BOULDER, Colo. (BRAIN) — Backcountry Lifeline, a new company formed to make first aid training and response services available to mountain bike racer and event organizers, has lowered its prices for its first aid classes thanks to some sponsorship support from the bike industry.

The company was founded this spring in response to several notable deaths on the race circuit last year. It will offer first aid and CPR training to racers at some Big Mountain Enduro and Enduro World Series events this year. The course originally were going to cost $90-$125, but the price has been reduced to $35 thanks to support from Yeti, Maxxis, Specialized, Shimano, and Smith, in addition to agreements with the organizers of the BME and EWS.

"Everyone kept telling us, 'This is long overdue, we'd be happy to help,'" said BCLL co-founder Bonnie McDonald, whose fiancé died during the BME series event in Crested Butte, Colorado, last year.

"BME, EWS, Yeti, Shimano, Specialized, Smith and Maxxis are essentially footing the bill to get riders trained," said McDonald. "It's really pretty awesome... They are industry leaders, leading by example."

In addition to financial support, BCLL has also received some products from the sponsors that will be raffled to support the group.

BCLL hosted first aid & CPR training at this past weekend's BME events in Santa Fe, New Mexico. It also plans to offer the training at the Aspen Snowmass race in Colorado on July 27; and in Crested Butte on August 31.

For more information about BCLL, trainings, and upcoming events, visit backcountrylifeline.com.

WILTON, Conn. (BRAIN) — Cycling Sports Group has named Chris Hopwood public relations manager for North America. He has been with CSG for six years, most recently as the global marketing manager for GT Bicycles. 

Hopwood will work closely with the sales and brand teams to create public relations programs and drive media coverage across North America for the GT, Fabric, Sombrio and Sugoi brands within the CSG portfolio.

“I’m thrilled to welcome Chris to the CSG North America marketing team. As a 17-year veteran of the industry and a six-year veteran of CSG, he brings tremendous experience to the PR role,” said Hannah Parish, marketing director for CSG North America.  

Hopwood began his career at CSG in sales and transitioned to marketing five years ago. During his time as GT’s marketing manager, he played a critical role in the product launches and marketing of the Fury, Sanction, Force, Sensor, Helion and Grade models, among others. 

Prior to working at CSG, Hopwood was a sales manager at retailer Full Cycle Bike in Boulder, Colorado, from 1999-2009.

VANCOUVER, Wash. (BRAIN) — The XACT price-point helmet is based on the iXS's XULT crossover full-face model, but has a slightly reduced spec to reach a retail price that is less than half that of the XULT.

 Features include a fully injected, shock-absorbent ABS shell and compact overall volume to minimize weight and rotational force. The rail-based design and reinforced form increase structural integrity where additional strength is needed, and the stubby-style visor reduces weight and leverage.

The helmet's Vortex molded aeration system provides consistent airflow and cooling, while an ergonomic padding system ensures comfort without inhibiting airflow. The lining and padding are removable and washable.

In addition to regular size options of S, M/L and L/XL, the XACT also comes in a youth XS option.

The XACT will be available in July or August through The Gravity Cartel at an MSRP of $160.

More information: thegravitycartel.com.

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, Calif. (BRAIN) — Interbike has hired Sean O'Brien as its new marketing director, and Katie Peña has joined as account executive.

O'Brien most recently served as senior marketing manager at prAna, where he led the brand's wholesale marketing and event and sponsored athlete efforts. Peña comes to Interbike with more than eight years of experience in the action sports industry, most recently as sales manager at Hang Ten Bikes.

O'Brien has spent his career reporting on and servicing the specialty retailer, with eight years of experience at the Surf Expo and Outdoor Retailer trade shows. He was also the editor in chief of Transworld Business, the industry trade journal of the surf, skate and snowboarding industries, for 11 years.

"Sean's event experience with both retailers and exhibitors is strong, and we're confident that he'll be able to bring new ideas and a fresh perspective to our team," said Pat Hus, vice president of Interbike. "Katie clearly understands the industry from her time at Hang Ten working closely with retailers, which will translate nicely in her new role at Interbike."

Both Peña and O'Brien will be based at Interbike's offices in San Juan Capistrano.

Peña can be reached at katie.pena@interbike.com or 949-226-5720, while O'Brien can be reached at sean.obrien@interbike.com or 949- 226-5799 .

Earlier articles by Maxwell and Magowan are in the BicycleRetailer.com Opinion & Analysis section. 

Business-school graduates have a sad fact drummed into them: across the merger and acquisition landscape, more than half of all deals actually destroy rather than build value. If bike shop X is worth $2,000,000 and bike shop Y is $1,000,000 there's a better than 50-50 chance that a year after X buys Y that the combined entity will be worth something less than $3 million. Schwinn's descent into bankruptcy after buying GT Bicycles, Accell's recent wind-down of its Seattle Bike Supply (SBS) purchase, and Performance Bicycle's misplay of its Supergo retail buy are just three examples where value has actually been destroyed – with which a veteran reader of Bicycle Retailer will be all too familiar.

The evidence suggests that acquisition-based growth strategies in the cycling industry fail for one of three key reasons. First, in some cases, it is not clear that there really is a strategy. For example, "get bigger" or "build market share" are not really very well-defined or thought-out strategies – they are just basic statements of ambition. However, if simplistic notions like these are the only drivers behind a "strategic" plan, then it's hardly surprising that the plan is likely to fail.

Second, in some cases the buyer and seller may just be too dissimilar culturally. In a lifestyle sport such as cycling culture matters and that distinctiveness can be a major driver of value. Can a primarily engineering, product-driven company coexist with a marketing, customer-centric firm? It's possible, but it seems in deal after bicycle deal, an old-line established company – often from the east coast or Europe – buys a newer, often eccentric west coast company, and the two firms don't really mesh, with a consequent loss of value.

Lastly, and probably most common, is the situation where the acquiring company does have a logical and well thought-out strategy behind the transaction, but where that strategy is never fully or appropriately implemented – due to insufficient management attention and focus. Experienced executives of successful acquisition-based companies will tell you that the real work in a successful transaction actually begins the day after the deal closes.

Top management's job is to develop a strategic vision and growth plan, but it takes a whole company to make an acquisition work successfully. There is a big difference between the strategic vision of growth developed at the executive management level, and the challenges of translating that vision into a workable operating plan on a day-to-day basis in the trenches. The situation is akin to viewing the landscape from inside an airplane cruising at 35,000 feet, versus negotiating the actual terrain on foot. From the 35,000 foot executive perspective, the terrain may seem pretty flat and simple; for those "on the ground" charged with actually implementing the plan, however, there are invariably difficult mountains and valleys to negotiate in the achievement of the goal. An effective integration process can be condensed down to several critical factors:

• Recognize the critical significance of integration planning, and create a specific function for managing it. The task of managing acquisitions is not something that a few people should do part-time and then go back to their "real" jobs – this is a critical function, particularly in acquisition-oriented companies, and someone has to be specifically charged to making it work.
• Make sure there is a well thought-out plan for the integration process. As a potential transaction moves forward, there needs to be a plan; make sure you know what you're doing before you plunge into it. Those who wait to start the integration process until after the deal is closed inevitably run into problems. This up-front work can include activities such as thinking through the external and internal communications that will be essential to ensure a smooth transition, and a review of the potential for cost-savings.
• Build an integration team, with employees from both companies. The leader of this team needs to be someone who is not only highly regarded but who will also have some real authority to implement what can often be very difficult decisions. Typically, this person will be drawn from the acquiring company, though not always; management from the acquired company will typically know much more about the internal workings and where the opportunities and challenges may lie. This team should regularly assess its progress and schedule against the strategic implementation plan developed at the outset, and should move to finish the key elements in the plan as quickly as possible – uncertainty and time delays are often the most destructive aspects of a post-deal integration process, and can have an immediate negative effect on the morale level in both companies.
• Respect what you are acquiring. You are supposedly buying another company because it offers something unique. But too often the acquirer acts like a medieval conqueror, laying waste to the acquired company's people, property and brand. In 2002 Performance Bicycle bought the Supergo retail chain because it was better merchandized and profitable; five years later after the departure of key staff, the Supergo brand was effectively killed off, with seemingly few of Supergo's attributes incorporated into the larger entity.
• Design a jointly-developed business plan for the combined entity early on. If key individuals from both sides of the deal are charged with designing and articulating a joint business plan before the deal is approved, the likelihood of achieving the targets of the proposed transaction is raised significantly. On the other hand, if it's difficult to construct such a jointly-developed business plan, that may suggest that the deal doesn't make much sense to begin with; by this method, ill-conceived transactions can often be flushed out ahead of time – saving both parties a great deal of time, money and headaches.
• Pay attention to personnel issues. This should go without saying – yet many firms fail to keep their employees properly informed. Change can be highly threatening to people – and these sorts of anxieties can sometimes cause otherwise attractive deals to metamorphose into failures. If people aren't informed, they get worried, they become less effective, and eventually they begin to leave. The ultimate strength of any company lies with the talents and capabilities of its people – yet many companies shoot themselves in the foot by failing to remember this.
• Really think through your consolidation plan to cut costs. It sounded logical that Schwinn and GT could save money by consolidating overlapping warehouses into fewer locations. But no one appears to have thought through that it would result in longer (and more expensive) ship times to dealers, lower inventory turns, and reduced product availability, all compounded by two different inventory software platforms, and little regard for what dealers wanted. That Accell did almost the same thing 15 years later with SBS illustrates that the lesson isn't easily learned. And if you think that by combining two bike shops in the same town you can combine service and repair at one location across town, you might want to run your plan by key customers first.
• Maintain a focus on timely and honest communications at all times – to all stakeholders, but particularly to employees. Top management has probably been talking about what a great deal this is, and how much sense it makes – but they have to put that talk into action. Management should make and announce the difficult or sensitive decisions quickly, even if they are not particularly popular – employees will quickly gain more respect for a management team that addresses the difficult issues head-on, rather than one that waffles or sticks its head in the sand. Said another way, it pays to be straightforward, even when the news is bad. The quicker the tough decisions can be made, the more quickly the future team of employees can actually start working productively together to make the deal successful.

In summary, post-deal integration may not have the "thrill of the chase"– the glamour or the allure that finding and putting together the deal has for many corporate executives. However, it is every bit as important in a successful acquisition-based growth strategy.

Steve Maxwell is co-editor of the cycling website, www.theouterline.com and Managing Director of TechKNOWLEDGEy Strategic Group, a Boulder, Colorado-based firm specializing in merger and acquisition advisory services. Felix Magowan is partner at Pocket Ventures, a private equity firm, former owner of VeloNews, and a founding investor and board member at Pearl Izumi. Maxwell and Magowan have advised dozens of firms on strategy and transactional issues, and can respectively be reached in Boulder at (303) 442-4800 or (303) 443-4360, or via e-mail at maxwell@tech-strategy.com or fmagowan@pocketventuresllc.com.

SAN MATEO, Calif. (BRAIN) — GoPro and Red Bull are joining forces on a multi-year, global partnership that includes content production, distribution, cross-promotion and product innovation. As part of the agreement, Red Bull will receive equity in GoPro and GoPro will become Red Bull's exclusive provider of point-of-view imaging technology for Red Bull's media productions and events.

GoPro will have presence at more than 1,800 Red Bull events across more than 100 countries. The companies will share content rights on co-productions, and related content will be distributed across both Red Bull and GoPro's digital distribution networks, including The GoPro Channel, Red Bull TV, Red Bull.com and in the Red Bull Content Pool, Red Bull's media service platform.

"Red Bull's global scale and execution is something to be admired. This partnership is very strategic for GoPro," said Nicholas Woodman, founder and CEO of GoPro. "We share the same vision ... to inspire the world to live a bigger life. While we've worked closely for many years, as official partners we'll be able to more effectively help one another execute our shared vision and scale our respective businesses. GoPro and Red Bull, as a match, are as good as it gets."

"First-person perspectives, breathtaking images and cutting-edge cinematography are the hallmarks of every story told within Red Bull's portfolio of productions and live broadcasts," said Dietrich Mateschitz, founder and CEO of Red Bull. "As partners, Red Bull and GoPro will amplify our collective international reach, the power of our content and ability to fascinate."

With declining sales in the past year, GoPro's stock price has plummited from a 52-week high of over $65 to less than $9 in recent trading. However, Wall Street looked favorably on the announced deal with Red Bull, and the stock was up Tuesday and early Wednesday. 

GoPro stock quote.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (BRAIN) — Recumbent tricycle manufacturer TerraTrike has launched a new website to help trike owners connect with other riders in their local communities.

The company said TrikeGroups.com will serve as the place to find like-minded recumbent trike enthusiasts who want to ride. Once they've signed up for a free account, users can find other riders in their local community, join a group ride, or organize and plan their own ride. Users can also view a map of other registered users nearby, create their own group, comment and post on forums.

The company said TrikeGroups is not brand specific.

"Trike riding has been providing mobility and activity to people from all walks of life for decades," said marketing director Jeff Yonker, "and we want to offer riders a way to connect with other trike owners nearby, and build their own local triking community. We believe that the more people get together and ride, the stronger the trike community will become, and the more fun everyone will have."

PORTLAND, Ore. (BRAIN) — Islabikes is launching a line of performance kids bikes, including mountain bikes, cyclocross and road models. The bikes feature lightweight frames and components that are sized appropriately for kids of various ages and sizes. The company has spec'd many of its own components, including carbon forks, low Q-factor cranks and custom-sized handlebars to fit kids. Retail prices range from $1,200 to $2,400.

The Luath Pro Series cyclocross bikes, which retail for $2,399.99, feature a long wheelbase and slightly slack head angle which helps keep the bike stable. The model is available with 24-inch and 26-ionch wheels, with custom, 185tpi tubeless-compatible tires paired to Stan's rims. The company says the frame geometry is optimized to keep the smaller rider centered, in control, and efficient. This includes a steeper seat tube angle to assist with reach for smaller arms. The Luath Pro Series is designed with child-specific drop handlebars that measure 22.2mm in diameter. It is spec'd with cable-actuated disc brakes pair with Ultegra shift/brake levers, which are modified with extra long adjuster screws and adjusted for the shortest possible reach.

The Creig Pro Series is a lightweight hardtail mountain bike with a RockShox 30 Gold TK suspenion fork. It comes in 24-inch and 26-inch wheel models, both with Stans NoTube Rims, allowing the bikes to be run tubeless with the Schwalbe Rocket Ron tires. The bikes have cross-country geometry with proprietary low Q-Factor cranks and a low bottom bracket.

The Beinn Pro Series is a 20-inch wheeled mountain bike with a Islabike full carbon rigid fork. The $1,499 bikes has a custom 9-speed SRAM cassette chosen for even-spaced gearing and optimized chain line. It has low-spoke count wheels with alloy nipples, Avid DB5 hydraulic disc brakes, proprietary tires and Stan's rims.

The Cnoc Pro Series is a lightweight single-speed bike with 16-inch wheels, for smaller riders. It features an aluminum frame and full carbon fork. It has proprietary tires with 185 tpi casing and custom tread pattern. The $1,199 bike has direct-pull rim brakes and has a titanium-spindle bottom bracket for weight savings.  

More information at islabikes.com.

LEXINGTON, S.C. (BRAIN) — Hawley has added Chromag components to its portfolio of products. Hawley is distributing Chromag's wide range of mountain bike components including bars, stems, saddles, grips, pedals, seat clamps/QR seat clamps and chainrings.

"The addition of Chromag to our portfolio will allow us to become an even more important player on the MTB scene," said Christophe Gagne, product manager for Hawley-Lambert. "By joining Hawley's well-established distribution network and Chromag's distinctive products, we will be able to address, now more than ever, the needs of our customers who are looking for high quality, stylish and dependable mountain bike components."

"We are very excited to partner with Hawley," said Rebecca Ritz, marketing manager at Chromag Bikes, based in Whistler, British Columbia. "They will be an important part of our growth in the U.S. market. Providing excellent customer service is really important to us and we are confident that Hawley will be able to provide that to Chromag dealers. We look forward to seeing more Chromag representation in the U.S. and providing the best products possible for our customers."

MADRID (BRAIN) — Spanish trainer maker Bkool is working with organizers of New Hampshire's legendary Mt. Washington Hillclimb bike race to create a virtual race up the highest peak in the Northeast.

During June, registration for the virtual race is $25. Participants can ride up the virtual mountain as many time as they want, competing for prizes and bragging rights. The route was created using Bkool's 3D World gaming-style simulation and precise resistance control technology. The race is open to anyone with access to the internet and a controllable ANT+ smart trainer, including compatible models from Bkool, CycleOps, Elite, Tacx and Wahoo.

The virtual course emulates the road up the mountain, which is 7.6 miles with an average grade of 12 percent, extended sections of 18 percent, and the last 100 yards at 22 percent grade. However, virtual riders will not enjoy the weather on the 6,288-foot summit, which is billed as the worst in the world.

Everyone who enters the Virtual Mt. Washington Hillclimb will get a coupon for a three-month Bkool premium subscription (for 99 cents instead of $45); prizes will be awarded including full-year premium Bkool subscriptions and entries into the 2016 or 2017 (outdoor) Mt. Washington Auto Road Bicycle Hillclimb.

The virtual race is sponsored by Quad Cycles in Arlington, Massachusetts, and BikeTag. 

Registration is open now on Bikereg.com, with all funds benefitting Tin Mountain Conservation Center.

KOBLENZ, Germany (BRAIN) — German consumer-direct bike brand Canyon said it has partnered with TSG Consumer Partners to expand into the U.S. market. TSG, an investment firm with offices in San Francisco and New York, gains a minority stake in Canyon and will provide the additional capital needed to set up U.S. sales.

The move has been years in the making, as Canyon has eyed the U.S. for some time, and U.S. suppliers have been well aware that Canyon would begin sales here eventually. BRAIN first reported Canyon's intent to expand into the U.S. market back in 2011. Trek president John Burke noted Canyon's intentions when he announced Trek's consumer direct plans last August. 

In a press release, Roman Arnold, founder and CEO of Canyon Bicycles GmbH, said "The partnership with U.S.-based TSG is invaluable in helping us successfully develop and navigate the American market, especially in light of its legal and economic particularities. This step enables us to realize a corporate goal set a long time ago and for which we've prepared exhaustively. We are excited to have found a partner in TSG; specifically, a partner that shares our vision, our values and our goals."

"The demand for Canyon bikes in the U.S. is already very high. But we also want to deliver an exceptional Canyon customer experience, on par with the quality of our products," he added.

TSG currently manages $5 billion in assets, focusing on consumer and retail companies with annual revenues of $20 million to more than $1.5 billion and makes equity investments of $15 million to more than $500 million.

TSG has worked with such brand names as Vitamin Water, Popchips, Smart Balance, Smashbox Cosmetics and Yardhouse. In the outdoor and bike markets, it lists Backcountry as one of its partner brands. TSG's portfolio of brands span the apparel and accessories, beauty, personal care, household, restaurants, retail, pet care and food and beverage industries.

Canyon will launch a U.S.-website for customers to order bikes in early 2017. The U.S. will have its own customer and technical service center, though the location for that hasn't been determined. Bikes for the U.S. market will be produced and assembled in Koblenz, Germany, Canyon's headquarters. Canyon underwent a modernization of its production facilities at the end of last year.

"We opened a state-of-the art production facility in October and introduced a new ERP system. We're already set up for fulfilling more demand on our product and being ready from a production standpoint," Frank Aldorf, Canyon's chief brand officer told BRAIN. He said some bikes will be warehoused in the U.S.

Aldorf said U.S. consumers can expect to receive a bike ordered online in two to six weeks, and it will be nearly fully assembled. "Any consumer should be able to assemble the bike themselves at home. That's how we ship bikes currently and that will be how we do it in the U.S.," he said.

Aldorf said Canyon has sold more bikes worldwide than in its home market of Germany since 2008. "We're thinking more globally now," he said.

Canyon has seen revenue grow 30 percent year-over-year for the last six years, he added. This spring was its strongest yet, as April was its strongest month in revenue, Aldorf said.

"That's an indication that we're on the right path and gives us confidence to make our next move. Why slow down?" he said. "We have our successful business model, which has worked. Everybody told Canyon in the beginning it wouldn't work. It's proven that it's working. That's the plan of how we're going to go into the U.S. market, in the same way as we're doing business in other markets. No need to change our business model."

Canyon saw revenues hit 160 million euros last year. It currently sponsors the Movistar team and the Rapha/Canyon SRAM women's team, as well as triathlon world champion Jan Fordeno. Canyon was started by former racer Roman Arnold in 1985 as a house brand for his Radsport Arnold retail and wholesale business. German-engineered frames are produced in Taiwan and bikes are assembled as stock in Koblenz.

"TSG is proud to be a part of this incredible owner-operated success story," said Blythe Jack, managing director at TSG, in a press release. "We are especially excited to support Canyon by providing our expertise on the U.S. market, in order to help it achieve its global aspirations. Canyon will continue to build upon its existing reputation for providing the absolute highest quality and industry leading innovation in technology, design and performance."

MINNEAPOLIS (BRAIN) — Advocate Cycles is adding sales reps throughout the U.S.  The Pacific Northwest/Northern California region is now being represented by Cedar Kyes. The Northeast will be represented by John Blye, and the Midwest region will be represented by InGear Representation.

The company returns 100 percent of profits to cycling advocacy efforts including IMBA, Adventure Cycling Association, PeopleForBikes, and other projects and organizations.The new brand works with brick and mortar dealers, promising high sales margins and no minimum orders. The company is currently seeking retailers in certain markets.

The company also has announced their newest bike model, Lorax, is in stock and shipping now. The Advocate Cycles line now includes three models, including the Watchman fat bike, the Hayduke 27-plus and the new Lorax gravel/cyclocross/urban road bike.

The Lorax has 38c tires, a full-carbon Lorax post-mount disc fork and a Tiagra drivetrain with a 1:1 low gear ratio. 

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, Colo. (BRAIN) — EN-R-G Foods LLC is replacing some of its Protein Chews sold recently because the company has received several reports of consumers having nausea and vomiting soon after eating the chews.

The company said it is investigating the cause and that no more serious illnesses have been reported.

The chews were manufactured by Santa Cruz Nutritionals, LLC. The company said after consulting with the U.S. Food & Drug Administration they have decided to tell consumers to not eat and to throw out any Honey Stinger Protein Chews they have.

"We will be glad to replace the product with other, unaffected Honey Stinger products. If you purchased these products from a retailer please return the product to the store," the company said in a letter to consumers or retailers who may have purchased the chews. The action is considered a "Voluntary Field Correction" in FDA terms.

Only Honey Stinger Protein Chews with the specific lot numbers and best by dates identified below are being replaced:

• Honey Stinger Raspberry Protein Chews, UPC# 810815021493, Best Buy Dates: 2017, JUL 11 TT579 US-ORG-050, 2017, JUL 12 TT579 US-ORG-050, 2017, SEP 16 TT579 US-ORG-50, 2017, SEP 17 TT579 US-ORG-50
• Honey Stinger Juneberry Protein Chews, UPC# 810815021462, Best Buy Dates: 2017, SEP 18 TT579 US-ORG-50, 2017, SEP 20 TT579 US-ORG-50, 2017, SEP 19 TT579 US-ORG-50, 2017, OCT 06 TT579 US-ORG-50, 2017, OCT 07 TT579 US-ORG-50
• Honey Stinger Cherry Lime Protein Chews, UPC# 810815021523, Best Buy Dates: 2017, SEP 17 TT579 US-ORG-50, 2017, SEP 18 TT579 US-ORG-50, 2017, OCT 04 TT579 US-ORG-50, 2017, OCT 05 TT579 US-ORG-50

Retailers and consumers with questions may call or email Sam Daniels at EN-R-G Foods LLC customer service at 970.439.3052, which is open 9:00 am to 5:00 pm (MDT) Monday – Friday, or by email foodsafety@honeystinger.com. or visit honeystinger.com.

OGDEN, Utah (BRAIN) — Mavic has announced an agreement with USA Cycling that will extend through the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio. The company will provide neutral support for all USA Cycling national championship events, and Mavic will also be the official wheel supplier of USA Cycling's men's and women's track teams.

Mavic's Special Service Course program will provide riders with assistance at national events, including the Professional Criterium & Team Time Trial Nationals in Greenville, South Carolina, Masters & Para-Cycling Road Championships and Professional Road & Time Trial Nationals in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Amateur Road Nationals in Louisville, Kentucky, and Mountain Bike National Championships in Mammoth, California.

"We're honored to have the opportunity to participate in our national championships," said Mike Wilson, Mavic's brand manager for the Americas. "The importance of these races, especially in an Olympic year, is not lost on us, and we look forward to helping our athletes as they follow their dreams."

The Volkswagen Mavic expo car will also have a presence USA Cycling events, giving race spectators a chance to get inside a neutral support vehicle and listen live to race radio.

As part of the agreement, USA Cycling track teams will compete and train on Mavic's Comete, IO and new Rio wheels. 

"This partnership with Mavic continues a long-lasting relationship that most recently led to the 2016 Women's Team Pursuit Track World Championship in London," said Jim Miller, the VP of athletics for USA Cycling. "We look forward to a long and successful relationship with Mavic."

SCOTTS VALLEY, Calif. (BRAIN) — Fox Factory Holding Corporation and Outdoor Gear Canada have reached a multi-year distribution agreement making OGC Marzocchi's exclusive distributor for Canada.

Fox acquired the assets of Marzocchi's mountain bike product line last year; OGC has been Fox Racing Shox's Canadian distributor for many years.

"We are very happy to expand our partnership with Fox Racing Shox to include Marzocchi products," said Rob White, OGC's VP of sales. "With our many years of experience selling and servicing Fox suspension products it's a natural fit for us to add Marzocchi to our product mix and expand our Montréal and Vancouver service centres to service Marzocchi products."

"One of my main goals as the Marzocchi brand manager for Fox is to establish service and distribution for the brand. We believe that we have found the best full-service distributor for the Canadian market and look forward to working with OGC to grow the brand," said Andrea Pierantoni, Fox's Marzocchi brand manager.

PHOENIX (BRAIN) — Pivot's new Switchblade mountain bike, designed for both 29-inch and 27.5-plus wheels, features the brand's new long and low geometry, ample tire clearance, and short chainstays.

The bike was designed for enduro and aggressive trail riding

"The Switchblade is a from-the-ground-up design, specifically engineered to accept the new bigger tire sizes," said Pivot Cycles president and CEO Chris Cocalis. "For enduro riders, this is the 29er that they've been waiting for from Pivot, with new long and low geometry and 135mm of dw-link suspension. For plus-tire riders, we designed this bike to accommodate tires up to 3.25 inches wide for a 27.5-plus build. In addition to all of this, we've also achieved the shortest chainstays in the class – 428mm (16.85 inches) – for a bike that makes it incredibly easy to manual and pop up and over obstacles."

The frame uses the same double-wishbone rear triangle and linkage design found on Pivot's Phoenix DH and Mach 6 Models. The Switchblade features updates to Pivot's Cable Port System for internal cable routing and fully integrated Di2 functionality.

The Switchblade uses Pivot's new Super Boost Plus 157 rear spacing, which moves the drivetrain out 6mm (compared to the 3mm offset with Boost drivetrains). The company said the configuration maintains the same Q factor and heel clearance as Boost 148 bikes, while allowing shorter chainstays and increased tire clearance. There's more about the configuration in the attached PDF.

The Switchblade is available as a complete bike in more than 12 29-inch and 27.5-plus configurations ranging from $6,399 to $10,099 retail. The Switchblade is available immediately in size Medium. Sizes Small and Large will be available within the week and size X-Small and X-Large ships to dealers in three weeks.

More information: pivotcycles.com/bike/switchblade.

ST. CHARLES, Ill. (BRAIN) — Sigma Sport USA recently moved. The company's lease was up and it found a building in a better location, closer to employees' homes, downtown St. Charles, bike and run trails and UPS, FedEx and USPS drop-off locations.

The North American headquarters now features 1,200 square feet of office space for sales, customer service and marketing plus 4,800 square feet of warehouse space for testing and packaging product.

"Sigma Sport USA has been in Illinois since 1995. We considered moving out of the state, but from this central location we can ship to 90 percent of the country within three days," said Brian Orloff, managing director. "We strive to provide the best customer service in the industry, so location and logistics are key factors in the decision process."

The new facility is located at the intersection of the Great Western bike trail and the Randall Rd bike trail in St. Charles. Plus, it's across the street from the LeRoy Oaks Forest Preserve that offers mountain bike and running trails, as well as cross country ski trails during the winter.

The new address and contact information is:

Sigma Sport USA
1860B Dean St.
St. Charles, IL 60174

The phone number is 630-945-3387 or 888-744-6277.

Sigma products are distributed in the U.S. by BTI, Downeast, Hans Johnsen, Hawley, J&B, KHS, Lexco, Olympic, QBP and Wilson. Live To Play Sports is its Canadian distributor. Bicicletas Mercurio distributes Sigma products in Mexico.

LEXINGTON, S.C. and LEVIS, Quebec (BRAIN) — Hawley-Lambert has hired Pat McGinnis as its vice president of commercial. McGinnis comes to Hawley-Lambert from FreeMotion Fitness, and Raleigh America previously.

McGinnis will oversee all North American commercial functions, including sales, marketing, digital strategy, development of owned brands, as well as the brand-building efforts of strategic distribution brands.

"I couldn't be more excited to join Hawley-Lambert at this pivotal time in its history," McGinnis said. "The company is making smart investments in both people and infrastructure. Those investments are adding, and will continue to add, tremendous value for retailers all across North America."

McGinnis started in inside sales at Raleigh America and quickly earned his way to become the company's VP of sales prior to his departure in 2006. He continued his career in the fitness industry, joining FreeMotion Fitness in 2006. In 2009 he was promoted to president, a position he is leaving to follow his passion back to the bicycle industry.

"Pat has a very impressive background and an impeccable reputation," says Sylvain Caya, president at Hawley-Lambert. "From his entrepreneurial spirit to his drive to achieve great results to his leadership style, I can say confidently that Pat is the right leader for us. He understands the needs of retailers and shares our organizations values. We're all very excited to have him on our team."

McGinnis' first day will be June 20. He will be based at the company's Lexington, South Carolina, offices.

ROSEVILLE, Minn. (BRAIN) — Hed Cycling is recalling about 380 rims because they can cause brake pads to wear out unexpectedly.

The company has received six reports of the rims with textured Turbine Braking Technology causing premature pad wear. No accidents were reported. The rims were made in the U.S. and sold for between $700 for an individual wheel and $2,400 for a set of wheels.

This recall involves Ardennes Black and Jet Black rims manufactured between January 1, 2016 and March 15, 2016. Serial numbers beginning with 0116, 0216 or 0316 are printed near the valve hole on the rim. The recall does not involve disc brake-specific wheels or rims. 

Consumers with the rims are being told to stop using them and contact HED Cycling toll-free at 888-246-3639 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday or online at www.HedCycling.com.

More information: CPSC notice.