BIKEwww.bike-eu.com

Decision on EU Anti-Dumping Measures China-Made Bikes & Parts Expected for October

Type Approval Review:‘Consideration for LEVs’BRUSSELS, Belgium – End of MarchWim van de Camp ‘Rapporteur’ of theEU Committee on the Internal Market& Consumer Protection (IMCO) whichis handling the review of type-appro-val Directive 2002/24/EC for motori-zed two-wheelers, has been testriding and examining e-bikes andspeed pedelecs just prior to thehearing in the European Parliamenton the type approval review.

Later that day, at the IMCO hearing onthe type-approval review, he stated thatlight electric vehicles should get specialconsideration in Parliament’s legislativework. He added that he and his colleagu-es were not completely sure yet aboutwhat to do and how to do it. However, hethought there was a clear need to createsome space for innovation.Prior to IMCO hearing the European Two-Wheelers Retailers’ Association (ETRA)presented European Parliament members(MEP’s) the opportunity to test ride somee-bikes and light electric vehicles. Theycould try out several 250 W pedelecs andone 300 W speed pedelec bike, which re-quires type-approval, a helmet, a drivinglicence and insurance. Rapporteur Wimvan de Camp was present and took a longtime examining and testing the vehicles.

PositionsBefore the IMCO hearing the European bi-cycle industry organization’s COLIBI/COLI-PED made their positions clear regardingthe review of type-approval legislation fortwo-wheelers and e-bikes in particular.Both industry organizations are in favourof maintaining the current specificationsas described in the Directive 2002/24/EC.“The most important reason for our opini-on is road safety”, stated COLIBI/COLIPEDin an open letter to Van der Camp. “It should be clear that both many bicyclelanes and bicycles themselves are not de-signed for safe use over 25 km/hour. Also,the bigger the difference between riderswith lower and higher speed, the moredangerous it becomes to share the samespace (cycle paths) on public roads. COLI-BI and COLIPED fully agree that more po-werful (> 250 W) and faster (> 25 km/h)electric two-wheelers fall within the sco-pe of the European Directive 2002/24/ECand therefore need type-approval. This si-tuation is very clear to and respected bythe European bicycle industry.”COLIBI/COLIPED also state that the fact

that low performance EPACs (< 250W &< 25 km/h) are exempted from the Euro-pean type-approval, doesn’t mean thatthey are completely regulation free. In-deed, these vehicles have to comply withboth the Electromagnetic Compatibility(EMC) Directive 2004/08/EC and with theMachinery Directive 2006/42/EC. Moreo-ver, and at the request of our Europeanbicycle industry, CEN TC 333 ‘Cycles’ de-veloped a specific standard for EPACsthat are exempted from Directive2002/24/EC, i.e. EN 15194 ‘EPAC’. Also the European Cyclists Federation(ECF) expressed their concerns regardingthe revision of the EU Directive 2002/24/ECas they are concerned about the safety as-pects. “Increasing the power of the auxilia-ry electric motor or even deleting the tech-nical specifications as laid down in the Di-rective 2002/24/EC and proposed Regulati-on, could mean that the European marketwould be flooded with unsafe electric two-wheelers and a growing pressure on aut-horities to allow them on cycling infra-structure. There is clear evidence that theshared use of cycling infrastructure by evermore powerful electric vehicles and “nor-mal” bicycles (i.e. without electric support)will worsen the comfort and safety of thelatter, especially children and elderly peop-le. We kindly ask you and IMCO to considerour position when you discuss the revisionof the directive.”More on type approval regulations forLEVs on pages 2 and 21.

Strong Recovery for US Bicycle Market

Volume 15, nr. 4 April 2011

Trade Journal for the European Bicycle & Scooter Market

Worries rising in Taiwan on expected battle with China for Europe once duties are dropped

At last month’s Taipei Cycle Show BikeEurope spoke with Moreno Fioravanti,President of COLIPED, the European asso-ciation for parts makers. He said the Eu-ropean Commission will take the regular15 months to decide for a withdrawal orcontinuation of the anti-dumping mea-sures. With the expiry review being an-nounced in July 2010, this means that inOctober 2011 a decision is needed andwill be made.

China in violationAsked whether he thinks the dumpingduties of 48.5% on bikes and parts im-ported from China will be continued ornot, he said that nothing is sure at thismoment.“However, the Chinese are in clear viola-tion of all trade rules as they re-instatedtheir export subsidy which they call ‘taxrebate’ of 18%,” claimed Fioravanti. Healso said that it is estimated that annuallyabout 2 million China made bikes are en-tering the European Union markets un-der false Form A certificates, noting, “Thisis also harming the European industry.” Itgoes without saying that the Europeanindustry associations are using these al-legations in their contacts with the EUanti-dumping committee.

WorriesRecent press reports in Taiwan indicateindustry members in the country expect

the dumping duties for China to be lifted.The press reports state the decision is ex-pected by the end of the year, which is,as indicated by Fioravanti, wrong. Thedecision made by the European Commis-sion is due to EU’s strict dumping proce-dures lawfully needed this October 2011.In 1993 the first anti-dumping measureswere enforced by the European Union, onall complete bicycles imported from Chi-na. The general consensus in Taiwan iscurrently that another five year term ishighly unlikely and that the duties will bedropped. With that, the Taiwan industryexpects an assault on the EU markets bythe Chinese makers. The Taiwan bike ma-nufacturers are seriously taking into ac-count that such an assault will not be tar-geted to the lower ends of the market,but will in fact be aimed at the mid tohigh end market. This is the core businessof the Taiwan industry. The Taiwan indus-try exported about 3.5 million units to theEU in 2010 with the average value of aTaiwan-made bicycle at close to $300 US.

Dumping duties on shoesBy the way, on March 16 it was publis-hed in the Official Journal of the Euro-pean Union that the anti-dumping du-ties on leather shoes from China, Viet-nam and Macau have been dropped.The European Commission will monitorthe import situation for one year, indica-ting that it may re-impose provisional

duties if it notices any surges in importsof these products. Before drawing a parallel with the dum-ping case on bicycles and parts, it has tobe noted that there’s a huge difference.The European Shoe Industry Federation(CEC) didn’t request a new anti-dumpinginvestigation, after pressure from theCommission. The European bicycle in-dustry associations COLIBI (for bike ma-nufacturers) and COLIPED (for parts ma-kers) did.

BRUSSELS, Belgium – This tradejournal reported earlier that adecision for a continuation or adrop of the anti-dumpingduties on complete bikes aswell as parts made in China isnot expected before the end ofthis year. That now appears tobe wrong. According to MorenoFioravanti, President of theEuropean industry associationCOLIPED, a decision will bemade by October 2011. InTaiwan, worries are increasing,with the country’s bike industryfearful that Chinese bike mak-ers will launch an all-out assaulton European markets once theduties are lifted, which will hurtTaiwan’s exports severely.

The general consensus in the Taiwan industry is that the anti-dumping duties on China made bikes and parts will bedropped. With that, Taiwanese manufacturers expect an assault on the EU markets by the Chinese makers which willhurt Taiwan’s export severely. Photo TAITRA

Wim van de Camp (left) ‘Rapporteur’ of the EU Committeehandling the review of type-approval Directive, statedafter test-riding an e-bike that light electric vehiclesshould get special consideration in Parliament’s legislati-ve work. Photo ETRA

2 News & Editorial � 4 Report Schwalbe expands � 5 Financial News � 6 e-Bike News � 8 Peugeot

launches � 9 Interview Peugeot’s Annie Faivre & Catherine Louis � 10 Market Report Poland and

Czech Rep. � 11 Market Report Slovenia � 12 Market Report Russia � 13 Market Report Baltic

States � 14 Report Velocity � 15 Report Marwi Moves � 16 Report SRAM Taiwan � 17 Review

MetroMobile � 18 Taipei Cycle Products � 20 FOCUS Frames � 21 Column ETRA � 22 People

Moreno Fioravanti, President of COLIPED: ‘Chinese are inclear violation of all trade rules as they re-instated theirexport subsidy.’ Photo Bike Europe

WASHINGTON, US – In 2010 the USbicycle imports came close to settinga record for units entering the coun-try. It did set a record for total FOBvalue of bicycle imports. Last year atotal of 19,876,313 bicycles wereimported in the US, an increase of noless than 33.2% related to 2009.

Keeping in mind that 2009 was a reces-sion year, the increase of just over 33% inbicycles of all wheel sizes imported

through December 2010 is a clear reco-very from the downturn of the previousyear. Nevertheless the recovery is remar-kable as 2009 sales were the lowest in adecade, while 2010 is the second best sin-ce 2000. The total FOB value of all bicyclesimported during 2010 totaled US$1.3 bil-lion, setting a new all time record for theannual FOB value of U.S. bicycles imports.The main supplier for the US market is stillChina. Last year they exported 18,918,753bicycles to the US, an increase of 34.2%.

The average FOB unit value remainedmore or less the same at US$51.04.While US bicycle imports originating inChina jumped significantly in unit volu-me, bicycles imported from Taiwanshowed a more modest increase of11.4%, to 854,626 units. This differencecould be attributed to the more modestincrease and stability at the upper end ofthe US bicycle market, where US brandstend to purchase more high-end productfrom Taiwan compared to China.

Shimano and SR Suntour Donate to Japan’sEarthquake VictimsOSAKA, Japan – Recently Shimano Inc.announced that it has donated JPY 100million(around € 850,000) to earthquakevictims in Northeast Japan. Also Shi-mano Europe made a substantial dona-tion to the Japanese Red Cross Society

as well as SR Suntour. The companies ex-pressed: “Our heartfelt sympathy to thepeople affected by the earthquake andsincerely hope for safety and swift reco-very of the people and the affectedarea.”

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BIKE europe2 Editor in ChiefNews

In 2008 Bert Piëst took over Gazelle ma-nagement from Ruud Sjamaar who hadheaded the company since Gilde Buy OutPartners bought the Dutch bike makerfor €142.5 million from Derby’s Alan Fin-den-Croft.Since 2008, Bert Piëst turned around the:“Financially stressed company, as we fo-cused strongly on cash flow which is po-sitive now. Since then also the SAP sys-tem was implemented. A new generationof e-bikes has been developed as well asa complete new line-up of bikes inclu-ding life-style models as well as a new hi-end brand called Gold Line.Dealers apparently appreciate our effortsas order intake is high and for the newgeneration electric bikes even phenome-nal. With that my job is done. There’s astrong basis now for further growth inthe coming years and due to that I haveresigned.”

Different pictureAt last month’s Taipei Cycle strong ru-mours were going around that paint acompletely different picture for Gazelle.Numerous suppliers of the Dutch bikemaker told Bike Europe that credit insu-rances for Gazelle were to stop mid April.Asked if Piëst doesn’t feel that him lea-ving the company under this circumstan-ces contribute to the nervousness of hispartners, he says: “There’s no need forthat. The fact that I am leaving now is a

positive signal. Gazelle is doing great.”Referring to the credit insurances thatwere to drop mid April, he says: “This isnonsense. Gossip. Next to that suppliershave nothing to worry about; we aremeeting all our payment schedules anddeadlines.” (Some weeks after the inter-view with Piëst took place, Bike Europewas informed by one Gazelle supplierthat it was again possible to open creditinsurances for deliveries to the renownedDutch bike maker). Also nonsense and gossip according toPiëst are all indications of Gazelle ownersactively seeking to sell the company,or that the Gilde Buy Out Partners shareholding has been taken over bythe Rabobank.“Such stories have been going aroundsince 2001; since Gazelle was sold to Gilde. The only thing that’s true about itis that Gilde is open for all strategic options.”Bert Piëst is succeeded by Jeroen Walra-ven who comes from Dorel Industries.The fact that part of Dorel Industries isthe Cycling Sports Groups including(among others) Cannondale, doesn’t mean anything in relation to Gazelle.“I had nothing to do with bikes at Dorel. I was involved in Maxi Cosi kid products.My job at Gazelle will next to the dailymanagement be focusing on supplychain optimization and market trendsand developments.”

DIEREN, the Netherlands – CEO Bert Piëst has left Gazelle andhanded the management of the Dutch bike maker over to JeroenWalraven. The reason for the departure, according to Piest: “Myjob is done. I am leaving a strong Gazelle.”

By Jack Oortwijn

CEO Bert Piëst Resigns and Leaves 'Strong Gazelle'

And calls all rumours and stories on Dutch bike maker: ‘Nonsense and gossip’CompetitionAt this moment most are stilllying in wait. However, someare now joining the bandwa-gon. I am talking about compa-nies like Peugeot. In this BikeEurope issue we presentPeugeot’s e-Vivacity; their allnew electric scooter, on page 8.I was invited to attend itslaunch party and frankly, I wasimpressed. Electric scooters arereally something totally diffe-rent when compared to gas-engine scooters. With its veryprecise motor control, reduced vibration, noise, and emissions andmaintenance-free usage combined with running costs just a tenth ofthat required for a similar combustion engine vehicle, the e-Vivacitypresents a view of how the future looks like. Peugeot is the first of therenowned scooter brands to launch an all-new electric scooter. Andmany more are to come, as sales for electric scooters are growing rapid-ly. In fact what is happening now with e-scooters shows a similar trendto what happened with electric bicycles. I was able to interview somePeugeot officials at the e-Vivacity launch (see page 9). Despite theirclaim that, “Electric bicycles are completely different compared to elec-tric scooters. They are targeting different age and user groups,” I amconvinced electric scooters and the companies behind them will growinto firm competitors for electric bicycles. Simply because companieslike Peugeot will not stop their product development at just one e-scooter. “Electric vehicles are now part of the Peugeot strategy,” saidthe Peugeot officials I interviewed. Of course this is strongly related tothe ‘decarbonisation of transport’; a European Commission’s objective. I am certain companies like Peugeot will present electric two-wheelerswhich are much closer in styling and characteristics to electric bicyclesthan to electric scooters in the near future. The first examples of suchtwo-wheelers are already popping up. Yamaha for instance, with its EC-03, is one example. What was, in my view, also striking is what the inter-viewed Peugeot officials said regarding my questions on the new type-approval regulations for motorized two-wheelers. They made very clearthat the powered two-wheeler companies “are pushing for special LEVregulations within the new EU type-approval.” This is contrary to bicycleindustry organizations COLIBI and COLIPED that only focus on keepingthe regulations for electric (pedal assisted 250 W – 25 km/h) bicycles asthey stand now. In my view that’s too short-sighted, particularly in viewof competitors such as Peugeot now joining the e-bandwagon.

jack.oortwijn@reedbusiness.nl

JACK OORTWIJN

Bert Piëst: ‘There’s a strong basis now for further growthin the coming years and due to that I have resigned.’

Bert Piëst is succeeded by Jeroen Walraven who comesfrom Dorel Industries. Photos Bike Europe

M a n u f a c t u r i n g D e v e l o p i n g

I m p o r t i n g E x p o r t i n g

AROUND THE WORLD AND CLOSE TO YOU!

Messingschlager GmbH & Co. KGHaßbergstr. 4596148 Baunach - GermanyTelefon: + 49/(0)9544/944445Telefax: + 49/(0)9544/944440e-mail: info@messingschlager.comwww.messingschlager.com

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e-mail: mattn@cyclefg.com

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11BIK004_Page 2.qxp 4/15/11 8:15 PM Page 2

The Grace One is in fact an electricmotorcycle, as it is equipped witha 1300 Watt strong motor. The bike was developed by Grace incooperation with Kalle Nicolai; therenowned German frame builder. As Grace MD Michael Hecken decided to have its Grace One gointo series production, Nicolai recommended Panther Werke AG.The bike manufacturer located ineastern Westphalia finalized itspartnership with Grace recently. PantherWerke is producing theGrace bikes at individual work-stations. The partnership betweenthe two companies goes beyondjust production, as synergy effects

Transworld Bicycle Co. Ltd. is nowan independent company withMMA Tanvir Titash promoted toCEO. Titash (Mizanur Rahman’sbrother-in-law) said at last March’sTaipei Cycle Show in Taipei: “Dueto the new, more relaxed rules forthe Generalized System of Prefe-rences (GSP) we are now able tofocus more on hi-end bikes for ex-port to Europe. Transworld are anexport only factory producing OEbikes to international export qua-lity for clients across Europe andwe can count on some renownednames like Raleigh and Diamond-back. For over 20 years, we havesupplied consistent quality forsuch brands with an experienceworkforce, of which the majorityhave 8 to 9 years experience in assembling bikes to the deman-ding standards of our Europeancustomers.”Meghna Group has its bicycle pro-duction now taking place at thebrand new facility named Uniglo-ry Cycle Industries Ltd, in Ghazi-pur, about 60 km from the capital

city of Dhaka. This company is awholly owned subsidiary ofMeghna Group. “It is a state-of-the-art unit which took an invest-ment of USD 5 million,” said Rah-man. The new, opened last year,facility has been built from machi-nery imported from Holland Mechanics, a paint plant from Taiwan, a TIG welding plant fromJapan and “white” lighting fromSingapore.With the Uniglory Cycle facilityMeghna Group are focusing moreon the production of alloy bikesand its Indigo branded bikes.“This is the brand that we want topush and establish in Europe. It is

a complete range of bikes develo-ped using branded componentsthat are right for Central Europe.”said Rahman. He further mentio-ned in Taipei that Meghna, nextto bikes, is now also targeting theEuropean Aftermarket for tyresand saddles. “We have started ty-res and saddles production forthe Aftermarket for which we ha-ve installed in-house graphic de-sign for labelling the productsand for special packaging ser-vices. The new GSP rules offer usadvantages with such parts as weare able to export these, like ourbikes, import duty free to Europe.”

TAIPEI, Taiwan – The largest bicycle maker in Bangladesh, Meghna Group,announced by Chairman Mizanur Rahman, that Transworld Bicycle Co. Ltd.becomes a standalone company with shared control across his family.

3BIKE europeNews

Meghna Group Makes TransworldBicycle Independent

Dahon Plans New Facility in ChinaSHENZHEN, China - Dahon, the world's largest makerof folding bicycles, thinks moving inland will helpregain the low cost advantage the company once hadin Shenzhen, located in southern China. "It makessense," says founder and Dahon CEO Dr. David Hon."It could be a year, it could be two, but it seems likewe'll be probably moving the bulk of manufacturingthere."

The company is studying sites incentral China. It also has been tes-ting out a facility in Tianjin, nearBeijing, for nearly two years. Dahon is already producing bikesfor the domestic market at the Tianjin facility which is 11,000 m²in size. Dahon is currently buil-ding lower end folding bikes in Tianjin and will gradually moveupwards into higher level bikes inthe near future. The company will also manufac-ture its proprietary frames therebefore delivering them to facto-ries in China, Taiwan, Macao andthe Czech Republic for final as-sembly.In addition to the Tianjin facility,Dahon will keep what is currentlyits main production facility inShenzhen where all of the re-

search and development work ishandled. Here the company runsa 35,000 square meter facilitywith almost 1,000 employees andthree assembly lines.

New facilityDahon also has plans in place fora complete new manufacturingfacility in China. Dr. Hon originallyunveiled these plans in 2008. Theglobal financial crisis that brokeout that year ended up delayingthe project. With the economic si-tuation improving and with thedemand for Dahon folding bikesagain rising, the plans are againon the table. They call for a plantthat will initially include four to fi-ve floors with extra capacity to beadded easily by constructing ex-tra floors. The building will featu-

re solar panels for partial energyself-sufficiency and will have aproduction capacity of 500,000bikes per year. “We are excited about these de-velopments as they will greatlyimprove both quality and delive-ry times for all our markets in theshort-term and secure our conti-nued growth in the long-term.”said Dr. Hon.

JO

Meghna is now also targeting the EuropeanAftermarket for tyres and saddles.

Photos Bike Europe

Transworld Bicycle Co. Ltd. CEO MMA TanvirTitash: ‘Transworld is a 100% OE maker.’

Founder and Dahon CEO Dr. David Hon with amodel of the new Dahon plant which will belocated more inland in China in order to regainthe low cost advantage the company once hadin Shenzhen. Photo Bike Europe

The Grace One electric motorcycle. Photo Grace

WAGES, Germany – Germany’s Panther Werke AG hasstarted the production of the Grace One electricmotorcycle recently. It is part of a partnershipbetween the two companies that will also involve thedevelopment of new electric bikes.

Panther Werke Starts Cooperationwith e –Bike Developer Grace

“AXA: Unlocking the future.” Withthis motto Van Vlijmen introdu-ced the new umbrella brand na-me AXA. "AXA has the X in themiddle, which represents the in-tersection between innovationand product development on theone hand, and the demands andneeds of our customers and con-sumers on the other," he said. This brings AXA, according to VanVlijmen, back in the innovationrace, which among others hasbeen translated into several inno-vation awards (Bicycle InnovationAward, Eurobike Award and RedDot Design Award). With AXA aspowerful and unique brand, thenames Basta and De Woerd aredropped as separate brands. Simultaneously, a new corporateidentity is introduced with theAXA name in silver and black, aswell as a new range of Aftermar-

ket packaging which is to enterthe shops soon. Next to the newHQ and brand CEO Van Vlijmenalso pointed out that the compo-nent maker opted for a new busi-ness structure. He said: “In order to facilitate fur-ther growth we are now opera-ting with two business teams (forbike components and for buildershardware) which incorporatemarketing, product developmentand sales. This approach bringsAXA closer to its the two coremarkets and turns it from a pro-duction-driven into a customerfocused company.”

AV

VEENENDAAL – Beginning April Dutch maker of locks and lighting components,Axa Stenman, opened its new HQ in Veenendaal, the Netherlands. Next to the newand partly renovated facility which was showed to numerous guests; also the newAXA brand was presented by CEO Peter van Vlijmen.

AXA Opens New HQ and Presents NewCorporate Identity

TAIPEI, Taiwan – No, it wasn’t inthe spotlights at the JD booth inTaipei. It starred only at the e-Biketest ramp during last March’s Tai-pei Cycle where Bike Europe wasallowed to have a quick look at itbefore it was again covered up.It’s all about a highly secretTranzX PST project code named‘AGT’. At next September’s Eurobi-ke JD will launch it and expects itto revolutionize electric bicycles.

JO

JD’s Big TranzX

PST Secret

JD’s highly secret TranzX PST project where BikeEurope was allowed to have a quick look.

Photo Bike Europe

‘AXA: Unlocking the future.’ With this motto CEOVan Vlijmen introduced the new umbrellabrand name AXA. Photo AXA

By Jack Oortwijn

are used in purchasing and in R&D. Panther Werke AG, founded in1896, is one of the largest sup-pliers to German bicycle retailers.The company controls a group ofsubsidiaries producing about450,000 bicycles annually. Gracewas founded in 2010 and now exports its e-bikes to 16 countries.

JWvS

11BIK004_Page 3.qxp 4/15/11 8:18 PM Page 3

Apparently huge production numbers issomething the people at Pt. Hung A Tireare used to. Without batting an eyelidthey mention that well over 15 million tyres were shipped to Europe in 2010.The total production of the facility in Bekasi (near Jakarta) in Indonesia stoodat close to 28 million ‘regular’ tyres, aswell as close to 40 million tubes last year!Even that was not enough as productionwas expanded by another 20%.

More than partnership While touring the factory it doesn’t lookas huge as its production numbers mightsuggest. But that probably has to do withthe fact that the Pt. Hung A Tire facility isa 24/7 business, running three shifts 7 days a week. Because the facility has itsown power plant and water supply, it canoperate without stopping for the poweroutages that are often a fact of life in In-donesia. Yong Wan Jung heads up the factory andits over 4,100 employees. He is a memberof the Hung-A family that started a tyrebusiness in Korea during the war be-tween the North and South parts of the

extrusion lines (a big expansion was ma-de here in order to produce more slowlyto attain a more consistent quality). Afterclearing the production line each tube isinflated. After 32 hours it’s checked for le-aks before packaging.

Tubular productionIs it a weaving-mill or a tyre factory?That’s the question when seeing theSchwalbe tubular production. The dense-ly woven protection belts, called HighDensity Speed Guards, are made here. Later in the production process they arestitched and glued together with a latextube and RaceStar Triple Compound forexcellent performance. The result is theSchwalbe Ultremo series with the ZX andZLX as the absolute top. Not only in thereduction of rolling resistance and per-formance, claims Schwalbe, but also inweight with only 160 grams.There’s a huge difference between the‘regular’ Pt. Hung A Tire facility and thetubular factory. Probably the same as be-tween the VW and Porsche plants. Here in a more relaxed atmosphereabout 5,000 tubulars per month are made. Almost nothing compared to tensof millions made elsewhere at the sameindustrial estate of Bekasi.

res. The business model is clear-cut: R&D,marketing and sales takes place fromGermany, as well as other Europeancountries where Ralf Bohle GmbH holdssubsidiaries or distributors. Productionand QC takes place in Indonesia. During the last twenty years, since theproduction is located in Indonesia, notonly the production volume expandedhugely, but also the level of the Schwalbetyres progressed distinctively. High-endfolding tyres were added to the line-up in2000, tubeless MTB tyres in 2001, andmore recently the Balloon models, as wellas the Rocket Ron’s or the Racing Ralph’s.It goes without saying that with the hig-her quality levels of the Schwalbe tyresthe (retail) prices also increased. Current-ly they stand at between €17 to about€45 for the ‘regular’ tyres. Tubulars are ofcourse more expensive. For how muchmore, read on.When touring the Pt. Hung A Tire facilityin Bekasi Bike Europe was amazed by thenumber and levels of quality checks. There’s a 100% check (each individual ty-re!) on looks and whether the tyre isstraight. Each of the 3.3 million tubes that leavethe factory every month are also chec-ked. Currently they are produced at 17

BIKE europe

Production up by 20% and new facility for tubulars

4 Report

What is remarkable at the Schwalbe tyre plant in Indonesia is the number and levels of quality checks. There’s a 100%check (each individual tyre!) on looks and whether the tyre is straight. Photos Bike EuropeYong Wan Jung heads up the factory and its over 4,100

employees that produced close to 30 million ‘regular’tyres and 40 million tubes last year. He is a member ofthe Hung-A family which is ‘closely connected’ to theBohle family that owns Schwalbe.

Ralf Bohle GmbH is the exclusive partner for the Pt. HungA Tire made Schwalbe tyres. The business model is clear-cut: R&D, marketing and sales takes place from Germany;production and QC takes place in Indonesia. Is it a weaving-mill or a tyre factory? The densely woven

protection belts, called High Density Speed Guards, aremade at the new Schwalbe tubular production facility.

The High Density Speed Guards are stitched and gluedtogether with a latex tube and RaceStar Triple Compoundfor excellent performance of the Schwalbe tubulars.

BEKASI, Indonesia – The fact that Schwalbe is the tyre sponsor of the Leopard – Trek top team ofFränk and Andy Schleck as well as World Time–Trial Champion Fabian Cancellara, is perhaps thebest illustration of the big ambitions Europe’s leading tyre supplier has for its tubulars. For theseultra high-end road race tyres the company and its partner in Indonesia – Pt. Hung A Tire - recentlyopened a separate production facility in Indonesia. Bike Europe was invited to take a look and alsoto check out the huge manufacturing plant which ships over 1.5 million Schwalbe tyres to Europeevery month.

By Jack Oortwijn

Schwalbe Expands in Volume and in High-End Tyres

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BEKASI, Indonesia – Mid-March Schwalbe (Ralf Bohle GmbH)opened a logistics center for its Asian OEM customers in Indo-nesia, almost next door to its factory in Bekasi. Schwalbe Asia isto reduce the tyre maker’s lead time for Asian OEMs.Holger Jahn, COO of Ralf Bohle GmbH, officially openedSchwalbe Asia. In an informal speech for a group of Schwalbeclients and distributors, he noted with pride that with the newlogistic center Schwalbe is now able to increase its service levelfor Asian OEMs.“Bicycle manufacturers in Asia pushed us to bring down ourlead times, which were three months. With Schwalbe Asia wefocus on bringing the lead time down to one month. However,in order to be able to reach this, we need forecasts from ourAsian clients. With their forecasts we can produce on stock andhave frequent deliveries from our warehouse.”Schwalbe Asia came ‘online’ last February after a long period ofplanning and construction, after establishing a computer linkbetween Schwalbe Asia and Schwalbe Germany. At the mo-ment of opening the new warehouse was still mostly empty.“That’s because operations started here only two weeks agoand because most of the production of the Schwalbe tyres, tu-bes and tubulars is directly shipped to the various markets,” ex-plained Jahn.“We need to build up our stock levels in the coming weeks,”continued Holger Jahn. He further outlined that the total capa-city of the logistic center is 400,000 tyres. “With our factory lo-cated next door, we are able to replenish our stock almost daily

and with that establish a rapid stock turnaround. Direct ship-ments to OEMs from the factory will continue as normal. Thislogistics center is an extra more just-in-time service we offer toOEMs.” Schwalbe Asia is foremost focused on Taiwan and Chinabut shipments to other countries like Cambodia or Vietnam areof course also possible.

Schwalbe Opens Logistic Center for Asian OEMs

Holger Jahn, COO of Ralf Bohle GmbH (left) and general manager Petrus Muda offici-ally opened Schwalbe Asia. ‘Bicycle manufacturers in Asia pushed us to bring downour lead times, which were three months. With Schwalbe Asia we focus on bringingthe lead time down to one month,’ said Jahn at the opening.

country. It took the family about 20 yearsto turn it into the leading tyre maker ofthe country. In the 70’s big changes tookplace as the first meetings with Schwalbefounder Ralf Bohle were held. In 1973 thisturned into a formal partnership with RalfBohle GmbH taking an over 20% stake inthe company of the Hung-A family. Thatpartnership has only became strongersince then, says Holger Jahn. He is chiefoperations officer of Ralf Bohle GmbH aswell as stakeholder.“Since those early days it turned into mo-re than a partnership. The two familiesand companies are closely connected.We share the same philosophy, the samebasic principles. It’s unique. I have seen itgrow since I joined Bohle in 1992. At thattime operations were started here in Be-kasi. The Hung-A production moved fromto Indonesia as Korea became too expen-sive for the production of tyres.”

ExclusivityRalf Bohle GmbH is the exclusive partnerfor the Pt. Hung A Tire made Schwalbe ty-

Nevertheless, the tubular production means a huge step for Bohle and its Kore-an partner. And not only in prices, as thecheapest tubular retails for over €65. But it also takes Schwalbe to the absolutetop in the tyre business… and in road ra-cing, as the Schwalbe sponsored Leopard– Trek top team with the Schleck brothersand Cancellara have high ambitions tomatch Schwalbe’s tubular hopes.

11BIK004_Page_4.qxp 4/18/11 4:47 PM Page 4

On Friday 11th March and as manyothers Hubert Kögel - a German expat li-ving in Yokohama and working as Regio-nal General Manager at Element Six (asubsidiary of De Beers and the world’sleading manufacturer and supplier of in-dustrial diamond super materials) in To-kyo – was caught off guard by the 8.9magnitude earthquake that struck thenortheast of Japan.“All of us – both Japanese and foreigners– were scared, jumping first under the ta-bles and then hurrying down onto thestreets”, says Kögel to Bike Europe. Nexthe tried to call his wife Seiko at their newhome in Yokohama and his two kids inschool. But by this time most of the lineswere dead. Within seconds all publictransportation was out of service. Taxiswere completely booked out. Kögel got the same idea as many others:“We went to the next bike shop, stood inthe line and waited to be served. Whilewaiting I was rethinking exactly what tobuy. It came to my mind that mydaughter needed a new bicycle anywayso I didn’t buy the cheapest commuterbike, but looked out for a good mountainbike I hoped she would like. It took a whi-le before I was served, but I bought amountain bike and cycled back homefrom my office in Tokyo to Yokohama. Itwas a good but due to some aftershocks

also a scary ride. But for all of us it wasthe only way to travel back home andlook for our families.”What does this story have to do with ourstock chart? Four of our five Japaneseshare values ended up with a Marchshare value increase. Only the bicyclewholesaler and supplier Tsunoda endedup on the same share value as themonth before. Note that the last Tsuno-da share value we received is dated 15thMarch and we could not figure out atthe time of writing why there was nofurther development between 15th and31st March. Nevertheless parts makers Araya (plus 1.5percent), Miyata’s parent company Morita(plus 1.3 percent) and bike parts giantShimano (plus 1.8 percent) showed upwith slight March share value increases.But the largest profit was made by Asahi– with more than 160 national franchisestores and a web shop the nation’s lea-ding IBD: Their March share value in-crease was 9.1 percent – and definitelyrooted in the increased bicycle sales afterthe catastrophe. Many elder Japanesewere reminded on those good old dayswhen many people used their bicycle togo to work. Some foreigners said that Japanese roads were as packed with cyclists as it sometimes still is in manyChinese metropolises.

Not only the Japanese but also internatio-nal bicycle share values were able to fightagainst the overall stock market develop-ment after the catastrophe. All in all 16out of our 22 chart members experiencedshare value increases. Two stayed on thesame value as in the previous month. On-ly four bicycle share values followed theoverall dropping stock market trend. These four have been Dutch Accell Group(that outperformed in 2010 and seems tohave now come back to earth), Halfords

(the UK holding company which is enga-ged in the retailing of automotive, leisureand cycling products), German massmerchant bike producer MitteldeutscheFahrradwerke (Mifa in short) and Taiwa-nese parts and component maker SunRace Sturmey-Archer. Only two of them –Halfords and Mifa – experienced a two-digit share value drop of 10.1 and 13.0percent.Also notable that only two of the all inall 16 share value increases showed up

with a two digit share value increase. Ithas been Taiwan’s third-largest bicycleproducer Ideal Bike Corporation (plus11.5 percent) and Chinese Jinshan, pa-rent company of Phoenix (plus 12.3 per-cent). Nevertheless with an eye on thestill unsolved nuclear catastrophe in Fu-kushima and the therefore strugglingworld stock market – forced by delayedlead times, etc – the development of ourbicycle stock chart in March is quite re-markable.

MONTREAL, Canada - Despite aslow-down in the fourth quarter,Dorel Industries continued to growin 2010, recording an 8.1% increasein revenues (US$2.3 billion) over2009 (US$2.1 billion). The fourthquarter saw a 1.1% revenue drop toUS$539.5 million from US$545.3million a year ago, but Dorel CEOand President, Martin Schwartz(photo) was still pleased with hiscompany’s performance for theyear.

“In an environment of reduced consu-mer discretionary spending and risinginput costs, Dorel was able to deliver re-venue growth of over 8% and improvedearnings over the prior year,” saidSchwartz. “If there was ever a test ofthe acceptance of Dorel's brands and

products, the past two years have provi-ded it.”Dorel’s recreational/leisure segment,home to the company’s cycling brands,was the standout performer for the com-pany in 2010. Revenues increased byUS$30.2 million (17.2%) in the fourthquarter, while overall revenues for the year totaled US$775 million, up 13.7%over 2009’s total of US$681.4 million. Bycomparison, the company’s juvenile divi-sion (cribs, child safety seats, strollers,and baby products) saw a 5% drop in thefourth quarter and only 3.5% growth forthe year. The home furnishings divisionhad the worst showing during the finalthree months of 2010, with a 19.6% drop, although it did show revenue growth forthe year overall, increasing 9.5%, toUS$507.8 million, up from the 2009 totalof US$463.7 million.

Not only did revenues increase for the cy-cling division, earnings in the segmentincreased by 31.3% for the year, a resultthe company is attributing in no smallpart to an intensive marketing campaignfor its Schwinn brand. Sales to both massmarket customers and IDBs grew by 20%and the company reports the growth wasspread across the majority of brands itmarkets to the IBDs, rather than being li-mited to its flagship Cannondale marque.The only dark spot on the segment’s ba-lance sheet was found in the results forthe Apparel Footwear Group (AFG) whichsaw quarter-over-quarter earnings dec-reasing by over US$2 million."Our bicycle business did well in 2010and we foresee continued growththrough 2011, noted Schwartz. “The Re-creational / Leisure Segment has had agood start to the year and are on track to

improve their year-over-year performan-ce. While a small part of the Recreatio-nal/Leisure Segment, we are focused oncorrecting issues at the Apparel Foot-wear Group.” 2011 sales and earningsfrom all three segments are expected to

exceed 2010 levels. Dorel is a Canadian-based company with 4700 employees, facilities in nineteen countries, and salesworldwide.

CK

SANGERHAUSEN, Germany - Early2010 bicycle manufacturerMitteldeutsche Fahrradwerke AG(MIFA) still reported an upwardtrend in bicycle sales. UnfortunatelyMIFA could not hold on to this posi-tive trend as at the end of 2010sales were down again.

In fiscal year 2010 MIFA’s turnover rea-ched 76.54 million euro, a decline of

3.9% related to 2009. The export shareof the turnover remained more or lessstable at 33%. Last year MIFA generated earnings be-fore interest and taxes (EBIT) of 1.92million euro compared to 4.11 millioneuro in the previous year. The EBT was0.72 million euro against 2.22 millioneuro in 2009.

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Financial 5BIKE europe

March: Bicycle share values resistant to Japanese catastrophe

Nippon catastrophe = Japanese back on bikes

Dorel Down in 4th Quarter, Still Registers a Record Year

MIFA Result Down Again

Company Name Rate Compared to Company value 52-week- 52-week-

31-3-2011 28-2-2011 (in %) 1-1-2011* low high

Accell Group NV, Amsterdam EUR 36.85 - 5.3 EUR 385.16 mn EUR 31.27 EUR 39.49

Araya Industrial, Osaka JPY 137 + 1.5 JPY 7.90 bn JPY 91 JPY 151

Asahi Co., Ltd., Osaka JPY 1,480 + 9.1 JPY 28.58 bn JPY 1,063 JPY 1,642

Atlas Cycles (Haryana) Ltd., Bombay INR 237.15 + 9.9 INR 674.77 mn INR 190.10 INR 306.70

Derby Cycle AG, Frankfurt EUR 12.76 + 4.9 EUR 7.5 mn EUR 10.75 EUR 13.29

Dorel Industries Inc., New York*** US$ 32.84 + 0.9 CAN$ 1.11 bn US$ 28.33 US$ 37.00

Falcon Power Company Ltd., Taipei TWD 2.56 + 4.1 TWD 285.85 mn TWD 2.18 TWD 15.75

Giant Mfg Ltd, Taipei TWD 119.50 + 3.0 TWD 44.45 bn TWD 91.00 TWD 126.00

Halfords Group PLC, London GBP 348.40 - 10.1 GBP 957.70 mn GBP 355.80 GBP 562.50

Ideal Bike Corporation, Taipei TWD 16.00 + 11.5 TWD 1.86 bn TWD 13.30 TWD 23.75

Jinshan Co. Ltd., Shanghai** US$ 0.73 + 12.3 CNY 1.44 bn US$ 0.36 US$ 0.75

Lee Chi Ent. Co. Ltd., Taipei TWD 14.55 +/- 0 TWD 3.38 bn TWD 11.05 TWD 18.85

Merida Ind. Co. Ltd., Taipei TWD 54.50 + 2.8 TWD 13.12 bn TWD 42.30 TWD 57.50

Mifa AG, Frankfurt EUR 3.21 - 13.0 EUR 21.6 mn EUR 1.80 EUR 3.94

Morita Holdings Corp., Tokyo JPY 544 + 1.3 JPY 21.11 bn JPY 382 JPY 589

Munjal Auto Ltd., Bombay INR 111.90 + 1.2 INR 1.23 bn INR 99.00 INR 162.00

Pro Metalurgia S.A., Sao Paulo BRL 0.28 + 3.7 BRL 21.0 mn BRL 0.20 BRL 0.50

Shimano Inc., Tokyo JPY 4,155 + 1.8 JPY 388.23 bn JPY 3,415 JPY 4,640

Sun Race Sturmey-Archer Inc., Taipei TWD 7.13 - 1.5 TWD 298.90 mn TWD 6.30 TWD 9.19

Tsunoda Co. Ltd., Tokyo JPY 230 +/- 0 JPY 1.14 bn JPY 197 JPY 241

Tube Investments of India Ltd. (TII), Bombay INR 136.00 + 8.2 INR 28.10 bn INR 75.05 INR 164.65

Zhonglu Company Ltd., Shanghai ** US$ 1.00 + 1.0 CNY 1.98 bn US$ 0.53 US$ 1.16

The Bike Industry Stock Chart

*Source: Wright Investors' Service, Inc.** Chinese Jinshan Development & Construction (former Phoenix) and Zhonglu (former Shanghai-Forever) rates in US$, company value in CNY*** Canadian Dorel rates in US$, company value in CAN$ Composed and Copyright by: Jo Beckendorff

MUNICH, Germany – While in March the world stock market washidden by the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear catastrophe inJapan our bike stock chart was somehow able to perform at itsbest. What was especially ironic was that the Japanese share val-ues in our chart did the best out of the catastrophe. The reasonsare easy to explain.

Jo Beckendorff

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e-Bikes, e-Scooters & Light Electric VehiclesBIKE europe6

The LEV Conference was openedby Hannes Neupert, President ofthe Germany-based LEV testingand promotion insititution Extra-Energy, who has organized the LEVconference for many years. In hisoverview of current LEV trendsNeupert predicted sales of over300,000 units in Germany this yearand expects the German market togrow to 1.6 million pedelecs and e-bikes annually by 2018. As a kid ofthe early days, Neupert envisionsthe bicycle of the future to be a pe-delec in the same way many othergoods in everyday life have madeway for electrified successors, suchas telephones, cameras, cars.Battery topics dominated the restof the day. The lithium batterymanufacturers Panasonic, Sam-sung SDI and Maxcell presentedtheir strategies and technologies

for light electric vehicles applica-tion. Samsung SDI has optimizedtheir cells to meet the highestsafety standards and provide highpower output. Maxcell cyclindri-cal cells can operate in an extre-mely wide range of temperatures.Battery expert and moderator Dr. Yang of TD Hitech pointed outthat finally the LEV industry hasbecome important enough forbattery manufacturers to partici-pate in conferences like this whe-reas before they were completelyfocused on the cell phone, com-puter, and power tool market. Recycling and transport regula-tions of lithium batteries, whichare regarded as hazardous goods,were presented by Peter Gutzeitof IB-REC in connection to a newbattery testing and recycling la-bel and service. Referring to bat-

tery safety, BATSO has establisheditself as a testing standard. Up-dates of the BATSO 1.0 protocolwere introduced and TÜV Rhein-land reported about their expe-riences during the first year of tes-ting lithium batteries accordingto the BATSO standard in their la-boratory in Shenzhen, China. Now that electric bikes are beco-ming more popular, transport oflithium batteries is also an issuefor individuals. The author of thisarticle reported about her perso-nal experience, and how compli-cated it is for an individual trave-ler to ship lithium batteries ab-road in a legal way. Steel drumswere the solution for her first “Pe-

delec Adventure” trip crossingMorocco's mountains and deserton speed pedelecs and solar trai-lers to recharge the batteries. Thefull story on her “Tour de Sahara”(www.tour-de-sahara.com), intro-ducing the new brand “Snaky”and testing a new motor genera-tion followed on the second dayand will be part of Bike Europe'sApril issue. Pedelec Adventuresoffers tours to exotic destinationsas a PR service to the industry. On the second day market reportsfrom USA, Japan, and Europe re-vealed that major experiences arethe same but the stage of devel-opment is different. What happe-ned in Japan at the turn of thecentury, now repeats itself in theNetherlands: market growth isstopping at nearly a quarter of amillion units per year. Temporarymarket saturation seems to requi-re new product types to attractnew target groups or offer newfeatures that stimulate electric bi-ke owners to buy a new one. Test rides are the key to success.This experience was first disco-verd by the Japanese, who star-ted offering test ride tracks forelectric bikes in the early 90s. Ex-traEnergy has taken over the con-cept with its TEST IT Track and isnow actively expanding it in Euro-pe within the EU supported pro-

ject GoPedelec! CEO of CurrieTechnologies in the US, Larry Piz-zi, reported that the chance toclose a sale increases to 50% oncea visitor to a bike shop sits on thebike. In an extensive market re-search, Han Goes of QSquareConsultants in the Netherlandscame to the conclusion that 50%of the participants were eager tobuy an electric two wheeler afterhis team had offered them detai-led explanation and test rides. In China, e-bikes have already rea-ched the masses, now Cargo bikesare on the rise for delivery servicesof food chains such as Papa John's,KFC and others. CEO of ShanghaiEV Sales and Service Company, Jean Chen, reported that they ser-vice over 5000 electric cargo bikesmainly in the Shanghai andHangzhou area. Robax from Ger-many presented an electric cargobike – Transporter E-Bike – whichthey are now setting up a sales net-work to meet the local demand. Carefully listening to the consu-mer is one of the major keys tograsp the full market potential ac-cording to Han Goes. From an in-side view of the industry, Goes ex-pects that mobility will change alot in the near future. And the cus-tomer tells us what he or she reallywants – although the reasons whypeople spend a lot of money on a

particular thing are often irratio-nal. In Goe's viewpoint future mo-bility needs to be idividual, light-weight, and flexible in terms ofdoor to door mobility. It should beelectric and not look like a bicycle.

First Product with EnergyBusConnectorThe weekend prior to LEV Confe-rence, March 12-13, 2011 was de-dicated to the LEV connector stan-dard EnergyBus. Representativesof now over 30 EnergyBus mem-bers including Bosch, Clean Mobi-le, Panasonic, Ultra Motor, Vartaand others, joined a membermeeting in Hsinchu on Saturday.During the workshop on Sunday,the EnergyBus CommunicationProtocol 1.0 was released and thefirst products which implementEnergyBus were presented – acharger by Panasonic and a lithi-um battery built by TD Hitech. Thebattery and charger belong to theImpuls pedelec of Tour de Suissewhich will be fully operating withEnergyBus. European research or-ganization “Frauenhofer Insitut”presented a strategy to applyEnergyBus not only to light elec-tric vehicles components but alsoto future network and stationarysystem developments.More information atwww.batso.org

HSINCHU, Taiwan - Two days prior to the Taipei CycleShow, on March 14-15th, LEV Conference 2011 tookplace at the Science Park in Hsinchu, Taiwan. A corecrew of the industry met to learn about the latesttechnical achievements on the first day as well asmarkets, marketing and business concepts on the second day. The community agreed that listening tothe consumer and offering test rides are the keys toexploring the full potential of electric mobility.

By Susanne Brusch

BIKEe-LEV Conference 2011

Future Mobility is electric, light-weight, and door to door

A core crew of the industry met two days prior to the Taipei Cycle Show at the LEV Conference 2011. The weekend prior to LEV Conference was dedicated to the LEV Connector standard EnergyBus. Photos Susanne Brusch

The assembly of e-bikes can bedone much more efficiently withthe Easy-Bike Plug & Drive System(EPDS). Easybike supplies pre-assembledluggage carrier with integratedbattery and controller, a rear fen-der and a multi cable. All othercomponents of the e-bike drivesystem are part of the EPDS, asthe display, brake levers, pedalsensor, the rear hub motor andthe multi-plug on the rear mount.

The EPDS comes with technicalsupport for assembly on-site.EPDS is a proven system as Easy-bike has already assembled30,000 e-bikes with this new tech-nique. The Easy-Bike Plug & DriveSystem System is EMC tested andmeets all requirements of the CEN15194 standard. The Li-ion batte-ry also meets all CE safety stan-dards.

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Easybike Plug & Drive System

Easybike supplies pre-assembled e-bike kit.Photo Bike Europe

First time exhibitor Höganäs pre-sented their all new rear hub mo-tor at the Taipei Cycle show. TheHöganäs electric TFM motor ismounted in the rear wheel of thee-bike as a direct drive solutionenabling faster acceleration andbetter climbing than traditionalmotors. According to the Swedishcompany the motor is highly effi-cient (above 86%) offering maxi-

mum range from a battery char-ge. The motors are set for usagein pedelecs and e-bike up to 500Watt and battery systems up to48V. The drive system is compati-ble with torque and speed sen-sors as well as throttle control.The motor is engineered and ma-de in Sweden.

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Höganäs TFM Motor

According to the Swedish company Höganästheire motor is most efficient (above 86%).

Photo Bike Europe

11BIK004_Page_6-7.qxp 4/15/11 8:55 PM Page 6

BIKE europe

Joy Industrial, well known manu-facturer of hubs, wheel sets andQR axes has entered a new pro-duct segment: e-bikes. BrandedDienatronic, Joy industrial is nowoffering a full range of key com-ponents for green mobility. Die-natronic’s product range inclu-des batteries, motors and con-trollers. Joy Industrial is also cre-ating an ‘all-in one’ manufactu-ring and servicing strategy. Thisincludes reseach and develop-ment, production and the esta-blishment of a global network ofservice centers. At the Taipei Cy-cle Show, Joy Industrial presen-ted its complete product rangeincluding two different rear hubmotors, three front hub motors,

two battery mount configurati-ons, displays, grip accelerators,brake lever assistances, displays,torque and speed sensors, as

well as controllers ranging from150 to 500 Watt.

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BIKEe-e-Bikes, e-Scooters & Light Electric Vehicles

Derby Cycle AG, ‘mother’ of,among others, the Kalkhoffand Focus brand names deve-loped an e-bike with a veryspecific German feature. Thisnew e-bike offers a combinati-on of a bracket motor with acoaster brake. Derby Cyclecalls this its ‘Impulse’ systemwhich according to the bikemanufacturer, makes: “Thetransition from a ‘standard’bike to an e-bike a lot easierand safer for the consumer.”

“Until now, consumers could on-ly choose between compromisessuch as a bracket motor with on-ly hand brakes or a combinationof a coaster with the technicallyinferior option of the engine inthe front hub”, said Mathias Seid-ler, CEO of Derby Cycle AG at thepresentation of the Impulse models last Thursday in Berlin.“The Impulse system allows abracket motor and a coaster bra-ke, even in combination withhand brakes.”The Impulse system is an impor-

tant addition to the market asthe German law requires two in-dependent operating brakes ona bike. Many starters on e-bikes,especially older people, who we-re used to a coaster in combina-tion with hand brakes, don’t feelsafe and comfortable with handbrakes only. The Impulse makesit possible again to have the sa-me brake configuration as theywere used to. As well as Ger-many also the Netherlands, Da-nish and Swedish consumers areused to bikes equipped with

coaster brakes. The advancedtechnology of the Impulse sys-tem provides permanent calibra-tion of the engine and retrievesits information for the requiredpedal assist force from three dif-ferent sensors. This system res-ponds without delay once the ri-

der puts force on the pedals. Der-by Cycle claims a maximum ran-ge of 100 kilometers but empha-sizes that it depends on many ex-ternal factors such as the weightof the rider, the outside tempera-ture, wind etc. Derby Cycle focu-sed strongly on the design of theImpulse bikes. The battery hasbeen neatly integrated and ishardly noticeable. The Kalkhoffand Raleigh branded Impulse e-bikes are as of late April.

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Joy Industrial Introduces Dienatronic

The Dutch company ID Bike hasbeen involved in the develop-ment of e-bikes since 1999 and isknow for its TMM torque sensors.The well known IDbike TMM4sensor is mounted on the reardrop-out from and is compatiblewith front, rear, and mid motorsas well as hub and derailleur sys-tems. Recently IDbike also startedthe production of motor control-lers and displays. Combined withthe TMM4 sensor and high quali-ty software, it is a high end e-bikedrive train system which can betailored made on demand forOEM customers. Several displays

are available in both LCD and LEDformat. The displays are compati-ble with standard connectors.The IDbike SyS can be suppliedwith a casing, but can also bemounted in the customer’s owndisplay. Finally, ID Bike also deve-loped a coaster brake switch forwhich a patent application is stillpending. This CBS (Coaster BrakeSwitch) detects the backward ro-tation of the crank when brakingwith an angle of ten degrees.When the coaster brake is opera-ted, the CBS switch prevents theelectric motor from being activa-ted. Another feature of the CBS is

that the engine does not switchon when the bike is pushed back-wards.

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ID Bike Expands ProductRange

“Our R&D department did notoverlook any detail and imple-mented the latest technologydevelopment in our new e-bike range, the Vagonda”, saidMaik Geletneky, export mana-ger of Bergamont. TheVagonda features MaguraHS11 hydraulic brakes, a cro-mo fork to meet the DIN stan-dard for e-bikes and alightweight 7005 alloy framewith hydroformed tubing.

The Vagonda is styled in matteblack, including the battery underthe carrier. The bike has a sportylook despite the Hebie Chaingli-

der which protects the chain. TheVagonda has a 250 watt brushlessmotor and Panasonic 9Ah/36Vbattery. It’s available in 7 and 8speed and three models –the Wa-ve, the Amsterdam, and a men’sframe. The N7 Vagonda is alsoavailable in a26-inch version witha 200 watt motor. In 2010 the Ger-man bike brand Bergamont madestrong push on the internationalmarket. “In 2009 we exported tonine countries, today we have noless than 28 foreign distributionpartners”, said Maik Geletneky.“We are still growing on the inter-national market.” This year Berga-mont was a first time exhibitor at

the Taipei International Cycleshow, searching for even moredistribution partners. “As we havechanged our focus from a Ger-man to an international-orientedcompany our product range forMY 2012 was already finalized inMarch,” said Geletneky. “That’s sixmonths earlier than we were usedto. To meet international demandour product range expanded by35%. We are still looking for im-porters in Japan, Australia, HongKong, China, Singapore, Malaysiaand Korea. These markets aremost interesting for us.”

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Bergamont Vagonda E-BikeEnters the Market

Dienatronic’s product range includes batteries, motors and controllers. Photo Bike Europe

In 2010 the German bike brand Bergamont made strong push forward on the international market. Photo Bergamont

ID Bike, known for its TMM sensor, has expan-ded its product range. Photo ID Bike

“The Impulse system allows a bracket motorand a coaster brake, even in combination withhand brakes”, Mathias Seidler, CEO of DerbyCycle AG. Photo Bike Europe

7

Derby Cycle Launches e-Bikewith Coaster Brake

11BIK004_Page_6-7.qxp 4/15/11 8:55 PM Page 7

e-Bikes, e-Scooters & Light Electric VehiclesBIKE europe8

Fifteen years ago Peugeot was thefirst (and only) powered two-wheeler manufacturer with anelectric scooter; Scoot’Elec was itsname. But, it arrived too early. Onlya few thousand were sold. Today,looking at the current market situ-ation in Europe where the popula-rity of electric scooters in marketssuch as Germany and the Nether-lands is growing rapidly, thingswill be different with the: “Eagerlyawaited e-Vivacity,” as it’s referredto by Peugeot in its press docu-mentation. The car and scootermaker further states, “The e-Vivaci-ty is THE new generation electricscooter which is to revolutionizeurban travel. Modern, rider-friend-ly, practical and efficient, it's got

everything it needs to win overthose who want to live their dreamof viewing the city (and life)through green-tinted spectacles.”Some statement! However, the e-Vivacity is something really diffe-rent in particular when comparedto gas-engined scooters.The e-Vivacity is also completelydifferent when compared to itsScoot’Elec predecessor. The oldnickel-cadmium batteries havebeen replaced by two modern 2kWh Lithium-Ion units that jointlyweigh 16 kg. The batteries offer a1,000 cycle lifetime without me-mory effect, are designed to last atleast 10 years, and can travel40,000 kilometers at 45 km/hmaximum speed. Moreover, these

batteries are equipped with BMS(Battery Management System) tomonitor recharging. This diagnos-tic module is capable of inhibitingone or more chargers and ope-ning the main switch (circuit cut-off ) should an anomaly be detec-ted, such as a sudden drop in vol-tage or a sharp rise in temperatu-re. Cooling is ensured by air con-vectors both at the level of thebatteries and the chargers. Thebattery pack is positioned underthe floor pan, in a rigid structurecomprised of side tubes and thefront tube of the chassis. It is keptin place by two runners and twoflanges restricting all horizontaland vertical movement. Rechar-ging is by the extendable spiralcable (2m) under the seat, whichconnects to a 220V domestic po-wer socket or an urban electricterminal. The full charge takes be-tween 5 and 8 hours dependingon whether the vehicle is equip-ped with one or two chargers. Forthe two-charger option, an 80%charge is possible in just 3 hours.The two lithium-ion batteries offerthe e-Vivacity a total range of 60km at 45 km/h according to Peu-geot. At the launch days in St. Tro-pez this claim proved to be true.One of the attending journalistsrode e-Vivacity for as long as thebatteries offered power and theylasted the promised 60 kilometers.However, this test was made onflat terrain. The additional powerrequired to tackle hilly terrain willundoubtedly affect the range.

European madeThe e-Vivacity’s Lithium-Ion ener-gy plants are made by Saft, Euro-pe’s biggest in batteries, which of-fers a 4 years warranty on them.Not only are the batteries Europe-an made, but that goes for almostall other components, apart fromthe chassis which is made in China.The powerplant on the e-Vivacitycomes from Perm (part of theHeinzmann Group) and is an air-cooled brushless synchronouselectric motor with permanentmagnets accompanied by a simpli-fied transmission with a ratio fixedby a toothed belt and a relay box.

Powered in phases by the onboardbatteries and twin 250W/5A char-gers converting the current intothree phases via the motor con-troller, the motor is therefore in di-rect contact with the rear wheel.According to Peugeot, this offersa number of advantages. Firstly,the fixed ratio enables the electricengine speed to be optimizedand all maintenance to be doneaway with throughout the vehi-cle's lifetime. Secondly, the directcontact enables reverse mode forlow-speed maneuvers and also animproved engine brake. Finally, itoffers matchless flexibility andmaximum efficiency with instant-ly available torque. The ultra-softtransmission keeps friction to aminimum and ensures optimizedriding conditions noise wise.

ControlInformation on the battery statusand motor performance is offeredthrough the totally digital, back-litblue dashboard with all the stan-dard functions including tacho-meter, odometer, trip counter,clock, and immobilizer. At the cen-tre of the screen a 3-colour bargraph indicates the battery char-ge level. The first red segment in-dicates a critical low battery level.Segments 2 and 3 in orange indi-cate a charge below 30%. Beyondthis, green means good to go! Un-der the bar graph an indicator ofremaining range (in kms or miles)remains permanently on display.To the right of the screen, 3 tem-perature indicators are displayed:outside temperature (flashingalert as of 3°), motor, and batterytemperatures. There is also a mo-tor diagnosis indicator light. Abutton at the bottom of the dash-board enables one of the 4 modesto be activated: normal (for opti-mum efficiency) eco (to preserverange, forward (for very-low-speed maneuvers) and reverse.RidingEasy to handle, quiet, vibrationand emission-free; that’s what thee-Vivacity is all about. What wasparticularly noticeable while man-euvering around pedestrians onthe St. Tropez boulevard is how

precise the motor can be control-led. The same goes for the 115 kgscooter. It’s also quick off the markat every stoplight. With maximumpower of 3 kW at 6,000 rpm, e-Vi-vacity offers a maximum torque of14 Nm in engine output giving itslightly better initial accelerationthan its gas-engined 50cc Peuge-ot ‘sister’, travelling one hundredmetres from a standing start in12.3 seconds, as opposed to 12.45seconds for the gas powered ver-sion. Upon deceleration, the engi-ne switches to generator modeand the kinetic energy is thenconverted into electric energy.

This energy retrieval system isused for braking as well as batte-ry recharging. It goes without saying that the e-Vivacity offers outstanding run-ning costs – just a tenth of that re-quired for a similar combustionengine vehicle. For example, anenergy fill-up costs €0.25 to cover100 kilometers. And major main-tenance (apart from renewing thedisc brake pads) isn’t necessary.Economical and eco-friendly,that’s what the e-Vivacity can of-fer, as well as living up to its namewith peppy performance. Viva thecity with this electric scooter!

ST. TROPEZ, France – Peugeot is the first of the renowned scooter brands tolaunch an all-new electric scooter – the e-Vivacity. This took place with somefanfare, in fashionable St. Tropez on the Cote d’Azur in France, at the begin-ning of April. But, it appeared that Peugeot has every reason to make a bigfuss over its brand new e-scooter.

By Jack Oortwijn

BIKEe-Fifteen years after its 1st electric scooter:

Peugeot Launches e-Vivacity

The e-Vivacity is equipped with two 2 kWh Lithium-Ion units that jointly weigh 16 kg. The Saftmade batteries are designed to last at least 10 years, come with a 4 year warranty and offer a rangeof 60 kilometers. Photos Peugeot Motorcycles

Not only are the batteries European made, but that goes for almost all other components of the e-Vivacity, apart from the chassis which is made in China. The 3 kW powerplant comes from Perm(part of the Heinzmann Group) and is an air-cooled brushless synchronous electric motor.

Information on the battery status and motor performance is offered through the totally digital,back-lit blue dashboard.

The e-Vivacity will be available next June. Peugeot Motorcycles hasset its launch (retail) price at about 3,600 euro. Further questions ondealer margins were answered by Peugeot spokespeople with,“They will be somewhat lower compared to what we offer on ourregular scooters because we hope that our dealers want to joinPeugeot in this investment in the future.” At the launch in St. Tropezone of the Peugeot importers made clear that he was still negotia-ting with Peugeot Motorcycles on retail prices as well as dealer mar-gins. More on this in the interview on the next page.

Retailprice, Availabilty and Dealermargin

The e-Vivacity will be available next June. Peugeot Motorcycles has set its launch (retail) priceat about 3,600 euro. Photo Bike Europe

11BIK004_Page_8.qxp 4/18/11 4:25 PM Page 8

Bike Europe: The e-Vivacity is notPeugeot’s first Light Electric Vechicle(LEVs). I can remember an earlier elec-tric scooter. Please tell about

Peugeot’s back ground in these LEVs?

Catherine Louis: “Fifteen years ago we in-troduced the Scoot’Elec and Peugeot was

the first to have an electric scooter. Wecan say that we have the biggest back-ground in electric scooters in Europe. Total sales were modest though, with on-ly 3,500 units. We were definitely too ear-ly with the Scoot’Elec. Now things are dif-ferent. Electric vehicles are now part ofthe Peugeot strategy. We are working ona wide range of electric vehicles for use incities. There’s an electric bicycle, the e-Vi-vacity scooter and Peugeot’s electric carcalled the Ion. This fall, at the Milan MotorShow we will show another LEV – a three-wheeled scooter with 2 wheels in front.”

BE: Is there a reason for why it took solong for e-scooter sales to take off?

Annie Faivre: “It took up to 2005 for salesof electric scooters to start. In France, asin other European countries, sales ofelectric scooters are now up year on year.Why did this take so long? Maybe becau-se of battery technology and the shortrange they offered. Batteries are so muchbetter nowadays. The Li-Ion ones used inthe e-Vivacity will still be OK after ten years of use. Also the servicing of batte-ries is now light years ahead of 15 yearsago. Through the Internet we can mani-pulate batteries in service at dealers. Formatters like this we want dealers to fol-low training sessions. Servicing the e-Vi-vacity and its outstanding battery tech-nology needs special knowledge of dea-lers.”

BE: But such Li-Ion batteries don’t co-me cheap!

CL: That’s correct. “The e-Vivacity has twoand they are the most expensive part ofthe scooter. But they are made in Europeand are the best. That’s why they comewith a 4-year warranty term. We expectsuch batteries to become significantlycheaper as the sales and production increases in the years to come.”

BE: Where does this market stands nowin Europe? Do you have any sales num-bers for the whole of Europe?

CL: “Sales of e-scooters in the whole ofEurope stands now at about 15,000 unitsannually. What Peugeot is targeting is tosell about 2,000 e-Vivacity’s this year. Thisis to grow to about 15,000 units duringthe next three years; up to 2015. Five ye-ars later we expect to sell 40,000 e-scoo-ters annually. So, we are really optimistic.The electric scooter market will evolve in-to a really big market.”

BE: In my country, the Netherlands,electric bicycles are the big trend no-wadays. Also in Germany sales of elec-

tric bikes is really taking off now. Howdo you regard this?

CL: “Electric bicycles are completely diffe-rent compared to electric scooters. Theyare targeting different age and usergroups. Electric bicycles are mainly soldto the elderly. Electric scooters are targe-ting younger age groups. Next to that,electric scooters are used for longer dis-tances compared to electric bicycles.”

BE: So, can you profile the e-Vivacitybuyer?

AF: “As said it’s a different customer com-pared to the one for electric bicycles. Thee-Vivacity buyer is of an age between 30 to 60. He or she is environmentallyconscious and has reasonable purchasingpower. He or she is looking for alternati-ves in individual mobility in particular forcommuting distances between 10 to 15 kilometers one way. So, up to 30 kilo-meters in one day of commuting to andfrom work. In view of this we decided notto offer a choice in batteries becausewhen offering a total range of only 30 ki-lometers people tend to get wary. The e-Vivacity offer a range of 60 kilome-ters which is regarded by the average pu-blic e-Vivacity customer as very suitable. Next to the general public the e-Vivacityis also targeted to professional use. Ren-tal companies, private companies; thespecial Peugeot rental system, etc. We ex-pect that such professional use will takeoff in the next years.”

BE: Will Peugeot distribute the e-Viva-city through the same channel as itsregular 50cc scooters? So in countrieslike Germany and Holland it will bethrough the two-wheel trade that nextto 50cc scooters also sells bicycles?

CL: “Of course it is up to our importers percountry to decide which distributionchannel to use for the e-Vivacity. At thismoment we are not focusing on e-Mobi-lity channels you see popping up now inseveral countries. The general picture isthat Peugeot is looking for distributionthrough the regular 2-wheeler dealernetworks in the European countries. And(depending on which country) these arein general the dealers that sell mopedsand bicycles. In some countries fleet salesare targeted, which could take placethrough Peugeot car-dealerships.”

BE: Are Peugeot car dealers showing abig interest in selling the e-Vivacity?

CL: “It’s not our strategy to sell the e-Viva-city through the Peugeot car dealerchannel.”

BE: What margins does Peugeot offerdealers for selling the e-Vivacity?

CL: “We hope that the dealers, like Peugeot does with the e-Vivacity, want toinvest in the future and for that acceptmargins that are a bit lower compared tothe ones on our regular scooters.”

BE: Where will the electric scooter mar-ket stand in 3 years from now? Whatare Peugeot’s targets for France andfor Europe?

CL: “I already said something on our sa-les targets for the e-Vivacity. But to addto that I can say that Peugeot expectsthat, next to electric bicycles, the ‘50cc-sector’ as it’s referred to in combustionengine terms will be the best sellers ine-mobility.”

BE: Because of the success of electricbicycles some experts of the 2-wheelermarket in Europe expect that a kind ofcross-over vehicle between an electricbicycle and an electric scooter will beTHE big hit in the near future. Do youagree?

AF: “Peugeot is within the PSA Groupworking on different projects for e-mobi-lity. Those projects include models thatare quite different to what is availablenow. Of course I can not reveal in detailwhat is being developed. But what is cansay is that Peugeot’s R&D is focused onmuch more than LEVs like the e-Vivacity.The next LEV will be on display later thisyear with, as already said in this inter-view, the Peugeot electric 3-wheeler.”

BE: As you probably know the EU isworking on new criteria for the typeapproval of motorized two-wheelers.LEVs are, as things stand now, not ha-ving any special criteria and are trea-ted as motorcycles. Is Peugeot workingon having that changed in the new type-approval?

AF: “Like many other manufacturers ofpowered two-wheelers, we are pushingfor special LEV regulations within thenew EU type-approval. This is being han-dled by our European association ACEMwhere a lot of discussion is taking placenow on e-vehicles. One thing is sure; wewant to be certain that all technical as-pects of electric scooters and other elec-tric vehicles are taken into account in thenew type-approval regulations.”

‘Peugeot’s Investmentin the Future’ST. TROPEZ, France - Compared to the sale of electric bicycles,which have really taken off in the Netherlands and in Germany;it is still early days for electric scooters. Only 15,000 have beensold in 2010 in the whole of Europe, as estimated by Peugeot.But just like e-bikes, e-scooters have a great future. Cruisingthe new e-Vivacity through St. Tropez makes this abundantlyclear! How that future looks like is described in this interviewwith e-Vivacity product manager Annie Faivre and CatherineLouis of Peugeot Motorcycles international sales.

By Jack Oortwijn ‘We hope that the dealers, like Peugeot does with the e-Vivacity, want to invest in the future and for that acceptmargins that are a bit lower compared to the ones on ourregular scooters.’Fa

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Annie Faivre (Product Manager) & Catherine Louis

(Int’l Sales) on the new e-Vivacity and

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11BIK004_Page_9.qxp 4/15/11 8:58 PM Page 9

The question of accuracy was amain topic at several meetings ofthe Polish Cycle Association whichwas founded beginning last year.Market data produced by the Ge-neral Bureau of Statistics is, accor-ding to the cycling industry group,too low and does not reflect thereal condition of the market. Theassociation claims that the data for2009 is also too low, especially re-tail sales in April, but data for April2010 seems to be too high. The or-ganisation also claims that dataproduced by General Bureau forStatistics (GUS) is being conjuredout of thin air.Data regarding production is alsoquestioned by the group. PCAclaims that small assembly plantsestimated at supplying some 7 –15% of the total production volu-me, is missing in the GUS statistics.This is caused by the small numberof the employees of such compa-nies. Because of that they are nottracked by the statistics bureauwhich is a common situation thatapplies to numerous EU countries. Import data seems to have someflaws too; says the Polish Cycle As-sociation. Imports are tracked bythe EU’s statistical bureau Euro-

stat. The data for Poland for the socalled inter-EU supplies (meaningthe import from one EU memberstate to another), made in smallquantities, done by small enterpri-ses (shops or wholesalers), is notreported – according to the regu-lations. So, if Kelly’s, Trek or Specia-lized, or another supplier deliversto shops directly, those quantitiesdo not appear in the statistics. Thelimit value is around 500 bicyclesper year, depending on the valuedescribed by regulations andaverage price of the bicycle, calcu-lated for import from those coun-tries. None, or almost none of theimporters of the listed brands arebuying that many in a span of theyear, so there is no duty to reportit to GUS and so they do not ap-pear in the import stats.

ComparisonDespite these difficulties and obvi-ous differences the available datafor for 2009 and 2010 should becompared in order to get somebackground on the state of thePolish bike market last year. Accor-ding to the GUS data, bicycle salesfor January - September 2010stood at 537,800 units, compared

to 474,200 units in 2009. It showsa significant increase of 13.4%. ThePolish Cycle Association places se-rious doubts at these figures. Production in 2010, according tothe General Bureau of Statistics,equals 443,000 bicycles, which is amassive drop, comparing to837,600 in 2009. According to theMinistry of Economy, productionof bikes in 2010 was 760,100, whi-le in year 2009 868,000 units havebeen produced. Shocking is the al-most 330,000 units difference be-tween the data of General Bureauof Statistics (443,000) and Ministryof Economy (760,000). It must be aserious methodological flaw inone or another case. In response,the Polish Cycle Association seemsto be close to making the decisionthat they need to track the marketfor compiling their own, more ac-curate statistics.

ImportImports are on a similar level,with a slight increase – 328,726 in2010 compared to 327,071 in2009. The biggest number of im-ported bikes is, no surprise, fromTaiwan (127,666 units, for US$14,681.038), second place is Ma-laysia (39,831 bikes), followed byChina (37,706) and India (34,794).In terms of value, Germany withUS$ 4,846,863 is in second place,followed by China (US$4,846,863). Values of import fromUSA (US$ 2,199,679) Indonesia(US$ 2,137,275) and Netherlands(US$ 2,125,511) are very similar.

WARSAW, Poland - Official data, produced by thePolish General Bureau for Statistics (GUS) show a significant drop in the market, compared to 2009. Incontrast, the Polish Cycle Association (PCA) claims thatthe source of official data coming out of thin air….

By Marek Utkin

The most expensive bikes camefrom the USA (US$ 888.04 perunit), Slovakia (US$ 397.09 per bi-ke) and from Netherlands (US$311.11 a piece).

Export Bike exports in 2010 dropped13.2% to 489,866 units, comparedto 564,552 bikes exported a yearearlier. The biggest number of Po-lish bikes was exported to Ger-many (174,026), Netherlands(40,315), Finland (28,635) and Aus-tria (19,614). Value totals cover the

countries of biggest export – Ger-many (US$ 56,150,156), Nether-lands (US$ 9,328,286), Austria (US$5,499,646) and Finland (US$4,729,987). Importers of the mostvaluable Polish bikes are: Italy(average price per unit US$517.42) Czech Republic (US$357.70 a piece), Germany (US$322.65 per bike) and Austria (US$280.39 per unit). The high price ofbikes exported to Italy and CzechRepublic probably refers to thepopularity of road racing in thosecountries.

Second hand Due to the doubts on the govern-ment’s statistics the picture of Po-lish bike market is not clear. In themeantime the private import ofsecond-hand bikes imported fromNetherlands (removed by theDutch Police from parking facilitiesas abandoned bikes, or boughtfrom cycle workshops) is growing.Bikes are becoming more and mo-re popular. Hopefully it will trans-fer to bicycle business and withgrowth a more accurate picture ofthe industry will emerge.

BIKE europe10 Market Report Poland & Czech Republic

Due to the doubts on the government’s statistics the picture of Polish bike market is not clear. One thing is sure though, bikes are becoming more andmore popular. Second hand import from the Netherlands is growing. Photo Marek Utkin

No Clear Picture of Polish Bike Market, But Exports Are Down AgainDoubts on official data growing

The import of electric bikes total-led 8,084 units with a value of € 2.6million. E-bikes were mostly impor-ted from China, followed by Italyand Taiwan. The export of e- bikesnumbered 567 units and headedto Slovakia, Cuba, and Austria.

Bicycle frames import andexportIn 2010 450,000 bicycle frames inthe total value of € 9.7 million we-re imported into the Czech Repu-

blic from China, Taiwan and Viet-nam. The yearly value increase was7%, up 5% by quantity. Taiwanwas the second biggest bicycleframes exporter with 17,411 pie-ces, and Vietnam was the thirdwith 4,333 frames. Bicycle framesexport from the Czech Republic in2010 was more than 90% lower(2,328 frames only) than in 2009,when 30,690 frames were expor-ted. Importers are from Germany,the Netherlands and Great Britain.

In 2010, 406,308 front forks wereimported in to the Czech Republicfrom China, Taiwan, Germany andVietnam while 3,974 front forkswere exported. Rims for bikesshow a similar picture with an im-port of close to 490,000 units. In2009 the import of rims stood at545,000.In 2010 the British Halford groupabandoned the Czech bicyclemarket due to low profitability.Not long after French Decathlon

opened their all-sport mall in thecity of Liberec. The bicycle salesdepartment is one of the biggerones, located in an inner area of800 square metres.Some home producers of bicyclesused the lower production load tomodernize their production area,especially focusing on reachingtop quality for the bicycles theyproduce. This trend was carriedout for example at the Czech pro-ducer 4Ever. The company, for thesake of quality, abandoned assem-bly on a conveyor belt and intro-duced assembly at individualworkstations. 4Ever also uses auto-mated wheelbuilding machinerywhich, with the assembly at indivi-dual workstations, provides thepossibility for fast, efficient smallseries production.In 2010, the ‘Czech Bike Industry’

was founded. It is an association ofproducers of bicycles and compo-nent makers. Expectations arehigh on what it is to achieve. It isto advocate an active approachtowards consumers by organisingclub, sports, and recreational

events. This not very new idea isused not only by Decathlon, butalso by some successful, individualbicycle dealers. More on the bikebusiness in the Czech Republic ison the next page; in the report ofthe bike show For Bike 2011.

PRAGUE, Czech Republic - According to the statistical data provided by the Czech StatisticalBureau, bicycle sales in 2010 were slightly above 300,000 units (was in 2009 estimated at360,000). Production in the country were estimated at 435,000 units. Bicycle export stood at322,934 bicycles with a value of 58.7 million euro. A year earlier bike export was estimated at400,000 units. Bike were mostly exported to Germany, the Netherlands, Austria and Slovakia.Bicycle import numbered 184,246 units at a value of 44.5 million euro. Bikes were importedfrom Taiwan, China, Germany, Indonesia and Sri Lanka.

By Milan Motl

Czech Republic: Halfords Out, Decathlon In

In 2010 the British Halford group abandoned the Czech bicycle market due to low profitability. Notlong after French Decathlon opened their all-sport mall in the city of Liberec. The bicycle sales depart-ment is one of the bigger ones, located in an inner area of 800 square metres. Photo Milan Motl

11BIK004_Page_10.qxp 4/15/11 9:04 PM Page 10

Many of the Slovenian entrepre-neurs from other sectors wouldhave a big smile on their faces iftheir numbers were as strong asthey are in the cycling sector.2010 was not easy year for Slove-nia, with delayed effects of theglobal financial crisis and mista-kes from privatization hitting harder than ever. The traditionallystrong construction sector wasdestroyed, so were some othersand all of this had a big effect onbanking. In the short (and long)term this could also effect the bicycle dealers who depend onbank loans – that are now harderto get and more expensive.Despite all this 2010 was a solidyear for most of the distributorsand dealers (in most of the casesthey are one and the same com-panies). On average they report a7% decrease in volume and just3% decrease in value of the soldbikes with just a small amount ofold bikes on stock (based onquestionnaires sent to bigger dis-tributors). Statistics from Eurostatare even better – a 7 % decreasein quantity and only 1.4 % de-crease in value. The bicycle mar-ket is still worth over €14 millionwith more than 92,000 units sold.However the market did changeand these changes seem to havea direct connection with the ge-neral economic situation in thecountry. Basically all distributorsreport less sales in entry level bikes and many of them also sawdrops in high end sales. Middlerange bikes – for Slovenia thatmeans from € 800 to € 2000 – arestill selling well. Together withthis distributors are also more careful in their expenses and all ofthem are working harder to reachnew customers.When we compare imports andexports we get an actual con-sumption figure of just under80,000 bikes (about 5,000 lessthan in 2009), which shows thatthe bicycle market is not that

much effected by general atmos-phere in the country and this isstill a healthy branch. Interestin-gly, most of the distributors agreethat weather still has the biggestimpact on the bicycle sales. Wewill see if this is correct in one year from now – 2010 had a longand strong winter with many rainy summer days. 2011 startedwith incredibly high temperaturesand bike season is already in fullmotion. Hopefully it will stay likethis throughout the season.What we don’t see in this statisticsare sales of components and gear,where a small market like Slove-nia is very vulnerable and the success of UK and German internet stores is most obvious.

Suppliers stay the sameThe Slovenian market is almostexactly split between Asia andEU with Taiwan and Italy still remaining the biggest suppliers.They both kept about the samequantities while Belgium jumpedto third place before Cambodia,now the 4th biggest supplier. Clo-se behind are Germany, Thailand,Malaysia and Austria, all with 5-6thousand units. China is still verylow on the scale but we knowthat many of the bikes that are lis-ted to other countries are actuallymade there (for example bikesfrom logistics centers in Belgiumand Netherlands). Total imports toSlovenia in 2010 reached 92,500units (minus 7 %) but value remained the same. From this weactually get the only positivetrend – average bike price has gone up 6 % to an all-time high.Exports are still almost nothing

despite the different statistics –these are bikes that were impor-ted to Slovenia and then shippedfurther to other countries.

Trends and rumorsAfter many interviews with distri-butors we can report that moun-tain bikes are still the most desired– on average they represent 54%of sales, and up to 90% with somebrands. Trekking and cross bikehold another 25%, the remaining20% is split between all other clas-ses. We would expect better sales ofroad bikes on the basis of roadevents and the increased numberof riders on the roads but figuresshows a different kind of picture.There are of course some dealersthat base their business on roadbikes but they don’t have a biggerimpact on the whole picture. On the other side Slovenia is still amountain country with countlessfire roads and trails, so no surprisethat mountain bikes are still leading.The number of IBD’s remainedabout the same in 2010 – about150 to 200, depending of your definition of bicycle shop. Production is still low, howeverthere are strong rumors that big-ger assembly lines with possible

welding facilities will be set up inthe near future somewhere in thecountry. For now everything is very secretand information hard to get, butfor sure we will follow this storythat could drastically change thepicture of the Slove-nian bicyclesector. Don’t forget – Slovenia al-ready had a big manufacturerRog bikes (later Elan bikes) thatclosed in 2004/05 due to bad decisions, but the skills andknowledge stayed in the area.

Pony was a very popular city model in all of Yugoslavia, at the time manufactured by Rog bikes.Now it is reviewed by Velo, importer of Fuji, Wheeler and other brands. Photo Grega Stopar

Bike Imports into Slovenia (in units and euro)Imports 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

Value in EUR 10,264,420 11,076,322 15,527,567 14,333,666 14,144,776

Quantity 84,639 77,660 114,920 99,353 92,415

Average price 121 143 135 144 153

(Source: Eurostat)

Imports into Slovenia by country in units2010 2009

1. Taiwan 22,542 23,809

2. Italy 18,989 18,092

3. Belgium 7,375 7,216

(Source: Eurostat)

BIKE europe 11Market Report Slovenia

7% decrease in volume and just 3% decrease in value

LJUBLJANA, Slovenia – The trend of negative statis-tics continued in 2010 but the numbers are not ascritical as they were in 2009. Reports show a decreaseof sales in low and high-end markets while the best-selling middle range remained strong.

2010 Was Solid Year with Hopes for Better 2011

By Grega Stopar

Krpan is a Slovenian bike, purpose build by Cult bike for post offices and delivery services. This yearit is available also to the public. It still is a robust city/delivery bike but now available in vibrant lineof colours. Photo Cult

New bicycle trends for the cityand the country were on displayas well as shows, races of variouscategories, bicycle testing, auto-graph meetings and televisionspots from various shows bothhome-grown and foreign, on thelarge screen. 18,628 visitors tookin the booths and displays ofabout 125 exhibiting firms.Prominent exhibitors included regional authorities such as theMedard Lake region near Karlovy,eager to showcase their region forcycling touring and the main

foreign and home bicycle brandssuch as Giant, represented by Progress Cycle. Among the newcollections of bikes and accesso-ries, equipment and clothing wasan interesting idea by Trek brand –their ‘stop E shop’ campaign in sup-port of IBD’s and the idea of perso-nal contact with the final customer. From a number of brands specialattention was paid to the firm Tru-conneXion’s Swiss BMX bikes andZipp accessories, and the offer totry CelarCompex electronic sti-mulators, and POWERbreathe,

which bills itself as the revolutio-nary innovation in enhancing en-durance and physical condition.There was also interest in theCzech production firm GODSPEEDand their carbon racing bikes. Inorder to increase the strength andresistance against mechanical damage in collisions and/or falls,they use an inner core from Rohacell foam along with carbonfiber layers laid straight, withoutcorrugation and folding whichwould degrade the resulting frame properties. The producers have patented this unique technology.The most mechanically simple bikes also got some attention. Single speed bikes with one handbrake, both free-wheel and fixed,were crowd-pleasers at the Bohe-mia Cycles and Funbike displays.A number of firms presented e-bi-ke conversion kits including E-PO-HONY Sikula and Repro Agency.

PRAGUE, Czech Republic – The second year of the bicycle exhibi-tion, For Bike festival, was held March 25 – 27 in Prague's exhibi-tion grounds Letnany, right before the beginning of cycling sea-son. Created with the support of professional medial partners,regions of the Czech Republic and a number of bicycle specia-lists the most important aim of the show was to help bicycle sel-lers start their season with a fanfare.

Season in Czech Republic Starts with For Bike 2011 Show

By Milan Motl

11BIK004_Page_11.qxp 4/15/11 9:06 PM Page 11

Keeping in mind that everything,including the Russian ruble ex-change rate could collapse in amoment if oil prices drop, no onewas eager to order lots of qualitybikes. The plan was to break even.Some companies were cuttingjobs and moving to smaller offices,others reducing their orders to theessentials. Thus if there is a wordto describe the year 2010 in Russi-an bike market – it is “optimiza-tion”. Those with lots of stock afteryear 2009, were able to get rid of it– a shortage of branded bikes wasobvious already in June. Curiouslyone market segment slipped fromeveryone’s attention – children bi-cycles. New customs policies con-tributed to this situation, so evenin Moscow it was a challenge toget a branded bike for a kid.

Boom in component salesIn the same time almost everycompany representative told usabout a successful year, with salesincreases of 10 to 50%. The com-ponents market was said to in-crease significantly, due to a moreconscious approach to bicyclesamong users. People were repai-ring old bikes, and postponingthe purchase of a new one. Thistrend was mentioned several years ago and still developing. Itmay be a reflection of the moun-tain bikes’ popularity. The fashionto buy multi-geared “mountainbikes” of the cheapest kindbrought along a need for mainte-nance and most old bikes end upas a squeaky monster with petri-

fied ‘suspension’ and only 3 or 4gears working. This, couple withthe fact many adult Russians livedduring the Soviet period of totalshortages and learned to rely onthemselves, helps explain the bigboom in component sales. It wasnecessary to be able to make asmall repair of whatever broke inyour home, so it’s no surprise tosee a senior manager of a seriouscompany in front of his housefixing a bike by himself.With smaller amounts of importedquality bikes, local productiontook the initiative. The largest Ve-lomotors factory assembling bicy-cles near Moscow under Stelsbrand is said to sell between750,000 to one million bikes a year.One wishing to buy a bike forhimself and another for his wifeand one more for a kid should lookno further than Stels. Its cataloguecovers all ages and lifestyles. Pricesare affordable and bikes are attrac-tive in design. It’s fair to mentionsome limitations of such a gene-rous offering. Quality remains me-diocre and higher end models areunavailable. But being seriousabout optimization, they are conti-nuing to evolve as a company. Another big local market playerfrom the town of Perm is makingbikes under the Forward brand.Some 400 thousand bicycles weresold mainly in the eastern re-gions, but gradually marketing fo-cus is shifting towards the west ofRussia. Forward bikes are similarto Stels ones with only some in-significant differences.

One more prominent company totake a note of is making old-school single gear road and fol-ding bicycles in Minsk, the capitalof Belarus, but Russia is the tradi-tional market for Aist bikes. 300thousand of these very basic bicy-cles selling costing less than 100euro are easily sold in rural area.They are marketed as worker-bi-cycles, not joy-bikes. Steel roadframe with horizontal top tube,28 inch wheels and one gear – it’swouldn’t look unfamiliar to a cy-clist in post World War-II SovietUnion. There’s still a great marketfor this type of two-wheeler. Thetypical customer knows how tofix everything. Specific wrench setcould be found in every barn orattic and in case you don’t haveone, you can manage repair withsimple tools. To illustrate thepoint imagine the crank attachedto the bottom bracket axle with awedge hammered in and tighte-ned with a nut! Despite predic-tions this business model wouldbe done in by market forces, Aistremains surprisingly alive andwell.

Global brandsUnfortunately, optimizationprompted a noticeable reductionof global brands in 2010. For se-veral years Kona bikes had beenselling in the largest sports chainSportmaster, but after the econo-mic crisis, the chain store got ridof the Canadian brand. If you arein Moscow, you can still find Konain a small bike shop, but freeridefans from the regions will have tocome to Moscow to get a bike ororder it online, which could bequite a hassle. Mass brands areavailable – one can get Trek, Giant, Merida etc. But usually onlylower-end models are availableimmediately. More expensiveones have to be preordered. Pricescales are different in Moscow,compared to other cities withover a million population andsmall towns. In the capital the ty-pical customer is ready to partwith as much as 500 euro, but inthe regions that figure drops byhalf, and not so many customerswill dare to buy ‘exotic’ an bike. Like it has always been – Moscowand the rest of Russia, are two dif-ferent countries with a great gapin customer mentality. One phenomenon changing theprovincial approach is Internet.With online access spreadingthroughout the country and con-nections available even in villa-ges, consumers got a hint theycan get what they want directlyfrom Moscow, or USA, or Europeand leave the lazy and uncoop-erative local dealer out of busi-ness. But it is still a long wayahead to overcome the fear and

anxiety of the average consumerfrom some regional center, likeTver, Rostov or Ivanovo. He or shemay not have a credit card yet,isn’t fluent in English or any otherforeign language, and is frighte-ned with the stories of Internetfraud. But computer literacy ismaking an impressive jump. Online buying has become the vicious enemy of specialty bikeshops. Dealers complain that lo-cal Internet shops are misguidingcustomers. They claim that theyhave a good selection of bike mo-dels with attractive price tags,let client place the order withoperator calling back and offeringanother bicycle, which may bevery different and a bit more expensive. Sometimes the custo-mer pays even more online thanin a specialty shop. On the otherhand European and American on-line bike shops suddenly becamepopular when Russian customschanged the non-duty price limitfor parcels from abroad. Before itwas about 250 euro per week.One had to clear more expensivepackages from customs, whichwas a excruciating and time con-suming experience. Last autumnhowever, the price limit was set at

1000 euro per month with nostrict control allowing people toorder more products from ab-road. A typical online deal savessome 25-50% and what is moreimportant, one is no longer limi-ted to the colors or sizes available

in a local shop. But customs didn’trelax its grip all over the market.It became more difficult for theimporters to clear their deliveries.Customs bureaucrats demandletters from the chamber of com-merce of originating countries,approving the factory’s prices.Lack of the appropriate paper-work leads to higher duties. As itis elegantly put, “Stringency ofthe law is compensated by optio-nality of its implementation”.

2011 outlookProspects for the year 2011 ho-wever, are good. Dealers hope toincrease turnover 20% or so. Themarket will hopefully bring morevariety. Last year’s extremely hotsummer made bicycles became

less attractive as a leisure acces-sory and it was not a first choicefor commuting in the cities. Butwith the advent of spring, cloudsover the bike market are vanis-hing, dealers busy with their lo-gistics are sayng, “Ask me inMay!” As long as the bicycledoesn’t fall from fashion, interestto personal mobility and healthylifestyles is high, there is moneyto grease this machine for another year.

BIKE europe12 Market Report Russia

Optimization prompted a noticeable reduction of global brands in Russia in 2010. Photos Andrey Khorkov

VeloPark-2011 was held from February 25 to 27 in a new place – Crocus Expo. It’s a new exhibitioncenter just outside the Moscow city border. Photo Andrey Khorkov

One market segment slipped from everyone’s attention – children bicycles. New customs policiescontributed to this situation, so even in Moscow it was a challenge to get a branded bike for a kid.

MOSCOW, Russia - 2010 was a dynamic year in Russia. Everything was balancingbetween an abrupt downturn – a second wave of financial crisis and glorious rise– call it growth pick-up. Caution was a vital habit. No new projects, no big invest-ments, no hiring or salary rise. The feeling of danger penetrated through allindustries and society as well. According to, the governmental statistics organiza-tion Rosstat, inflation was 8.8%, the same as the year before. At the same timefood prices have risen 22.7%, hitting hard families with lower income in regionswhere average monthly wages are as low as €350, and in some places even less.Luckily enough oil and natural gas prices were higher than expected, but despitethat fact the GDP fell 4.1%. Official statistics for unemployment stabilizedthrough the year with an average of 7.5%, about 1% less than a year before.

By Andrey Khorkov

2010: Optimization Year for Russian Bike Market

arguably the best place in Moscow for a show. Of courseVeloPark was small, occupyingonly a quarter of a hall with bigareas for trials competition, lowriders show-off and fun ridingon a small track. As usual Velo-Park takes three days – Fridayto Sunday. Business is mostlyon the first day with the publictaking over on the weekend.Moscow’s VeloPark-2011 is unli-

ke the international bike shows.Here there were dozens of exhi-bitors, not hundreds. The estima-ted number of visitors was 12thousand. Those on hand for thefirst time here were shockedwith the absence of majorbrands, but that was normal –the main goal for exhibitors is tofind partners.

MOSCOW, Russia - Moscow isnot a bike city. With only 7months a year without snowand ice on the roads, a lack ofbike paths, and prejudice to-wards bicycles in general, theRussian capital is struggling to-wards the European culture ofcycling commuting. No place tostart a business selling bicy-cles?

Don’t forget, it’s a city with mo-ney to burn and now and thenthere is a customer in a shop as-king for the best and willing topay whatever the price tag says.And there are quite a few peoplewith European educations and ataste for a healthy lifestyle andbike culture. That’s why the bicy-cle business is small but concen-trated in Moscow. The annual bi-ke show called VeloPark reflectsthe lie of the land.VeloPark-2011 was held from February 25 to 27 in a newplace – Crocus Expo. It’s a newexhibition center just outsidethe city border, but with betterhalls and parking lots than theother centers. There is even asubway station nearby, so it is

Show Review Moscow VeloPark 2011

2009 stocks were cleared; optimism for 2011 sales

Continued on page 13

European and Americanonline bike shops suddenlybecame popular whenRussian customs changedthe non-duty price limit forparcels from abroad.

11BIK004_Page_12.qxp 4/15/11 9:10 PM Page 12

EstoniaThe latest country that joined theEuro region (in 2011) had a 7%increase in imports in 2010 but atthe same time value of the im-ports went down 20% to € 29.5million, the lowest in a few years.The consumption is still less than

half of what it was in 2007 and2008. Exports, not that high tobegin with and are now onlyabout 15% of what they were just3 years ago. Despite big producti-on in neighbouring Lithunia mostof the bikes (65%) originate fromAsia with Cambodia and Taiwan

being the biggest suppliers. TheEU supplies the remaining 35%with Italy as the biggest producer.

LatviaThe bike sector in this country isin an even worse situation. Witha population of well over onemillion people import stood atonly 24,000 bicycles. This is over50% lower than those in2007/2008. Taiwan and China arethe biggest suppliers to Latviabut with the strong influence ofLithuanian bicycle industry theEU takes the trophy as biggestsupplier. Exports are at a recordlow, almost not worth mentio-ning in the whole picture of theBaltic region.

LithuaniaPride of the Lithuanian bicycleindustry Baltik Vairas is againworking at high capacity – ex-ports from the country have rea-ched over 330,000 bikes andmost of this can be credited tothe half a century old factory,now working in partnership with

Panther International GmbH. Af-ter a 33% fall in 2009 numbersare now very close to the recordsales of 2007 and 2008. In factthey are already at a record highin terms of value – with an 8%increase in average price for ex-ported bicycles they are worthover € 43 million. By far the mostimportant customer for the com-pany is Germany, accounting forover 85% of the production. Far

behind is Denmark with just over14 thousand units, followed byLatvia and Estonia with 6,451and 4,727 units. No surprise thaton average bikes exported tothose two countries are signifi-cantly cheaper than those thatare built for Western Europe andScandinavian countries.The trend for imports is closer toLatvia and Estonia, actually evenworse. The number of imported

bikes in 2010 was less than 30thousand – another big drop af-ter already ‘red’ numbers in 2009.The country that stands out withthe imports statistics is Indone-sia, with 8’,684 units, but in totalthe country gets most (over60%) of its bike from the EU. Butstrong home production is notpushing the market forward.Consumption has gone down toestimated 60-80 thousand units.

Estonia: Bike Import & Export2007 2008 2009 2010

Export in units 18,420 7,257 5,399 2,786

Export in value (EUR) 1,655,171 1,108,030 1,017,941 426,806

Average value (EUR) 89.90 152.70 188.50 152.20

Source: EurostatExport from Lithuania in 2010 – biggest partners (country, units)

1. Germany 286,233

2. Denmark 14,002

3. Latvia 6,451

4. Estonia 4,727

5. Sweden 4,177

(Source: Eurostat)

BIKE europe 13Market Report

The highlight of the market report for the BalticStates are Lithuanian’s exports. Once again they aregetting close to the numbers from the years 2007 and2008, as this country is an important supplier to allthree Baltic States, Germany and other Europeancountries. Meanwhile imports are falling and so isdomestic consumption.

Lithuania Pushes the Baltic Region Forward

By Grega Stopar

Moscow’s VeloPark-2011 is unlikethe international bike shows. Herethere were dozens of exhibitors,not hundreds. The estimatednumber of visitors was 12 thou-sand. Those on hand for the firsttime here were shocked with theabsence of major brands, but thatwas normal – the main goal forexhibitors is to find partners. The VeloPark show is a good op-portunity for smaller brands anddistributors to do business. Andthe majors rely on their reputati-on and web search engines not asmall Russian trade show. But,Shimano, Giant, and KTM brandswere on hand, along with a pro-minent local brand Forward. The-re were regular and first-time ex-hibitors from Germany, Austria,India, Taiwan, China and someothers. Foreign participantsshowed mostly components withbikes presented by Russian distri-butors and shops. First time exhi-bitors from abroad acknowlegeda number of business contactsand were enthusiastic about ta-king part in this show in the futu-re. Usually it takes more than justbringing samples to the show tostart successful business on a newmarket, and the Russian market isa difficult one.

TrendsExperienced visitors could see so-me new trends this year. Hereagain the key word was optimiza-tion. VeloPark-2011 marked a de-parture from a “one bike for

everyone” concept. Yes, we stilluse mostly mountain bikes in thecities and commuter one-speedbikes in rural areas. A guy on afreeride monster in a small Mos-cow street may look funny, butthat’s how it all happening here.After a scarce choice of everyconsumer product during theCommunist era, multi-gearedMTBs were a whole new opportu-nity and they drove bike marketto where it is now. It’s time forthem to retire as a general biketype and let way to all the others.A desire to be different pushedsome cyclists to react in exagge-rated manner – some have swit-ched to fashionable fixed-gear bicycles, some to the cruisers anda few set their bike aside as theydon’t want to be seen cycling atall. VeloPark-2011 had some ans-wers to this consumer conun-drum. Actually there are three ways outof all-MTB cycling. The first one isapparently city bikes. One ladyput it frankly: “I don’t want to looklike my son and I don’t want himtaking my bike when he breakshis own.”And she saved a lot of moneychoosing a nice pink cruiser withfloral design, metal fenders andchain guard with geared hub andwide saddle with chromedsprings over some Shimano XT-based mountain bike suggestedby her son. The number of peoplewilling to distance themselvesfrom sporty looking cyclists is

growing. Locally made bikes ofthis kind as well as imported onesare available under a number ofbrands and in different price ran-ges.The second way out of the MTBstyle, especially for city dwellersto consider – is a folding bike.Moscow traffic is becoming worseeach year and it’s always been apain to sit in a car strugglingthrough a traffic jam and watchcyclists riding freely on a side-walk. A lot of motorists are drea-ming of a small bike in a trunk.Folding bikes are also proving agood idea not only for drivers butfor people using the subway aswell. Folding bikes are allowed onthe underground for a fee ofabout 60 euro cents for a ride ofany distance and direction undera sprawling section of Moscowsome 50 kilometers across. Now the third solution for cy-

clists-to-be is an e-bike. This beastis almost nonexistent in Russia.Typically electric bikes are confu-sed with a small motorbike andthe first question addressed tothe salesmen is “how fast will itgo”. Being told that one has to pe-dal in order to go and the motorjust assists a bit, leaves the custo-mer disappointed. Nonetheless,dealers expect to sell several hun-dred e-bikes this season, mostlyin Moscow.

Last resortAll three trends were presented atVeloPark-2011 and in a couple ofmonths we’ll see if any of themhappen to be viable. More con-servative cyclists can choose a re-gular MTB and treat it with gad-gets like GPS-cyclocomputer,high-powered headlights, or HDaction cameras. All these itemscould spur interest in cyclingalong with fancy aftermarket

components available over the In-ternet. Bikes are already a musthave thing for those who areyoung and active or at least pre-tending to be so. The growingnumber of cyclists could cause achain reaction, forcing even hum-ble coach potatoes to bike shops.Or, at least they might buy a usedbike from a friend. And the last resort for a die-hardretrograde is the Aist bicycle, ma-de at aMinsk factory operatingsince the beginning of the bicycleworld. One gear, decades-provendesign – tens of million peopleover half a century can’t bewrong. You want a marketing le-gend? It goes like this. They buysheet metal and make tubes in-house! They make these old-fashioned saddles and sell themeven to Nigeria. Aist bikes may beseen in Afganistan. And these are

not fables but sheer truth. A wo-man in her forties approachedAist booth at VeloPark asking apermission to sit on a children bi-ke. She explained that she hadexactly the same model when shewas three years old. VeloPark is a successeful although small scale event. Bikes are selling well and we ex-pect some bike-conscious acti-ons from Moscow town council.Last year Russian president Dmitry Medvedev fired Moscowmajor Yuri Luzhkov for loss ofconfidence. One of the prime tasks for a newcity head Sergey Sobyanin is sol-ving a traffic problem in Moscow.Whether he is going to create so-me infrastructure for bikes andhelp push the whole market higher will hopefully becomeclear very soon.

Moscow’s VeloPark-2011: Answers to Consumer Conundrum on Bikes

Last resort for a die-hard retrograde is the Aistbicycle, made at aMinsk factory operating sincethe beginning of the bicycle world. One gear,decades-proven design – tens of million peop-le over half a century can’t be wrong…

Moscow traffic is becoming worse each year. Alot of motorists are dreaming of a small bike ina trunk. Folding bikes are also proving a goodidea not only for drivers but for people usingthe subway as well. Photos Andrey Khorkov

The number of Russian people willing to distance themselves from sporty looking cyclists is gro-wing. VeloPark-2011 had, among others, this answer to this consumer conundrum.

Estonia, Latvia & Lithuania

2007 2008 2009 2010

Import in units 61,617 65,190 27,451 29,613

Import in value (EUR) 5,018,090 5,837,550 3,668,659 2,959,038

Average value (EUR) 81.40 89.50 133.60 99.92

Source: Eurostat

Latvia: Bike Import & Export2007 2008 2009 2010

Export in units 6,155 3,158 2,191 1,525

Export in value (EUR) 249,723 150,710 290,728 223,727

Average value (EUR) 40.60 47.70 132.70 146.70

Source: Eurostat

2007 2008 2009 2010

Import in units 68,168 64,296 30,304 23,755

Import in value (EUR) 5,385,890 5,239,240 3,068,519 1,924,469

Average value (EUR) 79.00 81.50 101.30 81.00

Source: Eurostat

Lithuania: Bike Import & Export2007 2008 2009 2010

Export in units 387,000 388,564 263,677 330,606

Export in value (EUR) 38,107,952 40,324,347 31,831,246 43,158,180

Average value (EUR) 98.50 103.80 120.70 130.54

Source: Eurostat

2007 2008 2009 2010

Import in units 66,393 87,056 44,034 29,289

Import in value (EUR) 3,543,450 4,593,499 3,421,794 2,769,731

Average value (EUR) 53.40 52.80 77.70 94.56

Source: Eurostat

Continued from page 12

11BIK004_Page_13.qxp 4/15/11 9:12 PM Page 13

Among the 915 participants was anoteworthy quantity of civic lea-ders, healthcare professionals, andcity planners from fields traditio-nally without strong links to cy-cling but which have recently in-tensified interest in cycling, alongwith improved cycling infrastruc-ture and the promotion of cycling

itself as solutions to nagging pro-blems such as energy dependen-cy, climate change, and obesity.Themes consistent with organizers’vision for the conference contentcrystallized on Day 1 of Velo-city2011 with a call to action by Nor-way’s former Prime Minister, GroHarlem Brundtland, to be aware

engage Africa and Latin Americain the program content many to-pics were offered in Spanish, En-glish, or both Spanish and English.At first this proved challenging asorganizers had no way of qualify-ing related information at thesource. To solve that, organizers at-tended conferences in Mexico andSenegal, which put them in directcontact with exactly the peoplethey desired to reach. This rewar-ded organizers with presentersfrom Africa, and South and CentralAmerica, who spoke about mobili-ty habits, policy making, genderimbalance, and prosperity via mo-bility, each from the distinct per-spective and cultural backgroundof their respective countries. Seville also played a role in thegoal to reach out to African andLatin American participants sincethe climate, flora, and sometimes,geography, could easily relate tocities on either of the two conti-nents than say, a northern Europe-an city like Copenhagen, London,or Oslo. For attendees from Africaand Latin America, to be able toimagine similar solutions in Mexi-co, Chile, Uganda, or Zambia likethose implemented by Seville alsodefined conference motives.

Cycling policy is also big businessSelecting Seville as the backdropfor Velo-city proved a shrewdchoice by organizers while the citytook full advantage to show off itscycling infrastructure, which be-gan construction in early 2006and resulted in 120 kilometers ofsegregated cycle tracks, a succes-sful public bicycle hire scheme,and a tenfold increase in trips bybike from 6,000 to 60,000 per day,or nearly a seven percent increase,up from less than half of one per-cent. One of the three main objec-tives underscoring the event wasto position Seville as a model citythat successfully transformed it-self from car-choked and traffic-congested to a city centered oncommunity rather than cars.While it’s nice to agree that ridingbikes is a good idea, that’s hardlyenough to sway politicians to putcycling on their agendas, especial-ly when only a small percentage ofvoters lobby for including cyclingin the urban landscape. Howevercycling infrastructure not only ser-ves citizens, but serves industry in-terests as well and what happenedin Seville yielded business growthnever seen before in the city's cy-cling sector. Without countingsport or recreational cycling, thedemand for cycling-related busi-nesses grew more during the lastfour years than any other previousperiod of time - even than all prioryears added together.“I would say that the cycling busi-ness has almost tripled since 2006,”said Manuel Calvo, program con-tent coordinator for Velo-city 2011.“Where there used to be one ortwo shops to rent bikes, now thereare six shops. You have the chanceto choose from three or four busi-nesses that offer bike tours andnow there are bike schools too. A couple established shops ope-ned up outlets in new locations;there are also three shops dedica-

BIKE europe

City’s successful infrastructure increases cycling business while serving its citizens

14 Report

Norway's former Prime Minister, Gro Harlem Brundtland, poised to call to action participants ofVelo-city 2011 Photos Velo-city 2011

Eva Willumsen proves the value of investing in cycling infrastructure.

SEVILLE, Spain - Representatives from more than 47 countries descended uponAndalusia’s capital city March 23-25 to participate in the global conference, Velo-city 2011, and to see for themselves the positive impact cycling infrastructurecould have on a city with no prior culture of cycling. While Seville was trumpetedfrequently by organizers for its recent cost-savings and urban benefits of invest-ments in cycling, it was also revealed that business related to cycling had tripledsince the city commenced its urban redesign in 2006.

By Wendy Booher

Velo-City Reveals Business Boomin Cycle-Friendly Seville

and actively involved in finding so-lutions to global health challen-ges, threats to the environment,and unsustainable economies.“When we started talking aboutthe program, we made up ourminds to focus on actual issuesthat we thought needed to be dis-cussed,” said Matthias Nuessgen,program content manager for Ve-lo-city 2011. “We came up withfour main themes: health, educa-tion, public investment and the ef-ficiency of this investment, andsocial aspects of cycling economy.”In between morning and after-noon plenary sessions, confe-rence go-ers had a chance tochoose from eight sub-plenarypresentations, eight round tablediscussions, or four workshopstwice each day on topics as diver-se as ‘The economic cost of cy-cling and the generation of em-ployment’ and ‘Bicycle Helmets -do we need European legislation?’ Inline with Velo-city’s twin goals to

costs, accident costs, and bran-ding value all carry a monetaryvalue per kilometer, which is usedto calculate cost to benefit. Infra-structure projects in Willumsen'snative Denmark require a five per-cent rate of return and by usingcost-benefit analysis, Willumsenwas able to prove a 7.6 percentrate of return for Copenhagen’sBrygge Bridge, and a whopping33 percent rate of return for a traf-fic intersection rebuild.“The analyses enlighten the politi-cians and help them make gooddecisions. It is our responsibilityto quantify the benefit; if we donot make cost benefit analysis,politicians make their own valueand in that case, it will be the poli-ticians who value effects. Therebydecisions will be made on diffe-rent foundations from time to ti-me. When we use official unit va-lues of costs and benefits, we as-sure that decisions are based onsolid and consistent foundations.”Rather than wait for voters to teach them the value of cycling,cycling infrastructure, and thepromotion of cycling, some politi-cians had come to Velo-city to seefor themselves the benefits. Belgi-um’s Wallonia government solici-ted project proposals for impro-ving cycling from 63 municipali-ties in the region. 13 were selec-ted to dispatch two employees toVelo-city: a mayor or deputy may-or and a functionary who wouldstudy and learn solutions and stra-tegies for implementing cycling intheir respective municipalities.The 26 Belgian delegates hadtheir work cut out for them toosince they are required to submita comprehensive cycling plan fortheir districts by October 2011.SRAM’s Randy Neufeld also cameup with an idea to invite electedofficials from the U.S. SRAM spon-sored the 2010 Velo-city confe-rence in Copenhagen and, whenit was announced that the 2011event would take place in Seville,that sparked an idea to invite Lati-no elected officials to both inspirethem and help the U.S. cyclingmovement become more multi-cultural.

ted exclusively to urban cycling.All of these businesses have ope-ned in the last four to five years.”Due to higher volume sales, bikeshops have had to improve theirproduct offerings to stay compe-titive in Seville’s increasingly di-verse market. Stores that sell spe-cialty items have extended theirreach beyond the local market toserve consumers with more refi-ned demands.Calvo, who maintains a consultan-cy in Seville that specializes inprojects related to sustainablemobility and climate change, seesthe future potential for cyclingfrom a professional vantage pointand even now, as unsustainableresources shrink, he stated thatpeople are ready to turn to cy-cling. Politicians are listening tooand are paying closer to the re-turn on investment cycling has tooffer. The career risk to politicianswho turn to cycling as a solutionis lessening as well, now that he-althcare professionals and econo-mists, among others, are showingup in support of cycling and theycome armed with proof of the be-nefits.

Cycling projects equal soundinvestments“We all want to tell our govern-ment officials that they shouldbuild cycling infrastructure becau-se riding a bike is great," remarkedGuillermo Penalosa, master of ce-remonies. Penalosa’s commentwas more a reaction to a presenta-tion by Eva Willumsen, depart-ment head of economics at theConsultancy within Engineering,Environmental Science and Eco-nomics, who had just proven thevalue of investing in cycling byusing cost-benefit analysis as anunemotional foundation for con-vincing politicians that cycling in-frastructure isn’t just a good idea,but rather a sound investment.“When politicians make decisions,they implicitly moneterise effects,”Willumsen said. “When we carryout cost-benefit analyses, we usethe same values every time andthereby we provide unbiasedfoundations for decision making.”Values like time use, health effects(reduced illness and increased lifeexpectancy), bicycle operating Continued on page 16

11BIK004_Page_14.qxp 4/15/11 9:15 PM Page 14

News 15BIKE europe

The first facility is to start full scale pro-duction in early November 2011; theother two ‘stations’ will come online la-ter. The new facilities are on a 2,000m²plot which Marwi Group CEO and Presi-dent Patrick Pai bought three years ago.The Marwi Group already operates pro-duction facilities in Indonesia, which iscurrently its main manufacturing center.With a total of about 700 employeesworking at production units and officesin 5 countries (Indonesia, Taiwan, theNetherlands, Germany, and the CzechRepublic) Marwi is globally organized.The component maker is especiallyknown as the world’s largest manufactu-rer of pedals.

Marwi’s big push At its three new facilities in Taiwan Marwiis currently installing highly automatedproduction equipment, including amongothers, alloy injection die-casting machinery. Here mid to high-end pedals,saddles and lighting components are tobe produced. The company also plans toupgrade its own production and to limitthe amount of semi-finished products itsources from subcontractors.Marwi is investing about €10 million in itshighly automated production in Taiwan.This investment illustrates what JamesHuang, Managing Director for Marwi Tai-wan, calls, “Marwi’s big push for the high-end levels of the market. We want tobring the company and its products tothe next level and move away from thelow-end sectors. In fact we want our

Union brand to get to such high-end levels for our core components.”In 1995 the company bought the rightsto the Union brand name from the Ger-man lights maker Union Fröndenberg.Since then Marwi has greatly expandedthe OEM focused Union range which, aswell as a complete line-up of (battery)lights and dynamos, currently includes:pedals, cables, chains, MTB/Trekkingparts, hubs, brake shoes and pads, waterbottle cages, seat clamps, cycle compu-ters and bike tools. The company alsosells saddles under the Selle San Remobrand name, as well as Xerama. Marwi’s aftermarket-focused productrange includes Selle San Remo Pro bran-ded saddles, Ti-Dye spokes & nipples, Ti-Dye wheelsets and NightPro batterylighting sets.

High-End Marwi’s big push towards high-end in thecompany’s core product lines is some-thing it has been working on for a coupleof years. For instance, a whole range ofclipless pedals is offered as well as LEDheadlights and carbon Ti-Dye wheelsets.Speaking of clipless pedals, Marwi Groupis also making the cleats for one of re-nowned US brands in road racing parts.And Marwi is looking to expand such pri-vate label business. The same goes forproducts other than the core Marwi com-ponents - pedals, saddles and lighting.Managing Director James Huang says,“With the new production facilities weare planning to expand into other sectors

of the components market. In particularwe want to go into drive train compo-nents. We are convinced that enlargingour offering is the way to go for Marwi inthe years to come. Not next year by theway. Because making an entry into drivetrain components also means that youhave to have your other basics right, likemarketing and sales.”Despite all the plans for new products,Marwi Group is not forgetting where itscurrent base business is. Huang says:“We are strong in the mid sector of theEuropean bike market. Strong in compo-nents for city bikes, the Dutch granny bikes as well as the lower end of thetrekking bike market. The product rangewe currently offer is suited for that.And looking at the current trend ofdown-spec’ing we are sure to be theright partner for bike makers that operate in these segments.”

AftermarketIn the last couple of years Marwi managed to expand its OEM business inEurope. And not in small percentages.Thanks to just-in-time deliveries throughits logistics centers in Rotterdam andthe Czech Republic the component maker is currently making the biggestpart (52%) of its yearly turnover in Europe. Asia is Marwi’s number 2 marketwhere 29% of its sales are made whilethe Americas (North and South) is goodfor 15% of sales.Next to OEM Marwi is of coursealso strongly focused on aftermarket

business. Through its Rotterdam officeand a network of distributors, wholesa-lers across Europe are targeted as wellas sporting goods and supermarket

chains. Next to a 48 hour delivery, pre-packaging and bar-coding services arein place for Marwi Group’s Aftermarketbusiness in Europe.

Marwi Moves Towards Mid to High-End Levels in Pedals,Saddles and LightingTAICHUNG, Taiwan – Without neglecting its entry-level product lines theMarwi Group is making an all-out effort towards mid to high-end levels forits pedals, saddles and lighting components. To help achieve that goal, thecompany is opening three new production facilities in Taichung, Taiwan.

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New facilities in Taiwan start production next November

Marwi is investing about 10 million euro in a new HQ andthree new production facilities in Taichung, Taiwan whichwill house highly automated machinery.

The Marwi Group management with (from left to right)James Huang, MD Marwi Taiwan; Patrick Pai, CEO andMartin Vogt, MD Marwi Europe. They want to bring thecompany and its products to the next level and moveaway from the low-end sectors.

Marwi makes a big push for the high-end levels of the market with a highly automated production in Taiwan.Manufacturing with, among others, alloy injection die-casting machinery starts in November.

Marwi uses its Union brand to get to the high-end levelsfor the company’s core components; pedals, saddles andlighting. Photos Bike Europe

In Europe the Marwi Group opera-tes a market and logistics center inRotterdam, the Netherlands, aTechnical and Customer ServiceCenter in Germany, and in theCzech Republic a distribution center for Eastern Europe. MarwiEurope in Rotterdam has a staff of5 while in the R&D and customerservice center in Germany there are2 employees. The Czech distribu-tion center also has a staff of 5. Marwi Europe’s MD Martin Vogtunderlines James Huang state-ments and says, “The new facilitiesin Taiwan are not for mass produc-tion. It’s all about expanding upwards in the market. Without neglecting our current position we will be workingon this step by step. For us in Europe there’s a big task in the years ahead to change the Marwi name and reputati-on which currently is not directly related to high-end parts. Presently the Marwi Group in Europe serves over 200 customers, of which about 60 are bike manufacturers. Over150 wholesalers, supermarket and sporting goods chains are served through our warehouses and logistics centersin Rotterdam and in Decin, Czech Republic. We have, except for Italy, Portugal and Finland, multiple distributorsin Europe.”“Our warehouse near Rotterdam contains about 2,000 pallets of stock,” continues Vogt, “part of it is also ‘safetystock’ from which we can deliver OEMs within 48 hours. Most of our bigger OEM customers offer us an order hori-zon for 1 to 3 months. This stock and through our logistic system with the main manufacturing center in Indonesiaallows us to be flexible. The Marwi warehouse in the Czech Republic is targeted to the more fragmented markets inEastern Europe for which it is able to deliver in smaller quantities.”

Marwi Europe

In Europe the Marwi Group operates a market and logistics center in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, a Technical andCustomer Service Center in Germany, and in the Czech Republic a distribution center for Eastern Europe. Picture hereis Marwi Europe in Rotterdam. Photo Marwi

11BIK004_Page_15.qxp 4/15/11 9:18 PM Page 15

BIKE europe16

“The total market for internal gear hubs in Europe has been sta-ble for several years while themain growth markets for IGH’s arehere in Asia as well as in the US,”says Jeffrey Winterkorn. “In thepast few years we have beenshipping an increasing number ofhubs from Europe to Asia for as-sembly on bicycles destined forthe US and Asian markets.For SRAM this was one of themain reasons to relocate theSchweinfurt production to Taiwan and to set up the produc-tion of the new hub platforms inour Dali factory.”Starting-up production of I-3 withthe SRAM partner factory tookSRAM engineers one year of pre-paration and a second year to fi-nalize all details. In this case therelocation of the production didnot mean that all the machinerywas shipped from Schweinfurt toTaiwan. According to SRAM thiswould have caused too many hic-cups in the beginning, as thereare differences in the culture onproduction locations betweenTaiwan and Germany. Instead ofmoving the machinery, much of itwas built new in Taiwan. This in-sured the Taiwan manufacturingteam had a deep knowledge ofthe process and equipment. At the factory all material hand-ling is done in one location inclu-ding all CNC machinery. Althoughcost efficiency was not the mostimportant reason for SRAM toclose down Schweinfurt, produc-tion on these premises saves theAmericans money. The partnerfactory is an important subcon-tractor working for SRAM, and a

part of the production hall is usedfor the manufacturing of theSRAM products. An additionalroom on the second floor isequipped for the final assemblyof the hubs. Overall, the floorspa-ce used for SRAM IGH measuresonly 25% of the size of Schwein-furt. Today the final assembly isdone in two shifts on one produc-tion line, while a second line hasbeen planned for 2012.

Quality Control“The level of quality control isexactly for parts production andfinished good assembly is the sa-me as in Europe. Although all tes-ting equipment was made locallyin-house, the methods we use areprecisely the same as in Schwein-furt,” says Jeffrey Winterkorn. Inthe near future, the partner willact as a component supplier forthe Dali factory where the recent-ly launched 2, 7, and 8 speedhubs will be made. In the past 12months preparations were madein the former Truvativ factory inDali to start production of thenew internal gear hub platforms.“These new production lines willalso be equipped with the mostmodern technology to meet agrowing demand for tailor-madeproducts,” says Jeffrey Winterkorn.“Product management for a com-plete bike is changing from theassembly of parts and compo-nents to overall product design.This requires tailor-made compo-nents and closer co-ordinationbetween suppliers and OEM’s.The rapidly expanding e-bikemarket and the growing numberof e-bike providers are accelera-

TAICHUNG, Taiwan – The relocation of the SRAM i-3 production from their Germanfactory in Schweinfurt to Taiwan is finalised. A team of Schweinfurt experts hasbeen working for two years to transfer the production of the I-motion series to aSRAM supply partner in Taiwan. “It was a major operation aimed at moving theproduction close to our Asian manufacturing operations and major OE customerassembly factories.” says Jeffrey Winterkorn, SRAM’s VP Asian Operations. BikeEurope took a closer look at the IGH manufacturing location as well as SRAM’smain facility in Taichung, Taiwan.

By Jan-Willem van Schaik

ting this process. We are ready toprovide the final componentsspecified by our OEM customers.” Besides the new production linesfor the internal gear hubs, the Da-li factory also makes most of thecarbon products used in SRAMroad and mountain groups.

Production in TaiwanThe heart of the SRAM manufac-turing is based in Taichung, Tai-wan, where SRAM has been ope-rating its own facility since 1991.The Taichung factories producemany of the finished goods forthe SRAM, RockShox, Avid andTruvativ Brands.“SRAM Taiwan Operatations has astrong culture of manufacturingand process improvement and isconstantly innovating and auto-

mating its production lines,” saysJeffrey Winterkorn. “Production inChina might be cheaper labour-wise, but here in Taiwan our pro-duction has a high degree of au-tomation and quality control. Wehave invested substantially in ourin-house testing capability as wellas our quality control systems toinsure robust products comingoff our production lines. We com-bine technology and supplychain management systems tocarefully handle our logistics andsupply chains to minimize inven-tories. We utilize bar coding to in-

sure seamless tracking of partsand finished goods both withinthe factories and out in the mar-ket. Our JIT and build to orderphilosophy allows us to manageour parts inventory to a minimumof 6 days and our finished goodinventory to 3 days. Simply put,we do it better and more effi-ciently by being close to our sup-pliers and customers.”“One our main competitive advantage is that we are based inthe vincinity of where our customers assembly bikes and wehave built a supply local supply

chain to support that our produc-tion,” says Jeffrey Winterkorn. “80% of our purchases are madefrom suppliers within a 100 kmradius of Taichung. We have astrong preference for local sour-cing and for that reason we havea group of 10 people in our quali-ty engineering department tosupport our suppliers, and helpthem fine tune their production.This avoids a lot of problems inthe final assembly in our factories.It is all aimed at an improving thespeed of which we supply components to our customers.”

The heart of the SRAM production in Taiwan is based in Taichung. SRAM has been operating its ownfacility in this country since 1991. Photos: Bike Europe

“80% of our production is supplied to compa-nies who are located in a 50 mile radius.”

SRAM invested substantially in their in-house test lab.

SRAM efficiently handles it logistics and supply chain with E-Flow.“Production in China might be cheaper labour-wise, but here in Taiwan our production has a highdegree of automation.”

Report “We want to do it better and more efficient”:

SRAM Taiwan Operation Ready for Production ofNew Generation Gear Hubs

“In the US, we have trouble get-ting road engineers and plannersto try innovative European bike-way designs,” Neufeld said. “Weare only successful where thereis a political push from the topbut that won’t happen withoutpublic officials experiencingbuilt-out systems. “You don't really grasp the broad range ofparticipation, its economic im-pacts and the way it works withcar traffic without experiencingit.” 10 council members represen-ting seven U.S. cities attendedVelo-city 2011 on a scholarshipprogram created by a partner-ship between SRAM, the BikesBelong Foundation, and Chica-go's Active Transportation Allian-ce. While bilingualism wasn’t arequirement to qualify for ascholarship, each council mem-ber was fluent in Spanish.

Public bike hiring goes nationalThe week following Velo-city, thetwo largest public transport com-panies in Switzerland announcedthat they will launch a nationalpublic bike system. This came as

great news for industry newco-mer, Velobility, which chose Velo-city to make its public debut. Velobility was one of approxima-tely 30 exhibitors in the Velo-cityexpo, which featured a mix ofproduct manufacturers, vendorsof cycling solutions and services,and government agencies rela-ted to the environment, publicworks, and of course, cycling .Philip Douglas launched Velobili-ty in the fall of 2010 from an exis-ting platform of low-maintenan-ce bicycles under the brand Sim-pel. Whereas Simpel built its re-putation on the fluid, easy-to-usedesign of its Paper Bicycle, whichDouglas and his team sold onlinemainly to Swiss consumers, Velo-bility emerged as a business-to-business model with public bikehiring programs as the targetmarket. The Paper Bicycle alreadyhad all the elements required forpublic bike use, in fact Switzer-land's two main public systems inLausanne and Biel already usethe Paper Bicycle. So when it wasannounced that there would be aSwiss national system, it wouldbe reasonable to believe that Ve-lobility had an advantage overcompetitors.

When JCDecaux forged the mar-ket for public bike systems withthe launch of the Paris Velib' in2007, the news rippled throughmajor media outlets and esta-blished JCDecaux as the marketleader, a position the companyhas enjoyed until now. However,there are weaknesses to theJCDecaux system, which Jean-Se-bastian Decaux (the youngest sonof company founder, Jean-ClaudeDecaux) confessed to in his Velo-city presentation ‘The public bikesystems of JCDecaux.’ Mainly da-mage from theft, vandalism, andoveruse have plagued the systembut the company has been wor-king to address those issues andimprove the system. Where thereare problems, other companiessee opportunities and the race tostake a claim in the market hasbeen heating up. Velo-citybrought together bike manufac-turers and system providers - so-metimes one in the same - withthe leaders who will be makingkey decisions regarding public bi-ke systems in the near future.“In the next three years the mar-ket will be really established andyou're either in or out,” Douglassaid. “Velo-city is about establis-

hing contacts and scouting forpublic tenders since most busi-ness will happen through publictenders.”Currently few public bike systemvendors can handle a project ofthe magnitude required by largercities, JCDecaux is one of them.What will drive innovation evenmore in public bike systems, ac-cording to Douglas, will be theability to contract a system a lacarte, which is to say a systemprovider and a specialized bikemanufacturer would team up todesign a state-of-the-art public bi-ke system for a customer withspecific demands and high expec-tations. Larger public tenders willshow if smaller, more specializedcompanies will get their chance toparticipate with partial solutionsor if the big projects will stay re-served for full-solution providers.Velo-city 2011 concluded with anenergetic stroke of the pen asdignitaries and participants of theVelo-city 2011 conference signedthe ‘Charter of Seville’, which ur-ged ministers of transportationworldwide to attend the Interna-tional Transport Forum, May 25-27, 2011 in Leipzig, Germany.

Continued from page 14

11BIK004_Page 16.qxp 4/15/11 8:27 PM Page 16

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Report 17BIKE europe

Although the bicycle is often used for transportati-on purposes in Germany, the automobile is still topof mind when discussion mobility issues. Neverthe-less, Berlin stands out in terms of bicycle use com-pared to other German cities. At the moment, onethird of all traffic movements in the German capitaltake place on foot, by bicycle, or via public trans-port. By both German and international standardsBerlin has a very low percentage of car owners whi-le the share of bicycle usage is over 15% in severalGerman cities such as Munich, Frankfurt, Bremen,Halle, Dresden and Berlin. Throughout Germany, cy-cling’s mode share rose from 9 to 10% between2002-2008. It is expected this share will continue togrow slowly but steadily.

“Market the mainstream”Keynote speaker of the Metro Mobile conferencewas the Danish expert on urban mobility –MikaelColville-Anderson, CEO of Copenhagenize Consul-ting. Colville-Anderson is consulted by cities world-wide on issues such as cycling infrastructure andthe promotion of bicycles. For many years he hasbeen an ardent advocate for the bike. The issue ofe-vehicles does not appeal to him, as an electricpowered car used for urban mobility incorporatesthe same disadvantages as a car with a combustionengine. He opened his speech questioning why thebicycle had to give up its position in traffic to theautomobile.“Up to 60 years ago, the bicycle was still very com-mon in traffic”, says Colville-Anderson. “As of themid-Fifties in the past century bicycle usage wentdownhill, except for the Netherlands and Denmark.Those two countries were the only ones who couldmaintain their bicycle tradition until the revival of bi-cycles after the second oil crisis at the end of the Se-venties. Denmark and the Netherlands are two fineexamples for many other countries and cities whowant to stimulate the use of bicycles. I would call thisnew global revival the bicycle culture 2.0. One of themain reasons of the declining interest in cycling as ameans of transportation was the lack of support forthis segment by the bicycle industry themselves.” According to Mikael all the marketing efforts of thebicycle industry during the past forty years have

been aimed at sports and recreation.“It is more appealing and sexy to address sportsperformance and everybody is trying to get a pieceof that dream incorporated in his brand. Amster-dam and Copenhagen have both proven things canbe changed. In those two cities the ownership of abicycle is as common as a vacuum cleaner. Everyo-ne owns one and can handle them, without eventhinking how. Moreover Danish market surveysshow that the vast majority of ordinary town dwel-lers prefer an upright city bike upright for use in thecity. In addition, 80% said that it should be black orred.” In his appeal to the global bicycle industry, Mikael Colville-Anderson is very clear: ‘market themain stream’.“Why doesn’t bicycle industry invest more moneyand energy into campaigns to encounter the nega-tive issues surrounding the bicycle?” he asks. “Timeand again the bicycle is put down as dangerous intraffic, you get wet when it is raining, it is cold inwinter, etc. The automotive industry is very effecti-ve in providing the adverse arguments on negativeissues regarding the automobile to the media limi-ting the damage to the image of the automobile.

The bicycle industry can learn a lot from them.”As well as Copenhagen, the useof cycling in London and Berlinwere covered at the MetroMo-bile conference. UnfortunatelyBerlin is still lacking policieswhich could give the bicycle asignificant boost. FriedemannKunst, GM of the Traffic depart-ment of Berlin provided a lot ofdata on the steady growth ofcycling in the German capital.However the question remainswhen Germany will get its ownhot-topic, such as the Velib inParis, to give cycling a majorboost.

Prior to the new consumer event VeloBerlin, the MetroMobile conference took place last March 25 inthe German capital. Photos Bike Europe

BERLIN, Germany – To put the bicycle in the spotlight among politicians and poli-cy makers, the organizers of the new bicycle show, Velo Berlin, arranged the MetroMobile conference prior to the show. The conference, which took place March25th, focused on the future of urban mobility, with a key role for the bicycle. A range of international speakers discussed how to deliver people-friendly mobi-lity in other large metropolitan areas around the world. The event was marketedas an international conference, but interest from abroad was limited, makingMetro Mobile an all-German event.

By Jan-Willem van Schaik

Metro Mobile Congressand Bicycle Culture 2.0

BERLIN, Germany – Germany’s newest bikeshow – VeloBerlin - which took place lastSaturday and Sunday at Messe Berlin, madea successful start. Some 8,450 visitors attendthe show which was preceded by theMetroMobile conference on Friday.

The interested public could test ride city bikes, e-bikes, and trekking bikes on the spot and talkwith the experts. On stage, manufacturers presentedtheir new systems, while a separate program was

offered with bike tour lectures, information on ergonomics, and workshops. VeloBerlin is a co-pro-duction of Eurobike and Velokonzept and offered160 exhibitors in 11,000 square meters exhibitionspace a new platform for Germany’s avid cyclist audience. “In addition to the Eurobike, it has beena wish of the industry for many years to have a product presentation for consumers in spring”, saidFriedrichshafen Messe CEO Klaus Wellmann. “We arehappy to fulfil this request.”JWvS

In his appeal to the global bicycle industry, Mikael Colville-Anderson isvery clear: ‘market the main stream’.

VeloBerlin Has Successful Premiere

11BIK004_Page 17.qxp 4/18/11 4:05 PM Page 17

At Taipei Cycle Show Gobain PerformancePlastics launched a cost-effective bearingsolution for bicycle components, to redu-ce friction and improve performance. Thecompany’s proven Norglide line of com-posite bearings is now available with new

used in brake levers instead of conventio-nal lever pivots to reduce friction. Theyalso serve as a high-performance corrosi-on-resistant option for brake pivots. Forpedal assemblies it can be used in placeof axle-shaft rolling element bearings andplastic bushings. Unlike plastic compo-nents, these products are not at riskof performance degradation due to mois-ture absorption. Saint-Gobain is a globalleader in the design, production and dis-tribution of innovative, high performancematerials for industry and employs over191,500 people. With operations in over64 countries, Saint-Gobain is the 60thlargest employer worldwide.

With new Eko Plus material, Norglide bearings can beused to cost-effectively improve bicycle performance,reducing friction and weight. Photo Saint-Gobain

The SCS Deluxe Has a Larger Braking Surface.Photo Bike Europe

Sun Chang Industry presented new antiblocking system brake shoes at the TaipeiCycle Show, the SCS Deluxe. According to the company the brakingperformance of this new shoe are farabove average compared to other availa-ble on the market. Although the brake shoe is only 38 milli-meter wide, the braking surface is over30% more than with previous models. The most important innovation is the angle. On earlier models the angle of the brake shoe related to the rim was zero degrees or close to zero degrees.The SCS brake shoe has an angle of 27 degrees giving a substantial improvement of the braking perfor-mance.

More Braking Performance withSCS Deluxe

The Ridea has a closed power ring providing more stiffness. Photo Bike Europe

The road bike series of Ming Sue Precisi-on now includes the Ridea, a time trialchainring. Made of 7075 T6 aluminium,it weighs only 170 grams in a 50/35teeth configuration. The Ridea has a closed power ring providing more stiffness. According to Ming Sue Precisi-on the high stiffness guarantees less deformation of the chain wheel whenshifting, creating less resistance anda better power transfer. The Ridea Power Ring concept includes a wide variety of arms and chain wheels suitinga complete cycling training system. Itranges from 5, 4 and 3 arm cranks andchain wheel combinations from 48 to 56teeth.

Ridea Cycling Cross Series

The D722SB is Novatec’s latest additionto its wide range of hubs. This rear hubis specially designed for cross countryuse, a small but rapidly growing marketsegment. The D722SB has three separa-te sealed bearings and weights just286 grams. This hub is available with32 and 36 spoke holes and measures130 millimeters overall. The cassettebody as well as the axle is made of 7075aluminium. Following the D722SB crosscountry hub, Novatex will also soon introduce a wheelset dedicated to thissegment.

NovatecLaunches CrossCountry Hub

Photo Bike Europe

Frame builder Astro has developed anew smooth welding technology nowavailable for its customers. Besides at-tractive styling, the new productiontechnology is very cost-effective. Accor-ding to Astro the cost per frame is moreor less the same. The main advantage isthe frames built with this new smoothwelding technology require less hand-ling to finish. The savings done by theeasy finishing are between US$5.00 –7.00 per frame.

Cost-Saving Frame FinishingTechnology

The Supernatural 272 brings renowned Supernatural seatpost benefits to 27.2 seat tube equipped bikes.

Photo KS

The D722SB rear hub is specially designed for cross coun-try use. Photo Bike Europe

The all new Supernatural 272 brings re-nowned Supernatural seat post benefitsto 27.2 seat tube equipped bikes. Thisseatpost now offers owners of earlier

freeride, enduro and cross country bikesthe performance enhancement of KS’son-the-fly saddle position adjustment.The “272” accomplishes the task of offe-ring a smaller diameter by utilizing aproprietary, patent-pending, externalreservoir system. By housing the oil vo-lume in this reservoir, the shaft wallthickness is maintained at optimal spe-cification while still offering ideal oil vo-lume for flawless performance. The Su-pernatural 272 offers several key featu-res and benefits such as a remote lever:This allows the rider to easily changethe seat height while keeping his handssafely on the handlebar. The remote re-servoir allows flawless performance,higher strength due to optimized wallthickness, and generous oil volume andthe separate seat angle and rail clampmechanism. This allows for precise andindependent adjustment of seat pitchand fore-aft adjustment. The infiniteheight setting allows the post to bequickly and easily set at any positionwithin the travel range.

Kind Shock SupernaturalSeatpost in More Sizes

Ryde/Rigida is making use of the innovative Lunasee technology in its Antares rims series that has the luminescent filmintegrated in the rims. Photo Bike Europe

Rim maker Ryde/Rigida is making use ofthe innovative Lunasee technology in itsAntares rims series which was presented atTaipei Cycle. The innovative visual effect ofLunasee’s patented Active Side Lightingsystem is designed to address the visibilitygaps of current bicycle lighting and reflec-tive components - improving the ability ofmotorists to quickly see and recognize acyclist, improve reaction times and minimi-ze collisions. This is accomplished throughthe use of charging LEDs mounted on theframes, which are targeted on high perfor-mance, safety grade luminescent film inte-grated on the rims. The special LED’s con-

stantly super-charge the film as the wheelsrotate, creating highly visible and easilyidentifiable rings of active (not passive)light on the wheels of the vehicle.The first rims specifically designed for lu-minescent integration for OEM’s are avai-lable from Ryde/Rigida. Lunasee has part-nered with Dutch Gazelle and Ryde/Rigi-da. Lunasee and Ryde/Rigida are workingwith other major bicycle brands to ex-pand the availability of Lunasee equippedbicycles on the market in the future. The best way to truly understand thebenefits of Lunasee Active Side Lightingis to see it at www.lunasee.com

Ryde/Rigida Lunasee Rims

BIKE europe18 Show Review Product Launches at 24th Taipei Int’l Cycle Show

Saint-Gobain Introduces Cost Effective Bearings

Eko Plus material. Corrosion-resistant andlightweight, Norglide bearings can beused in bicycle components such asheadsets, pedals, and brakes to contribu-te to a smooth riding experience. Eko Plusis a distinctive polytetrafluoroethylene(PTFE) blend containing more cost-effec-tive fillers than those traditionally used inbearings. Whether Eko Plus or other com-binations, Norglide bearings feature athicker layer of PTFE compared with othertechnologies, which ensures stronger re-sistance to wear, resulting in longer useand reduced maintenance requirements.Able to be customized to meet specificrequirements, Norglide bearings can be

It’s specially developed for export tothe European markets; the new electricbike from LA E-Ride (Thailand) Co. Ltd.The bike comes with a lithium-manga-nese 36V-10 Ah battery which is carriermounted. It charges the front hub motor through the TMM4 torquesensor and (CAN-Bus) control unit.The Nexus 3 or 7-speed bike withheadset integrated front suspensioncomplies with the EMC and MachineryDirectives and is of course EN 15194certified. Next to the e-Bike LA E-Ridealso showed a new electric foldingbike in Taipei.

New LA E-Ridee-Bike TargetsEurope

For Europe, the new electric bike from LA E-Ride(Thailand) Co. Ltd.

11BIK004_Page 18-19.qxp 4/15/11 8:46 PM Page 18

19BIKE europeShow Review Product Launches at 24th Taipei Int’l Cycle Show

Component and e-bike specialist Thun presented inTaipei a series of vaults in which e-bike batteries canbe stored safely and at the same time can be char-ged. As lithium-ion batteries are prone to overhea-ting all Thun battery safes are certified for the high-est level of resistance to (lithium) fires. Next to thatthe safes come with fire distinguishers that automa-tically go off when temperatures are building up in-side the safe.The three safe models vary in special features likethe possibility to store returned batteries separatefrom new ones; to have timers for charging the bat-teries; to have alarms etcetera. The safesweigh about 250 kgs and vary in price between2,195 to 7,095 euro. The Thun representatives at Tai-pei Cycle emphasized that dealers must inform theirinsurance companies on having lithium-ion batterieson stock and selling them. Having such batteries sto-red in vaults brings down the insurance premiums.

Next to the vaults for dealers Thun also offers specialbattery containers for OEMs which can house up to 8 pallets with batteries.

Safe e-Bike Battery Storage by Thun

A complete range of LED front lights with alloy bo-dies was presented by German component makerBüchel in Taipei. They come in versions with reflectorand in 40, 20 and 10 Lux. The new Buchel LED havebracketholders and stand as well as flashlight func-tions. The alloy housing makes the Büchel LED lightscorrosion-free and prevents the lights to overheat.

New Led Lights Seriesfrom Büchel

GreenTrans Corp. presented at Taipei Cycle a com-plete new range of components for electric bicycles.This range contains 3 types of batteries which varyfrom rear rack models, saddle bag versions up tomid frame mounted Li-Ion packs. A new and slim rear hub motor, a motor control unit and a bottombracket unit with integrated torque sensors comple-ted the new GreenTrans e-bike components series.Special feature of this BB unit is that two torque sen-sors are integrated on both ends of the bottom brac-ket. According to the company’s spokesman the twosensors provide for instance response when one ofthe pedals is activated.

New e-Bike Componentsfrom GreenTrans

The days of single colour cycling bags are long go-ne. Cycling bags have become fashionable. ShineHo cycling bags, using the brand name Lotus, isproving to be right in the middle of this fashionmarket. In the past Shine Ho manufactured bagsfor many well known names in the bicycle indus-try, as well as for other industries, includingSchwinn, Giant, KHS and Raleigh, as well as Merce-des Benz and BMW. The latest product ranges ofLotus are Desert Storm and City Cowboy. The CityCowboy reflects the style of cycling in the ‘urbanjungle’ and includes a trunk bag, a handlebar bag,

a messenger bag, a saddle bag and two types ofpanniers. All bags are made of cotton and PU lea-ther and come in a colour combination of blackand brown. The more touring focused DesertStorm series includes only the saddle bag, han-dlebar bag, top tube bag and a double pannier.This series is made of 1000D Cordura and 600D Polyester in various colours. The cycling bag rangeof Lotus includes all types of bags, including lightweight models, waterproof bags, women’s bagsand baskets, bike carrying bags, bike covers andeven hydration packs.

City Cowboy Cycling Bags

A complete range of LED front lights with reflector and in 40, 20 and 10Lux versions are new at Buchel for MY2012.

Special feature of the new GreenTrans BB unit is that two torque sensorsare integrated on both ends of the bottom bracket for instance response.

It can be shaped in many forms and will light up thecomplete surface. The foldable lights were presentedin Taipei by the Formosa Design & Development com-pany. Little Led lights are used inside the foldableplastic forms which can be blown up like a balloon tovarious shapes. The foldable lights are patented.

Foldable Lights

Ming Cycle, owner of the Strida brand name, is laun-ching it as an electric bike brand. Two nicely-designedmodels were presented at Taipei Cycle in which thebattery housing is in-tegrated in the frame.The 17 inch Strida M1e-bikes are offered asa pedelec and as athrottle operated e-bi-ke, capable of speedsup to 40kmh. Theelectric system uses atorque sensor as wellas 3-speed modes anda Li-Ion battery with acharging time of only2.5 hours. Ming Cycle islooking for distributorsof its Strida e-bikes.

Strida Launched ase-Bike Brand

To be formed in many shapes and lights up the surface of that shape; thefoldable lights of the Formosa Design & Development company.

Ming Cycle presented Strida e-bikes inwhich the battery housing is integra-ted in the frame.

Two of the three vaults that Thun presented in Taipei in which e-bike bat-teries can be stored safely and at the same time can be charged.

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BIKE europe

AMSTERDAM, the Netherlands - “Crash replacement” is widespread among bicycle brands to avoidconsumers continuing to ride their bikes with a damaged carbon frame after an accident. In gener-al “Crash replacement” includes a new frame at a reduced price and under certain conditions. But itis not always necessary to replace the frame completely and it is often more cost efficient to repairthe damaged frame.

By David Thörig

The opinions about the quality of fixedcarbon frames are mixed. A dislodged ca-ble connector is usually not a big pro-blem, but cracks, or even holes in theframe, require specific expertise to repairit. In such cases many bicycle and framemanufacturers regard the frame as a totalloss beyond repair. That’s logical, as hand-ling these claims is time consuming andrisky with respect to safety and quality. Itis easier to offer a ‘crash replacement’.“For a long time the general idea was thatcarbon could not be repaired,” says Edwinvan Vugt of the Dutch company Carbon-repair.nl. “This material is most fascinatingand after I designed and built my own ti-me trial bike I started to dig even deeperinto the properties of carbon. During thisprocess I found out that making a highquality bicycle frame is not rocket science.Repairing a damaged carbon frame beca-me my next challenge.”This also worked out well and his work-

manship soon spread out over the market.Carbonrepair.nl has been in the market fornearly six years now. Many bicycle brandsas well as IBDs have found their way tothis specialist. His work mainly consists ofrepairing damaged frames. In general the-se frames do not qualify for a crash repla-cement. Common damages include cracksor holes in the chainstay from chain-suck,or a damaged top tube as a result of ablow from the handlebar. Van Vugt’s repairwork also includes a professional paint jobif necessary. Depending on the type of da-mage the frame can be painted partiallyor completely, even including the patchesand transfers. As a lot of carbon frames on-ly carry a clear coat finish most repair jobsremain clearly visible.

Working ProcedureCarbonreparatie.nl works by appointmentonly. As working with carbon and resin isnot the healthiest activity, van Vugt takesprecautions in his work for his own safety,with the following procedures. He scoursaround the crack to determine how deepthe fracture is and masks the damagedcarbon to prevent getting resin on unne-cessary parts. Then he determines whattype of carbon fiber is used. Carbonre-pair.nl has most types of carbon tissueson stock. By using the correct tissue, theoriginal structure can be retained. Afterthat he cuts the selected carbon tissue ca-refully to close the gap. In most cases heonly needs to add a very small quantity of

‘Airbike’ The Future of ManufacturingWith ‘Airbike’ the EuropeanAeronautic Defence and SpaceCompany (EADS in short) is celebra-ting a debut for its revolutionary‘ALM’ technology on a two-wheelproduct. ‘ALM’ stands for ‘AdditiveLayer Manufacturing’ and allows sin-gle products to be grown from a finepowder of metal (such as titanium,stainless steel or aluminum), nylon orcarbon-reinforced plastics.

‘Airbike’ – named like this because Airbuswas the first EADS company to use theALM technology – is ‘grown’ from high-strength nylon powder. Similar to 3Dprinting, the bike design is perfectedusing computer-aided design (CAD) andthen constructed in one-shot on a po-werful laser-sintering system that accor-ding to EADS-UK “adds successive, thinlayers of the chosen structural materialuntil a solid, fully-formed bike emerges”.Means: ‘Airbike’ is made almost entirelyfrom a single-nylon based material. It re-quires no conventional maintenance andassembly. “It is fully built to rider specifi-cation so requires no adjustment”, is no-ted by EADS-UK. All moving parts such asbearings are incorporated during thegrowing process, as are a range of designfeatures capable only with the ALM pro-cess used by EADS-UK.“The ‘Airbike’ is a fantastic example of Bri-tish innovation at its very best. The teamat EADS in Bristol includes world-classengineers who continue to push bounda-ries by working at the forefront of tech-nology. I believe the ALM technology re-presents a paradigm shift”, says an enthu-

siastic EADS-UK chief executive RobinSouthwell.“While at this stage ‘Airbike’ isn’t plannedfor mass production and is only a tech-nology demonstrator, EADS has develo-ped the technology to the extent that itcan manipulate metals, nylon, and car-bon-reinforced plastics at a molecular le-vel which allows it to be applied to high-stress, safety critical aviation uses. Com-pared to a traditional machined part,those produced my ALM are up to 65percent lighter but still as strong. Thetechnology is likely to be employed indue course in industrial applicationssuch as aerospace, the motor industryand engineering. Studies show that for

every one kilogram reduction in weight,airlines can save around 3,500 US$ worthof fuel over the lifespan of that aircraft,with corresponding reductions in car-bon-dioxide emissions”, is noted in apress release.Notable features on ‘Airbike’ are an auxe-tic structure of the saddle to provide cus-hioning, a Kevlar belt for a clean drive-train, an integrated truss structure at theframe to reduce weight but maintainsstiffness as well as integrated bearingsencased in hubs and crank. For further in-formation see www.eads.com (search for‘Airbike’).

JB

Caribou Pro FramesCaribou pro frames wasestablished in 1999 inTaichung, Taiwan. Thecompany designs andproduces high endframes. Small producti-on lots and custom OEMframes are their special-ty. Caribou pro framesutilizes a range of fa-mous tubing like Easton,Columbus, Dedacciai,Reynolds and Tange.Thanks to the cooperati-on with the German STSbike design Caribou proframe can provide a solu-tion for all technical pro-blems and frame re-quests.The current product range supports moststandards in the bicycle industry like Shi-mano Di2, disc mount for road frames,29er hardtail and full suspension frames,a large number of MTB full suspensionframes with different travel and geome-

try, lugged frames, stainless steel frames,Postmount, BB30, tapered steerer ZS, gra-vity seat post cable guiding, chain staymounted front derailleur and Hammers-chmidt compatibility.

JWvS‘Airbike’ is made almost entirely from a single-nylon based material. Photo EADS

Frames & Frame Components20

Carbon Can be Fixed Safely

Cracks, or even holes in cabron frames, require specific expertise to repair it.

Depending on the type of damage the frame can be pain-ted partially or completely, even including the patchesand transfers.

Caribou pro frames cooperates with the German STS bike design in new productdevelopment. Photo Caribou pro frames

Stabilizer Wheels

+1-610-868-7652adam@bikeusainc.comwww.stabilizerwheels.com

Seeking international distribution partners

new material. The next step is to laminatethe carbon in layers with the resin. The re-paired part is then fixed by putting it un-der pressure. This also takes out all the airin the new carbon layers and gives thematerial its original strength. Thereafterthe frame is put in an oven for 24 hours ata temperature of 40 degrees Celsius. It isessential to use resin which sets at suchlow temperatures in order not to affectthe original adhesive bondings, the struc-ture, the paint, and the transfers. Finally,the repaired part is sanded and preparedfor the paint job. Carbonrepair.nl offers alifetime guarantee.“Over the years I have repaired nearly 700frames and none of them ever cameback”, says van Vugt. Besides frames, Car-bonrepair.nl handles other carbon dama-ged bike parts such as carbon rims.“This work remains interesting as longas the costs of repair are considerablylower than replacing it by a new one,”says Edwin.

Limitations of repair jobsCarbonreparatie.nl claims to be able tohandle most repair jobs or even recon-structions themselves, but also clearly in-dicates that the carbon fiber repairs havetheir limits. A frame with multiple fractu-res, or even a completely broken one, hashad to handle such an impact that the en-tire structure is likely to be affected. Edwinvan Vugt says that basically everythingcan be repaired, but in such extremecases, he will have to add so much materi-al that a lightweight frame will becometoo heavy to regain the proper strength.Another problem is the lack of appropria-te methods to control the carbon after it is

damaged. In metal frames visible dents of-ten arise after an accident, while the da-mage to the carbon structure might notbe visible on the surface. Only very sophis-ticated scanning equipment like ImpulseThermography can made such damagesvisible. This technique shows irregularities

in different colors on a computer screen.Such expensive equipment is not yet wi-despread. Once these tests will becomemore commonly available it will be easierto determine whether carbon can be re-paired or not. It can also be used as testequipment after a carbon repair.

Ballistic E-bike FramesAs well known frame builder and compo-nent supplier for e-bikes, Ballistic Interna-tional has introduced a new series of e-bi-ke dedicated frames for city, trekking andMTB. The main advantage of these e-bikededicated frames is the easy handling forthe internal cable routing. This new sys-tem makes e-bike assembly much moreefficient and less time consuming. Thesupply chain for the complete range of e-bike kits, from MTB to folding bike, hasbeen redone by Ballistic. By limiting thenumber of parts and component suppliersthe company expects to reduce the leadtimes considerably. To improve the servicelevel for their customers, Ballistic designeda web-based and very user friendly batte-ry check system. The quality of the batterycan easily be checked now by connectingthe battery via the Ballistic check box to

any Windows computer. A special dashboard provides all the relevant informati-on on the battery and if necessary, a directlink to a service desk for more assistance.

JWvS

New technologies allow elegant housing for e-bikes suchas the bottled shaped design by Ballistic International.

Photo Bike Europe

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BIKE europe

Started in 2009 the company Velocitelaunched their new Magnus at Taipei Cy-cle Show this year. According to Velocitethe new Magnus offers greater stiffnessthan the acclaimed original Magnus whi-le improving on aesthetics and comfort.“After over one year of refinement anddevelopment, encompassing extensivelive testing and 9 different carbon layupalternatives, the new Velocite Magnuscarbon road frameset is ready”, said Vic-tor Major, CEO of Velocite at the presen-tation of this new model.Velocite is a company focused on achie-ving engineering excellence where thefirst and foremost priority is to apply therelevant engineering and scientific prin-ciples when developing new products inorder to deliver the best riding experien-ce.. “When we set out to revise the origi-nal Magnus, we decided that we mustdeliver real performance improvements,rather than just aesthetic changes. Wealso had to ensure that we remained trueto the Magnus’ core value of being thestiffest road bike in the market.” The new Magnus delivers exactly the sa-me stiffness numbers as its predecessorwhile reducing the frame weight by 40 gram per size. During the long termlive testing of the new Magnus, the ridersall reported that the new frame felt stif-fer, while improving comfort. This addi-

tional stiffness was achieved through useof a new full carbon monocoque VelociteBora S tapered 1.5-inch fork which is 20%stiffer than its predecessor while weig-hing 360 gram.The comfort improvements are a result ofthe unique new layup that utilizes up to13 layers of mixed modulus carbon fiber,including ultra high modulus carbon fi-ber in critical areas. Additional improve-ments over the original Velocite Magnusinclude aerodynamically profiled, curvedseat stays, and a patented seat post clam-ping mechanism that allows up to 10Nmof torque to be applied to the bolt wit-hout endangering the seat post, or theframe.

JWvS

Italian tube manufacturer Columbusand Taiwan’s Jiou Jiou Belinde havebecome partners in sales and pro-duction. After an intense period ofconsulting regarding mechanical andquality issues Columbus has givenJiou Jiou the right to produce andsell two Columbus asymmetricallydouble-butted tubesets, Thron andCromor.

Both tubesets are manufactured from anaeronautical graded chromoly; Thron isderived from a Japanese steel alloy, allo-

wing for a slightly thinner tube wall andthe Cromor from Taiwanese steel alloy.Both companies call their partnership‘historical’ as it is founded amid the re-emergence of steel as a major player inthe middle to high-end race and race-de-rived bike markets. Columbus is certainthat the collaboration with Jiou Jiou al-lows for the production of the world’sleading amateur racing tubeset. “This willbe the result of the combination of Co-lumbus’ engineering excellence andhighly appreciated steel tube manufactu-ring experience and history together

with Jiou Jiou’s industrial know-how andrenowned production quality”, says Co-lumbus in an official statement.All Columbus special steels, such as Life,Spirit and XCR, are all of course still 100%manufactured in the company’s Milanesefactory. Columbus Italy will maintain anactive and ongoing involvement in theproduction. Jiou Jiou’s produced tubeswill be sent periodically to the Columbuslaboratories and subjected to metallurgicand stress tests as well as quality control.

JWvS

21Frames & Frame Components

Columbus and Jiou Jiou Belinde Partner for Chromoly Tubeset Production

Velocite Magnus Evolved

At the Sea Otter Classic, which took pla-ce April 13-17 in California, Spanish BHBikes and Full Speed Ahead (FSA) unvei-led the latest results of their cooperati-on in product design. The two compa-nies have developed a new bottombracket and frame standard, theBB386EVO. According to both, theBB386EVO is wider, stiffer and inter-faces with all current BB systems.

Three years ago the BB30 revolution tookthe bicycle industry by storm. By promo-

ting a free international standard for bothframe and component companies, BB30gave consumers more options and a dra-matic increase in performance. The BB386EVO is the next step in frameand component design. Designed by BHBikes and developed in close partnershipwith Full Speed Ahead, the newBB386EVO system continues the evolu-tion of the 30mm spindle standard withan eye towards expanded integrationwith frame manufacturers. With BH’s extensive knowledge of frame

design and manufacturing, the newBB386EVO system integrates the benefitsof oversized, 30-millimeter spindle de-signs into a new-standard bottom brac-ket shell, which greatly enhances stiff-ness and overall performance characte-ristics. The BB386EVO design is an open-source solution, available to all in the in-dustry, to provide real performance gainsthrough better integration of the frameand its components.

JWvS

FSA & BH Bikes Present New Bottom Bracket and Frame Standard

“After over one year of refinement and development thenew Velocite Magnus carbon road frameset is ready.”Photo Velocite

It’s developed by Pro-Lite with direct in-put from professional racing teams inGermany and the UK; the Bella Pro GP isthe answer to current race trends, inclu-ding heavy climbing, cobbles and aero-dynamic intensive long hauls.

Redesigned for the 2012 model year, therear stays features Pro-Lite’s SoftStay 3DProfile, with improved flexing in the verti-cal plane for comfort, but flared laterallyto give even better Power Transfer onsprints and climbs.Taking the Aerobuster system one stemfurther, the Aerobuster 40 slims thingsdown to improve weight and moves to a

cold bent downtube to retain all of thebenefits of forging and maximizestrength to weight ratios.Key Features Pro-Lite Bella Pro:- SoftStay 3D Profile dual carbon stays- Aerobuster 40: lighter weight, no loss of

strength- Tapered Headtube standard- Featherlight 7046 alloy with cold bent

downtube- In-house alloy and carbon manufactu-

ring - Made in Taiwan by skilled workers- Available with the Liguria Carbon mo-

nocoque fork

JO

Pro-Lite’s Bella Pro

According to Pro-Lite the Bella Pro GPis the answer to cur-rent race trends,including heavyclimbing, cobblesand aerodynamicintensive longhauls.

Photo Pro-Lite

Safety in numbersIn 2009, ETRA began to consult withthe electric bike sector on the rele-vant European regulations. Sincethen, ETRA has been working conti-nuously and meticulously at develo-ping and lobbying a proposal that isaimed at getting rid of legal obstruc-tions. ETRA wants more companies tobe able to sell a broader range ofelectric vehicles in order to convincemore people to leave their their caraside for short trips. Today, ETRA’sproposal is 21 pages long and con-tains 14 detailed amendments to theCommission’s proposal for the review of the type-approval. The proposal is based on 3 main principles: the exclusion from type-approval of all electric pedal assisted cycles with assistance up to 25 km/h without specification of a motor output limit, exclusion of allvery light electric vehicles with a weight of < 25 kg and a maximumdesign speed of 25 km/h and, the development of appropriate requi-rements for electrically assisted cycles and light electric vehicleswhich are not excluded from the type-approval. In the meantime, Colibi, Coliped and ECF keep opposing any changesin the current regulations. At ETRA, we find this difficult to under-stand. The 3 associations do not argue their position in a 21 pagesdocument, nor do they propose any amendments to the Commission’stext. They just keep “expressing concerns about the safety aspects”without any further solid argumentation. As a result they oppose for instance to the man suffering from obesi-tas living in the hills, say around Grenoble in France, trying to getsome physical exercise by commuting on a pedal assisted bike ofwhich the motor cuts out at 25 km/h but has a maximum continuousrated power of 0.5 kW, because 0.25 kW is not enough to get him andhis bike on the hills. Instead they want his vehicle to be considered amoped. They believe this man should wear a helmet (in some EU coun-tries a motorcycle helmet), have a driving licence, a number plate andpay insurance, That on top of the fact that his vehicle will be moreexpensive than a 0.25 kW counterpart because it has to be type-approved. It also means that whenever for instance his Shimano bra-kes, Selle Royal saddle or SRAM gear system will need replacement, hewill have to pay more because on his bike these components will needto be type-approved. On a 0.25 kW, the very same Shimano brakes,Selle Royale saddle and SRAM gear system may be used without type-approval. Furthermore, Colibi, Coliped and ECF do not want this overweightman in Grenoble to use the cycle paths because he may endangerother cyclists, “especially children and elderly people”. Amateurs oncarbon racing bikes trying to equal average speeds of professionalracers are not hampered by any similar objections from Colibi, Colipedand ECF. What’s more, the 3 organisations do not raise any safety con-cerns about mountain bikes with assistance up to 45 km/h and motoroutput up to 4 kW, vehicles which the Commission wants to excludefrom the type-approval. Perhaps Colibi, Coliped and ECF should read the Commission’s propo-sal a litte bit more in detail. They will find that if that proposal isaccepted, overweight men not just in Grenoble but all over Europe willcontinue to commute in their car. The question therefore is whatshould cause the biggest concern: an overweight man on a 0.5 kWpedal assisted bicycle or in a 2000 cc motor vehicle?

ANNICK ROETYNCK

TI Cycle Launched India’s 1st CarbonFrame Series India’s bicycle maker TI Cycles, part of theMurugappa Group, launched the first car-bon frame series manufactured in India.As part of the track and trail range of TICycles, the carbon frames are used for TI’sMontra models. “It is a most excitinglaunch for us”, said Dr. D. Raghuram, Pre-sident TI Cycles of India. “We intend tomanufacture and sell around 1,500 Mon-tra bikes in 2011 - 2012, with an initial in-vestment of around 2.5 million US dollar.”The series will be available at TI Cycles re-tail outlets and key multi brand outletsacross the country. “We have brandedthis “Made-in-India” range of performan-ce bikes ‘Montra’. The popularity of car-bon for manufacturing bicycle frames is agrowing phenomenon in the internatio-nal market. Leading international playershave been producing carbon bicycles forthe past years and Montra is the first inthis category in India.” The model’s in-

creased stiffness and aerodynamicsachieved through unique tube profiles.Moreover, it has vibration absorption fea-tures to meet the Indian riding conditi-ons. The light weight Montra has alloywheels and aerodynamic body with 10, 9and 8 speed variants in price range of475 to 1,360 US dollar.

SS

Dr. D. Raghuram, President TI Cycles presenting the newcarbon Montra – Made in India. Photo Satnam Singh

Is 29-Inch Successfulthis Time?While the American market had beenconvinced on the advantages of 29-inchwheels for mountainbikes a few yearsago, the concept has not become main-stream. Not yet, as the bicycle industrygives the concept a second chance aswas clearly visible at this year’s Taipei Cy-cle Show. The 29-inched MTB frames and

components were widespread in theshowfloor ready to conquer the globalmarket. The 29er trend could offer amuch needed boost to the MTB market.Large frame suppliers are now all offeringa wide range of 29er models in differentcategories, in alloy as well as carbon.Even the component suppliers who arenot fully dedicated to the US market haveinvested in 29-inch product develop-ment. Hydroforming has settled on thebicycle market as a generally used techni-que for frame tube manufacturing. At theShow it was clear that hydroforming is nolonger exclusive technique of frame buil-ding but a generally applied technologyon the mid to high end ranges.

JWvS

The 29-inched MTB frames and components were wide-spread in the showfloor ready to conquer the market.

Hydroforming has settled on the bicycle market.Photos Bike Europe

11BIK004_Page_20-21.qxp 4/18/11 4:27 PM Page 21

Show NewsBIKE europe22Bike Europe distributes extra copies at all major international showsInternational Show Calendar

MUNICH, Germany - For the first timeBike Expo will feature a Demo Day fordealers and members of the press.The event will be held one day priorto the opening of the Munich tradeshow, on July 20th, 2011, at theSamerberg Bike Park. The picturesquealpine valley near the Samerbergencompasses more than 200 km ofmarked bike trails and invites partici-pants to put the innovations for theupcoming season through their paces.

The Bike Expo Test Area and start area forall demo trails will be located in the bikepark itself. Participants will be guided tothe trails designated for each segment.E-bike testers will ride on a 3.5 km trailleading through a few selected hamlets.Road racers have a 12.5 km, well-main-tained asphalt trail at their disposal,which also contains an extensive inclinewith an average 10% grade and altitudedifference of about 200 meters.Mountainbikers will be guided to a trailwith a number of different terrain varia-tions pleasing freeriders as well as dirt

bikers. Testers who prefer not to cycle allthe way up to the bike park will enjoycomplimentary use of the Hochriesbahngondola located close to the Bike ExpoTest Area providing convenient accessthe bike park terrain.A complimentary shuttle service from theEast Entrance at the New Munich TradeFair Center, offers easy and convenient tra-vel to and from the demo event. The BikeExpo show will be held from July 21st to24th, 2011 at the New Munich Trade Fair.The Bike Expo BrandNew Award is a start-up competition for companies with inno-vative products in the bike industry. Everybusiness, not older than 4 years can takepart. There will be 5 categories and eachof the winners will get a free booth at theBrandNew village and finalists will receivean extensive communication package.The deadline for free applications is May11th, 2011. The application form as wellas all the information about the materialsthat need to be handed in can be foundon www.bikeexpo-brandnew.com

JWvS

Bike Expo Expands Side ProgramSHANGHAI, China – ‘Happy Ride,Happy Life’ is the theme of this year’s21st China International Bicycle &Motor Fair which will open up atShanghai New International ExpoCenter on May 4-7. As one of thewell-known cycle shows around theworld, the event will break its ownrecord this year with 100,000 squaremeters and 5,300 booths.

China Cycle is building up an attractiveand charismatic exchange platform oftrade, competition, culture and informati-on for the development of bicycle indus-try. After two decades this event is sho-wing a more internationalized image tothe world. The organizer, China BicycleAssociation (CBA) and co-organizer,Shanghai Xiesheng Exhibition Co., Ltd.(SXEC) have taken an initiative to strideforward. They want to extend Sino-foreigntrade communications even further andtherefore visited all famous cycle showsaround the world and talk with their bicy-cle associations and organizers for practi-cal co-operation. Next to that they provide

the new service of taking domestic exhibi-tors abroad together with inviting over-seas exhibitors into China. Last year SXECacquired an agency which is specialized intaking Chinese companies to participatein overseas cycle trade shows. Now exhibi-tors can enjoy a one-stop service on parti-cipating trade shows home and abroad. New contacts have also been establishedbetween SXEC and the governments andNGOs from those countries with rich bi-cycle historical heritage and culture suchas Demark, The Netherland and France. Domestic visitors to the show will havethe opportunity of eye-opening of thedifferent bicycle culture background andhistory. Over 1100 companies from 16countries including Indian and TaiwanPavilions have confirmed group partici-pation. The on-site Creative Demonstra-tion Hall will present the opening cere-mony and interactive activities andevents, the Innovative Product Awardshow stage will have those awarded pro-ducts and designing displayed here.

JWvS

More International Focus for China CycleMay4-7 China International Bicycle &

Motor Fair

Shanghai, China

26-29 Inabicycle

Jakarta, Indonesia

June11-13 Bike Festival

Willingen, Germany

July2-24 Bike Expo Demo Day & Show

Muenchen, Germany

26-28 Dealer Camp

Dear Valley, USA

27-30 Asiabike

Nanjing, China

August20-22 Ausbike

Melbourne, Australia

30-3 Eurobike Demo-Day & Show

Friedrichshafen, Germany

6-8 EV Battery Forum Asia

Shanghai, China

11-13 ExpoCycle

Montreal, Canada

12-16 Interbike Show & Outdoor

Demo Day

Las Vegas, USA

16-18 Festibike

Las Rozas, Spain

16-19 Paris Cycle Show

Paris. France

24-26 ExpoBici

Padova, Italy

29-02 Cycle Show

Birmingham, United Kingdom

October4-9 Saloa Duas Rodas

Sao Paulo, Brazil

5-9 Roc d’Azur

Frejus, France

14-17 Bike Motion Benelux

Utrecht, The Netherlands

11-13 Bike Brno

Brno, Czech Republik

March 20122-4 GoExpo

Helsinki, Finland

7-10 Taipei International Cycle Show

Taipei, Taiwan

PeopleScott Hart has joinedthe RockShox marketingand communicationsgroup in ColoradoSprings, Colorado as thecompany’s new BrandCommunications

Manager. A lifelong cyclist, Scott’s back-ground in the industry is diverse. He hascompeted in pedal-powered events innearly every genre of the sport, from roadto BMX and mountain bike, and obtainedseveral national titles. After competing inthe first ever Red Bull Rampage, Scotthung up his competitive helmet to pur-sue a full-time position in journalism.

Sander Rigney, 38, has recently beenpromoted to SRAM Category Managerfor Suspension. Rigney started atRockShox in 1998. In his career he hashad a variety of roles ranging from dealerservice to technical writing to aftermar-

ket sales. For the past 8 years, Rigney hasbeen a product manager for RockShox.In his new professional role SanderRigney will lead the RockShox ProductManagement team located in theDevelopment Center based in ColoradoSprings, Colorado.

Nick Becker joined Zweiplus zwei as the compa-ny’s director together withfounder Andreas Gehlen.Becker will be responsiblefor marketing and sales.

Andreas Gehlen remains in charge of cor-porate organization, finances and corpo-rate strategy.

Easton-Bell Sports Inc.,appointed Paul Stratta toManaging Director-ActionSports, Europe with regio-nal responsibility for its

Giro, Bell, Easton cycling and Blackburnbranded businesses. This newly createdrole is indicative of the company’saggressive pan-European growth strate-gy. Paul Stratta’s previous roles includeGM/Commercial Director (Europe North)at the Coleman Company, VP - GlobalMarketing at Hi-Tec Sports, CountryManager at Coleman’s Argentina subsi-diary, as well as International Director atAlpargatas for Argentina and Brazil.

Swiss high-end parts producer DT Swissopened a 100 percent subsidiary inGermany, led by longtime German DTSwiss employee Wolfgang Monscheidt.DT Swiss Deutschland GmbH is based inMonscheidt’s hometown of Herzebrocknear Gütersloh and employs a team ofthree people. In his new role as branchmanager he will oversee the new subsi-diary and also guide two new sales reps– Frank Kickert and Michael Lücke. (JB)

German bike supplier Cube Bikes bolste-red its graphic design division by hiringindustry newcomers Carolin Lippertand Alexandra Pfletscher. (JB)

German waterproof bag and pannier pio-neer Ortlieb hired industry newcomerBertram Breitenbach as internationalsales manager. This new position is seenas “a reaction to the company’s constant-ly increasing tasks in national and inter-national customer support.” The 33 yearold Breitenbach has worked for compa-nies such as Liebherr and Wolffgran. (JB)

Former roadbike pro Thomas Zieglerjoins the Storck Bicycle team in Idstein-/Germany as a sales area manager. Hisspecific sales area is not yet defined.After his career as road-biker Ziegler wor-ked as GM of a bike shop in Hanover thathe founded with roadbike colleagueGrischa Niermann. (JB)

11BIK004_Page_22.qxp 4/15/11 9:20 PM Page 22

Int.’l. Bike P & A DIRECTORY 2011

Company Name : ACTIVE DDK GROUP CO., LTD. Contact : JOY SUNG

Address : 1F., NO 95, TIANMU E RD.,

TAIPEI,TAIWAN

Postal code + City : 111/TAIPEI

Country : TAIWAN

Telephone : 886-2-2874 2886

Fax : 886-2-2874 5549

E-mail : ddk@activeddk.com

Website : www.activeddk.com

Categories : Handlebar, Saddles and Pedals

Accessories

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Company Name : ALLIGATOR CABLE ENT CO., LTD Contact : HOWARD YEH

Address : NO.46 TUNG KOO RD. HOMEI

Postal code + City : 508/ CHANGHUA

Country : TAIWAN

Telephone : 886-4-7357739

Fax : 886-4-7353665

E-mail : info@alligatorcables.com

Website : www.alligatorcables.com

Categories : Cables & Grips

Accessories

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Company Name : Aprove Products Co., Ltd. Contact : Lance Hsu

Address : 400 Dadun S. Rd.,

Nantun Dist.,Taichung 40854

Postal code + City : 40854/Taichung

Country : Taiwan

Telephone : +886 4 2475 1266

Fax : +886 4 2475 1997

E-mail : lance.hsu@aproveproducts.com

Website : www.aproveproducts.com

Categories : e-Bike Components

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Company Name : Boutique Co., Ltd. Contact : Amy Chen

Address : No. 3, Alley 15, Lane 155,

Gongsyue Rd., South District

Postal code + City : 40245/ Taichung

Country : Taiwan(R.O.C)

Telephone : 886.4.22610820

Fax : 886.4.22615841

E-mail : chiiamy@hygia.com.tw

Website : www.hygia.com.tw

Categories : Cables & Grips

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Company Name : Chiih Chinn Industry Co., Ltd.

(NECO) Contact : Neco Wang

Address : No.190 Zhongzheng Rd.,

Wufeng Township, Taichung

Couty 41362, Taiwan

Postal code + City : 41362/ Taichung

Country : Taiwan

Telephone : +886-4-23323966

Fax : +886-4-23329366

E-mail : neco@necoparts.com

Website : www.necoparts.com

Categories : City and Trekking Bike

Components

e-Bike Components

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Company Name : Chuan Wei Industrial Co., Ltd. Contact : Mr. Dollar Cheng.

Position : Vice General Manager

Address : No.107 Lane 580, Sec. 01,

Yuan Shui Rd., Yuan Lin Town,

Changhua Hsien, Taiwan R.O.C.

Postal code + City : 510 / Changhua

Country : Taiwan

Telephone : +886-4-8314959

Fax : +886-4-8311428

E-mail : info@chainway.com

Website : www.samox.com.tw

Categories : Transmission Components

e-Bike Components /

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Company Name : CIONLLI IND. CO., LTD. Contact : Vivian ChangAddress : No. 323, Chung Hua Rd., Nantou City , TaiwanPostal code + City : 540Country : Nantou CityTelephone : +886-492254526-8Fax : +886-492254529E-mail : sales@cionlli.com.twWebsite : www.mcselle.com www.cionlli.comCategories : Accessories /

(max.2) Handlebar, Saddles and Pedals /

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Company Name : CROPS CO., LTD Contact : SABURO SHIMAMURAAddress : 1-11-12-203,Ebisu Minami Shibuya-ku,Tokyo 150-0022 JapanPostal code + City : 150-0022/ TokyoCountry : JapanTelephone : +81-3-5724-5951Fax : +81-3-5724-5933E-mail : shimamura@crops-sports.cmWebsite : www.crops-sports.com

Categories : Accessories

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Company Name : DIA-COMPE TAIWAN CO., LTD Contact : Mike Lin

Address : No.62,35th RD,

Taichung Industrial Park.

Taichung, Taiwan R.O.C.

Postal code + City : 40768/ Taichung

Country : Taiwan

Telephone : 886-4-23591117

Fax : 886-4-23593188

E-mail : diatech@ms15.hinet.net

Website : www.diacompe.com.tw

Categories : Cables & Grips

City and Trekking

Bike Components

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Company Name : Haoli Precision Industrial Co., Ltd. Contact : Mr. Sanderick Chang

Address : 18, 10th Road,

Taichung Industry Park

Postal code + City : 40755/ Taichung City

Country : Taiwan

Telephone : 886-4-2359-1837

Fax : 886-4-2359-1003

E-mail : sc@akslen.com

Website : www.akslen.com

Categories : Accessories

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Company Name : INNOVA Contact : Michael

Address : NO.23,Jingcheng Rd.,

Changhua Taiwan.

Postal code + City : 50067/ Changhua

Country : Taiwan

Telephone : 04-7521037

Fax : 04-7521062

E-mail : Innova@innovatires.com.tw

Website : www.innovatires.com

Categories : Wheel Components

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Company Name : Joy Industrial CO., LTD Contact : Mr. Jeff Chen

Address : 183 Chung Cheng Road

Postal code + City : 428/ Ta Ya Hsiang,

Taichung Hsien

Country : Taiwan

Telephone : +886425668888

Fax : +886425675456

E-mail : jeff@joy-tech.com.twWebsite : www.joytech.com.twCategories : Transmission Components

Wheel Components

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Company Name : Kengine Enterprise Co., Ltd.

Contact : Ken Lee

Address : No.10 Lane 141 Tieh Shih Rd,

Tieh Shan Li, Ho Mei Town,

Changhua County, Taiwan

Postal code + City : 50848/Changhua

Country : Taiwan

Telephone : 886-4-7353558

Fax : 886-4-7357262

E-mail : Kengine.hantool@msa.hinet.net

Website : www.kengine.com.tw

Categories : Accessories

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Company Name : Kind Shock Hi-Tech Co., Ltd. Contact : Grace Chen

Position : Director of Sales & Marketing

Address : No.72, Kung-ming South 1st Rd.,

An-nan Dist, Tainan City 70969,

Taiwan

Postal code + City : 70969 / Tainan City

Country : TAIWAN

Telephone : +886-6-2568575

Fax : +886-6-2567293

E-mail : yenyue@ms49.hinet.net

Website : www.kssuspension.com

Categories : Seat post

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Company Name : LIXING CHAIN CO., LTD. Contact :Address : No. 101, Jhensing Rd., Dali City,

Taichung County 412, Taiwan

Postal code + City : 41263/ Dali City, Taichung County

Country : Taiwan

Telephone : 886-4-24937601

Fax : 886-4-24937577

E-mail : pycjessie@kspyc.com

pyctw@kspyc.com

Website : www.kspyc.com

Categories : Transmission Components

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Company Name : LOONEY-MAX ENTERPRISE CO., LTD. Contact : LOONEY WU.

Position : PRESIDENT

Address : JUNG GUNG RD. HSIHU CHEN,

CHANGHWA

Postal code + City : 514 / CHANGHWA

Country : TAIWAN , R.O.C.

Telephone : +04-8811960

Fax : +04-8857048

E-mail : rubis@ms17.hinet.net

lm@rubis.com.tw

Website : www.rubis.com.tw

Categories : Accessories

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Company Name : Lun Feng Industry Corp./First

Bicycle Components Co., Ltd.

Contact : Johnson Li

Address : No.45, Kung 9th Rd., Yu Shih

Industrial Zone, Taichia Town,

Taichung Hsien 43769, Taiwan

Postal code + City : 43769/ Taichia Town,

Taichung Hsien

Country : Taiwan

Telephone : 886-4-26815039; 26815040

Fax : 886-4-26815917

E-mail : sales@firstcomponents.com

Website : www.firstcomponents.com

Categories : Frames & Frame Components

Transmission Components

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Company Name : Propalm Industry Co., Ltd.

Contact : Kevin Si

Address : No.28-3, Ta Shin Rd., Hsin Shui

Tsun, Puyen Hsiang,

Changhua Hsien, Taiwan

Postal code + City : 51646/ Changhua Hsien

Country : Taiwan

Telephone : +886-4-8656623

Fax : + 886-4-8656624

E-mail : hungya.hungfe@msa.hinet.net

Website : www.propalm.com.tw

Categories : Cables & Grips

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Company Name : S.D. COMPONENTS CO., LTD Contact : Monica Chang

Address : No.239,Zhang Shui Rd. Sec.1,

An Tong Village, Xiu Shui Xiang

Postal code + City : 50445/ Changhua

Country : Taiwan

Telephone : 886-4-768-2245

Fax : 886-4-768-4198

E-mail : sd.sd@tmars.com.tw

Website : www.tmars.com.tw

Categories : Accessories

City and Trekking Bike

Components

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Company Name : SHINE-HO KNAPSACK &

BAG MFG. CO., LTD.

Contact : KELVIN HO

Address : NO.10, ANLIN RD., SITUN DISTRICT,

Postal code + City : 40762/ TAICHUNG CITY

Country : TAIWAN

Telephone : +886 4 2461 2299

Fax : +886 4 2465 3366

E-mail : info@ltg-sports.com

Website : www.ltg-sports.com

Categories : Accessories

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Company Name : SUN CHANG industry CO,L.T.D Contact : Jimmy Shiue

Address : 75,Lane 260,Sec 1,Chung-Shan Rd,

Beitou,Changhua Hsien,Taiwan

Postal code + City : 52142/ Changhua

Country : Taiwan

Telephone : 886-4-8874713

Fax : 886-4-8888528

E-mail : scs.com.tw@gmail.com

sunczang@ms19.hinet.net

Website : www.scsco.com.tw

www.sunczang.com.tw

Categories : Transmission Components

Cables & Grips

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Company Name : SUNNY WHEEL INDUSTRIAL CO.,LTD.

Contact : MISS VIVIAN HSU

Address : NO. 50 SAN YI ST. YIHSING TSUN,

HSIUSHUI HSIANG, CHANGHUA,

TAIWAN

Postal code + City : 50442/ CHANGHUA

Country : TAIWAN

Telephone : 886-4-7616188

Fax : 886-4-7612008

E-mail : service@sunnywheel.com.tw

Website : www.sunnywheel.com.tw

Categories : Accessories

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Company Name : SUPER B PRECISION TOOLS CO.,LTD.

Contact : GINNY YANG

Address : NO.12 LANE 802,

FENG-LUEN ROAD, FENG-LUEN

VILLAGE,PYI-TOUR HSIANG,

CHANG HWA,TAIWAN,R.O.C

Postal code + City : 52344/ CHANG HWA

Country : TAIWAN

Telephone : 886-4-8922207

Fax : 886-4-8922205

E-mail : superb@superbiketool.com

ginny@superbiketool.com

Website : www.superbiketool.com

Categories : Accessories

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Company Name : XPEDO Contact : JOHN CHEN

Address : NO.3, KUNG 7TH ROAD, TACHIA, ,

Postal code + City : 43713/ TAICHUNG HSIEN

Country : TAIWAN

Telephone : +886-426816991

Fax : +886-426816988

E-mail : sales@xpedo.com

Website : www.xpedo.com

Categories : Handlebar, Saddles and Pedals

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Company Name : Yung Fang Plastic Co., Ltd. Contact : Pochen Chen

Address : No.306, Sec 4, Chang Nan Rd.,

Chulin Tsun, Fenyuan Hsiang,

Changhua Hsien 50241, Taiwan

Postal code + City : 50241/ Changhua

Country : Taiwan

Telephone : + 886-49-2522259

Fax : +886-49-2526719

+886-49-2524553

E-mail : sales@yungfang.com.tw

Website : www.yungfang.com.tw

Categories : Accessories

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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Advertisers’Index BIKE europe 23

www.bike-eu.com

AD-II Engineering Inc. ................19 ......+886 4 25628518 ..........Taiwan................www.microshift.biz

Bike USA ......................................20

Bike Europe / Reed Business ..4/17 ......+31 314 349896 ............Netherlands........www.bike-eu.com

Govind Rubber ..............................5 ......+91-22-2309 2296 ........India ..................www.govindrubber.com

Herrmans B. Ab Oy ......................15 ......+358 672 331 10 ............Finland ..............www.bherrmans.fi

JD Components ..............................9 ......+886 4 768 0575 ............Taiwan................www.jdtranzx.com

Kenda Rubber ..............................10 ......+886 48331865..............Taiwan................www.kenda.com.tw

Lee Chi Ent ....................................6 ......+886 47382121..............Taiwan................www.promax.com.tw

Logan Industrial ............................8 ......+886 222 235 470 ..........Taiwan

Megnha Tyres ................................3 ......+880 2 9887674 ............Bangladesh ........www.megnhagroup.com.bd

Messingschlager GmbH ................2 ......+49 9544944440 ..........Germany ............www.messingschlager.com

Noslar Int.l ..................................22 ......+91 7480423400 ............India ..................www.noslar.co.in

Polisport ......................................19 ......+351 256410230 ............Portugal ............www.polisport.com

Ralf Bohle GmbH ..........................7 ......+49 226 570 22 ..............Germany ............www.schwalbe.com

Tianjin Golden Wheel....................8 ......+86 2282108000 ..........China..................www.tjgoldenwheel.com

Taya Chain Co Ltd ........................11 ......+886-6-2703166 ............Taiwan................www.tayachain.com

Sha Dar Accessories ....................18 ......+886 2268682779 ........Taiwan................www.pillarspoke.com

Spark Eng. ....................................22 ......+91 120 2896862 ..........India ..................www.sparkeng.in

SRAM Europe ................................24 ......+31 334 570 200 ............Netherlands........www.sram.com

11BIK004_Page_23.qxp 4/15/11 9:22 PM Page 23

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