AUSTIN, TX (BRAIN) Feb 3, 15:35 MT — A two-year investigation into alleged doping activity by Lance Armstrong has ended without charges, U.S. Attorney Andre Birotte Jr. announced Friday in a press release.

The release said Birotte's "office is closing an investigation into allegations of federal criminal conduct by members and associates of a professional bicycle racing team owned in part by Lance Armstrong.

"The United States Attorney determined that a public announcement concerning the closing of the investigation was warranted by numerous reports about the investigation in media outlets around the world."

A spokesman for Armstrong's legal team on Friday said Armstrong was pleased.

"This is great news," attorney Mark Fabiani said a statement sent to Bicycle Retailer. "Lance is pleased that the United States Attorney made the right decision, and he is more determined than ever to devote his time and energy to Livestrong and to the causes that have defined his career."

The head of the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, however, gave a more ambiguous statement.

“Unlike the U.S. Attorney, USADA’s job is to protect clean sport rather than enforce specific criminal laws. Our investigation into doping in the sport of cycling is continuing and we look forward to obtaining the information developed during the federal investigation,” said Travis Tygart, CEO of the Colorado Springs, Colorado-based organization.

More: AP story

CARMEL, IN (BRAIN) Feb 3, 13:42 MT —The Bike Line, a second-generation family-run retailer, will move from its current Carmel, Indiana, location this spring into the Carmel City Center residential, retail and entertainment development.

“Our current store, we kind of look like your average strip mall bike store. And this new location, because of its environment being mixed use and residential, I think it stands out a little bit more. We’ll certainly have a lot more walking traffic, not just bicycle and car traffic,” said Bill Revard, who co-owns The Bike Line with older brother Charlie and younger brother Jimmy. Their father opened their flagship Indianapolis location in 1979.

Bill sees the business mix at Carmel City Center as a great fit for a bicycle retailer. “We feel that the businesses there will be complementary. They’re all independent-style retail places, not necessarily national chains. There are restaurants that have good crossover potential. In this economy, people who are still going out to eat and enjoying nightlife still have some disposable income left to look at bicycles,” he said.

The brothers are targeting a late-April opening and plan to decorate the 3,300-square-foot space in a muted color palette of light and dark grays. “We’re trying to go neutral because the stars of the show are the bicycles,” Bill said.

The Bike Line will continue the heavy road focus it has at its current Carmel location. Trek is the shop’s primary bike line, though the brothers might add Italian brands such as Ciocc or De Rosa.

The shop will also continue with its popular Thursday-night ride followed by a potluck cookout, which typically sees a turnout of 20 to 25 riders this time of year and around 60 in the summer. Bill said they try to make the ride accessible to as many riders as possible.

“Shop rides tend to be really crazy, leg-breaking fast rides. Our rides, we have our fast moments, but it’s a slightly lower intensity. It’s not one of those rides where you have to be a Category 1 or 2 to show up,” he said.

Shift Active Media to represent Giro organizer • New Belgium Urban Assault Ride releases 2012 schedule • Angel Fire to host 2013-2014 gravity nats • Wade Simmons signs with Race Face

BATH, England (BRAIN) Feb 3, 10:23 MT — Shift Active Media, a consulting company founded by former FuturePublishing COO Simon Wear, will be working to promote Giro d'Italia owner RCS Sport. The partnership was announced this week.

Besides the Giro, RCS produces Milan-San Remo, il Lombardia, Strade Bianche and Tirrento-Adriatico. RCS Sport is owned by RCS Media Group, which publishes La Gazzetta dello Sport and Corriere della Sera newspapers in Italy, and owns other magazines, websites, radio stations and book publishers.

Shift will advise RCS on international cycling and lifestyle media strategy and the production of effective and media-friendly communications.

Shift's portfolio of clients includes Colnago, 3T, FSA, Santini, fizik, Selle Royal, Rapha, online retailer Wiggle and IG Markets -the international market- maker in financial derivatives that sponsors Team Sky and several other cycling projects.

New Belgium Urban Assault Ride releases 2012 schedule

LONGMONT, CO (BRAIN) Feb 3, 09:44 MT —The New Belgium Urban Assault Ride will occupy the streets of 10 cities this year with the season opener scheduled for Tucson on Sunday, February 26.

Now in its 10th season, The Urban Assault Ride asks teams of two to plan their own routes to checkpoints all over town. At each stop, riders drop their bikes and tackle challenges that may include power-sliding big wheels through a race course, sliding down a 30-foot water slide, or playing “limbo” on mini bikes. Upon crossing the finish line, cyclists enter a huge after party with New Belgium brews and prize contests such as the "mustache dance-off."

Registration is open for the 2012 season at www.urbanassaultride.com.

2012 Urban Assault Ride Dates & Locations
Sunday, February 26, 2012 - Tucson, AZ.
Sunday, March 25, 2012 - Richmond, VA
Sunday, April 1, 2012- Charlotte, NC
Sunday, June 6, 2012 - St. Louis
Sunday, June 10, Minneapolis, MN
Sunday, June 24, Austin, TX
Sunday, July 15, 2012 - Fort Collins, CO
Sunday, July 22, 2012 - Denver, CO
Sunday, August 12, 2011 - Des Moines, IA
Sunday, August 19, 2012 - Chicago, IL

Angel Fire to host 2013 and 2014 Mountain Bike Gravity Nationals

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO (BRAIN) Feb 3, 09:51 MT —Angel Fire, NM, will host the 2013 and 2014 US Cycling mountain bike gravity national championships, the USAC announced Thursday.

The exact dates will be announced at a later date.

The event, which was held independently from the cross-country national championships for the first time in 2011, features dual slalom and downhill races.

The event this year will be held July 20-22 in Beech Mountain, NC.

Hall of Famer Wade Simmons signs with Race Face

VANCOUVER, BC (BRAIN) Feb 3, 10:03 MT —Race Face Performance Products has free rider Wade Simmons to a multi-year cockpit, apparel and protection contract, the company announced this week.

“Having worked with Race Face since its inception, I am super stoked to see my old friend Chris Tutton take the company to new heights," Simmons said. "Race Face has always been staffed by passionate riders, and their products reflect that. Race Face (and back in the day, Roach!) armour has protected my legs and arms my entire career, and I’ve put a lot of faith in that protection."

PORTLAND, OR (BRAIN) Feb 3, 08:57 MT —The cyclocross product review site CrossBikeReview.com has begun using QR codes in its gear reviews. It’s making these QR codes available to retailers so they can include them in product signage in their stores.

QR or “Quick Response” codes are two-dimensional barcodes, which can be scanned with smart phones equipped with the appropriate app. Consumers who scan the codes in a retail store would be shown a review of the specific product on CrossBikeReview.

This week, the site launched a new page where a retailer can download images of the codes for bikes, clothing and gear. The codes download in a printable format, which a retailer can resize and attach to a product display or product hangtags.

Scott Mares, owner of Crossbikereview.com, said the site has 133 online reviews of cyclocross-related product. The site, launched in 2009, publishes on average three reviews a week. Mares, who authored “The Complete Book of Cyclocross, Skill Training and Racing,” writes many of the reviews.

“When a consumer is attempting to make a buying decision, all they have to do is scan our QR code and the review of that bike, jersey or wheelset will show up on their smart phone,” said Mares. “The QR code gives the consumer a fast and easy tool to help make their buying decision.”

Mares said he would like to see manufacturers use the codes on product hangtags or displays they provide retailers, but for now, he thinks it’s a resource retailers can use and that is free of cost (other than the printing).

LAGUNA NIGUEL, CA (BRAIN) Feb 3 — Lifeboat Events said Thursday that it will merge Urban PressCamp, originally scheduled for March 17-19 in Washington, D.C., with the broader media gathering it organizes in the summer called PressCamp.

In an email to Bicycle Retailer, Lifeboat’s Chris Zigmont said the company expected growth in the number of brands, exhibit space and attending editors, but that interest from exhibitors was "lackluster."

So Lifeboat Events will roll the two media camps together. Zigmont said several mobility and urban focused suppliers will participate in the Park City, Utah, event set for June 18-22.

“When we recognized our event was going to be much like 2011, we thought maybe we're spinning our wheels,” said Lifeboat Events founder Lance Camisasca. "The objective was to grow it."

PressCamp this year will be held at the base of Deer Valley, which provides better options for road and urban bike demos, Camisasca added.

Lifeboat held its first urban-focused press event last March at the House of Sweden in Washington, D.C., timing it just before the National Bike Summit, an annual gathering of cycling advocates and transportation officials in the nation’s capital. More than a dozen editors from transportation-focused magazines and non-endemic media attended. They got to see the latest urban/commuter products from 10 bike and accessory suppliers and two bike-sharing companies that set up simple booths.

While it was small in its inaugural year, Camisasca said at the time that he hoped to grow it by bringing in more commuter parts and accessories brands and apparel makers.

Lifeboat Events also organizes DealerCamp, a summer product launch for retailers in Park City, Utah.

DANA POINT, CA (BRAIN) Feb 2, 16:40 MT —In preparation for a potential relocation, Revo Cycles has begun liquidating its 2010 and 2011 inventory and consolidating 2012 product into its newer and larger store in Lake Forest.

Owner Darrin Duhamel has done business in this coastal Orange County town since early 2002, when he took over existing shop Bike Tech on a one-way stretch of Pacific Coast Highway and renamed it Revo Cycles. When the city approved a redevelopment project in 2007 that would convert the area to two-way motor traffic and bring more shoppers into the area, he moved to a larger space across PCH with 4,700 square feet of retail space.

“The one reason I took over that building was the Town Center redevelopment project that was supposed to take place a few years back. It never did, so the foot traffic in Dana Point never developed. It’s reached a point where it doesn’t make sense to keep that store open and pay that rent when I can go further inland and get a larger space with better demographics,” said Duhamel.

Local economic factors have also figured into his decision-making. “The Dana Point economy was struck harder than the average beach community because being where it is geographically, you don’t drive through Dana Point unless you’re going to Dana Point. Store for store, restaurant for restaurant, they’re closing their doors. It’s just been a really tough place,” he said.

Duhamel said his Dana Point lease recently expired and that he and the landlord are at an impasse in renegotiations. Though he said staying in Dana Point remains a 50/50 prospect, he has entered into negotiations on two other properties in Orange County. He expects to make a decision in the next month and a half.

In the meantime, Duhamel noted that business remains brisk at his Lake Forest store, which opened next to Interstate 5 in October 2010. The 11,000-square-foot shop is split into miniature concept stores for its primary bike brands, each of which has its own four-walled suite in the store. If he moves the Dana Point store, Duhamel plans to adopt the same model in the new location.

The mini-concept design was never tried in Dana Point because of the shop’s layout and size. “We would have had to completely gut the store, and we didn’t want to do that,” said Duhamel, adding that he needs at least 7,000 square feet to make the model work.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (BRAIN) Feb 2, 12:02 MT —Cycling advocates lost a battle Thursday morning as a majority of the members of the House transportation and infrastructure committee voted against an amendment that would restore dedicated funding for biking and walking in the House transportation bill.

The amendment failed by two votes, with 27 members voting yea, 29 voting no.

“We lost the vote, but we put up a damn good show,” said Andy Clarke, president of the League of American Bicyclists, which mobilized its members to gain support for the Petri-Johnson-Lipinksy amendment. “It was important to put up a fight even if it didn’t succeed.”

Clarke said there was strong support for the amendment and that House leadership had to persuade other members to vote against it. “Other amendments were part of that negotiation,” he said. “We represent a serious issue and constituency and we made them jump through hoops to defeat it.”

What’s next? The House transportation bill—The American Energy and Infrastructure Jobs Act—will make its way to the floor of the House in about two weeks, according to Clarke, where it will go through markup and a voting process.

He said the League and America Bikes have yet to decide on a strategy moving forward. But several options exist. They can try to introduce an amendment on the House floor or align with other groups who oppose the bill to stop it from advancing altogether.

“Without that provision, this is a very bad bill for cycling,” Clarke said.

If the bill passes the House, it would still need to be reconciled with the Senate’s version. Then the question of how to fund it remains. So it could potentially be a long road ahead for this legislation.

It’s unlikely that a new transportation bill gets passed by the end of March, when the current extension on the previous long-term law expires, however, Clarke said it’s still critical to stay involved in each step of the process.

—Lynette Carpiet
lcarpiet@bicycleretailer.com

TAMPA, FL (BRAIN) Feb 2, 10:51 MT —American Classic, starting its 30th year in business this year, is sponsoring and supplying its first major pro road team, the France-based Cofidis quad.

In the team's first race with American Classic wheels, Samuel Dumolin won the GP Marseillaise France on Sunday using the company's Carbon 38 tubular wheels.

“We are going to the next level with this partnership with Cofidis. Samuel’s win is the perfect way to start our 30th year anniversary season. The riders have fast wheels for all race conditions, cobblestones, time trials and sprinting. Joining Cofidis riders and technical is the ideal platform for testing current and new technology,” said Bill Shook, American Classic's founder and design engineer.

Cofidis will race the AC carbon tubular 38, 58, 85, carbon tt disk wheels and train on 420 Aero 3 wheelsets.
Photo: JM Bancet

Kirsten Frattini takes helm at Canadian Cycling • Cane Creek names David K. Hall director of operations • Tour of Utah announces 2012 stages • Syncros sponsors Geoff Kabush and Scott-3Rox team


TORONTO, Canada (BRAIN) Feb 2, 09:49 MT — Former pro cyclist and CyclingNews.com reporter Kirsten Frattini is the new editor of Canadian Cycling Magazine.

Frattini was North American correspondent for Future Publishing's Cyclingnews and BikeRadar sites for six years, covering all the major races in North America plus the Tour de France, Giro d'Italia and some South American events. Prior to entering journalism, Frattini raced for the Canadian national team and U.S. trade teams in North America and Europe.

Canadian Cycling Magazine’s former editor, Dan Dakin, recently made the move to the Niagara Falls Review as a business reporter. Dakin will continue to work with the team as senior editor.

Canadian Cycling Magazine is the highest-circulated cycling publication in Canada. It’s published six times per year.

Cane Creek names David K. Hall director of operations

FLETCHER, NC (BRAIN) Feb 2, 10:19 MT —Cane Creek Cycling Components has appointed David K. Hall as its new director of operations.

Hall has worked in leadership positions for Dillard Paper Company, International Paper Company and recently as the president and CEO of Deltec Homes, Inc.

“It's truly exciting to be part of a company that creates what's next in a sport I am so enthusiastic about,” says David Hall. “Our products are sophisticated and intricate; subsequently, we have a team with the capability and experience to provide the best in our industry – many of our employees have been here over 20 years. Being a part of such a company really inspires me to want to be my best”.

Cane Creek also has brought on Eric White as customer sales representative and added Ricky Bradley, Greg Daniels, John Fennel, Chris Regec to their shock production team.

Tour of Utah announces 2012 stages

SALT LAKE CITY, UT (BRAIN) Feb 2, 10:11 MT —Organizers of the Tour of Utah on Thursday announced the stage start and finish cities for the 2012 edition of the UCI-sanctioned pro stage race, held August 7-12.

For the first time, the race will start in Northern Utah in Ogden with a road race. Stage 2 will feature a team time trial at Miller Motorsports Park in Tooele. It will be the only TTT event at a major U.S. stage race this year.

Organizers expect 16 domestic and international teams at the event. Two-time winner Levi Leipheimer expects to compete with his new Omega Pharma-Quick Step team.



Syncros sponsors Geoff Kabush and Scott-3Rox team through 2014

SUN VALLEY, ID (BRAIN) Feb 2, 10:30 MT —Syncros is sponsoring Geoff Kabush and the Scott-3Rox Racing Team through the 2014 season, the company announced Thursday. Kabush and the team will ride a full line of Syncros cross country mountain bike components including: stems, handlebars, grips, seatposts, saddles, and wheels.

Scott bought the Syncros brand from Ritchey Design late last year.

“The 3Rox Team has been around for a number of years, but now with the additional backing from Scott and the signing of Geoff Kabush, the team really seems set to create a presence on the international stage,” said Syncros' U.S. communications manager Lars-Erik Johnson. “Syncros represents a great component compliment to this program, from both the technical and nostalgic Canadian perspectives. The input Geoff and the team can offer our design team will only help accelerate Syncros product innovation and help return the brand to its once prominent place in the market.”

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (BRAIN) Feb 2, 00:21 MT—Germany’s Ghost bikes will be sold in North America for the first time through an exclusive agreement with Mountain Equipment Co-op, the Canadian retailer announced on Wednesday.

The deal marks the first time MEC has sold a brand other than its company branded road, mountain, hybrid and urban bikes, since it began selling complete bikes in 2010.

“When we looked at expanding our mountain bike offering we knew we had to partner with one of the industry’s leading brands. Ghost was an obvious choice for us due to their complete offering of bikes and cutting edge technology across the line,” said Tim McDermott, MEC’s bicycle product manager.

Ghost has been owned by Dutch powerhouse Accell Group since 2008, and already has a presence in more than 30 countries in Europe and Asia. The company is based in Waldsassen, Germany, near the Czech border bikes are designed and engineered.

Initially, MEC will stock seven Ghost full suspension mountain bikes, two hardtails and one road bike to complement its offering of entry to mid level bikes under the MEC brand. Most of the Ghost line is priced at $2,000 CAD and higher. The bikes will be available in all 15 MEC stories, although selection varies at each location.

MEC reported annual revenue of $261 million in 2010, and has 3.3 million members who paid $5 for a lifetime membership. Similar to the REI co-op in the U.S., MEC pays annual dividends to its members.

MILTON KEYNES, U.K. (BRAIN) Feb 1, 19:56 MT —Trek’s decision not to exhibit at Eurobike this year is not a reflection of the tradeshow, but rather a company strategy to grow its successful Trek World dealer event globally, said Malcolm Davies, Trek’s subsidiaries director for Europe, in an interview on Wednesday.

Any perception that Trek is dissatisfied with Eurobike, the industry’s largest tradeshow, is not accurate, he added.

“We want to have a working relationship with them,” the U.K.-based Davies said. Trek is negotiating with Eurobike to potentially exhibit at the demo day associated with the show, similar to the approach it’s taken with Interbike. Trek has not exhibited at Interbike’s indoor show since 2005, but consistently runs one of the busiest demo rigs at Outdoor Demo.

Eurobike swarms with 40,000 trade visitors during its three-day run in early September in Southern Germany, and packs in thousands of consumers on its public day. It attracts the who’s who of the industry from around the globe and keeps a long waiting list of brands eager to buy space in the show’s 14 sold-out exhibition halls.

But, the strong positive feedback from retailers after its first Trek World Europe in Austria last year, and the number of orders resulting, cemented the validity of Trek’s own formula for future success in Europe.

“We’ve wanted to do this for a while,” Davies said. “We tested the waters [in 2011] for 2012 product; this is just development of that.”

Trek will host this year’s event in a section of the Messe Frankfurt, one of the largest exhibition venues in the world. The size will be comparable to Trek World North America, a gathering of roughly 1,000 retailers near the company’s Wisconsin headquarters. It will include new product showcase from Trek, Bontrager, the Fisher Collection and Villiger and Diamant—Trek owned companies that are the big brands in Central Europe—seminars and a keynote address by Trek president John Burke. Davies expects retailer attendance from main European market, as well as farther-reaching areas like Scandinavia.

The five-day Trek World Europe will be capped with a consumer day—a first for a supplier dealer event. Details of the consumer portion, such as whether there will be an entry fee, haven’t been hashed out, but Davies said the idea has been welcomed by Trek retailers.

Trek is mindful of the concern of introducing next model year products to consumers when retailers are still trying to move current season bikes, but Davies said that shouldn’t be the case, based on sales patterns.

“We’re pretty confident that we’ll be launching product to dealers be able to have it in stores pretty quickly and consumer will see it pretty quickly,” he said.

Trek World Europe is set for July 16-20.

—Nicole Formosa
nformosa@bicycleretailer.com

BOULDER, CO (BRAIN) Feb 1, 18:17 MT —Buoyed by mild winter weather that extended their selling seasons, independent bike dealers rang out 2011 with a bang as December sales surged 13 percent compared with the same month a year earlier, according to Leisure Trends Group’s RetailTRAK data and Cycling Specialty Topline Report.

The result was powered by strong performance across nearly all major bike categories and price levels. Sales remained robust at lower price points, but as the recovery
'has been picking up steam, we’ve seen a bit of renewed life at the higher price points” as well, noted Greg Shoenfeld, retail relations manager at Leisure Trends.

For 2011 overall, IBD merchandise retail sales totaled $3.1 billion, up 7 percent from 2010. Bike sales ticked up just 1.3 percent in units but increased 9 percent in dollars sold as the average retail price rose 8 percent, or $51.90, to $713. Margins crept up 0.2 points compared with 2010, Shoenfeld said.

Road bike sales rose 7 percent in units and 16 percent in dollars sold in December. For the full year, road sales jumped 11 percent in units and 16 percent in dollars. Within the category, sport performance bikes continued to dominate, up 10 percent in units and 20 percent in dollars for December and rising 10 and 15 percent, respectively, for 2011.


Triathlon bikes took a nosedive in December, down 12 percent in units and 16 percent in dollars sold. But the decline came on the heels of unusually strong growth in November, when sales spiraled upward 30 percent in units and 50 percent in sales, suggesting that tri enthusiasts may have hit IBDs for their holiday needs a month early. “That’s a pretty wild swing going from a 50 percent increase in November to a 16 percent decrease in December,” said Shoenfeld.

Despite faltering at the finish line, 2011 was a strong year for tri bikes, with unit sales up 24 percent and dollar sales rising 26 percent.

After months of declines in unit sales, mountain bikes rebounded in December with increases in bikes as well as dollars sold—up 8 and 19 percent, respectively. Twenty-niner sales continued to surge, up 75 percent in units and 55 percent in dollars, but 26-inch bikes also shared in mountain growth, rising 3 percent in dollars despite a 3 percent decline in units sold. Big-wheel bikes continued to steal market share, ending the year accounting for 23 percent of all mountain bike units sold in December, compared with 10 percent a year earlier.

Going forward, Shoenfeld believes the inventory picture at IBDs points to continued momentum for mountain bike sales. Carry-over is negligible, and inventory is up for 29ers but down for 26-inch bikes, he notes. “Last year, where retailers had trouble keeping 29ers in stock, it looks like we’re starting the season in a stronger position to fulfill that 29er demand,” he said. “If winter doesn’t show up in March, the stores will be in pretty good shape.”

—Toby Hill
thill@bicycleretailer.com

WASHINGTON, D.C. (BRAIN) Feb 1, 13:58 MT—The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman John L. Mica (R-FL) unveiled a new transportation bill Tuesday, sending shock waves through bike advocate groups who say that it emphasizes spending on construction of new highways while eliminating dedicated funding for bike and pedestrian infrastructure.

The American Energy & Infrastructure Jobs Act (H.R. 7) authorizes $260 billion in funding over the next five years for highway, transit and highway safety programs.

As drafted, the 847-page bill consolidates or eliminates 70 programs that are “duplicative or don’t serve a federal purpose.” Among the programs that it would cut is the Nonmotorized Transportation Pilot Program and Safe Routes to School.

The Nonmotorized Transportation Pilot Program provided $25 million grants to four communities for sidewalks, bicycle lanes and pedestrian and bicycle trails with a goal to demonstrate how these networks can increase the rates of biking and walking while decreasing congestion and energy usage.

Safe Routes to School, introduced in the SAFETEA-LU bill—the previous federal bill that authorized transportation spending for 2005-2009, created safe ways for kids to walk and bike to school.

The bill also effectively cuts the federal Transportation Enhancements program, leaving spending on bike and pedestrian facilities completely up to states. And state Departments of Transportation will no longer be required to have a bicycle and pedestrian coordinator on staff to ensure bike and pedestrian access on new construction projects.

One positive note, the bill does maintain the current level of funding for Recreational Trails at $85 million per year through 2016.

Still, Andy Clarke, president of the League of American Bicyclists, said the proposed bill reverses 20 years of progress made to include cycling and walking in the country’s transportation plan. In a video on the League’s website, he lists the top 10 reasons why it’s unfavorable for cycling and walking.



“We were expecting the funding would be under attack but were surprised at how carefully they want to take bike/ped out of the bill altogether,” Clarke said. “There were sections of the bill that we didn’t know they knew existed. They’ve gone out of their way to attack the bike/ped portions.”

The previous long-term law authorizing federal surface transportation programs expired in September 2009. Since then, Congress has passed eight short-term extensions.

The bill will be marked up by the Transportation and Infrastructure committee Thursday. Advocates are encouraging members of their organizations to contact their representatives to gain their support for an amendment that will be introduced by Reps. Tom Petri (R-WI), Tim Johnson (R-IL), and Dan Lipinski (D-IL).

The amendment restores dedicated funding for Transportation Enhancements and Safe Routes to School in a consolidated Transportation Improvement Program. It also directs states to fund two full-time coordinators to administer the program.

But they will need to gain the backing of other committee members in order to advance the amendment to a committee vote.

The bill (.pdf)

CHICAGO, IL (BRAIN) Feb 1, 14:50 MT—Almost overlooked in SRAM's press release announcing its new Red group Wednesday were a few sentences about the company's plans to bring hydraulic disk brakes to the road and cyclocross market.

"It’s been rumored that SRAM is developing RED level road hydraulic brakes. We want to confirm this and let you know that we are currently working on a hydraulic disc brake and a hydraulic rim brake. Information on pricing will come at a later date and no photos are currently available.

Key features:
• Hydraulic disc brake: RED level / Drop bar DoubleTap lever actuated / All new master cylinder and caliper / 140-160mm discs
• Hydraulic rim brake: RED level / Drop bar DoubleTap lever actuated / tire clearance up to 28C / Firecrest rim compatible

Commercial availability - Fall 2012

Custom builders have been experimenting with disk brakes on drop-bar road bikes at least since Avid introduced its cable-pull BB7 disk calipers nearly 11 years ago. A few larger suppliers, including Redline, also have offered moderately priced production road and cyclocross bikes with disks.

The push for disks on higher-end production bikes has been building steadily over the last three years. The growth of cyclocross in the U.S. has contributed to it, as many roadies and mountain bikers trying 'cross for the first time were disappointed with the performance of traditional cyclocross cantilever brakes.

The movement got another boost when the UCI legalized disks in international cyclocross competition in late 2010. And the same year, Volagi showed a polished, high-end carbon production road bike with (cable-pulled) disks at Interbike. With its hidden cable routing the Volagi gave many their first vision of what a disk-brake road bike might really look like.

Another factor has contributed to the road-disk movement: carbon rims. Wheel makers have struggled to make effective, durable braking surfaces on carbon rims, which has held back their use, especially for clinchers. Disk brakes would nicely eliminate that problem.

A variety of options have developed to address the demand. Adaptors like one from TRP allow the use of road shifter/brake levers with hydraulic brakes. Several companies are working on hydraulic road brake levers that would integrate with Shimano's Di2 shifter buttons. And Campagnolo and Shimano are rumored to be developing their own such levers.

Magura has a new hydraulic rim brake for time trial bike use, and SRAM's hydraulic rim brake is likely destined for the same use.

But SRAM's announcement Wednesday marks the first official acknowledgment from one of the major component makers that they are moving forward with hydraulic road disks.

SRAM's significant OE business means a variety of supporting manufacturers are probably already hard at work solving some of the challenges that road disk brakes present.

Among those challenges is designing a quality carbon road fork for disks. Such forks need to be re-engineered for the disk brake stresses and need forward-facing dropouts to prevent braking torque from pulling the wheel out of the fork. Specialized and Spot Brand, among others, already have developed carbon disk 700c forks for cyclocross use. Expect to see many more options soon.

On the other end of the bike, the industry needs to settle on the proper rear axle width. Many engineers are calling for road bikes to adopt the mountain bike standard of 135mm OLD to make room for the disk and as many as 11 cogs. It also would allow the use of 29er hubs and wheels that are already on the market.

Chain- and seatstays also will need to be engineered to account for the different stresses of a disk brake.

Brakes themselves will need to get lighter, while their power and modulation will need to be optimized for road use. Quick wheel replacement and the elimination of any disk rub will be more important in the road market. A little rotor rub is hardly noticeable offroad, but would infuriate some road riders on a long solo jaunt.

The UCI has not yet allowed disk brakes in international road competition, and a certain type of roadie, even those without a dream of racing internationally, will decline to adopt disk brakes until he sees his Tour de France heroes using them. (My use of the masculine pronoun was intentional: Volagi's Robert Choi says he's found little such resistance among women.)

But disks in competition would be problematic. They would add yet another type of wheel that neutral support vehicles would have to stock; if the industry doesn't settle on a standard rear axle width and disk diameter, even more wheels would have to be available. And it could be difficult to prevent damage to rotors when wheels and bikes are being shipped between events and carried in or on race vehicles.

—Steve Frothingham
sfrothingham@bicycleretailer.com

NuVinci Harmony wins Dutch innovation award • BOX Components and DK Bicycles team up to sponsor Marc Willers • Saris organizes bicycle poster contest • Saris organizes bicycle poster contest • Tifosi Optics names new director of marketing • Cane Creek dealer program promotes advocacy • BH is the official bike at Challenge Barcelona-Maresme triathlon

SAN DIEGO, CA (BRAIN) Feb 1, 10:48 MT—The NuVinci Harmony continuously variable shifting system won the Bicycle Innovation Award this week at the FietsVAK 2012 show in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

The drivetrain can shift through an infinite number of effective drive ratios within its 360 percent range and is now offered on more than 40 international bicycle brands.

Overall, NuVinci technology has won 12 major awards since its introduction in 2007, the company said.

BOX Components and DK Bicycles team up to sponsor Marc Willers

FULLERTON, CA (BRAIN) Feb 1, 10:56 MT—Cycle Group Inc. and DK Bicycles have hammered out an agreement to make DK the official frame sponsor of Marc Willers and the BOX Components Test Team.

“We’re excited and really looking forward to working with DK. The company has a long history in BMX going back to 1979 and a very strong presence in the sport,” said Toby Henderson, CGI’s founder.

“We were very fortunate to get several offers to sponsor Marc and BOX Components. But in DK we found a strategic partner not only willing, but ready to work with BOX Components as we develop new and innovative BMX
products,” he added.

Willers won the 2011 ABA National Number 1 Pro title, 10 ABA Nationals and two Supercross races using Henderson's 20-mil products.

Other team sponsors include Promax, Fly Racing and ODI.

Henderson founded CGI late last year. DK, a brand that dates back to BMX's roots in the 1970s, is currently owned by Huffy and is located in Centerville, Ohio.

Saris organizes bicycle poster contest

MADISON, WI (BRAIN) Feb 1, 11:01 MT—Saris is organizing a national bike poster contest. Now through March 1, fifth-grade students across the country are encouraged to submit original artwork to their state coordinators. The theme of the contest is “Bicycling Takes Me Places.”

“This year we have 24 states participating, up seven from 2011,” said Heather Fortune, advocacy coordinator for the Saris Cycling Group, which is heading up the national contest for the second year.

State coordinators implement the contest in each state: communicating about the contest to elementary school principals, fifth grade teachers and parents. They also collect the winning posters for each school, determine the top three and send in the state winner to Saris headquarters for national award consideration.

The national winner is selected by a panel of industry members. The national winner will receive a trip for two to the 2013 National Bike Summit, as well as a bicycle, a light and a helmet. The national winning school will receive bike parking for 20 bikes and The Hub System, a tracking system for schools to help them implement walking and biking incentive programs.

Awards will also be given to first, second and third place winners in each state. First place receives a bike, helmet and light; second place gets a light and helmet and third place receives a helmet.

For more on how the contest works, email Heather Fortune at hfortune@saris.com or go to www.sariscyclinggroup/postercontest.

Tifosi Optics names new director of marketing

WATKINSVILLE, GA (BRAIN) Feb 1, 11:09 MT— Tifosi Optics, Inc. has appointed Erin Dahlquist as its new director of marketing. Based in her Northern California office, Dahlquist will oversee all marketing functions for Tifosi.

"Tifosi presents some interesting challenges,” Dahlquist said in a company release. “I look forward to developing creative ways of reaching our diverse audience. Tifosi’s range of eyewear is technologically engineered for enhanced performance in a range of sports. We want to make sure that message is heard loud and clear.”

Dahlquist has worked for Specialized Bicycles, Royal Robbins, and The Original S.W.A.T. Footwear Co.

Cane Creek dealer program promotes advocacy

FLETCHER, NC (BRAIN) Feb 1, 11:11 MT—Cane Creek Cycling Components is leveraging the power of independent bicycle dealers across the country to support Bikes Belong and the International Mountain Bicycling Association in the run-up to the National Bike Summit in Washington, DC, next month.

From now through March 16, Cane Creek will donate $20 for each retailer who joins Cane Creek’s Headset Rewards program; dealers will choose which organization they’d like to support. Additionally, purchases made by existing Headset Rewards dealers will generate a donation of 5 percent, split between the organizations.

“Bicycle advocacy is in our DNA,” said Chris Strout, director of U.S. sales for Cane Creek. “We are long-time supporters of both Bikes Belong and IMBA, and we’re always looking for ways to strengthen our ties with organizations who are, in turn, strengthening bicycling across the country.”

Headset Rewards members purchase Cane Creek headsets and headset parts through several leading distributors, and those sales generate rebates that the retailer can use toward future Cane Creek purchases. Current participating distributors include Action Bicycle, Bicycle Technologies International, Downeast, The Hawley Co., KHS Bicycle, Quality Bicycle Products and Trek Components Group. Purchases made directly through Cane Creek also apply.

Retailers can sign up at www.canecreek.com/headsetrewards or by calling 800-234-2725.

BH is the official bike at Challenge Barcelona-Maresme triathlon

BARCELONA, Spain (BRAIN) Feb 1, 11:16 MT— BH Bicycle, which already sponsors the Garmin Barcelona Triathlon, is now also the official bicycle brand of the Challenge Barcelona-Maresme.

The Challenge Barcelona-Maresme is hosting its fourth edition in 2012, comprising two events: a Half Challenge on May 27 and a Challenge
on September 30.

The bike maker will stage an exhibition with its triathlon and fitness bikes at both events.

CHICAGO, IL (BRAIN) Feb 1, 08:28 MT — SRAM's new Red group will be available next month and will have a suggested retail price of 1899.99 euro ($2,500). The company released details of the update to its top of the line road group to the media in Mallorca on Wednesday.

The group includes six redesigned components: the shifters, front and rear derailleurs, brakes, cranks and cassette. The group also has a new "Falcon Gray" and black finish. It is a claimed 100 grams lighter than the 2011 Red group.

The shifters have claimed improvements in comfort resulting from an improved transition from handlebar to hoods, a new grip texture on the hoods and a lever reach adjustment.

The rear derailleur has "AeroGlide" jockey wheels said to offer silent performance. A new cage and body design improves cassette clearance.

The front derailleur rotates to align with the chain, eliminating the need for shifter trim, a feature SRAM calls Yaw. It also includes an integrated Chain Spotter to prevent chaindrop.

The new Powerdome X cassette is said to be quieter and lighter than its predecessor. The eight cogs in the middle are machined from a single block of steel. A StealthRing elastomer between the cogs reduces vibration and noise.

The new Exogram crankset is completely hollow all the way to the spider. Its hidden bolt pattern is said to improve stiffness and shed weight. The new X Glide chainrings are optimized for use with the Yaw technology in the front derailleur.

The new brakeset has improved aerodynamics and modulation.

SRAM's power-measuring option, integrated with the crank, is lighter and has improved clearance for oversized frames and aerodynamic chainrings. Integrated electronics minimize interconnections and reduce exposure to the element.

Finally, the new PC 1091R chain features more heavily chamfered outer plates for improved shifting and quieter running.
Click on the thumbnails for full-sized photos

MARINA DEL REY, CA (BRAIN) Feb 1, 07:29 MT — A select group of Southern California retailers and media got a first look at Campagnolo’s electronic drivetrain Monday evening as the Italian brand officially unveiled the battery-powered shifting system in North America.

Campagnolo’s North America office hosted the coming out party for Electronic Power Shift in a 10th floor Marriott banquet room overlooking the Pacific in a scaled back version of EPS’ global debut last November in Sicily. It began tech training for regional dealers on the product Tuesday, and expected two classes of 40 people each.

There were no rides Monday, but guests were invited to spin an EPS-equipped demo bike set up on a trainer, or click through the gears and snap photos of the five-component system on bikes positioned around the room.

The Record and Super Record 11-speed groupsets are in production now at Campagnolo’s Vincenza, Italy, factory and will start arriving to distributors and retailers in limited numbers next month. Tom Kattus, head of Campy in North America, is still finalizing MSRP, but expects the Record kit to run about $4,500 and Super Record to sell for $5,300.

Even with a pricetag that may be gasp-inducing to some, “the demand is there,” said Hrach Gevrikyan, owner of Velo Pasadena and Velo Studio.

“They’ve been waiting,” Gevrikyan said of his Campy-loyal customers. “This is why we decided to put an event together.”

Gevrikyan, who estimates 70 percent of his aftermarket groupset sales are Campagnolo, will host his own EPS party Feb. 23 to show his best customers the new shifting technology.

Justin Beope, owner of San Diego’s Pista Palace, said he’s already presold 15 groups sight unseen to “gotta have it” customers looking to snag Campagnolo’s latest innovation.


Supply is tight, with about 1,000 groupsets available between now and June, Kattus said. Production will ramp up this summer when Campy expands assembly to its higher output Romanian factories.

Pinarello, Colnago, Ridley and Wilier Triestina will all spec EPS on their 2013 high-end road bikes coming out later this year, and a few other deals are in the works, Kattus said. Product managers at nearly every major global bike brand are currently testing groups.

“There’s lots of interest right now,” Kattus said.

Over the next few months, Campagnolo’s North American service center manager Dan Large will be traveling the country hosting EPS training and certification courses with stops planned in the Bay Area, Seattle, Denver, Austin, Minneapolis, Chicago and New York. Classes are free and open to all retailers and distributor sales reps. Certification is required for dealers to sell and service EPS. For a full schedule of EPS training courses, see BRAIN’s calendar of events.

Photos: Gary Newkirk

—Nicole Formosa
nformosa@bicycleretailer.com

WASHINGTON, D.C. (BRAIN) Jan 31, 17:51 MT—Specialized is working with the U.S Consumer Product Safety Commission on an expansion of a recall involving some carbon forks on cyclocross bikes.

The brake boss mount on the forks can fail, allowing the brake to fall into the front spokes. Consumers should stop using the recalled products immediately.

Specialized recalled about 14,200 2011-model bikes last year because of the problem. Now the company is recalling about 460 2012-model bikes. The new bikes affected are the 2012 Tricross Sport and 2012 Tricross Comp.

The bikes were manufactured by Advanced Group of Taiwan.

For additional information, contact Specialized toll-free at (877) 808-8154 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, or visit the company's website at www.specialized.com

BEAVERTON, OR (BRAIN) Feb 1, 02:34 MT—Former Fox Racing Shox marketing man Tom Floyd has returned to the industry with his new U.S.-made BMX brand, Phoenix Pro Cycles.

Phoenix’s monocoque-style Talon frames are made from 6061-T6 aluminum in Phoenix’s facilities in Beaverton, Oregon, using compression forming technology similar to that used by high-end mountain bike brands. They will be offered in seven class and six cruiser sizes and will come in four anodized colors as well as white powder coat.

The brand is part of Phoenix Pro Sports, which Floyd started in 2008 with the introduction of the Phoenix Pro Scooters line of decks, bars, forks, wheels and accessories for skate-park scooter riding.

“As a former racer with kids, I know the values that can come from being involved with BMX,” Floyd said. “The immediate success of Phoenix Pro Scooters has now allowed me to create an American-based bike company. We’re just starting to ship frames out, and response has been stellar.”

To order Phoenix frames, email sales@phoenixprocycles.com or call (503) 626-6993.

EUGENE, OR (BRAIN) Feb 1, 1:10 MT —Rolf Prima has bolstered its outside sales force, adding a half-dozen new independent reps.

In the Midwest, Rolf Prima has added Richard Delgado (Wisconsin, Illinois) and Ben Luster (Michigan). Alex Clark will cover Utah, Wyoming and Colorado. The company has also added Tom Gosselin in the Northeast (Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, Rhode Island, Connecticut); Wes Spruell in the Southeast (North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama); and Bruce McCarthy in Florida and southern Alabama.

“We have had a pretty steep growth curve over the last two years and we want to be able to give our dealers the support they deserve and have come to expect from us,” said Pete Moe, Rolf Prima sales. “We needed more support on the outside to help us do it.”