BikeBiz Bicycle and cycling retail news

When Kryptonite's Bic problems surfaced, Master Lock of the US issued a statement saying its top-end locks were immune to pen-attack. The fact the company also produced u-locks with cylinder tubular mechanisms was not majored on. Master Lock did not follow Kryptonite and launch a recall programme: until now, that is. News of this went on masterlock.com on Friday

Dr Michele Ferrari, a one-time cadence and training advisor to Lance Armstrong, has been given a 12-month suspended jail sentence for malpractice by an Italian court. He is to appeal the sentence.

New York based Fenway Partners, Inc. announced mid-August it was to acquire the Bell Sports Corporation, owner of Bell helmets, Giro, Blackburn and Vistalite. The deal has now completed and Fenway has merged Bell with its 2003 acquisition Riddell Sports Group, forming a new company, Riddell Bell Holdings, Inc.

US chainstore giant Toys 'R' Us has released its annual hot-to-trot list of toys it believes will top children's wish lists at Christmas. 13 toys are named, including couch-potato video games and K'NEX construction kits. But which bicycle made the list?

Britain's biggest retailer of bicycles has said its like-for-like sales rose 11 percent in the half-year to September 24th. Sales increased 13 percent. Shares in the recently floated chain soared to a record high on the news, valuing the company at £688m.