BikeBiz Bicycle and cycling retail news

Pay peanuts, get monkeys. That's one of the conclusions of a new US study: the China Trade Management Strategies Benchmark Report. "Performance problems with China-based manufacturing partners can be one of the most critical issues...price-based supplier selection can be the wrong strategy," says the report.

“The bike industry is on a high and I think everyone is having a strong year.  Sales are up and you could really feel the positive vibe [at Interbike],” said Pete Webber, director of communications for IMBA, the International Mountain Bike Association.

All exercise is beneficial, but cycling is especially beneficial. This is because it's transport and a work-out rolled into one. In fact, one Australian study shows that exercising awheel, being "moderate, habitual and not seasonal", is similar to walking and gardening in its day-in, day-out effectiveness. But ever tried pruning to work?

Delayed but now back on track, here's why B3 works. The data used in the directory is derived from the address data used for the monthly trade mag; the address info is available online and is kept bang-up-to-date; the book goes out free to bike shops plus shedloads of additional copies are sold via PayPal.com; and the directory is produced by an editor that is embedded in the bicycle trade... INFO CHECK: Please take a look at the online brand name finder and address book and send in any last minute changes. If your company/shop is NOT listed on the online B3 it won't be in the printed directory...

In a world that would benefit from more people cycling to work, the bike trade isn't making a bunch of bikes suited to this purpose. Instead, there's a love affair with beach cruisers and choppers. These are now more beautiful than ever, cool even, but practical they ain't.