BETHEL, CT (BRAIN)—Cannondale had a new face at its Outdoor Demo booth two weeks ago.
Lyriel Jordan was hired recently to fill the company’s newly created women’s product manager position. Jordan was manager of one of Erik’s Bike Shops in Minneapolis, where she led women’s bike rides and designed women’s specific products in her spare time.
“I’m pretty excited to be able to inspire more women to ride bikes. Cannondale already has great women’s fit, so I will be looking at the touch points, handlebars and saddles to see if we can make the bikes even more comfortable and appealing,” Jordan said.
Cannondale was one of the first bike suppliers to offer women’s-specific geometry in its compact frame line of the mid-90s.
“Working in retail, I saw so many women riding 20-year-old men’s road bikes. They are so heavy and fit poorly yet so many of them don’t know there are women’s products designed just for them,” Jordan said.
One way Jordan plans on lifting the profile of women’s bikes is through color and graphics. Her impact on 2009 bikes is limited, but will be evident on 2010 models and beyond. According to Cannondale’s vice president of product Steve Metz, Jordan will also have design input for its women’s clothing and accessories line.
