Industry News
CAVARZERE, Italy (BRAIN)—Fondriest Bici, the Italian designer and builder of high-end road racing bikes, has returned to the United States with exclusive distributor, Velo Europa Imports.
PORT COQUITLAM, British Columbia (BRAIN)—Mace has launched a new Web site in both flash and static format.
This year's site features high-res images that you can download, suggested Canadian and U.S. pricing, enhanced "Find a Dealer" buttons and product pages that you can bookmark for easier reference.
MILWAUKEE, WI (BRAIN)—The industry is gathering for Dick Burke's Celebration of Life this afternoon and tonight at the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center.
From 2 p.m. - 5 p.m. is for paying respect to the family. From 5 p.m. is a celebration of life program. Cocktails and food to follow.
BY MATT WIEBE
IRVINE, CA—When Shimano’s Coasting bikes made their debut on retail show floors last year, sales were aided in large part by the amount of media coverage the company generated. But as new models hit the floors this season, retailers are uncertain they will sell-through at the same pace.
BY NICOLE FORMOSA
BLOOMINGTON, MN—Nearly 1,500 retailers and vendors brushed aside Minnesota’s single-digit temperatures to meet and mingle at Quality Bicycle Products annual trade fair.
BY MATT WIEBE
IRVINE, CA—News that Shimano snapped up Pearl Izumi from Nautilus last month caught most of the industry by surprise.
"When I was a boy, I delivered newspapers on my bicycle at 64 below. The worst part is, I wanted to impress the girls, so I had to look good. I couldn't wear a hat with earflaps. I had to sport the wave. So I'd put some water through my hair and push that wave up over my forehead.
GARDENA, CA (BRAIN)—One of the early leaders of the bicycle clothing industry, John Kucharik Sr, died recently at 93.
Kucharik Sr. was the founder of Kucharik Bicycle Clothing in Gardena, California. He also owned a bike shop, and served the industry for more than 50 years.
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TAIPEI, Taiwan (BRAIN)—The GoCycle is finally a go.
A sleek and innovative urban bicycle, powered by a high performance electric motor, made its long-awaited debut at the Taipei Cycle show this week.
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TAIPEI, Taiwan (BRAIN)—The outlook for the bicycle industry may depend on which side of the Atlantic one sits, two magazine publishers told Taiwan’s industry elite Thursday.
FRIEDRICHSHAFEN, Germany (BRAIN)—Eurobike has new extended opening hours for this year’s event from September 4-7, and a new marketing campaign.
In 2008, Eurobike will open its doors to the public one hour later (10 a.m.), but close two hours later (8 p.m.) in the evening.
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TAIPEI, Taiwan (BRAIN)—A Taiwan designer combined three “green transportation” trends—solar power, electric power and folding bikes—to claim the winning entry in this year’s bicycle design competition.
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TAIPEI, Taiwan (BRAIN)—Taiwan’s president topped the crowd of dignitaries marking the official opening of the Nangang Exhibition Hall Thursday and the start of the Taipei Cycle show.
"Some might wonder how it was that such a soft spoken, diminutive old man could gain his 'Big Guy' nickname. It’s simple, because Dick Burke was a giant in the industry to which he and his family have committed themselves.
MONTREAL, Quebec (BRAIN)—Dorel Industries reports that bicycle sales drove a 10 percent increase in sales by its recreational/leisure segment. Dorel owns Pacific Cycle, makers of Mongoose, GT and Schwinn bicycles.
These earnings don't reflect the company's recent purchase of Cannondale.
PHILDELPHIA, PA (BRAIN)—January was a slim month for suppliers who shipped 18 percent fewer bikes worth 18 percent fewer dollars to retailers then they did last year, according to the Bicycle Product Supplier Association (BPSA).
RICHMOND, British Columbia (BRAIN)—Chris Dekerf, owner of Dekerf Cycle Innovations, has brought aboard Michael Golinski as a co-owner.
Golinski will handle all sales and marketing functions for the company.
Not only did Thule's Karl Wiedemann bring in some tasty bagels yesterday, but he also showed off the new 518 Echelon—Thule's new premium fork mount rooftop bicycle carrier. Retailing for $145, it will make its debut at Sea Otter for all the world to see.
DOMINGUEZ HILLS, CA (BRAIN)—KHS Bicycles has purchased a distribution facility in Louisville, Kentucky.
The warehouse will increase the company’s bicycle, parts and accessory distribution capacity to the eastern part of the country.
WATERLOO, WI (BRAIN)—The Milwaukee businessman who in 1976 created one of the most iconic and successful bike brands to ever grace shop floors, Trek, passed away late Monday night.
He was 73 years old.