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

No relief in sight as bike imports can't match demand

August 5, 2020
As retail sales increased by double or triple digits, bike imports were up just 3% through June.
Monthly bike imports.

BOULDER, Colo. (BRAIN) — Bike imports are up significantly in recent months, according to U.S. Department of Commerce figures released Wednesday. But importers are still struggling to make up for reduced shipments earlier in the year combined with unprecedented demand from retailers and consumers.

Posted in Retail News

Industry braces for tariff increases this month as exclusions expire

August 3, 2020

WASHINGTON, D.C. (BRAIN) — Many importers of Chinese bike products will see costs increase by 25% as tariff exclusions are expected to expire August 7.

Posted in Industry News

California retailers threatened with lawsuits over their websites' accessibility

July 31, 2020
Revolution Bicycles' homepage.

ARCATA, Calif. (BRAIN) — At least 15 bike shops in California have received emails and letters from a law firm threatening suits over their websites' compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and a California statute.

Posted in Retail News

Black Lives Matter movement puts Black-owned police bike brand in 'awkward position'

July 23, 2020
Randolph in a company promotional photo.

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. (BRAIN) — In the middle of a national discussion about the role of police departments in systemic racism, Brandale Randolph, a Black entrepreneur and activist, is raising money to manufacture high-tech police bikes in the United States.

Posted in Industry News

This boom's gone electric

July 22, 2020
E-bike sales will extend the 2020 bike boom, the industry says.
Photo courtesy of Shimano Steps.

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (BRAIN) — As the industry debates whether the pandemic-driven bike boom will end with a bust as supply dwindles, or reset as the new normal for years, consider one key difference between this boom and the early 1970s edition: This time we have e-bikes.

Posted in Industry News

Fox drops offer to acquire Mavic, but about 13 potential buyers remain

July 17, 2020
The Badger is still in the hunt. French administrators will decide on the winning bid this month.
Mavic continues to share its Annecy, France, facility with Salomon.

GRENOBLE, France (BRAIN) — Fox Factory has removed itself from the bidding to acquire Mavic SAS, which is in receivership in France. However, about 13 other groups, including several with ties to the bike industry, have expressed interest in the company.

Posted in International

MTB Hall of Famer Paul Brodie offers Youtube frame building classes during the pandemic

July 16, 2020
Need a Pandemic Project? Paul Brodie did.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (BRAIN) — If you have some time on your hands while sheltering in place (and perhaps a small machine shop and a supply of steel tubing in your shelter), this might be the time to brush up on your framebuilding skills.

Posted in Industry News

LeMond Bicycles moves $2 million closer to launch

July 15, 2020

OAK RIDGE, Tenn. (BRAIN) — LeMond Bicycles LLC recently raised a bit over $2 million in a private placement investment, possibly bringing the company closer to launching a bike line using technology developed by Greg LeMond's other business, LeMond Carbon.

Posted in Industry News

Specialized begins equipment sales through Backcountry.com/Competitive Cyclist

July 7, 2020

MORGAN HILL, Calif. (BRAIN) — Specialized has told its dealers that it will begin sales of equipment, but not bikes or frames, through Backcountry.com and its cycling-specific site, CompetitiveCyclist.com.

Posted in Industry News

Industry receives at least $40 million in PPP loans

July 7, 2020
SBA program supported at least 1,500 jobs at retail, supplier and nonprofit organizations.
A showroom at a Bicycle Sports Shop location in Austin.

AUSTIN, Texas (BRAIN) — Bike shops, suppliers and nonprofits across the industry — along with thousands of employees — have benefitted from the Paycheck Protection Program, which provides forgivable loans for organizations that maintain payroll during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Posted in Industry News

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