News

Studies show that cycling an hour a day can decrease mortality risk by 35 percent, while biking half that much still cuts your risk of heart disease and stroke by half, reports NBC's Savannah Guthrie.
Click on link to see full video clip.
PLUMELEC, France (BRAIN)—Oakley sports marketing manager Steve Blick had a job to do: hand deliver the prototype ‘09 Racing Jacket to George Hincapie and Thor Hushovd before the Tour de France began.
Mission accomplished.
ENSCHEDE, Netherlands (BRAIN)—Amtel-Vredestein, the Netherlands automotive and bicycle tire maker, has agreed to be acquired by Sibur Holding, owner of Sibur Russian Tires, in a $370 million deal that assures the financially troubled Dutch company’s future.
BOISE, ID (BRAIN)—The Outdoor Industries Women’s Coalition (OIWC) is now accepting nominations for two awards supporting women in the industry.

PARK CITY, UT (BRAIN)—During Cannondale's Authorized Dealer meetings earlier this week in Park City, Utah, a Super Bix Hi-Mod with Campy Record 11-Speed Liquigas Team Replica Bike (pictured) was stolen from a locked storage room.
MOUNT PROSPECT, IL (BRAIN)—Consumers purchased $1.08 billion in used sporting goods equipment in 2007, according to a recent report by the National Sporting Goods Association (NSGA).

VeloNews recently began a column called "Industry Insider," sort of a faux look at what's going on in the bike biz. However, in VN's latest "insider" column, written no doubt by a journalistic bumbler, it was suggested that Shimano may be interested in making an investment in SRAM.
BY MARC SANI
BLOOMINGTON, MN—When Steve Flagg reviewed his inventory reports recently, one item jumped off the page—27-inch tires. “We were totally unprepared for the demand in 27-inch tires,” said Flagg, president of Quality Bicycle Products.
BY NICOLE FORMOSA
BURBANK, CA—When Rob Stotts moved his H&S Bicycles to a new location in Burbank, California, this spring, he stepped up his stock of commuter-related accessories like panniers to hold laptops, slick tires and racks.
MORGAN HILL, CA (BRAIN)—The big news coming from Specialized's recent road launch was its new Turbo tubeless tire.
BERKELEY, CA (BRAIN)—Clif Bar is launching a new “How Do You Play?” promotion created solely for sports retailers.
SAN CARLOS, CA (BRAIN)—Ritchey Design has launched its new consumer Web site, which includes e-commerce functionality. Consumers will be able to easily purchase Ritchey products with the sale credited to and fulfilled by independent bicycle dealers (IBD).