BikeBiz Bicycle and cycling retail news
Hope
Hope’s ‘designed, tested and made in Barnoldswick, England’ philosophy has been at its core since the firm came into being two decades ago. Producing disc brakes and plenty of other quality bicycle parts, the firm is totally independent, operating from its factory on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales.
Lezyne
Offering a broad range of product to the trade, the Lezyne brand includes pumps, hydration, tools, bottle cages, luggage and plenty more besides. Distributed by Upgrade, the brand has seen phenomenal growth, with turnover multiplying many times since 2008 when Lezyne launched at Core Bike. Now well established, the aesthetically pleasing lines are regularly found at key cycle events.
DT Swiss
Madison took over DT Swiss distribution in the UK at the start of the year. The firm produces wheels, suspension, components and accessories, all designed for a perfect ride. Picking up the suspension and rigid fork business from Pace Cycles in 2006, the firm started its own carbon production in 2007 and hasn’t looked back.
CatEye
The manufacturer of cycle computers, lights and reflectors was founded in Osaka, Japan in 1946 and has been distributed in the UK by Zyro since the mid-90s. A keen innovator in bicycle electronics, the firm recently released upgraded LEDs that sport up to 50 per cent more power, overhauling and enhancing CatEye’s popular lines.
SRAM
One of the most respected firms in the business, SRAM has had another successful year, seeing its product ridden by the winner of the Tour de France (again – now for the third consecutive year) and released a wealth of well received P&A product lines, including 2×10 X0 groupset, X7 2X10 drivetrain, the Rock Shox Sektor fork among others. The firm’s UK popularity exploded in ‘09 too, according to Fisher Outdoor Leisure head honcho Richard Allmark.
Shimano
Another one of the best known and respected component firms in the cycle trade, Shimano saw sales in the cycle arena rocket in the first half of 2010. The well-received 105 series for road bike components and Deore XT and SLX mountain bike components have helped the firm have a successful year.
Clarks
Clarks started 2010 with a bang, releasing a whopping 60 new products to the market. With a new wide range of handle bar grips to complement the growing brakes ranges, Clarks also launched the new Skeletal hydraulic brake, offering the function of a high-end brake at a competitive price. And as if that wasn’t enough, Clarks also created a brand new website for OEM and aftermarket.
