Alchemy Expansion Bringing Golden Age for Bike Recycling

Nigel Letty with bikes

Melbourne, Victoria Second-hand bike sales in Australia will enter a new realm as Melbourne’s Alchemy Cycle Trader prepares to relocate into much larger headquarters. The new 900m2 premises will enable the Knoxfield business to combine high-end second-hand and new bike sales with a greater focus on classic and collector bikes, including a museum to showcase…

Damien Departs Flemington Cycles for Fruitful New Career

Flemington Cycles store exterior

Melbourne, Victoria Inner Melbourne bike store Flemington Cycles is set to be sold this month, with long-term owner Damien Lack departing on a radical career change. After owning the suburban store for 27 years, Damien is joining his father-in-law in a growing biosecurity business specialising in fruit fly control. The sale of the specialist Giant…

The More You Learn, The More You Earn!

Wollongong, NSW Years ago, a long-time friend and long-distance mentor of mine, Marc Sani (author of our Letter from America column), taught me a lesson I’ve always tried to implement. “Your readers don’t care what you think, they just want to know the facts! So just report the facts and keep your opinions to yourself.”…

How’s Business? – October 2022

Kingston Foreshore Cycles shop interior

Welcome to our monthly check-in with bicycle retailers across Australia and NZ.While sales trends varied slightly between this month’s featured businesses, the messaging on services was consistent – workshops have never been busier. As always, in addition to asking “How’s business?” we asked a follow up question. This month’s question was: “What is it your…

Renegade Newcomer Brings National Aspirations

Renegade Cycles exterior

Sydney, NSW Sydney bike store Renegade Cycles has changed hands for the first time in almost three decades and the sale appears to have unleashed a new force on the national bike industry. Experienced bike mechanic and former financial adviser Griff Moore purchased the Lane Cove store recently, only eight months after buying his first…

Lug+Carrie Raises $5 Million Ahead of US Expansion

Woman and two children riding a bike

Melbourne, Victoria Melbourne-based e-bike subscription provider Lug+Carrie has secured $5 million in bridge funding, as it prepares for expansion into the US and other new markets. “Lug+Carrie have major plans to expand their business and will be launching in the United States via a soon-to-be-announced joint venture with one of their investment partners.” Lug+Carrie says…

Specialized Buys Adelaide E-Bike Specialist

Will Ride team

Adelaide, South Australia E-Bike specialist Will Ride has been purchased by Specialized Australia, just five years after former World Cup mountain biker Will Rischbieth established his first store in the Adelaide Hills. In a statement to the store’s customers, Will announced he is moving on to a new role as retail operations manager with Specialized…

Lucien Loyens Stepping Aside as POC Australia General Manager

Lucien Loyens

Sydney, NSW POC Australia has announced its general manager, Lucien Loyens, is leaving the company early next month, after getting the Australian subsidiary up and running. A statement from the company says Lucien, a veteran of the Australian bicycle industry, will depart POC Australia from the 7th October after overseeing “significant growth in what is…

Zero Fuel but Plenty of Passion for New Moped Manufacturer

Benzina Zero launch night

Brisbane, Queensland A new Australia producer of electric mopeds was officially launched this month and it’s already making waves in one of the world’s most discerning moped markets. Brisbane-based Benzina Zero held it national launch in its home town on 15th September, amid strong initial growth in the Australian market. However, Benzina Zero – particularly…

Savage Succession Prompts Sale of Griffth Bike Store

GB Sports & Leisure

Griffith, NSW Flourishing business has forced the hand of a longstanding Griffith sporting goods store that has put its bike operations on the market. A succession in management for the family owned and operated business, GB Sports & Leisure, and escalating sales have, paradoxically, prompted the business to sell its GB Cycles operations. Established by…