PORTLAND, Ore. (BRAIN) – Peer-to-peer bike share company Spinlister and open-source bike registration network Bike Index have teamed up to help victims of bike theft quickly get back on two wheels. Cyclists in Portland who list stolen bikes with Bike Index will receive a $30 credit towards their first day of rental with Spinlister.

"Unfortunately Portland has had a huge increase in bike thefts, and this has hit riders hard," said Bryan Hance, co-director of Bike Index. "Spinlister has hundreds of amazing local bike lenders in Portland, so we’re excited to team up and help get bike theft victims back on the road."

“One of the worst days a cyclist can have is the day their bike gets stolen. While we can’t stop every thief, we can do our best to support the cycling community in their time of need,” said Andrew Batey, Spinlister CMO.

“At Spinlister, promoting and expanding bike culture globally is our primary focus. We understand a bike is your ‘baby’, ‘lover’, ‘livelihood’, etc. That’s why we’re doing everything possible to help make cycling safer and recover bikes for their owners.”

Launched in 2012, Spinlister allows users to rent and list bikes, snowboards, surfboards and stand-up paddleboards from each other in over 50 countries worldwide. With more than 36,000 bikes registered, Bike Index has recovered over 2,000 stolen bikes.

Bike Index and Spinlister plan to offer the credit to bike theft victims in other cities over the next few months. 

WILTON, Conn. (BRAIN) — Cannondale has published the first issue of 2015 of its newspaper, The Cannondale Gazette, with a new look and coverage of road, cross, triathlon, mountain, urban bikes and apparel. The Gazette will be expanded to six issues this year.

The January issue features an in-depth look at the 2015 Cannondale-Garmin Pro Cycling Team, including its stable of bikes, and includes an interview with Andrew Talansky. It also includes Q&As with mountain biker Ben Cruz and motocross rider and Cannondale enthusiast Davi Millsaps, and coverage of the Cyclocross National Championships.

The Cannondale Gazette print edition is offered at events and races and at select dealers. A digital version is available for download on iTunes, Android and Kindle, and on Cannondale.com.

BOULDER, Colo. (BRAIN) — Pro ‘cross racer Tim Johnson will once again lead the Ride on Chicago, a five-day fundraising ride benefiting PeopleForBikes. He will be joined by 25 riders, including journalists, athletes and business executives, and pedal from Minneapolis to Chicago from June 2-6.

In previous years, Johnson and others rode from Boston to Washington D.C. In 2014 the ride moved to the Midwest and became the Ride on Chicago. This year the ride will start in Minneapolis and travel through Madison and Milwaukee. Riders will pedal nearly 500 miles, averaging 85 to 120 miles per day.

While the full ride is invite-only, limited one-day rider spots are available with a donation to PeopleForBikes. Anyone is welcome to join the ride for its departure each morning, with exact locations and times to be announced shortly. The ride will finish in Chicago on Saturday, June 6. The public is invited to pedal the final miles into the city with the group.

Founded in 2011, the ride has raised more than $300,000 for the Boulder-based national nonprofit. Interested sponsors can contact Charlie Cooper, vice president of membership and development for PeopleForBikes, at Charlie@peopleforbikes.org.

More about the ride: RideOnChicago.org. 

OMAHA, Neb. (BRAIN) — Harvest Retail Marketing has made changes to its management structure to meet increased client demand. The firm is a full-service marketing company working exclusively with Trek retailers in the U.S.

President and co-founder Ryan Atkinson will now oversee the firm’s growth management, business operations and retail marketing strategy, while providing top-level consulting for Harvest’s clients. Atkinson has more than 25 years of industry experience. He has worked in almost every aspect of the Trek retail distribution network, from being a mechanic at a local Trek retailer to launching new products as a marketing manager at Trek. At Harvest he developed the marketing program used by many of Trek’s top retailers.

Corey Atkinson, vice president and co-founder, will take over Ryan’s former duties, overseeing the direct mail department including sales, client services and operational management. She has more than 15 years of sales and management experience in the specialty retail industry. She worked in sales for Trek, Diamondback Fitness and Vision Fitness.

Marketing director Alex Maltese also will take over Ryan’s former role to oversee the firm’s marketing department. Maltese joined Harvest in 2013 after working in advertising for one of the Midwest's premier agencies. Maltese develops marketing plans for many of the nation's largest dealers and has collaborated with Trek as a consultant to help the brand develop and test new email marketing tools. Maltese currently leads a team of six marketing staff at Harvest.

“Harvest’s business continues to grow quickly on two fronts,” said Ryan Atkinson. “The first is our role as a full-service marketing agency, which now serves more than half of Trek’s top 25 dealers. The second is as a high-volume direct mail provider.

“Our goal with these changes is to ensure that we are managing for growth while delivering the exceptional products and customer service that our clients have come to expect from Harvest,” he added. “As the firm has grown we have streamlined operations and hired more top-tier talent, allowing Corey, Alex and me to shift into roles that will help both our clients and Harvest grow.”

Trek is reinvesting into its dealer promotions for 2015 and the management changes at Harvest allows the firm to better prepare to handle the new business, the company said. 

Starting Feb. 9, Harvest will begin working with U.S. Trek dealers to plan and deliver direct mail supporting Trek Fest, Trek's spring promotional event. In March, the company will launch two new direct mail products, Loyalty Mailers and Lead Generation Mailers.  

These changes follow the recent announcements that Harvest added two more account managers to their team, Chad Sideris and Ashley Rosonke, in the fourth quarter of 2014.

Harvest serves more than 100 Trek retailers. Many of the nation’s largest Trek retailers retain Harvest as their full-time marketing provider, managing all aspects of marketing planning and implementation.

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. (BRAIN) — The second edition of Lifeboat Events’ PressCamp Winter got underway Tuesday as a dozen media members met to discuss new product with 10 companies representing 12 industry brands. Those companies included several first-time exhibitors — such as Canadian rack maker Swagman and performance apparel brand Alé — alongside veteran Campers including Ridley Bikes and Capo Cycling.

Highlights from BRAIN’s first day of meetings: 

Ridley Bikes

The Belgian road race and cyclocross specialist came to PressCamp Winter to debut its new aero bike, show off the latest iteration of its triathlon/TT platform, and preview changes to its cyclocross lineup for the 2016 model year.

Launched in 2010, the Noah was among the first aero road bikes available to consumers, Ridley claims. The 2015 Noah SL builds on the intervening years of technological development to reduce drag further in a frameset package weighing just 950 grams.

The frame has full internal routing, improved aerodynamic integration of the headtube and fork, Ridley’s F-Split double-bladed fork to deflect air away from the front spokes, and new tube surfaces — including a grooved downtube — to better slice through wind.

The Noah SL will be available to retailers initially as a frameset only ($3,500) the first week of April.

Also shipping in early April is the 2015 Dean Fast ($6,750-$13,00), Ridley’s tri/TT model first launched at the 2013 Tour de France. The frame gets internal provisions for both Shimano Di2 and Campagnolo EPS batteries, F-Split aero fork, a new brake design to accommodate wider rims, integrated seat clamp, and wheel cutouts both front and rear. It will be available in stock geometry and — starting in August — with custom stack and reach.

Ridley also sneak-peeked revisions to its ‘cross line for 2016 aimed at aligning the brand more closely with its European racing heritage. All ‘cross bikes will get Euro-style geometry, such as taller bottom bracket heights for earlier pedaling out of corners, said Richard Wittenberg, Ridley’s international director of sales. That leaves the X-Fire model, which was better suited to North American-style racing, out of the Ridley line in 2016.

Aspiring and intermediate CX racers will also get new options in Ridley’s top-end X-Night carbon line. Previously available starting at $4,000, the X-Night will come down to an entry price of $2,500 for 2016. Ridley’s full cyclocross line is set to reach retailers in July.

Recognizing the widespread adoption of disc brakes among ‘crossers, Ridley is introducing a new full-carbon fork with an asymmetric design to better withstand disc braking forces on the left side of the fork. The Oryx Disc 15TA has a tapered steerer, internal cable routing, hidden fender mounts, and a scuff guard on the braking side to avoid damaging the carbon fiber leg when sliding the rotor into the caliper. It accommodates tires up to 700x42c.

Additionally, Ridley is looking to enter the growing gravel/all-road market with new bikes set to hit the market early in the 2016 model year. Few details were available, but the bikes will include ample fender and rack mounts and be available in carbon and aluminum models at a wide range of price points, Wittenberg said.

Clif Bar

Fresh off the debut of the Clif Organic Energy Food line at Outdoor Retailer Winter Market, Clif Bar showed its new category of nutritionals — based on real food ingredients like pureed bananas, beets and tomatoes— to PressCamp editors on Wednesday. 

Designed to conveniently satiate endurance athletes’ craving for real fruit or savory snacks during extended efforts, Clif Organic Energy comes in two 90-gram sweet varieties (Banana Beet Ginger and Banana Mango With Coconut; $2.29 each) and two 120-gram savory offerings (Sweet Potato With Sea Salt and Pizza Margherita; $2.99) in resealable capped packs for either sipping or quick slurping. Nutritionally, the sweet products are similar to energy gels, supplying a hit of carbohydrates along with a bit of sodium, while the savory flavors deliver more sodium as well as protein and fat via such ingredients as olive oil and sunflower seed butter, said Chris Randall, Clif’s senior brand manager, athlete segment.

The textures are designed to carry the mouth feel of whole foods, with shreds of coconut in the Banana Mango With Coconut flavor, for example. For Pizza Margherita, quinoa provides a bread-like note and yeast flakes replicate cheese, according to Randall.

Clif Organic Energy Food will be available exclusively to specialty bike, run and outdoor retailers — and select gyms — starting Monday, Feb. 2. 

Swagman

British Columbia-based rack maker Swagman is four years into a push to get into more North American IBDs, and now counts more than 700 specialty bike shops in the U.S. and its native Canada among the brand’s retail base.

The company’s pitch to dealers: margins above keystone, high-touch service, and flexible ordering rather than take-it-or-leave-it terms. “The program can be a program that we create for the retailer on a specific basis. Our job is to make their job easier,” said president Perry Grago.

And 2015 marks one of the biggest product introduction years ever for Swagman, highlighted by new trays that round out the company’s rooftop line, said sales director Dave Michael.

The Skyline upright tray ($200) secures bikes by their front tire and fits all wheels sizes from 20- to 29-inch, as well as fat bike tires up to 5 inches wide. 

The stock front ratchet comes positioned for vehicles’ passenger side, but can easily be flopped for driver-side duty with the removal of a few stem bolts. A universal mountain system and additional 10-millimeter bolts mean the tray can be fit to virtually any cross bar shape or thickness.

The Enforcer fork-mount tray ($150) also comes with universal bar mounts and fits rear tires up to 4 inches wide. It is through-axle compatible and comes stock with both 9- and 15-millimeter axle cores; a 20-millimeter adapter is sold separately.

Swagman is also a introducing a new tailgate pad, the Tailwhip ($100). It’s made from waterproof tarpaulin wrapped around high-density foam to protect bikes and vehicles. A chain of nylon loops on the top of the tailgate allows for easy placement of bikes that can be secured by the downtube with Velcro straps. An extended rear hatch allows easy access to tailgate handles.

KHS

This year marks the 40th anniversary for KHS, which has grown into a giant producing 150 models across the KHS, Manhattan Cruisers and Free Agent BMX brands. The company was also one of the earliest adopters of the meet-in-the-middle MTB wheel size, launching 650b bikes in 2009. That selection has grown to 15 models for 2015, and KHS marketing man Flick (just Flick) figures that given the head start, the company has more 27.5-inch bikes out shredding trails than any other brand.

But two other bikes KHS had on display at PressCamp Winter stood tallest — literally — among the rest. Designed for riders 6-foot-4 and taller, KHS introduces for 2015 the new BNT (for “Big & Tall”) hardtail 29er. Designed by Lennard Zinn, the BNT comes in XXL (23-inch) and XXXL (25.5-inch) sizes, giving the big guys an alternative to going custom for a properly fitted mountain rig.

Zinn also designed the 747 road bike, which KHS has brought back for a third year. 

Both bikes are made from stout Reynolds 520 steel and come spec’d with 200-millimeter cranks for long-legged pedal strokes.

CHICAGO (BRAIN) – SRAM is launching a new all-in-one merchandising system designed to help retailers better display its road and mountain bike products.

“We are pleased to announce the availability of our Essentials Program,” said Jason West, vice president of retail sales and aftermarket. “SRAM has selected the fastest-moving items that every shop should stock, and placed it into a single orderable solution, with great margins for both the retailer and the distributor.”

The system includes in-store displays and signage, as well as a selection of high-turn products in four categories:

• Cables and housing
• Chains and cassettes
• Chainrings and bottom brackets
• Disc brake support

The Essentials Program is available to retailers worldwide and will debut in shops by late February.

CHICAGO (BRAIN) — Those with doubts as to whether Chicago dealers could pull off a trade show in early February may need to re-think that position. Organizers have had to expand the show floor twice and have sold out their exhibition space.

Jim Kersten, president of the Chicago Area Bicycle Dealer Association, said in an email sent to BRAIN that an early forecast that CABDA would attract 35 exhibiting companies has now been revised upwards to more than 50.

“We were aiming for 100 dealers and we are now at over 160 shops and just over 500 badged shop attendees,” said Kersten, who also doubles as show director.

Retailers from eight states in the Midwest have signed up, he added. Those states include Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Kentucky and Michigan. The two-day expo will be held mid-week Feb. 4-5 at the DuPage Expo Center in  St. Charles, Ill.

Kersten, who owns Edgebrook Cycle & Sport in northwest Chicago, said earlier that organizers wanted to keep the show a low-cost event, held at a time and place that exhibitors and retailers can easily reach.

Organizers have signed up companies like SRAM, Shimano, Thule, Todson, Sigma, ABUS, Waterford Precision Cycles, as well as distributors like J&B, Lexco, Olympic and others. (For a complete list go to the association's website.)

“We’re bringing a preseason, dealer-oriented show back to the Midwest,” Kersten told BRAIN when he first announced the revival of the CABDA show. “Part of the focus is on seminars and for shop staff to see some new product,” he said.

Many Midwest dealers no longer take staff to Interbike, and a regional show in the off-season gives sales staff a chance to see products and attend technical seminars, Kersten said. Many Midwest dealers also attend QBP’s Frostbike open house and expo, which will be held Feb. 20-22.

At one time CABDA was a major stop on the trade show circuit and was held in Rosemont, Ill., not far from Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport. But a variety of management and financial issues ended the show and fragmented the Chicago dealer base.

CABDA, as a dealer association, re-formed several years ago, and its meetings during the off-season have been attracting upwards of 40 dealers. Exhibitor move-in is Feb. 3.

For more information, contact Kersten at (616) 214-9467 or by email at jim@cabda.net.

MONTREAL (BRAIN) —  Dorel Industries, parent of Cycling Sports Group and its stable of brands, including Cannondale, GT, Schwinn, Caloi and Sugoi, expects the surge in value of the U.S. dollar to have a “significant negative effect” on its earnings through 2015. The Canadian company said Thursday that the surging dollar impacts cost of sales at its international divisions, which purchase in U.S. dollars and sell in local currencies.

“Dorel has pursued an aggressive strategy of expanding our juvenile and bicycle businesses to markets around the world, notably into Europe, South America and Asia,” said Martin Schwartz, Dorel’s president and CEO. “This has greatly benefited us over several years and continues to do so as we are consistently building market share. Just over half of our net income is derived from these regions. Since November, when we reported our third quarter results, the U.S. dollar has continued to strengthen to its highest level in many years versus several major currencies and we expect this to impact us through the current year.”

In 2014, the euro was an exception to most other currencies against the U.S. dollar with a significant decline in value only occurring in December. However, its decline has continued. With the euro at its lowest level in five years, Dorel expects that too will impact its 2015 earnings.  

Schwartz said that while it is too early in the year to quantify the impact of foreign exchange, there are mitigating factors, which are expected to ease the situation somewhat.

“New products currently being launched reflect the currency factor and are priced accordingly; further, we are working with many of our retail partners on implementing suitable price increases,” he said. “Recent reductions in oil prices and many commodities will help offset the higher U.S. dollar as will the strength of the U.S. economy, where all three of our segments have a significant presence. Our home furnishings segment will benefit from the strong U.S. dollar as a portion of our products are manufactured in Canada and sold in the U.S."

Dorel will announce full-year 2014 earnings March 16.

Dorel is traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbols DII.B and DII.A. Its stock performance is tracked on BRAIN’s Industry Stock chart.

FORT COLLINS, Colo. (BRAIN) — Swobo Bikes has signed up Wren Sports to manage its sales as it moves to a dealer-direct model.

Peter Discoe, president of Swobo’s parent company Fort Collins Bicycle Co., ended its agreement with Hawley after the distributor announced it would launch its own bicycle line last fall.

“We were disappointed things didn’t work out with Hawley and made the decision not to seek another distributor partner,” said Discoe, who purchased Swobo from Santa Cruz Bicycles in 2011.

“We realize it is easier to work directly with bike shops and wanted to find the best independent sales reps to help us select and develop the right dealer partner to sell Swobo and Farrier Bikes,” he added.

Industry veteran Kevin Wren will assist Swobo in recruiting and selecting independent sales reps. Wren previously held management roles at Shimano, Bell, Kali and Cannondale before launching Wren Sports’ line of carbon frames and forks, hitch- and trunk-mount car racks, saddles and carbon components in 2014. 

“I was delighted when Peter reached out to me,” said Wren. “Swobo is an outstanding brand with quality product. Helping Peter build the right sales team is something I can do while still focusing the majority of my efforts on the Wren brand of products we introduced at Interbike last year.”

Swobo and Wren currently have 12 sales reps working with them and are looking for additional reps in open territories.

“Both Kevin and I want to grow our brands with sales through the IBD market. We have the same desire to work with select dealers in each market,” Discoe said. “He’s worked with many of these reps over the past 35 years he’s been in the bike industry and he’s been selective in helping Swobo choose the right sales reps to build those limited dealer relationships.”

PHOENIX, Ariz. (BRAIN) — To speed the flow of real-time sales data among dealers and suppliers, SmartEtailing will launch what Mark Graff, SmartEtailing’s co-founder, calls Industry Data Exchange.

Graff told some 200 attendees at the IBD Summit Thursday that the service will be available in late fall. It would provide confidentiality to both dealers and suppliers who wish to participate and share sales data through the program. 

"Participating in this service represents a change in the status quo," Graff said. "Many of us have been fearful of sharing information. We have to recognize that we're all in the same tribe and the danger is out there. We can protect our interests and offer the improved customer experience we all want by working together,” he said.

The proposed service would:

•  Be a secure online dashboard where retailers, brands and distributors are sources for the data.

•  It’s an opt-in service. All data is confidential and is only shared with the specific partners chosen by the company providing the data.

•  The dashboard, accessible online 24/7, will contain real-time sales and inventory data, filtered and sorted however the subscriber chooses by region, by category, or some other metric. Some broad, aggregated information would be available for all subscribers to see.

“We've already spoken with a number of retailers and suppliers to get their input. We want this exchange to serve the entire specialty channel,” Graff said.

Some of the benefits for participating in the program include better channel inventory management that would improve financial stability with more turns and fewer overstocks.

The program would offer suppliers real-time retail inventory and sell-through data for fast forecasting and liquidation. Dealers could use the data to improve product mix and both suppliers and dealers could liquidate old product more quickly. The system also would offer category trending data.

Graff also announced that SmartEtailing is launching a service that would alert participating dealers with automatic updates to brand changes in MAP pricing (see related BRAIN story for more details). 

KOBLENZ, Germany (BRAIN) — Canyon Bicycles has hired Frank Aldorf as global chief brand officer, a new role created to support its growing global consumer base. The German consumer-direct brand said it’s experienced fast-paced expansion, especially in Europe.

Aldorf will lead brand development and manage all brand initiatives, as well as oversee existing relationships with agency partners.

Aldorf, 39, has more than a decade of experience in international brand leadership, developing integrated and digital marketing programs within the sports, tech and automotive industries.

In his most recent role, Aldorf served as chief brand officer for Specialized Bicycle Components, helping to build the brand and implement a more digital-first approach.

“Frank is a skilled, experienced and driven individual and we are excited to welcome him to the Canyon crew,” said Roman Arnold, CEO and founder of Canyon Bicycles. “An expert with a proven track record in authentic brand building, he knows the bike and sports industry and our consumer target inside-out. His strategic vision and creativity will be a great asset as we continue to position Canyon as a global technology brand with a passion for the sport of cycling.”

“Canyon is a brand that I have admired for many years and I am excited to join the team,” said Aldorf. “Canyon builds the most technologically advanced products. The team has very high standards in quality and craftsmanship and a passionate consumer base. This is an incredible opportunity to become part of one of the most progressive brands in the world and help take it to the next level."

Aldorf started with Canyon on Jan. 1 and reports to Arnold.

CARLSBAD, Calif. (BRAIN) — A move to reorganize its labor structure has sparked a protest at Campagnolo’s Vincenza, Italy, factory. But Tom Kattus, Campy’s North American general manager, told BRAIN that the disruption should have no impact on delivery of Campy parts and groups to bike suppliers or distributors.

“We just don’t anticipate any problems,” said Kattus, who was at the IBD Summit this week when he learned of the work stoppage. The reorganization affects 68 jobs and some of those were part of early retirement packages, he said.

Kattus said the company takes these issues seriously, but it’s been part of a multi-year effort to restructure the company now that it has two factories operating in Romania. “It’s really about creating efficiency within the company,” he added.

In a statement issued by Valentino Campagnolo, the company’s owner and president, he said the reorganization was inevitable “to ensure production continuity at the Vincenza site.”

That site also includes Campy’s research and development facility and new product development. "The plan aims to recover market share and margin that have eroded in recent years, due to the declining competitiveness of our Italian facilities,” Campagnolo’s statement said.

The restructuring drops the site’s employment level from 399 to 331. The company’s trade union is protesting the decision.

"It does not include any real intention to invest to make the Vicenza plants more efficient and increase its competitiveness, in order to face the new challenges of the global market," a spokesman for the Italian trade union said.

TAIPEI (BRAIN) — The Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) and Taiwan Bicycle Association have selected the nearly 60 winners of its Design and Innovation in cycling contest. A panel of judges narrowed down the winners from 209 submissions hailing from 15 countries.

The competition, now in its fourth year, drew more international interest with entries from outside of Taiwan up 37 percent. Many nominations featured technology that integrates electronic devices or digital apps with bikes. For instance, an e-bike with built-in SIM card in the frame that provides information on positioning with anti-theft function as well as battery charge status through an app on a smart phone. Another was a tire pump that shows air pressure through a phone app using Bluetooth technology.

The judging panel was made up of members from various countries including Germany, Taiwan, Denmark and the U.S., who selected the winning products based on degree of innovation, design quality, workmanship, choice of material, environmental sustainability, functionality, utility, safety, ergonomics and universal design.

The awards will be presented during a press conference preceding the Taipei Cycle show, March 18-21. Winners will be on display at the Nangang Exhibition Hall for the duration of the show. 

MINNEAPOLIS (BRAIN) — Bike parking brand Dero has unveiled four new bike racks: the Ultra Space Saver Squared, Cycle Dock, Type Rider and Alley Rack.

The Ultra Space Saver Squared builds on its popular predecessor, the original Ultra Space Saver. Both provide vertical bike parking that maximizes space efficiency, but the Squared offers a sliding arm system that makes it easy for customers to best utilize their space. It also creates flexibility to make sure spacing follows city requirements as they evolve. Pipe-cutter resistant squared steel tubing makes the Ultra Space Saver Squared more secure than the original. An angled arm (optional) provides an extra six inches of aisle space.

The Ultra Space Saver Squared is u-lock compatible and accommodates bikes with fenders; features an easy to install, modular system; and can fit in nearly any space. Additional options include wall-mount, floor-mount and double-sided.

The Cycle Dock is a solid laser-cut steel-plated bike rack. With unassuming wheel stops at its base, it offers three points of contact for extra bike stability, while the wide-spacing between its two arms decreases handle bar conflicts when parking two bikes.

The line of Type Rider racks offers customers the chance to have fun with letters and symbols. The laser-cut, hand-welded bike racks can be made to spell out a word, brand name or hashtag. They are available in a wide array of finishes and colors.

The Alley Rack is one of the first racks Dero created in the mid-1990s. It has been reincarnated, redesigned and reengineered. Its arm swings 180 degrees, offering a variety of locking positions to accommodate for limited space, and its 5/8-inch-thick steel construction provides a strong deterrent to thieves.

Dero, which this year turns 20, also has redesigned its website to include design guides, how-to videos, product galleries and an online store. Buyers can solicit pricing quotes for racks online. 

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. (BRAIN) — Highlights from our final day of visits with suppliers as the second edition of PressCamp Winter wrapped up Thursday.

Raleigh

Could this be the rig that makes anti-e-bike IBDs change their tune on stocking electrics? That remains to be seen, but Raleigh’s test launch of its new Misceo urban e-bike, the first U.S. release of a bike with Shimano’s STEPS mid-drive system, was met with feverish demand, according to Larry Pizzi of Currie Technologies, Raleigh’s e-bike sibling in the Accell North America family.

Raleigh’s early run of Misceos sold out well ahead of their upcoming April release, with major multi-store players like Mike’s Bikes and Erik’s Bike Shop buying in. Pizzi attributes the enthusiasm in part to Shimano’s brand equity among dealers.

“Bosch (mid-drive systems) brought reliability and credibility to e-bikes, but they’re an outsider to the industry,” he said. “We opened a bunch of new dealers with Bosch, but Shimano takes it to another level in terms of credibility with dealers.” 

With an MSRP of $3,000, the Misceo comes equipped with an 8-speed Shimano Alfine Di2 internally geared hub, Shimano M445 hydraulic disc brakes, 700x40c Kenda tires, carbon-bladed fork and 6061 aluminum frame.

Though the test run of Misceos is sold out, Raleigh plans a full model-year 2016 release of the bike in May or June. A STEPS version of Raleigh’s Detour step-through city bike is also in the works, and Currie’s iZip brand will adopt the system, Pizzi said. Fellow Accell brands Haibike and Lapierre will continue with Bosch systems.

Capo Cycling Apparel

Capo’s custom business has come on strong of late — some seasons it eclipses the Bay Area apparel brand’s in-line sales. So it should be no surprise Capo has been shrinking its in-line collection.

Company president and co-founder Gary Vasconi views it as a shift similar to what he has seen in Italy, where Capo’s apparel is manufactured. “They don’t really sell in-line product there anymore,” and the U.S. is moving in the same direction, he added. 

Capo established its custom business through the IBD channel, cycling teams and clubs, and recent industry partnerships include making kits for Santa Cruz Bicycles. Outside the industry, Capo has leveraged significant business in corporate America, producing custom kits for companies in health care, finance, food service and other sectors that institute wellness programs and commuter initiatives for their work forces. For example, business software giant SAP encourages its employees to participate in three Bay Area cycling events per year, and enlisted Capo to produce its company kit. Capo has now sold more than 1,000 of those to SAP employees worldwide.

Custom kits can be ordered across Capo’s product range, from the Corsa comfort and performance line to the top-end GS series. Jerseys range from $66 to $125, bibs from $82 to $150, with a 35-kit minimum. Turnaround is six to eight weeks.

On the in-line side at Capo, the company is ramping up a host of new offerings — jerseys, bibs, vests and jackets — in what it calls its “Purpose Built Clothing,” with luminescent properties that reflect light even in some daytime conditions to enhance rider visibility. 

“If we can make the rider more visible and avoid an altercation, we’re going to do that,” Vasconi said.

Abus

Abus showed the Granit Plus 640, a refresh of one of the German lock maker’s most popular U-locks, at Interbike in September, and is about to deliver it to U.S. dealers in March. 

The lock boasts higher-level security than its forerunner, the Granite 64, with a thicker 12-millimeter shackle and dual locking on both ends of the shackle via four contact points. It’s also wider now to fit around reinforced parking meters, is available in red or black and comes in two shackle lengths: 5-inch ($99) and 9-inch ($129).

“It rounds out the top-end line for us nicely,” said Joan Hanscom, PR and marketing manager for Abus USA.

The company is also poised to move into the U.S. helmet market by the end of 2015, but is still working out its distribution strategy. “Abus is really coming into the market just with commuter helmets. The road market is already pretty crowded,” said Hanscom.

Those commuter lids will include the Pedelec, featuring a removable visor and integrated rear light with three settings. Under the light sits a “rain cape garage,” housing a light cover that stretches over the helmet and attaches to the front brim of the helmet. The Pedelec currently sells in Canada for CAN$149. U.S. pricing has yet to be determined.

SRM

Power measurement brand SRM showed off a new magnetic e-brake for its $5,300 IndoorTrainer Electronic that communicates with an iPad app displaying such metrics as power, cadence, heart rate and resistance. The feature allows users to program rides, interval training and step testing for lactic threshold.

Looking to grab market share from players like Garmin, SRM has also upgraded its PC7 head unit by adding GPS to the new PC8. The unit displays speed, cadence, heart rate, distance, ascent, time of day, power and other measurements. The customizable display allows users to choose what they see on the screen, when they want to see it. Athletes can also track advanced metrics like training stress score, intensity factor, torque value, watts per kilo and normalized power. 

The PC8 retails for $850.

BURBANK, Calif. (BRAIN) — Fixie brand Pure Fix Cycles has appointed industry veteran Rob Kozich international sales manager. The hiring follows the opening of Pure Fix’s European corporate office in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, in August 2014.

Kozich worked for Trek for 14 years, most recently as an international territory manager. He also served as a European consultant for Dahon. In his new role with Pure Fix, Kozich will be based in Prague, Czech Republic, developing the brand’s international sales and business strategies.

“Rob will be our international brand ambassador, building on our success in Europe and bringing Pure Fix to new corners of the globe,” said Pure Fix Cycles president Andy Abowitz. “With so many years in the bike industry under his belt, he is the ideal choice to lead our global expansion.”   

“I am really excited to be working with such a vibrant brand and the enthusiastic group at Pure Fix,” said Kozich. “It will be a lot of fun to develop the brand on a global scale and get more people on bikes.”

LONGMONT, Colo. (BRAIN) — This year's Clif Bar CrossVegas event will become the first round of the 2015-2016 UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup, and the first 'cross World Cup event in history to be held outside Europe.

The UCI announced its World Cup schedule Friday at an event in Tabor, Czech Republic. The Las Vegas event will be followed by another World Cup in Montreal a few days later.

The World Cup CrossVegas will take place on Wednesday evening, Sept. 16, and will include World Cup racing events for Women's Elite and Men's Elite, as well as a USA Cycling category race and the popular Wheelers & Dealers Industry race. The event is held during the Interbike Expo in Las Vegas.

CrossVegas is the biggest cyclocross race held outside of Europe and has been an UCI Category 1 event for the past eight years.

"CrossVegas is honored to be selected. Becoming a UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup race is the natural next step for CrossVegas and is the culmination of years of support from dedicated sponsors and the worldwide cyclocross community," said race director Brook Watts. "For years now, racers, teams and fans from Europe, North America and beyond having been hoping that CrossVegas could be a World Cup. Now that it will be a reality, I'm sure the event will delight 'cross fans from across the globe who want to see their favorite international racers compete here in the U.S."

While the U.S. has never hosted a 'cross World Cup, it did host the world championships, in Louisville, Ky., two years ago.

Organizers of the Las Vegas and Montreal events worked together in developing their plans with special attention to travel and ground arrangements for racers and supporters, Watts said.

"Our goal will be to make the experience of traveling to North American World Cup events as simple as possible, especially for competitors," said Watts. Complete information for spectators and competitors will be available in late spring.

FORCHHEIM, Germany (BRAIN) — German consumer-direct mountain bike brand YT Industries has expanded sales to the U.S., Canada, New Zealand and Australia.

Freeride star Cameron Zink, who also owns grip brand Sensus, and his brother Howie will oversee YT’s distribution in the U.S. and Canada, while New Zealand rider Solon Payne will handle Oceania.

“YT Industries builds bikes for bikers, hence it was vital for us to find partners in these markets who represent that and are dedicated bikers themselves,” said Markus Flossmann, founder and director of YT Industries.

YT has launched a new U.S. website showcasing the company’s range of enduro, downhill and dirt jump models.

PETALUMA, Calif. (BRAIN) — Kitsbow worked with Polartec to develop its new Power Wool Long Sleeve Base Layer. The underlayer top combines the new Polartec Power Wool fabric with Kitsbow's style and fit.

"In all of our design development, we look for ways to make products and fabrics work better for mountain biking," said Charlie Cronk, Kitsbow designer and co-founder. "We were excited to work with Polartec to utilize the innovative fabric technology – the composition allows for maximum wicking, breathability, comfort, odor resistance and durability, making it a perfect addition to the Kitsbow line."

The bi-component knit construction of Polartec Power Wool uses a different yarn on either side of the fabric, creating the optimal hybrid for the athlete. Merino wool on the inside provides warmth even when wet; highly breathable, wool excels at moving moisture in a vapor state. The polyester/nylon on the outside of the fabric ensures perspiration dries quickly. The company says Polartec Power Wool can comfortably be worn in any weather.

Made in the USA from domestic materials, with greater than 50 percent recycled fiber, the Kitsbow base layer features an athletic, tailored fit. A Henley-inspired design includes a quarter-length snap closure and accented embroidery and seams. It can be worn as a base layer or alone, while mountain biking or during any athletic pursuit.

Retail price is $115 and it will be available in flash yellow or titanium colors.

More information at kitsbow.com.