Earlier this morning, I reported that Nike (whose world headquarters are just a few miles from Portland) had “dropped” their entire line of cycling gear and clothing.
I just got an update on that story from Bob Applegate, Nike’s Communications Director for Oregon.
He clarified the situation and said,
“As of December 31, 2007 we have decided to not renew our relationship with Trek. The decision was mutual and we are looking at other options.”
When I asked Applegate if the end of the Trek relationship meant the end of consumer offerings, he said that fact was “still not certain” and that the future of Nike’s consumer cycling line was “under review.”
He added that Nike will continue to be involved in developing and producing gear for elite-level, Nike-sponsored cyclists (and therefore not all of their cycling-related employees would be let go, as I reported earlier).
Applegate said Nike Cycling product will be available through 2008.
In the end, it sounds to me like the Nike Cycling brand (as far as regular consumers are concerned) is over for now, and/or on hiatus until they find a new partner or decide to re-start the line themselves.
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UPDATE: (4/4/07) The Oregonian has the story on the front page of their Business Section today. Helen Jung writes,
“The pullback, first reported on local blog bikeportland.org, reflects the difficulty Nike has had making a name for itself among established cycling brands such as Sidi, Shimano and Castelli.”