BikeBiz Bicycle and cycling retail news

Fisher Outdoor Leisure sent out letters last week informing IBDs of the mid-May open days at the St Albans HQ. However, there were scant details of what would actually be happening. So, here's the first rough idea of what could be on offer if everything goes to plan...

"We've got our reasons," said Eduard Aguilera, Shimano Europe's PR officer.

SIBEX Sports wants to hear from distributors, or from bike shops direct. The company's website sells direct to consumers, but frames are shipped only to IBDs. As well as titanium, SIBEX also offers carbon fibre kit.

Bike websites around the world are now running with the pretty pix sent from Shimano Europe. The kit, now in its 30th year, won't be available on the aftermarket until late Autumn but consumers are already salivating over the CAD representations of what Shimano's top-end road kit will be like. The new gruppo is 10 percent lighter than Dura Ace 2003 and there's a 10 cog block. Oh, and a relieved outer chainring...

We woz wrong, Gordon Brown's budget DID include a mention about cycling. Hmm, just not the one we predicted...