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

PeopleForBikes announces Tim Blumenthal's retirement

June 30, 2020
Organization creates Tim Blumenthal Legacy Fund

BOULDER, Colo. (BRAIN) — Jenn Dice is named president and CEO of PeopleForBikes as Blumenthal retires after 16 years at the helm.

Posted in Industry News

Domestic manufacturers feed the boom

June 26, 2020
Production photo courtesy of Saris.

FREEPORT, N.Y. (BRAIN) — Some of the bike products most in demand during the current mini bike boom — things like kickstands, indoor trainers, and car racks — happen to be available from domestic manufacturers. Companies with U.S.

Posted in Industry News

The road to sustainablity

June 16, 2020
Cycling apparel brands look to catch up with outdoor industry in sustainable options. But marketing is tricky.
Rapha has increased the use of recycled materials in its apparel.

HILDEBRAN, N.C. (BRAIN) — Shane Cooper, the founder of the DeFeet cycling sock company, was visiting with George W. Bush one day when the former president took him in to meet his mother.

"He said, 'Mom! This is Shane, he started a company that makes socks out of recycled plastic. Ain't that the world's best-kept secret?" according to Cooper's recollection.

It was an epic namedrop by Cooper, a great storyteller, and we repeat it to make a point.

Posted in Industry News

Fuji's distributor suspends sales of police bikes in North America, begins dialogue with police departments

June 8, 2020
UPDATED with company comment.

PHILADELPHIA (BRAIN) — BikeCo, the North American distributor of Fuji bikes, has suspended sales of bikes to police forces, citing recent reports of police bikes being used as weapons at protest marches. 

Posted in Industry News

Bike company stocks rebound with the markets — as Shimano hits record highs

May 29, 2020

OSAKA, Japan (BRAIN) — Most publicly-traded bike companies' stock prices have seen a rebound since the pandemic, but Shimano's stock has rebounded and then some.

Posted in International

Receivership will 'alleviate unsustainable costs' for Mavic, Regent partner says

May 11, 2020
Mavic's US operations unaffected by troubles in France, CEO says.

PARK CITY, Utah (BRAIN) — Mavic's U.S. operations are continuing as usual despite the brand's French wing being put into receivership, the CEO of MAVIC USA told BRAIN.

Posted in Industry News

Mavic put into receivership in France

May 7, 2020
Company had been managed by a turn-around firm since February. Regent, which announced it had bought the brand last March, has no comment.
Mavic's headquarters near Annecy, which it shared with the ski brand Salomon.

ANNECY, France (BRAIN) — Mavic has been put into receivership at the French commercial court in Grenoble, after being put under the management of a turnaround firm in February.

Posted in International

Pandemic check-in: Brooklyn Bicycle Company's Ryan Zagata

May 1, 2020
Ryan Zagata.

BROOKLYN, N.Y. (BRAIN) — Recent "Pandemic Check-ins" have featured executives with large IBD suppliers in Wisconsin, California, and Minnesota. Today we check in with a smaller supplier based in the pandemic's epicenter and who is experiencing a major sales boom — with sales up 600% so far this year.

Posted in Industry News

Pandemic check-in: QBP's president, Rich Tauer

April 23, 2020
Rich Tauer.

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. (BRAIN) — With a few exceptions, almost every bike retailer in the country has an account with Quality Bicycle Products, giving the Minnesota-based distributor a wide view of what's happening across the IBD nation.

Posted in Industry News

Pandemic check-in with Giant Bicycle's JT Thompson: Cycling will be more highly regarded

April 14, 2020
Thompson during a recent 60th birthday ride with colleagues.

NEWBURY PARK, Calif. (BRAIN) — BRAIN checked in with Giant Group's U.S. general manager, John "JT" Thompson, this week to get his view of how the U.S. industry is handling the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Posted in Industry News

Pages