I'm not sure if you've ever stumbled upon the excellent US Competitive Cyclist website, but if you haven't it's worth checking out for pointers on how a bike shop website should be set up. It's slick, fast, attractive and user-friendly. Plus they stock an array of brands that strike a chord with the serious road cyclist.
However, according to an excellent article at Bike Biz, all is not well at CompetitiveCyclist.com as a recent blog post on their website reveals some discontent aimed at their UK cousins, and in particular Wiggle and Chain Reaction.
They suggest that some of its sales are being lost to these UK competitors who, they claim, are "exploiting a market anomaly" and are being supplied with high-end products by suppliers who are not offering "pricing parity."
There would appear to be some mileage in this complaint. In its latest annual report, Chain Reaction Cycles state that: "The proportion of turnover generated outside the EU [in 2010] was 37 percent." This is a ten percent increase on 2009.
According to its blog, CompetitiveCyclist.com believes half of that turnover increase was at the expense of US bicycle retailers, including itself.
"If the same holds for Wiggle, that adds up to nearly $40 million in US exports per year….This $40 million was spent on high-end Shimano, Sidi, Continental, Vittoria, and countless other primo brands, the very sort of marquee goods purchased by American IBD's highest-value customers."
CompetitiveCyclist.com says part of the sales success of Chain Reaction Cycles and Wiggle is because the stores are based in Europe, "Chain Reaction and Wiggle have the advantage of buying their goods directly from manufacturers."
The argument loses some momentum here, given that the likes of Shimano and Pearl Izumi being based in Japan, but for many brands, such as Sidi, Castelli, Assos etc. this does hold true.
The blog goes on to claim that "They then leverage their savings by selling the goods in foreign markets such as the US where distributors and importers normally add a layer of markup. Because of this, the retail prices at Chain Reaction Cycles and Wiggle are upwards of 30 to 40 percent less than what you'll find in American retail stores - whether it's your local bike shop, or at Competitive Cyclist."
UK independent bicycle stores also complain about Wiggle and Chain Reaction (as do IBDs in many countries, including Australia). Chain Reaction Cycles, for instance, gets amazing delivery rates and delivery times from the Post Office in Northern Ireland. Chain Reaction Cycles is the Northern Ireland Post Office's biggest customer.
But most of the complaints about Chain Reaction Cycles and Wiggle from UK IBDs stem from the cheap prices.
And CompetitiveCyclist.com says it's all but impossible to fight on price: "American retail pricing on a pair of Look's fabulous Keo 2 Max pedals is $180. Chain Reaction charges $104 for a set."
Because of volume sales, suppliers are happy to supply Chain Reaction and Wiggle:
"Whenever we ask manufacturers why they don't have global pricing parity, they plead the same case: They'd love nothing more, but they have no enforcement mechanisms," says CompetitiveCyclist.com
"They claim that the EU has strict anti-trust regulations that prevents them from regulating MSRP or Minimum Advertised Price (MAP) and from punishing a retailer for violating pricing guidelines. 'Price Maintenance' laws in the EU are purportedly far less friendly to manufacturers than in the US, where a single advertisement for a product at sub-MAP pricing gives a manufacturer full legal right to cut off a retailer's supply of goods with no notice.
"Chain Reaction and Wiggle aren't winning in the high-end US marketplace because of a strategy. They're winning by exploiting a market anomaly. Exploitation is not a strategy. The only party capable of reversing this situation is the manufacturers who supply them their inventory. If manufacturers don't shut down this UK-USA sales channel, they're the ones that ultimately stand to lose the most. Why? Manufacturers who've already made global pricing parity a priority – including Specialized, Trek, Cannondale, and SRAM - will rapidly gain mindshare and marketshare as retailers recognize that stable pricing is a brand asset as powerful as high-zoot technology and top-dollar marketing.
"Decisive action from bike manufacturers to create pricing parity will require a focus and discipline they don't always show. But decisive action from bike manufacturers to create pricing parity will require a focus and discipline they don't always show. To call it a probability, let alone an inevitability, would be far too optimistic."
So CompetitiveCyclist.com aren't feeling too optimistic about the future, which is a shame as their website and stocking policies appear to be spot-on. But as LBS in the UK know, competing with the likes of Wiggle and CRC can't always be done on a level playing field...
Just a quick bargain hunter update.
Wiggle are gearing up nicely for Christmas with some impressive offers. £100 off baskets of £1000 or more - good if you are in the market for a new bike obviously.
£50 off baskets of £500 or more, £25 off baskets of £250, an odd £16 off baskets of £100 and £6 off baskets of £50.
The offer codes are UK100, UK50, UK25, UK16 and UK-6 - just add them to the magic box at checkout.
These offers expire on Monday so get shopping.
Incidentally, Wiggle are also offering up to 25% off all dhb merino base-layers. As someone who owns both short-sleeved and long-sleeved flavours of these I can highly recommend them. Supremely comfortable, high-wicking and terrific value all round.
If you're planning to spend some money with Wiggle now is the time to get over to their website.
From now until November 15th Wiggle are offering £15.00 off a basket worth £100 or more.
You just need to add UK15 as the code at checkout to take advantage of this offer.
Great timing as we head inexorably towards the festive season. Maybe now is the time to buy my Garmin Edge 500...
This might seem odd at first, but alongside Rapha, my favourite cycle kit brand is DHB. The quality of Wiggle’s in-house DHB range has improved year on year and is now set to launch as a brand in it's own right outside of Wiggle. Proof indeed that this is a brand going from strength to strength.
The new Turbulence Windproof Jacket, £44.99, comes in both men's and women's options and is a slimline shell made from breathable nylon designed as a top layer for cool, dry rides. It includes a low-cut back, mesh armpits, reflective details and a rear zip pocket. As with all DHB clothing, sizing is very much UK, unlike some mainland Europe brands.
The Teflon coated EQ2.5 Waterproof Cycling Jacket, £69.99, is one for when the conditions turn distinctly wet, and is available in black, grey or red, with contrasting full-length zip. It's described as 'medium fitted' and isn't as bulky as some rain jackets. Pit zips should prevent any overheating, and two inside chest pockets should keep those valuables dry. This and the fleece lined collar are nice touches.
A mid-weight long-sleeve jersey like the fleece lined Momentum, £53.99, available in black, red or blue, is an essential piece of winter gear for any cyclist. On those crisp, dry days, providing you're wearing a base layer, a jersey like this will normally be enough. It has a performance fit, so there won't be any excess bits flapping in the wind, and plenty of reflective detailing, enhancing its outer layer credentials. Features include three rear pockets, including one with Velcro and a small zipped pocket on the side for your valuables.
Next up are a bunch of base layers made from 100 percent merino wool, which is increasingly popular because of its wicking and anti-odour properties. The Merino Longsleeve Zip-neck baselayer is close fitting and comfortable, and available in two levels of thickness –150gsm for £40.99 and 190gsm for £46.99 – depending on how chilly it is outside. I have been using one of the 190gsm base-layers for over a year now, and it saw me through the whole of last winter plus spring and now autumn this year. It was comfortable and cosy warm and washes perfectly in the machine. Even with 12 months use it is still looking as good as new.
There is also a zipless, round necked Merino Longsleeve Round-neck baselayer available in 150gsm for £37.99 and 190gsm for £44.99, as well as a short-sleeved 150gsm option for £35.99. All come in blue, grey and grey marl.
Finally we have the Extreme Winter Gloves, available for £26.99. These promise to be an excellent winter glove, fully insulated for the worst the winter weather can throw at us, they have an integrated waterproof membrane that'll hopefully keep the rain out too. The palm has a silicone grip to cap off what is on paper the only glove we will need this winter.
This one might seem slightly left of field, but I use Discount Supplements to order most of my energy drink, gels and energy food. They provide great service, free delivery and very competitive prices, and for today only they are offering an extra 12% off all orders. Simply add OCT12 as the code at checkout.
Hurry though - this offer ends at midnight tonight...
Wiggle are offering £10 off when you spend £75 - just quote UK10 at checkout to get the discount.
And finally, worth a mention is the continuing sale at PBK - now there are some items discounted by 70% or 80%. A lot of this is summer stuff, but if you're organised enough to want to buy well in advance for next season, then this could be the sale for you.
Of course, having said that, it was touching 17 degrees Celsius when I was out on the bike earlier today, so maybe I could get some more wear out of that summer kit this year!
The bargains are still coming thick and fast, which is just as well as I am struggling to keep my motivation going as the days get shorter, the temperatures cooler and the winds stronger.
I was out on the road yesterday morning after a weekend away and boy was it a struggle. Into a strong headwind for the better part of 30 miles, it was the first run along one of my usual winter routes since last year. I was even tempted to stop off and check for brake rub so leg-numbingly difficult was I finding it. I wish...
So, maybe a little retain therapy will ease the pain? Always Riding are offering 10% off for orders in excess of £100, not bad if you have a blue chip purchase planned. Simpy use OCTOBEROFFER at checkout before October 23.
Wiggle, bless 'em, are also offering an extra 10% off site prices - use code EXT10-SPECIALS at checkout. They also have massive discounts on a whole bunch of kit they want to clear, including bikes. The never ending sale continues...
If you fancy glamming your bike up for winter on a budget, new bar tape is an easy and effective way. PBK are offering 50% off Deda tape at the moment - use DEDA50 at checkout.
Bikes You Like are offering 50% off Altura Night Vision gloves, both yellow and black, bringing them down to £19.99.
Finally, Parkers International are offloading Michelin Pro Race 3 tyres for a oh-so-tempting £20.95 - that's a saving of 38% off the usual £33.99.
Grab 'em whilst you can...
Wiggle have some additional discounts available online at the moment which could be useful for those with come cash burning a hole in their pockets.
Spend £100 and you will get £10 off by using EXTRA10-100 at the checkout. Not bad if you have a blue chip purchase to make.
If it's energy goodies you're after, there is an extra 10% off if you enter EXTRA10-NUTRI at the checkout.
On top of these codes Wiggle have also got some pretty impressive discounts on autumn and winter essentials so it's worth checking out before you buy elsewhere... My pick is 25% off the already good value dhb Aeron bibshorts, down to a wallet friendly £29.99.
There are some great savings to be made this weekend on cycling kit. Ribble cycles have savings on Cateye lights and a 10% discount on Cycleops indoor trainers, for those of us not wanting to venture out so much in the winter months. Just use the code OPS10 at the Ribble checkout.
Ribble also have a 20% discount offer on most of their kit at the moment too, plus some supersized superdeal discounts. One that caught my eye is the eye-watering 52% knock-down on the Keo compatible Exustar pedals, in both black and white flavours. This brings them down to a winter bike friendly £23! The only catch is a minimum spend of £35, so you would have to throw something extra in your basket before checking out. How about an Elite Hygene bottle and cage for £10.99 - now that's a 52% saving again. Happy days.
Or maybe you're after some winter tyres - well Ribble have some Prorace Power folders for pretty much half price, at £11.50 a pop, in red, blue and black.
ProBikeKit have 20% off energy products from Powerbar, High5, ZipVit and Clif, amongst others, so now is a great time to stock up on drinks and gels. Also, if you were inspired by the mighty Thor's win into Caerphilly yesterday, or are just excited at the prospect of next week's World Championships in Copenhagen, PBK also have some impressive discounts on rainbow stripes kit. Just be careful how you wear it...
Building up a winter hack or cross bike? Wiggle are also in sale full-swing, and have up to 30% off contact point components. There really are some amazing savings to be had on Zipp, FSA, Fizik, Prologo and Truvativ kit. There is a particularly lovely set of FSA Wing Pro bars in white going for a song with 36% off.
This one deserves a mention, as I have never seen a deal like this before. Planet X are offering a BOGOF deal on one of their bikes. That's right, buy one of their On-One Carbon Whippets for a shade under £1500 and you get a free On-One Pompino Urban bike worth £600. That's a crazy deal. You have to be quick for that one mind, as that offer runs out at midnight tonight. You have been warned...
Happy shopping!
It's that time of year where there are some excellent savings to be made on cycling kit. It seems that every day I come across a bargain buy that is too hard to resist - not that I ever need much encouragement! All the big names are fighting it out amongst themselves to catch our attention with big discounts - Evans, Wiggle, CRC, Cycle Surgery, Primera...
The list goes on. Even the boutique names, and I am thinking mainly of Rapha and Shutt VR here, seem to get caught up in the excitement and there are some real bargains to be had.
The smaller online outlets also have amazing savings on kit right now - the Merlins, BikesYouLike and Shinybikes - and it is here that perhaps the best buys are to be made.
So, watch this space for the low-down on the best deals to be had over the coming months, and don't even think about paying full price for that new piece of kit you crave.
Let's face it, as the days grow shorter and those dark mornings and evenings loom, we all need something to cheer us up. Knowing we just bagged ourselves a bargain is a good way to do just that.
