Just Riding Along

Ibis is blogging

Just read on BikeBlogs.com that Ibis has started a blog.  It looks good.  They're using Wordpress, which is way better than Typepad in my opinion.  I'm thinking of transferring JRA over to Wordpress and integrating it with my business site.  I've learned a lot about Wordpress through my latest project, BikePortland.org. 

By the way, the guys over at BikeBlogs.com are doing a great job at tracking the bike blogosphere.  I recommend checking them out.

Tim Jackson on early model-year introductions.

[This post comes to you from my trusty blogging compatriot, Tim Jackson.]

A lot has been said in recent years about early model year introductions being bad for the cycling industry, but especially for retailers. Retailers get caught up in preseason order requirements from their vendors and pressure to order more inventory, only to be "stuck" with product that suddenly becomes "last year's bike" when new model year bikes are introduced during the peak of the summer selling season. They are then in the position of needing to discount bikes they haven't even paid for yet, in some circumstances, so they can make room for the new bikes that the consumer is expecting but the retailer might not have even seen yet. How can this be a good thing?

Innovation and development are a central part of the industry, but there are many cases where the model change may only be a color change and not much else. How does this merit the need to discount the previous model? It doesn't in my opinion.

How did all of this get started?

Some people will blame the auto industry for setting the example that has been picked up by the cycling industry searching to gain more sales. Some people will blame Shimano for new product introductions that have seemingly come earlier and earlier. Does anybody else remember the "good old days" when new products were unveiled at Interbike? Remember when you strolled the aisles of the show looking over the shoulders of the crowd gathered around a booth to see what was new? That was a fun and exciting time for product geeks like me. Now, everybody wants to get the most amount of press before the show even starts, months ahead, and releases their products and creates as much noise as they can to build momentum heading up to the show. Now, that is smart marketing, no doubt. But is the marketing leading the industry down a primrose path?

SRAM serious about road group

Apparently, the recent leaked photos of SRAM's road components were not just a publicity stunt.  These products are the real deal and are already making waves at Eurobike in Germany.  Check this bit just reported on BicycleRetailer.com:

Meanwhile, SRAM was drawing crowds with the first public display of its road group, along with displays of a new 9-speed internal hub and a freeride concept bike that includes a new long-travel RockShox fork. All three are expected to be on ’07 lines.

And this quote from SRAM's PR guy:

“We’re actively selling this to OE’s right now,” ...he said about the road gruppo, which will include shifters, brakes, bottom bracket, cranks and cassette. Zimberoff said the group will likely be released at two high-end price points."

SRAM stressing Shimano?

Tim over at Masiguy offers his take of the new SRAM road shifters.  In his opinion, they pose a more significant threat to Shimano than Campy does.

"as a Product Manager for a bike brand, it gives me another option for road parts, which is always good. Also, it creates more "pressure" for Shimano...Maybe it is just me, but this could prove to be some of the biggest news in road componentry of the past few years."

SRAM - who also owns Truvativ, Rock Shox and Avid - is already much better positioned to offer the elusive "complete drivetrain" than Shimano is.  More info on SRAM's road stuff from Cyclingnews.com.

Fisher 29ers at SSWC05

Apparently Fisher's commitment to the 29" wheel platform is paying off.  According to Michael Browne over at Dirt Rag Magazine, Fisher's  "Rig" 29er model was by far the most popular bike at the recent Single Speed World Championships last weekend in Pennsylvania.

In fact, the bikes were so ubiquitous that riders had a tough time finding their own bikes after the Le Mans-style running start.  One poor soul even ended up doing the entire race on someone elses "Rig".

According to Browne:

"The Rig is the only production 29” bike available around the country. Sure, smaller builders make them and have fueled the passion for the movement, but this bike has brought it to the people, for a very reasonable price."

I expect to see all the major brands at Interbike showing new 29" models and I'm sure there will be a slew of new 29" compatible parts.  Will it be the shot in the arm that the XC-MTB market has been waiting for?  I sure hope so. 

SSWC05

Trek dealer show in the books

Wondering how Trek's dealer show went?  Here's what one attendee thought:

"Do we really need a 30 minute fashion show to introduce the '06 Nike line?

Klein......yeah, ummm.....there over there, somewhere in an alleyway all by themselves.......mumble.....couple a models......OKAY! Let's move on, shall we?"

Read more of "Guitar Ted's" report and see a bunch of photos on his blog.

 

The Interbike Question

Since my first trip to Interbike back in 1997 I have always looked forward to the Big Show.  I have been as a manufacturer's rep (with Chris King), as a marketing director (with Old Man Mountain) and most recently as a consultant.  My fondest memories in this industry are still from standing on my feet all day and talking with dealers, the media and anyone that cared to listen about products and ideas I believe in.

To me, there's just something special about the all the best and brightest bicycle minds all under one roof at the same time.  To me, it's an essential place for our industry to come together once a year.   

But maybe I'm lost in some idealized version of bicycle solidarity utopia that simply doesn't exist.  The reality is that there are some companies who choose not to attend at all.  Notably absent from this year's show is Trek Bicycle Corp; they've decided on a "dealer-only" event at their HQ in Wisconsin instead.

Trek's decision makes me wonder about the future of the show...

• Do well-known suppliers with an established dealer networks still need Interbike?
• Will more suppliers start doing their own, dealer-only events?
• If suppliers aren't happy with the show, who's to blame?  Is it the Sands Convention Center and those crazy unions and fees?  Or is it the folks that run Interbike?
• A perfect trade show will never exist, but are there some fundamental changes that could make the show better for everyone?

I think Trek (and other suppliers) will regret not showing up in force to Vegas.  I understand all about taking care of existing dealers and saving the cash, but I think the branding, PR and networking opportunities are too important to ignore. 

What do you think? 

Wald profiled on NPR

National Public Radio's "Day to Day" show recently featured an interesting profile on Wald.  Wald manufactures the ubiquitous metal baskets seen in thousands of bike shops around the country.

A brief summary:

"Most bicycle accessories are now manufactured in China, but one family-owned American company is determined to stay in the business. Noah Adams talks with Madeleine Brand about his visit to the Wald company in the rural Kentucky town of Maysville, where workers still make and ship bicycle baskets all over the world."

Interesting factoids about Wald:

• Been in the same family for 100 years.
• They still make everything in the U.S.
• They've survived by diversifying and they now make parts for GM trucks, among others.
• They sell 250,000 bike baskets per year.

Full story:   U.S. Firm Keeps Toehold in Bike Basket Business

Blogs cause Trek to backpedal on dealer show fees

Last week I reported that Trek didn't do a great job in communicating the fees for their dealer only show.  Their lack of disclosure about charging $200 bucks per head didn't sit well with at least one loyal dealer.

Now, I get word that because of a "stir on the Internet" Trek is changing their policy.

"It appears that because of this (chatter on the Web), Trek is working out an "amicable solution" for this years show attendees, but that there may be a policy change for future shows. As I understood the situation as of last Monday, Trek was going to charge $100.00 for any number of people from our shop over two. So, only $100.00 would cover everybody."

This is the first time I've heard of a major supplier changing its policy due to pressure from the blogosphere.  The bottom line is that blogs are giving more and more power to the voice of the little guys and even Trek, the world's biggest bike brand, must take this into account. 

My advice?  If you can't beat 'em, join 'em.

Ibis Cycles flies again

Here's the word from Scot Nicol on the Ibis website:

"Long time no chat. You see, Ibis has been taking a little break. But we're coming back soon to a trail and to a road near you. Our vacation is over and we’re on our way back. We missed you.

Where have we been? Sequestered in a secret location working to unleash some fresh new radness on the bike world. Velo Club Ibis returns in September 2005."

The Ibis brand is beloved by many folks in the bike business.  My personal connection is that I almost rode for their grassroots MTB team back in the 90s.  David Peoples, a rep for them in California (now with Castellano), teased me with the idea and I thought it would happen, but it fell through for some reason or another.  I was just a wide-eyed, up and coming Expert racer...and like many of us back then, I revered the simple elegance and mystique of Ibis bikes. 

I can't wait to see what they've got in store.

[via the Salsa Blog]