News
WASHINGTON, D.C. (BRAIN)—Exports of Made in USA bikes dropped by 1,288 units through the third quarter, a 3 percent drop. A steep drop in shipments to Mexico and Latin America negated the increase in business with Britain, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Pacific Rim nations.
NEWBURY PARK, CA (BRAIN)—Giant laid off two inside sales representatives in November, dividing their responsibilities up among the remaining team.
FT. COLLINS, CO (BRAIN)—Tour de Fat, New Belgium Brewing’s traveling celebration of all things bicycle, raised more than $276,000 for bike advocacy groups during the 2009 season.
Congrats to Cane Creek R&D director Josh Coaplen for the new addition to his family, Alexander Orsini Coaplan, who weighed in at 8 lb 4oz. Baby is doing well and is already dreaming of singletrack.

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (BRAIN)—Retailers throughout the Midwest are feeling the effects of a powerful storm that ripped through California and the West Coast on Monday.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (BRAIN)—The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is holding a two-day public workshop on Thursday, December 10, and Friday December 11, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

TAICHUNG, Taiwan (BRAIN)—The magpie is Taiwan’s national bird. It’s also what First Bicycle Components will bill its new line of high-end components, including headsets, which it plans to unveil in March.
RIVERTON, UT (BRAIN)—Ibert Inc. (iBert) has earned the BS EN 14344 safety certification for its front-mounted child bicycle seat, meeting the British Standard for "child seats for cycles."
The certification confirms that the iBert safe-T-seat:
SCOTTSDALE, AZ (BRAIN)—Tribe Multisport, the valley’s largest bike shop focusing on Triathlon equipment and Multisport training, is relocating its 9,000 sq. ft. full service bike shop and training center.

I don't know of many Christmas trees sold at bars, but obviously Phillip Menefee does. Or at least that's the story he gave to Indiana cops after they stopped him riding his bike while balancing a stolen Christmas tree across the handlebars.

Anyone have $10k lying around? If you do, and are a collector of all things BMX, check out this auction on eBay.

First, apologies are in order to Jeff Shupe, SRAM’s chief operating officer, and John Nedeau, SRAM’s director for OEM sales. They had taken a couple of hours out of a hectic schedule last Friday to take me through the company’s factory.
LA FUYE, France (BRAIN)—Cyfac International has a newly-launched Web site, www.cyfac.fr (click on link).
This new Web site serves as the central location for all Cyfac brand and product information.