SAN FRANCISCO (BRAIN) — The new Skyline Shorts from Cadence Collection are made with water-resistant, durable 4-way stretch fabric for fit and movement. The fabric is 88 percent Nylon and 12 percent Spandex. The fit is tapered for cycling and there is a reflective label on the waistband for visibility. 

The Skyline Shorts are designed for use with or without a padded liner. A 33-inch waist has an 8 1/2-inch inseam and a 9-inch leg opening. 

MSRP is $110. 

Cadence Collection was created in 2003 in San Francisco by Dustin Klein, a designer, artist and former bike messenger.

More information at cadencecollection.com/products/skyline-shorts. For dealer inquiries, contact brand director Josh Caffrey at Josh@cadencecollection.com.

LAS VEGAS (BRAIN) — The National Multiple Sclerosis Society is partnering with Interbike to present Bike MS: Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 19.

Bike MS participants who who pay the registration fee and meet the $100 fundraising requirement will also receive a complimentary entry to Interbike's Customer Appreciation Day on Friday, Sept. 18 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center.

"MS has touched so many of us through friends and family, that when the MS Society approached us about supporting a ride in and around Interbike, we just knew we had to get involved," said Pat Hus, the vice president of Interbike. "Combining our Customer Appreciation Day, the entire bike industry and this great ride makes for a great weekend of cycling, and I hope we're able to make a significant impact in the battle against this horrible disease."

Participants will choose between 30 and 50 mile route options, both offering spectacular views of Las Vegas. To participate in Bike MS: Las Vegas, each rider agrees to raise a minimum of $100 to support life-changing programs and services, and to fund cutting-edge research to stop progression, restore function, and end MS forever.

"We are very excited to partner with Interbike to bring Bike MS back to the Las Vegas community," said Julie Kaufer, Chapter President of the Southern California & Nevada Chapter. "This is a wonderful way for people to experience all that Interbike has to offer while raising money and awareness for a cause that impacts many people in our local communities."

Riders can sign up as individuals or form a team. Registration is available online at bikeMSlasvegas.org.

CANTON, Mass. (BRAIN) — Kryptonite has signed on with Shimano Europe Bike Holding to distribute the brand’s bicycle security products in several European countries, including the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, France, Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Norway. Effective Sept. 1, dealers in these countries will have more access to Kryptonite products through Shimano’s distribution service.  

“We are excited to partner with Shimano as we continue to expand our business with specialty bicycle dealers throughout Europe,” Kryptonite general manager Nick Watkin said.

“This partnership will allow bicycle dealers in key target markets to have greater access to our products and services, which we know have high demand from consumers but are not always readily available from bike shops.” 

Shimano will manage sales, marketing and customer service responsibility in the designated countries.

“With Kryptonite added to our portfolio, an important step is made in strengthening the distribution strategy,” said Arjen Vinke, deputy director at Shimano Europe Bike Holding.

“To provide our customers with a complete product offering and an optimized service is our goal — building on a brand portfolio with well-established and high-potential brands that meet the demands of our customers. Kryptonite fits perfectly in this vision with top-quality and innovative products. Therefore, we are glad to announce this collaboration and we look forward to a long-lasting partnership.” 

MALLABIA, Spain (BRAIN) — The Loki trail hardtail features Orbea's new Double Duty concept, with the ability to run either 29-inch or 27-plus wheels via Boost hub spacing front and rear.

A PF30 bottom bracket shell gives riders the option of using aftermarket eccentric BBs to convert the Loki to singlespeed duty, and the slack (67-degree head angle), triple-butted alloy frame includes internal routing for dropper posts.

Orbea is offering the Loki in three 27-plus builds and two 29er specs. The top-of-the-line Loki 27+ H-LTD is outfitted with a Fox 34 Factory 120 FIT4 Kashima Boost fork, Shimano XT 1-by-11 drivetrain, Orbea tubeless 40-millimeter-wide 27-plus disc wheels, Shimano M506 brakes, Race Face 35-millimeter bars and stem, and a RockShox Reverb Stealth dropper post.

More information: orbea.com/int-en/sites/loki.

SEATTLE (BRAIN) — Nuun and Company's caffeinated sports drink tablets, sold under the Energy name in the U.S., have been certified by Canadian authorities. In Canada, the tablets are being sold under the Boost name and are now available through its Canadian distributor, Red Pine Outdoor Equipment.

Boost was introduced to the Canadian athletic community at the Nike Women's 15K Toronto June 14-15, where Nuun was the on-course hydration sponsor. Sales in Canada began July 30 at MEC and other sports retailers.

Nuun Boost has a blend of B vitamins for energy metabolism, 40 mg of caffeine for increased endurance output and cognition, and the same electrolyte blend as Nuun Active Hydration tablets. The product contains no added sugars and fewer than 12 calories.

"We have taken the popular formula of Nuun Active Hydration and elevated it with essential B vitamins and moderate caffeine levels for sustained energy levels," said Kevin Rutherford, the president and CEO of Nuun. "Our consumers are very active, and the energy gain offered in Nuun Boost takes their athletic performance to the next level."

Nuun Boost is available in Canada with three flavors adapted from the Nuun Active Hydration line – Lemon Lime, Wild Berry and Cherry Limeade. The retail price is $7.49 for a tube including 10 tablets.

BOULDER, Colo. (BRAIN) — CatEye America has signed with Mountainview Sports Group for sales representation in the Southeast states of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Mississippi and Alabama.

Effective Aug. 1, Mountainview's John Greer and his sales force will be representing the newest lights and computers from CatEye along with its  portfolio of existing brands.

Greer said, "We look forward to representing such a strong brand. Needless to say, CatEye is, and always has been, an industry leader."

Bob Daniels, CatEye's vice president of sales and operations, said, "We are pleased to see the excitement John, Dave and John are bringing to the region and I am confident that their existing relationships, combined with CatEye's existing dealer base in the territory, will make this a successful partnership."

Mountainview Cycling also represents Defeet Int'l, Felt Bicycles, Louis Garneau, Saris Cycling Group, Sidi, Speedplay and Tifosi Optics.

OSAKA, Japan (BRAIN) — Shimano Inc. sales were up nearly 26 percent in the first half this year, to 197 billion yen ($1.6 billion) worldwide.

Net earnings were up 76 percent, to 37 billion yen, according to the company's unaudited first-half financial report, released this week.

Bicycle-related sales accounted for 80 percent of the company's business in the first half, followed by fishing (19 percent) and other business (0.1 percent). Bike sales were the strongest of the three divisions, recording a net sales increase of 29.7 percent, while fishing was up 9.8 percent and other business was down 5.2 percent.

The company said a solid economy in the U.S. contributed to the results, as did the continued depreciation of the yen, which makes Japanese-made goods relatively affordable. Shimano had recorded a 30 percent sales increase in the first quarter this year.

"Europe and North America experienced virtually no decline in demand despite somewhat unsettled weather during the first half," the company said. "Reflecting growing interest in the use of bicycles in society, retail sales in the first half were brisk. As a result, distributor inventories in Europe remained virtually at the appropriate level and those in the U.S. were slightly lower than the appropriate level."

The company noted that in Japan, sales of sports bicycles remained robust, but "retail sales of community bicycles have been weak, greatly affected by the impact of price increases resulting from the depreciation of the yen, and distributor inventories of community bicycles remained somewhat high."

Sales of sports bicycles in China also decreased compared to the first half of 2014. Shimano noted that Chinese distributors have maintained an appropriate level of bike inventory despite the softened market. 

The company did not release regional sales figures.

The company said "full-model changes of Deore XT and Acera mountain bike components and Tiagra road bike components were well received and order-taking was brisk."

The company has revised its fiscal year forecasts up from estimates released in late April. In the prior forecast, Shimano had called for a 7 percent sales increase for the year. Now it's calling for an 8 percent increase, to net sales of 360 billion yen and forecast operating income of 77 billion yen. It said it is closely watching the European economy, in particular, given the Greek debt crisis and its possible effect on currencies. It said it expects consumer spending to remain strong in the U.S.

"In these circumstances, the Shimano Group, while closely monitoring economic trends in Japan and overseas, is endeavoring to further enhance management efficiency. We will take the lead in the creation of new cycling culture and new sport fishing culture," the company said.

OLATHE, Kan. (BRAIN) — Garmin shipped 8 percent more units in the second quarter than a year earlier but saw revenue edge slightly lower as unfavorable currency rates reduced revenue by $59 million and negatively affected margins during the period.

Revenue for the quarter totaled $774 million for the quarter, down 1 percent, while revenue for the first half of the year was flat at $1.36 billion.
"Like many global companies, Garmin has experienced downward revenue and profit pressure due to recent unfavorable currency movements. In light of this reality, we feel positive about our first half revenue performance," said Cliff Pemble, president and CEO of Garmin Ltd.

Garmin's fitness segment posted a 5 percent revenue increase during the quarter driven by activity trackers and multisport products. But that increase marks a significant slowdown in growth for Garmin's fitness sales, which rose by 60 percent in the second quarter of 2014 and have posted gains as high as 70 percent in subsequent quarters.

Fitness gross margin and operating margin both fell during the second quarter due to factors including exchange rates, price competition in the activity tracker category, and the company's "significant investment in advertising and research and development to support our long-term goals in the segment," Garmin stated.

"We believe these investments are appropriate and timely given the sizable opportunity that exists in the global fitness and wellness industries. During the quarter we introduced the Edge 520, which adds Strava segment integration and smart notifications when paired to a smartphone. We also introduced the Varia family of cycling products, including smart lights and radar, which are new product categories for Garmin," the company added.

Garmin trades on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol GRMN. Its stock performance is tracked on BRAIN's Industry Stock Chart

BOLOGNA, Italy (BRAIN) — Andrea Pierantoni, sales and marketing director for Tenneco Marzocchi, is hopeful that a sale of the motorcycle and bike suspension business will keep the Italian brand alive.

Last week, parent company Tenneco announced plans to shutter its motorcycle and mountain bike suspension business and liquidate operations by end of year. A factory in Bologna, Italy, still manufactured motorcycle suspension and parts. All of the manufacturing for mountain bike suspension had moved to Taiwan, but R&D and marketing remained in Italy.

Pierantoni told BRAIN this week that Tenneco continues to talk with third parties who are showing interest in some of the assets of Marzocchi, which would include product patents.

"I cannot comment or speculate on what the outcome of these talks might be and the subsequent impact on the mountain bike business," he said via email. "I am not involved in that process and therefore have no information in terms of status or timing. However, on a personal basis, I sincerely hope for Marzocchi, our customers, our supplier and the mountain bike team that a sale will result."

Pierantoni said that Tenneco will close the motorcycle fork plant in Bologna by the end of 2015, but said that mountain bike product development is still up and running. He noted that a dropper post that had been shown earlier in the year will be displayed at Eurobike and Interbike and that Tenneco will continue to support its teams.

"We intend to be at Crankworx in Whistler with our North American team, and World Cups in Mont-Sainte-Anne, Val di Sole, and the World Championship in Andorra, with Pedro," Pierantoni said.

The motorcycle and mountain bike suspension businesses suffered from "extreme competition" in the market, he noted.

"We have made various efforts over time to improve the performance of the two activities and reduce costs, but these have been insufficient to overcome the difficult challenges in the two wheeler market," Pierantoni said.

"Having said that, I am confident that the significant investments that Tenneco has made in terms of innovation, industrialization, manufacturing efficiency, flexibility, quality, distribution and marketing will benefit any company for which mountain bike is either its core business, or a complementary business," he added.

Marzocchi lost ground when Tenneco's sale of the suspension brand to SR Suntour fell through in 2012, which forced the company to find another fork assembly supplier in Taiwan. But it appeared to be gaining back some OE spec in model-year 2014. Tenneco also invested in a new assembly line in Taiwan with Tenneco tooling and quality control procedures.

"We made a strong comeback in the 2013 model year with innovative Marzocchi technology that responded to evolving customer needs and market trends," he said. "We haven't stopped innovating since and Tenneco has invested in developing a complete line of 2016 cross country, enduro, dirt jump and downhill front and rear suspension and is developing a dropper post, the 27.5PLUS line and a full range of downhill and enduro shocks."

DEL MAR, Calif. — Benno Baenziger, co-founder of Electra, is back in the bike industry with a new line called Benno Bikes and is looking for a distributor to handle sales in North America and internationally.

Baenziger started Electra in 1993 with business partner Jeano Erforth. The lifestyle bike company, which became known for its stylish cruisers, was sold to Caltius Equity Partners, a Los Angeles-based private equity firm in 2007. Trek acquired Electra, headquartered in Encinitas, Calif., in 2014.

Baenziger stayed on with Electra for a few more years after the sale to Caltius. Eventually, he stepped away from the industry and in that time he built a house, traveled and spent time with his daughter, and his bike became his primary mode of transportation. That gave him new ideas on how people could use their bikes more often. So he set about designing and producing the first Benno Bikes.

The Benno Bikes line will include cruisers, urban commuters, utility bikes with modular rack options and electric bikes that use the Bosch motor and battery system. The full line includes nine models and a variety of colors.

The company's first order is in production and will be delivered in late summer.

"After 23 years, I didn't want to come back and do the same old thing," said Baenziger. "It's easy to get typecast as 'The Cruiser Guy.' This line does more than that.

"My vision has always been to put more people on bikes. To do that, you have to overcome a familiar list of excuses: It's too far, it's too hilly, I have stuff to carry, I'll get sweaty and so on. The Benno Bikes philosophy is to overcome these objections with more effective product design.

"The real design challenge is not to make more bikes, but to solve problems and provide solutions that inspire more people to use their bikes more often," he added.

Baenziger can be reached at benno@benno.com.

FORT COLLINS, Colo. (BRAIN) — Exustar's SM-324 MTB Shoe retails for less than $80 and offers affordable performance for mountain biking and cyclocross, the company says.

It has three hook-and-loop straps, a reinforced synthetic leather upper, and a nylon-reinforced sole that provides efficient power transfer, with just enough flex for hike-a-bike or run-up sections.

It has holes for additional cleats for climbing in muddy conditions, and the anti-odor inner sole is perforated and washable. Three reflective points on the back of the shoe keep you visible when riding home.

"The SM-324 is a best-seller at all of our distributors," said Dannie Nall, the GM of Exustar USA. "It will do really well as we head into the winter season and cyclocross. Why destroy $400 shoes in the mud, when you can do it for less than $80?"

MSRP is $76. They are available in sizes from 35-50 and have a claimed weight of 716 grams per pair. 

The shoes are available from Olympic, JBI and North American Cycles.

More information: cycling.exustarusa.com.

BERLIN (BRAIN) — Organizers of the Berliner Fahrradschau show, one of the largest European consumer bike shows, announced that the 2016 edition will be held March 18-20.

The event is being held at the Station-Berlin.

"The 2015 Fahrradschau was the most successful edition yet, with 20,000 visitors and over 250 brands, confirming that the unique trade fair concept resonates with brands and visitors alike. More fun, more passion, no boring mass-market products. Not only in the urban and handmade segments, but also among the hottest performance brands today," said Bregan Koenigseker, the event's head of communications.

"BFS is the place where those really passionate about cycling come to meet."

LAFAYETTE, Colo. (BRAIN) — Blue Cycles is transitioning its operations to the West Coast and readying for an introduction of its 2016 line even as its long-time leader in the U.S., Steven Harad, is no longer with the company.

Harad's last day as CEO was July 24, he told BRAIN on Friday. He will assist in the transition for 90 days. The industry veteran led Blue during its time as part of the now-bankrupt Divine Cycling Group and then helped negotiate the brand's 2013 sale to a Delaware-based investment group whose principals are the owners of Taiwan's Asahi bike factory.

Blue will announce a new CEO soon, said Orli Chinea, the brand's U.S. sales manager. Chinea, who is based in Colorado, said Blue's U.S. operations are transitioning to Orange County, Calif. The company had previously been headquartered in Delaware, where Harad was based.

Chinea said Blue's expanded 2016 bike line will be hitting the U.S. market in the coming weeks. The line includes 24 new models, including a fat bike, kids bikes, and new cyclocross, road and TT models. The brand will launch the new line at Interbike.

As a sales rep, Chinea has been with Blue through several ownerships, dating back to its founders. "I'm super-stoked with the direction of the company right now, and the changes we are making. I think the company is about as strong as it's ever been and the product coming for 2016 is unbelievable."

Meanwhile Harad said he's enjoying helping out at a friend's bike shop in the short term and exploring other opportunities.

"Unfortunately things were not working out there," Harad told BRAIN. "I'm not sure what's going to ultimately happen with Blue. It's great brand that hasn't had a chance to shine. Somebody might be able to turn it around, but it's not going to be me."

In addition to Harad's departure, Matthew Reece, who had been Blue's marketing director on a part-time freelance basis since last October, also is no longer with the company.

"On my end it came down to: they wanted 40-hours-a-week of work for a 15-hour-a-week price and we just weren't able to work anything out," Reece said. Reece, a 20-year marketing and sales veteran and former editor and publisher of Liberty Sports magazine, said he is exploring several opportunities in and outside the bike industry.

SIMI VALLEY, Calif. (BRAIN) — Accell North America has established a standalone business unit called Haibike USA to handle the sales and marketing of Haibike e-bikes in the United States.

Accell introduced Haibike just over a year ago under its electric bicycle specialty division, Currie Technologies. 

"The response to Haibike in the U.S. has been tremendous," said Susanne Puello, managing director of Haibike parent Winora Group, an Accell Group company based in Germany. "Haibike USA will provide focused service, sales, and support to our growing U.S. dealer base."

"We celebrate the launch of Haibike USA," said Accell North America Managing Director Chris Speyer. "Electric bicycle growth in the U.S., measured in both consumer demand and dealer conversion, continues at a rapid pace. Haibike USA will join its siblings Raleigh, Redline and IZIP as a standalone business unit within Accell North America."

ANA's Electric Bicycle Competency Center in Simi Valley will manage centralized ordering, invoicing, technical support and warranty claims.

The new company has hired Brian Gilmore, Andrew Slater, and Matthew Waite as territory managers.

Gilmore will be Haibike USA's Southwest territory manager, covering Arizona, southern California, Las Vegas, and Hawaii. 

Slater is the Pacific Northwest territory manager, covering Alaska, northern California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington. 

Waite is responsible for sales and customer service in Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, and Wisconsin. 

CHICAGO (BRAIN) — SRAM is hosting The Mariposa Challenge on Mapmyride.com to get more women on mountain bikes during the month of August. The company is teaming up with 31 retailers on the challenge, which is free for any female to join.

Riders are invited to log their daily rides on MapMyRide and compete against other women in their area and across the U.S.

Each retailer will award the first 50 women who register at each location a gift bag worth $75. Three participants from each store who record the highest overall mileage win a Troy Lee Designs Mariposa Challenge Cycling Jersey. Three participants from all locations combined win:

First place: XX1 Group

Second place: RockShox Pike

Third place: SRAM Guide Brakes

A list of participating retailers can be found at: Mariposa Challenge Retailers. 

Riders can register for the Mariposa Challenge online. 

WESTPORT, Conn. (BRAIN) — Compass Diversified Holdings has completed the sale of CamelBak Products to Vista Outdoor Inc. for $412.5 million plus an additional $14.1 million of estimated cash and working capital adjustments. The two companies had entered into an agreement on the sale July 27.

After the allocation of the sales price to non-controlling equity holders and the payment of transaction expenses, Compass received approximately $367.8 million of total proceeds from the sale at closing. Compass acquired CamelBak in August 2011.

Compass said proceeds will be used to repay outstanding debt under the company's revolving credit facility, with the balance increasing cash on the company's balance sheet. Compass anticipates recording a gain on the sale of CamelBak ranging between $150 million and $170 million for the quarter ending Sept. 30.

LAGUNA HILLS, Calif. (BRAIN) — Bicycle Retailer & Industry News' latest print issue, the Aug. 1 edition, takes the temperature of the industry after the first six months of the year. The verdict: It’s sluggish, say distributors.

Executives told BRAIN that the economy, the weather and changing consumer buying habits all added up to a lackluster first half. “When we get to the end of the year — unless summer lasts late into the season —we won’t make up the difference from what was a slow start, particularly in the East,” said Wayne D. Gray, vice president of KHS.

Also in the new issue, web editor Steve Frothingham interviews product managers at various brands about high-visibility colors seen throughout clothing, helmet and shoe ranges — and it’s not all about safety. High-viz has become fashionable on everything from socks and gloves to tops and bottoms, and not just on urban ranges, but at the high-end as well.

The Aug. 1 issue also includes an article on brand ambassadors and how suppliers are growing grass-roots marketing programs, seeking highly social, well-connected community leaders who aren’t racing for a living to trumpet their brands.

Other stories and coverage include:

-Specialized's entry into electric mountain bikes with the Levo line

-New product unveiled at the annual PressCamp in Deer Valley

-A tribute to BMX pioneer Scot Breithaupt

-Pon’s growing portfolio of bike brands, which now include Santa Cruz

This is in addition to regular departments like LifeCycle, State of Retail, Global Briefs, Mad Dog Unleashed, Trade Watch, Tech Briefs and Through the Grapevine that are only published in the magazine.

Bicycle Retailer & Industry News is published 18 times a year and is available in print or digital format. Visit our subscription page for more information.

WATERTOWN, Mass. (BRAIN) — Seven Cycles is bringing a new carbon tapered disc fork to market. Called the Max 45, the fork has clearance for a 45c tire and incorporates much of the research behind Seven’s 5E road fork while offering increased torsional stiffness for long-term performance on disc-brake bikes.

Aimed at the gravel grinder/mixed-terrain market, Seven says the Max 45 is an attractive option for randonneurs who include dirt roads in their rides, commuters who want a weatherproof option for rain, snow and ice, and those riding everything from unimproved Class IV roads to single-track on their dropbar bikes.

“We always want to use the best materials and the best parts, and sometimes that means designing our own,” said Seven’s founder Rob Vandermark. “This fork fills a need with the bikes we are designing every day. It’s compatible with oversized headtubes, it performs better torsionally than most of what’s on the market, and it has fender mounts, which turns out to be extremely important to riders who want to use the same bike for mixed-terrain and gravel riding, as well as foul weather commuting.”

The Max 45 retails for $545 and is available for order both with a complete Seven build or as a standalone product through the Seven website. It comes with QR9 dropouts and a 4.5-centimeter rake.

The steerer taper is 1.5 inch to 1.125 inch. The build height is 395 millimeters, and it takes post mount disc brakes with 160-millimeter rotors.