Steve Frothingham

Steve is in his second stint at BRAIN. He was here at the beginning in 1992 while still working for a bike shop in Santa Fe, N.M. He wrote several articles for BRAIN's first issue and later joined the staff, eventually becoming managing editor and then executive editor.

After leaving BRAIN in 1997 he worked for several news organizations including The Associated Press and VeloNews before rejoining BRAIN as web editor in 2011.

He is based in Longmont, Colorado, and is an enthusiastic (and slow) road, mountain bike and cyclocross rider.

sfrothingham@bicycleretailer.com
/twitter.com/#!/stevefroth

All articles by Steve Frothingham

US Customs will detain bikes made by Giant over forced-labor allegations

September 24, 2025
UPDATED with Giant response.

WASHINGTON (BRAIN) — Customs and Border Protection on Wednesday said it will detain bikes, bike parts and accessories made by Giant in Taiwan because of allegations of forced-labor use. The ruling appears to apply to products sold under Giant's brands or produced by Giant in Taiwan for other brands.

Posted in International

Taichung report: The industry enters 'the danger zone'

September 23, 2025
Trade concerns and continued discounting dampen the industry's outlook.
A model factory at Giant's Cycling Culture Museum, adjacent to its new headquarters.

TAICHUNG, Taiwan (BRAIN) — As the industry gathered here last week for Taichung Bike Week, a low-key but important OE event, companies are struggling with pockets of high inventory, pervasive fear of discounting, wars that are disrupting supply chains and markets, historically high U.S. tariffs, and high fuel costs in Europe, among other disruptions.

Posted in International

Firsthand to launch framebuilding classes in 2026

September 9, 2025

PORTLAND, Ore. (BRAIN) — Firsthand Framebuilding, which sells framebuilding supplies including Reynolds steel and titanium tubing, will launch a series of framebuilding classes next year.

Posted in Industry News

Threatened tariffs caused spike in Chinese bike imports in July

September 4, 2025

WASHINGTON (BRAIN) — After a decline in Chinese bike imports in June, the industry made a sudden 128% increase in July, likely in a bid to get ahead of a triple-digit tariff that was expected to take effect in early August, but which the Trump administration delayed at the last minute.

Posted in Industry News

Is India a new source for mass market bikes in the US? Well, it was ...

September 4, 2025
Getty image of bicycle in India.

WASHINGTON (BRAIN) — The U.S. mass market bike industry began looking to India as a supply source this year, with U.S. bike imports from the country — while still small relative to other major nations — up 98% in value this year through July, according to figures released Thursday.

Posted in International

Trailer and helmet tariff exclusions extended again

September 2, 2025

WASHINGTON (BRAIN) — China-made helmets and bike trailers with aluminum frames will remain exempt from a 7.5% Section 301 tariff through the end of November.

Posted in Industry News

Euro-Asia Imports is closing, future of its vast inventory to be announced soon

August 22, 2025

LA CRESCENTA, Calif. (BRAIN) — Specialist distributor Euro-Asia Imports is closing down after more than 50 years selling mostly high-end parts for road, touring and fixed gear bikes.

Posted in Industry News

New ruling will add steel tariff costs to imported e-bikes and trainers

August 18, 2025
Bunch Bikes imports steel-framed e-cargo bikes.

WASHINGTON (BRAIN) — The steel used in e-bikes, indoor trainers, exercycles and some hand tools is now subject to the Trump administration's Section 232 tariffs, which are up to 50%.

Posted in Industry News

Strong Taiwan dollar contributes to first-half profit declines at Merida and Ideal

August 14, 2025
The YT Industries restructuring in Germany exposes Taiwan bike makers Ideal and Kenstone to loss risks.

DACUN TOWNSHIP, Taiwan (BRAIN) — Taiwan bike makers Merida Industries and Ideal Bike are each reporting first-half comprehensive losses as the Taiwan dollar gains strength against most currencies. Giant and Shimano also have recently blamed poor earnings reports, in part, on exchange rates.

Posted in International

Fuell assets go to auction, disappointing crowdfund backers

August 8, 2025
A Fuell Flluid 2.

MUKWONAGO, Wis. (BRAIN) — A liquidator is auctioning the remaining assets of Fuell Inc., an e-bike and e-motorcycle brand founded by motorcycle innovator Erik Buell that entered Chapter 7 bankruptcy last October.

Posted in Industry News

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