In the latest episode of the BikeBiz Podcast, Reid Bikes CEO Rob Akam discusses the company’s strategic advancements as the cycling industry enters 2026. Akam highlights the end of the post-pandemic “hangover” and outlines Reid’s initiatives to leverage cutting-edge technology for market recovery.
The BikeBiz Podcast Interview: Reid CEO Rob Akam
“We use AI in every aspect of the business… It’s about supercharging the employees you’ve got and keeping margins low so we can give the retailer a better deal. That really fits our mission.” — Rob Akam
Pedro Couto Lopes: Rob, you’ve been closely monitoring the UK market while expanding Reid globally. How would you describe the current mood as we enter 2026?
Rob Akam: The UK experienced a sluggish “hangover” effect from COVID, with order cancellations and inventory challenges. However, this has now ended. Most businesses are starting 2026 with a clean slate and are in a much better position, which is really exciting.
Pedro: You mentioned AI is a significant part of your strategy now. How is that actually helping a bike brand on a day-to-day basis?
Rob: It’s about productivity. Every team uses it—from finance functions to analysing tickets in our after-sales department to find patterns in product performance. It helps us make better product decisions. We don’t use it for lifestyle photography because authenticity matters, but for the “engine room” of the business, it’s been a game-changer.
Key Insights from this Episode
- The Clean Slate: Why the industry-wide inventory “hangover” has finally cleared.
- The AI Advantage: How to use technology to scale without losing the human touch.
- The IBD Vacuum: Why Reid is stepping into the entry-to-mid level space to support independent retailers.
- Global Safety: Why Rob is calling for “enforced” battery and product standards worldwide.
“A real cyclist for me is someone that gets on a bike for enjoyment or through necessity. They are the people that fuel the industry.” — Rob Akam
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