BikeBiz Bicycle and cycling retail news

Last week's article on the Far Eastern steel shortages and Shimano gruppo delays - for MTBs as well as high-end roadbikes - could be described as alarmist. But industry sources confirm that there are blockages ahead. One global supplier, with buying-power clout in the Far East, said the article was "spot on."

The long-running patent infringement feud instigated by Shimano against SRAM's X7 shifters - and which impacts on products shipped in Germany only - is coming to a head. A Munich court has ruled in favour of Shimano, but check out the story links for the flip-flopping judgments to date...

Portland-based Inside Ride Inc., has signed an agreement with the University of Colorado at Boulder's Applied Exercise Science Laboratory to use the $35k Super Trainer bicycle treadmill - first seen at Interbike 2003 - in upcoming studies on the physiological effects of cycling.  The agreement calls for an initial pilot assessment of the treadmill with official studies to begin in June.

Australia-based Cyclingnews.com was bested by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's coverage of the Rugby World Cup in the prestigious Australian Sports Awards held in Sydney on Thursday. Aussie cyclists won in other categories.

Harry Underwood, 58, died on Tuesday morning following an accident involving a fork lift truck and a lorry at the Redditch head office of the bicycle-and-autos accessory retail chain.