CHICAGO (BRAIN) — RockShox has re-engineered its Reverb and Reverb Stealth dropper seatposts to improve performance and reliability.

The posts have fully redesigned internals with a new SKF internal floating piston, increased bushing overlap, and new dedicated post length per travel length.

That means the 340-millimeter-long post is dedicated to 100 millimeters of travel and the 390-millimeter post to 125 millimeters of travel for the externally routed Reverb and internally routed Reverb Stealth. The Stealth also comes in 400- and 480-millimeter post lengths for 150 and 170 millimeters of travel, respectively.

The Reverb Stealth will be available to retailers this month, while the Reverb arrives in June.

Suggested retail: $400 (Reverb), $471 (Reverb Stealth)

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (BRAIN) — Mobile bike shop Velofix is expanding to 41 locations with the addition of franchises in Canada and across the U.S.

The new locations include Velofix’s first female franchisee, Francesca DeRanzo in St. Louis. DeRanzo has 10 years of industry experiencing working in bike shops and for manufacturers.

“I knew I wanted to work in the cycling industry and be my own boss, but when researching my options, owning a brick-and-mortar bike shop was way too expensive because of the cost to lease space and hold inventory,” DeRanzo said. “For me, Velofix is an opportunity to continue to do what I love, work with bikes, and become profitable more quickly without huge risks or big startup costs.” 

Velofix has recently opened franchises in the Okanagan Valley, British Columbia; the Kitchener/Waterloo/Guelph area of southern Ontario; Halton, Ontario; Spokane, Washington; Phoenix; and Denver and Boulder, Colorado. Additional franchises are set to open soon in Orange County, California; San Francisco; Park City, Utah; Salt Lake City; and Rhode Island.

“When we started this business three years ago we knew providing mobile bike repair would be a great idea that would fill a gap in the cycling industry,” said Velofix co-founder and CEO Chris Guillemet. “With the onboarding of these new territories more cyclists can experience the premium service experience Velofix promises to deliver to each customer.”

The company has also bolstered its internal support team, adding a Canadian business development manager, a franchise and operational support manager, and a marketing and communications manager.

MORGAN HILL, Calif. (BRAIN) — Specialized’s nonprofit arm, the Specialized Foundation, is rolling out its cycling program to 10 additional schools throughout the U.S. this fall. The application period for schools is from March 15 to April 16.

The Foundation was formed last year to fund research and programs that show cycling’s positive effect on children suffering from attention deficit and hyperactivity disorders. Over the course of the research, the foundation implemented the bike program, Riding For Focus, in eight schools nationwide. 

Schools selected in the new round this fall will receive support, training and equipment with the goal of creating a cycling program in that school for at least two years. The schools will receive up to 30 youth bikes and helmets, a starter maintenance kit, program curriculum, and a trip for the program champion to Specialized headquarters for program training and support.

Each school is asked to provide a program champion, which can be a physical education teacher or principal, who will lead the program at their school.

“We’ve worked closely with a handful of schools to gather the information needed to ensure this program is a success. We're excited to provide more students with the opportunity to improve their classroom performance and behavior through physical activity,” said Lucy August-Perna, Specialized’s advocacy manager.

Riding for Focus is designed to introduce students to cycling’s positive effects on health, wellbeing and academics, with a focus on students with learning differences such as ADHD. The curriculum has been built based on research done by a third party research organization that studied the impact of cycling on middle school students.

The research gathered is based on two studies focused on two segments. The first was the positive impact of cycling for children with ADHD through classroom performance and behavioral improvement. The second was based on the improvement of Standardized Test Scores for students who participated in the bike program compared to students who did not.

“At Specialized we are a company built of riders and have each been transformed through cycling in one way or another,” said Mike Sinyard, Specialized’s founder and CEO. “The Specialized Foundation and Riding for Focus program is our way to contribute to future generations and do our part to create a healthier world for our children. We believe in the power of the bicycle and its ability to transform lives, we get to start here.”

DENVER (BRAIN) — High-end bike brand Guerrilla Gravity, previously sold exclusively consumer direct, is launching a dealer sales program it calls Shop Direct.

The program allows consumers to order complete custom GG bikes from participating brick-and-mortar stores. 

"While travelling the country on our demo tours we noticed how many mountain bike communities have their local bike shop at the heart of their scene. The Internet gets a lot of credit for replacing the brick-and-mortar shops, but the fact is there are a lot of bike shops out there who do a great job of serving their local riding scenes. The Shop Direct model allows riders in communities with a core local bike shop to support their shop and ride the bike that they want," the company said.

Under the program, the shop takes payment for the total amount of the bike. It does not require a dealer agreement or any paperwork. GG will not offer exclusive territories. "It's up to the shops to serve loyal customers and the more bikes they order, the better they do on margin," the company said.

GG also is offering retailers an "Outpost Channel" program. Outpost dealers who purchase a demo fleet get a bump in margin for keeping demos on hand.

GG also is retaining its consumer-direct sales program through its website or at its Denver retail shop and showroom.

More information at RideGG.com.

BOULDER, Colo. (BRAIN) — Club Ride Apparel has named Momentum Media PR as its public relations agency of record. Effective immediately, Momentum will begin working closely with the in-house team at Club Ride to broaden awareness and media presence for the bike and lifestyle apparel brand in all channels including digital and social.

"As Club Ride's collections diversify, we will be partnering with both bike-specific shops and specialty retailers that offer apparel for a variety of activities and the active lifestyle," said Mike Herlinger, the founder of Club Ride Apparel. "We knew we needed a PR partner that would help us grow Club Ride's brand awareness in both core markets and in active lifestyle, and share our story and new designs with a broader consumer base. Momentum Media PR is the perfect fit to help us bring our Journey, Adventure, and Train collections to a wide variety of consumers, while helping to grow our brand and drive sales, both sell-in and sell-through."

Alycia Cavadi, the founder and principal of Momentum Media PR, said, "Club Ride is positioned for growth in bike and beyond, and our crew is excited to help share the brand's story and apparel offerings with both cycling and active lifestyle consumers. From lunchtime rides outside our office in Boulder, to New York showrooms that bring Club Ride's styles to a broader active consumer base, the team is excited to share this story with daily riders as well as new audiences."

CHICAGO (BRAIN) — SRAM is recalling nearly 57,000 Zipp front hubs sold in the U.S. and Canada because a flange can fail. Separately, the company is recalling about 6,400 quick release levers because they can fail to engage in the closed position.

SRAM and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced the two recalls on Wednesday. The hub recall is an expansion of a hub recall SRAM announced last February, which involved only first edition SRAM 88 front hubs. The new recall involves later editions of the hub.

The recalls:

Zipp hubs recall

This recall includes Zipp front hubs, models 88v6, 88v7 and 88v8. The Z logo is printed on the hub. The wheel hubs come in black, silver and falcon grey. The diameter of the clinch nut is approximately 1.46 inches. Some of the hubs were sold as part of wheel sets installed on new bicycles.

SRAM will post a list of affected bicycle brands and models on its website at www.sram.com.

SRAM has received one report in the U.S. of hub flange failure that could have led to wheel collapse. No injuries have been reported in the U.S. In the U.S., 54,000 hubs were sold; in Canada, about 2,900 were sold.

Consumers are being told to immediately stop using bicycles equipped with the recalled front hubs and contact SRAM or local bicycle dealer for a free replacement hub.

Consumers can contact SRAM regarding the recall at (800) 346-2928 between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. ET Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET on Friday, or visit www.sram.com or www.zipp.com and click on “Recall Notice” for more information.

The hubs were sold from May 2010 through January 2015. The front hubs sold for about $215. Complete front wheels with the hubs sold for between $1,035 and $1,325. The front wheel was also sold as a wheel set with a rear wheel for between $2,300 and $2,950.

The hubs were made by Prodigy Group, of Mooresville, Indiana and Decoletaje Y Fujacion, of Spain.

More information: Canada recall notice | CPSC recall notice | SRAM's consumer recall notice (pdf)

Zipp QR recall

SRAM is recalling the Zipp Qrs over concerns they can fail to engage in the closed position, posing crash and injury hazards to the rider.

SRAM has received three reports of the quick release failing. No injuries have been reported.

The recall involves SRAM’s Zipp stainless steel or titanium quick releases. They were sold as aftermarket components or as part of the 202 DB V2, 303 DB V2, 404 Firestrike V2, 202 Firecrest V3, 303 Firecrest V3, 404 Firecrest V3, 808 Firecrest V3 or 808 NSW wheels.

The quick release has a curved, black lever. The “Zipp” logo appears on the lever. Only quick releases without a marking at the center of the underside of the lever, below the Zipp logo, are included on this recall.

Consumers are being told to immediately stop using any bicycles equipped with the recalled quick releases and contact SRAM or their local bicycle dealer for a free replacement quick release.

Consumers can contact SRAM at (800) 346-2928 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET Monday through Thursday and from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET on Fridays, or visit www.sram.com or www.zipp.com and click on Recall Notice for more information.

The levers were sold from March 2015 through December 2015 for about $47 for the stainless steel quick release and about $84 for the titanium quick release. Wheel sets equipped with the quick releases were sold for between $1,000 and $3,600.

The levers were made by Ful Chee Ent Co., Ltd., of Taichung City, Taiwan.

More information: CPSC notice | Zipp consumer notice (pdf). 

VICENZA, Italy (BRAIN) — Campagnolo's latest road group includes features previously introduced in its top of the line Record and Super Record parts, trickled down — often with less expensive materials — to a lower price.

The company also announced a new version of its longstanding aluminum wheel model, the Shamal, with wider rims.

Potenza

Potenza means strength or power in Italian. Trickle down technology include the front derailleur design, which the company said has an upper body "nearly identical" to that used in the Super Record derailleur. The rear derailleur also features the same design as Super Record, but executed in steel and aluminum, instead of carbon and titanium.

The Potenza group includes a new cassette design available in 11-32, 11-25, 11-27, 11-29 and 12-27 tooth combinations. The cassettes include eight single sprockets with aluminum spacers and three largest cogs are permanently attached to one another. The new cassettes, except the 11-32, are compatible with other Campy 11-speed groups.

The Potenza crankset features the four-arm design used in Super Record, Record and Chorus, but made of aluminum rather than carbon. The crank accepts 53x39, 52x36 and 50x34 chainring combinations. The arms will be available in 170, 172.5 and 175mm lengths.

The Potenza levers have a shape that is identical to the higher end groups. It has hypoallergenic silicone hoods that the company said offer better grip and comfort than the pricier groups. The internals are modified for performance and durability.

The company did not release pricing information on the new group or wheels.

Shamal C17

The Shamal has been part of Campy's wheel line for more than 20 years. The newest version continues several features of the Shamal, including different rim heights for front and rear, G3 spoking, oversized driveside hub flanges, USB ceramic bearings, 2-Way fit rim profiles and oversized aluminum spokes.

The neweest version of the Shamal has a wider rim profile optimized for 25 and 28mm tires. The new shaping is said to be more aerodynamic and more rigid than the previous C15 rims.

The wheels have carbon fiber-body hubs, 16 radial laced front spokes and 21 rear spokes. A new adjusting lock ring design has trickled down to the Shamal C17 from Campy's higher end Bora models.

WESTPORT, Conn. (BRAIN) — Suspension brand Fox Factory has bought back some shares from its previous parent company, Compass Diversified Holdings. Compass' share in Fox has been cut from 41 percent to 33 percent.

To accomplish this, Fox closed on a secondary public offering of 2.5 million shares of common stock at $15.895 per share. Fox then repurchased 500,000 shares of its common stock from Compass.

Fox Factory was split off from Compass Diversified in a 2013 IPO. It acquired Race Face and Easton Cycling in December 2014, and Marzocchi's mountain bike-related business last year. The company’s stock is traded on NASDAQ under the FOXF symbol and its stock performance is tracked on BRAIN’s stock page. 

Compass sold CamelBak to Vista Outdoor last year.

Compass CEO Alan Offenberg,said, "With today's sale, we have further strengthened our financial liquidity for capitalizing on attractive acquisition opportunities, while increasing the total gains realized from investments in our subsidiaries. We continue to be the largest shareholder of Fox and remain enthusiastic about the company's growth prospects.”

Compass continues to own companoes that make printed circuits and medical devices, an environmental services company, gun safe brand Liberty Safe, food band Manitoba Harvest, stroller brand Ergobaby, and the food-warming brand, Sterno. 

OGDEN, Utah (BRAIN) — Mavic has announced its first all-carbon clincher wheelsets — the aero 40-millimeter-deep Cosmic Pro Carbon SL C and lightweight 25-millimeter Ksyrium Pro Carbon SL C.

"The two new offerings utilize an evolutionary construction technique for dynamic ride characteristics, best-in-class braking and reliability," Mavic stated.
The all-carbon construction of both wheels includes a new one-piece rim bed and sidewall protection. Both rims have 17-millimeter internal and 25-millimeter external widths and feature a laser-treated brake track for predictable braking in a variety of weather conditions. The wheelsets are also available in road disc versions.

Mavic also uses an iTGMax resin and a proprietary treatment to promote heat dispersion, the company said.

Weight: 1,390 grams for Ksyrium, 1,450 grams for Cosmic Pro Carbon SL C.
MSRP: $2,199 per set, with Cosmic Pro available this month and Ksyrium available in June.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (BRAIN) — Dealers and distributors could feel the bite from a one-sentence provision in a 160-page trade bill that, in effect, has made it easier for consumers to buy more bicycle parts and accessories from foreign websites.

The legislation, signed into law Feb. 24, raised the amount consumers could spend on overseas Internet purchases without paying import duties. The old amount was $200. That threshold has been raised to $800.

It's uncertain what effect the new threshold would have at retail or on distributors since the current duty on many items is either minimal or zero. Complete bikes are generally subject to an 11 percent duty, and pedals and saddles are subject to an 8 percent duty. Other components have no duty.

On the other hand, dealers who buy from overseas vendors, particularly those buying Shimano parts, could place fewer orders and save a few dollars in duty expenses. As for shipping, purchases over $99 at Chain Reaction are shipped free, while Wiggle's minimum is $50. U.S. purchasers also pay no sales tax on the items.

U.S. distributors took notice of the new $800 amount especially after Wiggle and Chain Reaction, two of the industry's more aggressive overseas online vendors, posted notices on their websites in mid-March telling U.S. consumers of the change.

Matt Moore, QBP's in-house legal counsel, said he generally follows trade issues and legislation but this one slipped past him. "By the time I had gotten an email notice about it, it had gone through and been sent to the President," Moore said.

President Obama signed the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015 calling it a "significant bipartisan effort." The bill overhauls some custom functions and beefs up enforcement against those who try to evade duty payments.

Other provisions require U.S. Customs and Border Protection to aggressively investigate complaints of companies evading anti-dumping duties, especially those who mislabel products.

However, language increasing the duty-free amount was tucked into what was called "Title IX—Miscellaneous Provisions."

It was a single sentence amending the Tariff Act of 1930 in a five-sentence paragraph. The rest of the paragraph called for other countries to establish so-called "de minimus" values for express and postal shipments making them exempt from some custom duties and taxes. That change could—theoretically—make it easier for U.S. online retailers to sell overseas.

Several reports have noted that the change reflects the cost to Customs to check on a growing volume of small purchases. Carriers that deliver the products also could benefit since they generally collect the duty and remit it to customs.

Moore said it will be difficult to trace the impact the new rule would have on parts and accessory sales. "I suppose the best indicator would be if Chain Reaction and Wiggle reported sales went up dramatically. It's hard to gauge, other than anecdotally, what impact it will have," he said.

Nonetheless, Chain Reaction and Wiggle are powerhouses in the world of online sales for parts and accessories. And recently, Chain Reaction and Wiggle announced a merger. If UK authorities approve it, the combined company would boast annual revenue in excess of $425 million.

Both online retailers have been a thorn in the side of many U.S. dealers who are often asked by consumers why their prices are so much higher, particularly for Shimano parts. Both companies also have made significant inroads in Australia and New Zealand where retail sales for parts and accessories have fallen.

Chain Reaction has aggressively courted U.S. consumers and for the past several years has been a gold-level sponsor at the Sea Otter Classic.

CHICAGO (BRAIN) — The Abus Brooklyn Chain is designed for urban areas where bike theft is rampant. With a security rating of 12/15, it's nearly impossible to cut.

"This lock is super burly, but sits nicely on the hips," the company said.

The Brooklyn features an open 10mm/120 cm hardened steel loop chain. A fabric sleeve prevents damage to frame and paint job. 

The 80/TI50 Titalium Padlock features a solid lock body made from Titalium aluminum alloy for lightness. The hardened steel shackle has a Nano Protect coating and high precision 6-pin key cylinder.

Two keys are supplied with lock.

MSRP is $99. More information at mobilesecurity.abus.com.

PHILADELPHIA — Fuji Bikes is expanding on a 30-year relationship with the Cuban national cycling team, inking a five-year, $200,000 agreement to sponsor the team and supply it with 10 bikes per year.

The agreement will be formally announced on March 21 in Havana, on the first day of President Obama's historic visit to Cuba.

"Since before I joined Fuji, Cuba has been a part of Fuji's sponsorship and cycling advocacy conversation," said Pat Cunnane, president and CEO of Advanced Sports International, Fuji's parent company. "With the new changes the Obama Administration has put in place, it makes working with Cuba easier and more of a priority."

For decades, the majority of competitive cyclists in Cuba had to piecemeal together bikes and equipment through donations and other means. Jose Manuel Pelaez, the president of Cuba Cycling Federation, said that Fuji's collaboration with Cuban cycling runs deep.

"We are excited to solidify this relationship that we've had for many years with Fuji," Pelaez said in a statement released by ASI. "We still have athletes training on Fuji bikes donated in the past."

Tracy Lea, team manager of the original Fuji-Suntour program and member of the UCI Master's Commission, was instrumental in assisting Cuba to host its first Pan American Masters Championships in the mid-1990s.

Since then, Lea along with Mike Fraysee, vice president of the UCI Pan American Confederation and three-time president of the U.S. Cycling Federation (now known as USA Cycling), has brought hundreds of Fuji bikes to Cuba. "Sport transcends everything," Lea said. "There are no politics at the track or on the road. Cycling is more than just riding your bike, it opens up doors."

Pelaez said the legacy of Fuji in Cuba continues as Cuban track racer Arlenis Sierra recently won the bronze medal in the women's points race at the Track World Championships in London on a Fuji Track Elite. Sierra also trains on a Fuji Altamira provided by Bike Masters Miami shop owner, Eliecer Padron.

Milay Galvez, Fuji's manager of sponsorship and international marketing, was born and raised in Cuba.

Lisa Nutter, a Fuji Ambassador and U.S. National medalist on the track, will travel to Cuba this week with her husband Michael Nutter, the former mayor of Philadelphia, to make the sponsorship official. The Nutters were instrumental in bringing the women's World Cup back to the Philadelphia International Cycling Classic as well as elevating the status of the event.

BURBANK, Calif. (BRAIN) — Pure Fix, which sells bikes online and through more than 400 brick-and-mortar retailers in the U.S., is now offering online bike buyers three ways to get their bike. The brand is allowing consumers to choose whether they want to pick up an assembled bike at a local shop, have an assembled bike hand delivered to them by a shop, or have an unassembled bike delivered to their doorstep.

"We really wanted to think about how we could deliver the best experience to the end user," said Jordan Schau, a co-founder of the brand. "Some people, like me, are tinkerers and may want to assemble their own bike. Others are not, but are happy to have a dealer do it and pick it up. Other people just want to order a bike online and not have to think about it, and just have it show up a week later."

Pure Fix is working with its existing dealers on the second and third options that Schau mentioned. If Pure Fix doesn't have a dealer nearby, it will reach out to other nearby retailers. Dealers are being offered a slightly reduced margin on sales delivered through their shops. "It's a little less than the normal margin. So far the retailers we've talked to are pretty jazzed about it," Schau said. Pure Fix will ship the purchased bike to the shop, or the store can take the ordered bike out of inventory if they have it, and Pure Fix will ship a replacement. 

Pure Fix offers consumers free shipping on orders above $100, including bikes. There is a $49 fee if they opt to pick up the assembled bike at a shop, and a $100 fee if they opt to have an assembled bike hand delivered. Pure Fix calls that third option the BYLT program, which Schau said is not an acronym for anything, but just an unusual way of spelling "built."

More information: purefixcycles.com.

HAYWARD, Calif. (BRAIN) — Bianchi is joining forces with U.S. Olympian Connie Paraskevin's Connie Cycling Foundation to get kids on bikes. As part of the program, Bianchi will supply its Pista track bikes for use in the program's training clinics. In addition, program participants will be eligible for a discount on a Bianchi bike from their local Bianchi dealers.

"I met Connie at a local Gran Fondo. I saw about 20 kids riding around in their CCF jerseys so I walked over to check it out because that's not something you see every day. She told me about the program and I was immediately impressed with her commitment," said Bianchi's VP of sales & marketing, Jim Stevenson. "And of course it doesn't hurt that Connie won the World Championships in 1990 on a Bianchi," added Stevenson.

Paraskevin said, "We're teaching young people skills and confidence that help them, not just in cycling, but in life itself. We are exposing 1,000 kids every year to proven development programs. Families are coming together with special events like our Family Fun Rides and Olympic Day. Our dream is getting every kid on a bike.

"Once kids start rolling," she said "lives are changed forever."

The CCF is based in Corona del Mar, California. More information: conniecycling.com.

BOULDER, Colo. (BRAIN) — CatEye America is rolling out a new freight program that upgrades IBD orders within the continental U.S. to three-day shipping at the cost of ground.

"Our dealers along the East Coast and into the Midwest will benefit significantly with this change. Additionally, the faster service allows an extended order window to get CatEye products in their store before the weekend," said J.J. Rudman, CatEye's national sales manager.

"No minimum order, a low freight allowance and now three-day shipping for the cost of ground equates to exceptional added value for our current and future direct dealers," said Bob Daniels, the executive vice president of CatEye America.

CatEye's new freight program went into effect on March 7 and is valid for all orders placed directly with CatEye America and shipped within the continental U.S. For more information retailers can call 1 (800)-5-CATEYE or inquire at sales@cateye.com.

RICHMOND, Australia (BRAIN) — Australian cycling accessory brand Knog has launched a new style of bicycle bell with a Kickstarter crowd-funding campaign.

The Oi bell wraps around the handlebar and does away with the typical dome shape used on most bells.

"Bells are the first thing you unscrew from your new bike" said Knog CEO Hugo Davidson. "What if a bell looked great and sounded even better? If it was discreet, but really stood out through elegant design. With Oi, we have appealed to a breadth of personalities and riding styles without compromising any."

The bell will be available in five finishes and two sizes to fit most handlebars. The company said it is using Kickstarter as a new platform to get to market faster, explain its design process more thoroughly and gain a more direct dialogue with its consumer base.

Davidson said, "Kickstarter funding will help us get this product to market much quicker than is otherwise possible."

For more information see the project's Kickstarter page. 

BOULDER, Colo. (BRAIN) — Bopworx is a new brand, launched on Kickstarter, that offers resusable bike protection products for shipping, traveling with, or storing bikes. The company offers padded, easily attached protectors specifically made for the rear derailleur, forks, and more. They can be used in airline travel cases, shipping boxes, or car racks.

The company was founded by an Irish husband and wife team, Paul and Ciara McGriskin, who saw the need after traveling the U.S. with multiple bikes on a rental car. After finding different makeshift ways to protect their bikes while traveling, they decided to produce a reusable solution. With Paul's background as a ceramicist and architect he designed the products using durable rubber, hard plastic, and hook and latch systems. No tools are required.

The company currently offers four items, with more on the way.

The Bop Bumper ($19.99 retail) and Double Bumper ($34.99) attach to any point on the bike and can create a pad of protection between bikes on a rack. 

The Rear Derailleur Guard ($24.99) attaches with a stainless steel tab that slips into a loosened quick release skewer. With the skewer tightened,the hard plastic on the guard protects the derailleur from any bumps or compression.

The Fork Guard ($49.99) includes an axle spacer to eliminate compression, and also provides outer wheels to help make loading the bike easier. This also helps with storing a bike with the front wheel removed. It also includes a detachable disc caliper spacer to keep pistons from closing.

Finally, the Bopwrap, which will release later this summer, replaces the need for all the towels, t-shirts, tennis balls, socks and other makeshift padding. Made out of soft, pliable rubber, the Bopwrap can be used on the frame, pedals, handlebars, and anywhere the bike needs extra protection.

More information: bopworx.com.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (BRAIN) — Todson has hired Oris Intel for automated monitoring of the accessory maker's minimum advertised price (MAP) policy.

Oris Intel's cloud-based application, called Prowl, allows companies to monitor online pricing across thousands of sites and helps identify anonymous sellers and determine who moved first, as well as automating the MAP monitoring process.

Adam Donahue, Todson's director of sales and marketing, said Oris Intel offers "the most comprehensive solution for monitoring both our extensive SKU list and the vast number of websites supporting our brands. Prowl allows us to quickly assess the market and take immediate action to correct any pricing irregularities."

"We're excited that Todson has entrusted us in their commitment to help protect their brand, increase margins and support their trusted partners," said Oris Intel CEO Pamela Springer.

QBP and Dahon each announced in February that they had hired Oris Intel. CatEye, Selle San Marco and 2XU have also worked with the company.

SEATTLE (BRAIN) — RacerMate is recalling about 25,000 stationary trainer flywheels, used on ComputTrainers the company sold before 2008. The blue, die-cast zinc flywheels can shatter and throw pieces of metal into the air. RacerMate has received five reports of flywheels that have shattered, including three reports of injuries, including lacerations and leg bruises.

Trainers with the recalled flywheels were sold from November 1997 through November 2008 for about $1,500. The flywheels were manufactured in the U.S. 

Consumers are being told to immediately stop using trainers with the blue flywheels and to contact RacerMate for a free replacement. They can contact RacerMate at (800) 522-3610 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. PT Monday through Friday or online at www.racermateinc.com and click on "Support" to access the Blue Flywheel Recall form. Consumers can also email the firm at sales@racermate.inc.

More information: CPSC recall notice. 

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (BRAIN) — USA Cycling told members on Friday that the organization's website had been breached. The organization said members' personal information associated with online accounts, including names, mailing addresses, email addresses, dates of birth, emergency contacts, and USA Cycling passwords could have been released.

The site does not store members' drivers' license or state ID numbers, credit card numbers, bank account numbers, Social Security numbers, or medical or health insurance information.

"What we know of the incident is that a hacker gained access to at least some of our databases within the last two weeks. We have been in contact with the authorities, and have employed a leading cyber security expert to advise us in this matter. We believe we have now secured all our systems and face no further data security risks. We are notifying you as soon as we were able to assess the situation and secure our systems," USA Cycling said.

The organization emailed its members and told them to change their passwords on the site immediately. 

"Though we know of no inappropriate use of any data, we are notifying you so that you can take precautionary measures to protect yourself from identify theft or other forms of fraud. In particular, we advise that if your USA Cycling password is used in other accounts, you change your password in those other accounts immediately."

The organization said members should have no difficulties registering or participating in races this weekend, but said they should update their passwords on the website, use the new password to sign into their USA Cycling mobile app, if they use it, and bring a hard copy of their license to the event.

In a FAQ section of the USA Cycling website, the organization noted that members' passwords were not encrypted.

'We deeply regret that our member account passwords were not encrypted. We were aware of this need, and have been exploring fixing that data security vulnerability for the last several months.  But the legacy IT system we have been operating on for the past decade or more makes the transition very difficult and costly.  And because we are embarking on a total overhaul of our IT systems, which will include moving to encrypted data storage within the next several months, we chose not to invest in our current system and then promptly replace it with a new system.  In hindsight, we regret that decision as we should have encrypted data on our old system with absolute urgency.  We are very sorry for this mistake."