BikeBiz September 2011, issue 68

Issue 68 | September 2011

EDITORIAL

Issue 68 | September 2011

NEWS 4-5

The bike trade is hit by rioters and Schwalbe launches a click and collect service to benefit its dealers...

INDUSTRY OPINIONS 6

FOCUS ON EUROBIKE 25

EVENTS 72

MYSTERY SHOPPER

12

Our unidentified riding object heads to King’s Lynn in search of a touring bike

FOCUS ON… CYCLE SHOW PREVIEW

31

The UK’s largest bike show takes place in just a few weeks. We look at what to expect this year

MOORE LARGE

23 CSG UK

BikeBiz reviews the news from Moore Large’s bike brand launches...

39

BikeBiz heads to CSG UK HQ for the latest on Charge, Cannondale, Xposure and more

OUTDOORS Montane hails its best OutDoor Show ever and Esbit arrives in the UK via Dalesman

CLOTHING & ACCESSORIES

50

KID’S AND TRAILER BIKES

61

65

REGULARS CHAIN REACTION

8

Distributors need a contingency for another harsh winter, writes our guest columnist...

PEOPLE

LETTERS

71

One reader argues that Mystery Shopper may have marked one shop too harshly

52

SPONSORED BY

Road.cc recruits Rearden, Burgess joins Max Bikes PR and Sugoi brings Tropberger on board

NEW PRODUCTS Fresh product from Transition, Drift Action Cameras, Tacx, Ultra Motor and more

58

SPOKESMAN

86

Do cycle hire schemes really boost bike sales?

Carlton Reid puts the sector under the spotlight

ONE OF my formative experiences with bicycles as a child involved a patch of nettles, a seemingly unavoidable dustbin and a disastrously shaky grasp of braking.

I’ll be honest, the experience struck the tone for my first years on a bike.

Combining getting to grips with balancing and yes, remembering to brake every now and then, proved to be a task beyond my young capabilities. Thankfully for me, I did manage to get the knack eventually.

Likely most people have a story or two about learning to ride and getting a few grazes and cuts along the way. It’s a rite of passage when you’re growing up for many of us.

I’m in my (early, thank you very much) 30s and just squeaked into the ‘70s. It was a time when safety wasn’t uppermost on the agenda, when – for instance – wearing rear seatbelts in cars wasn’t a legal requirement.

Society has got increasingly risk averse, and safety fears are keeping children off bikes. Which isn’t great news for the cycle trade.

Many things have changed for the better since those days. While ‘health and safety’ is much derided, even its most ardent critic would have difficulty arguing that they preferred the days when a rear passenger could have a face full of windscreen because they weren’t wearing a seatbelt during a car crash.

But, the flip side is a society that by and large is more fearful and risk averse. It’s probably why some feel the need to bungie off the side of tall buildings for kicks. It’s a fear that keeps some kids off bikes, which is bad news for the bike trade... and the NHS and Government, but good news for Weight Watchers at least. Perhaps most importantly of all, it’s bad news for the children themselves, missing out on ‘improving their health, happiness and wellbeing’, as Sustrans puts it. For it is Sustrans that has launched a ‘Free Range Kids’ campaign (see page 5) designed to combat that.

The project, designed to free cooped-up kids from cars, is asking for the help of the trade in mind-bendingly simple ways – like putting a poster up in bike shops – to spread the word and maybe, just maybe, get a parent to think twice about discouraging their child from getting on a bicycle.

It’s tough being a parent, especially with awareness of all the bad things that could happen to their child if they let them out of their sight and on a bike. But it’s a fear that has to be fought if we’re to see more children, families and indeed everyone else on bicycles. Cars might seem safe, but they could choke cycling if we don’t remind everyone that riding bikes isn’t necessarily a freakishly dangerous pastime.

Jonathon Harker, Editor

NEWS

CYCLE SHORTS

BikeBiz hits online traffic high During July BikeBiz.com received 62,966 unique visitors, according to Google Analytics, a record number for the leading UK bicycle trade news website. To keep track of our news pages find us on Facebook or follow @BikeBizOnline on Twitter.

HMRC slaps VAT on C2W From January 1st 2012 the Cycle to Work scheme will be subject to 20 per cent VAT, meaning employers must now charge employees the tax on bike purchases. Flick to page six for industry reactions to the changes and page 47 for a new offering.

Paligap takes on ABD BMX Avanti’s off-shoot BMX brand ABD will make its way to Paligap’s stable, with previews of the range to be seen at the up-coming Cycle Show.

Cube 29er offering goes into double figures

The riots: Insurance, damages and claims Cycle store insurance specialist Butterworth Spengler lent its expertise to BikeBiz throughout the duration of the rioting, which plagued many UK cities last month

by Mark Sutton CYCLE TRADE INSURANCE firm Butterworth Spengler has encouraged all cycling shops targeted during the recent unrest to lodge a claim under the Riot Damages Act 1886.

Having extended the claims period from the statutory 14 days to 42 days, the police and Government will look at paying compensation to victims of vandalism and theft.

Phil Coffrey of Butterworth Spengler told BikeBiz: “There’s now a user-friendly version of the claims form found on the ABI’s website – abi.org.uk/information/riots.”

Among those worst hit by thieves were the chain stores, particularly Evans Cycles and Halfords, of which branches in Enfield, Camden, Brixton, Bermondsey, Croydon and other areas fell victim to the violence.

Independent businesses will perhaps bare the brunt of the hardship, with numerous stores in the Capital repairing storefronts and replacing stock as this edition hits the printers.

One of those worst affected was Islington’s Micycle. The attack on which was

Cube is to introduce 29-inch wheeled complete bikes into its catalogue for the first time this year, with the introduction of ten models.

Lovatt wins 2pure prize

Evans to carry Norco

PRIMERA SPORTS’ Dan Lovatt won over £1,000 worth of Crankbrothers kit, courtesy of a 2pure competition.

A competition was launched by the distributor in July’s BikeBiz, offering bike retailers the chance to win the prize.

“I couldn't believe it at first but I’m looking forward to trying the new kit out and it will look sick on my bike,” enthused Lovatt.

“Thank you to everyone at 2pure, especially Kylie and Jon. They were a great help in ensuring I have the right parts coming.”

2pure said it was pleased with the response to the competition.

'We ran this with the aim of informing the trade about expansions to the range, product improvements and the wider pricing brackets,” explained 2pure marketing coordinator Kylie Hendrie. “It is important to us that the industry is aware of these improvements as it makes Crankbrothers more accessible to a larger market.”

Canadian bike brand Norco will be brought into the UK

by Evans Cycles which will sell in store, online and distribute to selected retailers.

Halfords to carry Pilgrim BMX and Whistle Bikes Chain store Halfords has added Whsitle bikes in store and mid-to-high-end BMX brand Pilgrim online.

Rouleur hits 25th edition To celebrate, the publisher is upping its output from six to eight issues per year.

For breaking news visit:

www.bikebiz.com

2pure: 0844 811 2001

4 BIKEBIZ SEPTEMBER

captured on a smartphone by a worried neighbour. Also in Islington, Mosquito Bikes faired better much thanks to a courageous staffer holding the door closed as youths attempted to break their way in. Down the road in Hackney, London Fields Cycles dissuaded a group from attacking the shop after hearing one member of crowds gathering say “bikes are top of our list”.

Greg Conti of Mosquito Bikes told BikeBiz: “Late in the afternoon groups of yobs had assembled on Islington Green and we had noticed they were scoping us out. Before long, ten or so balaclava-clad youths were battering the door with a metal object. If they had gained entry they would have caused more damage than theft as our bikes are all locked and relatively secure. It’s interesting that no other shops on Essex Road were targeted in the way that Mosquito was.”

Aside from notifying the local police authority, Butterworth Spengler handed BikeBiz a set of guidelines covering claims and damages, which can be viewed by typing http://tinyurl.com/4x24b8g into your browser.

A snapshot of Enfield’s High Street post riot

Schwalbe reveals Click and Collect

by Jonathon Harker SCHWALBE UK has unveiled a new ‘click and collect’ service for consumers.

Members of the public can now purchase products online and pick them up at their local specialist cycle dealer through the service, which has been created with the help of Shopatron and its retail-integrated eCommerce platform.

Schwalbe said the service combines the convenience of shopping online with the benefits specialist cycle retailers offer.

All Schwalbe tyres and tubes with the ‘click and collect’ logo are available for purchase through the service. Customers will be guided through the tyre and tube selection, checkout and pickup process.

Schwalbe said that dealers will stand to gain from the arrangement, not least through the fact that they will see conversion of sales generated by Schwalbe’s website. In addition, there is the added benefit of bringing customers in store if they choose to pick up.

Signup is free, with no monthly costs or obligation, there is guaranteed payment for retailers (every 15 days) and trends can be easily monitored through the service. Dealers will also receive full margin on all products less Shopatron’s process fee (9.5 per cent, plus 69p per order).

Cycle retailers interested should email info@schwalbe.co.uk and include ‘Shopatron’ in the subject line.

Schwalbe UK: 01952 602 680

BIKEBIZ.COM

NEWS

Sustrans unveils Free Range Kids campaign Charity asks cycle industry for help to free ‘cooped up’ children from cars

by Jonathon Harker

new service

SUSTRANS has hailed the huge response to the launch of its Free Range Kids campaign.

The project is aiming to get children out of cars and onto bikes or walking to improve their health, happiness and well being.

“We’ve had a huge response from the public so far,” Sustrans chief executive Malcolm Shepherd told BikeBiz. “The website has been very popular; around twenty five thousand people have asked for the activity packs to help them keep their kids free range and lots of social networking is helping spread the word.

We’ve also had a great response from MPs with 97 recently signing an Early Day Motion in Parliament supporting the campaign.

“And this is just the beginning – it’s really encouraging and, we hope, will really change the reality for how children travel around everyday.”

Sustrans is looking to work closely with the trade for the Free Range Kids campaign, with pledge cards and posters that retailers can use to help capture a wider share of the potential children’s cycle market that otherwise might have been missed out on.

Shepherd explained: “The trade already supports our work with schools to get more children doing the school journey by bike and this has provided us with key evidence for why we need to invest in our children being free range. The Bike Hub sponsors our annual competition, The Big Pedal, which we will be running again next March, but we are looking to work more closely with trade on the campaign. We are creating pledge cards and posters that could be stocked in shops and by being more family and children orientated, bike

shops can capture more of the children’s bike market.”

Free Range Kids is aiming to tackle ‘fear of traffic’ and how that has affected travel choices by parents for children over recent decades.

The chief exec added: “Sustrans has been working with children in schools for 16 years and we know that children often do want to walk and cycle more, but there are barriers to them being able to do that. Fear of traffic is a major reason why parents don’t allow children to play outside or go to school on their own, and it is an understandable fear. Since the ‘70s the number of cars we own has more than doubled and that

“No one wants generations of children who see the world through a car window...”

has had a huge impact on how our children make even the shortest of journeys. No one wants future generations of children who are inactive, cooped up and see the world through a car window.”

“That is why the campaign has two angles. Firstly helping children and parents find ways to be active and independent in how they travel around locally by discovering traffic free routes or cycle lanes, getting better cycle skills or just finding new ways to enjoy doing it together. Secondly, we want local and national government to commit to improving public space with lower traffic speeds in residential areas and with investment in better local walking and cycling networks so getting around your own streets doesn’t have to be a battle, it can be an enjoyable part of the day.” www.sustrans.org.uk/freerangekids

INDUSTRY OPINIONS | C2W VAT CHANGES

C2W changes for the better?

It’s the second time we’ve seen cycle to work go through a substantial change in 12 months. Does the trade expect the move to make the scheme subject to VAT will result in a reduction in C2W business?

Or has it been blown out of proportion? Jonathon Harker takes notes…

“THE INTRODUCTION of the scheme was amazing for the cycle industry, a fantastic opportunity for us all. However, there were many unknowns, plenty of grey, and a whole load of misunderstandings. These have been cleared up with the introduction of FMV last September and the new position on VAT. The worries (from within the cycle industry) that the scheme would be axed has meant that a cloud has been hanging over the scheme since the outset. These fears should now have dissipated. Our hope is that the guideline changes create a clearer and more coherent scheme that will last for many years to come.

The Government’s cycle scheme has been a huge success in accomplishing its goal of improving health and reducing carbon emissions, since its introduction. With areas of uncertainty now clarified by the HMRC, employees now wanting to enter a work cycle scheme will know from the outset the details, with more clarity and certainty of what is involved. Furthermore, the savings and payment terms on a new bike are still very attractive.

The scheme remains a cost neutral employee benefit for companies, and is still the most effective way of promoting cleaner transport and tackling adult health and fitness issues in the UK. So despite the changes, we are happy that these guidelines are being put in place if it ensures the longevity of the scheme. Perhaps the scheme is no longer a get rich quick option, but we see it as a sustainable part of our cycle sales for the foreseeable future.”

Simon Harris, Tax Free Cycle Manager, Cycle Surgery

6 BIKEBIZ SEPTEMBER

“In response to your request for a reaction to VAT now being charged on the service that is the provision of Cycle to Work bikes, I would make five points:

‘IT REMOVES UNCERTAINTY’ “This is the clarification we have been waiting for and will now allow Employers to plan with certainty how to apply the benefits of the Cycle to Work Scheme for their employees, allowing them access to savings of up to 42 per cent.”

Daniel Gillborn, head of commercial operation, Cyclescheme

1. That HMRC has clearly decided to increase the tax take from employers who participate in Cycle to Work schemes. This money has to come from somewhere, and it will inevitably mean that Cycle to Work schemes become slightly less attractive for employees.

2. That despite HMRC’s best efforts, Cycle to Work schemes can still be designed to deliver very attractive savings for employees.

3. The main effect of HMRC’s latest attack on Cycle to Work schemes has not been the effect on the actual value that schemes offer. It has been to spread uncertainty amongst employers. In the current financial conditions there is nothing as destructive as uncertainty.

4. HMRC’s antics will result in the raising of a miniscule amount of extra tax, but also in an increase in traffic congestion and in the increased production of greenhouse gasses. A marvellous victory for all concerned.

5. This move clearly indicates that this Government’s environmental policy is firmly in the hands of George Osborne. The two fakecycling-environmentalists, David Cameron and Boris Johnson, should hang their heads in shame.”

Mike Sweatman, Edinburgh Bicycle Cooperative

The new ruling has clarified the scheme, say our panel members

“The new ruling removes the final element of uncertainty about exactly how schemes should operate going forward, and in so doing, strengthens it further.”

Charles Ashwell, Halfords Cycle2work corporate sales manager “The new ruling on VAT does not mean a blanket reduction in benefit of 20 per cent.

Some scheme participants such as financial service companies, and partially exempt organisations, will now get additional benefits as they will be able to recover the VAT in full and this enhances the attractiveness of the scheme for such providers. For those already fully VAT registered the impact on savings will not apply at 20 per cent of the purchase value of the bike as this will be offset by an increase in Income Tax and NI Contributions’ savings, which will continue to apply.”

Cycle to Work Alliance, representing Cyclescheme, Cycle Solutions, Evans Cycles and Halfords.

BIKEBIZ.COM

CHAIN REACTION | WINTER LOGISTICS

Gearing up for

Christmas Last winter’s bad weather hampered deliveries in the trade, so now is the time to have a contingency plan in case it happens again, argues Daniel Ennor, director of commercial development at Global Freight Solutions…

FOR MOST PEOPLE, summer is still not over.

However, for those involved with Britain’s retail industry, prep work for the pre-Christmas push has been underway for many months.

This year, the sector has its eyes fixed on what is traditionally one of the busiest parts of its calendar with a mix of anticipation and apprehension. Continuing economic pressures during 2011 have in some cases had a negative impact on sales of new bikes, a trade which analysts reckoned had generated turnover of more than £2 billion last year.

The situation is reckoned to be due not only to cash-conscious consumers but the impact on prices, availability and supply caused by the taxman paying even greater heed to what he believes are attempts by Far Eastern manufacturers to circumvent EU import duties.

Bicycle makers in places like Taiwan and China are desperate to secure a bigger share of the UK trade because it represents one of the biggest single chunks of sales in Europe.

Even so, while there may have been a slowdown in the volumes of new models being shifted, we understand that sales of parts and accessories remain buoyant and may even increase further ahead of next Summer’s Olympic Games in London.

Such subtle changes in the nature of the domestic cycling industry are, of course, keenly felt by retailers as they prepare for Christmas.

More than merely trying to predict what items will sell, this year they’re anxious to ensure that customers won’t experience the sort of difficulties which occurred in 2010.

December last year will not only be remembered by the retail sector for one of the most severe bursts of bad weather in living memory but for how the snow and ice provided

8 BIKEBIZ SEPTEMBER

The heavy snow last year caused chaos – and supply problems – for many retailers, including cycle stores.

a chilling illustration of the need for contingencies in their supply chain.

After the British climate had returned to something approaching normality, GFS conducted in-depth research to establish the exact reasons why the UK parcel delivery industry was at one stage facing a backlog of more than four million undelivered items in the final days before December 25th.

What we discovered was that the snow wasn’t totally to blame. Whilst no-one could predict the scale or persistence of the bad weather, the ways some carriers and retailers reacted to it were instrumental in the problems which transpired.

Soon after retailers cleared the first peak in parcel traffic in early November, the first wave of bad weather struck, coinciding with the biggest single period for online shopping.

As parcels carriers struggled to deliver those items, consumers, unable to get to the High Street because of inclement conditions, bought even more on the ‘net, contributing to £6.8bn worth of online sales during December – an increase of 25 per cent on the previous year.

In some cases, communications between retailers, carriers and consumers was poor.

Shoppers simply weren’t given clear enough advice about the chances of goods arriving in time for Christmas.

In other instances, stores and parcel delivery firms didn’t have the flexibility and

continuity of resources to cope. In short, for cycling businesses and other retailers, the wheels effectively came off.

Some cycling firms discovered another critical element too. They began to realise the costly effects of surcharges being added by certain parcel carriers who they’d nominated to take bulky frames, wheels and accessories.

They were faced with the choice of paying large bills or finding new logistics partners, something which proved almost impossible during December when four million new items were finding their way into the UK’s parcel system every single day.

GFS works with a dozen or so firms in cycling retail making sure that they have reliable carrier support through the year.

Because of that experience, we have been able to advise other retailers about trying to ‘front load’ sales, persuading consumers to shop during October and November to make sure that they get goods in time for Christmas and also giving them as broad a range of delivery options as possible if they still want to shop should the weather once again take a turn for the worse.

They have seen how small changes can potentially avoid the lost business and damaged reputations which followed last December’s difficulties. At a time when every sale is important, even minor amendments to supply can keep retailers – and their customers – on the road. www.justshoutgfs.com

December last year will not only be remembered for one of the most severe bursts of bad weather, but for the problems in the retail supply chain.

BIKEBIZ.COM

BIKE HUB | BIKE IT IN WALES

Pic © J Bewley and Sustrans

Child benefit It’s for their own good! Whether they’re in London, Edinburgh, Belfast or Cardiff we need to encourage kids to get on their bikes. Jonathon Harker takes a look at how Bike Hub and Sustrans are trying to do precisely that in the Welsh capital…

THE WORKS OF the Bike Hub-funded and Sustrans-run Bike It initiative aren’t just confined to one corner of the British Isles.

Cardiff’s Bike It Officer, Tim Anfield, has been working with the schools of the city and the surrounding area since September 2010.

Two of those schools – Oakfield Primary School and Bishop Childs Primary School – took part in a ‘twinning’ ride in July, congratulating the schools’ efforts in cycling.

School children and over 60 parents from both schools took part in a ‘Pedal Picnic’ including a bike ride and picnic at St Mellons’ Hendre Lake.

Before Bike It and Tim Anfield got involved with the two schools a paltry five children regularly cycled to school. Now, less than a year later, these schools regularly see between 35 and 45 children regularly eschewing the car in favour of cycling to school.

“The pedal picnic has shown how pupils and teachers have really committed themselves to cycling to school,” Anfield enthuses. “They are working really hard to create a lasting procycling culture that they wish to see in their community.”

This ‘twinning’ ride is just one of many schemes and rides that have taken place as part of the Bike It programme to encourage and reward children and young families to saddle up regularly.

SCHOOL’S OUT In fact, the Pedal Picnic is one of many rides the schools of Cardiff have taken part in. This term Bike It has opened the eyes of teachers and parents – showing how easy it is to take groups of over 30 pupils to and above 10 kilometres distance rides – something that sounds more challenging on paper than in practice. The programme saw rides take place on paths and cycle routes with some quiet

10 BIKEBIZ SEPTEMBER

Cardiff’s Bike It Officer Tim Anfield has been working closely two local schools recently

road sections, largely between the hours of 10am and 2pm. The largest group involved 60 pupils but most consisted of one class-worth (30 or so pupils). Pupils from year five and six took part, as did some as young as eight.

Each ride was co-led by a teacher – trained in how to lead a ride as part of the Bike It programme.

One anticipatory ‘transition’ ride was organised from Marlborough Juniors to Cardiff High School, giving pupils a chance to learn the route to their new school before actually going. Twenty pupils took part in the ride to their new High School, supported by parents and the Cardiff Council Road Safety Team. The ride coincided with a PTA Barbecue ride to celebrate the opening of its new bike shelter, providing cover for 40 bikes.

Bike It activities haven’t just been for practical A to B reasons either – in one case a ride was organised to aid pupil studies. A ‘history and sculpture tour’ around the Taff Trail and Bute Park saw class groups from St Fagans Primary, St Francis Primary and Gabalfa Primary take part on separate occasions.

Anfield picks up the story: “I created a cycle route that passed Llandaff Cathedral, a range of bridges and park sculptures and with a lunch stop in Cardiff Castle. The route followed a range of different trails and terrains to illustrate the possibilities. For example, the group was taken along a shared use path by a main road which was then contrasted to a beautiful and peaceful riverside cycle path – they were

invited to think which was the most pleasant experience and were reminded that they were part of Sustrans' work to reduce car use.”

The rides are just part of the Bike It picture, Anfield explained: “These were a culmination of work at the schools over one or two years.

All schools have had several Dr Bike visits to ensure bike quality and have taken part in lots of cycle training through Welsh Cycling and Cardiff Council Road Safety.”

Sustrans works with a total of 18 schools in Cardiff in partnership with Cardiff Council.

To find out more about how industry levy Bike Hub funds Bike it programmes across the country – and a number of other ‘get bums on saddles’ initiatives – head to www.bikehub.co.uk.

According to recent stats, one in ten children have not learnt how to ride a bike, with a third also not owning a bike.

BATTLE OF THE BULGE The bike trade has an obvious vested interest in getting kids on bikes, but for those of us with families, the need to get children on two wheels – or at least out of the car every now and then – is pressing.

According to stats from a survey made by mini-triathlete sponsor Tata Steel, one in ten children had not learnt to ride a bike, with a third not owning a bike – despite three in four owning a games console (and two thirds owning a mobile phone). The poll questioned 1,500 children aged between six and 15.

BIKEBIZ.COM

MYSTERY SHOPPER | KING’S LYNN

Going round the Ouses Picturesque King’s Lynn has plenty to see by bike, both on and off the roads. With that in mind, Mystery Shopper headed to the growing port town in search of a touring bike. Our incognito inspector found things to be not so straightforward...

Halfords

Surf 55

ARRIVING DURING a busy period where shelves were being restocked and staff largely unavailable Mystery Shopper had to question whether he’d entered before hours when most stores would be reloading.

It was in fact mid-day and with plenty of customers being ignored on the main shop floor Mystery Shopper waded through to the cycles department. The cycle area was a little less hectic and straight away I noted a common Halfords sight, three staff behind a tiny counter. Luckily the staffer not tinkering with workshop jobs greeted me and advised that my budget would more than cover me for a tourer fully kitted out from the off. What’s more, Halfords’ care package was mentioned to me should I need a mechanic to handle my maintenance.

That’s where it stopped though. The assistant was largely clueless on the touring sector, neglecting to mention panniers, or any other gear suited to expeditions and lengthy spells on two wheels. I was told that I needn’t really be spending £500 to obtain a bike built to last. It really wouldn’t hurt to upsell one though, given that’s SCORE my quoted budget, surely?

DISPLAYING ‘certificates of excellence’ from your suppliers is always an encouraging sight and one I was greeted with while browsing Surf 55.

Though primarily a surf and bicycle store it was refreshing to see a variety of stock drawing in custom from skateboarding, the trend that won’t go away of scootering and many more – an indication of how ‘with the times’ the store is.

Having waited my turn during a high footfall period, the assistant neglected a break between customers and reverted from selling some kind of wet suit, switching in an instant to a strong pitch on a Marin bang on my budget. Presumably Surf 55 receives a variety of customers and plenty of them, because the assistant had a very polished routine, which resulted in a few earmarked options in a catalogue, along with a strong recommendation, as well as mentions of add on accessories required for long distance cycling.

At the time it had occurred to me that the store was perhaps slightly over-cluttered and thus a turn off for some customers, though this was prior to my visit to A E SCORE Wallis.

[ 2/5 ]

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[ 4/5 ] BIKEBIZ.COM

MYSTERY SHOPPER | KING’S LYNN

A E Wallis I SPENT TEN minutes browsing within A E Wallis’ large scale shop, which was split between household appliances and bicycles, before mistaking a delivery man for a staff member. Luckily, the parcel-carrying messenger advised that the store’s owner is often ‘out the back’ and to shout for help. Would a customer unfamiliar with this shop be expected to hang around until he help appeared, I wonder?

Once the delivery man had handed me over, I found the assistant to be chatty and extremely interested in helping his customer. Moving onto bike sales, I was advised that though little was in stock to match my brief, plenty could be ordered, triggering an informative and educational chat about touring bikes and with hints about price points and value for money thrown in.

I have to concede that the presentation of the store was a distraction, however. It was perhaps one of the messiest seen in Mystery Shopper’s UK tour. My inkling is that many customers would leave based on the neglect of a good hoovering alone.

Otherwise, the assistant was SCORE knowledgeable, friendly and made a good effort to sell bang on budget.

[ 2/5 ]

Anglian Cycles

Richardsons Cycles

TOWN CENTRE-based Anglian Motor Cycles, or King’s Lynn’s Cyclelife if you’re going by Google’s info, was surely the largest in town, though appeared to split its business between cycling and motorcycles.

Met by an elderly gentleman in workshop garb soon after entry, first impressions were strong. The assistant began to discuss the heritage of the Esperia brand, firing off many reasons why a bike by this manufacturer could be trusted. Alternatives slightly off-key to my brief were offered to me, though the helper seemed to read Mystery Shopper’s preferences well and began to sell the Esperia road bike, which though slightly under my budget, would satisfy the brief if a few accessory add ons were upsold.

Sadly, this is where the pitch fell down. Explaining my desire to tour, the assistant neglected to mention the variety of accessories within his stock, nor were the mounts for such items pointed out to me.

I have to give it to the helper though, he did a fantastic job otherwise in terms of sharing knowledge, delivering it in a jargon free manner and generally being a big SCORE help to a ‘first time’ buyer.

BY FAR THE best presented store in town, Richardson’s door buzzer summoned an assistant from the workshop on entry who was very sharp and structured with questioning – asking budget, intended use and how seriously I foresaw myself taking cycling.

Our conversation carried on down a very structured path, with price points and value for money within each very well covered. What’s more with an indication drawn from me that my budget may be flexible, the assistant began to upsell well. However, along with each upsell came the offer of a discount, on current year models, with no haggle on Mystery Shopper’s part.

These were largely to the tune of £50, though the further I was upsold, the greater the discounts became, which seemed like wasted effort to me.

Personal use of each model was key to the assistant’s pitch and as a result I was advised to avoid certain models within the range. Having this advice worked very well hand-in-hand with the sales pitch, though was perhaps a little over-cooked given that I was a ‘first time buyer’. Jargon began to trickle in that may very well have lost the SCORE less bike-savvy customer.

[ 3/5 ]

BIKEBIZ.COM

[ 4/5 ]

Summary Perhaps Mystery Shopper developed some form of OCD for cleanliness and organisation in the past month, though given the state of the mystery machine’s tyre-marked and Lion Bar wrapper decorated interior, I’d say that’s unlikely.

No, in fact, the levels of presentation in Kings Lynn, to quote an over-used regional pun, were nor-folkin’ good! A E Wallis was perhaps the worst of the bunch, with a counter area stacked with more useless paperwork that a certain editor’s desk. The floor was covered in off cuts, torn cardboard and lots of things to make your more sensitive customer want to leave.

BIKEBIZ SEPTEMBER 13

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BIKEBIZ.COM

FISHER | PRICING ESSENTIALS

The price is

right One of the best-known distributors in the trade has taken the step of cutting prices on the ‘bread and butter’ products it supplies. But what led to the decision and why now?

Jonathon Harker asks Fisher’s sales and marketing director Mike Cook…

What led Fisher Outdoor Leisure to change prices on its ‘bread and butter’ service and accessory lines?

A combination of factors. Firstly we’re very conscious that the industry in general has undergone significant inflation in the last four years and we wanted to identify certain key areas where we could provide improved value for money for IBDs. Secondly we saw an opportunity to take a category approach and offer a range of really good pricing on everyday bike shop ‘essentials’. And thirdly we didn’t want to lose touch with our heritage because although we sell a wide range of really exciting brands. Fisher grew up as a wholesaler of bread and butter bike products and we wanted to remind our customers that this part of the business is still very important to us.

How do prices compare with those in 2010?

Very favourably indeed. The average saving over the whole Essentials range is over 16 per cent, but some lines have had up to 75 per cent reduced over their previous 2010 best price. Our aim is to continually analyse and compare pricing to ensure IBDs can come to us for all their P&A needs safe in the knowledge that we take value seriously.

Tell us about the Quantity Discount system

ON THE EXPO Fisher has already revealed the dates of its 2012 Expo house show. But will it be returning to Sopwell House in St Albans?

“Yes, the last two Expos at Sopwell have been resounding successes,” Cook explains. “Many of our customers enjoy the comfortable and relaxed nature that

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and how it makes it easy for customers.

One piece of feedback that came from our customers was that our pricing structure was too complicated for these essential products and that customers wanted a simple way to access the best deals. Now the more a customer buys of a particular line the better the price will be and those same prices will be available to everybody. The only exception to this is for tyres and tubes where we have a Mixed Quantity Discount allowing customers to mix and match the products whilst keeping the great savings.

Is it tougher to keep prices low at the moment given the exchange rate?

Clearly there are challenges, but we’re a big, strong, financially solid business and we use our scale to make sure we maximise our buying efficiencies and keep ourselves competitive, whilst also offering our dealers the best possible lines of credit.

Can you tell us a bit about the improvements you’ve made to the B2B site?

We get a lot of positive comments regarding our current B2B website but as part of the commitment to improve our service we are in the process of launching a

Sopwell house provides, so once again we will be returning there in 2012 to make the show even better.”

2012 Expo will run from Monday February 20th to Wednesday 22nd.

new site which will provide even greater functionality with market leading search capabilities and account management tools.

Many dealers will have had a preview at our Expo and with this feedback we are confident that it will be industry leading. The site will launch in the next few weeks.

And the warehouse management system has been recently enhanced?

Firstly we have been able to extend our cut-off times so that customers have until 4pm to place orders (2pm on a Friday) and still get next day delivery. Secondly our ability to assess stock levels has also been greatly improved, resulting in live stock information.

Moving forward we will also be scanning throughout the different functions in the warehouse from goods in, put away, picking and goods out which will make us more accurate from a picking perspective.

Fishers claims it is committed to improving its customer service to IBDs

Any final message to bike retailers?

Here at Fishers all our staff are committed to improving our customer service to the IBDs. We regularly seek feedback from our customer base and thank those that take the time to participate in our surveys. Through their feedback we make enhancements to our services, from permanent better pricing on bread and butter lines, improving our B2B and growing our sales team to enable all customers access to a dedicated account manager. These are just a few of the improvements we have made and through their continued support we will continue to assess our services and make improvements. We look forward to seeing you all at Cycle Show later this month and we hope you can join us at Expo in February.

Fisher Outdoor Leisure: 01727 798340

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1 1 0 2 S D R A AW THE CATEGORIES

Your guide to the

l l l l l l l l

finalists You lobbied, we fed it into our computer and now it’s over to the judges to decide which retailers, brands, distributors and media deserve a BikeBiz Award in 2011. Jonathon Harker lists the challengers…

THE FINALISTS FOR the 2011 BikeBiz Awards have been chosen after weeks of lobbying by the cycle industry. Now an independent panel of judges from the trade will select the winners. The award night itself is weeks away, on Wednesday September 28th at the Hilton Metropole, NEC, Birmingham. Electra Bicycles is Premium Partner for the Awards, alongside Event Partners Koga Bicycles, Citrus-Lime and Cycle SOS. And here are the finalists, often profiled in the words of those who nominated them…

Independent Retailer Online Retailer High Street Chain Retail Workshop Distributor: Bikes Distributor: P&A Distributor of the Year Consumer Print Media (Specialist and National Press) l Consumer Website l Bike Brand l P&A Brand l Rising Star l Retail Marketing Initiative

Rutland Cycling

Independent Retailer RUTLAND CYCLING Last year’s independent retailer winner has been busy with a dedicated customer services team, a new Facebook store and fresh finance options for consumers. The website has come on in leaps and bounds too, with improved navigation, a more targeted search, a fresh design and is more Google friendly. The retailer has also picked up local business awards for its three-shop business.

CONDOR CYCLES The widely known independent bike retailer is a one-stop-shop for touring equipment, commuting products, singlespeed and track components, also offering road cycling accessories, components and bikes. The shop has departments on separate floors, allowing staff to specialise. One fan told us: “Another impressive 12 months with great feedback and great sales. Good, enthusiastic staff, keen to promote their shop and cycling.”

WHEELBASE Cumbria-set Wheelbase is another admired BIKEBIZ.COM

bike shop. One fan said: “The team are young, dynamic and offer top levels of product knowledge and service.” The shop has MTB routes on the doorstep, over 600 bikes on display in the huge 14,000 sq ft store, covering cross-country, freeride, downhill, road racing, sportive, cyclocross, commuting, touring, leisure and children’s rides. We quote: “They are, and always have been, an amazing shop.”

BELL'S BICYCLES Bell’s Bicycles is set in a wood panelled 18th Century former green grocers in Hastings Old Town. Founded by Megan Williams-O’Mara in 2009, the shop has a part-time mechanic and an apprentice scheme. The small shop has a constant stock of quality cycles on display, with fine customer service on offer, we’re told.

It also runs a repair and maintenance scheme for locals, as well as bike hire. The owner works with the council, Active Hastings and Hastings Urban Bikes to promote cycling and safe

accessibility to local routes.

18 BIKES 18 Bikes has regularly appeared as an Award finalist – little wonder judging by some of the comments we received. “They're a model of how a great local bike shop should work, using fantastic service and investment in people to sidestep getting in the charge to the bottom of the price wars.” Based in the Peak District, it specialises in custom builds, now offering custom-built steel frames too, as well as offthe-peg models. It’s also a hit with Singletrack readers, winning several awards.

MOUNTAIN MANIA CYCLES This retail business was founded by Jamie Lynn, 21, six years ago. From one small shop in Tring, Herts, Lynn has opened a branch in Didcot, Oxfordshire, and a larger new shop in Tring. It has since added a road bike shop (‘The Road Room’) close from the Tring store. It

>>> BIKEBIZ SEPTEMBER 17

BIKEBIZ AWARDS | 2011 >>> employs nine people and estimates turnover for the next financial year to exceed £1m.

BIKETREKS, AMBLESIDE Cumbria’s Biketreks is ‘an absolutely great shop set amongst some of the best scenery in the world’ as one punter pithily put it. It offers maps and relevant accessories as well as hire bikes. Weekly rides operate from the shop, which recently moved to nearby Rydal Road to a more prominent spot and also more than doubling stock capacity. It also supports the Fred Whitton Challenge and is a Shimano Service Centre Plus.

Online Retailer CHAIN REACTION CYCLES The story of starting with just a small bank loan is well worn, but nevertheless is an impressive measure of how CRC has gone a very long way in 25 years. The firm is going back to its roots with the opening of a new physical store and not even suffering card fraud has held it back from picking up a Queen’s Award for Business, or being shortlisted for the Sunday Times Fast Track 100.

WIGGLE From launching its own Facebook store, to seeing its first sportives of the year sell out speedily, Wiggle has continued to rise in the Hot Shop 100. Its overseas offering has grown again, with a website now operating in six languages: French, Spanish, German, Japanese and most recently in Dutch. The firm’s impressive record has seen it win two BikeBiz Awards in the online retailer category.

JE JAMES Not even break-ins have stopped JE James from recording another strong 12 months. With large bike stores in Sheffield, Chesterfield and Rotherham, the firm’s online business has continued to supply road, commuter, BMX, mountain, XC, downhill, electric and folding bikes to customers across the land. At the end of last year JE James forged closer links with local Football Club Chesterfield too.

UK BIKE STORE This year marks a first appearance for UK Bike Store in this category. Staffed with cycle enthusiasts, the online store stocks the full gamut from car racks, to energy product, lights, workshop kit and much more, across a wide selection of consumer sectors. UK Bike Store

EDINBURGH CYCLE CO-OP The six-strong chain is still headquartered in Edinburgh, with two stores based south of the border (in Leeds and Manchester). The co-op has over 100 members and promises to offer friendly, informed professional advice to its customer base. The firm aims to promote cycling in the UK as a pastime and transport, while also making it easier and more enjoyable to own and ride a bike.

also sidelines with offerings in the camping and outdoors sector, including sledges, tents, wetsuits and barbeque accessories.

High Street Chain EVANS CYCLES If Evans Cycles scoops the High Street Chain prize it’ll be during its 90th year in the trade. it will be first UK retail chain to carry the new Bobbin bicycle range, got a new CEO (Nick Wilkinson) in May and exclusively stocks a number of brands – including Fuji and Jamis.

Evans is also a key member of the Cycle to Work Alliance, hosts Ride it events nationwide to grow the brand and encourage cycling, and even found time to launch a new website earlier in the summer.

Retail Workshop EVANS CYCLES Evans has opened a large centralised workshop in London to cater for its very busy and spacerestricted central London stores. Staffed by 12 mechanics, with the potential to have 35, bikes are left with a store, a network of vans transport the bike for repair to the facility where the bike is serviced and returned to the original store for collection within two days – resulting in a greatly improved service.

CYCLE SURGERY Cycle Surgery’s store portfolio now numbers an impressive 24 nationwide, with 13 in the capital. Famously, the chain also hosts womenonly evenings, featuring expert advice on kit, nutrition and fitting, with a glass of champers and cupcake to boot. One lobbyist said of the High Street Chain: “Good staff, orderly systems, good lines of communication. Customer feedback appears to be consistently good.”

CYCLES UK There’s a long list of firms working closely with Cycles UK, ranging from apparel firm Shutt VR to the world-famous Harrods. The firm promises a jargon-free service for customers and a focus on quality brand, top-notch customer service and a contemporary retail environment. The retailer was founded in 1997 and now has 16 stores across the South East.

The revamped flagship Greenwich store has a large dedicated women’s cycling area.

REVOLUTION! CYCLEWORKS Mobile workshop Revolution! Cycleworks aims to cater not just for bread and butter repairs as you might expect, but also offers a range of service and bike build options comparable with a High Street bike shop. The firm has the added benefit of being able to fit its schedule around the customer’s, rather than the other way round. It says: “We're the local bike shop that visits you when and where you want.”

LEISURE LAKES Last year’s High Street Award winner has roots in the windsurfing business but hasn’t looked back since stepping into the then burgeoning mountain bike sector. The family business has seven stores, serving the mountain bike, commuter, road and BMX sectors, among others. All mechanics are Cytech trained, and customers are encouraged to sign up to a VIP ‘super saver’ club, with finance and C2W options available.

BIKE SCENE, GUISBOROUGH Bike Scene, based on the edge of the North Yorkshire Moors National Park, boasts four Cytech NVQ Level 3 technicians manning the workshop – two of whom were among the first to attain the qualification back in 2004. The shop sends its technicians to regular factory training sessions to keep them up to date with the latest tech available. One fan said: “Very knowledgeable staff that are great at solving customer problems.”

HALFORDS The colossus of the UK cycle retail scene, Halfords has over 460 superstores across the nation, with its own Cycle to Work offering and stocking bike brands like Boardman, Voodoo and Carrera. It has recently invested in the mobile side of its business, creating a free app for smart phones to lead customers to its physical or online doors. Like Evans and Wiggle, Halfords’ online site is among the 100 most popular retail sites in the UK.

OXFORD CYCLE WORKSHOP TRAINING Over the last 12 months this community owned co-operative training organisation has taken the Big Society concept and run with it.

It has taken on eight apprentices and now offers a Level 2 Certificate programme for aspiring Cycle Mechanics with a full customer service and enterprise modules. Courses and

The judging criteria INDEPENDENT RETAILER Judges should consider: Customer service, Product knowledge, range and in-store merchandising.

ONLINE RETAILER Judges should consider: Reliability, Range, User Interface, Commitment to an orderly marketplace.

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HIGH STREET CHAIN Judges should consider: Customer service, Product Knowledge, Range, Commitment to an orderly marketplace

RETAIL WORKSHOP Judges should consider: Organisation, Customer communication, Workshop staff training, popularity.

DISTRIBUTOR: BIKES Judges should consider: Speed of order, Order fulfilment, Customer Service, Product condition, After sales.

DISTRIBUTOR: P&A Judges should consider: Speed of order, Order fulfilment, Customer Service, Product condition, After sales.

DISTRIBUTOR OF THE YEAR Judges should consider: Speed of order, Order fulfilment, Customer Service, Overall performance in the trade.

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regular events puts the workshop at the heart of a growing local cycling community.

niche and bringing some exciting bikes to the UK market from Moda. The brand’s in-depth product range is complemented with quick and accurate delivery, the firm says, and it is keen to please retailers by filling gaps in markets when mainstream brands run low on stock.

Custom build options are offered by Eurobike and the bikes are all built in England.

JAKE’S BIKES Providing quality used bikes, servicing, repairs and tuition are key aims of Jake’s Bikes. The firm provides courtesy bikes while cycles are in for repair and also offers tuition from beginners to advanced level in the workshop, offering a choice of watching and learning or getting stuck in. Advice is also on hand for roadside repairs, on what kind of equipment should be taken on big cycling holidays and much more.

SILVERFISH Silverfish UK continues to impress and grow its distribution and offering of bikes to the UK IBD network. With strong brands on board in the form of legendary MTB manufacturer Rocky Mountain, who celebrated their 30th birthday in 2010 and new to the UK market Mondraker Bikes, there is a bike on offer for every off road rider and at all price points. Backed up with a competitive sales services and comprehensive back-up further strengths Silverfish UK as a leading bicycle distributor.

Distributor: Bikes MADISON Madison is one of the best-known distributors in the business, with a bike portfolio including the likes of Cervelo, Ridgeback, Saracen, Genesis and Adventure. The firm famously took the reins of Saracen brand at the end of ‘08 and supports its customers with two regular iceBike* house shows. An exhibitor at the inaugural London Bike Show at ExCeL, it also shows at smaller events like the Dirt Wars UK Dirt Jump Series, among others.

Distributor: P&A RALEIGH One of the most recognisable names inside and outside the trade, Raleigh has a wide number of familiar P&A brands and a team of product managers (with an average age of under 30) supporting those brands at dealer level. Raleigh recently picked up Trion:Z and its performance bracelet range.

CSG UK The distributor’s comprehensive range now incorporates Cannondale, GT, Mongoose, Wethepeople and Charge, and is set to grow still further. CSG adds that Cannondale has been available in more stores and has sold more units than ever. The firm has worked to keep the model availability of all models high by investing in more stock than ever before. A developing B2B website, plus investment in areas like telesales to keep service levels high.

MADISON Madison brings a wealth of P&A brands to the UK trade, including Shimano, Garmin, Giro, own clothing brand Madison and many more. The firm has recently revamped its warehouse, made its second iceBike* of the year a permanent fixure, and has engaged in a multitude of events and marketing to bolster its portfolio amongst cyclists. The firm has an enviable turnaround time on orders, as regular readers of the BikeBiz Forum will attest to.

MOORE LARGE Derby-set distributor Moore Large has a comprehensive range of bikes, covering most disciplines of cycling. Two key brands, Forme and Haro, are both supported by dedicated brand managers, POS material, marketing support and technical information. Moore Large has supplied Center Parcs with Haro bikes, bringing the brand to thousands of holiday makers, while other brands are boosted through the consumer-facing ‘Todays Cyclist’.

ZYRO Zyro has doubled in size in terms of turnover, labour force and office space in the past five years, in addition to many other areas of growth, and is on track to double in turnover in the next five years. It has implemented 25 per cent longer warehouse working days and offers next day delivery to customers. It continues to grow its brands, including CatEye, Altura, Abus, Camelbak and many more, but it isn’t simply on a mission to add brands, saying it is instead committed to its current brands.

REECE CYCLES Reece’s bike brands include Schwinn, Python, Probike, Freeagent and Bottecchia. The Birmingham-based firm has picked up plenty of fans in the trade, including one bike retailer who said: “I think Reece Cycles should get an award or two for bikes and P&A. They don't shout about themselves and just get on with the job. Stocks are good, delivery is prompt and they provide a friendly and helpful service.”

MOORE LARGE Moore Large has a widespread coverage of product across a huge range of sectors due to its comprehensive range of brands. Products are supported by a useful brochure and business-to-business site. Some of its key brands include world famous names like Knog, Lake, Kenda and Jagwire, but Moore Large also

EUROBIKE Eurobike is the youngest bike distributor on this list. That hasn’t stopped it from carving a

CONSUMER PRINT MEDIA Judges should consider: Compelling editorial, Circulation development, Design, Independence and Integrity of review.

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CONSUMER WEBSITE Judges should consider: Compelling editorial, Design, Independence and Integrity of review, User interface.

BIKE BRAND Judges should consider: Commercial success, Innovation, Marketing, Performance.

P&A BRAND Judges should consider: Commercial success, Innovation, Marketing, Performance.

RISING STAR Judges should consider: Growth over the last 12 months, Performance over the last year, Reputation.

handles development of house brand ranges, as with the latest successes of One23, as well as bringing other brands to market.

SILVERFISH Silverfish UK has a long established history of providing a high level of sales and service to the UK IBD network. A far reaching marketing presence and a portfolio of 18 high performance brands make them a key firm in the bike business. It is not just a strong product offering which keeps Silverfish performing well, as a fast turnaround of orders, solid stock levels and friendly staff make Silverfish a leading P&A distributor.

FISHER OUTDOOR LEISURE Fisher Outdoor Leisure recently became the one and only distributor of all SRAM product in the UK, cementing its place as a key distributor for the business. With other global brands like Troy Lee, Santini, MET and many more, the firm offers its customers chance to see new kit at the annual Expo show. Crucially, the firm has helped dealers with prices with its Essentials scheme for bread and butter products.

Distributor of the Year MADISON We hand over to one of the lobbying trade members for their words on the firm: “For Distributor Of The Year I'd go for Madison.

They have been so supportive to us on the small OE programme, really flexible and always ready to help – which is astonishing for such a big operation. And obviously being a big operation they have been faultlessly reliable when almost everyone else we've dealt hasn't been in one way or another.” Praise indeed.

ZYRO Zyro has doubled in size in terms of turnover, labour force and office space in the past five years, in addition to many other areas of growth and are on track to double in turnover in the next five years. It has implemented 25 per cent longer warehouse working days, offers next day delivery to all customers. The firm is commited to focusing on its brands, many of which have voted Zyro as their best worldwide distributor on various occasions.

SILVERFISH Silverfish UK pledges to offer the IBD network

RETAIL MARKETING INITIATIVE Judges should consider: Impact on retail sales, Directing sales to physical retailers, Creativity, Uniqueness.

BIKEBIZ SEPTEMBER 19

BIKEBIZ AWARDS | 2011 >>> a high-end service for all their product needs.

An 18-brand strong portfolio offers dealers everything from Canadian-made frames and bikes, Spanish road clothing and brakes from Italy to name just a few. With product on offer from tyres through to hydration packs and all the components in between one call can source it all at Silverfish UK, the firm says.

As a distributor ML has excellent national coverage and a strong portfolio due to breadth of products and ranges available.Widespread coverage because of a comprehensive range of products supported by a great brochure and business-to-business site. Key brands such as Knog, Lake, Kenda and Jagwire, plus development of house brand ranges, with the latest success being One23.

THE RIDE JOURNAL Receiving plenty of support from the trade during the lobbying process, the Ride Journal has printed five issues so far, but they’ve certainly made an impact. A strong visual style and an emphasis on a bike loving philosophy whatever the discipline, the mag has been a hit since day one. The first issue was meant to have 80 pages, but became 148, after much interest. Profits go to a variety of charities.

CSG UK CSG UK has provided dealers with more choice than ever this year. With bike brands like Cannondale, Charge, GT, Mongoose and Wethepeople, CSG UK’s P&A portfolio has also broadened with BMX brand Xposure, saddles and other accessories from Charge (including MTB wheels for the first time), Surface, new footwear brand Almond, Salt, Eclat and Wethepeople. It made GT an IBD exclusive, has grown hugely in the past year or so and has driven service improvement.

ROULEUR The bi-monthly Rouleur launched in 2006, and now 24 issues down the line has doubled its print run, tripled its subscriber base and increased its base of independent bike retailers from ten to over 120. The mag has also invested in higher quality paper stock, and it has doubled issue advertising volumes, while keeping advertising at a 20 per cent maximum of the mag content. The mag’s top-notch photography and production values have continued to be strong.

Consumer Print Media

DIRT Factory Media’s mountain bike mag is now in its 13th year, combining coverage of downhill and 4X racing, dirt jumping, freeride and more in its own distinctive style. One of the first mags in the cycle market to produce an iPhone App, Dirt’s popular World Cup Fantasy League returned this year, working with fantasy game developer Silent Manager for the first time.

MOORE LARGE

SINGLETRACK Singletrack is hoping to make it three in a row at the Awards. It says it has backed IBDs since it began and is a keen digital adopter, recently making strides into digital delivery while still keeping a strong print presence. Distribution now includes every major supermarket chain, WH Smiths and numerous independents. One trade reader tells BikeBiz: “Not only are the guys friendly and approachable, it's the only bike magazine I read which doesn't feel like working, which says it all really.”

SHRED Shred has evolved with the times, diversifying into events as well as launching a downloadable app on iTunes. Shred Events now offers MTB, road and multisport events and last

Consumer Website

winter Shred linked with the National Trust, creating its own racing team in regional and national events in cross country and road rides.

One fan tells us: “Shred is down to earth, friendly and informative. And it doesn’t appear to be swayed by advertisers like some others.”

ROAD.CC Road.cc has grown spectacularly in a short time, winning the BikeBiz Consumer Website Award last year. The speedily updated site has seen traffic and page views rise impressively and this year’s Fantasy Cycling League had attracted 3,500 teams by early May 2011 – up from 1,800 in 2010. One punter said: “Excellent design, easy to navigate with great content and editorial features which I feel are always written fairly, with integrity.”

BIKERADAR.COM The huge two-time winner of the BikeBiz Consumer Website Award hasn’t rested on its laurels, this year revealing a new offering for it’s readers. The Customer Reward Scheme gives subscribers another reason to stay tuned with ‘DailyDeal’ biking discounts in partnership with big name brands. Last year the site, together with Cyclingnews.com, peaked with over four million online users.

THE BIKE LIST This year the cycle-choosing website has expanded to include more brands, reviews (doubled for 2011), news and race reports in their quest to help people find their perfect bike. One punter said: “I'm impressed by the depth, impartiality and content of their reviews. It’s helped us raise its profile and awareness amongst its audiences. As a growing brand, this is undoubtedly important for us.”

SINGLETRACK Singletrack’s website has partnered the mag since the beginning with editorial output more than doubling in the last year and traffic figures show the fruits of that labour with over 600,000 unique users visiting every month. The website is Singletrack’s digital publishing portal allowing access to the entire back catalogue in a variety of digital formats. Singletrack this year celebrates its first decade in the trade.

CYCLIST NO 1 Cyclist No1 has hardly spent a penny on putting the site together or advertising in its first 18 months, but has still built up a serious following, with plenty of trade supporters. One said: “Gary Lake is doing a great job with a small site.” Another added: “It's a great new site, they have a pro-active, open approach and have been fantastic to work with.”

Cycling Plus Future’s highest circulation cycle title got a redesign earlier this year, giving Cycling Plus a cycle lifestyle design with more reviews, a clean look, improved photography and a fresh layout. The redesign came in a year that saw it record another impressive rise in circulation and not long after the mag won a prestigious PPA Award for Specialist Consumer Magazine of the Year in ‘10.

Bike Brand Zyro HQ

MODA The Eurobike distributed range is fresh and keenly priced, in the opinion of one lobbyist.

The range is set to diversify further after this year branching into titanium, and after a showing at Eurobike last year, overseas interest has grown considerably, with Moda product heading to Holland and Belgium in particular.

Moda now offers complete bikes in road, track and MTB, but also supplies frame kits.

ORANGE Orange Bikes divide opinion, says one of our lobbying trade chums, but that didn’t stop them giving the brand their full backing, telling us: “The loyalty of their fans and riders tells you everything you need to know about Orange”.

Some of the bikes are still made in the UK,

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specced with UK parts in many cases, contributing to local manufacturing while also outputting a top drawer product.

IBIS Distributed by 2pure since 2009, Ibis produces the kind of MTBs that have got cycle journos excited (winning best full sus MTB for three year in a row previously). This year Ibis offered consumers the chance to ride with four time MTB World Champion Brian Lopes at this year’s MTB CC World Cup, Dalby and teamed up with Bike School Scotland to boost the grass roots.

EDDY MERCKX Eddy Merckx is a brand that has gone from strength-to-strength. Expertise from the man himself was used in the design, with innovative new technology (like pitch-based instead of cheaper pan-based carbon fibres to provide stiffness), a strong team in Quick-Step and UKspecific specced bikes, the brand is also supported with the likes of the Gran Fondo.

BROMPTON Branching out into clothing for the first time, this evergreen brand has also entered cycle hire with the first Brompton Bike Dock installed at Guildford Station this summer. Continually held up as an example of how bikes can still be designed and made in the UK, it has been part of the commuter surge and now has an official second hand outlet in Going Going Bike.

MONDRAKER The Spanish brand offers a WC-winning DH bike as well as entry-level hardtails, jump bikes and all-MTB machines. The Zero Suspension System continues to win praise and distributor Silverfish says: “In two years it has become a familiar name in magazines and on the trail. It continues to grow and 2012 looks like being an even better year as it grows through IBDs.” CANNONDALE Through investment in R&D, Cannondale’s 2011 model year has been another milestone for the MTB and road brand. Highlights include new tech in the carbon model manufacture.

The brand has not been shy in marketing, with cover shots, features, and bikes performing with the high profile Liquigas pro tour team, helping translate success on the road into success on the sales floor.

P&A Brand XPOSURE Benefiting from the Dorel Hot Wheels takeover in ‘09, enhanced resources has seen the brand grow impressively. Now distributed across nine global territories, Xposure – under CSG’s Chris McArdle’s guidance – has sought to address the needs of IBDs through creating a brand that provides a range of high quality, top selling, good value parts. Simple styling has helped it become a UK BMX scene fixture.

CATEYE CatEye has been innovating since ’46, offering road, commute and off-road products at every price point. It says it covers around 40 per cent the UK lights market and 60 per cent of the UK cyclo-computer market. It has innovative GPS camera combos, the Q-Series Sports Watches, and its light range including the likes of the Rapid series and Jido.

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KNOG With eyecatching marketing and a quirky product design, Knog has a worldwide fan base.

There is continued growth and interest in this brand, arguably amongst the most innovative in the industry. A view backed with the development of products in a number of new areas most visibly with the recent line of locks.

SHIMANO One of the best known bike brands on the planet, Shimano has forged new paths in electronic shifting and well as pushing the envelope in product, winning product design awards from the iF, as well as supporting UK events like the Singletrack Classic Weekender.

SRAM SRAM acquired the US powermeter company Quarq Technology earlier this year, further developing its growing offering. Most recently the brand launched the Red Black groupset at Expo 2011 and the silver X0 at the Californiaset Sea Otter Classic.

SCHWALBE From backing the London Nocturne this year to getting behind the National Cycle Museum, Schwalbe has been busy keeping the brand in the public eye. Highlights from the last 12 months include the introduction of a new generation of the popular Marathon tyre.

Rising Star FORME Forme is designed and created in the UK and has grown rapidly from the first range of road bikes created in 2010. Due to surpassing expectation in the first year, it is expanding to cover most genres of cycling and for 2012 the range is set to double in size again. Forme is sold through nearly 150 stockists across the UK and Ireland.

MORVELO BICYCLE APPAREL Morvélo aims to be the leading lifestyle brand for road, MTB, track, cyclocross, commuter and racers. It combines cycling culture with pop culture and started with just £500 in 2009 in Brighton. Now it sells worldwide online as well as expanding into the likes of Evans and small IBDs, doubling turnover Y-O-Y whilst remaining self-financed and independent.

GOING GOING BIKE Going Going Bike is a dedicated online market for bikes, bike parts and bike gear. With an innovative ‘Prove It’ system it is forging a legitimate second hand bike market. It’s not just about trading – there’s also a growing community of cyclists with blogs and features like bikepedia and bike match intended to help all get the most out of cycling.

EVOC Evoc’s CE rated spinal protection packs offer riders protection and performance out on the trails while luggage brings design style to an oft overlooked area of travel. Bright colours and attention to detail have helped propel Evoc to the front of the trail pack market aided by the likes of Steve Peat and Fabien Barel who can be seen sporting their packs on the trail.

CYCLE SYSTEMS ACADEMY The path of Cycle Systems Academy from one man and his trailer mobile mechanics to being a major player nationally in the training field has been pretty impressive by anyone’s

standards. It has broken into funded training, giving bike businesses and private students a new option for apprenticeship.

Retail Marketing Initiative BM7 DISPLAYS The firm designs and manufactures custom branded POS display systems and have carved out a niche for high quality innovative display systems with a growing client base. Sigma Sport, Condor Cycles, Bikelab Richmond, Pure Motion Cycles, The Mellow Velo, Paligap, Silverfish, Specialized UK, Eddy Merckx Cycles and Neil Pryde are among those using BM7.

RED OR DEAD BRAND Bringing together two brands from different sectors, Red or Dead has sought to beat a path to the door of the potentially lucrative young female market. How it has fared is yet to be seen, but credit is due for attempting to forge a foothold with that customer base with a product designed with them in mind.

SPECIALIZED STORE, COVENT GARDEN Specialized isn’t the only bike brand with its own retail stores in the UK, but the newly opened Covent Garden Concept Store, opened with Cycle Surgery this summer, is a flagship bike shop open in the heart of London, making it perhaps one of the most visible of its kind to millions of tourists and locals.

BIKE HUB SMARTPHONE APP Directing the UK’s population to bike dealers while also providing them with a route from A to B (as well as now leisure rides) is exactly the kind of thing the Bike Hub smartphone app has been doing since it went live. An Android version was released last year, with more developments in the works.

SEVENTIES VIDEOS Seventies video promotion – through the likes of free retail DVDs and YouTube – has shown off its brand portfolio to a wide audience.

Several retailers nominated the DVDs as they use them as in-store marketing, while on YouTube its brands have been seen by millions.

EDDY MERCKX RIDES For obvious reasons Eddy Merckx himself is closely involved in the brand and this year cycle fans had chance to ride with the man himself on a charity ride. He also spent time riding for the brand at the Fondo Eddy Merckx, where i-ride offered dealers the chance to win a ride in a limited field with the star.

ALUTRA POS PROGRAMME Taking on the challenge to design POS appropriate to UK bike shops, the Altura POS programme has created 29 unique POS fixtures and fittings. Including 3D display items to bring the clothing to life on the shop floor, there’s also pure branding items like floor mats and image display cubes to push the brand.

EARLY BIRD TICKETS Until August 31st only, tickets will be available for the BikeBiz Awards at a price of only £15. After that date tickets rise to £25.

Buffet and drinks vouchers are included in the ticket price.

Contact Carly.Bailey@intentmedia.co.uk to take advantage of the early bird deal.

BIKEBIZ SEPTEMBER 21

MOORE LARGE SHOW REVIEW | DERBY

Moore than words

Moore Large’s 2012 range doesn’t just talk the talk, the distributor tells BikeBiz. Jonathon Harker heads to the firm’s Derby-set headquarters for see for himself….

THIS SUMMER Moore Large showed off the latest models from Haro, Premium Products and Onza at five locations across the UK. Starting in Leeds and finishing at its Derby HQ, via Croydon’s Tiger Tiger, Bristol and Northampton, dealers got chance to see 2012 product from the brands in question, plus a little extra if they turned up for the final Derby-set days, but more of that later.

The Tiger Tiger venue proved popular with dealers hoping to chat and discuss the trade face-to-face, rather than just a chance to see new product.

Haro was one of the key draws for the previews. This year the brand was launching its next year lines two months earlier than it did last year. Why? Moore Large said there are a couple of reasons; firstly, getting the new lines under the nose of school children during the holidays is an obvious advantage, giving them chance to see what they like when they’ve got

BIKEBIZ.COM

Forme was shown exclusively at the closing Derby show

time to spare, ready to influence friends when they return to school. Secondly, Moore Large brought the launch early to make sure competitors didn’t get in there first.

The latest from Haro includes the eyecatching ZX20. Pitched at the entry level, with a £199.95 retail price and available in orange and white, the colourful frame is indicative of Haro’s 2012 range. Specced by Moore Large’s Adam Garner, the range is increasingly kitted out for the UK and its tendency to favour product in a variety of colours. One case in point is the range of colourful anodized rims available on the UK-specced versions, contrasting with the US favoured black rims.

The line this year starts at £200 (with the ZX20) and rises all the way up to around £500.

Price increases are always a crucial matter, so dealers will be pleased to hear that prices have risen by only £10 on many models. It’s a modest increase compared with competitors,

Dealers will be pleased to hear that price increases on Premium and Haro complete bikes don’t go much above a ten pounds – a modest rise... the brand tells BikeBiz. Premium Products bikes have seen a similar price increase, of around £10. And the brand is more popular than ever, we’re told, and in terms of sales is starting to catch up with Haro – it was once one in six compared with Haro and is now one in three. The rise in popularity is due in part to the fact Premium Products now has a dedicated UK team working

>>>

BIKEBIZ SEPTEMBER 23

MOORE LARGE SHOW REVIEW | DERBY

Barracuda has largely been revamped with updated graphics and finishing touches

>>>

on all aspects, with improved after market support. The range starts from £300 and now includes four brakeless models.

Onza is another brand going from strengthto-strength. Sales were up 25 per cent in 2010 compared with the previous year, we’re told, and that’s a feat that looks set to be repeated again this year.

One key reason behind that is the rising popularity of the trials scene. Featured heavily in TV talent show comp Britain’s Got Talent, and boosted by stars of YouTube like Danny McAskill, the niche has a lot of factors driving growth. To that end, Onza has four new trials bikes available in October, bringing the number of bikes it offers in the trials sector up to 12.

Barracuda is Moore Large’s house brand. The whole look of the range has been redesigned, with Lauren Smith one of the key people behind that. The revamp includes new fonts for the logo and fresh graphics to bring it up to date. New lines include a junior alloy road bike model and new speed, comfort and terrain bikes.

The Comfort line-up includes the H700 low step through for ladies, in 17-inch and 19-inch, and the Speed range includes a unisex 700c.

24 BIKEBIZ SEPTEMBER

One of the key reasons behind the trials scenes growth are web sensations such as Danny MacAskill and appearances on Britain’s Got Talent...

Barracuda’s children-aimed spin off Cuda has, for the first time, a scooter to tap into that burgeoning market.

While Forme wasn’t advertised on the programme, a sneak peak of the 2012 range, including models that had yet to be finalised, was on offer to dealers at the Moore Large HQ. Forme will be officially launching in October in open day, with a launch in Derby, Scotland and in Ireland in the works.

The pics of 2012 models in this article are not final versions, simply late prototypes, we’ve been asked to stress.

BMX VS SCOOTERS: Both sectors have been embraced by Moore Large

The brand has come from just five road models in March 2010 (which sold out within six weeks of launch), to 21 for the current 2011 range including road, MTB and other sectors. Next year Forme will have expanded again to 40 models, Adam Biggs tells BikeBiz. Forme will be more accessible for 2012, with entry level starting at a £300 price point (rather the previous circa £400). And while access to the brand will be wider for customers, Forme is also to beef up the range at the higher end, with carbon hard tails, super lightweight frames, a full suspension model and much more planned.

The dealer network currently stands at around 200 and Forme is also breaking into the triathlon market with a ‘super competitive’ model. Full branded components – from the likes of FSA, Easton and Schwalbe – will feature too.

Next year the brand will be launching ‘Forme Coach’ – a coaching package available for different levels run by pro-cyclists. And, while not confirmed at time of press, Forme is also hoping to have a Pro Team put together in the near future.

BIKEBIZ.COM

EUROBIKE 2011 | PREVIEW

Two decades and still going strong Eurobike is showing all the signs of setting new records for its twentieth show.

Jonathon Harker compiles the data for the preview of this essential bike show…

THE WORLD’S largest trade show (see page 83) is almost upon us. Eurobike takes over Friedrichshafen from August 31st to September 3rd, with the Demo Day taking place on Tuesday August 30th. But let’s face it, if you haven’t booked a flight or hotel by the time you read this then you better prepare for a lengthy road trip and a night or two under canvas at the nearby camp site.

Fitting thousands of square metres worth of of new product into one article is impossible, unless you have the magazine equivalent of the Tardis. In lieu of that we’ve got a pick of some of the products you can expect to see at this year’s Eurobike…

3T (Hall A1 – Booth 419) The innovative brand will be blending technology with cycle components in the form of the Mercurio and Accelero wheels. Star of the stand is likely to be 3T’s Integra.

ASHIMA (Hall A6 – Booth 509) Ashima CEO Wayne Moore will explain the latest in the world of Ashima to stand visitors, such as the upgrades to the PCB-MTB, including an insert to deliver a more defined bite point and limit modulation for those riders who prefer more of a snappy feel. There will also be a sneak preview of mid 2012’s totally reworked master-cylinder, as well as sight of a road specific version of the PCB disk, which is more aerodynamic with reduced caliper section. Pre-production versions of Ashima’s stainless, aluminum, carbon disk, cables and new plastic sealed ferrules will also feature on Booth 509.

CAMELBAK (Hall B5 – Booth 500) The full range of 2012 bike and multisport packs will be on show, including the new Ultralight Charge LR, the Agent, Asset and the trans-alpine Hawg NV 30. Director of international sales and marketing Massimo Fregonese will be on hand to tackle questions.

CONTROLTECH (Hall B4 – booth 102) The components firm’s Eurobike line-up will include a new titanium monocoque stem for mountain bikes as well as a Tria and Chrono integrated bar. The firm will also have a new crank-set on show, dedicated to road racing.

CYCLEOPS (Hall A3 – Booth 102) The new G3 PowerTap and Pro hubs, with redesigned head units and wheels, will appear at Eurobike. With a smaller hub

>>>

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BIKEBIZ SEPTEMBER 25

EUROBIKE 2011 | PREVIEW XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXX

shell and wider hub flanges to improve >>> wheel stiffness, the system will be the lightest Power Meter system on the market, according to UK distributor Paligap. The hub also features new electronic developments that allow for easier servicing.

Also redesigned, the Pro hub will appear too, offering the same new features as the G3, in a more cost effective package. Hubs start at £675 and rise up to £1,350.

The new PowerTap hubs will be available as complete wheelsets for 2012. They’re built using Enve’s 45mm and 65mm carbon rims, with the G3 hub and matching front hub.

There will also be alloy training wheelsets available, starting from £865. The Carbon wheels begin from £2,400.

Finishing the range off, the new Joule GPS Computers now come with integrated GPS and historical reporting.

DAHON (Hall B4 – Booth 304) Dahon’s press conference takes place on Tuesday September 1st from 11am in the Conference room Liechtenstein. If you can’t make it then the firm will be showing its wares in Hall B4 – Booth 304.

ISON (HALL B3 – STAND 406) Ison Distribution will be unveiling the brand new direct mount Down Hill stem from Renthal to Eurobike (as well as many other bits, BikeBiz is told).

Current UCI DH World Champ, Monster Energy Specialized's Sam Hill has been testing them all year and the finished product is now ready to be rolled out.

KNOG (Hall B1 – Booth 501) Last year Knog’s Eurobike stand was distinctly ‘not safe for work’ with a fairly bonkers (and

BIKEBIZ.COM

inflatable) stand showcasing its latest ranges.

BikeBiz has contacted Knog to get a hint at what to expect this year, but the firm was tight lipped, revealing that the stand is “super top secret”.

We did manage to find out that Knog will be unveiling a ‘super secret light’, however.

Meanwhile the Michelin Wild Race’R Ultimate is available in early 2012, is pitched at the cross-country market. The tyre’s strengths include its low weight, speed, grip and puncture-resistance. In 26x2.10, the tubelessready version of the tyre weighs just 415 grams. This exceptionally low weight is achieved without sacrificing the tyre’s ability to withstand punctures. Top-three World Cup finishes by riders Fabien Canal and Fanny Bourdon attest to the tyre’s impressive performance levels.

LEZYNE (Hall B1 – Stand 414) Lezyne’s brand new light and tool ranges, as covered in depth in August’s BikeBiz, will feature at the show.

Eurobike will be the first time most dealers and press will be able to get up close and personal to both the new lines of products, which will be available via Upgrade in the UK.

MOTOREX (Hall A3 – Stand 202) Motorex’s Fork Oil, designed and manufactured in Switzerland, will be available in five different viscosities and on show in Friedrichshafen. The Oil Low Friction Technology offers ultra-low friction coefficients, prevents foaming and corrosion, and treats and protects seals, BikeBiz is told. Developed with Motorcross teams the Oil is used by motorsport teams too, benefitting the cycle industry with motor expertise, Motorex says. All weight fork oils will be available in 1l containers.

LUPINE (Hall A2 – Stand 400) Visitors to the Lupine stand will be able to try out the new ultra compact and wirefree Piko TL. Stefan Kraus will be on hand to answer development questions.

MICHELIN (Hall A1- Booth 307) Michelin will present two new mountain bike tyres at Eurobike; the Wild Grip’R2 and Wild Race’R Ultimate. Both are scheduled to launch to the market in early 2012 – and in autumn 2011 for certain sizes of the Wild Grip’R2.

The Michelin Wild Grip’R 2 is a new multipurpose tyre designed to deliver superior performance on dry and muddy terrain. This fresh version has a new design, tread, tubeless and tubeless-ready casings, rubber compounds and sizes, which includes a 29-inch model.

Three sizes will be available in the autumn – the 26x2.10 Wild Grip’R Advanced, 26x2.25 Wild Grip’R Advanced, and 26x2.10 Wild Grip’R – with the other sizes scheduled for market launch in early 2012.

RATIO (Hall A3 – nr Booth 800) Ratio will be introducing a full 29er set, including dedicated frames and components.

The firm will also showcase a new clip-on bar and a new innovative road racing handlebar with ‘a very special shape’.

SRAM will be bringing its huge range, including the latest from Rockshox, Avid and the new Quarq Power Meter lines

SKS (Hall A5 – Booth 400) SKS’s Eurobike line-up will include the new Aeron hand pump for mountain bikes. Offering pressure up to 73psi (aluminium tube), the Aeron retails at £22.99. The German firm will also be showing off the AirKompressor 12.00 floorpump. Aimed at a diverse market, the pump produces pressure up to

>>>

BIKEBIZ SEPTEMBER 27

EUROBIKE 2011 | PREVIEW

>>>

174psi (extra high steel barrel, plastic base) and will retail at £29.99.

SRAM (Hall A3 – Booth 201) SRAM’s press conference is taking place on August 31st, covering Zipp and SRAM road at 12, SRAM corporate at 12.45 and SRAM, Rockshox, Avid and Truvativ from 1:15 at Room Liechtenstein, 1st Floor, Foyer West. If you can’t get into that then head over to A3-201 to see the 2012 highlights. For road the SRAM Black Red, White Apex and S975 Quarq Power Meter category will be featured. The MTB category 2012 highlights includes the X0 Silver, new 2x10 gear ratios and X0 downhill. Rockshox’s SID 29 is unsurprisingly built for the 29er market, while the Dual Position Air – Dual Position Coil includes several new climbingassist feat integrated with the Sektor, Revelation, Totem and Lyrik models for 2012.

Two versions; air spring and coil spring, will be available. That’s just a very small taster of what the firm will bring to Eurobike.

Hot from its Taiwan launch mere months earlier in June, folding bicycle brand Tern will debut at Eurobike, bringing its 22-strong range to the show.

New folding bike brand Tern (above) will be on show at Eurobike, providing the first chance for many in the trade to see the brand for themselves in person; You can see the latest from Panaracer (right) at A2 – 312

SUGOI (Hall B5 – Stand 501) The spring 2012 collection will be presented, featuring the Boa Closure System for mountain bike shorts, fitted to the Gustov Short, providing one-handed adjustment on-the-fly.

Also new for 2012, Sugoi will show a whole collection of women-specific premium mountain bike wear, blending colourful designs with high-performance fabrics. The firm has also upgraded its high-end RSE Jersey – now made with new material Revo, offering a warp knit, built for excellent stretch and recovery.

The firm promises plenty of vivid colours and dynamic graphics for 2012.

TERN Hot from its Taiwan launch mere months ago in June (as reported on BikeBiz.com) the new Tern brand will debut at Eurobike this year.

Headquartered in Taipei, Taiwan, and headed by general manager Florence Hon and vicepresident Joshua Hon, the core Tern team was responsible for product development, sales, marketing and distribution for Dahon over the last two decades.

Concentrating on the urban transport sector, the product line includes 21, 20-inch, 24-inch and 26-inch ‘transportation’ bikes under the names Verge, Link, Eclipse, Castro and Joe. In total there will be 22 models from those five frames. Verge offers ‘performance to go’, Link provides ‘portable transport’, Eclipse is classed as a ‘Big ride, with a small fold’, Castro as ‘urban transport evolved’ and finally Joe is a ‘full sized ride in a portable package’.

Generally though, the firm said it is focusing on safety, comfort, convenience and

28 BIKEBIZ SEPTEMBER

portability – rather than speed – and wants the brand to integrate with mass transit systems, or public transport to you and I. The first bikes will ship in September and at time of press the firm has yet to reveal its UK distributor. Despite that, distribution deals have already been put in place for more than 30 countries around the world.

The AirKompressor floorpump (above) will be among SKS’ new products on show in Friedrichshafen

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE: Cateye (Hall A1 – Stand 201) Cube (Hall B1 – Stand 200) Electra (Hall A2 – 600) Koga (Hall A4 – Stand 101) Panaracer (Hall A2 – Stand 312) Powerbar (Hall A1 – Stand 208) Saracen (Hall FG – Stand B8/4) Shimano (Hall A1 – Stands 200 & 301) Tifosi (Hall B2 – Stand 307) Ultimate Sports Engineering (Hall B4 – Stand 413) You can find the full exhibitor listing at www.eurobike-show.com

EUROBIKE: IN A NUTSHELL Demo Day: Tuesday August 30th 2011 Eurobike: From Wednesday August 31st to Saturday September 3rd Public Day: Saturday September 3rd Who’s going? In addition to those featured in these pages there are 1,100 exhibitors from 42 countries heading to the show.

More than 40,000 trade visitors and over 1,700 media are expected too. Exhibitor space is a total area of 100,000 sqm. The show opens up to the public (and gets a lot busier) on Saturday from 9am to 6pm.

Tickets: Free for the trade, but past experience proves the staff are pretty strict so taking some accreditation is a must.

URL: www.eurobike-show.com

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CYCLE SHOW 2011 | PREVIEW

It’s squeaky Brum time… ...not that Cycle Show needs to be worried about the move from London to Birmingham’s NEC, with new exhibitors signing up to the popular event and interest at a high. Mark Sutton speaks with event director Andrew Brabazon about the firms and attractions that will be drawing the crowds…

How has the trade responded to the switch away from London and to the midlands?

There seems to be a popular groundswell of opinion within the trade that Birmingham, with its central UK location, is the perfect place for the show.

We know a significant percentage of the trade reside in the Midlands and the North, and so making it easier for them to attend appears to be having a positive effect, particularly on trade registrations.

Do you anticipate greater crowds from the North attending?

Yes, absolutely. It is so much easier for visitors from the North. We had a stand at the recent Gadget Show, which re-enforced just how much interest there was in the Cycle Show. We spoke to many people who knew of the show, and had never been, but are now definitely coming this year.

How many exhibitors and what volume of floor space is filled in the NEC? So far we have 150 exhibitors, but the time this goes to print, we would expect this to be around 175. This represents about 85 per cent of our possible total exhibitor footprint.

Has the switch allowed you up-size the exhibition and attraction space?

Yes. We now have outside space to run both a proper road demo track on tarmac, and build a new one kilometre off-road demo course, which looks fantastic fun to ride.

The upshot of this is that we have freed up significant additional exhibition and feature space.

>>>

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BIKEBIZ SEPTEMBER 31

CYCLE SHOW 2011 | PREVIEW

What ambitions do you have for the “We are hugely >>> Cycle Show going forwards?

Our ambition is to be the one big show that showcases the very best bikes, accessories, clothing and services that not only the UK, but the world has to offer.

We want to be a catalyst to encourage and inspire more people to cycle more often. With the support of our exhibitors we want to hold up cycling as a viable, healthy and highly sustainable lifestyle choice, that brings immense enjoyment. We want to open this opportunity to enjoy cycling to as large an audience from every genre of cycling and to people of every level of ability, as we possibly can.

Any thoughts on further trade days?

We represent the UK cycle industry. Although there has never been total consensus from the trade that a second trade day is required, we will take a democratic approach and if the demand is there, then yes, there could be scope for further time.

What promotion is in place ahead of kickoff?

We have increased our total marketing by 50 per cent as our marketing reach needs to be so

32 BIKEBIZ SEPTEMBER

encouraged by the number of tickets sold to date and the fact that these are going to postcodes nationwide.”

Andrew Brabazon, show director much larger given the much expanded reach of the Midlands show.

We are maintaining our presence in our ‘traditional’ London and South East market, and extending this with a significant campaign into the Midlands, the West, East Anglia and the North. Our marketing and PR teams have been extremely busy, and have been delighted with the level of interest that has been generated to date. We are hugely encouraged not only by the number of consumer tickets sold, but also by the fact our postcode analysis shows they are being bought by people all over the country.

Stand prices at the NEC have come down by around 20 per cent.

Meanwhile, exhibitor figures have risen by around 40 firms, to date.

Have you secured any major new exhibitors that until now have been elusive?

Yes we have. If you look at the exhibitor’s list, (published on pages 36 and 37), you will see that we have around 40 new exhibitors.

Rumour had it that rates for exhibition space were cheaper – has this affected exhibitor sign up?

It is no rumour. One of the reasons we made the move to the NEC was to guarantee a quicker return on investment to exhibitors. We have been delighted to be able to offer on average, stand rates 20 per cent lower than last year.

Not only has this attracted much interest from new exhibitors, with Saddleback taking 200 m2 and sponsoring the Castelli Café, existing exhibitors have increased their space such as Windwave with 230 m2 and Fisher Outdoor Leisure with 242 m2.

What sort of attendance figure are you anticipating?

Upwards of 30,000 people are set to make the journey if the current sign up rate is anything to go by.

>>>

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CYCLE SHOW 2011| PREVIEW

special events or celebrations in >>> Any place for the ten-year anniversary?

I’m sure the exhibitor party in the Castelli Café will be brilliant. I’m certainly planning to celebrate. When my credit card’s behind the bar it’s amazing how many people shout me a beer.

Who will open the show this year? How important have your ambassadors been in promotion?

Geraint Thomas is opening the show for us on the first day. The ambassadors have been great.

Ed Clancy has been in brilliant form this year with Rapha Condor and Geraint Thomas and Ben Swift with Sky did brilliantly at the Tour de France, and still found time to blog and tweet for us.

On the BMX side of things we've got Ben Hennon representing us and connecting with the 20-inch crowd.

BIKEBIZ.COM

The retail section will return once again, alongside a number of interactive demo features

“Geraint Thomas is to open the show for us. The ambassadors have been brilliant and tweeted about the show many times...”

Andrew Brabazon, show director What facilities does the NEC offer for meetings, the media and food and drink?

There seems to be a great amount of choice.

We are augmenting this by building the Castelli Café, which will offer great coffee, a panini, a Peroni, or even a Chianti, if you fancy.

The NEC is also great if you need something bespoke for clients. We can arrange this in advance if exhibitors wish to have a private

viewing, or product launch to shout about.

These aside, there’s plenty of on site, food and drink wise.

What demos and main stage events are scheduled this year?

The BMX park/street competition will feature top UK and US riders. There is a whole schedule of events over four days on the main stage. For full details of what’s on and when, take a look at the website www.cycleshow.co.uk Are there any last minute spots available?

How should those interested enquire about these?

Yes, there are still some spaces left, but you’ll need to be quick to secure the last spots in the best positions. If you would like to take space, please contact Damian Watson on 020 7288 6645.

>>>

BIKEBIZ SEPTEMBER 35

CYCLE SHOW 2011| PREVIEW

Exhibitor List Exhibitor

Stand No.

Academy Eyewear Action Leisure Gear Limited Action Medical Research Alan Soloman

G55 CSD30 F5 G62

Allpark

A21

Alpine Cadence

M15

Alzheimer’s Society

E27

Amazing Wheels

A11

Aroma-Sports

H1

ACT

F43

Batribike

C61

Bianchi

C21

BIKEBIZ

P10

Bike Box

J9

Bikebins.com

F62

Black Sheep Sports

B31

Bohle UK

E1

Bradshaw Taylor

L21

Breeze Blockers

CSA2

Campagnolo Srl

F11

Cape Town Cycle Tours Trust

E22

Carradice of Nelson

B42

Cicerone

G53

Claremont Hospital

N73

Clee Cycles

K5

Condor Cycles

E11

Continental Tyres

G63

CTC

K33

Cycle Aid

F44

Cycle Works

E2

Cyclescheme

B52

Dawes Cycles

L51

Dirty BMX

M62

DJO UK

M43

Dolan Bikes ElliptiGO Environmental Transport Agency

F21 J1 M36

ExpertJam

K13

F. Parr

M45

Falco UK

G54

Fibrax

M35

Fine-ADC

D31

Fisher Outdoor Leisure

D1

Fisher Outdoor Leisure

D11

Fisher Outdoor Leisure

E25

FLI Distribution

F31

Foffa Bikes

E26

Forcefield Body Armour

B1

FreeGo Electric Bikes

D42

Full Beam Bike Lights

J8

Future Products Garmin

J4 K31

GausWheel

E61

Gear Club

E21

Greyville Enterprises HardnutZ Holders and Mounts Hope Technology IPC Media

C6 F61 CSG5 K1 H52

Lyon Equipment Melrose Kids

G61 F4

Paligap Pearson Cycle Specialists

M51

Qoroz LLP

F51

Quest 88

L2 A51

Mulga Bill

M57

Pedal Precision

B21

Regatta (Dare 2b)

L62

Multisports Distribution

G12

Peugeot Bikes

C21

Regatta (Dare 2b)

CSC20

Nemesis GB

Pioneer Partners

F3

Rose Versand GmbH

C62

NRG4

CSB5 F23

Pipedream Cycles

L46

Rotor Products

C41 H61

Nunn & Company

G57

PitBitz

G56

Saddleback

John Jordan

M17

O’Neal Europe

F31

Polaris Apparel

K2

Saddleback

Kiddimoto

B11

Oxygen Bicycles

E28

Polaris Apparel

CSB10

F1

P&R Têxteis, SA

M1

Powacycle

B41

Shiner

D65

PoweredBicycles

C72

Sigma Sport

L22

K11

Primal Wear Inc

G11

Singletrack

L43

JD Cycles

Kool-Stop Europe BV

C1

Kovert Racing

M61

Pacific Europa

Kudos Cycles

C51

Paligap

36 BIKEBIZ SEPTEMBER

Sales Marketing Solutions

G71 CSC10 H41

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CYCLE SHOW 2011 | PREVIEW

Spencer Ivy

E29

Spice Roads

J7

Torq Tour of Britain

C5

Wattbike

K22

L16

Wheelylift

B53

Split Seconds Imports

M21

Training Escapes

Storck Raddar

D32

Tri247

N85

Windwave

L1

Triathlon Consultants

CSF6

Windwave

L11 C71

Sub-4

F8

J6

Wildoo

K7

Surrey Human Performance InstituteE41

Ultimate Sports Engineering

H12

Wisper

Sustrans National Bike Network

M41

Ultra Motor Germany

C52

World Cycling Challenges

Target Wheels

C42

Ultra Sport Europe

F41

WyndyMilla

G22

Upgrade Bikes

G21

ZipVit

K32

USN UK

A31

The Rainlegs Company Thorn Cycles Tiger Cycles Europe Today’s Cyclist

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CSG10 B51 J3 C11

Viva Beverages Water Off a Duck’s Back

J33

M32 CSG11

BIKEBIZ SEPTEMBER 37

38 BIKEBIZ SEPTEMBER

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EVENT REPORT | CYCLING SPORTS GROUP HOUSE SHOW

CSG Xposed Testimony to the strength of CSG’s portfolio, dealers from as far north as Allness in Scotland made the journey to Poole during August for the ‘Ride the Revolution’ trade show. Mark Sutton paid the south coast distributor a visit to report on some interesting developments…

TO KICK OFF, let’s have some stats. Now an annual fixture, CSG’s house show for 2011 played host to seven international brand experts, over 200 of the distributor’s customers, some from as far afield as Scotland and two new brands – Muc-Off and Sugoi – joined the party, while other established labels diversified away from traditional offerings.

Beginning with a brand the distributor’s codirector Russell Merry describes as one of the “tremendous success stories” from the portfolio, Xposure products, while an entry level brand, now has sub division and second SKU, dubbed Infinity. Still based around Xposure’s on-a-budget ethos, Infinity fills the gap between entry-level and top-end components with a slight increase in the ‘bling factor’ popular with BMX riders, though not to the extent where simple components such as stems and sprockets end up out of reach to the pocket money budget buyer. Among the ‘first

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Cannondale has significantly broadened its accessories range and now offers helmets and computers, among other items

“As stronger parts and accessories business is certainly one of CSG’s goals going forwards.

Taking on Muc-Off is a strong start...”

Russell Merry, CSG looks’ was a new £35 handlebar, a new stem with colour co-ordinated bolts and sprockets in various colours – all of which will be landing during September.

Cannondale too are diversifying deeper into components and accessories and Ride the Revolution held the UK debut of a much extended line of components, tools and accessories.

Among these, and a particular item of interest to many dealers present, were the USmade SL Hollowgram crankset, retailing at £799.99 and available in two 7075 T6 double ring arrangements.

Plenty of Cannondale’s accessories debuted at the show will land with the Poole distributor in January. Among that delivery will be the IQ line of cycle computers ranging from £29.99 through to £59.99, a multi-tool called the Kitchen Sink compiling 13 of the most commonly used trail tools, as well as a chain breaker and a Mavic spoke tool, among others.

Bike wise, brand manager Mike Cotty indicated that if dealers are looking for a hot tip on big sellers in the 2012 catalogue then they’d not go far wrong securing a few Cannondale CAD8 builds at £750 retail price.

The aluminium frame is potentially the lightest aluminium-framed build found in the sub £1,000 price bracket, says Cotty.

>>>

BIKEBIZ SEPTEMBER 39

EVENT REPORT | CYCLING SPORTS GROUP HOUSE SHOW

What’s more, it makes for use of a >>> super stiff BB30, revamped vibration dampening chainstays and if your customer is seeking upgrades there’s always a Tiagra spec build at £949.99 or a 105 option at £1,049.99.

For the most part, however, dealers were fondling the brand’s helmets – first spotted at PressCamp earlier in Summer. These in-molded designs span £29.99 through £69.99 in £20 jumps between models.

“A stronger parts and accessories business is certainly on the horizons for Cycling Sports Group,” confirms Merry. “Bringing on Muc-Off, the leader in their territory, is the first step toward this. Aside from these developments, there’s plenty more to shout about, including Mongoose’s strongest ever orders, topping 28,000 units arriving in the country this year.

“Then there’s Xposure, which this time last year was solely a UK brand. Today it’s distributed in more than ten countries with major territories such as the US and Australia doing good business. I’d imagine this is largely down to the majority of the BMX market not having endless budgets for top-end components. Xposure fills this gap well, with no compromises on product.”

Touting the newly developed trade-exclusive web domain – csgb2b.co.uk – as a driving force in keeping the turnover fluid, Merry tells BikeBiz that year-on-year, this avenue to purchasing product has increased five-fold.

40 BIKEBIZ SEPTEMBER

“Mongoose has beaten prior records for the number of units entering the country. This year we’ve broken through the 28,000 mark.”

Russell Merry, CSG Not too much to report from the Mongoose line, despite massively increased numbers arriving on UK shores. That is unless you’re looking for a 120mm trail bike to fill a gap in your stock. If that sounds of interest, grab the Mongoose Slaten when it arrives later this year.

Two builds, the £1,600 Comp and £2,300 Expert will be available, comprising a tapered headtubed frame and fork set up, SRAM 2x10 gearing and Rock Shox rear shock among other features. Downhill and freeride is also bolstered with refinements to the freeride-suited £3,999 Pinner and downhill ready Booter.

The new frame designs have dropped some weight over last year’s builds through improved tube profiling and CSG UK’s influence on design has made the build much more UK trailcentre friendly.

GT has redeveloped its popular Avalanche, dropping between two and three pounds from

Eclat has a new plastic pedal due shortly, alongside new cranks and Berzerk deep section rims

the overall bike weight, all while building in forged dropouts and a host of other tidy features into the bike.

It was the brand’s expanded 29er platform that turned many heads, however, with the Zaskar leading the charge with a carbon build, due October and retailing for £3,299. Finishing kit here is all good stuff, with brands such as Fox, Shimano XT, DT Swiss and Formula all contributing.

A full suspension build, retailing at both £3,299 and £3,999 depending on spec will also land shortly, bringing with it 100mm travel, thru axles front and rear and much more.

Back to BMX and sticking with top-end kit, Eclat had a number of hidden gems which inhouse BMX expert Chris McCardle says: “Seems to be drawing increased interest from the mainstream retailers, who have been until now unfamiliar with BMX.” Among these you’ll find a new Jason Phelan approved, slim-profile plastic pedal, called the Slash. Spotted Specced on WeThePeople’s new Envy build at £899.99 was Eclat’s newly designed Berzerk deep section rim, said to be one of the toughest available at present.

Finally, the brand’s worst kept secret, the two-piece Onix crank with investment casting at both ends, was debuted.

For a further look at Cycling Sports Group’s latest products, visit the firm’s trade portal www.csgb2b.co.uk.

BIKEBIZ.COM

CITRUS LIME | EPOS AND MARKETING

Marketing made easy Citrus Lime has implemented a number of software updates over the past few months, but the firm is most excited about a new marketing tool developed to halve the time dealers spend on marketing, while boosting how effective mail outs can be. Mark Sutton finds out more…

Geo-targeting enables postcode specific campaigns in Marketing Desk ELECTRONIC POINT of sale software has come on leaps and bounds in recent years, transforming from the old school transaction register to a fully equipped piece of software capable of synching with suppliers, automatically updating stock levels and generally making life a heck of a lot easier for equipped retailers.

Tailored to the cycle market, Citrus Lime’s product has quickly established a presence on shop floors up and down the country. Having designed its software around the retailer’s shop floor and workshop it even holds claim to being flexible enough to adapt modules to hire businesses and much more.

However, it’s the firm’s new marketing module that’s being touted as the next big thing from the EPOS supplier. Available from September 1st, the Marketing Desk creation allows the retailer to build a campaign based around a buyer’s history, targeting only those for which a retailer has specified a matching criteria. For example, a list of those who have purchased a road bike, who have not purchased for six months, in the Manchester postal areas, who have spent more than £2,000, would be easily identified with the software’s analytical search engine.

Citrus Lime’s marketing executive Andrew Thomas told BikeBiz: “With these campaign criteria in mind we can filter our database to

generate a mailing list that targets potential sales opportunities with customers who have already made purchases in line with our new promotion.

A change in a brand’s seasonal products could mean we expect to stock a certain number of their £2,000 plus road bikes that we would ideally like to establish interest in, so we can pinpoint the strongest opportunities and key audience for a sales promotion.”

Retailers can streamline their marketing plans and make more effective choices about the direction of their advertising, saving money by allowing them to directly target the consumers most likely to respond to a specific promotion, delivering a more personalised approach to marketing.

RMS maintains a database of all customer purchases and spending habits too. Using this data to power Marketing Desk will allow a user to approach customers that the promotion will most likely affect and convert, saving money over a conventional mass mailing, the majority of which would end up in someone’s recycle bin.

Thomas continued: “Marketing Desk is a guided, user-friendly solution that can breakdown your full customer’s account history to find the best candidates. The ability to specify a range of conditions and filters allows you to refine a mailing list to match any

“Marketing Desk is a guided, user-friendly solution enabling a full breakdown of a customer’s account history...”

42 BIKEBIZ SEPTEMBER

initiative and Citrus-Lime has integrated EPOS and Ecommerce platforms support a versatile range of sales and promotional functionality.”

For more on Citrus Lime’s electronic point of sale system, its modules and the perks of choosing a unit tailored to the bicycle business call the firm on 01229 588628, or visit www.citrus-retail.com.

MARKETING DESK KEY FEATURES l Utilises accumulated customer purchase histories directly from your RMS database. l Wide range of sales promotions are supported by Citrus-LIme’s integrated EPOS and Ecommerce solutions. l Guided ‘step by step’ process with versatile campaign conditions to generate a targeted marketing strategy. l Geo-targeting enables geographic marketing campaigns by selected postal districts. l Profile sales between a specified time frame, set campaign parameters for Item departments, categories or brand. l Profile customer allows dealers to target lapsed customers, minimum or maximum spending and review your refined customer mailing list. l Generate mail merge for word labels and letter templates and/or email mailing list.

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BIKEBIZ.COM

ACT | CYCLE TO WORK

Cycle to Work

born again The National Association of Cycle Traders forecasts that as many as 200,000 employees will purchase a bicycle and safety equipment to cycle to work using the Government’s tax-exempt benefit in 2011 and ACT is confident that the numbers cycling to work will increase in 2012...

CYCLING TO WORK has made an important economic contribution to the cycle industry, with annual retail sales via the program estimated at £120m, delivered through more than 2,250 retail outlets.

However, the number of employees buying into cycling to work has slowed down, a trend largely attributed to the clarification of FMV (fair market valuation) that must be applied to each C2W customer at the end of their hire period. The recent announcement that VAT will be chargeable on cycling to work purchases from 2012 has lead to further negative speculation, fuelling the confusion surrounding the scheme.

The ACT’s confidence in the growth of cycling to work can be summarised in ‘WorkRiders’, a new cycle to work facilitator, dedicated to the independent sector and focused on the original intention of the 1999 legislation.

WorkRiders MD Martin Pickering and Tony Jones, on behalf of ACT, explain how WorkRiders will be influential in increasing the numbers of employees cycling to work.

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How does WorkRiders differ from other cycle to work facilitators?

MP: WorkRiders is similar to all other programs in that we conform strictly to the guidance provided by HMRC, DfT and OFT. Our USP is in the process and business model.

WorkRiders will deliver cycling to work as was originally intended; we will provide employers and employees with an easy, tax efficient route to start cycling to work with the help of their local independent retailer.

No more speculative quotations or sales, the need to take refundable deposits, or the uncertainty about receiving final payments.

Employees will benefit from an immediate purchase and collection of goods with no additional costs to the retailer.

Employees will have the choice of any goods in store, irrespective of price and retail promotions. WorkRiders will be the cheapest route for employees to start cycling to work, providing additional benefits for employers, saving them money and a streamlined process, to happier, healthier employees.

“WorkRiders will remove any burden from the retailer.”

How will you improve upon the schemes already in the C2W market?

MP: Simplification and cost reduction. It was never intended that retailers should fund cycling to work and we will change that perception.

WorkRiders will remove any burden from the retailer and they will be able to complete cycling to work sales like any other transaction, at a total cost of 16 pence.

So how does WorkRiders deliver these benefits?

MP: WorkRiders and Eemployers contract into a program which will supply the employee with a Workriders Payment card. The card will be valid to a value agreed between the employer and employee and may be used in any WorkRider Authorised Retailer in the same way

>>>

BIKEBIZ SEPTEMBER 47

ACT | CYCLE TO WORK

>>>

as any Visa or Mastercard. They simply select the bike and safety goods they want and pay on site. The retailer will receive payment confirmation as part of a standard debit card type transaction and payment receipt into the retailer’s bank can be as quick as the next working day.

“It was never intended that retailers should fund cycling to work.”

What’s ACT’s role in the WorkRiders program?

MP: The ACT’s endorsement and support is critical. The ACT has been concerned about the confusion surrounding FMV and the VAT clarification, plus the ongoing viability of retailers funding schemes.

WorkRiders partnership with ACT will engage up to 2,500 specialist cycle shops, empowering them to develop cycling to work and their own customer base, with free national promotion for all.

ActSmart will be our interface with the trade, and through a special pricing arrangement, we will remove the costs incurred by retailers under existing schemes, to ACT members.

KEY POINTS l WorkRiders will be the best cycle to

work solution for employers, employees, retailers and suppliers

Is there still capacity for cycling to work to grow 12 years on from legislation?

TJ: There is enormous capacity. Cycle usage remains very low in the UK and cycle sales have been depressed throughout 2011, in line with other big ticket, considered purchases.

Price is a bigger barrier than ever to entry.

Recent growth in cycling has been dependent upon a small, gradually growing group of committed cyclists investing in cycling as a lifestyle and cycling to work provides the best incentive for the UK population to adopt cycling on a much wider scale.

Research over the past year identified a frightening lack of awareness and understanding of the cycle to work schemes,

48 BIKEBIZ SEPTEMBER

So what part can retailers play here?

MP: The recruitment and education of local businesses is a crucial role for independent retailers and suppliers, who have for too long been left on the sidelines.

WorkRiders will deliver an easy-to-use, low cost process for everybody to be a part of. The retailers are the local champions and need to engage their regional businesses. Our aim is to get every community in the UK cycling to work with their local independent retailer at the hub of activity.

l All UK independent retailers with

internet access in store can join the WorkRiders network for free l WorkRiders sales carry no additional

costs to the retailer and can be applied to any goods in store l ACT retail members pay no

administration fees on WorkRiders sales (non-members pay five per cent)

Why is the ACT partnering WorkRiders?

TJ: The ACT has received numerous requests to initiate a cycle to work program, the primary aim being to reduce costs to the retailer, but we are a small business support organisation, not an employer facing business. Our skill is in engaging the best partner to deliver for our members and WorkRiders ticks every box for retailers and employees and is the obvious choice for employers.

Will WorkRiders increase the IBD’s share of the cycling to work market?

TJ: Without a doubt. National retailers are already operating in this space, promoting the size of their network as a leading benefit to win tenders.

In reality a network of 2,000 specialist retailers, supplying the widest possible product choice, staffed by caring owner operators and technically qualified mechanics, with the best workshops and after sales service you could ask for, is the obvious choice for every employer and employee.

Large national retailers recognise the strength of IBDs, that’s why they are recruiting independents to supplement their cycle to work network in an effort to win employer tenders. This of course is at a cost to the IBD, which significantly impacts on their trading margins.

there is huge potential to get more employees cycling to work.

l A WorkRiders transaction can cost the

TJ: Any independent retailer with internet access in store can enrol as a WorkRiders Authorised Retailer. I recommend that all independent retailers sign up today at www.workriders.co.uk. You can join ACT at www.actsmart.biz and negate administration costs of five per cent for non ACT members.

All retailers should update their promotional listings at www.thecyclingexperts.co.uk to fully reflect their individual offering. The future of cycling to work is bright for independents thanks to WorkRiders.

retailer just 16p in total to process lRetailers receive payment assurance at time of sale and full payment in as little as 24 hours

ACT retail members benefit from no administration fees

lACT Supplier Members can fully participate in WorkRiders programs to develop brand sales lAll WorkRiders Authorised Retailers benefit from free national consumer promotion lACT membership and all benefits are available to UK based independent retailers and cycle suppliers l WorkRiders employer programs will launch in late 2011 fulfilling Government’s 2012 guidelines

HOW TO GET INVOLVED lJoin the WorkRiders Authorised Retailer network today at www.workriders.co.uk lUpdate your retail listing at www.thecyclingexperts.co.uk - your free promotion is live now

MARTIN PICKERING, MD OF WORKRIDERS Martin Pickering has held senior management roles in IT companies over the last 20 years, including managing director of Logitech, European Head of Corel and Vice President of TrustMarque. He is currently Vice Chairman of I-neda a software solutions business in the payments and Pari Mutual market.

M WORKERET AT THE CIDERS SHOWYCLE

Sept 29t h–O Stand F4 ct 2nd 2011, 3, Ha NEC Birm lls 9-11, ingham

lTo benefit from no administration fees and 25 + business services join the ACT at www.actsmart.biz lRefer all of your local employers, employees and business contacts to www.workriders.co.uk lBicycle suppliers who wish to participate in the program contact Tony Jones at ActSmart for details To find out more about WorkRiders visit www.workriders.co.uk or contact ActSmart on 0845 618 7256

For more information call ActSmart on

0845 618 7256 www.actsmart.biz BIKEBIZ.COM

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BIKEBIZ SEPTEMBER 49

OUT AND ABOUT BEYOND CYCLING

Dipping a toe into sectors beyond cycling? BikeBiz provides the month’s news from related markets...

Montane hails its ‘best OutDoor Show ever’ By: Jonathon Harker EIGHTEEN YEAR-OLD British company Montane called this summer’s Friedrichshafen, Germany-set OutDoor show its best to date.

The show saw visitor numbers increase five per cent on 2010 – up to 21,520 – with 1,012 international journalists.

Montane was one of 890 exhibitors from 91 countries at the show. The firm, which produces goods in a number of disciplines including climbing, trail running and mountain biking, told BikeBiz that it is currently growing significantly across almost 30 territories overseas and will only get bigger.

Montane’s marketing director Paul Cosgrove told BikeBiz: “We had the best show on record by a long way. I know this sounds like the classic answer but it really was the case.

“Our new SS12 range has been exceptionally well received and we are experiencing excellent growth in the 28 markets around the world that we operate in.”

The firm recently revealed it was widening its product line-up, as Cosgrove explained to BikeBiz: “The big news is that we are producing rucksacks for SS12. It is the first time we have produced anything other than clothing and we are so excited about bringing them to market.

Germany-based OutDoor Show grows visitor numbers by five per cent; Montane reveals first ever backpack product in the works

WEATHERING THE STORM “It felt like a natural move for Montane to get into producing rucksacks. The extensive fabric and design knowledge that we have accrued and built up over the years has allowed us to produce four genuinely innovative and functional packs.

“We have been blown away by how well they were received and the order books already look fantastic. Furthermore, our clothing development continues unabated and we have again extended our ranges in eVent, Pertex Shield, Pertex GL and new leg wear styles among various other product lines.”

The success of the show in attracting more visitor numbers illustrated the fact

that the outdoors market was continuing to stand up the economic storm, according to Cosgrove: “I think the real positive general trend is just how strong the outdoor sector continues to be considering the current economic climate.

“The positivity of buyers and manufacturers alike is so encouraging and we always come away from OutDoor so full of new ideas, inspiration and motivation. It’s great to be part of this special trade community.”

Next year’s instalment of the OutDoor Show will take place from July 12th through to 15th, once again in Friedrichsahfen, Germany.

Montane: 01670 522 300

Esbit arrives in the UK via Dalesman By: Mark Sutton Manufacturer of barbeques, stove systems, vacuum flasks and outdoors gear Esbit is to be represented in the UK by Dalesman International.

The German company has developed many best-selling pieces of outdoor cooking kit using precision engineering

50 BIKEBIZ SEPTEMBER

and no-compromise materials, including lightweight titanium. Technological innovations include the development of solid fuel tablets used in pocket stoves that provide hot food for a number of NATO field-based military forces.

The 300 (SRP £60) is Esbit's flagship portable BBQ and is made from lightweight aluminium with an in-built

stand to avoid 'scorched earth' (ideal for city park BBQs). It also features three height/heat settings for the grill and can be folded away into it's nylon carry case, which incorporates enough storage space for one charcoal portion.

Esbit also manufactures flasks, cookware, solid fuels and more.

Dalesman: 01772 453918

BIKEBIZ.COM

OUT AND ABOUT BEYOND CYCLING

Public makes tracks to Lake District By: Jonathon Harker A WHOPPING 16 million people visited the Lake District last year, according to the National Park Authority’s 2010/2011 report.

While income reached £1.3 million through grants and sponsorship, the park missed out on its £2.6 million target, which it admitted was ‘too ambitious in a difficult climate’, also noting a cut in public sector support.

During the period the Lakes saw an acceleration of its ‘Paths for People’ programme, restoring rights of way that were flooded in the November 2009 floods and also saw the refurbishment of the Lake District Visitor Centre at Brockhole completed.

The 2010/2011 period saw the introduction of the first commercial integrated travel card outside London – the ‘GoNowLakes’ travel car – boosting public transport in the area.

Half a million visitors were advised at the three information centres and over 500 events were held, attended by over 10,000 people – including volunteer-led and staff-led guided walks, family events and special interest events.

NEW PRODUCTS

Puma beats rivals Nike and Adidas on green pledge Puma, the world’s third largest sportswear brand, has taken Greenpeace’s ‘detox’ challenge to new heights. The challenge requires the elimination of all releases of hazardous chemicals from product lifestyles and across global supply chains by 2020. Puma has won ‘round one’ of the challenge, beating competitors Nike and Adidas to clean up its act, including cutting the release of hazardous and hormonedisrupting chemicals into Chinese rivers. Read more at http://tinyurl.com/5s2exbd.

Youth drive at Leisure Industry Week Leisure Industry Week is a UK show for the active leisure market, taking place from September 20th to 22nd at the NEC in Birmingham.

Craig Jones at Fit for Sport is set to launch the brand new ‘Youth Engagement Zone’ at the event, which aims to encourage children and young people to take part in physical activity and a healthy lifestyle. the initiative aims to take a joined up approach to the problem, combining the Government, agencies, families and the leisure industry.

Adidas on track for record earnings INCREDISOCKS FOR THOSE THAT suffer from sore feet, help is at hand in the form of Incredisocks. Working on the basis that sore feet are too often caused by something as simple as wearing socks during exercise that are too tight or too thin, Incredisocks increases circulation quickly, increasing blood flow and therefore supplying more oxygen to the tissues – helping to reduce inflammation and give skin tone a healthier colour. With a 200-

thread count and thermo regulating features, the unique 3D weave design provides cushioning and keeps the feet dry. Naturally anti-microbial, the socks kill odour causing bacteria. They’re also made of the increasingly popular super silky bamboo fabric.

Incredisocks are available in black, white and grey in a variety of designs.

For more details contact the firm on 0207 7201441 or email steve@vitallife.org.uk

HELLY HANSON ASK AND EMBIA SKIWEAR THE NORWAY-FOUNDED firm has sought to combine luxury with style and performance in its Norwegian mythology-inspired Ask and Embla Ski jacket and pant. Aimed squarely in the high-end resort fashion market, the Ask and Embla use advanced waterproof and breathable technology, as well as professional three-layer, four-way fabrics.

The Embla Jacket features Pittards premium leather on the shoulders, cashmere wrist gaiters and balaclava with a silm, feminine fit.

BIKEBIZ.COM

NEWS IN BRIEF

The men’s Ask Jacket is insulated with expedition grade white goose down, is fully seam sealed and is built using the brand’s own self-styled Professional Weather Protection.

SRP is £1,000 for the Jacket. Coordinating Ask and Embla ski pants are available too, in a slim-fit, four-way stretch design. They’re fully insulated with 100g PrimaLoft Infinity insulation, and are detailed with articulated knees, boot gaiters and zipped vents too. SRP is £500.

Adidas has announced its first half results for 2011, revealing that group sales have increased 14 per cent.

Currency-neutral revenues in Western Europe increased five per cent. The increases came from Adidas’ wholesale, retail and other businesses, which all recorded double-digit growth. The company said the positive results have put it on track to achieve record sales and earnings in 2011.

Timberland revenue climbs Apparel firm Timberland saw revenue increase 27.1 per cent in its first half financials, reflecting strong growth across Europe, North America and Asia, the company said. Specifically, European revenue increased a whopping 37.4 per cent to $91.7 million.

Correction: Ordnance Survey not moving An article appearing in this column last month incorrectly suggested Ordnance Survey was to physically move into the Department of Business. This was incorrect. BikeBiz apologises for any confusion caused.

BIKEBIZ SEPTEMBER 51

PEOPLE | RECRUITMENT Send your recruitment news to

mark.sutton@intentmedia.co.uk

Rearden now full time at Road.cc n ROAD.CC Cycling journalist NICK REARDEN has been appointed to Road.cc’s full time editorial team – tasked with expanding the popular website’s coverage, with particular focus on product reviews.

Rearden is a well established and highly regarded cycling journalist with a track record that includes editing the ground-breaking Bicycle Magazine, a previous stint as one of Road.cc’s news editors, and more recently working for Cycling Weekly publisher IPC. Road.cc editor and co-founder Tony Farrelly said: "Nick has vast experience on the technical side of bicycle journalism and that rare ability to communicate complex technical issues in everyday language. It’s great to have him back on the team flying the flag for the gentleman cyclist. His well polished brogues certainly

52 BIKEBIZ SEPTEMBER

Nick Rearden

raises the tone of the road.cc office. Having Nick on the team adds to our ability to cover product news and frees up Mat Brett, our technical editor, to do what he does best reviewing more bikes and getting out to more product launches."

Rearden is now contactable on Nick@road.cc. n MAX BIKES PR CHRIS BURGESS has joined Max Bikes PR on a part-time basis, bolstering the firm’s strength to handle an increased number of client accounts, as well as lending a hand to its marketing.

Burgess comes from a press background having previously worked on the cycling magazines at Future Publishing, though he currently works in marketing at Bath

Chris Burgess

BIKEBIZ.COM

PEOPLE | RECRUITMENT

l Brant Richards rejoins ‘first love’ On One, citing need to be ‘daft with design’ l Sugoi brings in Jan Tropberger to handle Euro sales and marketing l Max Bikes PR team expands with Chris Burgess hire

University. Aside from being a keen cyclist, Burgess is also a qualified personal trainer and strength and conditioning coach.

He said of the role: "I am delighted to be joining the team at Max Bikes PR. I consider this to be a great opportunity to work with some of the best brands in the cycling industry, and also a chance for me to play a pivotal role in helping new brands establish themselves."

Tropberger has spent the past six years in the sales and marketing field. Most recently, he was international sales director for Europe Mideast and Africa (EMEA) at Cycling Sports Group, also a division of Dorel Industries. Based in Basel, Switzerland, in this role Tropberger travelled to more than 25 countries and focused on business development and expansion, managing multiple brands and key accounts

n SUGOI Dorel-owned clothing brand Sugoi has appointed JAN TROPBERGER to the position of European director of sales and marketing.

Strengthening its presence across Europe, the brand appointed former competitive cyclist Tropberger to boost sales in key territories, including the UK.

n ON-ONE AND TITUS Brant Richards has re-joined the company he co-founded many years ago - On One. Working alongside his old business partner Dave Lughran, Richards will resume his role as lead designer. He said: “Working with CRC has been brilliant, but I’ve missed the aspect of just being as daft as I fancy with design. On One is my first love.”

BIKEBIZ.COM

Jan Tropberger

BIKEBIZ SEPTEMBER 53

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BIKEBIZ.COM

RETAIL ONLY

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

RETAIL COMMENT WHAT A MONTH. Could the piece that filled this space just weeks ago, discussing shop security, have been anymore apt given the coming storm?

Having spoken to victims of looting and violence this month, I’ve heard first hand some incredible tales, very few with any trace of a silver lining, which has perhaps been solely provided by London’s Mosquito Bikes. The mechanic of this Islington independent held a group of balaclava-clad youths at bay, preventing their entry, until predictably they simply got bored and moved on to continue on a path of mindless destruction.

A quote sourced from that very mechanic stands out in my mind and I can’t fathom what to make of it. The overheard words uttered by a hooded youth were “bikes are top of our list, innit”.

Why bikes? Why not the latest Playstation, or iPhone?

Without wanting to become bogged down in the hows and whys surrounding the unrest, it does seem that the youth involved would rather have something pro-active to do. As

“Theft from bike shops does paint a picture of what youth may be doing could they afford certain luxuries...” inexcusable as the actions of those involved are, I suppose I’m wading into the debate with the ‘boredom’ excuse. Give them a bike, cut the hours sat in front of the TV and we’d be on the right track, surely?

What purpose each would use said stolen bike for is another issue altogether and being not too far above the average age of the troublemakers myself, I’m not naive enough to think obtaining a new form of transport would reform troubled young minds into outstanding contributors to society. It does however paint an interesting picture of what those opportunistic types would be doing were they able to afford certain luxuries. Not the scenes of anarchy many would predict, I’d imagine.

What to do if your store suffered With thanks to the ACT and Butterworth Spengler, a series of articles relating to how to claim against riot damage and insurance guidelines were published on BikeBiz.com during August. Search ‘riot’ for more on those.

Further to these, BikeBiz can reveal that the timescale for lodging claims under the Riot Damages Act 1886 has been extended from 14 to 42 days. Among information and guidelines, you’ll find a downloadable claims forms issued by the Association of British Insurers’ website at www.abi.org.uk/information/riots.

Mark.Sutton@intentmedia.co.uk

IN THIS MONTH’S ISSUE PEARSONS CYCLES

57

Arguably the UK’s oldest bike shop at 150 years of age, Pearsons shares the secrets of the business’s longevity...

NEW PRODUCTS

58

Another double dose of products finding their way to market in the coming weeks...

CHILDREN’S BIKES

64

What can you do to compete within the hotly contested children’s bikes market? BikeBiz explores the options...

IBD | PROFILE

Pearson Cycles

Out with the old…

Telephone: 020 8642 2095 Email: sales@pearsoncycles.co.uk Website: www.pearsoncycles.co.uk

Address: 126 High Street Sutton, Surrey SM1 1LU

...in with the new? Yes and no, says Pearson Cycles co-owner Will Pearson. Claiming to be the UK’s, if not the world’s, oldest bike shop you’d think this store might be set in its ways and comfortable. Not a chance, as Mark Sutton finds out…

What’s Pearson’s Cycles speciality?

The Pearson speciality is about managing relationships with customers. We try to divide our business into commercial and cultural activity for customers and staff alike. Our aim is to provide a culture of exemplary service so that our customers want to come back for the right reasons.

You’re one of, if not the oldest, bike retailer in the UK – what’s the secret of your longevity?

Having five generations of interested Pearson’s to succeed the next helps. Guy (older brother) and I see ourselves as the present custodians of the business and it is only as good as the generation in control. I think it boils down to maintaining the service you provide to your community. It is interesting that for the first 135 years this was all very local. Now, another 16 years down the line, we reach worldwide.

Got any old antique bike bits knocking about from the early days of the business?

We have a genuine Penny Farthing each and some beautiful old oil bike lamps. Guy recently rode his from Richmond to and from Smithfields to take part in the Nocturn race.

Not an everyday sight, by Embankment a peleton had formed around him and accompanied him to the start.

The relics of our great, great grandfather’s blacksmith business are still around in the shape of an anvil and some tools used at the furnace to make and fit horseshoes. The anvil still gets dragged out for occasional stubborn workshop jobs or customers.

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What portion of the business’ profit does the workshop represent?

As the business becomes much more service led, the workshop is becoming increasingly important as a highly profitable, internet-proof department. We have concentrated on keeping stock of more aspirational replacement equipment, which is instantly at hand to sell to customers seeking more durable and better quality parts.

How do you market your business?

We traditionally advertised our mail order regularly in the cycling press. With the advent of the large discount internet retailers, finding close out lines and scoop purchases soaks up cash and is often high risk.

Most of our marketing is done through pushing our internet site to promote the online and bricks and mortar business. Direct emailing is also a cost effective way to reach your customer, although in moderation.

Facebook has been a great way to enhance the community aspect of the business and helped link our growing numbers of Pearson CC. Word of mouth remains one of the best forms of marketing, there is nothing more satisfying to have a pre-sold customer walk in.

Had any luck with electric bikes, 29ers, or any other niche areas?

Electric and 29ers, although interesting, seem to be slow movers still. What often succeeds in one country doesn’t always translate in the UK. Our Pearson Touche single speed addressed the market as a custom built, mudguard-ready

Pearson Cycles has taken the brand name into manufacturing with the builds shown above

commuter well before the general market saw the ‘fixee’ potential. Sales have slowed now, but this was a great example of spotting a potential gap and capitalising on it. We sold Touches from Orkney to New Zealand and it has been our fastest selling bike of all time.

We recently designed and supplied three custom scooters to Harrods who sold them at £1,000 each, too.

Do anything ‘beyond the call of duty’?

In celebration of our 150th anniversary we organised The Pearson 150 sportive in aid of the Royal Marsden Hospital. This was a sharp learning curve and we spent weeks organising and preparing for it. We raised a load of cash and awareness for the charity. By popular demand we now repeat the event annually. It’s great to encourage cycling and be able to return a benefit from people enjoying themselves.

What are the long-term aspirations for the Pearson Cycles business?

This year we would like to have the oldest and newest bike shop in the world, even if it is only for a day! We are just working on another, more boutique style premises nearer London in Sheen, aimed at performance cycling.

We are undergoing a rebrand for all parts of the business and are looking for distributors who would like to sell the Pearson bike range in the UK and worldwide. We aspire to develop our brand, grounded through it’s unique unfabricated heritage, but remaining ever forward looking. We will launch our new bike models at the NEC Cycle Show this year.

BIKEBIZ SEPTEMBER 57

PRODUCTS | NEW RELEASES

New gear

This month BikeBiz takes a look at the Ultra Motor bikes now available for hire at the Marble Arch branch of Hertz, a new brand of helmet camera and more...

Drift HD cameras

Action Cameras, 0208 965 7679

DRIFT CAMERAS have announced their first HD models, available in the UK via Action Cameras for £329.99 at retail. Trade accounts are available.

The Drift HD is the latest in the Drift action camera range and follows the popular X170, HD170 and HD170 Stealth – used by athletes like Steve Peat, Josh Bryceland, John McGuinness, and Sam Cullum.

Shooting at full 1080p HD, the remote controlled unit features a colour viewfinder and playback screen, as well as a rotatable lens.

The unit also works as a nine megapixel stills camera should your customer want to shoot static pictures on the move. In addition, the unit comes supplied with a newly designed goggle strap, flat adhesive mounts and a universal clip for unlimited mounting options.

John Rounds, drift global sales and marketing director, said: “We’re really excited about the Drift HD. Thanks to all the feedback from athletes, customers and enthusiasts we’re proud to have created a high quality, easy-to-use camera with action sports at its heart.”

Transition 26" Bandit

Surf Sales, 01303 850553

THE BANDIT is a true to form lightweight trail bike designed to rip up and down the mountain, with 130mm travel and custom Hydroform aluminum tubes.

The Transition brand has pushed the envelope of tube design and machining of frame parts to create a bike that is said to ‘float’ through singletrack.

Careful attention to pivot placement and leverage curves make the Bandit feel like a long travel bike on the descents and a Cross Country race bike when climbing the ascents.

Tacx Booster trainer

Surf Sales can offer retailers both a frame and complete build option at £1,399 and £2,999 retail price, respectively.

A 29-inch wheel version of the Bandit will also be available as of January next year – Transition’s first foray into the big-wheel market.

Small, medium and large frame sizes will be available, each carrying a two-year frame defect warranty and lifetime crash replacement.

Based around 140mm travel forks; it features 130mm rear wheel travel, a tapered headtube and 142mm x 12mm thru-axle dropouts.

Fisher Outdoor Leisure, 01727 798345

HOME TURBO trainer brand Tacx has released a new Booster trainer for the UK market. Designed to boost cyclists’ power, and more powerful than the Tacx Satori, the Booster’s magnetic brake generates very high resistance at both low and high speeds.

Reportedly already popular with a number of pros for warm-up and training sessions, the Booster was the trainer of choice at this year’s Tour de France for Rabobank, Vacansoleil-DCM, Omega Pharma-Lotto, Quick Step, Leopard- Trek, Saxo Bank-Sungard, RadioShack and Astana.

A2B Metro and hybrid e-bikes ULTRA MOTOR has added two new models to its range of electric bikes. Engineered in Germany, they combine the power and efficiency of past models with new innovations brought in specifically for the new line.

The first is Ultra Motor’s A2B Metro Generation 2, the latest version of the popular A2B Metro. It offers smoother power delivery, an integrated LCD display as well as front and rear LED lights that have been specifically developed to consume as little energy from the battery as is possible.

58 BIKEBIZ SEPTEMBER

It’s also the official warm-up trainer for the Olympic Games and UCI World Championships.

The unit is simple to assemble and has been designed so that the flywheel can no longer be touched, not that you’d want to. What’s more, the rider can adjust the trainer through ten levels of resistance, up to 1,150 watts worth. A storage bag and training DVD is included with each purchase.

Stock is available from Fisher Outdoor Leisure now and the unit will retail at £289.99 www.fisherb2b.com

Ultra Motor, 01242 252334 The second, Ultra Motor’s A2B Hybrid 24 is the most advanced pedelec in the range.

Equipped with an integrated control cockpit, wireless security key and a smooth digital controller, the A2B Hybrid 24 is the ideal lightweight choice for people who have never tried e-biking.

The A2B Hybrid 24 retails at £1,999 and the A2B Metro Generation 2 retails at £2,499.

Test rides of the new rig are now available via the Marble Arch branch of Hertz hire, which now exclusively hires out Ultra Motor in London.

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PRODUCTS | NEW RELEASES

Boost electric bikes DAWES HAS made its first move into the world of electric bikes with the introduction of the Boost line.

The brand will introduce two new models to be available in both men’s and women’s builds.

First is the Boost Suburbia at £999.99, which has a 250-watt brushless motor and a 36V/10Ah Lithium-Iron phosphate battery. The motor has three different modes, Eco, Leisure and Sport, all controlled using the LCD display on the handlebars. The opening price model in the range is the Boost City at £799.99; this has the same

Dawes Cycles, 0121 748 8050 250-watt brushless motor, but has a slightly lighter 24V/10Ah Lithium-Manganese battery.

This battery will provide pedal assistance for approximately 25 miles off a full charge and has an LED display that indicates battery level.

Expect to see subtle, yet stylish detailing including internal cable routing and a clever handlebar-mounted computer with all the readings your customer will need on battery levels and output.

More can be seen at the brand’s official site – www.dawescycles.com

CLiQ race components

Moore Large, 01332 274200

MOORE LARGE has introduced the CLiQ BMX race brand at its string of recent house shows.

CLiQ is brand of race specific components that has been designed by BMX Race Pro Derek Betcher and tested by the Haro race team.

To start off with, the range consists of three components; CLiQ’s streamlined Finisher Fork, the CLiQ Turnbar handlebar and the CLiQ Weaponz Cranks. This crank is similar in design to the Shimano DXR only lighter and less expensive and comes in three lengths – 175mm, 177.5mm and 180mm.

The arms are manufactured from 7000 series CNC’d aluminum to increase stiffness with large recession on the backside to reduce weight.

Chromoly pedal inserts feature. The four bolt 104mm spider gear comes bolted to the driveside crank arm and then pressed onto the heattreated 24mm hollow chromoly spindle for increased rigidity.

The package includes a sealed outboard style Euro bottom bracket and is reported to weigh in at 32.4 oz. For more on Cliq, see www.harobikes.com/bmx/cliq

Zipp Vukasprint bars and SL stem ACCORDING TO Zipp, its new VukaBull bar was so fast in testing the manufacturer decided to combine it with a drop bar to create a handlebar that would work in the angles most (+5°) commonly seen in drop bars. The bar’s 3:1 aerodynamic profile comes with an added benefit: it’s comfortable, too. Even with its thin aero section this 210-gram bar is stiff enough to stand up to race-winning sprints Next up among the new launches, the 102gram SL Speed stem (100mm), built from ultrastrong unidirectional carbon fibre is ideal for the

Federal Bikes Renegade frame IN RESPONSE to the BMX market gradually outpricing the majority of its younger customers, Federal has come up with a new entry level frame, dubbed the Renegade.

Named after a rebellious Hastings sandwich delivery man infiltrating the territory of other vendors, the Renegade has removable brake mounts for the rider who hasn’t quite made their mind up about stopping methods.

Federal Bikes product designer Aggie told BikeBiz: “This comes in under the prior low-end frame and is geared at the rider who wants to

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Fisher Outdoors, 01727 798345

weight weenie. Zipp created a titanium face plate that used rearfacing bolts to eliminate the need for a threaded insert in the stem. The SLSpeed stem clamps the steerer with a single, selfaligning bolt which, like the others, is naturally titanium.

Seventies, 0845 3103670 buy a frame that will last and last, but hasn’t got an endless budget.”

At 4.8 pounds, it’s not super-light, but it’s built tough with classic geometry, 13.6-inch stays and comes in three lengths – 20, 20.5, 21-inch top tubes. Top and down gussets reinforce vulnerable areas. The standover height measures 8.5-inch.

As covered in last month’s edition of BikeBiz, both a chrome and ‘star blue’ version of the best-selling Dan Lacey signature frame are also due shortly, alongside investment cast forks, fresh components.

BIKEBIZ SEPTEMBER 59

SECTOR GUIDE | CLOTHING AND ACCESSORIES

Put some clothes on… …your customers with this handy guide covering a variety of distributors able to supply the trendiest and often most technology-packed clothing brands available to cycle retail. Mark Sutton does the rounds and brings you some of that latest on offer…

Zyro THE CONTINUALLY expanding Altura range is stronger than ever for autumn/winter 2011, with cycle clothing to cater for all types of rider, offering value for money at a wide range of price points.

The popular Night Vision range features updated designs and new trim details, along with distinctive new colourways, including Hi-Vis Orange for men and Aubergine for women on the best selling £70 waterproof

Chicken Cyclekit THE NALINI Pike jacket is one of the highlights of the PRO winter line. The jacket is windproof, water repellent and breathable.

It also has Teflon worked into the membrane, which has high resistance to dirt and grime. These have just landed with exclusive distributor Chicken Cyclekit in shades of black, blue and red. Sizes range from small to triple extra large and all versions will cost £109.99 at retail.

If your customer is looking for slightly more casual cycle wear, Cinelli has a wide range of t-shirts and even a hoodie or two within its catalogue. A variety of Cinelli

emblazoned tees are available at £21.99 a pop, retail price.

For stockist prices phone the sales team on 01525 381347, or see the range in full at www.chickenb2b.co.uk

Extra AS DISTRIBUTORS for outdoors and cycling clothing brand Montane, Extra are able to supply a vartiety of goods for all seasons, from waterproof windbreakers, through baselayers, and insulating trousers, to smaller goods such as gloves and caps.

A highlight from this year's winter catalogue is the Minimus jacket, weighing in at 215 grams and packing in plenty of clever technology.

Jacket. Night Vision is not only aimed at the traditional city commuter, but now also features a selection of products designed for the fast, more performance oriented commuter and the club rider looking for added night time visibility when riding on the road.

Camelbak is investing in women’s targeted product, such as the new raspberry coloured RaceBak, coming in at £84.99 at retail. With a two-litre capacity and a chafe-free compression fabric that adjusts to the body’s contours, the customer takes home a high-performance pack for the money.

Zyro: 01845 521700

Buff BROADENING ITS horizons beyond an extensive range of neck warmers, Buff now covers the cyclist head to toe with the introduction of an apparel line.

The firm’s lightweight, performance apparel collection exploits the use of fabrics and fibres such as Coolmax Extreme, DCS and Tactel and in some pieces Eco-Active, a fabric made from recycled plastic bottles.

Within much of the apparel line you’ll find bonded seams with reflective properties. Ventilation is also key, as much of the gear has been designed with athletes who spend a large amount of time in the saddle, or in the water. As such, retailers will be able to buy in a padded triathlon short, among other items designed specifically for the growing triathlon market.

Buffera: 01707 852244

The Minimus is an ultra lightweight rain shell making use of protective fabric Pertex, which delivers exceptional breathability levels and performance characteristics that you would normally find at the high end of extreme mountain shells. While designed to work hard during fast paced endurance activities in wet conditions, the Minimus is equally at home as a high performance rain shell, and with a pack size the shape of an apple, it will hardly be noticed when not in use.

For the lower half of the body, Extra can supply the Atomic DT Pants, a classic lightweight, multipurpose garment, which much like the Minimus jacket is easily packed down to a small size making it ideal for backpack storage should the storm clouds threaten.

From the Atomic DTs, customers gain a trouser that carries reflective trim, has boot compatible side zips, an elasticated waist and boasts a high level of water repellency.

Extra: 01933 672 170

>>> Celebrating its 10th year, the UK’s leading Cycle Show heads to NEC, Birmingham on 29 Sep - 2 October 2011.

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Register for your FREE trade pass at www.cycleshow.co.uk/register for more information’ BIKEBIZ SEPTEMBER 61

SECTOR GUIDE | CLOTHING AND ACCESSORIES >>> Fisher Outdoors SANTINI’S COMPREHENSIVE 365 stock service and Winter Fashion range covers super lightweight jackets to windstopper Fuga soft shells.

With retail prices from £24.99 for arm warmers, to windstopper jackets at £199.99, Santini can provide performance clothing for all budgets.

Key items include the Kines windproof and packable jacket, which comes in at only 150-grams. Feel jackets and jerseys feature Santini’s water resistant and breathable Aquazero soft shell fabric, which keep the rider dry and warm.

Oxford Products

Fisher Outdoors also stocks the entire Troy Lee Designs catalogue, a big player in the downhill and slopestyle markets.

D3 helmets remain the most desirable helmet within the line, especially with the Signature Steve Peat and gold chromed Palmer.

Fisher Outdoors: 01727 798345

A WIDE AND diverse range of clothing is available from Oxford catering for the cyclist in all weather.

Ready for when the weather turns for the worse, retailers wouldn’t go wrong with stock of Oxford’s own ‘Chill Out’ gloves, retailing for just £15.99 and gently elasticated on the cuff.

visibility cycling kit for safety conscious cyclists.

The popular light-emitting, electroluminescent jacket is now available in black for those customers who don’t like high-viz yellow and still want to be seen and safe on the roads.

The clothing offering also now includes gloves and light-emitting Sam Browne style belts.

Outeredge caters for a more budgetorientated audience seeking a strong

Moore Large AS DISTRIBUTORS for Limar, Vangard, Outeredge and Proviz, Moore Large has plenty to offer the cycle retailer seeking a one-stop shop for clothing and accessories.

Proviz was one of the most innovative brands to appear in Moore Large‘s product catalogue last year, dedicated to creating self illuminating and high

Silverfish

2pure

SPANISH CLOTHING and footwear brand Spuik is soon to deliver its newly designed autumn to winter catalogue to UK distributor Silverfish.

Joining the extensive range of helmets, shoes, eyewear, creams and accessories, which is constantly offered throughout the season, is an exclusive range of winter softgoods designed and constructed to help keep the elements at bay and riders pushing on the pedals.

The extensive range of winter products offered to stores has everything from winter jackets and

HAVING RECENTLY joined 2pure’s stable, POC brings with it a line of casual and performance cycling clothing, largely targeted at the off-road enthusiast.

Catering for both men and women, the line is diverse, extending to accessories such as eyewear, though focusing on a core product of heavy duty, yet breathable garments.

The eyewear is interesting, as the brand has used state of the art smudgefree NXT lenses. These come complete with an ‘unbreakable warranty’.

Madison THOUGH THE DISTRIBUTOR offers the likes of Pearl Izumi, Giro footwear and off-shoot brands such as Nitro Circus clothing, it’s Madison’s own clothing brand that has impressed many in the trade in a big way, offering technical clothing with a strong margin and, of course, Madison’s well regarded after sales service.

training tops through to SuperRoubaix fabric bib tights and shorts, all of which are perfect for winter riding.

Silverfish: 01752 843882

Flagged up as a highlight of the 2012 line, the Stellar commuter jacket combines light weight with strong breathability credentials, waterproofing and a technical cut to keep bums dry when the ground’s wet.

The sleeves are extended and articulated for added comfort on the bike and the collar is high and fleece lined to keep the wind and rain at bay.

Features include a waterproof main zip and chest pocket zip, baffled pit zips,

Also tailored for colder weather, the Chill Out Multi Sports jacket, costing £69.99, has a high neck for wind protection and a scalloped back to avoid drafts blowing in from the rear. Aside from having strong insulating properties, the jacket has two storage pockets.

Comfy, Oxford’s neck warmer product, comes in a packet of three for just £14.99, meaning your customer can keep the family warm on a budget.

These breathable garments are wind resistant and made entirely form seamfree material. Single units cost £6.99.

Oxford Products: 01993 862 300

level of performance, but are largely looking for value for money gear. This year the brand has introduced full zip tights and leg warmers to their range.

The full length zips make the tights and leg warmers easy to take on and off, meaning you don’t need to stretch over or remove shoes. This makes them great for pre-race Cyclo-cross and MTB. The tights retail at £35.99 and the leg warmers retail at £20.99.

Moore Large: 01332 274200

All orders placed before September 16th will be delivered in March 2012.

Contact the internal sales team on 0844 811 2001 for more information.

rear vent panelling, a large map pocket with storm flap, one hand draw cords at the hem and collar and Velcro adjusters on the cuffs. A mesh lining helps keep temperature under control too.

The jacket offers plenty of reflective detailing from six large reflective panels, side panel reflective print, dual reflective zips, reflective piping and multiple reflective logo's and print on the chest, arms and back.

Madison: 0208 385 3385

Endura

Foska

Sugoi

ONE OF SCOTLAND’S favoured tried and tested performance clothing brands, Endura, has this year brought a new line of jackets to market with detachable sleeves. Dubbed the Convert, the £99.99 softshell converts into a gilet in seconds with a simple unzipping.

The garment comes in sizes extra small through large in women’s and small to double XL in men’s.

FOUNDED IN 2003 with the release of the now famous Marmite shirt, Foska makes clothing for cyclists, runners and triathletes. Made from technically advanced fabrics including Coolmax and Respira, all designs are printed with a fade-free ink, ensuring a long life.

The firm is constantly adding new designs to its already vast range, seen at www.foska.com.

SUGOI’S tech-packed clothing line prioritises moisture wicking and breathability in many higher-end garments.

The Majik Shell jacket, for example, is a tenacious waterproof jacket that is able to stretch to extremes, all while keeping the rider warm and secure below a twoway waterproof zipper, complete with guard material.

Find out more at www.sugoi.com.

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BIKEBIZ SEPTEMBER 63

SECTOR GUIDE | CHILDREN AND TRAILER BIKES

Child’s play Not only is selling kids bikes good for the balance sheet, it’s also helping the little blighters become lifelong fans of cycling. Jonathon Harker look at childrens bikes, gear and trailer bikes…

Coyote COYOTE SPORTS exclusively supplies the cycle trade with the Weeride range of trailers and trailer bikes. The Propilot (alloy version) and the Co-Pilot (steel version) both have a unique Swivel Hinge System that allow the rider a safe and smooth ride, as well as for the child too. Both units are

Dawes Cycles DAWES HAS revealed its kid’s bikes will not be subject to a price rise for the remainder of 2011, despite import prices continuing to rise. This, coupled with the addition of a new alloy kids bikes, means its dealers can offer lightweight 20 and 24-inch wheel product at an affordable price. The new alloy Lightning and Venus cost £159.99 and the Sapphire and Zombie £169.99.

supplied with safety flags and the level of quality you’d expect from the Weeride label. All products are supplied in full colour boxes.

The Weeride Stagecoach, suitable for either one or two passengers, is also available. For further information contact Coyote Sport sales team on 0161 727 8508, email sales@coyotesports.com or visit www.coyotesports.com.

Chicken Cyclekit NALINI OFFERS a range of children’s clothing including, short and long sleeve jersey, bib tights and bib shorts. The range is available all year round with very attractive stocking in deals, Chicken tells BikeBiz. The Antracite jersey retails for £35.99 has three back pockets, short zip and is styled to look like an authentic pro team jersey.

The Napo kids shorts retail for £25.99 are made from lightweight Lycra and have a very well designed children’s pad.

For stockist prices phone the sales team on 01525 381347 or see the range in full at www.chickenb2b.co.uk

For the budding racer the everpopular Espoir junior road bike is now available patriotic red white and blue, retailing at £399.99.

Promising a range that keeps up to date with the latest fashions, Dawes said it is also dedicated to offering young riders the same quality and characteristics offered to adults. More information is available at sales@dawescycles.com or on 0121 748 8050

Extra THE BIOFLEX Sprint GT is a comfortable and tough saddle designed for young’uns, with the same high specs as used in the adult range. With scuffresistant bumper panels and a reflective rear panel, the Sprint GT is £14.99 at retail price.

Extra also brings the Burley Bee to the trade. This economical model still features the Burley standard of quality

and safety features and seats one to two children with 100lb capacity. It weighs less than 20lbs and features padded mesh seating, wheel guards and a recessed helmet pocket. Retail price is £249.99.

The Burley D’Lite is ideal for the avid user. Again it seats one to two kids with a100lb capacity, but it also features suspension, UV protected windows, deluxe padded seating and a stow-away sun shade – all for £569.99.

Extra: 01933 672170

>>> Celebrating its 10th year, the UK’s leading Cycle Show heads to NEC, Birmingham on 29 Sep - 2 October 2011.

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Register for your FREE trade pass at www.cycleshow.co.uk/register for more information’ BIKEBIZ SEPTEMBER 65

66 BIKEBIZ SEPTEMBER

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SECTOR GUIDE | CHILDREN AND TRAILER BIKES >>> Ison TSG HAS produced a kid’s helmet range boasting high safety standards and good looks, giving youngsters chance to look like their riding heroes as the Nipper helmets are scaled down adult versions.

The Nipper weighs in at a featherweight 195g and fits snugly and low around the wearer’s head. Since release this year the Panda and Spooky Castle designs have proved popular.

2012 will see Nipper include a wider range of sizes with the new Nipper Mini and Nipper Maxi featuring fresh designs such as Bumblebee, Ladybird, Seal and Lion.

A brand new helmet, the Evolution Youth will bridge the gap between the

Fisher Outdoor Leisure

Nipper and Adult Evolution ranges. It is available in plain colours and graphic designs.

TSG also has a range of kid-specific padsets for riding and skating. The Junior Bike set consists of Knee/Shin and Elbow pads designed specifically for cycling. For more info contact Ison.

Ison: 01353 662662

FISHER OUTDOOR exclusively distributes Adams Trail-a-bikes. The extensive range includes models suitable for children from three to ten years old in a variety of colours and designs. All the bikes include the proven steel hitch,

which allows 360-degree movement of the bike and shims to fit almost any seatpost. The bikes also incorporates a folding mechanism for easy transportation and storage, a bash guard to protect the chainring and a colourful safety flag for maximum visibility when out and about.

The frames on each also come with a limited lifetime warranty.

Fisher: 01727 798 340

Oxford Products OXFORD OFFERS a number of children’s cycle helmets to the trade that feature bug net for insect-free ventilation and adjustable quick release chin straps with soft anti-abrasive chin padding. Oxford’s range is made from shock absorbing EPS with a tough, easy-to-clean Micro shell. It’s available in four designs including Little Rocket, Little Angel, Little Madam and last but not least, the Little Devil.

Oxford Products: trade@oxprod.com

Madison

Moore Large CUDA IS THE junior side of Barracuda, providing lightweight bikes for children.

From your everyday bike to the latest BMX or Jump styles Cuda from £105 £220. Built with 6061 Aluminium they range from 14 up to 24-inch wheels.

Bumper is ML’s premium pavement bike brand for boys and girls. Offering 12 to 20-inch with plenty of accessories the bikes retail from £89 to £139.

Bumper trailers are packed with features for top-level safety, practical use and child friendly fun. Two models are available in both duo and solo, both built from a strong steel frame with

BIKEBIZ.COM

easy front to back folding and wheels that unclip in seconds. The Adventure duo retails at £132.99 and £121.99 for the solo.

The Explorer model has more features with the duo retailing at £182.99 and the solo at £172.99.

Limar has a range of superlight weight kid’s helmets offering maximum comfort and total protection. In two models the 124 and 149 come in at least four different designs, for £24.99.

The firm also offers the Trail-Gator bicycle tow bar and a number of accessories. Contact Moore Large for more on those.

Moore Large: sales@moorelarge.co.uk

MADISON HAS a diverse range of goods for the kids, from miniature Ridgebacks and Saracen Bikes, through accessories and trailers from Adventure, right down to helmets, clothing and protective gear.

If your store specialises in bikes for all the family, Ridgeback’s line would be a perfect fit, offering a particularly strong children’s bikes catalogue.

An example is the Ridgeback Honey 14-inch wheeled girl’s bike. With a

robust, light aluminium frame that allows the child to lift and handle their bike with ease, a Ridgeback Kids bike is engineered to take the knocks and built to last, offering long term reliability and value for money.

Every Ridgeback kid's bike is constructed to the same exacting standards as an adult bike and undergoes professional assembly and safety checking by qualified bicycle mechanics.

0208 385 3385

>>> BIKEBIZ SEPTEMBER 67

SECTOR GUIDE | CHILDREN AND TRAILER BIKES >>> Falcon

Zyro

TOTALLING 50 models, Falcon has three distinct junior ranges, plus a BMX range.

The entry level Falconbranded juniors includes pavement bikes and steel framed rides, including pavement bikes starting at £94.99 and 24-inch wheel product topping out at £149.99 there is bound to be a huge demand for this product.

In the middle is the Claud Butlerbranded steel range, with Shimano revoshift gears, alloy brakes, alloy levers, lazer cables – ranging from £129.99 to £174.99.

The junior range is topped out with a Claud Butler branded alloy line-up starting at £149.99 for 16-inch wheel and capping out at £199.99 for 24-inch wheel.

The brand new range of Scorpion BMX has just been launched, with demand

THE SMILEY (SRP £24.99) is available in a range of colours and sizes. The lightweight helmet was specifically designed for children, offering top-notch value for money, a robust shell, shock absorbing EPS and much more. The Smiley Winter Kit (SRP £14.99) in medium or large is a fleece cap for use with the Smiley, while the Chaox (SRP £29.99) is a scaled down version of the Aduro and Arica, ideal for younger riders. The Scraper kid (SRP £29.99) is ideal for skating or cycling.

It’s never too early to teach a cyclist about security, which is where the child friendly My First Abus (1505) comes in, with a £12.99 SRP. Altura provides a full range of cycle specific clothing for the budding young cyclist, including a junior version of the best selling high vis Night Vision jacket.

Summer clothing items include the padded shorts, jerseys, sprint mitts and gloves suitable for 5 to 12 year olds.

The Mini M.U.L.E (SRP £39.99) is a pack for kids that can store a 1.5L drink with space for a phone /

outstripping expectation BikeBiz is told. Starting at £139.99, going to £179.99 for mag wheel and finishing at £209.99 for a 25/9 with a proper three-piece crank.

There is even a youths hardtail thrown in for good measure.

Falcon: 01652 656000.

SKS SKS’ BOTTLE cage SlideCage is ideal for the kids’ market, the German brand tells BikeBiz. It is a bottle cage for small frames (or frames with little space) making use of a clever and simple concept – the bottle is inserted from the side rather than only from the top, though that is also an option.

Here comes the science: the premium polyamide material is strengthened by fibreglass particles, which basically means SKS’ bottle cages are lightweight but also offer high impact resistance.

RRP is £8.99. SKS is distributed by Chicken (sales@chickencyclekit.co.uk), Madison (sales@madison.co.uk) and Raleigh (info@raleigh.org.uk).

MP3, snacks, suncream and little toys.

The CamelBak Skeeter (SRP £21.99) helps keep little ones hydrated while the Scout (SRP £39.99) is ideal for the young explorer who wants to head out on the trail, or even for school use.

The intuitive children’s Tritan Better Bottle (SRP £14.99) is ideal for school bags, on the hill or in the car. The spillproof Big Bite Valve can only BE removed through the underside of the cap, eliminating a choking hazard and making it easier to clean.

Also available is the Alpe (for girls, SRP £34.99), the Forza FC (for boys, SRP £24.99) and the 350ml Spooky children’s bottle (SRP £4.50).

Zyro: customer.services@zyro.co.uk

Toddlebike

John Crane

Raleigh

TODDLEBIKE IS A pre-balance bike that allows toddlers who are confidently walking to get on the road towards cycling long before they are ready for balance or pedal bikes. Toddlebike has four in-line wheels so there is an important balance element that the rider must master, but not that it will not tip over at standstill. In addition to balance, riders also learn turning using handles, movement at speed, self propulsion and co-ordination and because it is suitable for indoor or outdoor use on almost any terrain, this can be done initially in the safety of the home before venturing out. The superlight Toddlebike is convenient to carry when the little ‘un gets tired too.

Guaranteed for three years, CE and TUV certified, they are intended for Toddlers aged 18-36 months or when confidently walking.

Toddlebike: info@toddlebike.co.uk

THE TIDLO COLLECTION by John Crane features a host of balance bike styled toys for active play, including My First Scooter in red and even My First Motorbike. Each leg-powered bike comes in high gloss paint with excellent detailing, whilst the easy grip handlebars and pneumatic tyres provide a safe and comfortable ride.

Retailers can merchandise Tidlo product with POS. An at-a-glance age range symbol and category ensure retailers can show the toys to their best advantage in learning related sections and consumers can make an informed purchase. The launch of the Tidlo Collection is to be backed by a weighty PR and marketing campaign, including consumer advertising and promos via social marketing. Find out more at Sales@john-crane.co.uk or on the number below.

John Crane Ltd: 01604 774949

POPULAR BRANDS of Disney and Pixar, including Cars, Toy Story, Mickey Mouse and Princesses are featured in Raleigh’s range. Along with the classic products such as Spokey Dokeys, handlebar streamers and Doll Seats, Raleigh has a great range targeted at the younger generation.

The firm also brings Finnish grip expert Herrmans’ product to the UK, with grips targeted at very young cyclists. Made from allergy-free TPE sourced within Europe and specifically formulated for offering higher than expected Grip, the intriguingly named 82L model is arguably one of the most advanced child’s grips available.

At an retail price of £4.50, and with packaging to match the more advanced adult range, the Herrmans 82L will be the obvious choice for any knowledgeable adult purchasing for their child.

Raleigh: 0800 096 9060

68 BIKEBIZ SEPTEMBER

BIKEBIZ.COM

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

Eurobike Ltd 01332 774796 www.eurobike.uk.com

DISTRIBUTOR

DISTRIBUTOR

Otagocyclesport 07939 543016 www.otagocyclesport. co.uk

Seventies 0845 3103670 www.seventies.co.uk DISTRIBUTOR

DISTRIBUTOR

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

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

Fat Spanner 07966401165 www.fatspannerworld. com

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

DISTRIBUTOR/MANUFACTURER

MANUFACTURER/DISTRIBUTOR

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

Paligap Ltd 01454 313116 www.paligapltd.co.uk

DISTRIBUTOR/IMPORTER

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

DISTRIBUTOR

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

DISTRIBUTOR

Parklife (Havant) Ltd 02392 475895

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

IMPORTER/DISTRIBUTOR

IMPORTER/DISTRIBUTOR

Pashley Cycles 01789 292263 www.pashley.co.uk

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

MANUFACTURER/DISTRIBUTOR

DISTRIBUTOR/MANUFACTURER

Peter Dobbs Design and Print Services 01482 224007

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

MANUFACTURER/DESIGN & PRINT SERVICES

EPOS

DISTRIBUTOR

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

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

Qoroz 01453 889204 www.qoroz.co.uk MANUFACTURER

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

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

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

Trek Bicycle Corporation 01908 282626 MANUFACTURER

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

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

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

DISTRIBUTOR

Saddleback Ltd 01454 285285 www.saddleback.co.uk

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

DISTRIBUTOR

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

LETTERS | YOUR SAY

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

Email: Jonathon.Harker@ intentmedia.co.uk

SPONSORED BY

STAR LETTER

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

Mystery Shopper was too harsh?

the services offered at Baker Street, which is why I always return. Evans may have a greater variety of products and lots of staff on hand to help you, but they certainly don’t give you the same quality of service I’ve received here.

I feel the personal approach is very important when buying a bike – unlike some other bike shops in the area Baker Street staff are all keen cyclists and therefore very passionate about their work and know what they’re talking about.

I would always give Baker Street five out of five.

Mark, Brighton

RESPONSE WE WELCOME feedback on Mystery Shopper, which is a feature based on the experiences of one person visiting shops on a particular day.

As such, the piece is just an opinion, but we ensure our undercover reporter strives to be fair and constructive in his assessments.

One reader questions BikeBiz’s undercover reporter’s marking, who gave Brighton’s Baker Street Bikes three marks earlier this year…

I RECENTLY READ the Mystery Shopper for Brighton (April 2011).

I’m aware the article was based upon finding ‘a bike suitable for the beach’, but I felt the review of Baker Street bikes was surprisingly critical.

I’ve been a keen cyclist for 25 years and have always struggled to find a bike shop that’s as friendly and approachable as Baker Street. They are always ready to take the time to offer practical advice, no matter how busy they are.

I’ve been using Baker Street Bikes since moving to Brighton five years ago and from past experience of living in other towns and cities, I know I’d find it difficult to find somewhere that offers such a good, honest and reliable service.

Three years ago they fixed my Trek mountain bike, which had looked almost un-

repairable after a car ran it (and almost me!) over. They also made my 1983 Condor track bike a joy to ride again and suggested that I wait before having it completely re-sprayed and upgraded, which would have been a far more financially beneficial option for them.

If their service is based upon someone buying a bike, as in the review, I know of a few locals who always buy their bikes from this shop and have done so for years – as I’m sure I will in the future. My friends also agree how helpful the staff and the amount of knowledge they share at Baker Street Bikes.

I felt it was important to write to you as the review you wrote could be harmful to a small business and it’s so important we support our local shops and particularly ones that are as top quality as Baker Street Bikes.

I’ve been to a few other bike shops in Brighton and they don’t even come close to

In the case of Baker Street Bikes, Mystery Shopper scored the shop a very respectable three out of five. Mystery Shopper said ‘Baker Street’s staff can’t be faulted for adding a bit of personality to the pitch’ and gave him what he said were ‘sensible suggestions about security’, as well about ‘the store’s very comprehensive stock’. Our undercover reporter did question whether the sales assistant on the day could have tried to upsell to him, and noted that he found moving freely in the aisles was an issue. But overall it was a positive assessment.

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

This month the lucky winner will receive the Ultra Torch 9.

Info: l Waterproof Front headlight l Anti-shock switch nonslip structure l Quick release Jubilee clip suits 31.6mm handle bars l Batteries included

EDITORIAL PLANNER | EVENTS Editorial Planner | October 2011

UPCOMING EVENTS

SPOTLIGHT

l Road Cycling, Bike, Gear and Accessories l Cycle Show Guide l Eurobike 2011 show review

BIKEBIZ AWARDS 2011 Wednesday, September 28th Hilton Metropole, NEC, Birmingham

www.bikebiz.com Editorial Deadline: September 2nd

Advertising Deadline: September 7th

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

NOVEMBER 2011 l Stocking Fillers: Gifts under £20 l Cycle Show Review Editorial Deadline: Oct 7th Advertising Deadline: Oct 12th

DECEMBER 2011 l P&A: Wheels, Tyres, Tubes, Pumps l Retail Survey Editorial Deadline: Nov 4th Advertising Deadline: Nov 9th

JANUARY 2012 l Workshop: Cleaning and Tools l Workshop: Training l Core Bike Editorial Deadline: Nov 30th Advertising Deadline: Dec 5th

FEBRUARY 2012

MARCH 2012

EXPOCYCLE 2011 Sunday Sept 11th to 13th Montreal, Canada www.expocycle.ca INTERBIKE DEMO DAY 2011 Monday September 12th to Tuesday September 13th Boulder City, Nevada, USA www.interbike.com INTERBIKE 2011 Wednesday September 14th to Friday September 16th Las Vegas, Nevada, USA www.interbike.com

PALIGAP 2012 LAUNCH Sunday Sept 18th to 21st The Paintworks, Bristol www.paligapltd.co.uk

l Media analysis l Electric Bikes l Madison iceBike* review l Fisher Outdoor Leisure Expo review Editorial Deadline: TBC Advertising Deadline: TBC

APRIL 2012 l Bike Security l Cycle Fashion: Clothing, Sunglasses, Watches and Accessories l The UK’s Top 20 IBDs Editorial Deadline: TBC Advertising Deadline: TBC

72 BIKEBIZ SEPTEMBER

EUROBIKE 2011 Thursday September 1st to Saturday September 3rd Friedrichshafen, Germany www.eurobike-show.com

PARIS CYCLE SHOW Friday September 16th to 19th Paris, France www.lesalonducycle.com

l Commuting: Folding Bikes, Helmets, Reflectives l IceBike Guide l Fisher Outdoor Leisure Expo Editorial Deadline: TBC Advertising Deadline: TBC

THE BIBLE IS BACK!

September 2011

LOOK LAUNCH Thursday September 22nd Mallory Park, Leicestershire www.fisherb2b.com

BIKEBIZ AWARDS 2011 Wednesday September 28th Hilton Metropole, NEC, Birmingham www.bikebiz.com CYCLE SHOW 2011 Thursday September 29th to Sunday October 2nd NEC Birmingham, UK www.cycleshow.co.uk

October 2011 BIKE MOTION Friday October 14th to 16th Benelux, Netherlands www.bikemotionbenelux.nl

November 2011 BIKE BRNO Thursday Nov 10th to 13th Brno, Czech Republic www.bike-brno.cz TAICHUNG BIKE WEEK Tuesday November 29th to Friday December 2nd Taichung, Taiwan www.taichung-bikeweek.com

December 2011 E-MOBILITY CONGRESS Monday December 12th Ede, Netherlands www.emobilitycongres.nl

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

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

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

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

THE STANDARD PACKAGE INCLUDES:

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

l

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

To get your company featured here contact:

l l l

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

(minimum

six months)

COMPANY PROFILE

BIKES & ACCESSORIES Bob Elliot & Co Ltd Kinesis Bikes Madison Paligap Roofbox Seventies The Cycle Division Upgrade Bikes

01772 459 887 01403 711 611 01908 326 000 01454 313 116 015396 21884 0845 310 3670 0845 0508 500 01403 711 611

www.bob-elliot.co.uk www.kinesisbikes.co.uk www.madisonb2b.co.uk www.paligapltd.co.uk www.roofbox.co.uk www.seventies.co.uk www.thecycledivision.com www.upgradebikes.co.uk

BIKE MAINTENANCE Weldtite

01652 660 000

www.weldtite.co.ukxx

COMPONENTS independent Pace cycles Ltd Upgrade Bikes USE Ltd

01299 400008 01723 867 919 01403 711 611 01798 344 477

www.independent100.com www.pacecycles.com www.upgradebikes.co.uk www.use1.com

CUSTOM CLOTHING Wildoo Ltd

01908 374 555

www.wildoo.co.uk

EPOS Citrus Lime Evopos

0845 603 9254 0845 644 9424

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

LIGHTING Exposure Lights

01798 344 477

www.exposurelights.com

NUTRITION Zipvit

01444 243 000

www.zipvitsport.com

0845 230 3799 01282 699 555

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

RESPRAYS & REPAIRS Argos

0117 972 4730

www.argoscycles.com

SALES TRAINING Quest

07540 351 530

colinrees7@gmail.com

TRAINING SERVICES Cycle Systems Academy

0207 6082577 www.cycle-systems-academy.co.uk

WATER BOTTLES Botlesport Wildoo Ltd

0845 602 9267 01908 374 555

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

WEBSITE SERVICES SimpleEshop SiWis Limited

0116 267 5145 01709 511766

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

BIKEBIZ.COM

£175

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

MARKETPLACE CONTACTS

RACKS Maxx Raxx Pendle Roofbox

Quarter PRataes: ge

SEAN LALLY, CYCLE SYSTEMS

T: 020 7608 2577

Sean@cycle-systems.co.uk for technical questions Julia@cycle-systems.co.uk for booking details Twitter @CycleSystemsAc

academy.co.uk

What's new for Cycle Systems Academy?

The Level 3 VRQ is now up and running, as is the Level 3 advanced apprenticeship, in association with Havering College.

Our Level 3 course is a globally recognised, full VRQ Level 3 diploma in Engineering. The qualification for this and the NVQ in the apprenticeship framework are awarded by Emta Awards who ensures the qualification is government accredited within the Qualifications Credit Framework (QCF). The ten-day intensive course covers expert MTB and road tech. As with Level 2 we’ve developed a course that goes beyond the written syllabus to provide the most complete and up-to-date cycle mechanical training available in Europe.

Is there any help with funding available?

Yes, a full apprenticeship Level 2 can be government subsidised for current or new staff under 25. Under 19s receive 100 per cent subsidy and for 19-15 yr olds there is a small employer contribution. The apprentice can go on to a modern advanced apprenticeship at Level 3 which also has similar subsidies. We’re providing apprenticeships to Brompton and Specialized stores amongst others.

Engineering funding is secure so it’s a great time for dealers to train or recruit staff through our framework – we can advertise vacancies on the National Apprenticeship and Havering

W: www.cycle-systems-

College systems – both receive large amounts of traffic. We offer £100 of free Birzman tools to many students. Birzman is a new high quality tool sponsor who has supplied us with its ‘Studio Cycle’ range for training.

Do you have many female trainees?

While the bike trade, especially the workshop, has been largely male dominated we do have female applicants for apprenticeships, and have a new female apprentice starting soon. We also have a hugely experienced female tutor on the team in Therese Kilpatrick.

What's next for Cycle Systems Academy?

The most important area is to inform the trade there’s now an option in funded cycle mechanic training. Other brands claiming to be the ‘industry standard’ are simply one possible option. Our training and qualifications are recognised just as any other by awarding bodies, government standards, the National Apprenticeship Service, OFSTED and our many sponsors from the industry itself.

We believe the most important aspect is the awarding body and if the qualification is recognised within the QCF. If a training facility is approved it has undergone strict quality measures and ongoing quality control.

We think healthy competition is a good thing and as all funded training is provided through EAL, it has the standardisation the trade requires.

BIKEBIZ SEPTEMBER 73

BIKEBIZ | MARKETPLACE BIKES & ACCESSORIES

BIKES & ACCESSORIES

74 BIKEBIZ SEPTEMBER

BIKES & ACCESSORIES

BIKEBIZ.COM

BIKEBIZ | MARKETPLACE

BIKEBIZ.COM

BIKES & ACCESSORIES

BIKES & ACCESSORIES

BIKES & ACCESSORIES

BIKES & ACCESSORIES

BIKEBIZ SEPTEMBER 75

BIKEBIZ | MARKETPLACE BIKES & ACCESSORIES

BIKE MAINTENANCE

COMPONENTS

COMPONENTS

76 BIKEBIZ SEPTEMBER

BIKEBIZ.COM

BIKEBIZ | MARKETPLACE COMPONENTS

COMPONENTS

BIKEBIZ.COM

COMPONENTS

COMPONENTS

BIKEBIZ SEPTEMBER 77

BIKEBIZ | MARKETPLACE CUSTOM CLOTHING

EPOS

EPOS

LIGHTING

78 BIKEBIZ SEPTEMBER

BIKEBIZ.COM

BIKEBIZ | MARKETPLACE

BIKEBIZ.COM

NUTRITION

NURTITION

RACKS

RACKS

BIKEBIZ SEPTEMBER 79

BIKEBIZ | MARKETPLACE RESPRAYS AND REPAIRS

RACKS

TRAINING SERVICES

WATER BOTTLES

80 BIKEBIZ SEPTEMBER

BIKEBIZ.COM

BIKEBIZ | MARKETPLACE WATER BOTTLES

WEBSITE SERVICES

WEBSITE SERVICES

To get your company featured here contact:

Carly Bailey on

01992 535647 or carly.bailey@intentmedia.co.uk BIKEBIZ.COM

BIKEBIZ SEPTEMBER 81

OFF TRACK | NUMBER CRUNCHING

I N THE SADDLE

Let’s get statistical Which international show is punching above its weight? And who’s biggest out of Interbike, Eurobike, Expo and Taipei?

There’s only one way to find out – let’s look at the stats…

Mark Almond, Director of Red Cloud MC What bikes do you own and where is your favourite place to ride?

How long have you got? I’ve a garage full, much to the annoyance of my fiancée, I’m afraid. A collection of Yeti mountain bikes, a Charge Duster Titanium and two Trek road bikes. Then there’s my 1.5 training bike and a Madone 5.5 for more serious rides. I love taking the Yeti ASR5 to Afan, or Glentress or, if time is more limited, nearer to home at Chicksands Bike Park for a quick blast.

Tell us a bit about Red Cloud and its services: Red Cloud was born in 2007 and is a marketing, PR and events company that specialises in the national and international cycle industry, from retailers to manufacturers.

We offer everything you need to get your business noticed, from tailored marketing and PR strategies, to one-off projects and copy writing services. We are also Business Link accredited small business advisors and are experienced in working with companies of all sizes from sole traders to multinationals. We tailor costs and all activities to your individual budget and requirement – there’s no such thing as one size fits all in this day and age.

Who’s on your client list?

Current clients include Fisher Outdoor Leisure, The Steve Peat Syndicate, HardnutZ, Whackjob Clothing, Bike-Eye, British Mountain Bike Series, Bontrager TwentyFour12, Orange Monkey-Cannondale and many others including a number of cycle retailers, local authorities and race teams.

What are your plans for the business going forwards?

To continue its development and to ensure Red Cloud always offers outstanding value for money for all our clients. I’m also looking at some new services, but if I told you about them, I’d have to pull out a super injunction on you. What I can say is that events will become a much bigger part of Red Cloud’s service provision and I’m also looking to further develop our rider and team management profile.

If you could give one tip to retailers on marketing a business well, what would it be?

Know how your brand should sound in all communications and make sure everything you do reinforces this message.

Know your market and your audience. Once you know what you’re saying, how you’re saying it and who you’re saying it to, it’s all downhill from there.

How can firms get in touch with Red Cloud?

You can email me directly at mark@redcloudmc.com, follow me on Twitter @Yeticharge, or visit our Facebook page. You can also do it the good old-fashioned way, by phone. You can catch me Monday to Saturday on 07739 302698.

82 BIKEBIZ SEPTEMBER

750 exhibitors

750 ng w, taki ke has Interbi its 30th sho to 16th. p for 12th lined u September d rise er coul rom b f m e c u a n l p hibitor r yet.

This ex furthe

10 million The number of cycling visits being made every year to Forestry Commission woodlands. The CTC has recently forged an official partnership with the Commission.

301 The increasingly internationallyfocused Bike Expo, renamed ISPO Bike for 2012, saw 301 exhibitors from 22 countries take part in 2011, up 17 per cent.

BIKEBIZ.COM

OFF TRACK | NUMBER CRUNCHING

948

MOST POPULAR STORIES ON

e in Despite the devastating earthquak w in neighbouring Japan, Taipei Cycle Sho and a ies pan March saw 948 exhibiting com al nine per cent increase in internation visitors on 2010.

OUR BIGGEST 15 STORIES ONLINE IN JULY 1. Bicycles beat commercial airliner http://www.bikebiz.com/news/read/bike-v-jet-losangeles-or-bust/011522 2. Barbed wire car/bike TdF smash is laughing matter, tweets US TV anchor /news/read/barbed-wire-car-bike-tdf-smash-islaughing-matter-tweets-us-tv-anchor/011508 3. Light composite bikes made in China slammed

by UCI execs http://www.bikebiz.com/news/read/light-compositebikes-made-in-china-slammed-by-uci-execs/011462 4. ITV4 and Halfords win big with Tour de France coverage http://www.bikebiz.com/news/read/itv4-and-halfordswin-big-with-tour-de-france-coverage/011573

50%

orking having tw e n l a ci so h proving cebook . Wit e activity, it’s ivity is on Fa n ct li a n o e il r b la o u p m o ll Half of a the most p et social. g for porn as mpanies to g in co rf e su ik d b r se fo ip r ecl ng than eve more tempti

5. Dahon v Tern: it’s now a lawsuit http://www.bikebiz.com/news/read/dahon-v-tern-it-snow-a-lawsuit/011550 6. Chain Reaction leaks new store details http://www.bikebiz.com/news/read/chain-reactionleaks-new-store-details/011504 7. Parking mag plugs bikes /news/read/parking-mag-plugs-bikes/011444 8. UCI may allow lighter race bikes http://www.bikebiz.com/news/read/parking-mag-plugsbikes/011444 9. Guildford Station sees UK’s first ever Brompton bike dock http://www.bikebiz.com/news/read/guildford-stationsees-uks-first-ever-brompton-bike-dock/011485

1,100

10. Focus leaves Wiggle http://www.bikebiz.com/news/read/focus-leaveswiggle/011552

Eurobike tops the bike show bill with 1,100 exhibitors from 42 countries currently lined up to attend from August 31st 2011 to September 3rd.

11. Cycle to work scheme will be made subject to VAT http://www.bikebiz.com/news/read/bike-to-work-isnow-subject-to-vat/011601 12. One of a kind racing bikes stolen from Trek and Madison http://www.bikebiz.com/news/read/one-of-a-kindracing-bike-stolen-from-trek-uk-hq/011464

2,000 The estimated number of cyclists who took part in the Blackfriars Bridge ‘flashride’ protest at the end of July in London. The activists took part after spreading the word on blogs like iBikeLondon and, yes, social networking sites like Twitter.

13. Finalists revealed for the 2011 BikeBiz Awards http://www.bikebiz.com/news/read/finalists-revealedfor-the-2011-bikebiz-awards/011595 14. Future UK to cut 100 jobs http://www.bikebiz.com/news/read/future-uk-to-cut100-jobs/011531 15. Rapha gets physical http://www.bikebiz.com/news/read/rapha-getsphysical/011569

Pic©iBikeLondon.blogspot.com BIKEBIZ.COM

BIKEBIZ SEPTEMBER 83

OFF THE RECORD

OFF

k c a r T

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

• lance can’t escape stalkers

Tweeters flock to Lance’s call THE UNIQUE lure of Lance Armstrong shows no signs of slipping when over 500 bike riding fans grasped the chance to ride with the cycle star last month. Armstrong alerted fans to the impromptu ride via Twitter, repeating a stunt he’s performed across the world, this time for a 30-minute ride in Dornoch in the Highlands. The seventime Tour de France winner had taken time out from holidaying in the Highlands, based at the (very) swanky Skibo Castle.

Thanks to Gordon Gillespie for the pics.

Living the Dream IN A CHARITY-tastic Off the Record we also bring you news of ten lucky cycle nuts who got the chance to ride the Tour de France courtesy of the National Autistic Society. The event, called ‘Live the Dream’ has helped to raise over £20,000 for the charity so far. The Ward Consultancy-backed event saw the NAS cycling team ride stage five of the Tour – from Carhaix to Cap Frehel – which they completed in just over six hours.

There are more details at www.autism.org.uk

Stars tackle soapy ride to Walford via Emmerdale STARS OF TV soap Emmerdale are to ride a 224-mile cycle challenge to raise £100,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support.

The motley crew will be riding from one of TV’s most famous pubs – Emmerdale’s Woolpack – for a ride to another equally famous watering hole – EastEnder’s Queen Vic – to raise the cash for the worth cause. The Emmerdale team will complete the ride in August in memory of their producer, the late Gavin Blyth, who died aged 41 from cancer.

Olympic pro cyclist Ben Swift will join the riders on their tour, set to complete before last orders on August 20th. Find out more at: Justgiving.com/EmmerdaleEastEndersCharityCycle or make a £5 donation by texting ‘RIDE66 £5’ to 70070.

84 BIKEBIZ SEPTEMBER

The ride takes place in memory of the late producer Gavin Blyth

BIKEBIZ.COM

OFF THE RECORD

• riding on water • emmerdale stars to tackle 224-mile cycling challenge

Water hazard SOMETIMES it just takes a picture to stoke the interest of the world’s media, and never more so than with this pic taken on Lake Buttermere, Cumbria of a cyclist riding on water. The lake in question is 75 foot deep while the rider is one teenager Matt Whitehurst. He carried out the stunt to raise awareness of the Jennings River Ride, which follows the path of the effects of the 2009 floods in the area, raising cash to help residents who fell victim to the highest level of rainfall ever recorded in England.

And how was the stunt carried out? They’re revealing nothing, but maybe a donation via www.cumbriafoundation.org will help loosen their lips...

From Miami to Canada THREE THOUSAND miles is a long way, which anyone who has cycled in the Race Across America race will confirm. The non-stop event runs around the clock, but somehow even that didn’t manage to put off Team Sportscover Strategic Altura, a Yorkshire-based team of regional

riders, from taking part in the epic race. The team was put together following the drive of MD of Strategic Team Group Andy Watson, and MD of Knottingley-set BBM Bikes, Ashley Brown.

You can see how they got on at www.bbmbikes.com

quote unquote “We were given no warning – I was serving a customer and he was just standing there. It was great to see him offering his support.”

Evans Cycles , Chalk Farm branch manager David Cheek discusses and impromptu visit by Labour leader David Miliband, post riot.

“The IAM supports the selective use of 20mph speed limits where there is clear evidence that the risk of casualties will be reduced. But blanket 20mph speed limits or limits at inappropriate sites risk widespread disregard by drivers who do not recognise a necessity for them.

Sponsored by the brands of Moore Large 01332 274252

Consultation with, and buy-in from, local people here is essential.”

IAM head of road safety Kevin Delaney “It’s interesting that no other shops on Essex Road were targeted in the way that Mosquito was. Nearby a looter was heard to say ‘bikes are top of our list, innit.”

Greg Conti of Mosquito Bikes recounts the day rioters targeted the Islington store.

“Bikes have always been a huge part of Chicago, from Schwinn to the current

fixed gear craze. It’s an easy city to ride a bike, and cycling has impacted the culture in Chicago significantly. As a project, the most noteworthy aspect was the collaborative local effort put in to building the bike. Several talented Chicagoans contributed in amazing ways.”

Chicago bike builder Todd Simeone discusses building alternative rock group Wilco’s bike for a competition to promote their new album “A top-end electric bike in the UK is just about mid-range in European territories.”

Wazz Mughal, Powacycle

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

BIKEBIZ SEPTEMBER 85

OFF TRACK | SPOKESMAN

SPOKES

TWEET short and

City bikes: who’s using them?

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

And are they leading to a resurgence in bike sales as newbies discover cycling or not? Carlton Reid hops on board a Boris Bike to find the answers...

Are the government determined to kill off the cycle to work scheme? @get_mtb

I’M A HUGE fan of folding bikes. I have a Brompton; at a trade show yonks ago I bought the first ever Birdy in the UK; and I’m looking forward to trialling a Tern. But when I travel – by train – to London, I don’t always schlepp one of my folding bikes. I often jump on a Boris Bike instead (of course Boris Bike should be a Ken Bike, as it was Mr Livingstone who first floated the idea). It’s convenient, cost just pennies per year and – touch wood – it’s reliable.

I’m white, fit, and know how to ride in traffic. I’m therefore the typical customer for a Boris Bike. Or perhaps not. At a recent bash I was talking to a guy whose doctor wife is doing a postgraduate research project on who is using London’s cycle hire bikes, and whether it could be having a public health benefit for people who may not normally exercise.

The first raft of Transport for London data she was given access to was from the period when the scheme was sign-up only, not the current walk-up-anybody-canhire system. Results will therefore be skewed to keenies – like me – who signed up on a whim and prayer, and who, in all likelihood, were existing cyclists.

“Only 25 per cent of the first 92,000 registered users for London Cycle Hire were women.”

Looking around at the people using Boris Bikes now and the demographic has changed – but not radically. I don’t have access to raw data but, anecdotally, I still see the system being used mostly by white blokes who are slimmer than the average fat Brit.

Boris Bikes are being used by people like, well, Boris.

Maybe not all in suits with messy blonde hair but certainly it’s mainly blokes. Only 25 per cent of the first 92,000 registered users were women. No doubt this is

Does bike hire boost bike sales?

Cycle to Work scheme will be made subject to VAT. What ever happened to green Government? @kim_harding

down to the ‘nanas and nippers’ problem of two issues ago: without dedicated, protective cycle infrastructure, newbies – especially newbie women – won’t take up cycling.

Young male professionals – who might have otherwise taken taxis – seem to love Boris Bikes and are not so worried about London’s traffic, especially as it’s so slow.

Lots of tourists are also now using the bikes (mainly male tourists) and if they’re from countries where cycling is held in more esteem they must get an awful shock at the conditions for cyclists in London.

Perhaps surprisingly, there hasn’t been an epidemic of Boris Bike deaths or injuries. Long may this continue.

Will the spread of Boris Bikes bring new people into cycling? It is happening. I did an unscientific survey on Twitter and talked to a number of people who said they wouldn’t have taken up cycling without having access to the ‘trial’ option first.

But the scheme’s biggest benefit to the bicycle trade is the visibility it gives to cycling as a whole. Just as happened in Paris, with the city’s Velib scheme, drivers are having to get used to more bikes on the streets. At 23kg, a Boris Bike is a tank. And when ridden erratically – as many are – these are tanks with attitude. And permanently on LED lights. Bit by bit, ride by ride, Boris Bikes are making cycling in London a little bit safer each day; for all cyclists not just those on tanks.

Cycle to Work scheme subject to VAT. Money grabbing government strikes again. @CordeeBooks Some sort of Olympic test doing what the rioters couldn't do last week – close the flamin roads! U couldn't make it up. @EamonnHolmes Getting my act in gear for @interbike. Love it or hate it, it’s always good to see my fellow bike geeks in the desert. @Cyclefilm

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