SAN MATEO, Calif. (BRAIN) — Shares of GoPro plunged in after-hours trading Wednesday after the action camera maker reported a surprising fourth-quarter loss of $11.4 million, or 8 cents a share, compared with a year-earlier profit of $144.9 million. Wall Street analysts had expected the company to break even during the quarter.

GoPro also warned of continued weakness in the first quarter of 2016 and announced that CFO Jack Lazar is retiring in March after two years with the company and will be replaced by Brian McGee, a 30-year finance industry veteran who joined GoPro from Qualcomm last year.

Fourth-quarter revenue totaled $436.6 million, slightly higher than GoPro’s updated forecast of $435 million announced in January but well off of previous guidance of $500 million to $550 million.

After pricing its compact Hero4 Session camera at $400 last summer, GoPro has twice reduced the price — currently at $199 — and took a $21 million charge during the quarter due to the second price cut, enacted in December. It also recorded a charge of $57 million due to excess inventory and obsolete tooling as GoPro discontinues certain models and simplifies its line to a “good, better and best” offering of the Hero4 Session, Hero4 Silver and Hero4 Black, respectively.

During an earnings call, CEO Nick Woodman attempted to put a bright face on the numbers, saying Q4 2015 was the second-highest-grossing quarter in GoPro history and that full-year revenue rose 16 percent to $1.62 billion for an annual profit of $111.6 million, or 76 cents per share.

He also noted that the Hero4 Session price cut sparked a threefold increase in sell-through in December, and that the camera is “clearly resonating with consumers.” Overall, GoPro shipped 6.6 million cameras during 2015, up 27 percent from 2014, the company stated.

Additionally, Woodman addressed analyst concerns that GoPro is straining under competitive threats by highlighting NPD Group data stating that in the fourth quarter, the brand captured 21.3 percent of the combined digital camera/camcorder category in the U.S. and commanded more than 85 percent of the action camera market.

“While we respect our competitors, the data shows they are not having a significant impact on our business,” he said.

Still, Woodman acknowledged that growth slowed significantly during the second half of 2015 and that GoPro needs to develop software to make it easier for consumers to offload and edit their GoPro content. After reducing its workforce by 7 percent in January, the company has reallocated resources to software development and will introduce a new content management system in March, Woodman said.

Before Wednesday’s earnings announcement, GoPro shares closed at $10.71, off 84 percent from a 52-week high of $65.49. The shares fell as much as 16 percent in after-hours trading following the announcement.

GoPro’s stock is traded on the Nasdaq exchange under the GPRO symbol. Its stock performance is tracked on BRAIN's stock page. 

KETCHUM, Idaho (BRAIN) — Club Ride Apparel has appointed Josh Fonner as its director of sales.

"We are all very excited to have Josh on board the Club Ride team. Josh brings a fresh view on our brand's direction," said Club Ride's founder and CEO, Mike Herlinger. "His talents in sales, knowledge of brand development and understanding of apparel merchandising is integral to our success and the success of our retail partners."

"I am thrilled to be joining the team at Club Ride," said Fonner. "The Club Ride brand truly captures the fun and adventure that the cycling lifestyle offers, and I am looking forward to leading the continued growth and development of the brand. With our Spring/Summer 2016 collection currently being delivered to retailers around world, and launching the Fall/Winter 16/17 collections, we're going to be on a great ride with our retail partners and customers."

Prior to Club Ride, Fonner served as COO at ZG Collective in Aspen, Colorado, and has been the North American sales manager for POC and regional sales manager for Giant Bicycles.

He can be reached at josh@clubrideapparel.com.

ROSSANO VENETO, Italy (BRAIN) — The Bigolin family, which owns the Selle Italia saddle brand, now also has an interest in the Selle San Marco brand, the companies announces this week.

Giuseppe Bigolin will be "the main point of contact also for the future governance of the Selle San Marco brand and will bring together the two oldest and most famous brands in the history of Italian cycling in order to benefit from a high level of industrial synergy," read a statement from Selle Italia.

The statement said the two brands will continue to operate independently but will cooperate on R&D and their supply chain.

"This significant partnership will keep the two historic prestigious companies at the top of the most important peaks in the scene of world cycling," Selle Italia said.

Selle Italia dates to 1897; the Bigolin family took it over in the 1970s. Selle San Marco was established in Rossano Veneto in 1935 by Luigi Girardi.

LEXINGTON, S.C. (BRAIN) — Hawley is now distributing BionX retrofit e-bike systems. All products will be available for ordering at the beginning of March. 

Andre Trudeau, product director of Hawley-Lambert, said, "The demand for electric bikes is increasing in the United States and BionX offers a truly unique solution. With BionX retrofit systems, you can convert any bicycle into an electric bike. Along with our EVO e-bike collection, we are now offering the most comprehensive electric-assist assortment to bicycle dealers in North America."

Casey Anderson, North American sales manager at BionX, said, "We see an opportunity to supply retailers with our product more efficiently through Hawley. This will allow our existing partners to source systems more quickly and with no freight charges, and give new retailers a great program to get them started with the brand."

MINNEAPOLIS (BRAIN) — Kinetic has released a new training application, Kinetic Fit, and invited users to get acquainted with it by joining The Sufferfest's Tour of Sufferlandria, an annual fundraiser for the Davis Phinney Foundation that begins Saturday.

Kinetic is a first-time sponsor of the event. Premium subscribers of Kinetic Fit who register for the Tour of Sufferlandria with a $10 donation to the Davis Phinney Foundation will receive free streaming access to each of the nine Tour of Sufferlandria video training stages between Feb. 6-14.

"I have to say, it's really awesome to complete a workout in Kinetic Fit with a video from The Sufferfest playing. I'm addicted," said Kinetic marketing manager David Simpson. "I can't wait for more people to experience this. While it's been a longer road to release than we anticipated, I'm really proud of the Kinetic Fit app. It's our vision, not just our version."

The Kinetic Fit app, available in iOS and Android (beta), is free to all registered users during the company's extended trial period. Similar to Kinetic's predecessor inRide app, Kinetic Fit uses Bluetooth to transmit wattage output and workout metrics such as heart rate, distance, speed, and cadence. The more robust Kinetic Fit has real-time monitoring of over 50 data points, and allows full user interface customization.

Kinetic Fit includes 100 new interval workouts written by professional coach Drew Edsall with power and cadence targets. Features such as interactive real-time graphing, second screen mirroring, and synchronization with streaming video content keep users on-target, motivated and fully engaged.

"The training experience offered by apps like Zwift has really put indoor training in the spotlight this winter, requiring connected trainers," said Simpson. "We provide a great hardware/software solution and are working closely with Zwift to ensure that our trainers work as seamlessly as possible on their platform as well as ours."

Kinetic plans to update the Fit app regularly with new workouts, power-training plans, social incentives and added functionality and features, many of which will be open to all app subscribers during the extended free trial period.

All Kinetic Smart Trainers sold through retail since October 2015 are compatible with the firmware requirements of Kinetic Fit. Version 1 inRide sensor pods (T-2000 and T-2002 inRide Watt Meter accessories) purchased prior to that time are not compatible; however, Kinetic has a free firmware upgrade program.

Finally, owners of even the earliest generations of Kinetic Rock and Roll or Road Machine trainers can inexpensively retrofit their equipment with Kinetic's inRide Sensor Pod (MSRP $75; or $130 for sensor pod and BLE heart rate strap).

Kinetic has created a dedicated section of its website features step-by-step instructions, videos, and customized support for Kinetic Fit.

For dealer sales or information about becoming a Kinetic dealer, contact Kinetic at (763) 572-4455) or e-mail joverman@kurt.com.

COSTA MESA, Calif. (BRAIN) — Retailers can apply online now to be included in the National Bicycle Dealers Association America's Best Bike Shops 2016 awards. Applications are being accepted through March 31.

This is the fourth year of this program. The NBDA said it is continuing to raise the bar in asking stores to provide measurable details explaining what sets their shop apart from the average retailer. Mystery shoppers then evaluate the business in more detail by visiting the store, reviewing their website, and contacting the shop by phone to assess the performance from a consumer's perspective.

The program is designed to help consumers find great stores in their areas that will provide expertise and professionalism. At the same time, the NBDA, along with the program sponsors, promotes and recognizes the highest-performing shops in the industry.

The application is at nbda.com/about/americas-best-bike-shops.

EUGENE, Ore. (BRAIN) — Rolf Prima has signed a distribution agreement with Hotlines Distribution for the U.K. market.

"We've experienced a strong reception in the U.K. since we first launched our brand there five years ago. We're looking forward to continuing that momentum with our new partnership with Hotlines. The team at Hotlines all ride and are excited about riding. That matches perfectly with our company ethos and culture" said Rolf Prima's owner, Brian Roddy.

Hotlines showed the new 2016 Rolf Prima line to its dealers at the COREbike show this week in Whittlebury outside of London. Retailers throughout the U.K. can order the wheels from Hotlines soon.

"The fit for us is tremendous. We already work with iconic U.S. handmade brands like Lynskey who understand the value of making something well. The opportunity to work with the wheel craftsmen of Rolf Prima is a great extension of our business," said Hotlines marketing manager Declan Deehan.

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (BRAIN) — North Carolina-based industry brands Cane Creek, Outrider USA, Grava Bike Co., DeFeet and Industry Nine will exhibit in March at the second annual Get in Gear Fest, a free consumer festival presented by the Outdoor Gear Builders of Western North Carolina.

"We want the WNC community to see and try the amazing and innovative products that are being made in their own back yard," said Kyle Mundt, director of marketing and new product development for camping trailer maker SylvanSport and one of the founders of the Outdoor Gear Builders. "This is a great chance for all these great companies to get together and show our community what's new for 2016."

Last year's inaugural Get in Gear Fest drew more than 1,000 attendees, according to Mundt. In addition to equipment displays and games, this year's edition will include family-friendly adventure races, a pumptrack, kayak demos, gear raffle, auction, beer garden with a selection of local craft beers on tap, live music and the Squeezebox National Championships, with all proceeds benefitting local nonprofits.

Other outdoor brands from the region exhibiting at the festival include LightHeart Gear, Simple Shot Shooting, Misty Mountain Threadworks, Fifth Element Camping, Native Watercraft, Harmony House Foods and Watershed Drybags.

Get in Gear Fest is set for March 19 at Riverlink Park in Asheville. More information: outdoorgearbuilders.com.

ST. CHARLES, Ill. (BRAIN) — The Chicagoland Area Bicycle Dealers Association trade show gained even more traction in its second year, and the dealer group’s board is already planning a bigger show next year.

Held Wednesday and Thursday at the Pheasant Run Resort in St. Charles, a suburb about an hour outside of Chicago, the show drew retailers from Illinois as well as nearby states including Wisconsin, Minnesota, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan and Iowa.

More than 1,400 attendees from 370 shops had pre-registered to attend, according to Jim Kersten, president of CABDA and show director. “We had 737 attendees today alone,” Kersten said Wednesday night at the Industry Party, which capped off the first day of the show. Some 300 dealers and exhibitors stayed for the festivities, which included hors d’oeuvres, a cash bar and music from an 11-member Blues Brothers band.

Kersten said about 200 on-site registrations were processed Wednesday.

The CABDA board voted and approved for the show to return next year to the Pheasant Run. It will take place Feb. 1-2. “Bicycle dealers in the Midwest are an important demographic and we have to do it,” Kersten said. “When we first had the idea to bring back the organization and the show, we never in a million years thought we’d have the turnout. We have dealers from as far east as New York City, as far north as Duluth, Minnesota, as far south as Biloxi, Mississippi, and as far west as California.”

Exhibitors hailed the show for its better timing, at a time of year when retailers can get out of their stores; its more intimate size that allows for longer conversations; and its affordability. Companies could exhibit starting at $650 for a 10x10. And with no unions, booth setup and teardown is done by the exhibitors themselves at a small fraction of the cost of a larger trade show. Most booths consisted of simple tables, display cases or pegboards and curtain backgrounds — no flashy or elaborate construction or displays requiring hours of setup.

Hawley tripled its exhibit space from a 10x10 to a 30x10 space this year. Larry Beiswenger, one of the reps manning the booth, said he expected to see 35 to 40 of his dealers at the show. “One of my Amish customers from Northern Indiana, he doesn’t fly. He hopped on a train to come to the show,” he said, adding that several Amish dealers had dropped in. “Shops are excited about this show.”

Dennis Burg, the Chicago rep for Hawley, noted, “People want their own show with Midwestern flavor. We got a lot of support from Hawley to do this and do it right. Next year we’ll be in a bigger booth based on foot traffic.”

Other national distributors including J&B Importers and QBP had booths to show their house brands, while regional distributors including Olympic Cycle Supply, Ochsner, Detroit Cycle Supply and Lexco also had booths to connect with their dealers.  

“I just hope this show is successful because it’s a better time of year. I hope it takes off — it’s good to have a Midwest show again,” said Doug Dye, a Cycling Sports Group rep for the Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa region. A total of five reps for the Midwest attended on behalf of CSG for the first time, which had Cannondale bikes on display, as well as accessories from Fabric and Sugoi apparel. “A bunch of Midwest reps decided to do this. We will be here next year,”

“This is where the shop guys come — where they can get excited about the industry,” said Mike Casey of Alter Cycles, which was showing its bikes with customizable, oddly shaped downtubes.

Casey, who drove 3½  hours from Grand Rapids, Michigan, said: “Here you really get a chance to see and talk in depth with everybody.”

“For us, smaller, regional shows seem better,” said Brian Orloff, managing director of Sigma USA, which is based in St. Charles. “There are a lot more shop employees here. They can come on their own time.

“Jim [Kersten] sent us a list of dealers who had pre-registered and we contacted them to ask them to come by,” he added. “This show is about the dealers.”

Kenda’s Matt Boissy, aftermarket sales manager for the bike division, noted that many dealers in the Midwest states don’t travel to the annual Interbike trade show in Las Vegas, and the CABDA show allows them to connect with them. Kenda was one of many first-time exhibitors.

Boissy drove six hours from Ohio to set up a booth even though Kenda’s products were on display at some of the distributor booths. “We’re here to support the network of dealers,” he said. “The timing is good so we can allocate the resources. Product on show was released last fall, but is now shipping.”

Another first-time exhibitor, Brompton, had a booth to grow its presence in the Chicago market. “It’s a good way to build our presence, and we’re also visiting dealers in the area,” said Nate Prescott, who handles marketing for Brompton.

CABDA’s Kersten handed out awards at the Industry Party on Wednesday night. After issuing a call-out for nominations just a couple weeks before the show, he came up with three awards named after individuals who have had an impact on the local market.

The Larry Lorenz salesman of the year award, named after an independent rep serving the region who passed away in 2011, went to Ray Pecora, the Chicago rep for Olympic Cycle Supply. CABDA’s dealer of the year award was given to Ron Kozy of Kozy's Cyclery, with five stores in Chicago. The supplier of the year award, named after the late Harold Carter of Lexco, went to Olympic Cycle Supply.  

CARLSBAD, Calif. (BRAIN) — Veteran BMX dirt and park pro Ryan Nyquist has announced will compete as a dual-sport athlete this year, riding for both Haro BMX and Haro MTB.

"I've been riding and competing in BMX for over 20 years and I still love it just as much today and I did when I started. But for me, riding has always been about pushing myself to achieve new goals, and MTB is another way to challenge myself and progress my riding," Nyquist said.

Nyquist participated in select mountain bike events in 2015 and will continue to ride BMX competitively, but will now commit officially to a competitive MTB schedule as well.

"When you think BMX you think Ryan Nyquist, and that's never going to change." said Joe Hawk, COO of Haro Bikes. "But if he's looking for an extra challenge, we're thrilled to have him involved in just another branch of the family with Haro MTB. We know he'll bring the same excitement to the MTB world that he still does today on the BMX side."

GREENVILLE, N.C. (BRAIN) — BMX legend Dave Mirra was found dead here of an apparant suicide late Thursday, according to multiple news reports. Mirra, who was 41, was married with two children. 

Mirra was one of the few BMX athletes to become known in popular culture, outside the sport. He was best known for his success at the X-Games, where he won 14 gold medals and 24 medals total. In 2000, he landed a double backflip in competition, a BMX first. Later he hosted an MTV show and had two video games named after him.

He worked with many brands in the BMX world, including a long association with Haro. He later launched his own company, MirraCo, which was offered bikes that were distributed by Trek Bicycle for eight years, and then by Dynacraft.

In recent years, after retiring from BMX, he took up road cycling and triathlon and competed in several events with the goal of qualifying for the Ironman World Championships. In 2014 he joined a four-man team that won the relay competition in the Race Across America.

ESPN released a statement about Mirra on Thursday. “Dave Mirra, your courage, determination and natural skill in everything you pursued pushed the world of action sports to become a better place. From all of us at X Games and ESPN, we salute your contributions. Our sincere condolences go out to Dave’s wife, Lauren, his daughters Mackenzie and Madison, the BMX community and friends of Dave Mirra.”

BREMBATE, Italy (BRAIN) — 3T says its new Revo aero bars' reversed grip offers a more secure handhold that improves control on descents, rough surfaces and sprints.

The new design attaches the basebar wing to the front of the grips instead of the back. With this design, it's impossible for the rider's hands to slide forward off the grips. The handhold also improves handling in situations where road riders would typically use the drops.

The new design also is more aerodynamic because the basebar wing has a sharper angle of attack than standard basebars.

"This is a very simple idea, and it's amazing it's taken over 30 ywears to get to it," said 3T president Rene Wiertz, referring to the 3T bullhorn bars used by Francesco Moser in his 1984 World Hour Record ride. "Putting the basebar in front of the grips eliminates at a stroke the time-trialist's nightmare scenario: losing control of the bike because your hands slip off when you hit a pothole."

The carbon fiber bars have been tested and raced by the BMC Racing Team, the reigning world team time trial champions. 

The Revo bars are available in three versions, with retail prices ranging from $675 to $900. 

NEWBURY PARK, Calif. (BRAIN) — Larry Lewallen, who began his career at Giant in January 1988, is retiring after 28 years with the brand and more than 40 years in the bike industry.

Lewallen began with Giant soon after the brand was launched in the U.S.

"I went in for training at our new facility in Cinnaminson, New Jersey," Lewallen said. "There were three other brand new reps along with Bob Holmes, the general manager, and the newly-hired vice president, Nick Andrade. The training was pretty loose and we all just hit the road and started telling the Giant story." In the early days, territories for Giant sales reps weren't always clearly defined. "My territory was anything west of Pittsburgh," he added. "I could just drive off into the sunset and disappear in a puff of smoke like the roadrunner!"

Lewallen was honored at Giant's annual national sales meeting awards dinner on Wednesday evening.

"I began my career in bicycle retail at Seiler's Bike Shop in Cincinnati at the age of 14. I still keep in contact with some of the guys I worked with back then," he said. "Before coming to Giant, I worked as a sales rep for almost 10 years for Farber Cycle, a regional bicycle distributer based in Detroit. My territory was Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky – so servicing the same markets for Giant was a very smooth transition."

Giant regional sales manager Dave Maurer said, "For almost three decades, Larry has been a role model for other account execs. He's one of the hardest working, most consistent, and dependable reps this industry, or any industry, has ever had."

Lewallen said he will be spending more time with his wife, Paula, since he'll be off the road and since "... we are empty nesters. I have two daughters and two sons. They are all married and have given us 13 grandchildren. Some of our family lives out of state and it's been hard to get to see them very often. Now it will be nice to visit them more frequently."

Still, he admits he will miss visiting retailers. "I've known most of them for 30-plus years. I've seen guys start working in bike shops as teenagers, get married, start families – and some have become shop owners. Some are even now passing their businesses on to their children. It will be very hard to let go and lose regular contact with the dealers. The relationships I've developed go way beyond just business. I consider them very close friends."

SANTEE, Calif. (BRAIN) — Sidi's U.S. distributor, Ciclista America, is launching a refurb service for the Italian shoe brand. Ciclista America's president, Bill Berroth, is the only Sidi Factory trained technician outside Italy, and he will be handling all the shoe refurbushing, he said.

"It is not unusual for Sidi to hear of riders still cranking in Sidi shoes over 15 years old," Berroth said. "That said even a Sidi shoe will not last forever; all those crank rotations will wear out even the best shoe. Proper maintenance can extend or enhance the rider's experience but it is not possible to expect any product to outlast its materials parameters."

The service is being offered for shoes that are less than 10 years old. "After ten years even a Sidi shoe is ready for retirement," Berroth said.

To begin the process, email Berroth at csr@ciclista-america.com, and attach several images of the shoes in question. Berroth will reply to say if the shoe can be refurbished.

Inbound freight is the client's responsibility. Ciclista America will pay for return freight within the continental U.S. Each refurbished shoe is returned in a new Sidi shoe box wrapped in souvenir Elite packing material and includes all old, replaced, parts.
Cost is $50 per pair plus the cost of any parts replaced and applicable taxes.

Turn around time averages 5-7 working days from receipt.

More information: ciclista-america.com/ciclista_america_refurbishment_system.

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. (BRAIN) — QBP is offering five paid internships this summer for female undergraduates. The internships will be offered in each of the following fields: Graphic Design, Engineering, Industrial Design, IT, and Sales.

"We're looking for students who have a strong passion for bikes, innovative business, and making an impact on their communities," said Alix Magner, QBP's national sales manager. "The goal of this program is to encourage talented women to explore careers in the bike industry, while also increasing the presence of women in cycling as a whole."

Thr ten-week long internships begin in mid-June 2016 and runs until mid-August. Internship availability is limited to woman-identifying candidates who are full-time undergraduate students, with at least one semester remaining. Applications will be accepted through March 3.

There is more information at qbp.com/careers.

BIG FLATS, N.Y. (BRAIN) — A federal appeals court has upheld a tubeless rim patent held by Stan's NoTubes, which has been the subject of a long legal dispute with Specialized. 

The Federal Circuit decision upholds a previous ruling by the Patent Trial and Appeal Board that had declared Stan's NoTubes' U.S. Patent Number 7,334,846 to be valid.

"We are pleased to have reached a positive conclusion regarding our rim design patent. The court's decision further strengthens our patent portfolio," said Stan's NoTubes co-owners Stan and Cindy Koziatek in a statement Monday. "We look forward to continuing the advancement of tubeless wheels for all cycling applications."

The Federal Circuit heard arguments from Stan's NoTubes and Specialized on February 2, 2016.

Stan's first sued Specialized in 2008, alleging that Specialized was selling rims that infrigned on the patent.  A judgment was entered against Specialized in that case in 2015, with Specialized paying compensation to Stan's NoTubes.

BOULDER, Colo. (BRAIN) — PeopleForBikes has added two senior staffers to its Colorado headquarters team.

Wendy Mayo, formerly with Clif Bar & Company, is PFB's new director of marketing & communications. Dr. Jennifer Boldry, founder of the Breakaway Research Group, has been named PFB's first full-time director of research.

Mayo worked for eight years at Clif Bar in Emeryville, California, where she led the digital marketing team. Mayo helped establish Clif's Two-Mile Challenge, which inspired thousands of Americans to make short trips by bike. Mayo now guides PFB's marketing and communication with suppliers, retailers, media, and the organization's 1.2-million individual supporters.

Boldry joined PeopleForBikes on Feb 1. Boldry is the founder of the Breakaway Research Group and the former director of custom research at Leisure Trends (now NPD Sports). She earlier taught statistics and social science research methods as an assistant professor at Montana State University. Boldry will boost the research and statistics components of all PeopleForBikes' projects.

"The PeopleForBikes team is getting stronger," said PeopleForBikes president Tim Blumenthal. "Wendy and Doc B. bring tremendous experience and passion, and both will add energy and new perspectives to our work getting more people riding bikes more often."

Mayo can be reached at wendy@peopleforbikes.org. Boldry can be reached at docb@peopleforbikes.org.

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. (BRAIN) — Quality Bicycle Products has hired the MAP monitoring service provider Oris Intel to support its minimum advertised pricing and sales policies.

Besides maintaining MAP policies for each of its 19 brands, QBP also prohibits sales of any of those brands on third party marketplaces such as Amazon, eBay, Rakuten, and Jet.com. QBP's president, Rich Tauer, said, "Oris Intel is an exciting new company bringing the next level of scope and innovation to MAP monitoring. As our in-house brands continue to grow, it is important that our diligence in protecting those brands — and our dealers — grows as well."

Oris' Prowl software was designed to monitor online pricing and reduce the time it takes to enforce pricing policy infringements as well as to identify online discounters and unauthorized dealers with more accuracy and efficiency than normal comparison shopping engines.

Dahon announced last week that it had hired Oris Intel, as well. CatEye and Selle San Marco also have worked with the company.

EUGENE, Ore. (BRAIN) — Burley Design has hired Groundswell PR to oversee its digital influencer and media relations in the cycling, parenting, outdoor and active lifestyle categories.

"We are so excited to be partnering with Groundswell PR," said Burley sales manager Allison Coughlin. "With their proven track record and extensive experience in the active lifestyle and outdoor industries, we couldn't have picked a better team to help share our story."

Groundswell PR, based in Charleston, South Carolina, has more than 20 years of active lifestyle public relations and marketing experience, representing a variety of clients in the outdoor, action sports, and natural products industries.

"As fitness and outdoor enthusiasts, commuters and parents, working with Burley is the perfect fit for us," said Groundswell PR's founder, Dax Kelm. "They are a heritage brand that has truly influenced recreational transport gear with their innovative design and progressive products. Groundswell is excited to share their inspiring story with media, consumers, and influencers across the United States."

PETALUMA, Calif. (BRAIN) — E-Thirteen is now sponsoring American pro downhill racer Aaron Gwin and the YT Mob team, which is title-sponsored by YT Industries, a Germany-based consumer-direct bike brand. The team also includes young Spanish star Angel Suarez.

The team is expected to use the LG1 Race Carbon cranks and chainguard and LG1 Race Carbon Wheelset.

"I'm stoked to be furthering my already great relationship with E-Tthirteen; I've relied on their chainguides for years," Gwin said. "The passion that they put into their product is obvious and I'm very thankful to work with such a motivated brand. I'm looking forward to an awesome future together, bring on the new year!"