PHILADELPHIA (BRAIN) — J&B Importers is now stocking the E-BikeKit and E-TrikeKit from Electric Bike Technologies USA.

“This is a significant endorsement for electric bike conversion in the U.S. market and a momentous opportunity for our company," said Electric Bike Technologies CEO Jason Kraft. "We’ve been hard at work since 2008 developing what we know to be the best value in electric bike conversion kits and to have that recognized by J&B is a real honor.”

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (BRAIN) — Crossbikereview.com has added two new contributors to its site.

The first is Joe Pinzone, who is an architect, father and cyclocross expert. Pinzone has already contributed several articles to the site, including a shoe review and an article on kids' cyclocross bikes.

The second new writer is Sue Butler, a pro level racer who won a Masters World Championships in 2013.

Crossbikereview.com was founded by Scott Mares, a racer and coach and author of The Complete Book of Cyclocross, Skill Training and Racing. The site is focused on testing and evaluating cyclocross equipment. The reviews are public and the site makes QR codes available for suppliers or retailer who want to link to a review.

HAVERHILL, Mass. (BRAIN) — Mavic Inc. is offering its MP3 product protection plan for $1 now through Sept. 30 on some wheel-tire combos, the company announced.

The promotion applies on five different wheel-tire combos: the Cosmic CXR 80 tubular; Cosmic CXR 60 tubular and clincher; and Cosmic Carbone 40 tubular and clincher.

The program offers two years of product repair or replacement coverage that applies in the case of accident, fall or other damage. The enrollment normally costs 8 percent of the retail cost, or $220 in the case of the eligible wheels in this promotion. 

"We are excited to offer a new incentive for customers to invest in our range of high-end wheel-tire systems," said Mavic's managing director, Phillip Sporidis. "Especially as we celebrate our 125th anniversary, we want to emphasize our position as the trusted partner of cyclists at the heart of the sport."

After riders purchase the eligible system from an authorized Mavic retailer, they visit the MP3 website within five days to register for the program.

VANCOUVER, Wash. (BRAIN) — The Gravity Cartel, the U.S. sales and service office for Spank Industries and iXS Sports, has launched a dealer B2B site.

The new dealer site will enable existing and new dealers to see live inventory and order online any time of the day or week. Dealers can also review previous orders and access information on all products from Spank and iXS.

"The new dealer site is really a big step for both brands," said Gravity Cartel sales manager Victor Sandrin. Spank is pushing hard to grow our brand in the U.S. and we want dealers to know that everything that Spank makes is available to them. iXS, being a new brand to the U.S. market, wants to make sure dealers are confident bringing in a new line and know that it is well supported with stock here in the U.S."

Dealers can access the B2B site by going to thegravitycartel.com. Dealers who have placed orders previously have accounts already set up.

The Gravity Cartel has also hired outside reps to promote the brands and open new dealers.

"The reps are very important to what we are doing because we know once a dealer has a product of ours in their hands, they will see the quality and attention to detail. We have a great story to tell for both brands and there is no better way to tell it than in person," Sandrin said.

The new rep force includes industry veteran George Theobald in Northern California, Ben Mitchell in Oregon/Washington, Jay Burns in Southern California and Marc Castellana in the New York/New Jersey/Connecticut area.

The Gravity Cartel is still looking for reps in various regions including the Mountain states and the Los Angeles/San Diego area. Interested parties can contact Sandrin at victor@thegravitycartel.com.

PORTLAND, Ore. (BRAIN) — Cyclocross brand Retroshift has rebranded as Gevenalle and is expanding its line of components, including new hydraulic shift levers and cassette adapters designed for use in mud and dirt. The new name is derived from a pair of Dutch words and translates to “Give All.”

“Gevenalle products are the result of a love for cyclocross and desire to offer innovative and problem-solving solutions for the sport that road components don’t quite meet,” said company founder Adam Clement, who launched Retroshift in 2011. “Our products are geared toward the ’cross racer looking to improve his/her performance with race parts built to better meet their requirements. We are offering affordable aftermarket components that better meet the requirements of the muddy carnage we call cyclocross.”

The new CX1 and CX2 hydraulic shift levers will retail for $399 and $449 a pair, respectively, complete with modified TRP Hylex calipers and rotors in 140 or 160 millimeters. The CX1 covers single-chainring drivetrains while the CX2 provides front and rear shifting. They’re Shimano road compatible for 9, 10 and 11 speeds.

Gevenalle is also launching the HOUP (Halo of Ultimate Protection) cassette adapter, designed to provide more clearance between the rear spokes and derailleur to guard against throwing the derailleur into the spokes. Users remove their 11-tooth cog and insert the laser-engraved spacer behind the cassette to gain the added clearance. HOUP includes an aluminum lockring and retails for $20.

It can also be combined with Gevenalle’s titanium 21-24-27T spider for a lightweight cassette upgrade. The spider/HOUP combo retails for $85.

More information: gevenalle.com.

BOULDER, Colo. (BRAIN) — The Bicycle Product Suppliers Association is joining dozens of other U.S. trade associations in urging a quick settlement of talks between the West Coast shipping industry and the Longshore and Warehouse union.

The union's contract expires June 30.

BPSA president Roger Gierhart sent a letter to both the Longshore union leadership and Pacific Maritime Association CEO James McKenna, representing the shippers.

Gierhart said it's "critical" that the agreement be reached without a dispruption to shipping. 

"According to U.S. government data, approximately 16 million bicycles and more than 110 million various parts and accessories were imported to the United States in 2013. Given our industry's heavy reliance on the U.S. ports to get its products to consumers, we urge you to make every attempt possible to conclude an agreement on a new contract before the current contract expires on June 30, 2014. It is critical that a new agreement be reached without disruptions to the movement of freight," Gierhart wrote.

"A failure to reach an agreement will have a significant negative impact on the bicycle industry, as it will on the U.S. economy as a whole."

MANCHESTER, N.H. (BRAIN) — The Bike Cooperative has added Osprey Packs to its supplier network, meaning the co-op's members will now earn rebates on their purchases of Osprey products. 

“Our members are thrilled that we’ve added such a high-quality brand like Osprey Packs to our stable of supplier partners,” said Scott Barrett, president of The Bike Cooperative. 

“It’s a brand that outdoor enthusiasts hold in high regard and seek out, which is one of the many reasons we think this partnership will be great for our members. At the same time, we’re committed to help Osprey grow their market share in the IBD space. Now that they are a supplier partner, we encourage our members who are not currently carrying Osprey to look hard at this brand. They are an independent company that makes exceptional products, has a devoted following and is committed to environmental integrity," Barrett said.

Osprey bike sales manager Patrick Piller said, “Osprey Packs is excited to partner with The Bike Cooperative, whose members are amongst the best and most innovative independent bike retailers in the country. We are looking forward to building new relationships with its members and growing Osprey’s market share in the hydration pack category.”

More information: thebikecooperative.com.

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. (May 12, 2014) – SDG Components has launched a new website at sdgcomponents.com.

The site includes all of the company's new and updated saddles, including the Bel-Air 2.0's, Circuit Mtn's, limited Fusion Gold Series and more.

"Since the acquisition of SDG in 2009, our dedicated team has been full throttle, enhancing all facets of the brand and ultimately our product portfolio," said SDG Components' president, Tyler Anspach.

"Internally, we've made huge strives refining our lineup, yet we never fully executed in communicating the technical aspects to our consumer base. So today, I'm excited with the launch of this platform, as it will enable us to take a more educational approach going forward – focusing on features and the benefits, aiding consumers to their ideal saddle selection, based on individual needs and personal riding preferences. Clearly more so than just colors," 

The new site takes a comprehensive look into the technical elements and enhanced product details. In-depth descriptions of the products include new segmented family categories, multiple high-resolution images, technical highlights, specifications, and individual product videos.

Consumers can view products in the three main categories: MTB, CX, and Road. 

SDG products are distributed through QBP and BTI in the United States and through a network of more than 30 international distributors.

OSAKA, Japan (BRAIN) — Shimano’s sales hit $742.2 million (75.7 billion yen) over the first quarter, compared to $620.5 million (63.3 billion yen) over the same period last year. Sales in its bike division hit $598.6 million (61.1 billion yen), an increase of 19 percent. 

The company contributes its surge in sales to a relatively mild European winter and a new Japanese consumption tax that stimulated sales before it took effect. A depreciation of the yen also made its products more affordable. But the harsh winter in the U.S. delayed sales. Still, the company conceded that its sales growth exceeded its expectations.

While the company does not call it out, Shimano is the only supplier of road hydraulic brakes, which means it has not only cornered the brake market, but it's selling drivetrains to go with those brakes. All early model year 2015 road hydraulic disc bikes are spec’d with Shimano’s R785 hydraulic road brakes. SRAM will cut into these sales when its revised brakes become available.  

As a result of its robust first quarter, the company revised its earlier February forecast upwards. While the company doesn't think sales will continue to be up 20 percent above last year, it anticipates sales through June will increase 9 percent over last year, and sales through the end of the year to be up 6 percent compared to 2013. 

AIGLE, Switzerland (BRAIN) — The UCI is planning a fourth and possibly a fifth "satellite" World Cycling Center, to be built somewhere in Central or South America in the next few years. The facility would complement the UCI's current Cycling Center in Switzerland, which houses the organization's headquarters as well as elite training and coaching facilities. The UCI already has satellite World Cycling Centers in South Africa, Japan and South Korea.

First-year UCI president Brian Cookson confirmed plans to build at least one new facility in a speech at the Confederacion Panamericana de Ciclismo (COPACI) last week in Mexico. He said the facility would "help ensure that riders from as many disciplines as possible, from right across the continent, are able to develop into world class athletes capable of winning medals in World Championships, starring at the Olympic Games and wearing the yellow jersey in the Tour de France."

"To help facilitate this, the UCI is committed to creating at least one World Cycling Center satellite venue in the COPACI region. This will be an important development, not just for the nation that will host the WCC satellite, but for aspiring athletes across the Americas who will benefit from world class training, coaching and support facilities."

SCOTTS VALLEY, CA (BRAIN) — Most retailers are unfamiliar with the Southern California company C-Preme, but its patent-pending technology that integrates a video camera inside a helmet could add some zest to future helmet sales. That’s the strategic thinking behind BRG Sports’ acquisition Tuesday of the 4-year-old helmet company, Terry Lee, chairman and CEO of BRG Sports, told BRAIN in an interview late Tuesday.

While C-Preme has been a force in the youth and teen market focused on skateboards, scooters and bikes, its Bult (pronounced Bolt) line of helmets better targets older action addicts who want to capture video footage without screwing a mount onto their helmet to hold a camera.

“The camera helmet is very interesting to us,” Lee said, noting that the technology was a key factor in deciding to buy the company. Lee also said what BRG found attractive about C-Preme’s Bult line was that it was a “first mover” with its camera integration.

The technology developed by C-Preme puts the camera inside the helmet’s foam liner with a seamless connection to stop and start buttons and a USB port to download the video.

BRG views those features as an opportunity to expand that technology into its Bell and Giro bicycle and snowsport helmets. It also could be transferred into Bell-licensed motorcycle helmets, Lee said.

Bult integrates a high-definition camera—1280 x 720 HD resolution and a 120-degree wide-angle lens—directly into the forehead section of the helmet.

The brand currently sells three models—the vhX3 for skateboarders, an entry-level model, the vhX1w and the vhX3s—a helmet specifically designed for skiers and snowboarders. The vhX3 retails for about $119.

“C-Preme’s ascent as a market leader in children’s and teens’ helmets in just a few short years has been extraordinary and we are thrilled to bring such an impressive new company into our portfolio,” Lee said.

“With the continued leadership of their ultra-creative and resourceful management team, our vision is to leverage C-Preme’s entrepreneurial ingenuity with BRG’s leadership in head protection, premier brands, broad channel penetration and global footprint,” he added.

Established in 2010, C-Preme invigorated the market for children’s sporting helmets by transforming protective gear and accessories into imaginative, character-based intellectual property while encouraging kids to wear helmets when participating in sports.

C-Preme’s portfolio features the Raskullz (pronounced Rascal) and Krash! brands, designed for youth and teens for use on bicycles, scooters and skateboards and in other action sports.

C-Preme recently signed licensing agreements with Marvel and Nickelodeon and their suites of popular characters including Marvel’s Spiderman, Hulk and Captain America and Nickelodeon’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, SpongeBob SquarePants and Dora the Explorer.

Read more about the purchase in the June 1 issue of Bicycle Retailer & Industry News.

DETROIT (BRAIN) — Bike, watch and leather goods brand Shinola has opened a leather factory in Detroit and is now making watch straps.

The factory will expand to make small leather goods and eventually handbags, the company said.

The company said currently nearly 90 percent of U.S. leather goods are imported.

"We are proud to continue our growth in Detroit and the opening of our leather factory is a very important step for us," said Steve Bock, Shinola's CEO. "The more we can manufacture at Shinola, and the more we can manufacture in Detroit, the better. Investing in our people, equipment and facilities is essential to our long-term success."

Shinola is developing the factory with Braloba, a Swiss family-owned and run business that has been making leather goods for two generations. Braloba employees are providing leadership and training to Shinola's leather workers.

Shinola also is working with Galli S.P.A., a leading Italian leather goods machine company, to design and produce a line of custom-built machines for Shinola's leather factory.

The nearly 12,000 square foot factory opened with a team of about 50 leather makers led by Paloma Vega-Perez. By year's end the number of employees will rise to about 60.

Shinola currently employs 260 people in total, with 136 people in bicycle, watch, and leather manufacturing.

SACRAMENTO, CA (BRAIN) — In recognition of National Bike Month, the Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition is sponsoring “Bike to Shop Day” on Saturday, May 17, with 90 area retailers to encourage cycling for short trips and errands and to promote shopping locally.

Shopping tours include a 3-mile kid-oriented family ride in Mountain View, 5- and 10-mile tours of San Jose's walk-friendly shopping districts, and a 50-mile ride spanning the full length of Silicon Valley, hosted by Cowgirl Bike Couriers.  

Participating retailers include REI, Keen Footwear, Brooks Brothers, Mike’s Bikes, Peet’s Coffee & Tea and Rock Solid Bicycles.

The event was created by Mountain View resident Janet Lafleur in collaboration with Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition’s staff and volunteers, and is supported by the city of San Jose’s Office of Economic Development.

“We’ve worked hard to help cities in our area win funding for some very comfortable new bike facilities, from green and buffered bike lanes to bike parking corrals,” said Corinne Winter, president and executive director of Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition. “SVBC is delighted to support this event, to show our local businesses that it helps the bottom line when customers can easily reach them by bike.”

More information: biketoshopday.org.

PHILADELPHIA (BRAIN) — The first-ever U.S. Brompton Urban Challenge will be hosted by the City of Brotherly Love May 31. Brompton owners’ orienteering skills will be put to the test as they make their way to secret destinations and Philadelphia landmarks. 

Trophy Bikes, a Philadelphia Brompton dealer, will host the Urban Challenge and serve as the starting line. Participants have the option to compete as individuals or in teams of two or three. Points can be scored along the course as contestants photograph their Brompton folding bikes at assigned locations and share them on social media. Brompton aficionados from around the world can follow the action in real time by searching the hashtag #BUCPHL.

The challenge will end at Bridgewaters, a classic Philly pub, where riders can share stories and a pint. The best photos of the day will be made into prints and offered for sale, with proceeds benefiting the nonprofit Neighborhood Bike Works, which teaches bicycling and life skills to urban youth.

The Brompton Urban Challenge was first held in Milan, Italy, and brought to London in 2013. This year, five key international cities will host the event.

To register, visit bikereg.com/bucphl. For more information, go to Trophy Bikes’ website. 

BOCA RATON, Fla. (BRAIN) — Former Orbea USA general manager Tony Karklins, who operated an IBD for almost two decades before founding the Spanish bike brand’s U.S. office in 2001, is returning to retail, joining Florida-based chain BikeStreet USA as executive vice president of merchandising and business development.

Following Orbea Sdad’s acquisition of Orbea USA in October, the company announced last week that Karklins would be leaving the company, with former Trek Spain manager Gonzalo Garcia de Salazar stepping in as U.S. general manager. Karklins will transition to BikeStreet from his duties at Orbea over the next couple months.

“I am thrilled to be back in the retail side of the industry and part of the new management team that BikeStreet is building. It is my goal to build a professional and sustainable chain of bicycle stores that offer a vibrant selection of products and a fantastic consumer experience,” Karklins said.  

BikeStreet CEO Gregg Throgmartin stated: “Tony comes to BikeStreet with a wealth of industry experience. He will be responsible for brand selection, purchasing, store presentation and will be a key person in developing the future strategy of the BikeStreet chain.”

BikeStreet currently operates 17 locations in Florida and North and South Carolina.

For a more in-depth report on BikeStreet's growth plans, see the May 15 print edition of BRAIN.

LOUISVILLE, Colo. (BRAIN) — Following its recent acquisition of Alchemy Wheel Works' spoke and rim business, component and tool supplier Wheels Mfg. is now offering a wide range of Sapim and Wheelsmith spokes, including custom lengths.

Wheels Mfg. also now stocks an assortment of rims from KinLin and Alex.

"Since we started carrying spokes we have found that there’s a strong demand for custom lengths from wheel builders, retailers and individuals,” Wheels Mfg. owner Dave Batka said. “As a longtime specialty product supplier, Wheels Mfg. is committed to identifying and offering products that are not readily available from other sources.”

More info:  sales@wheelsmfg.com or (303) 410-7336.

LOS ANGELES (BRAIN) — New wheel holders for fat bikes are now available from Hollywood Racks. Designed to accommodate all bicycle tires up to 5 inches wide, they are sold as a pair (for one bike) and replace the standard wheel/tire holders on all Hollywood Sport Rider and Trail Rider racks (mounts to 1¼-inch tubing). The holders include reinforced extra-long wheel straps.

Suggested retail: $59.95

More info: hollywoodracks.com or (800) 747-4085.

HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam (BRAIN) — Information on the rioting that may have partially destroyed or damaged a variety of Taiwanese-owned factories in Ho Chi Minh City is sketchy, but initial reports say at least a half-dozen were damaged or destroyed.

Those may include Astro, which manufactures frames for companies like Niner. Others include Asama, Alhonga, Cheng Shin Rubber and Bor Yueh International. KMC, which has a factory there, appears to have escaped the turmoil.

Most of the damage was in nearby Binh Duong Province, a major industrial zone in the country. The rioters may have mistaken the Taiwanese companies for companies owned by the Chinese. The anti-Chinese riots were prompted by China’s decision to move an oil rig into ocean waters claimed by the Vietnamese.

Editor’s note: This blog post was written by Fred Clements, executive director of the National Bicycle Dealers Association. Clements’ previous blog posts can be read on bikedealerblog.wordpress.com.

New research confirms that many consumers actively seek out and favor retailers that do not collect sales tax, and that discriminatory sales tax laws that allow some Internet retailers to avoid collecting tax are harming many brick-and-mortar businesses who collect the tax (in sales tax states).

A new study titled “The ‘Amazon Tax’: Empirical Evidence from Amazon and Main Street Retailers” comes from the Fisher College of Business at Ohio State University, released in April 2014. 

The researchers looked at consumer behavior in five states (California, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Texas and Virginia). They compared spending patterns before and after the states required permanent collection of taxes on Amazon purchases between 2012 and 2013. 

The data comprised daily transactions for 2,807,476 households from January 1, 2012, to December 31, 2013, and included both banking (i.e., checking, savings and debit card) and credit card transactions. Researchers observed the date, amount and description of each transaction. Among the findings: 

• Amazon sales fell by 9.5 percent following introduction of mandatory sales tax across all states in the value of products (net of sales tax).
• The total dollar amount spent by consumers on Amazon, including taxes, decreased by 2.8 percent in the wake of a law’s implementation.
• Avoiding sales tax was especially important for large purchases. When sales tax laws were in place, people decreased their spending by 15.5 percent on purchases larger than $150, and by 23.8 percent on purchases equal to or larger than $300.
• With sales tax collected, people moved away from Amazon to competing retailers, both brick-and-mortar and online. There was a 19.8 percent increase in purchases at the online operations of competing retailers. There was a 2 percent increase in local brick-and-mortar expenditures at these retailers.
• For purchases over $300, there was a 23.7 percent increase in purchases at other online retailers and a 6.5 percent increase in purchases at local brick-and-mortar retailers. Amazon Marketplace merchants, who are generally not subject to the Amazon Tax, experienced a 60.5 percent sales growth on large items (over $300).

The study’s authors wrote that “the results suggest that broader and more consistently applied sales tax collection of online purchases, such as those suggested by the Marketplace Fairness Act of 2013, will lead to an increase in the online sales of national retailers while only modestly increasing local brick-and-mortar revenues … 

“Overall, our study shows that Amazon experiences a decline in sales following the implementation of an Amazon Tax. Households substitute Amazon with other retailers: either online retailers who are exempt from collecting sales tax, or in-state retailers (online and brick and-mortar).” 

The authors also summarized findings from several other studies that show consumers actively attempt to avoid sales taxes when given the chance. Among the conclusions: 

• Consumers who live near state borders often shop in the neighboring state when there are positive sales tax differences.
• Consumers increase their purchases during sales tax holidays.
• One study used survey data to estimate that the number of online shoppers would drop by 24 percent if the tax-advantaged status of Internet retailers was removed.

As sales tax reform legislation continues to languish at the congressional level, the new research confirms what many have already said: Brick-and-mortar retailers who collect sales tax are harmed by tax laws that favor their competitors. The question remains: Why is the government favoring one form of businesses versus another? Shouldn't there be a level playing field for direct competitors?

The entire paper can be downloaded here.