The latest from Norther, Western Bikeworks, and Breadwinner.
(Photos by Anthony Bareno (left), Western Bikeworks (middle), Breadwinner Cycles (right).

Portland’s local bike industry is always in flux: coming, going, making it, and breaking it. Because business is a key part of our local scene, we try to keep an eye on it all. Here are three bits of news from local makers and sellers that you should know about.
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New fork made in north Portland.
(Photos courtesy Echos Communications)

Portland-based builder Chris Igleheart has teamed up with another bike industry legend on an old fork design made new again. The Yo Eddy! Road Fork is based on the 1995 version first released by Chris Chance of Fat Chance. Now the two bike-making veterans have updated its design to modern standards.

Igleheart works out of his shop on Page Street in North Portland where he specializes in frames and forks. Check out the official release below:
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Made in Portland.
(Photos: Renovo Hardwood Bicycles)

Renovo Hardwood Bicycles has come a very long way since we first profiled them nine years ago. The company has added staff, inked major partnerships, and significantly expanded their offerings.
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Nutcase’s offerings keep growing.
(Photo: Nutcase)

Portland’s bike culture goes way beyond bike lane activism and group rides. Our city is also a magnet for bike-related industry — from manufacturing to design and everything in between.

Here’s an update on the people, products, and places that make up Portland’s ever-changing bike industry landscape…

Ruckus moves into larger space

Ruckus’ new digs.
(Photo: Ruckus Composites)

Continuing the growth we reported on last fall, Ruckus Composites has just completed a move into a new space. Here’s more from a company statement:

“The new building that houses their carbon fiber repair shop is at 3380 SE 20th Ave “The new building provides space for increased department separation and growth opportunity, further optimizing its repair workflow. An improved structural repair area allows the company to begin to fully utilize their investment in NDT (non-destructive testing) technology using ultrasound, infrared and fluorescing penetrant dye to fully form a holistic image about how and why carbon fiber frames are damaged. Two immediate improvements include an independent, paint facility and a carbon fiber lay-up clean room, further bolstering the company’s “better service through science” model.”

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The Chrome retail store at 420 SW 10th Ave in downtown Portland.
(Photos: J. Maus/BikePortland)

We just gained another iconic cycling brand: Chrome Industries announced this morning that they plan to relocate to Portland in early April.

Chrome is well-known in the bike world for its messenger bags, shoes and apparel. Closely tied to the messenger scene since its start in Denver, Colorado in 1995. Chrome had been based in San Francisco since 2002 and the company opened a retail store in downtown Portland in 2012. The company makes custom bags in its retail stores and they make about 60 percent of all their products in the USA (bags are made in Chico and apparel is cut and sewn in San Francisco). A rep for the company said there are no immediate plans to bring production jobs to Portland.

In a press release, Chrome explained why they decided to move their head office here:[Read more…]

A storied name in the cycling world now has a local home. Portland-based bicycle parts and accessory distributor Cyclone Bicycle Supply announced today that they’re the exclusive distributor of Cinelli USA.

For more, check out the press release below:

Cyclone Bicycle Partners with Cinelli US to Become Exclusive Distributor

PORTLAND, OR.—August 15, 2016 — Cyclone Bicycle has partnered with Cinelli to manage the exclusive distribution for Cinelli USA.

As one of the first Italian brands with a US presence, Cinelli has enjoyed a strong presence in the US market with handlebars, tapes, and the iconic Laser and Supercorsa bike models. “The recent growth of the urban market and Cinelli’s position in the fixed gear scene has grown significantly, thanks to our collaboration with BTI,” said Fabrizio Aghito, Vice President of Cinelli’s parent company, Gruppo SRL.
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Six weeks after closing its doors for good, Portland’s only triathlon shop has found new life in an unexpected place: Another bike shop.

Early Saturday morning Western Bikeworks announced an agreement with Athletes Lounge. Western Bikeworks has locations in northwest Portland and Tigard and is one of the city’s largest bike shops. In addition to their two retail locations Western Bikeworks does a robust online business as one of four e-commerce bike brands owned by Portland-based Velotech Inc (they also run Cyclocross.com, UrbanCyclist.com and BikeTiresDirect.com).

According to a statement, Athletes Lounge owner Gary Wallesen and an undisclosed number of his former staff will now be employed by Western Bikeworks in order to, “expand the areas of expertise” into trisports. Wallesen has also been hired to spearhead a new e-commerce site at AthletesLounge.com in the coming months.
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Two of the three models in the new Cloudcover line.
(Photos: Showers Pass)

First it was rain jackets, then a hydration system, then came gloves, device covers, baselayers, and an apparel line.

Now southeast Portland-based Showers Pass is rolling into the bag market with the release of the Cloudcover line.

The line includes three models: the Utility Backpack ($214), Transit Backpack ($264) and Refuge Duffel ($189). As you’d expect the bags keep water out thanks to a special fabric coating, fully welded seams and waterproof zippers. Another cool feature are the integrated and removable LED lights that slip into the sides and back of the bags to help you be seen by other road users.

Here are a few more images of the bags followed by the company’s press release:[Read more…]

Uma Kleppinger.
(Photo: Cyclone Bicycle)

One hire and one big change at the top are the latest stories from our local bike industry.

Cyclone Bicycle, a Portland based bike parts and accessory distributor, has hired Üma Kleppinger as its marketing content manager. And Dan Powell, co-founder of Portland Design Works is leaving the company.

Check out the press release below for more details on the Cyclone Bicycle news:

Kleppinger comes to Cyclone with 15 years of content creation and creative services experience, working in numerous markets. She has 6 years of experience in the cycling industry working as a copywriter, branding specialist and marketing consultant. She is a freelance editorial writer for national cycling publications, and has served as Editor-in-Chief on Specialized’s digital magazine, Your Ride, Your Rules.

“I’ve been looking for an opportunity to get on board with a growing bike brand where the diversity of my branding and content experience will directly contribute to that growth,“ said Kleppinger. “Working with big brands is exciting, but I especially enjoy helping to elevate emerging brands.”

Cyclone has enjoyed a growth spurt lately, with the recent acquisition of Action Bicycle USA and signing several new brands.The company has also restructured and expanded its Portland headquarters, underscoring the need to expand the marketing department.
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