BikeBiz April 2011, Issue 63

New Horizons For The UK’sLeading Apparel Brand

Issue 63 | April 2011

Bike Apparel and Luggage specificallydesigned to cater for our diverse UK market.

NO SOONER HAD we waved farewellto Cycling England and a pot of cashdedicated to bicycling than theGovernment had a post-budget ‘lookwhat we’ve found down the back ofthe sofa’ moment and put together£836,000 for cycling.

That’s no mean sum, and somethingthat cycle advocates – and indeed thetrade – can’t fail to welcome. Better

that than nothing, eh?Even more welcome is the news that the £836k is in

addition to the £560 million for the Local Sustainable TravelFund – which is not earmarked for cycling alone, of course.

Instead, the new cash promised by MP Norman Baker isgoing to be dedicated to the cycle towns projects. You know,the ones that Cycling England pioneered.

Blackpool, Bristol, Cambridge, Colchester, Darlington,Derby, Exeter, Leighton Linslade, South Glos, Southend,Shrewsbury, Woking and York have all been listed as capableof offering value for money in the aim of getting morepeople cycling safely.

Baker said: “All the recommended projects fit well withthe strategic objectives of the towns concerned and willincrease the effectiveness of their existing programmes ingenerating additional cyclists.”

The cash will also go to three train operating companies:Merseytrail, South West Trains and Northern Rail in order toprovide improved integration of bike and rail journeys.

Following a budget that was branded ‘Ford Focus’-centricbudget, pandering to the car driver as has oft been thetradition (the budget was delivered during Climate Week,irony fans) the announcement of the funding is areasurrance that cycling is still on the agenda, or at leastthat the Government is willing to throw a bone to keepcyclists mollified. Either way, it’s good news. Quite wherethe £836,000 has popped up from is another matter, butlet’s not ask awkward questions at a time like this, eh?

So let’s party like it’s 2005 all over again. Well, maybe notjust yet. As we go to press, the plot is thickening on thecash for cycling – Baker’s department has apparently saidthat the statement contained various mistakes, at leastabout the funding for Exeter following an enquiry from localpaper Express and Echo. So, as with most positive news oncycling, maybe it’s best to hold onto the party poppers fornow. Especially if you are an independent bike dealer orcycle campaigner in Exeter.

EDITORIALIssue 63 | April 2011

NEWS 4-6

REGULARS

BRAND SPOTLIGHT 38Fisher’s full house of SRAM brands get featuredin this month’s spotlight

PEOPLE 44Brand new faces and people movement fromSealSkinz, Rockshox and Raleigh

NEW PRODUCTS 51Sport sunglasses from BBB and Montague’sBoston Bike are among this month’s picks

Jonathon Harker, Editor

TOP 20 IBDS

CHAIN REACTION 11 EVENTS 58 DEALER PROFILE 48

Highlights and news from Taipei Cycle 2011, as well asthe latest on 29ers, and Olympic woes for the cycle press

FOCUS ON…

BIKE SECURITY

27 52

Coming after the ‘Ford Focus’ fuel costcutting budget, the cash for cyclingannouncement is something of areassurance for bike advocates.

LETTERS 56Ever wondered how to upset a bike shop byaccident? We show you how it’s done

SPONSORED BY

SPOKESMAN 70While in Taiwan, Carlton Reid got first handexperience of the nation’s cycle infrastructure

Highlights from thedistributor’s show held atits HQ last month16

Moore Large

THE GADGET SHOW PREVIEW

HOTLINES SHOW REPORT

Bikes have always been a stalwart of the Gadget Showprogramme and event. We preview this year’s Pro show

BikeBiz heads to Southampton to look at Hotlines’ newbrands and products for the upcoming season

MARK CANTWELL INTERVIEWReturning to Future’s cycle portfolio from a stint in thevideo games world, Mark Cantwell talks to BikeBiz

24

21

33

Sponsored by

4 BIKEBIZ APRIL BIKEBIZ.COM

NEWS

"ANY UK RIDER that travelsaround to different trails is goingto end up having both a 26 and29-inch wheeled bike in his orher garage."

That's the belief of Lynskeyfounder Mark Lynskey, whosefirm is this year to produce twofull suspension frames for eachwheel size.

"In the UK we have seenacceptance of 29ers growsignificantly in the past twoyears. However, the UK with itswidely varied terrain is theperfect example of a regionwhere both wheel sizes willalways have benefits," addedLynskey, who is convinced that,in certain territories, the three-inch larger wheel could becomedominant in the long run.

"This is based upon the realitythat most riders are out forrecreation, fitness, andenjoyment of the outdoors.Larger wheels do offer asmoother ride. The larger contactpatch offers better braking and

better overall traction, and theyare much more forgiving when itcomes to that unexpected rock,or ditch."

Though still early days for thebig-wheeler in the UK, sales arebeginning to accelerate. DickonHepworth, MD of JungleProducts, which carries SantaCruz bikes in the UK told BikeBiz:"We have seen a huge increase inour 29er sales over the last 12months, and in particular the lastfour-month period. The SantaCruz Tallboy has been outsellingthe Blur XC consistently over thelast year, and the uptake amongdealers over the last threemonths has been astonishing –even the sceptics are nowadmitting that the volume ofcustomers asking for 29-inchproduct is too large to ignore."

Availability of product iswithout doubt becoming greater,with many of the UK's largerdistributors dipping a toe intothe water with at least onecomplete bike and back-up bits.

Juergen Falke, head of designat Merida, told BikeBiz that his

firm istaking the market very seriously:"Some of our 29-inch bikes areamong the most anticipated andsought after bikes in Merida'shistory. Dealer response has beenfantastic throughout the world,with the 29er in our currentrange selling out within weeks ofbecoming available. These bikesflatter the rider in every senseand make it easier for theamateur and professional toenjoy off-road riding."

Santa Cruz's engineering andquality director Joe Graney,though "not as bullish on 29ersas saying it’s going to take over

other wheel sizes", anticipatesgreat things from the market. Hetold BikeBiz: "The US and UKhave been more broadlyaccepting of our one 29-inchwheel offering, the carbontallboy (100mm travel). This bikewill soon also come inaluminium in order to broadenits reach. However, we justintroduced two new 29-inchwheel models, a lightweightcarbon hardtail and aluminiumtallboy frame. We expect strongsales of these in North Americaand UK, and for other markets tostart welcoming the largerwheels as they become moreubiquitous."

It's been a manic month ofnews on the 29-inch wheel frontwith the web awash withproduct news of prototypes andbuilds for production. Rumourhas it that both Ragley andMerida are currently in theprocess of building fullsuspension 29-inch wheel builds.Rock Shox is also said to beworking on a ‘SID like’ 29-inchsuspension fork.

PROBABLY the world’s largestonline cycle retailer hasconfirmed rumours that it will beopening a physical standalonestore.

Chain Reaction Cycles has toldBikeBiz that it has acquired aretail outlet in Belfast and thatopening its first standalone storein the city was “a natural step,given our proximity, which willbe easier for logistical reasons”.

CRC confirmed the rumours,which had been circulating in thetrade on the BikeBiz Forum, onWednesday March 30th. Sincethen the rumour mill has gone

into overdrive, with members ofthe industry speculating onwhether the store will be thefirst of many, possibly funded bythe online business initially. Onepundit tweeted “Look out Evans”.

The retail giant will stock acomprehensive selection of road,mountain, commuting andtriathlon bikes as well as a range

of components, clothing,footwear, equipment and tools inthe new shop. Aimed at riders ofall abilities, CRC promises theshop will offer excellent in-shopcustomer service, mechanicalback-up and technical know-how.

Head of retail Jim Berkeleyenthused: “This is an incrediblyexciting time for us, transferringour years of knowledge, buyingpower and service to the HighStreet environment. We can’t

wait to offer customers – bothnew and existing – a high qualityface-to-face service which willmirror the high level of supportwe currently provide our onlinecustomers.”

The family-run business beganin 1985 with Ballynure Cyclesbike shop with a £1,500 bankloan. The firm said there's neverbeen a better time to apply itswealth of customer service andtechnical knowledge on the HighStreet.

“This is an excitingtime for us. We’reabout to transferour years ofknowledge,buying power andservice to theHigh Street...”

Jim Berkeley, head ofretail at CRC

by Mark Sutton

Mark Lynskey: “29ers could become default wheel size for recreational use.” � Merida headof design: “These bikes flatter riders. It’s conceivable they may eventually overtake 26-inch” � Full suspension 29er market about to broaden

Chain Reaction opensfirst standalone storeTrade speculation wonders ‘how many more?’

“We have seen ahuge increase in29er sales overthe past year –particularly thepast fourmonths...”

Dickon Hepworth,Jungle Products

Industry gets behind the 29er

NEWS

CONSTRUCTION may becomplete on the Velodrome andOlympic Stadium, but with overa year left before the gamesbegin in London cyclejournalists are finding theywon’t be able to report directlyfrom the event.

Despite it taking place in theUK for the first time since 1948,the cycle press will have tocross their fingers that they willreceive one of the very raremedia accreditation passes thatwill allow them to report fromthe games, where demand hasmassively outstripped supply.

Thousands of applicationshave been made for only 400media accreditations, with only20 of those available to sportsjournalists – meaning cyclejournalists have to competewith the likes of Yachting World.

Ironically, those samejournalists are being invited tosee and ride the courses in thebuild-up to the games.

“As the host nation in 2012,the International OlympicCommittee rightly awarded theBritish Olympic Association(BOA) far more accreditations

than in the past and moreaccreditations than any otherNational Olympic Committee inthe world,” the BOA’s head ofcommunications MiriamWilkens told BikeBiz.

“Regardless of this, demand –over 3,000 applications – hasfar outweighed supply, with lessthan 400 accreditationsavailable. Out of the 400 therewere just 20 sport specificaccreditations. Unfortunately,20 sport specificaccreditations doesn’t evenallow for one specialist persport (of which there are26), let alone discipline (39in all).

Wilkens continued: “It isimpossible for us to satisfy

everyone’s wishes, but we aredoing and will continue to doour very best to make sure thatwe can assist as many media aspossible to cover the Olympicsin 2012.”

Singletrack editor ChippsChippendale told BikeBiz: “It'sodd that we're expected to helpin all the build-up hype of thisevent without actually getting achance to see the payoff.

“I imagine I might be able tosneak in under some guise –perhaps wheel-bag carrier to theSlovenian team, or I could buy achance to win a ticket, but itappears that to be able toreport on an Olympic sport thatwe run a specialist magazineabout, on home turf, is going tobe nigh-on impossible, whichseems a little odd.”

by Jonathon Harker

Olympics: over here andover subscribed

More visitorspredicted for York

“I may sneak inunder some guise– maybe wheelbag carrier to theSlovenian team...”

Chipps Chippendale,Singletrack

PAID ENTRY for the whole ofthe 2011 CTC York Cycle Showwill result in an increase infootfall, according to the showorganisers.

Taking place on the weekendof June 25th and 26th from9am to 5pm daily at theRacecourse on KnavesmireRoad, the show expects over10,000 cyclists from the UK andbeyond to attend.

The show takes place at theend of Bike Week (this yearrunning from June 18th to 26th)and weekend attractions include

arena events, vintage bikes,stunt displays, cycle auction,children’s entertainers andactivities, giant inflatables,touring rides and the YorkMinster cyclists service.

Adult tickets will cost £3,with the five to 16 year-oldsgetting in for £2. Familydiscounts will be available.

A trade pack can bedownloaded from the websiteat yorkcycleshow.co.uk

Alternatively, contact JohnTaylorson on 07765 070120, orvia [email protected]

Cycle journalists face missing out on reporting from once ina lifetime event, despite being held on home turf

Mark Lynskey proudlyshows off his ownHelix-tubed 29er

TAIPEI CYCLE SHOW proved a must-attend formuch of the world’s cycle trade again this year,posting the requisite increase in numbers. InMarch 948 companies exhibited in the show’sNangang Hall, up six per cent compared withlast year, over 3,060 booths – a 1.4 per centincrease. Luring representatives from 36countries – including the UK, US, Netherlands,Germany, Italy, Taiwan, Canada and Japan – theshow attracted a record 5,701 internationalvisitors.

Naturally, the tragic events in Japan causedby the Tsunami dominated the thoughts andconversations of the industry at the show.

With the human cost of the awful events anobvious focus for all, talk at the show alsoturned to the effect the tsunami would haveon Japan’s economy, and more specifically thebike industry.

As a key manufacturing country foreverything from high-end groupsets to e-bikecomponents, Japan’s companies – includingShimano – are key exporters for the worldwidecycle industry.

Shimano chairman Yoshizo Shimano spoketo BikeBiz’s Carlton Reid at the show: "It’s avery, very difficult situation.

"Osaka is 600 kms from Tokyo, and is lessaffected. We have turned off our electricitysupply voluntarily to share it with the northernpart of Japan.

"Trains are running 100 per cent in Osaka.This is a great help in completing ourproduction schedule. This is why we’re sayingwe’re okay, luckily. We can, thankfully, makeour production as scheduled, unless somethingelse hits Japan again.”

Despite the upbeat words, other Japanesecorporations have had to shut factories due to

enforced power outages in Tokyo and acrossnorthern Japan.

Bob Margevicius, vice president ofSpecialized, said: "I am sure Shimano willadhere to its promises to deliver on time. But Ihave concerns on the impact on other parts ofthe supply chain. Chemical companies thatsupply everything from saddle manufacturersto tyre makers are having to scour Asia foralternative supplies of basic materials.

"There’s going to be a ripple effect as otherlayers in the supply chain start being impacted.As a company, we’re alert to the ramificationsof all this. We’re looking at how aggressivelycompanies are going about sourcing alternativesupplies of raw materials.”

OTHER NEWSOne company not in attendance at Taipei Cyclewas Race Face. With two banks cutting fundingfor the Canadian company only days beforethe firm was due to appear, the appointedreceiver told staff on the Monday of Taipeiweek that their services would be terminatedwith immediate effect. Events took place soswiftly that the corporate graphics and producthanging equipment for the Race Face standwere all in place at Taipei and remained inplace for the show duration, only sans staff andproduct, with the area being used by showvisitors as an impromptu rest spot. UKdistributor Silverfish has released a statementabout the 18 year-old brand, confident a buyerwould be found for the brand.

Silverfish UK marketing manager Pete Drewsaid: “There remains a huge amount of interestin the Race Face brand among our customersand we are confident that the current positionwill have a positive outcome. We still have an

NEWS | TAIPEI CYCLE SHOW 2011


Shimano chairmanYoshizo Shimano spoke

to BikeBiz about theripple effects of the

Japan Tsunami at theshow

excellent range of Race Face products in stockand will continue to sell these in the comingmonths. We are confident that a new ownerwill be identified shortly."

Biologic revealed a suite of products foriPhone-toting cyclists, including an iPhoneBikeBrain app that tracks ride data, a ruggediPhone case with integrated battery and adynamo kit that charges an iPhone while riding.Cycling gloves with touch-sensitive finger-tipswere also revealed by the Dahon affiliatedbrand at Taipei.

A not-for-profit bamboo city bike brand wasbrought to the show. Named Juboo (‘bamboostep’ in Chinese), the brand was created bysustainable transport experts Rory McMullan ofthe UK and Carlos Pardos of Columbia, withtwo Chinese partners companies Zhang Zhi andSenzen Baoan.

The Juboo city bike is made of blackbamboo and white composite lugs, thebamboo sourced from the slopes of HuangShan Mountain in Anhui Province in China. Thebrand aims to promote cycling and raise fundsfor projects throughout the world to promotebicycles in transport.

Other show highlights include TRP brakebrand’s Parabox converter, which allows cyclocross riders to use hydraulic disc brakes viadropbar cable lever, converting cable pull intohydraulic push. The system fits under the stem,with two noodles feeding the wires into theback, while the hydraulic lines exit via the front.

Elsewhere at the show Lezyne exhibited itsnew limited edition HTC-Highroad Tool Kit,while Bosch, Gates and Fallbrook joined forcesto created a concept bike to show off thevarious companies’ latest tech. There is moreon all of the above Taipei stories on BikeBiz.com.

In an event overshadowed by the events in Japan,BikeBiz provides a round-up of some of the storiesfrom Taiwan’s premier bike event...

Taipei growsinternational appeal

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NEWS ANALYSIS | TAIPEI CYCLE SHOW 2011

BIKEBIZ.COM BIKEBIZ APRIL 9

A lack ofinnovation?

What were the hot topics at Taipei thisyear? Did the show reveal any new trendsset to lead the industryinto 2012? JonathonHarker asks thequestions...

of business, presumably in response to theeconomic climate, forcing their distributors toeither take massive orders or face price hikes of100 per cent; they are further reserving forthemselves the right to ship bikes direct toconsumers if a particular model or colour isnot in stock with the distributor.

“The result is that distributors are droppingcertain makes and just focusing on brands likeours that take a longer-term perspective andwork with distributors and dealers, rather thanin competition with them.”

A CONSERVATIVE BIKE TRADE? The jury was out, however, on the latest trendsdiscernable from attending the show.

Gelert’s Peter Rimmer tells us: “Thereweren’t many surprises from Taipei. Nobodyhas re-invented the wheel – although manyhave tried. For us our suppliers have got somegreat new items.”

Brompton’s Emerson Roberts agreed withthe prognosis, feeling that the event – likeothers in the trade – followed, rather than led,market trends: “The space allocated to e-bikesmay have risen over recent years at all the[global cycle] shows, but my feeling was thatthis lagged, rather than led, the trends inBenelux and Germany.

“I remember first going to Eurobike two anda half years ago and being struck by the wall-to-wall dominance of DH MTB kit on display,far outweighing any other categories. This wasnews? Please…”

And if the show was guilty of following the

latest styles from the trade, rather than trendsetting, it comes as no real surprise, saysEmerson: “I regard bike shows, like the industry,as essentially conservative, a point I discussedwith our head designer in Taipei. We agreedthat shows can become quite depressing afterattending them for a few years: the bikeindustry has become ever more homogenisedand commoditised, with supposed progresstracked by nothing more than tiny tweaks tocomponentry.”

That homogenisation has been to thedetriment of innovation, says Emerson: “This isinevitable in an industry that has largely beenreduced to marketing shells fronting almost-generic bikes made by a small handful ofcompanies and featuring tweaked componentsfrom another tiny group of companies; allthat’s left to talk about is price and margins,everyone is trying to eat everyone else’s lunch,and there’s little time or energy left to developsomething original, innovative or risky.

“This opinion overlaps with a piece writtenby Mark Sanders [in the Taipei Cycle Show Dailymagazine] where he approaches this topic fromthe perspective of cycling posture and trying todraw in the vast majority of people who do notcycle, which I agree with wholeheartedly.

“He and I are agreed that our industry isaltogether incapable of thinking outside theroadie/MTB duality – let’s be honest, what is ahybrid if not a mountain bike frame with roadtyres? The industry designs, markets andproduces what it does because that is what itknows how to design, market and produce.”

WHILE ATTENDANCE numbers for Taipei CycleShow 2011 weren’t generally affectedsignificantly by the horrendous events in Japan(see page six), it did curb the visitordemographic. This was seen most significantlywith visitors from Germany’s bike industry, withmany executives from the country heedinginsurance company advice against travelling tothe area.

Brompton’s sales and marketing directorEmerson Roberts tells BikeBiz: “The mainhighlight for us was simply seeing our Japanesedistributor, whose staff and their families hadall come through recent events unscathed; in abusiness context, they and our otherdistributors in the region were really bullishabout prospects for Brompton this year.

“The earthquake presents no problems to usas a business – though it may act as a brake onsome sales to that country – but I think othercompanies were concerned.”

LET’S TALK ABOUT MONEY Following fluctuations in the currency market itwas no surprise that price rises were a focalpoint of attention for attendees and exhibitors.

Gelert’s associate director Peter Rimmersays: “The show saw much talk on priceincreases of course, with the cost of rawmaterials continuing to rise.”

Brompton’s Roberts found that talk at theshow was also centred around changes in waysof doing business. He tells BikeBiz: “The biggestsurprise for me was the way in which someother manufacturers are changing their terms

Price rises and changesin terms of businesswere both hot topics atTaipei Cycle 2011


CHAIN REACTION | SOCIAL MEDIA


company websites and is carried on iPhone,Android, Blackberry by millions of people. Itgives your business the opportunity to have adigital dialogue with your consumers, not justbroadcast your message. And it gives you theability to give instant messages, leaves afeeling of involvement with your consumersand provides you with instant feedback.

There are many retail kings who believe thatFacebook will become the marketplace forgoods and services globally. It won’t replaceretail stores, but it will assist in how theyadvertise and maybe ultimately sell. Can thishappen? Yes. Will it happen? Probably. Whenwill it happen? Quicker than you may evencare to realise. Facebook now has companypage capability, takes video uploads,photographs, can be linked with every highlyutilised social media tool available and is easyto use. It is now becoming the go-to place forconversations, messaging and the next stagethat we are already seeing is interactive videogaming globally. Importantly, Facebook nowgives you an insight into who is looking at yourpage, where they are and what made themvisit. Fantastic business information you canuse to develop and grow.

Cycling as a sport has embraced Twitter, in thesame way many sports have. Lance Armstrong,for example, has more followers than the entirepopulation of Latvia, or Slovenia, or evenLuxembourg. Phil Liggett reaches more peoplewhen he tweets than the circulation of mostweekly or monthly cycling magazines. Twitter isinstant, it’s an alert service, it satisfies theappetite of the person who needs instantinformation – you can liken it to the breakingnews scrolling tabs at the bottom of BBC News,

or Sky News, except it is there in a persons handand they can add to it. Using these tools in theright way can have a meaningful impact on yourbusiness, there is no doubt about that.

So, what are our customers doing now, whatresults are they achieving and what can you doas a minimum to get started?

The brands and events we work with atCyclevox are already utilising Facebook, Twitter,Vimeo and YouTube as part of their overallmarketing and PR strategy. As a minimum wehave them using Twitter and Facebook. Theyhave a company Facebook page so that theycan interact with the consumers buying theirproduct or entering their event and Twitter foralerts, quick competitions and instant updateson launches, press conferences, new productreleases and even competitions. These arelinked together so that followers can beupdated.

Dependent on budget for filming, YouTube orVimeo is added. This gives followers insight,more information and more association withthe brand or event. And what have we seen asa result of using these tools?

AN INCREASE IN BUSINESS Events that Cyclevox has worked with havedoubled entries, brands have seen spikes ininterest in their products on line, subscriptionsto brand newsletters have grown, databases ofconsumers have increased and we have evengained clients by talking about what we do onTwitter. And where is it all leading – wellFacebook wasn’t around six years ago and lookwhere it has got to now. The only thing we doknow is – it is better to be in the race and havinga go, than to be in the tifosi on the roadside!

THERE IS no doubting that social media andsocial media tools are developing at analarming rate. But what does this mean to youand the cycle industry as a whole?Opportunity, threat or something else?

If there is one thing to focus on right now itis this - the future is in this space, the playingfield has been levelled and you need to pullyour digital cycling top on and get in the race.

This article was written having read therecent – ‘will Facebook replace the website?’

article on BikeBiz.com. What we do know isthat to get in the digital race no longer costsanything. Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, Vimeo,YouTube are all free. It costs nothing to digitallybroadcast your company values, message,services globally. Business can be done quicklyand efficiently across global markets. Thequestion posed in the recent article was - WillFacebook replace the company website? Intruth, it will probably complement it – butthere is no doubt that it is more interactive,more visited, more intuitive than most

Cyclevox is a media, PRand sponsorship

consultancy specialisingin the cycling world. It

provides events, teams,brands and broadcasters

with a range of tailoredservices.

www.cyclevox.com

Interactive ideas…There’s Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Flickr, Hootsuite,Involver, LinkedIn, YouTube, Vimeo, Hubspot, oh andthe traditional website, but which ones generatebusiness? Anthony McCrossan of CycleVox shedssome light on how the bicycle retailer can benefitfrom social media channels…

“Phil Liggett reachesmore people when he

tweets than themonthly circulation of

most cyclingmagazines.”

Anthony McCrossan

THERE ARE MANY myths surrounding the useof social media and of course, it’ll not be oftenthat the press picks up on the benefits ofservices that “cost businesses millions” – £130million per day, one study concluded.

For those in charge of marketing a business,however, a thing or two could be learned fromthose in the know. Firstly, being switched ontothe web’s most visited websites needn’t be atimesink, as many may believe. Onceregistered, these things often grow organically.Groundwork to establish a few connections isneeded, but if your store keeps track of its keycustomers, a few email addresses will alreadybe filed on the EPOS system. Using these youcan establish some connections online andfrom there on in, organic growth often follows.

If the above sounds a little too ‘stalkerish’for your liking, follow the route favoured byClonmel bicycle retailer Barry Meehan.

He told BikeBiz: “We began at first bystarting a blog. In the beginning we weren’tquite sure what should be in its contents, butover time found our feet and added socialconnections. With the variety of customerswho walk through the door there is rarely ashortage of material for a blog post.”

Spending two to three hours per weekupdating its content, Worldwide Cycles soonfound customers referencing the blog’s entries,which aim to strike a fair balance betweeneducational and witty content, as well asoccasional promotions.

Meehan continued: “By adding a blog to ourwebsite we brought some of the atmosphereof the shop to our online customers. It has also

instilled a sense of loyalty among customers instore too, many of whom are regular readers ofthe blog. For those customers in particular Ifeel it has given us credibility as knowledgeablecycling experts and bike mechanics. Withinhours of posting a YouTube trailer of theChasing Legends DVD onto the Cycleworld blogand Facebook page, stocks sold out.”

Coming from a bike shop and its staff, areview of a product can generate sales spikes,something Meehan has experienced.

“There is, however, a fine line betweenincreasing product awareness and being seenas just another advertising site. For this reasonwe try to keep reviews well spaced out amongall other blog posts to retain credibility.”

Interestingly, Cycleworld’s online portal nolonger lists a product catalogue or offers onlinesales. In fact, the site itself traded in a costlyexternally designed build for an €80weebly.com construction. “Nowadays onlinecustomers want live stock checking and thelowest price possible, which is difficult for anindependent to achieve,” explains Meehan. “Bytaking control of the site I was able to doeverything myself and was amazed how easy itis for someone with no clue about HTML orCSS to build a professional looking site.”

A blog, despite the benefits to websitetraffic, is perhaps one of the ‘old school’approaches to interacting with customers.

“In the 18 months we’ve been on Twitterthere’s been a marked shift in customercommunication. We regularly now handlecustomer enquiries and sales via directmessage on both Twitter and Facebook. By

“Within hours ofposting a YouTube

trailer of the ChasingLegends DVD onto the

Cycleworld blog andFacebook page, stocks

sold out.”

having a good number of cyclists as followerson Twitter, or fans on Facebook, we have afantastic method of communicating with ourtarget market, and all for free.”www.worldwidecycles.com

SOCIAL NETWORKING | FOCUS


Many will be unsure where to begin with socialmedia, others are unconvinced of its worth to abusiness. Barry Meehan of Clonmel’s@WorldwideCycles tells @MarkSuttonbike whyinteraction with customers outside the store isfree, friendly and most importantly, fruitful…

Face toFacebook

CONVERTING SALES FROMONLINE INTERACTION

SIMON TAPSCOTT used to work for FuturePublishing, though left last year havingnoted a trend toward consumer influencebeing dictated no longer by editorials, butby social media.

Now MD of Jack’s Content, he toldBikeBiz why he believes moving with thetimes is essential for smaller shops whooften have to fight for business.

"Social media has definitely helpedbrands and customers build closerrelationships. 55 per cent of Facebookusers have ‘liked’ at least one brand andthe number is growing as brands realisethe benefits of being invited into thesocial world of customers," said Tapscott.

"And there’s no denying the power ofinfluence. 87 per cent of shoppers saythey trust the opinions of their friendsover independent editorial reviews. Theconversion rate of online sales stemmingfrom visitors to social network sites is tentimes higher than the overall average.

“New interactive media has changedthe traditional rules of content and trulydemocratised the web and brands have toengage with this new business reality."www.jackcontent.co.uk

AN ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO RETAILERS,SUPPLIERS AND SERVICES WITHIN THE CYCLE TRADE

For advertising and sponsorship opportunities contact:[email protected] or call 01992 535647

Returning this October

MYSTERY SHOPPER | BRIGHTON

This Mystery Shoppingbusiness goes from oneextreme to another. Thismonth, retailers on the southcoast were asked about abike suitable for the beach.And the majority handledthe request admirably…

Baker Street Bikes

USING A comparison to his own circumstances, BakerStreet's salesman gave his pitch of a 'reliable Ridgeback'a personal touch.

Explaining that the brand covered my desired budgetand above with £50 leaps between models, the assistantdidn't pin down one bike, instead he talked about whatthe pros and cons of the cheapest model. Given theextensive stock, I felt that I could easily have been upsoldon my main bike purchase, however this was remedied bya good recommendation of security and safety extras.

Baker Street's staff can't be faulted for adding a bit ofpersonality to the pitch. However, as the assistant wenton, I almost felt as though the staffer was encouragingme to buy at the lower end to avoid disappointment,should my bike be nicked. Given his sensible suggestionsabout security, this threw me a little.

In my opinion, space constraints in store meant thatmoving freely in the isles was an issue. Though it maydetract from the store's very comprehensive stock, itmight be worth looking at creating abit more floor space to make theshop a little less claustrophobictoward the front.

Cycle Store

AT THE OTHER end of the scale to Brighton BMX, CycleStore's assistant handled being on the phone with perfectgrace. "I'll be with you in just a moment," let me know he'dacknowledged a customer in store and was keen to help.

Once he’d finished with the caller, I was approached andquizzed on my intended use and style preferences before aguideline budget was asked of me. Simple, but directquestioning like this extracted loads of information fromme in just a few minutes and as such, the assistant quicklynarrowed down the bikes in store best suited to me.

The first recommendation was entirely sensible, givenmy brief. A hub geared Charge was lifted down for me totest ride. "Barely any maintenance will be needed thanksto hub gearing," he explained. "We can service the bikehere, if ever necessary."

Once this test ride was over, I gave feedback on thetwitchy feel of bike given the narrow bar. Quickly theassistant concluded that perhaps I'd get on better with aroad bike. He pulled another off the rack and again askedfor my feedback. As I responded positively, the helpersuggested a deposit to ensure hecould hold the stock. Textbook,absolutely textbook.

Brighton rocked…

[ ]3/5 [ ]5/5SCORE SCORE


Evans Cycles

THIS STORE introduced me to a little system rigged upin some Evans stores that draws staff attention to the tillarea should an assistant be busy. While attending toanother customer, the assistant behind the counterappeared to push some kind of magic staff-summoningdoorbell. And voila – as soon as he'd pressed it, two staffmiraculously appeared.

Using my very vague brief of a 'beachfront suitablebike with little maintenance needed', the assistantsuggested I buy no lower than £350 and that I stick witha reputable brand "like those stocked in Evans", he added.

And I explained that "I might trash it", my helperoutlined Evans after-sales support and servicing, as wellas a rough guide to the most common services pricesafter my complimentary first service. It was a simple andstraightforward pitch that would satisfy any customerseeking a workhorse bike. I was re-assured Evans couldkeep me on the road.

Allowing me to leave without any prompt of deposit,or timescale for a purchase, as well as lack ofexplanation of what accessoriesI'd need in a high crime area, didlet the sale down slightly.

MYSTERY SHOPPER | BRIGHTON

SummarySOMETIMES YOU can walk into a store and catchstaff sleeping, not literally of course, but given thatthe conversation is lead by the clueless customer,they might as well be. And that's why Brighton'sretailers impressed. Each store scoring above threeout of five had pro-active staff. Whether that's downto sales training, or a good strong brew, having staffwho are attentive could be worth their weight in gold.

Structure, is the word of the day. Each store herehad it in their approaches. Each asked a guidelinebudget and intended use and had me checking outa suitable model in a matter of minutes. There wasno lapse in my interest during any visit, becausestaff asked how I felt about their conclusions andalways had a plan B if I wasn't happy.

When satisfied they'd found the right bike for me,the majority were not afraid to ask for a deposit.

Brighton BMX Co

SADLY, Mystery Shopper felt that the timing of this visitmay not have been ideal.

The lone assistant, presumably the store's owner, wasmid-phone argument with a supplier debating carriagecharges as I browsed. The phone call went on, and on,and round in circles as I hung around waiting to be seen.

Briefly catching an interval in the debate, theassistant turned and asked if he could help, to which Irattled off a question about stock of a recently releasedbike-related DVD. The answer was brief and to the point."We don't have it," said the assistant before returning tothe phone. No timescales for stock were given and withno end to an increasingly charged phone call in sight,Mystery Shopper had little choice but to move on.

If there's anything to redeem what little that could betaken from the visit, the store's brightly coloured frontfitted in very well with the livelycoastline town. Signage alonecan be a turn off for somecustomers.

Sydney Street Bikes

SIMILAR TO the Cycle Store visit, Sydney’s Bikes’ salesmanput Mystery Shopper aboard two bikes closest to mybudget and quoted use – something which the helper hadextracted from me with a few simple, yet direct questions.

Having allowed me a trial of both a Merida and Konabuild in my range, the assistant was able to discusswhich build I preferred and why, intermittently addingthoughts of his own to assist my decision.

When I explained certain aspects of my chosen bikethat I disliked, the store's salesman explained thatcomponents can be changed or altered to better suit arider's preferences. For each point regarding ridingpositions and differences between price brackets, ajargon free, yet concise answer was provided.

With everything running so smoothly, Mystery Shopperturned to see a familiar face – a Paligap rep to whom I'dbeen previously introduced. Turns out, while 'test-riding'the Merida, Mystery Shopper may have had his identityrevealed. At what stage of the sales experience thishappened I remain unsure. Either way, Sydney’s Bikes’salesman asked the right questions,narrowed my choices, offered up-sells and concluded well.[ ]4/5 [ ]4/5

SCORE SCORE

[ ]2/5SCORE

BIKEBIZ.COM BIKEBIZ APRIL15

SHOW REVIEW | MOORE LARGE

Senso line begins at £21.99 and settles at£43.99.

PRO CLEAN

Having undergone a bit of a facelift, Pro Cleanhas dropped the pink colouring and rebrandedthe bicycle specific cleaning, degreaser andlubrication products.

The main Pro Clean formula now comes inshades of yellow, comprising a unique blend ofbiodegradable chemicals designed to separatemud from both metals and carbon. Dealers areable to take on one-litre, five litre, or workshopfriendly 25-litre cartons of the flagshipcleaning fluid.

SAVAGE COMPONENTS (1)

Besides a comprehensive range of bling bits,Savage Components has now branched intoprotective gear and gloves.

Weighing in at a very reasonable £40,Savage's full face helmet is ideal for thebeginner stuntman. Next to this, a line of lid

style helmets, all costing £24.99 and availablein sizes 54 to 61cm offer retailers plenty ofprotection stock at a very competitive pricepoint. The full face design ranges form 54 to58cm in size.

FORME (2)

Though not much has changed with the bikeline since BikeBiz's last analysis, Forme as abrand is making strong progress both in termsof sales and brand recognition. With the launchof an under-23s training academy, Forme isputting six elite atheletes in that age bracketthrough training with a view to targetingnational and international UCI races.

Brand manager for Forme, Adam Biggs tellsBikeBiz: "The plan is to target internationalcompetition in our fifth year. The Formeacademy will hopefully fill the gap indeveloping young riders into future talent."

Dealers are also urged to check out thenewly launched formebikes.co.uk website,which has sections on cycle to work sales andwomen's bikes, among other things.

VELO

For the first time on UK shores, the world'spremier saddle maker Velo is producing ownbranded leisure and sports saddles, fitting intothe 'Plush' and 'Senso' categories, respectively.The entire line has landed with the distributortoo, so if you're looking for a streamlined, do itall range of saddles, look no further.

The Plush line targets the cyclist looking fora comfort upgrade and uses the manufacturer'sown double density base. Utilising rubberinserts embedded into the 'sit bone' areas ofthe plastic body, the Plush line should offer asaddle for every cyclist. Furthermore, there aredesigns tailored to both men and women.

Velo's Senso line is targeted at theenthusiast cyclist, though does not quite hitthe requirements of a pro level cyclist.Performance and comfort aspects combine inthe form of gel inserts and perforated,breathable covers. Again, both men's andwomen's designs are available.

Eight Plush designs, ranging from £14.99 to£23.99 are available, while the ten saddle

Moore Large’s bike brands are seeminglylooking after themselves in terms of salesand as such, the distributor has a renewedfocus on its parts and accessoriesstronghold. Mark Sutton discovers plentyof progress on the house-brand front, aswell as some imported gems…


Today’s cyclebusiness…

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KNOG (3)

Quirky Aussie brand Knog continues to knockout fresh lighting and security gear, with thetwo main launches in these sectors being theUSB chargeable Boomer LED and StraightJacket chain lock, respectively.

Available in both a 'Skinny' version and a'Fatty' design, the Straight Jacket is made up ofeither a 6mm or 8mm hardened steel chainand a 38mm or 50mm hardened shackle brasspadlock, depending on size. The 'Skinny' will setcustomers back £19.99, while the tougher'Fatty' will cost £25.99.

At £12.99, the brand has expanded itsfashion accessory line with a 'Belt Musette'.The two pouch-clad belt is designed toaccommodate phones, mp3 players, or replacewallets and purses.

PREMIUM PRODUCTS (4)

Premium Products has a few unique ideas in its2011 line, largely designed to keep ridersrolling on its products.

In a massive boost to any shop floorassistant's task of selling components,Premium has come up with a boxed set of thetrending plastic pedals, complete with a spareplastic body.

Brand manager Adam Garner tells BikeBiz:"You're effectively getting a two-pedal package.The axle supplied works universally with ourentire pedal range, metal or plastic. As such,Premium has supplied a spare set of pedalcages with each box. Usually spare bodies cost£9.99 a pop. Premium's durable nylon pedalsretail for £30. Where else can you get two pairsof pedals for that price?"

Other key items in the line include the newFYB fork and the 1948 crank, named after the19mm, 48 spline spindle. A set of these super-tough cranks comes in at £120 and four colourchoices are available from Moore Large.

ETC

ETC's spares and accessories line is broaderthan ever and the line would be a boost to anyworkshop needing stock such as replacement

For the first time in theUK, Velo has a released

own-branded saddles

looseball bearings and other small parts. If your customer's bike needs a kickstand,

again, ETC has both chainstay and bottombracket mounted centre kickstands for a varietyof wheel sizes. Stablizers, streamers and basketstailored to young cyclists make for great add-on accessories on sales of child's bikes.

Components for the cyclist on a budget arealso part of the ETC line, with seatposts andreplacement cranks for tapered bottom bracketaxles all packaged in slatwall compatiblepackaging.

ONE23 (5)

House brands are all of a sudden extremelyimportant to Moore Large's business. TakeForme, which for the most part is now speccedwith One23 components, though young, it'shard to imagine the Derby distributor withoutit and for good reason – the dealers love theproduct and the margins are healthy.

The line's expanding too and now coversclipless pedals for road and mountainbike riders, replacement parts such as


Knog has launched the Belt-Musette, a two-pouch belt

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jockey wheels and even a range ofcolourful multitools.

The components tailor to specific needs too.Take the R0-96 clipless pedal. This pedal comesready for LOOK Keo style cleats, as well asmany others. Sealed needle bearings are usedand the weight is a reasonable 326 grams.One23's line wouldn't go amiss on anyenthusiast's bike.

LAKE (6)

As one of the only manufacturers withSpeedplay pedal compatible shoes in its line,Lake was introducing many to the benefits atthe Moore Large show.

Lake's international sales manager ChrisDimmick tells BikeBiz: "Within the Lakecatalogue, three shoes – the 401, 330 and 236– are built with Speedplay pedals options inmind. The unique four bolt fixing eliminates theneed for a 3.5mm thick adaptor plate, resultingin the foot being closer to the axle, thus theride achieves a better transmission of power."

Dimmick also discussed the aesthetics ofLake's line, stating that "the look, as well as thefeel of the shoe has become increasinglyimportant to the customer. It has to shelvewell; in other words, there has to be a reasonwhy the shoe catches the eye when on aretailer’s shelves."

New Lake-branded slatwall compatible pointof display is now available from Moore Large.

POWER BALANCE (7)

Whatever your feelings toward the 'magicalbracelet' market, there's no denying PowerBalance bands sell. In fact, worldwide, over 2.5million units have been sold and with newpoint of display stands now available throughMoore Large, selling to the consumer justbecame a whole lot easier.

Power Balance representative Martin Carrtravelled in for the Moore Large show to speakwith dealers both open minded and sceptical. Hetells BikeBiz: "Power Balance is much likeacupuncture in the way that it can't be provento scientifically work, but it just does. Centeringthe body’s frequencies, the hologram technologyhas the ability to increase performance."

At £29.99 per band, it won't be for everyone,but for the open-minded and curious, pop afree standing 25 or 60 unit display on thecounter and work your sales magic.

LIMAR EYEWEAR (8)

For the first time, Limar's eyewear range iscoming to the UK alongside the brand's helmetline – already in stock with the Derbydistributor.

Each model within the £33.99 to £79.99 lineoffers full UV protection and varying levels oflight transmission. Topping the line is the OF8,a clever pair of glasses suited to the cyclist’safter performance kit. The lense tint on theOF8 changes according to the sunlight.

Limar believes that their photochromiclenses can transfer between 49 and 11 per centof the light according to conditions. www.todayscyclist.co.uk


One23 products, as wellas having a muchexpanded line on show,are also now specced ona large number ofForme models

Limar’s eyewear linewas debuted at theMoore Large exhibition.The range runs from£33.99 through £79.99.

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...is now available from

As of 1st February 2011 Windwave has begun distribution of BBB parts and accessories. Distribution will be shared with the existing BBB distributor until the 1st July when Windwave will become exclusive.

BBB products are now in stock and can be ordered immediately via our sales force or on our B2B website www.windwave.co.uk.

Falcon HelmetBHE-01• In-mold shell construction.• Carbon fiber and aluminum reinforcements.• High density gray EPS.• 23 air vents.• SpiderWeb inner reinforcement structure.• Rear vents for optimum air flow.• Adjustable straps for a perfect and

comfortable fit.• Easy to use DualClose adjustment system.• Washable anti-bacterial pads.• Rear reflective stickers.• Sizes: S (52-55 cm), M (52-58 cm) and L

(58-62 cm).• Colours: blue, red, white and silver.

£99.95 SSP

MicroBoard ComputerBCP-32W• Wireless computer with 13 functions:• Current speed• Average speed• Trip distance• Settable odo meter• Clock• Low battery indicator• Auto scan• Auto start / stop• Maximum speed• Riding time• Total riding time• Speed pacer• Backlight

• Slim computer with easy to read full-sized display.

• High-resolution 3 line LCD.• Easy operation by a single button.• Sophisticated auto start / stop function with

sleep mode after 48 hours to save battery power.

• Computers can be mounted on handlebars and stems.

• Waterproof casing.• Wheel magnet fits round and aero spokes.• Battery included.• Colours: Team Vacansoleil, Team Quick-Step

and Team world champion.

£46.95 SSP

LightFlex Shoe CoversBWS-10• Thin Lycra shoe cover.• Elastic fabric characteristics for a smooth,

tight fit around the shoes.• One size: fits shoe sizes 41/42, 43/44 and

45/46.• Colours: white, black and blue.

£14.95 SSP

Sucessor Team Sport GlassesBSG-28• Sport glasses with interchangeable

polycarbonate lenses.• 100% UV protection.• Grilamid frame with adjustable rubber nose

piece.

• Adjustable rubber temples.• Comes with a pouch.• With extra lenses: yellow and clear flash

mirror.

£59.95 SSP

for more information call 02392 528912or visit www.windwave.co.uk

BikeBiz BBB Ad.ai 02/03/2011 10:10:55

SHOW REVIEW | HOTLINES


BIKEBIZ TRAVELLED to Hotlines’ Southamptonexhibition knowing that just days prior a dealhad been struck to bring ex-Riding High UKbrand Spank on board. It was with somesurprise that a comprehensive preview of thebrand’s goods were on show to the crowds in amatter of days following the announcement.Further to this, another last minute deal hadbeen struck with cycle computer brandCiclosport. Read on for a brand-by-brand rundown of the exhibition highlights.

NS BIKES (1)

Tucked almost out of sight, NS had a prototypefull suspension frame, tentatively named the‘Sodaslope’, on display, which in the comingseason you’ll see Sam Pilgrim using as his rig ofchoice. If production runs to schedule, Hotlineswill have stock towards the end of 2011.

As with many slopestyle builds, thesuspension revolves around a bottom bracketpivot meaning there’ll be no chain issues should

the rider choose to roll with either singlespeedor gears. Two versions are in production – a 120and 140 to 160mm travel frame, both builtwith a tapered headtube and 73mm Euro BB.

Dirt jumpers and street riders have quite aselection to choose from in the NS Holy andMetropolis lines. The Holy, the more dirtorientated of the two, spans from £460 to£700, while the Metropolis series tops out at£1,000 and each build carries front suspension.

LYNSKEY (2)

Though created at Hotlines’ request anddesigned specifically for the UK sportiveenthusiast, the Lynskey Sportive build is now abig seller across the Atlantic.

Hotlines marketing manager Martin Astleytold BikeBiz: "The Sportive build is doing well inthe UK. I’m not convinced that people knowexactly why they’re buying the same bike in theUS, but it’s selling nonetheless, despite thescene still developing out there."

More Pro 29 frames than ever are selling too,confirmed Astley. "Mark Lynskey reckons theseare the fastest, most responsive bikes that he’sever ridden. In fact, he’s convinced themountain bike market will eventually grow tolove and embrace the 29er with perhaps thesame success the 26-inch bike has had."

The ‘Back Road’ touring frame is the latestaddition to the catalogue. Designed to bedurable and easily fixed, the design omits touse the BB30 bottom bracket for good reason."If you’re on the road, touring in this country,or worse, somewhere totally unfamiliar, findingspares for touring bikes is essential. That’s whywith the touring model Lynskey have keptthings clean and easily serviceable," explainedAstley.

SPANK (3)

With the first samples of Spank’s line landingwith Hotlines just in time for theSouthampton show, dealers who

With spring having now sprung and the first glimmers of sunshine poking through the clouds, Hotlinesput on a series of shows across the UK to introduce dealers to a few brand additions and someessential stock for the year ahead. Mark Sutton visited a barn in Southampton for further details…

Barn-storming1

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SHOW REVIEW | HOTLINES


RichardSchofield

came along were treated to a firstlook, and smell, of the majority of

stock now available.If you’re wondering why guests of Hotlines

would have been sniffing the new gear, allowBikeBiz to introduce the Tweet Tweet grip,costing £9 and available in a rubber scentedwith vanilla, grape, apple and berry, dependingon the chosen colour. Alternatively, 130mmnon-scented lock-ons are also available at £14.

With each and every component you’ll finda variety of colour options, making the Spankbrand a perfect addition for the retailerspecialising in dirt jump, street or downhillequipment. For each of these sectors you’ll findtailor made parts too, particularly if yourcustomer needs handlebars, a stem or rims.

There are a few manufacturing processesunique to Spank too, such as the 3D CNCbending technique used to create some of thehandlebars. This construction method ensures amore consistent thickness of metal throughoutthe tube, eliminating any weak spots of faultsin the metal. A significant delivery of Spank’sgoods should be with Hotlines by the time thismagazine lands.

CICLOSPORT (4)

In an interesting new addition to the line-up,Ciclosport joined the party down inSouthampton and will soon be available toorder through Hotlines.

Specialising in both wired and wirelesscomputers and heart rate monitors, theGerman firm has plenty to offer the bicycleretailer, not just in product, but in clever pointof sale equipment to assist the salesexperience.

The firm is diversifying too. GPS units alsofeature in the catalogue, but most interestingof all, particularly to urban retailers, the firm is

Leatt Brace has spentmasses of cash on

research anddevelopment and hassome seriously clever

tech built into its bracesas a result

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recording equipment, capitalising on atrend to film a cyclist’s journey, often for

safety reasons. Sadly, details at the Southampton show were

thin on the ground. However, Hotlines and itsrepresentatives will be able to offer dealersfurther information on pricing, availability andpoint of sale material.

ANSWER (5)

"Answer is having a major resurgence,"according to Astley. "The brand tailed off afterhaving a spell of immense popularity a decadeor so ago, but it’s back and has some greatproduct this year."

Among that product is two new handlebars,the Protaper 720mm carbon handlebar at £120retail price and an aluminium counterpartsuited for downhill, the 780mm DH bar at £60.

GAERNE (6)

Having scored well in numerous magazine teststhis year against increasingly stiff competition,Gaerne is enjoying a period of increasedinterest. There’s plenty going on to sustain thatinterest too.

Take the firm’s 2011 ‘game changer’ – theG.Coste with ‘Reflex’ material – that fancysounding material coat is actually reflective inmuch the same way Scotchlite products are,meaning commuters can literally now show upin a car’s headlights from head to toe.

The G.Coste revolves around an EPS carbonsole and utilises an adjustable instep closuresystem with easily tweaked aluminium buckles,so rest assured it’s a highly functional andtailor-fit design. As with all Gaerne product, thismodel is handmade in Italy.

NUKEPROOF (7)

The long awaited NukeProof Scalp is now inproduction and will soon be in stock withHotlines as a frame-only option, though acomplete build will eventually be available. Twoframe kits are said to be on the way, startingwith a Rock Shox Vivid build at £1,500, or ahigher-spec, more adjustable Cane Creek shockat £1,800.

Carrying a 63-degree head angle, the ridestrikes a balance between super slack and somesteeper frames on the market, though with theinstallation of a Cane Creek Angleset headsettweaks in the ride feel are simple.

Both the Scalp and Mega frames are due toland toward the end of April. Retailers shouldalso look out for a new durable, yet lightweightnylon pedal that carries tough metal pins andretails for £35.

LEATT BRACE (8)

Some serious research has gone into developingthe Leatt Brace line, which has three main pricepoints – £260 for the Ride, £360 for the Compand £600 for the carbon fibre 600-gram Pro.

Each features a back plate designed toabsorb impacts and snap at around 20 per centthe pressure that the typical human spinewould break at, meaning any impact will belargely absorbed on this plate before anydamage to the spinal cord.

The design has also now been tailored to thedownhill market with each brace lowered at theread to accommodate full-face helmets as rider‘look up’ on descents. Cutouts have also beenincluded in the design to ensure prior worriesabout pressure on collar bones is now a thing ofthe past. For the serious downhill rider, a LeattBrace could be a lifesaver.


SHOW PREVIEW | THE GADGET SHOW LIVE PRO

THE GADGET SHOW is a monster of a brand.The Channel 5 show has been running for years(now boasting over 14 series) and has spawnedan all-conquering ‘Live’ show. A whopping90,000 consumer visitors are expected toattend this year’s event, which runs from April13th – 17th. So successful is the show that ithas added a trade-only day this year.

All well and good, but where do bikes fit inwith a show that is focused on consumerelectronics? Event director Matt Hodginsexplains: “We have an increasing number ofbike, electric bike and personal transportationcompanies exhibiting at the show – given thatthey have always had a strong presence on TheGadget Show TV programme, it is natural thatthey form a popular addition to the live show.”

The reason that bike companies should getinvolved in the show is down to the GadgetShow’s wide appeal, he says: “The event is nowthe UK’s largest consumer electronics event bysome way, and it is a great chance forexhibitors to meet a fantastic audience whoare passionate about tech. From a retailperspective the event now forms a key part of

many companies’ marketing strategies, with ahost of at-show launches planned from keymanufacturers. It offers an ideal opportunityfor retailers to see the latest must-have tech,network with key suppliers and get a realchance to see what is going to be popularamong consumers in 2011.”

KEEP IT PROFESSIONALThis year The Gadget Show Live has added aProfessional trade day on Tuesday April 12th,the day before the five-day consumerexhibition takes place at the Birmingham NEC.The Pro day arrives due to popular demand,Hodgins explains: “Over the last two years wehave had increasing requests from both theexhibitors and potential trade visitorsinterested in having a professional element tothe show.

“We have been delighted with the responsewe’ve had to the launch, with a phenomenalresponse from visitors looking forward toattending the show to network and dobusiness – within a calmer and moreprofessional atmosphere than was previously

Go goGadget Show Pro

A mock-up ofBigBMX’s GadgetShow Live stand(above)

SHOW PREVIEW | THE GADGET SHOW LIVE PRO

possible when attending on the very busyconsumer days.”

The Show aims to attract at least 4,000trade visitors in GSL Pro’s first year. Makingsure that audience is right for exhibitors is justas important as mere numbers, the firm tellsBikeBiz: “Each exhibitor is looking to meet avery specific audience and therefore we havehad a very targeted marketing campaign toensure each sector is catered for. Thesuccess will be measured on acombination of numbers and post-showexhibitor and visitor feedback.”

Inevitably, the test track is one ofthe key focuses for the bike trade: “Thisis one of the show’s most popularfeatures and is constantly inundatedwith visitors. This year we havedramatically increased the test track tocater for visitor demand. We are onceagain looking forward to it being a greatspace in which visitors can get to gripswith the latest bikes, e-bikes and personaltransportation devices on the market.”www.gadgetshowlive.net

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS

E-LIFESTYLEBIKESE-Lifestylebikes will be showing off itsrange at the show, featuring high qualityelectric bikes and electric scooters. Graceis a range of electric bikes and scooterswhich can be customised for performanceand style, while Elmoto is a straight up e-scooter.

BIG BMXThe show will also see BigBMX, alongsidethe firm’s balance bikes. The appropriatelynames LittleBMX will also be appearing atGSL (pictured left).

The firm tells BikeBiz its key aim at theshow is to promote brand awareness,with its exhibition stand being CNCmachined at time of press. The firm willrun a competition to win a bike bysubmitting suggestions for its 2012Facebook game.

The company will be coming to theshow off the back of a Hollyoaksappearance for BigBMX and theforthcoming website launch.

CREATELondon-based Create will be bringing itscolourful fixed gear bikes and parts to theNEC. Pitched as making fixie fashionbikes accessible and affordable to a widerrange of consumers, Create bike aremanufactured with a flip-flop hubdesigned to accept sprockets on eitherside. The eye catching range is sure tograb the attention of GSL attendees.

CONTOURHands-free video camera specialistContour is launching a Connect ViewCard and Viewfinder App for theContourGPS video camera. The hands-freecamera captures location and HD videoand with the ConnectView card canconnect with the iPhone and iPod touchover Bluetooth. Once the connection isestablished the Viewfinder App enablesthe iPhone or iPod touch to act as a liveviewfinder. The App is a free piece ofsoftware that enables the connection.

Other sights to appear at the GadgetShow Live Professional include:Bicygnals’ bike indicator lights, Veho’ssuper small sport video cameras, Big Catelectric bikes and Pacific Europe. CycleShow will also be arriving at the NECearly by appearing at the Gadget Show.

Create bikes andaccessories (above andleft) will feature atthis year’s GSL

Wondering what the hell the GadgetShow Live has got to do with thebicycle business? Jonathon Harkerfinds out from event director MattHodgins ahead of the show...


LISTS. SOME PEOPLE hate them, others lovethem. One thing is for sure, lists are virtuallyguaranteed to fire up debate.

This list of the top 20 IBDs has been puttogether to put the independent bike dealerunder the spotlight and celebrate the largelyunsung stars of the bicycle industry. Offeringtop-notch service, superb product knowledgeand a great range of product, the best bikeretailers are invaluable to the industry, on thefrontline of the business and the most obviousface of our trade.

IBDs that can do all of the above andmanage to forge great customer andcommunity relations – and maybe even reachout to non-cyclists to bring them into thecycling community – are, needless to say, worththeir weight in steel frames.

There are, of course, many more than 20IBDs deserving of praise and recognition

operating in the cycle industry at the moment.So just how did we manage to whittle the listdown to a mere 20?

IBDs could nominate themselves, consumerscould make suggestions and we asked suppliersand distributors within the trade let us knowwho they thought were the best of the best.Cyclescheme, as supporters of the feature, alsohelped put the top 20 together, but we stressthat IBDs did not have to be partners ofCyclescheme to make the final list. We alsocalled on the experiences of Mystery Shopperto help collate the list.

So, have we ommitted some of the finestdealers in the business? No doubt there aresome shops we’ve missed.

But have we managed to assemble a list ofindependent bike dealers that impress theirpeers, suppliers, undercover journalists and eventheir customers? Find out for yourself..

TOP 20 IBDS | FEATURE


The thriving independent bike dealer population is on the frontline of the industry. We asked tradepundits, distributors, suppliers, customers and the shops themselves for their thoughts on whodeserved particular praise. Now, in association with Cyclescheme, we reveal the results...

The finest in the biz

The best bike retailers areinvaluable to theindustry, on the frontlineof the business and themost obvious face of ourtrade.

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Sponsored by


ALF JONES, Chester

Alf Jones Cycles relocated in February this yearto a site in Gresford. Now with a retail areaapproximately twice the size of its old store,the new location means the growing retailbusiness now has more space for a largerworkshop and storage facilities as well asbetter parking for customers.

The store’s online presence has a host offeatures that go beyond cycle retail, offeringinformation and services to visitors. It poolsnews and tips on where best to ride locally,with product reviews and an event planner,providing a one-stop-shop for cyclists andthose new to the sport.

Alf Jones is helmed by Andy Castle, grandsonof the shop’s founder – he who lent his nameto the store. The keen mountain biker hascompleted Trans Alp stage races and a triathlonor two to boot.

AW CYCLES, Reading

A shop highly recommended for this list, AWCycles is, we’re told, “always mentioned as thelocal store of choice at roadshows in Readingarea”.

The calibre of the shop was reinforced by aMystery Shopper visit, which found the storeto combine good service with a vast array ofbikes and approachable staff. The firm iscommitted to supporting cycling in the localcommunity too, with the AW Cycles EliteCycling Team nurturing young and talentedriders, and even providing funding for localschool cycling events.

THE BIKE FACTORY, Chester

Offering a “vast selection of kit and greatcustomer service” (so says our panel), the largebike specialist has retail roots in Chester thatreach back almost 100 years.

Pitched as a modern vibrant retailenvironment, The Bike Factory offers anoutstanding range of cycles and accessories, tomeet all cycling requirements in the area.

The shop tells us that its emphasis is onservice and customer satisfaction, while thesales team take part in all sectors of cycling,from BMX to touring and mountain biking, andshop staff take an active part in promotingcycling in the locality as Chester is a cyclingdemonstration city.

The ever important workshop team istrained to Cytech level three standard andranked in the top ten in the UK, we’re told.

THE BIKE SHED, Exeter

The three-shop-strong retailer is, our panel oftrade experts tell us, “renowned in the SouthWest for their eye for detail and superior staff”.Serving Devon’s cyclists in Crediton andBarnstaple as well as Exeter, the latter storehas very recently seen the arrival of a newdedicated bike fitting area, with more spaceand capacity to provide a great bike fittingservice for customers. Four qualified bike fitterstake cyclists through the process designed tohelp people ride longer, faster, happier andhealthier. The shop holds regular rides, seesstaff race and even chairs regular talks ontopics like ‘Strength and Conditioning.’

CHELMER CYCLES, Chelmsford

When BikeBiz’s Mystery Shopper visitedChelmer Cycles the undercover reporter wasimpressed by the speed and quality of service.Not forced to circle the store in hope of help(a Mystery Shopper pet hate), the salesassistant offered ‘excellent personal service andreally took some time out to listen beforelunging in with a sales pitch’, with ‘the edge interms of advice given’. Chelmer also scoredhighly with our independent panel, tipping thebalance of getting the firm in the top 20 list.

CONDOR CYCLES, London

It will come as no surprise to find that CondorCycles is on this list. Probably the best knownbike dealer in the UK, Condor is no stranger toaccolades and awards, and the highly thoughtof shop is not one to rest on its laurels either.Last year it moved to a 10,000 sq ft warehouseto cope with its thriving business and shortlybefore that refurbished and expanded its outleton Gray’s Inn Road, London. Such is the appealof Condor – and its own brand frames – thatthe two-time BikeBiz Award winner attractscustomers from right across the UK and evenglobally – as far afield as the US and Japan.

DALES CYCLES, Glasgow

Situated on the delightfully named DobbiesLoan in Glasgow, Dales Cycles is another storethat has been in the business for decades – acentury next year, in fact. We were told thatthe store has a “huge selection of bikes andaccessories, with really helpful staff and expertknowledge on the local area”.

Dales Cycles has adapted with the times andhas recently moved into a new warehousingand office facility, offering a fully fledgedonline site, finance and the aforementionedfriendly staff.


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DON SKENE CYCLES, Rumney, Cardiff

Named after Wales’ cycling legend, Don Skeneis a bike shop with over 50 years of experience.Set up by the man himself, Don has nowretired and the business is currently run by hisson and daughter.

Priding itself on excellent customer serviceand competitive pricing, this Cardiff-basedshop was another popular choice among ourpanel of bike industry experts.

Stocking in excess of 400 cycles with anaccompanying huge selection of accessories,the firm also offers finance and voucheroptions for its customer base.

FORMBY CYCLES, Formby

Formby Cyles has been in the hands of itscurrent owners (the family-owned and runTaskers group) since 2003, who have investedmillions of pounds into the business, we aretold. Most obviously, that investment has beenfunnelled into a new superstore – five timesthe size of the old store – with a large onsitecar park and a vast array of product. We weretold that ‘Formby must be in there’ by one ofour pundits. Offering Cycle to Work, the store isstaffed by enthusiasts each with their own areaof interest, Formby also offers finance and aHomeFit service, delivering bikes direct to thedoor with a fully qualified mechanic to set thepurchase up.

GEORGE HALLS CYCLES, Market Harborough

This IBD is located on the border town ofMarket Harborough (straddling Leicestershireand Northamptonshire). With a Halfords on itsdoorstep the shop tells BikeBiz that it pridesitself on good relations with fellow IBDs.

With a small but thriving workshop GeorgeHalls has even been known to fix the oddwheelchair as well as bikes, even picking upbicycles for repair for customers.

George Halls Cycles also features a webshop specialising in small, hard-to-find parts,even servicing the trade on some occassions.Aside from bike retail, the owner is a highlyactive member of the wider cyclingcommunity, helping run cycle clubs as well asfounding and organising the grass roots MTBCC series FNSSMTB, as well as helping theCounty Council map local cycle routes.

GIANT STORE, Bristol

Giant opened its first brand store in Liverpoolon June 2009, and the Bristol store (Giant’sthird) was hot on its heels in November of thesame year.

Under store director Paul Newman theBristol Giant Store is based in the BradleyStoke town, sporting a selection of bikes andcycle gear to suit the needs of novices andenthusiasts. Based in the Lower Mall at TheWillow Brook Centre in Bradley Stoke.

One of our pundits said of the store: “It’s afantastic futuristic retail space with excellentservice to boot.”

HARRY HALL CYCLES, Manchester

If there’s a theme in this Top 20 IBDs list, it’ssurely that many long-established bike shops

know a thing or two about attracting theirsupporters. Harry Hall Cycles has been in thebike trade for half a century, serving the fullgamut of cyclist markets, including road, BMX,mountain bike, commuter, leisure ‘or just plainpleasure’ riders. Our panel said Harry HallCycles is a “family run business who have beenan integral part of the racing scene since the1950s”.

M STEEL CYCLES, Newcastle Yep, here’s another of the long-established UKcycle retailers that have gained praise in thetrade. Set up in 1894, M Steel Cycles is possiblyNewcastle’s longest established bike shop. Itserves Tyne and Wear with its huge 3,000square foot store, which is three times as largeas its last shop, moved from in 2008. The movedidn’t mean dispensing with the past, however.The modern shop has keepsakes of JoeWaugh’s (Waugh now looks after the retail andaccounts side of M Steel Cycles) days as aracer, with magazine covers, medals, picturesand signed tops for a bit of heritage chic. Theshop says: “It helps to remind us of wherewe’ve come from and where we’re going to.”

One of our panel said of M Steels: “Theyhave an excellent bike fitting service and workhard to promote their cycle to work offering.”

MOORE’S CYCLES,Twickenham

This independent cycle specialist has shops inTwickenham, Teddington and Isleworth,supplying South West London with bikes andparaphenalia since 1948. The store has a focuson women’s cycling and is recognised bySpecialized as an official women’s dealer. Soonto offer a bike hire service, the store promisesto offer the biggest choice of bikes in WestLondon. Our panel said of Moore’s Cycles: “It is great value, provides great service and islong-established.”

ON YOUR BIKE, London Bridge

The family-run On Your Bike has locations inLondon and Birmingham. Priding itself on topnotch customer service, both shops offer bikehire – catering for the casual cyclist as well asthe hardercore – in addition to retail, while theLondon branch has what it describes as thecapital’s largest secure indoor cycle parkingfacility.

The shop’s claims are backed up by ourpundits, who said On Your Bike offers “greatservice and a safe cycle parkingsolution for the London commuter”. >>>

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Interestingly, On Your Bike hastaken a stand against online trading,believing that serving customers

face-to-face is the best way to meet the needsof the cyclist. Having said that the firm’s site isa comprehensive guide to what OYB offers.

RED PLANET BIKES, Swindon

Pitched as being run and staffed by enthusiastsfor the discerning cyclist, whether they’re road,MTB or A to B orientated, Red Planet runs opendays and a regular mountain bike ride (everyTuesday night).

We got a first-hand experience of the storewhen Mystery Shopper visited Red Planet Bikesat the start of the year. The store was one ofthe very first to score top marks from theundercover reporter. After quizzing the needs ofthe potential customer, the staff memberprovided honest and opinionated answers andfollowed up the service by directing thecustomer to the store’s own polished website.With a coffee machine and a ‘very invitingvibe’ Red Planet is a store deserving of topmarks, it was found.

RUTLAND CYCLING, Rutland, Derbyshire

BikeBiz Award Winner 2010 (and profiled in lastmonth’s mag) Rutland proved an extremelypopular choice among the industry jury.

Trading for over 25 years Rutland has one ofthe highest turnovers of all IBDs in the UK,we’re told. Stocking all major brands and withthree bricks and mortar shops, Rutland also hasweb and eBay shops. Employing over 100 staffthis independent goliath also operates a verysuccessful hire fleet/demo test ride fleet.

The workshop is Cytech accredited and theshop is open all day, seven days a week, withdedicated experienced trained staff – several ofwhich have Mountain Bike Guide Awards.

The shop also finds the time to supportlocal cycling clubs, including Velo Club Rutland& St Ives Cycling Club. It also organises freepublic events, including monthly nightrides andfour yearly Demo Weekends.

The 20,000 square foot shopping floor isspread across three shops and Rutland alsopartners with the world’s largest Giant conceptstore.

SIGMA SPORT, Kingston upon Thames One of our unnamed pundits said Sigma was ‘amust’ to include on a list of top IBDs. Why?Well there’s a host a reasons. Since starting up18 years ago, Sigma has evolved into arespected name in the road cycling andtriathlon scene, offering a comprehensive rangeand staffed with highly knowledgeable staff.

The shop moves beyond retail too. Sponsoringworld-class triathletes, Sigma also runs its ownUCI Pro Continental cycling team which hascompeted at the Tour of Britain and Tour Series.Sigma launched a new flagship store inHampton Wick, Kingston, staffed by 14 plusfour cytech-trained mechanics and over 3,000sq ft of retail space per foot. The store offerscycling holidays and events through La Fugathrough the store, and the presentations andseminars can be hosted in the Club Room.There’s even a shower room for customers thatdrop off their bike in the morning before work,a lounge area with TV and complimentary wi-fiand range of things we don’t have room tosqueeze in here.

TRI UK, Yeovil

With an eye-wateringly large 10,000 squarefeet of retail space filled with a brilliantselection of clothing and accessories, theshop’s claim of being the world’s largesttriathlon store may indeed be true.

It’s a measure of Tri UK’s success that eventhose generous proportions aren’t enough forthe growing business, with a 5,000 square footextension planned, with work due to start laterthis year. And as if a 15,000 square foot shopwasn’t enough, Tri UK is also including a coffeeshop alongside the building as well, reaffirmingthe trade’s penchant for caffeine and forward-thinking retailing.

Being a triathlon focused store, Tri UK alsostocks all the relevant paraphenalia beyondcycling, including swimming gear. That it is nosurprise that this shop includes an in-storeEndless Pool to enable triathletes to try beforethey buy is a testament to the shop, involvedin the exciting and fast growing sport.

YORK CYCLEWORKS CO-OP,York

This co-operative is run and owned by cyclists,for cyclists. Priding itself on offering top-notchservice, it has been on the scene since 1980,catching the early days of the mountain bikerevolution. York Cycleworks is now doing a lotof high-end road bikes, as well as Cycle toWork trade in hybrids and mountain bikes.

One of the few worker co-operativesaround, Cycleworks is York’s only full Shimanoservice centre and a workshop manned full-time by three qualified Cytech mechanics. YorkCycleworks Co-op also offers bike box hire, testand demo bikes to its customer base.


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INTERVIEW | MARK CANTWELL, FUTURE

You moved from Future’s cycling portfolio,to the world of video gaming and then backagain. How was moving between the two?There are huge similarities between themarkets; both are full of passionate enthusiastswho crave information and news on theirchosen interest – hence the mechanics of oneapply well to the other. Morally though, I feel abit better about encouraging people to get outand do some exercise and, to be honest, Ialways got smashed at Call of Duty.

We’ve seen the importance of online growsignificantly, with Future revealing digital adrevenues rose 25 per cent whileprint ad revenue dropped ten per >>>

At the start of the year MarkCantwell returned to Future’s cyclingportfolio. Jonathon Harker chats tothe new associate publisher forBikeRadar and Cyclingnews...

Back to the

Future


BikeRadar has hit someimpressive milestones,but where next forFuture’s site?

cent in Q4 2010. Do you expectthat trend to continue, or is it

tough to predict how the figures willeventually balance out? I believe that magazines and the web perfectlycomplement each other. Research andimmediacy are the web’s strong points andthat is why the biggest and best websites arebased around news or reviews. However, forsomeone that has a real passion for theirsubject matter, the experience of reading amagazine has a unique feel and sense ofeditorial authority.

You first worked on BikeRadar shortly afterits launch – what’s changed in the interim? It has grown significantly and the market hasmatured in the digital space. My original jobwas to establish an advertising model and tohelp our sales team and, to some extent themarket, and understand more about digital.Now they are both teaching me new things.That is the joy of working on the web; it is veryhumbling and no-one has a monopoly on goodideas – there are some great sites out there.

Can you give us any hints about futuredevelopments on BikeRadar.com andCyclingnews.com?I am still analysing the data at the momentand I believe that both sites are very strong,whilst we intend to get better at what we dovery well. I was asked to drive the sites ontothe next level and that is what I intend to helpthe team do. I do believe that the future lies ingrowing the cycling audience in general and

INTERVIEW | MARK CANTWELL, FUTURE

enabling more people to geton bikes. Hopefully as wehelp to grow the market theopportunity becomes biggerfor us.

How did Future feel thenew London Bike Show fared?

Will you be back at the 2012 show? I haven’t actually been to the event yet butboth Katherine Raderecht and DaveClutterbuck have suggested that it was a verypromising new show that we were happy tosupport – and we will definitely be supportingit next year.

BikeRadar hit a landmark four million onlineusers over the summer – an impressive

achievement. Do you have a set targetfigure in mind for the sites? I have challenged Jeff Jones [the editor] togrow the site by a specific margin this year andhe has already risen to the challenge with 40per cent growth in global unique users fromFeb 10 to Feb 11. The trick is to maintain thatgrowth whilst keeping our quality high. There isno fixed target, but we have our eye onspecific market sectors where we see anopportunity for growth that we hope willbenefit the entire market.

The Olympics are just a year away – surelyweb figures are going to rocket for cyclingsites like BikeRadar and Cyclingnews? We are more focused on the quality of ourcoverage, helping new cyclists understand theevents and how they can participate in whatthey have seen. I see the Olympics as amassive opportunity for cycling to grow andwe would expect audience growth as part ofthat. It is an opportunity to create moreenthusiasts and a bigger overall marketplace.

Is there anything coming up for Cyclingnewsor BikeRadar in the short-term future youcan share with us? We are at the early stages of our assessmentbut I was brought in to drive our sites forward.Although I wouldn’t want to give too muchaway, if you watch this space you will seesome interesting developments over the nextfew months.

Have you got any final thoughts? I would just like to state that I chose to comeand work in the cycling industry as I believethere is an amazing opportunity to helpfacilitate the growth in the market. I lookforward to working on BikeRadar andCyclingnews for quite some time and welcomeany feedback the industry has on what theyfeel they need from us to help fuel thatgrowth. If anyone has any feedback specificallyon how to stop my arse hurting after a one-hour ride on my newly acquired Whyte 19cTeam that would be most appreciated.

Growing the cyclingaudience – and market– is a key aim for Future

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CATCHING UP WITH FUTURE

MARK CANTWELL’S return to Future’scycling portfolio is not the only high profilechange in personnel for the cycling side ofthe publishing and media giant over thepast year.

In October Richard Schofield becamegroup publishing director, heading upFuture’s sports and automotive titles,having previously worked as grouppublisher for sports at Future. Like Cantwell,Schofield was involved in the formativeyears of BikeRadar and led the earlyexpansion of Future’s cycling portfolio intodigital as publisher back in 2007. Schofieldreplaced Peter Stothard, former publishingdirector of the sports portfolio, reporting toFuture chief exec Mark Wood.

Earlier in 2010 Scott Longstaff joined ascommercial director for the sports portfolio(in June). Having previously worked withFuture’s in-house creative solutions team –which has worked with Garmin, Madisonand Colnago – Longstaff replaced Sean Igoe.


RichardSchofield


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Director of Epos firm Citrus-Lime, NeilMcQuillan believes retail and supplier stocklistings can now run as a seamless, real-time operation. Mark Sutton finds out howthis is being achieved…

Citruswith-the-times

BRAND SPOTLIGHT | CITRUS-LIME


Has the micro-site showing off Citrus-Lime’svarious modules launched yet? The first in a series of Microsites, each focusingsolely on a different Module, will be rolled out atthe start of April. The Supplier IntegrationModule Microsite contains a wealth ofinformation on the features of SIM v2.0, as wellas development announcements, blog updatesand audio/visual content in the form of SIM TV:linking screen captured user guides in multi-resolution formats.

How many staff does Citrus-Lime employ?Currently 16, with another new member of thesupport team coming on board soon.

What after-sales service do you provide?We have no automated answering system andwe work really hard to ensure a real personanswers the phone promptly. We are currentlyrecruiting from the cycle trade to ensure thatwe understand the issues of the trade, as wellas providing customer support.

What price plans do you have available?We have a standard payment plan, whichincludes a deposit and then payments onstaged deliveries. We also work with a numberof finance companies for those retailers whowant to spread the cost.

How often are software updates applied?Are these FOC to existing customers?It depends on the software, but updates arefree for customers on support. During the lastfinancial year we spent £40,000 on pureresearch and development. Our growth in thelast 12 months will see this figure increase. Ourecommerce platform has also been updated tothe very latest version of Microsoft’sdevelopment platform.

To what extent can you tailor a product tothe shop and workshop?

Ours is a standard offering, though if a shophas a good idea it will be rolled into our coreproduct. Supporting hundreds of differentsoftware installs would be impossible, so it’sabout having a good standard offering withenough flexibility to deal with the commonworkflows and processes in the workshop.

Tell us a bit about the developments in yoursupplier integration module:Citrus-Lime’s Supplier Integration Module is nowestablished as version 2.0 following its launchafter Core Bike. The core functionality remains asversatile and intuitive as before, but the End UserInterface has been reworked. With upgradedaccessibility, the key features of importing andaccessing accurate stock information are dailytools throughout a retailer’s business, from backoffice to point of sale. SIM v.2.0 will continue todevelop and evolve to address the competitivedemand to operate multi-channel retailbusinesses via an integrated stock system.

Which suppliers do you now work with?At present we’ve got established partnershipswith Madison, Giant, Scott, Endura, Bob Elliot,Madison Snow, Arc’ Teyrx and O’Neill. However,we’re also finalising with Zyro, Paligap, ChickenCyclekit, Fisher Outdoor, 2pure and Montane.

How can new dealers and suppliers helpgrow this module?The biggest issue we have at the moment isthat not all suppliers store size and colourinformation in their platforms. While we canwork with data without this information, it’s ofextremely limited value and would requireextensive reworking. The global brands arelargely clued up to this, and we are seeing somegreat examples in the UK supply chain.

We need our customers to explain tosuppliers the importance of good information;ultimately it saves time at the dealers, and leadsto more products getting into customers’ hands.

How long has Citrus-Lime been in the bizand how’s the cycle trade treating you?The cycle trade has been fantastic for us. AtCore 2009 we had two cycle customers, twoyears later we have a decent and growingestate of IBDs signed up. Our sales are up 25per cent year-on-year, and as we come towardscompleting our financial year we will seesignificant growth in revenues and profits. Aswe are self-financing, a large proportion ofthese profits will be used to fund research anddevelopment and to grow our staff numbers tosupport our expanding customer base.

How many retailers are you working with inthe cycle business?Fifty enrolled or signed up EPOS sites in thetrade. I believe there is space for two, perhapsthree, main players in the cycle EPOS andecommerce market; our strategy was to be oneof these companies. By having the mostforward thinking and integrated product, Ibelieve we are well on the way to achievingthis. We’ve moved from a niche player tohaving good market share in 24 months.

What are the key advantages to usingCitrus-Lime products and services?Our Supplier Integration Module is designedspecifically to deal with cycle and outdoorproducts, with support for seasonality, size andcolour. We’ve spent tens of thousands ofpounds developing this system. Tightintegration to the supply chain isunquestionably the future way that cycledealers will work with distributors. No one elseout there has a fraction of the functionality inthis module and we unquestionably lead themarket in terms of functionality.

Our dedication to Cycle and Outdoor isreflected by our focus on developing bespokesolutions for this market and its specific needs.We are the only multi-channel retail company,which focuses on these verticals.

Neil McQuillan has justrolled out the latest

version of Citrus-Lime’sSupplier Integration

Module

Has it been one of Fisher’s ambitions tobring Zipp to Fisher? Fisher has always aimed to offer the best rangeof cycling products for all sectors. With SRAMwe’ve a long standing relationship and a rangethat is at the peak of tech and innovation. As aresult, we’ve seen huge success with SRAM,firstly with the MTB products and, since 2009,with the road groupsets and wheels. AddingZipp has strengthened the offering, so for thefirst time the SRAMfamily is availablefrom one supplier.

With advances inour warehousemanagementsystem and stockcontrol methodswe’ve increasedavailability sodealers can getwhat they need when they need it, whetherfrom Avid, Truvativ, Rockshox, Zipp or SRAM,Fisher can provide it.

How will the SRAM tech support centreimprove service for dealers?It opened in January and dealers can now betrained in a purpose-built centre with SRAMtechnicians. It also means ongoing support andguidance is now available for any SRAM retailerfrom a single specialist resource. The centrecan train up to 12 at a time on all productsand they can be booked to visit dealers onsitefor training. It also does all of the SRAM serviceand warranty work for the UK, with technicianson hand for phone enquiries. Turnaround timesare updated daily on the Fisher b2b site andare usually under 48 hours.

The UK market is actually the second largestfor aftermarket sales so it does represent amarket of huge importance to SRAM. StanDay’s attendance at Expo and his visit to theSTC cemented their faith in the role Fisher hasto play in SRAM’s continued expansion andever improving market position here in the UK.

Will SRAM become more proactive inmarketing for the next year?

Absolutely. Fisherhas supported thegrowth of SRAM inthe UK with ongoingmarketing from thestart of ourpartnership and for2011 this will growsignificantly tofurther raiseawareness and drive

new and existing SRAM customers back to ourdealers’ shops. There is a full PR and eventsponsorship plan in place as well as significantadvertising spend in carefully targeted media.

Some of the sponsorship highlights includethe British Downhill Series and gravity EnduroSeries, as well as involvement in the growing Triseries with more exciting developments in thepipeline. Watch this space.

What are the current SRAM highlights? Fisher was proud to be part of the global SRAMRedBlack launch at Expo. It’s a development ofthe highly successful and acclaimed SRAM Redgroupset and, unlike the Red Yellow, is not alimited edition. It is a central part of the roadgroupset offering for the foreseeable future.The SRAM wheels have seen great success by

BRAND SPOTLIGHT | SRAM

TheRockshox

Reverb hasimpressed

MTBers

incorporating Zipp tech, which will continuewith exciting products like the S30 Goldwheels. In the MTB sector a key product forSRAM this year is the Rockshox Reverb. Alreadystrongly received in the consumer MTB mediaand early purchasers, this adjustable seatpost istaking the market by storm. Its slickfunctionality, rugged strength and long serviceintervals mean we expect it to be a top seller.The growth of 2x10 will continue too with theadvantages of it clear to everyone who tries it.

What does SRAM offer over competitors?SRAM has world champions giving feedback.They listen to customers and being ridersthemselves have a passion for the product.From the early days in Chicago, Stan Day andhis fellow founders have always pridedthemselves on listening to consumer, rider andtrade feedback to continuously develop theirrange. It’s a key reason behind SRAM’s rapidexpansion and global sales success. They areinnovators not followers and constantly lookfor new and improved ways of doing things.First with innovations such as the gripshift, firstwith a 2x10 MTB transmission and so on. Thelist goes on and they have more on the way.

Where does Fisher want to be with SRAM in12 months time? We want to see growth with Zipp and furtherstrengthening of SRAM’s reputation as the bestcomponents for tri and road riding as used bytop professionals to the sportive rider. Also, weare keen to build on the fantastic OE growthSRAM have seen and continue to provide greatservice to dealers and customers. 2011 is set to

be another landmark year for SRAM in theUK and Fisher is proud to be involved.

This year Fisher made the significant step of bringing Zipp on board, meaning the firm can now offerretailers all SRAM brands under one roof. Fisher’s Stephen Cromwell speaks to Jonathon Harker...

Zipp in Fisher’s step

“With advances in ourwarehouse and stock control

dealers can get what theyneed, when they need it.”

Stephen Cromwell


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The world’s population is getting older, so getting the over-50s on their bikes is not only desirable, it is essential. London Cycling Campaign’s Lucy Cooper explains toJonathon Harker about the Agewell on Wheels project...

BIKE HUB | AGEWELL ON WHEELS


CHILDREN NATURALLY grab lots of attention.They’re new, they’re noisy, and they usuallyhave a parent or parents with money to spendon them. Consequently, we hear a lot aboutgetting children on bikes, and rightly so, forthey will ideally have many years of cyclingahead of them. But with an aging population –there are now more over-60s than under-16s,fact fans – a huge chunk of the population is indanger of being overlooked.

Now, thanks to the London Cycle Campaign,the older potential cyclist is being catered forthrough the Agewell on Wheels initiative. Runby Gwen Cook, AOW was funded in 2008 byLondon Cycle Campaign.

The LCC’s Lucy Cooper explains the project’sgenesis: “Gwen recognised that cycling is agreat solution to get older people active aswell as being a convenient way to get about.She was aware, however, that many people shemet of a similar generation lacked confidenceand overestimated the barriers to cycling. As aresult, Gwen set up The Agewell on Wheelspilot project in Hammersmith and Fulham torespond to these barriers.

“The project was a huge success with allparticipants reporting that they feltimprovements in confidence, balance, strengthin their legs and coordination by the end oftheir course. LCC considered this success agood reason to expand the project to otherboroughs across London.”

And expand the project it did, rolling outthree sets of courses in Camden and thenWestminster. “Again there was a really positiveresponse and participants begun to getinvolved in London Cycle Campaign local groupled rides,” explains Cooper.

The courses have gone from strength-to-strength and have been expanded for 2011.

Now available to 12 boroughs across Londonand featuring even more led rides to engagecommunities with cycling, LCC will be utilisingwide reaching marketing to get the message tomore people than ever.

SENIOR MOMENTS?Bike Hub cash has been essential for theunique project’s development, Cooper says. “Ithas been integral for the courses to evolve.Without this support LCC would not have beenable to get the match funding from thecouncils for training. The funding has alsoenabled LCC to provide bikes for theparticipants that did not have access.”

The courses provide intensive support tocombat barriers to cycling. Advice is given onbuying bikes and how to use the cycle hirescheme (more on that later), free DR bikes ifthey already have a bike, route planninginformation, an introduction to their localcycling community through led rides and freeLCC membership.

The London Cycle Campaign markets thecourses in libraries, GP surgeries, communitycentres, leisure centres and transport hubs.Promotion also takes place online throughblogs, websites and newsletters, as well as localnewspapers. Certain charities and potentialpartners will be asked to promote the courses,including the likes of the British HeartFoundation and sustainable charities like theEnergy Saving Trust.

Local groups will also be contacted topromote courses and councils will be asked topromote the courses via their networks andpublications.

“The marketing for the 2009 coursesattracted much older groups. This year we planto try and broaden our audience by putting a

Agewell on Wheels isplanning to broaden itsaudience with weekend

courses for 2011

series of courses at the weekend targetingpeople that are working.

“We have had participants up to the age of80, but the majority of them have been in theirmid-60s.”

Agewell on Wheels has made use ofLondon’s Cycle Hire scheme: “For those that donot have bikes and will not be able to buythem due to financial restrictions or lack ofstorage, cycle hire is perfect. We have added aled ride which teaches participants how to usethe cycle hire scheme and have even includeda cycle hire key in their final pack.”

“Agewell on Wheels is a great templatewhich would be easy to roll out across the UK.We hope to see it continue to grow.”

Seasoned cyclistsAgewell on Wheels will take place acrossfour locations this year:

1 Linford Christie Stadium, Hammersmith, Greater London W12 0

2 Castlehaven Community Centre, 21 Castlehaven Road, NW1 8RU

3 Dulwich Park, Dulwich SE21 7BQ4 Gunnersbury Park, W5 4ND

Course 1Day: Wednesday Time: 10.30-2.30pm May 11th, May 18th, May 25th, June 1st,June 8th

Course 2 Day: Saturday Time: 10-2pm June 11th, June 18th, June 25th, July 2nd, July 9th

Course 3 Day: Thursday Time: 10.30-2.30pm July 28th, August 4th, August 11th,August 18th, August 25th

COURSE DATES

Distribution in the UK: Fisher Outdoor Leisure LTD, www.fisheroutdoor.co.uk & Saddleback Ltd, www.saddleback.co.uk

ALL BLACKSRAM RED is the first choice for riders and racers who won’t accept any compromise. Its success in the pro peloton speaks for itself: Tour de France, Giro, Vuelta, Paris-Roubaix and Flanders. Delivering best-in-class performance, weight and function, SRAM RED is now available in a new color option: BLACK.

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ACTSMART | DEALER SERVICES


RIDE IT AWAY replaced the long-standing BlackHorse retail finance scheme in early spring of2010, offering reduced subsidies, improvedacceptance rates, enhanced operations and freenational promotion.

It’s currently available at over 400 cycleshops which account for over a 75 per centshare of the UK’s £30m cycle finance market.With increased annual sales of 91 per cent,compared with the previous scheme, it is anobvious opportunity for all IBDs.

The most successful retailers promote RideIt Away strongly both in-store and online as aflexible sales tool to target specific products,price points or brands, with criteria setindividually by the retailer. It is used to up-sellbikes to higher price points and introduceadditional accessory sales, increasingtransaction values and profitability. Manyretailers openly promote Ride It Away asavailable at certain price points, allowingconsumers to make their own up-sell decisions.

Too often finance has been seen as a lastresort to close a sale, but promoted stronglyand used effectively cycle finance will increaseyour customer base as well as your sales. In an

increasingly competitive market the option tospread the cost is an obvious winner, especiallyas Ride It Away is not available to the cycletrade’s mass merchants.

Ride It Away also has the edge with itsonline offering; an integrated finance functionthat eliminates the need for paper applications.Customers sign agreements on the internet,negating the historic cooling-off period andsignificantly increasing acceptance levels.

The Cycling Experts’ online shop search, nowfeatured across a growing number of consumerwebsites, allows retailers to reach consumerstotally free-of-charge. The search facilityidentifies which retailers offer Ride It Away intheir locality and what cycle brands they stock.

Ride It Away is one of a growing family offinance products available to businesses in theoutdoor pursuits sector provided by ActSmartin partnership with Moneyway. All are availableto ActSmart Gold and Platinum members,regardless of turnover, and with peak seasonfast approaching there has never been a bettertime to get more involved.

For more information visit www.actsmart.biz/cycles or call us on 0845 618 7256.

Too often finance hasbeen seen as a last

resort to close a sale,says ActSmart

� New low-cost interest bearing products � A partnership programme which allows

suppliers to create promotions with retailers and reduce subsidy costs

� A new range of POS� Extended online promotion

COMING SOON...

The Ride It Away cycle finance scheme has been oneof the biggest successes of the past year, saysActSmart. And with further retail price increases onthe horizon Ride It Away will become an increasinglyessential sales tool throughout 2011 and beyond...

Cycle finance:Got it? Flaunt it

“The average finance salevalue in 2010 was justover £1,000. With highacceptance levels it’s nowonder that an increasingnumber of IBDs see thescheme as crucial to theirbusiness.”

ActSmart

Raleigh’s Mark Needham shifts from sales to product management at Nottingham HQ � Competitivecyclist Scott Hart becomes brand communications manager at RockShox


PEOPLE | RECRUITMENT

Send your recruitment news [email protected]

Climber, Lonsdale Sealz the deal

management team, based at the Raleigh'sNottingham headquarters.

Needham's field-based experience and hispassion for the sport will be beneficial in hisline of work as he begins the challenge ofdeveloping new brands and products forRaleigh’s parts and accessory range.

� SEAL SKINZ Liam Lonsdale, an up-comingclimbing star, has been appointed to the role ofNorthern regional sales associate for ithe firm’sActive ranges. Lonsdale joins SealSkinz from hisposition as store manager of Tog24, Kendal,where he was the company’s youngest storemanager – promoted at just 19 years old.

Lonsdale will cover stores across both thenorth of England and Wales.

� ROCKSHOX Scott Hart has joined theRockShox marketing and communicationsgroup as new brand communications manager.

Hart is a keen and competitive cyclist,having ridden to a strong level in many genresof the sport – from road to BMX and mountainbike – and obtained several national titles.

After competing in the first ever Red BullRampage, Scott hung up his competitivehelmet to pursue a full-time position injournalism. As the co-creator of DeclineMagazine, Scott has worked in cycling media asa journalist, photographer and graphic designerfor the last eight years, prior to joining RockShox.

� RALEIGH Mark Needham has moved fromhis role in the sales force to join the product Mark NeedhamScott Hart


RETAIL ONLYRETAILCOMMENT

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

[email protected]

IN THIS MONTH’S ISSUENEW PRODUCTS 51Scoop has two new brands on board, while BBB stock landswith Windwave. Find out more on page 51.

BICYCLE SECURITY 52Lock it or lose it. That’s the message to be impressed uponowners of a new bike. Find out what you can sell ‘em...

LETTERS 56 Somebody’s not a fan of the Mystery Shopper. Find outwhere our icognito investigator will be ‘shown the door’...

NEVER BEFORE have so many bikes been pitched primarilyas ‘low maintenance bicycles’. It’s a trend you’d have thoughtwould have been mainstream for some time before now, butwith the developments in belt drive tech and the ever-increasing use of hub gears on many city bikes, a subcategory seems to be spawning from marketing spiel.

Road.cc uncovered a new Brit brand specialising in justthis territory last month – Milk Bikes of Essex. Describingbike maintenance as a “necessary evil of owning and ridinga bike,” the founder, commuter Mark Meadows has set outto create THE bike for urban riding. The spec sheet of thefirst bike off the production line – the RDA – reads like acustom build too, with puncture proof tyres as standard,dynamo powered front and rear lights, Alfine internal gears,Gates’ carbon belt drive, mudguards included. The full works.

Upgrades are unnecessary, and hub-gear tuning and discbrake bleeding aside, the majority of maintenance workcould be done by a savvy cyclist, perhaps even a newbie.

Whether or not this is a good or bad thing for theretailer, I’m yet to decide. You send away a happy customer,who will be unlikely to have any complaints and perhapseven recommend such a bike to a friend. So, such a buildwill sell well, if marketed right in store.

On the flipside, there’s very little scope to sell extras forthat little bit more margin per customer. These bikes comewith fitted guards and pannier racks, lights and occasionallybottle cages. What’s more, once built up, the workshop maynot see the bike again for some time.

Working on the theory that happy customers spend moreand discuss their positive experiences among colleagues andfriends, I’m swaying towards the positive. If pitched to thecustomer as a investment in a reliable and long-wearingbike, sales should remain consistent, which in turn and basedon the above theory, should benefit your business’ reputation.

Let’s face it, the majority who buy from a bike shopnowadays will have a mate who is a ‘bit handy’ with a setof allen keys. Commuters quickly turn into bike enthusiasts,especially in fair weather and they too can probably workout how to align a stem, or raise a seatpost.

If manufacturers really are about to invest in creating a‘maintenance free’ market, will workshops suffer? Probablynot. Reports seen by BikeBiz suggest the repair trade isstronger than ever. Such bikes could, however, revive alagging shop floor.

“If pitched to the customer as aninvestment in reliability, sales should

remain consistent and yourreputation sound...”

IBD | PROFILE


Now with a brand new store in Richmond, owner Clive Gosling explains the Bikelab cycle retail conceptto Jonathon Harker...

Bikelab seems to have a unique approach todisplaying bikes – can you tell us more? Before Bikelab I was the marketing manager forCannondale and I would be personallyfrustrated, and feel consumers’ disappointment,that the brand was represented so poorly instore. Hanging bikes by the saddle from a bit ofscaffolding or squished up in a big row doesn'texcite consumers. I decided when I openedBikelab Poole nearly ten years ago that eachbike would be displayed side on, individuallyand well lit to give consumers a good buyingexperience. The down side is we are thenlimited as to how many bikes we can stock. ButI think the trade-off is worthwhile.

And you’ve chosen BM7 stands to helpdisplay the bikes in store? Yes, in Poole we went with the best bike displayswe could find at the time, but things havechanged in ten years and there are now someexcellent merchandising opportunities availablesuch as the BM7 stands we have in Richmond.They display the bikes extremely well and give avery nice boutique feel to the shop.

How do you train staff so they’re able toprovide a good bike fit service to customers? We have been bike fitting customers since dayone and all of our staff are encouraged to getinvolved. I still do a lot of fits myself. Obviouslythere are customers at an elite level whorequire a more sophisticated fit or have specificissues with their cycling that need moreexperience, so we have staff that canaccommodate these clients. We are constantlylooking at new fit systems to see what willprovide us with a competitive edge and thecustomer with a better fit. However, fitting isn'tsuitable for a lot of retailers. Bikelab's model is

built around spending more time with a smallernumber of higher quality customers to achievea higher average transaction and this modelsimply wouldn't work for a lot of dealers. Wealso need long term stable employees so inareas where there can be a high level of staffturnover, spending thousands of pounds gettingan employee trained is a risk.

Have you seen other stores follow your leadsince Bikelab first opened?Even though Poole is in its tenth trading year,the shop still looks very smart and modern. Thefact that the new Richmond shop doesn't looktoo dissimilar is testament to how well we gotthe environment right on the first one. I thinkwe encouraged shops to raise the game tenyears ago and today I would say that we offertwo of the nicest shopping experiences in ourindustry. You don't have to spend a lot ofmoney either – it's not hard to sweep the floorand clean the windows.

I think this industry still has a long way to goin order to better meet consumers’expectations. My long term goal would be tohave staff trained up to Cytech, bikefitting butalso complete a barista course and have propercoffee machines in-store. It's all about theconsumer experience.

How long has the sister store in Surrey beenopen? And why did you open in Richmond? Bikelab Richmond opened mid January. I havepartnered with a long-term Bikelab customeron the project who has a very strongcommercial and financial background. Weopened it because people would travel far andwide to visit Bikelab. In fact my partner used todrive over 100 miles just to shop with us inPoole. We also had a high volume of customers

Bikelab

A scientific approachTelephone: 01202 330011 (Poole)/0208 948 6166 (Richmond)Email: [email protected]/[email protected]: www.bikelab.co.uk

Opening times: : 9.00am to 6.00pm Monday to Saturday. Closed SundaysOpen 9.00am to 8.00pm on Thursday (Richmond only) Address: Bikelab Surrey, 4-7 Twickenham Road, Richmond TW9 2SE

from Surrey and London so it made sense tolook at that area. But it was just really that theright premises came up at the right price. Thereare a lot of shops around there already butwe've got an amazing location right on theA316 coming into London and that is alreadyproving to be a key sales driver.

Bikelab has just been announced as RoseBike’s exclusive UK retailer – that’s a bigendorsement for the shop. Rose approached us as we have a very goodreputation for customer service and technicalprowess. In Germany they are huge and theyhave a strong focus on the UK market and arealready doing some good business here. Therelationship allows them a storefront wherepeople can see and ride the product and it givesBikelab access to an exclusive brand that offersgreat value for money that will complementour premium brand business. Even as a retailerof slightly posher bikes, we have seen arequirement from certain parts of the marketfor an increased value offering.

How long have you been in the cyclingindustry? And why did you decide to getinto bike retail? I'm 42 this year so there is your answer. When Iwas a couple of weeks old I was in a basket inthe back of a delivery van as my mother usedto do the deliveries for our family’s cyclewholesale business (Edwardes Cycles). My nanran the warehouse and at 86 still knows moreabout bikes than most of my customers. Myfamily’s shop Edwardes of Camberwell this yearcelebrates 103 years in business and I worked inthe shop pretty much from leaving school atfifteen. Apart from a six-month break I haveonly ever worked in the bicycle industry.

Distribution By Zyro Ltd.

Order the best locks today via www.zyrob2b.co.ukor call 01845 521742

BICYCLEBRONZE

T E S T E D T OREDUCE CRIME

BICYCLE

GOLD

BICYCLESILVER

23cm £59.99 SRP30cm £64.99 SRP

Sinus Plus 471 Granit London 53

Facilo 32 23cm £34.99 SRP30cm £39.99 SRP

23cm £26.99 SRP30cm £31.99 SRP


Federal Drop forkSeventies0845 3103670

SEVENTIES has received a shipment drop of 2011Federal components, including the new ‘Drop’ fork.

Based around the classic offset and length of the20/20 fork, the Drop retains the same material andheat treatment spec. However the shape of thedropout and the bottom of the fork leg have bothbeen redesigned to create a stronger and cleanerlooking junction with better clearance. A newslimmer top cap features too, offering both a six andeight millimeter allen wrench slot.

Signature frame restocks from Dan Lacey, TyMorrow and Jared Washington have also landed.

Mutant and Kis BikeScoop BMX01462 650741

BOTH MUTANT Bikes and Kis Bike Co are nowcarried by Letchworth distributor Scoop.

Mutant has some new 24-inch specific frames –the Evolution V2 and X-ray V2. The former isdesigned around a BMX's rear end, accommodating14mm axles and with dropouts spaced 110mmapart. The rear end also features removable U-brakelugs. The bottom bracket is of the Spanish variety.

Kis Bike Co is a UK-based brand with a fewinnovative products in its line. For example, the brandhas managed to tuck a 17mm wrench inside itsseatpost, doubling it up as a built in peg removal tool.

Campagnolo Challenge weari-Ride01323 445155

THIS YEAR’S Campagnolo spring and summer linerevolves around the ‘challenge’ label, under whichyou’ll find waterproof jackets, long zip jerseys, glovesand bib shorts.

Available in sizes small to triple extra large, theChallenge waterproof jacket is made of a super light‘Textran’ material with a thin elasticated two-layermembrane. Reflective Velcro straps feature on thecuffs and a spreadcoated waterproof front and rearzip will ensure moisture stays out.

Women’s garments are also in stock now with i-Ride, including ¾ bibs, windproofs and long zip jerseys.

Montague Boston bike2x2 Limited01827 331099

THE BOSTON line from Montague has just landedwith 2x2, with both singlespeed and an eight-speedinternal Revoshift hub gear builds available.

Both roll on 700c wheels, revolving around the Klixlockable releases, and each frame is foldable at theseat tube thanks to Montague’s own QR system.

The established Paratrooper has also been updatedwith the creation of the Paratrooper Pro. It features thesame rugged frame as the original Paratrooper, withupgrades such as pad adjustable front and rear discbrakes, 27-speed SRAM X-7 drivetrain, and suspensionfork with more travel, preload adjust and lock out.

BBB Sport glassesWindwave02392 505320

NOW IN STOCK with Windwave, BBB’s line-upincludes a few new cycling glasses, as well as somecasual designs, notably the new ‘Pacer’ shades. Casual,yet sporty, the Pacer is made from a ‘Grilamid’ frame,which holds UV protective polycarbonate lenses.

If your customer is after something moreprofessional, recommend the Impulse glasses withinterchangeable ‘smoke’ polycarbonate lenses. Aclever silicone nose-piece with an aluminium insertmeans the glasses adapt and mould to the shape ofthe rider’s features. The white frame version isavailable with Photochromic lenses.

KCNC X7 disc brakesClee Cycles01746 712882

AFTER 12 months of development and feedbackfrom supported riders, KCNC has launched the X7brakeset with improvements to the lever's shape andclamp – also re-naming the design the Pro lever.

A complete system weighs in at just 249 gramsfor the front calliper, hose and lever, 160mm Razorrotor and two Ti calliper mount bolts. As such, thisis one of the lightest disc brake sets currentlyavailable, beating many leading brands best offerings.

Each unit comes pre-bled and callipers areavailable in IS or post in a choice of four colours –black, red, silver and gold.

Summer’s on the way and BBB has some tidy sports andcasual glasses for the cycling customer. Stick them onMontague’s new Boston bike for added style points...New gear


PRODUCTS | NEW RELEASES

First line ofdefence

Madison EVOLUTION Mini 7 lock with four-footkryptoflex cable is designed formoderate to high crime areas andcertified as Silver Sold Secure. It has a13mm hardened Kryptonium steelshackle with a patented deadboltlocking mechanism for extensiveholding power and anti-rattle bumperskeeps the shackle snug against thecrossbar. The flatkey seven-disc highsecurity, Pick-Safe disc-style cylinder hasan offset key location and the overheadcam locking mechanism resists leverageattacks. The reinforced sleeve over thecrossbar and cylinder also provides

enhanced security protection. TheKryptoflex braided steel cable enablesyou to lock up wheels and saddles andacts as a secondary deterrent. The lockcomes with an EZ-Mount bracket andthree keys with lifetime key registrationand key replacement.

Madison also stocks the BikeRevolution Kryptonite Bike ID Kit.Partnering with Kryptonite Locks, the IDKits offer an added level of protectionfor cyclists by offering on-bikedeterrence featuring mobile apps andtags that can be read by smart phones.For more information, head to thebottom of page 53. 0208 385 3385

ChickenCyclekit The brand new Squire Snaplok is arevolutionary design that is lighter thanthe traditional D lock, openingoutwards. The lock is being pitched asthe most advanced combination cyclelock of its kind.

The 13mm diameter device is madefrom hardened boron alloy steel andfeatures a unique recodable five-digitcombination lock with over 100,000combinations – and it comes with a10-year guarantee.

The British-made Snaplok features ametal loop shape, with a design basedon the appearance of a caribiner morecommonly used in mountainclimbing.

It boasts a Sold Secure Silverrating and is available in two sizes;

210mm for £59.99, and 260mm for£69.99. There’s more detail on Snaplokin the Henry Squire section. 01525 381347

Moore LargeONGUARD’S LOCK boasts value formoney, presentation, dealer support andprofitability in one handy package. TheSRP for each lock reflects a minimumten per cent saving against a comparablecompetitor product, Moore Large tellsBikeBiz. No quibble lifetime warrantiesare offered, as well as an anti-theftguarantee on shackle locks, heavy-dutychain and padlock combos. Five keys areincluded with each lock, with a key

replacement service also available. The range includes maximum security

chains and shackle locks through tosimpler coils and cables.

Moore Large also supplies the mid-level Magnum brand, with a

comprehensive selection including U-locks, coil locks, chain locks, armouredlocks and cable locks, from £4.99 to£46.99.

And then there’s the quirky Australianbrand Knog, now stocking a vast array

suitable even for the pickiest of cyclists.The cable locks use a unique, highlyflexible fibre core steel cable which isharder to cut through as it creates a softarea which absorbs the concentratedforce of bolt cutter attack.

Knog has also introduced StraightJacket locks, in a £19.99 skinny versionwith a 6mm hardened box steel chainand a 38mm hardened shackle brasspadlock. A Fatty version (£25.99) sportsan 8mm chain and 50mm padlock. [email protected]

Cyclists live in fear of bike theft, sopersuading customers to part with cash toprotect their precious rides shouldn’t betricky. Jonathon Harker looks at some ofthe options on the market...

SECTOR GUIDE | SECURITY



RaleighRALEIGH OFFERS a wide range ofsecurity products for cyclists, includingthe Protector 300 – a 12mm hardenedsteel shackle with a double bolt lockingmechanism. Boasting a high-securitycylinder, the Protector comes completewith a mounting bracket.

Raleigh also stocks the Flex 400 – a

12mm self coil cable lock with a fourdigit re-settable combination, alsocoming with a mounting bracket.

The Force 100, meanwhile, is a highsecurity padlock, featuring tough9.5mm hardened steel links formaximum protection. The double fabricsleeve helps keep treasured frames freeof damage.01773 532600

WalkersWALKERS has acquired two new SerfasD Locks – a D Lock on its own (£19.99)and an option with a six foot extenderdouble loop cable (£24.99).

The main features include a solidhardened steel U-lock with double deadbolt locking mechanism for extraresistance and holding strength. The steel

encased tumbler mechanism resistsdrilling or pulling, while a dust covertwists to keep the locking cylinder clean.A multiple channel key offers over100,000 different key variations and theD Lock also includes a bike mount foreasy transportation with a quick releaselock holder. The D Lock comes with alifetime warranty. 01162 833885

ZyroGERMAN BRAND Abus has been in thelock business for decades, using thatexperience in its full range, including theU Mini 401 (SRP £69.99). Thislightweight and small courier lock isideal for those who like to have a securelock (gold level approved) which is easyto transport, lock and store.

The new Granit 53 (SRP £59.99) hasSolid Secure Gold status and wasdeveloped with the UK in mind. With a

13mm round profile shackle this lockbenefits from the advanced Powercelldouble locking mechanism, while theAbus Plus locking cylinder offersadvanced lockpicking protection.

The Sinus Plus Combination Pack(£39.99) features the Solid Secure Silverrated Sinus Plus lock with the bonus of a120cm/12mm braided steel cable to actas a secondary deterrent.

The innovative two-loop cable doesthat which has only previously beenpossible with a chain. The variable loops

enable a flexible attachment of twodifferent products over almost the wholecable length. Produced from a 10mmstrong premium steel cable, theMultiloop Cable’s SRP is £39.99.

The innovative 1650 combination coilcable hits £36.99 SRP and combines newtechnology, giving it the comfort of acombination lock but with the benefitsof a key lock. Sporting a 12mm steelcable with protective PVC coating, it hasan individually settable code. www.zyrob2b.co.uk

Henry SquireONE OF THE best-known brands in thecycle security sector, Squire has releasedthe Snaplok (see the Chicken Cyclekitbox for more).

Cycling security specialist HenrySquire & Sons is heralding a new era incycle security with the unveiling of theUK’s first combination cycle lock thathas achieved Sold Secure Silver status,which it is modestly pitching as atrailblazer for a new advanced cyclingsecurity product range.

Designed for the urban cyclist, theSnaplok differs from some of itscombination lock competitors with itsSold Secure Silver rating, meaning itresists theft against a determined form

of attack for at least three minutes. That combination lock means, of

course, that there are no keys to lose.Snaplok includes a specially designedcarry bracket for use while commuting.

All Squire cycle security products arerated with the company’s official 15-stage security rating, showing at aglance the lock’s level of security from 1(low) to 15 (maximum).

Snaplok boasts a security rating of 13demonstrating the lock’s high level ofsecurity. [email protected].

OxfordProductsOXFORD has recently updated thepackaging of its lock ranges to a newsmarter style. Now sporting a whitebackground, the packaging is muchbrighter, modern and visually appealing,the firm tells BikeBiz.

Inside the packaging, the Barrier LockArmoured Cable Lock features braidedsteel cable protected by steel rollers.Pre-oiled and covered by a protectivevinyl sleeve, it comes in three colours;blue, smoke and red, retailing at £19.99.

The Magnum Shackle Lock is anultra-strong lock body and alloy steelshackle, with a hardened steel double

locking key mechanism. Available in twosizes, pricing for the medium is £59.99,with the large at £64.99.

Also up from Oxford is the CableLock – a self coiling high tensile steelcable with protective vinyl sleeve. Itcomes complete with three keys andtwo quick release brackets. Retailing at£11.99 it comes with a key dust coverand is available in five colours. 01993 862300

Bike Revolution BIKE REVOLUTION’S Bike ID Kits offerthe latest in bike security and theftprevention. Bike Revolution’s approachto fighting bike theft also aids inrecovery, as each tag is linked to aglobal bike registration system. Theservice offers in-store free registration,which increases customer loyalty incase of bike theft.

Dealers are eligible to become a BikeSecure Partner, which offers benefitssuch as increased footfall, online trafficand greater exposure of the bike shopthrough Bike Revolution’s website.

It’s available to dealers throughMadison – see the distributor’s sectionelsewhere in this feature. www.bikerevolution.org

Coyote SportsCOYOTE OFFERS a wide range ofproducts under the Coyote, Venture andSquire brands.

Taken as a whole,the ranges compriseentry-level locks allthe way through toSold Secure SquireLocks. The portfolioincludes cablelocks, combinationlocks and U-locks,as well as groundanchors andsecurity cables andpadlocks.

For moreinformation on any of

these security products visitwww.coyote-sports.com or [email protected] 652768

SECTOR GUIDE | SECURITY

ZyroWith reportedlystrong growth inroad cycling, Altura’sflagship Ergofit rangelooks set to build on asuccessful launch in2010. Constructed inmulti-panel, pre-shapeddesigns Ergofit itemsensure a fantastic fit on the bike nomatter how far, or fast, your customerrides.

Female roadies are catered for withthe new Synergy range, sharing manyof the Ergofit features and fabrics inwomen's specific designs. With pricesof Ergofit and Synergy products belowthe £100 mark, the price tag is wellbelow the level you would expect forthe performance qualities achieved ineach garment.

The best selling Progel lycra shortrange continues to prove exceedinglypopular, with a variety of models formen and women. This technology isnow also employed in the improvedProgel Asymetrix and women's Synergy

mitts, looking after thekey contact point onthe bike.

For the city riders,the Metro shorts

combine a casual look withsubtle cycle features like thereflective prints on the insideof the leg opening and thelightweight fleece pad foradded comfort. The newNight Vision Short sleeve

jerseys are also bound to provepopular providing essential additionalvisibility in a lightweight summerriding top.

The wide range of baggy shortscontinue as an important part of thesummer offer, with leisure models likethe Ascent retailing at £40 with aseparate liner, up to the flagship Apexbaggy, winner of What MTB short ofthe year 2010.01845 521700

Geared up

WindwaveNow stocking the comprehensive lineoff BBB products, Windwave has accessto a growing line of cycle clothingbearing the BBB stamp. Thiscomprehensive line covers head to toe,from jerseys and shorts, to socks andshoe covers.

BikeBiz recently got to take a lookat the brand's new eyewear product,including the sporty 'Impulse' glassesand the more casual 'Pacer' shades.Both of these offer good UVprotection and, as with all otherglasses in the line, come with a storagepouch and cleaning cloth.

The Impulse shades feature a clevernosepiece, made up of silicone, butwith a flexible aluminium insert thatbends to the contours of the nose. TheImpulse design is available in white,

matt black, glossy black, chrome andred, all complete with smoke flashmirror lenses. The white frame is alsoavailable with Photochromic lenses.02392 505320

ChickenCyclekitTHOUGH BEST known for its turbotrainers, Jet Black also producessunglasses, two models of which areavailable via Chicken Cyclekit in theUK. Both have been tested to CE andAustralian standards.

Available in two options, the X-forcecrystal frame model retails for £34.99

in three colours, while the Sport, alsostocked in three colours, sits at abudget friendly £24.99.

Both come with a carry case, as wellas three interchangeable lenses – clear,yellow and smoke.

Strong margins are on offer todealers, as is point of sale material,including a shop display. Contact thesales office on 01525 381347 or seewww.chickenb2b.co.uk for moreinformation on Jet Black's sunglasses.01525 381347

Your customer’s got the bike, they’ve got theaccessories, but have they got their summer cyclingwardrobe sorted? Mark Sutton asks a handful ofdistributors what cycle clothing is selling well andwhat new garments are on the way…

SECTOR GUIDE | CYCLE FASHION


Pic © C

arlton Reid

HopeOffering a streamlined clothing rangealongside its ever-expanding hardgoods portfolio, Hope can providedealers with branded and morediscreet piece of clothing, with theSingletrack FR short being anexample of the latter.

Perfect for the trail enthusiast, theSingletrack FR is made from Cordurafabric with Teflon HT treatment. Allseams are triple stitched, ensuringthey'll last and furthermore, the 'seatfabric' uses a more heavy-dutyconstruction. Sizes range from smallto extra large, as with all Hopegarments.

On the road side Hope has a morestreamlined, tailored kit bag, withrace bib shorts, developed alongsideEndura topping the line. The six-panel construction garment hassilicon leg grippers and a multi-density, anti-bacterial stretch padsewn in. As with the freeride line,sizes range small to extra large.

Kids are catered for too with astrong line, including a race gilet,jersey and shorts combo, socks andmore.01282 851200

Moore LargeAS SEEN In our show report on page16, Limar has branched into eyewearto compliment its helmet line. Nowin stock with Moore Large, the line upspans several different designsavailable with strong polycarbonatelenses, each with various differentlevels of light transmission.

Photochromic lenses feature onthe OF8 model, which retails for£79.99. For those not clued up on thetech, photochromic lenses changethe tint according to the lightconditions. The amount of visiblelight they transfer varies from 49 percent down to 11 per cent, accordingto the conditions. They’ll changefrom light to dark in eight seconds,and back again in 35 seconds.

If it's clothing stocks your store ismulling over ahead of warmerweather, look out for Vangard andOuteredge's lines. The former of thetwo is tailored for the performanceenthusiast and the later, MooreLarge's in-house brand, is the moreaffordable, everyday use line.

Outeredge has introduced full ziptights and leg warmers to its range.The full-length zips make the tightsand leg warmers easy to take on andoff, meaning you don’t need tostretch over, or remove shoes. Thismakes them great for pre-race Cyclo-cross and MTB. The tights retail at£35.99 and the leg warmers retail at£20.99.01332 274200

CSGSurface Clothing has been around for afew years now, designed under the sameroof as Charge Bikes and targeted at thesame diverse crowd.

Assuming we do get some fair weatherthis summer, dealers should look attaking on a few Liquistrech shorts andmaybe some fingerless Surface gloves.There's a lot of tech and well thoughtout design work that's gone into theshorts, which are double woven and offera four-way stretch. What's more, thegarment wicks sweat on the inside andoffers shower protection on the outer.There's plenty of vented pockets too,with zipped storage on the rear.

Surface's fingerless gloves make themost of some fine materials, beingmade up of black lamb's leather,Merino wool, all put together minusstitching on the palm, often prone tobreakage. As with the firm's full fingerglove, you'll also find an absorbenttowelling on the thumb. 01202 732288

GreyvilleSH+ is a leading Italian cycling brandproducing helmets and sports glassesthat, until now, is relatively new nameto the UK bike trade.

The RG4600 glasses are the brand'stop of the range sports glasses. Theycome with interchangeablepolycarbonate lenses, which have100 per cent UV protection andhave also been given an anti fogtreatment.

Weighing in at 26 grams andretailing for £85.95, customerscan pick up this model in

fluorescent yellow, pink or green,matching the colours found on the SH+Zeuss Pro road helmets.

As with all SH+ glasses they comewith a hard protective case, head strapand a high-quality, scratch-free bag thatdoubles as lens wipe.01543 251328

PaligapPaligap's standout cycling jersey brandis imported all the way from NewZealand and addresses the lack of 'oldschool' 1950 to 1970 style jerseys onthe market.

Neglecting the 'moving billboard'image of the modern jersey, Solo'sdesigns are simplified and asrepresentative of certain countries asthey are any branding.

Take the Dempsey jersey. Inspired byIreland's tenacious catalogue of proriders past and present, the green jerseyhas little more than the word'Dempseys' on the chest and sleeve.

Consistent across the line, eachscreen printed jersey is made from ahighly breathable and wickablepolyester fabric and carries an 18cmfront zip with over-size zipper, whichmakes handling with gloves that mucheasier. In addition, you'll find threestandard rear pockets, as well as azipped pouch.

Paligap account holders will also haveaccess to both the Sombrio and Konaclothing lines, both of which cater toroad and off road audiences as well asproducing a wide range of casual wear.01454 313116


SECTOR GUIDE | CYCLE FASHION

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

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

Email:[email protected]

Star LetterWhether it’s a hand-written, sent-through-the-post letter,email or a comment made on the BikeBiz forum, the best letterof the month wins a prize from Oxford Products.

This month the lucky winner will receive The Oxford Magum.

The Oxford Magum is approved to Sold Secure Gold Standard,comes in two sizes (both with 16mm hardened steel shackleand robust carry brackets) and retails from £49.99.

LETTERS | YOUR SAY


STA

R L

ETTE

R

Time wastingjournalists?

REF YOUR so called ‘Mystery Shopper’. It’s a pityyour ‘staff’ (?) haven’t got better things to do,instead of wasting shop keeper/staff time.

We have enough time wasters, already,thanks! If you turn up here, and are ‘sussed’ youwill be politely asked to leave and to have “anice day”. Translation? Perhaps you could explainthe value of these visits, bearing in mind yourmag is trade only?

RegardsKen’s Bikes, Margate

In response...

SPONSORED BY

BikeBiz’s undercoverjournalist comes in for abit of flack from adisgruntled IBD...

“If you turn up here andare sussed, you’ll bepolitely asked to leaveand to have a nice day...”

Ken’s Bikes

FIRSTLY, we’re not the bikedealer police and we’ve neverclaimed to be. The MysteryShopper article is, we feel, an

interesting regular article. It’sone of the features that

regularly getscommented on –

and usuallypraised – by ourreaders. It’s notjust the higherscoring shopsthat like thearticle either. On

more than oneoccasion a shop

that has fared poorlyhas got in touch to ask

us when exactly the visit wasmade so they can pin downwho was serving at the time ofthe visit. Shops and businessesin general actually tend tovalue feedback, even (orespecially) the negative bits.How else do you improve? It’soften more useful to hearwhat’s wrong rather than get apat on the head – that’s whatour publisher tells us anyway.

Secondly, the article is apotential goldmine ofinformation. Not sure howyour shop is perceived bycustomers? Perhaps it’ssomething you’ve beenmeaning to give some thoughtto? Perhaps you’ve seen

something a store does in thearticle and it was interestingto see how one visitorresponded to it – maybe youwere thinking aboutintroducing it too? Or maybeyou wanted to get a snapshotof how your local competitorsfared on a particular day.Granted, the article is basedon information gleaned fromsingle shop visits, but anymore and I suspect we’d beaccused of time wasting allthe more.

Sadly, Mystery Shopper hasbeen sussed more than onceduring shop visits, leading usto consider investing in a false

moustache and wig set. Onthe occasions he/she has beenrumbled, the shops in questionhave behaved veryprofessionally. Or even uppedtheir game, dare we say.

Summing up, though, wefeel the article is interesting,honest and useful. In the finalanalysis, it’s the opinion of oneman (or indeed woman), andyou can choose to make useof it as an opportunity, or flatout ignore it. Or evencomplain about it. And we’redefinitely not going toMystery Shop in Margate next.Honest.

Jonathon Harker,Editor of BikeBiz

“Shops usually value the feedback,even the negative bits. It’s oftenmore useful to hear what’s wrongand can be improved upon.”

Jonathon Harker, BikeBiz Editor

To order copies of BikeBiz Bible or ensure inclusion in the 2011 edition please [email protected]

2pure0844 811 2001www.2pure.co.uk DISTRIBUTOR

Abacus Online Ltd0151 334 8303www.abacusonline.netEPOS

Ascend RetailManagement System01908 280667www.ascendrms.com EPOS

Bohle UK Ltd01952 602680www.schwalbe.co.uk DISTRIBUTOR/IMPORTER

Cube Bikes Uk Ltdwww.cube.eu0031 180441350 DISTRIBUTOR

Custom SportsClothing Ltd07580 495881www.customsportsclothing.com MANUFACTURER/DISTRIBUTOR

Cybertill Ltd0800 0304432www.cybertill.co.uk EPOS

Cycle Division Ltd0845 0508500www.thecycledivision.com WHOLESALER/DISTRIBUTOR

The Cycle Show0207 2886733www.cycleshow.co.ukEVENT/EXHIBITION ORGANISER

Digital RetailSolutions Inc001 8003229471www.digitalretailer.comEPOS

Eurobike Ltd01332 774796www.eurobike.uk.comDISTRIBUTOR

Fat Spanner07966401165www.fatspannerworld.com DISTRIBUTOR/MANUFACTURER

Fisher OutdoorLeisure01727 798345www.fisheroutdoor.co.ukDISTRIBUTOR

Hotlines Europe Ltd0131 3191444www.hotlines-uk.comDISTRIBUTOR

Hykeham WholesaleLimited01522 801550www.hykehamwholesale.co.uk DISTRIBUTOR/WHOLESALER

Jungle Products Ltd01423 780088www.jungleproducts.co.uk www.santacruzbikes.co.ukDISTRIBUTOR

Lyon Equipment01539 625493www.lyon.co.ukDISTRIBUTOR

Monterey Industries Ltd0117 9509499www.masibikes.comwww.brevm.com DISTRIBUTOR/MANUFACTURER

Mojo suspensionHoodoo ltd01633 615815www.mojo.co.uk DISTRIBUTOR

Moore Large and Co Ltd01332 274252www.moorelarge.co.uk DISTRIBUTOR

Otagocyclesport07939 543016www.otagocyclesport.co.uk DISTRIBUTOR

Pacific Cycles Inc+886 34861231www.pacific-cycles.comMANUFACTURER/DISTRIBUTOR

Paligap Ltd01454 313116www.paligapltd.co.ukDISTRIBUTOR

Parklife (Havant) Ltd02392 475895IMPORTER/DISTRIBUTOR

Pashley Cycles01789 292263www.pashley.co.ukMANUFACTURER/DISTRIBUTOR

Peter DobbsDesign andPrint Services01482 224007MANUFACTURER/DESIGN & PRINTSERVICES

Qoroz01453 889204www.qoroz.co.uk MANUFACTURER

Raleigh UK Ltd01773 532600www.raleigh.co.uk www.cyclelife.comDISTRIBUTOR

Red Cloud MC01767 692831www.redcloudmc.comMARKETING, PR & EVENTS

Reece Cycles PLC0121 6220180www.reececycles.co.ukDISTRIBUTOR

Saddleback Ltd01454 299965www.saddleback.co.ukDISTRIBUTOR

Seventies0845 3103670www.seventies.co.ukDISTRIBUTOR

Silverfish UK Ltd01752 843882www.silverfish-uk.comDISTRIBUTOR

SKS+49 2333831246www.sks-germany.comMANUFACTURER

Sonic Cycles0207 2432848www.soniccycles.co.uk/b2b IMPORTER/DISTRIBUTOR

Sport Direct Ltd0845 2693060www.sport-direct.co.uk DISTRIBUTOR/MANUFACTURER

StormfrontTechnology Ltd0800 6121044www.stormfront.co.uk EPOS

Trek Bicycle Corporation01908 282626MANUFACTURER

USE Ltd01798 344477www.exposurelights.com www.use1.com MANUFACTURER/DISTRIBUTOR

Vigour Corporation0092 524269920www.vigourcorporation.comMANUFACTURER/EXPORTER

Walkers CycleComponents Ltd0116 2833885www.walkerscycles.co.ukWHOLESALER/DISTRIBUTOR

Zyro Ltd01845 521700www.zyro.co.uk DISTRIBUTOR

Editorial Planner

To advertise call Carly Bailey on +44 (0) 1992 535647, or email her at [email protected]

For editorial contact Jonathon Harker on +44 (0) 1992 535646,or email him at [email protected]

JUNE 2011� Electronic Point of Sale � Cycle Computers

Editorial Deadline: May 6th Advertising Deadline: May 11th

JULY 2011� BMX: Bikes, Protective Clothing, Grips & Accessories

� P&A: Forks, Gears, Brakes & Chains

� Cycle Luggage: Panniers, Cases & Bags

Editorial Deadline: June 3rd Advertising Deadline: June 8th

AUGUST 2011� Bicycle Lighting & Reflective Clothing � Mountain Biking:

Bikes, Protective Clothing & Accessories

Editorial Deadline: July 8th Advertising Deadline: July 13th

SEPTEMBER 2011� Children: Bikes, P&A � Clothing and Accessories

Editorial Deadline: Aug 5th Advertising Deadline: Aug 10th

OCTOBER 2011� Road Cycling: Bikes, Gear and Accessories � Cycle Show

Guide � Guide to the High Street Buyers

Editorial Deadline: Sept 2nd Advertising Deadline: Sept 7th

NOVEMBER 2011� Stocking Fillers: Gifts under £20 � Trailers and Trailer Bikes

� Cycle Show Review

Editorial Deadline: Oct 7th Advertising Deadline: Oct 12th

Editorial Deadline: April 8th

Advertising Deadline: April 13th

UPCOMING EVENTS

EDITORIAL PLANNER | EVENTS


For more cycle trade dates: www.bikebiz.com/events

For additional copies please contact:[email protected]

THE BIBLEIS BACK!

THE GADGET SHOW LIVEPROFESSIONAL Tuesday April 12thNEC, Birminghamwww.gadgetshowlive.net

SEA OTTER CLASSIC 2011Thursday April 14th – 17thMonterey, Californiawww.seaotterclassic.com

THE SCOTTISH BIKE SHOW 2011Saturday April 16th – 17th Scottish Exhibition andConference Centre, Glasgowthescottishbikeshow.com

UCI CROSS COUNTRYMOUNTAIN BIKE WORLD CUPSaturday May 21st – 22ndDalby Forest, Yorkshirebritishcycling.org.uk/mtbworld-2010

UCI MOUNTAIN BIKE WORLD CUPSaturday June 4th – 5th Fort William, Scotlandhttp://fortwilliamworldcup.co.uk

UK HANDMADE ANDBOUTIQUE BICYCLE SHOWSaturday June 11th – 12thPaintworks, Bristolwww.bespokedbristol.co.uk

TGB BIKE WEEK 2011 Saturday June 18th – 26thNationwidewww.bikeweek.org.uk

PRESS CAMP 2011 Monday June 20th – 24thDeer Valley, Utahwww.presscamp.com

YORK CYCLE SHOW 2011 Saturday June 25th – 26thThe Racecourse, Yorkwww.yorkcycleshow.co.uk

BIKE EXPO 2011 Tuesday July 21st – 24thMunich, Germany www.bike-expo.com

DEALER CAMP 2011 Monday July 26thDeer Valley, Utahwww.dealercamp.com

AUSBIKE 2011 Thursday August 20th – 22ndExhibition Pavillion, Melbourne Showgroundswww.ausbike.com.au

April 2011

May 2011

June 2011

July 2011

THE GADGET SHOWTuesday April 12ndNEC, Birmingham

www.gadgetshowlive.net

SPOTLIGHT

� ENERGY NUTRITION, BOTTLES AND CAGES� WOMEN’S BIKES, CLOTHING AND ACCESSORIES

May 2011

August 2011


The BikeBiz Marketplace offers acomplete marketing package ofprint, online and editorial visibility,allowing companies theopportunity to maintain contactwith readers each month withoutthe associated cost of full displayadvertising.

The BikeBiz Marketplace, and itsassociated online version, hasbeen designed to offer readers adirectory of all products andservices in the bike trade.

Your presence in this sectionensures that your company’sdetails are easily found, keepingyou one step ahead of yourcompetitors.

BIKES & ACCESSORIES

Madison 01908 326 000 madisonb2b.co.uk

Paligap 01454 313 116 paligapltd.co.uk

Seventies 0845 310 3670 seventies.co.uk

The Cycle Division 0845 0508 500 thecycledivision.com

Upgrade Bikes 01403 711 611 kinesisbikes.co.uk

BIKE MAINTENANCE

Weldtite 01652 660 000 weldtite.co.uk

COMPONENTS

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

Pace cycles Ltd 01723 867 919 pacecycles.com

USE Ltd 01798 344 477 use1.com

CUSTOM CLOTHING

Wildoo Ltd 01908 374 555 wildoo.co.uk

EPOS

Abacus 0151 334 8303 abacusonline.net

Citrus Lime 0845 603 9254 citrus-retail.com

Evopos 0845 644 9424 evopos.com

LIGHTING

Exposure Lights 01798 344 477 exposurelights.com

RACKS

Pendle 01282 699 555 pendle-bike.co.uk

Maxx Raxx 0845 230 3799 maxxraxx.co.uk

RESPRAYS & REPAIRS

Argos 0117 972 4730 argoscycles.com

TRAINING SERVICES

Cycle Systems Academy 0207 6082577 cycle-systems-academy.co.uk

WATER BOTTLES

Botlesport 0845 602 9267 www.bottlesport.com

Wildoo Ltd 01908 374 555 www.wildoo.co.uk

WEBSITE SERVICES

SimpleEshop 0116 267 5145 www.simpleeshop.com

SiWis Limited 01709 511766 www.siwis.co.uk

MARKETPLACE CONTACTS

Marketplace Rates:Quarter Page

£175(minimum six months)

THE STANDARD PACKAGEINCLUDES:

� A quarter page advert in each issue

� Regular editorial coverage inthe dedicated column

� Company details listed in theonline directory with web link

� Company details listed in theBikeBiz Marketplace Contacts

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

To get your companyfeatured here contact:

Carly Bailey on01992 535647 [email protected]

BIKEBIZ | MARKETPLACE

ARGOS RACING CYCLES

Argos Racing Cycles has offered a high quality frame respray and

renovation service for over 30 years. Argos is an authorised frame

resprayer for several leading manufacturers, enabling the

company to provide most maker’s transfers to suit various

requirements. Argos Cycles also offers specialist frame repairs on

many types of cycles.

TEL: 0117 9724 730

WEB: www.argoscycles.com

EMAIL: [email protected]


COMPANY PROFILE

BIKES & ACCESSORIES BIKES & ACCESSORIES

BIKES & ACCESSORIES

BIKES & ACCESSORIES


BIKE MAINTENANCE

BIKES & ACCESSORIES


BIKES & ACCESSORIES

COMPONENTS COMPONENTS

COMPONENTS CUSTOM CLOTHING




EPOS LIGHTING

EPOS


EPOS

RESPRAYS AND REPAIRS

RACKS RACKS

TRAINING SERVICES



WATER BOTTLES

WEBSITE SERVICES WEBSITE SERVICES

WATER BOTTLES



OFF TRACK | NUMBER CRUNCHING

Let’s getstatisticalWith the pros and cons of social media in focus,Twitter celebrates five years online, going fromstrength to strength. Meanwhile, the NationalCycle Network now spans 13,000 miles...

Stu Thompson, director,MTBcut

What bikes do you own and where's your fave riding spot?I ride an Orange Five 90 per cent of the time, though I alsohave a prototype DH bike from Orange and an XC hardtail.

My favourite place to ride is definitely my local trails.Riding the Five around Stirling and the Trossachs is amazing,though is mostly overlooked due to the Seven Stanes.

Tell us a bit about MTBcut and its work within the trade:I started MTBcut in 2007, primarily just as a video website.Very soon people started requesting our video productionfacilities for wider use and it quickly developed into a videoproduction company and now even further into a marketingagency, including wider promotion of photo's and social media.

Four years down the line we have some fantastic clientsand handle the UCI World Cup live streaming at Fort WilliamWorlds and also the web edits after each day of racing.

You recently produced a viral video with Jimmy Savileand Danny Mac on board – how did this come about?I have always been very involved in promotion of Fort Williamand the North West of Scotland.

The Outdoor Capital promotional team approached mewith an idea for a viral ad aimed at the UK Outdoor Sportsmarket. Sir Jimmy has always been involved in the area andwhen he was approached was very enthusiastic to help out.Danny has been a friend of mine for years and is obviouslynow a major star, so would bring a certain audience.

The video ended up being tweeted by a few big celebritiesand made the mainstream UK press.

Any leftover footage from this video – maybe somecrashes or Savile ramblings?There's actually a few clips that are worth using elsewhere,but I'll need to think about how to go about the release. Forme filming Danny MacAskill driving a VW campervan dressedas Jimmy Savile is the most fun and memorable shoot I'vedone, so I'd love to use more of the footage.

What's the biggest rush achievable on a bike?I do enjoy riding Downhill and some Dirt Jumps now andthen, but since I stopped racing nothing beats just being outon your favourite ride in the sunshine with your mates.

What equipment is needed to create a typical production?It really depends on the brief for the video, budget and whatis required. A low budget event shoot will be literally onecamera, a tripod and then the editing suite when you getback in the office.

It’s best to make contact and deliver us a brief, as this canvary. Email me direct at [email protected], check out ourwebsite MTBcut.tv, or add yourself to our many thousandfans at facebook.com/mtbcut.

IN THE SADDLE


58%The percentage thatweb traffic for bikesrose, according toprice comparison

website idealo.co.uk.The site said thatrising petrol costs

had fuelled the rise.

£2,012The top price for a ticket to the London 2012Olympics, which went on sale in mid-March.

Pic © London 2012

5Twitter celebrated its fifthbirthday in March 2011 -at least four years beyondwhat naysayers expected.Twitter is, depending on

who you are, an essentialtool in the industry, or a

time sink...

ActSmart February retail shop sales analysis

ActSmart’s monthly market research forFebruary, produced exclusively for ACT andBikeBiz saw the roller coaster ridewitnessed throughout 2010 roll into 2011with January’s 16 per cent growth give wayto a slump in February...

-15

-10

-5

0

5

10

15

20

2010 2011 Feb Mar Apr May Jun July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan

‘% tu

rnov

er g

row

th v

s. pr

evio

us y

ear'

Here we go again!

Specialist cycle retailer core sales growth vs. previous year

Mar 2010 – Feb 2011


OFF TRACK | NUMBER CRUNCHING

SPECIALIST CYCLE retailer sales grew by15.9 per cent in January and then fell by7.4 per cent in February.

The rollercoaster ride in sales seen through2010 is already re-appearing in 2011.

This unsettled performance underlinesthat there is no consistent demand in themarket place. We are increasinglydependent upon a core of committedcyclists, whilst the ‘considered purchasers’ebb and flow.

January’s growth figures were offset bythe 17 per cent slump in the snow riddenJan’ 2010, in contrast February 2010 salesgrew by 7.6 per cent, this year’sturnaround is a warning sign, all is not well.

The majority of businesses researched inFebruary suffered a sales reduction. 58 percent of businesses reported sales down vs.2011 with a combined sales shortfall ofminus 31 per cent. Over 30 per cent ofcontributors saw sales reduce by over 20per cent in the month. Only the snowimpacted January and December 2010witnessed worse figures in the year and itmatches the start of the slump witnessedin September 2010.

As always there are ups and downs. Thebusinesses that have continued to grow

over the past year or two are poweringahead. The 42 per cent of contributors whoreported sales growth in February achieveda combined growth of over 45 per cent inthe month! A quarter of all businessesdelivered growth in excess of 20 per centvs. February 2010 (our research does notinclude any major internet only businesses,these are largely bricks and mortar stores).

Year to date like-for-like core salesgrowth, excluding cycle to work and retailfinance, stands at 3.5 per cent, but overthe past three months, including thewintry December, sales are down by 3.4per cent.

Early feedback for March isn’t excitingand the industry needs some sunshine toget things started ahead of Easter.

There are a few more positive rumblingsabout cycle to work volumes and there isnow little doubt that the retail sectorneeds this initiative to continue in theshort term. As far as other cyclinginitiatives, we have to ask the question asto how they are really impacting uponcycling. Halfords are reportedly fairingworse than the IBD.

For more on February sales and marketdata visit: http://cycles.actsmart.biz/news

For more info visit: http://cycles.actsmart.biz/news/ ActSmart: 0845 6187256

250,000+The amount of children

who took part in theSustrans-led, Bike Hub-backed Big Pedal project

over three weeks inMarch.

1,683The amount of views the 'Electric Bikes:

What's the IBDs view?' thread on the BikeBiztrade-only forum has amassed so far.

5,637The number of

international visitorsto Taipei Cycle Show2011, up 9.2 per cent

on 2010.

13,000The number of milesthe National Cycle

Network has reached,4,800 miles of whichare free of motorisedtraffic. The original

ambition was to createa 6,500 mile network.

IN QUIRKY event news, theOxford Cycle Workshop taskedlocal cyclists to dust off theirword smithery skills with aspot of Scrabble on Bicycles.Thankfully, this didn’tinvolve actually playingboard games while cycling,which would probably befrowned upon by Healthand Safety. In fact theScrabble on Bicyclesafternoon taskedcyclists with locating30 Scrabble tileshidden in the city.

The teamfinding the highestvalue tiles were ingood stead towin the ‘highestscore wins’ prize but, ina spot of bad news for whoeverfound Q, Z and X, the tiles then had tospell a word to win a prize. And no,Bicyclz is not in the Oxford Dictionary.

LIKE 1980s TV icons? And pedalling furiously? Then youprobably should have been at the Bloomsbury BowlingLanes in central London on April 1st (April ‘Pity theFools’ Day, geddit) for the Mixed Madison RollapaluzaRacing Night.

Featuring a ‘80s dress code, those who sportedcostumes from the decade that style forgot – or moreprecisely Dangermouse and Mr T outfits – could win aprize just for turning up in the best gear. Prizes werealso on offer, of course, for cycling very quickly indeedon a stationary bike, Rollapaluza-style.

Paluza fans can see the Grand Finale of theRollapaluza National Series on April 30th, Herne Hill,London.

Head to www.Rollapaluza.com for more.

Send your pictures [email protected]

OFF THE RECORD

• dangermouse takes on mr t

OFFTrack

Pity the(April) Fool

Triple word tour


Pics © Rollapaluza

OFF THE RECORD

A BUNCH of intrepid cyclists are heading out for a Bournemouth to Brighton Bike Ridein aid of Asthma UK on May 14th.

Novice and experienced cyclists alike will ride the route, which offers some top-notch seaside-style and New Forest-set views, to raise funds for the 5.4 million peoplesuffering with Asthma in the UK.

The ride includes an overnight stop in East Meon before the second leg and final rolldown into Brighton, which coincidentally is featured in Mystery Shopper this month.

If you’re interested in taking part, or stumping up some cash for the worthy cause,head to http://tinyurl.com/yegekzz

• cyclists scrabble to win treasure hunt • dynamic duo pedal against injustice

NEVER LET it be said thatcyclists aren’t a charitable lot.Daniel Patterson and MartaGrzegorek (pictured) are on amission to fight social andenvironmental injusticethrough the medium of a hugebike ride from Istanbul, Turkeyto Shanghai, China.

While riding, the duo planto connect local leaders andraise US $12,500 to aid thefight against theenvironmental disastersoccurring within CentralAsia’s Aral Sea and FerghanaValley. Raising awareness isthe key aim of the epic trip– though contributions atwww.biketochina.com will be gratefully received. Top donor will be recognisedon the site and sponsors can request advertisement on the site too. GlobalGreengrans is partnering the ride.

Continental gearshift


Sponsored by the brands ofMoore Large 01332 274252

“PEOPLE ARE now being encouraged todrive in a 1970s dream that could soonevaporate with a change in oil price.

“Sadly he [Chancellor GeorgeOsborne] has delivered the budget frombehind the steering wheel of a FordFocus and has turned his back on anopportunity to provide alternatives tocar use and much needed support to

those who are suffering from the highcost of fuel.”

Sustrans policy manager JasonTorrance commenting on the 2011

Budget, on March 23rd

“Our Stop SMIDSY website showsnumerous cases of drivers receivingderisory sentences for killing or maimingcyclists, or being let off... the priority isto ensure that authorities use the law todeal with the sources of danger on ourroads, and that is overwhelmingly abouttackling bad drivers.”

Roger Geffen, CTC Campaigns andPolicy director, speaking on the

proposed ‘Dangerous Cycling Bill’ thatseeks heavier sentences for

dangerous cyclists, on March 22nd

“We had some publications publishinghuge speculations on their websites asfact. A personal favourite was onewebsite that claimed the bike had a'special coating to reduce aerodynamicdrag'. This is proof that in the absenceof information, people are bound tomake some up.

“But the McLaren association got outat this time, and the gap between whatpeople knew, and what they wanted toknow, was massive. This, I think, was the

big fuel that pushed this into thecategory of 'viral'.”

Chris Matthews, Specialized seniormanager for global marketing, on the

launch of Venge, on March 22nd

“We are proud of the intellectualproperty rights awarded to ourinnovative products and we have littletolerance for companies that attempt totrade unfairly on those rights.”

Andrew Etkind, Garmin’s vicepresident and general counsel, on the

company’s move to sue Bryton ofTaiwan over cycle computer

‘lookalike’ tech, on March 22nd

For more on these stories, head to www.bikebiz.com

quoteunquote

A ridebeside the seaside

AS YOU’D expect, I’m partial to a bike ride.Wherever I go in the world I like to get mybearings from a bicycle saddle.

So, when in Taiwan for the Taipei CycleShow I borrowed a bike from Dahon andspent a day riding the city. I’d long read thatTaiwan was becoming more bicycle friendlybut I hadn’t expected world-class cycleinfrastructure – Sustrans on steroids.

Riverside routes werecopious and long, anddotted with bike hirebusinesses. On the wayto the Guandu Buddhisttemple, 15 miles fromdowntown and perfectlyway-marked, there was aroad for cars, and then anelevated scenic two-waybike path next to awooden-plank footway.

In this part of thecountryside this wasclearly a recreationalbikes-on-a-dyke path but it had starteddowntown and could be used as a linear,traffic-free route for bike commuters.

A bike network is only as good as itsinterconnecting links and it must be said thelinks from the riverside bike paths arepatchy. Mind you, the ones I found weresurprisingly good. In fact, I could get fromthe riverside bike path to my hotel almostwholly on protected routes.

Drivers didn’t seem phased when I had toresort to using the road, a legacy of havingto watch out for scooter riders. On an islandof 23 million people, there are 11 million

scooters. With congestion on the rise, andcar and scooter fumes increasingly fillingthe air, the authorities are slowly coming tothe conclusion that bicycles could join cityrapid transit systems as a way of avertinggridlock and reducing emissions.

The riverside bike paths were started inthe 1980s as linear outdoor gyms, but havenow become backbones of a growing urban

bike network.The president of Taiwan

is now a fan of cycling andhe’s been helped to thisposition by a bike boss –King Liu, founder of Giant,who has helped to getcycling on the radar.

Now 79, he only‘discovered’ cycling six yearsago, yet he’s had a hugeimpact on the culture ofwhat was billed ‘BicycleIsland’ in the ‘80s – but thiswas because it made bikes

rather than because the locals rode them. Week-long bike tours of the country are

now popular and, via this recreationalintroduction to cycling, a growing numberof locals are now urban cyclists, too.

Taipei has an equivalent of London’s BorisBike scheme but YouBike isn’t funded by abank, it’s run by an offshoot of Giant.

The way that Giant lobbies for pro-bicycle measures in its home market isinspirational, a ‘build it and they will come’philosophy that is good for the company,good for the Taiwanese economy and goodfor its citizens, too.

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‘Bicycle Island’ used to refer to Taiwan’s manufacturing prowess. Itcould now refer to its rediscovery of cycling, finds Carlton Reid...

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short and

Support Team GB at the@London2012 Games - don’t

forget to apply for Olympicstickets - http://bit.ly/guOXiX

@MayorofLondon

Everyone all back from Taipeibike show? Lets get tobusiness this week

@Ryan_MeyerMTB

Penalosa: 61% of cyclists incopenhagen bike because it's

fast and easy, not because ofenvironment or health.#velocity2011

@cyclingmobility

Hulk ride bike to daily work ofsmash, divert money from oil

industry. bike lanes always toosmall for hulk shoulders.

@feministhulk

The sun shining yesterday seemsto have enticed new users to the

Barclays Cycle Hire scheme with47% of all hires being non-members.

@KulveerRanger

OFF TRACK | SPOKESMAN

Wondering what the Twitterati have been upto this month? Look no further...

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Taiwan: Sustrans on steroids

BikeBiz April 2011, Issue 63

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