Interbike Vendor Spotlight: Saris
Many know Saris from their wonderful Bones trunk rack. This year, rather than go bigger and pricier, Saris decided to go smaller, while still providing an innovative product that will address the needs of the growing number of people purchasing their first bike.
Saris’ revolutionary Solo™ rack will solve a problem that millions of new bike purchasers face each year — how to get their bike home. First time buyers, single bike purchasers, and low frequency users are looking for a simple, affordable way to transport their bikes. The Solo™ is the solution. This innovative rack designed in Italy and built in Madison, WI carries one bike up to 35 pounds. The uni-body frame fits most vehicles, requires no adjustment, and holds the bike secure by 8 contact points. The Solo will retail for $50 and be available at independent bicycle dealers by early 2010.
“The Solo™ came up in my mind after some time spent around bike shops,” Product Designer Fabio Pedrini recalls. “I observed so many consumers going back and forth to the shop area with their bikes inside the car! I wondered why so many chose to damage the inside of their car instead of purchasing a rack. I knew there was a huge potential market.”
Pedrini presented the idea of a single bike rack to Saris Product Manager Darren Snyder who was skeptical at first. “When Fabio first talked to me about the Solo™ I did not know how to respond. Traditionally, the sales pitch for racks is based on capacity and a long list of features and benefits, but after looking at the market data, it became very clear that there was a huge opportunity.”
Snyder went on to explain, “Each year 13 million bicycles are purchased, but only about 3 million are carried by a rack. That leaves 10 million opportunities. Our answer is the first ever, single bike trunk-mounted rack that is simple to use and install while being both attractive in design and price.”
“Saris owns the rear of the car,“ declares Saris Cycling Group President Chris Fortune, “and we strive to be innovative leaders in the industry. We move to where the puck is going, not to where it has been.”
Tags: Interbike, Madison, saris, saris bones, saris soloRelated Posts:
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