From the Magazine
![](https://bicycleretailer.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/images/article/unknown_9.png?itok=w8mQ89Ij)
FRANKFURT (BRAIN) — Stateside brick-and-mortar retailers don't get the warm and fuzzies at the mention of Wiggle and Chain Reaction Cycles, two UK-based e-commerce sites that were once notorious for selling discounted components into the U.S. market.
![REI Co-op spec'd its e1.1 with a Bafang hub motor. REI Co-op spec'd its e1.1 with a Bafang hub motor.](https://bicycleretailer.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/images/article/kearns_050222_1013.png?itok=5TQPWzF0)
(BRAIN) — When Specialized announced the re-launch of its Globe brand in May as an affordable electric bike purveyor focused on car-replacing transportation, the company released only one spy photo showing an e-bike obscured by cargo baskets and cactuses. While the e-bike's frame was largely hidden, one of the bike's features clearly was visible: a rear hub motor.
![Cane Creek hand-builds its Helm fork and rear shocks in N.C. Cane Creek hand-builds its Helm fork and rear shocks in N.C.](https://bicycleretailer.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/images/article/_mg_6194.jpg?itok=pHDxsWxt)
FLETCHER, N.C. (BRAIN) — It's the kind of failure that can ruin a company, but for Cane Creek Components, its Double Barrel Inline rear shock debacle nearly 10 years ago led to a gradual reawakening of the brand. Call it a pivot point in its history.
![Splitrock Tap & Wheel benefited from opening in April 2020. Splitrock Tap & Wheel benefited from opening in April 2020.](https://bicycleretailer.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/images/article/winfalls_pitfalls.jpg?itok=jDWV2Hge)
BOULDER, Colo. (BRAIN) — After nearly 50% sales increase industry-wide from 2019 levels in 2020 and 2021, most retailers were sitting on more cash than ever before. With no inventory available for replenishment, that cash was invested in creative ways. And as we review windfalls, we must keep in mind the corresponding human costs involved.
![Erin Gorrell. Erin Gorrell.](https://bicycleretailer.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/images/article/erin_gorrell_0.jpeg?itok=lVb8MnJE)
BOULDER, Colo. (BRAIN) — For our August magazine edition, we asked our State of Retail panel members: What software do you use for your point of sales system? What do you like/dislike about it?
![The Fire Mountain Trail network celebrated its fifth year in June. The Fire Mountain Trail network celebrated its fifth year in June.](https://bicycleretailer.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/images/article/img_5154.jpg?itok=8aHFQjkY)
CHEROKEE, N.C. (BRAIN) — E-bike access on non-motorized trails might be a controversial topic for many land managers, but not to Jeremy Hyatt. As secretary of operations for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, Hyatt has the authority to allow e-MTB access on the Fire Mountain Trail system. Hyatt spearheaded building the system on Cherokee land that's surrounded by more-restrictive National Forest land.
Super lightweight. Ten-minute charge time. Double the range. Less likely to burn down your store. If I could promise you all that in an e-bike battery, how quickly would you be putting in an order?
![](https://bicycleretailer.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/images/article/big_ten_july_2022_artwork.jpg?itok=dWkvuMtt)
Since our first Big BRAIN 10 survey last March, two bicycle brands (Pon and Specialized) have entered the list to replace three IBDs purchased by suppliers (Mike’s Bikes by Pon, Mike Olson’s San Diego and Portland stores by Trek, and David’s World Cycle by Trek).
![David and John Siegrist. David and John Siegrist.](https://bicycleretailer.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/images/article/unnamed3.jpeg?itok=1mk3dHQh)
DURANGO, Colo. (BRAIN) — John Siegrist, one of the best-known custom frame builders of the 1990s mountain bike boom and beyond, has joined his son, David, to launch a new frame building business called Sanitas. Sanitas is building custom frames in steel and titanium for consumers and on an OE basis for several boutique brands.
![Linda Coburn. Linda Coburn.](https://bicycleretailer.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/images/article/linda_coburn_0.jpeg?itok=Ypyul4sJ)
BOULDER, Colo. (BRAIN) — For our July magazine edition, we asked our State of Retail panel members: What are the most — and least — effective things you’ve done to engage with customers and keep them riding?
![Annie Kao. Annie Kao.](https://bicycleretailer.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/images/article/copy_of_annie_kao_headshot.jpg?itok=T19nVTz1)
SEATTLE (BRAIN) — In the fast-moving world of e-bike brands, keeping track of who’s doing what — like Leon Cycle — is an ongoing challenge. Few dealers have heard of Leon Cycle, but it’s had a warehouse and a retail outlet in Seattle since 2019.
![Tom Martin. Tom Martin.](https://bicycleretailer.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/images/article/tom_martinrotate_0.jpeg?itok=2kuSJ-CY)
BOULDER, Colo. (BRAIN) — For our June magazine edition, we asked our State of Retail panel members: How does this year to date compare to 2021 in terms of category sales and profitability? How do you expect sales and profits to evolve throughout this year?
![](https://bicycleretailer.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/images/article/screen_shot_2022-06-01_at_10.11.29_am.png?itok=2T6beZ8f)
DANA POINT, Calif. (BRAIN) — New frontiers of safety are opening up in the technology world. Cars sensing bikes, bikes sensing cars, once little more than a pipe dream, is rapidly becoming a reality. One soon-to-be launched solution is Spoke, previewed at the Bicycle Leadership Conference.