Reynolds Launches Aggressive New Product Line and Brand Image

Premier Maker of Carbon Composite Wheels, Forks and Components Banks on Performance

Reynolds has unveiled a 2007 product line that includes a 300-gram full carbon fork, stronger and lighter carbon rims and smoother hubs. The company also aims to make an impact on the crowded performance wheel market with an aggressively priced carbon wheel set that will compete with high-end alloy wheels.

Historically known as a Birmingham, England-based manufacturer of steel bicycle tubing, and for victories in virtually every major international bicycle race, including the Tour de France, World Championships and Paris-Roubaix, an American affiliate, known as Reynolds Composites, was set up in 1997 to engineer a new generation of products based on emerging technologies and materials – primarily carbon fiber. Reynolds Composites was largely responsible for ushering in a new era of performance fork design with its landmark Ouzo model, still one of the industry’s most respected carbon forks.

Building on that technology, Reynolds set out to create a line of performance wheel sets targeting professional and elite level cyclists. The objective was to push design and manufacturing processes to the next level, creating not only ultralight carbon and alloy wheel sets, but wheels that offered comfort, strength and reliability. Those efforts yielded the first generation of Reynolds wheels, held in high regard by professionals and enthusiasts alike.

The company has been successfully designing and manufacturing innovative wheels, forks, stems, handlebars and frame stays for the past several years, but in recent months management concluded that in order to fully assert its rightful place in the world of cycling and do justice to its prestigious heritage, Reynolds would need to focus on more than the continued evolution of its products.

“We realized that even though our racers and customers loved our components, we had to expand our marketing and sales efforts,” notes Mike Lopez, a twenty-year veteran of the company and its chief product development engineer. “Our products were validated at every level and in every condition, and their performance second to none, but we had to get the word out more effectively.”

That’s when the company decided to take a significant step: drastically increase brand awareness, expand the product line, and better serve customers and sales channels. It even decided to refine its name, now Reynolds Cycling. “We strengthened our staff, hired a new marketing agency, and have increased our global distribution network,” explains Jonathan Geran, Director of Sales and Marketing. “Anyone familiar with Reynolds will immediately notice the recent changes to our logo and graphics – and our website – to better reflect the evolution of our technology. 2007 will be a benchmark year for us, as our product line has upped the ante on several fronts.”

Geran is referring to improvements in almost every one of the company’s product categories, as well as the addition of new products like the Attack 100% carbon clincher, offering consumers a competitively priced, carbon fiber alternative to expensive alloy wheel sets in both the aftermarket and original equipment segments. The Ouzo Pro, having set a pioneering standard in carbon fork design, now makes room for top model UL, which utilizes fiber lay-up technology to provide the same high performance, while weighing in at only 300 grams. In addition, Reynolds 26-inch, disk brake compatible carbon fiber mountain bike wheel sets will be available to the general public in 2007 in both clincher and tubular models.

About Reynolds Cycling
Reynolds Cycling is a division of MacLean Quality Composites, internationally renowned manufacturer of carbon composite and alloy bicycle tubing and components. The two companies have successfully defied industry preconceptions about how materials can be implemented in high performance cycling applications. By leveraging the ingenuity and know-how of these combined engineering resources, Reynolds Cycling is able to design and manufacture carbon fiber and alloy components that transform the cycling experience at all levels. This unique capacity to shape materials technology is the essential ingredient in some of the most sought-after frames, forks, wheel sets, and components in the industry, including Trek, Specialized, Serotta, Seven Cycles, Independent Fabrication and, of course, Reynolds’ own brand of performance equipment. Reynolds is a proud official sponsor of The Health Net Pro Cycling Team, the most successful squad on the US national circuit, shooting for its third consecutive National Racing Calendar title. For more information, please visit www.reynoldscycling.com .

Reynolds, the Reynolds logo, Reynolds Cycling, MacLean Quality Composites, Ouzo, DV, MV, Attack, Topo, KOM, and Solitude are trademarks or registered trademarks of MacLean Quality Composites or its subsidiaries in the United States and/or other countries. All other company or product names are trademarks of their respective owners and, in some cases, are used by Reynolds under license. Specifications, pricing and delivery schedules are subject to change without notice.

Source:
Jonathan Geran
Email: jong@reynoldscycling.com
www.reynoldscycling.com