MADISON, Wis. (BRAIN) — In a first for a major U.S. bike brand, Trek Bicycle will begin sales of complete bikes to consumers via its website in late September. Bikes will be shipped to the brand's retailers — not direct to consumers — for assembly, and retailers will receive a service commission on each sale. 

Trek also will begin online sales of parts & accessories from its own brands, including Bontrager and Electra, as well as other bike brands including Park Tool, Garmin, Finish Line and Burley. Trek will deliver these products direct to consumers, but local retailers will also receive a service fee.

Trek president John Burke revealed the plan Monday evening to several thousand Trek retailers at the company’s annual Trek World dealer meeting here. He said the plan had been in development for about two years and called it the “largest investment Trek has ever made.”

“It’s been a massive investment,” Burke said, then referred to his father, Dick Burke, the co-founder of Trek. “One of my father’s business maxims was, ‘we play offense.’ So, we sat around and watched the online thing and that’s been OK — it’s been a great learning experience. Now  it’s time for us to play.”

Burke cast the online sales program, called Trek Connect, as part of a larger investment in increasing the profitability of the brand's U.S. dealer base on several fronts. Trek will offer tools to help dealers increase sales to women, which Burke said will amount to half of all bike shop sales within five years. Trek is expanding its business management education programs, and will offer new marketing tools including comprehensive seasonal promotions with store displays tied to quarterly print catalog mailings.

And — in an announcement that drew applause from the dealers — Trek is launching a service department education and certification program. Burke said service currently accounts for only 7 percent of revenue for most shops, but produces nearly a quarter of gross profits for those shops.  So increasing the volume of service business is a clear path to increased profitability — and survivability, Burke said.  

"I've seen stores that sold a lot of products go out of business. I've never seen a store that did a lot of service go out of business," he said.

Trek is building a 5,000 square foot service education center at its Wisconsin factory and will begin classes in January. It expects to train about 1,000 service personnel next year.

In addition to mechanic and service manager training, Trek will offer dealers help with service department displays, fixtures, tools and systems that will lead to some stores being designated as Trek Certified Service locations.

’Not huge at first’

Burke and other Trek executives said they are not planning for a huge volume of online bike sales immediately. But they said it’s clear that consumers want to shop 24/7 for bicycles, just as they do for other products. Burke began his presentation by showing slides of e-commerce sites including Chain Reaction, Wiggle, Performance and Canyon Bicycle.

As part of the check-out process, consumers will be asked to choose the local Trek retailer who they want to service their order. Consumers will not be able to choose “none of the above.”

The chosen retailer will receive a service commission equal to their normal margin (which varies depending on the size of the store’s business with Trek) minus an estimation of the costs that Trek shoulders (and the retailer avoids) in making the online sale. That includes the cost of carrying the inventory, shipping, and sales. The bottom line? Retailers will receive roughly 80 percent of their normal margin on these new sales.

Burke said the bikes would all be shipped from Trek's warehouse to fulfill each order, and would not be taken from a dealer's existing inventory. Trek will ship them at the same level of assembly as other bikes shipped to dealers. 

The redeveloped website will combine Trek’s and Bontrager’s sites, which are currently separate. It will offer live chat consultations on bike fit and selection. In addition to the online purchase program, the site will add a new feature that allows consumers to see if nearby shops have specific products available for in-store purchase.

All Trek dealers will participate in the online sales program, but they can opt out of the delivery service if they choose, or they can specify to what distance they are able to deliver.

David Sanborn of David's World Cycle in Orlando, Fla., said he loved the idea of delivering bikes that were bought online.

“Some people are just too busy to come pick up a bike. But we can go out there in our van and bring along some accessories … That’s where the relationship will begin," he said.

Sanborn, who operates 12 stores, was one of a handful of dealers that consulted with Trek starting last year on developing the program. He said if the program takes off, the look of his stores might change.

“In a few years they might be smaller stores (with fewer bikes on display),” he said. “It might be something to think about when it comes time to negotiate new leases. Maybe in five years I’ll have 12 people driving around delivering bikes,” he said.

Chris Kegel, CEO of Milwaukee’s Wheel & Sprocket retail chain, said Trek's service commission plan appeared “fair and realistic.”

“Customers want to be able to buy online so I think overall it’s a positive move,” Kegel said.

Kegel was more excited about Trek’s service certification plans, a concept he has worked on developing through CABDA and the NBDA. “It’s long overdue,” he said.

Doug Coulter, owner of Scott’s Bikes in Cleveland, Tenn., applauded Trek’s decision to take action in the face of a rapidly changing marketplace.

“I think our industry is changing and we need to take the bull by the horns,” said Coulter, whose father started the family business in 1964 in Connecticut. “If we are going to carry on, we have to look outside the box,” he said.

Trek is also launching a bookkeeping service, called Ascend Bookkeeping, which it has been test-marketing for about a year. Burke said the aim was to give retailers that same kind of book keeping services and analytics that Trek has, tailored specifically for bike retailing.

Burke also told retailers that selling e-bikes was a clear path to remaining viable and growing in the coming years. He said Trek is currently selling on 2 percent of the e-bikes in the U.S., while the company has a marketshare of over 30 percent in bicycle sales overall, and about 40 percent marketshare for pavement bikes. Trek is launching three new e-bikes at Trek World this week.

NEWBURY PARK, Calif. (BRAIN) — Giant is making its entry into performance footwear with three models for road and off-road riders, shown last month at the company’s dealer event in Copper Mountain.

The Surge road shoe and the Charge and Amp off-road shoes were designed with the input from leading footwear developers and pro racers, the company said. The collaborative process included biomechanics experts, the Rabobank Development Team and Giant off-road racers. Testing was conducted at various laboratory settings, team camps and races.

The shoes use Giant’s Motion Efficiency System, which the company says combines a stiff pedaling platform with torsional flex to reduce pressure and strain in the lower leg. The result is a more natural foot movement throughout the pedal stroke, according to Giant.

The system is built around several key technologies: the ExoBeam sole structure, the ExoWrap foot closure, and the ExoFlex toe section for off-road models.

All of the new models were developed under Giant’s Dynamic Cycling Fit (DCF) design philosophy.

“We developed our Dynamic Cycling Fit approach a few years ago to rethink product development from a dynamic point of view,” said Stan Mavis, Giant’s global executive director of gear. “DCF is about applying the most advanced research and testing methodologies to produce innovative gear that improves the cycling experience. This new line of footwear, which introduces some never-before-seen technologies for cycling shoes, really represents that idea.”

“Giant came to us with its Dynamic Cycling Fit concept and challenged us to explore new ways to create a more seamless connection between the rider and the bike,” said Simon Luthi Ph.D., an Oregon-based biomechanics expert in the field of athletic footwear. “Together with Giant and its pro athletes, we engineered, developed and refined this new Motion Efficiency System to optimize the natural motion of a rider’s foot.”

The ExoBeam sole technology combines stiffness in the forefoot, with strategically engineered flex zones to reduce tension and strain in the lower leg. With the “beam” replacing the traditional plate sole structure used in most high-performance cycling shoes, a rider’s foot can be fully wrapped in the enclosure system.

The ExoWrap works in harmony with the ExoBeam to form a 360-degree foot enclosure that creates customizable fit and comfort for all foot shapes.

Off-Road models including the Charge and Amp also feature ExoFlex, which allows the toe area of the shoe to move independently of the ExoBeam carbon sole for traction when running or walking up steep climbs, and makes it ideal for cyclocross or trail riding. ExoFlex also reduces heel slip, Giant says.             

The Amp off-road shoe, which will retail for $170, will not be offered in the U.S. The Charge and Surge will retail for $350. They are arriving at retailers now in various sizes. All sizes will become available by the end of September. 

BERKELEY, Calif. (BRAIN) — GU Energy Labs is debuting its first energy bar and a bulk package option for its GU Energy Gel. The new bulk packaging is designed to reduce litter: fewer packages mean less trash and less material used.

The company’s first energy bar is headed into production and will become available in early 2016. Called the GU Energy Stick it offers 200 calories and is made of natural ingredients, including 70 percent organic, gluten-free nutrition.

Roasted organic quinoa forms the basis of the first two flavors because quinoa offers complex carbohydrates and also contains eight essential amino acids. The bars will be offered in crispy honey peanut and crispy chocolate almond flavors. GU says the design of the Energy Stick is maximized for athletes, as the stick shape allows athletes to stash it in a hydration pack or belt, or a bike jersey pocket.

“Creating a solid has been a long and deliberative process,” said Brian Vaughan, a co-founder and chief endurance officer of GU. “When we created energy gels in 1993, we were pursuing a singular solution to fueling during high intensity endurance activities. We maintain that GU and Roctane Energy Gels, Chews and Roctane Energy Drink are best in class products for those conditions. However, we’ve always believed that solids have a place not only in the daily diets of athletes, but also specifically in lower intensity, longer duration activities when the body has time to reap the rewards of whole foods and when you want to mix it up.”

Energy Sticks will retail for $2.50 per stick, or $30 for a pack of 12.

Also new is the 15-serving GU Energy Gel and GU Roctane Gel. The jumbo-scaled GU will launch in November and retail for $30 for both Roctane and Energy Gel. They will come in salted caramel energy gel, strawberry banana energy gel, sea salt chocolate roctane and blueberry pomegranate roctane flavors.

To hold multiple servings of gel, GU developed the Energy Flask, designed with Oakland neighbor Hydrapak. The soft flask holds five servings at a time and fits into nearly any hydration equipment to make it easier for athletes to fuel longer efforts.

PORTLAND, Ore. (BRAIN) — Smith has hired action sports industry veteran Tim Weisser as West Coast sales manager for sports/outdoor lifestyle and Benny Cruickshank as sports channel communications manager.

Weisser has roots in the snow and outdoor markets. After opening the first snowboard ship in Juneau, Alaska, in the early 1990s, he went on to work as product manager for Nitro Snowboards for eight years. Since 2004, he has held various regional and national sales management positions at Dakine.

Based in Hood River, Ore., Weisser reports to Kevin Hyland, Smith’s North American sports/outdoor lifestyle channel director.

Cruickshank worked at SRAM for seven years, first as event and promotions manager and later as communications manager for the Avid brand. In 2012 he relocated from Chicago to California to work as brand manager for Bell Helmets before joining TRUE Communications as PR account manager for Yeti Cycles, Giro, Spinlister and other clients.

Based at Smith’s brand franchise organization in Portland, Cruickshank reports operationally to Johan Andgren, brand director for Smith, and functionally to Antonella Leoni, head of communication, media and PR for Safilo. 

LAGUNA HILLS, Calif. (BRAIN) — Bicycle Retailer has extended the submission deadlines for new products to be featured in the three editions of the Interbike Show Dailies, distributed at the expo, and for BRAIN’s expanded Interbike show issue (Oct. 1 cover date this year).

To submit new product for the Show Dailies, email product description, suggested retail price, Interbike booth number and high-resolution photos to BRAIN managing editor Toby Hill at thill@bicycleretailer.com by Friday, Aug. 14. For BRAIN’s expanded show issue, also include contact information for retailers to order or inquire about the product (street address, phone, email and website URL). Please indicate whether the product — which must be displayed at the expo — is intended for the Show Dailies or the Interbike show issue.

Additionally, Interbike news submissions can be emailed to Hill or BRAIN editor Lynette Carpiet (lcarpiet@bicycleretailer.com) by the same Aug. 14 deadline. For Show Daily calendar consideration, email event information to Carpiet by Thursday, Sept. 10.

Interbike returns with OutDoor Demo in Boulder City, Nev., on Sept. 14 and 15, followed by the Interbike Expo from Sept. 16-18 at Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas.

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (BRAIN) — Lynskey Performance Designs has hired Randy Finnell as the company's new director of sales.

Finnell is no stranger to the cycling industry, or the Lynskey family. Finnell began working for Litespeed, the family's former company in 1995 as director of sales and marketing. He stayed on as vice president after the company was sold to the American Bicycle Group. 

"I'm very excited to be working in the cycling industry again, and will do everything I can to keep the Lynskey brand growing in a positive direction," Finnell said.

Finnell will be contacting all dealers, working with them to develop an accommodating dealer program with simplified pricing, the company said. He can be reached at randy@lynskeyperformance.com.

SCOTTS VALLEY, Calif. (BRAIN) — Fox Factory Holding Corp. said Wednesday that its sales in the first half of its fiscal year were up 15.8 percent, to $165 million.

Sales of bicycle products were up 16.7 percent in the half, with the biggest increase coming in the second quarter, largely due to the addition of Easton and Race Face products. The company said its 2016 model year Fox suspension offerings also were well received.

Sales of Fox's powered-vehicle products were up 14.7 percent in the first half.

The company is revising up its guidance for its full fiscal year performance.

In the second quarter, overall sales increased 12.5 percent, to $97.2 million, compared with $86.4 million in the same period last fiscal year. Bikes sales in the second quarter were up 23.9 percent, while powered-vehicle sales were down 3 percent.

The company said second-quarter gross margin declined somewhat — from 31.2 percent last year to 30.7 percent this year — in part due to expenses related to "accelerating the ramp-up of bike rear shock production in Taiwan and the subsequent reconfiguration of the company's Watsonville, Calif., facility."

Fox said that gross margins will improve slightly in the second half of the year compared with the last six months of fiscal 2014.

For the fiscal year 2015, the company now expects sales in the range of $347 million to $363 million. Previously Fox had called for sales of $333 million to $357 million.

Fox Factory was split off from Compass Diversified in a 2013 IPO. It acquired Race Face and Easton Cycling in December 2014. The company’s stock is traded on the Nasdaq stock market under the FOXF symbol, and its stock performance is tracked on BRAIN’s stock page.

IRVINE, Calif. (BRAIN) — Felt Bicycles has announced the addition of four new employees.

Levi Olsen joins Felt as a sales representative and market leader, Michelle VanGilder has been hired as purchasing manager, Rick Kerfoot joins as inside sales representative and Russ Dicono is the brand's newest dealer support representative.

Olsen brings more than 15 years of industry experience to Felt, most recently serving as Philadelphia territory manager for Giant Bicycles where he received the Rep of the Year Award in 2012. He has also worked as regional manager with Saris and North American sales manager at Hutchinson Tires. 

VanGilder joins Felt following nine years at Crankbrothers. She started in customer service and progressed into sales operations, purchase operations, systems administration, and most recently as supply chain director.

With extensive experience in sales and customer service, Kerfoot is now responsible for inside sales of Felt retailers in the Pacific Northwest and Southwest regions. Kerfoot joins the team after five years at Oakley where he was responsible for running the warranty call center and handling warranty claims for accounts and consumers. 

Dicono brings expertise in bicycle retail and technical service to the Felt team at its Ontario, Calif., distribution center. Dicono came to Felt after three years with Trek at its California distribution center. He also has experience from working in various industry roles including retail sales, service and warehouse management.

"It's our pleasure to welcome Levi, Michelle, Rick and Dicono to the Felt team. Their talent and experience is immensely valuable as we continue to grow the brand and invest in our retailer support," says Felt's general manager Michael Forte. "We are committed to enhancing our retailers' experience; growing our purchasing and sales teams will greatly benefit our supply and retail partners."

VENTURA, Calif. (BRAIN) —New distributor Zeitbike has hired Dennis Ocondi as sales representative for the state of Washington.

Based in Seattle, Ocondi will represent the entire line of Zeitbike, including VDO cycle computers, ASS Savers, TWO magazine, and Pedal Pushers T-Shirts, as well as more brands to be announced soon.

Ocondi said, "I am very excited to represent Zeitbike in the dry state of Washington and be involved with Fritz and his team. His innovative marketing approach, brand selection and fun spirit will help furnish a stronger and healthy urban cycling market."

MONTREAL (BRAIN) — Dorel Industries reported that second-quarter revenue for its bike business, Dorel Sports, was down $35.2 million or 12.3 percent compared to the same quarter last year. Revenue totaled $251.1 million compared to last year's $286.2 million for the segment.

Dorel Sports brands include Cannondale, Schwinn, GT, Mongoose, Caloi, IronHorse and Sugoi.

Revenue for the first half for the bike division was also off 8.8 percent or $46.6 million to $480 million from $526.6 million a year ago. Organic revenue declined about 5 percent in the quarter and 2 percent year to date, after removing the impact of foreign exchange rates year over year.

Dorel said that the Brazilian-based Caloi division had double-digit organic revenue growth in local currency. Sales also increased organically in Japan and the UK. But offsetting both of these positives was organic sales decline in Europe where dealers purchased inventory in the first quarter ahead of price increases in April and before the launch of model-year 2016 products in the third quarter.

Sales also declined in North America, which Dorel attributed to rainy May weather and to mass customers reducing inventory levels in the sporting goods category.

New pricing on model-year 2016 bicycles is being announced, and executives said introductions have received good reviews from retailers and media.

Adjusted operating profit in the second quarter, excluding restructuring and other costs, decreased $7.7 million, or 42.1 percent to $10.7 million, compared to $18.4 million a year ago. For the six months, adjusted operating profit was down $13.3 million, or 37.6 percent to $22 million, compared to $35.3 million in 2014.

The U.S. dollar appreciation against most of the currencies in Dorel's markets accounted for a net negative impact on the bike division's operating profit of about $7 million during the second quarter and $14 million during the first six months, the company said.

Companywide, accounting for its home furnishing and juvenile divisions, Dorel Industries posted $669.6 million in revenue for the second quarter, up 2.1 percent from $655.8 million for the same period last year. Adjusted net income was $16.6 million compared to $19.8 million for the quarter a year ago.

Revenue for the six months increased 2.4 percent to $1.34 billion compared to $1.30 billion last year. First half adjusted net income reached $28.4 million, compared to adjusted net income of $49.2 million last year.

Its home furnishings business had a breakout year with revenues increasing nearly 30 percent in the quarter and 23 percent year to date. Dorel's juvenile segment, consisting of children's car seat and furniture, also had a good quarter with a 5.4 percent increase in revenue. For the first half, juvenile was up 3.7 percent.

"Dorel's juvenile and sports segments continue to operate in an environment of challenging foreign exchange rates as the U.S. dollar remains strong against practically all currencies," said Martin Schwartz, Dorel's president and CEO. "This had a significant effect on our earnings, impacting operating profit in the two segments combined by a net negative amount of approximately $12 million in the second quarter alone. We have done a good job mitigating this impact with selective price increases and other proactive measures and our results reflect that."

OSAKA, Japan (BRAIN) — Shimano is releasing limited edition mountain bike shoes and pedals in the brand's trademark blue to celebrate the 25th anniversary of its SPD pedals. 

The M200 Blue shoe is the second top of the range M200 Enduro shoe, after a black/white model. The company said it combines the light weight pedaling efficiency of an cross-country shoe with the durability, grip and armor that aggressive trail riders require.

The new blue PD-M990 XC and PD-M995 Trail pedals correspond to Shimano's top-grade XTR mountain bike group.

Both the SH-M200 Blue shoes and PD-M990/PD-M995 pedals will be available in extremely limited quantities, the company said. They will become available Aug. 15.

The shoes will be available in sizes 40-48. MSRP is $180. The PD-M990 XC pedal and PD-M995 pedals also retail for $180.

WILTON, Conn. (BRAIN) — After months of teases in the media, Cannondale on Thursday released details of its Slate bike, a 650b road bike with a short travel Lefty fork.

The Slate will be available in October in three models, the company said.

It uses 650bx42 tires, which the company said has nearly the same outer diameter as 700x23 tires but offer improved cornering and comfort. The Lefty Oliver fork offers 30mm of travel, with a special MAP spring that prevents bobbing at the top of the travel. It has on-the-fly lockout and rebound adjustments for transitions from pavement to dirt.

The bike has aggressive road geometry, with 405mm chainstays and a longer top tube and slightly slacker head angle. The front suspension does not raise the geometry's stack compared to other Cannondale road bikes. 

The aluminum frame has Cannondale's SAVE Plus+ Micro-Suspension, which includes flattened seat stays, for rear wheel compliance. The frame has a Syntace 142x12 through axle.

"Slate seemed like a natural evolution to us," said David Devine, Cannondale's senior product manager. "We started thinking about a bike that we would want to ride when we didn't know exactly what type of terrain we'd be getting into for the day. It was a case of bringing together all of the different things we love about riding to create something totally new."

A model equipped with Shimano 105 will retail for $2,980; an Ultegra model is $3,520 and a SRAM Force CX1-equipped model will retail at $4,260.

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, Calif. (BRAIN) — Interbike announced the final round of nominees for the 2015 Interbike Awards for Athlete designations.

Editors from Velo magazine selected the top athlete nominees in six different categories representing the majority of cycling disciplines.

Velo selected nominees for excellence in the following categories for the race year 2015:

North American Road Cyclist of the Year (male or female), North American Mountain Bike Cyclist of the Year (male or female), International Cyclocross Rider of the Year (male or female), International Cyclist of the Year (male and female), North American Revelation Rider of the Year (male or female) and International Ride of the Year.

Those selected include Rob Britton, Tejay van Garderen, Emily Batty, Jill Kinter, Mathieu van der Poel, Alejandro Valverde, Emma Johansson, Aaron Gwin and Jean-Christophe Péraud.

A complete list of nominees for all award categories can be found at: interbike.com/events/awards-night.htm

The awards gala is 6:30 pm on Thursday, Sept. 17 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas.

NEWBURY PARK, Calif. (BRAIN) — Days after Trek Bicycle announced a plan to sell bikes online, Giant USA told dealers that it is studying a similar "Click and Collect" program in the U.S., but said it has not made a decision about going forward with the plan.

Giant Bicycle already has Click and Connect sales in other markets, including the U.K., where it has operated the system for two years.

"Yes, Giant USA is studying the 'Click and Collect' business model that is working very well for Giant retailers and consumers in other countries – so in a way, we already have a good head start in this arena. The way consumers buy bikes and gear is rapidly advancing and we want our retailers to win as the environment changes here in the USA," read a letter to U.S. retailers signed by Giant USA's general manager, Elysa Walk, and its executive director, John "JT" Thompson.

"Our decision will be based on whether this model can enhance the strength of our retailer's business in an evolving marketplace, as well as better serve consumers with access to world-leading products," the letter continued.

The letter said Giant USA has not employed Click and Collect to date because of significant differences between e-commerce in the U.S. and our other markets.

"Among those differences are the size of our country and the sizeable number of Giant retailers in the USA. The success of such a strategy is in the details and high level of execution. If we embrace this opportunity, it will be done at a super high level, supporting our investment in your brick and mortar," the letter said.

The letter contained a special email address allowing Giant dealers to contact the company with feedback regarding the program.

Dorel exec responds

During a conference call with analysts Thursday, Dorel Industries CFO Jeffrey Schwartz fielded a question about the company's online strategy in the IBD channel. 

Dorel's bike brands include Cannondale, GT, Schwinn, Mongoose, Caloi, IronHorse and Sugoi. 

 “We’ve been, obviously, with our success in home furnishings, we’re definitely looking at options on how to move forward through the digital world,” Schwartz said. “We’ve had tremendous success in home furnishings, but it doesn't necessarily mean that way is going to work. We’re looking at a lot of things. We are looking at stuff like that and we’ve got some great people in the organization that are capable of doing things like that.  

“It is interesting,” Schwartz added. “The world is changing and we’re trying from the corporate level to influence what our companies do to either stay with the market or get ahead of the market in these areas.”

LIVINGSTON, Scotland (BRAIN) — Endura is now offering a 90-day comfort guarantee on its its FS260-Pro SL Bibshorts.

The shorts were developed with German bike fitting experts gebioMized and is available with three pad-width options and two leg lengths.

"Factoring in the Scots' reputation for being somewhat frugal, Endura's 90-day comfort guarantee illustrates the company's confidence in this ground breaking product," Endura said.

The bibs are used by the Movistar Team and have become a best seller in the Endura range.

Customers who don't find these to be the most comfortable bibshorts they have ever used will get a full refund or exchange within 90 days of purchase. The Scottish company said it won't ask for the tags or packaging to be returned.

Endura recommends that customers go to an Endura PadFit dealer for the best pad width selection, however the comfort guarantee still applies even if the customer self selects from the saddle width matrix included with the packaging.

The Scottish brand is distributed in the U.S. from a facility in Plainfield, Ind.

The FS260-Pro SL Bibshorts are available in sizes XS-XXL, with three pad widths and two leg lengths.

They are made with Italian Power Lycra for muscle support, with coldblack technology to reduce heat build up. The material is UPF 50+ and the 700 Series pad is computer cut with a "Continuously Variable profile" with antibacterial finish.

MSRP is $179.99. More information at endurasport.com.

ST. PAUL, Minn. (BRAIN) — Framed Bicycles added several new hires to its outside sales force beginning Aug. 1.

The company has brought on Dittmer Sales to cover Utah, Wyoming, Idaho and parts of Montana. Justin Dittmer was most recently with the Accell group of brands. Dittmer Sales is also the Serfas rep for much of the same area.

Multi Sport Arsenal is covering sales in Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky. Multi Sport Arsenal is a new group run by Lee Sellers and Alton Alexander. They also represent Vittoria USA helmets and shoes, Picky Bars, FuelBelt and Gatorade Endurance.

And Mike Kojis will cover the state of Michigan and the Toledo, Ohio, area and also represents Swagman Carriers.

Framed Bikes also announced that it has launched a new series of bikes solely for the specialty bike channel. The Wolftrax series includes alloy and carbon fat bikes with MAP pricing that ranges from $999 to $1,999.

Dealers can reach Justin Dittmer at Dittmersales@gmail.com, Multi Sport Arsenal at Lee@multisportarsenal.com or Alton@multisportarsenal.com, and Kojis at mikekojis@comcast.net.

HAYWARD, Calif. (BRAIN) — Bianchi USA has hired Rob Gaertner as territory manager for Colorado, Utah and New Mexico. 

Gaertner is starting the full-time factory position immediately. Gaertner has spent more than 20 years working with the IBD, including the last nine years as territory manager for Raleigh USA.

Bianchi VP of sales & marketing Jim Stevenson said, "Especially now, with the addition of mountain bikes to our line this year, the Rocky Mountain region is an important area for us. We look forward to having someone with Rob's experience to support our dealers in the region at the highest level."

Gaertner said, "It's such a privilege to represent a brand that integrates technology and design so seamlessly. I'm looking forward to continuing the same collaborative, engaged approach to my work that has enabled me to build so many great relationships year after year." 

FERNDALE, Wash. (BRAIN) — Kona unveiled its expanded 2016 road and mountain line to a select group of retailers at its sixth annual Kona Ride product launch, held at its U.S. headquarters in northwestern Washington this week.

About 175 Kona dealers from across Canada and the U.S. rendezvoused for two separate sessions that included excursions on the company's backyard trails, scenic road rides, lake swimming, pump tracking, piñata swinging and delectable local cuisine — all served up in the intimate, playful yet no-nonsense manner that Kona does best.

Kona product managers kicked off the sessions with product presentations with a theme in mind: Going deeper in 2016. 

"Kona founders Dan [Gerhard] and Jake [Heilbron] have invested in product and sales so we can push ourselves to make better bikes," said Mitchell Scott, marketing manager at Kona.

"And we've spent a lot of time looking in so we can go higher and further. Our platforms are well-thought out, more purpose-driven and niche specific for 2016."

Mountain



Since it debuted the Process trail models in 2014, Kona has received numerous awards and accolades for its long and low slung top tube design, short chainstays and slack head angles. And it has carried some of these characteristics through its entire mountain offering for 2016, which Scott called the "best lineup of mountain bikes in Kona's 28-year history".

But many still ask, "Where's the carbon?" Besides the carbon 26-inch Operator Supreme 200mm travel downhill bike, carbon frames are noticeably absent from Kona's mountain product line. 

"The carbon Operator was in production prior to the attempt to make a carbon Process. The Operator passed machine and field testing, whereas the Process did not," said Kona product manager Ian Schmitt.

"These frames unfortunately were not up to the high standard of excellence and performance deserving of the Process name. The development of carbon Process bikes is a high priority for Kona, and the second generation of this renowned platform has already begun," Schmitt added.

But with or without carbon, Kona's popular Honzo 29er hardtail model got lighter with the introduction of an aluminum version. Schmitt said the frame weighs about 40 percent less than its steel cousin. The aluminum Honzo has 440mm chainstays, and is available in two models with 148mm Boost spacing in the rear. Titanium framesets manufactured by Tennessee's Lynskey will also be available. 



Developed with what Schmitt dubbed 'cross-stuntry' in mind, new Hei Hei full-suspension 29er is Kona's do-it-all race and trail machine. The Hei Hei frame is built around Kona's Fuse suspension platform with 430mm chainstays. The trail model is spec'ed with a 100mm RockShox and has a 69-degree head angle, while the DL Trail is built with a 120mm Fox 34 and has a slacker 68-degree head angle.

Kona made several changes to the Process line, including shaving frame weights up to 100 grams depending on size. It also upgraded the spec across the line, and based on the success of its 2015 Process 134 SE targeting smaller riders, Kona added an extra small frame size option in its 134 base and DL models. The Process 134 DL is now built with a RockShox Pike and is equipped with Shimano's new 1x11 drivetrain. 
 
Kona spec'ed all Process models with wider, tubeless-compatible, pre-taped rims (at least 29mm in width), and KS Lev dropper posts with Southpaw levers.

Kona borrowed its Process naming conventions for its price point Precept mountain line and refined geometry and fit to bring it more in line with the Process platform.

"Here at Kona, we're concerned with pocketbook injuries," said Schmitt, laughing. "We want everyone to feel like they're on a Kona, so we're bringing what we've done with premier product into our base products that target the entry-level customer."



For the gravity junkies, Kona rolled out its new 27.5-inch Operator, built on a lighter, narrower and stiffer alloy frame, which was reworked with weight savings in mind. The Operator Supreme is available with 26-inch wheels built on a sleek carbon chassis. All models have a 63-degree head angle, narrower Q-factor and a wider seattube to accommodate a 34.9mm seatpost.



Road

Kona has also gone deeper into road for 2016, with updates and additions to its drop-bar line. It enters the steel road category with the Roadhouse, which road product manager Pat White said is a "blend of the best of old and new world technologies."

The steel Roadhouse frame is fabricated with Reynolds 853 custom drawn steel tubing and features modern upgrades like disc brakes, tapered steer tube and carbon fork.

Kona has expanded its ever-popular Jake the Snake 'cross and commuter bike line, which has been in production since 1994, with the new Private Jake model. The single ring specific frame has a slack head angle, lower bottom bracket and taller head tube. It can be built as a single speed, has front and rear through axle hubs and ships with tubeless-ready rims and Kevlar cable housing.

Kona entered the endurance road category in 2015 with the Esatto. This year, it is made with new size-specific SuperLight aluminum tubing and features flat mount Shimano disc brakes and a 150mm thru axle carbon fork.

Several 2016 models are shipping now. For pricing and complete build info, visit konaworld.com.

ATLANTA (BRAIN) — Wahoo Fitness has launched a new sales and marketing team for Germany, Switzerland & Austria (GSA).

Starting Aug. 26, Ingo Urban will lead all Wahoo sales and marketing-related activities from Berlin. Bastian Dietz will support Urban in marketing communications, on a business-to-business and business-to-consumer level.

"We are pleased to work with well known cycling industry specialists for GSA to support our sales strategy focusing on brick and mortar cycling accounts. As a premium brand, we believe in building strong relationships with the best local shops in the market. Our new team will provide customer service, dealer training and marketing support – on the local shop, as well as wholesale level," said Kevin Abt, the head of international sales and marketing at Wahoo.

The new Wahoo team will inherit all existing Wahoo dealer accounts from current distribution partner, NC17, on Aug. 26."NC17 has been a great help to Wahoo over the last four years. We thank their entire team for their hard work," said Abt. 

Urban has more than 20 years of bicycle industry background as buyer for the Globetrotter retail chain, manager of professional triathlon team TRIPEP and one of the leaders of the Berliner Fahrradschau, a major spring consumer show in Berlin.

Urban said, "Wahoo is a super strong brand, whose products I have been training with since a long time. We will work hard on the brand awareness on B2B and B2C level in GSA, because until now, not too many know about the product advantages and training possibilities they offer. This will change. The official boost for Wahoo starts at Eurobike 2015, booth FG-A5/9."

Dietz was signed by Wahoo's PR firm, True Communications. His main duties include special interest media relations, media planning and B2B communications. Lifestyle and non-endemic media will be kept in the loop by Freedom & Enterprise PR Agency.