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WASHINGTON (BRAIN) — U.S. bike imports from China rebounded in July and August, probably in anticipation of increased tariffs that were then threatened to take effect in November.

Tom Franges

SAN RAFAEL, Calif. (BRAIN) — Thomas Franges, who as a boy in Zagreb, Croatia, dropped smoke bombs on Nazi occupiers in his city and as an adult helped stem a threatening tide of product-liability lawsuits against the bicycle industry, died on November 19 at home in San Rafael, California. He was 89.

VICENZA, Italy (BRAIN) — Campagnolo laid off 40% of its workforce after it reported losses of 24 million euros ($27.8 million) over the past three years.

PORTLAND, Ore. (BRAIN) — For Tom Martin, owner of TomCat Bikes, Small Business Saturday never contributed much to the bottom line, and that was the general opinion of the shops BRAIN contacted in the days leading up to the shopping event that encourages buying local.

OM-TD BIKE

WASHINGTON (BRAIN) — The Consumer Product Safety Commission is recalling about 24,300 Outdoor Master children's and youth helmets because they don't comply with positional stability and coverage requirements.

No injuries nor incidents have been reported.

PITTSBURGH (BRAIN) — Dick's Sporting Goods net sales increased 36.3% year-over-year in the third quarter while the big-box brand completed the Foot Locker acquisition and announced it will close an undisclosed number of the underperforming shoe stores.

Embattled brand says batteries passed third-party testing, says recall would shut down company.

WASHINGTON (BRAIN) — The Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a warning to stop using some Rad Power Bikes models because the lithium-ion battery can unexpectedly ignite and explode, especially when the battery or harness has been exposed to water and debris.

DeFeet courtesy photo

HICKORY, N.C. (BRAIN) — After 33 years of manufacturing its socks and other products in-house, DeFeet is shifting to the use of nearby partners for knitting. The company is continuing to buy yarn from domestic sources and handle R&D, marketing, sales and other functions at its "clubhouse" headquarters in Hickory, said founder Shane Cooper.

Paul Deem

LAGUNA BEACH, Calif. (BRAIN) — Paul Deem, an industry stalwart who was an Olympian, store owner and bike-brand sales manager, died in October following an accident while on vacation in Portugal with his wife, Deborah. He was 68.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (BRAIN) — Master bike wheel builder Bill Mould died Nov. 12 at his home at age 82. Mould worked with several retailers and manufacturers throughout his career, and ran his own wheelbuilding, engineering and technical education business, Bill Mould Wheels. 

(BRAIN) — Felt Bicycles said its current management team and minority shareholders, Florian Burguet and Cesar Rojo, have entered into a purchase agreement with the Pierer Mobility Group to fully acquire the brand.

KOBLENZ, Germany (BRAIN) — Canyon Bicycle sales declined 7% year-over-year in the first nine months of the year with parent company Groupe Bruxelles Lambert saying the industry's challenging market of "oversupply and aggressive discounting" was partially responsible.

CEO says new partnership will lead to improved products and supply chain

(BRAIN) — E-bike retailer and brand Pedego has a new owner: the U.S.-based ownership group behind Urtopia, a start-up e-bike brand that offers high-tech carbon fiber and connected e-bikes.

BRAIN's Weekly Survey

Retailers, are you participating in Small Business Saturday on Nov. 29?

New Product

(BRAIN) — The Tazi RZ Aerodynamic Bottle & Cage System was designed for road, gravel, and mountain bike riding.