BikeBiz issue 38, March 2009

Issue 38 | March 2009

www.fisheroutdoor.co.uk/dahon

BIKEBIZ’S 2009 industry salarysurvey has revealed that womenare still woefully underrepresentedin the trade, with as little as fiveper cent of the UK’s bicyclebusiness made of females.

The research reinforces theview that the trade is a maledominated industry, despite areported influx in the market forwomen’s bikes and accessories.

However, the BikeBiz surveyalso revealed that where womenare in employment in the bikebusiness, pay packets are notablyhigher than those of malecounterparts. Based on thesurvey respondents, women inthe industry are earning between£20,000 and £25,000 per annum,with two of the sixteen femalerespondents even placing theirpay packet in the £50,000 andabove bracket.

CoreBike organiser and F-Atcommercial manager ElaineCurtin told BikeBiz why shethought why women are oftenso successful in a maledominated trade:

"Girls who wish to besuccessful in a predominantlymale marketplace know we haveto be more assertive and standour ground a little harder whenconducting business matters. Wehave to. But for the same reason Ibelieve this enables us to getaway with being a little pushy –and sometimes this is what isneeded to change minds, marketnew concepts and persuadeclients to invest in projects.

“We are often truly a greatasset to any team and business."

BikeBiz’s research also foundthat the majority of respondentsoverall stated their annual paypacket falls between £15,000and £20,000, significantly belowthe national average of £24,908.

The voluntary questionnairewas posted online during January,with 324 UK trade membersvoicing their opinions on avariety of topics – from pensionsand salary, to job loss andoverseas work. For the full resultsof the salary survey, plus analysis,turn to page 22.

FOR EVERYONE IN THE BICYCLE BUSINESS MARCH 2009

A celebration of theindustry executives agedunder 30 who are alreadymaking their mark on theUK business

PAGE 27

BRIGHT YOUNG THINGSA comprehensive round-up of the distributor’simpressive house show atEdgbaston early lastmonth

PAGE 34

FISHER EXPO ‘09BikeBiz sat down withMD Peter Nisbet todiscuss his cutting-edgebrands and his thoughtson the year ahead

PAGE 18

WINDWAVE INTERVIEW

BikeBiz Women in cycling still a minorityFemales make up less than six per cent of the UK bike trade, according to BikeBiz’s exclusive jobs survey �But women’s average salaries are higher than men’s � More work needed to attact girls to the industry

The BikeBiz industry salarysurvey revealed the importanceof job progression toemployees in the bike trade,with concerns that their career

wasn’t moving forwardfeaturing highly in the survey.Almost 60 per cent ofparticipants expected theirsalary to remain unchanged a

year down the line.Aside from financial reasons,

'limited opportunities in thecurrent job' was the secondbiggest reason for employees

seeking a new role elsewhere.Salary levels were also a key

concern for the industry, withmore than half of respondentsclaiming that their salary didn’t

cover living expenses. 57.5 percent of respondents made theclaim, with workshop salariesremaining at the bottom of thepile in the industry.

Companies such as Velorbisare working hard to attract

female consumers tocycling. But maybe the bikebusiness needs to also workharder at tempting women

to join the industry?

The UK bike business: Under-paid and over-worked, with little chance of a salary increase...?

By Jonathon Harker & Mark Sutton

IN 1971, 80 per cent of seven andeight-year old children got toschool unaccompanied by an adult.By 1990 this proportion had fallento nine per cent. Today, the figure islikely to be closer to zero. Allowinga young child to walk or cycle toschool unchaperoned today istantamount to child neglect.Parents worry about speedingtraffic and ‘stranger danger’.

People are generally very poor atworking out which risks are genuinely life threatening andwhich are not. During the Troubles in Northern Ireland,twice as many people died from ‘ordinary’ road smashesthan from sectarian killings, a fact hardly, if ever, reported bythe mass media. Psychologists call this the ‘availability bias’,the phenomenon whereby we judge risks based on howeasily we can bring examples to mind.

Parents are bombarded with shocking, sensational massmedia stories about how unsafe the world is for ourchildren. But the risks are often inflated, or misinterpreted.In the 1980s, the TV programme That’s Life highlightedcases of head injuries caused by high-level falls on to hardplayground surfaces. Since then, at great cost, manyplaygrounds have been fitted with softer surfacing. But limbinjuries from falling in rubberised playgrounds have risen,leading many experts to believe children may be less carefulon equipment they think is safe to fall from, and parentsmay supervise younger children less than they would havedone in a playground with hard surfacing.

Children are now injuring themselves less by falling out oftrees but, by being inside more, fewer kids are cycling, too.But we need to get kids on bikes so they become adults onbikes. And that’s why Bike It is such an important scheme.Bike It is a schools campaign co-ordinated by Sustrans andpart paid for by Bike Hub, the bicycle levy. Bike It typicallytrebles cycling levels at participating schools.

Bike It’s success is due to a 30-strong team of officers,who each work with around ten schools for a year or more.At Bradley Stoke Community School, a secondary schoolnear Bristol, the help offered by a Bike It officer led to halfof all pupils cycling to school regularly. Its 300 coveredcycle parking spaces are regularly filled. Schools getting intobikes should trigger a sound in your head: Ker-ching.

Bike It is creating customers for you. Ditto for similar,local schemes. Are you reaching out to Bike It officers orhelping out with Bike It equivalents in your area? It’s partphilanthropy but it’s also good business practice.

LATEST NEWSSTRAIGHT TO YOUR MOBILE EDITORIAL

MARCH ISSUE 38

NEWS 6-9

REGULARS

Results of last month’s onlinesalary survey, analysis from theACT and 30 under 30 trade faces

EVENTS 15

22-31

ZYRO SHOW REVIEW 32Zyro’s Open House saw the launch of thefirms B2B website. Flip to 32 for our review

LETTERS 54New-to-trade members seeks supplier help anda selection of forum comments on price rises

SPOKESMAN 62Spokesman asks: Are you tidy, clean andattractive? And do women think so too?

PRESS PERFORMERS

TWITTER: GOOD FOR BIZ?

CHAIN REACTION 12Muc-Off discusses the importance of a well-kept bike and discusses whether 2009 will bethe year of maintenance...

PEOPLE 30Tym Manley takes on Factory Media challenge,while Future signs new associate publisher

NEW PRODUCTS 52The month’s biggest product announcements

Mark Sutton looks at the past year’s press activity. Competitionhas heated up and many publishers have made bold moves for ‘09...

Carlton Reid, Executive Editor

LEISURE LAKES BIKES E-BIKES AND FOLDERS

Carlton Reid discusses how some businesses have used thesuper-speedy networking tool to their advantage...

FISHER SHOW REVIEWJonathon Harker documents all the news, analysis and latestproduct from the Fisher Outdoor, Edgbaston Expo

BOOKMARK US:MOBILE.BIKEBIZ.COM

40

36

34

“At one secondary school, help from a

Bike It officer led to half of all pupils

cycling to school on a regular basis...”

44 47

14INDUSTRY OPINIONS 16OFF THE RADAR

The month’s trade news, including the latest onwhat’s to come from Shimano later this year...

RECRUITMENT SPECIAL

FOCUS ON…

NEWS

SHIMANO PREVIEWED its nextgeneration groupsets duringFebruary at a special press event.The new sets include the newUltegra, 2300 and Deore ranges,as well as the latest SLX gradewheelsets.

At the showcase, Shimanosaid that it is aware priceincreases will render somegroupsets out of bounds to manybudgets as a result of the sterlingto yen currency fluctuations.Those concerns have led Deoreto shift focus this year, bytailoring product for those with aset budget, while still seeking aperformance trail-worthygroupset.

The firm revealed that thenew Deore product borrowsaesthetics and ideas from recenthigher-end product, as with aShadow rear derailleur, two-wayrelease rapid-fire shifters andtwo-piston hydraulic brakesfeature, all at Deore price points.

Oil routing has been improvedon previous disc designs, with anew system that guarantees noair bubbles will remain in thecalliper. The accompanying levershave been developed with atool-less reach adjust, much like

the higher end XT and SLX levers.A revised V-brake model alsofeatures in the range.

The latest crankset is of atwo-piece construction withoutboard bearings and anintegrated bottom bracket,meaning, despite weightshavings, Deore should be anincredibly rigid package for theprice. Gearing options come in

both 44-32-22 or 48-36-26, ineither black or silver. The initialshipment is due in June this year.Trekking and hybrid bikes alsogot an upgraded Deore groupset,consisting of an integrated brakeand shift lever with a revamped

display for greater visibility onthe move. The three-finger leverblades have been given subtleperformance upgrades, such as arubber bumper to silence thelever. Again, a two-piece cranksetfeatures, complete withHyperdrive chainrings and a newchain guard design. The trekking/hybrid groupset is due for Augustthis year.

Two new medium-rangewheelsets will feature in theShimano catalogue this year, too.As before, the focus is on strikinga good balance between costand performance, although theseare some of the first Shimanoproducts to come UST tubelesscompatible. The new WH-MT65will be available in both CentreLock and six-bolt versions andwill be straight pull laced for hightorsional rigidity. The first batchof MT65 Center lock wheelswill be available from July,with the six-bolt versionfollowing in August.

The second of thewheelsets – the WH-MT15 – is designedfor disc brake use andis built with 28bladed, stainless steelspokes for both frontand rear. This modelwill be available fromSeptember.

Catering for the entry-levelroad market, the Shimano 2300eight-speed series is notablysmooth in operation and borrowsaesthetics from higher-specgroupsets. Available from July,the 2300 will be available in botha double (52-39) and triple (52-42-30) set ups.� Turn to page 52 for moreinformation on Shimano’s 29erspecific hubs and cassettes.

Shimano to cater for limited budgets

RETAILERS with a Greyvilleaccount have been invited tosign up to two Suntour Servicedays following the success of atraining day during February.

Attended by dealers andmechanics from around thecountry at Greyville’s office, theparticipants were treated to theexpertise of Christian Salmen, SRSuntour’s service trainer, in athree-hour intense trainingsession. Attendants were shownthe tricks of the trade used fordealing with everything fromstandard services to coping withdifficult cases when forks haven’tbeen maintained properly. Thedealers who signed up to the

initial training session were alsothe first to take advantage ofGreyville’s SR Suntour Sales andService Programme.

Concrete dates are yet to beannounced. Brand manager PaulHinton said: “Tentative dates areset for some time in May andJuly. Nothing concrete at themoment as we need to seewhere the interested dealers arecoming from as we have achoice of venues. For example,we may hold the May date in theSouth and July in the North.”

Programme features:� The stocking of SR Suntour’shigher-end fork models.

� A test rig to allow customersto try out forks in store. � Supply of specialist tools tocarry out services. � Stock of spares, and 24-hourdelivery of uncommon spares.� Window stickers to promotefork service in store. � Inclusion of dealer contacts onGreyville’s website, whenconsumers are looking at SRSuntour products. � All future purchases at ‘Rate 2’. � POS material. � Participation in promotioncompetitions for consumers.

� Keep an eye on bikebiz.comfor further announcements.

Greyville dealers sign up to Suntour service classes

BY Mark Sutton

6 BIKEBIZ MARCH BIKEBIZ.COM

Shimano said it is aware price increaseswill render some groupsets out ofbounds to many, and has tailoredproduct for those with a set budget.

Latest ranges ‘important to bikers looking for value for money performance groupsets’ � Currencyfluctuations play a part in decision to upgrade groupset � Tubeless ready SLX wheelsets on the way

Greyville’s ChristianSalmen will host someof the forthcomingsessions

Presteigne datesannouncedThis year’s Presteigneelectric bike rally is set totake place from Sunday May9th to Monday 10th in theWelsh Marches. Head overto tourdepresteigne.co.uk formore information on theforthcoming rally.

Scientists developlow cost LEDmanufacturing Cambridge Universityscientists have developed acheaper mass productionmodel for LED light bulbs.The boffins have come upwith a new technologywhich run three times moreefficiently than the best lowenergy bulbs currentlyavailable – which could havea huge impact on the bikelight market.

BMX riding onRotherham schoolcurriculumThe head of PE at WinterhillSchool in Rotherham hasteamed up with world-classBMX racer Kelvin Batey toget pupils enthused aboutphysical education. Theforward-thinking school nowregularly uses aneighbouring BMX track forschool lessons.

ODA announcescycle pathinvestmentThe Olympic DeliveryAuthority has announcedthat it will spend £11.5million leading up to the2012 events on improvingthe walking and cyclingnetwork to the main venues.It is said that 5,000 newcycle parking spaces willalso be allocated.

Hire a Bromptonat WaterlooSouth West trains andBrompton have linked up inorder to provide a bike hirescheme at Wateroo station.Still in its trial stages, thescheme allows season-ticketholders to access the bikes,although this may change ifproven successful.

NEWS

CYCLESHORTS

Magazine sector boosted withthree new titles in two months

THREE NEW consumer cyclingmagazines have hit newsstandsin the space of two months –Traithlon Plus, Triathlete’s Worldand Fastlane BMX.

Triathlete’s World editorAlison Hamlett put the close setof releases down to theincreased popularity of theactivity: “Triathlon is the fastestgrowing participation sport inthe UK. And through the pagesof Triathlete’s World we aim tomake it the most accessible, too.The magazine combinescompelling training and racingadvice, the latest gear reviewsand plenty of friendlyencouragement in one package.

“Whether you’re literallydipping a toe in the water for thefirst time or tackling your firstIronman, TW will help you toachieve your triathlon goals in2009. After a successful three-issue trial last summer, TW willbe published monthly. It will be

the first triathlon magazine to bedistributed through supermarketssuch as Tesco, Sainsburys, Asdaand Morrisons. The March issue isnow on sale.”

Future Publishing has alsoannounced the launch ofTriathalon Plus, which is due togo on sale from April 7th, joiningthe publisher’s other titles onnewsstands nationwide.

Group publisher KatherineRaderecht said of the launch: “It’sa natural step for us to look atextending the editorial strengthswe have in cycling into areaswhere we see a marketopportunity, such as triathlon.”

Meanwhile, Fastlane BMX haspublished its first issue andlaunched an accompanyingwebsite, which you can find atfastlanebmx.com. The magazineis dedicated to BMX racing andrun by editor Dave Lane and TimHelm, who handles onlinecontent for the title.

MEMORY MAP, the UK outdoorand recreation mapping serviceprovider, launched its ‘Digital MapShop’ at last month’s IceBike.

The new technology enablesthe user to select and downloadbespoke chunks of mapping totheir PCs or PDA mobiles. Theservice has been made available

at three price points – £25, £50and £100, with each additional£25 buying a 25,000 kilometresquared chunk of fully highlightedtrail mapping, including the latestinfo on Sustrans’ routes. The £100Landranger package includes anadditional 25,000 km2 coverage.

During an IceBike seminarMemory Map’s David Evansexplained: “This service representsmuch more cost-effective buyingthan our previous discs, although

the system still runs on thesuccessful version five software.”

To use the service, buyerscreate an account online andchoose the type of map required.The software then allows users todraw around the area of trailneeded and, once settled on theirchoice, they can download the

map to a mobile device or laptop.When the customer runs out ofDMS credit, top ups can then bebought from stockists or online.

The Digital Map Shop includescomplete UK coverage, includingOrdinance Survey Landranger andExplorer maps and aerialphotography, as well as A-Z areasof Europe, America and Australia.Maps can be downloaded on themove for those with 3G or Wi-Ficapabilities on their mobiles.

Memory Map launches Digital Map Shop

Triathlon Plus, Triathlete’s World and Fastlane BMX capitalise on triathalon trend

“This service represents a much morecost effective buying proposition thanwe’ve ever offered to the trade.”

David Evans, Memory Map

BY Mark Sutton

BIKEBIZ.COM BIKEBIZ MARCH 7

Memory Map’s DavidEvans shows off thefirm’s new product

SIMON BARNES has announced,alongside Cherie Pridham, thelaunch of a fresh racing team tothe UK road-racing scene.

Backed by Madison, IceBikewas selected as the launchplatform for Plowman Craven

Madison – a team made up froma merged Pearl Izumi team –who are to stay on as clothingsponsors – and the PlowmanCraven riders, as well as threeother riders plucked from variousrace teams.

Madison has come on boardas the main team sponsor, whilePridham takes on the role ofteam director, making her one ofonly two female managers in thesport in Europe.

“This is a great bunch of guysand it’s a dream come true forme to be working with them.”enthused Pridham. “I think therewill be a few surprises as there isa lot of raw talent that Eddie canmake the most of during theraces.”

Introduced by Cyclevox MD,Anthony McCrossan, the teamwill be riding top-end Cerveloskitted out with the latest Dura-Ace groupsets. The team’scolours will be a highlyrecognisable blue and pink.

Team Owner and MD ofPlowman Craven Simon Barnessaid: “I’m impressed with theamount of talent we have for arelatively young squad. The guysrode with distinction at the Tourof Mallorca two weeks ago andwe’ve been invited out to moreraces as a result.”

NEWS

Madison reveals its new sponsor dealPlowman Craven Madison team is unveiled at at distributor’s Milton Keynes-based IceBike 2009 show

GET YOUR MESSAGE OUT THERE

BY Mark Sutton

“This is a great bunch of guys and it is a dream come true forme to be working with them. I think there will be a fewsurprises as there is a lot of raw talent that Eddie can makethe most of during the races.” Cherie Pridham, Team Director

ICEBIKE 2009 gave the trade achance to get its hands onMadison’s new range of own-brand clothing.

The range, which retains theMadison name, was entry-levelfocused and had been put inproduction within nine months

of development. Madison toldBikeBiz that 75 per cent of therange is duplicated for women,with specifically-cut femaleversions of the garments. Thefirm added that this didn’tmean female versions were‘patronisingly-girly’.

The distributor revealed thatit had been a steep learningcurve developing the range butassured that it was a range thatwould continue to develop andevolve, with dealer feedbackbeing taken on board. Madisonsaid that its clothing range fills

a gap in the clothing market,and would expand into othercategories.

The distributor also gaveone-on-one tutorials for its newrecently revealed business-to-business website. The portal isfaster and far improved on the

former site, which was,according to Madison, alreadyone of the best in the trade.

Elsewhere, the three-dayshow also gave dealers thechance to get to grips with therest of Madison’s brands at itsMilton Keynes headquarters.

Madison reveals own-brand clothing to the trade

NEWS

Moore Large unveils latest bikemodels and brands to the trade

MOORE LARGE revealed itsfreshest signings and products atits 2009 branded productseminars at its Derby HQs.

The seminars, which took placeat the end of last month,included training days for retailersand a week-long opportunity forretailers to look at the latestbikes and accessories coming tothe UK.

Weeks-old signing Velorbis wasshowcased in seminars to dealers.The Dutch company’s Germanmade bikes include three key newmachines – the Churchill Classic,Victoria Classic and Dannebrog.

The hand-made bikes, whichare already being stocked inHarrods, are set to appeal to thebooming classic-style bike

market. As the brand is still new,Moore Large told dealers that it isoffering attractive introductoryoffers to launch the brand in the UK.

Other highlights of the showsaw seminars for Italian-madehigh-end brand Basso, and Onzabikes – which will receivesignificant rider sponsorship toboost the brand, includingsponsorship of the BritishNational Series. The Moore Large

event also showcased the latestproducts by brand representativesfrom around the world, includingLimar, Vanguard, Lake, OK Baby,Suntour and many more.

Knog also gave BikeBiz a firstlook at product fresh to the UK,including the latest gloves, 8 Balland Starsky and Clutch.� The rest of the latest productsfrom Knog and all of the brandsat the Moore Large show will befeatured in next month’s BikeBiz.

LAMBRETTA, bspoke, Sram andRockShox were some of theheadline brands at FishersOutdoor Leisure’s Expo ‘09 last month.

The event, which took place atEdgbaston cricket ground, wasthe first chance UK dealers hadto see Lambretta bikes, whichFisher Outdoor Leisure has beendeveloping. Dealer feedback fromthe Expo was being used tofurther develop the bikes, whichare set for release to retail laterthis year.

Expo ‘09 also saw Canadian-brand Norco bikes, which arebeing launched into the UK in abig way, according to the firm. A

well-received range of 20 bikesform the first part of Norco’sassault on the UK.

Among the other highlightsfrom the show were the heritage-focused new ranges from TroyLee, Santini’s latest collectionsand Dahon’s newest line-up.

“Expo 09 was unquestionablyour best yet,” Richard Allmark,Fisher CEO told BikeBiz. “We hadgreater visitor numbers this yearand those that attended stayedfor longer.

“I would like to thank everyonewho visited Edgbaston,” Allmarkadded.

Expo ‘09 was also a firstchance for UK dealers to seeFisher Outdoor Leisure’s own-brand bspoke clothing. Theversatile range is set to appeal toa wide variety of bikingconsumers from different sectors. � For more from the show headover to pages 34-35 for our Expo09 highlights.

Distributor’s dealer week gives retailers first look at product from Velorbis, Onza, Basso, Knog and more

Weeks-old signing Velorbis wasshowcased in seminars to dealers byMoore Large, with three key modelsunveiled to the UK dealership.

� Print Edition � Digital Edition � Mobile Edition � Online Leader

Contact Carly Bailey Telephone: 01992 535 647 Email: [email protected]

BY Jonathon Harker

“Expo ‘09 wasunquestionablyour best yet. Iwould like tothank everyonewho attended.”

Lambretta launches at Fisher Expo ‘09 eventShow gives dealers first chance to see a variety of brands and products from Fisher Outdoor Leisure

SUSTRANS set out plans atIceBike to launch a websitededicated to getting females onbikes – for leisure, commutingand sport.

The site – Bikebelles.org.uk –will go live on March 8th and isaimed at the 44 per cent ofwomen who have access to abike, yet barely use it.

According to Sustransresearch, only 11 per cent ofthose females who have accessto a bicycle use it more than once per month.

The website will take on a‘magazine’-style format, aimingto provide women with a rangeof information on how to getcycling, including details on whattype of bike suits to wear, whatkind of riders there are, andwhere to locate cycle training.

A panel of 12 women hasbeen put together by Sustrans togather their opinions on cycleclothing, infrastructure,equipment and more. The panelwill also take on ‘tester’ roles for a variety of female-specificbike product.

Sam Howard, of Sustrans’trading and informationdepartment, told BikeBiz:“Sustrans hopes to work with

dealers in order toencourage girls aboard bikesand to get them to visitbike shops, get riding andultimately spending moneywithin the business.”

Sustrans’ latest trailmaps, which contain over

10,000 miles of cycleroutes, are also nowavailable via Madison anddirect from Sustrans itself.

NEWS

Sustrans launches ‘Bikebelles’

THE 350 bicycle retailers utilisingBlack Horse Finance via the ACTwill benefit from the latest 0.5per cent rate cut.

Mark Brown of the ACTcommented: “The rate cut will

come into place from March,meaning retailers will benefitfrom a slight margin increase onthe overall sale.”

Those offering Black HorseFinance who are also membersof the ACT can benefit fromexclusive rates and interest freefinance products, as well as lowerrates for processing deals onlinevia the Me2u system. More than6,000 bikes were sold using Black Horse in 2007, with anoverall average selling price of £874.

Brown also told BikeBiz on the first day of IceBike:“Representatives from theBicycle Association, ACT, ATG andthe majority of suppliers are inRugby discussing the industry’sresponse to the offered standardsconsultation period. We expectto make a formal response to theconsultation by March 30th.Perhaps by late summer we’ll seesome firm CEN standards.”

New website will encourage women cyclists to ride bikes more often � Sustrans to work with dealersBY Mark Sutton

“Sustrans hopes to work withdealers in order to encourage girlsaboard bikes and to get them to visitbike shops, get riding, and to spendmoney in the business.”

Sam Howard, Sustrans

Black Horse rates dipanother 0.5 per cent

THE LATEST top-end Thule rackshave been largely reinvented inresponse to consumer feedback.

Demonstrating the latestEuropower 916 and LoadingRamp 9151 at IceBike, businessdevelopment manager NeilSellers told BikeBiz: “From Marchthe latest models will beavailable to the trade. Of thenew product, the Loading Ramp9151 was designed with theweight of electric bikes in mindand ease of use. The clip ongutter ramp enables the user toload the bikes without the needto lift, meaning no stress.”

Thule’s Europower 916 hasbeen built with boot access atthe forefront of its design andcan hold two bikes. The model isalso the only rack in the rangeto incorporate a foot-activatedtilt device, meaning there’s noneed to get below the rack totilt it away from the car to gainboot access.

Sellers said: “This function ofthe Europower 916 isparticularly useful when usedwith larger cars where the racktypically blocks the boot space.The wide tilt function securelyleans the bikes far from the rear

door, providing the user withplenty of room to unload or loadthe rear of the car.”

The towball-mountedEuropower 916 will carry a five-year warranty and is City Crashtested and TUV approved.

Thule builds convenience into itsnew and redesigned racks

Sam Howard

Mark Brown

Neil Sellers is proud ofThule’s racks, designed with

convenience in mind

A V A N T - G U A R D

Last year was great for cycling, withgloomy economics not only failing todamage its growing popularity as asport, but actively boosting its use as amode of transport. Muc-Off’s AlexTrimnell gives his opinion on why theindustry is pedalling against the trend,and how he thinks we can keep themomentum going well into 2009…

IT STARTED last August. Whilstthe Western world wasbemoaning the rising price offuel, a new generation of cyclingfans were being recruited frominside a velodrome in Beijing. Asthe medal collection grew forHoy, Pendleton, Wiggins and co,so did interest in cycling. To theshock of the initiated, there wereeven rumours that bikes weresuddenly being given morerespect by other road-users –surely a sign that cycling wasincreasing in popularity?

This led to increased bikesales as, perhaps in lieu ofsunbathing opportunities,families took to the roads andsingletracks during their summerholidays. Sport England’sDecember-published ActivePeople survey revealedparticipation has increased by132,000 people since 2005/06 –no doubt due in no small part tothe successes in Beijing.

By late summer, reports of animpending recession and theglobal ‘credit crunch’ hadincreased, perversely giving thebike industry another boost asconsumers looked for ways to

save money. The statistics speakfor themselves – a report fromSainsbury’s Home Insurancefound that by November one ineight commuters had switchedfrom car or public transport tobicycle to save money.

Having made the investment,it makes sense for non-enthusiasts to look after a bike

rather than having to replaceparts due to a lack of care – orworse, stopping riding altogether.These are the customers that ourindustry needs to target – newcyclists who have had a fewmonths on a new bike but arenow dealing with wet weather,grime and a lack of knowledge ofhow to cope with either.

As much as enthusiasts areour core market, it’s more or lessa given that they’re always going

to buy product for their belovedmachines no matter what. Butthere’s a big danger new riderswill simply give up if their bikeisn’t working correctly. Havingbetter maintained bikes will keepnon-enthusiasts in their saddles.

One problem facing non-enthusiasts is a fear about bikemaintenance; that it is technical,

time-consuming and a hassle. It’snot even just about the qualityof the bike. Any high-end bikeleft in a garage without beinglooked after will need TLC. Anovice rider will just see thebicycle as poor value for moneyand is unlikely to keep riding it;they’re the riders who are likelyto retire their bikes unless theyget some help and advice.

The danger is that we losenew cyclists suffering from

problems like rusty chains justfrom not using the right chainlube. So many non-enthusiastsbikes are poorly maintained andit’s difficult to enjoy riding a bikethat’s creaking and grinding.These riders are unlikely toprogress to becoming seriouscyclists as their experience ofriding is not ‘feel-good’ – a

means to an end rather than anenjoyable pastime. For every newpedal commuter that wasconverted last summer and isstill going, there will be manymore who have given up by now.

The key is to educate newriders about caring for theirbikes. It’s not enough to say‘clean it’, and we can’t bombardthem with technical products.

As a company, we’re helpingnew cyclists keep their bikes

running smoother. There are newproducts, such as our new starterkit, designed to be a one-stopmaintenance shop for first-timeusers. We’re also educatingpeople on how to look afterbikes. Muc-Off has a step-by-stepcleaning guide on its websiteand attends cycle and non-cycleevents to tell enthusiasts andnon-enthusiasts about bike care.Our products are designed to befun, easy-to-use and aredeveloped to be the mostadvanced formulations of theirtype available. The last thing wewant to do is scare off potentialcustomers with technical jargon,hence our motto is simple – ‘bikecleaning made easy’.

Educating new or occasionalriders about how easy it is tokeep your bike in good conditioncould be a key factor in boostingcycling in 2009. By doing this,we can hopefully convert noviceriders into repeat customers ofnot just maintenance products,but hardware, clothing andaccessories – the whole lifestyle.The only way to do this is toensure they enjoy riding theirbikes from the very beginning.

“The danger is that we lose new cyclists suffering fromsimple problems like rusty chains just from not using theright chain lube. The key is to educate new riders aboutcaring for their bikes.”

Alex Trimnell, Muc-Off

CHAIN REACTION


The ‘feelgood’ factor

INDUSTRY OPINIONS


In recent months there have been increasing whispers thatUK manufacturing may re-emerge as the cost of importsspiral. Mark Sutton talks to some British manufacturersabout UK-made product and its appreciation in value…

THE CYCLE industryhas a long historywithin the UK,however the past20 years has seen

UK manufactured products andbusinesses fall to all but a few.The drive to purchase fromoverseas has often been drivenby cost, not quality.

One of our recent successeswas gaining the Bromptonaccount for supplying their brakepads. This account was gaineddue to rigorous testing and ourUK-made product was found tohave the best performance anddurability.

The advantages of localsourcing are that dealer stockscan be maintained at a low levelwith a guarantee forreplenishment when required,along with the great advantageof reduced air or sea miles.

Dealers also avoid the risks ofbuying product in advance, andin a foreign currency. Many cyclecomponents for 2009 will haveseen massive changes to thelanded cost in the UK due tothese changes. These variablesdo not occur with a UK-basedsupplier.John O'Brien, MD, Fibrax

Us UK manufacturers havefinally got a real price advantageover importers this year.

However, that a product is UKmade should be of onlyincidental concern. A productmust be well-designed,functional and competitivelypriced. A British flag on thepackaging can be a smallincentive for some people, but itwon’t help to sell a badlydesigned product.

Crud will be increasingproduction this year, with newand revised products. I amtotally confident in the viabilityof cycle retailing going forward.

I can’t really talk for theimporters, but I find that thereare still small manufacturerswho can do excellent work atreasonable prices in the UK. Youjust have to find them. I wouldimagine you also have far morecontrol on quality, lead times,and rejections due to faultymanufacture than you would onan overseas shipment. You alsodon’t have to fly around theworld on a regular basis to keeptabs on the above. That is a hugebenefit of having each processin-house and is hard to quantify.Pete Tompkins, MD, Crud

Importing bikes andaccessoriesmanufactured inAsia inevitably leadsto higher UK RRPs

when Sterling is as low as itcurrently is. We are not entirelyinsulated from the weakness ofthe Pound, as many of our partsand commodities are priced inUS dollars and Euros; but foreigncurrency-denominated costsrepresent a minority of our directcosts, so the impact isn’t huge.

The result was clear to see inthe pricing for 2009; whereas weraised our UK retail prices bythree to five per cent, mostbrands were hiking theirs up by15 to 35 per cent. Those whobuy Bromptons tend to bedrawn to the brand by its uniquecharacteristics and are, to thatextent, less price-sensitive thanthe average consumer; but withour prices becoming ever morecompetitive relative to someAsian-built brands, we may wellsee more price-consciousconsumers deciding to ‘trade up’.

The economic downturn isnot something that is ofparticular concern to us; theindustry tends to do well inrecessions. The early indications

are that our UK sales arestronger than ever, with demandwell ahead of this time last year;one or two of our Europeandistributors are being a little bitmore cautious than they were inearly 2008, but most of ourAsian and North Americanmarkets continue to growexponentially, continuing thetrend from 2008.

With the currency volatility,our upgraded range is actuallypriced lower than it was in 2008in most overseas markets.

We’re even looking to recruitand raise production here.Emerson Roberts, MarketingManager, Brompton

Our production is based inglamorous Stockport, GreaterManchester. We employ about80 people here and this is ouronly manufacturing facility.

The weak Pound against theDollar and Euro should certainlyhelp companies dealing withUK-made product. Prices fromoverseas sourced competitorsare increasing rapidly, whilehome-made product prices willsee much smaller rises.

Our greatest concern for2009 is that it has been difficult

to make accurate forecasts. Weare working in a market basedon discretional spend, which in adownturn is the first placepeople look to cut. However, weare hopeful that because theparts Renthal sell to theMotocross market areconsumable, if people carry onriding, perhaps withoutpurchasing a new bike, they willneed to buy our products. Weare also excited about expansioninto the cycle market, which ofcourse is all additional business.Rees Williams, Marketing,Renthal

With 99 per cent of cycles soldin the UK being imported fromlargely Dollar-based economies,it is not surprising that pricesfrom distributors have increasedby about 40 per cent over thepast 18 months as a result ofincreased base cost prices andmore importantly, the adverseexchange rate. Our prices havebeen held as our wage rates arestable and any increases in rawmaterials and component costsare countered by productionefficiencies we have introduced,such as a new paint plant.Adrian Williams, MD, Pashley

Why buyhomegrown?

SPOTLIGHTUPCOMING EVENTS

TAIPEI INTERNATIONALCYCLE SHOWTuesday March 17th – 20thTaipei, Taiwanwww.taipeicycle.com.tw

ALTURA WHINLATTER MTBCHALLENGESunday March 29thWinlatter Forest, nr Keswickwhinlatterchallenge.co.uk

BICYCLE LEADERSHIPCONFERENCEWednesday April 15th – 17thSeaside, Californiawww.bicycleconference.org

SPEZI ‘09Saturday April 25th – 26thGermersheim, Germanywww.spezialradmesse.de

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

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

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

BIKERADAR LIVEFriday May 29th – May 31stDonington Park, Derbyshirehttp://live.bikeradar.com

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

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

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

RELENTLESS NASSFriday July 10th – 12thBath and West Showground,Shepton Mallet, Somersethttp://live.bikeradar.com

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

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

March 2009

April 2009

May 2009

June 2009

BIKEBIZ.COM BIKEBIZ MARCH15

EVENTS

July 2009

September 2009

TAIPEI CYCLE SHOWMarch 17th - 20th Taipei, Taiwanwww.taipeicycle.com.tw

FORE…is cycling really the newgolf? Well, I’ve got my plus-fours…

I hate playing golf. For a fewyears in my late 20s I tried toget into golf. I bought someclubs and spent Sunday

mornings bad-temperedlyhitting balls into streams, denseundergrowth and generallyspoiling many a good walk.

I started playing because myfriends played – they were all

far, far better than me –and from what they toldme it was a great way to‘network’. Yeah, well ifanyone wanted to‘network’ with theapoplectic madmanroutinely breaking hisclubs I didn’t meetthem. And I guess Iwasn’t alone, for thepast few years anumber of peoplehave beenproclaiming thatcycling, and roadcycling in particular,is the new golf.

According to arecent report inAustralia’s SydneyMorning Herald,

the phrase was coined by aMelbourne investment bankercalled Craig Bingham who notedthat affluent middle-aged menwere using cycling in the sameway that they’d previously used

18-holes – to have fun, keep fitand make business contacts.

Someone who seems to agreeis Sven Thiele, the man behindthe classy pro-am London ParisCycle Tour. “I know of onecorporate cyclist who did hisbiggest deal on one of our rides– $10 million worth ofbusiness,” claimed Thiele.

“Business people startedgetting back on their bikes forfitness, but they’ve soon realisedthat it’s good for the health oftheir business too.” I rodeThiele’s event last year and it’s

hard not to agree. As a humblemagazine editor I felt a bit of afraud mixing with the mainlyaffluent, successful middle-agedmen riding their Litespeeds,Scott Addict LTDs and TrekMadones. Lawyers chatted awaywith surgeons who sucked onthe wheels of companydirectors. I don’t doubt that a

few deals were forged and usefulcontacts made during the threeday 600km ride. I’d imagine thata couple of rounds of golf werearranged too.

Another man you’d probablyimagine would be happiest onan Essex golf course is Sir AlanSugar, but a recent MoneyProgramme on BBC2 showedThe Apprentice star and former-Amstrad boss on a road bike inthe Spanish hills.

If cycling really is the newgolf, I think it’s great for thecycling industry – even in thesetough times business folk needto network, need to unwind and,more importantly, need to spendmoney. It’s also really good newsfor me personally as I no longerhave to drag myself around thelocal links.

My mates, too, are hitting theroad so we can now spend timetogether while riding. And, thebest bit? Now I’m showing themhow to play…

OFF THE RADAR

…then how about forging deals and picking up contacts while cycling instead? Cycling Plus editor RobSpedding swapped his carbon clubs for a carbon bike – and it looks like others are doing the same…

“If cycling really is the new golf, I thinkit’s great for the cycling industry – evenin these tough times business folk needto unwind and, more importantly, needto spend money.”

Rob Spedding


Tee-d off with networkingon the fairway?


WINDWAVE INTERVIEW

Firstly, how was Core? Howimportant is it to get face-to-face with dealers? Core Bike was fantastic for allexhibitors. The show hadincreased footfall and thedealers were all very upbeat. Wewere expecting a bit of ‘doomand gloom’ but it really wasn’tthere. We came back fromNorthampton with plenty oforders and have been really busyever since.

It is very important for us tomeet the variety of dealers atthis show. It gives us theopportunity to show partnersand prospectives our range ingreater depth. And nothing beatsa meeting in person to cementexisting relationships – andpotentially create new ones. The

social side of the show is alsoreally important. It is good foreveryone to meet and socialiseinformally in such a lovely,accessible venue.

A lot of other distributorsfeel the need to put onindividual shows – is thatsomething you’d consider infuture? Or do you think thereare too many bike shows? Unless you are a big company itis often not possible to drawdealers to a house show. That’swhy we got involved with theoriginal Core concept. We wouldnot consider a Windwave houseshow. I believe the Core BikeShow has the biggestattendance of any bicycle tradeshow in the UK.

What have been the biggestchallenges Windwave hasfaced over the past year? The economy has been achallenge for everyone. But wehave found sales have held upvery well and we have seensignificant growth from Colnago,FSA, Nokon, Ice Toolz and A2Z.Cycling has not been as badlyaffected as other industries. Thebiggest challenge has beenmaintaining margin for dealers

and ourselves with the rapidlydeclining value of sterling.

And how has the past yearbeen in general for Windwave? In general we can’t complain.Everybody at Windwave hasworked really hard this year tomaintain the forwardmomentum of the company.

How is business year-on-year?We are focusing on growing

existing brands and are alwayslooking for new brands toexpand sales. The introduction ofthe Corsair frame brand will giveus some more growth.

Is it tough for distributors tobalance price hikes and give agood deal for dealers?For sure. We think long and hardabout every price increase. Wehave always offered value formoney solutions and want to

“It is a difficult trading period, but smart businesses willbecome more efficient and be in a strong position ready forthe ‘bounce’. I’m sure there will be plentiful opportunitiesto expand our own business going forward, as well assupport our customers...” Peter Nisbet

Hampshire-based Windwavehas prided itself on bringingcutting-edge cycling brands tothe trade since the firm wasfounded in the ‘80s. Afteralmost a year with CorsairBikeBiz caught up with MDPeter Nisbet about pastglories and tackling atesting economic climate.Jonathon Harker asksthe questions…

Riding the

crest

continue to be able to do this ascurrency fluctuates further.

So how important is it tosupport dealers in thiseconomic climate?I like to think we always supportthe dealers as best we can. Thisyear, our focus has been ondemo days for both Colnago andCorsair, in the hope of drummingup further brand awareness andend-user sales.

Would Windwave ever considerexpanding into own-brandproducts? Anything is possible. An ownbrand is attractive because we

would have complete control,but this type of project is verytime consuming.

What is going to be thebiggest story for Windwave in2009?Marzocchi now has a new owner– Tenneco – a multi billion dollarautomotive company. They havevery high standards and areinvesting heavily in theMarzocchi brand.

2009 is a steady year design-wise as the focus has been onquality improvement. 2010 willsee some great new product,hopefully projecting Marzocchi

back to the forefront ofsuspension fork technology.

Are there any signings in thepipeline for 2009? We are actively seekingacquisitions, but have nothing toannounce at this time.

What categories do you thinkwill do well over the nextyear? Is Windwave going totarget a particular sector? With consumer cash being tightthe market for upgrades is sureto expand. The cycle to worksector will grow, for sure, andwith commuters beginning tospend more on quality bikes, this

is certainly good news for thebicycle business.

Is there anything else you’dlike to add, or say to thetrade? We definitely appreciate thesupport we’ve had and continueto have from our customers.

It is a difficult trading period,but smart businesses willbecome more efficient and be ina strong position ready for the‘bounce’. I am sure there will beplentiful opportunities for us toexpand the Windwave businessover the coming months.www.windwave.co.uk

WINDWAVE INTERVIEW

“Marzocchi has a new owner – Tenneco– which has very high standards andare investing heavily in pushing thebrand to the forefront of suspensiontechnology...” Peter Nisbet


Many manufacturers haveplayed key roles in Windwave’ssales growth, including Nokon –the unique cable brandexclusively handled in the UKby the Hampshire-baseddistributor – but also withnames like Vision, Mace, BLT,Axiom and Town.

One of the most significantof the past year has unarguablybeen the high-profilerelationship with Corsair andfreeride and dirt jump riderChris Smith.

Peter Nisbet explained toBikeBiz how deals with high-profile names from the world ofbiking are important for brands:“Having Chris Smith on board isvery exciting for us and we have

worked with him for many yearswith Marzocchi. Chris is veryprofessional and gets fantasticcoverage.

“Within just a few weekswe are already seeing thebenefit in print and on theinternet. Going forward,Chris’s input will be hugelybeneficial to enable us tofine-tune already greatbikes and kit.”

Nesbit also picked outother brands as goodperformers for Windwavesince CoreBike: “A specialpromotion on Ice Toolzand A2Z was debuted atthe show and hasperformed well. Thedeal involves a buy-in

of any 50 pieces on the bestrate available, with subsequenttop-up orders also offered onthis exclusive rate.”

Good for retail, good for riders...Chris Smith showingoff his Corsair kittedout with the latestMarzocchi forks

Windwave’s Hampshireheadquarters


REX, as it was known pre-1947had nothing to do with eitherthe motorcycle or cycle marketwhen a Swiss family set up shopback in 1917.

Manufacturing only leatherand floor-care products, it wasn’tuntil the dawn of the ‘50s andthe take-off of the motorcyclethat the brand saw potential inlubricants. The bicycle wouldhave to wait almost another 50years to get a dedicated range,(although motorcycle lubricantsdid crossover and many wereconsidered cycle-worthy formany years prior.)

In 1999, Motorex launchedthe ‘bike line’, cementing thebrand’s commitment to cyclistsin over 40 countries worldwidethrough its global distribution.

Because Motorex product wasoriginally designed to cope withthe stresses associated withmotorcycle maintenance, thecomparably low mechanicalforces exerted on the bicyclemeant the product was aninstant success, performing

above the standard needed forcycle care, in far smaller volumes.

Raleigh took on exclusive UKdistribution for the portfolio justover two years ago. Previouslythe brand had spent a year withno UK distribution. This is when,

according to brand managerGary Conway: "Raleigh picked upon the chance to work with thecompany, having seen greatpotential for the UK market."

In terms of manufacturingvolume, the motorcycle market,in terms of sales figures, isaround ten-fold that of the cyclemarket. Then again, a motorcycleneeds a lot more fluids than youraverage bike. So is the cyclemarket any less important to

Motorex given its dwarfed scale?"From a Raleigh point of view,

we do not sell any productsspecifically for the motorcycletrade and only supply the cycletrade," said Conway. "But there isof course an element of over-lap

where products can be usedacross the different industries, sothe customer could be either."

With the majority oflubrication and cleaning brands,environmental credentials areincreasingly prominentlyfeatured across the bottle. Sowhat eco-friendly practices hasMotorex to shout about?

"Producing chemical andtechnical products alwaysrequires a sense of

responsibility," said Conway."Motorex has a veryconscientious approach to thetreatment of people and theenvironment and this is reflectedin the products and in our manyyears of successful business. Inour Bike Line, for example, themain products (Degreaser EasyClean, Bike Clean, Dry Lube andWet Lube) are all rapidlybiodegradable. This is of course,with no compromise in terms ofquality and performance."

Stocking up on the brandcomes with a variety of benefitstoo. Raleigh offers a two-tiermixed-quantity discount on allMotorex products in the range.Also, there are two currentoffers, which see qualifyingorders receive free of chargecounter top or free standingdisplay units to merchandise theproduct at the same time asacting as point of sale.

Point of sale material anddealer discount aside, whyshould an cycle store chooseMotorex over the competition?

Conway explains: "The mainargument for choosing ourbrand over another is productperformance and quality. Ourproduct line is chosen by manytop-level athletes worldwide,emphasising its quality andreliability. They use the verysame products that anyconsumer can find on theshelves. Last but not least,consumers trust this brand andsales in the aftermarket willcontinue increase."

Within the product catalogue,those with a Raleigh accounthave access to cleaners,powerful degreasers, protectionand care products, greases,hydraulic brake fluids, fork oilsand even waterproofing spraysfor textiles. In almost all cases,the products come in both riderand workshop size containers.

As with other Raleigh brands,Motorex will be backed with avariety of marketing campaigns,while sample packs are availableto dealers on request. Raleigh UK: 01773 532600


BRAND SPOTLIGHT

The globally recognised Motorex brand signed an exclusive distribution deal with Raleigh just over twoyears ago now. Mark Sutton discusses with UK brand manager Gary Conway how the productportfolio could loosen up the rust on your till and get that thing moving again…

“Motorex has a very conscientiousapproach to the treatment of people

and the environment,something reflected in theproduct...“ Gary Conway

Oil your margins

Motorex Headquartersin Switzerland


SALARY SURVEY

BikeBiz’s job market and industry salary survey hasthrown up interesting results, as Mark Sutton reveals...

WHAT IS YOUR JOB TITLE?

Shop Manager/Assistant Manager ..................21%Mechanic ..................................................................9.6%Managing Director ................................................9.3%Sales/National Accounts ....................................8.6%Shop Owner ............................................................7.7%Sales & Marketing ................................................7.4%Shop Sales ................................................................6.2%Director......................................................................5.9%Technical/Engineering/Product Development ..........................................5.9%Workshop Manager ..............................................4.3%Journalist/Media ....................................................3.4%Regional Manager ..................................................2.5%Buyer ..........................................................................1.5%Designer ....................................................................1.5%Warehouse Staff ....................................................1.2%Customer Service ..................................................1.2%CEO ............................................................................0.6%

WHAT IS YOUR SALARY?

ARE YOU MALE OR FEMALE?

Male: ................................................95%Female: ..............................................5%

ARE YOU ATTRACTED BYOVERSEAS WORK?

No.................................................... 53.7%Yes: .................................................. 46.3%

IN THE NEXT 12 MONTHS DOYOU EXPECT YOUR SALARY TORISE, FALL OR REMAIN THE SAME?

Stay the same: ............................ 57.3%Rise: ................................................ 35.5%Fall: ...................................................... 7.2%

DO YOU FEAR THE LOSS OFYOUR JOB DUE TO POORECONOMIC CONDITIONS?

No: ..............................................70.5%Yes: ..............................................29.5%

ARE YOU SATISFIED THATYOUR SALARY COVERS YOUR COST OF LIVING?

No: ..............................................57.5%Yes: ..............................................42.5%

IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING A CHANGE OF JOB IN THE FUTURE, WHAT IS THEMAIN REASON FOR DOING SO?

Financial reasons ..........................................................51.2%

New challenge ..............................................................41.3%

Limited opportunities in current job ....................31.1%

Increased responsibility ..............................................16.9%

Promotion........................................................................16.9%

New skills ........................................................................15.7%

Fear of job loss at current employment ............13.4 %

Chance to move abroad ............................................12.2%

Location change within UK ......................................10.6%

Job status............................................................................9.1%

£15,000 - £20,000 ..................27.3%

£10,000 - £15,000 ..................21.1%

£20,000 - £25,000 ..................17.4%

£25,000 - £30,000 ..................12.4%

£35,000 - £50,000 ..................10.6%

£50,000 plus ................................5.9%

£30,000 - £35,000......................5.3%

Who are you?And what areyou worth…?

SALARY SURVEY


WHEN ARE YOU MOST LIKELY TOSEEK NEW JOB OPPORTUNITIES?

Depends if and when my

circumstances change: ............ 40.3%

This year: ...................................... 35.9%

In the next 2 to 3 years: ........ 26.9%

In 5 years time: ............................ 2.8%

DOES YOUR EMPLOYEROFFER TRAINING?

Yes: .......................................... 52.4%

No: .......................................... 47.6%

DO YOU RECEIVE ADDITIONALBENEFITS, BONUSES OVER ANDABOVE YOUR BASIC SALARY?

No: .................................................... 56.7%

Yes: .................................................... 43.3%

WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT TO YOU WHEN CONSIDERING A NEWJOB WITHIN THE BIKE TRADE?

The chance to be doing somethingyou love alongside otherenthusiasts: ..............................53.7%Money: ......................................51.8%Job security: ............................30.9%Location:....................................28.0%The mix of in and out ofoffice/shop experiences:......18.2%Perks of the job:......................17.6%

DOES THE OFFER OF BONUSES ORBENEFITS INFLUENCE WHERE YOUWOULD CHOOSE TO WORK?

Yes: .................................................... 60.3%No:........................................................ 26.75 Don’t know: .................................... 13.3%

WOULD YOU EVER SEEK A JOBOUTSIDE THE BIKE TRADE?

Yes:.......................................................... 48.45Depends on the offer:.................... 43.1%No:.......................................................... 8.5%

DOES YOUR EMPLOYERCONTRIBUTE TO YOURPENSION?

No:................................................ 78.4%

Yes: .............................................. 21.6%

Boys versus girlsThe bike business has often been accusedof being male dominated, but withwomen now putting men to shame on thetrail, why does the word ‘minority’ noteven come close to describing the ratio ofmales to females? Only a meagre five percent (16) of the 324 industry respondentswere of the fairer sex.

But the survey reveals an interestingfact about the assumed pay disparity. Theaverage female’s annual pay falls in the£20,000 to £25,000 margin – above theaverage industry salary, which fallsbetween just £15,000 to £20,000.

Perhaps even more striking is that ofthe 19 who placed their salary above£50,000 per year, two were women.Although only 16 females responded, thatsmall figure shows the encouraging levelof opportunity for females in the trade. Itwas a 50/50 split on the question ofwhether salary covered living costs.

A slightly lower proportion of the girls

feared job loss too, with 41.7 per cent ofrespondents stating that they would belooking for other work this year. What’smore, women are a lot less loyal to thebike trade, with 73.3 per cent saying theywould take a job outside the trade, withmoney topping the list of reasons to leave.

Underpaid with little prospect of araise?Yes, that’s an incredibly depressingheadline, but that’s what the majority ofthe industry feels about their salary. 57.5per cent of respondents feel overworkedand underpaid, stating that their salaryfalls short of covering their livingexpenses. Sadly, with that in mind, 57.3per cent expected their salary to remainexactly the same this year.

And what was the main reason forseeking a new job? Yep, you guessed it,51.2 per cent said that financial concernswould provoke them to seek higher paidwork. 78.4 per cent of those who took

part also claimed to have had no pensioninput from their employers.

Despite financial fears, loyalty to thetrade was incredibly high. 53.7 per centstated that when considering a new job,working alongside enthusiasts wasessential to their commitment.

Training lacking in some sectorsThe bike industry may not be as big ontraining as expected. The survey revealedthat only 52 per cent of employers offered

training. With plenty of opportunity to getmechanics enrolled on courses, combinedwith the increasingly lucrative workshopsector only hiring trained professionals,retailers accounted for the majority ofpositive answers. Training for mechanicscan often be funded with a Governmentgrant.

However, among the distributors andmanufacturers, training is often lessnecessary, suggesting employment here isbased on experience, or salary negotiation.

“57.5 per cent stated their salary doesn’t coverliving expenses. As a result, many will seek a newjob based solely on financial stresses and lack ofpension input from their employers...”

Recruitment in the bike trade is stillactive, despite the economic downturn.Currently the Cycle Surgery is on thelook out for candidates to fill twopositions. The firm has 17 outletsbased across the UK, plus a branch inDublin, and employs qualifiedmechanics trained to the highest levelfor cycle maintenance. The firm islooking for a workshop manager for itsLondon stores, and is seeking acandidate with a level 2 NVQqualification in Cycle Maintenance.Also in the South-East, Cycle Surgery isrecruiting a Concession Supervisor forits Kensington branch, and naturally

the position requires a high level oftechnical knowledge. To apply [email protected].

Meanwhile in the East, CambridgeCounty Council is looking for a strongcandidate to fill its Bikeability Officerrole. The position offered is a directresult of the City being awardedCycling Demonstration Town statusand candidates will be required tomanage all aspects of contact withtraining companies to ensure deliveryof training in the CDT area. If you’reinterested in applying head over towww.jobsincambs.com or call 01480375 105.

Fancy A New Position?

PEOPLE are the single greatestUSP that any specialist retailerhas. Investing in this asset anddeveloping core competence isan essential part of generatingprofitable, long-term income.

A recent study conducted byManpower found that 77 percent of British workers expect tobe trained as part of their joband among those who did notreceive work-based training, 67per cent stated that it could bea reason to move.

Learning ‘on the job’ is all welland good, but retailers need tosupport structured training inorder to ensure quality,consistency and delivery.

As Mark Smith from EvansCycles points out: “Cytechtraining is absolutely vital forour mechanics as it gives them arigorous grounding in the skillsessential to our workshops;starting from the basics ofhealth and safety and bikeassembly to servicing suspensionand disc brakes.”

“Naturally we couldundertake our own in-housetraining, but we believe that the

Cytech certificate has significantvalue to our staff as it istransferable outside of EvansCycles, and hence we are totallycommitted to it."

Cytech accreditation is a wayto benchmark your businesswhile measuring and promotingit against your competitors. Youmay know that your workshop isskilled, but does Joe Public?Promoting the inherent skillswithin your business throughCytech can actually increasecustomer footfall andsatisfaction.

As Martin Richardson fromSouthdowns Bikes says: “Cytechqualifications are a must for thebike business. Customers know

that if a bike comes to our storefor servicing they will get thesame treatment as when theywalk into the service receptionof a motor trade dealership.

Sometimes it can be better.”Cytech offers a complete

range of options from novicedistance learning to experttechnical and retail disciplines,with initiatives underway toexpand into wider areas ofpersonnel development.

As the industry standardCytech is a core requirement forinitiatives such as ShimanoService Centre, so Cytechqualifications are a regularfeature in jobs ads to attract thebest new talent.

Sourcing, training andretaining good people is achallenge for the cycle trade theworld over, but the UK is wellahead of other markets thanksto the Cytech scheme.

To help generate a pool oftalent for the future, the ACT isactively promoting Cytechcourses to the general publicand youth groups,demonstrating that the cycletrade offers a skilled career path.

Nigel Roberts from Trek UKsupports Cytech: “All ourtechnical, sales, marketing andeven warehouse staff are Cytechtrained. We believe it is anessential part of the work theydo and enables them toconverse confidently with ourcustomers. I always recommendretailers invest in Cytech for thesame reasons while also addingcredibility to their business fromthe customer’s perspective.”

ACT RECRUIT

With over 1,500 candidates qualified, Cytech leads the ways in promoting specialist cycle retailers andtheir people. ACT’s Mark Brown explains why investing in people power is money well spent…

“Sourcing, training and retaining goodpeople is a challenge for the cycletrade the world over, but the UK is wellahead of other markets thanks to whatCytech can offer the retailer.”

Mark Brown


Why retailers should invest in training

IN SPRING 2009 Cytech willcommence a recognitionprogramme for ACT members,linking high profile businesspromotion with investment inpeople and skills. To supportthis initiative ACT / ActSmarthas recently launched anonline retail learning

programme which is free toany Platinum members during2009.

To find out more aboutCytech training andaccreditation visitwww.actsmart.biz/cycles/skills or call ACT/ ActSmarton 08704 288 404

SINCE GOING self-employed in2007 Mark Almond has seen asharp increase in the number ofcompanies turning to freelancerswhen they need extra resourcesor an additional business skill tocomplement their team.

‘’Using freelance talent oftenbrings cutting-edge skills andperspectives that allow jobs toget done faster and better.

“Freelancers help completeprojects quickly, without thestaff or recruitment costs ofpermanent employees. They alsoprovide flexibility so, as yourbusiness goals change and newprojects arise, you can tap intothe specific talent you need toget the job done on a pay-as-you-work basis,’’ he says.

‘’In a competitive market likethe bike industry, being able totap into the best talent availableas and when you need it for aslong as you need it is a keybenefit. Whether the client is ashop, a distributor or a

manufacturer, the freelancer canget jobs done within the agreedbudget and timescale. It’s costand time effective,’’ says Almond.

‘’Another advantage is thatfreelancers often possess anumber of highly developedbusiness and management skillsin a range of industries. Thistends to mean a lot of new

ideas and an extra knowledgebase to tap into for generalbusiness matters.”

Despite these advantagessome companies still prefer torecruit permanent staff only.Often, the perceived lack ofcontrol and accountability of afreelancer deters some

businesses from employingthem. Almond accepts this as afairly common perception butone that is quickly changingacross the industry.

‘’I can fully understand thisviewpoint. However, a freelancerneed not be treated anydifferently to a permanent teammember,’’ he claims.

‘’I would always advise acontract be drawn up as itwould for a staff member. Agood freelancer will happily signit, agree objectives and targets,fully immerse into a company’sculture and become an integralpart of the team. Freelancersrely heavily on references from

past employers for future work.As such they will always give110 per cent to your companyfor the duration of their timewith you. That’s a nice guaranteeto have when you take on newstaff,’’ Almond adds.

Since starting his ownbusiness, Almond has freelancedfor some of the best knownnames in the industry startingwith Fisher Outdoor Leisure atthe end of 2007. As interimmarketing communicationsmanager, he joined at the sametime as Leanne Wellings, Fisher’smarketing manager, and withindays they were working togetheron projects such as Expo 08,implementing advertising plansand increasing press coverage forFisher’s brands.

‘’It was a great time to joinFisher and I enjoyed itimmensely. It was a case ofhitting the ground running andworking with Leanne towardsthe company’s marketing

objectives. I immediately feltpart of the team there andhopefully played my part inFisher’s success in 2008.”

Since then he has puttogether marketing activity for anumber of local bike shops andbike events. In this time theflexible advantages offreelancers have been repeatedlyconfirmed to him by fellowfreelancers and clients alike.

‘’Freelancers, managedcorrectly, can be one of the bestinvestments your business canmake. How else, for example,could you gain a hugelyexperienced and widely skilledindividual for the cost of anassistant level employee? Inthese economic times,maximum return is needed onall outgoings. Freelancers offeryou this bang-for-buck and,importantly, on your terms.’’� Mark can be contacted viaemail: [email protected] by phone on 07739 302698

FREELANCE RECRUITMENT

Finding the right skills to help your business grow is always a challenge. Finding these skills coupledwith proven experience is an even greater task and in a market where every penny counts, getting yourhands on the right indivdiuals often has a high financial cost. According to Mark Almond, a marketing,PR and events consultant, hiring a freelancer may just be the perfect solution...

“In a competitive market like the bikeindustry, being able to tap into thebest talent available as and when youneed it is a key benefit.”

Mark Almond


Freelanceexpertiseoffers theflexiblesolution


CYCLING’S BRIGHT YOUNG THINGS

Wondering who some of the best young guns are in the cycling industry? Then look no further. BikeBizpresents the UK trade’s brightest up-and-coming individuals from the worlds of retail, distribution,manufacturing and publishing. In this celebration of the hottest young talent around we celebrate andprofile the industry’s future champions. And if you didn’t get in, well there’s always next year...

Cyling’s Bright Young Things

Adam Biggs Age: 22Company: Moore LargeBiggs has been working for Moore Largesince October and is currently the firm’sbrand manager for Basso and Velorbis.Biggs began racing on the Continent whenhe was 16 and spent three years as asemi-pro in France. He returned to the UKlast June, working for the Long Eaten CycleCentre before joining Moore Large.

Name: Ashley Clark Age: 26Company: Hot WheelsClark began in the trade in 2001 as amechanic at Poole-based Xtreme and MudDock in Exeter, before applying for the jobat Hot Wheels at its newly builtheadquarters. He began in a telesales role,and six months later was South Westrepresentative. Soon after hisresponsibilities expanded to include Wales.

Name: Daniel Benson Age: 27Company: Future As online managing editor of Cyclingnews.com, Benson manages and pools theresources of teams from the US, Australiaand Europe. His duties include the generalrunning of the sites, including news,reviews and technology divisions. Prior tojoining Future, Benson wasRunnersworld.co.uk online editor.

Name: David Arthur Age: 28Company: MagicaliaAs staff writer on Bikemagic.com andRoadcyclingUK.com, Arthur initiallyhandled the production aspects of bothsites, before becoming wholly editorialearlier this year. Arthur has helped thesites grow in readership in his time at thefirm, and runs his own cycling blog.

Gary Turner Age: 25Company: Chicken CyclekitTurner joined Chicken just over a year agoand has already progressed from an adminrole to office sales and, more recently, anaccount manager. According to his peers,his success is an example of how personaldrive and enthusiasm can help oneprogress quickly.

Name: Joe Poyzer Age: 23Company: Onza BikesHaving started his working life in theelectronics industry, Poyzer joined Onzafour years ago, where he began liaisingwith some of the firm’s associates inTaiwan. Currently, he works part-time atMoore Large (Onza Bikes’ distributors) andis responsible for European exports, whichlast year accounted for £50,000.

Name: John StainthorpeAge: 25Company: CyclesenseStainthorpe is sales director and isresponsible for running LikeAbike UK and

the firm’s retail outlet at Thorp Arch. He isalso webmaster, watching over bothdivision’s sites. At 22, he set upCyclesense’s stand at The Cycle Show, andhas taken main responsibility since.

Name: Lloyd ClarksonAge: 27Company: 50cyclesAfter joining 50cycles in 2007 asworkshop assistant, Clarkson was soonpromoted to technical manager,overseeing workshop operations. Recently,he has been instrumental in pushing theKalkhoff range of e-bikes, representing thefirm at UK exhibitions. He also takes partin a number of high profile races.

Name: Simon and Matt Bowns Age: 25 and 21Company: 18 BikesAfter buying the business of Bespoked in2006, Simon and Matt renamed thebusiness 18 Bikes. The shop focuses onhigh-end mountain bike custom builds,and also stocks clothing and accessories.The business has come second in theSingleTrack reader’s awards for two years.

Name: Mike CottyAge: 26Company: CanondaleCotty has spent four and a half years atBasel and nine years at Canondale. Duringhis tenure, he has built and implementedthe latter’s European wide brand managerstructure, managed the Swiss marketingoffice, and is now tasked with using novelnew ways to market the firm’s products.

Name: Niki CroftAge: 24Company: SeventiesAfter being invited to participate in ariding video, which involved living in aspecially set-up house with six other ridersfor half a year, Croft landed a job in theSeventies Warehouse team through acontact from the project. He is responsiblefor sorting deliveries, works with thedispatch team, and says one of the bestthing about the job is the people.

Name: Oli WoodmanAge: 18Company: FutureHailing from the notoriously cyclingfriendly Wick area of Bristol, Woodman isa keen mountain biker and also enjoysdownhill and street riding. He startedworking for BikeRadar last year asdatabase editor, and has recently begunwriting reviews for the site as well.

Name: Patrick Blake Age: 28Company: Upgrade BikesStarting out in the bike industry on workexperience in a bike shop back in 1996,Blake is now in the sales department atUpgrade, liaising with all the firm’s agentson the road. He also handles all newaccount enquiries and dabbles with theaccounts. Blake contributed to the firm’swin of a BikeBiz Award last year.



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Name: Pete DrewAge: 28Company: SilverfishAfter joining the firm’s warehouse teamfour years ago, Drew soon moved to thesales team as the firm expanded. He leftafter two years, and after a brief stint atVancouver’s Cove Bikes, returned toSilverfish as marketing manager. His day-to-day duties include ensuring highawareness of the firm’s products.

Name: Richie RowlandAge: 28Company: Silverfish Rowland was Silverfish’s second employeewhen he joined eight years ago, so hasbeen there practically since the firm’sinception. In the early days, he took on anumber of roles within the office anddistribution centres, before travellinground the country as a rep. Rowland nowholds the position of sales manager.

Name: Sarah RotheryAge: 21Company: ZyroRothery joined Zyro in 2005 to work onsales order processing, and moved into theactual sales team after a maternity coverposition emerged. Now workingpermanently in the sales team, she assiststhe north-west and Ireland accountmanagers, and handles 25 accounts fromacross the country on her own.

Name: Simon White (17)Age: 27Company: Zyro White began working at Zyro in 2003 inthe ‘goods out’ department atBoroughbridge. He joined the pick teamwhen the business expanded and movedto Thirsk. He now works in the technicalsupport and warranty department, after astint in product management, working onfor Panaracer and Lupine.

Name: Steve Gill (18)Age: 29Company: Rutland and Grafham Cycling Gill started at Rutland and GrafhamCycling in 2000, working on the salesfloor. In three years he was promoted tosales director, responsible for the purchaseand sale of retail bikes and the company’shire bike fleet. Apparently, Gill alonegenerates £3 million in revenue a year.

Name: Peter Clegg (19)Age: 26Company: SilverfishDescribed as Silverfish’s ‘newest andtallest employee’, Clegg has already madehis mark on the northern sales territory atthe firm, working on key accounts in theNorth and Scotland. He has a keen tradeknowledge, gained worked at CycleEurope, and handles 11 brands in his area.

Name: Matt Skinner (20)Age: 28Company: FutureHaving worked in some capacity for WMBand MBUK solidly for the past six years,

Skinner became editor of WMB a year anda half ago. His tenure has coincided withthe title’s most successful year ever. Healso launched Freestyle publication’s BMXRider magazine back in 2002.

Name: Andrew DoddAge: 29Company: FutureWith 17 years of off-road mountainbiking under his belt, ‘Doddy’ says he isutterly obsessed with bikes, from the firstmoment he learnt on a girl’s bike withone stabiliser. He currently works as staffwriter on MBUK, and has been writing andtesting for the mag for eight years now.

Name: James CrampAge: 25Company: Muc-OffCramp joined Muc-off in 2000, when itwas called X-Lite UK. He has since movedthrough telesales, purchasing and eventmanagement and is now general managerof overseeing production, logistics and thesales/buying offices. Cramp says workingwith such a close-knit team is one of thebest things about the job.

Name: Rob Sherratt Age: 28Company: FoxSherratt is a newcomer to the industry,having joined Fox in December last yearthrough a job ad on the BikeBiz website.His main day-to-day duties includeliaising with dealer partners, presentingclothing lines to potential customers andgenerally making sure the product isreadily available in the best retail outlets.

Name: Grant Hadwin Age: 29Company: Citrus-LimeHadwin joined Citrus-Lime in 2005 assales consultant, after a mass interviewprocess which he describes as ‘X-Factorlike’. Now sales project consultant, Grantis responsible for training the firm’scustomers in the use of Microsoft RMS.

Name: Matthew ColeAge: 27Company: FutureAfter galvanising his interest for cycling inSouth Wales, Cole landed a job at Future’sBikeRadar site as it was being set up. Hehas apparently now just started riding the40-mile journey into work, and spends hisweekends looking for decent trails inWiltshire and riding in Afan and Cwmcarn.



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DAVE CLUTTERBUCK �Future Publishing has hired DaveClutterbuck as associatepublisher for its portfolio ofcycling titles, websites andevents. Clutterbuck will report togroup publisher KATHERINERADERECHT.

Day-to-day, his tasks willinclude driving the What MountainBike and Mountain Biking UKbrands forward, as well as workingwith print, online and eventsteams to further strengthen thepublisher's off-road titles.

Having worked at leadingAustralian specialist publisherYaffa Publishing Group since2000, Clutterbuck has broadexperience across B2B and nicheconsumer titles. He was editorialpublisher across Yaffa’s portfolioof 17 business magazines, andlatterly, group developmentdirector, responsible for new

product launches, digital contentand events.

“I purchased my first mountainbike from an ad in the pages ofMBUK almost 20 years ago," saidClutterbuck. "It is testament toFuture’s management that MBUKis still Britain’s best-selling bikemagazine. As a keen cyclist, bothon and off-road since my earlyteens, this is a great opportunityfor me to combine work withpleasure. Future’s sports portfoliois second-to-none and I lookforward to working with theteam.”

Group publisher KatherineRaderecht said: “Future’s cyclingportfolio contains some verystrong brands and a market-leading presence globally. Thisappointment strengthens ourmanagement team and will allowus to further develop our coreproducts and offer readers and

advertisers the best bike brandsin the world. Dave bringsexperience and talent to the roleand I look forward to workingwith him.”

MAGNUS BACKSTEDT ANDMARTIN MCCROSSAN �Following his announcement tostep down from top-flightcycling, Magnus Backstedt hasnow signed with media companyCyclevox, which who will act ashis agent going forward. Over thelast few seasons Backstedt hasjoined Martin McCrossan, whowill also join the company'sclient list, as a guest pundit inthe Cycling TV commentary boxand also on Eurosport.

Anthony McCrossan, directorof Cyclevox, said: "Cyclevox hasestablished itself already as anetwork you can rely on toprovide your media needs. By

Future signs new associate publisher to overlook cycling title progress � CycleVox becomes MagnusBackstedt agent on the back of race retirement � Kate Marley becomes Factory Media sales manager

Manley takes on Bicycle Buyer challenge


PEOPLE AND RECRUITMENT

Send your recruitment news [email protected]

Dave Clutterbuck

acting as agents for Martin andMagnus, we are now able toprovide broadcasters and eventswith more choice for theircommentary needs. Magnus hasunclipped his feet from thepedals at Garmin-Slipstream andhas stepped straight into thecommentary box – so viewers

will get an up-to-date insight towhat is going on. We havealready clinched the team’s firstcommentary assignment on TheTour of California with Cycling TVso you will immediately be ableto hear them in action."

Backstedt added: "For me,coming out of the highest level

and being able to slot straightinto a new life will really help thetransition. I have always workedas much as I could in the pastfew years as an expertcommentator both on TV andradio, as well as getting in on thelive studio broadcasts. I'm reallyexcited for the new challengesthat lie ahead."

TYM MANLEY AND KATEMARLEY � Founder ofMountain Biking UK, Tym Manleyhas joined extreme sportspublisher Factory Media as aneditorial consultant, initiallyhandling the progress of TheBicycle Buyer. An accompanyingwebsite is due during spring,something which Manley willalso help grow through user-generated features.

“These days people know mefor big, eye catching feature

ideas and extreme stunts,” saysManley, “but I am also deeplyinterested in editorial craft, and Isee my role as helping anenthusiastic editorial team onThe Bicycle Buyer communicatetheir passion and knowledge toreaders to maximum effect.”

“I’m attracted to FactoryMedia by the people, by thecreative atmosphere and by thespecialist magazine businessmodel, which is essentially whereI came from. I’m also fascinatedby the creative combination ofweb and print publishing, whichis happening here”.

Manley entered journalismthrough technical publications,but first made his mark as ahumorist, working for PunchMagazine, with columns in dailyand weekly newspapers andconsumer magazines.

He entered specialist

magazine journalism ‘entirely bymistake’ and then launched cyclemarket leader Mountain BikingUK in 1988.

Since selling the title to FuturePublishing in 1995, the companyhas been a major client and Tymparticipated in the launch ofCycling Plus, MTB Pro, MTB Worldand the relaunches of Redline,Total Bike and other titles.

Kate Marley also joins FactoryMedia as sales manager, bringingwith her 12 years experience inthe cycling industry.

Previously Kate has heldcommercial positions at FuturePublishing on brands such asMountain Biking UK, WhatMountain Bike, Procycling,Cycling Plus, and online offeringsBikeRadar and Cyclingnews.

Kate will lead the sales teamacross The Bicyle Buyer, Dirt andMoto in both print and online.

PEOPLE AND RECRUITMENT


People & Recruitment is Sponsored by Halfords

Martin McCrossanMagnus Backstedt

ZYRO OPEN HOUSE REVIEW

Zyro’s own brand Altura’sspring/summer collection got atechnical fashion show at theevent. Stretch shorts from thenew ranges made use of thebrand’s pro-gel tech – designedto absorb vibration and increasecomfort. Meanwhile baggyshorts with removable stretchinner shorts were touted tobecome even more popular overthe course of this year.

Prologo, FSA and Zefal all sawtheir Zyro and Open Housedebut this year. Prologoshowcased its elite range ofsaddles while FSA showed off itscutting-edge product ranges,featuring the same conceptsacross the ranges whether high-end or budget. MeanwhileZefal’s presence gave dealersthe chance to see its productfollowing Zyro’s exclusive dealwith the firm last year.

Abus stoked dealers’ interestwith innovative new POS using

integrated LCD screens (above).Meanwhile Abus’ locks will becapitalising on theft fears with awidely distributed leaflet givingconsumers discounts. Abus andZyro will pick up the tab for themarkdown, leaving dealers witha cost-free sales incentive.

Dealers were uppermost in theminds of Ashima too, with newsmaller packaging so IBDs canfit more on the wall. Dealershad asked the firm to provide awider, more diverse range andAshima came up with the goods

– including its patentedSintered, Semi-Metal andOrganic ranges of brake pads,with the new APVS and Pancakebrake system calipers.

CatEye launched its new StradaCadence computer, aimed atriders looking for more accuratemonitoring. The compact unitincludes a revised tool-free rearwheel mounting fitting kit. Themanufacturer also previewedthe eagerly anticipatedAltimeter Computer, set forrelease later this year.

PowerBar showcased new ‘RideShots’– electrolyte-filled energychews. Coming in boxes of 16packets, these bite-sized, liquid-filled chews will benefit from abig marketing investment andblends types of carbohydratesto get maximum energy to therider – using PowerBar’s own C2Max technology.

The full Camelbak range ofproducts – including newIntegrated Hydration Apparel (inthe Racebak Series) – were alsoon show alongside the Podium

bottle, which features anti-bacterial protection, jet valvefast flow bottle and a wide capfor easy fill. Camelbak alsoshowed its latest POS offeringsfor its ultrasonically welded,kink-resistant hydration packs.

Open House also sawPanaracer’s full range of Road,Commute, Tour and MTBproduct. The firm unveiled itsnew MTB and commuter tyresat the show, as well as its newroad line-up, including the Evo3, Duro Protex and Closer.

Brand power

ZYRO’S Harrogate-based OpenHouse gave 200 IBDs the chanceto look at the latest productsfrom Zyro brands, all at theplush Rudding Park Hotel.

Dealers got the chance to gettheir hands on the latestproducts and give feedback to

manufacturers. Also at the eventZyro unveiled a new B2Bwebsite – www.zyrob2b.com –and its first ever trade-catalogue‘The Orange Pages’.

But new announcements andproducts are only part of theOpen House package, as Zyro

marketing manager Jane Watsonexplains to BikeBiz:

“Our format is uniquebecause retailers not only see2009 product first, but they getto meet and spend quality timewith our brand partners andsuppliers from all over the world

– all of whom are directors,product innovators and the mostsenior marketers from theirrespective companies.”

Watson added: “What alsomakes Zyro’s event quitedifferent is that we do not takeorders at Open House.

“We do not want our partnersdistracted away from the core ofthe event, which is to invite andpropagate open and transparentdiscussion. Open House is allabout the core aim ofdeveloping and delivering betterproduct, year-on-year.”

Zyro’s House PartyZyro invited dealers and brands to its 11th annual Open House event earlier this year. JonathonHarker joined the firm’s retailers to take a look at the latest product and what’s new from the firm...


New POS from Abus, Camelbak andPrologo featured at Open House



FISHER EXPO REVIEW

LAMBRETTALambretta was one of theheadline draws at the show thisyear, following the signingannounced back last September.Fisher representatives stressedthat the models on show werevery much in development, andadded that dealer feedback fromthe show would be key informing the fully-fledged bikes,currently slated for a Junerelease date.

And the presence of the fullybranded Lambretta cycles atExpo 09 was one of the firstopportunities for the trade tofeast its eyes on the new bikes,with the range including twoladies and three gents models,all aimed at the urban marketand some set to retail aroundthe £699 mark. The distributorholds the global licence for thebrand, so expect to see a lotmore from Lambretta and Fisher.

BSPOKEBspoke marks a brand newclothing category for FisherOutdoors. The versatilecollection doesn’t look likestandard cycling gear, with a

leaning towards standard dayand even work wear.

Highlights from the collectioninclude the Holborn and Angel,jackets for men and womenrespectively. These waterproof,windproof and breathable itemsprovide another commuter-

friendly feature – speciallydesigned pockets to stow MP3players. As with the rest of therange (including the Holland andRichmond casual trousers), theHolborn and Angel boastdiscreet reflective features,upping safety for commuters.

Crucially, the bspoke line-uphas the backing of TfL – just thekind of partnership that willsurely put pound signs in theeyes of retailers. POS was alsoon offer for dealers.

SANTINI Santini’s range was split into itsfashion offering and the 365collection. Fisher told BikeBizthat it has measures in placethat will take the pains andtribulations of stockreplenishment of 365 off theshoulders of dealers – meaning,amongst other things, thatdealers don’t have to order lotsof stock all in one go. And withthe 365 line-up boastinghypoallergenic materials and UVprotection amongst many otherproperties, the range is set to bean essential line for retailers.

Meanwhile, the fashion rangefrom Santini offers up somethingspecial with co-ordinatedofferings using the very latestfabrics, not least of all with thestriking Windstopper. Theanatomically cut line-upincludes a gilet and technicalfleece, with the former featuring

an iPod sleeve and handy giantpocket on the rear. The line isalso representative of the firm’sincreasing reach into the cross-country sector.

The Expo even gave dealersthe chance to see the Autumn/Winter collection hot off themachines in Italy, plus replicateam kits from the firm.

BASILBasil’s line of bags, baskets andaccessories appeal across thespectrum of biking consumers.Dutch design was unleashed onthe family-centric Rosacollection, including the JasminRosa Shopper, Basket, SaddleCover and even Umbrella. Forjuniors, the Jasmin broughtbuckets of appeal for girls, whilethe Basil boys range is built fromstrong materials, with clevermagnetic fasteners. Basil alsounveiled new lines of saddlebags for ladies and men.

HAMAX While the Hamax Plus systemhas actually been on the marketfor two years, the firm toldBikeBiz that it is one of the most

Fisher’s Expo 09 was the perfect opportunity for dealers to hook up with the latest tasty cycling gear.Jonathon Harker joined the throngs at Edgbaston to reel in the latest product and slinky-looking kit…

Fisher’s brand new clothing collection– bspoke – was on show at Expo 09.The versatile collection has a leaningtowards standard day and work wear,with a close TfL relationship to boot.

Hit for six

popular – and one that it ispushing for 2009. This ‘completetransportation system’ is easy tofit and attaches to most bikes onthe market. The device makesfixing child seats, baskets andbags a snap, and the unit is alsoeasy to take on and off andgarnered great feedback from theattending dealers.

DAHONDahon’s latest line-up (which isalso featured elsewhere in thisissue) included the Curve SL (RRP£849.99), the Mu Uno (RRP£469.99), the Vitesse P18 (RRP£749.99), the Mu Ex (RRP£1999.99) and finally theCadenza Solo (RRP £549.99).

The Curve SL is one of thefirm’s top-of-the-line, super-lightcommuter machines. Folding inseconds, the bike is actuallysmall enough to fit into ashopping bag.

BikeBiz took the chance toquiz Dahon’s Mark Bickerton onhow business was for the firm:“Dahon is up on last year interms of sales, but everyone ismore conservative in ordering.However, all the indicators arethat demand will be gettingbigger and bigger,” he confidentlyconcluded.

NORCO Norco unashamedly told BikeBizit was the biggest brand of itstype in Canada and proclaimedthat it had similar designs to beamongst the biggest and best inthe UK within the next few years.

The presence of the Fisher-exclusive brand was the first timethat dealers could see the fullrange of cutting edge coolproduct in the flesh. At this earlystage of Norco’s grand plan, theproducts on show included 20models for the UK – a necessarilyscaled down version of the 150models on offer in Canada.

Norco told us that it wasplanning to build up a tightdealer base and grow it as partof an involved sales plan.

International sales managerChris Hennessey told BikeBiz thatthe key models from the range

had been well received at theExpo, including the DH Serieswith 8 – 9” travel. The VPS TeamDH is priced at RRP £4,499, withthe A-Line at RRP £2,249 and theAtomlink at RRP £1,999.

TROY LEEThe brand’s rich heritage wasvery much in evidence at theFisher Expo – with an elaborateset-up including pictures fromthe Troy Lee family itself. On theproduct side, the Ace glove is setto be a key line from the firm.This modestly priced glove(£19.99 RRP) boasts many of thefeatures of the popular XE.

Logos from the past weremuch in evidence too, especiallyin the new line of eye-catchingt-shirts. Troy Lee’s latest helmetswere on display too, includingthe D2 (both carbon andcomposite versions). Touted asthe most technically advancedhelmets of their kind, the D2sfeature hi-flow ventilation,colour matched visors andremovable roost guards.

CLARKSClarks told BikeBiz that Expofeedback had been very positiveand that some brands wereincreasing by 60 per cent.

The hydraulic and futuredevelopment hydraulic breaksgathered much of the goodfeedback, while Clarks revealed itwill launch a competitivelypriced new super lightweight twopiston hydraulic. The Expo saw anew hydraulic components kitthat supports all major brands inthe market offering the stainlesssteel braded hydraulic hose as anupgrade. Clarks also revealed thatit would be giving its range ahuge marketing push over thenext 12 months to support sales.

SRAMSram told BikeBiz that its 2009range was all about the crucialone per cent – meaning tweaksand subtle improvements werethe order of the day, rather thanthe creation of massivelydifferent products. But new for2009 was the SRAM Rival – now

boasting hollow construction fora lighter, stiffer product.

One of the main draws at theSRAM stand was its brand newcarbon wheel range with threeSKUs – S40, S60 and S80 – alllow weight and designed forspeed. Meanwhile SRAM hadnoticeably upped the design andgraphics stakes on a number ofappropriate products, includingbash rims.

Elsewhere, SRAM brandRockShox was a key attraction atExpo 09. The show saw thelaunch of the BoXXer, a lighter,more precise downhill fork thatpromises to be faster than ever.Incorporating the latest MissionControl DH damper, the head-turning BoXXer also features dualflow adjust compression.

IN BRIEFBLOC came to the Expo withsome impressive cycle-specificproduct. The robust nylon framesof the Leopard featuresinterchangeable lenses. ThePredator, meanwhile boasts largelenses, big temple areas, andclever adjustable nose pads,accommodating all sizes ofhooters.

MET showed its 2009 range ofhelmets. WTB launched its tyres,saddles and grips with Fisher forthe first time, while Muc-Offsported a fresh new range ofcleaning brushes, and Maximrevealed new flavours and newhandy tablets for hydrationpacks.

On the Tacx stand, dealers gota first look at the new Bushidoergotrainer, and the demo ofFortius Google Earth. Keencyclists also got the chance toface-off against each other onspeed trials for prizes. Masterlockshowed its new Gold Sold SecureD-Lock, while VDO showcased itsnew X-Series.

Tyre specialist Schwalbeshowcased its new Ultremo R,Rocket Ron, Fat Albert Front andRear, and the MarathonPlus/Extreme products, whileFisher Outdoor’s own Push line-up was also on display fordealers at Expo 09.

FISHER EXPO REVIEW


Expo was one of the first chances fordealers to see Lambretta in the flesh

NOT content with fillingEdgbaston with the latest bikingkit, Fisher Outdoors alsobrought along a plethora ofcycling celebs to Expo 09. Worldand Olympic champion JamieStaff joined downhill mountainbiker Steve Peat, while multiplenational champion JennyCopnall and Charge Bikes team

rider Sam Humphreys alsoappeared during the Expo.

The presence of the cyclingglitterati was the icing on thecake for the show. “Expo 09 wasunquestionably our best yet,”Fisher Outdoor CEO RichardAllmark told BikeBiz.

“Our marketing managerLeanne Wellings and her team

delivered a presentation of thehighest standard. Our staff andsuppliers were all on great formand delivered a great customerexperience.

“We had greater visitornumbers and those thatattended stayed for longer. Iwould like to thank everyonewho visited Edgbaston.”

Star presence

Santini’s fashion collection, Norco bikes, the Hamax Plus system,Muc-Off’s new brush range, Troy Lee’s heritage inspired t-shirts andthe Tacx challenge were some of the highlights at Expo 09


TWITTER

IT’S THE website of the moment:Twitter.com. But why all themedia fuss over a site used bycelebs to broadcast when they’reeating toast?

Twitter is what you make of it.It can be serious and business-like, or frothy and funny. Moreand more bike shops, and bikecompanies, are getting involved.And those that do are reapingthe first-mover rewards, maybenot yet in cash, but in grabbingan early user base which, inTwitter-speak, is ‘followers’.

Twitter is a conversational‘social media’ tool, made of shortpostings. Updates of 140-characters or less are listed on auser’s Twitter page. Followsomebody and their ‘tweets’appear in your viewing space.Remember, this isn’t justcomputer based viewing, smart

phones get the info, too, allowingfor portability of informationsharing and gleaning. People withlots of followers use the serviceas a form of Google. No need totype something into the world’sfavourite search engine – where

results can be patchy and diverse– just ask your followers.

I’m constantly amazed at thepractical usefulness of Twitter.When I need photos for a book, Iask and I get. When I want toflag a particular story onBikeBiz.com, I link from Twitter

and loads of page views result.When I find a really useful newsstory on another site, I give itlink love. Business users are alsofinding that linking Twitter totheir websites is good for SEO:search engine optimisation.

Google likes fresh info andthere’s nothing fresher thanTwitter info.

And the business case forusing Twitter is growing. Anindependent coffee shop inHouston, Texas (@coffeegroundz)doubled its clientele through

clever and proactive Twitter use.It suggested followers meet-upat the coffee shop, went viral inthe local area and trade boomed.Independent coffee shops haveto battle multiples and need tobe flexible and creative, yet

without a huge marketingbudget. Sound familiar?

So, who or what is Twitter?California-based Twitter.comturned down a rumoured $500m all-stock offer from Facebook lastyear. A recession was clearlycoming, why not cash out? Tech

industry insiders believe thecompany – yet to turn a cent –was waiting for better offers.

Fans say Twitter is not burningdollar bills, and will becomebigger than Facebook. Twitter’suser base is tripling in numbers inshorter and shorter timespans.

Twitter the company is tiny. Itwas founded by Jack Dorsey, BizStone, and Evan Williams of SanFrancisco podcasting companyOdeo. Parent company ObviousCorp is angel-funded by investorsincluding Jeff Bezos of Amazon.And there are just 30 employees.

Biz Stone told BikeBiz: “Twitterhelps people find out what ishappening right now, whether it’samong a group of friends or thewhole world. As a real-timenetwork of information, Twitter isbecoming a relevant tool tomore people every day.”

The business case for using Twitter is growing. An

independent coffee shop in Houston doubled its clientele

through clever and proactive Twitter use.

Bike companies and bike shops are opening Twitter accounts at an ever-accelerating rate. The time isright to grab your biz name now and open up to the potential of Twittering, says Carlton Reid...

Time to

Twitter.com has attractedlegions of third-party apps,complicating the interface forpower-users. Ironically, many ofthese third-party apps makemoney, such as Tweetie for theiPhone, available for £1.75 oniTunes.

Despite being free to users,Twitter costs millions of dollarsto run, with the long awaitedrevenue model has yet to appear.

Shel Israel, author of theupcoming book Twitterville, said:

“Twitter has a clearmonetisation plan. It’s a businessutility and will charge fees forletting companies like Dell sellcomputers efficiently. It will bead free, and lucrative.”

A customer database of highlyengaged users has value. Andthat value is increasing. Use ofTwitter is growing fast. Currentlythere are six million members.

2009 is Twitter’s coming outyear, its entrance into themainstream. UK TV personalitieslike Jonathan Ross and StephenFry – and, of course, Americanlegends like Lance Armstrong –have cottoned on that Twitter ismore engaging than a blog, moreinteractive than broadcast media.

It’s like group-sending a textmessage to a few friends, butviewable by the world. Makethose ‘Tweets’ pithy, memorable,funny, wise or useful and you’llgather ‘followers’.

Blogger Chris Brogan(@chrisbrogan), one of Twitter’sso-called rock stars, said: “Twitterisn’t amazing. The ability toconnect to many voices in acollaborative way is amazing.”

Unless you’re a Tour de Francecontender, there’s little use inknowing when Lance Armstronghas gone for a long bike ride. Nor

any need to subscribe to thethoughts of the Twitterati. Butwe’re a social species and micro-blogging via Twitter is catchingon fast.

Most of the six million peopleon Twitter have just a handful of

followers and only follow friends,and a breaking news source(news often breaks on Twitterbefore anywhere else) andTwitterers with similar interests.Twitterers are known by theirusernames, with the addition of@ on the front. Jonathan Ross is@wossy, Lance Armstrong hasplumped for the more immediate@lancearmstrong.

Twitterers are known by theirusernames, with a @ on thefront. Just as in the early days of

the web, there’s been a namelandgrab. @paulsmith is notunique enough to be stillavailable (he’s an IT worker inChicago, not the English fashiondesigner with a penchant forbikes) but if you’ve a distinctive

name you could be in luck. Evenif you never plan to use Twitter,it might still be wise to registerfor your business and personalname. It costs nothing to do this.

Twitter isn’t just for celebs, itcan be a business tool. Stories ofimpressive ROI are getting easierto come by, with Dell Computersbeing the first big example of acorporation turning Tweets intoturnover. A site-specificpromotion saw Dell garner $1m+in Twitter-trackable sales.

As a way of testing a marketconcept or pushing an exclusiveoffer Twitter is quicker than RSS,broader than SMS, and moreimmediate than websites.

Companies are starting toappoint Twitter wranglers.Ingersoll-Rand of the US, a$17bn Bermuda-incorporatedmultinational which owns ClubCar golf cars and Thermo Kingfreezer trucks, appointed DonnaTocci as its first social mediamanager in autumn 2008.

She said: “With the downeconomy and the need to keepeyeballs on their brand for lowercosts, companies will turn moreto social media. They will needintelligent, personable people tobe the face of the firm to thedigital audience; someone whounderstands that it’s not abouttalking at people, it’s aboutcreating relationships.”

Boston-based Tocci is nostranger to fevered internetinteraction between a brand andits customers. In 2004 she wasPR manager at Ingersoll's bikelock brand Kryptonite. When aforum poster revealed he couldopen a high-security Kryptonitewith a Bic pen, the company was

bombarded with forum andblogger complaints. Kryptoniteexecs decided not to engage.After the firestorm, Tocci wasallowed to roll out a PR response.But the damage was done andthe brand had to be financiallypropped up by Ingersoll Rand.

Tocci now sees Twitter as“essential”, tweeting from work,too, all via @donnatocci.

“Listening and learning aren’t9am-5pm activities,” she toldBikeBiz. But Twitter gets a badname from mundane entries,making it a time sink.

“Indulging these distractionslooks just like work,” bloggedMike Elgan, a former editor ofWindows magazine. “The new,increasingly compellingdistractions get piled on to olderones. When does the work getdone? When do entrepreneursmanage their businesses?”

For Ann Handley(@marketingprofs), editor ofMarketingprofs.com, a marketingresources and conferences firmbased in Texas, Twitter is usefulfor marketing in a recession:

“Dwindling budgets suddenlymake low-cost social media looklike the pretty girl at the ball.”


TWITTER

WE GAVE some bike tradetwitterers 140-characters orless in which to explain whythey use Twitter:

"Been on Twitter for a fewweeks and I've been in contactwith people I would never haveotherwise. Customer andsupplier contact via Twitter willbe common in the future."Craig Hardie, (@HardieBikes)Hardie Bikes, CairneyhillScotland

"To promote, to interact, toprovide a unique window intoour business. More tweets

equals more info shared, awider market and moreopportunities.

"Twitter allows poeticinvolvement in each other'sday-to-day that we'd otherwisemiss, or not say at all. Couldreplace SMS. Expect video,geotags."Chris Matthews, GlobalMarketing IntegrationsManager at Specialized

"Just 140 characters is enoughfor my attention span, butenough to get the messageacross. Succinct, direct, odd.Cliquey, too."

Brant Richards (@shedfire),Shedfire, Todmoden, Lancs

"Twitter is great for connectingwith like-minded people. I alsowant to use it to communicatewith my customers, what weare doing and why."Justin Stevenson,Whyte Bikes

“Twitter gives our shop thatextra bit of presence on the netto show customers we are morethan a cycle business – it’s ourway of life.”Paul Kane, Dave Kane Cycles, Belfast

Worth branching out into Twitter?

“Dwindling budgets suddenly make

low-cost social media look like the

pretty girl at the ball.”

Ann Handley, Marketingprofs.com

Lance Armstrong’s army of Twitterers played a key role in therecovery of his stolen one-of-a-kind TT bike last month

Follow these Twitterati:@JonHarker - BikeBiz editor@MarkSuttonBike - BikeBiz deputy editor@carltonreid - BikeBiz executive editor

@bikeradar - Gary Boulanger @roadcc - Roadcycling magazine

@CannondaleTweet @Ibis_Cycles

And lots more added every day on BikeBiz.com, seehttp://tinyurl.com/biketweeps

ABCs REVIEW


2008 saw a lot of activity within the cycleconsumer press sector. Magazines werelaunched, some of those didn’t go toplan, while others flourished as newcyclists took to the streets. Mark Suttonreviews the progress of the pedal press…

Pressing onthroughtough times

FUTURE’S GROUP publisher gaveBikeBiz an exclusive review of itsmagazines’ performances andaspirations going forward. KatherineRaderecht says: “We are delighted thatFuture now has the number one andtwo best-selling cycling magazines inthe market and that all three of ourtitles posted ABC increases.

“We’re particularly pleased withCycling Plus posting its ninthconsecutive ABC increase – up anamazing 11 per cent year on year. Themagazine was redesigned last year andit’s really pleasing to see the hard workof the team paying off with thephenomenal increase in circulation. Thefact that Cycling Plus is now the secondbest-selling magazine in the market isobviously fantastic news. It’s alsoencouraging to see that What MountainBike is continuing to rise, after postingits second set of ABC results, and it’sgreat that Mountain Biking UKcontinues to maintain the position ofBritain’s best-selling MTB magazine.”

Future has gone one step furtherwith its commitment to cycling thisyear, adding BikeRadar Live to itsportfolio. Raderecht says: “The firstinstalment comes on May 30th/31stat Donington Park. It’s going to be anamazing two-day festival packed full ofrides, gear, races, demos, seminars, DJs,cafes, films, and family fun.”

Perhaps the biggest news of theyear, however, comes in the form of anew magazine launch – Triathalon Plus.

“It’s a natural step for us to look atextending the editorial strengths wehave in cycling into areas where we seea market opportunity, such as triathlon– the UK’s fastest growing sport.

“When you combine our ABC figureswith the huge growth in our web traffic,we reach over three million uniques amonth. Our mission is to inspire morepeople to ride more bikes over moremiles than ever before. We are activelyinvesting in our portfolio, to develop ourwebsites and magazines and to growthe number of new cyclists we reach.”

FOUR FIXED Gear London riderscollaborated during the summerof 2008 to launch Fixed andfixed-mag.com. Now up to itsthird issue, the mag didn’t launchwithout drama. Art director VictorVauthier left before issue twolanded, citing ‘creativedifferences’ as his reason forparting ways.

The magazine can be found inselected bike shops, mostly in andaround London. Plans were inplace to distribute the magazineglobally, but BikeBiz couldn’tmake contact to find out moreabout the magazine’s progress.

2008 WAS a rollercoaster year forSingletrack and its staff. After climbing117 places in the national magazineranking year-on-year (based on WHSmith news-stand data), the magazine’saccompanying website was cruellytaken to pieces by a hacker determinedto ruin the publisher’s Christmas.

But the magazine remains a fixturein Tesco and WH Smith. The former hasconfirmed the title will appear in afurther 29 stores in 2009.

Publisher Mark Alker tells BikeBiz:“For issues 49, 50 and 51, Singletrackwill have 100 per cent coverage in WHSmith stores including front-of-shelf forthe first two weeks of every issue.Singletrack has also secured a rangeprotection guarantee ensuring that inWH Smith Singletrack will maintainthis level of distribution through to atleast spring 2010.

“Singletrack is averaging 15-17kcopy sales per issue, with a subscriptionbase of over 4,500. Despite thenegative trend in the cycling sector,2009 will see Singletrack’s position inthe main distribution channelsincrease,” he concludes.

SINGLETRACK

FIXED

FUTURE PUBLISHING

ABCs REVIEW

THE BIG NEWS to come from Factory thisyear was the launch of The Bicycle Buyer –a title published with the aim of simplifyingthe market for the first-time buyer. Now onits third issue, the magazine’s design hasbeen brought in-house.

However, among other news announcedduring February, MBUK’s founding editorTym Manley joined Factory as an editorialconsultant, with the specific goal ofdeveloping The Bicycle Buyer further. KateMarley has also come on board as salesmanager for the title.

The publisher’s two BMX titles both hadsuccessful years, with Ride retaining itscrown of most popular UK BMX mag. With

Steve Bancroft now at the helm, the titlehas been redesigned and has had twoexclusive DVD cover mounts to bolster itssales. Marketing manager Mason Young tells BikeBiz: “Retail presence in WH Smithhas increased by 100 stores in 2008, plusTesco supermarkets are expanding the titleinto more stores. Sales of Ride haveincreased three per cent, with subs growing15 per cent.”

Ride magazine founder, Mark Noble, whohad been with the media group since itbought the rights to the magazine, left topursue a components and frame ventureunder the Deluxe label. Chris Noble, Mark’sbrother, left the company shortly after.

Young says: “Dig BMX sales increasedfour per cent year-on-year and it continuesto be the best global selling BMX title.”

Dirt Mountain Bike saw its first brandextension in 2008 with the Dirt 100product guide, which was recognised by theindustry when art director Jon Gregory wonDesigner of the Year at the Press GazetteMagazine Design and Journalism Awards 2008.

Retail support for Dirt magazine has seenan additional 35 mountain bike storesstocking the title, plus WHSmith Traveloutlets expanding it into more stores for2009. Subscription volumes saw the largestgrowth within the firm, recording a 33 percent increase year-on-year.

SEEMINGLY one of the most successfullaunches of the year (at the time), TheRide Journal was highly praised by tradeand consumers alike, with the initial printrun of 1,000 selling out in three weeks,with a second batch selling out later.

Charge MD Nick Larsen says of the £7title: “The Ride magazine is so good. Abreath of fresh air – I love it.”

However, issue two is yet to bereleased, although BikeBiz is reassured by

editor Philip Diprose that it will be on the way shortly. He comments: “The nextissue is looking even better than issue one. There are bigger and better articles,better photographs and more interestingillustration.”

The Ride Journal uses unpaid guestwriters only, who are asked simply todocument what cycling means to them,their experiences on a bike or to writeabout their local scene.

ALMOST entirely read bysubscribers, Velovision hasits own dedicatedfollowing, something whichis growing with thewebsite’s ability to grabtasty exclusives – forexample the world’s firstGo Cycle review.

Editor Peter Eland tellsBikeBiz: “Firm sales arearound 2,500 total, with anestimated readership of6,000 plus. Copies now goto 47 countries, with justover half going to the UKand the rest fairly evenlysplit between Europe, NorthAmerica and the rest of theworld. We also have 350-odd subscribers to thedigital edition, with anunknown additional numberwho read the unauthorisedpirate PDFs floating aroundthe web.”

The magazine regularlysurveys its readers andrecently found that onaverage its readers’ mostexpensive bike valueaveraged at £1,800. Grossincome was around£34,800, while average agewas 47.

Eland has also written abook alongside legendaryframe-builder Mike Burrowsand Richard Balentine. ThePractical Bike Buyer’s Guidewas written as a referencepoint for utility bicyclebuyers. Eland concludes:“The book will be availablewidely via the book tradeand will help cross-promotethe magazine.”

ACCORDING TO AtoB editor DavidHenshaw: “We expected terrible things in 2008/09, but fortunately the phonehasn’t stopped ringing.”

2008 saw the title, which is traditionallyfolding bike news only, broaden its scopeto include the electric market. Furtherexpansion was also made online, but,against the trend, the title’s online share is‘slightly receding’.

Henshaw says: “Our circulation hasgrown bigger than ever before as we gointo 2009, but strangely the growth hasbeen in paper subscriptions, with digital

stuck at nine per cent of the total andactually receding slightly. The message, asfar as we can see, is keep the magazine’sgood value for money.

“We’ve also done some aggressivemarketing, with cut-price deals to getpeople on board, but no externaladvertising, the value of which does seemto have dried up. The only bad news is thatwe’ve lost a few advertisers – somebankrupt, but others just tightening their belts.”

For more on the title head towww.atob.org.uk.

THE RIDE JOURNAL

VELOVISION

A TO B

FACTORY MEDIA


ABCs REVIEW


EARLY ON in 2008 an announcementwas made on BikeMagic.com that anaccompanying magazine, publishedby founder Mike Davis, alongsideroad editor Richard Hallett, wouldbecome a regular feature.

Shortly after an 108-page all-rounder magazine called Shift waslaunched and to a warm reception.However, only one issue was to be made.

Bike Magic founder Mike Davisexplains: "It was fun to do amagazine again, but it remindedme of many of my reasons forgetting out of magazines in thefirst place. We did our 'pilot' issueand then decided to focus ourresources on online. Bikemagicand RCUK have a lot ofunrealised potential yet. We

didn't want to distract ourselves."www.bikemagic.comwww.roadcyclinguk.com

Bike Magic focus resources online

THIS YEAR WILL see a big change forRouleur, as the publisher has nowgone live with a new website and itsown subscription management system.

Editor Guy Andrews tells BikeBiz:“We are a subscription-basedmagazine and we want to keep itthat way. There is enoughcompetition on the newstand andit’s a minefield for a small publisherlike us. We ran a reader surveytowards the end of 2008 and gotover 1,100 replies, giving us aninteresting insight into our readers.We’re very happy that we’rereaching a discerning audience thatspends plenty of time and money on cycling.”

In terms of wholesale figures,Rouleur mainly sells through onlineretailers like Competitive Cyclist andPrendas Ciclismo. In terms of UK

dealers, Andrews says there’s plentyof scope for expansion, with fewretailers outside London selling it currently.

Andrews concludes: “We havegrown steadily in subscribers, nowwith over 2,000. We want to hit4,000 by year-end 2009. Our adrevenue is growing too and we’reseeing more interest, especially fromquality brands and specialist IBDs. It’sbusier than last year and we nowhave Jon Cannings working onmarketing, ad sales and commercialgrowth. We also have more bookprojects planned and our goal is tobe publishing more quality productsthis year.”

Rouleur also scooped the first ever BikeBiz ‘consumer press’ awardin 2008, as voted for by the UK cycle trade.

ROULEUR

RETAIL ONLY

IN THIS MONTH’S ISSUEDEALER PROFILE 43Leisure Lakes explains why it thinks 2009 is the year to takeelectric bikes seriously and closely listen to customers’ needs

ELECTRICS AND FOLDERS 47These are two markets which are moving at a ferocious pace.BikeBiz looks at a variety of manufacturers’ 2009 product

NEW PRODUCTS 52More previously unseen Shimano product, Lynskey’s latesttitanium, Rido Saddles, Bontrager wheels and much more...

RETAILCOMMENT

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

As this mag hits its deadline I’ll have just turned 21. Havingbeen 'guestimated' to be 'around 25' at CoreBike in January, Ifelt as though the industry person in question had becomefamiliar with my name, as if I'd been around for some time.

For me, that's conclusive proof that the bike industry isone of the most welcoming and friendly on the face of theEarth. Then again, I'd never wish to work in any other trade,so my opinion is always going to be biased.

Judging by responses to our salary survey, loyalty to thetrade is commonplace with 'the chance to be doingsomething you love alongside other enthusiasts' being thetop reason for seeking work in the bicycle business. Aheadof money too. Are you (sorry, we) all mad?

The cycle trade, although characteristically cautious,seems to be one of the more enthusiastic industries whentaking on young, perhaps inexperienced, workers.

With the news that freestyle BMX is to be included inthe 2012 Olympics, cycling will receive another hugenumbers boost from a fresh generation. Note the massiveuplift in race bikes after the Beijing Olympics.

And that's not only another fresh generation ofcustomers, it's the future of the cycle trade in the making.So like you would embrace a customer’s presence on asnowy day, it’s always worthwhile treating the kids in yourstore with similar importance. Besides, maybe one daythey'll have money and remember the accommodatingmanner in which you spoke to them as a child. Developingstore loyalty is increasingly difficult in today’s 24/7 society,but done in a subtle manner, it can be massively rewardingin repeat custom. Perhaps there's potential in a youngercustomer’s mechanical ability?

There's plenty of interesting stories within our industry‘30 under 30’ feature. Some have ended up here havingnever considered a job in the trade, yet now wouldn’t leave.

The majority, however, are enthusiasts, living andbreathing bicycles of all shapes and sizes. Although stillyoung, (high five, under 30s!) each and every one are wherethey are today because somewhere along the line theywere influenced by older cyclists and stores.

Personally, I'm astonished that I got my job, having left achildhood email address consisting of the words ‘wreckless’and ‘idiot’ on my CV, but there you have it, that's my story.I guess it caught the boss's eye!

[email protected]

“With the news that freestyleBMX is to be included in theOlympics, cycling will receiveanother huge numbers boost.”

LEISURE LAKES Bikes wasestablished 25 years ago byfour brothers. Opening theirfirst shop in Preston, LeisureLakes has seen branches springup in Bury, Cheltenham,Daventry, Lancaster,Wolverhampton and also onthe Nottingham/Derby divide.BikeBiz spoke to the latterstore’s manager Andy Ramsdaleto find out more about LeisureLakes and running a bike shopwithin easy reach of thespectacular Peak District.

What are the features ofyour business that make it asuccess? Having a good range of stockto suit a wide range of cyclists,and doing our best to be politeand professional at all times.Manners cost nothing butreward you handsomely.

What are the biggestchallenges for you in theupcoming year?At the moment keeping abreastof the current economy is achallenge, as is being aware ofwhy product prices are goingup in our industry. And thenthe task is trying to huntproduct that still offers greatperformance at a good price.

What sort of customers doyou get in-store? We mainly get mountainbikers, but both the commuterand road categories aregrowing daily for us.

What’s key to being asuccessful cycle dealer? Making the most of thecustomers that grace you withtheir presence.

Listening to the needs of acustomer and finding the rightbike and kit for them is key –almost like being a personal

shopper if you like. The moreyou listen and take heed ofwhat the customer tells youthe more you get out of theday. It’s nice when you takesomething away with you likethe feeling that you have reallyhelped someone find whatthey wanted, and see themhappy with their purchase.

That’s the key – get thisright and have systems in placeto keep contact with thecustomer while handling allparts of their order and youwon’t go far wrong. In a nutshell, use your common sense.

How long have you beenstocking electric bikes, andhave you seen demandincrease recently?We had a dabble stockingthem a few years back, but thedemand wasn’t that high. Nowseems like a good time to start

again as technologies aregetting better.

At the moment the electricbike sector is growing – albeitslowly. But as fuel pricesinevitably start to increaseagain it will become more andmore appealing to many as atruly viable alternative meansof transport.

Do you offer a workshopservice for customers? And ifso, how important is that toyour store? We have two full timemechanics, and judging by howbooked up we always are, it’svery important for our business.

Is there anything else you’dlike to add about your shop? We rode out the last recessionand we have no plans on goinganywhere in this one.

What do you think 2009 hasin store for cycle dealers? Challenging times for sure, buta willingness to adapt and beflexible should see all of usright. We have to accept thatparts of the market arechanging in cycling and if wedon’t embrace that we aregoing to suffer.

More product developmentwill keep our market fresh andwill also keep consumers gluedto their bikes.

IBD PROFILE

Leisure Lakes Bikes

“Listening to the needs of the

customer and finding the right bike

and kit for them is key – it’s almost

like being a personal shopper.”

Andy Ramsdale, Manager

Plain sailing Owner: Tim NoyLocations: Nottingham/DerbyEstablished: This branch 1997, Leisure Lakes approximately 25 years agoTelephone: 01332 872947

Web: www.leisurelakesbikes.comEmail: [email protected] Times: Monday, Saturday 09.30 – 17:00, Tuesday, Wednesday andFriday 09.30 – 17:30, Thursday 09.30 – 20:00, Sunday 11.00 – 16:00



PowabykeHAVING almost trebled year-on-yearsales, Powabyke has ‘excitingdevelopments’ on the horizon, such as afolder launch later this year.

Powabyke has found its new X-bykerange to be its most popular, selling itsfirst two shipments before they’d docked.

Powabyke MD Nick Child explains: “Foryears people have been dabbling with theidea of getting out of cars, saving moneyand reducing their carbon footprint, butuntil now it hasn’t been easy.”

“With the X-byke we have created avehicle that’s easy to commute with,potentially saving thousands of pounds ayear. The message is getting across, andpeople are warming to e-bikes,

particularly our sleek, light-weight X-bykes, as a modern urban must-have."

Better profit margins on the X-bykerange have seen bike dealers cash in too.The Powabyke MD added: "We’ve usedour experience to create a dealer-friendlyelectric bike. With attitude changes to theelectric bikes market, more consumerfootfall is being driven into shops."

ELECTRIC AND FOLDING BIKES

PowacycleINFINEUM is the new high-end brandof electric bicycles from PowaCycle,the UK’s biggest electric bike brand.The modern-styled Infineum Extremewill be available from March 2009.Further models, including acontinental-style and folding bike arein development for 2009.

The range of bicycles offers retailersgood margins, has been designed foreasy serviceability and with thestackable battery concept, lightweightframes, and stylish looks, offer retailersmany unique selling points.

The Infineums carry a patentedstackable battery system, which allows

for unlimited range. Each batteryweighs less than 2kg and can offer 25-33 miles cycling. Each extra batteryplaced onto the bike increases therange by that much again.

All the components of the Infineumare connected to a wiring loom closeto the component itself, meaning thatif an individual part fails on the bike,replacing it is quick and easy.

MissionMISSION’S latest electric tricycle – theTransmission – replaces its original US-designed, Taiwan-made tricycle. Theearlier model hit problems when the USfirm went bust, leaving the distributorhigh and dry. But the company was ableto overcome the difficulties and nowMission imports its model direct from anestablished Taiwan factory.

The 24-inch wheeledTransmission currently has alead acid battery tokeep pricescompetitive,bearing in mindthe Tricycle ispurchased by the

older consumer and those who aredisabled. At a retail price of £795 (trade£475) the Transmission is one of the mostaffordable e-trikes available.

Mission owner David Wiltshire said:“We’re looking at different batteries infuture. Consumers have yet to realise thatreplacement batteries cost less thanrunning a scooter or car for a year. The

European directive for Tricyclesis hard to define, but we’vefollowed it to the bestadvice.” When fully charged

total riding distanceequates to about

35km with a loadof 120kg,including riderweight.

GiantGIANT’S Hybrid Cycling Technologyworks differently to a traditionalthrottle powered e-bike. The Hybridintegrates a state-of-the-art powersystem that works harmoniously withyour pedal power to provide aseamless output of energy.

Giant created a system thatcombines leg power with an electricmotor to give all types of riders theability to travel further, faster and withgreater ease – ideal for those lookingfor something to take the edge offyour daily commute.

What’s most important about thesetechnologies is that they areessentially invisible to the rider. Forthose who simply want to hop on abike and head out on a great ride,Hybrid Cycling Technology allowsthem to do just that. Other thancharging the batteries and flipping the'on’ switch, there’s nothing else a ridermust do to experience the pure fun ofhybrid-powered cycling.

Last year it was an emerging market with excitingprospects. This year it’s nearing the mainstream asretailers nationwide consider the potential of thepower-assisted bike. Mark Sutton looks at the latestofferings available for UK bike dealers...

Electricshowroom



IzipMOORE LARGE has been distributing theAmerican IZIP electric bike brand for overthree years, establishing a network of over50 stockists throughout the UK.

“We have experienced year-on-yeargrowth with sales in 2008 exceeding1,500 units, giving the IZIP brand asubstantial market share of the recentlyreported UK estimated sales figures,” saysbrand manager Gary Mather. “Our testbike scheme has made a significantdifference to our dealers’ sales conversionrates as they are allowing potentialconsumers to try before they buy – whichusually results in a purchase.”

The range consists of six modelsretailing between £449.95 for the TrailzST entry-level model through to thesophisticated Lithium-Ion poweredTrekking LI at £1,299.95. The range alsoincludes a folding bike with 16-inchwheels and a very popular 24-inchtricycle. Further range developments werepresented to dealers during the recentseminars at Moore Large’s head offices.

The new IZIP Express and Urban CruiserEnlightened will both become availablelater in 2009.

Dealers interested in becoming an IZIPstockist should contact the Moore Largesales team on 01332 274252 or any ofthe company’s field sales force.

50 CyclesFrom late 2007 50 Cycles has focusedon Kalkhoff's range of electric bikes.Based on the tech behind Panasonic'sJapanese WiLL bike, but beefed up forthe more demanding Europeanmarket, Kalkhoff's Agattu, Tasman andPro Connect electric bikes are now UKbest-sellers.

Each model comes in the full rangeof frame sizes and boasts long range(up to 50 miles on a charge). The twoheadline models will be the Kalkhoff

Patagonia and Endeavour, high-endtouring bikes that feature Rohloff's 14-speed hub gear. 50cycles caters forcustomers spreading the cost ofownership through finance or Cycle ToWork. The firm is also keen to speak tocycle hire centres, after pilot electricbike hire schemes proved popular.

BronxFOLLOWING the success of its electricbikes over the past two years, Bronx has

now expanded the range to include 26-inch ladies and 700c gents models withseven-speed and six-amp batteries. Bronxhas also introduced three-speed trikes in20 and 24-inch wheel sizes with a ten-amp battery.

The battery used on the Surnrunner e-bikes/trikes is lithium Iron Phosphate-based. It is small in size and light inweight. Bronx claims that it is the safestand most suitable for high output andlong cycle life. The battery itself isguaranteed for three years or 1,000charges. It has also been proven as themost environmentally friendly batterychoice, according to Bronx.

Gazelle CycleImportsGAZELLE CYCLE Imports’ technicalmanager Kenny Hope told BikeBiz:

"Electric bikes sales have increaseddramatically as tech has made e-bikesa realistic alternative for people.”

The Easy Glider’s popularity andadded interest in the new Innergyrange have upped Gazelle sales. Andthe firm has a model for all – from 24-speed trekking style Medeo Innergy tothe Chamonix Innergy – one of itsmost popular in Europe. Hope added:"Gazelle has reported a massive salesincrease in Holland. If Europe isturning to ebikes then dealers have toask not if we want to sell electricbikes, but if we can afford not to."

Reece CyclesTHE PYTHON Metro, availableexclusively through Reece Cycles, ismade from lightweight alloy and comesequip with a six-speed Shimanoderailleur.

As a pedal-assist bike, the model canhit the top-end legal e-bike speed of 15mph and has a typical range of 25 miles

per charge. Designed to feel like arelaxed commuter with a low-maintenance build, the bike is fullyadjustable and, utilising a removablebattery, easily charged. The pedal-assistbike also comes with front and rearlights, which handily turn on and off atthe saddle.

The Metro rolls on deep section alloyrims and features a front V-brake and a

rear mechanical disc. A 250wBrushless motor powers the bike,running on energy from a LithiumPolymer 36V 8ah battery. Thebattery takes around four to sixhours to charge and lasts for anestimated 500 cycles.

The bike's parts carry a one-year warranty, while that extendsto two years for the frame.

DahonDAHON’S latest includes the Curve SL, anifty super-lightweight commuter bikethat folds in seconds down to shoppingbag size. Using Dahon’s refined BioLogic IIframe geography, the Curve SL feels stabletoo – and all for RRP £849.99.

Next up is the Mu Uno, a single-speed

with no brakes – well apart from a niftybackpedal brake. The Mu Uno retails for£469.99 and the next step up is theCadenza Solo, priced at £549.99. The Solosports a flip/flop rear hub that can gosingle speed or fixed, plus Dahon’sLockjaw tech that helps fold the bike inunder ten seconds.

Moving up the prices is the Vitesse P18(RRP £749.99), a versatile bike ready tohit just about any kind of terrain and fastenough for hard training rides. And finally,the Mu Ex, priced one pence short of £2k,is Dahon’s latest top of the range bike.

This no-compromise speed machine islight, stiff and fast and the Mu Ex comeswith the kind of precision that you getfrom being made from some of the verybest components available.


BromptonLONDON’S own Brompton key modelfor 2009 is the M3L-X.

Weighing 10.5 kg and retailing at£1,050, the M3L-X comes in a rangeof colour combos, including red, blackand a combination of the two. Aswith all of Brompton’s M Types, thisall-rounder is pitched at both the cityand the country, and comes with bagsof room for luggage at the front.

The M3L-X is an extra light versionof the M3L – the main frame is madefrom steel, while the front forks, rearframe and other components aremade from steel.

The popularity of commuter-friendly space-saving folding bikes continues to gather pace in the UK.Jonathon Harker takes a closer look at the latest folder offerings available to bike dealers...

FOLDING BIKES

RaleighRALEIGH’s comprehensive range includesfour key models. First up is top of therange Boardwalk Lite. Retailing at£379.99, it has an alloy frame, sevenspeed gears and Sram shifters.

Next up is the Boardwalk, which hasthe same alloy frame as the Lite, butwith a six-speed gearset. The Boardwalkretails at £299.99 – an impressive feat asthe bike uses Dahon licensed tech and acomponent package usually associatedwith much more expensive bikes.

Finally the Parkway Lite (£249.99) andParkway (£179.99) complete the Raleigh

quartet. The Lite features a lightweightAirlite alloy frame and Sturmey Archerthree speed internal hub gears.

Meanwhile the Parkway is aneconomical way for consumers to getinto folders. Both bikes feature alloy Vbrakes and folding pedals.


BronxBRONX CYCLES has the Velo-Cityfolding bike on offer for dealers.Retailing at £329.99, this folder featuresa lightweight aluminium frame andShimano six speed gripshifts.

With 20” alloy rims, the Velo-citysports an alloy folding stem and the bikereduces down to a folded size of790x420x620 mm. A magnetic clamphelps compact folding alongside VPfolding pedals and a Shimano MF-TZ06freewheel.

The Velo-City’s handlebars have ariser stain finish and the bike serves up adecent ride for consumers with Velocomfort grips, and a Velodouble spring comfortsaddle.

Amaco PCM has three new folders from Amacoarriving at the beginning of May. These MTBmodels include the Gekko – a fully foldingframe with built-in rear carrier. It evencomes with a sturdy black nylon carry bag.

Next up is a mega oversize low stepthrough folder. Boasting Shimano six speedindex gears with grip change it comes ineither champagne, or silver/black.

Finally the unisex cycle has a folding lowstep-through frame. With mudguards,chrome seatpost with quick release andsoft saddle, plus 20” alloy rims, it alsocomes in blue and champagne.

MontagueSWISSBIKE UK exclusive distributorMontague offers an updated 26” wheelrange for 2009.

‘Special edition’ models include anupgraded Swissbike LX and a revisedMontague mid-range model featuringRockshox forks, twin discs and a polished

aluminium top-tube finish. A more variedspread of pricing and specs will range from£450 to £1995.

All bikes are full-size and utilise DavidMontague’s unique and simple tool-freefolding mechanism – who is alsoresponsible for redefining the front wheelquick-release with his patented CLIX system– something all Montague UK bikes featureon their front wheels.

“For some people a full-on cyclecommute is initially a step too far andtrains can be costly and impractical insome situations,” Montague UK MD JimGriffiths told BikeBiz. “By encouraging parkand ride using a car and a bike, we’regetting people used to the idea of cyclingwithout the shock of losing theirindependence with a vehicle. It stillencompasses a level of environmentalawareness and helps reduce inner-citycongestion.”



MadisonMADISON carries Ridgeback’s top ofthe range folding bike – the Attache.Retailing at £489.35, the Attachefeatures a lightweight aluminiumframe (7005 heat treated) – essentialfor those commuters breaking up theirtrain journeys. The Attache alsofeatures an aluminium stem,handlebars and rims.

The Attache features Shimanorevoshift and a Shimano Nexus 7speed internal hub is designed for bothlow maintenance and long-term

reliability, while folding pedals and acomfort saddle all help the Attachemake the most of the increasingmarket for folding bikes.

AirnimalAIRNIMAL has firmly placed bikeperformance at the front of its designremit for its folding bikes, and all of thefirm’s bikes boast a quick fold –taking only a few seconds to dothe business. Similarly, they allfold to suitcase size for easytransporting.

Airnimal’s Joey Explore is angreat example of the firm’scommitment, being an all rounder– suitable for every day utilitystyle use, but with the gearingand performance required for longleisure and sporting rides, or even

heavy duty touring. It includes a SRAM27speed Dual Drive gearing system, Vbrakes, handbuilt wheels and durably‘puncture-proof’ tyres. The Joey Explorehas an SRP of £895 including VAT.

AvocetAVOCET is carrying the Viking range ofbikes – including six models for 2009.Ranging from low cost Easy Street(£159.99) to the Volari (priced at£169.99), the Voss (£179.99) all theway up to the Safari line-up – with topof the range Safari SE priced at£235.00.

The Easy Street boasts a hi-tensilefolding frame with quick releasemechanism. Meanwhile, the Safari SE isa Shimano six speed folder, with hitensile fork, 20” double wall alloy rims,chrome plastic full mudguards and analloy kickstand. Coming in chromesilver, the lightweight Safari SE has a13” frame size.

Mission CyclesMISSION Cycles told BikeBiz that itis aiming to concentrate on foldingTricycles in future, including thecompact Carry All folding tricyclefrom Pacific.

The firm is still holding somefolding bikes though, and is offeringa special deal on the Space Invader20” wheel alloy folding bicycletogether with a free carry bag –worth £30.

Weighing 13kg and foldable inless that six seconds, Mission tells usstock is limited and urged dealers toact quickly to take advantage.

GiantGIANT’S offerings in the folder marketinclude two of their latest – the GiantHalfway, and the Giant Halfway Lite.

The Halfway inclues an ALUXXaluminium folding frame, with20 inch alu rims, ShimanoRevoshift 7 speed shifter withSora rear mech. With a Giantcomfort saddle and Suntour 48Tcrank, the Halfway sportsJoyTech mono mount hubs.Aluminium monoblade forks,riser handlebars, and foldingstem also feature in the Halfway.

The Giant Halfway Lite benefitsfrom many of the various features ofthe Halfway, only without the carriersof the top of the range model.

Land RoverLAND ROVER tells BikeBiz that it’s seeingincreasing success with its folding bikesrange, all of which use Dahon LicensedTechnology.

Two models make up the latest onoffer from the firm, including the City Liteand the City Elite. The Lite is a 20” wheelalloy framed weighing approx 12kg.

The frame and handlebars foldalongside the seat post, and thehandlebars offer quick release forsize reduction. The Lite also featuressix speed Shimano gearing, and it allneatly folds up into a carry holdallincluded with the bike.

Next up, the Elite is a 26” wheeloffering with an alloy mountain bike styleframe. Handlebars are also alloy-based tokeep weight low, while the tyres are bigvolume semi-slick – ideal for tarmac andcomfort on pesky rough surfaces.Suspensions forks, Shimano 18 speedgearing and carry holdall also feature.


FOLDING

Dahon

via Fisher Outdoor Leisure

01727 798345

dahon.com/

fisheroutdoor.co.uk/dahon

Brompton 020 8232 8484

brompton.co.uk

Raleigh 01773 532600

raleigh.co.uk

Amaco via PCM 01268 574040

pcm-group.co.uk

Bronx 01494 529980

bronxcycles.com

Montague 01730 711140

//montague-uk.com

Airnimal 01954 782020

airnimal.eu

Madison 0208 385 3385

madisonb2b.com

Avocet 0161 727 8508

avocetsports.com

Mission 01622 815615

missioncycles.co.uk

Land Rover 01827 331099

2x2worldwide.com

Giant [email protected]

giant-bicycles.com

ELECTRIC

Mission 01622 815 615

www.missioncycles.co.uk

Powacycle 01279 821 243

www.powacycle.co.uk

Powabyke 01225 443737,

www.powabyke.com

Giant: 0115 9775900

http://dealers.giant-bicycles.net

50 cycles: 0844 800 5979

www.50cycles.com/

Bronx 01494 529980

www.bronxcycles.com

Reece 0121 622 0180

www.reececycles.co.uk

Izip 01332 274200

www.moorelarge.co.uk

Gazelle 0131 555 4040

www.gazellecycles.co.uk

Contacts: Parts and Accessories


ECLAT SADDLES (1)HOT WHEELSTel: 01202 732288 ECLAT has been awarded thepatent to its one piece, fullnylon composite seat, meaningfor those wanting to make asingle-mould saddle andseatpost combo, the brand'sparent company WeThePeopleshould be approached.

The new design and patentallows manufacturers toproduce the lightest seat andpost combo possible. Two stylesof Eclat's combo are nowavailable – padded and bare –both of which come in a varietyof colours.

Rob Harrison ofWeThePeople's marketingdepartment told BikeBiz: "We’realready licensing it out to othercompanies who have asked.Ours may look like some two-piece designs, because we’veused an alloy sleeve over thetop of the post. However, it's asingle-mould construction."

The seat is available throughthe UK distributor Hot-wheels.

LYNSKEY TI POST (2)HOTLINESTel: 0131 319 1444 NEW AT Hotlines is the Lynskeytitanium seatpost. Among thelightest seatposts available, theproduct is also so tough thatthe brand has offered a 'noquestions guarantee' on it too.

The post is intended foreither road or off-road use andprovides the fundamentalrequirements of a highperformance seatpost: durability,lightweight, and ease of use.

The shaft is crafted fromaerospace grade 3al-2.5vtitanium. The head design isvery lightweight and functional.The two-bolt design allowsinfinite and simple seat angleadjustment. This concept alsoguarantees no slippage of thesaddle angle during riding as itdoes not rely on friction to holdthe saddle angle in place.

A tension rod extendsthrough the titanium shaft andtransfers 100 per cent of thestress directly to the shaft. Inother words this head designdoesn’t rely on bonding orwelding to hold the shaft head.Historically, these assemblieshave been a problem area fortitanium seatposts.

RIDO SADDLES (3)Tel: 01394 450 755THE MUCH-SOUGHT after Ridosaddles brand has launched aglobal appointed specialistpartners programme, wherebyretailers and distributorsworldwide can exclusivelyhandle the product.

Within the UK, Bridgwater-based Thorn Cycles, knownonline as St John Street Cycles,has taken stock of the Rido R2saddles, which utilise 'pressureshift geometry' whichdistributes the downwardpressure of the rider's weightaway from the delicate areasand diverts it to the 'sit bones'.

According to Rido MD, JohnKenney: "SJS Cycles owner RobinThorn has been a fan of theRido saddle for quite some timenow, and it was his enthusiasmfor innovation, coupled with hisdedication to retailing thatmade his company an ideal firstappointment."

The patented shapeeliminates perineal pain anddiscomfort, meaning longerrides for those often left sorefrom long periods on a bike.

Designed for a more universalacceptance, the new Rido R2 isthe updated, better looking andeven more comfortable versionof the original award-winningmodel. Of the same dimensionsas a regular sports saddle, theR2 is a one-size-fits-all modelused by time-triallers,triathletes, mountain bikers,leisure cyclists, tandem riders,commuters, and men and womenof all ages, shapes and sizes.

For more details contact:[email protected] orsee www.rido-cyclesaddles.com.

BONTRAGER AEOLUS 9.0 (4)TREKTel: 01908 282 626DEBUTED on Astana's teambikes, the Bontrager Aeolus 9.0deep carbon rim wheels weredesigned by Steve Hed, whoruns HED wheels. The rim has a90mm depth and a 16-spokedesign. Titanium skewers areused, alongside alloy valveextenders.

The wheel runs on a DT Swisshub, while each spoke nipple ishidden for improvedaerodynamics. The wheel isbacked with Bontrager's five-year warranty.

According to Bontrager's webpage, the Aeolus 9.0 clincher is240 grams lighter than theindustry leading 90mm deepthree spoke wheel and 28-gramsless than the leading 100mmdeep-dish wheel.

GENUINE INNOVATIONS (5)ZYROTel: 01845 521700 GENUINE Innovations haslaunched the only CO2 tyreinflator that fits disc and aerowheelsets. The company'sinflation device instantly pumpsup any tyre and works with 12,16 and 25 gram threaded CO2cartridges.

The USA-made, patenteddevice also carries a lifetimewarranty.www.genuineinnovations.com

SHIMANO MADISON (6)Tel: 0208 385 3385 IT WASN'T all groupsets andnew wheels during February'sShimano new productpresentation. The componentsgiant had a variety of otherofferings, including 29er specifichubs and cassettes, as well anew E-thru axle system.

The latest SLX hub isdesigned to optimise forkperformance and result in anexceptionally high rigidity, aswell as offering precise discalignment. The hubs feature acentre lock disc rotor mountand utilises a reliable labyrinthseal design. A six-bolt model(HB-M758) is also available.

Although still mainly a UStrend, Shimano has noted theprogression of the 29er marketand has come up with a fewspecific products to cater forthe larger wheeled bike.

The 29er specific cassetteoffers a lower gear ratio rangingfrom 12 to 36, each sprocketutilising the Hyperglide sprocketdesign. The cassette iscompatible with Shimano's XTR,XT, SLX, Deore and Saintgroupsets.

Secondly, two hubs will soonbe available specificallydesigned for high-torque, lowgear ratio applications. Again,the hubs use a labyrinth sealdesign and have adjustableangular contact bearings. Twooptions are available, bothCenter Lock and six bolt.

4

2

6

3

1

5

Plenty of exciting new products have emerged this month,including Shimano’s surprise 29er specific gear, Lynskey’s blingtitanium seatpost and the news of Eclat’s one-piece patent...

NEW PRODUCTS



Plea to the trade (1)CAN you help? I’m looking tostock cycle accessories in mystore and want to knowwhat’s happening as I’m newto the scene and I’m lookingfor new contacts. Can youhelp me get in touch withsuppliers in the industry?Ben Taylor

BikeBiz: Think you can help?Then it’s over to you. To get intouch contact Ben here: [email protected]

Plea to the trade (2)I REPRESENT Bicycle Link, anew venture in Lancaster, that

has a vision of providing alifestyle centre for cyclistsoffering secure parking,showers, lockers, repairs,cleaning and a cafe in onepurpose built building.

I want to look into having acycle shop with brandedproducts and I would be verygrateful if you could put me intouch with contacts in thebicycle industry who may beof use in this project. Nick Vose

BikeBiz: Over to you again –to get in touch with Nickemail him here: [email protected]

STA

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ETTE

R

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

“I’m actually shocked at howmuch things are going up inprice. Will it stabilise now ornot? Two people have told menext year’s bikes are going upby 30-45 per cent. I’mthinking some bike suppliersare seeing 50-65 per cent sell-through, so maybe we will seea two-year product cycle?

What about otherindustries: Japanese andGerman cars, TV andelectrical? Will we see anincrease in UK manufaturersor is our market too small forglobal corps?”

604xt

“Maybe 2009-2010 will begreat years for repairs. As anexample I did a repair recentlyand the bill was just under£250 as quoted. However hewas considering a new bike ataround £400 at a push!Needless to say the repair wasmore profitable by probably100 per cent (drunk estimatebut closer to the truth).” Gala Bike

“Raw materials make up afraction of the price thatcustomers pay. Trying toblame them for price increasesis just plain rubbish.

Most of the main brands wedeal in have already set their2010 prices, and are the sameas 2009, but once the goodsarrive in the UK the prices willno doubt go up. I’ve spoken toa few of the manufacturers andthey’re hugely down on unitssold year-on-year. With the UKa key territory that situation isnot going to change.

2010 will be a year whenconsumers simply stop buyingbig-ticket price bikes. Onlythen will big brands rethinktheir route to market. In theshort term it will be incrediblypainful for the shops, as wewill have nothing sellable.” Northy

“I don’t think it will double,but we will see increasedcosts. And while the pound isworth as little as it is, we’llfeel these increases more –25-35 per cent I’d say.

Areas where increasedprices will also come in areconsumables like tyres andtubes. The cost of butylerubber per ton has gone upfrom $2,500 to over $10,000in the past 18 months, andwhilst the GBP/USD was good,importers have taken a hit.” Jason

From the Forum...

Can you help?

Will everything double in price?

LETTERS PAGE


SOUTHAMPTON-BASEDinternational charity, theSailors’ Society, is looking forcycling enthusiasts toparticipate in the Deloitte andSailors’ Society Cycle, a funcharity pedal taking place onSunday May 10th.

This will be a greatchallenge for everyone, nomatter what their age orability. Starting and finishingon the waterfront atMayflower Park inSouthampton, there’s a choiceof three circular routes (10, 25or 45 miles), all of whichfollow cycle paths and quietroads through Southamptonand rural Hampshire.

The routes are clearlymarked and there will be

marshals, first aiders and waterstops available.

Entertainment will beprovided for supporters andcyclists at Mayflower Parkthroughout the day, includingbike stunt displays, music andlocal food and drink. There’salso an opportunity to cyclewithin Southampton Docks,not normally open to thepublic, with excellent viewsover the Solent.

Not only is the ride a greatway to get outdoors and keepfit, but by raising sponsorshipyour readers will be helping usto enrich the lives of seafarersand their families all aroundthe world.

We all rely on seafarers for95 per cent of the goods we

enjoy everyday. Seafarers areoften away from their familiesfor up to 12 months at a timeand our network of PortChaplains across nearly 100ports worldwide providepractical and emotionalsupport during brief stops onthese gruelling journeys. Thefunds raised will enable us tocontinue this vital work.

Your readers can enter as ateam or individual. There’s alsoa chance to win some greatprizes. For more information,call us on 023 8051 5950,email: [email protected] or visithttp://www.sailors-society.org/Cycle2009.aspxVicky MacLeod, Events Fundraiser

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

Email:[email protected]

Charity bike ride in the docks


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

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

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

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

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

dedicated column� Company details listed in the online

directory with web link� Company details listed in the BikeBiz

Marketplace Contacts

To get your company featured here contact:

Carly Bailey on 01992 535647 or

[email protected]

Marketplace Rates: Quarter Page£175 (minimum six months)

BIKEBIZ MARKETPLACE CONTACTS

BIKES & ACCESSORIES

Paligap 01179 823 673 www.paligapltd.co.uk

COMPONENTS

USE Ltd 01798 344 477 www.use1.com

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

Pace Cycles Limited 01723 867919 www.pacecycles.com

The Cycle Division 0845 0508 500 www.thecycledivision.com

EPOS

Abacus 0870 442 8240 www.abacusonline.net

GHC 0845 873 8245 www.ghc.co.uk

FOLDING BIKES

Montague 01730 711 140 www.montague-uk.com

INSURANCE

Cycleguard Insurance 02476 851027 www.cycleguard.co.uk/bikebiz

LIGHTING

Exposure Lights 01798 344 477 www.exposurelights.com

RACKS

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

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

RESPRAYS & REPAIRS

Argos 0117 972 4730 www.argoscycles.com

WATER BOTTLES

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

Bottlestore 0845 602 9267 www.bottlesport.com

WEBSITE SERVICES

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

COMPONENTS

BIKEBIZ MARKETPLACE

COMPONENTS

BIKES AND ACCESSORIES


COMPONENTS

COMPONENTS EPOS

EPOS FOLDING BIKES


BIKEBIZ MARKETPLACE

BIKEBIZ MARKETPLACE

RACKS RACKS

LIGHTING


INSURANCE

WATER BOTTLES

RESPRAYS AND REPAIRS WATER BOTTLES


BIKEBIZ MARKETPLACE

WEBSITE SERVICES

Can you tell us about JLT?Cycleguard is a key specialist insuranceoffering from JLT Online – a division ofJardine Lloyd Thompson UK, which is asubsidiary of JLT Group – a FTSE 250company and the UK’s fifth largestinsurance broker.

What can Cycleguard offer theaverage cycle retailer?Through our Cycleguard AffiliateScheme – which is free to join – weoffer a service that provides easyadditional revenue for retailers and avalue added benefit to the store’scustomers. The scheme is endorsed byACT and is in place with almost 1,000UK cycle retailers. There’s no need forany staff to ‘sell’ or discuss theinsurance and we are always careful toensure the scheme supports theretailer’s core business.

In the next few weeks we will alsobe launching our online Cycle ShopInsurance which will provide cycleretailers with an opportunity to buytheir business insurance through oursister brand Insurantz.com.

What in-store material do you offerIBDs to get customers interested?We provide the retailer with materialfor website and ‘in-store’ promotion.This includes website banners, posters,POS leaflets and dispensers.

Can you describe how offering thisscheme benefits the retailer?The Cycleguard Affiliate Schemeprovides a number of benefits to thecycle retailer, most notably for theirbottom line. Promotional leaflets andwebsite banners carry a code uniqueto the retailer which tracks everypolicy that customers buy.

Commission is paid on premiums onresult of your promotion.

Another benefit is that in theunfortunate event of one of theircustomers requiring a bikereplacement as a result of making aclaim on their policy, Cycleguard looksto place that business back with theoriginal store – so the store gets a‘second bite of the cherry’.

What has feedback been like fromcurrent JLT retail partners?We have a lot of satisfied retailers,who are benefiting from the revenueour referral system has created.

One of our most successful retailers,Putney Cycles, commented: “Over thepast two years we’ve earned financialbenefit by simply displayingCycleguard leaflets in our Londonstore. The insurance really suits ourcustomers. We have a great workingrelationship and continue to reap therevenue benefits for minimum effort.”

How’s business?Our business continues to grow year-on-year and, despite the bleakeconomic outlook, we are confidentthat will continue. We are excitedabout the addition of our Online CycleShop Insurance and believe many ofour partners will benefit from this.

Why is specialist insuranceimportant to the cyclist?Home insurers might limit the amountof cover provided for bikes taken outof the home and many would beunable to offer ‘non-standard’ coveroptions, e.g. custom built bikes, coverwhile competing in trials, in-vehiclecover. So we are able to pick up wheremany household insurers leave off.

TEL: 02476 851027WEB: www.cycleguard.co.uk/bikebiz

COMPANY PROFILEATG 15, 63

Boca Bearings 53

Bohle 46

Bricklane 15

Buffera 5

Cambridgeshire County Council 31

Chicken Cycle Kit 3, 62

Clarks 33

Cycleguard Insurance 10

Extra 26

Fisher Cover & Page 2

Future 13, 38-39

Gazelle Cycles 51

Greyville 53

Halfords 30

Hotlines 64

Karbon Kinetics 42

Madison 4

Mission 42

Moorelarge 46, 61

Paligap 20

Powabyke 49

Powacycle 51

Saddleback 17

SKS 11

The Cycle Division 51

The Cycle Surgery 31

Weldtite 20

Windwave 33

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ADVERTISER INDEX

JLT Insurance


BIKEBIZ MARKETPLACE

ChrisVinton

quoteunquote Sponsored by the brands of

Moore Large 01332 274252

“The SkyCycle is a relativelytame roller coaster poweredentirely by people pedallingtheir own carts up anddown the hills and aroundthe corners. It’d be sick toget on one of these withLance Armstrong or FloydLandis. I bet they could getsome unsuspecting ride-along to fly out of the cartaround corners.”The backcountry.com blog,February 5th

“There are still 400,000cyclists in the city throughthe winter in Copenhagen.Many of them fashionable,many of them funky, manywho are neither. Butwhoever they are, they are

indeed urban poets on twowheels – without evenknowing it.” Copenhagencyclechicblog, February 10th

“Cycle ride in (the snow)was much easier today.

Morning jog still a littledodgy – much like thephotos of me in my shorts.” Boris Johnson via Twitter,February 4th

“Technically it’s illegal toride a bike without brakes in

most, if not all parts ofAmerica. How funny wouldit be to see some of thebrakeless guys have to putbrakes on and re-learnbarspins with levers on theirbars?” Adam22 discussingpark BMX in the Olympics,TheComeUpBMX.net,February 11th

“The Giant (Express RSI)arrived with a price tag of£995. When it left usshortly after, that cost hadrisen to £1,300…” AtoB highlights thecurrency impact on bikeprices

(Unknown trade memberone): “Why don't you…

(muffled words) BikeBizCarly.” (Unknown trade membertwo): “Yeah, I could, but Ibet we’d get a slap.”Conversation overheardduring the CoreBikeevening Gala

“The fixed wheel experiencewas definitely somethingnew. I learnt a lot abouthow I usually ride. Like howI usually free-wheel whenlooking over my shoulderfor approaching cars. Iprobably won’t be doingthat again after whatalmost happened thismorning.” Howies Brainfood Blog,February 18th

A typical Copenhagen street filled with cyclists


OFF THE RECORD

NICOLE COOKE’S Vision 1 Racing team hasannounced a partnership with charity ActionMedical Research.

Cooke’s team will wear the logo of ActionMedical Research with the strapline ‘OfficialCharity Partner’ on their kit. The aim is topublicise the important work undertaken by thecharity, highlight awareness of its renownedcycling events and encourage fundraising for itsworthy causes.

The partnership was formed followingdiscussions initiated by Cyclevox, the media andsponsorship consultancy run by AnthonyMcCrossan and Brian Smith.

Commenting on the partnership, McCrossansaid: “Cyclevox has been working on behalf ofNicole’s Vision 1 team to form long termpartnerships. The instant we looked at Nicole's

well thought-out objectives and the fundraisingstrategy of Action Medical Research, we knewthere was synergy, so we initiated meetings,which have resulted in this exciting alliance.”

McCrossan also divulged details of how thepartnership was going to progress through therest of the year: “In 2009, Nicole and the teamwill support some of the fundraising rides andmake appearances, while carrying the branding ofthe charity all over the world. We are proud tohave brought Action Medical Research and Vision1 Racing together.”

The partnership is set to also provide links tothe charity website www.action.org.uk from Vision1 Racing. The pairing will also give fans and ridersthe opportunity to buy replica Vision 1 kit – witha donation from the sale being given to theworthy cause.

AMR supported by Cooke race team

Send your pictures to [email protected]

Wheelie-quickroute to arrestNEWS POST Leader reported during February that

two would-be cycle crooks cycled right into the

firm truncheon of the law.

On Christmas eve, Robert Buckle and Leon Dyer

stole the bikes, along with a selection of garden

tools (trail-building enthusiasts?), from a shed.

Officers who responded to the 999 call found no

trace of the burglars. However, just four hours

later, the crooks cycled past the local station and

were promptly arrested.

PC Vicky Russell, who helped in the

investigation, said: "It was probably the easiest

house search I've ever done. When we knocked at

the door to get in, the woman that answered was

already complaining about the strimmer she had

tripped over at the bottom of the stairs."

Limited edition Lance helmet available nowGIRO has collaborated with Lance Armstrong andThe Lance Armstrong Foundation to bringfour new special LiveStrong cycling helmetsto the UK. The launch of the model isplanned for April 2009 and will be available,via Madison, shortly afterwards where salesproceeds will go toward the LAF.

The Lance ArmstrongFoundation focuses on cancer

prevention, access toscreening and care,research and quality oflife for cancer survivors.To date, the Foundation

has raised more than $260 million for the fightagainst cancer.

The four Livestrong helmets – the Ionos (top-end, 21-vent helmet as used by Armstrong), theSaros, Rift and Rodeo – are priced £159.99,£99.99, £54.99 and £29.99 respectively, with thelatter being built especially for kids.

OFF THE RECORD

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STRAIGHT TO YOUR MOBILE

MY HAIR turning from brown to grey has seen methrough a few downturns. The dark days of the HeathGovernment, electricity cuts, strikes – it’s not that badthis time around. Strikes in the main do not happen; theJobs for British Workers petition last month being theexception. We have electricity, food, fuel in the garagesand water still running in our taps. Apart from massiveIOUs that taxpayers will be still be paying after I amlong gone from this planet, life is not too bad.

Poor weather has never helped the population getout on bikes. The recent heavy snow across the countryeven stopped cars moving. Hopefully at the time ofreading, the weather has become somewhat warmer.

How should we pass the message to those whobelong to fitness clubs, that to ride a bike is not onlypounds cheaper, but the best way to lose weight andfeel on top of the world? I believe some form of in-

store promotion would be sensible. The problem withthe 'one shop' operator is the lack of innovation.

Winter and spring is the time many females considerdiet and exercise. A bike and scooter window display incomparison to expensive health club fees and dietproducts will have an impact. So stand back and take alook at your window. Does it give the shop any credit,or is it just jammed up with wheels kissing the glass?

Many years ago I called on a shop in Hayling Island;every cycle on display had a card hanging from the bars.The card contained a mass of information written withextremely fine handwriting. The detailed specifications,riding characteristics and leg length were the sort ofinformation you would find in a BMW brochure. They allfinished with a funny line, which made one smile. If theshop was busy, as it often was, the waiting customercould not ignore reading the cards.

The alternative was a London shop that hung themost expensive Koga Miyata cycles by the saddle on ascaffolding pole, with the handlebars twisted andlooking like cow horns. And then they complained thatthey did not sell.

It is good to say that times have changed. We nowhave modern shops with up-to-date shop fittings withno condensation running down the windows caused bythe paraffin heater at the edge of the counter, wherethe owner would warm his bum (there were no ladiesworking in the shops in those days).

The industry still lacks good management withinshops. There always has to be an angle to get thecustomer into the shop, and once inside, to make thesale. There must be friendly helpful staff, maybe a stoolto rest upon and a computer screen to view all yoursuppliers’ product. With an XT cassette costing a'wonga', it is almost akin to selling expensive perfume.The shop interior should always be clean and fresh – isthere a changing room? Is it clear or stuffed with tyres?

With media interest in cycling we all need to 'up theante' within our shops. Customer comfort, good lightingto enhance the products on display; heating is requiredin the winter and air con in the summer. Soundsexpensive, but for a shopping experience, this is whatthe modern consumer expects – especially if the femalecustomer is to be enticed more often into our shops.We need to advertise our shops as female-friendly. Nowthat’s a thought.

Duncan McCann

“We need to relay to fitness

club members that cycling is

pounds cheaper and a great way

to feel on top of the world.”

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What bikes do you own?My stable consists of a Zumbi F-44 titanium build 2009team bike, another Zumbi Voodoo 2009 team and mypride and joy: an Answer Manitou FS 1994 (full XTR).

I'm also in the process of building an AnswerManitou HT 1993.

What's the biggest rush achievable on a bike?There is no better feeling than hurtling down a hill withfriends, then finishing up in the pub. Although we arefatter, with less hair and kids, we can still hold our own.

How's business?It's an exciting time for the business at the moment asI am sponsoring a new World Cup downhill and 4Xteam, so Zumbi will get world-wide recognition.

As it is a new company, my main focus has been onmarketing to increase brand awareness for 2009.

Can you tell us about your business background?I started working as a Saturday boy in my local, ChevinCycles. Rick Peacock (the owner) is one of the best-known characters in the trade and a true legend.

From there I went on to become area manager forMMA and Moore Large. I later went on to work forBikeForce as the sales and marketing manager. Afterthat I progressed to internal sales manager for AcornSports (Crabtree).

Following my spell there I took some time out to liveand work in the French Alps – three years in fact.

Today, I'm managing director of All MountainImports (zumbicycles.co.uk) and a director of4Mountains, which will have a website launchedroughly as this edition of BikeBiz hits desks.

OFF THE RECORD

Are you attractive?Spokesman asks whether your store is clean, tidy and female-friendly– and once inside how accommodating is your shop’s layout?

62 BIKEBIZ MARCH

SPOKES IN THE SADDLE

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

Recently featured Bobbin Bicycles of London had agreat example of an attractive window display

MD, All Mountain Imports

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BIG MOUNTAIN by LAPIERREThe freeride model from Lapierre is fi nally unveiled, designed for

hardcore riders looking for big drops and adrenaline-pumping runs.

If you’ve got the same touch of crazy as the Froggy, this bike will

take you anywhere. The effi cient OST suspension platform and the

reinforced frame with 180mm of rear travel will assure you precise

handling, stability and riding sensations in the most extreme situations.

NEW FOR 2009

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SHOCK Fox DHX AIR 4.0 240mm - WHEELS Rims Alex FR32 / Hubs LP

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Documents

BikeBiz issue 38, March 2009