News

SCOTTSDALE, AZ (BRAIN)—While much of the country is still buried under drifts of snow, riders on the first day of the Phoenix Dealer Tour yesterday experienced crisp but sunny weather.
BLOOMINGTON, MN (BRAIN)—Since buying Lazer Helmets from its parent company last month, new majority owner Sean van Waes has bulked up staff both in the U.S. and at company headquarters in Antwerp, Belgium, to help propel the brand into a solid No.3 position.
SAN DIEGO, CA (BRAIN)—The Competitor Group (CGI) has hired Bouker Pool as its senior vice president of marketing.
OXNARD,CA (BRAIN)—Albabici, a distributor of Italian cycling products based in Southern California, has added three brands to its lineup: Fondriest Italian-crafted carbon fiber frames, Limar ultra-lightweight helmets and BiciSupport bicycle shop tools and supplies.
BLOOMINGTON, MN (BRAIN)—Salsa Cycles gave dealers attending Frostbike last weekend an early peak at its rebranding effort, showing updated products and designs that reflect its new Adventure By Bike slogan.
PHOENIX, AZ (BRAIN)—Bicycle Retailer & Industry News editors will find out how retailers fare in this year-round cycling market on the magazine’s Phoenix Dealer Tour that kicks off today.
VALENCIA, CA (BRAIN)—H3 Publications has decided to sit on the sidelines right now and not publish Tri magazine as they intended to originally do in May.
“I pulled the plug,” said Dave House, owner of H3 Publications. “It just got way too political.”
GREENVILLE, SC (BRAIN)—Hincapie Sportswear has hired Chris Gould as retail sales representative for the brand in Las Vegas, NV; Arizona; New Mexico and El Paso, TX.

BLOOMINGTON, MN (BRAIN)—With the lessons learned from a challenging 2009 still fresh on the mind, the mood among retailers and vendors gathered at Frostbike over the weekend was nonetheless one of optimism heading into the 2010 selling season.
INDIANAPOLIS, IN (BRAIN)—Blue Moon beer will be flowing at the Shimano North American Handmade Bicycle Show this year, but several other sponsors have come to the show too, which in its sixth annual edition is enjoying the most successful year to date.

Web editor Jason Norman needs retailers help for a story. Jason's looking to hear from retailers who use iPhone/Smartphone apps to help them with their day-to-day business. What are your favorites? What apps couldn't you live without?
MILL VALLEY, CA (BRAIN)—Hotlines Europe has partnered with WTB performance products, further enhancing Hotlines portfolio of brands. This exclusive distribution will be for the UK and Ireland.
CHICAGO, IL (BRAIN)—SRAM has introduced Apex, a new entry-level road group that can be mixed and matched with its other road groups, and Shimano has upgraded its 105, lowering group weight and increasing the adjustability of the levers.