ORANGE, Calif. (BRAIN) – Triathlon Business International has finalized plans with TEAMChallenge GmbH to host the second Global Triathlon Business Conference July 9-11 in Roth, Germany, in conjunction with DATEV Challenge Roth.

The inaugural TBI Global Conference was held in September 2013 in London, preceding the ITU Triathlon World Championships Grand Final; organizers said it was a successful forum for businesses and multisport professionals.

The Challenge Family series of triathlons features 44 full- and half-distance races in 19 countries, including the world’s largest long distance triathlon – Challenge Roth in Germany. Challenge Roth now draws more than 5,500 athletes and 220,000 spectators. Since 2002, races throughout Europe, UK, Australasia, Asia, North America and South America have joined Roth.

“This is an exciting opportunity for TBI and Challenge Family to bring together the world’s multisport decision-makers at the world’s largest long distance event, Challenge Roth,” said TEAMChallenge CEO Felix Walchshöfer. “Most European decision-makers within the sport will be coming to Roth in July, so it makes sense to partner with TBI to create a symposium where business leaders can acquire new information, make new contacts and advance their business and the business of triathlon.”

The second TBI global conference will target global equipment and apparel manufacturers, service providers, technology providers, industry executives, event directors, coaches and other professionals who operate in the swim-bike-run world.

The conference will focus on the business of the sport including trends, challenges, growth forecasts, promoting the sport, new technology, social media and mobile trends, international mergers/acquisitions and other topics.

“When Felix [Walchshöfer] and I first started talking about Challenge Family hosting a conference during Challenge Roth, it immediately made perfect sense,” said TBI president Jack Caress. “With so many major multisport decision-makers already in Roth for the race, it’s a prime opportunity to talk about how we can advance the sport from a global business perspective, which will translate into more growth for the sport.”

More information: triathlonbusinessintl.com.

RAPID CITY, S.D. (BRAIN) — Strider Sports International has announced a new pricing policy effective March 15. All Strider bikes, parts and accessories need to comply with MAP.

The company said it will not allow discounts to the MAP price for online sellers.

"This will reduce the smart phone showrooming and price matching that currently undermines brick-and-mortar margins," the company stated.

However, the company said brick-and-mortar stores may occasionally discount Strider Bikes (no more than 20 percent off MAP) when advertising certain in-store promotions such as an Open House or Customer Appreciation Day.

The discount applies only to bikes not parts and accessories and only to in-store purchases. It cannot be carried across to a dealer's e-commerce site, the company said.

HEERENVEEN, the Netherlands (BRAIN) – Accell Group N.V., parent of SBS, Raleigh, Diamondback, Currie and Redline in the U.S. and a slew of European brands, will appoint Jeroen Both to its board of directors as chief supply chain officer. He will be responsible for purchasing, planning and logistics.

"We are very pleased that Jeroen Both will be joining our team," said René Takens, chairman of Accell Group's board of directors. "In recent years, Accell Group has grown considerably, both organically and through numerous acquisitions. We have bolstered the management of the organization in a number of ways in the past year, to make more effective use of the synergies of scale the group as a whole affords, and to make our business processes smarter and more efficient. Jeroen Both's appointment fits seamlessly into this process."

After completing his studies at Groningen University, Both began his career in 1989 at British American Tobacco, where he's held various positions in supply chain management, procurement and production. Both has extensive international experience in Western and Eastern Europe, as well as in Asia, where as supply chain director he led the launch and management of British American Tobacco's central supply organizations in Moscow and Singapore.

He is currently director of operations of other tobacco products for Western Europe.

Accell's supervisory board will formalize his appointment as a member of the board of directors after the general meeting of shareholders April 23. Once appointed, the board of directors will include four members: CEO René Takens, CFO Hielke Sybesma, COO Jeroen Snijders Blok and CSCO Jeroen Both.

WILTON, Ct. (BRAIN) — Dorel's GURU bike fit division has announced the launch of the GURU Academy Advisory, a global collective of industry-leading bike fitters and retail experts that will collaborate with GURU team to continually enhance its training curriculum.

The GURU Academy Advisory includes eight representatives from North America and Europe. They will attend GURU Academy training classes throughout 2015. Representatives from North America include David Ripley and Mat Steinmetz of 51 Speedshop in Indianapolis.

Additional representatives from North America include Jonathan Blyer from ACME Bicycle Co. (Brooklyn, N.Y.), Ian Murray from TTS Fit Studio (Los Angeles) and Tim Ray from Maplewood Bicycle (St. Louis). European representatives include Robin Decottignies from Energy Lab (Belgium, Holland) and Brian and Helen Hall from Ten-Point (United Kingdom).

The training schedule includes 10 GURU certification courses and a special F.I.S.T. East course hosted by Dan Empfield.

"Since its launch in 2013, the GURU Academy has set the standard for fit science education and retail training," said Morten Kristiansen, GURU's general manager. "Our goal for 2015 is to expand our training offerings to retailers and bike fitters around the world, providing each of our attendees with a world-class experience."

Courses at the GURU Academy are open to all retailers and bike fitters who are interested in fit certification, including non-GURU retailers and fitters who use other fit equipment. In addition, the GURU Academy will offer select opportunities for the general public to attend training courses as guest athletes to receive bike fits.

"Our training environment is rooted in hands-on engagement and dynamic learning," said Pearson. "We give our attendees the opportunity to rigorously test their skills with actual cyclists."

To request registration for GURU Academy courses, visit gurusports.net/guru-academy-contact-us. To view the 2015 GURU Academy training schedule and view attending guests from the GURU Academy Fit Advisory, visit gurusports.net/schedule. 

SIMI VALLEY, Calif. — The e-bike committee of the Bicycle Product Suppliers Association is hosting a summit on Feb. 26 to discuss its national legislative initiative. Currie Technologies will host the meeting at its Simi Valley, Calif., headquarters. The meeting will also be streamed by webcast for those unable to travel to Southern California.

"We've invited all of the trade that is involved with e-bikes or planning to get involved with e-bikes," including bike brands, advocacy groups, retailers and land managers, Larry Pizzi, chairman of the BPSA e-bike committee, said Friday.

"We've basically extended an invite to anybody who has shown an interest in being involved."

Pizzi is also president and CEO of Currie, the biggest e-bike seller in the United States and a division of the Accell Group. Participants will include representatives from the various advocacy groups that are involved in the initiative, including PeopleForBikes and the California and New York Bicycle Coalitions. The summit is scheduled to run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Pacific time and will be preceded by an invitation-only meeting of the BPSA e-bike committee.

The BPSA's $300,000 legislative initiative seeks to pass model e-bike legislation in California and New York, two populous states that are often trendsetters.

The BPSA proposes creating three classifications of e-bikes, with different restrictions on where they can be ridden.

The proposed classifications include pedal-assist e-bikes, or pedelecs; e-bikes equipped with throttles; and "speed pedelecs." The first two classifications would be limited to motor-assisted speeds of 20 miles an hour, while a speed pedelec would be allowed to go up to 28 miles an hour. E-bike committee members expect to update meeting participants on the progress of legislation in California and New York.

Members also plan to discuss a strategy of working with IMBA and land mangers on allowing off-road use of e-bikes, and collaborating retailers and other groups to grow the e-bike segment of the industry.

PeopleForBikes, the industry's biggest advocacy organization, is playing a key role in the initiative. PeopleForBikes and the BPSA have hired a new e-bike coordinator, Morgan Lommele, who will oversee the initiative. PeopleForBikes also recently hired a state and local policy analyst, Alex Logemann, who tracks bicycle-related legislation.

"We're really trying to do a better job of being in touch with the industry, inform them of issues and then get them involved," said Jenn Dice, PeopleForBike's vice president of government relations.

Along with promoting the model legislation, BPSA and People for Bikes are trying to head off legislation that could hurt e-bikes. Dice said Logemann recently identified several e-bike-related bills that have been introduced in the Montana, South Carolina and Nebraska legislatures.

Space at the Simi Valley meeting is limited, but anyone interested in participating in the webcast can apply for an access code from Lommele. Her email is morgan@paceoutreach.com. See the Feb. 1 issue of Bicycle Retailer & Industry News for full coverage of the BPSA e-bike initiative. 

LOS ALTOS, Calif. (BRAIN) — An employee at the Bicycle Outfitters store here was a key player in the quick recovery of two rare road bikes stolen from the Specialized headquarters in Morgan Hill, Calif., early this week.

Someone smashed in the front door of Specialized's building early Monday morning and took the bikes, which were on display in the lobby: They were the bike that Michal Kwiatkowski used to win the 2014 World Championships (an S-Works Tarmac) and an S-Works McLaren Tarmac, serial number 1 of a limited production run of 250. The McLaren Tarmac belongs to Mike Sinyard, Specialized founder. The limited edition McLaren bikes retailed for $20,000.

Later this week, Steven Scheper, the lead mechanic at the Outfitters, received a text from an acquaintance asking if he was interested in buying two Specialized bikes. Scheper was unaware of the break-in at Specialized, but after seeing pictures of the bikes, he realized that they were something special. Through Vance Sprock, the owner of the nearby Cupertino Bike Shop, a Specialized dealer, Scheper got in touch with Specialized employees and, eventually the police. 

Scheper arranged to buy the bikes from the contact at a Morgan Hill strip mall at 2 a.m. The alleged thief was arrested at the shopping center and police quickly recovered the bikes. 

Scheper said Specialized has offered to give him a bike in thanks, but he's not being greedy. 

"I'm OK, I might pick out a low-end dirt jumper. I don't need a reward, I'm glad the bikes are back because they are really one-of-a-kind," Scheper told BRAIN on Friday. "I wouldn't want some tweeker to just cut them up and sell off the parts."

CARLSTADT, N.J. (BRAIN) — Thanks to wintry weather in the North East, Action Bicycle has added an extra week to its annual Winter Sales Event, which will now run Feb. 20.

"The sale used to coincide with Action's Expo, which was held toward the end of February and drew large crowds of dealers from the region as well as numerous vendors. However, considering the weather over the past few Februarys (thanks, Polar Vortex) often making travel difficult, we decided to put the Expo on hold this year. We felt it was important to offer dealers the same great deals they would receive if there was an Expo this year," said Action's Dan Wilson. 

HAYWARD, Calif. (BRAIN) — Panaracer's new minimum advertised price and online sales policy goes into effect Monday.

Besides requiring its U.S. retailers to maintain minimum advertised pricing, the Japanese tire brand is banning sales through third-party sites like eBay and Amazon. The policy also bans sales via online third-party fulfillment programs where the brick-and-mortar retailer does not actually have the product physically in stock when taking the order.

"It's Panaracer's responsibility to ensure that its brand and products are not relegated to the 'permanent sale' or 'commodity bin' on the Internet and that top-shelf IBD's, like your shop, continue to sell, service and promote the brand," Panaracer said in a press release.

Closeout sales will be allowed only when Panaracer puts a specific product into the closeout category, and then the closeout price must be published alongside the original MSRP. Closeout products also can be sold via third-party online retailers. 

Panaracer has contracted with an independent service, the Brand Protection Agency, to help ensure compliance with the new policy. 

COON VALLEY, Wis. (BRAIN) — Borah Teamwear has hired Tad Hylkema as customer experience manager. Hylkema will lead a team of customer service representatives and focus on refining Borah's custom experience.

"I'm excited to become a part of the Borah family and work with a group of talented team members that will allow me to bring my skills and experience in customer service to enhance what we can offer as a company," Hylkema said. Hylkema comes to Borah with more than 30 years of industry experience, with stints at the Trek Bicycle Store of Wausau, Williamson Bicycle, Penn Cycle and the Body Scanning CRM System.

"I first met Tad in 1994 when he was managing Williamson Bicycle Works in Madison, Wis., and I was just starting my career as an independent sales rep in the industry," said Chris Jackson, Borah's owner and founder. "Some 20 years later, I couldn't be more thrilled to have Tad join our team. His passion for the industry and proven management skills will be welcomed as we continue to establish ourselves as a top supplier of premium custom team apparel."

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. (BRAIN) — Arts Cyclery, the exclusive U.S. importer of MarshGuard products, is now stocking the original MarshGuard fork fender in five new graphic colors. The new colors are Blue, Green, Purple, Orange, and Red.

The fork-mounted mudguards were designed by Greg Minnaar's World Cup DH mechanic, Jason Marsh. They weigh just 32 grams and cost $14.99 MSRP for the original white graphic version and $16.99 MSRP for the new colorways. 

Arts Cyclery is looking for U.S. independent bicycle dealers interested in stocking MarshGuard products. The company is promising great margins and free shipping available.  For information email Brad Smith at brad@artscyclery.com or call (805) 540-7993.

LAS VEGAS (BRAIN) — French suspension brand BOS has opened its first international office, in Las Vegas. It will serve as a sales office and service center for the North American market.

"A North American office was the next logical step for us. It is very important for both consumers and our OEM partners. The office will also help supply South American dealers," said Olivier Brossard, founder and CEO of Toulouse-based BOS.

BOS has also partnered with Suspension Werx and S4 Suspensions to serve customers in Canada.

Additionally, the company has launched a new consumer website with e-commerce for the North American market at bos-suspension.com, and is seeking established reps in the U.S. and Canada. Résumés can be sent to reps@bos-suspension.com.

IRVINE, Calif. (BRAIN) —  Pedego Electric Bikes is voluntarily recalling the batteries from every e-bike it produced between January 2010 and September 2013.

Pedego launched the recall, which involves approximately 5,000 batteries, around the beginning of the year after receiving two complaints from customers whose batteries overheated and melted while charging, said Terry Sherry, the company's co-founder and CFO.

"The first time it's like, what the heck just happened?' Sherry said. "After the second time, you start asking questions and doing the research."

He said the battery issue stemmed from an apparent manufacturing problem. A film corrodes inside the battery cell that serves as a barrier between the anode and cathode, allowing the battery to short and overheat.

"The challenge we have is that we have no way of knowing how many cells have that potential problem. We know it was a small group but we don't know which cells they were," Sherry said. He declined to name the manufacturer, which is based in China.

In September 2013, Pedego decided to begin sourcing all e-bike batteries from Samsung. Pedego has advertised the recall through its website and Facebook page, and through its retailers. It also operates a website, www.batteryrecall2015.com, where consumers can see if their battery is covered by the recall.

The company also has attempted to contact all affected consumers directly.

"We've sent out emails to everybody that we possibly have emails for, or sending out letters to all those that we don't have emails for," Sherry said. "We're very concerned about our customers and their safety and that's paramount to us," he added.

"We made the tough — and costly, I might add — decision to recall 5,000 batteries."

The battery manufacturer is covering some of the costs of the recall, but Sherry said Pedego still expects to take a significant financial hit.

Shipping is big expense. Because batteries are considered hazardous materials, Sherry said Pedego pays a surcharge of $35 to $40 for every battery it ships to a consumer.

"Instead of $20 a battery, it ends up costing me $55 or $60 a battery," he said. "When you're shipping out a thousand of them, two thousand of them, it starts to add up."

Sherry said Pedego assumes consumers have already replaced between 1,500 and 2,000 of the affected batteries through attrition. "As they get older they start losing their energy and they have to be replaced anyway, just like any battery," he said.

He said Pedego customers have responded positively to the recall, and to the company's efforts to replace affected batteries for free. "It's starting to pay back in spades because our customers are our biggest fans," he said. "When do you stuff like this, it just reinforces the reasoning why they should recommend you to their families and friends." 

BOULDER, Colo. (BRAIN) – The PeopleForBikes Coalition and several industry executives flew to Washington D.C. last week to meet with members of Congress to discuss the economic benefits of cycling. The visit marked the fifth executive fly-in since the program was launched.

Industry representatives included Chris Speyer, CEO at Accell North America; Pat Cunnane, CEO at ASI; Ana Meuwissen, director of federal government affairs at Bosch; Claudia Wasko, business unit leader for business sales at Bosch; Taldi Walter, community affairs program manager at REI; Alex Thompson, vice president of government affairs at REI; and Jeff Young, vice president of sales at Shimano America. The group discussed the state of the bike industry and ways in which the industry is helping to improve America with members of Congress.

"The PeopleForBikes Fly-In was a great opportunity to bring the perspective of bicycle business to the conversation around federal transportation investment," said Accell's Speyer. "I feel like we introduced a whole new business perspective on the importance of providing safe places to ride."

At this particular Fly-In, the group focused on their support for the upcoming multi-year federal transportation bill reauthorization. Their positioning centered on their views that the next transportation bill should reflect 21st century transportation priorities, including safe bridges and highways and also a reasonable continued investment in bike and pedestrian infrastructure.

"As a bike industry, spending time reaching out to other business and industry groups is critical. Bike suppliers and retailers are an integral part of the business fabric of this country and joining with other business-minded coalitions in Congress is key," said ASI's Cunnane.

"As a leading global supplier of technology and services we have a strong focus on the development of innovative mobility solutions including the electrification of bicycles. Governments are looking for sustainable mobility solutions, which e-bikes can provide. Growth in bicycling requires bicycle infrastructure improvements and a corresponding reflection in the next transportation bill," said Bosch's Wasko.

Executive fly-ins include a short training session, meetings with members of Congress, other coalitions and think tanks, and evening fundraising events that connect industry leaders with members of Congress. The next fly-in is April 28 and 29.

People interested in attending should contact Kristy Kibler at kristy@peopleforbikes.org.

SANTA FE, N.M. (BRAIN) — Bicycle Technologies International is now shipping its 2015 parts and accessories catalog. This year's catalog is 1,344 pages long and includes more than 300 brands. The distributor has added more than 30 new brands for 2015.

"In this highly competitive market, savvy bike shops are increasingly seeking ways to differentiate themselves from the competition," said Preston Martin, BTI's vice president and co-founder. "BTI actively pursues a unique parts and accessories mix from brands that share our core value of supporting IBDs. This year, you'll find new products ranging from Kickstarter wunderkinds to household names in the bike world."

BTI's 2015 brand additions include: Absolute Black, Bio-Circle, Burgtec, DVO Suspension, Easton, Eat Dutch Waffles, FatLab, Fuel for Fire, Halo Belt, Handsome Cycles, Helios, Industry Nine, I/S Eyewear, iXS, Light & Motion, Maxima, Mio Global, Mucky Nutz, Onza, Orange Seal, Plume, Primal, Proviz, Quad Lock, SportCrafters, SQlab, Thule, Velo, WaspCam, Woho, Wolf Tooth Components, and Xventure.

For 2015 the BTI catalog features a new depth of bike transport options from Thule, RockyMounts and Saris. Child carriers also make their debut alongside new dedicated subcategories for nutrition and electronics.

Most dealers in the Lower 48 will receive their catalog by the end this week. Dealers who have not received catalogs by Feb. 28 or shops that would like to order additional copies can call BTI's customer service department at (800) 558-8324. New accounts should contact: accounts@bti-usa.com.

FRYEBURG, Maine (BRAIN) — Downeast Bicycle Specialists will hold its annual open house in its traditional format for 2015.

Last year the distributor held its open house in Peabody, Mass., but this year the event is back at its headquarters in Maine.

The event will be held over the weekend of March 7-8. Saturday will be dedicated to vendor presentations, while Sunday will follow the normal open house format. The company is encouraging dealers to arrive either Friday evening or Saturday morning and stay for the entire weekend.

"With the abundance of snow this year folks may want to stretch their visit a couple of extra days to take advantage of the area's great alpine and Nordic skiing," the company said.

The event gives dealers a chance to check out some of the new lines Downeast has added for the coming year, including Jagwire cables and brake pads, K-Edge computer and camera mounts, PowerBar nutrition, Vittoria helmets, Framed fat and city bikes, Epic-ID emergency bracelets, Bonk Breaker nutrition, NiteRider lights, Yuba cargo and commuter bikes, and Velowurks inflation products. Downeast now carries products from more than 200 suppliers.

New for 2015, Downeast will be publishing quarterly mini-catalogs, featuring new vendors and seasonally oriented product, rather than a single annual catalog. The first mini-catalog will be available at the open house, and will feature products from over 20 new vendors.

For more information contact Jeff Cavicchi at jeffc@debike.com.

OGDEN, Utah (BRAIN) — Chad Moore, the current marketing director for Mavic in North America, will relocate to Mavic's headquarters in Annecy, France, in June to take on the role of global brand manager.

Moore, currently based in Colorado, will also lead global sports marketing efforts for the brand.

"As we settle into 2015 we will continue with our strategic decision to strengthen our long-term focus and commitment in the U.S." said François-Xavier Blanc, Mavic's global brand director. "Having Chad in France to collaborate on key concepts will help us further understand the needs of the U.S. market and drive future concepts."

Moore said, "Earlier in my career I dreamt of an opportunity like this. ... I'm deeply passionate about Mavic and feel very fortunate to be playing a key role in the future of a brand that has shaped my life both professionally and personally."

Mavic is also now seeking a North American brand manager to lead its marketing efforts. 

MANNING, S.C. (BRAIN) — Bikes rolling out of Bicycle Corporation of America's South Carolina factory are available to purchase in-store at various Wal-Mart locations nationwide, as well as on Wal-Mart's website.

BCA's assembly factory is the first mass production of bikes in the U.S. in more than 15 years, and the bikes are being produced without an increase in price over previous imported models. BCA bikes retail for an average of $120.

"BCA is dedicated to bringing jobs back to America without compromising on value," said Scott Kamler, BCA president. "We are honored to provide jobs for American workers and are proud to be a part of Wal-Mart's 'Made in America' commitment."

In 2013, Wal-Mart pledged to boost sourcing of U.S. products by $250 billion over the next 10 years — helping to bring manufacturing jobs back to the U.S.

A recent survey by the Consumer Reports National Research Center found that 78 percent of Americans would rather buy the American product when given a choice between a product made in the U.S. and an identical one made abroad. Sixty percent of the survey's respondents indicated they'd buy American-made products even if they cost 10 percent more than imported versions.

NOVATO, Calif. (BRAIN) — Marin Mountain Bikes is recalling 450 kids’ bikes because the handlebars can loosen or separate. The recall involves Marin 2014 MBX 50 and Tiny Trail boys and girls bikes with 16-inch knobby tires.

On its website Marin said a limited number of handlebar stems on these models are out of manufacturing tolerance. “In an abundance of caution, we have initiated a recall with the CPSC,” the company said. “This is a voluntary recall, and Marin has received no reports of any injuries.”

The boys’ models are red and have serial number HA14980XXXXXX. The girls’ models are purple and have serial number HA14982XXXXXX. Serial numbers are printed on a foil label on the underside of the base of the downtube.

Consumers are being instructed to contact Marin for a replacement handlebar stem.

The recall involves about 400 bikes in the U.S. and 50 in Canada sold at bike shops from September 2013 through December 2014 for about $250. 

More information: Marin's website.

TAICHUNG, Taiwan (BRAIN) — Velo Enterprise Co has introduced a new saddle selection system to help consumers, IBDs and OEM customers navigate the growing number of saddle categories and offerings produced by the company, which claims to be the world's largest manufacturer of saddles for sale through the IBD channel.

The selection system takes into account type of bike; frequency of riding; speed; skill; and distance. Each of these is ranked on a scale of 1-5, with the results averaged to produce a number that correlates to saddle category assignments within the Velo line.

"The system helps to accelerate and simplify the process, focusing the customer on the roughly 20 percent of saddle offerings that will best meet their needs, and eliminating the confusion or distraction of sorting through the entire universe of saddles to find a good solution," the company said in a release.