News
LOS ANGELES, CA (BRAIN)—Funn MTB is gearing up to spread the word on their products in the United States with the hiring of industry veteran Justin Schwartz.
Schwartz joins another industry veteran, Rich Vitiello, who is in charge of all OEM and aftermarket sales worldwide for Funn MTB products.

Doug Hall, national sales manager at Fox Head, Inc. and Jodi Hall (freelance PR consultant for various cycling ventures) have just added a second little mountain biker to their brood: Lucie Francesca Hall, born Jan. 30, 2010, 6 lbs. 6 oz. and 20-1/2 inches long.
MONTEREY, CA (BRAIN)—The Bicycle Leadership Conference, April 13-15 in Monterey, CA, has already drawn more retail attendees than in any of the past four years, including seven REI staff members.
SANTA FE, NM (BRAIN)—Known for its high-end downhill, slopestyle, all mountain, dirt jump and XC bikes, Andorran-based Commencal is introducing its new PSR range of complete bikes into the U.S. market. The line features entry to mid-level hardtail XC bikes, with retail prices from $549 to $1,195.
CHICAGO, IL (BRAIN)—Sinclair Imports is now a distributor of SRAM road product.
CAMBRIDGE, MA (BRAIN)—Montague Corporation, a full-size folding bike company, has just launched a new Web site at www.montaguebikes.com (click on link).

Congrats to the New Orleans Saints on last night's Super Bowl win over the Indianapolis Colts. Great team and an even better story.

NEWBURY PARK, CA (BRAIN)—During the build-out of his new Giant Brand Store in El Paso, Texas, Crazy Cat Cyclery owner Roberto Barrio said, "I’m a really good bike guy, but I’m not a very good merchandising guy. I learned so much from Giant about how to layout a store.”
CUPERTINO, CA (BRAIN)—Doug Dixon, who stole $88,000 worth of inventory from Northern California's Cupertino Bike Shop over a two-year period and sold it on eBay, was sentenced Thursday to eight months in Santa Clara County Jail.
SALT LAKE CITY, UT (BRAIN)—Specialized decided to move its West Coast distribution center from its headquarters in Morgan Hill, California, to Salt Lake City 11 years ago after taking a look at the cost per square foot of leasing a facility, the strong labor market and the ability to deliver orders to dealers in 11
SPRINGFIELD, MA (BRAIN)—Ski Market sold last Friday to a restructuring and advisory firm that plans to liquidate the retailer’s remaining assets by the end of March, and close its last seven locations, according to an order filed in U.S. bankruptcy court.

Normally, I bang on a keyboard all day helping create content for the retailers who use our Web site service. So it was a treat to attend Park Tool's Tech Summit for a little hands-on and face-time. Held February 1-2 at the spacious Doubletree Hotel in downtown San Jose, California, it brought together technical gurus from Campagnolo, Fox, Hayes, Mavic, Park, RockShox, Shimano and SRAM to teach the latest tech tips and tricks to mechanics, some from as far away as Alaska, Hawaii, Taipei and Argentina.

Tucked away in an unassuming building in an industrial park off Southern California's I-15 freeway, Intense Cycles is still manufacturing mountain bike frames long after most of its high-end peers have decamped to Asia. Chris Allen, the company's new general manager, said while manufacturing in So Cal is a costly business model, the company has still managed to make a profit every year.