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

Increasingly accepted by the industry, independent mobile operators form group

January 11, 2018
The IMBP group has more than 70 members and may form a trade association or co-op.

PLAISTOW, N.H. (BRAIN) — It's been less than three years since David Ricker launched his mobile bike repair business in Southern New Hampshire, Pedalin' Fools. But in that time, Ricker has seen the bike industry become increasingly accepting of businesses like his.

Posted in Retail News

American Classic closes factory, puts IP assets up for sale

January 5, 2018
The 35-year-old component brand cites challenging marketplace in decision to close.
American Classic's 35th anniversary logo

TAICHUNG, Taiwan (BRAIN) — Amclassic Inc., the parent company of the American Classic wheel and component brand, has voluntarily closed its factory here and laid off about 40 employees in Taiwan and the U.S.

Posted in Industry News

Niner assets to be sold this month

January 5, 2018
An investor group has made a stalking horse offer and will acquire the company from bankruptcy unless it's outbid.
Photo courtesy of Niner.

DENVER (BRAIN) — If all goes to plan, a Colorado investor group will acquire Niner, Inc.'s assets and bring the company out of bankruptcy before the end of the month

But first, other potential buyers will be given a chance to bid for the company at an auction next Thursday.

Posted in Industry News

Many hate it, but Oregon retailers are (hopefully) collecting the new bike tax

January 4, 2018
The cash register at Bicycle Way of Life in Eugene this week.

EUGENE, Ore. (BRAIN) — The word you hear most often when you ask Oregon retailers about the state's new bike tax is "hope."

The $15 charge is the nation's only state bike tax.

Posted in Retail News

Pioneering distributor Bob Fluhr dies at 83

January 3, 2018
Fluhr, the first U.S. importer of Giant-made bikes, led a multi-generational bike industry family as president of Beacon Cycle.
Robert Fluhr

LAGUNA WOODS, Calif. (BRAIN) — The first time Steven Fluhr attended the New York City bike trade show, he was treated like royalty. After all, he was accompanied by one of the kings of the industry during the 1970s bike boom: his father Robert.

Posted in Industry News

Stradalli Cycle plans Boulder store

December 26, 2017

BOULDER, Colo. (BRAIN) — Stradalli Cycle, a ten-year-old bike brand based in Florida, plans to open a small showroom and bike shop in North Boulder in February.

Posted in Retail News

Trump's National Monument proclamation endangers bike riding, PeopleForBikes says

December 6, 2017

BOULDER, Colo. (BRAIN) — President Trump's proclamation Monday shrinking two National Monuments in Utah jeopardizes at least 150 miles of roads and trails used by cyclists and could lead to the loss of protection for much more cycling terrain around the country, according to PeopleForBikes.

Posted in Industry News

Mobile service van stolen in San Francisco

December 5, 2017
The Civic Cyclery van at an event this year.

SAN FRANCISCO (BRAIN) — Civic Cyclery, a brand-new retailer here, had its mobile service van stolen last weekend from outside the storeowner's home.

Posted in Retail News

For bike brands wanting to offer 'click-and-collect,' BikeExchange is now licensing its Marketplacer platform

November 29, 2017

LAKE FOREST, Calif. (BRAIN) — BikeExchange began working with IBDs in Australia about 10 years ago, and later began partnering with companies to bring the technology platform, called Marketplacer, to about 20 other industries.. Now it's targeting bike brands that want to offer click-and-collect but lack the resources to build their own websites.

Posted in Industry News

Niner files for bankruptcy ahead of planned sale

November 27, 2017

DENVER, Colo. (BRAIN) — Niner Inc. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Monday ahead of a planned acquisition by a Colorado investor group.

Posted in Industry News

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