Industry Digest: Fox Factory Completes Marucci Sports Purchase, 'Ranger Trek' Trademark Appeals & More
What's going on in the cycling industry this month? Industry Digest is a peek behind the curtain and showcases articles from our sister site, Bicycle Retailer and Industry News. In each installment, you might find patents, mergers, financial reports and industry gossip.
Curious about the inner workings of the bike industry? Bicycle Retailer and Industry News publishes two weekly newsletters, one on the industry in general and one devoted to e-bike news. You can subscribe free at https://www.bicycleretailer.com/newsletter
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has upheld the registration of the Ranger Trek trademark, which Trek Bicycle had opposed.
Christina Isaacs, a Washington state woman, had first applied to register Ranger Trek in 2016, for use on products that would primarily be sold in National Park stores. Trek Bicycle said consumers could confuse Ranger Trek with its trademarks, pointing out that Trek has marketed backpacks and other bags, and even lunchboxes, in the past. It argued that its bicycles are closely associated with parks.
![photo]()
(Read more.)
Fox Factory announced Wednesday morning that it had completed its acquisition of Marucci Sports, a baseball/softwall equipment brand that also owns the Lizard Skins and Oury grip and handlebar tape brands.
Fox bought Marucci from Compass Diversified (which previously owned Fox) for $572 million. The acquisition diversifies Fox outside its shock and suspension business. It also adds products that are sold to consumers, rather than to original equipment manufacturers as with most of Fox's suspension products for powered vehicles and bicycles.
![photo]()
(Read more.)
The co-founders of Propel Bikes and Vela Bikes announced Monday the creation of Bloom, a vertical integration partner for light electric vehicles, with its first manufacturing location in the Motor City.
Leading Bloom will be Propel's Chris Nolte and Vela's Justin Kosmides, who will collaborate with micromobility strategic partners to provide domestic contract manufacturing, assembly, delivery and servicing. Propel operates three e-bike retail stores, in New York, Delaware and California. Vela is an e-bike brand that began in Brazil and relocated to Brooklyn, New York, and now manufactures in Detroit.
![photo]()
(Read more.)
Make no mistake: when it comes to bikes, we are still very much a dealer-driven industry. Absent pure D2C labels like Canyon, the enormous majority of both brand prestige and sales dollars for most bike companies comes down to the strength of their dealer networks.
Of course some dealers are more desirable than others. But overall, you need a critical mass of retailers to cover all the major and minor markets in this country or you miss out. Overall brand success does not come from advertising. Not from race teams. Not from a website. Not even, solely, from how competitive your products are. At the end of the day, it's retailers that make the difference between a top-selling brand and an also-ran. Of course those other items I've listed also impact your appeal to dealers. But the bottom line is clear: Gain more dealers over time, your brand strengthens. Lose them, and you weaken. All of which makes the size of a brand's dealer network one good indicator of its overall health.
Christopher Georger's company, Georger Data Services, keeps track of those indicators. For more than a decade, GDS has harvested bike brands' dealer lists to see who's selling what. And periodically, he shares some of that information with BRAIN.
![photo]()
(Read more.)
Pashley Cycles will invest in the sustainable transportation market by starting a crowdfunding campaign to help support product development in e-cargo delivery bikes, electric assist leisure bikes, and bike-share products.
Manufacturing bikes since 1926, Pashley has an e-cargo bike in production, the ALECS, that is in advanced trials with delivery fleets, according to the company. It already is the manufacturer behind Britain's bike-rental systems in London and the West Midlands and is planning to launch a classic consumer e-bike in next year.
![photo]()
(Read more.)
Continental Tire has named Quality Bicycle Products its "Preferred Distributor in the US and Canada," and the German tire company said QBP, which has been selling Continental products for more than a decade, will begin carrying a wider selection this fall. Continental also announced it is enacting a Minimum Advertised Pricing program this year.
![photo]()
(Read more.)
Selle Royal Group is now the sole owner of distributor Highway 2; the Italy-based group previously owned 50% of Highway 2 in partnership with Continental Tire.
![photo]()
(Read more.)
A new federal study of micromobility injuries and deaths found that injuries associated with all micromobility devices increased nearly 21% in 2022 from 2021.
Speaking at this week's PeopleForBikes' SHIFT'23 conference here, CPSC Commissioner Mary T. Boyle said, "For e-bikes, there is some really concerning data here." She added that the CPSC coding system doesn't have a separate e-bike code. "So my guess is that's likely an undercount."
The report estimated a total of 53,200 emergency room visits from 2017 through 2022 associated with e-bike incidents — about 15% of the overall micromobility injury estimate in the same timeframe. Since the study is based directly on emergency health records, there is no way of seeing if the injuries and deaths are proportionate to usage changes for the various micromobility devices, which include e-scooters, hoverboards and e-bikes.
(Read more.)
Vista Outdoor, which is planning on spinning off its outdoor sports business unit into a separate company this year, will sell off its shooting sports businesses first in a $1.91 billion deal with Czechoslovak Group a.s. ("CSG"). CSG is acquiring four factories and the consumer brands CCI, Federal, HEVI-Shot, Remington and Speer.
![Vista Outdoor]()
(Read more.)
Kent Outdoors, which acquired Kona Bicycles almost a year ago, is moving its corporate headquarters to Park City, Utah. Seawall Capital, the private equity owner of Kent Outdoors, announced the relocation.
![photo]()
(Read more.)
Curious about the inner workings of the bike industry? Bicycle Retailer and Industry News publishes two weekly newsletters, one on the industry in general and one devoted to e-bike news. You can subscribe free at https://www.bicycleretailer.com/newsletter
Appeals court upholds Ranger Trek trademark over Trek Bicycle's opposition
By: Steve Frothingham // Bicycle Retailer and Industry NewsThe U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has upheld the registration of the Ranger Trek trademark, which Trek Bicycle had opposed.
Christina Isaacs, a Washington state woman, had first applied to register Ranger Trek in 2016, for use on products that would primarily be sold in National Park stores. Trek Bicycle said consumers could confuse Ranger Trek with its trademarks, pointing out that Trek has marketed backpacks and other bags, and even lunchboxes, in the past. It argued that its bicycles are closely associated with parks.
Trek first appealed to the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, which upheld the Ranger Trek registration. Trek asked the board to reconsider, which the TTAB declined to do. So in February 2022 Trek appealed to the Federal Circuit. Trek disputed Isaacs' registration of the mark for use on backpacks, hiking bags, sports bags, travel bags, hats, jackets, and shirts. It did not appeal its use on other products including expedition journals.
(Read more.)
Fox Factory completes purchase of Marucci Sports
By: Bicycle Retailer and Industry NewsFox Factory announced Wednesday morning that it had completed its acquisition of Marucci Sports, a baseball/softwall equipment brand that also owns the Lizard Skins and Oury grip and handlebar tape brands.
Fox bought Marucci from Compass Diversified (which previously owned Fox) for $572 million. The acquisition diversifies Fox outside its shock and suspension business. It also adds products that are sold to consumers, rather than to original equipment manufacturers as with most of Fox's suspension products for powered vehicles and bicycles.
"The acquisition advances Fox's position as a diversified provider of market-leading branded products with a proven ability to win over both professional athletes and passionate consumer bases, while positioning the combined company for future profitable growth," the company said. Marucci will be part of Fox's Specialty Sports Group, which includes its bike brands, Fox, Marzocchi, Easton and RaceFace.
(Read more.)
New partnership aims to encourage US e-bike manufacturing
By: Dean Yobbi // Bicycle Retailer and Industry NewsThe co-founders of Propel Bikes and Vela Bikes announced Monday the creation of Bloom, a vertical integration partner for light electric vehicles, with its first manufacturing location in the Motor City.
Leading Bloom will be Propel's Chris Nolte and Vela's Justin Kosmides, who will collaborate with micromobility strategic partners to provide domestic contract manufacturing, assembly, delivery and servicing. Propel operates three e-bike retail stores, in New York, Delaware and California. Vela is an e-bike brand that began in Brazil and relocated to Brooklyn, New York, and now manufactures in Detroit.
According to Bloom, the company will offer partner brands improved control over supply chain and shorter production windows. Bloom's partnership with Newlab in Detroit's Michigan Central innovation district will offer "flexible, specialized manufacturing capabilities and world-class prototyping equipment."
Bloom will announce additional physical expansions next year.
Bloom will announce additional physical expansions next year.
(Read more.)
Vosper: Top-ten bike brands have shifted significantly since 2010
By: Rick Vosper // Bicycle Retailer and Industry NewsMake no mistake: when it comes to bikes, we are still very much a dealer-driven industry. Absent pure D2C labels like Canyon, the enormous majority of both brand prestige and sales dollars for most bike companies comes down to the strength of their dealer networks.
Of course some dealers are more desirable than others. But overall, you need a critical mass of retailers to cover all the major and minor markets in this country or you miss out. Overall brand success does not come from advertising. Not from race teams. Not from a website. Not even, solely, from how competitive your products are. At the end of the day, it's retailers that make the difference between a top-selling brand and an also-ran. Of course those other items I've listed also impact your appeal to dealers. But the bottom line is clear: Gain more dealers over time, your brand strengthens. Lose them, and you weaken. All of which makes the size of a brand's dealer network one good indicator of its overall health.
Christopher Georger's company, Georger Data Services, keeps track of those indicators. For more than a decade, GDS has harvested bike brands' dealer lists to see who's selling what. And periodically, he shares some of that information with BRAIN.
(Read more.)
Britain's Pashley Cycles investing in e-transportation market, to start crowdfunding campaign
By: Bicycle Retailer and Industry NewsPashley Cycles will invest in the sustainable transportation market by starting a crowdfunding campaign to help support product development in e-cargo delivery bikes, electric assist leisure bikes, and bike-share products.
Manufacturing bikes since 1926, Pashley has an e-cargo bike in production, the ALECS, that is in advanced trials with delivery fleets, according to the company. It already is the manufacturer behind Britain's bike-rental systems in London and the West Midlands and is planning to launch a classic consumer e-bike in next year.
Launching in November through Seedrs, the campaign will help support Pashley's overall growth strategy.
"We're a business with our eyes very much on the future as we approach our centenary," said Adrian Williams, Pashley's chairman. "In an industry where 98% of cycles sold in Britain are shipped in from overseas, Pashley is very proud to do things differently. We build every cycle by hand at our factory in the Midlands, just as we have since the 1920s. At the very heart of our business remains excellence in British design, innovation, and quality UK manufacturing."
"We're a business with our eyes very much on the future as we approach our centenary," said Adrian Williams, Pashley's chairman. "In an industry where 98% of cycles sold in Britain are shipped in from overseas, Pashley is very proud to do things differently. We build every cycle by hand at our factory in the Midlands, just as we have since the 1920s. At the very heart of our business remains excellence in British design, innovation, and quality UK manufacturing."
(Read more.)
Continental names QBP its 'Preferred North American' distributor
By: Bicycle Retailer and Industry NewsContinental Tire has named Quality Bicycle Products its "Preferred Distributor in the US and Canada," and the German tire company said QBP, which has been selling Continental products for more than a decade, will begin carrying a wider selection this fall. Continental also announced it is enacting a Minimum Advertised Pricing program this year.
Last week, California distributor Highway 2 announced that Selle Royal Group had become its sole owner; Continental had been a 50% partner in H2 before the announcement. H2 is no longer distributing Continental tires.
(Read more.)
Selle Royal Group becomes sole owner of Highway 2
By: Bicycle Retailer and Industry NewsSelle Royal Group is now the sole owner of distributor Highway 2; the Italy-based group previously owned 50% of Highway 2 in partnership with Continental Tire.
Following the acquisition, Highway 2 will continue to distribute SRG-owned brands Fizik, Crankbrothers, Brooks England and Selle Royal. It also will distribute Knog, and offer 100% and ABUS. It will no longer distribute Continental tires.
(Read more.)
CPSC Commissioner: New e-bike injury data 'really concerning'
By: Bicycle Retailer and Industry NewsA new federal study of micromobility injuries and deaths found that injuries associated with all micromobility devices increased nearly 21% in 2022 from 2021.
Speaking at this week's PeopleForBikes' SHIFT'23 conference here, CPSC Commissioner Mary T. Boyle said, "For e-bikes, there is some really concerning data here." She added that the CPSC coding system doesn't have a separate e-bike code. "So my guess is that's likely an undercount."
The report estimated a total of 53,200 emergency room visits from 2017 through 2022 associated with e-bike incidents — about 15% of the overall micromobility injury estimate in the same timeframe. Since the study is based directly on emergency health records, there is no way of seeing if the injuries and deaths are proportionate to usage changes for the various micromobility devices, which include e-scooters, hoverboards and e-bikes.
(Read more.)
Vista Outdoor sells ammunition business in $1.91 billion deal
By: Bicycle Retailer and Industry NewsVista Outdoor, which is planning on spinning off its outdoor sports business unit into a separate company this year, will sell off its shooting sports businesses first in a $1.91 billion deal with Czechoslovak Group a.s. ("CSG"). CSG is acquiring four factories and the consumer brands CCI, Federal, HEVI-Shot, Remington and Speer.
CSG is described as "a leading industrial technology holding company, operating within five strategic business segments, including defense, aerospace, ammunition, mobility and business." It is 100% owned by Czech billionaire Michal Strnad.
(Read more.)
Kona Bicycles to stay in Bellingham as parent Kent Outdoors moves HQ to Utah
By: Bicycle Retailer and Industry NewsKent Outdoors, which acquired Kona Bicycles almost a year ago, is moving its corporate headquarters to Park City, Utah. Seawall Capital, the private equity owner of Kent Outdoors, announced the relocation.
Kent has agreed with the state of Utah to add 84 new jobs there in the next five years. Under Utah's business incentives program, Kent is eligible for up to a 30% state revenue tax credit. New jobs must pay at least 100% of the county average to qualify for the incentive.
Kona Bicycles will have employees at the Utah offices, but the company's product design team will remain in Bellingham, Washington.
Kona Bicycles will have employees at the Utah offices, but the company's product design team will remain in Bellingham, Washington.
(Read more.)
Author Info:
Must Read This Week
They'll be looking for a remedy
Kona: "Is weed legal there yet?"
[insert LMAO emoji] that's so inappropriate. Yeah, but I can't down vote myself.
But hey, I grew up there...
Yes, yes, micromobility is dangerous, see those roller blade wheels on a plank with a mast to hold on, going 60 km/h.
But the vast majority of micromobility incidents, e-bikes and bikes included, are fueled by the massive adoption of these ways of transportation, as well as freaking 2 ton couches with cages on fire "teaching lessons" to the peasants.
Saying that it had 21% increase in accident is bad, but if the base usere grew from 100 to 9 milion, the rate actualy got lower.
Broken elbow and surgery immediately ensued.
A regular cyclist has gradually improved his/her skills, is very aware of the speed he/she travels with (as they are self propelling) and knows from experience how that speed influences corner grip, reaction time, braking distance, maneuverability etc.
People who are new to cycling not only lack all that, but to make things worse are immediately put on a device that makes it very easy to go fast, without being very aware of that speed because that doesn't correspond with the effort they have to put in. Only the slightest need to correct their direction or speed will lead to danger.
And I don't think Bay Area is the worst place in the country for cyclists.
I do shifts as a bike messenger, and to be honest, I would often like it if people didn't see mee and just minded their own business, so I can just swirl around them in a flowing manner. Now people see me, miscalculate my speed, make an abrupt, unnecessary move that I have to adapt to.
But of course I get your point, we have it good here when it comes to general, everyday cycling.
Normally I'm not in favor of more regulations but in the case of these things, something needs to be done.
Ebikes in the hands of non-cyclists or your average joe: Dear God, I'm going to get run over.
@JustinVP: Absolutely. When I was at a shop selling eBikes it would always amaze me when the average dude on the street would want to come and buy the fastest eBike they could. I'd normally try to filter a bit by asking them what their bicycle experience is at 28mph or faster. Zero handling skills + powerful and speedy eBikes is a recipe for wrecks.
true story: a friend of my took a minor spill on his trek rail. the fork spun around and the knock block failed, and it essentially gouged the carbon fiber frame on the down tube. trek refused to warranty the frame. kinda an open and shut case for me. i will never buy trek simply for this and this little frivolous lawsuit they have with a company that has nothing to do with what they do kinda guarantees i'll never buy a single thing from trek ever.
i'll also never forgive trek for buying out a company that made beautiful steel frames, and now that company's name is relegated to trek's in-house component brand. i'm sure keith probably made a pretty penny with that sale but i wonder how he feels about his name being used in that way.
But yeah employees definitely going to have to live in SLC. I think something like 60% of housing in PC is second/third homes making renting/owning nearly impossible for the average (or even above average) person. Maybe they'll offer some sort of employee housing option?
PC workers live in outer reaches of Summit County, or in SLC.
Hotels in Moab have to outsource front desk people to remotely operated Kiosks because you can't afford to live in town.
St George is 90% timeshare or retirement community.
People in Provo live in a bubble and never actually leave, but that's a separate issue.
Industry digest: no innovation (not what capitalism is about anyway) just some ol' rich boys scrambling around for money.
I ain't no business expert but jeez, how many times have we seen these "diversification" moves fail over the last 40 years.
rangertrek.us
Maybe if there was a bike in any of their product's images? Maybe if it just said "Trek"? Maybe if Trek started making bubbly eyed kids bikes?
1. You've hit your head way too many times when you were a kid. That explains your school grades
2. You've never had an eye visit, maybe this is the time
3. You ride an e-mtb
4. You are a bot and your image recognition sucks
www.cyclingnews.com/news/pound-past-uci-leaders-only-wanted-to-shoot-the-messenger