Derek Melberg
How long in outdoor/cycling industry: 25 years
Previous jobs held in the industry: Shop Grom, Mechanic, Service Manager, Store Owner, Shimano Tech Rep, Outside Independent Sales Rep
Favorite New(ish) product you like to use: XTR M9100, Osprey Savu 2, Yakima Stage 2, E-Pro 1000 E-bike light, Lazer Jackal, Pro Stealth Off-Road Saddle, PI Pro Bib with Levitate Chamois
Favorite thing to do outside of cycling: Play ice hockey
Random Fun Fact: I have played violin since I was in third grade. Still jam in the garage weekly with my brother
Ian Gross
How long in outdoor/cycling industry: 20 years in the cycling industry (as of this coming May)
Previous jobs held in the industry: Territory Rep for Orbea, Kona, Cervelo
Favorite New(ish) product you like to use: PRO Digital Shock Pump (the swivel head will change your life)
Favorite thing to do outside of cycling: Hiking, Kayaking, and recently learning how to Sail
Random Fun Fact: With the current launch of DA9200 I have helped Shimano launch 6 generations of leading edge road product
Chris Manny
How long in outdoor/cycling industry: Ridin’ since the '70’s, retailin’ through the early '90’s and reppin’ since ’98
Previous jobs held in the industry: Managed the biggest BMX focused shop on the west coast. Became the Mongoose rep in ’98 back when Mongoose was an IBD brand. Struck out as an indy rep in 2002 with catalogs from anyone who’d have me and a dream
Favorite New(ish) product you like to use: GRX DI2. First time I heard gravel bike I thought, that’s dumb. Then I rode one. I think gravel is here to stay. Do you even gravel bro?
Favorite thing to do outside of cycling: I pride myself as a mediocre handyman that likes to glamp, kayak and I’m picking up golf
Random Fun Fact: I collect vintage 70’s BMX stuff and early 90’s Fat Chance product. If you’re a seller, I may be a buyer. Although with two in college my buying budget has been curtailed
Michael Sapione
How long in outdoor/cycling industry: 23 years
Previous jobs held in the industry: 1998-2008 Westport Bicycles, 2008-2011 Jax Bicycles, 2011-2017 Shimano Customer Service, 2017-present RideRep Technical Representative
Favorite New(ish) product you like to use: STePS EP8
Favorite thing to do outside of cycling: Camping
Random Fun Fact: At the first shop I worked at we also sold Segways and used the parking lot as a go-kart track
Kurt Kunoth
How long in outdoor/cycling industry: 16 years
Previous jobs held in the industry: Inside Sales Ellsworth Bikes, Inside Sales Zoot Sports, Outside Rep Rocky Mountain Bicycles
Favorite New(ish) product you like to use: XTR drivetrain, Yakima Overhaul, Lazer Jackal, Osprey Savu 2, PEarl Izumi X-Alp Launch SPD
Favorite thing to do outside of cycling: Motocross, Surfing, Hiking, wandering the Western US
Random Fun Fact: I'm the best cornhole player on my block
Michael Hansen
How long in outdoor/cycling industry: I first started working part time in a shop in 1998 for extra money and parts to help with XC racing. But I started working for Shimano fulltime on April fool’s day 2013.
Previous jobs held in the industry: Parttime Bike builder and Mechanic at Bike USA, Fulltime Sales and Service at Bikebling. And Shimano Customer Service, Insides Sales and Tech support.
Favorite New(ish) product you like to use: The new(ish) Shimano bleed kit. The new syringe and funnel are much improved and easier to work with.
Favorite thing to do outside of cycling: Running, Swimming, Hiking and Family Vacations.
Random Fun Fact: I started listening to a lot of Hip Hop as early as 1980. I then started DJing and moved on to receive a Certificate for Recording Engineering from Harbor College. That’s “Harbor”… not a spelling error.