Just Riding Along

What's not hot this year?

I don't see how things can get any better for the bike industry.   Seems like everything is on the upswing.

I'm just looking through the latest issue of BRAIN and I'm blown away at what's been happening in the freeride scene throughout the country.  I had no idea so many sanctioned riding parks had been built.  There's no doubt freeriding will continue to blow up in '06.

Then there's the whole 29er thing.  Even MG over at Tram Line agrees they're set to get huge next season: "2006 will be the year of the 29 inch mountain bike." 

And of course we can't forget about the high-end road market.  Seems like not a day goes by without some company announcing a new carbon road bike in their line-up (Diamondback being the latest).

And city/commuting bike makers have to be loving the recent oil debacle, continuing bad news about obesity, and millions coming from the Feds to improve the bike infrastructure of our cities.

Should be an exciting time in Vegas.  People tend to be in better moods when business is good.

Bicycles selling "like hotcakes"

A Reuters story just hit the wires with the headline, "Bicycles selling like hotcakes in U.S. stores."  I know there has been a ton of these stories in the media lately, but this one has some interesting tidbits that stood out to me:

Americans purchased more bicycles than new cars and trucks combined in the past year

"Our sales have almost tripled in the last couple of years," said Bob Ippolito, executive vice president at Pacific Bicycle, the largest bicycle distributor in the United States.

Tripled?  That's a big deal.  This sure is an exciting time for the U.S. bicycle industry and for cycling  in America in general.  I'd love to hear from the shop trenches about the type of people that are walking into shops these days.  Are you seeing a ton of newbies?  What is their general perception of cycling?  Is it really all just because of Lance?  Thanks for any feedback.

Giorgio Armani taps Bianchi for new bike

Noticed this little tidbit in the most recent Bike Europe Newsletter (go here to subscribe).

"Giorgio Armani  has designed his own Emporio Armani bicycle, which made its debut on the menswear catwalk last week.  Produced by Bianchi, it will go on sale in December."

Is it just me or does it seem like there's been a ton of fashion-related news in the bike world recently?

-- Cannondale buys Sugoi
-- Nautilus buy Pearl Izumi
-- Nike Launches 10//2 (and The Washington Post weighs in)

I hope all this fashion news means we'll finally start seeing more fashionable, yet functional bike clothing.  In my opinion, if this sport is to really cross over into the lifestyle realm of surfing or skating, we've got to start making more stylish, comfortable, and affordable bike clothing.  I think this company is really onto something and I hope more follow suit.