INDIANAPOLIS (BRAIN) — Zipp is bringing its NSW (Nest Speed Weaponry) technology to its 404 wheelsets, creating a premium model that retails for $3,100 a pair.

The 404 NSW wheels have some features that Zipp first introduced on its 808 NSW wheels last year, but with a shallower (58mm) rim profile better suited for general road racing duty.

The wheels feature a new dimpling design on the rium that is said to improve handling in crosswinds. The rims have printed graphics so that decals do not interfere with the dimpling feature. The wheels also have an improved rim-braking track and Zipp's Cognition hubsets, which have a magnet in the freehub to reduce freehub drag.

"Zipp NSW is basically the most advanced development technology that Zipp has at that time," said Michael Hall, Zipp's director of advanced development.

The 404 NSW rim shaping and dimplng reduced crosswind sideforces by 34 percent compared to Zipp's 404 Firecrest, the company said.

The Cognition hubset's Axial Clutch technology uses a magnet to disengage the ratchet mechanism when coasting for minimal freebug drag.

The Axial Clutch freehub mechanism is also compatible with SRAM XD drivers, giving the option to select a 10-42 cassette.

The rims' Showstopper brake track uses silicon carbide to improve stopping power and modulation regardless of weather conditions or the length of the descent.

Zipp 404 NSW rims are laid up, molded, drilled, and built in Indianapolis by Zipp. Wheels are built with Sapim CX-Ray spokes and Secure-Lock nipples.

The total wheelset weight is 1,555 grams. They have 18 spokes front and 24 rear.

Each wheel includes a Zipp Tangente titanium black skewer, Zipp valve extender by Silca, Zipp individual wheel bag, Zipp Tangente Platinum Pro Evo brake pads, Zipp Tangente tube and Zipp rim tape.

NEWBURY PARK, Calif. (BRAIN) — Giant USA’s general manager John Thompson told Giant dealers Thursday that it will sell bicycles directly to consumers who will collect their purchases at a Giant store.

Giant Gear also will be sold online under a similar system, except the products will be drop-shipped directly to customers and Giant will handle returns without involving dealers. The local store will get 100 percent of the regular margin on the accessory purchase if they stock the product and 80 percent if they don’t.

Giant USA is rolling out a beta version of its program in March with a small group of Giant Retail Partner Stores. The company will use a platform provided by SmartEtailing. “Once we’ve refined our tools and processes, by August we plan to implement our omnichannel strategy to the entire U.S. market,” Thompson said in email sent to Giant dealers.

An outline of the program would give dealers 100 percent margin on the advertised retail price (ARP) ordered online through the Giant USA website to those dealers who normally stock the bikes that are ordered less a 2.5 percent credit card fee and any financing costs.

Dealers who have not stocked the ordered bikes in the last 12 months will receive 80 percent of the margin on the advertised retail price. Dealers would also absorb freight costs, the same as if the dealer were special ordering the bike. The dealer can combine the bike shipment with other orders to reduce freight costs.

And dealers who sell a bike online through their own Giant supported website will get the full ARP margin regardless of whether the dealer has stocked that particular series of bikes. And only Giant Race Series Retailers will be eligible to deliver orders of Giant’s top-level race models.

Giant dealers will also receive credit for sales every 48 hours. “No need to wait weeks or months for your money,” Thompson said.

Thompson urged Giant dealers to go to the G-Store home page, log in and download the PDF and to study it carefully to learn complete details of the program.

Last August Thompson told Giant dealers that the company was analyzing the success of its “Click & Connect” e-commerce program used in the United Kingdom and other countries. It has been successful in the U.K., he said. He made those comments following Trek’s announcement that it was launching its online sales program.

“The way consumers buy bikes and gear is rapidly advancing and we want our retailers to win as the environment transforms here in the U.S.,” he said. “Our Giant Web Link is 100 percent committed to helping you grow your retail store’s revenue, profits and business relevance.”

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, Calif. (BRAIN) — Interbike will work with the North Carolina Cyclo-Cross organization to produce a 'cross race at this October's Fall CycloFest in Charlotte, North Carolina. The race is expected to have one of the largest purses for a cyclocross (CX) event on the East Coast, and also will include an Industry Cup category for members of the bike industry. 

"NCCX has a reputation of putting on first-class cyclocross events in North Carolina, including a high-profile UCI-sanctioned event in Hendersonville," said Pat Hus, the vice president of Interbike. "This event will be special with an incredible amount of industry support from the brands that will be exhibiting at CycloFest."

The race is set to take place on Saturday, Oct. 22, at the U.S. National Whitewater Center in Charlotte.

Tim Hopkin, the founder of NCCX, said, "We're excited to partner with Interbike to help make CycloFest a major event in our state.

"The U.S. National Whitewater Center is a great venue, and we'll put together a challenging course that all levels of racers will enjoy."

The CycloFest will be open to the trade on Oct. 20-21 and to consumers on Oct. 22-23. More details on the race will come later this spring.

LONDON (BRAIN) — U.K. e-commerce businesses Wiggle and Chain Reaction Cycle confirmed Friday that they will merge, pending regulatory approvals. The combined businesses will have annual revenues of more than 300 million pounds ($434 million).

"In the global online retailing market in which we operate, there is a compelling industrial logic for our two businesses to come together to become a stronger force," said Stefan Barden, Wiggle's CEO, who will head the combined companies.

"We have long respected Chain Reaction Cycles as a business and share its values and commitment to delivering the best possible price and first-class service for its customers. Like us, they have a deep-seated love of cycling. The combined business will offer all customers an extended range of brands and products, with Wiggle's strength in tri-sports and road cycling complemented by Chain Reaction Cycles' strength in mountain biking, BMX and road cycling too. The deal propels Wiggle faster towards its objective of building a global online champion and a major British export success story."

Chris Watson, managing director of Chain Reaction Cycles, said: "This is an exciting new chapter for the Chain Reaction Cycles brand. Since the business started in 1984, we've grown strongly from our mountain bike origins in Northern Ireland to meet the needs of more MTB, BMX and road cyclists across more countries. Coming together with Wiggle is a great way to continue that growth, as a global force in cycling and a leader in technology, e-commerce and innovation."

The transaction will have to be approved by the U.K. Competition and Markets Authority and other authorities. 

Wiggle traces its origins to a small independent bike shop called Butler Cycles that opened in Portsmouth in the 1920s. It was an early adopter of e-commerce and later changed its name to Bikes @ Butlers and then to Wiggle. It was acquired by private equity investment company Bridgepoint in December 2011.

Chain Reaction began in 1984 as a small family business in Northern Ireland, set up by George and Janice Watson. It launched its first website in 2000. It remains owned by the Watson family. 

IRVINE, Calif. (BRAIN) — When Andy Lightle's wife asked him what he wanted for his birthday eight years ago, he couldn't think of anything he really needed. In lieu of giving him gifts, he asked friends and loved ones to attend a fundraiser on his birthday to raise money for the Homeless Women and Children's Shelter of Orange County.

Lightle first reached out to The Path Bike Shop, which stepped up to back the event, and went on to procure product donations from a number of local suppliers, including Oakley, Intense and Shimano, as well as several retailers. He spread the word on the SoCal Trail Riders forum, and drew about 60 people to the raffle, which was held at a local deli. That year, the event raised about $600 for the shelter.

The fundraiser has become an annual tradition. With the help of the bike industry and other local businesses, Lightle has raised as much as $15,000 per event for charities or friends in need. One year, money was raised to help MTB Hall of Famer Steve Blick, whose son Tyler was diagnosed with leukemia in 2010 when he was 4 years old.

"We raised thousands of dollars to help Steve cover all the expenses that health insurance doesn't cover that add up fast," said Lightle, a longtime mountain biker and co-owner of Non Dot Adventures, which organizes races and other events in Orange County.

Three years ago, Lightle teamed up with Monique "Pua" Mata, a former champion endurance mountain bike racer whose birthday falls near his in February. The two continue to celebrate their birthdays together by co-hosting the fundraiser, which draws a bigger crowd — and more sponsors — each year.

This year, Lightle and Mata, who now works as a sales rep for Bianchi, decided to pull the industry together to raise funds for the SoCal National Interscholastic Cycling Association league.

"Through Non Dot, we've really noticed that there aren't many kids coming out to race, and we'd all like to see that change," Lightle said. "So I thought it would be a good idea to support NICA, since those kids are really the future of our sport."

Shimano has always supported the event by donating product to the birthday raffle, but this year, it is hosting the fundraiser at its headquarters in Irvine.

Shimano Multiservice vehicles will also provide mechanical support for the morning group ride. The company will staff the event with about 15 employees, and supply food and beverages. And if El Nino decides to return to Southern California next weekend, Shimano will set up large tents to keep everything and everyone dry.

"This is such a great cause to support, and we have this awesome facility here so it just seemed perfect to host the event," said Jason Sheehan, who works in OEM sales for Shimano. "We're happy to do everything we can to make it a successful event."

The fundraiser will be held Saturday, Feb. 20. The group ride starts at 10 a.m., followed by lunch and a sizable raffle. All proceeds will be donated to the SoCal NICA league.

Sponsors include Fullerton Bicycles, The Path Bike Shop, Rock n' Road Cyclery and other local retailers. CamelBak, Ibis, Niner, Shimano, REI, WTB, Oakley, Intense, Tykes Bykes, MTBR, Troy Lee Designs, Fox, SRAM and many others have donated product to the raffle.

Registration is required to attend the event. To learn more and reserve a spot, visit nondotadventures.redpodium.com.

To donate to the raffle, contact Andy Lightle at andyakarut@gmail.com.

BIG FLATS, N.Y. (BRAIN) — Stan's NoTubes is introducing a new tire sealant formula called Race Sealant. The company also announced a new in-house R&D division and a new logo as it celebrates 15 years in business.

Race Sealant was developed and tested with top sponsored pro racers. The company said it is lighter, works faster, and seals larger punctures that the original sealant. 

"When everything is on the line, this is the sealant you want in your tires," said Stan Koziatek, the founder and owner of Stan's NoTubes. "We've worked with the pros to create a sealant that seals more quickly and more reliably, meaning less air is lost during punctures so you can get to the finish line faster."

Race Sealant starts with the same low-viscosity latex blend of other Stan's sealants. Race Sealant is formulated to perform in temperatures as low as -30 degrees Fahrenheit (-34.4 degrees Celsius). It uses natural materials and is non-toxic, non-hazardous and safe for humans and the environment.

The key difference between standard Stan's sealant and the new Race Sealant is the amount and type of sealing crystals used. Race Sealant has nearly twice the amount of Stan's sealing crystals, plus additional "XL" crystals capable of sealing larger punctures. The combination of new larger and more smaller crystals interlock to form a lattice work that seals punctured tires faster and also strengthens and reinforces them.

"Stan's Race Sealant allows us to use less sealant and get the same performance," said Chloe Woodruff of the Stan's NoTubes-Pivot team. "Race Sealant gives us an edge over the competition because it's lighter and highly effective."

Race Sealant is different from Stan's traditional sealant in that it must be installed directly into the tire. The quantity and size of its crystals in the new formula will clog injectors and smaller bottles almost immediately.

Luna Chix Pro Team mechanic Dusty Labarr said, "Stan's NoTubes Race Sealant is the most important item on my checklist of things to take to every race. It's essential for a great ride. It doesn't matter if you are trying to get on the podium at Worlds or are just trying to make it back to the truck before it gets dark. If you have Stan's Race Sealant in your tires, you're going to get there."

More information: notubes.com.

STOCKHOLM (BRAIN) — Thule Group notched a 5.1 percent sales increase in 2015 in currency-neutral figures. The Stockholm-based company recorded sales of 5.3 million Swedish Kronas ($623 million) for the year, capped by a 3 percent sales increase in the final quarter. Without adjusting for currency fluctuations, Thule saw a 17 percent increase in annual sales and a 9 percent increase in the final quarter.

The company saw the most growth in its Outdoor & Bags category, which was up 20.7 percent in the fourth quarter. Thule's Sport & Cargo Carriers division was up 6.7 percent and Work Gear was up 6.5 percent. Its Bags for Electronic Devices product category posted a decline of 11.2 percent. Thule's Sport & Cargo Carriers division remains its largest product category, accouning for 60 percent of sales. The Outdoor & Bags category is now 15.5 percent of its business, up from 13.5 percent in 2014.

BRUSSELS (BRAIN) — The 2018 Velo-City international advocacy summit will be held in Rio de Janeiro, the European Cyclists' Federation, the event's organizer, announced Monday.

The ECF has been organizing the annual conferences since 1980. This year's conference is being held later this month in Taipei, Taiwan, directly preceding Taipei's annual bike trade show.  The 2017 conference will take place in the Netherlands.

"After taking Velo-City from Europe, to North America, Australia, and Asia, the ECF Board made an unanimous decision to have a South American edition of Velo-City: and Rio was the clear choice," said ECF's president, Manfred Neun.

Rio has a population of 6.5 million, making it the biggest city to hold a Velo-City conference since London in 1984. Since 2012, Rio has made a conscious effort regarding sustainable transportation and bicycling. This has come in the form of the construction of bicycle lanes (such as the downtown Ciclo Rotas Project), a bicycle sharing scheme (Bike Rio, in partnership with Bank Itau), and a shared vision alongside civil society to promote bicycle use in Rio over the next 10 years (Vision 2025).

YARMOUTH, Maine (BRAIN) — Garmin Ltd. has agreed to buy DeLorme, a privately-held, Maine-based company that designs and markets consumer GPS tracking devices with two-way communication and navigational capabilities. 

DeLorme's inReach series of two-way satellite communication devices allow the user to send and receive satellite text messages or trigger an SOS for emergency help, anywhere in the world. DeLorme also has an extensive library of digital cartography and enterprise GIS software, as well as traditional mapping products.

"DeLorme is a respected brand with exciting products and technologies that are a natural fit in the Garmin portfolio," said Cliff Pemble, Garmin's president and CEO. "We look forward to completing the acquisition and welcoming them onto our team. We are looking forward to leveraging their expertise to further enhance the Garmin lineup of products."

"Our inReach technology is invaluable to hikers, hunters, boaters, and pilots who often find themselves in remote areas – Garmin's core customers. We are looking forward to completing the acquisition and are excited to help leverage our expertise into enhancing their already outstanding products," said Michael Heffron, the CEO of DeLorme. "Garmin has extensive R&D capabilities and a global distribution network that will allow us to provide this technology to customers across many markets and around the world."

Garmin said it will retain most of DeLorme's employees and will continue operations at its existing location in Yarmouth following the completion of the acquisition. The Yarmouth facility will operate primarily as a research and development facility and will continue to develop two-way satellite communication devices and technologies. Financial terms of the purchase agreement and acquisition will not be released.

TAIPEI, Taiwan (BRAIN) — The World Federation of the Sporting Goods Industry will hold a public meeting at the Taipei Cycle Show next month, in addition to several industry-only meetings.

The public session will present highlights of WFSGI bicycle projects and results from its work with the UCI, IOC and the different standards institutes including ISO and CEN.

"The WFSGI Bicycle Committee looks back again on a very exciting and progressive year in the collaboration with the UCI on further developments with technical rules and regulations," the group said.

WFSGI was instrumental in pushing the UCI to allow disc brakes in road racing, which has been done on an experimental basis since last summer.

WFSGI also has been working with the UCI on a wheel testing rule. Progress has been made by the UCI's adoption of a new test that contains self-certification.

And WFSGI has been working with the UCI on rules governing advertisement and manufacturing identification rules for the Olympic Games. The Rio 2016 IOC manufacturing identification guidelines allow for more sponsor/supplier visibility and show more flexibility when it comes to sports equipment.

The meeting is Thursday, March 3, from 2:30-4 p.m. at the Nangang Exhibition Hall, Room 401.

CHICAGO (BRAIN) — SRAM has updated the graphics throughout its Red road group with mechanical shifting, making it more similar to its wireless Red group.

"SRAM Red remains the world's lightest groupset with countless race wins and key innovations that continue to set the standard for mechanical drivetrains. New for 2016 is a complete graphics rework inspired by and designed to complement the sophisticated look of SRAM's new wireless SRAM Red eTap groupset. The new graphics feature overlapping textures and design elements in a complementary matte and gloss black finish," the company said.

The changes include more subtle logo placement, layering, tone-on-tone texture differences and a refined Red logo. The new graphics will be available at retail next month, except for the power meter, which is available now.

FLETCHER, N.C. (BRAIN) — Cane Creek Cycling Components, Inc. has hired Brent Graves its president. Graves was most recently the director of road bikes for Specialized. He also has had product and operations leadership roles at BMC, Iron Horse, Free Flite Bicycles, Answer-Manitou and Diamondback.

"We consider ourselves fortunate," said Alan Brookshire, chairman of the Cane Creek board and an executive director at Oppenheimer & Company, Inc. "Brent is the ideal leader to execute our strategic plan and advance the company's mission and objectives of creating value for our customers and stakeholders."

Graves introduced himself to Cane Creek employees on Tuesday at a company "Town Hall" meeting. Cane Creek is an employee-owned organization.

"I remember learning of the Aheadset in a New Orleans shop in 1991," said Graves, "and from there we have all witnessed great things from Cane Creek. I am super excited about joining the Cane Creek family, and I feel honored to have the trust and support to help write the next chapter of the brand.

LAGUNA HILLS, Calif. (BRAIN) — Bicycle Retailer & Industry News is looking for new product information and news to include in its annual Sea Otter Festival & Gear Guide that will be handed out at the four-day festival in April and distributed to retailers and BRAIN’s subscriber base before the event. This year's guide will be packaged with the April 15 issue of Bicycle Retailer, set to reach mailboxes starting April 11 — before Sea Otter kicks off April 14 in Monterey, California.

New product information should be sent to managing editor Toby Hill at thill@bicycleretailer. Product can include complete bikes and frames in addition to new accessories, components, clothing and nutritionals. All products must be on display at Sea Otter. Companies should send product information, high-resolution images, suggested retail price and Sea Otter booth number.

All Sea Otter news and calendar submissions should be sent to editor Lynette Carpiet at lcarpiet@bicycleretailer.com.

The deadline for submissions is Thursday, March 10, but early submittals are encouraged.

TEMPE, Ariz. (BRAIN) — State Bicycle Co. has introduced its first 29er mountain bikes featuring graphics by artist and Cadence Cycling owner Dustin Klein.

Two single-speed models are available: the Pulsar rigid bike (MSRP: $649) and front-suspension Pulsar Deluxe $1,099), the latter of which features a RockShox Recon Silver TK Solo Air fork, upgraded brakes — Avid BB7s versus BB5s — and a SRAM GX 1000 1-by crankset with GXP bottom bracket. The standard Pulsar is equipped with a steel rigid fork and a Truvativ E400 crankset with Powerspline BB.

Spec for both chromoly bikes includes WTB SX 19 29-inch wheels as well as the Northern California brand's Vigilante 29 x 2.3-inch tires and Rocket saddle. Provided cable guide hardware allows for easy conversion to geared use, the company says.

"Having the opportunity to work with a production frame was a great experience," Klein said. "State offered a tremendous amount of support for what was possible with the product. I am very excited to see these bikes built up and shredded across the globe."

Mehdi Farsi, State Bicycle co-founder, said, "This project just felt right from the start. We knew a nonnegotiable was to deliver a solid product to the market, expand our product categories and work with Dustin, whose work speaks for itself."

More information: statebicycle.com/pages/pulsar-mountain-bike.

BUSNAGO, Italy (BRAIN) — Prologo is increasing its sales and marketing coverage with the hiring of Steven Merlini as sales and marketing manager. Merlini brings more than 20 years of experience in the saddle business.

“We are excited to welcome the new member, and thank him for his commitment to Prologo and growing the brand," said Prologo CEO Salvatore Truglio.

“I’m proud and honored to be part of the Prologo family, a young company where innovation and design stand out on the market," Merlini said.

Merlini can be reached at steven@prologotouch.com. 

VANCOUVER (BRAIN) — Cycling media veteran Vernon Felton has joined Pinkbike.com’s editorial staff. Felton’s experience spans nearly two decades writing for various magazines including Mountain Biker, Outside and Bike Magazine, where he held several roles including editor in chief. He most recently was gear and Web editor for Bike. 

“Leaving Bike is a bittersweet thing, sure. I put in nearly 18 years there and it’s both a great pub and a great group of people. My goal as a writer, though, is to serve as many people as possible. Where the largest print titles reach hundreds of thousands of readers, Pinkbike extends my reach to several million, globally,” Felton said of the move.

"When you step back and look at what the Pinkbike team has built, you can see how the site grew to be so big. Almost everything it offers, from content to buy/sell to Trailforks to social media seems to have been an answer to the question, ‘How can we help facilitate and improve the experience of mountain bikers?’ I’m excited to be a part of that.”

Felton will provide industry and technology coverage for Pinkbike and will also contribute features and analysis of political, social and other issues in mountain biking.

He will remain in Bellingham, Washington, where he currently lives, and he will occasionally commute to Pinkbike’s global headquarters in Squamish, British Columbia.

“We’re proud to welcome Vernon to the team here at Pinkbike,” said Karl Burkat, Pinkbike’s president. “He’s a great guy, and he brings a ton of experience to the job. He complements our existing staff well, and brings a unique and important view to the coverage of the sport of mountain biking.”

OLATHE, Kan. (BRAIN) — Sales and profit declined at Garmin Ltd. in the fourth quarter, but the company’s fitness business — which includes cycling products — posted its strongest gains for the period.

Fourth-quarter revenue slipped 3 percent to $781 million due to a decline in the overall market for personal navigation devices that saw Garmin’s automotive segment post a 21 percent decline in revenue for the quarter. However, the company’s outdoor, fitness, aviation and marine segments grew revenue by a combined 11 percent and contributed 66 percent of total revenue during the period, Garmin stated.

Fourth-quarter fitness sales alone grew 14 percent on the strength of Garmin’s wellness, running and cycling products, Garmin stated. For the full year, fitness sales rose 16 percent, and Garmin is forecasting 2016 growth of 10 percent for the segment.

Overall quarterly profit declined 37 percent to $132.4 million, or 70 cents a share, due in part to an income tax provision of $20.2 million during the period. Wall Street analysts had expected earnings of 48 cents a share.

For the full year, revenue dipped 2 percent to $2.82 billion, “driven mainly by global currency shifts that created significant revenue and margin headwinds,” said Garmin president and CEO Cliff Pemble, but the result exceeded analyst expectations of $2.78 billion. Profit declined 25 percent to $456.2 million.

NEW YORK (BRAIN) — Eddy Merckx Cycles has announced that it will be the bike supplier for the Lupus Racing Team,  a UCI Continental men’s team led by 2013 Vuelta a España champion Chris Horner. The team’s 15 members will ride Merckx’s San Remo 76.

“It is exciting to see Eddy Merckx Cycles return to sponsorship of a high-potential, young team in the USA,” said Phillip Lucas, director of the Americas for Merckx. “The last time we as a company did this, we helped create a cultural heritage through 7-Eleven and Motorola, that fostered unparalleled worldwide racing success and great popularity in U.S. cycling.”

Phil Cortes, sports director for the Lupus Racing Team, said: “It is an honor to have a partnership with Eddy Merckx Cycles. Our riders were introduced to the new San Remo 76 bikes at camp this week in Pine Mountain, Georgia, and are extremely pleased. The Merckx partnership gives our Lupus Racing Team the confidence we need to generate results in competition by having the highest-quality equipment for our riders.”

The Team partners with the Georgia Chapter of the Lupus Foundation of America to raise awareness of the illness and improve funding for fighting it. 

CHICAGO (BRAIN) — Abus Mobile Security has promoted Greg Heck to the role of marketing and PR manager for North America. Heck, who joined Abus in June of 2014, is replacing Joan Hanscom who handled PR and marketing for the German lock brand since 2013.

Hanscom has accepted a new position outside of the Chicago area.

"Greg is a natural fit for the job. He has worked closely with Joan for several years and been an integral part of the marketing team’s activities. We are fortunate to have somebody on the team ready and able to step into the role,” said Axel Roesler, sales and marketing director for Abus Mobile Security International.

“We will miss Joan tremendously. She contributed greatly to the growth of the Abus brand in North America and we wish her nothing but the very best in her new position,” he added.

Heck can be reached at greg.heck@abus.com or (312) 640-1111.