BikeBiz Bicycle and cycling retail news

Suppliers with red-hot new road bike kit - software as well as hardware - should get in touch to be featured editorially in the May mag.

The San Francisco-based manufacturer of bicycle messenger bags and iPod cases has opened a retail store in the hip San Francisco area of Hayes Valley.

Up to 40 employees could be made redundant, with some being offered alternative positions in Brigg. Falcon has been outsourcing for some time but some high-end bikes were still assembled in the UK. All production moves overseas in June.

If Edinburgh Woollen Mills can be sited nationwide there should be no problem for Edinburgh Bicycle. With existing shops in Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Newcastle, the super-IBD will soon be opening a store in Leeds.

"Unlike Ultimate Products, the previous license holder, 2x2 are solely a bicycle trade company run by people who have spent the last 20 years in the industry and who will be focusing on delivering a great product and great service to not only the UK trade but also into Europe and beyond," said 2x2's sales director, Scott Hillyard.