World News Briefs – September 2024

Inside view of bicycle factory

Mixed Financial Results for Global Bike Companies Everyone in the Australian bicycle industry knows that times have been tough for over two years now since the end of the covid boom. But exactly how tough has it been on a global scale? We don’t often report upon the financial results of global bicycle companies, but…

Software and Collaborations Headline Bosch Launch

Man presenting on stage

Frankfurt, Germany When in comes to who has the biggest market share of mid-mount e-bike drivetrain systems few dispute that Bosch is the leader. According to one industry expert, for the European market Bosch has a 60% market share, followed by Shimano at 22%, Bafang at 8% and all others combined for the final 10%.…

World News Briefs: Giant to Sell via ‘Big Box’ Retailer in the USA

Street view of sporting goods shop front

Giant Opens ‘Big Box’ Retail Accounts in the USA Giant Group announced in early February that it will be selling via “approximately” 25 selected stores within the huge Dicks Sporting Goods (DSG) chain in the USA. Those stores are branded House of Sport, Public Lands and MooseJaw. According to Wikipedia, Dick’s is the largest sporting…

Ongoing Pain for Shimano from Huge Malware Attack

Sakai, Japan Cycling media around the world have been reporting on a malware attack that has seen thousands of confidential Shimano documents leaked to the public. The source of these reports is this article in the tech website Escape Collective. In case you don’t want to wade through that fairly long and detailed article, here’s…

Why Won’t Shimano Open an Account for my Bike Shop?

A screenshot of the home page of Sunup Cycles’ website

Brunswick, Vic To whom it may concern, I’m the recent new owner of a small service and repairs focused bike shop in Brunswick, Melbourne called Sunup Cycles. I wanted to reach out so that you might pass on a warning to other small shops or individuals considering investing in a new bicycle retail and/or repairs…

Shimano Australia Launching App for Crank Inspections and Replacements

Shimano head office exterior

Sydney, NSW Authorised Shimano dealers in Australia will soon have access to an app to help deal with a voluntary inspect and replace program for the brand’s HOLLOWTECH II road cranksets. Shimano will launch access to the Shimano app during the week starting Monday 16th October, after Shimano Australia and the Australian Competition and Consumer…

Shimano Moves into 12-Speed Mechanical Shifting

Close up of Shimano’s first 12-speed mechanical shifting system

Osaka, Japan Shimano has introduced 12-speed mechanical shifting, with the release of two new group sets this week – the 105 R7100 Mechanical 12-speed group set for the road and GRX RX820 12-speed mechanical components for the gravel. It says the new releases are bringing “the pure joy of self-powered adventure to the massive community…

Heart and Soul of Shoe Evolution

Crankbrothers Mallet Shoe with pedal

Are cycling shoes that automatically tighten and adjust their cleat position on the horizon? US patent applications reported by the UK’s road.cc website suggest Shimano is working on both features. In April, road.cc reported Shimano had applied for a patient for dial-adjusted cycling shoes that automatically adjusted their tension in response to sensors on the…

Letter From America – Banks Shaping Bike Industry

Silicon Valley Bank storefront

Sante Fe, New Mexico The US banking industry – turned topsy-turvy with the demise of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) in March – is quietly reshaping the bicycle industry. Retailers, facing a raft of cash flow issues, are finding it increasingly difficult to refinance older loans, refinance and pay for overpriced inventory, or seek loans to…

Recall for Shimano’s PRO Vibe Stems

Shimano Pro Vibe Head Stem

Eindhoven, Netherlands Shimano has issued a ‘stop riding’ and recall notice for a range of head stems sold under its PRO brand, after it was discovered they were prone to developing cracks. Shimano Europe B.V., the owner of the PRO brand, issued the recall on 30th March for certain PRO Vibe alloy stems purchased during…