PORTLAND, OR (BRAIN)—Planet X USA is now the exclusive distributor of Guerciotti Italian bicycles in North America.
The brand was previously distributed by Ochsner International in the U.S. and Velocissimo Cycle and North American Bici Wholesale in Canada.
Bikes will be sold largely consumer direct, as is Planet X’s business model, although some key dealers will be retained, said Dave Loughran, Planet X owner.
The Portland based Planet X USA office will import Guerciotti’s cyclocross models—upon which the brand’s heritage is built—as well as carbon fiber road frames and the retro lugged steel frame Record.
The brand was started in 1964 by Italo Guerciotti, an expert cyclocross rider, and his brother Paolo, as a small shop in Milan. They soon began building their own frames and debuted in the pro circuit in 1976.
In other distribution news, SRAM plans to expand its distributor network in Spain and Portugal to keep up with growing demand in those markets. Starting in January, Team Bike S.L. will join existing distributors Motordealer and Ciclo Coimbrões in handling sales and service to dealers in the Spanish and Portuguese region.
Also, Belgium’s Ridley Bikes has grown its presence in Central and South America with new distributors in Brazil, Mexico, Panama and Venezuela. Ridley has signed on with Express Imports in Brazil; Biciclo in Mexico; Trizone in Panama; and Ciclozona in Venezuela.
—Nicole Formosa
nformosa@bicycleretailer.com
