Steve Frothingham

Steve is in his second stint at BRAIN. He was here at the beginning in 1992 while still working for a bike shop in Santa Fe, N.M. He wrote several articles for BRAIN's first issue and later joined the staff, eventually becoming managing editor and then executive editor.

After leaving BRAIN in 1997 he worked for several news organizations including The Associated Press and VeloNews before rejoining BRAIN as web editor in 2011.

He is based in Longmont, Colorado, and is an enthusiastic (and slow) road, mountain bike and cyclocross rider.

sfrothingham@bicycleretailer.com
/twitter.com/#!/stevefroth

All articles by Steve Frothingham

Non-profit speaks out on helmet confusion

December 20, 2012
Use of skateboard helmets endangers BMXers, group says
A scene from the ARF video as pro riders visit a helmet test lab

TEMECULA, CA (BRAIN) — A non-profit devoted to helping injured extreme sports athletes is launching a campaign to inform BMX riders about the difference between BMX and skateboarding helmets.

Posted in Industry News

YouTube launches cycling channel with SHIFT

December 13, 2012

BATH, England (BRAIN) — Cycling communications company SHIFT Active Media is taking the lead in establishing a new official YouTube channel devoted to cycling.

Posted in International

Non-friction department

December 10, 2012
New company specializes in testing rotating friction in bike parts
Smith in his lab Monday.

BOULDER, CO (BRAIN) — Visitors to Jason Smith's workshop — should they be far enough down the rabbit hole of bike geekdom to appreciate it — might be treated to a fairly eye-opening demonstration about bike chain friction.

Posted in Product/Tech

New trainer brand focuses on consumer direct in first season

December 7, 2012
Cascade Fluidpro Power trainer

WOODINVILLE, WA (BRAIN) — A brand new stationary bike trainer brand being launched by a long-time LeMond Fitness executive is focusing on consumer direct sales in its first season.

Posted in Industry News

Mavic moves forward without Hugh Walton

December 6, 2012
Hugh Walton at home in Boulder Thursday. Photo: Ray Keener

BOULDER, CO (BRAIN) — Mavic Inc. is searching for a new general manager after the company and Hugh Walton agreed to separate. Walton is recovering from a stroke and recent heart surgery. 

Posted in Industry News

Speedgoat enjoys traffic bump

December 3, 2012
Specialized checks in with Engadget author

MORGAN HILL, CA (BRAIN) — Engadget writer Joshua Fruhlinger went to two Southern California bike shops on Black Friday, shopping for a Specialized or Yeti. After being disappointed by his experience, he wound up buying a Santa Cruz from online retailer Speedgoat.com.

Posted in Retail News

Engadget column spurs discussion

December 3, 2012
Author tells BRAIN that retailers need to 'meet me halfway'

BOULDER, CO (BRAIN) — AOL-owned Engadget.com is one of the most-read technology sites on the Internet. People paid attention last week when its former editorial director penned a column recounting his dismal shopping experience at two bike shops on Black Friday — and his ultimate decision to buy a bike online.

Posted in Retail News

LeMond joins 'global pressure group'

November 29, 2012
Change Cycling Now looks to reform pro cycling and the UCI

LONDON, United Kingdom (BRAIN) — Tour de France hero Greg LeMond is the latest to join the self-described "global pressure group" Change Cycling Now, which is holding its first meeting and press conference in London this weekend. The group was formed after the Lance Armstrong doping scandal broke and is pushing for changes to professional cycling in general and at the the international cycling union UCI in particular.

Posted in International

The 650b freight train

November 26, 2012

TAICHUNG, Taiwan (BRAIN) — We may not know what to call it, but the 650b/27.5-inch tire is not wishful thinking or hype: It's coming at the industry like a freight train.

Posted in Product/Tech

All Frothed Up: Why your brother's bike was faster

November 26, 2012
Tom Ritchey welded up this 650B in 1980.

Once viewed as the less-extreme alternative to the 29er, perhaps suitable for longer travel and/or smaller frame sizes, 650B is quickly emerging as the staple size of mountain bikes of the near future.

Posted in Opinion/Analysis

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