Industry News
AGOURA HILLS, CA (BRAIN)—Former Pearl Izumi national sales manager Patricia Babka has been named vice president of sales for Gramicci.
DUARTE, CA (BRAIN)—Dahon has launched its SAP implementation project. SAP AG is a world leader in ERP software and is used by companies like Siemens, Coca-Cola, and Pioneer. Brands like Zipp Speed Weaponery use it in the bicycle industry.

BRAIN's web editor was spotted by TMZ's cameras this weekend at Indy's Home & Garden Show, next door to this year's Handmade Bike Show (Click on link to see Handmade award winners with pictures!!!)
TMZ: Mr. Norman, Mr. Norman, are you now endorsing Softub on top of the work you already do for BRAIN?
BY DOUG MCCLELLAN
TAICHUNG, Taiwan—For Taiwan’s bicycle industry, flat is the new up.
While no one expects a bang-up year, industry leaders predict 2009 will be flat or slightly down compared with a stellar 2008. In this economy, staying level would be no mean feat.
BY MATT WIEBE
PHILADELPHIA, PA—The good news for bicycle suppliers is that bikes sold better than cars last year. The bad news is that when gas crossed the $4 a gallon threshold in June, bike sales tanked.

INDIANAPOLIS, IN (BRAIN)—After the huge success of last year's North American Handmade Bicycle Show in Portland, there were some grumbles and moans—mainly from west coast builders—after show founder Don Walker announced that this traveling show was heading to Indianapolis for 2009.
VAN NUYS, CA (BRAIN)—Easton Bell reported a moderate increase in sales in 2008, although the company’s profit dipped slightly.
HEERENVEEN, The Netherlands (BRAIN)—Accell Group posted a 17-percent growth in profits in 2008 due to strong sales of bicycles, a better product mix and the acquisition of Ghost, according to a year-end earnings report released last Friday.
Why Rabobank bikes didn't get stolen at the Tour of California:
Because Lance and Team Astana didn't have Ride Giant demo specialist Tom Neb or Rabo 1!
Courtesy of Giant's Patrick VanHorn
DAVOS, Switzerland (BRAIN)—Specialized plans to open its first concept store in Switzerland this spring.
Ivans Velo Sport Shop is scheduled to open April 4 in Davos in the heart of the Swiss Alps.
TRENTON,NJ (BRAIN)—Dana Carson has been promoted to managing director of Hutchinson Tire North America.
Carson assumes responsibility for the expansion of Hutchinson's bicycle tire division, after spending a year as aftermarket sales manager.
SPEEDWAY, IN (BRAIN)—The North American Handmade Bicycle Show kicks off today in Speedway, Indiana with well-known names such as De Rosa, Zullo, Serotta, Sachs, Calfee, Crumpton, Vanilla, Walker and De Salvo among the exhibitors.
MELBOURNE, Australia (BRAIN)—Organizers of a new trade show in Melbourne, Australia have changed the event’s name to Ausbike after initially calling itself Interbike Australia and using a logo nearly identical to that of Interbike’s.
PHILADELPHIA, PA (BRAIN)—Boulder Indoor Cycling, home to a brand new indoor velodrome, opened its doors this January with help from Fuji Bicycles.
BLOOMINGTON, MN (BRAIN)—At its recent annual expo this past weekend, Quality Bicycle Products announced that it still plans to open a distribution warehouse in Utah, but that it could be well after 2010.
FAIRFIELD, CT (BRAIN)—If industry executives got out of the office and on the road, they’d quickly learn that most dealers are upbeat about prospects for a good year despite the recession roiling the economy, said Chris Fortune, president of Saris.

ANAHEIM, CA (BRAIN)—The National Bicycle Dealers Association is launching the NBDA Independent Concept initiative, Fred Clements told dealers at its Super Seminar in Anaheim yesterday.
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO (BRAIN)—Peak Region Cyclist magazine hosted its first ever bike show this past Saturday with nice results.
According to Peak Region Cyclist founder and industry veteran Jon Severson, more than 500 people showed up.
This week's Ready to Pedal video: "Why Ride?" Click on link to view video.