8-31-07 // Online Exclusive: Lezyne And Micki's World

Dillon Clapp, Micki Kozuschek and Julie Rae Mitchell present the Lezyne product line.

Three years ago, Truvativ was a component powerhouse. Only seven years old, the company was one of the world’s leading high-end crank makers, selling not only its own brand, but producing models for other companies, including Bontrager and Specialized. The company had factories and offices in the United States, Taiwan and Europe. Net sales were somewhere in the $60 million range.

And that’s when Micki Kozuschek, the 36-year-old former German triathlete who had moved to the United States and built the company from scratch, walked away.

In the summer of 2004, he shocked the bicycle industry by selling the brand to acquisition-hungry SRAM, who had recently purchased RockShox and Avid. Kozuschek stayed with the company for a few months during the transition and built himself a beautiful house in the hills overlooking San Luis Obispo, California. Then he retired.

But last week, Kozuschek invited a few journalists and parts distributors to his house to introduce them to his latest venture, Lezyne. Since March, Kozuschek had been working from his home office, assembling a small staff and realigning himself with former business partners and factories in Asia. He was finally ready to show his first products, a collection of hand pumps, mini tools, hydration packs, saddle bags and other accessories.

While guests assembled in the game room and awaited the product presentation, Kozuschek lingered on an outdoor patio. He turned and held out his hands. “Am I shaking,” he asked.

One can only imaging the pressure building inside Kozuschek. The reactions of those inside would be the first litmus test of his new brand. Would Lezyne stack up to the inevitable comparisons to Truvativ? Could Kozuschek succeed in building another brand from the ground up?

Over the next two hours, Kozuschek, marketing manager (and former Truvativ employee, Dillon Clapp) and the rest of the small Lezyne team unveiled the company’s first products. Most were simple, well crafted and innovative. Some, like the Alloy Drive hand pump and a $99 carbon mini-tool with titanium hardware, immediately impressed those seated around Kozuschek’s pool table. Judging by the reaction of the crowd, Lezyne could stick around for a while. In six months, Kozuschek and his team had put together a nice collection of parts and accessories.

Given Kozuschek’s previous experience, however, everyone was a bit surprised that he didn’t drop a single hint about cranks, bars, stems or other components that were the main staple at Truvativ. When asked about those products, Kozuschek was quite clear: He is still bound to a non-compete clause he signed with SRAM that lasts until October and says he hasn’t been working on any components. “We’ve been 100 percent focused on the products you see here,” he said.

As the night wound down I asked Kozushek what his goals for the company were. He answered without hesitation: “I want this to be a $75 million to $100 million company in the next five to seven years.

Whether that’s a realistic goal or not, one thing is clear: You don’t build a $100 million company on mini-tools and tire levers alone. Keep an eye out for more new products from Lezyne in the near future.

Stainless 21 $45 This multi-tool packs everything you need for trailside repairs in a stylish, lightweight package. The tools are forged and CNC machined from stainless steel. In addition to standard hex wrenches, the 21 includes a serrated knife blade, bottle opener, chain tool and integrated 8-millimeter wrench.

M-Caddy $20 Not too many mountain bikers still use saddlebacks, but those who do should be pleased with the M-Caddy. An external neoprene pouch provides easy access to a multi-tool and well-marked external compartments keep things nice and tidy. The large main compartment fits one mountain or two road tubes.

Alloy Drive Pump $34 The design influence for Lezyne’s pump was simple: Owner Micki Kozuschek was sick of breaking valves while fixing flats on the trail. The Alloy drive uses a flexible, removable hose that works for both Schrader and Presta valves and reduces the stress placed on valves. When not in use, the hose stows securely inside the pump body. The large-volume mountain bike pump weighs 128 grams.

Allpack $100 All Lezyne hydration packs use a unique “Float Y” shoulder harness that Kozuschek claims increases comfort and mobility. The Allpack, the largest of the bunch, has straps for traditional or full-face helmets and armor and can carry up to six liters of water. Nicely organized storage compartments feature screen-printed icons denoting each pocket’s intended use.