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

CABDA Day 2 highlights

February 14, 2025

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. (BRAIN) — CABDA Midwest closed Thursday with its traditional bagpipe serenade, and retailers and industry members packed up and headed out into the snow until next year.

A few highlights from the floor from Day 2:

Posted in Industry News

Trump could impose reciprocal tariffs as soon as April

February 13, 2025
Unless a deal is negotiated ahead of his deadline, the move would significantly increase U.S. tariffs on bike products from some of its largest supplier nations. But some countries have lower tariffs than the U.S. on bike products.

WASHINGTON (BRAIN) — President Donald Trump on Thursday released an executive memo instructing officials to prepare to impose reciprocal tariffs on a global basis as soon as April 2. 

Posted in Industry News

Highlights from a day at CABDA Midwest

February 12, 2025
It looks like a duck and quacks like a duck.

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. (BRAIN) — CABDA's Midwest show opened here Wednesday. Despite a wintery-mix event happening outside the Schaumburg Convention Center, dealers from across the Midwest and exhibitors from around the world showed up for a busy day. 

Posted in Industry News

Shimano 2024 sales down 5%; net income up 25%

February 12, 2025
Copyright BicycleRetailer

 TOKYO (BRAIN) — Shimano’s sales last year amounted to 451 billion yen ($2.94 billion), down 4.9% from the year before. Operating income and ordinary income also were down while net income was up 25%.

Posted in International

House of Looptail keeps vintage bikes rolling

February 11, 2025

LAKEWOOD, Colo. – Some lovers of vintage bikes work to bring them to sparkling, like-new condition. Wakeman Massie rides the hell out of them.

Posted in Product/Tech

After closing P&A distribution, Velo Star moves to OKC to focus on Wilier

February 10, 2025

CARLSTADT, N.J. (BRAIN) — Velo Star is moving its operations from New Jersey to Oklahoma City this winter as it pivots to focus on sales and distribution of Italy’s Wilier Triestina bikes. 

Posted in Industry News

Suppliers wary as Wrench Science informs them of closure

February 8, 2025

BERKELEY, Calif. (BRAIN) — At least a handful of major suppliers to Wrench Science have received emails from the retailer informing them of an impending closure. 

Posted in Retail News

Trump brings back the de minimis loophole for China shipments, for now

February 7, 2025

WASHINGTON (BRAIN) — President Donald Trump on Friday reversed the step he took on Monday to close the de minimis loophole, which allows packages valued at less than $800 to enter the U.S. duty free.

Posted in Industry News

Legislation would give president a negotiating stick that could hugely increase tariffs on bikes and e-bikes

February 5, 2025
The legislation would give the president power to reciprocate the tariffs other nations impose on U.S. goods.

WASHINGTON (BRAIN) — The bike industry is closely watching new legislation introduced in the House, which would give the president a powerful weapon in negotiating trade agreements with every nation on the globe.

Posted in Industry News

Non-electric bike imports increased 17% last year

February 5, 2025
But there are other ways to look at the numbers …
The number of non-electric bikes imported last year climbed back above 10 million.

WASHINGTON (BRAIN) — After steep declines in 2022 and 2023, the number of non-electric bikes imported last year increased 16.7% to 11.1 million units, according to import statistics released Wednesday.

Posted in Industry News

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