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

Chains subject to steel tariffs; some cables and other products, too

March 14, 2025

WASHINGTON (BRAIN) — The 25% U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum that took effect Thursday apply to bicycle chains, some bike cables, perhaps some locks, and a wide variety of hardware and other products that are used in bike shops and by manufacturers.

Posted in Industry News

Merida writes down $105 million impairment related to Specialized investment

March 14, 2025
Screenshot of Merida's presentation slides from Thursday's news conference.

TAIPEI, Taiwan (BRAIN) — Taiwanese manufacturer Merida Industry Co., which owns 35% of Specialized Bicycle Company, recorded a non-operating loss of over $100 million related to that investment in 2024, as the U.S. bike brand took a deferred tax loss and write-downs on its retail operations.

Posted in International

Giant operating profits down 60% last year

March 14, 2025

TAIPEI, Taiwan (BRAIN) — Giant Group reports that its operating profits declined 60% last year as it wrote down NT$1.9 billion ($57.6 million) in inventory provision losses, recognizing the decline in inventory value due to discounting.

Posted in International

Brompton celebrates 50th with new models and stores

March 12, 2025
A Brompton — outside the city??

NEW YORK (BRAIN) — Brompton Bicycle is 50 years old this year, and as it looks to expand sales outside a handful of major cities, the most British of bike brands is getting … a bit cheeky?

Posted in Industry News

Despite uncertainty, Mexico's Mercurio factory still eyes US sales

March 12, 2025

SAN LUIS POTOSÍ, Mexico (BRAIN) — Mercurio Sports Group, a bike manufacturer and distributor in Mexico, opened a $25 million, 540-square-foot factory here in 2019, with plans to assemble bikes for the U.S. and the domestic market, and to eventually add frame manufacturing.

Posted in International

Stinner quietly becomes one of largest U.S. framemakers

March 12, 2025

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (BRAIN) — Stinner Frameworks has quietly become one of the highest-volume framemaker in the U.S., putting out just under 2,000 frames for its own brand and others last year. And the 15-year-old company says it’s ready for more.

Posted in Industry News

Sidi gets a refresh with new ownership, new distribution

March 12, 2025

MASER, Italy (BRAIN)— Like many Italian cycling brands, Sidi, founded in 1960, struggled with a succession plan in recent years, with its founder entering his 90s and his children in their 60s. The solution came in the form of an even older Italian family company, Italmobiliare.

Posted in Industry News

Vietnam importer would welcome reciprocal tariffs

March 12, 2025
Image from Premium Distribution's homepage.

HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam (BRAIN) — One of Vietnam's largest importers for the domestic market would welcome reciprocal tariffs with the U.S., if they led to a new trade deal and reduced Vietnam's current high import duties on U.S. products.

Posted in International

CORRECTION: Chinese manufacturer Zhonglu buys minority share in Factor Bikes

March 10, 2025

TAICHUNG, Taiwan (BRAIN) — China’s Zhonglu Co, through one of its subsidiaries, has acquired a 21% share in Factor Bikes while a private equity firm that includes Factor CEO Rob Gitelis also has made an investment. Together the two entities have acquired a majority share in Factor from exiting non-management shareholders, the company told BRAIN.

Posted in International

Specialized retail stores to offer chain waxing in Silca partnership

March 4, 2025

INDIANAPOLIS (BRAIN) — All stores owned by Specialized are now offering chain-waxing services in a partnership with Silca, the companies announced this week.

Posted in Retail News

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