BikeBiz Bicycle and cycling retail news
Demand for Pendleton Bikes has increased month-on-month since their launch this year, according to Halfords.
The Olympian-designed range saw the highest number sold in the past four weeks. Now Victoria Pendleton has retired from competitive cycling now the London 2012 Olympics are over, the gold and silver winner has hinted at further bikes in the range.
Pendleton said: “Maybe I could design more bikes, I really enjoyed doing the range with Halfords. For a cyclist, designing my own bikes has been a dream come true.”
When the range emerged some commentator raised eyebrows that the line-up wasn’t race or performance-orientated. Pendleton said the move was deliberate: "I wanted to help create a bike that you could just jump on to go down to the shops or the park. I know that most women don’t want to squeeze into lycra before they get on a bike.”
Halfords pointed to a growing list of female celebrities on cycles as a factor in boosting interest. Miranda Hart, Kelly Brook, Elle McPherson, Angelina Jolie, Gwyneth Paltrow and Miley Cyrus have all be regularly papped on bikes.
Halfords commercial director Paul McClenaghan commented: “We would be delighted to work more with Victoria and are looking to discuss future plans and get some ideas on the drawing board in coming weeks. She certainly has the golden touch both in the velodrome and out of it and is inspiring more women to ride.
“She has captured the elegance of the traditional lines of a classic bike and helped those looking for a more relaxed everyday style of cycling.”
Register for the BikeBiz News Digest at the registration page.
Follow BikeBiz on Twitter at @BikeBizOnline or ‘Like’ the BikeBiz Facebook page here.
