BikeBiz Bicycle and cycling retail news
As revealed last Thursday evening, Charge picked up the Best Manufacturer prize at industry-voted BikeBiz Awards 2009. The firm has also gone on to win the ‘Bike of the Year 2009’ award from Bicycle Buyer magazine.
Also revealed at Cycle Show, the ‘Bike of the Year’ award was given to the 8-speed internally hub geared model the Mixer. Bicycle Buyer Magazine described the Mixer as being "innovative but stylish, cool but utilitarian: it’s a sensible bike that represents the best of both the now and the then."
Commenting on the BikeBiz Award win, Charge’s Nick Larsen said: "It is undoubtedly the unfaltering support of Hotwheels that has enabled Charge to flourish against the odds. It’s this faith in my tunnel-like vision that has enabled me to construct things like a run down Launderette as a booth at the Cycle Show here last year and this year enabling me to reconstruct a massive old English Pub in Germany, not to mention some of the products I have in the pipeline for the forthcoming years."
Neil Merry of Cycling Sports Group (the recently formed division of Dorel Industries) added: "We are naturally proud of the success that Charge has had to date and we hope that this award, along with the greater horsepower that comes from the CSG integration, will provide a firm foundation for Charge’s growth in the future.”
Larsen specifically praised Hotwheels employees David Jones, James Hoppe and James Champion: "They have been a massive help to me, and considering that they have had to put up with my obsessive attention to detail and moods – which must be pretty annoying – they have been invaluable."
CSG director of international business development Jeff Weiss said: “We are delighted to be associated with such a progressive and relevant brand as Charge. Nick has put his soul into this brand and the accolades Charge is receiving are well deserved. Our aim at CSG is to help foster Nick’s vision for the brand and let him continue to do his thing.”
Larsen added: "I am particularly proud that we won the Bike of the Year award, as the Mixer is probably the most unique product in our current line-up. It is my favourite complete bike, in terms of its design."
