News
LAGUNA HILLS, CA (BRAIN)—Be sure to check out BRAIN's Sales and Training Guide 2008 with tips on selling products from bikes and apparel to wheels and saddles.
Retailers can download it, print pages for distribution, send staff to go online, read the various sections and more.
SAN DIEGO, CA (BRAIN)—NiteRider has released three full time employees including president Jack Gresmer, who served in that capacity since March 2005.
BY MATT WIEBE
LYNDON STATION, WI—Most people in the bike industry will tell you that it is generally immune to the vagaries of the general economy. The bike business is recession-proof.
BY JASON NORMAN
NASHUA, NH—In the midst of a tough economy, retailers are dealing with yet another challenge: rising health insurance premiums. Small and large retailers alike are facing steeper premium increases, with both having to make tough choices for themselves and their employees for the new year.
BY DOUG MCCLELLAN
TAICHUNG, Taiwan—To understand why the Taichung “mini-shows” keep growing every year, consider Masi brand manager Tim Jackson.

"Perfect amount of golf ... Tiger doesn't need to worry."
—Lance Armstrong in a recent Twitter about playing six holes of golf on the Big Isle. Armstrong is in Hawaii training for his first comeback race—the six-stage Tour Down Under that starts Jan. 20 in Australia.
LAKE ARROWHEAD, CA (BRAIN)—Last week a robber stole more than $400 from Unified Ride Bike Shop on South Highway 173, according to the Crestline Courier-News.
COSTA MESA, CA (BRAIN)—When the NBDA Super Seminars kick off in four more cities for 2009, supplier sponsors will be involved to support each regional event. Like the dealers who attend, participating suppliers understand the value in supporting dealer education and further development of the retail channel.
LEXINGTON, SC (BRAIN)—The Hawley Company has hired Phil Allison as its director of information technology and Lee Nicholson as its director of distribution operations.
MISSION VIEJO, CA (BRAIN)—Shane Fishbein saw a need which he's about to fill, with the help of several prominent California manufacturers and retailers.

EUGENE, OR (BRAIN)—In an industry where outsourced production is more often the rule than the exception, two small Oregon companies have bucked the trend by building their brands based on local manufacturing.
NORTH HAMPTON, NH (BRAIN)—Gus' International Bicycle Shop has reopened with a renewed vigor.
The shop had closed in September after the death of its second owner, John Bocko.
Click on link to see how new owner Jeff Latimer plans to give Gus' new life.