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.

All articles by Steve Frothingham

August 22, 2025

LA CRESCENTA, Calif. (BRAIN) — Specialist distributor Euro-Asia Imports is closing down after more than 50 years selling mostly high-end parts for road, touring and fixed gear bikes.

Posted in Industry News
August 18, 2025
Bunch Bikes imports steel-framed e-cargo bikes.

WASHINGTON (BRAIN) — The steel used in e-bikes, indoor trainers, exercycles and some hand tools is now subject to the Trump administration's Section 232 tariffs, which are up to 50%.

Posted in Industry News
August 14, 2025
The YT Industries restructuring in Germany exposes Taiwan bike makers Ideal and Kenstone to loss risks.

DACUN TOWNSHIP, Taiwan (BRAIN) — Taiwan bike makers Merida Industries and Ideal Bike are each reporting first-half comprehensive losses as the Taiwan dollar gains strength against most currencies. Giant and Shimano also have recently blamed poor earnings reports, in part, on exchange rates.

Posted in International
August 8, 2025
A Fuell Flluid 2.

MUKWONAGO, Wis. (BRAIN) — A liquidator is auctioning the remaining assets of Fuell Inc., an e-bike and e-motorcycle brand founded by motorcycle innovator Erik Buell that entered Chapter 7 bankruptcy last October.

Posted in Industry News
August 7, 2025
Fox estimated tariffs will cost it 'upwards of $50 million' this year.
Fox released its new Podium DH fork in June.

DULUTH, Ga. (BRAIN) — Fox Factory produced sales increases across all three of its divisions in the second quarter, with sales in its Specialty Sports Group — which includes its bicycle-related brands — up 11% over the same period last year.

Posted in Industry News
August 6, 2025
Cambodia passes China to become the largest bike exporter to the U.S.
Cambodia passed China as the largest bike supplier to the US.

WASHINGTON (BRAIN) — Bicycle imports fell 11% in value in the first half of 2025, according to figures released by the Census this week. As the industry attempted to respond to tariff news out of Washington, its source nations changed significantly.

Posted in Industry News
August 6, 2025

KOBLENZ, Germany (BRAIN) — Canyon’s sales in the first half were 398 million euros ($464 million), down about 5% from the first half last year.

Posted in Industry News
July 28, 2025

WASHINGTON (BRAIN) — A preliminary trade deal between the European Union and the United States would set tariffs on European products at levels not seen since before the Great Depression. But the 15% tariff announced over the weekend is a reduction from the 30% that the Trump administration had been threatening.

Posted in Industry News
July 23, 2025

WASHINGTON (BRAIN) — The Trump administration has recently announced preliminary trade agreements with some countries that export bicycle products to the U.S., but so far there are no new agreements with the largest suppliers to the industry, and few details on the agreements that have been announced.

Posted in Industry News
July 14, 2025
LeMond delivers emotional speech on sacrifice and 'showing up when it matters most.'
LeMond speaks at the medal ceremony on July 9. Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Image

WASHINGTON (BRAIN) — Industry retailers and suppliers joined federal lawmakers last week to see Greg LeMond awarded the Congressional Gold Medal.

Posted in Industry News

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