Ray Keener

Ray is a long-time friend of Bicycle Retailer and writes occasional columnsm blogs and articles for the website and magazine.

Ray's background includes stints as a bike retailer, executive director of the Bicycle Industry Organization, editor of a trade magazine, founder of Growth Cycle and now executive director of the Bicycle Product Suppliers Association.

All articles by Ray Keener

December 28, 2023
Resilient retailers soldier on into 2024.

Our industry is awash in bad news. As we publish this in December, and Christmas layaways already a distant memory, it's certain that 2023 will turn out to be the worst sales year this century when corrected for inflation.

Posted in Industry News
April 14, 2023

(BRAIN) —Rob Einaudi hadn’t worked in a bike shop since the mid-1990s. After a couple decades of experience with automotive marketplaces and communities, this lifelong avid cyclist was looking for a way back into the bike industry.

Posted in Industry News
February 8, 2023

While the industry strives to diversify its audience and product offerings to become more inclusive, Marley Blonsky and her organization All Bodies on Bikes are taking the lead to welcome and include riders of all sizes.

Posted in Opinion/Analysis
October 21, 2022

BOULDER, Colo. (BRAIN) — E-bike sales in the U.S. have grown 300% in the past five years. More and more retailers are saying, "E-bikes are our future." Despite the rosy glow around the category, there are concerns among the movement's leaders. So let's take a look at the five challenges that lie ahead.

Posted in Industry News
October 12, 2022
Summit attendees riding Truckee/Tahoe National Forest trails open to class 1 eMTBs

LAKE TAHOE, Calif. (BRAIN) — PeopleForBikes is urging land managers to allow the use of Class 1 e-bikes — but no other e-bikes — on all non-motorized, natural surface trails (including singletrack mountain biking trails) where traditional bicycles are allowed.

Posted in Industry News
September 27, 2022
Photo by Darren Coles

Ray Keener offers more tips for quick bike fits for everyday riders.

Posted in Product/Tech
September 19, 2022

Ray Keener offers some quick tips for quick bike fits for everyday riders.

Posted in Product/Tech
September 16, 2022

As consumer demand tapered off (how could it not?) and pandemic back-orders came trickling (or flooding) onto shop floors, some discounting became inevitable.

Posted in Retail News
August 22, 2022
Splitrock Tap & Wheel benefited from opening in April 2020.

BOULDER, Colo. (BRAIN) — After nearly 50% sales increase industry-wide from 2019 levels in 2020 and 2021, most retailers were sitting on more cash than ever before. With no inventory available for replenishment, that cash was invested in creative ways. And as we review windfalls, we must keep in mind the corresponding human costs involved.

Posted in Retail News
August 15, 2022

LOUISVILLE, Colo. (BRAIN) — Who else can claim the varied and impactful career accomplishments of Lennard Zinn? Zinn Cycles has sold more than 2,000 frames and complete bikes in every conceivable size and five frame materials. He's sold more than 800,000 Zinn and the Art of ... repair books. He's been an editor and contributor to numerous publications, primarily VeloNews.

Posted in Industry News

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