Bianchi is the most historic and prestigious brand of bicycles. Their heritage, over 130 years strong, started in Milan in 1885 with Edoardo Bianchi and cannot be equalled in the cycling world. Their positioning embodies the best of what Italy can offer to the world: a commitment to build products as artisans – “a regola d’arte”, distinguishing design, style, and taste.
Bianchi’s wide range of products fans out gradually to meet the needs of the professional and the casual rider, one who loves nature or one who simply wants to move quickly through urban traffic. They provide the ideal bicycle for every type of cyclist.
Edoardo Bianchi said that the best way to test a product was to race it. That’s how the Reparto Corse, or Racing Department, was born. You can always learn something from man’s extreme fatigue racing a bike. Bianchi has always been able to take full advantage from those sensations and feedback to improve and test every bike thoroughly. Just like in motor racing, they have always had a dedicated division following the riders to improve in competitions. Innovation, science, and technology come together with man’s sensations. It is not a mystery that for over 100 years, this dedication has allowed Bianchi’s champions to win and enabled them to deliver excellence.
Legend has it that Merida’s founder, Ike Tseng, travelled to the USA as an engineer for a motor scooter business. There, he saw a sign in a bike shop doorway stating, “we don’t repair poor quality Taiwanese bicycles”.
The rest, as they say, is history. In 1972, Ike returned home and set up a bike factory, determined to change that perception. The business grew by making bikes for other people; many millions of bikes for many well-known brands, building a strong reputation for quality. Ike wasn’t just a talented engineer, he was a visionary. Many of the ideas he generated changed the course of the global bike industry.
Since Merida joined professional road cycling as a co-sponsor back in 2013, the team names and the sponsoring partners have seen various changes. The Kingdom of Bahrain joined in 2017 as a title sponsor, laying the foundation for today's Team Bahrain Victorious. What has remained unchanged ever since is Merida's commitment to provide the team with the best equipment possible – closely cooperating with athletes, performance coaches and other suppliers to help drive the team's success and forge their products in the heat of competition. From 2017 to 2021, riders aboard Merida bikes won 94 races and scored a total of 286 podium results – some impressive numbers.
Jerry & Shelley Lawson founded Frog Bikes in 2013. It was a fruitless bike hunt for their own two children that inspired them to leave their corporate careers behind and create bikes just for kids.
As they set about creating quality, lightweight & affordable kids' bikes, Frog Bikes was born. Nine years down the line and Frog's child-centred approach has earned them global accolade; industry awards for innovation and design, an award-winning factory, around 1,800 retailers worldwide and thriving partnerships.
Together with Brunel University & renowned bicycle engineer Dimitris Katsanis (of Team GB Olympic fame); Frog have reformed the thinking behind children’s bike design. All of their bikes are designed with the child in mind. They continually modify their frames and components in collaboration with sports scientists at the Brunel University.
In 1919 Ferdinando Michelin started a small components and bicycle manufacturing company. From the first small workshop in Veneto region of Italy the business has grown into an international cycling success story. At the heart of this success are the values the Michelin family have installed in everything that is “Miche Engineering” Passion, R&D, Quality, Innovation, Technology and above all Manufacturing in their own Italian factory.
Maintaining and especially investing in their own manufacturing facilities has been essential to ensure their modern product range meets the quality for which Miche is so famous for. From concept and design, through to final product finishing they ensure Miche Total Quality.
Topeak was founded in 1991 in Taiwan and has since grown to become one of the world's largest manufacturers of cycling accessories. In almost every category, Topeak is the benchmark for creativity, peformance, practicality and innovation.
From novice riders to professional athletes, Topeak's design and engineering teams create unique and clever solutions to keep you riding and creating those thrilling memories. Many of Topeak's employees are themselves committed and passionate cyclists, so their products are sure to make your favourite rides even better. Whether you're looking for luggage and pumps, or tools and lights, Topeak has you covered.
SwissStop is a branch of the Swiss brand Rex founded in 1935. They originally specialised in chemical products and glues but in the 1950s, they started producing rubber compounds which eventually led to the development of brake pads for the cycling industry. Their background in rubber compounds helped SwissStop grow into one of the most dependable names in brake parts and bike components. SwissStop offer a range of performance brake options including disc and rim brake pads which ensure riders get the best stopping power even at high speeds and in poor conditions thanks to always using top of the range materials and the latest innovations. In the wettest weather and on the roughest terrain, confidence in your brakes becomes more paramount than ever and with SwissStop brake pads, you'll have peace of mind that you can continue to enjoy riding safely, even in less than ideal conditions!
