Discover Benelux | Issue 13 | January 2015

2_4_DiscoverBenelux_13_Januar_2014_MADS_Scan Magazine 1 17/12/2014 15:23 Page 46

Discover Benelux | Special Theme | Cycling

Asia’s unmatched manufacturing efficiency. “We’ve been Europe’s sole Dahon service centre for many years,” explains Konijn, “and few know their products as well as we do. We perform all the Europebased repairs here in Almere and have a huge range of bikes in stock.”

Folding bikes, the preferred mode of transport for a growing proportion of the population and ideal for cities like Amsterdam, Luxembourg City and Brussels, have witnessed a huge rise in demand over recent years and no more so than for the Taiwanese brand of Dahon. Despite the competition on the market, Dahon folding bikes are applauded for their comfort, rideability and forward-thinking designs, making them one of the world’s most coveted folding bike brands. Dating back 25 years, the Dahon product range spans all sizes (16, 20, 24 and 26 inches), all prices and all purposes, with folding commuter bikes, folding mountain bikes and folding e-bikes too.

Benelux’s top folder TEXT: EMMIE COLLINGE | PHOTOS: BUzAGLO

Held up as a beacon within the world of two wheels, it is the country’s overwhelmingly warm attitude to cycling and its benefits along with its infrastructure and manufacturing, that have rendered the Netherlands a veritable treasure trove of bicycle-related products – and one which continues to grow thanks to Almere-based Buzaglo.

The importer of choice for Benelux’s cycling distributors, for Buzaglo the sport’s rise in popularity couldn’t have come at a better time. Director Frank Konijn explains how Buzaglo’s own steady growth has been mirrored by that of cycling’s. Since it began, Buzaglo has held exclusive import rights for many rising Asian brands, including Dahon folding bikes, Tektro brakes, Velo saddles and Minoura’s home trainers to name a few.

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Almost exclusive access to the ever-improving Asian manufacturing market has been greatly beneficial to the Buzaglo team, who have spent the past few decades contributing their own knowledge of the industry and fusing it with

Not content just importing their passion, the Buzaglo team impart it as well with their own brands, creating highly soughtafter and much needed parts and accessories. Nigh on every single item required by a cyclist is catered for in their broad and popular ranges with IKzI lights providing the necessary illuminations, Nietverkeerd (it’s not bad) panniers, and their children’s line of bike accessories, PeXKids, to make cycling that bit safer and that bit more fun. buzaglo.nl

ABOVE LEFT: The Ciao was the Bike of the Year 2006 in the Netherlands – the highest prize a bicycle can get – and now also available as an electric bike.