Cannondale bike shops will soon have an automated fit cycle and a branded fit process called the GURU Experience.
On Wednesday, Dorel announced the purchase of Guru Cycles, a boutique Canadian custom company that owned an innovative piece of fitting technology called the Dynamic Fit Unit, which adjusts on-the-fly while a rider is pedaling on it. Dorel owns the Cycling Sports Group, which consists of Cannondale, GT, Mongoose, Schwinn, IronHorse and Sugoi.
Combined with some frame database software, the newly crowned GURU Experience will allow users to not only get fit, but to have appropriately sized frames selected for them.
The timing of the deal is interesting as it comes on top of Specialized's purchase of Retül, a fit company which has 3D motion capture software, a branded fit bike and frame finder software.
BikeRadar published early speculation of the Guru deal last Wednesday.
“The way consumers shop is changing radically in and outside the cycling industry,” Robert Baird, Group President and CEO of Dorel Recreational/Leisure said in a press release. "GURU is the centerpiece of our overall goal of meeting the needs of consumers and our retailers and transforming bicycle shopping.”
According to Dorel, the GURU Experience will also include an analysis of a rider's flexibility, riding style and riding goals. The geometry data will also be applicable to brands outside the Dorel stable, too, according to the company.
As for the Guru custom frames, Dorel is licensing the name back to the original owners for use on bicycles. The intent of the purchase was solely for the fitting technology.
