Quantcast
Channel: Bicycle Retailer and Industry News
Viewing all 9788 articles
Browse latest View live

Rad Power Bikes to open Vancouver showroom

0
0

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (BRAIN) — Consumer-direct e-bike brand Rad Power Bikes is growing its Canadian headquarters and opening a retail showroom in East Vancouver next month. 

The new location will give consumers a chance to test ride bikes and talk face to face with the local Rad Power team. The company will host a grand opening celebration when the showroom opens in June.  

"I'm especially excited to bring the joys of e-biking to even more of my neighbors," said Daniel Henderson, Rad Power Bikes' Canadian business director. "We're building a great place where our growing Vancouver team can not only connect with our community in person, but better serve our customers all across Canada."

The Vancouver showroom will be Rad Power Bikes’ third brick-and-mortar location, joining the Seattle headquarters and European showroom in Utrecht, Netherlands. 

“Putting down roots is just as important to us as it is to our customers,” said Mike Radenbaugh, co-founder and CEO of Rad Power Bikes. “The firsthand experience and support at the retail showroom will complement our existing foundation in Canada, which includes our bustling online store, free shipping and white-glove home delivery with Velofix Direct.”  


Bike community mourns death of mechanic and activist who died in cougar attack

0
0
Brooks in a Friends On Bikes Instagram post.

SEATTLE (BRAIN) — The bike community across the country, including colleagues at at least two bike shops, is mourning the death of S.J. Brooks, who died in a cougar attack while mountain biking near Seattle last Saturday.

Brooks was an employee of Seattle's G&O Family Cyclery and a co-founder of the Seattle chapter of the Friends on Bikes organization, which is dedicated to fostering a community for women of color who love riding bikes. 

According to a posting on G&O's Facebook page, Brooks was key to the shop's rebuilding following a 2016 explosion that destroyed its building

"S.J. was a trained art historian and photographer. They were an amateur carpenter and a crafty maker of things. S.J. was a lover of ideas and thoughts and philosophies. S.J. could teach anyone anything. SJ was strong, smart, kind and generous. And funny as hell," the shop's Facebook page reads. "We will always miss S.J., but their presence will be part of our work and part of the cargo bike movement in Seattle for a long time to come."

"S.J. could overhaul a headset, teach you the fundamentals of art history and '90s hip-hop, all while inviting you on a bike ride."

Brooks, who preferred to be referred to by the pronoun "they," was scheduled to speak about Friends on Bikes and be a part of a panel at this summer's WTF Bikexplorers Summit in Whitefish, Montana. The Summit's organizers have renamed a scholarship program in their name. The scholarship will allow five women, trans, femme and nonbinary cyclists to attend the conference.

Brooks also was active in the Boston bike community, and was on the board of Bikes Not Bombs, an organization based in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts. "S.J. was an avid cyclist and a strong supporter of Bikes Not Bombs who participated in our vocational educational program, rode in our annual Bike-A-Thon for many years, and served on our Board of Directors from 2012 to 2016, before moving to Seattle," the organization said on Facebook. "We truly valued S.J.'s deep commitment to inclusion at Bikes Not Bombs and the cycling community."

Brooks also worked as a mechanic and staffer at Broadway Bicycle in Cambridge, Massachusetts, from 2009 to 2016.  

"They were an exceptional mechanic who taught courses in bicycle maintenance and repair, helped develop shop policy, led meetings and made the people they worked with feel loved and cared for. S.J. could overhaul a headset, teach you the fundamentals of art history and '90s hip-hop, all while inviting you on a bike ride," Broadway Bicycle said on its Facebook page. "S.J. was the co-worker that made sure you had a ride home when the weather was terrible.  They were the kind of person you just wanted to be around."

According to a LinkedIn account, Brooks also worked for a time as a machinist and finisher at Seven Cycles, the titanium bike builder in Waterrtown, Massachusetts. 

Brooks attended McGill University in Montréal and first entered the bike world there, hanging out at the city's Bikurious store.

Brooks was riding with Isaac "Izzy" Sederbaum northeast of Snoqualmie, Washington, when the pair was attacked by the cat. Sederbaum survived but was severely injured. A GofFundMe campaign has been established to help support Sederbaum's recovery. 

Banshee Bikes rolls out dealer-direct program for North America

0
0

NEDERLAND, Colo. (BRAIN) — After reworking its supply chain for the past two years, mountain bike brand Banshee Bikes has introduced a new sales program to sell direct to dealers in the U.S. and Canada.

“Amongst an emerging standard of direct-to-consumer sales, Banshee has taken a different approach. Banshee strongly believes that partnering with a network of high-quality retailers is critical,” Banshee USA stated. “In terms of customer support, these valued retailers provide the best possible service and support to customers, who rely on the knowledge and recommendations of the experts in their local bike shops. This also allows Banshee to partner with and support the local retailers who are critical to the long-term success of the local cycling community in their home territories.”

The company said it has been operating with a small number of IBDs over the past 18 months to develop, refine and optimize the sales process, and is now ready to roll it out to additional dealers across North America.

“Any IBD who is interested in selling Banshee, or has a customer asking about getting a Banshee, can simply contact Banshee to get all the information they will need and a unique B2B login. This will give access to dealer pricing and a complete list of warehoused stock, showing all frames, parts and build options. Dealers interested in being listed on Banshee’s ‘preferred dealer list’ are also encouraged to reach out,” Banshee USA stated.

Interested dealers can contact Michael Buell, global sales manager for Banshee USA, at michael@bansheebikes.com.

BRAIN Dealer Tour tastes Kansas' gravel on its final day

0
0
Much of our ride Thursday was on gravel, both smooth and chunky.

LAWRENCE, Kan. (BRAIN) — Forty-six miles of riding — a good dusty chunk of it on gravel roads — brought the BRAIN Dealer Tour crew to visit two shops Thursday. One store was less than two months old in a tiny town that happens to be along a popular cycling route. The other is 47 years old in a historic brick block in downtown Lawrence, the home of the University of Kansas.

Our three-day tour of shops in the area wrapped up with a ride led by Dan Hughes, the owner of Lawrence's landmark Sunflower Outdoor & Bike Shop. Besides running the store, Hughes is a legend in gravel racing circles, having won the Dirty Kanza 200 four times, as well as the 2014 Gravel Worlds. This year, Hughes is taking it up a notch, competing in the new 350-mile category at Dirty Kanza, which is held the first weekend in June.

Hughes led us nearly due west from our base in Overland Park toward Lawrence. Along the way we stopped off in Eudora, a town of about 6,100 people that now, as of a few weeks ago, has a new bike shop, Frontier Bikes.

Frontier's Beth Morford is a framebuilder, mechanic and store owner.

Frontier's owner is Beth Morford whose career as a massage therapist for the U.S. swim team culminated in a trip to the Rio Olympics. After that, she promised her kids she would retire from traveling. Morford is a framebuilder who has worked with Lenexa, Kansas, builder Julie Pedalino and apprenticed with Colorado builder Koichi Yamaguchi. She also had wrenched for Velo+, a Lenexa store we visited earlier on this Dealer Tour.

When she decided to open her own shop, she looked at locations in East Lawrence before finding her current spot in an unassuming commercial development at the edge of town. While the location might not provide much sidewalk foot traffic, it happens to be along a major cycling route between the Kansas City area and Lawrence — something Morford confirmed by studying Strava maps.

"Everyone rides by here, we decided it was perfect," she said. The local community has quickly welcomed the new store even as non-Eudora cyclists stop in for necessities during weekend rides. "The biggest surprise has been the town's support," she said.

Frontier Bikes focuses on service, which includes offering spin bike classes. The spin bikes work both ways, she said: "Some of the spin class people get interested in riding outside and we can help with that. And some of the outdoor riders want to ride inside when it's raining, or windy, or too hot or cold. We were on a DK (Dirty Kanza 200) training ride last weekend when it started to rain, so we did the last 30 miles on the spin bikes."

As the store gets off the ground, Morford is being careful to not overextend on inventory and to keep the focus on service.

"Because of the limited space and because we didn't want to bury ourselves in net terms, service is our biggest revenue generator." Frontier does stock a handful of bikes from Surly and All-City and is considering adding another brand.

Down (and up) the gravel roads we went, after leaving Frontier, to the picturesque university town of Lawrence, arriving in time to miss a vicious afternoon thunderstorm.

Sunflower began as an Army-Navy surplus store in 1971 and expanded into bike and outdoor gear over the years. The three-story location on Lawrence's Massachusetts Street is a gem and has a long history: the building was burned to the ground in the Civil War, but quickly rebuilt. In 1997, another fire gutted much of the space. Then-owners David and Susan Millstein rebuilt it using re-purposed materials where possible.

The legend is that David Millstein walked into the burned-out store after the fire and, though the inside was gutted, he appreciated the ample natural light coming down into the space from holes in the burned roof. He rebuilt the roof with tubular skylights and a faux partly cloudy blue sky ceiling above a two-story tall open space in the middle of the store. The light brightens the walls of stone and red brick and the stained wood floors, resulting in a warm feel that still highlights Sunflower's colorful inventory.

Hughes said the store's revenue is roughly 50-50 outdoor gear and bikes, with outdoor providing more profit because of higher margins. The bike mix includes Trek, Specialized, Salsa and other brands; gravel bikes have largely replaced traditional road bikes on the sales floor in recent years. E-bikes are another fast-growing category.

Hughes has decorated much of the store with autographed pro team jerseys and other mementos, but he conceded that the roadie history means little to his customers. He's slowly taking down the treasures and replacing them with images showing the kinds of regional adventures that most Sunflower customers can aspire to.

The Dealer Tour was sponsored by Garmin, which is headquartered in the area. Co-sponsors included Chamois Butt'r — another local brand — and Salsa Cycles, which provided a fleet of gravel bikes for tour participants.

Full coverage will be in the June 15 issue of Bicycle Retailer.

Previous articles:

 

 

Ikea recalls bikes because belt drive can break

0
0

WASHINGTON (BRAIN) — Ikea is working with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission to recall about 4,900 SLADDA bikes in the U.S. because the bikes' belt drives can break. Ikea also is recalling about 200 bikes sold in Canada.

The recalled bikes were sold from August 2016 through January 2018 for between $400 and $500. According to the CPSC, Ikea has not received any reports of injuries resulting from the issue in the U.S. The company's website said it has received reports of 11 broken belts internationally, with two breakages resulting in minor injuries.

Consumers are being told to stop riding the bikes and contact Ikea for a full refund. They can reach Ikea toll-free at 888-966-4532 anytime or visit the Ikea recall page.

The recall involves IKEA 26-inch and 28-inch SLADDA bicycles. The recalled bicycles are a light gray and have an aluminum frame. IKEA is printed at the bottom of the seat tube near the crank. The article number is printed on a sticker at the bottom of the downtube.

The article number on 26-inch bikes is 303.267.28; on 28-inch bikes, it's 603.267.36.

More information: Ikea recall page | CPSC recall page | Canada recall page.

 

Video: Family Bicycles owner Theresa Van Ackeren, Kansas City Dealer Tour

New bike fit tool, VeloAngle, takes a novel approach to measuring a position

0
0
VeloAngle measures the angle between points on the bikes, instead of using the typical X-Y coordinate system.

LAKE ORION, Mich. (BRAIN) — VeloAngle is a new bike fitting and setup tool that allows users to quickly record and duplicate bike setup. The product is being marketed to retailers, bike fitters, race team mechanics and consumers.

VeloAngle measures the relative positions of the bottom bracket (or pedal spindle center), the saddle and the handlebars. Instead of a traditional X-Y coordinate system, the VeloAngle measures the distances and angles, using an integrated digital inclinometer or a smartphone's angle app. A web-based app is also available to convert measurements to and from an X-Y system.

The tool was developed by mechanical engineer Dave Archer, a cycling enthusiast who became frustrated with available measuring systems and tools.

"The first thing that was clearly inefficient was reliance on the X-Y basis of measurement. This didn't come about because it was the best way, but as a result of the traditional bubble level's limitation of vertical and horizontal measurement," he said.

He said the VeloAngle's direct method eliminates the time and potential error associated with determining the horizontal (X) and vertical (Y) planes.

VeloAngle's saddle position measurement tool allows the user to take measurements anywhere on the saddle surface, instead of using only the saddle tip.

"Locations like the saddle tip were established as references largely because they were easy to detect, rather than being the most functional," Archer said.

At the bottom bracket, the tool comes with adapters to center the measurement on hollow spindle cranks, with optional adapters available to measure from Shimano Hollowtech II cranks or from the center of the pedal spindle hole.

The Continental Pro road race team CCB Foundation-Sicleri, has been using VeloAngle since the start of this race season. CCB principal Tim Mitchell said, "We found the speed, accuracy and flexibility claims to be real. The reduction in initial setup time and later adjustment in fitting our guys to their equipment was eye-opening. Space is always at a premium when we travel. VeloAngle is very compact and the app allows our U.S. and European mechanics to easily share data."

The VeloAngle is available in Pro and Enthusiast models, retailing for $299 and $199, respectively. The Pro model has an integrated inclinometer while the Enthusiast model requires use of a smartphone level app. The VeloAngle comes with a saddle adapter assembly, handlebar adapter assembly, bottom bracket/crank centers and reusable packaging with organizer.

VeloAngle offers optional accessories including a laser adapter, pedal-hole adapter and an adapter for use with Shimano Hollowtech II cranks.

The VeloAngle web app converts between the X-Y system and the VeloAngle system. It also has other features, including the ability to save and print out bike measurements. App licenses start at $49 for a limited version or $69 for an unlimited version.

Wholesale pricing for the VeloAngle starts with discounts for purchase of four or more units. Retailers and other industry members, such as fit studios, are also offered a free license for the unlimited web app.

More information: veloangle.com.

Tifosi Optics adds Dave Snow to national sales team

0
0

WATKINSVILLE, Ga. (BRAIN) — Tifosi Optics has hired Dave Snow as its West Coast/Canada sales manager for the sunglass brand’s bike, run and golf specialty business. 

"The active sport channels for Tifosi are the strongest portions of our business.  Dave is an industry veteran and we require expert sales management to focus on these key areas for the company," Tifosi co-founder and CEO Joe Earley said.

Snow has more than 20 years of sales management experience, including recently serving as the North American sales manager for Ryders Eyewear.

"I couldn’t be more excited to join the Tifosi Optics team. It’s not only Tifosi’s commitment to an affordable, high-quality product that I love. It is also the extent to which Tifosi values their customers and partners,” Snow said.

“Today, we see many brands losing their capacity to engage with their base as they lose their independence to larger companies. Tifosi’s continued commitment to relationships is second to none and it shows in the fact that they are the No. 1-selling eyewear brand in specialty cycling and running stores. I look forward to contributing to the continued success of this truly special, independent eyewear brand,” he added.


Prestacycle releases new torque ratchet tool set and T-Handle ratchet

0
0

REXFORD, N.Y. (BRAIN) — Prestacycle's new TorqRatchet has a number of features to make it easy to work around bikes, including the ability to loosen bolts and screws without damaging the torque beam. The torque scale is also readable from both sides and the wrench can withstand up to 60Nm of force when bypassing the torque beam.

The TorqRatchet uses 1/4-inch hex bits and measures torque from 2-10Nm. The compact tool is 5 1/4-inches long and comes in a zippered carry case with a selection of 12 bits.

The ratchet can be used to tighten or loosen bolts without affecting the torque beam by grasping it in the middle, red section. To finish tightening to a specified torque, the user pushes the Torque Knob on the end and reads the torque scale. The torque beam is made of hardened steel and rated for use up to 5,000 cycles. The tool can be recalibrated by Prestacycle. The tool weighs 68 grams. Retail is $59.95 with bits.

Prestacycle released the TorqRatchet on Friday. The company also recently released the T-Handle 3-way Ratchet. That tool includes a small 1/4-inch ratchet that also accepts bits at the end of the handle, for quick non-ratcheting use. The tool includes a 100 millimeter long extension that can be used as a regular extender or inserted halfway into the ratchet, creating a three-way tool. 

The T-Handle ratchet is rated to up to 60Nm of torque. It has a reversible ratchet with thumbwheel and ratchet reverse lever at the head. The tool with extension weighs 68 grams. 

The T-Handle tool is available as a complete kit with the extension and 20 bits for $39.99 MSRP. The bits, extension and ratchet handle are also sold separately. 

More information: prestacycle.com/products.

 

Former manager buys Vermont's Onion River Sports following closure

0
0
 Onion River Outdoors reopened in early May

MONTPELIER, Vt. (BRAIN) — When retailer Onion River Sports closed its doors after 43 years in business last December, an outpouring of community support made it possible for the store's former manager, Kip Roberts, and his wife, Jen, to purchase the business.

The shop was rebranded Onion River Outdoors and reopened in the same 7,500 square location in downtown Montpelier in May. Roberts launched an Indiegogo campaign earlier this spring to help buy inventory.

"We'd had some lenders come in with some of the financing. So many people in the community said they would put money into this venture but we didn't want to put our hands out and say, 'hey, give us money.' But we ended up launching the Indiegogo where every donation was pre-purchased store credit," Roberts said. "Between that and the other checks people wrote us, we hit our goal of $85,000. Those people who just gifted us money wouldn't take store credit when we offered. A lot of people just want to see their downtown survive and be vibrant. They understand the value of supporting the brick and mortar."

Former Onion River Sports owner Andrew Brewer, who still owns the building where Onion River Outdoors operates, closed the store after a number of factors put a financial strain on the business, including a lawsuit with a web developer who helped with the launch of multiple online sales platforms.

"A payout quarterly combined with dynamic times in retail put a big drain on ORS," Roberts said. "It was rough times there at the end. We closed with declining sales and online sales that once made up 75 percent of the business were a cash drain."

Most inventory was liquidated before the closure, so Roberts said he will continue to build it back up over the next few months. Onion River Outdoors has a full-service repair department and has about seven employees. It sells Specialized, Niner and Salsa, along with an array of outdoor apparel and gear, including skis. Roberts has also brought in a few Specialized Turbo e-bike models, and he thinks sales could grow in that category since the area surrounding Montpelier is hilly.

The shop hosts group mountain and gravel rides, and will add a fat bike ride during winter months. It also put on the Muddy Onion gravel race in April before the shop even opened its doors. The event attracted around 500 riders.

While the online business was part of the purchase, Roberts said he will focus on the brick-and-mortar store for now. As the only walkable sporting goods store downtown, and the only bike shop in the state capital city, a community of about 8,000 people, Roberts said Onion River has a built-in loyalty, and that when he reopened the store, many customers were happy to see him and other employees who weathered the transition.

"Our customer base was itching to buy and stored up purchases waiting for us to open," he said. "We have high expectations from the community, and we've promised that we'd be the general store of outdoor retail. There is that buy-local ethos here, so we want to have a selection that will keep people buying in town."

 

Retailers, does your city or town have a bike registration program?

0
0

New Otso gravel bike can be adapted for rigid or suspension forks

0
0

BURNSVILLE, Minn. (BRAIN) — Otso's new Waheela S steel gravel frame features a custom lower headset spacer that maintains the frame geometry whether used with a rigid fork or a suspension fork like Fox's F32AX gravel fork.

The 20 millimeter spacer is used with a rigid fork and removed for a suspension fork. The custom headset is made by Otso's sister company, Wolf Tooth. 

The frame also features an adjustable Tuning Chip dropout system. The dropout allows the axle to be moved rearward to accommodate larger tires. The axle slot is slanted up to increase bottom bracket drop as larger tires are used, to maintain the bottom bracket height.

The frame, made of Reynolds 520 tuning, can be built with tires ranging from 700x28 through road-plus 650Cx53 or as wide as a 29x2.1. 

Otso said the frame has "progressive gravel geometry" with a longer top tube length and shorter stem. It also has internal dropper post cable routing and an array of braze-ons for racks, fenders and bottle cages.

A frame with carbon Lithic fork retails for $899. Complete bikes start at $1,999. Options include the Fox F32 AX fork or the Lauf Grit fork. A KS E30i fork is also an option.

More information: otsocycles.com.

Enve introduces new gravel wheel series at Dirty Kanza expo

0
0
Enve launched the wheels in Kansas on Friday.

EMPORIA, Kan. (BRAIN) — Enve unveiled its new G Series gravel racing wheels at the Dirty Kanza's All Things Gravel expo here on Friday.

The series includes two wheelsets: the G23 (700c) and G27 (650b).

"The G Series wheels meet specific design objectives that represent Enve's take on a purpose-built gravel wheel," the company said. "These objectives include lightweight for efficiency and speed, optimized rim widths for specific tire volumes, tubeless construction, anti-flat technology, structural durability, and unprecedented ride quality."

Enve said the G Series tubeless clinchers are the lightest clincher rims the brand has ever brought to production. At 330 grams and 320 grams respectively, the G23 and G27 rims can be assembled into wheelsets that weigh less than 1,300 grams.

Enve's VP of product and consumer experience, Jake Pantone, said, "Given that gravel bikes are generally unsuspended or at best, lightly suspended, we aimed to develop a rim with more vertical compliance and energy absorption to deliver more comfort, confidence, impact toughness, and ultimately speed to the gravel ride experience."

The rims feature a bell-shaped rim profile that Enve said aids in weight saving and lets the rim respond to the ground's surface for a more smooth and efficient ride.

The G Series is backed by Enve's 5-year warranty, which covers impact damage. The rims use Enve's "Wide Hookless Bead" technology that was introduced in the brand's M Series wheels. Enve said the technology reduces pinch flatting and prevents rim cracking.

The G Series G23 is a 700c rim with an internal rim width of 23 mm and is optimized for tires between 35 and 45mm. The G Series G27 is a 650b rim with an internal rim width of 27 mm and is optimized for tires between 2.0 and 2.25 inches. The G Series is available now and shipping to North America customers. Global shipments will begin in early July.

Rims retail for $999. Wheelsets are $2,800. 

More information at ENVE.com.

Related story:Donnelly launches new bikes at Dirty Kanza.

Sunday is the first-ever United Nations World Bicycle Day

0
0

BOULDER, Colo. (BRAIN) — The United Nations has designated Sunday, June 3 as the inaugural World Bicycle Day. Events are being planned around the world, including a gathering of international leaders at United Nations headquarters in New York City.

World Bicycle Relief's CEO, Dave Neiswander, will be among the speakers at the event. Team Novo Nordisk’s CEO and co-founder Phil Southerland also will speak.

Dr. Leszek Sibilski, along with his students at Maryland's Montgomery College, was a proponent of the designation. Sibilski is a supporter of World Bicycle Relief and a popular speaker on world mobility and transportation trends. He has served as a consultant for The World Bank Group and the United Nations. The Turkmenistan Permanent Mission to the UN introduced a draft resolution to create the event, which was co-sponsored by 56 countries. The UN adopted the resolution on April 12.

A UN statement about the day said it "encouraged stakeholders to emphasize and advance the use of the bicycle as a means of fostering sustainable development, strengthening education, including physical education, for children and young people, promoting health, preventing disease, promoting tolerance, mutual understanding and respect and facilitating social inclusion and a culture of peace."

PeopleForBikes is asking bicycle riders to celebrate the day and share their activities on social media with the hashtag #June3WorldBicycleDay.

 

KindHuman taps Velofix to provide in-home bike sizing before an online order

0
0
The Canadian bike brand also works with IBDs on a similar program.

TORONTO (BRAIN) — KindHuman Bicycles is now working with Velofix to offer bike buyers a pre-delivery sizing consultation and final bike assembly at their home or office.

Velofix has agreements with several brands, including Canyon, to fulfill online bike orders. The KindHuman program differs because Velofix’s mobile service providers will measure the buyers before the bikes are built to ensure they order the right sizes. Then bikes are shipped directly to the consumers and Velofix arranges to stop by again, to do final assembly and adjustments.

KindHuman offers high-end road, gravel and cyclocross bikes. Online bike buyers can specify components, wheels and other options, including handlebar, stem and crank sizes. In January the company began offering custom paint options on some models, with 22 color options available at no upcharge. Other colors have an additional cost.

“We want to be the most personalized bike company out there,” Brauer said.

The Velofix program, which went live Friday, removes barriers to online bike shopping, said KindHuman's co-founder and CEO, Gavin Brauer. He said he believes it's the only program of its kind in the industry. There is no extra charge to the consumer for the fit consultation. 

“The ability to get sized in your home or office is pretty huge. We’re excited to be on the leading edge of this,” he told BRAIN.

The five-year-old Canadian bike brand offers a similar program through a handful of brick-and-mortar stores. The KindHuman Fit Center program, which currently includes about seven stores in the U.S. and Canada, contracts the stores to take rider measurements before a consumer’s order is finalized. The customer can then opt to have the bike delivered to the store or home. KindHuman is working with Fit Kit to provide participating stores with measurement and fitting tools at a discount.

The company said if a customer doesn't live in an area serviced by Velofix or a KindHuman Fit Center, it will find and pay a local retailer to do the size consultation.

More information at: kindhuman.cc.


Endurance House triathlon stores in Florida and Southern California shutter

0
0
Endurance House Orange County opened in Laguna Niguel, California, in 2015.

AUSTIN, Tex. (BRAIN) — Endurance House locations in Jacksonville, Florida, and Laguna Niguel, California, have recently closed. The two stores were independently owned and operated franchises, each with an average four to six employees and around 3,000 square feet in size. The assets of the Laguna Niguel store are currently being sold at auction.

Endurance House owners Jamie and Tara Osborn founded Endurance House as a single store in Madison, Wisconsin, in 2008 and launched the franchise model in 2011, opening 13 more stores in California, Florida, Georgia, Colorado, Indiana, Missouri and Wisconsin.

“We’re not immune to challenges in the industry, that’s for sure. We’ve done some things well but we’ve also had our business setbacks,” Jamie Osborn said. “It’s tough to grow a national brand with multiple stores without any setbacks, particularly when there are some significant industry headwinds. We hate it when we have setbacks and want earnestly for every store to do great and blow it out of the water, which isn’t necessarily realistic. Closures happen, but it doesn’t mean the business model is flawed. We have many stores currently performing at an extremely high level and exceeding sales expectations.”

As part of the franchise deal, franchisees receive help with site selection and leasing, brand graphics and visual identity, training and guidance in running the business, including systems and protocols for individual store owners to execute.

The Jacksonville, Florida, store opened in early 2016 and closed in February. The Laguna Niguel store in Orange County, California, opened in 2015 and closed in May. Osborn said a number of factors contributed to the closures of both stores.

“Our model really depends on having successful triathlon and footwear components and both categories doing well and being productive. But the retail environment has changed rapidly over the last five years, and how stores communicate with customers and market themselves has also changed,” he said. “Adaptation to social media and getting out of old mentalities of opening the doors in the morning and just serving the customer. Changing those mindsets isn’t easy. You have to be a community driver in retail today, creating a fun factor and making stores a hub. So we are learning from this, and we know it has to go beyond ‘man, I really like this sport and I want to open a store’.”



Specialized acquires women's clothing brand Machines for Freedom

0
0

MORGAN HILL, Calif. (BRAIN) — Specialized Bicycle Components has bought Machines for Freedom, a women's cycling clothing brand founded four years ago by Jennifer Kriske. The brands will remain separate and Specialized described the purchase as "a bold investment in women's leadership."

"Machines For Freedom has set an incredibly powerful example, not just for women in cycling, but for all of cycling. It is a brand founded on listening to riders and delivering what they want and need, yet the industry was not providing. These same guiding principles were what brought about the genesis of the Specialized brand back in 1974. We are extremely excited to support Jenn and Machines as they continue to elevate women's cycling," said Kwai Kong, Specialized's leader of equipment.

Kriske said she had been searching for a partner for the last two years.

"I bootstrapped Machines into existence four years ago with the objective of filling a big gap in the women's cycling apparel market. I desired to design a kit that I wanted to put on each morning; it needed to look and feel good, but as importantly, be able to stand up to my most intense training days. I'd always felt the women's community deserved more attention than it was getting. I had so many ideas on how to reach them, I just needed help to get there."

Machines will continue to be based in Los Angeles and its website will remain separate from Specialized's, as well. Kriske will continue to oversee operations.

"It was crucial that Machines maintain its unique voice and ability to quickly adapt to the changing market landscape," Kriske said.  

"This is a huge win for women – we still live in a time when only 3 percent of venture capital goes to women-led businesses. The fact that another women's business has found financial support is cause for celebration. We are in an industry that has seen many recent setbacks when it comes to including women in leadership roles and this is an important first step towards changing that."

Last month, Specialized unveiled a special Machines for Freedom edition of its S-Works Tarmac Disc road bike that Kriske wrote about on the company's blog

More information: Machinesforfreedom.com-meet-Jenn.

Vail Resorts acquires more ski areas in New England, Colorado and Washington

0
0

BROOMFIELD, Colo. (BRAIN) — Vail Resorts, Inc. has agreed to purchase Triple Peaks, LLC, the parent company of Okemo Mountain Resort in Vermont, Mount Sunapee Resort in New Hampshire, and Crested Butte Mountain Resort in Colorado.

In a separate transaction, Vail will acquire Stevens Pass Resort in Washington from Ski Resort Holdings, LLC.

"Together, the acquisitions of Okemo, Mount Sunapee, Crested Butte, and Stevens Pass will significantly enhance the Vail Resorts' network of resort experiences, adding even more variety and choice for all of our pass holders and guests. Okemo and Mount Sunapee are terrific complements to Stowe in the Northeast, as is Crested Butte to our four Colorado resorts, and Stevens Pass for our Whistler Blackcomb and Seattle guests," said Rob Katz, chairman and chief executive officer of Vail Resorts. "Additionally, each of these resorts will individually offer guests from around the world entirely new and distinctive experiences in extraordinary locations from coast to coast."

Vail will purchase Triple Peaks, LLC from the Mueller family for $82 million, subject to certain adjustments. At closing, Triple Peaks will pay $155 million to pay off the leases that all three resorts have with Ski Resort Holdings, LLC, an affiliate of Oz Real Estate, with funds provided by Vail Resorts.

Vail is paying $67 million for Stevens Pass Resort, subject to certain adjustments.

After closing of the two transactions, Vail Resorts said it plans to invest $35 million over the next two years across the four resorts. The transactions are expected to close this summer. 

 

Stan's NoTubes launches new road/gravel wheels and rims

0
0
The Grail MK3 wheels in action. Photo: Stan's NoTubes.

BIG FLATS, N.Y. (BRAIN) — Stan's NoTubes has announced the new Grail CB7 and Grail MK3 rims and wheelsets.

"Today's more versatile drop bar bikes demand a new kind of tubeless rim, one that's as capable of crushing 200 miles of gravel as it is scaling above category climbs. Optimized for tubeless tires and designed for disc brake-only use, the new Grail CB7 and MK3 rims and wheelsets combine the best characteristics of classic ultralight road wheels with new levels of reliability, control and comfort," the company said.

Grail CB7 and MK3 rims and wheelsets will be available this month.

The Grail CB7 rim is designed for 25-40 millimeter tires and a maximum pressure of 85 psi/5.9 bar (with 25 mm tire). Developed specifically for tubeless tires and disc brakes, the Grail CB7 uses Stan's patented low-profile rim shape. The rims weigh 300 grams.

 The Grail CB7 rim.

The Grail CB7 has a 21.6mm internal rim width and shaping that Stan's said keeps larger tires from folding over on the rim, even under the lower pressures and hard cornering of cyclocross and gravel races. The company said the rim shape also prevents tire pinch flats and makes tubeless setup faster, easier and more reliable.

The new Grail CB7 wheelset has already claimed a podium with Geoff Kabush's third place finish this weekend at the 2018 Dirty Kanza 200.

The Grail MK3 rim is designed for 25-40mm tires and a max pressure of 110 psi/7.6 bar (with 25 mm tire). Based on the original Grail rim shape, the new MK3 rim features lighter and stronger 6069 aluminum construction and weighs 440 grams. The new Grail MK3 is said to be lighter, stronger, laterally stiffer and more resistant to dents than the original Grail rim.

Slightly narrower than the carbon CB7 model, the Grail MK3 has a 20.3mm internal rim width and reinforced, low-profile sidewalls built to handle the higher pressures of tubeless road tires, low-pressure tubeless converted tires and conventional tires with tubes. 

The complete Grail CB7 wheelset options include a 1,277 gram Pro model featuring Stan's precision CNC-machined Neo Ultimate Speedsync hubs, Sapim Laser spokes and Sapim Secure Lock alloy nipples. The 1,360-gram Grail CB7 Team wheelset includes Neo Durasync hubs with 10-degree engagement, Sapim Force spokes and Sapim Secure Lock alloy nipples.

The Grail MK3 will be offered in a single wheelset weighing 1,675 grams and featuring Neo Durasync hubs, Sapim Laser spokes and Sapim Secure Lock alloy nipples.

Grail CB7 and MK3 wheelsets will be available with custom decal color options and multiple build configurations as a part of Stan's Custom Wheel Builder.

Grail CB7 rims are covered under Stan's two-year carbon warranty program. Owners who register their wheelsets get five years of warranty coverage. All registered carbon rims and wheelsets are also covered by Stan's lifetime crash replacement.

Grail MK3 rims come with a two-year warranty and one year of no-fault crash replacement. 

The CB7 Pro Wheelset retails for $1,635; the Team Wheelset is $1,399; the rim is $600.

The Grail MK3 Wheelset retails for $699; the rim is $105.

More information: notubes.com.

Judge agrees to transfer Farley lawsuit against Trek to Wisconsin court

0
0

MADISON, Wis. (BRAIN) — A California judge has agreed to move a lawsuit filed by the family of the late comedian Chris Farley against Trek Bicycle Corp. to the Western District of Wisconsin court here, as Trek had requested.

Make Him Smile Inc. claims to have rights to the comedian's trademark and objects to the name of a Trek fat bike model, the Farley. 

Trek has said the suit is groundless and said it had been in negotiations with the Farley family before the suit was filed in September last year. Trek was unsuccessful in its bid to get the California court to throw out the suit last fall.  

U.S. District Judge Gary Klausner of the Central District of California court approved the transfer on Friday. Klausner noted that in addition to Trek being based in Wisconsin, Make Him Smile, Inc.'s officers, with the exception of its president, Kevin Farley, all live in Wisconsin. Trek has also told the court that the majority of its witnesses live in Wisconsin or Illinois, and the majority of the case's documentary evidence is in those two states. Klausner noted that Make Him Smile could have brought the action in Wisconsin to begin with.

"Under these circumstance, the Court finds transfer of this matter to the Western District of Wisconsin will promote the convenience of the witnesses and parties and service the interests of justice," Klausner wrote in granting Trek's motion.

Viewing all 9788 articles
Browse latest View live




Latest Images