Jerry Moos asked if there was any previous pro cyclist who marketed his own brand of bike while still racing.i.e. before retirement. That would be Arthur Zimmerman of New Jersey an American champion in the 1890's and who also wowed the Brits and rode for Raleigh in the 1890's. He was involved with the Zimmerman Manufacturing Co. of Freehold,N.J. (1895-1898) and raced until 1897 and retired to run a hotel. The bike boom was rapidly deflating due to oversupply and price cutting. Art Link, in sunny mid 80's F , San Antonio,Texas,USA