CABDA West: Bringing QuickSet to Bike Shops Across the Country
Since our last update, we’ve been getting QuickSet into a few bike shops and preparing for our first trade show: CABDA West.
Welcome to CABDA. A lot of good feedback came out of this show.
Anita and I loaded up our SUV in Mesa, Arizona with a canopy, table, racks, signage, and over 100 QuickSet bike seats and headed to Las Vegas.
CABDA is one of the larger trade shows focused on connecting manufacturers with independent bike dealers (IBDs). For us, the objective was simple: get in front of dealers, demonstrate how QuickSet works, and see whether the problem we are solving is something they actually care about.
Early Validation Before the Show Started
Before we even got into the flow of the show, we had an important data point.
QuickSet on the wall at one of the first bike shops to carry it in Arizona.
The first dealer who stopped by our booth was from Arizona. He had already brought QuickSet into his shop and told us he had sold several seats in the previous two weeks. More importantly, he said customer feedback had been very positive.
That kind of real-world validation matters. It confirmed that QuickSet is not just something that works in a booth demonstration. It is something riders respond to once it is on bikes and being used.
What We Saw at the Show
Over two days, we spoke with more than 100 people in the bike industry. Most were owners or staff from IBDs across the country, including Maryland, California, Texas, Washington, and Hawaii.
The feedback was consistent.
E-bike dealers, in particular, immediately recognized the issue. Riders are staying on the bike longer, and traditional saddles, especially fixed-width designs, do not adapt well over time. Many dealers acknowledged they do not have a strong solution today for customers who experience discomfort after 30 minutes or more.
QuickSet’s adjustable-width concept resonated because it addresses that problem directly. It allows the rider to change contact points without tools or interruption.
Dealer Commitments and Industry Feedback
Two dealers committed to ordering on the spot.
One of those was Donnie Bennet, owner of Mr. B’s Bicycles. Donnie has been in the bike business for 49 years and operates three locations. His comment that QuickSet was “the most innovative product at the show” carried real weight given his experience.
We also had a commitment from one of the largest Aventon dealers in Minnesota to purchase two cases.
Beyond orders, we focused on distribution leverage. We provided eight seats to regional sales managers from e-bike manufacturers so they can introduce QuickSet to dealers in their territories.
That conversation reinforced something important. The discomfort issue is already recognized at the manufacturer level. They just have not had a clean solution to point to.
Evaluation, Not Giveaways
Seats at the booth prepared for dealer evaluation and feedback.
We provided over 75 seats to IBDs for evaluation.
The intent was not to hand out product. It was to put QuickSet into real shop environments where owners and staff can assess it, understand how it works, and decide if it fits their customer base.
We also demonstrated our seat hanger display. This gives dealers a simple way to explain the adjustable-width concept on the sales floor, which can be difficult with a traditional boxed saddle.
Who QuickSet Is Built For
The show helped confirm our core use cases:
- E-bike riders logging longer ride times
- Riders who share bikes, including rental fleets, families, and stationary bikes
- Riders looking to reduce pressure in sensitive areas
In all cases, the common thread is variability. Rider position, ride duration, and pressure points change. A fixed saddle does not.
An Unexpected Highlight
One of the more unexpected moments came when Gadget Glimpse stopped by the booth.
They focus on showcasing innovative products and asked to film a quick demo. I explained the seat the same way I would to a dealer standing in front of me.
They handled the filming and editing. The video has since received over 40,000 views and hundreds of likes. More importantly, it put QuickSet in front of a much broader audience than we would reach at the show alone.
Takeaways
From a product standpoint, CABDA West confirmed three things:
- Saddle discomfort, especially for e-bike riders, is a known and growing issue
- Dealers are actively looking for solutions they can stand behind
- A simple, mechanical, tool-free adjustment is easy to understand and demonstrate
That is exactly where QuickSet fits.
The next step is follow-up. Working with the dealers we met, supporting their evaluations, and turning initial interest into long-term placement in their stores.
Thanks,
Jack