions and external business partners. Project regional sales volume and forecasts based on changing product and market trends, economic factors and competition. Record and report retail business and inventory management. Contribute as a team member to various activities and projects and perform other duties as assigned Qualifications: BA degree in business/marketing preferred. 7+ marketing/sales experience within the bicycle, powersports, outdoor, action sports or related industries. Ability to understand industry trends, provide input on sales direction and development of proposals for new programs and marketing activities. Strong overall business knowledge with the skill to communicate to dealers/partners. Must have excellent customer service skills. Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to convey a clear message. Demonstrates a professional behavior in social media. Must have proficient bicycle mechanic and diagnostic skills. Team player. Ability to work independently and management long term projects and processes. Can manage multiple projects and tasks. Strong computer skills including knowledge of Excel, Word and PowerPoint. Enjoys extensive domestic business travel and cycling. gustavo_ruiz@yamaha-motor.com

April 2021

Volume 30 Number 4

EDITORIAL STAFF

SALES STAFF

EDITOR IN CHIEF

SALES DIRECTOR, B2B GROUP

AD AD INDEX INDEX All Kids Bike

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Cleary Bikes

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WIN YOUR RIDE

Cycling coach and former WorldTour pro cyclist Tom Danielson shows you how to win every ride in his new training guide Cycling On Form.

Danielson reveals how the pros train by training the whole rider with pro-level workouts, mental training, ride execution, and sports nutrition practice. Cycling On Form unlocks a pro method for riding faster and stronger.

Available in bookstores, bike shops, and online. See more at velopress.com/onform

GUEST EDITORIAL

STAFF EDITORIAL

It’s Easier and Harder to be Big By Noel Kegel

Some disadvantages: Costs of Collective Decision Making. Though some big companies have authoritarian structures, most require at least some degree of cooperation, collaboration, and consensus. This usually takes time/money to communicate a vision, deliberate, get buy-in, and then implement. Smaller shops have flatter structures and can more easily make decisions and implement action. Exposure. A big shop always has a target on its back. It’s easier to grow to be the market leader, than to stay the leader. A bigger shop can be ‘attacked’ from many directions while a smaller shop can fly under the radar. For example, big shops are more likely to be seen by some as corporate or inauthentic. While a big shop may see itself differently, it just means it has to prove value in a different way than being small and artisan. A big shop has to continually innovate and improve to remain relevant. High Stakes. “Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown,” as they say. I am getting gray hairs now; responsibility for the livelihoods of not just my entire family, but hundreds of others as well is a solemn one. While the big-shop inertia helps smooth the bumps, the bike business remains a low-margin game and the fragility of it all means the downsides are serious and potentially ruinous. I guarantee it weighs on every shop owner. In the coming years, the two biggest forces at play in bike retail will be technology and consolidation. The big will get bigger; we can already see that happening. That said, small shops always will have a place, driven by passion and the sheer grit of their owners, filling an important part of the market that big shops can’t. In addition, digital technologies will increasingly flow and shape how we interact in the world. The extent to which bike shops of any size can utilize technology not only to drive the customer experience, but also improve back-of-house efficiencies, will separate those shops that flourish from those that wither. In the end, I believe success or failure is less a function of size, and more a function of recognizing the strengths you have and amplifying them. Running a bike shop is a tough way to make a buck at any scale — the challenges and opportunities are just different. For our big bike shop, we see our capacity to do good in our communities as extremely gratifying. We are 100% commi ed to keep pushing in the big ring, to extend that goodness as far as we can reach.

unning a big bike shop is like riding the big ring. You’ve warmed up your muscles, you’re in a groove, you shi to put some real power into each pedal stroke — your speed and inertia increase. In the same way, with 10 locations, over 200 employees, and 48 years into the ride, Wheel & Sprocket has been hammering in the big ring for some time. W&S enjoys that inertia that size brings. It means that we can fly over the li le bumps in the road and we don’t have to downshi to power over the rolling hills. It also means it’s harder to take the tight turns or slow down. One lesson I’ve learned is to use the advantages you have. Delivering great service or balance-sheet health are independent of size; a big shop can positively impact a customer’s life in the same way a small shop can. However, certain advantages and disadvantages can only be a ributable to scale. Some advantages: Buying Power and Asset Base. It is inescapable that a supplier will treat you differently if you do $100,000 in business versus $10,000,000. Whether it is pricing, terms, warranty, or special favors, being big affords you advantages that are mostly unavailable to smaller shops. Redundancy and Continuity. Whether an employee is sick and needs to stay home, or an individual location has a fire and needs to be closed for several months, a bigger shop has other employees to fill in and other locations to smooth out the impact. Energy and Development. More people means more energy, more ideas, more diversity, more capacity; the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. I’m continually impressed with the idea generation and creativity of staff beyond just the leadership team. I’m wowed with the depth of relationships staff have within the community — the goodwill and energy that a big shop can generate is exponentially greater than a small shop. Being bigger means there are more opportunities for more people to do meaningful work in a field they care deeply about. As an owner, it is deeply satisfying to see a college student working part time decide to make a career at the bike shop — learning, developing, growing into leaders — doing something that has impact, and earning a living at the same time. This story has been told many times at our big bike shop. Inertia and Risk. While there are certainly challenges, on the whole inertia is good for business. Size gives you the ability to weather storms, gives you flexibility to try new things without risking the entire enterprise, and creates a greater level of Noel Kegel is co-owner and president of Wheel & Sprocket, predictability as fluctuations in the market are smoothed over. one of the Big BRAIN Ten retailers in this month’s cover story.

Admit it: This is getting interesting

hile we editors remain for now in our home offices in Colorado and North Carolina, our professional world has been rumbling underfoot with tremors large and small. Since BRAIN’s parent purchased Outside magazine (and some other very significant businesses) in late February (see page 6), nearly every phone or video call we’ve had has started with a question directed to us: “What’s going on with you guys? It looks exciting!” Well, it is exciting. A er two years of steadily adding titles, February’s acquisition of Outside and Peloton magazines, in particular, seemed to convince many in this industry that our CEO, Robin Thurston, means business. We don’t need to go too uncomfortably far out on the self-promotion limb to state that Robin has put together, in rather short time, an impressive portfolio of active lifestyle media titles and other brands. The array of complementary brands gives our organization (now called, simply, “Outside”) the critical mass to support a subscription membership program. Active Pass membership complements advertising and other revenue to create a new kind of media company for our industry. As for BRAIN, editorially we continue to work closely with our fellow bike-geek friends at VeloNews, Beta, Peloton, and Triathlete, in particular. Plus we hear some folks at Outside magazine like to ride bikes, down there in Santa Fe, BRAIN’s birthplace. Structurally, BRAIN is in Outside’s B2B group, along with Outside Business Journal (previously SNEWS), AthleteReg, FinisherPix, Roll Massif, and the IDEA fitness group. As with our consumer title portfolio, the B2B group boasts a variety of complementary businesses and we are already working together on projects that will only make BRAIN stronger and be er able to serve as this industry’s primary trade news source. It’s getting interesting.

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