BRANDS
the odd request for spare parts or bearings for those still in use, “the single-sided design enabled us to make it very stiff for good tracking and steering. We did not concentrate on making it lightweight, we just focused on durability and reliability, the fact it ended up light was secondary,” explains Mark. Perhaps one of the more groundbreaking moments was the release of the Aero handlebar range which “offered enough competitive advantage to win an Olympic Gold medal. The range continues today with a refined R1 version, which provides aerodynamic benefits while adhering to UCI regulations,” said Mark.
Times Change
At the start, innovation was key, but as new products, brands and companies came and went, the market matured. If you were amongst the survivors, partnerships could make a difference, “USE consciously had limited OEM contracts that would swamp a business for a year or two and then vanish, leaving many in big problems. We had very good contracts with big companies such as Specialized, Giant and Cannondale but always hedged our bets that it would not last,” said Mark. That’s not to say innovation isn’t a focus, research and development are still a key part of business. In the beginning, small milestones were met. Buying their first used version of 2D AutoCAD was a calculated approach.
28 | February 2025
www.bikebiz.com
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