News
Product Briefs: The Beam, WAU, Ortlieb and Porsche
Paris, France French start-up The Beam has launched an eye-catching new helmet that, at first glance, resembles a full-face downhill helmet but is designed very specifically for urban commuters. The Virgo is a full-face helmet weighing just 650 grams and styled for the urban market, including an LED light at the back. It is specifically…
Global Trade Show News: IAA Mobility and Eurobike
Munich, Germany IAA Mobility has firmed its challenge as the premier micromobility trade show in Germany – and, potentially, the globe – by announcing two significant partnerships for its second instalment this September. The biennial Munich-based show, part of the long-standing IAA Summit automobile show, late last month announced it will again host the World…
We’re Changing The Latz Report Newsletter Frequency
Wollongong, NSW From this month, we’ll be publishing The Latz Report newsletter once per month. Each newsletter will include both our popular How’s Business? column and an Annual Guide. When we launched The Latz Report, we were publishing a monthly newsletter. Then from the start of 2022, we increased the frequency to twice per month.…
Self-Destructive Industry Trends and Skyrocketing Costs Prompts Closure of Sydney MTB Specialist
Sydney, NSW Rising rent and diminishing margins have led to the closure of Sydney’s first specialist mountain bike store, Summit Cycles, according to its founder, Paul Rowney. Paul last week announced in an email to industry contacts that Summit Cycles Sydney will close on 25th August, after nine years at its Hillsdale location, as the…
New Software Platform to Solve Compatibility Headaches
Rotorua, NZ NZ start-up Bike Matrix is preparing to pilot a new software platform aiming to be a go-to reference guide for bike part compatibility. The online system will enable shop mechanics and consumers to input the make and model of a bicycle and instantly see the array of compatible parts – saving them time…
High Quality Return for China Cycle
Shanghai, China A quantum leap forward in the quality of Chinese bicycle products was on display when China Cycle 2023 was held in Shanghai this month – the first time the event has been held since 2019 because of Covid restrictions. TEBCO managing director Tony Morgan reported back to The Latz Report when he returned…
Restored Partnership a Silver Bullitt for Cargo Conversion
Melbourne, Victoria While bicycle companies around the globe are looking down the barrel of a testing economic climate for the next few months at least, one Melbourne business has turned to a Bullitt as a solution. E-Cargo and commuter e-bike specialist Dutch Cargo last week signed as a distributor for Bullitt, a lightweight, front-loading cargo…
Melbourne Scooter Sales Gaining Momentum
Melbourne, Victoria Well-established Melbourne e-scooter retailers have enjoyed a notable increase in sales since the Victorian Government legalised private electric scooters from early last month, according to a prominent scooter distributor. Other retailers remain optimistic of escalating sales over the remainder of this year. John Dunnachie, the sales and marketing manager for distributor Bikecorp, said…
Product Briefs: Early Investor Support for First Automatic E-Bike Motor
Girona, Italy An Italian start-up’s campaign to develop the world’s first automatic motor for e-bikes has attracted a rush of investors before its fund-raising campaign has gone public. Niche Mobility, based in Girona, is developing an Automatic Digital Transmission System (ADTC) complete with regenerative breaking. The company had scheduled to begin its Crowdcube fund-raising campaign…
Jamison Joins Bicycle Academy to Share Four Decades of Experience
Melbourne, Victoria A central figure in Melbourne’s bicycle industry for the past four decades, Mick Jamison, has joined the Bicycle Academy team in a training, assessing and business development role. An owner of several Melbourne bike stores since the 1980s and one of Australia’s earliest mountain bike competitors, Mick had already set his sights on…