Steve Frothingham

Steve is in his second stint at BRAIN. He was here at the beginning in 1992 while still working for a bike shop in Santa Fe, N.M. He wrote several articles for BRAIN's first issue and later joined the staff, eventually becoming managing editor and then executive editor.

After leaving BRAIN in 1997 he worked for several news organizations including The Associated Press and VeloNews before rejoining BRAIN as web editor in 2011.

He is based in Longmont, Colorado, and is an enthusiastic (and slow) road, mountain bike and cyclocross rider.

sfrothingham@bicycleretailer.com
/twitter.com/#!/stevefroth

All articles by Steve Frothingham

How are steel and aluminum tariffs calculated on bikes?

October 9, 2025
TL;DR: They would add a ton of costs (Also: Get a good customs broker).

(BRAIN) — There are as many ways to calculate Section 232 tariffs on imported steel and aluminum as there are companies importing products containing those common materials. It could be come more important than ever.

Posted in Opinion/Analysis

PeopleForBikes urges industry action as Guardian calls for ‘crushing’ new tariffs

October 8, 2025

BOULDER, Colo. (BRAIN) — Trade group PeopleForBikes is calling on its members to respond — quickly — to public requests from the domestic manufacturer Guardian Bikes and an aluminum trade group for steeper tariffs on imported bikes and e-bikes. 

Posted in Industry News

Domestic e-bike assembler EBC files for Chapter 7 bankruptcy

October 8, 2025
Lupton-Smith in 2020.

COSTA MESA, Calif. (BRAIN) — Electric Bicycle Co., which assembled and painted custom e-bikes at its California facility, filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy liquidation last week, listing total liabilities of $6.1 million, including secured claims of $960,000, and assets of $953,000.

Posted in Industry News

KHS distribution to close (unless buyer found)

October 8, 2025

RANCHO DOMINGUEZ, Calif. (BRAIN) — The KHS U.S. distribution business will close in early 2026 as its founders, Wen & Susah Hsieh, retire after a half century running the business. 

Posted in Industry News

Merida adopts zero-fee policy for migrant workers in Taiwan

October 3, 2025

TAIPEI, Taiwan (BRAIN) — Merida Industries, the second largest bike maker in Taiwan after Giant Group, has adopted a zero-fee policy for its migrant workers following the U.S. Customs and Border Protection move to block imports from Giant over forced-labor allegations. 

Posted in Industry News

Strava and Suunto each sue Garmin over patent infringement claims

October 2, 2025
UPDATED: Suunto also suing Garmin in a separate case
Garmin released computers with Strava Live Segments in 2015.

DENVER (BRAIN) — Strava and Suunto are each suing Garmin for patent infringement.

Strava is suing the GPS brand in a Colorado court, saying Garmin's segments and leaderboards features violate a patent licensing agreement the two companies reached in 2015.

Posted in Industry News

Giant requests meeting with US Customs officials

October 2, 2025
Danish journalist reports that Merida has pledged to enact a 'zero-fee' policy that goes beyond Giant's.

TAICHUNG, Taiwan (BRAIN) — Giant Group said it "formally engaged" with U.S. Customs and Border Protection on Monday through its U.S.

Posted in Industry News

Fuell assets auction raises $170k

September 29, 2025
Some Fuell Folld models that were auctioned.

WAUWATOSA, Wis. (BRAIN) — An auction of the remaining assets of an e-bike and e-motorcycle brand founded by motorcycle innovator Erik Buell raised about $170,000, which will make a small dent in the nearly $7 million the company owed to secured and unsecured creditors.

Posted in Industry News

Giant says no shipments currently held by CBP

September 26, 2025
UPDATES: Giant says CBP never visited or communicated prior to its announcement; A Danish journalist's work appears to have inspired CBP to take action; Taiwan officials show support for Giant as its stock price rebounds.
Giant Group's Taichung headquarters.

TAICHUNG, Taiwan (BRAIN) — Giant Group says U.S. Customs and Border Patrol officials never visited its factories or had any direct contact with the company before announcing Wednesday that would detain Giant shipments to the U.S. because of alleged forced labor.

Posted in International

Blaupunkt plans North Carolina e-bike assembly

September 25, 2025

(BRAIN) — Blaupunkt, the car audio brand that began selling folding e-bikes in 2018, plans to move its e-bike assembly for the U.S. market from Paraguay to Western North Carolina.

Posted in Industry News

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