Trade
Echelon Return to Road Wheel Royalty
Mystic, US Aero wheel specialist Princeton CarbonWorks has signed Echelon Sports as its new distributor in Australia. The young US company heralded the new partnership as an “exciting new chapter in our journey of providing top-tier cycling products to the cycling market in Australia”. Princeton CarbonWorks was founded by three elite rowers who turned cyclists…
SCV Imports Signs with High-Principle Bikepacking Brand
Tuggerah, NSW SCV Imports has become the exclusive distributor for the UK’s Apidura, to introduce its bikepacking products to the Australian market. Apidura is an independent, family run business based in London, with a focus on precision-crafted bikepacking luggage, while standing against “aggressive marketing, impulse consumption and waste”. It was established in 2013 by Tori…
New Models and Italian Base for Benzina Zero
Brisbane, Queensland E-Mobility manufacturer Benzina Zero is continuing its steady ascendance with the release of three new models in spring – e-mopeds the Vasto and V-50 and the company’s first e-scooter, the V-10. The Vasto has a classic European scooter style and has been named after the town that is home to Benzina’s new European…
Places Remain for Free and Fast-Tracked Mechanic Qualifications
Sydney, NSW Spots are still available in the Bicycle Mechanic Training Institute’s (BMTI) new fast-tracked and fee-free course enabling experienced bicycle mechanics in NSW to gain nationally recognised qualifications. BMTI, a subsidiary of 5 Star Training and Consulting, is participating in the NSW Government’s Trade Pathways for Experienced Workers program to enable seasoned mechanics to…
New Sales Appointments: Groupe Sportif & TEBCO
Melbourne, Victoria Distributor Groupe Sportif has appointed a new territory sales manager for NSW, Peter Raillon. It marks a return for Peter, who has served in a similar role with the Melbourne-based distributor, as part of his more than 20 years’ experience in the Australian bicycle and motocycle retail and wholesale industries. Group Sportif spokesperson…
Industry Briefs: Giant, Merida, Trek Travel & Scott Sports SA
Giant has been crowned as Australia’s best-rated bicycle brand in an annual award conducted by a prominent consumer guide website. The Finder Retail Awards pitched Giant against 10 other bike brands that received enough customer reviews between November 2022 and February 2023 to be eligible for the category. The awards assessed each eligible brand on…
Vivente Brings Made In Australia Ambitions to Life
Sheffield, Tasmania The small Tasmanian dairy town of Sheffield has a new cottage industry, with bike sector stalwart Noel McFarlane launching a touring bike factory in his recently adopted hometown. The small-scale, two-person operation is the latest chapter for Noel’s long-standing touring brand, Vivente – bringing its production onto Australian shores, focusing on just two…
Australian Bicycle Imports Remain at Record Lows
Canberra, ACT Every Australian bicycle retailer and wholesaler knows from first-hand experience that since the end of Covid lockdowns, our market has been overstocked, resulting in widespread discounting which causes unwanted erosion of margins and profits. While this situation is not universal across all bicycle categories, particularly in the high end, in the volume market…
Aussies at Eurobike 2023
Frankfurt, Germany Eurobike 2023 featured a record number of exhibiting companies, 1,900, for its second annual instalment since relocating from Friedrichshafen to Frankfurt. It also lured an increased total of 66,590 visitors – 34,750 during the three trade days and 31,840 on the two ‘festival’ days open to the public – a rise of just…
Our First Look at Six Years of E-Bike Import Data
Canberra ACT As I confessed in another article here, I’ve only recently become aware that e-bikes imports are recorded separately under Australian Border Force tariff code number 8711.60.00, that has the following definition: “Motorcycles (including mopeds), bicycles and other cycles fitted with electric motor for propulsion, with or without sidecars.” The problem that’s immediately apparent…