BikeBiz Bicycle and cycling retail news

The Swiss-American-Italian company, the relatively new business of Morgan Nicol, founder of Ritchey International, and formerly of HED aero products, is based in Switzerland and produces top-end bars, stems, and seat posts for road bikes and MTBs.

Dave Whelan, founder and chairman of JJB Sports, Britain's biggest sports shop chain, and a large retailer of bicycles, told The Financial Times he has yet to decide on whether to take the group private and buy out non-family shareholders.

In yesterday's Daily Telegraph there was a wee advert in the 'businesses for sale' section for a BMX and skateboard company. Upon going to the selling agent's website it turns out the company, which sources its products from the Far East and is based conveniently close to medical facilities, is "unaffected by competition, having established a worldwide brand leader position. It could be assumed that where this company leads, others may only try to follow." Who could it be? Any Second guesses, or would that be splitting?

Gordon Fisher has placed a discount offer on the BikeBiz bulletin board. IBDs can use this to gain a £10 discount if they are new to ordering on the Fisher Outdoor business-to-business (B2B) transactional website.

NewcastleGateshead has by far the strongest credentials for winning European Capital of Culture status in 2008, and that's not just because BikeBiz.co.uk is based in the area, or that NewcastleGateshead is getting its own bright yellow cycle-hire fleet to encourage visitors to get on their bikes...