Steve Frothingham

Location

Boulder, Colorado
United States
See map: Google Maps
US

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 Boulder, Colorado, and is an enthusiastic (and slow) gravel, mountain bike and cyclocross rider, and plans to try more bikepacking this year.

sfrothingham@outsideinc.com

All articles by Steve Frothingham

QBP calls on industry to contact lawmakers, is evaluating its dealer event

January 26, 2026
Company said it is "evaluating a path forward" for next month's Frostbike event.

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. (BRAIN) — Minneapolis-area distributor QBP is calling on industry members to contact elected officials to "advocate for change" following the death of Alex Pretti on Saturday in Minneapolis. And the company said it is "evaluating a path forward" for its Frostbike dealer event, scheduled for Feb.

Posted in Industry News

Alex Pretti shooting ‘eye opening’ for bike industry in Minneapolis area

January 26, 2026
UPDATED: Local shop plans a memorial ride for Pretti on Saturday.
A memorial in Minneapolis on Monday. Getty image.

This story is corrected to show that the social media account that repeated Angry Catfish's post about Alex Pretti was not an official Surly account. It also contains more details of forthcoming memorial rides.

Posted in Industry News

ReTyre closes on $8M funding round, enters agreement with Vittoria

January 13, 2026

OSLO, Finland (BRAIN) — Norwegian tire startup reTyre has closed on a 7 million euro ($8.1 million) funding round that includes cycling startup investor Fundracer.

Posted in Industry News

Endura promising increased North American resources despite UK cutbacks

January 9, 2026
Endura launches new gravel and road lines last year.

(BRAIN) — U.K.-based apparel brand Endura is laying off multiple employees as it moves its operations from Scotland to London, a move that follows a financial report showing losses for a second consecutive year.

Posted in International

PGW announcement raises questions about Fuji, SE and Tuesday distribution

December 22, 2025

LOS ANGELES (BRAIN) — An announcement by Pacific Glory Worldwide last week has raised questions about how Fuji, SE and Tuesday bikes will be distributed in the U.S. next year. 

Posted in Industry News

Electric Bike Co. assets sale includes IP, custom-bike ordering site, tooling and more

December 17, 2025

(BRAIN) — The assets of Electric Bicycle Co., which filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in October, are being sold this winter. They include the brand and other intellectual property, including a website that allows consumers to order custom e-bikes. The sale also includes inventory and manufacturing equipment.

Posted in Industry News

Giant says it has completed its zero-fee policy and refunds program

December 5, 2025

TAICHUNG, Taiwan (BRAIN) — Giant Group says it issued refunds on Dec. 1 to all its migrant workers who had paid recruitment fees in the past and it is hoping for a "swift" revocation of the Withhold Release Order that U.S. Customs and Border Protection issued in September.

Posted in International

Chinese bike imports rebounded in August following pause

December 1, 2025
Thumbnail image (see full chart below)

WASHINGTON (BRAIN) — U.S. bike imports from China rebounded in July and August, probably in anticipation of increased tariffs that were then threatened to take effect in November.

Posted in International

DeFeet restructures manufacturing to work with local partners

November 24, 2025
DeFeet courtesy photo

HICKORY, N.C. (BRAIN) — After 33 years of manufacturing its socks and other products in-house, DeFeet is shifting to the use of nearby partners for knitting. The company is continuing to buy yarn from domestic sources and handle R&D, marketing, sales and other functions at its "clubhouse" headquarters in Hickory, said founder Shane Cooper.

Posted in Industry News

Spain-based management team acquires Felt Bicycle

November 20, 2025

(BRAIN) — Felt Bicycles said its current management team and minority shareholders, Florian Burguet and Cesar Rojo, have entered into a purchase agreement with the Pierer Mobility Group to fully acquire the brand.

Posted in Industry News

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