News Topics
January 16, 2023
The Cult of Bike Helmets
Last year, health officials in Seattle decided to stop requiring bicyclists to wear helmets. Independent research found that nearly half of Seattle’s helmet tickets in recent years went to unhoused people, while Black and Native American cyclists in the city were four times and two times more likely, respectively, than white...
January 13, 2023
2023 ICR: Fitness Chains Resume Aggressive Growth Plans
Speaking at the 2023 ICR Conference, executives from Planet Fitness, Life Time Group and Xponential Fitness indicated that their respective health clubs continue to see healthy recovery post-pandemic while noting stepped-up expansion plans. SGB Media
January 13, 2023
SRAM’s rumoured eBike motor to come courtesy of Amprio buyout
Long rumoured to be testing out electric bike motors, SRAM has confirmed this week the buyout of Amprio, a division of the Rheinmetall Group. Amprio produces a made in Germany eBike motor system that has an established European servicing base. The system has got off to a slow start with...
January 13, 2023
Can Outdoor Specialty Retailers Conquer the Booming Running Market?
The running market has always been hyper-competitive, but new retail challengers from the outdoor world are raising the stakes for players in the space. For the past three years, the running category has been the footwear industry’s biggest success story. As gyms closed amid the pandemic, a staggering number of...
January 12, 2023
Are Protein Bars Actually Good for You?
The global market for protein bars is growing quickly and expected to swell to more than $2 billion by the end of 2026. Despite the advertising, nutrition experts say that protein bars aren’t all that healthy. The New York Times (paywall)
January 12, 2023
Strava Has Laid Off Employees Ahead of Rising Prices. Here’s What Your Subscription Will Cost Next Month
The layoffs predated the reported uptick in price for premium features. The previous $7.99 monthly rate will increase to $11.99 on February 6—a significant 50 percent increase. Aol
January 12, 2023
Dutch study: Two thirds of pro riders have poor bone health
The research conducted by the HAN University of Applied Sciences in Nijmegen, Netherlands, concluded that two-thirds of professional cyclists had poor bone density. A total of 93 elite and professional riders, both male and female, took part in the study. VeloNews
January 12, 2023
Specialized Lays Off 8% of Employees
The latest staple outdoor company to announce massive layoffs: one of the U.S.’s biggest names in bicycles and bike gear. In a brief press release Wednesday, Specialized announced major cuts. Gear Junkie
January 11, 2023
Trail Running and Drug-Testing: Where Do We Go From Here?
For years, trail running has had a reputation as a clean sport with a bit of a “wild west” vibe. But the globalization of the sport, increased level of competition, more sponsorship contracts, and the advent of bigger prize purses has started to change the sport in the past decade,...
January 11, 2023
Detroit offers new e-bike with US-made frame, Zehus hub motor
The Zehus hub is similar to the one used by Cooper Bikes on models that BRAIN wrote about last April. The 250-watt motors have no wires; it can be adjusted wirelessly via a phone app. It offers 20 miles of range in its strongest power mode or 35 miles in...