Bell Sports Files Suit Against Specialized, Alleging Unlawful Business Practices

Specialized Bicycle Components was recently hit with a lawsuit filed by Bell Sports which claimed that the company engaged in “unfair and unlawful” business practices.

The September 9, 2011 claim alleges that Specialized attempted to force dealers not to sell Giro brand bicycling shoes. Bell Sports claims that Specialized threatened to withhold inventory bicycling shoes, and that some retailers were told that they would not receive their manufacturing rebates or their year-end purchase volume incentives if they sold Giro cycling shoes.

This unlawful restraint has and will, according to the complaint, “substantially prevent Giro cycling shoes from competing with Specialized’s cycling shoes”.

For all of the down and dirty details on this lawsuit click over to BicycleRetailer’s article here.

Spotlight on Anywhere Bicycle Repair

Stuart Clott is the founder of Anywhere Bicycle Repair and has been a San Diego Resident since 2004. He averages about 100 miles per week on his bike, so he’s pretty much covered San Diego on his bike!

Stu has 11 years of bicycle service as a salesman, repairman and manager and has worked at several of San Diego top bike shops since his arrival 2004. He also worked for six years at Havertown, Pennsylvania’s premiere bicycle shop, Human Zoom (formerly Bike Line).

Over the years in communicating with client’s Stu has found that people don’t fix their bikes as much as they ride them. His goal with Anywhere Bicycle Repair is to change the way people think about getting their bicycle repaired. What if people could receive bicycle repair service anywhere they were, on the spot? Anywhere Bicycle Repair is the start of that dream.

Check out their web site and list of services ranging from minor repairs to tune ups to lessons – you name it!

http://anywherebicyclerepair.com/

Science Meets Cycling: How Giro Built Lance Armstrong’s $15,000 Custom Helmet

Lance Armstrong’s 2010 Tour de France is arguably the most important race of his career–and Giro wanted to be a part of it.

They knew their aerodynamic helmet didn’t fit Armstrong well, so decided to custom-build him the perfect helmet for the TDF time-trial instead.

Getting help from an LA special effects team, Giro built a perfect model of Armstrong in his riding position, which allowed them to test the 100+ iterations of the custom helmet without Armstrong being there.  Hopeful their new fit will perform better in a crowd and during the time trial, Giro hopes to see their R&D pay off.

Check out the full article at Wired.com.

Spotlight on Pulse Endurance Sports

Pulse Endurance Sports is a diverse store filling a need in the fast growing South bay region of San Diego County – Chula Vista to be exact. Their mantra is “We know our sports, we live them.”

That’s right, Liam Their and Mike Drury walk the walk. They race. For example, Liam has completed eight Ironman races and Mike – seventeen – going 9:54 in Kona and 9:17 in Florida.

Liam’s raced Europe, including the Norseman Ironman distance race in Norway in 2006; not to mention competing in a 100 mile run.

Both Liam and Mike have a range of degrees in Physics, Computer Science and even a Masters in Sports Administration – on top of on the job experience at other preeminent triathlon stores in San Diego.

Upon entering their store, you noticed it’s stocked full of quality products, presented in appealing displays. You feel like they are invested in their business, despite being a relatively new store.

Here’s their diversified bicycle lineup: Colnago, Pinarello, Orbea, Kuota, Felt, Seven, Specialized and Turner Mt. Bikes. Get this; they even carry Cyclocross and Mt. Bikes to meet the growing popularity in San Diego. This is backed up by a great service department as well.

They place a heavy emphasis on the fact they consider themselves a “Run Specialty Store”, and take pride in fitting you. They carry Asics, Mizuno, Saucony and Brooks, but not Nike.

They are the designated TCSD Ironman coaches, and reach out to the athletes by: monitoring race results, publishing coaching plans, speak before the Tri-club meetings, and are available by e-mail too!

Pulse even has formed a store training group, including a Saturday morning Run/Ride. Check out the schedule online.

They also sponsor local races.

2010 San Diego Custom Bicycle Show

From April 8-11th San Diego will be awash with bicyclists in town for the 2010 San Diego Custom Bicycle show.  Featuring a public exhibition of hand-built bicycles from legendary frame builders, a variety of hands-on professional seminars conducted by industry legends, and merchandise running the gamut from well known masters of craft to small independent builders nationwide, the event promises to be spectacular.

For event details and tickets head on over to www.sandiegocustombicycleshow.com.

Spotlight on Hi-Tech Bikes.com of San Diego

Hank Montrose is the owner of Hi-Tech Bikes.com and his mission statement says it all, “Come into the store as a guest, leave as a friend.” Let’s imagine walking through his 5000 sq. ft. store, chalked full of triathlon, road, and track bicycles, as well as a full line of Hi-Tech parts and accessories. Here we go…..

Once you enter the store, you will receive prompt and experienced service at Hi-Tech Bikes.com. They have a large service bay for repairs, staffed by experienced mechanics; and a custom private fitting room, should you want to build a bicycle to your body and riding style. Hank is qualified to fit bicyclists, as he flew to New York and completed a three day, 10 hour a day Serrotta bicycle fitting class. There he studied bicycle angles, tube size, body mechanics, and human anatomy. He is also FIST certified. Add this to his 15 years in the business and 25 year background as an expert custom jeweler and you can be sure that he has an eye for detail when fitting you to a bicycle. In fact, Hi-Tech Bikes.com was one of only fifteen bicycle stores in America recommended by Triathlon Magazine, due to his high standards.

Besides his road and off road bicycle racing experience, Hank also races triathlons. Reluctantly, he admits to winning his age group at the 2009 Solana Beach Triathlon, although he laughingly says that the top guys weren’t racing that day. (I knew he won fair and square, as we chatted at the waters edge before the start of the race.) Lately he garnered 3rd place in his first ½ Ironman at SOMA. Moreover, he is a dedicated father and husband, who often races with his 16 year old daughter on their tandem bicycle. Most recently, they rode the Solvang Century.

True to his Hi-Tech Bikes.com trade name, Hank researches the products he carries. In other words, he is selective, looking for product safety, verifying manufacturers claims, and he even road tests his product while racing. He modestly boasts of his wholesale line of 1,500 ceramic bearing inventories, which minimizes wheel rolling resistance thereby increasing efficiency and speed. Hank also imports high end German lightweight components like carbon fiber chain rings, and an assortment of seats, aero bars, and race wheels. He even proudly displayed Shimano’s new light weight “electronic shifting” system on a carbon frame at a recent TCSD meeting. He carries an extensive line of bicycles including, Serotta, Colnago, Look, Guru, Orbea, Janis, QR, LiteSpeed, Bianchi, and Kestrel to name a few.

If you want form fitting clothes, shoes and wetsuits, Hi-Tech Bikes.com’s seven employees will take the time to personally custom fit you into a variety of quality product lines like Emillo DeSoto’s Fine Line, 2XU, Orca and Zoot to name a few. When you buy new bicycle shoes, your cleats will be safely adjusted to your pedals. Now that is service!

Speaking of safety, Hank believes in promoting the longevity of Triathlon. He refuses to cut corners when inspecting bicycles before giving them his ‘ok’ seal of safety approval. When a bicycle comes in for repairs, Hank’s staff goes over and beyond. They look for safely adjusted brakes, worn tires, and misaligned gearing. Hank believes a return to a ‘bike check’ sticker system before a race is a good idea, to protect his customers and race directors. He also uses “green” biodegradable part cleaning agents because he cares about the environment.

Hank’s “crew” also generously gives back to the community. They volunteer as shop mechanics at various rides, like the Alpine Challenge, MS Ride Support Stop, Team in Training, and Father Joe’s Village.

Hi-Tech Bikes.com is conveniently located at Clairemont Mesa Blvd. near the 5, the 163, and 15 freeways, which allow San Diego City, inland and commuter customer’s easy access to his store.

Of interest, he does cater to female clients and offers a 10-15% discount to TCSD members. Check them out online at www.hi-techbikes.com or contact Hank directly by email at info@hi-techbikes.com or by phone at (858)715-1517.