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

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

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

Congresswoman introduces legislation to close de minimis loophole

March 4, 2025

WASHINGTON (BRAIN) — Rep. Linda Sánchez on Tuesday introduced legislation to close the de minimus loophole that allows the duty-free importation of packages valued at under $800.

Posted in Industry News

Fox Factory finishes year with sales growth in bike products, forecasts flat sales for 2025

February 28, 2025

DULUTH, Ga. (BRAIN) — Continued inventory “recalibrations” in the global industry and uncertainty about consumer and bike-maker demand has Fox Factory executives cautiously forecasting flat sales in its bike-product segment this year. 

Posted in Industry News

Trump says he'll add another 10% to Chinese tariff

February 27, 2025

WASHINGTON (BRAIN) — President Donald Trump announced on social media Thursday that he will impose an additional 10% tariff on imports from China, on top of the 10% he announced earlier this year. 

Posted in Industry News

Arkansas cycling startup accelerator program names its first-year participants

February 27, 2025

BENTONVILLE, Ark. (BRAIN) — A program to help global cycling startups get established — and possibly do business in Arkansas — has chosen 10 participants for its first year.

Posted in Industry News

Greg Shapleigh named chairman of helmet ingredient brand HighBar

February 26, 2025
Canyon released the first helmets with HighBar last summer.

LAGUNA BEACH, Calif. (BRAIN) — Helmet industry veteran Greg Shapleigh has been named chairman of HighBar, which launched a helmet retention system last year with Canyon.

Posted in Industry News

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