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NOVEMBER 2016
ISSUE 130
ISSUE 130 NOVEMBER 2016
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p9 The Vegas show
p20 Original ellipticals
p15 What’s new at the NEC?
Didn’t make it to Interbike? We visit Las Vegas to check out which brands are causing a stir in the American market.
Sales manager Chuck Day tells us about the unique ElliptiGO bikes, and why inventor Bryan Pate chose to start the company.
We head to Birmingham, where England’s biggest cycling celebration has the latest products to hit the shelves on display.
Rising republic Our exclusive interview with managing director Peter Kimberley about the promising future of the Cycle Republic…
p23
p31 It’s a mystery...
p53 Electric legislation
p45 Women’s racing
p60 Sector guides
Our mystery shopper heads to Milton Keynes to buy a bike.
Everything you need to know about the latest e-bike laws.
What’s being done to make racing accessible to women?
This month we explore stocking fillers, tri-bikes and bottles.
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NEWS
Trade shows set to shift in 2018
EDITOR’S COMMENT A CHANGE FOR THE BETTER In the short time that I’ve had the fortune to be at the front line of this energetic bike business, I have been astounded at the turnout of its events, swarming with animated consumers and exhibitors. I’ve been to my fair share of trade shows, but I can’t say that I’ve ever been to anything quite as vast as Eurobike. So the very recent announcement that it will be going entirely B2B came as a surprise. BikeBiz’s August excursion to Friedrichshafen was my first. With traffic gridlocked miles down the road and queues of hobbyists streaming out the doors and into town, I can hardly fathom a place as busy, or exciting, as the Messe. But 2017 will be the consumer’s last hurrah at the teeming cycle event. It has to be said that this will be a good thing for those of us attending Eurobike with work, and it will no doubt be very interesting to see what the summer of 2018 brings for a rebranded show. A trade-focused Eurobike will be a whole different animal. Certainly, more company representatives will be able to attend, and I think I speak for all of us when I say that an abridged line for test tracks – and currywurst – will be a welcome change for exhibitors and cycle journalists alike.
Hayley E. Ferguson can be contacted at: hferguson@ nbmedia.com THE ORGANISERS of longstanding bike events Taipei Cycle and Eurobike have disclosed that both show dates will be moved in 2018. Eurobike will retain its August slot in 2017, but will go trade-only the following year, with the new start date set for July 8th 2018. Taipei Cycle’s staging will be moved from March 2018 to late October 2018. Taipei Cycle press officer Andrea Wu told BikeBiz: “The issue of moving the dates has been a topic of discussion for several years due to the late production season here. We conducted a very thorough survey of exhibitors on the subject this year. Moving to October will allow us to focus on B2B.” It has been confirmed that more than 60 per cent of survey respondents were in favour of the move to October. “We sent out the survey in March, right after the show. It was very thorough, so it took a long time to compile the information. It just happened to be that we revealed the new dates this month. We have no affiliation with Eurobike – it’s a BIKEBIZ.COM
coincidence [that we announced the changes in the same week],” said Wu.” The Taipei Cycle news came with the announcement of a new brand identity. The rebooted show will feature its first Demo Day in 2018, and a consumer day on the Saturday. In contrast, due to decreased visitor numbers at this year’s Eurobike, the decision was made to close the event to the public for 2018. Event manager Stefan Reisinger confirmed that the changes will be put into practice in order to “secure the future relevance of Eurobike”. Messe Friedrichshafen’s CEO Klaus Wellmann said: “By taking place earlier in the year, Eurobike will strengthen its position as a leading trade show for new trends and innovations. The new schedule has the backing of a large number of industry players.” Wu commented that Taipei Cycle “believes that the moves are the best decision for the industry. After all, both of these shows are a platform for trade members.” BIKEBIZ NOVEMBER 5
NEWS
BikeBiz Awards 2017 teams up with London Bike Show The ninth instalment of the BikeBiz Awards will return in 2017, now in partnership with the Telegraph’s London Bike Show... THE
NINTH
ANNUAL
Aloft London Excel, One Eastern Gateway, Royal Victoria Dock, London. E16 1FR. THE BIKEBIZ AWARDS ceremony has been moved to Thursday, February 16th 2017 to coincide with Telegraph Events’ London Bike Show. The event celebrates the UK cycle trade, and presents a chance to congratulate its hard-working individuals. “We’re really excited to be collaborating with BikeBiz to host the 2017 event alongside the London Bike Show,” said Ian Chandler, group marketing manager at Telegraph Events. “Having attended the awards many times before, we know how much the industry values the evening, and are going to be working hard to help ensure this is
the best ceremony to date.” Retail prizes will recognise brands, local independent shops and giant online retailers, distributors and wholesalers, and those providing essential specialist services for the industry. Equally important is the networking opportunity that the BikeBiz Awards offer to trade members. Nominations are officially open, and will close on November 23rd, 2016. Tickets can be purchased from the official website at £49. A limited number of sponsorship opportunities are available – contact Richard Setters at rsetters@nbmedia.com or 02073546028. www.bikebizawards.com
CATEGORIES RETAILER AWARDS Q Specialist Retailer Q Mainstream Retailer Q Online Store Q Independent Bike Dealer Q Retail Event
DISTRIBUTOR, BRAND & PRODUCT AWARDS Q P&A Distributor of the Year Q Bike Brand of the Year Q Sales Team Q P&A Brand of the Year Q Innovation From a Newcomer
SERVICES AWARDS Q Retailer Services Q Cycling Advocacy Achievement Q Training
Q Bike Distributor of The Year Q Specialist Distributor Q Marketing Team Q Breakthrough Brand
Q Non-Cycling Brand
Executive Editor: Carlton Reid carltonreid@mac.com
Sales Manager: Richard Setters rsetters@nbmedia.com
Sales Director: Mark Rankine mrankine@nbmedia.com
Editor: Hayley Ferguson hferguson@nbmedia.com
Production Executive: Warren Kelly wkelly@nbmedia.com
Managing Director: Mark Burton mburton@nbmedia.com
Staff Writer: Kieran Howells khowells@nbmedia.com
Content Director: Andrew Wooden awooden@nbmedia.com
Marketing & Circulation bike.subscriptions@c-cms.com
Design: Dan Bennett dbennett@nbmedia.com
Events Director: Caroline Hicks chicks@nbmedia.com
Editorial: The Emerson Building, 4th floor, 4-8 Emerson Street, London. SE1 9DU Tel: 0207 354 6002 BikeBiz is mailed FOC to 4,000+ trade addresses every month ISSN 1476-1505
© NewBay Media 2016 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or any information storage or retrieval system without the express prior written consent of the publisher. The contents of BikeBiz are subject to reproduction in information storage and retrieval systems. Printed by Pensord.
6 BIKEBIZ NOVEMBER
BIKEBIZ.COM
NEWS
FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @BIKEBIZONLINE
CYCLE
SHORTS The directory returns An updated version of the annual BikeBiz Directory will hit shelves along with the December issue of the magazine. The 2017 edition of the directory will deliver the same wealth of knoweldge and trade information as previous years. Not one to be missed.
Specialized to use Tannus Tyres
CO-BIKES has launched the UK’s first on-street public electric bike hire network. The brand, which also runs an electric car hire business, currently has five cycling hubs around Exeter, including one at the central train station, one at the university, and a hub at the Sowton park-and-ride. Each hub currently holds between four and eight bikes, with a proposed three further docking stations on track to open by
2017. The bikes are powered by zero-carbon renewable energy produced from Good Energy, and are provided by bike share specialists Nextbike. In a recent interview, managing director Mark Hodgson commented: “After years of planning, we’re very excited to be launching in Exeter. The Co-bikes electric bikes are changing the way that people travel around the city. They are affordable and easy, as well as being great fun to ride.”
Co-bikes can be rented for as little as £0.75 per half hour for those with a membership, and a deposit of only £10 is required from all users. E-bikes can be rented by using the recently implemented mobile app, which locates available bikes with an allocated number or QR code. The app also provides cycling routes via the integrated map system, and keeps a log of user activity. www.co-bikes.co.uk
Specialized UK takes on new managing director
The puncture-free airless tyres made by South Korean brand Tannus will now ship as standard on the new affordable Alibi range. The tyres are made from a micro-closed-cell polymer resin called Aither.
Ian Drake steps down as CEO of British Cycling Ian Drake has confirmed that, after 22 years of working for British Cycling, he will step down as CEO in April 2017. Drake has been in his current post for eight years.
Sunday Times says road jams caused by bike lanes The weekly newspaper recently clamed that road congestion in the UK is caused by the wrongful application of segregated cycle lanes. Studies show that 0.2 per cent of roads in London have been equipped with protected cycleways.
BA launches code of practice The Bicycle Association of Great Britain has launched the organisation’s first ever code of practice. The code was launched at a BA meeting held at the Brompton factory in Greenford, London. The code was introduced by Phillip Darnton, the BA’s executive director, and Brompton CEO Will Butler-Adams.
Ribble opens Cardiff showroom
SPECIALIZED BICYCLE Components has confirmed that Simon Homer will join the company in the role of managing director at Specialized UK. Homer joins the brand having recently stepped down as MD of TaylorMade Adidas Golf, Pacific.
BIKEBIZ.COM
“I’m absolutely delighted to be joining the Specialized UK team,” said Homer. “As a passionate cyclist, I have always had great admiration for Specialized. I am attracted by the core values and passion for both the rider and our independent bike dealers.
I really look forward to becoming part of the Specialized team and to be meeting and getting to know everyone next month.” Homer will be based out of the Specialized UK office in Chessington, Surrey. www.specialized.com
Ribble Cycles has opened a new 3,000 square foot showroom in the heart of Cardiff city centre. The pop-up will play host to Ribble’s latest range until early 2017.
For breaking news visit:
www.bikebiz.com BIKEBIZ NOVEMBER 7
A NEW PLAYER IN THE WORLD OF CYCLING
Optimises cyclist’s cleat position by precise laser adjustment to ensure the effectiveness of pedaling. As a result, improving performance and reducing injuries (tendonitis, back pain, joint pain…) Super-positioning the axis of the foot (metatarsal head of the big toe) on the axis of the pedal. Hence, we have optimised energy transfer (position determined through laboratory research)
1
PERFORMANCE OPTIMISATION
The most important point in optimizing pedaling efficiency remains the point of contact between the foot and the pedal. With the innovation of the new measuring device of ML Cleat® Morphologics, it is now possible to adjust the cleat of the cyclist’s in minutes with laser precision ( MTB and Road ). 2
LASER PRECISION
ML Cleat® of Morphologics, accurately measures the feet of the cyclists based on both the position of the heel (calcaneus bone) and the precise location of the joint of the big toe (sesamoid bone) measured at the same time.
contact@morpho-logics.com
3
IMMEDIATE REPORT
It only takes a few seconds to get the measurements of the feet and then transfer the measurements on to the outer sole of the cyclist’s shoe, thanks to the tiny laser beam. 4
INSTANT MOUNTING
After having measured the cyclist’s feet, it is hence very easy to position and secure the hold on the shoes since the axis of the cleat should be at the level of the joint of the big toe. The position of the foot in the shoe will therefore be comfortable and the position of the cleat will be perfect which will then optimize the pedaling efficiency to the maximum.
www.morpho-logics.com
INTERBIKE
What happens at Interbike... The busy trade calendar may have drawn to a close in the UK, but it wouldn’t be wrapped up without a trip to Las Vegas. Kieran Howells investigates the products that may be hitting UK shores in the new year…
LAS VEGAS is a city renowned for its vast repositories of entertainment. The flashing lights loom over the strip. Legions of casinos are packed with eateries, music venues, and a never-ending stream of bars welcoming visitors in with the promise of four-foot margaritas and all-you-can-eat buffets. These things resonate with the kind of people who are looking for anything but an early night. In that regard, the Interbike International Expo slots into its surroundings like a puzzle piece. Like the strip, this year’s annual extravaganza was packed with twinkling lights, eye-catching bikes and an abundance of new and exciting technologies, ready to set tongues wagging for the coming months. The 2016 Interbike show underwent a major expansion. An extended floor space, new areas like the e-bike testing track, the BIKEBIZ.COM
women’s collective area, and an updated conference timetable at the Electric Theatre contributed to the already-monstrous list of over 1,200 exhibitors dispersed into the “streets” of the convention halls. As always, attendees of the test day were given the chance to try out the latest tech on the nowiconic outdoor desert-scape, located out in Boulder, Nevada and used as a demo track. Brands such as Cannondale, GT, and Marin let the trade unleash the full effects of a hard ride on the bikes. The general consensus amongst riders was that they fared extremely well. Q CAMELBAK The show was in full swing indoors, as a stream of dealers, riders and journalists burst from the streets of the vast halls. My first stop of the day took me to the mood-lit Camelbak stand, where the
hydration company was displaying a brand-new range of resilient and easily-folded reservoirs. Camelbak prides itself on being one of the only companies to manufacture a soft bottle (with others on the market using Hydrapak as a manufacturer). The new material used in the production of the soft bottle is also used in the new hydration packs. Although the soft rubber cannot prevent the growth of unwanted mould, the surface is designed to prevent build-up, and I was assured that a quick wash should easily flush out any accumulated grime. The brand is also improving its MTB range, with a new Lowrider daypack that is designed to keep the weight of the water low, taking stress off of the user’s shoulders and lowering their centre of gravity on the trails.
Q CLIF BAR In the centre of the show was nutrition specialist Clif Bar, whose stand – reminiscent of the jungle – was attracting the crowds. Taking its name from founder Gary Erickson’s father, Clif Bar used the show as a chance to announce a new product. The Chocolate Peanut Butter Bar marks a change from the conventional Clif output, doing away with the standard oat-and-nut-mix filling and opting instead for a gooey core. Q KOOL-STOP I moved from one eye-catching stand to another, heading over to meet Kool-Stop’s representatives, who were taking turns riding a flashy penny-farthing. Apart from being a lot of fun to ride, the bike featured at Kool-Stop’s stand demonstrated just how far braking power has come. Between sharing stories of past Interbike shows and BIKEBIZ NOVEMBER 9
INTERBIKE
Backpacks galore at the Thule stand
The stylish TSG Meta Helmet
Muc-Off’s new hair and skin products
events at Earl’s Court in London, representative Tim Watson told me about what was new and noteworthy. The big news this year was the Composite Continental Pads, which are constructed from a new “mag-friendly” compound, to be paired with Skyway Tuff Wheels. The colourful pads come in a range of eight striking colours and complement the rest of the Kool-Stop range, also on show. Q MAXXIS Inside Maxxis’ booth, it was all about the tyre, with a host of updates to the range. Big this year was the Skinwall, which previously had been a tubular tyre – though that never stopped users from altering it to work tubelessly. In recognition of the demand, the brand has finally released a tubeless-ready version of this popular classic. The 27.5x2.6” Rekon and Forekaster tyres have 10 BIKEBIZ NOVEMBER
Macaskill signature bars caused a stir
also been turning heads, now that both can be ridden on a 30-35mm rim. Maxxis also got its foot in the e-bike door this year, with the release of e-bike rated tyres: the fast-rolling urban Gypsy and versatile Roamer. Q BIKEFLIGHTS BikeFlights presented a solution for those who made purchases at the show without a game plan for transporting them home. The relatively new company specialises in the simple and pain-free transportation of bikes and cycling accessories across long distances. A simplified cost calculator can be found on the website, and with bases in the USA, Asia and Europe, there aren’t many places that a package can’t be shipped to. The boxes are big enough to transport a large mountain bike, and a mobile app makes the process easier on-the-go.
Q LIZARD SKINS We witnessed Danny MacAskill in action at Eurobike earlier this year, and while he couldn’t be at Interbike in person, the American show was used as a platform for the release of Lizard Skins’ MacAskill grips. The diamond pattern lock-on grips are designed to provide superior impact cushioning when performing the kind of stunts MacAskill is known for. The brand has also recently released the Monitor Glove, featuring a perforated AX suede palm and available in four different styles. The durable material remains grippy when wet, and the fingertips function with touchscreen phones. Q BMX: SUBROSA/SHADOW CONSPIRACY Younger attendees congregated at cult BMX brand SUBROSA’s range of limited edition bikes, all of which featured custom builds and
paintjobs in collaboration with thrash-metal band Slayer. The bikes are designed to cater to everyone, from toddlers to adult riders, coming in four sizes, which range from a 12” balance bike, to 20” and 26” BMXs, and a 700c fixed-gear. The collaboration also includes a pivotal mid-seat, and a custom frame entitled The Thunderbeast. Sharing the floor-space with SUBROSA was 14-year-old BMX specialists Shadow Conspiracy. The brand arrived stocked with the latest products in its portfolio, including Invisa-Lite, a full line of non-restrictive protection pads. The new range promises “protection without restriction by minimising the bulk of products, such as shin and elbow pads.” The brand was also championing its latest impact-proof insoles, which are specifically designed to keep feet secure and stable by means of a thick layer of ShockFoam material. BIKEBIZ.COM
Workshop Expansion Sorted. BASE MASTER TOOL KIT QKBMK243
Designed for the professional, the BMK-243 includes everything in the Master Tool Kit except the major frame and fork cutting tools. Just add an extra work stand and mechanic!
www.parktool.com © 2016 Park Tool Co. PARK TOOL® and the color BLUE are registered trademarks of Park Tool Co.
INTERBIKE
Women’s cycling panel in full swing
The new Overade folding helmet
Q TSG Offering a different outlook on BMX, safety-clothing company TSG brought a fresh line of helmets to Interbike. Amongst the products on display, the hotly-anticipated Ride TSG Meta helmet caught my eye. The urban-inspired design is lightweight, featuring strategic ventilation and an easy-adjust dual fit system. The product is available in a range of colours, including “dark cyan” and “satin oxblood”, but the white with classic racing colours striped down the middle takes the pride of place. Q BROOKLYN BICYCLE CO One year ago, we met up with Brooklyn Bike Co at Interbike. This was just as the company was initiating their search for a UKmarket distributor. This year, the team returned with more news. Having already bulked out the range with competitively priced 12 BIKEBIZ NOVEMBER
fixed gear and city bikes, Brooklyn Bike Co is now setting its sights on expanding its accessory offering, with the release of a new smart pannier bag that doubles up as a backpack. The bag is made from a durable waxed canvas and features brass hardware and a zippable opening. Internally, the bag features a padded laptop pocket and a key clip, ensuring items aren’t bashed about in transit. Q OVERADE Slimlining protective equipment for on-the-go cyclists is a matter that many companies, both in England and across the pond, are tackling with a range of ideas. One proposed solution is the folding Plixi helmet, designed by Overade. Folding helmets are not a new concept by any means, but this brand has concentrated on both design and durability to produced one that is capable of reducing in
size by 33 per cent, whilst remaining safety-certified both in the USA and Europe. A range of accessories is available for the Plixi, including a visor, a cover and a backpack. Q POLAR The bike computer market features stiff competition amongst businesses like Garmin and Polar, the latter of which turned up at Interbike with an assortment of updated products. Topping the range was the V650, which is reportedly suitable for cyclists of all disciplines and skillsets. The main focus of the product is its extensive mapping feature, which is capable of downloading blocks of up to 450 x 450 kilometres at a time. The map app monitors the user’s location and stores the data of their ride. Brimming with features, instantaneous orthostatic tests, smart calorie controller, inbuilt GPS,
heart-rate guidance, and precision barometer are all presented on a full-colour 320 x 240 highresolution display. Q MUC-OFF Muc-Off debuted a large range of new products at Eurobike this summer, but having revealed to the European market what it has in store for the new season, the team was ready to do the same for North America. The Athlete Performance range – care products, not for the bike, but for the rider – includes a moisturiser made from argan oil and cocoa butter, a super-thick shaving cream containing tsubaki oil, a warming massage oil containing natural ginger extract, and an aftershave balm containing birch and guarana extract, which gives off a cooling sensation. Other big news includes the Matt Finish Detailer, designed to polish a frame without dulling the matte finish, BIKEBIZ.COM
INTERBIKE
Brooklyn Bikes keeping it simple
E-bikes, American style.
Clif Bar show us the latest flavours...
and to provide a protective layer of dirt repellent. Q VINTAGE ELECTRIC Representing the more style-focused side of the blooming American e-bike market, Vintage Electric presented a comprehensive range of builds reminiscent of classic American low-rider motorbikes. Although impractical for anything other than flat road riding, the bikes are built to very high specifications, with polished metal and in some cases carved wood BIKEBIZ.COM
detailing. Internally, the bikes pack up to a 3,000-watt rear-hub motor (the motor can push the bike to a whopping 36 miles per hour top speed), which is also designed to disperse heat, meaning they run at a lower and more efficient temperature. Q FROG BIKES Wales-based children’s bike brand Frog had been gearing up for a US release, and Interbike presented the opportunity to put the bikes in front of an American audience. It’s been a monumental year for the brand. Following the inauguration of a new South Wales factory, Frog had apparently established some form of temporary equilibrium before being moved straight on to Interbike. I caught up with selfproclaimed “chief frog” and owner Jerry Lawson, who told me that the reaction had been overwhelmingly positive. “The Americans seem to
be loving the bikes,” he commented. “They value a high- quality, lightweight children’s bike.” It’s arguable that the bicycle exhibition’s basic model is waning worldwide. Low turnouts in Britain and high-profile dropouts at European trade shows like Eurobike are setting a trend that may ultimately land events such as Interbike in hot water. Regardless, the high number of exhibitors and the floods of crowds enthusiastically exploring this Vegas show are reassuring signs for those who deem it a mainstay of the cycling calendar. Interbike isn’t afraid to change along with the industry; investment in the e-bike market and the addition of ideas such as the women’s area keep the event from stagnation, which can be a damning sentence in these uncertain times. www.interbike.com BIKEBIZ NOVEMBER 13
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THE CYCLE SHOW 2016
Cicerone brought along Nick Mitchell, author of End to End Cycle Route: Lands’ End to John o’Groats
Eat My Dirt promoted the Brake Shield, a drive train cleaning solution that catches grime in a tray
The Garmin Edge 820 comes feature-laden with incident detection and GroupTrack
Cycle Show round-up With the Cycle Show punctuating its conclusion, trade show season has come and gone in Europe. In the wake of the annual pilgrimage to Friedrichshafen, the smaller, UK-based event is much less daunting, offering non-attendees of Eurobike the opportunity to showcase their portfolios on their own turf. Hayley E. Ferguson sums the event up… Q CUBE At its biggest Cycle Show booth ever, CUBE had over 100 bikes from its 2017 range on display, including the hardtail e-mountain bike and full suspension ranges, with semiintegrated Bosch motors and battery packs. The new-for-2017 range incorporated the AMS 100 Race’s three models, with the complete bike weighing in at just 8.9kg. Also on the stand was the new Litening C:68 SLT Disc, which uses Shimano’s new Dura-Ace Di2 Disc groupset, and the new Reaction Hybrid HPA e-bike range, which integrates the battery into the frame. Alongside the bike range, there was space to exhibit clothing, accessories, and the 2017 road and mountain bike shoes. In addition to their booth, CUBE BIKEBIZ.COM
teamed up with Bosch to create an actual indoor eMTB test track; this proved to be extremely popular, with up to 500 rides every day. Kids’ bikes and hybrids were also available for test; the combined three tracks resulted in over 2000 test rides over the four days. Q VELOVIXEN Following our recent interview with founders Phil and Liz Bingham, VeloVixen’s Women’s Cycling Hub was no doubt one of the focal points at the show. With 1,200 square feet devoted to the female audience, highlights were a speaking area devoted to women’s cycling, with more than 20 invited speakers, and Q&A sessions with Olympic gold medallists Jo Rowsell Shand and Dani King, and mountain biking
champions Sally Bigham and Manon Carpenter. Several clothing designers made appearances in person, invited to give in-depth explanations of their products. Practical demonstrations, panel sessions, and tales from ultra-cyclists Emily Chappell, Shu Pillinger and Laura Bingham also featured across spacious retail showcase backdrop of many brands.
Float Fit race system reportedly renders the road helmet the most advanced that Bell has designed to date. The new Tacx FLUX was also exhibited, and praised for bringing smart trainer technology to a new, lower price point. The product incorporates many of the features of the NEO Smart, including direct drive, simulation of gradients up to 10 per cent, and low noise level.
Q ZYROFISHER ZyroFisher’s all-inclusive stand was used to present product lines by numerous brands, including helmets by Giro and Bell, and TacX’s trainers. Giro’s versatile Switchblade MIPS helmet boasts ASTM downhill certification and a removable chinbar, while Bell Zephyr’s low-profile design, MIPs integration and new
Q EAT MY DIRT Eat My Dirt marked its debut at the Cycle Show with a very busy stand promoting the Brake Shield, launched at the event with great success. The product acts as a simple solution to cleaning and oiling drivetrains, assisting in keeping grime and cleaning products away from rims, flooring and hands. It BIKEBIZ NOVEMBER 15
more companies More brands more for you!
The UK’s leading cycle trade event will be bigger and better than ever in 2017. With even more exhibitors bringing you all the essential cycling products for the coming season.
Register Now www.corebike.co.uk 22ND-24THjANUARY 2017 WHITTLEBURY HALL HOTEL, NN12 8QH
THE CYCLE SHOW 2016
Pearl Izumi exhibited its autumn/ winter range
National cycle database Bike Register was at the show signing customers up
Shimano Steps technology was fixed on a range of bikes
shields disc brakes and braking surfaces from oil when lubricating, catching all the mess in a convenient tray. Q CICERONE PRESS Publisher of over 350 cycling, walking, and trekking guidebooks Cicerone Press brought along Nick Mitchell, author of End to End Cycle Route: Lands’ End to John O’Groats. With The River Rhone Cycle Route: From the Alps to the Mediterranean, Cycling in the Hebrides: Island Touring and Day Rides, and Mountain Biking in West and North West Scotland also on display, representatives were happy to report that plenty of visitors recounted using their books to cycle these routes.
BIKEBIZ.COM
ZyroFisher displayed Giro’s helmets at NEC
Q FAT LAD AT THE BACK Yorkshire-based company Fat Lad at the Back, which specialises in cyclewear for all sizes, had its autumn/winter range of Italian-made clothing on display. The company was delighted with the audience response at the Cycle Show, garnering positive reviews about the range’s technical quality at the NEC. Showcased at this year’s event were the Gaffer Jacket and Jacksey Jersey. The former is made from wind and waterproof fabric, featuring a drop tail, large back and hand-warming pockets, a storm zip, high collar and reflectivity. The latter incorporates high vis, colour and reflectivity for increased visibility against a variety of backgrounds. The Jacksey Jersey’s diagonal design is designed to flatter, and “stops you from looking
like a giant citrus.” With a technical windproof front and roubaix back, three back pockets, zip pockets, and silicone hem, it is available in high vis orange and green. Q SIMPLON Austrian bike brand Simplon, founded in 1961, launched in the UK at the Cycle Show. On the stand was the Pavo Granfondo Disc road bike, using disc brakes, flat mounts, 12mm thru-axles, and damping Vibrex technology. Previously unavailable outside of continental Europe, Simplon considers itself to be a brand of premium road, MTB, touring and e-bikes. The NEC acted as a platform on which to promote the company’s sales channel model, whereby customers can configure their personal order for delivery to
their local Simplon dealer, as well as buying direct from the retailer. Q ISON DISTRIBUTION Debuting SOURCE Hydration at the NEC, the unique Hydration Reservoir Technology represented a “quantum leap in hydration systems” for Ison, offering clean and easily accessible solutions for people on the move. Also launched at the show were the new Identiti Mettle bikes, co-designed by Pat C-J and Michael Bonney, and the Miss Grape bikepacking bags, made in Italy from “virtually indestructible material”. HT pedals and Halo wheels were represented, as well as Light Blue Bikes, which had its own stand showing the bike used by actress Eleanor Tomlinson (Poldark) in Alleycats. BIKEBIZ NOVEMBER 17
THE CYCLE SHOW 2016
FLAB’s autumn/winter range had positive response
CUBE had over 100 bikes from its 2017 range
Madison revealed its new Premio road kit at the show
Maxxis had an artistic display of tyres on show
Look’s anniversary 795’s impressive paintwork
VeloVixen’s Women’s Cycling Hub was a big hit
Q 2PURE For the first time in the UK, 2Pure displayed Swedish brand POC, showcasing both MTB and road ranges. In celebration of its tenth year, the cycling safety gear company exhibited its new Fondo line, intended for road cycling. Other products by POC were the Raceday collection, built on and developed with Cannondale’s pro team, and the new AVIP luminous vest. Made in partnership with Light Flex Technology, the printed light vest was 2Pure’s star attraction. Q BATRIBIKE Launching six new European built models for 2017 at the show, Batribike’s traditionally-styled e-bike range was available for test. Those on display included Sigma, an extremely 18 BIKEBIZ NOVEMBER
low step-through electric folding bike, and Quintessential, Perdu and Delta models, with hidden batteries. The bikes feature unisex colour choices to suit both the male and female riders. Batribike offers two-year warranties from date of retail sale on cycle parts, electrics and battery, and five-year warranties on these bikes’ frames. Batteries can be stored up to one year before activation, and use Sanyo, Panasonic and Samsung cells. The company also offers a manufacturer’s guarantee of spare parts availability to five years from the date of model change. Q GARMIN Amongst its cycling computers, the brand new Garmin Edge 820 was on show which comes feature-laden with GroupTrack, advanced performance
monitoring, built-in incident detection and plenty more. Q SHIMANO For the first time, Shimano demonstrated its Dura-Ace groupset to the UK, and a brand new range of footwear, including the new S-Phyre road shoes, and a range of mountain bike shoes. For mountain bikers, the new 11-speed SLX and XT Di2 groupsets were on show, alongside Shimano STEPS technology at the e-bike demo area fixed on a range of bikes, including the Saracen Juiced, Ridgeback Electron and Ridgeback X3.
Softshell Jacket. New gloves, such as the Unisex PRO Softshell Lite, were on display. A diverse range of footwear was also at the show, including the top-of-the-range Unisex PRO Leader IIIs. Q MADISON CLOTHING In its extensive range of road and mountain bike cycling apparel, Madison Clothing revealed its new Premio road kit. Designed in collaboration with the professional riders from Madison Genesis, the Road Race Premio collection comes feature heavy, and is intended for cyclists who want to push themselves on the road.
Q PEARL IZUMI Pearl Izumi exhibited its autumn/ winter range, including the PRO Pursuit Thermal Jersey and Elite BIKEBIZ.COM
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ELLIPTIGO
Ready, set, ElliptiGO The elliptical bike trend is growing fast worldwide, spearheaded by US-based brand ElliptiGO. Kieran Howells explores the product's potential with sales manager Chuck Day…
IN AN industry of such diversity, a product catering to those who are unable to use a traditional bicycle is nothing to sniff at. It’s a side of the market that in the last ten years has remained sorely underdeveloped, but a small collection of companies are now working to change the way that disabled people ride. Alternatives to conventional bicycles aren’t a new notion in this industry, but for many, the issue came to the attention of the public when beloved cycling icon Sheldon Brown, due to health issues, became unable to use a traditional upright bicycle. Images of a cheerful Brown riding his Greenspeed GT3 recumbent tricycle made their ways from his blogs into all four corners of the internet, evidencing that physical ailments need not be a damning sentence for cyclists. In the same vein, ElliptiGO sees the benefit of its unique elliptical 20 BIKEBIZ NOVEMBER
bikes to those with mobility problems as just one of many reasons that customers are so enthusiastic about the units. Six years after founder Bryan Pate conceived the idea, ElliptiGO is going from strength to strength.
“There’s no seat, so the bike puts users with prostate and back issues that make sitting uncomfortable into a natural position.” Chuck Day, ElliptiGO With a new product in the public eye, their annual profit margin is teetering on the 50 per cent mark. We caught up with sales manager Chuck Day to talk about the brand. The concept for the bike was
conceived in 2005. When ex-marine and Ironman triathlete Bryan Pate suffered an acute medical condition, he lost the ability to pursue his primary source of exercise – running. A vexed Pate turned to the fitness industry to find an alternative source of training, and was shocked to discover that nothing existed which came anywhere close to simulating running. “In his mid-thirties, Bryan had issues with his knee, due to a degenerative condition; he was doing a lot of training on an indoor elliptical and suddenly had the bright idea to bring it outside,” recalls Day. Pate realised that the answer to his issue would involve a fusion of a running-like motion with the speed and health benefits of cycling. Knowing that the project would require a mechanical engineer, he turned to co-founder and friend Brent Teal. The two set about
building the original design for what would become the first ElliptiGO bike, at the time known as Alfa, and in mid-2006, the first prototype materialised. Both Pate and Teal were delighted to find that the new bike went above and beyond in exceeding their expectations. Pate, who until this point had found outdoor exercise tremendously problematic, rode the ElliptiGO for over 20 miles on the very day that its construction was completed. “It’s massively useful for those with conditions that don’t allow them to ride a conventional bike,” Day explains. “There’s no seat, so if the user has prostate issues or back issues that make sitting uncomfortable, the bike puts them in a natural position. For a lot of people this is a necessity, not an accessory. This becomes their fitness tool.” The bike went through various BIKEBIZ.COM
ELLIPTIGO
minor design changes, cycling from Alfa through to second model Charlie, and onto the new bike that is now on the market. Despite these tweaks, little has changed since the prototype took shape, says Day: “The product we’re selling today is essentially the same design as the original bike. We wanted to take the idea of an elliptical and make it mobile by putting it on wheels.” The ElliptiGO first went into production in 2010, and the company has continued to gain traction successfully year upon year. “We’re up 50 per cent over last year, and we’re growing fast at the moment, internationally too. We distribute completely independently all over Europe, East Asia and Australia.” Despite the positive reaction from the community, the applications of the ElliptiGO have caught eyes far beyond the realms of disabled cycling. The model has BIKEBIZ.COM
also attracted the attention of the running world, presenting a far more endurance-heavy, and therefore shorter, training session for amateurs and professionals alike. “In the States’ running world, this is becoming the tool of choice,” Day tells us. “Professional running organisations like the Nike
and Teal’s first demonstrations of the bike. The duo rode over 129 miles over three mountain passes, including more than 15,000 feet of climbing roads, and successfully completed the race well within the time limits. They commented that the completion of the race, “The Death Ride”, was the validation the
“We’re up 50 per cent over last year, and we're growing fast. We distribute independently all over Europe, East Asia and Australia.” Chuck Day, ElliptiGO team and Division One college state running programmes are using the ElliptiGO to train athletes.” Another unexpected reaction to the release of the ElliptiGO has been the use of the bikes in races and long-distance endurance rides. This user-generated subculture of riders sprung out of one of Pate
bike needed to be taken seriously, and that people have been completing similar rides ever since. “A guy came to the States and rode 6000 miles on an ElliptiGO,” says Day. “It took him 90 days and he averaged well over 100 miles a day. Last year we had nine people complete the Paris-Brest-Paris race
(PBP); six of the nine people who attempted it made it all the way, and everyone gave it an amazing go." So what does the future hold for the brand? In acknowledgement of the fact that the original model may be challenging for those with limited storage space, or who are short in stature, the Arc hit the shelves earlier this year. The small, lightweight model – the whole unit weighs just 37 pounds – is receiving positive reviews. “We wanted something that was nimble, more agile, and easy to control. It’s a completely different feel: the motion on the Arc is more compact and it’s perfect for those with short strides.” The new bike will no doubt keep the company busy over the next year, but beyond that? Day is staying tight-lipped. “I really can’t say too much, but there are some very interesting things in the works.” BIKEBIZ NOVEMBER 21
CYCLE REPUBLIC
Don’t call it a comeback Seven years after the closure of the brand by parent company Halfords, Cycle Republic has been revived and rebuilt from the ground up. Kieran Howells catches up with managing director Peter Kimberley, who affirms that with openings all over the UK and more on the way, the company has no intention of stopping… Can you give us a brief history of Cycle Republic? We started by opening our first store in Euston two years ago this December. We’re now at 12 shops and recently we have opened our latest one in Birmingham, which is doing well. In the last year we launched our own dedicated Cycle Republic website. We’ve carried the vision we’ve always had all the way through.
12 months worth of work. I felt that there was space in the market for an accessible bicycle shop that wowed customers. I mean really wowed them.
What was that vision? Our customers come first and that’s what the business is set up around. It’s created for cyclists. We want to get people into cycling. A lot of work went into talking about what it was that we were going to build.
What were the key things you set out to achieve? One was a good location. Where were we going to be based? Where is an optimal location and what does a good shop look and feel like? The other priority was the
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proposition. What are we trying to offer our customers? How are we going to be different? We decided that service would be the driving force. That meant doing things like
“We want to get people into cycling.” Peter Kimberley, Cycle Republic offering free puncture repairs and courtesy bikes, things that, for me as a cyclist, are important. What training does your staff go through before they start serving and interacting with customers?
We have an in-house training department that solely works for Cycle Republic. We focus on brand training and new products, but it goes back further than that. Everyone who works for us rides a bike, everyone who works for us is a passionate cyclist and that’s very important. We’re training people, but we’re also trying to attract friendly and helpful bike experts. All of the knowledge and passion is already there. All of our shops independently, and every manager operates their own shop. How have things changed since the Euston shop opened? I wouldn’t say it’s changed massively, I’d just say that we’ve BIKEBIZ NOVEMBER 23
CYCLE REPUBLIC
pushed things further as we’ve learned more. The most exciting changes are the new partnerships with brands. We like to test things out, like the new Garmin play table, which has been a big success. We’re announcing a really big development in the workshops very soon, which will quickly be taken over by a specialist brand. We can’t say which brand yet, but we’re very excited to be working with them. You’ve mentioned the Garmin station – tell us about its origins. It came about because we keep in constant contact with Garmin, and we both were curious about how to best to give the customer an exciting experience. With technology constantly changing, people need a chance to really get to grips with the latest stuff. It’s no fun if we don’t let people interact with the products.
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One of the biggest developments in the last few months is the website. What went into putting that together? We took the same approach that as was taken in building the shops. We stepped back to think about functionality and layout. We didn’t want to rush it; we wanted a very
12 shops have sprung up all around the UK in under two years, where’s next? We’re going up into Scotland. Edinburgh will be our next location, which will be just fantastic. There are many other places that I feel are great cycling cities, but it’s about finding the perfect shop in the
“We want to be in the heart of our customers’ cities.” Peter Kimberley, Cycle Republic specific feel to the whole thing. It’s built on a modern platform, which means that it’s easy to update in order to keep it looking and feeling excellent. It’s not just about what works now, it’s about being able to do brilliant things in the future as well.
perfect location. Anyone can have a shop, but we want to be in the heart of our customers’ cities. Other places I can see us heading to are Southampton, Glasgow, Leeds, Sheffield and Cardiff. There are lots of opportunities out there, but Edinburgh is next!
Do you think that, within the next year, there will be a Cycle Republic store in each of the cities mentioned? Yes, I’d like to think so. They’re definitely on my list of places we’d like to be, how soon it’ll be until you start seeing those stores pop up will depend on availability. The UK is an amazing place for cycling and there are so many opportunities for us. We had a very strong summer, which is going to do us a lot of good. How close is an Edinburgh store to being open to the public? I’d like to think we’d have something open about February time, maybe even January. You never know, these things can change, but I’d like to think that by February we’d be opening the doors. You’re a veteran of the industry, where do you see the e-bike market heading? BIKEBIZ.COM
CYCLE REPUBLIC
You can really see where the electric bike market is going to grow, and I think it’s mainly based in the commuter market. The standard commute for most cities is about five miles, and an e-bike can take you to about 20 miles on the same input from the rider. When I think e-bike, I think power-assisted, because you can pedal those bikes, you can have assistance, or you can go full electric. It’s about giving those people more assistance to be out and about. A lot of people are still reluctant to spend large sums on an e-bike; is that something you’re investing in now? We’re definitely investing in e-bikes now. We have an entry point of £700 which is doing extremely well for us, but the range will always vary all the way up to the Gocycle at £3500, which again has been a huge success for us. You’ll never take pedal cycling away, but e-bikes aren’t trying to do that. 26 BIKEBIZ NOVEMBER
They’re introducing new people to cycling. That’s always been the heart of Cycle Republic. What about the e-MTB market? I can talk from a personal perspective about that, as
massive range of great e-mountain bikes. If you look at the brands that are coming out with bikes now, they’re really great. Layout is a struggle for some bike shops. What’s your approach?
“We’ll continue to see cycling grow.” Peter Kimberley, Cycle Republic mountain biking is completely my bag. I had the pleasure of going out a few months ago on a Haibike and it was phenomenal. I went down to Afan Forest Park and there were loads of e-bikes around. The majority of mountain bikers like coming down the hill, and that bit of assistance helps you to get up quicker and easier. I think the reason it hasn’t taken off is because until now, there hasn’t been a
When you walk into one of our shops, everything is organised. Every different type of bike or gear has a dedicated section, and those sections are clearly marked. We always display bikes from good, better to best, which helps people stay within their price range and gives them and idea of what they’re getting for their money. All the header boards around the shop are very deliberate, they help the
customer navigate their way around the shop. The headers that we use may not always correspond to the conventional name for the product, but it’s the terminology the customers use. If that’s what they call something, that’s what we call it too, regardless of what the rest of the industry says. Where do you see the industry going? I think we’ll continue to see cycling grow, whether that’s through events like the Olympics, or due to increased infrastructure. The big question for me from an industry standpoint is how well we’re doing at getting people on bikes. You can put the infrastructure in, but you need to help people pick the right equipment, and feel confident and safe. The retailers will determine how successful cycling is in the future. www.cyclerepublic.com BIKEBIZ.COM
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CRUD
AT HOME WITH
MR. CRUD Carlton Reid visits Pete Tomkins to talk about his 25 years in the biz, making money from bits, and the latest – and last? – Crud product.
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BIKEBIZ.COM
CRUD
IN JUNE 1995 MBUK gave away a cover-mounted video called Dirt. This short but influential film starred Jason McRoy, who would tragically die in a motorbike crash just two months later. The surf-style film was shot by Pete Tomkins, at his house overlooking Robin’s Hood Bay in Yorkshire. This house was bought with the help of a slither of injection-moulded black plastic, the iconic Crud Catcher. “Mr Crud” still lives in this house. In his studio-come-mancave, Tomkins stores memorabilia such as a framed double-page spread from the Dirt issue of MBUK, and an advertising sign for the pre-Crud “Peter the Painter” business. “When I started Crud, I thought the best case scenario would be that I’d only have to decorate three days a week,” remembered Tomkins. “I never set out to make a fortune.” He started Crud Products in 1991. The manufacturing is still done within 30 miles of Chez Tomkins.“I’ve never been to the Far East,” said Tomkins. “I’ve got no interest in going there. The tooling and the injection-moulding is done in Pickering.” He employs five P&P staff in a hamlet outside Loftus, near Guisborough. “I rarely need to visit; it all runs itself.” His firm has an annual turnover of nearly £1.5m. Tomkins doesn’t do much to promote it: the recent stand at Birmingham’s Cycle Show was Crud’s second full-on expo. He attended to promote his latest product, the Mk3 Road Racer mudguard set for road bikes. “It’s probably going to be my last product,” Tomkins stated, wistfully. “It was a lot of hard work; lots of sleepless nights.” BIKEBIZ.COM
The Mk3 is a complete redesign over the Mk2, and is attached not with zip ties or bolts but with Duotec: Velcro on steroids. “I saw it at a fastenings show, and knew I had to design a product to use it.” The plastic guards – CADdesigned by his son, Jamie – are attached with Duotec strips attached to the inside of the seat-stays. The guards float, “but they’re rock solid,” Tomkins enthused. The Crud Catcher might have been the kick-off for the business but it was the Crud Claw in 1992 and then the DCD in 1993 which really mainstreamed the business. Both were products of their time: the Crud Claw prevented a
ran Crud Catchers just in case they got photographed. “I never sponsored any riders – but I supported them.” This results-based system was in response to the time when Tomkins had been a sponsored rider himself: he rode for Dawes in the 1980s. “We got bikes, we got our travel paid, we got a really good deal.” It didn’t do Dawes much good. “My race results weren’t brilliant,” admitted Tomkins. A Londoner by birth he lived in Brighton in the 1980s, and became a surfer, a sport he still enjoys. Never one for crowds, he moved with his wife and two small children to the North York Moors in 1986. He made a living painting houses,
“When I started, I thought best case scenario I’d only have to decorate three days a week.” build-up of mud on rear blocks, Pete Tomkins and the DCD – or Dave’s Chain Device – was one of the first DH-specific products, a pressedbut by 1990 the decorating work aluminium clamp housing a roller to was drying up. “I needed to do prevent shipping of bouncing something else to make money. I chains. had two ideas: repair surf-leashes Crud benefitted from a lot of or make the Crud Catcher. media exposure, and here’s how: “After we’d sold our house in during the start-up years Tomkins Brighton we had a nest-egg of paid riders for product placements. £2500. I started looking into the “There was a gang of riders back mudguard thing early in 1991. I had in the day that all the mag readers no background in manufacturing or knew really well: people like Jason sales. I figured mountain bikers [McRoy], Martyn Ashton, and Rob would buy a splashguard; people Warner. I said to them if you get a had been making them out of front cover with a Crud sticker plastic bottles for years.” showing I’ll give you £1000. Every He paid £250 for a drawing of semi-professional rider in the the tool required, and £2000 for country was hot for that – they all the manufactured tool. He also
paid for the production of 2000 Crud Catchers. “They cost 20p each, the shrink wrapping cost a bit more, and then I sold them for eight quid.” He sent one to MBUK, which gave it a glowing review. “I also paid for a half-page ad – in the first week there were all these eight quids arriving in the post. After a month, shops started asking for ten at a time. Then Michael Elson Marketing rang up and said he wanted 2000. At £3 each. £6000! “As a decorator I used to earn ten grand a year. In just three months we had turned over 14 grand, and the profit was something like 60 percent. I stood back: either I could take the money and run, or I could reinvest and redesign the product. A new tool would be six grand, which would eat almost all of the profit. I did it: it was the right move, the Crud Guard Mk 2 was the product that really sold shitloads!” But Tomkins stressed: “I’ve never pushed for growth; I’ve just done my own thing.” This own thing includes “not working,” he said. “I don’t really have a day job. I go paddleboard surfing, I cycle a bit, I play with the grandkids a lot; I look after the horses.” As we left for my lift back to the station, two mountain-bikers ambled past, black plastic mudguards to the rear. “Yours?” I asked. “Yes,” replied Tomkins. “I didn’t stage that, honest.” Lots of cyclists ride with Mr. Crud’s products, and after seeing the Mk3 Road Racer guards in Tomkins’ house-HQ I predict an awful lot more will be riding with them in the future. BIKEBIZ NOVEMBER 29
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MYSTERY SHOPPER
Milton Keynes This month, BikeBiz’s Mystery Shopper is in Milton Keynes – home to cycling giant Madison – sussing out the places where a newbie’s commuter bike can be found in this busy Buckinghamshire new town...
CHAINEYS CYCLES I ARRIVED early on a weekday to discover a bustling Chaineys Cycles. Despite this, I was greeted and served straight away by a young employee. I browsed the well-stocked shop, and noticed large collections of both road and mountain bikes at varying pricepoints. Chaineys Cycles also had a wide variety of parts and accessories, which were neatly arranged on display. My mystery shopping criteria – commuter bike for a newbie – was met with careful consideration, and I was whisked off to view a range of hybrids, all of which fell into the £450-£550 price range that I stated was at the top end of my budget. The clerk then strongly recommended the cycle-towork schemes, and gave me a list of the schemes that the shop accepts. Overall, I was very satisfied with the service, which was both warm and friendly without being partonising.
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“Cycling culture in Milton Keynes is alive and well, as demonstrated by the impressive selection of experienced clerks and wellstocked bike shops.”
TREK BICYCLES STORE ABOUT A mile from Chaineys Cycles, I stopped at the outlet-style Trek Bicycle store, which is located through an outdoors and hiking shop, but still takes up a large floorspace. The shop, as with most outlet-style stores, was clearly laid out, making browsing simple by dividing the bikes into defined categories. I was greeted by an older assistant who, when presented with my brief, was keen to extoll the virtues of road cycling and road-leaning hybrid bikes. He did explain the positives and negatives of road bikes, such as speed and efficiency on commuter rides, yet was hesitant to show me any other alternatives. I felt that these may have been better options for what he believed to be an inexperienced cyclist. Regardless, the employee was friendly, and efficient in explaining the range.
BIKEBIZ NOVEMBER 31
MYSTERY SHOPPER
STAR STORE
CYCLE KING MY LAST stop of the day is located just five minutes up the road from Twenty3C, but takes up a far larger shop front. Upon entering, the sheer volume of bikes in the shop was the most noticeable feature. Although the products on display were on the lower end, the shop is a perfect destination for families or amateur cyclists looking for an affordable introduction into the sport. What sets Cycle King apart was the level of friendly and informative service I received. The shop clerk was happy to walk me through anything I wanted to know, and insisted I test out the most relevant bikes in the range, remaining amiable in his approach. He walked me through road bikes, mountain bikes and hybrid bikes, and brought many onto the shop floor to demonstrate the differences. I left with the express intention of shopping at Cycle King again in the future.
CORLEY CYCLES LOCATED ON an industrial estate quite far out of town, Corley Cycles features an array of bikes and components, including some rare and collectable fully-carbon frames. The shop is geared towards road cycling, but also features an impressive selection of mountain bikes and hybrids. After five minutes of browsing I was greeted by a young employee, who when presented with the brief, directed me to a range of heavily discounted road and hybrid bikes. Although the range was reasonable for the price, the shop employee didn’t take the time to ensure that I was grasping what he was explaining, which for novice cyclists might be perceived as offputting. He also seemed slightly agitated by a few of the basic questions I asked, which could discourage newer cyclists who are curious about how their purchases function.
32 BIKEBIZ NOVEMBER
SUMMARY HOME TO awardwinning cycling distributor Madison, the new town of Milton Keynes is one built for complete convenience. Whereas the wide roads that power through the centre of the town may appear slightly unappealing to those on two wheels, cycling culture is alive and well, as demonstrated by the impressive selection of experienced clerks and well-stocked bike shops. I was impressed with almost all of my experiences on the day. Chaineys and Twenty3C shined through as preferable locations, but the attentive and knowledgeable sales team at Cycle King won the shop our star store accolade.
TWENTY3C AS I headed out of the main town, the attractive old storefront of Twenty3C became more inviting. The slightly cramped old shop floor is divided into two sections. One half of the space is taken up by a collection of road and hybrid bikes, and the other sports a small but comfortable cycle-themed cafĂŠ. I was greeted by a bubbly employee, who when presented with the criteria slowly and patiently talked me through the various positives of a hybrid bike, and some of the basic components, such as disc breaks and gearing systems. She also talked me through the best routes to take in the local area, and explained how a number of cycle-to-work schemes operate. The shop may not have a monumental range of bikes, but the customer service I received was extremely good. I left feeling enthused and, indeed, tempted to make a purchase.
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VISIJAX
Safer cyclewear With commuter cyclists involved in traffic collisions every day, Visijax is doing its part to make vulnerable road users safer. Hayley E. Ferguson talks to national sales manager Kevin Burton to find out more... IN 2011, fresh Cambridge graduate Ban-Ruo Andy Li identified a broad gap in the cycling market. Over the following year, the young entrepreneur developed, then prototyped, a jacket with integrated LED lights and turning indicators – the resultant product line is now known as Visijax. Since the company’s inception Li has gone on to explore other opportunities, including pursuing further education, but remains associated with the parent company as a shareholder. In that time, the Visijax brand has really taken off, with the introduction of a number of new products and updates to the equipment that fuels them. The commuter jackets have, meanwhile, undergone two evolutions. The fabric technology has been improved alongside electronics, though the wiring remains fundamentally unchanged from the first update. 34 BIKEBIZ NOVEMBER
“The main thing that’s really changed is the technology in the batteries – they’ve become lighter, and altogether better,” says Kevin Burton, national sales manager. “The LEDs have also been upgraded to a higher quality.” The turn signals are patented, ensuring that Viisjax has exclusive
most obvious one is the turn signals. We’re seeing similar products, but nothing with lights integrated in a jacket.” Although the idea is applicable across the board in outdoor industries, Burton tells me that Visijax is choosing to focus on cycling at the minute. “We’ve not
“If you give somebody a waterproof jacket with integrated lighting, you give them a sense of safety.” Kevin Burton, Visijax rights to that technology. “In terms of LEDs in jackets, many brands have a similar type of product. But what you’ll find is that they’re not hardwired into the jacket, whereas with ours, all you need to do is remove the rechargeable battery,” Burton explains. “There are quite a few unique selling points, but the
really attacked what products we’ve got, yet. My appointment has been for cycling knowledge, and the sales side, of course. Now we want to establish our brand and promote the business to consumers.” Commuters are established as the target market, as opposed to more serious cyclists; the product
isn’t aimed at the road market, and certainly not at mountain bikers. “It’s really designed for the 45-plus bracket who want to cycle more, but are worried about their safety. If you give somebody a waterproof jacket with integrated lighting, you also give them a sense of safety.” This target market is relevant across all of Visijax’s operations, including distribution. “It’s important that we ensure anybody who’s involved the brand is onboard with what we’re trying to achieve. We’re never going to be a Gore-Tex equivalent – we’re a little bit more niche than that.” Distribution is quite a simple process: the company remains very much involved, offering to interested parties what its representatives consider to be a good margin and price point. “It’s really a case of dividing up the areas to make sure that dealers have a protected network. We don’t necessarily work with all the BIKEBIZ.COM
VISIJAX
shops in one area, because we don’t want to dilute their network. “We go direct to retailers, but use various distribution angles across the world. For example, we’re currently looking for distribution in Germany. But it has to be the right partner. Like our retail network in the UK, it needs to be someone who understands what we’re trying to achieve. That’s a critical part of whatever we do. Whether we’re working with a retailer or distributor in another country, they have to ‘get’ what we stand for.” The company is choosing its friends carefully, and while Burton is keen to spread its message, he’s intent that it’s on Visijax’s own terms. “What we’re looking for is partners – but the term ‘partner’ gets thrown around quite a lot in business. We’re particularly interested in working with retailers, but other areas of the industry as well, like working with brands, and BIKEBIZ.COM
bespoke products for companies. There are lots of different things, but the most important part is getting retailers onboard, and we just want to build the brand. On the subject of events, Burton is tentative. “Getting involved in events would also be great, but these would need to be night rides.
and are looking to explore that angle, because we’ll ultimately be cutting down on delivery costs. This would have a knock-on effect; the manufacturing in the UK is pretty much gone, nowadays.” Although the company is growing now, Burton expects that in terms of staffing, it’s likely to stay
“What we’re looking for is partners – but the term ‘partner’ gets thrown around quite a lot in business.” Kevin Burton, Visijax
We want to partner with people on those lines – industry connections, industry leaders.” With every intention of relocating manufacturing from Taiwan to the UK, Visijax has high hopes for the future. “We think we might have found someone we can work with,
small, with the senior management team remaining as-is. They are, nevertheless, in the process of recruiting an agent for the southwest of England and Northern Ireland, and several more in Scotland and the north of England. “We need to support our
retailers, and I can’t physically get to all of them. We’ll also be recruiting at some stage in the coming few months for someone to look at our marketing. At the moment, we’re all trying to take lots of different angles on the job. Social media is so important these days!” Burton keeps schtum when I ask what’s next, but assures me that it’s tremendously exciting. “Something I’ve seen in the last couple of weeks has been in the works for quite a while. It will make so much sense once we get it to market, but it certainly won’t be for this season. We’ve got a lot of testing to go through before the item’s actually ready, and a bit of feedback to gain.” With a team of engineers “constantly developing new technologies,” Visijax is confident that whatever’s in the pipeline will make a very real impact. www.visijax.com BIKEBIZ NOVEMBER 35
BOOK REVIEW
Mike’s first composite city bike: Paris (or City 2)
Mike Burrows: the biography of the man and his bicycles Carlton Reid is full of praise for From Bicycle to Superbike, a bike-biography of bike designer Mike Burrows... Mike Burrows’ Bicycle Design is a classic how-to book on – you guessed it – the design of bicycles. It’s had updates in the form of new editions (it’s up to the fifth edition), but until now there hasn’t been a book about Burrows himself, and all of the many bikes he’s designed over the years. Until now, that is. From Bicycle to Superbike is written by cycle historian Tony Hadland, with input from Burrows. With a foreword by Chris Boardman – boy, does Chris get around – From Bicycle to Superbike is a bicycle-biography, a full-colour, fact-packed look back at some of Burrows’ iconic machines. In some ways, Burrows could be given a lot of the credit for the Team GB’s Olympic successes, because it was his Lotus BIKEBIZ.COM
superbike that Boardman used to win the first British Olympic gold in 72 years at Barcelona in 1992, and which kick-started Britain’s renaissance as a fast-cycling nation. In his foreword, Boardman says Burrows is “the godfather of modern bicycle aerodynamics”, and writes about how he was way ahead of his time (he still is). But, of course, Burrows is responsible for more than “just” the Lotus superbike; in 1994, he also developed the Compact Road Bike for Giant, the design of which was soon nicked by every road bike company in the world. Today’s road bikes all tend to be based on this 1994 design, helping bike companies make more profit thanks to its economy of sizes. Hadland’s book also has lots on
Burrows’ other passion: humanpowered vehicles, specifically the low-sling recumbent trike. Also featured in the book are his “shopping” bikes, starting with the Amsterdam in 1989. This was later developed into the Paris, a sadly rejected project by Giant, and has now evolved into the Gordon, a Pinion-gearbox-equipped city bike that Burrows says could be mass-produced in China and could be a highly-practical yet technologically advanced “bicycle for the people”. Stuart Dennison, proprietor of Bikefix in London, writes in the book: “To break free from the norm requires some imagination, a critical mind and some stubbornness. It helps if you like to
question accepted conventions and are not afraid of a few failures. These are characteristics that Mike Burrows has in bucketloads. My favourite quote: “That’s a really stupid idea, I know because I tried it.” If you’ve got Bicycle Design, you’ll want this book. If you haven’t got Bicycle Design, you’ll still want this book. While From Bicycle to Superbike is not as idiosyncratic due to Hadland’s eye for detail, it still has tons of insider trade information that industry types will lap up. From Bicycle to Superbike costs £25 and can be purchased from Hadland Books, www.hadland. net. For shops wishing to stock the book, trade discounts are available. BIKEBIZ NOVEMBER 37
CITRUS-LIME
Stock control: keeping the wheels turning Citrus-Lime’s David Gaule outlines the importance of shifting stock to achieving success in independent retail… THE OLD business saying that “margin is king” is, more often than not, true. Maintaining margin is undoubtedly a key measurement of success. But even if you’ve negotiated a great margin from your distributors, your product needs to be moving out of the door. Stock locking up capital, restricting cash flow and ageing ever closer to obsolescence will endanger the margin you negotiated so hard for as discounting becomes the only way to shift it. Entrepreneurial desire is often driven by a passion for the products rather than retail itself. This enthusiasm is important – you need to know your products and consumer base. The flipside, however, is that stock turn can be a BIKEBIZ.COM
concept that independent retailers struggle with. Stock turn is a measurement of how efficiently your stock is performing. It compares sales against your stock holding. If you sell six units of a particular product every year and you hold two in stock, you’ve got a stock turn rate of three. This needs to be translated into values rather than quantities to truly assess the performance of the stock; the values need to be bound by a defined time period, for example, a year, to calculate stock turn rate. Stock turn rate equals the net cost of goods sold over a time period (disregarding postage, labour and other kinds of overheads) divided by the net cost of stock on hand at the end of the
“Entrepreneurial desire is often driven by a passion for the products rather than retail itself.” David Gaule, Citrus-Lime
period. It can be more accurate to use an average for the cost of stock on hand. There are different ways of doing this, but the simplest is to add the cost of stock on hand at the beginning of the time period to that at the end of the time period, and divide by two. Cost of goods sold (COGS) in 2015 = 600,000 Cost of stock on hand at beginning of 2015 = 250,000 Cost of stock on hand at end of 2015 = 150,000 Cost of stock on hand for 2015 = 200,000 [(250,000 + 150,000)/2 = 200,000] (Stock turn rate) 3 = (COGS) 600,000 / (Average cost of stock on hand) 200,000 BIKEBIZ NOVEMBER 39
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WHAT’S THE SOLUTION?
CITRUS-LIME
Increase your stock turn: You need to read between the lines to find the source of a low stock turn rate. Q Buying Q Range planning – choosing the right products Q Forecasting – purchasing the right quantity of products Q Supply chain – streamlining, building relationships Q Retail operations Q Slick goods-in and replenishment Q Listing products online early Q Merchandising Q In-store placement Q Display shapes: considering the pyramid principle Q Display colours: considering effects on consumer mood Q Sales Q Organising launch events with distributor assistance for big ticket items Q Hiring well-trained, knowledgeable sales staff Q Launching a quality e-commerce website with Click & Collect Q Advertising Q Making use of Google Shopping Q Making use of social media Q Making use of remarketing campaigns
Purist accountancy types reading this will be wagging their fingers, griping: “actually, the correct method is…” And yes, there are other methods of calculating stock turn but the above formula, and similar formulae, go by different names, such as “inventory turn” and “inventory turnover ratio”. The complexity can have your mental gears grinding to a halt and cause steam to expel from your ears. Use something you understand. As long as you consistently use the same method to measure your performance – and refrain from using it to compare yourself with others who may be using a different formula – it should hold you in good stead. Generally, a higher stock turn rate is better. It usually means you’re not hoarding stock. If you do find you’ve got a high stock turn rate though, it is worth checking BIKEBIZ.COM
that you’re not missing sales by understocking. But what is the big deal with stock turn?
“As long as you consistently use the same method to measure your performance it should hold you in good stead.” David Gaule, Citrus-Lime Fundamentally, money makes money. A low stock turn rate often means you’ve got capital locked in stock that isn’t selling, so you could
be reinvesting it elsewhere to make it work more efficiently for you. In addition, if that money is locked in stock, it can’t cover the cost of invoices, rent, wages, or fresh products that will perform better. This can lead to cash flow issues and perpetual borrowing, which is a big cause of many business failures. In the cycle industry, this can be most prevalent in the months after Christmas, when the seasonal nature of the trade can cause sales to decrease, just as invoices for all the new bikes that started arriving in September are due payment. Get ahead Make your EPOS system work for you by producing a stock turn report. Check how many days worth of stock you’re holding, and reverse-engineer it to produce a stock turn target that breaks even, including overheads.
Running an aged stock report will allow you to see what stock is tying up cash by not moving. Create an initiative to shift that aged stock. Discounting with relevant advertising may initially be the only way forward. You may have to sacrifice margin to get your capital back. If stock is several years old and you haven’t sold it at the margin you were hoping for, then the chances are you never will be able to shift the stock out. The best option in this scenario is to cut your losses, create a positive cash flow, and reinvest the money you make back into your company’s projects. David Gaule is contactable at 01229 588 628 or david@citruslime. com. www.citruslime.com
BIKEBIZ NOVEMBER 41
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@cyclemediaaward #CMAwards2016
CMA finalist list rolled out Readers can now view the finalists for the 2016 Cycling Media Awards, honouring those who are setting the bar high within the cycling media...
ON THURSDAY November 10th, the winners of the third annual Cycling Media Awards will be divulged to the cycle trade at the Islington Metalworks. In celebration of the UK’s specialist cycle writers, bloggers, photographers, journalists and trade members, BikeBiz publisher NewBay will host the evening with Cycle Guard as drinks reception sponsor, the BIKE Channel as exclusive media partner, and Tannus Tyres as an individual award sponsor for category BIKEBIZ.COM
Blogger of the Year. The event brings together all the nominees in one room for an evening of awards and networking Earlier this month, we revealed the finalists online, with a wide range of nominations across all categories. A number of magazines and websites were proposed for prizes, including Rouleur, Singletrack, MBUK, Velorution Cycling Plus, alongside Road.cc, Cycling News, Bike Radar, Road Cycling UK, Cyclist, sportive.com,
Total Women’s Cycling, and Factory Jackson. It wasn’t just the cycling media that were selected for accolades, though. Our judging panel will be granting mainstream print and website awards to one of several nominees, amongst them The Times, The Telegraph, Vice, The Guardian, Women’s Fitness, Coach, Sky Sports, BBC Sport Online, and The Observer. There are writer, blogger, and photographer awards as well, which
will single out high achievers Jessica Strange, David Gould, Oisin Sands, Balint Hamvas, Simon Wilkinson, Saskia Dugon, Mark Treasure, Chipps Chippendale, Beth Bryn Hodge and others Podcast and broadcast awards are also on the evening’s agenda – see the full list of finalists at www.cyclingmediaawards.com Sponsorship opportunities are in short supply, but are still available. Reach out to sales manager Richard Setters at rsetters@nbmedia.com. BIKEBIZ NOVEMBER 43
At Cycleguard we’re
proud to once again sponsor the Cycling Media Awards and would like to wish all nominees the very best of luck.
GOOD LUCK
For more information on how we work with cycle retailers through our Cycleguard Partnership Scheme call 01452 or email
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partners@cycleguard.co.uk
Cycleguard is a trading style of Thistle Insurance Services Limited. Lloyd’s Broker. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. A JLT Group Company. Registered office: The St Botolph Building, 138 Houndsditch, London EC3A 7AW. Registered in England No 00338645. VAT No. 244 2321 96. TPD0664 1 0916
WOMEN’S RACING
Bridging the gap Women’s racing is notorious for receiving poor sponsorship opportunities and limited media coverage. Laura Laker explores what is being done in the industry to make the sport accessible for rising female stars… THIS MONTH, Britain’s most decorated female Paralympian Dame Sarah Storey announced her pro cycling team, Podium Ambition, would fold. In the middle of Women’s Sport Week, Storey said the team had failed to secure the sponsorship it needed, and would take a step back to “create something more sustainable”. Some believe women’s cycling is at a crossroads, in crisis even, and though there are good news stories – the success of Wiggle High5 and Boels Dolmans teams included – teams without big money behind them still struggle to pay their riders enough to develop, and to win medals. This year’s Prudential RideLondon Classique race offered female competitors the same prize pot as the men for the first time – £100,000 – making it the best-paid women’s race, while the Tour of Yorkshire offered more cash for the winner of the women’s one-day race than the men’s overall winner. Women’s cycling is as exciting as men’s, with riders who train as hard, BIKEBIZ.COM
race as hard and are just as driven to win. Investing in inspirational women should be a no-brainer for the cycle industry, and yet, it’s not. While men competing at the very highest level of the sport are guaranteed a minimum wage, and TV coverage, women aren’t – a baffling concept in 2016. A sponsor’s dream? Take Podium Ambition, a team boasting top-class riders, including Joanna Rowsell Shand and Katie Archibald, both of whom won Gold at this year’s Olympics. Storey said Podium Ambition isn’t the only team, male or female, struggling to get the sponsorship it needs, and she’s not the only team manager struggling to make enough money for her athletes to concentrate on their racing full-time and progress in cycling. The issue is one that has plagued the sport since women’s cycling was recognised as a professional sport in 1984. Victoria Pendleton, another of our most successful female cyclists, and a Gold medallist in the women’s keirin at the London 2012
“The inequality between men and women in road racing is so extreme. There’s no way I could train comparative hours to my male counterparts, watch them get millions, and live like a student.” Victoria Pendleton, Olympic Gold medallist
Olympics, told BikeBiz she avoided road racing because of the funding disparity. BikeBiz caught up with Pendleton in Soho last month. “People always said: ‘why don’t you go to road riding?’, because I was always a bit of a hybrid, I was never a pure sprinter,” she said. “But the inequality between men and women in road racing is so extreme it would drive me to distraction; there was no way I could train comparative hours to my male counterparts, watch them get a million pounds and more contracts and live like a student myself. “It’s just not something that appeals to me, in fact it’s something that makes me feel rage!” Track cycling is more equitable, but still Pendleton recalls winning the same races as her male counterparts, but a third of the prize money. “You’re not going to sustain any kind of training or lifestyle, or have enough to eat on that,” she said. “You have to find sponsorship.” Although she was successful with BIKEBIZ NOVEMBER 45
WOMEN’S RACING
sponsorship contracts, some didn’t understand why she needed sponsors. “I was criticised for over glamorising the sport, especially from females,” said Pendleton. “But I was like: this is making me a profile, and so I’m going to do it. I would like to have a mortgage, eventually, and I wouldn’t mind a pension to be honest, because this isn’t going to last forever.” Like it or not, sponsors are a vital part of a woman’s cycling career, but sponsorship is dependent on the exposure a company gets for its investment. Chris Boardman, Olympic Champion, TV commentator and British Cycling Policy Advisor, was one of the sponsors of Storey’s Podium Ambition team (Boardman bikes provided the bikes). Although he welcomes equal prize money, he calls it “token”, as it costs less than funding equal salaries. Boardman put together a TV piece on the subject for the Tour de France, interviewing female pro riders, event organisers and supporters of women’s cycling, which Ned Boulting presented. 46 BIKEBIZ NOVEMBER
“The lack of TV coverage is the biggest stumbling block to getting sponsorship. If you cannot get coverage of national races by press, how are companies going to see the benefit and reward in sponsoring you?” Keith McRae, Women’s cycling promoter
They discovered nobody could agree on the way forward for the women’s sport. “That was interesting in itself,” says Boardman. “You had one person saying you’ve got to have proper, minimum salaries so people can rely on it, then you’ve got Rochelle Gilmore [owner and manager of Wiggle High5], Brian Cookson [UCI president] saying the last thing you want is minimum salaries.” “I think the only thing that got any kind of consensus was that TV coverage [should come] first. Get the visibility, then your sponsors can invest, then your riders come along, so there’s several things you need, but the TV is probably the thing that pulls it all together. “It means TV companies have got to stop doing articles on it and start covering it.” Keith McRae, a mechanic turned women’s cycling promoter, who is currently trying to set up a women’s cycling team, agrees TV coverage is the key. “The lack of coverage is the biggest stumbling block to getting sponsorship,” he says. “If you
cannot get coverage of national races, by national press, how are companies going to see the benefit and reward in sponsoring you?” “On the domestic scene, often teams can only pay riders’ expenses, meaning athletes need to work to cover living expenses, which hampers racing calendars and training.” While the men’s sport enjoys broad coverage, this can’t be said for women’s cycling. McRae: “While TV coverage [of women’s events] is getting better, it is a long way behind what the men are getting; you can tune in to Eurosport most of the summer and see some men’s race somewhere in the world. Try and find a women’s race and you’ll be lucky to even get highlights on the TV. “Some races are providing their own live steaming, often poor quality, but this is better than nothing.” Boardman points out while it may not be financially viable for TV companies to cover a sport still in its infancy, an incentive has got to be made. He said: “The UCI, whether they BIKEBIZ.COM
WOMEN’S RACING
like it or not, are the people that issue licenses to teams. They define the terms of those licenses. I think they’re in a position to say: you have to do something with this part of the sport. Or event organisers: if you want this status, or you want top status, then you have to have a women’s event as well. “[TV companies] will just go with what’s commercially viable right now and they won’t think: ‘Well if we do this and make a loss for five years then there’s a good chance it will become viable’, they just won’t do it. If the UCI says you’ve got to do it then they’ll just knuckle down and get on with it.” Stefan Wyman, owner of women’s cycling team Matrix Fitness Pro Cycling, which boasts Laura Kenny (nee Trott) among its riders, says the structure of, and what he describes as a lack of regulation in women’s racing, is creating a “massively increasing gulf” between the top and the bottom of the field. He told BikeBiz: “I have been involved for 12 years in the sport and I created the first women’s UCI team. BIKEBIZ.COM
“I have seen the development of the sport, and I think women’s cycling is in one of the most dangerous positions it has been in.” He said: “The top of the sport is great for teams like Orica Bike Exchange, Wiggle High5 and Bigla Cervelo, but there is no middle ground, no pressure [from up-andcoming teams].” While men’s racing is split into World Tour, Pro Continental and Continental divisions, with only the first two professional, the only division for women is Continental, with the same non-professional rules as the men’s Continental racing. That includes no set minimum salary. This, Wyman points out, means “the biggest team in the world can turn up [to a race which includes amateur riders trying racing for the first time] and drop everyone.” Development is learning to win, he says, something up-and-coming riders cannot experience under the existing model. Wyman believes women’s racing needs at least two tiers, to help new riders develop and to put pressure on top teams.
“TV companies will just go with what’s commercially viable right now and they won’t think ‘well if we do this and make a loss for five years then there’s a it will become viable’.” Chris Boardman, Boardman Bikes
This, he believes, would help teams pitch for sponsors – if the requirements to become a top tier team are a minimum wage for riders and a budget of, say, £400,000, team owners can go to sponsors with that figure, and promise a set level coverage in return for that investment. Wyman doesn’t agree women’s races simply need to be tacked onto men’s races, because women’s races are put on so early to clear the roads for the men that neither the TV crews nor the spectators are out on the course. “What happens is we have photos of the race with no crowds behind it and then people say: ‘well there were no women out watching that race, there’s no audience for women’s racing, therefore we shouldn’t back it.’ “We’re splitting the media down. I want to see women’s racing being one of the main events.” The solution? “I think women’s sport needs to find its own pathway it doesn’t necessarily have to follow the men’s. Women’s sport needs a good structure that’s strong enough to bring in its own BIKEBIZ NOVEMBER 47
WOMEN’S RACING
sponsors,” he says. Women are leading the way… Cyclocross superstar, Helen Wyman, is among those fighting for equality. In her role on the UCI’s Cyclocross Commission she equalised Category 2 prize money, doubled Cat 1 pay-out for women and has started her own development programme, New Wyman, to nurture younger riders. She’s still battling to equalise World Cup prize money, however. Wyman has seen the effect of TV coverage on sponsorship first-hand. “There were 24 televised [cyclocross] races last year live on TV. That was huge [in terms of attracting sponsorship]. As soon as a company can sell us as a commodity they can promote, they make more money.” The Strongher movement is being led by women cyclists from pros like Marianne Vos, to amateur riders, encouraging and inspiring more women to get into the sport, whether mountain biking, road riding or track cycling, from weekend events with pro riders like Manon Carpenter, to online forums providing advice. Heather Bamforth, founder of the Racing Chance Foundation, a charity set up to promote women’s amateur cycling in the UK, believes more is needed at grassroots level to get women into sport and give women’s cycling a bigger audience. “There needs to be a big push in 48 BIKEBIZ NOVEMBER
“Across sport, women’s participation levels are well behind men in almost every area. British Cycling recognises that this gender gap is something that we desperately need to address.” Anonymous, British Cycling
participation in women’s cycling so we increase the numbers in racing; then by definition it becomes easier to attract corporate sponsorship, because you are then reaching out to a larger demographic,” she says. Bamforth believes British Cycling has a role to play, to bridge the gap between entry-level Breeze rides, a hugely popular countrywide network of women’s social rides, and competitive cycling. A British Cycling spokesperson said: “Across sport, women’s participation levels are well behind men in almost every area. British Cycling recognised that this gender gap is something that we desperately needed to address. “In 2013, we set ourselves the target of inspiring one million more British women to take up cycling by 2020. “The current situation in Britain is positive: our strategy’s two-year update showed that 254,000 women had taken up cycling as a result of the strategy. We are no strangers to setting and meeting ambitious targets, and we will ensure we do everything we can to hit the million mark. “In order to get more women cycling, we are focusing on inspiring more women, providing opportunities to race, coaching opportunities to grow the numbers taking part in events organically. We are seeing more women take part at all levels so it is on an
upward curve.” “We would of course encourage the UCI to address this issue.” The UCI told BikeBiz that the progress made this year was “incredibly encouraging”, with the Women’s World Tour driving the growth of women’s races and its riders, live TV coverage of nine races by more than 35 channels around the world, and the broadcast of highlights, thanks to agreements put in place by the UCI. It said coverage will continue to improve with stronger branding. However, it acknowledged there is still a long way to go. A UCI spokesperson said: “Minimum salaries for women are a very important topic and the UCI Women’s Commission is leading discussions with the teams, riders and other relevant stakeholders to understand when the best time would be to introduce them.” The spokesperson said the current “professionalization phase” meant team budgets aren’t stable enough to implement minimum wages for female athletes without risking financial difficulties. “Next year, we will introduce ‘cahier des charges’ – a new set of regulations for UCI Women’s World Tour (WWT) teams going into 2018. This will include everything from increased anti-doping requirements, to contract provisions for team riders,” the spokesperson commented. BIKEBIZ.COM
2017 BIKES NOW IN STOCK
ALLIANCE MTB
School of hard rocks Kieran Howells explores mountain bike training with Alliance MTB owner and downhill cycling expert Christopher James, who tells him all about the essentials of his business... THERE IS a certain image that enters the mind of a cyclist when they think of trail riding. Low mist hanging over the crest of a mountain, evergreen trees dotted around smooth berms and steep jumps, each one momentarily launching the rider into the sky before delivering them back onto the track. But trail riding is outside of many riders’ skillsets, and with no one to teach them the necessary skills, they’ll never learn. This is where companies like Alliance MTB, dedicated to teaching the public everything they need to conquer the trails, come in. I sat down with Alliance MTB creator Christopher James to talk about mountain bike training. Can you give us a history of Alliance MTB? We started roughly three years ago. Two of my good friends and I had ridden for a few years; we had a couple of experiences being coached by a mountain bike instructor. Some were very good, and some were terrible. It was after a particularly awful experience that I turned round and said: “We could 50 BIKEBIZ NOVEMBER
do way better than this. We could do something that really works for people.” Eventually we decided to go for it, and we called ourselves Alliance MTB.
“Being able to communicate with people has always been the backbone of our business.” Christopher James, Alliance MTB
How did you go about setting the business up? It was a quite slow burn really. We took advantage of links with friends who managed businesses. I had a friend who was a website builder, and a friend who was into marketing; they let me pick their brains. We started by building the website and advertising at the local trails centre. It grew from there. We really took advantage of social media. Being able to communicate with people has always been the backbone of our business. I think the vast majority of our subsequent bookings have been people recommending us to fiends. Word of mouth has been a huge factor in our success thus far. How has it been received by customers? Our business is primarily seasonal, so we see real peaks and ebbs in regards to bookings. Interestingly
enough, in the summer it tends to go quieter, as people take family holidays and casual riding picks up. We’ve received some amazing feedback, and it usually involves the structure of our courses. With most other trainers, people are encouraged to come to sessions in a group, and people tend to find that they don’t get what they want out of those sessions because they move too quickly or too slowly. We don’t have a formulaic process; we deal with one person at a time and make sure we’re moving at his or her speed. How does the service operate in the winter months? More people want to ride through the winter months these days, and I don’t know why that is. I think maybe trail centres are being developed with better engineering. Also, equipment has gotten a lot cheaper. High-quality kit isn’t extortionate anymore meaning people who may otherwise be put off by high costs are now able to take part. People are realising that the technology will keep up with what they want to do. BIKEBIZ.COM
ALLIANCE MTB
Exactly how many people do you employ? At the moment we’ve got four guys on staff up here, and we’re looking to expand into the south of England next year. We’ve got two chaps who we’re working with down there who want to get involved with the company. I’m very protective of what we do, we have a set way of doing things. We want to protect the quality and make sure people fit with us, so we’re not keen to expand too far with people we don’t know. What does the business involve on a daily basis? Our first priority is getting to know the person, so that happens over social media and e-mail at first. We then send out questionnaires to our riders so they can tell us a bit about their riding. Then when they come to see us we initially assess their skills for ourselves. We like to take people back to the basics; we try to debunk some of the myths we pick up when we’re younger and get people riding correctly. Then we work on the areas in which they want to improve. It’s as much about BIKEBIZ.COM
mindset and changing people’s perceptions as it is about training. What is the demographic of people who come to you? It’s really interesting when we look back over the people we’re in touch with, or the people that we generally attract. We do see more frequently that it’s people over the age of 30; we see men slightly more often, and it tends to be people who are driven and believe in improving themselves. Those are the people who really get the bug. Something that I believe has had a big impact on mountain bike culture and trail riding is things like Red Bull TV and trail videos on YouTube, because they portray downhill riding as a real adventure – people see that and want a part of it. Would you say that communication is the key in your sessions? Definitely. In actual fact, I think for some people it’s actually extremely therapeutic. We have people come and see us who have some severe mental health issues. Because of
the kind of people that we are and what we’re trying to achieve, people talk to us about it. We’ve had people who have depression, and who feel that cycling is productive; being able to help them is exactly why we wanted to do this in the first place. If they can come here and be successful and unlock that potential in themselves, there’s no reason why they can’t do that in the rest of their lives too.
“I think for some people what we do is actually therapeutic.” Christopher James, Alliance MTB
Do you see services like this as an essential part of driving the industry forward? Services such as ours drive the industry in a number of important ways. If you look at trail centers that offer coaching, it definitely adds to a healthy portfolio. In terms of what the industry is doing and how we’re moving forward, I think diversifying through creative businesses is essential. If people are riding their equipment properly, then they are going to make better choices and be better cyclists in general, and an industry of well-informed, skilled cyclists can only lead to good things. www.alliancemtb.com BIKEBIZ NOVEMBER 51
ELECTRIC BIKES
Everything you need to know about e-bike legislation Stocking e-bikes can be daunting due to the mire of legislation surrounding this controversial but fast-developing market. Kieran Howells breaks down the regulations to keep you informed … IT’S TIME to accept that e-bikes are here to stay. The battery-powered pedal bikes already account for the fastest growing area of the cycling industry, and new products are hitting the market seemingly every day. Still, sifting through the mire of EU legislation to define what is and isn’t technically legal, and therefore what will sell well in the UK, is an incredibly daunting prospect. Those who have been following the developments in the market will be aware that as of April 2015, the British e-bike laws were altered to create stronger and more unified EU-wide regulations. In this move, which came into effect in early 2016, the bare bones of these new regulations centered on increasing the maximum power of an EAPC (electrically assisted pedal cycle) motor from 200 watts, up to 250 BIKEBIZ.COM
“When the law is abided, e-bikes are classified as normal bicycles, and can be used both on roads and any ground legally branded a cycle path.”
watts, whilst simultaneously setting the new nationwide pedal-assist speed limit to 15.5 miles per hour, as per the standard on the continent. Beyond the 15.5mph (a direct conversion from 25 kph) speed limit for pedal assist bikes, any assistance must automatically cease, rendering the bike once again a purely pedal-powered machine. This is also the case for throttle control (or twist and go) bikes. The new laws do not affect twist throttles with walk-assist mode – which powers the bike to a 6kmh limit, or “walking speed” – while pedals are in motion. Legally however, twist throttles beyond the walking speed limit may only be in use when the pedals are in a forward motion. For those of you raising your hands in
despair at the prior purchase of an expensive e-bike, these laws are not backdated – your bike is legal so long as it pre-dates the introduction of the January 2016 changes. When these laws are abided, the bike is classified as a normal bicycle, and therefore can be used both on roads, and on any ground legally branded a cycle path. A major exception to this rule is the age laws, which prohibit anyone under the age of 14 to ride an e-bike anywhere apart from on private land. Users above this age limit do not require any form of license or road tax. Disabled users, or those who simply enjoy riding on three wheels, fear not, trikes are very much included in these laws and as such EAPCs are permitted to BIKEBIZ NOVEMBER 53
ELECTRIC BIKES
have three or more wheels with no legal complications. In fact, owning an e-trike has become simpler, with the removal of a 60kg weight restriction. Obviously, safety standards are extremely important, and the official safety standard for pedelecs in force across Europe is EN15194, which when followed, deems e-bikes to be safe and fit for public purpose. This however only applies to the electric part of the vehicle (for the rest of the bike, the safety standard is EN14764). It’s worth noting that all bikes that pass the legal requirement for testing are issued with a certificate of compliance from the testing house, which is a good quality assurance sign when purchasing. As demonstrated by the mass of high-powered e-bikes on display at the 2016 Interbike convention in the USA, the regulations over the pond differ greatly to those in Europe. In 2001, a bill was passed that officially defines and categorises e-bikes in federal law. This new bill exempts electric bikes with operating pedals and a motor 54 BIKEBIZ NOVEMBER
under 750 watts (limited to 20mph) from the legal definition of a motor vehicle. The e-bike definition set out in this bill is significant because this means that unlike motorbikes, the Consumer Product Safety Commission regulates production. Whereas this system may seem relatively straightforward, dealers and riders in the US are also governed by individual state laws, which massively vary depending on state and governing body. According to a recent study, up to 30 states are still in the processes of technically defining e-bike regulation. Lobbying bodies such as the People-For-Bikes Product Suppliers Association are currently partnering with local advocacy groups, and are working towards streamlining state regulations, but this process is far from completion. The mire of baffling US legislation is made even more confusing due to the introduction of various other classifications for bikes, such as a speed pedelec, which technically meets the bicycle definition for a 20mph e-bike, but is designed to max out at
“A speed pedelec achieving speeds of 28mph by applying leg power to the motor assist isn’t breaking the law, regardless of how little this is contributing to the motor.”
28mph. This classification is due to a loophole of sorts, which states that e-bikes can achieve speeds of 20mph “on motor alone.” As such, a speed pedelec achieving speeds of 28mph by applying leg power to the motor assist isn’t breaking the law, regardless of how little this is contributing to the motor. In Europe and the UK, the future of the e-bike market is bright. Policed legislation is ensuring the production of a high-quality output, which looks set to instil confidence in those who are on the fence about the concept, as demonstrated by the rising number of active users on the continent. However, the concept of unified legislation is still to be completely embraced in the US, as electric bike companies do their best to feel out the mire of federal versus state legislation. Regardless of the current confusion, lobbying groups are making significant headway into strengthening state law, and by doing so, helping thousands of people enjoy what is fast becoming a culture of cleaner, more efficient transport. BIKEBIZ.COM
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LETTER
DEAR BIKEBIZ Is something grinding your gears?
I QUESTION the logic of the cycle trade sometimes. Why have the Bike Show and the Core Show been organised a week apart in January 2017? I always wonder why we have a different round of shows to attend not long after the NEC Cycle Show show. If, like many independent bike dealers, you live and work in the outskirts of the country – think Poldark, and you’re close to us – it makes no sense to be travelling six-plus hours to the NEC in September, and then six-plus hours in January twice, just to see the same products all over again. No bicycle range will make any significant change in such a short period of time. This may come across as just another West Country business moaning about being on the fringes of the nation, but I’m not the only person in the far corners of the UK who has to travel to get to shows. Nearly every bike shop will have just done their suppliers’ show rounds, along BIKEBIZ.COM
with the corporate wining and dining. They will have the 2017 range pushed and thrust upon them, and they’ll be told that this year is better than every year before. We’ve come to expect this, and it works, although not in the height of the season – Scott and CSG, take note. My main gripe is that if we’re attending a large NEC show in September, and then the launches only a few months later, at the start of the new year, surely it would make more sense to just throw a mega show in Birmingham. The entire bike trade could be involved, and only trade members would be invited to attend from Monday to Thursday, with the event opening to the public on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. I know many others in the trade will be attending neither the Bike nor the Core Show, even if they do deal with companies that will be at both. It’s too costly – of time and money – to make the trip twice, with just a week apart. Numbers will
be down at this year’s Core and Bike shows, as many other IBDs feel this way. This will have a knock-on effect on the trade, and indeed next year’s shows, as smaller companies that may be new to the events may not want to revisit them due to low footfall. This is why I ask what the logic is in running so many shows in so little time. In any other industry, the main players would come together to put on one single event. Consider the motor trade: do Ford say “we won’t do the main show, because we’re doing our own”? No. So why do key players in the cycle trade? Steve Masi, Falmouth Cycles
BikeBiz is keen to publish your opinions, whether you send them via email, Facebook, Twitter, BikeBiz.com or post… BIKEBIZ NOVEMBER 57
RETAIL ONLY
New products Kieran Howells scours the shelves for the latest products to hit the market…
SAXX VIBE www.saxxunderwear.com These versatile boxer shorts from fitness clothing specialists SAXX are available in a varied and diverse range of colours and prints. Available colourways include camo, red/black tartan, and a moon print that may appeal to a younger demographic. The boxer shorts are constructed from a patented, breathable mesh
NIKWAX www.nikwax.com The useful applications of new product Nikwax extend far beyond the cycling industry, but extreme sports – specifically mountain biking – were considered pivotal in the design and creation processes. The DIY waterproofing system provides a simple solution for those whose gears could do with 58 BIKEBIZ NOVEMBER
info@saxxunderwear.com material to prevent unwanted friction and movement whilst riding. The soft material is also desgined to reduce chafing and allow contact-free support. The brand claims that the signature “hammock” form-fitted design is completely unique to Saxx. These shorts are available in six sizes from XS to XXL.
+44 (0) 1892 786 400 a touch-up. The TX.Direct waterproofing liquid is applied by pouring the liquid directly into a washing machine with the clothing, which the brand says results in permanant application. Once the product is dry, the solution sets into the clothing, rendering it water-repellent yet still completely breathable.
REFLECTR www.reflectr.bike Birmingham-based cycle safety brand Reflectr has created what they claim is a world-first with their new reflective spoke stickers. Combining cutting-edge design with what the company consider to be state-of-the-art reflection materials, the new product creates a large reflective surface area, and limits interference with
RIDEGUARD www.rideguard.co.uk Rideguard recently announced a revamped range of mudguards, all of which are fully customisable in five sets of graphics and colours. The brand offers a free service in which the customer can receive bespoke designs and graphics, such as team designs and club emblems. The classic mudguards are constructed from a durable,
info@flectr.bike aerodynamics. It is also designed to endure excessive wear whilst remaining extremely lightweight at just 0.7 grams each. The reflective sticker is simple to apply and stays attached to the user’s spokes via an adhesive inner; it is available in either silver or yellow, both of which are equally as reflective as the other.
info@RideGuard.co.uk moldable plastic, which is simply applied to the bike using the four zip ties included. The lightweight products are designed to fit most of the major suspension fork manufacturers, like Fox and RockShox, and at just at just 31g each, the 0.8mm thick guard won’t add unnecessary weight to the bike. BIKEBIZ.COM
www.bob-elliot.co.uk
01772 459 887
@BobElliotOnline
FEATURES Q Water repellent and windproof Q Offers excellent breathability Q Comfortable stretch fit Q Hugging yet not restrictive Q Ideal for training days and races Q Warm yet highly efficient at wicking away moisture Q Featuring reflective piping throughout Q Zippered waterproof pocket to protect valuables Q Rear drain holes below the pockets
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SECTOR GUIDE
Stocking Fillers Christmas is the ideal time to capitalise on the retail rush. There’s no doubt that you should be stocking the latest products to ensure that lastminute shoppers leave your store happy on Christmas Eve…
CHAMOIS CRÈME (ASSOS OF SWITZERLAND)
£10.00
ASSOS Chamois Crème is designed to make long rides more enjoyable and comfortable by reducing friction and preventing inflammation and bacterial/ fungal infections on the skin. Apply a thin layer of Chamois Crème to the skin and padded insert before a ride.
BLACK CAT BICYCLE BELL (BIKEBELLE.COM) £6.00 A little something for those who love cats as much as cycling. This bell has been designed and made in the EU, fits all handlebar sizes, and makes a traditional “ringring” tone. Diameter: 55mm, material: steel.
BRAKE SHIELD (CYCLE DIVISION OR DIRECT WITH EAT MY DIRT)
£15.00
The Brake Shield is a simple solution to help when cleaning and oiling drivetrains, keeping grime and cleaning products away from rims, flooring and hands. It shields disc brakes and braking surfaces from oil when lubricating, catching all the mess in a tray.
THERMAL STRONG IN’T ARM WARMERS (FAT LAD AT THE BACK)
COOZIE (ISON DISTRIBUTION LTD) £17.99
These thermal arm warmers have been designed to keep your arms toasty in all weathers, made from super-soft thermal fabric. Made in Italy from high performance Lycra, they are breathable, wicking, and feature pill resistance, a silicone hem, and intelligent sizing.
60 BIKEBIZ NOVEMBER
£4.99
This after-ride accessory allows riders to hold cans or bottle in the saddle. They are 9cm tall, and made from ODI proprietary grip material, which is soft and grippy. ODI logos are printed around the flange. Classic Longneck ribbed design comes in seven colours and with an internal sleeve.
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SECTOR GUIDE
NITELIFE BEANIE HAT AND NITELIFE THERMAL NECK WARMER (LUSSO)
MUC-OFF CLEANING KIT WASH PROTECT LUBE (ZYROFISHER) RRP: £15.00
RRP £15.00
This bundle cleans, protects, and lubricates. Muc-Off Biodegradable Bike Cleaner utilises nano technology that cares for finishes. Muc-Off MO-94’s PTFE formula penetrates and lubricates moving parts and leaves a protective film. MucOff Biodegradable Wet Chain Lube is formulated for long distances in wet conditions, penetrating the chain link to provide long-lasting lubrication.
The Nitelife Thermal Neck Warmer and Beanie Hat feature 360 reflective, thermal, breathable fabric. Made in the UK, the products are both machine washable, and come in one size.
KNOCK OUT SOCKS (PRIMAL EUROPE)
ULTRALIGHT HIGH VIS RAINCOVER (OSPREY)
Primal Cycling Socks are constructed with a composition of advanced air transfer fabrics, to ensure that the socks stay dry, and help riders keep cool. They feature an advanced air transfer system, and fabric composition of 50 per cent acrylic, 25 per cent nylon, 15 per cent spandex and 10 per cent Lycra.
£16.00, £18.00 This range of ultralight high-vis rain covers defend against downpours and protect your pack. Features include: taped seams, reflective graphics, high visibility material and blinker light attachment. The raincover packs into its own case when not in use. Volume range 1020L or 20-35L
DANNY MACASKILL GRIP (2PURE)
£24.52
The MacAskill signature grip is the most technical grip in the Lizard Skins lineup. This grip has a large diameter in key areas to provide better cushioning for impacts and vibration dampening. Designed and used in the saddle by Danny MacAskill.
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£8.00
ULTRALIGHT DRYSACK (OSPREY) £8.00+. Made from siliconised ripstop nylon, the Ultralight Drysacks are designed to keep gear protected from the elements. Features include a rectangular shape for efficient packing, fully waterproof roll-top closure, taped seam, and bright colour ways. Available in sizes from 3L to 30L.
BIKEBIZ NOVEMBER 61
SECTOR GUIDE
PULSE LAZER (TANDEM GROUP CYCLES) RRP £7.99 - £69.99 Pulse is a new range of lights developed by Tandem Group Cycles. These five super-bright LEDs, coupled with two downward-facing laser beams, help keep riders safe. The two beams produce a line on the floor either side of the cyclist, creating an area for drivers to avoid. The LEDs and lasers can be set to flash or remain constant.
FROG LIGHTS (SILVERFISH UK LTD)
RRP £9.99
Knog’s iconic product line is still one of the most popular. At 19grams, the high-powered LED strobe lights are available in either front or rear options and come in eight different colours to match bike colours. With a run time of up to 70hours they can withstand harsh weather conditions and thanks to the silicone strap fit nearly any bar or seatpost. Front or rear, eight colours.
BEVERAGE WRENCH (SILVERFISH UK LTD) RRP £9.99 The Pedro’s beverage wrench is an extra for workshops or home garages, letting the user to enjoy a beverage post-ride or workshopbuild. Constructed from hardened steel and featuring a rubber handle, the wrench comes with a lifetime warranty. Front or rear, eight colours.
PSYCLEPATH MUG (WORRY LESS DESIGN) £8.00 This mug features a cycling tagline, measuring 9cm in height and 8cm in diameter, and holds approximately 330ml, like other standard 11oz mugs. The design is guaranteed dishwasher proof for over 1000 washes and is repeated on both sides.
SQUIRE SNAPLOK (RALEIGH)
SKS INJEX LITE ZOOM (ZYROFISHER)
RRP £69.99
£19.99
This high security “carabiner” lock is the UK’s first combination cycle lock to achieve Sold Secure Silver status. It comes with a specially designed carry bracket for commuting, and features a re-codable five-digit combination lock with over 100,000 combinations. This lock carries Squire’s personal 10-year guarantee. Hardened boron alloy steel, available in 260mm and 210mm.
This composite mini pump has a multi-valve head connection and a telescopic function for added pressure. Max 144psi.
62 BIKEBIZ NOVEMBER
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SECTOR GUIDE
Triathlon accessories There’s plenty of triathlon TV coverage slipping into the schedules, bolstering interest in the sector. BikeBiz takes a look at some of the latest tri gear available to stock...
LAKE TX222 (MOORE LARGE)
£89.99, £149.99
Lake’s high-performance shoes are developed to be ultra-light, fast drying to offer a quick foot entry and exit. The new black and white colourway for 2017 is available now for both the carbon-soled TX222, and its cheaper nylon soled equivalent the TX212. In February, you can also expect to see a snazzy black and yellow TX222 added to the range.
KASK INFINITY
£169
The KASK Infinity is an aerodynamic shell, tested in an industrystandard wind tunnel. The outflow of the air remains in line with the helmet in any position that the head assumes. The product features a sliding Aerator vent cover which, when open, allows cool air to flow into the helmet through three large vents above the forehead, and when shut directs air over the top of the helmet.
64 BIKEBIZ NOVEMBER
MET DRONE (MET UK) TBC The Drone’s wide body, aerodynamic design directs the airflow, decreasing turbulence and drag. Added volume on the sides guide air over the rider’s shoulders, a natural area of turbulence that creates wind resistance and drag, without sacrificing aerodynamic function. A system of internal air channels maximise the helmet’s cooling effect.
GIRO AEROHEAD (ZYROFISHER)
£249.99
By using a polycarbonate shell, Wind Tunnel ventilation and internal channelling, this helmet is proven to boost cooling power by nearly ten per cent over Aerohead Ultimate MIPS while remaining aerodynamic. Additionally, the wrap-around eye shield offers an impressive field of view with the convenience of magnetic attachments to allow easy storage of the lens in the “flipped up” position, ideal for fast swim-to-bike transitions.
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SECTOR GUIDE
SANTINI SLEEK 2.0 S/S TRISUIT (ZYROFISHER)
CITEC 8000 ULTRA (SONIC CYCLES)
£139.99
£1,095
The SLEEK 2.0 short sleeve trisuit is developed in collaboration with Kona pro triathlete Kyle Buckingham, and is strategically cut with short sleeves for a more aero performance. Constructed with compact Monica and Acquazero treated for fast drying, it features elasticated mesh sleeves and side inserts for enhanced ventilation.
To complement their world beating 725 gram Disc8000 ULTRA tubular disc wheel, CITEC are now producing a full carbon front wheel. The 8000 ULTRA is available for clincher tyres and weighs 670 grams. This wheel features an aluminium carbon composite rim with aluminium braking surface for predictable, safe stopping.
SIMPLON MR.T2 (SIMPLON BIKES)
TBC
CUBE AERIUM (ONEWAY BIKE INDUSTRY BV)
£5,999
The Mr.T2 is the second generation of Simplon’s TT and Tri bike and featuring numerous adjustment options. With specially developed frame tubing design as well as fully integrated cables it achieves the aerodynamic values. Computer-optimised tube cross-sections, NACA KTD profiles on the forks, down tube, seat tube, seat post and seat stays ensure low air resistance.
The Aerium C:68 SL frame’s profile has been refined in a wind tunnel, with C:68 carbon layup. The result is a combination of stiffness, low weight, and aerodynamic efficiency. The Advanced Twin Mould carbon frame with horizontal dropouts is constructed with two aims: to keep air resistance as low as possible, and compatability with electronic transmission components.
REPRIEVE SADDLE (3 WEST DESIGN)
QDC DRAG2ZERO S/S TRI SUIT (ENDURA)
TBC
The 3 West Design Saddle is crafted to increase performance with a number of different attributes focused on comfort in the aero position. The drop and “V” Cut allows the soft tissue to keep its natural shape. The saddle features a real leather cover, hollow titanium rails and a 30-day money back guarantee.
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£299.99 Pro Level Aero Race Suit is developed in conjunction with Simon Smart of Smart Aero Technology,. Drag improvements have been made through wind tunnel sessions of over 70 prototypes in different fabrics featuring aerodynamic surface profiling. Constructed using selectively bonded seam construction to eliminate chafing.
BIKEBIZ NOVEMBER 65
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SECTOR GUIDE
Bottles and cages
CAMELBAK PODIUM (ZYROFISHER) £10.99
Hydration is a vital component of performance in sport – don’t we all know it? Stock up on bottles and bottle cages to make sure your customers don’t wilt during their two-wheeled adventures.
The spill-proof Jet Valve allows the user to hydrate without having to open a drinking interface. Streamlined ergonomic design offers “squeezability” without compromising bottle grip. The nozzle’s large aperture generates a high water flow rate and is easy to remove for cleaning. The Podium also has a lockout dial with graphics for leakproof transport.
UP2U BOTTLE CAGE (www.greyville.com)
75CL FILTER BOTTLE (WATER-TO-GO)
£4.95
£24.99
T-One designs and makes its Up2U Bottle Cage, which provides two different cage structures in one. By flipping it upside down, the Up2U allows the cyclist to reach the bottle from either side or from the top. The product is manufactured with reinforced plastic and weighs in at just 40 grams – the Up2U is available in three colours.
This 75cl Filter Bottle is reusable with a 3in1 filter in the neck that cleans the water as the user drinks. Efficient even on untreated water, it eliminates over 99.9 per cent of bacteria, viruses, chlorine, fluoride and heavy metals. With a 75cl capacity, the filter will treat 200 litres before it needs replacing. It is lightweight (138g), BPAfree and comes in five colourways.
RIESEL FLA:SCHE BOTTLE (MOORE LARGE) £8.79 This collection of colourful bottles is robust and easy to squeeze. The bottles come in 750ml size and are made with food-safe, dishwasherproof and biodegradable polyethylene. There are four different designs and plenty of colours.
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VEL RACE CAGE (COOKE COMPONENTS)
£11.99
The VEL Race Cage comes in a variety of colours, will hold all standard sized bottles, and is made of composite resin for lightness (33g) and durability. It is suitable for both road and mountain bike use.
BIKEBIZ NOVEMBER 67
THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO RETAILERS, SUPPLIERS AND SERVICES WITHIN THE CYCLE TRADE
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ANSMANN UK e-BIKE centre, Unit 12, RO24, Harlow Business Park, Harlow, Essex, CM19 5QB Tel: 0870 609 2233 | Web: www.ansmann.co.uk
BOB ELLIOT AND CO LTD Unit C4 Binary Court, Matrix Park, Western Avenue, Buckshaw Village, Chorley, PR7 7NB Tel: 01772 459 887 | Web: www.bob-elliot.co.uk
PITBITZ LTD Unit 6 Thorpe Drive, Thorpe Way Industrial Estate, Banbury, Oxon, OX16 4UZ Tel: 01295 269333 | www.gazeboshop.co.uk www.thebikeboxcompany.co.uk
I-RIDE 7-8B Mid Sussex Business Park, Ditchling Common Industrial Estate, Folders Lane East, Ditchling, Sussex, BN6 8SE Tel: 01444 243000 | Web: www.i-ride.co.uk
JUNGLE PRODUCTS LTD Unit 3, The Cedar, New York Mills, Summerbridge, HG3 4LA Tel: 01423 780088 | Web: www.jungleproducts.co.uk www.santacruzbikes.co.uk
CONTINENTAL North Parade, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, Wales, SY23 2JR Tel: 01970 626777 | Web: www.conti-tyres.co.uk M & J DISTRIBUTORS LTD Unit A, Hanix Buildings, Windmill Lane, Denton, Manchester, M34 3SP Tel: 0161 337 9600 | Web: www.mjdist.co.uk CYCLEMILES 9 Queen Anne’s Drive, Havant, PO93PG Tel: 02392 455 355 | Web: www.cyclemiles.co.uk MAXXIS TYRES Unit 3 Cobalt Centre, Siskin Parkway East, Middlemarch Business Park, Coventry, CV34PE Tel: 024 7688 9775 | Web: www.maxxis.com DYNAMO COVER Drake House, Plymouth Road, Penarth, CF64 3TP Tel: 0333 358 33 20 | Web: www.dynamocover.com
EBCO 5 Pegasus House, Olympus Ave, Warwick, CV34 6LW Tel: +01926 437700 | Web: www.ebco-ebikes.co.uk
EDCO COMPONENTS North Parade, Aberystwyth, Wales, SY23 2JR Tel: 01970 626777 | Web: www.edco-wheels.co.uk
MDI LIMITED Unit 4, Wellington Point, Amy Johnson Way, Blackpool Business Park, Blackpool, FY42RG Tel: 01253 343090 | Web: www.mdib2b.co.uk
MEALOR-CLARKE CYCLE SPARES LTD Unit 1, Eastlands Road, Leiston, Suffolk, IP16 4LL Tel: 01728830055/01728605970 Web: www.mealorclarkecyclespares.com
MERIDA BICYCLES LTD Unit 13, Nottingham South and Wilford Industrial Estate, Ruddington Lane, Wilford, Nottingham, NG11 7EP Tel: 0115 981 7788 | Web: www.merida.com
If you’d like to find out more or require additional copies please contact rsetters@nbmedia.com or call him on 020 7354 6000
MOORE LARGE AND CO LTD Sinfin Lane Industrial Estate, Sinfin Lane, Derby, DE24 9GL Tel: 01332 274252 | Web: www.moorelarge.co.uk
NORTH SPORTS 38 Kingston Avenue, Neilston, Glasgow, East Renfrewshire, G783JG Tel: 07746 933795 | Web: www.northsports.co.uk
PALIGAP LTD Unit 2 Danbury House, Great Western Park, Armstrong Way, Yate, Bristol, BS37 5NG Tel: 01454 313 116 | Web: www.paligapltd.co.uk
RALEIGH UK LTD Church Street, Eastwood, Nottingham, NG16 3HT Tel: 01773 532600 Web: www.raleigh.co.uk | www.cyclelife.com www.diamondback.co.uk
REECE CYCLES PLC 100 Alcester Street, Birmingham, B12 0QB Tel: 0121 622 0180 | Web: www.reececycles.co.uk
RUBENA Unit N & M, Tyburn Trading Estate, Ashfold Farm Raod, Birmingham, West Midlands, B24 9QG Tel: 0800 281413 | Web: www.rubenacycle.co.uk
SCHWALBE TYRES UK LTD Schwalbe Centre, Hortonwood 30, Telford, Shropshire, TF1 7ET Tel: 01952602680 | Web: www.schwalbe.co.uk
SILVERFISH UK LTD Unit 3C and 3B Woodacre Court, Saltash Parkway Industrial Estate, Burraton Road, Saltash, Cornwall, PL12 6LY Tel: 01752 843882 | Web: www.silverfish-uk.com
The BikeBiz Directory 2016 is out now, providing the industry with a must-have guide to the UK’s retailers, distributors, manufacturers and related businesses. DISTRIBUTION AND WHOLESALE
E-COMMERCE AND EPOS
EVENT ORGANISERS, HOSTING, HOLIDAY AND HIRE
MANUFACTURERS
MARKETING, PR AND CONSULTANCY
MEDIA AND PUBLISHING
ORGANISATIONS, CHARITIES AND ASSOCIATIONS
RETAILERS, WORKSHOPS AND MAIL ORDER
SERVICES AND TRAINING
THE CYCLE DIVISION Unit 27 Gatehouse Enterprise Centre, Albert Street, Lockwood, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, HD1 3QD Tel: 01484 456137 | Web: www.thecycledivision.com
HARDNUTZ Unit 8 Rocheview off Millhead Way, Purdeys Industrial Estate, Rochford, Essex, SS4 1LB Tel: 01702 530090 | Web: www.hardnutz.com
VELOTECH SERVICES LTD 26-27 Western Road, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, CV37 0AH Tel: 0845 475 5339 | Web: www.velotechservices.co.uk
WINDWAVE Unit D2 and D3 Heritage Business Park, Heritage Way, Gosport, Hampshire, PO12 4BG Tel: 02392 521912 | Web: www.windwave.co.uk
MAVIC Theta Building, Lyon Way, Frimley, Surrey, GU16 7ER Tel: 01276 404870 | Web: www.mavic.com
WELDTITE PRODUCTS LTD Unit 9 Harrier Road, Humber Bridge Industrial Estate, Barton-on-Humber, Lincs, DN18 5RP Tel: 01652 660000 | Web: www.weldtite.co.uk
ZYROFISHER Until 4 Roundhouse Road, Faverdale Industrial Estate, Darlington, Co Durham, DL3 0UR Tel: 01325 741 200 | Web: www.zyrofisherb2b.co.uk
BIKE SOUP 55a North Wharf Road, London, W2 1LA Tel: 020 7298278 | Web: www.bikesoup.com
MAXXIS TYRES Unit 3 Cobalt Centre, Siskin Parkway East, Middlemarch Business Park, Coventry, CV34PE Tel: 024 7688 9775 | Web: www.maxxis.com
MET HELMETS / BLUEGRASS 22-24 Ely Place, London, EC1N6TE Tel: 0207 1937 496 | Web: www.met-helmets.com
THE CYCLE SHOW 58 White Lion Street, Islington, London, N1 9PP Tel: 020 7288 6733 | Web: www.cycleshow.co.uk
MITAS Tyburn Trading Estate, Ashold Farm Road, Erdington, Birmingham, B24 9QG Tel: 0800 281 413 | Web: www.mitascycle.com
ASSOS 57 Farringdon Road, London, EC1M 3JB Tel: 0203 2862225 | Web: www.assos.com
ONE WAY DISTRIBUTION Tel: 0031 10345 3510 | Web: shop.o-w-d.nl
BUFFERA LIMITED Cranbourne House, Cranbourne Road, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire, EN6 3JN Tel: +01920 460754 | Web: www.buffwear.co.uk
QUELLA Unit 1 & 2 Breckenwood Road, Fulbourn, Cambridgeshire, CB21 5DQ Tel: 01223 782 039 | Web: www.quellabicycle.com
X-BIONIC Trerè Innovation s.r.l. Unipersonale Via Parma, 70 C. 46041 Asola (MN). Italy Tel: +39 0376 718623 | Web: www.x-bionic.com
CYCLING SCOTLAND 24 Blythswood Square, Glasgow, G2 4BG Tel: 0141 229 5350 | Web: www.cyclingscotland.org
insuring the UK’s cycle retailers
CYCLEGUARD INSURANCE Southgate house, Southgate Street, Gloucester, GL1 1UB Tel: 0844 826 2297 | Web: www.cycleguard.co.uk
BikeBiz Directory 2016 is available to view online at
www.bikebiz.com DARE2B Unit 8-9 Mercury Park, Mercury Way, Urmston, Manchester, M41 7LY Tel: 0844 811 2939 | Web: www.dare2b.com
DISTRIBUTION AND WHOLESALE
ROZONE LIMITED Queen Street, Darlaston, Wednesbury, West Midlands. WS10 8JB Tel: 0121 526 8181 | Web: www.rozone.co.uk
DISTRIBUTION AND WHOLESALE
IMPORTERS, DISTRIBUTORS AND WHOLESALERS
IMPORTERS, DISTRIBUTORS AND WHOLESALERS
2WT Ltd 63 Baddow Hall Crescent, Chelmsford, CM2 7BX Tel: 07885 788203 Web: www.2wtuk.com
All-City 6400 West 105TH Street, Bloomington, USA, MN 55438 Tel: 1-888-4AC-BIKE Web: www.allcitycycles.com
2x2 Worldwide Unit 6, Hall End Business Park, Dordon, Tamworth, Staffs, B78 1SX Tel: 01827 331099 Web: www.2x2worldwide.com
Always Riding Ltd Riverside Business Centre, Haldone Place, London, SW18 4UQ Web: www.alwaysriding.co.uk
4 Down Distribution Unit 6 North Ridge Business Park, Haywood Way, Hastings, East Sussex, TN35 4PP Tel: 01424 433 074 Web: www.4downdistribution.com
Amba Marketing (UK) Ltd 5 Budlake Units, Budlake Road, Marsh Barton, EX2 8PY Tel: 01392 829903 Web: www.amba-marketing.com
50cycles Unit M, Little Moor Lane, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 1SF Tel: 01509 217775 Web: www.50cycles.com
Andy BrayAgencies T/A Gearmechhanger.com 36 Middlecroft Lane, Gosport, Hampshire, PO12 3DJ Tel: 07896 124968 Web: www.gearmechhanger.com
Assos 57 Farringdon Road, London, EC1M 3JB Tel: 0203 2862225 Web: www.assos.com ATB Sales Ltd Whitworth Road, St Leonards on Sea, East Sussex, TN37 7PZ Tel: 01424 753566 Web: www.atb-sales.co.uk
A Action Cameras The Light Box, PC127, 112 Power Road, London, W4 5PY Tel: 02089657680 Web: www.actioncameras.co.uk
# 2 Wheel Distribution GmbH & Co. KG Erich Blum Str. 33, D 71665 Vaihingen an der Enz, Germany Tel: +49(0)7042289000 Web: www.2wheel-distribution.com
Action Cameras Limited Unit 36 Park Royal Business Centre, 9-17 Park Royal Road, London, NW10 7LQ Tel: 020 89657679 Web: www.actioncameras.co.uk
2 Wheel Electric Haskins Garden Centre, Mansbridge Road, West End, Southampton, Hampshire, SO18 3HW Tel: 02380476929 Web: www.2wheelelectric.co.uk
FREEGO ELECTRIC BIKES 3 St Denys Rd, Southampton SO17 2GN Tel :0800 077 8711
SEE.SENSE (LIMEFORGE LTD) Sketrick House, Jubilee Road, Newtownards, BT23 4YH Tel: 02891 800536 | Web: www.seesense.cc
Active Life Logistics The Barn, Structons Heath Farm, Great Witley, Worcestershire, WR6 6JA Tel: 01299 890101 Web: www.activelifelogistics.co.uk
2pure 46c Bavelaw Road, Balerno, Edinburgh, EH147AE Tel: 0844 811 2001 Web: www.2pure.co.uk
BIKEBIZ DIRECTORY
All Round Wheels (Wholesale) Ltd Unit 020 Gracechurch Centre, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, B72 1PH Tel: 0121 354 5451
8
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Ansmann UK e-BIKE centre, Unit 12, RO24, Harlow Business Park, Harlow, Essex, CM19 5QB Tel: 0870 609 2233 Web: www.ansmann.co.uk
Atom Cycles Unit 2, Kirkburn Industrial Estate, Lockerbie, DG11 2SE Tel: 01576 203611 Web: www.atomcycles.com
AOB Distribution 57 Exeter Road, Kingsteighton, Newton Abbot, Devon Tel: 07596 100615 Web: www.aobdistribution.com
Autostrada Engineering Forge Farm, Forge Lane, Footherley, Staffs, WS14 0HU Tel: 01543 483155/483225
Assess Todociclismo S.A Mitre 972, San Jose, Guillen Tel: 054-261-4456639
Avocet Sports Ltd Unit 7 and 8 Shield Drive, Wardley Industrial Estate, Worsley, Manchester, M28 2QB Tel: 0161 727 8508 Web: www.coyote-sports.com (B2B) and www.avocetsports.co.uk (Consumer)
Assist Creative Resources Ltd Unit 7 Ash Road South, Wrexham Ind Est, Wrexham, LL13 9UG Tel: 01978 664743 Web: www.assist.co.uk
BIKEBIZ.COM
Axel Imports Ltd 4 Wimborne Road, Poole, Dorset, BH15 2BU Tel: 01202 785864 Web: www.axelimports.co.uk
9
BIKEBIZ DIRECTORY
MARKETPLACE BIKES & ACCESSORIES
TO ADVERTISE IN THESE PAGES PLEASE CONTACT rsetters@nbmedia.com or call 0207 354 6028
BIKES & ACCESSORIES
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BIKEBIZ NOVEMBER 71
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TO ADVERTISE IN THESE PAGES PLEASE CONTACT rsetters@nbmedia.com or call 0207 354 6028
BIKES & ACCESSORIES
BIKES & ACCESSORIES
BIKES & ACCESSORIES
BIKE BOTTLES & PROMOTIONAL GOODS
72 BIKEBIZ NOVEMBER
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BIKEBIZ NOVEMBER 73
MARKETPLACE
TO ADVERTISE IN THESE PAGES PLEASE CONTACT rsetters@nbmedia.com or call 0207 354 6028
DEALER MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
EPOS & ECOMMERCE
EPOS & ECOMMERCE
FRAME RESPRAY, REPAIR & BUILD SERVICES
74 BIKEBIZ NOVEMBER
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OFF TRACK
OFF TRACK
THE TRADE’S ROUND UP OF STATS, VIEWS AND RANDOMS
NUMBER CRUNCHING
85%
Ever wondered how long the average bike trip is, or how making helmets mandatory impacts the industry as a whole? It’s all here...
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BIKEBIZ.COM
8.5cm
In the UK, drivers overtaking cyclists passed an average of 8.5 cm closer to those wearing helmets
BIKEBIZ NOVEMBER 75
OFF TRACK
IN THE SADDLE
Alex Trimnell, CEO of Muc-Off
How many bikes do you own? Well, the last count was 19. I can’t really sell any of my bikes, as they all have a story to tell and I’ve had amazing experiences on all of them. My favourite bike is my Santa Cruz Bronson, but I’ve just built a Look 795 Aero, which is just an unreal bit of kit. Where are your favourite places to ride? I’ve ridden in some interesting places all over the world, but you just can’t beat the trails you find at home. The Purbeck Hills are really near me, which I hit most weeks, but I also do a local MTB loop with some of my oldest friends, and that covers a lot of Bournemouth and the surrounding area, finishing at the beach. If I had to choose one place, I’d love to go back to, it’s the Fullerton Loop in California. What’s your role at Muc-Off? As the CEO, it’s my job to make sure everyone in the business is supported
76 BIKEBIZ NOVEMBER
to perform their duties to the best of their abilities. I run a very intense product development program throughout the year. Every product we create has been invented in-house, before it’s tested and re-tested by world-class riders – only then does it end up in the hands of the customer. So, I spend a lot of time talking to our athletes and teams! I also work very closely with our creative teams to drive the strategic thinking and direction of the brand. I’m lucky to be supported by a worldclass team of passionate bike enthusiasts who are always willing to go that extra mile to get the job done. How long have you been in the trade? I started working for my father at X-Lite when I was 18 years old, assembling bar ends and seat posts, although my love for all things twowheeled started much earlier than that! It was in 1989 when I got my
first mountain bike, and I’ve been hooked ever since. I love the bicycle trade. It’s amazing when you have a common bond with other passionate industry people all over the world. What’s the latest news from MucOff HQ? We’ve just announced the launch of over 15 new product lines at
“We feel incredibly privileged to have contributed to the success of some of the biggest names in biking.” Eurobike and Interbike, including additions to our Athlete Performance range. We feel incredibly privileged to have contributed to the success of some of the biggest names in biking, from Team Sky, to Trek Factory
Racing, to British Cycling. From a commercial perspective, this has been the strongest sales year to date, with turnover increasing by over 31 per cent. We recently hired a new international account manager to head up activity in the USA, which is a massive opportunity for us. 2017 will be a busy year, with some very exciting innovations coming to the market. Do you have any parting words for the trade? Failure is success in progress! We have made so many mistakes along the way, but our team is so deeply passionate about what we do that we learn quickly and move on. And it’s just awesome to still be a 100 per cent family-owned business. How can the trade get in touch with Muc-Off? You can contact us at info@muc-off. com. Or pop down to our HQ in Poole and we’ll take you for a ride around the Purbecks!
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OFF TRACK
Stephen Holt, Commercial Director
EVERYTHING GOOD GOES CYCLE CAFÉ OPENS IN TADCASTER
A NEW cycle café has opened its doors on the site of the former Calcaria pub in Westgate, North Yorkshire. Industry veterans John and Natasha Stainthorpe, who are the owners of specialist children’s bicycle shop Cyclesense (located on the same road), created the new venture, which boasts a vast menu of artisan homemade food and a selection of craft beers and wines. The new shop features secure bike parking, a large interior and an outdoor seating area. Guests recently marked the opening at a special Oktoberfest-themed celebration. The owners say that they intend the café to become a social hub and target destination for cyclists in the local area.
DANNY MACASKILL PENS AUTOBIOGRAPHY PROFESSIONAL STREET trials rider and cycling icon Danny MacAskill has released a book that details his riding career. The book, titled At The Edge – Riding for My Life, discusses some of MacAskill’s most personal memories, including riding in his childhood home on the Isle of Skye, and the filming of his worldrenowned videos: Cascadia, Way Back Home, The Ridge and Imaginate. The book, which is available now from various book outlets and Amazon, retails at £14.99 in the UK.
GROW YOUR WINTER SALES! MANY EMPLOYERS give their staff the chance to opt into benefits annually. This occurs most often at the end of each year, with preparations for payroll changes to come into action in January. While we recognise that timing isn’t perfect for cycling’s peak seasons, it does means that in months that are typically quieter, people can still benefit from incremental sales via the employers that Cyclescheme works with. We know that over 3,000 Cyclescheme bikes were redeemed last winter this way. It’s a once-a-year window of opportunity to take up a cycle to work benefit. Many new or returning cyclists will simply select a particular amount for their next cycle to work choice. Your next potential customer’s first port of call is often Cyclescheme’s store finder to find a shop they want to visit, so it’s important that you keep your profile updated and your store details looking enticing. All of this information is contained within your Cyclescheme B2B, where you can search by employer for the details you need about their cycle to work scheme. Why not reach out to previous participants and let them know what’s going on in your store, and why they should visit you again? Make sure your store profile reflects your hard work in-store. Happy winter selling!
Stephen Holt is commercial director of Cyclescheme, the UK’s leading provider of tax-free bikes for work. You can reach him on Twitter @cycleschemeltd
BIKEBIZ.COM
BIKEBIZ NOVEMBER 77
SPOKESMAN
Talking crud, chalk and cheese Carlton Reid muses on maverick designers Pete Tomkins and Mike Burrows... I STARTED writing about bikes thirty years ago. The market for bikes in 1986 was different from today. For a start, mountain bikes were starting to go mainstream, and would soon sell in their millions. The year before – and not yet a bicycle writer – I knew all of the mountain bikers in town, and any new ones would be quickly added to the friendship-and-ride group. By the end of the 80s, mountain bike ownership had become so normal that if you followed and then introduced yourself to a random person on a mountain bike you’d be marked down as a nutter. Pete Tomkins was part of the pre-boom set. We were at the Peebles mountain bike race together – not that we knew this at the time – and therefore witnessed the start of mountain biking “going professional” (the Peebles race is famous for the entry of roadie cyclo-crossers Tim Gould and David Baker riding Peugeot-badged bikes which were made by custom framebuilder Chas Roberts). I found out we were at the same, legendary race when chatting with Pete for the profile of his business on page 28. Pete is one of the executive producers of the documentary film Mountain biking: the untold British story, which has footage from the Peebles event. As far as I can tell, Pete’s not in the footage, but I am: writing notes for a piece in Peter Lumley’s Bicycle Times. That race was dry as a bone, but if my memory serves me correctly many of the other seminal races of the late 1980s were mud-fests. It’s not like this modern mud; 1980s
“By the end of the 80s, mountain bike ownership had become so normal that if you introduced yourself to someone on one you’d be marked down as a nutter.” mud stuck to bikes and clogged up cassettes. With so much crud around to foul up drivetrains and besplatter Oakley Factory Pilot Eyeshades, it made sense for somebody to make a MTB-specific mudguard that worked. And Pete made that leap, creating the Crud Catcher in 1991. Just as Baker and Gould professionalised the sport of mountain biking, Pete “Mr Crud” Tomkins professionalised a product we had been fitting to our bikes for some time. Back in 1987, I introduced the world to an invention of my mate’s – a piece of plastic strapped to the frame. This was a modification of my idea to fit lunch-box lids to the front
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and rear of my bike. Instead of commercialising these ideas we just got on with riding. Pete also got on with riding, but his business brain saw an opportunity, and he created the first Crud Catcher. This sold like billy-o. Instead of laughing all the way to the bank with the proceeds from his first design he ploughed all of the cash into an improved tool to make an even better product. He’s now stinking rich, with horses in paddocks, a beautiful house in Annecy, and – according to him – no real day job (apart from personally answering all emails to his Mr Crud website, and cleaning out the stables). I don’t begrudge this success. I
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created a (daft) bodge-job and publicised it in a magazine instead of making it. He went out and made a daft product into a real one, a money-making one. It’s been brilliant to witness his success. While the Crudguard was crude, Pete’s Mk 3 Roadracer road-bike mudguards are anything but. Fastened to a carbon bike with a much stronger version of Velcro, the design for the Mk 3 Roadracer has been expertly polished by Jamie, Pete’s son. It’s a clever product and deserves to sell in huge numbers – there’s now no reason to get a soaking from the rider in front of you on a club run. Long before I became a mountain biker I was a cycle tourist. I was living in Norfolk at the time, and went to get a broken frame fixed by a Norwich bike technician. This was bike design guru Mike Burrows, and my review of his autobiography can be found on page 37. I knew Mike because I used to race with him. Sort of. He’d turn up to local time trials on very early versions of his goldmedal-winning Lotus Superbike dressed in a Lycra skinsuit complete with Lycra balaclava. I thought he was bonkers (I still do) but there was always method in his madness. Pete and Mike are like chalk and cheese, from very different social and educational backgrounds, but they found their calling in the world of bikes, and each, in their own ways, have helped to shape this industry of ours. Both are mavericks, not content with the way the world is, always tinkering, sometimes improving. I’m proud to know them.
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