FEBRUARY 2016

ISSUE 121 BIKEBIZ.COM

F O R E V E R Y O N E I N T H E B I K E B U S I N E S S

interaction | connection | education

Bigger and better

than ever before
23rd - 25th February 2016
Arena:MK, Milton Keynes, MK1 1ST

K EY BR A N D S EX HI BI T I N G I N C L UD E
 Some of what to expect at the show...
Seminars Exclusive Show Only Offers Q&As New Product Launches
Shimano will be exhibiting its latest range of
products including full groupsets, wheels and
pedals as well as offering unique deals to retailers
on a wide variety of products. The e-bike technology
Shimano STEPS will also be on show with a demo
track for visitors to get to grips with and speak to
the brand about its plans for 2016. A must attend
seminar on Shimano STEPS and the e-bike industry
will also be scheduled during the exhibition.
Undoubtedly one of the biggest tness technology
brands in the world, Garmin is returning to
iceBike* with a host of new products, some retailer
information and exclusive seminars. Among
the stunning new products on show will be the
VivosmartHR, recently announced varia vision
heads-up technology, varia radar and lights.
There will also be information and advice available
for retailers on how to make point-of-sale displays
more effective in-store.
Demonstrating a whole host of its latest innovations
in the safety market, Lazer will exhibit its limited
edition Blue EPS helmets, one-of-a-kind
Revolution Helmet and new MX7 full face
helmet, as worn by the Madison Saracen Downhill
team. Lazer will also be offering retailers a range of
exclusive iceBike* deals that are reason enough to
visit the show.
The apparel brand of choice for the BMC team,
Pearl Izumi is exhibiting its entire Autumn-
Winter range of clothing at iceBike* this year. A
great chance to get an exclusive sneak peak into
the collection to get organised ahead of schedule
in 2016. Not only that, but iceBike* gives visitors the
opportunity to meet the team behind Pearl Izumis
market leading technical cycling apparel. Come and
learn about the craftmanship and construction of
Pearl Izumi garments from James Lamont.
Register for iceBike* and get free access to the Sportline Show
www.iceBike.co.uk
Swedish brand Thule is renowned for high quality
bike accessories and this year is demonstrating its
awesome new roof racks and rear mount for those
who want to really adventure. The ProRide 598 is
a follow-up to the hugely popular ProRide 591,
while the new Thule ThruRide is carbon-friendly
and perfect for those with particularly precious
bikes. Also the new Velospace is the ultimate rear-
mount that is designed for heavier machines, such
as e-bikes and fat bikes.
The ultimate brand for any home and professional
mechanics, Park Tool is now 52 years old, with the
experience and product knowledge to show for it.
Park Tool has launched 28 new products for 2016,
all of which will be on show at iceBike*, including
the brand new multi-tool, the MT-range, which
offer consumers workshop quality when on the
road. A range of stands will also be on display
and compelling point-of-sale deals will be on offer
exclusively to those that attend the show.
Seminars
Why Shimano STEPS should be your number 1
choice for E-Bikes
Retailing clothing - Getting it right
Bike assembly in your retail business with Calvin
Jones
Social Media - Making it work for your shop
In-store: Merchandising and Promotions that
make a difference
Sports Nutrition - The easy sell
The latest range of Madison Clothing will be
on display for visitors to experience for the rst
time. It is the perfect opportunity to get up close
with the collections ahead of the Spring/Summer
season. With sportive, road, mountain bike
and commute ranges, the Madison Clothing
brand is looking stronger than ever.
 ISSUE 121 FEBRUARY 2016 @bikebizonline | facebook.com/bikebiz

F O R E V E R Y O N E I N T H E B I K E B U S I N E S S

p26 p8 p43
The new Talking What IBDs
Republic helmets really think
Its been a heady We ask top helmet We poll over 100
year for Halfords brands for their bike shops for their
stand-alone shop take on the market honest and
brand. We quiz MD and the most sometimes blunt
Peter Kimberley on important safety views on the crucial
its ambitious technology out distributor-retailer
growth plans there right now relationship

Cyclings p17

Great British
Manufacturers
What does it mean to make bikes and cycle product
in the UK? What would pave the way for a boost to
the manufacturing sector? Read all about it...

p48 p34 p13 p55

Return to Taipei Anatomy of a store iceBike* is 10 Urban bikes
We preivew Asias key trade We get a guided tour around Madison and Sportlines house Folders, hybrids, commuters
show, taking place in March Rutland Cyclings new shop show is bigger than ever in 16. we present a selection

Sigma Sport teams up
with Dowsetts Cyclism
ONE OF the UKs best-known IBDs has
become the London hub for Cyclism, a
new performance coaching, events and
corporate projects company headed up
by pro rider Alex Dowsett.
Cyclism will be running events and
organised rides from the store, as well as
offering pro-level services and coaching
to riders of all abilities.
Sigma Sports retail director Jason
Turner told BikeBiz: Holly Noble (one of
Cyclisms founders) contacted me after
getting our details from Alex. Alex had
done a book signing and Q&A in the
store back in 2013 so I guess the store
left a good impression on him.
Noble said they were keen to work
with someone that has a strong
reputation within the cycling community
plus we have good facilities at the store
including a meeting room, bike fit studio
and sports treatment room.
Essentially they wanted a London
base which they could use to meet their
NO OTHER CYCLE RETAILER HAS
MATCHED OUR PROGRESS
CYCLE REPUBLIC has detailed the
number of store openings it has planned
before the end of the year to BikeBiz.
Halfords standalone bike chain has
just opened its ninth store, in Fenchurch
Street in London and managing director
Peter Kimberley has revealed another is
planned before the end of the financial
year, with a further five to eight lined up
in the 12 months after that.
Kimberley told BikeBiz the retailers
growth is unmatched: We are really
proud to open our ninth store in just
over 12 months the pace of growth for
Cycle Republic has been huge with no
other cycle retailer matching its
progress and the customer feedback
has been fantastic.
Our ambition was always for each
store to be unique, both in terms of
design and concept and how we look
after our its local cycling communities.
Basso is one of the latest premium
bike brands to work with the retailer.
Read our interview with Kimberley on
page 26 and 27.
BIKEBIZ.COM
clients and a place to carry out
consultations and some fitness testing,
something we were able to facilitate.
Alex has been very much in
attendance with the launch, the ride and
has been to the store a number of times.
They are really keen to make Cyclism
and its partnership with us a great
success... as we are too.
Read our interview with Cyclism
founder Alex Dowling on page 36.
NEWS
EDITORS
COMMENT
FROM BOSSES TO THE FRONT
LINE, ITS ALWAYS GOOD TO TALK
ITS BEEN a busy month. Im fairly sure no one ever
knowingly started a column off saying Ive been twiddling
my thumbs and watching videos on YouTube all month
long but it really has been jam packed with cat videos, I
mean professional goings on, all month long, here at
BikeBiz Towers.
This month, through the magic of magazines, BikeBiz has
talked to a veritable host of head honchos from the cycle
trade, as well as listening to the views of retailers on the
retail front line. Who, you ask? Thanks for asking: In these
pages youll find words from Sportline and Madison boss
Dominic Langan, pro rider Alex Dowsett, Brompton boss
Will Butler Adams, Reynolds managing director Keith
Noronha, Endura boss Jim McFarlane, Weldtite MD David
Bennett-Baggs, Rutland Cycling MD David Middlemiss,
Cycle Republic boss Peter Kimberley, Bob Elliot director
Paul Elliot, a big cheese from Taipei Cycle Shows
organisersthe list goes on. We have
also gathered views from over 100
yes over 100 independent retailers
for our What IBDs really think
feature. Thats right while you lot
might suffer sore feet after hours
stood in the shop, I have to nurse
a sore jaw and telephone ear
after hours spent chin wagging
with the cycle industry.
Not that Im complaining,
no sir! Funnily enough,
communication was
one of things that
respondents to
our survey (p43)
said they
wanted
more of,
proving it
truly is
good to talk.
jharker@nbmedia.com
BIKEBIZ FEBRUARY 5
NEWS
Halfords bike
sales rise
after a tricky
summer
CYCLE SALES barometer
Halfords has indicated that
things may be on the up for
the industry after 2015s
disappointing summer sales.
Quarter three financials,
covering the 15 weeks to
January 15th 2016, saw bike
sales rise a modest 1.1 per
cent, like-for-like, though the
bigger picture saw bike sales
down 1.4 per cent, covering
the 41 weeks to January 15th
(and including the poor 2015
summer period).
Executive Editor: Carlton Reid
carltonreid@mac.com
Editor: Jonathon Harker
jharker@nbmedia.com
Design: Dan Bennett
dbennett@nbmedia.com
NewBay Media 2016 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or any information
storage or retrieval system without the express prior written consent of the publisher. The contents of BikeBiz are subject to reproduction in information storage and retrieval systems. Printed by Pensord.
6 BIKEBIZ FEBRUARY
Jill McDonald, chief
executive, said it was
particularly pleasing to see
strong growth in service-
related sales and a return to
LFL growth in Cycling after
unprecedented weather
conditions the warm start
to winter hit the retailers car
maintenance sales.
The trade is tackling excess
inventory following the poor
summer of 2015. Weve
more on that topic on
pages 43 and 74.
Sales Manager: Richard Setters
rsetters@nbmedia.com
Production Executive: Elizabeth Parker
eparker@nbmedia.com
Content Director: Andrew Wooden
awooden@nbmedia.com
The Great
British custom
bike surge
Framebuilding is seeing a resurgence in Britain to meet the
rising demand from consumers, indicate industry sources
THE UK is seeing growth in the custom
build market, according to leading
players in the industry.
Increasing numbers of custom bike
builders and a rise in the number of
frames being turned out by existing
custom providers is servicing a growing
demand, probably fuelled by the
expansion of frame building courses like
those provided by The Bicycle Academy.
The iconic Reynolds Technology
brand has told BikeBiz that it has seen a
rise in demand for its steel from the
custom sector.
Reynolds Technologies managing
director Keith Noronha told us: In the
last three to four years we have seen
more interest from the growing band of
small custom builders who have set up
businesses to cater for tailored bike
frames. This growth is reflected in the
number of custom bike shows like
NAMBS and Bespoked.
The UK Handmade Bicycle Show,
Bespoked, launched in 2011 and has
tripled in size since then. Knowing the
provenance of what you are riding is
part of the alchemy, Bespoked founder
Phil Taylor told BikeBiz. The history and
Sales Director: Mark Rankine
mrankine@nbmedia.com
Managing Director: Mark Burton
mburton@nbmedia.com
legacy of UK cycling manufactory is the
stuff of legend. UK framebuilding is in
resurgence and theres no better time to
seek out your local framebuilder and
have a bicycle made for you.
On a wider scale, British bicycle
manufacture is set to increase vastly in
2016 with the launch of Brompton new
site in Greenford, London. Brompton will
double production through the move.
The UK is also seeing innovation in
cycle frame manufacture. Reynolds boss
Noronha revealed: We started a project
with a Birmingham-based partner to
make 3D printed titanium dropouts for
early 2016 linked to our tube-set
designs. The next development is a
maraging steel version so a high end
lugged steel bike with the latest
compact flatmount disc unit (mechanical
actuation) could be on the cards!
Theres more on the British
manufacturing sector in our special
feature, starting on page 17.
Meanwhile the BBC is airing a
half-hour programme on English cycle
manufacturing as part of its Inside the
Factory series, with the broadcast date
yet to be set.
Marketing & Circulation
bike.subscriptions@c-cms.com
Editorial: Saxon House, 6A, St. Andrew
Street, Hertford, Hertfordshire. SG14 1JA
BikeBiz is mailed FOC to 4,000+
trade addresses every month
ISSN 1476-1505
BIKEBIZ.COM
 FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @BIKEBIZONLINE
Innovation comes CYCLE
to the London SHORTS
Bike Show 2016
THE INNOVATION Lab is back
for its second year at the London
Bike Show.
BikeBiz is once again
supporting the initiative that
showcases some of the newer
brands entering the market,
giving them a platform amongst
household cycle brands.
This time around, the
Innovation Lab will be
showcasing GPS tracking
devices, light locks and an acrylic
spray paint for bikes.
Sherlock Bike is coming to
London Bike Shows Innovation
BIKEBIZ.COM
Lab off the back of an awards
win. Sherlock was one of 100
companies to be selected out of
3,000 at Innovate 2015 in
November, an event run by UK
Trade and Investment and
Innovate UK. Sherlock is a small
GPS alarm that tracks bikes in
real time and enables owners to
retrieve it in case of theft. The
design is small and light enough
to be embedded into the frame,
saddle or handlebars.
Also appearing is Spray Bike,
pitched as the first ever range of
bicycle-specific colour coating
sprays, designed for amateur and
professional use. The range was
previewed at Eurobike last year
with Brick Lane Bikes and the
firm has recently produced a
Fluro collection, including
Magenta and Light Blue.
Also at the Lab is Litelok, a
lightweight, flexible and secure
bike lock making use of Patented
Boaxflexicore. Available in three
colours, Litelok has met all British
and International lock quality
standards and achieved Sold
Secure Bicycle Gold.
Other Innovation Lab
exhibitors include Blaze. The
PR-friendly firm recently scored a
coup when it teamed up with
Transport for London on the
Santander Cycle Hire bikes and
now has a new rear light to
exhibit the Burner.
The Innovation Lab can be
found at the London Bike Show
at ExCeL, running from Thursday
February 11th to 14th.
www.thelondonbikeshow.co.uk
NEWS
Tern and Lezyne triumph in
awards season
Tern bagged three Taiwan
Excellence Awards for the Verge
Tour, Verge X20 and space saving
wall mount, the Tern Perch.
Meanwhile Lezyne scored a Design
and Innovation Award hat-trick for
its Mini GPS cycling computer, Strip
Drive tail light and Digital Over
Drive floor pump. Teko also won a
gong for its 100 per cent recyclable
sports socks at ISPO.
Raleigh re-assembles
(in the UK)
Raleighs flagship Militis road bike
will be the first bike the company
has assembled in the UK for 13
years. The new version of the
Militis bike will be one of the first to
retail equipped with SRAMs
wireless eTap technology. Raleigh
stopped making frames in the UK in
1999 and ceased assembling bikes
in 2003.
New Publishing Director
for Cycling Weekly
With Keith Foster departing Time
Inc UK after a 35 year stint, Steve
Prentice has been appointed
publishing director for the cycling
group, which includes Cycling
Weekly, Cycle Sport, Mountain Biker
Rider and Cycling Active, plus the
brand websites cyclingweekly.co.uk
and mbr.co.uk.
Bianchi gets first UK store
Bianchi is collaborating with
Twenty3c for its first UK store, which
will exclusively offer bikes from the
brand. Set in Stony Stratford, the
store will open in early February
with bike fitting, an expanded
coffee shop, fully equipped
workshop and a full range of Bianchi
bikes, as well as demo bikes and
Bianchi accessories.
Correction
Cedric Chicken is, of course,
chairman of Chicken Cyclekit, not
CEO as we erroneously wrote in the
January issue. The person
responsible has been forced to ride
without mudguards for the week.
For breaking news visit:
www.bikebiz.com
BIKEBIZ FEBRUARY 7
INDUSTRY OPINIONS
Talking heads
Lazer Wasp Air has an optional inclination sensor for 349.99 (249.99
without) which tells riders when they move out of ideal aero position
Whats the
most important
recent tech
development
in the world of
cycle helmets?
I DONT think there is a helmet with chin-bars has
single stand out technology
but the biggest change
has been the investment
that companies are making
towards developing new
and safer technologies.
Consumers realise there is
a difference and companies
have taken notice.
SHAUN RYAN,
Director of Product,
One Industries, 661
8 BIKEBIZ FEBRUARY
OVER THE last few years
bikes have become more
radical, speeds are higher,
jumps are longer and drops
are steeper so the need
for MX-inspired helmets
has been growing. When
you look at head and
face protection the use of
been a big step forward.
Looking at the Leatt DBX
5.0 and 6.0 helmets, the
introduction of our 360
turbines is a very signicant
development for increasing
protection. The 360
turbines offer up to 30 per
cent reduction of head
impact at concussion level,
up to 40 per cent reduction
of rotational acceleration
to head and brain, which
improve multiple-impact
protection.
JOERN STEFFENS,
R&D, LEATT
THE FOREFRONT of most
industry technologies is
happening on a molecular
level and cycling is no
exception. Viscous elastic
foam isnt necessarily a
recent technology as it was
originally developed in the
60s but advancements in
its chemistry have made it
much more applicable to
multiple facets of cycling
protection. In helmets,
it has helped us address
issues in rotational impacts,
lower speed impacts
and multiple impacts
within the same region
by incorporating our
Xmatter foam compound
for instance. Furthermore
we believe that the use
of recycled, recyclable
and environmentally
comfortable materials is
going to be an important
factor in the future if not
today already.
PASCAL HAF,
IXS
AT THE high end, the
marriage of aero whilst
keeping good looks
and venting has been
a big development.
More research in the
development from brands
like Bontrager is welcome
to advance product and
keep key brands like Giro
on their toes.
RORY HITCHINS,
Marketing and Senior
Brand Manager,
Upgrade Bikes, Overade
BRG SPORTS have spent
years collaborating with
the designers behind
MIPS (Multi-Directional
Impact Protection System).
The technology was
developed by scientists
at the Karolinska Hospital
and the Royal Institute of
Technology in Stockholm,
Sweden, with a concept
based on 19 years of
academic research. Through
their own extensive trials,
Giro and Bell believe that
helmets equipped with this
technology may provide
an additional measure
of protection in some
impacts. Though MIPS is
not new to the Giro and
Bell ranges, the opportunity
to introduce this additional
safety feature to a wider
market is massive for 2016.
Both helmet manufacturers
have introduced this
technology on kids helmets
starting at 45 and adult
helmets starting at 55.
Full ranges of MIPS
equipped helmets are
available from Giro and Bell
up to 200-plus.
PAUL CASWELL,
Brand Manager,
Zyro,
Bell & Giro
MIPS TECHNOLOGY is
proving more and more
popular and its inclusion in
the Youn-I helmet shows
that it is now available
across a broader range of
helmets and not just the
high end. For 2016 ABUS
are launching the exciting
new Youn-I MIPS youth
helmet (59.99).
ABUS also brings the
innovative In-Vizz Ascent
helmet (129.99), with
its full retractable shock
polycarbonate lens that
slides in and out of the
shell easily.
NEIL MOUNTAIN,
Brand Manager,
Zyro, ABUS
iXS Trail RS
BIKEBIZ.COM
 INDUSTRY OPINIONS

Whats the biggest tech development in the world of cycle helmets?

Jonathon Harker polls some of the industrys key players

Overades folding
commuter-focused helmet

BEING AERO is a
conversation that has been
had with helmets for several
years now, so Ill not cover
that, instead point to some
big moves this year with
cycling helmets developing
into smart helmets. This Revolution open face
is moving the usual helmet
discussion along from just
how many vents a helmet
has or how heavy it is, to
what else it can do. Lazer
is working on this with
the addition of Pulse Rate
Sensors (by LifeBEAM)
and the Lazer Inclination
sensor that noties you if
you move out of your ideal
aero position.
We also have the
emergence of the Enduro
category with rules there Lazer Revolution is the rst solutions, which make each outstanding example is
that are requiring some helmet to have reacted to helmet model purpose-built the MET Parachute: the
unique products to address this and Lazer is certifying for a specic kind of use lightest, most ventilated
them. One of which being their new Revolution and therefore superior in helmet with ASTM
a DH certied chin guard helmet both with and terms of safety, ventilation, certication on the market.
which we have developed without a camera attached comfort and weight. Its construction was only
to work with our new to its SMS system (Safety For example the Ice Lite feasible by our advanced,
Mounting System). Exoskeleton in the Sine fully digital R&D process.
helmet, meaning it can OLIVER COLLINS, Thesis, which is now for CHRISTOPHER
be detached, but when Brand Manager at the rst time made from MUELLENHOF,
attached it offers the same Madison, Lazer a luminescent material Marketing & PR, Met
coverage as a full face that makes it glow in the
helmet and meets the same THE MOST profound dark; Sine Thesis unique
certication. For downhill and important tech construction makes it the
racing the UCI have development for helmets most ventilated helmet on
required racers who want to has happened years ago the market. Furthermore we
race with a camera attached in the background, at the are the rst bicycle helmet
to their helmet to prove heart of our R&D process: manufacturer integrating
the helmet will still meet Through progress in digital D3O inserts into the shell ABUS Youn
the required certication simulation and design tools of the Bluegrass Brave I MIPS Junior
also with the camera on. we are able to nd and to give a superior multi-
To my knowledge the integrate new technological impact protection. Another

BIKEBIZ.COM BIKEBIZ FEBRUARY 9

INDUSTRY OPINIONS
Talking heads
The Giro
Synthe
Whats the
biggest
challenge for
the helmet
market?
DEVELOPING SAFE and
innovative product at a
price that consumers nd
reasonable [is the biggest
challenge]. If money was no
object I can only imagine
what sort of helmet options
wed be seeing.
Additionally, as riders
keep going faster and
bigger, designing full-face
helmets that meet their
needs, while keeping
weight down and providing
adequate airow is always
a challenge. We work a
ton with our riders to meet
all their requirements and
keep them in a helmet they
feel safe and condent in. price tag is the key to our
SHAUN RYAN,
Director of Product,
One Industries, 661
10 BIKEBIZ FEBRUARY
FOR ALL segments:
Finding the right balance
between low weight,
compact dimensions,
ventilation, comfort,
maximum protection and of
course aesthetics. The most
challenging helmets are the
ones which shall function
uphill and downhill, a good
design takes a lot more
than just sticking a chin-bar
on a cross country helmet.
JOERN STEFFENS,
R&D, LEATT
BRINGING INNOVATION
to the consumer and to
the distribution network at
reasonable cost. Analysing
whats needed, from
the level of protection,
using materials that are
environmentally friendly
and how to physically
implement these ideas into
a product at an affordable
development process.
PASCAL HAF,
IXS
KEEPING BRANDS
protable since there is
so much competition.
Keeping safety standards
for consumers.
Upgrade has kept out
of the mainstream helmet
business as we see it as a
well fought battleground.
However we work with
Overade because their
offering is more unique
and well placed for the
commuter cyclist.
There are lots of players
who are very much ghting
for what is a limited market.
The industry needs to push
fashion and encourage
regular purchases to keep
sales I think.
Opportunity for increased
awareness in London
alongside the Santander
bike hire scheme this is
why we work with Overade
with its more unique
folding/storage approach.
RORY HITCHINS,
Marketing and Senior
Brand Manager,
Upgrade Bikes, Overade
IN THE sporty market,
nearly all cyclists are
wearing a helmet. I assume
its mainly because they see
every professional cyclists
on TV wearing one. And as
the sporty market (inside
the cycling market) is not
necessarily growing (at least
in France), competition
between helmet
manufacturers of sporty
helmets is very important.
When it comes to the
commuting market the
situation is different. So
far, very few commuters
were interested in wearing
a helmet because sporty
helmet or existing helmets
were not answering their
needs. Commuters use
their bike as a way of
transportation, so their
needs and expectations
in their bike accessories
are different from sporty
cyclists. This is why at
Overade we made a
folding helmet dedicated
to commuters, answering
their needs for more
convenience. Because when
we ask commuters why they
are not wearing a helmet,
70 per cent of them say it is
because wearing a helmet
while commuting is not
convenient: what do you do
with your helmet arriving at
work, at the restaurant, etc.
Inconvenience is the rst
reason why commuters are
JOIN THE DISCUSSION @BIKEBIZ.COM
BikeBiz wants to hear your opinion on the big topics
in the bicycle industry, whether youre a shop,
distributor, brand or something else. To join the
discussion, email BikeBiz@nbmedia.com
not wearing a helmet.
In the cycle to work
market, potential growth
is interesting, with few
people equipped so far and
a growing market (more
people commuting), partly
driven by ecological ideas.
CLMENT CAILLEAU,
Sales Manager, Overade
TODAY HELMETS have
to serve more than just a
protective function. While
weight and ventilation have
always been important,
today aerodynamics is a
criterion a new helmet has
to meet. As a sporting
device a helmet has to
help enhance an athletes
performance, like our MET
Manta, which saves you ten
Watts at 50 km/h over the
best competitor aero road
helmet. Its featherweight
of only 200 grams and
the 360-degree retention
system provide plenty of
comfort, especially during
long rides.
CHRISTOPHER
MUELLENHOF,
Marketing & PR, Met
Bell Super 2R
BIKEBIZ.COM
Rev
o
Replace lutio
n
The
Established...

The Revolution has 9 different set-ups to suit your needs.

Change visors, ear covers, side covers, until you nd
the ultimate combination.

Rider: Blake Samson Photo: Simon Nieborak www.lazersport.co.uk

 www.bob-elliot.co.uk
01772 459 887

@BobElliotOnline

Due
performancecyclinghelmets Spring
Find your Local stockist at: www.bob-elliot.co.uk or contact us on: sales@bob-elliot.co.uk, Tel: 01772 459 887
 ICEBIKE*

The move to the Arena: MK has opened up

the possibilities for Madison and Sportline

Picks for 2016 Its not long until the trade will be converging upon Milton Keynes
for the 2016 edition of iceBike*. Jonathon Harker previews the
products and speaks with CEO Dominic Langan

UNLESS YOUVE been stuck
underneath the proverbial rock for
the past few months, youll already
be well aware that this years
iceBike* Madison and Sportlines
house show, taking place later this
month is a big one, not least
because its the tenth anniversary of
the event. For the first time in its
history, the cycle, triathlon and
running show will have a free and
exclusive public weekend show,
running after the trade days on
Tuesday February 23rd to Thursday
Feb 25th. Taking place at the
Arena:MK, aka the MK Dons
Stadium, there will be plenty of
product packed in to make the trip
worthwhile, but therell also be the
all important one-off deals that
retailers can take advantage of too.
In addition to saving money, it is
an excellent opportunity to brush
up on new technologies and
products through the daily seminars
which will be held by the likes of
Park Tool, Shimano and Lazer to
keep trade visitors ahead of the
curve in 2016.
But what about the products and
sneak peeks from big named cycle
brands, you ask

BIKEBIZ.COM BIKEBIZ FEBRUARY 13

ICEBIKE*
Kryptonites
New York Lock
A Chocolate
Banana-
flavoured
Mule Bar
Saracens Kili
Flyer Elite
Q GENESIS
Genesis will be exhibiting its 2016
range of bikes including road.ccs
2015 Sportive Bike of the Year, the
Genesis Datum 30. In addition,
Genesis will have the Zero on show,
the bike ridden by the Madison
Genesis team that competed so
well in last years Tour of Britain.
The world-renowned do-it-all Croix
de Fer will also be on show to the
public as well as the new Bridge
series and the whole range of
childrens bikes.
Q RIDLEY
Its a good job theres plenty of
space at the show, as Belgian
powerhouse Ridley is displaying its
entire 2016 road range at iceBike*.
Ridley is the bike of choice for the
Lotto Soudal team and will be
proudly showing off Andre
Greipels famous green Noah SL. It
14 BIKEBIZ FEBRUARY
Lazer Blade
Adventures
Flat White
is the bike the aforementioned pro
rode to victory on stage five of the
2015s Tour de France. For
Cyclo-cross, the brand new X-Night
SL25 will be making its first UK
trade show debut.
Q SARACEN
Saracen will also be out in force for
visitors to get up close and
personal with their latest machines.
Ridden by the Madison Saracen
Factory Race team the bikes on
display at the Arena:MK will be the
Kili Flyer Elite and Mantra Trail
Carbon, which will be ready for
dealers to order at the show.
Q THULE
Swedish brand Thule is renowned
for high quality bike accessories
and this year will be using iceBike*
to show off its new roof racks and
rear mount. The ProRide 598 is a
follow-up to the hugely popular
ProRide 591, while the new Thule
ThruRide is carbon-friendly and
perfect for those with particularly
precious bikes. Also the new
Velospace is the ultimate rear-
mount that is designed for heavier
machines, such as electric bikes and
fat bikes.
Q PARK TOOL
Despite being now 52 years old,
Park Tool still has plenty of drive to
innovate, with a whopping 28 new
products for 2016 all of which will
be on show at iceBike*, including
the brand new multi-tool range
which offer consumers workshop
quality when on the road. A range
of stands will also be on show and
compelling point-of-sale deals will
be on offer exclusively to those
that attend the show, Madison
tells BikeBiz.
Thule
ProRide 598
Ridgebacks
Electron Plus
Park Tools
AK40 set
Q SHIMANO
Shimano will be exhibiting its latest
range of products including full
groupsets, wheels and pedals as
well as offering unique deals to
retailers on a wide variety of
products. The e-bike technology
Shimano STEPS will also be on
show with a demo track for visitors
to get to grips with and speak to
the brand about its plans for 2016.
A seminar on Shimano STEPS and
the e-bike industry will also be
scheduled during the exhibition.
Q LAZER
Demonstrating a whole host of its
latest innovations in the safety
market, Lazer will exhibit its limited
edition Blue EPS helmets, one-of-a-
kind Revolution Helmet and its new
MX7 full face helmet, as worn by
the Madison Saracen Downhill
team. Lazer will also be offering
BIKEBIZ.COM

Genesis
Datum 30
Lazer
Revolution
retailers a range of exclusive
iceBike* deals that will be very
much worth turning up for, we hear.
Q MADISON CLOTHING
The latest range of Madison
Clothing will be on display for the
first time. Dealers will be able to
get up close with the collections
ahead of the Spring and Summer
season. There will be sportive,
road, mountain bike and commute
lines, in the apparel range.
Q GARMIN
Undoubtedly one of the biggest
fitness technology brands in the
world, Garmin has plenty of clout
and will be returning to iceBike*
with a host of new products,
retailer information and exclusive
seminars. Among the new products
on show will be the vivosmartHR,
recently announced varia vision
BIKEBIZ.COM
Rapide
RL3 Disc
heads-up technology, varia radar
and lights. There will also be
information and useful advice
available for retailers on how to
make point-of-sale displays more
effective in-store.
Q PEARL IZUMI
The apparel brand of choice for the
BMC team, Pearl Izumi is exhibiting
its entire Autumn-Winter range of
clothing at iceBike* this year,
making it a great chance to get an
exclusive sneak peek into the
collection to get organised ahead
of schedule in 2016. Not only that,
but iceBike* gives visitors the
opportunity to meet the team
behind Pearl Izumis market
leading technical cycling apparel,
so dealers can come and learn
about the craftmanship and
construction of Pearl Izumi
garments from James Lamont.
Stealth Protein
Energy Gel
Q SEMINARS
Those seminars will deliver useful
information on (and from) brands
over the three days from the likes
of Pearl Izumi, Park Tool, Shimano
and Stealth. Legendary Park Tool
bike mechanic Calvin Jones will be
taking seminars on bike assembly
best practice and how to
incorporate it into your business.
Pearl Izumi brand manager at
Madison Clemence Copie will be
talking through the potential pitfalls
with retailing apparel and how to
ensure that retailers always get it
right. There will also be a talk from
Boy Oudenampsen at Shimano on
e-bikes and how Shimano STEPS is
taking on the market. Social media
sessions will also be available for
those looking to grow their online
presence and theres a nutrition
seminar from Stealth founder and
expert, Tim Lawson.
ICEBIKE*
VIEW FROM
THE TOP
THIS YEARS iceBike* is a
particularly special affair, not
least because its the tenth
edition of the popular show but
also the first time it will open its
doors to the public over the
weekend. CEO at Madison and
Sportline, Dominic Langan,
gives BikeBiz his personal take
on this years show:
Since we started the
iceBike* trade show in 2007, we
have seen it grow massively in
popularity, in the scale of the
event and in the quality of our
brand representation. Each year
for the last ten years, this event,
just like Madison, has grown
year-on-year without exception
and even last year in a well
documented tough market
Madison saw good year-on-year
growth and iceBike* is a key to
driving this year-on-year success
for our customers and for us.
The fact that we are holding
Even last year
we saw good
year-on-year
growth.
Dominic Langan
a public weekend for the first
time just demonstrates how
successful iceBike* has been for
us, as it gives us a unique
opportunity to educate highly
engaged end users about our
brands and our network of
specialist retailers. We have a
superb agenda of educational
seminars, great range of
exclusive show deals and new
products launches to make it a
super opportunity for dealers to
prepare for the 2016 season
and beyond. Moving to
Arena:MK in Milton Keynes was
a big step up for us last year
and the new venue suits the
show perfectly.
The team at Madison and
Sportline, along with the
massive support we enjoy from
all our brands each year, makes
iceBike* a really valuable and
enjoyable event for all those
who attend!
www.icebike.co.uk
BIKEBIZ FEBRUARY 15

Cyclings
Great British
Manufacturers
From apparel and lubes to bikes and components, the UK manufacturing scene is a hotbed of innovation
including world class brands. Jonathon Harker speaks to some of the major players in the sector
A
ccording to The
Manufacturer, the UK is the
11th largest manufacturing
nation in the world, directly
employing 2.6million.
In the bicycle business, theres a
surprisingly diverse range of gear
being made in the UK, from apparel
to lubes, grips, nutrition product
and actual bicycles too.
The cleaning and lubrication UK
manufacturing sector is particularly
strong, with some big players
making product here, including
Muc-Off, Fenwicks, Weldtite and
up and coming Wickens &
Soderstrom, among others.
Muc-Off is particularly interesting
because the brand actually pulled
production back into the UK, after
a small but significant proportion
was taking place overseas. Muc-Off
sales manager James Cramp picks
up the story.
We wanted to reduce our lead
times by producing the range in the
UK. Weve always formulated and
produced over 70 per cent of the
range in the UK but with the rapid
growth weve experienced over the
past 24 months in the UK market
BIKEBIZ.COM
alone it made sense for us bring
the remaining 30 per cent back.
Youll hear a lot about lead-time
advantages in this article, but
theres also an environmental
aspect too.
As weve grown our volumes,
we have found we are now more
efficient as we can fill containers
and have full truck loads so its
With our rapid growth it made sense to
bring all production back to the UK.
James Cramp, Muc-Off
meant our carbon footprint has
remained almost the same but with
increased number of units shipping
globally. Reducing carbon impact in
our supply chain is very important
to us and we constantly try new
ways to reduce it further.
Now Muc-Off employs ten full
time staff in the manufacturing
department, which rises to 30
depending on seasonal demand.
Fenwicks breaks down where its
bike care products and packaging
are sourced from, with virtually
everything pulled from the likes of
Norfolk, Staffordshire and Cheshire.
By localising your sourcing, this
means that any issues can be
ironed out quickly and efficiently,
and moreover, should problems
arise, they can be acted upon and
resolved far more effectively
without causing large time periods
of unavailablity, explains Fenwicks
Jonathon Smith. The flexibility of
dealing with someone, frequently
face-to-face, in the same time zone
is one advantage to UK
manufacturing.
There is also a morality issue
regarding keeping business within
Great Britain, so that British families
can make a fair living from
producing in this country.
But its not all plain sailing, this
manufacturing in the UK lark: The
main challenge is frequently
regarding cost pricing, Smith
MADE IN BRITAIN
Some iconic brands
are still thriving in UK
cycle manufacture
adds. There are certain products
and product categories that mean
that a supplier almost has no option
but to get a product manufactured
in the Far East in order to reduce
their costs to a level that will allow
the supplier to make a margin, but
to also provide a wholesaler with a
margin too, with a product that has
a competitive retail price in its
market. Far Eastern manufacture
frequently requires much higher
MOQs which can also put a drain
on a suppliers funds, as they will
have to commit to these larger
quantities to guarantee production.
Additionally, should a problem
occur, these could take much
longer to resolve in terms of lead
times and shipping.
The costs in producing in the UK
could lead to manufacturers
looking to safeguard margin by
changing its approach to the end
consumer, Smith says: In some
cases, if a supplier wanted to keep
their production domestic, but still
offer competitive retail pricing, they
would have to sell directly to the
consumer in order to make
adequate profit. The problem then
BIKEBIZ FEBRUARY 17
MADE IN BRITAIN
Hope is one of
cyclings best known
UK manufacturers
is that the supplier would not have
the distribution network to
adequately push out the product to
market, without significant
marketing expense.
David Bennett-Baggs, Weldite
managing director, pinpoints
exchange rates as a challenge:
Adverse changes in currency
exchange rates effect our export
prices. Whilst current rates are
good for exporting it wont
necessarily be as favourable in the
medium/long term. The uncertainty
and threat of leaving the EU could
threaten our relationship with our
European customers. And potential
interest rate increases which could
slow investments and could affect
exchange rates too.
Weldtite is this year celebrating
its 76th year in the business. The
firm was set up by the current MDs
Uncertainty around leaving the EU could
threaten our relationships in Europe.
David Bennett-Baggs, Weldtite
grandfather Charles Bennett-Baggs
during the Second World War, to
begin manufacturing tyre repair
outfits. During the war, the firm
started to work with the MOD and
hit a period of growth, leading it to
expand into larger premises and by
1990 the current North Lincolnshire
factory had opened, where it
injection moulds everything from
tyre levers to kit boxes. Weldtite
still makes repair kits on site as well
as filling bottles of lubricants and
cleaners for its house brands as well
as OEM.
There has been a need to
continually innovate and further
18 BIKEBIZ FEBRUARY
automate manufacturing processes,
to ensure we achieve the
efficiencies required for competitive
pricing,says Bennett-Baggs.
Stable commodity and energy
prices would improve
manufacturing in the UK, the
Weldtite boss says, as would
greater certainty about the
European Union position.
Fenwicks Jonathon Smith sees
the reduction in raw material
suppliers here in the UK, as well as
longer lead-times, increased
legislation and rising employment
costs as issues. One thing that
would boost any business, not just
manufacturing, would be the ability
to have a set amount of retained
profit that was tax-free up to
500K. It would make companies
more robust and give greater
flexibility and reduce liability.
A fairly new challenger in the
lube and cleaner space is Wickens
and Soderstrom, which is little over
18 months old. Headed up by Lee
Wickens, this UK manufacturer has
a small team but thanks to positive
press and a team up with Jungle
Product, the firm is now retailing
into 100 shops. After setting up
the brand we played about for six
months to come up with the
product. Wickens reveals that
exports are now a target: Weve
just done a deal in Australia for the
first time and were in shops in
Sweden too. Were looking for
more international distribution.
KEEPING IT STEEL
REYNOLDS STEEL is one of
British manufacturings icons.
Exporting over 80 per cent of its
UK production high end steel
and titanium the firm tells
BikeBiz that it has seen steady
growth over the last eight years.
Reynolds Technologies
managing director Keith Noronha
says: Weve seen a general
increase in our sales of metallic
tubing, evenly split between
worldwide custom builders and
branded OEMs who have steel
bikes built primarily in Taiwan. We
are in a niche sales sector
worldwide but we seem to be less
affected by the year-end
overstocking/discounting issues
Sustainable growth has come from a
wider interest in cycling.
Keith Noronha, Reynolds Technologies
that can hit large OEMs or with the
need for annual model changes.
In the last three to four years
weve seen more interest from the
growing band of small custom
builders who have set up
businesses to cater for tailored
bike frames. This growth is
reflected in the number of custom
events like NAMBS and Bespoked
as well as local shows like Philly,
Portland in the US, the
Netherlands and Germany. The
age of builders has broadened, as
well as bringing in trained
engineers passionate about
building like a craftsman who
approach design differently.
A number of new builders
started up after going to the range
of bike-building courses now on
offer in the UK and USA. The best
ones will survive and grow. But
with increased competition in a
tough marketplace, some are
deciding that they cannot make
enough to live on and stop
building. But the number of active
custom builders is definitely far
higher than ten years ago.
The larger UK high end bike
frame companies seem to have
good order books but are limited
by their production capacity, and
limited by their access to trained
and experienced craftspeople.
The road bike boom has been
in place for over five years there
must be a saturation point but the
current trend for road disc bikes
will bring in more novelty in the
market for a while. To us, more
sustainable growth has come from
the wider interest in cycling across
the gender and age groups we
now see at trade shows.
Theres more interest by
branded OEMs in finding UK
companies who could build in
smaller batch sizes compared to
Taiwan/Far East, with a better
reaction time to trends, less
capital tied up and more specialist
niches to cover. As there are few
local options, the net has widened
to the EU with the current
exchange rates, this becomes a
viable proposition for some.
For us, our metallic tubing
appeals to the specific type of
end customer where they expect
to keep the bikes a long time, so
they tend to research and identify
with the heritage of brands they
buy. We get many enquiries for
technical info to support that level
of choice. And more questions on
the sustainability of materials and
recycling.www.rtl.cc
BIKEBIZ.COM
MADE IN BRITAIN

HARDWARE Innovative storage

The challenges of producing bicycle solutions from Cycloc
parts in the UK are inherently are currently on display
at the Design Museum
different to the lube and cleaner
game. Hope is one respected
British-made components brand in
the UK but admits that it can feel
out of the loop when it comes to
new industry standards.
One of the main challenges
specific to the bike industry is that
since most of the large companies
have all their manufacturing and
design done in the Far East, it can
be difficult to keep up with the
many changes taking place with so
called standards, explains sales
and marketing manager Alan
Weatherill. Many times the first we
see of a new wheel or bottom
bracket size is when the first bikes
are delivered to the UK.
However, with the factory on-site,
Hope can move quickly: One of
our main advantages is our ability
to react quickly to any changes. If
we want to make a new product or
modify an existing one our
designers simply walk into the next
office and can have a prototype
made the same day and be testing
it the following day. Lead-times are
reduced to the minimum. areas. Realistically there are only a products in the Far East, but youre term but it would be short sighted
The Barnoldswick firm, owned by few of these type of vacancies not a British brand. as we would lose the ability to
Ian Weatherill and Simon Sharp opening up. The majority of jobs in West Sussex-based Ultimate create our advantages.
since it was founded in 1989, manufacturing are still on the shop Sports Engineering (USE) believes Slightly further north, in London,
laments the lack of UK manfacturers floor producing the goods. Kids that having the business in one is Cycloc, a bike storage company
left in the cycle trade and is critical need to be shown that jobs in these location gives it an advantage. and Made in Britain Campaign
of the lack of support from areas can still be a fulfilling and A spokesperson tells BikeBiz: member that is celebrating its tenth
Westminster: Successive worthwhile career path. Manufacturing is the core of USE year in the summer. The firms
governments policy never took on As an employer and and Exposure Lights, we live and products the Solo and Hero are
board the importance of manufacturer we take great breathe our products and sell them currently being showcased in the
manufacturing, Alan Weatherill Cycle Revolution exhibition at the
explains. A prime example was Successive governments never really took Design Museum, London, running
several years ago, when a on board the importance of manufacturing. until June 30th 2016, in the Future
government-run advisory board section of the show.
came to our factory to compile a
Alan Weatherill, Hope The Solo was the first of Cyclocs
report on how best to move our smart, simple and stylish wall
business forward. They suggested satisfaction in the fact that by globally as a result of their quality mounted bike storage solutions. It
we move our production to China if employing people to make and capabilities. Maintaining quality was designed, like all the firms
we wanted to remain competitive. products in the UK, were adding and innovating is key to our products, in a studio in Dalston,
There was no consideration for our revenue to the UK economy. The continued success. Every with all manufacturing taking place
employees or their skills. Happily 120 people we employ all spend component part and its interaction in Plymouth.
we ignored their advice, but the money in local shops and use local with human or machine is TMR Designs was founded in the
same advisory board is now funding services, putting money back into scrutinised. We retain the ability to Lake District by three riders and
companies to reshore their the UK. And we all pay UK taxes. respond quickly to market engineers Tom Bird, Matt Scott
manufacturing back to the UK. With the sacrifices made to conditions therefore staying lean and Rob Nicholls. The business has
British manufacturings manufacture product in Britain, its and efficient. Knowing every part of been founded around the Imprint
specialisation in the high end has perhaps understandably annoying every process enables us to Grips, which riders can easily shape
brought about challenges, with the when brands pose as UK-made. improve future products and be to fit their hands, cutting pressure
need for highly skilled staffers. A small area of frustration for us agile in a challenging market so peaks and boosting contact,
Industry needs employees of all is the multitude of British brands often dictated by price. Every year comfort and control. Making the
skill levels. The current thinking is arriving on the market. Just we add new technology and state grips in Britain was always part of
UK manufacturing can only survive because you have a design office in of the art processes to strengthen the plan, Nicholls tells BikeBiz: We
at the very highest level, and all the UK does not make you a what we do. have faced many challenges, with
employees must be educated to British brand. We have no Outsourcing manufacture would the main ones being cost,
degree level to fulfil jobs in these problem with you making your no doubt lower costs in the short availability and production speed.

20 BIKEBIZ FEBRUARY BIKEBIZ.COM

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MADE IN BRITAIN

Manufacturing in the UK can be

expensive but we found that this
was actually often due to the cost
of procuring the raw materials in
the UK. We had to really hunt
around to find the best method of
procuring our materials and
conducting the manufacturing
processes. Once we had found a
suitable manufacturing partner we
found it can be difficult to get the
machine time when we require it
because we need very specialist
machines to give us the best
quality. Unfortunately these
machines arent available at the
drop of a hat so we have to plan
accurately when we require them.
This can have a knock on effect to
the speed of production but again
with careful planning and good
communications with our partners
we are able to minimise this.
Specialist knowledge, however,
has not been lacking on these
shores, Nicholls adds: The
development of the Imprint Grips
required a lot of R&D and complex
TMR always planned
manufacturing process. We found to make its Imprint
the skills and knowledge of the Grips in the UK
engineers and scientists in the UK
have been second to none. We
have found that the attention to fabricators were inflexible, lacked potential with a fresh and unique The other big benefit for a niche
detail of our manufacturing design skills, demanded massive product range with British design, brand like Torq is the ability of a
partners in the UK is excellent and quantities and simply did not quality and branding. So far we are supplier to produce smaller runs, so
this really helps us to ensure that understand the product. We then exporting to Germany and Japan although the prices are higher,
we produce the best quality started looking for a UK-based but in 2016 with the arrival of the commitment to large volumes of
products possible. Manufacturing in company that could produce what premium RidePac we expect many stock arent necessary.
the UK removes all the language we required and very quickly found new territories to come on board. In our world, it looks like the
barriers so we are able to the solution right on our doorstep The cost challenges weve heard niche suppliers who provide a
accurately specify exactly what we in Milton Keynes. about already persist even into the strong personal service and run
want and quickly resolve any issues. The company proved to have all nutrition category, Torq founder smaller volumes seem to be
We are also proud to be the skills under one roof: Expertise Matt Hart confirms to BikeBiz. thriving, because these service the
manufacturing in the UK and in plastic fabrication, screen and Price is the main challenge. Its many smaller UK businesses. As I
putting much needed money back digital printing and manufacturing. impossible to compete with said earlier, its impossible for the
into the UK economy. It has We were able to develop an developing nations like China, UK to compete with high volume
enabled us to take our idea from aftermarket range of digitally especially if volumes are high. runs from China, but we can
concept to production quickly and compete on the smaller more
we have noticed that companies UK manufacturing can be expensive due personal bespoke items.
are becoming increasing helpful in to the cost of procuring raw materials. Taxing imports more heavily
product development. They really would boost the sector, Hart
Rob Nicholls, TMR
care about quality. believes: This would make
manufacturing much more
SOFT GOODS printed PhonePacs with striking, Like lube firm Fenwicks, Torq competitive in the UK and there
Wildoos own brand VeloPac fun designs. VeloPac has now sees the face-to-face advantages of would be natural industrialisation as
evolved from a single product evolved into a range with the being in the UK as key: If there are a result. The effect of this would be
developed in 2013. It was a simple addition of premium quality tarp any issues or problems with to drive down prices anyway.
low cost waterproof PhonePac musette and for 2016 RidePac. We suppliers, its easy to jump in the Dealing with UK suppliers where
designed to fit a jersey pocket and agreed exclusivity with our car and sit down face-to-face to possible keeps the money in the UK
a simple addition to the Wildoo producer for these product areas discuss it. Its also very useful to be economy and encourages
custom programme. Wildoo began which is important for brand on the production line sometimes, employment and spending. Ideally,
the search for a manufacturer with development. Local production also especially for packaging print runs, if all customers and businesses
expertise in plastic fabrications and brings many advantages including to ensure the quality of the job is thought about their responsibilities
printing started in China, but, as speedy R&D, prototyping, problem signed off before the volumes are to their country, they wouldnt just
director Andy Easterbrook tells solving, flexibility, QC, short produced. This would be be purchasing supplies based on
BikeBiz: We very quickly lead-times, etc. British inconvenient and costly if you had price. At the same time, many
established that the Chinese manufacturing also delivers export to travel overseas every time. would argue that we have a

22 BIKEBIZ FEBRUARY BIKEBIZ.COM


Hopes Pro 4 hubs
are the latest stand out
from the company
responsibility to our neighbours
around the world to help these
countries to develop, so it depends
where you stand politically. At
TORQ, many of our products are
Fairtrade for this reason, because if
money is to leave the UK economy,
we want to make sure that workers
in developing countries arent
exploited. And lets face it where
are we going to find a supply of
organic mango in the UK even if we
did want to buy British?
In the world of cycle apparel
there are a number of UK
manufacturers, but perhaps none
so well known as Scotlands Endura.
When Endura started to
manufacture in the early nineties
the garment industry in Scotland
and the UK in general was
collapsing as production moved
offshore and we are now one of
handful of garment manufacturing
facilities still in operation in
Scotland, Enduras managing
director Jim McFarlane tells
BikeBiz. The reason we can make
sense of manufacturing here is
through the fact that we are a niche
specialist manufacturer that has
continued to invest to stay at the
front of our market. For mass
market production the UK simply
isnt competitive.
BIKEBIZ.COM
In order for labour intensive
manufacturing to be viable in the
UK the products being
manufactured must have benefits
beyond the overseas competition
so investment into product
development, R&D, new process
technology and other
differentiators that increase the
value of the end product to offset
those higher labour costs are
Lets face it where are we going to find
a supply of organic mango in the UK?
Matt Hart, Torq
absolutely essential. Our UK
manufacturing is only viable
because of the investments that we
make into R&D, product
development and advanced
manufacturing equipment.
Keeping everything in-house can
be seen as important as being in
the UK, McFarlane tells us:
In-house for us happens to be in quality when considering what they
the UK. The benefits for us are
quality control and the flexibility to
rapidly prototype and develop new
styles and rapidly try out new
technologies, constructions, fabrics
and components in a controlled
and flexible way.
It is also important to the
culture of Endura as we are striving
to make our production facility a
centre of excellence and a hub for a
product development and
innovation efforts. The more that
our production relates to state of
the art product that has been
developed through intensive
process in climate chambers, wind
tunnels and with pro teams such as
proving so popular? Taylor thinks it
Movistar Team and Cervelo Bigla,
the more the extra cost of having
production in-house can be offset
by the benefits. Customers willing
to pay a premium for world class kit
also tend to appreciate that the
product is being made in the UK
and make allowances for that as
well as the design and production
are willing to pay.
The Endura boss is pragmatic
about any changes that could be
made to improve the UK
manufacturing sector: There is no
one thing. A weaker currency, a tax
structure that was more conducive
MADE IN BRITAIN
to encouraging investment through
capital expenditure for new
equipment, and better vocational
training options would all help but
the UK is better than many
developed countries and we do
benefit from schemes such as R&D
tax credits and the sort the support
that we receive in Scotland through
Scottish Enterprise.
BRITISH BIKES
Brompton, Pashley and Moulton
are the three big names in UK bike
manufacture, but the increasingly
active custom build market referred
to by Reynolds MD Keith Noronha
is worth noting. You can find many
of them at Bespoked, the Bristol-
set UK Handmade Bicycle Show.
This year, 70 of the 100 exhibitors
will have UK-made product.
Like the custom market, the show
has grown significantly, tripling in
size since the first in 2011 where
there were 40 exhibitors. Bespoked
founder Phil Taylor explains to
BikeBiz: There was so much
demand after that first show that
we had to find a bigger venue so
we moved the show to Brunels Old
Station, where it is now, with 80
exhibitors that year. In 2014 we
held the show at the Olympic
Velodrome in London with over 120
exhibitors. We could have doubled
the exhibitors this year but our
philosophy is to keep it small and
keep it good, rather than growing it
and squeezing out the individuals.
At Bespoked you can see the best
of the UK handmade bicycle
industry under one roof.
So what is it about British-made
product and custom cycles that is
is down to the fact the cycling is
more than the sum of a bikes parts:
Knowing the provenance of what
you are riding is part of the
alchemy. The history and legacy of
UK cycling manufactory is the stuff
of legend. UK framebuilding is in
resurgence and theres no better
time to seek out your local
framebuilder and have a bicycle
made for you using the world
renowned Reynolds tubing, which
is still manufactured in Birmingham.
The majority of the products at
Bespoked are made to order in the
UK. What make these items special
is that before youve ordered them
they didnt exist, you have had a
hand in creating the bicycle that
you will be riding. When you swing
your leg over the top tube you will
BIKEBIZ FEBRUARY 23
MADE IN BRITAIN

be sitting on a bicycle like no other,

made just for you, to perform Muc-Offs range is
exactly how you wish it to. The now all UK-made
feeling is magical and lasting,
knowing that youve been involved
in the creation of a bicycle that will
last a lifetime.
One of the newer UK-made bike
brands on the scene is Stanforth
Bikes, run by Simon Stanforth, son
of Paul (of Saracen and then
EBCO). The firm launched in spring
2014 with one hand-made bike
the Kibo (the name of the peak of
Kenyas Mount Kilimanjaro) an
all-terrain touring bike for long
distance expeditions, priced at
1,500. Simon Stanforth says his
expectation was that consumers
and the market would want a
cheaper second model at a lower
price point. But it hasnt
transpired, he tells BikeBiz.
Instead theres been demand for a
higher spec version of the Kibo so
we launched the Shimano XT/Paul
Component equipped Kibo+ in
spring 2015 and are launching a
Stanforth started out
top of the range Kibo Rohloff with its first model
model in April 2016. The high-end the Kibo in 2014
spec bike is no longer targeting a
very niche audience, but a number
of people looking for quality and improve his battered old Higgins enthusiasm, striving for problem However, there is a lack of
longevity in their bike. This more this he rode for many a mile whilst solving and high quality ethos young engineers coming through in
premium product isnt exclusive to his pals were chasing girls, we hear. remains with the builder. UK manufacturing. And while we
road bikes as touring bikes such as The firm picks up the story: His Last year we won the Steve are committed to London this
the Kibo are growing in popularity. craftsmanship and engineering Worland Innovation prize at comes at an extra cost. Ultimately,
It is undoubtedly a significant skills led to the beginnings of a Bespoked for the tandem trike our staff are hugely important to
premium for frames to be built and small frame shop, making high carrying RGK lightweight folding how we build the product and to
bikes to be assembled in the UK, quality English handmade tricycles, wheelchair, which enables the rider move away from them would be
partly down to the higher cost of the tandems and bikes. to be independent once arriving at detrimental to the company.
tubes themselves in the UK. These are still being fabricated their destination, along with the Being made in London is very
Although there are more and more in the Albert Street workshop multi-adjustable swinging crank. strong value to export markets;
frame builders in the UK, which is British manufacturing is held in high
great news, theres still a lack of esteem, particularly in Asia (Japan,
capacity for frames on a mass scale.
The secret to our quality is our staff. South Korea, China, and
But quality is one advantage, Will Butler Adams OBE, Brompton Singapore). We have been building
Stanforth says: One of my in London since 1975 and the
customers recently cycled around secret to our quality is the staff who
the world on a Kibo hes 6ft 5 and today, and at the height of this As usual, weve only scratched we have trained in that period. If
was carrying up to 60kg of luggage manufacturing, there were eleven the surface of the cycle industrys we were to move the factory this
cycling hard off-road and rough folks involved from the engineers British manufacturing sector, so knowledge and expertise could get
surfaces, but I had no doubt in the who made the axles and two wheel well finish with some words from lost and affect the quality of our
strength of the frame because it drive units through to frame one of the best known Brompton. bikes. After all, 75 per cent of the
had been built by Lee Cooper. Yes brazing and assembly. CEO Will Butler Adams MBE: 1,200 parts that make up a
Reynolds 631 frames can be built in In 1990 Valentino Campagnolo London is essential to our identity Brompton are unique to our bikes
the Far East, but its not just about himself visited the Chesterton and the way we build our bikes. so we cannot rely on other bike
the tubing, its how the frames are works and the Campagnolo link The Brompton was conceived in manufacturers skills and tech,
built and for an expedition bike its continues today, through Velotech London and we have been which is why our in-house design
important the build is top quality Cycling and Graeme Freestone committed to the city from then on and engineering team based in
which a number of UK frame King, who shares the original in. The bike was born from a need London are vital. They not only
builders are able to deliver. workshop based at Chesterton. of city living, our staff are work on developments on the bike
George Longstaff produces Longstaff Cycles still use the Londoners and the city continues to but also on the machinery that
traditional hand-built steel custom original jigs that George Longstaff inform how Brompton develops. builds it, which is specifically
bicycles, tricycles and tandems. It made all those years ago, and Weve got a highly skilled designed for a Brompton. The
all started in the late 1970s when although he tragically died in 2003 workforce and we invest 12 to 18 technology behind it is the reason
Longstaff started building trikes to whilst riding his tandem trike, the months in training our brazers. we build a good quality product.

24 BIKEBIZ FEBRUARY BIKEBIZ.COM

 MORE TEETH BIGGER SMILE

The new range of SunRace 10 and 11-speed, wide ratio cassettes

11-40t, 11-42t, also in black
CYCLE REPUBLIC
One year on
Its been a little over 12 months since
Halfords resurrected the Cycle Republic
brand. Jonathon Harker catches up with
Cycle Republic MD Peter Kimberley on
tweaks to the store concept, branching
beyond London, appealing to women
and how many shops the firm has
planned for the near future
26 BIKEBIZ FEBRUARY
ITS JUST over a year since Cycle
Republic launched. How has it
gone so far and has it met with
your expectations?
We are really proud to open our
ninth store in just over 12 months
the pace of growth for Cycle
Republic has been huge with no
other cycle retailer matching its
progress and the customer
feedback has been fantastic.
How has the concept developed
or been tweaked?
Our ambition was always for each
store to be unique, both in terms of
the design and concept and also
how we look after our local
cycling communities.
Back in the summer we launched
our reward scheme, believed to be
the first of its kind in the UK, which
offers excellent rider benefits like
free puncture repairs and a half
price annual service, plus access to
other offers and VIP exclusives. All
shops operate a free try before
you buy option and can also
arrange zero per cent finance plus
provide a free courtesy loan bikes
to customers while their bikes are
being serviced and repaired.
Were doing more for our
customers in all things cycling,
including through interactive free
bike maintenance workshops.
Weve also been piloting Bike
Nights which offer customers free
bronze servicing, SIS nutrition
seminars, discounts on clothing,
refreshments and just generally a
bit of fun with free giveaways and a
Turbo competition.
In the New Year we also launched
an exciting partnership with cycle
to work provider Cyclescheme so
all nine shops are now accepting
Cyclescheme vouchers, to help
more people choose the right bike
for them and to get cycling.
Has there been a difference in
how the new stores have been
received outside London? Or a
difference in the stores
themselves?
All our stores are unique the
locations and in store design, but
first and foremost, the store
colleagues. The new Fenchurch
store, aside from looking after its
own community and commuters in
a new part of London for Cycle
Republic, is our largest store and
BIKEBIZ.COM
 CYCLE REPUBLIC

CYCLE REPUBLIC: BLUFFERS GUIDE

HALFORDS HAS actually owned the
Cycle Republic brand for a number of
years, but closed it (temporarily, we now
know) in April 2009. At the time
Halfords was looking to reduce costs
and so rebranded the stand-alone pilot
under the Halfords name.
Fast-forward to summer 2014 and
Halfords swooped for a couple of key
appointments for its cycle business,
including Peter Kimberley as divisional
director. Kimberley joined from Evans
Cycles, where hed worked as regional
manager and then head of retail.
By the end of 2014 the news broke
that Cycle Republic would return, with
Halfords announcing it would take the
concept to London as well as major
towns and cities across Great Britain.
The news followed financials that
showed cycle related sales now
accounted for over a significant third of
Halfords retail business.
Kimberley became Cycle Republic
Director around this time, before being
appointed managing director of Cycle
Republic in August 2015.
The first Cycle Republic store opened
at Euston, while the first outside London
opened in Norwich in March 2015.
Matt Rudd became Cycle Republic
area manager in September last year.

the first over three floors. It also
houses our biggest repair
workshop, so we can offer
comprehensive and convenient
repairs to more urban commuters in
London. Our passionate colleagues
are all cyclists. Cycling is in our
DNA, this is reflected in the
servicing and expertise provided to
all our customers.
Store nine is opening now, in the
City can you tell us a bit about
the new store, its main features
and your hopes for it?
With over 180 bikes on display
ranging from new and exclusive
premium Basso bikes, the Haibike
2016 range, Gocycle electric bike,
new 2016 Pinarello road bikes and
the 2016 Boardman Elite range, the
store will have something to excite
every city cyclist.
Cyclists can drop in for bike
servicing and repairs and will
receive unrivalled service, delivered
by fully trained expert mechanics
with free loan bikes on hand for
more extensive repairs. Cyclists in
the market for a new bike can also
take bikes on a free test ride in a
new try before you buy scheme,
ensuring they make the right choice
with their purchase.
How successful has Cycle
Republic been in appealing to
women so far, generally?
Female cyclists are hugely
important to us and we have a
fantastic womens range across all
shops including the exclusive
Pendleton and Haibike range.
No other cycle retailer
has matched our pace
of growth.
Peter Kimberley
Fenchurch store continues to
increase its range of female specific
cycling products, leading the trend
with a 30 per cent female-specific
offer including brands like Assos,
Pearl Izumi, Gore and Giordana.
Each month every shop runs free
womens workshop sessions which
are practical and interactive,
providing women with the
opportunity to learn the basics of
taking care of their bike.
You mentioned the new store be
operating try before you buy?
Cyclists in the market for a new
bike can use our free try before
you buy, to help customers choose
the right bike for them.
The team will also provide
unrivalled bike servicing and
repairs, with free courtesy bikes on
hand for more extensive repairs.
It has been mentioned that you
could open as many as 100 stores
nationwide. How many do you
anticipate will open in 2016?
This is our ninth store and we
anticipate having around ten by the
end of the financial year with a
further five to eight shops the
following financial year.
Can you sum up the Cycle
Republic concept?
Cycle Republic is a local one stop
bike shop, catering for all cyclists.
We offer customers exclusive
premium bikes, with an extensive
range of parts, accessories and
clothing. A full range of female-
specific bikes and accessories have
been chosen to appeal to women
cyclists. Our shops have an
experienced team of cycling
specialists who are on hand to
help with essential servicing,
maintenance and with repairs;
plus they provide a free courtesy
bike while customer bikes are in
the workshop.
We are passionate about
rewarding our customers and last
year launched the first ever Reward
Scheme for cyclists providing free
puncture repairs and a half price
annual service, plus access to many
other offers and VIP exclusives.
Brands available in-store include:
Boardman, Basso, Gocycle,
Pinarello, Cinelli, Quella, Haibike,
Pendleton and 13 with accessories
from Pearl Izumi, Gore, Assos,
Giordana, Dare2b, Altura, Lake,
Northwave, Sealskinz, Hump,
Proviz, Giro, Bell, Lezyne,
Kryptonite and High5.

BIKEBIZ.COM BIKEBIZ FEBRUARY 27

LONDON BIKE SHOW

1 GET TO GRIPS WITH

THE LATEST TECH
The London Bike Show is not just an
opportunity to simply see new releases from
major brands in the industry, you can also get
to grips with the latest tech first hand. From
smart technology such as GPS and heart rate
monitors, and of course the latest bikes, you
will able to get ahead of the game and
discover which tech everyone will be chatting
about in 2016. Some of the biggest brands in
the biz are set to be at the show, with the
likes of Specialized, Boardman, Cannondale
and Scott confirmed to attend.

2 EXPERT ADVICE

10
AND KNOWLEDGE
Whether it is a case of getting industry insight
or quizzing a seasoned ex-professional, The
London Bike Show has plenty of elite
knowledge to share. The Cycling Performance
Theatre is back once again and has previously
hosted discussions with legends such as Sean
Kelly, Greg LeMond and Sir Chris Hoy, as well
as mastermind Sir Dave Brailsford; the show
has even acted as the official launch of new
trade teams in the past. There are few better
chances to discuss some of the industrys and
sports biggest talking points, the show says.
REASONS TO
3 SOLVING YOUR GO TO THE
NUTRITIONAL PROBLEMS
WITH THE exhibition floor hosting many big
nutrition names in the sport, The London
LONDON BIKE
Bike Show offers up your chance to quiz the
experts face-to-face and see how the
competition measures up. Etixx and Science
in Sport will be bringing their latest
SHOW
offerings, with High5 making an appearance
at the adjoining Triathlon Show: London.
The London Bike Show is now just a few weeks away,
Therell also be chance to swot up on recent but is it worth leaving the shop or office to get along
nutrition developments, so youll be able to to it? BikeBiz presents ten reasons why you should
show those internet researchers a thing or
two when they come into the shop. get yourself over to ExCeL in February

4 SHOW OFF YOUR

MECHANIC SKILLS
THE WORKSHOP is another returning feature
for 2016s London Bike Show, where you can
either sit down with a fresh coffee and discuss
tricks of the trade with professional mechanics
or show off your daunting skills with a spanner,
in the Cytech Fastest Wrench Competition.
Free to enter, the race against the clock
consists of removing an inner tube from the
wheel, replacing it, before then re-inflating and
re-assembling the brakes; finish the day atop
the leaderboard to claim your prize and be
crowned Fastest Wrench 2016.
5 AIR TO THE THRONE
MAKES ITS DEBUT
WHILE WE cant really pretend this has a trend-angle, the
inaugural edition of Air To The Throne will be a spectacle
all the same. The adrenaline fuelled competition lines up 30
of the worlds finest freestyle mountain bikers who will duke
it out for a prize pot of 10,000. Set upon a testing AT3
course, which includes gigantic features to allow the riders
to showcase their biggest tricks, it guarantees plenty of
heart in your mouth moments to accompany the aerial
acrobatics above. There is also the option to head up to
The Hot Seat bar, which overlooks the course, in order to
watch British riders including Sam Pilgrim, Matt Jones and
Daryl Brown contest this rare spectacle in the UK.

28 BIKEBIZ FEBRUARY BIKEBIZ.COM


6 THE PERFORMANCE
TRAINING HUB
NOT SURE whether to dip your toe into
bike fitting? Well the Surrey Human
Performance Institute is back to the LBS
by popular demand, putting athletes
through their paces for two hours in order
to analyse fitness with a broad spectrum
of tests; delivering comprehensive reports
on nutrition, technique and body
composition. This performance lab
provides a rare insight as to the scientific
testing which is undertaken by
professionals throughout the year.
BIKEBIZ.COM
LONDON BIKE SHOW
10 ITS FREE
TO THE TRADE
THATS RIGHT, readers, you can
come along for free to the
unofficial trade day on
Thursday. Register at www.
thelondonbikeshow.co.uk/trade
The London Bike Show takes
place at ExCeL London, from
February 11th to 14th.
9 IT IS NOT JUST THE
LONDON BIKE SHOW
BUYING A ticket offers
more than just seeing
whats on offer from
the world of cycling, a
ticket also includes
entry to Triathlon
Show: London, The
Telegraph Outdoor
Adventure & Travel
Show and The
London International
Dive Show.
8 TEST
RIDES
IT WOULDNT be right to look at all
that nice shiny new kit, accessories
and bikes without trying them out.
With that in mind, The London Bike
Show has constructed the indoor
BikesEtc Test Track. Here visitors can
make sure they know which bike suits
them best and try out that latest tyre
sizes. Canny dealers can identify which
bikes types and brands that have
been left on the rack. Just a thought.
7 SEE 2016S
CLOTHING TRENDS
SURE YOU probably have an idea of these already, but
finding a bunch of apparel brands together can highlight
hitherto un-noticed trends in the market. Floral prints?
Fluro designs? Whatever the breaking style of the year,
it is sure to be on show here, giving you a close up first
look at race kit, commuter clothing, casual attire and
anything else the market has to offer. The range of
clothing brands showing their wares will be varied, with
Vulpine bringing their stylish apparel, and X-Bionic
catering for those wanting the most up-to-date technical
products. This as well as Fat Lad at the Back giving their
own unique twist on the cycling clothing market.
BIKEBIZ FEBRUARY 29
 RUTLAND CYCLING

DEALE R
ILE
PROF

Rutland Cycling MD
David Middlemiss

Rutland reaches 10, and rising

Think Rutland Cycling is just about hire bikes around a body of water? It may be time to rethink your definition
of the growing retailer, which has had a busy year, doubling its store portfolio and relaunching its ecommerce
website. Jonathon Harker speaks with MD David Middlemiss
THINK RUTLAND Cycling and you Station Cycles is already a Cycling? Almost: The store is also Park after seeing how Rutland
will likely conjure up images of successful business and we really just a few miles outside the city so Water was performing.
families riding bikes around a body respect it and want to build on it. has a commuter element, an area The original building in the park
of water in the sunshine and while We will learn from what they do Rutland will be getting to grips was held by a golf company and
thats not wholly inaccurate, the well and vice versa. with to a bigger degree than too small for purpose. In the space
retailer is now a lot more besides Our model will work well there, ever, thanks to the new stores over of a year, the site was demolished
thanks to what has been a huge but Cambridge is a bit different, a in Cambridge. and opened for the grand launch
year for the family business. bit more urban than we usually are. All this expansion has presented on October 24th 2015, with Tracey
The retailer firm started out as a Brompton are new to us. a conundrum for the family firm: Moseley and Magnus Backstedt
simple hire outlet on the banks of officially opening the store.
Rutland Water in the 80s, but We specced it out, MD
Rutland Cycling last year opened its
Station Cycles is Middlemiss tells BikeBiz. Its
first store further afield in already successful. We actually 10,000 square feet over
Peterborough and then went and two floors, with a 1,000 sq ft unit
want to build on that.
acquired Cambridges four-store for golf behind the store theres
Station Cycles, doubling its store David Middlemiss, Rutland two courses in the park.
portfolio and taking the total up Its the first time that weve built
to nine. The new station store is another How can you call a store Rutland a shop from scratch with the fresh
Well have ten by Easter, new format for us, but well do a Cycling when its dozens of miles new branding. We worked hard on
reveals Rutland Cycling managing great job. We can use it for click away from Rutland Water? Do you getting our branding in the shop
director David Middlemiss. Thats and collect and we have a near just do a Cotswold Outdoors and and balancing that with the bike
right, instead of taking it easy in network of stores to get product to not worry about it? Or do you do labels that we want to shout about.
2016 after that year of expansion, and from. something else? The latter the Theres no perfect answer to it. My
the online relaunch and rebranding Today BikeBiz is meeting retailer has opted for a neat wife Sally is head of online and
the firm is setting up another new Middlemiss at the new Rutland Cycling at Peterborough a marketing and has worked on that
store, this time in its new locality of Peterborough store. Roughly five format the rest of the store network with the Whiteroom Agency, who
Cambridge, at the train station as years in the making, its 9,000 will use. put together the Giant stores.
part of the transport hubs square feet of purpose-built retail, Rutland Cycling was approached Famously, Rutland Cycling likes a
overhaul, where Rutland will set over two floors in Ferry by the Nene Park Trust, which packed events calendar and the
operate a retail store, hire outlet Meadows Country Park and near a wanted to grow cycling as an new Peterborough store has carried
and workshop. body of water. So far, so Rutland activity in Ferry Meadows Country that through. Weve got

BIKEBIZ.COM BIKEBIZ FEBRUARY 31

RUTLAND CYCLING
maintenance classes, workshop
seminars, evening events, late
opening, women-only seminars,
nutrition nights, Breeze rides with
our in-house Breeze champion
Theres also a coffee bar built
into the store, with tables and
seating that can be easily whisked
out of the way for those evening
classes when need, but its not a
caf, Middlemiss stresses.
Clubs use it. Weve got a big
free car park and free coffee that
isnt a bad start for a cycle club.
Were trying to move beyond
that classic club relationship with
shops, where they get offered a
discount and thats about it. We can
link them up with brands and give
them privileged access to them. We
can say to them, you can come and
speak to the guys from Trek
yourself, you can access new
products like this. Its relatively low
maintenance for us to offer.
The shop is close to the
Peterborough Arena and
Showground the hub for the Tour
of Cambridge which Rutland got
stuck into for its 2015 debut.
Middlemiss explains: The Tour
of Cambridge was an exciting
event and really well organised.
There were free workshops, demo
bikes and we ran the TT static
bikes. Paligap supplied most of the
static bikes and it was super busy
we had 620 people on the bikes.
Rutland also ran a big MTB demo
in November, which saw 300 riders
try out new year models.
There was a lot of interest in
plus sized tyres. We had great
brands there and they all brought
someone along.
We range all the brands in store
and took on Bianchi and
Cannondale this year.
Middlemiss says the
Peterborough store will be making
room for e-bikes. Its a big
opportunity for 2016, which is a big
positive when other sectors have
been so challenged! There is a
question over electric bikes,
though. Who will do it? Its about
establishing yourself as the local
e-bike retailer.
Its like the womens market. You
cant just bung a couple of bikes in
and hope for the best. You have to
commit to it.
The womens market has grown
for us. Its a big chunk of sales and
growing. Its strong at the Giant
store too Liv is great. You need
32 BIKEBIZ FEBRUARY
the format to support it. Its been
successful and weve dedicated
more space to it here. Its a smaller
chunk of sales, ultimately, but it is
showing growth.
Theres a sub-conscious line of
reasoning to serving the female
market too, argues Middlemiss:
Many male purchases are
endorsed by women, so to create
an environment where women are
looked after too or attractive to
everyone is a good idea.
You need women in the team,
with rides and seminars aimed at
women. Weve had females as key
members of our staff for three
years. Rutlands Grafham store is
heading up by women. It would
be great to see more women
technicians, he rues. Its hard to
recruit women because of the
scarcity in the trade.
EXPERIENTIAL RETAILING
Some retail gurus have predicted
that the shopping experience will
DEALE R
PROFILE
become more important than ever
in 2016. If you do a good job for
the customer you will do well. So
long as they get excellent customer
service then they will enjoy coming
into the store. You can earn their
trust by doing a great job and then
they are less likely to come in and
haggle all the time.
Customer experience has always
been a priority and you must find
new ways of doing it, but
essentially the same. Its as old as
the hills and fundamentally about
the same key things.
You have to offer value, yes, but
its also about putting people on
If you dont have the
team in place, the rest
of it falls apart.
David Middlemiss
bikes and them having a good
time. They want to get involved in
cycling, they want to engage with
the product customers can come imminently at Cambridge Station,
along to MTB demo days. We will
continue to offer demos, events
were committed to that format.
The retailer said it has worked
hard on recruiting: We have
changed the staffing structure, the
MD explains to BikeBiz. We have a
store manager but then we have
MTB ambassadors, road
ambassadors, women ambassadors
and they deputise the store
manager. They effectively lead their
part of the store. The MTB guys
can sell a road bike, of course, but
they specialise.
Recruitment is very important
and a challenge. We rely on other
people to deliver and make our
business work. We really rely on the
calibre of the people. Thankfully
weve had real success in recruiting.
If you dont have the team the rest
of it falls apart.
Training has been key to the
firms success and retention of staff,
Middlemiss believes, going beyond
the usual for the bike trade.
We provide coaching for store
managers. We input to the training,
but it is run by a third party outside
the bike industry. You need
managers that are empowered, so
often owners dont do this.
I understand some retailers are
hesitant to train staff because they
might leave and youll lose the
investment, but if you dont invest
in them and give them incentives to
stay they will leave. It is our job to
make the workplace more attractive
and you can grow when your
people are really good.
BikeBiz is introduced to a recent
recruit attracted all the way from
Johannesburg, having seen the job
ad on BikeBiz (of course). After a
successful interview over Skype, the
new recruit came over into
temporary accommodation
provided by the retailer. If youre
good, it doesnt matter where you
come from.
Despite all the growth, Rutland is
a family business aware that from
the outside it is starting to sound
more like a big corporation.
We were really proud to win a
Family Business Award. It really
matters to us. We want Rutland
Cycling to be the kind of business
where we want to shop. We may be
a chain, but we really care if there is
an issue. Its a struggle to get it right
as you expand, but its our aim.
With another store opening
you might think the retailer is going
to sit back in 2016. Not so, MD
David Middlemiss tells BikeBiz:
Were interested in acquisition and
building new sites taking our core
elements to other places.
BIKEBIZ.COM
RUTLAND CYCLING
Anatomy of a bike shop:
Rutland Cycling
at Peterborough DEALER
Rutland Cycling MD David Middlemiss takes Jonathon Harker around some
of the key features of the new purpose-built Peterborough store
BRANDING:
Weve worked hard to get our branding into
the shop, Middlemiss tells BikeBiz, picking
up on point that if youd been blindfolded
and plonked in a bike shop, most of the time
youd have no idea which bike shop you
were in. A subtle R in the changing room is
amongst the ways the Rutland name is placed
in shop and in the minds of customers.
WOMEN:
Alongside the road section upstairs is a
dedicated womens area. It has developed
ideas from Rutlands Giant store and pushed
them further. We used to have a couple
of womens bikes alongside mens bikes,
explains Middlemiss. But now we nd that
having a separate area is paying off. The
womens market is denitely getting more
popular. Theres a changing room too.
34 BIKEBIZ FEBRUARY
STORE ENTRANCE:
Its a softer message when you come in.
There are lower priced bikes, kids bikes,
hybrids Beyond that there is effectively a
MTB pro shop further in, a pro road shop
in a shop, etc. That entrance includes a Frog
wall installation in the kids bike section.
Other noteworthy points are the service
counter weve one workshop stand out
front, then the rest are out of sight.
STORY TELLING:
Taking inspiration from renowned
independent service stations like Tebay,
Rutland has developed POS material
explaining the Who we are story behind
the shop. Technically another example of
branding in the store, it catches the eye and
helps establish the family story behind the
retailer and its identity too.
PROFILE
HIGH CEILING:
The ceiling upstairs is deliberately higher to
give it a kind of wow effect, the MD tells
BikeBiz. On the rst oor Rutland has worked
to keep sight lines across most of the level.
The full road range is upstairs, as is the large
womens section. Road is a big category for
us and S-Works and Project One are key. A
t studio is located at the back: Its the right
environment, in the right area of the store.
COFFEE, NOT CAF:
Its not a caf, but there is a coffee area
toward the rear of the shop, used for ride
outs, events and seminars. That events
timetable is spelled out on a specials
blackboard. Middlemiss concludes: Were
looking at nding a space for e-bikes in the
store. There are not lots of things to change
were looking at nding a space for e-bikes
but well tweak things as we go.
BIKEBIZ.COM
NEW

FORMULATED FOR
PROFESSIONALS.
IN STOCK & READY TO ROLL.
+PZ[YPI\[LKPU[OL<2I`9HSLPNO*\Z[VTLY:\WWVY[
:HSLZ! 
CYCLISM
Pro rider offers support
British pro rider Alex Dowsett has just launched coaching service Cyclism, with a London hub based in
Hampton Wick bike shop Sigma Sport. Dowsett tells Jonathon Harker all about it
THERES NO shortage of accolades
accumulated by Movistar Team
rider Alex Dowsett. Now the former
World Hour Record Holder and
current National TT Champion has
launched Cyclism offering
coaching, support and services to
riders, from experienced pros.
The first Cyclism London hub has
been set up at Sigma Sport, where
one-to-one coaching and
consultation sessions, bike fitting,
physiological testing services and
more will be offered.
BikeBiz caught up with the busy
Dowsett shortly after the launch...
How long has Cyclism been in the
making? Why did you launch it?
I decided to start Cyclism after
realising there is a lack of support
out there for people to achieve
their potential. On top of this there
werent any cycling companies that
could offer a number of different
services all under one roof. I
wanted to be able to offer riders
not just coaching, support and
testing but also the chance to
become part of something through
our membership scheme, our
cycling club, the events we run for
all levels of cyclist, our training
camps in Italy and our bespoke
services. I also really wanted to
invest in young riders as my
36 BIKEBIZ FEBRUARY
sponsors in my younger days did everyone and to engage more
for me and am hoping to launch a people in cycling.
Cyclism Youth Academy to help
mentor and support young riders. Are there plans to open hubs
One of the most important parts elsewhere in the country?
of Cyclism is coaching and I have Absolutely, but we are in no rush.
realised that the support, For us its all about being able to
knowledge and guidance Ive been give the best experience possible,
lucky enough to have throughout offering unique training
my career I take for granted programmes. That personalisation is
somewhat. I wanted to set up a what were about. Weve fantastic
coaching and testing service which partners Wattbike, SigmaSport,
offers World Tour level support to Pedalsure, Cyclissimo and Canyon
everyone regardless of their ability. Bikes and we are doing very
I would be happy to have any of exciting things with them. We have
the Cyclism team support me in my been mindful to grow the company
People love hanging
out in bike shops.
Alex Dowsett
personal career at my level, and its using word of mouth, achieving
that level of professionalism that I peoples goals and race results are
wanted to offer everyone. testament to our progress. Slow and
Its been a year in the making and steady wins the race and all that!
has been very exciting. Were
already coaching a range of cyclists Why Sigma Sport?
who are all undertaking different Its simply one of the best bike
challenges, from the Amstel Gold shops in the country, and really
sportive, a racer achieving a 2nd echoed our professional ethos.
cat licence and another rider in When we sat down to discuss
rehabilitation post surgery. Our working together it was a meeting
ethos is to offer the best we can to where you came away and it felt
like wed found a perfect partner,
one of those gut feelings. And the
coffee was good, that always helps!
People love hanging out in bike
shops, I know Im guilty of it, its
proximity to London and to
Richmond Park is a huge benefit as
well. Plus its a shop where a
complete novice can walk in with
nothing and then walk out an hour
later without having to wait for
anything to be ordered in, and
thats quite rare for a bike shop.
What are your hopes for Cyclism
for the next five years?
Thats the million dollar question.
Wed like to see some good growth
but most important to us is that
everyone that we have worked with
feels like they are well looked after
and has enjoyed a great experience
with support in every aspect of
their cycling. We are opening up
different sectors of Cyclism, for
example an exclusive membership
package, we will be investing in
women cycling and women-only
coaching days and also that youth
academy is in the pipeline and is
something Im personally eager to
implement potentially as soon the
2017 season. We also will be
launching athlete management,
events and team car rental as well
so its all very exciting. cyclism.com
BIKEBIZ.COM
FLR
Sole trader
From a modest start, FLR has gone from strength-to-strength for Bob Elliot. Director
Paul Elliot gives Jonathon Harker his honest appraisal of where the brand is at, and
whats ahead for the footwear brand in 2016 and beyond
Bob Elliot took on FLR shoes back
in 2012/2013. Hows the journey
been with the brand so far?
We had teething problems initially
as with any new brand, but those
have now been overcome. Now the
brand is progressing year-on-year
and in 2015 we recorded our best
selling figures on shoes to date. We
have more stockists up and down
the country and the range of shoes
we offer has increased with more
road and MTB models available and
now also a triathlon option.
Speaking of sectors, is FLR
strongest in MTB or road?
Road shoes sell in a bigger quantity
than MTB shoes. We sell road and
MTB shoes up to 179.99 and have
a good track record with the
Strawweight XX road shoe.
However, MTB shoes have
increased in sales in 2015 and with
new designs and improved
technology in 2016 we expect this
to further increase. Our triathlon
shoes also had a strong
introduction in 2015 and we expect
that to continue in 2016.
Has the range changed to
accommodate growing markets,
like say, the CX market?
The FLR F95X carbon MTB shoe
features replaceable walking treads
which offers excellent grip and also
removable spikes for CX racing.
Have there been any key
technology updates that the
trade should be aware of for the
latest ranges?
There have indeed. The reel knob
closure system is now one piece
and can easily be replaced if
necessary thats present on the
XX, F95X, F75 and F22 models. The
reel knob closure system has a
seamless upper design which make
the shoes extremely well ventilated
and very lightweight.
The XX shoe has been designed
in cooperation with Julien Verard,
pro tour rider for AG2R La
40 BIKEBIZ FEBRUARY
Aerodynamics have been a
core focus in the design of the
2016 ranges
Mondiale. His expertise has
influenced the development of this
shoe to create one of the best
carbon road shoes in the market.
Which key models are must-
stocks for the trade?
Every shop needs an entry level
shoe. We have this available for
both MTB and road disciplines with
excellent price points, starting at
59.99 SRP in various colour and
size options.
At the higher end, the XX and
F95X carbon road and MTB shoes
are FLRs flagship products and
feedback for these models has
been very positive.
We are introducing a ladies
option in both road and MTB for
2016 retailing at 59.99 and FLR
also list a range of cleat accessories
and from FLRs sister company,
Funkier there are socks and
overshoes also available to
complement.
FLR created the 2016 collection
with aerodynamics as a core focus.
Aerodynamics led the design brief,
with engineering and design
departments merely steering the Road shoes sell in bigger
ultimate packaging toward a goal quantities, however MTB sales have
of building the fastest, best fitting,
most comfortable shoe collection increased and that will continue.
on the market in all levels. Paul Elliot
What are your expectations for
FLR in 2016?
We anticipate further growth,
especially with the strong feedback FLRs new F-35.III
road shoe also comes
on the many new designs. Theres in white (above)
marketing support for FLR including
through sponsorship of Continental
rider Marius Hafss, following some
great results in UCI Tours last year
and winning the King of the
Mountains in the Tour de Hongrie.
And everything is in place we
have good stock availability and
excellent reliability, plus a couple of
different floor stands available for
dealers (a compact and a premium)
as well as branded slat wall hooks
and product information cards
available. www.bob-elliot.co.uk
BIKEBIZ.COM
 RETAIL SURVEY

What IBDs really think

BikeBiz polled bike shops for their thoughts on their distribution partners and how these
crucial relationships could be strengthened. Jonathon Harker brings together the results

2015 WAS volatile for bike retail
and for a particularly unlucky few
who were hit by the December
floods, went from bad to worse.
Unsurprisingly, then, we received
some strongly worded responses
when we asked bike shops for their
take on their relationships with
distributors, often seen as key to
shop performance in the
competitive sector.
Communication is key in any
partnership. And while this feature
deals with the opinions of just one
side of this bike trade collaboration,
theres honest and sometimes
heartfelt insight on how these
important trade partnerships are
performing and could improve.
In a crowded market where
brands have more routes to reach
the end consumer, its more vital
than ever for shops and distributors
alike to nail these relationships.
And maybe theres even
some insight for those
bike trade companies
outside the distributor/
shop model.
All on and off the
record responses are
welcome
BikeBiz@nbmedia.com

HOW HELPFUL IS YOUR MAIN DISTRIBUTION PARTNER?

THE BIG positive news here is that the vast
majority of shops believe that their distribution
partner is at least helpful. While those who said
their distribution partner was very helpful was
very slightly down on last year (44 per cent in
2014, 42 per cent in 2015), those saying their
main distribution partner was helpful grew (35
per cent in 2014, 39 per cent in 2015). At the
other end of the scale, the number of awful
main distributor partners fell from two per cent
in 2014 to zero in 2015.
One respondent complained that most
distributors are not interested in single shops
while another said there was room for
improvement: All distribution partners could
do better.
If I were to treat customers who come
through my door in the same way as I am
treated by some of my suppliers (despite
spending thousands with them), I would make
no sales at all.

2014 2015
Q Very helpful 44.33% Q Very helpful 42.1%
Q Helpful 35.05% Q Helpful 39.5%
Q Middling 15.46% Q Middling 12.3%
Q Not very helpful 3.09% Q Not very helpful 6.1%
Q Awful 2.06% Q Awful 0.0%

BIKEBIZ.COM BIKEBIZ FEBRUARY 43

RETAIL SURVEY

WHAT FRUSTRATES YOU MOST ABOUT DISTRIBUTORS?

ARE BIKE trade distributors nailing stock
levels? Last year over half of respondents said
low stock levels was most frustrating, while this
time around the percentage was just 41. This
time around, lack of loyalty to small accounts
was top of the gripes (second last year with 41
per cent). Accordingly, pricing also jumped up
to become the third biggest frustration (up
from fourth last year). Returns policy slipped
down the list of frustrations (down from 26 per
cent to 17 per cent).
While stock was more readily available for
bike shops, even the most charitable soul
would be forced to concede that this was
partly accidental and due to oversupply in the
industry, something that was picked up by
respondents: Now that they all have huge
unsold stocks they are offering even longer
extended terms to dealers that are slashing
prices and damaging the more professional
shops who pay their bills on time!
Others blasted distributors for doing deals
to clear stock with non-IBDS and not giving a
shit if the products they supply us are being
devalued online.
Despite all that, there were still some stock
issues highlighted, particularly in a lack of
clarity on the finer points: Not being told, at
time of order, that certain parts which are
required for a job, are on backorder. So for
instance a groupset arrives but with essential
parts missing.
Picking up on the pricing issue again, familiar
complaints over big hitters selling at trade or
lower when we are supposedly on the best
pricing available were aired in our survey.
Carriage costs were pin-pointed too,
particularly on small orders. One retailer
commented: Why should I pay 12.00 plus
VAT for a parcel I can send for 3.00 inclusive?
One shop picked out lack of contact as a key
frustration: Lack of communication is a big
thing. I have less and less reps call on me now
to highlight new lines and offers and show me
new products. I do not have time to wade
through and digest emails sent over on an
ad hoc basis, I am too busy trying to sell to
my customers.
A similar communication-based complaint
came from one of the shops, annoyed at poor
product knowledge, stemming from the use of
non cycling call takers.
More generally, one survey respondent
picked out the growing importance of
customer service: Suppliers are getting much
harder to deal with. At a time when service is
the crucial differentiator in the market they are
letting us down by saying no more often.
Theres room for one final comment, warning
that failing to look after brands and shops
could backfire: Protect your brands or the IBD
will source brands that are protected and your
business will fail.

2014 2015
Low Stock Levels Q 50.52% 41.1%

No loyalty to small accounts Q 41.24% 42.0%

Poor customers Service Q 32.99% 22.3%

Pricing Q 28.87% 37.5%

Use of eBay Q 28.87% 14.3%

Poor returns Policy Q 26.80% 17.0%

Slow delivery Q 17.53% 14.3%

Lack of Knowledge Q 14.43% 8.9%

Being pushed new lines Q 11.34% 14.3%

Nothing Q 5.15% 14.3%

% 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

Q 2014 Q 2015
Q Low Stock Levels 50.52% Q Low Stock Levels 41.1%
Q No loyalty to small accounts 41.24% Q No loyalty to small accounts 42.0%
Q Poor customers Service 32.99% Q Poor customers Service 22.3%
Q Pricing 28.87% Q Pricing 37.5%
Q Use of eBay 28.87% Q Use of eBay 14.3%
Q Poor returns Policy 26.80% Q Poor returns Policy 17.0%
Q Slow delivery 17.53% Q Slow delivery 14.3%
Q Lack of Knowledge 14.43% Q Lack of Knowledge 8.9%
Q Being pushed new lines 11.34% Q Being pushed new lines 14.3%
Q Nothing 5.15% Q Nothing 14.3%

44 BIKEBIZ FEBRUARY BIKEBIZ.COM

 RETAIL SURVEY

WHATS THE MAIN BENEFIT OF

HAVING DISTRIBUTION PARTNERS?
Sourcing stock has shot up in importance for
bike shops, up to 65 per cent compared with
51 per cent the year previous. Support has
also climbed considerably, up to 39 per cent
from 28 per cent. The only fall here was in
Vendor Relations, indicating that shops saw
plenty of positives from distributors.
2014 2015
Sourcing stock Q 51.06% 64.5%

Quick Delivery Q 43.62% 49.5%

Pricing & Deals Q 27.66% 34.6%

Support Q 27.66% 39.3%

Product Knowledge Q 17.02% 22.4%

Single Point of Contact Q 17.02% 25.2%

Vendor Relations Q 12.77% 10.3%

Loyalty Q 12.77% 16.8%

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE MORE OF FROM DISTRIBUTORS?

JUST A QUICK glance at the graph below
shows that pricing is more important than ever
to UK bike shops, with 63 per cent (37 per cent
last year) asking for fairer pricing from their
distributor parnters. Coupled with that plea
were comments asking distributors to stop
dumping product with the internet giants. On
a similar theme: I would like to see less
getting into bed with retailers who are taking
us all to the bottom with pricing.
Other non-price related suggestions
included more click and collect opportunities
favouring local stores for collection
something we are seeing grow. Then there was
this point, which might be a good one to end
on: Stop making loyal IBDs re-sign every year
and range price matching to combat product
devaluation and help us (and them) survive.

2014 2015
Fairer pricing Q 37.37% 63.1%

More stock Q 37.37% 33.3%

Better communication
Q 37.37% 27.0%

Service and support

Q 32.32% 29.7%

28.28%
Marketing
Q 31.5%

More deals 21.21% 24.3%

Q
More face-to-face contact 20.20% 22.5%
Q
Knowledge 16.16% 11.7%
Q
Fewer account managers 10.10% 13.5%
Q
Nothing 3.03% 4.5%
Q
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

BIKEBIZ.COM BIKEBIZ FEBRUARY 45

CHEDDAR CYCLE STORE
Cheddar Cycle
Stores gorge-ous refit
Plan for a quiet retirement or decide to expand your shop during a tough year for the bike trade? That was the
decision facing the owners of Somersets Cheddar Cycle Store. Sarah Baker gives Jonathon Harker the story
WITH RETIREMENT approaching
for Cheddar Cycle Store owner Paul
Baker, there were a number of
options available to him, including
lining up a potential sale of the
shop and planning to put his feet
up. Last year, however, the ex-pro
cyclist decided to ditch all ideas of
taking it easy to make good on a
long-held ambition to expand the
store instead, all during a year that
was notoriously rough for many
independent bike shop owners. As
you do.
Office manager Sarah Baker
takes up the story: We have been
in business for 11 years now, in a
small industrial park on the outskirts
of Cheddar. We always hoped to
expand as we were finding that we
just couldnt hold enough stock to
meet the needs of our customers.
Paul was approaching
retirement age, but instead of
taking a step back he decided on a
new challenge with a bigger shop!
When the neighbouring unit
became available it was
previously a carpet shop we
jumped at the chance.
They knocked through the
showrooms to double the retail
46 BIKEBIZ FEBRUARY
area to just over 1,500 square feet. just taken on a new range of Ridley
The building itself covers 3,000 sq cross bikes as we are seeing an
ft so theyve increased storage and increased interest in cyclocross in
office space while keeping the this area with some really popular
workshop size as it was, with room events last year. We stock Ridley
to expand if needed. and Genesis road bikes. Paul also
We managed to get the runs Cheddar Cycle Club and we
building work and shop fit done in have regular rides from the shop.
When the unit
became available we
jumped at the chance.
Sarah Baker, Cheddar Cycle
just under six weeks so we could We have a good MTB customer
relaunch the new and improved base too, being at the foot of the
Cheddar Cycle Store on Mendip hills, and now hope that we
December 12th, in time for can offer them even more with an
Christmas. All the while we increased range of products and
managed to stay open for business bikes. We have stocked Kona as our
during the building works. main MTB brand for years.
Paul Bakers rider background The commuter and hybrid
has seen the shop tend to attract markets work for Cheddar Cycle
roadies, in the main. Paul is an Store too, stocking Dawes hybrids,
ex-professional rider so its what we kids bikes and touring bikes.
know best and there does seem to Handily situated right at the start
be a natural shift towards that of the Strawberry Line National
market. That said, we are certainly Cycle Route 26, the retailer offers
not just a road bike shop. We have hire to punters all year round (we
are booked out most days over the
summer months).
The mix of bikes is around 30 per
cent road, ten per cent CX, 20 per
cent MTB, 20 per cent hybrid, ten
per cent touring and ten per cent
childrens bikes.
We can now safely say we are
one of the largest bike shops in the
South West, Sarah Baker adds.
Our stock of bikes and accessories
is now big enough to make sure
that we have something to suit
every customer.
It was a huge step for Paul to
take in expanding the business,
especially at a time when we were
seeing (like most) a quieter time in
the cycle industry, however we are
already seeing the benefits.
We now have stock to suit
pretty much every customer, we
can hand it to them there and then
instead of having to go and order it
in we always wanted to be that
one-stop-shop.
We have significantly increased
footfall on this time last year and
customers are still walking in and
saying wow. That makes all the
hard work worthwhile.
www.cheddarcyclestore.co.uk
BIKEBIZ.COM
 F O R E V E R Y O N E
I N T H E B I K E B U S I N E S S
p54
Brompton p48
Fisher lines p50
boss gets
up Zipp Go-Ride
honoured What has a year of
Will Butler-Adams is support bike industry
to become an OBE. What is Fisher support achieved
We caught up with Outdoor Leisure at the Go-Ride
him en route to doing to back grass roots?
Buckingham Palace. independent
dealers?

2016
FORWARD Show business

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Who is innovating at the Soho Bikes p71
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Are there too many the wave X-treme
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We get down to the CycleKit, which has X-bionic is seeking
nitty gritty with been making the a bigger presence
some of the sectors most of the road in the UK. We
big names cycling wave headed to their
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gear first-hand

MARCH 2016 SEPTEMBER 2016

Innovation Lab special
Cycle Media Focus:
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Childrens Bikes, Trailer Bikes,
Helmets & Accessories Made in
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Clothing & Accessories:
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British manufacturers big
special feature, as are
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APRIL 2016 Winter & Reective 44.

p33

Regional Spotlight:
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Regional Spotlight: The Midlands

p53
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Includes Brit List supplement

Velorution is the place
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for this
months quirky Spin London Giro is pitching its full Womens cycling
apparel We round-up bikes and
line-up to the trade P&A
pitched at female cyclists

Cycle Show issue:

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NOVEMBER 2016
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BikeBiz was among Find out how SKS Northern
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JUNE 2016 Cycling Media Awards 2016 that made it to BikeBiz is let loose Scotland and the
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for locals the latest
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The BAs p26
Fabric p53
A-Team
Bicycle Association unpicked You be the
boss Paul Stewart Didnt go to judge
tells us why the BA Eurobike? We bring How do you plead?

Regional Spotlight:
is reaching out to you new product Guilty of not
the industry to from GT, getting around to
strengthen its ranks Cannondale and judging the BikeBiz
Fabric, only without RECOGNISING Awards? Theres
EXCELLENCE
the flights WITHIN THE UK still time!
CYCLE TRADE

North England & Scotland FEBRUARY 2017

London Bike Show issue: UK SHOW
Extra distribution RECORD
BRE Cycle Show 2015 is set
to be the biggest yet,
debut, proving the UK
AKERS
meanwhile Core Bike
Live has an impressive
trades appetite for cycle
events shows no sign
of fading
p1929 & p3642

p8
p49
Out in the country p63
The UKs largest outdoor i-ride around p73
show takes place next
trade The Velodrome Tour is Winter clothing
month. went along to i-rides
back. We Its cold oop North and Childrens bikes
show daan Theres life in the kids
South too. Time to layer market
up yet with plenty to stock
in

03 BB116 EditCover_final.ind
d 1

ISSUE 110 MARCH 2015

@bikebizonline | facebook.c
om/bikebiz

Want to advertise in any of these issues? F O R

p41
E V E R Y O N E
I N T H E

p16
B I K E B U S I N E S S

The shows

Contact Richard Setters 0207 354 6000

Most p61
not over
Bike Expo rounds Excel-lent Assisted
off the early show
bikes sales
season off. We Weve something of
BikeBiz trawls the
provide a preview an electric bike
London Bike Show
of what to see at extravaganza this
for hot new product

or email rsetters@nbmedia.com
the revamped month, with a
and fresh deals.
Manchester event sector guide,
Also includes
scooters. opinion and news.

Hold the front page

Its been a big 12 months

Want your company or product to be involved

for the
cycle worlds media, with
takeovers
and launches galore. We
wrap up
the deals and go in-depth.
p45

with any of these features?

Contact Jonathon Harker jharker@nbmedia.com
or call 01992 535646

p13
p24
Raleigh your resources p61
News from the brands Pearsons Cycles p75
own Uby
TAIPEI CYCLE SHOW
Return to Taipei
For many, Taipei Cycle Show is an essential in their calendar, but in 2016 there is more reason than ever to get
along, thanks to Velo-City. Jonathon Harker speaks with organiser TAITRA
Its hard to dispute that the Taipei
Cycle Show is Asias key cycle
show, set in the bicycle
kingdom of Taiwan.
This year it is getting a further
point of interest in the shape of
Velo-City, the roaming conference
(which was in Nantes, France last
year) will run alongside the show.
So, how is this years show
shaping up? BikeBiz speaks with
Mr Yih-Jyh Kang, executive
director of Exhibition Department
at the Taiwan External Trade
Development Council (TAITRA),
organiser of the show
What are your expectations for
Taipei Cycle Show 2016?
This year Taipei Cycle Show will
take place from March 2nd to 5th,
in Taipei Nangang Exhibition
Center Hall 1 and Taipei World
Trade Center Hall 1, 2F. The
exhibiting space was all fully
booked. In total we are expecting
1,117 exhibitors from 36 countries
and regions, occupying 65,000sqm.
In conjunction with Taipei
Sporting Goods Show, we hope to
create a one-stop shopping
platform for all sporting goods
48 BIKEBIZ FEBRUARY
industry and expect more than Mar 1st). In this event, we have
38,000 visitors, a ten per cent organised a Cycling Design
increase from last year. Exhibition with the theme of
Cycling from the present to the
What proportion of exhibitors future. Together with CHC
and visitors are from the UK? (Cycling & Health Tech Industry
Taipei Cycle Show draws attention R&D Center), we would like to
We expect more than
38,000 visitors, a ten
per cent increase.
Yih-Jyh Kang, TAITRA
from cycling industry around the show the solid capabilities in
world. For the coming Taipei Cycle production, R&D skills and
Show, we will host seven UK innovation in Taiwan. Visiting
exhibitors, and according to the Taiwan will give you a glimpse of
figure in 2015, almost 200 trade the cycling industry from its current
visitors from the UK visited the state as well as future trends.
show, which is about three per cent This is also the first time that
of the total attendees. With the Velo-City global is taking place in
growing sales of bicycles in the UK, an Asian city. The registered
we hope to see more trade visitors Velo-City global attendees are able
from the UK to Taipei in March. to access to Taipei Cycle Show
2016 with their badges directly. For
Does Taipei Cycle Show offer trade visitors, Velo-City Global also
more than new products? offers an industry package. Just
This year we have worked with come two days earlier before Taipei
Velo-City Global 2016, taking place Cycle Show and we would like to
right before the show (Feb 27th to welcome people engaged in
TAIWANS
BIKE SUPPLY
Yih-Jyh Kang provides us with
the latest export stats from
Taiwan to the UK: The EU
remained the largest market for
Taiwan bicycle industry.
According to the latest report
from Customs Administration,
Ministry of Finance, Taiwan
exported 2.01 million units of
complete bicycles to the EU
from Jan to Nov 2015,
accounting for 54.56 per cent
of Taiwans export of complete
bicycles in the same period.
Export to the UK in 2015
increased 16.90 per cent
comparing with the same
period in 2014 (550 thousands
units). Nearly 620 thousand
units of complete bikes were
shipped from Taiwan, with the
average unit price of
USD271.45. The export value
totaled USD $169 million, a
9.56 per cent raise from USD
$154 million last year.
bicycle industry to enjoy the two
big events in one trip.
How are entries for the Taipei
Cycle d&i Awards going?
In total, we received 174 entries
from 19 countries (last year we had
15 countries). That is very exciting
news and we are really making
progress. We hope to make this
competition as a platform not only
for Taiwan manufacturers and
designers, but also for the global
bicycle industry.
We also believe that the winning
entries selected by the judging
panel of the Taipei Cycle d&i
awards are indeed leading design
trend internationally. The winner of
Taipei Cycle d&i Gold Award-Young
Enterprise 2015, has later been
named of one of the 10 most
beautiful bicycles of 2015by BBC,
which is a very good example.
The winning entries have been
selected by the judging panel and
they will be displayed at this years
Taipei Cycle Show.
How would you like the show to
grow over the next five years?
As one of the top cycling trade
BIKEBIZ.COM

shows in the world, the next step
for Taipei Cycle would be excelling
at the quality and service provided.
It is within our primary interest to
elevate the show to the global
leading level by creating more
user-friendly show area, enhancing
the show service and optimising the
official website as well as show APP.
In general, we aim to accentuate
the bright and energetic spirit of
the industry and thereby attract
more visitors to the show.
On top of that, we are very aware
of the importance of quality control,
another key objective of our
long-term goal. Taipei Cycle will
exemplify a platform for high
quality products in the cycling
business and a showcase where you
can see the future trends of the
industry. Furthermore, with the
operation of Taipei Nangang
Exhibition Center Hall 2 in the near
future, we will expand our
proportion of foreign exhibits by
recruiting exhibitors from more
countries such as Italy and Spain,
diversifying the products presented.
We are expecting the show to
transform and excel in quality and
quantity in the next few years.
BIKEBIZ.COM
TAIPEI CYCLE SHOW
Mr Yih-Jyh Kang,
executive director of
the Exhibition
Department at TAITRA
And Taiwan has been growing its
cycle infrastructure?
Taiwan is known as a Cycling
Kingdom for its strengths in
manufacturing high-end bicycle
products with reasonable prices.
However, we are doing more than
that. The industry and our
government are promoting the
cycling lifestyle and would like to
encourage people to get used to
cycling in daily lives. For instance,
the bike rental system, YouBike, is
very common for public
transportation in Taipei and New
SCIENTIA
Taipei City. Besides, the
government is constructing cycling
paths all over the island, like the
one around Sun Moon Lake was
even selected as one of the
tenmost beautiful cycling paths in
THE SCIENCE BENEATH
the world by CNN. With convenient
facilities and beautiful sights,
THE DESIGN
Taiwan is becoming a cycling
paradise and more and more
people are crazy doing cycling tour
here. I would very much like to
recommend all of you to come and
truly experience cycling here. This
is going to be something that youll
never forget.
www.taipeicycle.com.tw
BIKEBIZ FEBRUARY 49
 ELECTRIC BIKES

Electric ve at ExCeL
Could this be the year of the e-bike? Jonathon Harker looks to the London Bike Shows electric offering...
POOR OLD e-bikes. Expectation
weighs heavily upon them.
Theyve been touted as cyclings
big hope for the past few years
now in the UK. Pundits wonder:
Will this be the year they take
off? But what exactly are we
expecting? That e-bikes will
suddenly take off like the Beatles,
Tamagotchi or iPads did in
their respective decades? Lets
be honest, they wont do that.
Instead theyre likely to grow
gradually this year slow and
steady wins the race, after all but
even cynics will surely accept that
this year theres more reasons than
ever to expect e-bikes to do well,
not least with more big players
in the cycle market dedicating
more resource to them. The
sector is now a mainstay at bicycle
shows across the nation too with
Londons own Bike Show at ExCeL
this month, it made sense for us
to look at some of the electric
Expectation bikes aiming to sway punters and
weighs heavily lure them into the charged cycling
world. So, without futher ado,
upon e-bikes. here are ve of the e-bikes you
can nd at ExCeL from February
11th to 14th
www.thelondonbikeshow.co.uk

BIOMEGA OKO CARBON ELECTRIC VLEC POCKET PLUS - 999

BIKE - 1,749 (SRAM AUTOMATIC 2 HAILING FROM the Jura Mountains of Eastern France, VLec was the
idea of founder Augustin Charlot, created with the ambition of creating
SPEED OR 2,149 (SHIMANO ALFINE the lightest folding electronic bike
8 SPEED) possible. Designed for commuters,
the discrete Panasonic 24v 8Ah
battery delivers the precise amount
of power required while riding.
Unfolding the bike and hitting
the road in a few seconds is a
swift process, were assured, with
one ick of the handlebar switch
powering the bike up immediately.

SCHINDELHAUER BIKES JACOB - 2,195

Berlins Schindelhauer Bikes
has produced a unique
A BRAND new arrival to the UK, the Biomega OKO is a fully integrated smart-bike in collaboration
carbon electric bike which weighs in around a super light 16kg. Along with COBI, merging
with sleek aesthetics and minimal urban style, this state of the art build smartphones with this new
is a result of a collaboration between Biomega and Danish design single speed belt-driven
group KiBiSi. The OKO is a balanced build that eschews the stereotype creation. The Jacob powers
of electric bikes placing the majority of their weight on the rear wheel, devices via a specially
ensuring the OKO remains a well balanced urban performance bike. designed smartphone holder,
With the engine housed in the front wheel hub to maintain this balance offering access to GPS navigation, calls, bike bell, weather forecast,
and the option of either two or eight speed automatic Alne gears in music player and theft alarm just some of the features which can be
the rear hub, this is pitched as an agile bike for the city commuter. used via the small thumb controller placed upon the handlebar.

SCOTT BESV LX1 - 3,599

E-ASPECT 920 Looking not unlike it was
intended to be ridden
HARDTAIL through the lm Tron, the
E-BIKE - 2,299 LX1 is produced using
Scott offers a range of the same manufacturing
assisted machines, including process as MotoGP racing
this E-Aspect 920 Hardtail. motorbikes and possesses
Thanks to collaborating with Bosch, Scott has created the e-MTB a curved aluminum frame
series which integrates the necessary components of both hardtails sculpted by hand. Offering as
and electric bikes. Power and control comes from the 500wh Bosch much as 80 kilometers of power-assisted pedaling after a full ve-hour
Performance drive system and Shimano drivetrain, ready for tackle charge, the LX1 has three levels of torque sensing pedal assist. The bike
rugged terrain. also houses a 250 watt direct drive rear hub motor.

Sponsored by
BIKEBIZ.COM BIKEBIZ FEBRUARY 51
ELECTRIC BIKES
Express Shimano Warranty
comes to the UK
MADISON HAS boosted the
electric bike sector by offering
a brand new Express Warranty
service for Shimano STEPS dealers
in the UK and Ireland.
Noting that the growth of e-bikes
is steadily increasing, Madison
said it is committed to offering
the best after sales service in the
territory through the new Express
Warranty Service for the electric
bike groupset.
This Express Warranty Service
covers all Shimano STEPS equipped
e-bikes and most warranty issues
FOCUS: Lapierres Overvolt e-MTB
LAPIERRES GROWING
e-bike range includes
three Bosch-equipped full
suspension MTB models.
They feature the OST
suspension linkage derived
from the Zesty and Spicy
and all three (Overvolt 600,
700 and 900) share the same
chassis and power unit with
spec upgrades the higher
you go in the range. All
three models provide ample
cushioning through 140mm
of rear travel and a 150mm
fork handling everything up
front. Lapierre also offers
a hardtail option with the
Overvolt HT 700 for people
seeking an all-rounder, with
the brand saying it is perfect
for the trail, commuting or a
ride with the family.
www.hotlines-uk.com
52 BIKEBIZ FEBRUARY
will be turned around within 48
hours. In addition to the warranty
service, Madison is already
providing dealers with training
across the UK and Ireland, with
Madisons tech reps on hand to
help with any queries.
We are incredibly excited
about the potential of Shimano
STEPS and really believe in the
quality of this product, said Mark
Greshon, senior Shimano brand
manager at Madison. With the
expected continued growth of
e-bikes, we want to make sure that
Sponsored by
dealers are completely condent in
the product, so will do everything
we can to assist them through the
We want to entire sales and support process.
make sure We know the quality of the
product is there, so want to pass
dealers are
that condence onto dealers and
completely consumers with training services
condent in the and a comprehensive speedy
warranty service.
product. For any specic enquiries
Mark Greshon, regarding Shimano STEPS, there
Madison is a dedicated team on hand to
help dealers, via shimanoSTEPS@
madison.co.uk
WINTER BATTERY
TIPS FROM A2B
AS WINTER clenches its icy st
around the UK, the nations
e-bike riders are being warned
to take extra care to get the
most out of their batteries.
A2B provided advice for
e-bike users that dealers could
pass on, including recharging
batteries immediately after
being emptied to avoid deep
discharge. To maximise battery
life, A2B recommended
recharging batteries whenever
the state of charge is below 20
per cent.
www.wearea2b.com/uk
BIKEBIZ.COM
OVE R VOL T
FS GO FURTHER FASTER!
New OST+ frame: 140mm rear travel / 150mm front travel
Bosch Performance CX motor 25km/h
New 500W battery, up to 4h battery time
Dropper seat post
27.5 wheels
 URBAN BIKES

Urban riders
Folding bikes, hybrids, city bikes, sit-up-and-begsthe urban bike
category is a broad beast. Jonathon Harker takes a look at what
theyll be riding in the city in 2016

BROMPTON
www.brompton.com

London-made Brompton needs

little introduction, having become
the best-known folder in the UK.
Customers can customise the
bikes to a decent degree, with
options on colour, gearing, riding
styles and accessories. The good
news is that Bromptons custom
bike builder channels sales back
to local Brompton dealers they
get a unique reference code once
theyve built the bike, which they
are then told to take to their local
store. Recent launches include
the Black Edition, featuring key
components in black rather than
the usual silver. The Black Edition
is available to order in models
S, M and H types, in two and six
gear options. The extremities
are black with frame options
being black, white, berry crush,
lime green and lagoon blue. The
sad news is that it is a limited
edition (5,000 have been made)
so theres a good chance there
wont be many left if you dont
act sharpish.

2X2 CHICKEN CYCLEKIT

sales@2x2worldwide.com 01525 381347
The expanded Bickerton The latest incarnation
range is now up to nine of the Cinelli Zydeco
models due to increased disc bike is solely aimed
demand. The Bikes come at the urban market.
with wheel sizes of 16, The huge amount of
20 and 26, and new clearance for mudguards,
for 2016 is the 16 Pilot, carrier mounts and large
with six speed gears volume tyres comfortably
(379). Theres also a new sit this model in the new
entry level 20 model gravel bike category,
the Junction 1507 and with the addition of
Country which comes in disc brakes the Zydeco
under 400. Also with is perfectly suited to
2x2 is Montague, now riding paths or tarmac
with a totally new frame in any conditions. For
design in its full-size more information on the
folding bike line. Zydeco, call Chicken.

BIKEBIZ.COM BIKEBIZ FEBRUARY 55

URBAN BIKES
CLAUD BUTLER
The Claud Butler range
is undergoing quite
a few exciting new
developments, the brand
tells BikeBiz, with its range
of Urban100 through to
Urban 600 bikes making
them a contender for the
popular urban category.
For 2016, the whole
range of urban bikes have
undertaken a facelift with
attractive new decals and
colour schemes.
The two folding bike
models on offer from Claud
Butler provide what folding
DAWES CYCLES
Dawes has entry level and mid priced urban riders. Brand new for
2016, the two new Discovery Speed models are pitched as great
value and modern with subtle styling. The folders bikes peak at
449.99 and the heritage range includes the Duchess and Tiffany.
PALIGAP
www.paligap.cc
Marins Four Corners
retails at 700 (1,900
for the Elite) with the
Columbus Thron and
4130 butted CrMo
steel frames and forks
designed to handle fully
loaded touring. The
bars are high for all-day
comfort and heads-up
visibility in trafc, with
frame geometry capable
of taking riders down
various paths, carrying
laptops, camp stoves and
tents alike.
XX BIKEBIZ XXXXXXX
claudbutler.co.uk
bike customers are after,
the brand says, including
a reliable and simple to
use folding mechanism,
attractive yet subtle
appearance and a bomb-
proof spec.
The bike is all wrapped
around a 20 wheel
platform that has been
proven to be the most
practical and, most in
demand wheel size for
folding bikes, were told by
the brand. Dealers can nd
out more by contacting
Claud Butler directly.
dawescycles.com ISON
ison-distribution.com
The Light Blue from
Cambridge offers ve
urban bikes, as well as
their Sport and Retro
machines. Surlys Cross
Check SS has Avid Single
Digit 5 v-brakes, while All-
Citys Big Block is pitched
as an ideal track frame for
the modern xed-gear
ride. ready to go beyond
the velodrome due to
clever modications.
SPORTLINE
sportlineb2b.co.uk
The Genesis Flyer
singlespeed (649) has
been tweaked for 2016,
with a winter trainer
42/17T combo. Ridleys
X-Bow All-Road (999)
is pitched as a best all
year round commuter
with Ridley CX heritage
for under 1,000.
Ridgebacks commute-
extending electric bike is
the Electron + (2,199)
and Rapides RL1 Disc
(949.99) also ts the
urban bill.
BIKEBIZ.COM
 URBAN BIKES

MOORE LARGE www.moorelarge.co.uk

Off the back of a big year for
Bobbin, where sales surpassed
10,000, the brand has
strengthened its range with
new models, including the
Brownie Luxe 21 a sister
model to Bobbins Brownie
best seller. It features a
lightweight alloy frame,
Schwalbe tyres, alloy
components and more gears.
Also completely new are two
20 wheeled urban models;
Metric, inspired by Japanese
mini-velos, designed as a utility
sharing bike. Fold, as you may
have guessed, is a folding bike,
with an alloy frame and alloy
components. Bobbin is also
launching a collaboration with
the University of Cambridge,
with four bikes including a
classic town bike and a glam
vintage-styled racer. 2016 will
see a single speed Noodle and
an upgraded Retro racing-
tourer Scout with new
components including Dia
Compe brake levers. Disc brake
commuters Black Orchid and
Dark Star now come with
matched mudguards, Luna gets
an upgrade and there are new
Brownie and Bramble colours.

KONA www.konaworld.com CYCLECENTRIC

01954 782020
The new Paddy Wagon 3 uses the downtown loving Paddy
Wagon frame and speeds it up with a riser bar for heads-up urban Cyclecentric is designer
riding and a simple three-speed Sturmey Archer unit rear hub and distributor for Circe
with a down tube shifter. Its a 100 per cent full cromoly frame Cycles, Bacchetta and
and fork with a frame that features 4130 Butted Cromoly. Konas Airnimal. The latter has
Endurance Road geometry comes included. a substantial range of
folding bikes, with the
latest being the Joey
Raptor. Fitted with a
10 speed XT drive,
lightweight carbon fork
and fast rolling Schwalbe
Kojak tyres, it eats up
urban miles, but can
quickly fold to cope with
multi-mode transport or
storage. RRP is 1,749.

TERN ZYRO
01454 332110 www.zyrob2b.co.uk
Tern has a broad range. Now how about a bunch
The main Verge (pictured of urban accessories?
is the Verge X10, 1,500) Like an all-important lock
and Link lines of 20 (like the ABUS Bordo
wheel bikes cover Granit X Plus, 99.99).
commuting, touring and Or maybe a light (like the
high performance riding. Cateye Volt 200, 39.99).
Also in the range are the If theyre serious about
Eclipse 24 wheel, and urban biking, what about
Joe 26 and 27.5 wheel load carrying accessories
machines. A full range of from Minoura, like the
accessories and in-store King Carrier (89.99),
POS are also available which can carry up to
and the bikes are in stock 18kgs, or Junior (74.00)
now, with the range from that carries a smaller load
325 to 2,250. and ts 20 to 700c?

BIKEBIZ.COM BIKEBIZ XXXXXX XX

 48$/,7<v5$1*(v9$/8(
An extensive selection of mid range parts and accessories well priced to offer excellent value for money
and good margins for dealers. Available for next day delivery on our easy to use B2B ordering system.

ABE-21501 ABR-21504 ASM-2901 ABR-21103

Acor External Bottom Bracket Acor Hydraulic Disc Brake Set Acor 1.1/8 High-Rise Ahead Stem Acor Dual Pivot Caliper Brake
(Shimano Compatible) (Incl. Rotors & Post Mount Adapters) (31.8 mm x 50 120 mm) (Short Reach, Allen Key Fitting)

IF YOU DONT DEAL WITH US YET THEN WHY NOT GIVE US A TRY CONTACT DETAILS BELOW

0845 1661983 www.greyville.com sales@greyville.com

;OH[PZHYLHSX\V[LMYVTHYLHS<2IPRLZOVW
V^ULYSHZ[`LHYMVSSV^PUNHMV\YOV\YIPRLZWLJPJ
ZHSLZ[YHPUPUNJV\YZLthe most popular
session ever conducted in our industry.
 HELMETS

HELMETS: THE FACTS

Keep a Four brands make
up two thirds of all
helmets owned in
11 per cent of
cyclists havent
bought a helmet in

lid on it the UK

Two in ve cyclists
the last ve years

The average spend

on a helmet in the
have bought a
The helmet sector is ercely competitive and helmet in the UK in the last 12
theres no shortage of brands out there for last year months was 71
dealers to bring into their shops. Thats where
our sector guide comes in Jonathon Harker
sorts out the EPS from the MIPS

ASSOS BOB ELLIOT

www.assos.com www.bob-elliot.co.uk
The Assos Jingo helmet Bob Elliot is taking on a
features three-in-one wide helmet range from
moulded construction Funkier in 2016 including
and no EPS insert. Assos models for kids, MTB,
has ditched it for a more leisure and road riders.
lightweight construction In that line-up is the
that has still passed the Elite Road helmet
all-important CE EN 1078 Tejat which will retail
standard. Using design at 59.99. The helmet
principles from a cars comes with 25 vents and
frame buffer, when one three internal ventilation
part of the helmet frame channels. Sporting a
receives an impact, the user-friendly Funkier
whole frame absorbs the turn-t system, this top
energy and disperses the level road helmet comes
stress. The Jingo has a in M (52-56cm) and L
neat internal ventilation (55-61cm). Delivery is
groove design too. expected through March.

MADISON DAWES CYCLES

www.madisonb2b.co.uk dawescycles.com

The Lazer Revolution Dawes Urban LED is

(99.99) enduro helmet pitched as a ne choice
features the sturdy Lazer for those looking to ride
Advanced Turnt System in the thick of trafc. A
in the back of the helmet subtle amount of uro
and the big moto- colour and an integrated
inspired visor with a rear LED mean that this
solid ratchet system that, smart looking helmet
when entirely upwards, helps offer safety
will offer plenty of space and visibility, all for a
to place goggles. On reasonable 39.99.
the top of the helmet
you will nd the SMS
(Safety Mount System)
that is an adjustable
mount that can be used
in combination with
Lazers multimounts.

BIKEBIZ.COM BIKEBIZ FEBRUARY 59

HELMETS

MET www.met-helmets.com

Mets Manta (169.99) and Rivale (109.99) are highly

aerodynamic and lightweight aero helmets. The Lupo is a new
trail lid combining lightweight features with aggressive styling and
increased protection for sides and back of the head (109.99).
Mets Parachute is a lightweight and well ventilated enduro
helmet that has passed the ASTM standard (which takes into
account the safety of the chin guard) and retails at 189.99.
Mets Urban Miles is a new urban style helmet that offers
more comfort thanks to a padded chin strap. The Safe-T E-Mid
retention system is a completely new design and the helmet
comes with a water resistant and wind proof cover (69.99).
Then theres the Bluegrass Brave, the rst bicycle helmet with
D3O in the helmet shell, were reliably informed.

GREYVILLE HARDNUTZ
www.greyville.com www.hardnutz.com
Safety can be fun with Hardnutz is reducing the
Crazy Safety Character cost of its Hi Vis helmets
Childrens helmets. They from 55 to 40. The
are manufactured with Hi Vis range feature 19
a 3D shell in a wide panels of white reective
selection of animal 3M Scotchlite on a
designs, plus the ever- lightweight, in-mould
popular Spider-Man. construction, with
Created in Denmark and impact-absorbing inner
complying with EN1073 EPS. There are 19 vents
and TUV standards, one included. MTB lids will
size model ts all. appear in autumn 2016.

HOTLINES ISON
www.hotlines-uk.com ison-distribution.com
The Leatt DBX bicycle TSGs 2016s urban
Head and Brain Status range has a three-
Protection line reduces mode integral LED light
rotational acceleration, and reective accents
using patented 360 on the straps, plus a
Turbine Tech. Armourgel brand new shell shape
energy absorbing for a clean aesthetic. The
material enhances safety helmet is lightweight at
and are neck brace 270g and a special fully
compatible with vents reective nish version
that are optimised for DH is the agship helmet in
MTBing and BMX. the range.

NEOS OXFORD PRODUCTS

neoscycling.co.uk oxfordproducts.com
The Vela cross function The Oxford Urban
helmet from Tuzii has a helmet is an ABS hard
removable peak, and is shell skate style helmet
at home on the road and with adjustable dial-
off. It is stylishly injection t system integrated
moulded with 20 vents into the EPS. The
and the removable and helmet is available in
replaceable insect net a single 53-59cm size,
keeps the bugs at bay. It and ve colours, with
weighs just 220g and is a competitive RRP of
highly comfortable, we 29.99. There will be
hear. RRP is 39.99. more at the Bike Place.

60 BIKEBIZ FEBRUARY BIKEBIZ.COM

 UK DISTRIBUTION FOR
THE BEST BRANDS IN MTB

Jungle Products Ltd

New York Mills, Summerbridge
Harrogate, HG3 4LA
01423 780 088
info@jungleproducts.co.uk | jungleproducts.co.uk

Part of the

group

Dealer Oportunities CYCLE PARTS AND

Following on from our successful launch of 3 new
models at the 2015 cycle show; Eco Voltz are ACCESSORIES BUYER
seeking Dealer distributors for our range of electric
Were both an online bike shop and a bricks and mortar one.
bikes.
Were growing and looking for a buyer to join our buying team to buy
Whether you are looking for Cycle Parts and Accessories (P&A).
an additional brand to sell in
your already established WE HAVE: A showroom shop and a massive warehouse that both need filling with the right cycling
stock at the right time (and another warehouse on the way too)
store or if you are thinking
Accounts and good relationships with all the top-drawer cycling brands
about e-bikes for your
Dedicated stock control, product maintenance, and web content teams to support you
business, we can help.
A team of passionate cycle enthusiasts and a pro-active private owner
Lots of opportunity for development if you want it
As the authorised UK agent
for Eco Voltz electric bikes YOU HAVE: A passion for cycling
we can tailor a package to Solid buying skills and experience - ideally as a buyer but possibly as an assistant or
suit your needs. We know junior buyer
that every dealership is Strong organisational habits
different so our tailored A need to be busy all the time
plans are designed to An enthusiasm for Excel your friends find odd
match your requirements. Really good soft skills
Reliability and professionalism written all over you
Contact us today and find out what Eco Voltz can do
Elite negotiating skills
for your business
If you are interested please send your CV with a covering letter
www.ecovoltz.co.uk or email sales@ecovoltz.co.uk and current salary details to: Chris Turner, Sales & Marketing
Director. E-mail CTurner@demon-tweeks.co.uk
 Bike Frame Stickers
Visit
our new
website

Get your name around, remind your customers where

they bought their bike or accessories and where to
take it for a service.
Any size, shape up to 60x40mm, www top tube stickers up to
1-3 colours include laminate so no 20x150mm. 1 colour on clear
scratching.
500 92 500 105
1000 120 1000 145
2000 165 2000 190
Origination 30 Origination 20

(IGH7YCOMBE
WWWFREEWHEELIN BIKESCOUK

www.cycle-world.co.uk
Serviced By -
Tel. 01479 870 050

LONGHAM, 01202 590414 Sales - Service - Setup - Repairs

RINGWOOD, 01425 470835

Gomm Road, High Wycombe, Bucks, HP13 7DJ

Telephone: (44) (0) 1494 530761
email: sales@adcal-labels.co.uk

adcal-labels.co.uk/labels/bicycle-retailers
 HELMETS

ULTRASPORT EUROPE UPGRADE

www.ultrasporteu.com upgradebikes.co.uk
Bern is best known for its Overades Plixi folding
urban range but will be helmet stores easily
making an entrance into without any concession
the road world with the to safety, comfort or
FL-1. Its a lightweight style. It boasts 14 vents,
aerodynamic design with an outer ABS hard shell
maximum ventilation and inner EPS shell,
and a multi-directional comfort foam padding
protection system (MIP). and adjustable straps
Ultrasport also carries on both sizes S/M
Carrera, including the (54-58cm) and L/XL (59-
Foldable Crit (84.99). 62cm). RRP is 79.99.

WINDWAVE ZYRO
www.windwave.co.uk www.zyrob2b.co.uk
BBBs Tithon is a sprint- Abus Urban-I Signal
worthy aerodynamic, but (64.99) has a re-
well ventilated, helmet. positioned LED rear light
Balancing aerodynamics and new large reectors.
and thermodynamics, Bells had big successes
these wind tunnel-tested with the Super and Super
helmets feature Airow 2R while incorporating
Cooling System (ACS) MIPS into wide price
and Venturi channelling points. Giro is a MIPS
for optimum airow, partner too, equipping
with airow padding lids from the Synthe to
optimised to cool heads. the kids Scamp.

CHICKEN CYCLEKIT CUBE

01525 381347 www.cube.eu/uk
The award-winning LAS Cubes latest helmets
Victory helmet is back feature Bluecore impact
for 2016 in a new array protection, with extra
of colours, but at a more safety on low-speed
aggressive, lower RRP of impact, the most
109.99. LAS products common in cycling.
are still made in Italy and The Cube vent system
the dealer margin is very ensures constant cooling
strong, were told, and while features like the
all models are enjoying magnetic Fidlock buckle
more competitive SRPs are simple to handle.
for 2016.

SILVERFISH MOORE LARGE

www.silversh-uk.com www.moorelarge.co.uk
Spiuk has kids and Alpina has excellent
adult helmets from margins, new styles and
26.95 to 169.95 for fresh colours for 2016.
the Aizea aero helmet. The RRPs are competitive
More modestly priced too. Moore Large also
at 39.95, the Spiuk distributes Apex, offering
Tamera helmet is suitable entry level to mid-range
for road or MTB use, is helmets for children,
lightweight, comfortable leisure, road, MTB and
and has 17 large vents in BMX. The enduro M470
a three-piece multi shell helmet has big vents and
design. Its available now. a 35.99 RRP.

BIKEBIZ.COM BIKEBIZ FEBRUARY 63

 THE ESSENTIAL
GUIDE TO RETAILERS,
SUPPLIERS AND SERVICES
If youd like to find
WITHIN THE CYCLE TRADE

out more or require

DOING MORE TO SUPPORT UK IBDS

B2B SERVICES
additional copies
HOME DELIVERY
YOU SELL IT,
WELL DELIVER IT.
EPOS FEED

GUARANTEED MARGINS
ONLINE PAYMENTS

WITH OUR UNIQUE MARGIN SUPPORT SERVICES

GROUPSET BUILDER

please contact
In association with HASSLE FREE WARRANTY SERVICES
GENERAL
rsetters@nbmedia.com
or call him on
WARRANTY TECHNICAL WARRANTY

PRICE MATCHING & FREE DELIVERY

b2b.fisheroutdoor.co.uk

020 7354 6000

2PURE PITBITZ LTD MOORE LARGE AND CO LTD

46c Bavelaw Road, Balerno, Edinburgh, EH147AE Unit 6 Thorpe Drive, Thorpe Way Industrial Estate, Sinfin Lane Industrial Estate, Sinfin Lane, Derby, DE24 9GL
Tel: 0844 811 2001 | Web: www.2pure.co.uk Banbury, Oxon, OX16 4UZ Tel: 01332 274252 | Web: www.moorelarge.co.uk
Tel: 01295 269333 | www.gazeboshop.co.uk
www.thebikeboxcompany.co.uk

ANSMANN UK NORTH SPORTS

e-BIKE centre, Unit 12, RO24, Harlow Business Park,
Harlow, Essex, CM19 5QB
Tel: 0870 609 2233 | Web: www.ansmann.co.uk
38 Kingston Avenue, Neilston, Glasgow, East Renfrewshire,
I-RIDE G783JG
7-8B Mid Sussex Business Park, Ditchling Common Tel: 07746 933795 | Web: www.northsports.co.uk
Industrial Estate, Folders Lane East, Ditchling,
Sussex, BN6 8SE
Tel: 01444 243000 | Web: www.i-ride.co.uk

BOB ELLIOT AND CO LTD PALIGAP LTD

Unit C4 Binary Court, Matrix Park, Western Avenue,
Buckshaw Village, Chorley, PR7 7NB
Tel: 01772 459 887 | Web: www.bob-elliot.co.uk
Unit 2 Danbury House, Great Western Park, Armstrong
Way, Yate, Bristol, BS37 5NG
JUNGLE PRODUCTS LTD Tel: 01454 313 116 | Web: www.paligapltd.co.uk
Unit 3, The Cedar, New York Mills, Summerbridge, HG3 4LA
Tel: 01423 780088 | Web: www.jungleproducts.co.uk
www.santacruzbikes.co.uk

CONTINENTAL RALEIGH UK LTD

North Parade, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, Wales, SY23 2JR
Tel: 01970 626777 | Web: www.conti-tyres.co.uk
M & J DISTRIBUTORS LTD
Unit A, Hanix Buildings, Windmill Lane, Denton,
Manchester, M34 3SP
Tel: 0161 337 9600 | Web: www.mjdist.co.uk
Church Street, Eastwood, Nottingham, NG16 3HT
Tel: 01773 532600
Web: www.raleigh.co.uk | www.cyclelife.com
www.diamondback.co.uk

CYCLEMILES
9 Queen Annes Drive, Havant, PO93PG
Tel: 02392 455 355 | Web: www.cyclemiles.co.uk REECE CYCLES PLC
100 Alcester Street, Birmingham, B12 0QB
MAXXIS TYRES Tel: 0121 622 0180 | Web: www.reececycles.co.uk
Unit 3 Cobalt Centre, Siskin Parkway East, Middlemarch
Business Park, Coventry, CV34PE
Tel: 024 7688 9775 | Web: www.maxxis.com
DYNAMO COVER
Drake House, Plymouth Road, Penarth, CF64 3TP
Tel: 0333 358 33 20 | Web: www.dynamocover.com RUBENA
Unit N & M, Tyburn Trading Estate, Ashfold Farm Raod,
Birmingham, West Midlands, B24 9QG
MDI LIMITED Tel: 0800 281413 | Web: www.rubenacycle.co.uk
Unit 4, Wellington Point, Amy Johnson Way, Blackpool
Business Park, Blackpool, FY42RG
Tel: 01253 343090 | Web: www.mdib2b.co.uk
EBCO
5 Pegasus House, Olympus Ave, Warwick, CV34 6LW
Tel: +01926 437700 | Web: www.ebco-ebikes.co.uk
SCHWALBE TYRES UK LTD
Schwalbe Centre, Hortonwood 30, Telford,
Shropshire, TF1 7ET
MEALOR-CLARKE CYCLE SPARES LTD Tel: 01952602680 | Web: www.schwalbe.co.uk
Unit 1, Eastlands Road, Leiston, Suffolk, IP16 4LL
Tel: 01728830055/01728605970
EDCO COMPONENTS
Web: www.mealorclarkecyclespares.com
North Parade, Aberystwyth, Wales, SY23 2JR
Tel: 01970 626777 | Web: www.edco-wheels.co.uk

SILVERFISH UK LTD
Unit 3C and 3B Woodacre Court, Saltash Parkway Industrial
Estate, Burraton Road, Saltash, Cornwall, PL12 6LY
MERIDA BICYCLES LTD Tel: 01752 843882 | Web: www.silverfish-uk.com
Unit 13, Nottingham South and Wilford Industrial Estate,
FISHER OUTDOOR LEISURE LIMITED
Ruddington Lane, Wilford, Nottingham, NG11 7EP
8/9 Brick Knoll Park, Ashley Road, St Albans, Herts, AL1 5UG
Tel: 0115 981 7788 | Web: www.merida.com
Tel: 01727 798345 | Web: www.fisheroutdoor.co.uk
The BikeBiz Directory 2016 is out now, providing the industry with a must-have
guide to the UKs retailers, distributors, manufacturers and related businesses.
EVENT ORGANISERS, ORGANISATIONS, RETAILERS,
DISTRIBUTION AND E-COMMERCE AND MARKETING, PR AND MEDIA AND SERVICES AND
HOSTING, HOLIDAY MANUFACTURERS CHARITIES AND WORKSHOPS AND
WHOLESALE EPOS CONSULTANCY PUBLISHING TRAINING
AND HIRE ASSOCIATIONS MAIL ORDER

THE CYCLE DIVISION HARDNUTZ VELOTECH SERVICES LTD

Unit 27 Gatehouse Enterprise Centre, Albert Street, Unit 8 Rocheview off Millhead Way, Purdeys Industrial 26-27 Western Road, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire,
Lockwood, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, HD1 3QD Estate, Rochford, Essex, SS4 1LB CV37 0AH
Tel: 01484 456137 | Web: www.thecycledivision.com Tel: 01702 530090 | Web: www.hardnutz.com Tel: 0845 475 5339 | Web: www.velotechservices.co.uk

WINDWAVE MAVIC WELDTITE PRODUCTS LTD

Unit D2 and D3 Heritage Business Park, Heritage Way, Theta Building, Lyon Way, Frimley, Surrey, GU16 7ER Unit 9 Harrier Road, Humber Bridge Industrial Estate,
Gosport, Hampshire, PO12 4BG Tel: 01276 404870 | Web: www.mavic.com Barton-on-Humber, Lincs, DN18 5RP
Tel: 02392 521912 | Web: www.windwave.co.uk Tel: 01652 660000 | Web: www.weldtite.co.uk

MAXXIS TYRES
ZYRO LTD Unit 3 Cobalt Centre, Siskin Parkway East, Middlemarch X-BIONIC
Roundhouse Road, Faverdale Industrial Estate, Darlington, Business Park, Coventry, CV34PE Trer Innovation s.r.l. Unipersonale
DL30UR Tel: 024 7688 9775 | Web: www.maxxis.com Via Parma, 70 C. 46041 Asola (MN). Italy
Tel: 01325 741200 Tel: +39 0376 718623 | Web: www.x-bionic.com
Web: www.zyro.co.uk | www.zyrob2b.co.uk

MET HELMETS / BLUEGRASS

22-24 Ely Place, London, EC1N6TE CYCLING SCOTLAND
BIKE SOUP Tel: 0207 1937 496 | Web: www.met-helmets.com 24 Blythswood Square, Glasgow, G2 4BG
55a North Wharf Road, London, W2 1LA Tel: 0141 229 5350 | Web: www.cyclingscotland.org
Tel: 020 7298278 | Web: www.bikesoup.com

insuring the UKs cycle retailers

MITAS
CYCLEGUARD INSURANCE
Tyburn Trading Estate, Ashold Farm Road, Erdington,
THE CYCLE SHOW Southgate house, Southgate Street, Gloucester, GL1 1UB
Birmingham, B24 9QG
58 White Lion Street, Islington, London, N1 9PP Tel: 0844 826 2297 | Web: www.cycleguard.co.uk
Tel: 0800 281 413 | Web: www.mitascycle.com
Tel: 020 7288 6733 | Web: www.cycleshow.co.uk

ONE WAY DISTRIBUTION

ASSOS
Tel: 0031 10345 3510 | Web: shop.o-w-d.nl
57 Farringdon Road, London, EC1M 3JB
Tel: 0203 2862225 | Web: www.assos.com

QUELLA
Unit 1 & 2 Breckenwood Road, Fulbourn, Cambridgeshire,
BUFFERA LIMITED
CB21 5DQ
Cranbourne House, Cranbourne Road, Potters Bar,
Tel: 01223 782 039 | Web: www.quellabicycle.com
Hertfordshire, EN6 3JN
Tel: +01920 460754 | Web: www.buffwear.co.uk BikeBiz Directory 2016 is now
available to view online at
www.bikebiz.com
ROZONE LIMITED DISTRIBUTION AND WHOLESALE
IMPORTERS, DISTRIBUTORS AND WHOLESALERS
DISTRIBUTION AND WHOLESALE
IMPORTERS, DISTRIBUTORS AND WHOLESALERS

DARE2B 2WT Ltd All-City

Queen Street, Darlaston, Wednesbury, West Midlands. 63 Baddow Hall Crescent, Chelmsford, CM2 7BX
Tel: 07885 788203
6400 West 105TH Street, Bloomington, USA,
MN 55438

Unit 8-9 Mercury Park, Mercury Way, Urmston,

Web: www.2wtuk.com Tel: 1-888-4AC-BIKE
Web: www.allcitycycles.com

WS10 8JB
2x2 Worldwide
Unit 6, Hall End Business Park, Dordon, Tamworth, Always Riding Ltd
Staffs, B78 1SX Riverside Business Centre, Haldone Place,

Manchester, M41 7LY

Tel: 01827 331099 London, SW18 4UQ
Web: www.2x2worldwide.com Web: www.alwaysriding.co.uk

Tel: 0121 526 8181 | Web: www.rozone.co.uk 4 Down Distribution

Unit 6 North Ridge Business Park, Haywood Way,
Amba Marketing (UK) Ltd
5 Budlake Units, Budlake Road, Marsh Barton,

Tel: 0844 811 2939 | Web: www.dare2b.com

Hastings, East Sussex, TN35 4PP EX2 8PY
Tel: 01424 433 074 Tel: 01392 829903
Web: www.4downdistribution.com Web: www.amba-marketing.com

50cycles Andy BrayAgencies T/A Gearmechhanger.com Assos

Unit M, Little Moor Lane, Loughborough, 36 Middlecroft Lane, Gosport, Hampshire, 57 Farringdon Road, London, EC1M 3JB
Leicestershire, LE11 1SF PO12 3DJ Tel: 0203 2862225
Tel: 01509 217775 Tel: 07896 124968 Web: www.assos.com
Web: www.50cycles.com Web: www.gearmechhanger.com
ATB Sales Ltd
Whitworth Road, St Leonards on Sea, East Sussex,
A TN37 7PZ
Action Cameras Tel: 01424 753566
The Light Box, PC127, 112 Power Road, London, Web: www.atb-sales.co.uk
# W4 5PY Ansmann UK
2 Wheel Distribution GmbH & Co. KG Tel: 02089657680 e-BIKE centre, Unit 12, RO24, Harlow Business
Erich Blum Str. 33, D 71665 Vaihingen an der Enz, Web: www.actioncameras.co.uk Park, Harlow, Essex, CM19 5QB Atom Cycles
Germany Tel: 0870 609 2233 Unit 2, Kirkburn Industrial Estate, Lockerbie,
Tel: +49(0)7042289000 Web: www.ansmann.co.uk DG11 2SE
Web: www.2wheel-distribution.com Action Cameras Limited Tel: 01576 203611
Unit 36 Park Royal Business Centre, 9-17 Park Web: www.atomcycles.com
Royal Road, London, NW10 7LQ AOB Distribution
2 Wheel Electric Tel: 020 89657679 57 Exeter Road, Kingsteighton, Newton Abbot,
Haskins Garden Centre, Mansbridge Road, West Web: www.actioncameras.co.uk Devon Autostrada Engineering
End, Southampton, Hampshire, SO18 3HW Tel: 07596 100615 Forge Farm, Forge Lane, Footherley, Staffs,
Tel: 02380476929 Web: www.aobdistribution.com WS14 0HU
Web: www.2wheelelectric.co.uk Active Life Logistics Tel: 01543 483155/483225
The Barn, Structons Heath Farm, Great Witley,
Worcestershire, WR6 6JA Assess Todociclismo S.A
Tel: 01299 890101 Mitre 972, San Jose, Guillen Avocet Sports Ltd
Web: www.activelifelogistics.co.uk Tel: 054-261-4456639 Unit 7 and 8 Shield Drive, Wardley Industrial
Estate, Worsley, Manchester, M28 2QB
2pure Tel: 0161 727 8508

SEE.SENSE (LIMEFORGE LTD)

All Round Wheels (Wholesale) Ltd Assist Creative Resources Ltd Web: www.coyote-sports.com (B2B) and
46c Bavelaw Road, Balerno, Edinburgh, Unit 7 Ash Road South, Wrexham Ind Est,
EH147AE Unit 020 Gracechurch Centre, Sutton Coldfield, www.avocetsports.co.uk (Consumer)
West Midlands, B72 1PH Wrexham, LL13 9UG
Tel: 0844 811 2001 Tel: 01978 664743

FREEGO ELECTRIC BIKES

Web: www.2pure.co.uk Tel: 0121 354 5451
Web: www.assist.co.uk Axel Imports Ltd
4 Wimborne Road, Poole, Dorset, BH15 2BU

Sketrick House, Jubilee Road, Newtownards, BT23 4YH Tel: 01202 785864
Web: www.axelimports.co.uk

3 St Denys Rd, Southampton SO17 2GN Tel: 02891 800536 | Web: www.seesense.cc
BIKEBIZ DIRECTORY 8 BIKEBIZ.COM BIKEBIZ.COM 9 BIKEBIZ DIRECTORY

Tel :0800 077 8711

 MARKETPLACE TO ADVERTISE IN THESE PAGES PLEASE CONTACT
RSETTERS@NBMEDIA.COM OR CALL 0207 354 6000

BIKES & ACCESSORIES BIKES & ACCESSORIES

BIKES & ACCESSORIES BIKES & ACCESSORIES

66 BIKEBIZ FEBRUARY BIKEBIZ.COM

 MARKETPLACE
BIKES & ACCESSORIES BIKES & ACCESSORIES

BIKES & ACCESSORIES BIKES & ACCESSORIES

FREE
SHIPPING
on all parts via www.madisonb2b.co.uk

Hangers, BB solutions, Bearing presses,

Sealed bearings and Workshop solutions
6USPULOHUNLYUKLY!www.wheelsmfg.co.uk

BIKEBIZ.COM BIKEBIZ FEBRUARY 67

 MARKETPLACE TO ADVERTISE IN THESE PAGES PLEASE CONTACT
RSETTERS@NBMEDIA.COM OR CALL 0207 354 6000

BIKES & ACCESSORIES BIKES & ACCESSORIES

CARRIER BAGS & GENERAL PRINT CUSTOM CLOTHING & ACCESSORIES

CUSTOM CLOTHING CUSTOM BOTTLES CUSTOM SOCKS

CUSTOM CAPS CUSTOM MUSETTES CUSTOM PHONEPACS

Wildoo is the only UK

based supplier that can
offer a full range of quality
custom cycling products.

www.wildoo.co.uk
info@wildoo.co.uk
As worn by
01908 374555 Team Mule Bar Girl Sigma Sport

68 BIKEBIZ FEBRUARY BIKEBIZ.COM

 MARKETPLACE
BIKES & ACCESSORIES BIKES & ACCESSORIES

DEALER MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS EPOS & ECOMMERCE

BIKEBIZ.COM BIKEBIZ FEBRUARY 69

 MARKETPLACE TO ADVERTISE IN THESE PAGES PLEASE CONTACT
RSETTERS@NBMEDIA.COM OR CALL 0207 354 6000

GIFT VOUCHERS, TROPHIES & GENERAL PRINT TYRES & TUBES

WEBSITE SERVICES WEBSITE SERVICES

70 BIKEBIZ FEBRUARY BIKEBIZ.COM


Is there a CREDIT BOOM on the way?
With Amazon among the many retailers seeing the value in finance and offering a new credit package for its
customers, the ACT explains the impact finance can have as a sales tool for bike shops...
ACCORDING TO Mintel, 75 per
cent of customers make their
decision on where to shop based
on whether interest free credit is
readily available.
Over 50 per cent of UK
consumers have taken out some
sort of retail credit in the last year,
so its no surprise that Mintel
reports that the retail credit market
is booming. The market is
predicted to grow by 12 per cent
over the next five years, to 63
billion, as more businesses start
offering credit to meet their
customers needs.
In a separate report focusing on
bicycle sales, Mintel has highlighted
the increasing recognition that you
get what you pay for, suggesting
higher priced bikes are likely to see
sales growth over the coming years.
When looking to buy these higher
BIKEBIZ.COM
priced bikes, finance will be key to wanting to spread the cost even if
determining how much customers it means that they are paying more
can really afford. in the long run.
These reports clearly show that In the cycles market, retail
offering finance has a direct impact finance is already a key sales tool,
on customer purchasing decisions with the ACTs Ride it away retail
and spending behaviour, helping to finance now available in over 800
drive sales. stores across the UK, accounting
Finance applications
were up 64 per cent in
the first half of 2015.
ACT
Retail giants can see the for sales in excess of 60 million
potential, with Amazon becoming each year.
the latest to announce a pay The scheme is run in partnership
monthly option. Offering an with V12 Retail Finance, whose own
interest rate of 16.9 per cent APR, research agrees with Mintels,
Amazon are tapping into the reporting a significant rise in the
growing number of consumers number of finance applications for
BIKE SHOP TOOLS
cycle sales and accessories up 64
per cent in the first half of 2015
compared like-for-like with 2014.
Start offering Ride it away today
and take advantage of the growing
number of consumers looking to
purchase on finance. Visit ACT at
iceBike* call 01273 427 700 or go
to rideitaway.biz to find out more.
Already offering finance? Visit the
ACT stand at iceBike* to pick up
your free Ride it Away point of sale
pack worth 20 (while stocks last).
Plus, find out just how simple
offering finance can be at the
iceBike* seminar. Whether youre
new to finance and want to see
how it can work for your business
or youve been offering it for years
and want some tips on how to drive
more sales come along a find out
more from the experts.
www.rideitaway.biz
BIKEBIZ FEBRUARY 71
OFF TRACK
IN THE SADDLE
Andrew Ashworth,
UK Wholesale Manager,
Science In Sport
How many bikes do you own?
I am a huge fan of restoring old Reynolds steel
frames and giving them a modern twist, and I
own four bikes in total plus a unicycle! I made
two of these steel bikes after the birth of my two
children and their names are adorned on the
downtube. These bikes are great fun for a sunny
day, or popping to the pub or chippy on. I love
my racey, Italian bikes for a more responsive ride
when Im out riding with my group.
Where are your favourite places to ride?
Some say I am blessed, I say cursed, but from
my home in Oldham Im on the doorsteps of
the Pennines and some notorious climbs such as
Crag Vale which always test me. I have ridden
bikes of all types in lots of places but a at,
fast sportive in Holland prior to the 2010 TDF
stays in my mind for the lovely weather and the
fast, at rolling pace. Friends in the trade will
acknowledge that I am known to get lost on rides
from time to time (one time was about four hours
spent in the wilderness!)
Whats your background in the business?
Since school I have been involved in the cycle/
tri/running business having owned my own
independent retail store, but it really started
eight years ago when I joined Science in Sport.
Through the cycling background I have travelled,
met and worked with inspirational sportspeople
and cycling enthusiasts, done things and been
to places that I would never even imagined and
all this has given me great grounding for the
position I hold now at Science in Sport.
What does your role involve at SiS?
Since joining the business I have always been
passionate about the independent retailer and
how we can love and support them more in this
developing and challenging category. I am UK
wholesale manager so I work with our extensive
I N A S S O C I AT I O N
W I T H E R G O N
72 BIKEBIZ FEBRUARY
SKY DRIVES INTO
NEW DEAL
NO DOUBT keen to grow its cycle credentials,
Ford has signed a new multi-year partnership
agreement with Team Sky as the elite cycling
teams exclusive supplier of cars and vans. The
deal starts early 2016 and that distinctive blue
and black livery will deck out Ford Mondeo
Wagons, Kugas and other assorted vehicles for
the Tour de France, Giro dItalia, Vuelta a Espaa
and more top level races.
www.teamsky.com
network of distributors and independent retailers
to ensure that Science in Sport remains category
leader in endurance sports nutrition within
stores. I work alongside our marketing team to
ensure we have eye catching point of sale and
campaigns running in store and that we have
an engaging presence at trade shows. Between
myself and our wholesale clients we construct a
robust, category-leading promotional planner
to encourage a high rate of sales for retailers,
the availability of products, the visibility of the
brand and the importance of nutrition in store
and the communication of promotion currently
being run. From 2015 retailer feedback we have
implemented retail-only SKUs for 2016 which will
give independents a unique selling proposition.
What projects are keeping you busy?
Planning for trade shows is always a big one
MUC-OFF LUBES
as we always want to offer our retailers a more
exciting experience with the brand than in SPEED RACERS
previous times. Science in Sport is delighted
to be ofcial nutritional supplier to Team
Sky as of 2016 so our activation of this with
our independent retailers is key for me and
throughout the summer we will be giving retailers
free Ofcial Team Sky bottles to use as a gift
with purchase, to assist with their rate of sales
throughout the key months of the tour.
How can retailers get in touch with SiS?
They are more than welcome to contact
myself or their representative from our cycle
distributors, Madison, Bob Elliot, Moore Large
SIR BRADLEY Wiggins cracked the hour record at
and Chicken CycleKit. Starting in February
the London Olympic Velodrome in June and now
2016, to support the independent retailer, we Australian Bridie ODonnell is having a go at the
have a retail communications manager to be Womens Fastest Hour Record in the Adelaide
a point of contact here at SiS based solely for Super Dome. ODonnell is riding as this mag goes
the independents. This is a brand new position to press, so youll know better than us if she has
to provide all communication on promotions, been successful, but we can conrm that Muc-off
campaigns and all things new and exciting at SiS. is working with the hopeful rider and providing
Their number is 01282 440980. a high performance chain treated with the same
winning formula as used by Wiggo. Muc-Off aims
to be the lubrication partner for both the male
and female Fastest Hour record holders, it said.
ODonnell will be attempting over 186 laps of the
250m track in 60 minutes.
muc-off.com
BIKEBIZ.COM
 OFF TRACK

RUTLAND WIN IT
FOR THE FAMILY
THE RUTLAND Cycling clan has picked up a
Retail Excellence Award at the Family Business
Awards and narrowly missed picking up a brace,
with director Sally Middlemiss being highly
commended in the Director of the Year (under
40) category. The family scored the Retail prize
after a gruelling panel interview, impressing
Stephen Holt, Commercial Director
business leaders from the likes of Speedo, Boots
Opticians and PwC. Pictured centre are directors
David and Sally Middlemiss with Elaine Rowlands CYCLESCHEME AS
(left) Category Sponsor PCMS and Annabel Prow
(right) CEO of The Wilson Organisation. Read
more about Rutland Cycling on page 31.
A TENDER METHOD
2015 was a challenging year for many within bike through Cyclescheme 70 per cent of
www.familybusinessawards.co.uk
the bike industry. Like you, we are working whom were brand new cyclists there are
hard to deliver a great service by adapting still big growth opportunities available with
and evolving our offer. There are many customers that would not necessarily shop in
stores doing exactly this, focusing on what your store.
they do best, engaging with us more and In 2015 Cyclescheme continued to
readjusting to the challenges of last year. invest to support you, our retailer network.
Where stores have given greater focus We improved our B2B site, installing
to the cycle to work market, sales have new features to help stores to increase
grown signicantly. With higher than exposure online, to search for employers,
normal transaction values and increasingly to create and email quotes to employees
quick processing of requests and and to measure how well your business is
speedy payments, we want you to view performing with us.
Cyclescheme as a third method of tender There are still hundreds of thousands of
alongside cash and retail nance. employers around the UK who do not offer
The cycle to work market is well a cycle to work scheme to their staff. Please
established and many customers are now help us to continue to spread the word, and

#BICYCLES aware of its existence. But with over half a

million people in just a decade getting a
make 2016 the year you view Cyclescheme
as your third method of tender.

CHANGELIVES Stephen Holt is commercial director of Cyclescheme, the UKs leading provider of
tax-free bikes for work. You can reach him on Twitter @cycleschemeltd

QUOTE UNQUOTE
For more on these stories, head to www.BikeBiz.com

Its become increasingly hard to give the

QHUBEKA IS the World Bicycle Reliefs journal the time it needs, and wed never
programme operating in South Africa, mobilising
people with bicycles, which can cut school want to let the quality drop.
travel times by up to 75 per cent, increasing The Ride Journals editor Philip Diprose tells BikeBiz
student attendance and academic performance why the title is resting after issue ten.
signicantly. During Christmas, helmet brand Met
did its bit for the worthy cause by auctioning off
Steve Cummings and Daniel Teklehaimanots
Rivale race helmets, raising 735 through auctions
enough to fund eight bicycles and impact on Sponsored by the brands of
the lives of over 40 people. Moore Large 01332 274252
bicycleschangelives.org

BIKEBIZ.COM BIKEBIZ FEBRUARY 73

SPOKESMAN

Market segmentation is a
sign of market softening
A horric three months and appalling summer said retailers
in the BikeBiz Retail Survey. And with a glut of bikes things may
not get better soon, worries Carlton Reid.

THE UK bike industry, famously market segmentation isnt a sign

and rather stupidly, doesnt have
any ofcial sales statistics so what
follows could be totally wide of the
mark. Or there might be outliers,
you could be one of them, which
prove that for every rule theres
an exception. But I dont think Im
going out on much of a limb by
saying market conditions are pants.
I know some suppliers are saying
theyre having the best time ever
and I welcome their enthusiasm
but in the last three or four months
Ive not talked to a bike retailer,
online or bricks-and-mortar, whos
saying the same (new ones dont
count). The last six months have
been dire at bike retail. Mind you,
mainstream retail isnt doing any
better. Consumers are not just
ocking online or seeking out
bargains in the New Year sales,
theyre expecting bargains all year
round. Partly this is the fault of a
dislocating and shape-shifting retail
scene, for all sectors, but its also
the fault of some retailers who,
because of the shape-shifting, have
been training consumers to expect
non-stop bargains. The cycle trade
isnt immune to this. One leading
independent chain seems to have a
best ever sale every fortnight.
As we dont have any reliable
sales stats (although the Bicycle
Association is working on knocking
heads together, and theres the
BikeBiz Retail Survey, which quizzes
100 retailers) lets look at the US
bike market. Their sales stats arent
perfect but theyre light years
ahead of ours. The UK market for
bikes is similar in many ways to
the US market for bikes, and when
the US has a glut of bikes we tend
BY WHAT PERCENTAGE HAVE YOUR ANNUAL
PROFITS INCREASED OR DECLINED YEAR-ON-YEAR?
One mark-down too many and you
might as well pay consumers to ride
away on their bargain buys.
to have the same. (Not always, of
course, but the cliche that when
American sneezes Britain catches
a cold seems to hold true for bikes.)
SportsOneSource of the US
an news site for the cycle, ski
and outdoor trades is reporting
suppliers inventories of bicycles
were running much higher than
usual. The site quoted data from
the Bicycle Product Suppliers
Association, which represents
bicycle, P&A and service suppliers.
In the US, like in the UK, 2015
started off positively, but poor
weather, and a slew of other
factors, put a dampener on. By
the end of the year suppliers were
faced with a glut of MY 2016 bikes.
According to Felts Michael
Forte, chair of the BPSA Statistics
Committee, the unscheduled
warehousing is set to continue.
Q Up 50% or more 4.5%
Q Up 30% to 50% 8.9%
Q Up 10% to 30% 16.1%
Q Not much change 25.9%
Q Down 10% to 30% - 41.1%
Q Down 30% to 50% 2.7%
Q Down 50% or more 0.9%
Inventory was pretty low at
the end of last year, and the good
results of Q1 and 2 and long lead
times caused many manufacturers
to order more aggressively. When
sales started dropping off in the
third and fourth quarter, it was too
late. Manufacturers had already
placed their orders.
Data from the Taiwan Bicycle
Association backs up the bike-
glut assessment. It estimates
that its members shipped 26.3
percent more bikes to the US in
the rst nine months of the year.
But there werent just more bikes
arriving despite softening demand,
there were also more lines than
ever. New bike categories,
such as gravel and fat bikes, are
complicating the retail offering
at exactly the wrong time. Yes,
innovate or die, but excessive
of strength its a sign of weakness.
(Disclaimer: gravel bikes are great,
and fat bikes probably have their
uses, somewhere snowy maybe, or
if your shops near a beach.)
What should retailers bank on?
26-inch bikes, 27-inch, 27.5-inch,
comfort road bikes, bikepacking-
bikes, gravel folding e-unicycles?
Nobody knows what to buy and
the supplier needs to take the risk
because lead times are six months,
said Forte. In some cases we are
guessing wrong.
Naturally, retailers are none too
keen on sucking up the excess of
inventory, especially as margins
are so tight on bikes anyway. One
mark-down too many and you may
as well pay consumers to ride away
on their bargain buys.
With retailers not playing ball,
suppliers will be sitting on an awful
lot of stock; stock that will wiggle
its way out to consumers via online
sales. Great for some discounters
and for consumers, but bad for the
industry if discount season extends
into drop time for MY17, in May.
The temptation will be for
even price-stable retailers to bag
bargains from inventory-stuffed
suppliers and pass on some of
those discounts to consumers. This
could conrm in consumers minds
that its always best to hold out
for deals, knocking the traditional
sales pattern out of kilter. Now,
this is alarmist stuff and a warm,
dry Easter could make these words
sound foolish but there does seem
to be an awareness from consumers
trained as they are by the likes
of Lidl that full retail could
become a concept from the past.

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74 BIKEBIZ FEBRUARY BIKEBIZ.COM

 Committed to Supporting Our Specialist Retail Partners

NEOS Cycling is different. Different because what we do and the way we do it is NEW.

- We strive to provide fantastic products for riders

- We work exclusively with Specialist Independent Retailers
- We aim to catch online consumers and drive them into your store

Stunning, quality tools for

different budgets. Why not The most beautifully machined
enhance your tool kit with pumps in the business, packed
JCOOLs amazing pre set full of pressure and super reliable
torque sleeves gauge and valve tech

Finally, amazingly cool mudguards

8LIRIWXVYFFIV]SYGERVMHI that look great on amazingly cool
Arisun may be new to market
bikes
but their technology and
performance is unquestionable

Why youd want to be a NEOS retailer

- ;ITVSZMHISYVVIXEMPTEVXRIVW[MXLJERXEWXMGTVSXQEVKMRWSREPPSYVTVSHYGXW
- You receive commission on all our direct-to-consumer sales transacted within your exclusive postcode territory
- We push consumers to your door for clickncollect and face to face service
- We are currently developing more service platforms to drive more footfall to you store

Please get in touch to learn more about NEOS and become a retail partner Visit us on Stand No. LB1251

NEOS CYCLING
info@neoscycling.co.uk 01279 315780 PO Box 12166
CM23 9JH

facebook.com/neoscycling
twitter.com/neoscycling www.neoscycling.co.uk
@neoscycling
 Returning for its tenth year
with a bang!
Arena:MK, Milton Keynes, MK1 1SP
With some of the biggest cycling parts and accessory brands in the UK exhibiting
and offering exclusive show deals, this is not an event to be missed!
Registration also includes entry to Sportline show.
Last years iceBike* saw record breaking numbers visit the show, and this year is
set to be bigger and better than ever before and shouldnt be missed.
Register to attend at www.iceBike.co.uk

iceBike* Talks and

Accommodation
Subsidised rooms will be available
at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel
(MK1 1ST), next to the iceBike*
venue. As always, there will be a 50
charge per person, per night.
For more details visit: www.icebike.
co.uk
Transport to
iceBike*
FREE on-site parking is available
at Arena:MK and the DoubleTree by
Hilton hotel (next to the arena). For
more details and directions by car,
rail, bicycle and air visit: www.icebike.
co.uk/directions
Presentations
Why Shimano STEPS should be
your number 1 choice for E-Bikes
Retailing clothing - Getting it right
Bike assembly in your retail
business with Calvin Jones
Social Media - Making it work for
your shop
In-store: Merchandising and
Promotions that make a difference
Sports Nutrition - The easy sell
New for 2016
Kryptonite bike lock up - a free,
secure, on-site bike storage for those
wishing to cycle to the show.

For more information visit www.iceBike.co.uk Free access to the Sportline Show with iceBike*