. . . because, that’s what they do. By looking for a market that someone else has created and then diving in, Specialized saves all the money that is often wasted on product innovation. They even borrowed their name from a long standing Australia-based action sports brand. They really are quite ruthless, aren’t they? Anything to win.
[Link: Globe]
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We’re not dog people, however, world renowned, dog-loving instagrammer Phil Gaimon tells us we should “consider broadening our horizons.” And what better way to do that than with the new Skratch Support Labradors.
Whether you can’t bag that PR, or are just trying to make it to the finish, our team of friendly labradors is here to support you no matter what.
Let Skratch take the “owning a dog problems” out of having a support dog. Sounds great to us.
[Link: Skratch Labs]
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Velocio is not a company we’ve followed closely over the years, other than to say they make our favorite riding vest: one that fits well, packs up small, and has perfectly sized pockets. They also make cool women’s bibs. If you’re unaware, check them out. But today (March 9, 2022) the company announced that they have sold their business to the Chicago-based cycling giant SRAM.
Here’s Velocio’s explanation:
What’s exciting is that we’ll now have SRAM’s backing for more independent product design and development, including a still bigger push towards sustainability in our product offerings and how we deliver them. We’ll also have SRAM’s reach into racing and teams as well as their insights into global distribution and retail support. If the burden of a growing business is to grow ever further, there are few partners more suited for that future in the cycling industry than SRAM.
And they’re right, but for us buyouts are always a big bowl of sweet and sour soup. We’re happy for the founders on a great exit, yet saddened by more consolidation in the cycling business. Founders are always optimistic about their new opportunities under a bigger umbrella, but rarely do they end up with much more than the same corporate decision tree that forces “efficiencies” and increased margins, and reduced costs. And that’s never good for product.
For the rest of the Velocio sale statement, please click the link.
[Link: Velocio]
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The producers of the Belgian Waffle Ride series of gravel racing events announced today that they have signed on Specialized as their official bicycle and bicycle fitting technology partner for the Belgian Waffle Ride in Lawrence, Kansas October 29-31, 2021.
For the first time, Monuments of Cycling is bringing its iconic form of racing to Kansas, where a vibrant cycling culture anxiously awaits this new spectacle to be known as The Hell of the Mid-West. Now with Specialized onboard, the BWR KS promises a deep field and exciting support from the leading bicycle brand. The BWR, which is celebrating 10 years in 2021, will provide professional and amateur cyclists alike the opportunity to ride the most coveted roads, punctuated by dozens of off-road sectors over a 111-mile route throughout the northeast region of Kansas, giving the event its unique complexion.
For the official word from Monuents of Cycling, please follow the jump.
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When Mike’s Bikes the “small chain” of 12 bicycling stores in Northern California was sold to the Pon Group in August many wondered what would happen to their deal with Specialized, seeing as the Pon Group is the parent company of Santa Cruz, Cervelo, Gazelle, and Focus, among others. Well, wonder no more. In an letter to Northern California cyclists, Specialized announced today (September 7, 2021) that their product will no longer be sold at Mike’s Bikes, saying:
. . . Mike’s Bikes has provided first-rate service to Specialized riders for the past 23 years. They’ve been a great partner, but our relationship with them has ended as they undergo new ownership by a European Cycling company. . . We’re working quickly to ensure that Specialized riders in Northern California not only remain supported but that their experience is better than it’s ever been before. We’re continuing to improve on online experience so you can shop with us how you’d like.
It couldn’t have happened to a nicer brand. Kind of fun to see Specialized getting the sharp end of the business stick every once in a while. But hey, now that Specialized has done everything they can to squeeze small bike retailers out of business, they’re kinda left with selling direct online. All we can say is, welcome to Canyon country, Specialized! Hope it all goes well for you, because, like most, we absolutely love your shoes!
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Looks like Peto Sagan is on his way to other (not sure if they’re greener) pastures as he will be leaving the Bora-hansgrohe team at the end of this season. His quote makes him sound not all that stoked: “I’m sure BORA – hansgrohe will continue to be successful and I wish them all the best in the coming seasons,” Sagan says. Hmm, we know Quickstep didn’t want his entourage. So where will he go? Who knows.
For all the details from Bora-hansgrohe, please follow the jump.
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It seems the BLOAT just can’t keep his hands off more cycling media brands as Outside buys mountain bike community Pinkbike (along with Cyclingtips and Trailforks). In a letter from the editor on July 16, 2021, Pinkbike’s “head of editorial” Brian Park explained exactly why selling out to Outside (formerly known as Pocket Outdoor Media) was such a great thing.
Pinkbike’s mission to be the pulse of mountain biking and to share the ride with the global mountain bike community doesn’t change, only now we have more resources and capabilities to take on even bigger and better projects. . . Our head office remains in Squamish, BC, and we’re about to move into a brand new office space with way more room to grow. We’ll also have access to new equipment and improved test facilities for more scientific, objective product evaluations.
Newly acquired media properties always seem optimistic about how “everything will stay the same, but we’ll have more opportunities to do all kinds of cool stuff” and rarely is this the case in reality. Big brands buy small brands so they can kill off competition and streamline efficiencies. But hey, let’s hope it goes well for Pinkbike et. al. Maybe the new Outside is better than all the media conglomerates that have come before. It could happen.
[Link: Pinkbike]
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Since starting JoJé Bar in 2016, Founder and CEO Jess Cerra’s mission has been to create a line of energy bars baked with real-food ingredients that strikes the perfect balance of taste and nutrition.
While the bars fulfilled this quest – delivering some of the best-tasting bars on the market by being baked like a home-cooked style soft cookie, while providing easy-to-digest nutrients and sustained energy for athletes and active people – Cerra was also trying to find a way to balance all of her life’s goals and ambitions, from being a founder and CEO, to a professional chef and instructor, a professional gravel cyclist and event organizer, as well as a journalist and TV correspondent.
Today Cerra was able to take a step toward finding that balance as RoadRunner Holdings LLC announced the addition of JoJé Bar to its portfolio of athlete-focused active nutrition brands. Cerra will become the Vice President of Product and Community Development for RoadRunner, working alongside RoadRunner Holdings CEO Mac Tillman.
For all the official details, please follow the jump.
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Pocket Outdoor Media, the umbrella company that owns VeloNews, Backpacker, SKI, Climbing, and many other media properties, (we wrote all about them here) announced today (February 22, 20121) the purchase of Outside, parent company of Outside Magazine, Outside TV, Peloton Magazine and the rest from owner Larry Burke for an undisclosed sum, according to a story on Pocket Media’s SNews.com.
“Adding these businesses to our portfolio and rebranding Pocket is a transformative moment for us,” says Robin Thurston, CEO of the all-new Outside. “Together with our other category-leading properties—SKI, Yoga Journal, Backpacker, Trail Runner, VeloNews, Climbing, Warren Miller Entertainment, Roll Massif, FinisherPix, SNEWS, and more—these brands make our new company the world’s leading creator of active living content, experiences, travel, and services. We now deliver content to almost every home in America across every platform, screen, and device.”
Is consolidation good? When it keeps your favorite brand alive it may be. And with this purchase, the newly renamed Outside seems to have saved a bundle of brands from certain death. So, yay, Outside!
[Link: SNews.com]
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While doing a little web cruising this morning, wondering whatever happened to some old media friends, we stumbled onto a press release from June 30, 2020 suggesting that Specialized and The Biggest Liar of All Time (aka BLOAT aka Lance Armstrong) have joined forces to possibly control the cycling narrative through media ownership.
Here’s how it goes: VeloNews (and Bicycle Retailer) owner Pocket Outdoor Media just purchased a boat load of “media” titles from another media/events company called Active Interest Media. Not that cyclists should care, but the titles Pocket purchased include: Warren Miller Entertainment, Ski Magazine, Backpacker, Climbing, Yoga Journal, Vegetarian Times, and more.
This got more interesting when Pocket Outdoor Media listed where they got the money to grab the titles. It came from a “Series A” round of funding from three different venture capital groups, namely JAZZ Venture Partners, NEXT VENTŪRES, and Zone 5 Ventures.
Who are these venture firms? Well, JAZZ is a bunch of neuroscience medical start-up brainiacs based in San Francisco, Next Ventures is the BLOAT and friends (yes, he still has some), and Zone 5 Ventures is Specialized’s early-stage investment arm which is run by former and current employees at Specialized.
We haven’t had reason to follow anyone from JAZZ, but before starting Next with the BLOAT managing partner Lionel Conacher was a senior advisor and operating partner at Altamont Capital Partners, LLC which has large stakes in the Billabong, Brixton, Fox (head), HUF, and Dakine brands. Lance’s other partner at Next is Melanie Strong, the former Nike vice president and general manager of Nike Skateboarding.
So why are all these corporate jocks suddenly interested in the action sports media world in general and cycling in particular? Is it because in these COVID times the only thing any of us can do is spend time outside? Is it because distressed action media brands are currently a bargain? Or is it because (as we suspect) The BLOAT and Specialized want to own the cycling narrative from beginning to end?
How do you feel about getting all your cycling news from Specialized and The BLOAT? It doesn’t feel all that good to us. Makes it even more difficult to know what to believe, doesn’t it? For instance, how long will this story on Specialized’s silly trademark lawsuit stay up on the VeloNews website? Click the link to see if it’s still there.
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