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

Vista Outdoor to sell Bell, Giro and Blackburn, along with firearms brands

May 1, 2018
CEO says canceled orders over firearms controversy had little effect on the company and that its plan was in development long before the dispute.

FARMINGTON, Utah (BRAIN) — Vista Outdoor Inc. plans to sell its Bell, Giro and Blackburn brands — and its Savage and Stevens firearms brands — and return its focus to ammunition sales.

Posted in Industry News

Sporting goods giant Decathlon taking another stab at US market

April 3, 2018
The France-based chain, with more than 1,300 stores globally, will offer its house-brand B'Twin bikes at U.S. stores and online.
The store held a grand opening event on Thursday, March 29.

SAN FRANCISCO (BRAIN) — Decathlon, said to be the world's largest sporting goods retailer, is making its second stab at the U.S. market. Last week the company opened a 8,300-square-foot "lab store" on San Francisco's Market Street.

Posted in Retail News

Mobile trade group to work with PBMA

March 29, 2018

PLAISTOW, N.H. (BRAIN) — Members of the Independent Mobile Bicycle Professionals group have decided not to form a trade association, but instead to explore ways to work with the Professional Bicycle Mechanics Association.

Posted in Retail News

Bike share organization expels Ofo because of Florida lobbying

March 23, 2018
UPDATED: Ofo says it voluntarily withdrew from NABSA.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (BRAIN) — The North American Bikeshare Association has expelled Ofo US Limited from its membership. The company is the U.S. operation of China's Ofo, one of the world's largest dockless bike share companies.

Posted in Industry News

ANA sales fell 14% last year, but restructured company is bullish on its future

March 9, 2018
Company says it has signed up more than 30 new dealers since launching a new omnichannel program.

KENT, Wash. (BRAIN) — For more than a few years Accell North America has been the problem child for its parent, Dutch-based Accell Group. That status would appear to continue judging from the annual report that Accell released early Friday.

Posted in Industry News

ANA makes $5 million in repayments after discovering bike import duties mistake

March 9, 2018

KENT, Wash. (BRAIN) — As part of a review late last year, managers at Accell North America discovered that the company had been underpaying U.S. Customs on some bike import duties since 2013. The company wound up paying 4 million euros ($4.9 million) in repayments and interest.

Posted in Industry News

Oregon Legislature votes to expand $15 bike tax to kids' bikes, e-bikes

March 5, 2018
Amended transportation bill is headed to governor's desk.
The cash register at Bicycle Way of Life in Eugene this week.

SALEM, Ore. (BRAIN) — In the name of simplification, Oregon's Legislature this weekend amended the state's $15 bicycle excise tax to include all bikes selling for $200 or more, including e-bikes. The tax originally exempted bikes with wheels smaller than 26 inches and exempted e-bikes that were sold through bike shops.

Posted in Retail News

Full Cycle gives its espresso bar/tap room its own identity

February 12, 2018
A Grand Re-opening party was held earlier this month.

BOULDER, Colo. (BRAIN) — Boulder retailer Full Cycle, which added an espresso bar and beer tap area to its Pearl Street location last year, has now given that part of its business its own name: The Tune Up.

Posted in Retail News

Online custom fixie brand Big Shot Bikes looking for a buyer

February 7, 2018

FT. COLLINS, Colo. (BRAIN) — Big Shot Bikes, primarily an online seller of custom-colored fixed-gear and single-speed bikes, is looking for a buyer.

Posted in Industry News

Container store: Missouri bike shop, built with shipping containers, will serve rail trail users

January 29, 2018

WILLARD, Mo. (BRAIN) — Matt and Cari Harrison were looking for a way to build a small bike shop next to the popular 36-mile Frisco Highline Trail, on a piece of land leased from the rail trail's owner, the Ozark Greenways corporation.

Posted in Retail News

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