The president of central Asian republic Turkmenistan has reportedly ordered the country's five million citizens to buy bicycles ahead of a 'national cycling day'.

President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, who is widely criticised by human rights groups, last month 'won' a cycling race near the country's capital city Ashgabat and has also recently approved a four-year programme to develop cycling.

The Independent reports that Berdimuhamedow has ordered his Government officials and students to take part in long bike rides.

"This campaign will help to boost health, ensure environmental security and promote cycling," Berdimuhamedow is quoted as saying.

The ride is set to take place on September 1st.

Read more here.

Clint and Nick Slone of San Francisco wanted to raise $20,000 on Kickstarter to manufacture their small but loud bicycle bells. To date they've received 2,713 pledges and are up to $154,032 in crowdfunded backing, with another 30 days before the project ends.

The brothers are partners in Spurcycle, their bicycle components design business. Spurcycle's existing product is Griprings, a modular handlebar grip, now with international distribiution but originally funded via Kickstarter.

The Spurcycle bicycle bell has been an instant hit on Kickstarter. To be made by Bevin Brothers, a US bell maker founded in 1832 (the company claims to have made the first ever bicycle bell, a claim disputed in 1891), the Spurcycle bell has a loud and lasting ring.

Clint Slone said: "Our objective was simple: design a bell that is exceedingly effective in a busy, urban environment and  that looks sexy on any bike. We tasked ourselves with distilling your average clunker bell into a smaller, more potent, and more streamlined form, befitting even a peleton-crushing road bike. To do so forced us to reconsider every design aspect and engineer to a higher standard.

"We didn't work on a beautiful bell and ignore the critical function of a bell. It's got to be loud enough to alert other riders and drivers. Of course, it's nicer if the sound is effective without losing its pleasant tone."

Clint Slone is a product design consultant working for various clients in the San Francisco area. His brother Nick is an operations consultant. The Spurcycle bell starts at $35 on the Kickstarter page.

According to a new report from the British Medical Journal, only half of 7-year-old children in the UK are getting recommended levels of physical activity.

Decades of over reliance on cars, parental fears of child safety and far better TV (and video games) than they used to have in the olden days have all combined to produce these worrying statistics.

The BMJ said girls were less active than boys (38 per cent compared to 63 per cent meeting guidlelines). Drilling further down into the figures, the BMJ found that children of Indian ethnicity were significantly less active overall than all other ethnic groups, while children of Bangladeshi origin and those living in Northern Ireland were the least likely to meet guidelines.

The BMJ added that long-term studies are needed to better understand the implications for long-term health and well being, but stressed that 'population-wide efforts to boost physical activity among young people are needed' adding that it was likely that to acheive that 'a broad range of policy interventions'.

We recently saw the Government make a welcome funding promise for cycle projects across certain cities in the UK, but the £77m is a drop in the ocean compared to the cash dedicated to road building projects.

Sustrans’ health director Philip Insall said: “The situation is now critical with so few of our children enjoying the benefits of daily exercise – this study highlights that we need to take urgent action.

"But we must think outside the playground and the pitch. All four of the UK Chief Medical Officers agree we need to tackle the journey to school so kids can incorporate exercise into their daily routines.

“Instead of building new roads and encouraging more motor traffic we need to create a safe environment in our streets where kids can walk, cycle and play. The answer is slower speeds, safer routes and cycle training for every child.”

Dorel Industries of Canada, owner of Cannondale, GT and other brands, is acquiring a 70 percent interest in Caloi, the Brazilian manufacturer of bicycles and bicycle equipment. Established in 1898 in Brazil, Caloi is one of the oldest and largest bicycle brands in Latin America. Caloi has an estimated market share in Brazil of more than 40 percent. 

Caloi’s portfolio encompasses a full range of bicycles, from high-performance to children's models, including mountain bikes, urban, recreational and road bikes. Caloi’s products are distributed across the country through a variety of channels, from mass market to independent bicycle dealers.

Caloi employs 900 people at its various locations, including its head office in São Paulo, and its manufacturing facility in Manaus, which is the largest bicycle manufacturing plant outside Southeast Asia.

Brazil will become a production hub for Dorel. Caloi ́s factory in Manaus will assemble bikes for the company’s brands, such as Cannondale, Schwinn, Mongoose and GT to serve the Brazilian and export markets.

Dorel president and CEO, Martin Schwartz said: “This new partnership with Caloi positions Dorel as one of the largest bicycle companies in the world, as well as a leader of the Americas. We have built this segment into a billion dollar business in just nine years and see tremendous growth ahead."

Upgrade
Just landed in stock with UK distributor Upgrade, Leyzne’s new Zecto Drive Pro LED is both a front and a rear light, priced at just £44.99.
At just 51 grams, it’s light for a triple LED set up. Two of those LEDs included are white and the third red, with the former emitting some 180 lumens – more than enough for use on the roads.
Its lithium polymer battery is USB rechargeable too, so perfect for the office workers among us. Run times range two to six and a half hours depending on the mode and the light is kitted out with a clip for attaching to a bag, as well as a rubber strap for attachment to the bike.
Another unit Upgrade are particularly pleased with is the 800 lumen, £124.99 Deca Drive, which carries three high-ouput white LEDs, mounted in custom Uniform Power Beam “MOR” lens for increased output efficiency and optimum beam pattern. 01403 711 611

Bike Lights UK
Beema has joined the Bike Lights UK stable, alongside the Magicshine label.
With a focus on high-powered units for off-road, Beema’s started big with the AS-2000, a 2,000 lumen unit with a 300m range. With buttons found on the back of the light to control output, the rider can flick between settings in the saddle and even switch to strobe to ensure motorists know you’re ahead.
The body is channelled to resist overheating and mounted using proven O-rings. The Beema AS-2000 comes with a Beema 6600 mAh rechargeable battery pack that is fully IP65 grade waterproof. This endurance battery allows the light to have a run time between 2.9 hours and 10 hours dependent on which settings are in use. All items including the battery come with a two year full warranty.
01642 711 045

Claud Butler
EXILE by Claud Butler is a new lighting brand released to the cycle trade late  last year.
This range has recently undergone an overhaul and the new 2014 line-up is now available for pre orders. The range consists of over 20 models including the silicon LEDs, the more advanced performance three watt LED aluminium lights and the environmentally and cost friendly Solar Powered light.
A full range of replacement brackets are also available for this line of lights. Attractive margins and a great stock in deal should help drive sales going into the winter months.
For more details call Claud Butler on 01652 656000

Moore Large
Designed to be one of Knog's most versatile lights, the front and rear Road Blinders emit 200 and 70 lumens, respectively.
Delivered in a compact, USB rechargeable, waterproof, integrated package, the Road Blinder is slipped on and off with a silicone strap. It's adjustable too, with a camber attachment making it suitable for road bike bars measuring 22-27mm/27-35mm and rear posts 22–35mm.
High intensity CREE LEDs, combined with either a 22-degree wide-angle beam, or 15 degree spotlight, the light claims to be visible from 1,000 metres away. Weighing a compact 75 grams up front and 52 grams on the rear, the Blinder Roads fully charge in five hours.
Moore Large also has new digital POS systems coming in to assist Knog sales, featuring a ten inch interactive display. In addition, the distributor has a triple counter stand, mixed Blinder counter stand and POS slatwall. 01332 274200

Cube
Cube provides a wide range of Cycle lights, with the cycling   lights Colour range recently expanded with the new Black/Neon red version.
The light is easily attached to the bike, waterproof and produces a proper beam of light. Manageable with two simple functions, flashing and permanent, the unit comes with batteries included. An ideal solution for the customer who likes to colour match everything on their bike.
+31 180441350.

Zyro
With CatEye and the recent addition of Blackburn to its stable, Zyro has a good variety of cycle lights for both the commuting customer and the woods dweller.
For a £49.99 investment, your customers could take home either the Volt 300, or Volt 50 lights. The former is a lightweight, 120 gram 300-lumen light that is kitted out with a USB rechargeable li-ion battery. The Volt 50 is Cateye's answer to a long burning rear light, with run times of between eight and 20 hours.
A docking station to recharge both is sold separately for £8.99, while a battery to fit will cost £20.
Blackburn's best-selling Mars series is now fronted by the 3.0 at £19.99. With five LEDs, as well as side amber LEDs, its not only noticeable, but versatile in its mounting. A belt clip, seat post clamp and rack mount option give the rider plenty of options. The Mars 3.0 will run for between 50 and 150 hours, dependant on usage.
01845 521700

2Pure
San Diego lighting label NiteRider has a renewed focus on road and commuter cycling with its 2013 to 2014 catalogue.
The range sparks up with the Mako 5 front light at only £14.99, which also comes as a combo pack set with the rear TL5.0 for just £22.99.
For the rider who needs top performance in a small, lightweight package, the Lumina Micro 220 is a USB chargeable micro light with a massive, real and measured 220-lumen output at only £54.99.
0844 811 2001

Exposure
The Exposure range swells further this year with the introduction of a USB charging commuter specific light set, making the brand accessible to all.
A new head torch project will be revealed shortly and spread the Exposure name further into the outdoor market. New technology crammed into the high-end lights further challenges the market’s competition with a new helmet light at the forefront of the new catalogue.
Reliability and customer service have been key in maintaining the growth of the brand to date and this continues to be a focus of the Exposure team. The growth of Exposure alongside USE is leading to a new bespoke premises housing the machining, production and offices slightly further along the South Downs Way in Bury.
01798 344477

Oxford
For the customer looking to spend up to £25 per light, Oxford products have a few solutions.
For up front, the £25, three-watt LED Ultratorch takes just one AA battery    and attaches through a simple silicone quick release.
For the customer who needs a simple yet effective rear light, Oxford Tail light has a 40 to 60 hour burn time from two AAA batteries. Claiming to be visible for up to 500m, it is designed to keep the elements at bay and is easily mounted via a sturdy plastic bracket.
01993 862 300

Fisher Outdoor
With both Smart and now a new addition in LUU lights, Fisher Outdoor  has a range of stock, which tops out with the new brand's 2,400 lumen Ultra Pro  at £379.99.
LUU lighting is a South Korean brand whose products range from £89.99 to £379.99 (380 to 2400 Lumen).  Performance and quality are taken care of by some big names in the business, with battery technology delivered only in the form of Samsung Li-ion cells. This gives what the firm says is the longest burn time for power of any currently lights available. The simple to use and fit bar mount is stable and holds the light tightly in place regardless of usage.
A 520-lumen Pico Pro demo unit is available to dealers on request, while the eight product strong line is arriving with Fisher from the middle of August. For a more every day kind of sale, Smart has front and rear light sets ranging from £19.99 through £54.99 with three SKUs in between the lowest and highest priced package. Top of that group is the LUX 35, which offers 8, 15 or 30 hour burn times in various modes.
01727 798345

Raleigh
For those with a Raleigh account, you have access to the RSP line, perhaps best suited to the commuter, as well as the Moon range, which has a number of high-lumen units ideal for the night time adventurer.
Moon’s new Crescent light carries high powered COB LEDs, emitting up to 50 lumens, all from a USB recharge taking just two hours.
This year’s 200 lumen Metor light also comes USB rechargeable with a two hour cycle. With one Cree XTE R5 LED, shining through a precision optical lens, this unit comes supplied with handlebar and helmet brackets.
RSP’S RX480 does give the Raleigh own brand a flagship unit with a high-output of 480-lumens. Four high-powered LEDs and a combination of good side visibility, a collimator lens to maximise output and the ability to USB recharge make this a top choice.   
01773 532600

Madison
Light and Motion offer one of the  more high-powered package deals  among our selection, with a £99 kit comprising the Urban 200 ruby and vis 180 micro twinpack.
The front light will pump out 200 lumens for a duration of two and a half hours, or 75 lumens for up to eight hours. The rear can last up to 20 hours on flashing mode.
Both carry a li-ion battery and have micro-USB ports to charge at the computer and mounts for the handlebar and seatpost are included.
Furthermore, amber side windows enhance the light’s side visibility, making the rider more visible at junctions. The front light supplies the remaining battery power, allowing the rider to track their usage.  
01908 326000

Dawes
Having just signed up the distribution rights to lighting label GUEE, Dawes has a label that’s already performing well in several far eastern territories.
Individual retail prices start from just £8.99 for the little silicon ‘Camaro’ LED, offering the clever addition of 20+/- degree horizontal beam adjustment. The range spans through to the £34.99 ‘Sol200’ headlamp. With a 200 Lumen output, micro-USB recharge, a ‘Smart-R’ adjustable bracket and burn-times of up to 10hrs, the tiny 70mm long headlamp offers great output for a sub £35 unit.
0121 748 8050

The helmet camera market is evolving fast, as are the skills of those throwing them over cliff faces on downhill bikes and snowboards, among other things. Mark Sutton quizzes JVC’s Neil Stewart about how JVC has adapted its product to survive and thrive in the extreme sports world…

JVC has a new camera on the market – the Adixxion GC-XA2 – what about this unit is suited to cycling in its various forms?
Following on from the success of the GC-XA1 Adixxion Camera, JVC are proud to introduce the latest addition, the GC-XA2.
The new build offers Quad-Proof Design, so it’s ready for action right out of the box, no external housing required. It’s Waterproof, dustproof, freezeproof and shockproof without a housing, so ready to roll out of the box.
Furthermore, it’s the same size as the GC-XA1, but loaded with extra features. We think it’s suited to cycling due to the accessories available, for example a Goggle Mount where the camera cleverly fixes to the strap of the goggles, universal helmet mount and of course the traditional handlebar mount.

What are the tech specs of frame rate, resolution and on the lens?
The new GC-XA2 has Full 1080 HD recording at 50P, which means a Full HD progressive recording. That, coupled with an eight Megapixel back illuminated CMOS sensor, means the Picture quality and recordings are going to be crystal clear every time. The new F2.4 Lens means wide angles can be achieved in even the highest resolutions.

Any add on bits for sale such as cases, remotes, or helmet mounts?
The great thing about the Adixxion camera range is that you don’t need any outer casing to make it waterproof, it’s “Action Ready” straight out of the Box. Also the WiFi is built-in on the Adixxion cameras, which means IOS or Andriod devices can control the camera remotely.
There are many accessories available and of course both cameras come with the accessories needed to get you recording your action straight away. The Adixxion cameras use a standard tripod hole for mounting, which means third party accessories can also be used, you’re not restricted to JVC accessories.  
JVC are also launching the new chest harness alongside the GC-XA2, available in August and this chest harness will also be compatible with the GC-XA1.

Cameras used for extreme sports have to be built tough – what’s yours made from?
JVC uses a combination of light, but tough materials, it has to be rugged and tough due to the extreme conditions cyclists will put them through. With no casing, the camera is only 126 grams, but the materials used allow the Adixxion to be waterproof to 5M, freezeproof to -10, shockproof to 2M and dustproof. These are all tested and certified including IPX standards, reassuring the user that no matter what the conditions are, the Adixxion will keep recording.

Can you tell us about the playback options both on and off the camera’s screen?
The Adixxion cameras have a Full Colour TFT Screen. This means you can set the camera up and check your angles to make sure you are getting the best shot, but the screen also allows you to playback the footage straight away, so you can see exactly what you’ve just recorded.
TFT LCDs don’t add any more strain on the battery, and the new GC-XA2 has an auto screen off feature to boost battery life. Adixxion cameras have Mini HDMI out from the camera, to plug straight into to HD TV and see your action in the best quality possible.

What sort of response have you had from consumer’s trialling the product to date?
The response has been great from the consumers on the GC-XA1. You only have to go on YouTube and see the videos being uploaded to see how great the Adixxion stacks up against the competition.
We also have it in the hands of some great extreme sports athletes all over the world and their videos again are testament to really how good it is.

Do you have any further ambitions for the extreme sports market?
JVC have been making video cameras for over 30 years, and invented the VHS video recorder, so we have a great history in video recording. The first two Adixxion Cameras are just the start of JVC entering the extreme sports market and will continue to plan future development.

Tell us about the built in social networking on the Adixxion:
The Adixxion cameras have WiFi built in, so it’s very easy to get your footage uploaded onto Facebook, Youtube and other social networking sites. By directly linking your smartphone to the camera, you can transfer the files and then upload without the need for a computer.
The cameras also have the UStream Channel built into them. If you’re connected to a WiFi hotspot, or even if you are tethering your phone as a Hotspot you can send the camera’s feed live to your UStream Channel and anyone, anywhere can see what your doing.
A great feature for the GC-XA2 for 2013 is the JVC Adixxion Sync App, this allows you to not only connect your Adixxion camera to an IOS/ Android device and control it remotely, but will also allow you to connect up to four Adixxion cameras at one time for four different views via split screen on your device.

How can interested bicycle dealers take stock of JVC product?
We have in place JVC distributors that can supply the Adixxion Cameras, and if your readers wish to contact me directly and I will make sure they get the service they need to be able to supply the consumers. My details are in the BikeBiz JVC Adixxion Advert, and we also have demo stands and other POS available.
JVC are currently in talks with various cycling distributors, and are looking to set up a specialist cycling distributor to look after all your readers in the very near future.

You’re behind the BikeBiz Awards this year – will you be showing your kit to the trade pre/post awards?
We are very proud to be part of the BikeBiz Awards for 2013, JVC are very new to the cycling industry, but I’m still racing BMX bikes at a national level, so I do know a lot of people in the industry already. What I am looking forward to is meeting new people and we will have our products setup to show at the awards.
We are also hoping to be exhibiting at the Cycle Show post awards, so hopefully will catch up with a lot of BikeBiz readers there too. 0208 208 7579

Garmin launches first action camera, with 'game changing' features
Garmin's enviable reputation in the trade coupled with its move into a new genre of product combined to make this our top story of the week. There's pics and plenty of information over the link.

Boris bikes in Oz sans helmet & says lid laws kill share bike schemes
The London Mayor grabbed the headlines by flouting the law in Australia – by not wearing a helmet while riding a bike – and explained why helmet wearing wasn't made compulsory for the Barclays Cycle Hire scheme.

US inventor is a Kickstarter success with 24-tool titanium circle
Crowd funding is now well established as a legitimate route to market and here's another Kickstarter/bike industry success story, with over $16,000 raised for the Repair Rebel tool.

Olympic cycling venues set for March re-opening
If you look carefully, you can still see the glow given off the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics and soon us ordinary non-Olympians will be able to use the cycling venues and show Hoy, Pendleton, et al how it should be done (maybe not). It won't cost the earth, either.

Hotlines to give dealers chance to become Lapierre concept shop
Hotlines' 'shop-in-shop' concept is the latest in a long line of brands raising their profile on the shop floor. Find out more about the flexible concept by clicking the headline above.

President orders nation to buy bicycles
And finally, the authoritarian President of Turkmenistan has ordered the country's population to buy a bike ahead of 'National Cycling Day'. We're not making this up.

SKS is moving from its multiple distribution model to a single exclusive deal with Zyro in the UK and Ireland, beginning January 1st 2014.

Until 31^st December 2013 the current SKS distributors will continue to supply the market with SKS products.

The widely known mudguard and pump brand produces its range in Germany at its Sundern facility.

"Zyro is recognised as being the leading specialist distributor of cycling parts and accessories in the UK and Ireland," said SKS export manager Robert Schatton. "We are excited to be working with the Zyro team and are confident that they will bring us the focus and level of customer service that we need to grow SKS sales across both the mudguard and pump product categories."

Zyro product director Simon Ellison added: "We are very pleased that SKS has chosen Zyro as their distribution partner in the UK and Ireland, SKS has defined the mudguard category for many years with their range of Chromoplastic mudguards and in recent years, with their Raceblades and Raceblades Long. We look forward to working with SKS to build their distribution of mudguards and pumps in the UK and Ireland."

Stages Cycling has appointed Saddleback as exclusive distributor of its Stages Power meter products in the UK, starting early September.

UK prices start from £599 and top out at £799 (with a couple of prices still to be confirmed). You simply buy a left hand Stages crank (to match your right hand crank) and the Stages Power unit is affixed to the crank and calibrated in the US.

The brand believes power measurement is crucial for cyclists’ and triathletes’ training regimes, regardless of discipline, and want to see power-based training become accessible to all enthusiastic cyclists. By design, Stages Cycling believe power meters should be simple, robust, and not force cyclists to make major concessions in terms of weight, aesthetic, or crank choice, they say.

Design, development and manufacture of the bicycle crank arm power measurement systems takes place in Boulder, Colorado. The engineering team has a wealth of experience producing products for the cycling and fitness industries and together the core design group has been awarded over 200 patents collectively during their careers.

Vice president of Stages Cycling Doug Crawford said: “We couldn’t be more excited to partner with Saddleback in launching our Stages Power meters in the UK market. Saddleback’s focus on premium enthusiast brands is the perfect fit for us.

“We’ve had substantial customer interest in the UK and we’re so excited to have Saddleback on board to fill those rider’s needs. We are expanding our international distribution very carefully to ensure complete customer satisfaction. Saddleback has proven to meet all of those expectations and will be a critical member of the Stages team.”

Saddleback's senior brand manager Richard Mardle added: “We are very excited to announce our partnership with Stages Cycling. We feel their product  represents innovation and evolution within the category of performance power measurement. We see Stages, with our guidance, becoming the UK market leader within a few years. We are delighted that Stages see us as the right partner for their company and we are confident we can make the Stages Power meters an essential part of our dealers’ business.”

The full range of Stages Power meters will be on display and available to demo at the Saddleback Dealer House Show, held in Yate Bristol over the 10th, 11th and 12th of September.

Orange
July saw Orange Mountain Bikes release updates to its ever-popular trail bike combo; the Five and Crush. Both models see a number of modifications for 2014 with the move to a 27.5inch wheel size being the biggest change, along with the adoption of 1.5inch headtubes and E-mount front mech mounts.

The best-selling 140mm travel Five will be offered in the usual S, Pro and SE specifications along with a new RS version which comes equipped with SRAM’s 11 speed X01 groupset, RockShox suspension and routing for a Reverb Stealth dropper post. Initially limited to just 50 bikes, the RS sells for £4,199.99 and is expected to be a very much in demand version of a very in demand model.

Prices start at £2,499.99 for the S through to £4,499.99 for the SE with plenty of upgrade options in between.
The Crush offers all the thrills of the Five just without the rear suspension. Built to take a beating yet scale the climbs with ease, the Crush packs a lot of lightweight grunt between its 140mm RockShox Sektor Gold fork and its 10 speed SLX rear mech. The Crush retails for £1,299.99.

Both models are available to order now from Orange. For more details go to www.orangebikes.co.uk
01422 311113

Met
Met’s Bluegrass Grizzly Lite back protector hits the £119.99 price point and amounts to a lightweight d3o core inside a stretch vest that keeps it in place. The Grizzly Lite is pitched as ideal for enduro riders and anyone who gives high priority to freedom of movement. The lightweight d30 insert has parallel grooves that increase its capacity to follow the body’s movement. There’s additional lower back protection courtesy of a high density EVA form insert and it all has a minimalist design, allowing for a hydration pack to be worn comfortably.
All enquiries should be directed to met.uk@met-helmets.com

Moore Large
The Forme MTB range has expanded to 14 models for the 2014 season. The 2013 Winscar 29 series has performed well in practise, being part of Mountain Bike National Series victories from Kenda sponsored athletes. The three 2014 Winscar models range from £1,600 topping out at £3,500 with the flagship Winscar 29C model featuring a Shimano XTR groupset, Rock Shox Sid World Cup Fork and Mavic Crossmax SLR wheel set. Forme will also be revealing seven brand new 650B sized models for 2014. The full range can be viewed across the UK at the Forme Product Launch Roadshow taking place in September and October.

Kenda has new tread patterns in ‘Honey Badger’ and ‘Tri Bite’, great for braking performance and optimised grip. This all-rounder tyre is designed to be pushed hard and push back harder and is available in 29”, 27.5” and 26”. The ‘24 Seven’ is a new lightweight low profile tyre. Nearly all of Kenda’s tyres are available in sealant compatible versions. As well as having a full range of 29er tyres, Kenda have this year introduced a huge range of 650b tyres.

For more information on the ranges contact your area manager or email sales@moorelarge.co.uk.

Zyro
Abus’ Hill Bill (£89.99) is aggressively designed with an additional rear spoiler, coming with a double shell in-mould construction for durable fusion of two pieces outer shell and shock absorbing EPS. Fitting comes with the new ZoomPro 2 slider adjustment system, while increased stability is provided through Abus Safety Tech (AST) structure strengthening. Excellent ventilation is achieved through 12 air inlets and seven outlets while removable and washable padding provide maximum comfort.

Abus’ S-Force Peak (£59.99) is pitched at the trail, inspired in styling by the Canadian MTB mecca of Whistler. This in-moulded, 24 vent offering has a reflective trim and ZoomPro precision adjustment system.

Bell’s Super helmet (£99.99) straddles the difference between DH and XC for an all-mountain offering. Incorporating eyewear and goggle management, camera integration, lower rear coverage and advanced ventilation, the Super is purpose-built for the enduro racer, aggressive trail rider and epic rides.

Tifosi Optics has had another bumper year with Zyro, we’re told, thanks to an expanded range and new point of sale units both being snapped up by retailers throughout the UK and Ireland. To capitalize on the summer season, Zyro have launched Tifosi’s new Clarion collection now. Four interchangeable models, including the all-new Podium XC, are now available and all include a Clarion lens.

Find out more about those directly from Zyro on 01845 521742

Cube
The new Stereo line has a number of 650b-sized rides arriving. Agile and fast due to newly designed geometry and kinematics, suspension stays neutral whether climbing or pedalling on the flats and even the paint has been specially selected to be super light. Without rear shock, the 650b frame is close to 1,800g, the frame being 700g light than last year. Of course there’s 29ers too, like the HPC 140 SLT, with 140mm of travel.

Cube also has offerings for protective clothing, namely knee and elbow pads which make use of Armourgel material. Unfamiliar with Armourgel? This material is new on the market and is becoming more popular among bikers because the material stiffens upon impact to provide protection, but flex with the musculature of the body when protection is not required, making the pads safe and comfortable. Clever, eh?
0031 103 403 500

Fli
O'Neal’s STV compression jerseys come in two options: short or long sleeve. Both feature chest and rib biofoam protectors with SaS-Tec foam protectors on the back, shoulder and elbows (no elbows on the short sleeve obviously).

Super lightweight, the jerseys are comfortable and breathable – ideal for enduro racers or anyone looking for a lightweight body armour alternative.

Also via Fli in the MTB protection sector comes the Orbiter AM helmets. They feature the Fid-lock magnetic chin strap closure, operated by a single hand and a crown lock with tightening dial. It look aggressive and we’re assured it’s a comfortable fit with good airflow. Find out more from Fli.
01457 873 923

Sealskinz
Mountain bikers might not need these so much while the heatwave persists, but SealSkinz’ lightweight waterproof overshoes will surely be a tempting option once things get back to normal in the UK. In-store from August, the overshoes are light, soft and easy to roll up and carry. Obviously they are made of waterproof material. They’re also fleece lined and open under foot with strong and long adjustable Velcro straps under arch. A silicone leg gripper ensures they are close fitting and keep water out, while a storm flap inside the zip aids water protection. The kevlar toe offers all-important abrasion resistance. There’s reflectivity too, via the YKK brand reflective zipper.
www.sealskinz.com

Coyote
There are 19 models in the 2013 Coyote range retailing from £199.99 up to £529.99. Hitting that top price point is the 27-speed 29er Turnpike. Featuring lightweight alloy tubing with a hydroformed down tube, the Turnpike is kitted out with a Suntour XCT V3 29er fork with disc mount, mechanical lock out and 100mm travel. It comes in three frame sizes (16, 18 and 20-inch).

There are four other alloy gents 29ers available and a hi ten 29er too. The rest of the range includes hi ten dirt jump bikes, as well as steel and alloy 26-inch for men and women. For more details or to become a stockist call 0161 727 8508

Paligap
The Montari 29 (£600) is an all-rounder, catering for all types of MTB riding from a full day of single track to a relaxed cruise on local paths. On the Montari riders benefit from a bunch of design cues borrowed from the Aggressor range, but can still enjoy a bike built for all skill levels.

The Montari 29.2 comes with 29-inch wheels, hydraulic disc brakes and a 27-speed Shimano component group.

For a more substantial slice of cash, Avanti’s Coppermine (priced at £2,500) is designed to take on more than most 29ers. Sporting upgraded Fox suspension and fast rolling 29-inch Mavic wheels, the bike smooths out everything it encounters. Named after one of New Zealand’s most iconic trails, the Coppermine enjoys 120mm of plush rear travel from the Tru4 suspension system. It’s also strong and durable with custom formed tubes, a tapered 1.5 inch head tube and a rear triangle firmly bound with a Syntace X12 axle system.
01454 313116

Madison
The Genesis High Latitude 2x10 uses the 2013 Shimano SLX drivetrain including the Shadow Plus rear mech. This 29er has been specced with dedicated trail riders in mind, with durability and reliability high on the agenda. The fork is a Rockshox Recon Gold TK Solo Air 80mm and the RRP is £1,499.

Saracen’s Kili Expert (17-inch) retails at £1,199.99 and is trail focused too. Using Saracen’s more conventional race frame and geometry, with 100mm travel in the Rockshox Recon Silver TK Solo Air, the lowered front end has a taped headtube and added 10mm to the reach.

Protection is covered by Forcefield, offering the Zeus Elbow protector for £69.99 (large). Perfect for MTB, it is ergonomically designed for top comfort, reacting to the body’s natural movement while still protecting from impact. It’s fitted with the all new CE level 2 approved Forcefield NeT Armour which is removable, light, flexible and breathable. It’s held in place with compression and adjustable elasticated straps, backed with non-slip rubberised gripper tape. The brand also provides the Zeus Knee Protector, at £74.99 (large).

www.madisonb2b.co.uk

Hotlines
Ghost’s AMR Lector 2978 is a 29er with a completely redesigned frame. The geometry has been adapted to the larger wheels through a shorter head tube and a low bottom bracket. Short 440mm chainstays maintain an agile riding performance and thanks to the 29 inch wheelset, Ghost was able to reduce the travel to 100 mm at the rear and 110 mm up front. This makes the AMR even more responsive without compromising on comfort. The AMR 29 range is available in either an aluminium or carbon (Lector) frame in sizes 40-56 cm. In addition, the carbon models will also feature electronically controlled E:I  shock suspension.

For protection, iXS’ has answered the call of the all-mountain and enduro riders with this new ultra-light Flow Knee and Elbow Pad range. The Flow pads take minimal protection to a whole new level weighing in at about 300g per pair (knee) but still with enough padding for serious abuse. Meanwhile the Carve is ideally suited to Gravity-orientated riders, offering greater protection with a larger coverage X-Matter impact material over knees and elbows. 0131 319 1444

2pure
Ibis’ new Ripley 29 retails at £2,629 RRP for frame and shock, coming in blue or black and green. Hot on the heels of the Ripley, Ibis has just released the Mojo HDR, the successor to the popular and highly regarded Mojo HD, taking its technology and versatility a few steps further. The HDR and the HD feature identical travel (160mm), the same suspension (the dw-link), and the same proven geometry.

The HDR adds more diversity to its menu – you can set it up with 160mm or 180mm front forks. The Mojo HD is the longer travel bigger brother to the Mojo and Mojo SL. The HD has 160mm of rear wheel travel, up 20mm from the other Mojos. The Mojo Carbon, introduced in 2005, pioneered efficient, lightweight long travel suspension, blurring the lines between those previously separate categories. The Mojo HD takes this concept a step further still, giving riders another level of skill and confidence. 0844 811 2001

Tiger Cycles
Tiger Cycles’ new range of alloy and steel framed mountain bikes are tailored for the rider on a budget but still looking for the quality components. Every bike is fitted with sealed cartridge B/B and fully Shimano equipped throughout. Sizes now available are from 15-inch all the way up to 22-inch frames.
For details please call 01683 220837 or email info@tigercycles.com

Is your brand missing from this guide? It's simple to make sure you are included in future – just email us at BikeBiz@intentmedia.co.uk. Once we've got your details we'll add you to our monthly mailing list alerting you to future feature opportunities, so you'll never miss out again. As the meerkats say, 'simples'.

It has been 15 months since Accell purchased Raleigh. Has there been one significant change that stands out for you above all others?
Accell’s management style is very low touch, so the biggest change has been behind the scenes in terms of financial and operational.

Culturally they are very IBD-orientated. You can see that if you look at their other operations in France, Holland, Germany, Italy, etc, and that culture starts to permeate into Raleigh, whereas Raleigh has always had feet in various camps.

Their style of management and approach to market has started to permeate too. That’s a big, but subtle thing. You don’t wake up in the morning and think ‘Right, we’re going to do it differently today’. If you were to pin it down to one thing I’d say it’s that.

In terms of marketing and the shift in our development period and timescales – they were underway anyway. We’ve recognised that we need to be on the same launch timescales as the other global brands so we compressed our lead times down to allow that to happen. Thankfully we’ve not sacrificed development opportunity or improvement to do it.

What can you tell us about the new Raleigh ranges and how they’ve been received?
The reaction has been fantastic – I know everyone who sits in front of you says that – but we moved on a big step with the ‘13 range. The 2014 line-up is about consolidating that position and filling in the missing gaps in the range. We’re happy enough to say that we’re now at the point where it is evolution, not revolution. In the last two years we’ve massively changed our personnel, moving new people in and got more suppliers.

For our 2014 range, quite a lot of our bikes will come out of Accell’s factory in Turkey. So we are shifting production nearer to Europe – not because Accell says we have to do it, but because economically it makes sense. We’ve got an improved factory capability, better quality control and at as good a price as we were buying before. From a supplier viewpoint, that’s another Accell change. They’ve unlocked brands for us too, like Haibike and XLC. It’s not been gargantuan, but we are starting to see the effects of being part of a larger group.

The introduction of Haibike this year was a little late for the marketplace, but it has given us back that proposition to be a one-stop-shop. That’s what the dealers want. We’ve got Raleigh, Diamondback, Haibike, Dahon and the ever-widening accessory base. At this rate we’ll need a larger warehouse. But that’s what we want – to offer a one-stop-shop for the dealer. We don’t ram that down everyone’s throats but we do want to offer everything they need.

There’s a SRAM angle too? The doors to that brand have been opened through the relationship Accell has?
Accell’s relationship with SRAM is very strong and that’s definitely improved our links with them. We are starting to see a heavier emphasis with SRAM on our bikes and I think that will continue.

How has the Accell acquisition affected Raleigh’s target for recruiting more retailers to Cyclelife?
I still believe there is a place for a Cyclelife operation in the UK IBD base. It makes sense for the German market, it makes sense for the Dutch market, it should make sense for the UK market. It is still in our hearts.
We had dealers move away from Cyclelife – not because they fell out with us, but because they are moving to a boutique status and are having to stock a more expensive range of brands which we’ve not had access to. Now, however, with Haibike in the range we are back to that credible one-stop-shop status.

 

"It’s alright saying you’ve got lots of advertising, but if stock stays on the shop floor, you are knackered."

The job of the Raleigh brand is to move up the food chain in terms of 700c road commuter and city bikes. Diamondback’s job is to move up in the BMX and MTB market. Having Haibike gives us a quick injection of having a credible product range. We’ve got to build brand awareness in the public eye, but the dealers who have taken on Haibike find it is selling for them. It’s alright saying you’ve got lots of advertising, but if stock stays on the shop floor, you are knackered.

We’ve got 20 Haibike stockists at the moment and we want to double that for ‘14 and ultimately probably go to 60, but those 20 are selling these bikes. That’s encouraging because we’ve had false starts with the likes of Corratec where we had an established dealer base, but the product just sat on the shop floor. I think the Haibike stuff is sufficiently different to what else is out there to have an appeal.

We see Cyclelife as part of our offering. We’re not trying to change the culture of a dealer who doesn’t want it, but it’s great for those coming to the market and feel they want a helping hand. We can do everything to get them up and running in a cost effective way for them and us. It’s part of our kitbag.

There are more dealer services you’re offering that you have already touched on, like Raleigh TV…
From a marketing viewpoint we see digital communications as being an area of focus. This time last year we didn’t have a guy who was solely focused on social networking. We have just recruited someone whose sole job is e-commerce and he’s improving the professional look of our websites, but also to help the dealers.

With Raleigh TV we set ourselves a budget for a creative solution we could afford to roll out to as many people as possible and we’ve achieved that. It ticks all the boxes for utility, durability and ease of maintenance in terms of content, which we can manage centrally.

It’s out with 50 stores and we’ll partner with interested dealers to work on improvements. There are exciting things we can do with it. There are opportunities to experiment and keep what works, ditch what doesn’t.

Then the flip side of the digital support is the web. There’s two aspects to that; My Shop Online and Drop Ship Vendor. We’re saying to dealers, everyone should have a website, but not everyone should or wants to get into e-commerce. In my opinion the barriers to getting into e-commerce are getting bigger as the big boys get better and stronger. If you want e-commerce but not the overheads we provide My Shop Online, which is a hot link from a dealer’s website into the full Raleigh shop, but liveried as if it is the shop’s site. They source that customer, they make full margin and have access to the full Raleigh portfolio. We’re saying, ‘don’t mess about selling a few bits on eBay, we’ve got the full suite here’. The e-commerce guy’s job is to improve that service – that helping hand.

For those that are into e-commerce then the other service is Drop Ship Vendor, where we offer the entire portfolio to a partner – they can list the entire suite of products if they want, with no stock risk. Every order they take comes through to here and we then ship the product to the customer on their behalf to their service timescales. We have a solution for different types of customer.

Raleigh’s product offering to bike dealers has broadened too?
That’s right. There are two aspects to the market now; performance and lifestyle. In performance we’ve got to be on the money with trends, specs, looks. That’s an uphill struggle because the competition is fierce. It’s a market we abandoned ten years ago, but we’re pushing back into it and we’re now supporting the race team…we’ve got to be there for brand credibility.

Where Raleigh can win commercially is in the lifestyle sector. Again you have to be on trend with looks, finish and specification, but with something like the Red or Dead bikes we are looking to introduce a fashion element. We’ve had partnerships in the past with the likes of Ben Sherman and there are other opportunities there to keep Raleigh in the public domain.

Look at the Beano Chopper. It’s a bit of fun, we’re not hanging our hat on it commercially, but again it keeps us high in the public eye.

I want Raleigh to own the lifestyle cycling sector. There’s a lot of competition in that space with brands that are as good as we are and we’ve got to work hard to prise that market from their grasp. That’s where our heritage is and with a bit of style and engineering we can conquer. Whether we do that with the ‘14 range…again we made a step forward with the ‘13 range, but I think ‘15 is when I’ll feel we’re bringing true differentiation in there. That’s bloody difficult to achieve in the bike market. If you look at the German market particularly, the refinements in aesthetics that German lifestyle bikes have is something we can bring to the UK market. By that I don’t mean transplanting German specifications into the UK market, but the use of new materials and giving it a distinct personality. We want people to be able to say ‘that’s a Raleigh bike’, not a Giant, or a Ridgeback…that’s the mission of the team.

Generally, how is the state of the market?
Well it’s not raining at the moment, so that’s good. I think market conditions are tough. I think the hangover from 2012 makes it tough. I think we’re seeing an ongoing trend – the boutique dealers are doing reasonably well irrespective of weather and the mainstream dealers are finding it tough. That was the case last year and that has continued this year.

So that’s largely down to the weather?
When it is raining the hobby cyclist will still go out and ride, but the family market won’t, so it’s definitely a big factor. Given that it has been much dryer in recent months I think it has been disappointing that the family market doesn’t seem to have bounced back.

That makes you ask questions of yourself: Is that the state of retail? Mainstream dealers’ repair businesses are booming. Parts have done very well because of the workshop – all dealers, bar none, are saying that the repair business is doing great. That says something. I think there is a long-term decline issue that family bike shops are facing. The multiples aren’t getting any stronger, but they are strong. Like Halfords, they are good at what they do at that price.

Then there’s the internet continuing to nibble away at the edges. That’s the one that is coming up, squeezing that family bike market further. The reality is that Raleigh has a traditional strength in that market. So because it should do and needs to, Raleigh is seeking to improve its capability in the performance market. That is where the market is going.

And the value of bikes is rising…
Absolutely, my task is to move Raleigh’s average sales up the food chain, having a credible offer with decent marketing support and availability.

What about accessories?
There are no major shifts going on at the moment, other than the fact dealers are generally looking to stock less. That’s a truism across bikes and accessories and our systems are being fine-tuned to meet that requirement. Squire locks have done very well, Dare2b has had a building year and XLC is getting a proper launch in July. XLC is a comprehensive range and we should be able to take some share.

There are brands we are acquiring that I can’t talk about yet. Watch this space.

www.raleigh.co.uk

FSA has revealed that it is to broaden its catalogue beyond road rim brakes and cantilevers for cyclocross with the introduction of both K-force and Afterburner hydraulic discs for mountain bikes.

Utilising both tool-free stroke and reach adjustability, these brakes can be set-up on-the-fly for a wide range of bite control and hand sizes. Each brake is offered with front and rear specific hoses, which, according to FSA, results in exceptionally balanced braking performance. The flip flop lever features a integrated asymmetrical reservoir making them extremely compact on the handlebar and easy to bleed.

The build makes good use of magnesium castings, carbon composite levers, and titanium hardware, which results in individual wheel weights of around 300 grams. The two models will sell for US$369 (K-Force) and US$289 (Afterburner) and will be available in Q1 2014 via UK distributor Windwave.

To get a first hand look at the product, visit FSA's booth next week at Eurobike (booth A1-402-403), or at Interbike from September 16th to 20th.

The Repair Rebel by Chicago-based graduate Thomas Smafield is an 85 gram (3oz) circular 24-function multi-tool made from titanium. It can attach to underneath saddles with an elastic cord. Smafield sought $10,000 on Kickstarter and has so far raised over $16,000, guaranteeing his project's success. The project has another nine days to run.

Tools include nine Allen key heads (from 3mm to 15mm, also known as Hex keys), both Philips and flathead screwdrivers, a T25 tork head, plus four spoke keys to cover most models. Just pack one along with a spare tube, pump, plus a couple of tire levers and you’re all set.

"Repair Rebel is half the weight, has twice the amount of features, and costs a fraction of what is on the current market," claims Smafield on his Kickstarter page.

The tools on the Repair Rebel are:

3mm Hex Head
4mm Hex Head
5mm Hex Head
5.5mm Hex Head
6mm Hex Head
7mm Hex Head
8mm Hex Head
3mm Hex Bolt Wrench
3.5mm Hex Bolt Wrench
4mm Hex Bolt Wrench
5mm Hex Bolt Wrench
5.5mm Hex Bolt Wrench
6mm Hex Bolt Wrench
9mm Hex Bolt Wrench
9.5mm Hex Bolt Wrench
10mm Hex Bolt Wrench
15mm Hex Bolt Wrench
Phillips Screw Driver
Flat Head Screw Driver
T25 Tork Head
3.23mm Spoke key (DT/Wheelsmith Nipples)
3.30mm Spoke Key (Most European)
3.45mm Spoke Key (Most Asian)
3.96mm spoke key (Larger Sizes)

The president of central Asian republic Turkmenistan has reportedly ordered the country's five million citizens to buy bicycles ahead of a 'national cycling day'.

President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, who is widely criticised by human rights groups, last month 'won' a cycling race near the country's capital city Ashgabat and has also recently approved a four-year programme to develop cycling.

The Independent reports that Berdimuhamedow has ordered his Government officials and students to take part in long bike rides.

"This campaign will help to boost health, ensure environmental security and promote cycling," Berdimuhamedow is quoted as saying.

The ride is set to take place on September 1st.

Read more here.

Clint and Nick Slone of San Francisco wanted to raise $20,000 on Kickstarter to manufacture their small but loud bicycle bells. To date they've received 2,713 pledges and are up to $154,032 in crowdfunded backing, with another 30 days before the project ends.

The brothers are partners in Spurcycle, their bicycle components design business. Spurcycle's existing product is Griprings, a modular handlebar grip, now with international distribiution but originally funded via Kickstarter.

The Spurcycle bicycle bell has been an instant hit on Kickstarter. To be made by Bevin Brothers, a US bell maker founded in 1832 (the company claims to have made the first ever bicycle bell, a claim disputed in 1891), the Spurcycle bell has a loud and lasting ring.

Clint Slone said: "Our objective was simple: design a bell that is exceedingly effective in a busy, urban environment and  that looks sexy on any bike. We tasked ourselves with distilling your average clunker bell into a smaller, more potent, and more streamlined form, befitting even a peleton-crushing road bike. To do so forced us to reconsider every design aspect and engineer to a higher standard.

"We didn't work on a beautiful bell and ignore the critical function of a bell. It's got to be loud enough to alert other riders and drivers. Of course, it's nicer if the sound is effective without losing its pleasant tone."

Clint Slone is a product design consultant working for various clients in the San Francisco area. His brother Nick is an operations consultant. The Spurcycle bell starts at $35 on the Kickstarter page.

According to a new report from the British Medical Journal, only half of 7-year-old children in the UK are getting recommended levels of physical activity.

Decades of over reliance on cars, parental fears of child safety and far better TV (and video games) than they used to have in the olden days have all combined to produce these worrying statistics.

The BMJ said girls were less active than boys (38 per cent compared to 63 per cent meeting guidlelines). Drilling further down into the figures, the BMJ found that children of Indian ethnicity were significantly less active overall than all other ethnic groups, while children of Bangladeshi origin and those living in Northern Ireland were the least likely to meet guidelines.

The BMJ added that long-term studies are needed to better understand the implications for long-term health and well being, but stressed that 'population-wide efforts to boost physical activity among young people are needed' adding that it was likely that to acheive that 'a broad range of policy interventions'.

We recently saw the Government make a welcome funding promise for cycle projects across certain cities in the UK, but the £77m is a drop in the ocean compared to the cash dedicated to road building projects.

Sustrans’ health director Philip Insall said: “The situation is now critical with so few of our children enjoying the benefits of daily exercise – this study highlights that we need to take urgent action.

"But we must think outside the playground and the pitch. All four of the UK Chief Medical Officers agree we need to tackle the journey to school so kids can incorporate exercise into their daily routines.

“Instead of building new roads and encouraging more motor traffic we need to create a safe environment in our streets where kids can walk, cycle and play. The answer is slower speeds, safer routes and cycle training for every child.”

Dorel Industries of Canada, owner of Cannondale, GT and other brands, is acquiring a 70 percent interest in Caloi, the Brazilian manufacturer of bicycles and bicycle equipment. Established in 1898 in Brazil, Caloi is one of the oldest and largest bicycle brands in Latin America. Caloi has an estimated market share in Brazil of more than 40 percent. 

Caloi’s portfolio encompasses a full range of bicycles, from high-performance to children's models, including mountain bikes, urban, recreational and road bikes. Caloi’s products are distributed across the country through a variety of channels, from mass market to independent bicycle dealers.

Caloi employs 900 people at its various locations, including its head office in São Paulo, and its manufacturing facility in Manaus, which is the largest bicycle manufacturing plant outside Southeast Asia.

Brazil will become a production hub for Dorel. Caloi ́s factory in Manaus will assemble bikes for the company’s brands, such as Cannondale, Schwinn, Mongoose and GT to serve the Brazilian and export markets.

Dorel president and CEO, Martin Schwartz said: “This new partnership with Caloi positions Dorel as one of the largest bicycle companies in the world, as well as a leader of the Americas. We have built this segment into a billion dollar business in just nine years and see tremendous growth ahead."

Upgrade
Just landed in stock with UK distributor Upgrade, Leyzne’s new Zecto Drive Pro LED is both a front and a rear light, priced at just £44.99.
At just 51 grams, it’s light for a triple LED set up. Two of those LEDs included are white and the third red, with the former emitting some 180 lumens – more than enough for use on the roads.
Its lithium polymer battery is USB rechargeable too, so perfect for the office workers among us. Run times range two to six and a half hours depending on the mode and the light is kitted out with a clip for attaching to a bag, as well as a rubber strap for attachment to the bike.
Another unit Upgrade are particularly pleased with is the 800 lumen, £124.99 Deca Drive, which carries three high-ouput white LEDs, mounted in custom Uniform Power Beam “MOR” lens for increased output efficiency and optimum beam pattern. 01403 711 611

Bike Lights UK
Beema has joined the Bike Lights UK stable, alongside the Magicshine label.
With a focus on high-powered units for off-road, Beema’s started big with the AS-2000, a 2,000 lumen unit with a 300m range. With buttons found on the back of the light to control output, the rider can flick between settings in the saddle and even switch to strobe to ensure motorists know you’re ahead.
The body is channelled to resist overheating and mounted using proven O-rings. The Beema AS-2000 comes with a Beema 6600 mAh rechargeable battery pack that is fully IP65 grade waterproof. This endurance battery allows the light to have a run time between 2.9 hours and 10 hours dependent on which settings are in use. All items including the battery come with a two year full warranty.
01642 711 045

Claud Butler
EXILE by Claud Butler is a new lighting brand released to the cycle trade late  last year.
This range has recently undergone an overhaul and the new 2014 line-up is now available for pre orders. The range consists of over 20 models including the silicon LEDs, the more advanced performance three watt LED aluminium lights and the environmentally and cost friendly Solar Powered light.
A full range of replacement brackets are also available for this line of lights. Attractive margins and a great stock in deal should help drive sales going into the winter months.
For more details call Claud Butler on 01652 656000

Moore Large
Designed to be one of Knog's most versatile lights, the front and rear Road Blinders emit 200 and 70 lumens, respectively.
Delivered in a compact, USB rechargeable, waterproof, integrated package, the Road Blinder is slipped on and off with a silicone strap. It's adjustable too, with a camber attachment making it suitable for road bike bars measuring 22-27mm/27-35mm and rear posts 22–35mm.
High intensity CREE LEDs, combined with either a 22-degree wide-angle beam, or 15 degree spotlight, the light claims to be visible from 1,000 metres away. Weighing a compact 75 grams up front and 52 grams on the rear, the Blinder Roads fully charge in five hours.
Moore Large also has new digital POS systems coming in to assist Knog sales, featuring a ten inch interactive display. In addition, the distributor has a triple counter stand, mixed Blinder counter stand and POS slatwall. 01332 274200

Cube
Cube provides a wide range of Cycle lights, with the cycling   lights Colour range recently expanded with the new Black/Neon red version.
The light is easily attached to the bike, waterproof and produces a proper beam of light. Manageable with two simple functions, flashing and permanent, the unit comes with batteries included. An ideal solution for the customer who likes to colour match everything on their bike.
+31 180441350.

Zyro
With CatEye and the recent addition of Blackburn to its stable, Zyro has a good variety of cycle lights for both the commuting customer and the woods dweller.
For a £49.99 investment, your customers could take home either the Volt 300, or Volt 50 lights. The former is a lightweight, 120 gram 300-lumen light that is kitted out with a USB rechargeable li-ion battery. The Volt 50 is Cateye's answer to a long burning rear light, with run times of between eight and 20 hours.
A docking station to recharge both is sold separately for £8.99, while a battery to fit will cost £20.
Blackburn's best-selling Mars series is now fronted by the 3.0 at £19.99. With five LEDs, as well as side amber LEDs, its not only noticeable, but versatile in its mounting. A belt clip, seat post clamp and rack mount option give the rider plenty of options. The Mars 3.0 will run for between 50 and 150 hours, dependant on usage.
01845 521700

2Pure
San Diego lighting label NiteRider has a renewed focus on road and commuter cycling with its 2013 to 2014 catalogue.
The range sparks up with the Mako 5 front light at only £14.99, which also comes as a combo pack set with the rear TL5.0 for just £22.99.
For the rider who needs top performance in a small, lightweight package, the Lumina Micro 220 is a USB chargeable micro light with a massive, real and measured 220-lumen output at only £54.99.
0844 811 2001

Exposure
The Exposure range swells further this year with the introduction of a USB charging commuter specific light set, making the brand accessible to all.
A new head torch project will be revealed shortly and spread the Exposure name further into the outdoor market. New technology crammed into the high-end lights further challenges the market’s competition with a new helmet light at the forefront of the new catalogue.
Reliability and customer service have been key in maintaining the growth of the brand to date and this continues to be a focus of the Exposure team. The growth of Exposure alongside USE is leading to a new bespoke premises housing the machining, production and offices slightly further along the South Downs Way in Bury.
01798 344477

Oxford
For the customer looking to spend up to £25 per light, Oxford products have a few solutions.
For up front, the £25, three-watt LED Ultratorch takes just one AA battery    and attaches through a simple silicone quick release.
For the customer who needs a simple yet effective rear light, Oxford Tail light has a 40 to 60 hour burn time from two AAA batteries. Claiming to be visible for up to 500m, it is designed to keep the elements at bay and is easily mounted via a sturdy plastic bracket.
01993 862 300

Fisher Outdoor
With both Smart and now a new addition in LUU lights, Fisher Outdoor  has a range of stock, which tops out with the new brand's 2,400 lumen Ultra Pro  at £379.99.
LUU lighting is a South Korean brand whose products range from £89.99 to £379.99 (380 to 2400 Lumen).  Performance and quality are taken care of by some big names in the business, with battery technology delivered only in the form of Samsung Li-ion cells. This gives what the firm says is the longest burn time for power of any currently lights available. The simple to use and fit bar mount is stable and holds the light tightly in place regardless of usage.
A 520-lumen Pico Pro demo unit is available to dealers on request, while the eight product strong line is arriving with Fisher from the middle of August. For a more every day kind of sale, Smart has front and rear light sets ranging from £19.99 through £54.99 with three SKUs in between the lowest and highest priced package. Top of that group is the LUX 35, which offers 8, 15 or 30 hour burn times in various modes.
01727 798345

Raleigh
For those with a Raleigh account, you have access to the RSP line, perhaps best suited to the commuter, as well as the Moon range, which has a number of high-lumen units ideal for the night time adventurer.
Moon’s new Crescent light carries high powered COB LEDs, emitting up to 50 lumens, all from a USB recharge taking just two hours.
This year’s 200 lumen Metor light also comes USB rechargeable with a two hour cycle. With one Cree XTE R5 LED, shining through a precision optical lens, this unit comes supplied with handlebar and helmet brackets.
RSP’S RX480 does give the Raleigh own brand a flagship unit with a high-output of 480-lumens. Four high-powered LEDs and a combination of good side visibility, a collimator lens to maximise output and the ability to USB recharge make this a top choice.   
01773 532600

Madison
Light and Motion offer one of the  more high-powered package deals  among our selection, with a £99 kit comprising the Urban 200 ruby and vis 180 micro twinpack.
The front light will pump out 200 lumens for a duration of two and a half hours, or 75 lumens for up to eight hours. The rear can last up to 20 hours on flashing mode.
Both carry a li-ion battery and have micro-USB ports to charge at the computer and mounts for the handlebar and seatpost are included.
Furthermore, amber side windows enhance the light’s side visibility, making the rider more visible at junctions. The front light supplies the remaining battery power, allowing the rider to track their usage.  
01908 326000

Dawes
Having just signed up the distribution rights to lighting label GUEE, Dawes has a label that’s already performing well in several far eastern territories.
Individual retail prices start from just £8.99 for the little silicon ‘Camaro’ LED, offering the clever addition of 20+/- degree horizontal beam adjustment. The range spans through to the £34.99 ‘Sol200’ headlamp. With a 200 Lumen output, micro-USB recharge, a ‘Smart-R’ adjustable bracket and burn-times of up to 10hrs, the tiny 70mm long headlamp offers great output for a sub £35 unit.
0121 748 8050

The helmet camera market is evolving fast, as are the skills of those throwing them over cliff faces on downhill bikes and snowboards, among other things. Mark Sutton quizzes JVC’s Neil Stewart about how JVC has adapted its product to survive and thrive in the extreme sports world…

JVC has a new camera on the market – the Adixxion GC-XA2 – what about this unit is suited to cycling in its various forms?
Following on from the success of the GC-XA1 Adixxion Camera, JVC are proud to introduce the latest addition, the GC-XA2.
The new build offers Quad-Proof Design, so it’s ready for action right out of the box, no external housing required. It’s Waterproof, dustproof, freezeproof and shockproof without a housing, so ready to roll out of the box.
Furthermore, it’s the same size as the GC-XA1, but loaded with extra features. We think it’s suited to cycling due to the accessories available, for example a Goggle Mount where the camera cleverly fixes to the strap of the goggles, universal helmet mount and of course the traditional handlebar mount.

What are the tech specs of frame rate, resolution and on the lens?
The new GC-XA2 has Full 1080 HD recording at 50P, which means a Full HD progressive recording. That, coupled with an eight Megapixel back illuminated CMOS sensor, means the Picture quality and recordings are going to be crystal clear every time. The new F2.4 Lens means wide angles can be achieved in even the highest resolutions.

Any add on bits for sale such as cases, remotes, or helmet mounts?
The great thing about the Adixxion camera range is that you don’t need any outer casing to make it waterproof, it’s “Action Ready” straight out of the Box. Also the WiFi is built-in on the Adixxion cameras, which means IOS or Andriod devices can control the camera remotely.
There are many accessories available and of course both cameras come with the accessories needed to get you recording your action straight away. The Adixxion cameras use a standard tripod hole for mounting, which means third party accessories can also be used, you’re not restricted to JVC accessories.  
JVC are also launching the new chest harness alongside the GC-XA2, available in August and this chest harness will also be compatible with the GC-XA1.

Cameras used for extreme sports have to be built tough – what’s yours made from?
JVC uses a combination of light, but tough materials, it has to be rugged and tough due to the extreme conditions cyclists will put them through. With no casing, the camera is only 126 grams, but the materials used allow the Adixxion to be waterproof to 5M, freezeproof to -10, shockproof to 2M and dustproof. These are all tested and certified including IPX standards, reassuring the user that no matter what the conditions are, the Adixxion will keep recording.

Can you tell us about the playback options both on and off the camera’s screen?
The Adixxion cameras have a Full Colour TFT Screen. This means you can set the camera up and check your angles to make sure you are getting the best shot, but the screen also allows you to playback the footage straight away, so you can see exactly what you’ve just recorded.
TFT LCDs don’t add any more strain on the battery, and the new GC-XA2 has an auto screen off feature to boost battery life. Adixxion cameras have Mini HDMI out from the camera, to plug straight into to HD TV and see your action in the best quality possible.

What sort of response have you had from consumer’s trialling the product to date?
The response has been great from the consumers on the GC-XA1. You only have to go on YouTube and see the videos being uploaded to see how great the Adixxion stacks up against the competition.
We also have it in the hands of some great extreme sports athletes all over the world and their videos again are testament to really how good it is.

Do you have any further ambitions for the extreme sports market?
JVC have been making video cameras for over 30 years, and invented the VHS video recorder, so we have a great history in video recording. The first two Adixxion Cameras are just the start of JVC entering the extreme sports market and will continue to plan future development.

Tell us about the built in social networking on the Adixxion:
The Adixxion cameras have WiFi built in, so it’s very easy to get your footage uploaded onto Facebook, Youtube and other social networking sites. By directly linking your smartphone to the camera, you can transfer the files and then upload without the need for a computer.
The cameras also have the UStream Channel built into them. If you’re connected to a WiFi hotspot, or even if you are tethering your phone as a Hotspot you can send the camera’s feed live to your UStream Channel and anyone, anywhere can see what your doing.
A great feature for the GC-XA2 for 2013 is the JVC Adixxion Sync App, this allows you to not only connect your Adixxion camera to an IOS/ Android device and control it remotely, but will also allow you to connect up to four Adixxion cameras at one time for four different views via split screen on your device.

How can interested bicycle dealers take stock of JVC product?
We have in place JVC distributors that can supply the Adixxion Cameras, and if your readers wish to contact me directly and I will make sure they get the service they need to be able to supply the consumers. My details are in the BikeBiz JVC Adixxion Advert, and we also have demo stands and other POS available.
JVC are currently in talks with various cycling distributors, and are looking to set up a specialist cycling distributor to look after all your readers in the very near future.

You’re behind the BikeBiz Awards this year – will you be showing your kit to the trade pre/post awards?
We are very proud to be part of the BikeBiz Awards for 2013, JVC are very new to the cycling industry, but I’m still racing BMX bikes at a national level, so I do know a lot of people in the industry already. What I am looking forward to is meeting new people and we will have our products setup to show at the awards.
We are also hoping to be exhibiting at the Cycle Show post awards, so hopefully will catch up with a lot of BikeBiz readers there too. 0208 208 7579

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