MAHWAH, NJ (BRAIN)—Cooper Bikes, founded by Michael Cooper almost two years ago, is launching seven models of commuter, lifestyle bikes into North America. Michael Cooper is the son of auto racing legend and Cooper Car Co. founder John Cooper.
Cooper Bikes USA is a new division of Prestige MINI—the largest MINI Cooper automobile dealer in the United States.
“We really love the Cooper cars,” said Mark Laino, who handles logistics and marketing for Cooper Bikes USA. “We’ve done really well with them. We have a lot of fun with the cars. We have a very loyal customer base.
“Initially we saw these bikes on the Internet and they looked really cool,” Laino added. “They had a classical and minimalist styling. The more and more we got to talking to Michael it’s something we felt we should really be involved in. It’s a great companion to our cars.”
Prestige MINI has already sold a few of these bikes at its store. Laino said they hope to have at least 10 dealerships signed up by the end of the year. Cooper Bikes USA is also actively seeking out IBDs. Laino hopes to have 20 – 25 IBDs signed up by the end of 2011.
Cooper bikes feature components such as Brooks saddles, Sturmey-Archer cranksets and are all made from Reynolds tubing. They retail from $1,175 to $1,700.
“I think it’s the quality of components that separates it as well as the styling,” Laino said. “These bikes are all tied to the Cooper racing history. Their dad was a Formula 1 car builder back in the late ‘50s and early ‘60s. All these bikes are named after famous racetracks. They ride really smooth. We’re really impressed with the quality of the build.”
Cooper Bikes will also be coming out with a limited edition bike (50 total) this summer called the Silverstone. The bike will be sourced and built in England, Laino said.
Cooper Bikes USA will show off these bikes in the United States for the first time at The New Amsterdam Bicycle Show in New York City on April 30.
Dealers interested in Cooper Bikes can email Laino at mlaino@driveprestige.com.
—Jason Norman
jnorman@bicycleretailer.com
