From the Magazine
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (BRAIN) — With Clint Spiegel leading an Industry Nine manufacturing tour, you'll need to hustle to keep up. His enthusiasm for what he and his team accomplish daily obviously puts a spring in his step. He's not so much in a rush as he is just excited to show and tell his company's story of quickly becoming one of the bike industry's most iconic and innovative brands.
As consumer demand tapered off (how could it not?) and pandemic back-orders came trickling (or flooding) onto shop floors, some discounting became inevitable.
Leading bike and accessory companies are increasingly using the U.S. patent system to protect the appearance of their new products. In the U.S., patents come in two flavors: utility patents, and design patents — with the latter gaining popularity as a form of intellectual property in many industries, including our pedal-based one.
WASHINGTON (BRAIN) — The industry expressed disappointment that the Inflation Reduction Act leaves out an e-bike tax credit and other initiatives that were part of more ambitious but failed climate-change legislation earlier this year. But proponents won't stop advocating for federal subsidies and expanding those on the state level.
BOULDER, Colo. (BRAIN) — For our September magazine edition, we asked our State of Retail panel members: Describe your store's social media usage and how it’s changed since the pre-COVID period?
BALTIMORE (BRAIN) — A lawsuit in Maryland federal court alleges the front fork of a Mate.Bike folding e-bike failed as plaintiff Benjamin White rode off a curb, allegedly causing White severe injuries and permanent disfigurement.
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.
(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.
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.
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.
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?
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?