The wait is over. Episode #2 of the BikeBiz Podcast is now live. In this instalment, we sit down with the leader of our series partner, Rob Akam, CEO of Reid Bikes. As the industry moves into 2026, many are asking if the “Survive until ’25” mantra has actually paid off.
Rob joins host Pedro Couto Lopes to explain why he believes the “longest hangover in history” is finally behind us, and how his team is using cutting-edge technology to prepare for the market’s recovery.
The BikeBiz Podcast Interview: Reid CEO Rob Akam
“We use AI in every aspect of the business… We’re not using it to try and reduce headcount; 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 keeping a very close eye on the UK market while scaling Reid globally. How would you describe the current mood as we enter 2026?
Rob Akam: The UK did have a sluggish “hangover” effect from COVID, where orders were being cancelled, and inventory was flowing through in a way that felt like it would never end. But I think that has come to an end now. Pretty much everybody is starting 2026 clean and in a much better position, which is really exciting.
Pedro: You mentioned AI is a huge 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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