OGDEN, Utah (BRAIN) — Quality Bicycle Products has announced that the registration link for the Ogden Regional Fat Bike Summit is now open. The event is Friday, Feb.26. Registration is at visitogden.com/fat-bike-summit.

The Ogden Regional Fat Bike Summit will be aimed primarily at public land managers, Nordic ski associations, chambers of commerce, and other city or county agencies interested in learning more about fat bike access issues, demographics, and grooming techniques.

"I'd like to thank both Visit Ogden and the Courtyard Mariott folks for helping us pull this Regional Fat Bike Summit together," said QBP's advocacy director, Gary Sjoquist, who is coordinating the event. "We'll be presenting a Land Manager Award for enlightened management practices regarding fat bike access and learning about current grooming techniques. We'll also have representatives from the BLM on hand to talk about their Leave No Trace program and the introduction of fat biking in the Owyhee Canyonlands."

There is no admission fee for the summit, which will take place from 9 a.m. to noon at the Courtyard Marriott, 247 24th Street, Ogden.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (BRAIN) — American Olympian Evelyn Stevens will attempt to break the world hour record later this month at the newly covered Olympic Training Center velodrome in Colorado Springs. Stevens will attempt to break the record of 46.882 km set Jan. 22 in Australia by Bridie O'Donnell. 

Stevens, who races for the Boels-Dolmans team, has medaled at the UCI Road World Championships five times. She has received considerable mainstream media attention during her career because of her quick progression from the finance industry to the top ranks of pro cycling. 

"While attempting to break the UCI Hour Record is exciting for me and my career, I'm also proud to help shine a light on women's cycling," Stevens said. "This will be a special day, and it's an honor to make my record attempt under the new dome at the Colorado Springs Olympic Training Center Velodrome."

Stevens will be the first American to attempt the record since Molly Shaffer Van Houweling set the record of 46.273 km on Sept. 12, 2015, in Aguascalientes, Mexico.

The Hour Record has become newly popular since the UCI modernized and simplified the rules in 2014. The record can now be tackled using any bicycle legal for endurance track events.

UCI president Brian Cookson welcomed the news of the latest attempt. "The current Women's UCI Hour Record will be only five weeks old when Evelyn Stevens tries to establish a new mark. Bridie O'Donnell set a tough mark last month, and I am looking forward tremendously to following this next challenge," he said. "It is clear that the excitement surrounding the iconic UCI Hour Record will be just as high in 2016 as it was last year when we saw six attempts on the men's record and two on the women's record."

Stevens' attempt will begin at noon MT on Feb. 27. The event will be live streamed on the Internet, with details at usacycling.org.

NEWBURY PARK, Calif. (BRAIN) — Liv's 2016 U.S.-based ambassador program will include a total of 125 ambassadors located across the country, 45 more than last year. The Liv Ambassador Program includes a sponsorship collaboration with SRAM.

"The goal of the Liv Ambassador Program is to grow the women's cycling community regionally through local events that educate women about the sport and make cycling more approachable and welcoming," the company said.

Jen Audia, the Liv U.S. marketing manager, said, "I know what it is like to be new to the cycling world, it can be really intimidating. The Liv Ambassadors are a resource based in the local community for retailers and women and the events they lead like fix-a-flat clinics, bike maintenance and group rides give women tangible skills to be a more confident and independent cyclists."

The program officially launched on Monday, with the opening of the annual Liv Ambassador Camp held in Scottsdale, Arizona. For the second year in a row, Liv will host 50 ambassadors at the camp and give them hands-on training about the Liv brand as well as leading clinics and group rides. SRAM will be on hand to train ambassadors on drivetrain, brakes, suspension, maintenance and technology.

"We leaped at the chance to be a part of this program," said Elayna Caldwell, director of mountain bike brand marketing for SRAM. "Through the ambassador program, Liv is really making a difference in the women's cycling community and making progress towards our common goal of getting more women on bikes."

Liv ambassadors serve for one year and are incentivized by discounts and Liv products for their service. More information at giant-bicycles.com/en-us/livgiant/ambassadors.

MILL VALLEY, Calif. (BRAIN) — California-based PR and communications firm True Commnications has added a staffer in New York.

The company said Emerald Stocker will boost its ability to gain mainstream media exposure for its clients. Stocker will join True as an account manager, starting immediately and work with a number of True clients including Wahoo Fitness and Ember Technologies.

"Emerald's background in the New York lifestyle and fashion industry offers our clients additional opportunity for exposure," said True's founder, Mark Riedy. "She's an amazing addition to our team and I've no doubt that our clients will enjoy having her deliver the visibility and excitement their brands and products demand." Stocker comes to True from Paul + Williams, a fashion and lifestyle PR firm.

"Having worked with several different brands over the years, I'm looking forward to taking that knowledge and experience to the next level with True and their clients," said Stocker. "Being able to expand exposure for such esteemed brands will be exciting."

LEXINGTON, S.C. (BRAIN) — Hawley announced Monday that it is increasing its U.S. sales coverage with the addition of three new sales reps: Patrick Arbour, Dave Riggs and Mike Lifshotz.

Arbour, who brings 15 years of sales experience, covers Texas. Arbour formerly worked as a rep for Raleigh America in Texas and as a manager in multiple IBDs.

Riggs has worked as a rep in Michigan and Ohio for the past 18 years. For Hawley, he will cover Michigan, Northern Ohio, and Western Pennsylvania. He previously worked for Pearl Izumi and Raleigh America as well as other major brands in the sports industry.

Lifshotz joins Hawley with more than 10 years of sales experience. He worked most recently with J&B and earlier as an independent rep in Southern Florida. He takes on the Greater Miami and East Florida regions.

"We are excited to add these experienced, dedicated, passionate sales people to the team," said Ian Cross, sales director at Hawley. "As the distribution and retail business changes, it is more critical to have the optimum people in the field to communicate, service, and offer the essential qualities of key brands and products that stimulate business and excite consumers. Patrick, Mike, and Dave will go that extra mile." 

SANDY, Utah (BRAIN) — Reynolds Cycling has updated its Ride to Decide wheel demo ride program for 2016. Consumers will now be eligible for a $100 rebate and a free year of Reynolds' Assurance Program coverage if they buy a set of wheels after a demo. And retail employees who register a demo will receive a $50 check from Reynolds if the wheels are purchased.

"Ride to Decide gives potential buyers a chance to put Reynolds wheels on their own bike to feel the superior ride quality of our wheels," said Mike Dufner, the CFO of Reynolds Cycling. "We also want to give credit to the shop employees who help drive the program, and a direct incentive is our way to thank them for their participation in Ride to Decide."

PETALUMA, Calif. (BRAIN) — Mountain bike apparel brand Kitsbow has added a road line that includes a jersey, bib short, windbreaker, and knee and arm warmers.

"Mountain biking was our starting point, our core and our passion at Kitsbow," said Charlie Cronk, who co-founded Kitsbow with Zander Nosler. "Most of us ride, whether it's mountain, urban commuting or road, so each addition to the line has been a natural progression. Now we're excited to expand into road apparel, remaining true to Kitsbow's design philosophy: dedication to beautiful, technical fabrics with functional details, made to be worn hard and built to last. The new pieces are in the spirit of what we like about being on the bike — adventure, fun, going out and getting lost or finding a new path and exploring where it goes."

The road line includes:

• Geyser's Jersey (MSRP: $169): The jersey's merino synthetic blend (57 percent poly, 43 percent merino) is made for riding in any weather, with breathability, wicking, moisture management and anti-microbial properties. An articulated shape and race cut with a higher front ensures proper fit in the saddle while the gripper waist keeps the garment in place. Available in three colors: flash, ti-gray and denim.
• King Ridge Windbreaker ($179): A lightweight, packable wind- and water-resistant shell, the King Ridge Windbreaker has a reflective logo for safety, soft knit at the top of the collar and knit cuffs at the sleeve openings, articulated fit and shaped sleeves.
• Coleman Valley Bib Short ($179): Made from Polartec Power Stretch, the bib short's next-to-skin layer stays dry, breathable and comfortable by continuously transferring moisture vapor for rapid evaporation while the outer surface has a low-friction finish that increases abrasion resistance. Straps on the bib are made from a knit mesh elastic for lightness and breathability, and hidden leg pockets are available for ditching wrappers.
• Road Arm Warmer and Knee Warmer ($59 each): The lightweight, 50+ UPF-rated warmers feature an articulated shape for great fit, flat-lock construction, silicon pixel grippers, and reflective logo treatment for visibility.

More information: kitsbow.com.

SANTA FE, N.M. (BRAIN) — Santa Fe-based distributor BTI is rolling out faster delivery incentives to dealers in most U.S. states.

Shops west of the Mississippi River will receive orders above $450 in 1-2 business days for free, while those east of the Mississippi River will receive orders over $450 in 2-3 business days at no charge. The company said it has no exclusions for oversized goods and no maximum on shipping expense as a percentage of the order.

Below the $450 free shipping threshold, dealers will experience upgrades to delivery speed as well. Shops in most of Colorado and parts of Wyoming and Nebraska will now see packages arrive in one business day. Shops in most of Montana, South Dakota, Iowa, Missouri, and Kansas will see orders arrive in two days, a day sooner than the company previously delivered.

BTI also added USPS Priority Mail for 2016. Shops across the U.S. can benefit from Saturday delivery, without additional fees. Eastern U.S. shops will now also have the option to ship by Priority Mail for delivery in two days to most major cities. Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico will generally receive orders in three business days via Priority Mail. Domestic Priority Mail shipments qualify for free shipping at $450 (USPS size restrictions apply).

BTI's founder Preston Martin said, "BTI has not only made it easier to place smaller orders without incurring freight expense, but also accelerated delivery to most shops; this keeps the shop's inventory turns high, reduces freight expense and best of all, increases customer satisfaction. BTI's true free shipping just got even better."

More information at bti-usa.com.

DERBY, Vt. (BRAIN) — Louis Garneau says it can turn around custom kit orders in four weeks this spring. The company said the 4-week turnaround applies to all orders placed in the U.S. and Canada.

“Custom has always been a priority for Garneau and we are happy to offer an accelerated process to complement our commitment to top-notch customer service,” said Garneau's custom sales manager, Vincent Gauthier.

Garneau's custom apparel is made in North America in company-owned factories in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Apparel made in its Derby, Vermont, factory is marked with a Made in Vermont tag.  

More information: custom.louisgarneau.com

NEWBURY PARK, Calif. (BRAIN) — Giant Bicycle USA has hired Sean Burkey as its new account executive for Ohio and northern Kentucky. Burkey moves to Giant after several years as a Raleigh sales representative.

"Sean's an industry veteran, as well as a cycling enthusiast," said Dave Maurer, Giant's sales manager for the central region. "He has strong relationships currently with many bicycle businesses in the territory. With his high integrity and superior product knowledge, he brings an authentic perspective which all Giant retailers will appreciate."

Burkey, who makes his home in Gates Mills, Ohio, replaces long-time Giant account executive Larry Lewallen, who recently retired from Giant after 28 years.

"I traveled with Larry in his last couple of weeks on the job, meeting Giant retailers in the region," Burkey said. "They are a terrific group, and I'm humbled to take Larry's place working with them." He continued, "I'm familiar with many of these retailers already and they all reinforce the reasons why I wanted to work for Giant: great leadership, amazing products, and a strong sense of partnership."

MORGAN HILL, Calif. (BRAIN) — Specialized announced that it has made substantial organizational changes as it tightens up its structure to better serve riders and retailers.

The company said it’s reducing its global workforce by 3 percent. A spokesperson said less than 50 people are being laid off at its Morgan Hill, Calif., headquarters. And the layoffs are across the board.  

As part of the restructuring, Jeff McGuane is assuming the role of USA market leader. He joined the company in January. Stu MacLennan, who joined Specialized last April from Apple, is leaving. MacLennan was managing director of Specialized USA. 

“We are tightening up our structure and focusing on three key areas: innovation, marketing and supply chain,” said Mike Sinyard, Specialized founder and CEO. “We are investing in new R&D space in Switzerland, Taiwan and Morgan Hill that will keep us at the forefront of cycling innovation. We are focusing on marketing that will expand the global market for our brand and help our retailers drive traffic and sales. And finally, we are investing in our supply chain to ensure we are delivering the best product at the best price to riders and our retailers. All of this is an investment in our future.

“We have made the difficult but necessary decision to reduce the number of employees and realign the organization. Our employees are, and have always been, what make this brand so special,” Sinyard added. “This decision, and the impact on our teammates, is of course very hard.”

Specialized is offering severance packages and services to employees affected. 

MENDHAM, N.J. (BRAIN) — Van Dessel Cycles has announced the hiring of Robert Vander Veur as its vice president of sales and development. He joined the company Feb. 8.

Vander Veur has had a long career in the bike industry, most recently completing a 13-year stint with the Joannou Cycle Company and Jamis. Prior to Jamis, he spent 11 years as the general manager of Mainly Bikes in Narbeth, Pennsylvania.

Edwin Bull, founder and president of Van Dessel, was enthusiastic about Vander Veur joining the team, "We are extremely excited to bring somebody with Robert's knowledge, experience and reputation on board to champion our sales efforts. One of his primary and most immediate focuses will be expanding our dealer and sales force network. His solid market and product knowledge combined with his close connections to dealers will be invaluable to our continued growth."

"I'm incredibly happy to have come on board with Van Dessel. I've long admired their bikes and the company's commitment to Ride Inspired. Edwin's uncompromising attention to detail and passion is evident in every bike he produces and the opportunity join the brand at this point in their history is, frankly, very exciting."

Vander Veur can be reached at rob@vandesselcycles.com.

OSAKA, Japan (BRAIN) — Shimano's net sales were up nearly 14 percent in 2015, to 378 billion yen ($3.3 billion). Operating income also increased, by nearly 30 percent, to 85.1 billion yen.

The company said consumers in Europe and the U.S. had more disposible income in 2015 in part due to lower gas prices. European sales volume was lower than the prior year, but a higher cost mix, including e-bikes, kept the total sales figures robust.

Shimano is taking a cautious approach to 2016, forecasting an 8 percent decline.

Sales in China were down, but sales in Southeast Asia and South America were up.

"In Europe, although sales volume was lower than for the previous year when sales were brisk thanks to good weather, retail sales amount exceeded the previous year’s level with brisk sales of high-end models centering on e-bike. In North America, demand was little affected by the weather, and retail sales were robust. While distributor inventories in Europe remained virtually at the appropriate level, those in North America were at a somewhat high level," the company said.

The company is taking a cautious approach to 2016, forecasting an 8 percent decline in full-year sales, to 350 billion yen. The company is worried about the possible depreciation of emerging market currencies and stock market instability in the U.S. and Europe, the continued decline in the Chinese economy, and the effects of China's slowdown on the Japanese economy. Shimano also said that some production originally scheduled for the first half of 2016 had been moved forward to the second half of 2015. So the net sales of that inventory was recorded last year and will be absent from the 2016 numbers.

COSTA MESA, Calif. (BRAIN) — The National Bicycle Dealers Association is proposing that dealers, distributors and manufacturers get together to form a "Twenty Group"— a group that meets regularly to share information and best practices with the goal of improving each member's business and raise the bar for the entire industry.

The NBDA has facilitated retailer Twenty Groups for 10 years through its Profitability Project. In a letter sent to NBDA members and others around the industry on Wednesday, the dealer group is proposing to work with the Bicycle Product Suppliers Association to create a group that includes representatives from other parts of the industry.

"Twenty Groups embrace the belief that sharing information improves the performance of the members involved ... . The NBDA recognizes that an industrywide version of a Twenty Group — consisting of manufacturers, distributors, and retailers — would have its own unique challenges in formation and the handling of sensitive topics — but those challenges must be overcome for the long-term viability of our entire industry. We face huge challenges with flat or declining participation, difficulties in effectively promoting cycling as an activity, and research that focuses on pieces of the puzzle, but not the whole. These are only a few of the issues that could be addressed through better communication that would allow us all to find common ground to benefit all segments of cycling."

The NBDA asked that those interested in forming a group contact it at twenty4bikes@nbda.com.

DURANGO, Colo. (BRAIN) — Tailwind Nutrition has added two new caffeinated flavors to its Endurance Fuel line of products.

The two new flavors, Green Tea Buzz and Tropical Buzz, each contain 35mg of caffeine per 100 calories, just like Tailwind's Caffeinated Raspberry Buzz.

Like Tailwind's other endurance fuels, the new flavors are formulated to be used as a sole fuel source during exercise without having to supplement with gels, electrolyte pills or food. The nutritional drink mix is said to provide rapid and sustained energy without upsetting an athletes' stomach. The drinks replenish electrolytes at the same proportion in which they are sweated out, and have a mild subtle flavor that the company said is easy to drink all day.

Green Tea Buzz and Tropical Buzz are gluten-free, vegan, contain no soy or dairy and are completely made in the USA at their facility in Bayfield, Colorado.

"Tailwind Nutrition has always been driven by its customers, and with the success of our Caffeinated Raspberry Buzz more and more of our users were asking for additional caffeinated flavors. After extensive testing with our Tailwind community, we are thrilled to introduce these two new flavors," said Jennifer Vierling, the co-founder of Tailwind Nutrition. "We also wanted to support our specialty retailers with the launch of these products by allowing them to sell the new flavors in their stores before they were available on our website."

The drink mixes are available in 30- and 50-serving bags or in 200-calorie stick packs.

More information at tailwindnutrition.com.

SAN RAFAEL, Calif. (BRAIN) — Dispatch Communications has added Doug Barnett to its Southern California-based team.

Barnett joins the agency as an account executive for Dispatch's bicycle industry clients including Bell Helmets, Dainese, Giant Bicycles, Liv, Michelin and Shimano.

"Doug is a natural fit at Dispatch as he shares the same level of passion that we all share for our clients' businesses," said Dispatch founder Eric Doyne. "Having worked with Doug formerly as a journalist, and while he was in Giant's global marketing department, I was continually impressed with his skills on both sides of the media and marketing world."

A native Southern Californian, Barnett got his start in the bicycle industry on the retail side working for local bicycle dealers. He jumped in to bicycle journalism as an assistant editor at Mountain Bike Action magazine before moving on to the marketing side more recently as the global road product marketing specialist for Giant Bicycles. 

IRVINE, Calif. (BRAIN) — Shimano has slashed wholesale and retail pricing across its range of higher-end components and groups, from SLX all the way up to Di2 both road and mountain. The changes are component-specific and vary depending on the part.

"We see price changes from an increase of 1 percent to a decrease of 40 percent," said Wayne D. Gray, vice president of KHS, which distributes Shimano. "No specific percentage across the board. But there's reduction in our recommended wholesale pricing and retail of many items. It's on the high-range stuff — anything above SLX is reduced on price," he added.

"We launched new prices yesterday, and instantly my parts catalog is of no value," Gray said. "Fortunately we have B2B sites now where dealers can see reduced pricing."

The difference between old wholesale and new retail pricing is such that retailer margins have slimmed substantially on inventory currently on shelves. Inventory was immediately devalued.

Shimano American declined to comment on any pricing changes. "Due to all the litigation potential around pricing, we don't discuss strategy or why we make those moves," said a company spokesperson. "We don't discuss pricing at all."

With new retail pricing, a Deore XT front brake, for example, which had a suggested retail price of $159.99, now has a suggested retail of $118.99 — a 26 percent change. With the new price lists, margins were trimmed substantially on inventory bought at old wholesale pricing, and margins also slimmed on new wholesale prices.

Dealers said they heard of the pricing changes from their reps, who noted that they were made to help brick-and-mortar dealers compete with online discounters.

"Shimano didn't contact us," said Brian Blair, buyer for The Path Bike Shop with stores in Tustin and Trabuco Canyon, California. "We didn't know about the change until yesterday when we got an email from an outside rep."

Shimano's updated pricing can also reflect the strength of the U.S. dollar against the depreciating yen, and other currencies. It also could reflect what has been an almost 20 percent drop in the cost of a metric ton of aluminum over the last year, according to the London Metal Exchange.

In its financial report for 2015, Shimano said its bicycle products remained "relatively affordable because of a continuing depreciation of the yen. This factor also contributed to brisk order-taking."

In the same report, Shimano noted that in North America, retail sales were robust but distributor inventory levels were at a "somewhat high level."

According to dealers who stock Shimano parts, the company isn't taking back any of the inventory bought at old wholesale pricing or offering back credit or a rebate to dealers for the difference in pricing.

Moreover, dealers noted that even with the reduction in pricing from distributors and Shimano direct, they are unable to compete with Internet discounters.

"Even at the new lower cost, many items are still available cheaper overseas than here," said Mike Jacoubowsky, owner of Chain Reaction Bicycles, whose brick-and-mortar store often is confused with the online U.K. retailer with the same name. "They haven't really addressed the problem.

"The problem is the U.K. What other industry is there where customers can buy products for the same or less than we can? We've ordered pedals from Chain Reaction and Wiggle because they were cheaper than from Shimano," he added.

BOULDER, Colo. (BRAIN) —  ShowersPass has added SmartEtailing's Buy Local Now service to its website. The brand said the program supports dealers by providing an option for consumers to locally buy through their website, with the end goal of increasing traffic in brick-and-mortar locations.

Online shoppers who click on the Buy Local Now buttons open a map of their area. They then select the size of the item they're looking for to reveal a list of every local retailer carrying the exact Showers Pass product they want to buy. Retailers who are already reporting store inventory are listed as having the product "in-stock-at-store," with a prominent Buy Now button.

Showers Pass joins 86 other bicycle brands already featuring Buy Local Now, which have to date recorded $21,245,570 spent at participating retailer websites and in their local stores.

"It's a win-win situation to offer 'Buy Local Now.' Both Showers Pass and our retailer partners are likely to have increased sales because we're offering the customer a more convenient shopping experience," said Showers Pass' president, Kyle Ranson. "We sell our products to retail partners, but we don't consider them sold until the retail partner makes the sale. Part of the way we aid that process is investing in great PR and driving traffic to these independent shops with Buy Local Now."

BOULDER, Colo. (BRAIN) — The International Mountain Bicycling Association is developing a mobile app for its volunteers and volunteer coordinators, working with unself, a company that develops similar apps for a variety of community organizations.

IMBA will provide subject matter expertise in return for unself providing access to its mobile app and web portal that will include features specific to IMBA's requirements.

"This app means new possibilities for our local chapters and a better tool to measure the incredible volume of stewardship IMBA and its chapters influence," said Kevin Adams, IMBDA's vice president of chapter and member services.

The app is designed to streamline the process of promoting, coordinating, and reporting volunteer events.

"We look forward to supporting IMBA by helping expand and diversify its volunteer base," said Karl Schroeder, unself's chief product officer. "This partnership will help us develop the best tool for organizations to cultivate new interest while also furthering our mission to best serve volunteers."