bikebiz issue40, may 2009

Issue 40 | May 2009

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Distributed in the UK by

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phone: +44 1202 736662fax: +44 1202 730563

FOR EVERYONE IN THE BICYCLE BUSINESS MAY 2009

Seventies has seen asudden jump in interestfrom dealers nationwide.Mark Sutton talks bizwith MD Stuart Dawkins...

PAGE 26

SEVENTIES BUCKS THE TRENDCarlton Reid speaks tothe Bike Hub committeeand finds out how thescheme can bring cashdirectly to bike retailers...

PAGE 30

A WINDFALL FOR RETAILSKS’ Jan Henning chats toJonathon Harker abouthow a distribution dealgave the firm its bestyear ever in the UK...

PAGE 18

SKS INTERVIEW

It’s a great time to be in cycle retailRetail giant reports growth despite recession � Bikehut and Cycle Republic demise set to benefit Indie dealers

CHANCELLOR of the ExchequerAlistair Darling’s budget lastmonth confirmed that Britain’scurrent recession is the worst inseven decades.

But in stark contrast to thegloomy news, the largest retailerof bicycles in the countryHalfords reported like-for-likesales growth in the cycle sector.

Other major retailers outsidethe cycle sector have notperformed as favourably withmany posting significant losses –making the results all the moreimpressive for the retailer – andfor the cycle sector.

Halfords CEO David Wild said:"The Halfords business continuesto perform strongly. The healthy

like-for-like growth from our coreproduct areas of cycling and carmaintenance reinforced by our

management efforts to improvemargins and control costs hasdelivered earnings growth.

“In the present economicturbulence, this emphasises the

resilient quality of our business.”And Halfords’ positive results

are a good sign for the cycleindustry too, according to ACT.

“At face value Halfords isclearly selling a lot of bikeswhich is certainly a sign thatcycling remains popular and as aresult this is generally a goodthing for the industry, although Ido always question theirdiscounting tactics and productquality,” Mark Brown told BikeBiz.

“Whilst Halfords might havethe lion's share of volume theycertainly do not have anythingnear a similar share of value.”

Dealers to profit from demiseof Cycle Republic and Bikehut Manufacturers and retailershaven’t remained totally

unscathed by current difficultfinancial conditions. Germanmanufacturer Isaac Bikesrecently went into voluntaryliquidation (see page six) andHalfords has taken cost-cuttingsteps to bolster its position bydropping its Cycle Republic andBikehut specialist retailer brands.

Halfords CEO David Wildexplained the reasoning behindthe brand cull: “Our early actionto reduce costs and maintain aprudent balance sheet provides asolid platform for future earningsgrowth.”

And Halford’s decision to dropthe brands is good news for bikedealers, according to ACT: “I thinkspecialist cycle retailers will winmore business as a result of therebranding of Bikehut and CycleRepublic,” Brown told BikeBiz.

“Halfords has not been able tomimic a specialist independentretail offering, which suggestslocal bike shops can maintainand grow their local marketshare as a result. I do not believecustomers who are seeking ahigher value retail offering willwant to enter a Halfords Metroor Superstore to buy their mid tohigh-end bikes and accessories.

“Of course the Boardmanbrand could be the ace in thepack in terms of access to apremium brand but I cannotbelieve this new strategy cantruly establish its positioning viasuperstores and metro sites,”Brown added.

“It’s a sign thatcycling remainspopular and as aresult is generallya good thing forthe industry.”

Mark Brown, Act

By Jonathon Harker HALFORDS revealed that thebrands stocked in the defunctCycle Republic and Bikehutstores would be integrated intoits superstores.

ACT’s Mark Brownquestioned whether the firmwould increase space forcycling, or reduce store ranges:“Halfords won’t want to loseits existing volumes, so cyclingspace may remain the samebut with a greater emphasis onkey lines and best sellers. I amcurious to see what happens tobrands who supported Bikehutand Cycle Republic.

“Will the new strategy wantto involve these brands andwill they be happy to see theirproducts stocked in a standardHalfords superstore?”

Halfords set todedicate morespace to bikes?

THING OF THE PAST: AllBikehut and Cycle Republicstores will be rebranded

BikeBiz

Please register with us for your chance to preview the new 2010 range that will be available from Autumn 2009Contact us at: E-mail [email protected], Tel 01908 326000

www.saracen.co.uk

2010

IN THE 1970S the British car tradewas butt of a thousand jokes but,recently, building cars for a livingbecame one of those supposed'jobs for life'. Cars will always beking; the sooner we tarmac the lastremaining green fields the better.That kind of thinking was the kindof Thatcheresque BS that hashitherto fuelled demand for cars.

Build it and they will come. Andthey did. Motorists clogged up

most of the roads available and those of us who bike aroundthe city have been wondering when people will wake up tothe car-nage that's been inflicted on Britain's urban spaces,fast-moving metal pushing flesh and blood to one side.

The recession is forcing businesses to re-evaluate theirfuel budgets. Urban planners now 'get' what we've beenbanging on about for years. The greening of the economyisn't solar-powered, it's being hastened because it's fiscallythe right thing to do. Fifteen years ago the academic DrMeyer Hillman said the future would require 'carbonrationing'. He was labelled batty, a bike-riding fearmonger.Now his ideas are moving into the mainstream.

There's only so much fossil fuel to go around. We've burntmost of it already - frittered it away, in fact - and we've allbut ignored the alternatives. (American car making giantsfamously crippled urban trams in the 1930s and ‘40s, andhobbled emerging electric car technologies in the 1970s and1980s - you know, the same car giants that said the freemarket killed off everything but the infernal combustionengine, but who saw no irony in being bailed out by UStaxpayers, the complete opposite of a free market).

In the most recent Israeli blockage of Gaza, Palestinianswere starved of petrol. One image was seared into my head:a small car being pulled by a couple of horses. Slowly. That'sa potential future for us, too.

Before we burn the last drop of oil, perhaps the powersthat-be will realise there's an ultra-efficient intra-urbantransport device staring them in the face? It's powered bymilk and cornflakes. You sell them.

Of course, the bike trade relies on road transport just asmuch as any retail sector - TNT ain't gonna deliver bikeboxes with pedal-power - but it's in a better position thanmost industries to, ahem, ride out the recession. We shouldbe at the forefront of the revolution, broadcasting the bikemessage at every available opportunity. Daft as a brush?Well-meaning, but naive? No, good business sense.

LATEST NEWSSTRAIGHT TO YOUR MOBILE EDITORIAL

MAY ISSUE 40

NEWS 6-11

REGULARS

Jonathon Harker avoids gettingdirty in an interview withmudguard (and more) brand SKS

EVENTS 15

18

LETTERS 60 Thoughts from the forum and letters fromtwo organisations with charitable goals

OFF THE RECORD 61Re-unions, a competition and a run down ofwho’s said what in Quote/Unquote

SPOKESMAN 62Our monthly columnist discusses the downfallof grassroots cycling - and the Inland Revenue...

OXFORD PRODUCTS

BUILD ME A BROMPTON

CHAIN REACTION 12Chris Keller Jackson discusses whether or notmanufacturing in Taiwan carries a stigma...

PEOPLE 28Hamish Stewart cruises off into the sunset, whilePaul Stewart and Russ Masters form Eurobike

NEW PRODUCTS 59The month’s new product highlights, includinga jacket with built-in LEDs

Henry Rivers Feltcher tells BikeBiz how Oxford has revived its cycleaccessories business and has big plans for the future...

Carlton Reid, Executive Editor

FOOD AND DRINK

William Butler Adams tells BikeBiz how his firm are due tolaunch an online custom build service later this year

FELT TIPSSaddleback discuss how Felt’s rider sponsorship has helpedraise the brand’s profile over the past few years

BOOKMARK US:MOBILE.BIKEBIZ.COM

24

23

21

41 45

14INDUSTRY OPINIONS 16OFF THE RADAR

The CTC blasts Boris, Eurobike hit the ground runningand opportunities emerge from Outdoors Show...

SKS INTERVIEW

FOCUS ON…

WOMEN’S PRODUCT

“We should be at the forefront of the

revolution, educating and

broadcasting the bike message at

every available opportunity...”

LONDON MAYOR BorisJohnson’s latest comments oncycling safety are nothing morethan a cheap distraction fromfunding cuts and essential roadsafety issues, according to theCTC, the UK’s national cyclists’organisation.

As reported on BikeBiz.com,Johnson announced he waslobbying the Department forTransport to allow cyclists toturn left at red lights, improvingsafety at junction accidentblackspots for cyclists, who areparticularly at risk from lorries.

But CTC Campaigns and policymanager, Roger Geffen warnedthat Johnson’s words weremeaningless.

Speaking to BikeBiz, Geffen said:“It is nothing more than a cost-free and meaningless headline,serving only to distract peoplefrom the Mayor’s reluctance toinvest in the things which matterfor London’s cyclists.

“He has no power to act onthis proposal and theDepartment for Transport areextremely unlikely to allow him

to do it either. It's just an emptyheadline that simply isn't goingto happen.

“Specifically he called for thisproposal in the immediateaftermaths of the deaths of twowomen cyclists in London onsuccessive days, both killed by

lorries. One of these fatalitieswas at the Elephant Roundabout,where the Mayor recentlycancelled plans for afundamental junction overhaulas part of a previous Transportfor London programme forredesigning London’s worstroundabouts and one-waysystems.

Geffen said that the LondonMayors’ words were detractingfrom vital issues for cyclists andencouraging people to use bikes,including the forthcoming

consultation period forGovernment road safety strategy:

“This and the other fatalityhighlight some of the muchbigger issues the Mayor shouldbe addressing: hostile roads andjunctions, lorries, and makingsure cyclists of all ages have

good cycle training, to give themthe confidence not to hug thekerb and try riding up the insideof lorries. These issues are farmore important than creatingheadlines about bendy-buses andallowing cyclists to turn left onred lights.

“The Government is about toconsult on its Road SafetyStrategy for the next ten years,and we need to work together onthings like 20mph speed limits,not be divided by half-baked off-the-cuff headlines.”

NEWS

CTC blasts Boris for road safety cutsJohnson’s ‘half-baked’ words detract from cycling safety issues he should be tackling, says Geffen

FOLLOWING THEvoluntary liquidation ofGerman bikemanufacturer Isaac (asrevealed by BikeBiz.comat the start of lastmonth) the firm’s UK distributorRBS has confirmed thatinterested parties are holdingpotential takeover talks.

“The future of the brandlooks positive,” an RBSspokesperson told BikeBiz.

“There are interestedparties, but a decisionwon’t be made yet.”

Despite the news, bikedealers won’t see anyinterruption in service,

according to the distributor: “We want to reassure dealers

that there’s no problems withsupply or full service andwarranty. We’ve got plenty ofstock here in the UK and it’sbusiness as usual.”

Potential buyersline up for Isaac

TO QUALIFY for the GovernmentCycle to Work scheme, Birdy hasannounced that it will step awayfrom its traditional £1,000 plusterritory with the launch of (withC2W discounts taken intoaccount) a sub-£500 folder.

Recent fluctuations in theEuro meant that the cheapestmodel was on course to retail formore than £1,100, pricing themodel above theacceptedqualificationbracket for C2Wbuyers.

With that in mind, themanufacturers Riese und Müllerof Germany, has made a slightlylower spec’d version exclusivelyfor the UK market: the

C2W, which retails at £999,including mudguards.

According to UK sales agentAlan Davidson: "The suspensionand 18-inch wheels, coupled withthe aluminium monocoque frame,give a smooth, lightweight (12kg)and responsive ride on a par witha lightweight full-sized bike."

Stockist opportunities for theBirdy range, as well as otherbrands under the AmazingWheels portfolio are nowavailable. Those interested shouldcontact Amazing Wheels UK on0161 408 5794.

Birdy to offer sub £500 folder

By Jonathon Harker

“The government is about to consulton its Road Safety Strategy for the nextten years, we can’t be distracted byoff-the-cuff empty headlines.”

Roger Geffen, CTC

HALF-BAKED BORIS?: TheMayor has divided publicopinion with his ideas

DESPITE HAVING only declaredthe business open on Friday April3rd, new distributor Eurobike isalready making strong progress,having signed ten dealers withinthe first week of trading, all ofwhich have placed significantorders on the back of productdemonstrations.

The firm’s two-man team iscurrently juggling travellingbetween prospective dealers andpacking parcels, as well asmanaging stock and productdesign for the 2010 Moda rangeof bicycles.

MD Paul Stewart told BikeBiz:"Moda is coming along nicely. Weplan to be building the product inDerby for a September launchand we are expecting oursamples to be completed by the

end of May. In the meantime, weare sending out Casco helmetsand Proflex bicycles. AmericanClassic wheels and hubs will be instock from May and we are wellinto selling this consignment."

The firm is also quietlyconfident that several of thebrands it is returning to the UKare what Stewart describes as'sleeping giants'.

He added: "The fact we arebringing new brands to market isgoing down really well with our

potential customers. I thinkAmerican Classic is a bit of asleeping giant, as all dealers wehave visited so far have beenimpressed with the products andplaced orders straight away. To behonest, Russ (Masters) and myselfhave been thoroughly impressedby the interest shown by ourcustomers so far.

“This is a great indication thatwe are approaching business inthe correct manner and that wehave a strong, in demand productand brand mix.” Eurobike: 01332 774796

NEWS

Eurobike Distribution is off to aflying start

ON THE BACK of launching the‘Bike Arena’ at this year’sOrdinance Survey OutdoorsShow, the organisers haveconfirmed to BikeBiz: "We’recertainly looking to expand ourcontact with the cycle trade.”

Despite having numerousfeatures to support cycleexhibitors there were only ahandful of stands at theBirmingham NEC with a directinterest in the cycle consumer.Yet according to show manager,Geraldine Reeve: "Based onfeedback from our visitors, 60 percent of those who attend theshow have an interest in cyclingand would have greater reason toattend should further cycleexhibitors take space."

When BikeBiz attended on theopening day, the aisles wereconsistently busy, as were theinteractive cycling attractions,which included balance training,a dirt jump and trials

demonstration, and the Tour ofBritain ‘quiz’ stand.

"There’s certainly scope toexpand our cycle trade offering,”added Reeve.

"The bike arena was, without adoubt, one of the show’s mostpopular features and goingforward there will be sponsorshipopportunities attached to theseattractions.”

The show also managed topull in cycle-celebrity and record-holder Marc Beaumont, who onthe final day led 150 riders on an100-mile charity ride alongsideAction Medical Research and theshow’s organisers.

Next year’s event is scheduledfor Friday March 26th to 28th. Tomake enquiries into how to takespace at the Outdoors Showcontact sales manager MikeSimmonds on 020 8515 2750 oremail: mikesimmonds@dmgworld media.com.

“We plan to buildModa bicycles inDerby and hopefor a Septemberlaunch.”

“Feedback shows60 per cent of ourvisitors have adirect interest incycling...”

By Mark Sutton

Bike trade missing out on Outdoors Show?

The features are in place to supportfurther bike trade exhibitors

Russ Masters and Paul Stewartare handling four brandsreturning to the UK

ECOMMERCE and Epos firmCitrus Lime has launched a newoffering designed to make thelives of cycle retailers easier.

Citrus Lime’s recentlydeveloped Supplier IntegrationModule shaves time and effortfrom inputting product recordsand updating costs into retailers’Epos systems.

According to the firm, thesystem will make it easier forshop staff to take special ordersand provide opportunities forextra margin by ensuring supplychain stock availability throughPOS, back office, workshop andecommerce systems.

New features include stockcheck at point of sale – wherestaff can see if a supplier has ascanned item in stock at point ofsale, and price updates wherecosts will automatically beupdated based on a supplier’s

database, creating a report thatlists the changes and saving shopstaff time.

“This new service shows ourcommitment to our cyclecustomer base,” said Citrus LimeMD Neil McQuillan.

“The system has beendesigned from the ground uparound the cycle industry’ssupply chain.

“The module saves time andgives the opportunity to providea better service to yourcustomers. The service willimprove shop profitability andreduce overheads.”

Some of the other featuresof the system include itemcreation – where retailers canadd items to their RMSdatabase directly from themodule, and stock check onpurchase order export.

The Supplier IntegrationModule is available fromCitrus Lime now.

BikeBiz.comtraffic hits all-time highGoogle Analytic statistics forMarch show thatBikeBiz.com has hit an alltime visitor high. Uniqueusers reached a recordmonthly high of 47,127,with the forum and newspages consistently rackingup the most views.

ETA announcesfolder insurancediscountsThe ETA is offering 40 percent discount to customerstaking out insurance onfolding bikes. The policyincludes new-for-oldreplacement, and get-you-home and breakdownservices.

Ben Purser takesover at StanleyBridge CyclesChris Cottrell, owner ofCheshunt-based StanleyBridge Cycles has passed thetorch to shop manager BenPurser after a lifetime in thetrade. The shop has been inCottrell's family for 75 years.

Oxford ProductsbrochurecorrectionThe free stock offered todealers on page three of thebrochure in last month’sBikeBiz has a retail value notof £324, but £349.88.

FBM launchesonline customframe serviceAmerican BMX and fixiemanufacturer FBM haslaunched an online customframe design service. A buildcosts $450 and customerscan fine-tune every detail,including materials,geometries and features.

2pure takes on DeMarchi brand2pure has announced anexclusive deal to supply DeMarchi to the UK trade.

CYCLESHORTS

NEWS

Citrus Lime’s latest offeringsaves IBDs time and money

ST ALBANS-BASED distributorFisher Outdoor Leisure choseEvan Cycles’ Spitalfields store tolaunch its commuter clothingline bspoke last month.

The line is exclusive to sevenEvans Stores in the capital, with20 stockists covering the range

nationwide (including 16 Evansstores).

The bspoke range, which isbeing supported by Transport forLondon, is a versatile range forurban environments, featuringclothing made for cycling that isnon-traditional.

RALEIGH UK has created a newrange of consumer cataloguesspecific to cycling disciplines.

The guides are packed withinformation on Raleigh’s newbikes and accessory ranges withtips on the right bike forcustomers and jargon-freeexplanations on specificequipment parts for the lessinformed rider. As a strategic partof the distributor’s marketingcampaign the catalogue will beinserted into Cycling Plus and the

performance mountain bikeguide into What Mountain Bike.

The full range of catalogues,including a new 254-page trademanual with updated price lists,are available to Raleigh andDiamondback stockists and canalso be viewed at raleigh.co.uk.

Following on from the recentPOS programme, Raleigh also hasa new catalogue dispenseravailable to stockists. This holdseight catalogues and can easilybe slat or wall mounted.

By Jonathon Harker

8 BIKEBIZ MAY BIKEBIZ.COM

For breaking news visit:www.bikebiz.com

“The service willhelp reduceoverheads and upprofitability.”

Neil McQuillan, MD,Citrus Lime

Fisher has abspokelaunch withEvans Cycles

Raleigh’s consumercatalogues nowavailable to dealers

The women’s-specific in-store display at Evans Cycles

New module set to cut time spent on admin and increase bike store profitability

Citrus Lime’s Grant Hadwindemonstrates the firm’s new

module, built for bike dealers

CLOSE TO 300 companies tookspace at this year's Sea Otter,exhibiting to crowds estimatedto be as high as 50,000, makingthe show the biggest cyclingconsumer trade show in NorthAmerica. Here's some of thehighlights that have emerged:SRAM/CHARGE: SRAM's new XOTango groupset was on display

aboard Charge's allnew Titanium

Duster frame.The limited

editionproduct isbasedaroundSRAM'snew

super-tough carbon andaluminium groupset and is suitedto freeride and XC use. Thesuperfast shifting works on a 1:1actuation ratio and both a triggerand a twist shifter are available.Images of centre lock SRAM discshave also appeared online sincethe show closed.

Charge's popular Duster framehas also been given a revamp andnow comes built in a seamlessTange Ultimate butted titaniumversion. The frame's designincorporates a custom machinedtapered headtube, a forwardfacing seat tube slot, machineddropouts carrying disc mounts, aswell as 'bullet end' seatstays andchainstays.

COMMENCAL: The firm’s newAbsolut SX comes adorned witha whole load of top-end gear.According to the brand's owner,Nico Mencard: "The build willconsist of an 140mm rear travel,with the main pivot on thebottom bracket, meaning it willwork as a singlespeed and youcould run horizontal dropouts,vertical, 12mm or a Maxxle.

"The bike has been designedwith Slopestyle in mind. But dueto the 140mm of travel and theair shock it's highly versatile."

It is still in prototyping stages,but will feature interchangeabledropouts and a tapered headtube, ready to accommodatelong-travel, single-crown forks.

RITCHEY: The 'Superlogic' labelstamped on all the top-end gearwas present on a new set of US-made boron-carbon wheels,designed with ceramic sidewalls,offering compatibility with allbrake pads. Forged CNC'd WCShubs, carrying titanium skewerscomplete the builds, which arecompatible only with Shimanoten-speed groupsets.

Of the handlebars on show,the Superlogic carbon 10D flatcaught the attention of manyvisitors as a result of its strikingcurves. The model offers a riserbar position without vertical rise.

Stock of most of the latestSuperlogic gear is available fromPaligap now.

ZIPP: The redesigned 303 tubularwheelset debuted after designmodifications. Zipp has widenedthe 303’s rim from 22.3mm to27.5mm with a slight rim depthincrease from 44mm to 45mm.These changes further improve theimpact resistance of Zipp’s ‘CarbonBridge’ technology.

CANE CREEK: Although unlikelyto make yours the lightest buildon the road, Cane Creek's AERheadset tipped the scales at just49 grams, making it the world'slightest standard headset. The cupsare machined out, while the toprace is made up of just a Teflonconical washer. The integratedversion weighs just 33 grams.

NEWS

Herrmans hits UK with fresh deal

FINNISH COMPONENTmanufacturer Herrmans hasforged a new agreement withComponent Force as part of itsnew push into the UK and Irishmarkets.

The two firms have alreadyworked together, ComponentForce formerly supplyingHerrmans industrial grip businessto the UK. CF also manufactures,stocks and distributes a largerange of plastic, rubber and foamparts for different industries andthe deal marks the company’sfirst step into the bicycle market.

The news comes on Herrmans’50th anniversary in the bicycleindustry. The firm will nowintroduce its range of grips, lights,

chainguards, rim tapes andreflectors to the UK.

Herrmans employs 150 staff,has a turnover of €33 million and

was first distributed to the UKbike trade in the early 1970s.

“The UK market has a lot ofpotential,” said Herrmans area

sales manager Michael Östman.“And together with ComponentForce’s professional approach andour new Aftermarket products we

are confident that the future isfull of fresh opportunity.”

Component Force MD PaulGardner enthused: “It seemed likea natural progression forComponent Force to expand intothe bicycle market. After manyyears supplying plasticcomponents to businesses,including the industry grips rangefrom Herrmans, we were verykeen to further enhance ourrelationship by formally becomingtheir agent for the UK and alsoIreland.

“This is an exciting partnershipwhich allows us to offer anexcellent range of products to thebicycle market from both theHerrmans’ range and our existingcomplementary products,” addedGardner.

Scandinavian firm celebrates anniversary by tightening grip on UK and Ireland � Partnership set upwith distributor new to bike market � Firm seeking dealers to carry its components and accessories

“This is an exciting partnership whichallows us to offer lots of exciting newproduct to the UK.” Paul Gardner

By Jonathon Harker

Spotted at the Sea Otter

THE UK TRADE has seen thecreation of a new distributor –Synergy Action.

Formed by industry stalwartsSimon Philbrick and Dave Gibbs,Synergy Action has already pickedup the UK distribution rights to anumber of brands in the cyclesector, as well as triathlon, swimand running spheres.

Philbrick will be director ofsales at the new firm, whileGibbs will take on responsibility

for finance at the company. Philbrick told BikeBiz: “I have

spent some considerable timesourcing products that are newto the market and have insistedon premium products withgenuine in-house development”.

One of the firms signed up toSynergy is Power Cordz, maker ofhigh tech, high specificationcable systems for road andmountain bikes. The range is saidto be unbreakable with each setweighing only six grams.

“We are excited SynergyAction is distributing PowerCordz,” enthused Power CordzCEO and founder Tony DuPont.

“As adoption of our productincreases in the UK it isimportant to us that we havededicated, high quality, localrepresentation.”

The emerging distributor hasalso picked up the UK rights toTriswim – manufacturers of de-chlorination products forswimmers, Foggle – producers ofproduct that keeps goggles,sunglasses and safety eyewearclear and clean, and wet suit andswim skin manufacturer BlueSeventy. PowerCordz, Triswim,

Foggle and Blue Seventyproducts are all available now.

In Q4, Synergy Action willbring two other brands to thetrade, including Trislide’s siliconlubricant for application andremoval of triathlon wetsuits,which also double as a chaffingpreventer for cyclists andrunners, and finally Delta 7’sArantix lightweight mountainbike frames – the first to useIsoTrusso technology and Kevlarspider web-like open latticetubes.

Synergy is currently lookingfor dealers for all of its brands. SYNERGY: 01202 736662

NEWS

By Jonathon Harker

TWO OF ZYRO’S exclusivebrands – Ashima and Cateye –have revealed two product worldfirsts, including the world's firstPistonless Hydraulic BrakeSystem and the first HybridConcept Light.

Ashima’s Pistonless HydraulicBrake System uses a diaphragmseal to control pad movement,designed to ensure pad retractionreaches only 0.7mm. Featuring

an ultra-thin caliperof 25mm thepistonless hydraulicbrake uses simplifiedmanufacturingprocesses, resultingin cost advantages.

Meanwhile,Cateye unveiled theworld’s first ‘Hybrid

Concept Light’ that uses solarrechargeable power and AA backup. The Hybrid is set to go onsale in the UK in the autumn.

The new products lines wereshown in the flesh for the first

time at the Taipei Cycle show atthe Zyro stand. “Ashima, withoutdoubt, stole the show. The moodwas extremely upbeat andattendance seemed as keen asprevious years,” commented PaulCaswell, Zyro brand manager.

Ashima also showed its AirRotor, the most robust rotor on

the market, according to thefirm. The Air Rotor is capable ofwithstanding 750 degreecentigrade tests – far in excess ofthe BS and international requiredstandards.

Zyro brought Abus, Ashima,Cateye, FSA, Prologo, WhiteLightning and Zefal to the show,which saw over 50,000 visitorsand over 3,000 exhibitors.

Both world-first products fromAshima and Cat Eye are due tobe available to UK retailers laterin 2009, via Zyro.

Ashima and Cateye produce two world firsts


New distributor’s got the Power Fresh-faced Synergy picks up Power Cordz, Triswim, Foggle, Blue Seventy and Delta 7

Synergy Action founders SimonPhilbrick and Dave Gibbs

“Ashima, without doubt, stole theshow in Taipei. The mood was upbeatand attendance seemed keen as ever.”

Paul Caswell, Zyro

“I’ve spent much time sourcingproducts that are new to the marketand have insisted on genuine in-housedevelopment.”

Simon Philbrick

The Zyro booth had plenty for TaipeiCycle visitors to drool over, includingboth world firsts

NEWS

Helmets debate threatens cyclists THE CONTROVERSIAL‘contributory negligence’ helmetHigh Court ruling, which somefear could cull the number ofcyclists on the road, could notonly remain unresolved for sometime, but may even intensify,according to law firm Sheridans.

The case of Smith vs Finch, asreported on BikeBiz.com, saw aHigh Court ruling concerning anaccident in Essex where a cyclistwas found guilty of contributorynegligence because he was notwearing a helmet.

The CTC has previouslywarned that the ruling couldmake helmets compulsory ‘bythe back door’ sparking fears of aslide in the number of cyclists.Studies have shown that thenumber of cyclists hasplummeted in countries wherehelmet wearing is statutory.

Law firm Sheridans said of theruling: “This case will add fuel tothe fire of the cycle helmet

debate and comes at a timewhen the Government is tryingto encourage people to be active.

“The promotion of cycling isnotable in London where it isreported, on the Mayor’s website,that cycling on major Londonroads has increased by 83 percent from 2000. The Mayor even

announced a strategy in 2008 toincrease city cycling by 400 percent by 2025.”

But the law firm explainedthat the controversial rulingdoesn’t mean that the court isaccusing cyclists without helmetsof being guilty of ‘contributorynegligence’: “Smith v Finch hasintroduced the possibility that acyclist may be guilty of

contributory negligence by notwearing a cycle helmet and thatany damages awarded may bereduced,” Sheridansspokespersons Tahir Basheer andJo Latimer told BikeBiz.

“The Court is not saying that acyclist could be contributorynegligent by not wearing a

helmet, irrespective of who isfound responsible for theaccident, as this is something forthe Defendant to prove. To do so,the Defendant must prove thecyclist failed to take reasonablecare by not wearing a cyclehelmet and that any injurieswould have been less severe ifthe cyclist had been wearing ahelmet.”

Law firm says contentious ruling could intensify debate and threaten cyclists both current and new

BIKEBIZ.COM BIKEBIZ MAY 11

By Jonathon Harker

“This case adds fuel to the fire at a timewhen the Government is trying toencourage people to be more active.”

Tahir Basheer, Sheridans

CHAIN REACTION


Taiwan’s gold standardDuring a recent visit to a number of Taiwan-based cycle manufacturing facilities, journalist andphotographer Chris Keller Jackson took plenty of behind-the-scenes notes on some of the brandsidolised on home turf. If only we knew their dirty, or not so dirty little secrets. You decide…AS A CHILD of the ‘70s, all of thetoys of note were made inEngland. Dinky and Lesney(Matchbox) made the finest die-cast zinc alloys that lasted andlasted, even if the enamel soongot battered off. Those that wereof lesser quality had a lozengeshaped gold sticker bearing thehallmark ‘Made in Taiwan’. Nowall the big boys toys are made inTaiwan – Merida, Giant, Kinesis –to name just a few brands.

So, is there still a stigmaaround Taiwan? There is, but I’mnot talking about poor quality orinferior products, I’m talkingabout brand perceptions.

It may not come as a surprisethat some factories in Taiwanmake items in the sameproduction space for several ofthe big players in cycling, andI’m not talking high-volume,low-cost widgets. These includeboutique brand frames, highvalue items made to the utmostquality and high technologybonding, fabrication andmaterials. This is not simplybadge engineering, as thecomponents are made to thehighest specifications, and to the

designs of the commissioningcompanies. This is not just adifferent laser etch pattern on ablank component.

Cost has an obvious impacton who makes parts, and Taiwanagain has an advantage in lowcost production and low labourrates, but that is not the be all andend all. Companies commission

from Taiwan because the quality isexcellent combined with the cost,and in some instances, Taiwan isthe only place to feasibly go forthe product they want.

Taiwan has become a ‘centrefor excellence’ in technologies,including hydroforming, framewelding, bonding, carboncomposite production, conceptbikes and ‘design formanufacturing’ (taking a conceptto reality). In one seeminglyfaceless company there were

over 30 frames from othercompanies, both big and smallnames, all with cutting edgehydroformed tubes ormonocoque frames, not all withmassive price tags to match.Supermarket brands sat rightnext to ‘hardcore’ classic brands,the same welders, the same spraybooths and the same factory.

I identified a similar patternwith rear shock producers too,one factory making high-enddamping units for ‘itself’ andseveral others. I won’t tell youwho, but the same technologiesand principles were involved indesigning, manufacturing,assembling and testing units.What differentiates these brandsis more the sticker on the can,than the quality of manufacture.Some internals are proprietary toa brand. Generally, these are the

brand’s USP, but the standards,process and quality are thesame, the price is often not.

The stigma, then, is not the‘Made in Taiwan’ tag, more withbrand association. If you are abig name in the industry, andyou farm out frame production,stems, handlebars, headsets orother components, do you wanteveryone to know where? Forsome manufacturers, that is astigma that is difficult tomanage and is why some ‘Madein XXX’ frame stickers shouldread ‘Designed and assembled inXXX, Made in Taiwan.’

Some brands are doing adisservice to the manufacturersof their bikes, with cloak anddagger tactics to prevent youfrom knowing where productionphysically happens. Some bikeproducers actively market their‘exclusivity in design’, and inmanufacturing of uniquecomponents, to physically handoff the production of thesecomponents to a third party. Insome of the cases, it is thesethird parties that are the optimalplace to go. You’d want to entrustproduction to the best place you

can in high-end cyclemanufacturing (and when acustomer is spending in excessof £5K they expect nothing butthe best). It just seems odd thatTaiwan ends up receiving nopositive press out of the deal,having done all the hard work.

Taiwan is no longer the ‘secondrate’ option. Those tiny goldstickers of my youth now shinethrough as the ‘gold standard’ ofcycle manufacturing. Taiwan isnot suitable for all manufacturingof course, and there are cheaperlabour alternatives and otheremerging markets that aresnapping at its heels.

Any stigma therefore seems tobe perpetuated by the brands,not by Taiwanese manufacturers.This helps maintain brand loyaltyand the perception of ‘exclusivity’of product. Not a bad thing forthe brands and maybe not a badthing for consumers. Ultimately,it is the consumer that buys intoa brand. Meanwhile, Taiwan cyclemanufacturers are running atcapacity, and expanding even inthese dire global economicconditions. They must be doingsomething right.

“Those tiny gold stickers of my youthnow shine through, in my eyes,as the ‘gold standard’ of cyclemanufacturing...”

Chris Keller Jackson

INDUSTRY OPINIONS

According to the last census, womenoutnumber men in the UK at over 30million. Is the bicycle trade doingenough to appeal to this huge potentialmarket? Is the right kind of female-specific product available to retailers?Jonathon Harker asks the questions…

AS AN industrywe are massivelybehind themarketing curve inall aspects:

product development, retail,communication at POS andmerchandising to communicatewith and attract the femalemarket. The industry does notdo or try enough to managefemale customers.

The potential of the femalecyclist market is huge and greatsuccess can be realised withinvestment and education inconjunction with a far greaterquality of marketing andproducts – not justcommunication of products.

Supported by Transport forLondon’s drive to promotecycling, the bspoke team hasdesigned a clothing collection toencourage cycling in the capital.Specifically cut and designed toattract women who love cyclingor for women who would like toget into cycling for leisure orcommuting, the collection(www.bspoke.cc) is available tobuy from stockists nationwidewith accessories following laterin the year.Richard Allmark, CEO, Fisher Outdoor Leisure

THERE CANalways be moredone to encouragecycling – this istrue when

targeting either men or women.But let’s face it – most brandswithin the cycling industrywork on ‘speed, power,performance’, and these valuesdon’t always encourage brandloyalty for women, particularlyif they are entering theindustry. Knog, while marketingits products as ‘sexy, urban,cycle’, aims to provide womenwith an alternative to theeveryday ‘go fast cyclingaccessories’. A great example isour lights range – we makeeverything in a range of greatcolours – and interestingly,pink, lilac and baby blue aresome of our best sellingcolours. Go girls!

So… I'm all for balance. Let’sencourage the other cyclebrands to provide the womenwith as many options as menhave. I’d say it’s about time!Hugo Davidson,CEO, Knog

OVER THE last couple of yearssales of our ladies bikes havegrown substantially and we are

selling more at higher retails.Recently we have run forumswith key dealers to help usdevelop our new ranges usingdirect feedback on specification,build and buying trends.

It is obvious that the femalerider is more informed withstrong opinions, and we haveworked hard on the geometryand component packages sothat we deliver a better product.One that is right for the femalebuild – not just a smaller gentsbike. A strong brand like Raleighgives the end user reassurancesthat the bike is fit for purposeand this year we have given allof our female bikes a freshmodern look.Neal Holdsworth, ProductDirector, Raleigh UK

ZYRO iscommitted tobringing morewomen’s-specificproduct to

market. We run a workforce of70, almost 20 per cent of whichis made up of women, and 10of the 14 department managersare also women. In addition,eight of our 22 distributedbrands comprise women’s-specific ranges. Half of the

Altura Design and DevelopmentDepartment are women,responsible for designing thenext look and colour palette toappeal to women of all agesand cycling disciplines.

Having seen a large growthin women’s clothing sales in allcategories Altura’s women’srange is expanding. We sponsorthe all-women Altura-PattersonRoad/MTB team, who are corein the development and testingof Altura’s women’s range. Julie Ellison, MD, Zyro

IT’S A startling fact that 79 percent of British women do notcycle at all, despite 43 per centhaving access to a bike. In aSustrans-commissioned BMRBsurvey, women revealed thatsafety is a top concern, whichmust be addressed to encouragemore women onto their bikes.

Bike confidence is partlyinfluenced by how women lookand feel, but bike gear can bafflebeginners in traditional bikeshops. Stylish and affordablecycle-wear and accessories forwomen are now entering theHigh Street – including atTopshop’s Oxford Street store –so perhaps the cycling industryneeds to take another look at

how it caters for women.Sustrans would like to share itsthoughts with the bike trade, soget in touch if you’re interested.

Women are most often familydecision makers so helping themdevelop a positive view ofcycling is vital if they are to feelcomfortable allowing theirchildren to travel by bike. Ourwebsite www.bikebelles.org.ukhas advice for women on howto get started and a speciallyrecruited women’s panel aresharing ideas and experiences.Melissa Henry, SustransCommunications Director

WOMEN’S cycling is definitelyon the increase across allproduct types, partly due toincreased cycling coverage, withVicky Pendleton and RachelAtherton now householdnames. As an industry we needto capitalise on this trend withmore column inches andproduct reviews given over towomen’s cycling by the cyclingpress. There are manymagazines out there but nonecover women’s cycling in-depth,which would also encouragedistributors to contribute more.Geoff Giddings, MarketingManager, Raleigh UK


Is the industryneglectinghalf of itscustomers?


SPOTLIGHTUPCOMING EVENTS

CHINA INTERNATIONALBICYCLE AND MOTOR FAIRMonday May 4th – 7thShanghai, Chinawww.e-chinacycle.com

ENCOURAGING COMMUTERCYCLING CONFERENCEThursday May 7thUniversity of Bolton, UK //data.bolton.ac.uk/staff/jp10/cyclingconference

EUROPEAN HANDMADEBICYCLE EXHIBITIONFriday May 8th – 10thSchwäbisch Gmünd, Germany www.e-h-b-e.eu

ORIGINAL BICYCLE FESTIVALSaturday May 9thDumfries and Gallowayoriginalbicyclefestival. co.uk

PERTHSHIRE CYCLINGFESTIVALSaturday May 16th, Perthshireperthshirecyclingfestival.co.uk

BIKERADAR LIVESaturday May 30th – May 31stDonington Park, Derbyshirehttp://live.bikeradar.com

BMX WORLDS Saturday June 10th – 12thCologne, Germanywww.bmxworlds.de

IRONMAN 70.3Thursday June 11thWimbleball Lake, Devonhttp://ironman.com/events

BIKE FESTIVALFriday June 12th – 14thWillingen, Germanywww.bike-festival.de

BIKE WEEK Wednesday June 13th – 21stNationwidewww.bikeweek.org.uk

YORK CYCLE SHOWSaturday June 20th – 21stYork Racecourse, Yorkwww.yorkcycleshow.co.uk

RELENTLESS NASSFriday July 10th – 12thBath and West Showground,Shepton Mallet, Somersetwww.nassfest.com

BIKE EXPOFriday July 23rd – 26thMunich, Germany www.bike-expo.com

EUROBIKE 09Wednesday September 2nd –5thFriedrichshafen, Germanywww.eurobike-exhibition.de

INTERBIKE 2009Wednesday September 23rd –25thLas Vegas, USAwww.interbike.com/ib

CYCLE SHOWThursday October 8th – 11th Earls Court, Londonwww.cycleshow.co.uk

May 2009

June 2009

EVENTS

July 2009

September 2009

October 2009

BIKERADAR LIVESaturday May 30th – 31stDonington Park, Derbyshirehttp://live.bikeradar.com

THERE’S A PERRENIAL thoughtthat rolls around each year,every year, like clockwork; thatthis year we will find the onetrue mountain bike. The one biketo rule them all: that rides uphillfaster than a mountain goat;that descends faster than GregMinaar; that roosts sinuous andgnarly singletrack with equalaplomb and does it all without amoment’s hesitation or excesspuppy fat.

But let’s be frank: this kind ofhyperbole is just that: hyperbole.No bike will ever do everythingwell: a 3.5in travel bike willnever descend as well as a WorldCup downhill rig, and likewise, adownhill rig will never climb aswell as a whippet XC bike. Okay,they’re extreme examples butwhat they do highlight is thatbikes are inevitably built ascompromises. Trail bikes are thejack-of-all-trades, master-of-none, and will be beaten uphillby short-travel XC rocket ships,and down by more gravity-focused machinery.

Yet they’re the staple trailrider’s steed, what most

folks’ are riding (or aspiring toride): they’ll climb better than aDH bike ever will, and descendmore confidently than an XCrace bike. And it’s worth nothingthat as you move to a lighter XCextreme or to a more burlydownhill one, the relativecompromises of these bikes aremerely shifted.

But year-on-year bikes aregetting better as materials andmanufacturing technologiesdovetail with advances insuspension, components, tyretechnologies, and so forth. Theresult is that, although bikes arestill compromises, the range ofcompromise is being reducedincrementally year-on-year sothat bikes are now better inmore situations than theirpredecessors were.

Today things are mostdefinitely better than ever as therefocus of many brands onshorter travel bikes in the100mm range has meantsignificant drops in weight, andoptimised geometry and

suspension quality(22lb, £2000, 100mmXC full-suss bikes thatgenuinely are trailassured, anyone?).The upshot is thatthe window ofcompromise hasundoubtedly beensignificantly

reduced. Materials have playedtheir part, but, for real riders,with real pockets, the £4,000carbon superbikes remain top-shelf wet dreams. What aregenuinely important are the£1,000 to £2,000 bikes: the onesthat most riders will actually beriding out there.

This was brought homespecifically when we were in the

Lakes on our Bike of the Yearshootout as we seem to havefinally reached a true watershed:where the compromises madeon bikes are almost negligible, somuch so that the best of today’s4in travel lightweight XC full-sussers can truly take onvirtually everything the trail hasto offer, climbing anddescending as voraciously as ispossible. The limiting factor nowis the rider baulking at theterrain, not the bike, which isjust as it should be.

Which brings us full circle tothe days of yore when we racedone bike up, down and along,without even an idea ofspecialist downhill or XC bikes.

That bike was the mountainbike. Today, we may have justseen it return. At last.

OFF THE RADAR

For real riders, with real pockets, the£4,000 carbon superbikes will remain

top-shelf wet dreams only. What aregenuinely important are the £1,000to £2,000 bikes: the ones that most

riders will actually be riding.


What Mountain Bike editor MattSkinner hits the trail in search ofthe perfect all-rounder MTB

Wind ofchangeWhat Mountain Bike editor Matt Skinnerhails the arrival of no-compromise MTBs...


SKS INTERVIEW

Can you give us a brief historyof the brand? Karl Scheffer-Klute founded SKSin the year 1921. After 12 yearsof manufacturing curtain poleshe started producing pumps in1932, so actually we can lookback on a history of 75 years inthe bicycle business. 1983 sawSKS take over the BluemelsCompany and we startedmudguard production in

Germany in 1988. Some yearslater another company wastaken over by SKS – ESGE withits Benchmark mudguard brandChromoplastics.

In 1999 SKS started dirtboardproduction for MTBs, and withShockboard and Xtra Dry SKSdeveloped the first Quick-ReleaseDirtboard. With bike tools in2003 and chainguards in 2006we have increased the productrange for bikes constantly. Ouraim is to surprise our customersin the near future with somesmart products.

Where is the productmanufactured? Is it adedicated facility? All of our products are producedat our headquarters in Sundern,Germany. The facilities are basedon the same production plant asthe company’s first 77 years ago.

Why should dealers take onthe SKS brand products?All our products are well knownfor their quality and functionover the decades. We offer ourcustomers a lifetime warrantyand for most of our products youwill obtain spare parts after yearsas well. Furthermore theawareness of our orange andblack products on the walls of

the shops makes themoutstanding symbols of the trade.

How has SKS performed in theUK recently? Two years ago we changed ourdistribution in the UK. In linewith the retirement of ourhonorary sales representativeEric Healy we had to set up thedistribution for the future so wereduced the number of

wholesalers to the threestrongest distributors: Chicken,Raleigh and Madison. In terms ofsales figures, 2008 was our all-time record year in the UK. Thatreinforced to us that we hadmade the right decision.

Is SKS currently sponsoringany teams? For more than 15 years SKS hassponsored several teams in roadand MTB racing. Additionally wesupport school projects and biketravelling projects to support alldifferent kinds of cycling. In2007 SKS Germany founded itsown MTB Junior team and dueto developments in road racingwe had to rethink our sponsorstrategy. The target of our newSKS ‘Made in Germany Team’ isto realise the dream of theyoung riders to become aprofessional rider and thesecond target is tocommunicate the ‘Proudly Madein Germany’ philosophy of SKSand the other team sponsors.

How important is teamsponsorship to the company? For emotionalising the SKSbrand and receiving productfeedback for our R&Ddepartment, sponsorship is reallyimportant.

SKS has pulled off the impressive feat of manufacturing a broad range of product in the country inwhich it was founded – Germany – and for over eight decades to boot. And with a lengthy history likethat, the firm’s achievement of a record sales performance in the UK last year is doubly spectacular.Jonathon Harker speaks to the company’s Jan Henning for the story behind SKS’s success…

Conquering the

“Two years ago we changed ourdistribution in the UK. We reducedour partners to three: Chicken,Raleigh and Madison. 2008 was ourall-time record year in the UK, so wemade the right decision.”

The distinctive orange and black SKSbranding is increasingly becoming afixture in UK retail outlets

SKS HAS BEEN IN THE BIKE BUSINESS FOR OVER 75YEARS, but actually came into existence 13 yearsearlier, meaning its manufacturing business dates backto an impressive tally just shy of 90 years. With 260employees dedicated to the bicycle sector and afurther 340 working outside the genre for the firm, thenot-inconsiderably-sized SKS is a company with someserious history. But the years have not dulled itscommitment and enthusiasm for the cycling trade – attime of writing SKS is involved in no less than 19biking events before the end of 2009 in Germany andthe rest of Europe, and with team sponsorship too, SKShas kept cycling firmly in the centre of its world. Buthow does a firm stay at the top of its game when it’slooking ahead to celebrating its first century? And justhow did a distribution deal give the firm its best eversales in the UK ever last year? A candid Jan Henningtells all to BikeBiz...

Has SKS won any awardsrecently? Do you hope toretain them? What went intowinning them? Yes we’ve won a variety of awardsrecently and we will win severalawards in the future, too. But ouraim and focus is to develop,design and produce productswhich fulfil the need for cyclists.It is nice to receive positivefeedback like winning tests orreceiving design awards, but it’s asecondary concern for us.

What does SKS have overcompetitors?People who use our productsstay with us for years and aresatisfied by the quality andfunction of our products. Forexample, our Chromoplasticsproduct range covers all theneeds of consumers and retailers– once it’s assembled once onthe bike it will keep you dry foryears. It is the same story withour Rennkompressor and if theconsumer needs a new gasket

after five or six years it’s not aproblem to get it from one ofour distributors or from officialSKS dealers.

What effect has the currenteconomic climate had onbusiness for SKS?We expect a stable year incountries using the Euro. Butoutside these the challenges ofcurrency troubles won’t simplifythe situation and sales. That’sespecially true in Eastern Europe

where we have several questionmarks over how this year willend.

Is a particular genre of productdoing well and driving SKSsales? Why is that sectorperforming so well? We can’t say that one categoryis driving sales for SKS. Due tothe different markets in eachcountry we have differentfocuses. For example the sale offixed fender in UK is not typical

for the general SKS turnoveraround the globe. In somecountries we have strong OEMbusiness like in Netherlands; inothers our mini pump and floorpump range is increasing like hell.

Will SKS expand into newareas and sectors? We will see what the next bikeshows around Europe for SKS willpresent. We are working onseveral projects which we knowour customers will love!

SKS INTERVIEW


UK market

BRAND SPOTLIGHT FELT

FeltfinesseJonathon Harker investigates the history and the future ofthe brand that has audacious ambitions to produce the bestbicycles in the world...

FELT’S BRAND philosophy issimple, and bold – to design,develop and deliver the bestbicycles in the world. Period.

Founder Jim Felt made hisname in motocross working as amechanic on the Honda,Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamahateams. It was through thoseperhaps unlikely motocross rootsthat he first stepped into cyclingwhen he built his first frame formotocross star Johnny ‘O-Show’O’Mara in the late 1980s. Thetime trial/triathlon frame wasused by O’Mara for hisunconventional method forstaying fit for motocross –racing in triathlons.

In 1990 O’Mara won theCalifornia State Championship inthe time trial, while Felt himselffinished third at the Bud LightTriathlon in Barstow. O’Mara’ssuccess on Felt’s frame did notgo unnoticed and Easton Sportssoon approached Felt. At Easton,Felt became product engineerfor a new bike programme anddesigned a frame for triathlonlegend Paula Newby Fraser.Newby Fraser went on to winher fourth Kona Ironman onFelt’s B2 in the same year.

With those successes underhis belt, Felt continued to forgean increasingly impressive CVbuilding frames for duathlon

athlete Ken Souza, MTB legendJohn Tomas and Ironmanstrongman Wolfgang Dietrich.

Felt went on to launch hisown brand in 1994 with AnswerProducts – a relationship thatled to sponsorship of the Nutra-Fig Team and successes in thethe Tour DuPont, the LancasterClassic and Athen Twilight Crit.

After parting company withAnswer, Felt relaunched thebrand in 2001 with Bill Duehringand Michael Müllmann, whoboth helped forge a fresh visionfor the brand that saw itencompass not only upper-endroad and triathlon bicycles, butalso a broader range of road andtri bikes, BMX, MTBs and evencruiser and commuter bikes.

Saddleback marketingassistant Richard Mardle tellsBikeBiz how the firm first gotinvolved with the Felt brand: “In2005 Saddleback and Felt joinedin partnership, beginning withBMX sales and later expandingto mountain, road and triathlonbikes with full exclusive UKdistribution. In 2007, Saddlebackwas awarded the Felt BicyclesDistributor of the Year. ForSaddleback, this was the turningpoint for Felt and the brandwithin the UK market.”

In an increasingly competitivemarket, Felt feels it has the edge

over rivals: “Felt’s commitmentgrows from a small business oftrue bicycle engineers anddesigners with decades ofindustry experience with someof the leading brands. Feltcontinues to lead on from thispassion and creativity seen inpast classics with the addition ofthe latest technologies toimprove build quality,performance and comfort.”

Despite the company’srelative youth it has assistedworld-class athletes to goldmedals in the Olympics, WorldChampionship and Internationalracing events in most disciplines.

Concerns over how thecurrent economic climate mightaffect demand have proved tobe misplaced, according toSaddleback: “Felt sales to datehave shown that the mid tohigh-end bicycles are selling.”

Felt, like the rest of thebicycle trade, seems to be ridingout the current crisis: “It seemsthat the market place hasremained lightly affected by theeconomic climate, showing thatthe public are still buying forcompetition, leisure andcommuting. It seems that theprofile of cycling is stillincreasing in the UK and ourperception is changing for thebetter.”

THE LATEST KITThe Felt AR (aero road) rangeand Six Carbon Mountain bikeranges are both new for 2009.The former is a concept creationbased on input from the GarminSlipstream professional cyclingteam. Created to save time andpower on flatter stage races, theFelt DA takes ideas from theFastest Aero bike and boastsaerodynamic efficiency that canmake the difference betweentaking the win and a pack finish.

The Six Carbon MTB has beendeveloped to take the alreadyfast race breed RXC platformand make it lighter and faster.Used by the Felt InternationalMountain Bike Team, the NewFelt Six Team weighs 20.8lbs outof the box and is equipped readyto race. The numerous demandsfor a race-quality 26-inch wheelmountain bike are packed intothe bike, which is strong enoughto be raced in punishingconditions, light enough to allowa climber to ascend effortlesslyand performance-orientedenough to track flawlessly. To become a stockist for thebrand contact Saddleback on01454 299965 [email protected] willarrange for the local area salesmanager to visit or get incontact.

“Felt’scommitmentgrows from asmall group ofbicycle engineersand designerswith decades ofexperience.”

Richard Mardle

Felt’s sponsorship of top-levelriders has helped raise thebrand’s profile no end


OVER 20 YEARS ago, AndrewRitchie was introduced to aBickerton folding bike, anAustralian-built, revolutionarydesign, which at the timeseemed quirky, but unlikely to bean instant hit with anyone asidefrom those lacking the space toaccommodate a full size bicycle.

Despite the folding marketseemingly failing to leave thestarting blocks, Ritchie wasconvinced that he could drawinspiration from the concept of afolding bike and turn it intosomething desirable.

Having spent many yearsbuilding the very first Bromptonbicycles, Ritchie began runningout of momentum. The bikeswere selling, but the companycould only be taken so far

without a backer and furtherresources. Luck had it that one ofthe early buyers of the bikesbuilt at Ritchey’s house was sotaken by the bike's flexibility,that when he learned productionhad halted, immediately madecontact to get Ritchie's one-manproduction line rolling again.

Today, Brompton employsover 100 staff, who betweenthem make the equivalentnumber of hand-built bicycles

per day for markets across theglobe. Ritchie's chosen successor,William-Butler Adams, joined sixyears ago when the companywas half the size and largelyunder-resourced, as hashistorically been the case.

He tells BikeBiz: "Over theyears the folding bike has gonefrom being a quirky, overlookeditem, to the useful urbantransport form that it is today.There are a number of things in

the pipeline to further ourprogress, including an onlinebuild configurator due for launchlater this year. This tool willenable end-users to build aBrompton to their spec, whichwill then be ordered via thecustomer's local shop."

Last year alone, the companysaw around £1 millionchannelled directly back into amassive resource expansion,which included new offices andstaff facilities, as well as furtherengineering and testing space.Without visiting the Brentfordheadquarters, it's hard toquantify just how much time,space and resource is dedicatedto ensuring every lastcomponent of the build isengineering to within amillimetre of perfection. One inevery 50 made is fully tested,often by specially designedmachines and jigs, built only toflip hinges and test strength.Should a fault be found, everysingle build in between that andthe last batch is checked toensure repeat problems areeradicated. And if that wasn't

enough quality control, eachsignificant frameworkcomponent is discreetly brandedwith the initials of its creator.

Some remain curious as towhy the brand doesn't bring outa new model every year. Adamsis adamant this is not necessaryif your design is tried, tested andhas a reputation for quality asstrong as Brompton's.

"The basic design has actuallychanged very little since its

conception. Every year we takeon board the feedback from theoften-passionate Bromptonowners across the world, as wellas the more objective thoughtsof our dealers and make subtlerefinements. In recent yearsweight has become a big issue –and rightly so. A folder is one ofthe only bikes designed to becarried!" adds Adams.

"However, function is ofutmost importance. WhenSturmey Archer went bust in2000, prior to the Sun Racetakeover, Brompton took on itsdesign manager and as a resultwe now have our own-brandedinternal gear hub. Our design haseliminated a lot of the excessweight associated with thesehubs, simplifying the internaldesign and converting effortdirectly into power. TheBrompton three-speed designhas the same range as a SturmeyArcher Eight, yet is a kilo lighter."

So just how did Bromptoncome to earn its iconicreputation; it can't all be in thebuild? Each UK dealer shouldhave a Brompton ready for loanshould anything go wrong withan existing customer's build. Butwhy is this important?

Adams explains: "An IBD'sservice is paramount tomaintaining our brand'sreputation. One of the reasons wedon't bring out a new build everyyear is the backwardscompatibility of our bikes. A newbuild will work with a Bromptonfrom 15 years, or more, ago. It's allabout keeping bikes on the roadand re-assuring our customers thatthey'll always be supported. Wehave spares here in London thatare ten years old. If you’re bringingnew models out every year,carrying a high-volume of sparecomponents is far less practical."

Those interested in becominga Brompton stockist can [email protected].

BROMPTON INTERVIEW

“Over the years, the folding bike has gone from being aquirky, often overlooked item, to becoming the usefulurban transport form that is seen rolling through towns andcities across the globe on a daily basis...”

William Butler Adams

A typical Brompton build is made up of around 1,200 parts, with the majority manufactured exclusivelyto fit the wholly unique folder. Many of these even have their own testing jigs. Mark Sutton visited theLondon-based manufacturer to learn a little more about the iconic build…

Why buy a workhorse?

William Butler Adams posing alongsidethe 311th Brompton ever made. This

bike was re-bought from a customer byfounder Andrew Ritchie who had sold

all of his first ever batch



FOUNDED IN 1973 bymotorcycle race fan AlecHammond, Oxford Productsquickly made a name within theBritish Superbikes circuit, initiallyas a result of the companysponsored teams taking wins inraces all over. Given time togather a strong group of dealersnationwide, the luggage andmotorcycle fairings business alsotook off, giving the companyroom to expand into softluggage and locks.

During the early ‘80s it wassuggested that the security

range be tweaked to suit theneeds of those selling bothmotorcycles and bicycles. And soOxford’s cycle range was born…

Marketing director of Oxford,Henry Rivers Fletcher tellsBikeBiz: "In those days it wasvery common for motorcycleshops to also sell bicycles andvery quickly it became apparentthat Oxford’s motorcycle lockrange could be tweaked slightlyto make it suitable for pushbikes. During the mid ‘80sOxford became the main brandname for cycle security and the

brand's popularity enabled it todiversify into cycle helmets andaccessories."

Next in the timeline came amove to add some consistencyto the cycle market sales withever-popular licensed products.Sonic The Hedgehog, Dennis TheMenace, Winnie the Pooh andother popular kids charactersjoined the Oxford stable, offeringcycle-specific dealers a realreason to look into what Oxfordcould offer the IBD. Oxford’scycle products enjoyedtremendous success over the

following years until, whatFletcher describes as "a bummanagement decision" in thelate nineties halted productdevelopment and threw Oxford’scycle business into the shadowsfor nearly a decade.

Today, the Oxford brand isonce again thriving under thecareful stewardship of 40-yearcycle veteran Martin Sykes. Asthe guardian of all things cycleat Oxford, Sykes has re-established both a viableproduct range and a successfulnational wholesale network.

“Everything wedo in themotorcycle worldhas to be fartougher, so we’vesome very strongsecurity product.”

Henry-Rivers Fletcher

Having begun in the motorcycle trade, Oxford has built strong foundations on which to develop acomprehensive cycle-specific catalogue. Mark Sutton talks to marketing director Henry Rivers Fletcherabout his pedal-powered ambitions…

Start your sales motor…

OXFORD PRODUCTS INTERVIEW

Oxford now sells only through itsnetwork of wholesalers and as aresult is enjoying a period ofrapid growth.

So why should a dealerconsider Oxford when seeking astrong add-on sales brand?According to Fletcher: "Product-wise, everything we do in themotorcycle world has to bebigger, heavier, tougher and moreextreme in specification to thatwhich is required by the cycleworld. This means that we haveto think very carefully about howwe develop the products so thatthey are suitable for the cyclemarket. But it also means thatwe are lucky to be starting froma very high point – anotherunique angle for Oxford."

In fact, Fletcher is so confidentin the security range that hegoes as far to say: "I wouldabsolutely recommend using ourproduct to secure items within adealer’s store, particularly theground anchors, mainly becausewhen a consumer sees a dealerusing a product, they will bemore motivated to purchase itthemselves. The average bicyclevalue has rocketed over the last

ten years, making the use ofproper home and workplacesecurity far more relevant."

So the product can be safelybe described as durable, but towhat extent will the margins onoffer look after a dealer’s bottomline?

"Oxford is able to offer verygenerous margins throughout thedistribution chain. There isn’t acompany out there offeringlocks, luggage, lights, helmetsand accessories who can survivewithout being highly competitivein terms of value,” says Fletcher.

“I feel that for the most part,Oxford’s trade prices aresignificantly sharper than thoseof competitors, so dealers caneither choose to run our productalongside more expensive brandsas a value alternative, or do awaywith those brands and makehigher margins on every sale."

Walking around Oxford'sshowroom it's clear that thecompany spends plenty of timeon developing point-of-salesupport. There's small, free-standing units to large, wall-mounted bays, as well as short-term card merchandisers and

permanent metal racks. Sowhat's the deal for retailers whocommit to Oxford's catalogue?

Fletcher offers: "We try tomake things a bit moreinteresting for trade customers.For example, just recently Oxfordhas launched, in conjunctionwith its wholesalers, the offer ofa small, free-standing unitstocked with fast-movingaccessories and locks for just£300 at trade price – togetherwith over £350 of free goods."

So, has Oxford shaken themisconception that the motortrade will always take priority?Well, yes. Cycle specific sales in2008 were up some 40 per centyear-on-year and 2009 is alreadyup 34 per cent on the sameperiod last year. What's more,Oxford has now employed adedicated cycle market buyerwho will work closely alongsidethe long-established purchasingteam. And, Fletcher adds "expecta raft of new products comingthrough the pipeline in the nearfuture to further boost sales."OxfordTel: 01993 862300Web: www.oxprod.com

“We try to make things interesting for trade customers. Justrecently, Oxford has launched a small, free-standing unitstocked with fast-moving accessories and locks for just £300at trade price – together with over £350 of free goods."


OXFORD PRODUCTS INTERVIEW

� All Round Wheels - Sutton Coldfield

� Motor & Sport - Saintfield, NI.� Richard Betts - Lowestoft� Pell and Parker - Peterborough� The Cycle Division -

Huddesfield� Prestwich Cycle Factors� Cycles UK of Rayleigh - Essex� Pro-Tec - Bristol� Hykeham Wholesale -

Hykeham

� Reece Cycle PLC - Birmingham

� Huet Distributors - Dublin� Rectro Cycle Factors - F Erith� Mackadam Factors - Cardiff� UK Cycle Accessories - Poole� MB Cycle Factors - Canterbury� Walkers Cycle Accessories -

Leicester� Mealor Clarke - Saxmundham� J.W.Wills - Hitchin� M&J Distributors - Manchester

Oxford Wholesaler Partners

COMFY?: Oxford’s versatileComfy can be used as a neckwarmer, bandana, headwarmer and much more...

With experience in two tradesgoing into product design,Oxford’s productspunch abovetheir weight

FOR YEARS, Seventies haswitnessed a steady increase inretailers taking an interest inBMX. Yet, up until a few yearsago, bicycle motocross was morea niche than what could beconsidered a standalone sector.Since its last heydey in the ‘80s,this sleeping giant has tickedover with only the die-hardspecialists sticking to their gunsand preventing the market fromslipping into obscurity.

However, according toSeventies MD, Stuart Dawkins:"This past year has seen a higherincrease in retailers openingaccounts than we're used to."

So what's awakening a new

era of 20-inch? Is it theOlympic coverage andgeneral acceptance thatsmaller wheels don'tnecessarily only belong onkids’ bikes? It could be, butthat wouldn't explain thesudden interest in the manyforms of freestyle BMX.Could it be down to councilsnationwide beginning toallocate their budgets tothings kids are actuallyinterested in – such asvelodromes, race tracks andskate parks? Whatever it is,20-inchers are ubiquitousagain and dealers nationwideare noticing in numbers.

As the recession begins to bite most distributors have made sacrifices to keep retail afloat, but few canclaim to have dug as deep as one Hastings firm. Mark Sutton talks to the Seventies team aboutramps, rises and supporting grassroots BMX at the dawn of what could be another heydey…

SEVENTIES

Retail ain’t

ready!


Seventies staff arehighly clued up onthe sometimescomplex technicalaspects of theproduct they sell...

Dawkins is a strong believer insupporting and building localscenes for those enthused byBMX. And although it's not thereason Seventies so strongly

supports its end-user,sponsoring riders andgrassroots events generatesa wealth of word-of-mouth marketing.

He says: "Sponsoringriders and core eventshas always been of thehighest importance forus. We have ridersrepresenting all ourbrands, whether it'sjust getting flowedproduct or receivingsalaries. This benefitsour marketingthrough magazine,web and videocoverage and alsothrough word ofmouth marketing.Small contests

and jams are greatfor promoting riders and

encouraging new faces tobecome more involved incycling."

So why should a dyed-in-the-wool mountain bikedealer care that there's beena resurgence in bicyclemotocross? Typically, BMXriders start young and as withany other hobby, many loseinterest as they grow older.However, it's worth noting theswathes of 20-inchers aresticking with cycling as theyage. And just look at all thetraditionally 20-inch brandsnow building fixed gear bikes,frames and components. There'sa trend emerging...

Dawkins acknowledges thereis a link, telling BikeBiz: "The fixedgear market definitely seems tobe going through an excitingperiod of growth at the momentand there are riders who arelooking for a fixie to get around

on as an addition to their BMXbike. Although we have a lot ofrespect for the fixie market ourspeciality is BMX and if it wasn'tfor our Subrosa brand offering abike it wouldn't be a market wewould look to expand into."

Understanding that not everydealer will be as clued up on thelatest freecoaster hubs (pictured)or popular colours of anodisedsprocket, Seventies has 12employees on hand to assistcustomers, nine of whom rideBMX or have a history of riding.

According to Dawkins: "Byemploying riders we're instantlygetting a wealth of productknowledge and BMX experience.This benefits us in many areaswhether it's sales, marketing,purchasing or productdevelopment. Having this level ofenthusiasm and experience onboard means that by talking todealers about their needs, we canoffer them the confidence andproduct knowledge to makesensible buying decisions thatwill benefit their store."

It's often said that in thedepth of a recession retailersshould invest in the business tokeep it sustainable. But with allthe price rises incurred by theexchange rate swings, whyshould a dealer dabble in whatmay be unfamiliar territory?

"We're very aware there's aceiling for the price certainproducts will actually sell for inthe market, so in a lot ofinstances we've reduced ourmargins to keep the retail priceat an achievable level," explainsDawkins. "Some otherdistributors have reduced dealermargins, but we've beenreluctant do this."

The company is aware thatwhen times are hard dealers arereluctant to spend and as abusiness, a balance has had to bestruck in between keepingcustomers interested with high-

value deals and looking after itsown financials. So, what's onoffer to those with an account atpresent?

"We offer dealers a number ofthings; high stock levels,competitive pricing, highmargins, fast and efficientservice, flexible payment terms,good product knowledge andexpert advice about markettrends," reveals Dawkins. Andthat's not mentioning thecatalogue support, which lastyear saw 30,000 copies incirculation nationwide, as well asa variety of other freebiesincluded with higher valueorders.

So it's safe to say the Hastingswarehouse is a busy one, but towhat does Dawkins attribute thecompany's growth? "We've beenreally busy this past year, whichwe put down to a number ofthings. These include theworldwide success of our housebrand Federal Bikes, theincreasing popularity of thebrands we distribute and theimpact of the Brighton Ain'tReady project, which culminatedin the release one of our bestselling DVDs in several years."

DVD sales are just one of theperks of having a diverse range ofsponsored riders constantly onthe road promoting the brandsand digital media undoubtedlyplays a large role in Seventies'marketing, but what other add-on sales items are on offer?

Dawkins goes on to highlightanother lucrative opportunity forretailers who commit drawingcrowds of 20-inch customers."We distribute the two key BMXspecific shoe brands, which areLotek and Orchid (pictured left).These have gone from strengthto strength for some time. Themargins for shoes and clothingcan be better than bikes andparts but we'd recommenddealers buy a selection of shoesand clothing in order to get thefull benefit."

Those who have visited theSeventies warehouse will be leftin no doubt that this is acompany 110 per centcommitted to what they do.Any number of staff riders willbe shredding the warehouseramp before work, on lunchbreaks and after work. AsBikeBiz left the Hastingspremises, we witnessed an un-named staff member seal up abox, grab a nearby BMX andthrow a barspin before movingonto the next order. Now that'sprofessional service.www.seventies.co.uk

“We’ve been really busy this past year,which we put down to a number ofthings – the worldwide success of ourhouse brand, Federal Bikes, the impactof the Brighton Ain’t Ready projectand the increasing popularity of thebrands we distribute.”

Stuart Dawkins, MD, Seventies

SEVENTIES INTERVIEW


PAUL STEWART AND RUSSMASTERS � Joining forcesduring March and declaring theirnew company open for businesson April 3rd, Paul Stewart andRuss Masters launched EuroBike.

Formerly an accounts directorat Moore Large, Stewart becomesthe managing director ofEuroBike. Stewart, who began hisworking life in the bicycle tradeat Halfords as one of itsyoungest store managers, hasalso worked for Tradewinds andtaken a CIM marketing courseover the space of three years.

Masters began his career inthe carpet industry and spentmany years working for marketleading firm Axminster Carpets.His love of bikes led him to acareer change and he was withdistributor Moore Large beforejoining Scott, where he remainedfor three years.

Stewart said of his newpartner: “I have known Russ formany years and first met him ona training camp in Majorca about15 years ago. We also completedthe End to End together a fewyears ago raising money forCancer Research.”

IAN DRUMMOND � Formerprofessional rider for Raleigh andDiamondBack Ian Drummondwill be fronting the M.A.DNorthern Team Squad.Drummond is the first full-timerider/manager for M.A.D. and hasextensive knowledge of stuntshows having run and performedin his own stunt show back in2007. He has worked successfullyfor M.A.D. over the past eightyears on a part-time basis, sounderstands the working of theteam. Drummond will be helpingon the day-to-day running of the

team, as well as setting up andmanaging weekend events forthe Northern Squad.

MARTIN HAWYES � FisherOutdoor Leisure has appointedMartin Hawyes as bicycleproduct manager.

Before joining Fisher OutdoorLeisure in March 2006, Hawyeswas a professional mountain biketrials rider who spent most of hiscareer riding for the Giant WorldTeam. For over a decade Hawyestravelled the globe competing forhis country and working closelywith the press. He was alsorecently inducted into theMountain Biking UK hall of fame.

‘Hawziee’s’ new role will seehim take charge of the day-to-day handling of the Dahon andNorco brands, as well asdeveloping Fisher’s licensingagreements, which currently

Drummond fronts M.A.D. Northern Team Squad � Fisher reels in Hawyes � Stewart retires from Weldtite

Stewart and Masters unite for EuroBike


PEOPLE AND RECRUITMENT

Send your recruitment news [email protected]

Paul Stewart and Russ Masters

include the international rightsto Lambretta.

According to marketingexecutive Helen Davey: “This isa fantastic time for us as abusiness and an amazingopportunity for Martin as anindividual who is naturally veryexcited about the future ventureswe are all about to undertake.”

CHRIS JENKINSON �FOLLOWING the retirement ofHamish Stewart after 29 yearsof dedicated service, ChrisJenkinson has been appointedsales director of Weldtiteproducts. Formerly working withPolaris Apparel for ten years,Chris joined Weldtite in 2005 toassist the expansion of itsinternational business.

Based in Barton-on-Humber,Weldtite manufactures 75 percent of its product range on site

and then goes on to export to 38countries worldwide.

Chris’ new role will continueto concentrate on global sales,but will also now include thefuture strategic development ofthe Weldtite brand in the UK.

PEOPLE AND RECRUITMENT


Chris Jenkinson

LAST MONTH, BikeBizexclusively revealed plans for theNew Ideas Fund, a £100,000 potof cash to be awarded annuallyto projects across the UK to getmore people on bikes. The NewIdeas Fund is the creation of theBike Hub committee andaccounts for 25 per cent of themonies raised by the Bike Hublevy scheme. The remainder ofthe levy money is spent on theBike It schools project;Bikeforall.net; and Bike Week.

The £100,000 will go to aproject, or projects, which wouldbe most likely to 'go national'.So, they could start as localprojects but, once scaled up,could become as successful asthe Bike It scheme. ThisSustrans-mananged projectstarted in 2004 with fourofficers (paid for by the BikeHub levy money) and now has40 officers (paid for from avariety of sources, as well asBike Hub). Bike It officers adopta set number of schools andencourage them to increase thelevels of school cyclecommuting. At some schools,growth has been meteoric andlocal bike shops have benefittedfrom the explosion in cycling.

Bike Hub chair Phillip Darntonsees the New Ideas Fund as a'mighty oaks from little acorns'project, with the ability to spreadbicycle culture across the UK.

The fund is similar to ascheme created in 2002 by theDepartment for Transport, at the

time eager to get bicycleprojects off the ground tobolster the National CyclingStrategy. The Cycling ProjectsFund had £2m p.a. and ran fortwo years. In its first year it saw466 applications for funding.

Some of the projects whichgot cash included schemes fromschools; hospitals; and bicyclebusinesses such as Jim McGurn'sCompany of Cyclists, and theMud Dock bike shop of Bristol,both of which received grants of£50,000. Mud Dock used thecash to build a cycle resource

centre that also extended theshop's cafe roof terrace.

Most of the schemes awardedcash from the DfT's CyclingProjects Fund were local, muchof them for cycle parkingfacilities. Such amenities areessential, but they are notscalable nationally.

For instance, the NationalTrust received money from theDfT for creating cycle facilitiesat a number of the Trust'shistoric properties. By definitionthese facilities were local butthe National Trust flagged thecycle facilities as a national

scheme to make theorganisation more cycle friendly.The pro-bike policies areincluded in the National Trust'shandbook and on its website.The Trust reported that thefacilities had a positive increaseon the number of visitors arrivingby bike. Cycling activities wereadded at some properties andincentives for visitors arriving onbikes, such as reduced admissionfees and free drinks.

The Bike Hub's New IdeasFund wants to identify and fundsimilar schemes. Unlike the DfT

scheme, which had no minimumfunding amount, the Bike Hubscheme has set a £20,000minimum. So, the £100,000annual award could be split fiveways, or it could go to one largerproject. Phillip Darnton says:

"The cycling project needs to bemanaged as a not-for-profitactivity. Projects should cost notless than £20,000 locally, andshould be scaleable eventuallyto become national schemes.You will need to tell us whatother contribution you canmake to our own funding tomake sure that, together, we getquick results."

This match-funding need notbe equal to the amount beingrequested and can be in-kindfunding. An application form isnow available on bikeforall.net.

Bike shops are invited toapply. To be successful, theproject must not be financiallyconnected to the business andthe project must have thepotential to work acrossEngland, Wales, Scotland and

Northern Ireland. So, a bike shopcould create, for instance, achildren's cycle maintenanceclass called Mucky Pups and itcould be run from the shopputting in the bid. But it wouldneed to be set up so MuckyPups could be extended acrossthe UK, taken up by other bikeshops, too, and run as a separateorganisation.

The Bike Hub committee willbe looking at these criteria:1. Outline of the proposal2. How it will achieve more new

cyclists3. How will the scheme

be managed4. How will the scheme

be monitored5. Is it scaleable?6. When could it start?7. What publicity, both local andnational could it recieve?8. What funding/other

contributions are envisaged (ie match-funding)

9. Have you already got a commercial sponsor?

10. The project must supplyfinancials on a spreadsheet andthere must be a business plan.

BIKE HUB

Q: How do some bicycle businesses getjuicy grants, and others don’t? A: They fill in the application forms...

“Candidates’ ideas should cost no lessthan £20,000 locally, and should bescaleable to eventually becomenational schemes...”

Phillip Darnton


Bike Hub’s£100k couldgo to abike shop

Who runs Bike Hub?The Bike Hub committee is made up of members of the bicycle industry,supply and retail: Phillip Darnton; Mark Brown (ACT); John Moore (MooreLarge); Carlton Reid (BikeBiz); Richard Allmark (Fishers); Richard Hemington(Specialized); Ian Beasant (Giant); Andy Shrimpton (Cycle Heaven, York);Chris Compton (Compton Cycles, London).

Supporting andencouraging futuregenerations of cyclists isof utmost importance tothose on the Bike Hubcommittee

SO, YOU’VE heard aboutBikeRadar Live, you know whereit is, heck you might alreadyhave got your tickets. But whatexactly will the bike bonanzaentail? What retailers andmanufacturers will be attending?Which riders will be taking partin the many challenges at theevent? Wonder no longer.

Scottish cycling legendGraeme Obree and ‘TripleCrown’ winner Stephen Rochewill both be attending theweekend event. Stars from othersports will also attend, includingFormula 1 star Mark Webber,who will ride the Cycling PlusSportive. Ex-England footballerGeoff Thomas will also be ridingthe Cycling Plus Sportive, whilehis foundation has been namedas the official charity partner forBikeRadar Live.

And not content withgathering some of the world’sfinest downhill and dirt jumpriders (see right), BikeRadar Livehas also cemented a fresh line ofnew partnerships with keymembers of the cycling trade.

Event organiser Grant Norristells BikeBiz: “Everything ispointing to a successful launchof BikeRadar Live. We have a

fantastic line-up of races,challenges, festival features andfamous faces.

“It’s great to see cyclingroyalty like Graeme Obree andStephen Roche taking time outto attend, and with pretty muchall of the best downhillmountain bikers in the worldcompeting at BikeRadar Live,we’re looking forward to acracking weekend.”

Trade appealWhile the event is primarilyconsumer focused, plenty of thetrade will be lending its supportto the new bike bash. Some ofthe key commercial partnerslining up to attend includeonline retailer Chain Reaction,whose staff members will be onhand to provide repair andmaintenance for competitors’bikes throughout the weekendvia the Chain Reaction CyclesBike Clinic. Major retail chainLeisure Lakes will also be at theshow with a significant presencein the BikeRadar Live Expo area.

The Cycling Plus Sportivemapping partner will be MemoryMap – with the firm providing aGPX file of the route to allentrants. Leading folding bike

manufacturer Dahon has comeon board to sponsor the DahonFolding Bike Championship ofthe Universe – a quirky four-laprace with a challenge betweeneach lap. Children’s bikecompany Islabikes has teamedup with leading cycle skillsprovider Cycle Active to launchthe Islabikes Children’s SkillsSchool. Cycle Active will also berunning a separate Pump andJump dirt school.

JD Cycles will be present atBikeRadar Live and tandembrands such as Dawes, Ventanaand Santana will be available totry courtesy of the retailer andits Discover the World ofTandeming programmethroughout the festival weekend.The Whyte Night 4hr and 12hrEnduro, kicking off at 8pm onSaturday night will be lit byspecialist lighting providerExposure Lights.

The event organisers havetold BikeBiz that there are stillsome trade opportunitiesavailable at the spectacularcycling weekend, and interestedparties should contact JamesWarren on 0208 0424 245 or07590 658163, or email [email protected].

BIKE RADAR LIVE

With the first ever BikeRadar Live looming – the event Futureis calling Britain’s biggest bike bash – BikeBiz sheds somelight on the faces, brands and activities that will be crammedinto the event. Jonathon Harker provides the detail…


Going Live

Dan Atherton Gee Atherton Chris KovarikRomain SalidiniSteve PeatGreg MinnaarBrian LopesJosh Bryceland Nathan Rennie

Matt SimmondsRuaridhCunninghamLewis LaceyLucas MechuraNigel PageScott BeaumontDylan ClaytonSam Dale

Dave WardellMarc BeaumontNeil DonoghueMartyn OgdenSteve TaylorJordan GouldPaddy BakerJames NortonDanny MacAskill

Jamie GoldmanSam PilgrimLance McDermottChris SmithPhil Auckland

Dan CogganPat Campbell-JennerRory BackshellJack Gear

Daryl BrownChris MohoneyAmir Kabbani

Geoff Thomas’charity foundationwill partner the event

And as if that wasn’t enough, the event has an extensive list ofpro riders signed up for the MBUK Eliminator Dirt Jump too:

ONE THING’S for sure, BikeRadar Live won’t be short of topnames from the world of cycling for its weekend event. Proriders confirmed for the MBUK Eliminator Dual Slalom include:

The Riders…

THERE'S A great literarytradition for radical thinking inAmerican literature, both fromthe right and the left. Massmedia mavericks such asMichael Moore are not new:they draw on hundreds of yearsof anti-authority print rants.

Two new books – PedalingRevolution and The Cyclist'sManifesto – should be seen aspart of that polemical tradition.

Both are well-written, bothmake an awful lot of sense, bothput the case for bikespassionately and withintelligence. But their authorscouldn't be more different, andthe fact they agree – and thefact they've both been publishedat the same time – is noteworthy.

The Cyclist's Manifesto iswritten by a one-timemessenger, a born radical. Butthe former is written by theveteran political reporter forAmerican paper, The Oregonian.

Jeff Mapes is a relatively newbike commuter. When he startedriding his bike to the newspaperhe noticed how quick it was andhow much weight he lost. Healso realised there was arevolution afoot: he wasn't theonly one noticing how bikes

civilised cities. He startedreporting on the issue, and hasnow produced a densely-written,yet entertaining, book on howbikes are – slowly – changingthe face of American cities.

This book is the bike versionof Tom Vanderbilt's Traffic, aNew York Times best-seller.

Mapes reveals that driverstriple their risk of heart attackby sitting in traffic jams. Hesays: "Houses sell for less ifthey're on arterials, but they holdtheir value on bike boulevards."

He revels in the fact that,“Bicycling, once largely seen as asimple pleasure from childhood,has become a political act.”

Mapes reviews the pro-bikeculture in his hometown ofPortland, Oregon; and travels toNew, York, Seattle, Los Angeles,London and the Netherlands.

He discusses movements suchas Critical Mass to the NakedBike Ride. And he highlights the

role of schools and education infuelling the bicycling revolution.

The book is an important one,written by a political journalist,not a bicycle campaigner. There'splenty in it for UK bike shops tochew on and it could be a pumpprimer of how to ensure yourcity puts people before cars.

Ditto for the Hurst book.Hurst is the author of the 2006classic The Art of Cycling, a paento pedalling of all stripes. Thistime he focusses on urban ridingand cogently puts the case thatcycling for transportation is notwacko.

He stresses that America andurban lookalikes such as the UK,cannot continue to ignore bikes.

"In most people’s visions ofthe future, technology comes tothe rescue of the American wayof life, and the thought ofhaving to drive less is exiled tothe back alleys of the mind. Thesimplest solutions – those that

don't involve carrying a few tonsof metal and plastic aroundeverywhere we go – arebanished from the discussion.It's a colossal and perhaps fatalfailure of imagination."

Hurst's book will fire you upto get bikes to be takenseriously in your town or city,but it's also a wonderful wake-up call for us to work together,to cease the infighting.

Hurst is also harsh on theindustry: “It has pushed thesporting side of cycling to thedetriment of everyday cycling.

"Since the beginning,bicycling has been associatedwith weird outfits. The mistakenassumption that such a costumeis necessary equipment has beenone of the most persistentobstacles to wider adoption ofthe bicycle for everydaytransportation purposes."

To many in the bike trade,this is more radical thananything else Hurst – or Mapes– could bring to the table. Thatbikes are for everybody issomething IBDs in theNetherlands take for granted. Inthe US, and the UK, it challengessome basic assumptions aboutwhat puts money in our pockets.

CYCLE LITERATURE

Typical. No radical bike books for ages and then two come along at once. CarltonReid tucks into the latest controversial reads...

“In many visions of the future, thethought of having to drive less is exiledto the back of the mind. It’s a colossalfailure of imagination.” Robert Hurst


Pedaling Revolution: HowCyclists Are ChangingAmerican CitiesJeff MapesOregon State UniversityPress, April 2009

The Cyclists's Manifesto:The Case For Riding On TwoWheels Instead Of FourRobert Hurst, Globe Pequot Press, May 2009

Books that want tochange the world

RETAIL ONLY

IN THIS MONTH’S ISSUESOURCE BMX 38Hastings store, Source, talks to Mark Sutton about building theBMX community, while juggling a business and much more...

FOOD AND DRINK 41Hungry for plenty of add on sales? Get a taste for what’s onthe market in our food and drink run down...

WOMEN’S SPECIFIC PRODUCT 45What’s on the market tailored specifically to a woman’s cyclingneeds? Jonathon Harker documents distributor-by-distributor...

RETAILCOMMENT

The trade’s guide to the best customer service, up-and-coming IBDs and the hottest products

AS POINTED out to me recently by Her Gear ownerStephen Peters: “Women are responsible for 85 per cent ofconsumer purchase choices in the UK.” And the past 12months have seen a large rise in cycle sales to the fairer sex.

Now, I’m not really supposed to say things like this, but...Evans Cycles – someone of its brainstorming team is reallyon the ball. Or on the money as the case may prove...

First, there was the TopShop promotion in which trendylooking manequins were set alongside even trendier fixies.So easy, so obvious and perhaps the best co-marketing ideaof 2008? TopShop now stocks women’s specific cycleclothing under the Cyclodelic label. If a major player likeTopShop is ready to commit to a range to sit alongsideKate Moss’ designs, then surely the demand is there?

That brings me on to the reasoning behind my praise ofEvans. Who said the multiples don’t have the flexibility ofan IBD in terms of promotional activity? Well, the pressrelease in front of me, entitled ‘Ladies Night’, begs to differ...

The store invitation is cleverly written. It’s not overlycycle-fanatical, it mentions discounts and bubbly and talksabout other like-minded ladies meeting under one roof forjargon-banned discussions on the latest cycle gear. Oh, andpresumably men are banned from entry...

If you were looking for a way to draw the girls to yourstore without shelling out for some ‘shocking pink’ paint,then let Evans be your inspiration.

It’s not unfair to say ladies enjoy discussing shoppingand there’s several reasons why a bicycle should beappealing to the typical woman. However, there are severalcounter-points putting the girls off committing money to apurchase.

As put by TV presenter, Dawn Porter: “When you buy ababy-pink Brompton bicycle, you can’t just leave it there –the accessories have to be as special as the bike." So, froma prospective female buyer’s point of view, a certain levelof retail commitment is required.

I’ve been looking at Copenhagen Cycle Chic recently andtrying to work out why the UK has been so useless atengaging women in cycling. Then it hit me. For the mostpart, girls don’t cycle for the same reasons the majority ofmen do. Thus, the sale should be approached with an openmind and, most importantly, open ears. The streets ofCopenhagen are flooded with aesthetically-pleasing, comfortbikes, each offering real day-to-day function. Manufacturersseem to have noticed the success of this back to basicsapproach. But has retail been taking notes?

“Who said the multiples don’thave the promotional flexibilityof an IBD? The press release infront of me begs to differ...”

HAVING LONG BEEN anambitious business, Sourcemoved into larger premises mid-November with the aim of thestore being up and running insidethree weeks. It took a few 90-hour weeks, but the move into aconverted church has opened upplenty more opportunities toowners Marc and Rich Moore.

Just seven weeks later, thefruits of some voluntary locallabour, combined with theMoore's efforts meant that anew skate park was in town – ahireable back-to-back bowl,which despite being made simplyfor use by friends of the business,now has the ability to pop anadditional £40 per two-hour

session in the shop’s till drawer.Co-owner Rich Moore tells

BikeBiz: "We sponsor many BMXriders and skateboarders, so morethan anything the bowl was forour use and to generate media for

the website and print adverts.Having said that, we're involvedwith the local youth servicewhich hires the park out for agroup of up to eight beginners."

Sponsorship of local talent issomething the store takes greatpride in, having utilised the skillsof those involved to knock outseveral own-branded DVDs, whichgo out free with all orders placed

via the online store. The mailorder side of the business makesup a large chunk of Source'srevenues, so promotional itemsserve as an important tool when

retaining customer loyalty.One thing that strikes your

eye upon entry to the store isthe impeccable attention todetail shown in the store'sproduct displays. Not to mentionthe spacious, fresh appearance ofthe layout – almost boutique-esque, but with no shortage ofproduct on the shelves.

Knowledgeable staff areemployed to handle what Mooredescribes as "highly clued upcustomers."

“To run a store like this youneed to have an understandingof what is often very complexproduct; that's why we employboth BMX riders andskateboarders," adds Moore.

And as strong advocates ofthe BMX way of life, Source hasplayed a central part in thedevelopment of other localfacilities, including both the localBMX track and White Rock skatepark. During summer the storeeven has plans, alongside thelocal school, to run a competitionto see which student can producethe best BMX or skate video. Andwith cycling on the curriculumlocally, competition will be fierce.

The input has not goneunnoticed either. To reward theefforts of the Moore's, HastingsCouncil presented the store withan 'outstanding contribution tothe community' award last year.

IBD PROFILE

SOURCE BMX

“We’re involved with a local youth

service which hires the park out for up

to eight beginners.”

Rich Moore

Church attendance is up…Owner: Marc and Rich Moore

Location: Hastings

Telephone: 01424 460 943 (distribution arm)

Web: www.sourcebmx.com

Email: [email protected]

Opening Times: Monday to Saturday: 9.00-5.30Sunday: 11.00-4.00


Operating a busy store, online business, distribution arm and a rental skatepark in one converted church means that the Source BMX shop has its workcut out. Mark Sutton visits the Hastings store…

Source exclusively distributesthree brands to the trade –Twenty, a French BMX brandoffering everything fromframes to sprockets, as wellas two race brands – Intenseand its sister componentsbrand, Sinz.

The race brands have beena part of Source's business forover five years and havesteadily grown, although "nosignificant increase was seenfollowing the Olympics,"claims Moore. "Yet, withtracks popping up across the

country, the demand for raceproduct is definitely there andgrowing steadily."

Twenty joined Source'sportfolio two years back andthe 2009 line up, viewable atwww.sourcebmx.com, isshipping now.

Get yourself a slice of the pie…

You may already have seenthis ramp in various print

ads or in online videos

Co-owner Rich Moore(pictured) runs Source

alongside brother Marc

BIKEBIZ.COM BIKEBIZ APRIL 39

SECTOR GUIDE FOOD AND DRINK

ExtraMULE BAR joined Extra’sportfolio in January this year,appearing at the Core show.

The brand sponsors theBMC UK race team withplenty of feedback from top athletes. Italso supports the Army Cycling Union.

As a 100 per cent natural bar, Muledoesn’t blind consumers with science,instead stressing the organic, FairTradeangles to which it is committed. Thebrand is also a ‘one per cent for thePlanet’ member.

Plenty of new flavours have beenannounced, including quirky tastes like

Liqorice and Austria-inspired Strudel, as well

the mainstream likes of Chocolate Date.A typical Pina Colada flavoured barconsists of slices of pineapple blendedwith a shot of coconut. Chinese Ghojiberries are also included in the mix,giving the consumer a shot of vitaminC. Each Piñacolada Mulebar delivers343kj of calories per 100 grams.

Extra is now seeking independentretailers nationwide to carry the brand.

Keeping energy and hydration levels high is vitalfor cycle rides, and with an increasingly large rangeof product available to stock, including powders,chews and more, the sector is growing by the day.Mark Sutton eats and drinks his way through thelatest on offer...

Feed your

sales


PaligapTORQ Energy has developed a line ofnaturally flavoured energy solutions,which are suitable for vegans. Noartificial sweeteners are used in the

making of this product, nor arecolourings or preservatives.

Single shot measures are available, asare 1.5kg and 500 gram tubs. A varietyof natural flavours are on offer, includinglemon, lime and lemon, orange, pink

grapefruit and organic unflavoured. A500-gram tub costs £9, while 1.5 kg willcost £18.

Single flavoured powder shots areavailable and retail at £1.85 each. Eachcomes in a ‘bomb-proof’ aluminium

canister with a screw top lid and eachcanister carries enough powder to makea single 750ml bottle of Torq energy. Thecanisters are ideal to carry on a ride,enabling riders to re-fill bottles or

hydration en-route.

2Pure2PURE carries one ofthe US’ leadingnutritional brands, ClifBar. Its success hasbeen attributed to all-natural ingredients,so the bars carry nounusual aftertastes.

All-natural energy drinks will joincurrent lines Clif Bar, Shot Bloks andLuna Bars. They perform the same asother energy products but without thecrash and burn that you get from thosemade from refined sugars andsweeteners. Clif Bar products used

before, during andafter workouts willallow the body to

naturally sustain itsenergy levels and

recover quicker. All products are

100 per cent natural– containing nochemicals,

flavourings or preservatives and areloaded with the kind of antioxidants,vitamins and minerals crucial forhealthy, active lifestyles. Clif Bar is a‘one per cent for the Planet’ member –donating one per cent of sales toenvironmental organisations globally.

SECTOR GUIDE FOOD AND DRINK

ZyroPOWERBAR’S Energize Bar provides anatural, fruity gradual energy releasesolution. They provide the same levelsof energy as standard Performancebar, using C2Max formulation foroptimum carb absorption.

According to Zyro’s brand managerfor Powerbar Richard Samuels: “Thekey point is that Energize bars can stillsell on their taste alone, and that isunusual for such a technical product.”Energize Bars retail for £1.35 each.

Rideshots packs include nine bite-size, liquid filled energy chews in a

resealablebag and retail for £1.80 per bag.

Alternatively, there’s the Energizedrink, which is a two-in-oneelectrolyte and carbohydrate isotonicformula suited to prior to or duringexercise. Energize mixes easily withwater and contains C2Max carbformula, vitamins, minerals, threeessential amino acids and a highpercentage of sodium. A 385-gram jarwill set customers back £6.99, while alarger 1.4kg tub will cost £19.99.

NuunNOW IN OVER 800 UK stores, Nuunsales are at record levels. The brandhas added a fifth flavour – OrangeGinger, which according to NickGracie, UK brand manager “is verypopular.” Apart from supportingnumerous athletes, Nuun is alsoinvolved in this year’s Cent Colschallenge taking place in September.The tough amateur cyclesportivechallenges will see Nuun sponsoredathletes and staff taking part.

MadisonSINCE joining the Madison stable,Monster has gone down a treat in thetrade. Any dealer buying any ten-pack mix(all x3 flavours) of 24 500ml cans iseligible to receive a free-of-chargeMonster Energy fridge.

Both Monster ‘Ripper’ and Lo-carbMonster have a SRP £1.69 per 500ml can,while the original flavour retails for £1.99.

The quick-energy drink is favoured bymotocross, BMX and skateboardingprofessionals, including the likes of Dave

Mirra. Lo-CarbMonster retainsfull flavour,despite containingfewer carbs. Thismeans that theproduct can’t besold to those whocannot consumesugars, but for thecalorie-consciousconsumer who’savoiding thatputrid diet taste.Monster Lo-Carbwill hit the spot.

Harris ActiveHARRIS ACTIVE distributes Isostar –which has seen a new addition to therange, including energy gels, as well asrecovery and carbohydrate powders.

The new 790-gram drums of 'LongEnergy' powder cost £9.50 at retailwhile new 'Actifood’ sachets arepacked with 90-grams of carbs,vitamins C and E, as well as B1. ThePRO Recovery drums provide recoveryand muscle repair solution, with addedcarbs to replenish energy. The powderretails for £6.99.

RaleighEXCLUSIVELY partnering Raleigh UKfollowing an extensive market surveyto show it was the best distributor forthe brand, UK-made High 5 has gonefrom strength-to-strength seeing salesof its whole product range increasing.

After a year of heavy productinvestment, High 5 now boasts a hugerange, including bars, gels, powdersand soon dissolvable tablets.Thebrand'snew 2:1

Fructose Super Carbs range ofdrinks comes with a 100 percent money back guarantee aspart of the Race Fasterprogramme. Helpful RaceFaster guides are availableto dealers, and High 5offers great sell-in deals viaRaleigh, with POS free ofcharge to qualifying orders.With some of the highestmargins in the sector, High

5 doesn’t discountonline, or sell viathesupermarkets.


Fisher OutdoorAVAILABLE exclusively via Fisher,Maxim Sports nutrition range includesproducts for before, during and afterexercise to improve strength, speed,concentration and endurance. Therange consists of carbo cakes, energydrinks, bars gels and hydration tablets,plus recovery drinks and bars in avariety of flavours.

Maxim has new products too,including new Active Hydration Tablets.These come in a pack of 12, priced at

£3.50 (retail) and offer aburst of minerals, carbsand vitamins. Thesetablets come in grapefruitand lemon or orange flavours.

Maxim’s Gel solution retails at £1.55per sachet and packs a carb boost,giving instant energy. Five new flavoursare on offer including raspberry andPassionfruit.

2pure 0131 448 2884www.2pure.co.uk

Extra01933 672170www.extrauk.co.uk

Fisher Outdoor Leisure01727 798345www.fisheroutdoor.co.uk

Harris Active01268 491036www.harris-active.co.uk

Madison0208 385 3385www.madisonb2b.com

Nuun07799 772396www.nuun.com

Paligap01179 825500www.paligapltd.co.uk

Raleigh01773 532600www.raleigh.co.uk

Science in Sport0208 385 3385www.scienceinsport.com

Zyro01845 521700www.zyro.co.uk

Science in SportAS NUTRITIONAL sponsors of British

Cycling, the AstanaTeam, Team Saxo-Bank and Rabobank,Science in Sport canclaim a highly triedand tested formula.

For 2009, thebrand has launchedthe 'world’s first’fully certifiedorganic energy andhydration drink. A

variant of PSP22 and Go Electrolyte, usedby Team GB Cycling and Team GB Sailingat the Olympics, was premiered at theTriathlon Show. SIS is the first firm tomeet the Organic Farmers and GrowersFederation (OF&G) organic classificationstandards with its two new sports drinks.Organic PSP22 is a complex carbohydrateenergy fuel for high-energy performanceand Organic Go Electrolyte is a carb fuelwith electrolytes for top performance inthe heat. Organic PSP22 will come in a40g sachet (£1.50) and 1.4kg tub(£33.50). OG Electrolyte comes in a 50gsachet (£1.50) and 1.4kg tub (£33.50).

Contacts: Parts and Accessories

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UK retailers who sign-up to become NS Bikes stockists this month will receive a free Society frame worth £249.99

Tel: 0131 319 1444 I www.hotlines-uk.com I Email: [email protected]

[ S T R O N G P R O D U C T S ]

For more details please telephone:

HopeHOPE’S Mini X2 pink brakes are priced at£165 per brake, including unique laseretching and even a flowery rotor designfor an eye-catching look. CNC machinedin Barnoldswick, it features a superlightMini Lever and a Goodridge braided hose.The caliper is machined from 2014 T6aircraft spec aluminium alloy and the unitbenefits from a durable anodised finish towithstand weather, cleaning and trail use.

SECTOR GUIDE WOMEN’S PRODUCTS

RaleighRALEIGH supplies Avenir womencasual shorts (AVS03) that featurelightweight, soft touch and durablefabric with a multi-density insert. Thecasual jersey (AVS08 and 09) from thesame range includes a handy integralrear pocket with zip and boasts afemale-specific cut. The Vaudeclothing range includes lady-lovingjackets – all featuring reflectivedetailing, while the Uvex Helmetline-up of the best-selling

Supersonic RS and Onyx are both greatvalue MTB helmets. The Missilefeatures an LED Dial fit retentionsystem while the Raleigh Style –boasts lightweight grey EPS.

BuffTHE HEADWEAR specialist’s latest – theMerino Wool Buff – is specificallydesigned for women. It’s longer, softerand 100 per cent natural and can be usedas a scarf, cap, facemask, balaclava,headband and more. The 100 per centnatural wool from the finest Merinosheep makes it soft to the skin and free ofpesky itchiness, all while beingenvironmentally-conscious high-qualityfibre. It will be available from August at£21.00 RRP. Buff’s Women's Slim fit has acircumference slightly narrower thanstandard in 12 lady-specific designs.

Avocet SportsAVOCET SPORTS has a Reflex20” wheel pink unicycle onoffer. Pitched as being perfect forbeginners and those looking tomaster tricks, this all-rounder has anRRP of £49.99 and cotterless127mm steel cranks. The saddlealso features a removablegrab rail which is mounted

to a 300mm knurled seatpost. On theslightly less quirky side is the 20"

Wheel Single Speed Tag – perfect forthe family cycling experience it’s

priced at £99.99. Quick releasemounting makes attaching the tag toadult bikes an easy and tool-free,experience. Finally the 26" Viking

ladies Salerno tandem 17" front 15"rear is priced at £399.99 and

features a lightweight alloytube frame.

GreyvilleACOR’S PINK brake blocks fit any ‘V’brake arms. The pink compound for thepads passes DIN standards and it’s pricedat retail at £18.95 for a four-piece set.

The BBB Winner Glasses are ideal forthe summer. These Pink Crystal framedversions of the Winner glasses feature

interchangeable polycarbonate lenses inclear, yellow and 100 UVprotected smoke. Also sporting aGrilamid nylon frame material,the Winner features a newadjustable nose piece andscratch free bag, all in for an RRP of£44.95. The cunning Rixen Kaul AllegraLadies Fashion Bag is inspired by the

classic concept of the Shopper Fashionmodel. Fixing to the bikes

handlebars (with an adapter platehiding beneath a paddedtextile cover when carried)the bag has pouches for the

necessities – including mobilephones and more. The Allegra

retails at £64.95.

With the industry ramping up effortsto tackle a sector that has perhapsbeen neglected over the years, there ismore and more women-specificproduct available for retailers to stock.Jonathon Harker finds that while pinkis indeed the colour of choice, there’s alot more to the sector than pastelshades...

In the

pink


MadisonMADISON’S own brand of clothing hasonly recently made its way to retail, and

naturally includes anextensive ladies range.

The StellarWomen’sWaterproofJacket, priced at£69.99 SRP, islight,breathable,waterproof,reflective andideal forcommuting.

The Path Women’s three-quarterlength short, RRP £39.99, is suitable for awide range of applications. Madison’s Trailwomen’s full-finger XC Gloves are durablemitts designed to withstand everydaywear and tear. Four-way stretch materialkeeps them durable, while an ergonomicpalm design provides essential grip. A softlining affords the bike rider extra coverageand an ‘easy-off’ feature ensures mittremoval is effortless after rides. The XCgloves are priced at £19.99 SRP. Finally,the Giro Skyla women’s helmet features aspecific ladies fit with optimal sizing,adjustment and comfort. A one-handedmicro-adjustment Acu-Dial can be alteredon the move for a perfect custom fit. TheGiro Skyla has an SRP of £39.99.

WOMEN’S PRODUCTS

Cannondale THE ENVIRONMENTALLY conscious Re-Spun clothing line uses polyestheleneterephthalate (or the less of a mouthfullPET) – a polymer most commonly used insoft drink bottles. Processed into yarn, therecycled PET material provides alightweight fabric with moisture wickingperformance. Re-Spun’s 2009spring/summer collection is availablenow. The Ride jersey (pictured) is priced ata modest £35. The distributor alsosupplies a feminine MTB range, withmodels ranging from £469 to £2,199,including the Rize Feminine at £1,699.Elsewhere the Synapse Feminine bike

range goes from £849 to £2,249,with the SynapseCarbon FeminineUltegra SL atthe top end.Awomen’sspecifictrack pumpis on offer at£27 – theAirport GayleForce – with asmallerdiametersoft touchhandle.

ISONISON STOCKS the Passport UpperClass Ladies saddle – a taste of firstclass luxury comfort, according to the

company, and all for £22.99.It boasts extra

wide/shortshape tobetter suitthe femaleanatomy.

Ison alsosupplies TSG

Butterfly &Dolly designs of the best-

selling Evolution helmets made forwomen with increased protectionaround the temples and ears. Heat-quashing ventilation rushes air fromthe front to the back, and with bags ofother features it’s a bargain at £34.99.

The distributor also stocks TSGwomen-specific pads, including the AllTerrain Elbow – a slimmer fit padtough enough to take on all-terrainmissions with neoprene back straps forcomfort and support (priced at £24.99and available in S, M and L). The KneeGasket and All Terrain Kneepads arealso on offer, at £34.99 and £29.99respectively.

HaroHARO’S HEARTLAND makes comforta priority. Using lightweight aluminiumframes, it gets cyclists upright with acushy seat, front suspension fork andsuspension seatpost. The mostmodestly priced of the series is£299.95 RRP. For an extra £100, theDLX uses an exclusive upright back-saving riding position that is morefriendly to the cyclist’s body. TheExpress and Express LE retail for£329.95 and £389.95 respectively,with both featuring the Heartland

Lightweight Alu Comfort Frame. The LEboasts a SR Suntour NEX-4110 63mmtravel Suspension Fork as opposed tothe CR-750 50mm travelSuspension Fork or Express.

FisherTHE FIRM’S own bspoke lineincludes four female piecesincluding the water andwind-proof Angel jacket. Afully removable hood is on handwhen needed, while a colourmatched 3M Scotchlite tape andreflective branding keeps visibilitysubtle yet effective. The Angel ispriced at £129.99 RRP. The HydeKnitwear with half length zip can beused as an inner or outer garment,all for £89.95 RRP. The Kensington

Top uses 100 per cent Merinowool and the Richmond Casual

Trouser boasts a robuststretch cotton for movement,a handy Velcro hem tab tokeep fabric from snaring onthe chain and zip fasteningpockets, all for £59.95.

Fisher also offers theSantini Wave range and Basil’sbike bags. Fisher offers is afemale designed ProteinSmoothie from Maxim too,ladies bikes from Norco andMet helmets designed forwomen.


PaligapPALIGAP is distributing the funkySombrio Wingwoman Jacket(pictured). The slim-fit hooded jacketprotects the wearer from the elementsusing DWR Coasting wind shell, andthen handily rolls up and stows awayin the unlikely event that the sun isout. The Wingwoman’s SRP is £69.

Also up from the distributor is theKona Women’s Patchwork Long-Sleeved Jersey. Priced at £45 it comesin black and brown, avocado oreggplant. Kona Women’s Patchwork

Short (£58),comes in blackand brown, blackand avocado andblack andeggplant.

Paligap alsooffers a girl-centric rack – theSaris Bones ThreeBoot Rack. Madefrom 100 per centrecyclablematerials this rack,apart from coming in pink, alsosupports Breast Cancer Research.

Oxford Products PINK VERSIONS of the popular Comfyand Snug ranges of headwear are hugelypopular with the female market,according to Oxford Products. The Comfy– a line up of products that is madeentirely seam-free – is perfect for cyclingand other outdoor activities. Clevermaterial FibreTec is wind resistant andtakes moisture away from the skin for animproved experience for the cyclist.

As the name suggests, the Snug is builtfor optimal warmth and comfort for theneck. The Snug, otherwise known as theOxford Polar Fleece, also uses Fibretec – alightweight, wind-resistant and breathable

material. In the case of the Snug, theFibretec section is long and stretchy, so itcan be used to cover specific areasof the face toprotect from thecold, the windand even dust.The seamlessconstruction ofthe Snug keepscomfort a keyfeature of theproduct. Boththe Comfyand Snugretail for£12.99.

Rapid RacerProducts THE NEW neoprene mudguard – theNeoGuard – is designed to prevent mudand spray from getting in your face andeyes. Unlike some traditional mudguards,the Neoguard throws off the accumulatedmud every time the fork compresses,ensuring bike performance isn’tcompromised. Ideal for downhill or crosscountry, the Neoguard is available inNeonPink.

The new resized large version of theguard is 10mm shorter to better fitBoxxer and Fox40 forks, while at the other

end of the scale the extra small has beenshortened by 5mm to improve fit onshort travel forks.

Hot WheelsThe Summer Picnic is HotWheels’ pick for leisurelyspins. This green machinetakes on the hills with aSturmy Archer three speedrear hub and the classic stylebicycle includes a wickerbasket with a complementaryleather style saddle.

This Picnic is one penceshort of £300, comes dressedin deep metallic paint withgold details and features 700cwheels.

WOMEN’S PRODUCTS

Moore LargeTIFOSI OPTICS women’s collection istailored to serious female athletes withhigh impact resistant multiple lenses orvariable tint options for changing lightconditions. The tough Grilamid TR-90frames are virtually indestructible andcarry the standard Tifosi Optics life-timeguarantee and 100 per cent UVA andUVB protection. Lake has been in thecycling business since 1982 and has arange of specific lady fit cycling shoes forroad, triathalon, MTB and leisure/touringsectors in an array of sizes, including widefit. Knog has also shed some light on thewomen’s product sector with its Beetles,

featuring two super-bright LEDs and achoice of eight eye-catching colours.Knog Skinks include four LEDs, have sixfunctions and come in just as manycolours. Limar helmets boast femalespecific designs for Race, Sport Action,Youth and Kids helmets as part of therecomprehensive range. Finally, ML alsosupplies Outeredge ladies clothing.

PashleyTHE PASHLEY Poppy is based on thefirm’s classic Princess frame withSturmey Archer 3 speed transmissionbut with a flatter handlebar with corkgrips, giving the nifty ride a modernlook. Available in blush Pink and PastelBlue, the Poppy boasts a low cost SRPof £395.

At the higher end of the marketcomes the Limited Edition Guv’nor PlusFour. It features brass plated lugs, aSachs Duomatic rear hub and SpeedDrive front chain wheel – which theproduct’s name alludes to. SRP is£1,495, though that will be no obstacleto sales, especially as only 50 PlusFours will be made.


Buff01707 852244www.buffwear.co.uk

Raleigh01773 532600www.raleigh.co.uk

Greyville 01543 251328www.greyvllle.com

Avocet0161 727 8508www.avocetsports.com

Cannondale02380 391 9267www.cannondale.com

Paligap01179 825500www.paligapltd.co.uk

Madison0208 385 3385www.madisonb2b.com

Haro (via Moore Large) 01332 274200www.moorelarge.co.uk

Ison 01223 213800www.ison-distribution.com

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

Moore Large01332 274200www.moorelarge.co.uk

Oxford Products01993 862300www.oxprod.com

Fox01914 876100www.foxeurope.com

Rapid Racer Products [email protected]://rapidracerproducts.com

Hope01282 851200www.hopegb.com

Sugoi00800 4321 3350www.sugoi.ca

Pashley01789 292263www.pashley.co.uk

Velorbis (via Moore Large)01332 274200www.moorelarge.co.uk

Zyro01845 521700www.zyro.co.uk

Hot Wheels01202 732288www.hot-wheels.co.uk

Contacts: Parts and Accessories

VelorbisVELORBIS’ BIKES are designed to bringstyle, elegance and grace to cycling,and women are firmly in thecompany’s plans. The Dannebrog is aDanish red bike designed for ladies.Sporting a reduced weight, steel luggedframe, this upright traditional bikesports enclosed hub gears and comeswith mudguards, Brooks leather mudflaps, grips, saddle and other essentials,including a ding-dong bell. The Danish-influenced bike is available with threespeed Sturmey Archer hub gears and ispitched as a ‘traffic-stopping vehicle’.

Zyro ZYRO’S OWN Altura Dayzee range seesshort-sleeved jerseys, subtle stretch shortsand gloves in mix and match colours. Highperformance Synergy lines are designed fora great fit on bike, while the women’sensemble includes multi-panel stretchJersey and Gel gloves. “It is Altura’s aim toprovide excellent value, high qualityclothing for all types of rider, male andfemale,” says brand manager Ian Young.

Abus has released all-rounder helmetARICA in three colours – blue, coffee andpink – styled for women. Camelbak’s newrevolutionary hydration category Racebakis a quick-wicking, lightweight, close-fit

vest, with all Camelbak’s female productsdesigned to better fit a female torso.

Prologo’s Choice Dea (£84.99) isdesigned for women racers, as is Intake’sEsprit Airflow Gel – a durable, cooling andcomfortable saddle (£34.99). The Bodyfit100 per cent waterproofcomfort saddles seesthe Tourlite Gel forwomen tourers, the i-Flex Voyager forcommuters and SpringFlex for leisure riders.

FoxFOX HAS a big range of gear forgirls, including an MTB line-up.The Women’s Gaia Jersey isavailable in marshmallow andlight grey and retails for £35,while the Diva Short (in Walnutand Charcoal) is priced at £55 andthe Women’s Digit Glove comes inat £25, in black and graphite.

Also on offer from the Foxyfirm is the Omens Tempo S/SJersey in black and ultraviolet at£25, the Tempo Short at £40 andthe Reflex Gel Glove (inmarshmallow and graphite) for £23.


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

The BikeBiz Marketplace offers a completemarketing package of print, online andeditorial visibility, allowing companies theopportunity to maintain contact withreaders each month without the associatedcost of full display advertising.

The BikeBiz Marketplace, and its associatedonline version, has been designed to offerreaders a directory of all products andservices in the bike trade.

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

The standard package includes:� A quarter page advert in each issue� Regular editorial coverage in the

dedicated column� Company details listed in the online

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BIKEBIZ MARKETPLACE CONTACTS

BIKES & ACCESSORIES

Paligap 01179 823 673 www.paligapltd.co.uk

SMG 01752 241010 www.smgeurope.com

BMX PARTS AND ACCESSORIES

Seventies 0845 310 3670 www.seventies.co.uk

COMPONENTS

USE Ltd 01798 344 477 www.use1.com

Bob Elliot & Co Ltd 01772 459 887 www.bob-elliot.co.uk

Pace Cycles Limited 01723 867919 www.pacecycles.com

Madison 01908 326000 www.madisonb2b.co.uk

The Cycle Division 0845 0508 500 www.thecycledivision.com

EPOS

Abacus 0870 442 8240 www.abacusonline.net

Citrus Lime 0845 603 9254 www.citrus-retail.com

GHC 0845 873 8245 www.ghc.co.uk

FOLDING BIKES

Montague 01730 711 140 www.montague-uk.com

PRINTING SERVICES

Peter Dobbs 01482 224007 [email protected]

LIGHTING

Exposure Lights 01798 344 477 www.exposurelights.com

RACKS

Pendle Engineering Ltd 01282 699 555 www.pendle-bike.co.uk

Maxx Raxx Trading Ltd 0845 230 3799 www.maxxraxx.co.uk

RESPRAYS & REPAIRS

Argos 0117 972 4730 www.argoscycles.com

SALES TRAINING

Colin Rees 07786 262 460 [email protected]

TRAINING SERVICES

Aylesbury Training Group 0161 230 6241 www.atg-training.co.uk

The Bike Doctor 07786 636771 www.the-bike-doctor.co.uk

WATER BOTTLES

Wildoo Ltd 08709 771 550 www.wildoo.co.uk

Bottlestore 0845 602 9267 www.bottlesport.com

WEBSITE SERVICES

I-Bikeshop.com 01709 511766 www.I-bikeshop.com

Call our sales team today and start making more money!

0845 310 3670w w w. s e v e n t i e s . c o . u k

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TRAINING SERVICES WATER BOTTLES


BIKEBIZ MARKETPLACE

WEBSITE SERVICES

Give us a brief history of yourbusiness and your previous tradeexperience:I have been a sales and marketingtrainer to many providers, trainingcompanies and chambers ofcommerce through out the UK forsome time now as a sort of activity-on-the-side.

I started working with the cycletrade roughly 12 years ago as amarketing consultant to the ACT.Before that, I had started and runseveral businesses, mainly marketing-based, ranging from TV commercialsand recruitment to design, advertisingand marketing consultancy.

I went on to work with Madison,again sales training their reps andshops they supplied. Initial interestwas high, there were some very goodstories of what happened to saleslevels after each course and this wenta couple of years until interest wanedand I moved on to working alone.

How many cycle shops would youestimate you've served?By now, I've probably been to wellover 450 stores through the UK andIreland training in-store as well as atcentral locations. I have alsoconducted sales training for reps forGill, Madison and Giant. I have beenfortunate to train in all sizes ofbusiness including Cycle Surgery, Evansand Edinburgh Cycles who videoed myfour hour session with 30 staff,possibly so they could show it againwithout incurring further fees!

Can you assist with funding issues? I can help anyone who wants to apply.I have various contacts for grantsthroughout the UK and don't be put

off by the title 'Leadership andManagement'. This can be overcomeby training owners to train the staff, acritical management skill if one wishesto retain staff and get them workingat peak performance.

For those interested, I'll need yourcompany name, address, contactperson, telephone and email detailsand info on staff numbers. From here,there are plenty of money savingopportunities available via an L&Mgrant.

What will a dealer gain from havingsales training?Most definitely, increased net profit. Itry to brief a dealer on what I amgoing to train. Then afterwards, I give arun down on the staff they have, howamenable each person was to thetraining and where I believe the mostextra sales are likely to come from asevery dealership is different.

I also like to leave an owner with ashort handbook titled: 'How to keepyour staff selling'. Dealers have toldme that following sessions, their staffhave been much more confident. Eachone seems to latch onto a few of thetechniques and tries them and whenthey work, in time, they becomesecond nature.

In one case, an unconfident owner Itrained in selling extras sold 13accessories to the next customer thatcame in. The accessory bill came tomore than the new bike she bought!

Any final thoughts?Please, industry, stop discounting! Oh,and why are Cytech qualificationcertificates put up in the workshopwhen they could be in the windowadvertising a quality workshop?

TEL: 07786 262460EMAIL: [email protected]

COMPANY PROFILEATG 63

Boca Bearings 50

Bohle 29, 50

Buffwear 5

Chicken Cycle Kit 3, 62

Clarks 49

CTC 22

Cycle X 29

Cycleguard insurance 9

Cyclesport North 17

Eurobike 11

Evolution Imports 22

Future 13

Halfords 28

Harris Active 40

Hot Wheels 47

Hotlines 44

Jagwire 22

Karbon Kinetics 36

Madison 4

Michelin 31

Mission 36

Moore Large 6-7, 33, 43, 61

Nunn 43

Oxford Products 60

Paligap 40

Powacycle 15

Powercordz Cover & Page 2

SMG 39

SRAM 20

The Bike Doctor 64

The Cycle Division 40

Ultra Motor 34

Upgrade 39

Weldtite 49

Windwave 36

Zyro 34

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ADVERTISER INDEX

Colin Rees, Quest Consultants


BIKEBIZ MARKETPLACE

NEW PRODUCTS


Seen the light? This month BikeBiz dons adazzlingly bright jacket, readsthe Bible and gets a new Halo...

American Classic wheels and Casco HelmetsEurobike01332 774796

HAVING ONLY just launched, new distributor Eurobike has made a bold start announcing four brands, many ofwhich are returning to the UK after a period of absence. American Classic and Casco are two such returningbrands, with the later available now, while the first batch of American Classic wheels arrives this month.

The advanced patented technology in the rims, hubs and wheel sets is unique in design and the 420 aerowheelset is the best-selling in the range with a responsive, smooth and lightweight 34mm deep aerodynamicprofile. The 420 rim claims to be the lightest deep-section aluminium clincher rim in the world, based on specialtechnology designed by Bill Shook. Now with an improved braking surface, the ride has great accelerating andslowing properties. The rims and blades are tough enough for ‘cross and the deep profile sheds clingy mud.

Casco’s Diamor Mountain helmet utilises the brand’s ‘Monocoque Plus’ system and unique Frameworxinternal reinforced frame for increased strength and safety in a lightweight shell, while the Diamor combinessporty design with efficient 26-vent Casco Fresh Air ventilation system. An easy adjust soft-touch dial fit systemis also fitted for comfort and performance, and retail price is expected to be £79.99. Eurobike will also carryProflex bicycles and Moda – a UK-built premium bike brand – due in September. For more visit eurobike.uk.com

The Cyclist’s Training BibleCordee01455 611185

INTERNATIONALLY recognised cycling coach JoeFriel has updated The Cyclist’s Training Bible, thebest-selling and highly-comprehensive trainingbook for serious cyclists. This fourth edition hasnew sections on the latest cycling trainingincluding updates to body composition andnutrition. All the charts, tables, and illustrations arenow in a two-colour format, so are even easier tounderstand. Using Friel’s methodology, cyclistscreate a full, self-coached training plan that’sshaped around their personal goals. The book isavailable direct from www.cordee.co.uk at £17.95at retail. For more visit www.trainingbible.co.uk.

Orchid and Lotek shoesSeventies0845 310 3670

APRIL SAW the arrival of the new '09 shoe rangesfrom Orchid and Lotek. These two companies bothdesign shoes purely for BMX use and have two ofthe strongest sponsored teams in the industrytesting each shoe from destruction to perfection.Both ranges are keenly priced starting at £34.99and offer two of the most famous signature shoesin BMX, the Vandever (Orchid) and Nightwolf(Lotek). These have consistently been Seventiesbest sellers and both ranges have been expandedto offer a choice of over 11 models. Each brandalso has a selection of complementing soft goods.

Halo Aerotrack rimsIson01223 213800

HALO HAS leaked pictures of its next track rims,dubbed the ‘Aerotrack’. The 27mm deep sectionrim (which is deeper than existing Aerorage rims)has no braking surface and will be available ingreen, red, purple, blue, silver, white, black, gold,pink and yellow.

Ison’s marketing manager Matt Andrews said:“These rims should be available at Ison within thenext two to three months and will cost £29.99retail price.”

The rims will also come as part of completebuilds in black, white, yellow, purple and silver.

LED jacketReynolds Digital01543 404632

SPORTED by BikeBiz's own Mark Sutton, we canconfirm that the Reynolds Digital LED jacket isincredibly noticeable. If your customers are afraidthat motorists may miss them in a standardjacket, then get them to try this out. Even keencyclist Tory MP David Cameron is said to sport it.

It features removable arms, zip-up front, meshback panel for optimal airflow plus red LEDs downthe rear and white down the chest. Three flashsettings are available and controlled by a small,internal battery pack. Sewn in stretchy panels toensure a snug fit, it’s priced just shy of £50.

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

From the Forum...

LETTERS PAGE


IN SEPTEMBER we areorganising what we believe isa first – a London to Parischarity cycle ride exclusivelyfor folding bikes.

The Folding Bike Challengewill see up to 100 participantsset off on WednesdaySeptember 9th from theLondon Eye with a short trainride from Waterloo takingparticipants and their folders toHampton Court Palace and theofficial start line; then on toPortsmouth and an overnightferry to Caen. Three more daysof pedalling through theNormandy countryside withsome great stops en route,before finally arriving at theEiffel Tower in Paris after atotal of 240 miles in thesaddle. There’s a celebrationparty in Paris, and then a bit ofsight seeing on the Sundayaboard the bikes before

returning home via Eurostar.Participants who sign up for

the challenge can also chooseto raise sponsorship for theevent’s two charity partners,the British Heart Foundationand Scope. Not only is thisevent going to be a physicalchallenge, it will also be greatfun and unique. We are alsohoping it will raise awarenessof the benefits of folding bikesfor both commuting andtravels further afield.

It could be a goodopportunity for manufacturersand retailers of folding bikes toenter the challenge andpromote their bikes andbrands. Why not come andjoin us! Full details of theevent can be found atfoldingbikechallenge.com.Julian RisleyDirector, Action [email protected]

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

Email:[email protected]

Safari so good for Tanzania cycle ride

“We don’t have to do a lotbecause of the make of bikeswe do... But looking back overthe last year the man hours doadd up. We actually add up thecost to the workshop budgetfor each job, less normaldeductions to make a true cost,so the mechanic doesn’t loseout on performance relatedbonuses. But it still costs thebusiness. The thing is I stilldon’t get is if the part or frameis faulty, why do we, or thecustomer, have to foot thebill?”Timax

“But it’s not exactly thesuppliers’ fault either, is it?Surely the labour expense wouldneed to go (or be passed on) to

the top of the chain where theproduct began its life?”Galabikeshop

“It is no different to when youbuy a car. Take, for instance,Jaguar. The car is made, thensold through a Jaguar dealer.With every car that is takenback to a Jaguar dealer forwarranty work, the work is billeddirectly back to Jaguar, nomatter where it was bought.And so it should be with us. Ikeep getting these new ‘termsof supply’ agreements sent tome by cycle wholesalers; it’sdown to us to start sendingthem ‘terms of service’agreements. I can’t any longerbear the brunt of this freelabour ‘gift’ we give to the

wholesalers/ manufacturers. Itreally is down to us to startinvoicing them direct for alllabour work done by us for thewarranty work.”Clonerz

“Within the motor trade themanufacturer only provides awarranty against faulty parts andwill replace them free of charge.If you have a new vehicle readyour warranty terms. In mostcases it will state that it doesNOT cover labour. Some dealersand manufacturers will, at theirdiscretion, fit these parts at nocost to the customer, but it willdepend on circumstances, suchas mileage done, a one-off faultor a known problem.”Cotterpin

Folding bikesheading for Paris

INTERNATIONAL ChildcareTrust is looking for 30 thrill-seekers to raise much-neededfunds for children in Africa andAsia by cycling across Tanzaniabetween Friday October 2ndand Sunday October 11th.

Cycle Tanzania offers anamazing opportunity to assurethat you leave your mark on2009. Cycle over 300km from‘Dar es Salaam, through SaadaniNational Park to the foot of theUluguru Mountains outsideMorogoro. This ride will take youoff the beaten track and beyondthe boundaries of a normalsafari; through game reserves,passing Maasai tribes andcamping under the African sky.

Uniquely, the ride ends witha visit to an ICT supportedchildren’s project so you cansee, first hand, how yourfundraising efforts will helpmake a difference.

International Childcare Trustis a small dynamic UKregistered charity working indirect partnership with localorganisations in Kenya,Tanzania, Uganda, Cambodia,Sri Lanka and India that protectchildren’s rights; such as theirright to education and to ahealthy, happy childhood.

Tanzania is one of the uniquedestinations on the Africancontinent that has yet to bediscovered by many. It is a landof many wonders, with anunparalleled diversity of faunaand flora. Through ICT’s cyclechallenge, riders will be able tovisit the historic town ofBagamayo, the mainlandembarkation point forTanzanian slaves beingshipped to Zanzibar and thenonto foreign lands; SaadaniNational Park, which is theperfect union of beach and

bush, and offers the opportunityfor cyclists to ride alongsidehippos, flamingos and giraffes;and Morogoro, a beautiful townwith a dominant backdrop ofthe Uluguru Mountains. Thesights and sounds of thiscountry, along with the toughongoing cycling, ensure for amemorable trip.

Places are limited, so jump onthe bandwagon and contact usas soon as possible. For aninformation pack, contact me on020 7065 0975 or visitwww.cycletanzania.com. Rachel Kennedy,Fundraising/Events Manager

Should dealers absorb warranty labour costs?

Star LetterWhether it’s a hand-written, sent-through-the-post letter, email or a comment madeon the BikeBiz forum, the best letter of themonth wins a prize from Oxford Products.

This month the lucky winner will receivesix of the most popular designs fromOxford's range of Comfy (3 pack) micro-fibre neckwarmers.

quoteunquote Sponsored by the brands of

Moore Large 01332 274252

"My boss came in and said,‘Let’s make a single speedbike.' He actually had tohalf-explain the singlespeed. I come from a BMXbackground; three years agosingle speeds hadn’tboomed to what they aretoday. He said there are alot of guys out there ridingroad bikes, and convertingthem to single speeds. Ichecked out the bike racksat the local college and sawa ton of them."Todd Lyons talking toHighSnobriety.com aboutSE Bike's singlespeed bike,April 1st.

"According to new researchfrom Sustrans, 79 per cent

of British women do notcycle at all even though 43per cent have access to abike. It is a sad state ofaffairs given that cyclingwas a key part of thewomen's movement."Helen Pidd,www.guardian.co.uk,April 6th

"We know from ourresearch that 47 per cent ofchildren would like to cycleto school when only twoper cent currently do.There's an enormouspotential for increasingcycling levels in thiscountry." Bart Smith,Sustrans Bike It Officer,April 2nd

"If I get onmy bike, Iwant whatthe majoritywant –somethingthat isfunctional butwhich isdisguised asregularclothing. This iswhat Topshop istrying to do."RebeccaRomero talkingto TheIndependent,April 5th

"What would bethe point in

professional sportspeople ifthey weren’t at least fourtimes better than you atyour best?" HuwWilliams, The RedBulletin, April 7th

“Lance has passed 24anti-doping controls inhalf the world since heannounced a come-back. Twenty-threehave been carried outwithout any problem,but the last one, theonly one he's done inFrance, is alreadymaking lifecomplicated for us."Johan Bruyneel,Team Astanamanager, April 10th


OFF THE RECORD

CELEBRITY Ambassador forThe Prostate CancerCharity, DJ Neil Fox, joinedMagnus Backstedt andSnowy Brooks recently tolaunch a newcollaboration between TheTour of Britain and thecharity, brought aboutwith the hopes of raisingawareness for the cause.

The Magic 105.4 DJ,who lost his father toprostate cancer, said ofthe partnership: “I amexcited about getting onmy bike and riding in

support of UniteByCycling. My dad, who

sadly died of prostate

cancer eight years ago,would love this projectand the way it will unite

people and familiesthrough the fast growinghobby of cycling.”

In the coming weeks,The Tour of Britain andThe Prostate CancerCharity will be announcinga series of amateurparticipation events, inwhich anybody can getinvolved. Pre-registration isnow live atwww.unitebycycling.org.uk

Foxy, Backstedt and Brookslaunch Unite ByCycling

Send your pictures to [email protected]

RAPID RACER Products isgiving away one of its newand improved NeoGuards,which now comes in'NeonPink', offeringsomething for the ladies.Available in the UK through

Extra, the Neoguard isdesigned to shield the ridersfront from mud flick, allwhilst shedding any caughtmuck through forkcompressions loosening andtightening the material.

The first person to send acorrect answer [email protected] will be sent aNeoGuard of their choice.All you have to do is answerthis simple question:

“What colour is the ExtraSmall NeonPinkNeoGuard?”a) Blueb) Redc) Pinkd) Purple

OFF THE RECORDOld School reunion! SHOWN here is the result ofposting a group titled 'Oldschool BMX reunion' on socialnetworking website Facebook.

Those over 32 years of age,with strong links to BMXfreestyle were invited toWoodward West, based inAmerica.

According towww.jaredsouney.com, over200 riders ended up spending

the weekend at the well-known professionalhang-out, including thelikes of Dennis McCoyand Ron Wilkerson, bothover 32, but stillcapable of showing theyounger guns how toair a vert ramp.The website alsosuggests that this may

now turn into an annualevent, with the minimum agerising annually, ensuring itremains exclusive to the oldschoolers!

NEOGUARD GIVEAWAY

Executive Editor: Carlton Reid [email protected]

Editor: Jonathon [email protected]

Deputy Editor: Mark Sutton [email protected]

Advertising Manager: Carly Bailey [email protected]

Editorial Production Manager:Helen [email protected]

Production Executive: Abby [email protected]

Design: Kelly [email protected]

Circulation:[email protected]

Business Development:Dave Roberts [email protected]

Managing Editor: Lisa [email protected]

Publisher/MD: Stuart [email protected]

Finance Director: Hilary Cole

EditorialSaxon House, 6A,St. Andrews Street, Hertford,Hertfordshire. SG14 1JA

BikeBiz is mailed FOC to3,000+ trade addressesevery month

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STRAIGHT TO YOUR MOBILE

CYCLING continues to receive press coverage, notalways what we hope for, such as the announcementthat road racing has been stopped by the police inWales. Another race, The Archer Grand Prix was not runbecause of lack of sponsorship. (Club secretariesobviously did not know that the Bike Hub had £100,000up for grabs.) All forms of cycling should have apromotional effect on the public eye. The Tour ofWessex was cancelled following some row over policefunding. As the report says, it is bizarre that a sport thatbrought Team GB its first gold medals in Beijing and hassponsorship from Sky and Sport of England cannot runits own domestic programme.

A contrast that Piers Morgan who sat next to VictoriaPendleton at a function was moved to say: “Victoriayou're brilliant” in his weekly newspaper article. Thiswas after watching her win the gold at the Worlds thencrying with the joy at the win. She told him that shecould not celebrate her Olympic win until she had wonthe world sprint championship. How great is that forintensity, I think we all shed a tear for her? Marvellous.

As mentioned above, Bike Hub has £100,000 up forgrabs for any budding plan, but it will require somematch funding, not all, ( just a little). So any fantasticideas that will get people cycling could be worthbidding for. At last Bike Hub is beginning to have resultsapart from the funding of cycle officers, which havebeen able to get kids riding to schools. It all takes time.

Watching Vince Cable on a recent TV programmeabout taxes, it is so easy for Inland Revenue to look atsmall business for tax evasion. To investigate largecompanies takes too many man-hours, sometimes witha nil result.

I know of two companies that have hadinvestigations and the stress went on for well into asecond year. This has quite a dramatic result on thepersons concerned and ultimately the business.Questions can be asked of spouses, they even visit thehome to get a feel of the standard of living. Questionssuch as where was the new carpet purchased and howwas it paid for? How come cash was paid for thatholiday in America to Disney?

Once they find something a little dodgy they are likeferrets, burrowing into the receipt of the smallestpurchase such as cinema tickets and restaurant meals,on the company. Even if you are as straight as a die, ithas to be unsettling. Every phone call could be thatlittle taxman/woman with another question about apurchase made months back.

Apart from a bloody good accountant, how many ofyou have a really good one or just a bookkeeper? A taxspecialist solicitor can cost you as much as a couple ofgrand, frightening. Was the financial year-end stockguessed or actually counted?

Have you got tax investigations covered? If you arean ACT member it is part of the subscription. Could beworth looking into. It could save a heart attack if youever get that tax visit. The independent shop businessesare such easy pickings.

Adam Garner

“It is bizarre that a sport that

brought Team GB its first gold

medals in Beijing cannot run its

own domestic programme...”

BikeBiz is published 12 times a year by Intent Media – Saxon House, 6a St. Andrew Street, Hertford, Hertfordshire SG14 1JA

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What bikes do you own?The garage used to always have at least ten bikes in,but now I only have a Haro Sonix, Premium BMX andI'm waiting on my new Basso Astra to be delivered.

Where’s your favourite place to ride?Pretty much anywhere in Scotland – although a visit tothe Alpe du Huez last year was awesome.

Tell us about your business background?I started at Moore Large around five years ago as anoffice Junior and moved through to the sales office,then became a marketing assistant before taking a roleas field sales manager for the Midlands. That brings meto where I am now – Haro Bikes brand manager. Also, Iworked Saturdays in my local bike shop for three years.

In your opinion, what’s the biggest rush achievableon a bike?These days with the work load, getting to the top ofthe road from my house is enough. Seriously though,nothing beats blasting BMX down the local skateparkor trails for a few hours.

Haro's new sponsored rider Lauren Smith is teachingme the fastest lines around the new Derby track.

Describe your average day brand managing Haro:An average day in the office consists of sorting out allthe problems the field sales team give me (only joking,guys), working on new adverts, looking at marketingopportunities, pricing, specing new 2010 bikes andpretty much everything for the brand that needs doing.Most of time at the moment is spent out on the roadselling the bikes and looking for new opportunities.

OFF THE RECORD

Spokesman discusses grassroots cycling’s dilemma, and business...

62 BIKEBIZ MAY

SPOKES IN THE SADDLE

EDITORIAL: 01992 535646 | ADVERTISING: 01992 535647 | FAX: 01992 535648

Haro Brand Manager, Moore Large

Domestic disturbance?

Getting yourself equipped with the very latest cycle qualifications has never been easier. With ATG Training we offer a fantastic range of both NVQ and Cytech acredited courses. We’re a not-for-profit charity and a leader in nationally recognised cycle qualifications for both individuals and businesses.

Our presence is national so no matter where you live you can benefit from a course with us. Plus, the training may be government subsidised which means lower costs for you. Whether you are looking to learn a new skill or train your staff, we can help you get the training you need to progress.

Call us today for more information.

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bikebiz issue40, may 2009

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