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

Mavic's legacy aluminum wheel business weighing down Amer's cycling results, CEO says

July 26, 2018

HELSINKI (BRAIN) — Amer Sports, owner of Enve and Mavic, reported Thursday that sales in its cycling division were down 13 percent in the first half of 2018, to 60 million euros ($70 million). In the second quarter, sales in the division were down 11 percent. 

Posted in International

European Commission imposes provisional anti-dumping duties on Chinese e-bikes

July 18, 2018
Tariffs range from 22 to 84 percent depending on factory.

BRUSSELS (BRAIN) — The European Commission has imposed provisional anti-dumping duties on e-bikes from China, with tariffs ranging from 21.8 to 83.6 percent, depending on which factory produced the bikes.

Posted in International

The Czech Republic's Apache Bicycles looks to grow outside its native market

July 11, 2018

FRIEDRICHSHAFEN, Germany (BRAIN) — The 17-year-old Czech Republic brand, Apache Bicycles, made its first Eurobike appearance here this year. Apache's branding shocked some visitors from the U.S.

Posted in International

Maserati brings out e-road bike with Bafang; and more EuroBites

July 10, 2018

FRIEDRICHSHAFEN, Germany (BRAIN) — A collaboration between the Italian auto brand Maserati, the Danish e-bike brand Diavelo (an Accell Group brand), and the Chinese e-bike motor maker Bafang has resulted in a line of Maserati e-bikes on display at Eurobike here this week. 

Posted in Product/Tech

Eurobike reveals CeramicSpeed's low-friction drive shaft, new Oakley MTB helmet, Saris trainer updates and more

July 9, 2018
First day Eurobike report: New stuff from Wike, CeramicSpeed, Oakley, Saris, Gates, Bryton, and more.
Wike's Bob Bell with the Salamander in stroller mode.

FRIEDRICHSHAFEN, Germany (BRAIN) — The July timing might be a change, but Eurobike remains a key product introduction opportunity for many suppliers. Here's a look at some of the introductions BRAIN spied on the event's opening day.

Posted in Product/Tech

US spoke makers adjusting to steel tariff

July 2, 2018

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (BRAIN) — Two companies that make stainless steel spokes in the U.S. are having to adjust to a 25 percent tariff on imported steel. Both brands said so far they've been able to avoid price increases.

Posted in Industry News

After sales tax ruling, some call for reining in offshore vendors

June 25, 2018
U.S. consumers can often buy from non-U. S. sites without paying sales taxes or import duties. Sometimes that gives foreign retailers a head start of 20 percent or more.

WASHINGTON (BRAIN) — Now that the Supreme Court has (almost) resolved the state tax issue for online retailers, the time might be right to push to increase the collection of import duties.

Posted in Opinion/Analysis

US component makers squeezed by material costs and new tariff on bearings

June 22, 2018
Chinese-made bearings of many varieties will be hit with a 25 percent tariff starting July 6, increasing pressure on component makers to raise prices.

LOUISVILLE, Colo. (BRAIN) — When you buy 5,000 pounds of aluminum every day, you notice quickly when the cost per pound goes up 20 percent — or more — in a matter of months.

Dave Batka, the owner of Wheels Manufacturing, is noticing.

Posted in Industry News

Supreme Court says states can require online retailers to collect sales tax

June 21, 2018
Some see the decision as a victory for mom-and-pop store owners; but a challenge for those with small e-commerce businesses.
Photo: © 2007 Kjetil Ree. Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 3.0.

WASHINGTON (BRAIN) — The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday ruled that states may require online retailers to collect sales tax revenue from online consumers who live in their states.

The National Retail Federation called the decision "a major victory" for retailers.

Posted in Retail News

US proposes 25% tariff on China-made e-bikes

June 19, 2018
The industry is scrambling after the Trump administration includes e-bikes on its list of proposed tariffs.

WASHINGTON (BRAIN) — The U.S. bike industry has been drafted into the trade war between China and the U.S.

Posted in Industry News

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