The Radavist

After last year’s cycling brand boycott following the Parkland shooting, REI dropped Giro, Bell, and Blackburn from their stores. Following an announcement that VISTA Outdoors has sold their controversial firearm companies, Savage Arms and Stevens firearms, makers of assault-style weapons, REI just announced they will be carrying the cycling brands once again:

“Today, we notified our merchants that we will resume orders with Giro, Bell, CamelBak, Blackburn and Camp Chef on the news that their parent company, Vista Outdoor, has secured a buyer for Savage Arms. REI orders of Vista-owned brands have been on hold since March 2018. At that time, Vista Outdoor chose not to engage in the national conversation about common-sense gun safety solutions that followed the tragic mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.

REI does not sell guns or ammunition, and does not oppose hunting or the Second Amendment, but we believe companies that profit directly from the sale of guns have a civic responsibility to engage in the national discussion about gun safety, as Dick’s Sporting Goods, Walmart and others have done. We understand and respect that our members and employees enjoy life outside in many ways—including hunting.”

I wanted to share this article with you, outlining the financial decision of Vista Outdoors to sell off Giro/Bell/Blackburn, which the company states it had plans of doing so before the outcry a few months back.

“Vista’s firearms and ammunition sales had already been soft for several quarters when the company found itself in the spotlight following the Parkland High School shooting in February. On March 1, REI, MEC and some independent retailers said they would stop ordering Vista products because of Vista’s lack of response following the shooting. Although REI and MEC don’t sell firearms, they sold Bell, Giro, Blackburn and other Vista Outdoor outdoor cooking and water sports brands.

“We have been on this path … way before any of the noise came about eight weeks ago.” — CEO Chris Metz

In an investor conference call Tuesday, Vista Outdoor CEO Chris Metz said the canceled orders had little effect on the company. Answering an investor question, Metz noted that REI represents less than 1 percent of the company’s total sales.”

Continue reading at Bicycle Retailer. Thank you for your patience and understanding in this issue.

It’s tradeshow season and for companies like Bell, it’s one of the most important times of year for new product launches. Helmet design has changed a lot over the years and since the implementation of MIPS, helmets can now shed some layers on the inner lining making them lighter, safer and ultimately, more comfortable. That’s the case with the new Zephyr road helmet. Coming in 2017 and available in seven finishes, including a reflective “ghost” coating. See more details at Bell.

Helmets provide a lot of real estate for technology but with all the action camera mounts, you end up with a lot of “bobble” weight. This week Bell Helmets announced a new 360-degree video integrated “smart” helmet, utilizing 360Fly. This helmet allows a 360º, 4K video capture and with the 360Fly app, you can edit and share before you even leave the trails. All this within Bell’s Super 2R design, which I would argue is one of the best on the market today.

Details at this time are limited and availability is estimated for fall. Pricing has not been set, so stay tuned. My only question: does it or will it come in black?

I’ve really enjoyed this video series from Bell. In this episode, Team LottoNL-Jumbo prepares for the Liège-Bastogne-Liège, aka La Doyenne, or “the oldest.”

We missed out on posting the Amstel Gold video from Bell with all the Sea Otter madness going on last week, so here’s a video in preparation for the forthcoming La Fleche Wallonne on April 22nd.

Paris Roubaix is without a doubt, the epitomical Spring Classics race. Its cobbled course in Northern France is the quintessential battlefield for professional road cycling. Here’s another video from Bell Helmets, describing the masochistic-like addiction the riders of team LottoNL-Jumbo have for the cobbles.

Check out more at Bell Helmets.

Bell Helmets continue their Spring Classics videos with probably one of the most famous: the Tour of Flanders. In this video, team LottoNL-Jumbo shares with us their thoughts on this race, just days before its kick off on April 5th.

Check out a bit more behind this iconic race, at Bell.

Bell continues their coverage of the Spring Classics with E3 Harelbeke, a race often described as a warm up for Flanders. Don’t be mistaken, this is far from a walk in the park. See more information at Bell!

During the rapidly-approaching Spring Classics, Bell Helmets is running a give-away for each of eight races, starting with Milan San Remo and team LottoNL-Jumbo. Head over to Bell to find out how you can enter for the give-away, featuring Bell products and team gear.

During my discussion with Bell at Interbike, I mentioned that the average consumer with any amount of eye for style or design, doesn’t really care about how aero their helmets are. We, if I may be so bold, would rather a helmet look good, keep us cold and protect our lives. Sometimes, however, style and aerodynamics overlap. In my opinion, that’s what the Bell New Star Pro is. An aero helmet with style…

With an innovative, closable “vent” system, these helmets not only offer aerodynamics, but I’d like to think, additional warmth during cold seasons.

Check out full specs below and see more at Bell.

I’ve yet to venture into the world of full-face protection, but the new Bell Super 2R helmet would be the one I’d pick up when the time calls. Why? As illustrated above, this helmet is more versatile than any other helmet, ATMO.

While climbing, you can remove the chinbar with one simple snap. Simply strap it to your pack, then when it’s time to descend, you can put it back on. Or if you’re traveling and will be hitting trails that don’t require as much protection, simply leave the chinbar at home that day.

Personally, I’m most stoked on the “coffee shop lock” possibilities…

Available in MIPS and non-MIPS, as well as a whole spectrum of colors. See more at Bell.